Champagne Drinks for Ringing in the New Year
2014 is almost in the books and it’s time to celebrate a new year! We always enjoy popping the cork on our favorite bottle of champagne to ring in the new year, but I thought it would be fun this year to try out a new champagne drink on our fellow revelers. When I was …
Party Ideas to Kick Off the New Year
The fireworks, the countdown and the excitement of a “fresh start” have always made New Year’s Eve one of my favorite holidays. Already, 2015 brings with it so many reasons to celebrate! It’s a great time to reflect on accomplishments and special moments from the past 12 months and also offers a new beginning for …
Save Your Rugs from Holiday Stains
Whether you hosted a holiday get-together with your whole neighborhood, or simply prepared Christmas Dinner for your family, one thing is for sure… inevitably, things get messy. While accidents are a reality of hosting, the aftermath of Uncle Ralph’s fourth glass of red wine or the ‘artwork’ from your child’s chocolate pudding fingers on your …
Christmas Morning Breakfast Ideas
Growing up, Christmas morning was a highly anticipated annual affair, worthy of carefully coordinated pajamas and some serious calendar countdowns, suspiciously in full swing sometime after the daily grind of the school year began. One year in particular I vividly remember setting aside two full size candy bars from my Halloween trick-or-treating stockpile, rare precious …
New Christmas Traditions
This is our first Christmas in the new-to-us house, so we’re thinking about new Christmas traditions here. For one thing, now we have a formal living room and family room to decorate. So, while the tree is in the family room, I got to add some personal favorite Christmas touches to our living room. Something new I’ve …
Décor Ideas to Dazzle Your Guests this Christmas
Soft white twinkle lights, homemade wreaths, ornaments and festive doorway garland are just a few of my family’s favorite Christmas décor necessities. They always make our home feel especially cozy before guests arrive to celebrate the season with us. As the mother of a very busy five-year-old who loves acting as a “big helper,” decorating …
Five Ways to Prepare Your Home for the Holidays
They are upon us, aren’t they? We’ve all been running around shopping, baking, entertaining and decking our halls! Are you ready? Or more importantly, is your home ready? Every year I seem to think my home is ready, and then I find myself with house guests or in the midst of celebrating and discover that …
Classic Christmas Center Pieces and How to Get the Look
Christmas is just around the corner and if you’re playing host or hostess for a holiday gathering this year, you may be asking yourself how you want to decorate the dining room table. Each year, I see a variety of center pieces that range from extravagant to romantic to simple but chic. While your personal …
Not Your Everyday Christmas Cookies
The Christmas season is here. Time for family, friends, shopping, and baking! If you’re tired of the same ol’ sugar cookies, check out these yummy cookies. Not your everyday Christmas cookies, for sure! These Peppermint Bonbon Cookies are always a favorite at my friend Cynthia’s book club: A gooey chocolate center and crunchy peppermint – yum! Something …
Our Thanksgiving Menu
I love Thanksgiving. It’s my favorite holiday. Leaves falling, football in the yard and on TV, family together, and THE FOOD! The food is the best, to me. So today I thought I’d share my Thanksgiving menu with you. I’m largely a traditionalist when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner. Here’s what’s on our menu and …