Gold, Rose Gold and Copper metals have made their way into our home decor, closets and tableware with full force over the last few years, so it is only fitting that they begin to take center stage on bridal shower tablescapes this wedding season. Planning a gold themed bridal shower can be fun but slightly overwhelming at times however, with just a few key elements your table can become a the talk of your gathering.

My #1 Tip For Planning Your Gold Themed Bridal Shower Tablescape

Flowers. Flowers. Flowers. If there is one tip I can give you when planning a bridal shower, or any gathering for that matter, when in doubt add flowers. A few of my favorite, can’t-go-wrong-with, flowers are Peonies, Tulips and Hydrangeas. You can find each of them most times of the year, prices may vary during their peak vs non-peak growing seasons but over all they are available year round in the U.S. most months.

If you can find flowers in the theme colors of your bridal shower even better however, I don’t think you can go wrong with pink or white Peonies for a spring or summer bridal shower – especially when planning a rose gold inspired bridal shower tablescape. Add a few white Tulips to your vase filled with peonies to bring another textural element to the table as well as a variety of shapes.  In fact if you find Peonies are hard to locate, beginning with Tulips then add just two or three Peonies will give you a similar effect on a more reasonable floral budget.

#2 for Planning a Gold Themed Bridal Shower :: Go For The Gold

If gold is your theme go for it! Jump all in and don’t hold back!

Pure white plates with a simple banded accent from Le Creuset’s tableware collection sit a top gold chargers creating the perfect frame for a small shower gift personalized with each guests name. The shower gifts, also on theme are tucked inside gold dotted linen bags tied with gold confetti name tags all from a local craft store, serve a dual function as a place card letting guests know where to sit.

And don’t stop there, gold-rimmed stemware like these red and white wine versions from Mikasa’s Gold Accent Stemware collection look uber feminine filled with rose or your favorite bubbles.

#3 for Planning A Gold Themed Bridal Shower Table :: Special Touches Make All the Difference

We have the theme, we have the flowers, next up are the little touches that really make your bridal shower table feel special. Mini Cupcakes in the brides favorite flavor are served with coordinating tiny saucers and Hampton Forge Copper Paris flatware.

Each place setting is tucked into the guests napkin using a simple pocket fold. Here I have thrown out the traditional place setting format and tucked the fork, knife and spoon together in a Rose Nouveau cloth napkin by April Cornell – perfectly pretty in dusty rose.

#4 for Planning a Gold Themed Bridal Shower Table :: Let The Bride Shine

Your table is set and you are ready to welcome your guests. My final tip for planning your gold themed bridal shower… Let the Bride shine. A Bridal shower is such a lovely time for the bride to spend time with her closest friends and loved ones, cater to her needs. Offer to get her another glass of wine or to get her a plate of food, she is under quite a bit of stress these days and deserves a day to be surrounded by family and the beauty of your tablescape.

Have a sip of that rose and relax. You have planned, prepped and your shower is going to be a huge success! Cheers!

Featured Products ::

Le Creuset Dinnerware –http://www.lecreuset.com/tabletop/dinnerware

Mikasa Serenity Stemware –http://www.mikasa.com/red-wine-glasses/serenity-gold/red-wine-glass/5127485.html#q=serenity&start=0&hitcount=16

Hampton Forge Paris Hammered Copper Plated Flatware –http://www.hamptonforge.com/product/1081/departmentApr

Napkins

The post Planning a Gold Themed Bridal Shower Tablescape appeared first on An Appealing Plan by Krayl Funch.

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The morning began with breakfast bar complete with yogurt and fresh fruit provided by Florida Milk.  It was loaded with toppings like granola, shredded coconut and a selection of Divine Chocolate – It was before 10 am but it’s it always time for Dark Chocolate with Pink Himalayan Salt or maybe you prefer Dark Chocolate and Mint! Either way everyone wins!

After a few cups of coffee and chatting with fellow attendees we had a front row seat as Chef Jimmy went live on Facebook to create a tasty bite, BBQ Teriyaki Vegetable and Cheddar Rolls, they are a fun twist on traditional Japanese Negimaki and perfect for your next cocktail party!

Back at the stove Chef Jimmy works with Lodge Cast Iron selection of cookware and whips up an another creamy cheese recipe. I LOVE great cookware that looks great too and had no idea Lodge made a line of enamel pots – did you know??

Next course, and a complete must have for a snowy weekend, was Tomato Basil Mac and Cheese created by Chef Jimmy Kennedy and served by the smiling Sunday Supper Founder, Isabel Reis Laessig.

After two amazing demos we moved to lunch at Elevage with the group to share a family style meal complete with THE most incredible tomato soup with mini grilled cheese. Heaven!

To complete the day – a cheese board creation “contest”. With so many tasty options I would say we were all winners!

The post Cheese Please. A Day Filled #CookingWithCabot appeared first on An Appealing Plan by Krayl Funch.

It is the perfect topping to your favorite steak and you just happen to be in luck… scroll down for the recipe and further details on the Kansas City Steak Company giveaway.

Crisp weather calls for cozy gatherings and great gifts to show loved ones how much you care. The Kansas City Steak Company adds the perfect touch to any celebration – big or small – and makes the perfect gift for your favorite steak lover! Check out their top sellers and learn how you can win your own filets!

KC Signature Gift Boxed Steak Combo

Includes Super-Trimmed Boneless Ribeye Steaks, Filet Mignon and Kansas City Strip Steaks. Plus, Steak and Prime Rib Seasoning packet and The Kansas City Steak Book.

Four 6 oz. Super-Trimmed Filets

This filet mignon is king — butter-tender, cut from the center of the finest aged tenderloin and hand selected from premium corn-fed Kansas beef.

Filet Mignon with Creamy Leek and Green Peppercorn Sauce

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons fresh green peppercorns {packed in brine}
2 leeks, thinly sliced, well washed
2 tablespoons bourbon / whiskey
1/2 cup heavy {whipping} cream
Salt, as needed
METHOD

After cooking your filet, remove from pan to rest.
Add 1 1/2 cups of water to pan and using a flat spatula, scrap bits from bottom of pan and bring to a simmer. Add green pepper corns and leeks. Simmer for 5 minutes to soften leeks.

Add bourbon, simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove pan from heat and slowly add in heavy cream, stirring continuously. Place back on heat and simmer for 5 – 10 minutes until cream sauce begins to thicken. Taste. Add salt as needed.

Entertaining Tip:: Make this sauce ahead of time. Prepare a batch and refrigerated in an airtight container a day in advance. To reheat, transfer to a small saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring frequently.

Kansas City Steaks Holiday 2016

See the full sweepstakes rules HERE. 

Disclosure Statement ~ For recipes, more gift ideas and special offers and more visit the Kansas City Steak Company website. This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kansas City Steak, thank you for supporting the companies that make this blog possible!

The post Filet Mignon with Creamy Leek and Green Peppercorn Sauce + Kansas City Steak #GIVEAWAY appeared first on An Appealing Plan by Krayl Funch.

Secret #1 to Hosting a Successful Holiday Open House :: Plan Ahead

I know… I just told you that you can do this with only weeks left in the holiday entertaining season,  and now I am talking about planning! Don’t worry. You’ve got this but you still need to put in a little planning time. Believe me, an hour planning makes for an entire night full of a low stress holiday open house.

Set aside 1 – 1 1/2 hours tomorrow to create a quick guest list, a basic time-line and easy menu. With it on paper you now have a guide for planning your holiday open house.

Secret #2 to Hosting a Successful Holiday Open House :: Show Them the Green Stuff

NO, I am not talking anything illegal or even about money. I am talking about live greens, evergreens, boxwoods and other cuttings from either your own garden or purchased at the local market.

I have been hosting, planning and decorating holiday gatherings for over 20 years so take it from me, live greens go a long way. It must be something to do with bringing nature inside, the scent of pine filling your home, their intense texture or the variety of colors that is an immediate WOW factor. Use live greens at your entranceway, on your tablescape and mixed with cut flowers placed in a vase – they will transform your space into a winter wonderland guaranteed. 

Secret #3 to Hosting a Successful Holiday Open House :: Bring Out the Bling

Decorating during the holiday season is all about metallics, glitter and using “the good stuff” so don’t be afraid to mix metallic serveware and your favorite flatware for your open house, or for the entire holiday season.

My new obsession…  this hammered copper flatware by Argent Orfèvres  for Hampton Forge. Seriously. I am completely in love with this pattern and it is now my must-have for my holiday season. It actually makes me smile when I open my flatware drawer – no joke!

Copper pairs perfectly with all metals especially the latest trends in kitchen hardware – gold, black metal, rose gold and copper. Have you seen all the copper small appliances hitting markets these days? Get a jump on the trend with your own set of Argent Orfèvres Paris Hammered Copper flatware.

Secret #4 to Hosting a Successful Holiday Open House :: Serve Punch!

One of my best friends is all about bringing retro back and what is more Retro Rad around the holidays than a big bowl of punch!

This year I am serving up a wintery spice Wassail at my holiday open house. Make up a big batch and let guest serve themselves. It looks incredibly festive on your bar and taste just as good!

Secret #5 to Hosting a Successful Holiday Open House :: Set It + Forget It

Secret #5 could be my number one secret for hosting a successful holiday open house – set it and forget it. Ok, maybe don’t completely forget about it but you get my gist.

By selecting menu items that can stand being at room temperature during the span of your party, you allow your self time to mix and mingle in between refreshing and replenishing your apps. Serve a cheese + charcuterie platter, mini quiches and a lovely seafood bite – it is the holidays after all, splurge a bit on one or two items then fill in with less pricey and more filling options.

I hope these tips help you feel more comfortable + confident hosting your own holiday open house this season. 

If you have ANY questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me via email, Instagram, Twitter or your favorite social media platform with questions – I am more than happy to answer them all!

Happy Entertaining!!

A little more about my favorite new flatwareArgent Orfèvres Paris Hammered Copper .

Created in premium 18/10 stainless steel with an artist’s eye and jeweler’s attention to detail, Argent Orfèvres Paris Hammered Copper  surprises with precious metal finishes, sophisticated textures and inspired forms that elevate the experience of fine dining. The lux Argent Orfèvres brand’s expressive design is perfect for this holiday season! We hope everyone who invites Argent into their home and on to their tabletop this season will feel as decadent and magnificent as the flatware itself!

Disclosure Statement: This post is sponsored by Hampton Forge in conjunction with a social media campaign. Although I was compensated, I truly am a HUGE fan of their beautiful flatware – all opinions are my own.

The post 5 Secrets To Hosting a Successful Holiday Open House appeared first on An Appealing Plan by Krayl Funch.

WASSAIL defined

NOUN

1 Spiced ale or mulled wine drunk during celebrations for Twelfth Night and Christmas Eve: 

     1.1 Lively and noisy festivities involving the drinking of plentiful amounts of alcohol; revelry:

VERB

[NO OBJECT]archaic

1 Drink plentiful amounts of alcohol and enjoy oneself with others in a noisy, lively way:

     1.1historical :: drink to (fruit trees, typically apple trees) in a custom intended to ensure a fruitful crop: 

2 Go from house to house at Christmas singing carols:

{as defined by OxfordDictionary.com}

As with many traditions the folklore surrounding it varies and evolves over time… especially when there is alcohol involved.

As I attempted to dig deeper into the drink and the activity around this holiday punch, my favorite of the wassail traditions rose to the top. Tradition has it that the spiced cider was offered as an ancient honor to the trees in the hopes of a plentiful harvest the following year.

“In wintertime, wassailers would prepare the traditional wassail – soaking pieces of bread, cake or toast in it – and travel from apple orchard to apple orchard in effort to ensure a good harvest for the coming year. Wassail-soaked pieces of bread or toast were then buried at the trees’ roots or hung in the trees’ branches to appease the tree spirits and feed them well until the next harvest.”

Other stories talk of revelers walking from pub to pub singing, or some holding bowls of wassail in the streets and selling cups to those who passed by for pennies. All I am sure have some truth to them and simply make the tradition wassail all the more intriguing to me.

Along with the many different stories as to the origin, it seems no two recipes for Wassail are quite alike. All generally contain apples and spices in some combination, eggs, egg-free, cream, cream-free, with out with ale, sherry, Bourbon, Whiskey and the list goes on. A few recipes require the use of slow cookers and a few traditionalist only serve Wassail warm.

I recently hosted a holiday open house and served my Wassail chilled with frozen cranberries, spices and orange slices as floating garnish. It looked super festive on the bar and was a huge hit with guests of all ages. {I may have consumed more than others, but thats the fun of being the host right!?}

My suggestion… Fill a large punch bowl with a non-alcoholic batch to offer to all your guests as they enter then let them add their favorite spirit as they wish. 

Holiday Wassail Punch Recipe

6 cups apple cider
1 cup orange juice
4 cinnamon sticks, plus additional
6-8 whole star anise, plus additional
6 whole cloves
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Pinch of allspice
Bourbon or whiskey – optional

Garnish: optional but recommended
cinnamon sticks
star anise
pomegranate seeds
orange zest/slices
whole cranberries

METHOD

In a large dutch oven, bring all of the ingredients to a low boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for a few hours. Strain. Serve hot or cold; spike with bourbon/whiskey, if desired.
Garnish with whole cinnamon sticks, star anise and orange slices.

SERVES 6

Looking for a new holiday punch but not familiar with the term Wassail or the verb wassailing? Listen in to this youtube video.

The post Wassail Holiday Open House Punch appeared first on An Appealing Plan by Krayl Funch.

I must admit growing up in the Northeast I, like many living in the northern states, think of strawberries as a summer fruit only seasonally available in the warmer months. But did you know that American grown Florida Strawberries are available November through April. Makes you wonder why you would ever buy a strawberry not grown in the U.S. right? 

So now the question is –  What tasty treats can we make year round to take advantage of this berry abundance? Luckily there is a plethora of sweet and savory strawberry recipes to be found for any winter entertaining opportunity you have to break out those beautiful Florida Strawberries.

I love this twist on a standard Strawberry Bread recipe with switching out the cinnamon for cardamon. It adds a special flavor that is wonderful for the cooler months of the holiday season.

And don’t forget all the amazing health benefits of strawberries! Strawberries and other fruits are virtually fat-free and contain no cholesterol. They are an excellent source of folic acid and a good source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure. PLUS strawberry skins contains both gallic and ellagic acids which many researchers believe help treat and even prevent certain forms of cancer. Learn more about the health benefits on the Florida Strawberry Website – HERE.

Update :: Over time, I have had several questions about the type of strawberries I use in my recipes. Here is a photo of the strawberries I use, fresh Florida Strawberries.

Strawberry Bread Recipe

INGREDIENTS

5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pan

1 pint fresh Florida Strawberries, rinsed, hulled, halved and mashed with a fork

1 3/4 cups whole wheat organic all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Butter an 8-by-4-inch loaf pan.

In a small saucepan, bring strawberries to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring, 1 minute. Set aside to cool.

In a medium bowl, whisk to combine flour, baking soda, cardamon, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

In a mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, cream butter, sugar, and eggs until light and fluffy. Add 1/2 of flour mixture, 1/3 cup water combine well, mix in remaining flour mixture. Fold in reserved strawberries.

Scrape batter into buttered pan, smoothing top. Bake 45 minutes, check for doneness, tent top with foil to prevent browning, cook another 15 minutes. Bread is done when a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour.

Cool in pan 10 minutes. Run a knife around edges; invert onto a rack to remove from pan. Reinvert; cool completely.

Links to social channels for Florida Strawberries

Facebook

Google +

Instagram

Pinterest

Twitter

YouTube 

Florida Strawberry is launching a huge giveaway this season.

Submit a fabulous photo with Florida strawberries and receive a free Florida Strawberry cap plus get entered for a chance to win a getaway to Florida at the TradeWinds Island Resort in St. Pete’s Beach. Airfare, accommodations, and a tour of a strawberry farm in Plant City for up to 4 people.  Enter HERE.

Giveaway terms and conditions.

Key factors:

• The Florida Strawberry Cap Contest #FloridaStrawberryCap begins on December 12, 2016 at 12:00 a.m. and ends on February 12, 2017 at 11:59 p.m.
• Submit a photo directly through the link or on social media using the #FLStrawberryCap hashtag
• Everyone who enters gets a Florida Strawberry Cap – Limit one per household
• You can enter for the grand prize as many times as you’d like

Disclosure Statement: This post is sponsored byFlorida Strawberry in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.

Appetizers

• Balsamic Strawberry Brie Bites by Casa de Crews
• Roasted Strawberry Chipotle Sauce by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
• Savory Strawberry Crostini by Cooking Chat
• Strawberry Apple Salsa by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
• Strawberry Hummus by The Freshman Cook

Desserts

• Chocolate Covered Strawberries by Desserts Required
• Classic Eton Mess by Sunday Supper Movement
• Fresh Strawberry Pie by Recipes Food and Cooking
• Goopy Goop – A Healthy Strawberry Sauce by Cricket’s Confections
• Strawberry Bundt Cake by Caroline’s Cooking
• Strawberry Layer Cake with Strawberry Buttercream Frosting by Family Around The Table

Main Dishes

• Grilled Balsamic Strawberry & Chicken Kabobs by Books n’ Cooks
• Grilled Fish Topped with Strawberry Salsa by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Spicy Strawberry BBQ Shredded Chicken by The Crumby Cupcake
• Strawberry and Arugula Pizza by A Mind “Full” Mom
• Strawberry Balsamic Brie Grilled Cheese by Authentically Candace

Side Dishes

• Strawberry Almond Couscous by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Strawberry Bread by An Appealing Plan
• Strawberry Bruschetta Side Salad by April Golightly
• Strawberry Coleslaw by Family Foodie
• Strawberry Pecan Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

The post Strawberry Bread { #FLStrawberry + #SundaySupper } appeared first on An Appealing Plan by Krayl Funch.

And yes, I had that moment of panic + anxiety.

With nothing under our tree, except a tree skirt and the pine needles that have already fallen, I sat down to create my holiday list.

Please tell me I am not the only one…

As I created my list of loved ones, I realized I have several newly weds and/or new-ish homeowners on my list this year. It occurred to me that you may have a few as well. Perhaps a good friend, a daughter, a niece or a daughter-in-law who is still trying to pull her home together, still collecting + searching for the perfect pieces.

A lightbulb went off above my head – my Seasonal Home Box would be PERFECT for these lovelies on your list!

What could be better? Let me spend my time shopping for the perfect items for their homes and let YOU look like the hero {insert best aunt, mother-in-law, boss, mentor, etc.. as it pertains to you}!

So let me do the work for you? I am pretty sure you have other things to cross off your holiday checklist – most likely things you are better at handling than running from busy parking lot to busy parking lot.

Let me search for new home decor trends, shop for the best brands and spend the time waiting in line while you simply press a button to send a box filled with speciality seasonal items ready to be unwrapped.

My seasonal home subscription box is an effortless home styling service to make sure every home looks it’s best every season without you having to deal with spending hours searching + shopping for those perfect pieces.

Click HERE to send either a Holiday Home Box or a take advantage of the specially priced Annual Seasonal Home Box Membership, or keep reading to learn more…

HOW DOES THE SEASONAL HOME BOX MEMBERSHIP WORK?

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

Each limited release box is unique, hand-picked with you in mind and delivered to your {or your recipients} door – available quarterly for the season or for the entire year, a new box shipping each of the four seasons. While the products inside vary, I promise to select quality items I have brought into my own home for the season.

Examples of items included are seasonal candles, kitchen accents, accent pillow covers, tablescape decor, a favorite book, seasonal entertaining must have’s or gifting trends. Many will be items I find my self replacing or swapping out each season now. Don’t let Christmas sneak up on you too!

Send either a one Season Gift {you pick Winter 2016 or Spring 2017} OR select to send a Full Year Membership including 4 shipments. Buy yours HERE.

After purchase you will receive an email requesting further details on shipping + welcome card wording. Find out more HERE.

P.S. ~ or perhaps… press “forward” and let someone make YOUR holiday dreams come true when they purchase my Seasonal Home Box for YOU. A little hint never hurt… right?

The post The Gift She is Sure to Love … appeared first on An Appealing Plan by Krayl Funch.

Made with supplies found around many homes like epsom salts, craft glue, saved ribbons and natural twine these luminaries can be made in many different themes in less than an hour.

Line your walkway for a Holiday gathering to light your guests path or group them with pinecones on a mantle to welcome Santa on Christmas Eve.

For step-by-step instructions to make my DIY Mason Jar Luminaries, watch my LIVE segment on WLFA.com today with Gayle Guyardo’s #GaylesGuideToPinterest – Wednesday December 7th at 11am and 4pm. And be sure to  Subscribe to my YouTube Channel  to see the replay when it is posted today! 

MASON JAR LUMINARIES SUPPLIES

mason jars – clean and empty
craft glue
foam brush
Epsom Salts
scissors
ribbon
twine

baking sheet

INSTRUCTIONS 

Spread a thin layer of craft glue on outside of mason jar. Place jar over baking sheet and begin to cover glue area with epsom salts. The baking sheet will catch excess.

Allow to dry for 1 hour.

Wrap colorful ribbon around the out side of the jar and attach an ornament or garden clipping.

Drop a self-contained votive into the jar and light to enjoy the glow of your new Mason Jar Luminary!

The post DIY Mason Jar Holiday Luminaries appeared first on An Appealing Plan by Krayl Funch.

The metallic trend is here to stay but don’t believe this means you can’t also use some of the traditional nature inspired Thanksgiving decor, such as gourds, wheat and Indian Corn, on your Thanksgiving tablescape this year as well.

One of my favorite looks is mixing the two decor trends together. Look for faux gourds in rich metallic tones like bronze, matte gold and copper which naturally complement the gold tones of wheat and the deep reds and browns of dried Indian Corn. 

Place textured chargers under your china, then top each Thanksgiving placesetting with a linen napkin tucked into a grapevine napkin ring – then add a placecard if you like. One of my top tips for setting a Thanksgiving tablescape is to keep the decor low and tight, this allows guest to speak to each other over the centerpeice.

For this tablescape I am mixing and matching my glassware… we have “lost” a few to kitchen tragedies and I have more than enough. So why buy more when they all look so festive mixed together.

Entertainers Tip :: when mixing glassware have one common variable. For instance here they are all clear glass with a stem. 

Bring all the tones and textures together on your Thanksgiving table by tucking in a few sprigs of my favorite foliage Eucalyptus. The leaf color and shape looks great with metallic seasonal decor and perhaps even a bit of the calming energy to your gathering.

Happy Thanksgiving from my home to yours!  

The post Metallic Inspired Thanksgiving Tablescape appeared first on An Appealing Plan by Krayl Funch.