the pretty things

sassy sundays

2014-05-18T19:17:00.001-07:00

[sassy sundays]

so i've decided to start blogging again after a really long hiatus. i'm not sure exactly why it's been so long, but i'm ready to get back at it. my goal is to post style inspirations on sundays, hence 'sassy sundays'.

this summer i'm pretty sure all you'll see me in will be maxi skirts and maxi dresses. i love the care free vibe they give to an outfit, the comfort and that they are a cool option for hot days. i love to pair maxi skirts with a loose tee shirt and a fitted jacket or a loose tee shirt knotted to the side with a long necklace. maxi dresses on the other hand are an outfit within themselves. you don't really have to do a whole lot which is what i love about them. throw on and go.

[inman park]

isn't my neighborhood the cutest? benji and i make a habit out of taking long walks in the evenings and soaking it all in.

love list

2012-05-02T14:37:00.000-07:00

[bar carts]

keep the guests happy with a little home bar. add some pretty drinkware, a tray, and a vase of fresh flowers to make it come to life.

[ralph lauren honeycomb lantern]

how interesting does this look? it's gorgeous and would look fantastic in a grouping of three over a dining table or in an entry.

[al fresco dining]

when the weather warms up there's no place i'd rather be than outdoors.

[ce jeu by yelle]

though i can't understand a single lyric of this song, it puts me in the best mood. love!

theodore roosevelt

2012-04-24T14:13:00.000-07:00

i came across a quote today that really resonated with me:

it is so true. living in the age of social media, it can prove difficult to avoid comparing myself to others. i often find myself perusing blogs, pinterest, facebook, twitter and whatever else feeling underwhelmed with my own life. it's not a good feeling though we all do it. each time i feel myself going down that road i will remind myself of this quote. it is definitely one to live by! :]

back in business

2012-03-09T06:02:00.000-08:00

hey guys! just wanted to let you know that my etsy shop is back in business. i love to create things and have decided to focus my attention on decor and accessories for weddings. i have boutonnieres and cake stands for sale so far, but i'm hoping to add other decor into the mix eventually.

in my shop you will find natural boutonnieres made out of earthy elements like feathers, twigs, and wheat. however, i can also make boutonnieres, corsages, and bouquets out of fresh flowers if you live in the northeast georgia area. due to shipping, i can't offer fresh flowers for sale in my shop unfortunately.

i love to create custom orders so if you don't see exactly what you are looking for, please message me and i would be happy to help create your vision. [that goes for cake stands as well. i can make them in any color, size, or pattern.]

http://www.etsy.com/shop/daisiesarepretty

[or you can click the link over on the right hand corner of the page.]

latest project.

2012-02-08T09:58:00.000-08:00

I met with a very sweet lady, Mary Beth, a few days ago to discuss her needs and wants for her family room, kitchen, and entry. She told me she would like a new sofa, tables, and accessories in her family room. She also requested that i bring in some color with my design. She loves bright blues, greens, and summery colors. lastly, she would just like to see an overall update. She wants to go from traditional to contemporary.

Her mantel needed a little update. It goes from drab to fab with just a few quick changes! I added a gorgeous linen canvas and pulled out the pops of green with the accessories. The painting has the slightest touch of mustard yellow that really ties in the wall color as well.

With a family of five it's necessary to have an adequate amount of comfy seating. Her furniture consisted of chairs and a sofa in a country blue that had been handed down from a friend. I updated the seating with a super comfortable down filled sofa in a neutral color. The sofa is actually going to be in a corner configuration as pictured in the floorplan.

It will allow her whole family to watch tv together in one space. A coffee table and end table were added in a rustic finish to camouflage any scratches or dents added by use. I carried the accent color throughout the seating as well. By adding colorful toss pillows and accessories the room feels complete.

With small children it was necessary to have spill friendly seating in the kitchen. I went with leather dining chairs in a gorgeous shade of green. They can be easily wiped off and cleaned. She wasn't happy at all with her current lighting which gave off a garish glare so I updated it with a contemporary pendant. They glow softly when lit and have a really beautiful look.

My client originally had requested a bar area for her dining room. After measuring the room and creating a floorplan I quickly realized there wouldn't be enough walking space with a bar. I decided to be uncoventional and suggest putting a bar in the entry. With the closed storage it won't be obvious to visitors that it's a bar. I updated her current round traditional rug with a contemporary cowhide in a gorgeous olive green. It will add a lot of interest and make a big impression in the entry.

pastels.

2012-02-06T16:25:00.000-08:00

as of late I have fallen head over heels for pastels. they are so dreamy, understated, and classic. using a color palette of pastels will immediately give your wedding, party, or event a touch of whimsy.

[green wedding shoes]

this mexican inspired dessert area was styled to perfection. i love the pops of turquoise and the shabby chic architectural elements.

[green wedding shoes]

this is SUCH a creative tablescape. the glass cylinders look great filled with pebbles and succulents at varying heights.

oh, that silverware! gorgeous.

[ruffled blog]

[alexan events]

who says you have to have one style of dress for your bridesmaids?

[ruffled blog]

be mine.

2012-02-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

valentine's day is quickly approaching so I rounded up a few ideas to celebrate! i never know what to get my husband that isn't completely dorky for such a girlie holiday so I usually surprise him with some sort of baked good. does anyone else have this problem?

easy enough, just decorate red velvet cupcakes with "x" and "o".

valentine jelly pops from tablespoon

aw, use a heart shaped cookie cutter to surprise your hubby, or loved one with a festive breakfast!

if you're throwing a V-day bash, take a cue from this photo and create a deliciously cute spread of desserts.

for decor, print love quotes on the backside of scrapbook paper and cut out into strips. staple or glue them together to create hearts and attach to cute ribbon!

you can find paper doilies at almost any craft store for uber cheap. attach them to a string of white lights for festive decor!

strawberry or cherry crush is the PERFECT drink for a Valentine's Day party.

chocolate raspberry pavlova from what katie ate

apple, ginger, cranberry, and vodka cocktails from what katie ate

use this tutorial from martha stewart to create little felt fortune cookies. fill them with candy as a cute alternative to the store bought valentine.

paper those walls

2012-01-30T09:11:00.000-08:00

i l.o.v.e wallpaper. it adds so much drama and character to a space. there are so many different ways it can be used in a room other than floor to ceiling on all four walls. below are a few of my favorite finds.

[add interest and depth to boring built-ins with a gorgeous wallpaper]

[highlight your existing architectural detailing with wallpaper.]

[use wallpaper to create a focal wall]

all images are from decor pad

when in rome...

2012-01-16T12:50:00.000-08:00

do as the romans do!

i thought i would share some window treatment ideas today. interior design is more informal and eclectic than ever. with that being said, over the top, frilly window treatments are definitely a thing of the past. however, that doesn't necessarily mean that you have to have floor to ceiling panels in every. single. room. instead why not mix it up a little with some roman shades? they give a nice tailored look to any room. they are also really convenient in that they operate like blinds.

[decor pad]

love the black trim that has been added to these white roman shades. it adds so much dimension.

[decor pad]

love a pretty stripe!

[decor pad]

how clean, refreshing, and airy is this bathroom? seriously!

[decor pad]

love the greek key trim that has been added to these shades! how interesting!

[decor pad]

soften up bamboo shades by layering cotton panels with them. love the look!

[house beautiful]

another greek key! these are bold and beautiful.

[house beautiful]

i'm loving the fun pattern on this roman shade. what a lovely kitchen!

[decor pad]

love list

2012-01-12T15:38:00.000-08:00

[zooey's hair]

[turban headbands]

 [portlandia]

this show lovingly pokes fun at all of the idiosyncrasies perpetuated by the art and design community [particularly in Portland]. tune in and be prepared to laugh at yourself!

[forks over knives]

forks over knives is a super informative documentary that dives deep into the culprit of america's staggering cancer, diabetes, and heart disease epidemics. it is necessary to educate ourselves on nutrition and to be aware what is in the food that we are putting into our bodies. i could  write a novel about this subject being that it's something i am deeply  passionate about, but i'll spare you. just educate, educate, educate  yourselves.

[food matters]

"Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine, And Thy Medicine Be Thy Food." - Hippocrates

i actually watched this about a year ago, but i figured while i was on the subject i may as well bring it up. food matters is another incredible documentary offering insight to warding off disease by utilizing nutrition.

[peach + seafoam color palette]

DIY End Table Revamp

2012-01-11T09:03:00.000-08:00

my latest DIY project began with a couple of end tables I purchased at a local thrift store for 15$ each. they weren't the prettiest to say the least, but what attracted me to them was that they were solid wood and very sturdy. solid wood can be sanded and painted easily and will stand the test of time.

this go around i didn't just want to paint my new tables. i have painted many a piece of furniture and i thought it was time to try my hand at something new. i decided it was time to give glazing a whirl and i am really happy with how they turned out! glazing gives a whole new dimension to painted furniture.

for this project you will need:

- clear mixing glaze [found here]

- brown or black acrylic or latex paint to tint glaze [i used cheap craft paint found here]

- good quality latex paint in semi-gloss or satin

- good quality paint brush

- old rags

- container of water

-fine grain sandpaper

before

Step One:
give entire piece of furniture a light sanding. wipe off any dust or debri with a damp cloth before painting.

Step Two:

give entire piece of furniture a coat of paint in your color of choice using a quality paint brush. [it really does make a tremendous difference to spend a little extra on a quality paint brush vs. the value options.] let the furniture dry over night. you can repeat this process if necessary, though i only applied one coat.

Step Three:

now the fun begins! it's time to mix your glaze. i went by the formula four parts glaze to one part paint. however, if you would like your glaze to be darker or lighter you can definitely adjust the formula. it's a forgiving process, so don't fret and just have fun with it!

Step Four:

now it's time to apply the glaze and there are certainly many different ways this can be done. it's important to work in sections because glaze dries quickly. decide where to begin and paint a decently thick coat of paint on your first section. you can either dampen a rag and manipulate the glaze that way or use a wet paint brush. after trying it both ways i personally liked the look of the paint brush. it almost gives a wood grain effect. either way, the goal in this step is to take a little of the glaze off with the rag or paint brush while leaving glaze in the nooks and crannies to give an aged effect.

Step Five:

let the piece of furniture dry for a few days or up to a week if necessary. if it still feels sticky to the touch, it hasn't dried completely. once dry you can paint a coat of polyurethane over it for protection. this is recommended for heavy use pieces especially.

after

i hope this tutorial has helped you or at least inspired you! i'm sure there are a ton of details i left out, and if that's the case please email me or leave a commment with your questions. i'm by no means an expert, but i would love to offer advice based on what i have learned with this project. also the DIY network offers up some great tips here.

what do you think of how it turned out? do you like the look of glazing or not so much? i would love to hear your thoughts!

a few tips for organizing your abode in style

2012-01-10T09:31:00.000-08:00

a happy home is an organized home.

these are truly words to live by in my opinion. i thought it would be fun to gather a few ideas for stylishly organizing your abode. organizing can be really tricky and doing it in style even more so. sure we can all throw things away and clear the clutter, but it's the actual arranging and making sense of everything that can get tough. [at least for me.] hopefully these ideas will help you as well as me to get things in order for the new year ahead!

[real simple]

are you so tired of your necklaces getting tangled and wasting valuable time trying to mend them? simply use a wall mounted coat rack to hang them neatly and tangle free.

[real simple]

use a desk organizer to stow away cutting boards and cookie sheets neatly under the cabinet. this is a great way to free up valuable counter space. love this one!

[real simple]

a magnetic spice rack can also double as office storage. hang above your desk for easy access to staples, paper clips, rubber bands, etc. find one here.

[the style files]

recycle an old dresser into a new buffet for your dining room. paint it with a coat of chalkboard paint and use the drawers to organize your linens and dishes. [chalkboard paint can be tinted in literally any color you dream of at home depot.]

[pinterest]

whether you have a library's worth of books or just a small bookshelf it may behoove you to organize by color. not only is it convenient while searching for your next read, but it's also visually striking.

[martha stewart]

designate a pretty tray as a catch all for books, magazines, remotes, etc. on your nightstand or coffee table.

[babble blog]

make the most of your under cabinet storage in the bathroom. attach shelving to the inside of cabinet doors for extra space.

[apartment therapy]

save counter space by wall mounting wire baskets to organize your kitchen utensils.

[pinterest]

when storage is limited in a bathroom utilize a hanging basket system to store towels, washcloths, and toiletries.

[my sweet savannah blog]

yet another idea to free up valuable counter space in the kitchen! wall mount wire baskets to store produce, drinks, or whatever else you may need room for.

[my sweet savannah blog]

organize the garage by simply vertically mounting coat racks on the walls. what a great way to easily sort your garden tools and save floor space.

[home made simple]

use a ladder for displaying and organizing your heels! genius!

knock knock who is there

2012-01-08T11:52:00.000-08:00

i will save the bad joke and cut to the chase.

[orange!]

i'm not sure if it's the winter blahs or just the fact that it's a great color, but i have really been attracted to orange lately. it's the perfect pop of happy, peppy, warm color!

[traditional home]

it's all about the details. the orange accents pop against the deep turquoise and green.

[traditional home]

i love a good inexpensive do it yourself project. thrifted frames have been upcycled and turned into beautiful wall decor. a collection of frames in varying shapes, sizes, and textures have been painted in Harmony by Sherwin Williams.

[pinterest]

those olsens are always stylin.

[martha stewart weddings]

sometimes a variety of candles are all you really need to beautifully outfit a dinner table. especially when they are in the perfect shades of complimentary turquoise and orange.

[house of turquoise]

i'm really digging this family room. it's so electic, colorful, and liveable. 

 [pinterest]

every girl needs a bright orange blazer.

 [decor pad]

it would be really hard to think of a reason worthy of getting out of such a beautiful bed in the morning. 

[caitlin wilson textiles]

for all of you do-it-yourselfers caitlin wilson textiles has an incredible assortment of fabric by the yard. or if you would rather skip all of the work, ready-made pillow covers are available for purchase as well.

[shop ruche blog]

now that's a fashionable dining room. when decorating with orange, you must be brave. don't hesitate to accent with another bright color or pattern.

[design sponge]

this bathroom has stolen my heart. if you know me, you know how much i love a clawfoot tub. and an orange one at that? oh my.

[casa sugar]

warm colors paired together are always so striking. the color palette in this living room really makes for an inviting space.

parvez taj

2012-01-04T08:28:00.000-08:00

parvez taj is an artist based out of california. he uses a variety of mixed media including photography, inks, and paints to create beautiful works of art on reclaimed barnwood. each piece is relatively inexpensive and most are large in scale. in other words you get a lot for what you pay for which is huge.

original artwork is definitely an investment and doesn't come cheap, but it's so worth it. your home should really show off your personality and reflect your interests. guests should immediately get a sense of 'who you are' when visiting your home. there is no better way to acheive that feel than by adding collected artwork.

[agadir]

[kasbah]

[reclaimed subway]

[udaipur]

the new stone age

2012-01-03T08:23:00.000-08:00

agate is a beautiful ornamental stone that is found primarily in volcanic rock. it is characterized by a rough exterior and a strikingly beautiful core that features bold marbelized colors. lately it has been frequenting fashion as well as interior design magazines and editorials and i for one, love it. it adds an organic yet glamorous touch to any space or outfit.

[agate bookends from Royale Minerals]

these bookends are gorgeous and would add so much flair to your bookshelf.

[agate bottle stoppers from Uncommon Goods]

add a touch of class to your champagne or wine by replacing the boring cork with one of these gorgeous agate bottle stoppers.

[agate coasters from Uncommon Goods]

i don't think a more beautiful set of coasters exists. these would make for the perfect table top accessory.

[agate pillow from West Elm]

this pillow has been screen printed to mimic the beautiful marbelized colors found in agate.

[agate slice sculptures from Rain Collection]

these scluptures are the perfect size for adding a little color to a bookshelf or coffee table.

[agate hors d'Oeuvre plates from Elsewares]

these would be so pretty as a cheese plate or serving tray for your next dinner party.

[delicate agate slice necklace from Urban Outfitters]

this part rock and roll (ha!) and part hippie chic necklace would add so much personality to any outfit.

[purple agate cuff from Modtoast]

everything about this cuff is gorgeous. the wire wrapped detail looks phenomenal.

christmas tablescapes

2011-12-20T12:10:00.000-08:00

around the holidays the dining table always serves as the central gathering place for friends and family to share dinner, stories, laughter and memories. being that the table is so important really for any holiday i always like to feature some great ideas for tablescapes. this year i have gathered some ideas for natural decor that you can find in your own backyard.

[sweet something designs]

glass cylinder vases serve as the centerpiece for this naturally beautiful tablescape. a vintage camp blanket has been used in place of a tablecloth and sets the color palette of classic red and green.

for added height and interest the glass vases have been placed on cedar stumps. love that detail!

burlap has been cut into placemats and garland. black napkins have been wrapped with jute and accented with a jingle bell and boxwood trimmings. the final result is so beautiful!

[better homes and gardens]

here a glass cloche as been filled with clear glass ornaments (with the caps removed), along with pinecones and evergreen trimmings. sprinkle a few evergreen trimming around the cloche for a nice finishing touch. simple and classy!

[martha stewart]

line a variety of white vases down the center of your dining table and fill them with trimmings from cedar trees, white spider mums, and seeded eucalyptus (available from a florist).

[pinterest]

bring the outdoors in by creating a table runner of gorgeous evergreen trimmings accented with pinecones and finished with rustic candlelit lanterns.

[good housekeeping]

use a pearl topped pin to make a pear into the perfect name card holder. scatter greenery on a burlap table runner and mix in pears and glass candleholders.

houseplants

2011-12-16T15:43:00.000-08:00

every home needs plants! they are beautiful, add character and life, and best of all they clean the air.

use a windowsill for displaying an herb garden. they are beautiful, fragrant, and perfect for adding flavor to almost any dish.

use a vintage crate as storage for gorgeous succulents. this is a project i have been wanting to work on myself.

*all photos are from pinterest

out with the old in with the GOLD!

2011-12-15T14:14:00.000-08:00

i can't speak for all of us, but in my opinion stainless steel and brushed nickel have seen better days. they have been a mainstay for years in kitchens and bathrooms alike. personally, i'm ready for something new, something bold, and something gold!

[design sponge]

i love how the gold accents really warm up this living room.

[amber interior design blog]

this kitchen actually has a mixture of both stainless steel and brass. they actually work really well together so don't feel like you have to ditch all your stainless stuff for gold. you can easily incorporate the new with the old.

[house beautiful]

this bathroom is gorgeously outfitted in a color scheme of gold and white. the gold mosaic tile looks beatiful paired with the metal base vanity.

[erin ever after blog]

what a beautiful room! gorgeous gold damask printed wallpaper has been framed to serve as a lovely focal point for this living room.

[etsy]

this gold leafed chevron tray is one of the most gorgeous home accessories i have seen in a while. best of all, it's handmade. find it here.

[apartment therapy]

call me wierd, but i'm a sucker for hammered metals. these hammered gold pendants really pop against the palette of white. sometimes simplicity is the best.

[gretel home]

if you aren't quite ready to take a giant leap into the world of gold maybe it's best to take a baby step by purchasing gorgeous gold silverware.

[decor pad]

i never tire of an intricate antique guilded mirror. they are a classic and work in contemporary spaces as well as traditional.

[decor pad]

this is such a classy little office space.

[decor pad]

wow, what a room! that mirror is fantastic. it's all about details with this dining room - beautiful fabrics, lamps, and textured grasscloth wallpaper.

tasty tuesday [a day late] and holiday happenings!

2011-12-14T15:05:00.000-08:00

so this past weekend was filled with lovely holiday happenings! saturday we took a roadtrip to north carolina for a Christmas party hosted by a couple of dear friends. for this occasion i made oreo truffles which were great because not only are they extremely easy to make, but they also were a big hit! my sweet husband, Benji, bought us tickets to see the Nutcracker at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta. any occasion that allows me to dress up makes me extremely happy. so for a night we pretended to be a couple of sophisticates who wined and dined and watched ballet.

[Oreo Truffles]

adapted from chef in training blog

INGREDIENTS

- 1 package oreos

- 1 package 8oz cream cheese, softened

- 3 packages 6oz white bakers chocolate

DIRECTIONS

grind oreos in a food processor until well blended. set aside a 1/4 cup or so of crumbs.

mix oreos and softened cream cheese together until well combined. [hands work best for this.]

roll into 1" balls and place on a wax paper covered cookie sheet. freeze for 15 minutes.

while balls are in freezer melt chocolate in microwave according to directions.

pull oreos out of freezer and dip in chocolate. before chocolate has set garnish with oreo crumbs.

refrigerate for 1 hour and enjoy!!

[cutest party house]

[kelly and i with rachael, the sweet hostess]

[my dashing date for the evening]

happy holidays!

closet envy.

2011-12-03T07:02:00.000-08:00

[pinterest]

is this a closet or a bedroom? it's HUGE and has it's own fireplace! i could deal with that.

[pinterest]

what a lovely room! the colorful wardrobe sings in the otherwise neutral room. this is a great solution for those who live in older homes, some of which don't come equipped with designated closets.

[pinterest]

love the layered mirrors on the floor of this closet. they add depth and dimension to the room.

[In Style Magazine]

this posh closet belongs to Chloe Kardashian. what a gorgeous light fixture!

[by christelle blog]

this is also from Chole's closet. oh, what a rainbow of shoes!

[designsponge]

add a rug and a tufted seat to your closet for ultimate comfort and style!

[pinterest]

now that's what i call a colorful wardrobe! utilizing one color and style of hanger for your closet will instantly give it an organized look. for personalization add a feminine chair in a great fabric to your closet.

[pinterest]

another great solution for a non closet home - an antique wardrobe. you can find gorgeous antique wardrobes very inexpensively these days. if you really want to make it your own, try painting it and adding colorful wallpaper on the interior.

[domino]

what great built-in cabinetry! color coding your wardrobe always makes life easier.

oven love!

2011-12-02T06:53:00.000-08:00

when you have the urge to renovate or update your kitchen and you find yourself at home depot tiring of the same ole, same ole selection it's time to check out la cornue. if an oven could ever be 'pretty' it would undoubtedly be from this french based company. with colors ranging from robin's egg blue to eggplant purple, there is something sure to strike your fancy.

[archi expo]

[decor pad]

outfit inspiration for holiday parties

2011-12-01T08:22:00.000-08:00

[pinterest]

what i appreciate about this outfit is that it's cute and foolproof. pair a sparkly shift dress with black tights and ankle boots and wah-la!

[chictopia]

from the hair to the green mini, this outfit is perfect. i would totally wear this!

[pinterest]

this maxi dress is divine and comfortable i'm sure! i love the way it has been accessorized with a neutral skinny belt and a glitzy vintage necklace.

[pinterest]

green skinnies pair perfectly with an over-size neutral top. the clutch and peeptoe heels finish the look to perfection.

[pinterest]

these are staples in almost every girl's closet - leopard print top, black skirt, black tights, and a blazer. pair them together for a sophisticated party outfit!

[chictopia]

i love the shape of this dress and the unexpected edge that the studded belt lends to this outfit. perfect!

[pinterest]

this is outfit is cozy and nothing short of stylish. pair your favorite sweater with a plaid button up, a black skirt and a glitzy necklace for a great holiday look!

[chictopia]

i love the shape of this dress and the glitter of course. add a pop of color with the shoes and a skinny belt!

[pinterest]

if it's too cold in your neck of the woods to be sporting shorts and peeptoes this time of year i suggest layering this outfit with a pair of black tights and a black blazer. love the sparkly shorts with the flowy top!

holiday party ideas

2011-11-30T14:00:00.000-08:00

thanksgiving has come and gone, and now it's time for the happiest time of year - the christmas season! everyone by now has most likely either been invited to a party or has decided to host one of their own. i have gatehered a few ideas for holiday parties from themes to recipes for those of you who have decided to be hosts.

[themes]

- cookie exchange -
this is a great idea for a girls night in. gather all of your girlfriends to exchange cookies and cookie recipes. get crafty with the recipes and write them down on pretty scrapbook paper with colorful ink for all the attendees.

- handmade ornament exchange -
tell your guests to come with handmade ornaments to exchange. as the hostess, be equipped with your favorite do it yourself ornament instructions and supplies. after exchanging ornaments, gather everyone around and let the crafting begin! they will go home with two new meaningful ornaments. (find ornament instructions here)

- mistletoe and martinis -
deck the halls with mistletoe and the bar with martinis! have a few selections of holiday martinis and mistletoe around every corner!

[recipes]

[yummy mummy blog]

Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites
makes about 16

Sugared Cranberries Ingredients

2 cups fresh cranberries

1 cup good maple syrup

1 cup granulated sugar

Directions

Rinse cranberries and place in a medium bowl. Heat syrup in a small sauce pan just until warm. Pour over cranberries when syrup is warm, not hot, or cranberries may pop. Cool, cover, and let soak in the refrigerator overnight.

Drain cranberries in a colander. Place sugar in a large bowl or baking dish. Add cranberries in 2 batches and roll around until lightly coated in sugar. Place on a baking sheet until dry, about 1 hour.

16 crackers

8 oz Brie cheese

cranberry chutney or cranberry relish

fresh mint for garnish

Assemble crackers with one slice of brie, a light layer of cranberry chutney, and 4 or 5 sugared cranberries. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

[better homes and gardens]

Prosciutto, Spinach, and Pasta Casserole

Ingredients

2 2/3 cups dried bow ties, penne, or ziti (8 ounces)

2 medium onions, cut into thin wedges, or 5 medium leeks, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon anise seeds, crushed

1 3/4 cups milk

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained

2 ounces prosciutto, cut into thin bite-size strips

1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped

directions

1. Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain; rinse pasta with cold water. Drain again.

2. In a large saucepan cook onion and garlic, covered, in hot butter about 5 minutes or until onion is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in flour and anise seeds. Add the milk and chicken broth all at once. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Stir in the cooked pasta, spinach, and prosciutto. Spoon the mixture into a 2-quart casserole.

3. Bake, covered, in a 350 degrees F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through. Let stand about 5 minutes. To serve, stir gently and top with chopped tomato.

4. Makes 6 servings

[martha stewart]

sparkling pear and cranberry cocktail

ingredients

2 tablespoons dry cranberries
1/2 cup organic pear nectar
32 ounces Moscato d'Asti wine
8 small sprigs fresh rosemary

directions

Put cranberries in a small bowl; add 2 tablespoons warm water. Soak until cool, about 15 minutes. Drain, pat dry, and refrigerate until serving.

Divide pear nectar evenly among eight tall champagne glasses. Add cranberries, and then gently pour the Moscato d'Asti into the glasses. Garnish each with a rosemary sprig.

rugs, rugs, rugs!

2011-11-29T08:06:00.000-08:00

this morning while perusing lonny mag an advertisement for ABC Carpet & Home caught my eye. they have a phenomenal website and an even better collection of rugs. the Aquasilk collection is so beautiful that i could cry and the pricetags don't help the matter. ranging in price from $1,000 to well over $12,000 i can only dream of owning one. my apartment is outfitted in a color scheme of green, purple, and turquoise which are all jewel tones found in these rugs. oh, if only!

they are eco friendly and handmade in india from recycled silk saris.

if you wanna dream a little dream with me head over to their website.

diy thanksgiving tables

2011-11-22T15:57:00.000-08:00

thanksgiving is fast approaching and whether you are a guest or a host this year it's time to start gathering decor and recipes to make this a holiday to remember. with the table being the center of attention i thought it would be appropriate to post some beautiful tablescapes and centerpieces.

[design sponge]

this beauty is courtesy of design sponge. if you're ready to get crafty and tackle a floral design project they have the tutorial to get you started. i love the movement that the pheasant feathers add to this gorgeous centerpiece.

[pinterest]

i love the idea of using a pumpkin as a vase for a floral arrangement. mums, berries, and beautiful branches pair together to make a colorful work of art for your table. use a piece of burlap as a table runner and scatter a few pommegranates around for a festive fall table.

[birch and bird]

the birch and bird blog has provided us with this lovely neutral tablescape. paint pumpkins of different sizes white and add some interesting white vases in various sizes to create a lovely neutral tablescape. pair with white table linens in various patterns to add interest and finish off the look.

[one charming party]

this is a great tablescape for the sentimental soul. i love the idea of mixing in family photos with fall pumpkins. use a candlestick, wine cork, and paperclip to create the perfect stand for your family photos.