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Showing posts from December, 2013

Foodie Friday: Christmas Dinner Menu

Jingle Bells and Santa is on his way, and you must deliver on Christmas Dinner. What to do? We came up with a great menu Salad: Mixed Greens with Gravlax Salmon with a simple chive vinaigrette Main Course: Roasted Goose w/ Cherry and Cranberry Port Wine Reduction Sides: Wild Rice Pilaf Green Bean Almondine Dessert: Bread Pudding with a Brandy Caramel Sauce Beverages: Lemon Water for the kids Champagne for the adults I know this a very Traditional European Menu, but it is one that you will truly enjoy. I could have done Crown Roast and Yorkshire Pudding, but that is 18th Century Christmas.

Battle of the Boxes

 There's a subscription box for everything, so we did some investigation. Nature Box, This box is for the healthy conscious or someone seeking to try a new lifestyle product. For 19.99 a month you get 5 full size snacks to feed a family of four. When I ordered I got Pistachio Power Clusters--My mom who is 74 ate all of them. Cherry Berry Bonaza was excellent dried fruits, especially on top of plain Greek yogurt in the AM, wonderful. Masa Chips were great with hummus. Vanilla Macaroon Granola was excellent as a cereal. Lastly, the Roasted Kettle Kernels, well again Mom ate these.... So for the price each month and the quality of the products and they are healthy and tasty that my elderly mother who doesn't like "health food" will eat it, this box gets a high 9 Glossy Box: This box is suppose to have high end exclusive beauty products for 21.99 a month. Sorry, it didn't make the grade I was expecting some face oil for the winter months or maybe some dee

Foodie Friday: Holiday Cocktail Party Menu

Cocktail Party Menu Mini- Empandas Baked Potato Pancakes Tandoori Chicken in Lettuce Cups Grilled Pita Cocktail: Champagne Punch You and your boyfriend decide to have a holiday party of some sort, but BBQ wings and pigs in the blanket is very sports bar and not fitting for someone who lives on Central Park West. Rule if you are having 8 guests or 3 couples then have 24 servings or 3 portions of food per person. Recipes: Mini Empandas: 2 lbs.  Italian Sausage Hot and Sweet out of the casing 1 large onion diced 2 cloves of garlic 1 bell pepper 4 packages of pre-made pastry dough 1/4 cup of raisins Saute all the veggies in a skillet with olive oil, until translucent, add sausage out of casing into pan with veggies, until sausage is thoroughly cooked. Pastry Dough--Make sure it is at room temperature for ease of handling. Cut into 24 triangles When filling is cooled then take a teaspoon of filling and fill with one side of mixture. Seal with your fork. Bake un

Gifts Overview: Chocolate, Scarfs, Food,Headbands, etc.

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Here's our Gift Bag: For the Health Conscious Our Favorite Health Food Thanks Nature Box! Sea Salt Caramels and Delicious Toffee   Scarves, Headbands think it's Missoni? NOT!! Enjoy all of my favorites!!!

Gift List: For the Foodie

Everyone wants to be the next Food Network Star, but some people need help! Here our list: Cooking Classes at: Sur La Table or William and Sonoma Trip to the NY or CA: Culinary Institute of America where they have bootcamps for foodies. Books: The Joy of Cooking The French Chef by Julia Child DVD Collection: Julia Child or the Galloping Gourmet Cheers to the Foodie on your list, they would love and appreciate these gifts!

Gift List: Book Lover

Yes there are people like myself, who would greatly appreciate these gifts. NYPL: Membership to the Young Lions or Patrons Group of the New York Public Library. They have great tributes to new and established authors and every spring the Young Lions group host an amazing gala which honors an upcoming literary notable. Collection of Someone's Favorite's Childhood Books: Dr. Seuess Where the Wild Things Are The Wonderful Wizard of Oz written in 1900 by Frank Baum Sheldon Silver books Membership to Barnes and Noble: Free Shipping on all books Guaranteed discounts on all books Special members sale. Private Tour of the New York Public Library: You know where Carrie Bradshaw was suppose to get married... The architecture of this building is amazing and every writer, I know loves spending time in the Rose Room. Cheers to the wonderful gifts for the book lovers in you!

Gift List: Home Decor: Vases

Again we scoured Manhattan and to find one of kind gifts that you can give your boyfriend's mother, mother in law and his grandmother. 1. Fun: If they have a sense of humor, we found a Tea Set from Henri Bendel's to be great with the classic brown and white stripes, add in some organic peppermint tea from Harney and Sons you have a wonderful gift. 2. MacKenzie and Childs: Classic Black and White Checkered Vase with the high glossy finish is an amazing gift. It is a gift where once you see it you immediately knew where it came from and with red roses it makes an awesome centerpiece. 3. Bacarat: This is worth making an appointment at B&G, they have an amazing staff! Anyone who gets this world class piece of art is someone awesome! 4. Waterford- Lismore Collection When the light hits certain angles of these champagne flutes or vases, it is the equivalent of diamond's sparkling. *Fun Fact: Lismore crystal was used in the original film, Breakfast at Tiffany'

Foodie Friday: Churro Inspired Cupcakes

You have been asked to bring dessert to the latest holiday gathering, which kids will be there so here's our recipe. Churro Inspired Cupcakes 1. Box of Duncan Hines Butter Cake Mix 2. 3 Tablespoon of Sugar 3. 3 Tablespoon of Cinnamon 4.  1 Jar of Dulce de Leche -- Caramel Sauce Mix the Cake Batter as directed by the box 1. When cupcakes are ready to be put in the oven, then sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon sugar mixture on each of the cupcake. 2. Bake as directed until a knife comes out clean in the center of the cupcakes. 3. Cool cupcakes for 20 min. 4. Take the cupcakes and frost them with the caramel sauce 5. Lightly sprinkle the cinnamon mixture on top of the cupcakes. The smell of cinnamon will give your home a wonderful aroma! Also, with children and food allergies this was the safest kid friendly dessert and all kids love cinnamon sugar! Cheers to being the star of the party with the child friendly dessert!

Gift List for the Hostess: Scents

We all are invited to various home gatherings, here is a comprehensive list of all the scents and what they mean... 1. Diptiyque- You are the best thing in the world and you are magnificent--The new Orange Indian candle is amazing! 2. Nest Fragrances- You mean so much to me-- They have a new Apres Ski Candle, amazing! 3. Jo Malone/Tory Burch--You are still pretty amazing! 4. Voluptusa- You are cool, I am glad to have you as a buddy. 5. Archipelago-You are interesting 6. Bath and Body Works--The jury is out with you.. Cheers to lightening up someone's day with these great scents!!