Holiday Gifts for Him

December 17, 2012

{Gift Guide for Him by julietav featuring woven bracelets}

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Holiday Gifts for Her

December 17, 2012

{Gift Guide for the Hostess by julietav on Polyvore}

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{Gift Guide for the Beauty Junkie by julietav featuring mac cosmetics}

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{Gift Guide for the DIY Lover by julietav featuring beauty products}

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The Cookie Swap

November 26, 2012

We are exactly four weeks away from Christmas!

It’s hard to believe the holiday is already upon us!

What is it about this season that makes it all seem to go by so fast?

Hopefully you’ve had time to slow down

and really appreciate this wonderful time of year {smile}.

One way to soak up the excitement of the season and spread joy is to host a cookie swap!

It is a festive, yet simple gathering you can plan with a few of your closest friends and family.

the history…

The cookie swap has been around for at least the last 70 years.

It was typically a “ladies only” event hosted by relatives, friends, neighbors,

women’s groups, social clubs, churches and schools.

Ladies would make cookies to share and then trade and package them at the party.

the basics…

{INVITE FRIENDS}

A rule of thumb is to invite double the amount

of guests that you hope to come.

You should plan on mailing invitations,

or emailing them out,

approximately three weeks

in advance {the time is now, my friends}!

The above image is a darling online

invitation from Pinng!

{CHOOSE & COORDINATE COOKIES}

Each guest makes only one type of cookie

{make sure you coordinate ahead of time

the various types of cookies being made

so that there are no duplicates}.

{GIVE CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS}

Each guest brings one dozen cookies per guest

in attendance plus one extra dozen for sampling

{for example… if there are 7 guests total in attendance, each guest brings 8 dozen cookies to share…

if you have more guests than that, feel free to scale back on the amount of cookies}.

In addition, have each guest bring copies of their recipe to hand out

{you may also want to consider having guests bring a few canned goods to support your local food drive}.

{PREPARE COOKIE DISPLAY}

As the hostess, make sure that you have prepared an area to display the different types of cookies.

Use items like decorative cake stands, trays and plates to hold the cookies in preparation for the swap!

You can also print out cards to present the names of the cookies.

{STOCK PACKAGING MATERIALS}

Prepare an area for packaging the cookies and stock tags, stickers,

ribbons, twine, tissue and cellophane to decorate boxes or paper plates.

You can also ask guests to bring a few of these lovely items.

{Image Via: Dust Jacket Attic}

{FINISHING TOUCHES}

Provide coffee, tea or other drinks along with a few tasty finger foods for guests to enjoy

while sampling, swapping and packaging the cookies!

cookie recipe ideas…

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies {Image & Recipe Via: Bakers Royale}

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles {Image & Recipe Via: Love and Olive Oil}

Salted Caramel Chocolate Shortbread Bars {Image & Recipe Via: Annie’s Eats}

Monster Cookie Bars {Image & Recipe Via: Bakers Royale}

Thumbprint Cookies {Image & Recipe Via: Martha Stewart – Cookie Swap Favorites}

Ina’s Cranberry Apple Cake

November 19, 2012

It’s no mystery that my little Sophia and I love Ina…

she is afterall the amazing Barefoot Contessa.

I’ve been wanting to try this simple recipe for some time…

{Ina’s Cranberry Apple Cake}

With Thanksgiving approaching,

it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try it out.

The recipe is super easy, and has very basic ingredients with perhaps

the exception of fresh cranberries that you may not have on hand.

{Here is what you need}

* 12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over for stems

* 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced

* 1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

* 1 tablespoon grated orange zest (2 oranges)

* 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

* 1 1/8 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided

* 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

* 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

* 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

* 1/4 cup sour cream {I actually substituted with unsweetened almond milk}

* 1 cup all-purpose flour

* 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

** chopped walnuts {optional, but delicious!}**

{Directions}

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine the cranberries, apple, brown sugar, orange zest, orange juice,

and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment,

beat the eggs on medium-high speed for 2 minutes.

With the mixer on medium, add 1 cup of the granulated sugar,

the butter, vanilla, and sour cream and beat just until combined.

On low speed, slowly add the flour and salt.

Pour the fruit mixture evenly into a 10-inch glass pie plate.

Pour the batter over the fruit, covering it completely.

Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar

and 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon and sprinkle it over the batter.

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake

comes out clean and the fruit is bubbling around the edges.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

{Here’s the Scoop}

It’s the perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert.

I agree with many of the reviews on food network that it is almost more cobbler-like,

or maybe even a bread pudding consistency.

You won’t believe how good your house smells when it’s baking!

Upon first bite, I instantly could taste bursts of tangy cranberries…

hints of cinnamon and vanilla…

and the taste of fresh orange combined with the tart apples.

It’s the perfect combination of zesty and sweet!

I think you and your guests will LOVE it!

P.S. I may be enjoying this tomorrow morning with a cup of coffee {wink}.

It could totally be considered a delicious coffee cake!

Holiday Activity & Event Guide

November 12, 2012

‘Tis the season to get out of the house and experience the holidays through a variety of festive outings!

Here is a list of hand-picked, and carefully thought-out, events and activities that are all family-friendly and reasonably priced…if not free {in the Southern California area}!

Most of which we have been to ourselves, and have enjoyed in years past {smile}. We hope you’re able to use a few of these ideas for some quality holiday family time!

APPLE PICKING & FESTIVAL

{Photo via: To Do This Weekend: Apple Picking}

Apple Picking in Oak Glen from now until November 30, 2012

The Apple Butter Festival November 23-25, 2012

Visit orchards, pick mountain-fresh apples, and enjoy hot apple cider & pie at one of the many family friendly specialty shops!

Irvine Spectrum Ice Rink

{photo via: Irvine Spectrum’s Holiday on Ice}

November 7, 2012 – February 18, 2013

The Ice Rink is currently open for your whole family to enjoy! Skate sessions are 75 minutes long. Prices are $14 with an additional $3 skate rental. Skate sessions for toddlers cost $12. Helmets are optional and are provided free of charge. Season passes, private lessons, and private parties are available.