blend: November 2011

Holiday Gift Guide

Hey guys! I felt the need to write a gift guide this year and then after I did, I realized it was pretty girly. I guess it makes sense considering I'm a girl, and I'm assuming most of my readers are girls... so without further ado, here it is- Blend's 2011 Holiday Gift Guide for the Ladies! Enjoy.

Diana Vreeland- The Eye Has To Travel

Can you believe there is a new book about Diana Vreeland out?!? I'm dying! Written by Lisa Immordino Vreeland (who is married to Diana's grandson), this book features more than 350 illustrations, including original magazine spreads and many famous photographs. Heaven!

Marisa Berenson: A Life In Pictures
I've been obsessed with Marisa Berenson ever since I watched Cabaret when I was 19. For me she is the perfect mix of worldly glamour and 70's inspiration.

70's Style & Design
Speaking of the 70's... this book is amazing! A must have for the fashion obsessed.

Midwest Maude Ornaments

Inspired by Enid Collins, these ornaments are so fantastic I felt as if I had found something I was looking for my whole life! They come in tons of color combos and are perfect for any woman in your life.

Dylan's Candy Bar Chocolate Covered Potato Chips
I'm obsessed with sweet & salty combos and this one sounds so good. Wouldn't you love to find this in your stocking Christmas morning? Yum.

Did you know that a Dylan's Candy Bar is opening next year in Los Angeles? Color me excited!
West Elm Hand Blocked Triangle Pillow Cover

If there is one thing in life I stress out about, it's throw pillows. I feel like they say so much about a person, so I don't want them to be too crazy or trendy. When I saw these gold beauties at West Elm, I knew my year-long search had ended. These would fit into just about any decorating scheme- and don't forget to buy some pillow inserts!

Dorothy Thorpe Glassware

I find the best way to find and collect this Mad Men-ish style is to do a simple Ebay search for: you guessed it- Dorothy Thorpe Glassware!

Giant Round Ice Cubes

Extra Large Square Ice Cubes

I'm super into the idea of using just one huge ice cube to keep your drink cold- since there is less surface area, these cubes keep your cocktails chilled without diluting the flavor. Adds that extra special touch to any get together.

Champagne Coupes

I'm partial to this set of six by Schott Zwiesel. The simplicity of the design lets your cocktail take center stage, and the Tritan-infused glass resists scratching and breakage.

Cyber Monday Sale!

Hey friends!

I'm having a Cyber Monday sale today in my Etsy shop.

Enter coupon code "Blend" for 20% off!

Etsy Friends!

I don't mean to brag (yes I do!), but I have a bunch of really talented friends. If you are looking for some amazing gifts for people this holiday season, please check out their Etsy shops!

Giant Dwarf

No introduction needed, Sue has been making beautiful goods for years.

Leslie Taylor Jewelry

Leslie had been in the jewelry business for a long time, but just opened an Etsy shop. Let's welcome her by buying everything! Lucky for us her pieces are so so pretty.

Pollyanna Cowgirl
Pollyanna Cowgirl Bags

I love wearing Polly's designs, they are super cute and stylish!

Thanksgiving

{image via Cathy of California}

I cooked the Thanksgiving meal this year and that was enough to convince me not to do it for the next 5-10 years. So if you are my friend, make sure to invite me over next Thanksgiving!

It was delicious but I kind of never want to eat anything ever again.

Here are links to the recipes I used, they are the best!

Turkey

Gravy

Mashed Potatoes

Stuffing

Cream Braised Brussels Sprouts

Parker House Rolls

I bought the pumpkin pie because the thought of making it myself made my head explode, but that was a mistake because it wasn't very good. Maybe I'll bake one next year!

(Susan Feniger's) STREET

Ate at Street and it was amazing and delicious!

Beverages are very important.

Clockwise from top left: some citrusy/sidecar thing, bacon infused bloody mary, fancy take on a manhattan, and goddess cucumber gin heaven.

To read a much more interesting and comprehensive take on the meal we had there, read my friend Lauren's blog, This Is La La Land!

Ornaments

I "made" some Christmas ornaments today. By "made" I mean I bought plain wooden ornaments and drew on them with my favorite thing ever- the Sharpie paint pen! Have you tried these pens? SO amazing. You can use them on just about every material. Ever since I got one I have been drawing on everything!

I think I will make a bunch of these and use them as a wrapping accessory on Christmas gifts.

Sparkle Neely, Sparkle!

{from left to right: Facets of Fuchsia #940, Carbonite, Starry Pink #051}

Revlon has really been hitting it out of the park lately with their nail polishes! Every time I go to the drugstore I see another color I just have to own.

I especially love Starry Pink, the one on the right, it has turned out to be the perfect everyday neutral with just a little bit of sparkle. One tip for you- apply two coats to get just the right coverage, it will look so feminine and pretty.

Fun Fact- Diana Vreeland claims to have invented modern fast drying nail polish and that Charles Revson, owner of Revlon, stole the formula from her. She said that every time she met him there was a certain embarrassed look in his eye because he knew what he had done and felt somewhat ashamed. Isn't that fascinating?

Getty Villa

I visited the Getty Villa last weekend and ended up obsessed with all the marble they used on the floors and walls. I was amazed at the feeling of coziness and warmth they could get using color and pattern, all from a material that normally seems so cold and formal.

The Widow's Touch

Looks yummers, right? I have been wanting to make a fall-tinged drink with Applejack ever since I read a recipe for one in Bon Appetit about 3 years ago.
Then I was at Big Bar at Alcove with Lauren the other day and I saw a drink featuring it on the menu. From what I could remember of the original recipe, it seemed quite similar.
Well, one sip of this drink was enough for me to run to the nearest BevMo and buy a bottle of Laird's Apple Jack. And enough Benedictine and St. Germain to make my new signature fall beverage all winter!

The Widow's Touch

1 cup ice cubes
5 Tbsp Laird's Apple Jack
3 Tbsp St. Germain
1 Tbsp Benedictine liqueur
2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Place ice cubes in cocktail shaker. Add remaining ingredients and stir 20 to 30 seconds.
Strain into 2 chilled coupe glasses and serve.

Make Believe

When I was younger, I was bored a LOT. It's the combination of growing up in a small town and not owning a television. One of the games I would play to occupy myself was called "If I Lived Here, How Would I Decorate?". If I found myself in a boring situation, I would mentally redecorate my surroundings. I still do it to this day, just not as often. Probably because there is usually a TV around to distract me!

These days if I was playing the game (and if I won the lottery and was able to buy my fantasy mid-century modern home), these Anthropologie A.P.C. quilts would be on all the beds. They are the perfect combination of traditional home and cutting edge cool. A.P.C. makes the chic-est clothes out there and they used old clothes and scraps from the line to make these. SUCH a good idea!

What's For Dinner?

Lentil, Butternut Squash, Apple, and Curry Soup!

I was going to make a simple butternut squash soup, but I was more in the mood for a hearty

almost- stew, so I searched my fridge and pantry for some inspiration. This is what I came up with:

Ingredients:

1 cup lentils

1 can Trader Joe's diced tomatoes

1 quart chicken stock

2 cups water

1 package Trader Joe's butternut squash

1 green apple, diced

3 small carrots, diced

3 stalks celery, diced

1 onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 tbsp curry powder

1 sprig fresh thyme

1 bay leaf

2 tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Heat olive oil in large pot on medium high heat. Add onions and saute until translucent. Add carrots, celery, squash, and apple, salt & pepper and cook for 8-10 minutes. Add garlic and curry powder and cook for 2 minutes.

Add tomatoes, lentils, and herbs to pot. Cover with lid, reduce heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes. Remove lid, add stock and water to pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook soup for 1 hour or until vegetables and lentils are tender, adding water if needed.

Blend 3 cups of soup in blender, then return to pot to thicken soup. Stir in balsamic vinegar. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.