Thanksgiving Salad

My parents hosted this year's Thanksgiving dinner this year.  It was a small crowd, just seven of us total, but my mom still went all out with the food.  To accompany the turkey, we had mashed potatoes, mashed squash with brown sugar and butter, a sweet potato casserole with roasted walnuts, stuffing, snow peas, and two kinds of cranberry sauce.

For a first course, my mom decided to try something different.  In years past we've had a butternut squash ravioli, but my mom thought something lighter would be a nice change of pace. 

We've dubbed it Thanksgiving Salad as it's a mix of a bunch of different recipes:

Spring Mix Lettuce

Mandarin Oranges

Fresh Raspberries

Shredded Carrots

Feta Cheese

Sugared Almond Slices

To prepare the almonds, you just mix them in a small frying pan with sugar on low heat until they turn a golden brown (and the kitchen starts to smell delicious!). We had our salad with Whole Foods Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing, but I think it would also work well with a traditional balsamic.

DIY Holiday Gift Idea Link Up

After a two-week blogging hiatus I am back to join in Hopsy's DIY Holiday Gift Idea Link Up.  Check out the fabulous ideas linked via her site at http://www.kappaprep.com/.

These are two fun projects I've previously made as gifts:

Decoupage Initial

Materials

Paper Mache or Wood Initial (or 3 to make a monogram)

Mod Podge (or other shiny, waterbased sealer)

Flat Foam Paintbrush

About 4 Paper Napkins

First remove one of the napkin's plies. I used Lilly Pulitzer napkins which are 3-ply and they're a bit too thick for decoupage, so just carefully peel off the back layer. Then rip pieces of the napkin. I concentrated on ripping around the elephants in the napkin design.

Next apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to a section of the initial itself. Carefully lay down the napkin piece and use your finger to smooth it out. Then apply a thin layer of Mod Podge over the napkin piece. Continue until you've covered the entire initial.

Let dry for a few hours until it's no longer sticky to the touch.

Map Coasters

I gave a number of sets of these coasters as gifts a couple Christmases ago and they were a big hit.

Materials

4 Plain Tiles (available at Home Depot, Loew's, etc. for about 12 to 16 cents each)

Mod Podge, outdoor version recommended (or other shiny, waterbased sealer)

Flat Foam Paintbrush

Cork or Felt

Maps of your recipient's favorite destinations

If you're a AAA member, you can get maps for free at their local office or via their website. Choose maps that include the recipient's neighborhood, their summer home, favorite vacation spot, etc.

Step 1: Glue the cork or felt to the back of each tile. I used pre-cut, inexpensive cork coasters from Ikea. Unfortunately, I think that Ikea stopped making these recently. You can just as easily pick up a roll of cork at the craft store and cut it to fit the tile yourself.

Step 2: Cut out maps to fit each coaster - making the maps slightly smaller than the coaster itself.

Step 3: Brush a thin coat of Mod Podge onto the front of one tile.

Step 4: Place the cut-out map piece onto the tile and smooth it out.

Step 5: Brush a thin coat of Mod Podge over the map piece.

Step 6: Repeat steps 3 to 5 for the other tiles.

Step 7: Continue brushing thin layers of Mod Podge on each tile to make the coaster shiny and create a strong seal. I recommend 4-5 coats total, waiting about 10-20 min. between each coat.

Step 8: Let dry for a solid 24 hours.

Blue Love Again

My blue love strikes again . . . 

Kendra Scott Danielle earrings in blue agate

J Crew shimmer colorblock necklace in navy

Echo 'touch' gloves at Nordstrom (No taking your gloves off to use your phone!)

Quick Update

Hello friends.  I am long overdue for a post, as I haven't updated since Halloween!  So what have I been up to?

- Since Halloween, my mom and I have exhibited at one craft show, one shopping night, and hosted a shopping party with a friend.  We have another shopping night tonight.  As the basis of our business is women's winter accessories, we have a limited season during which we can be out and about exhibiting our wares.  It makes for a very busy (but fun) few months.  Yesterday I was out the door at 7am for work, went straight from work to meet my mother to man our little booth, and didn't say hello to my bed until 11pm.  Today will be a repeat of yesterday, but luckily my office celebrates the Veterans' Day holiday with a day off!

- Last Thursday I attended the Gilt City grand opening of the store Scoop NYC in Boston.  I'll be recapping it with a post soon, but I have to say it was rather disapointing!  Much, much to many invitees for the size of the store!

- And this past Monday I said farewell to my Blackberry and hello to an iPhone!  What a difference, I am completely hooked!



J Crew Stadium Cloth Elements Coat

- Yesterday I ordered this coat from J Crew with their 25% off promo (+ 8% back from ebates).  I have my fingers crossed that it looks good and fits; I am never sure on sizing with things like coats.  I want it to be roomy enough to fit a blazer underneath but not so big that it looks sloppy.   Will update when it arrives (hopefully tomorrow!).