Category: Life & Home
Miniature Cookware Ornaments
The post-holiday clearance sale madness continues, and my newest obsession is Sur La Table’s adorable, vintage-inspired cookware ornament collection. At a majorly discounted fifty percent off right now, I just may have acquired the whole set.
They’re so realistic you could use them in a child’s play kitchen.
Or actually use the little copper pan to melt butter.
See what’s still available here.
Vintage-Style Glass Ornaments
Okay, so I’m definitely a sucker for after Christmas clearance sales. Seventy percent off! So many adorable Christmas things. How can I resist? This year, in addition to the tacky discounted decor and really cheap wrapping paper, I found some hidden gems: vintage-style ornaments that look exactly like the ones from the 1950s that my grandmother used to have.
I found some at Target and Michael’s, the two stores I visited the week after Christmas. I’m sure other stores must have them too.
These are all glass and decorated to vintage-accurate perfection. Seriously, how can you not love the hand-painted glitter detail on these?
So I’m totally ready for next year! Bring on Christmas 2014!
Gift Wrapping Shoebox How-To
I’m going to let you in on a little trick I’ve been using for several years now. Instead of wrapping gifts in one-time use paper, I’ve devised a way to make reusable packaging that makes presents oh-so-adorable. Gift wrapping shoebox presents is pretty easy and fun-here’s how.
This is what you do:
1. Buy the nice paper that you love. These little peppermints stole my heart. Pink isn’t exactly the front and center color of the winter holidays, so I snapped these papers up.
2. Wrap shoe boxes like you would a normal gift, paying extra attention to the corners to make them look nice. Start with the covers (they’re easier) and then the bases.
3. Place presents in the boxes (you can add tissue paper as you would in a gift bag) and garnish with ribbons and gift tags (but anything sticky will ruin the paper on the box).
4. Save and reuse these babies for as long as you can. The packages look really classy, it’s environmentally friendly (wrapping paper isn’t usually recyclable), and it actually reduces wrapping time once you have a little collection made.
So there you have it-reusable gift wrapping shoebox ideas.
Beautiful, unique wrapping paper can often be found in little gift stores and boutiques. Here is a selection I found of truly unusual gift wrapping items that will make your gift wrapping shoebox masterpieces stand out in the heap.
Bring a Little Sunshine to the Party
Easy Pineapple Dip Recipe
This pineapple dip for a party is one of those things that it’s fairly easy to make, but it makes a big impression! Which is totally what you want when you’re bringing a dish to a party, right?
I made this dip for an office party and it was a big hit. It’s perfect for a luau party, a pot luck, game day, or really any time you’re entertaining. It brings a little bit of sun no matter what the climate. It’s fun to make, and so easy it only takes six steps. If you’re looking for luau party recipes, definitely consider this. You could even argue that it’s pretty healthy-just look at all the fruit and nuts! It’s gluten free, but not dairy or nut free, as you’ll see by looking at the ingredients.
6-Step Tropical Pineapple Pecan Dip Recipe
- 2 packages cream cheese
- ⅔ cup sour cream
- 1 cup crushed pineapple (drain off all the juice)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp real maple syrup (optional)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
Step 1: Slice a pineapple in half lengthwise. Hollow out the half with the stem still attached. It also helps to carefully slice off a section from the back of the pineapple to keep it stable, since this is going to be your base.
Step 2: Dice the fruit from the hollowed out half and the remaining half of the pineapple. Set aside hollowed pineapple and pecans.
Step 3: Blend remaining ingredients by mixer (easiest) or by hand. Add in the diced pineapple.
Step 4: Place mixture in hollowed out pineapple and cover in pecans.
Step 5: Decorate with plate garnishes such as sliced oranges, kumquat and tropical flowers. It’s really the garnishes that make this dish adorable, so have fun with it! I used silk flowers, orange slices and plums. Kumquat, coconut and grapefruit would also be adorable!
Step 6: Serve with vanilla wafers or crackers, whichever suits your sweet/savory fancy.
The little details of making a food dish into a presentation are what puts it over the top! For more party-ready platters, check out this cake banner.
