Baby It's Cold Outside

Cozy up with these fabulous finds!

Pink Check Wool Throw (on sale, 50% off (!) $ 87.50) at Lexington Clothing Company.

The Sekitei Teapot ($149) from Le Palais de Thes in NYC

 

 

Keep the fire burning with logs piled in the Paxton Copper Bucket ($199) from Pottery Barn

 

 

And keep the fire lit with Reclaimed Apothocary Jar ($ 20) for fireplace matches from Rave Device

To warm you from the inside, try serious hot chocolate from Guittard Grand Cacao ($17.88) at Amazon.

 

 

And of course you'll need a monogrammed mug for that. $ 26 each from In This Very Room.

 

 

 

 

This Designer Creates a Feast for the Eyes

For those who appreciate fine craftmanship in fabrics and accessories, you must take time to get to know Madeline. Designer Madeline Weinrib has shaped a sophisticated signature style that is at once timeless and modern. She brings a layered and luxurious sensibility to the world of contemporary design with her collections of heirloom quality carpets and artfully conceived textiles, accessories and home accents. For our clients though, it is the designer's collaboration with other designers that makes accessible her beautiful art.

Stationery from Dempsey and Carroll. Box of 10/ $60.

Black Daphne coasters with holder ($195) at Barney's New York

 

Gorgeous fabrics at Madeline Weinrib and available through your decorator

Vintage fabric pillows available at Madeline Weinrib.

Pillows made with lucious fabrics available at Trillium Nantucket 

18" x 18" Orange Mu Pillow ($450) and Luce Blue ($450)

Lingerie Bags $ 250 at Madeline Weinrib for a wonderful gift.

And even beautiful shoes ($645) by Manolo Blahnik available at Saks

 

Be sure to also sign up for emails from One Kings Lane. Every so often they will feature a Weinrib

home accessory item in one of their sales.

 

 

 

Bridesmaids Will Love This

We stumbled upon this great bridesmaids gift recently at The Pleasure of Your Company in Green Spring Station. These adorable trinket trays are $38.00 each, which includes personalization.

Stash these cute trays near the door to hold keys, cellphone and mail or on a vanity to hold cosmetics. You can choose a background to match the wedding colors or personalize the pattern to each bridesmaid's home.

Another idea: use the tray as the base of the bridesmaid's gift  and add a little bottle of champagne and a box holding the earrings or other piece of jewelry that you are giving to the girls to wear at the wedding. Wrap in cellophane and add a beautiful, big bow.
 

Pronovias Trunk Show

A Rainbow of Colors

It's a great idea to follow a color scheme throughout all aspects of your wedding from the invitations to the bridesmaids' dresses. So why not make the favors go along with those colors? The Knot is a great source for this sense of harmony and cohesion. No matter the colors that you have chosen for your big day, The Knot has those favors that will make your wedding like no other. Be inspired by pink chocolate covered pretzels or white daisy escort cards that your guests can take home with them. No matter your style, color choice, or preference, you can find a favor that your guests will love.

Crock Pot Lasagne

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a crock pot queen. I love "cooking" meals and snacks in the crock pot and at times have more than one going in the kitchen.

 

This recipe is adapted from a Williams Sonoma recipe for lasagna. I made changes to make it even easier. The first time I made it, I really wasn't confident it would be any good, but it was absolutely delicious.

 

Those of you with busy lives (that's pretty much everyone) must, must have a slow cooker. Not only will it provide a hot, delicious meal with very little effort, but slow cookers can be used to keep food warm throughout the day or during a party. The clean-up couldn't be easier either.

 

My favorite slow cooker is about 20 years old and is a Rival.

I would suggest one with a timer and one with a "warm" setting.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbs. olive oil
• 2 lb. Italian sausage, casings removed (we use grass fed, organic pork) 
• 2 jars (each 24 oz.) tomato sauce (I used Ragu with chunky vegetables instead of tomato sauce) 
• 2 cups water (I omitted this)
• 1 lb. whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 2 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 18 ruffle-edged lasagna noodles (not no-boil noodles)
• 1 1/2 lb. mozzarella cheese, grated
• 2 oz. Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, finely grated
• Thinly sliced fresh basil for garnish 

Directions:

In a saute pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up any large chunks with a wooden spoon, until the meat is browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and water ( or Ragu) and bring to a simmer. Transfer the sauce to a large bowl.

In another bowl, stir together the ricotta, parsley, salt and pepper. Set aside.

Spread a thin layer of the sauce on the bottom of the slow-cooker insert. Cover the sauce with a single layer of uncooked lasagna noodles (about 3), breaking the noodles as needed to fit. Spread about 1/3 cup of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Top with about 2 cups of the sauce, then sprinkle with about 1 cup of the mozzarella and 1/4 cup of the Parmigiano-Reggiano. Repeat the layering 4 more times, starting with the noodles.

Transfer the insert to the slow-cooker base, cover and cook on low according to the manufacturer’s instructions until the noodles are tender and cooked through, about 4 hours.

Let the lasagna rest for 20 minutes before serving. Garnish with basil and serve immediately. Serves 12.

From the Williams-Sonoma Kitchen.

Make It Your Own

Whether it's for your wedding or your home, Caroline Brackenridge will personalize some of your most favored items. Together, you will work with her to come up with a monogram that is fit for a queen or something more simple, if that is your taste. She can monogram any fabric such as bathrobes or sheets, imprint stationary, or etch glassware for a look that is simply elegant. Brackenridge can come up with a monogram that is personal to you or you can choose from her traditional patterns, that start at $450. No matter your choice, you will have something that is beautiful and unique.

Memories on the Go

It's a new generation for the Poloroid camera. Set up your own photo booth and capture memories that can be taken anywhere, any time. You may be on your honeymoon or guests may want to take some crazy, fun pictures at your wedding to show the great time they are having. The GL10 Instant Mobile Printer ($97.95) allows you to take pictures and print them immediately. It's convenient size of 3"x4" allows you to carry it with you wherever you are. From the beach to the reception, this on-the-go item will capture your memories in a flash.  

Wrap it in Style

Every bride wants her wedding day bouquet to stand out and be personal. What better way to accomplish this than have a monogramed ribbon hold your bouquet together? Nicholas Kniel Fine Ribbons and Embellishments stocks over 4,500 spools of ribbon for your perfect match and then have your initials monogramed on the ribbon for a look that will set your bouquet apart from all others.

Perfect for Entertaining

 

I am just in love with this Flame Pedestal Tray from Serena and Lily. Carved by hand from wood, it's finished with a high gloss, spill proof surface that's friendly to cocktails and candles. Love this color and also available in teal.

24" diameter and 8" high $ 178

Make it Shine

No table is complete without the proper silver flatware, right? Country Living Magazine surveyed flatware companies across the country to find the top six patterns that will make your table shine. This silver can dress up any table and will last for generations. Which is your favorite pattern?

Queen Elizabeth I Towle Silversmiths

Audubon Tiffany & Co.

Francis I Reed & Barton

Old Maryland Engraved Kirk Stieff

(which happens to be my pattern)

Eloquence Lunt Silversmiths

Chantilly Gorham 

Oh So Fresh

Looking for great gift ideas your guests will love? Look no further.  Saipua has a variety of soaps and candles that will leave your guest's hands feeling silky smooth and their homes smelling nice too! There is no need to spend time wrapping them in gift wrap, for their packaging is just as beautiful as the gifts themselves. Each bar of soap ($10) and candle ($34) is different from the next, to make for a unique display.

Happy 2013 !

May all your dreams come true.