Night of the Living Bread

Gather around, boys and ghouls! Halloween may be a kiddy and candy filled holiday for the majority, but what better time to host a party so lively, it will raise the dead! I think the child in all of us gets a little more mischievous and playful around this time of year. Whimsy and wonder lurks around every corner with collections of costumes, cauldrons of candy, and big-grinned jack-o-lanterns watching your every move! Even though we may be a little too old for the tricks, let the treats and eats be your focus this year. Offer to throw a ghastly get-together  for your closet friends. Throw a few cob webs on the wall, turn up the “Monster Mash”, and offer a bewitching buffet that will have those goblins screaming for more! The “Skeleton Bones” recipe below is more than easy and won’t “break” your bank for this year’s frightful fete!

Ingredients

1 tube of refrigerated breadstick dough

Coarse sea salt

Directions

Unroll a tube of refrigerated breadstick dough and separate the rectangular pieces. Working with one piece at a time, stretch the dough to lengthen it a bit and then use kitchen scissors or a knife to cut a 1 ½ inch slit in the center of each end. Roll or shape the resulting four flaps of dough into knobs that look like the ends of a bone. Place the dough bones on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart, and sprinkle on a little coarse salt. Bake the bones until they are light golden brown, about 12 minutes. Makes 12 bones.

These bonafide breadsticks will look just darling on your spooky spread! Serve with "slimy” spinach dip, "macabre” marinara or spine-chilling cheese sauce. Let your menacing mind run wild this Halloween!

Perfect Paper Posies

As the summer sun sets, and the leaves begin to turn, what will you miss most about these wonderfully warm and welcoming months of summer? Me personally, I will miss the bright blooms of my Zinnias, Marigolds, Gardenias and Hibiscus. These are all floral harbingers that signal the commencement of vacation season and remind me to slow down a bit- it is time to enjoy life! Don’t get me wrong, the seductive gold, bronze and copper hues of the autumn leaves are simply stunning, but every now and then in the midst of a cool fall breeze, I long for the beauty of a bright summer bloom. Through a little ingenuity and imagination, we have found a way to capture the sight and shape (unfortunately, we haven’t mastered the smell) of summer’s finest floral.

Materials:

6 large sheets of tissue paper in varying colors

1 pipe cleaner

Scissors

Tape

Directions:

For each flower, stack 6 different-colored sheets of tissue paper, then fold the stack accordion style the long way. Twist a pipe cleaner around the center. Round both ends of the stack with scissors. For a frilly flower, cut a point at the ends of the stack with scissors. Open the flower by gently pulling up 1 layer of tissue paper at a time toward the center. To add leaves, turn over the flower and use the pipe cleaner ends to attach two 6-foot strips of crepe paper streamers to the bottom of the flower. To add a stem, add your bloom to a bamboo garden stack with a bit of Scotch tape.

From here, feel free to use your fanciful flowers any where you please! Your tissue Tulips and paper Pansies look great as décor for spring time bridal teas, baby girl showers, or any bold birthday bash. Party or no party, may these paper posies keep the spirit of summer living in your heart and soul all year long!

Berry, Berry, Quite Contrary!

Divas, can you believe how incredibly fast this summer is flying by?! Despite it's prompt passing, I hope you have managed to squeeze in a few juicy snow cones and sand castles somewhere along the way! Whether it's today, tomorrow or this weekend, take a moment to really relish in the "easin' of the season" with our sweet "Berry Bubbler" cocktail. Bright and ripe berries are synonymous with the joys of summer time and are usually at their peak during the warm weather months. We added a "POP" of Champagne and a splash of vodka to this cocktail in hopes that it quenches your thirst! Enjoy this sip of summer before summer slips away!

Berry Bubbler

Ingredients:

Bottle of Brut Champagne or Prosecco

Strawberry puree or strawberry daiquiri mix

Vanilla flavored vodka

Fresh berries to garnish- blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc.

Assembling the Drink:

Fill a chilled Champagne flute 1/4 of the way full with the berry puree and a splash of vanilla vodka. (Unlike most situations in life, more vodka is not always better! :) Gently combine mixture at the bottom of the glass with a drink stirrer or straw. Top mixture with cold Champagne or Prosecco and garnish with fresh berries. Serve pool or picnic side, sip slowly...

"Here's to the bright sunny days and dips in the pool, here's to walking barefoot through green grass that is cool, here's to sleeping in late between the sheets, here's to baseball games and impromptu volleyball meets, here's to early morning fishing with a cane pole, here's to grilling and chilling; can't you smell that charcoal? Here's to watermelon, ice cream and road trips to the beach, here's to enjoying this sweet summer time before it is out of reach!"

Don't Spill the Beans!

When a dear friend of mine recently asked for some ideas for an inexpensive centerpiece for a bridal shower, my mind began to race! I concurrently was gorging out on a half-eaten bag of Jelly Belly when I found my muse! From jelly beans to coffee beans to black beans, these petite pellets can sure make a statement! When making a floral centerpiece using any type of beans, be sure to double up! What I mean by this is start your design with (2) transparent vessels. You will need a large container and then a smaller container that can nestle inside the larger container. The large container will hold your lovely legumes while the smaller container will actually hold the flowers and the water. Once you have both containers in place, slowly pour your beans of choice into the space between both containers; keep the smaller vase centered as best as you possibly can. As soon as the beans are snugly set, let your imagination run wild! This versatile vignette can be used in conjunction with any party theme or holiday. For instance, vibrantly colored jelly beans and freshly cut daffodils would make an "egg-ceptional" display on your Easter table or at a spring shower. Consider Tulips or even blooming branches as an alternative too! Perhaps at a "wine-down" pairing & dinner, you can use a selection of smaller and larger vases filled with different types of beans- ranging from red kidney beans, to black beans to green peas. Instead of doling out the dollars for flowers, work a few votives and colored candlesticks into the beans for rustic, old-world charm ambiance. One of my favorite centerpieces I have ever contruscted was a selection of vintage coffee mugs (which I bravely bargained for at a local flea market), filled to the brim with whole coffee beans. We placed a square of floral foam underneath the beans so a trio of hot-colored Gerbera Daisies could "bloom" from each mug! Take it a step further and  before placing these buzzy beauties on the tables, add a tiny tag to each arrangement reading "Thanks A Latte!" Once the party ends, invite your most cherished guests to take these java-themed keepsakes home with them! Your couture coffee creations will now serve two purposes- how much more financially savvy can you be?!

Limited budgets are almost more fun to work with than unlimited ones as it forces you to use your creativity.
Next time instead of ending up in a soup pot or a candy dish, all of your favorite beans will be gracing your tables in a different way!

"Egg-ceptional" Egg Salad

Happy Easter, Y'all!

I sure hope this post finds you all basking in the after-glow of a beautiful Easter weekend spent with the ones you love and cherish the most. Another Easter Sunday has come and gone, but as you sweep up the chartreuse green Easter grass and polish off the remaining yellow chick Peeps, you may find yourself contemplating what to do with all those EGGS?! If Peter Cottontail left you with a bevy of brightly hued hard boiled eggs, put those Easter icons to good use! Behold, "The Best Egg Salad EVER!!!" OK, I may be a bit biased but hey, what could it hurt? Only until I got a little older, did I appreciate Egg Salad. In my childhood days, it was always one of those sandwiches that you PRAYED would not be in your lunchbox that day. Now, as my taste buds have matured and ripened, I can appreciate the simplicity of this perfectly composed salad. The recipe below has a few little twists and turns and is definitely not your momma's Egg Salad! Give it a go!

Easter Egg Salad

Ingredients

12 bacon slices

8 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled, coarsely chopped

1/3 cup finely chopped celery

1/4 cup chopped pimiento-stuffed green olives

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

12 slices "Texas Toast" sandwich bread, toasted

12 Butter lettuce leaves

Fresh Tomato Slices (if desired)

Directions

Sauté bacon in skillet over medium heat until brown and crisp, about 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Combine chopped eggs, celery, and olives in bowl. Mix in 1/4 cup mayonnaise and mustard. Season with seasoning salt and pepper. ( Add a pinch of Cayenne for a little rabbit kick!) Place toast slices on work surface; spread lightly with remaining mayonnaise. Divide egg salad among 6 toast slices. Place 4 bacon pieces, then 2 lettuce leaves atop egg salad on each. Cover with remaining toast slices, mayonnaise side down. Cut sandwiches diagonally in half.  Serve immediately.

What are you waiting for? Hop to it and get cracking with this "egg-travagant" version of Egg Salad.

Face It!

Facials are a guilty pleasure for me. I can count on one hand how many times I have had a facial professionally administered. Actually, I can count on one finger to be exact...My first facial encounter was right before I walked down the aisle as a little pre-bridal splurging is always acceptable! Yep- big mistake! For some reason, the idea of a licensed Esthetician poking, prodding, and pinching my enlarged pores (3) days before I hosted the largest party of my life seemed logical?! Fortunately for me, the gal at the M.A.C. counter had seen this all too often and was a pro at covering the after math with a heap of concealer and a stroke of Bronzer. Magic, I tell ya! Ever since then, I have taken my business to SPA de le Casa! I know the idea of an at home facial is not as glam and gilded as a day at the Ritz Carlton SPA, but it is cost-effective and done in the privacy of your own home. Plus, no 22% gratuity necessary and no awkward waffle weave robes! I have included a few of my fave at home facials which can be made from food and other natural items. Take a peek in your pantry or fridge for these treatments that will leave your face fresh and your wallet weighty.

 

Honey-do: Everyday honey is the "bees knees" for anyone with dry or damaged skin. This syrupy solution is a "humectant" which means it aids in retaining water and moisture. Use a cloth damp with warm water and pat skin to open pores. Smear honey onto skin and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, then pat skin with a cloth dampened with icy water to seal your newly hydrated pores closed.

Avocado Aid: It's not just for Guacamole any more! This bumpy and lumpy green fruit is rich in vitamins, A, C, E, iron, potassium, niacin, and pantothenic acid. All these components make it a miracle fruit! Mash the avocado, apply directly to skin, then leave on skin for 15 minutes. Scrape off with a crispy Tortilla Chip ( I am kidding!) Rinse your face with cool water and allow to air dry. You can also use the miracle fruit to strengthen and condition your hair or throw a swinging Fiesta! Ole!

Younger with Yogurt: Your daily pre-lunch break snack is packing some major "skinefits!" Yogurt contains alpha-hydroxy acids, including lactic acid, which are commonly used to help reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles. (Yes, please!) It's also rich in B-complex vitamins, including B-5, or panthothenic acid, which aids in the skin's healing process. Clean face thoroughly, removing all make-up and excess oils, then apply a think coat of plain, non-flavored yogurt to your face and neck. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse clean.

Egg-ceptional Results: Egg are high in vitamin A, a common ingredient in acne-fighting products. How do you think the Easter Bunny has kept up his good looks throughout the years?  For dry skin, spread the  egg yolk on your face and neck, leaving it on the skin for 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water. For oily skin, do the same with only the egg white. Wait until it dries and rinse off with warm water. FYI, I am actually yolking it up as I type but now I suddenly have a strange craving for bacon...
 
 Going Grape: These globes of goodness contain powerful antioxidants, called poly phenols, which help combat aging. Grape seed oil or extract is now found is the world's most cutting edge anti-aging products because of it's healing capabilities. Skip the Lancome counter and simply cut one grape in half and rub lightly all over face. Prepare for yourself for a slight tingle as the grape extract gets to work!

Banana Beauty: No monkey business here! Bananas are one of the most nourishing fruits available because they contain magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, iodine, folic acid, and vitamins A, B, and E, all of which benefit the skin. Mash one overripe banana and spread onto face. Rinse off after 15 to 30 minutes with warm water. This is a guaranteed facial that will leave your skin simply "appeeling."

Rosie Glow: Your Royal Highness of Egypt, Cleopatra kept her skin youthful and glowing with the application of a natural astringent of rose water. To make your own sweet smelling splash, place 2 cups of firmly packed fresh rose petals in a saucepan and cover with 2 cups of distilled water. Simmer over low heat until water is reduced by half. Let cool and strain out the petals. Store in sterile jar or bottle. Your house will smell heavenly and who knows, with skin as good as yours will be, your very own Marc Anthony just may sweep you off your feet.

As they say, "beauty is only skin deep" so nourishing from the inside is very necessary. Be sure to always drink lots of water, take your vitamins and wear sunscreen moisturizer. Take some time out of your day to experiment with these homeopathic hints. Just think, one fabulous and frugal facial is only a grocery run away!

Blooming Brews

A little impish twinkle starts to appear in my eyes this time every year as my fondest holiday swiftly approaches. March 17th, Saint Patrick's Day in Savannah, Georgia is truly at sight to be seen. The spouting waters of our majestic Forsyth Fountain are dyed green, doggies don leprechaun hats and emerald hued eggs and grits are something you would want to consume. For many Savannah Sons and Daughters, Saint Patrick's Day is a time to share in revelry with your closet family and friends and is a time to pay homage to our gorgeous city and rich heritage. Even though we live in Orlando now, I am hoping the Luck O' the Irish will get us a few days off of work next week so we can make it up for the merry-making of the holiday. If not, you can bet your last Irish pound that we will celebrate here in Sunny Florida with sass and style. As I sat here surfing the internet, virtually preparing my Saint Patrick's Day dinner table, I originally desired a centerpiece that exuded class, elegance and panache! Memories of past March 17ths came flooding back to me and oddly enough, the words "class and elegance" just didn't seem to fit...Almost instantaneously, this frothy floral mug caught my eye on 1-800 Flowers and I squealed with delight. I genuinely love the products and quality put out by 1-800 Flowers, but I had to figure out a way to make this myself or what kind of blog would this be?! Here are your DIY instructions for a Saint Patrick's Day Brew that will have all Irish Eyes Smiling!

Blooming Brews

Materials Needed:

* Glass or Acrylic Beer Mug

* Colored Crystals

(Gold for a Traditional Lager, Brown for a Guiness, or Green for a TRUE St. Patrick's Day Brew!)

* 1 Dozen Carnation Heads with 3/4" Stems (White or Green Tinted)

* 1 Block Oasis Floral Foam

Directions:

Cut floral foam into a (1) 1/2" thick circle the diameter of the beer mug. Soak this circle for 2 to 3 hours in water. Fill your beer mug (I found mine at the Dollar Tree) to the top, leaving about 1" for the wet floral foam with your crystals or glass marbles. Top with water and wet floral foam disc. Gently begin pushing your carnation heads into the wet foam until disc is covered. Finish off the presentation with a printed theme tag and ribbon with a Saint Patrick's Day wish or a witty Irish limerick.

I hope this Saint Patrick's Day finds you amongst friends and family and those who love you the most. Where ever you are raise your glasses and sing with me this Irish Toast.

Saint Patrick was a gentleman,

Who through strategy and stealth,

Drove all the snakes from Ireland,

Here’s a toasting to his health.

But not too many toastings

Lest you lose yourself and then

Forget the good Saint Patrick

And see all those snakes again.

'Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!'

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Y'all!