Hey party lovers, I'm so exited to announce that our issue 15 is finally out for your viewing and festive pleasure!! :) Our Holiday Party & Gift Guide 2016 is bursting at the seams with incredible party eye candy, Holiday recipes, festive crafts, DIY decorations and all you need to style this season's celebrations!
Thanksgiving in the next holiday we're looking forward to, and it's truly of of my faves! For me, it's a reminder to be thankful for all the wonderful things in life, despite the trials and tribulations we all go through daily! Speaking of thankful...
Tiramisu is one of my all time favorite desserts. I come from an Italian background, so there's no surprise there ;) But because autumn rhymes with pumpkin and cinnamon errything , I decided to add a little twist to my classic recipe. I say classic, but really it's far from it, 'cause for my usual Tiramisu I use cinnamon cookies instead of the traditional ladyfingers. I adore cinnamon just a much as pumpkins. And coffee. So it was a no-brainer, really!
Usually I hate it when summer ends, but this year summer has been so intense, that I really welcomed Fall with open arms! Plus, it's another great opportunity to get back in the kitchen and bake some treats, without fear of putting the oven on.
As you saw in my Thanksgiving tablescape post here , my floral arrangement was a DIY jobbie. DIY is not only something I love, because it makes me try out new skills and ideas; but also it's often something of a necessity when I can't quite buy what I need for a particular project or photo shoot. And floral centerpieces or arrangements for me, ALWAYS fall under the 'urgh, I just can't get anything cute 'round here...' category. So DIY is the only available option :)
I've had a love for beautifully handwritten notes and calligraphy since I was a child. You see, back in the days, we used to do calligraphy at school to learn how to write properly. My mom bought me these instructional books and I still remember marveling to find out that there was actually a "proper" way to write each letter! Nowadays, I'm in love with modern calligraphy. Big time!
If you follow along on Instagram (yes, you really should) you'd have seen sneak peeks of my studio and office make-overs this summer. I'm nowhere finished yet, but the lounge where I do all my photo shoots is at last painted and a blank canvas waiting to be adorned with party decor each season. And this simple DIY Thanksgiving tablescape is the first to christen the space!! It's quiet appropriately, as I'm super thankful to have this little nook to do my work in. And for that alone, I'm extra giddy to share the photos with your today! :)
When it comes to desserts I'm a cake kinda gal. And no self-respecting party or family get-together should go without some form of cake - homemade, shop-bought...or my fav, a combination of the too! ;) That's why this super drool-worthy but mega easy Black Forest Gateau is perfection for Thanksgiving (or any other time of year!)
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Truvia® but all photos and opinions are my own. Pumpkin pies are traditional and synonymous with Fall. But to keep things 'fresh' and a little more exciting, I always try to jazz up my traditional recipes with a little twist to bring'em bang up to date - like these dinky pumpkin pies! They're super easy and quick to make (and eat!) , look really cute and are therefore ideal for serving as a sweet appetizer or party food on Halloween, on Thanksgiving, or any other Fall celebration.
Have you noticed how almost anything tastes better on a stick?! Not sure if it's the novelty of seeing our yummy recipes in bite-form; or actually a scientific reason behind it. Whatever it is, pie pops are my new Fall favorites! They are perfectly practical for serving at parties. And can we just taking a minute to appreciate how cute they look? :)
This is quite possible, the easiest "pie" recipe I've ever made! Pastry and all. Well I say pie...but really, the shape is the typical French galette style. No fuss, rustic goodness. And that' how I like my pies! The most difficult part is waiting for it cook (and cool!) so you can start devouring ;)
Being in charge of Thanksgiving dinner can seem like a daunting task. Even for the most discerning hostess. Between cooking the perfect turkey, the gravy, the stuffing, or setting the perfect table...the to-do list can seem endless! But the key is to prep as much as you can in advance. And ask for help! So in the spirit of sharing, I've compiled a collection of recipes to help you on your way - Including several turkey recipe ideas, sides, condiments, desserts and treats (making my mouth water already...).