Lagniappe: A Little Something Extra

Rochester, MI kicks-off the holiday season this evening.

The Big, Bright Light Show will debut at 7 pm

Horse-drawn carriage rides will be available and there will be various musical performances.

Local merchants offer Lagniappe. (Creole for a little something extra)

I'll be at Firebrick Gallery with holiday jewelry and ornaments.

Thanksgiving

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

See you on Monday.

Thanksgiving Turkey

I picked up my fresh Thanksgiving turkey Monday.

In an effort to buy/eat local, I purchased my turkey from a farm about 10 miles from home.

These birds are unaware of what is in store for them.

photo from Epicurious.com

I'm a fan of a butter and cider glaze on my turkey. It makes a wonderful gravy. This year I'm trying a Bon Appetit recipe from the November 2009 issue. Click here for the recipe.

I'll cook the dressing outside of the bird. Our family has a sausage/apple recipe that is a favorite.

What type of stuffing/dressing is your family favorite?

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time to give thanks, reflect and enjoy family and friends. My family starts to arrive today.

Parisian Love

This is a sweet video.

Never underestimate the power of Google.

Dreamy Wedding Images

I attended a wedding last weekend. The reception was held outside under a transparent tent.

The lighting was breathtakingly romantic.

No one enjoyed dancing under the stars more than the grooms nieces. Only their shoes were idle.

Quick Pasta For a Busy Night

This time of the year is so busy and often cooking dinner is a last minute event.

Spaghetti alla Carbonara is a last minute event. In the time it takes to cook the spaghetti the meal is ready to eat.

photos by me

What could be better than pasta with bacon & eggs and yummy

Parmigiano-Reggiano?

These ingredients are more than likely already on hand.

Click here for the Gourmet Magazine recipe. I used 1/2 lb of pasta with the amount of ingredients listed. Use bacon if you don't have pancetta. Make sure to take the pan off the heat when incorporating the egg mixture or you'll have scrambled eggs rather than the silky coating the eggs give the spaghetti.

Buon Appetito!

Start with a Sequin Tank

I found this great Sequin Tank at Ann Taylor Loft yesterday.

A piece like this is versatile and a great way to add sparkle to your wardrobe. It can be worn alone, or layered with a cashmere cardigan or under a blazer. It will give just enough shine to your black pants or jeans to make them holiday chic.

Start with a Sequin Tank by Spiralstyle featuring Theory

Items in this set:
Farfetch.com top, 99 GBP
Anntaylorloft.com top, $60
Gestuz jacket, 70 GBP
Theory pants, $245
AG Adriano Goldschmied jeans, $168

The tank, available in black, silver and blush, was an InStyle magazine pick in the November 2009 issue. Click here for details on the Ann Taylor Loft website.

Bangle Bunch

Holiday Gift Idea

I've bundled my best selling bangles at a great price for holiday gift giving.

Click on the price below each photo to be taken to the Esty site for more description and for purchase.

Three hammered silver bangles bundled for the holidays for effortless gift giving. $32

Bangles with a heart. $34

Thanksgiving Table Decor Inspiration

Thanksgiving is a holiday meal to decorate the table with all the glam and glitz you've got or keep it simple and natural.

Natural decor

1 Martha Stewart

2 About.com

3 Martha Stewart

Place card ideas

1-3 Martha Stewart

4 Sunset Magazine

Sophisicated HGTV

Modern Thanksgiving

Ohdeedoh..com

Pared down

Apartment Therapy

Crafty from Blissfully Domestic

An American ideal

Norman Rockwell

Destination: Charleston/Kiawah

Charleston

I'm in Charleston for the wedding of the daughter of long-time friends. Wedding in Charleston and reception and other festivities will be at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort.

Unfortunately the weather is less than spectacular due to the remnants of Hurricane Ida but promises sun and warmer temps for the Saturday nuptials.

Meanwhile I'm enjoying a little R&R and will do a "little" shopping.

flickr photo by pratt

Beach at Kiawah

Have a great weekend.

Etsy Find: Candles from Beautiful Soaps

I love getting packages in the mail, especially if they have a heavenly fragrance.

Last week this lovely handmade, beeswax candle shipment arrived.

The warm glow of candles is enchanting and during the winter months I have a candle burning on the counter while I prepare dinner. Beeswax has the added attraction of a lovely honey scent while burning.

I ordered these candles from Heather's Etsy shop, Beautiful Soaps.

Heather also makes luscious, pampering lotions and soaps.

Along with votive and tea lights, there are pillars and tapers to choose from.

Soy candles in pretty colors.

Visit Beautiful Soaps by clicking here.

I think candles would make a charming and thoughtful hostess gift. Who wouldn't love to receive a gift of handmade candles? For an added pleasure, tuck a handsome lighter in with the candles.

This is a new, sophisticated, Slatkin & Co., Zippo lighter available at Bath & Body Works. Retails for $14 but there are so many promotions you may be able to purchase the lighter for $10 or less. The lighter is refillable and available in several colors.

Hearty and Quick Chicken and White Bean Soup

In the winter I try to have soup night once a week. I am always searching for a hearty, healthy and quick recipe.

This soup combines canned cannellini beans with chicken for a protein rich meal.

Preparation is quick, about 40 minutes from start to finish.

The final touch is an herb oil that is made by heating olive oil with 2 teaspoons each of chopped sage, thyme and rosemary for 1 1/2 minutes. Sure, you could serve the soup without this garnish but just 1 tablespoon of this oil swirled into the soup adds abundant flavor not to mention color.

The recipe, Chicken and White Bean Soup with Herb Swirl, can be found on Epicurious.com by clicking here.

Bangle Bundles for Holiday Gift Giving

I've bundled my best selling bangles for Holiday Gift Giving

Prices are less for a bundle than if purchased separately.

Unadorned, hammered silver bangles $32

Bangles with a Heart $34

These bangles can be purchased at my Etsy shop by clicking here.

Advent Calendars

Anticipate the arrival of the holiday season with an Advent Calendar

Mitten cloth advent calendar $16.99 Bronner's

Milka (chocolate filled) calendar $49.00 GermanDeli.com

Advent tree with drawers $32.00 Child Advent Calendars

Nativity Advent Calendar $39.95 CDK Enterprises

Wood Advent Calendar-Green $7.49 Target

House Advent Calendar $129.00 Pottery Barn Kids

Olive, The Other Reindeer Pop-Up Advent Calendar $9.55 Walmart

Eric Carle's Dream Snow Pop-Up Advent Calendar $10.99 Amazon.com

Matchbox Advent Calendar Kit $12.99 Ten Two Studios

And

Baby Sock Advent Calendar

Project: MarthaStewart.com

TGIF...I'm relaxing with a Pedicure

It's been a long week and I need to relax. After my classes at the gym today I'm having a pedicure!

How was your week? What are you doing to relax?

Do something good for yourself.

Happy weekend. See you Monday.

Holiday Ornaments

I just posted my holiday ornaments on Etsy.

Complimentary shipping for US orders.

Reindeer $10

The reindeer is cut from copper and has a garland of beads around his neck. (4" wide)

Shining Star $10

Cut from brass and polished with red wire trim and hanger. (4" wide)

photos by me

Decorated Tree $10

Cut from copper with a green patina and decorated with red or brass wire and beads.

(2 1/2 " long)

Just click on the ornament name to be taken to the Etsy site for more information and to purchase.

Etsy Find: yorktown road

I signed on to Etsy last night and saw this shop, Yorktown Road. I just had to share because I think the designs are fabulous and so reasonably priced. I'm getting a clutch and pillow as gifts.

This Mum Tote is $58.

X - pleat clutch $60

This is a Zip, made from repurposed leather. $50

Accent pillow with 2 flowers $50

Carol is the artist/owner of Yorktown Road shop, located in Northern California. Click here to read about her and visit her Etsy shop.

Knit Gifts

Now that Halloween is past, I feel it is safe to mention that Christmas is just around the corner! 53 days

There is still plenty of time to consider knitting a gift. Who wouldn't love to receive a hand-knitted scarf in a gorgeous color and made of a comfy, soft yarn.

Knitting is fun and relaxing and a great thing to do with your hands while watching TV, commuting or watching your kids soccer game. If you are new to knitting, there are books and videos, blogs and websites to get you started. Craft stores offer knitting classes and often churches or libraries host knitting groups.

Choose a simple project, such as a scarf. Select large needles, chunky yarn and a simple pattern for immediate gratification. A scarf doesn't have to "fit" either!

Add a bit of fringe to the edges of a scarf for a more finished look. Cut strands of yarn about 8-10 inches long. Fold in half and then pull the strands halfway through the edge of the scarf with a crochet hook.

Pull the cut edge of the yarn through the loop and pull taught. When the entire edge is finished, Cut the fringe so that it is even and the length you desire.

There are many blogs devoted to knitting. Click here for a sample.

This is a blog devoted to knitting for charity.

Get started NOW on a great holiday project or gift. Have fun!

Closet Cooking Chicken

Does this look delicious?

Kevin's photo

Chicken and Chanterelles on Spinach and Wild Rice

I have been following Closet Cooking, a blog by Kevin from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Kevin thought his meals were boring so he started searching for new, tasty and interesting recipes. I saw this recipe and immediately started drooling. I made this dish on Saturday and it was wonderful. Click here to view the recipe on Closet Cooking. You may want to subscribe to the blog. Kevin has a new recipe 5 days a week. If you want his Thanksgiving ideas, you'll have to go back to the Canadian Thanksgiving, October 12.

Leave a comment for Kevin and tell him you read about Closet Cooking on Spiral Style.

Happy cooking AND eating.