Filet Mignon with Creamy Leek and Green Peppercorn Sauce + Kansas City Steak #GIVEAWAY

The holidays are all about bringing out your best and indulging in all your favorite recipes and flavors. My indulgently creamy fresh green peppercorn sauce is a traditional companion to steak. I couldn’t help but add and my other favorite filet mignon companion, leeks, to the creamy sauce. The bite of the bourbon and the tang of the brine-soaked green peppercorns offset the richness of the cream.

It is the perfect topping to your favorite steak and you just happen to be in luck… scroll down for the recipe and further details on the Kansas City Steak Company giveaway.

Crisp weather calls for cozy gatherings and great gifts to show loved ones how much you care. The Kansas City Steak Company adds the perfect touch to any celebration – big or small – and makes the perfect gift for your favorite steak lover! Check out their top sellers and learn how you can win your own filets!

KC Signature Gift Boxed Steak Combo

Includes Super-Trimmed Boneless Ribeye Steaks, Filet Mignon and Kansas City Strip Steaks. Plus, Steak and Prime Rib Seasoning packet and The Kansas City Steak Book.

Four 6 oz. Super-Trimmed™ Filets

This filet mignon is king — butter-tender, cut from the center of the finest aged tenderloin and hand selected from premium corn-fed Kansas beef.

Filet Mignon with Creamy Leek and Green Peppercorn Sauce

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons fresh green peppercorns {packed in brine}
2 leeks, thinly sliced, well washed
2 tablespoons bourbon / whiskey
1/2 cup heavy {whipping} cream
Salt, as needed
METHOD

After cooking your filet, remove from pan to rest.
Add 1 1/2 cups of water to pan and using a flat spatula, scrap bits from bottom of pan and bring to a simmer. Add green pepper corns and leeks. Simmer for 5 minutes to soften leeks.

Add bourbon, simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove pan from heat and slowly add in heavy cream, stirring continuously. Place back on heat and simmer for 5 – 10 minutes until cream sauce begins to thicken. Taste. Add salt as needed.

Entertaining Tip:: Make this sauce ahead of time. Prepare a batch and refrigerated in an airtight container a day in advance. To reheat, transfer to a small saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring frequently.

Kansas City Steaks Holiday 2016

See the full sweepstakes rules HERE.

Disclosure Statement ~ For recipes, more gift ideas and special offers and more visit the Kansas City Steak Company website. This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kansas City Steak, thank you for supporting the companies that make this blog possible!

December 13, 2016April 12, 2022

5 Secrets To Hosting a Successful Holiday Open House

Your social calendar is filling up but you promised yourself you would make the time to host a Holiday Open House this year. What is a hostess to do?? Not to fear. My 5 Secrets to hosting a successful holiday open house is here to get you through with ease. Simply set the date, send out the invites and follow my 5 tips for hosting a Holiday Open House. #HolidayGoals coming true!

Secret #1 to Hosting a Successful Holiday Open House :: Plan Ahead

I know… I just told you that you can do this with only weeks left in the holiday entertaining season, and now I am talking about planning! Don’t worry. You’ve got this but you still need to put in a little planning time. Believe me, an hour planning makes for an entire night full of a low stress holiday open house.

Set aside 1 – 1 1/2 hours tomorrow to create a quick guest list, a basic time-line and easy menu. With it on paper you now have a guide for planning your holiday open house.

Secret #2 to Hosting a Successful Holiday Open House :: Show Them the Green Stuff

NO, I am not talking anything illegal or even about money. I am talking about live greens, evergreens, boxwoods and other cuttings from either your own garden or purchased at the local market.

I have been hosting, planning and decorating holiday gatherings for over 20 years so take it from me, live greens go a long way. It must be something to do with bringing nature inside, the scent of pine filling your home, their intense texture or the variety of colors that is an immediate WOW factor. Use live greens at your entranceway, on your tablescape and mixed with cut flowers placed in a vase – they will transform your space into a winter wonderland guaranteed.

Secret #3 to Hosting a Successful Holiday Open House :: Bring Out the Bling

Decorating during the holiday season is all about metallics, glitter and using “the good stuff” so don’t be afraid to mix metallic serveware and your favorite flatware for your open house, or for the entire holiday season.

My new obsession… this hammered copper flatware by Argent Orfèvres for Hampton Forge. Seriously. I am completely in love with this pattern and it is now my must-have for my holiday season. It actually makes me smile when I open my flatware drawer – no joke!

Copper pairs perfectly with all metals especially the latest trends in kitchen hardware – gold, black metal, rose gold and copper. Have you seen all the copper small appliances hitting markets these days? Get a jump on the trend with your own set of Argent Orfèvres Paris Hammered Copper flatware.

Secret #4 to Hosting a Successful Holiday Open House :: Serve Punch!

One of my best friends is all about bringing retro back and what is more Retro Rad around the holidays than a big bowl of punch!

This year I am serving up a wintery spice Wassail at my holiday open house. Make up a big batch and let guest serve themselves. It looks incredibly festive on your bar and taste just as good!

Secret #5 to Hosting a Successful Holiday Open House :: Set It + Forget It

Secret #5 could be my number one secret for hosting a successful holiday open house – set it and forget it. Ok, maybe don’t completely forget about it but you get my gist.

By selecting menu items that can stand being at room temperature during the span of your party, you allow your self time to mix and mingle in between refreshing and replenishing your apps. Serve a cheese + charcuterie platter, mini quiches and a lovely seafood bite – it is the holidays after all, splurge a bit on one or two items then fill in with less pricey and more filling options.

I hope these tips help you feel more comfortable + confident hosting your own holiday open house this season.

If you have ANY questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me via email, Instagram, Twitter or your favorite social media platform with questions – I am more than happy to answer them all!

Happy Entertaining!!

A little more about my favorite new flatwareArgent Orfèvres Paris Hammered Copper .

Created in premium 18/10 stainless steel with an artist’s eye and jeweler’s attention to detail, Argent Orfèvres Paris Hammered Copper surprises with precious metal finishes, sophisticated textures and inspired forms that elevate the experience of fine dining. The lux Argent Orfèvres brand’s expressive design is perfect for this holiday season! We hope everyone who invites Argent into their home and on to their tabletop this season will feel as decadent and magnificent as the flatware itself!

Disclosure Statement: This post is sponsored by Hampton Forge in conjunction with a social media campaign. Although I was compensated, I truly am a HUGE fan of their beautiful flatware – all opinions are my own.

December 12, 2016December 12, 2016

Wassail Holiday Open House Punch

One of my favorite ways to gather with friends and family during the holiday’s is by hosting a Holiday Open House and what better way to greet guests than with a bowl full of Holiday Wassail punch.

WASSAIL defined

NOUN

1 Spiced ale or mulled wine drunk during celebrations for Twelfth Night and Christmas Eve:

1.1 Lively and noisy festivities involving the drinking of plentiful amounts of alcohol; revelry:

VERB

[NO OBJECT]archaic

1 Drink plentiful amounts of alcohol and enjoy oneself with others in a noisy, lively way:

1.1historical :: drink to (fruit trees, typically apple trees) in a custom intended to ensure a fruitful crop:

2 Go from house to house at Christmas singing carols:

{as defined by OxfordDictionary.com}

As with many traditions the folklore surrounding it varies and evolves over time… especially when there is alcohol involved.

As I attempted to dig deeper into the drink and the activity around this holiday punch, my favorite of the wassail traditions rose to the top. Tradition has it that the spiced cider was offered as an ancient honor to the trees in the hopes of a plentiful harvest the following year.

“In wintertime, wassailers would prepare the traditional wassail – soaking pieces of bread, cake or toast in it – and travel from apple orchard to apple orchard in effort to ensure a good harvest for the coming year. Wassail-soaked pieces of bread or toast were then buried at the trees’ roots or hung in the trees’ branches to appease the tree spirits and feed them well until the next harvest.”

Other stories talk of revelers walking from pub to pub singing, or some holding bowls of wassail in the streets and selling cups to those who passed by for pennies. All I am sure have some truth to them and simply make the tradition wassail all the more intriguing to me.

Along with the many different stories as to the origin, it seems no two recipes for Wassail are quite alike. All generally contain apples and spices in some combination, eggs, egg-free, cream, cream-free, with out with ale, sherry, Bourbon, Whiskey and the list goes on. A few recipes require the use of slow cookers and a few traditionalist only serve Wassail warm.

I recently hosted a holiday open house and served my Wassail chilled with frozen cranberries, spices and orange slices as floating garnish. It looked super festive on the bar and was a huge hit with guests of all ages. {I may have consumed more than others, but thats the fun of being the host right!?}

My suggestion… Fill a large punch bowl with a non-alcoholic batch to offer to all your guests as they enter then let them add their favorite spirit as they wish.

Holiday Wassail Punch Recipe

INGREDIENTS

6 cups apple cider
1 cup orange juice
4 cinnamon sticks, plus additional
6-8 whole star anise, plus additional
6 whole cloves
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Pinch of allspice
Bourbon or whiskey – optional

Garnish: optional but recommended
cinnamon sticks
star anise
pomegranate seeds
orange zest/slices
whole cranberries

METHOD

In a large dutch oven, bring all of the ingredients to a low boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for a few hours. Strain. Serve hot or cold; spike with bourbon/whiskey, if desired.
Garnish with whole cinnamon sticks, star anise and orange slices.

SERVES 6

Looking for a new holiday punch but not familiar with the term Wassail or the verb wassailing? Listen in to this youtube video.

December 11, 2016April 3, 2023

Strawberry Bread { #FLStrawberry + #SundaySupper }

The recipe for this fruit-swirled quick bread calls for fresh Florida Strawberries and is perfect for your holiday entertaining menu or a homemade holiday gift. Try a cream cheese spread as a delicious side for this Strawberry Bread Recipe.

I must admit growing up in the Northeast I, like many living in the northern states, think of strawberries as a summer fruit only seasonally available in the warmer months. But did you know that American grown Florida Strawberries are available November through April. Makes you wonder why you would ever buy a strawberry not grown in the U.S. right?

So now the question is – What tasty treats can we make year round to take advantage of this berry abundance? Luckily there is a plethora of sweet and savory strawberry recipes to be found for any winter entertaining opportunity you have to break out those beautiful Florida Strawberries.

I love this twist on a standard Strawberry Bread recipe with switching out the cinnamon for cardamon. It adds a special flavor that is wonderful for the cooler months of the holiday season.

And don’t forget all the amazing health benefits of strawberries! Strawberries and other fruits are virtually fat-free and contain no cholesterol. They are an excellent source of folic acid and a good source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure. PLUS strawberry skins contains both gallic and ellagic acids which many researchers believe help treat and even prevent certain forms of cancer. Learn more about the health benefits on the Florida Strawberry Website – HERE.

Update :: Over time, I have had several questions about the type of strawberries I use in my recipes. Here is a photo of the strawberries I use, fresh Florida Strawberries.

Strawberry Bread Recipe

INGREDIENTS

5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pan

1 pint fresh Florida Strawberries, rinsed, hulled, halved and mashed with a fork

1 3/4 cups whole wheat organic all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Butter an 8-by-4-inch loaf pan.

In a small saucepan, bring strawberries to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring, 1 minute. Set aside to cool.

In a medium bowl, whisk to combine flour, baking soda, cardamon, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

In a mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, cream butter, sugar, and eggs until light and fluffy. Add 1/2 of flour mixture, 1/3 cup water combine well, mix in remaining flour mixture. Fold in reserved strawberries.

Scrape batter into buttered pan, smoothing top. Bake 45 minutes, check for doneness, tent top with foil to prevent browning, cook another 15 minutes. Bread is done when a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour.

Cool in pan 10 minutes. Run a knife around edges; invert onto a rack to remove from pan. Reinvert; cool completely.

Links to social channels for Florida Strawberries

Florida Strawberry is launching a huge giveaway this season.

Submit a fabulous photo with Florida strawberries and receive a free Florida Strawberry cap plus get entered for a chance to win a getaway to Florida at the TradeWinds Island Resort in St. Pete’s Beach. Airfare, accommodations, and a tour of a strawberry farm in Plant City for up to 4 people. Enter HERE.

Giveaway terms and conditions.

Key factors:

The Florida Strawberry Cap Contest #FloridaStrawberryCap begins on December 12, 2016 at 12:00 a.m. and ends on February 12, 2017 at 11:59 p.m.
Submit a photo directly through the link or on social media using the #FLStrawberryCap hashtag
Everyone who enters gets a Florida Strawberry Cap – Limit one per household
You can enter for the grand prize as many times as you’d like

Disclosure Statement: This post is sponsored byFlorida Strawberry in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.

Appetizers

Balsamic Strawberry Brie Bites by Casa de Crews
Roasted Strawberry Chipotle Sauce by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
Savory Strawberry Crostini by Cooking Chat
Strawberry Apple Salsa by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
Strawberry Hummus by The Freshman Cook

Desserts

Chocolate Covered Strawberries by Desserts Required
Classic Eton Mess by Sunday Supper Movement
Fresh Strawberry Pie by Recipes Food and Cooking
Goopy Goop – A Healthy Strawberry Sauce by Cricket’s Confections
Strawberry Bundt Cake by Caroline’s Cooking
Strawberry Layer Cake with Strawberry Buttercream Frosting by Family Around The Table

Main Dishes

Grilled Balsamic Strawberry & Chicken Kabobs by Books n’ Cooks
Grilled Fish Topped with Strawberry Salsa by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Spicy Strawberry BBQ Shredded Chicken by The Crumby Cupcake
Strawberry and Arugula Pizza by A Mind “Full” Mom
Strawberry Balsamic Brie Grilled Cheese by Authentically Candace

Side Dishes

Strawberry Almond Couscous by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Strawberry Bread by An Appealing Plan
Strawberry Bruschetta Side Salad by April Golightly
Strawberry Coleslaw by Family Foodie
Strawberry Pecan Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

November 23, 2016November 23, 2016

Metallic Inspired Thanksgiving Tablescape

Looking for Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas on Pinterest boards and home decor magazines can be as overwhelming and time-consuming as planning a wedding! Give your brain a break this Thanksgiving and create a Metallic Inspired Thanksgiving Tablescape with an easy but elegant mixture of metallic and natural elements.

The metallic trend is here to stay but don’t believe this means you can’t also use some of the traditional nature inspired Thanksgiving decor, such as gourds, wheat and Indian Corn, on your Thanksgiving tablescape this year as well.

One of my favorite looks is mixing the two decor trends together. Look for faux gourds in rich metallic tones like bronze, matte gold and copper which naturally complement the gold tones of wheat and the deep reds and browns of dried Indian Corn.

Place textured chargers under your china, then top each Thanksgiving placesetting with a linen napkin tucked into a grapevine napkin ring – then add a placecard if you like. One of my top tips for setting a Thanksgiving tablescape is to keep the decor low and tight, this allows guest to speak to each other over the centerpeice.

For this tablescape I am mixing and matching my glassware… we have “lost” a few to kitchen tragedies and I have more than enough. So why buy more when they all look so festive mixed together.

Entertainers Tip :: when mixing glassware have one common variable. For instance here they are all clear glass with a stem.

Bring all the tones and textures together on your Thanksgiving table by tucking in a few sprigs of my favorite foliage Eucalyptus. The leaf color and shape looks great with metallic seasonal decor and perhaps even a bit of the calming energy to your gathering.

Happy Thanksgiving from my home to yours!

November 20, 2016April 3, 2023

Mini Stuffing Muffins {#SundaySupper}

Stuffing is one of the most popular dishes of a Thanksgiving meal, I thought why not try making it as fun appetizer bites served before the big meal OR as a fun twist on leftover stuffing recipe served Thanksgiving night or the next day.

You can use this recipe with any stuffing recipe or leftovers, the key is to add back in moisture then bake the muffins to ensure they stick together.

Serve your mini stuffing muffins with the a side of cranberry relish for a tangy fruity and colorful topping.

MINI STUFFING MUFFINS RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon fresh chopped sage
1 cup stock, chicken/turkey or vegetable
1/2 cup dried cranberries, rough chopped
4 cups stuffing – left over or pre-made

METHHOD

Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease 12-cup mini-muffin pan with cooking spray.
In a large skillet melt butter, add sage and cook on medium heat until sage begins to crisp.
Add stock and bring to a boil.
Add chopped cranberries to liquid and allow to cook on medium for 2-3 minutes or until cranberries begin to absorb liquid.
Pack the stuffing into the muffin cups and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden. Transfer to a rack and let stand for 5 minutes. Loosen the muffins with a sharp paring knife and lift them out.
Serve warm with Cranberry Relish.

Whether you are a seasoned pro or it is your first time hosting Thanksgiving the number of details to keep track of can be daunting to say the least. You need the Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Checklist.Get yours HERE.

How to Use Holiday Leftovers

Everyone loves the holidays, but often we’re left with way too much food. This week the Sunday Supper Community helps us spice up our leftovers and turn them into new and exciting dishes!

Thank you Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventure, for hosting.

Easy Pumpkin Placecards

Pumpkin Placecards are super easy to make and add a festive fall accent to your Thanksgiving, Friendsgving or Harvest Celebration Tablescape. Use either kraft paper cut outs or chalk paint to give each placesetting a personalized touch.

I don’t know about you but I LOVE mini pumpkins and gourds of all kinds so while I have the chance to decorating the table with Autumn gourds I take every opportunity to do just that!

Start setting your Fall tablescape by lining the center of the table with mixed gourds, Indian Corn and a Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece or two. There really isn’t a wrong way to group them. Pick out a variety of shapes and sizes ~ I promise they will all look perfect together!

Once I have my centerpiece in place I like to add a textured charger, a main serving plate and a fall leaf plate at each placesetting. Continuing adding seasonal elements like a grapevine napkin ring around a natural linen napkin.

The stress of hosting can be overwhelming. No matter if it is your first time hosting, Or your 10th. My ULTIMATE Thanksgiving checklist is HERE to make you look like an entertaining pro. Download yours for all my seasonal entertaining must-haves.

For a step-by-step demo how to make your own Pumpkin Placecards, you can watch my recent segment on WFLA Gayle’s Guide to Pinterest.

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel and never miss a recipe or design idea! {It’s free!}

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PUMPKIN PLACECARDS::

SUPPLIES ::

mini pumpkin
chalkboard paint
foam paint brush
chalk marker
leaf stencil
scissors

INSTRUCTIONS ::

For Chalkboard Pumpkin Placecard –

Using a foam applicator simply apply a stroke of black chalk paint to the side of mini pumpkin. Allow to dry and apply a second coat.

Once dry, use a chalk marker to write your guest’s name on the card. Repeat for all guests.

For Kraft Paper Leaf Pumpkin Placecard –

Using a Maple leaf form, trace the edges onto kraft paper, Cut out shape and write your guest’s name on each card.

Carefully slice a slit in the top of the pumpkin stem. Insert paper placecard into stem and place on table!

Not the DIY type… Did you know I offer services tailored to meet the needs of busy women. They are especially valuable during the holiday entertaining season. Learn more on HERE on KraylFunch.com

November 1, 2016September 21, 2017

Spiked Pumpkin Rice Pudding for October Unprocessed

For the second year in a row I am a proud contributor to October Unprocessed. A month long pledge created by Andrew Wilder of EatingRules.com to reduce the amount of processed food we consume. This year however, pushed my knowledge of processed versus unprocessed AND my comfort level in the kitchen to new levels as I created first a Baked Sweet Dumpling Squash with Pumpkin Custard and then recipe #2…. Bourbon Pumpkin Rice Pudding.

Yes, you heard correctly. I ended up creating two recipes but only one was fit to be published during October Unprocessed 2016. Why you might ask?

Turns out there is an entire FAQ on sugar, how it is processed, which sugars are considered the least processed and why we should/or should not consume them. I thought I was doing the right thing by using brown sugar {and the folks at Bob’s Red Mill consumer team have provided me thorough information regarding how they are using the best possible methods to create their line of sugars} but other companies may or may not have your best health in mind so please be sure to learn more about this topic HERE.

See how my Bourbon Pumpkin Rice Pudding turn out, my lessons learned in the kitchen and take the October Unprocessed pledge HERE.

Thank you to Andrew and Kristi at EatingRules.com for their patience, support, understanding and commitment to their cause and Bob’s Red Mill for providing me with their tasty baking Congratulations on another successful year!

October 28, 2016September 18, 2017

Baked Sweet Dumpling Squash with Pumpkin Custard

As you know I LOVE a gourd. Gourds of all kinds can be found on my entranceway, dining room table and kitchen counter, but when I found out one of my fav was actually considered a squash my world was turned upside down!

Sweet Dumpling Squash are readily available in the Fall and are great for filling kitchen island baskets with seasonal color but let’s open up our eyes – and mouths – to the wide variety of recipes for Sweet Dumpling Squash, a hit in my home is baked with pumpkin custard. Serve it for dessert on Thanksgiving or to end your upcoming Fall gathering.

Squash versus Gourd versus Pumpkin :: what’s the difference?

The family screams Fall but I can barely say the name. The Cucurbitaceae family is the latin name for gourds, squash and pumpkins, which most of us tend to simply lump into one big category of bumpy, viney, some say ugly, I say gorgeous, ground growing beauties that we generally associate with Fall.

Read on to amaze your friends with your Squash, Gourds and Pumpkins knowledge.

Gourds.

The ornamental squash, hardshell, bottle and turban are the most common gourds seen on tablescapes, grouped in glass vessels and adorning mantles in the Autumn, aren’t generally meant for eating. Mainly decorative, our current day gourds – my spirit fruit {or is it vegetable… no fruit} – have been used throughout history in many ways including as tools, musical instruments and food. The are a staple in my seasonal decorating projects with clients and in my own home.

Squash.

Hubbard, butternut, acorn, sweet dumpling and spaghetti squash {just to get the party started} that are perfect for roasting, souping, dicing, pureeing or any other shape or form you prefer to eat them. Most squash have a thick skin and dense flesh you must cut through in order to use for most squash recipes. However, once you cut back the skin simply scoop out the seeds {save them for toasting with a bit of kosher salt} and you are ready to go.

Pumpkin.

The most popular of the cucuritaceae, pumpkins are both ornamental and edible. The super mini’s are more like gourds when it comes to getting any flesh from them for cooking but DO not discount them as a serving vessel or other ornamental seasonal piece. Medium and Large pumpkins make great entranceway decor, carved or un-carved, as well as provide tons of glorious flesh for recipes calling for pumpkin.

So the bottom line is – pumpkin is sort of “our” term for the round orange squash and not a biological name.

I say let’s celebrate the season with the entire family! Squash, gourds and pumpkins are welcome on my table or plate any day.

See my recipe for Baked Sweet Dumpling Squash with Pumpkin Custard below.

[yumprint-recipe id=’36’]

Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year? My Ultimate Thanksgiving Checklist will be your new BFF. Grab yours HERE.

October 27, 2016October 29, 2016

Plan Ahead For a Stress Free Thanksgiving Day

How many plates do I need? How will I serve the potatoes? How long do I defrost THE bird? How do I keep track of who is bringing what? What if I run out of forks before dessert?

And the details add up if you are hosting overnight guests.

Where will they sleep? Do I have time to put up the wall paper in the main floor powder room before Thanksgiving?

What fork goes where?

Not to fear. My ULTIMATE Thanksgiving checklist is HERE to make you look like the entertaining pro you know is your real calling.

Avoid the last minute stress of Thanksgiving with my ULTIMATE Thanksgiving Planning Checklist.

When you say yes to the checklist you will immediately receive the first week’s must do list. Then over the next few weeks you will receive a weekly checklist of what you need to accomplish + schedule that week to have a stress free Thanksgiving.

How easy is that?

You can be the hostess you know in your heart you are. Get access to the checklist HERE.

Are you an overachiever? Perfectionist who can’t stand to wait for the weekly updates? My Fast Track planner was created for you. For only $15 you can have access to the entire checklist collection now. Buy yours HERE.

October 12, 2016August 25, 2020

#FALLFLEA Home Decor Favorites + New Additions

The Fall Flea is now in it’s second week and the feedback has been really great! It is hard for me to say what my favorite Fall home decor items in the shop are. However if I had to pick, the Wood Cake Stand with Metallic Pumpkin accents, the Faux Cotton Wreath or the Metallic Leaf Candle Holder would make the list this week.

SHOP THE FALL FLEA NOW

According to you, the shoppers, the most popular items in the shop to date have been the Burlap Runner, Gold Leaf Thankful pillow and the Gold Fall Acorn Decorative Dish.

Have you had a chance to shop the #FALLFLEA to pick your favorite Fall decor item for you home, kitchen or Fall gathering table?

If not, this is the perfect time to stop in the virtual pop-up market because new items have been added this week AND doors will close Sunday October 16th for the season and your opportunity to shop from my favorite Fall Decor items for 2016 will be like a leave blowing in the Autumn air…

SHOP THE FALL FLEA NOW

Ready to see a few of the new additions? I have added items to the home accent category, the kitchen collection and of course the entertaining collection!

HERE IS A SAMPLING OF WHAT’S NEW IN THE FALL FLEA SHOP!

Hammered Copper Cheese Knife Set – Set of 3 Cheese Knives are a must have item for every well equipped host. The Hammered Copper handles on this set easily transition from rustic to modern tables, giving any style a touch of urban craftsmanship.

VIEW IN THE SHOP HERE.

Give + Gather. Harvest Kitchen Towel

Give + Gather Harvest Kitchen Towels feature script give and gather lettering set around a fall foliage pattern. Enjoy in your kitchen or give them as a gift to your favorite hostess.

VIEW IN THE SHOP HERE

Amber Glass Apothecary Bottle

Fall decor is all about warm colors and textures. Bring both this season to your kitchen, or bathroom, counter with Amber Glass Apothecary Bottles.

VIEW IN THE SHOP HERE.

Faux Golden Apples – set of 2

I love to place faux fruit everywhere around my home these days. You will find Faux Golden Apples lining shelves, down the center of dining room tablescapes and dozen or so together in a bowl on my kitchen island.

VIEW IN THE SHOP HERE.

Here are my top 3 tips to make the most of The Fall Flea Pop-Up ::

#1 – Be sure to sign up + open your emails over the next two weeks to learn about new + featured items.
#2 – Join the Facebook Event Group for daily updates and community conversation about their favorite items.
#3 – Follow along on Instagram to see new + featured items first. And share your favorites using #FALLFLEA

Happy Fall! Shop the Fall Flea here now.

Filet Mignon with Creamy Leek and Green Peppercorn Sauce

Secret #1 to Hosting a Successful Holiday Open House :: Plan Ahead

Secret #2 to Hosting a Successful Holiday Open House :: Show Them the Green Stuff

Secret #3 to Hosting a Successful Holiday Open House :: Bring Out the Bling

Secret #4 to Hosting a Successful Holiday Open House :: Serve Punch!

Secret #5 to Hosting a Successful Holiday Open House :: Set It + Forget It

WASSAIL defined

NOUN

VERB

Holiday Wassail Punch Recipe

Strawberry Bread Recipe

Appetizers

Desserts

Main Dishes

Side Dishes

MINI STUFFING MUFFINS RECIPE

Appetizers

Breakfast

Dessert

Mains

Sides

Soups

Squash versus Gourd versus Pumpkin :: what’s the difference?

Gourds.

Squash.

Pumpkin.

HERE IS A SAMPLING OF WHAT’S NEW IN THE FALL FLEA SHOP!

Give + Gather. Harvest Kitchen Towel