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. 

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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.

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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!

 

Weekly Recap :: Krayl on Instagram August 27th

Happy Saturday!! 

This week behind the scenes on Instagram is full of images from a wild week of private client projects, time with friends, traveling to my favorite places and taking time to let the future in. I hope you will come on over and follow along on Instagram

Make space for your future quote on AnAppealingPLan.com by @KraylFunchIt’s been a crazy week with client projects, events, travel, time with friends and life in general. Now, I’m taking a few days to shut down, turn off the phone + computer and simply be. 💕

I can feel a change coming, not yet sure what it is but I’m ready and it’s time. Sometimes you need to clear space to allow your future to enter.
#MakeSpaceForYourFuture #BePresent

Krayl Funch on INstagram at the Standard High Line patio bar - lemon displayPretty sure I need this sign for my house.🍋🍋🍋

#fordisplayonly #12lemoncenterpiece #anappealingplan

Krayl Funch and Sara Peterson of HGTV at the Blogger Block PartyA pure pleasure to meet and chat with Sara Peterson, Editor in Chief of HGTV Magazine during the#BloggerBlockParty.  She was super sweet and even prettier in person!

Adding her to my girl crush list for sure!! How cute is that dress?!
I totally wanted to ask for the extra-large cover of the September issue to take home but chickened out… I did have the courage to ask for her to sign my copy of the issue. Don’t forget to pick up your copy and check out page 16 for my quote!!
#hgtvmagazine #hgtv

Krayl Funch on INstagram - Sunset on the Highline

When in doubt head to the @highlinenyc . Sunset over the Hudson. No filter needed.

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Design + Function. Would expect nothing less at the HGTV#bloggerblockparty 💕#anappealingplan#hgtvmagazinebloggerblockparty

IMG_7894#bloggerblockparty listening to my favorite HGTV designers + contributors. Reading the current issue. My quote and name in print.

Priceless!
Stay tuned for all the latest design trends from all my favs!! Tap image for all speakers accounts to follow along.

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Morning coffee view. #happycamper at Camp Susquehannock.

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Make the most out of the best days of summer! Plan a beach picnic {or a stay-picnic in your own back yard}!🍉
I’m sharing my Blueberry Chicken Salad recipe and tips to create your own picnic spread complete with selfie props!⚓️
See the recipe and my tips on The Sunday Supper Movement website + sign up to join the community!  http://bit.ly/SSBlueberryChickenSalad
#summereats #weekdaysupper #anappealingplan

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My Monday motivation. {from a recent visit to Hortulus Farm in Bucks County, PA}

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With a very busy week ahead I plan on slowing down today for a much deserved Sunday Funday. 🍍 I hope you are having a great weekend!! Cheers! 🍾
#sundayfunday #goodmorning #beapineapple

Weekly Recap :: Krayl On Instagram August 13th

Happy Weekend!! 

This week behind the scenes on Instagram is full of images celebrating my favorite season and month! I hope you are celebrating as well and will come on over and follow along on Instagram

This time of year people start talking about the end of summer and how they are ready for the sweaters and scarfs of fall…

Me? I’m trying to hang on to every bit of summertime. I just love everything about this season- morning coffee on the porch, neighborhood bbq’s with fresh corn, dips in the lake and sandy toes from the day at the beach.⚓️

So while I appreciate every season and will get on board when autumn arrives, right now I am happily savoring summer.☀️

Looking for more ways you can celebrate the seasons? Sign up for my updates and get my monthly calendar filled with seasonal celebrations and reminders! Simply click on the link in my profile or go to AnAppealingPlan.com/free-updates. See you there!

#SummerLovin #LiveInTheMoment #CelebrateEveryday


It’s #friyay !!! Spotted these chairs on a recent mini beach getaway. ⚓️

Anyone want to join me for a beverage and some people watching? 

Oh cabana boy…I will have another please.

#weekendgoals #cabanalife #anappealingplan

I have to admit, the first time I heard about a spiked Agua Fresca I was watching Shahs of Sunset on BRAVO, yes it’s true. #bravoholic

Reza had just arrived at MJ’s house and she greeted him with an Agua Fresca spiked with Tequilla. If you are a fan of the show you can image it was most likely heavy spiked however, it looked refreshing, super pretty and sounded exactly like something I would love to offer my guests this summer when they stop by.

My version has watermelon + basil and is just as tasty as it is pretty.

Making your own is easier than you think learn how here

{ps @rezafarahan if you are reading this, you are always welcome to knock on my door for a cocktail… just saying}.

#bravosuperfan #bravoandy #mjmademedoit


Apparently I was too busy reading to realize it was #nationalbookloversday yesterday!

I’m taking the opportunity to post the cover of my own book for those of you who are new around here and may not know about it!

Learn more about it here! http://bit.ly/AAPBook or click the “buy the book” flag at the top! .

An Appealing Plan : A Year of Everyday Celebrations was written with my goal of encouraging everyone to celebrate everyday. It’s part cookbook, part decorating, with menu and tablescape ideas for every season! .

I hope you will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed creating it!

#anappealingplan #celebrateeveryday #bigmagic


The birthday celebration continues.

Feeling blessed to have wonderful friends to toast with.

@emily_ellyn @michaelrizzo69 #gingeraleoverchampagne #theshowmustgoon #epiccheftb #epicchef


“Don’t count the days, make the days count.”

It’s a rainy Monday here which makes me want to stay in bed and watch movies under the covers… But not today. My to-do list is long and I need to get them all crossed off early this week. Productivity is a key word for me this month so please pass the coffee. ☕️

What’s getting you motivated today? 

{grab your own motivational quote from my Pinterest board! }

#mondaymotivation #coffeetime #bosslady


Missing this two little faces on #nationalfriendshipday !

What a great time I had visiting with them recently. We hardly left the house all week {or even the pool for that matter}. ☀️Time with friends and family is so important our souls. It nourishes me and gives me memories to last until the next visit.

In the comments, Tag a friend you are thinking about today and wish them a happy #friendshipday2016

#friendshipgoals #anappealingplan #sundayfunday

Krayl On Instagram ~ Week of August 6th

#friyay 😃

I am ready to wash this week off and head into the weekend!!!👙

Who’s with me?? What are your plans for this perfect summer weekend? 🇺🇸⚓️


The August Calendar is here! This month we celebrate by hosting a BBQ with a gourmet hot dog bar, staying hydrated with herb infused water and creating a pineapple centerpiece to welcome a new neighbor. 🍍

Just a few of the special days in August 2016 are :: My Birthday! #NationalFriendshipDay, #NationalS’moresDay and so many other reasons to #CelebrateEveryday! So come along let’s get the summer celebration started!

Grab yours today + get my free updates :: http://bit.ly/KraylAugust2016Calendar

Happy Birthday to ME!!🍾🍾🍾

Stopping work a little early today to enjoy a little time by the pool.👙⚓️

THANK YOU to everyone for the birthday wishes, love + support over this past year! 😘😘😘

#happybirthdaytome #clink #champagnetoast #champagneproblems


Summertime and hot dogs go together like peanut and jelly. 🇺🇸

To make sure the menu at your next gathering is a crowd pleaser for guests of all ages {yes even those picky little ones}, set up a hotdog bar so guests can choose to make one of your specialty hotdog recipes or dream up their own creation by mixing and matching from a variety of toppings and flavors.🌭

I’m sharing my tips for Setting Up A Hot Dog Bar on the blog! http://2adw1ya 

#summerentertaining #anappealingplan #sundaysupper


Grilled summer corn… Is there anything better? 🌽

Well a farm fresh tomato might compete… 🍅

But that’s a story for another day.

In the farm world of yester-year there is a saying “knee-high by Fourth of July”. It means all is well with your corn crop and the growth is on schedule. Well these days you can get fresh corn as early as Memorial Day – or year round in some parts – but the I still believe the sweetest corn is late season corn grown in New Jersey {sorry… it’s the Jersey girl in me that I just can’t shake!}. 😍

Late season Jersey corn hardly needs butter, just a touch of salt and pepper and it is perfect! This weekend we are making regular grilled corn as well as Mexican Street Corn. 🌽

How do you take yours?

See the recipe on the blog :: http://bit.ly/GrilledMexicanCorn

#summergrillin #outdoorentertaining #anappealingplan


Yesterday after a client interior design consult I grabbed an ice coffee and took a stroll down to the small marina in town to check out the boats. {luckily I was in my nautical outfit and fit right in!}⚓️

It took me back to my summers growing up in CT… The sounds of the lines hitting the mast in the wind. The waves splashing against the edges of the dock. The smell of the salt air.🚤

I wish I could have stayed the rest of the afternoon but real life was calling … 💕

Where can you take 10 minutes today to take a break in your day and get outside and appreciate the summer season! Stroll down the street or in the garden. 🌱

#summerlovin #nauticallifestyle #anappealingplan


Rise + Shine!☕️

This week I am working on getting into more of a morning routine… And believe me I am not a morning person. So this night owl is waking up earlier, working out and committing to not letting technology be the first thing I reach for when I wake up.📲

Guess I better get off now….☀️

What’s your morning routine? Or what do you WANT your morning routine to look like?

#ownyourmorning

One pillow. Four ways.

On the blog today I’m showing you four ways to incorporate these summer inspired cabana striped pillow covers into your home!☀️

Fresh from my Seasonal Home Box – Summer 2016 – I love the pop of summertime they add to my bed and to the pool area!⚓️

See them all and find out more http://bit.ly/SummerHomeBoxReveal16

#seasonaldecor #seasonalliving #anappealingplan #seasonalhome

 Nothing like a summer stroll along the river to brighten your day! 😍

Make sure to get outside in nature everyday, even if it’s just for a moment! It will keep you grounded and serve as a reminder that the world is so much bigger than we are! 🌱🌳☀️

#nature #feetofinstagram #anappealingplan

This bed. Those tropical pillows. That green paint. The mirror. 

Good design makes me so happy! Loved all the special touches in our room for a mini getaway in Naples.🌴 

Where are you off to this weekend? 

#beachweekend #naples #anappealingplan #hoteldesign

Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.❤️Yesterday I experienced a major shift in my perspective that I have had for almost 20 years. MAJOR shift. It’s going to be interesting to see how this plays out in all aspects of my life. Stay tuned🍾What one thing can you shift your perspective on today to make a difference in your life? ☀️

#liveauthentic #anappealingplan #livebeautifully

Krayl’s Week On Instagram ~ July 22nd

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Eggs of all different colors live together peacefully in one bowl….🐓
If only we could all take a cue from nature.
#peacebewithyou #learningfromnature

FarmTable Kitchen Seafood Appetizer on AnAppealingPLan.com by @KraylFunch

Dreaming of this tasty bite from a recent visit to FarmTable Kitchen.
Aren’t food memories amazing? A certain taste can bring you back to a vacation spot or to a childhood memory.🍴
For me it is usually seafood or fresh herbs. What is your favorite food memory or flavor?❤️
#foodmatters #anappealingplan#foodforthought

Pink + Gold Bridal Shower Tablescape - Krayl Funch 3441 1000x

This week I am collaborating with The Inspired Home who has sponsored my feature on Planning a Gold Themed Bridal Shower. I have to tell you it was a pure pleasure creating a pink and gold tablescape with their lovely brands and products. As you can see, I was in pink and gold heaven!💕💕

As I was thinking about my top tips for creating a pink + gold bridal shower tablescape I knew Peonies would be the star of the table. 🍾

The other stars of this table – gold stemware, rose gold flatware, clean white plates, rose inspired cloth napkins and of course rose wine to be served to all the guests!🍴 What’s your favorite color scheme for a tablescape??

#theinspiredhome #anappealingplan#pinkandgold #peonies

Hortulus Farm Bench on AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch x750

Anyone else missing the weekend like I am today?😃

Over the last few weeks we have been lucky enough to travel to see friends in some of our favorite spots and find new ones to visit again. Most of our time has been spent outdoors which is my favorite place to be in the warm summer months. I just can get enough of the green of the gardens, blue of the pools, lushness of wooded trails and the feel of pure white sand of the beach!👙

Each has its own special value and I am truly grateful to be able to experience America in all her beauty!🇺🇸

This particular garden bench was spotted at Hortulus Farm in Bucks County on an Art in the Garden tour. If you are in the area be sure to stop into their nursery shop and tour the amazing property. I do it at least once a year and find something new each time.🌳

Where are your summer travels taking you this year?

#summerroadtrip #buckscounty


Some days are meant for relaxing in a shady rooftop garden sharing a bottle of rose with friends.😍

#lifeisgood #roseallday #anappealingplan


Fri-Yay! 🍾

We made it to through the week! Well, one more day of client projects and a meeting with my new assistant {#happydays } to close out what has been a interesting week for me, then off to the beach to relax with friends.😍

Looking forward to some time in the sunshine with my feet in the sand, laughing with good friends. Those are my happy days.👙⚓️

What’s one thing that makes you happy?😃

#happyday #anappealingplan #FriYay

charred toast | lemon burrata | fava beans hummus🌱

Yes I said 🍋 burrata…. Can’t decide which I want to do more, stare at this beauty all day or order another round!

Love it when restaurants get the seasonality of food and serve bright fresh ingredients in the summertime! ☀️

Goes perfect with rose or Chardonnay. Which would you select?🍾

#onswann #hydeparkvillage #anappealingplan

Basil, Basil everywhere! My garden is over flowing with one of my favorite summer herbs. So of course I’m looking for recipes daily in how to use it.🌱

This week I’m mixing it with heirloom tomatoes and burrata as a test run for our local National Night Out gathering.😍

Never heard of the National Night Out? Or perhaps your community already hosts one and you are looking for a few new ways to add to your event. This month I am sharing an heirloom tomato salad that would be perfect to bring to, a little history on the National Night Out program and fun ideas to get everyone involved on the Sunday Supper Movement blog.🇺🇸

Read more about it here and plan your own:: http://bit.ly/SSNightOutBurrataSalad

#sundaysupper #nationalnightout #anappealingplan

Summertime and Beach Parties go hand in hand. ☀️

To make sure that your gathering – intimate or grand – is the hit of the season, I have collected my Beach Party Must-Haves all in one place for you.🍍

Choose from fabulous wine carriers, classic wood lanterns, trendy Ikat round towels or good for the earth bamboo flatware… or on second hand why choose at all!🍾

Cheers to your next Beach Party gathering!👙⚓️🇺🇸

See all my picks in my Beach Party Must-Haves posts new on the blog! Link in profile or -> http://bit.ly/musthaveBeachParty

 #summerentertaining #anappealingplan #seasonaldecor


Seems I got #NationalMimosaMonth mixed up with #NationalPinaColadaDay 🍍🍾🍍

Guess I’m going to have to start over…

#hateitwhenthathappens #sundayfunday #anappealingplan

Krayl’s Week On Instagram – July 11th

Don’t you just love Instagram? I do but I also know there are many of you who may not check it daily or perhaps even have time to use the platform at all… So for those of you, I am committing to posting a weekend wrap up of my week on Instagram. As you will see below this week was filled with celebrating with friends, time in the garden, seasonal decorating and a few tasty cocktails.  What was your favorite part of this week?

I LOVE to change things up around my house for each season and summer always offers the boldest combinations of color + pattern. ☀️ This month I am mixing these black cabana stripped pillows with a yellow pop of summer color on my bed! 🍾 Both pillow covers are curated items from my #seasonalhomebox ! The yellow was part of the spring collection and the cabana pattern from the summer collection. 🇺🇸 How are you switching things up around your home? Want to learn more about the seasonal home box membership? Head to www.KraylFunch.com for more info and to get on the list for the next box! 😍😍#seasonaldecor #seasonalliving

I LOVE to change things up around my house for each season and summer always offers the boldest combinations of color + pattern. ☀️ This month I am mixing these black cabana stripped pillows with a yellow pop of summer color on my bed! 🍾 Both pillow covers are curated items from my #seasonalhomebox ! The yellow was part of the spring collection and the cabana pattern from the summer collection. 🇺🇸

How are you switching things up around your home?

Want to learn more about the seasonal home box membership? Head to www.KraylFunch.com for more info and to get on the list for the next box! 😍😍#seasonaldecor #seasonalliving

My July Calendar is here! This month we celebrate by spending time in the summer herb garden, BBQ’s with friends at the beach + refreshing cocktails to cool off during the heat of Summer Entertaining season. 🇺🇸 Just a few of the special days in July 2016 are :: The Fourth Of July, Bastille Day, National Ice Cream Day and so many reasons to #CelebrateEveryday! So come along let’s get the summer celebration started!  Grab your calendar and get on the list - http://bit.ly/KraylJuly2016Calendar #seasonalliving #julycalendar #anappealingplan

My July Calendar is here! This month we celebrate by spending time in the summer herb garden, BBQ’s with friends at the beach + refreshing cocktails to cool off during the heat of Summer Entertaining season. 🇺🇸 Just a few of the special days in July 2016 are :: The Fourth Of July, Bastille Day, National Ice Cream Day and so many reasons to #CelebrateEveryday! So come along let’s get the summer celebration started!

Grab your calendar and get on the list – http://bit.ly/KraylJuly2016Calendar #seasonalliving #julycalendar #anappealingplan

Hostess trick that doubles as decor for your summer beverage station is a big tub filled with ice and colorful seltzer water bottles. 🇺🇸  You can find a variety of brands and flavors in most markets these days. Look for bottles with colorful logos or images that will add a pop of color to the lower level of your summer beverage station. Fill your tub with ice and tuck your chilled bottles on top approximately one hour before your party begins.☀️  Read all my tips on how to create a beverage station for your next Summer gathering on my recent contributor article for #SundaySupper Movement here - http://bit.ly/BeverageStationSS 😍👙🇺🇸😘🍉⚓️🍍 #summerentertaining #anappealingplan #entertainingathome

Hostess trick that doubles as decor for your summer beverage station is a big tub filled with ice and colorful seltzer water bottles. 🇺🇸

You can find a variety of brands and flavors in most markets these days. Look for bottles with colorful logos or images that will add a pop of color to the lower level of your summer beverage station. Fill your tub with ice and tuck your chilled bottles on top approximately one hour before your party begins.☀️

Read all my tips on how to create a beverage station for your next Summer gathering on my recent contributor article for #SundaySupper Movement here – http://bit.ly/BeverageStationSS
😍👙🇺🇸😘🍉⚓️🍍
#summerentertaining #anappealingplan #entertainingathome

Catching up on my garden magazine reading {it's always time to start a garden right....?} and found this PERFECT quote in the April Issue of Better Homes and Gardens.🌱  "Now more than ever, gardening is one of life's great pleasures. Maybe that's because you can't check your phone when you're wearing dirt-covered gloves." 😃  I literally laughed out loud when I read this!! It's the absolute truth! Mind you, three out of three of the other people I was with were checking there phones right at that minute!😉  What's your great pleasure??#celebrateeveryday #anappealingplan #gardeningisgoodforthesoul

Catching up on my garden magazine reading {it’s always time to start a garden right….?} and found this PERFECT quote in the April Issue of Better Homes and Gardens.🌱

“Now more than ever, gardening is one of life’s great pleasures. Maybe that’s because you can’t check your phone when you’re wearing dirt-covered gloves.” 😃

I literally laughed out loud when I read this!! It’s the absolute truth! Mind you, three out of three of the other people I was with were checking there phones right at that minute!😉 
What’s your great pleasure??#celebrateeveryday #anappealingplan #gardeningisgoodforthesoul

Wishing everyone THE best Fourth of July!! 🇺🇸 Feel blessed to live in this amazing country! The day is filled with sunshine, smiles, best friends and good times. God bless America!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🍾👙☀️  #fourthofjuly #americanflag #godblessamerica #anappealingplan

Wishing everyone THE best Fourth of July!! 🇺🇸 Feel blessed to live in this amazing country! The day is filled with sunshine, smiles, best friends and good times. God bless America!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🍾👙☀️

#fourthofjuly #americanflag #godblessamerica #anappealingplan

 

Happy Long Weekend Saturday! We started this summer weekend with dinner with friends last night then wine on the patio in town.🍷  Today catching up on a bit of gardening before the rain moved in to bring us back indoors.🌱 I can handle a few hours of cleaning up the home office before packing up to head out to the beach to spend the 4th with friends dipping our toes in the water and grilling up a feast! 👙  Feeling grateful for nature, friends and life! Hope your Saturday is filled with lots of simple pleasures too!   #grateful #4thofjuly #celebrateeveryday #anappealingplan

Happy Long Weekend Saturday! We started this summer weekend with dinner with friends last night then wine on the patio in town.🍷

Today catching up on a bit of gardening before the rain moved in to bring us back indoors.🌱 I can handle a few hours of cleaning up the home office before packing up to head out to the beach to spend the 4th with friends dipping our toes in the water and grilling up a feast! 👙

Feeling grateful for nature, friends and life! Hope your Saturday is filled with lots of simple pleasures too! 

#grateful #4thofjuly #celebrateeveryday #anappealingplan

An evening of cocktails and culture preview event in honor of the Horst Exhibit at the Dali Museum in St Pete. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon! 🍸  The bartenders and staff at FarmTable Kitchen {upstairs at Locale Market} consider cocktails an art form, so every seasonal cocktail list is inspired by the current exhibition at The Dali Museum in an effort to continue supporting the local arts community - how amazing is that?🎨  Cocktails include names like "Round The Clock", "Bacchanale" and "Mainbocher Corset" are inspired by Horst's photographs both in name and glass or garnish chosen to accompany each cocktail. Again... How amazing is that?😍  My personal favorite was Round The Clock. Which one will be yours?🍸  Stop in FarmTable Kitchen July 2 - September 6 to try them all before heading over to The Dali Museum and show your support of Tampa Bay's local arts + food community!🍴 :: #craftcocktails #stpete #eatlocal #drinklocal #tampabay

An evening of cocktails and culture preview event in honor of the Horst Exhibit at the Dali Museum in St Pete. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon! 🍸

The bartenders and staff at FarmTable Kitchen {upstairs at Locale Market} consider cocktails an art form, so every seasonal cocktail list is inspired by the current exhibition at The Dali Museum in an effort to continue supporting the local arts community – how amazing is that?🎨

Cocktails include names like “Round The Clock”, “Bacchanale” and “Mainbocher Corset” are inspired by Horst’s photographs both in name and glass or garnish chosen to accompany each cocktail. Again… How amazing is that?😍

My personal favorite was Round The Clock. Which one will be yours?🍸

Stop in FarmTable Kitchen July 2 – September 6 to try them all before heading over to The Dali Museum and show your support of Tampa Bay’s local arts + food community!🍴 ::
#craftcocktails #stpete #eatlocal #drinklocal #tampabay

 

For my ladies... Be a Pineapple.🍍 Stand tall, wear a crown and be sweet inside. . It's just that easy! Tag a fellow pineapple in the comments to let them know how you feel about them🍍. We pineapples have to stick together! #anappealingplan #pineapple #girlcrush

For my ladies… Be a Pineapple.🍍
Stand tall, wear a crown and be sweet inside. .
It’s just that easy!
Tag a fellow pineapple in the comments to let them know how you feel about them🍍. We pineapples have to stick together! #anappealingplan #pineapple #girlcrush

 

My New York Post Instagram Article Feature!

“I GOT AN INSTA MAKEOVER”. That’s how the title reads of my first ever mention in the New York Post from last Thursday’s center page spread in an article discussing how Instagram users, like my self, are finding ways to up their Instagram game and make the most of this visual platform.

The New York Post Instagram Article featuring Krayl Funch of @KraylFunch instagram account p37 square

The New York Post Instagram article reads – “Entertaining Expert Krayl Funch has made a name for herself for her artful tabletop compositions on Instagram … Her after photo contained a story about beverage stations in the caption, nearly 30 hashtags about home decor and summer entertaining and earned an impressive 100 likes and 15 comments.”

It features two images from my Instagram account,  a “BEFORE” picture posted in 2015 as well as an “AFTER” picture from a recent posting. The contrast shows the difference in how I have recently changed my approach to the content I am now sharing on my account to be more deliberate and thoughtful. I take the time to consider how the entire feed looks as a story and how they all relate to create a mini online magazine, my increase in followers and engagement proves others like what I am doing!

The New York Post Instagram Article featuring Krayl Funch of @KraylFunch instagram account p37 full spread

The New York Post Instagram Article featuring Krayl Funch of @KraylFunch instagram account p37

The article also featured several Instagram consultants discussing Instagram tips to turn you into a social-media star, and bloggers quotes on what they have done to improve their Instagram engagement. 

The response to the New York Post Instagram article has been fabulous. Thank you everyone for your support and kind words! I invite you all to come over and say hello in my Instagram feed, and be sure to say hi. 

The New York Post Instagram Article featuring Krayl Funch of @KraylFunch instagram account p36

The New York Post Instagram Article featuring Krayl Funch of @KraylFunch instagram account cover

What are your favorite accounts on Instagram? I love seeing what others are doing well! Let me know who you follow and how we can find you on Instagram in the comments!.

 

A Lustrous Holiday Entertaining Event at West Elm

I love sharing ideas about holiday entertaining and even more when it is in a a beautiful and inspirational venue like a West Elm shop! Recently I co-hosted a Lustrous Holiday Event at the West Elm Hyde Park location in Tampa, FL where we offered ideas about incorporating trends into your holiday style such as a Modern Relish Tray, a Raspberry Mocktail Punch and Metallic tablescapes with personalized votives.
December West Elm Event with @KraylFunch and @TabithaBlue - Holiday Entertaining Event at #WestElmTampa

My co-hostess with the mostess Tabitha Blue, of Fresh Mommy Blog, welcomed the guests and discussed easy holiday wrapping ideas using craft paper – which we also covered the gorgeous West Elm tables with to protect them, but to also give them a cohesive look.

December West Elm Event with @KraylFunch and @TabithaBlue - Holiday Entertaining Event at #WestElmTampa

I discussed the idea of a Modern Relish Tray and how easy it is to pull together this fresh appetizer to welcome guests that looks and tastes delicious without filling them up and ruining their appetite for dinner. I was in heaven being able to utilize any items in the store to create platters and displays for the tables!

Guests sipped on a festive Raspberry Mocktail Punch as they enjoyed a fresh twist on Modern Relish Tray with Pickled Radishes and Cream Tofu + Lemon Herb Dip.

December West Elm Event with @KraylFunch and @TabithaBlue - Holiday Entertaining Event at #WestElmTampa

December West Elm Event with @KraylFunch and @TabithaBlue - Holiday Entertaining Event at #WestElmTampa

After a food preparation demonstration featuring the Tofu + Lemon Herb dip we moved onto our craft for the night! Lustrous Votives! Using plain glass votives metallic paints and decoupage techniques everyone created their own personalized look. And trust me this is a SUPER creative crowd so there were a few you could have sold in West Elm that night on the shelves!
December West Elm Event with @KraylFunch and @TabithaBlue - Holiday Entertaining Event at #WestElmTampa

December West Elm Event-50

These adhesive stencils from Martha Stewart made creating detailed patterns easy ~ some even created a matching set to take home for their holiday mantel. 

December West Elm Event with @KraylFunch and @TabithaBlue - Holiday Entertaining Event at #WestElmTampa
December West Elm Event with @KraylFunch and @TabithaBlue - Holiday Entertaining Event at #WestElmTampa

Crafting is serious business! These ladies brought their A-Game for sure!

December West Elm Event with @KraylFunch and @TabithaBlue - Holiday Entertaining Event at #WestElmTampa

December West Elm Event with @KraylFunch and @TabithaBlue - Holiday Entertaining Event at #WestElmTampa

Of course no event is complete without prizes. West Elm generously donated fun drink mixers gifts, Tabitha offered coffee, candles and chic office tools from local Tamp Bay businesses and I donated a copy of my book An Appealing Plan – everyone went home with a prize AND a Hyde Park Village gift bag.
December West Elm Event with @KraylFunch and @TabithaBlue - Holiday Entertaining Event at #WestElmTampa

December West Elm Event with @KraylFunch and @TabithaBlue - Holiday Entertaining Event at #WestElmTampa

How cute is that belly bump!! Congrats to Tabitha and her family who are expecting their 4th child! Perhaps next year we will be crafting sippy cups to fill with the mocktail punch rather than votives…. 

December West Elm Event with @KraylFunch and @TabithaBlue - Holiday Entertaining Event at #WestElmTampa

Thanks to all the fabulous ladies who came out to taste, sip, craft and support this event – wishing you all a joyous holiday season and a happy and healthy New Year! 

Thank you also to Tabitha for taking and sharing all the images in the post. Can’t wait until our next event.

{If you are interested in learning more about upcoming events please sign up for my newsletter here to receive updates to your inbox.}

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to allow ease of shopping for you ~ if you purchase something after following a link I may, or may not, earn a small commission on the product.

 

 

A Lustrous Holiday Event at West Elm

Join us for a Lustrous + Festive Holiday Event at WEST ELM 

co-hosted by Krayl Funch of An Appealing Plan Tabitha Blue of Fresh Mommy Blog  

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 | 6-8pm  

 WEST ELM HYDE PARK, TAMPA, FL

 
 WE WILL BE SHARING TIPS FOR CREATING “A LUSTROUS SEASON”
FOOD, DRINK, CRAFTS, GIFTS AND MORE!
 

west elm holiday event with tabitha blue of fresh moomy blog and krayl funch of An Appealing Plan

SPACE IS LIMITED! RSVP TODAY at http://bit.ly/FreshEvent4!!

 
You won’t want to miss this fresh MEET + MAKE event before your Christmas plans get into full swing!
 
WE’LL BE SHARING TIPS FOR CREATING “A LUSTROUS SEASON”
 

How to Create a Lustrous Gold Tablescape

Preparing a Modern Relish Tray {with recipe creation demo}

Make + Take Your Own Lustrous Votive

And MORE!
All for just $10 {earlybird rate}! Plus take advantage of some great West Elm special deals just for this event!
 

SPACE IS LIMITED! RSVP TODAY at http://bit.ly/FreshEvent4!!

Join us in the Facebook Event Group

 
 

Krayl’s November 2015 Printable Calendar #AnAppealingPlan

Download + Print Your

November 2015 Calendar Here!

This month we celebrate ::

 Thanksgiving, Entertaining At Home, Gourds + Spending Time With Loved Ones

I hope it inspires you to celebrate everyday of this wonderful month!

NOVEMBER 2015 printable calendar AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch Seasonal inspiration for you home garden and gatherings

Now available to download  + print, the November 2015 calendar with holidays.

Full of seasonally inspired reminders for your home, garden + gatherings.

get your monthly calendar sent to you today!

 

The October 2015 An Appealing Plan Printable Calendar

Download + Print Your

October 2015 An Appealing Plan
Calendar Here!

This month we celebrate ::

 Cool Weather Grilling Outdoors, Fall Foliage + Flavors and Halloween Decorating.

I hope it inspires you to celebrate everyday of this wonderful month!

Now available to download the October 2015 calendar with holidays. Full of seasonal inspiration + monthly reminders to create the home, garden + gatherings you dream of. Simply click on the image above to

get your monthly calendar sent to you today!