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Pretty Paper Flowers at Southern Fried Paper

Author:: By Ryan Conner
Post date:: May 14th, 2013 3:31pm
Category:: Entertaining

One of our favorite stationary gals, Chelsea Carpenter, is throwing an open house and garden party tomorrow night to celebrate Southern Fried Paper’s relocation to the Design District. We’ve got the details over on BridalBuzz.

She’s decorated the space with the coolest paper flowers to create a garden wonderland. We’re seeing paper flowers pop up in stores (Joslyn spotted some at West Elm) and it’s a fun alternative to the real thing. We all know I can’t keep real plants alive. Maybe I should give the paper version a try.

Check out the party tomorrow from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and peruse her selection of stationary, art prints, and wine tags. The wine tags make the best hostess gifts.

What Do You Serve at Brunch? (I’m Talking Alcoholic Beverages)

Author:: By Ryan Conner
Post date:: May 13th, 2013 1:26pm
Category:: Entertaining

I’m sick of the same ol’ Bloody Mary mix (Zing Zang + Tito’s) and mimosa (OJ +sorta cheap champagne) recipe. I need to mix it up (literally). Do you have a favorite brunch drink? I want to hear from you if so. This post is strictly for personal use. I’m shameless like that.

Why am I asking? Well, I came across these glasses on sale at West Elm. They will match my new ombre hair color and I think they’d look good with a fun drink in them. Okay, reader. Ready, set, go.

Backyard Entertaining: The Time is Now

Author:: By Ryan Conner
Post date:: April 18th, 2013 1:59pm
Category:: Entertaining

It is peak outdoor entertaining season in Texas. We aren’t yet fighting off killer West Nile mosquitoes. Our makeup doesn’t run down the sides of our faces as soon as we step out. And the ice in our margarita doesn’t melt immediately after pouring the tequila. So, gather up your favorite melamine plates, some colorful linens, a margarita glass, and hit the outdoors. I’ve gathered a few products to help you get started. (If you want to spoof up your patio, check out Joslyn’s latest piece on the D Moms blog.)

Clockwise from the top: bright shapes melamine plates ($4.60 – $6.00) from West Elm; aqua pacific tumblers ($5.98 for two) from World Market; woven stripe placemat ($14 for 2) from West Elm; yellow enamel flatware ($11.96 for a set of 4 forks) at World Market.

Your Alternative Valentine’s Day Plans

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: February 14th, 2013 1:04pm
Category:: Entertaining

Let’s say, hypothetically of course, that you’re not so much a fan of going out on Valentine’s Day. Suppose you think braving crowded eateries for overpriced, sub-par meals is the least romantic thing you can fathom. Perhaps instead you might consider a little gourmet food action to-go. It’ll be easy; in fact, we have it all mapped out for you, courtesy of the seven local foodies we profiled in our Jan/Feb issue of D Home.

Ready?

1. Hit Bolsa Mercado for ice cream by Lauren Leone. I mean what’s more romantic than kicking the whole thing off with dessert?
2. Grab some bread from Clint Cooper’s Village Baking Co.
3. Oh and some pasta from Julian Barsotti’s Carbone’s…
4. Don’t forget the cheese. We’d highly recommend something from Paula Lambert’s Mozzarella Company. (Bonus: you can grab this while you’re getting the ice cream at Bolsa Mercado.)
5. Pick up some Biscotti from EMA Baking Company to eat with the ice cream.
6. Nab a few bottles of wine from Benjamin Calais’ Calais Winery.
7. And last but not least more ice cream (you really can’t have too much) from Carnival Barker at Jimmy’s Food Store.

Now grab a little clutch of anemones from Central Market, head home, light some candles, and get to the romance/family dinner/girl’s night/however you roll.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Thanksgiving with Lisa Garza: The Recipes

Author:: By Ryan Conner
Post date:: November 21st, 2012 9:00am
Category:: Entertaining

Lisa Garza, owner of Sissy's Southern Kitchen and Bar.

Yesterday, chef and restaurant owner Lisa Garza told us what she uses to cook her delicious meals at home. Today, we bring you her Thanksgiving recipes for five spice brined turkey and squash casserole. Take it away, Lisa.

Five Spice Brined Turkey

Ingredients

1 fresh 18-20 lb turkey

turkey brine

8 tbsps olive oil

kosher salt & ground pepper to taste

Five Spice Brine

7 quarts (28 cups) water

1 1/2 cups kosher or sea salt

1 cup brown sugar

6 bay leaves

1 tbsp juniper berries

2 tbsp whole black peppercorns

2 1inch slices fresh ginger

6 star anise

1 tbsp whole cloves

2 cinnamon sticks

2 red onions, thinly sliced

6 garlic cloves, smashed

More foodie goodness after the jump.

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Just In At Forty Five Ten: Huddleson’s Artful Table Linens

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: November 20th, 2012 12:58pm
Category:: Entertaining

I’m adding something into Ryan’s black and gold Thanksgiving table mix. Here goes…Under all those lovely dishes and serving pieces and accessories and autumnal place cards, I say you throw down Huddleson’s Rothko-inspired Seagram tablecloth.

This beauty (along with a cache of other lovely linens from Huddleson) landed at Forty Five Ten last week, so you can pop over and pick one up while you’re out fetching your turkey. (I’m here to help friends.)

Happy shopping!

Thanksgiving with Lisa Garza: The Tools

Author:: By Ryan Conner
Post date:: November 20th, 2012 11:45am
Category:: Entertaining

I’ve always wanted full access to a chef’s kitchen. I’d peek inside their cupboards to see what they use to whip up meals at home. I’d steal cookbooks and recipes cards that are marked up with their hand-written notes and ideas. I’d even go so far as to look inside their refrigerator to see what they keep on hand. Basically, I’m a voyeur. And a thief. So instead of getting arrested I decided to just ask a chef. I turned to Lisa Garza, owner of Sissy’s Southern Kitchen and Bar, to tell me what she cooks up on Thanksgiving and the things she uses to do so. Today I bring you her favorite tools. Hopefully these ideas will come in handy for future entertaining purposes, too. Check back tomorrow for her delicious recipes for five spice turkey and squash casserole.

Get the details after the jump.

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More Inspiration for Setting Your Thanksgiving Table

Author:: By Ryan Conner
Post date:: November 19th, 2012 3:59pm
Category:: Entertaining

Last week I helped you set the table for Thanksgiving with a modern black and gold color scheme. Today I bring you a more traditional look with these Rifle Paper Co. place cards available at Paper & Chocolate. The set of eight retails for $8. If I was hosting this year, they would have come home with me. Owner Vicki Petersen is carrying them in two holiday patterns–one in a fall Thanksgiving design (pictured right) and the other in a Christmas motif with green and red poinsettias. All you need now is my favorite part: the juicy turkey and sides. I’ll share a delicious turkey recipe tomorrow courtesy of a popular local chef and restaurant owner. Stay tuned!

On The Hunt For The Perfect Bloody Mary Recipe

Author:: By Ryan Conner
Post date:: October 9th, 2012 2:20pm
Category:: Entertaining

It’s football season, so I’m constantly on the quest for the perfect Bloody Mary recipe. I’m not as into the game as I am the fun drinks, get-togethers, and food. We’ve discussed it over on SideDish a few times. I can’t seem to shy away from the mix of Zing Zang, a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce, a crushed jalapeño, Tito’s, and salt on the rim. Top it off with lime and pickled okra, and I’m a happy girl. However, this isn’t exactly a homemade version. I’m ready to get in the kitchen and whip up a batch of the real deal for this weekend’s OU/TX game. Do you have a recipe you’d like to share?

A Glam-Inducing Footed Marble Bowl for Your Kitchen

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: September 7th, 2012 2:59pm
Category:: Entertaining

I was flipping through the new Crate and Barrel catalog last night, when I hit page 72 and proceeded to get all swoony over the charcuterie/fruit/cheese goodness happening.

My love of a good cheese plate is well-documented, so it’s no real surprise that I was smitten, but truth be told, it was that marble fruit bowl that stopped me in my tracks.

That bad boy is so lovely it could turn even an anemic cluster of grapes into a Flemish still life…And it rings in at a mere $49.95 (i.e. significantly cheaper that the marble countertops I’m longing for).

Sold.

Mint Mania

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: May 25th, 2012 1:27pm
Category:: Entertaining

image via The Kitchn

The hubby and I went all urban farmer this year and planted a little backyard garden…actually it’s a back and front yard garden, as we planted a few heirloom tomato plants right smack on our front corner to allow for maximum sunshine. Suffice to say, our neighbors think we are très high class.

We’ve also got blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, a possible cabbage (don’t ask), Meyer lemons, and a boatload-o-herbs going. We’ve been tending to this action like it’s our first born child. We’re diligently watering, pruning, fertilizing…we might even be singing to those tomatoes (but you’ll have to ask our neighbors to confirm), and yet, it’s all just sort of average. There’s no overwhelming bounty, everything is just hanging out.

Except the mint.

Now I realize this isn’t an anomaly, but despite the fact that we’re totally neglecting the mint, it’s going gangbusters. The mint is clamoring for our attention. Big time.

So this weekend, we’ll be honoring our brave fallen servicemen and women with huge vats of mojitos and the newly discovered (when I was trolling the interwebs for “cocktails made with mint”) Littet Sin. I spotted a recipe for this intriguing sounding libation (the brainchild of writer and mixologist Nora Maynard) over on The Kitchn and am itching to whip one up stat.

Full recipe after the jump, oh and let me know if you need to borrow some mint.

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Let’s Bring Back the Hostess Gift!

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: May 21st, 2012 8:46am
Category:: Entertaining

Lately I find myself flipping through vintage Emily Post books in my free time, at once delighted and bewildered by the staunch rules for everything from how to ask a girl out on a date to how to eat a grapefruit. Amidst the endless stream of e-mail invitations, text messages, and paper plates, it thrills me to no end to come face-to-face with a formal invitation, a real letter, children (and adults) with manners (!), a proper table setting…

A few friends and I have started the tradition of bringing along a little gift when we go to each other’s homes for a meal. Nothing elaborate, just a little “sussy” (defined by the ever reliable Urban Dictionary as, “a small, inexpensive gift, chosen specifically because it has relevance to the intended recipient”). Showing up with a clutch of flowers, a book, or a pretty little ceramic dish (presented alongside the obligatory bottle of wine) feels a little formal, and festive, and well…special.

I was having brunch at La Duni last week with a friend and noticed at the very bottom of the menu that they sell the little wood box and salt and pepper containers that adorn each table. They’re simple, lovely, useful, and ring in at $18.

A perfect little sussy, yes?

What Do Handwritten Letters and Homemade Ice Cream Have in Common?

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: May 9th, 2012 3:54pm
Category:: Entertaining

Two things actually:

1. They are both (very) rare occurrences in my world.

and

2. Earlier this week, I happened to receive a hand written letter (that one to the right in fact) from my friend Janet containing the recipe for the best homemade chocolate ice cream I have ever tasted (and I have tasted a lot of chocolate ice cream…I’m a fan).

Yes, a real life letter – not an e-mail, not a text… It was exciting stuff friends. And yes, I realize I sound like Andy Rooney, but my Luddite leanings make me awfully excited about this kind of stuff.

Technically the letter was addressed to my two daughters, so I didn’t actually receive it, but I’m not going to let that rain on my parade. So in honor of what shall now be known as “the momentous letter event of 2012″, I’m going to share that chocolate ice cream recipe with you. It’s from the excellent book, The Perfect Scoop by former Chez Panisse pastry chef David Lebovitz. You’re going to want to make it as soon as humanly possible. (The full recipe is after the jump). It will change your life.

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Justin Timberlake Brings Sexy Back to Your Home

Author:: By Laura Kostelny
Post date:: April 18th, 2012 2:19pm
Category:: Design

Did you know that Justin Timberlake has teamed up with designer Estee Stanley on a new home collection called HomeMint? Go here to register before the line becomes available in May. After you get signed up, you can read more about it in this Elledecor.com article.

Do You Really Need a Reason to Throw a Party?

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: April 4th, 2012 10:48am
Category:: Entertaining

I’m feeling all sorts of spring goodness today… The sun is shining; the sky is blue; we didn’t get swept up in a tornado last night. Life is good.

All that goodness combined with those pretty, sunny invites above by local designer Allison Vieger has me seriously itching to throw some sort of spring time soiree to celebrate. I’m thinking gin and tonics and grilled pizza and homemade ice cream and a little Astrud Gilberto on the record player (yes, I have an actual record player or turntable for you sticklers).

Then again, I’ll use pretty much any excuse to plan a party. I’ll also use any excuse to have a gin and tonic. It just doesn’t take much friends.

p.s. Allison has a rather lovely blog too…