Shake It Up

Why not come back to the blog today to celebrate & commemorate something oddly special....?



image via Flickr

Apparently, the McDonald's 'Shamrock Shake' is this bizarrely elusive fast-food leprechaun milkshake that only comes out for St. Patrick's Day, and in recent years is even regulated to select McDonald's venues.



It's a big deal, people....
image via MOCNI

So if you're looking to fill this fix for yourself at home (which I highly suggest), try this surprisingly easy little recipe!

INGREDIENTS:
3 cups high quality vanilla ice cream
1 3/4 cups skim milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1-3 drops green food coloring
DIRECTIONS:
Blend all ingredients together until smooth, thick and cr-aaazy delicious. 
Top with homemade whipped cream and green sugar sprinkles, if desired.

Cheers,
Whitney

Water for Christmas

Water.org, baby.



Cheers,
Whitney

The Nutcracker

The holiday season is benchmarked by many things to me. 

The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center - image via Kelly-Mooney Photography

But this classic ballet set to Tchaikovsky's exhilarating score is the most elegant of Christmastime traditions.  Many people say it's slow and a bit schmaltzy, but I'm a sucker for 'The Nutcracker.'  I've attended countless performances of the ballet by different dance companies in many different venues.  No matter if they're local children or world-renowned ballerinas, the performers always tug at my holiday heartstrings through dainty dances and the wonderful plot of this classic story. 

There is a holiday party at Clara's house.  She and all the kids play and dance.
image via Cho Photography



Clara's mysterious godfather brings her a gift, a handsome wooden nutcracker.
image via Peter Norvig Photography



Clara is absolutely smitten with the gift. She falls asleep in the parlour under the Christmas tree with the nutcracker.
image via Hong Kong Ballet

Clara dreams that the Nutcracker comes to life to defend her against the invading mice army.
image via Will Brenner Photography



The Mouse King and his army are really scary, but Clara is saved
by the Nutcracker's heroic bravery.
image by Rosalie O'Connor via Faster Times

The Nutcracker turns into a Prince, who whisks her away to a magic snow kingdom.
image via Hong Kong Ballet



They are greeted by dancing snowflakes in the enchanted forest.
image via Mazzaferro Photography

The Prince escorts Clara to the Land of Sweets where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. They tell the fairy about their daring battle with the army of mice
and she rewards them with a celebration of dances.
image via Will Brenner Photography

 

image by Carol Pratt for the Washington Ballet

Mother Ginger, a gingerbread house-like apparition,
opens her skirt to free dozens of dancing gingerbread cookies.
image (and very cute backstory) via Dumping My Purse



image via Brio Dance Company

The Land of Sweets send Clara and the Prince off with a stunning parade farewell.
image by Jim McFarlane via the Berkshire Review

Clara awakens from her dream and finds herself by her Christmas tree with her beloved Nutcracker.
image via Carlos Echenique

If you have a chance to see this classic Christmas performance (and there's probably one in your area), support the Arts and treat yourself to this magical tale with superb orchestral score.
Cheers,
Whitney

Oh Christmas Tree

Despite being a major Christmas person, I opted out of getting a tree this year.  My husband was shocked that I didn't want one.  I'm not completely sure why I'm not feelin' the tree this year, but perhaps this fantastic, award-winning little film nods to my apprehension. 



How lovely are thy branches.....
Cheers,
Whitney

Up In The Season

I've been caught up in the Season of Christmas, hence my absence from the blog.  Between nursing a three-and-a-half-week-long head cold (three and a half weeks, people!) and managing the shopping/wrapping/sending gift mission and, oh yeah, work, I've neglected CYAH for over a week.  Shame on me.

But I come back bearing gifts... FREE printable gift tags for your holiday gifts.  There are many artistic, crafty and downright adorable bloggers & artists on the web who have generously provided their art for free download this season.  So why buy those tiny sticker tags or pricey cardstock options when you can print them out for free on your own paper at home?  Any of these will add an extra crafty panache to your gifts this year.


 Baking Labels and Gift Tags from Crafty Carnival

Free printable tags from Insightful Nana

Christmas Tags from Yoonie At Home

Holiday Gift Tags from Nina Seven



Gift Tags & Wine Bottle Tags from Alpha Mom

 

Botantical Tags from West Elm

 

Gift Tags from Brunte Productions

from the delightful Sarah Hearts, Free DIY Gift Tag Template

 

Holiday Labels from Orange You Lucky



Blue Gift Tags from Totally Severe

Typographic Gift Tags from Eat Drink Chic

Holiday Tags from Blush Printables

Happy wrapping and happy gift-giving!

Cheers,
Whitney

Thanksgiving Time Lapse

No matter how you celebrate, it's all a big foodie blur in the end, isn't it?  Enjoy, and please travel safely!

Cheers,
Whitney

Festive Fall Favor

I recently wrapped up this fun little gift for my bestest gal in the whole world, my Ma, and took some photos as I wrapped up the fun little package.  I think it would be a lovely gift for any host, especially this week as many of us are guests in others' home for the Thanksgiving holiday.  One of the easiest holiday hostess gifts is a bottle of alcohol or a potted plant, but sometimes it's nice to get out of the expected, ordinary favor train.

First, find yourself a vintage or antique nutcracker.  Not the Christmas soldier type, but a solid metal nutcracker.  These can be found vintage on eBay or Etsy or in thrift stores everywhere.  They're very clever hostess gifts, as nutcrackers seem to create many handy uses for themselves besides cracking nut shells.

The nutcracker gift I chose for my dog-lovin' recipient.  Lift his tail and crack nuts in his mouth! 

I found this one, an iron dog, on Etsy; I like that he's a little worn & vintage-y.  I had seen a similar one in the Neiman Marcus Holiday Gift catalog many years ago, and have been keeping a subconscious eye out for something similar ever since. 

Pretty ribbon and a small card serve as accessories to this favor

SHELLED NUTS!  L-R: Pecans, Hazelnuts, Walnuts



My gift was being sent in the mail, so I used the nuts as packing material!

  

I tied one end of my ribbon around the doggie nutcracker

And buried him in the nuts!



The other end of the ribbon tied to the card, wishing my wonderful recipient a Happy Thanksgiving!

 Depending on how much you spend on the nutcraker, this can be a very, very inexpensive gift with lots of impact.  If I was bringing this directly to the home of my hostess, I'd nestle the nutcracker with shelled nuts in a pretty basket, decorated with fabric ribbon and maybe some pretty fresh herbs tucked into the crevices of the nuts. 

Happy cracking!
Cheers,
Whitney

Apps and Apps

APPS!
If you're hosting the Turkey feast this week, or if you're a guest, you may need to have some great appetizer recipes at the ready.  Even though Thanksgiving dinner is typically huge, many folks make a marathon out of the eating, complete with apps earlier in the day to kick off the celebration.

For Thanksgiving, especially, I think appetizers should be super easy and nearly idiot-proof.  If you're the hostess, your kitchen is packed with all the meal prep and you don't need to be fretting over a platter of high-maintenance hors d'oeuvres.  If you're a guest who was told to bring an appetizer, you need something that can travel well and won't need any attention in your hostess' kitchen upon arrival. 

Dates Stacks

image via Lola Lobato

Slice dates in half lengthwise.
Sandwich in beween each halves a piece of walnut and a small slice of your favorite cheese (bleu is great, as is a creamy manchego!)
Stick a toothpick through the stack, or tidily pack on a dish with fresh herbs as garnish.  


Onion Mushroom Gruyere Tartlets

image via BrownEyedBaker

Caramelize 1 thinly sliced onion in butter over medium heat, adding thinkly sliced mushrooms, garlic and thyme after 20 minutes.
Unfold thawed sheets of puff pastry and cut out circles from the dough, placing them evenly spaced on baking sheet.
Dollop each round with the onion mushroom mixture, leaving a small border around the edge of each round.
Top each round with shredded Gruyere cheese, and brush the edges of the dough rounds with the egg wash.
Bake at 400 until the pastry is golden brown, about 15 to 25 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve warm or room temperature.


Insalata Caprese On A Stick

image via Pinmarklet

Use long, stylish food picks to layer mozzarella balls (use the pre-marinated ones), two leaves fresh basil and cherry tomatoes. 
Arrange all finished sticks on a platter, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.  Serve chilled.


Honey Walnut & Brie Tartlets

image via Joelen

Use prepared phyllo shells to fill with a heaping chunk of soft brie cheese.
Drizzle with honey and top with toasted crumbled walnuts.
Serve immediately!




APPS DUEX!
Let's talk about some awesome design-related iPhone applications.  For one, the app that Schumacher finally launched!  This is helpful app seems to be designed in the same style of the Kravet & Lee Jofa apps.  To the point, easy and full of inspiring photos.




Speaking of inspiring photos, have you downloaded the Remodelista app?!  Similar to the ever-popular Houzz app, this site's endless supply of fantastic photos will keep you busy and entertained on your iPhone.  via Remodelista.com/app

Lastly, give yourself the treat of the Design Icon app.  If you're a fan of midcentury modern design and love name-dropping your Breuers, Bertoias and Jacobsens, this is the app for you.  Part pop-quiz, part design lesson, the Design Icon app tests your knowledge of designer's product names, and design eras.  Currently there are apps for Iconic Chairs and Iconic Lighting, as well as a fun one on typography!  Lots of fun and sometimes a great challenge! via failforwards.eu

Happy App-ing!
Cheers,
Whitney

What a Week!

It's Thanksgiving Week! A short work week for many... A stressful travel week for some... A frantic cooking week for others. No matter how your week is planned, try to take a minute and enjoy yourself amidst the chaos. Treat yourself to this scrumptious cocktail creation from the stylish brilliance of Leaf:


The Tipsy Turkey Thanksgiving Cocktail

Cheers! Whitney

Happy Halloween

 

Image Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Trick-or-Treat, guys and ghouls!
Cheers,
Whitney