Holiday Treats

There are sooooo many cute Holiday recipes all over Pinterest - have you noticed?  Total inspiration! I pin a bunch on my own Pinterest if you'd like to follow along.  
 
Below are a few of my recent favorites! The peppermint eggnog is high on my 'to make' list. 

Have you ever made any of these below??








images via:

mocha / oh she glows
peppermint s'mores / culinaryconcoctionsbypeabody
peppermint eggnog / sugar and cloth
glittering cookie sandwiches / sugar and cloth
white chocolate popcorn / eat good 4 life







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Fashion: Room inspires outfit

Hi everyone! Jocelyn here bringing you another outfit inspired by a beautiful room featuring Jen's artwork. Today's lovely room was featured in Matchbook Magazine a few months ago and belongs to Caitlin Wilson. It's such a fun eclectic wall with feminine appeal that I was immediately drawn to it!

That wall color works just as perfect as the backdrop for the picture frames in the room as it does as a pair of colored denim pants for the outfit. I'd say I hit the lotto with that ampersand sweater find. It is such a good representation of that amazing graphic. 

A few bright bangles and gold and white accents pulls the overall look together. Thanks for the inspiration Caitlin!




I bet this would make a fantastic Holiday party outfit as well! Don't you think?





-post by jocelyn sanchez



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Luxury, Vintage Furniture: FUNKYLUXE

I'm always on the lookout for unique home decor / furniture (since the move) that's one of a kind. As much as IKEA or Crate & Barrel. is ideal for all, I prefer to do a little digging to find the perfect piece. And I found FunkyLuxe to be one of my go-to luxury, vintage online furniture stores. Founders Lana and Omar Karim, hand pick each piece to be reinvented through color, textiles and of course their expert craftsmanship. Here's just a few of my favorite's below (also available for the trade).

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'To & From' Gift Guide

Holidays are serrrrriously approaching - and that means Gift guides are popping up everywhere. Bloggers are putting up what they want & what they suggest we buy for others. Well, a blogger friend of mine Meg Biram (who's style I love) together with Katie from Modern Eve put together a pretty extensive Holiday 2012 gift guide called 'To & From' that included bloggers & tastemakers - and they asked me to be part of it.

So, if you weren't asked to be part of it, then you're not a tastemaker. Just kidding of course! 

Anyhow, my picks are below, and then I decided to do something different & choose my favorites from what other bloggers selected! Check it out! To see what each item is you'll have to visit To & From.






If you're running out of ideas, check out 'To & From' - you're bound to find something cool to give, your friend, wife, dad, kids & so on!

Thank you girls, glad to be part of this! Happy Holidays!




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Fashion: Chunky Knits

Hey! Its Casie Mace from Whipped Style blog! This lone inspiration image from The Mod Rockers has sparked an impressive obsession with chunky knits for me. Chunky knits are such a great way to add a texture to your look that's as chic as it is cozy. And trust me, they're oh-so-cozy. 

Now that we're in true fall weather & heading into Winter soon, I'm crazy excited to bundle up with some knits! You certainly can't beat a piece that's perfect with some boyfriend jeans and pointy pumps, leather leggings or… loungy sweatpants! 

   




-post by casie mace

 
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7 Gift Ideas for The Home

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. For those of you curious about how I spent my off days & what the Turkey looked like etc. you can follow along here on my instagram

We had a great few days, thankfully. But now we're heading into another major Holiday - Christmas. It's by far my fave holiday....and yours?? I LOVE the Holiday decor on the streets of New York City right now, everything is so gorgeous! So with that said, I wanted to bring some of the beauty to my blog, and give you some gift ideas for the home!

Below are 7 FAB items I'm certain you'd love to find under your tree this year! For me, I'm leaning toward #4 for my office.



6. fur pillow - bronson design



Which of these do you think would make a great gift?
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Decor: Fall Decor

Hi there! Drew here! Welcome back from your long Thanksgiving weekend!  It's a pleasure to be back bringing you a fall decor inspiration palette. Before we head into winter, here's what you need to know!

The colors encompassing this look are golds, teals, blues and creams. If you can see, this color scheme already provides a sense of warmth and coziness, with a spice of gold shine.

Don't forget the wood burning fire and the holiday cheer and thanksgiving surrounding you all around! 



1) Horne Lamp
2) Anthropologie Chair
3) Anthropologie Throw
4) Nate Berkus Tray
5) Anthropologie Meringue Book



9) Anthropologie Candle
10) West Elm Side Table

-post by drew humphries








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Design: Holiday Table Styling

Hi everyone Amanda here, back with a few inspirations on dressing the Thanksgiving table! I thought it would be fun to dream up a city vs. country take on it. 

If you're a hostess this year, I am sure by now you have already planned what to serve, but may or may not be a little stuck on the table decorations. Although, I'm thankful to have snuck out of the role this year, I still plan on breaking out the china. 

Please keep in mind, these goodies below would look just as gorgeous if you're hosting a Holiday dinner in December!




1 Highball Glass | 2 Crocodile Old Fashioned Glass |  3 Bloom Bowls | 4 Chalkboard Tray | 5 Planter | 6 Sphere Salt and Pepper Shakers | 7 Serving Bowl | 8 Gold Flatware/Gold Stripe Cocktail Napkins | 9 Brushstroke Dinner Plate | 10 Patent Stud Place Mat |  11 /Stripe Place Cards





1 Milk Glass | 2 Placemat | 3 Nail Head Placemats | 4 Gold Accent Plate | 5 Greek Key Cocktail Napkins | 6 Fallen Birch Branch Votive  | 7  Woven Bread Bowl | 8 Rose and Silver Antler | 9 Flatware | 10 Vintage Harvest Bouquet


Here's what I'd love to know: What is your hostess style?




-post by amanda dietz


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Food: Thanksgiving Ravioli Bolognese

Happy Thanksgiving, MBG readers! Lauren here, and today I have an alternative holiday meal idea for you. Maybe you can't make it home to be with your family, or maybe your family just wants to mix things up from the traditional standbys. 

Either way, I think you're going to love this little Thanksgiving-inspired creation, which combines all those traditional flavors we love into one truly yummy dish... 
 
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There are a few pots and pans involved, but wonton wrappers make the ravioli a cinch to whip up and altogether it takes far less time than a turkey would. Keep reading for the recipe, and I hope you enjoy!
 
thanksgiving-pasta-4_perpetuallychicthanksgiving-pasta-5_perpetuallychicthanksgiving-pasta-6_perpetuallychicthanksgiving-pasta-8_perpetuallychic

Sweet Potato & Sage Ravioli Ingredients
-1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
-5 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
-1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2 rounds
-1/3 cup goat cheese (about 2-3 ounces)
-Pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg
-Salt and freshly ground pepper
-About 40 wonton wrappers (makes 20 ravioli)
-2 egg whites, beaten

Turkey Cranberry Bolognese Ingredients
-1 pound lean ground turkey (I used 93%--99% gets too dry)
-1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
-2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
-2 cans diced tomatoes with their juice
-1/4 cup water
-Pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg
-Salt and freshly ground pepper
-2 cups fresh cranberries
-1 cup of sugar
-2 tablespoons water
-Fresh parsley to serve
-Fresh parmesan, grated, to serve



Instructions
1) Puncture each sweet potato round with a fork, then place slices in a large ceramic bowl. Microwave 15-20 minutes until softened, turning once halfway through.
2) Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Saute chopped onion and sage until browned. Set aside. 
3) Remove the potatoes from the microwave (using a towel as the bowl will be very hot). Using a potato hand masher, mash the sweet potatoes. Season generously with salt, pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg to taste. Stir in the goat cheese until fully blended, then add the onion-sage mixture.
4) Lay 10 wonton wrappers on a clean countertop. Dollop a teaspoon of sweet potato filling onto the middle of each square. Using a pastry brush, brush egg white along tops, bottoms and sides of first wonton, working around the filling. Lay a new wonton sheet over the filled one, gently sealing the edges with your fingers and carefully pushing out the air bubbles. Repeat with each wonton until all are covered. Using a cookie cutter placed directly in the center of each wonton, cut into ravioli rounds, gently pulling away the excess dough. Press the edges of each ravioli again to ensure a solid seal. Repeat entire process with another set of 10 wontons (doing all 20 at once will cause the dough to dry out). Cover all raviolis with a very lightly damp kitchen towel until ready to cook.
5) In a pan over medium-high heat, place cranberries, sugar and water. Cook down for 10-15 minutes, so the sugar dissolves and cranberries soften. Allow to bubble during this process, stirring occasionally. Cranberries should become very, very soft but will remain whole and a sticky sauce will develop. Season cranberry sauce with salt and pepper. 
6) In another pan, heat olive oil over medium heat and add ground turkey. Cook until turkey is fully browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Add a little more oil, the onion and garlic. Cook until softened and browned. Add the turkey back into the pan, along with the two cans of diced tomatoes and their juice, and just a little water. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce to medium-low heat, add the cranberry sauce and stir thoroughly to distribute. Cook, covered, about 10 minutes more.
7) In a small saucepan, bring salted water to a boil. Working in batches, add 3-4 ravioli at a time, cook for 3 minutes, then transfer with a slotted spoon to a kitchen towel. Gently blot dry and transfer to a bowl. Cover with a pot lid to keep warm. Cook remaining ravioli. 
8) To serve, layer ravioli on the bottom of each pasta bowl and top with bolognese sauce. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and parmesan. 


-post & images by Lauren Craig





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Thanksgiving Recipe by Mr. Made By Girl

Hey everyone! We're pretty busy doing stuff around the apartment this weekend....but I recall several people had asked about the recipe for some of the delicious Thanksgiving plates my guy made last year. Yea, last year...I know. It was so delicious though! So, who better to explain than the Mr. himself. So, here he is with his first post ever!

Hello, I'm Mr. M.

I love Thanksgiving but I don't love turkey, so in 2011 we decided to twist it a bit, serving sweet-stuffed Cornish game hens with blackberry-merlot sauce, sundried tomato mash with crisped leeks, grilled asparagus, and artichoke with hollandaise. You can see all the pictures of the food in this post
 

Sweet stuffing
Cinnamon raisin bread, cubed and slow-toasted (about 2/3 loaf)
Celery, finely chopped (1 cup)
Onion or shallot, finely chopped (1 cup)
Raisins
Shelled, unsalted pistachios
Butter (3 Tb)
Chicken or vegetable stock
Fresh herbs - thyme, basil, rosemary
1/2 tsp ground cumin
Salt & pepper

I used Ezekiel bread because some of the family had gluten allergies and it worked surprisingly well because it toasted quicker.  Make sure the cubes are totally dry.  You might consider just staling them over a few days on a baking sheet with a cheesecloth over them.  Saute the celery and onion in small amount of oil then add the stock.  Bring the stock to a boil, add the butter, raisins, nuts, herbs and seasoning.  Simmer for 5 minutes then pour over bread and mix well.  Use what you need for the hens, then bake the rest in a casserole covered with foil while the hens roast.

Blackberry-merlot sauce
This is a complex sauce - primarily because cranberry sauce is so blah (unless you're talking Bobby sandwiches).  Use 1 pint of blackberries (they dont even need to be totally ripe), 2 cups of merlot, 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar.  Put 1 Tb merlot in a saucepan with the sugar and blackberries until the sugar begins to caramelize.  Add 1 cup of merlot and bring to hard boil and reduce to thick sauce.  Add the remaining merlot and vinegar, turn heat down, and slow boil until reduced to a watery jelly.  If you like smooth, blend it, but the chunkiness is also a nice sauce.


Cornish game hens
De-bone the game hens (both breast and back) being careful not to tear the skin.  Stuff the hen to fill, then truss the legs (you might also truss the body if there is any sign of tearing).  Roast breast down at 400 degrees F with some crumpled foil to stabilize it upright.  When the back starts to crisp, turn them over and roast until the breast starts to crisp.  Add a pat of butter to the juices for drizzling to keep the birds moist.  Serve on a bed of remaining stuffing.

Sundried tomato mash
I cheat on this...I nuke the potatoes, but you can boil them (more traditional).  I use russets despite the dryness because they get fluffier.  I use 1 1/2 potatoes per person.  Use a masher or ricer but then smooth them out by adding LOTS of butter (with mash, don't ever be shy on the butter) - about 2-3 Tb per potato, whole milk (we use almond milk due to lactose intolerance), and sundried tomatoes (we use dry, but the oiled ones work well drained).  Add salt to taste.

To crisp leeks, heat oil in a deep fryer or saucepan until very hot.  Slice the leeks very thin across the grain  into small circles.  Dust with flour and then deep fry until golden.  Drain well. Garnish the mash with the leeks.


The Flourless chocolate cake with whip & berries I made that day, was a a favorite of Jen's.  You can find a similar recipe I made here. For those who don't know, I also have my own food blog called Made for Jen.


Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

-images by jen ramos

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Michaela's Room Tour

Hello MBG readers! this is Michaela Warner - I'm here today to show you my bedroom makeover. What's a girl to do when she finds herself at her parent's home for the summer with a bedroom calling her name for a redesign?! Redesign it, of course!  As an interior design major and graduation soon approaching, I'm always seeking out design projects, so this summer I took on my own bedroom.  The inspiration for my room was the beautiful palette of colors seen above. 

I'm head-over-heels for Caitlin Wilson Textile's pretty fabric, so those were the hues that determined the direction of my color story!  Fresh minty walls and rejuvenating peachy pink accents - that was enough to make me go for it!

 

My DIY side came in handy when redoing my bedroom, as I needed to stick to a budget my wallet would be happy with.  I refinished the white dresser (a Goodwill find for only $70), gave the nightstand a fresh coat of dove gray paint, sewed the curtains with my sweet grandma's help, and put together a collection of architectural paintings and prints by talented artists for the gallery wall above my desk.  

Now when I'm blogging & working on client projects, I have something extra pretty and inspiring to glance up at every once and a while.  As a lover of all things handmade, I made sure to hunt down my favorite etsy shops and add some specialty pieces to my room.

I'm a firm believer in absolutely adoring the place you call home by filling it with treasures you love.  I'm also pretty sure a certain english cream golden retriever will make you smile almost every time you see her.  Meet Hope, she's my personal assistant & sometimes we take breaks to read the latest House Beautiful together :)


















Beautiful photographs {both film and digital} taken and edited by the talented Emily Scott of Gem Photo.

Source List
Paint color: Sea Cap by BEHR

Gallery Wall:

Paintings- Custom artwork by Jill Atogwe (jkatogwe@gmail.com)
Photographs- Sarah Tucker Photographyhttp://www.etsy.com/shop/sgmtucker
Letter "M"- Anthropologie

Desk:

Desk & chair: consignment
Desk lamp: West Elm
Shell frame: Anthropologie
Chair pillow: West Elm
Side storage bookcase & turquoise box: thrifted
Baskets: Michael's
Birdcage: San Francisco Flower Mart
Painting: Michaela Noelle Designs

Bed:

Bedding: Anthropologie (similar)
Pink greek key pillows: Skoope Home
Gray Euro Sham: West Elm
Accent Pillow: DIY using Caitlin Wilson Textile Fabric
Artwork above bed: custom by Michaela Noelle Designs

Bookshelves:

I Love You Blogs & Coffee print: Made By Girl
Mercury owl: West Elm
Abstract painting: Paint the Runway etsy
Succulent & mint pot: Trader Joes & San Francisco Flower Mart

Dresser:
Dresser: Thrifted and refinished with Anthropologie knobs
Lamp: Home Goods
Cake stand: Meadow Boutique

 Other:
Curtains: Sewed using Caitlin Wilson Textile Fabric // DIY here
Nightstand: Refinished from Home Goods
Large white owl: Home Goods
Rain boot painting: Custom by Jill Atogwe (jkatogwe(at)gmail.com)
Turquoise rain boot frame: Z Gallerie 
"Happy Girls are the Prettiest" print: SS Print Shop
Shell frame & candle: Anthropologie

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We Are Moved

It's been a busy & exhausting few days. We moved into the new place on Friday & so far the living room is all set up - minus the sofa! I finally decided on sofa color from Jayson Home & Garden, but won't reveal it until it arrives. Crossing my fingers & hoping we get it in time for the Christmas Holidays. Luckily, we still have our dining table to sit on...

In the meanwhile, if you're following me on my Instagram - you'll notice I post little updates there. Here's a peek at our place & how it's looking so far. Woo hoo. 






Hope you all are well. Isn't moving a pain in the neck?? My husband says, "this is the last move.


Now back to work & shipping items out around nov 24th! 


-images by jen ramos




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Fashion: that gives

Hey guys, Jocelyn here. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I've started thinking about the things I'm thankful for and looking for ways to give back to those less fortunate. 

So I thought, why not combine a love for fashion with helping others by purchasing products from brands that donate to charity. Here are a few brands that are carrying out good deeds...

Kayu - (clutch) For ever clutch sale, Kayu donates $15 to purchase a backpack and school supplies for a child in need. 

Lemlem - (shirt) Lemlem provides jobs to weavers in Ethiopia and strengthens the economic independence of the country as a whole.

Rachel Roy - (earrings) Proceeds from the sale of these earrings benefit victims of 2010's devastating earthquake in Haiti.

Warby Parker - (sunglasses) For every pair of glasses they sell, they provide a pair to someone in need. Plus, they let you order up to five pairs of glasses to try on at home for a week. Once you decide on the one you like, send the other pairs back for free!

Toms - (shoes) I'm sure you've heard of them. For every pair of shoes they sell, they give a pair to someone in need. 

Feed - (tote & scarf) For every Feed product sold, a specific amount of money gets donated to hunger-relief efforts, depending on the cost of the product. The tote and the scarf featured here each  provide 10 school meals to children.

Hope  you all enjoy a happy Thanksgiving with loved ones and take a quick minute to reflect on the positive things in life that make it all worth while. I'd like to share that I'm thankful to Jen for allowing me to post on her lovely blog and I'm thankful to all of you for all your kind words and for continuing to read my posts. It's beyond humbling. 

Happy shopping!


-post by jocelyn sanchez


 
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Design: Grays in Decor

Hello! November is halfway over & and the chilly days have finally arrived! Drew here, while Jen is settling into her new apartment I thought I'd bring you a hue that is sure to stand out this month & throughout winter. Gray. It's a cozy & welcoming color, exactly what we need during these holiday months.

Think of all grays, from dark to light. Using all shades of this hue is enchanting, much like an abundant snowstorm.

You'll see what I mean as you glance through each room...


 




 


Pick out key gray decor pieces to add to your living space and cuddle up with a warm blanket, a perfect read, with an espresso in hand.






1) Bobby Berk Home Frame



-post by drew humphries



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A couple of things...

Thank you to Huffington Post for including my wardrobe in their Home section today! It's part of 10 Amazing Closets! Woo hoo. You can see the other 9 here.



Oh & my HUSBAND is SO cute - he left all these notes on my computer this morning!



image is from my instagram - usually where I post more personal pics of my life & so on, feel free to follow me there. You can also see the mess in the background as we get ready to move tomorrow! I'm exhausted.

Hope you all are enjoying your Thursday! 



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