Product Placement Wednesday - Crate & Barrel Stacking Acrylic Wine Glasses

If you have read my previous posts over the years, you know that I LOVE picnic season! Yes, I realize it is January and picnic season seems very far off to many of you but GREAT deals on picnic items don't wait for the sun to shine!

You may already be familiar with some of my other picnic favorites from the past such as Steady Sticks and the Table in a Bag. Well this little steal goes perfectly with those items.

Crate & Barrel Stacking Acrylic Wine Glasses

These glasses great for picnics, pool side, or anywhere you don't want to take glass wine glasses. The alternative of drinking wine out of a red Solo cup just doesn't work for me! They fit perfectly on a Steady Stick for all of you fellow picnic lovers out there! Also, they are stackable so they take up very little cabinet space!

So why am I sharing this item in January? Because Crate & Barrel has them on super sale! Normally they are $3.95 a piece but right now you can get them for a fraction of the cost! Clear and blue are marked down to $.97 and green & red are just $.47!

Of course you don't have to save these cute glasses just for outdoor use! With the colors available they also lend themselves nicely to both Christmas and Hanukkuh. At this price you can pick up enough for next year's holiday party or any other occasion!

I personally picked up some blue glasses - which color are you getting?

Don't forget to check out my picnic recipes here, here and here!

Thanksgiving Tablescapes - 1 Set of Decor, 2 Ways

While we are still a few weeks away from Thanksgiving, it is never too early to start thinking about your holiday tablescape! The past two years I have been a host/co-host for the big Thanksgiving dinner and figuring out the plan for the table has been one of my primary tasks. Here are two examples of how I took the same basic items and created two very different tablescapes.

Tablescape #1 - Classic Meets Childhood Nostalgia

Items purchased from Michael's:

• Silk Autumn leaves (since in California ACTUAL leaves are difficult to come by)
• Clear votive holders
• Pine cones
• White banner paper
• Crayons

Items purchased from Trader Joe's:

• Assorted mini pumpkins and gourds

Thanksgiving this particular year was a large group that did not know each other well (multiple friend groups) so we wanted to make sure the table was festive but also fun. We also had a lot of table top to cover so we wanted to get the most bang for our buck. We used folding tables which are not as wide as a standard dining table so the best use of space was to do a "runner" of decor down the center of the table. As you can see in the photo below, we alternated the various elements to create variety along the center of the table.

So what about these crayons and the childhood nostalgia? Do you remember back to your early educational years when you made Thanksgiving turkeys by tracing around your hand? Yep, we brought them back! Since we wanted to mix up the group and encourage people to get to know each other we thought this was a fun way to do our placecards! Then once you were done eating (or taking a break) you could use the crayons on the table to decorate your bird. I wish I would have taken some photos of the finished products - this was a very creative group!

 

 

While our group was a mixed bag of ages, this idea could work for the "kids table" even if you plan a more formal tablescape for your Thanksgiving.

 

Tablescape #2 - Eclectic Chic

 

When year number two rolled around and I looked to repurposing our Thanksgiving decor, I was dealing with a very different venue and group size. Dinner was for just six around the dining table at my home. I wanted to go with something a bit more formal but still fun. Items I used from the previous year include:

 

• Silk Autumn leaves
• Clear votive holders (I used some with texture that I picked up at a garage sale for just $.25 each!)
• Pine cones
• Mini pumpkins (Purchased new)

To this I added a printed tablecloth (borrowed from a friend) and a modern white vase (also from a garage sale though originally from CB2) with flowers from Trader Joe's. My original vision was with a white tablecloth and while that would have showcased the decor a bit more, I do think the table came together nicely with the addition of the lime green napkins.

 

 

 

Last year post holiday I picked up these great mini ceramic pumpkins from Crate and Barrel on sale for just a couple dollars each! They are meant to be used as a vase but could just as easily be used as a candle holder or even just on their own! Unfortunately they are no longer sold online but I did see them last month at the Crate & Barrel Outlet in Carlsbad and they ship! I believe they were just $3 a piece.

Crate and Barrel does have a great product that is available this season - dried Gourds. These are perfect if you want stick with reusable products. They come in the two colors in the photo below.

 

 

I hope these ideas have helped inspire your own Thanksgiving tabletop! Please let me know what creative ideas you are incorporating this year.

Coming later this month - Thanksgiving Cocktails!







Product Placement Wednesday - Crate & Barrel Cheese Markers

I heart cheese. I will eat it on just about anything but my favorite way to enjoy cheese is on it's own. No bread, no crackers. That being said, I love a good cheese plate and always have one at any function I put together. Until recently, I would use little metal cheese signs that had names of particular types of cheeses (cheddar, stilton, etc.). The problem with these signs was that there were so many cheeses unaccounted for by the pre-selected names. Then I found these little gems!

Crate & Barrel Cheese Markers

These cheese markers are the perfect way to both personalize and add some personality to your cheese board. The markers themselves can be customized with a dry erase marker, grease pencil or even a crayon to describe your delicious selection. Since all of those writing utensils easily wipe off the porcelain base, you can label unlimited cheeses!

I think the cheese markers are perfect for all of your holiday functions or even as a hostess gift! They come in a set of 6 so the biggest question is how to narrow the selection down to only 6 cheeses! Trader Joe's here I come!

Product Placement Wednesday - Giant Silicone Ice Cube Tray

Sorry for the radio silence for the past week - travels do not allow much time for blogging! However I have found some interesting products to share with you and this week is a personal favorite!

At first glance, Giant Silicone Ice Cube Trays may seem like a summer only item but they are useful year round! The principle behind them is simple - the larger the ice cube the more slowly it will melt in your glass. Rather than fill your glass with a ton of small cubes, you just need one larger cube. I love using these giant cubes in cocktails as it eliminates the watered down drink issue. Also, because the cube is larger it allows additional space if you wish to make more festive ice cubes and freeze fruit or herbs inside the cubes. They are also great to freeze other items like stock or juice to have available to help save time in the kitchen. Though if you freeze leftover wine, keep it in the tray - trust me I have made this mistake before and had to clean a mess of wine up in my freezer!

There are a number of companies that make this type of ice cube tray but my personal favorites are from Crate & Barrel & Williams-Sonoma. I have tried other silicone ice cube trays and have had problems getting the cubes to release. Both of these particular trays are very simple to use.

Crate & Barrel - Jumbo Silicone Ice Cube Tray

Williams-Sonoma - King Cube Silicone Ice Cube Tray

Product Placement Wednesday - Steady Sticks

Keeping with last week's theme of picnic friendly items (as well as my next post), I am pleased to introduce you to Steady Sticks! Steady Sticks are stainless steel in-ground stakes that hold your wine glass. They are perfect for a picnic or even at the beach (don't forget to use a plastic wine glass like these). I am wishing we would have had them for last week's Cinespia cemetery screening of Vertigo. Let's just say that one of our picnic blankets is going to need a visit from a serious stain remover.

While the site above sells the Steady Sticks, I have found better pricing as follows:

Crate & Barrel - $9.95

Amazon.com - $10.07 (available for Super Saver Shipping)

Also offered on Amazon, is the Steady Sticks holder for your wine bottle. This sells for $10.07 and is available for Super Saver Shipping too.

The best deal is the full set by True Fabrications. It is not officially "Steady Sticks" brand but you get two wine glass holders and the bottle holder. It is available via Amazon.com at is $14.99.

A Trip to the Alter on a Budget

No, I have never been married myself but I been planning events since there were events to plan. Massacre Ball for Middle School Halloween? Yep, that was me. Ok, I don't think we ultimately were allowed to call it that but my chalk outlines of dead bodies made the cut complete with a blood pool. While I don't suggest that you go this route for your wedding (though for some this might be ideal), I thought I would share some links and ideas to help avoid your trip to the alter making a serious dent in your wallet.

Plan a Wedding for Under $10K

I think this link is a great place to start if you are on a budget for your wedding. It offers suggestions for all of the major wedding expenses which is helpful to find places to save even if you have already started making commitments elsewhere.

Etsy.com

Personally I have not spent a ton of time on Etsy but that is only because I know I will spend a TON of time on Etsy once I start. I assisted a friend of mine with some wedding planning a few years ago and she managed to find some amazing deals on Etsy. For example, she found a vendor to make a lovely birdcage style veil for around $50 that looked exactly like the one we found in the bridal salon priced at $250. She also purchased several pieces of wedding jewelry as well as custom designed martini glasses for her bridesmaids all from Etsy. You will be amazed at the quality (and quantity) that is available on this site. Here are a couple items I found with just a quick look:

Hand Decorated Cake Ball Truffles - 1 Dozen $20

These would be lovely on a sweet table, as a favor, or at a shower.

Custom Save-the-Date Card - Design $15

This particular designer has a variety of options and customizable templates. Once your design is complete, you are sent the final version for printing at your favorite local print shop or for an additional cost this designer can arrange on your behalf.

Idea - Cylinder Centerpieces

These Fillable Cylinder Centerpieces from The Knot.com are a useful addition to any wedding and at $5.75 a piece they are a steal. I have seem similar items at Bed, Bath & Beyond; Crate & Barrel; CB2; and IKEA but I think this looks to be the best set as they have actually been designed to work together. I have found others to be too large to sit on a table and/or the variance in height to be too great. There are so many options with these types of cylinders - candy station, candles, or florals just to name a few. Below you can find a version of a classy yet simple arrangement I often see in luxury hotels. The site I grabbed the photo from has instructions if you wish to recreate and can be found here.

Budget Weddings Magazine

Another great resource right now is the current publication by Woman's Day magazine titled "Budget Weddings". It is most likely to be available at bookstores and other locations that have a large selection of periodicals.

There are lots of ways to save on events and weddings are no different. Hopefully if you or someone you know finds themselves planning a wedding on a budget some of this information will be helpful. If you have a particular question about working around a budget with a specific aspect of your wedding, feel free to contact me and I will try to help!

More event and entertaining posts will also be coming your way in the near future! In the meantime, does anyone have any helpful cost saving tips they used at their own wedding? What about thoughts on must spend items?

Product Placement Wednesday - Table in a Bag

This week's product is one I have been coveting for years! Just in time to kick off of the summer season this Memorial Day Weekend, it is Crate & Barrel's Table in a Bag.

As implied by the name, this table collapses and fits into an easy to carry bag. Crate & Barrel also offers matching chairs should you be opposed to sitting on the ground. This table is perfect for picnics, taking to the beach, or even a fun alternative to the "kids table" for your little ones. I personally am looking forward to getting one to take with me to the Cinespia summer cemetery movies at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Right now Crate & Barrel is offering the Table in a Bag at a special price of $33.96 (normally $39.95) and is eligible for free home delivery! If anyone is looking to surprise me with an early half birthday gift, this would be a great choice!

Jalapeño Lemonade

Note: This was originally written in November 2009 and I never posted it. I've finally decided to start telling people about this blog so hopefully that will motivate me to post more regularly!

So I’m not known for being much of a cook. This isn’t because I can’t cook - I just don’t. I have a small kitchen (without a dishwasher), am usually just cooking for one, and in general don’t have time. I am a wiz at food assembly though and have been more experimental lately as I’ve had a bit more time on my hands.. As I create new “recipes” I thought I’d share them with you.

Jalapeño Lemonade

Crate and Barrel sells a mix (this is a seasonal product) for Jalapeño Lemonade but I think it would be just as easy (and taste better) to create this yourself. My recommendation would be to make lemonade from scratch and use a jalapeño simple syrup to sweet it. To make the simple syrup, just add a sliced jalapeño (seeds removed), while the sugar is simmering. I haven’t tried this myself but I’ve seen a lot of infused simple syrups and this is the process. I also recommend cutting up lemon wedges and jalapeños (seeds removed again) and adding them to increase flavor. When I made the Crate and Barrel lemonade, I put the lemon wedges and jalapeños into ice cubes. This made a lovely garnish and continued to flavor the lemonade as they melted. If you wish to make this an alcoholic beverage, you can add either vodka or tequila. Somewhere I think I have a photo of the ice cubes and will post once I locate it (I made this for 4th of July 2009). While this is more of a summer drink, I think it would be a nice addition to a Super Bowl party too. Try it and let me know what you think!