Yay, Pretty Plates!

So, I have the best bosses in the world. No, really. I do. I’m not just sucking up because one of them reads this blog. But they are nice, and funny, and actually care about my career and well-being… what more can you ask for? Well.. AMAZING CHRISTMAS GIFTS! They just gave me mine, and it’s these beautiful Boho dessert plates from Rosanna that I blogged about a while ago. They’re so lovely—and perfect for serving all of Jo the MasterBaker’s creations (and occasionally a cookie or two of my own). Thank you!!!

Tea Cup Roulette

 

This tea cup is super fun—even though I realize it’d be annoying/impossible to keep putting the cup down at the exact right spot to match the date. (via SwissMiss) Still, I like the idea. Click here to check out a few more cool tea cups that were designed for the The Creation Gallery in Ginza. I like this “T” cup too, below. Go ahead J… name all the fonts!

Amazing Giveaways

There are 2 insanely incredible FREE giveaways going on this week, just in time for the holidays. First, of course, over at GoodyBlog we’re have a giant Blog Party and giving away everything from kids’ toys and clothes to new Play Station systems. But, the image above is the one I really wish I could win: a box full of goodies from Williams-Sonoma. I organized this one, so I’ve seen the products first-hand and everything is so beautiful and fun. I beg you to enter since I’m not allowed There’s also a fabulous one from Gourmet Garden, where you can win their entire line of spices plus an 8-piece stainless steel cookware set. Merry Christmas to you!

Next is this awesome giveaway from YumSugar and Hostess with the Mostess. I can’t even begin to list all the amazing kitchen goods that they’re giving away b/c there are just too many, but let me just say that it’s worth more than $7,900 in prizes. Wowzer! You have to login and take a quiz to enter (which I scored 100% on, thank you very much), but it’s definitely worth it! So start entering and let me know if there are any other good holiday giveaways I’m missing!

Go Fish!

 
Got any crackers? Go fish! Check out this glass, Goldfish Candy Dish from Home Wet Bar (via YumSugar).

Time for Tea!

How pretty is this tea-cup and kettle (via Serious Eats)? It’s getting colder, and the trees are losing all their leaves, and I’m in the mood for some hot tea, warm blankets, and continual screenings of Love Actually. These daydreams make the impending cold weather bearable.

Orange You Glad I Said Sangria?

 

Love this! Only a theory as of now, but someone make this happen ASAP! Sangria would taste so delicious.

I Forgot About the Environment Yesterday!

Yesterday was Blog Action Day, and I had signed up and promised to post something eco-friendly on my blog. And… I forgot. So, I thought better late than never. Here’s one of my favorite eco-living places to shop for kitchen goodies: VivaTerra. They sell handcrafted work that is from the “purest ingredients and sustainable resources possible.” Plus, everything’s pretty. I really love the Root of the Earth bowls, baskets, and platters—they’re hand-carved from the discarded root balls of Chinese fir trees into varied shaped bowls. It looks a lot like the decor I saw at Irving Mill last night!

Take a Shot for Every “Sexy Nurse” You See

I am immersed in the holidays at work—since the magazine publishes so far ahead of time, we’re already done with Christmas! But I must remind myself that it is only October, and focus, FOCUS, on Halloween. I have no idea what I’m going to be. I usually borrow something from the closet at work and make a silly outfit—I’ve been hoarding a coconut bra and hula skirt for a year straight now. But whatever I throw together, I’d love to have these Halloween drinking glasses and shot glasses that I saw at Black*Eiffel to celebrate. And they’re super easy to make! Matthew Mead has templates you can download at his site, and then you just have to cut out the shapes from black masking tape. He also provided a very orange cocktail to treat your guests.

1 ½ oz Vodka
1 ½ oz Triple Sec
1 oz Carrot Juice
1 oz Citrus Energy Drink

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and stir. Strain over ice into prepared balloon glasses. Garnish with an orange wheel, and serve. Yum, yum.

Fancy Shmancy Dinnerware

I love these bowl-like, plate-type things that I saw at SwissMiss. So shmancy. The Impression Crockery is made by Benjamin Hubert, who’s apparently a big-deal in the design world since he’s nominated for Design Blueprint Best Newcomer 2007.

A Cup of Joe, and Make It Pretty

I don’t drink espresso. The only coffee I drink is from Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, or the disgusting free instant coffee maker in my office kitchen (I’m poor, what do you want from me?). But if I did, I would snatch up this gorgeous espresso set from Quel Objet. (link thanks to Dachsies and Design!) I love how the spoon’s handle looks like grass growing out of the coffee.

I do NOT love these. Yuck! And, I’m not alone.

Like Manna From Heaven

Remember just yesterday when I was daydreaming about a new, pretty set of plates? Well, it looks like Hostess with the Mostess heard my prayers! I just entered her giveaway for the fabulous dinnerware from designer Rosanna. You should enter too… and then give me the plates when you win. Gracias.