Friday, December 30, 2016

New Year's Resolution Game


Compliments of Manvi Drona-Hidalgo

Happy New Year Friends!

Encourage conversation and mingling by setting up an activity for your guests. This New Year's resolution game is inspired by the holiday "white elephant" gift exchange. To set up, create a backdrop using foam or cork boards and pin up instructions. Make note cards using silver cardstock and snowflake cutouts. The striped envelopes are an easy cut-and-fold DIY using leftover holiday wrapping paper.

Have fun...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Sparkling Grapefruit Fizz


Compliments of Manvi Drona-Hidalgo

Happy New Year Friends!

A twist on the classic mimosa, this drink pairs sparkling wine with grapefruit juice, anise syrup and the herbal liqueur Campari. Get the recipe!

Sparkling Grapefruit Cocktail Recipe

Serves 8

Ingredients
2 cups champagne or sparkling wine
1 cup sugar
8 whole star anise
6 cups grapefruit juice
1/3 cup Campari

Directions
In a small saucepan bring one cup water, sugar and anise to a boil. Stir frequently until sugar dissolves. Remove pan from heat and let cool. Pour mix through a sieve. Discard anise pods. Cover the anise syrup and refrigerate about 3 hours, or up to one week.

When ready to serve, combine grapefruit juice, Campari and anise syrup in a large pitcher. Divide into tall flutes and top with champagne or sparkling wine. Serve immediately.

Here's to this twist on the classic mimosa; a welcomed addition to any weekend brunch spread.

Cheers!

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Live well,
Yvonne

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

New Year's Day Brunch with Mini Bagels & Lox


Compliments of HGTV

Happy New Year Friends!

This tasty brunch is a cinch to prepare so you can ring in the new year without knocking yourself out; food in a flash. Brunch is, without a doubt, one of the favorite times of day to have a party. Fortunately, many brunch items are also a cinch to prepare, like these mini bagels with cream cheese and smoked salmon that you can assemble in a jiffy. Get the recipe.

Mini Bagels With Lox Recipe

Ingredients:
12 store-bought mini bagels
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh dill, plus sprigs for garnish
1/2 cup whipped cream cheese
1/2 pound thinly-sliced lox

Yield: 24 servings

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Halve bagels, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until toasted, about 5 minutes.

3. Stir chopped dill into the cream cheese. Spread cut sides of bagels with cream cheese, and top with a small slice of lox. Garnish with a sprig of dill.

Great to easily turn grocery store items into tasty brunch mini mouthfuls that you can assemble in just minutes before your guests arrive.

Bon Appétit...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Classic New Year's Day Brunch With a Twist


Compliments of Manvi Drona-Hidalgo

Happy New Year Friends,

Ring in a brand new year with a festive brunch on January 1. This year, serve up new twists on traditional New Year's Day recipes, decorations and games.

Pizza for Breakfast. This isn't your childhood breakfast pizza: This flatbread is topped with roasted tomatoes, fried eggs, ricotta cheese and arugula. This egg-topped flatbread offers a twist on traditional breakfast pizza. Get the recipe!

Flatbread With Eggs, Tomatoes and Arugula Recipe

Makes 4 flatbreads or 8 servings

Ingredients
For the roasted tomatoes:
3 pounds fresh plum tomatoes, peeled and halved
2 tablespoons herbes de Provence
6 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1/2-cup olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste

For the crust:
1 cup warm water (about 110 degrees F)
1 tablespoon honey
2 1/4-ounce packets active dry yeast
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt (or 1/2 teaspoon table salt)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Cornmeal, for sprinkling

For topping the flatbreads:
8 large eggs
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
8 ounces fingerling potatoes, cooked, cooled, cut crosswise into 1/3-inch slices
2/3 cup frozen peas, thawed
1-1/4 cups baby arugula leaves
salt and pepper, to taste
Parmesan cheese shavings, for serving

Directions
For the tomatoes: Preheat oven to 425° F. Wrap aluminum foil on a baking sheet and arrange tomatoes in single layer. Toss tomatoes with 1/2 cup olive oil, chopped garlic cloves and herbs de Provence. Bake, uncovered for about an hour, or until tomatoes are dry and lightly brown. Remove from oven and let cool. Tip: You can make the tomatoes up to two days before serving.

For the dough: Stir together warm water and honey in small bowl. Stir in yeast. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Place flour and coarse salt in stand mixer fitted with dough hook attachment. Pour in water mixture. Mix on medium speed until dough comes together and pulls away from sides of bowl, adding more water by tablespoonfuls if too dry, about 2 to 3 minutes. Brush large bowl with oil. Form dough into ball. Place in bowl; turn to coat. Cover with plastic; place in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 500° F. Place a pizza stone or baking sheet in oven (if using rimmed baking sheet, invert sheet, rim side down). Knead dough in bowl, turning over 3 to 4 times. Cover and let rise again until doubled in volume, about 45 minutes. Divide dough into 4 equal portions. Form each portion into ball. Place on floured work surface; cover with plastic wrap and let rest 10 minutes. Sprinkle rimless baking sheet with cornmeal. Working with 1 ball at a time, roll out dough on floured surface to 12x7-inch oval. Transfer to baking sheet.

To finish the flatbreads: Spread roasted tomatoes evenly over dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle each flatbread with 1/4 of the potatoes and peas. Spoon three or four tablespoon-sized dollops of ricotta cheese atop vegetables. Slide pizza onto stone, if using; bake until crust is golden brown on bottom and around edges, 10 to 12 minutes.

While the flatbreads cook, make the fried eggs. Brush nonstick skillet with olive oil and heat over medium heat. Crack 2 eggs into skillet and cook until whites are set but yolks are still runny, about 2-3 minutes each.

Transfer flatbreads to work surface. Place 2 fried eggs atop each flatbread. Scatter Parmesan shavings and arugula leaves on each one. Cut pizza into halves or wedges and serve immediately.

Bon Appétit...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Monday, December 26, 2016

FREE Printable New Year's Templates


Courtesy of Liz Gray and Kim Stoegbauer, The TomKat Studio
Photography by ten22 studio

Hi Friends,

Every New Year’s Eve party needs a bit of glitz, don’t you think? Luckily, we have an exclusive collection of printable party decor and easy paper crafts from The TomKat Studio; the sparkle is provided, you bring the bubbly!

Tissue Paper Tassel Garland
Tassel garlands are a huge party trend. It's easy to make your own with some tissue paper or sparkling mylar, scissors and string. A few tassels in sparkling mylar add a festive touch to your handmade tassel garland. Sheets of mylar are available at most craft stores. This tutorial shows you how to make a larger version big enough to dress the front of a buffet table or stretch across a wall, but you can easily scale down the project. For a version small enough to add flair to your dining chairs, use 1/8 sheet of tissue paper per tassel.



Materials Needed:
  • 1/2 sheet of 20" x 20" or 20" x 24" tissue paper or mylar per
  • scissors
  • ribbon or cord

Cut Fringe
Fold a piece of tissue paper in half and in half the other way. Cut strips towards the fold to create fringe, leaving about 1 inch uncut at the fold line. Once all strips are cut, unfold the tissue and cut in half so you have 2 sheets with fringe (to make 2 tassels).



Twist Tassels
Unfold tissue paper. Begin rolling tightly down the middle crease. Continue rolling, fold in half and then twist to create a loop for hanging.



Create More Tassels and Finish Garland
Repeat to create additional tassels in various colors. Hang from thin cord or ribbon.



Printable Party Flags
Attach these printable party flags to monochromatic tubes of white candies (such as Sixlets) and hand out as guests depart. Or, attach to drinking straws, lollipops or cake pops.

Click HERE to download Printable Party Flags



Custom Printable Invitations
Get guests in the festive mood by sending out this custom-designed printable invitation. Add your party details and embellish the bow design with glitter before sending to guests.

Click HERE to download Custom Printable Invitations



Such Great Heights
Elevate your party's style by displaying desserts on cake plates staggered in height. A fancy layer cake trimmed with pink and gold fondant ruffles is the perfect match for this party theme.



Edible Gold Embellishments
Pink cake pops sprinkled with edible gold glitter and embellished with gold bows tie in beautifully.



DIY Drink Embellishments
Dress up your serving vessels with tiny ribbon bows or DIY swizzle sticks made from straws and tissue paper.



Little Bites, Big Flavor
A New Year's Eve party typically means a late night, so be sure to offer a variety of appetizers and snacks to keep your guests in a festive mood. Bite-sized appetizers skewered on party picks are easy for guests to eat with a cocktail in hand. Write down the appetizer offerings on our printable menu cards to let guests know what they're eating.

Click HERE to download the Printable Menu Template



Easy-to-Make Appetizers
Simple, fresh watermelon-and-feta bites flavored with red wine vinegar and mint pair perfectly with bubbly champagne. Here's the recipe!


Feta, Mint and Watermelon Bites Recipe
Recipe Compliments of Joanna Meyer, Baked by Joanna

Makes about 24 pieces

Ingredients
  • 2 pounds seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/4-cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced into rings
  • 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 sprig mint, finely chopped
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 24 decorative skewers (optional)

Instructions
In a small bowl, combine the red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and onion rings; season with salt and pepper to taste and marinate for one hour in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap.

To assemble, place a watermelon cube on a plate, top with 2 marinated onion rings and sprinkle with feta and mint.

To create a more elegant look, twist the onion around a skewer in the shape of an eight. Tip: Add an extra twist or two if it is a larger ring) Poke the skewer into the watermelon; sprinkle feta and mint on top.

Cook's Note: The watermelon weight is after the rind has been removed.

Festive Favors
After midnight, send guests home with a mini favor bag packed with treats they can enjoy on New Year's Day. Label each bag with a printable "Thank You" tag.

Click HERE to download the Printable Favor Tags



Your family and friends will be impressed with this sophisticated Sparkling New Year's Eve Party and your HOSTING skills...

Happy New Year from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Merry Christmas!


Hi Friends,

The Holiday Season gives us the perfect opportunity to wish you all the timeless treasures of the season; the warmth of home, the love of family and the company of good friends.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Friday, December 23, 2016

Game Tile Gift Tag


Compliments of Brian Patrick Flynn

Merry Christmas Friends!

Designer Brian Patrick Flynn repurposed Scrabble tiles and twine for this playful gift tag. To create it, simply loop a long piece of twine then attach the tiles to the twine loop with glue, leaving enough room above the tiles to act as a hanger and a bit of twine below the letters for attaching a tassel. Make the tassel by cutting six small pieces of twine, gather them together in the center then knot onto the bottom of the twine below the tiles.

Cleaver Holiday gift wrap idea, right? A beautifully personalized wrapped gift really shows someone you care. This do-it-yourself idea is sure to impress everyone on your Christmas gift list without breaking the bank.

Happy Holiday wrapping, only a couple days remaining...

Check back for more great Holiday recipes and decorating ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

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Live well,
Yvonne

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Cookies To Go


Compliments of Kim Stoegbauer

Merry Christmas Friends!

Homemade holiday treats are even more thoughtful when they're packaged creatively. Entertaining expert Kim Stoegbauer cleverly wraps cookies in inexpensive paper CD sleeves; bundled up with baker's twine and a cute tag, they're the perfect way to surprise coworkers and neighbors with a sweet treat.

Happy Holiday baking...

Check back for more great Holiday recipes and decorating ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

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Live well,
Yvonne

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Create a Layered Effect


Compliments of Marian Parsons

Merry Christmas Friends!

Designer Marian Parsons layers organic elements and textured ribbon to create wrapped gifts that are a step above the rest. Her tips: "Create pretty packages using items you can find around your house and in nature. Petite pinecones and sprigs of greenery embellish layers of ribbon while vintage sheet music is the perfect custom wrapping for a small gift."

Happy Holiday wrapping...

Check back for more great Holiday recipes and decorating ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

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Live well,
Yvonne

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Light the Way for Holiday Guests


Compliments of H. Camille Smith

Merry Christmas Friends!

For a safer alternative to the traditional paper-bag-style Santa's runway, add a layer of rock salt or Epsom salt to glass vases or mason jars then nestle a glass votive candle in the center of each. Depending on the size votive you use, the candles will safely provide hours of illumination. When one burns low, simply replace with a fresh candle.

Crafty Outdoor Holiday Decorating Idea that's simply, from front-door wreaths to traffic-stopping displays, give your front porch or yard a holiday makeover with this do-it-yourself outdoor Christmas decoration.

Happy Holiday decorating...

Check back for more great Holiday recipes and decorating ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

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Live well,
Yvonne

Monday, December 19, 2016

Coffee Cupcakes To-Go


Compliments of Sam Henderson

Merry Christmas Friends!

Bake coffee-flavored cupcakes in paper to-go cups then top with rich homemade frosting and dash of nutmeg, cinnamon or sprinkles for a morning pick-me-up lookalike that is sure to hit the spot any time of the day. Get the recipe here.

Coffee Cupcakes Recipe

Materials Needed:
12 16-ounce plain paper coffee cups with sleeves and lids
ribbon and mini ornaments, for embellishment

Ingredients
For the cupcake:
2 1/4 cups cake flour
1 cup milk, at room temperature
3 tablespoons instant coffee
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon table salt
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

For the frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening
6 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions for the Cake
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

2. Place milk, coffee and egg whites into a medium bowl and whisk until blended.

3. Mix cake flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in bowl or electric mixer on low speed. Add butter. Continue beating on low for 1-2 minutes or until fully combined.

4. Add all but 1/2 cup of liquid mixture to flour mixture and beat at medium speed for 1 1/2 minutes. Add remaining 1/2 cup of liquid and beat for 1 minute more.

5. Pour batter into paper cups to just over half full.

6. Bake until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 27 to 30 minutes.

7. Allow cake to cool to room temperature.

8. Frost cupcakes with white bakery frosting and sprinkle with colored sugar.



Instructions for the Frosting
1. Place butter and shortening in a bowl and beat on low speed until smooth and creamy.
2. Add confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, and mix until fully blended.
3. Turn mixer to medium-high and beat for another 3 minutes.



Finishing Touches
1. Carefully undo the cardboard sleeve where it is glued. Turn over.

2. Punch two holes about 1/4-inch apart at the top/middle of the sleeve.

3. Thread a ribbon through one hole from the front and through the other hole from the back (Image 1).

4. Repeat for the other side with the other end of the ribbon.

5. Attach a small ornament (if desired) and tie a bow with the ribbon (Image 2).



These coffee-flavored cupcakes make the perfect homemade holiday gift and come in their own coffee-themed to-go container. Dress them up with a ribbon and mini ornament to spread seasonal cheer.

Bon Appétit...

Check back for more great Holiday recipes and decorating ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

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Live well,
Yvonne

Friday, December 16, 2016

Simply Tiered Tins


Compliments of Sharp Studio
Photo courtesy of Sharp Studio

Merry Christmas Friends!

Like a three-level cake, stacking gifts one on top of the other gives your package height and professional appeal. If you hand a gift to a friend packaged like these tiered tins from blogger Sharp Studio, they might believe the store wrapped it up all nice. Keep everything together with a dramatically draping bow like this champagne-colored satin, but for the Holidays use red-colored satin.

Happy gift giving...

Check back for more great Holiday recipes and decorating ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

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Live well,
Yvonne

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Paper Holiday - Gift Wrapping


Compliments of Sharp Studio
Photo Courtesy of Sharp Studio

Merry Christmas Friends!

"I have always enjoyed wrapping gifts. I remember loving it as a kid and at Christmas time helping my mom wrap my father's gifts, my father wrap my mother's gifts and my brother wrap gifts for my parents { and probably some of his own gifts to me, he is smart like that}."

"Certainly, not every box under the tree need be gussied up, especially if you have children that will be tearing into them, barely registering if it even has their name on it. For some gifts though, wrapping for presentation makes them a tad more special. Special, but not precious - even with the embellishments, I will never be comfortable with gingerly removing gift wrap. I firmly believe that presents should be ripped into.

It is possible that I may be more adept at finding things to top gifts than finding the gift itself. I like to keep an eye out for vintage items to repurpose, like this initial for my husband.

Brown kraft paper is so versatile. To wrap smaller boxes, I reuse larger single seam flat bags from stores as well as the kraft paper sheets the art store rolls my printing paper in"



For this monogrammed gift, first determine the center for the design by wrapping the paper around the box and creasing the edges. On the inside of the front panel I drew a simple wreath, scoring the center line of each leaf and cutting around the edges, leaving them attached at the base. Cut a small slit at the bottom curve of the wreath a bit wider than the ribbon.



From the correct side, reverse the folds of each leaf and stamp or draw a monogram. Next, insert a loop of ribbon, securing it with a small piece of tape, then tape a square of coordinating paper over the entire design on the inside { I used some gold crepe paper}.



Office supplies are inexpensive and plentiful. Three different sizes of metal rim tags create a minimalist snowman, attached with glue dots.



Black circular labels, another office supply find, cut into different sizes with craft punches embellish plain paper. The letterpress paper gift buckle with ribbon is from my product line.



I love playing around with crepe paper. The gift below is going to be filled with a cellophane bag of homemade sweets come Christmas time.



A strip of silver crepe paper is attached to the inside of the cup with double stick adhesive and cinched closed with a velvet ribbon. Small tins can be found online; although this particular tin cup is from Trader Joes, the plant that was in it was not long for this world, but the cup came in handy. I use carpenter's glue to adhere the glass glitter, the hold is great.



Red crepe paper makes for a fun pom pom.



Fold two long strips of crepe paper into quarters and mark the center line of the width. With each, cut through all four layers, fringing both sides of the strip and stopping just short of the marked line. Unfold each strip and bundle them together, cinching the center with thin wire. Fluff out the pom pom and trim the shape as needed."



Originally featured on DesignSponge...

Happy Holiday decorating!

Check back for more great Holiday recipes and decorating and ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

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Live well,
Yvonne