Give & Receive: Plaid, Boots, Kitchen Tools, and Handmade Gifts

Posted on | December 7, 2009 | 10 Comments

My gift guide is pretty simple. I’m not huge on gift giving anymore. I know that sounds Scroogey of me but I think gift giving has gotten a bit ridiculous for adults. If you really wanted something wouldn’t you just buy it? I love my friends and family but I would rather hang out with you and catch up. I’ll bring the cookies and treats; you bring the wine. The presents are for kids. I love to research corny princess fairy crap and watch as my nieces tear open the wrapping and look so surprised. No adult ever gets that excited. Above some gifts I’m saving up to buy myself, giving, and past years gifts I’ve received and loved.

From top left clockwise around:

1. I’m making my sister a hat and seed stitch scarf after being inspired by Jill Bent’s beautiful work.

2. Linen fabric my mom picked up at an estate sale; my sister volunteered to turn the fabric into pillows for my new bed.

3. I love my cast iron skillet. I really want this two-sided griddle pan/grill from Lodge Logic, $47.21.

4. My birthday is also in December. My mom gave me these super warm shearling Bean boots, $134.

5. Make handmade macaroni ornaments and tie to a bottle of wine for parties and get togethers. Find the how to instructions here.

6. I’ve received wool blankets as gifts. I love them. I use them every winter and think of that person. Check out Pendleton’s high-quality and affordable selection.

7. Give an inspiring chef a dutch oven. I use mine at least 3x a week. It changed the way I cooked. Get an oval shaped version for versatility. Roast meats, make soup, bake casseroles all in this one pan. Available in a number of colors, Le Creuset Oval French Oven, around $200.

8. I’ve wanted a stick blender forever. I could puree my soups right in the dutch oven. Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender, $35.49.

9. At my house we drink espresso and french press coffee. My glass french press gets cold if I’m having a slow drinking day. A stainless steel version insultes the press and keeps the coffee warm for hours. Bodum 8-Cup Stainless-Steel Thermal Press Pot, $79.59.

10. A gift I would love to give myself. An antique blanket chest I spotted at Tallow in Marblehead.

Category: gifts, holiday

I love Macarons

Posted on | November 19, 2009 | 3 Comments

I picked up this sweet little recipe book last night, I Love Macarons. I do love macarons and their petite size and colors. A new book by Japanese pastry chef Hisako Ogita gives step-by-step instructions on how to make these adorable French treats. Each step is illustrated by a photo, making the process easy for beginner bakers. She includes a wide range of yummy filling options like raspberry, chocolate, and more exotic flavors like matcha. Maybe I should make pink ones with chocolate filling? So yum. The styling and photography is really cute. A great gift for a macaron loving friend. Buy it at amazon.com.

Last Minute Gift Ideas: Books

Posted on | December 23, 2008 | Comments Off

Made me fall in love with photography and makes me want to take more photos everyday, $17.95.

All you last minute shoppers, listen up! I like you have been known to wait till the last minute to find gifts for my immediate family. It’s so much easier to buy gifts for friends! So give them a book! If you order in the next few hours amazon can have it on your doorstep by tomorrow midday.

A few of my favorites I’ve recently bought above and below. Are they a baker? Check out my list of my favorite baking books here. Good luck my last minute shoppers!

A wonderfully illustrated book with lots of photos to inspire, $18.15.

domino: The Book Of Decorating is a must-have for decorating fans, $21.12

One of my favorite painters of all time. A book I will read forever, $27.69.

Category: gifts

Holga Camera

Posted on | December 22, 2008 | 3 Comments

I always buy myself a little something for christmas. Takes the pressure of my significant other (last year I got crest white strips). I’ve been thinking about getting an old plastic camera like a Holga. The camera uses film which does feel incredibly archaic. However, the photos you can produce are like nothing you could ever get with a fancy SLR. They are abstract, saturated, and blurry. A style you either love or hate. Does anyone have one? You can buy a kit on amazon right for just $59.95.

Category: gifts, inspiration, photography

Apple Juice Jar Terrariums

Posted on | December 21, 2008 | 3 Comments

One of my favorites gifts ideas, terrariums. These sweet creations contain five different mosses and lichens. The glass apple juice jar would fit perfectly along a windowsill.

(via even cleveland)

Category: flowers, garden, gifts

Happy Weekend and The Storm is Here!

Posted on | December 19, 2008 | 3 Comments

It’s been snowing just a little over an hour. We went from bare streets to a full out winter storm. My advice stay inside or put your snow boots on and go outside! Have fun this weekend maybe decorate the tree, make up a big batch of soup or fill your belly with cookies! If you still have some gifts to buy check out my gift guide links below. No heading to the mall required. Happy snowstorm!

2008 Gift Guide: Baking Books

2008 Gift Guide: Kids Gifts

2008 Gift Guide: Whales, Octopus, and Fish

2008 Gift Guide: Gifts for Sisters and Friends

$1 holiday gifts ideas

and even more gifts ideas here and holiday decorating ideas here

p.s. don’t forget to enter the budget gift ideas sweepstakes for a chance to win all the blue and white china featured in my $1 story!

p.p.s. half the lights around my front door blew out and all my candles in the window did too! don’t buy battery operated candlesticks. they suck!

Category: gifts, holiday

2008 Gift Guide: Baking Books

Posted on | December 17, 2008 | Comments Off

I buy a lot of baking books. I love to look at the gorgeous photographs, enticing desserts, and sumptuous breads. When I make dinner I tend to never read a cookbook. Cooking to me is much more abstract and spontaneous. Baking is a completely different beast. Recipes have to be followed otherwise you end up with messes. The science behind baking is a skill that takes years to master. I’ve made recipes dozens of times before I actually found the correct rhythm. If you’ve run out of ideas for holiday gifts try giving a cookbook. Even if someone is not a real baker the photos alone will inspire. Many of the baking cookbooks on the list I already own. Others I have checked out and added to my own personal list. It’s just few more days till the holidays. Luckily amazon will get it there on time!

From top left: Baking $25.20, Baked $19.77, The Sweeter Side of Amy’s Bread $23.07, The Bread Bible $23.10, The Sweet Melissa Baking Book $17.01, Baking For All Occasions $28, Martha Stewart’s Cookies $16.47, Screen Doors and Sweet Tea $21.45, The Modern Baker $23.10, Bakewise $26.40, Dough $19.77, Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook $26.40.