Two thumb for tulips

FULL BLOOM: Searching some of the recipes over at Epicurious, I came across this wonderful table setting for Easter. Now, while this is holiday inspired, what really drew me was the gorgeous bouquet of tulips that can really be used on any spring table. Just imagine having your girlfriends over for brunch and having this bunch as the centerpiece. You'll get so many compliments! It is so chic and simple with its one color — and since tulips come in so many colors, it's really your choice for the setting — and fullness. Plus the stems are so clean to finish off the look.


UPDATE: The same table setting pictorial by Epicurious also had these adorable place cards. What an easy thing to do and something I've never seen done before. Classically chic! And you can easily skip the flower and substitute the candle for even a napkin and get a different look with the same sort of impact.

Making an impression

I uncovered this photo while cleaning out my desktop folders this morning and unfortunately I have no clue where I ever got it from, but the idea is fantastic. Personally, I don't like mushrooms (it's something about that slimy fungus thing), but it's so cute that I may just touch one long enough to slice it up for these sandwiches. Perfect for entertaining, what a great way to jazz up a simple grilled cheese or, well, anything grilled or griddled. You could even do it on smaller, tea-sized sandwiches. Too cute.

Wine and dine

A CORK MENU: Thanks goes out to Miss Penguin over at Weddingbee for sharing pics (and recipes!) from her bridal shower. Beyond the delicious-looking spread, I wanted to talk about the wonderful cork signs showing the menu items that her maid of honor made for the event. These are so easy to do yourself, and customize for any event from cocktail hour to a wedding. I might just make these for my next dinner party; I definitely have enough corks laying around at home!

UPDATE: Her MOH also created cute wine charms (out of hoop earrings) and cheap, simple, but oh so chic goodie bags.

An orchard-perfect idea

APPLE CENTERPIECE: While surfing around some of my favorite blogs today, I came across this great entertaining idea courtesy of Brooklyn Bride: "These candle carvers make centerpiece possibilities endless, and I think can make a stunning statement. In my head, I see a rectangular table covered in a pure white tablecloth, with a single row of green apples all the way down the center, and then just 1 yellow apple for interest." I think, "simply genius."

Open That Bottle the right way

Enjoy Open That Bottle Night on Saturday with some of these fun new wine accessories. They can make any night a special night to open that celebratory bottle.

Crate and Barrel Mara wine glasses ($12.95 each) with dramatic angles and V-shaped bowls

CB2 Ada Smoke stemware ($3.95 each) for that sultry night, a bit of a smoky haze

Sur La Table V1 Vacuum Decanter by Metrokane ($79.95) preserves that special wine that you let "breathe" last just a few days longer, without breathing

CB2 Beaker Glass decanters and funnel ($2.50 - $14.95) help solve that scientific equation that is the right amount to air out a bottle

Sur La Table Riedel O ‘Thumbs Up’ Decanter ($159.95) is a hand-blown, no-drip, safe 'n' secure masterpiece

Open That Bottle

WINE CELEBRATED: Open That Bottle Night, started in 2000 by two wine writers for the Wall Street Journal, is a fantastic idea to make any day a celebration. Wine lovers and amateurs alike save bottles to drink "later" for a special occasion, but when is that time? And why shouldn't you enjoy a good glass of wine on a typical day? So this Saturday, uncork a cherished bottle and enjoy the contents as Open That Bottle Night gives you that special occasion. The writers argue:

These dear bottles have a special way of retrieving warm and often-forgotten memories, but you have to pop the cork to release them. That's why we invented Open That Bottle Night. So very many of us have that special bottle — from a departed loved one, from a visit to a winery, from a vacation — that we're always going to open for just the right moment, but, of course, that moment never comes.

So, as a treat for that special night, buy yourself some special wine accouterments to help you enjoy the wine. Here is a page that appeared last year in The Examiner for the same occurrence. In just a few minutes, I'll post some updates with brand new products on the market that would make any sip one to remember.

Way to remember

BE YOUR OWN PUBLISHER: I am sure this isn't new, but it's new to me, and it could easily be the coolest idea I've come across in a long time; it's definitely the best idea I've ever seen for a photo album I've seen in a long time — and it is so amazingly reasonably priced! With Blurb's Photo Books you can basically publish your own book with whatever combination of photos and text your mind can dream up (or if it can't, there are experts on hand). The books can have from 40 to 440 glossy pages bound in either a soft cover ($12.95 and up) or hard cover with dust jackets ($22.95 and up). And, it's all really easy to design yourself with their free software. A must have for a wedding album, honeymoon keepsake or even to make as a gift for someone's upcoming milestone.

Making life Real Simple

Real Simple, my favorite magazine on the shelves today, has updated it's Web site recently, making it one of my favorite sites, too. The staff updates it everyday with new ideas and advice from recipes to their infamous checklists, and of course what makes this product better than most home/entertaining/cooking mags: solutions to help make life easier everyday. While the homepage is a little overwhelming to begin with, it grows on you as you spend hours just clicking away. They expanded the Beauty & Style "channel," which now features tips on everything you need from finding the best fitting dress to soothing your dry skin with the perfect lotion. And, they just added a new Celebrations section with tips and advice on how to plan everything from a dinner party to a wedding party. (Plus, it's much better than the overwhelming flashiness, but underwhelming content of this similar site.)

Cooking for a crowd

Williams-Sonoma has a new feature on its Web site, Entertaining: Cooking for a Crowd. The section isn't so bulked up, yet, but does showcase several recipes designed to feed the numbers — with how-to videos — as well as good cookware, serving suggestions, and tips on everything from iced beverages to spices. This is a great addition to the Entertaining section, which is always updating, and has more great menus and ideas for party food, holiday meals and, well, just about everything (even bridal occasions!)