Month: December 2017

The Monday Morning Conference Call

On By Leslie Byars RegisterIn appetizers, beverages, brunch, The Parties, The Recipes4 Comments

I can’t think of a better time to introduce my brother-in-law, Chip, and his wife, Andrea, and their signature cocktails. In their downtime, with their neighbors Jeff and Emma, they have developed a very humorous, interesting list.

They have all kinds of clever ideas. They are even tossing around the thought of, in their later years, both buying condos near each other and putting in a Jack-and-Jill bar. They may be on to something here.

Hey, let’s grab a drink in the bar.

And in their bar, they will serve only their signature cocktails, which will be printed on a special menu. Sounds fun to me.

The first drink on the list is The Monday Morning Conference Call. This is the perfect choice after a busy holiday weekend. Nothing’s wrong with the hair of the dog, and besides, it’s still the holidays.

Because you already know what kind of week it’s going to be.

This is basically an Irish coffee on the rocks.

Monday Morning Conference Call

Makes 1 drink

1 cup of cold coffee

1 ounce Baileys Original Irish Cream

1 ounce Jameson

Splash of Kahlua to taste

1 packet of Splenda (optional)

Combine all ingredients, and serve over ice.

Be sure to start with a cold cup of coffee.
Serve with a sectioned grapefruit and Orange Toast (page 195 in Leslie’s Party Diaries) or see recipe below. The breakfast of champions.
And, yes, you are not seeing things. In the middle of this cute plate is a jockey on an armadillo. My close friend Dolly has a knack for finding unique treasures.

Orange Toast

Makes 44 pieces

Zest of 2 oranges

1 cup powdered sugar

½ cup unsalted butter

22 slices of very thin white bread

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

Stir together orange zest, powdered sugar, and butter until blended.

Trim crusts from bread with a long, serrated knife; spread butter mixture thinly on both sides of the bread. Place on an ungreased baking sheet; cut bread slices in half lengthwise.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until dry and toasted, turning after 20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.

Leslie Likes: Pepperidge Farm Very Thin White Bread

Yields 44 pieces

Orange Toast
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Ingredients

  • Zest of 2 oranges
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 22 slices of very thin white bread

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
  2. Stir together orange zest, powdered sugar, and butter until blended.
  3. Trim crusts from bread with a long, serrated knife; spread butter mixture thinly on both sides of the bread. Place on an ungreased baking sheet; cut bread slices in half lengthwise.
  4. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until dry and toasted, turning after 20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.
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The second drink on their list is called the Rendition. It’s a very refreshing and beautiful drink.

Because you’re not quite sure which jurisdiction you are going to wake up in.

These can be addictive. And talk about light! Perfect for those days you are watching your calories.

Rendition

Makes 1 drink

1 to 2 ounces Stoli Blueberry Vodka

Juice from ½ of a Key lime or lime

4 to 5 fresh blueberries

1 large sprig of fresh mint

Ice

Sprite Zero

I love how the flavors release when they are crushed with the muddler.

In a small pitcher, combine vodka, lime juice, blueberries, and mint. With a wooden muddler, crush the berries and mint to release their flavors into the vodka and lime juice. Add ice and top off with Sprite Zero.

Chip and Andrea have a Key lime tree in the courtyard of their New Orleans home. If you have trouble finding Key limes, just substitute limes.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more on Chip and Andrea’s specialty cocktail list.

Emergency Appetizer

For those who follow one of my Instagram accounts, Leslie’s Party Diaries and Leslie.Register, you may have seen me mention this Emergency Appetizer before, but after several requests, I decided to add it to the mini magazine.

If you are looking for a hot dip and live near a Trader Joe’s, pick up a container of their Spinach and Kale Greek Yogurt Dip. Top it with fresh Parmesan cheese, and bake at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly. Serve with crackers, assorted vegetables, or chips. It couldn’t be easier than that!

Heat this Spinach and Kale Greek Yogurt Dip from Trader Joe’s as simple appetizer for last-minute company. traderjoes.com
It’s delicious served cold too.

Also, be sure to pick up a copy of Birmingham Home and Garden magazine (birminghamhomeandgarden.com) coming out January 1st. I’ll be doing their food column in the coming issues. My first topic will be easy, lighter Mexican fare. Check it out!

Happy New Year!

I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy about making comments or asking questions. I love getting mail! Leslie

Mood. Food. & Loot. Out of Town, New York City

On By Leslie Byars RegisterIn Uncategorized3 Comments

I’ve never been a huge girls’ trip kind of gal. I enjoy traveling more with mixed company. Probably because I’m the worst over-packer, and a few extra hands come in super handy on the arrival and departing. Thanks, Jon!

But, when I do plan to go, I go with those who enjoy to travel like me.

It’s a must to have a lunch and dinner reservation. There is nothing enjoyable about a group of hungry girls, roaming the streets, looking for a place to eat.

Le Coucou in SoHo is one of the most unstuffy French restaurants I’ve ever been to, and it’s beautiful. It can be a hard reservation to get, so try breakfast or lunch if dinner is booked. Plan ahead next time you are going to New York. It’s a special place. Le Coucou, 138 Lafayette Street. 212/271-4252, lecoucou.com

Everyone needs a pit stop.

Traveling inspires ideas. If you don’t get out once in a while and explore, you will get in a rut. It doesn’t have to be a fancy place—anything will do.

THE HOTEL: There is no need to waste money on an expensive hotel when traveling with girls. Anywhere with a little bathroom space, a decent bar, and a great location is all any girl needs.

I’d rather have a new Hermes belt strip than a fancy hotel.

THE PACKAGE SURVEY: I adore packaging from a fine boutique. I’ve been known to buy the cheapest item in the shop—just to get the bag. (For example: One Chanel lip gloss purchase will get you a lot of attention from the sales associates in any shop all day long.) Shopping in a boutique is not too shabby either. They greet you with Champagne and hot toddies!

Enjoy a relaxing glass of Champagne while your friends are in the dressing room. Tory Burch, 797 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10065, toryburch.com

THE POST SHOPPING DRINK: The rehash. My family has a longtime running joke: After shopping, my sister and I would come in the door and tell my dad, “We had the best luck!”  So to this day, I still enjoy rehashing the event. When traveling, I like to wrap up a fun, shopping day in a festive hotel bar.

Toast the end of a fun day of shopping. A window seat in the quaint upstairs bar at Mercer Hotel in SoHo is a prime people-watching spot. 147 Mercer Street, New York, NY 10012, mercerhotel.com
A specialty martini served with a hydrated pineapple slice in a Baccarat Champagne/sorbet glass is another perfect ending to a successful shopping day. The Bar at the Baccarat, 28 West 53rd Street, Floor 2, New York, NY 10019. Opens at 4:00 p.m.

SCHEDULE A BLOWOUT OR TWO: especially if the hotel bathroom space is tight. Eliminating the hair-drying time in the room allows for more shopping, eating, and exploring. Salons are all over town. Work it into your schedule. It’s a nice break to rest your aching feet too. thedrybar.com

Shopgirl Tips:

  1. When at all possible (if you don’t need it for the trip), ship all purchases. It’s best not to walk in the door with lots of loot on your return to children and husbands who did not get to go. And it will also save on tax. Learn your Fed Ex driver’s names and get their cell numbers and program them on your phone. (For example: Fed Ex Craig, Fed Ex David, etc.) Alert them of arriving packages, and coordinate delivery. This saves you from sitting around when a signature is required.
  2. Also, I prefer to shop in a boutique over major department stores. The undivided attention and beverages make it a home run. And look, the sales associates have manners too!

    How special is this handwritten thank-you note? It’s the little things that make a difference. Thanks, Jaclyn, for making our shopping experience a true pleasure! Rebecca Taylor, 34 Gansevoort St., New York, NY 10014, 212/243-2600, rebeccataylor.com
  3. Try on for size. Many boutiques do a generous markdown at the end of the season, but they are usually final sale. Know what works and make a note of it.

Look Around

Take the scenic route to your next stop. Use your phone for photos, not texting, and keep your eyes open for ideas.
Like this charming restaurant Society Cafe, I would have never seen it if we hadn’t been on foot. It is in the Walker Hotel, and the menu is fueled by farmers, market ingredients.  I will definitely make it one of my stops next trip. The menu looks incredible! 52 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10011, 212/300-4525, societycafenyc.com
How easy is this? Pages of an old novel make an interesting garland for decorating, and obviously, they are a bargain! bergdorfgoodman.com
Department stores do over-the-top decorating. Look to them for inspiration. This tree in the handbag department of Bergdorf Goodman is covered in interesting, everyday objects, fruits, and flowers and then simply sprayed all white.
It wasn’t until I looked closely that I realized what the objects were. They take on a new life when painted.
Everywhere you look you will get inspiration. Pay attention!

It’s a good idea to get recommendations or go with the tried-and-true restaurants. Gramercy Tavern never disappoints. The Tavern (the bar area in front of the dining room)  accepts walk-ins too and has a delicious burger! The decorations are spectacular.

Seasonlly, the sideboard in The Tavern is dressed to the nines.
The Tavern ceiling was filled with fresh greenery kissing balls. gramercytavern.com
If you are in the Chelsea area, take a minute to walk through the Chelsea Market. There are all types of shops. It’s a great thing to do on a rainy or cold day because it’s all indoors. It’s open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. 75 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10011.
While in the  Chelsea Market, be sure to check out the Chelsea Wine Vault. It has a wonderful selection, and wine gadgets as well.
How handy is this wine to go? The cup is included. Brilliant! chelseawineloft.com

OTHER LUNCH SPOTS:

BG in Bergdorf Goodman’s Women’s Store on the 7th Floor is a cozy place to see-and-be-seen and have a delicous lunch. 754 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10019, 212/872-8977. Reservations OpenTable.com

The Blue Box Cafe in Tiffany’s opened recently and only accepts reservations online.  When we called before our trip, they did not take reservations at all. So if you have your heart set on going, plan ahead. It is decorated in what else but Tiffany blue!

From the outskirts The Blue Box Cafe looks like a pretty spot for a relaxing lunch. The Blue Box Cafe, 727 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 212/605-4270, For reservations, resy.com

FOR A QUICK BREAKFAST OR LUNCH ON THE GO:

No time to stop, then pop in Pick A Bagel at 1101 Lexington Avenue. It is open 24 hours and has the best selection of cream cheeses and salads I’ve ever seen. It will hold you until dinner! Purely an authentic New York bagel that you won’t want to miss. There are a few small tables for two, but it’s mostly a to-go kind of place. Other locations are 891 8th Avenue and 1475 2nd Avenue. Hours may differ from Lexington location.

COZY DINNER SPOTS: The Eddy, an upscale, hip, American fare restaurant in the East Village with a strong French wine list, serves small plates of interesting combinations. The menu changes frequently, so check it out at their website before you go. 342 East 6th Street, New York, NY 10003, theeddynyc.com

As you can see by his menu, chef Jeremy Salamon is not afraid to try anything, and it works!

Want authentic Italian in a happening atmosphere? Try Olio E Piu in the heart of Greenwich Village, serving classic Italian dishes with a focus on house-made pastas, hand-stretched pizza, fish, and more. We ended up splitting four pasta dishes and one pizza, because no one could decide! 3 Greenwich Avenue, New York, NY 10014, 212/243-6546, olioepiu.nyc 

SPLITTING THE TAB: Not to give girls a bad rap, but sometimes when I’m out with girls and the bill arrives, that’s when the fun ends. At kittysplit it couldn’t be easier to divide up the bill. Enter everyone’s email address and their expenses such as Uber rides, bar tabs, tips, etc. and kittysplit does the rest. Each person will be notified exactly what they owe. It’s genious. Try it next time you travel or host a party. Thanks, Mary Lauren, for sharing this with me! And, for being our “cruise director” for the trip. Great job. kittysplit.com

EXTRA BAGGAGE: My last tip is to pack an empty duffle in your bag when you go to New York. With the added baggage fees now, it’s a must. There will always be a few street and sale items that you can’t ship, and you will be thanking yourself when your other bag is sitting on the scale at the airport weighing in at 54 pounds!

I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy about making comments or asking questions. I love getting mail! Leslie

Packaging Is Everything

On By Leslie Byars RegisterIn appetizers, desserts6 Comments

When I was in elementary school, I remember coming home after school and spotting a new present under the Christmas tree. My mother made all of our packages look like they came from a fancy department store. That was not an easy thing to do when you live in a town of 10,000 people. She would add ornaments, greenery, dollar store finds, well, just about anything to our gifts. I couldn’t wait to open them!

Why give just one present when you can give two?

Be creative with your wrapping this year. Spend less money on expensive ribbon and make them all unique with a package topper. It’s an easy way to personalize each gift. They can be found anywhere—dollar stores, checkout lines, even in your junk drawers! The key is lightweight and attachable.

An extra set of measuring spoons always comes in handy when cooking with wet and dry ingredients.
No man will be disappointed when he sees this cute miniature of bourbon on his package. No waste here! Bulleit Bourbon, bulleit.com
The hole in the bottom of this tiny clay pot makes it easy to attach to the package. Perfect for the gardeners in your life. Black Sheep Antiques, 336-432-0565, contact@blacksheepantiques.com
A monochromatic package can be the most elegant of all. Gift wrap by Sugar-Paper, Target, target.com. Star ornament available at The Container Store, containerstore.com
It’s nice to give an ornament with a date for the memory. This shiny gold bell gets everyone in the mood for Santa. Target, target.com
A simple gold letter dresses up a pretty red box. Box by Sugar-Paper. Both available at Target, target.com

Food Gifts

You can always tell a food gift that works—it’s eaten the first day or two. The ones that linger around until New Year’s Eve and end up in the trash, well, . . . .

My sister, Beth, better known as “Sugar” since she became a grandmother, has a foolproof, microwave praline recipe that takes the guesswork, thermometer, and mess out of the process. They are so easy to whip up and make a wonderful gift for neighbors and friends.

Anyone can make these easy microwave pralines. They are a piece of cake!

Sugar’s Pralines

Makes 2 dozen

1 pound (1 box) of light brown sugar

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1 ½ cups pecan halves

 

In a large microwave-safe bowl, heat sugar and whipping cream on HIGH for 11 to 13 minutes, until hot and bubbly. (Cooking time may vary slightly with microwaves.) DO NOT LET IT BURN.

Remove from the microwave, and add butter, combining thoroughly until completely melted. (I like to cut the butter into smaller pieces, to allow it to melt quickly.) Add pecans, and stir to combine.

Learn from Leslie: I do 11 minutes in my 1200 watt microwave. 

Drop pecan mixture immediately onto wax paper with a spoon or small measuring cup.

Be sure several pecans are in each spoonful as you drop them to the wax paper. You want each praline to have several pecans.

Allow to cool completely. It may take an hour or two.

The pralines will lighten as they harden.
Poster board strips easily turn this box into an ornament-like box.
Add a raffia bow and a gift tag and they are ready to deliver. They may also be frozen if desired. Allow to come to room temperature before packaging. Gift tags from The Scribbler, scribblerpink.com

Christmas Charcuterie

I adore a printed tag. If I could label everything I own I would! Say Grace Papergoods; contact Gina Winn at 205/329-4097, Instagram @mamawinn4.

Everyone likes a good cheese plate, so I decided to add this to my friends’ and neighbors’ gifts this year. I picked three or four of my most favorite cheeses (Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt Tam Triple Cream Brie, Manchego, and Port Salut), a hard salami, several nuts, an apple, a few cornichons, and a miniature honey with dipper. I assembled on a bamboo paper plate and packaged in clear gift bag.

This is a fun project to do with your family—create an assembly line and give everyone a job.

Once you have gathered all the items, it takes only a few minutes to assemble these cheese plates.
I found the miniature honey jars and dippers on Amazon, amazon.com
Slip the plates into a clear gift bag, and tie with a ribbon. Keep refrigerated until you deliver.

Fabulous Finds, Stocking Stuffers, and Unusual Gifts

The Ugly Sweater Cookie Kit: This kit contains 10 baked cookies (chocolate and vanilla), icing, and candy sprinkles. It’s an easy activity for all ages. How ugly can you go? Trader Joe’s, $5.99. traderjoes.com
Romeo & Julienne: a wooden cutting board shaped like a book. It’s perfect for small jobs and stores upright with your cookbooks. No more digging around in a crowded cabinet. This handy board by Fred is at your fingertips whenever you need it. Smith’s Variety, Mountain Brook, Alabama, $15.99, 205-871-0841
Chocolate Passport: a colorful assortment of dark chocolate from eight different countries, neatly backed in a passport-like box. It’s a great stocking stuffer or gift for the chocolate lover. Trader Joe’s, $9.99, traderjoes.com
Orange and lemon juicers: one of the most used gadgets in my kitchen. I use them almost every day. Nothing could be easier than juicing with either one of these. I love how it contains all the seeds and gets the maximum amount of juice out of every piece of fruit. The Cook Store of Mountain Brook, $12, 205/879-5277
Rainbow of Honey: From biscuits to a cheese plate, you will have it covered with this 6-pack of flavored honey. The gift pack comes with a bottle each: clover, sunflower, orange blossom, eucalyptus, macadamia, and mimosa. Trader Joe’s, $9.99, traderjoes.com
Karaoke Bluetooth Microphone: Connect, play, and sing with this wireless microphone and hi-fi speaker that is always party ready. It’s easy to recharge with the included cable and compatible with Android and Apple. $39.99, The Container Store, containerstore.com
Leslie’s Party Diaries: the perfect hostess, wedding, birthday, Christmas, or happy gift for the cooks and entertainers in your life. $39 plus tax. lesliespartydiaries.com

A Customized Creation 

Create your own signature paper at Spoonflower.com. $60 per (12 foot by 24 inch) roll. Any image or photograph can be uploaded and made into wallpaper.
The image can be repeated in a variety of sizes.
The roll will last a lifetime. Let it be your signature paper. It works nicely under a dessert, cheese plate, or a plate of cookies for a gift.

Now, take a deep breath and relax. You still have plenty of time to get everything done before the big day.

’tis the season!
I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy about making comments or asking questions. I love getting mail! Leslie

Fond Food Memories

On By Leslie Byars RegisterIn breads & pastas, soups, The Recipes7 Comments

I often have trouble remembering someone’s name, but I never forget a good meal, whether in a restaurant or in someone’s home.

In the early ’90s, while I was on staff at Southern Living magazine, I remember going to dinner with friends at Chris and Idie Hastings’ house. Although it’s been almost 30 years ago, I can remember the meal they served.

Chris prepared a whole fish (I think snapper), stuffed it with fresh herbs and lemon slices, and tied it up with kitchen twine, and cooked it on the grill, of course. It was beautiful and delicious. The side dishes were simply prepared silver queen corn and lady peas. Idie made a homemade loaf of peasant bread, which she baked in a clay cloche. ( I owned one the next day.) We finished off the night with a warm peach cobbler right out of the oven served with a scoop of ice cream. Unforgettable.

One of the reasons I wanted to write Leslie’s Party Diaries last year and now my blog, DearPartyDiary.com, was to encourage people to take the time and confidence to entertain those they love and make fond food memories for life. There are few better memories.

To me nothing is more soothing than a warm bowl of soup off the stove and a savory, homemade bread.

This is the creamiest non-cream soup I’ve ever tasted.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Makes 2 quarts

1 large butternut squash, cut into 1-inch pieces, or 30 ounces of precut (4 to 5 cups)

1 onion, cut into 8 wedges

4 garlic cloves, crushed

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon honey

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

3 (14.5-ounce) cans low-sodium chicken broth

3 to 4 slices of good bread, cubed and toasted

Garnishes: ground nutmeg and pomegranate seeds

Squash can be confusing if you don’t buy it a lot. The butternut squash is pale peach with an elongated pear shape.
Removing the skin from a butternut squash is not an easy task. If you see a butternut squash precut it is worth every penny—and almost worth driving to store #2 or #3 to find!

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

I love a recipe that comes together easily with little mess. Roasting the onions, garlic, and squash together in one pan makes for a quick cleanup.

Place squash, onion, and garlic on a large baking sheet; drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat completely. Roast for 30 to 35 minutes until tender.

Place roasted vegetables in a blender. Add honey, nutmeg, and chicken broth, gradually. Blend until smooth.

This soup is so delicious and creamy—you’ll feel like you could open your own restaurant.

This soup can be made ahead and refrigerated or warmed and served immediately.

Serve with toasted bread cubes, and garnish.

For the toasted bread cubes: Remove the crusts from several slices of multi-grain bread; cut into squares. Spray both sides with butter-flavored cooking spray. Toast for 10 to 15 minutes in a 375 degree oven. Serve with soup.

Yields 2 quarts

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
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Ingredients

  • 1 large butternut squash, cut into 1-inch pieces, or 30 ounces of precut (4 to 5 cups)
  • 1 onion, cut into 8 wedges
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 3 (14.5-ounce) cans low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 to 4 slices of good bread, cubed and toasted
  • Garnishes: ground nutmeg and pomegranate seeds

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Place squash, onion, and garlic on a large baking sheet; drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat completely. Roast for 30 to 35 minutes until tender.
  3. Place roasted vegetables in a blender. Add honey, nutmeg, and chicken broth, gradually. Blend until smooth.
  4. This soup can be made ahead and refrigerated or warmed and served immediately.
    5. For the toasted bread cubes:
  5. Remove the crusts from several slices of multi-grain bread; cut into squares. Spray both sides with butter-flavored cooking spray. Toast for 10 to 15 minutes in a 375 degree oven. Serve with soup.
  6. Serve with toasted bread cubes, and garnish.
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It doesn’t take any time to make a homemade crouton.
I love to serve this in espresso cups as a starter. It’s a nice change from a normal appetizer and it can be passed easily. (Note: if passing to sip, I omit the croutons.)

Leslie Likes: Dave’s Killer Bread

Easy Drop Biscuits

Makes 2 dozen

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

¾ cup cold butter

1 ½ cups whole milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cut the cold butter into smaller pieces to incorporate it quickly into the flour mixture.
Don’t worry if there are a few clumps of butter here and there. What’s not to love about a little pocket of butter?

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture with a pastry blender until crumbly. Add milk a little at a time, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.

I use two teaspoons to drop the sticky dough onto the baking sheet.

Drop with two teaspoons onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve immediately.

If you are not going to eat immediately, which I highly suggest, allow to cool on a wire rack.
Easy Drop Biscuits can be made in advance and frozen. (Note: it’s best to split before freezing if you plan to fill them with ham.) Remove from freezer, add thinly sliced ham, and warm before serving.
They are also delicious with plain old honey.

10 Live and Learn Party Tips

  1. Chop onion and garlic before you shower.
  2. PREP! Chop, measure, and prewash anything and everything and have it ready to go.
  3. Avoid bell or long sleeves on party night. They will drive you crazy. I prefer three-quarter sleeves or sleeveless for cooking.
  4. Run the load of last-minute dishes in the dishwasher, and unload before guests arrive. Start empty!
  5. Designate the coat and bag area on the front end, before they are strung out all over your house in messy piles lining the walls.
  6. Empty all trashcans.
  7. Never run out of alcohol.
  8. Nothing chills a party in a bad way than running out of ice. Have an extra bag or two in a cooler or the freezer.
  9. Be sure all doors are well lit and welcoming. The last thing you want is an ambulance at your house during a party—not festive.
  10. Change your shoes before the final cleanup at the end of the night. Your feet will thank you the next day!

Be sure to subscribe so you won’t miss next weeks food gifts, gift wrap ideas, and fabulous finds for stockings and more!

I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy about making comments or asking questions. I love getting mail! Leslie