We are in the midst of the Snowpocalypse here in the DC area. At our house we have at least 30 inches of snow outside. We’ve already shoveled the driveway three times and will certainly be out there again before all of this is over. It’s good exercise, I guess. But let’s be honest, shoveling is not fun!
What will make this all better, I ask myself? Hot chocolate will help. Better still? A hot chocolate bar!
Hot chocolate bars — where you can make your own custom hot cocoa with a variety of “fixings” — are becoming very popular. They are great on a snowy day at home, but even more fun at a party. Guests love the interactivity and the ability to create their favorite cooca concoction. Try it at a winter engagement party, a SuperBowl bash, or a birthday party.
Set out some mugs.
These celebrity-designed mugs are not only whimsical, but they also help raise money for Whatever it Takes, a charity to raise money to combat the most pressing issues of the 21st century.
Celebrity-designed mugs available at Neiman Marcus
Pillivuyt has such classic tableware. These extra large mugs are no exception — and would leave plenty of room for making the perfect cocoa creation.
Pillivuyt Eden extra large mug, available at Geary's
Make a few batches of hot chocolate.
A batch of regular hot cocoa for the base is a great place to start. This recipe for Creamy Hot Chocolate from Epicurious would be perfect. I’d recommend offering a couple of other bases, as well, like white hot chocolate or peppermint hot chocolate.
Provide some add-ins — offer both liquid and dry.
Dry:
Crumbled peppermint sticks
Marshmallows
Chocolate-covered marshmallows (like these from Bissinger’s)
I subscribe to a lot of e-newsletters, feeds, e-zines… you name it. One of the ones I always look forward to seeing pop in my inbox is GOOP, actress Gwyneth Paltrow’s digital collection of food, beauty, and lifestyle tips and trends. The posts are always novel, pleasantly practical, and generally inspiring. Today’s post particularly caught my eye as it featured amazing winter recipes from Big Little Get Together, a chef service in NYC. All I can say is,
What.
Could.
Be.
Better.
Than.
Eggnog.
Popsicles????
I can’t wait to try them!
eggnog popsicles (via GOOP, recipe from Big Little Get Together)
Eggnog Popsicles
Yield: a dozen popsicles
½ pound cream cheese
1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice
1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
1 ½ teaspoons nutmeg
1 cup sugar
pinch of kosher salt
2 tablespoons brandy
2 tablespoons bourbon
2 cups heavy cream whipped until just stiff
Beat the cream cheese in a standing mixer or with a whisk until completely smooth. Thoroughly stir in all of the remaining ingredients except for the whipped cream. Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Fill popsicle molds with the mixture and allow to set and freeze for at least two hours (if you don’t have popsicle molds, you can use paper cups and popsicle sticks). The texture will be semifreddo-ish.
Personal and unexpected touches can set a wedding apart and make it even more memorable for the bride & groom and their guests. Thinking through each step of the guests’ experience — down to the smallest detail like checking a coat — can help a bride create personal touches along the way for her guests to ooo and aaaahhhh over.
I absolutely adore the idea of custom coat check tags. Since we are in the colder months now, the idea is particularly appropriate as guests will need to wear and check their coats at weddings and other events.
This coat check recently featured on Style Me Pretty is stunning. Instructions for making similar tags are included on the site.
custom coat check tag featured on Style Me Pretty; photo by Corbin Gurkin
Elizabeth Anne Designs also created an adorable DIY coat tag template that is featured on her blog. This particular one shows how even black and white tags can be striking.
DIY Coat Check Tags via Elizabeth Anne Designs
A similar template for coat check tags is available on Putting the R in Mrs, a site which chronicles other beautiful DIY wedding projects, as well.
DIY coat check templates available at http://mrs.allieandjosh.org
Are you a chocoholic? Do you have friends that are chocoholics? Then you should not read further at the risk of completely falling off the wagon.
I mean, what could be more sinful and delicious than hot chocolate — on a stick!! Simply stir the chocolate into a cup of hot milk and enjoy. I love it! What a great gift these would make for the chocolate lover on your list this holiday season.
My husband and I took a last-minute trip to Massachusetts this week. We stayed in Boston the first half of the week while he attended a conference for work; the latter part of the week we’ve spent at the Inn at Castle HIll in my hometown of Ipswich.
The Inn oozes hospitality and when I was here earlier this year, it inspired me to write this post on ways to make your overnight guests feel comfortable and welcome.
On this most recent visit we were charmed by the Innkeeper’s offer to build a fire for us each evening in the main sitting room. Relaxing by the hearth in overstuffed chairs, sipping coffee and playing Scrabble, we could not have been any more at home.
So as you welcome guests into your home this Fall and Winter, be sure remember the treat a bright, crackling fire can be. Follow these simple reminders on building a great fire.
Fireplace tools are a necessity for tending to a fire. Since they are always on display in one’s home, be sure to choose not only functional but stylish sets.
Rivet Hearth Tool Set from Restoration Hardware
Wood Holder from Pilgrim Home & Hearth
Fire tool set from ACHLA Designs
Accessories like these can make your next fire even more memorable:
Wrap dried herbs in newspaper to make fragrant firestarters
