The Holidays are Coming!

Thanksgiving is over and I started the week in full panic mode. Will I have enough work this month? What to get my family for Christmas, not to mention the two December birthdays??!! When to go get the tree and all the decorations out of storage? It is enough to get anybody's heart racing!

Relax and let us assist you in planning a special party or just the holiday dinner...

1. Plan ahead! It saves time and money. Plan on what you will make yourself, what you will buy prepared and what you will ask others to bring. Or better yet, call a caterer!
2. Clean and decorate the house prior to any event you are having. I always clean the house (or have a housekeeper or service come) the day before. Then, I arrange my flowers or orchids based on my party presentation. It saves as lot of time the day of when you are trying to cook and do last minute errands. Plus, you haven't even showered yet!
3. Rent glassware and dishes! For a nominal price, you can have all the glasses matching (for once!) and not have to do the dishes! You can even rent a fabulous linen to give instant Holiday charm to your room! If you plan on using the fine china, definitely hire someone to assist with the dishes. I started out in high school as a hostess helper and see what happened?!
4. Keep it simple! If you plan on doing all the planning, shopping, & cooking yourself, you owe it to yourself to streamline. Don't forget the music-program the IPOD and forget about it! For cocktail parties, wine and champagne, and one signature drink. Don't do a full bar unless you have hired a bartender. If not, your husband will be serving drinks all night-and he won't be happy! Simple Artisanal cheeses, fruit and desserts are easy to assemble ahead of time and perfect for a small cocktail party. Or, make some great soup and serve it in mugs with fresh baked bread! Yum!
5. Enjoy! My job is really to let the hostess be a guest at her own party. How many times have you done everything for a party and REALLY enjoyed yourself? You know that anyone who arrives early for your party gets to open wine and arrange plates of crackers. You were replenishing the smoked salmon when you should have been enjoying that glass of wine, instead, you can't remember where you left it! P.S. Your kitchen is a pigsty, your feet hurt and your husband went to bed... Happy Holidays!

Celebration of Life

We recently catered a gorgeous garden party in honor of author, Joan Ryan. She was promoting her latest novel, "The Water Giver, The Story of a Mother, a Son, and Their Second Chance". Family and friends gathered on this beautiful evening (under a spectacular oak tree!) to celebrate and to listen to an excerpt from the book. It was very moving, since this was about Ms. Ryan and her family's journey after her son's near-fatal skateboarding crash. As a parent, I was very moved and plan to read the book immediately. The publishing date is today-I'm not Oprah, but this is a must-read.

FOOD FASHIONISTA ORIGINAL RECIPE

FABULISH!

A drizzly day in the organic garden at San Domenico School didn't keep the 9th grade girls out of the kitchen!

The girls spent a wet day gleaning the gardens of Star Route Farms in Bolinas, then returning with gorgeous cases of red & yellow chard and baby kale. They continued to forage the school garden, with their trusty PreK assistant, Milan. They all returned bearing gifts of leeks and assorted herbs. Along with a few simple ingredients that I brought along, we were looking at the makings of a fine soup! Those who didn't forage, washed their ingredients meticulously, then all went to a post of either julienning the greens, slicing the leeks, de-stemming the herbs, or grating the Parmigiano-Reggiano. When all jobs were completed, we all gathered around Chez San Domenico (just a really cool island in the middle of the garden with a propane stove and electricity!) We made a simple pesto out of gathered Italian parsley, Curly parsley, Sage & Savory, Extra Virgin Olive Oil , the grated parmesan, garlic confit & black pepper. Sorry, no nuts-SD is a nut-free zone. We wizzed it up in the RoboCoupe and set that aside. On our stove we did 2 large pans, since we were making soup for 25 people and fast, normally it would be done in one big pot! Mr. Mello, a Sophmore teacher, was along for the class and he was in awe of all the goings on in the kitchen! The girls set upon melting butter and sauteed the leeks in one pan and then some olive oil in the other to saute the chard/kale combo. We deglazed both pots with water (a few Veggies were among us-but no matter!) and brought them to a slow boil. The leek broth simmered first and to that we added a package of potato gnocchi and brought that back up for a few minutes. We then added the 2 pots together, stirred in our wonderful pesto, adjusted for salt & pepper and soup was served! Literally from start to finish, this soup took 30 minutes and the gals were ready for something to warm them up-even Milan was in line for her soup! I will post the recipe next, since you got the prepartion above, but there are a few additions that I made when I made the soup for my family just hours later. My husband is NOT a vegetarian, so we added Italian sausage, diced tomatoes, red chile flakes and store bought pesto (15 minutes it took me!). This was Slow Food that is FAST! Enjoy with some hot crusty bread. Thanks to Shelley Flint, the campus Sustainability Director, for arranging a wonderful day together! Ciao Bella!

Chard Soup

1 head of Chard, julienne

2 leeks, finely sliced

2 T butter (or olive oil)

1/2 pound Italian sausage (optional)

(saute everything together)

4 c. Chicken stock or water

4 Roma tomatoes, diced or 1 can diced tomatoes) (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

(deglaze)

1 package of potato gnocchi

(bring to boil)

1/2 c prepared pesto or see recipe below

1 T red chile flakes (optional)

(stir into soup, maybe use more or less to taste)

Serve and Enjoy!

Pesto

2 cups assorted herbs (basil, parsley, sage, savory or any combo)

2 cups grated Parmesan

1/2 cup garlic confit ( garlic and olive oil that have been simmered together for 5 minutes) or 1/4 c raw garlic

1 cup Extra Virgin Olive oil

1/2 cup water to thin, if necessary (more or less)

1 cup nuts (optional) (pinenuts, almonds, pistachios, anything!)

2 T black pepper.

Put into a Cuisinart or blender and blend until smooth

It's a Beautiful Day!

Welcome 44th President of the United States,

Barack Obama! (and his fabulous family!!!)

Both parties came together today to honor our new President elect,

Change is coming........

Luxe Birthday Boys

My husband Jeff will stay warm and stylish in this Royal Navy Duffel Coat from National Geographic. Who said December birthdays weren't fabulous?!!www.shop.nationalgeographic.com

Candy Time

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Celebrate your golden summer by filling large clear glass vases {I love all three} with lemon drops for your next get-together. Have them close at hand for a burst of sweetness for your sun-kissed friends!!

Inspiration!

Click here for dinner done divine. Love the dual tables. So casually chic!

Inspired Invitations

I'm getting ready to take a vacay next week with my husband and the kiddies. Milan and Luca love parties and so I was inspired to post this most fabulish link. Click here to get started with the CUTEST invitations!

{While away, I might have to throw an Everyone's Birthday with all our friends. That's where everyone gets a gift and everyone gets to blow out the candles!!!}

A Little Inspiration a la Fourth

I couldn't resist! These BR red chain sandals are so patriotically cool and easy on wallet!! LOVE!

Golden Summer: So Luxe

Click here and order edible gold powder!! You won't be able stand it. This is real 23k gold and it is sheer bliss!

Here's what you can do: Spinkle over fresh berries or wet the rim of your champagne flute and then dip into a saucer of this absolute divinity.

This is the Bella Luxe life, dahlings!!

Golden Summer: Punky Table

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Here's how to add a touch of Melrose Ave. streety style to your table. Take a bold black-and-white runner, like the one shown above from cb2, and pair it with white plates and chunky, jewelry-like flatware for a big heaping dose of glam!

More Golden Summer: What to Tile

I'm just SO into the ultra luxe feel of these gold Ann Sacks tiles -- they look like bars of gold!! These are in a bathroom but can go in kitchen for pure divinity. Chefs deserve the best!

Parting Thought

I received this story and it touched me. So, for Father's Day I wanted to share it with you.

"Last week I was in Atlanta , Georgia attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen. Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camos.

As they began heading to their gate, everyone (well almost everyone)was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded an d cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red-blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.

Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal. Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women, a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said 'hi.'

The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her. The young soldier, who didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek. The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter's name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now.

As the mom was explaining how much her daughter Courtney missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up. When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military-looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.

After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, 'I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you.' He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying 'your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon.'

The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet, he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event. As the soldiers began t o leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause.

As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek. We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an American."

More Inspiration: Refined Meets Organic-Rustic

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Oh this is so West Coast luxey! Here's why pairing contrasting materials is just divine: Set a summer table with these cheerfully hautey crystal wine glasses by William Yeoward with SF-style hand-thrown plates from Heath. Together, the interplay of contrasts makes each style sparkle more!

{What to serve: Sip organic wine from Napa Valley with your favorite Farmers' Market veggies, potatoes, and organic chickens fresh from the grill.}

Inspiration: Organic Meets Urban

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Contrasting materials is what sparks interest and ignites intrigue. So, pair super-earthy wooden serving bowls with this festive-yet-refined tablecloth by Missoni. This is West Coast luxe living!

What to Give: For the Fashion Forward

Every good man needs a good hat. And these delicious numbers, by Bailey, are dipped in the silver sparkle of West Coast movie star glamour. Disarmingly desirable!

The White Party: What to Vessel

Wouldn't Jonathan Alder's goddess-like Intaglio pitchers be so perfect for pouring your white iced tea?!

Be Inspired Tip

Do something nice for a friend or loved one or a neighbor.... just because!

Some ideas:

> Bake cookies { ~I'm so inspired lately by Pierre Herme's ultra French cookies~ }

> Deliver an unexpected meal

> Drop off fresh cut flowers from your yard with a hand-drawn card from your kids

Anything is always appreciated!