Such Pretty Things

Happy Thanksgiving!

I woke up really early this morning to start working on my flower arrangements for my Thanksgiving table. I decided on shades of pink roses this year, as I love how they look with my cream and brown transferware plates. They are arranged in mercury glass "vases" are from Target (this season).

They are actually candle and votive holders!  The trick with these is to make sure to place a smaller glass inside each one to hold your water - otherwise all the "mercury" may wash away. :-) They are the perfect height for a table arrangement since they don't block anyone's view and they are small in size - so you can keep them on the table and still have room for all that stuffing and cranberry sauce.

I am hosting this year, but I am fortunate to have lots of help from my family - the husband makes the turkey and chocolate pecan pie. My Mom is famous for her sweet potatoes (with marshmallows) and my little sister is an excellent pie maker and always helps me with the made-from-scratch stuffing!  And the girls are fabulous and creative table setters...especially if it means they will be rewarded with chocolate turkeys!

I wish you all a very, very Happy Thanksgiving!  I am thankful for each and every one of you!

XOXO

Jessica

Pretty Chanukah: Prettiest Gelt (Chocolate Coins)

If you are celebrating Chanukah this week, then you may be in need of some "gelt" (chocolate coins).  You can usually find it in the traditional gold or silver foil wrappers, but I found the prettiest, most beautifully colored gelt at World Market! Pink, aqua, purple, red, blue, mint green, etc...

LOVE it!  And it makes a gorgeous (and yummy) centerpiece when paired with this chic gold tray from West Elm!

Just fill with the coins and you have a pretty and delicious centerpiece for your Chaunukah table!

OK, now I am off to get started on Thanksgiving!  Back soon...

:-)

Jessica

Pretty Chanukah: Sufganiot (Donuts!)

I can't believe how quickly the holiday season has arrived this year!  With both Chanukah and Thanksgiving this week and Christmas and New Year's just around the corner, I feel as if I will hardly have time to catch my breath!  Can you relate?  Anyway, I am going to do my very best to fit in lots and lots of festive and creative holiday ideas!

Today, I wanted to share a super easy shortcut for making Sufganiot, the delicious jelly donuts that are traditionally served during the celebration of Chanukah. Nothing beats the real thing, but if you find yourself short on time and you're not in the mood to break out the deep fryer, these will do quite nicely.  I begin by buying fresh donuts from a fabulous bakery in my neighborhood...you may of heard of it? Dunkin' Donuts? Yes, Dunkin' Donuts! I like to buy the little Munchkins (so cute) and I find that the plain vanilla glazed ones work the best (the chocolate ones, while yummy, are just too dense to fill). Using a pastry bag fitted with a good sized round tip, make a small hole in the bottom of the donuts and gently fill with some jelly of your choice (I like raspberry). Next, make up a quick glaze of powdered sugar and milk (it should be thick, but pourable) and dip the tops of the donuts in the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off.  Immediately sprinkle with some colored sugar or sprinkles and place on some parchment or wax paper to set up. As you can imagine, these are an especially popular treat with the kiddies!  And soooo easy and inexpensive (the Munchins are only about $7 for 50!).  They make great holiday gifts, too....

XO

Jessica