What Fun!

Dan Aykroyd

amazing packaging

The product launch for Crystal Head Vodka at Waterfront Seafood Grill at Pier 70 in Seattle was so much fun. We had cocktails made with Crystal Head Vodka (which is amazing), incredible appetizers, learned the story behind the name (Crystal Head) and got to meet & talk to Dan Aykroyd (who is a hilarious & kind person). It was an industry event, so it was a small group of restaurant operators, owners & bartenders. He spent time talking to each of us. I laughed as some people pulled out Blues Brother's paraphernalia, and I was worried about brining my camera. I highly recommend this vodka - it is my new favorite and cannot wait to bring this into the restaurant! The packaging is perfect for this time of year as Halloween approaches!

Lunch with Dan Aykroyd

Tomorrow I will be a guest at the new Crystal Head Vodka event in Seattle. I am very excited because I am a guest at a lunch with Dan Aykroyd. I remember him from Ghostbusters when I was younger and also Saturday Night Live. His vodka comes in a skull-shaped bottle - I am interested to know what the meaning behind this is. I will give you details from the lunch..

Great Finds for Mexico

As I prepare for my trip to Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico this week; I have been busy shopping for the trip. I bought 2 amazing swimsuits from J.Crew last week (pictured above), found a new amazing organic cucumber sunscreen for the face at Julep, some cute flip flops (J.Crew), and a good book for pool side reading - these are some of my favorite purchases. I love packing & making checklists in preparation for vacations - I am looking forward to some down time.

Dwell Home Decor

I am so excited to be going to a fun event at Dwell with two of my favorite girlfriends (Rebecca & Jen) tonight. Dwell is hosting a champagne & dessert party that will probably be filled with some shopping as well. I have never been to Dwell yet but am told that I will love it. It is full of vintage finds, home furnishings & much more!

First Day of Fall: Caramel Apples

INGREDIENTS:

6 apples 1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped

caramels, unwrapped 2 tablespoons milk

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Remove the stem from each apple and press a craft stick into the top. Butter a baking sheet.
2.	Place caramels and milk in a microwave safe bowl, and microwave 2 minutes, stirring once. Allow to cool briefly.
3.	Roll each apple quickly in caramel sauce until well coated. Place on prepared sheet to set.

from Allrecipes.com 9/22/2009 Happy First Day of Fall!

Trend:Nest

I just received my October issue of Elle Decor, this is their 20 Years of Dazzling Design Special Anniversary issue - I love this magazine. It has great ideas and inspiration, although the design can be a little too modern for me in some issues I can always find something that I love. I still really like birds and nests so immediately wanted the above china from Lenox. I can just imagine a great dinner party centered around this design.

TREND: Nest
The bird theme has been consistently strong over the years, but this incarnation is more about their habitat than the Robins themselves. Branches, twigs, and flowers dominate this bone china pattern.
Chirp, $143 for four-piece setting by Lenox. Available now at Lenox.com

image and above Trend description from Elle Decor

Julep Nail Parlor

I have been wanting to visit Julep Nail Parlor in Uptown Gig Harbor since they opened and I finally went today and LOVED it! Here is a list of what makes them fabulous:

All products they use are eco friendly

Nail polish colors are all named after celebrities

Design of the nail parlor

Great pedicure - cannot wait to go back for a manicure & facial

Service from start to finish

Great membership programs - I joined the Parlor Club

Parlor Club

Enjoy one Julep Pedicure or Organic Facial each month (rolls over if unused).
Additional Julep Pedicures or Organic Facials are just $44
Fabulous member pricing on all other services.

They also have a fun event coming up in October that I am trying to get a girlfrineds together for - here are the details:

Girlfriends' Night Out for the Cure
October 21st - Gig Harbor
Each Julep Nail Parlor location will host a Girlfriends’ Night Out for the Cure on select Wednesdays in October. Attendees will enjoy mini spa treatments, a swag bag and a first glance at new Fall fashion.
Tickets are $35. A portion of ticket sales will benefit Susan G. Komen Puget Sound.

House I Love!

While on Whidbey Island over Labor Day weekend, Adam and I stumbled upon a new community being built right outside Langley (one of our favorite places). We fell in love with a house called the Osprey (pictured above) this house was designed by the Langley Builders Design Team. The cottages at The Highlands are designed by renowned architect Ross Chapin. Heis most famous for his Cottages and Small Houses. The community is called The Highlands which is designed by the Langley Builders Design Team and Ross Chapin. It has amazing views over Saratoga passage. The attention to detail, open floor plans and use of every space is what sold us. My dream is to someday move to Whidbey Island, where I spend at least 1 weekend a month and would love to be able to live in a Ross Chapin or Langley Builders Design Team designed home someday. We also had an amazing wine tasting at 2nd Street Wine Shop & dinner at Prima Bistro our last night on the island. If you have not yet visited the island, it is an amazing vacation away from reality!

Labor Day ~ Cocktail

Finlandia Pineapple Smash

1 1/2 oz Finalndia Grapefruit Fusion

1/2 oz Lime Juice

1 oz. Simple Syrup

4 Fresh Pineapple Chunks

12 Spearmint Leaves

Combine all ingredients in a rocks (9 oz) glass, stir & enjoy!

This infused vodka is one of my favorites and I cannot wait to try this recipe this weekend.

recipe courtesy of Finlandia - Tony Abou-Ganim

Silver Etched Glass Birds and Branches Laptop

My mom found this amazing decal for my Mac notebook on Etsy. I am loving birds right now and think this is a brilliant idea and at a $12 price point, quite a deal.

Clara French Ceramique - The Best in Cake Stands

I came across Clara French Ceramique while reading one of my new favorite blogs the other day - Twig & Thistle. If you are looking for an amazing show stopping cake stand, custom cake stand or dessert plates look here. I am not sure what the price point is but it one of these cake strands is on my wish list. They even do cake & cupcake stand rentals as well.

Apple Pie

My mom makes the most amazing apple pie. I had an extra case (40 pounds and 100 apples) left over from an event - so I gave them to my mom who made: apple chutney, apple preserves & apple pies. Below is her recipe for apple pie filling. (I have had several requests for this).

Apple Pie Filling

12 apples, sliced

1 1/2 C sugar

1/2 C flour

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

Mix and fill bottom crust.

2 T butter, chopped

Dot on apples before covering with top crust