A Little Holiday Help: Gift Ideas For Family Archetypes

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I was a little inspired by Project Soiree's fabulous gift guides. In general, I find gift guides to be unhelpful, but Sara's are spot-on, budget friendly, and easy on the eyes (read: BEAUTIFUL).

So, I did it. Look, I even put little wreaths around everything, so you know I mean business. I can't guarantee that my list will solve all of your holiday gifting problems, but it will help you identify a quick and easy gift for each most types of people in your family (except the kids... I don't have any of those).

For the cocktail queen:
The Oggi Moscow Mule Copper Mug Set is perfect for your family member who makes everything from hot whiskey apple cider to frosty moscow mules. Plus, if you're staying the night, you might just get to imbibe as well!

For the king of the kitchen:
The Thug Kitchen Cookbook is downright hilarious, and it will amuse your least conservative cooks. Written by author of the Thug Kitchen blog, it is filled with sarcasm. That brother of yours who likes to cook but won't be caught dead reading a Barefoot Contessa cookbook? This is for him.

For the game lover:
It seems that most people are already playing Cards Against Humanity, so gifting a Cards Against Humanity Expansion Pack can make the game entirely new. Have a family member who isn't already the proud owner of the game? Get the game, itself, here.

For the classic host:
In case you're lost on the perfect gift for your favorite host, try this Jonathan Adler Lantern Vase, which is classic. It can be used year round, as it's perfect for everything from a bundle of spring peonies to a white-as-snow Christmas mantle.

For the wine aficionado:
For your favorite wino who already has all the techy wine gadgets, try gifting this Trademark Innovations Lasso Rope Wine Bottle Holder. It looks so real that their guests might just insist on touching it to be sure!

**Disclaimer: I do not get paid for suggesting these gifts, but if you do make a purchase, it is an affiliate link and thus a small (seriously, small) percentage of it will go toward supporting this blog.**

Long Live The Art of Brunch

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This is a season of re-adjustment for me, as we have moved to a completely new city and I have begun a new season of my career. 

Part of my adjustment, thank God, has involved lots and lots of brunch.

When we were living in Chicago and life was a lot more hectic, brunch was undoubtedly a 'thing.' Warm or cold, we would venture out to some of our favorite brunch spots and take our seats to be served a delicious meal. It was always a highlight of the weekend.

But, as I am growing into my new life, I am learning something.

 There is something incredibly intimate about a leisurely brunch at home, 

whether it is just you and your significant other, 

or you are hosting for family and friends.

I love it...

...the silverware and bowls that are uniquely yours, gifts from loved ones and significant people in your life

...the prosecco cork still sitting on the table, adding to the experience of knowing you are in a comfortable and private place 

...the bacon that is prepared just the way your loved ones like it (...hopefully)

...the coaster with your monogram on it

...the entire bottle of bubbly sitting at your table, allowing you to serve yourself - or choose not to - without fanfare, and without finding a server to place an order

...the ability to completely disregard time, to talk about whatever you want without having strangers nearby, to have intimate conversations uninterrupted by a water refill or being handed the check

I don't want the art of brunch to die. 

The art of hosting, of creating an experience for the people you love. 

The time invested in a delicious table full of food, 

and the leisurely experience of taking as long as you freaking want to eat it. 

Cheers to that.

Red-Skin Potato, Chives, and Chevre "Pie" Casesrole

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On Sunday night, my mom brought me a bag of red-skin potatoes. I wasn't quite sure what to do about this, because I'm not really a potato person. 

But then I started cutting them up. I sliced them into small, 1/4inch thick rounds, and they were quite beautiful. And suddenly they weren't just weirdly shaped red masses. They were a gourmet meal!

Also, in case you were wondering, yes, this recipe is proof that one should always have chevre on hand. It's just math. A girl's gotta do it.

Red-Skin Potato, Chives, and Chevre Casserole

Prep time: 10 Minutes

Cook time: 60 Minutes

Servings: Makes 6

Ingredients:

• 4-5 medium Red-Skin potatoes. (This will also work with ANY potatoes, so feel free to experiment and know that you are safe!)
• 4oz Chevre (Any crumbly cheese, like goat or feta, will do)
• 1 tbsp Minced Garlic
• 1 tbsp Chopped Chives
• 2 tbsp Mixed Shredded Cheese (Any shredded, meltable cheese will work)
• 1 tbsp Dried Oregano (You can substitute any Italian seasoning here)
• 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• 1 cup Milk
• 1 Egg

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375.
2. Slice potatoes into 1/4 inch thick rounds. Layer half of the potatoes into a greased pan (I used a circular cake pan), overlapping slightly. 
3. Layer half of the goat cheese on top, dispersing evenly throughout the pan. Sprinkle some dried oregano, sea salt, and black pepper on top.
4. Add a second layer of potatoes.
5. Layer the rest of the goat cheese on top, and sprinkle with oregano, sea salt, and black pepper again. Add minced garlic, dispersing evenly on top of the potatoes.
6. In a separate bowl, combine milk and egg and whisk until well combined. Gently pour evenly over the casserole.
7. Top with mixed shredded cheese, and then sprinkle chopped chives on top.
8. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until mixed shredded cheese begins to brown.' 
9. Let sit for 15-20 minutes before serving (it will be HOT HOT HOT!).

Note: For a large family party, you can double this recipe and cook in a very large cake pan.

Healthy Holiday and Pumpkin Recipes

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Halloween is over. Over, I dare say! I know, some of you are already busting out your fuzzy green and red socks, watching Elf, and drinking hot chocolate. Which is fine. Because I'm totally planning to do that, too.

But... let's give Thanksgiving its due attention, my friends! With these healthy recipes, you can enjoy the Thanksgiving festivities without the guilt! Eat away, my friends!

Last year, I did a Pumpkin recipe series and a Healthy Holidays recipe series. That means we've got twice the amount of food to work with! Here's an overview of those delicious meals:

Pumpkin Recipe Series

[Click on each dish for the recipe and more photos!]

Healthy Holiday Series