Lip-Smacking Good! The Final “Must Have” of Eight for Winter 2013!!!

Smores-on-a-Stick-3

The eighth and final “Must Have” for Winter 2013 are lip-smacking but simple snacks!  If it’s just you, yourself and I or if you have an entire heard to feed these munchies will be yummy to everyone’s tummy!!!  Don’t forget the presentation of your scrumptious snacks is just important as the treat itself. If you are having a party for one be kind to yourself and put a little effort into the arrangement of your goodies. It goes without saying, if you are having friends or family over, staging your snacks is key to the overall vibe of your event – no matter how casual or grand your get-to-gather may be, remember it’s all about the appearance.

If you pride yourself in your culinary abilities or if you pat yourself on the back for being able to make popcorn I promise, you will be happy with the following ideas and so will everyone else!

Weelicious is a fantastic and over-the-top creative site for delicious, yet easy to follow recipes.  Here are a few amazing ideas for this winter!!!

photo 1

 Next, are some of my favorite snacks from Trader Joe’s and everyone loves them. 

  1. TJ’s Pizzas are great on a cold night and are super easy to pop in the oven!  After the pizza is cooked simply cut it into small slices and believe me, if you are entertaining several people, the slices will be gone before you can pop the next pizza into the over!!!
  2. Raisin Rosemary Crisps are great with cheeses and dips and are a little more unexpected than the normal, ho-hum cracker!
  3. The Three Layer Hummus by TJ’s will bring a little spice to your palate! It’s great with veggies or small pitas or pita chips.
  4. The last favorite item from TJ’s is their fantastic selection of cheeses!  My mouth is watering just thinking about their options – make sure you try the Italian Truffle Cheese – OMG it’s amazing!!!

photo

Speaking of cheese…next is a cheese board! If you have always loved cheese boards but are not sure how to put one together you can easily follow the example board posted! The more comfortable you become with boards you can begin to add meats, pastes, honey and various olives!

photo 1-1

photo 2-1

Last are just a few tools to help make your snack presentation gorgeous! All the items are from Crate & Barrel and obviously they have hundreds of other options for you to choose from.  From top to bottom: Olivewood Cheese Board (small slices of pizza would work on this as well.), Set of Six Cheese Markers, Set of Three Cheese Tools and Large Rectangle Slate Board.

photo 2

Looking for great cheeseboards & tools?  Check out some of these great options:

Wood Cheese Board: Click Here

Slate Cheese Board: Click Here

Cheese Board Tools: Click Here

I’d love to hear from you! What are your favorite but easy to make winter snacks?  I’m always looking for new ideas so leave me a comment below or follow me on one of the social network sites below and share your ideas!

Keep Dreaming Designing & Dwelling!

Cheers!

Cortney Bailey

Twitter ll @CortneyBailey

Pinterest ll CortneyBailey

Facebook ll Dream Design Dwell

Let There Be Light! The Seventh “Must Have” of Eight for Winter 2013!

candlelit

The seventh “Must Have” for this winter season is pretty simple, candles!  Who does not love a great candle?  Not only do they make fantastic gifts, everyone looks like a super model in a candle lit room! If you want to bring a cozy feeling and achieve the look of warmth into your environment during the winter months, then crab your matches and light a candle.

Ideally, I’d love to fill my home with dozens and dozens of candles without having a fire risk, but since that is not possible here is an easy tip.  I like to purchase flameless candles and use them in the background or place them in  gorgeous votives like mercury glass.  Then, I use one good candle in each room of my home to give my “wonderland” a heavenly scent that is not too overpowering. I accomplish the perfect effect without much risk – this is especially important if you have kids, pets or are throwing a holiday party – no fire risk – perfecto!!!

Most of the candles shown in this post were found at Anthropologie, Target or Candle Delirium.  The rest can be found at unique boutiques.  Costco and Target offer good selections for flameless candles!

photo 4

Capri Blue from Anthropologie 

photo 2

Flameless Candles great selections at Target & Costco

photo 5

Aquiesse from Candle Delirium 

photo 1Melt a Target Exclusive 

photo 3

Voluspa from Candle Delirium 

I would love to hear from you!!! Leave me a comment below or on any of the social media sites I’ve listed below and let me know your favorite candle!  I am always looking for new ideas.

Keep Dreaming Designing & Dwelling!

Cheers!

Cortney Bailey

Twitter ll @CortneyBailey

Pinterest ll CortneyBailey

Facebook ll Dream Design Dwell

The First “Must Have” of Eight for Your Winter Home 2013 – You’re Welcome!

Wreath_6

You don’t have to roll out the “Red Carpet” to make a great impression but you do have to make a great first impression! Your front door really does set the tone to the rest of your home sweet home!

My first must have for Winter 2013 is a fresh doormat! No matter if you are pinching pennies or have a bottomless budget you can make this happen!  I promise you, you want all visitors, family, friends and even your delivery person to actually feel welcomed to your home and not think … “oh well” when they set foot on your threshold.

Your home can be perfectly pristine inside but if your doormat is faded or unraveling your first impression may be a flop. Let’s not let that happen!  Here are a few ideas for all budgets:

Target‘s Mohawk Home Koora Circles: $9.99:

13795276

Amazon $36.00:

1-Welcome

Frontgate‘s  Lion Crest Monogram Starts at $99.50 & up:

thumb.php

I’d love to see your doormats!  Whether they are traditional, seasonal, DYI etc … show me and leave your comments below!

Cheers!

Cortney Bailey

Twitter ll @CortneyBailey

Pinterest ll CortneyBailey

Facebook ll Dream Design Dwell

Top 8 “Must Have” Items to Make Your Home Ready for Winter 2013!

images

The Winter Season means something different to everyone!  Maybe you are looking forward to January 1st when you can start fresh with new goals or perhaps your kiddos will be home for two to four weeks for winter break.  Maybe you celebrate Hanukah or Christmas and are looking forward to entertaining family and friends or you simply love to cuddle up by the fire during the plummeting temperatures … or if you are like me who grew up in Northern Texas where it snows and freezes but you now live in Southern California you find any excuse to light a fire and buddle-up in a cozy blanket and create your own winter!

Over the next eight blog posts I will list the top eight items to have to make your home ready for Winter 2013!  No matter if you just want to have your home ready for yourself and a couple friends or if you are having a huge winter bash these eight items will leave your home memorable and inviting!

Cheers!

Cortney Bailey

Follow Me:

Twitter ll @CortneyBailey

Pinterest ll CortneyBailey

Facebook ll Dream Design Dwell