Hello dear readers! I hope you are all enjoying the merriment of holiday preparations. I have not baked a single sweet and my daughter’s needlepoint stocking will (hopefully!) be finished by next year. What I have managed to cross off my Christmas to-do list is the gift wrapping and savoring of a Yueltide cocktail. ‘Tis the season!

That’s a Wrap

When it comes to gift giving, the presentation is just as important as the present, non? For ribbon, I used a wired, looks-like-silk, coral confection from Lion Ribbon that comes in a variety of classic hues. You can find anything on Amazon these days, including this ivy vine ribbon that’s perfect for zhushing up any package. The charming gift tags are from Carrie and Seash, a mother-daughter duo based in Baton Rouge. Each of their designs, from wedding suites to Christmas cards, is hand-painted in their studio.

Christmas Cocktail

It’s time to get fabulously festive with a Hambone! Mister Stuffy Muffy discovered this warm delight while doing some shopping at H. Stockton, an Atlanta tradition in men’s clothing since 1963. It turns out that it is the signature drink of Mr. Ham Stockton, the founder, and they offer Hambones to customers every holiday season. I love anything with a little history!

• 2 oz Apple Cider
• 2 oz Ginger Beer
• 1 (or 2!) oz Wild Turkey 101

Heat the apple cider in a sauce pan to desired warmth, add in ginger beer, and Wild Turkey and serve in any glass you prefer. Cheers dears!

Mirror, Mirror

My little art critic and I.

This week, Louisa and I braved the Infinity Mirrors lines at the High Museum and entered the beguiling world of artist Yayoi Kusama. The rooms are very extraordinary—awakening a sense of wonder and critical thinking simultaneously. Kusama, 88, has been grappling with mental illness for most of her life which creates an important lens to view these installations through. Some say we are living in a time when Instagram-worthy art is the only way to get the masses to a museum. I say not so—most of these installations were created in the 60s and immersive art has been around long before social media. If so? Well how wonderful that the arts are resonating with all generations!  If you have the opportunity to experience Infinity Mirrors, you must go!

Advance tickets at the High have been sold out for months, however there is hope! Approximately 100 tickets are available onsite each day through February 17. Bonne chance and bring something to read or needlepoint while you’re in those long lines!

Bon Voyage

The Kennedys in Acapulco, 1953.

I wrote a little piece for Over the Moon on how to honeymoon like history’s chicest brides. Included in the bunch are Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly, and perennial bride Elizabeth Taylor. From extravagant adventures to stateside stays, there’s a trip you’re bound to want to take (solo or with a soulmate!). Where did you honeymoon? We spent a few nights in Palm Beach during December and it was such a fun getaway.

Have a merry weekend and thank you for reading! xo

Happy weekend dears! Autumn leaves are falling, there is finally a slight chill in the air and Thanksgiving is fast approaching; what a time to be alive! Here are some fancies to usher you into the festive week ahead.

MARVELOUS MURDER

Image courtesy of 20th Century Fox.

On the Orient Express, that is. My husband and I went to see this star-packed delight last Friday and I thoroughly enjoyed it. From the cinematography, period costumes and nostalgia of a great Agatha Christie tale, Murder on the Orient Express is the perfect movie to take in with the whole family next week. No covering Grandmother’s eyes or ears, this flick is clean as a whistle!

SHOWHOUSE SPLENDOR

Image by Heidi Face.

If you live in or around Atlanta, this year’s Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Home for the Holidays Designer Showhouse looks sublime. It is open through December 10th for touring and they have plenty of fabulous events to attend as well. I’m partial to the ethereal swan and blush adorned powder room by Clary Bosbyshell of Margaux Interiors Ltd. and can’t wait to see the rest of the home!

DECADENT DESSERT

While everyone enjoys a lovely pie, I veered from tradition last Thanksgiving and made a pumpkin bread pudding and accompanying Grand Marnier caramel sauce. I don’t have photographic evidence of it so you’ll have to take my word, it was absolutely delicious and a big hit. Ready to wow with your culinary prowess on Turkey Day? Here’s how to make it:

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

via Taste Love Nourish

1 pound challah or brioche bread

2 large eggs

2 1/4 cups milk

15 ounces pumpkin puree

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

2 tablespoons butter, diced into small cubes

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

• Preheat oven to 350, grease a 9 inch baking dish.
• Cube the bread into 1 inch pieces, place them in the baking dish.
• Whisk eggs in a bowl, add milk, pumpkin, sugar, spices and salt. Mix all the ingredients to combine then pour mixture over bread.
• Dot the top of the bread with butter and walnuts.
• Bake for 40-45 minutes or until set. Allow to cool, serve warm! (Can be made ahead of time and refrigerated, win win.)

Grand Marnier Caramel Sauce

via Averie Cooks

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup water

1 teaspoon light-colored corn syrup

1/2 cup whipping or heavy cream

1 tablespoon Grand Marnier (or a little more!)

1 teaspoon salt if you prefer salted caramel

• Making this is always a bit intimidating for me! In a large saucepan add sugar, water, corn syrup and bring to a boil over high heat, whisking until sugar has dissolved.
• Allow mixture to boil for 5-12 minutes or until it turns caramel colored. Stir it occasionally, making sure the sugar mix doesn’t get on the sides of the saucepan too much to prevent crystallization.  It will most likely be smoking a little, keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t burn! Once the perfect caramel color has been achieved, reduce the heat to low.
• Ever so slowly, add in the cream which will bubble vigorously so watch out!
• Add the Grand Marnier and salt very slowly as it will bubble again then whisk until sauce is smooth. Boil it for an additional minute so it becomes thicker.
• Store in a glass heat-safe container uncovered until it reaches room temperature. Put a lid on it and it will keep for at least two weeks!

TABLE TOPIC

Image courtesy of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

Need a headline to get the Thanksgiving table conversation off of football and on to how culturally informed you are? Vincent van Gogh’s 1889 “Olive Trees” is a cautionary tale of how plein air painting conditions can go awry. It has just been discovered that there is actually a very old grasshopper stuck amongst the thick layers of paint in this work along with some flies. van Gogh was a master at his easel and an unsuspecting entomologist too! For the full story, go here.

OH BABY!

Our daughter is due to arrive any day now and I’ve finally finished her nursery in the nick of time. Above is a little sneak peek of the room, I promise to share more soon! I’m also looking forward to having some down time, or as much of that as you can have with a newborn, to work on some interesting art history and decorating posts (my favorite kind!) so stay tuned.

Wishing you all a fabulous Thanksgiving!