Ideas & Tips

We have previously discussed on this blog how to set up an at-home bar cart to add to your decor and enhance your entertaining. One of the most exciting parts about setting up a bar cart is that you can style it according to the seasons. As the mercury starts to dip and the leaves begin to change color, it's the perfect time to bring your beverage area from summer to fall.  Here are some tips: Add a touch of nature: If you live in an area where the foliage changes colors, collect some lovely fall leaves and frame them in...

Although technically made-from-scratch aioli is just flavored mayonnaise, it's a far cry from what you'll find in a bottle at the supermarket. Serve it on gourmet sandwiches or as a dip with crudités, good bread or French fries. The best part: Aioli is easy for anyone to make at home in the comfort of their own kitchen! Real Simple magazine explains that aioli's unique creamy texture is the result of emulsification. That's when two liquids that naturally repel each other, such as oil and vinegar, are whisked together until they are combined. By adding one substance to the other in...

An ice cream social is one of the easiest and most fun parties you can throw, especially during the hot summer months! Here are our top tips for a successful and sweet bash that guests of all ages are sure to love:  Flavors: Offer guests at least a few flavors to choose from, such as vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. Offbeat flavors like pistachio can also be fun! If you have any guests with special dietary restrictions, try to offer something they can eat as well.  Ice cream cups: Be sure to purchase attractive-yet-sturdy dishware like these lovely ice cream cups! Stainless...

Food industry experts agree: the days when ketchup, mustard and mayo were the only sauces you were expected to provide are long gone. According to Food Product Design magazine, incorporating more complex "gourmet" sauces into home cooking is becoming more popular, and therefore, "chefs and product developers are showing [condiments] as much respect as they do anything else they put on the plate." For a more compelling condiment experience this holiday season, consider serving up some of these less-common sauces: Chimichurri: A tangy, zesty, sweet-and-sour sauce from Argentina made with chopped parsley, vinegar and red pepper flakes, this sauce is...

It's the middle of winter, your garden is frozen, and the herbs you can get in the grocery store just aren't cutting it anymore. What's an herb lover to do? You might think you would need an elaborate indoor lighting setup to grow herbs indoors during the winter, but fortunately, all you really need is a spot that gets a good amount of light and the right knowledge and techniques. Here are some tips to get you started: Start out with a strong plant. If the plant you choose already has brown or wilted leaves before you even bring it home,...