Let’s Mingle & Jingle–Holiday Progressive Dinner Blog Hop

December 13, 2018

Don’t you just love entertaining during the holidays? I sure do! Today I’m joining a few of my blogging friends for the final installment of our Virtual Progressive Dinner Blog Hop. Throughout the year we’ve shared easy recipes, tabelscape inspiration and fun party ideas with you. Today we’re celebrating the holiday season with the Holiday Mingle & Jingle Blog Hop.

If you missed any of this entertaining series, you can find the other seasonal posts by clicking these links…Spring Floral Fiesta, Summer Backyard Bash and Flavors Of Fall.

If you’re coming over from Positively Southern, welcome. Tamrya’s main course pork tenderloin looks so good and is the perfect hardy dish for a holiday gathering.

fyi–If you need to join the Mingle & Jingle party from the beginning, you’ll find all the stops on the blog hop below and at the end of this post.

Now, who’s ready for dessert?

When I was picked to host the dessert portion of the Mingle & Jingle dinner, I panicked for a minute. You see, me and kitchens are not the best of friends. As a designer, I love to design and decorate kitchens but I’m not a fan of cooking in them. So what’s a designer to do when it’s time to whip up a yummy holiday dessert? Get creative and decorate her dessert!

Crazy Confetti Christmas Cake

My Crazy Confetti Christmas Cake was super easy to make and would be a fun activity to share with kids.

The first thing I did was pick up a plain frosted white cake from Publix. Then I popped into Target and bought candy canes, honeycomb ball cake topper and old-fashioned Christmas candy. I already had the mini bottle brush trees on hand.

Once home, I unwrapped 6 candy canes, put them in a zip lock bag and crushed them into small pieces to make confetti candy cane mix. Next I sprinkled the confetti candy canes around the top edge of the cake.

And then I decorated the top of the cake with candy canes and other holiday pieces. I wanted my cake to be fun and crazy so all the pieces are a bit off-center.

Once I had the cake decorated, I knew I wanted to dress up the cake stand. I cut strips of ribbon and taped them to the top of the stand to make it more festive. This is such a simple and easy trick you could use anytime you’re serving cake at a party.

After the cake stand was decorated and I had the cake in place, I decided to take my crazy cake over the top. I sprinkled old-fashioned Christmas candy around the base of the cake and called it done.

I think my cake is ready for a holiday party!

Now that I’ve tantalized your sweet tooth, it’s time to bring this party to a close. Head over to Atta Girl Says to check out the fun hostess gifts and party favors Amy created. She really knows how to end a party on a high note. And be sure to hop over to each of the participating blogs and Mingle & Jingle with them.

MINGLE & JINGLE PROGRESSIVE DINNER BLOG HOP

Cocktail Hour—Viva La Vintage For Your Home

Appetizer—M. Jones Style

Tablescape-–Home On Poplar Creek

Main Course—Positively Southern

Dessert–ConfettiStyle (yours truly)

Hostess Gifts & Party Favors—Atta Girl Says

Thanks for stopping by the blog today. I’ve got more holiday inspiration posts planned for you as we count down to Christmas so be sure to check in each day. Or better yet, subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss a post!

Inspiration Notebook | May 2017

May 4, 2017

You might have noticed that I didn’t share my inspiration notebook with you last month. Last month was a blur and I just didn’t have time to pull it together. Things are still crazy busy but I did manage to log an insert in my inspiration notebook this month. I enjoy taking the time to pull these pages together and recognize the things around me that provide inspiration.

When I looked at the calendar the other day, I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that it is May. We’re almost half way through the year and I’m already exhausted just thinking about everything thing I want to accomplish before the year ends. While I can’t control the future, I can enjoy today so the pages in my notebook for May are filled with things I’m enjoying on a daily basis. Here’s a look at what’s inspiring me in work, home and my personal life. Enjoy!

♦♦♦

DESIGNING: I’m hoping that a new design client I’m working with will love this Gabby Clay Chandelier as much as I do. It’s the inspiration for the entire dining room.

READING: I couldn’t wait to find dive into this gorgeous entertaining book, Veranda Entertaining. It was everything I expected and more–beautiful images, inspiring ideas and drool worthy tablescapes. One of my top 10 design books ever!

RELAXING: I haven’t been sleeping well lately so I’m trying to make sure I spend time winding down at the end of the day. The Nest Blue Garden Candle is my go-to spring candle scent that helps me to relax and unwind.

INSPIRED BY: I’ve been seeing lots of floral arrangements in old wood boxes popping up on Pinterest. I love the look for a spring and summer tablescape.

LISTENING: Most days when I’m at my desk working I have jazz music or a podcast playing. The Clever Podcasts are a favorite and every episode has great takeaways for career and life.

CRAFTING: I love crafting and recently I’ve been drawn back to jewelry making in my spare time. One of my new sources for unique chain/hardware is my local lighting store for chandelier chain.

SHOPPING: We’ve got a cruise planned for early September and I’ve already started shopping for a dress to wear on formal night. I’m channeling my inner Carolina Herrera and thinking of pairing a crisp white shirt with this Red Floral Ball Skirt or this Black Floral Ball Skirt. Which would you choose??

LOVING: Just when I thought BaubleBar had it all they come out with these super cute Caicos Pom Pom Earrings.

CRAVING: Now that fruit season is here, I’m loving my morning meal–yogurt and fruit parfait. My ingredients include plain vanilla yogurt, granola, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. Yum!

MAY INSPIRATION NOTEBOOK | 2017

♦♦♦

Easy Summer Dessert: Sweet & Southern Fruit Calzone

July 7, 2016

One of the best things about summer is all the sweet fruit that is in season. I love it all but peaches, nectarines and blackberries are three of my favorite summer fruits.

After signing up for the Blog Life University Conference, I learned about the Sweet & Southern Dessert Recipe Contest sponsored by Dixie Crystals (more details on how you can enter below). I decided to try my hand at creating a unique dessert recipe using my favorite summer fruits and entering it into the contest. Now folks, I don’t cook a lot and definitely don’t bake much so any recipe I created had to be super easy and not require a lot of ingredients.

After some pondering, I decided to go totally southern and combine biscuits and my favorite summer fruits and created a Sweet & Summer Fruit Calzone recipe.

Yum! If I must say so myself, my little dessert recipe turned out great and is a perfect treat during summer.

♦♦

Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe

SWEET & SOUTHERN FRUIT CALZONE

Ingredients:

1 16 oz. can of large Pillsbury Grands Flaky Biscuits (I told you this was an easy recipe)

2 Fresh Peaches (anyone else smell their peaches to find the best ones?)

2 Fresh Nectarines (firm but not hard is best)

1 cup fresh blackberries, sliced

1/2 c Dixie Crystals brown sugar

1 egg white

2 to 3 tbsp. of Dixie Crystals granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine peaches, nectarines, blackberries and brown sugar
Using a rolling pin, roll each biscuit to a 6-7 inch circle. Scoop fruit and brown sugar mixture on one side of a flattened biscuit. *cute rolling pin from Anthropologie not required but helpful
Fold each biscuit over and using a fork seal the edges (like the pros do on The Chew)
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place fruit calzones approx. 1/2″ apart
Lightly wisk egg white and coat the top of each calzone
Generously sprinkle on granulated sugar to coat the surface
Bake approx. 20 minutes or until golden brown
Enjoy (alone or with a scoop of your favorite ice cream)!

So do you want to know how you can get in on the contest fun and win a ticket to Blog Life University?

All you have to do is create a unique recipe around this year’s theme of Sweet and Southern Dessert. The only rule is to create a unique recipe that uses at least 1 tablespoon of sugar. Don’t delay because the contest ends at midnight 7/10/16. All winners will be secretly notified by 7/19/16 so don’t wait to get your conference ticket. The official Grand Prize winner will be announced during the Dixie Crystal’s Sweet Spa Reception Friday night. Full contest rules can be found here.

#sweetandsouthern

Favorite Posts, Pins and Products of the week.

July 2, 2016

Hooray for long weekends! We’re off visiting family and out to-do list includes lots of R & R, s’mores and maybe even and outdoor movie.

Enjoy your weekend friends and my round-up of favorites from the week.

♦♦

FAVORITE POSTS

Such a cute and clever way to use cutting boards as part of a tablescape.

There are a lot of homes that take my breath away but this one is truly my dream house.

design by Establish Design, photos by Joshua Caldwell

♦♦

FAVORITE PINS

I’ve been on the hunt for an easy no-bake summer dessert recipe and this Key Lime Cheesecake is it.

One of the most popular boards on my Pinterest page is dedicated to creative gift wrap ideas. One of my favorite ideas is using vintage jewelry to adorn a gift. So simple, yet so stunning.

♦♦

FAVORITE PRODUCTS

Even though I’m way past my teen years, I love shopping Pottery Barn Teen for unique home decor and gift items. I spotted this gorgeous bamboo wall shelf the other day and couldn’t believe the price. This would look amazing hanging in a bathroom.

Have you ever googled ‘cute beach towels’? I did and came up with some really, really cute finds. This personalized greek key design is just one of my faves from Haymarket Designs.

These Fabric Wrapped Terracotta Vases are great for colorful summer flower arrangements.

If you’re looking to do some shopping this weekend, check out these great sales.

Add’l 30% off sale items at Anthropologie

Up to 70% off at Wayfair on all product categories

ASOS has become one of my favorite online shops and this weekend you can save up to 50% off

20% off at Rifle Paper Co. It’s a great time to stock up on their beautiful gift wrap

40% off your purchase (including sale items) at the Gap

Everything at Old Navy is on sale–up to 60% off

Extra 50% off at Banana Republic

What’s Trending in 2016–10 Picks For The New Year

January 2, 2016

I spent some time on Pinterest over the holidays and while surfing, I stumbled across the board Pinterest 100 for 2016. The board highlights 100 trending lifestyle, fashion, food and style pins from the most influential Pinners on Pinterest. Today I’m sharing 10 of these trending pins to give you a glimpse at what will be red-hot in the new year.

The Pinterest 100: Style; Game-changing throwback sneaks like the Stan Smith gold toe by Adidas are all the rage.

{I love an old school sneaker especially when it’s been updated with a touch of glam. p.s. After some searching, it seems like this sneaker is sold out everywhere}

The Pinterest 100: Tech; Bridge the gap between music, design and technology with chic speakers in warm metallic hues.

{ We got the Amazon Echo as a Christmas gift and I must say it’s a pretty slick gadget}

The Pinterest 100: Fitness & health; “No excuses” workouts that you can fit into any schedule.

{I’ve already started making this a morning routine}

The Pinterest 100: Home; Add a touch of warmth and richness with gilded metallic wallpaper.

{Wallpaper continues to make a strong comeback}

The Pinterest 100: Art & design; “Who knew coloring for grown-ups would make a resurgence? I love the idea of getting creative and all of the health benefits that coloring provides. It’s so relaxing!” – Pinner Amy Anderson

{I’m got to coloring books I’m working on and not only is it really relaxing, but it’s a great source for inexpensive artwork too}

The Pinterest 100: Style; Modern “mom jeans” making a comeback. “The skinny jean has ruled denim for the last five years, but this year, all kinds of fresh shapes are gaining ground,” said Pinpolyee and Stylist Larkin Brown. “One of the most popular styles is the Mom jean, a high-rise straight leg with a relaxed fit. While you may think the last thing you need is another pair jeans, changing up your denim style can make a go-to outfit feel brand new.”

{I’m not a fan of the high waist but I’m loving the look of these more relaxed jeans}

The Pinterest 100: Fitness & health; Brain hacks to improve your mental fitness.

{What you think you achieve}

The Pinterest 100: Style; Hands free bags. Belt bag is the new fanny pack.

{A fashion trend I’m loving, especially for flea market days}

The Pinterest 100: Fitness & health; Healing your hair with DIY masks.

{Good for your hair and money saving–double win}

The Pinterest 100: Style; “The new richness with no rules… This trend is all about mixing patterns, embroideries, colors and fabrics,” said Pinner Paul Lowe. “It looks so effortless and fresh.”

{this is one trend that’s not for everyone–pattern mix responsibly my friends}

♦♦♦

You can check out all 100 of the 2016 trending Pins here.

Easy Holiday Appetizers

December 18, 2015

Easy Holiday Appetizers

With Love From Kat

Like me, I know many of you will have family staying with you for Christmas. Since cooking isn’t on my favorites list, I’m always on the hunt to simple and quick snacks and appetizers I can whip up. I look for recipes that use food items I keep on hand so a run to the grocery store is not needed.

Here are FIVE of my favorite holiday appetizers that will be on rotation at my house in the coming days.

This recipe had me at mozzarella and smoked and there’s nothing more satisfying than a warm, gooey cheese dip on a cold day.

Smoked Mozzarella via Love Grows Wild

I love a classic ham and cheese sandwich and these sliders are the perfect bite size treat for a casual lunch.

Ham & Cheese Sliders via The Girl Who Ate Everything

Alone or as a side dish with dinner, these petite potato bites are as cute as they are delicious.

Loaded Hasselback Potato Bites via The Comfort of Cooking

These prosecution bites are the perfect combination of sweet and savory.

Cranberry Brie Prosciutto via The Brunette Baker

Everybody loves meatballs and this classic pineapple infused recipe is the best.

Pineapple Meatball Poppers via Cooking and Beer

I’ll be back tomorrow with more holiday cheer!

Inspiration {plus links you’ll love}

July 4, 2015

Our 4th has started out with rain but I’m hoping things clear up by this evening so the fireworks don’t get cancelled.

While I’m indoors with my stack of mags, I’ll be thinking about this cute outdoor space and the clever diy trick used to create the canopy. You can read all about it here and then check out the links below for more inspiration!

Wishing everyone a fun and relaxing 4th!

image via All You magazine

♦♦♦♦♦

Links you’ll love…

DIY’s worth trying:

This simple diy table is pretty stunning!

If you love entertaining you’ll want to make a few of these cake stands.

Such a fun way to get a customize your patio umbrella for your outdoor space.

A great way to re-purpose a scarf and decorate your home at the same time.

Design Inspiration:

These kitchen backsplash ideas are just amazing!

Such a fun way to get a customize your patio umbrella for your outdoor space.

This water-front retreat would be the perfect spot to spend the 4th.

A pretty office tour with the most incredible flower wall.

For your taste buds:

This just might be the perfect summer dessert.

And this just might be the perfect summer cocktail.

TEN THINGS THAT BROUGHT A SMILE THIS WEEK…

May 1, 2015

Happy Friday my friends. I’ve been fighting a cold the last couple of days and while most of my symptoms are gone, I have a lingering cough that is driving me batty. In between coughing spells I’m trying to finish up the last few things for my spring bedroom refresh and hope to have to done to show you tomorrow. If not, Monday for sure. Until then, be inspired by this gorgeous outdoor space and enjoy your weekend.