Wrapping it up

Kraft paper is my new crafty best friend. It's versatile, recycled and cost effective. This holiday season I've decided to forgo glossy wrapping rolls and get creative with kraft paper.

My supply list: 

Kraft paper 

Colored bakers twine & classic twine 

Letter stamps & ink pads
Lace & glitter ribbon
White chalk 

Embellishments - pine cones, vintage keys, cupcake liners, doilies

Some krafty ideas:

Although it's not kraft inspired, I couldn't help but share a peek at the cutest holiday gift wrap party from CAKE. They took cues from the more common dessert table and created a display out of wrapping supplies. Adorable. How great would a kraft version be?

Happy wrapping! 

A styled tuscan soirée

As we say farewell to Fall, I want to leave you with another Pink & Honey styled shoot inspired by all things Italian-esque, feminine and comforting. After the Rustic Charm and Black & Blush styled sessions, I hoped to create a scene that resinates with a bride who dreams of warm vintage allure and a romantic but family oriented affair.

Genevieve Renee captured the details on camera and my lovely friend, Stephanie, modeled for the shoot. She's wearing a Pinkyotto dress purchased in New York this summer and a Swarovski crystal head piece (seen only once before at my own wedding!). Stephanie perfectly played the part of a natural, laissez fair kind of bride.

Complete with antique Italian inscribed pasta bowls, recycled wine bottle candelabrum, homemade biscotti favors, a specialty coffee bar and vintage hankies for happy tears; all parties involved agreed this was an event we wished was real.

Find yourself a glass of red wine and enjoy a Tuscan Soirée...

Buona giornata! Have a good day! 

Party planning: Chili & Cheer

There's something comforting and special about homestyle food at a party or event. Serving southern BBQ fare at our wedding got rave reviews from our guests. Yes, I ate brisket in a lace dress and Vera Wang shoes, but those southerners can somehow pull off home cooked food with charm and class.

This December, we're hosting a Chili & Cheer holiday party. The best parties have delicious food, tasty drinks and good company. Chili is comforting in the winter and sets the tone for a casual but festive night in with friends.  

I used Red Stamp to send invitations on my iPad. Quick and easy, but thoughtful and pretty. 

The menu will include two kinds of chili, a White Turkey Chili and a Southwestern Black Bean Chili. We picked up Killer Chili by Stephanie Anderson at Williams Sonoma a few seasons ago and use it all the time.

A holiday punch seems like a fun beverage pairing with chili, so we'll be serving up a naughty and nice version of Spiced Cranberry Prosecco Punch from Heather Christo Cooks.

For decor, I've been feeling drawn to burlap and plaid. And in keeping with the feel of the evening, I want simple and homey decor. I'm thinking plaid linens with details in burlap and twine.

Chili and punch, Christmas music and merry making. I'm looking forward to hosting a relaxing night with good eats and great friends. 

Are you planning or attending any themed holiday events? 

It's beginning to look a lot like December

Mid-november and I'm ready for all things holiday. Planning really gets me going and nothing says "make lists!" like Christmas. On our way home yesterday from a nice family weekend in Saskatoon, I kept busy with my Evernote on my iPad where all sorts of holiday lists were compiled and dates noted. Wish lists in hand and hosting dates in the calendar, I'm excited to attend these festive local happenings over the next few weeks.

Spruce Meadows Christmas Market 
A magical Christmas wonderland in the form of an indoor marketplace with over 200 vendors. The perfect place to find hand crafted gifts while sipping hot chocolate.

Uptown Fashion & Food 
Every Sunday in November, Calgary fashion and food unite for an evening of fashion shows by local boutiques at independent restaurants. I'm looking forward to enjoying a cocktail at Ox & Angela while getting some gift and winter fashion ideas from Leo Boutique.

Pottery Barn's How to Entertain for the Holidays event 
A complimentary in-store event at Pottery Barn where we'll learn to create the most beautiful home decor for the holidays.

Market Collective 
Where a wonderful community of local crafters, artists and musicians host a market every couple of months. The December gathering is always a hit and it's where I plan to pick up some great stocking stuffers.

The best part of these plans are getting to do them with fun friends. It makes the holiday bustle that much more enjoyable and relaxing. It's going to be a great December!

What local events are you filling your holiday calendar with?

A guest! Rachel of De Ma Cuisine

Welcome Rachel of De Ma Cuisine to Alexandra's Joys. Rach has a really cool menu planning business and a delicious food blog with easy but creative recipes. My favorite is her spin on the truffle flatbread from the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. Mushrooms and gruyere are in her version; she calls it the Poor Man's Roosevelt. 

Today, Rachel shares her hearty, Fall inspired recipe for minestroni soup. I can't wait to try it! 

Hi friends! This is Rachel, from De Ma Cuisine. I am a menu planner and food blogger living in California and love almost everything to do with food. I've been friends with A.J. for 8 years. She's a wonderful, creative, beautiful person, and I wish that we didn't live so far away! She's been such an encouragement to me in my little business, and I'm so excited to see her business grow and flourish!

I plan menus for those who find it a challenge to figure out what's for dinner. I love to either help them learn how to do this effectively, or to do it for them. I'm passionate about eating healthy, organically, seasonally and I try to plan our monthly menu accordingly. However, we enjoy a diet that includes the phrase, "all things in moderation". Meaning that while we love things like roasted broccoli, hearty spicy lentil stew, and vegetable stir fry, we also love things like bacon, potato chips and ice cream. These not so healthy things are included in our diet as treats, rather than staples.

I love food. I love to prepare it and eat it. I love to plan menus and come up with new recipes. One of my favorite types of food to make is soup. I don't know why... Maybe because it reminds me of Fall, or maybe because it's so easy to substitute in a soup (soup is pretty forgiving). Now that it finally feels like Fall here in LA, I've got soups, stews, roasts, pot pies and more Fall foods on the menu. One of my favorite soups any time of the year is minestrone. The recipe can easily be adapted based on what's in season. I've written it based on what's in season for us right now in California, but feel free to swap things out to your taste! It's hearty, healthy and delicious. I hope you enjoy it!

xoxo

Rachel's Minestroni

Serves: 4 Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 45 minutes 

Ingredients:
1/2 C broccoli, chopped small
1/2 C cauliflower, chopped small
1/2 lg. onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 C green beans, chopped
1/2 C zucchini, chopped
1/2 C peas
1 C tomatoes, chopped
2 C kale, chopped
1/4 C tomato paste
3 C chicken or vegetable stock
4-6 C water
4 T olive oil
1/2 t cumin
1/4 t all spice
pepper
1 1/2 T dried basil
2 sprigs fresh Thyme, leaves removed, stems discarded
1 T fresh oregano, chopped
1 T fresh parsley, chopped
1 sprig fresh rosemary, removed from stem
1 t fresh sage, chopped
1 C canelini or garbonzo beans
1/4 C pureed garbonzo beans
1/4 C balsamic vinegar
1 t honey
1/4 C red wine (or red wine vinegar)
1-2 C elbow macaroni, cooked (or for uncooked, add a bit more water or stock to the soup)

Directions: 
1. Add oil to hot soup pot (I use a cast iron pot), add onions and cook 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add remaining veggies and cook until softened, about 10 minutes over medium heat. 


2. Add tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add wine and stir around to deglaze the pan. Add herbs and spices (except basil and parsley). 


3. Add stock and water; bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Add balsamic vinegar, honey and beans. Cook 30 minutes. 


4. Add cooked pasta, basil, parsley and kale. Cook 10 - 15 minutes more (if it's cold, or just a few minutes if it's hot and freshly cooked... if you're adding uncooked pasta, it will just take a bit longer and a bit more liquid to cook). 


5. Serve topped with parmesan cheese, alongside your favorite rolls. *This recipe contains no salt. I made it for a friend who prefers low sodium food. Add to taste. 

Sweet stylings in black and blush

I'm thrilled to share another styled photo shoot with you today. Pink & Honey is shaping up to be one fun adventure and this shoot was nothing short of both.

As with Rustic Charm, I gathered inspiration and ideas and created a faux wedding concept to showcase my love of pretty event details. This time with a delicious dessert bar, a gift display in a vintage trunk and a cookies and milk midnight snack, Black and Blush is all about clean, modern lines mixed with vintage touches to warm things up. Black and white with pops of pink.

Once again, I must sing the praises of my sweet friend and photographer extraordinaire, Genevieve Renee, who continues to capture my vision so brilliantly. Adding to the mix, Katie Von Hansen of
Baking Vintage, who created beautiful sweet treats for the occasion. She arranged and fluffed and sugar dusted her culinary delights right out of the back of my SUV! Like I said, an adventure this was.

Enjoy the sweetness of Black and Blush...

Hope that bit of eye candy has you as excited as I am. Stay tuned for two more styled sessions that I'll be sharing soon. Sweet dreams.