dear santa - my 2015 christmas wishlist.

It's funny, but as I've gotten older, I've wanted less stuff.  5 years ago I would have only considered something a gift if it came in a box and wrapped in a bow but now at 30, I feel comfortable with experiences as gifts or getting a single gift instead of a plethora of items.  I find experiences less stressful (they don't take up room in your apartment) and they are something to look forward to. Don't get me wrong, I still love beautiful objects (I'm looking at you my new Common Projects sneakers) but now when I want something I just buy it for myself because I can (except for the Celine bag I've been lusting over for about 2 years now...).

Yet Christmas isn't Christmas without there being at least one box for me under the tree.  For as long as I can remember I have always acted like a 7 year old come Christmas morning.  Waking up all my siblings, helping to sort gifts, there is something magical about it.  So I've rounded up a handful of items I would be more then happy to see on the morning of December 25th and for the most part, they are all practical, and they are all beautiful.  

1 - Gjelina Cookbook - Look, I like cookbooks.  I like referring to them and being inspired by them and curling up with a cup of tea and reading them front to back.  The Gjelina one is the one I am most excited about since they share my food philosophy - preparing vegetables in fun and innovative ways so you don't feel like you are eating vegetables.  I can't even begin to tell you how pumped I am to read it.

2 - Unreal Peanut Butter Cups - These are crack.  I read about them on NYMag and then found them at Whole Foods and now I am buying a pack a week.  They aren't cloyingly sweet the way Reese's are - instead they taste like real nut butters and real chocolate.  A novel concept when it comes to candy.  I'll take a box of 100 please (50 of the Almond Butter and Dark Chocolate and 50 of the Dark Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter cups).  THANKS!

3 - I have been on the hunt for what feels like a year now for a longer gold necklace. A necklace that is substantial but not obnoxiously so, modern and chic and not overly girly.  It has been an extremely difficult battle to find something that looks and feels right, but I think this Chloe necklace is it.  It's adjustable, gold, and graphic in a classic kind of way.  It will look good with a cashmere sweater now and a tee-shirt come summer and it is somehow both work and weekend appropriate.  It's also timeless which is something I look for when I buy jewelry (especially jewelry that costs more then $20).  I think it's love.

4 - I plan on repainting our bathroom this winter (yes Tyler, it's happening) and in doing so, feel strongly about replacing the bathmat we have since no matter how many times we wash it, it always looks dirty (note, never buying an off-white or white bath mat again).  My sister the ever knowledgeable interior designer suggested we paint the space the same color as the floor (to make it feel bigger!) and use accessories to add color/patterns to the space.  I am taking her advice (she has very good taste) and think this bath mat or this one could be a nice addition to the space.   

5 - Is it weird to ask for tahini?  If so I don't care.  I've read that this stuff makes all other tahini taste like garbage and considering how often I use tahini, I think using the best of the best is the only logical thing to do.

6 - Ever since our wedding (and browsing for plateware) I've developed an absurd love affair with ceramics.  I like that even when not in use (i.e. a vase without flowers) they still add a beautiful element to the home.  I've been hunting almost exclusive for a beautiful ceramic vase and the work of Romy Northover has stolen my heart.  Her vases are simple yet special and I would love to have one in our apartment.  Something like this, this, or this. 

7 - Do you know how difficult it is to find good rain boots?  It is a lot more difficult then it should be.  In New York the default rain boot is the tall Hunter ones but I personally can't pull them off.  I much prefer an ankle boot (practical in the winter and the spring).  My current pair is currently nearing it's death (it did survive a hurricane) and it's time for me to wear something that isn't completely ripped.  These Rag and Bone boots are on the pricier side but my god are they chic and they don't scream rain boot (to note -all reviews say to size down if you are a half size)!   

8 - Apparently it only took Tyler and I being together for 10 years for his do-gooder ways to rub off on me.  If you are looking to donate to charities City Harvest (which collects food from restaurants that would have been thrown away to serve to the needy) and Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue are two of my personal favorites.  Or you can adopt a puppy for me from Badass, I am totally OK with that.  

cheese dome.

I've been on the search for a cheese dome for a couple of years now.  I love them because they double as a beautiful vessel for plants or other objects when you aren't serving cheese.  Nothing like a multi-purpose item.

This one is particularly beautiful and would look incredible on our coffee table...

Cheese dome can be found here.  

holiday wish list - 2014 edition.

I feel rather silly creating a 2014 Holiday wish list.  This year has been rather amazing and it has left me feeling so incredibly lucky. I got the best gift ever this year - an awesome wedding (that fulfilled every single one of my wedding fantasies) and an equally awesome husband.  What more could a girl need?

But if you know me, you know there are always things my little heart desires, so here is my 2014 wishlist.  It is filled with some practical items, some impractical items, and a whole slew of beautiful items.  

1 - Le Labo Fig 15 Candle - Candles are something I rarely buy myself mostly because it seems like a silly purchase.  But lately I have been super into them.  I love the subtle scent they give off, I love how they add the perfect amount of Parisan-chicness to your home.  I love how lounging in bed reading a book instantly feels more sophisticated with a candle lit.  This one is in no means cheap, but with a fantastic scent, and a 65 hour burn time, it's totally worth it.  (This fig one we currently have and it is equally awesome.  

2 - Hand Painted Dinner Plate - I don't need to tell you that we just got a slew of dinner plates (we did just get married after all).  But these plates are so damm beautiful.  I love the idea of having just a couple of them interspersed with some plain plates on a dinner table.  Mis-matched has never looked so beautiful.  (Now I just need an actual dinning room and dinner table...)  

3 - Heart Tea Towel - Completely unusual, an awesome conversation starter, and surprisingly practical. Pretty much my dream present.  And if hearts aren't your thing there is a whole slew of other prints in the shop.  

4- Dark Milk with Flor de Sal Chocolate - I've tried a lot of chocolate bars in my life but this one is the one that consistently makes me weak in the knees. It's smooth and creamy, with a small hint of fruit and a touch of salt.  Best eaten slowly in sweat pants.  I'll take 4 bars please.  

5- Marled Socks - Handmade in Vermont, these are my go to socks for lazy weekends spent at home. Thick and warm without making your feet sweat.  I can't get enough of them.  

6 - The Homesick Texan's Family Table - My list wouldn't be complete without one cookbook.  The original Homesick Texan Cookbook is my go-to for tex-mex comfort food and her new book has gotten equally awesome reviews which means it deserves a place on my shelf.  Expect this to be the winter of tex-mex.  

7 - The White Mustache Yogurt - A year's supply of this yogurt in Sour Cherry.  I am addicted.  Can be found at Murray's Cheese and when you go to buy it you will probably find me purchasing all of the ones they have available.  BEST YOGURT EVER.  

8 - Raccoon Ornament - Every year we add a new ornament to our tree, this year's pick is this raccoon which is utterly comical and totally us (and equally reminiscent of our wedding cake topper).    

9 - Thermometer - There is a Roll-Royce of thermometers in this world and while I wouldn't mind having that one, I will hapilly take it's cheaper cousin.  This one has gotten really incredible reviews and at a fraction of the price, it's pretty much the perfect stocking stuffer.  But if you do want to buy me the fancy version (and I would love that too), you can get it here. 

10 - Prosecco Glasses - These are beautiful, unique, and utterly special.  I prefer stemless glasses (less likely to tip!) and have yet to see some that really seem celebration-worthy.  The fact that these are hand-blown so no two are alike makes them even more irresistible.  And while we are at it, feel free to throw in a bottle of sparkling rose so we can toast to a New Year.

housewarming presents for the foodie.

This coming weekend I'm throwing my annual holiday party which mean's I've been thinking a lot about cookies to make (because I always go a little cookie crazy for the party) and hostess gifts (because everyone keeps asking me what to bring to the soiree).  My default suggestion when that question is asked is always alcohol mostly because I hate being left in charge of trying to figure out what people want to drink (I have to focus all my attention on the food!). But the more I pondered it, the more I realized that there are some items I wouldn't mind being given.  So below are a few of my favorite unique hostess gifts for the foodie and all things I wouldn't mind receiving.  

Short-stack Edition's Cookbooks - These are cookbooks that cater to a single ingredient.  I am obsessed with their quirky covers, their seasonality, and the fact that they have such wonderfully unique recipes.  

Big Spoon Roasters Nut Butters - Word on the street this is the nut butters dreams are made of.  I'm looking forward to endless peanut butter and banana sandwiches. 

Mike's Hot Honey - My absolutely favorite condiment.  I put this on roasted vegetables, on pizza (A la Paulie Gee's), on avocado toast, on ricotta toast, on grilled cheese...this list goes on.  At the end of the day this is utterly versatile and there is nothing you wont love it on.  

Noble Bourbon Barrel Maple Syrup - For lazy weekend breakfasts.  I am dreaming of pouring this over french toast, or pumpkin oatmeal, or ricotta pancakes.  I wouldn't mind using this in savory applications as well.  Like drizzled on roasted vegetables...

Fregola - The new ingredient (or at least new to me ingredient). I am envisioning a lot of winter salads of this, kale, and shaved pecorino.  The packaging is utterly Italian which kills me.

The Snacker by Liddabit Sweets - I'm not opposed to being given any of the Liddabit Sweet's candy bars but if I had to pick just one it would be the Snacker.  This is the kind of thing you can never rationalize buying yourself but if someone brings it for you, no complaints from me. 

If all else fails you can always bring a succulent!  A nice alternative to the standard flowers and a succulent lasts a lot longer.  

all i want for christmas (this year).

Just because I'm 28 doesn't mean I can't make a Christmas list.  

-The Four and Twenty Blackbirds Pie Book: Because I can't go 6 months without asking for a new cookbook (clearly I am my Mother's daughter).  Shockingly I have very few cookbooks devoted to desserts so this basically filling a gap in my cookbook collection which is why I need it (this is my logic and I'm sticking with it).  That and I am on a pie kick and the cover photo is so beautiful it kills me.  

-Luxe Faux Fur Throw: Because I am still dating the boy who believes turning on the heat in the apartment is something only foolish people do.  Unless you want me to freeze to death this winter (and we are suppose to have one really cold winter) I would highly suggest getting this for me.  My sister got one last year and its like being wrapped in a puppies arms which is why I adore it so.  

-Chroma Juice Press: Because any sort of item that seems slightly impractical but also totally practical at the same time usually has me salivating at the mouth.  This is the kind of thing that would look utterly adorable on the counter but would also allow me to have all the freshly pressed grapefruit juice I want.  DID I MENTION HOW CUTE IT IS?! If you get this for me a weekly shipment of grapefruit would be a nice stocking stuffer.  

-Horseshoe Ring: Because I am going through a phase where I am trying to find my inner French woman and I think my inner French woman is trying to tell me I need more gold rings so I can start to wear some on my right hand.  Pretty much any gold ring from Steve Alan would make my knees weak so you have plenty of options since they have plenty of choices.  

-Tote Bag: I am strongly adverse to taking bags from stores because we lack the storage to keep them and also because its pretty wasteful.  Instead, I like to keep reusable bags in every single one of my purses so when I have an impulsive moment of purchase I can use my own bag.  This one is witty which is why I can't get enough of it.  Perfect for toting around farmers market produce and bread!  

-Body Butter: Because we are going into the winter season and as I've gotten older my skin has gotten drier. I am hoarding a collection of body butters but at the rate I am going through them it seems that I always need to purchase more of them.  This one is whipped and all natural and will look utterly chic on my bedside table.  

-Glass Storage Containers: Because I've had a couple of incidents of plastic containers containing my lunch exploding on the subway (not cute).  These glass ones are utterly adorable and much safer when it comes to heating your food up in the microwave.  

-Chocolate Covered Sea Salt Caramels: Because I am a chocolate caramel addict and these are the best I've ever had (except for maybe the time I made them myself but that was an exhausting weekend long project). These are creamy and the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon cup of coffee.

-Steve Alan PJ's: Because these are made in America and are the highest quality pj's you can find.  Their button-down shirts are my favorite (I practically live in them on the weekends) so I imagine their PJ's would become my evening favorite.  Perfect for lounging around in on Sunday mornings with a coffee in one hand and a chocolate almond croissant in the other.  These at JCrew are also adorable.  I prefer the men's version since I think the men fabrics are of better quality then the lady fabrics.  

-Gold Serving Spoon: Because it's gold and I haven't met a gold object I haven't fallen head over heels for.  It would also look utterly chic in all my food blog photos.