Black and white for THANKSGIVING...

One of my favorite things about the holidays is tabletop decorating + styling. So when my good friend Nicole enlisted me to help her plan out her Thanksgiving tabletop I was beyond excited. Her apartment is so fabulous already so it was easy to make it pretty. It was just important to come up with something simple and uber easy because she is a busy mom with lots to do. Nothing too fancy or frilly...

THE ESSENTIALS:
There are a few essentials needed when wanting to create a tabletop with not too much fuss. You can bring in bright colors through simple items already in the kitchen like artichokes, tomatoes, etc. Also, little flowers from the local market provide such a great pop of color, too! 

Nicole is such a good DIY-er and made fabulously chic and so very 'Kelly Wearstler' black and white cocktail rings that really stole the show. A cocktail ring can be where you bring in pattern and style while keeping the plates and placemats pretty simple. No need to purchase expensive dishes. I also think by having a fun and chic pair of salt shakers can really add some style to the table too. It's all about the small things. 
 By the end of the session we filled the table with all of Thanksgivings essential elements and the food brought in such rich colors it was such a stunning sight. 
 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

all photo credit to nicole + her fab camera.

Tablescape tuesday {decorate for Thanksgiving like david jimenez}

I just love Thanksgiving, I am thankful for so many things in my life.
It gets me so excited to prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. All the yummy food. sigh!

For this holiday season, I am overtly inspired by this gorgeous David Jimenez table decor.
The chocolate hues complement the gorgeous orange dishware perfectly. I love the turquoise painted dining chairs as well as the walls, so beautiful.
Finished off with candlelight and arrangements of the most gorgeous orange roses I have ever seen.
It may not be the traditional Thanksgiving decor colors but I think the punch of turquoise adds personality, so very decorista.


In other blissful news...
something I am thankful for= Jen Ramos gave me a shout out in her Siren Mag interview.
She thinks I'm a "world changing Christian" and it made my whole day! 
Especially because she is sort of a huge inspiration to me. 
So sweet.


images:
orange dishware. Manor home.
mercury glass votives Beach Dwelling
silver napkin rings Atlanta Home
silver ice bucket Artesign


turkey and pie, oh my! and a little thanksgiving inspriation
















(images courtesy of: CountryLiving.com & Marthastewart.com)


I am about to embark on my trip to Palm Springs to celebrate this holiday. I am already thankful for SO much. My boyfriend got a part in a tv show, my sister is feeling way better from her sniffles and I get to see my favorite 9 year old in the world, little miss sophia. Oh how I can't wait to begin the cooking and decorating festivities. When you dress your home for the Holidays this year, think back to your favorite childhood memories and be thankful for them. Dress your home to your delight and incorporate your favorite colors and aromas. I know I can't wait to, its the preparation process that delights me the most. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

xoxo

happy thanksgiving!


I LOVE THANKSGIVING TIME!
Last night was my first sighting of the holiday. I was driving around the beautiful neighborhoods of Hollywood and saw a huge christmas light display on a gorgeous home. I went home immidiately and played some christmas music. It gave me the chills. I love all of the smells of this time of year, the fall just makes me so happy. It's truly the beginning of the holiday season. Even the Starbucks has the pumpkin lattes on special. 
I am spending this holiday week in Palm Springs, CA with clark's family. It will be my first holiday with the Koelch's. His mom, grandma and sister are so much fun and I cant wait to cook with the family. I will be bringing one of my favorite recipe's from the FAT FREE VEGAN blog. The double-layer pumpkin cheesecake is out of this world. Everytime I make it, its gone in 5.3 seconds. I am so excited to celebrate, my vegan way! 
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! re

Double-Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake
(printer-friendly version)

8 ounces Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese (look for the non-hydrogenated version in the yellow container)
12 ounces light firm silken tofu (or extra-firm)
1/2 cup agave nectar (or sugar)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup pumpkin puree (canned, not pumpkin pie mix)
2 teaspoons rum (optional)
3 tablespoons brown sugar or natural sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon grated fresh nutmeg (please!)

1 pre-made 8-inch graham cracker crust (or oatmeal cookie crust)

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Put the first set of ingredients (toffuti through vanilla) in a food processor and puree until completely smooth. It should be silky smooth--not chalky or lumpy.

Remove a cup of this mixture from the processor and spread it in the bottom of the crust.

Add the next set of ingredients (pumpkin through nutmeg) to the ingredients remaining in the food processor and process until well blended. Smooth it carefully over the white layer in the crust, heaping it slightly in the middle. Bake until the center is almost set, about 50-60 minutes. (Insert a toothpick. If it comes out liquidy and cold, give it more time, until the center is firm.) Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 3 hours. Serve to delighted guests. (Don't tell them it's vegan, and they won't know!)

Serves 8. Per serving (not including the crust): 218 Calories (kcal); 7g Total Fat; (28% calories from fat); 4g Protein; 35g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 179mg Sodium.


xoxo