05Feb

11 Valentine’s Day Gifts For Couples

Many people complain about Valentine’s day being only a commercial excuse for businesses to sell, but believe me, it’s worse if the day comes and you don’t give your loved one something. Even if it is as a sign that your love is not falling behind or just because it’s fun, offering a present to your love partner on Valentine’s day is a must. It’s also good to remember that V-day is not only for romance, it’s also for friendship and many other types of love, so there are many reasons to celebrate the day and give presents to those who deserve them. Now more than ever the options are endless, from a sexy floral bodysuit to keep things interesting to a couple cooking class to a trip overseas, here are 11 Valentine’s day gifts for couples.

Valentine's day gifts, cooking class at sur la table

In this cooking class “Date Night: From Paris with Love” you’ll learn techniques for pan roasting poultry, poaching eggs and taking mashed potatoes to new levels of deliciousness with browned butter. At Sur La Table.

25Jan

How To Make Your Home Ideal For Guests

Most of the decisions related to our home should be viewed through the lens of how they’re going to affect your life. After all, you’re the one who’s going to live there; you’re the one who’s going to be impacted most by your decisions. However, that doesn’t mean that you should forget your guests completely. For starters, it’s enjoyable to welcome friends and family members to your home. Second, it can be embarrassing if they arrive and it’s obvious you haven’t thought about their stay at all. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen. Below, we take a look at some useful tips for creating a home that your guests – and you – will love.

A guest room designed by Stephen Sills

16Jan

How To Make Your Houseguest Feel At Home

Everyone wants to be a perfect host when they are welcoming people to their home. Here are a few tips to help to create a cozy atmosphere so that your guests immediately feel at home in your place:

CREATE AN INVITING GUEST ROOM: With a little elbow grease and a dose of creativity, you can offer an inviting guestroom. Creating a cozy atmosphere is easy with soft blankets and scented candles. Stock the nightstand with everything that you would want in your own room. Examples include a vase of fresh flowers, magazines that highlight the best food and drink of your local area, a night light, hand cream, bottled waters, and snacks.

STOCK THE KITCHEN: Before your guest arrives, be sure to ask them about any dietary needs or preferences. Taking the time to stock your kitchen with all of their favorites will go a long way in making them comfortable in your home. When they arrive, be sure to show them around the kitchen so that they know where to find everything. The last thing that you want is for your guest to feel uncomfortable having to ask the host for everything. Making them feel welcome to help themselves to anything in the kitchen will assist in making them to feel comfortable and not intrusive.

27Dec

10 Healthy Holiday Cookie Recipes

I’ve been really into cooking lately. Although I’m of course interested in cooking for taste, I’m more so into cooking for health, hence these healthy recipes of Holiday cookies. There is nothing better than making a regular cookie into something not only decadently tasty but also healthy. Since I’ve been gluten-free for health reasons for over eight years, way before it became fashionable, I’ve been forced to be creative and resourceful when it comes to gluten-free cooking. Luckily, nowadays more than ever, companies have gotten on board and are offering a lot of gluten-free products. However, not everything without gluten is necessarily healthy: it’s essential to look for the right ingredients in already available products. Or, often we are better off cooking at home. Once in a while, I’ll be sharing healthy recipes here, some of my own, and others from real professionals.

1- No-Bake Truffle Cookies

healthy cookie recipes

Enjoy these delicious soft cookies made of dried dates, cocoa, coconut, and reduced-fat peanut butter. “Dates are an ideal food for improved energy and brain function. They are a good source of vitamin A & B-complex, and they are rich in minerals such as iron, calcium, manganese, copper, and potassium. Dates are known to help build bone and muscle strength and have been used for thousands of years by athletes to improve physical endurance, agility, and stamina.” Medical Medium

26Dec

Five Steps To Get You Ready For New Year’s Celebration

Now that Christmas Eve is behind us, comes the more festive celebration of New Year’s Eve. The food is lighter, the champagne is abundant or just enough and the expectation of the new year is accelerating. Here are five simple steps that will make your New Years celebration a lot more enjoyable.

New Year's celebrations

Clean Up Your Home

There is not much fun in this one, but before you start working on your New Year’s resolution list, clean up your home first. Our surroundings are usually a reflection of our inner beings, and if we can’t keep our home tidy, most likely we won’t have the strength to keep our resolutions.

Dress The Parts

Not because you are not hosting a big party means you have to receive the new year in PJ’s. Even if it’s only you and your close family, make an effort to dress up. Start the year with the right foot forward and make that extra effort for your self and your loved ones.

Know Your Champagne

Oliver Gal Champagne Canvas Print available at Nordstrom

Champagne is the known drink for festive activities and celebrations. Get to know the different kinds of bubbly drinks available starting from what is champagne, how to read the labels and what glasses to use. Don’t worry, there are good champagnes that don’t have to be ridiculously pricey.

Make Some Noise

new year's eve celebrations

If you can’t afford a band, then blow noise horns, ring bells, wear fun hats and set off fireworks.

Embrace A New Tradition

I grew up with the tradition of eating 12 grapes at the clock of midnight on New Year’s Eve. Each grape is supposed to represent good luck for each month of the coming year.

21Dec

Happy Holidays

It’s time to take a break from our daily duties and redirect our attention to our most beloved ones. I hope you get to spend this special time of the year surrounded by whoever your heart wants. If you haven’t seen this year’s Bergdorf Goodman impressive windows, then take a seat and enjoy it here. Luckily, we don’t need to take a plane to New York City to enjoy them.

Happy Holidays!

“The Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows continue their tradition of fantastical storytelling with a celebration of all things sweet! The 2018 windows, entitled “Bergdorf Goodies” captures an array of holiday treats from peppermint candy canes and gingerbread houses to antique chocolates and neon confections.”

bergdorf good man windows 2018

Category: Entertaining

11 Valentine’s Day Gifts For Couples

How To Make Your Home Ideal For Guests

How To Make Your Houseguest Feel At Home

10 Healthy Holiday Cookie Recipes

Five Steps To Get You Ready For New Year’s Celebration

Happy Holidays

juliepaulinodesign