day fourteen

hello darlings!  if you're like me, then you didn't sleep a wink last night with the anticipation and excitement of Christmas day.  Sleeping on Christmas eve is something i have struggled with since i was a young girl.  I am truly blessed, with my family and friends, on a daily basis, and especially blessed to have spent it with them this Christmas eve at work and Christmas day. 

Whether your tree was 3 ft like mine, or 9 ft tall, I hope your day was absolutely magical and santa was good to you all -- you deserve it.

Warm blessings to you, your family and friends.

Merry Christmas.

the very best, always,

alexandra

day thirteen

busy busy busy! i realize i have taken quite the hiatus from blogging but it's all with good reason. this past weekend i had a very big event -- brunch with santa. from decorating cookies to making sure the chafers were perfect, i have not stopped moving.

check out pictures from the event! all in all i was pleased with the outcome.

i hope you all have quite the dent in your holiday shopping! Christmas is only 10 days away! ditch the gift card idea, there's lots of gifts to still give here are a few on my list...

for the guy (or girl) who drinks everything on the rocks...these won't water down their yueltide drink!
for the sister who is always cold...keep her ears cozy
for the baker in your life...personalization is always appreciated
for the best friend...jewelry is always a winner, make it unique
for the sophisticate girl who is 18 going on 40...start this staple early!
for the woman who has everything...who doesn't love a year worth's of fresh cut flowers?
for the man in your life who has everything...keep sending him messages!

good luck! keep shopping!

the very best, always,

alexandra

day twelve

tomorrow will be the first time in 22 years that i will not eat thanksgiving dinner with the family that is my mother, father, sister, dog and grandmother ... sometimes we have friends come, too.  some diners will only eat with their true love, others with extended family, sitting around a large table.  either way, i look at my restaurant as my home...a home with 58 tables. 

we are in the hospitality business for a reason. we like to provide and serve others.  when you come in to dine, i hope that we can share a laugh or two, because for that night, you will be my family.  i hope that if you are dining out tomorrow, you will extend thanks and warm wishes to the people serving around you.

family isn't just your brother, sister, mom, dad, uncle, or even dog. i will celebrate this thanksgiving with my tables and my family at the restaurant, a clan that is so tight knit you would think we could accomplish anything together.  like a family, we are a team ... we might not help with the laundry but we sure do help in other ways to help make service more efficient and effective.  i am so thankful and blessed to work with an amazing staff, i wouldn't want anyone else as my second family to spend holidays, laughter, good & bad tips, and yes, sometimes tears with.

i am thankful for the gifts that God has blessed me in my daily life -- health, happiness, friendships, a job, and safety.  chances are, if you are reading this, you are an integral part of my life, and i thank you for sharing it with me.

i love love love these thanksgiving give thanks cards.  you can even make some homemade and get the conversation rolling.

i also wanted to share a pecan recipe from Garden & Gun magazine.  this version uses bourbon, and i used blanton's. i did use a little more than the recipe called for because it might as well be a nightcap, too.

i made it before thanksgiving, just to test drive, and i made it again last night, to share with my restaurant family.  I used my own crust recipe but the filling is to-die, (and so easy) so i'll share that with you.

pre-heat oven to 350.

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups dark corn syrup (i used an entire bottle)

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp. all purpose flour

3 large eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

2 tbsp. bourbon

1 1/2 tbsp. melted butter

1 3/4 cup pecans

using hand mixer, combine sugar, syrup, salt, flour and eggs, mixing well. stir in bourbon, melted butter, pecans. bake in preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes (a toothpick should come out clean when inserted in center).  allow pie to rest for 2-3 hours to set. 

enjoy your thanksgiving holiday i hope you and your family make it an extra special occasion, this year.

the very best, always,

alexandra

day eleven

with thanksgiving a few days away, you're probably going through your closet thinking you have nothing to wear.  its important to know the environment you are going into.  is it traditional or are jeans acceptable? 

if you're like me, thanksgiving deals with a lot of standing in the kitchen and walking around setting the table so heels aren't always the best option.  a great pair of flats can go a long way. you can pair them with a dress or even jeans.  if you are a guest, however, choose a simple pump.

if you are wearing jeans, find a great sweater you can accessorize.  or, a top that doesn't require much. 

dresses are the easiest thing to wear.  they only require the proper shoe and an accessory or two.  dresses can be casual because of the material they are made of, or a bit more dressy.

also, check out posh's black book for more thanksgiving-wear ideas.

i'm sure you'll look fabulous in whatever you wear.

the very best, always,

alexandra

day ten

i cant totally grasp the fact that thanksgiving is next week (and also the fact that i'm working) with christmas not far behind.  i love the holiday season if you can't tell already.  hopefully you all have begun to pull out your best china, thought about the dish you're going to bring if you aren't hosting, and of course, what you're going to wear.


i'd like to share a recipe with you all, something i expect to be serving a lot of on Thanksgiving day while working.

Ruth's Chris Sweet Potato Casserole

Crust:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
3/4 chopped nuts (pecans preferred but i do a mixture of pecans and walnuts)
1/4 cup melted butter

Sweet potato mixture:
3/4 cup sugar
dash of salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups mashed sweet potatoes
1 egg beaten
1/4 cup butter

You can make this a day ahead of time, refrigerate and bake it for the few minutes left and then finish it off in the broiler with the crust.

350 degree oven

Combine crust mixture, set aside.  I usually put it in a ziploc baggie. 

Combine sweet potato mixture in order of ingredients.  Remember to make sure your sweet potatoes are nice and soft before you try to mash.  A few minutes poked in the skin in the microwave and then boiled works well.  Pour mixture into buttered dish. Bake for 30 minutes (less if its the day before) on 350.  I always check the center with a toothpick.  Allow to set before the topping.  Add crust mixture and broil.  Be very careful with the timing of crust and ensure that your "SPC" is evenly browned and caramelized.

Next time, I might add marshmallows, but what would Ms. Ruth think?

*recipe adapted from www.ruthschris.com/recipes

the very best, always,

alexandra

day nine

“Remember, it is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.”


Thanks Veterans, God Bless you all!

-----
Veterans surround us in our everyday lives, we are free because of them.  While we should celebrate them everyday, this day is especially for them. I make it a point, whenever I see someone who i know has served, to thank them -- and you should too, regardless of your political affliation.
While we can't always be at a memorial you can look at any information on memorials online and read stories. 
 
Celebrate with an Americanized dinner, and give thanks before you enjoy it, to our soldiers, both past and present.  Veterans day is, after all, an occasion.

the very best, always,

alexandra

day eight

dressing your home to take on the holidays is important.  look for different accessories to specialize each room.  what better way to accessorize your kitchen than to provide your weary travelers with welcome cookies? these cookie cutters are on my list, and there are multiple uses for them year round. remember to use a cooling rack whenever you make cookies. 

a charger, is the simplest way to add style to your table. it requires no thinking, planning or positioning to make it "just right."  find the perfect table runner to complement your dinnerware and color choices.  if your serving space is limited, a tier stand is both visually appealing and space saving!  always do a chair count days before your guests arrive to assure you have enough seating  to accommodate to alleviate any last minute scrambling.  you have more important things to deal with -- like what you're going to wear.

lighting is critical in every room in your house. it sets the mood. decide on candles, replacing harsh bulbs, or even installing a dimmer switch, chances are, you'll have a party again soon where it will come in handy.

make your living room extra inviting with seating already arranged to encourage conversation. after you get them talking, keep them talking! noone likes a silent party. cocktail napkins and coasters protect your furniture and also add a little holiday sparkle.  the easiest way to make your living room more holiday is to add a few throw pillows.  fresh flower arrangements are always a must.  incorporate pine cones and gold covered eucalyptus to add height to your arrangement. send pictures and updates of your home! i'll be waiting for my invitation...by mail or phone, of course.

the very best, always,

alexandra

day seven

with fall finally here, and hopefully to stay, its time to dress appropriately -- dress yourself, your table, your house, maybe even your workspace.  today, ill tackle dressing yourself.

if you're like me your wardrobe has been a bit, well, shaky. recently in the NoVa area, we will have50 degree days followed by 70 degree days with your wardrobe wanting to scream "you already put all your summer clothes away?!"  the transition in to fall can be a difficult one. it is very important to learn how to layer. that way, if you get too warm, take a layer off. get too cold, put a layer on.  

side note:

for those of you in school, there have been studies showing that students who layer during tests are more likely to focus, because they control how their body reacts and feels, and isn't worried with being too hot or too cold.

while you can't wear gloves and a beanie cap indoors, a cardigan, is the perfect place to start.  the one pictured here has covered buttons that are so chic they can dress up jeans.  another great option is a scarf.  scarves aren't just made for outdoors anymore!  while i am a sucker for burberry as well as anything cashmere (see previous post), i must show you options! because there isn't anything more important.  this scarf, is the cowl-neck style, which takes the guessing out of: "do i wrap the scarf multiple times around my neck?" and "do i loop it and swoop it?"  it is so soft.  it also makes a great gift.  in the most conservative of offices, you can't wear a puffer vest with fur.  save it for your weekend trip.  now, with thinking just like the cardigan, the sweater vest offers alternatives because you can also layer it.  you can wear this with your favorite work pant.  this particular example has a chunkier feel to it, so keep your fabrics underneath simple.  whenever i have a piece that uses a tie -- like this vest -- i look for different ways to tie the tie.  sometimes i'll drape it behind me, have it in the front, have it on the side or even keep it open.  if you opt for a lighter sweater vest, with a "grandpa" feel to it, pair it with a turtleneck but again, keep the fabric simple. the gray is certainly my favorite of the three colors...don't "grandpa it up," pick a color underneath.  i am definitely loving the melon spice color of this tee.

always remember to accessorize!  a simple belt, pair of sparkle earrings or cool ring will do just the trick!

stay warm!

the very best, always,

alexandra

day six

 i think i will send christmas cards this year. there has always been a soft spot in my heart for stationery.  there is something spectacular about giving, and receiving a handwritten note.

in this day and age it is all too easy to send a quick email, ecard, facebook wall post and text message checking in with someone to say hello, send apologies, gratitude and even inviting someone to a party or - gasp - wedding. there is no other word that comes to mind than inpersonal. at what point do you think that using technology to send information or the like to someone is unacceptable? 

am i going to delete my facebook tomorrow? no. i won't. do i think that social media is positive? yes, i think that it can certainly help society, i wouldnt be here writing a blog if i believed differently.

as i sat at the kitchen table last night, my father urged my grandmother to get rid of her landline. "whats the need?" he said. she replied, "i hate that cell phone. i use it for emergecies only. all of my friends know my landline." fair enough.  i wasn't quick to point out that if i ever call her, its usually on her cell phone from my cell phone, and if she ever wants to get in touch with me, she should call my cell.

here is my point: call me old fashioned but even at 22, it is disheartening when i call someone, get voicemail, and receive a text message back. "hey! how are you?" i may not always respond to text messages in a very timely manner, as i have been known to forget to hit the send button, wondering if my message got lost in cyber space, feeling like an idiot when it is still in the text queue box. but, if your phone rang, you obviously saw that i called, clearly wanting to hear a voice i miss dearly or to follow up on the pictures you posted online.  if you can't call me back and text me saying, "in a meeting," " in class," "etc." remember... tag, youre it.

relationships, whether they are family, friendships or romances, are a two-way street. it is so important to keep these relationships alive and strong, where would we be without them? if someone is important enough to have your phone number, likewise be saved in your phone, call. who haven't you talked to in days, months, years? clean your phone to the ones who are no longer involved in your life. your phone will feel lighter, i promise.

ask for addresses; send a card. i think if we get the ball rolling on what used to be, our friendships can grow stronger, last longer and everyone will feel more fulfilled. if somone is in your life on a daily basis, leave a note for a friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, familyl member in a spot that will surprise them. next time youre in a store and see a card that makes you think of them, pick it up! that $3 will bring a smile to their face. personalized stationery will never go out of style, and typically, purchasing a box of stationery, for example, an assortment of birthday cards, can sometimes be more cost effective than purchasing card by card, and with a much higher quality. you can often find sales online at websites such as gilt and rue la la. if you'd like an invitation (sorry, the only kind they have is via web, but i'd be happy to send you a thank you card when you make your first purchase) let me know.

the very best, always,

alexandra

day five

if you are as busy as i am, sometimes your life doesn't feel glamorous. im talking it doesn't feel like  rachel zoe i have to be in milan in 5 hours - busy but glamorous. it just feels... busy with the usual dry cleaning to pick up, a toilet to clean, dishes in the dishwasher and a email inbox with as many emails as a short story novel, because we all know celebs don't do many of these things, even though people magazine tries to tell us they are, which is fine because it makes us normal individuals.


as i prepare for a black tie event this saturday i have looked for ways to make myself look -- and feel better.  this all came about when i did the mundane task of vacuuming. let me explain. when i got home i had two dresses waiting for me from nordstrom. like a child on christmas morning, any box that shows up on my doorstep, is ripped open immediately, and when its an article of clothing, it is ripped open at lightning speed, without taking time to look for scissors or other sharp objects to help open the package. there they were. two black dresses.


first one, no-go. second one, hmm. it needs to be taken up. after realizing this event is saturday and it is 9:30 on wednesday night, i add shoes, my mind close to a crisis. hmm. looked down at the carpet and oh boy, hello fall leaves, it could use a vacuum. get my mind off of all the to-dos. in my heels and new dress, i walk to the closet and pull out the vacuum.


very aware of this fact, i decide why change. as i pressed the lever down to turn on the vacuum in my peep toe heels i thought, "wow, that felt...sexy." as i manuevered the vacuum around my house, teetering in my heels, i felt something i hadn't felt in a long time -- glamourous. im not saying that Jackie O ever vacuumed her own house but damnit if she ever did, what would you imagine her wearing? heels. i felt like i was in a movie from the '50s, just a little housewife dressed to the nines, cleaning.


everyone DESERVES to feel this way, even if they don't need or want to feel this way. with our busy lives, remember yourself. make yourself feel glamorous, whether it is once a year, once a month or once a day.  


put on a pair of pair of pearls and wear them to bed.
snuggle up in a cashmere or other soft scarf while watching t.v.
the next time you make coffee or tea to take with you, put it in a glass mug personalized to your style.
wear a touch of gold sparkly eyeshadow


now, am i going to sit here and tell you to go out and put on heels the next time you vacuum? sure, give it a shot, you might be surprised at how good you feel -- you wont see me vacuuming any other way.


feel glamorous today. if not today promise me and yourself that you will by the end of this week, whether that is friday or sunday for you.


the very best, always,

alexandra

day four

greetings my loves! how about this awesome fall weather? how ready are you for a big glass of red wine (this is one of my faves), a fire and a blanket? i guess that right now my crackling natures wick candle, similar to this candle, diet pepsi and scarf will have to do.

as the holiday season approaches with both pumpkins and christmas tree lined department stores, i remembered how much i love this season.  however different it will be, this year, as my parents will be mid-move, and me in my apartment and working thanksgiving day, my sister at school. although we will come together for the holidays, it is amazing how much has changed in the past year - new jobs, new friends, and always my family.  i no longer yearn to pick out the best costume, instead, provide for the children who may, or may not trick or treat at my apartment complex.  i look to search for the comfort in my memories from childhood. so, while i may not pick out the almond joys in my pillowcase while trick-or-treating for my dad, i may still cheat with a box of dots here and there, sneaking a bag while shopping in target.

i urge you all to do the same this season, whether you are with your family or not. send the simple stuff, share the simple things. make anything from childhood you haven't had in years. set the table with a crayon-rubbed maple leaf, or a popsicle stick reindeer, jazz it up a bit, of course. you'll be amazed at the comfort it not only provides for you, but for your friends and family.


the very best, always,

alexandra

day three

good morning! hope the weekend was enjoyed by all. wanted to post some of my recent finds at Bella Villa Antique store in Aldie, VA.

i figured if i continue on this "pie kick" of mine (i made 4 pies last week!) i need the perfect way to display them.  i had to have this stand...

I also scored a silver three tiered tray which i used as jewelry. I put some dangle earrings from the top tier and now it looks like a chandlier. very cute.  Rosanna, the owner, stocks her shop (an old house, of course! what better way to shop?)full of fabulous antiques and unique finds.  Don't let the front fool you -- the house is huge! if you're ever in the Northern VA area, check out Bella Villa!

the very best, always,

alexandra

day two

good after(rainy)noon!

push through this day and tomorrow is friday! definitely took an extra effort to get up and hit the pool this morning. while thumbing through the ballard designs magazine there were definitely some pieces i know i want to include in the upcoming holidays.

how much do you love these candlesticks ? totally useable for a few months. add some sparkle! i want i want i want!


make your guests feel like royalty with these in your guest room this holiday.


i must must have these as an early christmas present ... pleaseeeee!!! its a total win-win situation. you buy me these stockings, ill fill them with presents. why not!?

hope you all stay energized during this weather!

the very best, always,

alexandra

day one

good morning! new to the event planning (AND BLOGGING!) world, my name is alexandra and i hope to find, and provide, inspiration to you all -- whether it is in the industry, or not! as a busy working girl (serving tables and event sales coordination), and plain jane at heart, i love all things classic, simple and beautiful.

what im loving -- and wearing -- right now:

minnie pant


i hope you all have a wonderful day.

the very best, always,

alexandra