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December 2015

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New Year’s Eve is all about gathering with friends and ringing in the new year, but instead of paying for a $50 cover and standing in a crowded bar, I have decided to host my own dinner party at home. Plus! I love any excuse to bring out some shiny and glitzy decor!

Here are some of my favorite tablescapes that helped inspire my decor this year. I hope you find some inspiration as well! Happy New Year!

The Everyday Hostess - Black and Gold NYE TablescapeForRent.com

Pizzazzerie TablescapePizzazzerie

Bridal Musings TablescapesBridal Musings

Camille Styles TablescapeCamille Styles

Celebrations at Home TablescapeCelebrations at Home

The Everyday Hostess - Black White and Gold NYE TablescapeCatch My Party

When hosting a cocktail party it is always important to prepare appetizers that people can eat with a single hand while mixing and mingling. We are all familiar with that awkward situation when you have a drink in one hand, a small plate and a fork in another, and then a friend comes up to greet you and have to re-situate everything that you are holding just to give a simple hug or handshake! How uncomfortable is that?! I literally hate that situation but find myself in it regularly. 

Therefore, in order to avoid this at my parties, I like to serve easy bite sized appetizers that can easily be served on a napkin, so you don’t have the extra plate to hold on to. Then once your guests have taken their bite, they can easily crumple up their napkin, and voila! A free hand to shake as many hands as they want with!

I recently started including Stonefire naan into my appetizers at cocktail parties. The pre-made flatbread can be found in the bakery or deli section of your local grocery store and tastes absolutely delicious. You can easily use the naan to transform any of your favorite snacks into small flatbread bites for your friends and family. 

I have taken three of my favorite traditional dishes (Cranberry Brie Tarts, Spinach Artichoke Dip, and Caramel Apple Crisp) and put a unique spin on them to make the most delicious and easily “servable” appetizers for any cocktail party! Check out these recipes for my favorite Stonefire cocktail appetizers below!

Cranberry Pecan and Brie Flatbread with a Maple Brown Sugar Glaze

The Everyday Hostess - Cranberry Pecan and Brie Flatbread

Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Flatbread

Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Flatbread Bites - The Everyday Hostess

Spinach Artichoke Flatbread

Spinach Artichoke Dip Flatbread - The Everyday Hostess

These are all so simple to make and are absolute crowd pleasers! So simple that you could easily throw them all together last minute for your NYE bash tomorrow! Once you have made the delectable flatbread, all you have to do is slice it into even bite sized pieces and serve! No longer do your guests have to balance a plate and silverware while trying to mingle at your party!

Check out these perfect cocktail party recipes and include Stonefire in your own soiree, and I can guarantee that your party menu will be an absolute sucess! Plus, once you have tried these recipes, head on over to Stonefire’s website for even more flatbread recipes that you can make from home!

Enjoy!

During the holiday season, I love spending winter days on the slopes in Colorado. What is perfect on snowy winter days? (Besides a glass of wine in the hot tub…duh!) Warm and tasty comfort foods! That’s where these Chicken Spinach Artichoke Flatbreads come in!

Spinach Artichoke Dip Flatbread - The Everyday Hostess

One of my favorite “I am freezing and need a warm snack” is, of course, spinach artichoke dip with pitas and fresh veggies! I have been making the same dip for years, so it is about time that I mix up the recipe and put a little spin on this traditional dish! Take the work out of snacks to dip and just put the spinach artichoke dip right on a yummy flatbread!

Spinach Arichoke Dip

This is the EASIEST appetizer and is perfect for a nice little snack at home or can even be dressed up and served at cocktail parties! I’ve used my favorite pre-made Stonefire naan, which can be found in the bakery or deli section of your local grocery store, and added my homemade spinach artichoke dip to create the perfect flatbread! I also personally like to add poached shredded chicken to give the dish a protein boost, but this can easily be left out for any vegetarians out there. Pro tip for the less calorie conscious: bacon would also be awesome!

Merry Christmas week, everyone! If you’re like me, you’re probably focused on finishing up the last minute Christmas shopping, finalizing your menu, taking a few final trips to the grocery store, and cleaning up your home as quickly as possible! However, one of the most easily overlooked aspects of hosting during the holidays is preparing your home for your overnight guests.

Follow these few simple steps, and your house will be the perfect oasis for your friends and family this Christmas!

A Welcome note and fresh flowers – This is the best way to welcome someone into your home! Place a fun seasonal flower arrangement and a welcome note on a desk in the guest bedroom or on the bedside table. They are sure to see them right when they walk in and immediately feel at home. Include any necessary passwords or codes that they may need while staying at your house (wifi, alarms, etc.).

TEH Guest Bedroom

The Everyday Hostess - FlowersStyle Me Pretty Living

Bedroom – Create a retreat in the guest bedroom by minimizing personal items and simplifying the decor. Simple art or pictures, an alarm clock, bedside lamps, fresh flowers, a soothing color scheme, all help create a calm getaway for your guests.

The Everyday Hostess - Guest Bedroom Neutrals

A double/queen bed and comfortable bedding are both key to creating a welcoming atmosphere for your guests. Provide a couple extra cozy blankets at the foot of the bed as well. Make sure there is plenty of space in the dresser and closet, so that your guests may hang or put away any clothes that they want to unpack. Don’t forget to provide a few hangers as well!

Guest Bedroom - The Everyday Hostess

Bathroom –– Stock the guest bathroom with the essentials! Make them feel like they are in a hotel suite. Consider what it is like for you staying in someone else’s home. What may you have forgotten? Include a little basket with small shampoos/conditioners, new toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, soaps, and tissues! This will make them feel right at home. Especially if they accidentally forgot something and may not want to ask for it!

Guest Bathroom - The Everyday Hostess

The Everyday Hostess - Guest Bathroom Accessories

My two favorite items for the guest bathroom is this delightful Lafco candle and these personalized monogrammed soaps! (These are also perfect hostess guests, if you are staying with someone else!)

Most importantly, don’t forget fresh bath towels and washcloths. Include two bath towels and two wash cloths for each guest. I know I am not the only one out there who uses a separate towel to dry my hair, so make sure there are a couple extras, just in case!

The Everyday Hostess - Guest Bathroom

Food and Drink — Stocking your refrigerator and pantry with your guests favorites snacks and drinks will help them feel right at home. If you know they like a certain type of drink or coffee, pick up a little extra for them at the store! Not only did you set up a calm retreat for them, but you went above and beyond to make sure they felt as at home as possible!

The Everyday Hostess Guest SnacksBrooklyn Limestone

What are some of your other favorite ways to prepare your home for guests! I would love to hear your tips and tricks!

Photos from Pottery Barn unless otherwise noted.

With Christmas right around the corner, I have been rushing around finishing all of my last minute Christmas shopping and decorating. I’ve been checking thing after thing off my list, but I have one last gift to make! Gifts for my colleagues and neighbors! I like to hand make these types of gifts because it gives them a little bit more of a personal touch and shows that I put more thought and love into each one.

This year, I decided to make these adorable mason jar hot chocolate mixes! We’ve done all the heavy lifting for you with these cute printables, so all you need is some craft paper, a printer, and the hot chocolate ingredients and you have yourself the perfect little gift! Plus, they are super affordable and only take 10 minutes to assemble, which is always a bonus!

In order to assemble these, all you need is one pint sized mason jar, 6 tablespoons of powdered creamer, 6 tablespoons of powdered milk, 6 tablespoons of powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons of milk chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons of chopped candy canes, and ½ cup of mini marshmallows.

Hot Chocolate Mason Jar - Cocoa Powder

Hot Chocolate Mason Jar - Powdered Milk

Hot Chocolate Mason Jar - Powdered Sugar

Hot Chocolate Mason Jar - Chocolate Chips

Layer the powdered ingredients in the bottom of pint sized mason jar and then add the chocolate chips and candy canes. Finally top with the marshmallows, add the lid, and tie on the printable recipe and instructions with a festive ribbon! And there you go! The perfect, affordable, and thoughtful gift for all your friends, neighbors and colleagues!

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Hot Chocolate Mason Jars
Serves 2
The perfect homemade holiday gift for your friends and neighbors!
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Prep Time
10 min
Prep Time
10 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 pint sized mason jar
  2. 12 inches ribbon, string, or twine
  3. 6 tbs powdered creamer
  4. 6 tbs powdered milk
  5. 6 tbs powdered sugar
  6. 3 tbs cocoa powder
  7. 2 tbs milk chocolate chips
  8. 2 tbs candy canes, chopped
  9. ½ cup mini marshmallows
Instructions
  1. Layer the powdered ingredients in the bottom of a pint sized mason jar. Add the chocolate chips and candy canes and then top with the mini marshmallows to fill the jar.
  2. Seal the jar with the lid and attach the printable recipe tag (linked above) with a ribbon.
  3. When ready to enjoy, remove the marshmallows from the jar and set aside. Boil 2 cups of water and add the remaining ingredients to the pot. Mix until fully combined.
  4. Pour the hot chocolate into two mugs and top with marshmallows! Enjoy!
Adapted from Love Grows Wild
Adapted from Love Grows Wild
The Everyday Hostess https://www.theeverydayhostess.com/

Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Flatbread Bites - The Everyday Hostess

A good ol’ fashioned apple crisp always makes for a perfect holiday dessert. It is festive, warm, and when served with your favorite vanilla bean ice cream, it’s the perfect comforting treat!

I have been trying to find a convenient and easy way to serve apple crisp at holiday parties; however, unless you are hosting a sit down meal, it’s hard for people to eat it while mixing and mingling.

I’ve tried serving it on small plates, bowls, and even shot glasses like I do for tomato soup; however, that was still messy. I started playing around with some different options, and came up with the perfect solution!

Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Flatbread - The Everyday Hostess

Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Flatbread! By combining the apple crisp with this fresh and delicious naan from Stonefire, you can cut it into bite size pieces that guests can easily place on a napkin and continue snacking and visiting! The perfect spin on a traditional dish!

Peppermint Brownie Cookies - The Everyday Hostess

How festive are these Peppermint Brownie Cookies?! They taste like giant frosted peppermint patties! What could be better and more perfect for the Christmas season?!

I recently made these cookies as part of the 5th Annual Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap. Over 475 people in 6 countries participated in the cookie swap which raised money Cookie’s for Kid’s Cancer. We all were tasked with making three dozen tasty holiday cookies and shipping them around the country to three other food bloggers. I have to admit, there was a little extra pressure when deciding what type of cookies to send. I mean, how intimidating is it to send baked goods to food bloggers?! Baking is their job! So I wanted to make sure my cookies would stand out and were not just a basic run of the mill Christmas cookie that already filled their kitchens.

Peppermint Brownie Cookies with Frosting

When it comes to hosting around the holidays, the to-do lists are endless. Not only are you planning and preparing the meal, but you are often times cleaning your home for guests, finishing the last bit of decorating, and Christmas shopping for your family, neighbors and colleagues. If you are like me, you also have a page long holiday bucket list of festive Christmas activities that you want to enjoy with your friends and family! In order to make the most of it and enjoy these precious moments with your family, let’s get all of the holiday decorating done in advance!

One of my favorite parts of the house to decorate for Christmas is the dining room table. I love setting the table weeks in advance. There is just something glamorous about having the table set for the whole season. It brings the entire house together and is an easy space to be creative and show your personality and holiday style.

I could spend hours and hours perusing place setting ideas and creative centerpieces for Christmas. In fact, I often do! So I have compiled some of my favorite Christmas tablescapes for you that have helped inspire my table this season! I hope you enjoy these and find some inspiration for your Christmas dinner table as well!

Metallic tablescapeStyle Estate

Cranberry Rustic TablescapeOne King Design

the-everyday-hostess-holiday-2367

Happy holidays and welcome to my home! I am so excited to share with you my holiday home decor this year! Laura from The Avery Grace has graciously invited me to share my home as part of her annual Holiday Home Tour. I am one of 18 bloggers and small business owners who are all opening their doors and sharing their decor and traditions this Christmas. 

Cranberry Pecan and Brie Flatbread with a Maple Brown Sugar Glaze and Carmalized Onions

 

With Christmas and New Year’s right around the corner and holiday parties in full swing, I am always looking for new and unique appetizers to serve at my gatherings or to bring to other people’s homes. However, between all of the to-do lists and Christmas shopping I have, I keep finding myself short on time and just reverting to the traditional holiday recipes that I have been making for years. So much for my new and unique appetizers!

The Everyday Hostess - Cranberry Pecan and Brie Flatbread

This stops now! This Cranberry Pecan and Brie Flatbread with a Maple Brown Sugar Glaze has completely changed the game for me! It is absolutely delicious and, with the help of the pre-made Stonefire Naan Flatbread (found in the deli or bakery section of your local grocery store), it only takes 10 minutes to prepare. The cranberries are so festive and the maple brown sugar glaze brings a sweetness to the dish that pairs perfectly with the Brie. Plus, it can be cut it into small bite size pieces, so it is easy to serve at a cocktail party and people can still mix and mingle while enjoying their appetizer. 

Cranberry Pecan and Onion Brie Flatbread with a Maple Brown Sugar Glaze Appetizer Bite

I recently served this at a holiday party that I had at my house, and I kid you not, I could not keep it on the table for more than five minutes at a time. People kept going back for seconds and thirds and just absolutely loving it! This is the perfect dish for your next holiday gathering! Whether you are looking for a unique twist to traditional holiday favorite or just want a quick festive bite because you are short on time, this recipe is sure to do the trick and will be a definite crowd pleaser!

Enjoy!

Follow us on Instagram and tag #theeverydayhostess when you make one of our recipes for a chance to be featured on our account!

Cranberry Pecan and Brie Flatbread with a Maple Brown Sugar Glaze
Serves 4
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Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
8 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
8 min
For the Flatbread
  1. 1 Package Stonefire Authentic Flatbread - Italian Artisan Pizza Crust (10.5oz)
  2. 1 tbs unsalted butter
  3. 1 tbs of olive oil
  4. ½ white onion, thinly sliced
  5. 1 8 oz wheel of Brie cheese, rind removed
  6. ½ cup of craisins
  7. ½ cup of pecans, chopped
For the Maple Brown Sugar Glaze
  1. 2 tbs of light brown sugar
  2. 2 tbs of pure maple syrup
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Remove pizza crust from packaging and spread butter on the crust. Place the pizza crust on a baking sheet and bake for 3 minutes or until butter is completely melted. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  3. In a small pan on medium heat, add the olive oil and white onion slices and saute for 8-10 minutes or until tender. Sprinkle the sauted onions over the pizza crust evenly.
  4. In a separate small pan on medium heat, add the brown sugar and maple syrup. Using a wooden spoon, mix until combined. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to low-medium heat. Simmer for 1-2 minutes or until foamy. Remove from heat and set aside.
  5. Place the brie cheese in a medium sized, microwave-safe bowl, and microwave in 30 second increments until fully melted. This usually takes about 90 seconds.
  6. Once the Brie is completely melted, spread it evenly over the sauted onions and the pizza crust.
  7. Sprinkle the pizza with craisins and chopped pecans and place the pizza back in the oven for 5 minutes.
  8. Remove the pizza from the oven and drizzle with the maple brown sugar glaze.
  9. Slice and serve immediately. Enjoy!
The Everyday Hostess https://www.theeverydayhostess.com/
THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY STONEFIRE AUTHENTIC FLATBREADS, ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. #STONEFIRE #NAANTRADITIONAL

Photos by Megan Weaver