Good Morning Darlings!
I am all about Halloween this week month. I cannot get enough of Halloween.
Halloween
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Goblin Tea at The Ritz-Carlton, NOLA
Wednesday, October 12th, 2011Halloween Decor at Eclectia
Tuesday, October 11th, 2011Good Morning Darlings!
Only 20 more days until Halloween. Are you giving a party? Do you need for it to be the best? Of course you do!
Some of My Favorite Summer Things
Monday, August 15th, 2011Good Morning Darlings!
Summer will soon be gone, replaced by light sweaters and thoughts of Halloween costumes.
White Bean and Chicken Chili
Thursday, December 16th, 2010Good Morning, Darlings!
My wonderful husband, Eric, is taking the reins today to share the recipe for the scrumptious White Bean and Chicken Chili he made this weekend. It is perfect for these cooler nights. Enjoy!
This chicken chili hits the spot on a cool evening.
White Bean and Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- One whole chicken, in parts
- 12 tomatillos
- Two large poblano chiles
- Two medium jalapeño chiles
- 1 1/2 cup diced onion
- 3 12oz cans cannellini beans
- 3 cloves garlic, sliced
- 2 beers
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp Adobo
- 3 tsp sage
- 2 tsp basil
- Salt & black pepper
Debone the chicken. Season evenly on both sides with salt, pepper, adobo, sage, and basil. Reserve.
Peel and rinse the tomatillos. Cut the smallest in half and the larger to roughly that size. Put in a medium saucepan, and add the cider vinegar and one beer. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes or until the tomatillos soften.
Roast the chiles and wrap in plastic to steam them, 15 minutes. Rub or peel off the skin, then remove the seed pits and dice.
Heat the olive oil in a large pot to a shimmer. Add the chicken, skin side down, and brown. Remove before the chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Drain on paper towel.
To the pot, add half of the liquid cooked with the tomatillos and deglaze. Add the chiles and onion to the pot and sautée* with a pinch of salt. Once toasted, add the garlic and toast, stirring often 5 minutes. Add the tomatillos and liquid, then the cans of beans, with liquid. salt and pepper the beans before you stir them in. Add the other beer.
Dice the chicken and return to the pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer for an hour. Taste frequently to correct the seasoning.
Serve with white corn tortilla chips and a dollop of sour cream.
* If you started with a whole chicken and have giblets, dice them and add them with the onions and chiles. Skip the kidneys and neck.
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Beyonce – He’s My Man
Reliving The Magic
Thursday, November 11th, 2010Good Morning Darlings!
Last night was a dinner for 12 sponsored by POM Wonderful but given by me at our house. With a bundle of courses.
This morning I am staring at a kitchen full of dirty dishes.
Thus, my very belated Halloween post. And since a picture says a thousand words, here are several thousand words for you.
My costume was the Tooth Fairy, with my precious husband crafting my fleece tooth crown all himself. He is incredible. He went as a Juggalo. Google it for fun.
Our party hosts were the always charming Steve and Carrie Burns at their killer loft in Castleberry, overlooking the Georgia Dome. I especially loved the cockroach cupcakes. Brilliant.
Eric is the best at everything. Loved my softie crown.
Halloween Treats from Around The Web
Thursday, October 28th, 2010Good Morning, Darlings!
If you are like me, you like to peruse the internet for party ideas. I was popping around and found these fun snacks just in time for your weekend Spooktacular! We will be attending the posh Halloween bash at the loft of our friends, Carrie & Steven. The weather should be cool, so my fairly hefty costume should pose no problems.
Need some ideas for your party? Look what I found for you!
Still Feeling Drinky!
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010Good Morning Darlings!
Halloween is almost here and even more fun than the candy, are the spooktastic drinks you can conjure up. Our old friend Lindsay sent us this from way up in New York City. And in honor of our dear friends Calvin and Steve, who are hosting the hot undead crew of the Vampire Diaries as they film in their downtown loft, I thought this drink was quite appropriate.
Take it away, Lindsay!
This Halloween leave a lasting mark on guests with a chic fang-tastic cocktail! Inspired by the recent vampire craze, renowned New York City Mixologist Jonathan Pogash channels the flavors and trends of the season combining festive ingredients and the alluring flavors of Corzo Tequila to elevate the entertaining experience.
Entice guests with the thrilling flavors in the Corzo Bite, a vampire inspired blood orange cocktail. Highlights include:
· Festive Colorings: Reminiscent of the crimson shades of blood
· “Bloody” Ingredients: A bloody illusion is created with ripe blood oranges and home-made red grenadine
· Bite Garnish: The strawberry syrup garnish on the glass creates and tasty vampire bite effect
CORZO Bite
1 1/2 parts Corzo Silver Tequila
1/2 parts Campari
1 part fresh blood orange juice
1/4 parts blood (aka home-made grenadine) **
2 parts Jarritos Tamarindo Soda
Process: Build all ingredients into a highball glass filled with ice. Add the “blood” at the end.
Garnish: blood orange wheel and strawberry syrup
** Home-made grenadine: Add equal parts white sugar and POM pomegranate juice together and dissolve sugar over high on stove-top. When dissolved, add several drops of orange flower water, simmer on low heat for 10 mins., chill, and serve.
** If blood oranges are not available, use a slice of regular orange that is soaking in “blood” as a garnish.
Corzo Tequila’s unique double aging, triple distillation process creates an unparalleled taste and smoothness in this cocktail.
Thanks, Lindsay!
Tomorrow we will be mixing up some trouble with absinthe (just for you, Chioke!), so stay tuned.
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Warren Zevon – Werewolves of London
Last Minute Easy & Cheap Costumes
Monday, October 25th, 2010Good Morning, Darlings!
Halloween is upon us. Have your purchased the candy, eaten it all and then replaced it? I need to replace all the Tootsie Rolls I gobbled up. (sorry kids…)
Anyhoo, we are off to a party on Saturday night and will post more on our costumes as the time draws nigh. Over at Better Homes and Gardens, they are dispensing fab advice on easy last minute costumes. Let me know your ideas!
7 Last-Minute Costumes
Fast and fabulous costume ideas that you can pull together in no time
By Kristin Finello
Just got word of an impromptu Halloween bash and need a costume for tonight? No problem. Here are seven fast and fabulous ideas that you can pull together in no time. The best part: You probably already own most of the items you’ll need.
1. The Ultimate Tourist
Don’t be surprised if people ask, “You’re not from around here, are you?” Men and women can both pull off the look of the stereotypical tourist. Just dress badly, hang a few cameras around your neck for good luck, and wander around looking confused.
What You Probably Already Have: Knee-length shorts, a shirt (logo T-shirts with the name of a city or tourist attraction, or loud tropical-inspired shirts are best), a baseball cap or straw hat, knee socks, sneakers, and sunglasses. Wear your camera around your neck and carry a large shoulder bag or backpack.
What You Might Need to Get: A fanny pack to strap around your waist, and assorted maps and guidebooks to hold or carry in your bag or backpack.
2. Miss America
Not only is this a great shortcut costume, but when else would you ever wear that old bridesmaid or prom dress again? Now’s your chance to whip it out and strut your stuff. Be sure to tell everyone that you hope for world peace. Bonus points if you actually have a talent for the talent competition.
What You Probably Already Have: An old formal dress from a prom, wedding, or other affair, and high-heeled shoes.
What You Might Need to Get: A glittery tiara (you can pick one up at a party store or accessory shop) and a pageant sash. Make your own sash by cutting fabric into a long strip and writing Miss America on it in glitter. Pick up an inexpensive fresh or fake bouquet to carry.
3. The Crocodile Hunter
Want to get back to nature? Go as the fearless Crocodile Hunter — sans the mud and life-and-death situations. You probably won’t encounter much wildlife in the urban or suburban jungle, but you just never know!
What You Probably Already Have: Khaki shorts and a khaki short-sleeved button-down shirt capture the look. Pull on a pair of brown socks and ankle boots.
What You Might Need to Get: Pick up some gauze and use it to bandage your hand where a croc just “bit” you. Also, drape a plastic snake or three around your neck, or carry a stuffed crocodile.
4. A Got Milk? Ad
Here’s the ultimate in easy costumes. Dress however you want, but make yourself into an instant pop culture icon by painting on the telltale milk mustache. Make a “Got Milk?” sign out of poster board and hang it around your neck.
What You Probably Already Have: Clothes — you can wear any outfit you’d like.
What You Might Need to Get: White face paint to draw a milk mustache above your top lip, and poster board and yarn for your sign.
5. Aerobics Instructor
Get in touch with your athletic side by dressing as an aerobics instructor. Bonus: Burning a few extra calories as you show off your moves will help make up for all the Halloween candy you’re going to eat!
What You Probably Already Have: Sneakers, athletic socks, sweatpants or leggings, a T-shirt and/or a sports bra.
What You Might Need to Get: A sweatband or bandanna for around your forehead, and a blow-up or plastic set of dumbbells. Scout out a curly wig and you can go as fitness guru Richard Simmons (be sure to substitute striped nylon shorts and a sleeveless shirt for the outfit above).
6. Celebrity and Paparazzi
Here’s a great last-minute idea for two or more people: One of you dresses like the celebrity of your choice, all ready for the red carpet. And the others follow the celebrity around, snapping photos and yelling “Over here!” and “Look to the right!”
What You Probably Already Have: An old evening gown, high heels, and jewelry for the celeb (or a tuxedo or suit and shades if the celebrity is a man). For the paparazzi: Black pants, black shirts, and sneakers for chasing camera-shy stars.
What You Might Need to Get: Up the celeb’s glamour quotient by finding a fake fur coat or wrap at a thrift store or costume shop. If the photographers don’t want to use real cameras, they can buy prop cameras to shoot with.
7. Chef or Butcher
Celebrity chefs like Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, and Rocco DiSpirito are hot right now, and you can get in on the trend this Halloween. Don’t worry if your culinary skills aren’t up to snuff — looking the part is all that matters!
What You Probably Already Have: Mimic a chef’s or butcher’s white uniform by wearing a white shirt or jacket, white pants, and a white apron. If you’re going as a chef, grab a dishtowel or two from your kitchen and tuck them into the waistband of your apron.
What You Might Need to Get: No butcher’s outfit is complete without a smear of fake blood across the apron. Also, pick up a large plastic knife, some plastic meat (from a kids’ kitchen set), and a paper hat. Chefs can buy a traditional chef’s hat at a costume or party store.
There you go! I love the “Got Milk” idea. You could pair it with your favorite celebrity outfit and double your fun.
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Michael Jackson – Thriller
