It's raining babies!

by Karolina, 2nd December 2012

In the last few months quite a few of my friends have become mothers or future mums.
I don't know if there's something in the air but babies seem to show up like mushrooms after the rain :)

And in our family we have one VIP (very important pregnancy :)) - my sister's!
I can't really imagine that in a few weeks my little sister will be a mum...

Because of this special event coming, I was in charge of baby shower...a surprise baby shower.
I won't be telling you about all the logistics around it.. let's just say it that it required a lot of work and ideas to keep it secret (special thanks here to Dad, Pawel and Bartek). But we managed!!!

I'll tell you more about the party in the next few posts, but today, I wanted to share quick DIY.

The theme of the party was clouds and I made this cute cloud mobile for the occasion:

All you need to make it is:
- wreath
- cotton (to cover the wreath)
- paper (for clouds)
- socks
- thread, wool or ribbon

Step 1
Cover the wreath with cotton or wool and secure with thread.

Step 2
Prepare the socks by filling it with cotton or paper and then tie the pieces of thread or ribbon to it.
Cut the clouds out of thick paper, make a hole in each of them and tie the ribbon or thread.

Step 3
Tie the socks and clouds to the prepared wreath.
Hang it (in my case from the chandelier) using ribbons.

That's the final product.
And what's even better, it's the gift at the same time- socks make a lovely gift for future mum. 
Do you want to make it extra special? Fill the socks with additional gifts - sweets, small trinkets, money etc.

 How do you like it?
I'd love to hear from you!

Autumn leaves...

by Karolina, 11th November 2012

November....for some smell of Bonfire, for others taste of Halloween chocolates. Glow of candles on the cemetery or taste of Thanksgiving turkey. November has a lot of shades, smells and tastes...

Today, I'd like to show you how an autumn walk can result in a lovely decoration...

Leafy table runner...

To create the above, all you need is:

- leaves (that's where autumn walk is necessary :))
- paper
- glue gun
- pillar candles

As most of my DIY this one is pretty easy as well:
- take paper and cut a strip as long and wide as your required runner
- arrange big leaves in a pattern starting from the sides of the paper
- start gluing the leaves into the paper, making sure that no paper is visible
- gradually add more and more leaves to create interesting structure and colour pattern
- don't want to disappoint you but....we're done :)

This table runner will look really great as your Thanksgiving table centerpiece with added pillar candles (of course be very careful while using candles! Don't put anything on fire! If you have children around best would be to replace the candles with electric tea lights). Or add other autumn symbols on top - like pumpkins or apples.
Planning autumn dinner party? This one would be amazing decoration of your buffet table!

Try it!
It's an easy craft that gives you a stunning result!

Do you like it? I'd love to hear from you!

  

Speedy Hostess 4...or how to decorate the table in less than 5 minutes (Autumn edition)

by Karolina, 4th November 2012

Do you know this situation when you rush back home to prepare dinner for mid-week dinner party and you have absolutely no time to decorate your table? Yeah, me too...
This is for these times in life when you're stirring the pot with one hand and apply your mascara with the other.. Or for when you're hoovering, painting your nails and making canapes at the same time or when...well, you get the idea :)

And because it's autumn (or Fall - if you're from other side of the Pond)...
I'll show you a table centerpiece idea that will take you less than 5 minutes to prepare but will make a style statement...

Of course, I use pumpkin. It's probably the vegetable that screams the season the most.
Don't worry - no carving, painting and other crafting skills are needed for this one...

Actually you'll use things that you see in the picture above.

Pumpkin - check
Leaves - check (I'm sure you can run outside and grab some leaves. If you have kids - even better, they can get it for you)
Terracotta pot -check (if you don't have it just arrange the pumpkin on the leaves)

OK, now comes even easier part...
Take a few leaves, put the pumpkin on top of it, transfer to the pot...put it on the table...Done!

Well, I told you it was quick and easy.

And that's what you get. Simple, maybe little bit shabby chic style centerpiece.
Have more pumpkins - go for it, make more for more dramatic effect.

Do you have more time to spare or feel like making it more special?
Add ribbon or pack the pot in the piece of burlap or other textile, or paper of your choice.
Possibilities are endless really.
But I just wanted to show you that even if you're in a hurry you can create a seasonal centerpiece that will make your table more interesting and pulled together.

What is your seasonal decorating style this autumn?

Caramelized tomatoes

by Karolina, 10th September 2012

I love tomatoes!
For their sweetness, amazing colour and versatility. I'm great fan of it from caprese to gazpacho.

So it was just natural that I had to try this:

Caramelized tomatoes!!!

Yes, I thought it was a bit of a crazy idea at the beginning. But longer I thought of it more logical (after all it's fruit) and more tempting it was. 

The original recipe and idea comes from Ronelle from My French Kitchen. She makes lovely tomatoes lollipops.

And really it couldn't be easier - simply make caramel and dip your tomatoes :)

Melt 100g of sugar with couple of spoons of water. Do not stir! Just move your pan so the sugar melts evenly. Once caramel is nice and golden (be careful not to burn it!) carefully dip your tomatoes and turn around to cover all of it. Sprinkle with sea salt.

Important - you have to work quickly , otherwise the caramel will harden (if it happens gently reheat the caramel).
Caramel will create lovely, crunchy texture on top of your tomatoes.

My tomatoes were part of the dinner appetizer. I presented it together with basil olive oil, goat cheese covered in almonds & good baguette.

I loved it. Really! Sweetness, different textures, quirky look. For me perfect!

What do you think?

Summer entertaining

by Karolina, 19th August 2012

I love having friends over for dinner, I really enjoy preparing bigger parties and I especially adore summer entertaining. With long evenings, friendly weather and bountiful of produce summer entertaining is definitely the most enjoyable.
I try to keep menu simple - nobody feels like eating roast dinner when it's hot outside!
So I stick with salads, cold platters, cold soups (you'll see some later this week), fresh fruits.

Today, I wanted to show you a classic...

Watermelon + feta + basil

The best of summer really - fresh sweet fruit, salty cheese which reminds us holidays in Greece and beautiful green basil.

If I prepare a buffer I would just cube cheese and watermelon and hold them together with basil using a toothpick. This is the version you can see today.
Finish it off with fresh pepper and sprinkle of olive oil for the best taste.

Don't you just love the colours? Vibrant and fresh - definitely perfect for summer



You can as well cut out different shapes out of watermelon, or prepare bigger portions if serving as a starter for dinner party.

So, go on - prepare these tiny morsels of summer before it's gone!

I(ce) S(cream)

by Karolina, 11th July 2012

I scream ice-cream! :)
It's been pretty hot here in the last couple of weeks..not that I'm complaining - sunny weather is always good. However, the heat makes me want ice-ceam. Very badly...
I should/try to avoid zillions of  calories hidden in my favouite summer treats...so I tried a few "healthy" ice-cream. Don't worry, it's not one of these things where "healthy" mean "yucky" :) In this case it means "yummy"!

These are my Blueberry Yoghurt Lollies. Not only it's nice and healthy, but easy as well. Seriously!

All you need is:

- blueberies (couple of handfuls)

- natural yoghurt (fat free or normal)

- honey (if you like it sweeter)

You just blend it all. Of course you can just drink it as smoothie and it will be good enough. But for the ice-cream lovers I propose next step...

Pour the mixture into ice tray and pop into the freezer. After half hour/hour insert the lolly sticks (or coffee stirrers). Leave it in the freezer for a few hours and then enjoy :)

To take them out of the tray, insert the tray for a few seconds into warm water.

Note: of course you can make it in the ice-lollies foms. I did it in ice tray because:

1. I didn't have the forms at that point yet

2. I wanted to have smaller portions as a little snack

I think they make great summer party treat as well. Of course timing is everything when it comes to ice-cream, so make sure you don't take them out too ealy. Have a tray of ice at hand as well.

And what is your favourite summer treat?

Baby shower...or Miss Pea party / part 1

by Karolina, 12th May 2012

Finally I'm able to share with you the details of baby shower I organized for my lovely lovely friend who very soon will have a baby.
This was surprise party and unlike "surprise parties" this was actually 100% surprise for mom-to-be :) My partner in crime was my friend's husband who helped me gather all best friends and women close to my friend's heart. It was quite difficult operation taking the fact the I live not only in different city but actually in different country than my friends. To make is funnier, we had to move the party to earlier date, because there was a big chance that in originally planned she might be already a mum or in labour ;)
However, we managed at the end. My parents were very kind to "borrow" their lovely house for the party and my mum and sister helped with last minute preparations (big kiss for that :*).

The main theme I chose was....peas :) Why? Because future parents were calling their future child from the beginning of pregnancy "a pea" and when the gender was known- Miss Pea :)
Yay! That definitely made it easier for me to choose the theme, colours and all the rest :)
So "Miss Pea" party it was.
You can expect a lot of green...

...with a bit of white for good measure :)

Stay tuned for more...more food, more decorations...DIY and more baby shower :)