Holiday Cookie Ideas

In case you are still baking for Christmas, here are some fun holiday cookie ideas from Readers Digest via the Decorated Cookie. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Holiday Desserts from Cannelle et Vanille

I'm loving the chestnut holiday desserts that Aran of Cannelle et Vanille
is baking in her kitchen for the holidays. Aran and I quickly bonded when we worked on this event together. She is a gifted baker, amazing photographer and stylist, and she happens to be as sweet as sugar. Lucky me, I am in Aran's area for the holidays and I get to see her again during the holiday break. Here are some of the fabulous treats that she created to give to her lucky friends for the holidays...

Chestnut macarons


Chestnut flan with double chocolate crystallized ginger biscotti


Another picture of her amazing biscotti


Pictures of Aran's food prep and the finished biscotti gift package

Eggnog Cannolis from Stuffed Artisan

I don't know how time is flying by so fast, but Christmas is just around the corner and it is time to start prepping your menus for the holiday. If you are looking for something special to serve for dessert, try out these eggnog cannolis from Stuffed Artisan Cannolis. Owners Anthony and Brielle have mixed American culinary concepts with the authentic Italian pastry filling and have mastered the twist on this traditional Southern Italian dessert. Some of their other unique flavors include french toast, red licorice, root beer float, and peanut butter & jelly cannolis. They also have all of the traditional cannoli flavors. Anthony and Brielle sent all of the flavors to me and they are delicious. Get them here!

Martha Craft Sale - Sneak Peek

I'm just back from the Martha Stewart private craft sale and it was fantastic! Tomorrow, Martha will open the craft sale to the public for the first time ever! There were several talented crafters from the Martha family selling their holiday crafts. You can view the details about the event here. In the meantime, here is a sneak peek of the event!

I had a chance to meet with Kids Editorial Director & Designer for Martha Stewart Crafts Jodi Levine. She is a crafting guru and I've admired her work for quite some time.



Jodi was selling these adorable holiday felt bags and stocking stuffers at the craft sale. You'll be able to buy these on Jodi's etsy shop next week.





I loved these quilled paper snowflake ornaments by Kirsten Earl.



These magazine Christmas trees, made from old magazines, were seen on the Martha Show this week and were a huge hit at the craft sale. If you are feeling in the DIY mood, you can look here for instructions on how to make them.



I thought these cashmere sweater ornaments were really cute!



I loved these sweater tumblers, also! I would love to drink hot cocoa out of this cup!



How adorable are these felted bowls made by Baskets at Home ?



I will share a few other special vendors from the show on Monday!

Martha Stewart Holiday Craft Sale

I am really excited about this! On Saturday, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is having its first Holiday Craft Sale. Several artisans and crafters, many from within the Martha Stewart family, will be selling their handmade holiday projects and crafts. They will even be selling crafts that will be seen in the December issue of Martha Stewart Living. If you ever wanted to have Martha crafts in your home for the holiday season, then this is the time! This will also be an inspiring craft fair for diy'ers! Check out the info here.

Holiday Sweater-Inspired Kits

It has been a mere four days since we celebrated Thanksgiving and already I see Christmas and Chanukah decorations all over New York City. Yes, it is that time of the year and it is time to start thinking about how we will be decorating for the holidays! Melangerie NYC sent me this awesome (and very affordable) do-it-yourself holiday sweater-inspired party decoration kit that is perfect for an intimate holiday party. It is a pdf file so purchasers will have to print, cut, and assemble the decorations. But have no fear, we've checked out the kit and even the novice diy'er can easily put this together. For just $10, the kit includes a PDF file for invitations, a garland, centerpieces, cupcake towers, placemats, gift wrap and much more. See the whole collection at their Etsy shop here.