Feliz Navidad!

Christmas parties are in full swing, and getting everyone liquored up is a top priority. My supermom friend Krista gave me this recipe, and it is my new favorite festive cocktail.
Christmas Chambles
1 64oz bottle of cranberry juice
2oz package of mulling spices
2-3 bottles of champagne
8oz frozen cranberries

Freeze the fresh cranberries. Mix the the cranberry and mulling spices over medium heat until the spices dissolve.
Fill glass with half champagne and half juice garnish with frozen berries to keep chilled. (I chose to keep the juice in a pitcher so guests could serve themselves)

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Kristmas!

They're at it again, folks... 

Merry Kristmas from the Kardashians in all their airbrush glory

That blob in the white box is Kim's now deceased cat, Mercy. For the record she was "allergic" to it and gave it to Khloe's assistant after a month and it died 2 months later. RIP Mercy.
Not to hate on Khloe, but this picture is sort of supporting those drag queen rumors. Is that a mustache?

And i am not denying that 17 year old model Kendall has a great bod, but I am pretty sure the retoucher was looking to Barbi for inspiration on her legs

Tunesday with George : First Aid Kit & T.I.

First Aid Kit -- The Lion's Roar

Beautiful indie-folk from two harmonizing Swedish sisters:

T.I. -- Trouble Man

I wasn't going to pick this one, because I didn't like his last album much (and it came off as a bit hypocritical, since it was all about how he'd reformed and changed his ways, but then he went back to jail again). But, then I heard the song "Wildside" on Sirius, and changed my mind. There's sure to be some stuff on this album I don't like (i.e. the song with R. Kelly), but the King of the South really is one of the best around, and he's still at the top of his game.

Lights, Camera, Action!

We've been having some issues with lights blowing out. I finally got the electrician out yesterday, and he said we need to replace 2 sconces in the basement and 3 mini-pendants in our kitchen. 

While I have never loved the pendants in our kitchen, finding a replacement that can fit in the current sockets is proving to be a tougher task than I imagined. 

My sensei, Katie Pryor of Pryor Design, has taught me a lot about lighting. Since we do not have any overhead lighting in our breakfast area adjacent to the kitchen, having something that will give off light above and below the pendant is key. So, as much as I love something like this guy, it won't work because all the light will be focused downward.

Lamps Plus $480

I also love this beauty, but a silk shade above the stove would be a nightmare. But ain't she a beaut?!

Barbara Berry for Visual Comfort $1,259

Here is what we currently have (the 2 left pendants are completely dead. lovely). The pendants were here when we moved in, and they've served their purpose, but they don't add anything to the room. 

I wasn't exaggerating when I said "mini-pendant". Each is under 4" in diameter. It seems all the options in this size are super mod, which my kitchen is not. 

I've found a few contenders via the internets:

Ballard Design Newport Pendant $349

Lamps Plus $276

Parker Place $200

Jamie Young $160

Lamps Plus

Pottery Barn $179 for set of 2

What would your pick be?

Tunesday with George : Two Picks

Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale -- Buddy and Jim
Longtime friends, colleagues, and musical collaborators Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale have come together to record their first ever duet album...and it represents everything that's right with Nashville. The male country duet is a lost artform, resurrected masterfully here on Buddy and Jim. The album was recorded in just a few days, at Buddy Miller's home studio. True duet style: with the two of them singing into one microphone in the middle of the room. Don't sleep on this album, it's one of the year's best:

Big Boi -- Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors
Big Boi's last album album, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty, was my favorite hip-hop album for a number of years. So while I haven't able to listen to this one yet, needless to say my hopes are high. I noticed, that like on his last record, Outkast's record label isn't allowing Andre 3000 to appear on any of the songs (damn them man!), but the list of guest performers is pretty impressive: UGK, T.I., Big K.R.I.T., Ludacris, Kid Cudi, Killer Mike, B.o.B., Wavves, and of course longtime collaborator Sleepy Brown).

Outstanding in the Field Recap

Pie Ranch Dinner

Last Sunday, Mr. Fonty & I flew home to California to join my family at the last Outstanding in the Field dinner of the season. My brother was the host chef, and the food was insanely delicious. Here are some pics from the evening (some from my phone and others from Eloise)

The evening begins with check-in, passed appetizers and delicious wines from Hall Wines (Celia, I know you are jealous) In addition to their own reds and whites, Hall has a new line of wine, Walt, and it is incredible. Some of you may be finding a bottle in your stocking.

Even the pig's head was delicious

 Catching up with by best bud and Mrs. C

 With the chef 

 We then went on a tour of the farm and a foraging adventure. With 2 previous days of downpours, it was a good excuse to break out the rain boots 

 Chickens who give new meaning to cage-free organic

 The creator and director of Outstanding

 Our chefs for the evening, Jeff and my brother Marty

 Make-shift Kitchen

 Let the dinner games begin!

Probably the best soup I've ever had -- and I really like soup ("We both like sooooup" name that movie)

 Grilled Squid -- ate more than my family style share

 Marty's famous 75-day aged beef with chantrelles and a mint chimichuri that I want to drizzle on everything I eat.

 Family Joke : Butternut Squash (we missed you, Scott)

 Apple Tart for dessert

 Marty and his lady, Norell

My proud parents

 Compliments to the chef!!

  Thanks, Mart & Outstanding in the Field for an unforgettable night! 

Holiday Gift Guide (for her): For the Classy Broad

So we've addressed jewels and items for the outdoor lady, now here are my picks for the everyday classy broad. What's that you ask? Oh, what is that gold thing? Well my friends, that is a dream come true - a GOLD iPod speaker! Holy Moly I need one. 

For the record family, I will take one of each of these items for under my own Christmas tree.

Equipment silk top
my-wardrobe.com

Rebecca taylor
rebeccataylor.com

J Crew long shirt
jcrew.com

Pullover sweater
lagarconne.com

Emerson leopard print coat
emersonfry.com

Current/Elliott mid rise skinny jeans
$320 - harveynichols.com

Racing Green slingback shoes
emersonfry.com

Madewell flat heels
madewell.com

Dorothy Perkins chunky knit scarve
dorothyperkins.com