Napkin Rings for the Fun of it!

I have had a luncheon for my girlfriends, Thanksgiving, Christmas and friends all over for dinner in the past couple of months. Guess what has been the hit or the topic of conversation? Yes you guessed it, the napkin ring. The adults have played, the kids have played and yes even granny and grandpa. They play little games like "lets see who can be the most creative with these fun twisty flexy rings", by making fun and inventive shapes. Many hours have been accumulated playing with these oh so pretty and fun napkin rings! Everybody wants to know where I purchased them and where they can buy them. I purchase them in bulk and decided to put them for sale on my website. Check out SavvyandSky.com for details (under goodies). They can be purchased in sets of 6 and 12. They come in bronze and bright gold and measure approx. 32" these fun little dittis bring a whole new level of creativity to the family and dining.

Tutorial on Candy Presents for Cupcakes

You will need: 1. candy starbursts
                        2. fruit roll ups
                        3. sharp knife
                        4. patience

Cut your fruit roll ups in thin long pieces.

Wrap your starbursts with the fruit roll ups. They will stick very easily to the candy, so just make loops on top of the candy for the bow. Use your knife to press into place.

Make as many as needed. You did it! Wasn't that easy? Now your ready to decorate your cupcakes and or set on a pretty tray.

Oh so elegant and yummy!

popcorn ball recipe

I don't know about you but I have many memories of enjoying popcorn balls every Halloween and Christmas. I loved the colored paper they used to be wrapped in, that was part of the fun. There's something about colored paper and unwrapping the sticky goodness inside. So today I thought it would be fun to share a couple of recipes. My sister Pam is our guru of cooking and she swears by these recipes. So good luck and enjoy!

Honey Popcorn Balls

¾ cups honey

¾ cup sugar

1 t salt

½ cup water

3 quarts popped popcorn

2 T melted butter

Directions

1. Add sugar, salt and water to a 3 quart pot and stir until liquid reaches 300°F, which will be a very brittle stage.
2. Add honey slowly, stirring until blended.
3. Cook until liquid reaches 240° (about one minute.)
4. Pull liquid over popcorn and mix with a wooden spoon.
5. Working quickly, drop two large spoonfuls of popcorn onto a buttered cookie sheet.
6. As they cool, form into balls (rub fingers in butter to keep the popcorn from sticking to your hands.)

POPCORN BALLS

Ingredients

1. 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for buttering hands
2. 1 package miniature marshmallows (10 ounces)
3. 1/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
4. 3 quarts popped popcorn
5. 1 cup dried cranberries, or English toffee bits, optional

Directions

1. Melt butter in a large heavy pot over low heat. Add marshmallows and brown sugar and stir until melted. Remove from heat.
2. Pour popcorn and cranberries, or English toffee bits if using, into pot; toss well. With buttered hands, shape into 2 1/2-inch balls. Set on parchment lined baking sheet to dry slightly

Crunchy Caramel Popcorn Balls

1. 4 tablespoons butter, plus more for baking sheet
2. 10 cups plain unsalted popped (from 1/2 cup kernels or a 3.3-ounce bag microwave popcorn) popcorn
3. 1 cup cashews, coarsely chopped (optional)
4. 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
5. Coarse salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Butter a large rimmed baking sheet; set aside. Place popcorn in a large bowl; if using cashews, add to bowl and toss to combine. Set aside.
2. In a small saucepan, bring butter, sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons water to a boil, stirring constantly. Working quickly, drizzle popcorn with sugar syrup, and toss.
3. Spread popcorn evenly on prepared baking sheet. Bake, tossing occasionally, until golden and shiny, about 40 minutes. Transfer hot popcorn to parchment-paper-lined baking sheet; let cool.

Upcycled Bracelet

A close-up of one of my latest bracelets. In this piece I used an old bracelet that was covered with faux pearls and shells. I loved the bracelet because it is made on a stretchy band. So guess what I did? Yes, I removed all the faux pearls and shells and added hill silver beads, swarovski crystals, genuine pearls, a vintage pink bead and an ex-large genuine pearl cluster bead. 

Sometimes I think when bracelets are covered with beads they can look typical. In this case I thought since the recycled bracelet had substance, all I needed to do was add beads asymmetrically to create interest. The bracelet also was upgraded in that natural and genuine pearls and beads were used. If you have any pieces you'd love up-cycled contact SavvyandSky.com they have a service in which they will up-cycle your pieces starting at 25. I love unique and one of a kind pieces of jewelry, it's so in!

Thanksgiving Table Inspiration

So I had the pleasure of going to lunch at a dear friends home. Kim not only has a beautiful home but she makes it inviting and alluring. She uses her home to host lovely parties and luncheons such as this for an art group with which we belong.  Kim believes in sharing her home with those she loves.  Upon entering the dining room your immediately in awe of the warm color scheme and neutral tones of the the entire space, love the red walls.  She totally outdid herself with this years centerpiece for her amazing table, all designed and decorated by her. She fooled me, I thought she purchased it.

Here you will find a pheasant as the main focal of the centerpiece. He is rather large which makes him noticable and brings him to the forefront. To make the centerpiece cohesive Kim added pheasant feathers throughout, along with different greens, feathers and pinecones. She started with a basket and added all the color and textures she wanted for the the main event.

Here notice how she added more pheasant feathers under the arrangement for more cohesiveness. She served soup in ceramic white pumpkin bowls. The tablecloth is layered with a textured fabric and topped off with burlap. She used feathered napkin rings and ochre napkins to compliment the overall green colorscheme. The napkins can be found at Pier1 Imports. Notice the orange pumpkins as well for more unity.

She made us all feel so special by pulling out all the stops. Notice the feather placemat and the silver plate charger under the china. The turkey plates are a seasonal additon which bring joy to the Thanksgiving table. They can be found at Pottery Barn. She used brown wine goblets and served a lovely wine during lunch. It is always a treat to visit with friends and enjoy the fruits of their labor. In this case, Kim uses her talent of tablescaping. She uses the table as her palette, and she succeeds in not only design but using her home as a place to express her talent. Thank you Kim for your friendship and talent!