Signature Eggnog and Crepes with Blackberry

The holiday is a wonderful time to share delicious food, drink, laughter and fun with family and friends. One of my favorite treats at holiday time is Eggnog. I like to drink the homemade kind versus store bought. I am sharing this recipe from Martha Stewart.....enjoy!

Ingredients

4 cups milk
1 1/3 cups sugar12 large egg yolks
2 cup bourbon, (optional)
1 cup chilled heavy cream
Grated nutmeg, (optional)


Directions

1.In medium saucepan, whisk milk and sugar over medium heat until sugar is dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. In a large bowl, whisk egg yolks. Whisking constantly, pour hot mixture into yolks in a slow and steady stream.

2.Return mixture to pan; cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until thick enough to coat back of spoon, 20 to 25 minutes; do not let simmer. Quickly strain into a bowl. Stir in bourbon, if desired, and cream. Cool completely; cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until chilled. Garnish with nutmeg, if desired. 

I like to add vanilla as another flavoring to the eggnog along with nutmeg and you can add rum or brandy instead of bourbon, if alcohol is desired. 





Photo by Yunhee Kim

 There is nothing like sharing delicious food around the holiday. Let's continue with this Cornmeal Crepe with Fresh Buttermilk and Blueberry. I obtained this recipe from wholeliving.com. 

Ingredients

For the Cheese
6 cups low-fat buttermilk
4 1/2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar 
For the Crepes
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt and freshly grated nutmeg
1 large egg, plus 1 large egg white
1/4 cup skim milk
1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
1/2 teaspoon canola oil
Vegetable oil, cooking spray
3 1/2 cups blackberries
1/4 cup creme de cassis
1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar


Directions
1.Make the cheese: Line a large fine sieve with 3 layers of cheesecloth, and set over a large bowl. Heat buttermilk in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, without stirring, until clear liquid separates from milk at edges or a candy thermometer clipped to the edge of the pan registers 95 degrees. Reduce heat to low; cook until thermometer registers 100 degrees. Remove from heat; let stand 3 minutes. Pour into sieve; cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until thick and creamy, about 3 hours (up to overnight). Before serving, stir in confectioners' sugar.

2.Make the crepes: Whisk flour, cornmeal, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg in a bowl. Whisk egg, egg white, milk, buttermilk, honey, and oil in another bowl; gradually add to flour mixture, whisking until smooth. Transfer to an airtight container; refrigerate 30 minutes.

3.Coat an 8-inch crepe pan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Remove from heat; pour in 2 1/2 tablespoons batter, swirling to coat. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, flipping once, until edges are golden and center is dry, 45 to 60 seconds per side. Repeat with remaining batter.

4.Toss together berries and cassis. Let stand 15 minutes, tossing often. Divide crepes among plates. Spread each with 1/4cup cheese. Sprinkle with berries; drizzle with juice from bowl. Dust with sugar.
  
I am currently out of town enjoying time with my family. I hope that you will do the same with yours and as you gather around good food with engaging and enlightening conversations.

Happy New Year to you and yours!

Signature Holiday Table-Winter Theme

Winterr White table with black & silver accents

Winter White table with black & silver accents

It's the most wonderful time of the year! For me, this is my favorite holiday....hands down!  We are all busy shopping and preparing for our holiday celebrations. A lot of us are thinking about our holiday tabletop decor. What kind of place settings that we will use and the colors of our holiday theme. Will it be the traditional green and red or will be it be blue and silver for our Hanukkah celebrants or will you go out on a limb and try something new and different for your color theme?

My company recently did a Holiday Networking Soiree at Private Stay by MadlyLiving. The owner of the bed & breakfast wanted a black, silver, gold, white & cream colortheme for the event. I quickly teamed up with my friend Kelly Ann Downes of Select Event Rentals, who sponsored all the rentals for the event. 

White, Silver & Black place settings

White, Silver & Black place settings

For the table setting above we choose a Shantung Silver tablecloth and overlay it with a Bash White overlay. The Bash White overlay is a new linen that Select has for the holidays and it is absolutely gorgeous. The crystal and beads give the tablecloth a beautiful sparkle that fits in  with any winter theme. For the base plate I choose a 12" Silver Beaded charger and topped it with Orleans dinner and salad plate. The silverware belongs to MadlyLiving and it blended beautifully with the design. The napkins are also Shantung Silver and I tied them with a Silver Gem napkin ring. I brought out the black in the plates and accented the design with Pache Black stemware, which rounded out the design.

For centerpieces, I use a base plate/charger called  Silver Saturn, placed a Crystal Silver Lamp in the middle and loaded it up with snowflakes. I then topped the snowflakes with different silver and white ornaments. This helped to make the table sparkle more and lend to the winter  theme.

On the side buffet where the cocktails were served, I added a silver, gold, cream & white runner and placed a fruited silver centerpiece with white candles in the middle.

Dior Silver Pintuck linens adorn the two 36' round tables that flanked the dining table on either side. From there we served up our delicious holiday buffet and desserts.

After you have decided on your holiday color theme this year, then visit Select Event Rentals website, where you can create your tabletop design with their amazing online tools. From there, you can visit their showroom in Laurel, MD and order and pickup your rentals.

Here's to a beautiful holiday table!

Signature Holiday Gift Ideas

It is that time of the year again! The time to give gifts to client’s, colleagues, employees, friends & family. I would like to share with you unique, cost-saving, gift-giving ideas for the holiday season.
These gift ideas are for companies, small business owners and individuals. For each segment, I will show you how to customize for individual gift-giving or as a company.

Greeting Card

                                    

I know that sending greeting cards for the holiday’s, is not unique or cost saving. As a matter fact, it can become rather expensive. I want to introduce you to two websites that will allow you to be environmentally conscious, while sending elegant & unique e-cards.  

Pingg is an e-card site that allows you to send greetings for free. The site allows for customization for individuals or business. They have featured designers that include Martha Stewart and others. You can customize your e-cards with photos or your logo.  

Paperless Post is another website that has unique e-cards. When your recipient receives the e-card, they see an actual envelope with their name on it. When they click on it the card flips around and opens up and the greeting slides out. The envelopes can be customized with a lining that is to your liking. This website also allow for customization with photos and logos.

Decorated Tubes, Stocking or Mittens



Embellish wine container with a beautiful thick satin ribbon, it will give the gift a lush feel. You can also add an ornament or holiday spray.



When wrapping your unique gifts, you should also use unique containers. This will help with the panache and sophisticated feel of the gift, although it may not have cost a lot to purchase. I suggest adding wine, cooking wine with a recipe or flavored sparkling cider. Flavored cider like pear, peach, pomegranate and boysenberry is sold at Ikea.

A customized label can be added to each of these gift items. For a company, I would suggest adding your logo with your tagline and any other message you choose. For individuals you can customize by adding the recipients initials or a personal holiday message. You can customize your own labels at Avery, Better Homes and Garden, Martha Stewart and Free Printables.

Decorated Dome or Food Gift Wrap 

Oriental Trading

Customize boxes with tags and add ribbons & holiday spray.

With containers like these, I would start by adding parchment paper or wax paper to the bottom of the container. I suggest that you fill these boxes with logoed or decorated holiday cookies.

You can order this tasty treat from The Flour Pot. Not only can you add your logo but also pictures or any other design you like. Another tasty treat that can be added to your boxes are chocolates. Who doesn't like chocolates at holiday time? You can add customized or flavored chocolates. Coco Sala is a chocolate lounge and boutique and they sell delicious and unusual flavors of chocolate. Check-out their seasonal and specialty flavors, it will blow you away. For customized chocolates for your company, visit Custom Chocolate Image. You can add your logo or business card to the chocolates. For individuals, you can add pictures of your family or loved ones.

Decorated Book Shaped Containers

 

Line with tissue and embellish with a curly ribbon and ornament.

What could be more appropriate to add to this container than a book. Books are wonderful gifts to give at holiday time. For a client, you can give a motivational or business book. Or if you have written a book, then I would gift that or give a coupon to your e-book. With books, I would write a personal note on the front inside page for your recipient.  For individuals, a cookbook at holiday time would be great! Other suggested items for a gift box like this would be notepads & pens and these can be customized if you choose. Calendars or agenda books for the upcoming New Year would be much appreciated by your recipient. For customized items, you can order them from 123PRINT or Vistaprint.

Decorated Pails

With pails you can purchase small, medium or large size. Jam’s with a customized label is a good fit for this container. Scented Sugars make great gifts and they add perfume and flavor to tea, coffee & desserts. You can mix up a batch by following the recipe on marthastewart.com. How about some Tea Sachets? You can purchase loose tea in bulk and put them in sachets with your own customize labels. Every time your recipient drinks tea, they will think of you or your company.

Plate Charger or Christmas Plates

Purchase an elegant and beautiful plate charger in silver, gold or red or use a Christmas plate. Lined the bottom with doily and add a tasty treat to it and slip it all into a basket bag. Embellish with a thick satin ribbon or decorative piece. You can add a candy, ornament or spray along with the ribbon.

For tasty treats, I would go with cupcakes. For companies, you can add your logo and for individuals, you can have it decorated with holiday colors & designs. My favorite bakery for cupcakes is Kake Korner. I love this bakery because their cupcakes are moist and reasonable priced. You can get a lot of different flavors like pineapple, carrot, red velvet, strawberry, lemon and other exotic flavors. Make your recipients favorite cake and add that to the plate or charger.

Instead of ordering from Harry & David, why not purchase some sweet juicy fruits yourself and add them to the plate with nuts. Slip the whole thing in a basket bag, embellish and customize with a tag and you are done.

Customize some candles with labels and add them to the plate or charger surrounded with snow. I would suggest placing the plate or charger in the basket bag before adding the snow.

Holiday Decor

Customize wreath with a printed ribbon



Add customized candles to your holiday decor



Finally, give the gift of a holiday decor. Wreaths are always nice and you can give a fresh or pre-made one. You can customize it with a beautiful printed ribbon. With other holiday decor like centerpieces, you can customize bu adding labeled candles to the piece. My company Y Lowe Signature Events, offer custom decor and decorating for the holiday season. For ribbon personalization, you can visit Print My Ribbon or Bags & Bows.

Happy Holiday Shopping!

Signature Grand Opening-Fairfield Inn & Suites BWI

Ooh....need I say more. It is Bond, James Bond! With his Bond girl of course, presented at the James Bond 007 themed grand opening of the Fairfield Inn & Suites BWI. This brand new hotel is located in Linthicum, MD in the heart of the BWI Business District, just 2 miles from the airport. Guests were invited to be a Suite Spy Secret Agent..Suite Spy, you get it?
The ribbon cutting ceremony was done by Fran Schmidt, CEO of Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce, Shruti Buckley, VP & Global Brand Manager for Marriott, Ebony Harvin, General Manager for Fairfield Inn & Suites BWI,  Al Patel, President, Baywood Hotels and my friend Roxann Gardner, Director of Sales for Fairfield Inn & Suites BWI.

Richard Petras was the  General Manager (GM) of the hotel and he passed away a few months before the grand opening. A plaque was created on his behalf to honor him. His family was present that night and they are photographed above with the new GM Ebony Harvin and Director of Sales, Roxann Gardner.

I love themed events. It allows you as an event designer to let your creative juices flow and to go where your budget takes you. There was a Martini Bar where the drink was served, shaken...not stirred! Just the way Bond likes it!

From the red-carpet entrance to the giant sized dice and the secret case with a martini glass on top surrounded by palm trees, all played into the small touches that makes a themed event that more special. Why? because your guests, gets it. They see, feel, taste and experience what you are trying to tell them. Rick Fenstemaker, Sr. VP of Baywood Hotels left is seen hanging out by the Martini bar.

Well you can't have a James Bond themed event without a casino. Guests were able to play at three table in-order to win extra tickets for more chances to win door prizes.

There were lots and lots of door prizes given away at the end of the evening, including an IPAD2 and a XBOX 360. I was hoping to win the IPAD2 but it just wasn't my night to win.

All photos by Wiliam H Joseph of joe-co

"Unto whom much is given, much is expected". I believe that as business' we should always give back to the community that we live in. The Blue Bear was on-hand to give out free hugs and a $1,000 check to Patapco Elementary Middle School. School principal, Rita Mullally pictured third from right, is happy to accept the check, on behalf of her staff and students.

What an awesome finish to an auspicious occasion. Kudos to Fairfield Inn  & Suites BWI.

Signature Lifestyle Trunk Show

I started creating some Signature Events for my company, and this Lifestyle Trunk Show is one of them. This event will feature vendors that will be able to help women with their image & lifestyle. Whether you work in a professional or laid back environment, there will be something there for you.  It is also for the man who is looking for something special for the woman in his life. Vendors will be on hand to help men and women select items for themselves or for that special person. They can help you to enhance your styling and purchase products that are healthy and natural.

Ann Brodeur is a district manager for Arbonne and she will be selling skincare, cosmetics and nutrional products. Arbonne products are all plant based and vegan certified. Arbonne is also an animal friendly company. Drop by to see all the products that they offer, it may just surprise you.

Marilyn's Closet is a hidden gem located in Prince Georges County, Maryland. They offer "high end merchandise" at discounted prices, ladies clothing and accessories for all occasions, customized and one-of-a-kind gifts.  Marilyn’s Closet even offers personalized services to the gentlemen looking for a gift for that special someone.  "I'm committed to meeting your needs and delivering quality service", says Marilyn Stone.

Lashae's Boutique offer gorgeous handbags and accessories. Choose from a selection of elegant & unique bags, ties, belts, hats and wallets. Items are also available for men. Linda Lisanti also sells Premier Design Jewelry.

Premier Designs offers a wide array of beautiful, affordably-priced jewelry to suit a variety of fashion styles — from classic elegance to contemporary, vintage romantic to naturally simple. Update: If you purchase $75 worth of jewelry...you will get $40 worth of jewelry FREE!

Joining us will be Art Iz 56 Twelve Hair Gallery in Hyattsville, MD. These ladies help to take care of you from the inside out. They will be on hand to do eyebrows, mini hand massages and give makeup tips.

NEW: Tanisha Townsend of The GrapeVine LLC will be doing a wine tasting to compliment the delcious cupcakes.

Please join us for this event and visit with all our vendors. Guests can enjoy wine and cupcakes as they shop and be pampered. Register Now for the event. See you there!