No gifts today - food coma...

So sorry my friends, but there will be no gift guide today. We had our weekly dinner party last night and I made this which we ate with a delicious pear and blue cheese salad made by my friend KK, and of course plenty of leftover cookies from this weekend's shindig. So I just didn't get around to finishing up the next guide. Don't worry maybe you'll get two tomorrow?

By the by, I've never really made bolognese before and with all the wine and tomato paste, mine was still tasting pretty bright and acidic after simmering for hours. After some internet and cookbook sleuthing, I was surprised to learn two secret bolognese ingredients that are Italian grandma approved. Do you know what they are?

100

From Flickr photographer, JoeyRamone

Drum roll please and cue the trumpets because THIS IS THE 100th POST! 

All right, that's enough shouting. Still, from something that began as a way to update friends and family on our new life in D.C., filled with bus-catching dramatics and Trader Joe's recipes, to a rarely updated frantic chronicle of wedding-related decisions, to whatever it is now, this blog has been fun. Lots of fun for me.  I hope you've enjoyed it a bit too!

If you have found a little something to love, please stick around and bring your friends. I feel like I'm just getting started.

Here's to the next 100!

Gift Guide: The Baker

From Flickr User romanlily

She knows that the best way to anyone's heart is through their belly, especially if she touches a sweet tooth along the way. Whether a novice or a pro, honor her love for the sweeter things with innovative cookbooks, secret ingredients and tools of the trade for showing off her treats. Maybe she'll thank you with a nibble or two!

A new cookbook from the trailblazers behind Brooklyn's Baked bakery - Matt and Renato put their creative spin on everything from whoopie pies to waffles with delicious results. For a double feature, pick up their original book, Baked, featuring a sweet and salty cake out of your most mouth-watering dreams. Both available on Amazon.

A charming retro cake-topper from Bake it Pretty. 

A fantastic case of cupcakery - also from Bake it Pretty. This advanced set includes over 400 cupcake liners, sprinkles a piping kit and an offset spatula - all packaged up in a pretty paperboard suitcase.

The best thing since sliced bread - a tongue in cheek cake pan that offers up pbj poundcake and other sweet riffs on the sandwich. Available on Perpetual Kid.

 A cheery and bright vintage style kitchen timer, from Anthropologie.

A cheeky notebook for jotting down recipes on the run. Available on Amazon.

Quirky cool matryoshka measuring cups by Fred, just $12 at Urban Outfitters

A sweet (without being sickening) scent. Vanilla, coconut and and sugar made grown up with a hint of white musk. From Tokyo Milk. 

A no-fuss no-frills apron for serious baking, in blue ticking with a not so serious red twill tie. From thefabricsociety on Etsy.

A quick mix (or several)  from the Beverly Hills Bakery that started the cupcake craze. Sprinkles cupcake mixes in chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, lemon and banana. On Williams Sonoma. 

Cookie cutters of every description to fill her stocking, you can find them here.  

A cute cocktail ring from Etsy seller beautyspot.

A tale of tasty treats from blogger Orangette. This first book venture mixes heartfelt stories and homegrown recipes with delicious results. On Amazon.

A mitt that's a bit cutesy and kitschy from Paper Source. 

Sweet and simple letter-press recipe cards from Etsy seller confectionpress.

A gorgeous Vaseline glass cake stand. Not her color? Try jadeite or milk glass instead. On Fishs Eddy.

A sample pack of high-end vanilla from Nielsen Massey lets her taste the difference between Tahitian, Mexican and Madagascar Bourbon. Available at King Arthur Flour. 

Finally, Julie and Julia - the book and the movie, because I stand by the fact that both are fantastic in their own ways and that Meryl Streep makes the most divine Julia Child. Both available on Amazon.

Gift Guide: The Gentleman

From Flickr User Dae-Sue Found Photos

He's a man of the 21st century with a touch of class from the past. Part James Bond, part Don Draper, part diplomat. Buy him gifts that appeal to his love for fine clothing, cocktails and cars with a nod to the needs of modern man.

A tough and sleek briefcase to handle his tech with a touch of class. From Tumi.

Socks that make a statement, while staying office appropriate. In stripes, spots and argyles of every variety (for girls too!) Happy Socks.

Bond on Blu-Ray, what could be better? On Amazon.

A cool tool to shake up his cocktail hour. The ice ball maker - for drinks on the rocks without the dilution. You can splurge on the weighted mold that compresses a block of ice into a sphere for crystal clear results or opt for a stocking stuffer sized modified ice tray from MoMA. 

Malt Advocate's whiskey of the year, Stranahan's small-batch artisan Colorado Whiskey. Available online from Total Beverage.

And if whiskey isn't his drink, he might prefer award-winning Bluecoat gin. Distilled in Philadelphia, PA in a pre-prohibition copper pot. This year's top artisan gin. Available online from Drink Up NY.

For reading material while enjoying a cold drink and inspiration for more drinks worthy of such swish ice cubes, Boozehound by Jason Wilson. Available on Amazon.

Silver collar stays with a secret message. From Red Envelope. 

 Unless he opts for a truly classic shave, Jack Black's Electric Shave Enhancer adds a bit of luxury to his daily routine. 

A subscription to my gentleman's favorite publication. The Economist.  

 A manly cuppa in cool industrial packaging. Definitely more dignified than red zinger. From Steven Smith Teamaker.

A vintage edition of a classic game that's more chic than childish, and adds an air of sophistication to game night. Monopoly Vintage Edition for Restoration Hardware (they also have Scrabble)

A coffee mint scented body wash to jump start his mornings. From Wash With Joe.

 For taking notes, reading the news and maybe a little bit of Angry Birds. And because it's an iPad,
the iPad.

 

A super slim front pocket wallet featuring a money clip, three credit card slots and a clear ID window. Available on eBags.

A classy way to leave a hint. Nice Parking cards, for slipping under windshield wipers of offending vehicles. From Jack Spade. 

A special edition from a men's fragrance master. John Varvatos 10th Anniversary edition is "assertive and powerful" with notes of bergamot, orange and cinnamon...

A sterling silver tie clip to inject some Mad Men ad exec style into his work wear. From J Crew.

Call them wingtips, oxfords or brogues - for more television inspired style, a pair of these evokes the prohibition era suiting of Atlantic City's boss, Nucky Thompson on HBO's Boardwalk Empire. Cole Haan available from Nordstroms. For the real deal that Buscemi sports in the opening credits, splurge on these from Forzieri.

For the love of cars.  Britain's best race everything from roadsters to RV's in this madcap and supremely masculine series. Buy him a season, or all 15 or a selection of greatest hits, such as the above Great Adventures. All available on Amazon.

A neat and tidy typography desk calendar from Studio Hinrichs featuring fonts from the archives of 20th century design superstars. No Comic Sans in sight. Available on Veer. 

A wool topcoat in a herringbone tweed helps him break out of the sea of basic black. From LL Bean Signature.

Finally, some essential tongue-in-cheek etiquette, for today's gentleman. Need something a little rougher? Try The Rogues' Handbook  both available on Amazon.

When giving a party...

From Flickr user Millie Motts

Well, the tree is trimmed, snowflakes are hung and family banished (I guess?) I'm stirring up a batch of hot artichoke dip and setting out the gingerbread. Eggnog is chilling, music is playing - It's almost time for my favorite party!

Gift Guide: The Team Captain

Photo by Flickr user aremac

She's a teen with team spirit, focused on her athletics and honing her leadership skills. Give her gifts that help her get the job done with fun flair and sporty style.

An environmentally friendly water bottle that filters while you drink - in her team colors. The new Nalgene? The Bobble.

Collegiate sweat pants from the Uni of her choosing (my alma mater featured here).  From Victoria's Secret Pink.

A bright pillow with a big message. For her room, for inspiration. Pottery Barn Teen in partnership with DoSomething.org

A warm and snuggly winter scarf, in a fresh hue that's not overly fussy. From Old Navy.

 

A rainbow of rubbery watch bands with an interchangeable clock piece. Via my friend Paige - and available here. 

From Flickr user Diane_Brown

An equally brilliant pair of Cons. Delia's has 25 different colors available, and that's not including patterns and sparkles.

A small and simple cool blue wristlet from Hurley. Just enough room for chapstick, cell phone, ID and that new set of car keys. On Zappos, or PacSun. 

Cute cami sports bras from Aerie by American Eagle. I'm also a huge fan of the Champion seamless sports bras at Target, and they seem to come in every color imaginable.

Fun flavored natural lip balms that are petroleum and paraben-free. In flavors like sweet mint, summer fruit and honeydew. For you to stick in her sock, for her to toss in her gym bag. Available on Amazon.

If she doesn't already own it - fun games, simple training and yoga for the whole family. Wii Fit Plus on Amazon.

Tie-dyed hair ties in a vibrant assortment of shades that add a fun twist to the daily ponytail. From Etsy seller, ManeMessage. 

Finally a ready-to-go sleepover filled with sports-themed girl power flicks - all available on Amazon. Throw in popcorn and some candy for a girls night in with the whole team.