TOM DELAVAN ~ DESIGN IN EAST VILLAGE

Previously a contemporary art specialist at Sothebys and the editor at large for Domino magazine, interior designer Tom Delevan decided to go out on his own and decorate homes. Art and architecture serve as inspiration for his work, mixing modern and classic.

This East Village apartment has tall windows and beautiful art pieces, which allowed Delavan to use a neutral palette. ENJOY!

First Communion Cookies


Continuing on with the sacrament cookie motif ;)... (Remember the confirmation cookies earlier this week?  These are for the same sweet family.)


I was really looking forward to making these cookies again.  The last time I made them was for kiddo's First Communion....FOUR years ago.

{That picture on the left is one of my favorites ever.  Rockin' the powder blue suit, yo. Maybe we can find a blue tux for prom in a few years.}

OK...thanks for letting me reminisce.

These cookies start out with the perfect cutter I love this cutter...it's pricey because it's copper, but so worth it.


For the cookies, you'll need:
  • chalice and host cookies
  • royal icing tinted with AmeriColor Gold, Bright White, Regal Purple and Leaf Green
  • disposable icing bags
  • squeeze bottles
  • decorating tips (#1 & #2) and couplers
  • gold luster dust
  • vodka (yep.)
  • small paintbrush

With a #2 tip, outline the chalice.


With another #2 tip, outline the host.

Thin the white & gold icings (reserve a bit for later) with water, a little at a time, until it is the consistency of thick syrup.  Cover with a damp dishtowel and let sit several minutes.

Stir gently with a rubber spatula to pop any large air bubbles that have formed. Transfer to squeeze bottles.


Fill in the chalice with the thinned gold icing.  Use a toothpick to guide into corners.


Fill in the host with the thinned  white icing.  Use a toothpick to guide into corners.

Let dry at least one hour.


Add the detail with the reserved white and gold piping icing.

Let dry overnight, or at least 6 hours.


Get out your luster dust supplies:  Luster dust, small ramekin, small paintbrush and vodka (a good excuse to always have vodka in the house).

This is "Golden Charm" luster dust.  I LOVE it and bought it at a little shop in Houston.  Can't seem to find it online, but any gold luster dust will do.


Mix up your luster dust with a few drops of the vodka and brush it on. (The alcohol will evaporate, leaving just the gold sheen.)  Add a few drops of vodka to the ramekin as you're working if it starts to get clumpy on you.  A little goes a long way, so don't worry about using all of the container in one shot.  (Here's a video about applying luster dust...)


Then, with #1 tips, add the grapes and leaf/stem detail.




All ready for First Communion!

JOLENE BALLARD AND AMANDA MALSON ~ DESIGN IN HUNTINGTON BEACH

Jolene Ballard and Amanda Malson love vintage finds and recycled furnishing. The owners of Domicile Interior Design, Ballard and Malson salvage pieces from their own family's attic, estate sales and thrift store.  It appears that it has worked for them.  ENJOY!







Hope that all of you have a wonderful weekend.

Please pray for those who lost loved ones in my Alabama and surrounding states Wednesday.

SLOPPY JOES


Sloppy Joe


Popular throughout America as an easy way to stretch meat, this sandwich of ground beef and spicy tomato sauce is a classic.

SERVES 4

1 tbsp. canola oil
½ small yellow onion, finely chopped
¼ green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
8 oz. ground beef
1 cup canned tomato sauce
2 tsp. Worcestershire
1 tsp. chili powder
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Tabasco, to taste
4 hamburger buns, toasted

Heat oil in 12″ skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and pepper and cook, stirring, until soft, about 6 minutes. Add beef and cook until browned, stirring so that the meat breaks up into small pieces, about 8 minutes. Add tomato sauce, Worcestershire, chili powder, salt, pepper, and Tabasco; cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced and thick, about 10 minutes. Divide between buns and serve.

*

Please pray for those who lost loved ones in my Alabama and surrounding states Wednesday.
It was a horrible  2 days.  248 confirmed dead and over 1700 injured in Alabama, and the number dead is expected to grow.
*

See you soon, friends,
Teresa
xoxo
 Saveur Issue 137
 Photo: Todd Coleman



STAN TOPOL ~ INTERIOR DESIGN IN ATLANTA


Well, I am most likely enjoying the Royal Wedding as this is posted.  I have made tea sandwiches, lemon scones, and tea for a tiny party.  Hope that you get to watch and enjoy in your way.  It starts at 3:00 AM here, so most likely I haven't been to sleep yet.  NOW... on to business.

Stan Topol’s office in Atlanta is more beautiful than the homes of most.  His dedication to space transforms a beautiful room into a beautiful AND cozy room.

This Mississippi native learned from the mega talented design genius Billy Baldwin.  It doesn’t get any better than that! 

If you are a designer, this piece is a must read.  ENJOY!






Please pray for those who lost loved ones in my Alabama and surrounding states Wednesday.
It was a horrible  2 days.  248 confirmed dead and over 1700 injured in Alabama, and the number dead is expected to grow.

See you soon,
Teresa

See you soon, friends,
Teresa
xoxo

House Beautiful ~ May 2011 issue

Gluten-Free Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble

Gluten free and vegan strawberry rhubarb crisp with quinoa flakes for a crumble topping
Warm from the oven gluten-free crumble with quinoa flakes.

We've been blessed with fecund weather here in West Hollywood. Love is in the air. House finches are singing. Mourning doves coo. Roses are unfolding their velvet petals. Jacaranda trees are bursting with violet-blue corollas. In other words, picnic perfect.

I've been messing around with crisp and crumble dessert recipes this week, intent on creating an easy summertime dessert for backyard get togethers and grill side dining. So although I have featured a strawberry rhubarb crisp in the past (kissed with a hint of balsamic vinegar) I decided to play around with an alternative topping to the classic pairing of tart rhubarb and sweet ripe strawberries. And I grabbed a secret ingredient from my pantry.

Can you guess what it is?

Continue reading

BENJAMIN DHONG ~ INTERIOR DESIGN IN SAN FRANCISCO

Interior designer Benjamin Dhong uses a monochromatic palette and a wonderful collection of art in this comfortable and serene home in San Francisco.   Dhong covered the sofa in a fabric the same color as the wall allowing the sofa to almost disappear, leaving the room with a more spacious appearance.  The large bedside table in the bedroom is substantial enough for everything the owner needs to have close at hand.

I will admit that this home is a favorite of mine because of all of the stunning sculptures.  The large piece in the living room and the piece on the bedside table are exceptional.  ENJOY!





Please pray for those who lost loved ones in Alabama and surrounding states yesterday.
It was a horrible  2 days.  249 confirmed dead in Alabama, and the number is expected to grow.

See you soon,
Teresa

House Beautiful ~ May 2011 issue

Confirmation Cookies . . .


There is something so sweet about a dove cookie.  Maybe it's the occasions they represent?  I've made them before for a baptism.  A friend's son is getting confirmed this week and these are for his confirmation class.


I really love the way the personalized ones came out. I think everyone likes to see their name on a cookie, don't you?


Wanna make 'em for a special occasion of your own?

Here's what you need:
 
Using a  #2 tip, outline the cookie in white royal icing. 

Thin the white icing (reserve a bit for later) with water, a little at a time, until it is the consistency of thick syrup.  Cover with a damp dishtowel and let sit several minutes.

Stir gently with a rubber spatula to pop any large air bubbles that have formed. Transfer to a squeeze bottle.

Fill in the outlined cookie with the flood icing.  Use a toothpick to spread into sides and corners.

Let sit 1 hour.

 
With the reserved white icing and #1 tip, add detail on wings, tail and add an eye.   Personalize, if you want.


Using another #2 tip, pipe the branch in leaf green.


With a #1 or 2 tip, pipe yellow flowers on the branches.

Let dry overnight before packaging.


Happy Confirmation, Matthew. :)