Gift Guide | For the Foodie

Today I am kicking off my December Gift Guide Series with the Gift Guide for The Foodie.  Over the next 2 weeks I will be sharing some more gift guides so if you have any ideas of what you would like to see leave me a note!  It is no secret I love food, so this was a logical first gift guide.  I own a few things on this list and many are on my Christmas list! 

Nambre Fruit Bowl

The most gorgeous fruit bowl.  I would love this beauty sitting on my counter.

GUMMY LOVE BOX

I love these gummies,  not only are they gorgeous but they are tasty.  I have tried the champagne flavor and they are so good.  You could give the whole box as a gift or separate it out for stocking stuffers.

Host Cookbook

I ordered this for myself and it really is a gorgeous cookbook.  Filled with so many wonderful cocktail and food recipes.  I always think cookbooks make nice gifts. 

3 Wooden Serving Boards

I really like this set.  You could use one board at a time or all 3 at once for a beautiful presentation.

Cravings

I have made several recipes from this book and they are so good.  Plus I love all the stories from Chrissy.  I mean she and John Legend are like the perfect couple.

Pink Martini Pitcher

This beauty is on my list.  Would be perfect to use with these matching pink glasses.

Set of 4 Mini Cocottes

These are so fun to use when entertaining.  They are perfect for individual souffles, casseroles, baked eggs- so many possibilities.   They are currently on sale too!  They come in several other colors but I love this bright turquoise. 

Dessert Tower

These can be used separately or all stacked together so the possibilities are endless.

Wusthof Steak Knives

This is a great gift for anyone.  Especially great for any men who love to grill. 

Set of 4 Salad Bowls

I love wooden serving bowls, they never go out of style and they make for a pretty presentation.

Color block Basket

I am kind of obsessed with this for myself.  I always have several baskets on my counter with citrus and produce and this would perfect for that!

Champgane Flutes

These are stunning.  Every year I admire them!  So festive for the holidays or year round. 

Italian Black Truffled Nuts

These are so tasty.  Starbucks sells them in small individual packages and I always buy them for a mid day snack.   This would be great to have on hand for entertaining. 

Cheese Markers

How adorable are these cheese markers?  Perfect for a girl's happy hour!

Truffle Oil Set

We are pretty obsessed with truffle oil in our house.  The kids love it over popcorn,  it is one of their favorite snacks.  It is also great in mac and cheese, pasta, grilled cheese, scrambled eggs, and pizza.

Tea Over Ice Pitcher Set

This thing is genius.  I drink iced tea every single day so this is right up my alley.  You brew then immediately ice.  It comes with several awesome flavored teas.

and for the mini foodie how adorable is this little grill set??

Grill Set

Thoughts For Thursday

Our house is finally totally decorated inside and out!  It feels good to have all this accomplished by December 1.  Here are a few snaps of my favorite decorations around the house.  

I am hosting my annual girl's Christmas party next week.  I usually just serve wine and appetizers and we do a dirty santa gift exchange which can be pretty funny.  I am looking for some fun new apps to try- any holiday favorites?  These are 2 I found on Pinterest that I am considering.  

Brie Apple and Honey Crostini

Cheesy Bacon Holiday Crack

Big thank to you my reader who told me start Elin Hilderbrand's Christmas series.  I just started the first book in the series and I am loving it.  A perfect story for this time of year.

Winter Street

Speaking of books I just finished listening to Amy Schumer's book and loved it.  She is hilarious and it was so interesting to hear stories about her past.  Books on tape on my new jam, so perfect for road trips.

I spied the most gorgeous table setting at GDC Home this week.  I bought a few of those cute linen napkins to save as gifts.  

My favorite lounge pants from last year are back in stock in some fun new prints for the holidays.  These pants are seriously cozy!!  I am wearing a size small.

Lounge pants | Faux Fur Throw | Peace Pillow

Sterling lost another tooth this week.  I just love his notes for the tooth fairy.   He is such a sweet boy except when he is talking back which is often these days:)

I picked up this red wine while I was home in Charlotte last week at the Winestore.  It is so good, I highly recommend it.

Ombre Love.  This top is tee shirt material but it has cashmere blended in which makes it so soft!!

Ombre Tunic

It also comes in a beautiful blue cowl neck version.

Any potty training tips for difficult kids?  Frances is honestly too big for her diapers and now that she has turned 3 it's time.  Sterling was so easy to potty train and so far Frances cries every time I ask her to tee tee on the potty.

Happy December 1st!

Obsessions | Holiday Style

I love finding fun new items for the Holidays.  A little red, green, gold, and plaid are always fun around the holidays!  

Plaid Ruffle Blouse

I ordered this during the Black Friday Sales and it arrived yesterday.  I love it!  It seems to run TTS.  I am wearing a 4.  Currently 30% off with code CARDPERKS.

Silver Drop Earrings

Red Ruffle Blouse

I ordered this for an upcoming holiday party and its under $50.

Metallic Clutch

This beauty is only $25.  It comes in several other color options too.

Ruffle Blouse

This is so gorgeous!

Metallic Slip Ons

I love my Ugg slip ons and these are even cheaper. 

Sequined Cardigan

This is such a fun way to dress up jeans for the holidays.  I am wearing a size small below. 

Crystal Drop Earrings

These would be great just paired with a solid color blouse for a little sparkle.

Shine Swing Dress

I featured this dress last week, it is cute alone or paired with leggings.

Dress | Leggings | Pumps

Black Shift

A classic black shift dress but with crystal cuffs.  

Christmas Pj's

Loving this cute print.

Sweater Robe

This would make such a great gift.  It comes in several other patterns.

Green Dress

Such a gorgeous shade of green and on sale.

Metallic Slippers

I just ordered these and love them.  So comfy and I love that the metallic gold.

Plaid Ballet Flats

Quinoa Vegetarian Chili + Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread

I have always wanted to try out a vegetarian chili.  Don't get me wrong I love the kind with meat but I wanted something a little lighter.  This one knocked my socks off.  Not only was it so easy to make but it was so full of flavor you don't even miss the meat.  I loved the addition of quinoa in it, it added a nice texture.  I served it with Ina Garten's Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread- Recipe Here and it was the perfect meal for a chilly night.  I make her cornbread all the time, it is so delicious.  You can could easily make this in your slow cooker if you want, but I used my large Dutch Oven pot.   Saves and reheats well. 

Enjoy!

|| Q U I N O A   V E G E T A R I A N   C H I L I  ||

adapted via Damn Delicious

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (4.5-ounce) can diced green chiles
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder, or more, to taste
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups corn kernels, frozen, canned or roasted
• Shredded white cheddar cheese for topping
• sliced green onions for topping
• Juice of 1 lime, optional
• 1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large saucepan of 2 cups water, cook quinoa according to package instructions; set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium high heat. Add garlic and onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until onions have become translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Stir in quinoa, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, green chiles, chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper and 1-2 cups water, making sure to cover most of the ingredients; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
4. Reduce heat to low; simmer, covered, until thickened, about 30 minutes. Stir in beans, corn, cilantro and lime juice, if using, until heated through, about 2 minutes.
5. Serve immediately with avocado, sliced green onions, shredded cheddar and sour cream  if desired.