holiday vintage bar

Never more than during the holidays is a 'bar' setting in your home more necessary. Neighbors popping over with baked goods, family visiting, and maybe even a little nip while you're wrapping gifts - a bar is a must. Not just for holidays, a little designated area for a bar can really add that extra touch that finalizes your decor. That's why when the folks at Chairish asked me to come up with a vintage furniture setting inspired by their mission, I knew that I'd go the bar station route. (Although I did lose several hours browsing their vintage jewelry and accessories as well!)

If you aren't familiar, Chairish is a website that allows you to buy and sell vintage pieces online. They believe that mixing vintage furnishings and accessories into your home decor can add splash of pizzazz to any room. I couldn't agree more. It's so easy to have everything you own be from a number of chain stores, but I find that I love my vintage and antique pieces more because they have a story. It's fun to imagine the previous life my vintage pieces had - the rooms they've lived in before finding their way to our home. 

And back to the bar, you don't need a butler's pantry or a huge space to designate for your bar. Just use your existing hutch or credenza, clear it off, and add a few fun touches. It is a great way to get guests out of your busy kitchen this Thanksgiving by giving them an alternative mingling space.  Here's how I'd do my holiday bar...

Mid Century Modern Low Walnut Dresser - This piece could go in any room in the house - bedroom, living room, dining room. Although, I probably wouldn't set it up as a bar in your bedroom. :) 

Mirrored Cocktail Tray - I love when there's a place to corral bottles of liquors. And an old mirrored tray is perfect for just that.

Dog Print Cocktail Napkins - Frenchies! With Antlers! Really though, cloth cocktail napkins add a great finishing touch. Just swap them out each season.

Gold Rimmed Snowflake Highball Glasses - gold + snowflakes + vintage = must have.

Glass Decanter with Gold Details - New to the vintage world? Decanters are a great first piece to look for. They're beautiful, affordable, and pretty easy to come by. 

Party Straws - Because they make everything cute.

Holiday Framed Print - I'm so punny. Get it? SPIRITS?

Rosemary Christmas Tree - festive and functional. Throw a spring of rosemary in that gin and tonic and watch people be amazed. (Sold out - similar here)

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Thanks to Chairish for the inspiration!  And what a great time to remember to go vintage for your holiday gifting this year. A gift with a "previous life" is even more special.

{image © The Rose Record}

how to: procrastinate less

Hi everyone!  Just a quick bit to share with you today. I've been exhausted this week after work and have let my content suffer. I have so many posts that are almost ready for publishing, but I haven't found time to give them final edits. 

Along those same lines, I thought I'd share a podcast I can't seem to get out of my head about none other than...procrastination. 

In the segment, they identify three strategies to help prevent procrastination: 

1.)  Change what scares you. Some of us can't get started because we're afraid of failing. The logic goes: if you don't try, you can't fail. But Halvorson says we're fearing the wrong thing. Don't fear failure. Fear the consequences of not getting it done or not accomplishing something that's meaningful. That fear triggers a different response by creating the urgency that can propel us forward.
2.)  Stop waiting to "feel" like doing whatever is on the to-do list. We all have tasks we need, or even want, to do, but never quite "feel" like starting. Waiting to "feel" like it is an excuse to avoid finishing. Feelings have nothing to do it. Some stuff just needs to get done.
3.)  Make a plan. Be specific. Don't clear our your inbox "tomorrow." Clear it out tomorrow from 2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Don't trust yourself to make the right decision in the moment. Make it ahead of time and stick to it. 

I definitely fall victim to #2.  If only my to do list consisted of "sit on the couch with french bulldog", because that is what I usually feel like doing. :)  I also could do a better job of planning when I do things, but I usually don't plan things because I'm waiting to see what I feel like doing. Vicious circle of feelings here.

So while I try and tackle those items I've let slide for too long, take a listen to the full podcast. I found it fascinating and extremely helpful!

Take a listen:

Source:  NPR's Money Talking

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shake shack secret

No matter where you live in the world, if there were one thing I would recommend you eat before dying, it's a burger from Shake Shack. I truly believe it is the best burger of all time. If you've been reading The Rose Record for some time, you know our love of this darling burger shack in Madison Square Park that allows for outdoor eating (with your dog!) under a canopy of trees and lights.

But there's one thing that always skeeves me out when dining at Shake Shack - There are no plates. You get your burgers and fries in a little box and if you're lucky, grab a seat at one of the green metal tables that are dirty and sometimes splattered with pigeon poop. You so don't want to rest your prize winning burger on that. 

But we have a secret. I've been doing it for awhile and it seemed so normal to me, until a patron next to us was so thrilled seeing me do this that she came over and thanked me!

Here's our secret - unfold the box to make it flat. It's pretty easy to slide your finger in the flaps of the box and detach them from each other. The box folds flat. And it fits perfectly lengthwise on the table. Fries in the middle, burgers on each side and you're set for a germ-free feast.

Just helping you guys out with tips for the important things in life. :) 

P.S. I'm not sure if this is a problem at the other Shake Shack locations. It think they give you a tray.

how to: pack for the park

New Yorkers have a little secret when it comes to spending the day in one of the many parks the city has to offer. The secret is that we're master packers. We don't lug huge wagons full of coolers or wrangle giant wicker picnic baskets (although if we did, I'd get this pretty one.). The emphasis is on packing the park essentials into one bag so that you can easily go from subway to park to errands to rooftop drinks. No bulky blankets here; the ultimate New Yorker knows that a bed sheet is the best picnic blanket - light to carry, easy to wash, and you can buy a single flat sheet for cheap! Here are some of the other essentials we pack when we spend a day at the park.

Tote → It's got to be large enough to hold your supplies, but pretty enough to travel around the city with you. Rainbow chevron seems to do the trick nicely (rats, it's now sold out at J.Crew. This striped one is a nice alternative.)

Blanket → A flat bed sheet (preference for polka dots) is your best friend here. Large enough to seat several adults and dogs. And thin enough to fold up into a tight little square and toss in your tote.

Reading Material → On my list for this summer: endless back issues of Cooking Light that my mom brought me, the new Porter magazine, and Molly Wizenberg's new book.

Tunes → This iphone speaker is made of silicone so you don't have to worry about breaking it. No batteries required.

Water Supply → For humans (with an insert you can freeze to keep your water cool!). And for pooches (folds up flat!).

Dog Tether → We just ordered this easy screw in tether for Lily. Now we don't have to hold on to her leash while we picnic, but she's still safe and secure near our spot.

Sun Protection → Ain't no wrinkles on this face! This is the only sunscreen I like. It doesn't feel greasy and goes on evenly. And it's quick, which means less embarrassment for Al when I spray it all over his face. ☺

Eye Protection → These are the latest pair of shades that I'm coveting. Everyone looks cooler in aviators, right? Especially polarized lenses with beautiful gold rims.

Snacks → There are few places I go without snacks. The park is not one of them. You can quickly lose cash on dirty water hot dogs and pretzels if you're not prepared. We're still loving our Nature Box goodies. We toss a few in our bag on our way out the door.

And THAT's how you picnic like a pro!

the penny trick

I'm sure you guys are right with me when I say that I am beyond ready for spring. I've been grabbing the $5 bouquets of tulips from the grocery store since oh, I don't know...January. The thing about tulips, though, is that they can get kind of droopy.  You know what I mean? How they start to curve out over the vase? So annoying. I want perky tulips! And that's why I love this trick. 

I'm not sure where I first read it, probably in Real Simple. I do know it was back before the Pinterest days (weird. life before Pinterest). Anyways, it's a really simple trick (ha!). All you have to do drop a penny into a vase (or a ball jar in my instance), fill it with luke warm water, and add freshly cut tulips (cut stems on a diagonal). 

After doing some research, I've come across conflicting information - some say the penny trick just an old wives tale, others say it has to do with the copper acting as an acidifier to decrease the water's Ph. 

My research also said that all-copper pennies are not minted anymore.  I randomly happened to grab some special penny with a weird 'tail' to it - what is that?  It's definitely new.  When you're picking your penny, look for one that dates before 1982.  Copper pennies before 1982 are 95% copper, so they'll work best here.

So whether fact or fable, give it a try yourself.  For me, it works.  Below are the tulips right after I put them in the vase. See how they're a little fanned out?

And a few hours later?  Perky tulips that stand up tall.  See?

One final note, you should change the water and trim the stems of your tulips (and any fresh flowers for that matter) every day. Especially because some of what I read said that the pennies will discolor the water a bit, so you'll definitely want to replace it each day.

Here are my little bursts of springtime two days after purchasing.  See? Still nice and tall!(and ready for some more water!)

Test out the penny trick and let me know if it works for you! In the meantime, I'm going to go through my change in search of a pre-1982 penny.

xoxo,

K

P.S. Another easy trick for your home.

how to do valentine's day at home

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Do you have any traditions you do for Valentine's Day?  We're not big on gifts - we usually use it to justify purchasing something that we wouldn't normally (i.e. "Oh, Al I bought this cashmere sweater full price at Club Monaco, let's call it my Valentine's Day present").  

You know the one thing we definitely DON'T do on actual Valentine's Day? Go to a restaurant.  Maybe it's different outside of New York, but the restaurants here on Valentine's Day are awful.  They pack you in, have an over priced prix fix menu and feel so...what is the word...impersonal (imagine that scene from Sex And The City Movie with Carrie and Miranda - yes, it's really like that).  Instead of going out on V-Day, our tradition is to stay in and cook together.  Since I'm the one who usually cooks (in my pajamas) while Al is on his way home or works from the couch, it feels different to cook together.  We turn on some music (I love my sister's Valentine's playlist on Spotify), I wear my nice soft clothes (a step up from my flannel pjs - think long comfy sweaters and soft leggings), we pour a bottle of wine, set out some cheese to snack on and stand together in the kitchen cooking and talking. It feels incredibly romantic and special.

The key to all of it to not make it a big deal.  Here are four easy ways + menu options to have your own Valentine's meal at home.  

1.)  Keep it Simple.  Most experts tell you to only cook what you've made before for guests.  But that's hard if you don't cook much to begin with.  Here's my favorite tip from Ina Garten - cook one thing, assemble one thing, and buy one thing.  For example, cook some steaks, assemble a salad, and buy the dessert.  Or, if you prefer baking, cook pasta with jarred sauce, bake a cake, and assemble an antipasto board.  Get it? It's much less stress and helps you to focus on the one main dish you're preparing.  The goal here is to have fun together, not shout at each other as you burn the house down trying to earn a Michelin star.

2.)  Plan Ahead.  Know what you're going to make in advance and go to the grocery store and liquor store BEFORE the day of.  You want to go to a grocery store (or even worse the wine store) after work on Valentine's night?  Have fun.  It's a mad house as everyone with the same idea as you struggles to find the saffron/pizza dough/arborio rice in Fairway as the clock ticks.  Instead, the weekend before get the essentials (non perishables) and the day before pop in for the things you need fresh - fish/meat/produce.  Planning ahead also means to read through the entire recipe at least once before you even gather one ingredient. Nothing is worse than starting a recipe and then getting to the part in the directions where it tells you to "simmer for 6 to 8 hours".  

3.)  Assign Tasks.  Our kitchen is small.  We don't have room for both of us to be standing over the stove. Have whoever is more confident in the kitchen do the hard stuff, and give the other person a task - make the salad, read the directions, stir the risotto, refill the wine.  You need to find a bit of a rhythm.  If you set out each person's tasks ahead of time it will be less of one person bossing the other around the kitchen (guilty of that one, for sure).

4.) RELAX.  The thing I find happens most when people cook together, especially those who don't cook often, is that they get caught up in the recipe and don't stay calm.  No one is timing you.  This isn't 30 minute meals.  Go slow, follow the steps, and don't get stressed out.  It's supposed to be fun!

RECIPE IDEAS: Now for some easy recipes for your Valentine's Day at home.  I love how all of these seem impressive, but are actually relatively simple. Many of them are hands free in that you just throw the ingredients together and pop it in the oven - leaving you time to clean up and set out the other dishes.

Steaks.  My go to recipes for tender filets or juicy rib-eyes.  Same technique is used for both recipes.  Just make sure you turn on the vent and crack the windows, it will get smoky.

Lamb.  A protein that always impresses.  Ina Garten's Rack of Lamb Persillade is killer and so easy it's laughable.  (Note:  if you don't have a food processor just finely chop everything and stir together, crushing some of the mixture with the back of a spoon.)  Or go more relaxed with stuffed lamb burgers.

Risotto.  One person stirs, one person fills the wine glasses. :)  My favorites are vodka sauce risotto with smoked or fresh mozzarella and tomato, sausage, & spinach risotto.  I'm thinking of trying this crab risotto this year.

Pasta.  Gosh there are so many pasta favorites thanks to our Wine Nights.  Truffle mac and cheese, orecchiette with sausage & broccoli rabe, tomato and cream cheese fettuccine (my sister and her boyfriend's favorite to cook together), and ravioli with pumpkin sage sauce.

Fish & Seafood.  Fish is easy because it's fast.  We're currently obsessed with Parmesan Tilapia, but we also went through a big phase of bang bang salmon.  And roasted salmon and potatoes couldn't be easier.  I'm also a big fan of cooking seafood in parchment/foil like this and this.  I'm tempted to make this poached cod with tomato and saffron for our meal this year.

Salads.  Typically I go for standard arugula mix with a lemon vinaigrette, but you could also try kale and brussels sprouts salad, the ultimate Caesar salad (Al's favorite), or apple, pecan and blue cheese salad with dried cherries.  Another easy side is these green beans that steam in a bag in the microwave.

Sweets.  We're more of an ice-cream or cookies and milk family, but some of my favorite dessert options are salted caramel cheesecake (a real show stopper, but this one takes some time), butterscotch pot de creme (make the night before, oh so so so tasty), and this brownie "pudding" is just ridiculous   Also a big fan of the affogato - pour hot espresso over scoops of vanilla gelato.

Now that you have the tips, tricks, and recipe ideas - why not do Valentine's Day at home?

source.

Enjoy!

xoxo,

K

P.S.  Some great Valentine's gift ideas