martha stewart living at 25

 

I am pretty sure I have been a fan since the very beginning, and it's kind of hard to believe that Martha Stewart Living magazine is celebrating its 25^th anniversary with the December/January issue.  For the anniversary issue’s cover, Martha Stewart posed for world-renowned artist Will Cotton, whose fantastical painting features Martha in a sweet, sugary wonderland.  This portrait provided the inspiration for eight delectable holiday desserts in the issue.  The December/January issue celebrates the silver anniversary with brilliant decorating, recipe and gift ideas— with the classic sheen of silver.  There is also a cookie advent calendar, which highlights 25 of Martha’s favorite cookies, one from every year the magazine has been published.  All the recipes are available at Martha Stewart Cookie Calendar.

“We are so proud to have created content that ultimately established and founded a new lifestyle category for publishing.  We have seen our readership grow tremendously over the years, and our editorial content continues to inspire, instruct, and please our readers,” says Martha Stewart.

“When Martha launched the magazine, she set out to create a new kind of publication, one that focused on the joy to be had in all aspects of the home,” says Martha Stewart Living Editor-in-Chief, Eric Pike. “Twenty-five amazing years later we are still producing beautiful, inspirational, how-to content in every issue – and that is truly something to celebrate.”

The 25^th Anniversary issue features a number of special silver anniversary-themed features including: 

·        Magical sugary original candies and confections that showcase the versatility of this simple ingredient

·         Show-stopping DIY decorative touches that will set the mood for winter celebrations, including chic cookie tins, glitter-dusted candles, sparkling wreaths, and no-sew clutches embellished with silver leaf  

·          Shimmering make-up picks for creating a glamorous holiday glow this holiday season.

ciao! fabiana

fun Christmas tablescapes

These elegant burlap utensil holders make any tablescape look amazing! I got mine at MerMade Designs here in Newport Beach. I love the simplicity of these little guys. There are several styles to choose from, and I could decide between these two, so I got both!  

The one with the red ribbon is just so pretty for Christmas, but I am thinking they would be fun for birthdays, Valentine’s Day and all the patriotic holidays! The other style has a spot to slide in a name card.  

It’s so easy to just print out your guests’ names and personalize each place setting for a really elegant look. 

 

 

  
Which one would you choose?

Check out MerMade Designs for more 
fun coastal inspired inspiration or call
 MerMade directly for orders and questions 
(949) 648-0748.

ciao! fabiana

mini cakes for gift giving

Amy makes the best Black Russian Rum Cakes for our school boutique every year and they sell out quickly!  Aren't they cute in these little ceramic bread dishes?   They are soooo delicious, and she shared the recipe with me to share with all of you. 

Amy's Black Russian Cake

1 box yellow cake mix 

1 large package chocolate pudding mix

4 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup strong coffee (prepared and cooled)

1/4 cup Vodka

1/4 cup Kahlua

Glaze:

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

2 Tablespoons butter

1 Tablespoon rum extract 

Mix together all ingredients. I make these in cupcake form and in mini loafs (makes 6 mini loafs filled 3/4 high) 35 minutes, cupcakes less time. Remove from pan and cool slightly.

Glaze:  Bring ingredients for glaze to a boil and pour over cake.  (I use about 1/2, some like more)

Dust with powdered sugar after it cools.  Serve with blackberries, raspberries and mint.  Great cake that some say tastes even better the next day.  Just freshen up with more powdered sugar and berries.

ciao! fabiana