Ringing in 2012 with a pink news years eve party!

Wow, I can't believe that 2011 is almost over, this year has gone by too fast, but I am excited for what 2012 has in store for me. We are having a small party tonight and I was inspired by this picture I found of a pink new years eve party with silver and gold accents.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Merry Christmas from Painted Preppy!

Merry Christmas to all of our followers!

I got an early Christmas present, a Canon Rebel, here is the first image I shot with at the dinner table, i love how the candle light illuminated the little characters!

More gift wrap inspiration!

I love to give presents and as much as I love to give them, I also love to wrap them! As promised here is some of my favorite Christmas wrapping inspiration, check out the reindeer box as well as the shiny red boxes that look like a shirt, so creative!

I never thought about using shiny white paper and bright colored bows, but I adore the way this looks!

Gift Wrap Ideas

In the next few days we will be posting a ton of gift wrapping inspiration, so be sure to check back! Today I found this adorable tutorial on Pinterest, love the polka dot paper!!

New DIY tutorial section

Hi all, hope everyone is having a great December!



We have a new section on Painted Preppy, DIY tutorials, here you will find DIY tutorials on many different subjects. Each month we will feature a new tutorial, January will feature how to assemble your own cupcake toppers!

Santa Hat Brownies

I just came across these santa hat brownies and I think they are just adorable!


I ran across a photo of these on Erica’s Sweet Tooth.  They’re so good and easy to make, I can't wait to share these with my family and friends! Here is the recipe below:
Santa Hat Brownies
Adapted from this recipe found on Erica’s Sweet Tooth
Yields 12-16 brownies
Ingredients:
1 pan of your favorite brownies, cooled and cut into desired size and shape (I used a round cutter)
12-16 small strawberries, cleaned and hulled
vanilla-mascarpone buttercream (recipe below)

Mascarpone Buttercream
Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
8 ounces mascarpone cheese, room temperature
2-1/2 to 3 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
pinch of salt
Method:
Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat butter and mascarpone cheese until light and creamy, about 2 minutes.  Add vanilla extract and salt.  Add 2-1/2 cups of sugar, half a cup at a time and continue beating until smooth.  Add more sugar, if needed to reach desired consistency and sweetness.
To assemble, pipe a ring of vanilla buttercream on top of each brownie.  Cut off the base of a strawberry so it is flat and place it upside down on each brownie, pushing slightly to secure in place.  Top the tip of the strawberry with a dot of buttercream to finish the santa hat.

Color of the year for 2012 TANGERINE TANGO!

The world doesn't need more gray, and the blues are covered, too. What consumer products need is a jolt, a shot of energy and boldness, all of which comes from Tangerine Tango, the reddish-orange hue that Pantone announced Wednesday as its top color for 2012. 

"There's the element of encouragement with orange, it's building on the ideas of courage and action, that we want to move on to better things. I think it would be a disservice to go with a relaxed, soothing color now," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, the research division of Pantone Inc., which creates color standards for the fashion, beauty and home industries.
The annual forecast for the next year's dominant color takes into consideration both what Pantone thinks shoppers want and need. Those are influenced by the designer runways, fabric shows, news events, pop culture and consumer habits. "Part of what we do is look at the zeitgeist," Eiseman explained. "We have to look at everything in the world around us. It's not an arbitrary choice."


Consumer spending is a big player in reviving the economy and it needs adrenaline, she said. Orange is a more urgent call to action than last year's hot-pink hue Honeysuckle, which was also supposed to channel cheerfulness coupled with nostalgia. Before that, there was the more serene turquoise and optimistic yellow.

Article by:

By Samantha Critchell

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Decorating Christmas cookies has always been a long standing tradition around our house, my grandmother always make sugar cookies and decorated them with the smallest of details. When I saw these Christmas cookies from Sugar Belles I feel in love!! They are so cute and festive, I could stare at the pics all day. The cute little penguins look like they are actually wearing sweaters, genius!! The platter of cookies with the santa face, reindeer, and the present are just adorable. Who wouldnt want to serve these cookie at their Christmas party or family gathering, just delightful!

Are you keeping up with the Kardashian's?

ARE YOU KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIANS?

 

Don't we wish!  Beauty and brains!  These girls have got it all, and then some.  Today I'm sure most of you read Kourtney is expecting her second child, and if this one's a girl...look out baby fashion world, you might be turned on your ear.  Baby Mason is adorable, and Kourtney's sense of style comes through loud and clear when you see him all decked out for the beach, or a holiday celebration.  His Easter suit was no disappointment, he was a perfect little gentleman in his blue and white pinstriped jacket and matching pants. 

 

His Mom only feeds him organic, and makes all the baby food that he eats!  She also eats organic, and, she's a runner!  That's where the beautiful body comes from.  For those of us that don't have the option to buy organic, or don't have the time or space to plant a full garden of our own; you might try a container garden for fresh tomatoes, peppers and onions, just to name a few.  Green beans could easily grow in  a container if planted correctly.  Not only is this really healthy for you, but it's so rewarding when you can see the fruits of your labor. 

 

A couple of tomato containers may be enough for eating fresh and having enough left to can or freeze for use in the winter months. This is a great wallet saver too! 

 

As far as running, if you're not a runner, but wish you could stay in shape, check out some of the treadmills on Home Shopping's site.  They have a few that are affordable, and can easily help you gain that body your wishing for!  It would make a great Christmas gift that you'll use all year long.

 

Happy shopping!

 

 Photos courtsey of:

posh24.com

nessaleebaby.blogspot.com

Holiday Giveaway Peppermint Bark & Holiday Printables!

Get in the Holiday spirit with our latest giveaway!

Chocolate in the Oven Bakery is giving away an entire box of their delicious Peppermint Bark, perfect for a party or sharing with your family. We are also offering free Holiday printables, that include a free holiday card, food tags, gift tags, drink flags, and table banners. Just click the link below to download:
http://www.mediafire.com/?45zn5uwhth6r04c

Enter to win Peppermint Bark:
Becoming a follower of Painted preppy 1 entry
Follow us on facebook   5 entries
Blog about the giveaway: 5 entries
Post to facebook about the giveaway: 2 entries
Tweet about the giveaway: 1 entry

Italian Fashion Designers Graziano Moro and Renato Pigatti

I was searching for sweaters and came across this site.  It's an Italian Designer, and some of the sweaters on this site are really great!  Scroll through and you'll also find coats and other clothing items that would be a great gift or just for yourself!  The sweaters look really comfy, and would be a nice piece to add to your wardrobe for the season.   Take a look!

http://www.magazzinidelsale.com/en/chi-siamo.php

 

 

Also...found these outdoor chairs...they are really fantastic!  They're a little on the pricey side, but even a couple of them on a porch, or on the patio would be worth having.   They look like they would be comfortable to lounge around in, and a really cool splash of color, no matter which one you choose.   Hope you enjoy these sites.  Cheers!

 

 

 

Marinated chicken & sweet cranberry bread recipes!

Tonight, I decided to make a couple of old favorites, and I'll share them with you, and hopefully you'll share them with your fam.  I made a great marinated chicken recipe that is really wonderful and so easy!!!  We love easy and delicious!  Served it up with a side of spaghetti, tossed in Italian dressing, and sprinkled with fresh parmesan cheese, and Italian style green beans.  Then, I made cranberry orange bread for the finish!  So, here's the recipes:

 

 

 

Marinated chicken

 

1 cup of Italian dressing (kraft)

2 teaspoons of lime juice

2 teaspoons of honey

2 packages of chicken tenders

 

Mix the dressing, lime juice and honey, and put the chicken tenders in a large plastic storage bag, (one that will seal well) pour the dressing mixture over the chicken and marinate it in the fridge overnight.  Next day, or evening, pour the chicken and all the marinade in a large skillet and cook it on med high heat for at least 30 minutes, then turn heat down to med low, to low, and cook another 30 minutes.  If your stove gets really hot, you'll have to adjust the temps.  Just make sure you cook the chicken and marinade for an hour, and the chicken is tender enough to cut with a fork. 

 

Cranberry orange bread:

 

2 cups of flour

1 cup of sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon soda

Sift above ingredients together

 

1 beaten egg

1 teaspoon of grated orange peel

3/4 cup of orange juice

3 Tablespoons of oil

Combine above and add to dry ingredients and stir only til moistened

 

1 1/2 cups of chopped fresh or frozen cranberries

1 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (pecans)

fold into batter

 

Bake in a greased loaf pan on 350 for one hour. 

 

(I doubled this and baked it in an 8 X 11 dish for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until a toothpick comes out clean in the center.

 

You can serve this buttered, or with honey butter, or..I prefer to ice this with cream cheese icing, or drizzle with a powdered sugar glaze.  Whatever your favorite it's a great bread! 

TIP, after I take this out of the oven, I cover it with foil, and leave it sitting until cool.  It really helps to keep the bread moist and flavorful.  I hope you enjoy both these recipes!

 

Tomorrow I'll be giving some information about a great site from a wonderful Italian designer.  They have great coats, sweaters, etc.  So please tune in then, and hope you enjoy the recipes, cheers!

The Best Cranberry Salad Recipe Just in Time For Thanksgiving!

So, tonight I sat down and went through recipes with my Mother who is 87 years old.  I was the second family kid, you know, the one that comes along after she's practically raised the others!  Well, anyway, she's a young 87, in looks and actions!  We filled a three ring binder, and then she said, "wonder how long it will take to go through the hat box full I still have in the other room"  I decided it was for another night!  But, we had a great time organizing and categorizing all these great recipes.  

Now, I gotta tell ya, I laughed and laughed because on some of the recipes, my brother had drawn pictures, and on one of them, my sister wrote how old her Parents were!  What's really funny is when Mom asked me why I wrote on her recipe!  I pointed out that it wasn't me, I wasn't here yet!  There, were peoples names, and phone numbers, and on a lot of them, she wrote where and why she served this or that recipe!  So, while I have my own cubby full of recipes, I decided that I would share a salad recipe that she and I both have in our collection.  I always like to give credit where credit us due, so, this one goes out to my Aunt Nita. She always looked like a movie star when I was a kid!  A pretty blonde, who always had every hair in place, and looked like she stepped off magazine cover...and still does to this day!  Anyway, she gave this recipe years ago, and when it's time for Turkey and all the fixins, this is one of the first things I write on the "meal list". It's a cranberry salad, and I swear, you could spread it on a chrome bumper, or steel pipe, and it would taste good!  So, girly's get out your favorite dish, glass, crystal or plastic...better if you can see through it because it's a pretty dish, and very appetizing!  

Aunt Nita's cranberry salad

1 small package of cherry jello

1 small package of orange jello

1 can of whole cranberry sauce (ocean spray)

1 can of jellied cranberry sauce (ocean spray)

1 16 ounce can of crushed pineapple (del monte)

1 cup of celery - chopped

1 cup of chopped pecans (optional)

Drain the pineapple juice in a large measuring cup, and then fill the cup with water to total 2 cups of liquid.  Pour juice and water into a sauce pan, and bring to a boil. Dissolve both packages of jello in boiling water, and add both cans of cranberries.  Continue to stir until the cranberries are dissolved in juice.  Add the pineapple, celery, and nuts if desired.  Stir well, and pour into dish and refrigerate over night.

A little tip:  If I'm making this for Thanksgiving, I usually make it on Tuesday night, cover it with plastic wrap, and leave it in the fridge til time to serve.  It's great with the big meal, and, I have yet to meet anyone who didn't love it on a left over turkey sandwich!  I've even made turkey, and swiss cheese, on the griddle with the cranberry salad and it was fabulous!  

Alright Ladies, I hope you love this as much as we do, please let me know...enjoy it!

New contributing writer!

Last week I sat down with screenwriter, Debra Latta, and after a very funny conversation, I am pleased to announce that she has agreed to be a contributing writer for Painted Preppy.  We want to bring something new and interesting on a daily basis, so stay tuned for the schedule.  We will try to feature party ideas, recipes, (she's a great cook, so you should really enjoy that feature) vintage items, pet info,  fashion and entertainment, just to name a few. 

As far as Debra, I think you are really going to find her posts fascinating, and you'll want to use her suggestions for your table, or a great tip in the kitchen, as well as which movies to watch, both old and new.  She has agreed to also include a few funny stories from her friends in the entertainment industry, and possibly give us some gossip about up and coming films. 

So, be sure to follow along with us, and tell your friends. Enjoy and happy reading!

Cake Pops!

J. Bee Designs is now offering cake pops! Perfect for your next holiday party or gathering, check them out here:
 http://www.jbeedesigns.com/store/WsDefault.asp?One=542

The fantastic flying books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

I have been around the block when it comes to the design world, looking back I can't believe that it has been 10 years since I started out as a young interior designer in Philadelphia..............wow how time fly's. Since that time I have started businesses and worked on getting my MFA and the more I delved into the world of interactive design and 3D animation the more and more I felt like I finally knew what I wanted to be when I grow up. I have been deciding/working on what my final thesis project this semester, which is no easy feat, but I discovered something so delightful along the way I knew I had to share with my readers.

The Fantastic Flying Book's of Mr. Morris Lessmore is hand's down the best iPad app I have seen to date and by far the best interactive story book you will ever find. From creator James Joyce, hailed pixar alum and his company Moonbot Studio's, they have managed to create a meaningful story that not only keeps the user engaged in new inventive way's but also created a new character in Morris Lessmore and his book-legged friends, that is not only loveable but enchanting as well, I can't get enough!

Enjoy!
http://youtu.be/z38EdtRHlnA

How to peel garlic in 10 seconds!

I don't know about you guys, but I hate peeling garlic, its tedious and stinky, and no good for a manicure. When I saw this video I knew I had to shre it!

 

Executive Food Editor Todd Coleman shows us an amazing trick for peeling an entire head of garlic in less than 10 seconds — no acrid fingernails, no knife required. 

What you'll need: 

2 deep bowls of equal size   

How it works: 

Smash the head of garlic with the heel of your hand. 

Sweep the cloves into one bowl. 

Invert the second bowl over the top of the first bowl. 

Hold the bowls together where the rims meet and shake the dickens out of them. 

 

Here's the link to see the video:

http://www.saveur.com/article/Kitchen/video-How-to-Peel-a-Head-of-Garlic-in-Less-Than-10-Seconds

Brown Family visit's Florida!

Wow, I can't believe it has already been a week since the Brown's came to visit us, we had so much fun while they were here! The entire family came to the Vinoy pool and we had so much fun swimming, laughing, and eating together. My 87 year old grandmother was here with all of us and she even sat at the side of the pool with her feet in the water, so happy she is capable of being out with all of us. She had two daughters there, 4 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren, quite a long lineage!



Here are a few fun pictures to share of our happy weekend!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pie!

• 1 9-inch deep-dish pie shell, unbaked (see our favorite recipe below)
  
• 1/2 Cup flour
  
• 1 Cup sugar
  
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
  
• 1/2 Cup butter, melted and slightly cooled
  
• 1 Cup quick oats or oatmeal (or ½ cup oats and ½ cup chopped nuts, if you prefer)
  
• 1 Cup chocolate chips (Stephanie prefers mini chips)
  
• 1 tsp. PURE VANILLA EXTRACT
  

Crust for single crust pie:

• 1/4 lb. butter (1 stick)
  
• 1 Cup flour
  
• pinch salt
  
• pinch sugar
  
• 2 TB milk

Preheat oven to 350°. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Add the eggs and mix. Add the butter and mix again. Fold in the oatmeal or nuts, chocolate chips and VANILLA. Pour into the pie crust. Bake at 350° for about 30-35 minutes, until golden.

Pie Crust: To prepare the crust, cut the butter into small pieces; it doesn't have to be cold, but it should not be warm to the point of melting. Add the flour, salt, and sugar to the butter and beat or mix by hand to combine. Add the milk in a thin stream, mixing until thoroughly blended. Form into a ball and chill until it can be easily handled. Sprinkle a wooden board or counter top with flour, place the dough on the board, and sprinkle the top of the dough with flour. Using short strokes, roll it from the center to the edges until it is 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. You will want to turn the dough over and re-dust with flour halfway through. Roll until the crust is about an inch larger than your 9-inch pie pan when inverted. Fold the crust in half and in half again so that it looks like a triangle. Place it in the ungreased pie pan with the point in the center. Unfold the crust and ease it into the pan. Roll the edges of the overhanging crust under so that you have a nice rim around the pie plate. Prick the crust all over with a fork.

Prep. time: 10 minutes plus pie shell making time
Baking time: 30-35 minutes
Serves: 8

I'm back!!!!!

Wow, it's been a while since I posted anything, I took some time off for the summer from blogging, but I had no idea that I hadn't even been on blogger since July, wow!




My MFA classes started on Sept. 1st and I am loving every minute so far, I am taking Flash animation and Interactive concepts, which is a thesis development course that will help me to develop my thesis project to present to the midpoint review committee, whoo hooo, I can't wait, so excited.



I have been waiting to take this particular animation course for months now and can't wait to share with you some of my animated shorts that I will be working on :) :) :)


Today is also the first day of the college football season, go FSU!!!

I am an FSU alum class of '09.

Kate Middleton Style

I am in love with this DVF silk green dress that Kate wore in LA this past weekend, not only does it tie with a bow in the front, but has tiny buttons all the way up the back, to die for!

Entourage Season 8: Extended Trailer (HBO)

I can't wait for entourage to start up again, although it is the last season and I will be sad to see it go, I can only hope the movie will follow shortly! If you aren't familiar with the show you have time to catch up before season 8 starts at the end of the month. The shows premise is about 4 best friends that are making their way in Hollywood and all the "drama" that comes along the way. It also gives great insight into the entertainment world and how things really work in the industry, as many of you probably don't know this but my mother is a screenwriter and watching her work first hand really makes the show so much more fun for me, because that's the way the industry really works and I find it all fascinating! enjoy the trailer :)