Sure, we’ve all heard and probably eaten Caprese Salads, but this one is a bit different and absolutely incredible. I love serving dishes that we’ve all had before, but with a unique, and of course, delicious twist. This Caprese salad has all the usuals but with the addition of citrus. Plus, try using fresh Cilantro instead of basil.  I can’t tell you how wonderful and fresh it tastes. Plus, it is absolutely beautiful! The colors just pop. Make it once and I bet you’ll be hooked!

Ingredients
1 medium onion
4 large oranges
4 medium tomatoes
1 pound buffalo mozzarella cheese
1 bunch Cilantro
6 tbsp Olive Oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation
Peel onion and slice it into thin rings. Place in a bowl and squeeze the juice of one orange and one lemon into the bowl. leave to marinate for 30 minutes.
Remove the skin and pith from the remaining 3 oranges and slice into six or eight wheels. Remove all seeds.

Slice the tomatoes into 6-8 wheels as well.

Slice the mozzarella cheese into 6-8 wheels

Assemble the salad by alternating the orange, onion, cheese, and tomato.

I love appearing on Better Kansas City.  I always have so much fun creating ideas and simple projects which (hopefully) inspires the viewers to have some fun on their own.  Here is a photo of my most recent appearance when I talk about all the fun and trendy ideas for this year’s Halloween Pumpkin decorating.  PLUS… they are all no-carve ideas, so you never even have to pick up a knife!  Here is the link to this video segment.  NO CARVE PUMPKIN IDEAS

St. Louis is a very lucky city to be home to Amelia’s Fine Linen.  In the hustle and bustle of Chesterfield Commons, there is a quiet and serene store which will envelope you in relaxation and zen.  Amelia’s Fine Linen is like no other store.  Filled with beautiful items for bed and bath, Amelia’s will take your breath away.  The next time you are shopping in Chesterfield, make sure to stop by this bedding oasis!

Visit Amelia’s Fine Linen on the web:   www.ameliaslinens.com
Stop by the store:  17401 Baxter Rd.  Chesterfield, MO
Call her:  (636) 728-0455
Find them on Facebook and Twitter

There are many reasons to celebrate the new year, including the assignment of a new PMS color of the year… Tangerine Tango!  The folks at Pantone, the color authorities have chosen Tangerine Tango as the color for 2012.   It’s a happy, vibrant color that will put a smile on your face and lift your spirits… no matter if you are wearing it, decorating your home with it, or inspired by it for your next special event.  We chose some beautiful items that bring a touch of Tangerine Tango to your life.

1. Looking glamorous is easy in this gorgeous Shailene Dress from Lilly Pulitzer – $298

2. Feeling exotic with these gorgeous TopShop LOVE Colour Block Suede Sandal – $99

3. You can’t go wrong with Trish McEvoy Beauty Emergency Card for Lips Be Prepared Pink– $32

4. Everyone will attend your soirée when you send them these gorgeous Modern Playbill Wedding Invitations

5. I’m in love with this Marc by Marc Jacobs Exploded Katie Bracelet– $128

6. CHANEL ORANGE FIZZ LE VERNIS NAIL COLOUR– $26

7. Stunning coral ring from Overstock.com

8. Beautiful tablescape by Southern Accents

9. Orange Pillows

10. Delicious custom cookies which can be designed in any PMS color from Colleen’s Cookies

I just love this Sangria recipe from The Porch in Soulard, a wine and gift boutique. I am planning on trying this ASAP!!!

This is the perfect party recipe! There are many different variations on the web but I tweaked it a bit by using champagne vinegar, it’s available at Target as one of their Archer Farms brands and you can find it next to all the vinegars in their grocery section.  I bet if you find some great unique vinegars, it would add to the interest of this recipe.  If you choose to use a balsamic vinegar, I’m sure it will taste great too. If you are not a vinegar fan, this appetizer is wonderful without it as well.  

Ingredients
1/2 Watermelon
1 box Feta Cheese block
1 punch Basil leaves
Olive Oil
champagne vinegar (available at Target) or any balsamic vinegar

Preparation
Simply cut the watermelon into even sized cubes. Cut the feta cheese into thin cubes as well. Prepare basil leaves. To assemble, start with a watermelon cube, add basil leaf, add feta cheese, add another basil leaf, and top with another watermelon cube. You can either eat as is. Or, you can sprinkle with olive oil as well as balsamic vinegar. We found champagne vinegar at target which had an interesting taste.

I love fall and all the fun craft projects it brings.  I recently went to my local dollar store and found bags of multi-color leaves which can be used for various fun craft projects.  If you shop at the dollar store, you probably know the drill… if you see something you like, grab it because the chances of it being there the next time you come are pretty slim, especially seasonal items… so, I grabbed the leaves!

I needed to create a quick fall wreath and I thought, why not use the leaves!  I feel like I need to add a disclaimer, which is that I’m not a crafty person.  I don’t have a craft room or all those wonderful organizers for ribbons and pens which I covet on Pinterest!  However, I did have some Elmer’s glue , scissors, and various wreath forms which I had left over from different projects.  I chose to use one that was foam (the smaller one) and a larger one that was flat and made out of wood.  I glued the leaves with  Elmer’s glue (I know, I know, hot glue would have been much easier and faster to dry but I was out… I warned you, I’m not a crafter!) and each wreath had the leaves going in different directions.  Once I secured the two wreaths together, I got one, very thick wreath that I would have not been able to create with any other ready-made wreath form.  Also, since one wreath form was thick and one was flat, my wreath is 3 dimensional… LOVE!!!!

Nervous about falling prey to the holiday eating frenzy?  If you are hosting a party, you can say good-bye to that frustrating feeling that your table has to be laden with rich and unhealthy foods.  Here are five simple tips on displaying healthy veggies in an attractive and fun way to dress-up your next holiday party… or any party for that matter!  Trust us, your guests will thank you for it!

Here’s my latest segment photos from Better Kansas City when I had a chance to talk about “re-inventing” the way we look at vegetables when it’s time to throw a party!

TIP #1 – RETHINK THE VEGGIE PLATTER:  Many hosts approach the vegetable tray as an afterthought, but since the holidays tend to reak havok on our waistlines, most guests appreciate healthy options at the holiday buffet. But you don’t have to forego  creativity when serving veggies. There are so many  fun ways you can incorporate vegetables at a party. A great idea is a salad bar.  “Interactive” bars have become one of the hottest party trends… such as candy “bars”, cupcake “bars”, even potato “bars”.  Why not do the same with veggies and allow your guests to create a custom salad with their own ingredients and dressings.

TIP #2 –  HAVE FUN WITH PRESENTATION:  Again, the platter is great, but other serving ideas are even better.  Check your cabinets for items you use everyday, such as flower vases, martini glasses, mason jars, and just about any container to display your veggies.

TIP #3 – GET CREATIVE:  This goes without saying!  Displaying your veggies in a creative way brings the WOW factor.  Create Christmas Trees from your broccoli and vegetable wreaths from your asparagus… the possibilities are endless.

TIP #4 –  DON’T FORGET THE KIDDOS!   If your party will include children, create a fun platter just for them.  They’ll love that someone thought of them and you can feel better knowing that you are encouraging healthy eating.  This fun Elmo veggie platter is easy to make and if you google “elmo vegetable platter” you will also see lots of Sesame Street characters made into veggie and fruit platters.

5.  TIP #5 – MAKE LIFE EASY!  Buy the veggie platter at the store and ditch the plastic.  If time is of an issue and budget is not, let the professionals at the grocery store cut and arrange your veggie platter. Then take it home, ditch the plastic, find fun containers and create something fun within half the time.  Also, the best part about veggies… they can be prepared ahead of time.  That’s always a huge help for the host on party day!

Driving down Forsyth you’ll see many businesses, but none with as cute of an awning as Colleen’s Cookies!  The black with white polka-dot awning isn’t the only creative element which draws people to this cookie mecca.  Her warm  atmosphere, both inside and out, invite customers to stop in, peek inside, and indulge their palates with a delicious treat from Colleen’s vast array of sweet selections.

Colleen has baked custom cookies for 10 years in her production kitchen and just over a year ago opened up her own store-front and a large production kitchen in Clayton.  Although her shop is a must-see, her cookies are by far a must-taste!  Colleen’s creations can be described as  tasty self-expressions.  However, creating something that is reflective of her customer’s personality is definitely her speciality.  Her clients can literally unleash their imaginations.  From designing cookies that look like Malibu Rum bottles, happy faces, daisies, to creating her own whoopie pies, ice-cream sandwiches, and her latest addition, decorated cookie cakes.  Colleen can tackle just about any vision and transform it into something sweet and delicious.  Stop by her web site and don’t forget to subscribe to her monthly e-blast filled with great stories, tips, and recipes.

Visit Colleen’s Cookies on the web:   www.colleenscookies.com
Stop by the shop:  7337 Forsyth Boulevard  St. Louis, MO 63105
Call her:  (314) 727-8427

I know, the title of this post is pretty hokey, but I can’t help it, baked banana boats have to be one of my favorite desserts!  My 9 year old son told me about the recipe, which he discovered in his “Boy’s Life” magazine.  Apparently, this recipe is a camper’s favorite.  If you google baked bananas, you’ll get lots of other great ideas on toppings.  The added benefit is that I can do this with my boys and they feel like they’ve created something very special.  This is a two thumbs up recipe, perfect for anyone at anytime!

Ingredients:

Bananas
Chocolate Chips
Marshmallows

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 300ºF. Slit each banana lengthwise through 1 side of peel, taking care to avoid cutting all the way through banana. Stuff each slit with chocolate chips and marshmallows.
2. Wrap each banana in aluminum foil, place upright on a baking sheet and bake until chocolate and marshmallows have melted, 10 to 15 minutes. Unwrap and serve immediately.