Author Archives: Jenny

Friday Frock and Fizz

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Weeks ago, during a stroll through a Brooklyn street fair, I snapped a photo of this cotton candy stand. The fluffy sweetness brought back childhood memories of summertime carnivals and the pastels evoked an immediate calling for warm weather wear.

I got to thinking about what a cotton candy cocktail would taste like, and quickly discovered several other folks are way ahead of my amateur sweet tooth. While taste-testing the confectionery fizz, I suggest dressing yourself up in similar soft-hued tones like Eli Saab’s haute couture 2012.

Make the cotton candy martini-confit just like this:

2 ounces vanilla vodka
1/4 cup juice (pineapple or blueberry)
3 tablespoons grenadine
1 1/2 cups club soda
Sugar
Ice

Combine vodka, juice and grenadine in a shaker
Divide between tall glasses
Rim glasses with coarse sugar
Fill with small ice cubes
Garnish with cotton candy!



Image Credits: 1.Jenny by design 2.Eli Saab/unknown 3.Unknown

Martha’s Vineyard

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On my way to New York City from London, I pit stopped on Martha’s Vineyard for 48 hours to be present at the wedding of one of my dearest friends. Some relaxing bits of fun happened along the way…nothing like wearing Edgartown-purchased top-siders to cruise around the land. When we weren’t walking, we drove a sweet vintage Wagoneer around Chilmark’s Squibnocket Point, where the water is as blue as eyes and the greenery and cliffs are a twin to the majesty of Ireland. This island is a special place.

Image Credit: Jenny by design

Friday Frock and Fizz

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Drape yourself, lovelies. Valentino’s polka dot is at the top of my list because of the timeless detail and sophistication. Complement this feminine frock with a Viennese Coffee Float. A classy concoction, the fizz is pure fun paired with a couture dot.



Make it at home like this:


For The Flavored Ice Cream:

    • 2 cups chocolate ice cream, softened
    • 1/2 cup strongly brewed cold espresso
    • 1/4 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (Nutella works)

  • For The Hazelnut Whipped Cream:

    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 1/4 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (Nutella works)

  • For The Syrup:

    • 1 cup sugar
    • 2 cinnamon sticks
    • 2 tablespoons Jamaican rum

  • To Assemble Each Drink:

    • 24 ounces strongly brewed hot coffee
    • 1 cup unsweetened whipped cream
    • Vietnamese or regular ground cinnamon, for sprinkling
  1. Make the flavored ice cream: Stir together ice cream, espresso, and hazelnut spread in an airtight container. Freeze until firm, about 1 hour (up to 1 week).
  2. Make the syrup: Stir sugar, cinnamon sticks, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in rum. Let cool completely. Strain into an airtight container; discard cinnamon sticks. Refrigerate overnight (up to 1 month).
  3. Make the hazelnut whipped cream: Put cream and hazelnut spread into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat on medium-low speed until light brown and well combined, about 5 minutes. Raise speed to medium-high; beat until soft peaks form.
  4. To assemble each drink: Using a 1 1/2-inch ice cream scoop, put 3 scoops ice cream into a small coffee cup or 6-ounce glass. Pour in 1 tablespoon syrup, then 3 ounces hot coffee. Add a dollop of hazelnut whipped cream and a dollop of plain whipped cream; swirl together with a spoon. Drizzle more syrup over top; sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve immediately, garnished with marshmallows.
    Image Credits: Frock: Unknown; Valentino SS 2011 // Fizz: Martha Stewart Weddings

Mid-week Menu

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Individual Prosciutto and Spinach Pies came into my life after opening an issue of Coastal Living magazine. Their original recipe is the perfect dinner pie, only requiring 15 minutes of prep and 14 minutes to bake. I’ve had a hectic week, in preparation for a big work trip to London, and this little dish has been the cure to eating well without a ton of available time.


Make them at home like this:

  • 12 thin slices prosciutto, halved crosswise (about 1/2 pound)
  • 10 eggs, lightly beaten 
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt 
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
  • 1 cup loosely packed spinach, stems trimmed and roughly chopped 
  • 1/2 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese 

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin pan or 12 ramekins. Place prosciutto slices into bottoms and up sides of cups, overlapping in a crisscross pattern.
  • 2. Combine eggs, salt, and pepper. Divide spinach and cheese among muffin cups. Pour egg mixture evenly into muffin cups.
  • 3. Bake pies 14 to 16 minutes or until just set. Let stand about 5 minutes. Loosen pies by running a knife around the edges of each cup, and then lift out of pan with a small spatula. Serve immediately.
Image Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner via Coastal Living May 2012

Friday Frock and Fizz

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Yes, Friday has arrived, and the fizz featured today may quickly become a fun favorite. I ordered the Dancing Fox last Saturday after wandering into Hopeland in Brooklyn. The entire afternoon was a pleasant surprise of Boerum Hill’s food, fashion, and home decor, all with the dance of a fox. The cocktail goes something like this:

DANCING FOX
Blueberry Vodka
Muddled Fresh Blueberries
Mint
Lime Juice
Seltzer

The Dancing Fox can be tamed or enlivened by an anglaise pencil dress. Sexy and sassy, you can’t go wrong. This dress is low-key sophistication with high-brow style. Cheers!

Image Credits: ASOS

Friday Frock and Fizz

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Yes, lovelies, I realize this isn’t – technically – a frock, however it has the feel and flow of a true frock experience. So, bare with me. Ohne Titel’s stripes offer an optical illusion and a lesson in geometry. Pair it with a fizz from London designer William Yeoward’s American Bar and you’ve got yourself a sun crushed combination of glamour and glorious color. The book is a diary of the world’s most sophisticated cocktails, each page delivering a separate sip of pleasure.

The Berkeley Blue Bar’s Sun Crushed fizz stands out for me.

Make it at home like this:

3 orange slices
2 bar spoons brown sugar
10 red currants
2 bar spoons lemon juice
2 oz. pomegranate liqueur
Champagne, to top up

*Muddle together the orange, brown sugar and red currants in a highball glass.
*Add lemon juice, pomegranate liqueur and crushed ice.
*Stir.
*Top up with Champagne, add more ice, and garnish with red currants or an orange slice.

Cheers!

Image Credits: Frock: Imaxtree // Fizz: Cico Books

 

NYC Ice Cream

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Poppy (my maternal grandfather) loved saying: I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream! Up until his late 80s, he indulged in whole-milk, pure ice cream on a daily-or-weekly basis, yet always maintained a lean physique. I inherited the ice cream hobby from him, and wish he was around to join me at The Meatball Shop. I know he would melt for their homemade ice cream sandwiches.

The mix-and-match list of sandwich choices and ice cream options are all winners. I usually go for the chocolate chip cookie paired with mint ice cream. My mouth waters as I type this up for you.

Recently, I had dinner with one of my nearest & dearest girlfriends at The Meatball Shop on Greenwich Avenue. Just as we received our dessert, general manager and co-owner, Michael Chernow, popped by our table to tell us we were sending out good vibes. We chatted him up for a minute, mostly praising his model meatball and ideal ice cream. His energy seemed as fresh and real as the food he serves up.


Image Credit: Hannah Whitaker/New York Magazine; Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano/Halley Resources

Celebrate with Tori Spelling

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The reality star, actress, wife, mother and author recently took time out of her busy schedule to speak with me about her new book, celebraTORI, where she shares tips on creating the perfect party. Tori is a true entrepreneur. Read on to learn what will never go out of style, when it is okay to wear red lipstick with a red dress, and the item everyone seems to own (but her). She was such a fun interview, Donna Martin can graduate any day in my book! 

In celebraTORI, you share your party planning motto: “Is it great or does it work?”  Does this motto carry over to your daily life or do you follow a different mantra? How do you maintain the balance in your life with everything you have going on?

It’s funny, that motto came up while I was party planning, but I was just thinking about this the other day, funny enough. It’s a great motto to have in life; you should always strive for greatness. If you have to make it work, you can make it work. But why not in every aspect in your life always strive for that.

You seem to really celebrate life. You have this refreshing quality, and it is rare. Have you always had that spirit about you? Where does it come from?

Oh my gosh, I don’t know…I think I definitely get a lot of my work ethic and energy from my Dad, for sure. He was a total workhorse, but loved interacting with people and loved family, and I think I take after him in that respect. But, I don’t know, I just feel so blessed to have the family I have and to be able to do things I love. Everything I do, for work and play, is all about the passions I have, and I am so blessed.

You discuss budget and savings in the book, and touch upon being eco-conscious, particularly when it comes to utilizing glassware. I love the idea of finding vintage pieces to use again and again. Do you have go-to flea markets or vintage shops?

Definitely, when I am shopping for my parties I go to Rose Bowl flea market, Long Beach flea market, Pasadena City College or Santa Monica, which is one of my favorite ones. We have this one on Melrose and Fairfax that is really cool. I try to hit up a flea market every weekend if my husband is up for it. I even drive around to Goodwill. You can find amazing little pieces…tea cups to put florals in…I always go to Goodwill. You don’t have to have a whole set of something. So, it’s great if you find three glasses here and two glasses there. Eventually you’ll have a great eclectic collection and you don’t always have to find a whole set to make it work.

Do you feel like that is a trend in party planning? Do you think that is something that will last? 

I hope it’s a trend that lasts because it’s budget conscious and it’s great to re-purpose things to use them over and over again. 

In the book, you say “down with the Evite”, and I agree with you. But, personally I have used Paperless Post. Do you feel like it’s a complete no-no to use Paperless Post as a save-the-date?

No, I don’t. I’ve actually used Paperless Post and because I feel like that’s a step in the right direction. At least you feel (when you click) you are opening an envelope. So you are semi-doing the cyber experience version of an invitation. I would take that any day over an Evite, but people still do the Evite. Paperless Post is cool. I like sending a really personal email and putting one of my favorite photos that reflects what the party is, if I have to do email. 

I love your tip in the book “when all else fails, dessert will save you.” Is there a dessert that is always a saving grace at a party?

Red velvet cupcakes are my go-to favorite. I’m all about mini things. Whether it is a mini pie or mini cupcake or cake pops are fun.

What will never go out of style?

I am going to have to go with legwarmers. Legwarmers are my absolute favorite. Every fall and winter I’m super excited to bust them out again. They are cool to wear with boots, they’re cool to with wear leggings, they’re cool to wear with skinny jeans, they’re cool to wear with whatever is the trend at the time, and that is why I think they’ll never go out of style. 

What is your current obsession?

Probably headbands. But, not the headhand that goes around your head, but goes horizontal around the diameter (of the head)…does that make sense!? 

What song is on repeat on your iPod?

Um, you are going to think I’m crazy, I don’t have an iPod. I know, that’s koo-koo…

What is your favorite holiday?

My favorite holiday would be Halloween. I love to decorate, and even before I had kids, I always dressed up every year. 

In your book, you mention the board game Clue and the idea to plan a Murder Mystery party. If you did host that party, which character would you dress up as?

I would totally be Miss Scarlett. Just because, for once, it would be okay to mix a red dress and red lipstick.

What is your favorite quality in a man?

Humor.

What is your favorite quality in a woman?

Loyalty.

Finish this sentence: To be successful, one must…

Reach beyond one’s means.

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Tori truly has a contagious positive energy. During our conversation, she was up for any question and if you read this blog often, you already know her favorite Frock and Fizz pairing is a capelet and a sidecar, as mentioned here.  I hope you enjoyed reading our banter as much as I enjoyed speaking with Ms. Spelling.

Friday Frock and Fizz

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This little number, designed by Alice Cheng, is one of my go-to frocks. Sexy, casual and always chic. You can find the dress in Brooklyn at one of my favorite boutiques, A.Cheng. I own the leather wrap belt, too, and highly recommend it for the extra twist of originality.

Dress this frock up in the evening or down in the afternoon, fitting for a Sunday brunch with a bit of fizz. I’ll be sipping a Bloody Mary soon enough; good ahead, indulge with me!

Make it at home like this:
1 1/2 oz of Vodka
2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp horseradish
Tomato juice
4 dashes Tabasco sauce
Celery salt
Fresh ground pepper
Salt

Image Credits: 1 / 2 / 3

Monday Lovin’

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A brand new week is here which means I have some Monday Lovin’ for you in the form of three spectacular design discoveries.

Susanna Salk’s book Be Your Own Decorator is a glorious piecing together of how to balance, mix and break away from your regular decor routine. She encourages a boldness and whimsy to go with your gut and take that chance in applying decoration for the natural eye. It’s not about how much a painting costs or who created it, it is about being fearless and drawing from exactly what delights you.
Another satisfying, sartorial read is coming this May from New York magazine Design Editor Wendy Goodman. DESIGN HUNTING will be a sophisticated magazine and resource guide of all-things-NYC parties, homes and design studios. I cannot wait to get my hands on it and my eyes in it!
A third piece of love for you today is all about Flea, a boutique in Rowayton, Connecticut. I recently read about it in Coastal Living magazine and immediately jotted it down as a must-do weekend jaunt. A casual shop in a coastal town, it offers vintage furniture, beach trinkets and crafts from around the world. After you shop, you can snack on goods served up on site by a local bakery.