Sunday, December 11, 2011

DRESSING FOR DINNER


TO SERVE MAN

Arkansas native Elizabeth Scokin, maker of the upscale Haute Hostess Aprons line, offers what she calls “the most fabulous chiffons this ... season.” Among them is the Kate style apron, an ethereal piece worthy of parlaying into a ball gown. The double-ruffle apron features a bed of raised-relief roses of ivory chiffon over French netting, and is lined in ivory satin. The limited-edition apron, signed and numbered through 50, is $400.

Meanwhile, Haute Hostess Aprons are still making the global rounds. The Kate was presented to Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, during her London bridal shower prior to her marriage to Prince William of Great Britain. The line will be featured in the February issue of Harper’s Bazaar International, worn by supermodel Cindy Crawford, and will also show up in the April issue of O, The Oprah Magazine.

In addition, Scokin has introduced Little Haute Hostess, a line of sequined girls’ aprons ($75) that match some of the women’s aprons.

Haute Hostess Aprons are in Bauman’s stores at the Capital Hotel, 111 W. Markham St., and in Pavilion in the Park (8201 Cantrell Road) in Little Rock. They’re also at hautehostessaprons.com.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Inspirational Carolina Herrara

Carolina Herrera is the epitome of a lady ~ loved spending a few hours with the loveliest designer I know.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

CIINNAMON TOAST and TEA

Just love a Proper Afternoon Tea

With my little mademoiselle ~ this is a wonderful and fun way to teach your children manners.
Napkins in laps, upright posture, and no elbows on the table for a start. I always expect lovely clothing and shoes, too, with beautiful hair. A polished young person becomes a polished adult.


Elizabeth Scokin, Nashville's stylish entertaining dynamo, has thrown some of the most elaborate high – energy bashes in Nashville, Tennessee.

Her richly imagined soirees are full of social adrenaline and built - in glamour for herself, for her friends, and for many charity organizations .


Party planning should cover every detail from designing imaginative themes and invitations to planning the décor, the music, cocktails, food, and lusciously extravagant goody bags. Her party tips can be adapted to make your next party exciting, memorable, and lots of fun.


Elizabeth’s parties delight, impress, and transport....even a drab business dinner takes on a different personality and black tie parties are no longer a bore...her parties are designed to reflect a well lived life with beautiful food, flattering lighting, and the music you love.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

MOMMY ON THE GO!


LATE AUTUMN SENSATIONS

Soccer practice, Piano and Ballet lessons, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts....Whew!!!
Relax while preparing these quick, yet delicious recipes your
family will love and look forward to every time they ask
Mommy! What's for dinner?

Hilton's Squash Fritters
2 cups grated raw squash
1/2 t. grated onion
few grains black pepper
2 t. salt
6T. flour
2 eggs, beaten
2t. melted butter

Combine 1st six ingredients, add beaten eggs and then butter.
Drop by tablespoon onto griddle. Brown and dot when serving
with butter. They are to die for!

Mommy's Chicken Stew

2 cans low-fat chicken broth (14 1/2oz.)
1 can vegetable broth ( 14 1/2 oz.)
3/4 c. shredded carrots
8 oz. egg noodles
1 lg. can white chicken meat
1 T. all purpose flour
2 T. cold water
Dash of black pepper

Bring broth to a boil in a covered soup pot, 8-10 minutes.
Add carrots, noodles, chicken, and it's juice. Bring to a boil and cover.

Uncover and stir, breaking up chicken. Continue to boil until noodles are tender.

Combine flour and water in small container that has a lid. Shake well.

Noodles are now tender. Add flour mixture and stir until thick. Season with salt and pepper.
YUMMY! Serves 4-6~ I double the recipe, as everyone always wants seconds

Pepperidge Farm Apple Turnovers Serve them with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream for Dessert!

TALES FROM THE POWDER ROOM


One of my top 5 fave Haute Hostess Aprons ~ available in black or lipstick red satin. Her name is FIFI....she also tells tales from the Powder Room! FIFI just loves a good mirror. www.hautehostessaprons.com

CHILLY AFTERNOON TEA PARTY FARE

Cuddle Up By The Fireplace With Hot Tea
Served In Beautiful Antique China .
Great Dessert for Company ~ Pretty Presentation!

3 eggs 1 cup sugar
½ c pumpkin
1 T. lemon juice
¾ c flour
1 t. baking powder
2 t cinnamon
1 t ginger
I t nutmeg
½ t salt
Filling:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
4 T. butter, softened
1 t vanilla
1 c powdered sugar

Beat eggs on high speed for 5 minutes and gradually add sugar. Stir in pumpkin and lemon juice . Fold in remaining ingrdients. Spread in greased and floured jelly roll pan. Bake at 375 degress for 15 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Loosen edges with knife and turn onto towel sprinkled with powdered sugar. Roll towel and cake, starting with narrow end and let cool 1 hour. To make filling: Combine filling ingredients and blend until smooth, unroll cake and spread with filling. Re-roll and refrigerate.

KEY HOLIDAY PARTY TIP

*Don't slave away at your own party. Hire plenty of help . . . from serving to clean-up. No one enjoys a frazzled host and you, the fabulous one, should make it all look like it was a snap!

*Most importantly, relax. Have your hairdresser come to your home for your blowout 2 hours before your party. Wash your hair 15 minutes before your stylist arrives. When your hair looks fabulous, everything else falls right into place!

MUSIC LESSONS

* Throw your parties the way you live! If you loved Studio 54 hire a
hot disco dance band . You and your guests will dance AND sing
the night away!

* Music is key. I prefer hiring a DJ. Play upbeat, but not loud music as guests arrive. Ebb to tranquil at dinner, and you may go to full on disco, if you wish afterward. Always do a sound check before your party. Begin your music at least 20 minutes before guests arrive to put you in the mood and have your vibe in full swing should any guest arrive early.

Monday, December 5, 2011

So Very Chanel

Divine! Nude swirl chiffon on chiffon netting w Swarovski crystal and rhinestone motif ~ only@hautehostessaprons
Divine! Nude swirl chiffon on chiffon netting w Swarovski crystal and rhinestone motif ~ only@hautehostessaprons

Introducing Haute Host

Designer Aprons for the Fashionable Host

The Haute Host Collection ties around the waist and neck. Most are designed with 2 deep pockets and some come with a smart breast pocket and handkerchief. The new Haute Host Apron is a traditional chef style and is wonderful for cooking, as well as entertaining!

STYLE YOUR POSH TREATS

I had to take a walk around the grounds before the party...
Do everything with style ~ I always style my canapes ~ not the caterer.


*Tray Chic . . . delicious and stylish canapes are a must. Present yours in a modern unfussy way. Food should contrast. Think about colors and textures. Style your appetizers! I love crabmeat-avocado toasts or seared tuna with chutney salsa.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

My Mama's Brunch Recipe ..or simply Great to Feed a Crowd


4 slices bacon (cut in pieces)
1/2 lb. dried beef (cut in pieces)
1-2 cans sliced mushrooms
16 eggs , scramble
1/4 t. salt
1 c. evaporated milk
1/4 c. butter
White Sauce:
1/4 c. butter
1/2 c. flour
1 qt. milk white pepper


Cook bacon until done, but soft. Remove bacon and add beef, mushrooms, and fry a little. Make white sauce and add bacon, beef, and mushroom mixture. Scramble eggs. Grease a large casserole. Layer mixtures starting with sauce and end with sauce. (It comes out 3 layers sauce and 2 layers eggs). Cook one hour at 275 degrees Serves 12 as a main course or 20 for brunch, when there are several other dishes.

* For brunch I love to serve it with cinnamon rolls and a salad with avocado and grapefruit with poppyseed dressing. Can be made the day before and refrigerated. Is great for a big family breakfast!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Ski Chic


Glamorous Jet Set ~ Simply tres chic !
Styled by Anne Caruso

The Gold Standard

Who says Entertaining at Home like Haute Hostess Aprons?

KATE
Ivory rose chiffon on chiffon
Glam It Up LUXE Collection
www.hautehostessaprons.com
Limited Edition
Numbered and Signed


RICH RED

THE GUESTS :
Eric, Bill and Sookie
OR Aunt Mary, Uncle Bill, and
Cousin Laura Lou?

True Blood Dinner Party or Holiday? Could be either....use treasures from your attic , red roses on their last leg from the grocery store ( for that lush decadent look) , and your silver for an extra bit of posh. Clean , crisp, and lush ~
P.S. ALWAYS use lots and lots of candles...there are never too many.
Mix heights . Use candelabras, candle sticks, and votives.

RED VELVET CUPCAKES


This goes in my Holiday Survival Kit ~
Love to have handy in my home 24/7 for unexpected guests!
Delicious with Cream Cheese Icing ...homemade if possible.

1 stick unsalted butter (softened)
1 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 oz red food coloring
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
1 tablespoon baking soda


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare the muffin pans with shortening or non-stick spray. Bake without paper cups.

Cream together the butter and sugar until well blended and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time and blend well. make a paste with the food coloring and cocoa. Add the paste to the butter mixture and blend thoroughly.

Add the salt and butter to the mixture.

Add the flour, vanilla, vinegar, and baking soda in that order, mixing after each addition.

Pour the batter into the pans, filling at least halfway. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until it comes out toothpick clean.

Remove and turn out the cakes onto a wire rack to cool.
Serves 24
Beautiful spruce picked out ~ Alex in attic ~ bringing boxes of Christmas tradition down ~an elegant velvet stocking made by my grandmother McKenzie for her youngest granddaughter ~ ornaments from both my grandparents houses and my parents, and precious ones made by my children in kindergarten....red felt stockings lovingly made for my children by my mother. Such memories each time I open a box. Here's the charming Christmas china ! Now I just need 3 little nieces to come by for hot chocolate and cookies ....time to decorate the tree with Auntie..

Create a Chic Shot Bar


* Chic shot bars are sizzling hot in Paris! Place shot glasses in a large glass
container filled with crushed ice. Serve vodka or tequila. Have plenty
of lemons, limes, sugar, and salt on hand. Warning: Will be very
popular! My favorite French CD’s: Hotel Costes #6 by Stephane
Pompougnac and Hotel St. Tropez.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Easy Entertaining at Home


*Entertain at home and recreate your favorite restaurant. Want Italian? Begin the evening with lowlighting, a tray of Bellinis, a sumptuous platter of antipasto, a little Frank Sinatra if you wish, heavy white dinner napkins, white plates, and a starched white tablecloth. How about decorating the dinner table with lots of fragrant fresh basil intermingling with lemons and lots of votive candles . . . and the most fabulouso . . .takeout delivered from your fave trattoria.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Haute Hostess Aprons on Oprah ~ Buy USA Made.

Giselle
Black Solid Pave Sequined Hostess Apron as seen on Oprah , October and December, 2010
Limited Edition , Signed and Numbered.
www.hautehostessaprons.com
Handcrafted and Made in Tennessee,USA

Holiday Must Have by Alexander McQueen


J'Adore ~
Need I say more?

Purple Skull Clasp Mink Clutch
Bergdorf Goodman

Fun Holiday Party Tips


*Have fun unexpected activities . . . a purse psychic, a mendhi artist, roller skating waitstaff, or rent an old fashioned photo booth . . . everyone loves instant pictures with their friends! Want to do something REALLY special? Have a kissing booth for the birthday recipient and capture pics of each guest kissing them! They will adore it and everyone will loosen up!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Party Time!

Fun Times in Nashville

Izzy and McKenzie at their photo shoot last night for Haute Hostess Aprons
www.hautehostessaprons.com

Fashion Comfort Food

*A new take on appetizers! How about a tiny bit of meatloaf on a potato slice or a mini piece of tenderloin of lamb on a leek pancake with black trumphet mushrooms. Instant fashion comfort food. Absolutely Fabulous!

Candy Spelling loves her Haute Hostess Aprons


Candy Spelling at Tootsies, where she shopped and shopped and schmoozed with entrepreneur Elizabeth Scokin, the Nashville-based head of Elizabeth Scokin Productions and designer of Haute Hostess Aprons … The Houston Chronicle.

The Lamb List


Haute Hostess Aprons by Elizabeth Scokin - I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Elizabeth Scokin in the home department at Stanley Korshak. Host your next dinner party in style with her high-fashion hostess aprons. I love the sequin Giselle and the black-and-white Coco (pictured above) from the Glam It Up Luxe collection.

Lauren Lamb
The Lamblist.com

FROST YOUR GLASS OR MONOGRAM IT ~


*Monogram your cocktails! Squeeze lavender infused honey on top of your drinks with a "honeybear" or cylinder with a tip. I love flavored sugar, too, in bright colors to rim your cocktail glasses and make them look so much more fun. I chose a frosty white for a little Ho Ho Ho cheer!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Dial E for Entertaining!

Hot Tip For Your Holiday Party !
*Use your spare bathroom for a champagne bar . . . champagne bottles in a sparkling clean bathroom with oodles of ice and an attendant to pour the bubbly in sleek champagne glasses for your delightfully surprised guests is a surefire winner!

Monday, November 28, 2011

THE STYLISH TRAVELER

SOMETIMES WE JUST GET LOST ~ LADY LUXE ~ YOU KNOW IT WHEN YOU SEE IT.
LANVIN WITH OODLES AND OODLES OF PEARLS. SPLENDID FOR CALIFORNIA HOLIDAY JUST ABOUT NOW. LANVIN IN MALIBU.
Chic Cyber Monday
I definitely decided to transform this dreary rainy day into a game changer ~ why not transform it into a bright sunny day with breakfast in bed and new magazines? Homemade waffles reigned with hot syrup and crispy bacon. Even though it is cyber Monday, I decided to jump off the fast track. A girls got to do, what a girls got to do.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

The Big Yum! The Last Thanksgiving Haute Hostess Hoorah!

Another Yummy Use of Thanksgiving Leftovers !

Elizabeth's Super Easy Turkey Soup

1 T butter
2 c leftover potatoes
1 1/2 c turkey or chicken stock
3/4 c milk
3/4 c heavy cream
6 oz gruyere cheese
Bunch of scallions

Combine potatoes, milk, cream, and stock in saucepan. Add turkey, salt, pepper,and pinch of cayenne pepper. Wisk in butter.

Meanwhile put grated gruyere in bottom of individual soup bowls. Ladle hot soup on top. Dust with touch of paprika and minced fresh scallions.

Simply Delicious !

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Food + Love

Elizabeth Scokin, fashion darling and haute hostess, shares her stylish recipes for a cozy post Thanksgiving Day.

For me, the day after Thanksgiving is a long lazy day with a fire burning and the kitchen still filled with wonderful aromas of the day before. We begin our morning with a scrumptious scrambled egg casserole for breakfast. Your whole family will love it! Then the children go outside and play football with their cousins and before you know it someone is hungry again . We have local barbecue for lunch and play cards and nap the afternoon away. Cocktails anyone? A Wild Turkey spritzer is fabulous with my hot crab dip! Dinner is a comforting French Turkey soup that takes care of leftover turkey and mashed potatoes. I promise you will adore it. The dessert is a really surprising delight…a pumpkin roll with lots of cream cheese and powdered sugar. Delish!

Delicious Scrambled Egg Casserole

4 slices bacon (cut in pieces)
1/2 lb. dried beef (cut in pieces)
1-2 cans sliced mushrooms
16 eggs , scramble
1/4 t. salt
1 c. evaporated milk
1/4 c. butter
White Sauce:
1/4 c. butter
1/2 c. flour
1 qt. milk white pepper


Cook bacon until done, but soft. Remove bacon and add beef, mushrooms, and fry a little. Make white sauce and add bacon, beef, and mushroom mixture. Scramble eggs. Grease a large casserole. Layer mixtures starting with sauce and end with sauce. (It comes out 3 layers sauce and 2 layers eggs). Cook one hour at 275 degrees Serves 12 as a main course or 20 for brunch, when there are several other dishes.

* For brunch I love to serve it with cinnamon rolls and a salad with avocado and grapefruit with poppyseed dressing. Can be made the day before and refrigerated. Is great for a big family breakfast!



http://www.hautehostessaprons.com/products/food+love.asp

Thursday, November 24, 2011

HAPPY DAY

Haute Hostess Living loved that everything today revolved around our family and family friends ~
Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Food =Love

http://www.hautehostessaprons.com/products/food+love.asp

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Sipping Wild Turkey Spritzer Spritzers


WILD TURKEY SPRITZER
My Thanksgiving Favorite

Greet your guests with this fall cocktail.
So festive and puts everyone in a wonderful mood ~

1 ½ oz Wild Turkey Bourbon
1 ½ oz strained fresh orange juice
1 ½ strained fresh lime juice
1 T. sugar syrup
1 orange slice for garnish


In a tall glass combine the Wild Turkey, orange and lime juices, sugar syrup, and 4 ice cubes.
Fill the glass with the seltzer and stir.
Garnish with an orange slice.

GAME DAY RECIPES WITH THE HAUTE HOSTESS

Try these fabulous game day recipes wearing the New Haute Hostess Collegiate Collection! SPINACH SARAH 4 packages (10oz. each) fr...