Friday Foodday: New Year's Eve

Happy last Friday of 2011! I wish you a safe and happy weekend. Today is a special Friday Foodday with specialty cocktails!

Champagne Punch
c/o Food Network

Ingredients

• 1 can (20-ounce) crushed pineapple in heavy syrup
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup maraschino cherry juice
• 1 cup dark rum
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1 bottle (750 ml) chilled inexpensive brut Champagne

Directions

In a large punch bowl or pitcher, stir pineapple, lemon juice, cherry juice, rum, and brandy to blend. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Add Champagne just before serving. 

Cranberry Champagne Cocktail

c/o Ali in the Valley 

Ingredients

•     1-ounce cranberry juice (sweetened)
•     1 wedge lime
•     Champagne or sparkling wine
•     Cranberries (fresh or frozen)

Directions
In a chilled Champagne flute add cranberry juice and a squeeze of lime. Top off the glass with Champagne. Garnish with 3 or 4 cranberries.







  
Pear Champagne Cocktail
c/o Goodbooze

Ingredients
Chilled champagne
Pear Brandy
Fresh pear, chopped (remove the skin first, if you like, but we don’t)
Turbinado (raw) sugar

Directions
Drop a few pieces of pear into the bottom of a champagne flute and sprinkle some sugar over the top. Let sit for a few minutes while the sugar softens, then pour 1 ounce of pear brandy over the pear. Allow to macerate for 15 minutes, then top with chilled champagne. 

NYE Accents

Hey lovebugs! Are you ready for 2012? Today I thought we would look at some fabulous accents to add to your LBD for New Year's Eve.

Forever 21, Rhinestone Studded Satiny Bow Headband, $6

If you aren't usually brave with your headbands during the year; NYE is the best excuse to go big or go home.

J Crew, Skinny Glitter Belt, $20

I absolutely love this belt, it's flashy and fabulous in all the right ways.

Nordstrom, Kendra Scott Oralie Earrings, $68

I love color around the face and these beauties are perfect for a big night.

Stella and Dot, Soiree Trio Ring, $49

Hello glamorous.

What are your NYE plans? Dressing up or down? Even if you're in pjs, wear some bling for fun!

Be fabulous today!

Capital Ken: Travel Accessories

Hello! I’m happy to be back doing another guest post for Kelsey. This week, I have concentrated on pieces for your man who is “on the go.” The first items are briefcases. I like this first one as I believe it is a classic look – not too casual but not too stuffy.

Kenneth Cole, A Brief History, $70

With this next one, you can be right in style, but still stand out from the crowd. These are showing up in a lot of ads, probably due to the popularity of the television show, “Mad Men.” Instead of the typical black, why not consider aluminum? 

Aluminum Notebook Laptop Computer Travel Briefcase Executive Attache, $39

I wanted to include this next one because these “loose” handles are very popular right now. This one is a simple design for nearly any professional. 

Mercury Luggage Signature Portfolio with Shoulder Straps, $43

Finally, for a little color and for those of you who might be looking for a bag with less structure, this is a terrific option with several color options. I like the saddle color, as I feel it goes with almost everything. 

David King Porthole Briefcase, $89

As an added feature, I wanted to add a few travel accessories. If your man is on the go a lot, as I am, there are a few items that might make his life on the road a bit easier. The first is a travel tray. It might not sound like a necessity, but it certainly helps in a strange hotel room to keep change, keys, wallet, etc., in ONE place. This one unsnaps at the corners to lie flat for packing.

Trafalger Square Leather Tray, $38

And finally, this is a great piece to pack just in case the loafers are expected to trudge through any climates with bad weather. Road salt can ruin even the finest leather. And, this mini kit won’t take up too much room.   

 Travel Mini Shoe Care Kit, $22

Friday Foodday

Happy Christmas Eve Eve lovebugs! I hope you don't mind but The Capital Barbie will be taking a vacation until Wednesday. So see you next week. I hope you have a safe and happy holiday this weekend.

Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallows
c/o Table for Two

Ingredients

Large marshmallows

Chocolate chips

Peppermint candy canes

Directions

1. In a small pot, fill halfway with water and bring to gentle boil. Put a glass bowl on top and melt your chocolate chips, make sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water.
2. In a plastic bag, put your candy canes in and take a rolling pin or the back of a wooden spoon and crush the candy canes into pieces.
3. Poke the lollipop sticks through the middle of each marshmallow.
4. Take the marshmallow and dip it in the melted chocolate then sprinkle the candy cane pieces on top of the chocolate. Set aside to cool completely.

Roasted Onion, Garlic, Peppered Almonds
c/o Kitchen Bellicious

  Ingredients
3 TBSP oil
1 TBSP parsley
1 TBSP onion salt
1 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
1 tsp black poppy seeds
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
3 cups of unsalted almonds

Directions

1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat and carefully add all ingredients except the almonds. Cook stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes add the almonds and continue to cook for another 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels until cooled completely. Spoon nut mixture into a plastic bag until ready to serve. Makes approx 3 cups.

Sugar Donut Muffings
c/o Annie Bakes

 Ingredients
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup milk (low fat is fine)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar, for topping

 Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a muffin tin with cooking spray (I used a mini-muffin tin).  In a large bowl, beat together the sugar and egg until light in color.  In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.  Pour into egg mixture and stir to combine.  Pour in vegetable oil, milk and vanilla extract.  Divide batter evenly into the muffin cups (I used a small ice cream scoop), filling each about 3/4 full.  Bake for 12-14 minutes (15-18 minutes if using large muffin tins).  When muffins are done, lightly brush the tops with the melted butter and dip into a bowl of sugar.  Cool on a wire rack.