Archives for April 2016

How to Host a Wine & Cheese Night with Wine Glass Writer

April 28, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

Throwing a wine and cheese party is a sure way to get all of your friends together! Get some tips and tricks for hosting your next wine and cheese party using Wine Glass Writer. Check the details below to learn how to enter a Wine Glass Writer GIVEAWAY!

Ceramic Fruit Basket: Target
Scalloped Cake Stand: Target, similar World Market
Table Linen: Anthropologie
Serving Platter: Crate & Barrel
Wine Carafe: Crate & Barrel
Wine Glasses: Lenox
Markers: Wine Glass Writer c/o

My idea of a sophisticated get-together is a wine and cheese night! Whether your are having your gal pals over to catch up or inviting another couple over to come hang, I don’t believe that you can go wrong with some delicious wine and cheese. Hosting a wine and cheese can be simple with a few tips and tricks to impress your guests. Let’s begin by creating a shopping list that will cover 10 guests.

{Shopping List}

at least 4 bottles of wine: 2 red, 2 white (for a variety of types to accommodate guests, I recommend: a cabernet sauvignon, a pinot noir, a pinot grigio, and a riesling)
4 cheeses: sharp, creamy, smooth, and strong (my choices: cheddar, gouda, blue, and brie)
2 types of crackers
fruit: grapes and apples
2 hors d’oeuvres, because cheese is not always enough to me (my choices: mini quiches and sweet chili meatballs)

{Serveware & Supplies}

cheese board or cutting board
cheese knifes or spread knifes
serving platter
cake stand
Wine Glass Writer
red and white wine glasses (larger opening/rims for red wine to breathe)
decorative bowls

{The Set Up)

Creating the spread can be as simple or as elaborate as you would like. Remember, the main focus should be on the cheese, and one way to make it stand out is by placing it on the largest platter. Centering the cheese platter can also create an attractive focal point, but you could certainly get creative with an off-centered focus. Next, I like to introduce other shapes and sizes into the spread. I used a round cake stand to create contrast to the square cheese platter, and it also adds some attractive depth by putting different foods at different heights. Don’t be afraid to mix and match ceramic, wood, and glass! I put the meatballs in a cermanic bowl and then placed them on the wooden cutting board to create even more variation in the spread.

When hosting guests, I am a firm believer in labeling everything!! I have teamed up with Wine Glass Writer to show you how you can label a wine and cheese spread. Wine Glass Writer is a non-toxic marker that allows you to write on most services: glass, ceramic, tile, mirrors, and so on. I hand-lettered a wine glass for each lady and labeled all of the food and cheese. After using the marker, it takes about a minute to dry and does not come off until you gently rub some warm water and dish soap. What I love most about Wine Glass Writer is the creativeness is really endless!

GIVEAWAY!!

Head to Instagram to enter the GIVEAWAY and win a set of Wine Glass Writer’s. To enter: 1. follow @dccold and @wineglasswriter 2. like my initial giveaway photo posted on 4/28 3. tag one friend that you would like to enjoy some wine and cheese with 4. FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY (optional) Comment below in this blog post and tell me your favorite cheese and wine!

U.S participants only and the winner will be announced Sunday, May 1st after 1pm. Good luck!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Eyelet Maternity Dress

Closet

April 20, by Drafts & Crafts

There is just something about white eyelet in the springtime. The color white complements warmer temperatures that are here to stay..

{Eyelet Dress: Old Navy Maternity on sale!} {Purse: Kate Spade, similar}
{Shoes: Loeffler Randall, old, love these}
{Bracelet: Loren Hope ala Rocksbox}

My sweet friend, Rebecca, threw me a baby shower in Jacksonville last weekend. I wore this maternity dress to the shower that was decked with delicious Southern cuisine. I love the soft, feminine touch of eyelet. Eyelet reminds me of blooming flowers and warm weather, that must be why I am so attracted to eyelet tops and dresses come springtime. At 34 weeks pregnant, I am wearing mostly maternity clothes. This is a maternity dress that I have been eyeing from Old Navy for about a month. The best part is that Old Navy makes the same dress in regular women’s (non-maternity) and plus size women! All three versions are currently on sale, so RUN into the store or shop maternity online!! I do wish I could have worn some platform wedges with the dress, unfortunately my swollen feet will not allow that at this time! #preggerproblems Tell me, what fashion prints or patterns do you crave in the warmer months??

Keep in touch,
Dani

Baby Shower #2: Southern Menu in Jax

Craft Box, Mommy & Misc

April 18, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

I wanted to give a quick recap of my second baby shower in Jacksonville. My girlfriend, Rebecca, was the PERFECT host at her beautiful new home. The menu featured some good southern cookin’ so I had to share…

The hostess with the mostest, Rebecca

Ombre cake from Cinotti’s Bakery in Jax Beach. This was extra special because Jason and I got our wedding cake from Cinotti’s. Their family owned bakery is one of the best!

As I get a little older, I am starting to realize that great friends are hard to come by. When you do find those gems, you gotta hold on tight. I am lucky to have a handful of them, Rebecca is my dearest girlfriend from college. We met each other freshman year at UNF. I could not think of a better friend to host my baby shower in Jacksonville. Over the years, I have become very close to Becca’s family as well. They treat me just like family, both her parents in Jacksonville and her Aunt and Uncle when Jason and I lived in Northern Virginia. My husband and I are beyond blessed to be close to her family. I feel spoiled because my mother hosted my first baby shower in Boca about 3 weeks ago, and this was my second shower! We have one lucky little baby boy!!

Rebecca and her mama, Chrissy, knocked the shower menu OUT OF THE PARK! Ya see, Rebecca knows me oh so well and she knows that I love me some food from the South. She created a menu that featured my 3 favorite Southern dishes: shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles with spicy syrup, and pulled pork sandwiches with cole slaw! Yuuummmm! I will say for those of you who do not know, most people consider Jacksonville apart of the South. The baby shower menu went on, fruit salad, green salad, mini quiches, and potatoes au gratin. Also, how cute are the homemade scrubs that Rebecca made?! They say “Sugar Scrub, from our shower to your shower!”

I would highly recommend recreating this menu for any party that you are hosting. From baby showers to birthday parties, you can not go wrong with Southern cookin’ -in my opinion, of course! 🙂 It was such a lovely afternoon filled with celebrating our baby boy. There were 12 people, so the gathering was very intimate and relaxing. HUGE THANK YOU to Rebecca and Chrissy for planning the event! Have you been to any good parties lately? What was the menu like?

Keep in touch,
Dani

Pregnancy Care with Nine Naturals

Mommy & Misc

April 12, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

I am learning everyday that taking care of yourself while pregnant is truly the best thing you can do for yourself, as well as your baby. Nine Naturals makes it easy to find safe products to use while pregnant, postpartum, and even on baby.

Picking out products to use during your pregnancy can be challenging. I hear things on the news and social media that scare me! Big companies getting in trouble for using harmful chemicals in simple products really makes choosing beauty products daunting… whether pregnant or not! Of course, I use the same everyday essentials, like shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and body wash. Yet, since becoming pregnant I have added many more lotions, belly creams, and skin repairing balms. My skin has been extra dry since carrying our baby boy, especially my feet, hands, and face.

Nine Naturals was kind enough to send me several of their products to try. I am glad they did because I am hooked! Admittedly, I love trying to products, but I don’t usually go out and find them myself. I love when someone recommends a product to me and can tell me a little bit about how it has helped them! So, let me tell you about something that I LOVE about Nine Naturals:

Most important, each ingredient is natural and organic! I can sleep well at night knowing that I have not exposed myself or my unborn child to any dangerous chemicals. You can read about each ingredient here.
After using the shampoo and conditioner, my hair is less frizzy and is blow drying much faster! Like 5 times faster, I don’t know what to do with all of my extra time now (insert hysterical laughing emoji).
I do try to keep in mind how much more expensive organic products tend to be, but I was so happy to see a little tab went a long way! The body wash lathered on great and I did not need to use much.
The natural smells are BEAUTIFUL! I love the smell of citrus, mint, vanilla, and geranium. These scents are so calming, it smells like a spa in our bathroom after I shower.
I could see a drastic difference in my skin & lips after using the belly butter, body palm, and lip balm for 3 days in a row. I apply the belly butter and lip balm each morning and evening. I use the body balm on my feet each night before bed and now my abused feet are doing much better.

Thank you to Nine Naturals for the lovely products. It is so amazing how much change you can see in your body when you change some beauty items to natural products. I am excited to use Nine Naturals for the next 7 weeks of my pregnancy and for my postpartum journey. What are your favorite organic products? If you have any questions about Nine Naturals, please leave me a message! Have a blessed week friends!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Pardon my French

Closet

April 13, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

Spruce up your spring style with a little French twist. Here are the details to this affordable outfit, great for a weekend stroll to the market.

{Dress: Old Navy– not maternity & on sale!} {Hat: Target}
{Tote: Old Navy- in store $6!!} {Flats: Gap}
{Earrings: Kendra Scott a la Rocksbox}

This outfit has got me excited about spring!! We enjoyed some beautiful weather in Northern Florida this past weekend. The hubs and I worked on a few home projects inside, but we were able to make it out for a Sunday stroll, church, & brunch. I keep finding myself in hues of blue… do you think that is a subconscious choice since I am counting down the days until our baby boy arrives?? 🙂 At 33 weeks, I officially do not fit into the non-maternity clothes that I have been wearing for the past several months. Thus, I made a quick trip to Old Navy for a few things to get me through the next 6 weeks.

To get away with buying non-maternity clothes, I go up one size in loose, flowy items. This gingham-print dress is light weight and comfortable for spring and summer. This dress is NOT maternity, so I simply sized up one size to ensure that there would be room for my ever-growing belly. This “Pardon My French” tote is a fun addition to a spring wardrobe. I am a sucker for witty phrases, PLUS you can never have enough bags, right?? Complete the french flair with a floppy hat and you will be ready to stroll your local farmers or arts market! What are some styles that inspire you this season?

Keep in touch,
Dani

Off-Shoulder & Espadrilles

Closet

April 6, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

Freshen your spring wardrobe with an off-the-shoulder blouse and a pair of espadrilles. I have linked several blouses and espadrilles below for your styling convenience!

{Blouse: Chicwish– on sale!} Love this & this one
{Jeans: Pea in the Pod– on sale!!}
{Espadrilles: Dolce Vita for Target} Love these & these & these
{Bag: Anthropologie, similar} {Rose Gold Watch: Aibi watches}

Please excuse me while I have a spring fling with off-the-shoulder tops and espadrilles! Each season I find myself engulfed in some favorite trends, it doesn’t have to be a new trend per say, but this season I am crushing on off-the-shoulder blouses and espadrilles! I would even go as far as saying, I love these two trends MOST when paired together. Off-the-shoulder tops and espadrilles compliment each other for a casual, yet chic look.

Let me tell you about my new favorite kicks so you can RUN to Target! Target teams up with designer brands (a few times each year) to bring us awesome products at affordable prices. This spring Target and Dolce Vita (DV) did a shoe collaboration and these espadrilles are swoon-ful. I had been looking for a inexpensive pair of espadrilles to compensate for my swollen, pregnant feet. These shoes did the trick for me! They are more supportive than my usual sandal, so I can do much more walking in them. Some of the reviews say that they run narrow, but I beg to differ. My already wide feet are swollen and still fit in them. I recommend a half size up if you have wider feet.

I love this Chicwish blouse for spring and summer! It is not a maternity top, it is a loose one-size-fits-all kind of deal. I can’t wait to wear it in the future when I am no longer preggers. I purchased this woven purse from Anthro last year and I find it very adorable! I am really hoping they come out with a similar style this summer! Jason and I enjoyed a little picnic in the park while we were in South Florida last weekend. We are trying to soak in our together time before baby boy arrives next month!!! What are your favorite spring trends and activities??

Keep in touch,
Dani