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GREEN WEEK: Earth Day in the Kitchen Technique Class at Williams-Sonoma!

17 Apr

Earth Day in the Kitchen

That’s the theme of this Sunday’s (4/21)  technique class at Williams-Sonoma (Level 4). The complimentary class runs from 2 to 3 pm.  During the Earth Day in the Kitchen class, you’ll get tips on ways to save both time and energy in the kitchen.

Technique classes at Williams-Sonoma are complimentary.

Technique classes at Williams-Sonoma are complimentary.

The class will cover pressure cooking and steam roasting. Plus, get delicious ideas on how to use these eco-friendly cooking styles with seasonal ingredients along with tips on an easy-to-make chocolate dessert using steam roasting. 

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Chocolate Pots De Creme

After the class, enjoy 10% off select in-store purchases made on the same day.

While you’re marking your calendar for this next class, you just may want to write down another date! On 4/28 at 2pm, there is class dedicated to a kitchen powerhouse  — The Vitamix blender!

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A Kitchen Powerhouse

For technique classes, you’re encouraged to call ahead to reserve your spot. The number is 410.847.9021

Have you entered for a chance to win a $50 Shop Etc. Mall Gift Card? You can enter our GREEN WEEK 2013 SWEEPSTAKES  by leaving a comment on any blog post that runs from 4/15 through 4/22. A winner will be selected in a random drawing. 

Open to U.S. residents, 16 or older.  Entry dates: 4/15 through 4/22.  For the Official Rules, click on this link.  Limit one entry per person.

Here are links to more green themed posts featuring Aveda, Starbucks and TOMS shoes at Nordstrom.

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Last Minute Easter Entertaining Ideas from Crate & Barrel

29 Mar

Are you ready for Easter? If you’re looking for a few last minute table-top touches, I have you covered.  I hit Crate & Barrel (Level 2) for some ideas! Many of the holiday items are on sale!

Here’s some inspiration for how to extend the classic colors of decorated Easter eggs to your table decor or for a hostess gift.

 Note the orange and green napkins shaped into carrots. Consider displaying porcelain eggs in a glass vase or show off the ones that your kids make. The petite, pastel blue gift box of sea salt caramels pulls double duty as a touch of color and a small take-home gift for your guests. The egg platter adds a burst of spring to your table.

Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel (Level 2)

If you’re looking for hostess gifts, Crate & Barrel also has a “Gifts We Love” table. It’s filled with thoughtful gift ideas that can work well as hostess gifts for Easter or any other occasion.

"Gifts We Love" Table

“Gifts We Love” Table

On the table, you’ll find sweet wine glass charms, little watering cans, candles, whimsical votive holders, unique gourmet food items and more!

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If you pick out a non-holiday themed hostess gift, you can add some festive flair by wrapping it in a dish towel in a pretty print.

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I wanted to remind you that the mall will be closed on Easter Sunday. Restaurant hours will vary.  

Happy Easter!

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Festive Easter Finds at Williams-Sonoma! Plus, an EASTER SWEEPSTAKES!

26 Mar

 From table-top to treats, Williams-Sonoma (Level 4) has you covered for Easter! 

You’re greeted with this table display the moment you walk in the store!

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Located on Level 4

Here’s a closer look at some of the display items. You can use a tray like this one as a serving piece, dining room table center piece or display it on a stand on a mantel or console. These ceramic rabbits add a whimsical touch and become a part of your holiday tradition.

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Looking for sweet treats for Easter Baskets?  You’ll find something to satisfy any kind of sweet tooth!

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I also noticed the Eco-Egg all natural egg coloring kits!  Perfect for a fun afternoon of decorating with the kids.

Eco-Eggs

Eco-Eggs

If you’re looking for inspiration for your Easter dinner menu, Williams-Sonoma features recipes online for a Roasted Asparagus Salad with Chèvre, a Balsamic Glazed Ham with Parsley-Cornichon Gemolata and a Potato and Onion Gratin.

Here’s one more idea — Easter Egg Lollipops. You can get the kids involved in making them and then feature the treat as a centerpiece at brunch or dinner. Here’a link to the recipe, also from Williams-Sonoma’s website.

From WilliamsSonoma.com

From WilliamsSonoma.com

I wanted to be sure you know about the Easter Sweepstakes! You can enter for a chance to win a $50 Shop Etc. Mall Gift Card. All you need to do is leave a comment on my posts dated from  3/25 through Thursday (3/28). The sweepstakes is open to U.S. residents, 16 or older. Entry dates: 3/25 – 3/28/13. The winner will be selected in a random drawing. For the Official Rules, see Easter 2013 Sweepstakes.  Limit one entry per person.

Look forward to reading your comments!

Did you catch my other Easter themed posts? Here’s a link to Easter ideas from Sur La Table and Godiva.

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EASTER Sweepstakes Announcement! Plus Easter Fun at Sur La Table!

25 Mar

The count down until Easter is on!

All week, join me as we make the rounds to stores throughout the mall scoping out ideas on Easter entertaining, decor, treats, sweet outfits for the kids and more!

Sur La Table

Egg Cups at Sur La Table

Plus, today kicks off our Easter Sweepstakes! You can enter for a chance to win a $50 Shop Etc. Mall Gift Card. All you need to do is leave a comment on my posts dated from today (3/25) through Thursday (3/28). The sweepstakes is open to U.S. residents, 16 or older. Entry dates: 3/25 – 3/28/13.  For the Official Rules, see Easter 2013 Sweepstakes.  Limit one entry per person.  The winner will be selected in a random drawing.

Now, let’s head to Sur La Table (Level 2), where you can save 25% off on many Easter items!  You’ll find Easter themed cookie and cake pans, sprinkles, festive baking cups and many more cute accessories.  Bundle a few items and you have a hostess gift to tote along to an Easter brunch or dinner.  Or, surprise the kids with an Easter baking party leading up to the holiday!

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This vintage-inspired Easter Chick apron and coordinating baking mitts also make a memorable gift for someone else or to yourself!

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Coming up tomorrow, join me as we head to Williams-Sonoma as our Easter Week continues! Remember, you have through Thursday to enter the Easter Sweepstakes.

In case you missed my post featuring Easter temptations at Godiva, here’s a link.

I also wanted to wish a Happy Passover to all celebrating!

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Spring Fling Trends Event with a chance to win a $250 Shop Etc. Mall Gift Card & Styling Session!

12 Mar

You’re invited to join me for a special

SPRING FLING: Trends Event!

Friday, 3/22 from 10:45 -11:30 am,  just after Family Fun Day

Level 1, Grand Court

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What’s on your wish list for spring?

At the event, see the hottest styles in apparel, accessories, beauty and home goods!  Enjoy music and refreshments provided by Chick-fil-A and Stoney River!

Plus, at the event you can enter for a chance to win a $250 Shop Etc. Mall Gift Card and a Styling Session with me!   You must be at least 18 and present at the time of the drawing to win. Along with the gift card, I will join the winner for a shopping spree at the mall.

Plus, 100 lucky participants will leave with a GIFT BAG! Stop by our information table and pick up a Style Passport.  The first 100 participants to have their Style Passports punched at each of the display tables will receive a gift bag to take home. While supplies last. One reward per person. Must be 18 or older to receive one.

We have an exciting line-up of participating retailers including Aerosoles, Crate & Barrel, Destination Maternity, Francesca’s Collections, Free People, Gap, Lilly Pulitzer, The Limited, Michael Kors, Pottery Barn and Sephora.

Hope to see you there!

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Hosting the Perfect Weekend Brunch: Complimentary Class at Pottery Barn on 3/10!

6 Mar

Did you know that Pottery Barn (Level 2) hosts complimentary design and home entertaining classes?

You’re invited to the Hosting the Perfect Weekend Brunch class this Sunday (3/10) at 10 am. Pottery Barn teamed up with Danielle Rollins, author of the bestseller, Soiree: Entertaining with Style and a contributing editor of Southern Living magazine, to make this class possible.

Located on Level 2

Located on Level 2

The class covers three kinds of brunches: a Ladies Luncheon, a Buffet Brunch and an Easter Gathering.

No matter the occasion —  get tips on creating gorgeous table settings, such as this Easter themed table, and on how to add instant impact to your table with a few thoughtfully placed decorative pieces.

Thoughtful Tabletop Touches

Thoughtful Tabletop Touches

You’ll also get ideas on arranging food at a buffet, menu suggestions, Easter egg hunt tips and much more!

Following any Pottery Barn class, you’ll receive a special 10% off coupon to use on merchandise presented during the session.  You do need to RSVP. Please call 410.821.3494 up until the day of the class. 

Pottery Barn is also hosting a class on 3/16 at at 10 am dedicated to creating custom Easter baskets.

Customized Baskets

Customized Baskets

As we get closer to Easter, I’ll be back with more holiday shopping tips!

 

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DIY Juice & Smoothies: Check out my finds at Crate & Barrel!

26 Feb

Just about every morning, I wake up to the sound of my husband making a smoothie with a concoction of fruits and greens.

Crate & Barrel (Level 2) has a full display area dedicated to the hot trend of  making fresh fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies!

Along with different juicers, you’ll also find the beautifully illustrated Juicy Drinks: Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Juices, Smoothies, Cocktails and  More Creative Ideas recipe book. You’ll get your own creative juices flowing as you flip through the pages and see ideas for the likes of beet orange juice, plum and ginger granitas and watermelon mojitos.

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A Mouthwatering Source of Inspiration!

The Breville Compact Juice Extractor, on sale for $99.95, is the most compact and economical of the juicers at Crate & Barrel. Don’t let its size fool you. You can insert your fruits and veggies whole and make 1.5 quarts of juice at a time!  The filter, pitcher and pulp container can all run through the dishwasher on the top rack.

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The most compact option at Crate & Barrel

The “Slow” reference in the Hurom Slow Juicer ($358.95) is not about the speed involved in making your smoothie! “Patented low-speed technology extracts juice faster than most high-speed centrifugal juicers and expels died pulp for a higher juice yield — all while saving energy,” reads an overview about this juicer on Crate & Barrel’s website. “Auger action acts like a mortar and pestle to break down the cellular structure of fruits and vegetables and release the deep-seated nutrients and minerals, minimizing oxidation and preserving precious enzymes.”  This juicer has a duel extraction process. It first extracts juice as it crushes and then does so again in a second, pressing stage.

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Hurom Slow Juicer

And, now to a powerhouse! The Vitamix 750 Professional Blender, which retails at $749 is now $649. This commercial grade blender can serve the needs of multiple appliances. It can be used for any blending needs and also can do juice and smoothies.  It produces 64 ounces at a time and does not filter out the pulp.  It comes with a seven year warranty.

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A Powerhouse!

This Vitamix model has hot and cold settings. It can also make soup or ice cream!

Do you make your own juices and smoothies? What is your favorite combination? I love blueberries with plain non-fat yogurt, spinach and kale!

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Valentine’s Day Treats & Decorating Touches! Plus, enter for your chance to win a $100 Shop Etc. Mall Gift Card

5 Feb

Looking for fun Valentine’s Day treats for the kids? Or, some little decorating touches to bring Cupid into your Casa?

At Crate & Barrel (Level 2), I became smitten by these little canisters of hot chocolate mix — and not just because of the cute packaging!

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Not your standard hot cocoa!

If you look closely, you’ll see what grabbed my attention. This hot chocolate turns pink! This would make a sweet after school Valentine’s Day surprise for the kids! I just may have to head back…

A Surprise Pink Drink

A Surprise Pink Drink

You can serve up your pink hot chocolate in these Valentine’s Day themed full size mugs and minis.

The mugs come in full and mini sizes.

The mugs come in full and mini sizes.

For an eco-friendly little gift for the kids, use one of these heart dishtowels to wrap up some heart shaped cookie cutters. Serve them with the promise to spend an afternoon baking together.

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Dishtowels make great eco-friendly gift wrap!

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Comes as a set of three

Over at Williams-Sonoma (Level 4), you can add a festive feel to a family Valentine’s Day dinner by capping it off with dessert on little heart plates. Let the heart become a surprise reveal once everyone eats their dessert. Or, leave out a few of these little plates as a Valentine’s Day decorating touch.  Line up three in a row on a coffee table or display them in a small stack.

A Sweet Pairing

A sweet find on the plate once the dessert disappears….

Leave a surprise little message for your Valentine with these mini iced vanilla cookies.Screen Shot 2013-01-30 at 5.43.00 PM

Williams-Sonoma also offers everything you need to make cookies, even if time isn’t on your side.  Start with a cookie mix and heart cutters.

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Homemade but with fewer steps…

Heart Molds

Message Cookie Cutters

You’ll also find frosting for decorating sugar cookies or cupcakes.

Frosting

Choose from Vanilla Bean and Chocolate

You can dress up your cookies and cupcakes even more with edible toppers.

Edible Toppers

Edible Toppers

Plus, one reader of this blog will receive a special Valentine — a $100 Shop Etc. Mall Gift Card! I wanted to make sure you know about our VALENTINE’S DAY SWEEPSTAKES. Enter for a chance to win the drawing by commenting on any of my blog posts between 2/1/13 and 2/14/13. You must be 16 or older and a U.S. resident to enter. Get more information right here, including a link to the official rules.

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Super Bowl Entertaining!

29 Jan

 Here are a few ideas to keep your guests from being RAVENous during the Super Bowl! Plus, I have some tips for crowd pleasing snacks to bring to someone else’s home.

Let’s face it. No one wants to spend time in the kitchen during the game!

Meet a multi-tasking machine that will keep you out of the kitchen. The Breville Risotto Plus, available at Williams-Sonoma (Level 4), makes stir-free risotto and rice plus doubles as a slow cooker. Once the dish is done, your food is kept at serving temperature until you’re ready to eat. It’s perfect for a game-day buffet!

Serve straight from the pot and save yourself from washing another dish. That way, the food will stay warm and guests can eat whenever they’re hungry.

Risotto Anyone?

It’s a Risotto and Rice Maker plus a Slow Cooker all-in-one!

Or, keep your  Super Bowl shindig more casual with a spread of gourmet Panini sandwiches. You’ll find a Panini maker along with a cookbook filled with inspiration at Williams-Sonoma. Here is a link to a recipe for an Italian Sausage and Roasted  Pepper  panini along with a side Fennel and Orange salad.

Panini Maker

Panini Maker

Fondue is another sure hit!  Set out platters of fruit and pound cake and let your guests serve themselves. Or, you can go for savory over sweet and do a cheese fondue. Here is a link to recipes from Williams-Sonoma.

Fondue

You can’t go wrong with fondue!

Over at Harry & David (Level 3), you can feel the game day excitement brewing already!  Check out these football themed ideas for snacks to serve or give as hostess gifts. Choose from a tray of munchies, a football shaped sausage and other themed snacks.

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Football themed snacks

There are also special game day promotions. Buy 3 select bagged snacks and get the 4th free.  Also, score 25% off select snack packs. See associate for details. Limited time only.

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Special Game Day Promotions

Harry & David’s famous Moose Munch popcorn is always a hit. Moose Munch comes in flavors such as milk chocolate, caramel and dark chocolate.

Moose Munch is part of the buy 3, get 1 free promotion!

Moose Munch comes in many varieties.

 You’ll also find a wide selection of chips, dips and drink mixes.

Gourmet Chips, Drinks & Drinks Mixes

Gourmet Chips, Dips & Drinks Mixes

Looking for a filling appetizer for all your guests or a meal for the kids at your party?  Chick-fil-A (Level 3) sells nugget trays to-go.

Order nugget trays ahead

Order nugget trays ahead

Chick-fil-A is offering a special promotion on the trays. If you purchase a medium tray (150 nuggets) or large one (200 nuggets) for Saturday pick-up (2/2), receive a free small nugget tray on the house!  The small tray includes 64 nuggets and has a $26 value. Please note that Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays.  The trays come chilled with reheating instructions.

You’ll need to place your order at least 4 hours before pick-up.  The number is 410.296.4950. The promotion will not apply to online orders; you will need to call in your order to get it.

Nugget Trays

Buy a medium or large tray and get a small one on the house!

Have any game day appetizer, main dish or dessert ideas to share? Let me know…

GO RAVENS!

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GIFTS for THE COOK at Sur La Table!

19 Dec

Have a COOK on your gift list? Whether you want to fill a stocking with handy cooking tools or want to do something much bigger, I have you covered.

I hit Sur La Table (Level 2) to do some shopping for all of us!

Here’s one of my favorites! (Hint, hint to anyone reading this for ideas.) Meet Le Creuset’s Two-in-One-Pan, sitting in the front row below. The lid is also a frying pan. It comes in fennel, as seen here, as well as multiple other hues. It’s $169.95 for a limited time, with a $200 value!

Two Pans in One!

Two Pans in One!

Check out  the cheery colors available!

2.5 quart capacity

2.5 quart capacity

I never thought anything of our inexpensive knife set until we received a good set. It makes all the difference. Treat the cook on your list to a powerhouse of a chef’s knife with the Wüsthof Epicure Chef’s Knife. I noticed the wide, curved blade right away. It turns out that’s not just about looks. At SurLaTable.com, I read that the engineer “designed the wider blade shapes with a slight curve to enhance stability, comfort, and knuckle clearance.” This chef’s knife is incredibly marked down right now. It’s valued at $200, was $149.95 and is now $99.96 for a limited time!

For the chef

For the chef

Bring some Raven’s purple pride into the kitchen with one of  these Cuisinart appliances. There’s a popcorn maker, a hand immersion blender and the 3-Cup Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor. All three come in multiple colors.

Purple Pride in the Kitchen!

Purple Pride in the Kitchen!

For the outdoor chef, check out Sur La Table’s wide selection of grilling tools and accesssories!

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Grilling tools and accessories

Know someone who has a gas grill but loves the flavor of a charcoal one? The Moistly Grilled Smoking Platform, which allows food to cook over wood chips, is designed to serve up the same taste as you would get with a charcoal grill.

For the charcoal grill lover!

For the charcoal grill lover!

For a stocking stuffer, how about the Grill Combs? Instead of dealing with one long skewer, each vegetable, piece of meat or shrimp gets its own stainless steel tooth. It’s great for delicate items as well. You get a set of two.

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You have a grill brush, why not a comb?

The Microplane grater can also slide right into a stocking. You’ll want to keep the cap on this grater. It’s edges are razor-sharp. Use it to create thin flakes of cheese, chocolate or to zest a lemon. It also comes in fun colors!

Great Grater!

Great Grater!

And one more stocking stuffer. Meet the Date Dots! I have to try these out! Use the adjustable dial to set the expiration date and then stick the suction cup dot onto your container of leftovers. I would pick up a set for yourself at the same time. I know I’m guilty of throwing out leftovers when I’m not positive that they’re still good.

Date Dots

Date Dots

No need for the cook to spoil an outfit! Sur La Table carries adorable aprons in all different styles including in this vintage looking print.

Go Retro

Go Retro

Happy Shopping! Let me know what you find!

Here are links to other recent gift posts in case you missed any.

The Traveler

For Guys

Out-of-the-Box Toys, Craft Kits & More

Grand Gifts for the Grandparents

Top Gadget Gifts at Brookstone

Stocking Stuffers

Secret Santa Office Gifts

Gifts under $30, as seen on WBAL-TV 11 News

This blog is hosted by Weinberg Harris & Associates, 623 W. 34th St., Baltimore MD, 21211

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