Books for Baby

I may be getting a little ahead of myself by putting together a library for the baby, but there's just too much nostalgia involved to resist. These were some of my early childhood favorites, and I'm looking forward to reading them to our little one. What are some of your favorites?

Mother's Day Gifting: Books

I always love giving books of the cooking, crafting and coffee table variety to my mom and mother-in-law since there are so many great options. It's the type of thing they wouldn't buy for themselves but always seems to be appreciated. Plus, I consider it my responsibility to keep them on the cutting edge, and this is an easy way to do it.

[found here: The Flower Recipe Book; First Prize Pies; Paris in Color; Sunday Morning Quilts; A Time to Plant; trEATs; Eating in Color; One-Hundred and One Beautiful Small Towns in Italy]

Breakfast with Martha and a Giveaway

Update: The giveaway winner is Brigette of Just A Smidge!

Earlier this week, I was lucky enough to attend Breakfast with Martha, an event at the Martha Stewart offices here in New York sponsored by KitchenAid. The breakfast was to promote her PBS shows Martha Stewart's Cooking School and the brand new Martha Bakes. She came across just like she does on TV, knowledgable, witty, pronouncing the "h" in herbs. Also, she wore leather pants and looked awesome in them, which only made her more intimidating.

Martha mixed up a batch of buttermilk biscuits, which we lucky guests got to enjoy along with a popover, fruit, bacon and eggs (from Martha's own hens, of course). It felt totally surreal to be there and was so much fun that I wanted to share a little bit of fun with you, so I'm giving away a copy of Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook!

Just leave a comment below before noon on Saturday, April 13th for a chance to win.
For additional entries, tweet about the giveaway using the hashtag #sohomarthagiveaway and like The SoHo on Facebook (or let me know if you already do). One winner will be chosen at random. Good luck!

Blog Birthday Giveaway

Update: We have our winners! Congratulations to:

1. Amy of Interpret as You May

2. Raelena of Throu the Haze Reads

3. Kerr of Say Cheese

Sunday marked five years since I started blogging. It amazes me how much time has passed and how much I've loved spending that time in this little space. As a thank you to you readers, commenters, visitors and friends who make it all worthwhile, I'm giving away some of my favorite southern-flavored cookbooks, copies of which reside on my very own bookshelf, and you have three chances to win!

The grand prize winner will receive: The Lee Bros.' Simple Fresh Southern, Porch Parties: Cocktail Recipes and Easy Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining and The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook. The second place winner will receive two of the cookbooks, and the third place winner gets one of the cookbooks. All winners will be chosen at random. To enter, just leave a comment below before midnight on Monday, January 21, telling me your favorite southern dish, dessert or drink. Good luck and thanks for following The SoHo!

Cake Book

I flipped through this new cookbook, Vintage Cakes, the other day and it is a beauty. Every recipe from Portland-based baker Julie Richardson has a vintage origin with a few updates and innovations thrown in. I think it would make a great birthday present for a sweet-tooth, especially if you pair it with a homemade cake. Have you come across any fun cookbooks lately?

Seeing Red

I just heard about this book called A Shade of Red by photographer and illustrator, Alyson Fox. It features 100 women in different stages of life, from different places, with nothing in common, except they've all been photographed in the same shade of lipstick, Revlon’s #740 Certainly Red. Such a cool idea! I might have to go pick up a tube since it seems to work on everyone.

Reading is Fun(ny)

I finished Tina Fey's Bossypants last night. I loved it. It made me want to be funnier and more clever than I currently am, which is a quality I greatly admire in books and in people. I'm already looking forward to Mindy Kaling's book even though it isn't out until November. Apparently, it's my goal to read all books written by women who star in Thursday night sitcoms on NBC. What are you reading these days?

Coloring Books

The only thing better than old books is color-coordinated old books. Retro Reading does all the finding and matching for you. So clever!