Put a Feather in Your Cap

I've been seeing feather headbands everywhere lately. It's such a whimsical look, perfect for something like a New Year's Eve party, but what about the rest of the year? Feathers make such a bold statement, one I'm not quite sure I could pull off, but I'm thinking it's worth a solid try. Etsy has a large selection of feather headbands, including this
$10 dollar one by LovMely. There are so many colors, sizes and types of feathers, something's bound to work. And even if it only comes out once a year, I feel like it's a piece worth owning. What do you think of the feather look?

Hatching a Plant

These ceramic eggs might be the tiniest and cutest planters I've ever come across. The egglings as they are called come with one ceramic egg, a terra cotta dish, soil and seeds. You the tap the egg with a spoon to break open the top, add water, and soon your miniature garden begins to grow. A variety of options are available including basil, mint, red pepper and strawberry plants. You can find the egglings online at Branch and the MoMA Store. I think they make a great little gift, and how cute would they be lined up in a windowsill?

Making Time

So it's been a while...way too long in fact, but it's my New Year's resolution to carve out time for all things SoHo, so here's to getting reinvigorated in 2009. I thought a new planner would be a good way to get motivated and structured. I came across these charming pocket-size planners on etsy that should do the trick. The Vancouver-based seller Posy Paper Co. specializes in cards, calendars and notebooks, and the petite size makes them perfect for jotting down ideas on the go.

Yum, Yum, Give Me Some

Apparently yum yum bars are something different to just about everybody. I've found recipes that include cherries, marshmallows and chocolate shavings, but the yum yum bars I grew up with were a sweet, chewy, cream-cheesy bar, which I could eat a whole pan of. The recipe is super easy and just plain, well...yummy.

Yum Yum Bars

Crust:
1 yellow cake
1 egg
1 stick of butter, softened
1 cup of finely chopped pecans

Filling:
2 eggs
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 box of powdered sugar, 16 oz.

Preheat oven to 350. Press the crust down firmly in a 9x13 inch pan. Top with filling. Bake 35 minutes.

Put the Lights on the Tree

While one day I hope to have a home filled with Christmas trees to suit my every decorating whim (like this one for instance), for now I am limited to just one tree, so I opt for the nostalgic look -- lots of Hallmark ornaments and colored lights on a tree with some character. There's something about a tree like this that reminds me of being a kid, so I think I'll keep the tradition around a while. How do you decorate?

Holiday Style: Gift Bow Ring

I came across this adorable gift bow ring by Maison Martin Margiela today, but it seems that it's no longer available anywhere. Still, I couldn't resist sharing this whimsical little find. I am absolutely in love with it. Just think of all the charm this one piece of jewelry would add to your holiday party dress! The price was pretty steep at $245, so maybe a cheaper imitation will come along with matching earrings to boot. "Dear Santa...

Southern Sides: Sweet Potato Casserole

So this is a little late, but I'd like to think I'm just early for next Thanksgiving. By far, the Thanksgiving side I look forward to most is my sweet potatoes. This dish goes by many names, sweet potato casserole, souffle and bake, but no matter what you call it, it's always tasty. I top mine with the brown sugar-pecan mixture as well as miniature marshmallows. I know it's tacky, but I just can't resist. Though some might find it too sweet to sit alongside your turkey and dressing, it's my favorite dish on the plate ... and come on, it's a vegetable.

Sweet Potato Bake

Recipe adapted from Paula Deen

3 cups cooked, peeled and mashed sweet potatoes

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter, melted

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 cup heavy cream, half-and-half, or whole milk

Topping:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup miniature marshmallows

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix all ingredients for bake except the cream. Beat with electric mixer until smooth. Add cream; mix well. Pour into greased casserole dish. For the topping, mix together brown sugar, pecans, flour and butter with fork; sprinkle over top of casserole along with mini marshmallows. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.