Handmade Handbags for the Holidays

I came across the most adorable clutches this week. Emma Gordon designs these glamorous and girly handbags out of London. Her handmade designs, which she describes as "ladylike with a twist," can be found in boutiques throughout the world, on etsy and on her official website. I can’t get enough of her satin clutches detailed with flowers, the perfect accessory for a special occasion, and her more casual clutches for everyday use. She also specializes in headbands, many of which feature those same charming silk flowers. As a special offer from Emma, if you purchase a bag through etsy before December 1st, you’ll receive a free headband along with it -- a perfect holiday gift for someone special or for yourself.

See more of my holiday gift ideas at Film.com (my day job).

Not Your Grandma's Quilt

There's nothing like curling up on the couch with a quilt when you're feeling sick, cold or just plain lazy. While nothing beats a handmade quilt from grandma, I recently came across a patchwork quilt from Urban Outfitters that would serve the purpose. This chaotic and colorful quilt actually has a certain handmade charm to it, but with a young and modern feel. The squares feature different floral designs and the bold colors are irresistibly adorable. Plus, it would look great wrapped around a sleepy someone.

Rainy Days and Mondays

Gloomy, winter weather has officially hit Seattle. It's the time of year when it gets dark at 5 p.m. and drizzles all day long. When it comes to rainy days, I've found it's best to embrace the weather as an opportunity to don your most adorable rain boots, raincoat and of course, a chic umbrella. I'm not talking about the cheap, black umbrellas sold on New York street corners that get blown inside out within 5 blocks. I'm talking about an investment umbrella that's as much an accessory as a handbag or jewelry. A couple of my favorite online umbrella shops are Pare Umbrella and Bella Umbrella. Of course, you can find more affordable options that offer just as much style in department and thrift stores. Just venture outside of the traditional solid colors and choose something with a little personality. With ruffles, polka dots and patterns available, you can think of bad weather as a reason to accessorize.

"I didn't invent the rainy day, man. I just own the best umbrella."
-- Dennis Hope, Almost Famous

Halloween Hostess Finds

With Halloween upon us, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite finds and some sweet treats I've come across. I hope these liven up your Halloween weekend or give you inspiration for next year.

• super-cute and creative candy corn cookies
  
• deadly and decadent pumpkin swirl brownies
  
• a ghoulish vampire kiss martini
  
• non-perishable, cuddly pumpkins
  
• candy for those sophisticated trick-or-treaters
  
• an adorable but haunted headband
  

Happy Halloween!

Sculpted Fashion

Anthropologie currently has a site section highlighting their "sculpted grace" clothing. The collection which includes skirts, jackets, tops and dresses features unique fabric details, particularly around the shoulders and neckline, that add a little pop to standard winter clothing. The designs are structured and modern, but still manage to be feminine and romantic. My favorites are this short sleeve blazer, this pleated sweater and this pencil skirt. The whole trend actually reminds me of Leanne's winning collection from Project Runway's Season 5 finale. I'm liking where fashion is headed.

Glassy Gifts

One of my favorite gift items made right here in Seattle is called a glassybaby. What exactly is a glassybaby you ask? Well, it's a charming, little candle holder that comes in just about every color imaginable. And with names like duck egg, ballet and glacier lake, you'll probably want to collect them all. Handmade through a multi-layered glass-blowing process, the glass can range from translucent to opaque, lighting up beautifully when you put a votive candle inside. The candle cups create a perfect ambiance for cozy dinners and holiday parties. They do run a bit steep, $40 a pop, but each is uniquely handmade and sort of a collector's item if you ask me. The company also does a lot of good. Each year glassybaby makes a donation to benefit local and national organizations contributing to cancer patient care and research. Talk about shining a light.

Sunday Football Food: Balsamic Chicken Drumettes

While I'm not a big sports fan (I know, I'm a bad southerner), I do enjoy the food associated with watching a game. When I tire of the standard buffalo wings, I opt for a recipe that's a little more sophisticated but equally satisfying. These slightly sweet balsamic chicken drumettes are a tasty change of pace but provide all the enjoyment (and messiness) associated with wings. I even think they are perfect for a cocktail party, provided you supply plenty of napkins.

Balsamic Chicken Drumettes
Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis and the Food Network

Ingredients
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
5 sprigs of rosemary
5 garlic cloves, halved
10 to 12 chicken drumsticks
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Combine the balsamic, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, rosemary sprigs, and garlic cloves, in a large, re-sealable plastic bag. Shake and squeeze the contents of the bag to dissolve the honey and the brown sugar. Add the chicken drumsticks to the bag and seal with as little air as possible in the bag. Place in the refrigerator and marinate for 2 hours. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place the chicken drumsticks on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake until the skin is caramelized and very dark in spots, about 30 to 35 minutes. Meanwhile, place the marinade in a small saucepan. Bring the marinade to a boil (in order to kill bacteria). Reduce the heat to simmer and cook over low heat until thick, about 15 minutes. Reserve. Use a pastry brush to brush some of the cooked marinade on the cooked chicken. Place the chicken on a serving platter. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds and the chopped parsley.