Merry Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas Eve, y'all!

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xoxo,
Lindsay, Beverly Hills Bites

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,
Below, please find my holiday gift "wish list."  It's filled with a) items that I would purchase immediately upon winning the lottery, b) hot lil' chotchkies that I've seen around LA and on the web, and c) random goodies that I love and have ran out of (ahem, the laundry detergent).
Thanks in advance.

xoxo,
Lindsay

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Global Explorer fare, oneworld Alliance (it's basically an airline ticket to travel the world)

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Snake-Stamped Slide Sandals, Giuseppe Zanotti

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Bullet Acrylic Coffee Table, Alexandra Von Furstenberg

Photo: Alexandra Von Furstenberg

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River Coffee Table, Greg Klassen

...because doesn't everyone need two coffee tables?

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Missoni x Converse All Star Low Top Sneaker, Nasty Gal

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Vintage Chanel Quilted Leather Phone Case, Nasty Gal

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Leandra glasses, Kate Spade

Photo: Kate Spade

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Sequin Lips Pochette, Prada

Photo: The Blonde & The Brunette

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Gabriel scented candle, Cire Trudon

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Rose 31 Signature Detergent, Le Labo

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Range Rover Sport, Land Rover

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Lindsay, Beverly Hills Bites

Hosting for the holidays? Read this first!

Are you hosting a holiday gathering this year?  If so, here are some of my tried-and-true tricks that will help make your prep work easier - your dishes tastier - and your decor more festive.

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Forgo an expensive floral arrangement!
For a festive bouquet, all you need is a vase, a store-bought bushel of flowers (or freshly-picked, if you have that luxury), and a bag of fresh cranberries.
Fill the vase half-way with water and float a handful/more of cranberries.  Top with flowers!

Guests, especially men, love their nuts.
Alongside your more intricate appetizers, present a bowl of pistachios and a small dish for discarded shells (<---- that last piece is key).  No offense, but these will actually go faster than your famous baked brie.    

Stop reheating your mulled cider on the stove!
Use your crock pot as a makeshift cauldron; this will keep your cider consistently warm.

Does your casserole recipe call for pre-cooked veggies?
Don't use canned vegetables, for crissakes; use frozen!  Cook them according to the stove top instructions, subbing chicken or vegetable stock for water.  It adds that much more flavor to the overall dish!

Subbing chicken or vegetable stock for water when cooking your veggies will make your casserole sing!

Too intimidated to make homemade whipped cream for your holiday pies and desserts?
You're not the only one!  Grab a tub of Cool Whip and some eggnog.  In a separate bowl, portion your desired amount of whipped cream and lightly float with eggnog.  Whip ingredients together until blended, and top with a dusting of nutmeg.   
Your pumpkin and pecan pies...and even your coffee...will love you!

I found this gorgeous photo here, as I didn't get a chance to snap a shot of my own.

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Lindsay, Beverly Hills Bites

P.S. Do you have any great holiday hosting tips?  I'd love to hear about them!

The aftermath: Post-Thanksgiving guilt

This is kinda' how I felt last night/this morning: Post *initial* Thanksgiving meal.  Post my guests leaving.  In response to my midnight hunger pangs...sitting on the floor of the kitchen with the 'fridge door ajar, eating pie out of the pan.  Sobbing.
The look on this gal's face is priceless...

Thank you, Siva, for sending me this pic! 

What do you do with your Thanksgiving leftovers?  In an effort not to repeatedly end up like this chick, I sent the majority of mine home with my sister and her husband.  

I hope your holiday was delicious, warm, happy, and relatively guilt-free!

...

Lindsay, Beverly Hills Bites

Single and the City

If you haven't seen this one yet, enjoy..............

Happy Wednesday, y'all!

...

Lindsay, Beverly Hills Bites

Traditionally untraditional: Thanksgiving in La La Land

Having moved to Los Angeles 6-months ago, familiarity is something that I am constantly seeking.  Everything in my life, from doctors and veterinarians to my employer and local coffee place, is different.  Because Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, I wanted to start a tradition of my own: Dinner at my apartment.  I mean, if anything screams "familiarity," it's the holidays, isn't it?  Even if they're spent in different locales, we still bring our traditions, recipes, and warm memories to the proverbial holiday table.

Since I finally have the square footage required to host a proper holiday meal, I invited my family over for this year's "Turkey Day."  While I have my arsenal of favorite recipes from years past, I've decided to add some new traditions to the mix:

• Instead of a whole turkey ---> Brined and roasted turkey breast
• Instead of Parker House rolls ---> BLT Fish's Cheddar & Chive Biscuits
• Instead of mashed potatoes ---> Macaroni & Cheese
• Instead of sweet potato casserole ---> Roasted vegetables

BLT Fish's Cheddar & Chive Biscuits

And the dishes that will remain untouched are:

• Leila's famous brisket
• Green Bean Casserole
• Stuffing
• Homemade cranberry sauce
• Pumpkin, apple, and pecan pies

My homemade Salted Caramel Apple Pie

Upon reviewing my menu, I can't help but wonder: When/how in the hell am I going to cook everything?

I'd love to hear about your favorite Thanksgiving traditions and, if you're willing, swap some recipes: Lindsay@TheLunchBelle.com.

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Lindsay, Beverly Hills Bites

Happy Halloween!

From Beverly Hills, to wherever you may be...

Happy Halloween!

 

The girls and I - UNICEF's Dia de Los Muertos Masquerade Ball

xo,
Lindsay, Beverly Hills Bites