Candy Spelling's Blog, page 7

Candy’s Holiday Prep Checklist

To ensure that you have a lovely Thanksgiving holiday free from stress and worry, it is time to start thinking about getting your home organized and ready for guests. I’ve crafted this handy list to help get you and your house holiday ready!

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Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas

And just like that, the holidays are upon us! Recently, I’ve been embracing all things fall – warm flavorful foods, the cooling weather and preparing my home for Thanksgiving. I have lots of experience hosting parties and one of my favorite things about being a host is executing all the small details.  Whether it’s a place card or a centerpiece, adding a little personalization and attention to these details can make for a very memorable celebration. Here are a couple easy ideas to gobble up, my little hostess turkeys! Time to make your Thanksgiving table memorable.

Thanksgiving Sayings Napkin Rings

This is an adorable way to remember the reason why you’re gathered for Thanksgiving. I love the simplicity and rustic vibe that the brown cardstock conveys but you can customize them with different colors of cardstock, fonts and ribbon. You can also pair it with flowers instead of greenery, depending on the rest of your decorations.

Image & Instructions via On Sutton Place

What You’ll Need:

Cardstock (Any color will work but brown is nice for a rustic setting)
Template (From Sutton Place available here to download)
Scissors
Hole punch
⅞ inch or 1 inch wide ribbon
Printer
Fresh greenery for embellishment (rosemary, pine, berries).

Let’s Make Personalized Thanksgiving Napkin Rings!

Print the template and cut each rectangle out inside the red line.
Punch holes on both short sides of the rectangle.
Cut as many lengths of ribbon as you need napkin rings. 10-12 inches should be plenty of length.
Lay a ribbon piece on a flat surface.
Place the folded napkin on the ribbon. Take one of the rectangles and poke the ends of the ribbon up through the holes on each side.
Snip the ends of the ribbon so they are the same length.
Tuck a piece of fresh greenery behind the rectangle.

Dressed up Pumpkin Leaves

I love using seasonal elements for any party I’m hosting. White pumpkins are so elegant and are wonderful for any Thanksgiving centerpiece. Adding tags of Thanksgiving saying around the stem of the pumpkins or using the pumpkins as place cards makes for a great added touch. You can even use names on the leaves instead of sayings, depending on how you choose to use them. These are an especially great party favor for guests to take home!

Image and Instructions via Ella Claire Inspired

What you’ll need:

Pumpkins
Twine
Hole punch
Cardstock
Printer
Template (From Ella Claire Inspired available here to download)

Let’s Make Dressed Up Pumpkins

Print the template and carefully cut the leaf shapes out.
Punch a hole into the top of the leave.
Take a piece of the twine and thread it through the leaf.
Tie the twine with the leaf threaded through onto the stem of the pumpkin.

Printable I am Thankful for… Placemats

I imagine bringing these placemats out with dessert. This would be such a great opportunity to start an after dinner conversation by going around the table and sharing what each person is thankful for.

Image and Instructions via Ella Claire Inspired

What you’ll need:

Template (From Ella Claire Inspired available here to download)
11 X 17 Paper
Printer

Let’s Make I am Thankful for… Placemats

Load 11 X 17 paper into the printer.
Print as many placemats as you need for your Thanksgiving party!

Decorating for the holiday season should be affordable and not terribly time consuming.  I hope the addition of these little details draws a lot of attention at your Thanksgiving gatherings. Gobble, Gobble!

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Best Pet Friendly Hikes in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, we are very fortunate because our weather rarely gets in the way of keeping our dogs active. One way to ensure that your furry buddy is getting the exercise they need to live a long and healthy life is to switch up their regular walks, which also benefits pet owners who can use some additional steps during the day.

How I Throw A Party

I recently had the pleasure of planning a party to celebrate the birthday of one my dearest friends, Willy! I thought it would be fun to share some photos that might help you with a few ideas for your own parties. Click through the slideshow at the top of the page for all the fun!

Willy and I have been friends for 40 years. I first met her and her husband, Lew, when they moved to Los Angeles for Lew’s work at ABC. One thing you should know about Willy is that she loves shopping and her mecca is Bloomingdale’s. Plus, her tastes are exquisite and fun at the same time! If Willy could have one wish granted in her lifetime, she would want to be locked in Bloomingdale’s overnight! She eats lunch there almost everyday so when she happens upon a blouse that she loves, she’s technically ‘ not shopping.’ 

Fall Soup Recipes

We’re finally experiencing some cooler weather here in Los Angeles and I am craving some fall meals! No matter where I am when fall arrives, I love to start cooking soup. There’s nothing quite like a seasonal one that can help us settle into these chillier nights in with the family.  If you do weekly meal prep, soups are perfect to make in large batches.

Here are some of my favorite soup recipes around the web to try this fall season.

Bon Apetit!

Butternut Squash Soup in a Slow Cooker

It’s the season for butternut squash! Butternut squash is hearty and perfect for soups. You’ll love to smell this recipe throughout your house while it cooks in your slow cooker!

Recipe Via Gimme Some Oven

What you’ll need:

Slow Cooker
2 cups vegetable stock
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and diced
1 medium raw butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced
1 sprig fresh sage
1 white onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper, or more to taste
1/8 teaspoon cayenne, or more to taste
pinch of ground cinnamon and nutmeg
1/2 cup canned (unsweetened) coconut milk
Optional garnishes: extra coconut milk and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper (or smoked paprika)

Let’s Make Butternut Squash Soup!

Add vegetable stock, garlic, carrot, apple, butternut squash, sage, onion, salt, pepper, cayenne, cinnamon and nutmeg to a large slow cooker.  Toss to combine.
Cook for 6-8 hours on low, or 3-4 hours on high, or until the squash is completely tender and mashes easily with a fork.  Remove and discard the sage.  Stir in the coconut milk.
Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can transfer the soup into a traditional blender and puree until smooth, but be very careful transferring the hot liquid.
Taste, and season with additional salt, pepper and cayenne if needed.
Serve warm, with optional garnishes if desired.

Tomato Basil Soup

Take your grilled cheese sandwich to the next level with this incredible tomato basil soup. This after school staple just got a whole lot fancier, but is so easy to prepare.

Recipe Via A Dash of Sanity

What you’ll need:

4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons minced shallots or yellow onion
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 – 14 oz. cans crushed tomatoes
1 – 14 oz. can whole tomatoes
2 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon white ground black pepper
1/3 cup of heavy cream
4 tablespoons of fresh basil, julienned
Parmesan cheese

Let’s Make Tomato Basil Soup!

In a medium to large saucepan add olive oil over medium heat, sauté garlic and shallots for 3 minutes or until shallots are translucent.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes.
Add in the whole tomatoes one at a time, breaking them up by squeezing them as you put them into the pan, make sure to also stir in the juice for from the tomatoes as well.
Stir in chicken stock, salt, pepper and sugar until combined then allow it to cook over medium for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Once it has cooked for 10 minutes reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream and chopped basil. Simmer for a few minute, then serve.
Optional toppings like parmesan cheese, grilled cheese, toasted bread and chopped basil make great additions.

Coconut Curry Noodle Soup

A spicy flavorful soup is a great secret weapon to have in your back pocket as we head into cold season. This isn’t your mother’s chicken noodle soup, but it sure does the trick!

Recipe Via The Woks of Life

What you’ll need:

2 tablespoons oil
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
8 oz. boneless chicken breast or thighs, sliced
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup water
2 tablespoons fish sauce
2/3 cup coconut milk
6 oz. dried vermicelli noodles
1 lime, juiced
Sliced red onion, red chilis, cilantro, scallions to garnish

Let’s Make Coconut Curry Noodle Soup!

In a large pot over medium heat, add the oil, garlic, ginger, and Thai red curry paste. Fry for 5 minutes, until fragrant.
Add the chicken and cook for a couple minutes, just until the chicken turns opaque.
Add the chicken broth, water, fish sauce, and coconut milk. Bring to a boil. At this point, taste the broth for salt and adjust seasoning accordingly (add salt if needed, or if it’s too salty, add a bit of water).
Pour the boiling soup over the dried vermicelli noodles in your serving bowls, add a squeeze of lime juice and your garnishes, and serve. The noodles will be ready to eat in a couple minutes.

(Alternatively, you can add the noodles to the boiling broth to cook them, and then divide among serving bowls).

Italian Wedding Soup

Italian wedding soup isn’t actually served after Italian weddings. It’s actually a mistranslation of the Italian phrase minestra maritata (married soup), which notes the fact that the meatballs and veggies pair perfectly! For a warm bowl of Italian comfort, please try this delicious recipe below.

Recipe Via The Beach House Kitchen

What you’ll need:

Meatballs:

1/2 lb. ground meat
1/4 cup Italian panko bread crumbs
2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1 garlic clove, minced
2 Tbsp. milk
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

Soup:

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
1 cup carrots, finely chopped
1 cup celery, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
7 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 cup acini di pepe
2 cups, fresh spinach leaves, rinsed, stems removed and julienned
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Let’s Make Italian Wedding Soup!

In a medium bowl, combine all meatball ingredients and mix thoroughly.
Form meatballs using a small scoop. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place in refrigerator.
Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic and cook, covered until soft, 10 minutes.
Add chicken stock, dill, oregano, salt and pepper and bring to a boil, reduce heat to a low boil, and cook uncovered for 10 minutes.
Add acini di pepe and continue to cook for 6 minutes until pasta is tender.
Drop the meatballs into the soup and continue to cook for 4 minutes, until the meatballs float.
Add spinach and parmesan and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Serve immediately.

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Candy’s Five Fall Finds

Fall is such a great time of the year. We’re getting ready for the holidays, there’s a slight chill in the air and as each day ends, few things sound more satisfying that curling up on the couch with a warm blanket. Here are some of my favorite fall finds to make you and your home extra cozy.

Here are 5 of my favorite finds this fall:

Santa Maria Novella Crema Per Le Mani (Hand Cream) $54


With the weather changing, it’s important to protect your biggest organ, your skin. This hand cream is considered to be the best in the world because it softens, heals, moisturizes and provides a thin layer of protection that lasts for several hours all without any greasy sensation whatsoever.


Master Plan Journal $38


What a fun way to document all the fun activities you’ll be doing this fall! I love the orange tassel zipper and the cheeky saying on the outside of the journal. This journal is also refillable. Happy journaling!


National Geographic Throw in Antique White & Raven Design $152


You can never have too many blankets around the house. This is a cozy classic that’s geometric pattern adds subtle dimension to the sofa or the end of your bed.


Diptyque Amber Candle $90


Fall will officially arrive in your home once you light this candle. It is a warm, woody scent that truly engulfs a room, even when it isn’t burning! Sometimes I just put this candle out without burning it. Not to mention, the glass it is housed in is a perfect fall accent color. 


Gjelina Cookbook $22 


Gjelina is one of LA’s most beloved restaurants. This cookbook features 125 of the rustic and utterly delicious recipes that foodies have fawned over since the restaurant opened.  I can’t wait to try some of these dishes at home this fall!

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Best DIY Halloween Costumes

Can you believe Halloween is almost here? The last year has gone by so quickly! Before you head to the Halloween store, here are some ideas for repurposing items you already have to make your own costume. Here are some DIY Halloween Costumes that only require a trip to your closet.

Rosie the Riveter

Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon of the United States, representing the American women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II. Now Riveter is the quintessential image of girl power! Not only is this costume iconic, it’s also very easy to throw together (especially if you are doing this last minute). YOU CAN DO IT!

Staffordshire Ceramic Dogs

Staffordshire dogs are collectible ceramics from the Victorian Era. They were displayed and admired on mantels from the 1840’s through the 1890’s and are highly sought after collectibles today. Staffordshire dogs are originally from the County of Staffordshire in England, where many pottery companies are located. The peak of their popularity was at the end of the 19th century. While other animal ceramics were produced by the Staffordshire artisans, the most popular Staffordshire figurine is the spaniel, partly because it was a direct connection to Queen Victoria and her most loved childhood companion, Dash, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel. King Charles II, for which King Charles Cavalier Spaniels were named, constantly surrounded himself with the dogs and gave them free run at court. However, it was Queen Victoria who really brought the King Charles Cavalier Spaniels to prominence because of her love for the breed. On the day of her coronation, Queen Victoria bolted out of Buckingham Palace to perform an important duty, which turned out to be giving her beloved Dash his bath, something all animal lovers can relate to! This love that Queen Victoria had for Dash and King Charles Cavalier spaniels sparked the creativity of the Staffordshire artisans.

I started collecting Staffordshire pottery miniature dogs because I found a small collection of tiny bronze poodles in a New York City antique store, and fell in love with the idea of having a miniature poodle collection. After getting 4-5 little bronze poodles, I was eager to grow my miniature poodle collection and came across miniature pottery dogs, which turned out to be Staffordshire pottery. I mostly collect the miniature poodles, but not in pairs. A little bit later, I came across an auction catalog where I found a miniature William and Mary cupboard that would be the perfect home for all my miniature dogs!

 

 

I love the folklore surrounding the Staffordshire pottery. The Victorian tales goes that there were secret messages between women and their lovers by the way Staffordshire spaniel figurines were placed on their windowsills. If the spaniels were placed back to back, it meant that her husband was home. However, if the spaniels were placed face to face, it meant that her husband was away, welcoming her lover into her house!

What collections do you have in your home? Leave a comment below!

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Haunted Los Angeles

With Halloween is just around the corner lots of people will be looking for haunted houses to experience. Los Angeles is filled with haunted history and I thought I’d share a few places to visit at Halloween – or anytime of the year – that will send shivers down your spine!

Pantages Theatre

The Pantages Theatre is a beautiful Art Deco theatre in the heart of Hollywood. Legendary entrepreneur Howard Hughes purchased the theatre in 1949. Hughes’ office was located on the 2nd floor and was connected directly to the balcony, so he could venture out into the dark theatre and often view marathons of the same film. Legend has it that during the renovations in the early 2000’s, the ghost of Hughes was seen walking across the scaffolding and peering over the shoulder of a worker. When the worker turned around to ask what he wanted, the ghost disappeared! It looks like Hughes is still looking over his beloved theatre!

The Pantages hosts another ghost of a woman who died during a performance in 1932. According to employees of the Pantages, a singing voice can be heard through the speakers when there is no one on stage. There is speculation that the woman who died during her performance had aspirations of being a singer, and is living out her dream of performing at the Pantages in the afterlife.

Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood sign has long been a landmark of possibilities and dreams of stardom. For some whose dreams are never realized, it can be a painful reminder of their failure.  In 1932, aspiring actress, Peg Entwistle received disappointing news that she was cut from the film Thirteen Women. Like many others, she came to Tinseltown in pursuit of the Hollywood dream. When she found out she was cut from what she thought was her ticket to fame, she decided to cut her life short by climbing the “H” in the Hollywoodland sign and falling to her death. She wrote a short suicide note which read “I am afraid, I am a coward. I am sorry for everything. If I had done this a long time ago, it would have saved a lot of pain. P.E.”. Entwistle’s body was found by a female hiker the following day. The haunting began in 1940 when the “H” in the Hollywoodland sign mysteriously fell over. Since that occurrence, there have been sightings of a female ghost outfitted in 1930’s clothing near the sight of Entwistle’s suicide. Sightings typically occur on foggy nights. The ghost appears disoriented and after the ghost disappears the aroma of gardenia (Entwistle’s perfume of choice) is undeniable!

The Comedy Store

The Sunset Strip, an unincorporated part of Los Angeles up until 1984, connects West Hollywood to Beverly Hills. Because it was unincorporated, the Strip wasn’t under the jurisdiction of the LAPD, making it the ideal place for nightclubs.  For decades, The Strip was where you’d explore for a wild night on the town; it was a haven for counter-cultures. The physical location of the Comedy Store has a sordid history, making it prone to paranormal activity.

During Hollywood’s Golden Era, Ciro’s Restaurant occupied the Comedy Store. Next door to Ciro’s was a brothel that many of Hollywood’s elite visited. Infamous mafia members, like Mickey Cohen used Ciro’s to conduct business, party, and would often venture next door to the brothel next. It is widely accepted that the Comedy Store still houses peepholes and handgun stations that Cohen’s men used during the “Sunset Wars” where mafia members fought for turf in the late 40’s. It’s also believed that the basement of Ciro’s was a space used to intimidate and murder enemies of the mafia, some even believe that the bodies of the victims were buried underneath the basement. It is rumored that voices and screams of these victims can be heard in the basement. A strong force pushing the basements door has been seen by a number of employees. Another ghost you might encounter at the Comedy Store is a mysterious man in a WWII style bomber who is often seen cowering and then disappears. He is believed to be a ghost of one of Cohen’s victims.

Comedian, Sam Kinison, known for his loud delivery, supposedly upset the spirits with his sets. Strange activity kept occurring during his sets such as flickering lights or sound cutting out, and Kinison was fed up. During one set, he taunted the spirits by telling them to stop or show themselves, and instantaneously the room went black!

Hollywood Roosevelt

The most famous haunted hotel in Los Angeles is the Hollywood Roosevelt. The Hollywood Roosevelt opened in 1927 and served as a luxury hotel for the booming film industry. At the height of Marilyn Monroe’s popularity, she often stayed in a poolside suite at the Roosevelt. After Monroe’s tragic death in 1962, guests began seeing her reflection in the mirror that used to be in her suite. The mirror became somewhat of an attraction at the Roosevelt and was later placed in the lobby, so Monroe could sneak into unsuspecting guests’ reflections. It has since been removed.

On the 9th floor of the hotel, the sound of trumpets can be heard, but it comes from a vacant room. The vacant room housed Montgomery Clift, who lived in the suite on the 9th floor for 3 months while filming From Her to Eternity. Guests often call to complain about someone practicing the trumpet in the middle of the night. Faucets and lights go off on their own and the switchboard gets calls from these vacant rooms.  

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Sneak Peek of Candy’s Gift Wrapping Room

 

 

My gift wrapping room is one of my favorite rooms in the Manor in the Sky. I take gift-giving very seriously! Expressing my gratitude in the form of a beautifully wrapped present is extremely important to me. It’s a thoughtful way to show the gift recipient that you took the time and energy in selecting and carefully wrapping their present. People often tell me that they don’t want to open the gift because the wrapping is that good. I hope you enjoy this little time lapse of me in my element!

 

Let me know in the comment section what tips and tricks you’d like for me to cover so you can elevate your gift wrapping skills.

 

XOXO,

 

Candy

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