This is such a fun and creative way to express yourself this Halloween… The DIY Macaroon. The easiest and most professional way to decorate (or personalize) a cookie that I have ever seen! When my markers arrived… I couldn’t wait to get my hands on something to decorate! So fun for a last minute holiday party because you don’t need to have mad cooking skills…. just a little creativity and the world is your cookie oyster! Let’s get started….
Tomorrow is the big day…… so whatever you are doing… please be safe and have the most amazing HALLOWEEN!!
With some Spooky Love,
Laura Dunn
Here are some great food dyes and edible paints to get you started!
It’s 3 days before Halloween… and the big question is…. To dress or Not to dress. Not everyone loves to get all Halloween-ed out and not everyone feels comfortable in a costume. So we have options… The one piece allows you to still have that Halloween Holiday spirit and it feels like a big sack of comfort!! It doesn’t get more comfortable than a Kigurumi by Sazac one piece…. and every year they add more choices to the pack. This year we are featuring Hello Kitty, The Tiger, The Jaguar, The Hippopotamus and the newest addition… The Sloth! These are great last minute outfit choices and a great way to say…. Happy Halloween!!
Kigurumi comes from a combination of two Japanese words: kiru (“to wear”) and nuigurumi (“stuffed toy”). Traditionally, it referred specifically to the performers wearing the costume, but the word has since grown to include the costumes themselves. In Japan, kigurumi costumes are worn as a way to break the conventions of traditional dress… or just as comfy pajamas!
I discovered Concord Caramel Apple Wraps several wars ago…. and became TOTALLY obsessed! From the moment I made my first perfect caramel apple, I knew I would never go back to the old school way of melting caramel in a pot… and then trying to figure out a way to not burn myself in the process. So easy and safe to use are these wraps, that even a small child can make a perfect fall treat! Last year Concord sold out of the wraps in September…. I went into a total panic and searched all over the US to no avail. This year at the beginning of September, I ordered several cases just to be sure to not miss out on being able to share the ease of making homemade caramels apples with you. When I was in Ralph’s last week I noticed that they had a huge display… so not to worry. And if you get stuck in a pinch… give me a call… I am prepared this year!!
Let’s get started!!
We used M&M’s, Oreos, cashews, AppleJacks, coconut flakes, chocolate chunks, Halloween sprinkles and dried cranberries. And we even made some mini caramel apples with some tiny little crab apples. We used some clean sticks from the yard… and VI’OLA!! The Halloween Carmel Apple is yours for the making!!
Love,
Laura Dunn
P.S.
YES!! My hair is long! Wednesday’s story will be on how to go from short to long in just a couple of hours!!
For Laura’s outfit and secret caramel wraps click the links below or visit the Boutique page!
Yesterday was National Coffee Day!! Sorry we are a day late…. but better late than never! So here’s our scoop…. pun intended! The Pour-Over Coffee Maker by Kaufman Mercantile is kitchen worthy! Meaning… I keep it out on the counter always! A stunningly beautiful coffee maker and one that makes some of the best Pour-Over coffee you will ever taste! The heat resistant pour-over glass cone sits in a brass ring holder that is based on a beautiful pice of walnut. All we did was add organic coffee to a disposable all natural filter (you can also use cheese-cloth), popped it into the glass holder…. and poured-over a cup of boiling water. The coffee brews as it drips and you have within seconds…. a beautiful cup of the freshest brew you can make at home. It tasted so fresh and so special… most likely in our heads… but who cares. It’s a very special way of brewing coffee and great for single cups… or great for a party and let your guests make their own.
We finished it off with some French sugar hearts that I found at Harrods in London this past summer. Canasuc Paris makes beautifully designed sugars that come in different shapes and sizes that fit right on the lip of your coffee cup. Stunning accent for any coffee cup or…. anytime you need a beautiful sugar cube.
We wanted to end summer on a high note…. so we let Barbara Gallardo of Barneys New York, style us for this fun, flirty, floral fable. Barbara…. our Barney’s “go to” for anything fabulous….. hand picked this amazing floral Stella McCartney appliquéd silk crepe de chine jumpsuit. As breezy as butterfly wings, patterned organza appliqués were a major motif in Stella McCartney’s Spring/Summer ’15 collection. Made in Italy, this cloud print jumpsuit has beautiful wings that drape and flow with the wind.
We paired the Stella McCartney Jumpsuit with Phill’s Ice Cream to say Good Bye to Summer 2015…. and Hello to Fall.
We wish you the Happiest Labor Day and so look forward to the fun Fall ahead…..
Moral of the story:
Shop
WWW.BARNEYS.COM and don’t forget to ask for Barbara!
Lots of Labor Day Love,
Laura Dunn
p.s. There are a TON of amazing Labor Day Sales going on right now! Be sure to click the links below or check out our Boutique page for awesome deals and discounts! xoxo
When I booked our last minute trip to Kauai (we had to cancel a planned trip to Istanbul) I was not expecting much…nor was I planning on writing about the trip. I have been to Hawaii 18 times and many of them were on photo shoots. The last time I was in Kauai was so many years ago…. that I won’t even go there. To be frankly honest…. our last trip to Lanai was such a disaster we made a vow to never return to Hawaii. The Four Seasons on Lanai was so tired and so old that we all felt they should have burned it to the ground (it’s under new ownership now and it’s being completely renovated… yay!). When we arrived on Kauai and I had forgotten just how stunningly beautiful this island is. I was not expecting much in the resort department and I am glad I didn’t. That’s not what this island is about. This island is about beaches, outdoor adventure and the sheer beauty of this magnificent island. With all that said…. I want to give you a few must Do’s and must See’s on this ever so magical island of Kauai.
We drove past Nana’s 3 times expecting… I don’t know what…. but something a little bigger that the tiny little trailer that was present in the strip mall parking lot it resided in. Finally we found the Yelp “5 star” Nana’s Snack Shack. Nana had just gotten there and she didn’t skip a beat when we ordered our 18 items. Starting with the best smoothies and acai bowls my family has ever tasted, on to the waffle hot dog (a hot dog baked into a waffle) which my husband Steve, said it was the best hot dog he has ever had. My teriyaki chicken sandwich on Hawaiian sweet bread was so good that I think I moaned. A wrap, another sandwich and finishing off with Nana’s chocolate Kit Kat covered frozen banana…. Giving Nana’s 5 stars would be an insult… this little roadside stand is such a gem we went twice and everyone wanted to go everyday! Nana is culinary roadside genius!!
4-971 Kuhio Hwy
Kapaa, HI 96746
Going on a helicopter tour was the last thing I wanted to do on the perfect mid-trip day. Beach yes! Out-voted yes! So helicopter we did…. and OMG I am so happy I was out-voted! To see Kauai by helicopter is one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen. Beau’s fiancé James, grew up flying in helicopters all over New Zealand and at one point told our captain it was the most beautiful scenery he has ever experienced. I had to agree. I can’t even verbalize the vivid visual beauty we witnessed. There are 14 amazing waterfalls on Kauai and seeing them from a helicopter is like a beautiful dream. Add in the fact that we had to go through training with Blue Hawainan to board that copter… and I would have to say it was the best and safest helicopter experience of my life.
www.bluehawaiian.com
Tunnels is the most beautiful snorkeling experience on the Na Pali Coast (north island) with a beautiful natural reef. I laid on the beach while my people snorkeled. The 360 degree view was absolutely stunning with a mountain range sitting just behind the ocean… making it a surreal backdrop. To see the most fish…. head to Lawai Beach aka: the Beach House in PoiPu. There is also a great restaurant also called the Beach House with fabulous lunch right next to the beach.
Chickens where everywhere! Hahahaha I have never in my life have I seen so many chickens running around any island. Adorable, but they have fleas so enjoy from afar! My chicken photo op turned into flea bite city.
We found the the best Shave Ice on the way to Princeville from Poipu (south to north). Wailua Shave Ice uses the finest Japanese ice grinder to finely shave their ice… and use only real fruit and fruit juices. Add in some milk and Viola!… the perfect shaved ice! To say we were in shave ice heaven is an understatement.
I just switched out “Shaved Ice” for “Shave Ice” after we were informed by “Shave” in our comment section. Thank you so much for letting us know! I had no idea!!
xoxox
The best dinner on the island comes from Merriman’s Fish House. Don’t let the fact that this farm fresh to table restaurant is in a cute little mall confuse you. We discovered Marriman’s 2 nights before we were leaving and managed to squeeze in 3 dinners (one on the way to the airport)… it was that good! Everything we ate at Merriman’s was amazing. From the Kalua Pig Quesodilla to the fresh beet salad that tasted like it was just pulled from the ground. There is a casual restaurant below the finer dining option below that serves gourmet burgers and pizza. AMAZING!
2829 Ala Kalanikaumaka Rd, Koloa, HI 96756
Phone:(808) 742-8385
Ask me to off road…. Never. Ask me to go with other people on a tour… Never. Ask me to purposely get filthy dirty… Never. I guess never say never as somehow I ended up with my family at Kipu Ranch one beautiful afternoon. We went on a group off road adventure through a massive cattle ranch and I must say we had a blast! My husband was kind enough to let me drive so I could feel in control as a few times I wasn’t sure how we were going to make it out alive. Exciting… fun and really really dirty!
235 Kipu Rd, Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 246-9288
The Blue Hole Sea Caves and The Queens Bath Princeville are two of the most important visual wonders on Kauai. We saw both from the air, but due to weather conditions we were unable to see by foot or boat. A visit to both will be first up on our next Kauai adventure.
There are so many beautiful and swimmable beaches in Kauai, that my feeling is to look a few up on The Beaches Map and just go for it.
Any one of the many, many roadside juice stands will have a fresh chilled coconut for your hydrating pleasure!
p.s. Renting a car, suv or jeep on Kauai is essential. Plan on driving around and exploring this island for at least half of your trip. There is just way too much beauty to miss if you don’t.
I have just returned home from a week in London…. one of the most beautiful and culturally rich cities in the world! I tagged along with my daughter Beau and her fiancé James Fay to James’ sister’s 30th Birthday Party, held at the world famous Serpentine Galleries. I am so thrilled I joined on this adventure… and so thrilled to spend an evening at the Serpentine Galleries. In Part One today, I have a few photos to share… a few “Must-Sees” and a “Must-Eat,” and a “Must-Stay” on our list …. Let’s get started!
The Beaumont Hotel
Let’s start with my favorite brand new boutique hotel…. The Beaumont. Located in the heart of Mayfair, it allows guests walking distance to some of the best shops, galleries and restaurants in London. Boasting exceptional style reminiscent of the 1920s….it’s intimate, luxurious and service oriented. When I say service-oriented… I mean coffee delivered within 7 minutes to my door at 6am! The restaurant had some of the best and freshest food in London. With a true intimate neighborhood feeling…. accommodations include state-of-the-art technology, beautiful antiques and art, fabulous amenities and – best of all – the most reasonable pricing on rooms for a hotel of this caliber.
THE BEAUMONT HOTEL
MAYFAIR, LONDON W1K 6TF
44-20-7499-1001
OUR LOCATION
The Beaumont, Brown Hart Gardens,
Hampton Court Palace
Beau and I took a little day trip (45 minutes outside London) to Hampton Court Palace. Talk about history! Renovated for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in 1515, this stunningly haunted castle was used by King Henry VIII for all of his major celebrations… and, after Wolsey fell out of favour, the King enlarged the palace for himself. I am not a fan on any level of tourist attractions… but Hampton Court called to me… and I am so glad that it did. The gardens are some of the most beautiful in England with a celebrated maze. The patio hosts a beautiful little restaurant overlooking the fountain lawn where you can dine on high tea and lunch. For those Tudor fans… this is a must see.
East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU, United Kingdom
+44 844 482 7777
Sketch London
My all time favorite dining spot in London! With several different restaurants in one… this beyond hip dining spot is an absolute must see when in London. The gallery dining room hosts an amazing art collection that changes yearly and Chef Gagnaire’s culinary genius has inspired the menus throughout sketch. His eponymous Michelin three-starred Paris restaurant has a distinctive menu style, which Gagnaire had adapted for Sketch. Executed by his acolytes, the food is imaginative, bold, ground-breaking and delicious. My favorite part of Sketch besides the food… are the restrooms. Yes!!! You heard me right… the restrooms are pods. Single pods make up each toilet and there are 5 per side… mens and womens. This brilliant dining spot is a must see for anyone visiting London this summer!
9 Conduit Street, London W1S 2XG, England
+44 20 7659 4500
Lavender Sleep Patches
The jet-lag going to London is pretty rough due to the 8 hour time difference. For those sleepless nights… I found a solution in a local pharmacy – Lavendar Sleep Patches by BodyTox. Pop an all natural lavender filled patch on each foot before bed… and drift off like a baby! They really do work… and help with the jet-lag!
17.00 Box of 6
www.amazon.co.uk
The London Outfit
We celebrated summer in London with our 4th of July inspired outfit with fabulous photos taken by Beau Dunn. Jeans are by Flying Monkey… Star denim button down by Rails and crazy red glitter boots by Comme Des Garcons purchased at Selfridges. Our backdrop is an old English power station directly across the street from The Beaumont. Stunning!
Happy 4th of July Weekend…. and no matter where you travel to this holiday weekend…. Please be safe and have an Amazing 4th of July!!
Pip Pip, Cheerio…. God Save the Queen!!
Laura Dunn
P.S. If you wish you borrow my red glitter boots… Size 9!
So many parties…. so little time. I am all about a great homemade dessert, but this time of year, with so much going on, I just don’t always have the time to make something fabulous for the party I’m throwing or going to throw. So I’ve come up with a few classic ideas on how to take that store bought cake, pie, cookie or rice crispy treat and make it look homemade by just adding some fresh red & blue organic berries. So simple even a baby could do it! Let’s get started!!
When buying your store-bought cake, look for the desserts with plain tops… or the tops with decorations that will accent the berries that you will be piling high. My go to “glue” would be the strawberry glaze and just pour it generously as your base and just add berries… to anything!
A great way to present your cutlery for your 4th of July Bash…. Simply line a glass or Mason jar with a red linen napkin and place knife,spoon and fork in the middle. Looks great lined up on any buffet table!!
At my last years 4th of July Bash, we had amazing desserts…. but the most popular (by far) was my daughter Beau’s Rice Krispy Treats. All she did was make the traditional Rice Krispy Treat recipe below and add red food coloring. The minute we cut them they were gone! I have made my own individual treats into American flags with blueberries and strawberry glaze.
There you go…. easy, breezy 4th of July desserts that are beautiful, look homemade…. without serious time or effort!
Father’s Day is just a few days away and we have several amazing last minute gift ideas for dad! We went high-end this year…. because dad’s are worth their weight in gold and why would you not honor the man that helped bring you onto this earth with something that would knock his socks off?! So here is our fabulous gift guide!
~ Just always remember – a Father is neither an anchor to hold us back… nor a sail to take us there…. but a guiding light whose love shows us the way ~
I would love to dedicate this post to my Father-in-Law, Mr. David J. Dunn for always being my anchor… and for always being the guiding light to show me the way. My father passed away when I was 20 years old and David (Grampie) stepped into my father’s shoes… always being there for me and my family. Thank you Grampie for your unending love & guidance….
Love Always,
Laura
Please go to the comment section and tell us all about your Father!
P.S…. Opppsssss…. Steve Dunn!! I stole your look! hahahaha
