Dream A Little Dream: The Golden Globes Luncheon Honoring Miss Golden Globe, Greer Grammer

'Tis the golden season!

‘Tis the season! Not that season. AWARD SEASON!

A sea of gold

And as an LA lady, I can tell you that award season is one of the most exciting times of the year here in Tinsel Town.

This year, The 72nd Annual Golden Globes Awards kicks the season off. And to kick off this year’s Golden Globes, I had the honor of attending a glam Golden Globes lunch with Moët at The Beverly Hilton yesterday, honoring Miss Golden Globe, Greer Grammer.

Here's Greer presenting a Golden Globe to me. Ok, I didn't get to keep it..but give it time.

I got prepped for the event, thanks to Danielle with GlamSquad, who gave me some fabulous retro-inspired curls that lasted all night long. I love GlamSquad because they come right to your home so you can get all primped and prettied, while sitting in your favorite chair, listening to your favorite tunes, sipping a flute of champagne or a cup of hot tea.

Getting glammed for the annual Golden Globes Luncheon by Danielle of GlamSquad

I headed over to The Beverly Hilton, but had to do something I NEVER do and snap an elevator selfie of my golden, Old Hollywood-inspired outfit for the luncheon, ℅ Nordstrom. (Top: Tildon short sleeve sequin top $58 and Skirt: Tildon Gold Glitter Skirt $48)

Gold in an elevator. Livin' it up while I'm goin' down.

We started with a sneak preview of one of the signature Golden Globes cocktails, The Sunset Starlet – created by Elettra Wiedemann of Impatient Foodie – which will be enjoyed by the guests on Sunday. *Recipe will be up tomorrow right here!

The Moët Sunset Starlet by Elettra Wiedemann of Impatient Foodie

Following our cocktails, we enjoyed a delicious lunch, which was followed by the delectable pastries that the pastry chef at The Beverly Hilton is famous for.

Sweet!

And we were delighted to take some magical Moët goodies home with us!

Standing next to a tower of champagne. Not too bad for a Thursday.

Afterwards, I headed out to the balcony of the famed Beverly Hilton and reflected upon all of the stars whose dreams would be at long last coming true on Sunday. And I couldn’t help but be thankful for my own dreams coming true…and for the dreams I harbor that will one day come true.

Dream a little dream...

xoxo,
BF
BF Asks: Who are you most excited to see on Sunday? 

BeautyFrosting Holiday Hosting Guide 2014

It’s not just the magic of the season that makes the holidays so special. It’s also simple psychology.
Families rely on happy holiday traditions for consistency in inconsistent lives.
Here are a few of my tips for fun, festive and efficient ways to host and celebrate the season this year!
Low-key can be lovely. My family loves to do a low-key Christmas Eve. We play board games and Mom puts out an assortment of appetizers. As a professor, she always received those delicious Hickory Farms cheese and sausage trays, so she’ll put those out on her beautiful crystal serving dishes along with some spicy mustard, sweet and dill pickles, creamy brie cheese and crackers, veggies and dip, spicy cheddar biscuits and her homemade shrimp ball (my fave).
Serve with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Scrabble and we’re one happy family!

The McCoy sibling holiday celebratin' in style

Casseroles are key. For Thanksgiving, Christmas, and – really all – holiday weekends, casseroles can be a lifesaver. With the relatives visiting and friends stopping by, I’ve always found having a pre-homemade casserole in the freezer a must-have. Keep a breakfast casserole and you’re good to go! And for the day after a big holiday, such as Christmas, make it easy on yourself, and make a casserole with all of those delicious, hearty leftovers. Get creative with that cranberry sauce. Who knows? It might become one of your family’s favorite recipes! Serve casserole with a salad and it’s the perfect, post-holiday meal!

Serve a signature cocktail or punch. Be sure to make the base of your cocktail in the autumnal spirit – whether it be apple, cranberry, pear or pumpkin, you can’t go wrong with a winner that whets the whistle. Two of my favorite recipes? My Charlotte’s Applejack Brandy Cider

Charlotte's Applejack Brandy Cider

and my Brandywine Punch which I created for this past Thanksgiving.

Brandywine Punch

Tailor-make your tablescape. For instance, I love this turkey.

Let one piece of decor guide the rest of your tablescape planning

I love her so much that I tend to design everything around her – from the flowers to the dishes to the table runner aand tablecloths, Brandwywine sets the mood. Oh, did I forget to mention that I also named her? Yep. Her name is Brandywine. For instance this year, I designed a rose and gold table setting with a chalboard butcher paper runner down the center and, naturally, called it Brandywine Rustic.

One single Thankgiving decor element dictated my whole theme this year

Plan ahead to save your head. To make for a happy – and peaceful – holiday, about 2-4 weeks before the big day, ask all family members to submit their favorite recipes that they’d like you to cook. Also, ask what they’d like to contribute. This is a two-fold brilliant and sneaky strategy – a) it reminds everyone that they should contribute something and b) you can see overlap when it comes to the traditional family faves you cook, so you won’t overcook.  Sometimes the family favorites that we think our loved ones love aren’t the true loves. This also helps us see their changing tastes and plan the menu accordingly each year.

What would Beyonce do? She would plan ahead and make that menu!

Be an smart shopper. I realize how bossy that sounds, so let me explain. I like to (but don’t always) buy my canned goods, sugar, flour, etc. the week before Thanksgiving. That way the pumpkin isn’t sold out and I’m not carrying in 20 loads of groceries up my stairs. Because a Thanksgiving hernia isn’t as romantic as it sounds. Then, about 2-3 days before, I buy the dairy, eggs and produce. I save the uber fresh stuff, including flowers, for the last day. This means less hassle and running all over town with all of those other last minute shoppers. You’ve got this handled.

Save the best for last!

Sass up the standards. Really wanna venture out? Ditch the pumpkin pie and bake some pumpkin creme brûlée. Keep the family faves but add in some new dishes to create new traditions. Every Thanksgiving, I bake pumpkin croissant bread pudding with cranberries and moonshine sauce. I love pumpkin pie, but I wanted to create my own tradition. Now, it’s a family favorite. I’d highly encourage you to do the same. Whether it’s turning up your turkey, making your dressing more daring, or spicing up a side, try updating those classic faves. If you – or your family – doesn’t like it, you can always go back to the traditional recipe the next year.

Pumpkin Croissant Bread Pudding with Eggnog Moonshine Sauce

Cook up some soups or beef organ yo I had let Matt Marr did for our Christmas dinner that he made me need a few days ahead of time to save time and it actually tasted better cause the flavors had time to marinate why they were frozen.
Ornament Originality. Have each person bring an ornament to share with the family tree each year. This year, I am taking my mom a french cruller donut that I found at Dylan’s Candy Shop because I grew up with her eating a dunkin’ donut on many a morning when we would drive to school. Sweet memories. And isn’t that what the holiday season is all about?
xoxo,
BFBF Asks: What are some of your family’s holiday traditions?

The Sweet Life with Dawn McCoy: A Magical Day at Magnolia Bakery

My heart belongs to Magnolia Bakery. So when I got the opportunity to visit one of my favorite places for a little frosting lesson and fun, I jumped at the chance. Find out how the frosting experts at Magnolia get that “signature swirl”, see if I can replicate it and see what other emotions their delicious treats stir up for me. A magical day at Magnolia, indeed. Join me for a taste…

 

Now, isn’t THAT the sweetest?
xoxo,
BF