Netflix... and Chili Jalapeno Margaritas

Aside from a whole month of Christmas music, one of the best parts about December is getting to binge watch all of our favorite holiday movies. Growing up, A Christmas Story and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation were an annual tradition in my household, but over the years, my list of faves has expanded to include Home Alone, The Grinch, Elf, You've Got Mail, Just Friends, and a few others. The best part is that most of these movies are just a click of a remote away, so plan a night to order delivery, mix up a few of these tasty chili jalapeno margaritas, and just chill, this season! 

Ingredients (makes one)

2 oz. tequila

1 oz. citrus liqueur (citronage, triple sec)

Juice from: 1 lime, 1/2 orange, 1/2 a lemon

Dash of cayenne pepper, plus more for rim

1 tbsp coarse salt

Optional: fresh jalapeno slices (seeded) and serrano chili (whole) to garnish

To Make:

In a shaker, combine tequila, citrus liqueur, juice, dash of cayenne with ice. Mix a pinch of cayenne pepper into salt for rim. Rim glasses with lime juice and salt. Add liquid, then jalapeno slices, fill with ice, garnish with whole serrano chili. 

Be Merry & Bright!

Hailey

How To Host A Globally-Inspired Holiday Gathering

Over the years, our holiday celebrations have taken on almost every form. From formal dinners with family, to cocktails and game nights with friends, to brunches that last well into the afternoon. We have spent Christmas mornings in a snowy condo in Colorado, at the beach in California, and driving up and down the 5 freeway. As anyone who has hosted an event of any size knows it is a lot of work and it is easy to get caught up in the details of which dishes to use (hint: all of them, why have dishes that just sit in a cabinet?) where everyone will sit, or what you'll serve. If you're thinking of hosting a get-together, here are a few simple ideas to help you plan a stress-free, earth-friendly, and globally-inspired holiday gathering this year. 

On The Table:

Layer a few printed linens for a casual eclectic look. Here we used an ikat linen tablecloth underneath a blockprinted cotton runner. The stoneware dishes are from World Market, and the glasses are a mix of vintage and new. An oversized cutting board from Ikea makes a practical cheese platter. Our recycled handmade brass bells and woven friendship cathedral basket add a touch of character. We dressed the table with fresh pine branches, a few unscented pillar candles, and fresh citrus fruit. 

Eat & Drink:

Cheese spreads are always an easy crowd pleaser. We like to browse the cheese section of our local grocery store or specialty shop for new ideas. In general, 3-5 types of cheese ranging from mild to pungent, and a good variety of fruit, veggies, nuts, olives, crackers, create a good balance of sweet, salty, and savory. If you're serving wine, consider trying a wine from one of your favorite travel destinations- or a place you hope to visit someday! This wine from South Africa is vegan (why vegan wine?) and can be found at Trader Joe's, but you can easily find fair trade, vegan, and organic wine at most health food stores and most major retailers. 

Pick a Playlist:

It just wouldn't feel like the holidays without a playlist of seasonal songs, but if you're already tired of hearing the same old classics everywhere you go, pick out a globally-inspired playlist for your next event. Putumayo offers some great mixes of holiday songs from musicians from all over the world. If you use Pandora, you can simply create a station from one of your favorite artists. The Smithsonian Museum has also created an interactive map that samples over a hundred songs from various countries, so you can find the perfect tune to set the tone. 

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May your gatherings be merry & bright!

Hailey

The Process of Living: An Artsy Couple's Colorful San Francisco Pad

Every once in a while, I come across a home tour that makes me wonder if those weird sci-fi shows are true that say that every person on earth has a twin somewhere living a parallel life. This home, belonging to a crazy-cool couple in San Francisco, is easily one of them. I feel like I could move right in and feel totally at home- the gorgeous natural light, the artwork, the natural textures, insane wood floors, and pops of bright color are right up my alley. I love that the overall style is clean and modern but not stiff or sterile, a perfect mix of young, fresh, and functional. I could definitely see sipping a craft beer or having a game night in this living room- am I doing "hipster" right? But, who knows maybe our San Francisco spirit-couple will want to take a vacation here in San Clemente and we could do a little house swap. Too soon? I kind of feel like the kid who accidentally got invited to the party and now won't. stop. talking. (Be cool, Hailey!) So, anyway, I'll just leave these photos here and let them speak for themselves. But, if you live here, in this house...call me. Sometime. Jk, jk. But seriously though.

This tour originally appeared on Apartment Therapy, images via David Dines