Mad About Irish Plaid for The Home

                                                                                    Bedding by Ralph Lauren

It's that time of year! Time to celebrate everything Irish!  With a name like Shannon and a strong Irish heritage, you know I'm in heaven:)
I love plaid, and I REALLY LOVE Tartan plaids, so I couldn't resist a post dedicated to using Tartan Plaids in the home.

                                                           Dessert Plates by Pendelton

                                   4 for $48.00 

  

Pair these dessert plates with White Dinner plates for an elegant and cozy tablescape 

                                                                           Lamp by Williams Sonoma Home


There's something warm, cozy, and inviting about Tartan Plaids. It can be used with vintage lace, rustic woods, or in the case of this Berksire lamp, clear glass. It's possibilities are endless.
My favorite designer, Ralph Lauren, has a fantastic selection of Tartan Plaid bedding, furniture, fabric, and table linens.

Wallpaper by Ralph Lauren

Have you ever seen a more beautiful powder room than this vintage bathroom wallpapered in Tartan Plaid.  They've even framed swatches of other tartans and hung them around a large print of Elks.  You feel like your in a Scottish hunting lodge :)

                                                                                  Pillows by Ralph Lauren Home


This is my favorite combination and shows the complete versatility of plaid. By simply adding a floral pillow and a white lace pillow the plaid has taken a romantic turn, I love it.

                                                                     Table Linens by Ralph Lauren Home

Let Tartan Entertain you with lovely table linens. This is a great way to add a touch of tartan to your life :)

This mix of plaids has a cozy rustic feel.  I love the platter of fresh apples to bring out the red and green.

Of course you knew I had to come up with a way to add plaid to flowers. Ribbon is another way to add a touch of plaid to your decor :)

Consider covering a vase or candle votive with tartan plaid paper.  It's a great, and inexpensive way to add plaid to your decor

                                                   Desk  Set by Williams Sonoma Home

Everyone knows that plaid makes you look smarter, but it also makes you look more fashionable. I love this Tartan plaid desk set:)

Make guests feel warm and pampered with plaid. Here a rustic trunk is filled with a plaid pillow, blanket, slippers and a vintage plaid thermos filled with Chocolate milk. You may have trouble getting them to leave :)

                                                            $2.00 yard by bessiemary.com

I thought you might enjoy this beautiful ribbon at a great price. Wrap it around votives, vases, use it to tie on guest towels, baskets, or wear it in your hair.

                                               $1.60 per yard by bessiemary.com
You will also enjoy this blackwatch plaid ribbon, for a real touch of Irish Green

http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/search/processRequest.do?Ntt=tartan+plaid&requestURI=searchMain&Ntk=all&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&N=0&x=22&y=20

I've saved the best bargain for last:) If you would like some fun tartan plaid paper goods, look no further than Oriental Trading Company. A set of 24 cups is $2.49

Matching Napkins are 48 for $5.99

They also carry gift bags and other co-oridinates for this line

New Philadelphia Cooking Creme- Creme duex Chocolat

I was recently asked by Philadelphia to participate in a recipe contest using their new Philadelphia Cooking Creme.  I was sent containers of each of the four flavors.  Italian Cheese & Herb, Savory Garlic, Sante Fe Blend, and Original.

I have to say, I really love cooking with this product and I've had so much fun coming up with new recipes so I asked Philadelphia if I could share some of my favorites with you.
Here is the link to The Real Women of Philadelphia site that shows me giving an instructional video of this recipe.
http://www.realwomenofphiladelphia.com/user_recipe/view/10630/10383/1


The new cooking creme is a soft, spoonable version of Philadelphia Cream Cheese with some wonderful Chef inspired ingredients.  You will love the ease and versatility of cooking with it.
I have to say that one of the things I really enjoyed about the Philadelphia cooking creme was that it really cooks up very smooth and silky, I never once encountered the problem of curdling, (even when boiling with milk and eggs) lumps or the need to strain any of my sauces. 
 I hope you enjoy this decadent Double Chocolate Sauce.  It's the perfect thing to make for your Valentine, or serve for a romantic dessert.



This is a rich and decadent chocolate sauce made creamy and delicious by Philadelphia Cooking Creme in the original flavor. It's made with both semisweet and milk chocolate which is why it's called Creme deux Chocolate ( double chocolate cream). It is so versatile and the base for the best hot chocolate:)) This Chocolate cream sauce will satisfy the chocolate lover in everyone

• Prep time: 5 minutes -Cook time: 20 minutes -Total time: 25 minutes -Servings: 8

• 10 ounce(s) of Philadelphia Cooking Creme, original flavor
• 2 cup(s) of Milk
• 12 ounce(s) of Semisweet Chocolate
• 6 ounce(s) of Milk Chocolate
• 3 Egg Yolks
• 1/3 cup(s) of Sugar
• 2 tbsp. of Strong brewed coffee
• 1 tsp. of vanilla extract

Steps

• 1. Beat egg yolks and sugar until creamy, and pale yellow (about one minute)
  2. In dutch oven or large heavy saucepan, over low- low medium heat combine cooking creme, milk, coffee and vanilla until blended.
  3. Add Semisweet and milk chocolate, do not leave unattended and stir until chocolate is melted (do not let chocolate sit at the bottom of the pan and burn)
  4. Once chocolate is melted take 1/2 to 1 cup of the chocolate mixture and whisk it into the egg mixture. Return the combined mixture to the pan.
  5. Stir until chocolate sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon (5-10 minutes)
  6. Once the sauce is finished you can put the sauce in a clean container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
  7. To make hot chocolate use 1/2 milk and 1/2 sauce, stir, and warm to desired drinking temp