FFerone Glasses: The Revolution Collection

Place your beverages on a different kind of pedestal. The award-winning glasses and bowls from Felicia Ferrone’s Revolution Collection create perfect geometric worlds for wine, water, soup, or ice cream. Flip each one over to get a different capacity (one way to assert portion control!). The pieces are hand-blown borosillicate glass, made in the Czech Republic, a material which is oven, microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe. Items can be purchased directly through the website, via an ultra cool interactive photo. Wine glasses, $84 for a pair, Champagne Flutes, $79 for a pair. Photo above shows part of the collection, photo below, Felicia Ferrone at the Gift Show standing before her design.

Sale at Chilewich

Chilewich is taking 50 – 75% off regular retail prices. (you've seen their stuff at practically every new restaurant) Designs will include placemats, floormats, floor tiles, pet mats and bags (some items will be irregulars.)
where: Clothingline, 261 west 36th St, between 7/8,  2nd floor
when: Sale starts on November 8th and goes through November 10th. Open Tuesday, from 10 to 7, Wednesday from 10 to 6, Thursday from 10 to 7.

EAT OUT SERIES: part two

Going on a picnic or to the beach? Bring along these stylish and functional pieces.

let’s dish: French Bull
I don’t believe in using disposable dishes. They’re not really nice to eat off of, especially if you are not seated at a table to stabilize the situation. French Bull has a super cool line of plastic melamine dishes that you can take out with you and not worry about breakage. They even have a handsome carrying trolley to tote your set. The ROSE collection will add a cheery blast of color to your gathering. $11 for the 11” plates, $8 for the 8” plates, available on the website.

Bambu: responsible disposable

If you must use disposable utensils, you can’t do better than Bambu’s All Occasion Veneerware. Depending on what you are serving, you might choose the adorable spork, which does the job of a spoon or fork, or go for the traditional knife, fork and spoon assortment. Available from their website, the spork comes in packages of 24 for $10, the trio of utensils serves 8 for $10. These pieces are made from made from 100% bamboo, are biodegradable/compostable, and do not contain any chemicals, bleaches, dyes, or pesticides. For bulk sales you can email Terry at terryl@bambuhome.com or call 877 226 2829.

Govino: unbreakable wine glasses

For those who wouldn’t dream of drinking wine in anything other than crystal, Govino has created an unbreakable glass that was developed for wine salespeople on the go. Though not actually glass, the BPA-free polymer feels like it, and will not take away from the drinking experience. The wine glass measures 4.4 inches in height and holds 16 ounces, the champagne flute is 5.3 inches high, and holds 8 ounces. Practically a steal at $12.95 for a pack of 4; for those who throw large parties outdoors the 36 or 72 packs will come in handy. Available on the website.

On the Table

At the recent tabletop show at 41 Madison, there were goodies galore. My friend Frank and I explored the showrooms top to bottom to see the latest collections from Lenox, Dansk, Rosenthal, Guzzini, and more. Our timing was perfect—as we hit the brand new Michael Aram showroom there was a cocktail party just starting. So, while viewing the latest designs, we got to see the Aram serving trays in action. Frank kept diving into the grilled cheese with pulled pork, but my attentions were focused on the tea smoked chicken salad on wontons. Turns out, Michael Bick of Some Things Fishy Catering, Ltd was on the scene, and was generous enough to share his recipe. The combination of the spices were refreshingly unique (and exceptionally delicious), and the fried wontons lent a nice crispy edge. Michael recommends using lapsang souchong tea for its smoky qualities. If you don’t have a smoker, you can use a wok or large casserole pan with lid. Chef Cathy Shambly has some great step-by-step photos on her blog, Showfood Chef, that take you through the process. I once did a fish cooking class at the Institute for Culinary Education, and we smoked salmon in a similar way, using 2 roasting pans. Totally worth the effort! Photo above, Michael Aram’s Olive Branch napkin holder keeps things neat! See more photos of my tabletop picks and the party food here.

Tea Smoked Chicken Salad by Michael Bick

2 chicken breasts, raw

Marinade:
1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup mirin
1/4 cup sesame oil
1 TB Nori Kome Furikake rice seasoning
1 tsp Shichimi Togarashi

Smoke Mixture:
1/2 cup loose leaf tea
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup rice

Sesame Aioli:
2 large egg yolks
2 TB dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
2 TB yuzu juice
1 3/4 cups soy oil
1/4 cup sesame oil
1 TB soy sauce
1 TB Linghams sweet & spicy hot sauce
1 TB Nori Komi Furikaki rice seasoning

Salad Mixture:
1 red bell pepper, diced small
1/2 red onion, diced small
2 jalapeños, seeded & minced
2 inch-long piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
2 tablespoons pickled ginger, minced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, minced

Marinade: In a non reactive bowl, mix ingredients together and marinate the chicken breasts for 1 to 2 hours.

Smoke Mixture: Combine ingredients and place in a stovetop smoker. Follow directions on smoker and smoke marinated chicken for 8 minutes. Remove from smoker and finish cooking in a 350 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes. When cool, shred by hand (this is a big pain but worth it).

Sesame Aioli: Place yolks, mustard, garlic, juice, in blender. While blending, drizzle in both oils, until thick and mayonnaise-like. lt may need more oil. Season with soy, sweet chili, and rice seasoning.

Salad: Combine shredded chicken with all prepared vegetables. When you are ready to serve toss with Sesame Aioli.

Halloween Brights

Happy-colored tableware from French Bull is available for your Halloween entertaining needs. Choose from the large Orange/Pink bowl ($24), small bowls ($7) in orange or black, or round black-and-white tray ($24). Best of all, it’s on sale! To receive the 20% discount on anything in the store (except sale items) enter the term: FBSPOOKY in all caps.

Ellen's TV Show on Oprah.com

I am participating in a contest on Oprah's new channel to get a TV show. SAUCE! is the name of the show. Please click on the link to access the 3 minute video. The show will feature the talents of the Hip Hostess NYC, a top chef and mixologist to create the ultimate party. We demonstrate a cocktail and recipes for sauces and how to display your dishes in the most creative way. Cocktail brands, special food products, tableware, glassware, appliances, and anything that contributes to creating a party will all be showcased. Plus the most creative recipes of chefs and mixologists will form the body of the show.
PLEASE VOTE and VOTE OFTEN!
You can vote more than once...the more votes the better!
Spread the word...TV land needs a show like this to celebrate all the creative minds out there!
Thanks for your consideration.

Hanna Tonek Bonnet CERAMICS

In keeping with the theme of creating new by taking from the past, I came across Hanna’s ceramics at the recent ICFF show. I loved how she took traditional patterns, but used them in inventive ways, by placing them on the inside of vases and cups, and adding drips and hot pink velvet flock to the outsides. She has also done a series of brooches, which are meant to hang on a wall. Everything in the collection has a fresh, feminine, fun appeal. There is a store in Soho carrying some of the pieces called Clio.

ICFF: inspiring, cool, fabulous + fun

The International Contemporary Furniture Fair, held this past weekend at the Javits is something I look forward to every year. I don’t know what I like more, seeing all the fantastic new design or attending the myriad of events centered around the show. The combination is a definitely a delightful Design O.D. There were so many amazing things, I could not possibly include then all in one post, so stay tuned for the ongoing series of my picks from the show. Seen here: The oversized serving dish from Fornasetti, spotted in the Barney’s showroom during the elegant exhibiton and event. This is on my wish list. A blue cocktail, generously served at the Artemide showroom party, and Gandia Blasco’s blue light display on the rooftop at the Gansevoort Hotel. Click on this link to see more event photos.

numerology on the table

Christopher Jagmin creates porcelain dishes with a modern feel. Add a playful context to your next gathering with these dishy digits. The big numbers are 10.5” in diameter and come in odd or even sets. Word dishes are dessert size at 7.5”,  and the pattern of digits comes in at 12.25” for serving up, say, a platter of cupcakes. I would use the YES and NO plates, to designate meat dishes from vegetarian. This company also has cleverly repurposed singular vintage dishes from the 70s (on patterns you will recognize from your grandmother’s house) and tied them together with the new graphics atop. Yeah!

handmade ceramics

There is something so luscious about Jars ceramics, a French company around since 1857. I must say, the photos online do not match what you witness in person. Whether you fancy the spa-like essence of light blues and whites or want to sink your teeth into a sassy bright yellow piece, your investment in these pieces will retain their classic style. Personally, I love the Plume series in Vert Atole, with its organic hand-made shapes, and serene effect.

ufo: ultra functional object

Sci-fi lovers will get a kick out of this woody space ship. Station it on a sideboard, then put it to use for cradling fruit, candies or bread. Comes with either a metal base, resembling the legs of a space ship, or the wooden base, shown. The Museum of Robots has lots of other responsibly designed products.

Scandinavian BEAUTIES

I am usually attracted to anything round or dotted, something about circles excites me. So naturally, when I saw these carafes, I immediately wanted to know more. Design House Stockholm offers these blown-glass pieces which can be used as a pitcher with stopper, a wine decanter, or a vase. When the stopper is not in use, it can still act as part of the design, only securely stationed underneath. The stopper actually has one flat surface, so that it will not roll. See the website for more designer tabletop items—there are a few more things on there that would come in handy, like the lacquered Gourmet Tray, which rotates, or the Bono Bowls, whose stark white look is accented with thin black lines.

intoxicated zodiac candle: keep on using me...

I am all for multiple usage—reversible clothing can actually make me giddy. Or that time a balsamic vinegar bottle made the perfect vase for my bathroom. Here’s a candle that does more than the average. Intoxicated Zodiac starts out as a soy candle, and when finished, can be used as a glass to house a cocktail based on your astrological sign. For me, an Aquarian, they suggest The Flowering Quince: vodka or gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and quince jam. Recipes are based on Nicholas Culpeper’s medieval astrology that categorized herbs, flowers, and fruits into Zodiac signs. If you want to know more about this radical botanist from the 1600s, you can see his entire book online.

gifts / BOWLS FOR THE NATURALIST

I love the line of kitchen accessories from Bambu. Choosing bamboo as a material is loaded with advantages. No only is it a fast-growing plant that needs no replanting and conserves water and soil, it also allows products to be made in rural environments. Owner Jeff Delkin, dedicated to fair trade, keeps a watchful eye on the craftspeople’s villages where each piece is hand-made and finished with a lacquer derived from the cashew-nut tree. The cheery colors and natural finish would be a fun asset to any kitchen. See also Bambu's line of disposable utensils and dishes, sure to add chic-ness to your next outdoor soiree.

gifts / SERVING DISH FOR THE ODD COUPLE

Do you know of a couple whose tastes clash? Industrial designer Ron Gilad has created a marriage of traditional and modern design in his sleek elevated platter. When hostessing a get-together, I love to have a raised area to maximize the serving area, and to create a more dramatic display. This platter fits the bill, whether in its round or square configuration, and can be used as serving dish, a fruit bowl, or as an anchor spot to throw your keys.

gifts / GLASSES FOR THE PURIST

The Float glass collection from Molo not only seemingly suspends liquid in space, but has the added functionality of insulation. Whether serving cold or hot tea, the Float Tea Lantern’s double insulating walls will maintain the temperature, while flaunting it’s austere, minimalist presence. Neat freaks will love the fact that moisture from cool drinks accumulates under the bowl, keeping rings off the table. This series is handblown in the Czech Republic from the finest water-clear German borosilicate glass, the same glass Pyrex is made out of, so can also be used in the oven—think French onion soup or crème brûlée. See the whole line at the website, plus their lighting and seating pieces.

Hip Hostess NYC: NOW on Facebook

The Hip Hostess has a travel photo log on Facebook. See HipHostess Nyc for the full picture.

Modern FLATWARE by Maarten Baptist / eat joyfully

I have been looking for years for a set of flatware that has a beautiful and unique design and is a pleasure to hold—not too heavy, not too light. On a recent trip to Denver, I finally found my unalloyed dream at Z Modern, in a design by Maarten Baptist of WAT design. This elegant and futuristic-looking set was $40 a place setting, and has the bonus of a great mouth feel when using the spoons and a knife that successfully carves into whatever you put in front of it.