End of the Summer Soiree

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There's still plenty of time to plan an end-of-summer get-together before school starts and vacations end. I present some {New New} items to make the party a little brighter.


Order invitations from Grace Notes Papers to let your friends know they're welcome to stop by for a spot of tea and perhaps a scone or two.


A festive banner by copabananas will greet your guests and set the stage for a pleasant evening.


Decorative pillows from Cynthia Lawrence are both lovely to look at and practical for superior chair comfort.


Fill a MayLuk scroll vase with flowers for your table.


And don't forget a set of four coasters from bungaloe to protect that table in style.



--Lisa
pandawithcookie.etsy.com

A {NewNew} Flavor of Ice Cream

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A few months ago, I was invited by a friend to participate in a head-to-head Iron Chef-style ice cream challenge. The curve ball was the secret ingredient: Wine. Naturally this required a fair amount of drinking as I had to get the flavors correct, of course.


Eventually I figured out that the key is to boil off the alcohol, which also intensifies the flavor as the wine is reduced. I was a little worried that it might become grape-y, so I added a little spice -- a few cinnamon sticks, some pepper, and vanilla. Weird, right?

And yet it worked! (And my house smelled great while it was simmering).

I'm so excited about how this came out. It actually tastes like wine, but with a depth of flavor that makes you pause as it melts over your tongue. You know it's wine, but it's also ice cream, and then there are all these other subtle fruit and spice flavors dancing on the margins. A very sophisticated dish and perfect for a grown-up summer party.


Here's the recipe:
2 bottles cabernet sauvignon (though I imagine a shiraz would also be really good)
2-3 cinnamon sticks
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
(you may also want to add other mulling spices like cardamon and clove)
2 cups milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/4 cups sugar
9 egg yolks
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Pour wine into a large pot and bring to a simmer. Add cinnamon sticks and peppercorns (plus other spices -- but the wine should be the main flavor, otherwise the ice cream, while still good, becomes less about the wine and more about the spice). Simmer until the wine is reduced to 1 cup, anywhere from 1 - 2 hours.

Depending on how fast your wine is reducing, about half-way into the reduction, bring the milk, cream and half of the sugar to a boil in a large pan and turn off heat.

In a bowl, whisk together yolks and remaining sugar. Temper the yolks into the boiling milk by gradually whisking about 1 cup of warm milk into the yolks and adding this slowly back into the pot with the remaining milk. Stir in the salt and the vanilla. Whisk in the reduced wine. Set pan over a bowl full of ice to cool.

Pour the chilled ice cream liquid through a fine mesh strainer and then into an ice-cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Freeze at least 2 hours before serving.


Yes, technically I "won" the challenge (the vote was 5-2 in favor of my dish, just in case you were wondering). But really, doesn't everyone win when there's ice cream involved?

Enjoy!



Susan
-- persuede.etsy.com

What's the shape of your love?

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What’s the shape of your love? The Carnival of Love Foundation coined the word “loveprint” to signify that our love is as unique as our fingerprint, coming in many colors, shapes and sizes, and despite our differences, it’s the one thing that truly unites us all. They named their campaign: “What’s the shape of your love?” asking people to pause and reflect on the significance of their lives in spreading love and light to others. What imprint will you leave in this world?

The Carnival of Love Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization who believes that all children deserve the right to a happy and fulfilled life and are dedicated to raising awareness and funds to support abandoned, orphaned, abused, neglected, and terminally ill children around the world. The organization is founded on the principles that we all have the power to make a difference in this world, and that by sharing light, love and hope with underprivileged children we can make a significant impact on their lives and pave the way for a brighter future.

Originally the organization started off as a community project from a leadership program, then a group of long-time friends got together and transformed the project into a fun and festive fundraiser. The group, feeling blessed to have experienced the benefits of growing up in a close-knit, supporting and loving community of family and friends, felt that every child deserved the same right.

After much research, the Foundation chose to support the tremendous efforts of SOS Children's Villages, the largest orphan charity in the world. The SOS Children’s Villages is an international, non-governmental social development organization that has been active in the field of children's rights and committed to children's needs since 1949. The villages assist children, worldwide, that have either lost their parents or who cannot be raised by their biological family by offering them an emotionally stable, family-like environment throughout their lives, especially during the challenging years of transition into adulthood. They are known for creating lasting relationships with the children and being there to cherish the various milestones in their lives. For more information visit:

On Friday, February 27, 2009, The Carnival of Love Foundation will host its Second Annual “Apokries” Carnival of Patras, Greece Fundraiser to benefit the children of SOS Children's Villages of Greece. Central Lounge will transform into a fantasy-like Carnival playground complete with breath-taking entertainment, elaborately costumed performers, and raffle giveaways. There will also be courtyard festivities including cotton candy, popcorn, candy apples, face painters, photo booths, caricature artists and more.

History of the Patras Carnival or Patrino Carnavali

The Patras Carnival is the largest carnival event in Greece and the biggest in Europe, with more than 160 years of history. The events begin on January 17th and lasts up to Clean Monday also known as Pure Monday, Ash Monday, or Monday of Lent. The Patras Carnival is a variety of events that includes balls, parades, hunting of hidden treasure, kids’ carnival etc. The last weekend of Carnival consists of parades of carnival groups, floats and a closing ceremony. With an effort to bring this wonderful Greek tradition to NY, and the ideas of spreading love and raising money for children, the Carnival of Love Foundation has incorporated Patras Carnival’s cultural traditions and made it the theme for a monumental fundraising event.

WOW- did you know?

WOW stands for World-Orphan-Week - from February 9th-15th- an annual fundraising event during which everyone is invited to have fun and help orphaned and abandoned children by 'wearing something WOW' for one day and donating to SOS Children, the world's largest orphan charity. By participating in World-Orphan-Week, and encouraging others to do so, you can help SOS Children give orphaned and abandoned children a new mother, home and family … for life!

With that said put on a crazy outfit, preferably something colorful and head over to a wonderful fundraising event!

Carnival of Love Foundation
Central Sushi Bar and Lounge
February 27th, 2009
Doors open at 10pm
20-30 Steinway street, Astoria, Queens
Admissionis $30 at the door which includes a drink pass, masquerade mask, and access to all carnival festivities in the courtyard.
Pre-event tickets can be purchased for $25 by calling 646-717-7113 or by emailing rsvp@carnivaloflove.org

There will be a courtyard full of festivities, also I will be there vending for the charity. The Carnival of Love Foundation has asked me to design bracelets for the Foundation that represent their charity, theme colors, the carnival, and their logo.


Etsy
Buy Handmade
kokalakiJEWELRY

Did I mention that there will be raffle prizes? All event tickets purchased in advance enter you into the raffle prizes. The grand prize is a flat screen HD television, the full prize list is TBA soon! For all you handmade lovers, some of the members of the NewNew have volunteered to donate beautiful raffle prizes!















Thank you everyone for all your support and LOVE! Hope to see you all there!

-kokalakiajewelry

Cold Weather & Warm Hearts...The NewNew Team Party from a Newbie’s Perspective

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If I asked where you would like to spend a cold, snowy, Sunday afternoon your answer would probably be home. So why would anyone brave the cold to meet a bunch of strangers. For the New New Team’s first party …of course.

The January 18th party seemed the perfect time to put faces to all the email addresses I had learned since joining in December. Held at the Bell House in Gowanus, I entered with no idea of what to expect. I was greeted by a group of warm and welcoming people that had tons of advice and encouragement for someone as brand new as I.
There was a huge table of food and great draft beer. As time passed and conversations deepened, it felt as though I was part of a family of artists with similar hopes, dreams, concerns and passions.
The energy was so inspiring I decided to network around from place to place meeting new artists and learning about the history of New New. Although most people knew each other from hours of flea market chats and years of friendship I was welcomed with open arms and engaged in every aspect of the event. I doubt that I could have found a group more organized, supportive and forward thinking than the New New Team.



One might ask, given the recent article about the New New on Esty are they really as wonderful as everyone says? Well from this newbie’s perspective I can offer a resounding YES !!! There is something for everyone in this group and I plan to stick around for a long time to come.


Sarah the food Goddess with a vegan cupcake
















Kari & Joanne














Submitted by
Lydia
http://www.boxofjoy.etsy.com/