Month: December 2019

Happy New Year – 2020

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The last few days of a year are always bittersweet for me, and the most nostalgic. I will even go as far as saying a bit overwhelming as I reflect upon all things which have shaped 2019, on a personal level as well as global. I cannot believe we are near completing a decade already in the 21st century, and although we are faced with many challenges, whether political, economic, environmental or religious, I think if we each do our part in spreading positivity, rather than the toxic, we can help reshape the world into a peaceful existence. So from me to all of you – have a happy new year! and may your resolutions hold true 😉    {photo source}  

Our Most Read, Liked, and Shared Posts For 2019

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On these last days of 2019, I figured while you wait to ring in the new year, you might want to read the most liked, read, and shared topics here at Raw Silk and Saffron. 🙂 Travel   Travel: Best Places to Go In October If You Have Photography In Mind. – Coastal Towns In Italy. –  Beautiful Places in Europe – New England Bound – Top Restaurants From Around The World  – For the rest go here Food Food: Bean and Toasted Italian Bread – Lemon Chicken and Mint Sauce – Dessert For Breakfast – Bean In Variation – Apple Desserts So Fun To Make  – For the rest go here Lifestyle   Lifestyle: Is It Really Love – Back Pain and Other Remedies – Where Would You Celebrate a Milestone Birthday or Anniversary – Ways to Cope with Anxiety – For the rest go here Boutique Hotel Picks Boutique Hotel Picks: Hotel Schloss – Austria  – Stylish Motels Across America – Adult Resort Only – Paris Court in Budapest – For the rest go here  …

Holiday Series: Giving Back

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A few films I’ve watched recently which were in line with exactly how I’ve been feeling this holiday season – helpless in so many ways, and wishing there was more I could do. I am even considering working with a worthy cause in 2020, to help save endangered species or something environmental.  I just need to determine which path to choose. In the meantime, I’ve stumbled upon some suggestion on giving back this holiday season and beyond, and wanted to share in case you’re wondering which new year resolution to consider? Volunteering abroad programs – just in case you are considering doing so The Films That Got Me Thinking This holiday season {featured image source and safari destination}

Holiday Series: Gathering Up The Week Long Celebration Menu

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I’m hosting many guests over the holiday week, and finding just the right recipe is probably the funnest task I embark on, because you see, I love a good dinner party, and a conversations, and even followed by a board game. So, here are some of the dishes I intend to make this week: What are your favorite recipes? Here’s a fun article about how to feed your hungriest house guests 

Holiday Series: Gift Wrap – It’s All In The Trimmings

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Don’t get me wrong – I adore a beautifully designed gift wrap paper and sometimes buy a roll just to add to my collection of uniquely crafted wraps. But lately, in light of all things to save our planet, I cannot help but appreciate the simplest of gift wrapping ideas. Which by the way, I’ve adapted for years – finding the most unusual ways to wrap presents with grocery paper bags, tissue paper, newspaper, old magazine pages, and even book pages – because at the end of the day, it is all about the trimming… {source here, and here}

Food: For The Love of Cake

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Cakes are the simplest of all baking you can possibly do, if you are pressed for time when asked to bring something to a holiday get-together. This recipe is literally an easy one to follow – measuring the ingredients and either whisking by hand or using a fancy mixer to blend together, pour into a baking pan and bake. A sprinkle of powdered sugar is the quickest of all decoration, and a good option for the holidays and first time bakers.. so follow along: Ingredients  9 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar 3 large eggs 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 pinch salt 1 cup fresh ricotta Zest of 1 lemon   **** I use Meyer’s lemon 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 apple, peeled and grated (should yield about 1 cup) Confectioners’ sugar for serving  {more}  

Holiday Series: Best of Christmas List

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Over the weekend, I played a private tour guide to friends visiting from out-of-town, driving them around past Union Square to get a glimpse of the city as I know it. Which got me thinking, I don’t mind doing this as a side job – touring folks and getting to know them on a different level and actually having fun. So it got me thinking about today’s post, sharing some of the best of Christmas lists – such as… {featured image source} What are your plans for the holidays?What is your favorite destination during the holidays?Do you host a holiday party or attend one? Are you done with your holiday shopping? Have you seen the movie Klaus on Netflix? If not, do so  What are you reading currently?