Raise a glass to your favorite reindeer with the DRY Rudolph. Mix this up at your next holiday gathering and let the reindeer games commence.

DRY RUDOLPH

Ice cubes
1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
1 oz. dark rum
Splash of cranberry juice
4 oz. Rhubarb DRY Soda
Garnish: cranberries
Serve: highball glass

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add Grand Marnier, dark rum, cranberry juice. Shake well and strain into a chilled highball glass. Add Rhubarb DRY Soda and sir. Garnish with whole cranberries and enjoy.

Want more DRY cocktail and mocktail ideas? Check the recipes on our website and smart phone apps for Android and iPhone!

DRY ‘Nilla Nog, that’s who. Mix up this mocktail at your next gathering for a new holiday favorite.

DRY ‘NILLA NOG

6 oz. eggnog
2 oz. Vanilla Bean DRY Soda
Pinch of cinnamon

Combine eggnog and Vanilla Bean DRY Soda in a rocks glass, garnish the top with a pinch of cinnamon and enjoy.

Want more DRY cocktail and mocktail ideas? Check the recipes on our website and smart phone apps for Android and iPhone!

Have that person on your list whose eyes light up at the sight of Pantone anything? Do you catch them saying “That’s so smart!” at every new well-designed oddity they happen upon? Here are five suggestions to jumpstart your holiday gift thinking and bring a little extra design beauty to their lives.

The coolest subscription they’ve ever gotten

You know what’s better than a standard gift? A gift that keeps on giving. A subscription to something designy and fun such as Tattly temporary tattoos will have your recipient looking good and thanking you on a monthly basis. If your lucky recipient has a naked wall, a subscription to rotating art service TurningArt will fill that void and can change as quickly as their tastes. A gift that adjusts to be exactly what they want? Excellent.

Show that you know their type

Ever notice your loved one pointing out how much they love the type on the old theater marquee in town or bemoaning the local restaurant’s use of Papyrus as their menu font? If you’ve got a typophile on your hands, you can’t go wrong with this amazing limited edition Typography Scrabble; tasty for the eyes and stimulating for the brain. On a smaller scale, these typography note cards from A Favorite Design make correspondence beautiful.

Let their mind loose on paper

In a world where we update our statuses, tweet and pin anything that comes to our minds, there’s something to say about settling down and putting one’s thoughts on paper. Well-designed blank notebooks from Field Notes or Rhodia Writing Pads are perfect for the on-the-go thinker, while books such as 642 Things to Draw or 642 Things to Write About can help foster creative thinking with quirky prompts.

Give them some smarts

Whether or not the design lover on your list has a formally-trained eye for design, giving the gift of education is an extraordinarily thoughtful gesture. Have they been getting into photography? Gift them some ‘tuition’ to a local Photoshop class to pair their new passion. In Seattle, the School of Visual Concepts and Luminous Works are amazing resources for sharpening one’s design skills, while Blogshop is an amazing traveling class that could be coming to you. If none of those options work, simply look up design classes near you! Alternatively, a design book such as Mike Perry’s Pulled  is a great way to dig their brains into design at home.

High five their inner child

In these crazy adult lives we lead, it’s easy to leave behind the things that made us happy as kids. One of the best gifts you can give is a chance to reclaim some of that childhood innocence, and we’ve found a few things that’ll do just that. This aromatic Play Clay from Mama K’s is perfect for creativity and stress relief, featuring clay with lavender, lemongrass, cardamom and more. Alternatively, gift a grown-up coloring book like Thrill Murray, celebrating the legendary Bill Murray, or a stencil kit from Stencil1. Before long your loved one’s Sunday afternoons will be filled with coloring, clay and creativity.

BONUS STOCKING STUFFER

Delicious design

Food is wonderful. Design is beautiful. When the two are combined, the results are generally phenomenal. These Typochocolate Bars from Dynamo are as much a feast for the eyes as they are for the tastebuds. If the person on your list is an avid Instagrammer, take some of their best shots and turn them into chocolate bars with Cocoagraph. Just make sure they give you a bite.

Also check out our other gift guides for the Eco-Global Citizen and Food Fanatic or Cocktail Crazed

Have that person on your list who’s constantly cooking up something new or on the hunt for the best old fashioned in town? Here are five suggestions to jumpstart your holiday gift thinking and bring some joy to the kitchen and bar.

Help grow their menu

Similar to our previous gift guide, indoor gardening is an excellent way to take ownership of your meals/drinks and also flex your green thumb. There are several ways to grow ingredients in your home, including a Garden in a Bag or mushrooms from coffee grounds. This kind of gift is one that can make your recipient an even greater part of their own passion.

Tools of the trade

Whether a foodie or cocktail enthusiast, these individuals take great pride in the tools and gadgets they use to make magic happen. Even if it’s a small part of their setup, keep an eye out for tools that could stand an upgrade to something special. Does this person include zest in their dishes or drinks and have a fairly standard zester? Get them the state of the art. Do they enjoy a scoop of locally-farmed ice cream after dinner? Treat them to the best ice cream scoop around. If you really want to go all out, check out the Bar Rollup pictured above so they can take their show on the road. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the beneficiary of a few drinks along the way.

Make the mind drool

To date, 2012 has been an excellent year for food literature, with fresh releases from some of our favorites. We’d recommend Richard Blais‘ Try This At Home, along with the phenomenal new #2 New York Times bestselling cookbook from Smitten Kitchen (we’re still swooning over our signed copy!). Finally, for a little sweetness to your recipient’s life, sprinkle in Joy the Baker‘s cookbook. If your foodie also happens to be an entertainer, a subscription to the bi-annual magazine Gather Journal is right up their alley, a recipe-driven magazine focused on food as an occasion to gather in celebration and community.

Perfect their drink with a new ingredient

In the world of craft cocktails, quality ingredients and proper execution are the two most important in preparation. To make your cocktail-crazed recipient even more dynamic, supply them with unique ingredients to expand their drink horizons. We’d recommend a fine Tait Farm shrub/drinking vinegar (or make your own!), or an array of uniquely-flavored Scrappy’s Bitters from Seattle.

Help grow their brains

The best things in life often aren’t things, and a food or drink experience is an excellent way to gift literally outside the box. Aspiring cocktail maker? Bartending school can be a fun way to start out. A subscription to online cooking classes through Rouxbe is a gift that keeps on giving. Want to do something together? Do a quick search for sushi making classes and get rolling. Cloud 9 Living offers several food and drink experience gifts that may be available in your area, so check them out!

BONUS STOCKING STUFFER

Extra special sweets

Dessert tends to be a generally pleasing sugar rush meant to cater to the everyday palate. However, our friends and local chocolate makers Theo Chocolate have specially-tuned sweets that will appeal to the specific needs of your recipient’s unique tastes. The taste-seeking foodie in your life will appreciate the Mirepoix savory caramel collection. Don’t worry, the drink enthusiasts are covered too: separate specialty beer/wine and chocolate pairing kits bring some of the best things in life together.

Also check out our other gift guides for the Eco-Global Citizen and Design Eye

Not sure what to get that person in your life who always seems to look outside of themselves? Need some inspiration for the most sustainable person you know? Here are five ideas to jumpstart your holiday gift thinking and make your dollar do the most good.

 

Life-changing gifts in their name

Think to yourself: who inspires you to be a better person? Your mother? Your brother? Your significant other? Whoever they are, they’re the perfect candidate for a MercyCorps gift to be made in their honor. With options such as donating to help a woman in a developing country learn to read or provide a goat for a farmer, there’s a match for you to make in that special person’s honor.

Gift certificate to a local, sustainable restaurant

While gift cards are generally thought of as an unimaginative holiday taboo, inject some thoughtfulness into the concept by packaging up all the grass-fed, organic local lovin’ into a gift certificate to a local restaurant whose values align with your recipient’s. Seattle’s Local 360, a cafe and bar that sources most of its ingredients within 360 miles of its downtown location, is a great example to draw up your inspiration.

Fashion that gives

If your eco-global citizen has a unique style, consider gifting a bit of fashion that does good while looking good. Serengetee uses inspiration from global fabrics to make simple clothes that support a charity of the week, while Project Have Hope sells amazingly-crafted accessories and home decor made by Acholi women in Africa that empowers them and supports their community. With so many options out there, you can’t go wrong with so much right.

Liquid sustainability

Sometimes it’s the little things that make the difference, and those little things, like waste from paper coffee cups and plastic water bottles, can really add up. Gifting a little bit of liquid sustainability can be an exercise in creativity with such great options like fully customizable KeepCup coffee cups and MiiR waterbottles. (Bonus: MiiR forwards $1 from each purchase to provide clean drinking water to one person for one year!)

Personal growth (literally)

During the chill of winter, nothing helps cheer up a room like some indoor greenery. Gifts such as these micro-green kits from UncommonGoods or this grow-your-own Bansai tree kit from vat19 have some staying power and are perfect for the green thumb in your life.

BONUS STOCKING STUFFER

Beneficial brushing

While a toothbrush might not be the best main attraction, as a stocking stuffer the Bogo (buy-one-give-one) brush is absolutely perfect. As the name states, each Bogobrush purchase provides one to someone in need, and as an added bonus, they’re made from bamboo and nylon and are 100% biodegradable. Plus, when has a toothbrush ever looked so sexy? The design is icing on top of the feel-good cake.

Also check out our other gift guides for the Food Fanatic or Cocktail Crazed and Design Eye

The season of winter celebrations is nearly here, and good music is key in any gathering. After a week of submissions from DRY fans, we’ve put together the Lavender winter gathering playlist.

This playlist isn’t just your run-of-the-mill traditional holiday mix but certainly won’t disappoint. We chose some holiday favorites, peppered in songs/artists related to the ‘snow’, ‘white’ and ‘cool’ of the season, and topped it off with songs about coming together. Gather together and enjoy!

For non-Spotify users, use this alternate YouTube playlist.

With winter almost here, we posed a question to a few friends in different parts of the fashion world:

What is your personal ‘look’ for the season?

With very little guidance, we let them take it anywhere they wanted to. Just because the season is cold and dark doesn’t mean your attire has to match it, so each of our fashion friends hope to provide some outfit inspiration for these chilly months. For the final part of our lookbook, we look to one of YouTube’s best fashion vloggers, Jessica Cellona, better recognized as ilyjessicaomg.

ON THE EDGE OF GIRLY

Jessica Cellona | YouTube Fashion Guru | California
YouTube | Website | @ilyjessicaomg | Tumblr | Facebook

About the look: This look is a mix of rock, femininity, and edginess. This look is perfect for a concert or just hanging out with friends.

Pieces:

1. Leather jacket – FOREVER 21
2. Distressed Floral Sweater – ROMWE.COM
3. Bodycon skirt – FOREVER 21
4. Over the knee socks – SAVERS THRIFT STORE
5. Combat Boots – TARGET

Also check out: Part I – ANN YEE | Part II – KENDRA PEARCE

With winter almost here, we posed a question to a few friends in different parts of the fashion world:

What is your personal ‘look’ for the season?

With very little guidance, we let them take it anywhere they wanted to. Just because the season is cold and dark doesn’t mean your attire has to match it, so each of our fashion friends hope to provide some outfit inspiration for these chilly months. For our second part of the lookbook, we look to Kendra Pearce, stylist and owner of one of southern California’s best fashion boutiques.

SOPHISTICATED SPARKLE

Kendra Pearce | Stylist and Owner, Taim Boutique | Laguna Beach, CA
Website | @taimboutique | Facebook | @stylebunnie

About the look: This holiday season, my signature look includes jackets with some sparkle. Jackets always add a level of sophistication to any outfit. During the season of sparkle, try a classic blazer with some sequins. Whether you’re wearing skinny jeans or a pencil skirt, always add a sky high heel. Top it all off by adding some sparkly accessories!

Pieces:

Look One:

Maison Scotch Sequin Lapel Tuxedo Blazer

Samanca Ara Necklace

Fresh Laundry Tank

Black Orchid Skinny Jeans

Dolce Vita Bianka Heels

Look Two:

Blaque Label Sequin Blazer

Morgan Jean Black Pearl Necklace

Maison Scotch Star Tee

Olivaceous Pencil Skirt

Dolce Vita Bianka Heels

Also check out: Part I – ANN YEE | Part III – JESSICA CELLONA

With winter almost here, we posed a question to a few friends in different parts of the fashion world:

What is your personal ‘look’ for the season?

With very little guidance, we let them take it anywhere they wanted to. Just because the season is cold and dark doesn’t mean your attire has to match it, so each of our fashion friends hope to provide some outfit inspiration for these chilly months. For part I, designer Ann Yee gives us her take.

GETTING KNIT-PICKY

Ann Yee | Designer | New York, NY
Website | @ayeecollection
 

About the look:  I’m always on the go, so this ensemble definitely reflects that. Comfort is key so I try to maintain a good balance of practicality and fashion when I can. In the winter, it’s all about sweaters and knits! This outfit can easily transition from day to night, which is great because a lot of times  I’ll have to go to an industry function straight from work. I also LOVE to layer and this look has all the pieces to make for a great layering story.

Pieces:

1. ACNE shearling moto jacket – on my Xmas wishlist!

2. GIBSON chenille sweater dress from my Fall 12 collection – super soft and has pockets, which is always a plus.

3. Oxford shirt layered under my sweater dress – a great staple to wear under sweaters.

4. My favorite Zara suede wedge booties – they’re surprisingly comfortable – I could run laps in them!

5. Vintage COACH bucket bag – I’m still searching for this guy at all the flea markets – I always need a decent-sized bag to hold all my things.

6. Grey cashmere leggings – a great addition to your wardrobe once the temperature drops.

7. Vintage fedora – given to me by my friend; she found it at a stoop sale and I wear it at least 3 times a week.

8. CAMERON twisted handknit snood from my Fall 12 collection – neck warmers are always a great alternative to your regular scarf.

9. Statement rings to top off the whole outfit — I’m a huge fan of oversized rings – a great finishing touch to any outfit.

Also check out: Part II – KENDRA PEARCE | Part III – JESSICA CELLONA

The relatives have said their goodbyes long ago, the last dish has been washed, and now it’s back to normal life. One might be tempted to think Thanksgiving is over and it’s time to hang up some lights and start the shopping frenzy.  But not so fast!  Thanksgiving isn’t over until the last drumstick falls. Not until every roll has been consumed, every potato polished off, and all the stuffing has been devoured.  Not until the turkey is reduced to bones and pumpkin pie just a fond memory.  Some people think Thanksgiving is one day focused on one meal, but they’re forgetting the best part: LEFTOVERS.

It’s not easy to finish off an 18-pound turkey in one sitting, no matter how many cousins are present. And after the tryptophest of this weekend, you might be tempted to just throw everything in one bowl, mix it up, throw some cheese on it, microwave it and be done.  No judgment here.  But if you’re looking for a way to parlay your delicious meal into several delicious meals, these recipes are for you.

Turkey Cornbread Chili - recipe from Martha Stewart

This recipe combines all the Thanksgiving favorites into a hearty soup, perfect after a cold, rainy day in the yard.  It is a classed-up, well-seasoned version of the “everything in a bowl” method mentioned above, plus cornbread.  Can’t miss.

Turkey Croquettes – recipe from Martha Stewart

Martha, you’ve done it again.  These croquettes are a fried combo of turkey and mashed potatoes with a tangy cranberry dipping sauce.  That’s right, fried Thanksgiving food.  This recipe will ensure there are no leftover leftovers.

Turkey Pot Pie - recipe from All Recipes

It’s pretty easy to get your recommended daily servings of vegetables when they are combined with turkey and delicious gravy in a flaky pie crust.  This recipe has it all, and would make a great day-after-Thanksgiving dinner.

Turkey Cranberry Cubano Sandwich: – recipe from Closet Cooking
Often, one of the hardest things to get rid of during the actual Thanksgiving meal is the cranberry sauce.  If there is some left over, this recipe would be perfect.  The combo of tangy/sweet and rich is one that really can’t be beat.

Turkey Broth - recipe from CDKitchen

Just when you think it’s over.  The bird has been reduced to skin and bones, the final few pieces of meat left clinging. But wait!  Don’t despair, Thanksgiving isn’t quite done giving.  This recipe for turkey broth can be used as a base for soups, frozen and stored year round for a hearty, low-carb/high-protein meal.  Turkey noodle soup is also a possibility.