State Tokens + China Markers

Did you know our State Tokens can be used as place cards for your dining table? All you need is a China marker (also called a grease pencil) to customize any piece for a fun and unique table setting idea that doubles as a gift for your guests to take home. Furthermore, our State Tokens are now on sale. (All except for the small USA token and large USA tray). Each piece is only $10!

Similarly, our large USA platter makes the perfect cheese board when you can identify your cheese selections in the same way. The China marker will wash off easily with a little soap and water.

Grab them while they last--great as place cards for your Thanksgiving table, as a stocking stuffer, or as a holiday hostess gift!

R O S A N N A I N C . C O M

Mix 'n Match Tablesettings

Mixing and matching plates and patterns is a fun way to change up the dinner table and surprise your guests with an imaginative tabletop. Here we've combined our Rue du Bac dinner plates, Arabesque salad plates, Luxe Moderne appetizer plates, and Portico tidbit dishes along with our pearlized champagne Napoleon flatware. 

You can stick with a color story like we did above with blue-greens, greys and gold, or go with a theme like tropical or floral. Mixing in solid colored pieces and a few neutrals really helps to balance things out as well.

If you like this idea, be sure to take a photo and send it our way! Find more tabletop inspiration on our Pinterest page.

R O S A N N I N C . C O M

How to Build a Community

One of the things I hold dearest is a sense of community. Building community starts at home. Setting a table encourages you and your family to gather around the dinner table and discuss the day's events while enjoying a delicious meal. When I was a child I remember playing with the neighbor children while our mothers sat and chatted over tea. We always felt safe because everyone knew and looked out for one another. Sadly, that feeling of community is getting lost in today's fast-paced world.

Here are some ideas to help you feel less isolated and foster a sense of community where you live:

• Use your library

• Turn off your TV
• Leave your house
• Know your neighbors
• Greet people
• Look up when you're walking

• Sit on your stoop
• Plant flowers
• Play together

• Buy from local merchants
• Share what you have
• Help a lost dog
• Take children to the park
• Honor elders

• Support neighborhood schools
• Talk to the mail carrier
• Help someone carry something heavy
• Have potlucks

• Hire young people in your neighborhood for odd jobs
• Organize a block party
• Start a tradition
• Bake extra and share

With these and other small steps, you can help to recapture your community.

With love,

www.rosannainc.com

Use your sense of touch this Valentine's Day

I've partnered with my friends over at Family Eats this month! Check out their latest post all about heart-healthy foods in celebration of Heart Month.

It's an old joke, but is mostly true: Without their hands, Italian would be incapable of expressing themselves. Gesturing, raving, teasing, and, above all, embracing - Italians loves to express themselves by touch. When you meet a friend in Italy, the first thing you do after saying hello is to embrace and offer two kisses, one on each cheek. This ritual is an expression that shows you care and share a connection.

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, what better time than now to let your friends and family know how much you care about them? Read on for my favorite six ways to integrate touch into daily life.

1. A Euro-style kiss, on one cheek or both, is a lovely and elegant way to greet a friend.
2. A handshake or touch on the arm communicates trust and commitment.
3. A warm bear hug for family members demonstrates love of kin.
4. An arm around the shoulders or holding a hand shows commitment to a friendship during trying times.
5. A high-five for a coworker can be a wonderful sign of triumph and success at work.
6. Goodnight kisses and embraces are always a lovely way to send a child off to sleep and offer an expression of security before they drift into dreams.

When we are with our partners, children, and close friends, we should demonstrate our love with a warm embrace or a sweet kiss. Everyone responds positively to touch, many times more so than if we express out feelings with words only. We should all strive for daily intimacies, and using our sense of touch to its fullest is one of the best ways to do that.

Hugs and kisses,

www.rosannainc.com

Ten Steps to a Successful Pumpkin Carving

To see my tips for having a more adult-oriented Halloween, stop by Taryn Cox THE WIFE to check out my suggestions.

1. Pick out pumpkins that are shaped well for carving, whether you prefer smooth globes for happy faces or misshapen blobs for monstrous visages.

2. Spread out old newspapers on a big table or on the floor and get ready to carve.

3. Have the following items handy:

     a. Large bowls for the pulp.

     b. Small bowls for saving the seeds.

     c. Large serving spoons for scooping out the inside of the pumpkins.

     d. Carving tools.

     e. Paper towels for wiping hands and cleaning off the pumpkin's face.

     f. Felt-tip pen for drawing the design on the pumpkin.

     g. Candles.

4. Draw a circle around the top that you will cut to open the pumpkin, making sure it is big enough to reach inside to clean the pumpkin. Alternatively, cut a hole in the bottom of the pumpkin; that way, you can easily light a candle in a candle holder or on a plate, then carefully lower the carved pumpkin over the candle - avoiding the timeless annoyance of lighting a candle through the top of the gourd.

5. Clean out the inside of the pumpkin thoroughly, taking out the pulp and separating the pulp from the seeds. Save the seeds for cleaning later and then roasting for a delicious fall snack!

6. Pick the side of the pumpkin that has the most personality. Sometimes dimples and imperfections on a pumpkin's face can add real character and individuality to a jack-o-lantern.

7. Sketch out the design of the face on a sheet of paper, then use a black felt-tip pen to copy the design directly onto the pumpkin.

8. Carve cautiously. Even if your child is mature enough to carve on her own, make sure to watch closely. If you have younger children, let them be the scoopers and the separators of the seed and the pulp (they'll have a grand time with the goop and gore), or put them in charge of drawing the design on the paper.

9. When carved, place your pumpkins outside near your front door. Make sure they are not exposed to rain or other elements, which could cause them to mold and break down more quickly. I use stools, benches, and small wooden foot rests to make different levels of display. If you have stairs that lead up to your home, place a pumpkin or to on each step leading to your front door.

10. Clean up the mess. Have a large plastic garbage bag nearby to throw all the pulp and discarded shards of pumpkin into. Save the bowl of seeds and take them to the kitchen.

One last thing: make sure to carve the pumpkin just before October 31st so they don't become moldy and collapse - unless that's the look you want! Three days is a good window of time to ensure fresh, crisp pumpkins that will hold up through Halloween evening.

Happy Halloween!

www.rosannainc.com

Thoughts on Thanksgiving: Part 2

In response to the question

What do you think is the most important thing to put on a Thanksgiving table?  

I have two words: 

Fresh food.

At Thanksgiving especially, I strive to make sure everything on the table is homemade and make a point of using only natural ingredients. No margarine, no cranberry sauce in a can, and no instant gravy. This meal is as much about the time, effort, and love it takes to prepare as it is about the actual eating of it.

Growing up, I remember my grandmother made every single Thanksgiving dish from scratch. If you don’t know where to start with from-scratch cooking, you don’t have to look much farther than two generations back. Refer to old family recipes from your grandparents’ generation, before ready-made, instant food became widely available. During that era, there was nothing but homemade.

A Thanksgiving made with fresh ingredients from nature instead of from a can make for a meal that has something special. The extra effort and mindful attention to detail set this dinner apart from the everyday meals. The long hours in the kitchen are something to take pride in and to cherish. Cooking, after all, is one of the most basic and intuitive expressions of love.

This Thanksgiving, I encourage everyone to make their holidays as fresh as you can —

Not organic,

Not green,

Not eco-friendly,

just fresh.

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The Show Must Go On

As entertaining as it is to entertain, throwing big dinner parties can get rather expensive. We all know that keeping connection in your life is important. How to have people over but stay within your budget? Here's one possible solution: 

Last week I attended a birthday party that allowed the hosts to entertain on a low budget. The party was both low stress and highly creative.

First of all, the party was a potluck. Spreading out the cooking responsibilities among guests kept costs low and cleanup at a minimum. But the best part of the party was the main event—a reading of the 1940’s play Light Up The Sky by Moss Hart. The hosts assigned each guest a part ahead of time and sent a script.

This kind of party is a trade off. It is less expensive, but it does require more planning. But the planning is worth it. A play reading makes for a creative, unusual, and refreshing gathering. After a glass of wine, shy performers lose some timidity and those of us with frustrated inner actors (yes, that would be me) get the chance to flex our thespian muscles.

If you’re interested in throwing a dinner-theater dinner party, here are a few tips:

-Choose a play available online. That way you can email your guests the script and not worry about making photocopies

-Get your invitations out well in advance, so your actors have time to read their lines through and get comfortable with the play

-Pick a show with a clear era or theme. Encourage everyone to dress the part

-Make the event a potluck or a dessert party to take the cooking pressure off

-Pick a play with a large ensemble so that as many people as possible can participate. If there are too many parts, double up!

www.rosannainc.com

What I Learned From My Daughter...A Voyage From Childhood to Graduation From Brown University

I am very excited. On Thursday we are flying to Providence, Rhode Island to see my oldest daughter Alessandra graduate from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She is a creative nonfiction writer who wrote a thesis on style in nonfiction writing, and will graduate with honors. Needless to say, I am very, very proud of her.

Motherhood has been full of wonderful surprises for me. When I gave birth to Alessandra 22 years ago, I had no idea that my child would teach me as I raised her! What a great boon that we, as parents, learn and go new places through the endeavors of our children.

Raising Alessandra has been an amazing journey. I’ve watched her academic achievements grow more impressive with each year of her life, and taken such delight in watching her interests grow, an occasionally take me to places I’d never traveled—like Oklahoma City for the national mock trial championship competition. I had been a lucky spectator at countless plays from 6^th-12^th grade in which Alessandra had starring roles, and later watched plays Alessandra directed at university. I’ve reveled in her prose, and spent time with her friends, vivacious young adults full of promise and potential who reinvigorate and inspire me.

This moment is both a time for celebration and a time for reflection. As I think back, all I can see now is a little curly-headed blur streaking across my memory. Clearly, Alessandra’s energy as toddler was an early sign of the dynamic young woman she has become today. I am so excited to see where she will run next.

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Coming Home...and Leaving Again

My daughter Alessandra just left to start her last term at Brown. My heart breaks all over again every time she gets on a plane going east. I loved having her home for Winter Break because it encouraged me to experience the world in a new way. Whenever she comes home I connect in different ways, with different people.

Having a college-age child back home is an invigorating experience. College years are a time of growth and exploration. It is a time of constantly going outside of one’s comfort zone. I find when Alessandra is home she brings this energy into my life, too. Over the past month I’ve done a few things that I don’t do in my normal routine— I’ve gone out to a late night movie on a weeknight with Alessandra and a few of her friends. She’s taken me to drinks in a neighborhood I rarely frequent, and introduced new recipes to the family that I wouldn’t think to make.

Writers don’t often discuss the college-age child. It’s all about the toddler, the tween and the teen. And that makes sense; the 20’s are a decade of gaining independence from one’s parents and finding a separate identity. But your relationships with your children don’t have to suffer, even as they begin to make their own ways in the world. I think the key is to accept invitations to peek into their new lives as they become adults. Parent-child relationships change as children grow. It’s often difficult for parents to relearn to negotiate a world in which they don’t have to constantly consider a child’s needs.

This shift is tough, but there are ways to make the transition gracefully. For example:

Always accept an invitation extended by your college-age child. These experiences provide a poignant reminder of what it feels like to be flexible, curious and spontaneous.




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New Starts

Hello everyone and Happy New Year! My apologies for staying silent so long. I’ve been very busy during these past few months preparing for the release of my new book Coming Home, which will go on sale in March (more updates on this exciting event to come.)

I’d like to talk about the new year and the opportunity for new beginnings. Renovating a living space is one of the most potent ways to wake our sluggish minds from their winter slumbers. “Home” is the space where we begin and end everyday and we often forget how much of an impact the atmosphere at home can have on our psyches.

Cleaning and rearranging our home space can help us become more dynamic and vital. It doesn’t take much. Here are some ways you can make your own small, new beginning at home:

Instead of tackling the entire kitchen, make a commitment to clean out and reorganize your refrigerator. Or your silverware drawer. Or the “junk” drawer. Or your pantry shelves. Give yourself one small project at a time that you know you can finish in one go. Afterwards, not only will your home be a better space, but you’ll also feel a sense of accomplishment.

Try out a few new recipes. Refresh your repertoire by adding a handful of fresh, healthy and seasonal dishes to the rotation. For inspiration flip through your favorite cookbook or visit your favorite food blog. I love Tastespotting for the gorgeous food photography. What could be more inspiring than the pictures of delicious meals?

When it comes to decorating our living spaces once we find a place for something it usually never moves again. We might occasionally add a new item here or there, but rarely do we take items away or swap them out for something else. Designers, however, do things a little differently...rotating their décor according to the season. I’m not talking about Halloween decorations in October or Christmas lights in December. Rotating your decor can be as simple as changing the centerpiece or tablecloth on your dining room table. Maybe that means a simple, delicate runner for the spring with a vase of fresh blooms. Or a rich, heavy tablecloth for the winter. Accompanied by a pair of dramatic candlesticks, like the ones in our Dauphine line.
Or maybe you place a few special items in your foyer that correspond with the season. A pumpkin and a lantern for the fall? A big bowl of ripe fruit for the summer?

Varying our home aesthetics, even just slightly, makes a huge difference. Don’t underestimate the power of some small new things to combat the monotony of the routine.

My new book Coming Home is a great guide to seasonal, mindful living filled with more ideas like these. Sometimes, all it takes is a little nudge to make a subtle change that surprises us with its big impact.






www.rosannainc.com

Happy Family, Happy People

Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest ideas. And sometimes, for some reason, these simple ideas don't occur to us, like taking a walk after dinner, putting fresh flowers on the table, spending an hour in the park, checking out a book from the library, or playing a game.

Rather than watch a movie after dinner, or go off to our separate activities, our family has started playing games. Our favorite game is nothing fancy, but it’s an absolute blast and a big hit every time we play. It’s called Happy Family. Fitting name, don’t you think? Here are the rules:

Give everyone at the table a pen and some scraps of paper. Place a bowl in the middle to collect answers. Also select a reader, but we’ll get to later.

Have everyone write down the name of a well-known person on a piece the scrap paper. The person could be anyone—a celebrity, a historical figure, a fictional character, a politician, an artist, an athlete, or even someone well-known only to the players, like a family pet.

Once everyone has anonymously placed his or her slip of paper in the bowl, the reader reads out the list of names through twice. Now here’s the tricky part: you have to try to guess the author behind each submission, but have to remember all of the names without writing anything down!

After the reader has finished, go around the circle and take turns guessing. Let’s say Sally, Sylvia, Mitch, and Alfie are playing Happy Family and the characters for the round are Marie Antoinette, Michael Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and Mickey Mouse. Sally starts and asks, “Mitch, are you Mickey Mouse?” If she’s right, then Sally and Mitch become a Happy Family. Sally then tells Mitch whom she wrote down, and they get to guess again together as a family. The goal is to accrue as many family members as you can, and NOT to forget any of the submissions! Because even if you’re part of the biggest family but no one can remember the name of the remaining character, all of you lose that last unknown person wins!

Play as many rounds as you like. 

Because of all the whispering and close contact Happy Family calls for, everyone invariably ends up giggly and excited. It’s a perfect way to end a dinner party or get everyone feeling close at an extended family gathering. Here's a hint: the more players, the happier the family.

www.rosannainc.com

*photo of The Father Knows Best cast courtesy of Chronically Vintage

Come Together

Life is full of surprises, and every now and again, new people stroll in without notice providing an unexpected but welcome breath of fresh air.

One evening a few weeks ago, one such person literally appeared on our doorstep. Filippo, a young Italian doctor completing his residency at The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center had just recently moved into our area. Earlier that night a neighbor had told Filippo another Italian lived close by, inspiring Filippo to walk over and knock on our door.

What began as a friendly chat quickly turned into a plan for a casual Italian dinner party. To welcome Filippo to Seattle, we invited a few more Italians for a total of ten guests. The meal was a mélange of Italian and English, with conversations alternating between the two languages in an easy flow. Everyone stayed until one in the morning. Italians do love to talk. When it was finally time to say goodnight, cheeks were kissed and it was unanimously agreed that we would all meet again soon.

Delight is not so hard to come by. One of the easiest ways to cultivate it is to invite new people into your life. Especially in mid-life, when we’ve settled into our families’ routines and rhythms, our circle of friends closes in and shrinks down. However, when we make that extra effort to reach out and include someone new (because it does take a concerted effort to do this), especially if that person is from another culture, the benefits are well worth our while.

Interacting with someone new is such a wonderful opportunity. We're able to see the world from a fresh perspective and mull over issues and ideas that wouldn't occur to us otherwise. Spending time with someone new also inspires us be better and different versions of ourselves. The foreign energy feels invigorating.

So, as the saying goes, make new friends, but keep the old.

…and introduce them to each other!






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*Photo courtesy of NextUp