Guest Post: A ‘Martha Stewart’ Perfect Christmas in Dubai – Priscilla Stanley Shows You How-To

Hello everyone, I am Priscilla Stanley from licensedtoshoot and I hate to admit this, but I am no Martha Stewart.

As the year draws to an end, I find myself wishing I had her flair for turning an ordinary, mundane space into a beautiful picture perfect home, like the ones you see in glossy Christmas catalogues at this time of the year.

Sadly for me, these images just don’t translate into real life!

It was for this reason that I found myself at Pottery Barn earlier today.

An hour and half of browsing through the store and I knew my holiday décor this year was going to be a special one. Chad Allen, General Manager, Pottery Barn (UAE) was kind enough to let me take pictures of the lovely in-store decoration so that I could share them with you all.

Whether you plan to decorate your house for the holidays or not, I’d recommend you make a visit to Pottery Barn this month. The place is truly inspiring and the beautifully crafted knick-knacks are sure to bring out the Martha in you.

Antique silver napkin rings

    Holiday Pillow Collection: Peace AED 200

Reindeer collection

 
Monogram Candle Pot AED 100

‘Give Love’

Cheeky Wine Pull ‘One good turn deserves another’ AED 60

Monogrammed stockings

 Kkkkkkkk --- This one's for you Komal ;D

Here’s wishing you all Happy Holidays and a blessed, catalogue perfect New Year!

(Image credit: Priscilla Stanley)

Second Anniversary Special: Guest Post 2 by Archana Srinivas of Rang-Decor

Hello everyone, this is Archana Srinivas of Rang-Decor. Delighted to be doing a guest post for Lifealicious, as it turns two today. Thank you Komal for inviting me and congratulations on your blog birthday!

While growing up, I remember the lush money plant in various corners of our home, some climbing up, some swirling down, some in cracked mugs. They always seem to bring even the most mundane corner to life with their vibrant green.

Swirly money plants in recycled wine bottles…

Green indoor plants are a delight and the simplest way to perk up any kind of decor arrangement. At home I have loads of small plants in various corners. Here are a few captures.

My tiny Aloe Vera and other plants at the kitchen counter...

Angel Hair Fern in an antique brass container adds beauty to a dull corner...

Yes, it is a wonderful day isnt it?

So go ahead and place those green plants and see how they bring in beauty and vibrance:-)

Image credit: Archana Srinivas

Second Anniversary Special: Guest Post 1 by Deeba Rajpal of Passionate About Baking (Potato Mushroom Croquettes Recipe)

I got a mail from Komal the other day asking if I was OK to doing a guest post for her sweet blog Lifealicious which turns 2 on the 1st Of December. I said yes of course, but had to settle for a simple post since Komal has a vegetarian blog, and eggs don't fit in. Most of my baking has eggs, and I was too short on time to do an eggless bake today. My next best bet are these Potato Mushroom Croquettes that are a BIG HIT in my home, and I make them as a side, or even an after school snack for the kids at least once a week. Each time I make them, I think I'd better post them soon as Komal will love them as she always asks when I'm posting my next vegetarian dish!

When I see a tweet, message or comment from Komal { her call-sign for me is Dee}, I am reminded of a bubbly brook, enthusiastic and fun. She is always full of joy, tweets her emotions from time to time, and is forever asking me for veggie options when she has entertaining to do. This is a recipe I developed for an olive oil brand here, keeping in mind my fussy daughters abject dislike for mushrooms. I had to find a way to get this source of protein into her, in a way that she would enjoy! Needless to say, she loves them, laps them up, and constantly asks for more. Can't get better than this!! Small joy otherwise, but for me huge satisfaction.

A croquette is a small fried food roll containing usually as main ingredients mashed potatoes, and/or minced meat, vegetables, and soaked white bread, egg, onion, spices and herbs, wine, milk, or any of the combination thereof, sometimes with a filling, often encased in breadcrumbs. The croquette is usually shaped into a cylinder or disk, and then deep-fried. The croquette (from the French croquer, "to crunch") was a French invention that gained worldwide popularity, both as a delicacy and as a fast food.

I shallow fry my croquettes on low flame to give them a crisp outer crumb. I made my own breadcrumbs with whole wheat bread toasted on low till dry, and pulverised in the processor with dried herbs, garlic granules and a few chili flakes. I think this is a great healthy option for a side dish, a snack, a tiffin box filler ... and if you roll them into small balls and fry them - a great party appetizer served on cocktail sticks.

Happy 2nd blogiversary Komal ... it's wonderful to know you, virtually for now,
but I'm sure we'll meet next time you are in Delhi!

Potato & Mushroom Croquettes
Recipe by Deeba Rajpal
A fusion recipe I created packed with nutrition, the humble potato is taken to greater heights with the addition of mushrooms sautéed in olive oil. Flavoured delicately with fresh coriander and rosemary, the surprise element of lime juice adds a delicious zing.
Makes 15 cutlets
Ingredients
200gms button mushrooms, chopped very fine
4 cloves garlic, chopped very fine
1 tsp red chili flakes
2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, chopped very fine
2 tbsp Borges Pure Olive Oil
5-6 medium potatoes, freshly boiled and warm {Use waxy new potatoes for good texture}
Juice of 1 lime
25-50gms mature or regular cheddar
1 slice of brown bread
Salt to taste
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 tbsp Borges Light Olive Oilto shallow fry

Method:
Place olive oil with garlic, chili flakes and fresh coriander in a pan, and simmer gently till garlic begins to sizzle.
Add the chopped mushrooms and sauté on medium-high heat till they give up all their moisture and are nice and dry.
Turn off heat and leave in pan.
Grate the potatoes in a large bowl. Grate the cheese in, and add with the cheese spread. Hold the slice of bread under running water for a few seconds, squeeze dry and add to the bowl. Add the mushrooms, lime juice and salt and mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning if required.
Divide into 15-16 portions and shape as desired. {You can make ahead and store them in the fridge at this stage for 1-2 days}
Dip each into breadcrumbs to coat all sides, and shallow fry on simmer in light olive oil or vegetable oil until crisp on both sides.
Serve with soup, freshly baked bread, tossed beans etc.
Suggestion – Make fun shapes for children like squares, diamonds, hearts etc. {You can even use a simple cookie cutter}

I’m a Guest Blogger on BlogAdda: Talking Social Media

I don’t know how and when and why the social media bug bit me but I absolutely love it. As a PR person, I see immense potential for businesses to utilise this platform to not just build and enhance their brand, but for the first time ever, in the easiest way possible, develop relationships with their consumers. I think social media is almost humanizing companies.

While I’m no expert on this field, I follow it very closely and take a keen interest in how companies around the world are embracing  social media, and here’s why I think more businesses in this region must socialize.

I am a Guest Blogger at BlogAdda

I have always kept the contents of this blog strictly unprofessional :) in the sense that I have stayed away from writing about what I do professionally.

However, a few days back I had the opportunity to be a guest blogger on BlogAdda and after a few discussions with them I decided to write a post on how one could pursue a career in Public Relations. This is a question I am often asked by new talent wanting to enter this field and here's my answer to it. I hope you find the information useful.