Happy Sunday everyone. Do you love winter white this time of year? I realized I had a theme going, neutral interiors, winter white outfit of the week, and au gratin potatoes.
MUSKOKA LIVING ON INSTAGRAM
Muskoka Living began in 1998, as a small local design firm with a single showroom in Muskoka, Canada. They have now grown into a company with over 100 employees with showrooms, manufacturing facilities, and design teams in Canada and the United States. I love their casual, fresh aesthetic. You can follow them on Instagram here.
OUTFIT OF THE WEEK-WINTER WHITE
SHOP THE POST
MY FAVORITE AU GRATIN POTATOES
I have been making these Au Gratin Potatoes from Bon Appetit for years. We usually serve them with beef or ham on Christmas and they are everyone’s favorite. The addition of mushrooms and gruyere is what makes them extra yummy in my opinion.
CHRISTMAS WITH SUMMER
I am planning to pick up Summer early next week to spend a few days with her before her parents arrive. I can’t wait to spend Christmas with her. Here she is with her best buddy Deuce. Will you be spending time with your grandchildren over the holidays?
MARY ANN’S ROUNDUP OF HER BEST DESSERTS
Mary Ann posted a roundup of her favorite desserts last week. In case you missed it you can find all of her favorite desserts right here.
KIM AND JULIET’S BLING IT
My friends Kim of Northern California Style and Juliet of Make Mine a Spritzer are having some fun on their IG accounts this holiday season. They started a hashtag #BLINGIT. If you love vintage brooches like I do and you would like to share your “bling”, post a pic on IG of yourself in your vintage brooch and Kim and Juliet will share it. You might also enjoy my post Ten Fresh New Ways to Wear Brooches and Pins from last January. You can also see how I have styled vintage brooches over the years in this post How to Make any Outfit Holiday Ready, How to Translate your Holiday Look from Day to Night, Under the Radar Ways to Style a Blazer after 50, How to Wear One Blazer Eight Ways., and Easy Tips to Create a Collected Look in Your Wardrobe. Two bloggers that have been styling vintage brooches in creative ways for years are Elizabeth aka The Vintage Contessa, and Tamera Beardsley. You can check out their ideas on Elizabeth’s blog here, and Tamera’s blog here. Don’t forget to share your bling and use the hashtag #BLINGIT for some holiday fun.
Well, that’s it from my desk this week. You got six for the price of 5! Annie, Mary Ann, and I will be taking Christmas Sunday off but will be right back here in the New Year. As always thank you so much for reading Do you Love Winter White this time of Year? You can find any of my Sunday Faves that you have missed here. I will be sending out my annual poll on what you like and don’t like here on the blog. I am so grateful for each and every one of you! Now let’s pop over and visit Annie and Mary Ann for their favorites.
Barb L says
Beautiful winter white outfit, and the potatoes sound great. I’ll make them for dinner while my son is in town. Yes! spending time with my beautiful grandson (5) and my granddaughter (1 1/2). Cannot wait! Thanks for all the holiday inspiration – love it all! Enjoy Summer – she’s adorable. I’m sure you two can find some trouble to get into. Have a wonderful holiday!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Barb
Have fun with your darling grandson and have a wonderful holiday!!
LaKegal says
On the au gratin potatoes, can anything be prepared in advance.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi There
Per the recipe you can do the mushroom mixture ahead. I have done it the day before. I have also actually sliced all the potatoes and placed them in ice water in the fridge the night before. They turn brown if you do not soak in ice water. Hope that helps!
Lakegal says
What an elegant and delish dish! I prepared day before & baked next day. This allowed me more time for other “day of” chores. Only thing I’ll do in the future is reduce mushrooms from 10 to 8 cups to ensure potatoes & cheese take center stage. I used white, baby Bella & crimini. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Lakegal
Great to know you can cook it ahead. I have never tried other than storing the sliced potatoes in iced water. We love mushrooms so there can never be too many for us!
Karen B. says
Hi Cindy,
I love winter white this time of year. I just purchased a sweater from J. Crew Factory that is comfortable and can easily be dressed up. The recipe for potato gratin with mushrooms sounds delicious. Unfortunately, while I love mushrooms, my family aren’t fans. Where did I go wrong? Haha.
xo,
Karen B.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Karen
Oh no your family doesn’t like mushrooms! Poor you! Happy Holidays!
Juliet says
Cindy, I love your winter white theme … some of my favorite things, gorgeous homes, beautiful outfits and au gratin potatoes. Who am I kidding I love any type of potato. How fun that you and Summer have a few days together before the main event. She’s a young taste maker in training. Thanks for sharing our #blingit hashtag … we’re having a good with it. And yes, Contessa and Tamera set new standards in how to bring it with the #blingit. Merry Christmas! xo
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Juliet
Unfortunately, I love every kind of potato as well. I am looking forward to having some one on one time with Summer!
Kim says
Cindy, thanks so much for sharing our #blingit fun! I always love how you wear your brooches ! I hope this is a fun way for people to take those little treasures out of the door from their mom or grandma and wear them during this time of year! I will share your beautiful idea of using the pins on the blouse too!
Hope you have a great Christmas Cindy !!
xoxo
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Kim
Don’t worry about sharing mine! I just wanted others to join in!!
Susan D. says
I LOVE your plaid Christmas outfit. Can you tell us more about your silver button covers? I’ve seen you post them before and they are so special.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Susan
I covered the buttons with vintage rhinestone brooches. You can find them on Ebay and Etsy. The shirt is from Talbots and is linked in the holiday post. J Crew does have a similar shirt with rhinestone buttons. It is sold out but you can find on Ebay and Poshmark.
Katherine says
Hi Cindy,
I think winter white is pretty, I used to wear it years ago , but not anymore.
Enjoy Summer, she is growing and cute as ever with her best Buddy Deuce. Whenever I see a picture of her I see, personality plus,
Enjoy the memories.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Katherine
Summer is personality plus that is for sure! She is full of it!!
Mary says
I’m a huge fan of Winter White outfits! I don’t have grandkids yet, but I’m so happy for you to spend time with your little Summer. Enjoy! Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Mary
Thank you so much can’t wait to spend Christmas with little Summer. She is such a joy.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Mary
Thank you so much same to you!!
Carol heartfelt whimsies says
Cindy—enjoy your precious Summer! We are lucky to have little grands to share the magic of Christmas with. Have a merry Christmas with your loved ones! I really enjoy your IG feed and your blog. Love your interior design and fashion posts. Looking forward to a new year full of great new ideas!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Carol
We are so lucky to have grandchildren, or in my case a grandchild. Thank you so much for your support throughout the year. I really appreciate it.
Sarah says
Thanks, Cindy, for another year of great fashion, food, and decor! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!
Love the winter white, as it’s one of my neutrals.
We are fortunate to live a mile from our daughter, SIL, and two grandkids. Just yesterday we watched 5-year-old Grace dance in her first-ever production of The Nutcracker. She was smiling and excited onstage, while we adults boo-hooed away in the audience. Best gift ever!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Sarah
Thank you so much! Same to you and yours. Congrats to Grace on performing in the Nut Cracker. I bet grandma enjoyed every second!!
Heidi says
Hi Cindy,
Winter white, oh my, such a good look and I forget to put my pieces together, thanks for the reminder. I think it’s elegant, if there is no mud or rain to deal with!
Summer has the best friend in you! Glad you get to spend some quality time with her. Those times together are super special, enjoy them!
Merry Christmas to you and your entire family!
XoHeidi
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Heidi
Good point about the mud and rain or dirty snow! We have to remind ourselves about that! I will enjoy every minute with Summer!!
Joanna says
My grandchildren are all teenagers now so the magical aspect of Christmas through their eyes is gone. Enjoy your time with Summer this Christmas holiday. I’m sure you have lots of fun things planned together. Have you taken her to the Nutcracker ballet?
I don’t eat sweets but they sure look yummy. I try to eliminate sugar from my diet. I believe it causes inflammation to those of us with arthritis.
I only have one vintage broach. It’s my mom’s cameo. It is not blingy but is pretty. Thank you for the reminder to take out and wear it.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Joanna
I don’t eat many sweets either. I have not taken her to the Nutcracker. I think we will next year though. I think she would love it!
Gray says
Thanks for some great info – the au gratin and the dessert recipes from Mary Ann, especially.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Gray
Don’t Mary Ann’s dessert recipes sound yummy? Those potatoes are deadly!!
Mary Ann Pickett says
So exciting that your “pal” Summer is coming! Such a cutie. I LOVE you in that #blingit outfit. Thanks for mentioning my desserts before January hits and I will be cutting back on the sugar!!!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Mary Ann
Every one of those desserts look yummy!! I sure am looking forward to having Summer!!
Annie Diamond says
I love winter white! Both at home and to wear, especially in warmer climates. However, I also love to wear it here in CT, just not when it’s raining! How fun to have a few days with Summer leading up to Christmas! There’s nothing like the lead-up to Christmas through the eyes of a child! Merry Christmas!
xx
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Annie
White and rain or snow are not a good combo are they? Can’t wait to celebrate with Summer!!
Maeve says
I love the winter white outfit but am unlikely to wear it. White trousers are asking for trouble in muddy, snowly New England. Same for the white bag – lovely but not practical for me, where my bags end up over a chair or on the floor when I go out. The gratin looks great – thanks for sharing before Christmas!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Maeve
I understand winter white and NE winters may not be a good combo! Happy Holidays!
Barb says
Our 3-year-old grandson is arriving here in Pennsylvania tomorrow from Oklahoma for a few days while our son is here on a work trip. We can’t wait! Enjoy your Summer time and have a Merry Christmas!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Barb
Have fun with your grandson! Three is such a wonderful age!