Yield: Makes one large challah wreath or 12 small rosettes This creation combines so many of the beautiful elements of Shavuos for that WOW factor. I really can’t think of a better way to say Shavuos with a challah. The floral shape represents the flowers that are an essential part of this Yom Tov for so many, Ashkenazi and Sefardi alike. Many have the minhag to decorate their shul (and home) with sweet-smelling grasses and flowers, especially roses! In fact, in many Sefardic traditions, Shavuos is even called the Holiday of Roses. “The Jewish people are like the lily of a rose and the world is like an orchard. The king wanted to destroy the orchard, but he saw the rose and for its sake he saved the orchard. So too, the Jewish people who received the Torah are compared to a rose and save the orchard, i.e., the world.” —Leviticus Rabbah 23:3. The Bnei Yissachar writes that this is why we decorate with roses on Shavuos! Then of course there’s the pink milky topping flavored with rose! The particular combination of milk and rose flavoring is very popular in Turkey and is often made into a pudding called malabi. This beautiful pink challah topping brings together the flavors of milk and roses and is the perfect Shavuos flavoring! I’ve taken it a step further (obviously, if you know me at all by now) and shaped this as a wreath that allows for a bouquet of flowers to be placed in the center. This makes the most gorgeous centerpiece for your Yom Tov table, or if you’re eating out, the best hostess gift I can think of. It’s a lot easier to make than it looks, and no special talents are needed to make it beautiful. A note about the cardamom: If you’re more of an Ashkenazi-influenced cook, and garlic, onion and paprika are your go-to seasonings, fair warning: cardamom is a highly intense and exotic flavor, and very different from what your palate may be used to. If your family is not adventurous with flavors, just leave the cardamom out. The pistachio filling is incredible even without it, and the rose flavoring on top is subtle enough that most people enjoy it, even though it is unusual!
Light and fluffy marshmallow surrounded by a crunchy outer shell! This recipe is truly, the best pavlova recipe you'll ever find and by following my tips and tricks, you'll be making your own beautiful pavlova in no time!
Headbands have taken many shapes and forms over the ages, from ancient laurel wreaths to the feathered headbands of the 20s and the sweatbands of the 70s.
Headbands have taken many shapes and forms over the ages, from ancient laurel wreaths to the feathered headbands of the 20s and the sweatbands of the 70s.
Headbands have taken many shapes and forms over the ages, from ancient laurel wreaths to the feathered headbands of the 20s and the sweatbands of the 70s.
This Lamington Meringue Wreath is the perfect Christmas dessert!
We will not be putting up a tree this year since the house is filled with plants for the book, but there's always room for a festive wreath, right? I've been wanting to make a Tillandsia wreath for some time now, but I decided to use some craft moss to give it a more natural 'rainforest' look than the others I've seen. Like most of my projects, this wreath was very easy to assemble and didn't take much time at all. You'll Need: 1 grapevine wreath 1 bag of decorative deer moss (lichen) Several Tillandsias (air plants) Wire or twine Directions: 1. Plan your design. It helps to have a game plan before you start, whether you're covering the whole wreath with Tillandsias or just adding a cluster. Lay the Tillandsias out over the wreath to see where they look best. 2. Attach the Tillandsias. Using wire or twine, gently tie the base of each plant to the wreath. Some Tillandsias have tough stolons or stems that can be directly inserted into the wreath, but others have brittle and fragile leaves. For the smaller or more fragile types, use twine or a hot glue gun. 3. Tuck moss into the wreath. To keep my arrangement looking natural, I limited my moss to the area that I planted Tillandsias. That way it looks as if they were growing there naturally. 4. Hang the wreath on the wall. If you live in zones 9 and up, it's possible to hang it outdoors and bring it inside during frosts. Spray the Tillandsias periodically with a mister, using more water for green leaved varieties and less water for the silver or white leaved varieties. You're done! The beauty of a Tillandsia wreath is that while it does fit in perfectly with holiday decor, it's versatile enough that you can leave it up year-round. The tillandsias will continue to grow, bloom and produce offsets, and each year your wreath will become more impressive! If you liked this wreath, check out this living mistletoe cactus kissing ball!
I love a really full mantel garland. This year I tried a new way to hang it. Read on to learn how to take your garland from blah to wow!
A collection of funny and interesting pictures from around the interwebz.
The winter season is upon us, & with that comes the joy of gift-giving. With so much change this season, we know how special getting & giving gifts for our close friends & family will feel. If we can’
The Sci-Fi world of Microscopic Photography
Easy tips for preparing your home for Christmas to make your guests feel welcome.
Wear your smile well as you wander through these internet treats. Strap in and enjoy these delights from all over the web.
Headbands have taken many shapes and forms over the ages, from ancient laurel wreaths to the feathered headbands of the 20s and the sweatbands of the 70s.
Headbands have taken many shapes and forms over the ages, from ancient laurel wreaths to the feathered headbands of the 20s and the sweatbands of the 70s.
Discover the Wow Beauty e-zine featuring interviews, reviews, expert advice and more. Inclusive Destination for Mindful Beauty & Wellbeing.
Zoe Keller is an illustrator exploring the intersection of art making, activism and the natural sciences. Zoe uses graphite to create highly detailed...
Wow. Have you seen these? When I first saw a Juju hat I thought it was some kind of amazing, mystical, heavenly, perfected wreath that I had to make. This photo is byLouise from Table Tonic, a blog and a shop where you can buy these voluptuous wreath like beauties. Here’s what the Table Tonic website says about Juju Hats:: Traditionally worn by Village Chiefs in the Cameroon region of central Africa, Juju hats have since gained popularity with interior designers, and are often used as an eye-catching accessory for the home. Beautiful bird feathers are painstakingly hand sewn onto a raffia fiber base/basket that splays out into a huge circle. Feathers are considered rare objects of beauty and a symbol of prosperity and wealth associated with the positive qualities of birds. When not in use, the Juju hat can be neatly folded in on itself for easy storage. A perfect example of fine, unique and skillful weaving from Central West Africa, Juju hats have featured in high-end decor magazines, such as Domino, Elle Decor and Inside Out, to name a few. Because of the craftsmanship these are expensive. I’ve seen them for $400-$800. But just because something is […]
Wow. Who knew picking my top ten craft projects for this year would be this hard? I cannot wait to see if you agree!
The Christmas desserts of all Christmas desserts! This pavlova wreath is an absolutely gorgeous dessert recipe that will wow your Christmas guests! A beautiful showstopper for the table and with some easy tips and tricks, you’ll be nailing this in no time!
Spruce up your kraft paper gift wrapping with this simple and natural garnish. Your friends and family will be wowing over them!
A lovely ceremony with a stunning reception you won't want to miss
Some inspiration for the week. Hope you enjoy! BTW, thanks for all the comments. You guys are wonderful! Great way to make a hanging herb garden if you don't have tons of space. You could cover a clock like this with almost anything. Use Elmer's glue and Minwax Polycrylic for the job. Best way I've seen to store glitter. Someone said they would store their embossing powders this way. I think this looks terrific. Of course I would need about 800 of these antique shakers. Not a huge wreath fan (I know, I know...what am I saying?!) I'm just not. However, I thought this was a nice alternative to the flower wreath. This room just seems peaceful and beautiful to me. I could spend an entire afternoon there just reading and painting. Breathtaking! And, the umbrellas protect the light fixtures in case of rain. Genius? Think so!
These might take your breath away.