PREMIERE EDITION FA L L / H O L IDAY 2 0 16
‘Never miss an opportunity to celebrate every day.’ Laura Johnson, Founding Artist & CEO 2
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Happy Everything!™ – a Coton Colors Collection, founded in 2003.
from Laura
Laura Johnson, an entrepreneurial artisan inspired by the celebrations of her own life, founded Coton Colors in 1989. Influenced by a childhood immersed in the colorful culture of Old Miami and engrained with the Southern charm of her current home in Tallahassee, Laura has created a leading lifestyle brand in the giftware, dining and décor industries.
To me, there’s nothing better, nothing more rewarding, than inviting friends – new and old – into my home to celebrate life’s happenings. Hearing the lively chatter, seeing the backdrop of smiling faces, knowing they’re happy because they’ve taken time out to do what matters most – celebrate life – just makes my heart full. Taking the time to have these moments of celebrations and enjoying friends and family is my wish for each of you as well. The promise of “never missing an opportunity to celebrate every day” isn’t just a phrase to me, but a promise that I try to remember daily {even hourly!}. Unfortunately, I can’t have each of you over for a “We’ve Made it to Hump Day” impromptu dinner or a quick morning coffee to celebrate another beautiful sunrise, so I wanted to design something just as celebratory and fun that would encourage you to create those memories with your friends and loved ones. And ta-dah, here it is! The very first issue {sure, a world premiere!} of Toast! I have to confess that this has been a long-time dream of mine, and I’m beyond ecstatic to be sharing it with you now. A dedicated publication we create that inspires celebrations everyday, everywhere. From family stories, products and recipe sharing to gift-guides and holiday-prep ideas, we’ve filled it up to the brim! Here’s hoping this makes it easier for you to join us in our mission of never missing an opportunity to celebrate every day. So go ahead, flip through and get to planning your next celebration…or just simply pour yourself a glass of wine and indulge in these pages. Because let’s face it, today is another reason to celebrate, and that’s reason enough.
Cheers!
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Contents The Crew FOUNDING ARTIST/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Laura Johnson CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND DESIGNER Kyle Johnson Smith PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Sara Kate Johnson CONTRIBUTORS Laura Johnson, Milton Johnson, Kyle Johnson Smith, Sara Kate Johnson, Mary Parker Johnson, Marcie Parks, Courtney Munroe, Taylor Gwynn, Logan Parks EDITORS Molly Corder | Kirsten Phelps COLLECTIONS EDITOR Courtney Munroe
06 MUCH MORE THAN HAPPY… 08 WHAT IS HAPPY EVERYTHING!™? 12 CLEAR YOUR CALENDAR 14 PENCIL IN ORGANIZATION 16 TASTE MEETS TAPAS 20 PANTRY & FRIDGE WORTH DISPLAYING
22 THANKSGIVING 26 LOVE AND MARRIAGE… 28 COLOR CRUSH: INDIGO 30 WELCOMING THE HOLIDAYS 32 ORNAMENT EXCHANGE
PRODUCTION EDITOR Lizzie Moore DESIGN TEAM Laura Patrick | Lizzie Moore | Elizabeth Anderson SALES DIRECTOR Kristin Hendrix SALES COORDINATOR Jennifer Stephenson OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Ashley Trafton PRODUCED BY Coton Colors, Inc. PUBLISHED BY P2P Publishing 2718 Centerville Rd. Tallahassee, FL 32308
EDITORIAL INQUIRIES CALL (877) 801-1292 or visit Coton-Colors.com FOR SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES CALL (877) 801-1292 or visit Coton-Colors.com
PRINTED IN USA Next issue of Toast will be available Spring 2017.
We’re Coton Colors.
{Hi there!} We are a lifestyle brand and designer of really stylish products. Our founding artist Laura Johnson’s motto, “never miss an opportunity to celebrate every day,” has inspired her to create pieces that elevate everyday moments with ease. Welcome to the art of celebrating! Coton Colors consists of three collections for all {and we mean all!} of one’s celebrating needs: Dining & Entertaining, Ornaments and Happy Everything!™. All three collections are designed to encourage people to celebrate life’s milestones - big and small.
@cotoncolors Coton Colors Coton Colors www.facebook.com/cotoncolorsfan
coton-colors.com For more on Coton Colors and the Johnson Family visit Toast: coton-colors.com/blog Tallahassee Flagship Store 1355 Market St Tallahassee, FL 32312 Tampa Flagship Store 1716 S Dale Mabry Hwy Tampa, FL 33629
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Happy... LAURA JOHNSON FOUNDING ARTIST & CEO
MUCH MORE THAN
Coton Colors’ founding artist and CEO Laura Johnson is the name behind the rapidly burgeoning lifestyle brand – but there’s more to her than CEO of a company named by INC. Magazine as one of the fastest growing businesses in the United States. She’s a wife, mom to three girls and a hostess to all – heavily motivated by taking time out to celebrate every day. 6
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We asked Laura a few questions regarding the many hats she wears. Here’s what she had to say: What do you think has made Coton Colors see such success over the years? I have to attribute it to the people that have encouraged and supported me through the life of Coton Colors. My mom and dad were there with me from day one, firing kilns and loading up shipping boxes for customers. My sister has always been my biggest cheerleader, working at retail shows with me and endlessly personalizing ornaments. My husband Milt has been my rock through it all. Coton Colors wouldn’t be what it is today without his patience, especially
We asked Laura what a “typical” day looks like for her – take a look! 5:30 am
Wake up and remember to feed the chickens before heading out for a morning walk with Milton.
8 am
Arrive at the office {with a quick stop at Starbucks on the way}.
10-11 am
Meeting with management team to discuss quarterly forecasting and goals {these meetings are set for an hour, but we always run over!}.
12 pm when family dinners inevitably turn into design meetings. Their constant support, guidance, and advice {even if it’s not what I like hearing!} has been the number one source of our success.
Lunch with my girls {one of the many perks of working with family}.
2 pm
Product design review with my daughter, Kyle. It’s such a treat to work with my daughter and plan the new designs for upcoming launches.
What was the hardest thing about juggling a growing business while raising three little girls? It was a struggle to step back into the position of being a mom when you know there are emails to be answered and a to-do list a mile long back at the office. But at the center of Coton Colors has been the idea to never miss those everyday celebrations and milestones. I am so thankful to have taken the time to enjoy those moments with my family.
We know you love to celebrate and you have an open–door policy that’s not limited to the workplace – your home is bustling with people popping in and out for anything from impromptu dinner parties to your daughter’s wedding on your front lawn. What is your go-to hostess tip that makes celebrating with friends a breeze? Don’t overthink it! Yes, you’ll want to make sure you plan out your menu and have everything prepped and cooked before guests start arriving, but don’t be too busy stressing about the evening and forget to have fun. Pour yourself a glass of wine, and enjoy your company. Not everything will be perfect, but go with the flow!
6 pm
Head home from work, and call my sister Marcie or youngest daughter, Mary Parker to keep me company on my short drive home.
7 pm
Birthday dinner at the house for my son-in-law, Warren. He loves Milt’s barbecue ribs, so we’re having a casual dinner with peach cobbler and ice-cream for dessert {he has a serious sweet-tooth!}.
9 pm
Get some work done while listening to The Moth podcast {such great storytelling!} before I go to bed.
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happy everything what is
Laura created our Happy Everything!™ Collection with one goal in mind. She wanted to create an easy way for everyone to celebrate every single day – to find a little happy in everything if you will. The concept is simple. She designed Happy Everything!™ Bases and Happy Everything!™ Attachments. The attachments Velcro® directly to the bases, and you can change out your attachment as often as you want. Whether you’re celebrating
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a good grade at school, an upcoming vacation or a major milestone such as a birthday, engagement or new baby, there’s an attachment for all occasions. Keeping functionality in mind, Laura’s expanded the collection to contain vases, soap pumps, entertaining platters and more – all pieces that allow you to effortlessly add a little happy to your day.
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6 colors from playful to trend-setting, infinite designs help to find what makes you happy!
From décor to fun and functional– a Happy Everything!™ Base for every place & space.
70+ attachments for celebrating every season and all of life’s happy moments.
One size doesn’t fit all– BIG + MINI varieties of bases and attachments help you create your own happy.
Shop the entire Happy Everything!™ Collection at www.happy-everything.com
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Let the celebrating begin!
take a
look! We weren’t lying. Create a wish list and circle your favorites! With over 70 attachment styles to choose from, you’ll find a little HAPPY in every day.
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c ale ndar CLEAR YOUR
IT’S TIME TO GET ORGANIZED.
With a calendar full of have-to-do’s and need-to-do’s, it’s easy to lose track of the want-to-do’s! In order to keep track of every to-do and remember to celebrate the moments that matter most, make a vow to get organized and fill your calendar with HAPPY memories.
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Comes with 12 artistically designed month inserts AND the Gold Frame Mini Attachment.
Use a dry erase marker to add events! Erase and update each month.
Easily attach our VelcroŽ Backed Magnets to any mini attachment. Add mini attachments to Happy Everything!™ Wall Calendar.
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organiza pencil in
Find an agenda that works for you. A good agenda is a game-changer for busy people {which is pretty much everyone these days!}. By having everything laid out in a way you love, you’ll get a better picture of prioritizing your tasks and to-dos.
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tion 1. Write it down. Whether that’s in a notebook, on your phone or in your agenda, write down things to remember. All the details, dates, recipes and reminders that get lost will have a place to be found!
SHOP THIS SPREAD Swish Happy Everything 8.25" 17 Month Agenda
25.00
Happy Everything Agenda Sticker Sheets - Set of 2 7.45
Pom Happy Everything 8.25" 17 Month Agenda
25.00
Happy Notes Notebooks Set of 2 11.95
Pom Happy Everything 9.125" 17 Month Agenda
36.00
Gold Happy Paperclips Set of 2
8.95
Neutral Dot Happy Everything Mug
14.95
Bubble Happy Everything 9.125" 17 Month Agenda 36.00
2. Plan for spontaneity.
3. Find your to-do list style.
4. Remember the good times.
There are always last-minute celebrations and opportunities that arise. Pencil in time to spend with friends and family.
Seize the week and keep up with all the tasks you have to do by jotting them down. {See that to-do list space on the side of your Happy Everything Agenda? Use it!}
Write down happy moments from each day and week. What great times to relive as you read each week’s memories when retiring your agenda at the end of each year!
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TASTE
MEETS
TAPAS
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“My fondness for tapas existed long before my first trip to Spain, but it was there that my appreciation for the small bites evolved and inspired the design behind our Tapas Collection – made for easy, effortless, everyday entertaining.”
I
BY LAURA JOHNSON
I have a love affair with Spain. There is nothing better than driving through the rolling countryside in a loaded down Fiat, braking for the chickens, goats and other livestock that slowly meander across the road and stopping every-so-often to admire the rows of olive groves along the way. On a recent trip, we toured a small boutique factory where they mill olives grown in their fields into small batches of olive oil. The grassy taste of Spanish olive oil is very distinct and my absolute favorite. Each experience in the Spanish countryside is always one to remember.
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Spanish culture is rooted in celebrating life and enjoying a meal around the table together. Many courses – small courses – make up dinnertime, which typically doesn’t start until around nine p.m. and can last a couple of hours. It’s a time to indulge in decadent bites, sip a good wine, or more traditionally, a cold cerveza, and spend quality time with those around you. To me, that’s the essence of never missing an opportunity to celebrate every day. My daughter Kyle and I took those memories and experiences and poured them into the designs of our Tapas Collection. We wanted to create a way to simply celebrate every day by gathering around the table. The small plates, bowls, and serving pieces are perfect for dinner for two or a party of 12 and can be mixed, matched and built upon to grow your collection. It’s effortless celebrating at its best. There’s rarely a celebration that goes by where this collection isn’t put to good use.
Eggplant Caponata Ingredients ¼ cup olive oil ¾ cup onion {approx. 1 medium}, chopped 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced 4-5 cups eggplant {approx. 1 large round}, skin on, ½-inch diced 1 red pepper, ½-inch diced 1 {14.5 ounce} can diced tomatoes no salt added, drained 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 lemon, zested & juiced 1 teaspoon honey ¼ cup golden raisins ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped & divided Toasted pine nuts, capers or kalamata olives {optional} Bruschetta 1 loaf Italian bread, sliced 6 garlic cloves, cut in half Olive Oil Sea salt & pepper Directions Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and celery, and cook for 5 minutes until soft. Stir in eggplant, and cook for 8 minutes or until it starts to shine and not look dry. Add red pepper, tomatoes and garlic. Stir and gently cook for 15 minutes until the vegetables start to breakdown.
SHOP THIS SPREAD Mint Dart Large Triangle Platter 33.95 Cobble Dot Rectangle Platter Black Loop De Loo Large Pointy Platter
33.95 37.95
Refined Shine Woven Small Pointy Platter
24.95
Stone Overlap Small Pointy Platter
24.95
Camel Color Block Small Ruffle Bowl
14.95
Stone Overlap Small Bowl
14.95
Persimmon Loop De Loo Small Bowl
14.95
Cobble Starburst Mod Appetizer Bowl
11.95
Refined Shine Bengal Stripe Mod Appetizer Bowl
11.95
Smoke Small Dot Mod Appetizer Bowl
11.95
Refined Shine Bengal Stripe Appetizer Spreader
7.95
Smoke Small Dot Appetizer Spreader
7.95
Persimmon Solid Appetizer Spreader
7.95
Add vinegar, lemon zest and juice, honey, raisins, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low, and gently cook for 10-15 minutes until all vegetables are soft and the caponata is thick and stew-like. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of basil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle with a touch of olive oil and sprinkle with remaining basil. Serve hot, warm, or room temperature. Garnish with pine nuts, capers, or olives, if desired. Bruschetta Rub slices of grilled Italian bread with garlic cloves. Drizzle the bread with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Recipe from The Happy Everything!™ Cookbook
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PANTRY &FRIDGE W O R T H D I S P L AY I N G
Does a well-organized pantry and refrigerator get your juices flowing? Surely it isn’t just us. Show us a well-organized pantry and refrigerator that’s also stylish? Now you’re really speaking our language. These are two reasons our hearts skip a beat – the sight of a place for everything and everything in its place. With the peak of entertaining season quickly approaching and the holidays arriving before we know it, NOW is the time to get your pantry and fridge in tip-top shape. SHOP THIS SPREAD White Plank 2 Cup Measuring Cup 19.95
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White Pebble Small Mixing Bowl
49.95
Cobble Plank Whisk
15.95
Refined Shine Lollipop Jar Canisters - Set of 3
119.95
White Stripe Happy Everything Mini Canister
69.95
Write On Mini Attachment
15.95
White Pebble Recipe Box
39.95
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Refined Shine Loop De Loo Starburst Mix Pasta Bowls - Set of 2 79.95 Camel Color Block Small Ruffle Bowl 14.95 Black Plank Mug
14.95
White Pebble Covered Bowl
49.95
Cobble Plank Flare Pitcher
39.95
Camel Color Block Tassel Napkin
9.95
Refined Shine Bengal Stripe Mod Appetizer Bowl
11.95
Top tips for a well-styled and well-organized pantry: Canisters Canisters are essential for every pantry. From flour, sugar and pasta to coffee and utensils, they offer an attractive way to store everyday goods that you’ll want readily available. Serving Pieces Use your favorite serving pieces to display fruits, veggies or individually wrapped snacks for grab-and-go eating. Not only are you keeping healthy snacks at your fingertips; you’re adding pops of color and design to the space. Get out of the paper plate rut Keep a couple sets of your favorite dinner and salad or appetizer plates at eye level and at the ready. By making your collection more visible, you’re more likely to utilize your different pieces instead of just reaching for the same paper plates each meal. Think vertical Storing large platters vertically saves enormously on space and provides “artwork” for your shelving.
Keep a similar mindset when organizing your refrigerator and pantry. With a large family, and friends that think they’re family, people are in and out of Laura’s refrigerator constantly. Because of the frequent use by everyone, it’s essential to her to keep it well-stocked with fresh juices, snacks and all of the necessities for whipping up a quick dinner for an impromptu gathering. Laura has worked with her daughter Kyle to create kitchen storage solutions to achieve these goals. By incorporating many bowls from the Dining & Entertaining Collection, you will have a beautifully organized fridge. Go-to pieces for a fridge that’s easy on the eyes: Berry Baskets One of our absolute favorites. With most Saturdays spent at the local farmers market, these berry baskets are perfect for collecting, washing your produce then popping them directly in the fridge. Egg Tray There are so many reasons to have eggs on hand. This egg tray is a perfect and darling solution to storing a dozen eggs. Dizzy Bowls These bowls are a daily must-have! They are multi-functional and perfect for serving. They’re perfect to fill with pasta salad or homemade hummus for an easy lunch and snacking.
SHOP THIS SPREAD Cobble Plank Dizzy Bowls - Set of 4 199.95 White Pebble Covered Butter Dish
27.95
Cobble Starburst Mod Appetizer Bowl 11.95 Daffodil Egg Tray
29.95
Tailored Twist Ruffle Berry Baskets Set of 2
54.95
Navy Small Ruffle Topper
13.99
Jade Round Footed Candlesticks Set of 2
10.99
Appetizer Bowls Not just for serving appetizers! These are the ideal size to store fresh herbs or fruits in the fridge. Covered Butter Dish Just about every good recipe calls for butter. A functional butter dish makes it easy to have it ready as an ingredient for your favorite meal or to be placed directly on your table.
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thanks A holiday full of favorites Thanksgiving is a huge celebration in the Johnson household. After all, a holiday centered on a grateful heart, a tasty spread and good wine doesn’t lend itself to anything short of a fantastic day. Each year, the Johnson family hosts Thanksgiving – sometimes on the long screen porch at the family beach house and sometimes gathered around their dining table in Tallahassee. Wherever the destination, it’s always a {growing} affair with festivities beginning the night before. As family arrives into town Thanksgiving Eve, they are greeted with jazzy tunes playing throughout the house and a glass of wine to get the festivities started – a celebration that continues all weekend long. They are all firm believers that Thanksgiving isn’t the time for new recipes. “Thanksgiving is a time where dishes don’t have to be thought about – they are traditions that are beloved and shouldn’t change,” say the hosts. Everyone has their own “must-have” dish at Thanksgiving, and it’s delightful to any host or cook to know how pleased their guests are that their favorites are served – such an easy way to make someone happy. We took a poll and the Thanksgiving holiday seems to be everyone in the Johnson family’s favorite day. Take a look and see what each family member loves about the holiday.
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giving
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I LOVE Thanksgiving – specifically Thanksgiving morning! We all have a cup of coffee and sit around {the only sitting we do all day} watching the Macy’s Day Parade. We then divide and conquer, tackling everything from setting tables to food prep. Having been voted the
Queen of Mashed Potatoes,
{I can’t decide if this title is a privilege or curse}, I then get started with the endless peeling of potatoes. I can’t complain though. In everything we do, we find a way to have a great time.
Mary Parker Johnson
my mom’s recipe for cornbread dressing
. My Thanksgiving specialty is One of my favorite sights on Thanksgiving is all the kids in the kitchen the night before helping me chop veggies. They may just be putting on an act to make me happy {or maybe to make sure they get the cornbread dressing!}, but they seem to enjoy the prep.
Milton Johnson Laura’s husband
Laura’s daughter
I enjoy the menu we serve each year, and everyone seems to have a special recipe they like making. I love how much time and effort each person puts into their different dishes – it truly captures the spirit of the holiday in how much we care about and are
Any holiday where the
Marcie Parks
Taylor Gwynn
Because I live in Atlanta, and the majority of my family is in Florida, I really look forward to the Thanksgiving holiday because it brings us all together in one place!
My absolute favorite Thanksgiving memory is
thankful for one another. Laura’s sister
I always love Thanksgiving Eve
when everyone arrives. Music is playing, wine is flowing and without fail, a dance party has started in the kitchen with wooden spoon microphones!
Logan Parks Laura’s niece 24
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whole family is together is a perfect
holiday in my book. One of my most favorite things about Thanksgiving though is discovering new decorating tips and trends from my Aunt Laura and my cousin, Kyle. Both have a fantastic eye for all things lovely.
Laura’s niece
learning to make the perfect gravy
from my late grandmother, Mere. Making gravy is not a trait that all have mastered, but she had PERFECTED it! One of her top-secret tips? Cornstarch {instead of flour} is the key to avoiding lumpy gravy!
Kyle Johnson Smith Laura’s daughter
This will be my
first Thanksgiving as a mom, and I can’t wait to
introduce my son to all of our family’s favorite Thanksgiving traditions – most importantly, the many family recipes that we cook each year. I already have plans to plop my son’s high chair smack dab in the kitchen so he'll be right in the middle of all the fun!
Courtney Munroe Laura’s niece
Besides Mary Parker’s mashed potatoes {seriously, they are out of this world}, my favorite part of Thanksgiving is with my sister, Kyle. She designs a new tablescape each year, and it’s so fun to see it come to life as a beautiful space for our friends and family.”
setting the tables
Sara Kate Johnson Laura’s daughter
Mere’s Spinach Madeleine My mother-in-law, Mere, gave me this recipe as a new bride, as it was her son’s absolute favorite. The recipe directed me to add the milk to the vegetable liqueur. “Vegetable liqueur?” I thought to myself. Trying so hard to please my new husband {and new mother-in-law}, I searched the aisles of our local liquor store for this elusive item even enlisting the help of the clerk who joined in my quest {though admitting he had never heard of such a thing himself!}. Feeling defeated, I called her and let her know I had searched high and low, but this ingredient was nowhere to be found. She burst out laughing and gently informed me that vegetable liqueur was simply a fancy name for the reserved water from the spinach. A Thanksgiving memory and story Mere absolutely delighted in retelling each year. – Laura Ingredients 2 {10 ounce} packages frozen leaf spinach 4 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons flour 2 tablespoons chopped onions ½ cup evaporated milk ½ cup vegetable liqueur ½ teaspoon garlic salt ½ teaspoon celery salt ½ teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 8 ounces hot monterey jack pepper cheese, cut into small chunks breadcrumbs, for topping {the coarser the bread crumbs, the better!} Recipe Cook spinach as directed on package; drain; reserve ½ cup liquid. Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Add onion; cook until soft but not brown. Slowly add milk and vegetable liqueur, stirring constantly, until smooth and thickened. Stir in garlic salt, celery salt, pepper, Worcestershire and cheese; continue stirring until sauce is smooth. Add drained spinach. Pour into a 1 ½-quart casserole and top with bread crumbs. Bake at 350ºF until heated through and bubbly, about 15-20 minutes.
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Wedding bells rang in the New Year as Laura’s daughter Kyle, and her new husband Warren, celebrated their nuptials on the front yard of her childhood home. Having been a newlywed for a bit now, we wanted to pick her brain on her top registry picks that she feels are essential in building their first home as a couple. “When making my registry, I tried to think about our individual styles as well as our style as a couple. I wanted to ensure each piece we chose was either a) a need or b) something that would add character and uniqueness to our home.” – Kyle Johnson Smith WE LOVE TO COOK, so high-quality cookware was at the top of our list. But the tiny kitchen in our first home doesn’t have ideal storage for a huge set of pots and pans. So we narrowed our selection down to a few high quality, functional pieces {and even chose fun colors!} like this Ruffoni HandHammered Copper Risotto Pan. It turns out you don’t need a huge set anyway!
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A FEW SETS OF CLOTH NAPKINS AND TABLE LINENS. Perfect for an impromptu dinner party, a colorful napkin can add a pop of fun to a table. I added a few sets of dinner napkins and a couple of tablecloths to my wedding registry to keep my table looking different each time we host guests!
SHOP THIS SPREAD
A GOOD BAKING SET. Warren has quite a sweet tooth, and thankfully, I love to bake. I knew that this set would be getting a lot of use, so I added an assortment of the William Sonoma Goldtouch® Nonstick Bakeware, and love it. {Seriously, NOTHING sticks!}
EVERYDAY DISHES ARE A MUST. And don’t get stuck on matching five-piece place settings! Register for fun pieces where you can easily create different settings each time you entertain. We have the same group of friends over quite often, so it’s fun to change up our place settings to evoke a fresh theme each time we host.
Coton Colors Dinner Plates
24.95
Coton Colors Salad Plates
14.95
Coton Colors Tassel Napkins
A STATEMENT BAR CART PLUS ALL THE ACCESSORIES TO FILL IT WAS A MUST FOR US! We love to entertain,
9.95
Happy Everything Big Platters
114.95
Happy Everything Big Attachments
24.95
Cobble Plank Flare Pitcher
39.95
White Pebble Covered Bowl
49.95
and we always want an environment where our guests feel at home. A bar cart stocked with bar tools, a cocktail recipe book and a few good bottles of liquor or wine encourages guests to get comfortable and help themselves to a glass of their favorite concoction.
A SET OF FLATWARE that will add character to your table. Gold flatware adds color and uniqueness and turned out to be one of the most-used gifts we received.
WINE GLASSES, but go with something a little different and distinct. The rule of thumb is to register for eight, but I say add four more! Breakage is inevitable. A HAPPY EVERYTHING!™ PLATTER plus a wish list of your favorite attachments. Okay, I obviously already had this, but it truly is a must-have for an easy and effortless way to celebrate all occasions and holidays.
FUN DÉCOR. I added a few décor pieces to my registry that would offer a fun touch to our home but would pair well with our current pieces.
THROW IN A FEW LUXURY ITEMS from local boutiques or stores; some things you would never buy yourself but would love to have in your home. Not only are you supporting local businesses, but some family members and groups of friends would love to splurge for these fun pieces to help start your home together.
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color crush
indigo Blue and white has been a classic and highly regarded color scheme for china dating all the way back to the 14th century. Blue and white china can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, with the British to thank for the color combination gaining popularity in the end of 18th century. Many of the patterns were inspired from wares imported from the Chinese. The love affair with blue and white is here to stay, and rightfully so. The crisp color contrasts are bold yet fresh and clean, and are considered just as much of a staple piece as a set of white dishes. When designing our Azurite Tabletop Collection, we wanted to stick with this time-honored color palette while offering a more modern motif. By incorporating more contemporary patterns with touches of rich indigo, you have a classic table with an updated, fresh twist.
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Meet Azurite.
2016 Coton Colors Palette of the Year
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Welcoming the
Holidays Love the idea of decorating for the holidays, but the process seems like something you just don’t have time for? Make prepping your home a breeze. Over the years I’ve developed a few tips for a smooth seasonal transition into a festive holiday home!
æ Pull out your holiday plates and bowls and store them in a cabinet or drawer in your kitchen where they are easily accessible. Place Christmas mugs in the cabinet next to your coffee maker. After all, you want to enjoy these items all month long, and if they aren’t at your fingertips, you’ll be less likely to use them every day. æ Nothing beats the look of fresh Fraser Fir at Christmas time! I love wreaths hung in lots of places outside, on my fence gates and every exterior door and window. I’ll also find unique spaces inside my home to hang them. You may find them on my pantry door, on a mirror in my guest bathroom, or in my dish pantry…every year a different place to keep my decorating fun and new. I seek out wide ribbons in different colors, picking a new one for each season. Then I simply loop them through the wreath and tie in a knot for easy hanging. The ribbons add unexpected color and layer in a unique look to traditional decorations. æ Pull out all of your favorite Christmas serving pieces and use them as a display. They’ll double as décor, adding more seasonal touches throughout your home while remaining accessible for entertaining on demand. æ I’ve collected a few ornaments over the years {ok, like hundreds} and I have always sought out designs that capture a family celebration 30
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BY LAURA JOHNSON
or memory made during that year. Whether it’s big, like my daughter’s first Christmas, or a simple celebration such as catching her first fish, my family and I absolutely love to pull them out every Christmas and relive the memories that each one represents. æ Grab some fresh cut fir trimmings from your local Christmas tree stand (they are typically free!) and place on windowsills, fireplace mantles or even your chandelier. The smell is fantastic, and you can’t beat the price! æ One of my favorite hobbies is to scour antique shops in search of vintage glasses. Not only are they inexpensive, but they’re also beautiful and add a character that only comes with age. I use my vintage glass collection year-round, but they add something unexpected to a holiday tablescape. Start your treasure hunt by choosing one color to seek out. You’d be surprised how many glasses you end up finding!
exchange ORNAMENT
The holidays can easily be one of the most hectic times of the year. With the hustle and bustle of things, it’s important to take a breather and get a fun girls’ night on the calendar. We’ve got just the thing to get you and your friends to slow down, sip a festive cocktail and embrace the magic of the season.
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Hosting an ornament exchange is a great excuse to invite your girlfriends over for a fun night of gift-giving giving and socializing – and it offers up a fresh take on the ever-popular White Elephant Holiday Party.
The best part? With the limitation of gifting only ornaments – the pressure of picking the most humorous or clever gift is lifted. Whew! 34
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Ornament Exchange Playlist
Send out a festive invite. Nowadays, there are so many places to easily get printed invitations, and fast! Or, since it’s a busy time of year, send a digital invite – no judging here.
LITTLE SAINT NICK The Beach Boys
Once you get a confirmed guest list, have everyone draw names and instruct guests to select and purchase an ornament for the person they chose and bring the ornament wrapped to the party. Try DrawNames.com for an easy and free way to digitally draw names at random! One of the special parts about drawing names ahead of time is the opportunity to pick an ornament that captures a special memory or milestone that the recipient may have experienced that year. Make it even more special by adding personalization to the ornament.
ROCKIN AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE Brenda Lee SLEIGH RIDE The Ronettes SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN Jackson 5 THE CHRISTMAS SONG Ella Fitzgerald
As far as hosting goes, keep it simple. Choose a signature cocktail and offer wine and beer. Serve an easy supper of warm, hearty pasta, a complementary winter salad and a dessert of holiday treats and call it a day.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE Shakin’ Stevens
Set the table ahead of time and make it interactive. Using the wrapped ornaments the guests bring as a merry centerpiece cuts the effort of making an arrangement all while creating an engaging display – especially when it’s time to start tearing into the gifts. As guests come through the door, number the gifts at random with gift tags to make the unwrapping process seamless and quick - no more “No it’s okay, YOU unwrap first!” Make a fun playlist. The right tunes are essential for setting the tone for any soiree. Look to the right for a few of our favorite holiday hits. But in the spirit of simplifying, head on over to Coton Colors’ Spotify {search “spotify:user:coton-colors”} and follow our Ornament Exchange Celebration Playlist for the full list of songs and just press play! Have fun! Leave clean up for the morning. We won’t tell.
SANTA BABY Eartha Kitt JINGLE BELLS Michael Bublé {feat. The Puppini Sisters} WINTER WONDERLAND Darlene Love
white elephant THE HISTORY BEHIND A WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT EXCHANGE The history of the White Elephant Gift Exchange dates back centuries ago when the King of Siam (now Thailand) would trade albino elephants with those who displeased him, because the upkeep costs of these rare animals was astronomical. In today’s times, a White Elephant Gift Exchange is typically giving a gift that is humorous, yet burdensome. We’ve had some fun playing up the popular event with an ornament design that has been a hit for holiday parties. Personalize it with the host’s name and year for a fun annual memory.
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C HEER S T O T HE A R T O F C EL EB R AT IN G !