Seven Fishes

IMG_4512

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian Christmas celebration.  The dinner features seven different types of seafood and commemorates the wait, or vigil, for the midnight birth of the baby Jesus.  The most famous dish that Southern Italians are known for is baccala, or codfish.  Italians today also incorporate many other different types of seafood into their meal.

My family has been celebrating this tradition since before I can even remember.  What used to be a feast at my Grandparent’s house for many years has now moved to my Aunt and Uncle’s due to spacial reasons.  The family keeps growing!  Christmas Eve is a night that my cousins and I look forward to all year long.  It’s a time where the whole family is together, we drink delicious drinks, eat the best meal of the year, share gifts, and take our annual family photos.

This year was no different.  We shared many laughs, pumpkin martinis, cherry bomb spritzers, pesto rockfish, breaded baccala, escargot, clams, mussels, shrimp (ok so we had six, not seven, but close enough!), broccoli, garlic bread, the amazing corn pudding, brie, homemade cookies, awkward family photos, presents, and silliness.

I always hate departure time, but I was able to end the night knowing that we would be seeing everyone in less than a week for a family wedding before the new year!  Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

Buon Natale!

IMG_4564

IMG_4548

IMG_4523

IMG_4567

IMG_4568

IMG_4545

IMG_4595

IMG_4569

IMG_4557

IMG_4570

IMG_4585

IMG_4541

IMG_4609

Your Favorite Holiday Things

Thanks to all of those who sent in your favorite holidays things!  I loved getting them!  We all have our own traditions and things that make the holidays special for us, and I appreciate the little peek into how you celebrate the season.

From Justin – @justin_goldberg

Favorite Holiday Treat:

Amazeballs – cooked by his wife, Jessica of The Quest to Be Cookie Queen

 

amazeballs

From Angela – @acguaragna29

Favorite 2012 Holiday Present:

Finley

finley for mom

Favorite Movie:

Love Actually

love actually

Favorite Christmas Album:

The Carpenters

Carpenters mcd

Favorite Cooks:

Grandma & Aunt Marie for Christmas Eve Seven Fishes Italian Dinner

fave xmas eve cooks

From Zigi – @zigisitch of ZiGiSituations

Favorite Place to Shop:

Macy’s Windows + Bryant Park w/ the fam

A-qj-LkCIAAi-u1.jpg-large

From Olivia – @PressTerp

Favorite Holiday Tradition:

Decorating my trees…big and small!

Picture 1

Thanks again to all those who participated and sent in your holiday favorites!

Today I am headed to my aunt and uncle’s house to celebrate Christmas Eve Italian style – the Seven Fishes dinner.  Clams, rockfish, codfish, shrimp, escargot, and whatever else today’s dinner will bring.  It’s one of my favorite days of the year where all of my crazy family gets together to celebrate, eat good food, drink yummy cocktails, sing songs, share gifts, and eat Grandma’s delicious homemade cookies.

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!  Hope you have a fantastic day!

XO,

Gina

‘Tis The Season for Giving

'Tis The Season for Giving
‘Tis the season for giving!  Since I already shared my holiday wish list, I thought I would provide some helpful ideas to think about when shopping for loved ones this year.  I assume most of us have started at least perusing, but for those of you who haven’t quite gotten into the holiday spirit, maybe this inspiration board will give you a little jump start.  Whether you are shopping for your mom, dad, husband, wife, best friend, or boss, I hope you can find something on this list your family and friends will enjoy.
For…
1.  The Sister or Best Friend: Floral necklace from Baublebar
2. The Hipster: Nerd Glasses from boohoo.com
3.  The Make-Up Hoarder: Urban Decay Naked 2 Eyeshadow Palette from Sephora
4.  The Party Girl/Boy: Corkcicle from Uncommon Goods
5.  Hostest with the Mostest: Darkest Night Red Wine Balloon Glass from Mikasa®
6.  The Ski Bunny:  Coal Creme Pom Pom Beanie Hat from Zumiez.com
7.  The Sassy Girl: Essie Nail Polish from Target
8.  The Bicyclist: RED Trace Audio Classic Helmet from Zumiez.com (Also works for skating, skiing, and snowboarding)
9.  The Future Photographer: Vintage Toy Camera Onsie from Etsy
10.  The Glamour Girl:  MAC Russian Red Lipstick from Nordstom
11.  The Dad, Hubby, or the Music Junkie:  Big Blue Studio Wireless Bluetooth Speaker from Brookstone
12.  For Sister or The Organizer:  Kate Spade Wallet from Piperlime
13.  The Mom, Grandma, or Someone Sweet:  Amazing Grace Set from Philosophy
14.  The Athlete:  Pure Balance Water Bottle from Lululemon  (made of glass covered in silicone, so no BPA!)
15.  The Boss: Steve Jobs Biography from Barnes and Noble
16.  The Tea Drinker:  Breville Ikon Electric Tea Kettle from  Gracious Home
17.  The Cold Weather City Dweller:  Volcom Earmuffs from Swell
18.  The Coffee Addict or The Comedian:  Mustache Mug from Customized Girl
Happy Shopping!
XO,
Gina
Enhanced by Zemanta

Holiday Wish List 2012

Holiday Wish List 2012

1. Mustard Satchel: Aldo / 2. iPad Cover: Tory Burch / 3. Betsey Johnson Perfume: Kohls / 4. Dots for Life Coat: Tulle at Modcloth / 5. New Balance Running Shoe: Nordstrom / 6. Ivory Polka Dot Tights: Madewell / 7. Michael Kors Rose Gold Watch: Nordstrom / 8. Kate Spade Bangle: Piperlime / 9. IPhone Fish Eye Lens: Restoration Hardware / 10. Marc Jacobs Gold Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs / 11. Leopard Gloves: Dorothy Perkins / 12. Tulle Vintage Coat: Nordstrom / 13. Blythe Blouse: J Crew / 14. Ivory Peacoat: Express / 15. Military Boots: ALDO / 16. Spike Bracelet: ASOS / 17. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Perfume: Lord & Taylor / 18. Business Card Holder: Kate Spade
I wanted to share some of my favorites this holiday season.  Christmas is my most cherished time of year.  Spending quality time with family and friends is one of my favorite things to do, and I am lucky I get to see almost everyone from back home around the holidays.  I love shopping for others and seeing their faces as they open their gifts.  And let’s be totally honest…we all love to receive some shiny new things for ourselves under the tree as well!
Now that I’ve shared my holiday wish list, please tell me what’s on yours!
And stay tuned for an upcoming gift-giving guide for ideas of what you can give others in the next week.
In other news…HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my amazing DAD!  Stay tuned for another special post coming this week as well. 🙂
Happy Holidays!
Gina