Ravenscroft Decanters Make Wine Taste Better
Are you looking for something that can really set your home decor apart from the norm? Maybe GG canisters or Ravenscroft Decanters can help.
GG canisters offer a genteel touch to any kitchen counter. These curios can be decorative as well as purposeful. Hold your spices in these jars. Hold tea leaves as well, or any other loose food item that you need to contain and keep fresh. In different colors and styles, they are sure to fit in with any kitchen color scheme.
Similarly Ravenscroft Decanters can be tabletop accessories anchoring an empty shelf in your china cabinet, or you can use them as drink dispensers. Decant your favorite cabernet sauvignon to aerate the wine for a fuller, better taste. Ravenscroft Decanters allow the wine to breathe naturally, bringing out the more delicate flavors of your favorite wine.
Tons of styles and designs make choosing difficult, but don’t think too hard, you can easily buy more later. Along with Ravenscroft Decanters are different kinds of arte Italica, which have classic designs that are centuries old, and go back to the Medici family of the Renaissance. From beverage dispensers to tabletop accessories and everything in between, www.ClassicHostess.com has you covered.
Permalink | Tags: barware, Beverage Dispenser, beverage dispensers, drink dispenser, drink dispensers, GG Canisters, glass beverage dispenser, Gracious Goods, Ravenscroft Decanters, tabletop accessories | Posted in beverage dispensers | No Comments
Globes and Tabletop Accessories from Authentic Models
Have you ever wanted to know where Mozambique is? Sure, you can google it, but isn’t it nicer to see exactly where a country is in relation to you? Don’t press the zoom button, buy a globe.
Owning a globe as part of your tabletop accessories is a great way to preserve tradition. Authentic Models sells globes that are historically accurate, visually appealing, and gorgeously crafted. In the early modern period, during the Renaissance and afterwards, globes were made by gluing copperplate prints on paper mache centers. Only the very rich could afford these models of the earth, because of the price of the manufacturing and the riskiness of exploration.
Authentic Models reproduces the same tabletop accessories that were traditionally on the desks of barons and dukes, princes and kings. Many are exact reproductions from master cartographers like Gerardus Mercator and Weber Costello. Choosing which globe you like best will allow you to see the world through different eyes, a Mercator globe can show you how they viewed the world in the 16th century, and Costello will provide a early 20th century colonial lens.
The globe signified for the Dutch Masters a sense of worldliness, riches, and enlightenment. Today you can add these to your barware or beverage dispenser and discuss where you plan to visit next.
Permalink | Tags: barware, Beverage Dispenser, beverage dispensers, drink dispenser, drink dispensers, GG Canisters, glass beverage dispenser, Gracious Goods, Ravenscroft Decanters, tabletop accessories | Posted in beverage dispensers | No Comments
Top 3 Tabletop Accessories for a Still Life
Cezanne’s “Fruit and Jug on a Table”
Tabletop accessories always lend gravity to your tabletop. This is a tabletop that would be appropriate for one of Cezanne’s still lifes, your visitors will think. Here are some of the best ways to make your tabletop accessories ready to be painted as still lifes.
1. Flowers: Some of the earliest modern paintings that break away from the religious subjects that dominated art for hundreds of years were done by Northern Europeans. The Dutch specifically responded to the numerous new species of plants (the tulip, for example, imported from Turkey) and drew them in expensive vases.
2. Food: Probably the most classic still life subject, the bowl of fruit, has been painted since Roman times. Having a variety of color to fill your tabletop accessories is important, so choose grapes, apples, bananas, cantaloupes: the wider the variety, the more attractive, and tasty. Many painters depicted meats and delicacies like oysters and lobster, delicacies that followed after banquets.
3. Desk accessories: A clock, beverage dispensers, cups, saucers, bowls, dice, and other assorted bric-a-brac have been included in still lifes, including skulls, which are called memento morii, or, reminders of death. As far as impressing guests with your elegance and beauty goes, I’d stick with the first two options.
Permalink | Tags: barware, Beverage Dispenser, beverage dispensers, drink dispenser, drink dispensers, GG Canisters, glass beverage dispenser, Gracious Goods, Ravenscroft Decanters, tabletop accessories | Posted in beverage dispensers | No Comments
Heatwave!
This is officially the hottest year on record, so keep your beverage dispensers full. Global warming is back with a vengeance, so don’t believe the pundits when they say that Al Gore was crazy. The warm weather is everywhere, from Canada to Africa. The El Nino effect warms the globe, but later in the year La Nina, which exerts a cooling effect, could drop it back down, keeping 2006 the warmest year yet.
A heatwave in Moscow has caused locals to head to swimming holes, and being Russians, they bring vodka. 233 people drowned last week. Israel is experiencing their longest and most severe drought since the 1920’s. If you’re like me, you’re praying that August isn’t as bad as July was. But just in case it is, it’s important to stay hydrated.
Beverage dispensers are a great way to keep cool. If you find yourself often sweating, it means you’re probably dehydrated. Drinking water, especially with lemon, or ice tea is a great way to combat the heat. Keep a full beverage dispenser on your kitchen countertop and you will be surprised at how frequently it is drained. While the average person is supposed to drink 8 cups of water a day, an athlete should drink a gallon of water a day.
Permalink | | Posted in beverage dispensers | No Comments
3 Tabletop Accessories Every Hostess Needs
There’s no doubt about it, tabletop accessories are essential for a party to go off without a hitch. In addition to parties, tabletop accessories can find their way into everyday life, making that easier too—and who wouldn’t want that? Here are three tabletop accessories you just got to have!
Storage Essentials Syrup Dispenser: I always hate not having a neat place for condiments. For my ketchup and mustard, I have distinct bottles that look great on the table, so one day I thought—hey, why not get one for maple syrup? And it really was the best idea I’ve had to date. No more stick plastic syrup bottles on the table. Woohoo!
Cheeseboard: I love cheese. A whole lot. So when I have people over, you can bet that I’ll have a cheeseboard and some crackers set out. I decided to go with the Plume Cheese Set from Classic Hostess. It’s elegant, practical, and you can use it for every occasion.
Jardin Soup Tureen: Serving soup and salads for lunch? Well you can have the soup presented attractively on the table, while keeping it warm, with this super-cute soup tureen.
Permalink | Tags: barware, Beverage Dispenser, beverage dispensers, drink dispenser, drink dispensers, GG Canisters, glass beverage dispenser, Gracious Goods, Ravenscroft Decanters, tabletop accessories | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments
Never Be Without Fine Tabletop Accessories
I love entertaining. It’s a trait I inherited from my mother, and she from hers. One of the keys to entertaining, something I learned early on, was that a party was never really a party without a full arsenal of tabletop accessories. Some think a party is really about the people and sharing food and having fun. I’m not going to argue with that—that’s what it’s all about from the guests perspective, for sure! But if you’re like me and even something like mismatched cocktail napkins or not having the proper barware to make drinks irks you, it’s about a lot more. So if I’m going to be entertaining, I like to keep a full supply of all kinds of tabletop accessories on hand. Here are 3 things I recommend for every aspiring hostess to have on hand for a party, no matter the size:
-Punch bowl set. A gorgeous crystal punch bowl is something that you don’t really think about using, until the time comes when you need it. Do yourself a favor and always have one on hand.
-Cake servers. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to cut a birthday cake without a cake cutter. Cake servers are another thing, that unless you eat cake every day, are forgettable, but you should always have a sturdy set waiting for action.
-Lazy Susan. These are essential hostess material. They are perfect for any scale party and a must have.
Permalink | Tags: barware, Beverage Dispenser, beverage dispensers, drink dispenser, drink dispensers, GG Canisters, glass beverage dispenser, Gracious Goods, Ravenscroft Decanters, tabletop accessories | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments
3 Grad Gift Ideas From Classic Hostess
It’s graduation season and that means that you better start looking for the perfect gift for the accomplished recent graduate in your life. In addition to our gorgeous tabletop accessories and practical beverage dispensers, there are other great gifts available at Classic Hostess that are perfect for recent grads. Here are three of our selections that are a great way to commemorate a milestone in a graduate’s life.
Lewis and Clark Compass- A compass to help guide the grad along the way in their new journey of “the real world”. This small wooden compass is a replica of the one famed explorers Lewis and Clark used to find their way through the unchartered wilderness of early America.
Round Wood and Brass Magnifying Glass- A classic magnifying glass is a great gift for a recent grad when it has an inspirational note spouting a little Socratic wisdom, i.e. “the unexamined life is not worth living…” or another quote about seeking knowledge.
Vaugondy Medium Gift Boxed Globe- This inspirational item is a great way to remind a recent grad that the world is now their oyster, and it’s a classy way to decorate their new desk or workspace!
Permalink | Tags: barware, Beverage Dispenser, beverage dispensers, drink dispenser, drink dispensers, GG Canisters, glass beverage dispenser, Gracious Goods, Ravenscroft Decanters, tabletop accessories | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments
Summer Punch Recipes for Beverage Dispensers
There’s nothing like leaning back in your hammock, perfectly nestled in the shady spot of your yard. To top it all off, you have your beverage dispenser on the table by your side, filled with ice cold punch. To celebrate the start of summer, we’re sharing our favorite recipe for punch—perfect for a glass beverage dispenser.
Sparkling Fruit Punch
2 (750 ml) bottles of sparkling apple cider
1 liter of carbonated water
3 large oranges
2 lemons
1 (6 oz) can of frozen lemonade
1 tablespoon of suger
2 trays of ice cubes
To prepare: Thinly slice the lemons, strawberry and oranges and place in a large punch bowl. Pour in the thawed lemonade. Slowly stir in the seltzer water and sparkling apple cider. Add sugar to taste and put mixture in your beverage dispenser.
Orange Pineapple Party Punch
1 12 oz. can of frozen orange juice
3 cups of water
1 46 oz. can of pineapple juice
1 liter of ginger ale
1 orange thinly sliced
To prepare: combine orange juice, water, and pineapple juice and sliced oranges; chill. Stir in ginger ale just before serving and put in beverage dispenser.
Permalink | | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments
Grazie Mille, Beverage Dispensers
We talk a lot about beverage dispensers around here. We think they’re the best thing since sliced bread, basically. They’re elegant and practical, and Classic Hostess offers such a variety, we’re always coming up with excuses to buy a new one for ourselves or for a gift.
During the summer, we tend to think of them as picnic tabletop accessories. Lemonade! Cocktails!
Well, let me have the pleasure of introducing one more genius way to use beverage dispensers. This one came to me as a surprise.
The other night I went out to the loveliest little wine bar, tucked away on one of those windy off-grid Greenwich Village streets I can never find my way back to. I was waiting at the bar for my friend to arrive, casually eavesdropping on a conversation the bartender was having with the gentleman next to me, checking my reflection every so often in the mirror behind the bar and all its bottles, when I saw them.
Two beverage dispensers. Filled with sangria.
Oh, they were so pretty, and so brilliant. Deep red wine with cut fruit floating in it.
When I ordered a glass, the bartender smiled and turned to the elegant pewter spigot. “I love this thing,” he said.
I smiled demurely, already planning an Italian dinner at home.
Permalink | Tags: barware, Beverage Dispenser, beverage dispensers, drink dispenser, drink dispensers, GG Canisters, glass beverage dispenser, Gracious Goods, Ravenscroft Decanters, tabletop accessories | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments
The Perfect Barware For Getting :#)
Don’t know what that title means? Call your Gen Y daughter. She’ll text you back the answer. Even better, learn it for yourself and then surprise her with this whimsical Rolf Text Messaging Barware.
We think these tumblers make the perfect gift for the college graduate making her own home. Elegant lead-free crystal glass shows that she’s a grown-up (no more plastic cups with her name in Sharpie) and give a nod to tradition, but the cutting edge, pop culture-savvy etching makes it clear that this barware is no hand me down.
Here’s your cheat sheet:
>:) … EVIL (but look at that cute face, if that’s evil, it’s kind of like when she borrows the car without asking)
: – # … MY LIPS ARE SEALED (you never read her diary, right?)
:#) … DRUNK (she would never! But at least in this case, she’s at home and there’s no driving involved)
:-* … KISS ON THE CHEEK (what you’ll get when she unwraps this adorable barware)
When I think of how much fun she’ll have entertaining her friends, it just makes me LOL with pure joy. Know what I mean? 
Permalink | Tags: barware, tabletop accessories | Posted in barware | No Comments