Ladles & Linens Kitchen Shoppe L & L Blog By: Fayeruz Regan blog: 4th of july, 4th of july party, al fresco, almond cracker recipe, alternatives to plastis and more

by Fayeruz ReganNov 06, 20210 comments

The most festive holiday treat: Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

Warning: These cookies are addictive. They stand apart from the average cookie because they're fluffy and cake-like, a vibrant orange and are oh so chocolatey. This treat straddles two seasons: The pumpkin is a nod to autumn and Thanksgiving, while the chocolate makes it a classic. And since we're allowed to indulge over the holidays, I honestly cannot find a cookie that disappears faster from my kitchen! When I bake these, my son Hamilton (pictured above, center) suddenly becomes the most popular kid in the neighborhood. I've loved these cookies since I tried them at a holiday party years ago. And...

by Fayeruz ReganNov 06, 20210 comments

The most festive holiday treat: Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

by Fayeruz ReganOct 30, 20210 comments

The art of a cozy dinner party

This fall season, it's all about cozy, intimate gatherings. We're still reeling from the pandemic, and many of us aren't yet confortable with large gatherings. This is a blessing in many ways. Intimate groups foster deeper conversation, and after all the isolation, it's the perfect way to reconnect. The DelVecchios...

by Fayeruz ReganOct 23, 20210 comments

Five elements to make Thanksgiving unforgettable

Unpopular opinion: Thanksgiving dishes can lean toward the bland. If it were socially acceptable, I'd heap my plate full of mashed potatoes and call it a day. It's still a nice meal, but I do fantasize about ditching all the fuss, ordering in Chinese take-out and binge-watching Hallmark Christmas movies....

by Fayeruz ReganOct 17, 20210 comments

Beyond the latte: New ways to enjoy pumpkin spice

I know, I know. Pumpkin spice can be a polarizing topic. Those who love it start getting antsy in the summer, while naysayers will argue that we were brainwashed by clever marketing. Both sides are right. Pumpkins alone don't have much flavor, and the spice is what makes it memorable....

by Fayeruz ReganOct 10, 20210 comments

Spooky snacks that are scary-delicious

It's that time of year when the pace of life quickens. We're alway dashing off to work or school or after-school activities. But hunger waits for no one, so why not have some fun with it? These recipes are so inventive, no one will even notice how healthy they are!...

by Fayeruz ReganOct 03, 20210 comments

Upgrade a Southern classic: Saffron shimp and grits

I've always been obsessed with saffron. As luck would have it, it's also the most expensive spice in the world. What makes it so expensive? Saffron comes from the crocus flower, which blooms just once every year. In the fall, when the flower opens, just three tiny threads (or stigmas)...

by Fayeruz ReganSep 26, 20210 comments

Why you should go apple picking - with or without kids

Years ago, my friends and I took a road trip to an orchard to pick apples, and it was one for the books. You don't need kids to go apple picking; think of how any influencers have posted their floppy hat and flannel orchard photos to social media. Do it...

by Fayeruz ReganSep 19, 20210 comments

Five ways to warm up your home for autumn

Some people are bemoaning the end of summer, while others are already up to their necks in pumpkin spice everything. Whichever side you're on, we can all agree that decorating your house is one of the things that makes it a home. If your home reflects changes in the season...

by Fayeruz ReganSep 11, 20210 comments

Birria tacos: The obsession you didn't know you had

I blame Chrissy Tiegen. She is the driving force behind so many tasty dishes I've tried, and shared with you. Once, her husband surprised her with a taco food truck, and I was mesmerized by the seasoned shell and gooey cheese. And they were dipped in something au jus. Turns...

by Fayeruz ReganSep 04, 20210 comments

What's the fig idea? Kitchen sink pizza.

All cultures have a sexy way to reimagine leftovers. Britain has the bubble and squeak, Italians whip up leftovers and eggs for frittatas, and the American Midwest can't get enough of a sturdy casserole. But I found something sexier - pizza! Our fig tree exploded with fruits in the past week,...

by Fayeruz ReganAug 29, 20210 comments

This easy spa trick will elevate your home

It's that strange time of year that feels like a mash-up between two seasons. We're flooded with back-to-school messages, and indeed some kids are in school. But we associate this time of year with fall. Outdoors, it's anything but. We're still in the throes of the dog days. Quaint fireflies...

by Fayeruz ReganAug 22, 20210 comments

Back-to-school essentials that'll boost your kid up

I don't know about you other parents out there, but my son is nervous about school starting. He's been out of in-person school since halfway through kindergrten, and is preparing to go back for second grade. We're all looking for ways to navigate this strange moment in time. We do...

by Fayeruz ReganAug 15, 20210 comments

The best potato salad you'll ever have. Like ever.

I love potatoes. I shake my fist at the heavens for making my body process potatoes as a starch rather than a vegetable. But potato salad? Never been a huge fan. That is, until I tried Jake Bailey's family recipe. Jake Bailey is a difficult man to describe. On paper...

by Fayeruz ReganAug 08, 20210 comments

Five ways to make your guests feel pampered

This is our first weekend at home in over a month. It's been a whirlwind July. We took a long vacation, and were lucky to have been hosted at a couple of houses on the Chesapeake Bay. These hosts were gracious, and it inspired me to list a few ways...

by Fayeruz ReganAug 01, 20210 comments

Keep it cool with these easy no-bake desserts!

I don't just enjoy chocolate. I consider it a vitamin supplement. Just a small dose will remind me that everything will be okay. Let's just call it emotional nutrition...before Gwenyth does. But in the dog days of summer when craving a sweet treat, I don't want to use the oven....

by Fayeruz ReganJul 25, 20210 comments

Tropic like it's hot

The summer heat is here, and before we wax nostalgic about sweater weather, let's embrace it. Once January hits, we will look back on these days and wonder whether we made the most of it. It's all about saturated colors, splashy prints and tropical fruits. The latter is the perfect...