Resident Style Columnist, Amy McLaughlin, Featured on the magazine's cover and in the fashion spread of her column.
Event and Fashion Show Production - Wardrobe Styling - Home Decor Design
From Shabby to Chic by Amy McLaughlin
Watch Amy McLaughlin's latest Television segment on redecorating a room, utilizing what you already own and adding key pieces for a big transformation on a small budget.
Cheers to 2009! Champagne please!
It's New Years Eve and Champagne is the Signature Drink. Whether you're hosting your own get-together or attending a friend's...here is AML's guide to the best Bubbly!
Gloria Ferrar Blanc De Noirs $20
Perfect used as the "second case" at your own party...buy one case of more expensive Champagne with a label that everyone knows, such as Veuve. Once that case is finished and your guests are no longer focused on what's being poured...use this wonderful substitute. I would not be surprised if some even prefer this excellent sparkling wine to it's higher priced competitors!
Moet&Chandon White Star
Just around $40
Perrier Jouet Grand Brut
The beautiful flower adorned bottle is almost worth the extra few dollars for this exquisite Champagne. A very impressive host/hostess gift and an equally Divine choice to pour at your own celebration.
Louis Roederer Cristal Brut
Gloria Ferrar Blanc De Noirs $20Perfect used as the "second case" at your own party...buy one case of more expensive Champagne with a label that everyone knows, such as Veuve. Once that case is finished and your guests are no longer focused on what's being poured...use this wonderful substitute. I would not be surprised if some even prefer this excellent sparkling wine to it's higher priced competitors!
Just around $30
Moet&Chandon White StarThis is a tried and true classic! The perfect answer to a last minute run into the grocery store on your way to your best friend's party. This bottle says that you know the difference between high and low end wines, however the situation doesn't warrant an expensive "gift".
Just around $40
Perrier Jouet Grand BrutThe beautiful flower adorned bottle is almost worth the extra few dollars for this exquisite Champagne. A very impressive host/hostess gift and an equally Divine choice to pour at your own celebration.
About $58
Veuve Clicquot Rose
A much welcomed twist on the classic yellow label that we all know and love. This pink bubbly is just as smooth and refreshing as its predecessor and looks beautiful in the glass. Due to it's pink hue this is an excellent choice for a female heavy crowd or carry-along to your girlfriend's house.
Veuve Clicquot RoseA much welcomed twist on the classic yellow label that we all know and love. This pink bubbly is just as smooth and refreshing as its predecessor and looks beautiful in the glass. Due to it's pink hue this is an excellent choice for a female heavy crowd or carry-along to your girlfriend's house.
Slightly over $100
Dom Perignon '98
Making a big impact is what this bottle is all about! Personally, I don't enjoy it's taste any more than the Moet White Star but if the "wow" factor is what you're aiming for...this will surely do the trick!
Dom Perignon '98Making a big impact is what this bottle is all about! Personally, I don't enjoy it's taste any more than the Moet White Star but if the "wow" factor is what you're aiming for...this will surely do the trick!
Sky's the Limit...over $200
Louis Roederer Cristal BrutIf you're in the mood to party "P-Diddy" style, then this is your drink of choice. Also the perfect bottle to serve when proposing, celebrating a life changing event or just because you have to try it once in your life! And, yes, this Champagne is worth every penny in taste and for the pure fact that it makes you feel as though life just isn't so bad!
Cheers to 2009 from AML!
Put the "New" in New Years with a professional closet re-organization, Wardrobe Re-Hab, Home or Office Re-Decoration and Organization by Amy McLaughlin Lifestyles!
LA 310 . 251 . 4914 NY 646 . 688 . 5004 OC 949 . 587 . 0393
Put the "New" in New Years with a professional closet re-organization, Wardrobe Re-Hab, Home or Office Re-Decoration and Organization by Amy McLaughlin Lifestyles!
LA 310 . 251 . 4914 NY 646 . 688 . 5004 OC 949 . 587 . 0393
AML's Top Three Gift Picks for this Holiday Season
Jo Malone Gift Set 
Since the moment I discovered Jo Malone about 8 years ago while staying at a friends house, I have refused to spritz on anything but! Based in London and luckily now sold in the states as well, Ms. Malone delivers a clean, fresh, true to life scent in each of her fragrances. Everyone who is introduced to this line becomes an avid fan. Choose from three gift sets, all priced well below one hundred dollars and, better yet, they offer two day shipping for only five dollars!
Click here to order: Jo Malone
A Bottle of Red, A Bottle of White 
Duckhorn Vineyards is, by far, my favorite California winemaker and they are offering an exceptional price on a gift that anyone on your list will love! "A Bottle of Red, A Bottle of White" is just that, housed in a beautiful Wooden Duckhorn Vineyards box. The presentation and the Vinter’s highly regarded reputation makes this gift a fantastic choice at $90!
Click below to order: Duckhorn Vineyards
Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker 
This gift is the perfect solution for the family who has little ones. There is nothing more fun, as a child, than making yummy treats with Mom and Dad. You will be considered the greatest Aunt or Uncle in the world by Mom, Dad and the kids as well. Neiman Marcus online carries this item and it’s on sale for $100.
Click here to order: Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker 
This gift is the perfect solution for the family who has little ones. There is nothing more fun, as a child, than making yummy treats with Mom and Dad. You will be considered the greatest Aunt or Uncle in the world by Mom, Dad and the kids as well. Neiman Marcus online carries this item and it’s on sale for $100.
Amy McLaughlin Lifestyles' Favorite Holiday Hors d'vores and a VERY Merry Martini!
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine walnuts and 1 tablespoon honey; spread on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes. Combine 1 tablespoon honey, vinegar, and orange juice in a small saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat, and cook until reduced to 3 tablespoons (about 5 minutes). Fill each endive leaf with 1 orange section. Top each section with 1 teaspoon cheese and 1 teaspoon walnuts; arrange on a plate. Drizzle the vinegar mixture evenly over leaves, and sprinkle evenly with chives and pepper.
What to Pour
AML’s Candy Cane Martini
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz. Vodka
½ oz. Peppermint Schnapps
Dash of Crème De Menthe
Miniature Candy Canes
Preparation:
Crush the candy by placing in a plastic bag and smashing with a blunt object. Rim your martini glasses with the schnapps and dip into the crushed candy canes to “rim”. Place remaining ingredients in an ice filled martini shaker and shake until chilled. Pour into chilled glasses, garnish with a miniature candy cane.
What to Serve
AML’s Miniature Gourgères
These are my favorite because of the sheer ease of baking them and because they are completely irresistible, especially when hot out of the oven and accompanied by a glass of chilled champagne.
These are my favorite because of the sheer ease of baking them and because they are completely irresistible, especially when hot out of the oven and accompanied by a glass of chilled champagne.
Ingredients:
1 cup water
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 to 5 large eggs
1 1/2 cups coarsely grated Gruyere (or other hard cheese)
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets or line with parchment paper. In a heavy saucepan, bring water to a boil with butter and salt over high heat and reduce heat to moderate. Add flour all at once and beat with a wooden spoon until mixture pulls away from side of pan. Transfer mixture to a bowl and with an electric mixer on high-speed beat in 4 eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Batter should be stiff enough to just hold soft peaks and fall softly from a spoon. If batter is too stiff, in a small bowl beat remaining egg lightly and add to batter a little at a time, beating on high speed, until batter is desired consistency. Stir Gruyere into pate a choux and arrange level tablespoons about 1-inch apart on baking sheets. Bake in upper and lower thirds of oven, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, 30 minutes, or until puffed, golden and crisp.
Endive Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Walnuts
These pretty appetizers combine the sweetness of the honey and orange flavors with the bitterness of the endive. The texture of the goat cheese is a perfect contrast to the crunch of the greens and nuts.
Ingredients:
1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons honey, divided
Cooking spray
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons orange juice
16 Belgian endive leaves (about 2 heads)
1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) crumbled goat cheese or blue cheese
16 small orange sections (about 2 navel oranges)
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 cup water
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 to 5 large eggs
1 1/2 cups coarsely grated Gruyere (or other hard cheese)
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets or line with parchment paper. In a heavy saucepan, bring water to a boil with butter and salt over high heat and reduce heat to moderate. Add flour all at once and beat with a wooden spoon until mixture pulls away from side of pan. Transfer mixture to a bowl and with an electric mixer on high-speed beat in 4 eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Batter should be stiff enough to just hold soft peaks and fall softly from a spoon. If batter is too stiff, in a small bowl beat remaining egg lightly and add to batter a little at a time, beating on high speed, until batter is desired consistency. Stir Gruyere into pate a choux and arrange level tablespoons about 1-inch apart on baking sheets. Bake in upper and lower thirds of oven, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, 30 minutes, or until puffed, golden and crisp.
Endive Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Walnuts
These pretty appetizers combine the sweetness of the honey and orange flavors with the bitterness of the endive. The texture of the goat cheese is a perfect contrast to the crunch of the greens and nuts.
Ingredients:
1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons honey, divided
Cooking spray
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons orange juice
16 Belgian endive leaves (about 2 heads)
1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) crumbled goat cheese or blue cheese
16 small orange sections (about 2 navel oranges)
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine walnuts and 1 tablespoon honey; spread on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes. Combine 1 tablespoon honey, vinegar, and orange juice in a small saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat, and cook until reduced to 3 tablespoons (about 5 minutes). Fill each endive leaf with 1 orange section. Top each section with 1 teaspoon cheese and 1 teaspoon walnuts; arrange on a plate. Drizzle the vinegar mixture evenly over leaves, and sprinkle evenly with chives and pepper.
What to Pour
AML’s Candy Cane Martini
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz. Vodka
½ oz. Peppermint Schnapps
Dash of Crème De Menthe
Miniature Candy Canes
Preparation:
Crush the candy by placing in a plastic bag and smashing with a blunt object. Rim your martini glasses with the schnapps and dip into the crushed candy canes to “rim”. Place remaining ingredients in an ice filled martini shaker and shake until chilled. Pour into chilled glasses, garnish with a miniature candy cane.
Happy Holidays from
Amy McLaughlin Lifestyles!
If your Holiday needs a "Lifestyle Lift" and you just don't have the time or the energy to do it yourself, AML is just a phone call away!
Los Angeles 310 - 251 - 4914 New York 646 - 688 - 5004
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