Italian Hot Chocolate For Two

Tis the season for warm beverages in our teacups!  One of our favorite treats is Italian hot chocolate.  It will delight chocolate lovers at your next event and looks oh so pretty served in vintage teacups!  Here is a quick recipe for two.

ITALIAN HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE

Make: 2 cups of very thick, rich hot chocolate

Ingredients

2 cups of milk (whole milk preferred)
1 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch
4 tablespoons of white sugar (if using semi-sweet chocolate, reduce to 2 tablespoons)
2/3 cup of chocolate chips
Optional Toppings include whipped cream and marshmallows

Directions

1. Whisk together half of the milk and all of the cornstarch.
2. Bring the other half of the milk and all of the sugar to low boil on stove.
3. Add in the milk and cornstarch mixture while continuing to stir until smooth.
4. Remove from heat and drop in chocolate.
5. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.

Tip: Add additional milk to adjust thickness to taste. Recipe may call for trial and error depending on your personal sweet tooth and type of chocolate used. Have fun and top with marshmallows or whipped cream!

Styling: Mandy Forlenza Sticos  / Photography:  Maria Doka / Vintage Teacups:  Little Vintage Rentals / Originally published on:  Best Friends for Frosting

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Simple Holiday Decor Ideas on Best Friends for Frosting

Take the stress out of decorating for the holidays with these simple festive ideas for your home without strands of lights or even a tree!  As seen on Best Friends for Frosting with amazing photography by Maria Doka Photo.

-Create a simple wreath with thin wire and a strand of corner store greenery

-Adorn all beverages with a thin slice of lemon

-Dress tables with a fine linen table cloth and linen napkins

-Use candles in canisters for less mess
-Great creative with herbs

-Leave a greeting at every place setting

-Serve hot chocolate in teacups

-Add greenery to a dish of sweet treats

-Type gift tags on a typewriter
-Dress up simple gift wrap with silk dupioni ribbon

-Display gifts on a faux fur throw or in a stocking

CREDITS

Concept & Styling:  Mandy Forlenza Sticos / Photography: Maria Doka Photography / Vintage Props:  Little Vintage Rentals / Candles:  Aromasoy Candles  / Linen:  Lost in Linen  / Ribbon:  Midori Ribbon  / Stocking:  A Stylish Design

Holiday Gift Guide for The Bride-To-Be

What do you get the gal who notably has everything, especially after an extensive bridal shower registry? Here are some of my favorites.  Get your shop on!  Above:  For cold feet – Madewell

Hostess dreams:  Lost in Linen | Words to live by:  Pinegate Road

Scented perfection: Riles and Co. | Hand dyed goodness:  Natalie As Is

Lightweight tunic:  UziNYC | Monthly stress reliever:  Glassful

Say it with jewelry:  Confetti By Annette | Fine art wedding mag:  Geraldine

Still not sure what to buy?  Then RENT some fabulous table top decor with us for the wedding or bridal shower!  Happy Holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello friends!  Wishing you + yours a wonderful Thanksgiving!

At Little Vintage Rentals, we are thankful for all of our wonderful clients + friends who found us in under 2 years making this little company grow faster than we could have imagined.  Who knew so many New Yorkers needed vintage table top goods + decor!

Photography:  Jen Trahan / Styling + Floral Design by Mandy Forlenza Sticos / Vintage Table Top Items:  Little Vintage Rentals  / Calligraphy:  Fleur de Letters / Flowers Supplied by Blooms By The Box

Valentine’s Day Must-Dos For You

Valentine’s day is here and Little Vintage Rentals is definitely feeling the love.  Even if you do not have a significant other, it’s an important day to remember to treat yourself with love and care.  Here is our  list of  Valentine’s Day Must-Dos For You.   Go ahead, treat yourself!

(1) Write yourself a letter.  Yes, a good old fashioned pen-to-paper letter.  Write down your hopes and dreams for yourself 1 year from now.  Read it when you need a reminder of your goals.

(2) Have a fizzy drink.  Whether it’s champagne, a cocktail or just a fruity soda that is normally off the radar; put your feet up and enjoy the bubbly.

(3) Eat a sweet treat.   Heart shaped cookies, sugary cakes and powdered donuts are in every shop on Valentine’s Day.  One word:  Indulge.

(4) Read poetry.  No, inspirational quotes on pinterest do not count.  Grab your favorite by Mirabai, Sylvia Plath or Billy Collins.  Ok, those are my favorites but you get the point!

(5) Dress up for a party.  Even if you’re home watching Sleepless in Seattle, put on your favorite party dress, drink that bubbly and take a bite of that pastry calling your name.  Twirling in your living room is encouraged!

Lovely images by Ananda Lima.  For more from this shoot, click here.

A Simple Christmas

I have been endlessly inspired this season by one phrase, ‘A Simple Christmas’.  I love all of the images that pop up on Pinterest when you do a search for ‘simple christmas’ and of course, I was dreaming of gift wrap very early in November while I prepped for The Evergirl shoot.   Here are my ingredients for simple Christmas gift wrap.  I hope it inspired a wonderful holiday!

Need some last minute holiday party planning ideas?  Check this out!

Simple + Stylish Holiday Soiree Featured on The Everygirl

One of my favorite projects to date, this simple and stylish holiday soiree was featured on The Everygirl here.  The idea was to create an easy but beautiful holiday gathering for close friends.  Kate Ignatowski captured the set up perfectly and I had too much fun styling this!  I mean, who knew there were edible glitter stars?

Styling:  Little Vintage Rentals  Photography:  Kate Ignatowski  Necklaces:  Confetti by Annette  Wine:  Kunde Family Estate Special thanks to Erin + Evan for lending a hand!