It's hard to believe that 2009 is almost here! For those of you planning to ring in the new year with a little bubbly, here are some fun recipe ideas for serving up your midnight champagne toast with a twist:

*****

1. POMEGRANATE CHAMPAGNE

Ingredients:
4 oz champagne
1 oz pomegranate juice
1 teaspoon cassis

Directions:
Pour chilled champagne into a flute, then add pomegranate juice and cassis. Enjoy!

*****

2. BLOOD ORANGE FRENCH 75
{recipe via Epicurious}

Ingredients:
3 blood oranges (about 1 pound)
1 1/2 cups gin
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon angostura bitters
2 750-ml bottles chilled Champagne

Directions:
Cut 1 orange in half through stem. Cut each orange half crosswise into 6 slices; reserve for garnish. Using small knife, cut peel and white pith from remaining 2 oranges; chop oranges. Transfer chopped oranges with juices to bowl; mash with potato masher or wooden spoon. Stir in gin, sugar, and bitters. Strain into 2-cup measuring cup, pressing on solids to release liquid. Chill 4 hours.

Pour scant 2 tablespoons gin mixture into each of 12 glasses; fill with Champagne and garnish with orange.

*****

3. CHAMBORD AND CHAMPAGNE

Ingredients:
4 oz chilled Champagne
1/2 oz Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur

Directions:
Pour the champagne into a champagne flute.
Add a healthy splash of Chambord, and serve.

*****

4. STRAWBERRY CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

Ingredients:
.5 oz strawberry liqueur
1 oz vodka
Pink Champagne

Directions:
Combine strawberry liqueur and vodka in an ice-filled shaker. Shake well and strain into a champagne glass. Top with chilled champagne.

*****

CHEERS! Wishing you many more reasons to celebrate in 2009!

It's hard to imagine Thanksgiving being complete without a slice of whipped-cream topped pumpkin pie, but there's also more than one way to enjoy the must-have flavor of the holiday at your Thanksgiving feast! Two of my favorite ways: pumpkin cocktails and creative desserts! Here are 10 sweet examples:

PUMPKIN COCKTAILS

1. Vanilla Pumpkin Pie
{via hostesswiththemostess.com}

Ingredients:
2 parts Absolut Vanila vodka
1 part pumpkin schnapps
Splash of cream
Nutmeg

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well, then strain into a martini glass. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

2. Pumpkin French 75
{via cocktailtimes.com}

Ingredients:
1 oz. Plymouth Gin
1 oz. Pumpkin Puree
1 1/2 oz. Fresh Lemon juice
1 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup

Champagne
Directions:
Shake all ingredients (except Champagne) in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain the mixture into a Champagne flute. Top with chilled Champagne and serve.

3. Pumpkin Martini

4. Pumpkin Spice Latte

***

PUMPKIN DESSERTS

5. Bourbon Pumpkin Cheesecake

6. Pumpkin Bread Pudding

7. Pumpkin Cream Sandwiches (These are on my list for this year!)

8. Carmelized Pumpkin Pear Crumble

9. Pumpkin Cornmeal Muffins

10. Pumpkin Cheesecake

***

What's YOUR favorite pumpkin recipe for the holidays? Any must-try ideas to share?

Planning on watching (and hopefully celebrating!) tomorrow's historic election with friends? Serve up some fun cocktails with a decidedly presidential presentation to help mark the occasion!  Here are few ideas:

FLAG SALUTE - The flavors of pomegranate and blueberry make a fun red, white & blue cocktail!

Ingredients:
2 parts Stirrings Authentic Grenadine
2 parts Stirrings Blueberry Martini Mixer
3 parts Smirnoff Vodka

Directions:
Layer this shot by adding grenadine first, followed by the cold vodka poured in slowly off the back of a spoon. With a steady hand, add the Blueberry Mixer on top by pouring it off the back of a spoon. Decorate with flag toothpick.

***

VOTE ON THE ROCKS -A delicious, balanced blend of organic sour cherries with citrus juices, agave and bitters mixed with tequila.

Ingredients:
2 parts Stirrings Organic Classic Sour Cherry Mixer
1 part tequila
Garnish: Cherry and “vote” pick ("vote" sticker or computer-printed design + blueberries)

Directions:
In a cocktail shaker, combine Organic Classic Sour Cherry Mixer with tequila and plenty of ice. Cover and shake vigorously. Strain into glass and garnish with a cherry.

***

More red cocktail ideas: (garnish each with a flag or skewer of blueberries)

• Raspberry Collins
• Strawberry Daiquiri
• Cosmo Girl Martini

***

Which cocktail idea gets YOUR vote?

Signature drinks are a fun part of any special get-together, but Halloween is the rare occasion where you also get to add an element of creepy to your creative concoctions! (Creepy in theory, at least!). While Halloween is typically thought of as primarily orange and black holiday, there are a few other colors that also work well for spooky signature drinks, including dark purple, "hazardous material" neon green, and – of course – blood red. Here are a few fun recipes for delicious blood-red cocktails that are sure to please your favorite (friends dressed up as) vampires… and other “unusual” guests!

1. EVIL SPIRITS
{via Rachael Ray}
Yield: 12 cocktails

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups vodka
Juice of 6 lemons
1 cup grenadine
Club soda, chilled

Directions:
Fill a pitcher with ice cubes. Pour in the vodka, lemon juice and grenadine and stir until chilled. Strain the mixture into martini glasses and top with club soda.

***

2. CREEPY CRAWLY
{via cocktailtimes.com}

Yield: 1 Cocktail

Ingredients:
1 oz Brandy
1 oz Blood Orange Puree*
2 oz GranGala Triple Orange Liqueur
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
Glass  Garnish:
1-12 oz Bag of Dark Chocolate Chips**
1 Orange Truffle or Chocolate-Dipped Orange Slice
1 Plastic Spider (optional)

Directions:
Using 8 to 10 chocolate chips for one drink, heat in the microwave for 20 seconds until almost melted. Take chips out of the microwave and stir with a spoon until completely melted (this method creates best chocolate consistency for making the web). Place the melted chocolate in a squeeze bottle and 'draw' a spider web on the inside of the martini glass (glass can be prepared in advance**).

In a Boston shaker, add the rest of the ingredients and shake well. Pour into the decorated martini glass. Garnish with an orange truffle or chocolate dipped orange slice. Plastic spider is optional as an alternative garnish or decoration.

***

3. VAMPIRE KISS

Yield: 1 Cocktail

Ingredients:
1.5 oz. Finlandia Vodka, chilled
1.5 oz Korbel Champagne
.75 oz Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur

Directions:
Pour vodka and half of the Chambord in a martini glass, top with Champagne and pour the remaining Chambord over the back of a spoon to make it float.

***

CHEERS!

When it comes to entertaining, there's nothing wrong with a shortcut. That's why my number one tool for an effortless soiree has to be the cocktail mixer. No complicated recipes to follow, no tedious measuring, no long lists of messy ingredients. Just. Add. Alcohol.

There are plenty of great options out there, but my personal favorite is Stirrings - a company founded over a decade ago in Nantucket, they've got it down to a science: perfectly balanced fresh ingredients (bottled for your convenience) equals better cocktails, whether you're craving a simple Lemon Drop or an exotic Passion Fruit Mojito.

I also happen to love the packaging - it's chic enough to leave out for my guests to become their own mixologists - less work for me! All you have to do is set out the colorful mixer bottles ($10.95 each), some drinking glasses, a bucket of ice, and your alcohol of choice. Most Stirrings mixers work well with the bar basics: Vodka, Gin, and Rum.

As you can imagine, I was quite delighted to get an invite to the Stirrings Organic Cocktail Party, held on the Hudson Terrace Rooftop Lounge here in NYC the other week - and on my birthday no less!

A few other Real Simple editors and I headed over, just in time for the rain to clear and the sun to set across the Hudson River. The perfect way to start-off the birthday celebration, followed by an intimate group dinner downtown at a friend's restaurant.

Below, left to right: Kelley Carter, Market Editor, and Nicole Sforza, Senior Home Editor, relax on the terrace.   

Below: Tall shot glasses filled with taster-size cocktails made with the new Stirrings Organic Classic Mixers (due out in September, $14/bottle).

We even got to whet our appetites with delicious small bites prepared by one of the most talked-about caterers in the city - Mary Giuliani.

I think my favorite was the mini paper-cones of french fries (below) - a pint-sized serving technique I'll be attempting to replicate in the near future.

The lady behind the bite-sized delights herself, Mary Giuliani:

A plethora of delicous recipes can be found here.

I left with an almost too-full stomach, a yummy bottle of Stirrings, and some inspiration for my next friendly gathering. You'll hear more about that soon! (hint: there will definitely be a make-your-own-drink station).

What's your #1 Easy Entertaining Tool?

*all images by Jamie Schapiro

If you love no-fuss entertaining as much as I, and are looking for a way to kick-back and cool-off as the mercury rises, look no further.

I had a few girlfriends over the other night, and this incredibly easy concoction got rave reviews. No one even paid attention to the fact that I made homemade pita chips and bought the good cheese. They just kept repeating: "I'll have another!"

Our food editors will probably have my head for this, but there's really no strict recipe. I came across a description of this drink in a novel a few years back, and have been loving it ever since (I'm a huge fan of anything that doesn't quite require measuring ingredients).

Fair warning - it's so delicious and refreshing, you might want to drink twelve.

The Pink Lady

What you'll need:

Seedless Watermelon, cut in cubes (I often cheat and buy it pre-cut)
Lemonade powder/mix (any store-bought brand will do)
Vodka (doesn't even have to be top-shelf, you can't taste it!)
Ice cubes
Lemon (for a fancy garnish, optional)
Blender

What to do:

Fill the blender 2/3 full with the cubed watermelon
Scoop in some Lemonade mix (I just eyeball it, depending on how tart I want it to be. You can adjust later.)
Pour in some vodka (I count 2 seconds of pouring per drink - is that normal?)
Add a few ice cubes
Mix it up (I use my Magic Bullet, because it only takes 8 seconds and is conveniently sized)
Pour into a cocktail glass of your choosing
Garnish with slice of lemon (Again, optional. I slice mine into full circles.)
Drink Up

*I know what you're thinking: no measurements? How do I know I made it correctly? I promise, you'll know. This drink is absolutely impossible to botch.

Here's a photo I took mid-process:

The end result looks like this:

And tastes like this:

Pink Ladies out on the town.



Pictured above: myself, the lovely Julee Wilson (Associate Fashion Editor), and Rachel Hardage (Executive Editor, Special Projects). From our SATC The Movie outing!

Do you have a no-fuss summer drink? Tell me about it!

For a mass of women across the nation, May 30th has come to represent “the day the movie comes out”. And, unless you’ve been living under a rock with no access to the web, TV, magazines, or newspapers, there’s a good chance you know that “the movie” is starring none other than our favorite NY City girls: Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, and Miranda. That’s right, ladies – Sex and the City comes out in theaters ‘round the country today, so time to grab the girls and celebrate with – what else – but cosmos, of course!

When it comes to Cosmopolitans, (the notorious red martinis, thanks in large part to the SATC girls), there are actually lots of variations on the recipe, which is great because it means you can tailor your cocktail to the taste that suits you best. The Classic Cosmopolitan entails vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice – shaken in a cocktail mixer then strained into a chilled martini glass. Here are a few recipes for you to try at home with some slight variations on the “classic” version. (Images for each recipe are pictured above.)

1. That Cosmo Girl

1.5 oz citron or raspberry vodka
.5 oz fresh lime juice
.5 oz Triple Sec
1 ounce cranberry juice

1. Chill a 6-ounce cocktail glass.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with the ice and add the citron or raspberry vodka, lime juice, Triple Sec, and cranberry juice. Shake vigorously to blend and chill.
3. Strain the mixture into the chilled glass

{recipe and image from Highballs High Heels}

***

2. Cosmic-Politan
1 cup ice
1 oz vodka
1 oz Cointreau
1 tbsp grenadine
1 cup watermelon puree
Garnish: 1 mini skewer of a small piece of watermelon, pineapple and a small strawberry

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a fruit skewer.

{recipe and image from CocktailTimes.com}

***

3. Cosmopolitan with Cointreau
1 1/2 oz vodka
1 oz cranberry juice
1/4 oz Cointreau
splash of fresh lime juice
Garnish: Lime wedge

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime.
{recipe and image from CocktailTimes.com}

***

What’s cocktail recipe do you plan on sipping at your SATC celebration? I’m a fan of flavored vodka myself, so there’s a good chance that That Cosmo Girl will be making it into the glasses at the SATC soirée at my house this Saturday, but I’m also thinking of trying out a unique 2nd option, like this Wild Berry Cosmopolitan recipe, which apparently has only 63 calories! If the taste is as pleasing as calorie count, this will definitely be a toast-worthy concoction!

For summer soirées and warm-weather parties, it’s fun to get inspired by the season and serve signature drinks with a fruity or tropical flair.  Here are a few ideas for summery signature drinks, including a  “dessert cockail” that I’ve personally been addicted to lately…a raspberry champagne sorbet served right out of a martini glass!

*****

Tidal Wave Martini

1.5 oz Malibu (or other coconut-flavored rum)
1 oz blue curacao
.75 oz fresh lime juice
.5 oz amaretto
1 tbsp coconut cream
1 tbsp superfine sugar

Directions:
Shake the liquid ingredients and sugar vigorously with ice.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with a lime slice and orchid.

{recipe & from Mini Bar: Rum}

*****

Tropical Margarita

1 oz canned tropical fruit salad in natural juices, puréed (from 15-ounce can)*
1 fresh lime
.5 oz simple syrup or 1 tablespoon sugar
1.25 oz premium tequila
.75 oz premium Triple Sec
Ice

Equipment: Shaker & Blender

Directions:

Empty canned tropical fruit salad into blender and purée the contents well.

For one cocktail drink: Juice lime and pour into martini shaker. Add simple syrup, tequila, Triple Sec and tropical fruit salad purée. Fill martini shaker with ice and shake vigorously 10 times. Strain into chilled martini glass and garnish with an orange and lime wedge.

*Note: One, 15-ounce can of tropical fruit salad in natural juices makes 15 drinks.

{image courtesy of mealtime.org}

*****

Chambord Berry Sorbet

1 Scoop of Raspberry Sorbet
1 oz Chambord
Splash of Champagne
Raspberries for garnish

Directions:

In a martini glass, add one scoop of raspberry sorbet (vanilla ice cream also works well). Top with one ounce of Chambord and splash with champagne.

Garnish with fresh raspberries or blackberries.

Between the blossoming flowers, budding plant life, and abundance of fresh fare, spring is the perfect time to look to nature for entertaining inspiration. To give your next fête a fresh spring feel, focus on a palette of rich greens, mix in vibrant splashes of fuchsia and yellow, and keep your overall design simple and chic.

Here are some fun product picks to help you achieve this look:

Tabletop

• cb2’s ultra-modern Verde Plates feature enlarged images of beautiful citrine green chrysanthemums ($7.95/ea).
• Acrylic Barware in a contemporary green hue is perfect for outdoor entertaining ($3.95-$4.95).
• For an easy, chic centerpiece, arrange colorful flower stems or greenery in an assortment of Mini Bud Vases. (At only $1.95 each, why not line the entire table with them?)
• Embellish the area around the centerpiece with decorative stones and river rocks.
• Brighten up the table with a hot pink tablecloth ($26).
• A Flocked Moss Mat doubles as an creative, unexpected “table runner” ($8.99).

Party Decor

• Fill contemporary ceramic bowls with bright green Flocked Moss Cobbles ($8.99) and Moss Balls ($6-$20). The cool shape of cb2’s large, angular White Square Bowl ($7.95) coordinates with the shape of the Verde Plates.
• Display unique greenery and plants inside clear glass vases partially filled with decorative rocks.
• Flowers with beautiful, unique blooms – such as pink and yellow dahlias – add an instant burst of color and life to the party.

Signature Drink: Caipirinha

Ingredients:
• 1/2 lime, quartered
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 2 1/2 fluid ounces Cachaca
• 1 cup ice (crushed or cubes)

Directions:
Muddle the sugar into the lime wedges in a large rocks glass. Fill the glass with ice, then pour the Cachaca into the glass. Stir well and enjoy!

Food
Serve a variety of fresh seasonal fruits, veggie platters, hearty salads, and muffins. For dessert, try mini fruit tarts or fruit sorbets garnished with mint leaves and raspberry skewers.

What does “spring entertaining” mean to you? Are there any specific elements, ideas, or recipes that come to mind? Whatever your reason for getting together, spring is a wonderful time to celebrate. If you don’t have a specific occasion to honor, host a “just because” gathering – and don’t forget to take the party outdoors, if possible, and enjoy your cocktails and sorbet amidst the fresh air and beautiful weather!

Sangria is a popular “wine punch” that first originated in Spain, but became quite popular around the globe after being introduced to a larger audience at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. This crowd-pleaser is served over ice and typically consists of red wine (although white wine can also be used), fresh fruit, and added spirits such as triple sec or brandy, resulting in a fruity, refreshing concoction that appeals to the taste buds of both wine-lovers and non wine-drinkers alike!

While sangria can be enjoyed year-round, it's especially appropriate for parties and get-togethers during the spring and summer months, when the weather is a bit warmer and the fruit a bit sweeter.  And because sangria tastes best when it’s been chilled overnight (so that flavors have ample time to marinate into each other), you can do all the prep work the day before your gathering and have one less thing to worry about on the actual day.

When searching for sangria recipes, you’ll quickly discover that this party drink is very versatile. With all of the recipe variations that are available today, you should be able to find a version to fit almost any theme or taste preference – or just have fun experimenting with the basic ingredients until you come up with a favorite version of your own. Here are a couple ideas to get you started:

------------

Scrumptious Sangria (Red)

1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate
1/3 cup orange juice
1/4 cup white sugar
1 (750 ml) bottle dry red wine
1/2 cup triple sec
1/2 cup brandy
1 orange
1 lemon
1 lime
8 maraschino cherries

Directions
Mix brandy, lemon juice, lemonade concentrate, orange juice, red wine, triple sec, and sugar in a large bowl. Float slices of lemon, orange and lime, and maraschino cherries in the mixture. For best results, refrigerate overnight to give the fruit flavors time to soak in. Enjoy!

------------

See-Through Sangria (White)

1 Bottle Dry white wine
½ cup orange liqueur
¼ cup Sugar
1 unpeeled lime, thinly sliced (remove the seeds)
1 unpeeled lemon, thinly sliced (remove the seeds)
1 unpeeled small orange, thinly sliced (remove the seeds)
1½ cups sliced fresh strawberries
1½ cups halved green grapes
2 cups chilled sparkling water or club soda, or more to taste
Garnish: whole strawberries with hulls

Directions:
Combine the wine, liqueur sugar and fruit in a large pitcher and refrigerate overnight. Pour into cocktail glasses filled with ice and top off with club soda. For the garnish, slice the strawberries partway, form the bottom up, and place one on the rim of each cocktail glass or wine goblet.

(Recipe Source: Southern Cocktails by Denise Gee)

What about you? Do you know of any especially yummy sangria recipes that are other readers might enjoy as well? If so, please share!

While the word “organic” usually conjures up images of Saturday-morning farmers' markets and freshly pureed, pesticide-free veggie concoctions, the word “cocktail” is most often associated with celebrating and, well – splurging – so is the phrase “organic cocktail” an oxymoron?

Not necessarily! As the world takes a more proactive approach towards “living green”, certain alcohol companies, bars, and restaurants are starting to take notice and follow suit. Organic spirits (those made from 100% certified organic grains, fruits, and sugarcane), cocktail mixers, and cocktail recipes are popping up all over the place – and they seem to be making quite the healthy splash. (pun intended)

And why not? Mixing your spirits with organic berries, Granny Smith apple juice, fresh-squeezed O.J., or poached pear nectar sounds pretty darn good – especially when compared to the alternative options of gooey syrups and sugary sodas.

If you’re entertaining at home and the thought of all that squeezing and pureeing sounds way too time-consuming, then a ready-made organic mixer such as ModMix could be the solution for you. ModMix is made from the all-organic ingredients and comes in 5 tempting flavors: Citrus Margarita, French Martini, Lavender Lemon Drop, Mojito and Pomegranate Cosmopolitan.

Square One Organic Vodka – crafted from 100% organic American rye – has quickly become a staple in the organic cocktails category, and the Square One mixologists have come up with a whole slew of elixirs and libations that utilize this spirit, including favorites like the Spajito and Watermelon Refresher.

Spajito
(A delicate, spa-like twist on a classic mojito.)

2 oz. Cucumber-infused Square One Organic Vodka
6 sprigs of fresh mint
1 Tbsp. organic Agave nectar
3 Tbsp. peeled and diced cucumber (preferably English)
1 lime, halved and juiced, with one half reserved
Club Soda or Sparkling water
Ice

Remove leaves from all but one sprig of mint, reserving that sprig for garnish. Place mint leaves, agave nectar, cucumber and lime juice in a cocktail shaker. "Muddle" (mash) the contents of the shaker with a wooden spoon or muddler for at least 30 seconds. Strain the liquid into a tall glass filled with crushed ice. Add the vodka and the lime half and stir. Fill glass to desired level with soda water. Garnish with the remaining sprig of mint.

(Credit: Allison Evanow)

---------------

Watermelon Refresher
Light, flavorful and summery

2 oz. Square One Organic Vodka
1 1/2 oz. watermelon/cucumber juice*
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/4 oz. organic Agave nectar (or to taste)
5 sprigs of mint
Ice

• Remove leaves from all but one sprig of mint, reserving that sprig for garnish. Place mint leaves and agave nectar in a cocktail shaker and muddle for 15 seconds. Add ice, watermelon/cucumber and lemon juice and shake for 15 seconds. Strain the liquid into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a mint leaf.

• Watermelon/cucumber juice - Take one cup cut watermelon and 1/4 cup peeled and sliced cucumber and place in blender. Blend on high until pureed. Using a fine mesh strainer, strain mixture into a glass or bowl. Discard remaining solids from strainer. Will yield enough juice for 4-6 cocktails.
(Credit: Allison Evanow)

---------------

Another popular organic spirit – and one with some mighty fine-looking packaging I might add - is VeeV – a “vodka alternative” touted as “The World’s First Açaí Spirit”. What the heck is Açaí, you ask? Good question. According to the Veev website, Açaí is “the exotic tasting Brazilian national fruit popularized by surfers and sports enthusiasts and is considered the world’ preeminent superfruit.” Check out their website for more info.

So what’s your take on the eco-chic cocktail movement? Are you buying the idea of a "clean" Dirty Martini? And if you've had a or “Greentini” (Green Tea Martini) or other "healthy cocktail", did it pass the taste test? We’d love to hear your feedback on this concept!

Just when you think that stemless wine glasses are the most innovative thing that will ever happen to cocktail hour, something even more novel makes its debut: inside out drinkware! Dutch designer Alissia Melka seems to be at the forefront of this current trend with her “Inside Out Collection”, which consists of some truly unique pieces, including the liqueur, champagne, and martini glasses pictured above and below (available at Red Envelope and Moma Store).

Here’s a quick description of the concept behind Alissia’s Inside Out Collection, as conveyed on her website:

“The shape of a drinking glass reflects its content: columnar flute for champagne, curvy goblet for wine, short shot glass for straight liquor, stout highball for cocktails. But what if only the negative space of glasses assumes these iconic shapes? That’s the premise of AMT’s line of Pyrex glass barware. All glasses have the same outer shape, but pour in a drink and the glass’s inner identity appears."

Also pictured above:

1. Claudio Colucci’s Wine Carafe with Glass
This truly unique serving piece is hand crafted and mouth blown from a single piece of glass, making each one unique. Great gift idea for the wine enthusiast! ($95 at Moma Store)

2. Romain Gauthrot’s Double-Walled Bottle
The space between the double walls of this bottle serves as insulation, which helps maintain the temperature of the liquid inside, and also creates an sleek silhouette when filled. ($99 at Moma Store)

And drinkware isn’t the only place you can introduce the inside out concept to your table; decorative candle holders seem to be following suit on this trend, and are perfect for creating unique centerpieces! The beauties pictured above are all available at Crate&Barrel. Added bonus: their price tags range between only $2.95 - $9.95!

1. Piper Candleholders ($2.95 small / $3.95 large)

2. Pixie Candleholders ($9.95 each)

3. Trix Candleholder ($3.95 each)