Make Holiday Hosting Merry and Bright With These Festive Finds (As Seen On CBS Austin)
Thanksgiving is only a couple of weeks away, which means the holiday season has officially commenced! Prepare to light up the room with your holiday looks, enchant dinner party guests, and transform your home into a cozy haven for visiting family and friends with these holiday season finds — all of which I chatted about today on CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin.“
Keep reading for more info on everything shown on TV!
Beau Domaine The Serum
It’s the season of all things merry and bright, so we naturally want our complexions to be lovely and luminous. To give your skin a radiance boost, you can reach for The Serum from Beau Domaine, a natural and sustainable French skincare brand. All Beau Domaine products are formulated with 96% to 98% natural and traceable ingredients — all of which have science-backed benefits. Beau Domaine’s The Serum ($139 at Bluemercury and US.Beau-Domaine.com) targets wrinkles, loss of firmness and uneven tone. It also features hyaluronic acids of different molecular weights to hydrate skin and give it a plumper and bouncier appearance alongside organic grape water, which has soothing and moisturizing properties.
Beau Domaine was co-founded by the Perrin family, a prominent winemaking family that owns the Château de Beaucastel vineyard in Provence, and A-list actor Brad Pitt. At the heart of all Beau Domaine products are two proprietary active compounds with anti-aging properties: GSM10 , which combats oxidative stress, protects collagen fibers, and supports microbiome balance; and ProGR3, which combines resveratrol from grapevine shoots, apigenin from chamomile flowers, and catechin from green tea leaves to slow down visible aging signs.
Not only are these proprietary active compounds the result of years of scientific research, but they feature upcycled ingredients from the Château de Beaucastel: GSM10 contains Grenache seeds and skins of Syrah and Mourvedre grapes while ProGR3 contains resveratrol from grapevine shoots. The usage of upcycled materials is part of Beau Domaine’s commitment to sustainability and a circular economy.
Tronque Scar Concentrate
New Zealand-based body care brand TRONQUE is on a mission to end “neck down neglect,” offering consumers clean and effective formulas rooted in nature and green chemistry. Founder Tanné Snowden was inspired to create the brand while recovering from endometriosis surgery in 2019, during which time she learned about the many body care products packed with ingredients that, in numerous studies, had been flagged for their potential to act as hormone disruptors. Snowden set out to create her own body care range and use only the safest, most high-quality ingredients.
Among the brand’s offering is the Scar Concentrate ($160 at Bluemercury, Neiman Marcus, SAKS, and on Tronque.com), a supercharged oil repairs and reduces the appearance of new and old scars of all types —C-section, mastectomy, face and body acne scars, cosmetic surgery scars, and more. The oil features 26 nutrient-dense ingredients including: biotech virgin maracuja Oil, which stimulates the key markers of cell proliferation by encouraging collagen and elastin synthesis; Vitamin C THD, a form of vitamin C that is 50 times more potent than L-Ascorbic Acid in combatting hyperpigmentation and stimulating collagen production; pink algae to decrease inflammation and smooth wrinkles; and biotech lipids and ceramides that plump skin,
This fragrance-free concentrate can be used on both the face and body and will help you feel like your most confident self as we kick off holiday party season!
down etc Luxury Bedding, Bath Products, and Sleep Amenities
Hosting out-of-town family and friends for the holidays? Bring the comfort and elegance of a posh hotel suite to your home with a little help from down etc. The brand specializes in luxury bedding, bath products, and other sleep amenities. Guided by the belief that sleep is the foundation of daily self-care, the company redefines the art of rest through thoughtful design, timeless craftsmanship and attention to every detail — from double-stitching and German cotton piping to materials chosen for their beauty, durability and ease of maintenance.
down etc’s products were originally created for five-star hotels and results, and the brand has more than two decades of experience in prestigious hospitality environments. Here in Austin, down etc’s signature bedding can be found at iconic destinations like the Driskill Hotel, Hotel Van Zandt, Hotel ZaZa, Hyatt Regency, LINE Hotel, and more. And now, the brand’s luxury products are available to all shoppers looking to elevate their homes and improve their sleep quality.
To help your guests enjoy more restful sleep, pick up the 25%/75% White Goose Down and White Goose Feather Pillow ($115 to $161 on downetc.com and Amazon), a heavenly pillow filled with 25% white goose down and 75% white goose feathers. Next, to help them turn their daily shower into an indulgent self-care ritual, pick up the Mojave Diamond Border Bath Towels ($8 to $115 on downetc.com and Amazon), which are made from extra-long staple cotton for maximum absorbency and faster drying time.
You can also help your house guests lounge in comfort while they enjoy their breakfast and coffee (or relax after a long day of family activities) with the ultra-plush and soft Taurus Mountain Collection Shawl Collar Robe ($120 on downetc.com and Amazon) and the Closed Toe Slide Slippers ($5 on downetc.com and Amazon).
Thermomix TM7
Next we have the ultimate kitchen essential to help simplify holiday entertaining. This is the new Thermomix TM7 ($1700 on Thermomix.com) an all-in-one smart cooking appliance that replaces over 20 kitchen tools—among them your blender, food processor, slow cooker, and steamer.
The TM7 can chop, mix, blend, sauté, knead, steam and even caramelize, so it’s like having your own personal sous chef. Plus, the TM7 connects to its very own built-in recipe platform, Cookidoo, giving you access to over 100,000 guided recipes from around the world. You can follow them step-by-step on the 10-inch, AI-enabled touchscreen for a seamless experience.
With the TM7, holiday cooking will easier than ever! You’ll find recipes for everything from buttermilk mashed potatoes to maple butternut biscuits, green bean casserole, gingerbread men and chocolate almond fudge.
BareOrganics Focus Ground Coffee, Energy & Stamina Blend Powder, and Marine Super Greens Powder
We can give our holiday dishes a nutritional boost with some BareOrganics superfoods— all certified USDA organic, vegan, non-GMO and gluten-free. Woman owned and operated, BareOrganics offers flavorful products with added nutritional value — many of which can be worked into a plethora of drinks, snacks and meals (from oatmeals to smoothies, salads, soups, baked treats, and more).
To feel energized and laser sharp, reach for the probiotics-boosted BareOrganics Focus Ground Coffee, which contains adaptogens like ginkgo, ashwagandha and lion’s mane mushroom that promote mental clarity and concentration. Not only will this coffee help you stay on task during the busy holiday season (and help you better manage any associated stress), but you’ll relish the warmth hint of cinnamon in its flavor profile.
And the naturally red Energy & Stamina Blend Powder and naturally green Marine Super Greens Blend Powder will help add some festive touches of red and green to your dinner table — no need to rely on any artificial food coloring! This holiday season, try working it into a Cacao, Beet, Maca, and Ginger Root Energy & Stamina Cheesecake and indulge your sweet tooth while giving your body beneficial vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The Marine Super Greens Blend, meanwhile, is the perfect addition to an Avocado Chipotle Salad Dressing.
Pick these up at your local H-E-B store and visit BareOrganics.com for recipes!
La Madeleine Holiday Feast and Festive Treats
If the kitchen isn’t your happy place or you simply don’t have enough time to prepare a full spread for your guests, you can turn to La Madeleine! Their new holiday menu features fully cooked, take-and-heat group meals that taste delicious and take the stress out of holiday hosting.
The meals serve up to 10 people and include your choice of applewood smoked ham or roasted turkey breast alongside cranberry-apple stuffing, cranberry-apple relish, creamy wild mushroom sauce, fresh baked bread, and your choice of two sides, with options including red-skinned mashed potatoes, potatoes gratin, green beans almondine, sweet potato soufflé, broccoli and rice, and more. The meal also comes with mini pumpkin and pecan tartes.
In addition to these take-and-heat meals, La Madeleine offers festive treats like macarons, Christmas Tree Linzer Cokies, the classic Bûche de Noël, and the new mini Bûche de Noël and Cinnamon Christmas Tree Brioche. Not only will these pop on any dessert tray, but they make excellent gifts for teachers, coworkers, neighbors, and more.
La Madeleine’s holiday meals are available through December 24th and seasonal café favorites are available through the end of the year.
You can order now visiting lamadeleine.com/holiday-feast
BeatBox Sweet Heat Cinnamon
Baby, it’s getting cold outside! And that means we’ll be craving cocktails that make us feel warm and cozy. Luckily, BeatBox‘s newest limited-edition flavor, Sweet Heat Cinnamon, will do just that!
BeatBox, the Original Party Punch, is one of the fastest growing ready-to-drink cocktail brands in the US. BeatBox is Austin-founded and based— in fact, it was founded in 2012 as an MBA project at UT Austin and gained national attention in 2014 after a successful appearance on Shark Tank that secured a $1 million investment from Mark Cuban. This year, BeatBox even had its own namesake stage at Austin City Limits!
Just in time for the holidays, BeatBox released Sweet Heat Cinnamon, a delicious drink that offers a warm cinnamon taste layered with sweet spice and a hint of slow-burning heat. You can sip on it “as is” or get creative and make your own Sweet Heat Cinnamon-inspired cocktail. For inspo, BeatBox has some great recipes on its Instagram page including El Diablo’s Kiss (which incorporates cranberry juice and hot honey) and a fun take on a Hot Todd.
Like all BeatBox flavors, Sweet Heat Cinnamon comes in a resealable carton, allowing you to enjoy at your own pace!
BeatBox is available at convenience and grocery stores nationwide including 7-Eleven, Walmart, and Total Wine & More.
Priest Ranch 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon and December Provisions Box
Wine and friends are a great blend, so make sure to have the perfect wine on hand to serve to your guests (or bring to any dinner party you’re attending!). Priest Ranch has you covered with its stunning proprietary blends, which are exclusively estate-grown and bottled.
Priest Ranch is a family-owned brand producing premium wines from the Somerston Estate, a sprawling 1,682-acre ranch tucked into the Vaca Mountains on the eastern edge of the Napa Valley. Winemaker Cody Hurd uses industry-leading technology in the vineyards and cellar to produce Priest Ranch’s exquisite wines. One testament of Hurd’s commitment to quality and innovation is the 2022 Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon ($60 at retailers nationwide and Austin Wine Merchant here in Austin), a smooth red that feels like a celebration — whether you’re hosting a big dinner or sharing with friends.
To make your next gathering even more special, pick up the Priest Ranch December Provisions Box ($50 exclusively on Priest RanchWines.com), a one-time box packed with chef-crafted recipes, gourmet finds, and artisan provisions. The December box includes a pouch of Italian beef rub, a bottle of premium olive oil, a bottle of maple honey, and much more!
You can also visit PriestRanchWines.com and purchase a 6-month or 1-year subscription to keep your culinary adventures going strong!
