My business baby is two! Another year has flown by so fast I nearly forgot to celebrate. The good news is it’s never too late for a little cake and bubbly. So here we are, a few months late, looking back on a wonderful 2014 and celebrating all that is to come in this new year.

Brass Tacks continues to grow and evolve in ways that challenge and inspire me on a daily basis. I’ve continued to be blessed with the BEST clients. People come to me through an array of avenues but ultimately have one thing in common- they’re people I now consider close friends. I count my lucky stars every day being able to work with people I so admire and love. They are individuals who are doing unique and interesting things in their lives. Pursuing their dreams- whether in the form of opening a small boutique or traveling the world. They’re people who, like me,  have big plans for life. Utilizing Brass Tacks to help them execute their plans is what makes my line of work so fulfilling.

The more clients I add, the busier life gets, which is great news for me, not so great news for the blog. The hustle and bustle of work, holiday and a little (big) remodel left my favorite little blog rather quiet for the past few months. One of my primary goals for 2015 is to utilize this space to bring you new and unique content that may help simplify your life or inspire your every day. With that in mind, I’m so excited to announce the arrival of a very fabulous guest blogger, Carly Haslee! PR girl, fashion maven, and soon to be Mrs.(!), Carly is a total sweetheart who will surely entice you to check the blog often. She’ll be posting on a weekly basis about everything from fun finds to how to stay organized. We’re grateful to have her and I know you will be too!

As always, there are a few other exciting projects up my sleeve. While I continue to focus on the service side of the business I can’t help but continue to pour my heart into the brand side. My goal is to better bring the Brass Tacks lifestyle to life by offering shop-able items that will simplify your every day. Keep your eyes peeled for a fun new product offering later this year which will hopefully be the first of many!

Before I’m off to that cake and bubbly I want to say a sincere thank you. For your continued business, support and general interest in my concept and mission! Being a small business owner is rewarding because of YOU! Now cheers to 2015 and whats to come.

xo Perris

Shop the Guide: 1 Olympic Provisions Salami Bouquet 2 Tangerine Print 3 Poppy Ring Rolling Pin 4 Indigo Wood & Bone Servers 5 Handcrafted Pizza Cutter 6 Laguiole Steak Knives 7 Brass & Walnut Pour Over Coffee Stand 8 Askinosie Peppermint Bark 9 Tina Frey White Champagne Bucket

To me the holidays are all about family. And food. The meals that become traditions and the wafting smells that bring you comfort. The kitchen is a special place to be during the holidays. Whether you’re shopping for a treat loving co-worker or a friend with a new kitchen, these goodies are sure to please (and look beautiful while doing so!).

For the beverage connoisseur I recommend a beautiful handcrafted coffee stand or a sleekly sculpted champagne bucket. Surprise a foodie friend with a creative and divine salami bouquet (Olympic Provisions is responsible for the one time I’ve eaten an entire salami in one sitting- it’s that good) or a box of delectable peppermint bark from craft chocolate purveyor Askinosie. Surprise your favorite cook with a too-pretty-to-use rolling pin or a set of classic Laguiole steak knives in bright colors. When you’re really stumped, just about everyone can use some beautiful servers and a swanky pizza cutter but save the gorgeous tangerine print for someone extra deserving of some beauty in their lives.

Cheers to a holiday season filled with love, laughter and delicious food!

Shop the Guide: 1 Jersey Knit Stripe Stocking/Pom-Pom Charm 2 Cocktail Muddler 3 Mast Brothers Chocolate 4 Loren Hope Earrings 5 Kate Spade Wine Tote 6 Beauty Counter Lip Sheer 7 Ray-Ban Clubmaster Sunnies 8 Sugar Paper Gift Tags 9 Swedish Dream Sea Salt Candle 10 Nautical Wine Opener 11 Holiday Fabric Fresh 12 Double Pearl Studs 13 Ashley Brooke Designs Mug 14 Scotch Naturals Nail Polish 15 Jcrew Trouser Socks

Let’s be honest…stockings are the best. There is something so special about this old Christmas tradition, no matter what fills your stocking. The mere act of unpacking my stocking from storage each year brings back the warmest childhood memories. As adults, my husband and I have started a new tradition by only giving each other gifts that fit within our stockings. This leaves me in a “stocking state of mind” for much of the year. In my opinion, the perfect mix of stocking stuffers includes some tasty treats, a touch of whimsy, a bit of practicality and at least one wow-factor surprise. Let’s start with a fabulous pom-pom adorned stocking and a Mast Brothers bar of chocolate followed by a nautical wine stopper and a cheeky bag for a bottle of bubbly. Continue onto the practical with a holiday fabric freshener, warm winter socks and a handmade muddler for those ever so necessary winter beverages. Practical never looked so good. Onto the wow-factor surprises with a pair of beautiful baubles or a new pair of shades. The options are endless which is why this game is so fun! While we all love an overflowing stocking, the most important thing is who you spend these precious holiday moments with. Wishing you all a warm and happy holiday season as we kick things off with a day of thanks this Thursday! xo

Shop the Guide: 1 Buffalo Check Quilted Vest 2 Buffalo Check Mug 3 Perfect Plaid Bowtie 4 Ferme A Papier Card 5 Plaid Trouser Socks 6 Lambswool Plaid Scarf 7 Stewart Wool Throw 8 Pretty Smitten iPhone Case 9 Plaid Cocktail Napkins

It’s officially gift guide season! My absolute favorite time of year. To kick things off I’m starting with a fun collection of goodies in one of my favorite prints. Plaid! We all have someone in our life who loves a preppy plaid whether they disguise it with a layer of socks or flaunt it with a festive phone cover. Spoil your loved ones with a fabulous Faribualt throw or simply brighten their day with a heart felt note. Dress up your cocktail party with these pretties or cozy up on the couch with a mug of hot cocoa. No matter how you wear your plaid, these items are sure to add a little festive flair to someone’s life this holiday season!

I don’t know about you, but Sundays always seem like the perfect time to plant myself in the kitchen and fill the house with yummy aromas from the oven. There’s something so gratifying about waking up your loved ones with the smell of freshly baked goods and a hot pot of coffee. This delicious quiche is so easy to whip up and is a healthy alternative to the usual cream filled pie crust bottomed recipe we’re used to. More healthy recipes like this can be found in the Against All Grain cookbook (my new fav!).

What you’ll need:

• 1 medium sweet potato (or butternut squash works too)
• 1.5 lbs breakfast sausage, casings removed, cooked and crumbled
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 10 eggs
• 3 tablespoons coconut milk (or regular)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (plus more to taste)
• 1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom and sides of a pie plate with a thin layer of olive oil. Peel your sweet potato and use a mandolin (or sharp knife) to thinly slice the potato into very thin disks. Arrange the sweet potatoes in a circular pattern, covering the bottom of the pie plate completely. Layer the sausage evenly over the potatoes, covering the entire surface. Sprinkle the rosemary gently over the sausage layer. Place the eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a bowl and whisk to combine. Pour the beaten egg mixture into the dish. Back for 30 minutes or until the center is set and the eggs have puffed up.

Serve with a side of hot sauce and a steamy beverage of choice. Enjoy!