/Christmas

I can't believe this year is almost over! I am very much so looking forward to what 2012 brings. My Christmas was amazing - I really couldn't have asked for a better time with my family and boyfriend.

A "before" picture of my sister's tree.

Also, note the difference in picture quality! Above was taken with an iPhone and below, with my crappy Blackberry. I can't wait to upgrade!!!

The aftermath at my boyfriend's house. We went a little nuts.

Okay, let's get down to the nitty-gritty: product reviews.

Nars Blush in "Orgasm"

I've been in desperate need of a new blush. During the summer months, I stick to bronzer. But for some reason, I lean more towards blush when it's cold out. I knew my little sister would come through for me since she is such a make up guru. Can I say how much I love this??

EOS Lip Balms

I'm seriously addicted to Aquaphor. And finally, I've found a competitor: EOS lip balm. I was interested in trying it when I saw Ingrid aka Miss Glamorazzi raving about it. Since then, I've acquired quite a few of them. I keep one in my purse, in my desk at work, and on my vanity at home. I just can't get enough of them! I've been using Summer Fruit but just got Sweet Mint in my stocking from my boyfriend and they are both so yummy!

Skullcandy Pipe

This is not a new product for me, but I am still raving about it. I bought one a few years ago and lost it some how during a move last year. My older sister was kind enough to replace it for me for Christmas. I love all Skullcandy's items. This iPod dock is small and convenient but packs a lot of sound. It runs on both power and batteries and comes with a remote. Loving it!

UGGS

This is not something that needs any kind of introduction but I am super excited about this gift. I've been dying for black Uggs in the worst way and my boyfriend finally made my wish come true! That is all. :)

Friday Favorites



Favorite Look // via



Favorite Quote // via



Favorite DIY // via



Favorite Home Design // via



Favorite OMFG! // via



Happy Friday!!

Tuesday Travels

The boyfriend took me to my doctor's appointment this morning and instead of going home afterwards, I tagged along for "take your girlfriend to work day." This meant spending a lot of time in the car with his new iPhone. And in case you were wondering.. iPhone > BlackBerry.

Ridin' Dirty

Please.

Kew Gardens

Central Park

Free People's Out With the Old... In With the New

via

I've become borderline obsessed with Free People's blog and the DIY stuff they post. They also host some pretty awesome workshops at various locations. And FINALLY! one in New York was scheduled for yesterday. My sister and I made plans to meet at the shop in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. While I waited for her, I just took it all in. This brand is amazing. It's not just a store, it's well, a very successful brand. The clothes are beautiful, wispy, and give that flower child feeling. You'll find anything from lite and airy dresses to loosely knitted sweaters and beautifully handcrafted cuffs and jewels. I was also fascinated by the decor of the shop. They are so creative! They make so much (if not all) of their holiday display and I took home some great ideas.

Onto the DIY ornaments we went and I was overwhelmed with the amount of supplies they had! I literally didn't know where to begin. I had to sit there for a minute to take it all in and decide what I was going to do. The crafts were also nicely complimented by From Graduate to Gourmet's delicious display of chocolate covered strawberries, mini cupcakes and cookies, gold fish crackers, chocolate covered pretzels, and more! They were so yummy! Just as I was telling my sister how good the chocolate chip cookies were, a girl sitting next to me, crafting away, said "really?" As it turns out, it was Aly, the blogger/baker of From Graduate to Gourmet! I was so excited to get to tell her how good everything tasted. To top it all off, the kind staff of Free People served us warm apple cider and provided great company. It was really fun to do something different with my sister while getting to meet such nice people and enjoy Manhattan on a beautiful Fall, I mean Winter day.

Never-ending shopping

This is the first year that I'm not doing typical mall shopping. Instead, I'm making and designing most of my gifts while only purchasing small gifts to compliment them. I've been scouring blogs, sites, shops for ideas. Here are some other things I've come across that I've either ended up purchasing, would thoroughly enjoy receiving, or would made great gifts.

 

(01) Tom's (02) Hamsa Necklace (03) SITE Pillow (04) Guitar String Ring 

(05) Scout & Catalogue (06) Buxom Lip Gloss (07) Scentsy Warmers 

(08) 2012 Blue Sky Planner (09) Minimergency Kit  

Monday Mourning // Stuffed 'Shrooms Recipe

Holiday shopping is officially in effect. As inspired by my boyfriend, I'm approaching gift giving a little differently. And as much as I hate to admit it - he was right! My family and I always provide lists to each other and while I never questioned because it's how I grew up, it does made it a little less surprising. So this year, I'm not accepting any lists and I've been doing just fine! I'm so excited with the ideas I have and I hate that I can't share them. Until then, I'm going to share some holiday recipes.

One of the dishes that I brought to my sister's house for Thanksgiving was stuffed mushrooms. These little 'shrooms are a new dish for me - inspired by a party we went to a few weeks ago. My boyfriend wasn't satisfied with the amount we ate from stalking the servers so I made some the next day. And if I may say so myself, they came out incredibly delicious.

Disclaimer: If you're not a fan of funky cheeses, I would suggest substituting the Gorgonzola for a cheese, well, less funky.

What you'll need:
6 oz. pancetta or bacon
2 tbsp. butter
3 cloves or garlic, minced
1 cup of freshly cut spinach
1 cup Gorgonzola cheese
3/4 cup bread crumbs
salt & pepper
24 baby Portobello mushroom caps

Preheat the oven to 400°
In a medium skillet, saute the pancetta until crisp, break into pieces and set aside in a mixing bowl
Discard fat from skillet and melt butter, add onion and garlic and saute for 3 minutes
Stir in spinach until slightly wilted
Add everything to the mixing bowl with pancetta and allow to slightly cool
Stir in bread crumbs and cheese and season with salt and pepper
Hold one mushroom at a time over the bowl and stuff with a spoon and pack it down
Set on a baking tray
Once all mushrooms have been stuffed, bake in oven for about 8 or 9 minutes