Weekend Recap and Sunday Thought

We are currently in the midst of a big snow storm right now which is a great excuse to just stay inside, make hot cocoa, sit by the fire and watch Christmas movies. I hope you all are having a fabulous weekend and are staying warm.

 Heres a quick recap of my accomplishments this weekend:

- Major Christmas shopping completed!!  I feel so happy that I don't have to go back to the mall because it is a zoo out there!

- Holiday cookies are being made today (recipes to come!)

-Wrapping gifts... might as well start now!

- Looking for appetizer options..... The Jingle is next Friday so I need to come up with an appetizer to bring within the next couple days... suggestions welcome!

Also here is a picture of Misa as a puppy playing in one of our first snow falls.

Are any of you buried under a pile of snow?

How many of you are done with your Christmas shopping?! (Only 9 days away!)

xoxo

Saturday Holiday Pin-spiration

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend, we are supposed to be getting a big storm tonight so I will be busy all day today finishing up my holiday shopping. Christmas is only a week and a half away and I've been busy pinning away some last minute holiday ideas. 

Check out what I found!

This is one ornament I would definitely like to receieve. You buy a plain glass ornament and fill it with hot cocoa mix, marshmallows and peppermint. A fun gift for the chocolate lovers in your life!

We normally make french toast on Christmas morning but I love the idea of making a cinnamon bun tree!

 Our holiday party the Jingle is next Friday and I'm still looking for an appetizer to bring. How fun is this present?! It's definitely a great twist from the traditional cheese platter!

 A simple way to create a centerpiece... use empty tissue boxes! I have been going through so many tissue boxes with my cold this week, now I have a fun project to do with the empty containers!

My cousins and I are planning an elaborate awkward cousin photo for our parents... can't spoil anything yet but it will definitely be comparable to this photo!

What do you have planned for this weekend?

Are any of the rest of you getting a big snow storm tonight?

Don't forget to follow me on Pinterest!

xoxo

Currently Loving...

TGIF Ladies!

Can you believe there is less than 2 weeks until Christmas.... it's definitely crunch time! I will be spending my weekend finishing up my Christmas shopping (finally) and hopefully baking some cookies in preparation for all the holiday parties the following weekend. Most of all I am looking forward to sitting by the tree and soaking up all the Christmas spirit going around. Hope you all have a fabulous weekend no matter what you end up doing! 

Here is what I am currently loving this week:

Rashida Jones' Article for Glamour

I'm a little obsessed with this Rashida Jones' article that she wrote for the January issue of Glamour magazine. She highlights how the women in pop culture have used their bodies to sell music. I know that's nothing new but her take on it was very insightful and it ended up making me thing about my own life and how important it is respect my body and support other females in my life.

C Wonder Cashmere Gloves

Last weekend in NYC I spotted these amazing cashmere gloves in C Wonder. I debated about buying them and ended up buying a sweater instead... now I have major regret. Hoping they show up in my stocking on Christmas morning. 

Christmas Packages

Our house has been like Santa's workshop lately. Much to Misa's dismay the UPS guy has showed up every day this week to drop of some sort of packages. This year I did a lot of online shopping for my mom so those packages have been trickling in. In addition my uncle ships all of my cousins Christmas gifts to my house (so Santa Alex can wrap them). It's been fun coming home to boxes and wondering whats inside.

Survivor Blood vs. Water Finale

I'm a bit of a nerd but I've been obsessed with Survivor since I was in 5th grade. This season has been so good with family competing against eachother for 1 million dollars. I am looking forward to seeing who comes out on top this weekend when the finale airs. Also I recently applied for Survivor: Blood vs. Water 2 with my cousin Josh as a part of my 25 Before 25 list so I've been taking close notes!

Banana Republic Faux Fur Vest

I've wanted to add a faux fur vest to my wardrobe for sometime now but I wanted a longer one that has lighter colored tones. Enter this beautiful vest from Banana Republic, that has the pattern of a snow leopard. This vest has officially been added to my Christmas list because it would be perfect for those cold upstate winter days we've been having lately.

What do you have planned for this weekend?

xoxo

Holiday Outfit

Here's the deal guys, with the holidays coming up I'm sure many of you will be attending a lot of parties. I always love reading posts about the perfect holiday dress, however in upstate New York it's normally freezing on Christmas so I can't get away with wearing a fun sleeveless dress without worrying about turning blue from hypothermia. My family holiday parties can be pretty laid back, dressed up enough that you look festive and cute, but casual enough that I can jump into a game of Just Dance on the Wii with my cousins. So today I came up with a fun holiday outfit to wear that is just dressy enough. My theme was red and gold if you couldn't tell and found a variety of fun accessories that showed my holiday cheer. Recently, I've been obsessed with layering different gold bangles and bracelets that thats why there is jewelry overload in this post!

Whats your typical holiday outfit look like?

Any of the rest of your northerners jealous of the warm weather down south?

Red Silk Shirt // White Toothpick Cords // Glitter Belt

Sloan Sequin Pumps // Red Scalloped Ring // Red Idiom Bangle

Putting on the Ritz Gold Earrings // Sailors Knot Hinge Bracelet // Chain Link Bracelet

Infinite Necklace // Glitter Clutch

xoxo

Let's Get Away

Apparently Kate Spade is sick of all the holiday cheer and is ready to fast forward to warm weather and beaches because their new nautical line has me thinking "Pina Coladas" instead of "Eggnog." I'm not complaining, I am one of those people who believes that once the holidays are over it's time to fast forward to summer. Since I will be headed to tropical climates in April, I definitely want to grab some of these adorable nautical items before my trip, especially that "Get Out of Town" Gia clutch! When I was in NYC I saw a lot of the jewelry in person and they have some beautiful pieces. You should also know that the Beau Bag now comes in more colors and sizes (hello Mini Beau at a cheaper price!). 

Once the holidays are over do you like to fast forward through January, February and March?

Which pieces are your favorite?

Is it too soon for a nautical fashion line?

Polka Dot Bangle // Navy Scalloped Ring // Anchors Away Bracelet

Metal Bow Belt // Infinity Scarf // Get Out of Town Gia

Stripe Clutch // Red Stripe Bow Clutch // White Mini Beau Bag

xoxo

New Recipe: Goulash

The finished product

Happy Tasty Tuesday!

Today I will sharing with you a fabulous goulash recipe, served over elbow macaroni. "Goulash" is a meal of meat and noodles. It reminds me of sloppy joe's but with macaroni instead of bread. It's super easy to make and is quite tasty even if it's not the most picture perfect meal I've ever made.

 Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1 medium white onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tbsp paprika
• A pinch of ground nutmeg
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 2 rounded tablespoons of sour cream
• drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
• Sprinkle of fresh parsley

Directions:

1. Cook pasta in a large pot. While macaroni is cooking heat skillet over medium high heat.
2. Add ground beef and chopped onions. Cook until ground beef is brown.
3. Add garlic and other seasonings
4. Mix in tomatoes and heat through.
5. Stir in sour cream.
6. Drain pasta and toss with oil and parsley
7. Scoop goulash on top of pasta and serve.
8. ENJOY!

xoxo

Weekend Recap

I had such a great time in NYC this weekend. The day always flies by and before I know it, I'm back on a bus headed for the 518 exhausted. This was the first year in awhile my mom and I didn't go to see a Broadway show, instead we just wandered around the city and had lunch at our favorite restaurant, Clyde Fraziers. I did manage to score some fabulous items at C Wonder and do some Christmas shopping for my family. Plus we visited the Christmas tree! On Sunday I was so tired and woke up sick so I took it pretty easy. We did decorate our Christmas tree though, so our house is officially in the holiday spirit!

Owned by former New York Knick Clyde Frazier!

 I've met Clyde a couple times and he is super nice, plus last year his restaurant ran a contest and I won a signed basketball!

There are photos of Clyde all over the restaurant

Heaven on Earth

The tree!

My mom and I attempting to take selfies in front of the tree. Fail. 

Bryant Park ice skating rink... I just watched because I'm not coordinated enough to ice skate.

Have you ever been to NYC?

What are your favorite things to do there?

xoxo