Trusty Product Tuesday

I know a few weeks ago I posted about some of my favorite beauty products and recent purchases, but I thought that I would give an update on some of my current favorites, and some things that I think will suit me well during my upcoming winter trip and holiday season!  Here you go!!!

1. Carol's Daughter Monoi Haircare/2.Este Lauder Double Wear Camo Cover/3.Clinique Black Honey Shimmering Blush/ 4. Too Faced La Creme Lipstick/ 5. Elf Eyelashes - set of 3/ 6. Kiss My Face Patchouli Body Wash/ 7. Urban Decay Naked 2

1. This shampoo/conditioner smells A-freakin- mazing! Also, after the first time I used this, my hair was super smooth and shiny and I didn't use my flat iron. 2. This makeup covers EVERYTHING... no need to stress about a blemish before a holiday event! 3. This blush is gorgeous.. simple as that.. 4. Perfect red.. I can't wait to put this on for a holiday party! 5. These lashes actually hold up well, but don't use the glue, spend a few extra dollars and some better glue! For $3 for a set of 3, you can definitely afford to. You can also buy these in singles for $1. 6. Smells so earthy and good.. warm,  just relaxing, and completely natural so it won't irritate skin. 7. countless ways to mix and match looks. I own both the original and this one. This one is what you want for the holidays! There's more sparkle and with the matte black, you can create the most perfect sultry smoky eye!!!

xoxo

Happy Monday!

Hello! This is kind of random, but I know that if you are anything like me, you are still kind of scrambling for appetizer ideas for turkey day, and you may not want to devote 2 hours to rolling ornate little pastries and strategically placing herbs on plates. Quick and dirty. haha! That is my motto.. and that is only because that is how I usually cook. I decided on 3 quick snacks to serve on the big day, and they are super easy. These would be wonderful for Christmas too!

1. Bacon Wrapped Dates

- 1 pkg fresh, whole, pitted dates (many stores carry them this time of year - even wal-mart)

- 1 5-8 oz. pkg of white cheese ( my picks would be aged Parmesan, blue cheese, fontina, welsh cheddar)

- bacon strips cut into 3 pieces horizontally

- toothpicks

Make a slice in the date vertically, stuff with the cheese, wrap with bacon, pin with toothpick.

There are 2 ways to cook these.. 1. under the broiler on a foil lined pan for about 7 min or until cooked through. 2. in a 400 degree oven until cooked... and cheese is melty.

2. Crab Crescents

-1-8 oz. tube crescent roll dough
-3 oz. cream cheese, softened
-1/4 cup mayonnaise
-3/4 cup cooked crabmeat, chopped
-2 green onions, chopped
-1/8- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
salt and pepper, to taste

-Heat oven to 375°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll dough on work surface. Pinch seams to seal and roll with a rolling pin to create an even rectangle. Cut into 6 rows by 4 rows to make 24 squares.

In small bowl, mix cream cheese, mayo, crabmeat, onion, and red pepper. Salt and pepper to taste. Divide crab mixture evenly among the squares, dropping it by spoonfulls that are 1/2 inch from 1 corner of each square. Starting with same corner, fold dough over filling, and tuck end tightly underneath filling; continue rolling to within 1/2 inch of opposite corner. Roll opposite corner of dough over roll; press to seal. Place on cookie sheet. Brush with egg white, if desired.

Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet. Serve warm.

3. Sausage Balls ( I need to find a better name for these)

- 1 lb. sausage - or hot sausage for some kick

-8 oz. softened cream cheese

- 1&1/4 cup of bisquick

- 4 oz. grated cheddar

preheat oven to 400, mix all ingredients until well combined, form into meat balls and bake on lined sheet for 20-25 minutes until brown.

Enjoy!

see you tomorrow

xoxo

Blog Break

Sorry guys... I am just on overload right now with work and life. I want to be able to give 110% and put posts up that are worth reading and give someone some inspiration. I just need a few days for me, but next week I am thinking up some fun topics.. so come back and see me!

Thirsty Thursday

Over the holidays I induldge, well, a lot. I am not typically a huge drinker, but for whatever reason, this upcoming holiday season has me wanting to try a million and one holiday themed cocktails!  Here are some of the recipes I have scrounged up that I thought I would share.

Gingerbread Apple Cocktail2 oz. Domaine de Canton
1 oz. vanilla vodka
2.5 oz. apple cider
A few drops of lemon juice
Orange zest
Agave syrup

Line a chilled martini glass lightly with agave syrup on a dish followed by spiced graham cracker crumbs. Place all ingredients except for orange zest in a shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into glass. Freshly grate orange zest on drink and serve immediately.

 

Warhol Crush12 fresh rosemary sprigs
6 fresh raspberries
3/4 oz. simple syrup
1 1/2 oz. Martini & Rossi Rosso Vermouth
2 oz. cranberry juice

Muddle rosemary, raspberries, and simple syrup in a mixing glass. Fill halfway with ice and add vermouth and cranberry juice. Shake 8-10 times. Double-strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with raspberries speared by a rosemary sprig.

Hot Buttered RumIn a preheated coffee mug combine 2 heaping tbsp. batter with 1 1/2 oz. Mount Gay Eclipse Rum. Top with boiling water and stir well to mix. Serve with a spoon.

Hint: It is best to make the batter in advance so the spices have an opportunity to mingle. Be sure to remove batter from refrigerator at least 6 hours prior to serving to allow it to soften.

Batter:
1 lb. light brown sugar
1/2 lb. unsalted butter (softened)
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
2 tsp. vanilla extract

In a mixing bowl beat together softened butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and spices until well combined. Refrigerate in an airtight reusable container for up to a month, or place in your freezer until ready to use.

French Martini1.5 oz vodka
1/2 oz Chambord
2 oz. pineapple juice

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge or a leaf from the pineapple for a sleek modern look

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Personally I think for my my faves would be between the Hot Buttered Rum and the French Martini. What are your favorite festive cocktails?!

 

xoxo

Get out and Vote!

I was up bright and early! Voting... there is something about the anticipation of election day, and even though my one measley vote won't do much, I know I am a part of something great and that makes me feel good!

So, get your booty up and get out there to make a difference!

I already know what I want as far as cozy winter clothing goes, but now that the outside temp is reminiscent of a freezer, winter accessories become a huge player. Here are some of the things that I have on my list.

Clockwise from Top Left: J.Crew Woven Cashmere snood, J.Crew Cozy cashmere socks, Anthropologie Rivera Scalloped Pumps, J.Crew Cashmere Lined leather Gloves, Anthroplogie Bow Cap

I had to throw the shoes in there because I thought they would be cute with winter party dresses!

Have a good day!

xoxo

November..wait what!?

Really, November already!?  I know we are a week into it, but come on! I thought it was just August? I hope everyone had a great weekend, me I did! Andrew was sick and I had an injured arm from weight lifting  so after running some errands on Saturday morning, my booty did not leave the couch ( I was pretty much tethered to the heating pad). I watched Hallmark Christmas movies.. all day and all night, until the wee hours of the morning (poor Andrew watched too). Lame.

I found the motivation to swap out the Halloween centerpiece for a more earthy fall style.. any suggestions? You can't tell from the pic, but the runner has a slight silver shimmer to it as well.

That is seriously all I have to say about the weekend... it was that boring! haha Well Happy Monday!

xoxo

Friday Friday Gotta Get Down on Friday...

Thanks to my husband's early morning rendition of this annoying song, it is now stuck inside my head.... a big Thank You goes out to the hubs.

Now that we have put all of the fake blood, ghosts, and goblins away until next Halloween, I have the holidays on my mind. I am dreaming about Thanksgiving and Christmas centerpieces, twinkling lights, and holiday shopping.

Here are some of the ideas I have swiring inside my head:

Thanksgiving:

Images via: Pottery Barn

Christmas:

Images via: Pottery Barn

Just looking at this stuff evokes this warm, fuzzy feeling that just makes you want to cozy in with blankets and comfort food and watch holiday movies!

Have a good weekend!
xoxo