New Years Eve Cocktails

Save the beer and shots for another night because nothing says New Years Eve quite like champagne. These are some of the champagne cocktail recipes that have been on my radar as 2013 comes to a close.

Grand Champagne Cocktail from Bobby Flay

New Years Eve Beauty Looks

New Years Eve is a bit like Halloween in the sense that it's perfectly acceptable to go a little over the top, especially when it comes to hair and makeup. I mean, what better night is there to break out the glitter, big hair and false lashes? 

These are some of my favorite New Years Eve hair and makeup looks.  If there is a how-to attached to the look, I have included a link to it. 

Makeup

Gold Glitter Eyes

Classic Red Lips

Monday Morning Pick Me Up: Always Believe

Hey, Did You Hear...

Jenna Lyons will appear in the new season of Girls - Refinery 29

Who you will likely see on the 2014 magazine covers - Fashionista 

Vogue looks at the best parties of 2013 - Vogue

The year in fashion from Cathy Horyn - New York Times

Happy Saturday!

After Christmas Sales

J. Crew - Save 30% off your purchase and 40% off all sale items with the code GIFTNOW

J. Crew Factory - Take an extra 25% off clearance items with the code SALE25

Ralph Lauren - Enjoy an extra 25% off all sale items

Brooks Brothers - Save up to 50% off at the semi-annual sale, plus an extra 15 % off

Madewell - Take an extra 40% off sale items with the code SALETIME

Kate Spade - Take 25% off all sale items with the code DECEMBER25

Lord & Taylor - Save an extra 20% off all sale and clearance items with the code AFTER

Bloomingdales - Enjoy up to 75% off sale and clearance items

Piperlime - Take an extra 50% off sale items with the code EXTRA

Banana Republic - Take an extra 50% off sale items with the code BREXTRA50

Tory Burch - Take an extra 25% off sale items with the code NEWYEAR

Sephora - Take an extra 20% off all sale items with the code EXTRA20

Gap - Take an extra 20% off sale styles with the code GAPBONUS

Anthropologie - Take an extra 25% off sale items with the code 25BELOW


Happy Shopping!!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a lovely holiday!

Christmas Eve

I hope everyone has a lovely evening with friends and family tonight! There won't be too many blog posts over the next couple of days as I enjoy some time with my family over the holiday. 

Desserts to Share This Christmas

Most of us won't be charged with making the Christmas lunch or dinner for friends and family, but it's always nice to contribute something. Small things like cupcakes, mini pastries and candy are especially popular because it allows everyone to try a little bit of everything. So grab the sugar and turn on the oven. It's time to start the Christmas desserts!

Zuccotto from Martha Stewart

Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting by Ree Drummond

Monday Morning Pick Me Up: Hustle Sold Separately

Hey, Did You Hear...

Kate Bosworth is on the cover of Martha Stewart Weddings - E! Online

Fashion's take on Leo's new film, The Wolf of Wall Street - Vogue

How does one become Karl Lagerfeld's bodyguard? - Fashionista

Vogue has broken its Health Initiative code - Fashion Times

A history of dangerous beauty treatments through the ages - The Cut

Happy Saturday!!

Thursday Night Cocktail: Winter Dreams Cocktail

Recipe and Photo from Nutmeg Nanny

Lately, every festive holiday cocktail I have come across has been nothing but peppermint, chocolate and Baileys. Don't get me wrong, I love those drinks, but tonight I am in the mood for something a bit more refreshing. 

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces mandarin orange vodka

1/2 ounce Cointreau (orange liqueur)

1/2 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice

Seltzer water - chilled

Fresh cranberries and mint for garnish

Directions

In a tall cocktail glass add ice and pour in vodka, Cointreau and lemon juice. Fill to the top with seltzer water and gently stir. Add in fresh cranberries and mint for garnish

Cheers! Christmas is less than one week away!

Christmas Eve Dinner: Italian Style

For most people celebrating the Christmas holiday, they either make a big to-do on Christmas Eve or on Christmas day, but in my family we go big for both. The meal I look forward to most is the Feast of the Seven Fish on Christmas Eve, which is the traditional Italian way to celebrate the holiday.

Originally hosted by my great grandparents, and now my aunt, the evening is filled with family and food, specifically, a lot (and I mean a lot!) of fish. This menu of recipes is very similar to what you find on my aunt's table each Christmas Eve.

Appetizers & Hors d' oeuvres

With so much additional food coming, we try and keep things light when it comes to Appetizers & Hors d' oeuvres. Oysters on the half shell and shrimp cocktail are must holiday haves, and the cheese option is something that usually changes from year to year. My first Christmas Eve memory is of watching my great grandfather teach my older brother how to eat oysters (with tons of hot sauce!).

Raw Oysters on the Half Shell with Cucumber Mignonette from Tyler Florence

Spiced Salt-Roasted Prawns from Saveur

Street Chic: Reese Witherspoon

When I grow up and become a Mom, I hope I look as good as Reese Witherspoon does. She has a look that is very stylish and attractive, but also appropriate for her age. She isn't walking around town in a mini dress and stilettos, but she also isn't living in Lulu Lemon yoga pants, either. She always looks fantastic enough for guys to think "hey, hot mom!", but not to the point where other moms are like "I hate that bitch", which to me, is the perfect balance for a 37-year-old mother of three. Keep it up Reese, you're an inspiration for stylish, classy girls everywhere. 

Stocking Stuffers

For the Ladies

Dior Nail Polish

Nail polish and tools are always great for stocking stuffers

Monday Morning Pick Me Up: Lifting Others

Hey, Did You Hear...

The fashion seen in American Hustle is not to be missed - New York Post

OK, the hair styles are pretty damn good, too - New York Magazine

Being Joanna Coles assistant is an awesome gig - New York Times

H&M may be raising its prices to pay factory workers a living wage  - Fashionista

Kanye West is becoming more delusional by the second - Refinery 29

Take a look back at 2013, and look ahead to 2014 - Vogue

Tis the Season for Christmas Cookies

Besides the scent of Christmas trees, nothing says "Holiday Season" like the smell of freshly baked cookies. These are the cookie recipes on my baking list this season.

Lizer Cookies from Southern Living

My Mom made these a lot during the holiday season when I was a little girl. My jam of choice is always raspberry.

Peppermint Macarons from Anna and Blue Paperie

These cookies are beautiful, but time consuming to make, so don't try to whip these up at the last minute.

Thursday Night Cocktail: Citrus Temptation

Recipe & Photo via Jill Davies at The Food Network

Ingredients

Raw sugar to rim glass

1 1/2 oz. limoncello

3/4 oz. orange-flavored vodka

Juice of 3 lime wedges, approximately 3/4 to 1 oz.

Ice

Directions

Dip a cocktail glass in a saucer of water to rim. Roll glass rim in raw sugar to coat. Pour limoncello and vodka into shaker with ice. Squeeze and add 3 lime wedges into shaker. Fill cocktail glass with ice. Strain drink into glass.

Cheers!

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Host or Hostess

For the person who will use any excuse to throw a party

Gatsby Bar Tools & Ice Bucket from Crate & Barrel

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Beauty Queen

One can never have too many lipsticks or face creams

Limited Edition Tom Ford Lipstick Set from Neiman Marcus

Holiday Gift Guide: The Book Lover

For the person who wants nothing more than to get lost in a book shop on a Saturday afternoon

Nancy Mitford Box Set from Heywood Hill

Street Chic: Elin Kling

No, she isn't a model running from show to show during Fashion Week, but you would never know it. The amazingly beautiful Elin Kling is a Swedish fashion blogger and journalist (check out her blog) well know on the scene for both her personal style and her fashion talents. Her style is classic European with a dash of hipster and she is a can't miss during fashion week. 

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Man in Your Life

If you don't want to give him sports tickets or cologne, why not try...

The Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry Craddock

Monday Morning Pick Me Up: Nelson Mandela

Hey, Did You Hear...

Gwyneth Paltrow and Michael Kors teamed up for the holidays - Fashionista

New York Magazine is going bi-weekly - USA Today

Changes may be coming to fashion week - New York Magazine

What is not to be missed at Art Basel Miami - Forbes

Holiday Gift Guide: The Fashionista

For the girl that know's there is no such thing as too many shoes!

Torch Lake Bib Necklace from Anthropologie

Spiral Desktop Calendar from Kate Spade

Sequined Snood from French Connection

Kate Spade iPhone case from Neiman Marcus

Collection Cashmere Sequin Sweater from J. Crew

Holiday Gift Guide: The Foodie

For your friends and family that keep you well fed!

Where Chefs Eat by Joe Warwick

Thursday Night Cocktail: Winter Spiced Old Fashioned

Image & Recipe via Spoon Fork Bacon

Makes four drinks 

Ingredients

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

3 cardamom pods

1 star anise

1 cinnamon stick

12 ounces sweet bourbon or whiskey

1 orange, cut into 8 wedges

8 maraschino cherries 

4 cinnamon sticks for garnish

Directions

Place the sugar, water, cardamom pods, star anise and 1 cinnamon stick into a saucepan and simmer over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.

Bring the mixture to a boil then cover and remove from heat. Allow the mixture to steep for 30 minutes. Strain the spices from the simple syrup.

Allow the mixture to cool completely before placing in the fridge for an hour to chill.

Divide an orange wedge and two cherries into each four glasses and muddle together.

Place the chilled syrup, bourbon and ice into a large shaker and shake until well combined.

Divide the mixture into each glass and top with an extra orange wedge, squeezing the wedge before dropping into the glass.

Garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick and serve.

Cheers!

Street Chic: Gwyneth Paltrow

There has been a lot of talk surrounding Gwyneth Paltrow lately, and most of it hasn't been very nice. No matter your opinion on her lifestyle brand or her parenting, you have to admit that the woman always looks damn good. Even though most women hate her, they really should take note of her daily style choices, because she always looks polished and pulled together. 

Homemade Chocolate Frozen Yogurt

A couple of months back I came across a recipe for chocolate frozen yogurt that has two ingredients: plain greek yogurt and cocoa powder. Well, I tried it over the weekend, and it turns out that just yogurt and cocoa powder isn't sweet enough for sugar addicts like me. I doctored the recipe a bit and it actually turned out pretty good. 

Monday Morning Pick Me Up: Keep Going

NET-A-PORTER End of Season Sale

Along with the Black Friday deals we have the added bonus of the fantastic NET-A-PORTER end of season sale event where fashion fans can snag their favorite designer goods for up to 50% off.

I am a huge fan of shopping the sales (how the hell else am I going to afford designer clothes?), but there are a few things that I like to keep in mind while I shop, because if I don't, I may end up with serious sale remorse.

Would I pay full price for this?

If you don't like it enough to pay full price for it, don't buy it. Something being a great deal isn't enough to warrant a purchase.

What do I own that will go with this?

Sometimes I come across a piece of clothing that is truly amazing, but as much as I love it,  it doesn't go with anything that I already own. If you can't build an outfit around the item on sale, it will most likely just sit in your closet.

Is it in season?

 It's difficult to pass up something you love just because it's out of season, but most of those "perfect for next summer" pieces go into the closet and then are promptly forgotten about. Instead, try and focus on buying items that you can wear right now. If you scroll down and see my top picks from the sale, you'll notice that I chose pieces that I can wear over the next several months or pieces that can be worn all year long.

OK, onto the fashion! These are my favorite items from the sale.

Clothing

J Brand Tabitha Coated Skinny Jeans

Hey, Did You Hear...

Alexa Chung is the new face of Longchamp - WWD

Kanye West needs to get a grip on reality - Fashionista

Kate Moss to be honored at the British Fashion Awards - Fashionista

Black Friday shopping has officially gone digital - USA Today

Victoria Beckham's French Vogue cover & interview are out - The Daily Beast


Happy Saturday!!

Recipes for Thanksgiving Leftovers

Thanksgiving is over but there is still plenty of leftover food to be eaten. There is nothing wrong with simply have a second (or third!) Thanksgiving meal, but that isn't for everyone. Here are some great recipes to help use up your Thanksgiving leftovers.

Turkey Pot Pie from The Pioneer Woman

Black Friday Sales

J. Crew  - Take 30% off your purchase with the code HOLIDAY

Brooks Brothers - 15% your purchase in stores and online

Ralph Lauren - Take an additional 25% off all sale items

Tory Burch - Take 20% off when you spend $300

Jack Wills - Take 30% off with the code JWGIVE

Club Monaco - Take 30% in stores and online with the code THANKS30

Kate Spade - Save up to 70% 

Madewell - 25% off your order with the code FEAST25

Ann Taylor - 50% off everything with the code ANNTHANKS

Bloomingdales - Save up to 50% at the Big Brown Bag sale

Lord & Taylor - Take 20% off regular priced and sale items with the code THANKS

Saks - Save up to 60% off select items

Neiman Marcus - Take an extra 20% off all sale items

ShopBop - Save 15% when you spend $250

Forty Winks Lingerie Boutique - 15% off with the code THANKFUL

Cusp - Take an extra 20% off sale items 

Nordstrom Rack - Spend $100 and get a $15 gift card

Banana Republic Factory Store - 50% off all items

Brooks Brothers Factory Store - 40-50% off all items

Cole Haan Outlet Store - 50-70% off regular prices

J. Crew Factory - 40% off everything in the store and online

Last Call Neiman Marcus - Take an extra 40% off all items

Happy Shopping!

Image Credit

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you all have a wonderful day full of family, friends and things to be thankful for!

Shop Local on Small Business Saturday

Each Thanksgiving many of us (including me) get caught up in all of the Black Friday chaos and wake up at dawn to make a mad dash to stores like Target (cheap DVD's) and J. Crew (cashmere sweaters) for holiday deals and steals. The problem with Black Friday is that it excludes many smaller, local retailers because most of them simply cannot compete with the sale prices at larger, chain stores.

To help support small business, American Express is holding Small Business Saturday on November 30 where all AmEx card holders will receive a $10 credit when they spend $10 at a participating small business. All you have to do is register your card and head out to the shops this Saturday. It's a great opportunity to save a little money and help support your local businesses. 

These are the Boston area small businesses that are favorites of mine:

The Tannery

Henry Bear's Park

Bells & Whistles

Quebrada Baking Co.

Raven Used Books

Street Chic: Sarah Jessica Parker

When it comes to fashion on TV, it all started with Sarah Jessica Parker and Sex and the City. Her character Carrie has become such a fashion icon that many people look at Parker and aren't able to move beyond her character. It's a shame that they can't because Parker is a fashion icon in her own right.

I actually prefer Parker's personal style to her SATC character because it's much more practical and wearable, but still very stylish. Yes, she may be sporting a simple pair of skinny jeans but she pairs them with a pair of Manolo Blahnik stilettos and a ladylike black coat that helps make the outfit. She may have no makeup on but you would never know because she's got on a pair of classic oversized sunglasses. It's the kind of easy glamour that other busy women can appreciate and and also emulate.