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