2013 and 22

Although I believe that any time of the year is a good time to make changes, the New Year is a classic time to reflect and set new goals for the coming year. Here are some of my New Years goals/resolutions for the upcoming year.

-Work-Out at least 4 days a week

-Master my new Canon Rebel

-Post on this wonderful blog 5 days a week

- Hang up everything in my apartment that I have been putting off

-Take a road trip to Seattle, Portland, or San Francisco 

- Keep to my budget and save 

- Stop being in such a rush all the time and spend more quality time with the people I care about

That last one starts tonight! Today is my 22nd Birthday and I will be spending time with loved ones eating delicious food and enjoying the last day of the year. 

Have a drink for me and have a very Happy (and safe) New Year! 

New Years

set created on polyvore

Top/Leggings/Bag/Flats/Necklace/Watch/Phone Case/Champagne/Flutes

Hello there! I hope you had a fabulous Holiday!

Mine was filled with family, food, and way too much sugar.

Now it is time for New Years (and more importantly, my birthday). I am turning the ripe old age of 22 on Monday and could not be more excited. I purchased this pair of sequin leggings to wear and I am really excited to style them. It might look something like above (but with more than just one bottle of champagne).

Do you have anything sparkly to wear on New Years?

Have a great weekend!

Lately

Here's a few snapshots of what I have been up to lately!

1. Ice Skating at the Gallivan Center

2. Torturing my dog (that hat only stayed on for that photo)

3. Tried a Kouing Aman from Les Madeleines (ever had one?)

4. Went up to Park City for sushi at Flying Sumo

5. Just a roadside sign to remind you to smile :)

6. Watching Home Alone and wrapping the rest of my Christmas presents

7. Made homemade chocolate macarons with white chocolate peppermint filling

8. The raptor downtown all dressed up for Christmas

I hope you all have a fabulous Christmas eve!

Thanks for reading!

Winding Down

Dress: H&M (old, similar) Turtleneck: Lands End Boots: Enzo Angiolini (old, similar) Bag: Kate Spade (similar and on sale!) Necklace: Forever 21 Watch: Skagen

 

I feel like this holiday season is winding down already. Can you believe Christmas is less than a week away? I still have some shopping to do so I will be facing the crowds at the mall this weekend, which is less than thrilling. I hope you are all having a great week so far!

Thanks for reading!

 

 





A Ski Tee

Top: J.Crew (old) Cardigan: Nordstrom (old, similar) Pants: J.Crew (old, similar and on sale!) Bag: Steven by Steve Madden Boots: Tom Joules Necklace: Forever 21 Watch: Skagen

I hope you all are having a fabulous week so far. Can you believe that Christmas is exactly a week away? I can't, and I still have some shopping to do! 

I would also like to say a word about the families in Connecticut who lost their loved ones on Friday. My heart goes out to all those involved and I hope they find some happiness during this holiday season. Sometimes this can be a scary world that we live in and I am so grateful for everything that I have and will be spending extra time with my loved ones this season. 

Speaking of Newtown, Lynzy of Sparkling Footsteps is trying to get as many people as she can to make friendship bracelets to send to Newtown to show our support. Since I have some extra time, I will be participating and I hope you will too! You can read more about it here.
 

Happy Tuesday and thanks so much for reading!

Freedom

image via pinterest

This is seriously how I feel now that finals are over. Sorry for disappearing again but studying just was my priority over the last week. I feel bad for whining about school, I am very lucky to be attending college, but this semester was brutal. I am so glad to have it over with. I am a free woman for the next few weeks and could not be happier. Anyways..

Top and Pants: T.J. Maxx Coat: J.Crew (old) Booties: Target Bag: Kate Spade

Are you all ready for the holidays? We put up our tree last night so it's starting to feel a lot more festive around here. This month is flying by and I have a lot of fun things planned over the next couple weeks. Thank you so much for reading!

The Gift Guide: Under $25

I've been seeing a lot of gift guides lately and I wanted to put my two-cents in.

 Actually, my 25 cents because all of my picks are $25 dollars or less so you won't break the bank! (because let's be honest, those $88 socks on the J.Crew gift guide are just a little too much)

 1. Philosophy 'Bake Shoppe' Duo ~ $22

2. Kate Spade Pop Fizz Clink fold-over Holiday cards ~ $24 (for 10)

3. Asos Pieces Ellena Snood ~ $18.47 (also in black and nude)

4. Bare.Minerals Try. Believe. Love ~ $20

5. See's Candies petit Santa box ~ $9.55 (Bonus: going to the store for a treat!)

6. Madewell Gemweave Friendship Bracelet ~ $14.50

 7. Pins and Needles Pinwheel Glove ~ $20 (a variety of other colors as well)

8. Pim + Larkin Stone Center Flower Earring ~ $14

9. Xhilaration Junior's Pajama Set ~ $24.99

I like to get kind of those little luxuries that I would not usually buy myself. These are my picks for some nice gifts for your friends/family/coworkers that your wallet will thank you for and maybe you will have a little extra left over to get yourself something nice. 

Happy Thursday! 

Thanks for reading

C is for Cookie

One of my favorite parts about this time of year is all of the parties and all of the different foods that you have the opportunity to try. I love to bake a bunch of cookies and give them out as gifts or bring them to my work potluck for everyone to enjoy. 

Here are a few cookie recipes that I absolutely love and I know you (and your family and friends) will too!

image via

Russian Tea cookies/Mexican Wedding Cookies

These are one of my absolute favorite cookies. They are small enough that you don't feel too guilty about eating more than one or ten. However, make sure you are not home alone when these are done or else there may not be any for anyone else! 

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Sugar Cookies
It would not be the Holidays without a simple sugar cookie. I love how versatile these are, you can decorate them however you want. It's a family tradition to make and decorate a load of these every year. Just make sure to leave some for that Christmas guy!

image via
Christmas Macarons

I am a total sucker for macarons and they are actually not as hard to make as you would think, just time-consuming. I have not tried this recipe but they look absolutely amazing and I am planning on making them for my work party in a couple weeks. This recipe actually has three different fillings: eggnog marshmallow, white chocolate peppermint buttercream, and spicy milk chocolate mocha ganache....I'm sold!! Post on this later!


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Moon Rocks
I made these last year for my family and everyone loved them. These are definitely for the chocolate pretzel lover!

Happy December and happy Monday!
Now lets all go have a cookie.