I've been obsessing over some of these fun nail designs lately....wish I was better at painting my nails. I might have to try the polka dots this weekend....so festive!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Holiday Bucket List
1. Make a gingerbread house
2. Bake Christmas cookies
3. Drive around and look at Christmas lights
4. Go to a play
5. Play in snow
6. Watch Elf & Love Actually (my favs!)
7. Do a Christmas craft
8. Volunteer
9. Get my hands on the Biebs' new Christmas album (yep...)
10. Master a signature holiday cocktail
11. Ice skating
12. Go in an outdoor hot tub
13. See the Festival of Trees
14. See the Sheraton Seattle's Gingerbread Village
15. Go to Snowflake Lane
Monday, November 28, 2011
Holly Jolly-ness
I rang in the holiday season this weekend with a girl's night out at the Nutcracker on Friday after work (thanks Chris!), the annual Edmonds Tree Lighting on Saturday and decorating the Christmas tree on Sunday. In between there was a lot of shopping, Fireball, holiday movie watching and eating. I love the holidays!
 |
| Edmonds Tree Lighting |
 |
| Miss Kitty was in town! |
 |
| My Peacock Christmas Tree |
 |
| <3 |
Friday, November 25, 2011
Black Friday
I'm not really into waking up early, lines or crowds which is why I am shopping for deals online this morning instead of joining all the crazies at 4:00 AM. Here are some of the best deals I've found so far...happy (online) shopping!
 |
| Sephora Beauty to Go Brush Set $10 |
 |
| Old Navy Long Frost Free Coat $39.50 |
 |
| World Market Faux Fur Throw (Ivory) $29.99 |
 |
| Betsey Johnson Crystal Flower Stem Stud Earrings $33.00 |
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Edible Turkey Favors
I wanted to make some sort of cute place card or favor for Turkey day tomorrow and I found these adorable and edible turkey favors to put on each guests' place setting. To make these, you will need:
- 1 bag of candy corn
- 1 package of Whoppers (malt balls)
- 1 bag of Reese's Minis
- 1 package of Double Stuf Oreos
- Tube of yellow & red frosting
- Chocolate frosting
- Chocolate sprinkles
 |
| Supplies |
 |
| Stuff 5 candy corn in the Oreo, being careful not to break the cookie (I broke like 5 cookies) |
 |
| Using the chocolate frosting attach the two Oreos together |
 |
| Cut a small slice off one side of the Reese's Mini using a sharp knife |
 |
| Using the chocolate frosting attach the Reese's Mini & a Whopper to the Oreos |
 |
| Cut off the tip of a candy corn and attach it as the beak using the yellow frosting. Add two yellow frosting dots for eyes with black sprinkles for pupils. Dab a little red frosting at the neck for the cockscomb (best word ever). |
 |
| Pretty dang cute and delicious! Happy Thanksgiving! |
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Holiday Cocktails
I believe that every holiday gathering needs a signature holiday cocktail....so here are some amazing recipes I've gathered from Pinterest. I think they all pair well with turkey and pumpkin pie haha! Cheers!
 |
| Cranberry Ginger Fizz |
 |
| Grinch Punch |
 |
| Gingerbread Martini |
 |
| Cranberry Margarita |
Monday, November 21, 2011
Erika's Foolproof Turkey Recipe
 |
| Happy Turkey Day! |
Erika's Turkey Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 whole turkey (15-18 lbs)
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 4 cups warm water
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes
- 2 sprigs of fresh sage
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons seasoning salt (I use Slap Ya Mama)
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 large yellow onion, quartered
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place turkey in roasting pan
- Mix together the carrots, celery and onion and stuff as much as you can inside the turkey. Also include the sprigs of fresh sage. Scatter the remaining vegetable mix around the turkey in the pan.
- Heat the 4 cups of water until lukewarm and dissolve the bouillon cubes in the water, pour the broth around the turkey in the pan.
- Carefully separate the skin over the breast (make sure you don’t rip the skin or your turkey will lose its juices) and push butter slices under the skin around the breast.
- Rub the olive oil and seasoning salt all over the turkey.
- Cover the turkey in foil and roast 3 hours in the preheated oven, basting about every 30 minutes. Take off the tinfoil at 3 hours and roast another hour until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Let rest for at least 15 minutes before carving and serving.
Note: If you want to brine your turkey to make it juicier, soak it in: 1 gallon vegetable broth, 1 cup sea salt, 1 tablespoon crushed dried rosemary, 1 tablespoon dried sage, 1 gallon of ice water overnight (1 hour per pound).
Friday, November 18, 2011
My First Birchbox!
My very first Birchbox arrived last night and I was so excited. If you are a beauty product freak like me, you will love this company. Every month they automatically charge you $10 and send you a box of 4-5 beauty samples from luxury brands. It's a great way to find amazing new products. Plus it comes in an adorable box!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Feierabend
We went to this new-ish German place downtown a couple weeks ago for my birthday dinner and I can't stop thinking about the delicious food (and giant steins of beer). I'm obsessed with their red cabbage and I want to try and make it at home soon (I found this recipe). It's not going to happen this weekend however...I'll be busy make fondue for my book exchange/fondue party tomorrow night and a turkey for Friendsgiving on Sunday. Whew!
 |
Wiener Schnitzel vom Schwein mit RotKohl und Pommes Frites (Breaded & sauteed porkloin with red cabbage and french fries) |
 |
| My parents had this ham hock thing....the potatoes look good |
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Holiday Inspiration
Okay I know it's a little early to get excited about Christmas, but I always decorate my place the day after Thanksgiving so I have to be ready. I'm really leaning towards getting a pre-lit white Christmas tree in the day after Thanksgiving sales, but I have to get boyfriend on board first....
Monday, November 14, 2011
Waterfall Braid
My friend Katie is amazing at braiding and I'm super terrible at it. She did my hair in this waterfall braid over the weekend and I'm in love with it! Thanks Katie! Here are some instructions on how you can do it too! Happy Monday....is anyone as tired as I am? Uggghhhhh.
Friday, November 11, 2011
11.11.11
Happy Friday AND happy 11.11.11 AND happy Veteran's Day! Boyfriend is out of town, so tonight it's all about girl's night! At home spa treatments, homemade pizza, hot tubbing, wine, girly movies and more wine. Have a great weekend!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)