Festive Nails

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!

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

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

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

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!

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

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:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place turkey in roasting pan
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Rub the olive oil and seasoning salt all over the turkey.
6. 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).