I Have a Decision to Make...

I have been asked (after much hinting on my part!) to bring a dish for the first time in my adult life to Christmas at my aunts!  She asked me to bring a dessert, and cannot be more excited!  I have some ideas, but am just not sure what is the best thing to make my cooking debut at my family's holiday celebration. 

The Options:

Reindeer Cupcakes. Recipe here.

I like these because they are so darn cute, but also because they mix salty&sweet!

Peppermint Cookies and Cream Popcorn, recipe here.

I love this as a dish to bring and set out on an end table as a munchy delicious snack, but am not sure if it's right for a "dessert".

Christmas Pretzel Rods...

Classic, but has been done before...should I do a classic?

Santa Hat Cupcakes, recipe here.

This seems like more of a "decoration" emphasis cupcake, but am nervous that it might be too much frosting.. hmm.

Chocolate Cupcakes with Candy Cane Buttercream frosting, recipe here.

This is definitely the front runner; unusual but a Christmas classic, and anything with buttercream in the name is guaranteed to be delicious.  Seem pretty simple to make as well!

Anyways, I definitely have some time to decide and continue browsing, which is half of the fun!

Lots Of Things That I Liked Today...

Using an old barn door as a headboard+ simple bedding=my ideal bedroom.  Love the simplicity and uniqueness of this room!

Antipasto Kabobs, awesome recipe here. 

Transform your attic into the ideal closet. Someday...

Do It Yourself adorable cake stands! Find out how, here.

Glittery nail polish+red lips+smokey eyes.  Hiiiii New Years Eve Make-Up!!

I love this idea for a wedding: buy a bunch of cheap ballet flats or flip flops and display in a cut can.  It allows those guest with painful (but certainly pretty) shoes to get out on the dance floor.  No excuse for anyone to be seated!

Awesome antique Do It Yourself bookshelf, directions here.

My roommate and I have made quick and easy truffles in the past; it is so much fun and they are insanely delicious.  Here are the recipes to five easy and delicious truffle recipes you can make yourself! 

The romantic in me loves this idea for an anniversary gift to youself: Take a picture in the same pose, as you are, on your anniversary.  A great way to see how you have changed and grown together over the years! Love it! 

Holiday Season has begun!

My roommates and I are hosting a "Pre-thanksgiving Best Friend Fest" tonight; we are making a Thanksgiving meal together before we all leave next week for our separate homes.  It got me in a "holiday mood" as we cooked and listened to Christmas music all day.  I LOVE the holidays.  I don't know if you heard me, love the holidays.  I love the music, the food, the parties, and obviously, the gifts.  But most importantly,  I love the time I get to spend with my friends and family and all of the fun that we have together.  I love the festive decorations and fun things you can do during this period, and thought I would share with you some cool things I cannot wait to try out.


Drinks!

Holiday Sangria, so pretty! Ingredients here.

Christmas Cranberry Ginger Fizz Cocktail.  Love the garnish! Ingredients here.

And the food. Really, come on now, that's what the holidays are for. Eating.

Carmel Apple Pie.  Drooling. Recipe here.

This has three things I like: crescent rolls, mini hot dogs, and an amazingly corny Christmas layout.  

Red. Velvet. Cheesecake. Recipe here.

And of course all of the fun gifts!  I love giving gifts more than I love receiving them; picking out what I think is the perfect gift for someone I love is so much fun.  Wrapping them can be just as fun too!

Make your own tags and wrap in plain brown wrapping.  I love this simple and clean look! I found this on a fantastic blog, BasicGrey, that shows you how to make so many fun and crafty things!

Pringle cans as cookie holders. Seriously, this is adorable.  Especially for coworkers or even as party gifts!  Find out how here!

I am Throwing a Pretend Party, and You're All Invited!

I decided to throw an internet party.  I currently live in a tiny apartment with 4 other girls, and an extremely limited bank account--not the ideal "party" atmosphere.  So I am throwing a party that I desperately want to have, but just can't right now.  However, in ten years when I have a house and adult friends, this will be a real life party!  Or maybe, I will force my parents to have one at their house...hmm.

But please, indulge me for now, and come attend my internet party!

First, welcome to my beautiful home.  I know, it is just so darn lovely.

Aren't my kitchen and living just the most beautifully decorated rooms you have ever seen?

Doesn't my house smell wonderful?  Why, yes it does, because I am boiling some orange peels with cinnamon in my kitchen to create this sensational holiday scent.

Oh, you're thirsty?  Why don't you have one of my perfect holiday drinks, but not without my appropriately themed straws.  Details people, details.

Just the perfect mix of cranberry and apple juice, vodka, and ginger ale.  Mix here.

Please, please, take an appetizer.  They are wickedly delicious and I spent the last 5 hours in the kitchen making them.  So eat.

Prosciutto Asparagus Spirals, recipe.

Baked Zucchini Sticks and Sweet Onion Dip, recipe.

Okay, I am still in college, and French Bread Pizza is extremely appealing to me. recipe.

Insane Parmesan Knots, recipe.

And because double-dipping is gross, I have made you personalized veggie cups, including dip, so you don't have to worry about leaving with the flu.  I know, I am a great host.

Oh, you want some dessert?  Don't worry, I have plenty of perfect holiday themed desserts. Come see!

Marshmallow Chocolate Peppermint sticks to stir in your hot chocolate.  (Remember, I taught you how to make Nutella hot chocolate here?)

Some delish angel food cake and strawberries drizzled in chocolate and served on a skewer for your convenience.

Puppy Chow with Nutella.  You're welcome, recipe.

I am also serving Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting, but I know that you are full, so here, take it home with you.

recipe.

Buy here.

Oh, you love my perfect little black dress and fantastic red heels?  Why, thank you, you are just to kind.

Wait! Before you leave, take one of my homemade ornaments!  

You can find out how to make them too, right here.

Happy Holidays, and please, come again!  I loved having you!

5 Ingredients for a Great Day

1.  The Outfit

I love this outfit.  Currently in Minneapolis, we are experiencing a fall-something that is rare in our cold state.  This is a great way to incorporate cute layering, fun fall shoes, and a fantastic bag.  This is a perfect "class outfit" (for those of us still in college..) but is great for those who need to run some errands on a Saturday afternoon, or for meeting an old friend for a casual lunch.  Everything about this works.  

2.  Dinner, Coconut Chicken with Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce

Recipe here.

This meal would be perfect for a night in with your significant other, or even as an appetizer at a small dinner party.  The cool thing about this recipe is that I found it on a fantastic blog called Budget Bytes; armed with the slogan "on a mission to save money and eat well," it not only gives you fabulously delicious tasting recipe such as this, but budget conscious ingredients and meals.   

3.  Dessert,  Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries.

Recipe, here.

Although initially hesitant to look at this recipe for fear of it being just way to complicated ( I am a new cook, okay?) I was pleased to see there were only 5 ingredients, and the total prep time was under ten minutes.  I found it on a great blog called The Sweets Life, and it stressed not only the simplicity to prepare, but the rave reviews and immediate inhalation it received upon being served at dinner parties and events.  What a perfect finger food to come after your coconut chicken! (it's a finger food type of day..)

4.  A DIY project, Floor Cushions!

Find out how, here.

This is something I can do.  It's as simple as sewing old pillow cases together, leaving the sides open, adding buttons and inserting pillows, and Viola! You have yourself some adorable and inexpensive floor cushions.  Though the picture shows children enjoying these fabulous seats, they are so practical for young first-apartment types who don't have a ton of furniture, but have a ton of friends who sit at their house for extended periods of time ;).  Another bonus, by reusing your old pillow cases that are ratty or you just got new sheets, you are being "green" and recycling your old materials!  Get crafting people!

5.  And last but not least, a thought for the day...

Keep exploring and discovering, and don't ever be quick to judge or ignore someone or something!

The Zoo + Sushi= The Perfect Saturday

This past weekend I went back to Milwaukee to visit family and friends-okay, really my boyfriend.  But I did see my mom, brother, and some high school friends!  All in all, it was a fabulous weekend.

However, Saturday was an amazing day.  The Milwaukee County Zoo offers every first Saturday of the month (in "off" months) as free zoo days!  You can go to the zoo for the entire day for free and my boyfriend, myself, and several of our friends went this past weekend and had an absolute blast.  It was gorgeous outside-for Wisconsin in November- an amazing 55 degrees and sunny.

Even better than the weather and the classic fun, was the fact that the animals were out and active, something that can be rare in the hot summer months.  I was able to get a few good pictures (some are through glass, thank goodness!)

The gang, minus me, the photographer!

Stunning jaguar, through the glass, but still, so close.

Mufasa.  Well, that's what I called him.  King of the zoo.

Zebra! 

These three tigers were the best.  They were all running around and playing with each other, and even throwing around a giant bouncy ball with each other.  Absolutely stunning animals, look at their gigantic  paws!

After the zoo, just Tyler (my boyfriend) and I went to a great sushi restaurant located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee.  Tyler found a great deal on the website, Poggle, which helps you locate drink and food deals in certain cities.  Check and see if your city is on there!

We went to Kiku, an amazing Japanese restaurant.  It has been voted in the top 100 Japanese restaurants in the country, and believe me, they deserve it.  We had amazing veggie rolls for an appetizer, and the New York Maki and the Wisconsin.  The New York was amaaazing, but it was cooked, and neither Tyler or I have ever had real sushi..which was the Wisconsin.  Still delicious, but a little sushi-y for our liking.   However, we had delicious fancy mixed and blended drinks, and ice cream cake for dessert, which we both thoroughly enjoyed!  And still, the adventure of doing something new and exciting-different from our standard Italian or Burger go-to restaurants-was the best part of the entire evening.