Happiest St. Valentine's Day!

It's a little late, but here's hoping your Valentine's Day was wonderful!    If you didn't get flowers, here are some to brighten your day - and get you in the mood for spring!  x

Merry Christmas, Dear Friends!

It's been awfully quiet around here - and for that apologize.  But it's Christmas!  And I've been able to partake in lots of festive activities and really enjoy the season.  There are some years that Christmas comes and goes so quickly, it feels like there wasn't enough time to really embrace the holidays.  I'm happy to say that hasn't been the case this year - and between decorating, baking, and spending time with friends and family, my heart is full of Christmas cheer.  Here is hoping yours is too and that your holidays are wonderful!

Have A Whimsical Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's day to all my wonderful readers!  Here's hoping your day is filled with all the stuff that makes Valentine's day so sweet. This has always been a holiday I've enjoyed, whether I've been single or not and I think it's because something about love is very magical.  When I stumbled upon these illustrations by Jessie Marion King, I found that they embodied a sort of romantic charm that fit perfectly with Valentine's Day.  The Scottish artist's work was published mainly in children's books and although there is something inherently innocent about these paintings, they are complex enough that I don't necessarily find them childish.  The soft colors and woodland scenes are absolutely dreamy, and as crazy as this sounds, I'm completely obsessed with the attire of the women.  The flowy dresses, sparkly veils, and flowered crowns are worthy of any fairy tale.

Christmas Favorites

Christmas is almost here!  It's been a complete whirlwind and I have to keep reminding myself that I actually have accomplished quite a bit, although I somehow feel I haven't.  Below is a simple little list of all of my holiday favorites.  Recalling my "favorite" things is one of the best ways I can organize thoughts and draw inspiration from things I know I love.

• Favorite Christmas Cookie - Brobakkelse (as our family calls them, otherwise known as Brakkelse) are my very favorite cookie to make and eat.  It's not Christmas without them.
• Favorite Christmas Song - This is a very hard one.  But this one ranks pretty high.  

• Favorite Christmas Movie -  I can't pick one.  I'm sorry.  But Christmas Vacation, Polar Express,  A Smoky Mountain Christmas, and Elf are all on my list.
• Favorite Christmas Cocktail - Bailey's on the rocks, a must while writing Christmas cards.
• Favorite Christmas Tradition - Probably Christmas Eve at my grandparents'.  It's the one thing that has never really changed.

Wooed by Woottons

I'm usually really good about giving gifts.  It does feel wonderful to find that perfect little something for someone and know that they'll love it.  But this year, I'm just a little too focused on something I want for myself.  These Stubbs and Wootton slippers have been on my radar for quite some time (I first read about them in Rachel Zoe's book Style A to Zoe).   I've ran across them again and again, and I'm thinking they are something I really would wear.  A lot.   They come in velvet and linen, are all hand embroidered and the best part is you can custom design your own.  Oh the possibilities!  What are you planning to splurge on post-Holidays?

Catching Up On Inspiration

I hate when I don't blog.  I constantly have this little feeling like I'm forgetting to do something.  So it is with great happiness that I'm finally back at it.   The holiday season is in full swing,  and between that, the excitement of getting engaged, and my new found love for Pinterest, I've had very little time to sit and take it all in.   Tonight I finally had some time to get inspired, and make a list of things to do before Christmas has come and gone.  Below are what's currently making me happy.

I cannot take credit for this photo, but I recently enjoyed tea, a cupcake, and Vogue.  Best pairing ever? Yes, I do believe.

I've been completely enamored with stars lately.  Not sure why, but I think it has to do with the sparkle.

Tights with seams add the perfect amount of sexy to demure outfits.  I'm thinking paired with a  simple shift, it would be the perfect combo.

Staying away from Pronovias.com and other wedding dress sites has proved near impossible.  This picture is making me want to find the perfect shoes to go with the perfect dress!  

Starting to plan a trip to a place I've always dreamed of going (Ireland!)

On a side note, it could snow (a LOT) anytime now.  I wouldn't complain one bit.

My fiance and I just discovered eco-fire places.  They're essentially oversized candles, but put off warmth and look like a real fire.  Too excited.  

By chance I stumbled upon my favorite Creative Writing teacher's Tumblr.   First thing I asked her was what  books she recommends.   Her top choice was The Greenlanders.  A chapter in and I wish I could spend all day reading.

This song is amazing.  It is so romantic and makes me want to plan a wedding.  Maybe it's the craziness of the holidays, but I've been all about classical/simple music lately.  

An American Christmas

Ralph Lauren is about as American as applie pie and baseball, and when I'm looking for classic clothes with a refined, preppy feel, you can bet that RL and Polo are my go-tos.   Last week I mentioned how badly I was wanting some festive sweaters.  Although, once again completely out of my price range, Ralph Lauren's Blue Label has mastered the classic, slightly earthy tone I was looking for.  

I would also wear these mens sweaters in a heart beat.  Belted w/ leggings and my fringed Minnetonkas. Hello, holidays!

A Scrumptious Little Cookie

This is my absolute favorite time of year to bake and be in the kitchen.  With Christmas carols blazing and a glass of vino close at hand, it's the best way to wind down, but still feel as though you're doing something "Christmas-y" and productive.  I've tried a couple cookie recipes this year, and this one is hands down my favorite.   Ladies and gentlemen, I present you with "Benne Wafers".  These delicate little cookies have the most amazing texture and flavor, I can't believe I wasted 25 years of my life without them.  They are made of sesame seeds and little else and couldn't be simpler to make.  They are my new go to, and I have a feeling I'll be eating theses chewy/crunchy little morsels year after year.  Crowned cookie of the year in 1952, I'm not quite sure how they never got to be as popular as the chocolate chip.

Ingredients:
- 1/2 Cup Sesame Seeds
- 1 Egg
- 1 Cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter (softened, but cool)
- 2 Tbsp All Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 tsp Salt

Tools
- Parchment Paper
- A butter knife submerged in a glass of ice water

Directions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
- Mix the butter and the brown sugar until it is thoroughly blended.
- Add the egg and beat till combined.
- Add flour, salt, vanilla, and sesame seeds till combined.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Place quarter-sized dollops about two inches apart.  These will look extremely small, but trust me, they expand.
- Flatten the cookies with your butter knife so that they are nice and flat.
- Cook for approximately 6 minutes.  Cookies should be a bit darker around the edges but still a nice golden brown.
- Let cookies cool for several minutes before attempting to remove them from the parchment paper.

*Makes about 4 dozen.