Happy New Year & Weekend in DC Recap

I can't believe it's NYE and last day of 2018! We’re staying in tonight and having a traditional Swiss fondue and I'm looking forward to it very much. I’m excited to stay in so we can snuggle up watching all the New Years TV while sipping some Asti-the only time of year I drink it, such a special treat!

Without further ado I want to recap a trip we took a little while back:

Every year the 4 of us (my parents, my husband David, and I) plan a pre-holiday trip together. It kicks off the holiday season for us and it’s something I look forward to every year. Last year we went to Chicago and had an absolute blast. This year we decided to drive down to Washington DC in early November. 
We dropped my 3 dogs off at the kennel (or “camp” as we like to refer to it as) on our way down, grabbed a quick bite at the Jersey shore, and we were on our way.

We stayed at the charming Madison Hotel, which was recently acquired by Hilton. Its the best of both worlds having old-world charm, but also incredibly clean with the always amazing Hilton breakfast. It was also very centrally located to everything we wanted to see/do while in town. 

The first morning we were there we drove around the city taking pictures of all the national monuments. It was a clear, sunny brisk day and it was so much fun cruising around looking at all the stunning architecture.  
                        
                                        
                         
                                              
                                         

While we were there we also visited Arlington National Cemetery to visit the graves of David’s paternal grandparents and uncle. I don’t have the exact words to describe how beautiful yet somber Arlington is. I felt so fortunate to be able to visit during our stay. 
                                       

After that we went to see Beetlejuice the Musical. It. Was. Incredible. It was in previews in DC before heading to Broadway in April. We enjoyed it so much (it was a little risqué, yet incredibly funny) that I can’t wait to see it again when it comes to NYC. 
                                        
                                   
                                     

We tried rpm Italian for our fancy night out and I was a little underwhelmed to be honest. I guess because David ate at the Chicago location a few months ago and raved about it. I had to send my spaghetti back twice for being raw and the service was not very attentive. We still enjoyed ourselves and had good conversation and excellent cocktails. 

All in all it was a wonderful whirlwind weekend with my favorite people. Nothing beats a good road trip!
                               

Where’s your favorite road trip destination? Any fun plans tonight? Comment down below, I’d love to hear from you.

Wishing everyone a fabulous week and a healthy, happy and blessed 2019!!! Thanks for reading.

Nail Polish Picks~Dec 2018

I LOVE painting my nails. Give me all the colors, glitters, textures. I love both drug store and high end designer nail polishes alike. I enjoy changing the color based on my mood or outfit or holiday, and although I don’t have the biggest collection, I wanted to share 2 colors I’m loving lately for the winter season. They are also both based off of holiday movies. I've also included a few other picks I’ve been loving. 
                                   
                    




Grinch Collection “Lukewarm Wishes” from China Glaze
                      
Straight from Whoville, this is what I am currently rocking on my nails. It’s a subtle shimmery white, but it has the coolest blue micro glitter in it. When your nails hit the light in certain angles it turns from a pretty snowflake white color to a baby blue glow. Simple yet stunning and nearly impossible to mess up painting yourself. Also with a shade this light, chips aren’t very noticeable. 



OPI Nutcracker and the Four Realms Collection in “Berry Fairy Fun”
                         
Did you see the Nutcracker? I was absolutely enthralled by Kiera Knightley’s portrayal of Sugar Plum. Her cotton candy hair! Her pink eyebrows! Her fabulous sparkly dress! I thought she was stunning, that must’ve been such a fun character to play. In celebration of the movie OPI did a whole Nutcracker collection. My favorite of them is Berry Fairy Fun. OPI describes it as “A gorgeous purple that you will like berry, berry much. This ethereal shade adds a touch of holiday magic to any look.” I like that it is something different from the classic holiday red, yet still has the sparkle and shine that is so fun for the holidays. I'm planning on switching to this for NYE.


I also wanted to mention that I have tried TONS of base and top coats. I am always looking for the newest best way to get a few extra days without chipping nails. With 3 dogs and cooking and general housekeeping I generally can get 4-5 days max out of a manicure. My favorite base and topcoat lately are INM Clear Bond Base Coat and Out the Door quick drying top coat. The best I’ve found so far.


Finally, for the driest winter cuticles I swear by Dior Crème Abricot Nail Cream. I like keeping it in my nightstand and applying before bed. It was created in 1963 so it’s an oldie but a goodie. It strengthens nails and encourages them to grow along with conditioning cuticles. It’s expensive, but one container will last you forever.


Any nail polish colors you’ve been loving? Any base/top coats I should check out? Leave them down below, I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for reading, have a fabulous weekend. :)

It's Christmas Eve!

What if I tell you the best cookie recipe I’ve perfected so far is only 4 ingredients and you probably have them all on hand right now? 

These are sure to wow Santa tonight, let’s get baking!


You’ll need:

• 1/2 cup butter at room temperature (1 stick)
• 1/4 c sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 c all purpose flour
• Optional-toppings of your choice-these are delicious plain but can also be jazzed up with sparkly decorating sugar, chocolate chips, or even sprinkles

Method:
Preheat oven to 325F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla with a hand mixer for approximately 2 minutes. It will start to look like buttercream.

Now with a spatula slowly add in the flour. At this point the dough will be soft. I always pop it in the fridge for a few minutes to make it easier to work with.

Roll the dough into walnut-sized balls and space them out on the cookie sheet, they will spread a bit. Push the dough down with you fingers slightly. Now’s the time to add your toppings if you choose.

Bake approximately 12-14 minutes until slightly browned. Let them sit on the cookie sheet for a minute or two until they harden slightly and are easier to handle. Now it’s time to enjoy! Try to eat just one, hehe. Bon Appétit!


PS-I also have to share this eye shadow palette that I’ve been loving lately. The colors are perfect for day or night, with a mix of matte, shimmer, and glitter shades. It has great color payout, doesn’t crease, and it’s scented like a sugar cookie. It is also mini sized so it fits perfectly in a cosmetic case or would be great for travel.
                                            
What do you leave out for Santa? Do you have a palette you’ve been loving? Let me know down below, I’d love to hear from you.

Wishing everyone the warmest of Christmas wishes and lots of time spent with loved ones.

Thanks for reading. :)
                                              

Henri Bendel’s Final Holiday Party

Here's a look back at a fun store event I attended recently:

Henri Bendel is my very favorite store. I love the girly, whimsical styles and the iconic brown & white striped boxes. Many people don’t realize all the contributions Henri Bendel made to the world of fashion. Did you know he was the first fashion retailer to have a 5th Avenue address? He was also the first to host a fashion show, the first to create his own fragrance, and he also introduced the fabulous Coco Chanel to America!

                      

Sadly, the store is closing its doors in January 2019. I received an invite in the mail to attend the last holiday party and I wouldn’t have missed it.

I met David in the city and we headed to 5th Ave. The store was decked out in festive decor, there was champagne, a DJ, and they had special promotions. They also had complimentary monogramming and an illustrator onsite to personalize gifts. I didn’t wind up buying anything but I had a lovely time walking around and taking it all in. 

We stopped at my favorite restaurant L’express, a 24-hour French diner, on our way home. I had a lovely glass of pink champagne and some mussels. It was a fun night that certainly got me in the holiday spirit.

                         

As for my outfit, I wore a grey sweatshirt with ruffled detail and my red and green Gucci sneakers with a super warm red puffer vest. I wanted to look festive but also knew I’d be walking quite a few city blocks in the cold. 

                       

Sweatshirt-Rachel Roy for Macy’s/Jeans-Kmart/Vest-Walmart/Sneakers-Gucci/Bag-Louis Vuitton/Bear Bag Charm-Burberry/Bangle Bracelets-Lane Bryant

I’ve also been loving these sunglasses. They are way over the top but I think they’re so festive and for $6 it’s ok to wear them only one month a year. I think they look similar to some Miu Miu designs I’ve seen in the past for much less.

                      

Have you attended any fun holiday parties this year? Let me know down below, I’d love to hear from you! 

Thanks for reading, have a fabulous weekend. :)

Christmas Décor 2018

Here’s a few quick pics of our Christmas decorations this year: 

We have 2 Balsam Hill pencil trees, one we did in a mitten and ice skate theme (Dollar Tree ornaments) in our living room and the other tree in our dining room we did a candy theme (Cracker Barrel and Dollar Tree ornaments from a few years back). We added red balls and raffia on both to tie them together. We also went to the fabric section of Walmart and had them cut us 2 pieces of shiny gold fabric last year. So much less expensive than buying actual tree skirts.

We always put out the picture of Santa, getting ready for the big guy’s arrival! And we couldn’t forget the jingle bell wreath. I love the sound it makes whenever someone opens the door. 

A new addition this year is the little fresh boxwood tree. My mom actually made it herself at her floral arranging class. I love the little bird on top.


PS-This site has a comprehensive list of all the Christmas movies and specials on TV. Very helpful so I know when Christmas Vacation is on. Cousin Eddie cracks me up.

Do you prefer real or faux trees? Do you have a favorite Christmas movie you watch year after year? Let me know down below, I’d love to hear from you. 

Thanks for reading, have a fabulous week

Stocking Stuffers

My hubby David and I don’t buy each other big Christmas gifts. Instead, we exchange stockings on Christmas Eve and it has become such a fun tradition! I also make a stocking for our dogs to share and have so much fun watching them open it. 

For anyone still looking for ideas, here are some things I own and love as well as some gifts I’ve given over the years that have been well received. Don’t forget today is the cutoff for USPS guaranteed Christmas delivery for Retail Ground shipping!

For Her-
L’Occitane Holiday Almond Ornament-$14
An adorable little bauble full of L’Occitane’s signature almond scent. The set includes 3 trial size products- their award winning almond shower oil, milk concentrate, and a hand cream. This would be so perfect for travel, and would also look really cute on the tree. 

Swarovski Bella Crystal Drop Earrings-$79
Jewelry is a hard thing to buy for someone else. Everyone’s taste is so different, but you can’t go wrong with classics. These are so super sparkly and are wonderful for sensitive ears (like mine).

                                                  

Bath and Body Works Body Snowy Morning Ultra Shea body cream-$13.50
I’m a big fan of their body creams for winter. They’re jam packed with shea, cocoa butter, aloe and coconut oil and have a thick rich feel to them. But this scent is probably the best one yet from B&BW. It’s bergamot, mistletoe berry, juniper and lavender. It smells much more luxe, like a scent Jo Malone would put out. I also like that it’s more winter themed than Christmas since it’ll last them for a few months. 
                                     

For Him-
J Crew Factory boxers-$16.50 (there's usually a sale though)
Ok I know, underwear. Not the most exciting gift in the world. But hey, every man can use a fresh pair and J Crew factory has some fun designs! They are also excellent quality and hold up very well in the wash. Some fun prints I’ve purchased before are glow in the dark solar system and sushi designs.                                                      

                              
Hermès Orange Vert bar soap-$35
A bit on the pricey side for a bar of soap but it lasts a surprisingly long time and has the cleanest citrus scent. Plus, who can resist a little Vitamin C wrapped package?                                                      
                            
Cocktail Kits 2 Go-$14.99
Liven up their next flight! These adorable kits come in a variety of flavors so you can pick the recipient’s favorite. All they have to do is purchase a mini bottle on the plane and they have everything to mix it into a glamorous cocktail. It's also super tiny, the size of an Altoids tin, so it doesn't take up any space in a carry-on.
                      

                                                  

For the Pups-
We have three dogs, Zero a 10 year old Maltese/toy poodle mix (right), Dolly a 6 year old Yorkie/Maltese mix (center), and our firecracker Coco, our 4 year old Shih-Tzu/Maltese mix (left). My dogs are all under 15 lbs so they have small mouths and are pretty finicky when it comes to toys and treats. These are things that my dogs have loved over the years:                                       
                                         
Zippy Paws Interactive Toy-$14.95
All 3 of my dogs enjoy pulling the little blueberries out of the pancakes. The blueberries squeak and roll too.
                                                          
Cesar Jerky Bites-$8.98
My dogs are so picky when it comes to food and treats. Cesar just came out with these soft bites and so far they are a hit! They are small enough for their tiny mouths and they are also grain, wheat, and soy free with real meat and no artificial colors or flavors. 

                           

Nylabone Flavor Frenzies Triple Pack-$6.19
These are so good for dogs teeth to keep them clean and satisfy their desire to chew. The flavors unique spice it up a little for them too. This particular pack is pancakes with sausage, roast beef club, and lasagna.
                           

For Anyone-
Banana saver-$7.45
Ok this might be the strangest thing you’ll ever find on a gift guide but it’s oh so practical. If someone you know takes their breakfast or lunch to work this hard plastic case safely transports their banana without any bruising. When I was a flight attendant I took this on almost every trip with me and my banana always survived a day inside my suitcase bouncing from flight to flight. What a genius little invention.
                                   
Wireless Charger-$12.99
Since my husband and I bought these for our nightstands it has been so nice not having to fumble for cords. You just lay your phone on this and voila! Very Jetsons. 
                                 
Tea Forte Warming Joy Petite Tea Tree-$10.95
I got this in my stocking last year and how delicious! A sampling of 4 of Tea Forte’s winter flavors and each one is better than the next. The Rum Raisin Biscotti is my very favorite, followed by Winter Chai. Since they’re caffeine free they make a nice guilt free treat for the end of the day. 
                            

Honorable Mention-
I was going to add the Oreo Music Box but I see it has sold out! We ordered one just for fun on Amazon and it is the cutest thing. Based on the bites you take out of the cookie the music changes! If it comes back it stock it would make such a cute gift for a kiddo or something quirky for someone who’s hard to buy for.
                            
Do you have any unique stocking stuffer ideas? Are you finished with your holiday shopping or do you have some last minute purchases to make? Comment down below, I’d love to hear from you

Thanks for reading, have a fabulous weekend.

My Very 1st Link-up

Happy Monday! I'm so excited for my very 1st Link-up! I'm linking up this morning with Biana, the lovely lady behind Bloved Boston. I've been reading her blog for years and it's truly a favorite. Blogging always looked like so much fun and such a beautiful community of women, I finally gained the moxie to start my own and join in!

This weekend I was such a busy bee packing for our upcoming trip (we're headed to Norway and Sweden this week to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary a little early-travel posts to come!), I didn't even leave the house! So I thought I'd share happenings from the previous weekend:

On Sunday my parents and I visited my grandma at her senior community for their annual Holiday Family Gathering (I couldn't help but giggle at the fact that I was at a real-life Shady Pines fête). It was a lovely, festive luncheon with a live band playing Christmas music. My brother and his girlfriend met us there too. (Sadly my husband David couldn’t make it, he was in Maine visiting his family.)
                        

Afterwards we went back to my grandma’s apartment and helped her put up her Christmas tree. She has the most exquisite hand-sewn felt ornaments that she’s had for over 60 years. They always bring me instantly back to Christmases as a child and it was such a fun afternoon spent with family. 
                                               
                   
                   
It was very causal but I still wanted to look festive. I thought I’d share my outfit to show how I love mixing high-low. My personal philosophy is to to save on clothes and invest in accessories that will last me a lifetime. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to look fabulous! 
                                                      
OOTD-Jeans-Kmart/Sweater-Old Navy/Vest-Walmart/Boots-Payless/Bag-Louis Vuitton/Bear Bag Charm-Burberry/Earrings-Lisi Lerch/Ring-Coach

                           


Do you have a favorite Christmas ornament that holds a special memory? What’s your go-to clothing brand when you’re looking for a bargain? Comment down below, I’d love to hear from you! 

Thanks for reading, hope you have a fabulous week!

TGIF

TGIF, cheers!

Here’s a few things I’ve been loving this week:

one~ I had some overripe bananas laying around and I can’t stand wasting food. I turned them into a yummy banana bread, perfect for a quick breakfast. This is the recipe I used, but I subbed 1/2 c raw sugar and also added a teaspoon of cinnamon. So good!

                                     

two~ A dear friend from Kansas City sent me a Christmas care package yesterday. It’s so fun to open unexpected surprises. He sends me a Santa ornament every year and this one is absolutely stunning! I'm getting close to having an entire Santa tree. So grateful to have him in my life. 

                                   

three~ I love making mini arrangements when flowers are on their last leg. It gives me a few more days to enjoy them. My Dad brought me purple tulips (my favorite color) home last week and I trimmed them down into a shot glass to put on my nightstand.                                 

                                

four~ Looking at the dry, sad state of my hands, winter is definitely here. My mom treated me to this Chanel hand cream last week and it has helped immensely. I love pulling it out of my purse with its chic futuristic egg shape and it’s delightful smell. 

                                                 

five~ I found this documentary fascinating. It’s all about the incredible discretion and attention to detail that you will find at the Carlyle Hotel in NYC. It is told by celebrities as well as the staff and I found all the stories so interesting. Like when Prince William and Kate came to town the staff couldn’t even tell their spouses! And did you know they monogram the initials of every guest on their pillowcase? An amazing peek into how the other half lives.

       

Thanks for reading, hope you have a fabulous weekend.