Christmas Wish List

A new gift guide is way way way over due and as I was looking around for some presents to put into a new one, I kept adding more and more onto my list of wishes. The most recent hints I've been giving out are for a Danny Roberts print and a perfume sampler from Sephora. I love gifting presents to people, especially when you find the perfect present that you know they are going to love.  The hardest part of the holidays are keeping the presents under the tree and not gifting them to friends right away, but this just focuses on what I want.  Lately I've had some very persistent friends and I've really had to think about what I wanted for the upcoming holidays, so it seemed right to put my list into a post.  Here is my list for Santa, whats on yours?

Forever 21 Minnie Muse Hoodie

Kate Spade Wall Calendar

Ulta Remington Pearl Straightener

Sephora Perfume Sampler

Penguin Wreck This Journal

Danny Roberts Print

Archie Grand Notebooks

P.S. Sorry I don't have any links to the items, the program refused to cooperate

Cookie Dilemma

Now that it's finally December, all things Christmas have come out.  Our tree is decorated and lit at all hours and little details of Christmas are strewn about our house.  Just yesterday a friend of my mom's came over with a poinsettia that is placed differently each time I see it from my mom's excitement. One of my favorite parts of this time of year is all the food. To say I have a sweet tooth is a major understatement and I love all the different holiday flavors that come out for just this time of year. Peppermint and chocolate are two of my all-time favorite combinations when it comes to desserts and now they seem to be everywhere which is such a treat for me. I'm going to a holiday cookie exchange with a friend in a few weeks and I've been looking for the perfect recipe for this party.  I've found quite a few possibilities and now I'm realizing that narrowing it down to just one idea is going to be the hardest part.  Here a few contestants that may make it into the party. Which do you think would be yummiest?

{Cinnamon-Sugar Roll Cookies}

All pictures from Better Homes & Gardens website

{Espresso Shots}

{Brown Sugar Shortbread}

{Triple-Decker Decadence}

{Raspberry and White Chocolate Whoopie Pies}

{Chocolate-Peppermint Meringue Kisses}

{Red Velvet Whoopie Pies with Peppermint Filling}

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Holiday Hopes

Since we are so close to the holidays, I figured I should make my annual list of to-dos. Each year I make a list of everything I want to accomplish before the first of the year. Sometimes I get it all the way done, but usually I get about half way through and get caught up in the holiday stress. This time of year should be peaceful and fun, not stressful and annoying, so all of the items on this list of holiday promises are just fun little things that you look at at the beginning of December and think, of course I'll do that, but never get around to.  Here's what I've come up with so far, hat do you hope to do this winter?

~sip peppermint lattes
~go ice skating at night (outside- not at one of those indoor skating rinks that have fake ice)
~go store to store looking at all the different holiday decorations
~drive around (well, be driven around) to see all the different Christmas lights
~make cute heart-felt cards for all of my friends and family
~decorate a gingerbread house with my little brothers and sister
~decorate my Christmas tree with friends, and the family one with that whole family
~make holiday cookies with plenty of red and green sprinkles
~make/decorate ornaments for my friends

Here's to getting all those things done, and enjoying the holidays!

Five Things

This week has been a hard one for me, and with Thanksgiving break dwelling right in front of me, I have been hoping for Friday to come.  Now that Friday has come though, I'm exhausted, like usual. So I'm going to steal Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere's idea of talking about the five things that have made me extra happy this week. From test after to test to being flat out sleep derived, I think this post is long overdue. This weekend I'm just going to relax and sleep, but I'll be back on Monday.  Until then, here are some thing that have made me smile, hopefully they'll make you a bit happier too.

Andy Warhol, especially this print. I've been hinting to my parents that this is a great Christmas idea for me all week.

Cobalt blue. In any form.

Chanel Jade nail polish, I don't actually own this nail polish, but this shade of green has been popping u all around me this week.

Anticipation of more snow. We had our first white blanket spread out last week, and it has't come since, which is a major shock and usually doesn't happen. 

Macaroons, these look so delicious in their many different flavors. I personally don't love coconut, so I was excited when I found a raspberry macaroon recipe. 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Holiday Gifts for...

I have many friends that adore make-up. When ever we hang out, at sometime I end up sitting on their bed while they experiment with all of the latest styles from the make-up world (This also usually involves flipping through each others' fashion magazines which can take hours on end).  I have gotten Katy-Perry-pink lips to Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's glam look smeared onto my face, but we all love it. I do enjoy beauty products, but these lovely ladies are obsessed, and I love them for it!  Here are some items that are worthy enough for them, and that's saying a lot.

(going clockwise from top)

Stila Backstage Eyeshadow Quad

Sephora Color Wand

Sephora Travel Bath Set

Sephora Travel Brush Clutch

Stila Lip Glaze Set

OPI Mini Collection

A Couple Little Ideas

Even with Christmas over a month away, I know that that month will speed by in the blink of an eye.  Usually I think about presents once winter break starts (and by then, all the good gifts are sold out) and usually just give them a gift card to their favorite store, but this year is going to be different. I'm going to think about it way ahead of time and actually think creatively and really think about what they would actually want. Opening a wrapped box on Christmas is so much more fun then tearing open an envelope. So, (being true to my word) I'm going to do a series of gift guides, but here are just a couple ideas that are already on my mind. Hopefully this (and the ones coming soon) will be helpful this holiday season!

1. topshop.com 2. nordsrom.com 3. jaysonhomeandgarden.com