Friday, November 26, 2010

Holiday Shopping Guide {Part Three}

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and have a lovely weekend!
In honor of Black Friday, I've comprised another holiday shopping guide that has me so excited, I might buy a few of these items for myself.

See previous Shopping guides here and here!
SHOPPING-GUIDE-pART-3

1. F21 Beaded Clutch, $20




Tuesday, November 23, 2010

House of Harlow

I've fallen completely in love with the House of Harlow jewelry collection this year. I always admired the signature starburst design, but was down right giddy when I saw it in white leather this year. Here are my favorite pieces, which would also make wonderful gifts for family and friends.
Which is your favorite?

HOUSE-OF-HARLOW-1

1. Enamel Tribal Ring, $95
2. Black and White Tribal Enamel Cuff, $220
3. Tribal Knuckle Ring, $65
4. Starburst Station Necklace with black leather, $80
5. Starburst Ring in Abalone, $70
6. Cabochon Bangle in black and gold, $150
7. Gold Tribal Earrings, $60
8. Starburst black leather button earrings, $30
9. Gold Starburst necklace with white leather, $79
10. Art Deco Bangle with moonstone, $80
11. Aztec Bangle with red leather, $72
12. Gold Medallion Locket, $75

Monday, November 22, 2010

Holiday Tinctures

I definitely don't need another excuse to love the holidays, but these fun cocktails give me just that. Whether you are spicing up your hot chocolate or adding peppermint and crushed candy ice to your martini, these holiday libations are sure to make you feel festive!

Holiday Tinctures

1. Cuppa Good Cheer
Ingredients
1.5 oz.SKYY® Infusions Cherry
0.5 oz.white creme de cacao
4 oz.Hot Cocoa
1 oz.Half 'n Half
Whipped Cream
Maraschino Cherry
Directions
Combine all ingredients into a holiday mug and top with whipped cream, red sprinkles and a Maraschino Cherry.


2. Hard Rocker Cider
Ingredients
1 cupCabo Wabo Reposado Tequila
4 cupsApple Cider
1 cupCranberry juice
¼ cupOrange Liqueur
1 teaspoonNutmeg
cinnamon stick
Directions
In a pot or crockpot, heat and stir cider, cranberry juice cocktail, and nutmeg on low just until hot for 2 hours. Do not boil. When ready to serve, turn on high for 10 minutes and stir in tequila and liqueur. Garnish with a cinnamon stick. Servings: 6

3. Candy Cane Swirl
Ingredients
1 oz.SKYY® Infusions Raspberry
3 oz. RedCranberry juice
0.5 oz.Grenadine
0.5 oz.Grenadine
Lemon Lime soda
Directions
Rim martini glass with crushed candy cane. Combine SKYY Vodka, Peppermint Schnapps, Cranberry Juice and Grenadine into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into martini glass. Top with Lemon Lime Soda and garnish with small peppermint candy cane.


4. Midnight Kick
Ingredients
2 oz.Cabo Wabo AƱejo Tequila
Orange Slice
Cinnamon
Directions
Wet the rim of a chilled shot glass with the orange slice. Then rim the shot glass with powdered cinnamon on a plate. Be careful not to turn the glass right side up until it has been rimmed. The orange liquid will drip otherwise. Shake the Cabo Tequila with ice in a shaker and strain into the chilled shot glass. Slam the shot and then bite into the orange slice to finish.

5. The Ninth Night
Ingredients
2 oz.SKYY® Infusions Citrus
1 oz.Triple Sec
1 oz.Cranberry juice
Lemon Lime soda
Lime Juice
Directions
Combine SKYY Infusions Citrus, Triple Sec and Cranberry Juice into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into tall rocks glass with fresh ice. Top with soda and lots of fresh lime juice. Garnish with blue ribbon or pipe cleaner around the glass.

6. Red Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
1 oz.Campari
2 oz.Brandy
3 oz.Milk
0.5 oz. (optional)Heavy Cream
2 tablespoonsChocolate Chip
Directions
Put milk, cream & chocolate in a milk frothing cup used for espresso. Froth milk as you would for cappuccino. When milk is hot remove frothing wand and whisk or stir vigorously until chocolate is completely melted. Add Campari and Brandy. Pour into heat-resistant cup. Can be garnished with 1 large hand-cut marshmallow or a red peppermint stick.

All recipes via

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Made for Walking

Just as I do each season, I've managed to find an item that I need, but cannot find in my size/color. Last year it was this. This year, it's an over the knee slim fit cognac/tan/brown leather boot. My favorite choices are listed below, and my favorite (the Cyrill boot) is sold out. I'm thinking of going with the Intyre boot instead, any feedback?

Boots

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Holiday Shopping Guide {Bottle Edition}

I consider myself an experienced shopper, but when it comes to shopping for my uncles, I know I can't go wrong with a bottle. Whether you are bringing one to holiday party, or giving as a gift, these bottles are some of our personal favorites and will not disappoint. The Sheep Dip in particular has been praised by every man in my family as their favorite Scotch, making it the easiest gift I've ever had to shop for... in bulk.
Check out my other Holiday Shopping Guide here.

HOLIDAY-BOTTLES

1. Sheep Dip Premium Malt Whiskey (1990), $60
2. Highland Park Single Malt Whiskey, $50
3. Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Merlot, $55
4. Shingleback Granache, $20
5. Bulletin Place Chardonnay, $15
6. Pink Prosecco, $20
7. Veuve Clicquot, $50
8. L'Artisan Parfumeur Fou d'Absinthe, $150
9. Raspberry Chambord, $40

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Holiday Shopping Guide {Part One}

If you are anything like me, your closest friends and family members have birthdays that book-end the holidays. Luckily, I thrive on holiday shopping and have the time to plan early. I started my shopping this weekend and to my surprise, found gifts for almost half the people on my list, leaving only my husband, girlfriends, and the women in my family to shop for. I've been comprising a shopping list for over a month now, but here are some items that are sure to be purchased (some already have) and wrapped before December 1st. Let the shopping begin....

Shopping Guide

1. C.O. Bigelow Mentha lip gloss, $8
2. Henri Bendel Chocolate Gift Box, $20
3. Christie Martin 14k gold plated initial pendant, $58
4. Crystal Skull Vodka, $50
5. Silk Pashmina $50
6. GAP pom pom slippers, $25
7. Anthropologie Peacock Crest Jewelry box $28
8. Essie "Smokin' Hot", $8
9. Sabon "Fig Coco" Body Scrub $30
10. Anthropologie glass perfume bottle, $38
11. Tory Burch printed pajama set, $125
12. Karl Donoghue Toscana Fur and Suede ear muffs, $145

Monday, November 15, 2010

Happy Monday

fall fashion 1
fall fashion 3
fall fashion 2

Have a wonderful day!

xx

Friday, November 12, 2010

Carrot Pineapple Cake.

Carrot Cake-4
For my dinner party Tuesday night, mentioned here, I wanted to make a birthday cake for my friend that was sure to be unexpected.
You all know my love for cream cheese frosting, so if the recipe includes it, I'm making it. I decided on this two layer Carrot Pineapple cake, that did not disappointment. My only regret was feeding my guests so much for dinner that we could barely fit dessert!

Carrot Cake-1
Carrot Cake-2
Carrot Cake-3

Carrot Cake-5

Happy Birthday to Monique and I hope you ALL have a great weekend!!!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Recent Purchases.

This time last year I was planning my wedding, so shopping was basically off limits. It was tough, especially since Autumn is my favorite season and fall fashion purchases usually get me through till spring.
I feel that this year, I have made up for all that I missed. Here are a few of my recent purchases that I know will get me through to the rest of the year.


CHUNKY CRYSTAL NECKLACE
IMG_2888


LEATHER DRIVING GLOVES
DRIVING GLOVES



NUDE SUNGLASSES
Nude shades



RACHEL LEIGH "BLUSH DROPS"
IMG_2890




THE NEELY BAG

Neely

Haaaappy Friday! I'm so excited the weekend is here! Hope you all have a fabulous one xx

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Crystal Skull Vodka

I'm not particularly into skulls, or vodka for that matter; but when I saw this Crystal Skull Vodka in my local liquor shop's window yesterday, I was sold.
I convinced my husband we needed it, (for our guests who drink vodka) and we could always re-use the bottle later on. The power of packaging design has a pretty strong hold on me :)

Crystal-Skull-Vodka

About the Vodka: A quadrupled distilled vodka, filtered three times through charcoal followed by triple filtration over Herkimer crystals. Skull bottle designed by John Alexander and manufactured by master artisans in Milano's Bruni Glass Company.


Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Kind of Loving ...

Mini dresses with booties.
kind of loving-1
Maxi dresses for fall.
kind of loving-3
Leopard and leather.
kind of loving-2


muuuah happy wednesday!



Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Treasure Trinkets

Anthropologie never has a shortage of interesting jewelry, but these trinkets stood out among the rest with their vivid colors, unique concepts and beautiful materials. Most of these items are from the "Artisan" collection. I'm especially loving #3 in yellow. How gorgeous is that necklace!

Have a wonderful morning!
xx

Anthro-Artisan

1. Encrusted Sea Cuff, $498
2. Do The Strand Necklace, $458
3. Beaded Swag Bib Necklace, $68
4. Garden Pearl Ring, $198
5. Weekly Forecast Ring, $198
6. Ocean Jasper Necklace, $798
7. Escargot Glow Earrings, $238
With Love, Nikki