Dressing the part

I've been searching my closet for days now, trying to find some warm weather clothes to pack for our extended stay in florida (which is quickly approaching) and I'm coming up with nada. It's as if I didn't shop at all last summer !

I'm thinking of hitting the stores to pick up a few new dresses and skirts, and here is what I'm after...

long and breezy

soft prints

bold solids and long silhouettes

Any stores you think I should check out?

xx

via, via, via

Simple Pleasures

I expected this weekend to be crazy, with my Goddaughter's 3rd birthday party, finishing up my shopping, and the wrapping of gifts I've been buying since October. To my surprise it was the opposite. I dedicated an entire afternoon to wrapping endless gifts, and making a handmade card for the birthday girl, all with time to spare to enjoy the party.

Hope yours was equally enjoyable and wishing you all a great Monday!

{a day full of wrapping}

{hand drawn birthday card}

{sealed with a heart}

{heavenly chocolate birthday cake}

Chocolate Almond Cranberry Bark

Chocolate bark is one of those treats that usually turn up at Holiday parties, and I'm always reminded of how much I love it. Whether it's filled with assorted nuts, dried fruit or chopped pretzels, the result is always festive and fun to eat. The cranberries in these add a pretty touch of color and the almonds offset the sweetness of the chocolate perfectly. They turned out so delicious, I decided to bag them up to accompany Christmas gifts for my family.







A fabulous and easy recipe for any holiday get together!



Recipe:
12 oz dark chocolate
5 oz chopped almonds
5 oz chopped dried cranberries
1/2 cup heavy cream

Melt chocolate over double boiler, stirring constantly (5 minutes)
Add heavy cream as you stir.
Mix in chopped almonds and cranberries.
Pour into foil lined container and refrigerate overnight.
Remove from foil, chop and serve.
Yields approx 15 pieces.

Holiday Shopping {Part Three}

I've just about finished up my holiday shopping for loved ones, and I'm really happy and excited to present my family and friends with my finds.
Along the way, I managed to find a few small gifts for myself, including #8, 9 & 15 on this list.


Happy Shopping loves!

Holiday Shopping Guide {For the Boys}

This list is a tad biased towards my husbands taste (he is the proud owner of a drawer full of Happy Socks), but organizing it gave me ideas for my Dad and brother as well. If there is one thing I've learned about my husband it is this; if his gift is from Godiva, Apple or Varvatos, he will be a a happy happy man :)

1. Samsung Blu Ray Player, $150-$300

2. Happy Socks, $10

3. Woolrich John Rich & Bros Wool Gloves, $125

4. Ugg Australia slippers, $120

5. Sabon after-shave set, $30

6. Ralph Lauren Flannel Pajama set, $73

7. Moleskin notebooks, $12

8. Ray Ban tortoise shell wayfarers, $145

9. John Varvatos Hidden Lace Boots, $265

10. Godiva Chocolate Covered Pretzel Canister, $22

11. Sheep Dip Premium Scotch, $60

12. J fold "V twelve" leather cut out wallet, $67

13. Monster Power Beats HD Headphones, $200

14. iPad, $500

My Holiday Wishlist

With my birthday and Christmas rapidly approaching, I can't help but dream of a few items I'd like to get myself. Some, I've been eyeing for a while (sapphire ring), and some I've only just discovered but already begged my husband to get me (Jonathan Adler pill box.)

What is on your wish list this year?

1. Sapphire ring.

2. House of Harlow black starburst necklace, $70

3. Extra long white woven scarf

4. Sabon Lemon Mint Body Scrub, $30

5. Crate and Barrel Edge Wine Glasses, $11 each

6. Tory Burch Reva ballet flat in orange or green, $195

7. Jonathan Adler Nixon throw in Orange, $295

8. Soft bow belt, Anthropologie, $28

9. Clinique Colour Surge Eyeshadow in Double Date, $17

10. Perpetual Blooms towels (Anthropologie), $8-36

11. Dara Ettinger Chelsea ring, $88

12. Dark denim trouser jeans, $150

13. Jonathan Adler DOLLS pillbox, $28

14. Nordstrom Crystal Collection Bezel Bracelets, $38-50

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!

1. F21 Beaded Clutch, $20

2. NARS Precious Mini Nail Set, $30

3. Kate Spade Bon Mot Owl Purse, $95

4. ArdenB Faux Mongolian Fur Vest, $89

5. Kate Spade twirl gold bow cuff, $175

6. Dior Extase Mascara Set, $30

7. F21 Feather trim necklace, $15

8. Mrs. Prindables Chocolate Apple, $40

9. Asos Rose Gold Watch, $38

10. Asos Cut Out Fingerless Leather gloves, $25

11. Zara Suede Envelope Wallet, $70

12. Tory Burch Tumbled Leather Pink Reva Flat, $195

13. Camilla Gold bracelet (Calypso), $75

14. F21 Pink Glitter Manicure Case, $9

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!

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 Añejo 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

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.

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

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....

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

Happy Friday!

Valentine's day 2010 in Miami

With Love, Nikki