Chocolate & Peppermint

**Apologies for being AWOL over here...things are hectic at work, I've been dealing with some relationship drama, and basically just haven't been in a blogging mood. Sorry!**

There isn't much I love more than the combination of chocolate and peppermint. Thankfully, the holiday season is the season of pepperminty goodness, so I'm in heaven right now.While I personally think peppermint treats are just great year-round, they're especially great for holiday gifting--festive AND yummy!

Here's a few peppermint/chocolate treats that I'm dying to make and eat...

Peppermint Patty Brownies--How Sweet Eats: you could so easily make this a bit more festive by tinting the white mint layer with food coloring...or just make as-is. These sound phenomenal.

Homemade Oreos--My Kitchen Addiction: So these aren't pepperminty, but you could sub peppermint extract for the vanilla extract in the filling and make homemade peppermint Oreos! Yummmm.

Peppermint Crunch Truffles--Bakers Royale: Three ingredients so you (and I) have no excuses for not making these.

Peppermint Ice Cream & Hot Chocolate Affogato--A Couple Cooks: Oh man...this looks and sounds amazing. I'd probably double the mintyness by using peppermint hot chocolate, but you could do this in so many ways: caramel ice cream w/ plain hot chocolate, coffee ice cream w/ caramel hot chocolate, vanilla ice cream w/ cherry or caramel hot chocolate...the list is never-ending.

Peppermint Hot Fudge Sundaes--Martha Stewart: Peppermint. Hot. Fudge. I'll just take a jar of that and eat it plain, thanks.

Chocolate-Peppermint Cake--Martha Stewart: Said to be rich, fudgy and brownie-like...which are all good things and exactly how I like my chocolate cake.

Homemade Peppermint Patties--Oh Nuts Blog: SUPER easy. Yum.

Also on the list: Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate, Private Selection Mint Hot Chocolate, and York Peppermint Patties (of course!). Mmmm!

Beach, Please.

I am drained. I've been on a year-plus-long "real" job search that's been totally disheartening and discouraging, I work 7 days a week at two different jobs, I haven't had a vacation in over a year...I am totally depleted of all sorts of things: enthusiasm, inspiration, happiness, motivation.

The only thing I have on my Christmas list (other than these boots, of course) is a 3 week beach trip with no phones or internet, no schedule, no work, nothing other than relaxing, soaking up sunshine and recharging. Doing things because I want to, not because I have to. Eating a normal dinner at a normal time, instead of cereal at 11:15 because I got home too late from work and put other things (like feeding the cat and washing clothes) ahead of eating. I'm tired of working on things until 2 am when I realize that I should probably get a few hours of sleep before I have to be up for another day of stuff...I want to be able to go to sleep at a decent time and not feel guilty.

Basically I want to spend 3 weeks at the beach living life like Oscar does.

all photos from this Pinterest board

One Stop: J. Crew

J Crew's new arrivals are amazing. Really. So many giftable items, so many cute patterns, so many wearable things. Plus with 30% off right now (through 12/1!) using HOLIDAY it's easier than ever to buy things for everyone: mom, dad, sister, brother, boyfriend, nieces and nephews, Secret Santa presents...

A few things that I have my eye on, for both myself and others...

Etta Studded Pump: A fairly neutral pump, with a bit of added interest? Yes.

Tipped Silk Tee: So cute, peeking out from a blazer.

Tipped Boy Shirt: I saw a woman wearing this shirt a few weeks ago and she looked SO chic and crisp...amazing with a super-tailored pair of black pants or a pencil skirt.

Collection Velvet Sweatpants: Tailored. Velvet. Sweatpants. I feel like those three words are all you need to know. #win

Striped Pencils: Stripes? Pencils? J Crew? You know I'm all about these. Plus who doesn't love cute office supplies? Answer: everyone loves cute office supplies.

Wood Phone Stand for iPhone: This is pretty sleek and very minimal...and I am kind of in love with it. Perfect for an office or nightstand!

Caran D'Ache pen: One of my favorite pen brands...and I totally realize how pretentious that sounds, but these pens are pretty awesome.

Cocktail Shaker: A good guy gift--not overly sentimental or feminine, useful, helpful, polished.

Embroidered Henley for girls: This was Oscar's pick...but I think it's adorable too.

Tartan Satchel: So classically prep, I can't even stand it.

Sparkle Tiara: Because why not?

R2D2 iPhone case: The only Star Wars-themed item you'll ever see on this blog...but isn't it kind of awesome?

Notable Mustaches kit: I know plenty of 20-something guys who would find this amusing too...

Screen Cleansing Towelettes: A perfect stocking stuffer for pretty much everyone...and incredibly affordable!

There's about 700 more things I could have listed...happy shopping!

Thanksgiving

dreamy Thanksgiving tablescape

apple-brined turkey...uh, yum!

Happy Thanksgiving, chickies! Today I'm thankful for having the day off to rest and relax, sleeping in late, my sweet little Oscar, the sweetest man-friend in the history of ever, my very loving and supportive family, and all of YOU!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (Oscar jumped on my keyboard and kept his paw on the x button...obviously he sends y'all LOTS of kisses :) )

Have a happy day full of family, friends and lots of food! And if you celebrate Hanukkah, Happy Hanukkah as well!

Vest Dressed

First off, that title is insanely cheesy and I apologize, but I just couldn't pass up the opportunity! Now that it is officially freezing in Atlanta, I am so so SO cold all most of the time. I also have a huge hole in my closet for casual, warm outerwear that's also cute. I've been seeing little quilted vests all over the place for the past couple years and have previously dismissed them as something that's just not for me.

However, I was getting dressed the other night to go ice skating, and it wasn't quite cold enough for my peacoat, it wasn't warm enough for just a long-sleeve shirt, and a jacket isn't great for anything where you need to move your arms a lot...which means it was perfect vest weather! I've officially been converted into a vest person and now I just need the perfect one to add to my closet!


I have a few "must have" qualities for my ideal vest: quilted, not too puffy, a bit fitted through the waist, a highish neck/collar, nothing obnoxious on it, no shiny fabric.

A few vesties I have my eye on...

J. Crew Excursion Vest, $120: Everyone has this vest, which makes it less attractive to me, but I do like how understated it is. Plus it's super lightweight so it's warm without being bulky--perfect for layering! I just cannot get over the "fashion blogger" aspect of this one...

Elizabeth McKay Quilted Vest, $271: I love love love the periwinkle trim! The price tag is a bit steep though.

The North Face "Red Blaze" Vest, $99: A bit sportier than other vests, which makes it both more versatile (could wear it hiking or playing with the dog in the park) and less stylish. However, it's under $100 and comes in a lot of colors...

Joules Downham Gilet, $86: The pink zipper on the navy just kills me! So cute but not obnoxious or childish. Fleece-lined for warmth so it'd be extra cozy on freezing days. Plus the lining is striped and you know how I love a stripe!

Joules Milham Quilted Vest, $102: Super minimalist and extremely classic, which I love. I fear it's a bit too thin/lightweight though...

Lilly Pulitzer Kate Puffer Vest, $198: I feel like this vest just needs to be in my closet....I mean, we share a name! It's just a touch on the shiny side for my taste...

So many choices! What do you think?

All That Glitters...

The holiday season is one of my favorite times of year, mostly because of the proliferation of metallic or sparkly items available to decorate your home and yourself. I'm not much of a jewelry person, and I'm not much of a glitter girl, but I can definitely get behind a good, non-cheesy metallic accent or two (or three if you're feeling fancy/festive). There's just something about the holidays that makes me want to break out all the mercury glass, sprinkle sequins down the table, and bedeck myself in all the pretty shiny baubles I own. We decorate our trees with ornaments, why not ourselves and our homes!

Anyway. There are SO MANY good metallic objects out there, I just had to do a quick little round-up. As an added bonus, lots of these items are good for gifting, whether it's for others or for yourself! I definitely won't judge...

1//2//3

4//5//6//7

1//2//3

4//5//6

7//8//9

I feel like I need to clarify that I probably wouldn't recommend wearing any of the pieces above together...I'd pair each clothing piece or shoe with a healthy dose of neutrals/solids and make the glittery piece the focus. The sequin skirt would look amazing with a top like this, the glitter heels would be great with a skinny black pant, and either metallic top would be perfect with a pair of jeans or velvet skinnies for a party! Bring on the holidays!!

Leather Loving

The absolute last word I would use to describe my style and myself is edgy, but lately I've been really into leather. I've especially been loving pieces that are more feminine cuts or colors that just happen to be made of leather. I think they're just perfect for injecting a little modernity into a wardrobe of classics.

ASOS Leather-skirted Midi Dress: You could totally dress this up for holiday parties with sparkly heels, a beaded cardigan or a statement necklace/earrings. For daily wear, I'd probably wear leopard heels, pearl studs and a low ponytail. And the price? So good!

Ann Mashburn Leather Box Pleat Skirt: I have literally been dreaming about this skirt ever since it first popped up in my email a few weeks ago. I'm obsessed with the cut and I'd wear it with everything from tank tops to button downs to silky blouses. I also have it on good authority that this skirt is even more amazing in person...

Derek Lam Tweed/Leather Jacket: I love little tweed jackets, but sometimes they can be a bit too "ladies who lunch"...the leather trim on this one toughens it up a bit and makes it look cooler and less like something you stole from your grandma.

Loeffler Randall Ella Stacked Heel Bootie: I swear by high-quality leather boots, and these are booties that will last a long time. I love the color of these and I can think of at least a few things I have in my closet that need a nude boot...

J. Crew Leather Pixie Pant: My favorite Pixies, done in leather? Sold. Pssst: the leather-front version is also adorable as well! and about $300 cheaper

I have no intention of ever being mistaken for a biker, so I think I'd only do one leather piece in an outfit. For example, with a leather skirt, I'd do a textile-covered heel and a knit or silk top. For leather pants, a satin ballet flat or a velvet smoking slipper and a buttondown would soften up the leather.