Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Ginger Crinkles

My mom is going to kill me. OK, hopefully not kill me, but I'm definitely giving up a family secret here. Last week, when I asked for my mom's ginger crinkle recipe that has been the star of our Christmas cookie line-up for years, she handed it over, but warned me, "don't tell people how easy it is!"

Well, these are just too good not to share, plus I'm probably going to lose the scrap of paper I wrote the recipe on, so it's really like I'm recording it for future generations!


Rolling in sugar gives the outside a sweet crunch.

Make sure you thoroughly stir the melted white bark...otherwise you get splurts of chocolate while trying to elegantly zig zag the cookies...see middle of picture.

Autumn-y, chewy, white chocolate-y goodness!

Ginger Crinkles
-Preheat the oven to 350.
-Mix 2/3 cup shortening an 1 cup white sugar.
-Add in 1 egg and 4 tablespoons molasses.
-Sift together 2 cups flour, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1 tablespoon ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and gradually add to the shortening/sugar/molasses mixture.
-Roll the dough into balls (I got about 30 cookies out of one batch) and roll each ball in white sugar.
-Bake for 10-12 minutes.
-Drizzle melted white bark (candy coating) over the cookies in a zig-zag pattern.

Enjoy with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate!

xoxo,

E

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

What to Wear Where: Halloween Edition

Happy early Halloween! Today's What to Wear Where theme is Halloween, and I have a confession. Halloween costumes aren't really *my thing*. I'm always impressed when people come up with creative, theme-y costumes, but I always get costume-block when it comes down to thinking of something. So, instead of anything costume-y, I thought I'd go with what I'd like to wear while sipping a hot chocolate on the couch with a blanket and waiting for trick-or-treaters to come a-knockin'.

Elbow patches. 'Nuf said.


Pretty little lacy cami peeking through the holes in the chunky sweater makes things a little more delicate.

Ruffled Foldover Legging, $68
Again, I am a member of team leggings-as-pants. Ruffles and the foldover add interest.

Dainty pink slippers are good for one thing: walking from the kitchen to the couch with handfuls of (calorie-free) candy. Yes, many people don't know it, but candy is actually all calorie-free on October 31st every year.

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I know this isn't the most "fashionable" outfit in the world, but if you try to tell me you wouldn't want to lounge in this tomorrow evening instead of being out in Sandy-pocalypse, I will call you a liar.

Happy Halloween, happies! Be safe and get lots of candy!

xoxo,

E

Monday, October 29, 2012

Halloween Pup

Happy Monday!

This past week, Gatsby went from this:

Where are his nuggety eyes? Under there somewhere...

...to this:
Looking a little embarrassed about his haircut

Sleepy on the way back from the Wofford homecoming game

He was pretty matted, so he had to get an extreme shave. He looks a little like a mini-deer now. It's a good thing the groomers added some Halloween spirit to slightly distract from the major haircut.

Someone is ready for Trick-or-Treating!

Sorry for the gratuitous nugget post...he's just so cute, I can't help it sometimes.

xoxo,

E

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

What to Wear Where: Arts Night Out

This week's What to Wear Where theme is Arts Night Out. Having never been to anything that could be considered an "arts night out", I'm flying slightly blind on this one. I just tried to envision what I'd like to be wearing while sipping red wine in a large room with treated concrete floors (don't all art galleries have those?).

This picture does not do this top justice. This also comes in black with white dots. When in doubt, sparkle on.


I know not everyone is on Team Leggings-as-Pants. I think they are a comfy alternative to jeans that look great with heels and boots.


I like these platform wedges over traditional pumps to impress the cool, artsy set.


A neon pop of color, plus the suede adds some interesting texture.

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo,

E

Monday, October 22, 2012

Tailgate Treats

Happy Monday, happies! I hope you had a fabulous weekend! I had so much fun in Clemson with friends I haven't seen in years. Plus, my tigers won!

Every week (before a home game), I start to plan out what I am bringing to the tailgate pretty early. This recipe is always on the menu; I posted about it here, but sausage balls warrant another mention. They're just that good.

I feel like I speak many truths here (let's hear it for platform heels!), but if you only remember one, make it this: you will never go wrong when combining sausage, cheese, and Bisquick.

This recipe usually makes about four dozen golf ball-sized sausage balls. How many actually make it into the bowl for the tailgate is another story.

Yummy, cheesy, crispiness.

Sausage Balls (adapted from here)
1 pound bulk sausage (I use Jimmy Dean Hot)
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar (you could also sub out 1/2 cup parmesan cheese for 1/2 of the cheddar)
3 cups Bisquick (you could use about 2 1/2 cups if you want it less Bisquick-y, more cheesy/sausage-y...hey, I won't judge)
1/4 cup milk (I've used water in a pinch, and it works just fine)
A couple shakes of paprika

Pre-heat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Roll golf-ball sized (maybe smaller) balls and place about two inches apart on a non-stick baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. I usually have a few pans in the oven at a time, so about 10 minutes in, I switch the pans so that they have equal time on the top and bottom shelves. Because I'm a culinary mastermind like that.

These things are crazy delicious and make for a yummy poppable bite on a special occasion. Don't go eating them for breakfast every day, but for a tailgate? Perfect every time.

xoxo,

E

Friday, October 19, 2012

Why Puppies Don't Have to Do Chores

Happy Friday, happies! I was just doing some chores around the abode, and, wouldn't you know it, someone just isn't holding up his end of the deal...

Apparently furry nuggets prefer to lounge on piles of clean clothes, not fold them.

But how can I stay mad at this face for too long?
Cuteness that just won't stop.

Have a happy weekend! I'm excited to cheer on my Tigers in Clemson this weekend!

xoxo,

E


Thursday, October 18, 2012

Seasonal Fall Colors: Part Two

Last week's post got me thinking about how an awesome nail color can really help finish an outfit, especially during the colder months, when we are often completely covered up with coats and such. Darker, cloudier, vampier colors have a delicious inkiness that can warm things up, and glittery colors can bring the perfect touch to that party outfit you know you'll be rocking this season.

Here are the colors topping my wish list this year:


An awesome matte grey color that mirrors the clouds on wintry days.


The color of a winter sky on a clear, chilly night.


Described as a "motivated greige brown". Greige? How did I not know about this amazing color?

This feminine violet is a goop pick for this month's Birchbox. Here's hoping my request for a goop-curated box is fulfilled this month.

What better way to ensure you're party ready than with a glittery gold?


Gold, green, and turquoise glitter combine to make what I can only guess is a very bad-ass shade of gun metal. 

Nail polish is a relatively cheap and risk-free way to get in on a trend. What colors are on your wishlist?

xoxo,

E


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Something Wicked This Way Comes

I don't have any children (of the human variety, calm down, Gatsby) and haven't really anticipated any trick or treaters for the past couple years, so decorating for Halloween the old fashioned way has never really held too much appeal for me. Nope, no pumpkin guts and fake spider webs for this girl.

But D.L. & Co has me singing a different tune this year. Their wares are a little on the pricey side for seasonal stuff, but just think of all the deliciously evil fun you could have with these:

How much tastier would Halloween candy be on these scary guys? I'm picturing dressed-up Halloween themed petit fours paired with, what else?, a glass of (blood) red wine.

Invite everyone to your Halloween party with the coolest stationery I've ever seen.

A collection of these on your entryway table or bookshelf set a playfully scary tone. To burn or not to burn?

Normally, this would look like a cool apple shaped candle. But this time of year, all I can think about is Snow White and the Wicked Witch. What do you think poisoned apple smells like?

What are you doing to spookify your space this year?
 
xoxo,

E

PS: No, D.L. & Co did not sponsor this post...I wish.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

What to Wear Where: Date Night

Happy Tuesday! Today's What to Wear Where theme is Date Night! Yeep! Who doesn't love date night? After moving to the same city as the BF (Greenville) last year, date night has taken on a more casual tone. We usually eat out on the weekends, sometimes with friends, sometimes without. But to call a night a "date night", I feel like you need a special outfit.

For a Date Night (yes, with capitals), I'd like to dress up like a grown-up for a change and go somewhere that has a red wine that isn't my regular 3-buck-chuck (no offense, Trader Joe's! I heart you!).


I love this perfectly proportioned black dress. The longer sleeves make room for the shorter skirt; the simple crew neck allows for the slightly sassy (it's hard to say that word without jazz hands...) exposed zipper down the back.

Mixed metallics, large scale, sequins, oh my!
PS- I think this would be just as awesome with a white t-shirt...


A simple black and gold cuff talks to the necklace, but doesn't interrupt it.

I confessed my Pour La Victoire love here. Patent Leather + Platform = 'Nuf Said.

This outfit would be for a fancy-schmancy date. You know, one involving table cloths, extensive wine lists, and (fingers crossed) creme brulee to close the meal. What is your dream date outfit?
 


 
 
xoxo,

E

Monday, October 15, 2012

Some Rules Are Made to Be Broken

Happy Monday! I hope you had a fantastic weekend! I got the relaxing weekend I needed: slept in, ate Mexican food for dinner, watched the premiere of The Walking Dead (!)...and went to the annual festival in downtown Greenville, Fall for Greenville. We are entering this amazing time of year when the sun still shines, but the air is brisk. You know, those days when you blast the heat in your car in the morning and the a/c in the afternoon.

Outfits ran the gamut from cozy turtlenecks, boots, and jeans to one-shoulder dresses with sandals. I went with a navy long-sleeved shirt, a patterned infinity scarf, flip flops, and...white shorts. Yes, it is after Labor Day, and I wore white shorts.

Ever-glamorous bathroom pic.

More glamorous bathroom pics, this time with dog food/water in the background to enhance the composition.

When it comes to fashion rules, I feel like No White After Labor Day is one that is made to be broken. I was perfectly comfortable all day, and, I think, the color combination made a nod towards fall without jumping in with both feet.

Does this face looks like it cares about fashion rules?

Have a happy week!

xoxo,

E

Friday, October 12, 2012

Cozy in Madewell

Happy Friday, happies! I hope you have a fabulous weekend planned! I'm getting excited about a relaxing weekend here in Greenville after my world-traveler weekend trip to Delaware with the fam last weekend. 

In my last Birchbox, I got an exciting coupon to Madewell. I went with two sweaters to add to my collection. I didn't have any non-print sweaters in my collection prior to this. (I know, right?) These two are perfect for school or even a casual night out. Now that I own (yeep! love new things!) both, I would recommend going down a size from their size charts; I had to exchange both. Fortunately, Madewell has crazy fast (free right now!) shipping!

I didn't realize this when I ordered it, but the bows on this sweater are striped light and dark orange. Still love it, just good to know.



Have a very happy weekend!

xoxo,

E

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Seasonal Nail Colors

I know I did a nail color post last week, but, wouldn't you know it, my at-home manicure chipped just three days later. Hate that. Chipped nails are even more obvious with dark colors, too. Hate that even more.

But this blog isn't about things I hate...so I just turned to one of my other favorite fall nail colors for my next at-home manicure attempt!



I picked up OPI's Give Me Moor! after, you guessed it, I messed up a professional manicure approximately two minutes after leaving the salon. A quick trip to Ulta fixed that and gave me one of my still-favorite nail colors for the chillier months. It's an almost-black purple that is deliciously inky.


Happy Hump Day!

xoxo,

E


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Pour La Victoire Yummies

Even though I don't have too much occasion to where them, it's difficult for me to pass up a fantastic pair of pumps. Especially if they are patent leather. Especially if they have a platform.

Enter the Pour La Victoire sale on Gilt. The Irina II Pump might be perfect. Perfect with jeans on a Friday night, perfect for pairing with a black dress at a cocktail party, perfect for wearing with your robe when you walk the dog. OK, maybe not that last part.


Up.


Now.

Am I right, or am I right? If you aren't a Gilt member now, click here, and get on it.

xoxo,

E

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

What to Wear Where: Travel Outfit

Happy Tuesday! This week's What to Wear Where theme comes at a perfect time! I spent about 11 hours traveling and flying this past weekend, so I had a lot of time to think about what to look for in a go-to travel outfit. Keywords are: stretch, layers, and cotton.


I don't currently own jeggings, but I'm think I may have to take the plunge this fall/winter. Perfect for travel, since you need to be able to run to make your connection flight and comfy for when you're crammed in the middle seat of your row (you know it's bound to happen).

Cardigans are the perfect flying option. Easy to get off for security check points and if you get a little warm on the plane; they can also double as a blanket or pillow for longer, chilly flights.

A comfy tank top that won't make you feel stuffy while schlepping in through the terminal in a color that will distract from the fact that you're not wearing make-up. (Admit it.)

A sparkly flat that is easy to take off when you're getting through security. Also good for distracting from the no make-up thing.

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What are your travel go-to's? 

xoxo,

E