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

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'.

Coincidence & Chance Flecked Elbow Patch Sweater, $59

Elbow patches. 'Nuf said.

Lacy Jersey Cami, $48

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.

Cassie Slipper, $50

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.

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

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

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?).

Polka-dot Sequin Top, $128

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

Pique Pencil Leggings, $48

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.

Terina Heels, $80

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

Crosby Suede Envelope Clutch, $148

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

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo,

E

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

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

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:

OPI Nein! Nein! Nein! OK Fine!

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

butter London Royal Navy

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

Essie Gym Dandy

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

Essie No More Film

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.

OPI Goldeneye

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

butter London Jack the Lad

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