2011

2011 was a fantastic year, best told through pictures. i'm so thankful for all of your support and couldn't be more excited for all that's in store in 2012.

{my first outfit post!}

champagne jello shots

adds a bit of class to your new years eve toasts dontcha think? recipe here. 

{outfit post - ice queen}

{forever 21 metallic silver pleated maxi dress (similar skirt here), theory reversible sweater, forever 21 necklaces, h&m bracelets, urban outfitters ring, urban outfitters booties, opi 'designer de better' on nails}

wore this shiny outfit saturday for christmas eve at my parents house. i like to get a bit fancy for the holidays, but comfort is equally important. luckily, this metallic maxi dress from forever 21 fits both bills and allows for lots of snacking and drinking which the last few days were full of. hope you all had a great weekend with the ones you love.

{12 days of christmas: a christmas card}

the other 12 days of christmas:
day 1: a dress
day 2: a gift
day 3: a dessert
day 4: a cookie
day 5: a tradition
day 6: a holiday home
day 7: a brown paper package tied up with string
day 8: an appetizer
day 9: a party
day 10: a homemade gift
day 11: a little red dress

{12 days of christmas: lady in red}

{gifted loft red dress, gifted loft tights, h&m and vintage bracelets, anthropologie necklace, jcrew leopard clutch, elizabeth and james booties, mac 'ruby woo' lips}

i usually don't wear very much red but this time of year i can't seem to resist the festive color. i've been jumping from christmas party to christmas party in this little red loft shift dress, pairing it with red lips and nails for an extra holiday touch.

{12 days of christmas: a homemade gift}

i like to make a sweet treat around christmas for some of my favorite people. my closest co-workers who are practically family, our dog walker that loves walter as much as we do, a neighbor who always stops to say hello and chat.

in the past i've jarred up cookies and chocolate bark but this year i decided to make homemade peppermint hot chocolate. i layered the ingredients in mason jars and tied each with instructions and a sweet little note. do you give homemade gifts to others? i'd love to hear what they are!

ps - next year i might have to make these - so cute!

{12 days of christmas: a party}

last night i had a couple of my college girlfriends over for a little christmas celebration. we drank christmas cocktails by our tree, snacked and listened to this christmas playlist on repeat. nights like this are exactly why i love the holidays so much.

 {a menu and a christmas candle}

 {candy cane oreo milkshake}

 {pomengranate champagne punch. so simple and so very, very good}

{peppermint cupcakes}

{outfit post - lacey spots}

{anthropologie leopard coat (old but similar here), diane von furstenberg zarita lace dress, dolce vita heels, vintage cuff, hue tights}

both this dress and jacket are from last year, but a different hair style, curls with a super side part, made the entire look feel a bit new for a wedding packed weekend. hope you all had an equally great weekend. after a busy two days we spent yesterday lazying away, only venturing outside for my birthday brunch that included a banana bacon pancake. 

{12 days of christmas: an appetizer}

often for family holiday gatherings i'm given the simple task of bringing an appetizer, leaving the main dishes to the more seasoned chefs. these are a couple of my favorites. they're quick, only require a couple ingredients and always a big hit.

 {baked brie sprinkled with brown sugar and walnuts. served here with crackers, but apples also taste great}

{bacon wrapped dates stuffed with manchego cheese - or try ricotta}

{garlic dip. mix 2 packs of softened cream cheese with a whole bulb of garlic. add milk to get the consistency you want. this is a garlic lovers dream.}

{outfit post - metallic sketch}

{zara dress, zara leather jacket (old, similar here), hue opaque tights, dolce vita heels, gifted ann taylor loft fur scarf, h&m bracelets, essie 'mint candy apple' and china glaze 'nova' on nails}

i bought this dress awhile ago and have been awaiting the holiday season to have a chance to wear it. i love the exaggerated bell shaped skirt and metallic etching which lends the perfect amount of holiday shine. what additions to your closet did you make for the holidays?

ps - some outfit outakes on the facebook page.