The over the knee boot trend is something that (surprisingly) stuck this year. The problem is that they are usually over $100. Not to worry lovebugs. I have done the research, and I have found some great options that won't break the bank.
Let's talk about trends you haven't been brave enough to try this year. It's the last week of 2015 and I'm in for truth telling. For me, it's feathers. I've had a difficult time picturing myself pulling off this trend without looking, well ridiculous. So today' I've picked out a couple of items that I think I could wear if I'm going to make this trend work for me.
So often this time of year we go all out for that perfect holiday ensemble. Glitter, sparkle, plaid, velvet, it's certainly about the wow factor. So why not try something a little more delicate with the earring? Let's take a look at some beautiful minimalist earrings that will work perfectly with your stunning outfits this winter.
It's crunch time lovebugs. This gift guide isn't for your mom, bf, or teacher, this is the holy crap Christmas is like three days away guide. Enter Amazon. No, this post is in no way sponsored by them. (But contact me know if you know someone at Amazon) It's just sometimes you need to go to the place that has everything and it will ship by the time you leave work today.
Drop mint leaves into bottom of julep cup or Collins glass. Cover with simple syrup and muddle. Add ice to fill, then add brandy and rye. Stir briskly. Garnish with sprig.
While water is heating, open the pork loin filet and scrape the bacon off the top into a 10 inch skillet. Dice the pork loin into bite sized pieces and add to the skillet.
Dice the three slices of bacon and add to the skillet.
Cook the pork loin and bacon over medium heat until cooked through, stirring often, about 10 minutes.
Once water is boiling, add gnocchi and cook until it floats to the top of the water, about 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Add the evaporated milk, cheddar cheese, hot sauce, salt, and pepper to the hot pot that you used for boiling the gnocchi. Turn heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, until cheese is nearly melted.
Return the gnocchi to the pan with the cheese sauce. Gently stir in half of the pork and bacon. Stir to coat in cheese sauce.
1 tablespoon Christmas sprinkles + more for decoration
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips or vanilla almond bark
Directions
In a large bowl, whisk cake mix, flour and sugar. Stir in melted butter, vanilla, milk and sprinkles. Mixture should be moist and be able to hold its shape easily when formed. Using a cookie scoop, form mixture into even balls and refrigerate 20-30 minutes.
In the mean time, melt chocolate in a double boiler or slowly in the microwave. Using a fork, drop one of the cake batter truffles into the chocolate and roll around to coat. Tap off the excess gently and transfer to cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Top with more sprinkles, if desired.
Sometimes I blog about trends, hot brands, and chic styles. Sometimes I just want to blog about real life things that I want to wear. Today it's the latter and it's a cozy sweater. That's it. Nothing breaking or game changing here, just a cozy sweater. I wanted something with texture that feels like a polar bear that just took some Motrin PM. Snuggly, warm, cozy.
Let's have some fun with shoes. Last week we talked sparkle and all shoes shimmery. Today I want to look at blue suede shoes. Something unexpected but perfectly wonderful for winter. I'm looking for deep, rich blues like navy and cobalt. Let me explain.
And speaking of a classic. How about these sneakers? I'm wearing these every weekend from now until Spring.
Blue suede shoes have some personality without screaming with sequins. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Scream with your sequins. But if you'd like something a bit more understated while still chic, blue suede baby.
It may be 60 or even 65 (!) degrees in mid-December but that doesn't we can't wear our favorite winter prints. I love tartan in December. It's a colorful plaid that truly says winter to me. It's a step above your average plaid that makes you smell gingerbread and hear jingle bells.
It's our last set of gift guides and if you haven't found that special something for your bff, this one's for you. These gifts are a step above thoughtful because they're fun. Give these gifts knowing you're going to get a smile in return. I love the quirkiness, happiness, and specialness of all of these. I mean, who doesn't need a ice cream pint koozie?
1 cup apple cider (the fresh kind, not the fizzy alcoholic kind) 1 bottle dry white wine 1/4 cup calvados or another apple brandy 1/4 cup Triple sec or another orange liqueur Mixed colors of apples, diced and tossed with lemon juice to prevent browning Seltzer, sparkling water or sparkling apple cider to finish
Directions
Place the apple cider in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce about 3/4 of the way, until you have approximately 1/4 cup apple cider left; this will take 10 to 15 minutes. Pour into small bowl set over a bowl of ice water and stir; it will cool very quickly this way.
Pour reduced, cooled cider into pitcher. Add wine, apple brandy and triple sec. Add fruit and let sit in the fridge until needed. Add some fizz right before serving; a slotted spoon will help guests hold back the fruit while pouring their glasses, and spoon some on top, if desired.
Cook the bacon until crispy and set aside on paper towels to drain.
Toss the potatoes in the each dressing mix and place 1/3 of them into a foil wrapped slow cooker followed by 1/3 of the bacon and cheese and repeat with two more layers of potatoes, bacon and cheese before cooking on low until tender, about 8-10 hours on low of 4-5 hours on high.
Line a 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, add marshmallows, chocolate morsels, unsweetened chocolate, and vanilla extract. Set aside.
In a large saucepan, combine sugar, milk and butter. Over medium high heat, bring mixture to a boil while stirring constantly. Once boiling, boil for a full two minutes.
Pour hot mixture over marshmallow and chocolate and beat with whisk attachment until melted and smooth (may take several minutes).
Pour into prepared baking sheet and refrigerate for about 3 hours (or overnight). Remove from refrigerator and cut into 4 large rectangles. Wrap in parchment paper and store in airtight container until ready to use.
When ready to use, cut into bite sized pieces and enjoy.
