Merry Christmas Eve

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas! I'll be home in Pennsylvania with my family and I hope you have safe travels and get some good love from the ones closest to you.

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows
c/o Great Eats with Pete

Ingredients

12 oz of your favorite chocolate (I used dark chocolate chips)

2 bags of large marshmallows

Dusting sugar(s)

Directions

Place chocolate in a double boiler (or a heat proof bowl over simmering water, make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water). Stir the chocolate occasionally until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

Dip the marshmallow top in the melter chocolate. Allow excess chocolate to drip off the top. Then dip it in the dusting sugar. Place it on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper with the chocolate facing up. Continue until all marshmallows are dipped in chocolate and sugar. Allow to chocolate to harden. (Do not put it in the refrigerator the marshmallows will become hard.)

Peanut Butter Carmel Corn

c/o Stephanie Cooks Blog

Ingredients

3 bags natural popcorn, popped (standard size bags, not mini)
1 2/3 cups brown sugar
1 2/3 cup light colored corn syrup
5 tbsp butter
1 tsp salt
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tsp vanilla

Directions
1- Preheat the oven to 250.
2- Grease 2 9x13 dishes with cooking spray. Pour the popcorn evenly into the dishes and set aside.
3- In a small saucepan heat the sugar, syrup, butter, and salt. Cook about 3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla, stirring until completely melted.
4- Pour the peanut butter sauce evenly over the two pans of popcorn. Gently stir to coat.
5- Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Once done allow it to cool completely, then break the popcorn into pieces.

Homemade Crullers

c/o Lauren's Latest

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
vegetable oil, for frying

for the glaze--
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon lemon extract {optional}

Directions

Bring butter and water to boil in a small pot. Once mixture comes to boil, stir in flour and salt until combined. Remove from heat and cool 3 minutes. Crack eggs into a small bowl. Mix eggs into warm mixture one by one until completely batter is completely smooth. Transfer to piping bag with large fluted tip and pipe into circles on parchment paper lined baking sheets. Place into freezer for 30 minutes. Pour vegetable oil into large pot with high sides so there's at least 3 inches of grease. Heat oil to be between 325-350 degrees. While oil is heating, stir all ingredients together for glaze until smooth and runny...but not too runny! Drop frozen crullers one by one into hot oil and fry about 1 minute per side or until lightly golden. Remove to paper towel to drain and then immediately coat in glaze. Place onto cooling rack to let excess glaze drip off. After 40 minutes or so, the glaze should harden onto the crullers. Best served warm, immediately out of the glaze.

Stunning Silver

Hey lovebugs,
Sometimes I don't have a specific trend or style that I want to highlight. Sometimes it's just one piece that screams: heck yes. And I build a post around it. That piece is below, and today's post is silver.

Tinley Road, Animal Brocade Minidress, $79

I mean, come on. Stunner. Cap sleeve, beautiful waistline, just wow.

Bauble Bar, It Girl Collar, $36

Wearing yet another crew neck sweater? Want some bling? This is the perfect way to make an entrance. 

Nordstrom, Trouve Foil Print Sweater, $68

Let's make guesses as to what/who this model is looking at. I'm voting, a frozen deer, Ryan Gosling, or a woman wearing high water pants. But seriously, this sweater is a beautiful and simple top to add to jeans or to tuck into a pencil skirt.

Urban Outfitters, Incase Hammered iPhone, $35

Sometimes I think I bombard you guys with sequins. So take a look at this simple yet sophisticated hammered iPhone case.

Today's post is about all things silver. It's a beautiful color that compliments any skin tone. 

Be fabulous today!

Dresses for Dad

As the holiday dinners are approaching, I don't know about you, but I spend a long time staring into my closet trying to find the perfect dress for dinner with the family. In my family this doesn't mean sequins and sparkles but it also doesn't mean jeans. What's the happy medium?

Anthropologie, Eton Marble Dress, $69

This dress also comes in a beige pattern. I really like the artistic element of the piece.

Ann Taylor, Cowl Neck Sweater Dress, $74

You really can't go wrong with this simple and dependable sweater dress. Add a belt and some drop earrings.

Old Navy, Polka dot shiftdress, $34

More casual dinner? Try this simple but sweet shirtdress with a metallic flat.

Zara, Printed Dress, $59

I think this is a great dress for dinner or work. The pattern is very interesting but busy enough you can add some baubles.

What do you wear for holiday dinners with family? I find packing one easy dress vs four layering pieces is so much easier for traveling.

Be fabulous today!