Luxurious and Lovely

One of my favorite fabrics for winter is velvet. It's luxurious and cozy in all of the right ways. This luxe texture can be worn in so many ways. Today I'm rounding up some of my favorites.

Asos, Pleated Velvet Midi Skirt, $58

Perfection. Come on. Twirl the night away.

Last Call Neiman Marcus, Burnout Velvet Floral Bodycon Dress, $71

A winter upgrade to your LBD.

Ann Taylor, Velvet Ankle Pants, $98

Oh Ann. So classic and chic. 

Nordstrom, Socialite Velvet Bomber Jacket, $49

A little more casual but still cool. Dress it up with a small silk scarf around your neck.

Velvet is a great material for these chilly days and nights. Mix it with patterns and colors for a real pop. It's going to work with windowpane, stripes, you name it.

Be fabulous today!

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Travel in Style

Are you traveling this week for the holidays? What are you wearing for the (hopefully) bearable trip? I've put together a comfortable and casual look that is great for planes, trains, and automobiles.

Leggings/Sweater/Booties/Tote

Be fabulous today!

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Final Days Gifts for Her

It's Christmas week. Last minute gifts, anyone? I've pulled together a handful of items you can run to your local store/mall/overnight ship to make sure you can have something under the tree!

Anthropologie, Balloon Sleeve Pullover, $98

Such a fun and cozy look that comes in a number of colors.

Nordstrom, Kendra Scott Lee Small Drop Earrings, $65

Colorful, sassy, and ready for jeans or an LBD.

Macy's, Steve Madden Ecentric-q Sneakers, $69

I own these in black quilted and I've gotten a ton of wear out of them. So comfortable and  easy to dress up or down.

Target, Who What Wear Pajama Shirt Dress, $17

First of all, always trust Who, What, Wear. Second of all, this price. OMG.

Whether you're a procrastinator or have one more lovely lady on your list, there are plenty of options that she will love that won't break the bank.

Be fabulous today!

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Friday Foodday

Happy Friday! Here are my favorite recipes this week.

Apple Cinnamon Sangria
c/o Emily Bites

Ingredients

• 1 small apple, chopped
• 8 oz (1 fl cup) semi-dry champagne (white wine can be substituted if you have it on hand)
• 16 oz (2 fl cups) Trop50 Farmstand Apple Juice
• 4 oz (1/2 fl cup) club soda
• 2 oz (1/4 fl cup) Goldschlager (or another cinnamon schnapps)

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and stir together well to combine. Refrigerate for a bit to chill and allow the apples to soak up the flavors.
2. Pour over ice into 5 glasses. Each glass gets ¾ fl cup (6 oz) of the liquid cocktail and 1/5 of the chopped apples.

Beef and Barley Soup

c/o Closet Cooking

Ingredients

• 1 ounce dried mushrooms
• 4 slices bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 1/2 pounds Ontario Corn Fed stewing beef such as chuck, round, brisket, cut into 2 inch pieces
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 1 cup carrot, diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 8 ounces mushrooms, quartered or sliced
• 2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
• 1 teaspoon thyme, chopped
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup pot barley
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Cover the dried mushrooms in 1 cup of just boiled water and let sit until tender, about 15 minutes, before draining, reserving the water, and chopping the mushrooms.
2. Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a larges sauce pan over medium-high heat before setting aside.
3. Add the beef and sear until lightly golden brown on all sides before setting aside.
4. Add the onions, carrots, celery and mushrooms and cook until tender, about 7-10 minutes.
5. Add the garlic, thyme, paprika and tomato paste and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
6. Add the broth and deglaze the pan by scraping up the brown bits on the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon while the broth simmers..
7. Add the broth, barley, bacon, beef, reserved chopped mushrooms, reserved mushroom water, bay leaves, balsamic vinegar, worcestershire sauce and fish sauce and either bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the beef is fall apart in your mouth tender, about 2-3 hours, OR transfer to a preheated 350F/180C oven and roast, covered, until the beef is tender, about 2-3 hours, OR transfer to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-10 hours or on high for 3-5 hours.
8. Remove the bay leaves, season with alt and pepper to taste and enjoy!

Peppermint Cracker Toffee

c/o Shugary Sweets

Ingredients

• 40 saltine crackers
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 package (11 oz) white chocolate chips
• 6 candy canes, crushed (about 1/2 cup)

Directions

1. Line a 15x10x1-inch baking sheet with the saltine crackers. Set aside. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add in sugar and bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly. Once it begins to boil, remove from heat.
3. Pour over saltine crackers. Place in a 375°F oven for about 10 minutes, until crackers are browned and caramelized.
4. Sprinkle with white chocolate chips and allow to sit for several minutes (until they melt). Spread with a spatula evenly over crackers and immediately sprinkle with crushed candy.
5. Allow chocolate to set and store in airtight container for up to 5 days.