Boyfriend Gift Guide

It's that time of the year again! The time of the year that females either dread, tolerate, or love.

 Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, which means that most girls are stressing about what to get their man friend. I haven't quite figured out what makes it so difficult to shop for guys but it has always been a struggle. Girls, on the other hand, are a breeze to shop for, in fact we are also really easy to please overall...

I can't claim to be an expert when it comes to shopping for guys, but I have done some research online, on other blogs, and with friends and my own man friend and think that I have put together some ideas to get you started. If you still need more ideas, check out my other boyfriend gift guide here. 

American Flag- Best Made Co. 

This website is full of cool ideas, including these other historic flags that are a great addition to a bachelor pad, camp supplies, and tools. Perfect for the rugged man in your life. 

The Hungover Cookbook - Barnes and Noble

A clever cookbook that starts with a quiz to determine your exact state of mind and ability to cook. The book categorizes six different types of hangovers and supplies recipes for each, including the Elvis Presley Peanut Butter, Banana, and Bacon Sandwich.

Baseball Henley - J.Crew

Give your man friend subtle hints with this gift- he should wear a little more J.Crew and a little less of that high school t-shirt he just won't get rid of. 

Ribbed Beanie - Bloomingdales

We still have six more weeks of winter, so he will need to bundle up with the help of this stylish and warm beanie. 

Reese's Peanut Butter Hearts

One thing that I have learned over all the years is that the easiest way to please a guy is through his stomach. If you want to keep it simple or need something small to add to your gift, hit your local grocery store and pic up a Valentine's themed bag of his favorite candy. 

ESPN's 30 for 30 - Dick's Sporting Goods

This box set includes all 30 episodes of the ESPN Film Series, including never-before-seen footage and interviews. The best part about this gift is that you can even join him on the couch to watch these- I've loved every one I have watched!

Hazelnut Whiskey Sandwich Cookies - Whimsy & Spice

I usually recommend homemade treats and cookies but everything on this website looks delicious and perfect for Valentine's Day. This site has sandwich cookies, flavored marshmallows, brownies, and hot chocolate mixes. In fact, I wouldn't mind any of those things for myself, including this helpful tea towel.

If you are looking for recipes for homemade treats, I would suggest these-

Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry Shortcake - my favorite!

Peanut Butter Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies

The Best Brownies

White Chocolate Cranberry Cream Cheese Cookies

Homemade Oreos

Snickerdoodle Bars

Even more ideas

Days of Bliss

I am still alive...I know it has been ages since I have posted...

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I hope that everyone had a relaxing, yet fun-filled holiday weekend! I know that I loved having a four day weekend and I packed in as much as I possibly could. I left work immediately on Wednesday to go home and prepare for a lake weekend with my best friends from college. I whipped up a batch of red, white, and blue cookies (cranberries, white chocolate chips, and blueberries...yum!), packed a bag (forgot a pair of flip-flops and ended up spending the two days in tennis shoes or barefoot!), and then jumped in the car to speed towards relaxation, perfect weather, incredible food, and even more incredible friends.  

After two wonderful days on the water, I got back in the car with my roommate to go to the Beyonce concert. Pause for a moment of jealousy if you weren't there. She was incredible, her outfits were insane, and apparently it was all quite emotional since my sweet and Beyonce-obsessed roommate cried on several occasions. It was definitely a night that I will never forget!

I spent the rest of the weekend getting things done, like cleaning and laundry, went to a benefit concert at the last minute where I got to see Garth Brooks and others perform, enjoyed food and drinks by the pool with some of my favorite people, and then more time by the pool and a great Sunday night dinner. 

The weekend was definitely a smashing success and I feel ready to tackle the week and all it holds. My best friend is getting married on Saturday, just a few short days away and I know that I am not mentally or physically prepared for that! It will hopefully be a quick week and a wonderful weekend. How can it not be when you get to celebrate two people and their love for each other!

How about I blog everyday this week?

Challenge accepted. 

Carrot Cake (Fails and Successes)

I am sorry for the absence this week. Without going in to too many personal details, this week has been very busy with an equal mixture of searching for a job and preparing for job training for another. Confusing, I know. 

Last week, I posted about a carrot cake that I was over-the-moon excited about making. It had a delicious marscapone and ginger frosting that I could already picture myself licking from the bowl...

I knew it would be the perfect dessert to enjoy after brunch on Easter Sunday. Well the cake never made it to Sunday. The cake didn't even make it to Saturday because it was such a fail. The center didn't cook and completely fell and only the edges cooked all the way through. (So clearly my family just took forks and ate around all the edges.) I ended up tossing the cake and never even got to make the frosting.

Luckily, I was able to make up for the cake failure by making carrot cake cookies this week. A few weeks ago my boyfriend and I went to Williams-Sonoma looking for a gift. My first action upon walking in to any Williams-Sonoma is walking straight to the tester counter where I can enjoy something tasty like a cracker dip, warm apple cider, or in this case carrot cake cookies. These cookies were so good that we convinced the sales associate to give us each two. My boyfriend remembered how much I liked them (and knew how much he would like me to make them for him) and bought me the mix for Easter. 

How appropriate is a fool-proof cookie mix after my last disaster in baking with carrots? This time I had no mishaps and the final product turned out great! I saved half of the dough (it's tempting me in my freezer) and plan on making a marscapone and ginger frosting to glaze on top of these cookie next time. 

I got to use my brand new paddle attachment that scrapes the sides of my Kitchen Aid while it mixes. Another thoughtful gift!

Working up my confidence to try the cake again. 

Happy Easter Weekend!

Holiday weekends are my favorite and always full of some of my favorite family traditions. No matter what my age, it will never be too old to dye Easter eggs especially now that decorating Easter eggs is at a whole new level (thank you Pinterest). On top of dying Easter eggs, a wonderful service at our new church, and brunch (where I will also celebrate the end of Lent!) I am excited about making this carrot cake. Overall, I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend, spent with my family, celebrating this very special day!

Luke 24: 5-6

Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, He has risen!

Have a happy Easter weekend!

Recipes for Every Occasion

I feel like I have been pretty busy recently (too busy to blog sometimes), yet I have had lots of opportunities to cook and bake some wonderful things. 

It started on Super Bowl Sunday when I went home to my parent's house. I love their kitchen and I can never pass up the chance to make something in it. For a pre-game snack and after-dinner dessert,  I made a salted butterscotch and pecan oatmeal cookie from Midwest Living Magazine. I had wanted to follow the original recipe and use caramel but couldn't find the caramel baking bits at the grocery store- I was so anxious to start baking that I didn't even try looking around at other stores. 

I ended up splitting the dough in thirds, making them with butterscotch chips, chocolate chunks, and some with a mixture of both! I, of course, liked the combo of flavors that made a Salted Butterscotch Chocolate Pecan Oatmeal Cookie!

For dinner while watching the Super Bowl, my parents and I passed over the traditional buffalo wings, pizza, and queso dip for a homemade jambalaya. This recipe came from Ina Garten's Foolproof Cookbook (which I am dying to have for myself) and it was a great success, like every Ina Garten recipe I have ever made. 

This recipe was not the easiest to make, rather it was a multi-step, multi-hand job. Thank goodness I had my mom's help when it came to chopping, dicing, and mincing the multiple vegetables. As wonderful as this jambalaya was, it also was not cheap. With the chicken, sausage, shrimp, rice, and all the vegetables the price of ingredients was more than I would ever spend on any of my recipes, but when your parents are paying then you have to take full advantage! Ina Garten's cookbook said this jambalaya would serve 8 people, but I think she meant 8 small families! After serving ourselves large portions to eat while watching the game, we hadn't even made a dent in the pot. Even after I had portioned out my leftovers the pot was still over half-full! It was absolutely wonderful and I didn't mind eating it the next three nights. 

I was sitting at home on Fat Tuesday watching unending episodes of Downton Abbey (I can't stop and I have no shame) and realized that I had to do something to celebrate Mardi Gras. I can't let a single holiday go by without baking something to go along with the special day! My best friends and I were also celebrating a special birthday and I had volunteered to make cupcakes. 

 I made a simple vanilla cupcake from Martha Stewart and divided the batter in half for a white cupcake with a  basic vanilla buttercream for the birthday party and used the rest of the batter to make a King Cake Cupcake in honor of the day. Both turned out great and obviously were shared and eaten so quickly that I have no pictures of the final product to share.

I wish that I would have had a little, plastic baby to add to my cupcakes! I did add purple frosting to all my cupcakes, mostly because it is the birthday girl's favorite color.

The lucky girl got birthday cupcakes and a personalized cake and I was lucky to spend the evening celebrating with my best friends!

Off to the kitchen to prepare for Valentine's Day!

V-Day Fun and Links

Either your favorite or least favorite holiday is happening this week. Whether you will be spending this Thursday with girlfriends (like I did last year- we watched First Wives Club and ate copious amounts of chocolate) or with your sweetheart, these links from some of my favorite blogs will provide you with fun ideas for this holiday. Regardless of your feelings towards this day, it gives you a great excuse to eat sweets, drink wine, and dress in flirty pink and red.  

Valentine's Day Dress

The Now Stylebook

Lipstick Kiss Print

Valentine's Day DIY

Fringe Hearts

Felt Heart Garland

Cupcake and Treat Bag Toppers

Valentine's Day Fun

Dress Your Tech

Single Ladies Brunch

Cartas de Amor

"Gift for Me" Guide

Valentine's Day Sweets

Decadent Desserts

Cabernet Chocolate Truffles

Chocolate Eclairs

Desserts from Martha

Have fun, lovers!

Welcoming 2013

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It seems that every year I find myself saying "wow, I can't believe that another year has gone by", but every year it is so true. So much can happen in 365 days and I know that 2012 was no exception.

I graduated from college, had jobs that I learned so much from, made relationships with people that I love so dearly, celebrated two of my best friends getting engaged (2013 will bring their weddings!) and found out that I have no idea what I want to do with my future. 

Even though my future is a little lot unclear, it wouldn't be a new year if I didn't make some sort of plan for what I want to accomplish this year, so I wrote a list of my New Year's Resolutions. Some people hate these resolutions because they usually include dieting and visiting the gym more often, so I decided that this year I would only make resolutions that would bring joy and clarity to my life. Once I started my list I just kept thinking of more things that I wanted for 2013, so forgive me for it being so long.

*be smarter and more responsible with my money

*be more organized (first order of business: find my planner)

*be more punctual!

*take more pictures-- learn how to use my camera!

*check off all movies on Matchbook's 50 Classic films (make great movie snacks too!)

*shop smarter (more outfits and no impulse buys!)

*blog more : )

*learn more sign language

*wear more skirts

*buy more fresh flowers

*learn my favorite recipes by heart

*buy an investment piece

*go to europe

*learn to like eating fish

*become a Starbuck's gold member

*volunteer

*go on more walks

*send more snail mail

*find a job that brings me joy

Now that I have made this list, my first order of business is to type it up and frame it in my room so that I see it everyday. I want it to be a constant reminder of the things that I want for my life. If 2013 goes by as quickly as 2012 than I better get started on this list  tomorrow yesterday if I want to get it all done.

Champagne Cupcakes

I have been wanting to make champagne cupcakes for months, but knew that I had to wait until the perfect occasion to make them. Well I don't think there is a better occasion than New Year's Eve to make these pretty, delicious, and bubbly cupcakes. 

I also wanted to post this immediately so that if someone out there is still searching for a special treat to take to a party tonight, they would have the recipe. I wish that I could say that I was going to a party that I could use these cupcakes to feed and impress guests, rather I will eat them for breakfast and use the holiday as my validation. I think this would be the time to declare that my New Year's Resolution is to not eat cupcakes for breakfast indulge in more cupcakes for breakfast. Hey, life is short, eat dessert first-- and I really mean first, as in the first meal of the day. 

I followed the recipe here that included some interesting new techniques. My only change would be to cook these cupcakes for less than the recommended 20 minutes.

Also, you can embellish your cupcakes anyway that you like. I chose edible glitter, available at Michael's. 

Enjoy!

Glitter is even better when it's edible. 

Christmas Tunes

I do love Christmas music, but I am not one of those people that can listen to it all-year round. I believe that it has a perfect time and that is the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Growing up my family listened to the same Christmas CD's every year on our 6-disc CD changer. I can't wait to tell my grandchildren about how we used to listen to music on circular discs!

I loved these CD's because I knew the songs by heart and could predict which song was going to play next because we listened to them so often. I also loved these songs because they were classics. Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Burl Ives and Nat King Cole were some of my favorites by age 7 and they are still my favorite Christmas crooners. 

While I still love the classic Christmas music, I will admit that there are some modern songs that I enjoy too. It is vital that you have the perfect Christmas playlist for this time of the year or you will get stuck listening to the Chipmunks on the radio too many times. 

This is a condensed version of my favorite holiday hymns but my whole playlist is on Spotify!

Perfect playlist for a dinner party too!

Chocolate Fudge Pomegranate Cookies

Before this year I had never even eaten a pomegranate. It wasn't until a sweet friend once exclaimed that pomegranates were her favorite snack that they entered my culinary radar. 

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I hadn't even tried the fruit yet, but when I found this recipe for Chocolate Fudge Pomegranate Cookies I was intrigued and my mouth was watering. I am a lover of desserts with fruit in them, and all chocolate treats sometimes seem too rich for me. I loved the idea of a delicious, gooey, fudge cookie with bursts of refreshing sweetness and that is exactly what this cookie is.

I also love the hints of pink hiding in this dough and in the cookies-- so pleasing to the eye and the stomach. Rather than using a fresh pomegranate (which you can do) I bought the snack pack of pomegranate arils which gives you all the juice and arils for this recipe!

I followed this recipe from my favorite food blog. I swear that Jessica at How Sweet It Is cannot go wrong and her blog is overflowing with delicious recipes just begging to be made! (I almost always give in to the begging... I think the last 10 recipes I have made have come from her recipe index)

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Don't be thrown off by the pomegranates, these cookies are an incredible chocolate cookie with a hint of something special. They also got the major stamp of approval from my pomegranate-loving friend as we devoured them while watching the final episode of Gossip Girl. 

XOXO. 

I know that I don't have a 'recipe' tab anymore, but if you are looking for a previous recipe, just search "recipes" in the search bar on my page to see all recipes!

Oh, and don't forget to like my Facebook page! 

All Wrapped Up

I checked my mailbox three times this month before my roommate finally discovered my Birchbox on Wednesday afternoon. She so sweetly sent me a picture, knowing how excited I would be for it's arrival. 

I was especially excited about Birchbox this month, because not only did I receive a box, but I also signed my three best friends up for their own subscriptions for Birchbox!

Like I always say, some things are too sweet not to be shared!

This month's box was especially sweet, due mostly to two products (#2 and #5)!

{1. Benefit // It's Potent! Eye Cream - fades dark under-eye circles!}

{2. ModelCo // Ultra Lip Gloss - this is not even sample size, but rather a full-sized lipgloss with mirror! This ties for the top product this month!}

{3. Rent the Runway // $50 off a purchase of $125 or more - thinking this would be perfect for a New Years Eve frock!}

{4. Kerastase // Nutritive Nectar Thermique - a leave-in cream to repair hair from chemical processing and heat styling. Seeing as that I blow-dry and straighten my hair almost every day, this is wonderful}

{5. Emily's Chocolate // Dark Chocolate Peppermint Holiday Fortune Cookie - oh.my.goodness. I am saving this for a special day, which could just happen to be today}

{6. Juicy Couture // Juicy Couture Perfume - I wore this in middle school so naturally I am wearing it today with other thirteen year-old trends like my low rise Abercrombie jeans, with an Abercrombie graphic tee, Abercrombie fur-lined jacket, and Jack Purcells. Hit me up on AIM later - backtuck89 ; )

It's not too late to order Birchbox for someone you love!

Girlfriend Gift Guide

I hadn't planned on putting together a "Girlfriend Gift Guide" this year, but when a sweet guy friend of mine reached out to me for gift ideas I figured I should help you boys out as much as possible!

1. Kate Spade Sunglasses - $128 but 20% off today!

2. Stella & Dot Rings - $39

3. J. Crew Cashmere Scarf - $168 but 25% off today!

4. Serena & Lily Throw - $128 but 25% off today!

5. Vince Camuto Bag - $298

6. Lulu Frost Bracelet - $128 but 25% off today!

7. Jewelry Box - $29

8. Sex and the City Box Set - on sale for $66.37 today!

Okay boys, these are just ideas but things I believe that any girl would love to have. Use this guide as a template and then go find these things to fit your girlfriends personality. If she doesn't like Sex and the City then find another TV show that she does. She will love watching the DVDs curled up with a warm blanket (that you buy her too)! 

Girls love jewelry, and something pretty and sparkly will never fail you. Just make sure that it doesn't look like something that your mom wears, unless your mom is incredibly hip, and in that case you should be asking her for help rather than me.

I have tried to make this as easy as possible for you, men. I have included links and lots of sale items. Feel free to shoot me an email if you need any more help.

I would rather you swallow your pride than see your girlfriend disappointed on Christmas. 

Gift buying can be easy. 

Gift Guide #1

Gift Guide #1- For your sister or your best friend-- these terms are interchangeable for me.

These are gifts for the girls that you call in the middle of the night when you are crying, the ones that will always split a brownie with you, the ones who will be in your wedding, the ones you couldn't live without. They deserve something fun with some sass.  

{Clockwise from left corner}

New York Print

Chevron Phone Case

Metallic Key Fob

Ikat Tote

Je T'aime Pendant

Cheers Coasters

Initial Necklace

Striped Card Holder

Don't worry, I will tackle those hard to shop for men in your life soon!

Decembrrr

The cold weather is finally here! I had been anxiously awaiting it's arrival and now that it is here all I want to do is go swimming. Well, you can't have your cake and eat it too.

It is the perfect time for the cold weather to come in. I have a week ahead of me that consists of a lot of lounging on the couch, trying out new recipes, lots and lots and lots of Christmas shopping, and putting together gift guides for you!

But since I was gone all weekend and spent much needed girl time with my best friends last night, I don't have a gift guide for you today... but I do have loads of links to some of my favorites that have been bringing me inspiration all season! Enjoy!

Holiday Gift Guide for Men

A Cup of Jo- Complete Holiday Gift Guide

Stocking Stuffers for Her

A Little Dash of Ash - she has the best! Check them all out!

and last-- not a gift guide but some advice for party dressing

Dressing with Oh Joy!

It is better to give than receive