NYE Getaway

{Photo Created Using Instagram}

The boyfriend and I are leaving today to ring in the New Year in Miami. Lucky for us our schedule coincided with that of our favorite East Coast couple. After a couple of days in Miami we are heading away for some relaxation on the beach. I'm excited to start 2012 on such a good foot. I'm looking forward to catching up with friends, laying on the beach, and daydreaming about what I want next year to look like.

Birthday "Suit"

Gap Sweater, Les Folles de Joie Trousers, Zara Flats, Gucci Sunglasses and T-Trendz Earrings(c/o the Baby Sister) 

Yesterday was my 25th birthday and I spent the majority of it on the road travelling. My day started off at home in Brownsville then my mom, sister, and I drove to Corpus Christi where we joined my stepdad for lunch. I then jumped in my car and drove to Austin and made it back in time for dinner with the boyfriend. I needed an outfit that would be comfortable for 6+ hours in the car that didn't skimp on style. Because who wants to me unstylish on their birthday? Not this girl.

Be Merry

{Prosciutto and Basil Crostini}

This past Friday I invited my close girlfriends to my parent's house to "eat, drink, and be merry". We are all living in the same state again and for the first time in years we were able to coordinate travel schedules and squeeze in some much needed girl time. Our reunion was such a success that we vowed to make it a yearly tradition. And that made all the mad planning worth it.

{An improvised wine bucket}

{Boursin + Brie never disappoint}

{My signature smoked salmon}

{The past three gift exchanges I've given to my bestie and I still get excited trying to get it just right}

{My Secret Santa definitely got it just right}

It's a Wrap!

This past weekend I completed my holiday shopping (in two days thank you very much). And I was so elated that I knew the standard bow from a bag wasn't going to cut it this year. One of my family's holiday traditions is that we each purchase a distinct wrapping paper so the giver can easily identify their gifts under the tree come Christmas morning. This year I chose a high-shine silver and I used interwoven ribbons in lieu of the standard bow (inspiration here). It was a little more involved but as long as you have time and patience on your hands the results can be rather spectacular.

 

Happy Feet

Zara Dress (similar), Forever 21 Vest, and Zara Boots

Above is a girl with happiness that can only be attributed to new shoe love also known as happy feet. I had my eye on these Zara wedge ankle boots for quite some time and managed to score them half off during my trip to San Francisco. I lived in wedges all summer long and crossed my fingers that wedges would finally make a transition to fall. Thankfully finger crossing works sometimes. I wore this outfit yesterday for a Christmas brunch and it was comfortable enough to get me through the entire day including a trip to the park.

Thumbprint Cookies

These cookies have always been a constant in my life. As a child I loved to find the ones with the most jam. This week I baked up a batch to get more in the holiday spirit. They are not the simplest of cookies but I think they are worth the trouble. And Christmas wouldn't be Christmas for me without thumbprint cookies.

Thumbprint Cookies

1/4 cup butter (softened)

1/4 cup shortening

1/4 brown sugar

1 egg, white and yolk separated

1/2 teaspoon vainilla

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup crushed pecans

1/2 cup strawberry jam

-Preheat oven to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.

-In a stand mixer (or with a hand mixer) combine butter, shortening, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until it is all creamed and combined. Add the flour little by little to this mixture.

-Roll the dough into small balls (larger than a marble). Lightly beat the egg white with a fork. Dip balls into the egg wash and then roll in the pecans. Re-form the balls so that the pecans are incorporated into the dough. Place on a greased baking sheet and poke a hole in the middle with your finger. You may need to pinch the edges back into shape.

-Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Microwave the strawberry jam for 20 seconds. Spoon the jam into the center of the cookies.

Deck the Halls

{A living room regular gets the holiday treatment with starburst ornaments and peacocks}

This past weekend I went home for a few days and participated in decorating my family home for the season. By the time I make it home for Christmas the house is always already decked out. However, this year a variety of factors contributed to decorating getting a late start and I was able to partake for the first time in years. The ritual was made all the more special by my grandmother being in town. We usually spend Christmas in Mexico with my extended family but this year we have opted to stay home so I was happy to see her and enjoyed decorating the tree with her. Here are some snapshots of my long weekend and the holiday tidbits I enjoyed.

{Making Mexican Hot Chocolate (OPI Got the Blues for Red nailpolish)}

{A favorite Missoni-inspired ornament (similar here)}

{Using my sister as my Barbie and giving her Heidi braids for a holiday party}

{Old friends dropping by with unexpected treats}

Santa Baby 2011

Today I purchased my very first Christmas gift of the season! Some might feel that it is reckless to wait so long; Christmas is only thirteen days away. Two words people: online shopping. Never step foot inside the mall again right? I like to make things as easy as possible for my loved ones to ensure that that I get what I want so I make a list (with links) and send it to the appropriate parties. So here are ten things that I am wishing to find underneath my Christmas tree.

1. A coffee table book that is both pretty and a conversation starter. Yes, these conversations will mostly be with girls. ("100 Unforgettable Dresses" by Hal Rubenstein Amazon $23)

2. A fun and new kitchen experiment that is practically guaranteed to yield good results. (DIY Goat Cheese Kit Etsy $30ish. They are currently sold out but I will gladly take a rain check.)

3. Because every iPhone needs a case or else it's just naked. (Tortoise Snap Case Incase $35)

4. An alternate to my usual pearl studs (Tavi Earrings in Chalcedony Kendra Scott $50) 

*15% off with promo code "TISTHESEASON15" until 12/15 at midnight.

5. Arm candy for men= women. Arm candy for women= jewelry. I'd like mine in gold with the script monogram. (Ella Bangles Sarah Chloe $88)

6. A whimsical clutch to get me through the New Year's Eve festivities and beyond. (Sparkler Gia Kate Spade $95)

7. Decadent yet somewhat practical shoes. (Adena Flat Sam Edelman $150)

8. A sweet necklace that is sure to become a staple. (Mini Heart Necklace Ariel Gordon $275)

*30% off with promo code "holidaze" until 12/14.

9. A stand mixer for kitchen experiments that are not guaranteed the aforementioned good results. (Pro 500 Series 5 Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer in Silver Metallic KitchenAid $300)

10. A fancy pants camera that was deemed 'Best dSLR Under $1,000' by CNET. (EOS Rebel T3i (with 18-55mm IS II lens) Canon $713)

San Francisco

{Lovely hydrangeas at Golden Gate Park}

This year my family and I travelled to the Bay Area to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with extended family and do some sightseeing. Our Thanksgivings are usually spent at home in Texas but we have been yearning to break that tradition and take advantage of the holiday to travel. The trip was the perfect mix of shopping, eating, and sightseeing. I've visited several times but never had the pleasure of seeing it all decked out for the holidays. And that was just what I needed to truly get me excited about the holidays.

{The Berkeley Marina where we stayed the first two nights}

{A pile of gifts at Gap that provided some much needed wrapping inspiration}

 

{The mandatory clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl in both a miniature and regular size}

 

{Golden Gate photo op}

{I didn't particularly care for anything that was left but I did manage to score a shopping bag}

{Sister bonding time- complete with hair braiding}

{Orchids at the Conservatory of Flowers}

{The Galleria Park Hotel, where we stayed, had these fantastic prints everywhere}

{We drove to Sausalito on a whim and I happened upon a restaurant (The Spinnaker) where I ate with my boyfriend on our very first getaway together}