let it snow



Finally, after waiting 20 years, I got a white Christmas! It was beautiful. This was the first white Christmas since about 1963! My Dad, sister, and I bundled up and went outside for a few to enjoy the snow ( I didn't last very long).

(My Dad and sister)

I hope you had a wonderful holiday with your family and friends! What is your favorite holiday tradition? xo

homeward bound

This past Tuesday (the 21st) I flew back home to Alabama; the plane ride was a long, bittersweet flight. Although I didn't say "goodbye" to New York, it was more like a "see you later!" February will here before I know it and I will be back up in NYC for a few to help with Fashion Week (SO EXCITED).

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday! xoxo



the last saturday

Taylor (my roommate for the past 4 months)

Today was my last Saturday in New York (for now at least). Taylor had the day off and I had no plans so we got up and spent the day running around Manhattan. I took him to my favorite bagel shop in the city, Brooklyn Bagels, and it was divine as always. Once we were out I realized that I had not really been shopping since I had been here so instead of Christmas shopping..I shopped for myself. It sounds bad, I know, but I felt like I deserved it.

(A Christmas gift from Christian!)

I have never been much of a reader; however, once I move back home I will have a book case in my room and that thought has been my inspiration to buy books. I figured reading in my spare time couldn't be a harmful hobby to pick up, could it?

As we were walking around Soho I spotted this leather journal covered in fur and there was no doubt in my  mind that I had to own it. Honestly, I am slightly obsessed with it.

A fantastic pair of feather earrings.

Cupcakes are a way to win me over and when I found a cupcake shop that sold mini cupcakes I could not resist.  If you ever visit New York I highly suggest you stop by and grab a few mini cupcakes from Baked by Melissa.

I hope you all had a splendid Saturday! xo

alexa chung

hot cocoa

As the weather continues to get colder, I continue to feel more lazy. Once I am home and relaxed all I tend to do is curl up with a magazine and a cup of hot cocoa; however, after a few weeks, Swissmiss no longer sounds good nor does it hit the spot. So in order to find a new hot cocoa recipe I hopped on Google (my answer to everything) and came across this Hershey's recipe . I hope this warms up your day:

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa

Dash salt

1/3 cup hot water

4 cups (1 qt.) milk

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Miniature marshmallows or sweetened whipped cream (optional)

Directions

1. Stir together sugar, cocoa and salt in medium saucepan; stir in water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil and stir 2 minutes. Add milk; stirring constantly, heat to serving temperature. Do Not Boil.

2. Remove from heat; add vanilla. Beat with rotary beater or whisk until foamy. Serve topped with marshmallows or whipped cream, if desired. Five 8-oz. servings.

VARIATIONS: Add one of the following with the vanilla extract:

SPICED COCOA: 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Serve with cinnamon stick, if desired.

MINT COCOA: 1/2 teaspoon mint extract OR 3 tablespoons crushed hard peppermint candy OR 2 to 3 tablespoons white creme de menthe. Serve with peppermint candy stick, if desired.

CITRUS COCOA: 1/2 teaspoon orange extract OR 2 to 3 tablespoons orange liqueur.

SWISS MOCHA: 2 to 2-1/2 teaspoons powdered instant coffee.

COCOA AU LAIT: Omit marshmallows or whipped cream. Spoon 2 tablespoons softened vanilla ice cream on top of each cup of cocoa at serving time.

SLIM-TRIM COCOA: Omit sugar. Combine cocoa, salt and water; substitute nonfat milk. Proceed as above. With vanilla, stir in sugar substitute with sweetening equivalence of 1/2 cup sugar.

CANADIAN COCOA: 1/2 teaspoon maple extract

Let me know how yours turns out! xo

one can never have too much fur

                                                                                    Image via The Man Repeller

it's a jungle out there

Leopard print is all around this season and lucky for me because leopard print is an obsession of mine.  The print can be used as a focal point on any outfit; however, big or small, leopard makes a statement no one can resist.

                             Foley+Corinna , Burnout Leopard Dress

Giuseppe Zanotti , Sculpted Platform Wedge Booties

Commando, Leopard Legs Tights

soup for the soul

As the days continue to grow colder the only food I seem to be continuously craving is Broccoli and Cheddar soup. The meal does not take much more than 5 minutes to cook, how can you beat that?

1 lg. bunch broccoli, chopped or 1 (20 oz.) bag frozen, chopped broccoli
1/2 c. butter
1 med. onion, chopped
1/2 c. flour
(salt for taste)
(pepper for taste)
2 c. milk
2 (13 3/4 oz.) cans chicken broth
1 1/2 c. grated Cheddar cheese

 

Cook broccoli, drain. Set aside. Saute onions in butter. Stir in flour. Cook 5 minutes. Add milk slowly, continually stirring. Stir in grated cheese, blend until smooth. Slowly blend in chicken broth. Add broccoli. Simmer at least 15 minutes, longer for thick soup. ( Don't forget a small side of French bread for dipping!)

 

 

 

 

Let me know how yours turns out! Enjoy, xo

emma watson

Emma Watson's shoot for Marie Claire magazine was fantastic: the soft colors, the fur and (of course) the haircut.



Images via Marie Claire



sneak peak

A friend of mine is a photography major and he needed some help with a final project; the focus, jumping. Here is a sneak peak of photoshoot that took place this morning. Hopefully I will be able to put more by the end of this week! Enjoy, xoxo

snow day

Growing up in Alabama I never really had to worry about snow. If it happened to snow, school would get cancelled and I would lay in bed all day and do nothing; however, a little snow fall in New York doesn't cancel any plans.  As I was walking home snow flurries were falling and I realized that if it were to snow I would not be prepared at all. I made it a point when I got home to find inspirations for the colder weather that is (quickly) approaching.

Images via StyleCaster





Thakoon



Burberry



cardigan + leather

Sunday is the one day of the week I insist on being lazy. I spend most of the day on the computer surfing the Internet and "online shopping." Although, by online shopping I mean compiling a massive wish list of items I want, not actually buying anything. When I came across Shopbop's homepage I fell in love. 

I love the combination of the leather and a cardigan. The outfit can be relaxed or have an edge. Here are some of my favorite pieces:

( Top to Bottom) Crystallized Jet Leather Leggings $900, The Leather Pull On Leggings $795, Chicoree Leather Harem Pants $588, Contrast Cardigan Sweater $625, Kemble Cardigan $495, Watson Cardigan Sweater $468

update.

For those of you who take the time to read my blog, I am so sorry I have not been updating. Life has been up and down lately and honestly the last thing on my mind was blogging; however, everything has started to calm back down so I thought it was time I updated. 

My time is New York is almost up; I leave a week from Monday. My experience here has been so incredible and I would not take it back for anything. Although, most importantly, throughout the past 4 months of being here I have learned so much about myself and grown as a person.  I have been interning with Christian Siriano since October and to put it bluntly, I LOVE IT. I will miss working with him and his team; however, I hope to join back with them in the future.

For the month of December I have been working at a jewelry booth every Tuesday and Thursday. The jewelry is called Over the Moon Jewelry, check it out! 

I hope everyone is having a fabulous Saturday! xoxo



Image from Google

sweet home alabama

After spending a week in Alabama I am happily back in the city.  It was wonderful to see my friends; however, my heart belongs to New York City.  I learned sometimes you have to let go of the past in order to fully continue to live.  I realized I was trying to hold on to some people that let go of me a long time ago. 

This coming week will be hectic; I started interning with Christian Siriano this afternoon. The next task on the list will be job hunting and finding an apartment. I am ready to settle down and call New York my home. I will keep you all updated and hopefully have a place of my own to show you soon! 


xoxo 

think pink

As many of you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There is so much going on this month to help show support and raise money in hopes of finding a cure. Take some time and see what is going on in your area and what ways you can help.

In the mood to shop? Designers have limited edition items that are specifically created to support breast cancer awareness:

 
visit Trina Turk's website to learn more, http://www.trinaturk.com/

visit Betsey Johnson's website to see more of her Breast Cancer Awareness items, www.betseyjohnson.com

 

Can't afford to shop? That is okay, neither can I! I will still be wearing pink through out the month and showing my support! Please, take some time out of your day this month to wear pink (it is a great color for everyone) and show your support!