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