See you in 2012!

xx

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What I Wore on Christmas

Hi guys, I know everyone is gearing up for their New Years Eve look, (the hubs surprised me with a Black Halo Jackie O' for my birthday {this amazing green one here} that I'll be wearing when the clock ticks midnight!) but some of you have asked to see a closer look at my Christmas Eve outfit - so here you go! 

I wore a metallic pleated dress from Forever 21 (get it here!), originally layered with a cropped cashmere tank (as seen in this post here) but little sis surprised me with this amazing American Apparel Rose Sweater that I've been dying for FOREVER, and it worked perfectly for the layered look I was wanting. I also wore a vintage hat (gifted from my sis-in-law, I think she wore it in a play...) and an H&M necklace. Isn't my family gorgeous? I'm so blessed. 

My Holiday Supper

I spent a lot of time planning my table this year. I knew that I wanted to use recycled materials, and give each guest attending a small gift, wrapped up in their initial. (I found the free antique monogram print-out here.) I was beyond touched when one of my favorite couples stopped by for a quick hello before flying back home to NY, to offer a gorgeous song of prayer while lighting our menorah for the fourth night of Hanukkah.

It was something I won't soon forget, as it brought such a lovely start to a wonderful and loving evening. 

Oh, and in case you don't know me personally, one of the rules when attending any of my parities, is that you must dress up - cocktail style. There were tuxes, and bow ties, dresses and heels... 

Little sisters played along...

And so did everyone else! It was so much fun.

Even Stella wore her glittery best, and was spoiled with so many "Aggies" around. (That's her word for Aunties.) Stories and stars, building and dreaming... 

And some of my favorite people in the world, lit by glimmering firelight.

 It was an enchanted evening indeed! Hope yours was magical as well. xx

On any given day...

Jeans - Squin, Steve Madden Boots, Black Turtleneck under other randoms

On any given day, you might see me puttering around in something like this... especially if one of those days has me not feeling my best.  Yep, the holiday sick monster finally caught up with me. It might have something to do with burning the candle at both ends and trying to do too much, all too often... but once you see the photos from my Christmas dinner, you'll see that (*cough *cough) it was worth it!

Hope you had an amazing holiday! I'll be back to regular posting by the end of this week.  Oh, and go do yourself a favor and take your vitamins, Emergen-C, or Airborne. You'll thank me later. xx

Happy Holidays ~ Cookie & Fudge Recipe!

I spent yesterday with all three of my sisters in the kitchen, baking away with memories of our own childhood, enjoying the sweet nostalgia of this time of year, and creating new memories for my own family.

I'll be signing off 'til mid-next week, but wanted to leave you with the gift of my two favorite recipes for Christmas Cookies & Homemade Hanukkah Fudge! (In case you didn't know, we celebrate both in my house. How lucky is my little girl?!)

I hope the next few days are filled with love and laughter for you, surrounded by all the people that you love.

Christmas Cherry Cookies

1/2 lb butter (room temp)

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1 cup sliced almonds - ground

12 ounce jar of candied cherries 

Cream butter and sugar, add vanilla, flour and nuts. Mix well. 

Roll into heaping teaspoon size balls, then flatten each ball in your palm and drop 1 cherry in the middle. Enclose the cherry with dough. 

Bake at 350 for 25 min. 

Cool on a cookie rack, then roll each cookie in powdered sugar. 

Serve in a martini glass after your Christmas dinner!

Homemade Hanukkah Fudge

(A no-fail fudge recipe - in case you didn't know, fudge is easy to screw up.)

4 1/2 cups sugar

12 ounce pkg of chocolate chips

12 ounces of semi sweet cooking chocolate (Three 4 oz bars)

1 pint (2 cups) marshmallow cream

2 cups walnuts, sliced almonds or pecans (optional)

12 ounce can of evaporated milk

2 tbs butter

Combine milk, butter and sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring often.

Reduce heat and simmer for 6 minutes. Meanwhile, break up bars and add into the mix. Comb in chocolate chips and marshmallow cream. Keep stirring and don't let it get to a boil after this point. They key is not to burn the chocolate. 

Add in nuts if you desire. (I usually double this recipe, as seen here, to give as gifts. I do half with nuts, and half without.) Pour into greased pans. Cool and cut into smaller bars. 

Let the little ones have a piece each night of Hanukkah before opening their gift. 

With Love, 

T xx

An easy party look!

If you haven't noticed my recent obsession with the ease of a single black turtleneck, black tights, and black heels... (as seen here & here), I've got another one for you!

An interesting skirt is all you need. (Mine is Forever21 - similar here) You already have a black turtleneck and black tights, don't you? Now go have some fun! xx

Vintage Ralph Lauren + Calypso Silk

  Nadia Silk Tie Blouse - Calypso St. Barth, Slacks - Vintage Ralph Lauren via thrift, Pearls - vintage heirloom, Nail Polish - Sally Hansen "Thinking of Blue"

This outfit pretty much defines what I love about fashion... mixing different elements from vintage scores to classic investments, to heirlooms that have real meaning.
I adore this Calypso Nadia Silk Tie blouse because it will never go out of style and I know I'll wear it forever. These Ralph Lauren pants were a score that I found via thrift for so cheap that I won't even mention the price. The pearls were passed down from my beautiful, late Mother in Law (read about her here!)  and every time I wear them, I feel closer knit to the family I married into.

What's Black & White & Red on Top?

Black & White Dress - Calvin Klein, Hat - Vintage, Pumps - Vince Camuto Moma's, Sunglasses - F21 Mens

A return to work today after a wonderful and lazy birthday. I did some Christmas shopping (do people still get offended if you say "Christmas?" am I supposed to write "Holiday?" - how silly. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, it's an unavoidable holiday and you might as well enjoy it, if only just as a spectator.) Anyway, I finished my shopping and planned my baking, and spent the day reflecting on a great year. 

I'm happy I picked up this hat over the summer at a vintage shop for a few bucks. It's coming in handy now to add a pop of color to my recent black tights/black turtleneck layering fix.