5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

Some years you go all out and some you're all in, comfortably at home. This year I've committed to nothing, made zero plans, and intend to ring in the New Year in my favorite jammies while taking in, one last time, my first Christmas tree and my cozy apartment in its holiday splendor. While Twenty Fourteen wasn't a year of change, it offered me much needed consistency after years of life spent on the road. The year included extended trips to St. Louis to be with my family, less work and more personal travel, fun friendships both new and old, continued adventures in Colorado, and the best of all, the birth of my first nephew, Brooks Frederick (Auntie Brittany, adores him!). What's especially exciting as I enter the start of this New Year isn't so much a fresh start as I couldn't be more thankful with life where it stands, but the uncertainty of what could bring so much change. Twenty Fourteen, thanks for bringing balance and a baby boy. Twenty Fifteen, I welcome all of your challenges, professionally and personally. Cheers and thank you to all of you who continue to follow me on my journey, I wish you the most success and happiness in 2015!

-xo

Super-Secret Family Recipe Christmas Chocolate

Each year as December unfolds, I look forward checking the mail...not to see if any packages have arrived (yeah right, that too), but to see if any Christmas cards have arrived. You know the cards, they typically feature a recently engaged or newlywed couple, families with new babies or children who've been in six or seven years worth of cards, even the family animals (love those!). These seasonal cards fill me with laughter and smiles and bring an added warmth to my holiday decor. This year, I wanted to send a Christmas wish to my friends and family, but was confident it shouldn't be a photo of myself walking through a sea of Aspen trees in my fall best, so I decided to put on my baking cap (crock pot lid) and send out edible Christmas cards. Wouldn't you rather eat chocolate made by yours truly than see another picture of me?! 

*It must be said...this is the easiest candy to make...in the entire world. You do not have to be a confectioner or skilled in the kitchen to make this, you just need to know how to turn on a crock pot. Seriously. I really hate admitting that this is not a difficult recipe, so just don't tell a lot of people, okay? If anyone asks for the recipe, say it's a super-secret family recipe and it cannot be shared. 

Christmas Chocolate:

Ingredients

• 16 oz unsalted peanuts 
• 16 oz salted peanuts
• 12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
• 12 oz milk chocolate chips
• 2-10 oz peanut butter chips
• 2-lb white almond bark - or vanilla candy coating

Recipe

• Layer all ingredients in large crock pot-start with peanuts and add the rest 
• Turn pot on low and cover with lid
• Leave for 2 hours then stir to combine
• Cover and leave for 30 minutes
• Stir and then spoon mixture onto wax paper or non stick aluminum pan
• Let harden at least 1 hour
• Break into pieces

Turning the Chocolate into Send-Worthy Christmas Cards 

• Go to any craft store and you'll find an assortment of cute bags, tins, and boxes to place your chocolates in
• Pick up gift tags and a marker to write your Christmas wish (the smaller the tag, the less you have to write!)
• Choose a ribbon that coordinates with your gift bags (you'll use the ribbon twice: first to tie the baggie holding the chocolate and second to tie the gift bag and secure the tag)
• Place chocolate inside cheap sandwich bags and tie with ribbon
• Place wrapped chocolate inside gift bags
• Secure tag with ribbon and close the gift bag
• Put on your Santa hat and hand out to local friends and family (so fun and if delivered to offices most will bring you down office party snacks, bonusssss) 
• Box up and ship to friends and family out of town

{supplies}

{chocolate for days}

{ wrapped and ready for final packaging}

{merry christmas. feliz navidad. joueux noel.}

Wishing you a happy, happy holiday season and best wishes with your New Year weight loss goals!

Fancy Italian Croutons, To Impress Other People

What goes with bread? Butter. What goes with stale bread? Soup.

Here in Colorado, loaves of bread don't go far since they dry out in what feels like a matter of hours post purchase, which is probably a huge blessing for me in the long run. Since it's impossible (totally possible, I do it) to eat an entire loaf in one sitting and being the wasteful girl that I am not, I now like to turn my stale bead into delicious homemade croutons. I make soup weekly, but have never made croutons until last Sunday when I found myself less than one hundred percent (hungover) and staring at a stale loaf of bread, wondering how I was going to make it edible. Water to soften it up? Sick, this was no hot dog eating contest. Oven to warm it? Still stale and crunchy. And then...I thought of croutons, perfect.

What's hilarious is croutons are the easiest and cheapest thing you could ever make, but you'll look so fancy when you have friends over and they see you made your own croutons, "Ugh, she does EVERYTHING", they'll whisper.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you...

Fancy Italian Croutons, To Impress Other People

• 1 Loaf Day Old Bread (Colorado, just buy fresh, you guys I'm kiddding)
• 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper
• Italian Seasoning-Basil, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme, Garlic

I don't advise measurements on seasoning as I'm a total over-seasoner...ask my poor aunt who had to share popcorn with me last Christmas. I decided to use my secret popcorn seasoning recipe and I started showing off and went absolutely crazy. I ruined the popcorn and the movie because she got sick.

• Cut the loaf into one inch cubes
• Toss with olive oil and seasoning in medium bowl, make sure the cubes are evenly coated 
• Put the bread cubes onto a baking sheet and place in the oven 
• Bake approximately 15 minutes, size determines bake time (bake on all sides)
• Sprinkle lavishly on soups, salads, macaroni and cheese, lasagna, pizza, ice cream, etc. 

The great thing about making croutons is you can use any seasoning you wish such as garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, lemon salt, or just salt and pepper.

Enjoy being a cook.
Enjoy being fancy.
Enjoy being a NON waster of bread.

Bon Appetit!

Leggings for Days

Leggings...so many feelings towards them. So many love them (moi), so many hate them (my grandmother), so many abuse them (no comment), and so many are unsure of how to incorporate them into their own personal wardrobe. I'm trying really hard to be more balanced and not wear them 6 days out of the week, but I love them. All of them. Standard, patterned, leather, stirrup, thermal, I own them all. My mother thinks I need more variety on my bottom half, but this post isn't about her opinion of my wardrobe. It's about you, because you need to get these leggings.

I've had a number of lady friends reach out over the years asking for suggestions on leggings and I'm here to share my secret... I don't have suggestions, I have one brand of leggings that I've been wearing for the past six years. I wear (drumroll) Zella, "Live In" leggings to both barre and yoga, but mostly everyday wear. They are the most comfortable, tight fitting, thick, durable, incredible leggings I've ever worn. They are thick enough that you don't look (or feel) terrible if your butt isn't completely covered (when working out, otherwise keep that tush covered), they aren't see through, and they're double sided (I like the shinier finish with the  Zella label on the inside, against my hip). A quick way to ruin your look or confidence is by wearing leggings that are made with thin material. Zellas, no matter where my weight stands, always make me feel confident because they're thick and tight which makes my legs appear much more toned. They're simply the best for casual, everyday wear.

How I style my leggings:

On Top: Always cover the butt. Poncho. Oversized Sweater. Long Fitted Tee. Oversized Scarf. Leather Jacket. Chambray. Any and All Sweaters. Layer. Layer. Layer.

On Bottom: Sneakers, Any Boot (Tall, Short, Rain), Ballet Flats, Any Flats. Do not wear heels with these leggings...keep it casual.

 I've had so many people tell me they can't pull off leggings and that couldn't be less accurate..for anyone. I've seen women of all sizes, shapes, and ages look great in leggings so go to Nordstrom and treat yourself a pair of Live Ins and get to layering, ladies!

Hello, November

Call me basic, but I love the fall. While I don't enjoy pumpkin spiced lattes, I'm completely guilty of uploading photos to  Instagram of my standard order (venti unsweetened, iced coffee with soy), ballet flats, and vibrant red, yellow, and orange leaves that cover the ground (it's pretty...why wouldn't you?). I proudly light my pumpkin candle in the early morning as I watch the news and drink my coffee and in the late (who am I kidding, super early) evening as I flip through Food &Wine and Food Network magazine in search of new holiday recipes. Yes, my choice of nail polish is indicative of the time of year (Lincoln Park After Dark, September-November) and yes, I got a LOB (long bob) at the start of the season to go with my infinity scarves and endless layers. I've also gone to a pumpkin patch, had a bonfire, and baked spiced bread.  ILIKETHENEWTAYLORSWIFTSONG. There...I said it. It's simply the best time of year and here is why November First is so warmly received in my home each and every year, before basic bitches were a thing and long after the new basic bitches are all about the spring:

• Halloween is Behind Us- Do not get me wrong. I repeat, do not get me wrong, I love October, it's a top three favorite month of mine. In fact, I love 30 out of the 31 days in October,  I just don't like the 31st of October. I gave one last ditch effort to get into the holiday this year and woke up on November 1st certain that next year will be less house parties, uncomfortable costumes, and devastating Uber wait times and more chili, wine, and scary (somewhat suspenseful) movies.

• The Holidays are Upon Us-Alas, the holidays are around the corner and rapidly approaching, it's time to start preparing and if you give yourself enough time, this time of year can be very enjoyable. The preparation (which is most the fun-shopping, recipe planning, decorating), reuniting with family and friends, continuing traditions, and of course the food. What could be better than cooking, eating, and being surrounded by friends and family? Nothing. In my family we have a tradition of going to see The Nutcracker ballet each December. It's GREAT inspiration (there's a very good chance you're heavier than every single person on stage) to not let yourself go entirely over the holiday season. Sometimes I need a gentle, but firm, reminder that I don't always not need a third round of pie sampler. I think it's important to taste each pie on the table, not all pies tastes the same, but it's also important to have practice self control and tasting twelve slices of pie is not control...in fact, it's out of control. 

• No More Force- It's no secret that I'm an FOF (forcer of fall). The first day of fall is each year at the end of September, but for me, fall starts one month prior at the end of August since it's close to September (and September is one hundred percent fall), and everyone knows that the "first day" of anything never really matters. I know all you summer lovers aren't waiting until the end of June to get your party started so leave your judgement at the pool. Being an FOF and living in Denver, where it's not unusual to have warm afternoon temps until late October which means that between August and October, I sweat a lot. Come November, I force no more.

Happy November. Happy Sweater Weather. Happy Looking Your Best Time of the Year. Happy Fall. Happy Shopping. Happy Layering. Happy Decorating. Happy Eating. Happy Parties. Happy Drinking. Happy Reunions. Happy Holidays. 

'Tis The Season, ladies and gents. Now lift your mulled wine mugs to that beautiful cloudy sky and cheers to the best time of the year. #blessed 

Simply Soup

What's your favorite food? Mine is pizza. I could eat pizza every...single...day, but I can't, so I won't tease myself into thoughts of of warm bread and chewy cheese more than once a month (okay maybe three or four times). One thing I do love, so very dearly, and will eat anytime my hungry heart desires is soup. My adoration for soup, more than likely, is a result of two things:

• My obsession with anything and everything related to being cozy-I make just as much soup throughout the summer as I do in the fall and dead of winter. Except chili, I try really hard to wait until fall to make chili so that doesn't come out until the end of August (which is fall)
• Bread and butter-Oh I have to live off one thing for the rest of my life? Fine, give me bread and butter. What goes better with soup than some B&B? Nothing...except a glass of wine..maybe...depends on the day. 

Making a huge pot of soup also eases the pain of cooking meals each night of the week, so on a typical Sunday I prepare a large pot and then have lunch and/or dinner for the next few days. As winter quickly turns to patio weather spring, and PWS turns to bikini clad summer, I've started to choose lighter recipes for our weekly meals. While at the grocery store a couple weeks ago I picked up the Jan/Feb copy of Food Network Magazine which featured "Yep, it's Light!!!", which is not at all what caught my eye, it was the delicious pot of soup on the cover, Meatball-Tortellini Soup.

Rarely do I come across a soup recipe that I don't feel the need to touch up by adding different broths, spices, sauces etc. This recipe was incredibly simple, inexpensive, fun to make, and DELICIOUS. I substituted spinach for kale since I had an abundance in my refrigerator and it was great. I also added freshly grated Parmesan cheese since I had a block on hand, not necessary, but oh-so good. Other than that, I made ZERO changes to the recipe. The craziest part? I didn't even feel the need to pair it with B&B! Baby steps...baby steps towards springtime patio margaritas in a maxi dress and my little black bikini. 

Fifty Shades of Pink

Do you like Valentine's day? If you were to ask me this question a week ago I would have shrugged and said "yeah, it's fine", if you had asked me on Friday night around 6:00 p.m. I would have been ecstatic and told you I LOVED it as I finished the final touches of turning my home into cupid's love nest covered with heart shaped love notes taped in various places, a tower of sweets that was better fit for a baby shower, and massive preparations for an unforgettable dinner made by yours truly. Believe it or not, I really don't care about this holiday all that much, what I do care about is any opportunity that involves decorating and cooking. So when I, oh so innocently, slipped out on Thursday evening to buy some peanut butter hearts for my beaux, I fell victim to the holiday decoration temptation section of Target and suddenly I was a woman on a full blown V-day mission. Heart shaped plates, and cookie cutters, and red dye, oh my! To Lululemon! To PaperSource! To Sur la Table! 

I'm going to share my Valentine's recipes with you, however, it must be said that I completely, one hundred percent, hate to admit, didn't have a choice, I work, I can't do it all, not all the time, half assed this since it was more for presentation purposes and was planned very, very last minute (less than 24 hours). SO, if you don't like to make anything from scratch, have no time, and /or no money...this recipe will be just perfect for you. 

Bang Bang Sugar Cookies: Buy a package of pre-made sugar cookie dough, spread flour on your work space, flatten out dough with a rolling pin, make shapes with adorable cookie cutters, bake, decorate with pre-made icing (cringing), sprinkles, colorful sugar etc. 

Cakes Cupped with Love: Buy a package of pre-made cake (chocolate) mix, prepare as directed on box (knife my heart), pour batter in adorable cupcake liners, bake, cool, ice.

**Icing-I purchased red food dye to mix with the white icing and had some fun creating different shades ranging from light to hot pink. I kept the cupcakes fairly simple, besides for some sprinkles on the white iced cakes. 

So there you are, a Valentine's day spread that was simple yet made with love. As for our dinner that evening, that was made with blood, sweat, and tears, but I'll save that for another day.

 xoxo

2.14.14