Cocktail of the Week!

With the holidays quickly disappearing, I decided I needed to make a cocktail that screamed "Jingle Bells" to keep the spirit alive. I created this concoction a while back, and forgot how good it was! I'm a sucker for anything with St. Germain (must be the Parisian in me) and white cranberry juice, so this cocktail is just the best way to ring in the holidays. Drink this while you toast in the New Year, relax by a fire, or before you stuff your face with leftovers. I present to you my Partridge in a Pear Tree Martini!

Partridge in a Pear Tree Martini

Like I said, any excuse I have to use St. Germain I will. This elderflower liquor is the perfect compliment to anything fruity, especially winter fruits like cranberry or pear! If you want to add a sparkling element to this cocktail, add a splash of prosecco for that extra zing. Honestly, you could just drink St. Germain and prosecco and it'd be the best mimosa EVER!

I sugared the rim with chunky gold sprinkles to keep with the holiday theme, but if decorating drinks isn't your fancy (I'm really not that good at it, actually) then you can skip that part! The drink is sweet enough without it, but I like the festive touch.

Recipe

1 oz Pear Vodka
1 oz St. Germain
2 oz White Cranberry Juice
1/2 oz lemon juice
Gold sprinkles for rim (optional)

Cut lemon in half. If desired rub lemon on edge of martini glass and roll glass rim in dish of gold sprinkles. Set aside. In a shaker, combine vodka, St. Germain, white cranberry juice, and the juice of the other lemon half. Add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into glass. Top with frozen cranberries for even more of a festive touch!








Let me know if you try this cocktail and like it! I feel like I was a bartender in a past life...or maybe just an alcoholic. Hope you all had a happy holiday!

November Favorites

Is there anything better than a four-day holiday weekend? I don't think so. I'm sad to be back on the grind, but I'm even sadder that November has come to an end. This month I booked a spontaneous trip to Mexico (see you in January, Cabo!), ate more turkey than any other meat, and spent WAY too much money Black Friday shopping. The only good thing about November's close is that Christmas is right around the corner! I better get started on my gift guide posts...

Food Favorites

Cranberries- The Jersey girl in me is a real sucker for cranberries. In a sauce, smoothie, dessert...I love these tart little berries. Cranberries are super good for you, too, so you might as well enjoy them while they are in season!

Moscow Mules- I don't know why, but this has been my go-to drink all month. Ginger beer and vodka is just an outstanding combo, especially when you mix it with flavored vodka (I like peach or prickly pear). Just make sure when you wash your copper mug that you do it by hand. No one likes a dingy-looking, dishwasher-destroyed mug for their drink!

Butternut Squash Soup- Panera has THE best butternut squash soup. Hands down. And it's now sold at CostCo which means I can buy in bulk and enjoy for much longer than a quick lunch break. Top it with some toasted pumpkin seeds and a little paprika for the perfect fall lunch!

Shopping Favorites

Long Sleeve Pocket Casual T-Shirt Dress- I'm probably going to buy this dress in every color. Not only is it super easy to dress up or down, but it's so comfy. I'm 5'10" and it's not too short on me, but I'd still wear it with tights just to be safe. Favorite fall dress!

Designs by Vecc- My good friend Shawna just opened her Etsy shop and you have to check it out! She hand-makes cute signs and wall-art to decorate your house, porch, whatever! Her shop would be a great place to look for holiday gifts...just saying.





November was full of shopping and eating..are you surprised? Let me know your November favorites!

Unboxing Surprise Sweets: Halloween

I recently gave in and finally purchased an Amazon Prime Surprise Sweets Dash Button and let me tell you...I'm hooked. This new series will be about what's inside my treat boxes I order, and how delicious each goodie tastes. The boxes are $18 each, but you get a $5 credit off your first box for ordering the Dash button. You get 4-5 treats that are handpicked from artisan shops across the country. To make sure I don't overdue it (which I could easily do), I am only going to order these boxes on special occasions i.e. holidays and my birthday. Stay tuned to see what treats I've unwrapped!

My first box came right before Halloween and to my surprise was Halloween-themed! It was thankfully cold in Colorado so my treats didn't melt, but I'm making a mental note to check the weather when I order my next box. This box came with four treats, not necessarily matching the Halloween theme, but it got pretty close! PS- I know Halloween was a few weeks ago but I've been in a candy coma since then so please forgive me.

Amazon Prime Surprise Sweets Unboxing: Halloween

Mrs. Prindables Triple Covered Chocolate Petite Caramel Apple- I'm a sucker for a caramel apple and at any time am willing to drop $10 at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for one. This apple was pretty good, with a mix of white, milk, and dark chocolate. I especially liked the caramel, very buttery and thick for such a small apple. Despite not having overnight shipping, the apple was crisp and fresh. I definitely liked this one! Retail value: $9.75

Brandini Toffee Chocolate Almond Toffee Popcorn- I'm not a huge popcorn fan, but I can appreciate a quick, crunchy snack you can mindlessly munch on. The one thing I really did not like about this popcorn was the almonds. I'd grab a handful and it was majority almonds, a huge contrast to the sweet popcorn. I want chocolate and toffee, not salty nuts! This was probably my least favorite snack in the box. Retail value: $6.99

Megpies Cinnamon Brown Sugar Tart- I. Love. PopTarts. This was the BEST poptart I've ever had in my life. The crust was so buttery and delicious, and the filling was the perfect amount of sweet. I will probably buy a box of these on their own -- that's how good they are. If you are looking for a nice pastry to pair with your coffee, I'd go with these. Worth every calorie! Retail value: $3.25

CB Stuffer Cookie Monstah Peanut Butter Cup- This peanut butter cup is HUGE! I'm talking four times the size of a Reese's. Now, the peanut butter itself could have used some work, but the fact that there were Oreos and a chocolate chip cookie mixed in made it AMAZING. The chocolate used for the shell was milky and smooth, a perfect compliment to the rich filling. I probably should have shared this with my brother...oh well, maybe next time!  Retail value: $5.95

TOTAL VALUE OF BOX: $26







Do you subscribe to the Surprise Sweets box? What's the best item you've received? Let me know in the comments below!

October Favorites!

IT'S FINALLY FALL! Yes, I am that basic bitch who can't wait to wear sweaters and eat/drink everything pumpkin. The weather in Colorado is finally changing (it even snowed...typical) and I'm so happy I get to wear riding boots and bell-sleeved dresses. I can't wait to share some of my monthly favorites with you...spoiler alert there's apple or pumpkin in 75% of them.

October Favorites

Food Favorites

Halloween Oreos- These are the best tasting Oreos in existence. Period. I don't know why, and I don't know how, but Halloween Oreos are the greatest thing to come out of Nabisco. They are SO good, in fact, that in Paris they cost 10 Euros. The French just GET IT.

Trader Joe's Apple Cider Jam- New discovery, but I can already tell it will be a fall staple for me. I love love love anything with apple and cinnamon, and this jam is just everything I love in one. It tastes like apple pie filling and goes great on brioche, waffles, and with brie on baguette. Omg I'm so hungry.

Prosecco- I just finished reading French Women Don't Get Fat, and one of the main tips I gained from it was that champagne should not just be drank as a cause for celebration. Being a girl on a budget, and not being able to find Pommery champagne anywhere in Denver, I have settled on Prosecco to cure my bubbly needs. Perfect before dinner snack? Prosecco and Ritz. Trust me.

Shopping Favorites

TJ Maxx- With my new job, I had to vamp up my wardrobe to something more professional. TJ Maxx is the perfect place for me to get key items for my closet -- from dresses to blouses to jackets. You get designer clothes for a great discount AND they are still in season! I highly recommend getting a TJX Rewards Credit Card, too, since you get points for every purchase and can earn rewards certificates for TJ Maxx and Homegoods!

iPhone 8 Plus- I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH A NEW CELL PHONE! For those of you who don't know, I had my iPhone 6 for over two years and it was literally falling apart. The screen was coming off and the speaker just stopped working. So one of the greatest things I bought myself was a new phone, and I'm OBSESSED with the iPhone 8 Plus. It's heavy and durable, but also sleek and stylish. Now I get to buy all new cases and I'm so pumped.

LUSH Pumpkin Bath Bomb- You can read all about my LUSH Fall Shopping Haul, but this bath bomb is my favorite out of what I purchased. It smells so good and is so cute and turns your bath water orange. I love it on so many levels. It just screams "October."

Amazon Prime Surprise Sweets Box- OMG!! This box is my new addiction. I ordered the Surprise Sweets Dash button and of course immediately ordered my first box. I got the cutest goodies that were so delicious and I think it's definitely worth the $18 price tag. Expect a separate blog series coming soon!

TV Favorites

The Walking Dead- GUESS WHAT SHOW HAD ITS SEASON 8 PREMIERE THIS MONTH!!! This show is my life blood, honestly. There is nothing I love more than the duo of Rick Grimes and Daryl Dixon. Except, maybe, that gorgeous tiger, Shiba. The first few episodes have been super intense and I just love seeing how each character is developing with the sudden all-out war that is happening. Do yourself a favor and catch up on Netflix. This show is that good.

Other Favorites

Osiris Tutankhamen- I adopted a new kitten! His name is Osiris Tutankhamen (yes, I am super extra FIGHT ME) and we believe he is a Snowshoe because of his adorable little white paws. When we first adopted him, he was very shy and hid behind my toilet for a few days. But, seeing as how he is a kitten and his curiosity got the best of him, he started to branch out and now runs the house! He is such a lover and can purr/cuddle for hours. I love him so much and I can't wait to watch him grow. I'll probably make a separate post about him soon, so stay tuned!








What were your October favorites? HOW CUTE IS MY KITTEN!? Let me know in the comments below!

Shopping Haul: LUSH

With autumn finally here, I am so excited to start getting warm and fuzzy and ready for colder weather. I already have my back stock of BBW candles at the ready, but my latest necessity is bath products from LUSH. Their fall collections is SO cute and perfect and I'm excited to share what I bought with you! My perfect night: drinking Merlot in a bathtub filled with a pumpkin bath bomb and a Leaves candle burning off to the side while I listen to scary story podcasts. Très spooky.

Shopping Haul: LUSH

The Haul

Bewitched Bubble Bar- IT LOOKS LIKE A CAT I CAN'T. It also turns your water black -- amazing. Smells like fruit but not too sweet, so it's perfect for those nights you need a little extra flair to your goth bath.

Bewitched Bubble Bar

Sparkly Pumpkin Bubble Bar- This one is my favorite because of the gold glitter. Pumpkin AND glitter? It's like they made it just for me. It doesn't smell like pumpkin, but has a citrus, earthy scent to it.

Sparkly Pumpkin Bubble Bar

Pink Pumpkin Bubble Bar- Very similar to the Sparkly Pumpkin Bubble Bar but PINK. It smells more floral than its gold counterpart. Here's hoping I have the glitteriest, pink bubbles known to man.

Pink Pumpkin Bubble Bar

Monster's Ball Bath Bomb- Kind of looks like Mike Wazowski. Into it. This guy smells like candy and will turn your water pinky blue. A must have for all you sweet-scent lovers.

Monster's Ball Bath Bomb

Pumpkin Bath Bomb- Pumpkin spice and everything nice. This is THE perfect fall bath bomb to ever come into existence. Just look at it. It's a jack o' lantern. I'm sobbing. It smells like pumpkin and cinnamon and just basically every aspect of the season. I love it so much. I want to buy 700 more.

Pumpkin Bath Bomb

Have you explored LUSH's new fall items yet? Are you as excited for the Christmas one as I am? Let me know in the comments below.

Trip Guide: San Francisco!

Can you believe it's been a month since I went to San Francisco? While I don't necessarily miss the prices of most things, I do miss the abundant variety of fresh seafood (we all know I'm a sucker for mussels). We stayed for 6 days in the city, but in the future I would recommend staying a long weekend. The shopping and food are incredible, but if you don't have a car (and you shouldn't; reference below) there's only so many times you can visit Pier 39. Here's hoping you use my tips when you take your next trip!

Trip Guide: San Francisco

Don't Drive It

Leave that to the locals, trust me. Who wants to worry about finding a place to park on a 45 degree-angled road? Sounds more stressful than it's worth if you ask me. San Francisco is perfectly walkable depending on where you're staying and how much you love hills. We stayed in Union Square and were able to walk back from Pier 39 with ease...well at least we got a good workout! If you need to get somewhere in a pinch there is always Uber, but we actually enjoyed the public transportation, too! We took a bus from Market Street to Golden Gate Park and round-trip it only cost us $2.50 each. Such a deal!

Plan Ahead Where to Eat

We made the silly mistake of thinking San Francisco would be like Paris in that there is a local restaurant on every corner...not the case, unfortunately. One night we spent 45 minutes trying to find somewhere to eat that wasn't $30 a plate. Here's another weird thing about this city: all the good local restaurants are in alleyways, not the main streets. We went to so many great places, like Hops & Hominy and basically any place on Belden Place (my favorites were Plouf and Sauce). Planning ahead is nice because then you're not so hungry you settle for Chipotle just because it's around the corner from your hotel!

Fried Chicken from Hops and Hominy

Eat ALL the Seafood

There is nothing better than fresh seafood, and in San Francisco it can't get much fresher. We ate fresh crab, mussels, shrimp, fish...it was all SO delicious and worth every penny. The best seafood we had was at Pier 39 in Fisherman's Wharf, of course. There are so many restaurants along the pier that boast about their fresh catches of the day. At the Eagle Cafe my mom ordered the crab omelette and let me tell you -- it was pretty amazing. Then there's Boudin Bakery where you can get an amazing bread bowl full of fresh clam chowder; and if you walk down a little farther on the wharf you'll find their flagship bakery where you can take a tour of how their signature sourdough bread is made!

Fresh Crab Roll from Sauce

Go to Alcatraz, But Get There Early

I cannot recommend Alcatraz enough. It was one of the coolest places I ever visited and if it wasn't so haunted I'd live there forever. The best tip I can give you about Alcatraz is to book the first boat out there in the morning (the 8:45). We were sad when the night tours were fully booked, but in the end this saved us a lot of trouble (and money). Being on the first boat, we were of course the first group to make it to the island. That meant that we got to see everything first and the amount of people walking through was minimal. With Alcatraz, there is no set time limit that you have to explore the island, you could stay there all day if you wanted to! Which is why it's so nice to be one of the first people on the tour so you get to experience everything first before the rest of the boats start dropping off more people. Here's another tip: don't follow the audio tour word by word. I noticed that as we followed the step-by-step audio guide, everyone was following the same pattern. Stop at Cell 131, look inside, yada yada yada. I eventually took off my headphones and told my mom to sneak away with me, and that's how we were able to see some of the coolest spots no one else explored! We walked around the dining hall, found our way around spiral staircases, and were even able to walk around the recreation yard where Al Capone himself used to go out to! Sometimes it's nice to not follow the rules, but we still finished our audio tour to get the full experience. Just beware of the birds!

Alcatraz Island

Other Tips

When walking back from the Wharf to Union Square, take Powell as it is far less steep than some of the other streets. Chinatown is just around the corner of Union Square on Grant Ave, so don't Uber it! You can walk back and forth in the main part of Chinatown just by walking. Lastly, find a good hotel. We stayed at the Sir Francis Drake and while it was a very classy hotel, it had some problems. The customer service was awful (they still haven't refunded our money from a false room-service charge), the elevators took FOREVER to arrive to your floor and were very small, and appliances in our room would randomly stop working properly. It may be historic, but it shows. Next time I would probably stay at a Hilton -- at least I'd get a free cookie!

Jumping for Joy in the Alcatraz Rec Yard

Hope these little tips and tricks help you on your next vacation. Send me pictures!

Book Review: Luckiest Girl Alive

I recently re-read this book for the second time and it's so good that I knew I had to write a review on it. If you're a fan of Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train, this book is for you. It has humor, suspense, and the biggest story climax I think I've ever read. I read mine on Google Play, but you can certainly find it on Amazon or at your local library. Madames et monsieurs, I present to you: The Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll.

Book Review: The Luckiest Girl Alive

One of the reasons I connect so well with this story is that the main character, Ani, and I grew up in kind of the same area (both suburbs of Philadelphia, mine was just in Jersey not PA). The way she describes her town growing up is exactly how mine was; new money that had to spend it all to show they were worth something. Ani, of course, gets out of this lifestyle and reinvents herself in New York City.

We are introduced to her just as she is planning her wedding to the handsome and rich Luke Harrison, all while maintaining a successful job as an editor for The Women's Magazine. She is the epitome of a "rich white bitch," but for some reason it works for her. She's worked very hard to be where she is and she's the type of girl who won't let anything get in her way of her dream lifestyle. And once you learn about her past, it's very clear why she's trying to leave her old life behind. Ani is also preparing for a big event before her wedding, the taping of a documentary about an event at her former high school. She can't wait to get in front of the cameras as her new self, but soon she learns it's hard to leave the past behind.

The book flips back and forth between past and present, the past being Ani's experience at the prestigious Bradley School, but back then she was known as TifAni. TifAni was a typical teen trying desperately to fit in at a new school, and the sharks of Bradley were happy to let her swim in the deep end. Some of the things that happened to TifAni are awful and heartbreaking, and you begin to understand her constant want to crush the image of TifAni and reinvent herself into Ani. But once we learn why the documentary starring Ani is happening, well, let's just say you won't be able to put the book down.

I found the ending very satisfying, and I admire Ani's tenacity and willpower. While there were a few parts of the story that didn't sit well with me, all in all I enjoyed the development of characters and the shocking truth that was revealed.



Rating: 4 out of 5 Crowns

August Favorites

I clearly was not expecting the summer to come to an end so soon since this post is coming out so late into the month by now (I got distracted...my b). It seems like just yesterday I was dreaming about the smells of cinnamon and clove and now fall is right around the corner. August was probably my favorite month of this summer. I walked in my first fashion show, dyed my hair blonde, and went to San Francisco for a much needed vacation. I picked up a few favorites along the way, and I can't wait to share them with you!

August Favorites

Beauty Favorites

OPI Can't Read Without My Lipstick- This is the perfect nail color for fall! We all know I'm a huge Breakfast at Tiffany's fan, and when the OPI collection came out last Christmas I snagged my favorites. This one is the perfect wine color I never knew I needed in my life. Your nails will look so good taking a picture of your first PSL...trust me.

DryBar Triple Sec 3-in-1- I first stumbled upon this spray back when I worked holiday at Sephora. I didn't have time to wash my hair, and one of my coworkers grabbed this spray and did a few spritzes while fluffing with her hand and OH MY GOD IT WAS LIKE I BECAME A GODDESS! It gave my hair body, reduced the oil at my scalp, and made my head smell amazing. This is the perfect product to keep in your gym bag, bathroom medicine cabinet, luggage, and basically everywhere OKAY!?

BareMinerals Gen Nude Matte Liquid Lipcolor in Slay- This lipstick is my PERFECT nude and I'm kind of obsessed with it. I first wore it in my fashion show and it's become a daily necessity. The lipstick itself is very smooth and creamy, and it lasts throughout my morning coffee. I should probably buy them in every color brb

Fashion Favorites

Wildfox Optical Glasses - I've had the same glasses for over 3 years and to this day still get compliments on them. Although my glitter frames are long gone from the Wildfox website, I recently picked up a new pair that scream Elizabeth Taylor and I can't wait to get my prescription filled. The thing I like about Wildfox is the price isn't bad for what you're getting, and you get a whole new variety than what you'd find at the eye doctor!

Food Favorites

Trader Joe's Breaded Eggplant Cutlets- There is nothing I love more than chicken parm except maybe eggplant parm (I like anything covered in mozz and marinara, honestly). My mom and I love to make our take on an eggplant/chicken parm casserole and it's SO good. I used to buy an eggplant and try to cut and bread it myself, but truth be told it was really hard to get it perfect. My pieces were too thick or too thin, the breading wouldn't stick, and if cooked too long it would turn to mush. But these cutlets from Trader Joe's...LIFE. SAVING. All you need to do is cook them a few minutes a side in olive oil and voilà! Hmm, I smell a new recipe post coming from this...

Smoked Salmon- One lox bagel from Einstein's and it's like I've had an epiphany. I've had smoked salmon for breakfast almost everyday for the past month. I put it on a half a bagel with cream cheese, cucumber slices, or just on the side with scrambled eggs. I know I don't have to go into detail about the amazing health benefits of eating salmon, just ask Victoria Beckham, but I swear I am more focused with fish in my belly to start my day. And can you say smoked salmon eggs benedict??

Music Favorites

Believer by Imagine Dragons- Imagine Dragons have came back with a vengeance. Their new album is so good and this song is my workout go-to. It's bad ass, it's powerful, it's just so damn good. Listen to this while you do bicep curls and I swear to God you will feel the difference.

Look What You Made Me Do by Taylor Swift- Taylor Swift has officially lost her mind and it's amazing. All snake jokes aside, this song is oddly powerful and full of revenge and it just really speaks to me. My favorite line is "I don't trust nobody and nobody trusts me," because, let's be real, that is my life. Whether you like Taylor or not, you have to admit that the girl knows how to write a hit song. Hats off, Tay.

TV Favorites

Mad Men- I finally did it. I finished Mad Men. I laughed, I cried, but mostly I drooled over Don Draper. This is definitely one of my top 3 shows of all time and I only wish I had watched it when it was actually on air...just kidding binging it on Netflix was my greatest joy of the summer. But hey, AMC, can we get a quick TV movie? Set in the 80s? I need to see Roger Sterling in spandex. Thank you xoxo

The Bold Type- The Devil Wears Prada is one of those movies I always watch when it's on TV, partly because Miranda Priestly is #girlboss goals, but mostly because I love the idea of working for a magazine in New York City. The Bold Type is a new take on this concept, sans Andy and her shitty boyfriend DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE BIRTHDAY PARTY. The characters have started to grow on me, but I still feel like they are very immature and it makes me sad that my generation is depicted as being so entitled and whiny. Sometimes I want to slap the main characters, but for the most part I enjoy watching all the scenarios that my friends and I even have to go through.

Siesta Key- On a daily basis I think about how much I miss Laguna Beach and The Hills...and MTV truly blessed my life with their newest reality drama. I mean in the first episode a girl gets a broken nose from a fight...WHAT IS THERE NOT LOVE?! I like the fact that we are on another coast this time because, let's be real, that California lifestyle can get a teensy-bit old when you see it over and over again.




That's it for my favorites! For September, be on the lookout for a San Francisco trip guide, a new recipe, and whatever else strikes my fancy!

I'm a Model Now

I know I've been missing for a bit but in my defense I had a lot going on. Including...I walked in my first fashion show!

I volunteer at SMPS Colorado, a community of marketing and business development professionals, and for August the programs committee decided to spice thing up by hosting a fashion show at Macy's. The event focused on how you represent yourself decides how others see you, so it is important that you dress the part and define your own "brand." Members of the society, including moi, volunteered as runway models to show off the latest fall fashion line at Macy's. There was also a clothing drive so attendees could donate business attire to the Denver Rescue Mission. All in all, it was a fun event and I am so happy I got to be apart of it! I was finally able to bring out my inner Tyra Banks, and I hope one day I'll be able to do it again!

America's Next Top Models: Sam, Lexi, and Connor

Nine West jacket, Calvin Klein blouse, INC pants

Un bisou for my fans

Lauren by Ralph Lauren dress

Special thank you to Ely at The Unfound Door for these amazing images!