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!

Holiday Gift Guide: BFF

Now that Thanksgiving is over the holiday season has officially begun! Gift giving can be quite stressful, especially if you have a lot of people to shop for. I'm here to make things easier for you with my holiday gift guides. All of these things you can purchase online which means not having to deal with the mall chaos! So sit back and relax with that mug of spiked cocoa and let Duchess help you become the perfect gift giver.

All of my best friends are completely different, which makes present shopping just a wee bit tricky. There's Emily, who loves reading and traveling; Christina, my ride or die that loves to party; and Nicole, the down-to-earth music lover. Because my friends are unique in how I buy them gifts, I figure I would divide my gift guide based on personality. From the fashionista to the homebody, I have the perfect gift for each of your pals!

Holiday Gift Guide: Best Friend

The Fitness Lover
If your BFF is all about that fit life, then clearly she needs a water bottle to stay hydrated! I love these ones from Blogilates because not only do they have motivational phrases on them, but on the side of the bottle there's a timeline so you're sure to stay on track with your water intake. She'll be the envy of all at the gym!


The Fashionista
Brooches are SO in right now so if your BFF is on top of the trends she'll be needing some. Olivia Palermo recently launched a line with Baublebar and every piece is gorgeous but these brooches really stand out to me. She can wear them on her coat, sweater, scarf...wherever!


The Traveler
How precious is this makeup bag?! One struggle I know I have with traveling is keeping everything organized when I pack so I know where it is once I land. With this makeup bag your BFF will know exactly wear to find her mascara and lipstick in any city!


The Party Girl
Whoever invented this is my HERO! Tequila shots are essential for every party girl, so why not skip a step and take the shot out of a glass made of salt?! Plus they're pink and adorable and the perfect addition to any bar cart.


The Homebody
Isn't this pillow hilarious? If you're best friend is more of a "Netflix at home" kinda gal then this pillow is perfect for her. It's stylish enough to be the perfect addition to any sofa or bed!


The Make-up Guru
If I need this palette in my life, then your makeup loving best friend needs this palette in her life. Not only is it a collab with Gwen Stefani (queen) but the colors are perfect. There's neutral tones, pops of color, and just the right amount of shimmer. Urban Decay never makes a bad eyeshadow palette and your BFF will not be disappointed!


The Classy One
Nothing is more classy than wine! This wine glass let's anyone around your BFF know that she's fancy and better than them. Plus a girl can never have too many wine glasses!


The Hot Mess
As soon as I saw this kit I started laughing. It's named a "one night stand" kit so what's not to love?? This gift is great for your best friend who tends to find herself doing a walk-of-shame more often than she'd like to admit.




Until next time my loves x.

Holiday Gift Guide: Men

It's that time of year again! Snow, hot chocolate, and who can forget the stress of buying everyone the perfect gift? Well don't you worry because I have you covered! With my Holiday Gift Guides you will breeze through this holiday season without a scratch (well, there may be a dent in your wallet). So just sit back, relax, and let online retail therapy do the talking.

Men are literally the toughest people to shop for. Dads are easy because they just want books on WWII or a pair of underwear (just mine?), but boyfriends have an infinite possibility of wants! A watch? A video game? A new girlfriend (hah kidding...unless you're dating Harry Styles because he's meant to be with me)? I'm here to make the stress of buying your man a gift a little less painful with my Holiday Gift Guide. But worst comes to worse, just buy yourself some lingerie with the money you're supposed to spend on him. I'm sure he won't mind... ;)

Boyfriend Holiday Gift Guide

1. Grand Theft Auto V ($60) - Your boyfriend may already own this (I know guys who were counting down the minutes til its release) but if he doesn't you need to get it for him! There is nothing guys love more than cars, guns, and slutty girls.  This way, if he's playing a video game that involves all of those things, he'll be less likely to do it in real life (we hope)! No matter if he's team PS4 or Xbox One, you can get your man this for Christmas!

2. Topman Rudolph Pattern Socks ($16) - I LOVE REINDEERS! How freakin' cute are these socks?! Not only that, but they are a cute gift to give on Christmas Eve so he can wear them in the morning. Just imagine: these socks, cozy pajamas, and spiked hot cocoa by the fire. Trés romantique!

3. Versace Pour Homme Gift Set ($84) - Okay I know this is expensive, but trust me, it's worth it. Have you ever smelled this cologne? It's heavenly. I imagine this is what Ben Affleck smells like. I want to bathe in it. If your boyfriend should smell like anything this holiday, it should be this. You'll thank me later.

4. Kiehl's 'Refueling' Gift Set ($46) - No Shave November is coming to a close, and what better gift for your man and his beard than a luxurious shaving kit? This stuff is nice, not some trash Barbel you find at Target (no disrespect). It's like a sort of cologne all in itself, and his face will feel so smooth you'll just want to kiss it forever. And by all means, kiss away.

5. The Rail Cashmere Knit Cap ($35) - God Bless Beanies. I love them. I love men in them. As soon as your man puts this on his head you will die because his sexiness will increase 4000%. Best part? You can steal it and wear it, too. Perfect.

6. RayBan Aviator Sunglasses ($200) - Every time I see aviators I think of Tom Cruise via Top Gun. Now I'm not saying you need to drop $200 on a pair of sunglasses, you could find a nice pair from a generic brand, but these are so classy and will last him a long time so they're worth it. Love a man in uniform.

7. Topman Christmas Crewneck Sweater ($55) - Nothing says Christmas like ugly sweaters. It doesn't matter how cheesy it is, your guy will look good in it. And if he gets you an ugly sweater then you can take photos together and be so cute! I am just chock full of ideas what can I say?

I hope this gift guide gives you some idea of what to get your boyfriend this holiday. Have you already bought your guy a gift? Any must-haves? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time my loves x.

Holiday Gift Guide: Best Friends

It's that time of year again! Snow, hot chocolate, and who can forget the stress of buying everyone the perfect gift? Well don't you worry because I have you covered! With my Holiday Gift Guides you will breeze through this holiday season without a scratch (well, there may be a dent in your wallet). So just sit back, relax, and let online retail therapy do the talking.

My favorite people to buy gifts for are my best friends. When you spend majority of your time with your gal pals, you start to get a sense of what gifts they like/need. Not to brag, but I'm really great at this. When I go shopping with my friends I make mental notes when they pick up an item they like but then put it back. But even if you have no idea what your BFF wants for Christmas, the 7 items I have below will make anyone happy!

Best Friend Gift Guide:

1. Charming Charlie Rudy Reindeer Glass Candle ($18): If you're looking for a gift with a holiday theme, than Charming Charlie is the place you need to be shopping at. From watches in the shape of elves, snowman necklaces, and even gingerbread man socks (SERIOUSLY), this place does Christmas with style. I like this candle because it's cute as a button and can still be used as a decoration once all the wax is gone. And it smells like vanilla. Yas.

2. Kate Spade Place Your Bets Wristlet ($98): How precious. This wristlet is the perfect gift for your BFF who loves to travel and has the Vegas bug in her (it's not contagious). It literally looks just like a playing card, even the back has that pattern that you all know but I can't remember the name of right now. This cute bag will fit your friend's phone, credit card, keys, cash, and even lipstick! What more could she need?

3. Juicy Couture Couture Overdose Set ($40): If you know me, you know I love everything Juicy Couture. And what's in more of the holiday spirit than to share that love? In this gift set, your BFF will get two spray bottle of Juicy's amazing scents (literally I don't know how they smell so good), a nail polish duo (with GLITTER), a nail file, and nail decals. And it all comes in the chicest dang clutch I have ever seen for a gift set. I want one. Your BFF will, too.

4. Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham ($17): What's more fun than book club? Grab you and your BFF this hilarious novel so you can bond over the GIRLS star's embarrassing tales that every girl has been through. It's the gift that will bring you closer together while also thanking yourselves your childhood was not as awkward (phew).

5. Why the Hell am I not a Mermaid Flask ($16): But honestly, why the Hell am I not a mermaid?! Your best friend is probably wondering the exact same thing which is why this flask is the perfect gift for her and her drunken questions. I believe every classy woman has a flask for those moments when you just need a quick shot. Do her a favor and buy her this. She may not think she needs it, but she does. Trust me. I need 3.

6. Ciaté Candycane House Set ($25): I actually am getting this for Christmas so la la la. Not only does it have the ever so fabulous nail polish by Ciaté, but it is scented. SCENTED! Gingerbread, snowflake, Christmas trees...this is like the perfect holiday nail set EVER! Plus each polish is super glittery and fun and I mean come on what else does your best friend need?!

7. Philosophy Making Spirits Bright Duo ($23): I feel like the holidays is the perfect time for bubble baths and hot cocoa, and your BFF will have a sparkling time with these two shower gels. The smells of the holiday will lift her spirits and she will love you for it! Plus, these only come out this season so now is as good a time as any to grab one for her (and yourself)!

I hope this gift guide was helpful on your hunt for Christmas shopping. And you know, in case you were wondering, I like presents too...

What are you getting your BFF for Christmas? Any suggestions? Want more Holiday Gift Guides? Leave a comment below!

Until next time my loves x.