gift guide: the baking beauty

I cannot tell you how much I want to own everything in the above photo from Anthropologie's gift ideas "for the baker". I want to live in that photo... just cozy up right in the middle of whatever colorful, happy mess is going on there. And then eat it, too. Most importantly there's the eating. The amount of stuff that is out there to make baking and baked goods infinitely more adorable and inviting than necessary is staggering. Here's a few cheerful little ideas for your sweet-toothed friend. Just don't forget to brush those sugary frosting-laden teeth, please.

Painted Amaryllis Measuring Cups, Anthropologie; Barefoot Contessa Red Velvet Cupcake Set, Sur la Table; Scroll Oven Mitt, Fishseddy; Eat More Cake Cupcake Kit, Meri Meri; Glitter Tart Server, Leif; Tea and Crumpets Apron, Anthropologie; Milk and Cookies Cookbook, Anthropologie

Gift Guide

Tech Saavy Chica 
Susie Homemaker
The Next Iron Chef
The Sports Enthusiast
The Baking Beauty

oliver comes home

There's really not much to be said here. Look at that little fluffball of happiness. He's home, we're in love, and we couldn't be happier. Ollie is an extremely laid back guy, who loves to snuggle, nap, and basically just chill (sounds a bit like his proud papa).

gift guide: the sports enthusiast

fig. 01: iPod nano, fig. 02: Pink Boxer Gift Set, fig. 03: Under Armour headbands, fig. 04: First Chair Jacket, fig. 05: Nike Free Run+ 2, fig. 06: Lululemon Astro Pant, fig. 07: Nike+ Sportband, fig. 08: Vintage Tri-Blend Tee (similar version on many team's official store)

The thing that makes me laugh about this post is that, while I am definitely a sports enthusiast, figures 1, 5 and 7 seem to suggest a continued (or let's be honest, renewed) love for running and/or fitness. If you know me, you know that's clearly not true. However, I can't help but still love the great "stuff" that comes with it. I've paid my dues; let me enjoy my sportband and nano in couch-dwelling, beer-drinking peace. However, someone out there on your list is into this stuff, and probably even works out now and then. The best part is I get a little chance to throw in some propaganda for my favorite teams. I'm also a little obsessed with the North Face Jacket... maybe more than a little.

gift guide: the next iron chef

fig. 01: Personalized Stainless Steel Cooking Set; fig. 02: White Truffle Salt; fig. 03: Dean & Deluca Pasta Collection; fig. 04: Olivewood Mortar and Pestle; fig. 05: Colander; fig. 06: Herb Seed Collection

Hmm... who on Earth would love to get 1000+ food items for Christmas? I just have no idea (haha). But seriously, these gifts aren't just for wannabe-chef bloggers like moi, but really for any foodie or home cook. Gifts like the truffle salt, pasta or beautiful mortar and pestle would also all double as great hostess gifts if you're invited to a holiday dinner party. I kind of desperately want to start my own indoor herb garden, because I'm a huge nerd, so I'm scoping out the herbs from Terrain as we speak.

comfy cozy are we

Scarf: Nordstrom, Tee: ASOS, Cardigan: Nordstrom Rack, Bracelet: F21, Wedges: DV by Dolce Vita

Day three of my current four-day weekend (thank you, faculty retreat) provided me with such a great opportunity to casually lounge about while still ticking off the seemingly endless to-do list. To top off my third straight "Saturday", we received a call from our puppy's breeder letting us definitely know which puppy we'll be taking home. This turned out to be perfectly amazing news, as there was one puppy, designated from his siblings by a white collar, that I just knew was Oliver from the moment I met him. It just had to be him, and so it is. Adam and I couldn't be happier or more excited for Friday when he finally comes home! What does that have to do with outfits? Nothing. But I promised I'd post more outfits, and here we are.

faux fur + silky dress

Here we are with part three of the Gingersnaps & Real Simple Practical Magic holiday party fashion guide: faux fur and silky dresses. Much like parts one and two, this outfit is such a great holiday choice for even the tightest of budgets, as you likely already have a nice dress that could use a little updating. You know, one that's been sitting at the back of your closet because you already wore it once, maybe twice, and you're tired of it already. Throwing on a faux fur jacket and elegant, understated jewelry can instantly transform a simple dress into a glamorous holiday look.

ASOS Film Star Stole, $136

Faye Faux Fur Coat, NastyGal, $88

Faux Coyote Fur Jacket, Michael Michael Kors, $140

Faux Fur Coat in Vintage Look, ASOS, $172

Holiday Party Guide
Maxi Dress + Boyfriend Cardigan
Embellished Tunic + Black Leggings
Faux Fur + Silky Dress

sopressata, chicken and mozzarella panini

I tried to pull some culinary inspiration out of the fiance yesterday by asking him to pick a recipe for me to make him for dinner, and the divinely inspired answer I got was: I like paninis. So, I counted that as a win because at least I had some direction. I found this recipe and went from there. I substituted sopressata for the prosciutto and added rotisserie chicken breasts for some good old meaty bulk. The rest I followed dutifully, and was immeasurably pleased with the result. We both agreed that the paninis were restaurant-worthy and I'm already looking forward to making them again.