Happy Valentine's :)

Oh, the day of love :) I have gone back and forth through the years on whether or not I actually like Valentines Day. I suppose it just depends on the year. However, all holidays are 10 times more fun when you have a kid. They make it new and fresh again. In honor of vday, I had to sport something red. Duh!

 Top: H&M / Jeans: AE / Boots: shoedazzle.com / scarf: gift / Necklace: F21 / Watch: gift

 

I will end this post with a picture of my cute boys!

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Candy Cane Cookies

I have been OVERLOADED with holiday sweets as of late. I feel like i've eaten enough sugar these past few weeks to last me a lifetime. I'm definitely going to need to detox after New Years. However, the holiday season wouldn't be the same without all these sugar filled treasures. One of my favorite is a cookie that I grew up making with my mom, candy cane cookies. They are yummy and best yet they are cute. Perfect for a neighborhood gift, which is exactly what I used them for this year :)

Ingredients:
1/2 C shortening
1/2 C butter, softened
1 C powdered sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp almond flavoring
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 C flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp red food coloring
1/2 C crushed peppermint candy (candycanes)
1/2 C sugar

Directions:
1. Cream together the shortening. butter, powdered sugar, egg, and flavorings. Mix the flour and salt together and add to the creamed mixture.

2. Divide the dough in half. With one half mix in the red food coloring and knead well to mix evenly.

3. Roll out 1 small spoonful of each color into a strip about 4 inches long. Place strips side by side. press lightly together and twist like a rope. Put on ungreased baking sheet. Curve top down for the handle of the cane.

4. Bake at 375 for 9 minutes. As soon as you take them out of the oven, sprinkle the peppermint and sugar on top.

Reindeer Feed

This is a delish, super easy recipe. It's great to have in the house to munch on during the holidays. I've had this recipe for a while and don't remember the original source. I have put my own twist on it. I like it because with the peppermint and white chocolate, it doesn't feel too heavy.

Ingredients:
6 Cups Rice Chex
12 oz (2 Cups) White Chocolate
12-16 miniature candy canes, smashed (you can smash them finely or more chunky, up to you)

Directions:
1. Lay down wax paper or foil onto a cookie sheet-or directly onto the counter.
2. Measure out the rice chex into a large bowl.
3. Add the white chocolate into a small bowl. Microwave on high for about 2 minutes. Every 30 seconds pull the bowl out and stir the chocolate.
4. Once the chocolate is smooth, pour in 1/2 of the smashed candy canes and stir together. Immediately pour entire chocolate mixture over the rice chex and stir to mix.
5. Spoon chex mix onto the wax paper/foil. Lay out in one layer. As quickly as you can pour the rest of the smashed candy canes on top of the chex mix. You want to make sure you do this as quickly as possible so that the candy canes can melt a little bit.

6. Let rest for at least 20 minutes. Break up the chex mix and place in an airtight container.

BEST Christmas CD

No, i'm not even kidding. This is the BEST Christmas CD i've ever heard. If you know me well, you know i'm obsessed with this come Christmas time! I grew up listening to this CD and I haven't found anything better since. It's one of those CD's that doesn't have 1 bad song and no matter how you're feeling it puts a big ol' smile on your face. My favorite song on this album is 'Go Tell It On The Mountain/Mary Had A Baby' by Vanessa Williams. Seriously, you can't help but get up and shake yo bootaaay when it comes on.

 

Give it a try. You'll never be disappointed.

Studs

I don't know about you all, but I always feel lazy during the holidays. It probably has something to do with all the food that has been eaten! This morning I got back to the gym and got back into the swing of things, it felt great!

 

Have I mentioned that I love this time of year? I love doing all of the 'holiday activities'. There is so much to look forward to. For now, i'll look forward to all of the Christmas shopping I get to do:)

Sweater: Kohls

Pants: Target

Shoes: Steve Madden

Necklace: Forever 21
Bracelets: H&M
Purse: Nordstrom

Thankful

I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving! I know I did. I love spending good, quality time with family and it doesn't hurt to eat some delicious food while we're at it. Our Thanksgiving was a fun-filled day that started off with a family Turkey Bowl, white versus black. My team, the white team won-hoo rah! It's a good thing we burned some calories because we sure made up for it with our Thanksgiving feast. Beckett sure loved being around family, he is always the center of attention and likes it that way! Love him. 

Beckett's Outfit:

Sweater: H&M

Jeans: Old Navy

Belt: The Childrens Place

Shoes: Toms (Lola Bella Boutique)