From the Oven: Spiced Apple Cider

First off, yum! I was so pleased with this recipe! I will definitely be making this several times before this holiday season is over.

Ingredients
5 cups cider
1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ginger
1/2 orange, sliced

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil and stir. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring often. Reduce heat and let simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain {I placed cheesecloth over a strainer and strained the cider twice}. Serve warm, cinnamon sticks and brandy optional.

Recipe is a combination of pretty much every apple cider recipe I could find on Martha Stewart's website.

Count down

{Dress: H&M, Sweater: Propaganda via Plenty, Boots: Steve Madden, Tights: Gap, Socks and Belt: American Eagle.}

I was looking up when the first day of Winter was and came to a horrible and confusing conclusion: Winter doesn't start until December 22nd. Now, I don't know about you, but I find this strange. I mean, we've already started to see snow fall and you're telling me 'Winter' is still a month away? Okay. Suuurrre. In reality, I understand that the winter season is identified by the winter solstice, aka the shortest day of the year, but this girl doesn't care about all of that. This girl cares about when she can jump up and down and officially say "Winter has arrived!" which, apparently, is a whole month away. 

So, while I slowly check those days off my calendar, I figured I'd come up with a list of things I want to do this holiday season to help me make the most of it all.

Visit the gardens and walk around amongst all the twinkling lights.

Go ice skating.

Bake sugar cookies.

Walk around downtown {preferably in the snow} with warm apple cider in hand.

Deck the halls {including a tree!}.

Have a holiday movie marathon {Miracle on 34th Street has always and will forever be my favorite. Followed closely by Love, Actually}.

Enjoy some spiked eggnog.

Go see a play.

Give someone a secret gift.

Make peppermint bark.

Walk around the neighborhood and look at christmas lights.

Cinnamon hot chocolate.

Dress in red and green, just for fun.

Bake cinnamon buns from scratch.

Get myself an advent calendar.

Enjoy family time.

Marcel is Back!

a SECOND video?!

my day just got so great.

all he cares about is treats. treats and snoozin'. look at him.

guess why I smile a lot. uh, cuz it's worth it.

A little bit of Fam Jam time

{Sweater and Jeans: Gap, Shoes: Old Navy, Scarf: Garage}

Last night I had the privilege of joining some of my aunts, uncles and cousins for my cousin's daughter's 15th birthday. {Does anyone know what that makes her to me? Cousin? Second cousin? Cousin once removed? I just don't know. But she's family and it was her birthday, so that's all that really matters.} It was great to catch up with them and celebrate. Even though I live in the same city {read: retirement community} as them, I still don't get to see them as much as I would like, so evenings like that are always such a treat. Thanks for being such a wonderful bunch to get together with!

Also: This. On Repeat. All day.

Casual Monday

{Sweater and Jeans: Gap, Boots: Steve Madden, Bracelets: JCrew, Watch: Aldo}

It was so hard to get up yesterday morning. I blame a combination of sleeping in on Sunday {so I certainly was not interested in sleeping when I got into bed at 11:00 pm) and the plain ol' fact that it was Monday. Luckily, the dress code in my office is so relaxed that I can get away with wearing something casual like the outfit above without getting stares and judging looks. I actually feel that I tend to over dress for the office, but who cares?* I enjoy feeling a little fancy most days.

Yesterday, however, was not a fancy day. I needed comfortable clothes, stat, but without looking like a slob. And, voila! The Gap never disappoints. Especially not on casual Mondays.


*the answer to this question is: Nobody. Nobody cares that I don't wear jeans on the daily. Which is part of the reason why I love my coworkers so much.