It's Official: Framing.

Every time my mom and I are together and see a photograph, greeting card, newspaper clipping, anything, she'll exclaim, "we should frame that!!!" or "that would be perfect in your apartment!!!" Its to the point where if we followed through every time she said it, my 17 foot high apartment walls would be completely covered. However, her intentions (as always--love you mom!) are good and there are a few I wouldn't mind on my walls or in picture frames for my desk. In particular, I love any and every design by Inslee! Oh my god, obsessed. Here are just a few of my favorites:

It's Official: New Year's Eve.

Nothing bad can come from this special night--resolutions, parties, glitter, new year, new you--crammed full of cliche's! And, it's only natural that I thank everyone for such a wonderful year. I cannot wait to make 2012 the best one yet.

This is the oldest you've ever been and the youngest you'll ever be--cheers! 

It's Official: Peanut butter blossoms.

Somebody at work requested I make peanut butter blossoms and naturally I was thrilled because I've never made them before! After rummaging around on Foodgawker for the perfect recipe, I came across a Martha Stewart version (made with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!) I was really tempted to try but ending up just sticking with the traditional form.

Ingredients:

-1/2 cup sugar

-1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

-1/2 cup softened butter

-1 egg (works best if egg is at room temp)

-1 teaspoon vanilla extract

-1/2 cup peanut butter

-1/4 teaspoon salt

-1 3/4 cup flour

-1 teaspoon baking soda

-1/4 cup sugar for rolling

-about 40 Hersey's kisses

Method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar, softened butter and peanut butter in a bowl and beat together until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract and salt to the same mixture and beat until everything is fully combined. In a separate bowl, combine flour and baking soda. Slowly add the ingredients from the flour bowl to the first bowl and beat until all ingredients form a dough. Roll the dough into small balls and fully coat each in the reserved 1/4 cup of sugar. Place them 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately press 1 chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie and place back into the oven for 1 minute. Remove and let cool completely. Enjoy!

It's Official: Holly GoNightly.

One of my favorite post-holiday shopping finds is always the markdown holiday p.j.'s! Victoria's Secret has been having a huge sale this week and I personally love the dreamer flannel sleepshirt (only $25)! It reminds me of the colorful Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's. You could even buy these amazing replica tassle ear plugs and sleep mask to complete the look! I have to have them.

1. Victoria's Secret Sleepshirt

2. Rachael Ray Dinnerware

 3. Vegas High Vamp Ballet Pumps

 4. Fred Flare Holly GoNightly Sleep Mask

It's Official: Loungin' around.

So far my holiday break has consisted of watching Gossip Girl reruns and seeing every new blockbuster movie (Mission Impossible, New Year' Eve, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, etc., etc.)

I can't say I hate it. In fact, I love it! What are your favorite ways to relax or de-stress?

It's Official: 'My Week with Marilyn' Premiere.

all photographs from The Vogue Diaries

It's Official: Merry white Christmas!

Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC Snake Print Clutch
Madewell Counting Clouds Hat
Louis Vuitton Illustre Zippy Wallet
Bauble Bar Gold Gem Bangle
Tucker 'The Dress Mini'
Paula Deen's White Hot Chocolate
Lilly Pulitzer Ellie Top
Marc Jacobs Daisy Studs

From my family to yours, xoxo!

It's Official: Nautical or nice.

It's Official: Devon Baer Design.

In the search for a last minute holiday outfit I stumbled across a new brand on Etsy that I now love, Devon Baer Designs. The line features mostly tunics but also offers jewelry, belts and silk pants. Yes, silk pants! I just cannot imagine a more perfect holiday look!

It's Official: Packing 101.

It's Official: Holiday baking.

I haven't had much time to bake this December but after my last exam tomorrow - let the games begin! Luckily, I did have a little bit of free time last night to whip up some festive treats. 

The snacks I made back in August (seen here) were such a hit and just so easy that I wanted to make them again with a little Christmas twist. This time I used Hersey Hugs and Hersey Kisses along with red and green M&M's. The hugs melt a lot quicker than the kisses so beware!

I've been salivating over the second desert for a long time. The recipe is popping up all over Pinterest so I finally gave it a try. Plus, I had a ton of chocolate and pretzels on hand from the first snack.

I used a recipe from Two Tiny Kitchen's calling for the following ingredients:

-1 cup creamy peanut butter

-2 tablespoons softened butter

-1/2 cup powdered sugar **I ended up using about a full cup

-3/4 cup brown sugar

-pretzels

-1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

Start by adding the butter's together in a mixer. Slowly add the sugars and mix until you are able to roll the combined mixture into small balls without sticking to your fingers. If the mixture is sticking, continue to add sugar until you reach the right consistency. 

Once your mix is ready, scoop out a portion, roll it into a small ball and sandwich it between two whole pretzels. Freeze the sandwiches for about a half hour. Melt the chocolate chips and dip one half of each pretzel sandwich in the chocolate. Place the sandwiches back in the refrigerator/freezer until serving time so the chocolate has time to set. Enjoy!

Purple Ombre Sprinkle Cake