All About Those Sparkles

During last night's PHLbloggers chat, I mentioned how much I love my sparkly shoes, especially around the holidays. Think about it: you can wear anything-- even all black-- top it off with some glitter on your feet, and you're Christmas-party-ready. It's a simple way to elevate an outfit from "just alright" to unforgettable. Since so many of those lovely ladies needed some recommendations, I figured I'd scour the web for some of the best. Here are a few of my favorites.

Buon Natale

This unseasonably warm weather gave me a reason to toss my insecurities aside and show off my legs for Christmas Eve. My dad's side of the family still has the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes. It's the perfect excuse to dress up before eventually ditching the fancypants getup and changing into my Christmas PJ's. It's the best of both worlds, no?

Gingerbread Latte Playlist

I have a confession to make: I've been listening to Christmas music since October. Yes, before Halloween. I was having a particularly crappy day and I did it just to cheer up but it didn't stop there. I just kept listening and listening and guess what? Despite what you may think about listening to Christmas music  pre-Thanksgiving, I haven't gotten tired of it yet. Now that there are only two more weekends before Christmas, I figured I'd share my playlist with you.

Gift Guide: UncommonGoods

Last year, my family swore off of buying gifts for each other. It was a great decision and helps to de-stress around the holidays because family gifts are the hardest ones to find. (I mean, for the woman who carried you in her womb for 9 months, does a candle really suffice?) Now that I'm getting a little older and friendships are more meaningful, I've had a hard time coming up with gift ideas for them. And of course with office politics and all, you have to buy a little something for your work BFF, your boss, your work husband... the list goes on and on and viola, Christmas gets kinda stressy again. When the folks over at UncommonGoods asked me to make a gift list, I had so much fun browsing around their site. There were some gifts I saw and immediately thought specific people to give them to.

Get Your T-Day Booze On

It's Thanksgiving in a few days and if you're anything like me or any of the people I've come to know in my short time on this earth... you may need a little liquid help to quell some familial rage.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

I'm the worst at buying gifts. I'm not even ashamed to acknowledge this indisputable truth. I can't buy clothes for people because I always end up getting the size so wrong that it's borderline offensive. I can't go the quaint-homemade route because I do not have a creative bone in my body for that sort of thing. Buying gifts for my mom, however, is a great joy. She's basically the more humble version of me. She appreciates the finer things but will rarely go out and buy them for herself. As I try to narrow down my list of things to get her for mother's day, I figured I'd share a few ideas with you!

Valentine's Ideas That Don't Suck

Everybody is talking about Valentine's Day (ad nauseam) already. Between fancy dresses, thoughtful DIY gifts, and "I don't need no man!" misandrist rants, it's a wellspring of blog content. Well guess what. It's yet another pointless consumerist holiday. Neither B nor I can truly fathom the hubbub behind V-Day. There's nothing wrong with our relationship, I promise. We just don't do made-up holidays. Thirty dollars for roses? Antacid hearts with corny phrases on them? Mystery-filled chocolates? (Seriously, I swear the candy makers are trolling us and half of them are filled with toothpaste.) Why get all gussied up and have an uncomfortable dinner in an overcrowded restaurant when you can do something unexpected like going to a trampoline park (yes, they exist) or scoping out some wet cement in which write your initials? Trust me. There's a better way.

Christmas Playlist

How could I have gone through the month of December without the l&l traditional Christmas playlist? Answer: I couldn't have. Despite the fact that there are about six little melodies which get repeated and repeated ad nauseam, I'm still very, very  pro-Christmas song. Now, I'm not quite in the "it's okay to listen before Thanksgiving!" camp but I will say that come Thanksgiving morning, it's on. I think I may have listened and sang along to "All I Want for Christmas is You" three or four times on that day alone. No shame here! What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

xo,
e.m.

Two Thanksgiving Drinks

Ah yes, Thanksgiving is almost upon us once again. It's that time of year when elastic waistbands become our best friends, mere hours after we join hands around the table and recite our thanks we nearly strange each other while waiting in line for the best deal, and our aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents all join forces in order to pester us about our current relationship statuses. (Or, lack thereof.) I'm kidding. (Kind of.) I love the holidays and Thanksgiving is a particularly cozy one. What's a good get-together without some high-quality spirits? Booze not for you? No worries, I'll let you know how you can also make these drinks alcohol-free.

Sage & Cranberry Cocktail

I fought the whole "cranberry drink" thing for a while. I mean, what right does cranberry have getting into all the other juices? I'm still not sold on combinations such as "cran-grape" but I do love me some sparkling cranberry juice. This drink is tart, earthy, and very light-- exactly what you need when you're stuffing your face with Thanksgiving dinner.

What you'll need:
 - Sparkling Cranberry juice
 - Lemonade
 - Art in the Age SAGE
 -  Sage and cranberries to garnish

Begin by filling a glass halfway with ice. Pour one part SAGE and two parts sparking cranberry over the ice. Add a splash of lemonade and stir. Garnish with fresh cranberries and sage leaves. You can make this large-scale by simply making in a pitcher and letting guests serve themselves. For an alcohol-free version, muddle some sage in the bottom of a shaker and mix with lemonade. Pour one part sage lemonade over ice along with one part sparking cranberry.

Boozy Apple Pie Float

This drink is a childhood favorite all grown up. Who doesn't like apple pie? Who doesn't like ice cream?  Thought so. This drink is spicy, rich, and perfect for dessert. It may seem somewhat innocuous but it packs a big punch.

What you'll need:

 - Apple Pie Moonshine (I like Ole Smoky but there are a lot of others.)

 - Spiced whiskey

 - Ginger beer

 - Ice cream (I used Amy's dairy-free Coconut ice cream)

 - A sprig of rosemary to garnish

Scoop 2-4 large spoonfuls of ice cream into a glass. Add two shots of moonshine, a splash of spiced whiskey, and fill the rest of the glass with ginger beer. Add a sprig of rosemary to garnish. For an alcohol-free version, simply substitute the booze with sparking apple cider and add a dash of cinnamon on top. 

Need some more Thanksgiving cocktail ideas? Try the Hot Ginger & Rhubarb Tea, Gingersnap Cocktail, or, if you can't wait until Christmas, this Minty Candy Cane Cocktail. Remember to sip responsibly!

xo,

e.m.

V-Day Gifts for Your BFF

You've spent this past month trying to avoid the dreaded candy aisle because you know that you'll impulsively purchase and proceed to eat an entire bag of Juju Hearts. You've put up with listening to your friends' disgustingly cute Valentine's plans with their significant others and you've scoffed at every man you see buying flowers or helplessly sifting through rows upon rows of overly-glittery greeting cards. The term "singles awareness day" really speaks to you. Girl. You've earned a chocolate bar for yourself but you should also use this day of perfunctory thoughtfulness to surprise your girlfriends with a little something. Just a little gift, sassy yet sweet; something that says "hey girl, thanks for being my wingman and for also putting up with my constant shenanigans." Here are few of my favorites. All of them will be pretty easy to find in stores because this list is a little "last-minute" side. Don't forget the heartfelt hand-written note!

Candle  |  Pretty Notebooks  |  Instax Camera  |  Fancy Chocolates  |  Unnecessarily Decorative Socks |  EOS  |  Sparkly Bracelet  |  Beyoncé  |  Lipstick You Know She'd Rock But Would Never Buy for Herself  |  Clutch  |  A Red Beanie

xo,

e.m.

Chocolate & Citrus Cocktail

Is there anything better than chocolate-covered fruit? The answer is no, absolutely not. Having said that, of course I would be experimenting with a fruit and chocolate cocktail for February. Spodee is one of my new favorites and is the perfect candidate for satisfying that craving in a wonderful and boozy way. It's grape wine mixed with chocolate moonshine. Are you sold yet? This drink is chocolatey, citrusy, and a little bit bubbly.

What you'll need:

 - Spodee Wine

 - Cointreau

 - St. Germain

 - Ginger Ale

Pour one shot each of Cointreau and St. Germain into the glass. Add a shot and a half of Spodee and top it off with Ginger Ale. 

Enjoy at a Valentine's soiree, while cuddling with your significant other, or while curled up on the couch with your beloved pet while watching Scorsese films. (Like I will!) Remember to sip responsibly.

xo,

e.m.

Galentine's Day

I had the pleasure of hanging out with some Philly bloggers and store owners for a little Galentine's shindig earlier this week. It was a blast but the best part is that we're doing it again this weekend and you're invited! If you're local, come join us for Spodee cocktails, an ADORABLE craft from Sue of Giant Dwarf, sweets, and lots of laughter. If you're not local... hey, could be worth the trip... possibly? 

Saturday, February 8th   |   5:00 - 8:00 PM

Starting at HOME, 1815 E. Passyunk Ave., ending at Occasionette, 1825 E. Passyunk Ave.

Hope to see you there!

xo,

e.m.

Christmint Cocktail

Italian Christmases are no joke. They last an entire week and are filled with lots of family, food and, well, booze. It's all a cycle. Can't have family without food, and you certainly can't have food without vino and other assorted spirits. You can't drink alone or else you're an alcoholic, thus the family presence, and the circle of life repeats itself. Yesterday marked the unofficial beginning of Christmas. Yes indeed, we began our preparation for the feast of the seven fishes. We go hard. We start making Christmas Eve dinner a few days early. Also, Christmas Eve is almost a bigger deal than Christmas day. It also marked the official beginning of extended family members pushing traditional Italian cuisine on me and the beginning of me attempting to explain that my plant-based diet prevents me from partaking. They always respond with a look of disbelief of bewilderment. I know. Crazy me. 

While the family was stuffing the calamari (pronounced GAH-LA-MOD, which I know, it makes no sense but that's just what we do) they realized that a hard beverage would make the experience even better. I crossed my fingers and hoped that this combination would be a winning one. It was such a hit that I just HAD to take some photos to share it with you!

What you'll need:

 - 2oz Crème de Cacao

 - 2oz Crème de Menthe

 - Your choice of Half & Half or Creamer (Fellow vegans, I LOVE Coconut Milk Creamer.)

 - Dark Chocolate for garnish

You'll also need a shaker and ice. Begin by filling the shaker halfway with the ice and pour in the alcohol. Fill the shaker the rest of the way with your creamer and shake, shake, shake! Pour into a glass and shave dark chocolate over the top. If you want, you can add a candy cane for a little extra touch. 

xo,

e.m.

not another Christmas playlist

Confession. I made a Christmas playlist purely because of tradition and because I don't want to let you all down. Truth is, I haven't been much in the mood for Christmas lately. (I know. This is unprecedented for me.) Hanukkah came and went. It's been snowing since the weekend. The house is decked in red and green and yet, the spirit of Christmas eludes me. These past few months have been rough and I think this Christmas playlist reflects that. I'm going to apologize ahead of time: it's kind of a bummer. But you know what? It's okay. All of this soul-searching is painstakingly nudging me to rediscover the true reason for the season. As frustrating as the process is, how bad could the outcome possibly be?

xo,

e.m.

The Buck Slap Cocktail

In honor of Independence Day tomorrow, here's a patriotic little cocktail that I'd like to dedicate to all of my #TeamBuck pals and our fearless leader, Buck Sexton. If you don't know of him, Buck is basically the spirit of America in human form so why wouldn't this week's cocktail be inspired by him?

What you'll need: Vodka (because Commie Bear wouldn't be pleased with anything else), your choice of either Sprite or Club soda, grenadine, and blueberries and blackberries. 

Begin by muddling some blackberries and a couple of blueberries in the bottom of a glass. If you don't happen to have a muddler, no need to fear! A wooden spoon works just as well for muddling berries. On top of the berry mixture, fill the glass 3/4 of the way with ice. Depending on your preference, add one part vodka to three parts club soda or one part vodka to three parts Sprite. Add a generous dash of grenadine and add a few extra blackberries to garnish. This drink is sure to be a crowd pleaser because who doesn't love a traditional vodka club or vodka Sprite?

Wishing you all a fun and safe Independence Day! Enjoy some fireworks and picnic food with friends and loved ones but also take a couple moments to reflect on American history and maybe even learn a little something new! If you're overseas, even though you won't be celebrating July 4th, this drink will more than likely be just as tasty for you. Enjoy!

xo,

e.m.

a day for mom

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

I love Mother's Day because it gives me a chance to spoil my mom with things that she'd never buy for herself. If you haven't done your shopping yet, (don't feel bad, we're all busy!) here are a few ideas. The beauty of these things are that they're easily available in a lot of stores so you won't have to pay a million dollars for rush shipping! If you're still stumped, just think, "what does my mom want but would never buy for herself?" My mom works hard and deserves to be spoiled so I got her a bath bomb and chocolate to enjoy after a day at the office. A cute little book of pictures is another great item to get so she can flip through it and smile after a long day! You can't possibly go wrong with getting her a spring'y and feminine top to rock to work. And lastly, if your mom is anything like mine, she loves decorating and little things like pillows and throw blankets will make her day. Don't forget the fresh flowers and to be kind and helpful to her on Sunday! 

xo,

e.m.

valentine's day

Valentine's Day is kind of a huge deal here in the blogging community. Why is that? I love seeing pink and red and glitter everywhere but that's about it. Maybe I'll wear a heart or two tomorrow, maybe not, that's the extent of it though.

I know that there's a rich history behind Valentine's Day, but like most holidays, it's commercialized and doesn't mean much anymore. The thing is here though, it's not like any of the holidays that encourage families to be together and to do nice things for others but it seems to be centered around giving a bouquet of overpriced flowers simply because it's what the corporations tell us to do. I guess if a guy doesn't spend $500 on flowers for his gal, he doesn't love her? That irks me to no end! Phew. Don't stop reading yet, I'm done with my anti-Cupid rant and moving on to the encouraging part.

I'm not sure what the statistic is, but I'm sure that there are a great number of people who will be a little on the sad side tomorrow. Don't be! Just look at the back of a Hallmark card and think about if you REALLY want someone spending that much on a piece of cardstock. Whether you have a special someone or not, Valentine's Day can serve a higher purpose. Surprise your elderly neighbor with a bouquet of flowers. (Not red roses though, because they'll cost you an arm and a leg!) Take out a friend or a family member who's been through a recent breakup. If your folks live close by, surprise them with a homemade supper. The possibilities are endless! If you're still a little sad and need a giggle, just remember that your day will probably be better than these people's. 

xo,

e.m.

diy fabric wreath (guest post!)

So I stumbled across the perfect craft last week, it used things I already had and the outcome was some beautiful gifts. I have been looking for some gifts that I could make a few friends for Christmas, I needed something relatively inexpensive and I wanted something my friends would really appreciate.

Earlier this fall I made a coffee filter wreath and it turned out amazing. I had grand plans of mass producing and selling them but it took so much time to produce that I never made another. I did, however, grab 5 small styrofoam wreaths from Target for $1. I also love sewing so I have a bunch of fabric in my back room. The other night I came up with these little beauties out of the two.

First you need to cut your fabric for the wreath.  My wreath is probably about a foot in diameter and I used maybe a half a yard all together for the five I made.  Lengthwise I added about two inches to what I thought I needed by wrapping the fabric around the wreath. Width wise I tried to keep it close to what I needed. You want to have enough to fold over but not too much extra on width. I attached in two inch increments by glueing it down shifting the fabric and glueing the next portion. You want to be cautious here to have your glue remain in the same general area mine was in the middle of the wreath. I then pulled the excess through the hoop and folded it and started glueing it down.

To make the flowers take your fabric and use a cd as a template and cut a circle out. Each cd size circle will make one flower. You are going to spiral cut your circle of fabric. now pick up the very center of the spiral and dot some glue and fold it over.  Do that one more time. Now you can start rolling your flower. I put about a 2 inch line of glue along the bottom edge of my flower and roll it all up. You'll want the bottom to remain flat so that the top varies with the different spiral sizes. If you just keep rolling and glueing you will have a rose in no time.

After you've finished making roses you'll want to attach them to your wreath. I like to start with the overlapping fabric to distract your eye from it. Add in enough roses to fit your aesthetic and voila; beautiful gift.

I also threw some buttons on a few of mine for a little more pizazz.

- Kristi

Kristi has been a long-time friend and a huge inspiration in my life. I think I've known her since I was about 10 years old, maybe a little younger? She doesn't have a non-creative bone in her body and I hope to have more crafts from her here in the future. Pop on over to her blog, you'll love her! 

the most wonderful time of the year!

I love looking around my house and seeing joyful cheer in every corner. Snowmen are plentiful and the scent of pine hangs in the air. I've been getting really stressed out with everything that needs to be done before leaving the country for a month and all I have to do is stop working and take a little walk around my house. Instant calm. 

xo,

e.m.

Also, while you're browsing around on this blog, be sure to enter the Shabby Apple Giveaway! It's a good one.