Advent Calendar: Day 17 - 21

Macy's Herlad Square

Hi there!  Sorry that I've been missing these past few days.  My little sister is in town and I have been showing her all around town.  It is so pretty magical here this time of year.  Everywhere you look there are twinkling lights, Christmas trees, holiday decorations and wreaths.  Tis the season here in NYC (especially since we are from San Diego).  Here are a few photos from this weekend.  What are your favorite things to do in the NYC during the holidays?

Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Window Display

Wollman Rink Central Park

Dyker Heights Lights

Magnolia Bakery

Giveaway Winner!

Click here to see what Robyn has won! 

{Photo: RUE}

Advent Calendar: Day 15 & 16

Who wouldn't love these sweet silly snowmen breakfast?!

{Photos: Pancake & Milk}

Advent Calendar: Day 14

 

How sweet is this photo?!  What a great idea for a holiday card with your loved one or even the whole family.  I am definitely going to have to try this one out.  Wishing you a holiday full of love and light!!

{Photo by Haley Sheffield}

Advent Calendar: Day 13 (And a Giveaway!)

Hello there!  We are excited to share with you that we will be giving away this adorable hand-made, hand-painted nativity scene to one lucky winner.  To enter our giveaway please LIKE our New Facebook Page (click here).  A winner will be chosen at random on December 16th and mailed out just in time for Christmas.  Want to purchase one, click here for pricing and info.  Good luck!

Advent Calendar: Day 12

Christmas trees and silly little brothers... :) 

Advent Calendar: Day 11

Celebrated my best friend's birthday at our favorite restaurant with some brunch and eggnog ice cream.  YUM!  Even though I am not a fan of eggnog I loved this ice cream.  Make your very own with this recipe from Epicurious.  Enjoy!!

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 7 large egg yolks
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 cups chilled heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons dark rum
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Special equipment: an instant-read thermometer; an ice cream maker.  Garnish: freshly grated nutmeg

Bring milk and salt to a boil in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat. Remove from heat.

Whisk together yolks and sugar in a bowl, then gradually add 1/4 cup hot milk, whisking. Add yolk mixture to milk remaining in pan in a slow stream, whisking, and cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until mixture is slightly thickened, coats back of spoon, and registers 175°F on thermometer, 3 to 5 minutes. Immediately pour through a fine-mesh sieve set into a clean bowl and stir in cream, rum, vanilla, and nutmeg. Chill custard, covered, until cold, at least 2 hours.

Freeze in ice cream maker, then transfer to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden, at least 2 hours. Soften slightly in refrigerator before serving, about 20 minutes.

Advent Calendar: Day 10

Hope you are enjoying your weekend!  Found this tutorial on how to make your own felt gnome here.  Wouldn't these make the cutest (and very affordable) gifts?!  Whenever possible I try to give handmade gifts.  There is something so special about the love and work and that goes into them.  Don't you think?

Advent Calendar: Day 9

There's nothing like the old-school Christmas movies.  Last night we watched Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as we decorated the tree and drank hot cocoa.  It was a perfect winter evening.  :)  My all-time favorite Christmas movie, Elf.  I LOVE ELF.  My sister and I have seen it at least a million-and-one times and we never get tired of it.  What's your favorite Christmas movie?  What would your perfect winter evening include?  I'd love to hear!

Advent Calendar: Day 8

How absolutely sweet and festive is this cake?!?!  These must be the easiest cake toppers ever.  And, you can get the mini Christmas figurines for 40% off at Michael's right now.  My best friend in the whole world is having her birthday party this weekend and has decided to go with a Christmas theme.  These cake toppers would be perfect!  Want to add some candles?  Check out this tutorial from The Sweetest Occasion.  How cute would it be to make a Santa or gnome candle holder?!

{Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4}

Advent Calendar: Day 7

Are you a fan of eggnog?  I'll admit it's not my favorite.  But, what I do enjoy, is Rompope.  It's the Mexican version of eggnog.  What makes it different?  Rum.  Lots of rum.   Now that's a holiday drink!  Also try pouring it over ice cream or in coffee for a Mexican version of Irish Coffee.

{Photo from here}

Advent Calendar: Day 6

One of my New Year's resolutions this coming year, is to always have manicured nails.  I'm inspired by my little sister - she always has her nails done.  Seriously.  Her nails are always polished perfectly and she's only 16!  She's been doing her own nails for the past 3 years and never seems to get lazy about doing them.  I'd have to say that she does them at least once a week.  Now that's dedication!!  There is something about manicured nails - I always feel more put together, even if it's a clear coat.  Don't you?  Here are my nails this week.  I used this and this OPI nail polish from Sephora.  What do you think?  Do you like having your nails done?

Advent Calendar: Day 5

So cute!!! Paper mache nativity scene from Casa Artelexia.  Do you have a nativity scene?

Advent Calendar: Day 3 & 4

Aren't these the cutest little Santa Hat Brownies and Elf Donuts?!  So easy and perfect for any holiday party!

Advent Calendar: Day 1

Yay, December is here!!  Let the countdown to Christmas begin.  One of my favorite things that I look forward to during this time of year are Advent Calendars.  They always remind me of my childhood, especially my grandmother.  She would give me one every year and it was what I looked forward to the most.  Are you familiar with them?  They are calendars that have little openings, like doors or windows, that you open each day as you count down to Christmas.  Some calendars have images, chocolates or small toys in each window making opening them something to look forward to.  I would always get the chocolate kind.  It's been years since I've had one of these and I really do miss having one.  So I've decided to do a virtual advent calendar with holiday images, crafts, tips for entertaining, yummy recipes and lots more.  Did you ever have an Advent Calendar growing up?

Day 1: My favorite ornaments from my favorite shop in NYC,  ABC Home & Carpet

Looking to make your own Advent Calendar?  Here are a few of my favorite DIY calendars from around the web.  

{Photos: Santa Ornaments, Matchboxes,  Muslin Bags, Boxes, Lunch Bags}