Winter Must Haves For the Skin

There are some things that are a necessity when the weather turns cold...here are a few of mine.

The most moisturizing lotion EVER-especially for sensitive skin!  Kiehl's Creme de Corps.

Fresh Sugar lip balm with SPF 15-Ahmazingly hydrating!

Kate Somerville Nourish moisturizer-smells ahmazing!!!

Bliss Triple Oxygen Mask-will make your skin soooo soft!!!

Happy Friday

I have never been more excited for a Friday....all this eating, drinking and being merry has worn me out!!  Looking forward to a relaxing weekend listening to my new playlist-loving this song by Ellie Goulding!

Sweet Tea

Sweet tea is a Southern tradition and staple in our family-it represents family events, sweet memories of tea parties with my Nana and all around good times.  Over Christmas, I made about 3 gallons of sweet tea to share with family and friends during lunches and dinners.  Below is my Nana's special sweet tea recipe, known in our family as Nana tea or as Southerners refer to it, Sun Tea.

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, add 4 family size tea bags (I prefer Lipton) steep the tea bags for about 10 minutes.  Add 6 ounces of lemon juice and 2 cups of sugar, stir until everything is mixed.  Put in a gallon pitcher and add water until full, mix and cool until you are ready to serve.  Enjoy!!!

Merry Christmas!

A little "White Christmas" for you from Frank and Bing-my two favorite men around Christmas!  I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas with their families!

Buttermints....

Buttermints are a Southern tradition and make me smile when I think of them or see them!  They make fabulous gifts or hostess staples at a party-they are simply delightful!!!  Below is the recipe-super easy!

The Mints in their pretty gift bags-found these at Michaels

The mints drying

1 stick of margarine

1 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup Eaglebrand condensed milk fat free

7 cups sifted confectioners sugar

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

4 drops green food coloring

In large bowl, cream margarine and salt.  Blend in condensed milk, peppermint and food coloring.  Stir in sugar, a cup at a time, until mixture becomes very stiff.  Turn our onto clean pastry board and knead in any remaining sugar.  With a teaspoon, scoop a small amount and roll between palms of hands into a ball, about the size of a dime.  Make about 14 balls and line up on a sheet of wax paper.  Press each ball lightly with a fork to flatten.  Continue until mixture is used.  Let dry 2-3 hours, then turn mints over so bottoms can dry for several more hours.  Store mints in tin in the refrigerator.  Makes 9-10 dozen!

Lululemon

I am obsessed with Pure Barre-it is my go-to workout, the difference in my body is telling, I actually have muscle definition now.  So of course I have to be fashionable when taking class or going for a walk or hitting the elliptical, which is why I love lululemon!!!  Yes, their clothes are a bit pricey-BUT they last!!!  Here are some of my must have....P.S. they are cozy and also chic so I rock them on the weekend while running errands.

The Free to be Tank is fabulous and comes in lots of patterns and colors!

Forme Jacket is fabulous and has cozy hand warmers

The Wunder Under Crop is ahmazing and sucks you in-hey perfect!

This cute brisk run headband is perfect for outdoor activities

Monogram Central-Mark & Graham

Everyone knows that a true Southern lady has plenty of monogrammed items from a necklace to table linens to that perfect tote.  Clearly this trend has caught fire and has spread further than the South.  My new go-to website is Mark and Graham they have everything you could ever need or want!!!  Check out their website for fabulous gift ideas for friends and family or yourself!!  Below are some of my favorite ideas...

The Perfect Carry Everything Tote

A cozy personalized throw

Clearly already loving this trend-name necklaces

Linen Napkins with that added pizzaz of your monogram!

A Merry Friday

When I think of Christmas music I immediately think of Mariah Carey-her music is fun and lively and makes me really happy!  Enjoy her "All I want for Christmas" video, it will really get you in the spirit while hosting or attending your holiday parties this weekend!

Emerald

Pantone has announced that the color of the year for 2013 is Emerald.  What does this mean??  It means that in Fashion and Home Decor Emerald will be seen throughout....time to look for emerald pieces to update your wardrobe!!  Per Pantone, "The color is lively, radiant, lush, a color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."

Happy Weekend-May it be Sparkly!

Happy Weekend Friends-tis the season for lots of parties!  Enjoy Rihanna's "Diamonds" because we all love to shine bright like a diamond!

Fabulous Gifts $50 and Under....

Below are some fabulous gift ideas for $50 and under.  Spread some cheer to your girlfriends or yourself with these lovelies!

JCrew Glitter Round-Buckle Skinny Belt $34.50

Kate Spade Ta Da Earrings $48

Tory Burch IPhone Case $50

Kiehl’s Greatest Hits Collection $44

Hostess Gift Ideas

Anthropologie Polka Dot Napkins $24 for a set of 4

Kate Spade Clink, Fizz, Cheers, Pop Flutes Set of 4 $80

Voluspa Maison Blanc Laguna Candle $27

Tis the Season for lots of parties and of course the need for Hostess gifts-above are a couple of my fave go-to gifts.  Happy December!

Christmas Music

Christmas Play-list

Merry Christmas Baby (Bruce Springsteen)

All I want for Christmas is you (Mariah Carey)

We Need a little Christmas (Glee Cast)

Mele Kalikimaka (Bing Crosby)

Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Michael Buble)

White Christmas (Otis Redding)

River (Cee Lo Green)

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Barenaked Ladies)

Winter Wonderland (Kate Havnevik)

Silent Night (Sinead O’Connor)

Happy Weekend

With all the craziness going on-constant go, go, go this song is completely appropriate!  Enjoy the weekend and some down time!  I know my goal is to sink into my couch all day Sunday!  Little Big Town, "Tornado"

Sparkly Necklaces....

Gorgeous necklaces are the perfect addition to a sweater or dress-can you tell I am really into sparkly things?!?!?!?!  These beauts would make perfect gifts for a friend or yourself!  I am obsessed with Lulu Frost and am super excited they have once again partnered with JCrew.....go frost yourself dahlin!

Lulu Frost for JCrew 100-year necklace

Kate Spade Moonlight Pearls Statement Necklace

Climbing Flowers from Pink Pineapple

Holiday Party Makeup Touches....

Tis the Season to sparkle and shimmer!  For the holiday season I am adding a touch more sparkle and shimmer to my makeup palette.  That extra shimmer and sparkle make me feel more glamorous and festive!  Cheers to sparkling throughout the holiday season and parties galore!

Chanel Illusion D'ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow-specifically in their new gold color vision

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick-this adds just the perfect amount of shimmer to the cheeks or decolletage!

MAC Lipgloss sets-I bought this set above and love every color!!!

Thanksgiving-a long weekend

Papa M on the guitar....jam session

Browning and I admiring the cozy fire

Our Beautiful Christmas tree-Mama Jill and Browning taking in the lights

Champagne at the Proximity hotel to toast Kippy and her beautiful, majestic wedding dress!  Mama Jill and her girls!

The holiday season is officially upon us-as you can tell from the lack of post!  Thanksgiving was spent in Greensboro with friends and family....and a long list of things to do from Mama Jill-I made her promise to shorten the list for Christmas!!  I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving!