Cheers!

Wishing you an elegant and fancy New Years Eve. Cheers!

xoxo, Alicia

A Flurry of Photographs

The snow continues to fall here in New York and it has made for a magical feeling this season.  It makes decorating this time of year that much fun too! Lately, I have been watching the delicate snow fall through our living room windows and it's as if looking into our own personal snow globe.  How about a glimpse?

Around our neighborhood:

{A snowy sidewalk path}

{Beautiful snow fall on a stone wall}

{Mesmerized by the glow of this nearly snow covered Nativity scene down the street from us}

{Lucky to own a pair of Sorel boots...thanks mom!}

{Gigi looking lovely in her new coat. Red is definitely one of her colors!}

Around our home:

{A glittery frosty winter wreath on our door}

{Snowy window pane in our mudroom highlighting the beauty of our decorative succulents}

In My World

I hope you are enjoying the holidays.  Here is a little peek at what has been happening in my little world:

{A surprise from Mr. Belle Maison Et Moi!}

{Our tree, pre-ornaments}



{Our gift wrap details...my favorite color scheme and tags out of the bunch}

{Piglet's plush new bed from my parents. She couldn't be cozier}

{Gigi's elegant new coat from my parents. She looks more beautiful in the snow, it makes the red pop!}

{A homemade beet salad in attempts to erase all the indulgent eating and to start the new year right...}

See you tomorrow with some New Year's inspiration!

xo, Alicia



Funfetti Oreo Cupcakes

This is an incredibly fun recipe that I tried for my sister-in-law's birthday recently.  I'm not a cake lover but I do love a cupcake!  "What's the difference between cake and a cupcake?" people ask me all of the time with a puzzled expression. To me, there is a huge difference: the texture, the portability, the automatic portion control, and the pure fun of peeling away the (hopefully decorative) wrapper, typically ending up with a dab of frosting on the tip of the nose.

This was such a fun project that my mom and I worked on together from picking out the cupcake wrappers, finding a big enough bakery box to transport the cupcakes, adapting the steps of the super simple recipe, the photography (great work mom!), and tying it all up with a simple ribbon.

{No birthday is complete without a beautifully wrapped gift!}

 

Funfetti Oreo Cupcakes

Adapted from Birthday Cake Oreo Funfetti Cupcakes by Megan's Munchies

1 box of Pillsbury Funfetti Cake Mix
1 container of Betty Crocker Rainbow Chip Frosting (the best & hard to fine!!)
3 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1 cup water
1 package of Oreo cookies (Birthday Cake Oreos if you can find them, I could not)
cupcakes wrappers
rainbow sprinkles

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

For the Cake:
With a hand or stand mixer, combine the oil, water, eggs, and cake mix. I add just a pinch more oil to keep the cake from getting dry. 

Place the cupcake wrappers in the cupcake tin and place an Oreo at the bottom of each cup.  Fill with batter to 3/4 full.

Bake for 19 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.  The cupcakes will be lightly golden. Cool completely.

For the Frosting:
Scoop the filling out of the center of about 6 -8 Oreo cookies (save the cookie pieces & crush them up to sprinkle on top of the frosting for decoration), add to the Rainbow Chip frosting and mix. 

Assembly:
Carefully frost the cooled cupcakes leaving a bit of a border around the edge and sprinkle with cookie crumbs first, followed by rainbow sprinkles. 

Enjoy!

Winter Skin Comforts

'Tis the season for dry, two sizes too small skin whether it be on your face or your body.  The products below have been tested on my VERY sensitive, dry skin with success. I hope if you try any of them you find comfort in them too.

1.) Chanel Lait Confort Cleansing Milk for Face and Eyes {$45}

I received a sample of this and was hesitant to try it as I have tried cleansing milks in the past and they were terrible at making my skin feel clean and also left a greasy layer behind.  Wow!  Much to my surprise (and I don't know why I was so surprised considering this is a Chanel products) the cleansing milk was an opaque white that spread easily and rinsed clean.  The most remarkable thing about the cleanser is that it did not have one bit of waxy consistency and for those of you have used creamy cleansers (ahem...such as the one so often recommended by dermatologists) you will know what I mean.  A bit expensive, but a small amount will do and your 'visage' will thank you.


2.) Chantecaille Fruit and Flower Acids Mask {$86}

A gentle yet effective mask for dissolving dead, dry skin much like exfoliation but without the harshness.  Beneficial to use 2-4 times per month, in my opinion depending on how much exfoliation you prefer.  Again, a bit expensive, but this is a generous jar of product and lasts quite a while as it's not used daily.

3.) South of France Shea Butter Soap {$4.99}

A pure, natural vegetable based soap that is hydrating and smells gender neutral and just plain clean!  All of the South of France soaps are wonderful, but I find this is the most hydrating for the colder months.

4.) Nivea Essentially Enriched Body Lotion {$7.49}

A classic lotion that hydrates well and not with a waxy or greasy feel.  Mine is the version with a pump so it makes it quick and easy to use after bathing.


5.) Beauty Secrets Nail Matrix Cuticle Oil {$6.99}

A longtime favorite and dual purpose: moisturizes cuticles as well as instantly dries polish without smudging it.  Very cost effective and smells like sweet almond oil! I usually purchase mine at Sally Beauty Supply.

6.) Estee Lauder 'Re-Nutriv' Intensive Smoothing Hand Creme {$50}

Another WOW moment for me when I tried this!  Sinks in immediately and is not greasy one bit...the hydration even lasts through hand washing.  Absolutely fabulous product plus I like the simple packaging with the fancy gold cap!

Please consider trying these products this winter and perhaps even gifting some of the fancier items! I think you or whomever you gift these items to would be oh so appreciative.

Stayed tuned for Funfetti Oreo Cupcakes tomorrow!

xo, Alicia

photos: 1,2,6; 3,4; 5

Semi-Formal

Last night over a delicious dinner with my dear friend  S.C., we were discussing attire for various holiday parties.  Naturally, there's bound to be one ugly sweater party involved in may people's holiday invitatation list (mine included), but there are also those parties that are more semi-formal than all out glittering affairs.  Sometimes the semi-formal parties are the most difficult to dress for so I've created a collage of a mix-and-match items that can be worn in various combinations to create multiple looks for each of the holiday parties on your list.  With this concept, you won't have to buy multiple outfits for each gathering but you will never look the same twice!

Sweater, Black Skinny Pants, Pencil Skirt: J.Crew
Statement Necklace: Forever 21
Metallic Pumps: Nine West
Snow Leopard Pumps: White House Black Market

Buffalo Chicken Dip

I don't know about you, but I am still feeling stuffed from Thanksgiving!  Much of the holidays is about food, naturally, and while I love formal food, sometimes for casual get togethers it is helpful to have a quick, easy dip in your repetoire.  I'm sure most of you have had some version of Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip, but not all are created equally depending on the ingredients that are used.

My husband and I love this version that a co-worker shared with me many years ago and we strictly rely on a certain brand of hot sauce and blue cheese to create a well balanced dip.

Ingredients:
Cream Cheese (I usually use Philadelphia, but feel free to substitute your store brand if you wish)
Frank's Red Hot sauce
*Marie's Blue Cheese (found in the produce section)
Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
Celery and Carrot sticks
Frito's Scoops

Directions:
In a 9x9 baking dish, mix room temperature cream cheese with a generous amount of the hot sauce and spread to cover the bottom of the pan. Pour about half a bottle of the blue cheese on top of the mixture.  Shake more hot sauce over the blue cheese.  Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese to create a semi-thick layer of cheese topping.  Bake at 350-375 (F) for 25 mins or until bubbly and/or lightly golden.  Allow to sit for 10 minutes prior to serving.  Serve with Fritos, carrot and celery sticks, or tortilla chips or crackers.

Enjoy!

*Regular full fat blue cheese; anything less creates a sour flavor in the dip.

Glittering Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to those who are celebrating!  Wishing you a safe, restful day to share some gratitude with those who are most special to you.  And what is a holiday without a bit of sparkle?

{A glittery manicure of Essie Clam Bake tipped with gold glitter glue}

Enjoy the day,

Alicia

A Dish to Pass

Such a busy time of year (hence the limited posts lately, sorry!).  With Thanksgiving approaching in the next couple of days, I have finally narrowed down my contribution. They are two of my favorites beginning with Beet Salad ( a special request by my mother for my father who also shares my love of beets).  You might remember my post/recipe for beet salad last year. 

{My assembled beet salad. I may add pears as well for Thanksgiving}

Up next is a cranberry baked brie recipe that I will be trying out, although I am planning to revamp the recipe a bit and make brie en croute (because who can resist some additional buttery crust?)

{recipe via}

Have a safe, restful Thanksgiving.
xo, Alicia

Crème brûlée Oatmeal

Dessert and breakfast combined?  Nothing is better.  I ordered my favorite creme brulee oatmeal for brunch with the girls over the weekend and it never disappoints; it consists of a base of plain oatmeal topped with sliced bananas and creamy custard with crackly brulee topping.  It was so enticing and delicious I almost forgot to take a photo but luckily I remembered before I got too carried away:

Below is a recipe from Camille Styles to create a similar version at home.  I haven't tried it yet, but with winter coming soon, it may become a weekend staple.  I hope you'll try it too.


Bruléed Oatmeal with Berries & Almonds

*serves 4

• 4 cups water
• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• raspberries and chopped almonds (or whatever fruit and nuts you like!)

1. In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil; stir in oatmeal and salt. Cook over low heat partially covered, simmering and stirring often, until almost all liquid has been absorbed and oats are al dente, about 45 minutes. Stir in vanilla and cinnamon.
2. Transfer oatmeal to 4 ovenproof ramekins or mason jars. Preheat broiler.
3. Stir together sugars, and sprinkle evenly over tops of oatmeal. Place ramekins on baking sheet, and broil until sugar melts and forms a crust, about 2 minutes. Top with berries and nuts.

photo by: Belle Maison Et Moi

Recipe via camillestyles.com

The Perfect Host

With the holidays approaching, our schedules are bound to start filling up with invitations to special soirees. What to bring for your hostess (or host), especially those who seem to have everything?  This predicament is more common than not, so I've generated a list of ideas that you may want to consider gifting a gracious hostess/host in your life.

{Macaron Cafe French Macaron Small NYC Box $16}

  

{'Malice' nail polish From Chanel's Holiday Look 2012}

 

{Marc Jacobs 100% Cashmere Fingerless Gloves in collaboration with Veuve Clicquot $35}

 



{Or skip the gloves and go right for Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label with gift box $39.99}

{A gift for him...Peter Luger's 6-piece Steak Sauce  (my steak loving husband approves) $45}

{Mrs. Prindable's 2-Pack Petite Candy Coated Apple Gift $19.95. These are incredibly delicious!}

{Diptyque mini candle $28}

Have a lovely weekend. xo, Alicia

Heartwarming

Have you seen the new commercial for Carter's (the children's clothing company)?  I've seen it a few times this week and wanted to share it just in case you've missed it.  I typically despise commercials as most of us do I'm sure but this commercial is heartwarming and almost brings a tear to the eye.  It's narrated by a little girl which makes it all the more sweet.  Enjoy!

Fashion Films

As a lifelong fashion fanatic, I was thrilled to find a series of fashion documentaries on Netflix a few weeks ago.  These films have been released for a while now, so admittedly I'm a bit behind the times I suppose.  So far, I've indulged in three films:

The September Issue (2008)

A documentary about the legendary September issue of (American) Vogue magazine but also about the long-time professional relationship between Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and Fashion Director Grace Coddington.

Valentino: The Last Emperor (2008)

A documentary about the legendary Valentino Garavani from age 70 leading up to his final couture show.  Lovely cinematography, very stylish.


Bill Cunningham New York (2010)

A day to day look at photographer Bill Cunningham's inspiration on the streets of New York City and a glimpse at the backstory of the man behind the camera.

I hope you have some time to relax with a cup of tea or a glass of wine and enjoy each of these inspiring films...

photos via: collegeprepster.com and racked.com

Make Me Pretty

A few recent purchases to transition my skincare and makeup from summer/fall to fall/winter. A creamier foundation, a brighter blush, a hydrating serum, and a few samples including a new unreleased Chanel mascara that is set to launch in late November.  So far, the mascara is wonderful and creates a false lash look with just one swipe.

{Chanel blush in Pink Explosion}

{Samples of Le Blanc skin corrector (have been wanting to try this forever!) and a cleanser}

{Caudalie Vinosource Serum S.O.S. Lightweight yet more hydrating than my other Caudalie fave Vinopure Matifying Fluid}