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!