Christmas Wrapping*

Run out of tags or labels? Just write the name in tape! My new favorite thing, for my 3 letter named fiance. A lot of the other presents I use the Japanese masking tape in some other way as well, it's my favorite gift wrapping supply. Because sometimes, you don't want to use the good ribbon. Especially if you know you won't get it back and it will end up in a heap on someone's floor, only to be scooped into a pile for trash. THE HORROR. What, nobody else thinks like this? For the record, I'm talking about pretty ribbon that you buy by the yard.

*The song 'Christmas Wrapping' by the Waitresses is such a fantastic Christmas song. Add it to your play list now if you don't have it on there already!

Peanut Butter Cups

You need to make these. They RULE. They are just as delicious as any Reese's product, but do not contain yucky preservatives. I once again, whipped out the Earth Balance creamy peanut butter to make these treats.

I'm on board with that ingredient list. And the best part? It's no stir! While stirring the natural peanut butter, I always make a mess and slop it over the sides and the jar is forever greasy. Not here.

PB + powdered sugar. Then add a lil softened butter.

Melt chocolate chips and drop dollops into cupcake liners and make sure you coat the whole bottom and up the sides a bit. Pop in the fridge for 5-10 minutes to harden.

Add the peanut butter and then cover with more melted chocolate and back in the fridge. This time for 30 minutes.

Unbelievable!!! And how cute do they turn out? Let me tell you, it was so satisfying peeling them out of their little cupcake liners.

Recipe

 1.5 cups creamy peanut butter

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons butter

2 bags chocolate chips

Makes 24 cups.

Peanut Butter, Take One

My first thought of how to use my new Earth Balance nut butters was with apple slices, but that quickly turned to peanut butter cookies. I used this recipe from Smitten Kitchen.

I used the classic creamy peanut butter.

Chocolate chips improve everything. 

I didn't follow the directions by smoothing out the dough into little balls and rolling in sugar and kept burning the cookies. These were the 3 survivors. I still had some dough left, so I followed the directions to a T with the last bit of dough.

Imagine, it worked! These cooked much more evenly. Even if a step may seem like a hassle or insignificant, it's probably there for a reason. Either way, the cookies were delish and peanut butter and chocolate go hand in hand. I think I may make some peanut butter cupcakes for my work party on Thursday. Unless anyone has any other peanut butter baking ideas?

Lately {Food Edition}

 

 I had my very first Sprinkles cupcake! I had to try the famous bake shop and I will give it a 4 out of 5 based on the frosting alone. TO DIE. I got a black and white. But the cake part was a little too crumbly for me. But huge points for having to-go spoons and forks! 

I was generously sent these nut butters by Earth Balance to try out and review. 

Taste test in the near future!

Gingerbread men in sugar "snow". My dad did this. Bravo.

He said he was happy to "make it on the blog". Ha!

We had a little dinner party at my parents house with Jon's parents. 

What's a dinner party without delicious home made bread?

Say your prayers Gingerbread man.....

Stocking Stuffers

I sure wouldn't mind if these items made their way 

into my stocking come Christmas morning.

Candy Striped Clothes Pins

Bakers twine

Salt and pepper cellars

Chicago pennant

I beard SF shirt

Pink fish

Our Wedding Inspiration Board

I thought having inspiration pictures saved on my hard drive was sufficient, but I've been asked twice now by different vendors for an inspiration board if I had one. Twist my arm. Looking at this makes me want to squeal. If this doesn't scream 'rustic romance', I don't know what does. I'm starting to understand why so many former brides go into the wedding industry after planning their own wedding.

Cotton

Dried cotton. So pretty I want it for my home! Or my wedding. It would be so much easier to use something dried for the table arrangements, but dried flowers are sort of sad looking. Not cotton! And I think they would look awesome in my brown glass bottle collection. Which, by the way, is getting out of control. When do I stop?!?!

Buy cotton here.

Weekend Scenes

This was the quintessential December weekend. 

Christmas tree shopping. First year we didn't cut our own down. 

We got a lovely 8 footer.

I wish we also grabbed one of these table top cuties. 

Would look cute in the faux fireplace or on the hearth of our real fireplace.

Hot cocoa and candy canes. Cliche, but so good.

Dressing up...only to dress back down.

That yummo peppermint bark I tweeted about. Made this last year too. 

Would be a super easy gift to make and package up all cute with red and white twine.

 Pete hiding under the tree. 

The tree brings out his curious and freaky nature even more so.

I saved my stale meringues for decor. Filled up in this Ball jar, 

this makes a subtle decoration in my kitchen.

Decorating for Christmas = Happy Holly

It is starting to look and feel like Christmas around these parts!! I love bringing out the Christmas boxes, looking through, unwrapping things that I forgot I had and falling in love again with old favorites. As always, I like to put a new spin on things so as to not get stuck in a decorating rut. Take a peek at how things are turning out this year.

I love anything and everything bottle brush.

Vintage shiny brites and tinsel. 

Our mantle this year. We still need to get a new stocking for Jon, but I'm happy with it mostly. 

Mantle details. I'm a sucker for mercury glass, silvers and blues.

Throw glitter on anything and I will buy it.

 My West Elm ball wreath. I still love last year's wreath more. 

Sorry for the view of our cars, they normally aren't all yard sale-ed out like that.

And finally, the entry table. Fake snow galore. 

And a picture from warm Costa Rica in our Christmas tree wreath to be a tad ironic.

Checking out my posts from last year, I think I def kicked things up a notch.

Introducing.....

Ashley, Nicole and I at Nicole's baby shower just a couple weeks ago.

And now, today with baby Joaquin!

This baby is perfect. All his little features and personality shining through makes him the sweetest newborn ever. I am so happy for Nicole and her husband. Joaquin came very early but is healthy as can be and now they get to be with him on Christmas!

Nicole, I know I said I wouldn't blog this, but I can't help myself. 

I am so damn proud of you and happy for your little family. Well done. I love you.