All posts filed under: Holiday Series

A Weekend Recap and Onward to Thanksgiving

What you plan and what really happens is always the case, it seems lately for the weekends and I’m starting to consider not making a list of what I’d like to do but rather simply wait and see how the days pan out. 🙂 This past weekend I had a tough time with anxiety, where I was hyperventilating over just about everything imaginable from Venice floods, to global warming and beyond. Even the Hallmark Christmas films I watched back to back in the evenings, didn’t seem to help. I suppose we are now a society riddled with stress, depression and anxiety which by the way we have all had a part in manifesting, and since seem to have trouble coping with it all. How did the generations before us handle it all? Was it because the less they knew the better they lived? Do we know too much or have access to much ‘fake news,’ that we have lost sight of reality and/or are not able to see the truth any longer because of it? …

Food: Chai Spiced Sugar Cookies

I don’t bake too much, but I do help my mother when she is in the mood to bake a batch of brioche and other Mediterranean pastries. But this cookie recipe is worth a share, and one I am going to bake for the office holiday party this year – or in our case, they are calling it a fall festival party at the office set for next Thursday. INGREDIENTS 3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) salted butter, at room temperature 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar packed 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 2 eggs at room temperature 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more as needed 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1/2 teaspoon cardamom 1/4 teaspoon ground all-spice 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon black pepper BROWNED BUTTER FROSTING 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, at room temperature 3 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 2 cups powdered sugar 1/3 cup real maple syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla extract melted white chocolate, for dipping (optional) chai sugar, for …

Decor: Fall Inspired

Every season I normally feel the need to switch up my decor, even if it means changing my throw pillow covers, and adding a few trinkets throughout the home, the need to feel the seasons indoor is in full force – especially Autumn…I mean how can anyone resists? And there is always the fall wreath collection to consider from here Ideas from Target – one of my favorite, and I am sure one of your favorite stores to walk into to buy one thing and end up with a dozen or more things you may or may not need, and doing everything in your power to hide that receipt from your hubs. 🙂    

Looking Forward to October

The first day of the month, and only 90 days to the end of the year. But no worries, October is a month I look forward to, especially after the sluggishness and the unmotivated I felt by the end of August, and all throughout September. To me, October is the month to shed all the negative and just enjoy the most brilliant of colors, the layering in fashion, the shift in decor,  comfort food in recipes, and the prelude to the holiday planning.  October is the coolest month of the year. What Film to see, what recipe book to buy, and where to vacation in October    

Easter Eggs Are Sometimes Luxurious

…According to this article I found yesterday, and although I haven’t really painted eggs for quite some time, I have the urge to embark on the project come the week before – you know adding my own take on the luxurious eggs below: On another note – have you ever watched a show that makes you laugh throughout? Well, this show has me in stitches with every scene. Would you ever consider taking an art class online? I am thinking about sketchbook Illustration…and I think it’s going to happen very soon.  What are you reading lately? If you’ve just finished a story or two, and are looking for a new read, consider this list of must-reads I recently took an online quiz to test my IQ or rather for the internet to guess my education level. I have to say I was dubbed as having PhD level knowledge but for the life of me, cannot seem to locate the quiz again.  So, here’s one similar that you might want to try – oh go on …

My Outlook For The New Year…

As we all know, today is the day, we reflect upon the ‘soon to be’ passing year, and determine how we wish to set the tone for the new year. As I type this, in some parts of the world, New Years is nearly 4 minutes away, while in my part, the day is just beginning. I find this transition the most fascinating part of our existence, that on the 31st of December  to the start of the New Year is experienced in many time zones across the globe. I don’t know about you, but on this day, I have the worst anxiety – dont’ you?  I guess since we are programmed to feel something for every major event in our lifetime,  on the 31st of December, it is anxiety – about leaving the year we’ve grown accustomed to – bad or good, and moving on, ready into the unknown in the coming year. When I was younger, I believed that the new year was responsible for bringing me the happiness I so deserved, and …

Last Minute Gifts and Stocking Stuffer Countdown Begins

Right about now the panic has set in or maybe not – to each his/her own, but the idea that not everyone on the gifting list is checked off  has either helped you to a second serving of a glass of wine or the consumption of much sugary goods – hopeful to reduce the stress and anxiety. Here’s what you do or can do – first take a deep breathe and second, with glass of wine in hand, check out these ideas – scroll over photo

Talks About Christmas Morning Breakfast to Mary Poppins

You know what I appreciate the most about traveling across the pond? The opportunity to wander  into an actual bookstore – whether a chain or a tiny corner store – and just thumb through the reads. I can do this for hours and often times end up buying, I kid you not, ten books to read until my next trip. So with that said, these are the three books I cannot wait to read – from the rest of the 15 book recommends for 2018-2019:   How to prep – ahead of the time –  Christmas morning breakfast – ten ideas to choose from This topic cannot be discussed soon enough in my household – Where to travel in 2019. A list of Valentine’s Day dresses sparked my curiosity this week before Christmas – realizing while scrolling through the suggestions, some are equally a wonderful choice for New Year’s Eve celebration – like this one: And my favorite – I’ve been waiting for a long time for the Mary Poppins sequel which opens tomorrow nationwide and …

All Things Holiday Series

Since I’ve been away for a few weeks, my mind occupied otherwise, I haven’t posted much here. But while walking about here and there, and sitting down for a cup of hot tea between appointments and meetings, I can’t help but overhear folks updating one another about where they are with their Christmas to-do list: You know, gifts, decorating, dinner plans or not, and even a family holiday to some exotic destination – these topics are the norm right about now. So I figured I’d add to it.

Holiday Series: Reindeer Experience and One Amazing Gift

When I saw the featured photograph on T&C front page a few days ago, I smiled, thinking how fortunate Camilla Parker Bowles was to have the chance to see up close – a couple of reindeer. And just as those thoughts crossed my mind again last night, while attending a tree-lighting ceremony, I overheard someone speak of reindeer near by. So I followed them, around the holiday set up of ice rink, and hot chocolate and cider kiosks – to the back – on a patch of grass, where to my surprise I saw a couple of real-life reindeer. Thor and Elsa – who were peacefully nibbling at their dinner…and just for a few moments, I felt a wonderful peacefulness, and the happiest of feelings… Here’s what I am proposing this holiday season: If you happen to have a sturdy winter’s coat in your closet which you plan on donating at some point, or maybe storing in a box up in the attic or down in the basement for no particular reason, then consider going …