Frosty Cake Pops

by Meredith

 

This delicious treat my friend made for a holiday party.  These are better than your average cake pops, as she makes a cake mix, breaks it up, mixes in canned frosting and shapes them into balls before dipping them in frosting and decorating.  Since I've tried hers, Starbucks' cake pops don't even come close.  Delicious.

Capris and Boots

by Meredith

Who would ever think this style would take off?  However, I love it.  Don't put your dress capris in a box for winter, instead pair them with your cute pair of boots. 

 

Gingerbread Cookies

by Meredith

I love making gingerbread cookies at Christmastime.  The sweet, flavorful spices make me know the holidays are truly upon us. I use my mom's old Betty Crocker Cookbook, but you can find the classic recipe here.

Knit Headband

By Meredith

This season I love my knit headband. It keeps me warm without flattening my hair and is very stylish! I love it so much that many people on my Christmas list are going to receive their own this season.  This fall, I started to knit my own, but ended up buying one at a local boutique store.  I discovered that I need some time to practice.  I'm not giving up thought - even if it takes me until spring for it to look good!  There's always next year.  I'm using this great pattern I found online, click here!  You may want to use it too.

Amish Friendship Bread

by Meredith

One tradition I started during the holidays while in college was to make Amish Friendship Bread for my friends and family.  I didn't have a job and my friends and I didn't want to exchange anything too pricey, so this is what I found as a fun share.  The sweet, cinnamon-flavored bread was a hit, and now is expected to be made each year.  :)

Click the link above to read about how this bread came to be.

Curly Girl Design

by Meredith

Curly Girl Design is a brand I absolutely love.  I discovered this line of products while browsing my local Bibelot store in Linden Hills area of Minneapolis.  This whimsical line is created by a young woman, Leigh, who is originally from St . Louis, MO.  Her products inspire me and add color to many aspects of my life.  If you're looking for a gift for any female friend or relative look at the website.

Peppermint Chocolate Coffee

by Meredith

I made this sweet treat last weekend while decorating our home for Christmas.  It's perfect just to make just for yourself, but could also be great for holiday parties.  I found it on the wonderful Paula Deen's website.

Servings: 1 serving
Prep Time: 5 min
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients add to grocery list:

• 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
• 2 tablespoons peppermint syrup or peppermint baking chips
• 1/2 cup (4-ounces) hot fresh brewed coffee
• whipped cream, for garnish
• chocolate shavings, for garnish

Directions

To a coffee mug, add chocolate syrup, peppermint syrup and coffee. Mix together. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Disney Princess Dress Up - Your Way

by Meredith

Who says there is a time in your life when you must stop dressing like your favorite Disney princess?  I've found a way to let that never happen. This list of options is Amazing.

For Skin that Changes like the Minnesota Seasons

by Meredith

Sometimes my skin gets out of wack and gets more oily, producing more blemishes.  However, many face cleansers dry out my face.  Living in Minnesota, winters are not good to my skin and it easily chaps.  Gross, I know right?  However, I found something that really works for me.  It's Burt's Bees Natural Acne Solutions Regiment.  It's a three step system that allows me to put my best face forward, cleansing, moisturizing and riding me of blemishes.  I love that it's all natural - using real items you understand immediately.  The main ingredient is willow bark extract.

DIY Miss Piggy's $595 Pink Glitter Heels

by Meredith

Miss Piggy has expensive taste that I love. To promote her newest Muppets movie, Miss Piggy charmed her way into the footwear aisle of Saks Fifth Avenue.  The fashionable pig has inspired an envy inducing pair of heels, the Jerome C. Rousseau for Walt Disney Signature Diva Glitter Pump, for sale in January.  The only issue?  The official movie merchandise sells for $595.  So, how can you DIY for less?

 This is super easy and a great way to rejuvenate a pair of worn out heels.  For this version I found an example of someone who used a worn-out pair of bright pink heels.

What you need:

• High heels
• Glitter
• Acrylic glue
• Sandpaper
• A paint brush
• Spray-on lacquer (find it amongst the spray paints)

How to:

1.  Clean the shoes, and then lightly sand them to rough up the surface so the glue sticks properly.

2.  Mix the glue and glitter together in a container.

3.  Paint the shoe with the glitter glue.

4. Sprinkle the shoes with extra glitter to fully coat them. Don't worry about getting glitter inside the shoes, just clean them up once the glue has dried.
5. Once you are happy with the glitter and it has dried, spray the shoes with a coat of spray on lacquer. This will stop the glitter from falling of.

Baked Apples

by Meredith

Still have some apples left over from earlier this fall?  Me too!  One thing I love to make is baked apples.  It's so easy and they make a perfect side or dessert.

{Wash apples and core off a little on top and bottom}

{Sprinkle a good amount of cinnamon and sugar on top of each apple}

{Bake 350 degrees a good hour}

With Faith - Everything is Possible

by Meredith

This bracelet I wear almost everyday.  There are so many terrible things that happen to us and just in the world that you cannot understand or explain.  Sometimes all you can do is have faith, have hope and pray.  My wish for you this Thanksgiving is that you forget all those terrible things you cannot control - and that your day is peaceful, that you feel love and that you really cherish everything you have in your life and be thankful for it.  Happy Thanksgiving.

{On the inside}

Thanksgiving Treat

by Meredith

Treat your loved ones to something sweet.  All you need is:

1 box of Oreo cookies
1 jar of whipped frosting (I prefer chocolate)
1 bag of candy corn
1 bag of Reese's Peanut Butter cups
*makes 27 turkeys

Simple Fall Decor

by Meredith

Pick up some leaves from outside and put them in a crystal dish you got for a gift and never use.  It's a colorful fall decoration for any counter or makes a beautiful table centerpiece this Thanksgiving.

Shades of Autumn

by Meredith

We've been fortunate to have such a beautiful autumn in Minnesota.  We are well into November and still have no snow on the ground and afternoon temperatures are high above freezing!  Right or wrong, I'm still enjoying dresses without tights.

{Blu Sage dress}

 

{I love anything Fossil}

{Nine & Co. flats}



Shine On

My hair is somewhere between straight and wavy - maybe I'd call it frizzy.  It's frustrating because I can't just get out of the shower and start my day, I need to always pamper my hair with product and tools.  If I didn't, an hour later some is fuzzy and sections sticking in opposite directions. 

For other victims who suffer with this 'in between' hair, I highly recommend Paul Mitchell's Super Skinny Serum.  With my busy schedule, I use it often because it smooths my tresses leaving them silky smooth, helps my head of hair dry faster and  really allows my blonde hair shine.

2011 CMA Awards Best Dressed

The CMA's are one of my favorite award shows of the year.  (Close to the Oscars!)  This is a shout out to the best dressed country lady stars (in my opinion,) who stole the spotlight Wednesday night.

{The girlie pink and silver number (I need to find out who made it) that threatened to steal the show from Miss Piggy.}

{Jennifer Nettles dress by Naeem Khan}

{Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry, looked elegant in an embroidered high-neck evening dress.}

Seaweed Colors

by Meredith

I love my jean jacket and use to only wear it on casual days, but recently I've been wearing it more often, especially when I go out.  Originally created for the workplace as part of an entire denim uniform, have grown in popularity during the 1900s.  Turns out it can be a super versatile item!  My seaweed green dress really matches it and pairs well with my sandy colored accessories.  I wore this to work and then to a musical last week.

{I love coral this season}

{Suede flat boots}

{I love the front of this dress that I found at Maurices - reminds me of something from Michael Jackson's closet}