Archives for December 2012

a look back on 2012 {in words and photos}…

December 29, 2012

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This post took me the better part of two days. CRAZY. In a way I feel like I must be out of my mind to spend so much time on one post that will get lost in the shuffle sooner rather than later, except I know I’m not crazy at all because I LOVED THIS YEAR and I love this post and it was completely worth it to take the time and look back on it all and reflect and be thankful.

Now I have lots of thoughts about 2012 but, of course, I’m spent and I have no energy to write it.

… except for this:

2012, I have loved you.

You were fun and you were eye-opening and you were full of light and love.

2012, YOU WERE TERRIFIC.

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And also…

YOU.

Thank you, thank you! for reading and for following along on all of my adventures.

I am proud and humbled by what this little blog has become over the course of this year. This space makes me smile (BIG) and I’ve loved documenting and sharing everything here and with all of you.

I wish you a full and beautiful 2013. May you be thankful and healthy and most of all, may you be HAPPY.

Always!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Cheers, friends.

CHEERS!

51 Comments · Filed Under: life, nostalia ·

happy christmas to you…

December 23, 2012

Merry Christmas, friends!

I hope you’re all enjoying your time off as much as I am. Meaning, I hope you haven’t moved from the couch much or taken off your pajamas before noon in the last few days. I’m personally a HUGE fan of this year’s Christmas day set-up. Having the holiday on a Tuesday means a whole weekend before hand to enjoy and celebrate. This year, I’m spending Christmas in Syracuse, eating a wide array of cookies that my mother baked up and watching as many Christmas movies as I can get my eyes on. Oh, and there’s LOADS of snow here, too.

In a word: Perfection.

I’ll be spotty on the blog for the next week or so, but before we all go off on our merry way, I wanted to leave you with this sweet Christmas mix I made. You could listen to it while you’re last minute wrapping your presents tomorrow OR while you’re opening your presents Christmas morning. BLISS. Lots of favorites on here, so pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa and ENJOY!

happy christmas to you. from dearfriend on 8tracks Radio.

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(The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.)

Much love to you all. XO.

8 Comments · Filed Under: holiday, music ·

sister style // v. 1

December 19, 2012

Welcome to the very first EVER episode of Sister Style…

Starting Yours Truly and my favorite sister, MEG!

I’m humoring you all with the volume one business. In reality, I have no idea if we’ll ever do this again. I thought “Sister Style” was kind of catchy and kept saying it the whole time we were snapping these pictures. (Think “superstar!” and Mary Katherine Gallagher and you’ve got the right image in your head. Except instead of lunges, more like strike a pose.) My sister and I took a day trip to Portsmouth, New Hampshire this past Saturday and while we were there I had the idea to do this joint outfit post. I saw the white wall, and it just seemed like the perfect opportunity for an impromptu photo shoot. My sister went along with it happily, which is why she’s my favorite.

First of all, if you don’t already know, Meg and I are super close. We used to fight like animals when we were younger, but now we’re the chummiest of chums. She lives with me and Zan (our apartment has two floors!), and I always feel super lucky to get to spend as much time with her as I do, especially when Zan’s working late, or on weekends. I think one of the best things about having a sister, besides having a forever friend, is being able to share clothes. When we were in high school we wouldn’t ever dare to be caught dead sporting the same outfits (I shake my head at the immaturity), but now, we are glad to have a second wardrobe to choose an outfit from. Imagine!

These two outfits are a pretty typical representation of our style. We’re in love with Madewell and J.crew, but have had a lot of great luck at Old Navy in the past year, too. I’ve been dabbling in a little vintage lately, and of course, we’re both suckers for Target. But who isn’t?

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On Meg: J.crew vest {similar} :: Madewell sweathirt :: Old Navy pants

On me: Crewcuts hat :: similar coat :: similar shirt {and here} :: similar skirt :: similair boots

Yeah, I’m wearing a children’s hat. WHATEVS.

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I’ll be sharing photos from Portsmouth soon. Have you ever been? It was my first time visiting and I loved it!

 

20 Comments · Filed Under: family, fashion, life, steppin' out ·

chocolate crinkle cookies: a recipe.

December 18, 2012

Yummmm.

YUM!

These chocolate crinkle cookies sure are delicious.

Make them for the annual school cookie swap (like I did), for your friends, or better yet, JUST MAKE THEM FOR YOURSELF.

They be crazy good.

You will need:

1 1/3 cups (8 ounces) chopped bittersweet chocolate or chocolate chips
1/2 cup (4 ounces, 1 stick) unsalted butter
2/3 cup (4 3/4 ounces) sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 2/3 cups Flour
confectioners’ sugar* (for coating)

*you can add 2 teaspoons of espresso powder, too, of you’re into that. (Mmmm.)

To make the dough:

Place the chocolate and butter in a small saucepan, and heat or microwave till the butter melts. Remove it from the heat, and stir until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth.

In a separate bowl, beat together the sugar, eggs, vanilla (and the optional espresso powder). Stir in the chocolate mixture, baking powder and salt, then the flour. Chill the dough for 2 to 3 hours, till it’s nice and firm.

To make and bake:

After the dough is cooled, put about a cup of confectioners’ sugar into a shallow bowl. Using a spoon, or your fingers, scoop out heaping teaspoon-sized portions of the dough. Drop the dough balls into the confectioners’ sugar as you go (make sure you coat them nice and good!), then place the coated dough balls on a lightly greased or parchment-lined cookie sheet, leaving about 1 1/2 inches between them.

Bake the cookies in a preheated 325°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes (I had to do closer to 15), switching the position of the pans (top to bottom, and front to back) midway through the baking time. As the cookies bake, they’ll flatten out and acquire their distinctive “streaked” appearance. Remove the cookies from the oven, and allow them to cool on a wire rack.

Pour yourself a glass of milk and ENJOY.

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P.S. One week until Christmas! Yipeeeeee.

 

11 Comments · Filed Under: food ·
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