A merry little Christmas

Miraculously, Mr. King & I both made it on the NICE list this year!

We got amazing gifts from our family and friends, and from each other.

Here are some of the wonders we received.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

to all the dears who know just how to make a girl (and guy) feel special.

his loot:

(Not Pictured, new Swiss Gear Luggage set & all the items he scored on our weekend getaway in Dallas. To put it lightly, the boy did good)

My loot:

(Not Pictured: cash$$, jeans & a partridge in a pear tree).

An impromptu photo shoot with the Mister

We were asked to shoot a video for a girl's school project. In return, she gave us a couple still shots from the shoot. It was also the day we celebrated our 2nd Anniversary, so naturally we were feeling awfully lovey dovey.

a chance of frost

This morning, my ears woke up to hear words that I LOVE to hear in the fall..."Be prepared to scrape your car windows, because there is a chance of frost this morning..."

OMG do I just love those words.

You might think I am crazy for it, but there is nothing better than a good frost when it was like living in a desert here this Summer.

Besides, Frosts call for Scarves.

And everyone. needs. scarves.

Here are a few of my scarves du jour:

1. OMBRE SCARF! You've seen it in hair, now wear it around your neck!

Love this. Need this.

2. Fur Scarves, faux if you prefer.

Looks good with everything.

3. Classic Burberry

(classic if you went to Prep School.. which I didn't.

But you can fake it)

Fall Wish List

So this morning I walked out to my car to leave for work- and I was shocked to find I wasn't sweating all the way through my clothes! Indeed, there was no sweating for me as it was 55 Glorious Degrees! After the most blistering summer ever recorded (maybe), this breezy temp felt like straight Heaven. Accompanied by a short work week and my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season, my drive to work felt like a happy-go-lucky trek straight into God's Season- FALL.

Which of course made me think- I NEED FALL CLOTHES.

On jcrew.com, there's plenty more where that came from!

Swoon.

Adorbs Party Idea!

Okay, who has a birthday coming up? Because I just planned your party. Or my party even though I am 8 Months out.

As I was perusing my favorite blog, I came across this adorable party idea, and

decided we must celebrate SOMETHING soon so we can put these cute crafts to use. SO here's the skinny: It's a Wonderland-themed party. But not in the traditional Alice + Cheshire Cat way... In the "Wander the Land" kind of way. Full of Travel, Globes, Treats, Suitcases, Ribbons and hat boxes. Talk-About-FUN.

Now granted- this party is geared towards children. The birthday girl was probably like 7! But I would totes have that party as a 25 year old lady. And I am SURE you would attend? See for yourself...

And WHO doesn't like a good Globey Cake Pop?

Ladies Night!

I love love love dates with my husband, but sometimes a girl just needs a night full of predictable plots, ridiculous love stories, chocolate and nail polish.

That's right- a GIRLS night.

Mr. King is a good sport and humors me by going to the occasional romantic comedy where I bawl my eyes out and he eats movie candy...

only girls fully appreciate a good chick flick in its entirety.

Tonight, I am hanging with a slew of gals- some I know really well, and some I don't. Based on their ability to cry and laugh in a split second at what is happening on the screen, I will be able to gauge our friend-compatibility.

And now, an ode to some of the best Girly Movies of all times, and my recommendations:

"My Best Friend's Wedding"- Amazing movie- even better 90's clothes! If you have not seen it, What are you waiting for?!! One of my all-time favorites.

"The Wedding Planner"- Classic J Lo and Matthew Mcconaughey love story, where J Lo actually puts on a good performance. Mcconaughey is always charming... and also finds himself in "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days".

And "10 Things I Hate About You"... If you were not in middle school in the year 2000, you just wouldn't understand. RIP Heath Ledger.

"Pride and Prejudice"- Amazing character development and scenery. And You'll seem smarter by knowing about a real piece of English Literature. Go buy it today and watch it until you understand what they are saying.

"Serendipity"... Worth seeing just to learn about Frozen Hot Chocolate. Yes it is a real thing!

"You've Got Mail"... About the time I fell in love with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Such a great love story- Great Script, Scenery, Acting. All-around best flick.

The original Chick Flick- GREASE! If your mom didn't let you watch it when you were growing up, it's time to take the plunge. If your mom made you watch it like mine did, then you spent your elementary years making up plays about it and searching for your own Danny. (only my BFF Bailie will know the extent to which we went... suuuuuch dorks).

And now for the first Girl Movie to steal my heart- CLUELESS!

A total waste of time if you are into deep, intellectually challenging story lines.

You will feel more shallow after you view it, but man Alicia Silverstone was SO COOL as Cher when this came out in 1995! Wanted to be her. Until I watched it in high school and realized some of her clothes were tacky and the boys weren't even cute. Once again, RIP to one of the stars, Brittany Murphy.

Come on girls! No Girls Night is complete until you've eaten something fattening. So here is a recipe for you to pick up from Cookies and Cupcakes! Talk about To Die For!

Snickers Popcorn....

Don’t forget your Kleenex and OPI polish- See you soon!

Why I love Pinterest?

Because I just learned there is a such thing as Cinnamon Roll Waffles.

Want to make them?

Start with these:

1. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar filling on top.

2. Drizzle with cream cheese icing.

(Should look like this when you are finished with this step)

And that's all there is to it! Even I can do that!!!

(For help with your waffle making, here is the recipe)

WAFFLES:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

CINNAMON TOPPING:
1/2 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 Tablespoon grond cinnamon

CREAM CHEESE TOPPING:
4 Tablespoons butter
2 ounces cream cheese
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Prepare waffles: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Make a well in the center of the mixture; set aside.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Pour into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir just until moistened; batter will be slightly lumpy.

3. Preheat a waffle iron and spray with nonstick spray. Pour batter into waffle iron grid and close the lid. Bake until waffles are completely done- follow your waffle iron's instructions. Use a fork to remove finished waffles. Repeat with remaining batter. Keep waffles warm until ready to serve (a 200 degree oven is perfect).

4. Prepare cinnamon topping: In a medium bowl, mix butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Scoop the filling into a small zip baggie and set aside.

5. Prepare cream cheese topping: In a medium, microwave-safe bowl- heat butter and cream cheese for 30 to 60 seconds; just until melted. Stir together until smooth; whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla extract.

6. When ready to serve, place waffle on plate, drizzle cinnamon topping, then drizzle cream cheese topping. Use as much or as little as you'd like. Serve immediately.

Source: RecipeGirl.com

The Best Thing in Italy..

Today I am day-dreaming about my favorite thing about ITALY. My huz and I were in Rome in June, and we consumed massive amounts of this best-loved dessert. Sure, Italy is known for its Pizza and Pasta and Ruins and Cathedrals...

But. The Gelato takes the cake.

Ask for a small, and you will be handed a cone or a dish a foot-high. Those italians really have a handle on portion control. My favorites? Coconut and Chocolat. My hubby's? He tried several new flavors at every stop. Love him!