Holiday Goodies For Him

1. Bonfire Log 2. Backup iPhone Battery 3. Leather Magic Wallet 4. Urban Renewal Leather Keychain
5. SmartWool Liner Gloves 6. Mustache iPhone 4/4S Case 7. Photojojo Lens Set 8. Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad 9. Silk Bow Tie in Pindot 10. Deciduous Dock

All my favorite things for all my favorite guys in my life.

And all under $100! Happy shopping!

Holiday Lovelies For Her

1. Llama iPhone Case 2. Essie - Plumberry 3. Anthozoa Bangle 4. Touchscreen Gloves
5. Elephant Bottle Stopper 6. Tech Hearmuffs 7. Classic Pocket Datebook 8. Capri Blue Etched Jar Candle
9. Personalized Initial Necklace 10. Dotted Leather Pouch  

This year I tried to organize and be early with my Christmas shopping. I started December 1st and have been hitting the mall and online shopping ever since.

In typical "I have undiagnosed OCD" fashion I tried to organize with two lists this year: per person & per my favorite things and then matched the two up.

My lists generally cover lots of people from 'For Her', 'For Him', 'Kids', to 'Coworkers' (and sometimes mayyy be inspired by things that I would love to have). So I thought I'd share some of my lists this year to help mid-December shoppers!

Today I have my list of favorite gifts "For Her" that I love to give to family and friends. The bonus is that all these cuties are under $100 because this girl's on a budget frands!

Club Belmont's Christmas Tree

Since Saturday marked the official first day of December and there was light snow fall we decided it was the perfect winter day to get Club Belmont's Christmas Tree.

Last year we had a magnificent small fake tree because the thought of dragging in a tree bigger than us seemed like a lot of extra work. But thanks to our new roomies a real tree was to be had this year!

So we packed up the Jeep with whoever was available (four out of six ain't bad!) and as many holiday tunes as Pandora had to offer and we were off to cut down our own tree!

Oh yes, we're no wimps buying precut trees over at Club Belmont, we cut those bad boys down Griswold family style. (note: I was somehow allowed the honor of carrying our tree saw - basically a lumberjack now)

After several laps around the lot lost in our indecision we finally found the perfect one to bring home with us. We each took a turn cutting it down and it's a beauty!

Just got to decorate it and make it look like Christmas exploded in our house now, at least it smells heavenly in the meantime!

Club Belmont's tree drying off in it's new home - welcome friend!

Sometimes you just need some wine...

Recently there was a call for wine and who am I to say no to a nice glass of Pinot (or two, or three...counting's hard).

This is pretty serious business so my lady frand Amy and I decided we were long overdue for one of our classic Cheesecake Factory get togethers - made famous back in our super cool high school years.

I'm not sure what happens when you get older but it seems harder and harder to make plans with friends. Maybe I'm just bad at it but it seems we let things like work, relationships, stress, lack of money, and all around tiredness get in our way and I'm the number one culprit. *Gasp!*

I'm so embarassed to say that the words "I'm just so tired, work was rough today" have been used many a times as an excuse and I've been trying (key word here - I'm work in progress people!) to be better about it.

So wine and cheesecake it was!

Needless to say we caught up on the important topics of work, boys, life, etc and it's so nice to be able to just laugh about things. I need to remember this next time I'm "too tired".

So friends this is my call to action! More date nights with each other and less tired nights catching up on TLC (though often also very therapeutic). 

We were so proud of ourselves for taking the most flattering pictures of our gluttony so clearly I posted the evidence of us in all our glory on my lil bloggy. - Sorry Amy! At least we think we're funny amIright??

My plate post Cheesecake Massacre 2012

If One Thanksgiving's Good, Two Must Be Better!

Happy Monday after Thanksgiving break all!

After a glorious 5 day weekend full of food, naps, football, family, and friends my body's still in recovery mode. We ate until it hurt and spent lots of time just hanging out in the kitchen. It was holiday perfection.

My family even has the ingenious tradition of "Second Thanksgiving" where more people come over my parent's house the Friday after Turkey Day and we have a giant lasagna dinner with even more desserts. Heavenly!

I highly recommend adopting this second dinner party. A second day to eat till you burst and more leftovers...need I say more?

This weekend was then full of lazy movie marathons interrupted only by the creation of many turkey sammies, the reheating of lasagna, and quick winter-y walks to get hot chocolates and coffees.

I hope you all had a happy and healthy Thanksgiving also! Let the countdown to Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza/New Years begin!

• Dining room ready and waiting • Papa Dukes carving up our Tom • Grammy helping herself • My ambitious plate (round 1) • A sampling of treats • Second Thanksgiving Lasagna #2 • Second Thanksgiving Lasagna #1 Post Massacre • Lemon Meringue Pie (no need to share, I'll take care of this one guys) •

*Note: My family's super resistant to letting me photograph them, especially while eating...ergo more food pictures! It's something I'm gonna have to work on or just get better at sneaking pictures...

Little Things - Life Lately

I've been a bad blogger lately but in my defense it's the beginning of the busy holiday season!

Also, I've been sucked into Homeland and I'm busy catching up. If you don't watch it yet, well...you should. So run to your Netflix Que immediately!

Though, despite Homeland's and the cold weather's best efforts to turn me into a hermit, I HAVE managed to sneak in some activities that do not involve my couch.

So I thought I'd post a quick little montage to highlight the little things in my life making me happy right now because I'm too overwhelmed to post about things like Christmas just yet. (As I reflect on my pictures I've noticed a common theme: food & drinks. Yum!!)

• Nov. 6th yo - Might as well go wait in line for 1.5 hours for the sticker • It snowed. Wah. •

• Margaritas make the world go 'round • Saturday night is eat your weight in cookies night didn't ya know? •

• My fave Anthro mug from one of my fave ladies • Mutant Tomato! •
• Monday Night Roomie Taco Night - complete with Big Bucket of Margs and lederhosen apron •
• Tacoooosss • Sadly smooshed frosting on an amazingly delicious Apple Cobbler Cupcake •

• Roomies bonding with our old friend Jameson • Risk 2210 - board game Friday people (don't judge) •



Wait...Next Week's Thanksgiving??

My fancy, snow free garage! I think I'm in love...
And he plows the driveway - win!

Last week I let my fear of snow get the best of me during the Nor'easter which may or may not have ended with me purchasing two winter coats, new gloves, and splurging on a garage spot for my car this winter.

What's up fear induced spending!

Now that it's forecasted to be up to 67^o today I feel rather silly butttt I'm pretty sure I'll be pleased to pieces when I don't have to dig my car out every morning in January. (muahaha all you suckers with shovels, you may have saved money but I'm not crying over my snow covered car)

Also, you may have already heard the rumors but apparently Thanksgiving is next week...what??

I feel so underprepared for the holidays this year and I'm mildly stressed about their arrival. I need to get into the Thanksgiving spirit people! And what better way than perusing the Food Network website for inspiration? Maybe I'll try and impress my mom this year and bake a dessert!

Here are the recipes that seem to have the perfect ratio of not too intimidating/look amazingly delicious:

Paula's Pumpkin Cheesecake



Paula's Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping
(sans Pecans - those things are my nut allergy's worst nightmare!)



Barefoot Contessa's French Apple Tart

Nor'easter Induced Winter Wear

At lunch today I had a bit of an Old Navy blackout and this happened:

Woops!

This was strangely similar to my Target and Forever 21 blackouts...the sales at these discount stores suck me in like a moth to a flame people!

But I'm going to go ahead and blame last night's Nor'easter and today's email about 50% off outwear PLUS 20% off PLUS free shipping on this one (because really how could it be my fault?).

I'd also like to point out that I haven't actually purchased anything yet...just made a rather embarassingly long wishlist.

This calls for some serious in-store try-on time because the fits at Old Navy aren't always ideal for my child sized frame but here are my top 6 favorites that I hope are perfect so they can find a nice new home in my closet:


  1. Long Belted Frost Free Coats 2. Softest Crew-Neck Sweaters 3. Button-Shoulder Sweater Dresses 4. Fair Isle Cardigan 5. Softest Printed-Crew Sweaters 6. Pleated Wool-Blend Coats

Hurricane Sandy - It's gonna rain!

Experiencing Sandy on our roof deck

As I'm sure all people with access to cable and the internet know, yesterday big bad Sandy finally blew into town.

And I was prepared!

Sunday night I set up all my electronics to charge because I was definitely not going to be caught without the ability to watch movies, read my Nook, and use my beloved iPhone (sad, I know but a girl's got to Tweet yo).

After not being able to justify skipping work in the morning (it was barely raining and I was convinced it was a conspiracy) I finally bailed at 3 because it was getting mighty blustery out there and Sandy looked like she meant business.

At home my roommates and I set up our Sandy Survival materials in case of a power outage. Then we faithfully sat on the couch using up as much electricity as we could until Sandy forced us pull out candles and Monopoly to entertain ourselves.

Boston was extremely lucky and didn't get hit nearly as hard as other cities and thankfully we never lost power at our house. Hopefully all my friends down in NJ, CT, and NY are ok and can get back on their feet soon!

Club Belmont Survival Preparedness Kit

(trademark on this name pending - we're pretty witty) 

1. Bucket of leftover Halloween candy to keep energy high. 2. My Irish Wellies for trips up to the roof to check on Sandy.
3. Lots of Vino 4. A million tea lights all over the apartment in case we lost power.

A rainy/blurry/grainy picture of Sandy doing her best on Boston from our roof deck.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween's easily one of the best holidays out there and on Saturday we hosted our 2nd annual Halloween bash!

I turned it into a bit of a whole weekend event with pumpkin picking (which turned into "pick out your own pumpking from our barrels" because they would only let people out into their field Saturdays and Sundays...rude.) followed up with some pumpkin carving, cleaning, and cooking up a storm. Plus, it was brothers birthday on Saturday so there was a lot to celebrate!

At 7 I decided it was appropriate to be costumed and ready for our guests who I impatiently waited for until 8:30.

And let me tell you what. We throw a mean party people.

Hard apple cider on the stove? Check.

Beverages galore courtesy of the hosts for all guests to enjoy? Check.

Bowls of candy? Check.

Homemade snacks we started making the night before? Check.

Friends and family around to celebrate? Check.

Fun had by all? Double check.

Happy Halloween everyone! Hopefully big bad Sandy doesn't interrupt trick-or-treaters this year because we have way too much candy sitting in our house right now.


*Note: Pictures are a bit grainy because it was dark in my house (certainly not from my subpar photography skills of course). Halloween=haunted aka dark, get it?

Fall Uniform

I'm definitely a comfort kind of girl and once I find something that (in my mind) looks fab and is supremely comfortable I stick with the idea. If it ain't broke, don't fix it...right?

This has translated into many fall days in some variation of a white top, jeans, and my favorite new riding boots. I like to think that a different scarf or jacket mixes it up enough to distract the public from the fact that I'm essentially wearing different reincarnations of the same outfit.

Don't get me wrong, I love checking my favorite blogs for inspiration and throwing my new pink denim and chambray shirt into the mix but in my mind my fall uniform screams "I just did so many fall activities in my perfect fall outfit!". So I'm gonna stick with what works :)

What's your fall uniform? (...so I can steal more inspirations!)

1. Loose Tee 2. Cashmere Scarf 3. Michael Kors Watch 4. Long Layering Necklace 5. Skinny Jeans 6. Casual Button Up
7. Riding Boots 8. Printed Scarf 9. Olive Jacket 10. Studded Bracelet

Little Things

This past week has been a rather quiet one, no major events or outings planned just a bunch of little things making me smile everyday.

Delicious food, random 80 degree fall days, spontaneous plans with friends, contemplating just wearing a giant poncho for Halloween, and discovering a "leprechauns door" at a local Irish pubs wall are all helping me stay sane.

Now to just get through this week because my house is having our Second Annual Halloween Bash and I don't know if I can wait till Saturday for it!

1. Peanut Butter Thing (it's a tradition) 2. Leprechauns Door 3. Late night thin crust pizza heaven 4. Where did I pack my sandals away to? 5. Pumpkin beer 6. A poncho's a costume...right? 7. New brunch discoveries make me feel like Christopher Columbus 8. I want to marry whoever invented Apple Cider Donuts

Is WebMD the same as Medical School?

Last week I got peer pressured into was a responsible adult and got a flu shot.

This week I'm starting to show cold symptoms and I am none too pleased.

Are these two things in any way related? HIGHLY unlikely. Will I blame my impending cold on my flu shot? Abso-freaking-lutely.

Therefore, I will use my expansive WebMD knowledge (I'm basically a qualified medical professional) to drink as much orange juice as I can find and to enjoy the pleasures of DayQuil/NyQuil (those people are geniuses).

Orrrr I'll just pretend like it's not happening because I don't accept being sick very well. Going out and eating delicious foods and enjoying delicious bevs and doing fall-ish things is way more fun!


My "Doctor's Kit" - psh, who needs medical school



What I plan on recreating while I'm pretending my cold isn't happening.
Because sliders and Pale Ale are the best way to feel better.

Purple Cake and Homemade Pizza - That's What Dreams are Made Of

These past few days I've been living life in the fast lane!
Orrrrr I passed out early Friday night and spent Saturday at my 5 and 6 year old baby cousins birthday party.

But you know what? Sometimes you just need to chill out (and save some cash moneys) and I really loved my low key weekend.

Plus I'm pretty sure my gifts were the kids favorites because they would not put them down and that makes me one happy girl!

Then, to start the week off on a high note, we spent Monday evening bow tie shopping and buying quality ingredients at Trader Joe's for another creative pizza night. Is this what being a grown up is?

I was admittedly mildly terrified of our autumn themed squash pizza but I'm always a sucker for a good theme. And guess what you guys, it was delicious!

I'm basically ready to compete on Top Chef (if that means I get to supervise over my glass of wine and get tasked with cutting things - sharp knives are a big deal!)

Here's to the rest of the week going swimmingly!

Birthday shenanigans - what's up purple cake and purple ice cream

Squash Pizza - acorn squash, apples, peas, mushrooms, caramelized onions, cheddar and mozz cheese
YUMMM

Our masterpiece!

I don't want to brag but...

...I'm basically James Bond now.

This week I reached another level of badass when we ventured an hour south of the city for a beginners class at a firearms school. That's right people, this girl was taught firearm safety and then was handed 100 rounds and two targets to see how I did with it. (I was just as surprised as you that this happened)

And ya know what? I wasn't too shabby!

For the first 5 minutes I was terrified and a bit jumpy and I was embarassed by my hands shaking while my former marine instructor was trying to help me but once you get the hang of it it's AMAZING.

Now let me say that I'm a huge supporter of gun control but I like the idea of going in to learn gun safety and then being in a controlled environment to try it out and it really relieves some stress! I don't see myself going weekly now but I'd definitely go and do it again.

And on Tuesdays they have ladies night my friends so if you're looking for a fun outing I'd highly recommend it...just saying.

Check out those bullseyes. I'm basically a super spy.

Now off to a weekend of more typical Michelle activities like bridal shower decoration shopping and baby cousin birthday party-ing.

Weekend Recap

Rabbit Rabbit

Rabbit Rabbit! Happy October everyone!!

This weekend was one of my beloved three day weekends and I wasn't going to let the incessant rain stand in my way. As you can probably tell from the pictures, the weekend was mostly food themed (as are most of my activities) and I couldn't be happier about it.

Other than the little snag of Oktoberfest being postponed a week -womp womp- because I seemed to be the only one interested in eating and drinking outside in the rain I fit it in lots of other fall goodness.

On the agenda:

• Discovering the best brunch place ever
• Fluffernutters!! Union Square hosted their annual "What the Fluff Fest" (Somerville invented Fluff - you're welcome America)
• Introduced the fam to my favorite Tapas place
• Had anxiety attacks over the Patriots
• Cooked a feast all day with my Mama Dukes (roast chicken and homemade apple pie are what dreams are made of)

Now I think I need to reacquaint myself with the gym put on gym clothes and get distracted by TLC this week to work off all the food goodness.



It's Arts and Crafts Time Time!

So....this happened.

Ok, it may not look too bad there but by midnight I was quickly losing interest in my assembly line.

One of my best friends in the world is getting married this spring and as co-Maid of Honor (yea, there are two of us...there could be a power struggle) the responsibilites are really starting to get going. I'm currently in the midst of bridal shower planning and while I like to think I'm an arts and crafts goddess it usually turns into a bigger project than I anticipated.

A few weeks ago I thought to myself..."I need a good project to keep me busy, how about I make the invitations and then stuff them and mail them all out??" Well gosh darn it, what a great idea Michelle!

And it was a great idea until the envelope stuffing portion began at 10 PM... Is there a catering tasting portion I can participate in instead? (Though the invitations themselves came out faaannntastic if I do say so myself - I'm basically an Adobe Illustrator genius) Three hours later I was cursing the label and envelope glue inventors of the world but my masterpieces were finally finished!

I really can't wait for her shower though, to envy her three new toasters watch her open all her presents and play silly games the internet told me are perfect for these things. But mostly I'm just excited for her wedding already!

It's rally cap time!

I know what you're thinking... "Cool, you went to Fenway again. Booorrrriiinnnggg". I get it. But what can I say, the Red Sox are my first love ever since I started watching games with my dad when I was but a wee little girl.

Also, when a friend calls you with free tickets cus they're handing them out like candy right now you say yes. (Although there was the catch of taking her bosses German exchange student to get the tickets - good thing I'm a weirdo who's obsessed with Germany and did an exchange there in high school huh?)

Free activities are my favorite! Especially when free activities include a fall night at a ball park, beer, hot dogs, and quality time with my darling friend.

BONUS: William Shatner and Brian Evans were there to film a music video that included Steven Seagal...I mean is that not the best combo of people ever or what??

Good news though! Today's the last home game of the season so this is my last Fenway posting till next spring...womp womp. What are other good fall activities?



The 2004 Championship team was there!




Dinner of Champions - did I buy french fries just because they came in a cool plastic hat? Yes.
Did I forget the hat at the stadium? Maybe...




My peach Nora and me




Rally Karaoke Guy Kevin Millar was there to help in the 9th - too bad we still lost...



Apples Apples Everywhere!

This past Saturday marked the official first day of fall. While I'm sad to see my beach days behind me I was excited to kick the season off in good ole New England fashion...apple picking!!

Though I was sweating to death in my apple picking appropriate mid 70s inappropriate boots and sweater (weather.com is for the weak) ensemble I had a wonderful Saturday afternoon with some of my all time favorite people. We climbed ladders to get the best apples up top, bought way too many apple cider donuts, and viewed the petting zoo from afar to avoid the screaming children strung out on caramel apples.

Basically this weekend was New England fall perfection. Can't wait for pumpkin picking time so I can pretend I'm going to carve it and then leave it on the counter for a couple of weeks to admire it from a knife-free distance.



She's basically a seasoned vet - look at that form



Honey Pot Hill Orchard - Stow, MA



Getting the best Macs up top, Brooke knows what's up



Mmmm delicious - what should I bake with all my goods?