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9 Big Discoveries I Made This Year - That You Should Too!

Thursday, December 27, 2018




Blink and it's over...this is how I feel every time the year ends and a new one begins. In honor of the famous Instagram Top 9, I am taking some time to reflect by sharing the Top 9 discoveries I made during the year - which run the gamut from beauty & household products to travel accessories & role models.

#1 All of the Oils


I am a bit late to the game on this, but I absolutely fell in love with oils this year! In the past, I would only use oils for cooking and baking. Now, I am completely on the oil bandwagon and use them to moisturize my entire body and face, add them a relaxing bath, or diffuse them overnight.

Since I  have oily skin, I never considered putting oil anywhere near my face or body - I assumed it would turn me into a grease ball. Low and behold, the complete opposite is true - my face is significantly less oily when moisturizing with oil and my body absorbs it almost immediately, leaving no residue to be seen.

My favorites are:
- For body: Bath & Body Works Nourishing Body Oil in Vanilla & Patchouli
- For face: Colleen Rothschild Face Oil No 9 and Marie Veronique Protective Day Oil
- For baths: Natrogix Bliss Essential Oils (especially lemon & sweet orange)
- To diffuse overnight: Good Sleep Essential Oil (my diffuser is no longer for sale but here is a good one)

 #2 Reusable Food Storage


I bought some reusable grocery & produce bags midway through 2018 and they have brought me so much happiness. Not only do I feel good about reducing waste, but the grocery bags fit way more than the standard plastic ones which means way less trips from the car to the house (and I'd rather die than go back to my car for a 2nd trip).

I also picked up some reusable food storage baggies (think Zip-Lock) and beeswax wrap (which replace plastic wrap). These are both super easy to use and clean, are eco-friendly, and will save you $$!


#3 Sustainable Shopping


I am loving shopping for natural household products from The Grove Collaborative and new/like-new clothing from online consignment shop ThredUp (use the link for a $10 coupon).

Some of my favorite finds from The Grove are the Probiotic Air + Fabric Refresh, Cutting Board Oil (which I use to clean my stainless steel fridge!), Walnut Scrubber Sponges, Fabric Softener in Ginger Mango, and Oxygen Whitener. When I head to ThredUp I usually filter for my sizes and new with tags / like-new and go to town. Some of my favorite finds are a brand new green Lily Pulitzer sweater I scored for $21 and and new with tags Brooks Brothers skirt for $33!


#4 Helpful Kitchen Gadgets


I love finding new ways to cook meals during the week in as little time as possible (without compromising on taste). I cannot get over how quickly my air fryer cooks frozen veggies and meats (my favorite is skin-on chicken thighs). It makes cooking feel like a magic trick.

The same sentiment applies to my instant pot. Mine has a ton of functions but thus far I have only used it to pressure cook meats. The food won't have the same crisp achieved by an air fryer, but it is consistently juicy and done in no time!


#5 Powerhouse Ladies


For me, 2018 was the year of finding some amazing role models...on the Internet (that are completely strangers to me, of course). I stumbled upon Jenna Kutcher through her Goaldigger podcast and now love to follow her on Instagram and via her website for tons of tips on business and life.

I had not been familiar with Rachel Hollis until I picked up her latest book Girl, Wash Your Face a few months ago. She has a great lifestyle blog, super inspirational Instagram page and hosts TWO podcasts - one alone (Rise) and one with her husband (Rise Together).

#6 Smart Home Savvy


I cannot take any credit for beginning the upgrade of our house to a "smart home" (that all belongs to my husband) but I sure love to reap the benefits! Using these gadgets I can control much of our lighting (on/off, brightness & bulb color), change the thermostat, check our security cameras, speak to someone at our front door, lock/unlock the door, open/close the garage, and (during the holidays) turn on the Christmas lights...all on my phone! It. Is. The. Best. These products can be pricey so we purchased everything in increments (generally when on sale) or received as gifts.

#7 Traveling Smart


I upgraded some of my in-flight travel gear this year and I am super satisfied with it. Firstly, I will never fly without wearing compression socks ever again (bye bye restless legs). I will also never set foot on a plane without my neck pillow - regardless of how quick the flight is. The one I have folds up into a little pouch that easily hooks onto my bag so I never leave it behind.

I am also completely obsessed with my new carry-on which is a handy tote made by Lo & Sons. I love that it has both hand and shoulder straps and a zippered pocket that allows the tote to be secured to the handle of a suitcase. I also love that the bottom of the tote can be sectioned off from the rest of the bag and used for shoes - or anything that should be kept separate from the contents of the tote. I actively use the keyring that is attached to the bag so that I am not digging around to find my keys when I (sadly) arrive home from a trip.

#8 Gut Health


I am by no means an expert on the subject, but throughout the year I became intrigued by the important of gut health and spent a good bit of time researching it. I introduced two habits into my life this year to improve the health of my gut - a multi-collagen protein powder that I add to my coffee each morning (topped off with an almond milk creamer) and a probiotic supplement that I take daily. Both have improved my digestion significantly and as a bonus - the collagen powder has made my nails and hair noticeably stronger.

#9 Old School Organization


I love to organize my life - in lists and spreadsheet and calendars, you name it. I have tried to do this completely on my phone but this year I decided to revert back to a physical planner and I am really loving how this works for me. There is just nothing like the feeling of crossing a to-do item off my list. The planner I use is no longer for sale but this one looks very similar.


I hope everyone learned something new about themselves and the world this year and is ready for an even better year to come!



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Your Complete Guide to Hosting An Amazing Holiday Dinner (with Menu & Timeline!)

Monday, December 17, 2018



I cannot believe Christmas is only 1 week away! Keeping with the spirit of the season, today I am sharing my Christmas Eve menu along with the recipes I will be following, my complete grocery list, and a timeline guide that allows me to get everything in order without punching myself in the face!

Last year my husband & I started a new tradition of hosting Christmas Eve at our new home and I loved every second of it. Entertaining can either be super fun & rewarding or unbelievably annoying & stressful - I find that it is a little bit of both. For me, staying hyper-organized is the only way entertaining is remotely possible.

Before I go into the details, here is a high level overview of how I get this thing going:

  1. A month or so out, I will figure out a rough idea of the guest list (# of people and what types of things I know they will be willing to eat) and timing. This step seems obvious but is very important in determining a high level plan of what food I will need. For example, if I am hosting from 3 - 9 PM I will plan to have multiple appetizers and drinks, a full meal, and a few dessert options. If only hosting from 5 - 8 PM I would have a light appetizer, full meal and maybe one dessert served immediately following.
  2. Armed with the above information, I will fill in how many options I will need for each category: drinks (with & without alcohol), appetizers, entree & side dishes, and desserts.  Next to each item (e.g. appetizer #1) I will note down the number of servings I will need based on guest count.
  3. Next up - food! If I already have some things in mind, I will fill those in first. Then I get to hunting for recipes to fill in the gaps. I will scour Pinterest, cookbooks, the NY Times cooking website, Instagram and food blogs (Host the Toast and Skinnytaste are my favs) to compile a list of contenders that meet my criteria which generally include:
    • Easy to make in large batches
    • Ingredient list is reasonable in length & price
    • Potential to make ahead of time
  4. Once I have a robust list of food options, I will whittle it down to a final menu based on what dishes will compliment one another (so I don't end up with 5 dips and 3 potato side dishes).
  5. I keep all of this in a spreadsheet (because I'm an accountant!) where next to each menu item I will note a timeline for completion. For example, next to dinner rolls I would add make & freeze the dough at least a week ahead of the event, thaw for the night before and bake on the day of. In a separate section of the spreadsheet I make an aggregated grocery list where I jot down the recipe, section of the the store the item can be found, item name, and quantity. Once I am all done with my list, it is easy to summarize this table by item to simplify my list.
Now that I have drowned you in logistics, here is my full Christmas Eve menu for 2018! Each item is linked to the recipe I plan to follow. 

Drinks & Starters


Charcuterie platter loaded up with:
- Meats: prosciutto, soppresatta, capicola
- Cheeses: Gouda, caciocavallo or Parmesan, marinated bocconcini

Entree & Side Dishes



Rib eye steak (for the seafood haters)


Dessert




Here is my grocery list to make EVERYTHING I listed above:



And here is the timeline I will follow to get it all done. Good luck and happy hosting!



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Procrastinator's Holiday Gift Guide

Monday, December 10, 2018




I love to procrastinate - especially around the holidays. No matter how early I start Christmas shopping there is always at least 1 gift I am looking for days before Christmas. If you are guilty of last minute shopping - this holiday gift guide is for you. I have carefully put together a wide ranging list of items that meet two important criteria - they are all (as of the date of the this post) available on Amazon with Prime shipping and are rated at least 4/5 stars by customers. AND many of the items on the list (noted throughout) are things that I currently own, use often & love!

If you are a member of Amazon Prime, this means that all of these items will ship to you free within 2 business days! If you do NOT have Prime, Amazon is still offering free shipping on Prime items during the holidays. When you check out you can either select free two-day shipping with a trial of Amazon Prime or free shipping (takes 5-8 business days). Keep in mind that if you sign up for the free Prime trial, you will be automatically enrolled in a paid membership at the end of the trial period. To end your membership before you are charged, you can head here.

Without further ado, I give you the procrastinator's holiday gift guide! Items are organized by theme (e.g. tech) - all of which have a budget ($10 - $25 range), moderate ($40 - $100 range) and splurge ($100 & up) option. At the bottom there is also a BONUS stocking stuffers guide with 10 items under $10!

Bits & Bobs

The catch-all category of trinkets & gadgets



Aluminum Wallet ($21)

This slim & sleek wallet is unisex and comes in multiple colors. I love that it is RFID blocking to protect against credit card theft and is lightweight. This is a perfect gift for anyone on your list! 



Portable Charger ($40) **Owned & loved**

This portable charger will refuel your phone up to SEVEN times! And I love that it has two USB ports so you & a pal can recharge at the same time. 




AeroGarden Ultra w/ Seed Pod ($234)

Perfect for a splurge gift, this indoor LED garden will provide fresh herbs all year round. This kit comes with seeds for Genovese Basil, Thai Basil, Thyme, Mint, Curly Parsley, Chives and Dill. I love that it is interactive and reminds you when to water and add nutrients - it's foolproof!


Hostess With the Mostess

Gifts for anyone who like to throw a shindig, including those who are hosting you this holiday season. 
Menus: A Book for Your Meals and Memories ($15)

One of Oprah's Favorite Things for 2018, this book is filled with beautiful blank pages where those who love to entertain can document what they served and to whom they served it. I think this is such a fun way to remember the gatherings we work so hard to pull off (this one is on my personal wish list...cough cough).

Long Rectangular Serving Board ($60)

Is there anything better than walking into a party and seeing a giant platter of meats & cheeses? No, there isn't. Which is why everyone needs one of these extra large serving boards. I love the shape of this one and the hanging strap.

A casserole dish holder at this price point is definitely a splurge but imagine how spectacular this would look at on a holiday buffet! Plus the inner dish is Pyrex and can be removed and treated like any other Pyrex (bake at temperatures up to 550 and throw in the dishwasher to clean). Rustic + elegant + functional = a win in my book. 

Tech For All

I am relatively technologically challenged for someone of my generation (thankfully my husband picks up my slack in this area). These techy gifts truly can be used by almost anyone...as long as they have a phone, ears and a door.




 Wireless Charger ($17)

Compatible with most devices and available in both black and white, this wireless charger is faster than most while still looking sleek.
Bose Soundlink Micro Bluetooth Speaker ($79)

This highly rated speaker is portable, waterproof and available in black, blue and orange. The battery lasts for up to 6 hours and comes with a strap for maximum portability.



August Smart Lock ($125) **Owned & loved**

We have this hooked up to our back door and absolutely love it! The Smart Lock pops right over the existing deadbolt and provides access via an app on your phone. We have ours synced to the GPS on our phones so that when we pull into the garage the door automatically unlocks (and re-locks a chosen amount of time after you enter). This makes life so much easier when we come home and have no empty hands to unlock the door. PLUS you can send a key to friends and family to let them in whenever you need.

Cooking Up A Storm

Fun treats and gadgets for the cook on your list.




  

 This baking mat has loads of benefits - it prevents your pastries from sticking to it (no need to flour the surface over and over when rolling out cookie dough!), has guidelines for how far a pie crust should be rolled out and can withstand a massive range of temperatures (-40°F to 480°F!). Perfect for the baker in your life.





Cooking Sous vide fascinates me. You simply attach the cooker to the side of a pot filled with water, place whatever you plan to cook into the water in a sealed bag or jar and set the time and temperature. Food will be cooked to the perfect temperature every time while retaining more of its nutrients. This is a must have for the serious home cook.




The air fryer / toaster oven combo that I own is not available on Prime but this one looks awesome. I LOVE my air fryer and think everyone should have one. The other day I seasoned some bone-in chicken thighs with S&P and Old Bay, sprayed with a little olive oil and put in the air fryer for about 20 minutes. The result was unbelievably juicy, flavorful chicken cooked in SO little time and with crispy skin! This particular air fryer has allll the bells and whistles including a food dehydration function (jerky!), rotisserie for a whole chicken and a deep frying option for those cheat meals.

Cocktail Hour

These gifts are great for anyone who likes themselves a cocktail (at 5 o'clock or ANY time).

These little ice molds come in red and blue and produce perfectly sized ice for a cocktail. The shape and size of the ice prevents dilution and the molds easily stack to save space in your freezer. This would be so nice to gift with a pair of whiskey glasses or your favorite bottle of booze.


Portable Beer Dispenser ($50) **Owned and loved (by my dad)**


I bought this for my dad for father's day and he loves it! This dispenser allows you to easily turn a canned beer into a draft in no time - with foam! Plus it's super portable and easy to store.



Wine Fridge ($190) **Owned & loved**

We received this wine fridge as a wedding gift and love it! It is so nice to pop a new bottle right into the fridge and not have to worry about chilling it when drinking time comes around. Plus there is space to stand bottles upright that are open - so they do not take up room in the regular fridge. I also love the sleek design, temperature control options and light.


Wanderlust

For the savvy traveler.



Inflatable Neck Pillow ($22) **Owned & loved**

 I hook this pillow onto my carry on every time I fly. It is so easy to get in & out of the packsack and I love that you can inflate to exactly the right size (quietly!). Comes in blue, pink, grey and purple.


Fujifilm Instax ($57 for camera, $94 with value film pack)

 This fun instant camera comes in several colors and is perfect to travel with. Just pop in the film, snap (maybe using the selfie mirror!) and print!



Lightweight Carry On Suitcase ($185)

This suitcase only weights 7 lbs, has 4 multi-directional rollers and even comes with a removable laundry bag. Everything about this carry on screams convenience and durability. This is perfect for the frequent traveler that you want to treat!

BONUS: Holiday Stocking Stuffers (Under $10)


  1. Stainless steel cocktail picks
  2. Scrapper & chopper
  3. Digital luggage scale
  4. Sloth daily planner & note pad
  5. 4 pack vintage headbands
  6. Waterproof phone case
  7. Corki wine stopper
  8. Dunder Mifflin t-shirt
  9. Tequilla Mockingbird
  10. Mind Puzzle




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The Ultimate Christmas Cookies Run Down

Sunday, December 9, 2018




There are few things more important during the holidays than cookies. I love baking them. I love decorating them. I love sharing them. And above all, I love eating them. I have rounded up a list of the 7 cookies I will be making during the month of December. Four of these recipes I have made and cannot wait to repeat, the other three are new additions that I am excited to give a go (and report back on)!

Any time that I bake cookies I follow four simple baking rules:


  1. Leave the required amount of butter on the counter the night before to ensure it is thoroughly softened to room temperature
  2. Pop the completed dough in the fridge before baking (see here for all the reasons why!)
  3. Bake the cookies on a slipmat
  4. Follow the recipe measurements and directions to. the. letter.

Tried & True Favorites


Crispy Ginger Cookies by Once Upon a Chef
Perfect for: Traditionalists

I made these for the first time last year and immediately felt they were a new staple cookie for the holiday season.



5-Ingredient Nutella Almond Butter by Skinny Taste 
Perfect for: Easily intimidated

These cookies are a cinch to prepare and require so few ingredients. They are decadent but relatively healthy at about 75 calories each. I love how moist these melt in your mouth cookies are.




Eggnog Cookies by Cooking Classy
Perfect for: Those with a sweet tooth

 When I need a showstopper cookie for a holiday party, these are my go-to. The eggnog and nutmeg flavor shines through beautifully and there is something so irresistible about a cookie smothered in buttercream frosting!



Lemon Ricotta by Giada De Laurentiis
Perfect for: Fans of cake and/or citrus

I love these light, fluffy & bright cookies to offset the richness of most holiday treats. These cookies have a soft, cake-like consistency and are topped with a tangy lemon glaze.



New Kids on the Block


Mexican Chocolate by Cook's Country Magazine
Perfect for: Dessert rebels

My mom gifted me a subscription to Cook's Country magazine for my birthday this year and I am loving how full of recipes and tips it is. This recipe immediately caught my eye as both my husband & I are fans of spice.




Butter Spritz of the Sally's Cookie Addition cookbook
Perfect for: Cookie press owners

These bite size cookies will give you the chance to break out that cookie press and make all kinds of fun shapes. The best part comes at the end when you can decorate with sprinkles to your heart's content!




Brown Butter Cinnamon Crinkle Cookies by Cookies & Cups
Perfect for: Cozy cookie fans

 I have a thing for brown butter, as of late, so these really caught my eye. And every holiday cookie spread needs a crinkle cookie!



P.S. This title is an ode to the Office episode "Michael Scott Paper Company"   

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Best Way to Roast a Chicken & Transform It to Broth




I love a recipe that is easy, has a short list of ingredients and requires little prep. I REALLY love a recipe that is all of these things in addition to being budget friendly!

The Lemon-Garlic Roast Chicken recipe by Kelly LeVeque of Be Well By Kelly checks all of these boxes and is super delicious! Plus roasting a whole chicken means that the fun doesn't end with dinner...after all of the meat has been picked over you can use the carcass to make amazing chicken broth. A roast chicken really is the gift that keeps on giving (to your tummy).



When I make this recipe for my just myself & my husband, I use a 3 lb chicken. It is tricky to know how much meat you will get from a whole chicken so err on the side of a larger bird. The juice that the chicken produces is also amazing so try drizzling over some roasted or mashed potatoes as a side!

All you need to do is combine some tasty seasonings (rosemary, thyme, garlic oregano, salt or substitute Italian seasoning) with some olive oil.


Slather the seasoning mixture all over your bird, stuff with a head of garlic and 2 lemon halves, and throw some extra lemons on the sides.




 Lemon-Garlic Roast Chicken Recipe
Serves 2

 Ingredients:
1 tbsp dried rosemary
1 tbsp dried thyme
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp sea salt
1 tbsp olive oil
3 lb whole chicken
2 lemons, halved
1 garlic head, top removed (cloves should be visible)


  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F
  2. Combine the herbs and sea salt in a small bowl, add the olive oil and stir
  3. Remove the giblets from the chicken (if needed) and pat dry so that the skin can crisp up
  4. Place the chicken into a shallow roasting pan, casserole or dutch oven (here is the one I use)
  5. Rub the seasoning & olive oil mixture all over the top of the chicken, including the legs and wings
  6. Stuff 2 of the lemon halves and the head of garlic into the cavity of the chicken
  7. Place the other 2 lemon halves on the side of the chicken
  8. Place the chicken into the oven uncovered and bake for 60-75 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 170°F (I've used this instant read thermometer for last 3 years with no issues) 
  9. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before carving & serving

Once you have had your fill of the roast chicken, take a few minutes to get the carcass into a slow cooker to make some easy homemade chicken broth!



Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe
Makes approx. 7 cups
  1. Pull off any remaining meat (to eat!), discard lemon halves & head of garlic
  2. Place the chicken carcass into a slow cooker (I own this one)
  3. Fill slow cooker with water, leaving a few inches to the top
  4. Cover and cook on low for at least 10 hours (I do this overnight after eating the roast chicken for dinner)
  5. Turn off slow cooker and let it cool for awhile to prevent being burned by any splashing liquid
  6. Remove the carcass from the slow cooker
  7. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bigger pieces that fell off the carcass
  8. Place a strainer over a large bowl and carefully pour in the liquid from the slow cooker 
  9. Store the liquid however you would like - I usually keep a few cups in a Tupperware in the fridge to be used in the next couple of days and place the rest in 2 cup increments in individual zip lock baggies to be frozen. I label these by name and date with a Sharpie so I use them timely (and don't forget what they are!)
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