#Throwbackthursday and Golden Gifts to Give

Happy #throwbackthursday! In honor of this weekly social media event, here’s an awkward photo of me as a child holding a chicken with one of my besties, Jessica (we’re still tight even now!)

 

Now for something that you can’t laugh hysterically at- gift giving. For the chic ladies in your life (or even yourself), I’ve found 7 gifts that are golden and worthy of giving. I don’t mean to drop Christmas on you right now but let’s face it, it’s coming fast! Starbucks has their seasonal menu and signature red cups in stock, the stores are literally decking the halls, commercials mention their great sales for the holidays, and Hallmark is now playing their Christmas movies again. So yes, the season of madness and magic has begun.

1. ‘Hello Sunshine’ Ashley Brooke Designs mug- $23
2. Gold mosaic vase at Pier 1 Imports– $49
3. Miss Dior Eau de Parfum at Sephora– $70
4. ‘Return to Tiffany & Co’ 18k gold earrings (cheaper bought in silver) at Tiffany’s– $550
5. Paint Brush Thank You Cards at Kate Spade– $20
6. Mariposa Swirled Champagne Flute at Barney’s Warehouse– $35
7. Pave Watch at Kate Spade– $225

I realize that some of this is quite expensive but it was so pretty I couldn’t help but include it! In the past though, I have found some of the best, unique gifts at TJ Maxx or Marshall’s. I don’t mind shopping at the mall and finding gifts there as well but I’m a college student, paying full price isn’t my favorite thing to do.

Hopefully, this gave you all some ideas for the Christmas season! Feel free to pin this image to use later or to share with your followers!

3 Things I did for Halloween (and what scared the pants off me)

Happy November 1st! Hope your Halloween was fun and rain free. I woke up this morning and its pouring rain and everything is gloomy outside. I hate depressing days like this. Luckily I have enough to keep me busy that it really won’t matter how wet it is outside.

In true November 1st fashion, I believe its about that time of the year when stores go into Christmas mode and put panic in the eyes of parents all over. Before popping in my Michael Buble Christmas CD, I’ll recap my Halloween for you all while drinking my PSL (pumpkin spice latte).

Pumpkin Cookies

My mom made soft, warm pumpkin cookies! They have a thick, caramel glaze drizzled on top that hardens after a few hours. Here’s the recipe:

• 2 cups shortening
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 cups canned pumpkin
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups all purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 8 tablespoons milk
• 2 cups confectioners sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup packed brown sugar

Directions:

1. Cream shortening, white sugar, and pumpkin. Add eggs and mix well. Sift together the baking soda, ground cinnamon, salt, and flour. Add to pumpkin mixture and mix well.

2. Drop from spoon to cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

3. To make frosting: Cook butter, milk, and brown sugar until dissolved. Cool and add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. SPread over warm cookies.

These cookies are my favorite Pinterest find to date. They are so tasty!

Mom also got a cake from the local bakery for us to dig into to. The inside was chocolate cake with a chocolate mousse filling. The outside was a hard chocolate shell with whipped icing detailing the kitty’s face. It was so rich! I could only eat a small slice. For almost every holiday my mom gets a cake or cupcakes to celebrate. My grandma did the same thing when my mom was a kid. Keeping these traditions alive is an important part of life.

Last but not least, my sister had her best friend sleep over. We ended up watching a ghost hunters type show. It scared the pants off of us. The hunters went to ancient haunted castles in Ireland. Several of these castles had druid and pagan rituals performed in them. The ghost hunters were trying to communicate with any evil spirits that still lurked in the castle. Needless to say they made contact and it scared the living tar out of them. One even claimed that something with sharp nails grabbed his ear! The man was actually crying. Upon entering a new castle another ghost hunter asked a spirit what touched the other man in the first castle. An audible voice said “Satan.” At that point my sister, her friend and I screamed and the ghost hunter proceeded to cry and then throw up. Freaky stuff! Enjoy the photo of us and be sure to tell me how your Halloween was!