Weekend Roundup: Recipes + Trees

It was a tough weekend for OSU fans. We woke up Friday morning with the news that our women's head and assistant basketball coaches were killed in a plane crash while recruiting and then our national championship football game dreams were crushed that night with a loss to ISU. Though losing the game seemed marginal at that point, it was still a little salt in the wound. I must admit, as horrible as the tragedy is, it has been amazing to see the OSU family come together and I am proud to say I am part of that family.

On a lighter note, the weather cooled off considerable Sunday so it was time for stew, hot chocolate and christmas trees!

We started off with this deeelish chicken stew with butternut squash and quinoa. You must try it!



We then moved on to homemade Italian style hot chocolate. I must say that I am not really even a fan of hot chocolate but this is the real deal. With a little whipped cream and caramel on top.. oh my! I will never have a glass of Swiss Miss again! (It's easy, too!)



While we were sipping our hot chocolate, we put on some christmas tunes and put our trees up! I am not quite decorating them yet, so that reveal will come a little later on. I am having trouble finding a tree skirt I like. Any suggestions?





Does anyone else have their trees up yet? I am finally getting into the mood for the holidays!

The It List!

Happy Friday everyone! Here is a little light reading for the weekend...See you Monday!



The IT list returns!  Are you excited!?!? I am!Plus, it's Friday... yay for the weekend...

• suze wears clothes is crushing on this gorgeous faux fur vest (so am I) see how she styles it up three ways... my favorite is with this cute skirt for the holidays! (find suze wears clothes on twitter!)


• gs lillian is decking her halls in silver and gold for the holidays... see her gorgeous holiday picks from Target! I'll take a few of each, they are so pretty! (find gs lillian on twitter!)


• the posh blog has tips and tricks for a simple and fabulous holiday... I love her advice to 'plan ahead, stick with what you know and keep it simple'.  See how she does it! (find the posh blog on twitter!)


• capital barbie answers a readers question about shoe-wear for winter.  How to keep warm and 'cool'? Check out her picks! (find capital barbie on twitter!)


• the stylish housewife serves up the honest-to-goodness best holiday manicure ever. I'm all over this... a gorgeous deep red with gold sparkles. Done and done! (find the stylish housewife on twitter!)


• one hundred inspirations features two of my favorite pieces for winter... sequins and ankle boots.  As worn by the fabulous Selena Gomez.  Check out how to get the look for less!


• second street east shows us a super easy way to dress up a simple lamp shade. Seriously, this is so easy and looks great! (find second street east on twitter!)


• sweetie pie style features three stylish ways to set your Thanksgiving table.  My favorite? This Cali-chic look that includes a bold and gorgeous table cloth.  Be sure to check out all her looks! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)


• rebecca with an r shows off one of my favorite looks for winter.  Colorful pants!  Don't put those beauties away for the winter... check out how she styles them! (find rebecca with an r on twitter!)


• good life for less released her super-fab seasonal looks:book!  Check it out for winter style must-haves, entertaining tips and more all in one place! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by jill of good life for less, for info on how you can be involved, click here!

This is about to happen at my house...

Holiday Gift Guide: Beauty

Seeing that Thanksgiving is next week, we should all probably start thinking about our Christmas Shopping. For those crazy people out there who are already finished, I have no words. I thought it would be fun to round up a few of my favorite products to share with you guys in case you are having trouble finding that perfect something!

First up? Beauty products. What girl doesn't love getting new beauty products? Sephora is literally a danger-zone for me. I personally have all of these products and love every last one of them! I am sure that special someone on your list would as well!



1. Clarisonic Mia: $119
This product has saved my face. I am not sure why I never grew out of the whole "bad skin" phase, but here I am. This will leave your skin feeling silky smooth and pores looking smaller. Perfect for the teen on your list! (Or really anyone!)

2. Birch Box Subscription: $10/month
This is such a fun idea and would be really great as a gift. Think about it. Wouldn't you like to receive deluxe beauty samples every month in the mail? Something other than bills?! Yes, please!

3. Bumble and Bumble Tonic Spray: $19
This is perfect for the for the friend with luscious locks or as a stocking stuffer. It is a detangler and balances the pH of your hair after washing. (Some line my hair dresser fed me... but it works!)

4. Glo Whitening System: $275
Now I know this might sound a little pricey, but this is for real. At home whitening with NO SENSITIVITY that works. I was a little skeptical at first, but not once bit of sensitivity. Someone would love you forever if you gave this to them. Seriously.

5. Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain: $8.99
This is the perfect stocking stuffer for the Twilight fan! Just Bitten? And you will never guess what my favorite color is? Dawn (as in Breaking Dawn.. hello!) On a more serious note, I literally use this every day and would LOVE to get more in my stocking!

6. Poetic Waxing Kit: $45
Have you ever used an at-home waxing kit? I have and it just doesn't ever quite work out. Those days have changed. This stuff is ah-mazing. No strips and it works like a charm every time! Just make sure you give it to someone you know well. You don't want them to get the wrong idea :)

Have you started shopping yet?

Small Update: Greek Key

Who doesn't love a little Greek Key? When I was stranded at Wal-Mart I stumbled upon some Greek Key trim (who knew WM could be so stylish?!) and knew the perfect place for it!



I picked up this lamp at a thrift store a few months ago for $5 and the shade at target for $15. A little fabric glue and greek key trim later, we have this:



Subtle, but a little added sparkle!



Have you updated anything recently? Do tell!

Have you every searched "Navajo" on eBay?

It is really quite fantastic. Lately, I can't get enough of ethnic, worldly pieces and eBay (what is up with the capital B, btw??) delivers in this department.











Seriously guys. There is a lot of amazingness to be had. Check. it. out.

The Return of Red

Sure red has been playing a major role in fashion this fall but when I think of red painted walls the first thing that comes to mind is 1990s french country or that one red statement wall in the dining room that so many people did for WAY too long. Sorry if you are one of those. But lately I have seen some red walls in a fresh, exciting way. Check it out.







Go. Paint a wall red (lacquered,please!).