Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes

Hey Y'all! 
When we get close to the holidays, I absolutely love to bake. Something about warm cookies in the cold weather puts an instant smile on my face! I have celiac disease, so these recipes are modified to fit a gluten free diet, but feel free to use regular flour if necessary! 
I hope you enjoy! 

Snowball Cookies


Ingredients:
              1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, lightly softened
              5 tablespoons granulated sugar
              2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
              1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
              2 cups all-purpose Red Mill Gluten-Free flour
              2 cups finely chopped walnuts (Optional)
              1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar for dusting 


Prep:
1. Cream together butter and sugar, beat in the vanilla and salt
2, Gradually add gluten free flour; beating after each addition
3. Stir in the nuts; mix until fully incorporated (optional)
4. Divide dough in half and refrigerate in plastic wrap for approximately 45 minutes
5. Arrange oven rack in middle of oven and preheat to 350ºF. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. Place confectioners’ sugar in a small bowl; set aside
6, Measure dough using a small, 1-inch spring-loaded scoop making sure each scoopful is level
7. Roll dough between palms of hands to achieve a small rounded ball
8. Place dough balls 1½ inches apart on prepared baking sheets
9. Bake in preheated oven until the cookies are just beginning to brown, about 12 to 14 minutes. The underside of the cookies should be only lightly browned
10. Cool cookies on baking sheets on wire racks for approximately 2 minutes
11. While cookies are still warm, gently roll them in the confectioners’ sugar. Place the sugar-coated cookies on wire racks to cool completely. 
12. Roll cookies once again in the confectioners’ sugar.




Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies


Ingredients:


                1/2 cup Butter
                1/2 cup Peanut Butter
                1/2 cup Sugar
                1/2 cup Brown Sugar
                1 tsp Vanilla
                1 Egg
                1 1/3 cup Gluten-Free Flour
                1 tsp Baking Soda
                1/2 tsp Salt
                24 Hershey Kisses (unwrapped)

Prep:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Cream together peanut butter, butter, sugar and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Add egg and vanilla and beat until smooth.
4. Whisk together flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.
5. Slowly add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, beating until incorporated.
6. Roll into 1″ balls and place on cookie sheet several inches apart.
7. Gently make an indentation in the center of each cookie.
8. Bake 12-14 minutes.
9. Place a Hershey Kiss in the center of each cookie.



Monster Cookies


Ingredients: 
                     1/2 cup softened butter, margarine or coconut oil
                       1 cup packed brown sugar
                         1 cup sugar
                           1 1/2 cups peanut butter (I prefer using creamy, but you can use crunchy)
                             3 eggs
                               2 tsp. baking soda
                                 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
                                   4 1/2 cups gluten-free rolled oats or instant oats
                                     1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
                                       1 cup plain M&M's
                      Prep: 
                      1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
                      2. In a bowl, cream together butter, sugars, peanut butter and eggs until light.
                      3. Add baking soda, vanilla extract, and gluten-free oats and mix on low speed until well mixed.
                      4. Stir in chocolate chips and plain M&M's.
                      5. Use a large cookie scoop to scoop rounded balls of dough and place on lined cookie sheets, leaving space between them for them to spread. I only do 12 per cookie sheet, less if using a smaller sized sheet.
                      6. Bake at 350° for 10-15 or until they don't look gooey in the center. These are better slightly under-cooked than overcooked.
                      7. Remove from oven and leave on the cookie sheet for a couple of minutes before moving cookies to wire racks to cool.

                      Friday, December 9, 2016

                      Holiday Gift Guide for Moms

                      Welcome Back!
                      I'm here to hit ya with some snazzy gift ideas for mom! I know with my mom especially, it's sometimes hard to figure out a great gift that doesn't break the bank, and isn't too generic like a necklace with a heart pendant, or a cookbook.

                      So here we go!

                      1. FitBit
                          It can be so hard for moms to get out and get movin', but having a FitBit tracker can really work wonders! Hey if it got my butt off the couch, it can help anyone! These can be used to track your steps, to track you sleep, to log your water, and to monitor your activity levels. Plus they come in a ton of fun colors!

                      2. Outlander DVD Set
                          All moms love this show. I don't get it. It's about time travelers in Scotland, the leading man is heckin' sexy. So get your mom a box of chocolate and this box set so she can transport herself to the land of kilts and swords. 

                      3. Facial Gift Set
                          Let Mom pamper herself for once! Sephora has a ton of different gift sets with fancy face masks and serums available in a variety of price ranges which is awesome! Check out this one from Boscia- only $39 for $75 worth of products! 
                      4, So here's the deal with Slow Cookers- they're genius. You put all the ingredients in one pot and then leave it there for like 8 hours. Suddenly you have MAGIC when it's time for dinner! These are a lifesaver for busy moms, and families in general because you can make a large portion. 

                      5. Smart Phone Gloves
                          Because now mom can poke at her phone and text with her index finger even when it's snowing.


                       6. Fancy Sunglasses
                          Because mom deserves more than the Target clearance section, try some designer shades this holiday season. They might be a bit on the pricey side, but hey she squeezed you out the day you were born, she probably deserves it. This super cute pair from Warby Parker are under $100!

                      7. Netflix Giftcard
                          Let mom have an hour an a half to herself to sit and cry watching Love Actually for the third time!! She deserves it!!!
                      8. Silk Pillowcase
                          This is a perfect example of a gift that mom really needs, but would never buy herself. Silk pillowcases are great for your skin and hair. They're breathable, and they don't get hot and sweaty like normal pillowcases do! Every time she lays down it will feel like she's at a fancy hotel

                      9. Heated Blowout Brush
                          This is a killer multipurpose tool and perfect for moms on the go! They can give their hair a slight curl and great lift without having to use 4 different tools and 10 different products. This one from Amika works WONDERS!

                      10. Fancy Champagne
                          Who doesn't love alcohol for Christmas?


                      So who will we conquer next week? You'll have to come back to find out!
                      xoxo, Courtney

                      Thursday, December 1, 2016

                      Holiday Gift Guide for Dads

                      Happy December Pals!
                      25 Days until Christmas!! To kick off the holiday season, I thought I would help inspire y'all with some Gift Guides! Today we're tackling Dads. They are the hardest to buy for! What the heck do you buy the man who supports you even when your crazy, eats Chipotle even when he's not in the mood, and is the butt of all your family jokes?? Well here are some ideas for the hero in New Balance sneakers in your life.

                      1. 'The Art of Fixing Things'
                              Now you can sleep soundly every time you hear dad say 'I can totally fix this'. This awesome book covers how to fix cars and appliances, and also helps with minor home improvements! You can get it right on amazon. (Plus it's available on Prime!!)


                      2. 'The John Lennon Letters'
                              Perfect for any Beatles loving dad, this book is filled with many of Lennon's letters that have never before been released! Filled with over three hundred poems, postcards and personal correspondences. Available on Amazon, and it qualifies for Prime shipping-- another win!!


                      3. A Snack of the Month membership from The Popcorn Factory
                             This company has so many flavors of popcorn its CRAZY!!! Prices range from $10-20 per month, and have free ground shipping! It's the gift that keeps on giving!


                      4. Cards Against Humanity
                           A personal fave of my own fathers, this game is sure to make you overwhelmingly uncomfortable. It's hilarious, and watching your dad try and figure out what some of the cards mean is worth every cent spent.


                      5. Nose Hair Trimmer
                          Let's just do everyone a favor amiright?


                      6. Personalized Cooler Chair
                           Great for all the dads who sit through our school sporting events, or those who scream with the best of them at all the big league games! It has a ton of pockets and you can even get it embroidered with his nickname or with a classic- 'Dad'. You can get it on Zazzle!


                      7. Bluetooth Key Tracker
                            He can never lose his keys again!! A miracle! We'll never get blamed for him leaving his keys in the bathroom ever again!


                      8. Fancy Shaving Kit
                          Give him a reason to feel a little fancy this holiday season. He'll walk around like the big man on campus for days!!


                      9. A Tablet/iPad
                            It's definitely a pricier option, but dads love fun toys! These will keep him busy for hours whether he uses it for work or play. He can download all his favorite books, and can watch all the TV shows and movies he wants.. even the ones no one else wants to watch with him because they're creepy or so boring they'll put you to sleep.


                      10. Fashionable Sneakers
                            No more white New Balances!! BURN THEM ALL. Get dad ridin' into 2017 in style with some Nikes!



                      Let me know if you'd like to see more gift guides like this, or any other holiday themed posts!
                      xoxo

                      Thursday, November 10, 2016

                      My Favorite Boots for Fall

                      1. Dirty Laundry Reckless Rain Boot
                      $59.95, DSW 

                      ______________________________________________________________________________

                      2. Buckle Cutout Booties
                      $34.95, Forever 21

                      ______________________________________________________________________________

                      3. Matte Chelsea Rain Boots (Dark Burgundy)
                      $65, J.Crew

                      ______________________________________________________________________________

                      4. Dasher Lillie Bootie (Khaki)
                      $110, Sperry 


                      ______________________________________________________________________________

                      5. Squad (Grey)
                      $109.95, Steve Madden

                      ______________________________________________________________________________

                      6. Franco Sarto Cleveland Riding Boot
                      $79.94, DSW

                      ______________________________________________________________________________

                      7. Jessica Simpson Tilroy Sandal
                      $69.95, Macy's 

                      ______________________________________________________________________________

                      8. AK Anne Klein Langstyn Bootie
                      $109.95, Lord & Taylor

                      ______________________________________________________________________________

                      9. Alara Boot
                      $199.95, Steve Madden

                      ______________________________________________________________________________

                      10. Becket Boot
                      $159.99, Ugg Australia

                      Sunday, September 25, 2016

                      Celebrating Crisp Air in NYC

                             Today was the day we've all been waiting for since mid August. The day when the heat breaks, the leaves begin to fall, and the air smells like pumpkins are on their way. The most wonderful time of the year. While it was about 70 degrees here in NYC, I decided to incorporate some classic fall pieces and lots of layering for when it got warmer throughout the day!












                      Below are the links to the items themselves or something similar!
                      Skirt: JCrew // Button Down: Target // Jacket: Old Navy // Sneakers: Vans // Watch: Michael Kors // Earrings: Francescas //

                      Monday, September 5, 2016

                      First Day of School OOTD

                      Well Hello friends and pals!
                      It's been quite a while hasn't it?
                      Well my senior year (*gags*) has just begun and I thought I'd share my Last First Day of School outfit with y'all! All the details will be at the bottom!
                      xxox







                      High-Waisted Shorts (Gap) Linen top (Marshalls) Espadrilles (Forever 21) Bracelets (Alex & Ani) Sunglasses (Target)

                      Thursday, June 23, 2016

                      Ways to Make Money this Summer

                      Hey Pals!
                      The key to a perfect summer job, is that it shouldn't feel like a job. It shouldn't be too much work, you shouldn't feel like you've missed out on everything fun, and most of all you should be able to make insane amounts of money. 
                      Does this job really exist? Probably not. 
                      So, here are some ideas to help you raise some funds while still enjoying your summer! 

                      1. Be a cleaning assistant for the people in your neighborhood. 
                      Now you may be thinking 'I don't even want to clean my own room so no...' But hear me out! Helping your elderly neighbor by doing a few chores once a week at their home= only a few hours of work per week being paid off the books. meaning no taxes! It's really easy, and old people like to feed their guests so who knows, maybe you'll get a free sandwich out of it too! 

                      2. Sell some unwanted clothes and accessories.
                      Poshmark is an amazing app that I am constantly using. It is kind of like ebay, but specifically for your clothes. You take a few pictures and list whatever it is you don't wear anymore, then you can set a price, and off it goes! Poshmark is awesome because they only take a 20% comission, so you're left with a nice chunk of cash! Once you've made a sale you can either direct deposit your earnings, or keep them in your account so that you can find something new and amazing right there on the app! I've been using the app for about a year and I am so so thrilled with how they run their business. 

                      3. Be a Camp Counselor
                      This is kind of only an option for people who really like working with kids, but if you can do it, I can't think of a better way to spend your summer. Most local schools, town rec programs, even churches host some kind of camp program throughout the summer. It's a great way to get outside and stay active, and most parents are really great about tipping the counselors who take care of their children. Another plus side: most camps don't run on weekends, or during the evenings, so you have a ton of time to still hang out with your friends or go to the beach! 

                      4. Be a Dog Walker
                      Who wouldn't want this job? Who wouldn't want to be covered in puppies for a few hours a week?.. I feel like this a job sent from above. And with apps like WAG coming out making it easier for you to find clients, the possibilities are endless! Who doesn't love new doggie friends?! 

                      So maybe these don't sound like the perfect job for you, but hopefully they have given you some inspiration! There are so many opportunities out there, you just have to make sure you don't give up on the search! 

                      Thursday, May 26, 2016

                      My Websters Pages Planner

                      Hey Pals!

                      OH how I love a brand new planner. Oh it just makes me so happy. Don't you just get giddy filling in your new planner, or is that just me?..


                      So when I found this walnut colored, 6 ring planner on acherryontop.com for only $24.99 I couldn't stop myself from purchasing it.
                      It arrived in the original Websters Pages packaging, and I am thrilled with this planner. The only thing I could possibly complain about is the strength of the rings, but honestly I don't stuff my planner enough to be worried about it. But the colors are great, the pockets are perfectly functional, and it's the exact right size for me and my life.

                      I actually made my own dividers from scrapbook paper I found at Michael's. I laminated them with the Scotch self-seal laminating pouches, and I have to say I'm really disappointed. As soon as I cut the dividers out, the laminating came apart, I had to put scotch tape around them to seal them off...not really doin their job!! Maybe you guys could help, am I doing it wrong? It's honestly quite possible.. Well, regardless they're still cute, I'll live.

                      I purchased my inserts from The Paper Starfish on Etsy, (I'll link them below!) and I'm really thrilled with them. The paper quality is great, and the printing is picture perfect. I am so excited to fill everything out! I only have weekly and monthly inserts right now, hopefully I'll be able to purchase some more as I get used to the 6 ring design. Essentially, I would like a 'well-being/health' section, a finance section, and then probably a section for odds and ends. Does anyone out there have suggestions? Besides your calendar itself, what else do you keep in your planner?



                      I'll keep you posted in a month or so as I've filled everything in, and really gotten into the groove of things!
                      xoxo, Courtney Bridget



                      Inserts: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThePaperStarfish
                      Planner: They don't have the exact same planner in the personal size anymore, but here it is in the natural color!
                      http://www.acherryontop.com/shop/search/websters%2Bpages%2Bplanner/sort/relevance/315224