Cheers!

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Cheers to a good year, and a better one to come!

Cape: F21. Sweater: F21. Blouse: Banana Republic. Shoes: Rachel Zoe (similar here, here). 

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. We stayed local for Christmas with family and spent the rest of our time relaxing. It was very low key... I watched way too many Lifetime movies. I did browse some of my favorite store's sales over the weekend but didn't find anything. I opted to sleep in rather than be at Bloomingdale's when they opened... slightly regretting that since it was so picked over by the time I got there.

Scene from Christmas Eve that we spent with friends watching the best Christmas movie ever, Elf. (I need to order a monogram decal for that ice bucket. Adding that to my 2015 to-dos.)

See you next year!

Holiday Entertaining

Last night Ted and I had my parents and brother over for dinner. We had a rack of lamb, that I had no clue how to make, and needed help eating it. (There is an Asian restaurant near my building if things in the kitchen go wrong.) We don't entertain very much in our small apartment so I get really excited when I have the chance.

I was able to get the starters and sides during my lunch break and this was a surprisingly non-complicated meal to make when I got home from work.

I miss having a Christmas tree this year but see that as an opportunity to get some extra blooms. My friend Sara gave me a flower of the month subscription for my birthday. December's delivery were these gorgeous red ginger flowers from Costa Rica.

Since my trip to Charleston back in the spring with my mom I have been obsessed with pimento cheese. I was beyond excited when I found this at Whole Foods... let me tell you it is GOOD! There is also a hot version that I will have to try.

If you live in New York/Connecticut and have access to Fairway you know how great their cheese selection is. My family loves the Yancey's Fancy Steakhouse Onion Cheddar. Typically I would serve multiple cheese blocks when entertaining, but for a small gathering I stick to one tried and true and know that I won't be eating the leftovers for midnight snacks. Wish I could remember where I read that tip.

Since I had no clue how to cook lamb, I consulted the Barefoot Contessa. I watched this video from a Today Show appearance for some pointers on her rack of lamb recipe.

For sides I roasted brussels sprouts and butternut squash and made an orzo salad with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper, feta cheese and toasted pine nuts. The butternut squash was pre-cut, which helps to save time. I was able to make the orzo salad while waiting to put the lamb in the oven along with the vegetables.

I had Ted take over to make sure the meat was cooked but not overdone. That's it!

For dessert we had chocolate covered sea salt caramels from Whole Foods. They are addictive and dangerous.

(Wish I could say I cooked like this every night. You know that Asian restaurant I mentioned? We are #1 customers.)

Putting our wedding gifts to good use... here are some of the items seen above.

Essex, Connecticut

I spent yesterday afternoon in downtown Essex, Connecticut. The only time I had been to Essex before was on the way back from a wedding in Old Saybrook when I made a pit stop for the Eliza B./Leatherman Ltd. Factory Store (where Ted ended up buying a bunch of belts and I walked away empty handed). I absolutely loved this little Colonial seaport town.

We met Ted's parents for brunch at the Griswold Inn, the oldest continuously run tavern in the United States.

While Ted watched the Pats game I snapped pictures along Main Street and popped into the cute little shops. Cortland Park can't be missed. The anchors and monogram wreath pulled me right in. You can find the cashmere line on Tuckernuck.

Even though it was cold and rainy, I had to take a walk down by the water.

Essex, I will be back!

Happiest Holidays

Happy Holidays! Ted and I took this photo over the Thanksgiving holiday while we were at the Cape.

This is the second year I have created my cards with Minted. I keep all my contacts stored in my profile's address assistant and try to remember to update it throughout the year so I'm not scrambling around the holidays.  (I just added the few I needed to hand address this year.)

There is still time to make a New Year's card!

Five Favs: Black Basics

Five tried and true favorites from my closet:

Rebecca Minkoff Quilted Mini Affair

Until the day I have a Chanel bag... this fits all of the essentials for a night out.

Calypso St. Barth Cushy Cashmere Scarf

My travel scarf has turned into my everyday scarf. My office is freezing so I've been wearing it as a wrap. I wish I could have one in every color!

Madewell High Riser Skinny Skinny Cut-Edge Jeans

I was skeptical of the high rise but these have been my favorite jeans this fall. The are just ripped enough, not over the top. (I will admit that I have had to unbutton them after a big meal more than once... not used to the high waist)

Madewell is offering 30% off $200 or 20% off $100 with code GOFORIT through 12/15

MZ Wallace Large Sutton Bag

I am beyond happy with my new work tote. I've been carrying a Longchamp for years and needed a change. I don't have to worry when it's raining or snowing that it will get ruined. It's big enough for my laptop and agenda but not too large for after work hours when running errands. I've been using it on the weekends too. Love it!

Rag & Bone Harrow Booties

No question my favorite purchase from last year. I wear these with jeans as well as dresses and tights. So versatile and have held up amazingly.

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

via CBS

It's almost show time. Will you be tuning in tonight? I know for once that Ted won't turn the channel to SportCenter.

via CBS

I want angel hair. Last year I curled/wanded during commercial breaks.

I urge you to watch this Vogue video montage of workouts model Lily Aldridge does to prepare for the show. I would love to tag along with her for a week. (Maybe this inspired my scheduled double gym session today of barre and yoga?)

While we are on the topic of Victoria's Secret, have you seen their stores at the airport? They carry a different line of travel accessories than their other stores. I have built a collection of the signature stripe bags during work trips out of JFK.

HGTV Dream Home 2015: Edgartown

HGTV's Dream Home 2015 in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard has just been revealed. I'm reluctant to even post about it because I don't want to lessen my chances of winning (there were only 72 million entries last year). This house was built for me. My favorite place, architect, the ginger jars... ahhhh. I haven't been able to stop looking at it.

The house is located on Crocker Drive in Katama. I'll definitely be doing a drive by next time I'm on the island.

There is even a doghouse for my future pooch!

All photos via HGTV.com