My 2 Favorite Trends for New Years Eve Fashion!

Okay ladies, choosing our New Years Eve attire is almost as important as choosing how we will say "Goodbye" to 2014 and "Hello" to 2015...or at least it is for us fashionistas! 

Below are two trends that I am kind of obsessing over at the moment; Tulle Skirts and Sequined Pants! Both looks are perfect for celebrating, partying and looking festive for whatever your New Years Eve celebration entails. Also you can dress up or down either look, to fit your style, which is another reason I love them both. Let's take a look at a couple of ways to style these two fabulous looks! 

Tulle Skirts

Get the look:

Daily Chic

Apostolic Clothing

Nordstroms and This One 

Anthropologie 

Soho Girl

Bloomingdales 

Sequined Pants

Get the Look:

Daily Chic and These!

Nordstroms and These!

H&M and These!

Mango Outlet

Revolve Clothing

BCBG

It's been real 2014! Cheers and Happy New Years, everyone!

XO,

Jenna

Recipe for Mulled Wine...a Winter Must Have!

I just recently discovered my love for mulled wine. However, I am not surprised by this new found love because I also love apple cider and it is very similar. Also, if you haven't figured it out by now I am a huge fan of anything that makes my home smell yummy and more "holidayish!"

Mulled wine is popular in Europe and a winter beverage that I have always been around and known about but for some reason had never tried until this past Thanksgiving when I decided I was going to make it for my family. My brother-in-law thought I kept saying I was going to serve "mold wine!" He didn't seem too thrilled about the idea at first but when the aroma filled the house he soon jumped on board and enjoyed a glass :-)

Below is the recipe I concocted, with the help of my dad's Grand Marnier suggestion. Enjoy!

Side note: How cute is the cork on this cheap bottle of wine? Sometimes the cheapies just know how to do it!

Serves 4-6 (depending on glass size)

Prep-Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 1+ hours with crock pot or 20 minutes stove top
Serve Warm

What You Will Need:

1 bottle of red wine (preferably something cheap and dry...I used a $4 bottle of Cabernet)
1/8 cup honey
1/2 cup grand marnier
8 whole cloves
1 medium-large orange (plus more for garnishing) 
3 cinnamon sticks (plus more for garnishing)

Let's Get Started:

1) Pour the wine, grand marnier, cloves, honey and cinnamon sticks into your crock pot. Turn crock pot to high.

2) Zest about 85% of the orange into the pot. Then slice the orange and add slices into the mix.

3) Cover and let simmer until it starts to boils. With a crock pot this takes a bit longer but the house starts to smell yummy and the spices really mix in versus a quick boil (which still works if you prefer a pot)

4) Once the Mulled Wine is boiling turn down to warm but keep covered until you are ready to serve.

5) Garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick and an orange slice and serve warm. 

Red Lipstick is Optional

My Red Pants are LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's and my Top is Banana Republic

Enjoy and Happy Holidays Everyone!

XO

Jenna

My Holiday Season Must-Haves!

Well, I don't think I need to say it but I am going to anyway: It is the most wonderful time of the year...and I am stoked! Are you?

I love everything about the holidays. I love the way my home smells from the baking, the christmas tree, the fire, the candles and the constant hot coco stewing on the stove. I love how everyone just seems happier and more thankful. I love how the first thing I smell when I walk into the grocery store (and my home) are those cinnamon pinecones. I love being surrounded by friends and family. I love cheesy made for TV holiday movies as well as the classics (Clark aka Sparky anybody?). I love Egg Nog in my coffee in the mornings. I love spoiling my loved ones. I love all the decorated homes (I mean, if I have to come home from work after the sun has gone down at least I can enjoy the Christmas decorations and lights on my commute...am I right?) 

Anyway, you get the picture...I LOVE this time of year and a not-so-small part of that excitement are all the opportunities to dress cute :-) Below are a few of my MUST-HAVES for the Holiday season.

Something Sparkly

Sequined Jacket (H&M)

Sequined Pants (H&M)

Alice & Olivia Sequined Skirt (Found on Far Fetch)

Alice & Olivia Sequined Skirt (Found on Far Fetch)

Sequined Skirt (H&M)

Something Red

Hunter Plaid in Scarlet/Indigo (Rails)

Hudson Jeans (found on Zappos)

ASOS Oversized Open Lattice Cable Scarf

Something Furry:

Faux Fur Coat (H&M)

Shaggy Faux Fur Coat (H&M)

Antonietta Fox Fur Vest

A Fun Cocktail Dress

Suede Dark Blue Dress (H&M)

Beaded Dress (H&M)

Sequined Dress (H&M)

Beaded Mesh Dress (H&M)

Lace Dress (H&M)

A Great Shoe

(preferably one that works in all weather but still looks fabulous at a party!)

Michael Kors Zady Bootie (Found on Zappos)

L.A.M.B. Thacker Bootie (Found on Zappos)

MICHAEL Michael Kors Clara Platform Wedge Booties 

RENE' CAOVILLA (Found on Shoescribe)

Statement Jewelry

Cleo Necklace from Elizabeth Stone Jewelry

Phoenix Necklace from Elizabeth Stone Jewelry

Agate Statement Ring from Elizabeth Stone Jewelry

Opulent Druzy Earrings from Elizabeth Stone Jewelry

A Great Sweater 

(I also love dressing up my more casual sweaters with leather/sequins pants & skirts)

Dear Santa Sweater (H&M)

Jacquard-knit Sweater (H&M)

Jacquard-knit Sweater

Sequined Birdie Sweater (H&M)

Happy Holidays Everyone!

XO,

Jenna

Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Who doesn't love the smell of fresh bread? 

Even better, a slice of fresh bread with butter?!

All recipes are created by Jenna unless stated otherwise! I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

There is nothing better than a homemade loaf of bread right out of the oven. The aroma that fills your kitchen suddenly transforms your house into a home. Baking bread on a crisp fall or winter day is seriously one of my favorite things to do! It is relaxing and comforting...even the process of baking bread warms you up on those cold days. Disclaimer: I live in California...my days are really not that cold but it is all relevant...right?

Below is my recipe for Cinnamon Raisin Bread. I enjoy it toasted and with my coffee in the mornings but I also think it could be a great addition to your Thanksgiving or any of your upcoming holiday dinners.

Makes 1 Loaf (serves about 10)

Prep-Time: 1 hour (not counting rise time)

Rise Time: 3+ hours 

Bake-Time: 40 minute 

Cool-Time: 1 hour (if you can wait that long)

What you will need:

1 1/4 cups warm water; it is important it is not boiling

1/2 tbsp active dry yeast

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tbsp salt (my mom doesn't eat salt and I limit my intake so I have made this recipe without salt and it is still good, however, if you are not used to the absence of salt I highly suggest not skipping this step)

2 tbsp ground cinnamon

2 tbsp raw sugar

1 cup raisins (if you want more go for it)

1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut 

1/2 cup skim milk (warm for 20 seconds just so it is not cold from the refrigerator when added into the ingredients) 

5 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (don’t be afraid to keep adding if the dough is too sticky)

Let's get started: 

1) In a large bowl (I use our Kitchen Aid) sprinkle the yeast over the warm water. Let the yeast sit for about a minute. 

2) On low beat in the oil, salt, cinnamon, sugar and milk. I use the whisk attachment for this step and let it all mix up for about a minute. You do not want or need to over beat your yeast. 

3) At this point in the process I switch to using my dough hook attachment on my kitchen aid (pictured below). Slowly add in the flour one cup at a time. In betweens cups add in small amounts of raisins and the coconut so that when you finish adding in the flour everything is already mixing in. 

4) If the dough is too sticky you can slowly add in more flour. Once the dough appears to be too thick to mix with tools start to beat/knead it with your hands. Continue to slowly add flour if it is sticking to your hands.

5) Once you have worked the dough (about 2-5 minutes by hand) you will set it aside to let it rise.

6) Cover the dough with a clean damp cloth and place in a warm or sunny place for a minimum of 3 hours. The dough should double in bulk.

7) When you are ready to bake the bread preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

8) Knead the dough one more time (add flour if it is sticky) to get rid of any air pockets.

9) Now, it is ready to bake. I just plop my loaf on a baking sheet but if you prefer you can shape yours at this point or put it in a loaf pan. 

10) Bake for 40 minutes on the middle rack and enjoy the aroma that is starting to fill your home.

11) Let bread cool for about an hour. This is hard to do so don't beat yourself up if you cut into it a bit early...I know I usually do.

Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

XO,

Jenna

Homemade Applesauce!

Let me start off by painting a picture for your imagination...
It is gloomy and chilly outside, you just put on one of those made-for-TV holiday movies (oh, come on, you know you secretly enjoy them), you are curled up on the couch with your coziest blanket (in our home there are a couple of furry children in this scene as well), maybe you have even lit some holiday scented candles. Now, it is time to enjoy a snack that fits this perfectly lazy fall afternoon...homemade applesauce!

Does anything else say "it's Fall" better than this?

All recipes are created by Jenna unless stated otherwise! I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Serves 10

Prep Time: 25 Minutes 

Cook Time: 60 minutes at minimum 

What you will need:

Apples - 10 (or 10 cups; generally, 1 apple will equal 1 cup once cut up) 

(I used Green Apples from my friends orchard but Honey Crisp are the sweetest and the best)

Cinnamon Stick - 1

Ground Cinnamon - 2 1/2 TSP 

All Spice - 1/2 TSP

Raw Organic Sugar - 1/4 Cup (if you use Honey Crisp Apples you could use less sugar (about half of that) because these apples are naturally sweet and delicious)

Let's Get Started:

1) Wash apples, cut off bottoms and tops or use an apple core remover 

2) Use a vegetable peeler to remover about 90% of skin (less or more depending on    your preference)

3) Cut the apples in half, and then cut the halves in half

4) Put apples into your pot with ingredients (cinnamon, all spice and sugar)

5) Mix it all up until the apples are coated in all that yumminess

6) Cover and cook on high for 10 minutes

7) Stir and throw in 1 cinnamon stick. Then turn stove down to simmer/low and continue to cook for about an hour.

8) Stir with a whisk. At this point the apples should be soft enough to break down easily but by using a whisk stay a bit chunky.

9) Remove from heat and let cool at room temperature.

Now, not only does your house smell absolutely delicious but you are also ready to enjoy a healthy homemade snack on a perfect fall day! 

Or, if you are like my husband, you can turn this healthy snack into a sweet treat by pouring the applesauce over vanilla ice cream. It tastes like apple pie without the crust...a great and healthy substitute for pie this holiday season.  

Cheers to Lazy Fall Afternoons (on the weekends of course)!

XO,

Jenna

Share your favorite cheesy made-for-TV holiday movie by commenting below! 

My Favorite Fall Boots from Urban Outfitters!

I was browsing online the other day...you know, doing a little online shopping...and I came across so many fantastic boots for Fall/Winter on the Urban Outfitters website. I would feel guilty keeping these gems to myself so I decided to share my favorites...which, as you can tell, was a lot and hard to narrow down.They have everything from casual to chic, from ankle to over the knee and in every price point as well. 

From Clockwise: 

1) Timberland Authentics Suede Roll-Top Boot 2) Frye Jenna Studded Mid-Rise Boot

3) MUK LUKS Jenna Slipper Boot (does anyone else think it is a sign that the last two boots share my name?) 4) Minnetonka El Paso Geo-Panel Ankle Boot 5) Sam Edelman Mackay Lace-Up Boot 

From Left to Right

Row One: 1) Matiko Darcy Heeled Boot 2) Frye Reina Stone Wash Ankle Boot  3) Dolce Vita Colie Platform Ankle Boot 

Row Two: 1) Ash Delire Chunky Heel Boot 2) Dolce Vita Harbor Peep-Toe Suede Boot 3) Woolrich Balt Oxford Tweed Moto Boot 

Row Three: 1) Woolrich Balt Buffalo Plaid Moto Boot 2) Frye Parker Moc Ankle Boot 3) Sol Sana Georgie Mid-Rise Boot

From Clockwise:

1) Jeffrey Campbell Lace-Up Tall Boot 2) Hunter Original Tall Rain Boot 3) Joe's Jeans Blare Suede Chelsea Boot 4) Minnetonka Triple Fringe Boot 5) Woolrich Roadhouse Stripe Tall Boot 6) Dolce Vita Meris Back-Zip Suede Tall Boot 7) Jeffrey Campbell Buckman Shearling Tall Boot 

So, have you completely fallen in love with boots yet? 

Share your favorite boot style with us by commenting below.

XO,

Jenna