This week is flying by, and I'm truly about it.

My parents and I are traveling to Kansas to meet up with my sister and extended family this weekend and we have a whole week of activities planned. I'm so excited!


Every year I make an extensive gift list complete with corresponding symbols, gift ideas, what was actually purchased, the price for each item, and total spent. I use the symbols to mark if the gift has been bought, received (if ordered online), and wrapped. It's the one thing I count on to make sure I don't forget anything this holiday season.


I know not everyone is as list crazy as I am, so I've got you covered if you're in need of a last minute gift or stocking stuffer.


A few years ago, I made this Vanilla Chai Tea Latte mix for some friends and family, and it was a total hit. My mom has been asking for it ever since, so I decided to make a batch to sneak into some stockings this year.


Aren't they adorable?! Here's how it's done:

You'll need:

• Eight 8 oz. jars
• Recipe Cards <-- Click here for a free printable!
• Twine
• Hot glue gun
• Single hole punch
• Vanilla Chai Tea Latte Mix

1. Once the chai mix is prepared, divide the mix evenly between eight jars. Secure the lids on tightly.

2. Punch a hole in the left corner of the recipe card and feed a piece of twine through the hole.

3. Secure the twine to the side of the lid with a hot glue gun, making sure it is on the opposite side of the recipe card. Allow the glue to cool for 10-15 seconds.

4. Continue wrapping the twine around the lid, overlapping the recipe card as you go. This step insures a secure recipe card!

5. Once you have wrapped the twine 4-5 times around the lid and have reached the side of the lid opposite the recipe card, cut the twine and secure with hot glue. Let dry completely. Become the hero of Christmas.


I love this vanilla chai mix so much that I may end up sneaking one into my own stocking this year... 😏

If you make these for your friends and family, let me know! Tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

Happy gifting, and happy holidays!

I'm sorry...can someone please tell me how it is almost Christmas??

In one of my recent Instagram posts I talked about how crazy this holiday season has been for me. I moved house the week before Thanksgiving, and have been unpacking and adjusting to a new space ever since. I feel like my holiday recipes have all been pushed aside, and I seriously miss being in the kitchen.

I couldn't let Thanksgiving week come and go without baking something, so I settled on making a traditional pumpkin pie, and...one of the most difficult French pastry recipes there is.

You know, because it's me.


If you've watched The Great British Bake Off, you've probably heard of kougin amann. They're delicious little croissant like pastries with a caramelized sugar coating. We had them when we were in San Francisco over the summer, and I've been wanting to recreate them since.

Now, was it wise of me to begin this recipe at 6pm when the recipe calls for laminated dough? Probably not. Should I have listened when recipe said it would take all day to make? Yes, but I didn't.


Instead, I stayed up until 1:00am and ended with pastries that were passable for kougin amann. They were good, but definitely not quick and easy.

Not like this Two-Ingredient Peppermint Hot Chocolate.

This is not your average hot chocolate. It doesn't come from a powder, and there aren't a ton of ingredients. It's super rich, decadent, and delicious.


Did I mention it's easy, and only has two ingredients? My secret: peppermint ice cream. It does all of the heavy lifting. Mix melted peppermint ice cream with melted semi-sweet chocolate in a saucepan until heated through. Pour into your fav mug (how cute are these snowmen mugs?!), and serve while hot.


This recipe makes enough hot chocolate for two, so grab your bestie or your babe and cozy up to the Netflix fireplace. It's almost Christmas, and you deserve it. 🌟