Peppermint White Chocolate Cookies

This is a great homemade gift to give someone for Christmas. All you need are a few baking ingredients, jars, fabric, and ribbon. I layered baking soda, salt, granulated sugar, crushed candy canes, white chocolate morsels, and brown sugar. I topped the jar with fabric and tied it with ribbon. Make sure you give the lucky person receiving this cookie jar the ingredients list and directions. To stay with the theme I used red and white polka dot stationary paper. I hope you like these yummy cookies!

Happy Holidays!

Katie

Ingredients: In the Jar

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1 Teaspoon Salt

3/4 Cup Granulated Sugar

3/4 Cup Packed Brown Sugar

1 1/2 Cups White Chocolate Morsels

1 Cup Crushed Candy Canes

What you need

2 1/4 Cups All Purpose Flour

2 Sticks of Butter, Softened

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 Teaspoon Peppermint Extract

2 Large Eggs

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. 

Combine:

Flour, baking soda, and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract and peppermint extract in large bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and crushed candy canes. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Let cool and enjoy!

Stocking Stuffers

French Soaps

A luxury item anyone would love to find in their stocking. Mistral French Soaps are triple milled and made with shea butter. They have wonderful signature scents and a mens collection that would make any guy in your life smell amazing. 

Socks

These womens Aztec Socks from Topshop will keep your tootsies fashionably warm this coming Christmas morning. Every guy needs a nice pair of dress socks. Argyle socks in bright fun shades adds a unexpected hint of color to any outfit.

Cups

Not a common gift to receive in your stocking, but its an inexpensive present that can be used everyday and can also be personalized. An Espresso cup and Saucer is a good idea for the avid coffee drinker. These Monogram Mugs adds a personal touch to your gals morning coffee or tea.

Lip Balm

Who doesn't need lip balm right now? My lips get insanely dry this time of year. Burt's Bees Lip Balm is one of the best lip balms I have tried. The Pomegranate flavor is my favorite. It tastes really yummy and it adds a little color.

Decadent Beverages

Yes please! During the holidays I typically pig out on food and drink. You're very own  Half Bottle of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut will help bring in the New Year. My brothers choice is a Rogue Chocolate Stout Ale. If he is lucky he just might get one in his stocking ;)

Nail Sets

You can tell a lot about a person by looking at their hands. Lets keep our digits nice and tidy with these handy dandy nail essentials. He might not admit it, but your man really wants his own Manicure Set and I'm sure you wouldn't mind it either. I'm just going to say it. Men are gross and usually don't put things back where you had them. My solution, get them their own clippers and call it a day. I love Mini Nail Polish Sets because you get a variety of colors for the price of one or two regular size polishes.  Sephora by OPI Glimmer Wonderland Four Piece Mini Nail Color Set is a great set to give your lady or your bestie. 

Hope everyone is having a great Holiday Season!

Katie

November Favorites

Hey I'm back! Sincere apologies for posting absolutely nothing in the month of November, but here are my November Favorites. Please comment below! I would love to hear what you think!

Katie 

1. Houndstooth: old school pattern I think everyone should embrace. For a living I am an assistant to an Interior Designer. I'm constantly around fabric that we use for clients homes and businesses. I get a lot of inspiration from all the fabric samples we have. I wouldn't use this pattern strictly for home decor. It is also a lovely pattern to wear just as long you don't clash it wish another bold geometric or busy print. I really want to upholster a headboard for my bedroom in a black and white chenille houndstooth fabric. I'm sure it would help me sleep better at night :)

2. The Trench Coat: a classic must have in your closet. All women should have certain staples in their wardrobe. For example a little black dress, the perfect fitting jeans that you can't live without, and a trench coat. I recently learned that my hometown and where I currently live is the second sunniest city in the U.S. This doesn't mean that I shouldn't be fashionably prepared for a rainy day.

3. Tea: is a beverage I consume frequently, especially in the colder months. My father and brother splurge on really nice tea and because we all live near each other I'm around to sample the tasty drink. Lucky me :) My brother is a Teavana Tea of the Month Club member. He receives different teas every month in the mail. This was an early Christmas present that his girlfriend was kind enough to give him. I think this would be a great Holiday gift to give to the tea connoisseur.

4. Origins VitaZing: is my new favorite tinted moisturizer. Well Origins doesn't call it a tinted moisturizer, but as you rub it into your skin it gives you a little glow with some color. VitaZing comes out of the tube white with little grains of something blended in. Kind of looks like cinnamon mixed with white moisturizer. I find it helps even out my skin tone. I recommend it to anyone who doesn't want a heavy foundation look.

5. MAC Cosmetics 211 Pointed Liner Brush: will help you execute a precise line. I was having trouble creating the cat eye liner look I was going for with my angled liner brush. I explained this to my local MAC Makeup Artist and she recommended the 211 Brush. The hairs are very short and stiff which gives you more control. Since the tip of the brush is pointed you can make a very thin line and build it up if you so wish.

6. Moroccan Oil: makes my hair super shiny and tames the frizz. I apply a dime size amount to my ends before I dry my hair. You can also use Moroccan Oil on dry hair to give it more shine. Moroccan Oil is a great heat protectant that will leave your hair soft and healthy.

7. Laura Mercier Brow Definer in Fair: I was using eyeshadow to fill in my brows for the longest time. I noticed when I used an eyeshadow my brows looked a bit ashy and not as natural as I would like. I could have looked for a new eyeshadow color, but I wanted to try a product that had a creamier consistency. I've been growing out my brows and the Laura Mercier Brow Definer fills in the bare spots and darkens my blonde hairs. It also holds the hairs in place and I'm extremely happy with the color. Fair is a great color for someone with a light skin tone. Laura Mercier has two other colors to choose from. It can be very frustrating when you can't find the right color for your brows because it will definitely throw off your look. Maintaining your brows is very important because they frame your face.

8. Burt's Bee Herbal Blemish Stick: is probably one of the best blemish fighting treatments I have ever used. Kind of frustrating to be 25 and still getting spots, but since I discovered this natural solution it has kept my pimples at bay. It contains willow bark, tea tree oil, and juniper oil. These ingredients are natural antiseptics, which will help keep your skin clean and clear. I apply it at night and in the morning I am surprised how quickly my spots seem to disappear.

9. Hempz Body Lotion in Pomegranate: I absolutely love the smell of this lotion. I don't usually like sweet smells on me. I tend to go for more floral or herbal scents. This pomegranate scent is sweet, but not too sweet; more fresh if anything. Hempz lotion is a rich cream that soaks into your skin and will make your skin silky smooth even during these dry winter months.

Spooky DIY Halloween Nails

Ghost Nails

Paint two coats of any color polish that is dark enough to see the white ghosts.

Use a white Nail Art Pen for the body of the ghost. I like this better than white polish. It doesn't go on very thick, so it gives the ghost a see through effect.

Use a pin, needle, or toothpick to dip into your base color for the eyes and mouth.

Ghost Nails!

Candy Corn Nails

What you will need: Nail file. Yellow, Orange, and White Polish. French Manicure Stickers.

File your nails round, so it looks like the tip of a candy corn. Paint a coat of yellow polish half way up your nail.

Place stickers a third of the way up the nail and paint a coat of orange polish.

Place stickers toward the tip of the nail and paint a coat of white polish.

Candy Corn Nails!

Daphne Blake Halloween Costume

Daphne Blake Halloween Costume by sweetdreamsofmakeup featuring polka dot scarves

American apparel dress
$40 - americanapparel.net

American Apparel slimming tight
$14 - americanapparel.net

Daphne Blake Halloween Costume

I would love to dress up as Daphne Blake for Halloween in the future. I already have a different costume planned for this year, but I think it would be great to get a group of friends to dress up as the Scooby Doo gang. I usually choose to be characters that are redheads since I'm a ginger myself :) The dress and tights are from American Apparel. I have bought items for costumes from American Apparel before and I really like how they always have basic garments in a variety of colors. This is very helpful when recreating a character. These Tory Burch flats are perfect for this outfit. They are kind of pricey and I probably wouldn't wear them again, so I would look for a pair of flats that are more reasonable in a nice lavender shade. Clinique Brush on Cream Liner has the right consistency to make a precise cat eye that Daphne would definitely sport. Add the final touches with a purple head ban, a purple nail like OPI's Rumple's Wiggin' and lime green silk scarf and you will look just like the cartoon mystery solver.

My Top 5 Fall Nail Polishes

1. Essie: Sand Tropez is a very light nude.

2. OPI: Tickle My France-y is nice neutral taupe.

3. Essie: Rock The Croc is a classy dark red.

4. Essie: Lapis of Luxury is a pretty sky blue.

5. Essie: Midnight Cami is a beautiful shiny navy.

September Favorites

September Favorites by sweetdreamsofmakeup featuring navy shoes

September Favorites

1. I have been using Redken's Natures Rescue Shampoo and Conditioner for the past two months and I absolutely love it! The smell is amazing and I do think it has improved the health of my hair. I use a lot of hot tools and because of that I get split ends very easily. The only thing I dislike about this line is the shampoo doesn't sud/foam very easily, so I tend to use more to remove the product and build up.

2. I have recently purchased three Midi Skirts from Asos. I love the length and how they are usually worn high waisted. Midi skirts are a very flattering, ladylike, and romantic style compared to mini or maxi skirts. They are a great piece to own for the transition from summer to fall.

3. Palladio Rice Paper Blotting Tissues have saved me this summer. I have an extremely oily forehead and by mid day it is super shiny. These blotting tissues absorb all the oil and leave a nice matte finish. Ahhh what a relief.

4. Vintage tablecloths have been my obsession this summer. I have been eying beautiful, bright, one of a kind tablecloths on ebay. I've won some and I've lost some, but now I have a small collection to call my own. Vintage tablecloths will add a whimsical touch to a party or can be used everyday on your kitchen table. Now that I think of it, if you have a tablecloth big enough it would be great for a picnic in the park!

5. My handy dandy Moleskine Notebook is never too far out of reach. I try to jot down all of the random things that pop into my head. Since I have been trying to launch this blog the pages have been filling up. I usually keep my notebook on my bedside table because inevitably I will wake up with some beauty, design, or fashion idea.

6. Kind of an unusual monthly favorite, but Trader Joe's has helped me in the lunch department this September. Sometimes I am really good about packing myself a lunch for work and sometimes I'm really lazy. That is where Trader Joe's comes in! Their Super Spinach Salad is super tasty, convenient, and reasonable. Trader Joe's has a lot of grab and go options.

7. One of my pet peeves is when I look down at someone's feet and notice they have horrible cracked heels!!! It's disgusting! Take care of your feet people! Eucerin Original Moisturizing Creme will smooth and soften your tootsies. This creme is not specifically for your feet but I find it works better than any other foot balm. You can use it on any area that is extra dry. Hey give it a try! ;)

8. I usually gravitate towards dewy glowing makeup. I naturally have an oiler t-zone, but I don't like my makeup to be too matte or cakey. I think a glowing complexion can make you look younger and healthier. I bought MAC Cream Color Base in Pearl because I thought it would be a great highlight for my cheekbones, brow bones, and tear duct. I was a little disappointed at first because it wasn't as creamy as I thought it would be. Pearl is a great light color and it's not too shimmery, but it's a little thick and hard to blend. I realized I could mix it with eye cream or moisturizer and Voila! It's the perfect consistency to blend with my foundation brush.

9. Do you remember wearing Salt Water Sandals when you were a child? I do! I do! A must have summer classic. Salt water sandals come in a variety of colors. I recommend getting a pair if you want to feel like a kid again!

I Love Autumn

I Love Autumn by sweetdreamsofmakeup on polyvore.com