December + Giving

Time is passing way too quickly. It's December already! But it's hard to be too upset when this month brings to mind the holidays with food and feasts! Gift-giving, sparkles, and cheery songs. Warm colors and warm hearts. While you're enjoying the season, I just wanted to share this simple game on Free Rice that donates grains of rice whenever you play. It's addictive, fun, and effortless. Best of all, it embodies the holiday spirit of giving and could be played all year long.

via design seeds

2011 Pretty Presents + For the easily bored

No matter how advanced our computer games get, board games will never go out of style. There's something about just sitting around, being ridiculously competitive with family and friends that brings out the most laughter. My personal favorites are Taboo and Cranium.

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Where: Anywhere online or at stores like Target
Price: From $10 - $50
Alternatives: For something a little more complicated, try Risk or Monopoly Deal. For something easy and fast, try Jenga!


That being said, the technology in games these days is very impressive. I hear Skyrim is the cracktastic game to have this season?

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Where: Amazon or at stores like Best Buy
Price: $60
Alternatives: Your gamer brother or sister will probably know better than me.


And after all that horsing around, if your friend is still bored, it's time to get serious. Get them a reservation for bungee jumping, skydiving, whitewater rafting, canyoneering, paragliding, and more! I'm only familiar with a few places in California, but I'm sure they're readily available everywhere. Just make sure it's reputable and safe!

via Pinterest

Where: Bungee America, Skydive Perris, Kern Rafting, etc.
Price: Starting at $80
Alternatives: This. 


After that, it's time to remind them that things could be much worse with the famous drinking bird.

via Pinterest

Where: Amazon
Price: $7.20
Alternative: TV (Link is to King-Size Homer episode with the drinking bird)

Black Friday night links + A thankful weekend

Teddy bear sunflowers via Design Sponge

What do you eat the day after Thanksgiving? You vs. Mr. Turkey: ROUND TWO.  (via DailyCandy)

When you find that really sexy dress for the holidays, but need help choosing the right undies to keep your bits from dangling. (via Refinery29)

Sipping Martinelli's Apple Cider every year at all the fancy parties. This describes the drink perfectly. (via Dlisted)

Tell me Bruce Willis, is it possible to be a badass and nice, family man at the same time? (via LaineyGossip)

I'm very tempted to buy this book. Very, very tempted. (via 9gag)

This makes me a little sad since I already bought some, but the flats from my party animal post is having a sale this weekend. Enter "November" in the summary tab during checkout for 40% off. (Info from Daily Candy)

The rest of the Flowers A-Z. (via Design Sponge)

I watched A King's Speech a couple days ago and have fallen in love with Colin Firth all over again. I'm definitely watching the Oldboy remake if he decides the play the villain. Can you imagine him as that incredibly brilliant and creepy character? That being said, I hope Hollywood properly credits the original filmmakers this time around. Infernal Affairs (which inspired The Departed) is one of my favorite movies of all time, and I was definitely annoyed when it was introduced as a Japanese film instead of a Chinese one at the Oscars. I know they're from the same continent, but no one really mixes up America and Mexico. It's offhand racism. Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox now. (via ScreenRant)

A heartwarming story of a cat and fig in 46 seconds. Also: this and this. (via Buzzfeed)

Next week, I'll be continuing with my gift guide, so look out for that! Have a great one, and thank you all for reading! It makes my day ♥.

I hope you don't absolutely loathe hyacinths. via Design Sponge

Lavender + Dessert

via Pinterest

I didn't realize what carnivores my family members are until I saw our Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey, goose, duck, chicken, pork, lobster rolls, dumplings, rice, gravy, a bit of vegetables, fruits, and ice cream...I'm still stuffed and happily so. But why ice cream, you ask? My dad insisted requested that I make some instead of the usual delicious, warm pie we have for dessert. And since I recently told him that the lavender from his garden is edible, he's been wanting a dish flavored with the purple blooms. I was a bit nervous about poisoning the fam with flowers, but the ice cream turned out okay, so I thought I would share a few pictures.

Heat the milk first and add the eggs later, but you can mix in the rest of the ingredients at different times according to different recipes.

There weren't any measuring cups so I used this mug to measure a cup.

I used Oprah's Orange Lavender Ice Cream recipe and a basic vanilla ice cream recipe for the second batch. I enjoyed the vanilla more, but if you're a fan of richer flavors, I definitely recommend trying Oprah's recipe! Ice cream isn't very hard to make, but there will always be oohs and ahhs when you present it at the dinner table.

Vanilla ♦ Orange Lavender

What did you have for Thanksgiving?

Love + Family

via Design Sponge

Happy Thanksgiving xoxo.

Rainbows + Nails

Refinery29 always has great tips on nail art. See here and here. They recently posted up a big Winter Collection, but there are so many colors, the collection could work for any season. The nail polishes are all very pretty regardless. I love the greys, but don't think I could pull it off. With my skin tone, it might look like my nails are decaying, so I might have to stick with the reds.

Which one would you wear to a holiday party?

2011 Pretty Presents + For the fatties

This is coming from the OG of fatties, so trust me on this.

via Pinterest

I know I've said this before, but macarons are awesome. They're slightly chewy, slightly crispy, and all around delicious. They're also beautiful, which makes it perfect for gift-giving.

Where: Bottega Louie (LA), Paulette (LA)
Price: $1.70 to $2 each
Alternatives: Ladurée (France, England, Italy, Japan, Turkey, Ireland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Dubai, Lebanon, NY) La Maison du Chocolat (France, Hong Kong, England, Japan, NY),  Pierre Hermé (France, England, Japan) Pushkin Cafe (Russia) Adriano Zumbo (Australia)...or make your own!


There is an edible goldmine called Etsy, where almost everything is guaranteed to be handmade. I'm interested in the caramel and marshmallows in particular.

Where: haveitconfections,
Price: Varies
Alternatives: FusionSweets
When: Order from haveitconfections by November 26th for Christmas orders


Imagine getting this.

Where: Vosges Chocolate
Price: $135, Prices start at $7.50 (+$9.95 shipping)
Alternatives: Something sweet from your personal favorite chocolate shop.


These days, there's an abundance of online deals for trendy cafes, diners, and lounges. Why not buy one for someone who would take more pleasure in a night out than another fancy candle for the house?

via House of Decor

Where: Thrillist Rewards, DailyCandy, Groupon, Gilt, etc.
Price: Varies
Alternatives: A home cooked meal for a loved one ♥.

Droooool...