Cocktail Confessions - White Chocolate Peppermint Coffee

 It appears that I've made several coffee cocktails lately, but if I'm being honest, it's because I need more coffee! When you're chasing a four year old who wakes up before the sun and never stops, even in his sleep, this mama is tired and needs a constant pick me up! And, from time to time, a little booze!

This one is pretty tasty. I mean, when you're working with a peppermint simple syrup, Peppermint Schnapps, and white chocolate liqueur, how could it not be good! 

Here's What You'll Need:

Coffee, Peppermint Schnapps, White Chocolate Liqueur, Peppermint Simple Syrup, Half & Half

Add coffee to an ice filled glass. And half & half, if you like that kind of thing.

To that, I added one shot of the white chocolate liqueur. So pretty! 

After that, I poured in a little peppermint simple syrup. I made my own and you can too. It's just a half cup of sugar, a half cup of water, and a half teaspoon of peppermint extract. You add all of that to a small saucepan and allow the sugar to dissolve in the water of medium low heat. Let it cool and store in the fridge in an air tight container. It will be great in your daily coffee and other recipes!

The iced version was great, but I was actually freezing, so I added it to my favorite my holiday mug and heated in the microwave! It's good cold and hot! Gotta love a double trouble cocktail!

After a sip or two is when I decided to add the Peppermint Schnapps. You have to taste your drinks to see what it's missing. In this case, the simple syrup was good, but it needed a little extra punch. Leave it out if you think yours is perfect!

This would be a great after dinner drink on Christmas Eve! Serve up a little decaf, or full on caffeine if you have a night ahead of you, and toast to family, friends, and the festive holiday season!

Cheers!

Wednesday Wants - A Home Office

I am trying to start a business. I'm not sure I've really talked about it here, but about a month ago I signed up to be a Stylist with Stella & Dot. It's the perfect business for me at this point in my life. I want to work, need to work, but I don't want to work in an office building where I'm there 8:00-5:00. I want to set my own hours, work when I want to work/can work, and make money while doing so. With Stella & Dot, you do just that. And, within the two months, I've been fairly successful. At least in my eyes I have.

But one can't really have a business without a space to conduct it. I could work out of a coffee shop while McKinley's in school, but that's not really efficient. I would be spending money on coffee when I could have my own brewed coffee at home. And I'm such a people watcher, I would probably spend all my time doing just that! I'm not going to rent space to work in because I'm not at a point where I can spent that kind of money. And, sitting on my couch in the den and working from my wicker coffee table isn't all that great either. It gets the job done for now, but I need a space that I can call mine and spread things out when needed. And, I could really use an office for my blog as well. It's a two fold office!

We don't have an extra bedroom in which I can turn into an office, so I'm thinking of working with a small space in our den. I would still be a part of the day to day life. In sight of McKinley when he needed me, could have on my TV for that background noise I need on a daily basis (I don't really watch it, it's just there for noise), and it's really all the space I need for the time being. 

    

So here's what I'm thinking of doing over here. Taking out the two chairs and bookcase and place those in storage. If we were to ever move, they would be needed in the next house and I love them too much to part with them. I would paint the back wall an accent color like Durango from Benjamin Moore. I've always wanted a gray room and the color would compliment the Antique White we have in the rest of the room. And, I think having an accent wall would help define the space. From there, I would start building the office with furniture that compliments the rest of the room. Here's what I've come up with. I started with the desk as that's the focal part of the office and where most things get accomplished.

 

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I checked out a couple of new interior sites like One Kings Lane and Joss and Main and I like what I saw! I looked at my favorite designs like Mid Century Modern and Shaker, but I also looked at a few glam pieces like number five! I mean, what girl doesn't a full on mirrored writing desk. Oh, and that's what I chose, writing desks. I didn't feel like I needed a huge desk within my small space. I love all of these.

My color pallette will probably run in the reds, but I do love yellow! I've always wanted a gray and yellow room so who knows. These swatches are from Joann's and they're gorgeous!

So what do you think of my ideas? Do you have a home office or looking for a space within your home to create one? Let's go on this journey together! There are so many things to address from here!

A Chic Cape

Cape: Ann Taylor (similar); T-Neck: French Connection (fun option); Jeans: Joe's Jeans; 

Handbag: Pour la Victoire (great bag); Boots: Rockport; Shades: Karen Walker via Gilt; 

Necklaces: Stella & Dot; Lip Color: MAC Ruby Woo

Last Friday my mom and I took McKinley down to Crown Center and let him run free around all the life size toys they have on display every holiday season! Not only are there large wooden trucks, cars, and trains, there is the huge Mayor's Tree in the middle of it all. It's such a fun holiday tradition for families all over the city! And, there are ice skaters taking a turn around the rink above the courtyard. It truly is one my favorite things to do this time of year!

Because we were going to be spending time indoors and out, I didn't want to have to contend with a coat. This is when I bring out my handy yet chic cape. This is such a timeless piece that gets me through the mild days of winter. I decided to pair it with my ivory and black striped t-neck and I really like it how works. Great jeans and comfy boots complete the look!

The Cape: Before and After 

 

   

  

Can you believe the temps this week around the metro? I heard that Thursday could be in the upper 60s. Can you say major outdoor activities taking place that day? When we can get out and about, without bundling up, I am all for it!

The Perfect Layers

 Vest: Land's End (similar); Sweatshirt: Etiquette Boutique (similar); Jeans: Loft (similar);

Booties: Sam Edelman; Belt: Banana Republic; Shades: Karen Walker via Gilt;

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Yesterday was a December afternoon that reached the low 50s! That doesn't happen very often and one must definitely take advantage of those warmer days! The boys spent the afternoon cleaning up the leaves in the yard while I got to do one of my favorite things. I got to go to the grocery store. (That comment is dripping with sarcasm. Did you hear it?) But, it was nice to get out of the house and enjoy the walk outside from the car to the door and vice versa when I left. It's the little things, right?

Because it was in the 50s, I opted for this cute sweatshirt paired with my puffer vest. The perfect combination of layers. I love belting the vest to help contain the bulk and went with my fav new booties! I got them for my birthday and have worn the constantly! They are the perfect heel height for days when you're running around and so comfortable! Who needs tennies when you have that same support in a darling bootie!

The Sweatshirt: Before and After

    

 

What did you guys do to yesterday to take advantage of the beautiful day? I hope whatever it was, it was fun! 

Have a chic Monday, Fashionista's!

The Piece I Declare You Must Own

  Sweater: RACHEL Rachel Roy; T-Neck: Target; Leggings: INC; Boots: Halogen;

Necklace: Stella & Dot

I met my friend Megan of Chasing Davies for a little photo shoot and collaboration earlier in the week. I think it's destined to rain every time we get together. Remember this day? 

I wanted to be warm and comfortable and that's exactly what I was! I had a meeting later that evening so I needed a look that would literally take me from to day to night. I'm thinking these leggings are the perfect thing to wear when doing that. Just look at the rainy day post above! I now declare leggings the rainy day, comfortable look, day to night piece that every girl must own. However, you must wear them as pants!

 

The Sweater: Before and After

   

 

The week is almost over!! We've all made it, right? It's been a rough one here on the home front, but I think we're on the other side! 

Here's to tomorrow being Friday!  

Wednesday Wants - Pajamas, Slippers, and the Works

I went to put on my favorite pair of flannel pajamas last night, only to find the largest hole in them! I was so sad. They are literally my favorite pair! That is probably why there was a huge hole. Aside from my Christmas pajamas, I'm down to one set of flannels and we are heading into winter soon. This will never do.

I began scouring my go-to stores for all the different pajamas styles, colors, and playful prints. I was able to narrow my list down to three. But why stop at pajamas! I decided to add cute slippers and a fabulous faux fur throw to the list. I mean if I'm going to want something, I might as well want big, right?

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Can we just talk about the pajama set of number five? It comes with fleece pants and top AND a blanket to wrap up in! Those sound like heaven! I'm not a big pink girl, but I love the gray top and polka-dot pants! And the blanket looks like the best thing to curl up with on a cold winter day! Definitely my favorite on the list!

As for the blue and white slippers? Well, I went with a Royals theme there! I know we don't play ball in the dead of winter, but spring and late fall can be kind of cool, right? 

What's on your winter wish list? Something warm and cozy like pajamas or is it more in the sweater department? 

A Family of Green

Jacket: Pendleton; T-Neck: French Connection: Jeans: Loft; 

Boots: Steve by Steve Madden; Necklace: Stella & Dot

A couple of weekends ago we took family photos for our annual holiday card. I've always said I wouldn't be that mom that dressed everyone alike, and I don't, but I do have a colorful theme every year. The minute I found McKinley's sweater, at Target no less, I knew green was the theme of the season! And, I love the Pavilion in downtown Overland Park! It was perfect. Complete with a Christmas tree and greenery around all the brick. It was the perfect backdrop!

I love this jacket. My mom and I found it at this darling little boutique in West Plains, MO. It's in a tiny town square and so quaint inside. It's the best thing about small towns. You shop a boutique, that no one really knows about, and you walk away with just unique pieces. And it's perfect for the holidays. Or St. Patrick's Day. It's the best piece for holiday attire!

 

Jacket: Before and After

  

When thinking ahead to the holidays, or your family photo session, what do you do? Do you dress everyone in a similar color or allow it to be a free for all? I love hearing any and all family traditions! This is definitely the time of year for them.

Hope you all are having a great morning! It's the week after a holiday weekend and I know just how hard it is to get back in the swing. Just keep it stylish no matter what you do!

XO