POPSUGAR Must Have Box: December 2015

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Next up on my subscription service review list is my December POPSUGAR ‘Must Have’ Box- which has quickly toppled Loot Crate as my favorite subscription box to receive. Although it’s a little pricier than some other services- the value of the products included each and every month is worth what I spend, and then some. I’m always left so impressed- and the items I don’t or won’t use end up being INCREDIBLE gifts for my friends and family.

December’s assortment of items was inspired by: Celebration, Holiday Glamour, New Year’s, Indulgence, Chocolate and Sparkles. I obviously enjoy all of those things- so I couldn’t open this box fast enough!

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To cover the “indulgence” and “chocolate” aspects of December’s POPSUGAR box- I received one package of My Cup of Cake’s Belgian chocolate microwavable mug soufflé. I’ve had similar products like this in the past (cake in a mug, brownie in a mug, etc.) so I know how to prepare these and what to generally expect in terms of flavor and texture if it’s done right- so I’m pretty excited to give this a try on Christmas Eve while I’m curled up in my blankets and watching ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ with my dog. Yum!

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Although I’m done with my gift wrapping for this holiday season, I’ll be saving this roll of sparkling glitter tape from Meri Meri for my packages next year. It’s so pretty- and it will pair nicely with these gift tags from Tiny Prints. Both items are a beautiful and simple white and silver combination- so the presents I wrap for Christmas come next December are going to look gorgeous.

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The only item in December’s ‘Must Have’ box that I plan to gift to a friend of mine- who is a wine enthusiast to the core- is this uniquely shaped and built-to-last bottle stopper designed by Nima Oberoi. I know she’ll appreciate this item and get much more use out of it than I will!

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Up until now, I was pretty unfamiliar with Stowaway Cosmetics– but now that I’ve been wearing these AMAZING (think: creamy, dreamy, highly pigmented and long-lasting) shades of their miniature lipstick tubes for a little over a week now- I’m sold. Out of the three, ‘Raspberry’ is my current favorite (it changes every couple of days, however-) and I’d love to try some of their other products if they’re half as good as these are!

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What do you do when you wear a lot of silver and gold during the holiday season but can’t decide which of the two to choose to sport at any given time without going overboard? You turn to this stunning silver, gold, and rose gold plated chain bracelet from Luv AJ (a $65 value!) to cover all the bases while looking chic and sparkling. I’m in love with this piece- which I’ve been rocking on my wrist almost daily since it goes with pretty much everything I wear and helps make even the most casual of outfits look more put together and fancy.

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And where else could I store that beautiful chain bracelet shown above than in this equally lovely leatherette and suede jewelry box from Swing Design? I’m so enamored with the colors of this box- which I feel would look great on display through the remainder of the Winter, as well as the Summer (since the colors kind of remind me of the beach.)

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And finally, the coupons- which almost always have an impressive value themselves! The first, from My Cup of Cake, is a 25% of any order voucher. Since each package of cake costs approximately $6 each- I’ll be using this to stock up if they taste good enough!

The second coupon, from Stowaway Cosmetics, is valid for three additional lipsticks- for free- with the purchase of my first Stowaway Cosmetics kit. Considering how much I’m loving the trio I received in this month’s box- I might just sign up!

Overall, December’s ‘Must Have’ box was another huge hit for me. With the exception of the bottle stopper- I’ll be using and enjoying everything I received for a while! I can’t wait for next month’s assortment of items!

Dec 21

GLOSSYBOX: December 2015 Review.

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With the end of December swiftly approaching, the final subscription boxes of the year have been arriving right on schedule. The expectations I have for end-of-the-year assortments might seem a little unfair to some- but I want to be dazzled! It’s the holidays, after all. It’s almost 2016- go big or go home, right? Give me glitz, and give me glamour- but please just put some effort into ending the year on a special high note!

So when December’s GlossyBox, the first to arrive, showed up in my postbox early last week week and I saw the lovely and festive red & white packaging- I had a feeling I was going to be impressed. Sure enough, once I’d actually opened the box and took a peek inside- I was greeted with four full-sized items and a deluxe sample.

Merry Christmas to me!

WHAT I RECEIVED:

colorpHlex Leave-In Treatment & Detangler

MTJ Cosmetics High Definition Mascara (*Full Size!*)

GlossyBox Brand Eye Shadow in ‘GlossyBox Muave’ (*Full Size!*)

OROGOLD Cosmetics 24K Hand Cream (*Full Size!*)

Color Club Nail Polish in ‘Feverish’ (*Full Size!*)

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Product # 1: colorpHlex Leave-In Treatment & Detangler ($22)

I’m very appreciative that GlossyBox takes color-treated hair into consideration when sending out their samples/products. In the nearly three years I’ve been a subscriber, I’ve only ever received 1 or 2 hair care or hair styling items that were potentially harmful to my reds and my violet highlights. This colorPHlex leave-in treatment is not only designed to keep my color vibrant and protect it from fading- but it also softens and untangles my thick and unruly curly hair, too.

I liked the way this spray smelled- like a greenhouse (weird, I know- but it reminded me of being in a room filled with plants and not in a bad way) and how it didn’t make my scalp or my ends feel sticky, crunchy or greasy after I’d spritzed some on post-cleansing my curls in the shower. It sank in quickly and my hair was instantly shinier and easier to comb through. After I styled as usual, I noticed my hair also stayed remarkably frizz-free despite recent humid conditions here in Massachusetts (El Niño Winter over here so far!) and to date- there has been no fading or discoloration of my hair color. My reds are just as bright and vibrant as ever.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I was really pleased with how easy to use and effective this spray was. It protected my color, detangled my tricky ends like the bottle promised it would, and kept my hair soft and smooth all day long. I have a feeling I’ll be picking up a couple more bottles of this once I’m out of the sample I received- one for home and one to take with me when I travel!

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Product # 2: MTJ Cosmetics High Definition Mascara ($21)

I’ve been running low on my current mascara over the course of the past week or so, so receiving a brand new, full-sized tube was definitely a treat that saved me a little bit of time and money. I had figured that even if I hadn’t liked this black MTJ formula- it would at least hold me over until I could find the time to hit the shops and pick up a replacement for my nearly-empty Tarte tube. Fortunately, this mascara completely exceeded my expectations and blew me away.

The photo above was snapped after two quick coats- and look how long and feathery my lashes look! With no clumping or flaking whatsoever, this Hi-Def formula lasted all day and well into the evening- and the unique shape of the brush made it super easy to reach those difficult and smaller lashes near the inner corners of my eyes without discomfort. I’m in love!

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I adored the way this mascara made my lashes look and feel. The formula was easy to apply, stayed in place without giving me the dreaded “spider leg eye” look- and the price point is similar to other mascaras I’ve purchased in the past that weren’t nearly half as nice as this one. I’m really glad I gave this one a chance- because I think I’ve found a keeper!

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Product # 3: GlossyBox Brand Eye Shadow in ‘GlossyBox Muave’ ($11)

Although my lids have been covered with sparkling golds and matte nude tones as of late, I’ll never say no to trying a shimmery mauve shadow- especially when the color tends to make my blue eyes pop when worn correctly. This powder shadow, a GlossyBox original formula, was well-pigmented and easy to wear by itself as a subtle solo-shade or blended with other colors for a more dramatic look- and the longevity was pretty impressive, too. There was no creasing or flaking down along my cheeks- even as day turned to night. It stayed in place- and a reapplication or touch-up wasn’t necessary. I do love the color, a beautiful purple/silver tone- and I think I’ll be incorporating it more and more with my holiday and Winter wardrobe and makeup selections.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! This single shadow was a really nice and unexpected find. I don’t know if GlossyBox sells their own brand of makeup through their website (I can’t seem to locate it anywhere) or if it’s just limited to their subscription boxes only- but if they were to make this available for purchase online- I’d pick up a replacement for when I ran out of the full-sized tub I received in this month’s box.

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Product # 4: OROGOLD Cosmetics 24K Hand Cream ($18)

If anyone is looking for a last minute Christmas present for me- let me help you out: hand cream. Just a ton of hand cream. Through Fall and Winter, my skin dries out like crazy, and sometimes it seems like there’s not enough lotion in the world to make me feel moisturized and comfortable. For that reason, I was ecstatic when I saw this tube of OROGOLD cream in December’s GlossyBox- and it’s since found a home in my purse until I run out.

The formula is lightweight, non-greasy, and lightly scented (a bit like a musky/woodsy fragrance, not bad at all)– and once it was applied- my hands felt soft and smooth for hours. Although I tend to compulsively reapply creams throughout the day- it wasn’t necessary with this product- which is always a welcomed treat since I won’t have to hurry to replace it so soon.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! When it comes to hand creams- all they have to do is hydrate my skin without making it feel slick or drying them out even more than they were pre-application- and I’ll be pretty content. This cream hit the mark, had a pleasant and long-lasting scent- and although $18 might be a little steep compared to other brands that sell hand creams at a fraction of that price (Bath & Body Works’ $5-$10 shea butter hand cream tubes, for example)– this was a quality product I’d splurge on in the future to treat myself.

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Product # 5: Color Club Nail Polish in ‘Feverish’ ($8.50)

First and foremost, I want to give a shout-out to my manicurist, Cindy, who applied this color to my fingernails and then went on to decorate my thumbs and ring fingers with lovely and festive-looking bows for the holidays. She’s magnificent and wonderful at what she does.

Now, onto the polish. Although I’m a fan of the rich burgundy tone of ‘Feverish’, the lacquer itself was a bit of a pain to apply. Instead of simply gliding on with one or two sweeps- my manicurist had to almost dab/tap it onto my nails to get it to stay in place without streaking unevenly- which proved to be slightly more time consuming. After two coats (and a top coat to seal everything)– the polish dried quickly enough- and has yet to chip, peel, or become discolored. I love the shade for the Winter months- but I’m weary about it’s odd application.

Would I Purchase?: No. Although I don’t think I’d repurchase ‘Feverish’ again (solely because it took longer than I would have liked to get it on my nails easily), I’d like to try some of Color Club’s other available shades. After browsing their website- they have some really neat prism-style lacquers that caught my attention. It’d be interesting to see if the streaking problem was solely limited to this one shade, or if it’s an issue across the board with all of the brand’s polishes.

Overall, I was thrilled with the quality of December’s GlossyBox. The amount of full-sized products I received was definitely impressive- and I loved nearly every item with the exception of one. On top of that, the design of the box was beautiful! I enjoy getting the occasional decorated or designed box from time to time. It’s such a nice surprise.

This was a wonderful assortment of products/samples to round out GlossyBox’s 2015- a year that saw the service speed up it’s formerly sluggish delivery time and branch out to include more bold products and collaborations- and I am looking forward to seeing what the service has in store for next year. I hope they keep up the great work!

Dec 16

Last-Minute Gift Conundrum?

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In what I can only describe as a slightly early Christmas miracle, I’ve not only finished my holiday shopping within a reasonable amount of time- but I’ve somehow managed to get everything wrapped, bagged, and tagged- too! The only thing left to do is enjoy marathoning my favorite Christmas movies (hello, openly weeping at the endings of ‘Home Alone’ 1 & 2!), baking gingerbread cookies at my mom’s house, and drinking eggnog for the next few days until it’s time to make the rounds to hand deliver the goods to my friends and family throughout next week.

Even more impressive than my record-shattering speed at accomplishing this most stressful of holiday traditions was that I was able to put together thoughtful, clever, and fun gifts for my loved ones without breaking the bank- making this year one of my more successful Christmas shopping experiences ever!

But with a little over a week to go before the actual holiday is here and plenty of other people I know still scrambling to get those last minute presents or put the finishing touches on their gifts- I thought I’d offer some helpful tips, tricks and links to make the process a little more bearable and to hopefully assist those of you in a bind for time or ideas so you’ll actually be able to enjoy the days leading up to Christmas instead of spending them rushing from store to store ’til the very last second on December 24th.

There are plenty of brilliant blogs that have gift guides for different types of people and personalities (I plan to compile some of my own guides here on ‘Legally Redhead’ next year!) and those are all well and good when time is not exactly of the essence- but this post is more for those of you who need something and need it now or who are at a loss at what to get those one or two people on your Christmas list who are just impossible to shop for. I’ve been there- plenty of times- and a lot of this advice are things that I learned from my own past holiday experiences!

1. Trim that shopping list:

In the past, I bought Christmas presents for everyone- and I mean everyone. Friends, friends-of-friends, immediate family, family members I only saw once or twice a year, co-workers, my co-workers’ kids, my neighbors, my neighbors’ kids. The list went on and on- and by the time New Years Eve rolled around I was lucky if I had enough money left over in my bank account from splurge spending on everyone that crossed my path to afford being able to go out and enjoy ringing in a new year with my friends.

Keep it simple and trim your shopping list to save yourself a ton of stress from having to find the perfect gift for a ton of people and to save yourself even more money. Immediate family? Sure. Significant other? Of course. Close friends? Absolutely- but when your Christmas list starts to include the dog walker, the cashier at your local market, or that one guy who helped you reach something on the top shelf at Home Goods? Well, you need to take a step back, re-evaluate your shopping budget and figure out who in your life should reasonably be given a present during the holidays.

That’s not to say you can’t do something nice for the aforementioned dog walker, cashier at the local market, or that one guy who helped you reach something on the top shelf at Home Goods- which brings me to tip number 2.

2. Christmas cards are NOT a “cop out”:

There’s an unfair stigma I’ve seen attached to the act of mailing out Christmas cards in lieu of purchasing a gift/gifts for distant friends/family or acquaintances. Maybe it’s because many feel that cards lack a personal touch (ala the dreaded “corporate card”, where a company sends out the same holiday card to each and every employee with a pre-printed or pre-stamped signature and absolutely no indication that an actual person even glanced at it before sending it out) but that can easily be rectified by taking the time to jot down a few heartfelt words on beautiful stationary. Christmas cards are perfect- and a much more affordable option- to give to those you don’t see often, or who you don’t know that well- but whom you still want to know that you’re thinking of them this time of year.

PAPYRUS and The Paper Store have a wide assortment of beautiful Christmas cards and stationary to choose from- either sold individually or in bulk packages. I like to write fun, personalized notes in the cards to send to my cousins or give to co-workers or friends-of-friends (and yes, my mailman, too!) that I occasionally see in passing.

3. When you’re stumped for something completely unique- turn to Etsy:

My circle of closest friends and I have known each other anywhere from 10-20 years, so when it comes to buying Christmas presents for one another- we tend to veer off the beaten path and try to see who can come up with the most bizarre, unique and unexpected gift imaginable (which is much more fun than the conventional gift basket or fruit cake!). This year, when faced with the daunting task of finding something that stood out in terms of creativity but was also something that my friends would enjoy and/or find useful- I turned to Etsy.

It’s no surprise that the internet is filled with tons and tons of immensely talented artists/sculptors/designers/photographers/fabricators/etc. and Etsy is just the most convenient way to search through them all to find that one (or in my case- five) pieces of home decor, clothing, jewelry, art, bath and body products and anything in-between. Thanks to some fantastic shops set up through the site, I found a few video game and horror movie-related items that my friends are absolutely going to flip for when they open them next week- and my purchases helped support those artists, their work and their small businesses.

Seriously- if you’re at a loss for a gift- just start browsing Etsy and I guarantee you’ll find something unique and affordable in time for Christmas.

4. Pay it forward:

If you want to purchase a gift that also serves a greater good, you need look no further than charitable organizations and companies listed through ShopWithMeaning.org. My personal favorites are the companies that participate in “buy one, give one” promotions, like LOVE YOUR MELON– who, with each purchase of one of their really chic and comfortable beanies/caps- donates one to a child battling cancer. There’s also Everything Happy– who donate a blanket to a child in need with each one purchased through their website.

My friends have also purchased products through the Purple Buddha Project. This fair trade organization creates jewelry from fragments of weapons of conflict in Cambodia to raise awareness, and donates nine meals to disadvantaged children in the region with each piece sold.

Those are just a few- but there’s plenty more to check out!

5. “That’s the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.”:

No, I’m not talking about a year subscription to the ‘Jelly of the Month’ club, but I am talking about monthly subscription services where products and samples are shipped right to someone’s door each and every month- like GlossyBox and Loot Crate (which I’m currently subscribed to!)

Many companies offer the option to purchase 3, 6, and 12 month subscriptions to their service/products- either for yourself or as a pre-paid gift to others- and there’s SO many to choose from that no matter what a person’s interests are, there’s bound to be a service tailored to their likes/passions- be it beauty products, food, gamer stuff, clothes, books, music and so much more!

If that sounds like a pretty good gifting idea but you’re not quite sure where to start- I recommend checking out My Subscription Addiction. MSA gives comprehensive and thorough reviews (and promotion codes!) for nearly every available subscription service out there, A-Z- so finding that perfect choice for someone special is made infinitely easier!

And finally,

6. When all else fails – gift cards:

It’s noon on Christmas Eve- and many of the stores are getting ready to close for the holiday. You’re standing there, staring in horror at your Christmas list at the names of the one or two people you vowed to buy a present for this year and realizing that time is out and you’ve got nothing for them…

…. Until you remember that gift cards are super easy and convenient.

Much like mailing Christmas cards, many view simply giving someone a gift card to a store/restaurant/service as “the easy way out”, but I don’t see it that way at all! You’re giving someone the opportunity to purchase something they like, on their own terms- without having to spend their own money. There’s nothing wrong with that at all- it’s actually very thoughtful and considerate- and I can tell you that I have always appreciated and enjoyed every Starbucks, Sephora, dining, etc. gift card I’ve ever received because they’re practical and they’re useful.

The holidays can be stressful- there’s no doubt about that- but I hope some of these ideas are helpful to some. They might not be overtly specific “gift guides for the (insert personality type here)” but these tips/tricks have always helped me- especially this year.

And of course it goes without saying that Christmas isn’t about presents or spending money. It’s about coming together and spending time with those most important to you (and it’s also about peppermint mocha lattes and gingerbread cookies) and taking care of one another- but that also includes taking care of yourself. Don’t get too stressed out with your holiday shopping. Your sanity is important, too.

Good luck!

Dec 14

Christmas in Nantucket

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Although I am no stranger to Cape Cod, often visiting a couple of times every other Summer and sporadically throughout the “off-season” (see: Fall/Winter months), it’s been a really, really long time since I stepped foot on the island of Nantucket. So long, in fact- that I can’t quite remember when it actually was. I obviously must have been little the last time I ventured out that way- because my return trip there near the end of last week to visit my cousin who is currently residing and studying on the island was like seeing the small, seaside community with fresh, new eyes for the very first time.

The great thing about beach communities around Christmastime is that they are rarely, if ever crowded. You can walk down the streets without bumping into a handful of people (or a ton of tourists) at any direction and the shops, restaurants, and attractions that remain open year-round are usually priced much more fairly as opposed to mid-June or July when rates go up as available space in hotels or places to eat go down.

But the best part about visiting a beach community this time of year- and specifically Nantucket, which is just gorgeous in it’s own right with it’s cobblestone streets and very old and historic homes and neighborhoods- is that you get to marvel at the beautiful holiday decor the locals take the time to set up.

After hopping off the ferry from Hyannis and greeting my cousin on the dock- my day on the island was essentially a non-stop walking tour through Nantucket’s historic downtown shopping district, along the waterfront and surrounding docks (where I got to see firsthand exactly how seagulls hunt for food and dear God- is it brutal and fascinating at the same time!), and beside a festive-looking and fully-functioning lighthouse.

The weather was unusually warm and sunny for most of the day (I didn’t need a jacket over my sweater!) which made my visit even more enjoyable since I wasn’t freezing with every step I took.

We also stopped for a delicious early dinner at the Rose and Crown as the sun began to set and the temperatures gradually began to drop little by little and before I had to catch my ferry back to the mainland. If anyone visiting the area stops by- I highly recommend their grilled cheeses and bacon jam baguette sandwich- which is what I ordered and proceeded to wolf down shamelessly since it was so good. I think I’ll have to attempt to make my own one of these days.

All in all, I had a beautiful day. It was wonderful to see my cousin again and spend a good amount of time with her since her initial move there a couple of months ago- and I have fallen completely in love with Nantucket. I plan on visiting again shortly after the New Year and hopefully spending an extended weekend there to do more exploring (and shopping!)

Below are just a few of my favorite photos I snapped throughout my stay- but they don’t do the island nearly enough justice. It’s such a beautiful, peaceful place- and many of the locals I encountered were unbelievably friendly!

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Dec 07

Quick Eats: Homemade Peppermint Patties

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Since I’m not scheduled to start my new job for a couple more weeks, I’ve had plenty of time to get into a more festive state of mind in preparation for the upcoming holidays. My Christmas tree is going up this coming weekend (as well as an attempt at some exterior illumination ala Clark Griswold in ‘Christmas Vacation’,) I’ve been listening to classic holiday music in my car as I go from store to store to try and finish my shopping and gift wrapping within a reasonable amount of time- and I’ve been looking at seasonal recipes in-between signing Christmas cards and drafting my usual year-end best wishes e-mails to distant friends and former colleagues.

Over this past weekend, one recipe in particular caught my eye- homemade peppermint patties. Growing up, my dad ate the individually wrapped York brand of the candies all the time, and nearly every Christmas present I purchased for him up until his passing included an oversized bag of them with it, too.

And so I thought it’d be fun to try my hand at making my own this year, instead.

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WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

* 3 cups confectioners’ sugar

* 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

* 3 tablespoons heavy cream

* 1¼ teaspoon peppermint extract

* ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

* 12 ounces dark chocolate candy melts or baking bars

OKAY, HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the confectioners’ sugar and butter to combine. Add the cream gradually, and mix until the mixture is uniform.

2. Add the peppermint and vanilla extracts, and continue mixing to combine.

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3. Place the peppermint mixture on a piece of parchment paper and form it into a log about 2 inches in circumference.

4. Wrap the log in the parchment and transfer to the freezer. Freeze until well chilled (approximately 20 to 30 minutes.)

5. Using a sharp knife, cut the frozen log into ½-inch-thick wafers. If the mixture seems to have softened, return the wafers to the freezer.

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6. Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 15-second intervals, mixing in between. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Working one at a time, dip each wafer into the melted chocolate with a fork. Tap away excess chocolate from the base, then transfer each dipped piece to the prepared baking sheet. Let set fully.

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7. Once the chocolate has set, use a spoon to drizzle more melted chocolate over the peppermint patties in a decorative fashion. Let set fully before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

These things came out SO GOOD. Sure, they weren’t perfectly round like the York brand, and sure- I deliberately cut them a teeny, tiny bit thicker than instructed- but they tasted incredible.

And if eating a tray of these things wasn’t enough to ruin my diet for a week and a half- I also served the Patties up with a hot mug of Nutella cocoa, which is made by simply adding two tablespoons of Nutella to one cup of steamed milk and stirring until it’s evenly dissolved.

I plan on making another batch of these for when I have family over on Christmas Eve- and I’d like to think my dad would have enjoyed them, too!

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Dec 02

Loot Crate: November 2015.

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Even though my November Loot Crate arrived a couple of days before Thanksgiving, the general hustle and bustle of the holiday kept me from sitting down and properly reviewing it until now. Coincidentally, November’s box was probably one of the first assortment of items I’ve received since initially subscribing with the service that I’ve been rather disappointed with. That had nothing to do with my tardiness, of course. That’s just my own fault.

November’s theme- “COMBAT”, had endless possibilities- but the overall selection of toys and trinkets fell a little short, in my opinion.

Let’s take a look at what I received:

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Kicking things off in last month’s box were the monthly mini-magazine and collector’s pin. This month’s edition, which featured it’s usual subscriber-submitted photos and item breakdowns- also had a small write-up of famous video game rivalries (including my favorite from ‘Motal Kombat’- Sub Zero v. Scorpion), an interesting article by Lola Binkerd detailing the world’s fascination with stories where kids are pitted against each other in fights-to-the-death (think ‘Hunger Games’)– and an interview with WWE commentator, Kyle Edwards.

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In the entirety of the ‘Hunger Games’ franchise, I’ve only ever seen the first movie- which I thought was good, but didn’t get me as hooked as some of my friends who have since religiously read all of the books and have watched the movies as they are released. For that reason, I’ll be hosting my own ‘Hunger Games’ among them- where the winner will take home this replica pin of Katniss’ tribute token.

May the odds be ever in their favor.

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Loot Crate is always dependable when it comes to sending me things that I have an absolute ball wearing around my house, but may have some difficulty getting away with in public. Add these Shredder sunglasses/mask from ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ to that list. While I admittedly enjoyed sporting these while doing karate moves around my place to the amusement of my roommate and to the horror of my dog- I think I’ll be passing these along to my niece or brother- who will probably get more use out of them.

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My best friend is going to kill me for admitting this, since he grew up on it and will always and forever hold a special place for it in his heart- but I’ve never liked ‘Street Fighter’. It always bored me, so I wasn’t particularly thrilled with this special edition comic book designed by Loot Crate for this month’s box. I’ll be passing it along to him, for sure- because I know he’ll love it!

Blizzard Entertainment, who owned a considerable amount of my income (and my soul) years ago when I played ‘World of Warcraft’ all the time- have adorable-ized some of their most famous and memorable villains in their ‘Cute But Deadly’ series. These stickers are precious (LOOK AT KERRIGAN!) and will also be given to my niece to decorate her notebooks with.

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Probably my favorite item in November’s Loot Crate, this Vault Boy bobble head, made to commemorate ‘Fallout 4’ (side note: post-apocalyptic Boston is scarily fun) has found a home beside my PS4 in recent days. It’s a great quality item that stands about 6″ tall. I think this will be the toy I shamelessly keep for myself instead of giving away to any of my friends!

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Finally, another ‘Cute But Deadly’ item was included in November’s Loot Crate. I received a pint-sized, detailed Zeratul figurine from ‘Starcraft’. Like many of the other toys in November’s crate- this one is going to my niece. She’s a little too young to know who these characters are or where they come from- but she’ll enjoy it nonetheless.

With the exception of the bobble head figurine- I wasn’t really impressed with November’s Loot Crate. With all the rivalries out there in video games, movies, comics and television- I felt like this assortment of items was very limited.

December’s crate, themed ‘GALAXY’ (just in time for the new ‘Star Wars’- oh yes!) will hopefully be an improvement.

‘Til next time!

Nov 30

November 2015: In a Nutshell.

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Sunset during a hike in Western Mass. November 2015.

How on Earth have we reached December and the last few weeks of 2015 already? It feels like it was just yesterday I was preparing for the Summer and just a week ago that I was cursing New England’s record-breaking snowfall while shoveling out my car and vowing never to stick around for another Winter here (and yet here I am, writing this from under a fleece blanket and listening to Christmas music now that Thanksgiving is over.)

But I’m getting ahead of myself. There’s still one more month left before 2015 sails off into the sunset and 2016 greets us (hopefully warmly)– and I plan to give this past year the proper attention, reflection, and review it deserves by December’s end- but November needs it’s recognition, too.

Yes, November- the month that felt like it lasted ten years.

It goes without saying that one of the biggest changes in my life happened in early November, when I was laid off from my job of five years and went through that never fun feeling of briefly having a rug pulled out from underneath me. Thankfully, I’ve since accepted an offer for a position within a new firm/company that I start in a couple of weeks- which has given me plenty of time to relax, take some time for myself to go on day trips (like to Newport, Vermont, or hiking in Western Massachusetts), begin the process of getting my Christmas shopping done by a reasonable time before the actual holiday- and occasionally be shamelessly lazy on my couch (I’ve played SO much PS4.)

I’ve also had the chance to take more time with my family and friends with my new found, although temporary, freed up schedule. Thanksgiving was a relaxing, fun day spent in the company of my siblings and cousins where as usual- I ate too much- but was able to sleep it off by staying in on Black Friday (instead of reporting to my office first thing in the morning to take care of things pre-weekend like I’ve done every year up until this point. Such a treat!) and later on tonight I have dinner-and-wine plans with one of my longtime friends who I don’t get to see as often as I’d like due to our opposite schedules.

All in all, despite the stress that comes with job hunting and having to smile my way through follow-up interviews- November was pretty laid back, relaxing- and even rewarding at times. More so than ones I’ve worked through in the past.

The Elms. Newport, November 2015.

So what’s in store for December? Well, I’m hoping that with the remainder of my time off before I begin my new job, I’ll be able to finish my Christmas shopping and get my gifts wrapped and tagged to avoid any additional stress as December 25th creeps closer and closer- and can therefore enjoy the overall splendor of the holiday a bit more (for example: last night I took an opportunity to marvel at a beautiful holiday light display in Western Massachusetts.) I’d also like to get a few more recipe and photography posts up- the ones I had wanted to post this past month but didn’t get around to due to unforeseen circumstances- before I prepare my year-end round-up.

Here’s hoping for a happy holiday season and to sending 2015 off with a bang!

So long, November. Newport – November 2015.

Nov 27

Support The Arts! “I Could Never Love Anyone…”

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I know that many of you are either recovering from your respective post-Thanksgiving food comas, or are about ready to collapse after a scary-early-morning of Black Friday shopping/avoiding being trampled to death (I was too busy enjoying my precious, precious sleep)– but while we’re still in the spirit of being thankful, family-oriented, charitable and festive- I wanted to shine a spotlight on an artistic endeavor that needs a little support.

I am an avid supporter of the arts, particularly dance and theater. Having studied ballet for years, and with numerous friends heavily involved in performances and productions across the country- I do my best to offer whatever attention, praise, or finances I can to make sure that their passion and their work is able to continue on and attract/connect with wider audiences.

I am also a firm believer in supporting fellow redheads, so when Katharine Pettit of NYC reached out to me to discuss her new endeavor, “I Could Never Love Anyone…” I immediately knew I wanted to help and spread the word.

A synopsis of the show, in Katharine’s own words:

“I COULD NEVER LOVE ANYONE… is a new dance theater piece that tells the story of three sisters struggling with addiction. Told entirely through my choreography and the powerful R&B music of Mr. Hudson and Wiz Kilo, we’ve had two presentations of the work so far. Last October, as part of The Emerging Artist Theater new work series, and this past May I produced and put on a Benefit at the Hostel International NY where we gave a sneak peek of upcoming new vignettes from I COULD NEVER LOVE ANYONE… and raised money to donate to New Hope Manor in upstate NY which focuses on the treatment of women fighting addiction.

The title comes from “Little Women” in which Jo declares she could “never love anyone as much as she loves her sisters”. I began this piece as a way to work through my own grief and pain over my sister’s addiction and now the piece has grown to help and illuminate the issue for the millions who suffer every day in silence, not just the addicts, but their loved ones, afraid of the stigma attached to this disorder.

The next incarnation is set for February 2016, and I’m expanding the piece, hiring more dancers and, therefore, need more rehearsal time and space. I’m searching for funding to pay my dancers, secure rehearsal space and the fees due for the Lighting Designer and House Manager at the Green Space Take Root Initiative in Astoria, NY where we’re booked February 19&20. Costumes and props will also play a bigger part in this iteration as well as Graphic Designs which will support the storytelling throughout. “

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The story hits close to home, as I’ve lost three childhood friends to their addictions over the course of the past two years.

Katharine and her team are so, so close to reaching their set goal of $7,500 before the December 5th deadline- but they still need that extra bit of help. Please, if you’re able- donate what you can by CLICKING HERE. It’s truly for a wonderful project and message. Every bit helps- and a breakdown of what your money goes towards is there at the link for your review!

Thank you, everyone- and enjoy the rest of your Black Friday!

Nov 25

Quick Eats: Sweet Potato Waffle Fries

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Happy Early Thanksgiving, fellow American friends and followers! Now, whatever your thoughts or opinions are on the origins of this holiday- I think it’s safe to assume we can all agree that eating a ton of great food is the best, right? Of course it is!

And naturally, there’s almost always leftovers (especially when my mom hosts Thanksgiving- since she tends to make way too much food every. single. time. without fail,) and while the initial meal is undoubtedly fantastic- by day three or four of eating reheated turkey and vegetables- dinner can seem a bit stale and boring.

Thankfully, this year I came prepared- having scoured the web for interesting, innovative and tasty ways to liven up leftovers a little bit- and I thought I’d share one of my favorite finds: a quick and simple way to revive those extra sweet potatoes you may have laying around post-Turkey Day. My favorite thing about this recipe- apart from how delicious these fries were when they’d finished cooking- was that they can be served any time of day. They work well as hash browns with breakfast, or as a crunchy and salty side to the main course at dinner.

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WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

* 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled

* 1 medium russet potato, peeled

* 3 tablespoons butter, melted

* A pinch or two of salt and freshly ground black pepper

OKAY, HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:

1. Plug in and preheat your waffle iron. Spray the interior with nonstick spray.

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2. Use a grater to grate the potatoes. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes to combine. Add the butter and combine that as well. Season the mixture with salt and pepper.

3. Divide the mixture into even portions. Mound a portion onto the heated waffle iron and then spread it out toward the edge of the iron to form a thin and even layer. Close the waffle iron and cook on high heat for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden and crisp.

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4. Repeat with the remaining potato mixture portions. Serve immediately.

5. Shovel shamelessly into your mouth and enjoy!

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I love sweet potatoes to begin with, so I’m glad to have another way to prepare them to add to the list. These really are so good.

I’m wishing you all a safe and happy holiday filled with family, friends, and never-ending baskets of warm crescent rolls. I have a lot to be thankful for this year- and I look forward to expressing my gratitude to my loved ones who are gathering at my mother’s house tomorrow afternoon.

‘Til next time,

Nov 23

Adventures in Sunless Tanning!

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Having entered my teens in the early 2000’s- I’ve experienced my fair share of mortifying makeup and fashion choices as I grew up and matured. Tube tops? G-string straps sticking up over my ultra low-rise flared jeans? Frosted pink lipstick? Bleached blonde hair with untamed roots? Oh yeah- guilty as charged. I did it ALL– but perhaps one of the most cringe-worthy things I used to do in my early teens (and even in my early twenties when I was feeling optimistic and a little daring) were my foray with self-tanners.

Look, I’m pale. I’ve come to terms with my paleness. I’ve embraced it- and the last tan I pulled off, courtesy of falling asleep on the beach while unknowingly wearing expired sunscreen- came at the expense of severe sun poisoning and a week’s worth of agonizing pain as my burnt skin split and eventually healed.

Prior to that, I’d tried multiple self-tanners from numerous companies- almost all of which turned me into an orange, streaky mess. High end brands, drug store brands- it didn’t matter. It was always a disaster and I’d since resigned myself to the fact that I would be a pasty redhead for the coming years.

When a representative from the Ireland-based self-tanning brand, Cocoa Brown (by Marissa Carter), contacted me to see if I wanted to give sunless tanning one more try- I eventually relented and agreed. The company was kind enough to send me two full-sized bottles of their ‘1 Hour Tanning Mousse’ and ‘Gentle Bronze Gradual Tan Body Lotion’ to experiment with- as well as one of their soft double-sided tanning mitts (which also act as a skin buffer to ensure an even application all over.)

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After doing the necessary pre-application-all-over-exfoliation routine in the shower using my grittiest sugar scrub- I got to work- starting with the 1-hour tanning mousse.

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What I liked best about the tanning mousse, and what differentiated it from other self-tanners I’ve tried in the past was that it was tinted- which made the application process a little easier since I could keep track of where it was going and what areas needed a little more attention to avoid uneven tan lines. When applied with the tanning mitt, this mousse spread easily enough and didn’t make my skin feel greasy. It also didn’t transfer onto my clothes when I eventually threw on some baggy sweatpants and a t-shirt and waited for the product to work it’s magic.

The directions on the bottle of mousse state that it can be left on for hours, with a minimum of one hour- depending on how dark you want your tan to be- before you rinse it off. I opted to keep the mousse on for approximately ninety minutes before hopping in the shower- and was pleasantly surprised that my skin seemed to have an even, subtle and natural (not orange!) looking glow to it by the time I was done.

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To those who are blessed with the ability to tan and tan well, it may not look like much- but to me- I was a bronzed goddess.

The “Gentle Bronze” body lotion, also tinted for an even application- is to be used between tanning mousse sessions to maintain and continually build color while hydrating the skin (think Jergens’ “Natural Glow” moisturizer.) I wisely chose to use this product for the first time just on my legs as to avoid messing up the subtle tan on my arms in case things went awry (my legs are easier to cover up in the winter in case of such a mishap.)

Unfortunately, the body lotion is where things got a little… orange. Sure, the lotion was pretty effortless to apply and it washed off of my hands without staining them- but my legs went from looking naturally sunkissed to looking a bit more spray-tan- and not in a good way.

As for longevity? Both the tanning mousse and the tanning lotion lasted approximately 2-4 days before the color gradually faded and my practically see-through skin re-emerged in all it’s pasty glory. If you’re looking for something that lasts a little longer- this may not be the self-tanning line for you- but I kind of liked that I had more control over my faux-tan. It was comforting in a way to be able to build it and/or let it fade as I saw fit.

ALSO: I know fragrance is important to a lot of people with products like these, since they tend to stay on your skin for a few days at a time and you don’t want to smell weird. I know for a fact that I’ve remarked in the past that 90% of self-tanners I’ve tried in my life have made my skin smell like cinnamon toast (don’t ask me why or how- it just does) which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but is still pretty unusual, regardless.

Well, Cocoa Brown’s tanning mousse and tanning lotion applies with an almost floral scent. It’s pretty nice, really- BUT– once it dries and your skin begins to tan- that same cinnamon toast fragrance slowly but surely reappears and it doesn’t go away until the product itself starts to fade. If you’re not into that- I recommend spritzing on a little more perfume to mask it.

THE VERDICT:

So enjoying one out of two products isn’t a bad result (or two out of three products if you count the tanning mitt- which I actually really liked!)

When faced with eventually re-purchasing Cocoa Brown, I would definitely grab another bottle of the tanning mousse- but I’d have to skip over the body lotion. The mousse gave me complete control and a buildable, natural-looking glow without any hassle, whereas the lotion turned my legs a little too orange and “fake” looking for my liking. It might work well for those with naturally darker skin tones- but it just didn’t look right with mine.

If you’re pasty like me and looking for a little color without having to go crazy with your bronzer or subjecting yourself to the sun’s harmful rays- Cocoa Brown is worth checking out. I truly enjoyed my trial (and error) and I’m grateful the company reached out to me to give it a go!