Sunday Inspiration

"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Galatians 5:13

Cozy Saturday

I am convinced that there is nothing better to do on a cold winter's day than snuggle up by a warm fire and have a cup of hot chocolate. Yesterday was a slightly stressful day for me. I have been having a weird chest pain off and on for a while and finally decided that I could not let it go on any longer. It was the funny heartbeats that I felt in my chest that really got to me. After and EKG and heart x-ray, much to my relief the doctor said my heart looks great. We are still not exactly sure of the problem, so he has put me on a trial run of an acid reflux medication to see if that changes anything. Please, keep me in your prayers. All of that being said, Bryan is off duck hunting and I am getting cozy at my parents' house.

Chocolate is one of the things that I will not be consuming any time soon, due to a few diet restrictions, but I want someone to please go and make this recipe. A la mode has some fantastic recipes with wonderful pictures and directions. Go here to see the entire post.

Lavender Hot Chocolate

Since lavender is quite fragrant, adjust amount according to preference. For a creamier hot chocolate, a 1 to 1 ratio of dark to milk chocolate can be used. Makes 2 servings.

Ingredients:

Hot Chocolate:

2 cups whole milk

3 ounces dark chocolate (70% cacao)

1 ounce milk chocolate

1/4 teaspoon lavender buds

Whipped Cream:

1/2 cup cold heavy whipping cream

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract or seeds from 1/4 of a whole vanilla bean pod

1/2 tablespoon granulated white sugar

Directions:

Whipped Cream:

Place cold cream, vanilla, and sugar into a cold mixing bowl. Beat the mixture with a whisk or mixer until stiff peaks form. keep refrigerated until ready for use.

Hot Chocolate:

Heat milk and lavender over medium heat, whisking occasionally until the milk begins to simmer. Remove from heat and let lavender steep for 5 minutes. Strain lavender and return milk to saucepan. Over medium heat, add chocolate and mix until chocolate is melted and incorporated. Whisk milk mixture for 10-20 seconds until frothy. Pour into mugs or bowls and serve with a dollop of whipped cream.

Change That Blue Funk

It seems as though a lot of us have been experiencing the wintertime blues. The weather has been cold, we've been bundling up in lots of layers, you get my drift. Bold, bright, neon colors are all in style right now, so what are you waiting for? Add a little color into your life! 

Have you jumped on the band wagon yet? Maybe you've gotten a pair of eye shocking pants? One of the best ways to change up an outfit is to add a scarf. You all know that I have done plenty of scarf posts before, but right now, in the dead of winter they can add a colorful punch to your dreary day. I first came across Pretty Penny Designs when I saw this top scarf and fell instantly in love with it. Oohlala, they are all so beautiful!

If these are a little out of your budget, head to your local TJMaxx or Marshalls for some cheaper options. Have a colorful weekend!

New Collection

After the huge Missoni for Target sensation that swept across the nation, rumors whirled as to who the store would be partnering with for their next Designers Collaborations collection. Jason Wu was announced as their pick, which left his fans beyond excited as they looked forward to possibly owning a piece of his work for a reasonable price. Pictures and prices of the full collection were published yesterday, and I must say that I am thoroughly looking forward to heading to Target on February 5, 2012, the day they hit stores.

The ten different handbags in the collection look well-structured and come in polished-looking cream and black, as well as more girlish prints. Fabric-wise, there's a nice mix of solids, stripes, florals, lace and a cute black-cat pattern that shows up on a scarf and a tote bag. -Global Grind

So classic and simple, these three tops are among my favorite items. And the lace skirt, and the black pleats...

Hello pretty trench, I think I like you a lot.

The dresses are light and feminine. Stripes and dots? Yes, please. For the price, they just cannot be beat.

A girl can never have too many handbags. This clutch needs to belong in my closet.

Prices range from $19.99 to $59.99, which is not too bad for a piece of designer (for Target) clothing. What do you think about it? Click here to see the complete collection.



Hot Toddy

Being such a huge hot toddy fan, I knew I could not let National Hot Toddy Day go by without blogging about it. Confession, I only know this because it popped up as a reminder from Garden & Gun, thus I thought it only fitting to share their superb recipe today.

Hot Buttered Rum

Ingredients:

8 cups apple cider

6 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

15 whole allspice berries

10 whole cloves

2 cinnamon sticks, broken into small bits

5 tsp. dark honey

4 tbsp. unsalted butter

2 cups dark rum

Directions:

Boil first 6 ingredients about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add butter, stir till melted, strain into 8 warm mugs, and divide rum among them.

via

..........

... was the reply. "You are exhausted, of course, but if you do not get cold you will soon be all right. Maggie," she continued, to the servant, "tell Mr. Hesden to bring in that hot toddy now. He had better put the juice of a lemon it it, too. Miss Ainslie may not be accustomed to taking it. I am Mrs. Le Moyne, I forgot to say," she added, turning to her unintended guest, "and Hesden, ...

— Bricks Without Straw • Albion W. Tourgee

HBD + Mules

Today is my wonderful husband's birthday! When I asked him what he would like to do, his reply was that he wanted to spend the night at home with me. I also asked about the kind of dinner he would like and kind of cake he would like. Seafood and a good cake. Thank goodness I do not have a picky husband! Now I just have to come up with a few wonderful creations for our evening meal. Seafood recipes, anyone? If only I could make a cake like this.  

Bryan is a man of many talents and hobbies, each of which he becomes very passionate about. This is a good thing, and sometimes a bad thing. (Hunter's wives, can you catch my drift?) Anyway, the beginning of this past weekend's travels actually goes back a few years. Somewhere along the way, once my sister and I got older, our ownership of horses somehow turned into the ownership of mules. Not the kind that are driven around a deer camp, but four-legged creatures that graze in your pasture. For some reason, a couple of years ago for Christmas my dad gave Bryan the two "babies" Gus and Ellie. Long story short, my parents, Bryan and I (Emily met us there from Ohio) ventured over to Kentucky to check on the training of three of our mules.

You may be asking yourself what in the world we are going to do with these animals. Good question. I will not be doing much with them at all, other than looking out the window at them when I am at the farm. Bryan and my dad are giddy with delight thinking about all of the mountain streams they can find and the elk that will be hung in the upstairs of my mother's house. Did I mention that Bryan went hog hunting with his new Amish friends on Gus while we were there?

The funniest moment was when my mother mentioned something about being a typically normal American family on our little venture. Do any of you other normal American families go across four states to visit your mules in training? Have a great day!

Funday Monday

This past weekend took me through four states and back. I will share that tale with you tomorrow. As for today, I am going to share a few pretties with you that I have seen recently.

It's raining here today, but for the most part this winter has been fairly warm. Still, I cannot help but think of warmer weather. I find myself always looking to occasions in the future where I know I will be able to dress up. Bryan's brother will be getting married this summer, and I have found myself eyeing summery dress already.

This Cynthia Steffe dress would be perfect for a shower that I will be attending. Plus, I think it is just a fun summer dress that would be put to good use a number of times.

Of course I'm a sucker for all things made by Tucker, so I was happy when I saw this dress last night for such a slow price. But, of course it was sold out in my size. Wait list, please. 

Both of the dresses I found on Gilt last night. They are having some great sales right now. I managed to snatch up this python Stephanie Johnson makeup case on Hautelook. It is to replace the one that I threw in the trash last week. As much traveling as we do, I cannot live without something this essential.

I've gotta admit that I am pretty excited Tibi will be on Ruelala today! I have a little bit of credit to spend, so hopefully there will be a little something I cannot live without. If you are not a member, click this link to join for free.