S'mores Hot Chocolate | Blogmas Day 8

Hello loves,

Tonight I made this delicious s'mores hot chocolate that has been my favorite since Ingrid Nilsen shared the recipe in her DIY December in 2013.

Watch her video here:

What's your favorite way to drink hot chocolate?

XOXO,

Traci J

How I Get Going in the Morning #CoffeeMyWay

Hello loves,

I am definitely a morning person. I love waking up and knowing that I have the whole day to make it into whatever I want it to be. I have the time to accomplish and do anything.  If I want to spend the day working on the blog, I can. If I want to binge watch Netflix, I can. If I want to go for a run and meet friends for dinner and drinks, I can!

However, not every day is a jump-out-of-bed-and-conquer-the-world kind of day. Some days I just want to curl up in bed and hit snooze 400 times. On days like this - it is important that I follow my morning ritual to help feel refreshed and have a #boss kind of day!

Bows for Justine has teamed up with Wayfair.com for their #CoffeeMyWay campaign. Wayfair is an online home store - they seriously have everything. You absolutely have to check out their selection of coffee makers and mugs! To see a post where I teamed up with them previously click here.

If you keep up with me on Twitter or Insta, it is no secret that I have a mild complete obsession with coffee. It runs through my veins. Call me Rory Gilmore.

When I wake up I usually scroll through my Twitter and Instagram feeds to catch up on what happened in the #TeamInternet world while I was catching my ZZZs.  When I get the energy to roll out of bed, I wash my face.  But first, I make sure to put on some music.  Music always gets me going in the morning.  Click here to see what I've been listening to lately. Next, I'll head downstairs and get started on my favorite part of the morning - making my coffee.

Sometimes I don't have time to have a leisurely morning - so I am all about convenience.  I'll pop a K-Cup into my Keurig (lately I've been loving the Macadamia Cookie flavored coffee by Gloria Jeans), grab my favorite white mug (great for snapping an Insta pic), and hit "brew."

While I'm waiting for my hot mug of liquid energy to be ready, I'll usually make some breakfast.  I'm a sucker for waffles or I'll opt for yogurt, fruit, and granola.  Once I have my coffee and breakfast ready, I like to sit down in my living room recliner and catch up on the latest episode of Good Mythical Morning.

Now I know what you're thinking, "Traci, you didn't tell us what creamer you put in your coffee! How much sugar do you add? Are you a skim milk or 2% kind of lady?"  Well ladies and gentlemen, #CoffeeMyWay is black.  I am a no nonsense girl when it comes to my morning cup.  Yes, I like my lattes, mochas, and macchiatos - but my perfect morning is just me, my coffee, and the internet.

After I finish my breakfast and my coffee (maybe even a second cup), I shower, get dressed, put my make up on, and head out the door!  This routine and time to myself is what really prepares me to take on the day.

What does #CoffeeMyWay look like for you? Are you a black coffee lover like I am - or do you put your own spin on it?  How do you do mornings? Let me know in the comments below, and be sure to check out Wayfair.com!

With love,

Traci J xx

Image credit: Death to the Stock Photo

2014 Favorites

Hello loves,

Can you believe that another year has come and gone?! It's about to be 2015 - and I just can't wrap my mind around it. While I sit here attempting to mentally adjust to the new year - I have compiled a list of my 2014 favorites!  Here you will find the beast beauty products, favorite fashion items, and other random 2014 favorites of mine.

Enjoy :)

Beauty

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation

This is a product that I could not have survived 2014 without!  Covergirl 2 in 1 Foundation, you were my go to base. My sunshine on a rainy day, if you will.  When my skin was dehydrated and cranky from too many hours in the airport - you helped me put on a happy face.  When I had only slept for 3 hours - you rejuvenated me.  And God forbid, if I had a blemish (or 12) you were there to hide the redness.  Thanks, Outlast. Thanks.

Dove Dry Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

New to me in November of 2014, this shampoo and conditioner duo helped bring life to my ombre without weighing it down.  My hair is longer than ever - and also more dry - finding a treatment that adds enough moisture without weighing it down - is downright impossible... That is until I saw Ingrid Nilsen recommend Dove Dry Oil Shampoo and Conditioner in this video.  As soon as I purchased them, I was hooked!

Angled Brush from ELF

My beautiful little angled brush.  How I adore you.  I've had this guy for a couple years now, but only recently realized how much he means to me.  Each and every morning he helps me fill in my brows - which is no easy task.  Sometimes, they are beautifully groomed - recently waxed, plucked, and all together maintained - but more often than not they are two fuzzy caterpillars atop my brow bone.  This CRAZY affordable brush allows me to precisely and naturally fill in those bad boys. Stay classy, angle brush. 

Fashion

T Shirt Dress
(Similar)

I bought this dress from Target in July, and first featured it in this post. It is so comfy - and versatile.  You can dress it up with heals and a blazer - or down with sandals and a ponytail. This grey t shirt dress has taken me through many long flights - and never once wrinkled. I was even wearing it when I met Brendon Urie from Panic! at the Disco, at LAX. For that alone - I thank you, t shirt dress. 

Black Faux Leather Jacket
(Similar)

Coincidentally, this faux leather jacket goes great with the dress I just mentioned.  I swear, I have the hardest time finding jackets that fit my petite frame.  So, when I found this one at Marshall's early in 2014 - I snatched it up.  The cute floral panels give a hint of femininity to this sassy jacket. Every girl needs a good leather (or pleather) jacket to bring out their sass.

Francesca's Necklace

I have received SO many compliments on this necklace.  I picked it up on Black Friday - and it is truly the best necklace ever.  It goes with everything.  The whit acrylic jewels and rhinestone accents add a hint of glamour to any outfit.  I like to layer it with cozy, oversized sweaters. 

Noms

Sea Salted Dried Okra

Now I know that this does not sound all that appealing. But I'm telling you - this is the snack that got me through 2014.  It's crunchy, salty, and good for you!  Instead of reaching for potato chips or some other unhealthy snack after student teaching - I grabbed a handful of these instead. Try it. I promise it's delicious. 

Panera Bread

Mmmm. Panera.  Living on the road has me going out to  eat A LOT.  Whenever someone wants to have a meeting over a meal - I always suggest Panera.  They have so many choices that I never have to have the same thing twice.  My favorites have been the Autumn Squash Soup and the Roasted Turkey and Avocado Panini.  Plus, I'm  absolutely obsessed with Panera's green tea. 

Neuro Water

One of my coworkers introduced Neuro Water to me this July. Neuro water is a line of enhanced flavored waters.  They have water to help you sleep, give you energy, and even reduce stress.  I love the Tangerine Dreams for sleep (it has melatonin) and puts me to sleep with only half a bottle.  I really like the Bliss one as well - it is said to reduce stress. 

Music
Don't forget to follow me on Spotify!

Panic! At The Disco

This past summer - Miss Jackson - was my JAM, and I have a history of indulging in Panic!  However, until I randomly ran into Brendon (the lead singer of Panic! at the Disco) at LAX - I hadn't listened to the rest of Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die yet - and OMG!  This album (and really all of their music) is amazing!!!  My top 3 off of their latest album are:

1. Colar Full

2. This is Gospel

3. The End of All Things

Ed Sheeran

Oh, Ed. You're just darling.  He took the world by storm during 2014 - and was the soundtrack to most of my wait time in airports throughout the year (and my before bed playlist).  X was phenomenal.  My top 3 are:

1. Nina

2. I See Fire

3. Photograph

The 1975

Do I even need to talk about my love affair with The 1975?  I first heard about them from Ingrid Nilsen - over a year and a half ago - and I'm still infatuated/obsessed/CRAZY about them. I have no more words, so let's just jump into my top 3 picks.

1. Medicine

2. Sex

3. The City

Whew! I'm tired just listing out everything from 2014. What a year!  I'm interested in knowing what your favorite things from 2014 are!  Let me know in the comments below.  Did we share any favorites?

Happy New Year everyone!

XOXO,

Traci J

Time to Drink Champagne and Dance on the Table

Hello loves,

Today I thought I'd share with you the little diy champagne bar I put together for my family Christmas party!  It is super simple and an easy thing to make for a holiday party, brunch, or hey - anytime at all!

I purchased the champagne flutes from Walmart for $2 a piece - you could use any champagne flutes you have - glass - plastic - whatever works for you.  For rimming the flutes - I bought white candy melts (you can find these in the baking or party supply aisle) and gold sugar sprinkles.  I also picked up some cute paper straws.

Follow the directions on the candy melts to melt them down.  Dip the top of the champagne flute into the candy and then quickly coat it in the sprinkles.  Pat on any excess and let dry.  Ta- da! DIY rimmed champagne flutes (that also double as a quick snack if your guests get hungry). 

I did this process for 12 flutes and it only took 15- 30 minutes!  

Here are the finished products!  Unfortunately I ran out of gold sprinkles - but I had some white in the cupboard - problem solved.  

For mixers, I bought orange juice and cranberry juice.  I also had peach slices, a mix of berries (black berries, raspberries, blueberries, and cranberries), and lemon and lime wedges.  My mom had this cute serving dish complete with a cute present decoration, how festive.  

I purchased a few bottles of champagne and one bottle of sparkling cider (that when any kids that wanted to join us in the festivities were able to do so)!  I let them chill on ice in my dad's custom ice bucket (thanks Pottery Barn).  I lined all of the sugar-rimmed champagne flutes on a beautiful mirrored tray that my dad bought my mom for Christmas.  It says "Time to Drink Champagne and Dance on the Table!" It was just so perfect.

Party guests were able to make their own champagne cocktail.  The one pictured above has a splash of cranberry juice, berries, and peaches. Yum!  Time to Drink Champagne and Dance on the Table!

What did you do to make your holiday party special this season?  I'd love to hear your ideas and get links to your posts.  Comment below!

Happy New Year!

With love,

Traci J

February Food Post #1 | Becket's Restaurant in Oshkosh, WI

*photo from becketsrestaurant.com

Well here we go, loves.  My first attempt at a month long series - yikes.  Read more about what I have decided to do for the month of February here.  

We all have those restaurants that we frequent where we never seem to have a bad meal.  Becket's is at the top of this list for me.

It sits right on the water in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and has an unbelievable interior.  The colors are warm and inviting - while having a modern flair.  Some of the entrees can get a little pricey (especially on a college budget), but many of the wraps and sandwiches sit at around $8-10.

They use as many fresh, seasonal ingredients as they can get their hands on - and update their menu to fit.

One of the best things about this restaurant is their weekly specials:

Monday-1/2 price burgers
Tuesday-$1 fish tacos
Wednesday-jazz orgy wine wed. w/ $13 bottles of wine
Thursday-all night happy hour

Friday-fish fry
Saturday-prime rib
Sunday-free wine Sunday (with purchase of 2 entrees)

As someone who LOVES wine - the live jazz music Wednesday and free wine Sunday are my absolute favorite nights.  

My boyfriend and I went to Becket's for New Year's Eve dinner (I also went their for my birthday dinner as well, and to celebrate the end of the semester....) and I had one of the best meals I have ever had in MY ENTIRE LIFE.

I ordered the grilled salmon with sauteed green beans and a potato croquette.  The salmon had a raspberry balsamic glaze on top and it was cooked perfectly.  The green beans were al dente and had the best crunch.  But guys... the POTATO CROQUETTE.  This is seriously one of my favorite things.  It is essentially a crusted ball of garlic mashed potatoes and it is heavenly.  If you ever find yourself over at Becket's - make sure you have the potato croquette for your side.  

All in all - Becket's has an amazing atmosphere, reasonable prices, and the most delicious food.  I highly recommend this restaurant.

What is your go to restaurant for a night out?  Let me know in the comments below!

With love,

Traci J

My Favorite Chai Latte to Make at Home

*the brands in this photo are just suggestions - any brand will do

This morning when I came downstairs to make breakfast, I was really craving a chai latte.  As I was sipping the yummy goodness I had made - I decided I should share my simple recipe for the perfect at home chai latte with all of you!

Now, there is nothing exciting or extravagant about this recipe - except for the fact that it just tastes so darn good.  

I have a variety of chai teas in my home, but this morning I went for these chai K-cups by Tazo.  I pop the K cup into my Keurig and let it do its thing.  After the tea is done brewing, I add in a splash of skim milk - I'd say about two tablespoons (this is just an estimate...I really just pour some milk into the mug).  

Next, I stir in two teaspoons of sugar to add the right amount of sweetness without losing that "chai-bite" that I am in love with.  Finally - my favorite step - I add a teaspoon of vanilla extract.  Not only does the vanilla add a tiny bit more sweetness - but it rounds out the flavor of the latte and takes it to a new level.  

There you have it - my favorite chai latte to prepare at home.  

Do any of you have at home coffee-house recipes?  I'd love for you to share them in the comments!

Have a happy Wednesday.

With love,

Traci J

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