Sparkles Holiday Look '15

Are you ready for Christmas? You probably are more prepared than myself. The only thing I have down packed is this holiday outfit I'm sharing with you Sparkles. 

I had no clue what to wear to our holiday party. I literally went into my closet and stared several times hoping for inspiration. When I think of holiday parties, I think of bold colors, plaid, or sequins. Literally that's what I looked for in my closet. I bought this skirt back in June with the intentions of wearing it for all the holiday festivities. I thought it paired just perfectly with this plaid button down. To me, they are both such statement pieces that can be rocked in varied ways. These are pieces that make me so happy, i just feel like they are show stoppers. I  just love how much this ensemble screams Christmas to me! Heck, I might wear this same outfit for New Year's Eve. 

What are your plans for the Holidays? The Hubster and I will just be home enjoying the end of another year and the start of a new one. 

Get the look:

Skirt: Express (in store only, clearance!) similar  and how cute is this longer version

Shirt: J.Crew Factory

Boot:Nordstrom Rack

Salmon Dip

So I'm planning my menu for the week after all that heavy, delicious, I can only eat it once a year thanksgiving food, and I really just wanted something refreshing. A cold dip was the first thing to come to mind. After scrolling through Instagram for a while, I got a yearning for some supreme salmon dip. Had I had it before? No. But it couldn't go wrong, I mean, I love salmon. 

I couldn't be more right. Celery, red onions, mayo and sour cream? HEAVEN. Tuna dip on crack is what I've been calling it. 

This is an amazing dish to serve at any party, before dinner as an appetizer, or be like me and just eat it while watching re runs of those Kardashians. Either way, it's PERFECT with butter crackers. If you'd like it a healthier way, then serve it wit cucumbers! 

I researched several variations to this recipe, and decided to just do it the way I make my tuna fish salad. So simple, so quick, let's eat.

Salmon Dip

Ingredients

1 15 ounce can pink salmon or smoked salmon

1/3 cup red onion, chopped

1/3 cup celery, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh parsley

3 heaping tablespoons mayonnaise

3 tablespoons sour cream

1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce

salt and pepper for taste

Instructions

• Pour can of salmon into a medium mixing bowl, making sure it is cleared of bones and skin.
• Break the salmon apart
• Add onion, celery, parsley, mayonnaise, sour cream, and sriracha. Fold the ingredients in to combine.
• Season with salt and paper to taste

Serve with sliced cucumbers or crackers, enjoy!

Faux Fur Joy

Hello Sparkles! It's the end of November...almost. The holidays are in full force, and it's by far my most favorite time of the year. I'm already festive, I think I was festive once Halloween rolled around.  I love enjoying the scenery and being in the kitchen with the hubs cooking our Thanksgiving meal!

Besides my flannels, my other favorite fall piece by far is my faux fur vest. I received this vest for Christmas from the hubster about 2 years ago, and I can't...stop....wearing it. I'm a huge fan of "add ons" because they take an outfit from 1 to 10 instantly. It's been getting super cold here in Colorado, so this vest has been a favorite for me lately. I wear it with any color, I really do. It's just been so fun to layer with and throw on some suede booties to finish it off. And besides that, this is PERFECT to put on your Christmas list!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Get the look

Vest and in black
Dress
Boots

Paleo Pumpkin Pie

I'm still trying to grasp the fact that Thanksgiving is next week. The hubster loves pie on all occasions, anytime and anyplace. If you didn't know, he's been on the paleo diet for a year now. So I always try to include something in for him during our big meals. No, it's not difficult! Paleo cooking is fun and simple. It's an incredible healthy way of eating, and the food is still delicious! I describe The Paleo Diet is usually described as "the caveman diet". If you couldn't eat it back in the day, then you shouldn't eat it now.

 So, for dessert this year I decided to serve up something the hubster could enjoy as well. I made this pie on Sunday as a trial for Thanksgiving. It's definitely a winner! He loved it so much that it only lasted a couple of days. I got this tasty pie recipe from Kelly over at  Primally Inspired (how fitting is this name!?). I followed the measurements exactly, but I sprinkled cinnamon and added chopped pecans for an extra crunch! I bought all of my ingredients from Sprouts. It's the perfect grocery store to find healthier choices.  Enjoy, Sparkles!

Paleo Pumpkin Pie

15 ounce can of pumpkin puree

1 cup coconut milk

3 eggs

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 tablespoons pumpkin spice

a pinch of sea salt

1 pie crust ( I used a grain free store bought pie crust from Sprouts)

1 container of whipped coconut cream 

a pinch of cinnamon and a small package of pecans are optional for toppings

Instructions

(Preheat oven to 425 degrees F)

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the first 7 ingredients until well blended.

2. Pour your filling into the pie crust. Protect the crust by putting foil around the edges, or use a pie shield to prevent it from burning. ( I took mine off during the last 5 minutes)

3. Bake 15 minutes at 425 degrees F.

4. After 15 minutes, turn down the oven to 350 degrees F and bake for 35 minutes or until center is set. Let it cool completely before serving. 

5. Sprinkle cinnamon and pecans on top. 

6. EAT!

Flannels and Booties

Welcome back, Sparkles! I hope everyone is having a great week!

Note for fall: flannels and booties. I am not much of a "fall" person. I'm all about warm weather and long days. The less I have to wear, the better! Being in frigid weather is the real struggle, for real! I hate feeling "stuffed" with layers upon layers. I thought this flannel and LuLu's suede booties were the perfect transitional outfit for summer to fall. I bought both of these this summer online and I'm so thankful I did. I love the variety of ways I can wear flannels: buttoned, opened, tied around the waist, or underneath a vest. It's just so practical! 

P.S.- I literally wear these booties more than any shoe should be worn, honestly.

Get the look:

Booties: LuLu's (general ankle boots page) and loving these  and these

Jeggings

Flannel: Sold out! Similar