CHRISTMAS IN JANUARY

2016 has been one of the most interesting years of my entire life. It has nothing to do with politics, current events, or public figures. The year has tested and tried me more than I care to even mention and I don't know for sure if I'm up to sharing it here. For the time being, what I did want to share, is were some Christmas pictures.

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen SOME of these. While that's true, there are a few sprinkled in that haven't made it to the internet until now. That's hard for me, because normally I'm snapping pictures of absolutely everything and uploading almost immediately. Let's get started!

NATURE REPUBLIC HAUL | SKIN CARE

I've always been so interested in K Beauty and there really has never been an easy way to try it here in New Jersey. Ever since I started working in New York, I have had endless opportunities to walk right through Koreatown on 32nd Street so that I could pick up absolutely anything I want and trust me, I have taken advantage of that. 

PROFESSIONAL (W)RAPPER | #HITTIHOLIDAY

Every single year when Christmas comes around, I always hope that there will be more and more people that I have buy presents for, just for the sake of wrapping. I don't know, there's just something about crafting up a beautifully packed present. It gives the person more than just the present to enjoy. Okay, maybe it's just me enjoying things like waaaaay too much. I don't care though, it never stops me from concocting something awesome. 

THE BOOK BARN

St. Mary's By The Sea

If you follow me on Instagram, you would have seen that back in the beginning of the fall, I took a trip to Connecticut. My friend Diana (hi Diana) has some family there, but that's not QUITE why we went. There's a place called The Book Barn. Yes, you've heard it right, The Book Barn.

Thinking about the logistics of the trip was easy. Jump on the train and ride on up to Connecticut. We'd drop our bags off at Diana's, go to the diner for dinner, have some coffee, do a little shopping and then fall asleep. We had to travel to The Book Barn the next morning!

The Book Barn is in this beautiful little town called Niantic, CT. It honestly looks like a scene, to me, from a Nicholas Sparks novel or something. I always feel at peace when near the water, so I felt somewhat calm when I was there as we walked along St. Mary's By The Sea. 

SAUSAGE & WHITE BEAN ESCAROLE SOUP | EAT

I am most definitely not shy to say that I am probably the worst cook you will ever meet. Okay, I can make things, but it certainly doesn't mean they are going to turn out well. That I can say with confidence. 

I have amazing, fantastic cooks in my life. My grandmother was fantastic, I miss her cooking so much. My great aunt was wonderful. The two of them together was like a ball of Italian fire in the kitchen, so amazing. My dad definitely gained some of those skills and my uncle is a Chef. So there you have it, you get the idea. EVERYONE is great, and here I sit.... horrible at cooking.

There are a few things I make just because I know I can't screw them up, this soup being one of them. I remember my grandma making this when I was young and ever since then, I cannot get it out of my head. When I was old enough to start making it myself, I couldn't find a recipe that she used to follow, so I googled it and found one just to make sure I wouldn't make any mistakes. Now, I just do my own thing.

Honestly, everything this is pretty fool proof and being that I am so paranoid about heat when cooking, I take it really slow on every single step. This is a good thing, because that improves my chances of not screwing up (hopefully).