Merry Christmas To One And All

After a nice morning at home we are heading out to catch a flight to the Midwest. So excited to see family and friends and enjoy more holiday happiness. Wishing everyone a merry little christmas.

via pinterest.

A Pinterest Christmas

All of these lovely green and white holiday images were found via Pinterest. If you have not heard of Pinterest you should check it out. Be warned, you may end up spending hours just looking. Happy Christmas!

Stocking Stuffers Round 4

What’s more festive than sparkle?! I like to add a little sparkle to the holidays… from twinkle lights to sequins skirts, a little goes a long way. Something sparkly in the stocking might be just the thing.

1- Sequin Scarf (Ban Do)

2- Party Chic Bracelet (Banana Republic)
3- Amethyst Nail Lacquer (Dazzle Dry)
4- Glitter Sphere Ornament (West Elm) 

5- Midnight Cowboy Shimmer Lotion (Urban Decay) 

Stocking Stuffers Round 3

Today's mini guide to stocking stuffing is all about things that make you smell sweeter. Tis the season!

1- Candy Cane Lip Balm Collection (Crazy Rumors)

2- Chamomile Sweet Orange Body Lotion (Pangea Organics)
3- Vanilla Bean Hand Cream (100% Pure)

4- Snow Fairy Shower Gel (LUSH)

5- Brown Sugar eau de parfum (FRESH)

Holiday Cookie Exchange

For those of you who love holiday cookies, participate in cookie parties or cookie exchanges… these recipes are for you!  I would love to host a vegan cookie baking party… but I think people would be afraid of not knowing what to bake. Well, be afraid no more! You can’t go wrong with these delicious holiday cookie ideas.

Coconut Snowballs (Happy. Healthy. Life.)

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies (Tolerant Vegan)

Gingerbread Cookies (That’s So Vegan)

Classic Thumbprint Cookies (The Kitchn)

Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies (Namly Marly)

Sugar Cookies (Vegetarian Times)

Cranberry and Almond Biscotti (Bake Bake Bake)

Stocking Stuffers Round 2

Here are some special things to keep you warm while ice skating, snowshoeing or just being at home with family. These little lovelies will warm you inside and out during this snowy season.

1- Warming Joy Tea (Tea Forte)

2- Love Quote Linen Scarf (Zappos)

3- Oakley Cable Beanie (Backcountry)

4- Wigwam Outdoor Hiking Socks (REI)

5- Drinking Chocolate (Allison’s Gourmet)

Stocking Stuffers Round 1

Today I am starting a holiday blog post series all about fabulous stocking stuffer suggestions.  The Christmas stocking has always been a favorite tradition of mine… waking up in the morning, searching for the hidden stocking and then sneaking some 7am sugar before anyone else is awake.

Sadly, lots of the old favorites or traditional holiday sweets and treats contain animal products… most of which I was never even aware of. I am gathering plenty of goodies fit for any size, shape or type of stocking. Mine has a Santa on it… whose beard had to be repaired a few times due to overstuffing. What can I say… I love candy!

Let’s start out with some great sweet stocking stuffers.

1- Dark Chocolate with Blueberries (Endangered Species)
2- Peppermint Candy Cane (Hammonds Candy)
3- Bow Wow Bon Bons (Rescue Chocolate)
4- Vegan Caramels (Feed Your Face)
5- Blonde Macaroons (Hail Merry)

Advent Calendar Round-Up

My mom has been giving my sisters and I an advent calendar each year for as long as I can remember. Several years I requested the 90s chocolate version (which I am sure is still around today)… even though that chocolate was pretty terrible… I loved it. Other years we got the beautiful paper ones with Christmas scenes and sparkles. I liked the ones with animals the best and always opened the little door first thing in the morning.

The Vermont Christmas Company has lots of paper ones to choose from.

Advent calendars have come along way in the past few years… with lots of creative ideas and inspiration for new twists on an old tradition. I am loving these ideas! I might have to make one for Chris… or maybe the pets!  Anyway, check these out:

Anthology Magazine

Oh Happy Day!

The Marion House Book

Oh Happy Day!

Charming Lisa

Better Homes and Gardens

Just a Girl

Design Sponge

A Happy Thanksgiving

This year, we stayed in Colorado for Thanksgiving… not able to make it out to the Outer Banks with the Webb/Robertson clan. We missed that reunion quite a bit, but were able to skype with family and enjoy our own little feast.

I prepared a delicious vegan Thanksgiving feast that we all managed to devour. We celebrated with our good friend Erin... who made the desserts. Yum.

The menu:

Balsamic Maple Glazed Tempeh

Miso Kale Salad with Cranberries and Pumpkin Seeds

Mustard Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes

Gravy

Cranberry Walnut Bread

Apple Crisp Pie and Pumpkin Cupcakes

Vegan Bailey’s

We are so thankful for our loving family and friends, for our fur children, for our health and happiness, for finding each other, for our home in beautiful Colorado, and for adventures past, present and future. We hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas

Thanksgiving is a special occasion. Time to be with family (we will miss ours this year) and friends, time to reflect on the things we are thankful for and time to eat dessert and not feel guilty. And because all my dessert ideas are vegan, they are automatically healthier, which can never be bad... especially since they are just as delicious!

So here are some scrumptious dessert ideas. Now you just have to choose 1... or 2. :)

Swirled Pumpkin Pie

Pecan Pie Pars

Apple Tart

Pom-Berry Mini Cupcakes

Pound Cake with Cherries and Chocolate

Apple Pie with Pecan Crust

Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse Pie

Apricot Crumble Pie

Thanksgiving Recipes Ideas

I am sure everyone is excited for a happy holiday season and looking forward to seeing family. This year we are making Thanksgiving dinner at our place… but will be back in the Midwest for Christmas and New Years.

Here are some mouthwatering (and cruelty-free) recipes to try this year. Go veg for Thanksgiving! The turkeys, your body and the earth will thank you.

Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa and Leeks

Pumpkin Chickpea Fritters

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Hazelnuts

Maple Orange Cranberry Sauce

Pumpkin Cornbread

Veganized Green Bean Casserole

Roasted Butternut with Nut Sage Parmesan

Beet and Walnut Salad

Apple Sage ‘Sausage’ Chestnut Stuffing

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Vegan Mushroom Gravy

Desserts coming soon!