Last week I surprised the team with a day at Lake Austin Spa as our “company holiday party,” and it was essentially heaven on earth. The gorgeous hill country landscape, delicious healthy food, and blissful treatments made it a truly unforgettable day. If you still need to check a few “impossible to buy for” people off your list, a gift certificate to this magical spot would be the perfect treat.
A roundup of fun holiday crafts to make with your kids (or little nieces or nephews!) this week.
Gluten-free pizza doesn’t usually speak to me, but this brussels sprouts version looks way too good to pass up.
The 40 most groundbreaking albums of all time. (do you agree?)
Amazing holiday party appetizers to whip up this week.
15 best gift wrapping ideas — I want to try them all!
Hope you find some ways to treat yourself extra well this weekend, and for loads more outfit inspiration, be sure to checkout Gap’s Styld.by site for some amazing looks worn by creative people around the globe.
Perfect Hot Cocoa
Serves 2
Cozy By the Fire (& Weekend Links!)
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk (sub almond milk if you want, but if you can tolerate dairy, now is the time to go with 2% or whole!)
- 2 ounces high-quality dark or bittersweet chocolate
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or peppermint extract (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, stir together 1 cup milk, chocolate, cocoa powder, and sugar until barely simmering.
- When everything is dissolved, add remaining 1 cup milk and extract (if using), then pour into 2 mugs, top with marshmallows and sip in front of the Christmas tree!
){kind=link}
Love this weekend update as I read it when its all quiet in the house. I am a new commenter but a long time follower way out in Boston! I clicked on link for leggings and brought me a black pair. I am a huge fan of red and grey and would love these for Christmas. Gap has a 51% sale up til midnight tonight so maybe they are sold out. Would love to get the red ones if you can share link. Thanks so much and happy relaxing!
What a perfect cozy outfit for the holidays! I love all these links! The gift wrapping ideas are so inspiring..and I have still yet to wrap any of my gifts..woops! So i might have to try some of those ideas out.
That rolling stones article about the most groundbreaking albums is such a great find! I love looking at how things change over the years!
xo Nan – Simply Elegant Blog
How lovely to be encouraged to do nothing especially when there is so much to do! I am sitting by my fire (althou’ it’s hardly cold enough in San Francisco!) and twinkling tree experimenting with different looks for tying my Christmas napkins, what a lovely way to spend a morning!! Thanks for all your lovely suggestions!
That cocoa sounds like warm heaven in a cup! My niece, Quinn, requested some when I babysat and we resorted to the Keurig version but spiced it up by making it s’mores flavor with graham crackers on top. Inspired from my Trail of Lights tour night before in Austin!
so so cute!
preppyandfunny.wordpress.com
That recipe sounds so good! And those pants look so cozy!
https://breakfastatvogueblog.wordpress.com/