Weekend Recap!

Happy Monday everyone! 

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and I can't wait to read all about it on your lovely blogs! I was back at Lilly today so I was able to finish the last of my Christmas shopping! Tonight I finished wrapping all my gifts and put them under the tree! The onlyy gift I have yet to figure out is something for my 9 year old nephew...he's really into legos? I guess...but also loves gameboy so I might stick to getting him a game- but any creative suggestions?! 

As I mentioned yesterday- I got home late Saturday night (the flight was 45 minutes long! hellooo flying is SO much better than sitting on a 4-5 hour bus ride- gah) and on Sunday we decorated my tree and apartment for Christmas with my niece and nephew! And then we were off to my cousins apartment in the city for a Christmas party! Here is my sunday in photos (warning photo overload!): 

(christmas tree before the ornaments...)

(Christmas Tree after! The tree is on the shorter, fatter side than we usually get- that's what happens when my parents pick it out without me!) 

(the same nativity set that we've had since I was a baby!)

(our nutcracker collection!)

(coffee table decoration) 

Cousin's Christmas Party!

(Set table!)

(Decorations on the window and some view of NYC)

(my cousins painted the back of their bar in their kitchen with chalkboard paint! And always have different colored chalk handy- it's the perfect way to keep kids occupied with little cleanup!)

(Roo- who has been in the family for years!)

(me and my wonderful daddy)

(boys!)

(girls!)

(homemade chestnut soup- AMAZING-perfect winter soup)

(leg of lamb)

(cornbread stuffing and stringbeans) 

*the cornbread in the stuffing was homemade...pretty impressive I would say!*

(Cranberry/Cream Cheese/Chocolate Cake...)

(One picture just wasn't enough!)

The whole afternoon and evening was a perfect first day back in New York. It was great reuniting with family who I haven't seen for a long time, especially around the holiday season. All of the food was homemade and absolutely delicious! My cousin's husband was responsible for the entire meal and he is an absolute genius in the kitchen! I'm glad we all get to spend Christmas together just next week! 

How was your weekend?!

XOXO

ps so sorry that some of my pictures are horizontal- blogger was giving me a really hard time tonight! 

Happy Sunday!

And I'm backk....! 

I just got back to NYC last night and I could not be happier to be home with my family! The last two days in Boston was a bit crazy...laundry, packing, cleaning, OH and taking my exam...so I guess studying also! But it's all over now! One month of completeee relaxation (with a little work at Lilly of course!)! 

My family arrived from Germany yesterday also...did I mention I have family in Germany? My sister moved there with her husband (who is German) and raised their kids there aka my niece and nephew! I only get to see them twice a year so I was sooo excited to get home and reunite with them! Giulia is 11 and Alexander is 9! They are my favorite children in the whole wide world and I cannot wait to cuddle and play with them all of break! 

Today we're decorating my tree and apartment for Christmas and then we're off to my cousins for a pre-christmas party! (pictures to come tomorrow!) So before I sign off here are some cute Christmas photos from Pinterest (of course)...

(such a cute idea for a night in with the kids...)

(adorable mantle decorations!)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! And for all my college blogger friends- if you're done CONGRATS! If you're just finishing up- GOOD LUCK!

XOXO

Top 5 Tuesday: Thanksgiving!

Happy Tuesday Readers! Today I'm linking up with Rachel from Just Peachy! I'm loving these link ups and a big thanks to their hostesses! 


This week is your top 5 favorite things about Thanksgiving! Is it possible to choose my top 5 things about Thanksgiving this year? Well let's see...


1. (Obviously) the FOOD! I think Thanksgiving's menu is by far my favorite holiday menu! Christmas is a close second though...since my family is Italian we traditionally only eat fish on Christmas Eve- can you say beer battered fried shrimp YUM...


Here are some photos I found on Pinterest this week that show some of my favorite Thanksgiving foods! 

Mini Pumpkin Pies! Such a cute idea! 

Sweet Potato Casserole! One of my favorites! 

I think these are so cute! I might try to be ambitious and make them as my contribution to Thanksgiving! I usually try to contribute a sweet, last year I made pumpkin oatmeal cookies :)

2. Thanksgiving Day Parade! 

My mom always puts the parade on in the background when she's making her dishes for our Thanksgiving feast (stuffed mushrooms and pumpkin pies!). I love to watch the performances on all the crazy big floats! 

And the very best part of the parade is when Santa and the Christmas float comes out! It means that it is officially the BEST time of the year! 

3. Blogging, Pinteresting, and SLEEPING

I plan on spending quite sometime preparing blog posts for next week so I can have them in advance and will most definitely spend/waste a few hours on Pinterest (sorry, but I'm not sorry) 

4. Being back at Lilly Pulitzer!

Can't wait to be back and pick up a formal dress, a gift for my blogger secret santa, and start some Christmas shopping! 

5. Mia familia!

I haven't seen my dad since August so I'm super excited to see him again, (and of course my mom aka my bff also!) I love being home and spending quality time with them! Shopping, movies, dinners, whatever! 

What are your favorite things about Thanksgiving!? 

XOXO 

E