memories…

Have you ever been lucky enough to be on a tropical beach vacation in the winter?  If you follow me on instagram you saw that we went this past Christmas break.   And within a few days back in this polar vortex it was hard to remember the warm breeze and sand between our toes.  So how to bring those warm, sunny, sandy memories back, and keep them around for awhile?   Here’s what Miss Personally did:  make a memory jar to preserve a piece of the holiday.

Creamy Curry Cauliflower Soup

easiest grocery shopping ever

I love it when you can create a whole meal around a single vegetable.  Makes planning and grocery shopping so much simpler.  Four minutes in and out of the grocery store.  Buy a cauliflower and dinner’s practically done.  Add some spices (already in the spice drawer),  some stock (already in the pantry or freezer) and some bread (if you’re out of bread, it practically makes itself in a breadmaker).  See?  Creamy curry cauliflower soup, with a side of bread, practically on the table already and you hardly had to think about it.

Kate Spade Inspired Planner {using duck tape}

kate spade wannabe

I love Kate Spade.  And all her stuff.  All stripey and polka dotty, exuding class and sophistication.  I’m pretty sure she’s a lot like me.  Maybe.  Or not.  A girl can dream, can’t she?  But I really did want one of her planners this year.  One that looks like it has lots of shopping dates and girls’ lunches in it.  This large black stripe one actually.  But the thing is…well…it’s shockingly expensive.  And anyways, I’ve always used this planner because the inside layout matches the way my brain works.  Which is pretty helpful in a planner, wouldn’t you say.  But it’s QUITE unattractive.  So what’s a crafty girl to do?

Easiest Appetizer: Boursin and Balsamic

How to assemble an easy and beautiful appetizer with Boursin cheese and balsamic glaze.  

Around the holidays, there’s a lot of eating happening.  Or is it just me?  Eating at home, eating out, eating at someone else’s house, eating at parties…  So  I love having some super easy go-to foods that are easy to keep on hand and then assemble at the last-minute to put on the table for nibbling, or to take along for contributing to the party.  The quickest appetizers require assembly only, and no other prep ahead of time, don't you agree?

Last-Minute Candy Cane Jar Gift

last-minute + easy + candy canes

So as December is progressing you're probably systematically going down your to-do list checking things off in an organized way.  You’re probably right on schedule.  No late nights for you.  It’s all going according to plan.  Right?  In that case you can just skip this and move on to another blog that never uses words like last-minute.  The rest of us will stick around here in the world of procrastination, panic, and doing crafts late at night because we suddenly think it’s vitally important.  Who’s with me?

Candy Cane Shortbread + Christmas Playlist

candy cane shortbread

So when I’m having a complete Christmas moment, and I’m baking away, and the tree is up, I love to have a great Christmas playlist happening that I can sing along with, and love every song that comes on.  If your Christmas playlist needs some mid-season additions, then here are my top three albums for this Christmas.  I could put this set on shuffle and listen to it all day.  I think.  That opportunity hasn’t come up yet!

Top 5 Supplies for Easy Personalized Gift-Giving

personalized gift-giving made easy

Hey everyone!  I’ve been meaning to write this post for a long time.  There are several versions and attempts in my drafts folder but I’m finally putting it out there.  First because it is the gift-giving season of the year and I’m here to help you out.  Second because I have something to give away for you which I’ll get to at the end.  Super exciting!