Electric Stripes

Stripes are a constant staple in my wardrobe. I spotted this sweater in Madewell right before Christmas when their pre-spring rollout came into stores and knew I had to have it. It sold out so quickly I didn't have a chance to pick it up, so I was pleasantly surprised when I opened my Christmas presents and the bf had gotten it for me. I love the electric yellow/gray combo. It adds some brightness to these chilly winter days and it's such a great transitional piece. Spring can't come soon enough. 

Madewell Sweater, American Eagle Jeans, J.Crew Necklace, Steve Madden Moccasins (Old), JJ Winters Bag

Insta-Sam

This is just a little glimpse into my life from the past few weeks on Instagram. You can follow me @samanthaevers.

(Starting from top left...) The perfect chocolate chip cookies from Cupcakes & Cashmere. The first book I'm reading off of the 20 Books to Read in Your 20's List: Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close. The bf and I on NYE in New York City. New shoes that I got for Christmas (Sam Edelman, Steve Madden, & Madewell). The bf and I on Christmas day in front of the tree at my grandma's house. Lights in NYC. My precious sleepy pooch. A house decorated for Christmas near my neighborhood. Christmas cookies that I made and sent out to family members. A polaroid of the bf and I after we declared ourselves winners of the gingerbread house competition we had with my best friend and her boyfriend. Signage I bought from Urban Outfitters for my Christmas party with the girls from school. Our Christmas tree after we finally got around to decorating it. 

Hope you enjoyed!

Room of the Week

Ikea has seriously outdone itself. This room is beautiful and rustic and simply amazing. It's really putting me in the christmas spirit. And bonus. Everything is affordable! I often find myself looking at things that are way over my budget but this time I think I hit the jackpot. Not that I'm planning on purchasing a dining room table, chairs, dishes etc. anytime soon but if I was this would be exactly what I'd be looking for. 

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Santa Hat Brownies

I'm sure by now you guys know I love to bake. I saw these Santa Hat Brownies the other day and decided I have to try them. I've been in the Christmas spirit since way before Thanksgiving even came around. (I really love the holidays.) They're fun and easy to make. The perfect holiday treat. This is the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 box of your favorite brownie mix

Round cutter

12-16 small strawberries

Vanilla-mascarpone buttercream (recipe below)

Mascarpone Buttercream

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

8 ounces mascarpone cheese

2 1/2-3 cups powdered sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

pinch of salt

Directions: 

Beat butter and mascarpone cheese until light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla extract and salt. Add 2 1/2 cups of sugar, half a cup at a time and beat until smooth. Add more sugar if needed to reach desired consistency and sweetness. Bake brownies as directed on box. Cool completely and cut with round cutter. Pipe ring of vanilla buttercream on top of each brownie. Cut off the base of a strawberry so it is flat and place upside down on each brownie. top the tip of the strawberry with a dot of buttercream to finish the santa hat. 

Wishful Wednesday

Wishing the city wasn't going to be such a zoo today. I've always wanted to go to the christmas tree lighting in Rockefeller Center. 

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