Month: December 2015

cook

Overnight French Toast

livingswagger

We are not big breakfast eaters at our house…it is usually Isagenix shakes for mom and dad (more on that to come) and cereal or oatmeal for the kiddos. There are some occasions that just cry out for big celebratory breakfasts though- Christmas and Easter morning, kids first/last sports games, friends/family staying from out of town, the first weekend of summer vacation, etc. While enjoying a big breakfast is sometimes great, spending all morning in the kitchen is definitely not my idea of fun (especially for the not-so-morning-person such as myself)!

In steps the Overnight French Toast to save the day- all the yum, none of the early morning prep! Not only is this breakfast delicious, it also feeds a lot of people. Perfect for the holidays! My husband and I prepped this on Christmas Eve…after the kiddos were in bed and just before Santa came to visit our house. On Christmas morning, all we had to do was pop it in the oven and enjoy the kids devouring their new goods. We served our Overnight Toast with turkey bacon, which was a perfect combo of sweet and savory.

img_1007

  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup plus 2 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • One loaf Challah bread, sliced
  • Maple Syrup, for serving

Directions:

img_1009

Dip each slice of Challah bread into mixture, placing back into a “loaf” (see picture) in  a 9×13″ glass baking dish. Pour remaining mixture between each slice of bread. I used a baster to thoroughly get between each slice.

img_1011

Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator overnight (or at a minimum 2.5 hours).

img_1013

In the a.m.- preheat oven to 375˚. Uncover toast, sprinkle remaining 2 tsp sugar overtop, and cover with aluminum foil. Bake covered for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until top is golden brown and slightly crunchy, and inside of bread is fluffy (not saturated/moist).

img_1020-copyimg_1022img_1023

Serve with syrup and enjoy!

craft, Uncategorized

DIY Christmas Gifts On a Budget- Candle Holders

livingswagger

Every year our family makes Christmas gifts for our friends and family (and teachers, bus drivers, trash collector, etc). Not only is it something fun to work on, but we love the appreciation homemade gifts get- there is something so comforting in receiving a gift that had some thought go into it and was made with love!

When I was browsing around in one of our local boutiques several months back, I found some beautiful candle holders. Flat white outside, and glittery gold inside. They were adorable! The con- they came in at $20 a piece! A little out of my price range for candle holders.

When Christmas gift planning and budgeting started this year, I thought about those candle holders…and wondered whether they were something I could imitate at home. And so I did…with my own Christmas flare!

Not only did our homemade candle holders turn out super cute, they were really inexpensive! I ended up making 6 candle holders for a about $23 (just short of $4 each)! Take that $20 candle holders.

  • 6 glass Candle Holders- $1 each at Dollar Value ($6 total)
  • Gold Glitter – $4.99
  • White Multi-Surface Acrylic Paint – $1.49
  • Harvest Gold Multi-Surface Acrylic Paint- $1.49
  • Matte Mod Podge – $6.99
  • Gold Oil-Based Sharpie- $1.69

 

Clean the candle holders thoroughly, making sure it is completely dry before you begin.  Mix Mod Podge with glitter (I used a lot to make sure the mixture was thick with glitter).

img_0940img_0941

Paint the Mod Podge/glitter mixture onto the outside of the candle holder, spreading glitter as evenly as possible. Allow to dry and apply a second layer of mixture if needed. The goal is to have as much of the holder covered with glitter as possible. Note: The picture below is after only one layer.

Once Mod Podge/glitter mixture has completely dried, apply gold acrylic paint to outside.

 

Again, allow to dry before covering the gold paint with two layers of white acrylic paint (drying between layers). Note: The picture below shows one layer of white. You will need two to cover all traces of gold on the outside.

I added my Christmas flare, with a hand drawn gold Christmas tree using the Sharpie. The gold really pops when you have a candle inside, shimmering with a little Christmas charm ❤

A super easy and inexpensive gift that is cute and made with love! Enjoy all and Merry Christmas!!

img_0977img_0954

 

wear

December Stitch Fix Review

livingswagger

I was just as excited for this month’s Stitch Fix (my second!), as I was for my first! This month has been crazy busy…as this time of year always is…so I was ready for some great Christmas-time gear without having to hit the stores in person.

img_0930

I made sure that my Stylist Note was crazy detailed for December. I told them I wanted: plaid, vests, skinny jeans, a warm jacket, and a little sparkle 🙂

Kristen M. was my stylist again, which I liked. Not only is it nice to have a little consistency, I feel like a stylist can only get to know your style if they have worked with you a few times and gotten to know YOU. Kristen’s note was sweet, even mentioning Living Swagger, and I definitely think she checked the boxes of my “want list”. That being said, I wasn’t as thrilled with this Fix as I was with the first…

fullsizerender6

Oswego Tie Neck Top – $68  / Jimmy Skinny Jean – $88

fullsizerenderfullsizerender1

I said I wanted plaid and skinny jeans- check, check. The top is cute and definitely plaid, but reminds me too much of my maternity tops. For my figure, the fit just isn’t flattering. It is 100% Rayon, and should be hand-washed or dry cleaned (another big drawback for me). I will say, though, that the tie-neck detail and button sleeves are both feminine and fun.

The jeans actually fit great. They are the perfect amount of stretch and don’t seem like they will bag in the knees. The problem? The butt pockets are spread so far apart, they accentuate an area that I don’t need accentuated ; )

Verdict: Returned (both)

Time Carved Teardrop Chandelier Earrings – $28

img_0968

A little sparkle- check. These earrings have lots of pros…love the length, the gold, the detail, and they seem well made. The con? I have way too many earrings…way too many…

Verdict: Returned

Calandra Side Button Hooded Poncho – $68

fullsizerender32fullsizerender22

I love this sweater! It seems so perfect for so many different occasions…from dressed down running errands to dressed up dinner date with the hubby. Cute flats, comfy boots, a skirt and booties- I can see it all! It is super warm and the Acrylic/Cotton blend should be hand washed.

Verdict: Kept

Oakjoo Faux Suede Moto Jacket – $128

fullsizerender5fullsizerender4

A warm jacket- check! This jacket is a winner, for sure. The faux suede outside is a contrast to the sweater-like inside. It is warm, it is stylish, and it is fun. Really, it is perfect! It is 100% Polyester, and must be dry cleaned (bummer I know, but that is pretty status quo for jackets). It is a perfect Christmas present to me from me ; ) Unfortunately, I just found an amazing jacket while I was on vacation and I just can’t justify two back to back…sad day for me.

Verdict: Returned

A note about Stitch Fix:

It’s a super easy to use service…you fill out a style profile, choose the prices you would be willing to pay per each item type, and decide how often you want to get styled. You have the option of setting up your own Stitch Fix Pinterest board that your stylist can look at while styling you. A stylist from Stitch Fix will then be your own personal stylist for however often you choose to receive a box, sending you 5 items based on your style profile, Pinterest board, and personal instructions. If you purchase an item, the $20 service fee goes towards it, if you keep all 5 items, they take 25% off, or you can send all the items back and they only keep the $20.

Check out my “fix” above and (stay tuned for future “fixes”), if you are thinking about trying your own “fix”, use this link https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/6200951 (Note: I will get a credit on a future “fix” if you sign up and will thank you tremendously!!)