take a holiday in spain

We got airplane rides
We got California drowning out the window side
We've got big black cars
And we got stories how we slept with all the
Movie stars

I may take a holiday in Spain
Leave my wings behind me
Drink my worries down the drain
And fly away to somewhere new

Hop on my choo-choo
I'll be your engine driver in a bunny suit
If you dress me up in pink and white
We may be just a little fuzzy 'bout it later tonight

A little excerpt from a very appropriate song...

I will be vacationing in Spain for the next week with my family. I'm looking forward to good food, art, shopping and sight-seeing.

In my absence, I've set up a little series of posts for you all that I hope you'll enjoy! I'll miss you all dearly and will be spending a serious amount of time checking up on my RSS feed when I get back! Adios!

a break for ice cream

I know ice cream isn't a common topic on this blog, but I have to talk about Ben & Jerry's new flavors. Greek yogurt is obviously a big trend in the food world these days and it seems that the dessert giant is cashing in.

The new frozen yogurt is available in Blueberry Vanilla Dream, Strawberry Shortcake, Banana Peanut Butter and Raspberry Fudge Chunk. I'm excited to try these frozen treats because those are some of the same toppings I add to my greek yogurt snacks. There are also fewer calories and more protein in the new flavors. However, they're still pretty loaded with sugar and fat, so it's not like they're a diet food. And I doubt they taste nearly as good as my beloved Phish Food.

I've never been the kind of gal who can replace unhealthy vices. Eat an ounce of dark chocolate when I'm craving craving cake? Get real. I'd end up eating both. So I'm not sure these frozen yogurts will be my new favorite dessert, but I'm excited to have a healthier alternative... for when I'm being good.

picture perfect pumpkin pie milkshake

The last thing you want to see after last week is more food, but you have to check out this recipe. If, for some crazy reason, you have any pumpkin pie left, this is the perfect way to finish it off.

I made A Cozy Kitchen's pumpkin pie milkshake on Saturday and it garnered quite a few fans. I didn't even mess around with the whole pumpkin puree and pie crust thing. I literally just stuck a piece of pie in the blender. It was awesome!

eat, drink and be merry

Happy Thanksgiving! I'll be spending all day eating and drinking with about 50 of my loved ones. Today, I'm thankful for all of you! Hope you're enjoying your holiday with friends and family.

he drinks a whiskey drink, he drinks a vodka drink

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, but for many, tonight is the big night. These cocktails may be a little heavy for a November night of drinking, but how delicious do they look?

The Jack Daniels slushie, featured on Sweet Peach Blog, is from Victory Sandwich Bar in Atlanta, Georgia. The vodka rootbeer float, on Creative Culinary, comes from Laau's Taco Shop in Boulder, Colorado. Liquor-inspired road trip, anyone? I can see it now: The Booze Crusade.

I'm salivating over these cold concoctions. Out of all the frozen Thanksgiving drinks out there, this pumpkin pie milkshake may be my favorite and I think I may have to spike it. What liquor do you think would go best with it? Whipped cream vodka? A splash of bourbon? Mmmm.

semi-formal thanksgiving

For me, Thanksgiving isn't a time for messing around. All that delicious food? And those drinks? I don't need something silly like clothes getting in the way of my feasting. At my house, it's not formal, but dressing up is encouraged. Especially since my parents host everyone, I have to adhere to stricter guidelines (read: I'm more prone to disapproving glances).

There are tons of jeans-based outfits that would be appropriate, but tight waistbands and fitted shapes are not what I'm looking for. A-line dresses, slouchy sweaters and boyfriend trousers are right up my alley. And, since I'll be in the kitchen "helping" (or sampling... whatever), and will inevitably gain five lbs. at the table, dark colors work better. It's easy to punch up with vibrant accessories.

it's the freakin' weekend

How delicious does this apple cider margarita look? I'm never one to turn down tequila. I'm loving How Sweet Eats for making my favorite drink appropriate for fall. Hope you're enjoying (and imbibing) this weekend!

petite pumpkins

So, apparently I've got a thing for sparkly pumpkins. That's sort of weird, but this idea certainly isn't.

I fell in love when I saw these silver pumpkin place cards on Everyday Occasions. My dear mama has upwards of 25 guests at our house each Thanksgiving. Every year, she struggles with how to make the place cards. Recruiting my little sisters works, but the construction paper turkeys stick out like a sore thumb against her beautiful dishes and tablescape.

These little pumpkins are the perfect idea. They're cheap, insanely simple, and absolutely adorable. You just buy mini pumpkins, wrap painter's tape around the stems and spray paint. Then you make simple name cards, remove the painter's tape from the stem, make a small cut and slide the name cards in. Very easy, very fun and very pretty.

sugar high

(disclaimer: these cupcakes do look delicious)

I hate to be a buzkill, but I've got a bone to pick... with cupcakes. I know they're hotter than Sam Edelman smoking flats, but enough is enough!

Sure, cupcakes are super cute. They're like cakes but mini. Except, they're not! Cupcakes do not taste delicious. I'm sorry, they just do not. You know what tastes like cake? Cake! Cupcakes are little dry mounds that undoubtedly give you a sugar rush, followed by a horrible sugar crash.

People say cupcakes are on their way out, but I see no sign of it, with new restaurants popping up everywhere. Besides that, I'm not even too crazy about cupcakes' replacements.

Whoopie pies are just like cupcakes except they're not as cute and they taste even worse! Don't even get me started on macarons. Sure they're cute, but I'd rather wear a macaron necklace than eat one.

You know what I can get behind? Cake pops. They are so delicious! My foray into making them was yummy, but kind of crazy (think: new puppy eating two bars of chocolate). If you want in on this trend, the Starbucks Petites birthday cake pop is as scrumptious as it is darling.

Why can't donuts be in vogue?