happy new year friends!

i'm SO excited to see what this upcoming new year brings!

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i don't really believe in setting up a particular strategy, in detail, formulating the next year. i think that life throws you waaaaaaay too many curve balls to make a strict list, and stick to it. plus it's kind of boring. i have learned alot this year, about myself, about what i want, and more importantly perhaps, what i don't want. sometimes that's the hardest to go through or let go.

sooooooooo...instead of getting all nostalgic about 2015 and making a bunch of promises for 2016, i thought i'd just leave you with some fun (or interesting) finds...

i found this interesting this year...how he flies around the world, for free.

this poignant interview tackled just a few of 2015's (and of course past years) issues. & you can buy his new york times bestselling book, here.

this winter i am loving these knit hats.

& can i please have all of these boots for 2016?

between the pool and the coastline, this place is on my travel to wishlist.

maybe sitting on this fun deck chair?

i just purchased this sweet little sponge holder. no rhyme or reason. just liked it.

going to a late christmas party? this chocolate bark recipe looks easy to make and bring.

this would be a super pretty new year's eve dress.

maybe with this tiny sparkler point ring?

and these earrings?

or these?

and last but not least, everyone needs a sweet little new calendar planner right? even if i don't want to plan my entire year up front, i like this one.

wherever you go and whatever you do this new year's eve, have a blast. and remember, the best is yet to come...enjoy!

a foody christmas list.

unfortunately i'm not handy around the kitchen (if you know what i mean). thankfully there is alot of talent out there when in search of a perfect holiday recipe (styling included in all of these!)...

as i've circumnavigated the blogosphere lately, here are few recipes that stood out. to me. and hopefully to you too!

RECIPES: (peppermint white christmas, spiced christmas almonds, spiced avocado crostinis-2-ways, a boozy baked apple, buttermilk saffron buns, brown butter chocolate chip cake with bourbon caramel frosting.)

enjoy!

some spring things.

some spring things that i'm simply loving lately...

(1,2,3,4,5,6)
from fun spring fashion, to pretty little fixtures of fancy, to spring sky artwork, to four leaf clover tattoos, what?! loving all of these fun spring (and great gift ideas by the way!) things today. enjoy!

my family's swedish bread recipe.

after baking all morning, the loaves of swedish nisu bread are coming out just beautifully. here's how the finished product should look...also the recipe is below!




recipe for nisu bread:

2 cups scalded milk
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
2 tsp. salt
7 crushed cardamon seeds
3 beaten eggs
2 yeast pkgs.
7 1/2 cups of flour

ok, scald the milk in a saucepan on the stove. remove from heat and pour into large mixing bowl. add sugar, salt & butter. mix well & cool. add cardamon, eggs, yeast and flour. mix well. turn onto floured surface and knead for 10 minutes.

put into large buttered bowl and cover. keep bowl in a warm place like on top of a stove if you are cooking. let ruse until about double the size. turn out onto floured surface again and knead the dough for a few more minutes. cut dough into 4 balls.

divide each ball into 3 equal sections. with your hand make 3 long strands out of those sections and braid together. set braids on buttered cookie sheet. let rise about 20-25 minutes. bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 25 minutes. remove and brush top with egg whites and sprinkle generously with sugar.

+++i let the loaves cool and i wrap them in tinfoil. you can either freeze all of them right away or give them out as gifts (fresh or frozen). a nice touch is to tie a pretty ribbon around the loaf wrapped in the tinfoil. what's great about the breads is that you give them to your guests/family etc. ready wrapped to just heat up.

i will tell you that this bread heated up is really the best for flavor. have a slice either with your breakfast or dinner. it's delish, enjoy!!