evil urges

[f21 fringe bed jacket, urban outfitters lace dress, asos boots, handmade and vintage necklaces]

It's been far too long since I've updated Lovely Little Vices, so what better way to start it back up than with an outfit post?  I wore this to see My Morning Jacket last night (I highly recommend you check them out if you haven't already), and loved the Victorian-yet-casual appeal of the pieces.  The slouchiness of the bed jacket and the low boots made it comfortable, but the lace, fringe, and jewels made it feel special.  I think the mix of Victorian and Bohemian is my go-to look for winter, so I'm sure you'll be seeing me in similar looks soon.

xx

A

savory cookies

[Nutty Bacon Blue Biscuits]

[Cheese Biscuits]

Over the holidays, people tend to fall into a sugar coma after sampling all the super sweet Christmas cookies everyone and their brother seems to be making.  In my family, however, we're much more addicted to vices of the salty variety.  One of our biggest Christmas traditions is to make my Grandmother's famous Cheese Biscuits - a savory, crunchy, spicy, cheesy cookie that is sure to win over even the biggest sugar addict.  I decided to up the ante this year, though, and add one more savory cookie to the roster:  may I introduce the Bacon, Blue Cheese, & Pecan Cookie (or as I prefer to call it, the Nutty Bacon Blue Biscuit).  I found the recipe for it here on Yum Sugar, a really great place for unique recipes.  Both cookies are simply delicious, and different enough that you will want to make both.  They'll be a huge hit with you and who ever else is lucky enough to sample them during the remainder of the holiday season.

Nana's Cheese Biscuits

• 2 Sticks of Oleo - Let soften
• 2 Cups plain flour
• 8 Ounces Sharp Cheddar Cheese - Grated
• 2 Cups Rice Krispies
• 1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

Grate cheese & let soften.  Add pepper & mix well with hands.  Add flour little bit at a time.  Add the Rice Krispies last.  Make into small balls & then flatten with fork dipped in flour.  Bake at 350 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes (or about 30 minutes if you like them super crispy like I do).  Makes about 60 Biscuits.

Bon appétit!

xx

A

little things that are currently making me very happy...

 [My Charlie Brown Christmas Tree - Complete with Linus' blanket.  This tree NEEDS you!]

[My new Cheap Monday Bullet Rock Necklace that makes me feel oh so tough.  I think you should totally buy this, too.]

 [Reindeer Feed (yes, yes I know it's really called Puppy Chow, but I like this name a lot more).]

 [My Lenore ornament I first showed you here proudly displayed on my Christmas tree. Gotta love Edgar Allen Poe.]

[Finally having all the decorations up in my house.]

[Having the time to sit down and enjoy an amazing novel by one of my favorite authors, Fitzgerald, with a large glass of wine, no less.]

[Most importantly, looking forward to spending some quality time with some pretty amazing people.]

Between Christmas shopping, cooking, and playing with some of my favorite people, I haven't had too much time to blog, so I thought it'd be fun to list some things that are currently making me a very, very happy girl.  I hope you are all relishing in the last few days of the Holiday season, because they're running out fast, my darlings - much too fast in my humble opinion.  Enjoy them while they last, and remember to take notice of all the little things in life.. They're always the best.

xx

A

new clutch

[ASOS nude feathered clutch. b.b. dakota jacket.  easy money skinny jeans.  steve madden booties.]

I received this little bundle of joy from the amazing online store, Asos, last week.  The fluffy feathers and unique details caught my eye, and I just had to have it.  I was pleasantly surprised when I received it and saw that the feathers were actually nude in color, and not as pink as the photo on the website shows.  I think it makes it more wearable, or at least in the case of my wardrobe.  When I wore the bag out to grab some drinks, I decided to toughen up my look with a leather jacket and my go-to black booties.  I got a lot of compliments on the bag, so I definitely recommend buying it if you're in the market for a new fun clutch; and for under $45, why not?

xx

A

dark chocolate pecan pie

When it gets closer to Christmas, I start to crave indulgent deserts (one of my many lovely, little vices).  This simple pie recipe definitely hits the spot.  The dark chocolate gives the pie a fudge-like quality - it's simply amazing. It also only takes about an hour and a half until it's ready to eat.  I recommend going all out and serving it with a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream.  Enjoy!

Dark Chocolate Pecan Pie

1 cup Karo® Light OR Dark Corn Syrup

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Extract

1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) pecans

1-1/2 cup Hershey's Dark Chocolate

1 (9-inch) unbaked or frozen** deep-dish pie crust

Preheat oven to 350°F.

• Mix corn syrup, eggs, sugar, butter and vanilla using a spoon. Stir in pecans. Pour filling into pie crust.
• Bake on center rack of oven for 60 to 70 minutes (see tips for doneness, below). Cool for 2 hours on wire rack before serving 
• **To use prepared frozen pie crust: Place cookie sheet in oven and preheat oven as directed. Pour filling into frozen crust and bake on preheated cookie sheet. 
• RECIPE TIPS: Pie is done when center reaches 200°F. Tap center surface of pie lightly - it should spring back when done. For easy clean up, spray pie pan with cooking spray before placing pie crust in pan. If pie crust is overbrowning, cover edges with foil. 
• NUTRITION TIP: To reduce calories, substitute new Karo® Lite Syrup for the Karo® Light or Dark Corn Syrup. 
• High Altitude Adjustments: Reduce sugar to 2/3 cup and increase butter to 3 tablespoons. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.

xx

A

getting into the holiday spirit

December, so far, has proved to be a busier month than usual, so decorating for the Holidays has become a bit more difficult to get around to.  I'm not even close to being finished with making my house into a cozy winter wonderland, but it's a start.  For the area under my tv, I went with a muted color palate of brown, silver, and gold but added some flair with the bright peacock feathers.  I picked up the mercury glass Christmas trees on sale last year at Target, but found some similarly shabby chic trees here and here.  It was a relatively cheap way to decorate, as well, since I just used some extra candles, my grandmother's fur collar, and other random nicknacks I had lying around the house.  I have a long way to go, but so far so good.  I hope to have many more Holiday decorations to show you soon!

xx

A

holiday parties

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[asos dress.  silence + noise blazer.  steve madden booties.  donna karan tights.  steve madden purse.  f21 cocktail ring.]

Now that the Holiday Season is in full swing, the number one thing on my mind (besides getting all my shopping done) is all the lovely parties that are coming up.  I love getting all dressed up in rich colors and embellished accessories.  This bag happens to be a favorite of mine for this time of year - it makes an outfit feel that much more special with it's sporadic array of sequins (and allows me to easily hold a cocktail and sample yummy h'orderves with its long strap).  I'm also in love with this dress from the UK online shop, Asos.  The ruching reminds me of some of the pieces in Burberry's SS10 collection that I love so much.  Anyway, hope you're having a great start to the week, my dears, and may there be many lovely Holiday parties on your social agenda this year!

xx

A