It feels like it's time for another 10 Things That Make Me Happy...holiday edition!
1.
3.1 Phillip Lim Sequined Dress - Nobody remixes the classics like Phillip Lim, and I absolutely love this Grecian number updated with a generous sprinkling of gold sequins. Sadly, at $675, I don't think I will be wearing this gorgeous dress to any New Year's Eve parties anytime soon.
2.
12 Days of Cookies - Baking (and eating) massive amounts of cookies is one of the highlights of Christmas for me, which is why I have subscribed to Food Network's 12 Days of Cookies newsletter for the past four years. What better way is there to start the day than with a delicious cookie recipe in your e-mail inbox?
3.
Japanese Masking Tape - Savvier bloggers, Etsy fanatics, and crafters have known about Japanese masking tape for some time, but I just discovered it a few weeks ago. It comes in countless colors and patterns, and is an incredibly easy way to decorate your Christmas gift packaging
4.
Vintage Leather Gloves - Buying vintage is practically like recycling, and vintage leather gloves have the advantage of already being broken in. I just found another pair for $7 at my favorite antiques mall, and they are incredibly soft and buttery. Now if I could just find a cute winter hat, I'd be set!
5.
Red 2010 Moleskine Planner - I have been on the lookout for the perfect day planner pretty much forever, and I think I have finally found it. It's small enough to toss in my purse, it has extra pages for keeping track of my many lists, and the red cover is so much more fun than Moleskine's usual black. I can't wait to use it!
6.
Snow(!) - We got a couple of inches last weekend, and it was pretty exciting. I stayed inside all day, just reading and feeling cozy. There is no more snow in the immediate forecast, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a white Christmas.
7.
The Scent of Pine - There are many delightful scents associated with the holidays (cinnamon, citrus, sage, peppermint), but nothing compares to the scent of pine. It's crisp, it's clean, it evokes nature in its wintry simplicity.
(Pictured: Illume Aurora Candle in Snow on Cedar, $18 from Anthropologie)8.
Gourmet Hot Chocolate - A cup of extra-rich hot chocolate (topped with fresh whipped cream) is my favorite winter indulgence. I make my own by melting a combination of milk and dark chocolate in a sauce pan and slowly stirring in hot milk. This + popcorn +
Little Women = perfect winter evening at home.
(Pictured: Starbucks Signature Hot Chocolate)9.
Bacon - I may be a little late hopping on the bacon-flavored-dessert bandwagon (it's this year's salted caramel), but I can't stop daydreaming about Vosges'
Dark Chocolate Bacon Bar,
Kumquat Bakery's maple bacon cupcakes, and the Elvis panini (with peanut butter, bacon, banana puree, and honey) at
The Patterson House in Nashville. I think I might have to make some chocolate chip and bacon pancakes for a holiday brunch.
10.
24 hours of A Christmas Story on TBS - I admit to watching this movie at least 2.5 times each Christmas. The innocence, the nostalgia, the many quotable lines...I never get tired of it, and it just wouldn't feel like Christmas without it.
*****
What makes you happy these days, dear readers?
Behold: The Arista sandwich from Paesano's in Philadelphia. Juicy, tender roasted pork, sharp and salty provolone, crunchy broccoli rabe, and Italian long hot peppers stuffed inside of a fresh, crusty sesame seed roll. Have mercy. Zach declared it to be most likely the best sandwich he has ever eaten, and I tend to agree. It certainly beats the pants off of the traditional Philly cheesesteak, à la Pat's and Geno's. If you live near Philly or will be passing through anytime soon (or are the type of person that makes long-distance food pilgrimages), get thee to 152 W. Girard Ave. between 11 AM and 7 PM on any day but Sunday or Monday. You will not regret it.
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