Chocolate Covered Candied Citrus Peels

With the first snowfall always come magnificent visions of steaming roast goose stuffed with apples and dried prunes, sugar plums, and candied grapefruit peels-- the old-world delicacies featured in the beloved Hans Christian Andersen stories of my childhood. Candied citrus peels with chocolate fondue is the perfect treat to curl up by the fire with after an exhilarating day of snowshoeing!

Chocolate Covered Candied Citrus Peels Recipe:

Ingredients:

• Organic Orange, Lemon, & Grapefruit, 1 of each
• Salt, 3/4 teaspoon
  
• Sugar, 1 cup
  
• Dark Chocolate, 8 ounces
  
• Grand Marnier, dash

Candied Citrus Peels:

• Cut strips of peel from the fruit.
  
• Boil water, citrus peel strips and 1/3 teaspoon salt for 10 minutes.
• Drain water and rinse citrus peels in cold water.
• Repeat three times.
• Bring sugar and 3/4 cup of water to a boil.
• Let citrus peels simmer in sugar water until mixture starts to solidify and peels are fully coated.
• Place candied peels on a piece of parchment paper and allow to dry for at least 1 hour.

Chocolate:

• Melt chocolate and an optional, though well-advised, dash of Grand Marnier to a metal bowl set over simmering water.

Chocolate Covered Candied Citrus Peels:

• Dip candied citrus peels in melted chocolate.
  

Handmade Christmas Ornaments

Handmade Clothespin Doll Ornaments

For instructions and some patterns, consult Martha Stewart.

I've always adored the old fashioned Christmas trees of Tasha Tudor's illustrations-- noble Douglas Firs adorned with popcorn strands, paper chains, colorful glass bulbs, and antique ornaments. So during my mom's recent visit, we set about creating our own ornaments. While my honey impressed with a Dickensian cast of characters from the dashing and debonair to the derelict and deranged, my mom and I worked on the more traditional figures. Though we lament we do not come from a long line of clothespin makers and it is unlikely we will become the next Soffieria de Carlini, we had a wonderful time fashioning these delightful baubles while sipping spiced tea and listening to Bing Crosby! Now I'm so excited to trim the tree!

Jeffrey Campbell Lita

Jeffrey Campbell Lita

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways... Leave it to my most perfect honey, gift-giver extraordinaire, to present me with these most amazing Charles Anastase Dungeon Boot-inspired beauties for my birthday! The Lita is THE shoe of the season and are as comfortable as they are gorgeous! I am so smitten! I sure am one lucky girl!

Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Children Under $25

For Her:

• Zara's Tales: Perilous Escapades in Equatorial Africa by Peter Beard, $20
  
• Guatemalan Worry Dolls, $1.50
  
• Leone Italian Fruit Pastilles, $4.50
  
• Panda Crackling Sparklers, $1.50
  
• Marc Jacobs USA Tote, $18
  
• Adopted Doggy, all your love + chow
  
• Vilac Ice Cream Skipping Rope, $25
  
• Mad About Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans, $23
  
• Christian Dior Fashion Review Paper Dolls, $5.50
  
• Matryosha Dolls, $5
  
• Philosophy Under the Mistletoe Lip Shine Set, $20
  
• Edgar Degas The Dance Class Print, $6.50
  
• Little Wood Guitar, $10
  
• Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High-Tops, $25
  
• Taro Gomi Play All Day, $20
  
• BabyLegs Leg Warmers, $12
  
• Meri Meri The Nutcracker Tale Cupcake Set, $13
  
• Walton's Irish Tin Whistle, $12
  
• Hello Kitty LCD Watch, $10
  
• American Athletic Figure Skates, $24

For Him:

• Skull & Crossbones Temporary Tattoo, $.50
  
• Swiss Family Robinson DVD, $15
  
• Cowboy Hat, $10
  
• Spud Gun, $8
  
• Sleigh, $10
  
• Adopted Doggy, all your love + chow
• Jumbo Glider, $2.50
  
• DIY Tee Pee (Canvas & Wood), $25
  
• Ireland Football Jersey, $25
  
• Radio Flyer Little Red Wagon, $18
  
• Wooden Dinosaur Kit, $5
  
• Gund Grover Stuffed Animal, $16
  
• DBX Ice Skates, $20
  
• Mongoose Skateboard, $17.50
  
• Toy Story Walkie Talkies, $20
  
• FAO Swarz Tin Elephant on Bike, $16

For more gift ideas, please click here.

Holiday Gift Guide: Under $25

For Her:

• Kimchi Blue Floral Dress, $15
• Ovando Salvi Multi-Color Circular Ring, $18
  
• Mary Green Breakfast at Tiffany's Eye Mask, $12
  
• L'Occitane Hand Cream Trio Collection, $25
• Ovando Salvi Small Vintage Leaf Necklace, $25
  
• Ladurée Macaroons, $18
  
• Tiffany & Co. Fifth Avenue Mug, $25
  
• Tocca Candle, $16
  
• Let's Bring Back by Lesley M. M. Blume, $13.50
  
• B.ella Cashmere Socks, $15.50
  
• Vogue Magazine Subscription, $15
  
• Shu Uemura Limited Edition Premium 24K Gold Eyelash Curler, $24
  
• Ladurée Sweet: the Recipes by Philippe Andrieu, $25
  
• Tarte Ring It In cheek Stain Set, $ 25
  
• Christian Lacroix Boxed Postcards, $17
  
• Sephora by Opi Mini Nail Lacquer Collection, $22
  
• Diptyque L'Eau Soap, $15
  
• Tweezerman Petite Manicure Set, $20
  
• Cavallini Rubber Stamps, $25
  
• L.A. Burdick Madeleine Tin Mold, $12
  
• P.S.-- I Made This by Erica Domesek, $12.50

For Him:

• National Geographic Magazine Subscription, $15
• The Moth The Best Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll Stories Double CD, $15
  
• Moleskine Sketchbook, $12
  
• Brooks Brothers Handkerchiefs, $25
  
• Ryanair Travel Gift Voucher, $25
  
• Pinhole Camera, Free
  
• Jean-Michel Basquiat: Radiant Child DVD, $21.50
  
• L.A. Burdick Dark Hot Chocolate, $19
  
• Kiehl's Aloe Vera Biodegradable Liquid Body Cleanser, $17
  
• Pendelton White Sage Smudge Stick, $10
  
• Victorinox Camper Swiss Army Knife, $24
  
• Cohiba Miniatures Cigars 10ct Tin, $11
  
• Patron Mini 3 Pack, $20
  
• The Wire Season 1 DVD, $20
  
• Riedel H2O Classic Bar Whiskey Tumblers Set of 2, $23.50
• Frabill Enticer Ice Fishing Combo, $18
  
• Body Solid Iron Hex Dumbbell Pair, $20
  
• Nike + iPod Sport Kit, $23.50
  
• Skull Candy Riot Ear Buds, $20
• Dremel MiniMite, $25

For more gift ideas, please click here.

Bergdorf's Polyvore Holiday Window Challenge

Flight of Fancy by Coulter Curated

Every year I look forward to the unveiling of the holiday windows at my favorite department stores, especially Bergdorf Goodman! This holiday season, Bergdorf's renowned visual team, helmed by iconic window dressers Linda Fargo and David Hoey, imagined a fantastical ride through vintage futurism, featuring 19th century space travel, Victorian aviation and the wonders of the Industrial Revolution.

In a festive turn, they invited fans to create their own displays in the Bergdorf's Polyvore Holiday Windows Challenge! I had so much fun creating my entry! I was inspired by the precocious eccentricities of Salinger's Glass siblings and the glamorous life of Josephine Baker who flitted about 1920s Paris with her exotic pet cheetah. To my utter astonishment and complete delight, @Bergdorfs thought the cheetah's Oscar de la Renta necklace was purrrrfect and @OscarPRGirl thought it was genius!! Unreal! I could not be more thrilled!

The Little Flower Dress

Kimchi Blue Dress Styled with Neiman Marcus Scarf, Wolford Tights, BCBG Booties, YSL Muse, Ovando Salvi Necklace, Louis Vuitton Perforated Clutch, H&M OTK Socks, & Migliorini Boots.

I've been hunting for the perfect 90s style floral dress (à la Liv Tyler in Stealing Beauty) for ages and lo and behold I finally found it whilst perusing the Urban Outfitters sale! It fits like a dream and with different styling it's perfect for every season! I can't wait to wear it with my little white Superga's this summer! This little beauty was only $15 and is still available online, so go snag it!