results for holiday

holiday gifts for the hostess

December 18, 2014
holiday gift guide for the hostess via M Loves M @marmar
monogrammed cutting board . muse tea pot . 2015 date book . antique scissors . golden ruler . note card set . Dinner Parties coffee table book . mineral candle . white spatula . gold glitter coasters .
Between Christmas and New Years, there are a few holiday parties on our calendar. I always love picking out special gifts for the party’s hostess. While a bottle of wine or fresh flowers always does the trick, I often like to pick out something that the hostess can enjoy weeks after the party. I picked out these gifts above for the hostess, domestic gal, or maybe even you! I’ll admit this Dinner Parties book has been on my wish list ever since I paged through it in a store! It’s such a beautiful book with really interesting articles. Hostesses are usually very organized so a monogrammed date book will get a lot of use! This mineral candle looks like art and would be the perfect addition to any console table! If she likes to bake, you can’t go wrong with a white spatula! It could even be something that you tie to a bottle of wine or bouquet of flowers! What do you like to give a hostess, or receive yourself?
P.S. Christmas is a week away so make sure to take advantage of these great deals 
while you still can:

J.Crew is offering 40% off sale items and 30% off full-priced items with code JINGLE
LOFT has 40% off everything and 50% off sweaters!
Shopbop is giving 20% off sale items with code EXTRASALE
Nordstrom has free delivery by Christmas Eve so order up!
Amazon is a one-stop shop for all your holiday shopping and they’re doing a 12 Days of Deals!
Take 20% off select gifts at Anthropologie!
Take 30% off your entire purchase at Madewell with code WRAPITUP!
Love these value sets from Sephora! Only 2 days left for Standard Shipping!
Get some boots and booties from Neiman Marcus! They’re having 25% off right now!
Get 35% off blouses at Ruche with code BLOUSE
Get 30% off last minute gifts from ASOS! They have so many great options!

xox
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two holiday drinks..with a twist

December 16, 2014
holiday cocktail with a twist via M Loves M @marmar
Something I love about the holidays is that it’s full of so many wonderful traditions. Each family has their own special ones that they love to incorporate, but I love that there are also traditions that are enjoyed across many families and cultures. When it comes to festive food and drinks, there are definitely some popular favorites that become a staple this time of year. Pumpkin pie, egg nog, are gingerbread are few items that make yearly occurrences on our holiday table. I partnered with one of my favorite retailers, Pottery Barn, to create a twist on two classic holiday drinks, the Manhattan cocktail and hot cocoa. Keep reading to see photos of my festive drinks, and also get the recipes! 
making holiday cocktails M Loves M @marmar
Bar tools and a decanter make a lovely gift for the holidays. They’re a staple for any bar cart!
Pottery Barn decanter and bar tools M Loves M @marmar
holiday Manhattan cocktail with a twist via M Loves M @marmar
These martini glasses from Pottery Barn have beautiful glass etched detail! I served them with these fun plaid cocktail napkins!
holiday Manhattan with a sprig of rosemary via M Loves M @marmar
holiday Manhattan cocktail via M Loves M @marmar
Choosing a garnish like a trio of cranberries, or a sprig of rosemary, make this Manhattan cocktail a little more festive!
holiday cocktail with a twist via M Loves M @marmar

HOLIDAY MANHATTAN COCKTAIL serves 1

INGREDIENTS
2 ounces rye whiskey
1 ounce Italian vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
rosemary sprig or cranberries for garnish

DIRECTIONS
Stir whiskey, vermouth and bitters in a cocktail shaker with cracked ice. Stir together and then pour into a martini glass. Garnish with a rosemary sprig or cranberries on a toothpick.

spicy hot chocolate recipe via M Loves M @marmar
Hot cocoa is a drink I love to drink year round! I love making it the old-fashioned way, on the stovetop! Even though it takes a little more time, it’s so worth it! The smell of cocoa and cinnamon that fills the house is heavenly and it’s a great drink to keep warm!
spicy hot chocolate recipe via M Loves M @marmar
I have quite the collection of mugs but these festive holiday mugs make me smile unlike any others. I love that the village illustrations are seasonal, yet not overly so; I can enjoy them all winter long, even after Christmas! 
ingredients for spicy hot chocolate via M Loves M @marmar
spicy hot chocolate recipe via M Loves M @marmar
spicy hot chocolate recipe via M Loves M @marmar

SPICY HOT CHOCOLATE serves 2
INGREDIENTS
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon chili powder {or a little less if you’re not all about the spice}
a pinch of cayenne powder {or a little less if you’re not all about the spice}
1 3/4 cups whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
marshmallows or whipped cream, to top
DIRECTIONS

In a medium pot, whisk together chocolate, cocoa, sugar, and spices. Place pan over medium-low heat and whisk until chocolate melts and is creamy. Slowly add in milk, then cream, while continuing to whisk. Drop in cinnamon stick and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, remove pot from heat. Cover tightly with lip and allow to steep for 1 hour. Whisk in vanilla and warm over low heat before straining and serving warm. Add marshmallows or whipped cream if desired.

These Pottery Barn pieces came in handy when making and serving these two drinks:
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Happy Holidays and Happy Entertaining!

xox

DISCLOSURE: This post was sponsored by Pottery Barn but, as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you so much for supporting my wonderful sponsors!
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a holiday makeup tutorial

December 14, 2014
holiday makeup look with dolce and gabbana via M Loves M @marmar
Doing your makeup for holiday parties can be so fun! You can be more dramatic than usual, add shimmer, a strong eye, a bold lip, almost anything goes! My typical holiday makeup routine includes a more simple eye with a bright red lipstick, but I wanted to do something a little different for this post. I decided to use some of Dolce & Gabbana’s latest beauty products from Nordstrom to create a look that includes a deep-winged cat-eye, lightly bronzed cheeks, and a nude lip. Since I didn’t include any holiday red on my face, I decided to include it on my nails! Keep reading to learn how I did it!
dolce and gabbana beauty products via M Loves M @marmar
applying primer via M Loves M @marmar
applying primer and foundation via M Loves M @marmar

I have been using Dolce & Gabbana’s primer and foundation combo for the last few months and I’m such a fan! The primer is easy to apply and doesn’t feel sticky at all. The foundation is creamy, blends so well, and I barely need a half a pump to cover my face.

mascara wand @marmar
eyeshadow palettes @marmar
eyeshadow palettes @marmar
applying cat eye liner @marmar
I used colors from this eyeshadow palette and this one. I like using a lighter color on the base and then adding in a darker hue along the crease. Then, I added a cat eye.
dolce and gabbana bronzer duo @marmar
applying bronzer @marmar
 During the winter my skin gets so pale {ok to be real, it’s like this year round which is kind of sad considering I live in LA}. To combat that a little bit I always have to add a little bit of bronzer. The lighter shade in the bronzer duo is great for highlighting and the darker shade can help you contour. In my opinion bronzer is a must for getting a nice, healthy glow!
dolce and gabbana lipstick options @marmar
applying dolce and gabbana mandorla lipstick @marmar

For someone who wears bright lipstick quite regularly, it can take a little bit of adjustment to wear a nude lip. I usually feel like I look deathly ill! This Dolce & Gabbana shade in Mandorla is my favorite though {since way back when} because it has a nice pink undertone to it. It’s very moisturizing and great for everyday wear as well.

ruby red nail polish @marmar
Ruby nails are a great way to add a little festive touch to your holiday outfits. I finished my look with this pretty hue in Fiamma!
holiday beauty look via M Loves M @marmar

 

Who else is ready for all the holiday parties? What’s your go-to makeup look?
xox
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