Easter Treatster: Brigadeiro (3-Ingredient Brazilian Fudge!)

So if you were wondering what I was going to bring you back from Brazil, this is it! And just in time for Easter, too, if you find yourself in a pinch for a dessert! There are only 3 ingredients that you may very well have around your house, so even if you're not in a pinch - no excuses! You can't pass this deliciosity up.


This dessert is called brigadeiro, and it comes in all different

The Ups & Downs of Rio

Finally, the promised Carnaval pictures! These are all from the Sambadrome (sambódromo), where a couple nights a year Rio's favela communities come out to play in all of their finest, sparkliest regalia! It was a fabulous time and an incredible show that starts at 9 pm and keeps right on going until 5 or 6 am the next morning. We headed out around 3 because we were exhausted, though, but not

Carnaval Instagram Feed!

Finally, some of the promised photos (more sambadrome photos (glitter!) to come later)! These are from my
instagram feed (follow me!) and they basically consist of all of Rio's little pleasures: beach, açaí*, amazing views, and Carnaval festivities.



KEY (top to bottom, left to right):
1 - açaí* for breakfast before heading to the beach & Carnaval nails!
2 - my makeup for the first bloco**

My New Babies!

Quick post today - just want to introduce you to my new babies!


This isn't my first pair of mousies; I first saw MJ's mouse shoes at a department store when I was 14 and fell instantly in love, although it took me another 6 years to get around to getting a pair. But come on - I mean, they have whiskers, for love's sake! How can you resist the whiskers?!






Actually, I'm sure lots of

Feria Fare

So in case I haven't mentioned it before (I have), I'm a HUUUUGE feria* fanatic. I think most of my jewelry is from some feria or another, and I'm constantly dragging anyone and everyone with the misfortune to be accompanying me through any and every feria I can find.


This trip to Argentina was no different! Boyf, who carries his grouch hat to all of them, grumbled and groused through feria

Ringing in 2013 with Postcards from Patagonia!

First things first: sorry for the extended disappearance! I've been visiting with my high school host family in the depths of Patagonia (where the internet is spotty at best) and shamelessly neglecting my blog duties in favor of mountain adventures. The good news is, I'm back in Brazil now! So will be coming back to you full force soon!


Juicier updates to come, but for now I'll be leaving

Eggnog

Eggnog is one of those things that people seem to love or hate. I just happen to LOVE it! I look forward to eggnog all year long. The moment is appears on shelves in the grocery store I snatch it up.

There is something about that thick spicy creaminess that makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. It is what marks the holidays for me. I'd love to say that Christmas trees or carols on the radio is what does it for me, but it's not. It's having a bit of white froth on the top of my lip while I glug down some cold eggnog. Oh boy, that's heaven!

While I do love the store bought stuff (I love it all!), I also enjoy making it at home. I have tried a few recipes, but this one seems to be a winner. The eggnog we made last year tasted like straight booze. While that is fun for parties, I prefer my eggnog to taste more like eggnog. This recipe calls for rum, but I only added half a cup rather than the whole cup. If it were up to Andy he would have added two cups, but this was for me not him, so we did it my way.

What I really liked about this recipe is that the eggnog is cooked. Traditional eggnog is raw, but that weirds me out when I'm the one making it. Sure I'll drink your raw eggnog, but I won't make and drink my own if it is raw...I am strange.

It was fun to make this recipe with Andy. There were just enough components that we were both busy with cooking. We went through a few different steps, but it was definitely worth the work. I think Andy even enjoyed the end product...though he added more rum to his glass.

What about you? Are you an eggnog lover or hater? Any great recipes or experiences?

A Redneck Christmas!

Andy and I went to a Redneck Christmas party last weekend and it was a blast! Go figure that our Virginia friends would throw such a party. They are not rednecks by any means (...mostly), they just enjoy a good time, and no time is better than when you are dressed as a redneck. It is also a good excuse to grow facial hair, eat fried chicken, and drink cheap beer. Gotta love Virginia!

I found this beauty of an outfit at a Goodwill thrift store. I love putting costumes together from Goodwill clothes...and usually while I'm at it I find a cool thing or two for my actual wardrobe. I was supposed to be 'barefoot and pregnant' for the party, but never found stuffing for the pregnant part of the costume.

 Guacamole with crispy bacon for dipping. I will definitely make this combination again!

A redneck party just isn't complete without KFC. It's finger lickin' good.

With the lovely host and her awesome sweater.

Even the dogs were in costume! So cute. And you can't have a redneck party without Busch...gross.

 We enjoyed some moonshine spiked cider. It was pretty awesome stuff.

Oh you know...just some redneck couples enjoying a Christmas party.

Have you been to a Redneck Christmas party before? This was my first, but I hope to attend more. Maybe California will have parties as cool as Virginia. I can only hope.

2 Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Everyone In Your Life

Christmas and Kwanzaa are fast-approaching (Hanukkah is... pretty much over, can't help you now) and maybe you thought that you would know the right gift for so-and-so when you saw it. But you just haven't seen it yet. And who knows if you will in time? So if you're short of ideas, here's our 2012 gift-guide flow-chart.






SKIMP:
For your boyfriend: Every boy can use a nice belt. And if he

3 Heart-Warming Holiday Films

Whila Isa and the boyf are in Buenos Aires working tank tops, Jen and the Irishman have been huddling against the chilly Paris evenings in front of a laptop screen. Right now they're working their way through the Die Hard quadrilogy (the original from 1989 could be no. 4 on this list), but here are some of the other holiday movies we'll definitely be watching this month.

3. A Muppet Christmas

La Ciudad de (los) Buenos Aires

Welcome to the city I used to call home but now just call Buenos Aires. This is our third day in the Argentinian capital and our third day of perfect sun, and boy did I miss this place. I guess especially coming from São Paulo, the city of 6 layers of concrete with a concrete cherry on top, this city seems like paradise. Sure, it's a bit run-down these days (Cristina Kirchner would not be my

Jen's Christmas Wishlist

1 So Low Skinny Jean Leggings | Shopbop $81

2 House of Harlow 1960 Pyramid Station Necklace in Mint Green | Boutique to You $75

3 Rouge D'Armani Lipstick | Barneys New York $30

4 Green Ikat Dinnerware | C. Wonder $10-$14

5 Collette by Collette Dinnigan Beat Stripe Sweater | Matches $194

6 Michael Kors Bella Chronograph Watch | Piperlime $250

7 Dolce & Gabbana Net Lace Sleeveless Dress |

Human Rights Day & 4 Organizations to Support While You're In The Giving Mood

In case these words didn't clue you in, we're going to go a bit off-blogtopic today, so be forewarned.


For those of you who don't know, December 10 (today!) is International Human Rights Day. Today marks the 64th anniversary of the UN adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.


If you didn't know, both of us are very passionate about human rights - Jen has a Bachelor's

Jet-Jet-Jetsetting

COUNTER-CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: Boyf in the living room last minute Skyping with his sister in New Orleans; clean shoesies; our room during the process of packing; our (maybe too) tiny shared suitcase.



Today's is a quick update only. In yesterday's post I mentioned that I was supposed to be leaving SP today (summer vacay what up?!). This was a lie. I was supposed to be leaving yesterday, but

What to Get Isa for Christmas (December Wishlist)

1 La Mer Collections Print Wrap Watch | Shopbop $125

2 Wool-Angora Snood | J. Crew $60 $50

3 Joe Jeans Plaid Skinny Pants | Shopbop $179

4 Marc by Marc Jacobs Katie Snake-Effect Coin Pouch | Net-a-Porter $58

5 Woodland Park Elephant Bank | Kate Spade $50

6 Louboutin New Simple Pump | Barneys New York $775

7 Sephora Collection Glitter Eyeliner and Mascara in Mystic Teal | Sephora $13

8 

5 Simple Ways to Cheer Up Your Home for the Holidays

Hi everyone! So the big news for today is that WE FINALLY HAVE A FACEBOOK PAGE! If you like us, we'll love you forever!


But back to the task at hand: as the holidays draw nearer, the streets of São Paulo (and New York and Paris and pretty much anywhere else that can be considered awesome) are filling up with decorations - so isn't it time you follow suite?


We think oui! So we hope you'll

Get Ready for the Holidays with 6 Easy DIY Gift Ideas!

As the holiday season really get on a roll, it's time to start thinking hard about what you'll be giving (time flies when you're thinking about what you might be receiving!). If you're on a tight budget this year, at a lost for gift ideas, or just like to give a little personal touch, we have just the projects for you! Get ready to get crafty (click photos for detailed instructions)!



This one,

3rd Annual Snowflake Breakfast: Scout + Mickey

Our friendly family elf, Scout, is back once again for the holiday season!!!  He flew in last night and worked his little elfin fingers to the bone preparing perfectly elf-sized portions of breakfast favorites for our third annual Scout's Snowflake Breakfast.  And this year, the jolly little elf teamed up with our favorite mouse to announce a grand surprise for the littles…




…we’re headed to DiSnEy WoRlD in SIX dAyS!!!!!



Scout donned his very own set of miniature ears for the affair and dazzled the littles with his requisite elfin sized eats.  All of the decor was left over from the baby’s Mickey Mouse birthday party so it was a snap to pull together and Scout didn’t spend a dime (hear that Honey??)!

 

Mother made the positively DARLING stockings for the littles.  We’ll use these for their “Messages from Mickey” treats while staying at the mouse house.





Mickey silhouettes dressed up mini fruit cups.



I used toothpicks to stick donut holes (Trader Joes) to mini powdered donuts (Publix).



Scout always brings tiny strawberry yogurt cups topped with granola and they are always a hit.  Mini apples were too cute to pass up when I spied them in Trader Joes.



Mini ego waffles were stuck together with toothpicks to make Mickey heads.  I ever so briefly thought about making mini Mickey pancakes, but quickly realized just how early that would require me to wake up and nipped that idea right in the bud.







 

To say the littles were excited would be an incredible understatement.  They came into the kitchen totally unsuspecting…





…and were still in disbelief even after we confirmed that he “read it right"!
 




I might as well warn y’all now that this blog is going to be busting at the seams with all things MICKY MOUSE for the next couple of weeks. :-)

SIX days, y’all!!
xoxo

  Check these out too:

The 2nd Annual Scout's Snowflake Breakfast

All things Disney

Flattered for the feature at Disney World on a Budget!

Etsy Gifts for Men

Etsy Gifts for Your Dude under $45

Tis the season! It's about that time to hit the pavement and fight the dreaded crowds. I love shopping, yes I do, but I hate holiday shopping. Maybe I'll try something different this year and shop for gifts online. (Good idea eh, who ever though of that!?) I'm a strong supporter of Etsy, so enjoy this list of 8 pretty sweet gifts for men (in my opinion) that also helps to support the small business community.

 For the technology man. A leather ipad case...with a sweet engraved bicycle. $45 Here.

 For the adventure man (ie: my husband). A personalized engraved knife. $26 Here.

 For the hairy man? A genuine shaving kit with handmade soap. $31 Here.

 For the musical man (you lucky lady!). A personalized engraved guitar pick. $18 Here.

 For the clean man, or the coffee lover. Coffee body wash! $7 Here.

 For the cellphone savvy, or the texting man. Thumb-free gloves. $25 Here.

 For the commuter man, or coffee lover. A personalized engraved travel mug. $16 Here.

 For the hip working man. Some brightly colored skinny ties. (yes please!) $19 Here.

Vermont

Andy and I went to Vermont for Thanksgiving. My mom and her partner moved to Burlington, VT and this was our first time visiting. We stayed in their lovely yellow house with a purple garage door. We ate turkey in low candle light and sipped on red wine with pie. We also visited a chocolate factory and a brewery, walked along Lake Champlain (we took the ferry too), watched a glass blower make some art, and we even saw some snow flakes on our last day. It was a relaxing visit to see my mom and explore a new place. I had forgotten how beautiful New England is...despite the cold.