Nana's Pecan Pie Recipe

As promised, today I'm bringing to you a recipe for the pecan pie that I made yesterday for my family's Christmas party.  It was such a hit that I had to post the recipe for you all to enjoy if you care to make it (it's incredibly easy.)  Plus, I got the recipe from my step-grandmother, a lovely southern woman who makes the best pies and cakes - so let that add to your decision about whether or not you want to try this!

Nana's Pecan Pie Recipe

Prep time - about 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 stick of melted butter
• 1 cup of light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup light Karo syrup
• 2 eggs beaten
• 3 tbs flour
• 3 tbs milk
• 1 cup pecans - partially chopped
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 pie crust - I used Pillsbury's frozen crust that you can just roll out 

Instructions:

• Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk.  I suggest you put the butter and the pecans in last (in that order.) 
• Unroll the pie crust and pour the inside the ingredients from the bowl
• Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes
• Let cool and then enjoy! 

Lights and Buzz

Quick post about the party I just attended (yes, it's already over and I'm about to immerse myself in an essay on Oedipus the King - thrilling, I know.)  It went incredibly well and the pecan pie I made was an incredible hit.  Tomorrow I'll post the recipe for everyone in case you want to try it!  

My two lovely best friends

The lights are on! It was incredibly crowded

I don't look my best but they look adorable so it's okay

A Grand Illumination Outfit

Hey everyone!  Happy December second!  To you all, it may be just another day, but to my hometown it is the day that we celebrate our "Grand Illumination."  Or a night where we light up all the lights in the town including a large Christmas Tree and a snowflake made of lights that hangs over the main street.  Since that is all taking place at six tonight, I obviously do not have the pictures to go along with this post (yet, I plan on posting them later.)  Right now, I'm bringing you all my outfit that I am wearing currently and to tonight's party that my family has each year in celebration of the Grand Illumination (more pictures to follow of the party itself.)  I wrestled this dress that I wore to a winter formal out of my closet to bring it back as a skirt, pairing it with a Zara shirt I bought in Boston a few weeks ago and a Marc Jacobs clutch I picked up yesterday.  That, with a vintage The Limited belt and some Urban Outfitters heels, I actually really love this outfit.  Something like this is what I think makes for a great holiday party outfit, even if my shirt does say END in large letters - if you look close it actually says "the end to melancholia" which is exactly what Christmas is.

This post is also a submission to IFB's 73rd Project to Show off Your Holiday Party Style!

10 Things - A Holiday Gift Guide

Hey everyone! As you must know, tis the season to be shopping and today I'm bringing you 15 items that I believe would make great presents for friends, sisters, cousins, whomever!  I'll also list at the bottom some great online stores that have some great options (some even have their own gift guide you can browse through.)

Just click through to get to the entire post to see the list!