Homemade Peppermint Mochas

What is Christmas without Peppermint Mochas?! Now, I know there are a plethora of holiday drinks out there, but I feel that the Peppermint Mochas just have a special Christmas flare to them. There is just something about ordering the fancy Frappuccino's from Starbucks that seems to make the holidays just that more special. So I decided that I should try and recreate it, and below is my homemade version that I make for dessert all the time for myself and Sal!!

 

 

 The Ingredients:

Candy Canes

1 cup of Milk (Skim or 1%, whichever preferred)

2 1/2 tablespoons of Rich Chocolate Ovaltine (I've used the Malt as well, but this is more chocolatey!)

Peppermint Whipped Cream (Found mine at Target)

A Blender

1/2 cup of Ice

Combine milk, ice, Ovaltine, candy cane in a blender (I used the Magic Bullet, and it worked awesome!). Place on high speed for about 2 min, or until frothy.

 

Your shake should look like this, with the chunks of peppermint floating around.

Pour into a Holiday glass, and top with a heaping serving of the whipped cream, and then garnish with a candy cane!

 Voila! You now can make those fancy drinks you find at Starbucks, but for a fraction of the cost, and from the comfort of your own Kitchen in your Jammies!! Comment and let me know how they work out! Happy Holidays!

 

Later Gators,

MF

 

{Deck the Apartment}

 

Hey Yall!! I first want to apologize for my lack of posting for the past couple of months. There has been a lot going on with my school, family and work, and I was unable to get those creative juices going. However, that it no excuse, and I promise that I will be back on the horse just in time for the Holiday!

 

So as yall can see, We Moved Apartments! We now live in an awesome complex, which makes us feel soooooo Carrie Bradshaw, and are so happy in our new place. With that, we decided to deco our apartment with all the trimmings! We chose to start with one piece, it so happens to be the red plaid reindeer (named Barry), to give us inspiration for the feel of the entire apartments design. We wanted it to be warm and traditional Christmas, with a touch of home, but to still feel current and chic. The tree was my favorite thing to decorate. With all the sprays, ornaments and the Elf feet topper, it really gave the entire apartment a whimsical feel, and just made me feel at home as I sip my peppermint mochas and watch Home Alone. We did shop around for decorations, meaning we raided TJ Maxx, Ross and the Navy Exchange, but it was so fun shoppin with our Momma while she was in town to have our first Christmas decorations in our apartment. Let me know what yall do to Decorate!!

 

Later Gators,

MF

 

PS: More holiday posts to come!! I am the Christmas Queen after all...

 

 

Christmas Traditions

Every year, my Momma and I always invade the nearest Bath & Body Works to find their new holiday scents. I am guilty of burning them ALL THE TIME, meaning I have to replace them about 3 times a season, but it always makes the space your in feel so much more festive.

Whats Christmas without a Tree? I always put up a tree in my room, even when living at home, and filled it with all my personal ornaments that don't hang on the family tree, and with fillers that I found at my local Target. I love this pencil tree I have had for about 3 years now because it fits anywhere and so unique in itself!

Ok, so I will admit, I am a HUGE Oprah fan. My Momma, sister and I would watch her "Favorite Things" episode every year and always love getting the magazine to sift through. I bought my own this year because we all know Oprah is no longer on air (cue the tears and howls), so this helps to fill that void. It also looks super cute on our coffee table!

 On to my favorite part: Ornaments!! My mom has always collected the annual Starbucks ornaments every year ad places them on our family tree. I am an avid Starbucks customer, and saw it fitting to follow in the trend. So slowly, I have been building my collection, and am so excited for this years new additions; there are a million options!

Following the above idea, since I was little, my momma designated a Christmas ornament for each child that people in our family can get us every year; mine being a snowman, Sal's an angel and Sean's Santa. Above is a beloved ornament that my god mother gave to me, and it allows me to think of all the loved ones that thought of me and the history behind it all.

 

I hope these help get your creative juices flowing, and to start your own traditions! Let me know what kinda traditions you follow every year, I'm always looking for new ideas!!

 

Later Gators,

MF