Merry & Bright 2014

This holiday season, it's important for us to take time to spend time together and just enjoy each other's company. Here's our simple list of things K and I put together of what we want to do together this holiday season! 

Buy our Christmas tree.

Go sledding.

Visit the Holiday Market.

Watch Christmas movies by the fire with hot cocoa.

Hang Christmas lights.

Buy presents for the Giving Tree.

Decorate a gingerbread house together.

Make a special holiday dinner (with Christmas music).

Go to Seattle for the holidays.

Go ice skating.

What's on your agenda this season?!

xoxo,

Alex

Gift Guide 2014

I love putting together a gift guide this time of year. I tend to turn to pretty things to give as gifts, because why not, right? Mix in a little practicality and that's where this year's Merry & Bright Gift Guide lives. Check it out here.

What's on your list?

xoxo,

Alex

This Christmas

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world,

and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

-- Norman Vincent Peale

I am and will forever be a Christmas person. This time of the year is always so magical. Quiet snowfalls, twinkling lights, crackling fires. 

Despite the festiveness of the holiday season, I find myself extra emotional around this time each year. I can't help but think of those for whom Christmastime brings feelings of loss or disappointment. The joyful carols echo empty and haunting. January is willed to arrive quicker.

A year ago, my life was rocked when my mother was diagnosed with cancer. The holiday season passed in an emotional blur and we kicked off the new year in the hospital. Fast forward one year, and instead of fearful desperation, this Christmas season is full of hope yet again. While her cancer is not gone, it has not grown and that gives us hope.

Our family grew by two as we officially welcomed two incredible people into the Campion clan. Mo is the sister I've always wanted and K is the man I dared to dream I'd find someday. And my parents, well, they are just about the two coolest people I know.

We have been blessed with a roof over our heads and food in the belly. We each have a job we enjoy most days. And we truly have the best group of friends, near and far, that anyone could ask for.

But I am well aware that we are so lucky and blessed beyond belief.

Christmas is a light in a dark world. For those who's light grows dim this season, I wish you heart peace. Although the light is weak I hope your spark does not go out completely.

For those who's light shines brightly, I wish you strength to share your light with others. Take a moment to make spirits bright.

Be merry and bright this Christmas. Enjoy your precious time with family and friends. And keep the faith always.

With hope,

Alex

Four Last Minute DIY Gifts

Skip the stores this weekend and whip up a custom-made DIY for those last people on your list.  Here are four easy ideas for you to throw together.

The sugar scrub is one of the easiest things I've ever made. Just three ingredients and you can change up the scents to anything you want! And if the statistics on this blog matter at all, this post is one of my top pinned and visited of all time. You definitely have to try it - even if you keep the scrub for yourself!

I love having letters in our home. Stop by a craft store and pick out a first initial or last name or a word for the kitchen, and with a little spray paint, you'll have a fabulous gift!

Giving yummy goodies as a gift is always a win! Whip up a batch of festive puppy chow or cookies to give away. Just make sure you are aware of any potential allergies your gift recipient might have.

And when in doubt, grab a bottle of booze from the liquor store and tie a ribbon on it!

Merry merry,

Alex

Spiral Sugar Cookies

This past weekend was baking weekend. I had our annual law school girls baking party and needed to whip up something special. 

Along with these amazing peanut butter cookies, I decided to tackle sugar cookies. But not just any sugar cookies - Spiral Sugar Cookies.

I was Pinspired by this pin. And really, I followed the recipe exactly how it was written, except for one batch where I swapped out the flour for gluten free flour. 

  

 I did find that the sugar sprinkles worked way better and were much easier to use than the nonpareils.

My only caveat is that they take a while since you need to chill the batter. But I had all day Saturday so it wasn't that big of a deal. These cookies are a little too high intensive for every day baking but for the holidays, wow, they sure make a festive statement!

I imagine you could take this one step further and with a little frosting, have a yummy sugar cookie sandwich. If you are going to be baking this weekend, definitely add these Spiral Sugar Cookies to your list! It doesn't get any more Christamas-y than this!

What's your go-to holiday baking item? I'd love to know! And for more cookie ideas, check out my friends Kait & Marianne's baking blog at 2 Baking Birdies! They are baking up a storm this holiday season and each cookie looks simply scrumptious.

xoxo,

Alex

The Only Gift Guide You Need.

I just love Kid President. Like, so much. He makes me happy.

xoxo

Alex

Monday Motivation: 12.8.13

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A good reminder this holiday season.

xoxo,

Alex

Little Drummer Boy.

Have you heard the latest from Pentatonix? Normally, Little Drummer Boy doesn't get a lot of play on my holiday playlists (unless it features Bing & Bowie, obviously) but I'm just loving this Pentatonix version. Turn it up!

xoxo,

Alex

Sea Salt Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies.

Happy December! Where the hell has this year gone?! Yesterday, I got the baking urge and whipped up these delicious cookies. For reals, you have to make them now. They are amazing. It doesn't hurt that I've been craving them for about 2 months now, ha. 

Anyway, this holiday season, I encourage you to spend a little time in the kitchen and bake the world a better place.

Sea Salt Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies

inspired by Quaker's Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies 

1 stick plus 6 tablespoons butter, melted

3/4 Cups firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 Cup granulated sugar

2 Eggs

1 Teaspoon vanilla

1-1/2 Cups Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1 1/2 Teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon salt 

3 Cups GF Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)

1 Bag of GF Butterscotch Chips

Sea Salt Flakes

Preheat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars together. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix together. Mix in GF oats. Add bag of butterscotch chips. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. [I like mine a little crispy on the edges and soft in the middle so it ended up being about 11 minute with my oven.] As soon as you take the cookies out of the oven, sprinkle the sea salt flakes over each cookie. [This helps to cut the sweetness a bit, and well, let's all just admit that sea salt makes everything better.] Cool a bit on the cookie sheets and then transfer to cooling rack. [Try not to stuff your face.] Cool completely. Share with the mailman or whoever is stopping by.

Seriously though, these came out of the oven as our mail was getting delivered and I offered a few to the mailman and he said yes so fast I almost burst out laughing. I think I made his day to have fresh cookies on a cold Saturday delivery. And then I made my day by eating a couple too.

xoxo,

Alex

Merry and Bright Tidbits: 12.21.12.

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A Twin Cities Christmas.

Add a simple touch of Christmas to your home.

What to wear everywhere this holiday season.

DIY holiday party decor ideas.

DIY gift ideas for the holidays

Two holiday playlists: here and here.

Delicious drinks to celebrate Alcoholidays (I'm thinking this needs to be more of a thing.)

And what you might have missed:  Christmas is almost here, there is hope and light in the sadness if you keep the faith,  my new favorite - Gluten Free Blondies, the Naughty List, and the Ultimate Guide to Gift Guides (if you are still searching for the perfect gift!). 

.....

I hope you have enjoyed my Merry and Bright series!  I'm taking a couple days off to relax with my family, and celebrate some good things happening to the people I love.  I want to wish you and yours a very happy Christmas!

xoxo,

Alex

Merry and Bright: Four Days.

We have four days until Christmas Eve.  Where did the past couple weeks go?!  Our presents are wrapped, our stockings are hung, and our tree is still alive.  We've stocked up on food and alcohol and I'd say we are ready for the holidays to begin!  We'll be taking this weekend to enjoy time with our families, friends, and each other.

Are you ready for the holidays?  

xoxo,

Alex

p.s. I have one more post coming at you tomorrow (one last holiday themed Tidbits) and then I'm taking a couple days off to relax and shut down the technology!

Merry and Bright: Faith, Hope, Light, and Joy.

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I've been praying a lot lately.  For my family, for our future, for my country, for Sandy Hook.  This prayer has always been one of my favorites.  It says it all when there are just no more words or tears.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

May your holiday season be filled with faith and hope, light and joy.

xoxo,

Alex

Merry and Bright: Bye Bye Blondies (Gluten-Free).

Oh my goodness.  These are just about the most delicious little treats I've made since going gluten-free.  You can make them with regular flour or GF flour but honestly, I couldn't even taste the difference.  And neither could K, my true kitchen tester.  I'm affectionately calling them Bye Bye Blondies because they were gone a blink of the eye.  These three are all that were left when I went to take photos.  Just scrumptious.

Bye Bye Blondies

adapted from Dot's Blondies with Chocolate Chips
2 sticks of butter (I know.  Don't judge.)
2 cups of brown sugar
2 tsp. of baking powder
1/4 tsp. of salt
1 tsp. of vanilla extract
2 cups of GF flour (I use Bob's Red Mill All-Purpose Baking Flour Gluten Free)
2 eggs
2 cups of semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9x13 baking pan with butter or spray.  [Note: I cut the recipe in half when I made these and used a 8-inch round cake pan.  You can use whatever you have.]  Melt the butter and mix in the brown sugar.  Add the baking powder, salt and vanilla extract.  Stir until mixed completely.  Add in the flour and stir until mixed thoroughly.  

Here's where it gets weird but trust me.  Beat the eggs in a separate, small bowl.  Add the eggs to the batter and stir until they are completely incorporated.  Add in the chocolate chips.  [Note: I added extra chocolate chips from the original recipe.]

Spread the batter in your greased baking pan.  Bake about 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the blondies start to pull away from the edge of the pan.  Do not overbake!  Blondies should have a slightly gooey consistency to them.  

Cool for 20 minutes or so before cutting the blondies into squares.  [Note: I dare you to only eat one.]  Store in an airtight container.

  These freeze well and would make an great little holiday gift for someone special in your life.  If you can get them wrapped before they go Bye Bye.  Enjoy!

xoxo,
Alex

Merry and Bright: The Naughty List

This post is for sure getting me on the naughty list.  I obviously love the holidays season (here, here, and here), so don't get me wrong but sometimes some things get a little old.  In fact, they make me cringe.

Disclaimer:  This is my opinion.  If you love anything on this list, good for you!  For whatever reason, I don't.  Don't judge me. Hell, go ahead and judge.  I'll judge you for liking this crap. ;)

Here are 5 things on my Naughty List 
(aka Things I Despise about the Holidays):

1. The claymation movies - People around the world love these movies but I just can't get on board this crazy train.  Give me real animation any day.  

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2. A Christmas Story - I just don't get it.

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3. Terrible Christmas songs like Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, anything by the Chipmunks, the awful Hippopotomas song, and any version of Feliz Navidad.  My ears are bleeding just thinking about these songs.

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4. Crowds - people, just move out of my way.


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5. Snowbabies - these just creep me out.  What is the point?  Seriously, can someone tell me the appeal in these things?

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Alright, what's on your Naughty List?  

xoxo,
Alex

Merry and Bright: Miracles.

Merry and Bright: Compulsory Christmas.

Merry and Bright Tidbits: Ultimate Guide to Gift Guides 12.14.12..

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Oh my stars.  Are you as overwhelmed by the amount of gift guides that are out and about on the interwebs?  For this week's Tidbits, I'm bringing you the Life.Law.Luck. Ultimate Guide to Gift Guides.  Maybe next year I'll throw my two cents in and offer a gift guide of my own.  Until then, happy shopping!

For the Ladies
Honestly WTF: For the City Girl
Ruche: For the Ruchette
Design*Sponge: Jewelry
This is Glamorous: Calypso St. Barth
Nutritionella: For the Travelista
The Average Girl's Guide: For the Average Girl
A Cup of Jo: For your Outdoorsy Sister...
Marie Claire: For the Domestic Diva


For the Gentlemen
Men's Health: What Men Want
A Cup of Jo: For Your Younger Brother...
Behold-A-Honeybee: For the Downtown Dude
Honestly WTF: For the Dudes
Real Simple: Creative Gifts for Men
Cupcakes and Cashmere: For Men
Alisa Burke: For Dudes

For the Tiny Humans
The Average Girl's Guide: For the Little One
A Cup of Jo: For the Chatty Toddler...
Green Wedding Shoes: For Little Ones
Fitnessista: For New Moms and Babies
Young House Love: Kid Gifts

Miscellaneous
Definitely Daisies: Gift Giving Guide
To and From: Holiday 2012
Sprinkle Bakes: Essentials and Gifts for Bakers
The Everygirl's Gift Guide
Giada de Laurentiis for Target
DIY gifts from A Beautiful Mess
Little Green Notebook: Fab.com Gift Guide
Eat Live Run Gift Guide


Whew!  I'm hoping to finish my shopping this weekend.  Wish me luck!

And in case you missed it this week: Chill Christmas playlist, our beautiful real Christmas tree, put a little holiday in your heart, my favorite holiday tradition,  it snowed in Minnesota, and holiday puppy chow!

xoxo,
Alex

Merry and Bright: Baking Party and Holiday Puppy Chow.

It's no secret around here that I love Chex and doctoring puppy chow.  Well, I did it again.  I whipped up some Holiday Puppy Chow to share for a baking party I attended last week.  It was our 2nd annual holiday baking party with my favorite law school girls.  Everyone bakes something, we split it all up, and you walk away with a variety of delicious goodies!  So fun!

Holiday Puppy Chow

adapted from Chex Muddy Buddies

1 box Gluten Free Rice Chex cereal

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

3-4 cups powdered sugar

1 bag dark chocolate M&M's (holiday version)

1 bag mint chocolate M&M's (holiday version)

I use a double boiler but you can easily use the microwave.  Pour the box of cereal in a big bowl and set aside.  [Note: I used two bowls to make it easier to mix.]  Melt the chocolate chips, butter and peanut butter together and mix well.  Pour the melted chocolatey goodness over the cereal and mix until the cereal is fully coated.  Dump the mixture into a brown paper bag.  Add the powdered sugar, fold the bag, and shake it all up until the cereal is fully coated with powdered sugar.  Pour the puppy chow on baking sheets to cool and mix in the M&M's.  Store in an airtight container.  

I made three batches of this and gave away 11 quart-size bags of Holiday Puppy Chow.  Hopefully the girls enjoyed it as much as I did!

Here are a couple of the other goodies that were made:

Peppermint Almond Bark

Pretzel Turtles

 I wish I would have gotten a picture of all the goodies!  Can't wait for next year's baking party!  Do you have a favorite treat to bake around the holidays?

xoxo,

Alex

P.S.  Follow me on Instagram @amcampion!

Merry and Bright: Winter Wonderland.

On Sunday, Minnesota transformed into a winter wonderland!  We got 10-16 inches of snow in the Cities and the temps dropped into the single digits.  The snow is so beautiful.  I just love it!  The roads are a mess, but now we are officially ready for Christmas.  It's just not the holidays without a little snow!

xoxo,

Alex

Merry and Bright: Yes, Virginia.

This year I have thought a lot about my Christmas traditions.  Analyzing which ones are the most important to me, which ones I can maybe let go this year, which ones K and I can start and share together.

One of my favorite traditions is my annual reading of "Is There a Santa Claus?" by Francis P.  Church, the editor of The New York Sun.  Written in 1897, it still resonates with me as timeless and relevant.  It is simply magical.  

Believe in Santa Claus.  Believe in miracles.  Believe.

Do you have any favorite holiday traditions?

xoxo,

Alex