gifts for: the baker/cook/chef

for the person who loves to cook or bake,

any of these items will definitely bring about smiles.

an apron for days spent up to their elbows in cooking/baking:

{get it here}

fancy pot holders to brighten their kitchen:

{get them here}

a milk bottle carafe for homemade juices:

{get it here}

ceramic ruled measuring cups for all their recipes:

{get it here}

a unique timer for keeping track of what's in the oven:

{get it here}

a set of eco-friendly mixing bowls for years of baking:

{get them here}

happy holiday baking and cooking to you all.

xoxo

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gifts for: the university student

from undergrad to professional and graduate studies,

any student would enjoy these:

a unique coffee mug for late nights spent studying:

{get it here}

an organizer for keeping all of their needs:

{get it here}

a laptop case for days spent at coffee shops:

{get it here}

a vintage-inspired desk calendar to brighten their days:

{get it here}

fun, printed notebooks for days in lecture halls:

{get it here}

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gifts for: the avid runner

whether it's a trail run on a sunday or weekend a marathon,

here a few things that just about any runner or athlete would enjoy:

a road id for a sense of security:

{get it here}

{read testimonials about it here}

a camelbak hydration pack to keep them going during long races:

{get it here}

{also comes in black or blue for the guys}

a pocket cuff to store keys during a run:

{get it here}

a new pair of kicks to start off the new year:

{get them here}

or for a really easy gift,

an itunes gift card to fill their ipods with running tunes:

{get it here}

happy running to you all.

xoxo

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never have i ever

seen a herd of longhorn cattle,

driven clear across the state of oklahoma,

watched a tumbleweed cross the road,

seen a windmill farm in person,

awaken to an enormous buck in the front yard,

watched a group of rams jump across a mountain side.

until now.

husband and i have driven halfway across the country

to enjoy winter in colorado,

and experienced all these things and more.

be back very soon with more gift guides,

and exciting pictures from our trip.

xoxo

copyright Hiking in Stilettos

"Ga Ga ooh la la"

Word up, folks. It's Ashley from Kindredly, and A asked me to fill in for her while she's incommunicado. For whatever reason, I have the hardest time coming up with something "worthy" enough for Hiking in Stilettos, but today I've got it.

Lady GaGa.

I posted about my love for Lady G on Kindredly last month. I love her. Some people think she's too much. Some people think she's weird. I think she's too much, and I think she's weird -- but I L.O.V.E. it. I love all her crazy hairdos and outfits and songs. She just throws it out there for us all to accept or reject. I've accepted it so much that I've practially morphed into a blonde with a bow permanently fixed on top of my head.

My girlfriend, Kim, called me to let me know Lady GaGa was coming to Atlanta December 28 & 29, and when they went on sale, they sold out in minutes. We realized we were going to have to go through a ticket broker to go, and we'd pay more....and we did, and we're going. On December 29, I will be at the Fox dancing and singing my face off. I. Can't. Wait.

In preparation for Lady G's arrival, I've done a little shopping. I figured my outfit couldn't just be jeans and a cute top (although, that is totally fine for some, just not me), so I scoured the internet for inspiration and ideas. The only thing I could up with was GLITTER!!! and SEQUINS!! Give me something shiny!!

Hiking in Stilettos featured a sequin post that I drooled over. Re-check it. I want that sequin strapless dress for my upcoming Vegas trip!

With the sparkly idea in mind, I ended up with this...

This is the "Sequin Extravaganza Skirt" from Forever21, which you know is questionable online. I can't tell if something is going to be heinous in person when I shop their site, so I just buy it and send back if it looks cheap. Their online return policy is flexible, and they're quick getting your money back to you. The measurements of this skirt.....are 12"x 30". The 12" being the length (of course because a 12" waist would be a preposterous idea for me). For the record, my ass is probably 12.5". The gym hasn't kicked in that quickly. My plan is to pair it with black tights and this....




This is the "String Back Top" from F21, which is also going for $42 at Lulus, btw. It's loose fitting to help balance out the shortness of the skirt (this is my plan, at least), and I got it for a steal at $17.

Finally, because it's December (and I'm no longer in college wearing backless shirts and short skirts), I'm layering this on top...

I blogged about this blazer from Urban a few months ago. It was originally $68, but I got it on sale for $35. I feel very MJ when I wear it. I got it in a small, but it's a little baggy. Again, this will only help with a 12" long skirt.

I'll finish up the outfit with my black booties and maybe a hairbow fixed perfectly on top of my head....

Thoughts? Suggestions? You are all such fashionistas!

gifts for: the outdoorsy man

i love christmas.

i also love giving christmas presents,

especially when you know it's something that

the other person is really going to love.

sometimes it's a bit hard to figure out exactly what a great present would be.

so i have a few lists that will hopefully give you some ideas.

if you have someone on your list who spends his saturdays

riding mountain bikes, running on trails, kayaking,

hiking, adventure racing, cycling, or camping,

then the following gift ideas are where you want to be.

a paracord tactical bracelet

{it unwinds to 10 feet of tough parachute cord if you are ever in a bind.}

{find it here}

a headlamp to light the way

{find it here}

a moosejaw hoodie to keep him warm

{find it here}

a watch that does it all: the garmin forerunner

{find it here}

or, for an easy shipping option, how about a magazine subscription

national geographic adventure

outside magazine

i can recommend both of these for providing great trip ideas

for every part of the country.

a gift he is sure to love.

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an extra special christmas

our little apartment is brimming with christmas spirit,

smelling of pine needles, warm and inviting,

celebrating our first christmas together.

colored button lights

and a parliament of owls on the mantle

a vintage inspired tree
complete with a few vintage ornaments


here's wishing you a holiday season
surrounded by those whom you love.
xoxo


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oh, ellen

one of the good things about finals week

is that i am back home by about lunchtime every day.

this means that i am at home when ellen show airs.

i love ellen degeneres.

i think she is absolutely hilarious.

i watched her show last year during my workout hour,

and i almost fell off the treadmill from laughing.

not only is the show incredible comic relief from a mound of schoolwork,

ellen gives so much away to people who really need help.

she gave a car, christmas money, a gas card, and some extra cash

to a single mom who couldn't afford to provide christmas for her children this year.

during december ellen also does "12 days of giveaways"

where she gives ridiculously incredible prizes to the people in the audience.

we're talking digital cameras, gift cards to target, qvc, barnes & noble,

laptops, palm pixis, lcd tvs, photo printers...

you get the idea.

so yesterday i was watching and taking a break from studying,

when she broke my heart just a little bit.

{i know this is really quite silly, so don't laugh at me...}

she gave away a red kitchenaid mixer to everyone in the audience.

a red stand mixer that would be so perfect in my kitchen.

i didn't care about the camera, the printer, or the hdtv.

just the mixer.

anything but the mixer.

{note, that this is after i found out that my "discount" at macy's

is only 10% which really doesn't help, so i decided not to get one.}

so i will watch ellen today with a slightly saddened heart.

if only i could teleport to los angeles to go to the show.

i do think that a {post-pharmacy school} trip to cali is in order.

and when that trip comes around,

you better believe the ellen show is on my list.

xoxo

images courtesy of the ellen degeners show

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outerwear outings

living in the south i really don't have need of a winter coat.

we do experience some pretty cold days during january and february,

but it is nothing compared to the snowy north.

since i would need to spend quite a bit
to find a nice wool coat that actually fits me well,
i often settle for more trendy versions at lower price points.


i found this lovely guy on sale at h&m earlier this year.
he made his fashion debut this past week
for husband's office christmas party and for church on sunday.

it's a great piece at a great price,
definitely warm and snug, and pretty versatile.
the over sized collar is my favorite part.
it looks best buttoned all the way up like a cowl neck
{which isn't shown in either of these pictures}
and the belt helps to hide the fact that it's a little too big.


since our snowfall may consist of six inches on a good year,
and the really cold weather only lasts a few months,
it is completely unjustifiable to spend a lot on a winter coat.
as much as i absolutely love the one from anthropologie,
it's just not practical to spend that much when i live in the south.

one day when we move north or west,
i am sure i will invest in a more durable winter coat,
but for now i will stick with h&m, f21, and the bp department at nordstrom


where do you go to find affordable winter coats?


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right on time, rodarte

just in time for all of those holiday parties,

target is releasing a collection of edgy items by rodarte.

the collection is full of statement pieces that will pair perfectly

with more conservative skirts for an office party

or with lace tights for new year's eve with friends

or even with jeans and heels for christmas with the family.

we're talking lace and tulle dresses and skirts,

leopard-print sequin frocks, netted legwear,

silk camis, and bow belts.

although the styling of these images isn't exactly my cup of tea

{ie, doc marten style boots, leopard and lace together, straight dark hair with a middle part}

i can definitely see the potential in all of the items in the rodarte collection.

what is your opinion?

will you be perusing your local target for holiday apparel?

xoxo

images courtesy of laforce + stevens

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cup vs. mug

the other day my bestie and i had a conversation

about coffee cups vs. coffee mugs.

as much as i love many of my vintage tea cups,
i drink my daily coffee out of over sized mugs,

even if i don't fill it up all the way.

i just like the feeling of a big, warm cup in my tiny hands.

a mug filled with hot chocolate mix and peppermint

or spiced tea and gingerbread

is a simple, personal gift for anyone on your list

that won't send you into financial distress.

an easy place to find unique mugs is anthro

or search online for really unique mugs

husband would love this trigger mug from a+r

this hand painted tree mug from etsy is perfect for an outdoorsy guy or gal

a monogram mug from this seller is an easy gift for anyone on your list

vintage tea cups definitely have their place in my life,

but as for daily use, i am a mug type of gal.

what about you?

are you a cup or a mug person?

copyright Hiking in Stilettos

opinions, please!

one item that i have long been coveting for in my kitchen
is a kitchen aid electric stand mixer.
i absolutely love to bake, and i know i would use it quite often,
so it definitely is not a matter of if i will purchase one
but more a matter of when i will purchase one.

that being said, i placed one on our wedding registry
simply hoping to acquire enough gift card credit to purchase it.
this coming weekend, macys is doing a friends and family discount,
and i think it is time to take the plunge.
between gift cards and the discount, it's not a bad price.
here's my issue.....


this is the one i originally wanted {the one that i registered for}
i simply adore the color.
i think the turquoise makes the mixer look that much more vintage,
and you know how much i want to rework my kitchen
into a vintage turquoise and red color scheme
and how much i like turquoise in any room in our home.


here is the more practical option:
i am definitely not drawn to the white, but i don't really mind it.
the only reason it is in the running is price.
this one is $100 less.***
it is a bit smaller than its competition,
but honestly, it's pretty comparable.
also, it is a color than can be incorporated into any kitchen.
i do love my red and turquoise and don't foresee that changing,
but in thirty years i may feel differently.
{and yes, i plan on still using it in thirty years. it's a lifetime kind of appliance.}


so, my dears, what would you do?
go with the prettier, more expensive one since we are using gift cards
or go with the less colorful, less expensive one
and use excess gift cards for something else fun as well
{a nice menswear watch, makeup from benefit, jeans for husband}
??????

***EDIT: after the discount/coupon the difference between the two is $70.

copyright Hiking in Stilettos

dear followers,

i adore you <3>

it honestly makes my day that you read this little blog.

i love reading your comments and getting your input on my musings.

thanks for being so great.

xoxo

Heart U, originally uploaded by twoeyes.

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ugly cupcakes? i think not...

i have heard it said that muffins are just "ugly cupcakes,"
but i wholeheartedly disagree.
as much as i love cupcakes, i love muffins too.
{in fact, i think i just love baking regardless of what i'm making.}

for those of you who agree with the "ugly cupcake" hypothesis,

those of you whose favorite part of a cupcake is the icing,
these muffins are just for you:

pumpkin spice muffins with built-in cream cheese icing
soooooo delicious :)

image credit

the how-to:
spice cake mix
1 box instant vanilla pudding (3 oz)
1 cup canned pumpkin
one 8 oz package of cream cheese (softened)
one egg
1/4 cup sugar

make cake mix as directed on box,
add pudding powder and pumpkin.
spoon into paper-lined muffin cups.

beat cream cheese until creamy,
then add sugar and egg, and beat until creamy.

spoon a small amount of cream cheese mixture onto
batter-filled muffin cups and swirl gently.

bake for 18-21 minutes at 350


my mom made these for us a few weeks ago,
and they pair perfectly with a big mug of hot chocolate
or strong coffee early in the morning.
i do believe that a batch of these little guys
is on the agenda for the weekend.

if you decide to make them, let me know what you think!
xoxo


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