J. Crew has become one of the Smithkowski’s favorite
stores. While I pride myself on scoring some great deals here, Brady should
receive an award for the amount of under $20 polos he’s scored at J. Crew.
Not only is J. Crew great for adults, but their kids and
baby lines are great for gifts. And who can forget the outlet stores!
Here are my current favorite gift options.
- Maclister Boots - $198.00
- Lambswool Sweater - $75.00
- Tartine Mini-Satchel - $398.00
- Sequin Dress - $69.50
- Shimmer Earrings - $58.00
- Chef’s Apron Set - $45.00
- Boys Anchor Sweater - $59.50
- Minnetonka Baby Booties - $19.95
Friday, November 29, 2013
Shot of Brandi* 2013 Gift Guide: Mall Maddness
Welcome to the sixth year of the annual Shot of Brandi*
gift guide!
Shot of Mom has always said that this time of year brings
out the amateurs – the people that don’t shop all year and come out just for
Christmas shopping. Not like us ladies that go on a weekly basis.
I spent some time at the mall the last two weekends and
let me just say it makes me MAD! Specifically:
·
The massive amounts of people that are walking
around the mall with NO BAGS. What!? You are going to wait all year to come out
and NOT buy anything!?
·
Strollers. I’m sorry moms, but stores just
weren’t made for your double wide stroller. I don’t like running into you in
stores and by the sounds of your kids, they don’t want to be there either.
·
Parking Lots. Just when you think you’ve found a
spot, the person who you think is getting into their car proceeds to take 10
minutes to back out. THEN someone comes out of nowhere and tries to take the
spot that you’ve now been waiting 15 minutes for!
·
I recently went into Express & The Limited
for two specific things: tights and a solid t-shirt. I spent under $20 on both,
yet both stores had to ask me: if I wanted a credit card, if I wanted to sign
up for rewards, for my phone number and my email address. Both stores got 4
no’s from me!
So in conclusion, what does the mall do to me? It makes
me MAD!
The theme of my gift guide this year is Mall Madness.
In honor of me being angry and one of my favorite board games ; )
Over the next few weeks, I plan to show a number of gifts
for family and friends categorized by different stores at the mall. I may throw
in some online stores as well – you never know!
Sit back, relax, grab a glass of wine and let’s shop
online.
While I’ve blogged about Ugly Sweater parties before, I
must admit that I’ve never actually hosted or attended one. But this year, that
may just change, so I needed to prepare. And let me tell you, this is no easy
task!
At first, I thought I would just go to my staple –
EverythingSequins.com. But the holiday vest that I liked was $30 PLUS $30 to
ship – I couldn’t justify the price.
I then scoured the internet for the perfect sweater. I
still haven’t found it (I got something that is OKAY), but here are a few that
I saw! Warning – some are adorable, but still pricey! What the heck!?
- Lot78 via The Outnet
- Mason by Michelle Mason
- Asos Holiday Pattern Sweater
- Topshop
- Asos Vintage Look Sweater
Urban Outfitters has an um, odd selection of sweaters.
Some are a little risqué, but it’s worth checking out!
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Family Recipes: Aunt Linda's Sweet Potato Casserole
One thing that I’m thankful for this year is coming from a
family of amazing cooks – on both sides! You’ve been treated to recipes from
Shot of Mom and Godmother Aunt Michelle (Shot of Mom’s sister), so today I
wanted to introduce you to Shot of Dad’s sister – Aunt Linda.
Aunt Linda makes the most AMAZING Sweet Potato Casserole
on Thanksgiving. This thing shouldn't just be called a Casserole - but a Kick-ass-erole! Legend has it, my sister Jillian once ate an entire plate of
this dish.
I decided to attempt it for the hubs’ family two years
ago and it turned out okay. Well, I made it again tonight to take with us to
New Jersey and it was SO EASY!
You’ve gotta trust me on this one. It doesn’t look that
appetizing, but it’s DELICIOUS!
Aunt Linda’s Almost Famous Sweet Potato Casserole
· 3 cups (4 medium) mashed cooked sweet potatoes (I use the canned version – 1 40oz can of yams = 3 mashed cups)
· ¼ cup of sugar
· 1 stick of melted margarine
· 2 eggs
· 1 teaspoon of vanilla
Mix and mash all ingredients together and put into a buttered square Corning dish. Cover with Topping
Topping:
· 1 cup brown sugar
· ½ cup margarine, softened
· ½ cup flour
· 1 cup chopped walnuts nuts (Shot of Mom uses walnuts or pecans or a combo of both)
· ½ cup coconut
Mix topping together.
Bake 350 for 20-30 minutes.
Without Topping & With Topping (not baked)
And we can’t forget my in-laws – you haven’t met their
tasty recipes yet, but maybe Aunt Donna will share the details on her secret
Magic Cookie Bars soon ; )
Reader Dana recently asked me about a potential holiday
party theme. Once she got my brain wheels spinning, I came up with a pretty rad
theme that I said “I need to blog this.”
So I’m blogging it.
You’ve done the ugly sweater party. You may have done the
plaid party. Now, I give you – the Christmas Movie Character Party!
Encourage guests to come dressed as their favorite
holiday movie character. Need suggestions? That’s what I’m here for!
·
A
Christmas Story: Ralphie, The Leg, Randy in the Bunny Costume.
·
Elf:
Elf. Lol.
·
National
Lampoons Christmas Vacation: Clark Griswald, Uncle Eddie
·
Frosty
The Snowman: Frosty.
(image)
·
Home Alone:
Kevin McCallister, the burglars, Gus Polinski (The Polka King of the Midwest)
·
Babes
in Toyland: Mother Goose, Bo Peep, Mary Contrary, Jack-Be-Nimble, Jack,
Jill or Boy Blue.
·
Charlie
Brown: Sad tree, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Snoopy, Schroeder, Patty,
Sally.
·
The
Grinch: Cindy Loo Who, The Grinch, Whos from Whoville
(image)
·
Mean
Girls: No, not really Christmas, but you can do the Mean Girls and Amy
Pohler in school skit scene.
·
Nutcracker:
Ballerina, Nutcracker, The Mouse, Sugar Plum Fairy
(image)
·
Rudolph
the Red Nosed Reindeer: Reindeer! Sam the Snowman (voiced by Burl
Ives), misfit toys.
·
Miracle
on 34th Street: Santa Claus.
·
A
Christmas Carol: Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, Ebenezer
Scrooge or Tiny Tim.
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