Archive for December 2015

Watch: 'The Nutcracker'

Watch this cool spin on the Nutcracker dance. (Melody Mendez Fox Chicago Facebook)

Stars by Stella Artois

This holiday, Stella Artois wanted to "Give Beautifully". Stars is an installation where they give you the gift of the stars as well as a few nice refreshments. ;)

As you reach for the stars, they come down to you. So far, they only have done New York City and Buenos Aires is up next.

Check out the video on instagram @crysgarris

Venice

A view of the Swiss Alps

For this trip, I took my mom to Venice!

Taxi stand at VCE airport

This was the view from my hotel Violino D'Oro, it was absolutely breathtaking! In the mornings and afternoons, we were serenaded by the Gondoliers next door.

Our hotel was right next to the Piazza San Marco, in the designer shopping area and there were a few restaurants in walking distance. We did some sightseeing then ate dinner at Vino Vino. The food was good and moderately priced and the staff was extremely friendly.

The next day we took the ferries over to explore Burano and Murano islands. Burano is popular for it's colorful beauty and lace while Murano is famous for glass blowing.

Burano

Murano

We walked around and did more sightseeing as well as a little souvenir shopping around the Piazza.

And although she's afraid of water (what a city to visit with that fear, right?), I was able to convince my mom to ride a gondola with me on the Grand Canal.

Grand Canal

All in all Venice is a beautiful city and I would definitely give it another run. There wasn't much to see so I found that a short 3-day trip was more than enough to see everything and be satisfied.

xo,

Crys

Gingerbread Cupcakes

This is a recipe I found a few years ago on Pinterest. I follow all steps but usually tweak it into my own, (i.e.: frosting type, sugar amounts). I'll do everyone the favor and convert the measurements. Enjoy. :)

Gingerbread Cupcakes (makes 24)

Ingredients:

3 cups cake flour
2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 cups brown sugar
2 sticks (225g) butter (at room temperature)
1 cup milk (at room temperature)
4 extra-large eggs
2 tsp baking powder
a pinch of salt

Heat your oven to 360°F/180°C

Set out two 12-cup cupcake tins with cupcake liners.

In a big mixing bowl, cream the butter until it is smooth.

Add the sugar gradually and beat until the mixture is fluffy and light in color.

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each one.

Add the dry ingredients (including the spices) in three parts, alternating with the milk.

Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners! Each one should be about 3/4 full.

Bake for 20 minutes (or until a cake tester comes out clean).

Ice your cupcakes with vanilla buttercream, and top with chocolate ganache and candy canes.

'Racked' Holiday Market

Racked is bringing the holidays to NYC with their "LA in New York" holiday market. The shop features 13 of their favorite LA based brands this weekend December 5 & 6, 2015. (Racked NY)

Watch: 'The Nutcracker'

Stars by Stella Artois

Venice

Gingerbread Cupcakes

'Racked' Holiday Market

Happy Holidays