I totally forgot to mention in my last post that this week will be a very light posting week for moi.  Emphasis on the very light.  It’s the busiest work week of the year for me, including one crazyyy weekend.  It’s all very fun and exciting, but I can’t wait to see you all again on Tuesday.  Shall we call it a date?

In the meantime, here are a few things that I would like more of in 2012:

• More black on black outfits:  So chic and classy.  Yes, please.
• More chickpeas: Hey, I really like chickpeas.  This year, I want to find more inventive recipes for them, like this cilantro lime chickpea salad.
• More rugs: My apartment is all wood floors and could really use a colorful rug here and there.  We only have one rug right now but I’d like one in each room.

Happy weekending and see you soon!

[Images via: 1 / 2 / 3]

Okay so having the flu is kind of the worst ever.  I haven’t left my little apartment since Thursday, my bed and I are now best friends, and I’ve eaten chicken soup for the past 4 days straight.  But guess what?  The bf took such great care of me!  He is a keeper sometimes.

Also, I really love ampersands.  As a lover of English grammar, I find them to be filled with such beautiful meaning.  You can take any two words, add an & in between them, and suddenly they are connected.  Joined together, linked, binded.  Like you & me.  Pulls at this English-major’s heart strings.  Also, they’re quite gorgeous, wouldn’t you agree?  In fact, I want them all over my house.

This ampersand print from Ampersand Design Studio is one of my favorites.  I love the pop of neon but the overall design is just so perfect.

Happy Monday!

[Image via Ampersand Design Studio]

COOL.  I have the flu.  Which is especially awesome since I had a flu shot.  And even more awesome because we have a HUGE event at work coming up.  I’ve always had really great timing!  But we’re not throwing ourselves a pity party over here.  No way, sir.  We’re going to power through it and talk about our favorite things this week!

• Kate’s DIY gold clay bowls.  Making them asap.
• This DIY chalkboard serving platter – perfect for cheeses!
• Could wear this outfit everyday.
• These lentil meatballs look so yummy and healthy.
• Just ordered the second issue of Kinfolk magazine and CAN’T WAIT for it to come!

[Image via]

This year, I’m going to start investing in classic pieces for my wardrobe that will take me through any season or any year.  As an almost 25 year old, I find that my style has finally grown more mature so I have my eye out for simple, easy things that I can wear at anytime.  For examps, I just bought those sweet lil black loafers and they are pretty much my new favorite things everrrr.  I could literally wear them with anything on this planet, from a dressy dress to jeans and a tee.  Talk about a good investment (plus they were cheap-o).

Investing in classics – I’m telling you, it’s the thing to do in 2012.

trench / clutch / dress / hat / scarf / loafers / bra

You guys!  I’ve missed you so much.  I only wanted to take a short break between Christmas and New Year’s, but then my blog almost died and that forced me to take an even longer break than expected.  I switched to a new server and in that time, we had some issues uploading all of my content to it’s new home.  There was a minute where Kyle said to me “Ok I hope everything is still there.”  But luckily that kid is pretty smart and figured it out.  So 2012 started with a slight heart attack for me.  But now it’s all good!

I hope you had a restful holiday season.  Mine was spent back home with my family and friends.  I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS!!!  Lots of shopping, lots of relaxing, lots of melting in 85 degree weather.  I appreciate a good 85 degree day in July but not in December – it just gets awkward.  Besides the perpetual sweating, my time off was kind of amazing.  Here are just a few of the things I did over the the holidays:

Lots of activities including but not limited to: knitting, playing with my new tablet (!!!), and partaking in lots of burrito times…

Hanging out with these crazies as much as possible (gosh, I love them)…

Getting to see these cute people…

And wearing lots of bold colors (unusual for me, let me tell you)…

*As for 2012 resolutions?  I’ll start with a few of these things happy people do.  Then, I want to work harder, never take anything for granted, spend even MORE time with all of my favorite people, and maybe actually possibly start writing a book (which was one of my goals for 2011…didn’t happen).  We shall see what 2012 will bring us, but here’s hoping it’s nothing but beautiful and amazing things.

As you can tell from these instagrams, lots of winter activities going on in my life currently, i.e. crafting, knitting, tea parties, glitter nail polishing.  Love this time of year!!  Here are a few other things I’ve been loving lately:

• Quill & Fox is my new favorite thing ever.  So charming!
• I don’t know if you’ve switched over to the new Facebook layout yet but I kind of love it.  Going through my timeline has brought back so many memories!
• You probs didn’t know this but I have a real smart brother who makes iPhone/iPad apps.  He has an app called Cruisin’ and it’s now free (before it cost a whole 99 cents).  Check it out here.
• This teapot has been making the rounds on the blogs and I want it badly.
• I want to wear all of these holiday J. Crew outfits, please.

I’m heading back home for a few days to spend the holidays with my family and friends.  Can’t wait to see all of them!!  I’ll be back {on the blog} sometime next week.  Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah. xo Janelle

Yesterday, I gave all my coworkers little treat bags full of homemade peppermint bark.  They’re very special to me so what better way to thank them for always being so amazing than with layers of peppermint-infused chocolate??  Nothing is better, I tell you, nothing.

I tied off the bags with baker’s twine and added these DIY gift tags.  Aren’t they the most precious things?  I’ve been using these tags for EVERYTHING this holiday season.  I even affixed one to Kyle’s hot chocolate the other night just to tell him that it was “homemade with love” so he better appreciate it.

Back to the peppermint bark!  It’s super easy to make and so much more special when it’s homemade.  PS don’t let anyone tell you that making it yourself is cheaper than buying a box of it at William’s Sonoma.  Chocolate chips are expensive, yo!  But making it at home is more fun and thoughtful.  I promise.

Peppermint Bark

1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli)
1 bag of white chocolate chips (again used Ghirardelli)
1/2 tsp peppermint extract, divided
About 25 candy canes, crushed into pieces
A little canola oil (if needed)

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave in intervals of 30 seconds at 50% power.  Make sure you stir the chocolate after every interval until it’s fully melted and smooth.  Stir in 1/4 tsp of peppermint extract.  Pour the chocolate onto the parchment-lined cookie sheet (it will not fill the entire sheet FYI) and spread evenly.  Sprinkle half of the crushed candy canes over the chocolate.  Refrigerate and let it harden for about 10-20 minutes.  Melt the white chocolate in the same fashion.  You may need to add a bit of canola oil because white chocolate seems to be a thicker consistency.  Stir in 1/4 tsp peppermint extract.  Pour the white chocolate directly over the semi-sweet chocolate and spread even.  Sprinkle the remaining crushed candy canes and refrigerate until completely hardened.  To serve, break into small pieces.

Add an adorable tag and give it to all your favorite people.

Lately, I’ve been totally slacking around, wearing oversized sweaters, drinking lots of hot drinks, and neglecting my blog.  Poor thing gets no love lately.  But hey!  There is an upside.  My blog is getting redecorated real soon!  Revamped.  Redesigned.  Can’t wait.

But in the meantime, I don’t really have a new post.  So you can hang out with me on Pinterest (cuz I’ve been pinning lots), or on Twitter (cuz I tweet sometimes), or on Instagram (thestyleeater).  Hope everyone is having a relaxing holiday week!

[Image via J.Crew]

Now that we’re fully into December (WHAT?!), it’s getting quite chilly in these parts.  All I want to do is curl up on the couch with a blanket and a giant cup of tea.  I think I will do that all weekend long, what about you??  Here’s what I’ve been loving this week:

• I’m printing out these DIY gift tags immediately, if not sooner.
• This perfect gray tee, please come into my life.
• I’ve had Kate’s holiday mixtape on repeat.
• The best chocolate mousse you’ve ever had in your life?  Count me in.
• Last night, we went to the West Elm party at their new Beverly Blvd location.  Beyond the fact that the store looks absolutely gorgeous, the party was super fun and they served mini donuts.  Any party with donuts is amazing in my book.  Best part?  Emily Henderson was there and I almost died.  Love.  That.  Girl.

Happy weekend!!

Image via Scout’s Honor Co.

Wurstküche is somewhat of an LA favorite.  It’s located in the super neat Arts District of downtown (another one recently opened in Venice) and almost always has a line out the door.  Their premise is simple: they serve really delicious German-style sausages (ranging from veggie to chicken to buffalo) and you pick 2 toppings (my favorites are the carmelized onions and sauerkraut).  That’s all you need, I promise.  Oh, aside from the Belgian fries, of course.  You NEED those.  No question.  In fact, order the large size.

Also, their beer menu is quite extensive.  As it should be.  What’s a sausage without a beer?  PS, if you’re vegetarian, they have great veggie dog options as well (i’m a half vegetarian, yes that exists…no red meat or pork for me so I order the chicken or turkey varieties).

By the way, it’s across the street from the ever-so adorable (I mean, LOOK AT THAT FONT!) The Pie Hole, so if you’re not too full from eating an entire order of french fries, be sure to grab a slice of pie here: