My Holiday NYC To Do List

During the holiday time there's nowhere more magical than NYC. I love all the twinkling lights and the festive atmosphere. Just walking around the city makes you feel like a kid during the holidays again. Here's my Top 5 NYC holiday activities:

1. Check out the elaborate holiday window displays at Saks 5th Avenue, Barney's, Bergdorf's, and Bloomingdales while doing your holiday shopping

2. Go ice skating and check out the tree in Rockefeller Center

3. Go see The Nutcracker Ballet at Lincoln Center. I don't care how old you are, this show is timeless.

4.  Take in some of the city's finest hot chocolate! Some good spots include: Max Brenner's, Dylan's Candy Bar, Jacques Torres Chocolate, and for something a bit more frosty: Serendipity's Frozen Hot Chocolate 

5. Check out the plethora of holiday markets that pop up in NYC at this time of year. They are always filled with artisanal crafts and goods that make unique gifts for anyone on your holiday list! 

Holiday Cake Batter Truffles

These Cake Batter Truffles are the perfect little treat to impress your friends with at your next holiday party! They were a bit on the sweeter side when I first made them so I cut back on the sugar in the recipe. If super sweet isn't your thing, try dipping the truffles in dark chocolate to even out the flavor. If sweets are your thing then white chocolate all the way!

You'll Need:
1 cup of white cake mix
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon holiday colored sprinkles and more for decoration
Milk, Dark, or White chocolate chips for melting
Wax paper

How to:
In a bowl mix together the cake mix, flour, and sugar. Stir in the melted butter, vanilla extract, milk, and sprinkles. Mixture should be moist enough to hold its shape. Roll the dough into balls and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes

While the cake batter balls are in the fridge, melt down your chocolate in a double boiler or on 15 second increments in the microwave. When the cake balls are chilled, dip them into the melted chocolate and lay them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Top your dipped truffle while the chocolate is still wet with more sprinkles. When finished, return the truffles back to the fridge for the chocolate to firm and serve!

Holiday Nails

With nail art being the new beauty trend and the holidays near, here is a fun way to combine the two! The end result is a fun manicure that can add sparkle to any holiday ensemble whether it be Christmas, Hanukah, or New Years!

You'll Need:
One solid, regular nail polish of your choosing
One glitter, more translucent nail polish
Paper plate
Make up sponge

Helpful Hints:
If your going for a Hanukah-themed manicure, try using dark navy as the base and a silver glitter polish
For a Christmas-themed mani, I suggest a cherry red base with gold sparkles
For New Years, keep it fun with metallic nails, such as gold nails with silver sparkles

How to:

Paint your nails as usual, using your solid nail polish as your base. I suggest doing 2 coats. Wait until your nails are basically dry. This is very important! If they're still wet, you risk smudging the base polish. Pour some of your glitter nail polish onto a paper plate to use as your palette for your make up sponge. Next, dip your make up sponge in the glitter nail polish and lightly dab along the top of your nails. I suggest dabbing along the top 1/2 or 1/3 of your nail. Make sure your dabs get lighter as you put glitter further down your nail. The glitter should be fullest at the top of your nail, lightest in the middle. Let the glitter polish dry for a minute or two before applying a top coat.

For some fun mistle-toes this season, try this technique on your next pedicure! Happy Holidays!

Pumpkin Spiced White Chocolate Chip Scones

I'll be honest, I have never tried a scone until attempting this recipe. I have always viewed them as an overly fancy tea-time snack that would be complicated to make. On the contrary, the recipe is extremely simple and not as surprisingly, they go fabulously with a hot cup of tea!

It was a rainy day and I just wanted a way to warm up my apartment with the smell of fall.

You'll need:
2 3/4 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1 tbsn baking powder
1 tbsn ground cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp all spice
1/2 cup  (8 tablespoons) cold butter
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

Recipe makes 12 scones

How to:
Combine all the dry ingredients and mix together. Add the butter and mix until the mixture is crumbly. I put my butter in the microwave for 30 seconds to make mixing easier. Add the wet ingredients and stir throuroughly. Add your white chocolate chips and mix them throughout the batter. Line a baking sheet with parchment or if you don't have parchment, just use an ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle a bit of flower on the parchment or pan. Divide the dough in half to make two 5''-5 1/2'' circles that should be about 3/4'' thick.

Use a knife to slice each circle into 6 wedges and carefully separate the wedges so there is about 1/2'' space in between. For a better texture and rise to your scones, place them (uncovered) in the freezer for 30 minutes. While the scones are chilling, preheat the over to 425 F.

Bake the scones for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown. The white chocolate drizzle on top adds a nice touch and is simple to do. Melt some white chocolate chips in the microwave for about 45 seconds (make sure to stir halfway through to prevent burning), or until the chips are fully melted. Drizzle the scones with the white chocolate with the help of a spoon. Let them cool and enjoy with a cup of tea!