Hi, I'm Rachel.

A few years ago I could barely boil water.

True story.

Determined to be a kick ass wife, I developed a love for football and learned to cook in my tiny Jersey City kitchen. I spend my days working in Manhattan, my nights and weekends chasing after a rambunctious toddler, and the hours in between cooking with my husband and feeding my TV habit...oh, and I blog about it all! 

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« Buh Bye 2011 | Main | Scenes from Christmas »
Friday
Dec302011

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? + Foodie Penpals

Hi all! After a bunch of days off, today I'm heading into work for the day (boo!) and then seeing the tree at Rockefellar Center and having dinner with a group of my favorite ladies (yay!)! I'm so excited!! It's an annual tradition and it's so fun to look forward to directly after Christmas...it's like Christmas is still a thing, even though it's passed.

 

On another note, tomorrow is New Year's Eve! I have a serious love/hate relationship with New Year's, and definitely with New Year's Eve in general, but I am excited for 2012. I think it's going to be a great year! As usual, Shaun and I don't have much planned. We will probably make a bunch of food at home, watch a movie, and then head over to a party that our building is throwing (down the hall!). I love this because it means no driving on the most dangerous night of the year, no crowds at New York City bars, and no spending a whole lotta $$$ on overpriced pre fixe dinners. What are you doing for New Year's Eve?

Oh, and I found this sweet little video that you've probably already seen, but I'm sharing it anyway because it makes me happy :) I love ZoDash (can we make that a thing?) and Joseph Gordon Levitt...they are just too cute and this song is so sweet...

 

Today is also Foodie Penpal reveal day! Foodie penpals was started by the lovely Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean. Lindsay is one of my favorite bloggers turned friend. Her blog is filled with healthy food and she is just oh so sweet! Foodie Penpals is a way for bloggers and non-bloggers to join up every month and get paired with another person. You prepare a box of goodies (no more than $15 worth) and send to your match on a specified date. You then also receive a box of goodies from another person. It is so fun to not only receive a box of surprise goods, but to also put together a box of fun stuff for another. If you want to join up for next month, be sure to check out Lindsay's blog for more details!

Meanwhile, I got a whole lotta delicious and wonderful things from Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family! I was so excited to receive this box of goodies and have enjoyed everything single thing inside it.

I opened the box to find an incredibly sweet Christmas card...

...milk chocolate almond toffee pieces (which Shaun and I devoured immediately) and avocado oil kettle chips

I adore all of the fun chips that Rachel included...like these kale chips and sweet potato chips!

a pumpkin cheeseball mix...I think I will be making this for New Year's Eve! Yum!

some Justin's chocolate peanut butter...I could eat this stuff by the gallon with a spoon...

and my very favorite item of the bunch...Biscoff spread! I had been wanting to try this stuff for a while but somehow hadn't gotten around to it! It's delicious!

and here's the money shot...

So there you have it. All of my yummy penpal goodies. Thank you Rachel!

I hope you all have a fantastic (and very safe!) New Year's!

What are YOU doing New Year's Eve?

xo,

Rachel

PS - Thank you for all of your sweet comments on my Christmas Eve dress! I put together a little fashion breakdown for you below:

Dress: Urban Outfitters

Long cardigan: Nordstrom

Black round-toe pumps: BCBG via Neiman Marcus Last Call

Tights: Duane Reade

Bangles: Alexis Bittar

 

Reader Comments (8)

those chips look so good! happy new year friend!

What a great package of goodies! Happy New Years! :)

December 30, 2011 | Unregistered Commenteremily (a nutritionist eats)

Happy New Year! you got some great goodies from your pen pal! i need to try this Biscoff spread!

December 30, 2011 | Unregistered Commenteralex

That looks like an amazing goodie box! Sounds like the perfect NYE. We are going to a friend's for dinner, nice and laid back!

December 30, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterLauren at Keep It Sweet

What a great foodie pen pal package you got! I love the pics by the trees - so festive! I'd love to visit NY at Christmas time.

December 30, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterNicole

Can't ever get enough Justin's nut butters! I love your NY pictures and hope you have a great NYE and NY's Eve Eve!

December 30, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterLaura @ LauraLivesLife

i had never heard that song before - it's so cute! i love it.

December 30, 2011 | Unregistered Commentersarah @ sarah learns

I am so glad you liked your box. I had a great time putting it together.

The pics of NY are gorgeous!

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