Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Fudge

Ya'll...it's basically Christmas. I absolutely love the holidays. It's almost a sickness, I tell ya. I actually feel terrible that I haven't shared any Christmas decorating or crafts on here, but I get so excited that the prospect of shooting photos and writing content, while doing said decorating and crafts, kind of just flies out the window. While I've been spending my days, shopping, looking at pretty lights, drinking ridiculous amounts of eggnog, and watching every holiday movie available to me, I've also been oogling many great recipes on Pinterest. And I found a fantastic one just for you:

INGREDIENTS:

For the cookie dough:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons half and half

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
For the fudge:
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

1/3 cup butter

pinch of salt
1/3 cup half and half
4-5 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

Line an 8x8 baking dish with foil, leaving a 1 inch overhang. Spray with non-stick cooking spray.
To prepare the cookie dough, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla, salt, and half and half. Stir in the flour until incorporated. Set aside.
To make the fudge base, combine the brown sugar, butter, salt, and half and half in a saucepan. Stir over medium low heat until the butter has melted and the brown sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and slowly stir in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Stir in the vanilla.
Add the cookie dough to the fudge base and stir to combine. Mix in the chocolate chips.
Spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish. Chill until set, at least 3 hours.
Keep in refrigerator for up to 1 week.

recipe fromThe Cookie Dough Lover's Cookbook

Go to town...Seriously, you'll eat all of it...Don't even share it.

Wowza folks...Life, I tell ya...it just keeps getting in the way of my blogging time. 
Nnnn-Eeeee-Ways, here's a pretty good post about a pretty amazing contractor:
General contractor in Mirabel, Quebec, Claudie Dubreuil, who owns Les Collections Dubreduil, was in the need of a creative outlet. 
When it came to designing her own home, she was determined to build something unique from the wood cookie cutter condos and houses she had built in the past. She accomplished this by using 4 metal shipping containers to build her dream house...definitely extraordinary..

via

What do you guys think? Pretty amazing right?

Dining chair round-up...

Today, I have a little chair round-up for ya'll...You see, we need knew dining chairs....we also need a new dining room table, and a new dining room (a story for another day). 

Here's the thing, I've been looking for awhile, and haven't pulled the trigger on anything, so today it's your choice (well maybe). 

Leave your vote in the comments section...because we seriously could use the help of you fine people.

We're in the market now for a new table as well and so far this is the winner:

via

The Bishop Double Extension table from World Market...It's a great mix of Race and I's taste. It's got a rustic finish (which he loves), and because of this any future dings or dents will look intentional (which I love). It's a traditional style, but has somewhat cleaner lines. The color is great. And it seats up to 10, which is fantastic. At this point I'm simply waiting for one of World Market's famous 25% off furniture sales, to finally pick this bad boy up. 

And here's a few of the dining chairs we've been eyeing...

Tufted chair--These were originally our "no brainer" pick. They are a great style, color, and price. After choosing our table though, I realized the finish on the legs and table may compete too much. I have a thing about matching finishes. They either need to match perfectly or be completely different, and the finishes on these chairs are somewhere in the middle with relation to the table. 

White chair
These upholstered chairs are great because they are slip-covered. Anytime I can pull a slipcover off and throw it in the wash, I'm sold. These are also a fantastic price. The hubby though thinks that white is too much, whether I can wash them or not. I've also heard horror stories about these                                    slipcovers looking terrible after being washed, which is definitely no bueno.  

Safavieh chair
I don't know how I feel about these chairs. I love the lines and color, but am not sure about them for this table.

Vintage furniture--I have to admit, right now these are definitely my favorites. We both love the industrial look these chairs give. The price, vintage nod, and color are all great. They are a fun match for the table and add an interesting juxtaposition in styles. They are metal so they will be sturdy overtime. My only concern is comfort.

Stackable chair
We loved these chairs the first time we saw them, but they definitely don't work with this table. If we could find them in a very dark finish, they could still be a contender.

HENRIKSDAL
The blue color in these chairs are great, and the simple lines wont compete with the table. I do however have my doubts when it comes to investing a lot of money in eight chairs and committing to a bold color.

Now go vote...I'm done making decisions for awhile...Unless I don't like what you choose, then I'll be forced to make another one....no pressure....;)

I'm Lovin' It...November...

Hi Friends! It's been awhile. After a quick trip to Dallas to check in on you know, our future, and pure chaos with the upcoming holidays, there's just no time to sit back and blog. I can't wait to share with you everything we have going on with the new home front, but am choosing to hold back until things are more concrete. 

In the meantime, here's what I'm loving in November...and yes I did take this opportunity to make a Christmas list for anyone that needs ideas...ahem, Race...

Fake fur blanket
target.com


I've been eyeing this throw every time I stop in Target, it just looks so cozy...and you can't beat the $25 price tag.

World Market bamboo bath accessory
worldmarket.com


I've wanted one of these bath tub trays forever...I love baths...I love a cup of tea or glass of wine and a book in the bathtub, and this shelf would make this much easier.

Mr Coffee burr mill
casa.com


This is as much a need as a want....Yes I know, first world problems. For my birthday, the hubby bought me a really fantastic Espresso maker, but I've always been told Espresso is no good without fresh beans...because i'm not Frasier, I don't have time to stop in a local shop and have them grind up my beans every day, so this is kind of a must. 

Bodum coffee maker
wayfair.com


I love french press coffee, and need a way to make more than one cup of coffee at a time (for guests), so this seems like my best bet.

Primula tea pot
casa.com


I've always wanted a pretty teapot, and the clear ones are fantastic for watching the tea flower...plus it looks pretty on an open shelf in a kitchen.

Stoneware cookie jar
target.com


I've been searching for a cookie jar for awhile, and call me crazy but the new gray squirrel cookie jar by Threshold is pretty dang cute.

Contemporary window treatment
target.com


I would love new curtains in our living room, and I think green would be perfect. These are great and a fantastic price.

I am dying for a new tablet. I like the one I have, but it's super slow, so I would love to get the new Nook HD 32gb (it has great reviews).

Dooney Bourke tech accessory
dooney.com


I also would love a cute case for it ;)

I love, love, love this bar cart. It reminds me of a more stylish/classy time. It might be better to wait on this one until we're in our new home (less to move), but I love it nonetheless. 

Now it's your turn...what are you hoping Santa drops down your chimney?

Washington School House Hotel

 Sometimes I come across something so inspiring, so beautiful, so unique, that I am just bursting to share it with ya'll. Sometimes this is a friend's home, or a new space by a favorite designer or, like today, a hotel.

I was first introduced to the Washington School House hotel by Michelle over at 4 Men 1 Lady. This boutique hotel in Park City, Utah was originally a school built in 1889, but later renovated into a hotel. Each room is completely unique from the last. The design in this hotel is quite minimal, with white walls, which allows the amazing classic pieces to really stand out. 

Love isn't a strong enough word. 

 via

I now have to find a way to convince my husband, that our next vacation should be spent in Park City, UT. Wish me luck.

Working with what ya got...

A reader shot me an e-mail awhile back regarding their living room. She has a problem, I think a lot of people do. She had the boring beige couch we all buy for our first home (much like the one that still adorns my living room) matching side tables, and the two fun green chairs, but didn't know where to go from there. She wanted something to bring the pieces together, a place to sit a drink when watching television, more lighting, and basically some cohesion in the space. 

The gold garden stools are a perfect place to kick up your feet or sit your popcorn and wine while watching watching a movie with the family, and are more interesting then a plain coffee table. The green zebra rug is again my go to from Zgallerie, but after seeing it all together, we both agreed it was too much, so we later decided to go with the brown version of the same rug...although I'm now dying to use this green one in another space. Any takers? .... These brass pendants are to die for and are way more of a conversation starter than boring table lamps. The sofa sits against a wall, so the lights can easily hang from the ceiling on either side. The art and throw pillows add cohesion, bringing the green chairs and beige sofa together, and add in a much needed third color, teal in this case.

Trend Lighting ceiling light
insideavenue.com

Zebra rug
zgallerie.com

Gold coffee table
kathykuohome.com

Wall art
kohls.com

World Market throw pillow
worldmarket.com

So what do you think? How many of you have a few basic pieces, but no cohesion in your space? Talk to me.

I'm Lovin' It...September and October...

So a friend brought it to my attention that I not only missed September's I'm Lovin' It post, but also October's....I was actually aware of this. The I'm Lovin' It posts, at first were my highest viewed posts, but in the last few months they were my least. So I took a couple months off, but since you guys DID notice, I decided to make it up to you with a I'm lovin' It post for both September and October.

World Market island lighting

worldmarket.com

I'm in love with this light fixture. It would be phenomenol in a little girl's nursery, and at only $80, it's a steal.

DeLonghi cappuccino maker

casa.com

This espresso/cappuccino maker was a b-day present from the hubby....and I love it. He actually bought me a different one originally, and it quit working a week later, so we exchanged it for this model...so far so good.

CB2 kitchenware dining

cb2.com

I'm obsessed with this clear teapot...what a fun gift!

CB2 home decor

cb2.com

This acrylic trunk has been on my wishlist for awhile, and I can't wait to bring it into our new home!

West Elm clock

westelm.com

This fun West Elm clock, just adds that bit of unexpected quirkyness that every room needs.

West Elm home decor

westelm.com

Another fun piece, and the gold adds a hint of sophistication to any space.

Book stand

urbanoutfitters.com

I'm obsessed with these elephant bookends from Urban Outfitters.

Home decor

ikea.com

These new baskets from Ikea, are fantastic, and only $5!

White wall art

etsy.com

The new arrow trend is one of my favorites. I love this piece, but there are seriously thousands on Etsy.

ASOS legging

asos.com

I'm loving the new tribal leggings that are everywhere!

World market furniture

worldmarket.com

After A LOT of searching, I think I've finally found my new dining table. The Bishop table from World market, sits 4-10 people (which is great), and has an amazing wood texture, that could probably take a beating. 

Cube footstool

lampsplus.com

I've seen these new tufted ottomans everywhere, and actually used them in a space here. I love the bright colors they come in, and they are a great price. 

Cost Plus World Market The Republic of Tea Natural Hibiscus Tea,...

worldmarket.com

My favorite tea ever...

CB2 Casa Noir Tissue House

cb2.com

How cute are these Tissue House boxes..So fun and whimsical...

Now what about you guys? What are you diggin' this month....and last month?