{Neiman Marcus+Target}

Target has done it again.

They have partnered with 24 legendary designers to bring over 50 gifts to their store.

Check out the partnership and gift guide collection here.

Available in stores tomorrow, December 1st, these are items you don't want to miss.

 

The designer I love the most is none other than Tracy Reese.

Her prints are beautiful.

I would love to add the dessert plates to my plate collection.

 

Tracy Reese Dessert Plates $39.99 (set of 4)

Tracy Reese Blouse $79.99

 

Happy Shopping

 

xoxo,

Ronita

{Cincy Spotlight: Gigi's Cupcakes}

 

There is a new cupcakery in town and well...it's selling amazing cupcakes. GiGi's Cupcakes I would say is up there with my favorite in Cincy cupcaker, Abby Girl Sweets.

 

At $3.25/cupcake they will only be for special occasions.

 

Check out their shop (which by the way is way too close to my job)

 

 

Wedding Cake cupcake with vanilla buttercream frosting

 



Sweet Potato cupcake with Kentucky Bourbon buttercream frosting

 

They were both delicious.

We shared them as a family.

 

I even saved some of the frosting as a yummy snack

 

xoxo,

Ronita

{Jeni's for the holidays}

Jeni's has revealed her 2012 holiday collection and it looks amazing.

Looks like I will be taking a quick trip to Whole Food's Market for some of this Sweet Potato Torched Marshmallows goodness...or maybe the Boozy Eggnog...

go Jeni's or go home...

Sweet Potato with Torched Marshmallows from Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

OHIO COWS RULE!

xoxo,

Ronita

{Shilito Elves Cincy}

Saturday we took the boys to see the Shilito Elves at Newport on the Levee. Thanks to local sponsors they were able to fund the refurbishing of this cherished holiday tradition. 

The massive Lego train display was a hit especially since Tre' is into Legos now. 

They spent time writing their letters to Santa. 

Tre is so funny...he realized he had more to write after we dropped them in the mail.

Delivering our letters.

The elves hard at work sorting all those requests.

***

After the elves we took a ride back over the bridge to explore Fountain Square'.

We were treated to a carriage ride and watched the ice skaters go round and round.

The magic of the season is here...

If you are in the Cincy area make a day of seeing the elves. 

You will love it.

xoxo,

Ronita

{foodie blog highlight and Christmas dessert}

Dulce Delight

Quirky. Colorful.Creative.

Raiza Costsa is Brazilian born blogger living in NYC and I love love love her cooking show/blog. I can't wait to try the below recipe this Christmas (which is exactly one month away). I am already planning my menu and this "praline like" cheesecake will fit perfectly in my New Orleans themed menu!!!

Check out her blog and try her recipes.
I know I will.

xoxo,

Ronita

{gifts for him}

I always feel like it's so much harder to shop for the guys in my life. I always try to get gifts that are functional but something they wouldn't normally get themselves. Here are some of my guy favorites for this gift giving season.

Gucci logo sunglasses / Herschel Supply Co. Standard Backpack / Men's Minnetonka Moccasin Traditional Pile Lined S Brown Suede... / Dot Wool Tie In Light Gravel / River Island Multicoloured Striped Socks, $16 / Brown high top leather brogues, $110 / Nixon The Chronicle Black Snake Watch, $525 / Ravi Ratan 'ohio University Bobcats' Cuff Links / Fragrance, $235 / Verismo 585 System by Starbucks® / PELLEVERA Planner / Blue foil shaver 340S-4, $80

Have you found great guy gifts?

xoxo,
Ronita

{holiday wishlist}

Wow! 

Thanksgiving is over like that and we are completely into the Christmas season! The malls are packed and all the stores are deep into Black Friday/Cyber Monday marketing.

There are just a few things on my list this year and they are of course all nice to haves and not have to haves. 

I feel so truly blessed for all the things have and know the true meaning of the season!

With that being said here is my nice to haves wish list....

NIKE shoes / Minnetonka fringe booties, $90 / Gold monogrammed ring / Sterling silver bangle / 2013 Rifle Cities Calendar / Philips Anodised Aluminium Juicer HR1861/00, $115 / Madam President Planner (Pre-order for 2013 planner) / Jolly Hollydays Gift / 2012-2013 myAgenda Desktop / Fiery Lily and Rose Flowers

Monogrammed bracelet and ring to match my necklace, a nice mommy planner, this beautiful cities calendar from Rifle Paper Co., a juicer (for the family of course), another year in my flower CSA--I loved cutting flowers and making bouquets throughout the year, Minnetonka moccasin boots, LUSH!!!!--Jolly, bitters and bar syrups for my new found love of cocktail making, and these very beautiful Liberty of London Nikes for all the running I'm going to be doing this year :)

What's on your wish list?

Stay tuned for my curated gift guides for everyone on your list!

xoxo,

Ronita

{Manhattans for Thanksgiving}

 

 





TOP IT OFF WITH ONE OF THESE

                       

We picked up these beauties on our recent trip to the Smoky Mountains!

Cherries soaked in 100 proof moonshine.

 

One of our dear friends now has me hooked on Manhattans.What a prefect cold weather drink!

 

This is what we will be enjoying this weekend!

 

 

Cheers!

xoxo,

Ronita

 

{family retreat to the mountains}

This past weekend we spent 4 days, 3 nights in the beautiful Smoky Mountains with 30 family of our members. 

What a perfect way to kick off the holiday season!

Here are some of the moments I captured from our trip. 

Intimate. Relaxing. Spectacular.

Our beautiful 9 bedroom, 4 level cabin equipped with indoor poor and movie theater was the resting place to our beautiful weekend.

The back drop!

My Aunt Lenthia

We visited The Christmas Place which housed beautiful ornaments and everything to get you ready for the holidays!

Took a ride on the sky lift.

Morning sunrise... on the deck was breathtaking...

Saturday morning we woke up and all went to breakfast at Applewood Farmhouse Grill. The apple fritters and muffins were warm and delicious!

Christmas shop, creamery, candy shop, and farmhouse barn filled out this farm.

I picked up some apple cider, apple cider vinegar, sparkling cider for the holidays fresh apple pie turnovers and apple donuts.

We did moonshine and wine tour and tasting at Ole Smoky Moonshine.

There was Bluegrass music moonshine tasting. After we were done there I was feeling warm and light. 

The lady of the hour celebrating her 90th birthday!
***
On the last night, Scott and Robert in all their coolness brought some of the kids to NASCAR to drive go karts. My big boy even got his chance to drive for the first time by himself.
Look at that face!!

We had an amazing time and hope to be able to get away again soon! What better way to bond then a cabin retreat with the people that are closest to you.

Until next time.

xoxo,

Ronita