Winter Nights

For many of you, winter is here and you’re already wondering how many more days until summer (158)!  Luckily for me, I live in Miami, where it is summer year round, although I would absolutely love and welcome some cooler weather. So, on the unlikely occasion that the weather dips down, or on a “winter” evening with my air-conditioner set to 70, here’s what I need for my “Cozy Night In”:

SOCKS… I always have socks on when I am home, and I sleep with socks on every night!  Don’t know why but me feet are always cold and I love how warm my comfy socks make them feel.  I love all socks, but my favorites are the Thermal Socks with Trim available at Bed Bath & Beyond. These thermal socks are moisturizing and extra warm. The unique double layer provides warmth and comfort, while the inner layer is infused with rich, hydrating shea butter for conditioning moisturizer (which lasts through 15 washings).   I have several pairs in various colors, they are the best, $10.

SLIPPERS… Along with my socks I need a great pair of slippers for walking around the house.  I love the UGGS slippers that my daughter has, but I didn’t feel like spending so much, so I found a great substitute.  I recently came across the Women’s Shearling Scuff Slippers from Land’s End.  They are a dream and come in several different colors.  I got the pink ones of course! On sale now for $45.

BLANKET… What good is a cozy night in without a great blanket to cuddle up with?  My favorite is the Room Essentials Microfleece Blanket available at Target.  It’s super soft and keeps me warm.  Available in various colors, $15.  Vera Bradley also has microfleece blanket in various patterns, just as soft, $49.

HOT COCOA… My favorite beverage for a warm, comfy night…brewing a cup of hot cocoa in my Keurig.  I love the Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate K cups, also available at Target or Bed Bath & Beyond, $10 for a box of 16.

GOOD MOVIE… I love a good, funny, romantic comedy, (chick flicks), any will do.  A few of my favorites are Under the Tuscan Sun, The Devil Wears Prada, Letters to Juliet, The Vow, 13 Going On 30… you get the drift. And I’m also OK watching most anything on TLC (don’t judge)!

After my evening of fun and TV, there’s always my inviting bed!  Nothing like cozy, fluffy bedding, like the type one finds in the luxury hotel chains to invite you to a great night’s sleep. And if you’re looking for some new bedding, you have to check out the line by Parachute Home. Parachute provides high quality bedding made from Egyptian cotton, designed locally in Venice Beach, CA and manufactured in Italy (ahh… Italy, say no more). Take a look at this picture from their website, just beautiful! My favorite are the powder blue sheets, oh and I can’t wait to try their lavender scented candles as well.  Sheet sets start at $99.

Luxurious Bedding.  Photo Courtesy of Parachute.

Luxurious Bedding. Photo Courtesy of Parachute.

How do you stay comfy and cozy when the weather cools off?

Keurig and Snapple…A Perfect Combination

Ready for some refreshing drinks on this Memorial Day?  Take a look at what I found! A few months ago, I finally caved in and purchased a Keurig coffee maker.  This is one of the best purchases I have ever made for my kitchen, it’s so easy to use, I love it.  Since I’m the only coffee drinker in my house, I was getting tired of wasting a whole pot of coffee, every time I wanted a cup. I love brewing the different Starbucks coffees and the Swiss-Miss hot chocolate too.  Iced coffee though…that’s never really been my thing, I like my coffee drinks hot.  But recently, I came across a cool new concept, Brew Over Ice K-Cup packs (where else…at Target of course). Now I can also prepare cool iced drinks with my Keurig, perfect for living in this Miami heat.

My favorite Brew Over Ice K-Cups are the Snapple Iced Teas, which come in lemon, peach and raspberry flavors. I’ve also tried the Celestial Seasonings Half and Half (Arnold Palmer) and the Green Mountain Naturals Lemonade, which are both pretty good also.

These drinks are just as easy to make as the coffees.  You just fill your cup to the top with ice and place the Brew Over Ice K-Cup into the brewer. Press the brew button, stir and enjoy your drink! It’s so easy, even a child can make these…which reminds me, I think it’s time for me to teach my daughter how to use the Keurig brewer…

Photos courtesy of BrewOverIce.com