HOLIDAY G U I D E
T H E F OXA N DS H E .CO M
W I N T E R
2016
HOW IT WORKS This holiday guide is interactive! If you find a product you like, simply hover over it and click! It’s easy to see which items are linked—they’ll have a dotted line around them! If you don’t see a dotted line (in the PDF version), try hovering your mouse over something you like. If a link pops up, click and it’ll take you right there— easy, right?!
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What’s Inside?!
HELLO & welcome THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THIS YEAR’S GUIDE
VE RY I M P O R T A N T D A T E S ! p . 2 3 THE SAVVY SHOPPER :
your personal shopper F OR H ER, p.7
THE BEST PLACES TO SHOP • p.35
FEATURES A D D COLOR TO W IN T E R p.8 T H E BE ST MA RIN A R A p.10
FOR H IM, p. 3 0
T H E H OL IDAY D R E SS p.20
F O R TH E H OME, p. 3 4
BLU E BE RRY S CON E S p.24
FOR MOM, p.19 F OR DAD, p.18 S P ECIAL GIF TS, p.1 6
W IN T E R BE AU T Y p.32 T R AV E L E SS E N T IA L S p.36
FIND MY FAVORITE WINTER FASHION PICKS
spri n k l e d t hro ug h o ut t he g ui de
M AY YO U R H O L I DAY S B E
MERRY &
BRIGHT 4
think hard When you were a kid, what was your favorite thing about Christmas? The magic of it all? The twinkling lights? The allure and mystery of Santa Claus? This year, let’s go back to the time when the holidays were less stressful and more enjoyable, more magical and less exhausting. This year’s holiday guide has been in the works for months. I knew I wanted to capture the essence of the holidays as I saw them and hope that this guide not only helps you get your shopping done early by eliminating the stress, but
inspires
you
to
slow
down,
remember what the holidays are really about, and to enjoy time spent with the people you love. So, let’s pump the brakes and savor the holidays this year. On that note, I invite you to grab a cup of coffee (and maybe a scone, recipe on page 24) and browse the guide. From my family to yours, I wish you a very merry holiday season! Cheers,
Blair
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ANKLE BOOTIES These Newbury boots are the best ankle boots I own. They’re wellmade, comfortable and go with everything. If you’re thinking about investing in them, you should! They’re worth every penny! SHOP MY BOOTS>
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PERSONAL SHOPPER:
FOR HER
(click a pro du c t to s h o p)
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AD D S OM E
COLOR TO YOUR WINTER
WITH A BRIGHT COAT IN YOUR CLOSET, GREY SKIES & SNOW CAN’T KEEP YOU DOWN click an item to shop!
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ADD A COLORFUL COAT Winters tend to be grey in Chicago, so I like to add some color. Dress up a simple outfit with a statement coat like this one! SHOP MY COAT>
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marinara how to make it, eat it & enjoy it *
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I have a serious soft spot for Italian food. In fact, I always have. As a kid, tortellini (the frozen variety from Sam’s) with butter and parmesan was my favorite meal. Thankfully my tastebuds have grown-up since then! Last Thanksgiving, we were in Italy. After a week of eating the most delicious Italian food I’ve ever put in my mouth, I was determined to make my very own rustic Tuscan-style tomato sauce at home. The trick? Patience. They say good things take time, right? So trust me, slow simmering this sauce is key. You’ll thank me on that cold day when you’re bundled up at home devouring a big bowl of pasta tossed with this tasty tomato sauce. There’s really nothing better, though a glass of wine can’t hurt.
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Rustic Marinara Sauce INGREDIENTS: 1/4 cup olive oil 3 cloves garlic, sliced 1 tsp dried oregano 1/4 tsp dried thyme 1/ 4 tsp dried rosemary 3 basil leaves 1/2 white onion, chopped 1/4 cup red wine, optional 1 parmesan rind 4 plum tomatoes, stemmed and roughly chopped 1-28oz. can crushed tomatoes salt and pepper to taste GARNISH: chiffonade of fresh basil freshly grated parmesan
DIRECTIONS 1. Heat olive oil in dutch oven over medium heat. When hot, but not smoking, add garlic, dried herbs and fresh basil and fry on medium heat for 8-10 minutes to infuse the oil. 2. Add onions, cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. Lower heat to medium-low and add wine to deglaze. Scrape the bottom the pan to get any brown bits up and let it reduce for a couple of minutes. 4. Add parmesan rind, fresh tomatoes and crushed tomatoes, cook 6-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 5. Lower heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. 6. Taste and season to taste and let simmer another 20-30 minutes. 7. Make fresh pasta and toss with sauce in a small saute pan. Top with fresh basil and parmesan and serve hot with your wine of choice.
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marinara
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PERSONAL SHOPPER:
SUPER SPECIAL GIFTS (click a pro du c t to s h o p)
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SIMPLE SWEATERS I love a simple sweater with dainty details. The sleeves turn this plain sweater into a fancier holiday-ready top! Perfect with jeans or a skirt. SHOP MY SWEATER>
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PERSONAL SHOPPER:
FOR DAD
(click a pro du c t to s h o p)
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PERSONAL SHOPPER:
FOR MOM
(click a pro du c t to s h o p)
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THE HOLIDAY DRESS Let’s be real—how many holiday dresses do you really need? I like to find one dress I absolutely love instead of purchasing three that I sort of like. The best part? This statement dress can be dressed up or down! SHOP MY DRESS>
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photo by Julie Kennedy
The
HOLIDAY DRESS click a dress to shop!
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FLORALS FOR FALL Florals are typically reserved for the warmer months, but I like wearing them year round. Pair this dress with a leather jacket & booties for a perfect fall or winter look. SHOP MY SWEATER>
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photo by Julie Kennedy
• T H E S AV V Y S H O P P E R •
VERY IMPORTANT DATES NOVEMBER
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BLACK FRIDAY
SMALL BIZ SATURDAY
CYBER MONDAY
DECEMBER
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GREEN MONDAY
FREE SHIPPING DAY
LAST DAY: STANDARD SHIPPING
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LAST DAY: RUSH SHIPPING
LAST DAY: 2 DAY SHIPPING
LAST DAY: NEXT DAY SHIPPING
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CRUMBLY SCONES AND HOT COFFEE? SOUNDS LIKE MY KIND OF MORNING!
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I
n my opinion, there’s really nothing better than waking up on Saturday or Sunday morning and realizing you have absolutely no plans all day. Instead of jumping out of bed and rushing to get our day started, we lay around in our PJs before leisurely going about our morning. As I get older, I find that I look forward to these slow mornings all week long. Our weekend routine involves lots of coffee and homemade brunch. Eggs are our go-to, but during the holidays it’s fun to switch things up and make something sweet and special. Crumbly and soft, these scones are the perfect balance of sweet and savory. The glaze and blueberries add just the right amount of sweetness. What’s your favorite thing to make on a lazy weekend morning?
CRUMBLY & SOFT, THESE SCONES ARE THE PERFECT BALANCE OF SWEET & SAVORY. 26
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TIP! Let scones cool for at least 30 minutes before glazing so the glaze doesn’t melt off!
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Glazed Lemon & Blueberry Scones INGREDIENTS: 2 cups AP flour, plus more for hands and work surface 6 Tbsp granulated sugar 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt zest of 1 large lemon 1/2 cup unsalted butter, semi-frozen 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 large Eggland’s Best egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen) GLAZE 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted 2-3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. 2. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, & lemon zest. Grate the frozen butter. Toss grated butter into the flour mixture and combine with a pastry cutter or your fingers until it resembles coarse meal. Set aside. 3. In a small bowl, whisk the cream, egg, and vanilla together. Drizzle it over the flour mixture and then toss the mixture together with a rubber spatula until everything appears moistened. Slowly and gently fold in the blueberries. Try to not overwork the dough at any point. Dough will be a little wet. Work the dough into a ball with floured hands as best you can and transfer to a floured surface. Press into a neat 8” disc and cut into 8 equal wedges with a very sharp knife. Place scones at least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden and cooked through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. To make the glaze, whisk the confectioners’ sugar and 2 Tbsp lemon juice together until smooth. Add another Tbsp of lemon juice to thin, if necessary. Drizzle glaze over scones right before serving. 5. Tip: Scones are best enjoyed right away, though leftover scones keep well at room temperature for 2 extra days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
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PERSONAL SHOPPER:
FOR HIM
(click a pro du c t to s h o p)
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Ah winter, you sure are tough on skin! I’ve rounded up my favorite beauty products including some of my tried-and-true favorites like Tata Harper’s Resurfacing Mask, Mario Badescu’s Seaweed Cream, his Hyaluronic Night Cream & Fresh’s Umbrian Clay Mask. I’ve also included some new favorites to keep your skin healthy & moisturized like scented body lotion, Glossier’s Universal Balm (perfect for hands too), Dermalogica’s Pre-Cleanse & body oil. For you beauty lovers, you have to try Aveda’s newest lipwear! It leaves your lips moisturized instead of dry, like a lot of lipsticks. Plus, the colors are gorgeous! I’m also loving this classic fresh scent from Tocca—the mini bottle is perfect for a stocking stuffer!
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PERSONAL SHOPPER:
FOR THE HOME (click a pro du c t to s h o p)
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• T H E S AV V Y S H O P P E R •
THE BEST PLACES TO SHOP & WHY click a store to browse!
NORDSTROM: There’s something for everyone, plus free shipping & returns! With multiple price points, you can get everything from stocking stuffers to luxury items. SHOPBOP & EASTDANE: Free 2-day shipping with a large selection of luxury items. My favorite bargain brands are 525 America, J.O.A., Endless Rose, Wayf & BB Dakota. ANTHROPOLOGIE: I love Anthro, but don’t shop here all the time. If you’re looking for a really unique gift, they have you covered from clothing and accessories to gorgeous home decor! URBAN OUTFITTERS: They have affordable, eclectic clothing and decor. You’ll also find unique gifts like record players and LED lights. WILLIAMS-SONOMA: This is always where I go for the cook in my family! I also love browsing their site and recipes during the holidays. AMAZON: They have everything! And if you have Prime, shipping is super fast. Perfect for last minute gifts or wrapping paper too. MINTED: This is where I order our holiday cards from. They also have a huge selection of amazing art that would make for a perfect gift! ETSY: I love browsing Etsy for unique finds—I’ve found gorgeous art, jewelry, pillows, vintage pieces and more on this online marketplace.
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THE TOP TRAVEL ESSENTIALS FOR MAKING HOLIDAY TRAVEL (OR ANY TRIP) A BREEZE
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Weekender Bag
Portable Charger
Passport Case
Perfect for those weekend trips. This bag is so beautiful in person!
To keep your phone charged while you’re out exploring all day.
Having a passport case has kept me from losing my passport on overseas trips!
Rolling Bag A good rolling suitcase is an absolute must for travel. It makes the whole airport thing so much easier.
Travel Cups a mini flat iron for quick touch-ups!
A coffee mug for road trips and a refillable water bottle for the plane are a must!
the cutest bag tags I ever did see!
Travel Case These little leather travel cases are my favorite! You can also add a monogram.
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