2013 Book List

The biggest request I've gotten from people when they ask about the blog is for book recommendations!

I did complete my 2013 resolution to read 52 books in 52 weeks {with two weeks to spare!}

So I thought I'd share my final reading list. Here they are in no particular order.

52 Books in 52 Weeks

The Song Remains The Same
I Have Iraq In My Shoe
Sharp Objects
Here We Go Again
Love Anthony *
Indiscretion *
Touch and Go
The Storyteller
Family Pictures
Six Years
Summer House
Fly Away
Ivy Secrets
The Great Gatsby {a re-read but it counts!}
Angels All Over Town
No Way Back
Tides Of The Heart
15 Seconds
Between Husbands and Friends
Fault In Our Stars *
Revenge Wears Prada
Tao Of Martha
Ladies Night
The Last Camellia *
Beautiful Day
Sweet Salt Air
Island Girls
Last Original Wife
Last Summer Of The Camperdowns
Time Flies
Looking For Me
Crime Of Privilege
Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop *
Chose The Wrong Guy
The Silver Star
The Silent Wife
A Hundred Summers *
Yonahlossee Riding Camp For Girls
The Widow Walz
Cuckoo's Calling
Second Honeymoon
The Lemon Orchard *
These Few Precious Days
The Girl You Left Behind *
Off Season
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt *
The Exiles
The Book Thief *
Nantucket Christmas
The Supremes at Earl's All You Can Eat Cafe
Blue Christmas
Tell The Wolves I'm Home
* donates some of my very favorites from the list

Yikes, it seems like so many more books when I type them than when I read them!

Happy Reading! #iheartbooks

The New FFC411

Recently a lot of people have inquired when I might start blogging again and now that things have settled down a little it felt like the right time to start it up again - in a small way!

I looked back at the blog, interested to see where I left off, and it was right when we found the listing for our new house. Things got a little crazy from that point on - we put in an offer on the house {a short sale}, waited a few months to hear - we got it! - on the same day my husband changed jobs, then we moved out of our condo in Greenwich and in with my parents for two month while we renovated our new place. Things are finally starting to come together and we couldn't be more in love with our new house, our new neighborhood and our "new" town. All the more things to share about what I love in FFC!

So you'll definitely see a few more home improvement sneak peeks, decorating posts and DIY projects as we take on our own little fixer upper. But we'll still be sharing lots of things to do in FFC, recipes as we try to brush up our cooking skills, travel posts and of course lots and lots of books! #iheartbooks

To kick it off, we'll just say while we've been gone we've been turning this...

Into this...

Glad to be back! xo

Pimento Cheese Spread

This time of year everyone needs easy appetizers to bring to parties or to serve their visiting friends and family. This pimento cheese spread is one of my favorites - easy to keep on hand and whip out a quick snack when needed! 

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup grated sharp cheddar

1 cup grated white cheddar

1/2 cup Hellmann's mayonnaise

1/4 teaspoon sea salt 

1/8 teaspoon white pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

2 to 3 tablespoons pimentos, smashed

1 teaspoon grated scallions

Pinch cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce 

Mix cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add all other ingredients and mix until well combined. Serve with toasted bread or crackers. Or make a sandwich with white Wonder bread! <3

Christmas Stories

Need to put your feet up and decompress a little during the holiday season? Grab one of these adorable Christmas stories and cozy up by the fire. They'll have you back in the holiday spirit in no time! {My 2013 resolution is complete - finished my 52nd book with 2 weeks to spare! I'll be sharing the full list soon}

A Nantucket Christmas, Nancy Thayer

Blue Christmas, Mary Kay Andrew

Christmas Bliss, Mary Kay Andrews

My favorite spot to cozy up with a good book!

She La La Discount

Blogging's been hard since I don't want to ruin my Christmas gifts for anyone so I can't share anymore gift ideas until the New Year! But I have some great ideas for everyone for 2014! 

We did get our tree up and running - I think we should have Christmas trees up year round, they make everyday so much happier!

One great shopping deal I wanted to share was from Suzy Said - 30% off any single item at She La La in New Canaan or Westport. {Valid until 12/19, just mention Suzy Said} I love this store for gifts for the girls in my life: great home goods, jewelry, fun accessories, monogrammed items and so much more! Even gifts for children, babies and pets! 

Two locations: 

120 Main Street New Canaan 

And their new location, 

Playhouse Square, 281 Post Road East, Westport 

Now open Sundays 12-5 as well! 

www.shopshelala.com

Love this cozy window display

All ready for holiday gift giving! 

Gift Guide: 7 A.M. Enfant

After having lunch in the city with two girlfriends and their babies they wheeled their strollers outside and both popped their hands into these gloves which were attached to their stroller handles. I couldn't help but think genius! These down gloves velcro around the handle and basically create glove "sleeves" - pop your hands in to stay warm but you're still holding tightly to the handle of the stroller for safety. Also quickly pull your hands out to grab a wayward pacifier or send a text. A great gift for a new mom in your life, especially a city girl who spends her days attached to her stroller! 

WarMMuffs by 7 A.M. Enfant - only $38 and comes in lots of fun color combos, even neon! 

J&C take them for a spin 

Loving their cute baby items as well - time to bundle up for the season! 

So wish this came in my size : ) 

Shop at http://7amenfant.com/

UCNS Holiday Trunk Show

Support the United Church of Rowayton Nursery School {my alma matter!} with this holiday trunk show Thursday and Friday, December 5th and 6th at the Meeting House, behind the church. Favorite vendors include johnny-O, Seaside Delights, Soundview Millworks, Sail to Sable, Snapping Turtle Kids, Bling, Moes Monkey and KEP Designs. We're excited to check out the other new vendors as well! 

I think Thursday night shopping followed by a delicious dinner at Rowayton Seafood sounds like the perfect girls night!