Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and Holiday season, spending time with the ones you love.

Spiced Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust

My mom's recipe for cheesecake has been widely request from friends and family over the years. It is her go-to dessert when she wants to impress. And it's no surprise, because it is amazing!

This past weekend, when I volunteered to bring a dessert to our friends Christmas party, I knew this cheesecake would be perfect!

Instead of using sugar cookie dough, like my mom, I used gingersnap cookie crumbs for the crust to make it a little more "Christmas-y". I also added some spices to the batter to compliment the crust.

One new thing I tried was baking the cheesecake in a shallow pan with a little water. This is a trick I learned from Martha Stewart to prevent the cake from cracking on the top, like it is prone to do.

The result is an extra creamy, and a tad bit spicy, cheesecake. And a little bit goes a long way! One small slice is perfectly decadent, so an 8 to 9 inch pan can serve well over 10 people.

Unless you are serving a large crowd of cheesecake lovers, in which case, you may want to make 2.

What is your go-to recipe for the holidays?

White Elephant Gifts

1. Sharknado DVD $10, 2. Moose Drink Cozie $16, 3. Toilet Bowl Coffee Mug $10, 4. Like/Dislike Facebook Stamps $10, 5. Handerpants $5, 6. Soap shaped like food $7, 7.  Thumb Wrestling Ring, $7

I love white elephant parties. And, to be clear, I mean the gift exchange parties where people bring the most asinine gifts. Definitely not those gifts that people can actually use. If you are looking for some pretty awesome and totally useless gifts, ThisIsWhyImBroke.com and Amazon are going to be your best bet. You can find just about anything your weird imagination can dream up.

What is the best White Elephant gift you have received or given?

End of an Era

This past Saturday marked the end of an era. And it couldn't have ended in any bigger fashion.

10 and a half years ago I started my career at Baylor University. While I was excited to start college and experience a new part of the country, I wasn't totally in love with the school. I found the traditions silly, especially the customary "ehhhhhh, Sic 'Em Bears" cheer which was just down right embarrassing. You want to know what else was embarrassing? The football team. I think we went 3-7 my freshman year. I went to ZERO games. Zero. We were the laughing stock of the Big 12. The team all other schools booked for their Homecoming games.

baylorbears.com

It didn't take too much longer for me to fall in love with Baylor despite our pathetic football team. I even started going to games. It helped that tickets were free and we only stayed for a half, since we knew we were going to lose anyways. We did, however, have a great Women's Basketball team, Tennis teams, Track team, and Equestrian team (yes, Equestrian).

The best football game we had while I was there was the overtime win over Texas A&M. We rushed the field, tore down the goal posts and then walked them all the way to the President's house. B even has a DVD of the game, which was dubbed, Miracle on the Brazos.

Me and friend Megan on the field after the A&M game

I tell you this to paint you a picture of the Baylor football team that I knew. The team who never went to a Bowl game. A perenial loser. A team whose best player was the punter.

I tell you this to put in perspective how big, extrodinary, and unbelievable it is to me that my beloved Baylor is now the Big 12 Champion. The team that was consistently last in the Big 12, is now #1 and headed to a BCS Bowl.

baylorbears.com

So, like I said, this marks the end of an era. It marks the end (hopefully) that Baylor will be the doormat of the league. It also marks the end of an Era in the stadium the Bears called home for 64 years, Floyd Casey Stadium.

Saturday was the final game played by the Bears in "the Case". Next Fall they will move into their brand new stadium. Outside the stadium, they will erect a statue to some Baylor "legends", including the most current, RG3. The man who made Baylor relevant. One day, maybe in 2024 after he retires, they will also erect a statue of the man who is really responsible for this turn around, head coach Art Briles.

At Floyd Casey sophomore year.

I am excited to see the era end. I am excited by the potential of the future. I hope this isn't a fluke and Baylor will be a consistent top 25 team. But who knows what will happen in college football. No matter what, I am always proud to be a Baylor Bear.

EHHHHH SIC 'EM BEARS!!!!

Weekend Block Party

Welcome to the Weekend Block Party! Share a picture of your weekend ahead, tag #blogblockparty in your Twitter and Instagram updates, and visit some of the lovely blogs below. We look forward to networking with you! Visit our Facebook for blog tips and tricks, ask a blogging questions, and join the conversation!

So, what are you doing for Happy Hour? B and I are heading to a holiday party after work!    Click to tweet about the Block Party!   Like our party? Add our new button to your link up page & let us know that you did!  <a href="http://www.krystalskitsch.com/search/label/block%20party" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/9679844742_159d422631_o.png" width="200" height="200" alt="Weekend Block Party Blog Linkup"/></a>   Meet your AMAZING hostesses: Ellie from Creative Geekery Rachel from Can't Google Everything & North East Bloggers Network Krystal from Krystal's Kitsch AND Sunny Soirees Lindsey from Follow the Ruels Want a spot on our Weekend Block Party Blog Crush Board? We will be choosing from the Bloglovin' list so make sure you are listed there so we can crush on YOU! 

An InLinkz Link-up

An InLinkz Link-up

Gifts for the Beauty Queen

1. Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette $50 / 2. Chi Orbit 3 in 1 Tourmaline Ceramic Curler $100 / 3. Clarisonic Mia Cleansing Device $100 / 4. Sally Hansen Salon Pro Gel Nail Colors $10 / 5. GlamGlow Gift Sexy Set $70 / 6. Beauty Blender Makeup Sponge and Blender Cleanser $25 / 7. Channel Ultra Wear Lip Colour in Light Rose $35 / 8. Forever 21 Makeup Bag $10

I am fairly certain that any girl in your life has a little beauty queen in them. They may not do their makeup or hair every day (I'm guilty of that), but most women do care about their appearances. And it is always really nice to get a friend a little luxury that they may not get themselves. Take for instance, the Naked Palette and the Channel lip gloss. Both are purchases I was hesitant with at first because of the price, but in the end they were definitely worth the extra bucks! I guarantee that both will become staples in any makeup routine. Plus, its nice to say you got someone something from Channel! The Beauty Blender and makeup bag are perfect for anyone and you don't even need to know anything about their makeup routine! For those looking to get that flawless complexion, then the Clarisonic or the GlamGlow will be right up their alley. I love giving nail polishes as a little stocking stuffer or just that something extra, and gel polishes are very popular right now. If you are willing to spend some extra money on your beauty queen, then the Chi 3-1 curling iron might be the perfect gift. It's currently on sale at Ulta, and I may just have to get one for myself!

What is the best beauty gift you have gotten?

Work It Out: TurboFire

During grad school, a friend of mine turned me onto TurboFire, which I would describe as a dance-cardio/kick-boxing workout. If you were ever a cheerleader, I think you would love this workout. The music is great and the routines are fun and don't get too boring.

Turbo Fire consists of a 30, 45, and 60 minute Fire class, 45 and 55 minute Fire EZ workouts, 3 HIIT classes varying from 15 - 30 minutes, and 20 minute resistance classes which each target the lower-body, core, and upper-body, respectively. The DVDs also include a lower impact class and options for more instruction or more music. Because the workouts are choreographed, the added instruction is nice when you are just starting and learning the steps and the louder music is great for when you already know the steps and just want to workout.

I am sure there is a calendar that you can follow which will tell you what workout to do and when, but I didn't follow it at all (pretty typical). When this was my primary workout, I would basically bounce between the 45 and 60 minute Fire classes on days when I had more time, and the 30 minute Fire or 30 minute HIIT when I didn't. The shorter HIIT workouts were good when I wanted to pair it with a resistance workout.


I love the lower-body resistance workout and still do it regularly. In the class, you use a resistance band for all the exercises and it really focuses on the outer thighs and glutes. The upper-body class also utilizes resistance bands and is great to provide some variety to a regular weight routine.

Overall these videos are a lot of fun. If you like Zumba, but are looking for something that works you just a bit harder, then this will be great for you. Likewise, if you already do a really hardcore workout and are looking for something a little bit less impact for days when you want to recover. However, I did find that the workouts got a little old after doing them on a regular basis for a couple months. But that can happen with just about any workout. Nowadays I just use these workouts (except the legs, which I do more often) to spice up my current routine, so maybe once or twice a month.

Have you tried Turbo Fire or taken the live classes? Do you like it?

Gifts for the Health Nut

1. FitBit Force $130 / 2. Nike Studio Wrap $50 / 3. SKLZ Weighted Speed Rope $20 / 4. Garmin Forerunner $130 / 5. Sony Walkman Sports MP3 Player $80 /  6. Grid Foam Roller $70 / 7. $10 / 8. Giada's Feel Good Food $30

Even if you don't have a friend that is a full on health nut, there is probably at least one thing above that would appeal to anyone who has a remote interest in fitness. For the runners, the Garmin watch/pedometer/GPS will track distance, calories, steps and the Sony Walkman has the earbuds and MP3 player included in one, compact device so they don't have to deal with extra wires while running. For the at-home exercisers, the weighted jump rope and resistance bands will add an extra punch to their workout. For the barre-lovers or yogis, the Nike Studio Wraps will give them stylish and practical footwear for their favorite classes. For those that are looking to loose some extra weight in the new year, the FitBit will help them stay on track and Giada's cookbook will provide them with some healthy meals to keep the pounds off. Then, for everyone, I think a foam roller is the best tool to add to a fitness routine, no matter how mild or intense. It helps relieve sore muscles and promotes flexibility. 

Do you have a health nut in your life? What are you getting them for Christmas?

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

 

Are you going to a cookie swap party this holiday season? Why don't you break out of the sugar cookie rut and make something a little out of the ordinary like these Mexican hot chocolate cookies, which are spiced with cinnamon and a hint of cayenne pepper and topped with roasted marshmallow. Is your mouth watering yet?

My original plan was to bake the marshmallows IN the cookie, but guess what. Marshmallows melt when baked. Who woulda thunk? So instead, my brilliant husband suggested I top the already baked cookies with marshmallow and then broil them to get them nice and toasty. 

I knew I married him for a reason.

The marshmallow on top is gooey and crispy like a s'more, and the cookie beneath is rich, like your favorite cup of cocoa. You can only hardly taste the espresso powder and the cinnamon. The espresso just makes the cocoa flavor that much more rich and the cinnamon adds a hint of spice. The cayenne pepper is optional, but I can assure you it doesn't make these cookies hot-spicey. You just barely get that kick at the back of your throat.

What do you think? Have I inspired you to break out of the cookie-mold this year?

One Happy Island

Aruba likes to say that they are "one happy island", and after spending one glorious week there, both B and I can attest to that. The people are incredibly friendly, and it is impossible to be in a foul mood when the weather is constantly a pleasant 80 degrees and sunny.

 

 B planned our entire honeymoon. I actually wanted little to do with any of it since I was in the midst of planning our wedding. All I knew is that we were going to Aruba and the days we would be there. I literally knew nothing else.

The resort that B picked was voted the #1 more romantic hotel on the island. The Bucuti Beach Resort is a small, boutique resort located in the low rise part of the island (the low-rise resorts are on one part of the island, and the high-rise resorts are on another). One of the major selling points is that is adults only, which we greatly appreciated. Being so much smaller than other resorts, the Bucuti paid a lot attention to detail. When we arrived, we received a glass of champagne and a cool, mint-scented towel. They also provided us with a bottle of champagne in our room since we were on our honeymoon.

The best thing about the honeymoon is that we had no plans what-so-ever. We didn't feel the need to do any sight-seeing or excursions - we just sat on the beach, read our books, and drank. The water was gorgeous and always the perfect temperature - cooler than the air around you, but warm enough that it never felt cold.

One of the days we did break from routine and headed out to the other side of the island.  Instead of perfect sand beaches, like the western side, the eastern side of the island is sand dunes and steep cliffs - definitely not inhabitable. But it is incredibly beautiful.

That same day we also drove down to the southern part of the island, to a small beach called Baby Beach. Name that way because of it's shallow waters and the protection it gets from a sand bar a few yards out from the shoreline.

Overall, the food in Aruba is great. There were a lot of restaurants recommended to us, and for the most part, no one steered us wrong. My best friend recommended that we try the Flying Fishbone one night, which was probably the best recommendation. You literally sit on the beach, toes in the sand. Some tables were actually in the water. It was amazing to be sitting, eating dinner, and peer over into the water and watch fish swim and crabs crawl around.

I would highly recommend Aruba (and definitely the Bucuti) if you are looking for a beach vacation. B and I are already trying to plan a trip back!