NUTTY ROSEMARY CHIPOTLE POPCORN

This post is sponsored by Coca-Cola.

I am a popcorn fiend. Next to potato chips it's probably my favorite snack. Add some rosemary and chipotle spice to it, and oh my gosh you have the best darn popcorn you have ever tasted. Once I start eating it I can't stop. If you're looking to add some spice to your average movie night snacks give this recipe a whirl. Pair it with some Coca-Cola and mini jalapeno pigs in a blanket for a tasty movie night.

NUTTY ROSEYMARY CHIPOTLE POPCORN
Inspired by Ina Garten & adapted by Nicky Vender

1/3 C Maple Syrup
1/4 C Brown Sugar
3 tbsp fresh orange juice
3 tbsp fresh rosemary, minced (divided)
2 tsp chipotle powder
Canola Oil
2 c mixed nuts
2 tbsp melted butter
3 bags plain popcorn, popped (about 39 cups)

Preheat over to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk maple syrup, sugar and orange juice, 2 tbsp of rosemary and chipotle powder. Lightly coat a large cookie sheet with canola oil and pour the nuts onto it. Take 1/3 cup of the rosemary chipotle sauce, pour over the nuts and toss until evenly coated. Spread nuts into a single layer. Toast in the oven for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes and add the remaining 1 tbsp of rosemary at the 10 minute mark. When done cooking, remove from oven and use a spatula to place nuts onto parchment to cool. Next, ad the melted butter to the remaining chipotle sauce and stir. Drizzle over popcorn and stir gently to coat. Finally, add the toasted nuts and toss to combine. Feel free to add a bit more minced rosemary if desired!

Photos by Melissa Jill

MARSHMALLOW CANDY CANE POPCORN

This post is sponsored by Coca-Cola.

Marshmallows, white chocolate and candy canes smothered all over your popcorn. Christmas Elves eat this for dinner, and I make this recipe as part of my perfect Christmas movie night (see my last post for my top FREE holiday movies). 

It's a festive recipe that your kids will always talk about, and it's also a great treat to make for gifts. Bundle it up in a Coca-Cola tin, add a movie gift card and a bottle of Coca-Cola and you have yourself the perfect gift basket.

MARSHMALLOW CANDY CANE POPCORN
by Nicky Vender

3/4 cup butter
8 oz mini marshmallows
1 cup white chocolate chips
4 candy canes, crushed
Red and green sprinkles
2 bags plain popcorn, popped (about 26 cups

In a large dutch oven or pot, melt butter over medium low heat. Then add marshmallows and stir until melted. Add white chocolate chips and stir until melted. Remove from heat. Pour popcorn into pan and stir gently until pieces are evenly coated. Then add the crushed candy canes and the red and green sprinkles before stirring a final time. (If you desire a stronger candy cane flavor, add a few drops of peppermint extract to the marshmallows while melting). Enjoy warm or spread out on parchment paper to cool and then place in a tin for later.

Photos by Melissa Jill Photography

TOP CHRISTMAS MOVIES FOR A DATE NIGHT AT HOME

This post is sponsored by Coca-Cola.

With a three month old baby and a three year old, you can bet that Ryan and I aren't getting much alone time these days. We usually like to plan one nice date night out a month with a sprinkling of quick coffee or dinner dates throughout the month, but that's just not reality in this season of parenting and marriage. So, what do we do instead?

Movie nights at home by the fireplace. Honestly, sometimes I love it even more than going out. I think the only thing that can keep it from being a good date night is if Elle gets out of bed or Levi doesn't stay down for the night. If you're in the same boat as us, try to make a special Christmas movie night with your guy or gal. It's important to carve out some quality time, especially when stress levels can be high around the holidays. 

Make some gourmet popcorn (chipotle rosemary popcorn or candy cane popcorn), dessert nachos, pigs in a blanket, serve ice cold Coca-Cola and sit back and enjoy. And if you're on a budget here's a FREE movie guide if you are a Netflix or Amazon Prime subscriber. I'm sure your wallet will thank you later for this date.

1. While You Were Sleeping (Netflix)
2. Love Actually (Netflix)
3. Finding Neverland (Amazon Prime)
4. Serendipity (Netflix)
5. White Christmas (Netflix)
6. Happy Christmas(Netflix)
7. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Netflix)

Art Direction: AVE Styles; Photography: Melissa Jill Photography; Styling: Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market

COZY WINTER STYLE

I don't know about you, but I tend to accessorize a lot more when winter arrives. Maybe because winter accessories like hats and scarves not only enhance an outfit, but they also perform a practical purpose of keeping me warm.

Two must-have winter accessories I am loving right now are blanket scarves and pom-pom beanies. 

I love this beautiful pink, red and green blanket scarf from Alixandra Collections because it's festive for the holidays without being overly obvious. There are a million ways to wear it too. You could wear it like a wrap and belt it, you could tie both ends and make an infinity scarf, or you could just simply throw it over your shoulder and go. That's how I like to wear it, and it takes the fuss out of styling.

I've paired my winter hat and scarf with a pink blush oversized sweater and jeans. It's super cozy and stylish. If comfort is a concern you might want to consider this combination. When the scarf comes off I've chosen to accessorize with two layered arrowhead necklaces.

When wearing hats I always try to make sure my hair is framing my face. I have a smaller head, so this oversized pom really adds some volume and balances things out. I know a lot of women worry about having hat hair when they take off their winter hat, but the trick to making sure your hair always looks great is to style it messy to begin with. I like to use a curl stick and wrap my hair and they put some hairspray and dry shampoo in to give it grip and texture. When I take off my hat I simply flip my head upside down and shake my fingers through my locks. It works perfectly every time.

Add some holiday sparkle with a stack of your favorite bangles. All of these bracelets are also from Alixandra Collections.

This post is sponsored by Alixandra Collections. Photography by Melissa Jill Photography; makeup by SN Makeup Artist.

HOW TO WEAR A PONCHO

The first time I had ever heard of a poncho was when I got stuck in the rain on a class field trip and we had to turn trash bags into rain ponchos. Did you ever do that? Yeah, it's not attractive in the slightest. Maybe that early experience is to blame, but I don't really think of ponchos as a fashion must-have.

However, this winter they are definitely a trend worth trying. It has been three months since I gave birth to Levi, and I'm still avoiding tight clothes. This sweater poncho is the perfect fashion statement. It's elegant and it keeps me warm. I simply wear it with a pair of black leggings or jeggings and a great pair of shoes.

The thing about these ponchos, however is that they can get in the way when you are carrying a baby or bending over a lot. It's definitely a lot of fabric to handle. If you have little ones that you are constantly helping, I would say leave this for a date night out.

Get the look: Sweater poncho, leggings, boots