Buckeyes...

Now that Christmas is in full swing in my apartment, I decided it was time to get going with a few of my favorite traditions.

Every year my aunt, Mit, makes the most amazing Buckeyes on Christmas.  Since peanut butter + chocolate is Jim's favorite combination, I thought I'd make some to tide us over until Mit makes her annual batch.

Although mine are not nearly as beautiful as hers, I am still pretty proud of myself (especially considering my domestic struggles lately)...

Also - It should be made clear that I could not have done it without Court walking me through the process on the phone. Merci :)
 My first double boiler!...
 Ta da!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Even though it was in the sixties last week and I (literally) keep forgetting that it's December, it is officially Christmas in my apartment....

...because, I have my very first Christmas tree!

Jim and I went to the Home Depot last week to buy it. Things are looking extra festive around here.

The first tree we looked at was the perfect one...
 I also needed  a tree stand...
]
All decorated...
And sparkly...
Katie sent me a little stocking to hang, too...
And Jordan suggested that since I won't stop blogging about Hunters, I should get the Rain Wellie ornament from Crate and Barrel to tide me over. It would look pretty cute on my tree...

::major girl crush::

"I felt like I'd walked into an American teen movie. I picked up the red cups. I was like, Wow, they really do drink from these."  â€“ Emma Watson, on attending her first frat party at Brown University, to Vanity Fair
Normally I don't fall for Brits this easily, but I'm adding a new girl crush to my list (in addition to Kate Middleton): Emma Watson.

I haven't even seen the Harry Potter movies, but after reading the December issue of Marie Claire, I'm smitten. She seems so down to earth and is absolutely stunning. I think we could definitely be friends.

In fact, I think Kate, Emma and I would all have a lovely time together.
After reading the article, I have also fallen for the Minnie Mortimer shorts she wore for the cover shoot. I don't normally  go for winter shorts, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about them since I saw them.
And, as if I didn't have enough reasons to keep this issue of Marie Claire forever, it also introduced me to People Tree, which was my complete, 100 percent inspiration for this week's Freshly Rooted post.

If all of those reasons don't constitute a tried and true girl crush, I don't know what else would...

PS: I can't mention Emma Watson without noting that Duke totally saw her first.  So, if it comes down to one of use really having a chance, I'd have to bow out (gracefully, like Emma would, of course).