review: kate spade andee tote

did you check out the kate spade 75% off sale? i sure did, and scored a great deal on this bag i had been eyeing for quite a while. this tote is simple, practical and perfect now that i'm carrying a few more things around than i used to.

the bag is heavy, make no mistake about it. it's heavier than i thought it would be. the leather is thick, but not structured. the bag will slouch when empty or when not filled adequately, which according to other reviews online, was a disappointment for some. but it doesn't bother me, especially since i fill it enough that it doesn't slouch too much. instead of a zipper, the bag features a magnetic closure. so technically, your bag isn't completely sealed up.

i like this tote because it's definitely large enough to fit books, an ipad, water bottles, etc. in addition to my regular items. i can throw things in here and go. it's not a black hole of a bag either - the striped lining does make it simple to find things inside, and i find that the shape of the bag sort of keeps my things in place. in addition, the bag features two zippers on the side that allow for some extra room to be created this. if i unzip both, i can fit a laptop in this bag. though i wouldn't recommend it solely as a laptop bag because it's so heavy already.

i'm looking forward to using this bag because it's very versatile and easy. i guess i'm bag lazy, these days? don't get me wrong, i love a good top handle, but there's something so much more pleasant about slinging something on your shoulder and being done with it. this bag is practical and perfect for just that.

holiday gift ideas for her {2013}

01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09.

now, i know everybody's got a holiday gift guide up, but i couldn't help myself. has anyone finished their christmas shopping? i know i haven't. i'll probably still be shopping on christmas eve. so, for those who don't plan ahead like me, here are a few last minute ideas to pop into someone's stocking!

current obsessions {volume 4}

 01. revlon lip butters - i just picked up 'red velvet' & 'sweet tart'. these colors are fantastic! so moisturizing & pigmented. i've used revlon lip butters in the past, but now that i'm trying to get back into lip color, i've fallen in love with these again because they're so effortless.

 02. j. crew factory crystal feather necklace - this necklace is perfect, goes with everything, and adds just a hint of glam. love! i got it on sale, too, and i've worn it a ton already.

03. anthropologie monogram mug in gold - isn't everyone in love with these? when i saw it online i had to have it. gold + monogram = perfection. and it's' only $10!

mexican hot chocolate

-cough- so, i've been sick. all last week i was struggling to breathe & keep my eyes open. i've finally gotten over the worst and i'm functional now. is it thanksgiving yet? can i just fast forward? something about turkey & family sounds awesome right now.

i was reminded of the lovely combination that is chocolate and chipotle when i recalled a dessert i had at the wonderful el barrio in birmingham. it was a chocolate creme with, you guessed it, a chipotle kick. i fell in love with the flavor. this might even be good if you drank it cold!

• 1 package hot chocolate mix (make it with milk, not water!)
• 2-3 pinches chipotle powder
• 2-3 pinches cinnamon
• 1-2 pinches nutmeg
• whipped cream

recipe adapted from real simple.

ps; do you like my little cheap silver target tree in the background? i sure do.

review: too faced milk chocolate soleil bronzer

i sort of feel like i'm writing about food, because i do in fact know what this product tastes like. don't ask. i'm lying, ask away.

but i'll get to that later. to sum it up, too faced's milk chocolate soleil bronzer is the light, shimmer-free bronzer. as someone who is not a fan of glitter face, this is perfect. the powder is fine and light, but very pigmented and easy to blend. it's very buildable. in addition, i find it lasts all day - it's the only bronzer i've sampled that i haven't had to reapply. for those with lighter skin tones, i highly recommend this. don't let the word "bronzer" intimidate you - it is natural, forgiving and easy to blend. oh, and the packaging is gorgeous!

now, on to the chocolate part. the chocolate scent is strong. i don't smell it on my face throughout the day - not that strong, thank goodness. but there is a scent as you're applying it. i will admit: some strange twist of fate allowed some of this product to get in my mouth at some point - and it tasted sweet. like, i didn't spit it out. i was just kind of like, "hmm. ok." but no, i wouldn't recommend eating it. just know that when they say chocolate, they really aren't kidding. if you can get past this, try it out!

in my opinion, a drugstore dupe for this product is nyc's 'sunny' bronzer - though the lasting power on 'sunny' is not as great as milk chocolate soleil's.

i've really enjoyed this product and will likely repurchase it if i don't get the curiosity to try out other bronzers. i'm a creature of habit!

photo diary: hello november

i spent a relaxing weekend in birmingham & crossed a few things off my "to visit" list: what's on 2nd, urban standard & the pepper place farmer's market (no photos, boo). since moving here in july, my tally of places to go (& food to sample!) has only grown. birmingham has so much to offer that really isn't seen at the surface; maybe you know the city as a pivotal civil rights landmark, or maybe you have heard of our growing culinary scene. either way, stop by sometime if you live in the south. i fall in love with this city more every day. i feel truly blessed to live here.

winter wishes

kate spade thermal mug / target kodi ankle booties / baublebar crystal feather bib / j. crew herringbone vest / bath & body works winter candy apple 3-wick candle

 

 

these are the items i've got my eye on currently (christmas list?). ah, the coveted j. crew herringbone vest - who knows if i'll be able to get my hands on one. the $12 walmart look alike is even sold out (but i'm still checking for it weekly!). if you know me you know i'm addicted to cups like nobody's business, so of course a cute kate spade mug is in order for when it gets chillier. these ankle booties from target are a great price, how can i say no? baublebar's statement necklaces are my favorite. and candles? eh, that's a given. time to stock up.

roasted red pepper & smoked gouda soup

whether you fancy a low carb meal on the regular or not, you must check out peace, love & low carb for some awesome recipes. i stumbled upon this one and knew it was the perfect weeknight crockpot meal. notice the flash? it's practically pitch black outside by the time i'm home from work!

• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 14.z ounce cans fire roasted tomatoes
• 12 ounce roasted red peppers
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 ounces shredded gouda cheese
• 3 ounces shredded parmesan cheese (my addition)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

turn your slow cooker to the 'low' setting. add tomatoes, red peppers, chicken stock, tomato paste, basil, salt, oregano and black pepper. in a pan over medium heat, saute your onion and garlic until soft, about 10 minutes. add to slow cooker, cover, and cook for 4 hours.

after 4 hours, transfer soup to a blender and blend until smooth. return soup to slow cooker and add gouda, parmesan and heavy cream. cook 1 additional hour. shred fresh cheese on top to serve.

recipe via peace, love & low carb.

current obsessions {volume 3}

01. j. crew sweaters - i mean, who doesn't love a j. crew sweater? especially if they're j. crew factory & on sale! these have 3/4 length sleeves and are perfect for layering or wearing alone.

 02. black quilted puffer vest from old navy - for $30, this was a steal. i've been wearing it on top of my j. crew sweaters & long sleeve shirts. i love the gold hardware.

03. bath & body works pumpkin pecan waffles candle- smells like heaven, truly. this is all i've been burning for the month of october.

bag love: truly, madly, deeply

 my bag collection is small, but it means the world to me.

sometimes, collectors don't have reasons for collecting. and after all, what constitutes a real reason anyway? aren't all collections a little silly and frivolous, be it stamps, shoes or old movie tickets? i revel in the frivolity of my handbag collection - but at the same time, it's very near and dear to my heart, and i'd be lying if i said i wouldn't try to grab them if my house caught on fire.

it started in highschool, near graduation. i fell in love. there was a skip in my step and a spark in my eye. all because of one man - marc jacobs. the classic q baby groovee was the light of my life, fire of my loi- err, you get the idea. i read reviews. i constantly searched for photos of her in action (pre purse forum knowledge, y'all) and longed to feel the leather beneath my fingertips. and then, i finally got her as a gift.

i thought that would quench the thirst, but it started an outright obsession. and it was then that i discovered no bag would ever be my "holy grail", my collection would never be complete, because a new bag would always appear on the horizon, filling me with a completely incomprehensible and totally irrational need. a handbag monster, if you will.

they're a constant companion, an outfit maker, a sturdy tool and something gorgeous to glance at in my passenger seat. it's the little things, y'all.

and you know what? i'm totally ok with it. we all have our vices. mine is leather handles and gold hardware.

what do you collect?

alabama women bloggers: a community

happy monday! for anyone who might not be aware, i live in alabama. having been a blogger for 10+ years, blogging communities (that are way different than livejournal blogging communities!) have evolved tremendously. a great group of women operate multiple state-focused blogging communities that aspire to connect women bloggers and spread their ideas.

i have recently become involved with the alabama women bloggers. the ultimate goal is to have an alabama women bloggers conference, a place to really build a solid network of fellow bloggers with strong roots in the state and the fabulous lifestyles our state provides. the whole point is to tell a variety of stories with a common thread: a love for writing, a love for alabama, and a love for connecting with others who enjoy the same!

if you live in alabama and you are a blogger, please join us! if not, check out the other states listed on the alabama women bloggers site & find yours. many of the communities are at different stages of growth and development and would love a volunteer to help out.

to get involved, visit www.alabamawomenbloggers.com, follow ALWB on twitter and like us on facebook!

review: jouer lip enhancer

years ago i received a sample of this product in a birchbox and i loved it. and on my quest for the perfect lip balm, i had totally forgotten about it! i reviewed dior's creme de rose, which is very similar to this product, but half the price.

at $14, essential lip enhancer still isn't a "run to the drugstore" lipbalm. but it's worth the extra effort! it's got a light rose scent - which is why i compare it to creme de rose - but features actual practical packaging, a tube, instead of a pot that can be easily contaminated and get icky after a while.

this product is thick on your lips, but i feel it actually makes a difference after some time compared to creme de rose. it doesn't fade away quickly like many lip balms or force you to feel the need to apply more after 30 minutes. this is going to be my go-to winter product, as it gets a little cooler in birmingham and i'm sure i'll need it!

i dunno about you... but i'm not 22

i turned 23 on sunday, october 13th. i was fortunate enough to celebrate the day with my closest and most incredible friends at the lovely chez fonfon in birmingham, a little french joint that's been on my "to eat" list for months. birthdays are starting to mean less and less and they're all blurring together... i've finally reached the age where nothing truly monumental comes with birthdays any longer. if anything, i'm just reminded that i am nearing my mid-twenties rather quickly. am i where i wanted to be at this age? yeah, i guess so.

at 22, i graduated college. i lost 30 pounds. i landed my first "real" job. i moved to a new city all by myself. i found out that the upkeep on a house is considerably more so than an apartment. i let go of negativity in my life and stripped away everything that was making me unhappy and holding me back. i began applying hand lotion religously. i formed an intensely personal relationship with my keurig. you get the idea.

i'm looking forward to making more mistakes, being ridiculous and still thinking i'm doing it right a year from now. here's to 23.

caramel apple cupcakes

hello blogging world. i took last week off, as you can see. and i kind of needed to. i was swamped at work, not feeling so hot and my birthday was on sunday, october 13th. but i'm glad to be back!

mmm, these are good. and they're so fun to decorate if you're into caramel. the original recipe called for some chopped apples, but i left those out (feel free to throw them in if you're into chunky fruit!).

for the cupcakes:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• a couple dashes of vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup plain yogurt
• 2/3 cup apple butter

preheat the oven to 350 degrees. mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon in a bowl and whisk. beat your butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, then add both eggs and vanilla extract. beat in yogurt. next, incorporate flour mixture and apple butter, beating in separate additions, starting and ending with flour.

spoon mixture into cupcake pans and bake for 25-28 minutes.

for the frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablepoons heavy whipping cream

beat together butter, vanilla and whipping cream. add powdered sugar in separate additions until incorporated. frost as desired, or use a decorating bag and tip. top with a soft caramel candy and caramel syrup.

looking for other fall desserts? check out my posts on pumpkin butterscotch cookies, pumpkin spice cupcakes with cream cheese icing, + red velvet cupcakes!

recipe adapted from paula deen.

current obsessions {volume 2}

01. my new tory burch reva flats! i have lusted after these shoes for a while now, and got them as an early birthday present. they go with everything and are perfect for the office.

 02. my new monogrammed notebook from letterlovedesign. i love looking at it on my desk!

03. this sweater from loft. its my absolute favorite at the moment and i can't wait to wear it when it gets a little chillier! the jeweled peter pan collar + the fit truly make it. its very flattering.

what are your obsessions this month?

photo diary: late september

happy october! woo! my birthday is on the 13th, halloween is my favorite holiday, and if we're lucky enough, alabama gets a little chilly. and i know everyone says october is their favorite, but i feel like i've got some bonafide reasons there.

i spent the 23rd-27th of september in nashville for work & stopped by tory burch at green hills to get myself an early birthday present. if you follow me on instagram, you know what it is! when i got back in town on friday, my parents came up from fairhope to join my brother and i at the alabama vs. ole miss game in tuscaloosa. i love games, but... i think i'm good on alabama football for a little while (try going there for 4 years, ok, it gets exhausting!). on sunday, we ventured to whole foods and railroad park for the second annual trucks by the tracks, which was an awesome food truck event. after a mimosa, my weekend was kind of drawing to a close - i started feeling sick, like baaaad cold sick.

so now i'm battling sickness, grinding away at work and planning some neat things for the next few weeks.

sidenote: are you a woman blogger in alabama? why haven't you joined alabama women bloggers yet?! it's a great way to get involved, and we're hoping to set up an alabama women bloggers conference soon!

pumpkin butterscotch cookies

remember my post about the only cookie recipes you'll ever need? click here to view it.

after an experiment with the same base recipe as the lemon & white chocolate cookies, i think it can be said without a doubt that just about any boxed cake mix can work for this: red velvet, strawberry, chocolate, you name it. if you follow the recipe outlined in my previous post, you can substitute any flavor and filling combination you desire.

at one of my multiple target trips last week, i saw the pumpkin cake mix on display. could that be more perfect? nah, i don't think so. and what goes perfectly with pumpkin? butterscotch! substitute white chocolate chips for butterscotch, semisweet or whatever tickles your fancy. i thought pumpkin and butterscotch was the perfect fall combo.

if you want a fall dessert that's a little less involved than pumpkin spice cupcakes, but still festive, please try this out! these are ready in seconds and are gooey, crusty and perfectly soft dreamy cookies that are nearly effortless. they are way too easy to make to put off. do it. now.

office + desk decor (& my lack thereof)

i've been at my job for 3 months now, and i am known as the weird girl with nothing in her office. you see, i've never had an office before. but now that i do, i should really probably fill it up with some cute things. i plan to finally pick up these things for my desk and get some photos framed. bland desk no more!

01. stationary - searching for unique stationary? try etsy! i've had a lot of luck finding great shops that will make personalized notebooks, calling cards and more. i recently ordered a black and white striped notebook from letter love designs. can't wait for it to get here!

02. teacup for writing utensils - i love stashing my pens and pencils in a cute cup. i mean, its kind of a waste of a cute cup. but it looks so great and adds a little color to my desk.

03. vera bradley note cube - plain notes are boring. this is yet another way to spruce up the desk a bit and jot down notes in style.

04. feminine frames - i love picking these up at tj maxx. for a few bucks you can grab some really cute chunky shabby chic esque frames. i already have some at home, so i'm going to buy some similar ones for the office.

5 things to remember in college

01. you are never as free as you are right now. if its a tuesday night at 11:30pm and your roommates want to drive to the next county to watch a meteor shower, just do it. don't even think about it. post grad schedules don't accomodate for weeknight spontaneity. its liberating, exciting, and totally careless - but awesome. waking up and working daily breeds habit and structure - two of my favorite things - but i will admit, college freedom was bliss. you have no idea how much free time you have right now.

02. the drinks + endless pizza buffet are tempting and awful. indulge, but keep it together. there's a reason the "freshman 15" exists, and if you're not careful, it turns into the "bachelor's degree 40". unless you're one of those miracle freaks with a metabolism of steel, ordering chinese at 2am while you're studying is going to catch up with you. it's not a mythical thing that college students make up. it happened to me. and while i woke up from my carb induced slumber and handled it, some people don't - ever. just enjoy in moderation and try not to go nuts with the food, however tempting it may be. you'll be thankful you did, i promise.

03. go places, go everywhere. now is the perfect time for travel. go abroad. take weekend excursions to other states. visit your parents. visit friends at other colleges. visit that weird monument you see on postcards. visit your own college town, and go down the less traveled path to discover some unique things about your university. even if you live with your parents or went to college near home, TRAVEL!

04. truly invest in your field/major. totally geek out about it with no shame. join the clubs associated with your college, hang out with the people in your classes, get to know your professors.  read blogs about your field. write blogs about your field. and if you're in advertising or comm, subscribe to ad age and follow wieden + kennedy on twitter. keep up. it feels like the world is changing at a quicker pace than ever before, and if you're not on top of what's happening when it comes to your career and your field, you might miss something important.

05. fall in love. no, not with a guy. with yourself, your life, your choices and your home. now is the time to really get to know yourself and what you want. try everything once. don't follow what everyone else is doing. stop making "five year plans" - no really, quit it. fall in love with the moment you're in and what you have, today, and make the best of it. you're not supposed to figure out exactly who you are right now, but you're laying the groundwork.

review: mac's girl about town

i like to keep you on your toes here at floral frocks. one post i'm writing about my coming-of-age realizations about what i want to do with my life, and the next i'm reviewing lipstick. but hey - lipstick is an important part of life too. c'est la vie.

though the makeup world is full of reviews on this shade, i wanted to add my thoughts because i am not a lipstick person. i've always wanted to be. it has the ability to truly transform your face, wake it up and bring out different tones in your skin. my daily lip is usually chapstick or baby lips. reapplication, smudging, the dreaded lipstick teeth - gah, so many reasons i've stayed away. but i'm trying, i'm really trying. and this color is so fantastic that i have to say, its swaying me.

girl about town is, in my opinion, universally flattering. with the appropriate makeup to match, this shade looks amazing on all skin tones - even mine, and i'm kinda pale.

the wear on this lipstick is great. it stays where it's applied and the color payoff lasts for hours - i haven't had to reapply it yet after going out. i love wearing it with a neutral outfit and allowing it to be my 'pop' of color. seriously, don't be afraid of it. its bright, yes. but wear it with toned down makeup and you're creating a fantastic focal point for your look. you can even blot it a few times if you want something more subdued. i did this, and i found that the color remaining was stuck on my lips like a stain. so if you're looking for long-lasting, this is it.

i can't wait to wear girl about town well into winter, spring and beyond. new favorite! and at $15, its worth the splurge.

meredith's autumn wishlist

01. oxblood everything - right now i'm really craving some oxblood skinnies. perfect with a black long sleeve vneck, faux fur vest & litas - ah, i can see it now.

02. statement fuschia - i've always loved this color, but its especially beautiful against blacks and other neutrals in the form of a bag or shoe. kate spade totally nails this color in her bags & shoes.

03. leopard print loafers - these are perfect for work or a casual day outfit, and they also look fantastic against oxblood! this pair from nine west looks super comfy and versatile.

on wanderlust

it hit me like a brick to the face this morning. all of the sudden, i felt it.

i felt what i felt years ago - the wanderlust. for a while the dull ache was satiated with my spring break roadtrip to las vegas. but now, its back, and i finally think i understand it and what it means.

 my trip to the grand canyon in march

i've always had wanderlust. maybe it comes with the territory when you grow up in a small alabama town and roam the same state for 23 years - I-65, I-10, highway 98 and back again. i was never satisfied with going to college in mobile and then moving back across the bay to see everyone i went to highschool with at target twice a week.

tuscaloosa was the baby step, the bandaid. for the first time in my life, i was not near the coast. i learned how to have a love affair, not with a person, but a place; cliched college bars, full houndstooth body suits on gameday, the trains rattling my furniture at night, the fact that tuscaloosa is slowly, but surely, sinking into the black warrior river. tuscaloosa was a kind to me.

and now here i am. i've graduated. my love affair with tuscaloosa resulted in an inevitable bittersweet goodbye. moving to birmingham for work was another adventure in itself. i've only just begun to explore this town and i'm loving it so far. but while i am enjoying settling into another alabama city, i am already peering ahead and trying not to limit myself.

 hiking in cheaha in 2011

looking back on the years since i've graduated highschool, it makes sense for me to reach this understanding at this particular moment in my life. in the safety of fairhope and tuscaloosa, i've spent a lot of time dating guys, trying to find "the one", trying to plan my life on a calendar and cycle through an endless rotation of "five year plans". come on, we all make them. but why? at 22 (almost 23) i am asking myself why i am trying, so desperately, to make it all work according to plan. my heart wants something different.

i don't know where i want to go, because i want to go everywhere. settling on specific places will be the hardest battle. whether its a weekend getaway or my next living quarters doesn't matter to me, i just want to go.

my plan, it seems, is that i shouldn't make one.

review: revlon colorstay foundation

i used to dread the thought of wearing liquid foundation daily. too thick, too heavy, just too much. for many years i was devoted to mac's mineralized skin finish natural. while its a great product, the price tag was becoming a burden. i searched for a drugstore alternative, and somehow ended up looking at things in the liquid category.

once i find something that works foundation wise, i stick with it. i don't like switching it up. i've been using revlon's colorstay for about a year now, and i've totally changed my mind on liquid foundations. if you're scared to use liquid and want something lightweight, give this a shot!

i wear shade 220, natural beige. mac's 187 is my absolute favorite foundation brush - first i stipple it on, then blend it out. and while a liquid foundation does require more frequent brush washing, this particular foundation gives such great results that i don't mind a bit.

price: at target, i paid $9.99. i've seen it both cheaper and more expensive at other drugstores.

package: nothing to complain about here. but it would be nice if it had a pump that came with it.

application/results: this foundation applies beautifully and quickly with my mac 187. it doesn't dry too fast, and a little goes a long way. i'd rank it at about a medium coverage, but its definitely buildable depending on your preferences. my favorite thing about this foundation is the fact that it isn't heavy, doesn't clog my pores and lasts all day, even without setting powder. as someone with oily skin, i appreciate the product being specified as a "oily skin formula", but i've found that i still have to blot after 6-8 hours. however, the coverage holds up great.

the bottom line: i've used colorstay for as long as i have because it feels great on my skin, is simple to apply, doesn't break me out and provides just the right amount of coverage for everyday. and until i find something better for the price, this is what i'll use for years to come!

current obsessions {volume 1}

01. these trendy sunglasses from amazon. i got both black & tortoise shell and have been loving them - they go with everything! and for the price, they're sturdier than you'd think. i'm not a fan of expensive sunglasses; i always break or lose them at some point, so stocking up on cheap pairs is the way to go.

02. pointed heels! i used to hate these, and now i can't get enough. i want a pair in every color! these heels are from gojane & are a great price. i'm also lusting after the j. crew factory emery flats - too perfect for work and great for fall.

03. this handy reusable cup from starbucks - only $1! total lifesaver. most stores have been carrying these lately and i didn't pick one up until last week because i thought they might not be too durable. turns out these will do just fine instead of a $20 ceramic mug.

photo diary: labor day & early september

summer's end + labor day weekend have come and gone quickly, but i've had a great time the past couple of weeks. its no secret that summer isn't my favorite season - the alabama heat is exhausting, and all my favorite clothes are scarves and jackets.

i got two things last week that pretty much made my week - some beautiful roses delivered to my doorstep courtesy of corey, and my starbucks goldcard finally came in the mail! on august 27th i went to the backstreet boys concert in tuscaloosa & it was everything my childhood dreams hoped it would be, aka uhmazing. labor day weekend was spent in gulf shores with corey and family on the beach and at the wharf. i'm really looking forward to getting a few weeks to tie up some odds & ends and spend time in birmingham. its been go go go for months now. if it were possible to just wrap up in a sweater and hibernate, i might do it. with a pumpkin spice latte.

the only cookie recipes you'll ever need

have you ever wished for a perfect & simple cookie recipe? like, really simple? one of these recipes is made from boxed cake mix with altered ingredients - can you say effortless? while the web is full of cookie recipes, these two are my favorite, tried and true, consistently delicious and easy.

first, chocolate chip, the classic. this recipe might be a little familiar to most - its the one on the back on the nestle tollhouse chocolate chip bag! i swear to you, you do not ever need another recipe. don't google chocolate chip cookie reipes. this is the holy grail, and rightly so. these cookies are always just the right amount of soft and crusty.

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon (or a little more) vanilla extract
• 2 eggs

• 2 & 1/4 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 bag chocolate chips

preheat the oven to 350. mix together flour, salt and baking soda in a small bowl. in another, larger bowl, beat together softened butter and sugars with an electric mixer. add eggs and vanilla extract. once incorporated, slowly add flour mixture in batches until combined. add chocolate chips. spoon onto greased cookie sheets and bake for 9-12 minutes or until golden brown.

this second recipe is even easier and delicious! these taste really impressive, but the secret is that they barely took any effort at all. lemon and white chocolate is also a killer combo. who knew?!

• 1 box of lemon supreme cake mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• one bag white chocolate chips

mix all your ingredients up, and voila! instant cookies. bake at 350 for 9-12 minutes. note that following this directions is different than what it says on the bake of the cake mix. that's how you're getting the cookie texture.

these are way too simple not to bake. get to it!