Friday Five: Allergy Safe Holiday Cookies

To be honest I used to be a bit uncomfortable with the idea of a cookie exchange. Swapping baked goods without a lot of detail on them (or the people made them) doesn't create the best picture in my head. Then I went to one. As a busy adult with work, shopping, holiday parties and general life errands  finding a weekend to bake dozens of cookies all of different varieties with quite difficult. Being able to combine cooking and socializing in one event is fantastic AND you can walk away with as many bake good varieties as you like!

With my own {and lots of others} food allergies I've been searching for a crowd pleaser for my upcoming Junior League cookie exchange. Here are 5 of the most delicious looking gluten and dairy free options!

Caramel Glazed Donuts from Against All Grain

Gingerbread Men from Deliciously Ella

Coconut Meringue Nests by Simply Gluten Free 

Gluten-Free Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies from Gluten Free on a Shoe String

The frosting has butter in it, but I found this Dairy-Free Recipe

Peppermint Chocolate Macaroons from Against All Grain

Beautiful Boxwood

Christmas decorating is in full swing in my apartment and I'm loving the chicness of boxwood. From wreaths to garland to present wrapping, the round leaves adds a classic but modern look to Christmas. I'm hoping the wreath will last me through spring (just changing out the ribbon to be seasonally appropriate).

Pantone's Pastels

Pantone just announced their 2016 color{s} of the year to be the dusty pink, Rose Quartz and soothing blue, Serenity.

I love pastels...especially in winter. I have been rocking my white jeans with cozy ivory and blue spring sweaters well past Labor Day. Add a little sparkle and they make the understated tones perfect for popping Holiday Parties. I'm obsessed with these 2 Miu Miu numbers. Top them off with a long, classic camel {or, even better, ivory} wool coat and you're ready to celebrate the end of 2015.

Metallic Jacquard Mini Skirt

Cotton Jacquard Mini Dress

Keeping up with the Joneses (or Jones')?

How cute is this stationery!?

If you're planning on spending your weekend signing and addressing  a {seemingly} endless pile of Christmas cards, be sure to check out this recent Town & Country article on the 5 Most Common Grammar Mistakes....and watch where you put your apostrophes!