This year will be low-keyed with our family for Christmas in Palm Springs, Ca. I’m bringing jeans, sweaters, and a wrap dress for casual holiday parties. Our car will be packed with Chief, wrapped presents, and the chocolate lace cookies below.
I know many of you have experienced loss and it’s harder during the holidays. My heart goes out to you. This is our first Christmas without our mom. It will be nice to give and receive some hugs!
Welcome to this week’s Five Faves with Cindy and Annie. This is always a highlight of my week!
1. Delicious Dark Chocolate Lace Cookies
Dark Chocolate Lace Cookies From Half Baked Harvest had me at the word EASY. Howard loves the ones from Trader Joe’s, so I thought I would make these fresh ones for him.
They are chewy, almost with a caramel taste. The recipe calls for almond flour. My first time using it. I used semi-sweet chocolate and didn’t have the coffee powder but we didn’t miss it. I sprinkled a tiny bit of sea salt on them.
Make sure to separate the dough like in this photo above as one sheet I made had the cookies running together. Still taste great though 🙂 I will make another batch before we leave for the desert.
2. Pretty Desk Calendar
My talented artist friend, Gail recommends this desk calendar by Karen Adams Designs. Since Gail already has the easel, she just buys the refill each year.
Gail sent this photo of her newly arrived refill… with the comment ” She does a lovely job.”
3. Olivia Culpo’s Southern California Home
This article came in my Apple News+ feed. Olivia Culpo, the former Miss Universe’s, home in Encino, California brings to light why people want to live in this state…the year-round weather for outdoor entertaining.
And I’m envious of her purse collection (those are her two tiaras from Miss USA and Miss Universe).
4. Make Your Own Dog Biscuits
Remember the dog treats and dog gift tags that I made last year? You might want to consider doing that for the pups in your family. This is the mix I used from Trader Joe’s and they were a hit! A reader, Laurie, said the mix was not in her store but there are lots of recipes on the web. This one gets good ratings.
5. Wrap Dress and Ballet Flats For A More Casual Holiday Party
Midi wrap dresses are flattering on most body types. This one from Boden is super comfortable and has pockets! I’m wearing a Petite 6. There are other colors on sale.
In San Francisco, I will wear this dress with boots and a leather jacket, but in the desert, I’m taking my classic Chanel ballet flats (that my mom gave me for my 60th birthday). I bought them in Paris for much less than they are now. Thanks, Mom. I’m wearing your pearls, too.
Here is a less expensive J. Crew option for ballet flats.
The Marc Jacobs crossbody purse from Nordstorm Rack is one of my favorites! I am tough on purses and this one has held up so well.
And that’s my news for this week, a wrap dress for casual holiday parties, easy-to-make chocolate lace cookies, and pretty desk calendar, and more. I will pop back in here on Thursday with some sights of San Francisco dressed up for the holidays and to wish you a Merry Christmas. Now, I’m going to turn on some music and wrap presents.
If you are new here, each Sunday I share my top five favorite things along with my friends, Cindy and Annie. It’s like our weekly “catch-up” phone call. If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Diane Ruebel says
Merry, Merry MaryAnn,
You look chic in the wrap dress and how wonderful to keep your mother’s memories alive with her pearls.
Looking forward to trying Howard’s Bloody Mary recipe on Christmas morning.
With holiday love,
Diney on Camano Island
Laurie Cordeniz says
Hi MaryAnn. Loved this post as I love always finding you in my in-box. I was wondering where you found the cute Christmas clothes pins. They are adorable! Also I tried to find the Trader Joe’s dog biscut mix but they are not carrying it this year 2021. Any other ideas as to where I can find something like that?
Thanks again for all the wonderful posts! Merry Christmas!
Mary Ann Pickett says
I got the clothes pins at Paper Source last year. That’s a bummer about the dog biscuit mix not being carried but there are lots of recipes on the web like https://www.thecookierookie.com/pb-dog-treats/
Merry Christmas, Laurie!!
Elizabeth@pineconesandacorns says
Have a wonderful time, it is always nice to be with family at the holidays. The cookies look amazing, and the dog treats, I will have to make a batch of those for my pups!
Boden is one of my favorite places to shop, the dress you picked out is beautiful! Love the Chanel flats, a wonderful reminder of special times with your mom, and the pearls too!
Merry Christmas Mary Ann!
Gail says
You always share so many great thing in Sunday 5 Favs. You mentioned games? Our family loves games and sometimes they can get pretty boisterous! Those cookies look so delicious, I’d love to try sometime. You look beautiful in your green holiday wrap dress and you might add boots to go along with those tights. Have a terrific time in PS, I love it there. Your mom will be with all of you in spirit.
Merry Christmas and all the best to you in ‘22!
With love
Thank you for including the Karen Adams calendar.
Suz says
“This is always a highlight of my week!”. Your comment is exactly how I feel when I see your, Cindy and Annie’s Five Faves emails arrive into my Inbox. You are an inspiration. Thank you! Happy holidays and warmest seasons greetings from New Zealand xx
Mary Ann Pickett says
You are so sweet!!! Merry Christmas!
Katherine says
Hi Mary Ann,
We have something in common we both like to bake cookies that our hubbies love. I always make sure he is taken care of before I bake other ones. I will try the Lace Cookies one of these days hopefully.
The doggie fur baby treats you made, and the presentation is fabulous, YOU put your whole heart into every- thing you touch, it’s so nice.
Your dress is so pretty on you, and the Chanel ballet flats that your mother gifted you and wearing her pearl necklace is so special. I feel for you, the loss of a mother and father is HUGE. Both of my parents passed away many years ago, miss them so much. The first year is so difficult.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Your husband is a lucky man! I’d like to add some oatmeal to the cookies next time I make them!
Linda Henderson says
Thank you for sharing. I know you miss your Mom. I am missing mine too. Christmas brings many memories.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Sounds like you and I both had great mothers, Linda! I was sick with a cold last week and thought how my mom would have listened to my complaints…like no one else. 🙂
Thanks for commenting.
cindy says
Hi Mary Ann
Those cookies look yummy! I love that gorgeous so cal home. I saw it as well but didn’t take the time to check it out. So glad you shared it! I totally agree with you about wrap dresses they are very flattering. Especially on you!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Cindy! Loved your post and that cute outfit!
holly says
Sending you and your family the warmest holiday greetings. Enjoy SoCal even if it’s a bit cold and rain is in the forecast for the upcoming week. Well, rain in San Diego that is….
Mary Ann Pickett says
Oh well, Holly… it will be cozy inside and make long walks refreshing 🙂
Laura says
Oh my gawd! Welcome to Palm Springs! It happens to be much colder than normal but still lovely here. If you need info on any places to go, I’m your gal! Have a wonderful time, Laura in a Palm Springs
Mary Ann Pickett says
I know…I’ve been looking at the forecast!! I’d better have tights with my dress!
Thanks for the offer, Laura, but we have family that lives there…and the four days there are packed. We should have coffee though the next time I come!
Mary Ann