PEEPS Holiday Treats and Recipes

PEEPS marshmallow candies sweeten up the holidays whether you add them in as stocking stuffers, colorful additions to baked goods, accents to art projects, or just indulge in a delicious treat. Be on the lookout for the newest additions to the PEEPS holiday lineup - PEEPS Milk Chocolate Dipped Sugar Cookie Flavored Chicks ($1.99 - $2.49 / 3-pack) and PEEPS Chocolate Dipped Candy Cane Flavored Chicks  ($1.99 - $2.49 / 3-pack). My ultimate favorite has always been PEEPS Gingerbread Flavored Men, ($1.49 - $1.69 / 6-pack), now available in a 3-pack ($0.79 - $0.99). You can find PEEPS at food, drug and mass retailers nationwide, including the PEEPS Shop at the Toys "R" Us Times Square and FAO Schwarz at 767 Fifth Avenue, which both just opened in June. 

During the PEEPS holiday preview, I had a chance to sample these amazing desserts and view fun craft projects. I was so excited to share these recipes. Hope you enjoy them as much as I will this holiday season!

PEEPS Holiday Cupcakes & Candy Cane Frosting 

Ingredients:

- One batch of cupcakes

- Chocolate or Vanilla Frosting

- Crushed Candy Canes - approx 1/4 cup

- PEEPS Gingerbread Men and PEEPS Trees

- Optional toppings including sprinkles or holiday candies

Directions:

1. Prepare cupcakes according to package directions. Allow to cool completely. 

2. Prepare frosting or open can of premade frosting, pour into a mixing bowl.

3. Combine frosting with 1/4 cup of crushed candy canes. Mix well.

4. Frost cupcakes with candy cane frosting.

5. Top cupcakes with PEEPS Gingerbread Men and PEEPS Trees.

6. If desired, garnish with crushed candy canes, sprinkles and/or holiday candies

Tip: By using different PEEPS, cupcake wrappers and sprinkles.candies, you can create a variety of different looks from just one batch of cupcakes. 

PEEPS Holiday Pops

Ingredients:

- PEEPS Peppermint Stars, and PEEPS Trees

- Equal number of paper straws or sticks

- 12 oz. bag of chocolate candy melts

- Sprinkles

- Crushed candy canes

Directions:

1. Remove PEEPS Trees and PEEPS Peppermint Stars from their packaging. 

2. Slowly slide PEEPS on to each of your sticks or straws, stopping just before the straw pushes through the other end of the PEEP.

3. Lay out baking sheet and line with wax paper.

4. Melt chocolate coating according to the package directions and apply to PEEPS shapes.

5. Coat shapes with sprinkles or crushed candy canes and let cool. 

PEEPS Apple Yogurt Parfait

Ingredients:

- 6 packages PEEPS Snowmen or PEEPS Chocolate Mousse Reindeer

- 4 cups vanilla yogurt

- 2 medium unpeeled apples, cut into chunks (about 2 cups)

- 1/4 cup caramel topping

- 2 Tbsp. coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions:

1. Using kitchen scissors, cut up 5 PEEPS Snowmen or PEEPS Chocolate Mousse Reindeer into bite-sized pieces.

2. Divide yogurt among 4 single-serving dessert dishes, reserving 1/4 cup for topping.

3. Spoon 1/2 cup of the apple chunks over yogurt in each dish. 

4. Add pieces of PEEPS Snowmen or PEEPS Chocolate Mousse Reindeer 

5. Top each with 1 tablespoon of the remaining yogurt and spoon 1 tablespoon of caramel topping over each.

6. Add a PEEPS Snowmen or PEEPS Chocolate Mousse Reindeer to each dish, sprinkle with pecans or walnuts.

*Makes 4 parfaits

PEEPS Sugar Cookie and PEEPS Candy Cane Pretzels

Ingredients:

- 2 packages of Milk Chocolate Dipped Sugar Cookie PEEPS

- 2 packages Chocolate Dipped Candy Cane PEEPS

- Old time style pretzels

- 11 oz. bag of Caramel Bits

- Wax paper 

- Cookie-style baking sheet

- Nonstick cooking spray

- Sea salt

- 12 oz. bag of chocolate candy melts

Directions:

1. Line cookie sheet with wax paper and spray with cooking spray

2. Remove Sugar Cookie dipped PEEPS from their packaging.

3. Prepare 12 pretzels and set them out on the sprayed wax paper.

4. Melt caramel bits according to directions on the package. Once caramel is melted, spoon or brush onto each pretzel.

6. Let caramel sit on each pretzel and allow to firm (approx. 20+ minutes)

7. Once caramel has set, prepare chocolate coating according to the package directions.

8. Dip pretzels, one at a time, into chocolate coating and return to wax paper-covered baking sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt.

9. Top with PEEPS Chocolate Dipped Sugar Cookie and Candy Cane chicks.

Makes 12 pretzels. Allow to set approx. one hour. Store loosely covered. 

PEEPS Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

- 1 pkg. PEEPS Peppermint Flavored Marshmallow Stars

- Hot Chocolate mix(see package for additional ingredients)

- Peppermint sticks

- 1 can whipped cream

Directions:

1. Place one PEEPS Peppermint Flavored Marshmallow Star on each peppermint stick.

2. Prepare each envelope of hot chocolate according to package directions and pour into serving mugs.

3. Top each serving of hot chocolate with whipped cream. 

4. Place one peppermint stick into each serving of hot chocolate.

*Makes approx. 9 servings

PEEPS Toasted Gingerbread Milkshake

Ingredients:

- 2 packages (6 ct) PEEPS Chocolate Mousse Reindeer

- 2 cups milk

- 1 Tbsp. sour cream

- 2 cups creamy vanilla ice cream

Directions:

1. Place 5 PEEPS Chocolate Mousse Reindeer on a cookie sheet and toast under the broiler in your oven for 1 to 2 minutes or until charred on top.

2. Take out of oven and let cool.

3. Pour milk, sour cream and ice cream into a blender. Add the 5 toasted PEEPS Chocolate Mousse Reindeer and mix for 3 minutes or until well blended. 

4. Pour milkshake into serving glasses. Top each serving with a PEEPS Chocolate Mousse Reindeer.

*Makes 4 servings

PEEPS Snowman

Materials Needed:

- 15 (9 ct) PEEPS Marshmallow Snowmen

- 1 foam craft ring approx. 9" diameter

- 2 cardboard circles cut to approx. 9" diameter

- 2 foam craft rings approx. 12" diameter

- Wooden dowel approx. 36" in length x 1/2" wide

- Hot glue gun

- Ribbon

- Scissors

- Stapler

- 2 large black buttons and 6 small black buttons

- Orange food coloring

Directions:

1. Using the hot glue gun, glue one 9" cardboard to one side of the 9" foam ring. When dry, glue one 9" cardboard circle to the other side of the 9" foam ring.

2. Using the hot glue gun, glue one 12" cardboard circle to one side of one 12" foam ring. When dry, glue one 12" cardboard circle to the other side of the 12" foam ring.

3. Repeat step 2 for the second 12" foam ring.

4. Stick the wooden dowel vertically through the center of all three rings to give the craft support. If necessary, cut ends of dowel down to be flush with craft on top and bottom. Use glue gun to secure the dowel at top and bottom of craft.

5. Cut two pieces of ribbon to desired length for hanging. Staple one end of one ribbon to the bottom left side of the 9" circle. Staple one end of the other ribbon to the bottom right side of the 9" circle. Tie the loose ends of each ribbon together in a knot or bow for hanging.

6. Place the craft flat on a table so that the ribbon is on the bottom.

7. Place PEEPS Marshmallow Snowmen around the perimeter of the 9" circle. Use a hot glue gun to secure the shapes to the cardboard.

8. Cut PEEPS Marshmallow Snowmen in half and place face down in the center of the 9" circle until the entire circle is covered. Use the hot glue gun to secure the PEEPS Marshmallow Snowmen pieces to the cardboard. Let dry. 

9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 with both 12" circles. Let dry.

10. Use the hot glue gun to attach two large black buttons to the 9" circle for the Snowman's eyes.

11. Cut 4 PEEPS Marshmallow Snowmen into small pieces. Using the hot glue gun, carefully glue together the marshmallow pieces to form the shape of a cone for the Snowman's nose. Dip the nose into orange food coloring for a few minutes. Remove and place on a plate or paper towel to dry. When dry, use hot glue gun to attach the nose in the middle of the 9" circle. (Optional: Use a carrot in place of marshmallows for nose.)

12. Using the hot glue gun, attach six small black buttons underneath the nose to form the Snowman's smile. (Jelly beans or other candies may be used in place of the small buttons, if desired.)

13. Add holiday decorations as desired and let dry before hanging. 

PEEPS Holiday Wreath

Materials Needed:

- Assorted PEEPS Marshmallow Holiday Shapes

- 1 green foam craft ring approx. 10" diameter x 1" thick

- 1 green foam craft ring approx. 9" diameter x 1" thick

- Holiday decorations (optional)

- Hot glue gun

- Toothpicks

- Ribbon

- Scissors

Directions:

1. Using a hot glue gun, glue the 9" foam ring to the inside of the 10" foam ring. Let dry. (Note : If using a white foam ring(s), paint green and let dry before starting this craft.)

2. Cut a piece of ribbon to your desired length for hanging. Wrap the ribbon one time around the top of the wreath. Tie a knot or bow at the opposite end of the ribbon. 

3. Place PEEPS Marshmallow Holiday Shapes as desired around the wreath, using a hot glue gun.

4. Add holiday decorations as desired.

Makes: 1 PEEPS Holiday Wreath

Warning: The PEEPS Holiday Wreath is for craft purposes only. Candy used to decorate this craft must not be eaten. Potential supervision is advised. 

- Kim Weling

Covet + Lou Launch and Holiday/Winter Collections Preview

On November 17th, I celebrated the launch of Covet + Lou and the new Fall/Winter 2014 "Cocoon" issue of Gather Journal at Haven's Kitchen at 109 West 17th Street. I previewed Covet + Lou's Holiday/Winter collections, featuring exclusives from Upstate, Gabriela Artigas and N'East Style x Covet + Lou. 

At the preview I met with Tina Burgos, Covet + Lou founder and former owner of Stel's Newbury Street boutique. I got some more insight into Covet + Lou, which includes vintage clothing, accessories and home goods, handpicked by Tina herself. The carefully curated and well-edited e-commerce site focuses on emerging designers in New York and Los Angeles. 

You can really see Tina's style and androgynous perspective shine through with the pieces she selects for Covet + Lou. I look forward to seeing the assortment grow on their site. Covetandlou.com is a great shopping site to find unique holiday gifts. You'll find all different price points on Covet + Lou, from $16 note cards and $25 oval bowls to a $120 vintage peacock feather purse and $251 tusk necklace. 

Haven's Kitchen

- Kim Weling

Beauty Deals for Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Black Friday AND Cyber Monday: Purchase two full size MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Shadows available in two shade variations  (20E & 28E and 2E and 30E), for $10 (a 75% discount) at Sephora stores and Sephora.com from 11/29 - 12/1. 

'GREEN' Friday: 50% off all Nourish Organic products using promo code "GREEN50" at check out on www.NourishOrganic.com.

Black Friday AND Cyber Monday: 30% off all Vapour Organic Beauty products (excluding samples) from Wednesday, 11/27 through midnight Monday, 12/2 using promo code "BLACKFRIDAY13" at check out on www.VapourBeauty.com. 

Cyber Monday: Use code MOBILE20 on the Birchbox mobile app to get 20% off all first-time mobile app purchases.

Birchbox + Rebecca Taylor have partnered up to bring Birchbox.com customers an exclusive makeup pouch, available as a GWP beginning on 12/2. Customers can receive this case when they spend $55+ on all full-size products in the shop by using code REBECCAGIFT. 

 Earn additional points when you shop Birchbox.com on Cyber Monday!

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Accessories Deals

Check out these incredible deals on accessories this coming Black Friday & Cyber Monday, from jewelry to handbags at up to 70% off. It's the perfect time to do some holiday shopping or splurge on yourself!

Birchbox Launches Limited Edition: Precious Metals Box

Birchbox has just launched the Limited Edition: Precious Metals box just in time for the holidays. This bright and shiny box is dedicated to all that glitters and is stocked with luxe-meets modern finds from prestige brands including essie, Cynthia Rowley Beauty, and Folli Follie.

Each box includes:

Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eye Shadow Palette - No. 1

Tweezerman Procurl Lash Curler 

Gorjana Taner Shimmer Necklace (Gold or Rose Gold)

essie encrusted treasures in hors d'oeuvres 

Frends Ella Earbuds (Gold or Rose Gold)

Follo Follie Heart4Heart Cosmetic Case in Gold 

Kusmi Tea Paris Rose Green Tea Loose Leaf Tin 

Kusmi Tea Paris Tea Infuser

A great gift for the woman who has everything, this luxurious box is available exclusively on Birchbox.com for only $120 ($330 value). 

Cold Weather Activewear Featuring Moving Comfort, Icebreaker and Helly Hansen

Now that winter weather has arrived, you won't find me trying to jog outside when it's 28 degrees. However, for those occasional days when it hits 45-55 degrees, I'm all for jogging as long as I'm dressed in base layers. Whether you are jogging, playing sports outdoors, or heading out to a football game, Moving Comfort, Icebreaker and Helly Hansen has cold weather activewear to help you keep warm this season. 

Moving Comfort Urban X-Over ($42) is one of the most comfortable sports bras I've ever tried. It is sized by band/cup size, has cross-back adjustable straps for a custom fit and S.Cafe lined cups that wick sweat and eliminate odor. The Urban X-Over has seam-free, contoured cups that give you shape instead of making you appear flat even after layering on your workout wear. It's ideal for high-impact activities like running or tennis. I also love the pop of color added to this bra. To help you find the perfect fit, check out Moving Comfort's sports bra fit guide. 

Icebreaker has been a favorite of mine for years, because their XS fits so well. The Icebreaker Bolt Long Sleeve Crewe ($89.99) is made with high-performance merino base layers and a touch of LYCRA for an athletic fit and faster dry time. It's naturally odor-resistant and breathable and keeps you warm in the cold, and cool in the heat. The Icebreaker Dart Long Sleeve Half Zip ($139.99) is made of merino wool and water resistant nanotechnology to keep you comfortable and dry. It's idea for running & fitness or snow sports. The zippered chest pocket is perfect for storing my keys. I easily wear the half zip over my base layer crewe without feeling bulky since both of these pieces are lightweight and fitted.

I'm new to Helly Hansen and would recommend their HH Warm Ice Crew ($80.00), the perfect technical top for colder weather aerobic activity. The long-sleeve base layer is made with LIFA Stay Dry Technology, merino wool exterior for superior insulation and moisture-wicking properties to keep you warm and dry. It also has a 2-in-1first and second layer feature and comes in a variety of colors and prints starting in size XS. 

- Kim Weling

Nomaterra Boutique Opening and Launch of Brooklyn Fragrance

Last week I visited with Aggie Burnett for the launch of her Nomaterra boutique at The Shops at 240 Kent Ave. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. When I met Aggie in January, she had just launched three fragrances - East Hampton, Miami and DC. Since then she has expanded her line of travel-inspired fragrances to include Oahu, Boston, Malibu, Savannah and now the newly launched Brooklyn, with a masculine violet leaf scent. 

I've received a ton of compliments whenever I wear the fruity floral Miami orange blossom scent and am so excited to have more favorites from Nomaterra to wear including Brooklyn, Malibu and Boston. Malibu's honeysuckle scent and Boston's tobacco leaf scent smell amazing on their own but you can create an entirely new fragrance just by layering the two. One of Nomaterra's customers had originally started layering the two scents, so I'm glad Aggie recommended it. 

In addition to Nomaterra's fragrances ($86 for both spray + replacement) and fragrance wipes ($26 for a box of 12), Nomaterra has also recently launched roll-on perfume oils ($55) and soy candles ($60) which are all great stocking stuffer options for the holiday season. You'll also notice a packaging redesign from Nomaterra, who worked closely with artists Michelle Kiela and Marta Solomianko on creating detailed illustrations of each city. 

Since the Brooklyn scent is so new, you are just going to have to visit the Nomaterra boutique to get your hands on it. If you stop by, be sure to check out the Beimeni Youth Elixir, only available during the holiday season. The oil uses the rarest and most exotic natural ingredients, with notes of Egyptian Jasmine, East Indian Sandalwood, and Egyptian Rose. If you can't make it to Brooklyn, then be sure to check out Nomaterra online at nomaterra.com.

Nomaterra has had such a great year, I look forward to their continued success in 2014. Congrats Aggie!

- Kim Weling