early christmas in the lou

this is the first year in a long time that i won't be home for christmas. i'll be hanging out with my inlaws and enjoying beautiful oklahoma. it really is pretty - no sarcasm, promise. i went back to my st. louis this weekend to spend time with my family and friends for an early christmas.

my best friends, E, S, C and i have a secret santa exchange tradition that we've kept up for the last 5 years and there were no way i was missing it this year. my friend C and i are always doing some sort of cooking, a role that both of us love. E and S always bring extra goodies for snacking - this year's cheese tray was delicious! this year we changed it up from the usual white meat and potatoes and went for christmas pasta. I have a few photos below of our party. love my besties and miss them all the time. happy to have spent a little time with them.


my friend C sets a beautiful table - excellent style.


Dinner's cooking! Dessert from the Hill below and a yummy limoncello champagne cocktail.



2 of the 4 of my beautiful besties, E and C with sweet Rosie, C's pup.




Love you guys so much! Happy Christmas!!