Quick and Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies

One of my favorite things about the Holiday season is baking cookies! I love cooking and baking! Anytime I have a little extra time on my hands, I like to try out new recipes. Just recently, I was craving some chocolate chip cookies so Chelsea (my roommate) and I browsed 'Pinterest'  in search for the perfect recipe. The only problem we faced was how complicated some chocolate chip cookie recipes can be! Some recipes called for some very strange ingredients and we weren't looking for anything to complicated so we decided to go at it on our own. This recipe is quick, simple, and very easy! (and of course delicious!) chocolate chip cookies are not hard to make and just about everyone loves them! If you decide to try this recipe out, leave a comment below! 

 Ingredients:

1 Cup Brown Sugar

1 Cup Sugar

1/2 Cup Butter

1/2 Cup Canola Oil

2 Large Eggs

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Baking Powder

1 tsp. Vanilla 

3 Cups Flour

2 Cups Milk Chocolate Chips

*I added 1 cup of white chocolate chips and 1 cup of milk chocolate chips to my recipe instead of 2 cups of milk chocolate chips, so you are more than welcome to do that as well!

Instructions:

1. Melt the butter in a nice size bowl, you will be adding more ingredients so you want them all to fit.

2. Add canola oil (vegetable oil works too), sugar and brown sugar to the melted butter.

 3. Add eggs to the mixture and beat until fluffy.

2. Add all remaining ingredients (no specific order). 

3. Bake at 350 for 7-8 minutes depending on the size of your cookies you might put them in longer but that's up for you to decide.

4. Let them cool and enjoy! :)

*Recipe makes about 24 cookies!

-Laura

Holiday Gift Ideas for Her

Since Black Friday is right around the corner I wanted to put together a "Gift Ideas for Her" post to give you some ideas for things to buy the ladies in your life this holiday season. One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is go shopping for all the wonderful girls in my life. This holiday season I came up with a list of things that I think would make the perfect gifts!

1. Clarisonic

{Pictured: Clarisonic Mia 2 Skin Cleansing Systems}

{$149}
I think the Clarisonic is a great gift for just about anyone! whether you're a guy or a girl this is a wonderful treat for your skin!

2. Earrings

{Pictured: Kendra Scott 'Danielle' Black Iridescent Earrings}

{$75}
You can never go wrong with a good pair of earrings. These ones from Kendra Scott are on my wish list this year! She has so many styles and colors to choose from it's hard not to buy them all! 

3. Wine and Whiskey Set

{Pictured: 5-pc Wine/Whiskey Set}

{$52}
I think of a wine and whiskey set as a very sophisticated gift. This would be a great gift for someone who enjoys entertaining or has a love for vino!

4. Shower Speakers

{Pictured: FreshETech Waterproof Bluetooth Wireless Shower Speaker}

{$20}
Shower Speakers are an interesting gift that would come in very handy during those relaxing bubble baths. Or maybe even helping you wake-up in the morning! (Nothing wrong with jamming out to some Beyonce before class!)

5.  Phone Case

{Pictured: Sonix Gold Lace Clear iPhone 6 Case}

{$37}
Since the iPhone 6 was just released not to long ago, I thought it would be appropriate to include a chic cell phone case in my holiday gift guide. This one from Nieman Marcus is very elegant! I might just have to pick it up for myself!

6. Wine Rack

{Pictured: Meridian Wine Rack}

{$100}
A wine rack! Of course! Since I turned 21 this past year I have been dying to find the perfect wine rack! This one from Z Gallery would be ideal for the wine lover in your life!

7. Makeup Brushes

{Pictured: Sephora Collection Moment to Shine Votive Brush Set}

{$38}
Makeup Brushes! Something you don't really think about to often. Makeup brushes are essential for a flawless makeup application. Brush sets can get somewhat pricey at times but a nice set can make a huge difference in any girls makeup routine!

8. Candles

{Pictured: Diptyque Scented Candle in Vanilla}

{$60}
Who doesn't love candles? Or at least something that smells nice! The Diptyque candles smell amazing and there are so many scents to choose from you're bound to find a scent for that special someone!

9. Soaps

{Pictured: Tory Burch Soap Set}

{$55}
I love when I receive little soap sets and spa sets during the holidays! Or any occasion really! These ones from Tory Burch come in a gorgeous box and would make the perfect gift for any girl who enjoys those warm and relaxing, bubble baths!

10. Portable Charger

{Pictured: Henry Bendel "Charge Me Up" Solar Charger}

{$38}
I just about died when I saw this portable charger last week on 'Pinterest'! It's actually on my wish list believe it or not! It has a series of charging cords for different things such as your iPad or iPhone! This would be a great gift for that girl who is always on the go or travels! 

-Laura
 

Holiday Gift Ideas for Him

  Shopping for the men in your life is never an easy task. Every year when the holiday season rolls around I find myself going store to store in search for the perfect gift. Girls are so much easier to shop for! (Check out her 'Pinterest' page and you're good to go!)  But when it comes to guys it's just not that simple, so this year I decided to jot down some gift ideas to share with people who find themselves in the same predicament as me during these next couple months.  

1.  Cologne
{Pictured: Sephora Favorites Cologne Sampler}
{$60}
You cannot go wrong with a good cologne. I have been buying the Sephora Favorites Fragrance samplers for a few years now and everyone I buy it for loves it! It comes with around 12 samples of Sephora's most popular fragrances. Once you have decided on your favorite one, you are able to buy one of them in the full size version using a voucher that comes in the box!

2. Sound Bar 
{Pictured: Samsung 2.1 Wireless Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer} {$216-$299}
A sound bar! To put it simply, a sound bar is basically a surround sound system but in a more compacted version, that sits right near your TV. This would be great for football season or movie nights!

3. Running Shoes
{Pictured: Nike Flex Run 2014 Men's Running Shoe}
{$65-$80}

A good pair of running shoes is always a good idea especially if he likes to workout. Running shoes are always the first thing to go when it comes to workout gear! And who doesn't get excited when they get a new pair of shoes?!    

4. Poker Set 
{Pictured: C. Wonder Ridley's Poker Set}
 {$54} 
A poker set is a fun and unique gift! I love the idea of a game night with friends or family. This one from C. Wonder is too precious to pass up!

5. Watches 
{Pictured: Nixon 'The Kensington Leather' Watch}
 {$125} 
Watches are always a great gift! I love Nixon watches because there are so many styles to choose from. You can also find great deals on them at places like T.J. Maxx and Marshalls!

6. Apple TV

{Pictured: Apple TV}
{$100}

Apple TV is a must. If your an Apple fan like me you will go to extreme measures to get the latest gadgets when they are released.  Apple TV is a great gift for any tech savvy guy! 

7. Collared Shirts 
{Pictured: Polo Ralph Lauren Mens Classic Fit Interlock Polo Shirt}
 {$60}
Polo Shirts are a wardrobe staple. I love the look of a classic polo shirt, they are timeless and they look good on just about everyone. You can also wear them all year long. There are an assortment of colors to choose from too!

8. Wireless Speakers
{Pictured: Beats Pill Wireless Speaker}
 {$200}
Wireless Speakers are a great gift for the music lover in your life! You can find wireless speakers just about anywhere. These ones from Beats are sleek looking and the sound quality is amazing!

9. Beer Mug 
{Pictured: Pier One Mustache Beer Mug}
 {$9.95} 
Who doesn't love a cute beer mug? I couldn't resist this one from Pier One! I also saw one very similar at Target last year that was beyond adorable.

10. Koozie 
{Pictured: Vineyard Vines Koozie}
 {$10}
Koozies are a great gift and stocking stuffer! I have so many koozies that I have collected over the years and during the summer months they come in handy!

-Laura 

A Little About Me

So for my first official blog post, I decided to keep it simple and introduce myself a little more. My name is Laura, I am 22 years old and a senior in college. I am studying Journalism/Communication with an emphasis in Print Media. I have always had a love for writing ever since I was a little girl. I was born in Philadelphia, PA but I grew up in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. I am a daughter, a sister, a fitness and health enthusiast and an aspiring journalist. 

Facts About Me!

- I have an obsession with bandannas! I wear them all the time! 

- The amount of candy I keep stashed away in my backpack is somewhat disturbing. 

-I spend a majority of my time and money at Lilly Pulitzer. The amount of Lilly items I own is a little crazy! 

- I collect coffee mugs! I love going into Anthropologie and Pier One to look at all their adorable mugs!

- Fitness and a healthy lifestyle are very important to me. I workout just about everyday and I always try to eat healthy no matter what!

- I have a little sister named Kaitlyn who is not only my best friend but by far the most important person in my life. 

- I love the beach! But who doesn't? : )

    

-Laura 

 

Want to get in touch with me?

Contact me at:

laurabinczak@gmail.com

-Laura

 

Southern Nights and City Lights

Welcome to Southern Nights and City Lights my name is Laura!

I'm a twenty-something student with a passion for just about anything. I am currently a junior in college, living in Philadelphia, PA. I have always wanted to create a lifestyle blog so I figured no better time than the present!