Forgot Someone This Christmas? Check THIS Out!

The Easiest - and yet Super Impressive - Last Minute Christmas Gift Idea for the Person You Forgot…

Is it just me or is there that 1 person that you forgot to gift this Christmas? Maybe you didn’t realize they were gifting you, or, like many of us, your list was a mile long and they somehow got skipped over!

Well, if you’re looking for that last minute gift - but you still want it to come across as thoughtful - then homemade Lemon Oil should be your answer!

Not only does this stuff taste absolutely fantastic drizzled on salads, mixed with pasta, layered with veggies, or used as a fish or chicken glaze, it’s also ridiculously easy to make!

INGREDIENTS:

🍋1 cup Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

🍋1-2 Organic Lemons* 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Heat Organic EVOO over low heat.**

2. Wash lemons thoroughly and make sure they are very dry before the next step.

3. While the oil is warming, grate your Organic Lemons, being sure to only get the yellow part and avoid the pith (aka, the white under-layer which is extremely bitter).

4. Gently drop the lemon peel pieces in the oil, making sure the oil stays below simmering.

5. Warm the oil for 10-15 minutes, then remove from heat.

6. Transfer the oil to a glass bottle or jar and store in the fridge for about 4-6 weeks. It can also be left on the counter for up to 2 weeks.

NOTES:

*I used Meyer Lemons in the recipe for an extra depth of flavor {Meyer lemons taste like a mix of oranges and lemons}. Use 1-2 lemons per cup of oil, depending on the strength of “lemon taste” you prefer.

**Using a ceramic pot makes cleanup here effortless! I LOVE this one from Caraway Home me for a GREAT discount!

TIP: Make sure you keep the heat relatively low when heating up the oil because the lemon peel can burn super easily - and then you’ll have a bitter oil that nobody will want any part of! 

Now, if your like me and you need a holiday away, after your Holiday, then a beach vacation is probably just what you need! You can bet I’m right there with you! Here are two places, on opposite coasts, that are definitely worth booking ASAP!

Blue Inn on the Beach, MA

ABOUT AS OCEANFRONT AS YOU CAN GET

Blue Inn on the Beach offers a luxury vacation cottage experience with modern amenities right at the start of the sea. Discover rooms, suites and private cottages dressed in crisp summer whites with pops of their signature blue. Spacious and restful, these Newburyport, MA hotel accommodations feature plush beds and comfortable furnishings that beckon you to kick back and forget your responsibilities for awhile. Breakfast baskets, a hot tub, and beach loungers will leave you feeling anything but blue.

The Blue Suite is their premiere beachfront 2,200+ sq ft multi-level apartment featuring 2 bedrooms, 4 private decks, hot tub, huge living room with vaulted ceilings, full kitchen, dining room, washer/dryer, and 2½ baths. Occupying the 1st and 2nd floors of their Plum Island hotel's main building, the oceanfront suite apartment has two bedrooms—each with a King bed, one on each level. Oh, and did I mention this palatial dwelling has its own private beach right next to their Newburyport, MA lodging? Yes, the Blue Suite has it all!

Tradewinds Carmel, CA

NORCAL'S BREATH OF ASIAN-INSPIRED AIRINESS

Is the West Coast more your cup? Then there’s no place more relaxing than Carmel, California!

A serene sanctuary nestled among tree-lined streets, this hotel in Carmel, CA radiates calm and comfort. Originally built in 1959, this ideally-located boutique hotel incorporates Japanese, Balinese, and Chinese décor elements in its 28-rooms and throughout the premises.

Set against a backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and just steps from the town’s shops, galleries, and restaurants, Tradewinds features a tranquil private courtyard and meditation garden with a cascading fountain, bamboo trees, lush flowering ginger, and a cozy fire pit. Inside, guests will enjoy beautifully-appointed rooms with luxurious linens and high-end amenities. As relaxed as it is refined, Tradewinds inspires a sense of harmony and overall wellness, allowing you to simply unwind and take in your beautiful natural surroundings in peace.

Their luxurious and romantic King-ADA guest rooms are well-appointed with a variety of relaxing amenities. These rooms offer private enclosed balconies, and one even has a fireplace.

So tell me, which coast is your favorite? Being from San Diego, you know I’m partial ;)

Thanks again for being here, your support means the world to me!

Xo,  Jessica