Let me just give it to you straight: the way to my heart is through candy canes. Any and everything candy caned. Patterns on fabrics, food products, I even have a piece of jewelry with candy cane on it. Don’t judge – I ordered it by myself via the Avon catalog when I was seven and it’s still chic as hell.

I believe the start of this candy cane obsession came when my college roommate, Aly, and I were ravenously hungry one afternoon when we stumbled upon Jack-in-the-Box. There was a massive window decal with a photo of candy cane milkshake. One look at that sucker and I knew what I was ordering. Can you imagine anything better than a candy cane milkshake in the middle of Phoenix during Christmas?!

This may sound excessive and borderline decadent, but Trader Joe’s happens to have the trifecta of candy cane treats (all highlighted below).  You remember that scene in the Holiday where Cameron Diaz is throwing stuff in her cart and chugging wine? That’s me at Trader Joes. Okay, I wish I could chug wine while shopping. Anywhere. But that’s besides the point.

Not to be confused with peppermint, candy cane is where it’s at. I don’t want a peppermint latte from that terrible coffee place based in Seattle or peppermint bark (c’mon, who wants to eat anything with the word bark in the description?) or light a peppermint candle. Peppermint just isn’t as magical as candy cane.

[Candy Cane Joe-Joe's]
Trader Joe’s, $2.99

[TEXTILE Elizabeth & James 'Benny' Stripe Silk Top]
nordstrom.com, $225

[Candy Cane Chill Blizzard]
Dairy Queen, about $3.09

[Markus Lupfer Reindeer Sequined  Merino Wool Sweater]
net-a-porter.com, $480

[Mini Candy Cane Cookies]
Trader Joe’s, $2.99

Holiday Bonus:

[Candy Cane Gren Tea]
Trader Joe’s, $1.99

Note: Trader Joe’s also carries a product called Candy Cane Coal, but I haven’t tried those. Yet.

Tagged: Cane Cane, Christmas, Dairy Queen, Elizabeth & James, Holidays, Markus Lupfer, Obsessions, Trader Joe's