December Mornings

How have you been darlings?  My life has been a wonderful, busy mess.  There are times that this month seems to be moving in fast forward while there are also other quiet moments with Mac where the world seems to stop for a second.  These quiet moments are my favorite...picking out our Christmas tree, turning on the Christmas lights for the first time, and cozy morning chats looking out through frosted windows.  This is always a time for looking back and reflecting but this year especially I am savoring the quiet mornings and giving thanks for all that we've been given.  

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I'm Back!

Hello Darlings!  I am back and it feels so good.  We had a wonderful few weeks of family celebrations, two weddings, and time with friends.  But I am so happy to be back at home and getting my days in order.  I am sorry to have left the blog for a couple weeks but I am back in action now and can't wait to start blogging again.  

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Food Porn Friday

Hello October happiness!  This cake is making me smile today and the rest of the photos at Sprinkle Bakes are equally adorable.  The month of October has been going by so fast this year that I'm happy to have some reminders of Halloween, pumpkins, and to think of all the little one's planning their costumes.  I absolutely love the nostalgia that Halloween holds and this cake brings that all rushing back for me.  I don't know that I'll have time to create something like this but maybe I'll whip up her cupcakes for a party we're going to at the end of the month.  What are some of your favorite nostalgic Halloween memories?

Weekend Cocktail: Spiced Cider Margaritas

Darlings, this cocktail has a few of my favorite things: apple cider, tequila, and a spiced sugar rim.  Mac and I will be at a wedding this weekend but I hope we get the chance to whip one of these up next week because it sounds delicious.  To top it off the photos made me feel like I was taking a mini break from my day.  Apple happiness!

Loving Cute Coffee Mugs

Darlings, this week I don't think I could survive without coffee and I know this mug would make my early mornings even better.  Last week was busy followed by a weekend out of town and an even busier week this time. Now it's time to get ready for a wedding weekend out of town, a week working from Southern California, and another wedding weekend.  October, here we go!  Anyone ready for another cup of coffee? 

P.S. Brighten your morning by naming your alarm "Good Morning Beautiful" always helps me out.  

October Printables

Anne of Green Gables has been a favorite of mine for as long as I can remember.  This quote in particular is my happy place, it always sums up how I feel this time of year.  To make it even better this gorgeous printable is free from Unexpected Elegance and if you want this quote with some pumpkins and color swing by Kayla Aimee Writes.  Are you an Anne of Green Gables fan?

Food Porn Friday

Happy Friday Darlings!  Isn't this pumpkin caramel absolutely to die for?  The recipe looks fantastic and almost makes me wish I was going to be at home this weekend so I could whip up a batch. Oh well, there's always next week. This weekend Mac and I are off to meet the family in Ventura, stay at our favorite B & B and enjoy cocktails here!  What are your plans this cozy October weekend?

Weekend Cocktail: Autumn Russian

As if this cocktail didn't already sound amazing the picture is adorable as well.  Kitchen Meets Girl has got me wishing it was the weekend already because this sounds brilliant.  I had no idea that Kahlúa made a special edition pumpkin spice but I am so excited about it now!  And those sprinkles, come on...too cute! 

Loving Cozy Scarves

How cute and cozy is this scarf?  I've had my eye on this for a while and may just have to add it to my wish list.  I love the knit and neutral color, perfect with boots and plaid!  Now I just need California to get good and cold so I can justify it.  Do you have a favorite scarf this season?   

Food Porn Friday

Happy Friday Darlings!  This week has been busy and wonderful. Thank you all for the sweet birthday wishes. I can't wait to keep the celebrations with family coming into town for an autumn pumpkin filled weekend including friends joining us tomorrow night for cake, cocktails, and our favorite spooky movies!  Now if only I had time to make these pears. Don't they look fabulous?!  What are you up to this weekend? 

Weekend Cocktail: The Big Apple

We started the week with apple cider doughnuts so I thought this cocktail would be perfect for the weekend.  A Manhattan with a splash of apple, yes!  Only thing I would change is to substitute fresh apple cider for apple juice.  My brother, his wife, and an old friend are coming into town this weekend to celebrate my birthday, get pumpkins, more cider, and eat cake.  I can't wait to sip on the big apple, along with this, as we watch scary movies and welcome in October! 

29 Years Of Gratitude

Darlings October is here which means it's also my birthday!  Every birthday reminds me of how much I have to be grateful for.  So much has changed over the last year.  Mac and I finally got to move to the Central Coast, we're living in a house we love, I have a new job, and I have even more amazing people in my life.  Looking back at my last birthday I never would have imagined all that has happened this year.  Here's to the unexpected, the people that make life brighter, and taking on the last year of my twenties! Time for bubbles! 

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Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts

Get ready for your new favorite fall recipe.  This weekend I took my cousin and his girlfriend to a local apple orchard that makes the best apple cider.  When I woke up yesterday morning I was craving doughnuts and knew we had just enough cider left to make a batch of these little gems.  So I grabbed my mini doughnut pan, brewed some coffee, and got to work! 

I've made apple cider doughnuts before but these are even easier for a relaxed morning.  Baked and not fried which means they're ready to go in 30 minutes!  I'm so glad I took the time to adapt this recipe because I'm going to be making it all autumn.  Recipe after the jump.  Happy apple season!

Food Porn Friday

Holly autumn apple batman!  These brown sugar apple scones look exactly like what I need this morning.  Short story, somehow last night a mosquito got into my bedroom around midnight.  After waking up every hour hearing it buzz by my face I woke up this morning with two lovely mosquito bites on my face one of which is making my right eye completely swollen.  In short, I need a scone badly.  

This might just be a great weekend for these scones.  My cousin is coming into town with a friend to see the local pumpkin patches and apple orchards.  I'll be meeting up with them tomorrow evening for a pre-birthday dinner (I can't believe my birthday is next week)and showing them some of my favorite spots.  I'm so happy to have some time to catch up with my cousin especially since Mac will be out of town until next Tuesday.  What are your weekend plans?

Weekend Cocktail: Fig And Thyme

What better way to use up the last of the figs on my trees than with this delicious cocktail! This flavor combination looks perfect for the first week of autumn, especially since it's supposed to still be in the 70's here.  I have to admit I've never been a fan of fresh figs but I'm loving them in syrups and jams.  Who knew getting a house with fig trees would make me try knew things.    

First Day Of Autumn

Happy autumn!!!!  Darlings, you know how excited I am about autumn and today does not disappoint   It's a beautiful foggy morning, I have yellow sunflowers and orange dahlias by my desk from last weekend' wedding, and a cozy cup of coffee to keep me warm.  Here's to pumpkin muffins, brown leather boots, and great company on those chilly autumn nights!

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Food Porn Friday

Friday is finally here!  This afternoon I am off to my friend K's wedding location to coordinate the rehearsal, eat some fabulous food, soak in the hot tub, and sleep in the old farm house.  Then it's up bright and early Saturday morning to coordinate her wedding.  After being friends for 22 years I can't wait to see her marry the man of her dreams! 

In addition to traditional cake K and her fiance are having a variety of pies as their main dessert.  I made a slew of pies for my brother's wedding and they were a huge hit instead of cake.  What do you think, would you do pies to give your wedding that country feel?  

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Weekend Cocktail: Champagne Etoile

Darlings, with my friend's upcoming wedding this weekend I have champagne on the brain.  This cocktail looks perfect for a September wedding with champagne, bourbon, and vanilla. Even if we don't have time to try it this Saturday this drink is on my autumn to-do list.  Cheers!

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Brightening My Desk

Darlings, I don't know about you but every now and then my desk needs a little pick-me-up and these autumn touches hit the spot!  Trying to make space in my home office for all of the pictures and personal touches I had in my old office is difficult as my home office is also our guest room.  So adding these seasonal details and a reminder to enjoy everyday helps to make it feel like a cozy office space without taking up too much room.  How do you personalize your desk?

Food Porn Friday

Darlings, what a week!  This week has been delightfully busy and I can´t wait to slow down a little this weekend.  These crepes look like the perfect treat for this evening.  We just got a new TV and we´ll be watching one of my favorite autumn movies The Trouble With Harry.  If you haven´t seen it all I can say it it´s nostalgic foliage joy.  Other than this evening I´ll be working on some DIY gifts, organizing my closet, and helping to make a friend´s wedding cakes!  What are your plans for the weekend?

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Weekend Cocktail: Bourbon Bomber

I am way too excited about this cocktail.  Bourbon, apple cider, and autumn joy...this baby has my name all over!  We made something similar to this last year after getting cider from a local apple orchard.  It was delicious but needed a little something extra, turns out it was lemon zest and bitters.  This looks like the perfect September cocktail!

P.S. I would personally go without the agave this recipe asks for.  I love the sweetness of the apple cider alone.  

Food Porn Friday

 

Darlings, how scrumptious does this fig frangipane tart from Jillian Leiboff look?  As I mentioned yesterday our backyard is overflowing with figs and I need to use those babies up.  Mac will be out of town for the week starting on Sunday so I think it will be time for yoga, a pedicure, and a little baking.  What's better for a mid-week girls night then a prepared fig tart?  Well, maybe some white wine to go with it.  What are your plans for the weekend? 

Weekend Cocktail: Fig Manhattan

 

 

Doesn't this sound like a perfect September cocktail?  The fig tree in our backyard is overflowing and I have been looking for ways to use up all our figs.  This weekend I think I'll be making fig jam, fig tarts, and probably fig simple syrup which is where this Manhattan comes in.  I love manhattans like this recipe and I think adding a dash of fresh fig syrup would hit the spot.  What do you think?

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Loving Ankle Boots

Darlings, autumn is approaching and to me that means boots!  Last year I found my dream pair of boots with these gorgeous Frye's and the last month I've been searching for the perfect pair of ankle boots.  What do you think of these beauties?  I'm in love.  Of course they're from Anthropology and close to $200 but they just may be worth it.  I was also drawn to these lovelies but they may be too similar to my Frye's.  Do you have any ankle boots that you love?  I'd love to hear about your favorites! 

Happy September!

 

 

Loves, I can't tell you how excited I am that September is finally here.  I know it's not the official start of autumn but in my mind it's time for newly sharpened pencils, apples, boots, and pumpkin everything.  Does anyone else have fall fever?

I'm sorry for my absence last week but I was knocked down by the worst cold I've had in a while.  Has anyone else been sick lately?  Now that I'm starting to get back on my feet it's time to work on a new pumpkin muffin recipe!

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Food Porn Friday

Darlings, I can find nothing wrong with this recipe.  Salted caramel chocolate chip cookies, salted caramel chocolate, and a salted caramel drizzle make this a s'more I wish I had known about all summer. Heck, where was this baby when I was a Girl Scout?! 

We will be back in Southen California this weekend for a trip to the Hollywood Bowl but you can bet your boots I'm eating one of these sometime soon. What are your plans this weekend? With a few weeks of summer left please tell me someone is making s'mores!

Weekend Cocktail: Rhubarb, Grapefruit, and Thyme Cocktail

First, how refreshing does this cocktail sound?  I couldn't think of anything more delightful to savor the end of summer.  Second, if you think this photo is gorgeous wait until you head over to Top With Cinnamon for the recipe, this girl has a skill.  I know I've been crazy about rhubarb this summer but this combination of rhubarb and thyme has my creative juices going.  Speaking of fabulous ideas my brother is taking me to a lounge this weekend that is supposed to have one of the best Manhattans on tap.  In fact all of their signature drinks are on tap.  Kinda brilliant, huh? 

Low Cal Banana Bran Muffins

Let me start off by saying that these muffins are so good you wont know that they are low cal, low fat, low carb, and have one cup of Greek yogurt in them.  

Here's my proof: Every morning Mac has a cup or two of our french press coffee then walks down the street to the local cafe on the bay to get another coffee and pastry.  It's his routine and he loves it.  Because of this I was faced with fresh muffins and scones every morning.  Oh sweet, sweet temptation!

So I created these muffins to satisfy my pastry cravings.  That morning Mac walked in, grabbed a muffin, praised them, and skipped his walk to the cafe.  That's when you know your low cal muffins have passed the test.  Give these little babies a try and let me know what you think.  Recipe after the jump! 

P.S. They're super easy to make. 

Loving Beautiful Bud Vases

As some of you know I have thing for fresh flowers.  It seems like there is always some type of vase on my wish list and lately I have been loving sweet bud vases or "weed pots" as Mac calls them.  I think they are just perfect to add a pop of color to a room or brighten up a desk at work with out taking over the space.  I found some locally that were selling for $40 per petite vase, so these from Leif at $18 are making me happy happy!  Do have flowers on your desk?

Food Porn Friday

Darlings this is just too pretty!  I love rhubarb and this needs to get in my belly!  You can find the recipe here and be sure to translate the site because the recipe looks great.  

What are your plans for the weekend?  We have friends from Orange County and their children coming into town.  It'll be a busy house with Saturday full of lunch out, kayaking, and a late night BBQ.  Have a fabulous weekend whatever you do! 

Weekend Cocktail: Blueberry Mojito Royale

To start with I am all about fresh summer fruit as we've seen lately.  And who can say no to a homemade mojito?  I've never been a fan of the overly sweet restaurant versions but this cocktail full of fresh mint and summer blueberries sounds fabulous! We will have company in town this weekend and this looks perfect to sit and sip while catching up with old friends.  Find the recipe and more fun photos here!

DIY Drink Stirrers

Now, I have some friends out there who are not crafty, DIY girls but this project from Studio DIY looks so simple anyone could tackle it.  These gumball drink stirrers are so bright, colorful, and modern I wish I was having a party sooner.  I'm already thinking of the color combos for Christmas parties, Halloween, the possibilities are endless.  What would you use these cuties for?

Food Porn Friday

Hand pies with cream filling and fresh blueberries, this recipe from The Italian Dish has my sugar craving in overdrive! I love the look of these little treats.  Perfect for a girls afternoon tea or treats for little ones to hold with both their hands.  And as you've seen I can't get enough of fresh berries this summer. 

What are you plans for the weekend?  Tonight we're having a girls night out at local wine bar to celebrate a friend's 30th birthday.  I'm making a summer fruit tart, Ash is bringing the feather boas, and I think there will be at least a few glasses of wine in our future.  Cheers to catching up with good friends!

Weekend Cocktail: Cucumber Mint Gimlet

This cocktail has my name all over it this weekend. The mint on my patio has turned into some kind over overgrown, falling over bush so I think it just might be time to prune it and make this tasty treat.  I was so thrilled when I saw the mint and cucumber combination.  I love adding cucumber to cocktails in the summer, it feels like the perfect way to cool down after a hot day. Anyone else love cucumber mint cocktails?

Find the recipe for this drink and more fabulous pictures here!

Loving Gold Polka-Dot Walls

Darlings, I don't know if you've seen these gold dot decals popping up but I absolutely love them! I am all for easy and cheap room transformations and how can you beat temporary decals for $10.00 or less?  They remind me of this fabulous temporary wallpaper.  

These cute highlights have me missing my old 1920's apartment with it's crisp white walls.  I am so grateful for our mid-century house but somehow I feel these wouldn't be the same on our current wood paneled walls.  If anyone has used these for a DIY transformation send me a picture, I'd love to see how you adapted it! 

You can find all seizes of these cute polka-dots here on Etsy. 

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Guest Welcome Basket

Since we've moved from Southern California to the Central Coast we have been flooded with house guests, which we love!  Living in a vacation destination makes our home a vacation spot for many of our friends.  Because of this the summer has been filled with barbecues, wine tasting, dinners out, kayaking, and morning coffee on the water.  

Lately I've been loving the idea of having a welcome basket for our house guests sitting on the guest room bed when they arrive.  If our friends are here for vacation why not make it really feel that way.  Here's a list of a few quick and easy things to make your own "house guest welcome basket."

• Welcome note
• Water bottles
• Bottle of champagne
• Cookies from your favorite bakery or homemade 
• Seasonal magazines
• Locally made lotion and soap
• Guest towels
• Toothbrushes
• Advil
• Room Spray

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Food Porn Friday

Darlings, we've made it to Friday and a fluffy, pink, summer raspberry souffle sounds like heaven!  Luckily my back is on the mend because after work this evening we're driving to Los Angeles to pick up my dad and grandmother from the airport.  It will be a quick weekend of family, bubbles, and summer sun!  What are you plans for this first weekend of August?

This picture is just too pretty, but unfortunately the blog it's from is in Polish so if you're looking for a recipe give this one a try. Happy Friday!

Weekend Cocktail: Negroni

Ready for the perfect summer cocktail?  My brother and his wife were in Italy recently and said that everyone there was drinking Compari.  Looking at their photos made me miss Italy like crazy and left me dying to try the pretty red cocktails. While I can't be in Italy I can make a negroni.  Give it a try this weekend to beat the heat! 

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Stuck In Bed

Darlings, what are your rituals when you're stuck in bed?  My back is out for the second time this year and I am so sick of being stuck in bed.  For me nothing brightens the day like having fresh flowers in the bedroom.  If I can't get up and walk about at least I can bring nature into the house.  So tell me, what brightens your day when you're laid up a good book, tea, favorite show?  

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Food Porn Friday

Darlings, I don't know about you but I have had one of those weeks were you're doing so many different things that you don't realize what day it is.  So, I was thrilled yesterday when I remembered that today would be Friday!  Mac and I both had busy weeks so we decided to have a mid-week date on Wednesday and went out for a glass of wine and to see Chef.  It was perfect to make a crazy day feel like the weekend and the movie was a relaxed, feel good, food porn vacation.  Please see it!

Speaking of food porn, I can't get enough of this basil panna cotta with rosé poached peaches from Katie at the Kitchen Door.  Not only is it beautiful and sounds delicious but Mac and I are planning a visit to a local orchard for some stone fruit tomorrow.  Win, win, win.  What are your plans for the weekend?  After the orchard we'll be headed to a small winery next door then traveling a couple miles for happy hour on the beach.  Hope your weekend is lovely! 

Weekend Cocktails: Fresh Peach Margarita

Darlings, I can't say how excited I am about these stone fruit and margaritas from Gimme Some Oven!  Don't they look like summer in a glass?  To be honest Mac and I normally follow a margarita recipe passed down from my family in Mexico but this drink looks pretty spot on for an afternoon by the grill.  Time to hit a the farmer's market! Is it Saturday yet?

Food Porn Friday

Darlings, yesterday's cherry muddler cocktail got me thinking about making a dessert with fresh summer cherries and just look at this beauty from Pink Patisserie.  Cherries, ricotta, almonds...I'm sold! I see my farmer's market tote filled with fresh cherries this week.  

What do you lovelies have planned for the weekend?  My brother and his wife are in town this weekend, I'll be going to a friend's birthday party on Saturday, and a bridal shower on Sunday.  Time for a weekend filled with family, friends, and great reasons to celebrate! 

Weekend Cocktail: Rainier Cherry Muddler

How beautiful are these photos from Sprouted Kitchen?  I adore her blog and this cocktail looks like the perfect thing for a friend's backyard birthday party this weekend!  I love taking advantage of in season produce and a drink that features local cherries and basil from my garden hits the spot.  Find the recipe here and let me know what you think! 

Do You Have A Home Office?

Darlings, do you have a home office set up?  I have slowly been developing mine and working from home I am always coming up with new ideas.  I have also realized how much colors and aesthetics effect my mood.  It's silly but I really am happier working with my gold and aqua notebooks drinking tea out of my cute little teapot.  What inspires you to get working and what can you not live without on your desk?

You can get the aqua Poppin notebook here.  I love their whole line of office products.  

The beautiful gold dot Kate Spade notebook can be found here.  

Food Porn Friday

I woke up this morning craving the misty streets of London and these strawberry cream scones from Joy the Baker might just be happening today.  On top of being adorable I think they'll help with that little part of me that is feeling homesick for a place I lived years ago.  Do you ever get homesick for a place you haven't been to in years?  I find myself missing London all the time.  

This will be the first weekend in two months that Mac and I will not have guests in town, in fact Mac may not even be in town.  Which means I'll be enjoying these with a cup of tea and a good book tomorrow, doing some yoga, then spending the evening at a close friend's birthday party.  I can't wait! Have a lovely weekend darlings!

Weekend Cocktail: Rhubarb Mimosas

Darlings, I just can't resist sharing these rhubarb mimosas.  I've been looking for inspiration for a friend's bridal shower and I'm thinking these are a must!  Pretty, pink, and the tang of rhubarb...party time.  I've been in love with rhubarb since I lived in London years ago and I always get excited to see it popping up here in the spring and summer.  So combining it with champagne for this cocktail sounds like perfection.  View the recipe for these simple four ingredient sparklers here!

Farmer's Market Girl

Darlings, do you visit a local farmer's market?  I've always been a fan but I can't resist now that we've moved and I drive past fields of fresh artichokes on my way into town.  I love knowing that I'm supporting local farmers and that my produce came from a few miles away, not across the country.  

There's something about walking around farmer's market picking out fresh flowers, seeing who has the best price on peaches, and talking to the same people every week that takes my stress away.  It feels like a mini escape from the hustle and bustle of Target and Costco and I just adore it! So tell me are you a farmer's market fan?

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Summer Lemon Tart

There is nothing like the bright yellow color and smell of lemons to get you in the mood for summer!  My niece and I made this lemon tart for my dad's birthday last weekend and we highly recommend you give it a try. It would be the perfect addition to a dinner party this long weekend or to savor with a glass of white wine in your back yard after work. 

We followed my lemon bar recipe and baked it for 28-30 minutes to adjust for the shape of the tart pan.  Give the recipe an extra boost by adding 1-2 tbs of minced dried lavender flowers to the crust!  Enjoy darlings!

Food Porn Friday

I am dying just looking at this treat from Jelly Toast!   On top of being gorgeous the combination of warm marshmallow, waffle cookies, chocolate, and berry compote sounds like heaven.  Summer is here and I can't wait to make this over our fire pit!

What are your plans for the weekend loves?  My niece is in town and it's my dad's birthday so she and I will be baking up a storm and preparing for a family dinner tomorrow night.  Hope you have a fabulous sunny weekend!

Party Perfect DIY Pom Pom Ballons

Aren't these DIY balloons from Land of Nod just too cute?  I came across these looking for easy DIY ideas for my dad's birthday this weekend.  My niece is visiting and I have to say I love that her summer visits always coincide with my dad's birthday.  Free child labor, yes please!  

If we can get our act together then Friday night may be us with a big bag of pom poms, a hot glue gun, and a room full of balloons.  Easy, inexpensive, and a fun project for the little one to work on.  Heck, these would just be great for a backyard BBQ or 4th of July.  What do you think? 

Looking for more party inspiration? Here are a few of the projects we did a couple years ago for my dad's 70th birthday.