My New Blog!

Hello Friends!  It's been a loooong time but I wanted to share my new blog with you.  It is focused on healthy, clean eating recipes for everyone to enjoy.  Whether you're following a healthy lifestyle or just want to try some new recipes you're welcome to stop by and browse.  Our first post is for gluten free pumpkin chocolate chip blondies, yum!  See you over at Cocktails and Chia Seeds.  

http://www.cocktailsandchiaseeds.com/

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?