Delish

Well, I only have one thing to say.

It is absolutely, positively, one hundred and ten percent autumn. HOORAY!!

There is no doubt. The weather is B-E-A-UTIFUL,  and I haven't stopped smiling since yesterday morning when I woke up and the weather channel app on my phone told me it was 52 degrees. 

There is just something about this season that puts a little more hope in my heart. (it's probably because now I have a verifiable excuse to keep adding to my scarf collection. c'mon, gotta keep that neck warm, duh!) I'm expectant in big ways for the coming months; I can't wait for the leaves to change and fall to the ground, bringing with them the blessing of favor and honor with every amber and magenta shade that hits the ground. 

As I was perusing around the world wide web for ideas for the oodles of little fall parties I'm bound to have this year, I stumbled across these 'to-die-for' Pumpkin Spice Latte Muffins. 

Nope, it wasn't a typo, you read right...your favorite holiday Starbucks drink just shape-shifted into 800 calories and now needs a fork instead of a straw. I haven't tried out the recipe yet, but you better believe it's the first seasonal treat this Betty Crocker is taste-testing this year.

I knew you'd be salivating after that picture so here's the recipe. You're welcome.

Pumpkin Spice Latte Muffins

1 cup old fashioned oats, uncooked

1 cup POMx Café au Lait Iced Coffee (or ½ cup coffee + 1 teaspoon espresso powder + ½ cup milk)

2 egg whites, lightly beaten

2 Tablespoons butter, melted

½ cup pumpkin puree

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup flour

3 Tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spray 12 muffin cups with cooking spray.

Mix oats and coffee drink in a medium bowl. Let stand 10 minutes.

Add egg whites, butter, pumpkin and vanilla mixing until well blended.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl and mix well.

Stir dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture, just until moistened.

Fill muffin cups nearly full. Bake 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees or until golden brown. Cool muffins in tins on a wire rack. After 5 minutes remove from pan. Drizzle with Pumpkin Spice Latte Glaze.

Yield: 12 muffins

Pumpkin Spice Latte Glaze

1 teaspoon espresso powder

½ -1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 ½ Tablespoons hot water

¼ teaspoon vanilla

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

Dissolve the espresso powder in the hot water. Add ¼ teaspoon vanilla and mix gently.

In a small bowl, mix 1 Tablespoon of the espresso mixture into the confectioners’ sugar. Add more of the espresso mixture, one teaspoon at a time, until it is a nice consistency for a glaze.

When thoroughly mixed drizzle from a spoon over cooled muffins, or put the glaze in a quart sized ziplock bag, seal the bag, snip of ¼ inch of a lower corner, and squeeze the glaze in a random pattern over the muffins.

 Eat and Enjoy!

recipe via My Own Sweet Thyme

Dream a Little Dream of Me...

Today is the first day of fall and I am dreaming of two things. 

1. Paris.

Why Paris? Because I know in my heart of hearts it is the most divine place to be in the fall. The leaves are changing and there's a chill in the air. And each year they hold Marche au Chocolats, an exposition dedicated to French chocolatiers and confectioners (with lots of free samples) in mid-October. Fall brings out the best in Paris. 

Let's just start with the four month long Autumn Festival dedicated to the arts, and the first day of October, Nuit Blanche, is known as the "mother of all-nighters." Tons of attractions and even the metro is open for free to the public all-night, with concerts, film festivals, photography, and of course...free food. Sounds like a little taste of heaven to me. All courtesy of what I find to be the most romantic city in the world. 

(since I know so much about romance, you know.)

Hey, I might be inexperienced, but I haven't lived in a hole for the last 10 years. Sheesh.

2. Macaroons

The picture is explanation enough. 

A Leopard Can't Change Its Spots

You've heard the phrase, a leopard can't change it's spots.

True, in every sense of the word, very true.

BUT, a little leopard can make that statement they'll be talking about for ages.

If you've been around me long enough, you've probably heard my philosophy when it comes to that delightful little piece of animal print:

It doesn't go with anything so it goes with everything. 

Now, just take a minute and bask in how absolutely WONDERFUL that previous sentence was. Go ahead. Re-read it, ponder it, dissect the sentence, google it if you have to. 

Because that little sentence could change your eye for fashion. And leave permanent damage. 

 I love leopard with everything. Summer, Winter, Autumn, Spring. It's great for every season, paired with any color, most patterns, any stripe. The following a just a few of my fav takes on the delectable pattern.   

A little Dior.

If ever given the opportunity to do a fashion shoot, the above will be the first shot. BAM. Circa 1960s, anyone?

Staple item. I'm convinced every girl needs a great pair of leopard print flats in her wardrobe. I would wear mine everyday if I could. Oh, wait. I do.

My next article of formal wear. Banquet, here I come.

B-e-a-utiful.

How great is that blue color on the walls with the leopard print? Absolutely fabulous. GREAT contrast.

I can't think of very many things that are better.

OBSESSED. Oh, how I am completely smitten with this set-up. The colors, the lighting, the outfit--classic. 

Divine.

C-U-P-C-A-K-E-S-!-!

Now, I know I'm not the only one who has an infatuation with these lovely little delights; but I might be the only one who wants to have a party dedicated to entirely CUPCAKES! There is something about the charming little things that makes my heart swell, all the while praying that my waist size stays the same.

Yesterday I stumbled upon the cutest cupcake idea I have yet to see. What's better than a cupcake? you're probably asking (Not much, but give me a chance to explain); a cupcake you get to decorate all on your own! The next time you invite the girls over for a watch party of your fav TV show (currently anticipating all the new seasons of fall's greatest shows, i.e. Gossip Girl, 90210, One Tree Hill, Glee...geez, at this point, you name it, it's DVR'ed) for dessert, why not have a DIY cupcake bar dedicated to entirely the creation of a personal cupcake, unique to both you and your taste buds? I know it'd be a hit in my book.

And I'd definitely come to your house for next week's episode.

{via Style Me Pretty}

To Die For

Because what girl wouldn't want this as part of her closet?

And so it begins...

Well, here I am. In all my blogging glory. Or lack thereof. This is the first blog, to date, in what could be a future of blogging. 

First off, let me just say, it took me THREE whole days to even get to this lovely post you are reading at the moment. Coming up with the name alone was enough to make me wanna pull my hair out and can this whole thing all together. I almost stopped before I had even gotten started. So the fact that there is even something for you to read is worthy of a whole blog post itself.

So, to set the mood for what I hope will be a delightful little embarking into my world, I'll set you up with just a few of my favorites. And they'll make more appearances, trust me. 

After all, a girl can NEVER have too many peeptoes and polaroids.

a bow never hurt ANYTHING.

these make my heart swell.

Christmas ornaments at Hobby Lobby

Oklahoma sunsets

absolutely.