Happy Monday

I told you there'd be more. 

It's Monday and fall break is over--to say I'm adjusting well wouldn't be entirely accurate. Since I stayed home for fall break, today I'm dreaming of all the places I wish I could've gone. Now, don't get me wrong; fall break at home was good, it was nice to sleep in my own bed, and sleeping in til 12:30 p.m. the first Saturday was the closest I've been to perfection in a while. 

BUT...there will always be that part of me that allows my mind to wander to 'bigger and better' places. So that's where I'm  stuck today--Chicago, St. Louis, Charleston, Manhattan, Seattle--anywhere I can lose myself in a huge cup of coffee and big city life.

(i have a feeling that eventually, home will be synonymous with 'bigger and better'.)

So, in my search for all things peeptoe and polaroid, I found myself stuck with pictures of must-see places such as these, with shoes to die for.

Enough to Keep You Warm

sweat·er: [swet-er] n.: garment worn by child when its mother is feeling chilly.

If that's the case, I wouldn't mind my mother feeling a bit chilly more often. 

lookin' good, LC.

love, love, LOVE this next one. And......

BONUS!!! It comes with a hood.

"When the bold branches bid farewell to rainbow leaves--welcome wool sweaters."

-B. Cybil

Front Porch Looking In

Today, I'm yearning for my own front porch to decorate. It seems that front porches are so much more delightful when it's fall.

it's not a front porch, but c'mon, that's irrelevant.

wouldn't you agree?

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.