Thanksgiving Breakfast

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I am already drooling over all the food my Mom and Dad will be cooking up.  I can't wait for the turnip and potatoes and turkey and to smother my entire plate in gravy. YUM!  Nick and I want to bring something to contribute this year but since we have a 3 hour train ride, it needs to be something that can travel and re-heat well.

I came across this recipe for Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls from Cooking Classy and almost fell out of my chair.  Cinnamon rolls are a favorite holiday breakfast treat for my family and the thought of combining them with pumpkin...well, it doesn't get better than that.

The recipe looks a bit more detailed than what I'm used to (I'm more of a frozen cinnamon roll maker), but I'm going to give it a whirl!

Fall Fashion Must-Haves

I love Fall clothes.  Although I prefer warm weather, in terms of fashion, Fall always wins.  There's so many layers and patterns and rich colors and coziness. Here's just a few of my Fall favorites.

1. Army green jacket | 2. Red plaid scarf | 3. Polka dot top | 

4. Messenger bag | 5. Short Boots

Two Years Too Long

It's been almost two years since I lasted posted. Geesh. Time really does fly. A lot has happened over the past two years and I'm happy to say that things are really wonderful for me right now.

I started a new job doing marketing for an independent magazine publishing company that I love.  This job has opened up tons of new and exciting opportunities for me including a trip to Helsinki, Finland for Design Week. It was such an incredible city filled with so much design, fashion, history and the nicest (and most gorgeous) people around.

I also took week long vacation with Nick and two of our best friends to Europe this Summer.  We went to London, Scotland and York and had the best time. Scotland was rainy and cold, but totally worth it.  The hills and the greenlands and the castles were absolutely stunning.  But the highlight of the trip for me was going back to London and sharing that part of my life with Nick. Showing him where I lived and worked, my favorite restaurants and neighborhoods. It was perfect.

I moved in with Nick. It's been so much fun starting a new chapter of our lives together and making our condo into a new home for the two of us.  We recently did a full kitchen re-model which is just about complete.  I'll share photos once it's done!

source

Oh yeah, I also got ENGAGED! In April of this year, Nick popped the question and I couldn't be happier.  We recently set the date for October of next year and are in the beginning stages of the planning. So although the past two years were filled with a lot of exciting things, these next few years are sure to best yet :)

Great House - Great Book

I'm sure most of you have read The History of Love,  (and if you haven't, stop what you are doing right now and read it. Seriously.) but have you read Nicole Krauss' newest book Great House? I just finished it this week and I was not disappointed.  After The History of Love, I wasn't sure what to expect because nothing could top that book, but Great House definitely came close.  The way she writes is so incredibly beautiful and fluid - I was totally captivated after the first few pages. It was so good that I am not even upset about the $1.40 late fee I incurred from the library for not returning it on time.

Happy Weekend!

We are supposed to get more snow in Chicago this weekend, but I am determined not to let the snow get me down and to still have a productive couple of days.  I might hibernate this evening but I plan on braving the cold tomorrow!  My plans include:

Curling up on the couch tonight with some take-out and Paul Rudd.

Meeting with my French instructor for a lesson over coffee and petite madeleines.

Leisurely lunch and drinks with some fabulous girlfriends

Image found here.

Revamping and reorganizing our messy medicine cabinet
with this inspiration from Martha.

A perfect mix of fun and productivity for my last January weekend!

Cheese and Betty

What to do when your boyfriend who cooks dinner for you every night is out of town?  My solution is simple...wine, cheese, bread, some fruit and a Netflix marathon of Ugly Betty.

Does anyone miss Ugly Betty as much as me? I loved the playful yet chic sets and Amanda's uber stylish wardrobe that had me drooling every episode. It's one show I could watch over and over again - it always puts a smile on my face!

Photos of the Ugly Betty set via feature in Interior Design magazine.

Photos of Amanda's fab ensembles via Posh24

Champagne Cake

YES please! I am such a champagne junky and combining it with cake just sounds like the ultimate treat to me.

I came across this amazing discovery from Apollinas who made herself a stunning Miu Miu inspired birthday cake (covered in edible glitter = awesome!!).  The cake flavor? Pink Champagne! She incorporated some yummy peach preserves and vanilla buttercream. Mmmm sounds delish!

Image via Apollinas

I found out she used this recipe from Simply Decorated (which originally came from Cuisine at Home) as her basis for the cake, and gave it her own twist. What a perfect treat!

Combat Boots Conflict

I'm really digging the combat boots trend lately.  I love the way they can give a simple, casual outfit an edgier look.  I find myself gawking at them everywhere. 

Image via Pinterest

Image via Pinterest

As much as I want a pair for myself, I'm not sure if I would wear them enough to justify buying them.  So I think a good way to ease into this would be with a more inexpensive pair to give myself a bit of a test drive.   These Wild Diva Tina boots from Urbanog would be a great start!  At only $28.90, I would definitely get my moneys worth out of these!

Image Via Urbanog

Jelly Bean Music

I just saw this video by Kina Grannis for the first time yesterday and I was totally awestruck.  The entire video is made from jelly beans!!  Apparently it took about 2 years to create, but in my opinion - it was totally worth it!  Not only is the video amazing, but I love the song too!  I think I might have to check out her album...enjoy!

Olive This

We all watched the heartwarming "Olive Juice" scenes from The Other Sister and cried with big goofy smiles on our faces.  That's how I felt when I first saw this pillow from OliveHandmade on Etsy.  It would put a smile on my face every day with this on my couch :)

Image via OliveHandmade on Etsy

Awesome

Image via Claires Diner

A Few of My Favorite Things

Big Cozy Sweaters, Mulled Wine and Ear Muffs.

 

All images via Pinterest.

Snow!

First snow of the season in Chicago today!  Word on the street is that this is supposed to be our worst winter yet!  Get ready everyone...

Image via Pinterest

Where I'd like to be right now

Exactly right here. In this tub. With these books and candles and a hot beverage.  It would be absolute bliss.

Gorgeous wood tub caddy made by Peg and Awl, sold here.

DIY Chain Bracelet

The Inspiration:

Photo via I Spy DIY

This DIY chain and rhinestone bracelet created by I Spy DIY.  I absolutely loved it and decided to take a stab at this myself.

The Supplies:

All courtesy of Michael's: a gold and a silver chain.  A strand of rhinestones.  Some suede string.  A clasp.  And some jewelry pliers.

The finished product:

My photographs don't quite do it justice, but I was very pleased with myself.  The bracelet came out perfectly!  I can't wait to try some other suggestions from this great DIY blog!!

Want

This fun and classy chevron printed shift dress from Sosie.  It would look gorgeous on its own or paired with some tall boots.  Or belted.  Or with some bright colored tights.  So many different ways to wear it!

Via Sosie

So Clever

Such a clever and hilarious door sign.  Salt n Pepa would be proud.

Via Je Voudrais Que

Flannel with a Twist

I have a great red flannel shirt that I adore.  It is typically reserved as my traveling outfit.  Whenever I'm going a long car ride, I will throw on my flannel with a pair of jeggings for ultimate comfort.  I've never looked at my flannel shirt as a cute and girly shirt.  That is until I came across this photo from Candy Kawaii Lover.  Can you believe how feminine and adorable she makes her brother's flannel shirt look?? I am totally inspired!

Image via Candy Kawaii Lover

I think I could definitely pull this off.  You would just need a few great staples like these:

Homemade B-Red Skirt from ModCloth

Flannel Boyfriend Shirt from Urban Outfitters

Killer Combo - Chambray + Mustard

I think the best color combo for Fall fashion has to be the combination of chambray and mustard yellow.  It looks rich and chic but the brightness of the yellow gives it the perfect touch of fun.  Definitely using these images as fashion inspiration for the season!

Via the Sartorialist

Via This Time Tomorrow

Via Live Creating Yourself

Via Daily Cup of Couture

Sweet Book

When I lived in London, one of my favorite morning rituals was to pick up the free newspaper on the way to work and read the "Missed Connections" on the train. There is something so sweet and romantic about those ads - seeking out a total stranger online after just sharing one glance.  And now, thanks to Sophie Blackhall, there is an entire book of (illustrated!) missed connection messages.  It looks painfully sweet and such a perfect read for the winter - curled up on the couch in a cozy sweater with some hot cocoa and dark chocolate. Yum!

Image via Amazon