first outfit post!

I am a little nervous about this, but this is my first outfit post ever. I used the camera on my phone {obvi} so I don't know how many of these I will be doing due to small mirror and phone camera conflicts.

turtleneck: Lands End Canvas

dress: Target

cable knit tights: Target

boots: DSW

belt: Target

This weekend I was doing a little closet reorganization and while I was switching my summer tops and dresses out for my warmer fall/winter stuff, I had a revelation. Some of my summer dresses and tops can be layered with long sleeve shirts {and tights in the case of the dresses} and can be worn through the fall and winter. {I know this isn't rocket science, but sometimes I have a hard time visualizing how some pieces can be layered to create multi-season outfits}

It's all about layers, people! : )

So...per my recent revelation I layered a summer kimono dress with a turtleneck, tights, and boots....and viola! A {warm} fall outfit! This is the first time I have worn cable knit tights in years - and I almost forgot how warm and cozy they are!!

Thanks for letting me be brave and sharing my outfit with you!

Addendum: I just ripped my cable knit tights with the zipper on my boots! GRR! The rip is small...hopefully I can stitch my tights back to new... : /

work it wednesday

Happy Wednesday! My blog posts have been rather wordy lately...so I wanted to do one with few words and lots of photos. Without further delay - work it wednesday featuring flannel (who doesn't love flannel when the temps drop?):

{flannel shirt, skinny jeans, shoes, bag, necklace}

{shirt, skirt, tight, knee socks, boots, bangle, scarf}

{shirt, shorts, cable knit tight, boots, handbag, hat, scarf}

What are you working today?

monday funday (and apple pie)

Happy Monday, friends! I hope your weekend was fabulous and your week has started off well. I started my week with a lovely 5 mile run (it was 57 degrees when I woke up! It felt great since it has been in the 40's lately in the mornings here) and now I have moved on to some strong coffee.

I must admit I am a little bummed because I wanted to go apple picking this weekend and it appears picking here in NC is over for the season. I follow on Facebook the place I picked apples when I lived in Central New York (Beak and Skiff) and they are still picking away. I am jealous that apple picking won't be in my future this fall (but if anyone in NY wants to send me a bushel of Macintosh apples - my favorite for eating and cooking, let me know). :)

I bought some apples at the store that were grainy and less-than-desirable for eating...so I did what anyone else would do. I made a pie...and it was delicious. Who doesn't love pie? Basically I made an apple crisp pie since we didn't have enough crust for the top.

Here is what I did: really easy - peel and slice 4-5 medium to large apples. Place in a bowl and toss with 1/4 cup each sugar and flour and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Place in your pie crust (we would have made our own but we happened to have a pre-made in the freezer, so we used that). Once apples are in the pie crust I sprinkle a little corn starch (about 1 teaspoon) on top just to make sure the pie isn't too wet. Top with your favorite crisp topping (I used this one a la Betty Crocker and added some chopped pecans we had in our pantry.) Cook at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes (time depends on apples you use...test after 30 minutes to see if apples are soft. If they are still firm, keep on cookin'.)

If this looks like it might be too much sugar for you, you can always reduce or omit the sugar being tossed with the apples.

Happy baking! : )

pumpkin and apple

I don't know about you but when the temperature dips for fall I always crave all things pumpkin and apple. Pumpkin muffins...apple pie...I am getting hungry just thinking about all of the delicious fall goodies I want to make. I even had the pleasure of trying Pumking beer recently and it was really delicious (my favorite fall beer is Samuel Adams Octoberfest...but I think I might now have a new fave).

One thing that is sort of tradition in my husband's family is pumpkin roll. It is so good - and really simple.

Pumpkin Roll (how yummy does this look?)

Here is the recipe for this delicious little dessert:

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (optional)

Directions

1. PREHEAT oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle towel with powdered sugar.
2. COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.
3. BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.
4. BEAT cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake; remove towel. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

The rolling part takes a little practice but other than that it is one of the best pumpkin desserts around. I even think you can freeze it and save some for later.

Happy baking!

What fall foods are you craving?

pull out the sweaters...

...fall is here! It was in the 40's when I woke up this morning. Since we haven't turned the heat on yet, it was quite chilly in our house this morning. I didn't want to get out of bed! Since fall has arrived in full force, it is time to pull out those sweaters and all things warm and cozy. I am not sure if I am 100% ready to let go of the warm days of summer just yet (here's to hoping for another warm up before the cold weather really sets in!) but I am happy to start breaking out my sweaters.

One thing I am looking forward to purchasing is a sweater dress. They seem to be everywhere and I am loving a good sweater dress with tights and boots. Here are just a couple of sweater dresses I would love to add to my wardrobe:

{Lands End canvas, Loft, Lands End canvas, Loft, Loft, Loft}

I must say I am really impressed with Lands End Canvas. They have really great stuff. I have purchased a couple of thing from LE Canvas and everything is really well made and will last forever.

Have a great Monday, everyone!

LOFT - fall favorites

If you read a lot of blogs it is no secret that most of us are ready for fall. LOFT has some great pieces to add to your fall wardrobe. Below are some of my favorites.

{cable cardigan, boat neck top, dress, long skirt, platform boots, platform pumps, suede wedge heels, rhinestone jewelry, aviator shades, animal print scarf}


I think those chocolate suede wedges calling my name. Those boots? I have been looking for a pair of taller brown (or grey) boots with a slight heel and these might just fit the bill. And that striped sweater dress...how cute would that look with a skinny belt and tights? I'm in love.

What are you looking to add to your fall wardrobe?

brain dump monday

1. I love coffee. I probably drink too much. Some people drink it because of the caffeine (I do, as well) but I legitimately like the taste of coffee. One of my favorite coffee drinks (as mentioned in a previous post) is the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. I have already had a few of those delicious drinks this season...so good.

2. I got a pair of red Toms this weekend and I am so excited! I got red because I have always wanted red shoes and they add a nice pop of color to an outfit. So far they are super comfortable. There is a good chance this won't be my only pair. My "work ii wednesday" post will be dedicated to them.

3. I think I am getting a cold. It still feels like summer around here so having a cold this time of year seems really strange. 

4. I am taking the LARE (Landscape Architecture Registration Exam) and it consists of 5 parts or rather 5 individual exams. I am studying for a part I am taking on the 23rd of this month. As a post-college person I have found it is really difficult to find time to study once you have fallen into the "work" routine and I feel like I have so much going on all the time. Has anyone had to take an exam after college have any tips for studying?

5. I recently read The Art of Racing in the Rain and if you haven't gotten your hands on it, you need to. Warning: you will probably cry. The book is from the perspective of the family dog and it is so well written - it's worth the cry. {Disclaimer: I did start to tear up when I started to read it in Barnes and Noble so make sure you are not in a public place when you start reading it.}

6. American Eagle has $10.00 off their jeans right now. If you are in need of a new pair of denim you should check out their selection. As an adult I always find it a little odd to shop there since the target audience for that store is probably 14-17...but they have great jeans at great prices.

Happy Monday everyone! 

fall and my current shoe obsession

(shirt, blazer, skinny leg jeans, heels, golden ring, scarf, skinny belt)

Something about the crispness in the air this morning had me thinking of fall and of course my fall wardrobe. I fell in love with these Anthropologie peep-toe heels the minute I saw them online. There is something about the color and style of these shoes that make them a wardrobe staple that can be carried from summer to fall. For a fall outfit I paired these shoes with dark skinny jeans rolled up slightly at the bottom, a peach colored blouse and a navy blazer. I topped off the look with a colorful belt, a statement ring, and a floral scarf.

(dress, heels, clutch, bracelet, sunglasses, scarf)

Since where I live it is still mostly hot out (with an exception of this morning) I wanted to find a way to wear these shoes with a more summery outfit. I paired them with a floral dress, mulberry colored clutch, a cream colored scarf (I am also loving fashion scarves right now) tortoise shell sunglasses and a fun bracelet.

A look for fall I am loving right now...

{sweater, skirt, shoes, cross body shoulder bag, butterfly stud earrings}

Something about stripes...I don't know what it is but I am loving everything stripes right now. This sweater from Old Navy is perfect for those chilly summer nights and it will take you right through fall. I love it paired with a bold {red} skirt and brogues. Top it off with a bright colored bag and simple jewelry...and you have the perfect collegiate outfit.