Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Boot loot

Oh, the bright side of cooler weather...boots, adorable jackets, pretty scarves, gorgeous coats, warm sweaters, and back to boots! I love boots and I always get very excited to see the new collections that come along each year! This f/w there are some amazing boots out there and lots and lots of trends (one in particular that i am not a huge fan of is the peep-toe bootie...why? i think my toes would freeze off and I don't think a sock (no matter how fabulous) would look cute poking out, but that might just be me!) Here are some that I am currently coveting and may be drooling over...

I cannot stop looking at these...i am in love

Classic, but with a wedge?! How fun!

Pretty, simple and classic riding boot

I think this pair of moccasin-style booties are too-cute!

I feel like i'm too tall and not bold enough to wear otk boots, but if i were a bit shorter and more bold, this would be my pair!

This preppy little pair of high-heel tweed oxford booties is adorable

Gotta have a classic western pair

Tailored little black booties...i really like the contrast of the natural wood heel.

i reeeaaallly love this pair of riding boots

Pretty suede lace-up booties

Love classic Hunter's, but really...Jimmy Choo for Hunter...umm, yes please! And leopard lining too?? That just sealed the deal for me!

oxox,
lauren

*Fabulous quilted boots, suede wedges, classic camel riders, laced moccasin-style booties, strappy otk's, tweed high-heeled oxfords, classic westerns, wool & suede black booties, amazing riding boots, lace-up suede stacked heel boot, gorgeous Jimmy Choo for Hunter rain boot

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

A little sunshine


I love this room...it makes me so happy :) Isn't it pretty? I just love the great use of yellow.

The season 4 finale of Mad Men was Sunday night (already...i can't believe it! i mean it feels like the season just began!) and i am sad about that. Really though, how insane was that episode??? I did not see that coming! But i have come to expect nothing less from that incredible show! The writing is fantastic. Okay, we're ready for the season five premiere! I don't think Matt & I can wait!

Oh, and we saw Social Network on Sunday evening and i thought the movie was great! Although it was pretty insane to see how Facebook came to fruition.

oxox,
lauren

*image courtesy of Southern Living

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Better than your average apple a day

One of my bff's, Catie, sent me a sweet and thoughtful "bag of random" (that's what we call it because it's a bunch of random little goodies) a couple of weeks ago! Catie is such a dear friend of mine and we always have the best time together! Well, in this particular "bag of random" she included this super delicious recipe for Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bread!

Ummm. hello. YUM. :)

This recipe rocks! I made it two weekends ago and Matt went through that loaf of bread so quickly it seemed as if he was scared a "bread thief" was going to break into our home in the middle of the night to steal the bread away from him! He absolutely loved it, and so did I! This bread is great for the Holidays, would make a wonderful hostess gift and is perfect to whip up when expecting company!

So, imagine my sweet hubby's delight when he gets home today and opens the door to the amazing smell (this bread smells sooooo scrumptious, but Warning: it will make you hungry!) of this yummy bread baking in the oven...he is going to be one happy man!

The prepared batter almost ready for the oven

But first, a sprinkling of cinnamon/sugar and oats on top

Ta-da!

Mmmm...soooo good!

Here is the recipe for Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bread if you would like to bake some up yourself...

Equipment needed:
Stand mixer with paddle attachment
9x5 loaf pan, lightly coated with cooking spray
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 ounce quick oats (about 1/3 cup) *plus more for sprinkling on top
2 eggs
1/2 granny smith apple (cut into small chunks)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (bleached or unbleached)
1/2 cup raisins, or nuts (or both if you prefer)
cinnamon/sugar mixture to sprinkle on top
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In the bowl of the stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light & fluffy
Mix in the applesauce, cinnamon & oats
Stir in the eggs one at a time, beating well each time
Stir in the apple chunks
Fold in the baking soda and flour just until the dry ingredients are incorporated
Add the raisins and nuts, folding gently
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and sprinkle cinnamon/sugar and oats on top
Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean
Remove from loaf pan & cool on wire rack
Enjoy!

*I chose to add both the raisins and the nuts (my go-to is pecans) in mine and it's delicious!

Thanks again for this tasty recipe Catie...i have a feeling this one is going to become requested pretty frequently around here! Love you dear and I can't wait to see you soon!!! :)

oxox,
lauren

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Brewing up a little Halloween fun!

I can't believe it's already October 6th and Halloween is quickly approaching! Where exactly is the time going? Time to get a little festive if you're into that sort of thing, which I am, but who am I kidding because I am into decorating for anything! I find that decorations just make me feel even happier and I think they're so fun :) I have seen many homes with great decorations up around our area and a lot are looking so cute! I know Halloween has a lot of spooky and scary decorations, but I like the more charming and whimsical! Here are some festive Halloween ideas that I find inspirational and think are great for getting into a little Halloween spirit...

So, I have been excited about all of Alexa Chung for Madewell's pieces, but this fun tee dress is perfect for Halloween!

I am obsessed with this sparkling display of pumpkins!

I think these are the cutest Halloween party invitations

I know this is a teeny tiny bit ambitious, but this is my dream setting for a great outdoor Halloween party!

I love these gorgeous black beaded pumpkins

Really pretty Halloween house

A pumpkin bookshelf tree?! I love this idea...i have never seen anything like this!

How fun are these coasters?!

These little bat salad plates are so cute, and I don't normally think that bats are so cute!

Well, this stand mixer is a bit too festive for me for year-round use, but it would look great on the counter during the season!

Use a bright orange (or any colored!) mixer to whip up some adorable cupcakes like these!

What a great pumpkin display!

I hope these photos help to get you in the spirit!

oxox,
lauren

*Adorable batty tee, pretty sparkling pumpkin display, party invites, ambitious party setting, lovely beaded pumpkins, pretty Halloween house, amazing pumpkin bookshelf tree, catty coasters, cute little bat plates, orange KitchenAid stand mixer, fun cupcakes, incredible carved pumpkin display