Recipes to Try #1

Whole Roasted Tandoori Cauliflower with Mint Chutney

Swirly Baked Apples 
Spicy Chipotle Sweet Potato Soup
Creamy Avocado Spaghetti Squash Pasta

It's probably not the smartest idea to start looking for recipe inspiration while hungry...but I'll live on the edge today.  The Internet can be a dangerous place to peruse with an appetite and no groceries in the house.  

Here are a few recipes I plan to try this fall.  I'll try to remember to share photographic evidence of my cooking attempts via Instagram.

Have a lovely Sunday!

Fall Wish List

Here are a few things I'm currently wishing for...

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What's on your fall wish list?

Matching

Shirt: swapped; Skirt: swapped; Shoes: Target; Belt: Target; Necklace: borrowed; Earrings: H&M (old)

I like the monochromatic look that has popped up this fall in fashion, but also still enjoy color blocking.  To me color blocking means mixing separates I really like and not being concerned about the colors "matching."  In the 90s, "matching" was a big deal for me so it's funny to think that I now dress with seemingly disparate pieces in a way that I never would have as a middle and high schooler.

Happy Thursday!

Fall Reading List

Here are a few books on my to-read list this season:

A Belle in Brooklyn ~ Purple Hibiscus ~Yes, Chef

What are you planning to read this fall?

Fall Favorite

Shirt: c/o Land's End Canvas; Skirt: swapped; Belt: Target; Earrings: Buffalo Exchange

Happy friday!  Since I've retired my neon green maxi skirt until next summer, this brown printed skirt is officially my favorite maxi for the cooler weather. 

Have a lovely weekend!

Swap Luck

Skirt: Francesca's Collections; J. Crew Sweater: swapped; Shoes: Target

I've had "swap luck" lately and have gotten a few items at recent clothing swaps I've attended that I like including this sweater.  Some of my favorite clothing items collected over the past year have come from swaps.  Swapping obviously isn't a new concept, but I'm happy its gained popularity.  DC has an abundance of individual people and organizations that put on awesome swaps. I sure hope my "swap luck" continues.

  

Have a great day!

Navy and Green

Top: swapped; Skirt: swapped (similar); Shoes: Zappos (old) (similar); Necklace: H&M (old); 
Earrings: purchased in Mexico; Ring: H&M; Watch: Francesca's Collection

It's amazing how rushing to get ready for work in the morning can lead to outfit combinations never worn before.  One of these days I'll master planning ahead and choosing my outfits earlier than minutes before I have to rush out the door.

Do you plan ahead or dress on a whim?

Have a lovely weekend!

Favorite Summer Reads

During the summer, I decided to take a break from creating my seasonal book lists and just read whatever struck my fancy.  Since summer is for all intents and purposes over, I thought I'd highlight a few of my favorite reads of the summer.  

Paris in Love by Eloisa James - This book encompassed two things I really like; the city of Paris and quirky memoirs.  Eloisa, a romance writer and her husband decided to pack up their family to live in Paris for a year after her recovery from a health crisis.  The book which originated from updates of Eloisa's Paris experience via Facebook is humorous and gives a peak into the adjustment of an American family living in Paris. This memoir is a great read if you're short on time (or don't like to read long chapters) because it's broken up into vignettes. Eloisa's descriptions of the behavior of her plump dog were particularly funny.

Here is a brief excerpt:

Staring out the living room window at that mock pear tree, I also discovered a keen desire to surprise myself.  Rather than living my life in the moment, I wanted to live someone else's life - specifically that of a person that lived in Paris.

The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp.  In this book, famed dancer/choreographer Twyla Tharp discusses how creative success doesn't just appear out of thin air but is typically a result of hard work and the development of certain "creative" habits.  I enjoyed the book because it was interesting to learn about the creative process of a dancer/choreographer and read creative advice from an established performing artist.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:

A lot of habitually creative people have preparation rituals linked to the setting in which they choose to start their day. By putting themselves into that environment, they start their creative day...

I read for growth, firmly believing that what you are today and what you will be in five years depends on two things: the people you meet and the books you read. 

Before you can think out of the box, you have to start with a box

Game of Thrones: A Song of Fire and Ice by G.R.R. Martin - I don't have any premium cable channels, so I rarely watch shows like Game of Thrones when they are broadcast on cable.  After hearing so many people (in person and on social media) mention the show, I decided to read the book until the show was available online.  When I saw the (large) size of the book after borrowing it from the library, I figured I would end up returning it half-finished, but I found it to be a compelling read and finished it rather quickly.  Game of Thrones has a large cast of characters but somehow the plot still moved rather briskly.  The novel (like the show) is a mix of fantasy and action/drama set in a land similar to England during the 1400s. Does anyone watch the show?  How was season two of the show? I haven't seen it.

Did you read any good books over the summer? Any books on your to-read list?

Summer Leftovers: Colorful Florals

Dress: gift; Shoes: Target; Belt: H&M

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Here is an outfit worn a few weeks ago that never made it onto the blog.  I've since put this dress aside for the season in favor of items that will transition into fall.  The crispness in the air this morning felt quite fall-like and I can definitely tell that my days of leaving the house without a sweater or jacket in-hand will soon end until next year.  I'm thinking a remix of a fall transitional clothing item from my closet is in order.

On another note, I've been craving some of my favorite fall treats already like pumpkin spiced lattes and apple crisps.  I think I've been craving sweets so strongly these days because I can't have them while doing the Whole30 program (I'm 6 days into the program). I hope to crave my favorite treats less as I progress through the rest of the program.

 

Here's to a positive and productive week! 

 Currently reading: Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion

Pencil it in

Top: Nordstrom (junior's dept.); Skirt: swapped; Heels: Zappos; Necklace: H&M

Happy Wednesday! I don't think that pale colors should only be worn in the summer, but I'm thinking about dying this pale pink skirt a color that would be more versatile than its current pale pink shade for the fall.  I really like the midi length of the skirt but am usually stumped on how to style it because of the color. I'm looking to the fall 2012 Pantone colors for inspiration.  I'll post the results once I've made up my mind. What color would you choose, a shade of green close to bright chartreuse perhaps?

Summer Outfit Favorites

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 Summer is now unofficially over and my (fashion) focus has finally shifted to fall. I've had a slight case of denial over the last few weeks that summer is nearly over.  Before I say farewell to summer fashion (at least in my head since it's still pretty hot outside), here are a few of my favorite summer outfits. I plan to share my favorite reads of the summer in a separate post.

Happy Labor Day to those that celebrate!