Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween, aren't these old vintage costumes really creepy?  These would have totally freaked me out as kid, actually they freak me out now.  It's interesting though how they came up with costumes back then before Party City took over. 

Doesn't my friend's house, in Florida, look amazing?  I wonder where she got the hearse?

 

 



 

 

My dear friend makes the best pumpkin martinis, so hopefully I will be relaxing and drinking one these tonight. 

 

 

Check out these Halloween Cocktails that would make any party a success. 

 

 Also, what a great way to use all those left over pumpkin seeds.   

For Your Listening Pleasure

I have been binge watching season 6 of Sons of Anarchy and it has been so good, minus the unnecessary violence.  I think shows always get better once they have an end in sight.  However, the one thing I've noticed is the music this season.   You know when you hear a song that just moves you, especially when it goes perfectly with what is happening in the movie or TV show.  

Joshua James is amazing, yes he is easy on the eyes, but his song writing and voice are hypnotic.
Also, The White Buffalo, I don't think I have heard of him before Sons of Anarchy but I just purchased his album, Prepare For Black and Blue, and I have had it on constant rotation.  It's so good.  I definitely see more of his albums in my future. Maybe I need to get Spotify?

Short Boots

I think, no I know, Fall is my favorite season for style.  Lately, I have been loving all the options for short boots/ booties.  I am currently saving for a pair of Frye boots, which will hopefully be complete before Fall is over.  Number one is my favorite pair and someday they will be mine (insert evil laugh).   

 

I love the look of short boots with skinny jeans, super cute.

 

 

 Check out this post by Gorgeous and Beautiful for some great outfit inspiration. 

 

one/ two/ three/ four

Around Here Lately

Plus Size Coats

I love fall, I'm not such a big fan of winter.  It's so hard to find the perfect plus size coat that doesn't make you look too puffy.  I usually buy my coats from Lands End, they fit me right and they are made well.  However, this year I was thinking of trying somewhere new.  I'm tired of always wearing black coats so I was thinking of a caramel, orange or even olive color. I love the navy but it may be better for spring.   

 

one/ two/ three/ four/ five/ six/ seven

Kitchen Envy

Like everyone else I love a white kitchen but this kitchen designed by Sarah Richardson stopped me cold in my search for a new kitchen. I love all the use of the different materials, the tile floor and back splash, the brass handles and shiny cabinets and the stainless steel appliances.  The space feels warm but modern too including the dining and living areas.  Sarah has this ability to accessorize/style a space without making it look cluttered. 

Currently Loving: Wool Hats

 

 

 

 



 

 

 All these woman look so cool in their wool hats.  I really want one.  I wonder where I could wear a wool hat and make it look so natural?

 

 

one/ two/ three/ four/ five/ six/ seven/ eight 

Fall

 

I'm loving Fall this year, it actually feels like we are having a Fall instead of going directly from Summer to Winter.

 

The beautiful trees, crisp leaves, donuts, football and homecoming.

Pumpkin Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's really beginning to feel like fall around here, cold and crisp, and I was sitting at work today thinking I could really go for something pumpkin tonight but I didn't feel like pumpkin bread.  So I thought why not pumpkin cookies?  Then I Googled some recipes and I adapted this one to the ingredients I had on hand. These cookies are so good, I already ate two. Pumpkin is good for you right?

 

 

Pumpkin-Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 16 minutes

Yield: About 4 dozen

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups quick oats
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg  
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/3 cups packed light-brown sugar
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin puree
• 1 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• You could add raisins or walnuts, that would be good too.

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, oats, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg for 30 seconds, set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until creamy. Blend in eggs then blend in vanilla extract and pumpkin puree. With mixer set on low speed, slowly add in dry ingredients and mix until combined. Mix in chocolate chips.  Let batter rest 5 - 10 minutes (this just gives the oats some time to absorb the liquids so batter isn't so sticky and cookies don't spread so much).
• Scoop dough out 2 Tbsp at a time (I used a cookie scoop) and drop onto lined baking sheets, spacing cookies 2-inches apart. Bake in preheated oven 16 minutes. Allow to cool on baking sheet several minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

 

• Recipe is adapted from Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

Scenes From My Weekend