SPOOKY SWEETS

So every Halloween my sister Kailey & I spend a day baking spooky treats to give to friends, family, & neighbors.  It's something I look forward to because it's a day for the two of us to have quality sister time.  I found these adorable cookies on MarthaStewart.com who else could come up with these.  Happy Baking!

For the recipes click here: http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/halloween-cookies-recipes

FALL INTO FALL

1. Sweater Dress 

Found at Victoria Secret

2. Cape

 From http://www.asos.com/

3. Clogs

Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent found at ShopBop

3 Must Haves for Fall...The sweater dress is an easy outfit you throw on and go. The Cape is a great piece to replace your structured pea coat, it looks cozy and effortless.  The clogs look fun with skinny jeans or with tights and a dress.  Love the combo of an oxford shoe with a clog! 

BABY LOVE

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewmeamemory?ref=seller_info

http://www.etsy.com/shop/NameBracelets?ref=seller_info

http://www.etsy.com/shop/elmstudiosonline?ref=seller_info

So my cousin's Baptism is this Saturday & I wanted to get her something special & personal.  She already has EVERYTHING because she is adorable of course!  I found the most amazing and unique gifts on Etsy & now I am even more confused.  So I chose a few things that I thought were sweet and worthy of baby Elise Biancardi.  Pictured below:

Can't wait to celebrate with her...hope she doesn't mind that her gift will be belated since the items above take a few weeks!   

RACHEL ZOE

So sad that the season finale is over...however, I can't stop thinking about this dress that she wore to the MET Ball on the last episode!  The dress designed by none other than Marc Jacobs was so AMAZING!  The mustard color, plunging neckline, & velvet...so fun.  Her dress inspired me to step away from all of the black cocktail dresses out there & to look for something unique for the holiday parties to come!  Maybe hit some vintage stores, consignment boutiques, etc...

Photo credit: Newsgab.com

NAPA

Heading to Napa tomorrow for the first time EVER & I am so excited.  So looking forward to a fun bachlorette weekend for my good friend Valerie!  Hope the guys have a great time in New Orleans too & that they stay out of trouble!  I will post pictures when I get back. 

Photo Credit: Unknown

LIGHT & YOUTHFUL

So I decided to try something new as far as foundation/powder goes.  I have been using MAC studio fix since I was 16 and I decided that it was time to try something a little bit softer & natural looking.  A friend of mine recommended Bare Escentuals to me and I totally trust her opinion... so I spent an hour at Nordstrom yesterday with one of their "Counter Managers" and left with the two items above!  The Present by Philosophy is a clear makeup/moisturizer.  It makes your skin glow & fills in the pores...looks like you just came from a facial appointment!  Next you apply the loose powder in a circular motion and continue until you get the desired coverage.  So far I like both of these I just need to get used to working with them.

 

GRILLED PORTOBELLO & ARUGULA BURGERS

I found this recipe from Bon Appetit/July 1999.  I made it last night and the Hubby gave it 2 thumbs up and he is a tough critic....I really liked it too!  So I thought I would share it with you...

Serves 4

1/2 cup nonfat mayo
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
6 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary Made ours without & it was still delicious
1 garlic clove, minced
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
4 large portobello mushrooms, stems trimmed I used 1 large portobello cap for 2 people
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 whole wheat buns, toasted I used Thomas 110 calorie bagel thins
2 large bunches arugula

Mix Mayo, mustard, 2 teaspoons rosemary & garlic in small bowl.  Heat grill medium heat

Brush mushrooms all over with olive oil, Sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon rosemary,  then salt & pepper, Grill until tender, about 10 minutes each side. I put it on a piece of aluminum not directly on grill 
Spread mayo mixture over buns.
Place mushrooms & arugula on bun bottoms. Cover with bun tops.

As you can see I improvised a little. As for the burgers I seasoned each side with worcestershire sauce and garlic salt & served them with corn on the cob.

Enjoy!

EYE CANDY

All of these chunky rings are amazing!  I am not into wearing a lot of jewelry but I do love big cocktail rings for a little pop of color!  All of these rings are under $100 & they will definitely make a statement.

Picture Credit:

Top 3 http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/ 

Bottom 2  http://www.nordstrom.com/

   

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

Love this first look created by Shop Bop it is casual chic at it's finest.  I am definitely going to splurge on the perfect pair of flared jeans for Fall. 

The wedges I found from Alloy are almost identical to the ones pictured from Shop Bop and are only $32.90! 

The second look is from Singer 22 and is perfect for all of the fun Holiday parties to come!  I heart the leather shorts with the black tights and booties.  I think I would wear plain black tights because I wore striped ones last Fall and didn't like how they looked...I like a more simple look.  The blouse is effortless and I love the sleeve details. 

Purchase info & Photo Credit....

http://www.shopbop.com/ci/3/lb/ultimatecloset/ultimatecloset_8.html

http://www.alloy.com/

http://www.singer22.com/pl10-035.html

*Update found these shoes at Forever 21 for $24.80!

SNAP, FLASH, & FRAME

So a few weekends ago we were invited by another couple to the Page Springs Winery up north for a tasting & dinner.  My girlfriend Casaundra being the genious that she is snapped this photo of the grapes used to make their Grenache wine.  I loved it & thought what a great way to document our weekend & make an inexpensive piece of art.  I want to blow it up & frame it because I think it will look perfect in our bar area.

Cheers!

I WANT - I LOVE

I am so excited for my trip to Napa in two weeks for a friends Bachlorette!  I must find some cute clothes for layering because the weather can go either way and the temp drops at night!  Here are a few of my outfit inspirations!  Which outfit do you like the best?

Pictures and Clothing can be found at http://www.madewell.com/

1 DOWN 1 TO GO

I was feeling creative yesterday so I decided to start one of my Halloween projects and it was so fun and easy!

1. I bought this wierd primer spray paint because it was only 99 cents from Michaels and it looks just like black paint.

2.  I also picked up the wooden letters for 99 cents each at Michaels.  I used a Crate & Barrel Magazine as a background for when I sprayed because we didn't have newspaper.  You will want to lift the letters off of the paper after 5 minutes so they don't stick to it.

3. Saint Jude candles from the Dollar Store & yes I asked for forgiveness for tearing the paper off.

4. Try and find a candle that the label does not go entirely around the candle.  The candle I used had sticky adhesive at the two ends.

5.  Hence the next picture I used this De-Solv-It product to remove any extra adhesive on the candle. 

6. Lastly I glued the letters on with a hot glue gun. 

Wah lah!  Can't wait to add a few Halloween decorations around the candles!

DEAD & BREAKFAST

This is my second Halloween project!  We have an old lamp post in our front yard that is similar to the one in this picture.  I usually hang a potted plant from it but this sign would be so perfect for Halloween!  I am going to change the name on the sign to our last name and personalize it!  The crows on top are too cute.  I will take a picture once my two projects are complete....along with my organized closet to share with you I promise!

Picture credit: Better Homes & Garden Magazine

EEK & BOO

I found this picture/inspiration on http://www.diynetwork.com/. I am OBSESSED with the holidays & I love decorating our house for Halloween! I have already found my two projects for this holiday and here is the first one.  You can usually find these candles at the dollar store or in Arizona at a Mexican Grocery Store like Food City.  You might have to peel off a religious type label to get this look...so maybe you should say a little prayer before you tear it off:).  Purchase wood letters and paint at Michaels and either glue them on or hang them as shown in the picture.  I also love the little black mouse to add a finishing touch!

H&M

Counting down the minutes until I can go pick up this amazing poncho from H&M for a bargain price of $19.95!  I called this morning from work to put one in each color on hold because they are going quickly.  They are one size fits all which scares me a little but it comes in tan, gray, & black. 

Hope everyone has a great Labor Day Weekend!!

*Update...I did buy the camel color and it is a little large but I still think it will be cute & comfy for winter with tall boots.

Photo Credit Unknown

ANIMAL STYLE

How amazing are these animal prints?!!? I love how they are displayed in the two homes above.  I want one just because they literally put a smile on my face because they are so real and true to the animals little personalities:)   Check them out at http://www.theanimalprintshop.com/