What I'm Loving :: Fall

Here's a snippet of what I'm loving

Bailey at Peppermint Bliss and Biscuit is slaying it. As much as I love a good neutral I die for color. Her work is always unexpected and vibrant. This wallpapered bookshelf detail I'm obsessed with, so good.

If I wear earrings I almost always wear studs, these Alphabet earrings need to arrive in my stocking this year.

One of my favorite things about Italy was how if it was late afternoon they always served you a tiny nibble with a coffee or cocktail. This snack caddy is perfect for afternoon entertaining. (via)

I made the apple cider cocktail, yum. Easy and very fall. I used the Trader Joe's Spiced Cider and it made my Sunday.

My fall baking plan

Being a mom is not for wimps. I'm sure everyone on the planet knows this but it's worth saying just one more time. The tedium of naps and diapers evolves into homework, sports and trying to help these small humans grow into a decent adults. Trying to keep them on track with homework and helping them navigate life without overstepping; letting them find their own way is a job in itself. It's like a giant act sometimes when you try to stay cool while inside you're cringing, steaming or laughing. The laughing is the best part so it takes the sting away from the moments that are not so hot. 

The kids have been in school for a month and thankfully life is settling into a routine. Routine I like, routine the kids like. So the ripping out my hair crazy person last week has morphed into "let's do this" mom. I like her much better, she's definitely much nicer.So when life settles and I feel nice I bake things. Baking for me is relaxing, making dinner NOT relaxing. I wish we could eat these Chai Spiced Sugar cookies I plan on making for dinner. I think a balanced meal is highly overrated. 

{recipe and image from My Baking Addiction}

Want It :: Apple, Lemon and Gin Shandy

I know I can't be the only wife who's already over football season. It makes me feel a teeny bit unloyal to my Sun Devils but everything about it makes me feel a little meh. I saw these in the latest issue of Southern Living in the Tailgating feature and they sound yummy. Mommy likey. Maybe a couple of these before the game will make it seem a bit more exciting. 

Apple, Lemon and Gin Shandy

3 large Granny Smiths peeled and chopped

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

3 tablespoons fresh shredded ginger

1/2 cup simple syrup

2 cups gin

1 (12 oz) bottle of chilled Pilsner beer or club soda

Garnish: Apple and Lemon slices

Puree apples, lemon juice, and ginger in a blender. Pour mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a large pitcher, pressing to release juices; discard solids. Stir in Simple Syrup and gin. Chill 2 hours. Stir in chilled Pilsner beer or club soda. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired

::via Southern Living, photography by Hector Sanchez::

Dreaming of Sweaters

Ahh, I'm wishing for it.

I could probably wear a sweater until 9 am, then it's all downhill. Still in 100 degree mode here in Phoenix. They say it's supposed to cool down this week. I'll believe it when I see it. 

{1, 2, 3}

Back to School

Just a few things on my mind:

• Does anyone else have a love/hate relationship with themselves for watching the Kardashians? It's like crack, I can't help myself.
• Loving these mini herb pots found at TJ's. Thanks Jaim!
• The race is on! School starts tomorrow, lunches, homework, lunches, PTO, sports, lunches. Deep breath.
• Do any of you ever really make any of the recipes on Pinterest? I have it on good authority that the Fresh Cherry Margs and the Honey Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas are good, I must try.

{1, 2, 3, 4}

Love it :: Brown

Today I'm dreaming of dark leather handbags and herringbone floors.

Maybe thinking of such things will keep my mind off of the fact that I was a crabby old harpy this morning. I hate mornings like that. Getting the kids ready, lunches made and out the door without forgetting something not to mention the arguing that ensues immediately upon arrival in the car it's enough to make a mom nuts. I hate losing my cool, it never makes the situation any better but sometimes it happens. So I will sit and continue to drink my coffee while imagining that my floors are now dark and herringbone and one of these bags is residing my my closet. 

{1,2,3,4, 5}

Easy Fall Food

Normally I breeze by the mixes in the stores, everything is better if it's homemade right? Well I've changed my tune because here are two of my new fall favorites in the food department. 

I love the yummy smell of cider simmering on the stove but good ole' Trader Joe's made our lives much easier with their Spiced Apple Cider.  Now we can have it whenever we want, one cup at a time. 

Their Pumpkin Pancake and  Waffle Mix is almost like a pumpkin pie pancake. Totally delish! So go and try and be excited that it's so easy. 

Oh and one more thing here's another muffin mix that's become a favorite at our house. Big was going on and on about the most delicious apple muffins he had at his friend's house so when I asked my friend to send me her recipe she sent me a picture of this box. Ha, I'm eating crow because apparently mixes are sometimes where it's at.

Today

This is how I'm feeling today. I like feeling like this.

On days like this I pretend it looks like this right outside my door.

Since it doesn't I'll probably wear something like this, because it's still warm here folks.

Then maybe I'll make some tea and play make believe that it's chilly.

Maybe tonight it will get chilly? Crossing fingers.

{1,2,3,4}

Let's bake

Fall hits and I feel the inexplicable pull towards the kitchen. Baking of course. No cookies, I loathe baking cookies; let's do breads, muffins and desserts shall we?

I know I'm not the only one who swoons while looking at baked goods. What are making this fall? Hit me up with some good new recipes!

{images via Always with Butter, That Kind of Woman, That's Happy}

What I've been up to

It's finally here!!! Slightly cooler weather! Hip hip hooray! So even though I haven't been here much I still have been pinning away on Pinterest.

Blogging Fall over at The Invitation Lady.

And shamelessly promoting myself on Twitter. The pilates studio where I work and teach pilates certification is nominated for Best Alternative Exercise in Arizona Foothills Magazine. So if you have an extra two minutes click the link and vote for Moving Breath Pilates. Pretty, pretty please? You can vote once per day.

That's all for now. What have you been up to?

Let's Picnic!

I know I can't be the only one to think that these little scenarios look irresistible.

{via pinterest}

Dreaming of Fall

I don't want to be a total buzzkill but why can't Mondays be filled with presents, glitter and shopping trips? Instead they're (well mine) is flat tires and hot weather. I'm ready for hot cider, sweaters and scarves!  I know it will be here before I know it. So until then I'll dream of autumn colors and lots of yummy treats!

{via Cherry Blossom Girl, Glitter Guide, Elizabeth Messina, Canadian House and Home}

Fall Dressing

When I save images to my computer or pinterest I usually just do it as I go and then when I browse what I've saved I can usually group them together in a way that makes sense. Like today while browsing I've decided that scarves and baggy sweaters must make it into the fall repertoire.

::images via pinterest::

Eat it :: More Pumpkin

You all may be getting tired of my pumpkin love affair but I heard Dorie Greenspan and Michele Norris talking about this pumpkin recipe on All Things Considered today and I couldn't help myself.

Seriously doesn't this look divine? The recipe is called Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good and by the looks of it I'll have to agree. You'll have to listen to the segment the way they talk about crispy bacon and the dish in general will make you swoon.

Hugs are good

I saw this today on Arianna Belle and had to share it. Simple and sweet, there's nothing better than that.

{photography by Elizabeth Messina}

Kiss your loved ones and hold them tight today friends

What's been going on

So things are not so hot with the SFD computer. I somehow got some malware on it and it's now out of commish until I can get it taken care of. Yuck. In other news the littles and I have big plans to make a pumpkin pie this afternoon. They've never been fans of it but maybe if they make it, they'll at least give it a try. I need them to like it because I will eat the whole thing myself. I love a cold piece of pumpkin pie with coffee in the morning. You should try it, you won't be disappointed. The weather here has finally cooled off and all of last week I made sure to dress in jeans and long sleeve shirts. It might be a little nuts for weather in the 70's but I'm so done with the hot weather. I'll just pretend it's a little cooler until it finally gets there. With the weather comes the soup, I love a good soup! I saw this Cauldron Curry on Martha and it looks yum. I bet I would be the only one to eat it though because of the curry. I live with a bunch of pickies.
I don't think that I mentioned on Thursday it was my anniversary. 10 big ones folks. Mr. SFD took me out to dinner on Friday night to a restaurant I've been dying to try called Noca. If you're in the Phoenix area you must go because it's so good. I ordered their tasting menu with the wine pairing and I'm still dreaming of my pumpkin soup served in a mini pumpkin. Dreaming of how good it was not to mention the cuteness factor was beyond. It's been ten years since I married the best guy ever. Not only am I lucky to have such a great partner in parenting he makes getting older so much easier. Hanging with him everyday makes me happy, each year is better and goes by faster. So thanks Mr. for being so cool.

Eat it :: Pumpkin

Like many of you I'm completely enamoured with pumpkins this time of year. Not just the sweet ones used for decorations but the ones that you eat! I've already made pumpkin risotto (this time I did puree the pumpkin and it was a hit) and today it was pumpkin chocolate chip muffins (This is the recipe I used but I followed the cook's notes on the first comment and substituted white whole wheat flour.)

{Not my pic but they sure look an awful lot like mine}

Next up a pumpkin pie and pumpkin soup.

Read it :: Autumn Color Week

Have you seen the Autumn Color Week collages at Poppytalk? Lots of our favorite fall colors all put together with lovely images. Mmmm, Fall.

Want it :: Black Blazer

The piece that must make it's way into my Fall/Winter wardrobe is a black blazer with a very structured shoulder. I obsess about that one thing that I must have each season, this year the blazer is it. I'm going to guess that the jacket that Rachel is wearing is Balmain. Needless to say that's the one of my fantasies but not the one that will make it into my closet. I haven't really started scouring the Internet shops to find one but if you've seen one please send the info my way. I'm desperate!

What is your closet obsessing over this Fall?

{Image from Stockholm Streetstyle via The Beauty File}

Orange + Black

I love fall so I'm so ready to do something with orange and black for Halloween. Do you decorate for Halloween or do you skip it all together? Since I've had kids and they get all excited about it I don't mind at all. Just nothing too scary or cheap looking. Some of the Halloween decor at the stores makes me cringe. I'm thinking something a little more subtle and spooky like one of my favorite local stores The Willows.

Ok well maybe after the weekend. I'm a busy girl this week with the party headed to AZ.