Ruffles and Rewards

Is it weird that I had a conversation today with another education major about what we are looking forward to as a teacher and one of the things we both thought of was the fact that we will always get a discount from J.Crew? Someone smart realized teachers make next to nothing and decided to extend the student discount (15%) to educators. Thank you! Perfect timing too since I am loving the ruffles that are everywhere in their fall collection.

I don't know how affordable their clothing will be as a teacher though, even with the discount. But I can dream, right?

Listening to: "Peaceful World" John Mellencamp
Thought of the Day: "Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil." Matthew 6:34

{Images via J.Crew}

Lovely.

Doesn't this look wonderful? I would love to have a vineyard so I could have gorgeous dinner parties with friends. This early fall weather (it was in the mid 60's here today) just begs for lingering in the sunny glow with a nice glass of wine. If only my teacher salary would allow for this life :)

Listening to: "Fire and Rain" James Taylor
Thought of the Day: "Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion."  -Steel Magnolias

{Image via: ...etc}

Apple Tart

Yesterday I finally tried one of the recipes I posted last week with my apple picking apples.  Using this apple tart recipe from Smitten Kitchen, I made what was actually more of a galette since I am tart pan-less.  It turned out beautiful none the less, but I am not sure if I would use this recipe again.  It was simple and light, but I felt like there was something missing... cinnamon perhaps? 

I enjoyed my time in the kitchen though.  I love any recipe that requires time since I find cooking theraputic.  And with some good Matt Nathanson playing in the background, what more could I ask for?

{apples - peeled, cored, and 'armadillo' sliced}

{pre-baking}

{gorgeously golden}

Listening to:  Matt Nathanson  

Thought of the Day: "I believe we should fight for the unrealistic, rather than defend the unacceptable."  - Bill Shore

Happy Friday!

How are you spending your weekend?  I am hoping to catch up on some much needed sleep and to get ahead with some school work.  Have a lovely and restful weekend!  

Listening to: "Closer to Love"   Mat Kearney

Thought of the Day: "We should seek a community of honest differences rather than a community of enforced consensus."  - Dr. Lloyd Komatsuv

 {Image via lumiere via ffffound via Design Crush}

Just Listen

I think God is trying to tell me something.  Today was full of signs just waiting to be noticed. 

To name a few:

- My Latin American history professor discussed the origins of the severe socioeconomic divisions in Latin America today in class. 

- I teach a freshman university introduction course and my lesson on the Jesuit Mission (I go to a Jesuit university) today was amazingly successful.

- I had an amazing conversation with a new friend about social justice.

It's amazing what you can hear when you give listening a chance.   

Listening to: "One Sweet Love"  Sara Bareilles

Thought of the Day:  "Open your eyes to the beauty around you, open your mind to the wonders of life, open your heart to those who love you, and always be true to yourself."   -Donna Davis

{Image via Frangipane}

 

Foodie Addiction

It's official: I am completely obsessed with 101Cookbooks.  I have yet to be disappointed by one of Heidi's recipes (or her photography for that matter). 

   My roommates and I had a little Italian dinner party tonight and instead of buying a jar of tomato sauce, I tried the recipe for Five Minute Tomato Sauce.  Delicious!  It was light and because of its simplicity, you could really taste each of the ingredients.  Atop Trader Joe's whole wheat penne, it was perfect.  I think the best part was the lemon zest, which added just the right amount of a fresh tang.  My only variations were cutting way back on the olive oil (I doubled the recipe, but added way less than the 1/4 cup of oil called for in a single batch) and added some fresh chopped basil after simmering.  

Listening to: "She Loves Me"  -Serani

Thought of the Day:   "I change myself, I change the world."   - Gloria Anzaldua 

{Image via 101 Cookbooks}

Breezy Beautiful

How timeless is this?  I love how she takes the staple trench, adds some fun heels, dark nails, and a cherry red wallet, and creates a glamorous look.  And the banana peel doesn't hurt either. 

Listening to: "It's a Man's Man's Man's World"   James Brown

Thought of the Day: "It's not the life that matters, it's the courage that we bring to it."  - Yogi tea bag

{Image via The Sartorialist}

Apple Picking

How was your weekend?  I ended up coming back to school earlier so I could go apple picking at Eckert's with some friends.  Despite the dreary weather, we enjoyed getting into the fall spirit by picking Jonagolds, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious apples and dreaming up recipes in which we can use our finds.

I am still trying to decide what I want to make with mine.  I found a few recipes to think about including a tart and apple chips.  I'll keep you updated on the results! 

Listening to: "Do What You Have To Do" Sarah McLachlan
Thought of the Day:  "A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere.  Before him I may think aloud."  -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Friday!

As the air begins to become a little crisper and little pops of red and yellow start spotting the trees, all I want to do is sit in the sun on a blanket and read a good book. I'm going home this weekend to see my brother who is in from San Francisco, watch my little brother's soccer game (nothing says fall to me like YMCA soccer!), and hopefully be very productive with my school work.
I hope you have a lovely weekend and are able to enjoy the warmth of the sun and the smell of autumn.


Listening to: "Truly Madly Deeply" Savage Garden
Thought of the Day: "What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

{Image via Jolie Marie!}

Color by Month

Aren't these gorgeous? And isn't this selling point lovely? "It's about enjoying an unhurried creative process, and the artist - that over time - you become."
They're colored pencils by the way. Hung so carefully organized on the wall in the "aurora" organizer. And here they are in the "wave" organizer:


Pretty. And even prettier because they are delivered to your doorstep every month for 20 months in sets of 25 colored pencils by Social Design and for every 100 sets sold, 1 complete set is donated to UNESCO DREAM Centers to support arts education for underprivileged children around the world.
Each of the 500 colors has a great name like "tea with milk" or "mermaid's gown" and beside just being a nifty little monthly surprise, the company hopes the monthly shipments inspire artists to slowly create their work in a reflective and inspired method. Cool.


Listening to: "Moving Mountains" Usher
Thought of the Day: "Success is not measured by what one brings, but rather by what one leaves." - anon.

I Love Lists

Have you heard of this book?


Here are some of my favorites from the blog, 1001 Rules for My Unborn Son:

5. Never be afraid to ask out the best looking girl in the room. You'll be surprised how often it works.
22. Girls like boys who shower.
63. Send postcards.
78. Keep you word.
261. Admit when you are wrong. Be convincing.
263. Get your pumpkins from a pumpkin patch.
272. If a teacher forgets to assign homework, keep quiet.
274. Don't settle for a store-bought cake - bake!
287. Make your own costume.
360. Never, under any circumstances, ask a women if she is pregnant.
384. All drinking challenges must be accepted.
389. After writing an angry e-mail, read it carefully. Then delete it.

The blog also has great pictures, mostly with 1940s and 1950s themes. Love.

{caption: "Eyes forward mister, especially if you’re already on a date."}

Listening to: "Here We Go" Matt Kearney
Thought of the Day: "It isn't the mountains to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe." -Muhammad

Pumpkin Spice

mmm... I love pumpkin and cannot wait to try recipes like these. Nothing gets me in the fall spirit like pumpkin spice.

{Martha's Pumpkin Spice Cake with Honey Frosting}

{Smitten Kitchens's Pumpkin Muffins}

Listening to: "Hotel Room" Pitbull
Thought of the Day: "It's not what you look at that matters; it's what you see." -Henry David Thoreau

Fall Nails

So I don't know if it is because I didn't wear nail polish when I was growing up or what, but I am obsessed with painting my nails. I get so excited when I buy a new color. Summer was fun with the neon mattes, but I am ready to fall into cozier colors.

After browsing these ideas and these, here are some new colors by Rescue Beauty Lounge I can't wait to try:

{Drifter - matte deep plum... yum}

{Recycle - love this but there is a girl in my Poli Sci class who wears neon green and it is atrocious}

{Stormy... who would have thought that grey would catch on for nails?!}

Listening to: "Whatever it Takes" Leona Lewis
Thought of the Day: "Play after every storm." -Mattie Stepanek

Happy Friday!

This might be the first (and only) time in my life that I ever say this, but I am really ready for fall to start. It's not that I don't like the weather, because I am a summer girl through and through (just ask my friends - I wear shorts year round), but I am ready for the transition... something to usher in the new school year and to give life a little more color and excitment. I love walking down the streets of the cute historic neighborhoods surrounded by red, yellow, and orange leaves, with that crispness in the air and a beautiful fragrance of autumn. And my love of pumpkin and spice aromas doesn't hurt either.
What are your plans for the weekend? Other than wishing for fall, my weekend will consist of being consumed by massive piles of homework. Soooo exciting!

ps- have you been to Yankee Candle recently? They have multiple pumpkin candles this year and I have no idea which is my favorite! Who knew there could be so many choices??


Listening to: "The Little Things" Colbie Calliat
Thought of the Day: "I'm selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I'm out of control, and at times hard to handle, but if you can't handle me at my worst, you don't deserve me at my best" -Marilyn Monroe

{Image via Le Love}

Pink Perfection

I admire how Whitney Port always dresses so classy yet still takes risks. Her combination of conservative cuts with girly fabrics is perfect as is the contrast of the twisty hair with pink lips and her dark nails.
love love love

Listening to: "T-shirt" Shontelle
Thought of the Day: "Get inspired or be depressed. Ace a test or flunk a class. Make babies or make art. Speak the truth or lie and cheat. Dance on tables or sit in the corner. Life is divine chaos. Embrace it. Forgive yourself. Breath. And enjoy the ride..." -Solbeam

{Image via Glamour}

Honesty

Ever feel like this? Those relationships that become so strained that you are so far removed from even hoping to repair them, instead replacing this wish with the simple hope for the other person's personal well-being? Or maybe it is that we all are lying to ourselves, creating a facade of who we wish we were. Whatever it is, my wish, my hope is that each of us can be totally honest about one thing today. Whether it is with yourself, or with your best friend, or your mom, be completely honest just this once and observe the results.

I hope it works.

Listening to: Jason Mraz "Sleep All Day"

{Image via: papertissue.}

Happy Friday!

Have a great Friday and long weekend! It will be a much needed time of relaxation and catch-up for me!

Listening to: "Summertime" Kenny Chesney
Thought of the Day: "Nothing is worth more than this day." -Goethe

{Image via Frangipane}

Brain Freeze

Sorry for the lack of posts... I am in the middle of recruitment work week and recruitment for my sorority and I running on a lack of sleep and am way behind on homework. I will be back soon!

{Image via Le Love}