Happy Friday!

Happy (almost) Halloween! Being in college means that the whole weekend is basically Halloween, so I'm already in the spirit. I just need to get through one test and finish some research for a paper, and then I will be able to have some fun! Hopefully the rain lets up some though - it has rained the last 4 weekends and the forecast says that this will be the 5th. Major bummer. Rain or no rain though, I hope you have a fun and wild weekend!

Listening to: "Young Forever" Jay Z
Thought of the Day: "Looking back, I have this to regret, that too often when I loved, I did not say so." - David Grayson

{image via weheartit}

ps- "Isn't my mom amazing?": Part II
Martha Stewart-worthy brownie cupcakes for my little brother's school Halloween party.

I like lists.

I woke up this morning to a lovely 16 e-mails. I last checked it at 1:30am. Ahhh... Monday mornings.

{Essentials for the week: laptop (please note the plethora of sticky notes), coffee, stack of books, and Leaves candle}

It's midterms week too and it's looking very hairy. I have two tests on Wednesday and two tests and two papers on Thursday, but I just keep telling myself that it will go well because I have a plan in place. No matter what, I am going to go to the gym everyday, sleep at least 6 hours, and study constantly. I'm addicted to post-it notes and lists so I have it all mapped out and I just keep telling myself these could be my last midterms... ever. Scary thought, but with graduation in May and student teaching all spring, I may never have to take them again. Even scarier than graduation though is that this means this semester is the last one I have to make a great impression on my future employers and on my GPA. What could be better motivation? Yikes!

{running shoes, ready for stress relief}

Therefore, in order to, not just survive, but thrive this week, I will never be without my laptop, coffee (thanks to the pumpkin spice lattes, I now take my coffee with almond milk, pumpkin pies spice, and a spoonful of pumpkin puree - yum!), fall candles, planner, and post-its. Sounds like a plan to me!

{Breakfast of Champs: steel-cut oats + pumpkin + tons of cinnamon}

Listening to: "Heavy" Holly Brook

Thought of the Day: "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." -Winston Churchill

Crisp Leaves

As I get older, I have begun to appreciate autumn more and more, with its crisp, colorful leaves, new school supplies, warm days and cool nights, and the thought of apples, squash, and pumpkins. Recently, I visited a friend's apartment and the first thing that hit me was the glorious aroma that somehow perfectly captured these elements. She happily informed me that Bath and Body Works (her current employer) has introduced a new candle line and her's was the "Leaves" scent. Love this. Forewarning though: they are selling out fast - I had to go to two different B&B Works to find them!

Listening to: "Mad" Ne-Yo

Thought of the Day: "It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes cheated than not to trust." -Samuel Johnson

Weekend Snapshots

Recap of the weekend (I accomplished all of Friday's goals!):

Friday night - baked zucchini bread. I made three muffins (turned out delicious) and 2 loaves,(refused to rise no matter how long they remained in the oven, resulting in a dark crust and an overly moist inside. ick.) so I am not sure what is up with the recipe.

*If you are looking for an amazing autumn recipe though, try this pumpkin bread my friend Tom made (sans chocolate chips). Yum.*

Saturday morning - geared up for camping with homemade pumpkin spice lattes. Better (and much more economical) than Starbucks.

{I made a stencil with cardstock and sprinkled cinnamon

over the foam to make hearts for my roomies}

Saturday and Sunday - enjoyed the outdoors and laughed often at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park.

{View of midwestern-style mountains - you could see 12 miles away!}

{gorgeous glow}

Listening to: "Open Your Eyes" Snow Patrol

Thought of the Day: "Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you." -Elbert Hubard

Happy Friday!

Ready for an escape? I hope you have a lovely and stress-free weekend! To do list for the weekend:

1. Enjoy the weather by taking a walk.

2. Make zucchini bread (I think this one looks good).

3. Drink a pumpkin spice latte (extra points if you make your own!).

4. Laugh often.

p.s. - Isn't my mom the coolest? She asked me earlier this week where she could find a kitchen torch and this is what she created... for a bake sale! Aren't these s'mores cupcakes the cutest?

Listening to: "Just Breathe" Anna Nalick

Thought of the Day: "In our minds, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but rather gratefulness that makes us happy." -Albert Clark

{Image via Le Love}

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}

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

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}

Rock On

Did you know that greaser and teddy boy are synonymous with the term "rocker"? Or that early rock 'n' roll music has roots in Honky tonk, swing, and Appalachian music?
Random, I know, but I came across these tidbits while I was doing a little research on my latest obsession with edgy, rocker style. I am so excited for fall... just as long as the greasy hair doesn't make a comeback.

Lust:

{Love studs}

{Laid-back prep - perfect over a dress or with grungy jeans}

{everyday edgy}

{my fav - I am completely obsessed}

Listening to: "Walk This Way" Aerosmith
Thought of the Day: "When it comes to luck, you make your own." -Bruce Springsteen

{Images via: Net-a-Porter, Gap, Express, ShopBop}

Getting Ready for Fall

Love:

{classic sparkles}

{glamorous granny-ish}

{unexpected}

{rocker chic}

Listening to: "Freedom" Akon
Thought of the Day: "Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times."

{Image: J.Crew, Anthropologie, UO, ShopBop}