Hey Little Birdie!

It’s officially my favorite week of the year. The temps are falling in our desert, we even had a sprinkle of rain yesterday. Talk about something to be thankful for!

And now, I am all set to start making my contributions to the best meal ever. Each Thanksgiving, I bring this delicious sweet potato casserole to my parents. Forget the hokey marshmallow version that no one wants to eat! Instead infuse your mashed spuds with a little pure vanilla and maple syrup (not the imitation stuff!) Top with a crunchy pecan struesel and dig in. It is homey holidays on a plate.

I also plan on bringing the tastiest cupcakes yet. Pumpkin (via Martha Stewart) with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting. Here’s a pic when I made them for my sister in law’s baby shower. Drool…

And to take to my husband’s family, a yummy apple crisp fit for a crowd. It’s adapted from Ina Garten (I leave out the orange zest). Anything she makes is pure magic, right?

I also plan on watching some football, enjoying a girls night with some of my best friends, and finalizing my gift wrapping strategy. I almost enjoy wrapping presents more than opening them. This year, I am thinking kraft paper, cut out snowflakes, white ribbon and sparkly gold tags. Let’s hope the vision in my head matches what my hands can create!

Happy Thanksgiving Week everyone!

So, as the only one on the HLB team who has a cat, I thought I should step up and give all those kitty lovers a voice.

Here’s my cuddly 12 year old little Emmie.  I just love that pink little nose!

Without further ado, here are some super cute accessories for your purry housemate.

77LIONHEART77 || bell charm cat collar || $10.99

(This collar is great because the handy little bell would alert Jina and Nicky that a cat is coming. That way, everyone is happy.  Just like that cat.)

Modern Cat || Felt Roller Cat Toys – 3 pack || $5.00

Urban Outfitters || Die Cut Animal Calendars || $12.00

(I think I found my HLB Christmas present! Shh!  Don’t tell them!)

Merlin’s Bark Products || Elevated 3Bowl Cat Feeder || $30.00

(I like this cat feeder because it insinuates that you have more than one cat… the stuff of Jina and Nicky’s nightmares.)

Uncommon Goods || Inconvenient Kitty Tumblers || $35.00

(Whatever you do, don’t show them these glasses.  It will just give them one more kitty “I-told-you-so”.)

Urban Outfitters || Paul & Joe Cat Lipstick || $25.00

(I have to admit.  This one’s just weird.  Why, Paul & Joe?  Why?)

“love on a toast” from stolenmemories

I wouldn’t want to live in a world without Nutella. I would name my next dog Nutella. If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life, it would be Nutella. I love Nutella more than pretty much anything. Okay… maybe I’m exaggerating just a bit. But it ranks up there with glitter, Martha Stewart and espresso. And if you know me, that is HUGE.

Here’s a nutella recipe that I am desperate to try ASAP: Nutella Scones

Yum.

We are officially entering The Holiday Season. Can you believe it? If only our Phoenix weather would cooperate and stop showing 90s in the forecast. I know you have heard this complaint from me a million times, but it really is getting annoying. Therefore, I am in denial of Mother Nature’s vendetta against Phoenicians and I am instead thinking of the following:

Cupcake liner trees (via Twig & Thistle). A perfect, easy DIY craft that could fit into autumn decor and then be re-created for Christmas. Just add glitter (like you expected anything less, coming from me!)

I had a sample of these yummy bars at Williams Sonoma over the weekend. They are made with this Pecan Pumpkin Butter that I want to slather on toast, crepes, waffles, cupcakes- basically anything loaded with carbs. The genius Miss Bakerella posted the recipe so we could all indulge at home.

I love this. A cardigan in military trench coat form! I may not need heavy outerwear in our mild AZ winters, but a cardigan is always doable. The look of a chic jacket without sweating buckets? Hooray!

Happy Autumn Everyone!

Inspiration sometimes comes in unexpected forms.

This morning I woke to cloudy skies and a toddler with a runny nose. And while I never wish for a snotty little girl, the clouds were definitely a refreshing sight. After trekking to the coffee shop for a latte for me and a muffin (pronounced “mun-chin”) for Lyla, we came home to find a break in the clouds and a picture perfect morning for camping out on the front patio. While Lyla picked flowers from our flowerbeds, I read my book and sipped my coffee. The doggies were even allowed to join us as long as they adhered to the patio-only rule. As I sat there, a mound of flowers being erected in front of me, I was overwhelmed with a distinct feeling of contentment in my surroundings.

For those of you who don’t already know, my family of 3 (or 5, if you count the dogs) recently left the suburbs and moved downtown. Just call us the Jefferson’s, as in George and Weezie. Although instead of a de-luxe apartment in the sky, we’re inhabiting a small 100-year old house. It’s been a strange move for me… exciting at times, while other times completely unnerving. So this morning’s calmness was not only welcome but needed.

As I sat perched on one of our ledges, I tried to take in everything in my new, still somewhat foreign surroundings: The mexican music playing from the car radio across the street as its primary listener restored another charmer of a house… the look of determination in my little girl’s eyes as she peeled the wet flower petals off her fingers and carefully placed each piece in my hand… the coolness of the breeze that we Phoenicians suffer too many summer months for the promise of… the diversity of my new little neighborhood… and mostly, the overwhelming feeling that I am right where I need to be at this very moment.

What a gift that is.

More than anything you could ask for.

Today, my new little home is inspiring me.

Reading this:

Wanting these:

Making this for supper:

Inspired by this autumn craft:

I said I would never be one of those people. You know, the kind that once they have kids, they no longer pay attention to their dogs. The dogs who sat by them in the deep dark days of fertility issues; the ones who sweet faces always greet them excitedly when returning home; the same dogs who have been with us almost as long as we’ve been married. Ugh. Now I feel really bad. But with a rambunctious almost-two-year-old, I find that more days I am gritting my teeth at sweet Charlie and quirky Riley than I am petting and playing and cuddling with those same two. So today, Real Simple’s Daily Find email found me wanting to bestow upon my canine roommates a few new gadgets.

Oh… and Real Simple has gotten us all discount codes at check-out. Yay for deals for dogs! Now I am going to snuggle with my puppies, just like the old days.

Better Together print from miniMoshee on Etsy.

There’s no combination of words
I could put on the back of a postcard
No song that I could sing
But I could try for your heart
Our dreams, and they are made out of real things
Like a shoebox of photographs
With sepiatone loving
Love is the answer,
At least for most of the questions in my heart
Like why are we here? And where do we go?
And how come it’s so hard?
It’s not always easy and
Sometimes life can be deceiving
I’ll tell you one thing it’s always better when we’re together.

Better Together- Jack Johnson

This is probably my favorite song ever. And my husband, Adrian, and I were lucky enough to go see Jack in concert last night. It was magic. For a few hours I got to forget my worries, sing my heart out, and sway to the music in a sea of thousands as my best friend rested his hand in the small of my back. I remembered I was that girl again. The one who fell in love with a cute boy. And got married. And had a sweet, miracle of a baby girl to call her own. And lived in a world with a lot of pain and trials, but overwhelming joy and beauty too. In the good and the bad, we’re together, Adrian. And it’s so much better.

I could stare at these all day.

And get lost in the memories of my unforgettable honeymoon in Paris.

The most beautiful architecture, inspiring museums, to die for pastries, the chicest fashions- oh Paris, you had me at bonjour.

Paris is where my husband and I first started our journey of life together. It was adventurous, challenging, sweet, overwhelming, and full of love- which is exactly how marriage can be at a given point in time too. It was also side splitting fun (if I have never told you the runaway undies story then make me tell you!)

These beautiful print collections from Little Brown Pen transport me back that cherished week. They are sold in groups of nine 5×5 photographs, grouped by color, and perfect for displaying together as a statement or divvied up as pretty pieces throughout your home. C’est magnifique!

Trends have their charms but timeless styles like herringbone will always capture my heart.

I am determined to DIY this modern herringbone wall. Perfection.

via design*sponge

From the new line Tucker for Target, this fall friendly skirt. (The matching jacket is just as dreamy.)

There has never been a pillow I have wanted more. Black/white, a big bow and herringbone. It was made for me.

What are some of your favorite quintessential patterns?