Blast From the Past: Spiced Pumpkin Bread

I love the holiday season for so many reasons ... one of my favorites is baking delicious, festive treats for friends and loved ones. I've been making this tasty recipe for spiced pumpkin bread for years now ... it's really easy and always a big hit! Wrap it up in foil and a cute wrap like this and it makes great gifts for holiday parties!

click through for the recipe

Blast From the Past: Water For Elephants Style

I read Sarah Gruen's book, Water for Elephants, last year and loved reading about the incredible costumes the female lead, Marlena, would wear during her circus performances. I just watched the movie, and I know the book is usually better, but the outfits Reese Witherspoon wears as Marlena are above and beyond what I even imagined! (especially her "off-duty" attire). Her looks were so inspiring, with the rich colors and delicate, flowing fabrics, complete with lovely embellishments and accessories. Get the looks (for a steal) below.

Marlena's casual look

Inspired goods, from top right:
• vintage striped scarf, $15 - available here
• khaki belted pants, $22 - available here
• silver stacking bangles, $4.80 - available here
• Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Évasion, $32 - available here
• brown top, $6 - available here



Marlena's dressy look 
Inspired goods, from top right:
• leather belted bag, $100 - available here
• white wool beret, $7.99 - available here
• white button skirt, $59.99 - available here
• striped peplum top, $39.99 - available here
• vintage YSL belt, $68 - available here
• vintage Chanel earrings, $150 - available here



 Marlena's formal look 

Inspired goods, from top right:
• beige tunic dress, $398 - available here
• vintage rhinestone bow belt, $25 - available here
• white satin gown, $199 - available here
• Chanel Rouge Allure in Excessive, $32 - available here
• vintage rhinestone necklace, $49 - available here

Blast From the Past: Mane Attraction

The goods:
• my boyfriend's black sweater
• gray jeans from Citizens of Humanity
• gray socks from Lori's Shoes
• brown boots by Frye
• knotted chain necklace from Forever21

I'm often asked how I do my hair (though I would say the "what the?!" hair days outweigh the good). Ever since picking up my first issue of Allure at age 13, I've loved hair products, tools and easy ways to achieve new looks. But instead of trying to explain a couple methods I use, I'll leave it to two lovely ladies to have already said it best ...

The wonderful Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere gives a great tutorial on achieving beachy waves with a curling iron, and lovely Cara from A Fashion Love Affair offers one using a flat iron. Thanks to their photos and well-worded descriptions, just a couple practice rounds is all it takes to get a great mane.

Blast From the Past: Les Macarons Ladurée

I can't seem to go a week without day dreaming of Paris, but this week I was able to make one french dream a reality ... I took a stab at french macarons! I fell in love with these delicate confections years ago and died happy when I got the chance to enjoy Ladurée macarons in Paris last year, THE best in my opinion. I came back and died again when Ladurée: The Sweet Recipes was released in English  ... you mean I can make my own? All for me?! C'est manifique!

The hard cover book is amazing in and of itself, presented in one of their signature boxes and wrapped in tissue paper. The gilded pages house all of the recipes that make Ladurée the sweet paradise that it is.

read on to see the recipe and my finished macarons!

Blast From the Past: Dollybird Design

Dollybird is an amazing, Chicago-based jewelry line. Each exquisite piece uses one of a kind gemstones and rustic materials, set in sterling silver, resulting in these wearable works of art. Below are some of my favorite pieces – including my most coveted "temple ring" – available on the Dollybird Etsy shop. I don't have my own masterpiece, yet, but I did find this little gem to tide me over.

Gold Miner's Ring

Preserved Cob Web Necklace

Hinterland Necklace

Maritime Pendant

Drusy Chrysocolla Ring

Sea Creature Necklace

Temple Ring

See more designs from Dollybird here!

Blast From the Past: Paris Panorama

a still from Paris Panorama

It's almost been a year since Steve and I were in Paris. I've heard it's perfect all year round, but October was such a pleasant time to be there ... the trees were bright fall colors, temps during the day hovered around 70 and in the evenings you just needed cardigan or light jacket (perfect weather for sitting outside with a glass of Bordeaux and chatting it up with locals well into the evening hours). We hope to get back next year sometime, but until then, I'll visit Paris Panorama, a site by photographer Gilles Vidal that pans all of Paris. I find the monochromatic skyline of cream colored buildings and gray mansard rooftops incredibly lovely and actually pretty soothing. It's kind of fun to locate the places we saw last year (and pick spots to hit up next time we visit!). Le sigh.

See Paris by clicking here!

Blast From the Past: Autumn Recipe

I've seen beautiful, fluffy, cubed marshmallows at specialty food stores before, but never thought I would be able to make them myself. When I agreed to bring the s'more fixings on our weekend camping trip, I figured this was as good a time as any to give 'em a try (and bring some Jet Puffed as backups). I scanned my go-to recipe sites for the least daunting one and found this recipe on Smitten Kitchen. I followed her step-by-step instructions and was surprised to find myself breezing through it. I was happy with the final product, which toasted perfectly over our campfire and drew rave reviews.

The only step missing from the instructions seemed like a crucial one ... when turning the chilled marshmallow sheet onto the cutting board, be sure to dust either the top of the mallow or the cutting board with confectioners sugar before plopping it down. Once that mallow (with a consistency of taffy) hits the board, it won't budge, and thus makes for quite a work out when scraping them off.
















As an added bonus to my marshmallow success, I recently came across this sea salt caramel hot cocoa at Target! I whipped up a mug, and I must say, it's a match made in marshmallow heaven! 

Blast From the Past: Nadeau on Ravenswood

I took in a bunch of beautiful inspirations for my upcoming nuptials at Indie Wed this weekend, which took place at the Ravenswood Event Center. While I was up that way, I stopped a few doors down into one of my favorite affordable furniture spots in Chicago, Nadeau.

What lies inside this warehouse can only be described as a treasure trove of fine furnishings. Piled high are amazing, solid wood imports from across the globe ... all priced far below what you'd expect for the gorgeous goods. Everything they carry is high-quality, very unique, and sure to add a pop to any space. Some highlights for the home are pictured below ...

Nadeau • 4433 N Ravenswood Ave

Blast From the Past: Miss Manners

Emily Post's name is synonymous with proper etiquette and manners and today marks her birthday! I received the 17th edition of her book, Etiquette, as a birthday gift from my mom in 2004, and I love having a printed record of what is currently socially acceptable. Since then, I peruse thrift stores and flea markets for vintage etiquette books to add to my collection, fascinated by the antiquated (and sometimes outrageous!) "social norm".




a few gems ...

On gentleman callers ...

"A gentleman attending ladies should seldom if ever be seated while they are standing. He should be prompt to serve them as to their parcels, parasols, shawls, etc. and is not touch the piano unless invited to do so."

—Home and Health and Home Economics, 1880

On calling for a woman ...

"A man always exits his car to greet the lady, unless he is driving and for some reason cannot leave his place at the wheel. No man should sit in a car and allow a woman to climb in by herself, no matter how many attendants may be around to open and shut building and car doors for her."

—Vogue's Book of Etiquette, 1969

On the well-mannered woman ...

"A well-groomed woman is carefully girdled, if necessary, from the time she gets up until she undresses for the night. Her hankerchief is always clean and when not in use, safely on her. The fastidious woman always understands how much the appearance of her hair has to do with that of her whole person."

—Amy Vanderbilt's Etiquette, 1972

Blast From the Past: Wonferful World of Wang

I'll continue my streak of pretty, little wedding posts with a few photos from last night's opening of Vera Wang Chicago. The new space at Rush and Oak is simple and stark, but the gowns are anything but. Luscious layers of tulle and silk hang on the racks like incredible works of art. I already have my gown, but my sister and I had a lovely time taking in the decadent dresses (and a couple glasses of bubbly).

Vera Wang Bridal Salon • 945 N Rush St, 3rd Floor