life lately
{brunching in downtown Bentonville}
{reminiscing about college after finding our names on senior walk}
{celebrating}
{enjoying this awesome “congrats on your new job” card from a dear friend}
{corn mazing}
XOXO
life lately {fall}
{fall hair color}
{fall meal at Eleven – autumn bruschetta, butternut squash soup & apple pie moonshine}
{fall mani – OPI Russian Navy}
{fall toy – iPhone 5 & new case}
{fall inspiration}
pumpkin lovin’
It’s no secret one of the best things about fall — other than fashion — is pumpkin everything. To celebrate the first day of the season, a little baking was in order.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownies
{messy & delicious}
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 whole egg
2 egg whites
1 tbsp vegetable or canola oil
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
* *
Preheat oven to 350˚F. Spray an 11″- x 7″-inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, eggs and oil until smooth. Set aside.
In a separate medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, spices, salt and brown sugar. Add to the wet ingredients and mix until thoroughly incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until passes toothpick test. Cool completely before cutting.
Recipe via
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Other pumpkin recipes on the must-try list:
{pumpkin creme brulee}
{pumpkin ice cream with beer caramel sauce}
{pumpkin lust cake}
{pumpkin whoopie pies}
All recipes via my Pinterest board Food Porn
hello, fall; hello, fashion
Day 12: I’m thankful that I’m financially blessed enough to be able to celebrate good news by going out.
Day 13: I’m thankful for an unexpected compliment today at the post office. Don’t those just make your day?!
* * *
FALL = fashion
I vow this year to take more risks in my fall wardrobe. So I’m sharing some inspiration for the season I hope to shamelessly steal from and make my own. My 2012 fall fashion advice = brights on bottom, nudes on top.
{mint!}
{best ombre}
{current fall obsession – Michael Kors Hamilton Artisan Tote}
{need more fur}
{burgundy + metal tip shoes = both hot fall trends}
{leopard, always}
{hat, yes yes yes}
{super bright, super cute – also, the shoes}
{chunky gold}
{glam + slouchy sweater = perfect}
What’s your fall style?
You might also enjoy: Falling for Fall, Northwest Arkansas Sartorialists {fall fashion}
mille’s chili {recipe}
Day 8: I’m thankful for good food.
* * *
Lunch
After church we ate at one of our favorite restaurants in NWA – Rolando’s. It’s located in downtown Rogers underground, so very easy to miss. The “nuevo latino” cuisine is unlike any in the area. To start, always always get the Queso Flamido. I literally drool just thinking about it. You have to eat it quick because it gets hard fast, but it is DEELISH. My entree of choice is the Pollo Bohemio and husband’s is the Taquitos. If you go, I’d love to hear what you get and what you think. Or invite us to come along, we’re always down for some Rolando’s.
Dinner
It’s finally time to break out my go-to fall meal. Here’s my recipe for easy, delicious, down-home, no frou-frou chili.
2 lb. lean turkey meat
12 oz. can dark kidney beans
12 oz. can light kidney beans
(or substitute one can for black beans)
2 12oz. cans diced garlic tomatoes
2 8oz. cans tomato sauce
2 tbs. chili powder
1 tbs. cumin
dash of cinnamon
S&P to taste
*
1. Brown the meat in a non-stick skillet.
2. Drain and rinse kidney beans.
3. Pour everything into crockpot.
4. Set on low all day or on high for a few hours.
5. Serve with shredded cheese and ritz crackers.
* * *
What’s your fall comfort food?
fall weather + good reads
Day 2 of the 30-day challenge: Today I’m thankful for B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L weather. J’adore!
* * *
I’m also thankful for good reads. The first of which my mother told me repeatedly to read, but I kept putting it off because in all honesty I thought it sounded kind of hokey. When I finally started it, I flew through it in 4 days – The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.
Oh my goodness this is a must-read. The tale is a beautiful portrait of an orphan’s life and how flowers and the language behind them drove her well-being and ultimate happiness.Who even knew flowers had meanings?? I laughed, I cried, I wanted to read it again.
My current read is Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple. Though I’m only 50 pages in, it’s already a fun, easy read about a quirky mother and her family.
Now I’m off to end my Monday with the two things I’m thankful for today – sitting on our porch, book in hand.
m.davis xoxo 