that grandma sense

i can't wait to be a grandma someday. most of the time, i already act like one. i have a bad back, like to wear large knitted sweaters + typically get into bed before most people go out to party. but regardless, i can't wait to have that sixth sense that grandmas tend to have (they somehow always know everything all at once).

between my stomach troubles, back to school anxiety, and discovering that penny has feline asthma (yes, there is an inhaler for cats called the aerokat), i've been feeling a little overwhelmed lately. yesterday, i came home to a package on my doorstep from my grandma containing the cutest old framed photograph of my parents on their wedding day + me as a youngster. the attached note read, "thought you would want this to warm your little home in portland". how did she know? how could she tell that this cute old photograph was exactly what i needed to cheer me up? must be that grandma sense.

let's go scamping

dreamy pictures of decked-out campers all over the internet lately have sparked some serious wanderlust. much to drew's dismay, while i love the idea of spending a night under the stars away from all distractions, i'm not the biggest fan of traditional camping (blame it on the spiders). but with a scamp, all of our camping problems would be solved! now all we have to do is save the absurd amount of money it would cost to bring this idea to fruition, plan our journey + hit the road.

images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

salted caramel pumpkin brownies

despite the lengthy name of these delicious treats, they were so easy to make (with some cheating involved). i got the idea in my head for salted caramel pumpkin brownies and i knew i had to have them. like within two hours at most. do you know how long it would have taken me to make my own caramel sauce? and my own brownie batter from scratch? and to go to a pumpkin patch, find a pumpkin, cut it up + puree it? a lot more than two hours. so i cheated. 

for the boxed brownie mix, i chose the kodiak cakes big bear brownies. initially, i was drawn to the name of this brand, but the ingredient list is wonderful too (100% whole wheat flour, all natural dark chocolate chips). i was supposed to add 1 stick of butter, 2 eggs, 2 tbsp oil + 2 tbsp water to the dry mix, but i had other plans (a 15 oz. can of pumpkin can be used as a tasty and nutritious substitution for most wet ingredients in recipes)!

salted caramel pumpkin brownie

1 box of brownie mix 
1 egg, or two if the batter is not moist enough 
15 oz. can of pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling!!!) 
a few soft caramels or caramel sauce 
pink himalayan sea salt

preheat oven to 350 degrees. pour contents of brownie mix into a large bowl. add the egg + the pumpkin and mix until everything is incorporated. pour batter into a greased 8x8 baking dish. quarter caramel squares and drop them into the batter, making sure to distribute them evenly. sprinkle the top of the batter generously with sea salt before baking. depending on your oven, bake for about 25-30 minutes.

for a different take on these pumpkin brownies: omit the caramel + sea salt and add cinnamon, chopped walnuts + top with vanilla ice cream!

polka dots

polka dots are in this fall, and i couldn't be happier. i love the classic, retro feel that they add to any garment. i've already invested in a polka dot umbrella, scarf, blouse + dress, but i think i'll let myself go a bit crazy with this trend and get as many polka dotted items as possible.

 

 

images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

scenes from the weekend

phew! i am exhausted. saturday morning i was up at the ungodly hour of 7 am to set up for the orientation that i planned (only to realize that the janitor had not unlocked the room where it was being held, causing the entire event to run behind schedule). luckily, we pulled it together and i spoke in front of an audience without throwing up or passing out! overall, i'd say it was a success. post-orientation i let myself unwind the best way i know how: shopping, tacos + ice cream with jill. i also welcomed this weekend's chilly and rainy weather with open arms as it gave me an excuse to cozy up with annie hall and a giant mug of tea on the couch all day sunday. 

1. awkward/terribly lit orientation co-planner photo.
2. flutter has the cutest store displays.
3. they even have birds!
4. jill, in line, in the cold rain... we're true ice cream fans (or idiots).
5. salted caramel ice cream with a macaron on top from salt + straw.
6. whole wheat tofu + veggie burrito from cha cha cha.

j.crew spring 2012

the j.crew ready-to-wear spring 2012 collection is up here and i'm in love with so many pieces! here are just a few looks that i'm smitten with ...

images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

wise words

here is the motherly advice that i received in an email yesterday regarding my current parasite troubles...


"personally my darling i think you should stop being an almost vegan. can't trust the produce these days. if you ate burgers, fries, potato chips and drank lots of red wine.. you wouldn't have any problems.. life would be great i promise you!"


...and that is why i love her so much.