I made a bunch of these for the party I attended this weekend. It’s simple: just drop scary gummy candies into ice-cube trays, fill with water (or pink lemonade) and freeze.
Especially fun around drunk party goers!
Sparkly Spiders and White Rabbits
Welcome back! Hope you’re having a spooky sort of day!
I kept my halloween decorations pretty minimal this year- just a few glitter spiders and some gold gourds (and pumpkins!) scattered around:
I think the little pops of pink makes it a bit spooky glam, which I dig, despite my usual disinterest in pink. More importantly though, what’d you dress up as?
I went to an Alice in Wonderland party, as a mod sort of white rabbit:
I made a cute oversized pocket watch, and wore a vintage red velvet jacket, both of which I’d misplaced by this point in the evening! I did manage to hold onto my tail though, despite my friend’s dogs complete and utter fascination with my ass.
So what about you, what did you dress up as? Are you putting it back on again tonight?
*All photos by me, except that last one by my pal Susanne Longo.
Trick or Treat!
Happy Halloween! (aka my favorite holiday)
Did you dress up and party down this weekend?
(Also have you watched that show? It’s surprisingly funny…)
Swing by a little later and we’ll talk halloween decor, tasty treats,
and most importantly, costumes!
Swing by tomorrow and we’ll talk about my outfit.
ps. I can’t wait to hear about your costumes!
pps. Any guesses who I was?
ppps. I’d give you a hint, but I’m late, I’m late…
Pumpkin Ricotta Pancakes with Magic Sauce!
Did I mention that I had every intention of starting this new blogging adventure on November 1?
I’m so glad I let my halloween obsession get me back on the blogging wagon earlier than planned though, because I really missed you guys! So a giant thanks for making a girl feel so loved on her first day back, and now, how about some pancakes?
Not just any pancakes though, these are pumpkin ricotta clouds smothered in bourbon maple butter! They’re delicious by themselves, but the bourbon maple butter, aka magic sauce, makes them just perfect.
A fresh french press of coffee and a spooky/sparkly dining companion don’t hurt either!
Pumpkin Ricotta Pancakes with Bourbon Maple Butter Syrup
serves 3-4
Ingredients for pancakes:
1 1/4 cup flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1 large egg
2 large egg whites
1/4-1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon canola oil
Ingredients for sauce:
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons maple syrup
splash (or generous splash) of your favorite bourbon
Directions for Pancakes:
1. In a large bowl whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves
2. In another bowl whisk together the wet ingredients minus the milk: so that’s pumpkin, ricotta, eggs, and oil.
3. Fold the pumpkin mix into the dry ingredients. Don’t over mix. The batter will be thick, but feel free to add 1/4-1/2 cup milk at this point to thin it out a bit.
4. Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat, add a little oil or butter, then drop 1/3 cup of batter at a time into pan. Cook 1-2 minutes on each side. Serve warm with magic sauce! A dollop of homemade whipped cream works too!
Directions for Magic Sauce:
1. In a small saucepan over medium heat melt butter and add the maple syrup.
2. When it starts to bubble (which will be pretty quick) reduce heat to low and add a splash (or two) of your favorite bourbon. Mine is Maker’s.
3. Pour liberally over warm pumpkin ricotta pancakes. Try not to drink straight from saucepan as I don’t want you to burn your tongue! 
A few notes to self (and you!):
1. These would be perfect silver dollar pancakes as they’re very rich and filling.
2. Next time I want to add a teaspoon or two of orange zest to the batter. Mmmmm…
3. Don’t drink all the magic sauce before it makes it onto the pancakes.
4. If you’re looking for an alternative to magic sauce, I think this cinnamon syrup sounds divine.
A few weeks ago when I first became interested in ricotta pancakes, this recipe from Two Peas & their Pod was my jumping off point.
What are you baking/doing this holiday weekend?
Pumpkin Patch Style {1}
I have to admit I felt a little silly and narcissistic when considering doing my first ever (personal) style post. Or considering doing style posts at all, really.
Funny.
See, I’m usually the stylist behind the camera, or the shopper behind the stylist behind the camera, so I’m not used to documenting my own outfits.
But I sure do enjoy putting them together.
And with a litte friendly encouragement (thanks Rachel!) and a co-conspirator in crime/photographer (thanks Kerri!) it was a pretty fun (and painless) adventure.
I definitely need to learn to smile though!
Here are a few more:
And here’s the details:
The Outfit: Missoni for Target Top, Vintage green skirt, Banana Republic Trench Coat, H&M tights, Miss Allbright Shoes, Clare Vivier Bag, Timex Watch, Rayban Aviators.
Makes me Feel: Fancy.
The Photographer: My darling friend Kerri. Have her teach you pilates.
The Location: Pumpkin Patch on Larchmont (North of Beverly). They seriously had the most gorgeous, unique, and dare I say heirloom, pumpkins, gourds, and super gourds (bigger than my head!) All super affordable, all for charity. Go, go, go!
ps. Pumpkin Pancakes tomorrow. With magic sauce.
Starting Over.
From Artist Linzie Hunter via Pinterest.
Yes, that.
And also, a hearty welcome to my new adventure!
One day a few weeks ago, my blog of nearly two years just disappeared. Frantic phone calls ensued, followed by my own inept attempts to restore my content, followed by a creeping acceptance that it might not be coming back. It was devastating, and confusing, and inspiring all at once.
I chose inspiration.
And so here I am, ready to fill this new space with good food, good style, and good people (that’s you guys!) Oh! And crafts. Of course there will be crafts!
Fall is the perfect time to embark on this adventure, with its new school year possibilities and abundance of holidays (my birthday included!), not to mention the rare opportunity to wear a coat in Los Angeles and eat soup as often as possible.
And I do love soup. And coats.
You hear that fall? I’m ready for you! Any day now…
I’m simply on a mission to slow down and celebrate all the little joys (and tragedies too) that make for a happy life. One bite, one step, one craft, and one word at a time.
In a book, in a store, in my kitchen, in a far off land, and in myself.
I’ve had some tough breaks this year, and I need a pretty patch of grass in the sunshine to lay on my back and just stare at the sky. Won’t you join me for some cloud gazing?
I promise there will be dessert.
Coming Soon…
He who goes to bed hungry dreams of pancakes.
