September : Inspire Me

:: cable knit sweater + round sunglasses ::

:: woven satchel ::

:: sheer black ::

:: blush tone ruffles ::

  

:: red + flowing ::

:: astro leggings ::

:: fringe jacket ::

  

:: studded ::

:: chic + unkempt ::

:: wedge ankle boots + brown/black combo ::

:: lips blouse + leather bomber ::

:: shoesss ::

:: ombré ::

  

:: ruffled peplum ::

:: shearling bomber ::

:: heel adornments ::

:: love this outfit ::

:: awesome hair ::

:: oversized ivory scarf : + blazer ::

:: Hunters ::

:: cowl neck sweater + stacked wrists ::

:: loose knit ::

:: love this outfit::

:: knit tights ::

:: grey ankle boots ::

  

:: sheer scarlet ::

  

:: navy blazer with gold buttons ::

:: fall uniform - I'd wear this everyday ::

all images via we heart it

French Toast Muffins

I'll start this post off by saying that I don't "do" baking. I love to cook because you can give-and-take with the ingredients and the recipe generally remains forgiving, whereas baking requires much more precise measuring and technical handling. Not being a "baking kind of girl" never fazed me much because deep down I knew if it was there - I would eat it (that's how I justified it in my mind anyway). So the other day I was flipping through the Inspired Magazine (the free magazine sitting at the end of Sobeys check-outs, which I suggest everyone pick up because it always has great easy recipes) and one recipe in particular caught my eye: French Toast Muffins. After looking at the list of ingredients (only 8, most of which I already had) and the preparation (only a few steps) I quickly calculated the level of difficulty as being super easy. What also caught my eye was that they suggested you make these in advance and freeze them individually for one-the-go breakfasts, which in theory is a great idea if you can refrain from eating them all in one day. With all that said, I decided to give them a go and I was more than pleased with the result. Warmed up and served with a cup of tea or coffee, they make the perfect mid-morning snack (or breakfast, lunch and dinner in my case). I've made two batches of these so far and am confident this will be one of my go-to recipes. 

French Toast Muffins

Ingredients

:: 3 eggs

:: 1 1/2 cups milk

:: 1/3 cup sugar

:: 1 tbsp vanilla extract

:: 1 tsp ground cinnamon

:: 10 slices bread, cubed

:: 1 cup frozen berries

:: maple syrup

Preparation

:: Whisk eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon together in a large bowl.

:: Add bread and toss until egg mixture is absorbed.

:: Add berries and toss gently to combine.

:: Divide mixture evenly into greased muffin tin.

:: Drizzle each muffin with maple syrup.

:: Bake at 375'F for 25 minutes.

:: Remove from oven and let cool.

:: Devour them in one day, or wrap individually in plastic wrap and freeze for on-the-go.

:: Reheat in the microwave: 1 minute if frozen; 30 seconds if not frozen.

:: Drizzle with more maple syrup before eating if you're into it.

all photos by me

Wearstler Wannabe

Kelly Wearstler has got it going on. In addition to being a renowned California style maven, surf chick and married mother of two, she also bears several professional Designer titles: interior, home furniture, home accessories, clothing and fashion accessories. According to The New Yorker, Wearstler also bears the title of "the presiding grande dame of West Coast interior design" as a result of the awe-inspiring interiors she has designed for her luxe A-list clientele. As a highly acclaimed interior designer she is notorious for her more-is-more-is-more style of mixing colours, patterns and textures to create sensory-overloaded spaces. Wearstler also approaches her personal style and fashion design in the same way that she does interior design by mixing colours and patterns to create wearable works of art. She recently presented her second ready-to-wear line for Spring 2012 which included wearable, everyday pieces in bold, monochromatic patterns (I want it all). In addition to all of the above, she has published several coffee table books detailing her distinguished and praiseworthy interior designs. Ridiculously accomplished much? She shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon, which is fine with me because I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. I think it's safe to admit that I want to be just like her. Ps: can you imagine what her home decor and wardrobe must be like? TDF (to die for).

all images via Kelly Wearstler

Fall Fashion

Although the autumnal equinox is still two weeks away, signs of Fall have been slowly presenting themselves in the form of crisp morning air and changing of the leaves (it's true! I spotted some red leaves the other day). Although I'm sad that my afternoon breaks will no longer be spent catching rays on my back deck, I am welcoming Fall with arms wide open for one primary reason - I LOVE fall fashion! It's that transitional phase when it's too cold for a blouse to be worn alone but not cold enough for a large coat, so my perfect uniform entails skinny jeans or leggings tucked into riding boots and paired with a chunky sweater and statement scarf. Now, if you've been following my blog you know that I love the bright colours of Summer, but on the other hand there is something so inviting about earth-tone neutrals in cozy textures. As the days become shorter and the temperatures continue to drop, I've compiled a wish-list of items along with ways in which I would wear them in order to ease the impending seasonally induced depression:

  

 

:: Maxi dress under a jean jacket & scarf.

:: Red blazer to top off off jeans & ankle boots.

:: Fringe jacket which makes anything instantly chic.

:: Leather pants paired with an ethereal blouse or sweater.

:: Wool wide-brimmed hat for those breezy days.

:: Leopard scarf (or leopard anything) acts as a neutral in itself.

:: Sequin mini-skirt over tights with a chunky sweater & boots.

:: Cape which makes even leggings look polished.

:: Wedge ankle boots - equal parts comfortable & cool.

:: Bright red nails to compliment neutral-hued outfits.

:: Over-sized cat-eye sunglasses to be worn with everything.

:: Chunky cable-knit sweater which is the perfect layering piece.

How do you ease your cold-weather blues?

 

:: Maxi dress : Top Shop

:: Red blazer : Dorothy Perkins

:: Fringe jacket : Haute Hippie

:: Leather pants : D&G

:: Wool hat : Reiss

:: Sequin skirt : Catherine Malandrino

:: Leopard scarf : Top Shop

:: Cape : Minette

:: Wedge ankle boots : Dolce Vita

:: Cat-eye sunglasses : Religion

:: Nail polish : Essie

:: Cable-knit sweater : Pringle of Scotland

 

fashion set created by me