Coat Check

{Old Navy}

It has been getting really cold...coat weather cold.  Lady-like coats and jackets are what I crave during this climate transition.  Nothing beats a great fur collar or belted waist.  Here are a few picks that grabbed my attention...

{Rebecca Taylor}

{Anthropologie}

{Top Shop}

{Anthropologie}

{Loeffler Randall}

Cheesesteaks & Art

Here's a few shots of our impromptu trip to Philly this past weekend.  We enjoyed some AMAZING art, architecture, cheesesteaks, cookies, and ice cream.  Now time to detox.

 {Chinatown}

 {Reading Terminal Market}

 
 {The Famous 4th Street Cookie Co.}

 {The line for Jim's Steaks wrapped around the block, but was so worth it}

 

 {Visted the Works on Paper Gallery}

{Some work from the incredible artist, Distort}

A major thanks to Mathew and Linda for being the best tour guides/company ever.  We had a blast.  Hope to do it again sometime ; )

Autumn Lights

Here is the easiest DIY ever...

All you need is a glass candle holder, some spray adhesive, assorted dried leaves, and a pair of scissors for trimming.

1.  Spray the backs of the leaves with adhesive

2.  Apply to candle holder

3.  Trim off any excess off of the bottom 

I love how the leaves glow against the candle light.  Perfect to be placed around the home during a cocktail party.

Have a Great Weekend!

I Luv Leatha

Remember Stella from Project runway? She was the designer that LOVED LEATHA! She was definitely on to something, but as with all things in life, everything in moderation. Just one leather piece can add a touch of modern edginess without making you look like a member of the Hell's Angels. These are a few of my favorite leather silhouettes...

L'Wren Scott Leather Shirt Dress, $4,295

The Row Gilmore Leather top, 1,025 GBP
Current/Elliott The Easy Biker nappa-leather jacket, $835
L'Agence Leather mini skirt, $510
Leather Buckle Shorts - New In - Topshop, 68 GBP

Food Porn of The Week: Herbed Ricotta Bruschette

Over the summer I had the pleasure of tasting handmade ricotta as you saw here.  When I found this recipe for Herbed Ricotta Bruschette and I saw how incredibly easy it was to make your own ricotta cheese I figured - Let's do this!  I really can't even put into words how yummy this was.  The cheese came out super creamy-almost buttery.  Life changing!!!  I will never look at those containers of ricotta at the supermarket the same way again.

{the recipe calls for cheese cloth, but unfortunately the cheese cloth was no where to be found.  I cut open some coffee filters and they worked out perfectly}

{served with freshly cracked pepper and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil}

Me Bake Pretty One Day

I've been finding myself baking a lot lately.  This will not be slowing down anytime soon as the holidays are approching.  I can't always make an elaborate dessert that takes a ton of time.  So, in these instances presentation is everything!

These cupcake/muffin liners will brighten anyone's day.

Just in time for Thanksgiving, these mini dough cutters will make your pies look like something straight out of Martha Stewart Living.

Turn a plain cake into a super elegant one by using this stencil along with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Make your own custom cookie cutters with the help of this kit.

This decorative ribbon adds the perfect touch when packaging baked goods.

Hope Your Halloween Was Happy

This year Chris (aka Baby Joker) and I (Lil' Smiley) decided to dress as a cholo and chola.  We really got into character.  I watched a bunch of chola makeup tutorials on Youtube like this one and this one to ensure my brows were perfectly arched and my darkly lined lips were on point.  It didn't hurt that we watched Mi Vida Loca for some lingo practice.  It was all in the name of fun.

I must say this was the most comfortable costume I've ever worn.

Did you dress up this year?