Dedicated to my October Obsessions!

Hello world! I'm so excited to say that Autumn is in the air and the Fall feelings are right! I know it is only September and this blog is titled Dedicated to October Obsessions, but I am SO one step ahead...all the time. If you know me you can atest to the fact that I am very impatient and when I get excited about something, that is ALL you will hear from me until my obsession is met. So since it is the middle of September, I figured that was an invitation to go ahead and talk about my "October Obsessions."

First of all I would like to talk about the fact that I am in LOVE with Halloween movies. Scary, non-scary, doesn't matter to me. I like 'em all! Here are a few of my FAVES that I make a point to watch every year:

Numero Uno...of course!

 

Not necessarily Halloween but I like to sneak it in there :)

I know, I know...they are all Disney movies but they are the BEST! :) These I can watch over and over again year after year. Actual scary movies...not so much.

Lets talk about food and beverage next shall we?

I know I have already informed yall about my Pumpkin Spiced Lattes, Pumpkin Pancakes and Pumpkin Ravioli if you forgot heres a reminder:

Along with these little gems, I am also addicted to:

Apple Cider

Marble Slab Pumpkin Ice Cream...yes it's true!

Pumpkin Loaf

Also, I'm a huge fan of seasonal beers. These are DE-LISH:

Ok so aside from food and drink, there are definitely other Fall traditions that I love to be a part of.  I LOVE and miss dearly decorating my house for this season. However, I'm glad my mother shares my same passion for decorating and being festive as I do and although they aren't my own decorations, she does a great job of putting us all in the mood around the house.

Other fun events I like to take part in include: Carving pumpkins, hayrides, going to haunted houses, etc...

Doo Dee, Doo Dee, Doo Dee, Doo Dee (Twilight Zone?)

So Scott and I are debating on whether or not we want to go out this Halloween. Call me an old grandma if you will, but I just don't feel like going out and purchasing an expensive costume anymore like old times, to wear to some mediocre party. It would be a totally different story if we attended a party like the parents on Hocus Pocus but just to go to a house party, I'd rather save my money and just go in my regular clothes. So this year we are thinking of just staying in, watching movies, drinking one of the delicious beers posted above, and passing out candy to the trick-or-treaters. If we were to change our minds, this is my costume idea:

Audrey Hepburn

Minus the long black dress, substitute a short black dress :)

Thursday, in observance of the first day of Fall, I will be making dinner. This is what will be on the menu:

Pumpkin-Ricotta Stuffed Shells

 Ingredients:

24 jumbo pasta shells
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
22 ounces ricotta cheese
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated pecorino Romano cheese
1 large egg white
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup fresh basil, chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped sage
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 jar (26 ounces) purchased tomato sauce

Directions:

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Transfer to a baking sheet. Drizzle with oil.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together ricotta, pumpkin, 3/4 cup Romano and all remaining ingredients except tomato sauce.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spread sauce in bottom of 13-by-9-inch pan. Fill each pasta shell with pumpkin-ricotta mixture. Arrange in pan. Cover pan with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Remove foil. Sprinkle shells with remaining Romano. Bake 15 minutes longer.



TaTa for now!

Fabulous Fall Feelings!

Hello again! I know it has been awhile since I have last posted on here, my life has been on a non-stop flight to Crazytown capital being Stressville. I have been overloaded with assignments from my 5 classes this semester. I'm definitely looking forward to some sort of a break. I have a little bit of down time so I figured I'd do a little posty-post :)

Lets start out with these Fall feelings shall we?

First things first, this weather has been AH-MAZING! It is such a nice relief from this triple digit Texas heat we've been experiencing. I'm a big caffeine drinker and it has been so difficult to enjoy a nice cup-of-joe. I either have to drink it iced (which I don't mind) or drink sweet tea (which I definitely don't mind) to get my caffeine fix because it has just been too hot to drink a hot cup of coffee. Well not anymore! Starbucks is now serving there fall drinks including my absolute FAVORITE Pumpkin Spiced Latte. I have talked about my love for Fall and Pumpkin Spiced Lattes before but just in case you have forgotten, here's a reminder:

If you haven't tried a PSL, I highly recommend it. It feels so good to go to Starbucks after the sun has gone down a tad, order one of these little gems, and sit outside and enjoy this fabulous weather! Just a suggestion...

Along with the PSL, Starbucks makes a great pumpkin loaf. I'm pretty much obsessed with pumpkin anything. One of the major things I miss about living in Austin is Kerbey Lane's Pumpkin Pancakes. OMG yum! Here is a recipe I have found for them:

Pumpkin Pancakes

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds sugar

1 pound can pumpkin

4 eggs

4 cups milk

1/2-ounce baking powder

1/8-ounce ground nutmeg

1/8-ounce ground clove

1/8-ounce ground cinnamon

1/2-ounce salt

1 2/3 cups oil

1 pound all-purpose flour

1 pound cake flour

2 ounces baking powder

Directions:

Add all of the ingredients, except the oil, to a large bowl. Mix well, then slowly whisk in the oil until completely incorporated.

Mix the all-purpose flour, the cake flour and the baking powder together in a large bowl.

Add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture and whisk until combined.

Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the desired amounts of batter to the skillet and cook

until bubbles appear on the top of the pancake. Turn and cook on the other side. Repeat with the remaining batter. Arrange the pancakes on a serving platter and serve.

*These Pumpkin Pancakes with a Pumpkin Spiced Latte would be a great way to start your Fall morning off Fabulous! :)

While grocery shopping, My mother and I found a recipe for Pumpkin Ravioli. I was a little unsure about this at first but being as how I'm OBSESSED with pumpkin anything, we bought it and I can't wait to give it a try.

Moving right along, I had to pick up the new InStyle Magazine while out running errands because I couldn't stand any longer not knowing what the new Fall fashions would be. To a great surprise here are the colors that will be in style this Fall...LOVE, LOVE, LOVE:

I am so excited! I love the bright look. Intense hues were in for Spring and there was no reason to tone it down for the following season. Fabulous! Here are some other Fall trends I will definitely be following:

Lace

Striped Pants

Edgy Blazer with Leather Leggings

Houndstooth

Necktie Blouse

*Time to go shopping!!

Random, but seeing Kelly Rowlands bangs really makes me miss mine. The past few years, around this time, I usually darken my hair and get blunt bangs. I'm thinking I need to make a hair appointment soon! Martha!!! (My hairdresser)

Last but not least, my sister was telling me about this new creative idea she had heard about from one of her friends (shout out Melinda) It's called painting with a twist. Melinda and her mother tried it and it looked like they had a lot fun. I was looking through her pictures and it seems like a interesting way for you and your girlfriends to do something new and out of the norm. You bring your own bottle of wine and follow along with a local artist who walks you through the steps of creating your own masterpiece. "It's a little bit of paint, a little bit of wine, and a whole lot of fun!" I love the idea!

TaTa for now!

Short and Sweet

Hello world! Remember me? I'm that girl that writes on here to an imaginary audience.These past couple of days have been busy, busy, and more busy. Do you ever feel like there just isn't enough time in the day for everything that needs to be done? That's what I'm experiencing at the moment. Alot of...

Reading

Starbucks Studying

And trying to find a balance between being:

However I am happy to say that I am loving my classes so far. All of my professors are excellent and seem like they will be helping in making this semester flow as smoothly as possible. I don't ever want to leave San Jac! Lame, I know. But the instructors are just so much more pleasing and helpful then those are able to be at the universities. Speaking of "help..."

This past weekend I took my mother to lunch and to see The Help. The movie was so great! One of my new faves! We laughed and bawled throughout the whole movie. I know I had said that I wanted to read the book first, but I couldn't stand to wait any longer to see the movie. It's a must see for everyone!

Finally, gossip magazines and E News have been showing pictures from the Kardashian/Humphries wedding. I was getting a little bit frustrated because I didn't want to have to wait until October to view them when the wedding will be aired. Kim looked beautiful, of course. Is it just me or is there a strong resemblance between these two...?

I have a new obsession...plants. Along with baking, I now feel the urge to plant things all the time. The sad thing is, I have nowhere to plant all of my ideas. Scott finally listened to me and with a lot of convincing, he decided that he would rather just move into a house instead of building one. Thank you God! So he's been looking online to get ideas of what we would like and where we would like to live. Here are a few plants I WILL be having in my yard!...if I can...when I get one :)

Pear Tree

Lemon Tree

Apple Tree

Crepe Myrtle

And there are a few others but those are the main ones I'm wanting at the moment!

Fall is 22 days away!!

TaTa for now!

G is for Gossip

Hey dolls! Todays blog will be a bunch of random thoughts. As you may already know I am a reality tv junkie. Mainly a Bravo tv junkie but an avid watcher nonetheless. I am especially drawn to The Millionaire Matchmaker and the Real Housewives of New Jersey. Something about the drama really draws me in. I don't really have much drama in my life (thank you, Jesus!) so I get to enjoy it all from the crazy men and women who agree to do a reality show.

 Lets begin with Ms. Patti Stanger shall we...? Has anyone else been watching the new season of The Millionaire Matchmaker? Patti looks fabulous I must say! She is looking skinny minny and not to mention, she HAS to have had some sort of surgery done to her face. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is, but I'm thinking it had to have been a lift of some sort...face, eye, brow? I have been looking online to see if I can get info from an interview or celeb source but...nothing! I WILL get to the bottom of this but until then...go on with yo' fab self Patti! I just love her brutal honesty.

"Blood is thicker than water."- A Jersey motto! Since day one of the Real Housewives of New Jersey Season One previews, I knew I would be hooked. P.S from now on I will be referring to this show as RHONJ in case you aren't hip on the Bravo lingo yet :)

Anyways, the RHONJ girls are by far my favorite housewives. I could go on and on for days about why I can't stand any of the other housewives seasons but I'll spare you all the details. The Jersey housewives to me just seem to be more real and down to earth. I love that they are all big on family and moral values yet still have that edgy-ness and drama that keeps us viewers interested. I think if I had to choose a favorite housewife, it would have to be a close tie between Jacqueline and Caroline.

Caroline is such a good mother and you can tell that she really cares for her family and friends. She seems to be the most level-headed and understanding one of the group. Poor Jacqueline...God love her. She has let her daughter Ashley run wild and it's now coming back to haunt her. I feel bad for her because you can tell she wants to be a good mother and is trying her best...NOW. Ashley is probably the most disrespectful person I have ever seen and the sad thing is, Ashley feels like she's doing nothing wrong! Once she gets a chance to review the season and once she actually grows up, she'll realize she has made a huge mistake! I had to pick my jaw up off the floor and relax my face ( I don't want wrinkles) when I saw this week's episode. Completely shocked at the way she was speaking to her mother. In my household, you would've gotten popped in the face for speaking that way. Times have changed haven't they. On a brighter note...Dina Manzo is back! LOVE her!! She is hosting her own show on HGTV called Dina's Party! I WILL be watching!

Enough about my Bravo tv infatuation...I'm also obsessed with Juicy Couture at the moment. I've always been a fan but lately I'm loving EVERYTHING Juicy I see! From their perfume to their little luxuries, I'm obsessed.

This perfume and the open hinged mirror behind it...yes please!

This laptop case. How cute is that! I want!

These Birthday Panties! Love! So something I would wear :)

I find it being no coincidence what-so-ever that my initials and Juicy Couture's initials are the same. Everytime I see something Juicy with that JC on it, I feel drawn to it by some magical force! Ok. I'm exaggerating...but you now have a taste of my love for Juicy! I'll leave you with this Juicy Questionaire :)

1. THE WARDROBE ITEMS CURRENTLY IN TOP ROTATION: Skinny Jeans, Maxi Dresses, and Striped Tees

2. IF I COULD OWN ANY PIECE OF COUTURE PAST OR PRESENT IT WOULD BE: Anything Chanel

3.  A TREND I WILL ALWAYS SIT OUT: Cross body bags (I don't care if it is from Coach)

4.  YOU’D LIKE TO TAKE ME OUT TO DINNER, I SUGGEST: Somewhere very quaint and casual. Or when in doubt, always Sushi


5. THE CAUSE I’M MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT: Save the children foundation

6.  THE SIGNATURE LOOK I WILL ALWAYS RETURN TO: You can never go wrong with a little black dress

7. IT’S 10 P.M. ON SATURDAY YOU CAN FIND ME: At home, with a glass of wine and a movie


8.  MY GREATEST TALENT IS: Cooking? I'm not afraid to try new things or difficult recipes 


9.  MY STYLE ICON: Kim Kardashian. She dresses very sleek and stunning and shows that you don't have to be super skinny to have style. I love that even when casual, she still looks fabulous.

10. MY CURRENT NON-FASHION OBSESSION: Baking 


11. YOU ASK FOR MY NO. 1 STYLE TIP, I SAY: 3 S's Simple, Sassy, and Stunning

12. THE BEST GIFT I EVER RECEIVED: Life

13. MY FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: I haven't been many places, but of the places I've been I'd have to say New York! 


14. MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS PLACE IS: The fashion, the food, the shows...it really is the city that never sleeps

15. YOU SAY JUICY TRACKSUIT, I SAY: Must have!

16. MOST RECENT PURCHASE: Black flats

17. THE LAST SONG I LISTENED TO: Alicia Keys No One...never gets old

18. THE LAST JUICY BOOK I READ: Georgia Bottoms

19. THE LAST RECO-WORTHY MOVIE I SAW: The Lincoln Lawyer. Seen plenty since then but none RECO-WORTHY


20. MY CURRENT GIRL CRUSH: Maria Menounos. Love her book, love her style, love her positivity, love her!

21.  FAVORITE NAIL POLISH COLOR: OPI's At First Sight. An elegant nude with a pink nuance

TaTa for now!

Back to school

Hello again! I'm going to try my best to keep up with this blog on a regular basis. It's somewhat of a release to be able to share my thoughts, feelings, style, interests, and so on...to an imaginary audience :) I had been going back and forth with myself on whether or not I should delete my Facebook. So instead of completely cutting ties with the cyber world, I finally made up my mind and decided to keep my account. I was going to delete anyone who wasn't family, people I've known since I was young, actual friends, or my old drill team girls. I can't stand the random friend requests from people you have never seen before in your life and the TMI status updates by people from high school that you've accepted only because you didn't want to have an awkward situation in case you may run into them again in the future. Is that just me...? More than likely. So, I will now no longer be afraid to deny random requests and have whittled my friends list down drastically. I'm SO ok with that!

Moving along...school is back in session! I miss being a kid and having all the back to school excitement. Seeing your friends again for the first time since the Summer started. Anxious to see who your teacher is going to be and if you will have anyone you know in your class. Laying out your clothes the night before and making sure everything is perfect from the bow in your hair down to the shoes on your feet. Again...just me? Anyways, I'm excited that Fall semester will be starting on Monday but it's no comparison to the fun had in elementary, intermediate, and high school. I'll be honest, I am a little nervous about this semester. I'm taking 15 hours! I've never taken more than 12. I figured what would it hurt to add one more, hopefully not my sanity. One of those classes is a Saturday class. Blah, I can kiss my weekend time goodbye. Oh well, I definitely need to get the ball rolling if I ever plan to get my degree! I have made a list of some brain foods that I will be sure to indulge in this coming semester. I'm going to need all the extra brain power I can get...

1. Salmon 

2. Green Tea

3. Acai (Ah-Sigh-EE) Berries

4. Vegetables

5. Coffee

Hopefully with the help of these few things, this semester won't be as difficult as I am anticipating. I've talked about food now it's time for the fashion. Here are some of my back to school basics:

In order for to have a successful semester, I believe a girl needs to start out on a fashionable foot! It wouldn't be perfect without: A great pair of flats, to complete a stylish look. We all know that with all the back and forth walking across campus, heels just aren't the most reasonable thing to be wearing. Jeans or leggings, they keep you covered and you can down play an outfit when paired with a dressier blouse. Modest-in-length shorts---come on girls, we aren't in high school anymore, no more booty shorts. Since the weather is still pretty warm at this point, if jeans aren't your thing opt for shorts instead. A nice neutral cardigan, they are so versatile and perfect all year round! A blazer, simple and solid. I choose neutral colors that will go with any colored ensemble. Simple tees, easy to match with and keeps a sleek stylish look. A super cute and yet again, neutral, tote bag to carry your books in a more fashionable way. Scraves, because I'm obsessed. Oh and that other bag in the picture...that's the Michael Kors bag that I'm dying over at the moment! I WILL be getting it one way or another!

TaTa for now! :)