So Long....

After some careful consideration I've decided to put blogging on the back burner for a while.

I work for a road building company which means fall is one of our busiest seasons. I also have a lot going on outside of work that requires my full attention. I've decided taking a break from blogging will be best for now.

Thanks so much for following along and making the blogging journey so much fun!

I'm sure I'll be back in a couple months!

Via

Apple Treats

I know it's not offically fall and it's supposed to be 30 degrees today but after labour day it's fall in my mind. If you haven't heard, fall is by far my favourite season. It's not too cold and it's not too hot, it's just right!

I came across these delicious apple treats and thought they'd be perfect for your next dinner party or gathering.



Easy Baked Apples

Click here for the full recipe and directions. 

Salted Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Click here for the recipe & directions.

 



Mini Twig Caramel Apples

 These are my favourite. I love the little branch.

 

Apple Pie Caramel Apples

Are you an apple lover? Do you have a favourite apple dessert? Which is of these has your mouth watering?

Fall Home Show Giveaway!

Sorry I was so MIA last week. With the long weekend and work, life got in the way of blogging. I hope you all had a fabulous long weekend. I was up north for the weekend with friends. The weather was fabulous and the company even better. I'm glad to be home but it was certainly nice to get away for a few days.

Via

I have two tickets to giveaway to the Fall Home Show Presented by Scotiabank.  The home show runs from September 20 - 23 at the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place.

Thursday September 20th 11am - 9pm
Friday September 21st      11am - 9pm
Saturday September 22     10am - 9pm
Sunday September 23       10am - 6pm

There are going to be some fabulous celebrities at the event that you surely do not want to miss. Here are just a few of them!

For all the details about the show and the full schedule please click here.

Contest Rules

To enter into the contest for your chance to win two tickets to the show you must:

1) Leave a comment telling me why you want to hit up the show.

2) Tweet about the contest.

 

It's that simple!

 

The contest closes Monday, September 10th at 11:59pm. A name will be drawn randomly on Tuesday, September 11th.

 

Good luck!



Storage Solutions For Your Home

Are you like me and have a place in your home that houses things you don't know where to put?  We live in a new home and one of the tasks I've yet to tackle is the guest room. I currently have my party supplies (mason jars, beverage holders, champagne flutes, etc) just sitting in the guest room. It's not ideal but with an unfinished basement it's hard to find storage for everything. I've been thinking about ways to minimize the clutter, something I hate.

Here are a few options I'm considering.

Via

I'm seriously considering this. It's a great way to store extra glassware and it's super stylish.

 

 

Via



 

This would be perfect and solve my problem 100% but being that we're not sure how we're going to finish the basement or the extra bedrooms I don't want to invest in a piece like this, set it up and then have to move it all around the house.

 

 

Via

 

This is another fabulous idea and something I could do now. Our coffee table is a mini trunk that I bought at the Christie Antique Show last year. I could definitely fill it up.

 

 

So tell me, how have you maximized the storage space in your home? Any tricks you'd like to share?

 

Be sure to check back tomorrow for a great give-away!

 



Thankful

Lately I feel like there's a lot of good going around. My best friend is getting married to her high school sweetheart on Saturday, her sister and a friend of mine just had a gorgeous baby girl last night, we've had a gorgeous summer, my little family is doing great, and so on!

Sometimes I think people, myself included, need to sit back and be thankful for all they have.

So here you have it!

Via

Have a wonderful Tuesday! xo

Decorating For Fall

Is anyone else itching for their front porch to be decked out with fall mums and pumpkins? Yes, yes, I am wishing away summer again, don't hate me!

There is just so much to love about the fall - the gorgeous colours, my birthday, Thanksgiving, fabulous boots, do I need to say more?

This is the first time I've had my very own front porch to decorate and I plan on having fun with it.

In case you need some inspiration, here you go!

Via

Via

Via

Via

The second and third image are my favourites. What about you, which photo are you loving?

Make sure to check in all week because I have a great give-away coming up!

Trendy Fall Outfits

First off, sorry the posts have been few and far between this week. Work and life are a bit nuts right now and unfortunately blogging had to take a back seat. Hopefully things will be a bit more calm next week.

I don't know about you but I totally have the urge to put on my brown boots and pretend it's already fall. Ya Ya rushing away summer is horrible but I don't care, I'm ready for my favourite season!

Do you have a favourite fall staple? I covered blazers earlier this week and they're definitely one of my favourite fall pieces.

Here are some great outfit options for our upcoming season.

Via

Brown boots make me weak in the knees. I bought a pair in Italy on my honeymoon and cannot wait to zip them up in a few weeks.

Are you liking what you're seeing above? What's your go to fall piece?

Have a great weekend!

Fall 2012 Blazers

I'm not mentally ready to do a full fall 2012 fashion post so I thought I would touch on one of my favourite staples, the blazer. Yes a blazer can be worn in the summer but to me, they're a perfect fall accessory!

I have a couple blazers and am always on the look out for other ones.

Here are a few I think everyone can enjoy.



1

2

3

4

Are you a blazer lady? Are you digging the two tone blazers?

Artichoke Pesto Zucchini Bites

This summer I have fallen in love with zucchini. I've never liked it but something changed this summer and now I can't get enough of it.

We're having a dinner party on Sunday and I plan on making a new recipe my mom got that I'll be sure to share next week.

In the meantime, how amazing do these zucchini bites looks. We're also having people for dinner on Friday night (yes, two dinner parties this weekend) and I think I'm going to try these.

Via

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs zucchini (about 2-3 large zucchini)
• 9 oz package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and squeezed of excess water
• zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• the leaves of half a bunch of parsley (about a cup)
• 1/4 cup walnuts
• pinch of salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 oz parmigiano reggiano, grated (about 1/2 cup)

Directions:

1. Cut the stem off the zucchinis, then use a mandolin to slice them into long thin ribbons. They should be about 1/8 inch thick, if they're too thin they won't stand up on the own, but if they're too thick, they won't be flexible enough to roll. Give each one a little sprinkle on both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Heat the grill to high, and do a quick sear of the zucchini. Since they are really thin, they should only be on the grill for about 30-60 seconds, just enough to take the raw edge off and give them some pretty little grill marks. Remove the grilled zucchini ribbons to a plate.
3. In a food processor, throw in the artichoke hearts, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, walnuts, and a big pinch of salt and pepper. Let the food processor run for a good 20 seconds, until everything is chopped up, and be sure to stop and scrape down the sides from time to time. With the food processor running, stream in the olive oil. Scrape the pesto out into a bowl, and stir in the grated parmesan. Taste it to check for proper seasoning.
4. Place a spoonful of artichoke pesto into each zucchini ribbon, and roll it up into a little roll. The artichoke pesto is sticky so it should stick together well. Serve and enjoy!

For a play by play with images click here.

Is there a new vegetable you're loving this summer? What's your favourite vegetable dish?

Raspberry Sorbet In Lemon Bowls

Holy moly this week took a long time to end, too long! We have a very busy weekend but thankfully nothing on the schedule for tonight. I need a night to decompress.

I came across these the other day and thought they'd be perfect for a hot summer's day. I know it's raining and gross right now but imagine how perfect these would be at your next bbq!

You'll need to make sure your lemons are a decent size and not too small.

Via

What do you think, something you'll be adding to your next menu?

Have a great weekend!