Fall is the best.

What a fun month October has been, and it's only going to get more exciting when we wind down with Halloween next week. I've been enjoying wearing jackets (for half of the day, some days), layering tights and cardigans with my favorite summertime dresses, eating yummy soups and drinking tons of cider and hot coffee, and getting through midterms! Woo woo! 

In honor of October winding down and November quickly approaching, I wanted to share some of my photos from the last few weeks. 

I'm so glad I finished that dresser and moved it to my room. Matilda kept using it to get into mischief.

Date night ghosties.

My pumpkin + Harbor's pumpkin

I'm going to get back to watching Arrested Development and crafting the rest of my Halloween costume. I finally got my wig tonight. Dare to venture any guesses as to who I'm going to be? <3

Have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy all the October-y goodness before it's gone.

K

Inspiring things.

This beautiful, whimsical video by my dear friend, Lindsey. Since watching it (numerous times) earlier tonight, I've decided that I'm going to load up my 35mm camera and tote it around with me again. It'll be a good way to stay creative while I'm running around so, so busy with grad school duties.

This garland post, from Elsie. I'm really obsessed with garlands of all shapes and sizes, and I'm drooling over that bow garland made from fabric scraps. I think I need to make one before my Halloween party next week.

The smell of apple cinnamon candles and warm pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.

And the entire new Feist album, cover to cover. (I really should have listened to this thing sooner. It's just so gorgeous.) I love singing along to it while I cook dinner, wearing an apron, glass of red wine in hand and dancing around my kitchen. It's so full of movement and story. Really, really good.

Have an inspiring Tuesday evening! I hope you can look around you and enjoy happy moments, pops of color, and whatever else it is that makes you feel like you. 

K

A cute, yellow dresser!

Well, folks. I've done it. I have officially tackled a home renovation project and it turned out better than I could have imagined. First, I need to let you know that I moved to Tallahassee in August. I also need to let you know that a significant amount of my clothing has been living in a huge mound on my floor, near the foot of my bed, since arriving. It's not that I particularly enjoyed it sitting there, but it didn't exactly have a home, either. But two months of clothes-pile-living was getting to be too much. I should also mention that I've been looking for a dresser since before I moved here. Some people have the Craigslist magic... but, I do not. However, hard work pays off, and last week I finally found a dresser I liked. And it was only ten dollars. TEN! That's it. I paid for that bad boy in cash. Dolla dolla bills, ya'll. 

When I went to the Craigslist stranger's house to get my dresser, I was sort of bummed to find that a drawer was lopsided, one of the feet was falling off, and the paint job was terrible. I didn't care though, it was ten bucks and it didn't smell like illegal drugs or animals and I needed it. So I called my dad and asked if it was ok if I just threw on a coat of paint, and he challenged me to take my time, sand it down, use a few coats, and give it a little TLC. At first I wasn't too interested in a project, but then I thought about it and decided to make this piece something I could really love. Boy, am I glad I did! 

And here it is in my room. It's so cute, and my space looks so much more cozy and tidy already. It's amazing how a little rearranging and organizing can change a room around. (I'm learning a lot about that this year!)

I lined the drawers with some upholstery fabric I scored a year or so ago, and I've been waiting for the perfect project to use it. I'm so happy I waited, because I am just so in love with my little dresser. 

Hope you guys have a great night. I'm off to sleep. Only one more day of classes and then my sweet boyfriend will get in town to spend the weekend with me. I can't wait! We're going to go on a cute date, enjoy the cold weather together, and enjoy a relaxing time of homework-less weekend hangtime. <3

K

Cozy fall times. (And a meatless chicken noodle soup recipe)

Yum! It's soup season, at long last. I've been treated to a few homemade soups lately, and so I wanted to share an easy recipe with you guys that my good friend Allie told me about last year. I like to call it "chickenless noodle soup," but you can also call it vegetarian chicken noodle soup if you prefer. Or maybe just "noodle soup". Or even "veggie noodle soup that tastes like chicken." Your call. 

The key ingredient is this amazing bouillon base made by Better Than Bouillon. It's their no chicken base, and you have to be careful when you buy it, because it looks awfully similar to their organic chicken base. Same orange label, same pot of soup. If it's a big deal in your house, then keep your eyes peeled. It's an easy mistake to make.

There's a recipe for tofu soup on the back of the jar, so you'll just need to alter it a bit to make a classic chicken noodle (sans chicken). It's pretty easy, actually. 

Chickenless Noodle Soup!

5 cups of water

2 tablespoons bouillon 

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped onion

a few cups of egg noodles (or noodles of your choosing)

Toss all of your ingredients into a pot (except for the noodles) and heat until veggies have cooked all the way through. When they're nice and soft, add as many noodles as you'd like, and toss in any "extras" you have in your kitchen that week. The manufacturer's recipe also recommends some garlic and poultry seasoning, if you'd like to get fancy. You can also throw tofu in there instead of noodles. Personally, I really love adding frozen peas to my soup. Makes it more crunchy and veggie-full. Simply add frozen peas when you're adding your noodles and they'll warm right up. 

You can make this soup however you please... but I like sticking to a good ol' fashion chicken noodle on chilly days. 

Now you'll know how to care for your loved ones with special dietary preferences when they're feeling sick or just need a friendly neighbor with a pot of soup in hand. A little home-cooked meal can go a long way when somebody's feeling down.

When I made this soup last week, I ate some with a pumpkin muffin on the side, and then ended the evening cozied up with Matilda, sipping hot camomile tea and writing letters to friends. It was a really nice night. 

Best of luck in your soup making this fall!

K

Starting my weekends with my sister.

Thursday and Friday nights are Kaitlyn-and-Jaclyn nights in my apartment. Jac and I try to get together before the weekend to bake, craft, and catch up on some of our favorite TV episodes. This past Thursday, we had a very fall themed hangout.

Fall-colored manis. 

(She wishes she could have a claw manicure.)

We made the spiced cider I shared with you guys. I'm not kidding when I say I could (and just might) make this stuff daily until spring arrives. I hope I don't get sick of apple cider! 

We also made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins... and then ate them hot out of the oven with our spicy, apple-y drinks while we watched Up All Night. (Does anybody else watch that show? It's hilarious.) 

Isn't Matilda's new spooky / punk Halloween collar the best? I love it.

Oh yeah, and I spread Nutella on my pumpkin muffin. Insane!

If you guys try the muffins or the cider, let me know how you liked them. I'm always excited when I see others enjoying a recipe I love. I'd better get moving - today I'be been busy working on making my apartment more cozy. And cleaning (blah).

Have a happy Saturday!
K

Cross your fingers!

Hello, friends.

I'm here to tell you about the best giveaway I've seen in a long time. A week ago, Vanessa of The Velvet Bird shared that she's going to give away one of the dresses from her fall line to one lucky reader. I mean, HOLY COW, can you believe it? I've been a fan of hers for awhile now, and I really like her style, sweet little posts, and adventurous spirit. I always enjoy reading her blog.

If I won, I'd choose this dress, this dress, or this dress. I just think they're all so darling. If you would like to try your luck as well, head on over to her blog and read the entry rules. You have until next Wednesday (Oct. 19th) to enter.

Best of luck to all who enter, and if you haven't ever read her blog, I highly recommend it.

K