do this now: world's best pancakes

Friends, today I am issuing you a plea. As I am a simple girl, I make only a simple request: in the name of all that's delicious, find a reason to make pancakes this weekend (or tomorrow...or RIGHT NOW.) Why? Because I truly believe that I've found what can only be described as the world's greatest pancake recipe--and I'm here to spread the gospel.

Let me preface by saying that these are no ordinary pancakes: they are Pumpkin Spice pancakes. So if you don't like pumpkin and you don't like spice...I suggest you get the hell outta my kitchen! I found this recipe, of all places, on the Opening Ceremony blog a little over a week ago, and have made them twice since then (and that is a serious show of self-control.) Both times they cooked up like fluffy little piles of warm, soft, moist clouds from heaven--and in the perfect quantity for two hungry people who REALLY like pancakes.


Assembling the troops.


Mmmmm, spice pile.


Go whole or go home!



A couple of tips:

• I've been adding a good spoonful (or around a tablespoon) of molasses to my wet ingredients, which gives the finished product an amazing gingerbread flavor.

• Seeing as it's fall and all, I really gotta urge you to make the pumpkin puree from scratch. Pumpkins are cheap and in season, and those things practically cook themselves. Here's a quick how-to. (And while we're at it: here's how to make buttermilk from scratch.)

• I haven't gotten around to making the Vanilla Bean Syrup they recommend (though I can only imagine the wonder) but I cannot impress upon you enough how crucial the Cinnamon Butter is. Seriously, it takes all of five minutes to whip up, and it will increase the yum-factor twenty-fold.



Aaagh looking at these photos is literally like torture right now. Maybe we can make these a new Halloween breakfast tradition? Or like...a Tuesday breakfast tradition?? Whatever it takes guys, I'm telling you: do this now!!

the bold and the beautiful

For me, autumn has always felt like an especially contemplative season. Something about the combination of spending more time inside staring longingly out windows, the necessity of putting a bit of thought into layering up clothing in the morning for a change, rain storms, endless pots of tea, the kind of things that make you want to just plant yourself in some corner of a warm cafe and doodle away an afternoon.

When Melissa from To Boldly Fold approached me about doing a giveaway, I thought that this would be the perfect time of year for such a prize: a gorgeous, handbound, softcover leather journal, fastened with a button made from a beachstone found on the Cape Cod shore. At 6.5" x 5" x 3/4", it's the perfect size for slipping into a beat up old back pack or satchel, or even a nice deep coat pocket.

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment describing your favorite spot to draw/write/journal/compose dirty limericks. For example, mine is a tie between my old room at home, preferably with a big cup of Vanilla Rooibos and a cat lying on my feet, and the Coney Island bound Q train. The contest will be open until Sunday evening. Please be sure that if your email isn't available on your profile you leave me that as well.

Check out the To Boldly Fold Etsy shop for more goodies, and best of luck one and all!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED! (Thanks so much for all the amazing entries, everyone!!)

Update: There were just WAY too many great stories to choose from, so in the end I used the number generator at random.org to pick...comment #32! Congratulations Viv!! Your journal will be on its way to you shortly. Since after a week Viv is still MIA, I've made the executive decision to move on and choose a new number. Congrats #49, Alice of The Brimborion! Thanks again to all who participated, and I promise you can look forward to more giveaways in the future.

minkette & me, v.3

My third guest post went up over on Minkette today. This time, I decided to put together a few Autumnal inspiration outfits--each of which includes a gorgeous Rebecca Minkoff bag.

I really am glad that things are cooling down a bit (well actually, it's supposed to be in the 80's for the next few days...but we're reaching the end, I can feel it!) It's nice to be able to wear pants and long sleeves and not wanna punch something. Bye-bye heat rage!

finger food

Ok, I admit, this is totally dumb BUT--one of my favorite things about the changing of the seasons is an excuse to buy new nail polish. Hey I mean, there's certainly bigger seasonal splurges I could (and, possibly, should) be making...

My collection is in a pretty sorry state at the moment, and I just know that all those robin's eggs and corals and delicate peaches of summer wont seem right under a cloudy October sky. As much as I'd love to outfit myself in some Khakis, odds are that ain't happening! So I'm looking instead to the Essie Fall collection. My favorite, hands down (ha!) is Little Brown dress, above. So rich! So moist! So choclatey. Eheheh. Mmmmm, lacquer.....

P.S. I made those brownies for my bf's birthday this year and they are the BEST. Ever. Put them in the fridge over night and they taste like fudge the next morning. (Just don't over beat, don't overbake, and good gawd DON'T bother with that stupid frosting...)

(first photo via Polish or Perish)

true blue (and orange)

I finally got a roll of film developed that I shot over the course of the last few months. These are mostly from the Jazz Age party out on Governor's Island back in October, which was a bit cold and mucky but still beautiful. More to come!

Edit: I used a Canon AE-1 camera and 35mm film, Duane Reade brand I think! Thanks everyone :n D

bohemian rhapsody

Aaaaah whhhooooa hey guys! I know, outfit posts around here have gone kinda kaput since I moved into my new place, but I finally got off my ass and braved our chilly back patio to show off this flowy little number I recently scored.



It was one of those big crazy hippie mamma things, complete with stale Nag Champa fumes and everything, but after amputating several inches off the bottom it's now a little more "downtown boho chic" ahaharr. Anyways, I'm off to Jersey for a couple days for a brief rendezvous with a certain world traveler...and the better part of his extended family.

Have a good one!!
<3
me

flower power

So, I know it's the middle of November and all, but try as I might I can't seem to get Spring off my mind. My brain's a big mess of light, soft fabrics--khakis and olives and blues and creams, with touches of braided leather and flat sandals...ok, so I guess maybe I just have Chloé to blame?? But anyways, maybe that's why, when I see an editorial like this one, which is purportedly meant to be, quote, "a view on Kenzo fall winter collection" all I can think is ooooh, Spring! Florals! Bunnies and babychicks!! Hooray!!!!!

Or maybe it's that I just got done planting a dozen daffodil bulbs in our back yard? By the time those things come up I'll probably be all excited for Fall again. Actually, no, I doubt it. You can see the rest of this lovely editorial, featuring Elsa Sylvan, which I found on Fashion Gone Rogue, right here.

(all photos by Alexandra Catiere for Crash Magazine)

wear my love like heaven

It was so wet and grey outside today, it made me want to put on my boldest and brightest outfit, just to freak the weatherman's mind. The second I got home and peeled off my big black peacoat of doom, I threw on a peachy pink top, yellow cardigan and denim short shorts (it's quite warm in our little basement), and now I am sipping tea and eating bright red and orange macaroons. Suck it, Fall!!

(photos from various magazines, neon.tambourine, and AltamiraNYC, click for sources)

mr. softee

Maybe it's because, what with the time change, it gets dark so early now. Maybe it's because I keep accidentally dressing in what appears to be all black (that's what happens when your only warm jacket is a big black peacoat, and you're too lazy to figure out which colorful pair of tights doesn't clash with your outfit...ahhhhhh tights how I hate'choo!!!) Maybe it's that I'm itching to take a trip to the oppostie hemisphere.

Actually, it's all those things--and more--that have me wishing it could be Spring again already.

(photos from Marie Claire Brasil found here)

party time

Only thing missing? A ginormous package of Twizzlers, most of which I ate that night (I couldn't find any red rope licorice, and apparently they don't have Red Vines on the East Coast--can this be true??) After seeing the Crystal Stilts play somewhere out in the boonies, our evening culminated in a fuzzy trip down the McDonald's dollar menu. I guess some crullers from Mikita's would have been more authentic, but who's counting?

Also:



They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? So what can I say except...gosh, thanks Alexa! You're makin' me blush!!

(photo of me 'n Al by Ben, photo of Alexa and Aggy found here)

goin' up the country

We're heading upstate this weekend for some fall-time fun. Of most pressing urgency on the agenda: eating many delicious foods, including (but not limited to) apple cider doughnuts, pumpkin gelato, and doughboys a plenty.

Important question: does anyone know of any primo thrifting (or otherwise generally awesome) spots between NYC and Saratoga Springs, NY? You can always email me if you require confidentiality. Your secret will be safe with me, swear!! Now spill it. :n )

(click photos for sources!)

courage, my love

I'm pretty sure I've already ranted and raved to you plenty about how I feel concerning pants. Long story short: I'm not a huge fan. I think the main problem is that, while I have great affection for the lower part of my legs, the upper parts? Not so much. That's why skirts and dresses are so great--they're made for playing a devious game of hide-a-thigh.



Ah, but pants! (Or should I say the pant??) They're everywhere these days--and not just any pants, really cool pants, like the ones up top. Slouchy, cuffed, printed, plaid. They make me want to throw caution to the wind...and my insecurities out the door.



So I'm trying. I'm experimenting. I think the secret to this thing might be pairing the pant with a really killer shoe. Sadly, my sexy shoe supply is sparse these days, so I went with the old staple Dingo boots. I dig it, but it's not quite there. But I'm ok with that.

On a side not, I said goodbye to my yellow walls today. I've moved in to a new place, though unfortunately most of my stuff wont be following me for another week or so. Outfit shots might be scarce for a while, I'm still figuring things out. And I'm sure gonna miss that golden glow...

(top photo from Stylesightings, click it for the original source)