Six Degrees of Obsession

it’s winter. wardrobe inspiration is at an all time low. mostly, i’d really just like to be in stretchy pants next to a fireplace.

i threw on my green bubble necklace to add a pop of color to this otherwise blah work outfit. i’m also wearing my hair in a sock-bun today, so that’s something.

what do you do to pull yourself out of the winter style inspiration slump?

if you can believe it, my sister doesn’t eat cheese.

i’ll let that sink in.

it’s an issue that i struggle with on a daily basis, people. she needs help. nevertheless, it was her birthday last week (yay!). as such, i made my maiden voyage to her new apartment in stamford, ct and also indulged her vegan-ness with some cupcakes (unlike me, she lurves her some cake). i came across this recipe from oh she glows on pinterest. they look delish, right?

don’t get too excited, mine did not look this fancy. but according to my sis and my oh-so-not-vegan father, they were just like the real thing (as in, i waited to tell dad they were vegan until after he gave his seal of approval). see below for the deets.

cupcake ingredients:

• 1 cup non-dairy milk (i used vanilla almond milk)
• 1 cup sugar (i used natural cane sugar)
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp pure almond extract (optional – i did not use this)
• 1.5 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder, sifted
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp kosher salt, to taste

directions:

preheat oven to 350F and line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners. please note the sassy liners – right up my sissy’s alley!

with an electric mixer, beat together the following ingredients in a large bowl: non-dairy milk, oil, sugar, apple cider vinegar, vanilla, almond extract (if using). beat on medium speed for a minute or two.

now sift in the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. mix well, until the clumps are gone.

spoon the batter into prepared cupcake pan, about two thirds full for each.

bake for about 22 minutes at 350F, or until the cupcake slowly springs back when pressed with a finger.

allow to completely cool before frosting.

frosting ingredients:

• 1 cup earth balance buttery stick or equivalent, room temperature
• 6 cups organic confectioner’s sugar, sifted
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3-4 tbsp non-dairy milk, to achieve your desired consistency
• fresh raspberries

directions:

in a mixing bowl, beat 1 cup of earth balance (or equivalent) with an electric mixer. add in the milk, extract, and salt. mix. gradually add in the sifted icing sugar, starting with 1 cup and mixing slowly until fully combined. since my shiny new stand mixer is living in my parents’ attic until we have the space,  i used a hand mixer to beat the frosting for at least 4-5 minutes. reserve about 1/2 cup of the frosting for the raspberry glaze.

mash about 5-6 fresh raspberries with a fork and mixed it with the frosting. the raspberries release a bit of water and the frosting thins out into a lovely glaze that you can drip over the cupcakes.

again, not profesh looking, but taste-wise they were a hit. enjoy!

recipe via oh she glows

happy new year! new year, new you! time to change your life! and all that jazz… i’m just going to go ahead and say this year is going to be great since it ends in thirteen, and that’s my lucky number. we’ll go with that as my resolution of sorts. how’s that for inspiration?

ah, friday, there you are. not that i have much to complain about this week – hurricane sandy was kind to this gal. my thoughts are definitely with those who have been severely impacted by the storm. mother nature can be a real betch.

the weather this week has put me in the mood for cozy clothes. shawl sweaters, slippers and scarves have been dancing through my head. side note: why aren’t slippers more socially acceptable at the office? we spend so much of our lives there, we might as well be comfortable, right? hm… how to incorporate slippers into work attire this winter…

given my hunger for coziness, i opted for boots and a scarf on this casual friday. nothing groundbreaking in this outfit, but sometimes it’s nice to be reminded that simplicity is chic.

happy weekend, friends.

do you see what i did there? with the headline? because i’m getting back into posting AND it’s fall??

one of my favorite things about fall fashion is that while the “color of the moment” may change, the formula for a great fall outfit is always the same: light sweater, cozy scarf, jeans and boots. rinse and repeat. this allows for the ol’ “use what you have” method, which i am always a fan of.

there are a couple of things i’d like to point out about some of the items above:

polka dots: still a staple pattern. still to be mixed with stripes, etc.

bold colors: love, love, love the jewel tones with pops of bright.

cross-body bags: what is better than being hands-free while carrying your bag? nothing. the answer is nothing.

lbd: that’s little black dress to you and me, russ. love the addition of the peplum flare on this bad boy – sass it up with a colorful necklace and the getup is made.

arm sass: bracelets are all the rage these days. i’m loving the chain link, diamondy one above (that’s the official listing name for it, btw). stack ‘er up with a few bangles and a watch.

initial necklace: i have been on the hunt for a faint, simple silver necklace for a while now. as luck would have it my mind-reading bridesmaids all went in on one with my new initials as a wedding gift to me! (i know, i have some pretty amazing family and friends). love the simplicity of wearing this when there isn’t a need for a big statement necklace.

scarves: if you know me, you know i am obsessed with scarves. they are so versatile and never go out of style! they provide just enough warmth on most fall days to keep me happy both inside and outside. twist ‘em, tie ‘em, drape ‘em – mix and match them with prints, colors, fabrics. have a ball!

have leopard, will travel: i may or may not have been holding onto a leopard print obsession for the past 12+ years. it started out as just a school bag – and turned into a dorm room that vomited leopard print (i am letting you under the hood on this tragedy – it was a life lesson, people!). what i learned along the way is: moderation. no need to overdo the animal prints. shoes, belts and scarves are a great way to incorporate the print into your look without making you look like a crazy freshman from cape cod, er, i mean – someone who really likes leopard print…

boots + blazers never die: a solid camel blazer and a pair of brown boots will carry you through the fall season for years to come – no, really. these two staples never go out of style and can be worn in a multitude of ways to keep them looking fresh and new.

what are your fall essentials?

well, we’re hitched.

it’s been a whirlwind few months and we had an absolute blast celebrating with our friends and family.

with guglidrews 2012 behind us, i’m hoping i can get back to more regular posting.

stay tuned, friends.

i want to start by saying that i do not know or have any connection to this woman, other than my slight obsession with pinterest. the pintester tests all the crazy pins from pinterest – some of them work, but most of them are epic fails. the blog is an awesome read if you’re pin-obsessed like me.

enjoy!

well, my friends – i have found the ultimate in wedding personalization: a cheese wedding cake. that’s right. not a cake, not a cheesecake, a wedding cake made from wheels of cheese.

need i say more?

via A CUP OF JO

are you sensing a theme here? turns out 2012 is the year of new beginnings all around. i’m pleased to report that i started a new job at monster worldwide this week. while i was sad to say goodbye to a great run at P&G – i am looking forward to the many new adventures ahead at monster. this news will in no way impact my blog (though, i don’t think there will be another fashion week post) – but thought i’d pass on the 411!

happy friday, friends!

 
i love me a good summer white. it’s crisp, fresh and can be dressed up or down. i, personally, don’t buy into the “no white after labor day” rule – to me, it’s all about the fabric – no linens in the winter and no corduroy in the summer, easy peasy. but, there’s no doubt that i wear white much more regularly in the summer. to work, dinner, the beach, a sox game – you name it, i’ve worn white there in the summer. sassed up with jewlery or toned down with just a t-shirt and flops – white is my go-to bottom when i don’t have another outfit in mind.

are there any fashion “rules” that you’ve made your own?