5 weekend necessities

Top of the morning to you!

What better way to rehash dirty hair than assemble it right into a top knot before your morning coffee- yep, I said before your morning coffee.  If your hair is dirty- you top knot will perform miracles.

Yes- I know, a little blurry but I am working on my photo skills
(all in the making, right?)


Yes my friends, fall is here- here are your basics to get you through the weekend!

5 weekend necessities

1. CAPE
2. SUNGLASSES
3. STACKED BRACELETS
4. NAVY HAT
5. MUSIC FROM BRETT DENNEN

Throw this on with boots- you're comfy and stylish!



american apparel sunglasses


my dog loved them just as much as I did!





What better way to give back?!?  At $2 a pop- you can afford an armload
(or maybe even some for your friends, sisters, mom...)



6 bracelets purchased= 1 day's care for a child at "empire des enfants",
a center for homeless children in Dakar Senegal


These bracelets are made from recycled rubber by women in Mali.











hat from Nordstrom

Now that you know what you're wearing Saturday- what about Sunday?  Well, do I have the thing for you- watch out husbands/ dads/ brothers/ boyfriends--- your shirts will be missing!!

"I like the simple things in life... I like laughter, wind in my wig, and of course, I love to dance."

                                                                                                ellen

Best Friend = Grrrreat Times

So, my bestie came to visit from LA this past week- the only problem was- since July, let me repeat, since July we have had very little rain.  Everything I planned for us to do was outside- I hadn't gotten in the STL frame of mind to stay indoors so as luck would have it, every day she was here, was cold and rainy.  It even hailed one day, I mean really?!? 
Needless to say, we know how to have a good time and one of our favorite past times just happens to be driving around while drinking a pumpkin spice soy latte.
We ventured out west- west of St. Louis, that is.  There is a beautiful little community called St. Albans, that is tucked away in the bluffs of Missouri.  I have always tried to make a drive this time of year and now I can say that I have finally done it.  And yes, it was well worth it.



Just beautiful!!





Just around the river bend!




Get me out of the car!!




Not the best pic of us, but we sure were having fun!




Is that a slide I see?





The beach





Wheeee!



 So as you can see, we made the most of the day.

A little history:
What was once a country retreat for St. Louis families is now an upscale residential community with a country club and a wonderful golf course.  St. Albans sits in the bluffs of Franklin County and has some amazing views.  The St. Albans Head's General Store and the Farms Stone Barn are on the National Register of Historic Places.  Lewis and Clark's expedition lead them through this area, almost costing Lewis his life on the bluffs.



Head's General Store
In operation since 1892
(Photo via information st. louis)




Studio Inn
Previous home of Oscar and Irene Johnson-
owned and ran 7,000 acres of land
(photo via information st. louis)




Beautiful homes with lots of character
A more modest home- if you call that modest!
(photo via masoncontractors)




A home in the bluffs
(photo via masoncontractors)




Country Club of St. Albans
(photo via St.Albans CC)


I will leave you with this-
Points to Ponder:
Why do you drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?



Did someone say pumpkin?

Pumpkin scone, that is.
So, I tried out a recipe from http://sweetpeaskitchen.com/2010/09/27/pumpkin-scones/ which turned out quite amazing.  I mean really, this time of year, you throw pumpkin in the mix and it's bound to be a winner.  So- my family will be having pumpkin scones for breakfast, snack, lunch, and snack.  Don't worry- I'll make something different for dinner...maybe pumpkin bread!!

essentials

right out of the oven

finished product

Ingredients:

For the Scones:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
• 3 tablespoons half-and-half
• 1 large egg

For the Powdered Sugar Glaze:

• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and spices. (I used crystallized ginger)  Throw in butter, it's really best to break it up with your hands until it resembles corn meal.  Add pumpkin, half and half (I used milk), and egg.  Gently fold in wet ingredients.  Then on a floured surface pat out dough and either cut into triangles or use a biscuit cutter for circle shaped.  (A true English scone is round)  Bake @ 425 on a oiled sheetpan (PAM works fine) for 10-14 minutes.  Let cool.  Mix powdered sugar and milk, spoon on and let glaze harden.  Voila-

I did make a few more changes to my recipe-

First of all, I added a lot more cinnamon- you can taste test as you go but I think you will agree.

Secondly- I have a wheat allergy so I opted to make mine gluten free.  I used a gluten free mix purchased from whole foods, but you can also use a mixture of oat, tapioca, and rice flour.

Last but not least- quite obvious my scones are round.  Those are by far, the best.  No overloaded sugar starbucks ones for me!  (not going to lie- those are my go-to's on roadtrips!)

Enjoy!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

It's cold and rainy here, so pretty much anything that is remotely warm looks so inviting! 

                      Tuesday Teaser

I'm imagining a pumpkin scone with a nice cup of french press coffee...mmm

Stylish- yet perfect for that nearby puddle of rain!

umm yes- please!! 

Monday, October 17, 2011

What a wonderful time of year- coming back from a busy fall weekend with family and friends!!  Here are some of the things we did!

To's List:

Where to:  Rombach Pumpkin Patch, St. Louis, MO
What to wear:  Linden is wearing one of my favorite plaid dresses from TEA Collection. Boots from Target.   (Notice how she and I always seem to have the same outfit on?!?)
How to have the best bath ever?!?  glow sticks + dark bath= minutes of fun

Listen to:  We also managed to sneak in a little fun that night.  Mark and I went with some friends to The Pageant and watched Blind Pilot and Brett Dennen.  I must say- what a great concert!