is there anything yummier than hot apple pie?

have i mentioned that i'm loving FALL? w/ windows open throughout the apartment, i spent a good chunk of the day on saturday working on a gluten free version of  my grandma's award winning apple pie. all in preparation for #20 on my 31 before 31 list - enter a pie in the martinsville agricultural fair pie contest. to be honest, my list has been a big fat failure thus far! i think i need to substitute a few more "big kahuna" events for "once a month" and "daily tasks". yeesh! i'm killing myself! okay we digress ...

why yes there is something yummier than hot apple pie, blair. hot apple pie w/ a scoop of vanilla ice cream! and our apartment couldn't smell sweeter. baked apples & cinnamon. yum!

{ hello munday }

{source: eat // me, adorn // helen norman, win // make&mingle, make // oh so lovely! via my girl thursday} 

eat // yummy gfree apple crisp! w+i took a trip to a u-pick apple orchard a few weeks back w/ friends chris and faith. fyi - apple picking is a september activity. we were there when the trees were very limited. but we collected enough to make a yummy gfree apple crisp. click here for the recipe (modified from betty crocker).

adorn // your thanksgiving table w/ these fantastic ideas via southern living! i teased last week that too many of my friends are skipping from halloween directly to christmas. but i'm all about thanksgiving and i am a teeny bit sad that we won't be hosting a thanksgiving of our very own. (remember - we'll be in hawaii visiting my sister + her hubs and little boys. that's why it's just a "teeny bit".) maybe i can sneak an heirloom pumpkin or two on the plane. oh - i kid.

win // a lovely giveaway teaser! TOMORROW we're having a fun-tastic giveaway here on the blog from the lovely ladies @ make&mingle. i'm pretty stinkin' excited. and you should be too. so please stop back by tomorrow for all the details!

make // this adorable bow diy by oh so lovely on my girl thursday today. w+i went to a wedding saturday night {congrats, rachel + mike} and i struggled big time w/ my hair. and finally gave in and wore it the usual boring way. time to google some hair-torials. wouldn't these little bows be a fun addition as well? and they make it soooo easy-peasy. yes please.

{source: share // darlingmagazine, gift // korin, listen // david nail}

share // have you checked out darlingmagazine? a sweet twitter friend shared this lovely site last week {thanks, hé ré}. 1) choose your personality. 2) explore! no worries if you have multiple personalities - apparently me too. loving all the posts about "the hostess", "the dreamer" & "the achiever" ... then again ALL of the articles are super great reads. do check it out.

gift // these adorable mugtails from korin featured in real simple this month. adorable (and i'm not the only person to think so ... due to overwhelming demand you wouldn't be gift these until february 2012). if there was such thing as a city animal, nashville's would be the squirrel. i prefer them in my dishware - rather than in real life. and bonus: wouldn't these go sweetly w/ last year's squirrel nutcracker?

listen // david nail's new album is in stores tomorrow! and w+i are thrilled out of our minds. yup. we love him. he's country, yes ... but he's also bluesy cool. i played his last album straight for about 3mo. really have high hopes for this album as well. and just in time for 7hrs of listening (aka our flight to hawaii NEXT week!)

baby it's cold(er) outside ...

brrr ... it's sooo much colder today in tennessee! one of the best things about being married is that a husband makes the ultimate foot warmer. each night, i thaw my icicle toes by tucking them between his knees! husband cruelty? maybe. of course wade is traveling again this week ... brr!

which of course means it's totally time to whip out the crochet & knitting needles!

{source: dottie angel / wood & wool stool /  unknown, happiknits on etsy}

i have 1 // learn to crochet flowers + 2 // finishing knitting a pair of socks on my 30 before 30 list. so it's definitely time for me to get busy. of course that's only the icing on the crochet/knit cake! 

{someday} when w+i have our little farm ... it will be warm & cozy and filled w/ homemade creations. like that amazing stool by dottie angel & that simple little heart garland by wood & wool stool. have you seen this tutorial for how to knit a jumbo knit blanket by nocturnal knits? *hint hint* broom sticks for knitting needles! and of course ... everyone could use a new cowl! beautiful work by happiknits!

and last but definitely not least, this crocheted doily blanket by goodknits (in gold) ...

{source: goodknits on etsy}

yup - every farmhouse definitely needs a doily blanket!

definitely time to get busy. of course ... i'm not opposed to santa bringing me any of these lovelies! ;)

spiced pumpkin cupcakes!

recently i came across these adorable apple shaped cupcakes from marie on make & takes (inspired by muses of megret's valentine heart cupcakes). i had plans to make some gluten free spiced pumpkin muffins since i found the perfect pumpkin cupcake liners @ michaels ... and decided to give their method a go for pumpkin shaped spiced pumpkin cupcakes!

here's what you'll need:

1 box yellow cake mix (i used betty crocker®'s gluten free mix - yum!)
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
cupcake liners
tinfoil
green & orange food coloring
cream cheese icing (i cheated & used betty crocker®'s rich & creamy cream cheese frosting)
indian candy corn

1 // roll your tinfoil into small 1/2" balls. you'll need 2 for each cupcake.
2 // heat the oven to 350º (325º for nonstick pans). place a cupcake liner in each of your muffin cups.

3 // in a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, canned pumpkin, water, oil, eggs, cinnamon, ginger & nutmeg. mix on low for 30 seconds and then on medium speed for 2 minutes scraping the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is mixed well.

4 // pour the batter into your liners about 2/3rds full. (i was a bit timid here & probably should have used a bit more batter in each cup.) place 2 tinfoil balls on opposite sides of each cupcake between the tin & the liner.

5 // bake for 19 to 24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. cool in the pans for 10 minutes, the remove and let cool completely for 30 minutes.

6 // mix up orange frosting and frost your cupcakes. leave a little extra frosting & make green for your vines.

7 // place a piece of indian corn into the middle of the top indent of your cupcake as the stem.

8 // finish by piping a few green vines.

yum! now if you can keep your husband from eating them all (good luck) ... share! :)

wednes-DIY: mini pumpkin votives

i mentioned last week that we were taking a trip to honeysuckle hill farm in springfield, tennessee over the weekend. w+i are so blessed to have a great small group full of crazy fun couples ...

hayride (sans hay) √ 

ridiculous farm animal photo opp √

cornmaze complete w/ FSI - farm scene investigation √

corn popper - think giant blob of jumping madness √

... and i finally picked up a couple mini pumpkins to decorate our living room:

1 // you'll need at least 1 mini pumpkin & 1 tealight for each votive.
2 // remove the stem from your pumpkin.
3 // place your tealight in the middle of your pumpkin & use your knife to create a dotted line around the tealight.
4 // connect the dots to cut out the middle circle.
5 // remove the center circle & replace w/ your tealight.

i love the look of stacked pumpkins this fall - so i decided to stack a couple mini pumpkins. 6 // glue your votive pumpkin to a slightly larger pumpkin. align your pumpkins so that the candle sits evenly on top.

each votive should last about 3 days. luckily this is such a simple little project - and mini pumpkins are cheap cheap. enjoy!

{ PINspired } paper projects!

i had planned to head home from the office during my lunch break today to snap a couple of pictures of my 1st finished pottery pieces. (oh the life of blogging w/ a full-time job!) and then as i grabbed my purse to head out the front door ... i realized that i had walked today. my car derek was getting an oil change. darn.

so instead ... how about a couple {PINspired} projects:

today's {PINspiration}: this adorable yarn ball garland by little glass box & these perfect for fall (but might not ever come down) paper bag flowers by a place for us ...

{click here for tutorial}                                           {click here for tutorial}

{source: (l) little glass box, (r) a place for us}

"and the windows?" you ask. you might have seen them before:

{photos courtesy: adrian hitt photography}

they were used for our seating charts at our wedding. w/ a paint marker ... i carefully painted each guest name on to 5 different windows the thursday before our wedding. a little tip: print your text to size. tape it behind each pane ... then simply trace! i've used the same technique to add a verse from the blessing at the end of our ceremony to 2 of the windows and they now hang above our piano. if only my penmanship were that lovely ... in reality i have "20 // relearn to write in cursive" on my {30 before 30} list. 

my goal this weekend is to decorate a bit for fall! seriously - pathetic. tonight we're heading to the pumpkin patch & a cornmaze/hayride w/ our small group. and tomorrow we're going camping & stopping @ an orchard on the way. if that doesn't get me inspired NOTHING will! :) hope you have a wonderful weekend ... do something fall-ish!

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and yes i'm going to say this one last time ... you have until midnight TONIGHT to sign up for the stella & dot giveaway hosted by independent stylist melissa olson. don't miss out. click the link below for details!

confession: a bit of a shopping spree

wade needs new clothes! ... like bad. he started running regularly about a month or two ago. that plus our time at the gym = low rider jeans that no belt can remedy. luckily we devoted a small portion of our budget to a clothing fund under the advice "if you're gonna need it anyway, budget for it."

so i did a little shopping ...

... for him:

{clockwise from upper left: 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5}

and ... for her (bc honestly blair needs new clothes too!):

{clockwise from upper left: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

... yah. a little shopping. but do you see those prices?

last night we received a catalog in the mail from lands'end canvas. i'm SO impressed w/ their line (and w/ their customer service - we're talking a handwritten note w/ my last order!). the canvas line @ lands'end is more fashion-oriented and perfect for young professionals. right up the j.crew alley - yet more affordable.

 {click to shop!}

right now they are having a fall sale - we're talking ULTRA LOW prices, people!
3 jeans, 1 corduroy, 2 t-shirts, 1 tank, 1 blouse, 1 polo + 1 sweater = $150.00

and check out this promo code (expires 10/15) for $10 off + free shipping over $50.00:
MJ11 pin: 4423

so have you had a chance to check out lands'end canvas?

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again ... you have until FRIDAY (tomorrow!) to sign up for the stella & dot giveaway hosted by independent stylist melissa olson. don't miss out. click the logo above for details!

{ simple things } bays mountain

wade and i are awful about taking pictures especially when we're traveling. i lug the camera around w/ me everywhere - but in the excitement of exploring a new place ... i always forget to actually use it! ho hum.

luckily i did capture our visit to bays mountain. it was the perfect time of year to visit northeastern tennessee as the leaves had just begun to change and it was 75º and sunny! the park has miles & miles of hiking trails and several "habitats" for rescued native wildlife - including wolves, bobcats, otters, deer, turtles, racoons and birds.

i simply love a hike in the fall ...

{ hello munday }

{source: eat // whole foods, wear // a beautiful mess, make // a place for us, shop // melanie favreau}

eat // these yummy apple sandwiches w/ granola and peanut butter via whole foods! adorable and delicious.

wear // your heart on your sleeve(s) w/ this cute little heart patch diy from amanda @ indiejanephotography via a beautiful mess. i have quite a few cardigans that could use a little update this winter. ... to goodwill to find a few spare vintage pillowcases!

make // i haven't put up a single decoration yet for fall! sigh. last year i was as pathetic - but we had just gotten married and were unpacking. this year i have no excuse. love these brown paper bag flowers from a place for us! and as luck would have it - we have lots of brown paper bags.

shop // these adorable "taking aim" arrow earrings from melanie favreau on etsy. in fact check out all of melanie's adorable designs ... yes, please!

{source: win// eat drink chic, learn: bhg, visit: unknown}

win // a copy of frankie magazine's 2012 calendar and daily journal via this giveaway @ eat drink chic. i am absolutely in love with & in need of that daily journal!

learn // w + i had a time hanging one our latest projects over the weekend leaving us w/ about a 1" hole in the plaster. woops. i don't blame myself or my husband - i blame our apartment and the chippiest walls EVER. lesson learned. love this tip from better homes & gardens for perfect placement. ideally we'll be hanging our bits & bobs wall in the next week or two (at last!). yahoo.

visit // we enjoyed a perfect getaway to the very northeastern corner of tennessee over the weekend. we had a fantastic time exploring the area including exchange place - an 1850s farmstead, bays mountain nature preserve & the gray fossil museum. we particularly fell in love w/ jonesborough, tn - the international storytelling capital - where we spent saturday evening listening to ghost stories in the town square. we already plan to make the trip again next year!

yes, please!

i am absolutely obsessed w/ finding the perfect blazer(s) this fall! truth is i really need some grown up looks for work. and the right blazer works w/ everything - skinny jeans, skirts even shorts. yes, please! i mentioned this pretty pretty look yesterday. such a dream! here's my little attempt to pull this look together:

{source for inspiration: unknown}

the blazer // slackened utility jacket via anthropologie {69.95}
the skirt // beaded ballerina skirt via forever21 {22.80}
the shoes // leona via dv by dolce vita {62.40} --- 25% off through 10/10
the top // tiered pussy bow blouse via a | wear {43.65}

{ hello munday } ... on a tuesday

if you follow along on twitter, you already know that i've been under the weather for the past week & a half. finally i gave in yesterday and went to the doc. it's amazing how much better i feel already after 1 day on the correct meds. doh.

so i'm back today w/ another {hello munday} on a tuesday - filled w/ sthings to inspire the week ahead:

{source: eat // workmanfamily, drink // closet cooking, make // better homes & gardens}

eat // these adorable mummy oreo cookie pops from the workman family blog. such a cute idea! thankfully there are gluten free "oreos" bc i definitely plan to make these to share.

drink // pumpkin pie white hot chocolate from closet cooking! are you kidding me!?! and then go run 5 miles. totally worth it thought, right??? i wonder if it would taste all right w/ skim milk.

make // pumpkin candy corn! i love this adorable idea from better homes & gardens. i really need to get to it and decorate for fall.

 {source: win // smashed peas & carrots, wear // unkown}

win // 10 yards of WAVERLY fabric for all of your fall sewing projects through this giveaway by smashed peas & carrots! oh i really hope maggie picks me bc i have a long list of homemade christmas presents to get started on! ;)

wear // absolutely in love w/ this outfit. the tulle skirt w/ military inspired jacket - perfect! a must do this fall. though i can't find the original source for this particular image (help?) ... i did find this similar tulle skirt @ zara for just 59.90.

enjoy // fall to it's fullest! i created a little check list of 25 things i really want to do this fall. luckily we'll be able to do a ton of these things while on our trips this month. october is nutso! this weekend is finally our anniversary trip to east tennessee where we'll knock a couple things off the list: √ visit an apple orchard & try their apple cider + √ take photos while on a hike.

what's on your must-do fall checklist?

{ food for thought } crockpot apple pear butter

wade sent me a link to a groupon for honeysuckle hill. it's a little farm about an hour north of nashville complete w/ pumpkin patch, corn maze, petting farm, haunted hay ride, an apple orchard ... and a pumpkin cannon (say what?). we went there on a date about a year after we started dating 3 years ago. and i'm super thrilled to be heading there again w/ friends in just a few short weeks. truth is, people - i am already all about fall. bring on the crisp weather and the excuse to layer. bring on apple cider and bonfires.

last week, i mentioned this yummy crockpot apple/pear butter recipe from martha stewart that i just had to try. with wade out of town for the weekend ... i decided it was the perfect opportunity!

the recipe:

{source: martha stewart}

my friend ashley from sniff happens is the queen of all things scentsy. and she's been burning all sorts of lovely fall scents for the past month already! her home smells ah-mazing ... but let me tell you people (sorry, ashley) ... best fall scent EVER - a batch of this apple pear butter! it might not look pretty in process ... but yum! (haven't heard of scentsy or need to stock up, check out ashley's page - click here.)

and because these would make pretty "sweet" little gifts this fall, how about a some printable labels as a little freebie!?! download a PDF right here. these labels are 2" in diameter & fit perfectly on your canning lids. or print the labels on cardstock, punch a hole in the top and hang them w/ jute or baker's twine. don't forget to date them!

credits:

bebas - font squirrel 

marketing script - font squirrel

learning curve - dafont

paper bag texture - bittbox

recipe card - crafting a green world

blog bling - pugly pixel

{blog}share: embroidery mecca!

got a looooong list of embroidery projects piling up like me?

{source: 1, 2, 3, 4}

then ... may i introduce you to sarah's hand embroidery tutorials! big ol' exclamation point! best tutorial site i've found all year! :) she has tutorials of everything!

from the very basic {ie. chain stitch}:

{source: sarah's hand embroidery tutorials}

... to the more advanced {laced herringbone stitch}:

{source: sarah's hand embroidery tutorials}

i might have to print EVERY single tutorial on her site for future reference (the whole "we don't have internet at the apt" thing really can be a bit of a prob at times.).

i can't wait for the weather to get a bit cooler. w + i find ourselves staying home a lot more during the fall and winter months. which means i get a whole lot of projects finished! speaking of which - it's about time to start working on christmas presents! :) i definitely learned last year that if you're going to do DIY gifts you can't start in december!

okay okay - what's your ultimate must do embroidery project at the moment?