If all else fails, I can join the circus

Catch hands!

  

Back in September, my glittering-in-crime friend Jen bought us Groupon vouchers (for my B-day) for a two hour flying trapeze class at TSNY Boston. We had talked about taking such a class for at least four years and we finally did this past Saturday! 

I'm still shocked at how much we learned and how much we did in just two hours. Less than 15 minutes after checking in, they strapped me in and I was flying ... upside down ... with no hands. It was incredible.

But as much fun as it was, I never got over the fear of jumping. Once I was in the air, I felt confident, but those few seconds that I was standing on the edge, I was SO SCARED. I literally conquered my fear eight times in one morning. 

Regardless, though, I HIGHLY recommend taking a class. It's so rewarding and exhilarating -- and addicting! Plus, at the end of class you get to do a catch -- which is easily one of the top 10 coolest things I've ever done in my life. 

I think I can officially add circus skillz to my resume.

Side note: I have to mention this since it's weird -- TSNY Boston is located inside the Jordan's Furniture complex in Reading, Mass. You're surrounded by Disney music, a water-light show, and an ice cream shoppe. It's pretty hard to explain the randomness of it all but trust me -- it's bizarre.

My Thanksgiving plan: the food

{All pictures linked to below}

Thanksgiving is a week away and like I mentioned Tuesday, I'm hosting. I may have seemed nonchalant in that post but I assure you -- I'm stressing out. I have no idea what my table decor is going to look like (I have rainbow-colored plates and turquoise chairs!), my house isn't fully decorated, I've barely looked at recipes, and I don't have an outfit! I know I've done it all before but that doesn't make it easier! Especially when you're a perfectionist and you want to make each year the best one yet.

So I've decided it's time to get organized -- beginning with the star of the show:  the meal. Here's what I'm thinking of making for the main course (desserts and apps to come in a future post).

Cranberry sauce perfection

I promise this is delicious.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I'm hosting for the fourth year in a row. I love it -- it's so much fun to prepare such a big meal (OK there are only 5 of us but that's big for me!) and not having to travel is complete bliss. I'm not the world's greatest cook -- baking is definitely more my style -- but I do have T-day down to a science.

I recently perfected my cranberry sauce recipe and highly recommend trying it -- even if it looks like mush in the photo and you swear you hate cranberries. It's super sweet and has a jam-like texture.

I'm actually tempted to try it on toast.

Cape chic

Sunglasses: Forever 21/Lipstick: Revlon Fire & Ice/Cape: no name (TJ Maxx purchase 3 years ago)/Turtleneck and skirt: H&M last season/ Gloves and socks: H&M this season/Tights: Hue in aubergine/Boots: Colin Stuart with DIY glitter heel/Purse: vintage

My glittering-in-crime friend Jennifer and I checked out the Degas and The Nude exhibit at the the Museum of Fine Arts Saturday. Viewing sketches, paintings, and sculptures of naked men and women requires a classy outfit so naturally I wore my cape. It's one of my favorite pieces of fall clothing -- and it makes me feel chic and polished (even when I'm staring at butts and boobs).

And while the exhibit is phenomenal -- such a unique look of the impressionist's works -- my favorite part of the MFA is (and always will be) the creepy baby heads out back.

Thanks for the pics, Jennifer!

Monday mashup: a little bit of orange and a lot of pink

A combination of a lot of work and a little snow made this an extremely tame Halloween weekend. But considering I'm running 26.2 miles in less than a week, I'm pretty OK with it. Plus, I had plenty of time to gorge on candy, dress the dogs up as cats, and decorate my glitter skull with an 80's headband. I also started pimping out my marathon shirt and created November's fantastic (and pink!) cupcake recipe -- which I'll reveal tomorrow.

Happy Halloween! 

The always festive Lou

Lou.

I may not have the perfect costume or any solid Halloween party plans but I do have a black cat and an orange pumpkin so I think I have this holiday covered. 

Happy (early) Halloween!

A lust for candy apple red

Bold and delicious. 

{clothing details after the jump}

Super basic - and super delicious -- Halloween sugar cookies

I love making sugar cookies. It's such a fun thing to do with kids, significant others, or -- in my case -- very vocal and hungry pets.

I WANT MY SUGAR COOKIES!

There are an endless amount of recipes online, but what makes these sugar cookies the best I've ever had isn't the ingredients but what I used to roll out the dough.

You know how most recipes tell you to dust your rolling pin and surface with flour before you roll out the dough?

This recipe recommends something else.

Monday mashup: scarf it up

I finally got around to unpacking my fall/winter clothes, including all gazillion of my scarves. I'm hoping this photo mashup -- which is just a sampling of the patterns, colors, and designs I own -- serves as a self reminder to ...

STOP BUYING SCARVES.

At the very least, it's a great way to keep inventory.

Oh and speaking of scarves, have you seen this video on 25 different ways to tie a scarf? Not only is it super informative but it's shot in a crazy creative way. Enjoy!

 (From Wendy's Lookbook via a Modest Life with Grand Ideas)

P.S. - Do you think she repeats one or am I just crazy?

Random inspiration

Reignite your creative spark after a draining week by taking pictures of random everyday things.

Trust me -- it works. Even if you have an old school point and shoot.

(I've officially become the girl who photographs tree bark.) 

Happy Friday!

Move over pumpkin -- it's sweet potato time

 

Though I'm just as obsessed with pumpkin as the rest of the blog-o-sphere, I decided to take a break from the squash and show some love to another one of my favorite orange ingredients.

The sweet potato.

Inspired by a sweet potato recipe in the November issue of Runner's World, I tackled some muffin making Sunday evening. I didn't have the necessary whole wheat flour or buttermilk on hand for Mark Bittman's muffins so I just Googled for another recipe. I came across this oatmeal version, which is still (relatively) healthy -- and super delicious.

With just the right amount of cinnamon and nutmeg, these muffins pretty much taste like fall. (If that doesn't make any sense to you, it will once you have a bite.)

Oh and they complement pumpkin spiced lattes quite well.

Monday mashup: pumpkin picking, llamas, and a pig race

I can't even begin to explain how excited I was to go pick pumpkins this weekend. So excited that I unintentionally dressed like a pumpkin. (I blend in quite well, wouldn't you say?) I also told Jack that the pumpkin in my lap looked like me. Yeah, I don't know what I meant by that either. I think I was drunk on pumpkins and fresh farm air.

Anyways, in addition to probably definitely picking the four best pumpkins in the patch, we also went on a hayride, chilled with some llamas and goats, watched a pig race, and reenacted famous works of art. (Jack is totally the next René Magritte.)

So in conclusion it was pretty much the greatest day ever.

Well, except for when I got attacked by a bee and accidentally dropped my apple cider. That's when we decided our time in the country was up and headed back to Boston.

But not before we stuffed our faces with some fudge. Naturally.

Any unique pumpkin carving/decorating suggestions?

PS - Thank you all for your sweet words Friday regarding my last long training run. I'm happy to report that although it was pouring rain -- seriously POURING buckets -- I successfully ran the final 22 miles. Bring on the taper!

Monday mashup: all better!

This weekend was absolutely phenomenal! After being sick for the latter part of last week -- and drinking loads and loads of tea -- I had a wonderful long run Saturday morning. The weather was gorgeous and I was very happy to see that the leaves are starting to change colors. That night I headed to Hartford, Conn. for a good friend's fabulous birthday celebration. While my camera was out of commission for the night (probably for the best), I did snap a pic of the fine bottle of Martha Stewart Cyanide I got her.

How was your weekend?!

Cozying up with a spot of tea

Source: Pinterest 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

I'm a bit under the weather today and that combined with the fall temps we're finally having here in Boston makes me want to cuddle up with a good book and a cup of hot tea. 

Happy weekend everyone!

Fall makeup obsessions

I have a minor makeup obsession. I can literally spend hours in a makeup store just admiring all the beautiful colors and fun new products. It's just so pretty! And this season, I can't keep my eyes off of:

• Teal eyes. Or is that seafoam green in the picture? Regardless, I'm totally drawn to the greenish-blueish eyeliner craze. (Image)
• Try: Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue in Ocean Teal

• Dramatic lash. All my life I've wanted Bette Davis Eyes. At first it was because that song rules but then I realized that Bette Davis' eyes are beyond gorgeous. And I plan on mastering the look this fall. (Image)
• Try: Rimmel London Glam Eyes mascara

• Burgundy lip. I'm a huge fan of lipstick, and though it requires a ton of maintenance, if you're not planning on eating or drinking or kissing, there's no better way to add major drama. (Image)
• Try: Mac Lipstick in Diva 

• Gold eyes. This definitely reminds me of makeup I had in middle school -- in the best kind of way. With a high bun, some nude lips, and tons of mascara, gold liner can be chic. (Image)
• Try: Sephora Glitter Eyeliner

• Statement nails. Emily's collection of statement manicures on Cupcakes and Cashmere are everywhere -- yet I still completely love the idea. (Image)
• Try: Essie Nail Polish in Fiesta and Mesmerized

Hey, at least makeup is cheaper than clothes!  

October cupcake: pumpkin cheesecake with "whipped cream" frosting

For this month's cupcake, instead of following a recipe created by a trained culinary professional -- or by someone with at least a decent amount of kitchen skills -- I decided I'd just tweak my favorite pumpkin cheesecake recipe.*

Don't ask me why I thought I could successfully transform a cheesecake into a cupcake -- must be all the Cupcake Wars and Chopped episodes I watch -- but I was extremely determined.

And so I woke up Sunday morning, threw on my black Northeastern University sweatshirt (lesson 1: wearing black while working with flour is a big mistake -- though I do love to show my school spirit in the kitchen. HUSKIES.), and went to work mixing and measuring like a mad kitchen scientist. I created four different versions of a pumpkin cheesecake cupcake, and shockingly all were edible.

Actually they were more than edible -- they all were good!

But the version I present to you today is beyond good. In fact, boyfriend Jack declared it the greatest cupcake he's ever eaten in his entire life.

And boyfriend Jack knows his cupcake shiz.

This recipe produces super moist cupcakes that taste just like pumpkin cheesecake. I mixed shortbread cookies -- used for the crust in the original recipe -- into the batter, which created a cake-like consistency -- and made me feel like the smartest woman in the world.

Oh and the frosting?

Oh. My. God.

I can't take credit for inventing it -- that honor belongs to MissyDew. I was searching for a frosting that resembled whipped cream in taste but had a thicker consistency when I came across a recipe called "the greatest frosting I ever tasted". And boy oh boy it really is the greatest frosting ever. (Apparently so good that it makes me say "boy oh boy".) Though it uses two sticks of butter and flour (say what?!), it's somehow light, fluffy, and tastes way better than any whipped cream I've ever had.

Clearly with this recipe I'm ready for Cupcake Wars -- as long as the surprise ingredient is this guy:

Apple muffin recipes and some cold hard facts

Upon walking into the kitchen early Sunday morning and discovering two dozen muffins, boyfriend Jack asked a very wise question:

What's the difference between a muffin and a cupcake?

... well ... umm ...

I had no idea but instead of admitting my lack of baking knowledge -- and ruining his image of me as a cupcake-muffin-making goddess -- I did what any know-it-all girlfriend would do.

I lied guessed.

Cupcakes are sweeter than muffins ... and you can eat muffins for breakfast ... duh!

Sounds legit, right? Especially with the duh.

Boyfriend accepted this definition (he's just finding out I made it up right about now. Hi Jack! Love you!) but I wanted to double check the facts in case I'm faced with a similar question in the future. And after a quick Google search it turns out I was kind of sort of right.

You see, cupcakes are made out of cake batter and muffins are made out of quick bread batter. Cake batter is sweeter than quick bread batter so thus cupcakes are sweeter than muffins.

So like I said -- duh!

These two muffin recipes -- chunky apple muffins with a maple syrup glaze and cinnamon-apple cider muffins -- are delicious, moist, and perfect for breakfast. Plus they look fantastic in my brand new cupcake-muffin tree. Yes I used apples again (previous apple recipes here and here) but they're in season and my favorite fall fruit.

(OK, fine. All my apples were going bad and I had a gallon of barely touched apple cider and a pint of buttermilk from last week that needed to be used up STAT.)


Chunky apple muffins with maple syrup glaze
Inspired by Martha Stewart and Ina Garten

Ingredients

For the muffins:

• 2 (or 3) small tart apples, peeled, cored, and quartered (I like a lot of apple in mine so I did 3)
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon plus 2 pinches salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 1 stick unsalted butter, melted

For the glaze:

• 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (I used slightly more since I like my glaze to be a little runny. And super sweet.)
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line 12 standard muffin tins.
2. Cut 6 (or 10) of your 8 (or 12) apple quarters into 1/4-inch dices. 
3. Cut the remaining 2 apple quarter into 12 thin slices for garnish. (That make sense, right? It's how Martha put it so it should.) 
4. Whisk together sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add diced apple and toss to coat.
5. Whisk together eggs, buttermilk, and butter in a small bowl.
6. Gently fold buttermilk mixture into flour mixture until just combined; do not overmix. If you over-stir muffins, they come out dry and gross. According to the Joy of Cooking. 
7. Divide batter among muffin cups (they'll probably be super full) and top each with an apple slice.
8. Bake until muffins are brown around edges -- 16 to 18 minutes.
9. While muffins are cooling, combine the confectioners' sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla for the glaze. 
10. Drizzle each muffin with about a tablespoon of glaze. Feel free to use more if you like things on the sweeter side, just remember, as Ina Garten said,  "The warmer the scones are when you glaze them, the thinner the glaze will be." 

Total muffins: 12
Total time: 30 (ish) minutes


Cinnamon-apple cider muffins
Inspired by Food.com 

Ingredients

For the muffins:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar 
• 2 teaspoons baking powder 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1 beaten egg 
• 3/4 cup apple cider 
• 1/4 cup cooking oil 

For the topping:

• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
• 3 tablespoons cold butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line 12 standard muffin tins.
2. To make the topping, stir together the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl -- then cut the butter in with a pastry blender. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. 
4. In another small bowl, combine the egg, apple cider, and oil.
5. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until JUST moisten.
6. Divide batter among muffin cups and sprinkle with the topping,
7. Bake until golden brown -- about 20 minutes.

Total muffins: 12
Total time: 40 (ish) minutes

Muffin. DESTROYED.

Monday mashup: incomplete

This past weekend was hot and humid, which made for an extremely uncomfortable 18 miler Saturday morning that completely knocked me out and messed up my schedule. I spent the rest of the day rehydrating, eating carbs, and watching cheesy awesome movies instead of doing anything semi-productive.

Determined to get something accomplished, I woke up early Sunday and baked two different types of muffins (recipes tomorrow) before heading to the suburbs for craft supplies and cheap dishware. I was hoping to finish up the dining room chairs I started last week -- but the store was out of Lagoon spray paint ...  yet again. So instead I began a project from my fall to-do list  -- glitter and gold skulls a la Glitter and Goat Cheese -- but I completely misjudged the drying time and was only able to paint the top halves of the heads and veggies.

Sigh.

Anyone else feel like the weekend was just too short?!

Fall to-do list (because I'm a nerd and I like lists)

{source}

Part of the reason I started this blog was because I wanted to get the most out of the seasons -- appreciate each one to the fullest. So in keeping with that goal, here are a ten things I want to do this fall (i.e., before it starts snowing):

1. Go for a walk on the beach. There's something super romantic and cozy about bundling up and walking along the water in chilly weather. (Plus dogs are allowed.)
2. Finish the NYC marathon. Ideally in one piece, but after months of training -- and several brutal long runs in heat and high humidity -- I'll take what I can get. 
3. Decorate the house. Glittery skulls, pumpkin trees, and apple-spiced candles are just a few of things I plan on surrounding myself with in the coming months.
4. Wear teal eyeliner. Or metallic eyeshadow. Or any other crazy fall makeup trend before it goes out of style.  
5. Pick my own apples -- and pumpkins. Bonus if there's a hayride. And a haunted house.
6. Take a trapeze class. My awesome friend Jennifer bought us Groupons for my birthday and I can't wait for the two of us to fly through the air with the greatest of ease.
7. Order Felipe’s Hot Chocolate at Crema Cafe. Then walk around Harvard Square in boots, a leather jacket, and a fabulous scarf. My definition of Boston chic.
8. Hike up a mountain. Or just a really large hill. Somewhere with awesome leaf peeping.
9. Find a silly (yet super hot) Halloween costume. And party it up like I'm in college. (Hey, I'm only 25. I can still get away with it!)
10. Bake an apple pie with a lattice crust -- from scratch. So Martha Stewart. And so Alex.

What's on your autumn to-do list?

Happy first day of fall!

Thursday silliness

The cat formerly known as Paul. Now known as Lou.

For a little change of pace -- and some Thursday fun -- head on over to Current Instincts to see what Lou and the rest of the gang love about fall.