fall fashion preview.

It’s hard to believe August is already upon us… before you know it, fall will be here! And being that fall is my favorite season (both fashion and weather-wise), I’m sure not complaining!

Here’s a peek at some of my favorite fall looks from J.Crew’s Fall 2011 Look Book:

I’m lovin’ the new mustard color trend, tailored blazers, leopard print accessories, paperbag skirts, and color-blocking. You will more than likely be seeing me replicating a few of these looks come autumn… but hopefully for fractions less than the J.Crew purchase price! :)

What are some fall fashions you’re looking forward to?

what’s cookin’: [low-fat] tres leches

Some of you might be wondering, “what the heck is tres leches?” Well let me tell you! Aside from it being my new favorite treat, it’s a popular Latin American dessert that translates to “three milks” in Spanish. These “three milks” (evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and heavy cream) are poured over sponge cake and topped with whipped cream, resulting in a delightfully sweet and dense concoction.

After incessantly raving to my friends about how much I love this delectable cake that I tried at various bakeries and restaurants, I decided to go ahead and make it on my own! There are different versions but I opted for a low-fat one via Love & Homemade Recipes. Now I have an excuse to eat the whole pan and not feel guilty, right?! :)

Cake Ingredients

• 5 eggs, separated
• 1 cup sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 1/3 cup fat-free milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• fresh strawberries for topping

MILK SYRUP:

• 1 can (14 ounces) fat-free sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can (12 ounces) fat-free evaporated milk
• 1 cup fat-free half-and-half
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 15 tablespoons frozen reduced-fat whipped topping

Directions

• Place egg whites in a large bowl; let stand at room  temperature for 30 minutes. Coat a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish with  cooking spray and dust with flour; set aside.
• In a large bowl, beat egg yolks on high speed for 5 minutes  or until thick and lemon-colored. Gradually beat in 3/4 cup sugar and  butter. Stir in milk and vanilla. Sift flour and baking powder;  gradually add to yolk mixture and mix well (batter will be thick).
• In a small bowl with clean beaters, beat egg whites on  medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in remaining sugar, 1  tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form. Gradually fold  into batter.
• Spread evenly into prepared dish. Bake at 350° for 18-22  minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Place on a wire  rack.
• In a large saucepan, combine the condensed milk, evaporated  milk and half-and-half. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring  constantly; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in  vanilla. Cool slightly.
• Cut cake into 15 pieces, leaving cake in the baking dish.  Poke holes in cake with a skewer. Slowly pour a third of the milk syrup  over cake, allowing syrup to absorb into the cake. Repeat twice. Let  stand for 30 minutes.
• Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving. Top each piece with whipped topping and fresh strawberries. Yield: 15 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 piece equals 233 calories, 3 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 76 mg cholesterol, 126 mg sodium, 42 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 8 g protein.

fresh-out-the-oven sponge cake & milk mixture cooling in pot.

milk-soaked sponge cake; off to the fridge to cool and absorb remainder of milk!

Two hours later…

Voila! - Delicious tres leches topped with cool whip and fresh strawberries (peaches work great, too!)

this week’s dose of inspiration.

tzatziki; wonderful summer sandwich spread or veggie dip {via two-tarts}

makeup brush holder; innovative use for stale coffee beans {via a thousand words}

yellow bathroom storage; rustic and chic {via pinterest – original source unknown}

soft waves; always a fabulous go-to look {via hair romance}

iron rod bed frame; a timeless classic {via pottery barn}

melon mint sangria; perfect summer refresher {via caleigh’s kitchen}

*To view past inspiration posts, click [here] or [here].

workwear: mix ‘n match.

Outfit details: Apt. 9 blazer - $4 @ Home to Home Thrift Store in Belle Plaine; Threads for Thought organic cotton tee - $5 (on clearance) @ TJ MAXX; Necklace – $6.80 @ Forever21; Vintage COACH purse – $6.99 @ Goodwill in West. St. Paul; Vintage belt – $0.99 @ Arc’s Value Village Thrift Store in Brooklyn Center; Merona slacks – $8 @ Plato’s Closet in Mankato; Isaac Mizrahi pumps – $14 @ Encore Consignment in Mankato.

So you’re probably wondering why this post is called “mix ‘n match,” right? Well it’s because I am not a fan of matchy-matchy pant suits that we all see far too often when it comes to business attire. You know the kind - black blazer with black slacks with black shoes… how dull! So what’s my easy alternative? – Simply match your blazer (or cardigan) with your shoes, but change it up by wearing different colored pants or skirt. And don’t forget to add some fun accessories!

Want to see more  of my mix ‘n match workwear? Be sure to check out the post here or here.

I’m curious to know – how do you keep workwear from becoming too mainstream and boring?

^ don’t be a victim of matchy-matchy business attire conformity!

time warp: 50′s inspired.

Outfit details: Hair tie (fabric belt from a pair of pants) – essentially free; Vintage sunnies – $1.60 @ Arc’s Value Village Thrift Store in Brooklyn Center; Ambiance Apparel tank – $2.50 @ Assistance League Thrift Shop in Minneapolis; Express high-waist shorts - $2 @ Neighborhood Thrift Store in Mankato; Vintage wedges – $3.50 @ Savers in Columbia Heights.

denim & olive.

Do you see that delicious-looking iced coffee I am holding there? Well you should read about why it’s such a tasty steal of a deal {here}!

Ignore the bulky phone protruding from my pocket…

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” - E.E. Cummings

Outfit details: Necklace – $4.50 @ Steeple People’s Surplus Store in Minneapolis; Liz Claiborne top – $1.25 @ TurnStyle Consignment in Coon Rapids; Dooney & Bourke purse – $7.99 @ Arc’s Value Village Thrift Store in Brooklyn Center; Banana Republic capris – $4.99 @ Goodwill in West St. Paul; ELLE wedges – $18.99 (orig. $65).

wedding wish list.

Being just over 14 months out from the big day, I am slowly but surely starting the tedious planning process. Here’s a sneak peek at the beginnings of my fall 2012 wedding wish-list:

lovely fall bouquet

knotty up-do

perfect autumn decor – birch bark candles

flower girl leaves

crochet TOMS – need I say more?

cream cheese-filled pumpkin muffins; a dessert bar must-have! and these, too:

homemade caramel nut rolls

root beer keg; all-around party pleaser.

SONG – Make you feel my love by Adele.

*To see the dress I like my dream dress, click here.

workwear: navy ‘n neutral.

Outfit details: Dolce & Gabbana aviators – $6 @ Encore Consignment in Mankato; Gap bow-tie blouse – $1.35 @ TurnStyle Consignment in Minneapolis; Limited blazer – $2.50 @ MVAC Thrift & More in Mankato; Dooney & Bourke purse – $7.99 @ Arc’s Value Village Thrift Store in Brooklyn Center; Vintage Le Baron Quartz watch – $1 garage sale find; Gap slacks- $2.50 (still had the original $59.50 price tag attached!!) @ Salvation Army in Columbia Heights; Mossimo heels – $29.99 @ Target (splurge alert!- buy ‘em here)

what’s cookin’: no-bake granola bars.

For this week’s recipe I opted for something that could serve as a quick on-the-go breakfast or snack. So what better recipe than healthy granola bars? I found this one via {how sweet it is} and with only five ingredients and no oven needed, it doesn’t get any simpler than this!

What you’ll need:

• 4 cups rolled oats
•  1/2 cup chopped peanuts (unsalted)
• 3/4 cup natural peanut butter (melted)
• 1/2 cup honey

optional add-ins:
chia seeds, chocolate chips, dried fruit, flax seed, shredded coconut, etc.

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together. Press mixture into 9 x 13 baking pan. Refrigerate for approximately one hour. Cut and serve. Store extra in refrigerator to extend shelf life.

*A few notes… I accidentally bought “quick oats” instead of rolled oats and while it didn’t ruin the recipe per say, it definitely made a difference. Always remember to read labels carefully… lesson learned. Also, the original recipe provided both a baking and no-baking option. To save energy, I went for the no-bake option.

chopping the peanuts

oats, peanuts, walnuts, & mini chocolate chips

adding the honey (I used organic clover)

natural peanut butter

adding the melted pb… almost done!

press into pan. place in fridge for one hour.

cut and serve.

Enjoy!

this week’s dose of inspiration.

chic bedside table {via not my beautiful home}

coffee ice cubes – brilliant! {via hither and thither}

simple & romantic center piece {via BHG}

turquoise-colored rainboots. love! {via pinterest}

antique-looking doorknob used as curtain tie-back {via urban outfitters}