Birthday Week

It is my birthday week! And I am taking the week off of blogging. I'm excited to get back into it next Monday, October 1st with some fun posts. Have a great week xoxo!

Favorite Four

Its officially fall tomorrow and I couldn't be happier. It is my favorite season by far. My favorite four this week (clockwise from the top left) 1-I loved the beautiful fall weather this week and being able to sit in our courtyard and read without sweating. 2-Ben, Berlin and I spent Sunday under a tree in the park...so peaceful. 3-We hit up happy hour on Wednesday for the first time in ages at our favorite local Mexican joint...yum! 4-Dinner with friends in Chinatown last night...and my first time having dim sum...so good!

Have a great weekend...xoxo.

Pumpkin Muffins

I know it isn't quite fall yet but this cooler weather is making me think about fall things...cider, bonfires and of course all things pumpkin flavored. I was craving pumpkin muffins this week so I Googled for a good recipe. I found this one on Smitten Kitchen...here is my version. xoxo

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin (from a 15 ounce can)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Raw Sugar for topping(I traded this out for the cinnamon topping that was on the recipe)

All the ingredients and the recipe on my iPad.

Mix pumpkin, eggs, oil, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a bowl.

Stir in flour until well combined.

Put batter in lined muffin tin.

Sprinkle with raw sugar before baking.

Bake muffins for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Let cool a bit and then ready to eat...yum!!!

DIY Name Art

With so many friends having babies I find it hard to get a good gift. So I decided to make a little name art for the babies. I love making them and it is a unique gift...here is how you can make on of your own. xoxo

What you need:
-Canvas any size (I usually do 6"x6")
-Fabric (a little bigger than the canvas)
-Staple gun
-Foam brush
-Mod Podge
-Acrylic or fabric paint
-Paint brush or sponge

The supplies.

Paint the Mod Podge on the top of the canvas, then flip the canvas over onto the back of the fabric. Make sure there are no air bubbles. Then Mod Podge the sides and fold up fabric.

Staple the folded up fabric onto the back of the canvas while the Mod Podge is still wet.

Then paint Mod Podge all over the finished canvas. It will look white but don't worry it dries clean.

Let dry.

I made a stencil for mine, you could also do free hand. 

I taped the stencil onto the canvas so it wouldn't move while I sponge painted it.

The finished gift.

Monday in Rittenhouse

Hey readers...welcome to another beautiful week! I have the day off and the thing I do whenever I have a day off is spend it in the Rittenhouse neighborhood of Philadelphia. It is filled with great shopping, eating, coffee shops and the gorgeous and bustling Rittenhouse Square. I just got back and wow what a beautiful morning just taking it all in. I love walking with a hot tea in hand, checking out the shops...rarely buying anything, and then sitting in the park for a while. Talk about a perfect day off! Hope you are having a great Monday. xoxo

Rittenhouse Square this morning.

Favorite Four

Finally Friday! Yeah for the weekend...my favorite four this week (clockwise from top left) 1- I painted pumpkins yesterday with the little girls I nanny...what a fun fall activity. 2-Late night ice cream run with my equally pregnant girlfriend. 3-Weekly Wednesday morning breakfast with the girls...always a great way to start the day. 4-For as long as I can remember I have been an everything bagel girl but my latest obsession is cinnamon raisin...so delicious I just can't get enough!

Have a great weekend...xoxo!

Brandenburg Ink

Hey readers...sorry for my absence today. I have actually spent the majority of my day blogging but it has been for our family site Brandenburg Ink. I was 4 months behind so it has taken up much of my day just trying to catch up. If you are interested feel free to check it out here.

Fall Dress

We've had beautiful fall weather here in Philly this week. I love the cool temperatures and being able to to wear sleeves again. Here is one of my favorite go to fall dresses.

Dress:Gap, Shoes:Urban Outfitters, Belt:Old Navy, Purse:Kohl's, Sunglasses:Charming Charlie

French Toast

I know this is a no brainier for a lot of you but here is my go to recipe for french toast. xoxo

Ingredients:
-Bread (any kind) I like using an Italian loaf
-Eggs
-Milk
-Vanilla

 Toppings:
-Butter
-Syrup
-Powdered Sugar

Ingredients and toppings.

Add eggs, milk (a large splash) and vanilla (just a teaspoon or so) into a bowl.

Cut bread, if not already sliced.

Soak bread in egg mixture, about 30 seconds total, make sure to soak both sides.

Then add to a warm pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray, after a minute or so flip.

Then it is ready to eat, add the toppings you like. I usually do butter, syrup and powdered sugar.

Ready to eat!

Gone Girl

Besides all the baby books on my reading list I managed to fit in a little something fun for the last week of summer. I recommend Gillian Flynn's latest book Gone Girl if you are looking for a good novel. This murder mystery with a twist definitely kept my interest...xoxo

Favorite Four

I can't believe it is Friday already. This week has flown by...yeah for short weeks! My favorite four this week (clockwise from top left) 1-Lots of time in New York City last weekend...one of my favorite places. 2-Getting to show my sister and her beau our city...of course we had to hit up the cheese steak stand:) 3-Fashion's Night Out last night was pretty great here in Philly. Free food, drinks and giveaways in a bunch of great stores. 4-I LOVE these little pumpkin candies...so glad it is this time of year. Have a great weekend! xoxo

Fashion's Night Out

Fashion's Night Out is tonight! No need to worry you have not missed it. This is the 4th year for the fashion event. For more information on the event and if it is hitting your city click here. If it's not in your area you can stay up to date via Twitter, Facebook or on the website starting LIVE at 5pm EST. For those of you checking things out in Philly hope to see you there! xoxo

Photo from http://fashionsnightout.com/

NYC: Day 2

Happy Hump Day! In keeping my NYC posts together I am switching up my fashion post to Thursday. For pics from our Day 1 trip to NYC click here. xoxo

Fresh flowers in the morning.

Fun color finds!

Resting at the Sheep Meadow in Central Park.

Dragon fruit in Chinatown.

Dinner with friends in Chinatown.

NYC: Day 1

Hope you all got to enjoy a long weekend. My sister and her beau were in NYC for a wedding so we went up to hang out with them for 2 days.  Here are a few photos from our little trip. xoxo

The view from our hotel room on the 40th floor.

NYC Public Library.

Chelsea  Market.

The High Line.

Grand Central Station at night.