Monday, November 24, 2014

Cinnamon Yerba Mate Latte + Uncommon Goods

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Soft, late-fall sunlight filtering through the curtains, a good book, and a steaming mug of tea. Pretty much the perfect Sunday afternoon.

'Tis the season of hot drinks on cold, blustery days. Typically my drink of choice is coffee, but a few weeks ago I had the misguided idea that I would give it up. It sounded like a good idea, like something I should do. HA. Three hours and one caffeine headache later, the idea was erased from my brain. Forever. Instead, I've been replacing my two o'clock cup of coffee with yerba mate tea. It gives a boost similar to green tea, but lacks the acidity of coffee -- you can read more about it here -- and can be easily dressed up with spices and honey. Served in a rustic mug (hot drinks must always come in rustic, handmade mugs), it's the perfect pick-me-up for a sleepy afternoon, or the two o'clock slump at the office.

Today I'm sharing the recipe for my latest obsession: a cinnamon-infused tea latte that's the perfect mix of sweet and spice. It's pretty much the best thing ever on a frigid cold day.
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Cinnamon Yerba Mate Latte

Ingredients:
6 oz filtered water
3+ tbsp full-fat canned coconut milk (to taste)
1 tsp raw honey
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Combine everything but the water in a large mug. Boil the water and pour over the ingredients in the mug. Stir and adjust sweetness to taste. Enjoy!

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While browsing Uncommon Goods for Christmas gifts recently, I fell hard for this beautiful kantha quilt and handmade mug, knowing the mug would be the perfect thing to enjoy my latest concoction from... the fact that this is actually a soup bowl should give you some indication of my caffeine consumption... I'll admit, I'm relatively new to the site, but after looking around and reading about the products and Uncommon Goods' mission, I'm sold. Uncommon Goods is, in a word, impressive, supporting craftspeople and shipping the mostly US-made product straight from their Brooklyn-based warehouse. With the holidays coming up, it's an amazing resource for responsibly made, handcrafted, and unique items. As I looked around, I found myself making a mental list of gifts to give, they have everything from beer-making kits, to jewelry(and how awesome is this?). And if my plan of making handmade gifts falls through (again) this year, this will be my first stop. 

The quilt on the other hand is undergoing a custody battle between Zephyr and myself. This cat has good taste and seems to enjoy color-coordinating himself with his blankets of choice. I've always loved kantha quilts, a love that has only grown since starting work at FP, where the vibrant patterns, colors, and stitching is everywhere, even on the walls.
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Get the look: Uncommon Goods kantha quilt & handmade mug (c/o) // Journal - gift from my mom // Cat found on the side of the road (find a similar one in a shelter near you ;))

Over the Weekend: Holiday Inspiration at Terrain

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In search of seasonal inspiration, this weekend I hopped in the car with Mary of Millay Vintage, bound for the magical world that is Terrain. And let me tell you, this weekend the magic was turned up to 11 for their annual Holiday market. We're talking fake snow and carolers dressed to the nines in Victorian-era costumes, and I will not lie: I loved every second of it.

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Here & There 11.23

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How's your weekend going? This week was crazy... good crazy, but crazy nonetheless, and I'm happily vegging out with the Gilmore Girls as we speak. I'm looking forward to getting some work done tomorrow (thrilling aren't I?) and doing lots of holiday prep and baking. Have a great weekend, here are a few things that caught my eye recently...

This might just be the perfect vintage Christmas sweater.

The cutest vintage '70s boho dress.

Gorgeous holiday outfit inspiration.

Love this heart chakra hoodie.

This set would be a cute option for pajamas.

This video of a dad narrating kids slipping on ice is - unexpectedly - hilarious.

I think Zephyr needs this for Christmas.

What a gorgeous holiday dress.

I don't understand the point of this, but the production is impressive?

Just got this candle and it smells incredible. Exactly like hot cider.

This calendar managed to get even cuter.

Definitely making these tomorrow.

These are the best tights, hands down.

A cute and easy DIY.

This would make a beautiful gift.

So obsessed with this coat and these sneakers.

25% off at Asos! Love these boots.

Do you listen to Serial? I'm obsessed!

Thursday, November 20, 2014

In The Wilds with Minnetonka

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As a kid, I dreamed of one day escaping the mountains for New York City (apparently the only city to exist for small, dreamy children). I imagined a fancier, crisper life, dreamed of becoming a fashion designer... about leaving that small town life far behind me. Life is ironic isn't it, though? Years and years later I find myself living in the city, dreaming of the mountains (although I would not describe my life as crisp and wrinkle-free in any way). I love the city, but on the weekends it's imperative for me to get out. To get far out.The earth below me, the sky above.

On this sunny, brisk November day, Chris and I drove north, bound for the boulder field of Hickory Run State Park in Northeast Pennsylvania. There's nothing that calms my heart rate quite like the wilderness, and as I jumped from rock to rock, with my feet solidly beneath me protected by the softest moccasins that formed to each and every striation, the tension and stress of the city evaporated with every breath of snow-tinged air. It's amazing what a difference a change of location makes.

Whether you feel most at home in the city or country, be sure to hop on over to Delightfully Tacky and the Minnetonka Moccasin blog to see just how versatile the 'El Paso' boot is. I'm so excited to be partnering with them today, and I love how Elizabeth and I took our looks in two completely different directions, perfectly capturing the essence of '1 Style, 2 Ways'.


Get the look: Minnetonka ' El Paso' boots (c/o) // Great-grandfather's Woolrich hunting jacket (similar) // AA chambray shirt // H&M jeans (similar) // Free People sunglasses // The Seam Designs beanie (c/o) // 

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Soft Sunday

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As much as I love the warmer months, I feel my best in fall. Layered up, maybe a little camouflaged, maybe a little hidden, perfectly content with moody grey days and brisk weather. Disguised in a cloud of fluffy olive and soft charcoal.

Get the look: H&M sweater (similar) // vintage denim jacket (similar) // Choies skirt (c/o) // AA tights // vintage boots (similar) // Black Crystals necklace (c/o)

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Here & There 11.16

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Happy Sunday night! How was your weekend? We did some exploring, some shopping, some hanging around. Pretty much the perfect way to spend two late-fall days.

Here's what caught my eye this week:

How gorgeous is this vintage velvet dress from Vintage Urban Renewal? So perfect for the holidays.

This patchwork tote from Jess Amity might just be the perfect bag for fall.

A pretty look for fall.

These chakra leggings would be perfect for a workout.

All about shades of grey this fall.

29 Thanksgiving sides... because the sides are the best part.


This week I made this dried citrus holiday garland, it smells amazing!

This dress would look so cute with a red beanie and doc martens.

Quit possibly the coziest sweater to ever exist.

Can you imagine discovering something like this? So incredible.

This coat looks so cozy.


My new fashion icon.

How cute is this scalloped hem skirt? So cute. And this coat. Ugh.

So excited for Tieka!

Well, these chocolate pinecones are pretty much the cutest ever.

I bet this candle smells amazing.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Perfectly Grey

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(this face was requested by Chris, who is currently, at this very moment, serenading me with the Gilmore Girls theme song)

It's not much of a secret how much I love these grey November days. Diffused skies, cold air, soft light, a cozy sweater. A hat that has clearly -- judging by the hole and extra furs -- been enjoyed by a cat.

My Monday through Fridays are so busy that I rarely dress up these days (also, I'm lazy and take too long to get ready in the morning), so when the weekend rolls around I'll take any excuse to actually utilize the other 90% of my closet. And I just love these colors together... black, olive, and the perfect marled grey sweater. Soft and diffused, just like those skies, and the perfect length for cute mini skirts. 

Get the look: UO jacket (similar) // Choies sweater (c/o) // Thrifted skirt (similar) // AA opaque tights // Similar boots // Free People rings // Eastern Boarder hat // Vintage bracelet // thrifted Coach bag (similar)