Creamy Pumpkin Soup

My sweet sis-in-law brought this soup mix over as part of a housewarming gift and I have to tell you- it rocked our world. All you do is add some cream and a can of pumpkin and simmer for a bit- its easy peasy & all natural. I served it with bell peppers stuffed with quinoa, turkey, veggies & cheese- it was the perfect cold weather supper. Getcha some at World Market- you won't be sorry!

XO
-L 

A Trip to the Farmer's Market (and a Very Italian Cinco de Mayo)

Feliz Cinco de Mayo Amigos! Is everyone relaxing with a margarita? Yep. Me too. Possibly because I worked 11 hours today? Thats a big yessir. Good thing I love my job.

Switching gears...I checked off another item on my 30 before 30 list this past weekend! Hubs and I visited the Dallas Farmers market for a little a lot of eating, shenanigans and buying yummies for our tummies. We started off with homemade tamales from La Popular- chicken, beef and pork for him, chicken and veggie for me. Holy yum. After stuffing our faces with awesome tex mex, we waddled over to the gelato stand to inflict more calorie damage. I had salted caramel and the hubs dug into green tea gelato. So so dang good. Now, sufficiently full, we wandered the market, checking out flowers, home goodies, and row after row after row of gorgeous produce. After bartering with the cutest, tiniest lady and a couple a scary looking guys, we headed home with our spoils- tons of bright red strawberries, apples, juicy plums, peaches, sweet corn, and grass fed sirloin. Hello Sunday steak night with grilled sweet corn. Loved spending a beautiful day with my bestie.

We have been enjoying our produce all week-and decided to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a traditional... Italian feast. Weird right? Well, we had mexican last night. And I wanted to make a pizza recipe I found with peaches. And our peaches won't be good much longer. And at least I had a margarita to celebrate.

Here are some of my fave recent recipes made with our farmer's market haul:

Chicken, Peach & Gorgonzola Pizza

Pioneer Woman Tomato, Zucchini and Feta Pasta Salad

XO
-L 

Epic Fail (30 for 30 Day 8)

Hello all! I have to say, today has been an odd day. My friend Natalie and I decided we'd head to an early morning spinning class and then shower and get ready at the gym and head to work from there. Easy peasy, right? Not so much. Spin class was great, but then we headed to the locker room, where I discovered I forgot a towel (but had gotten sweaty as a pig in class, so I HAD to shower.) Fast forward to me standing in the shower trying to air dry and then finally borrowing Natalie's towel. Then I couldn't get my hair dry in time and we had to race to work with half wet hair and no makeup. Thank goodness Natalie knows how to French braid or I wouldn't have had a prayer of looking halfway normal. Getting ready at the gym=epic fail.
Maybe we'll try again Thursday. If I have another braid, you'll know why.

XO
-L 

P.S. Here's Day 8 in the 30 for 30 Challenge! WOOT!

30 for 30: Day 8 by OliveandBleu featuring j crew tops

Halloween Party Treats

Happy almost Halloween lovelies! Geoff and I are super excited to be going to a friend's Halloween party this Saturday. And being a Southern lady, I can't head to the festivities without homemade goodies in hand. I have been trolling the interwebs for ideas and came across the perfect gory treats- witches fingers! These are so gross and cool at the same time. I might even use some green food coloring to dye some of them green for that extra "witchy" effect.

Of course, Miss Hostess With The Mostess herself Martha Stewart had a great recipe for these on her site (its also written below.) They are super easy to make- I'll let you know how they come out! Anyone have any fun Halloween plans?

XO
-L

Ingredients

Makes 30

• 2 tablespoons red food coloring
• 30 blanched almonds
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), room temperature
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with Silpats (French nonstick baking mats) or parchment paper, and set aside.
2. Place food coloring in a shallow bowl. Using a small paintbrush, color one rounded half of each almond. Set aside to dry.
3. Separate 1 egg. Set aside the white. In a small bowl, whisk together yolk, remaining egg, and vanilla. Set aside.
4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine butter, confectioners' sugar, granulated sugar, and salt. Beat on medium speed until well combined. Add egg mixture, and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the flour, and mix on low speed just until incorporated. Wrap the dough in plastic, and chill until firm, 20 to 30 minutes.
5. Divide the dough in half. Work with one piece at a time, keeping remaining dough covered with plastic wrap and chilled. Divide the first half into fifteen pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece back and forth with palms into finger shapes, 3 to 4 inches long. Pinch dough in two places to form knuckles. Score each knuckle lightly with the back of a small knife. Transfer fingers to prepared baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.
6. When all fingers are formed, brush lightly with egg white. Position almond nails; push into dough to attach.
7. Bake until lightly browned, about 12 minutes. Cool completely.

From Martha Stewart Living Television 

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Ladies' Fingers - Martha Stewart Recipes

Witch Finger Cookies via RecipeGirl.com

Bloody Finger Cookies via Studio Surface Blog

3 Things: Falling for Fall

Good Tuesday morning lovlies! Its been hinting at Fall (finally!) here in Dallas and I couldn't be more excited. Visions of school supplies, yummy baked goods, leather boots, and cuddling in front of the fire bob around in my head- I can't wait! Here are three things that are helping me celebrate Fall's arrival-a gorgoeus supple leather bag, cozy sweater knit throw, and delicious peanut butter banana bread muffins.
Enjoy!

1. Sepia Saddlebag via Anthro
    (Could this bag be more gorgeous? The supple leather will just get better
    with age-definitely wishlisted.)

2. Chunky Ribbed Throw via Pottery Barn
    (Got this with some of our wedding gift cards & I am in love-its literally a
     huge sweater to wrap up in on the couch!)

3. Peanut Butter Banana Bread Muffins via Cooking Light
    (I made these this past weekend and they got eaten up soooo fast!)

XO
-L