In the Kitchen

Now that the weather here in GA is finally starting to cool off I've been inspired to do some baking and cooking with "fall ingredients". First up on today's agenda are Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins. I found a recipe on Epicurious and plan on altering it just a bit - no raisins or pumpkin seeds and adding chocolate chips and walnuts. Why keep the healthy stuff when you can add chocolate to the recipe?!



I'm also really excited about this book: Canning For a New Generation, by Liana Krissoff. We had her in the store the other night to do a book signing and tasting with some of her homemade goodies and oh my gosh they were good! She is also super sweet and has the cutest little girl. I've already decided that my first canning attempt will be her recipe for Spiced Apple Butter. I'll also be making homemade biscuits to put the Apple Butter on.

Have a lovely afternoon,
Julia

Oh Orla, I love your work.

{image here}

Can I please have this bus?? Why don't we have them in the US? Oh London and Orla Kiely...how I love you...

Speaking of, her fall line of bags is spectacular! I have a few of them on my wish list for sure. Maybe I'll win the lottery...but that means I would have to start playing and I don't really know how to pick numbers on lottery tickets. So maybe they'll just stay on my wish list.

This would be my weekend bag.
{get it here}

This would fit my laptop just perfectly.
{get it here}

This could would be a great fall handbag.
{get it here}

A girl can dream.

Goodnight.

Julia

Pop's 'stache

Check it out!! How hilariously awesome is this product?!? It's a mustache that fits on your bottle of pop. {as a southerner it feels so weird to say pop! it's coke...} Anyways, I can see these being a great conversation starter at a party and oh the hilarity that would ensue when you bring out a camera. Check out the story behind the Pop's 'stache at flatlab design.

The scuba diver? Yes, please! Which one would you pick?

Julia

Au Revoir Sister

My sister leaves for Paris tomorrow! {Sad face}

{photo from the last time we were both in Paris}

I'm going to miss my little sister soooo much! It's amazing how much more you start to like your siblings as you get older. There were times when we were younger when I thought we'd never get along. I used to jump out from behind doors and scare her {over, and over, and over again}. She used to pick at me while I was reading, just for the fun of "pushing my buttons". I used to be so annoyed that she like the same music as me. She used to get so frustrated that I wouldn't listen to her, but most of the time it was because I was reading and didn't realize she was talking to me. We really used to get on each others nerves...but then one day I went to college...and then we became friends. Our relationship has only gotten better since then and she has been a great support system for me - especially this summer.

This summer has come at me with panic attacks and anxiety, a breakup, and the death of a great boss - all in a the course of a month and a half. She's been there through it all {along with so many other great friends/family members}, so while I'm so excited for her, it's hard to think that one of my greatest support systems will now be 9 hours and a really expensive plane ride away. I'm sure I'll make it through because I know I can't rely solely on her, but I sure have appreciated the wise words and hugs she's given me this summer.

I love you sister!

-Julia

The weekend begins

Late night swim with some friends. Rooftop pool in downtown Atlanta. Nice cool breeze, warm water. Good stories and good company. Good way to start the weekend. Julia

From Tank to Table

We know about the whole farm-to-table idea that everyone is jumping on, but this might just be the next big idea. Why head down to the farmer's market for some fish for dinner when you can pop out your back door? How much fun would your kids have going out in the backyard to "fish" for dinner?!?! Check out the article here.

{Brian Barth "fishing" out of the fish tank in his backyard.}
{Photo from here.}

I'll probably skip this bandwagon since I don't eat fish...but those of you who do should give it a try!

Julia

Cute Babies

This little man is the cutest baby I know right now. I got to babysit the other morning while his momma was at an school function with his big sister. We played some and then he took a nap in my arms while I watched Regis and Kelly.

So, so sweet.

So easy going.

Beautiful smile.

He's going to have some competition soon - my baby brothers are on their way in the next few days and I'm soooo excited. Yay for babies!

Julia

National Sewing Month

Guess what?! It's National Sewing Month...who knew?

In honor of National Sewing Month...I'm going to try and sew a lot. We'll see what I actually get done though because life is CRAZY right now, and I mean crazier than I could have imagined a few months ago...

The past week I've been sewing pillowcases for the ConKerr Cancer project. The idea is to make pillowcases for sick children in hospitals across the U.S. with the hope that a colorful pillowcase for their bed will brighten their day...and night. :)

Here's what I've made so far and here is where to get directions and dimensions if you want to make your own pillowcases.


They are sooo easy to make and it's a really good way to use up any extra fabric you have lying around. I highly recommend sewing up some pillowcases if you have the time. :)

I'm also inspired to make some pillow cases for myself now too....

Happy Sewing!
Julia

Here Comes the Bride

Did you have a good labor day? I did! Two of my good friends from high school got married this weekend. Here they are:

These are the friends that I've been making wedding stuff for: garter's, "Mrs. To-Be" tank tops, and sewing some table runners {see picture below}. Their wedding was so beautiful and so much fun! They held it at the Trolley Barn in Inman Park. The weather was great, the setting was gorgeous, the food was tasty, and the band was soo good!


I got to see my doublemint twin, Laura {apparently we looked alike in high school}, and her fiancee Charlie along with some other good friends from back in the day.


And of course I have to give a shout out to my hot date for the wedding. Always fun to have a sidekick to save you on the dance floor and take trips to the bathroom with. ;)

Love you Schmane!

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend.
Julia