A Pinch of Fall

Posted on September 9, 2014 by cagrieff

I can’t believe we’re already through the first week of September and that summer is technically over! I’ve been back at home organizing all of my things and getting ready for my next big move before I’m back out in the real world. Home for me is in Southwest Florida, so it definitely still feels like summer down here!

To help ease my mind into the transition of fall (which is probably my favorite season), I’ve been collecting some fall recipes I want to try my hand at in the weeks to come. Starbucks has already begun selling their famous Pumpkin Spiced Lattes, so it’s only a matter of time before we all embrace the fall flavors, weather, and changing scenery.

Below are the top 5 recipes I want to make ASAP – let me know some of your personal favorite fall treats and maybe I can incorporate something into the blog! Also, be sure to follow my Pinterest board, A Pinch of Fall, for even more of my favorite fall recipes.

Always a classic – Traditional Pumpkin Pie recipe courtesy of Williams-Sonoma – I’ll save this one for Thanksgiving!

For those colder nights, I’ll have to try Martha Stewart’s Apple-Pie Spiced Cider.

No dessert is complete without some chocolate! These Pumpkin-Chocolate Whoopie Pies courtesy of Lauren Conrad look divine!

Camille Styles made a list on her blog of the best Fall Cocktail recipes – I’ll have to give them all a try!

Of course I had to include a hearty fall breakfast dish in this list! Definitely trying these Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pancakes on a lazy Sunday.

Movie Night

Posted on August 26, 2014 by cagrieff

Sometimes after a long week you are desperate for a night in on the couch watching some of your favorite movies. I know I was definitely feeling one of those nights come this past Friday, so I made some buttery popcorn, popped in a movie, and enjoyed not having a worry in the world except listening to the swoon-worthy British accent of Hugh Grant in Bridget Jones’s Diary. Below are some of my favorite movies to sit back, relax and enjoy after an exhausting week. What are some of your’s?

Be sure to take a peek at some of my favorite links from this past week:

1.) Great interview with Taylor Swift.

2.) Kate McKinnon from SNL’s Dos & Don’ts.

3.) Humans of New York goes beyond NYC.

4.) This end of summer feast Camille Styles hosted is my type of feast with pasta & wine galore!

5.) Starbucks will be rolling out mobile food trucks this Fall!

6.) This article about ways to transform your life is GREAT.

7.) Anna Wintour wets her famous bob in her ALS Ice Bucket Challenge video.

Face the Fear and Do It Anyway.

Posted on July 23, 2014 by cagrieff

Growing up, I was always pretty shy and quiet around other kids my age (around the house I was as loud as can be – two older brothers taught me I had to have a strong voice early on). Of course, around my closest friends I was my outgoing, goofy self, but around teachers, classmates, and people who I had just met you would think I was the shyest girl in the grade. It wasn’t until about senior year of high school that I started to fully come out of my shell and just well, be me.

I also learned early on from my Dad that one of the most important, yet challenging things in life is to take risks. Never settle. Keep striving for what you want and if you try hard enough, you just might get it. Coincidentally, my first “big risk” was applying to college – would I stay in-state so I could be close to home, or would I go out of state where the only easy way home was a long flight and I knew absolutely no one?

Next up came studying abroad – should I live across the world for three months meaning it would be my first Thanksgiving spent away from home (eating a kebab at midnight in Prague, nonetheless)?

After a lot of uncertainty and challenging times, I realized choosing the easy way out is never the option. Through all of these experiences where I put myself outside of my comfort zone, I grew.

And of course the inevitable graduation day – what would come after May 10, 2014? Was I supposed to know before I made it across that stage what I’m meant to do for the rest of my life? The answer is no, I wasn’t. That’s what so great about life – being able to take risks, change your life, and figure it all out along the way.

On a lighter note, here are some of my favorite links of the week, share yours below in the comment section!

1.) I have got to make this ASAP – queso dip from the Homesick Texan cookbook.

2.) I recently bought this maxi dress in coral and it is so comfortable and light – perfect for hot summer days.

3.) I’ve always wanted to make homemade ice cream and I think this may be the perfect flavor.

4.) Four Layer Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie – a must!

5.) A good article on why we should standup for women’s magazines.

6.) Comparison is the thief of joy – this blog post says it like it is.

The Working Girl’s Handbag

Posted on July 17, 2014 by cagrieff

It seems as though there’s not one handbag out there that’s big enough or stable enough to carry all the items I need on a day to day basis during the week. Never enough compartments, the straps are uncomfortable, or the bag can’t hold a lot of weight. So I have set out on a mission to find the top 5 best (and most stylish) handbags for working girls, or recent college grads searching for a sleek, professional bag to show up to interviews with. Which one is your favorite?

#1 This Halogen Graphic Tote – loving this print!