Dinner with Apples and Pork Loin

I've been baking lots of in season ingredient sweets over the last weeks. It's been a lot of fun trying new recipes but I decided I should hold up on baking sweets a bit for the waistlines sake! Since I still wanted to utilize all the in season fruits and veggies the produce isle has to offer, I decided to incorporate some delicious looking apples into a dinner instead of a pie! Here's what I came up with.

Ingredients:
2 or 3 Medium Sized Boneless Pork Loin Cuts
4 Sage Leaves
Juice from 1/2 a Lemon
2 or 3 Garlic Cloves
Lemon Pepper Seasoning
2 Medium Sized Apples
Olive Oil
1/2 Cup Chicken broth

1.  Make 4 slits in each Pork Cut
2. Drizzle both sides with olive oil, stick garlic slices into the slits, tear sage leaves and sprinkle on Pork
3. Squeeze lemon over chops and sprinkle both sides with lemon pepper seasoning

4. Peel Apples, slice into spears (removing core) and set aside

5. Preheat oven to 325, Pour Chicken Broth into baking dish and set aside

6. Place Pork onto a lightly olive oiled frying pan on medium high until brown on each side about 3 minutes (set pan aside)

7. Place Pork, garlic slits up into chicken broth and place in oven to cook about 20 mins
8. Put the pan back on medium heat and add the Apple slices. Use a utensil to blend the drippings in with the Apples. Cook until tender but a bit crisp. 5-10 mins

For Presentation; Set garlic mashed potatoes in the center of the plate, place the Pork on top of them and off to the side. Arrange the Apples on the other side of the Pork and garnish with a sage leaf.

Street Style~ Bundle up time!

When it's raining sideways and freezing cold, we don't care what we're wearing as long as we're shielded from the harsh elements! But after we've gotten the hang of the 'wet and soggy' and we've gotten our closets ready for the new seasons, we can learn to be both warm and polished when we step out on the street.

{Ashley Olsen Gwen Stefani}

A pretty wool coat will do the job of keeping you warm, while wrapping around a structured belt perfectly pulls the outside ensemble together.  Keep your toes warm by slipping on your boots and you'll be ready for the wind!

{Belted Double Breasted Coat $89 Beyer Plaid Coat $53}

{Rag and Bone The Plaited Belt $140 Linea Pelle Perferated Belt $132}

{Ash Fatale Wedge Platform Boot $206}

Make it snappy!

Making the most of my mid-week weekend, I decided to gather ingredients and make my first batch of Gingersnaps. Ever. Making the batter was pretty easy besides working with ooey gooey molasses! Rolling the gingery dough into little balls and around in cinnamon sugar was really fun tho, I even got the boyfriend helping!  It's amazing how they come out in the perfect little circles after baking. They really are some of the cutest cookies around!

Here's my recipe!

You'll need:
Cookie Sheet
Mixer

2 Cups Flour, sifted
1 Tblsp Ground Ginger
2 Tsp Baking Soda
1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 Tsp Ground Nutmeg
1/2 Tsp Salt
3/4 Cup Salted Butter
1 Cup White Sugar
1 Large Egg (beaten)
1/4 Molasses

1/3 Cup Cinnamon Sugar Mixture for rolling dough in

Directions:
Preheat Oven @ 350 degrees

Sift flour, ground ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt into a bowl. Mix and Sift.

Add butter into a mixing bowl and beat until creamy. beat in white sugar gradually, add beaten egg and mix in molasses. Stir and Blend in the flour mixture 1/3 at a time.

Grab small amount of dough and roll in your hands into 1 inch diameter balls. Roll each little ball around the cinnamon sugar mixture until coated.

Place on the non greased cookie sheet an inch apart from each other.

Bake for 10-13 minutes and place on a wire rack to cool.

Something Lovely

{Glitter Sea}

What to wear ~Family Holiday Dinners~

In the midst of all the party planning, menu planning, travel planning, etc going on this time of year. We also have the opportunity for the fun part; outfit planning! I figure, since we gear up for these, couple, extra special days out of the year, why not feel extra special and extra comfortable while you're enjoying they day? 

After years of practice... I decided it's probably better to go with a short or 3/4 length sleeved blouse, you'll probably help with some cooking, paired with denim, you might wanna get down and play with your little cousins or nieces and nephews you might have.

Here are some blouse options to make decisions easier!  

{Olivia Moon Print Blouse $58}

{Chance or Fate Embroidered Neckline Top $30}

{Gibson Tiered Lace Top $78}

{WallPapHer Boxy Woven Top $34}

and some great denim options

{Paige Verdugo $179}{Hudson Baby Boot $178}

{Hudson Collin Skinny $103}{Citizens Ava $209}

Handbag Must Have!

Dear Santa, I've been extra good this year...

{Rebecca Minkoff Mini 5-Zip M.A.C Clutch}

Thanksgiving Table Settings

I love sitting down with a glass of wine and a stack of the Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn and Sur la table catalogs that i've accumulated over the turn of the season. Of course each season comes with their own effortlessly perfect decorating but with all the ribbons, and sparkle this time of year is extra special! Since holiday party planning is coming up quicker than we can say "Merry Christmas!" I put my favorites together in a couple different entertaining styles for our own parties!

Warm and Traditional

Modern and Elegant

Unique and Cute

photo credits: southernliving.com fiskars.com plateandpattern.com hgtv.com apartmentthearapy.com marthastewart.com hostessblog.com

Something Lovely

{Pink Trees}

5 Reasons we love

I've been a Kiehl's girl for quite some so I feel good about going over my top 5 products and reason to love them!

 {Midnight Recovery Concentrate}

This concentrate does an amazing job keeping your skin well nourished while you sleep. It's keeps a lot of hydration so you barely need a night creme. I notice silky skin texture and even skin tone!

 {Ultra Facial Moisturizer}

Best light and non-greasy moisturizer I've used!

{Lip Balm with SPF}

Makes my lips looking and feeling just the right amount of glossy. The spf gives that little burst of  summer feel. Best of all, it heals and protects!

{Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate}

One of the best items I've acquired all year! I give it a little shake, squirt a couple Vitamin-C enriched pumps on my hand and apply morning and night. I've noticed a difference in elasticity on my cheeks and the fading of the pesky little lines that were forming! You feel a warming sensation after applying which feels nice, and can even use without moisturizer if your skin isn't on the dry side. LOVE THIS! 

{Hydration Essentials $25}

An all you need starter kit for Fall/Winter hydration!

Autumn Hues

I'm happy to say I have the luxury of walking to work each day and with that I'm also happy to say, the simple luxury of taking in the crisp fall air and beautifully colored leaf filled trees and sidewalks along the way.

There're so many hues we get to see outside during the fall but once inside its more of the same.

I think it's time to push your black and and gray to the back of the closet and bring those hues inside too!

Here's are some of my Anthropologie autumn hue picks!

 {Picholine Glitter Tunic $228}

{Pierced Cuff $198}

 {City of Light Dress $178}

{Water Lily Clip $15}

 {Pilcro Stete Slim Pants $98}

{Carapace Wedges $178}

{Soft Chevron Pullover $118}

{Sarapo Loop Scarf $78}