Object of Desire: "Little America" Backpack

Herschel Supply Company pulled their inspiration from classic mountaineering to create this timeless "Little America" backpack. A little too masculine for me to wear, but if I were one of my guy readers (Walt) I'd totally buy this. Shop here. 

Make This: Spiced Pecan Pumpkin Bread

I have a work halloween party tomorrow for which I made these delectable mini pumpkin pecan cupcakes. Since I've been learning how to cook, I went a little crazy at Williams-Sonoma a couple of weeks ago and in the midst of my shopping spree, picked up this amazing bread mix. I don't actually love baking, mostly because I'd much rather eat something savory, but these muffin/cupcakes/bread bites are too good not to try. They're. So. Good. 

The mini cupcake trays are perfect for these since I topped them with a very sweet (homemade!) cream cheese frosting. I actually prefer them without the frosting, so I'll be sure to make this as a bread next time for a warm fall breakfast, or as a treat after Thanksgiving dinner. Recipe below, and buy the mix here. 

        

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Line cupcake well with papers

In a large bowl, combine mix, 8 tbs (1 stick) melted unsalted butter, 1 cup of water and 2 eggs

Mix until smooth

Divide batter among cupcake sheets and baked for about 20-25 minutes

Let cool for about 30 minutes before frosting

Cream Cheese Frosting:

In a large bowl, beat together 3 tbs unsalted butter and 8 oz of cream cheese, both at room temperature

Then beat in 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

*images by peek of perfection

Travel Season Has Arrived

Okay, so maybe I haven't stopped traveling all that much. A big reason I moved to LA in the first place (other than taking a shiny new job) was to live and explore somewhere new. Since I arrived in California last summer I've made it my mission to see everything I can. So far this year I've been to some amazing places- Palm Springs, Napa and Sonoma Valleys, San Francisco, Portland (Oregon- not Maine), Mammoth Lakes for some California-style powder skiing, and of course, back home to New York and Nantucket. But there's still so much to see! From now until March, I have one trip planned per month all around the West Coast. That's right, one a month. The most exciting of them are probably the two ski trips to Vail, Colorado and Park City, Utah. I'm so looking forward to seeing the good friends that will be there with me. Travel season has arrived!

*image via kate spade new york

Object of Desire: Best Made's Horn Whiskey Tumblers

As you can probably tell from most everything I post, bright, intrusive colors are not my thing. I'd much rather surround myself in a 'nest' of sorts- a soft, comfortable space with an easy-on-the-eyes color palette  of whites, creams and natural wood elements. With that said, these Ankole cattle horn tumblers are right up my alley. From one of the coolest companies I know, shop Best Made here. 

*image via best made company

Object of Desire: Grey Flannel Vans

I love grey. It's a color that transcends all seasons, always looks effortless and is just plain cool. I'm not much into grunge, and I put Vans in that category, but I love these! I couldn't help it. I'd pair these with white jeans, obviously! Shop here. 

*image via nicekicks

Style Guide: Fall Favorites

It's Ocsnowber! Well, it is if you live in or around New York City. My family and friends had a very unwelcome snow storm this weekend while I enjoyed 80 degree sun in the desert. But, I have to say I'm a little jealous. I really love bundling up with tights, boots and sweaters. Alas, here are some fall favorites to get you through the fall season that never happened on the east coast, and inherently doesn't exist here in LA. Shop below!

1. Rag and Bone Floppy Brim Fedora. Shop here. 

2. Stella McCartney Geometric Diamond Dress. Shop here. 

3. Fogal Grey Himalaya Tights. Shop here. 

4. See by Chloe Leather Moccasin Ankle Boots. Shop here. 

5. Mulberry Alexa Satchel. Shop here. 

Currently Listening To: Fall 2011 Playlist

Let's talk music. Every once in a while I get completely frustrated with my music library and go on a downloading spree (Spotify is amazing for this). My college-friend-turned-hipster-friend, Russ, in Brooklyn, shares my love for melodic singer songwriters and gave me some suggestions. Below is what I've been listening to. I highly recommend each of these albums- they're on shuffle in my earbuds/car/apartment!

clockwise from top left: 

Feist "Metals"

Charli XCX "Stay Away"

Youth Lagoon "The Year of Hibernation"

Kurt Vile "Smoke Ring For My Halo"

Real Estate "Real Estate"

Wilco "The Whole Love"

Object of Desire: Royal Rose Syrups

I found these yummy syrups over at Cup of Joe. The perfect way to spruce up some cocktails for the upcoming holiday drinking season! Plus, the packaging is adorable and would look great on your bar cart. Shop here. 

Object of Desire: Rodarte Prom T-Shirt

I'm loving this grungy Rodarte 'prom' t-shirt from Opening Ceremony. I need a good tee to wear with skinny jeans and black leather booties. I think this might be it! Shop Opening Ceremony here. 

*image via opening ceremony

Travel Guide: Portland

I went to Portland, Oregon to visit my childhood friend Claire this past weekend and fell in love with it! We explored a lot of downtown, drank so many local beers, ate at amazing local eateries and caught up on the past year and half of us both living on the west coast post-bars on her back porch drinking wine by the fire. Unexpectedly, I ended up seeing some family and friends that I didn't plan to, which was also wonderful. In leaving, I knew I would be planning my next trip back there soon. There's so much to do and we didn't get to half of it.

Claire would laugh at these images. Why? Because we did NOT go hiking, and we definitely did not go camping (although those are two things she enjoys and does frequently). I, on the other hand, do not! Still, these images conjure the spirit of how beautiful Portland felt to me.

*images via bippity boppity boo

At Home with Sam Shipley & Jeff Halmos

Updates from The Selby are one of my most favorite things. Taking a look into how people live is truly a glimpse into their souls, don't you think? It's always fun to look through all of their featured people, but when you know them, it's even better. Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos (of Shipley & Halmos) are clothing designers based in New York that I have a style crush on (their line can also be found at Barneys). There's something about this apartment- maybe it's the loft- that is quintessential New York living. 

*images via the selby

Object of Desire: Celine Winter 2011

Phoebe Philo definitely knows the way to my heart, especially with her latest Winter 2011 Celine collection. If I didn't think I loved this black and oxblood bag with gold hardware the first time I saw it, I knew it was true when I passed her by in Santa Monica Whole Foods tonight. Who needs to decide on wearing black or brown? This bag makes all of the decisions for you. 

Quote Unquote

*image via discoveries of glory

At Home: Black Walls

You need a certain amount of natural light in a room for this to work, but painting your walls black can be oh-so-chic. Taking a look through a folder I keep of interiors that I love, I found that this trend is a reoccurring theme. I really love it in bathrooms with gold fixtures. 

*images via shelter 

Make This: Painted Pumpkins

Even though it was hot and sunny this weekend, I painted these mini pumpkins to get in the autumn spirit. These tiny guys look awesome in metallic gold, and I painted ones a little bit larger in a glossy black. They look great together, and will hopefully hold through until Thanksgiving! Oh, the wonders of spray paint. 

Watch This: Quoddy Workshop

Some of the most amazing (and my favorite) men's shoes are handmade in a small workshop in Lewiston, Maine. Watch the video below on how Quoddy's are carefully built by these skilled craftsman. Watching how these shoes are made make them that much more special. Shop Quoddy here.

Object of Desire: Maison Boinet Belts

Growing from a button business in 1858 to house of leather accessories by 1931, Maison Boinet sits on a century and a half of experience, a fact fully evident on every inch of these French belts. Just in time for fall fashion, shop Opening Ceremony here.

Object of Desire: Vintage Halston

I can't begin to tell you the things I would do for this dress. My love for plunging necklines is more than covered here, and to top it off, its gorgeous sequins are in muted beige and cream with touches of silver and gold. This has my name written all over it! It's currently being sold through Resurrection on Melrose here in L.A., but I'm sure not for long. A seemingly innocent perusal through the 1st Dibs website can be dangerous, but you should probably still check it out here. 

Watch This: Hermes Holiday Windows

Okay, so this is back from the 2009 holiday season, but it's SO genius. Everyone knows Hermes for their beautiful scarves, so what better way to show them off than to have them blowing in the windows? Holiday windows are one of my favorite things about the Christmas season- Berdorf, Barneys, and Bloomies- just a walk down Madison Avenue could put any girl in the Christmas spirit (or in my case, a drive through Wilshire in Beverly Hills). Watch it and be inspired! 

Travel Guide: Katikies Hotel, Santorini

Nestled in the Santorini mountainside, the recently renovated luxury hotel Katikies Hotel mixes contemporary design with the preserved Aegean architecture. The suites are furnished with local antiques and are upholstered in bright stripes and bold, clean colors---and it's right in line with my all-white obsession. Putting this one on the bucket list.

*images via knstrct

Style Guide: West Coast Casual

A few things to note here: 1) This bag is amazing and comes in a million colors. 2) These Mui Mui sunglasses are fairly cheap coming in under $200 bucks. 3) I've been living in Zara's flow-y blouses like this one this fall. 4) A few pairs of skinny jeans in different washes are a must. 5). Tod's loafers. Enough said. Shop below.

1. Givency Nightingale Bag

2. Mui Mui Aviators

3. Zara Pocket Blouse

4. Citizens Avedon Skinny Jeans

5. Tod's Heaven Loafers

Travel Guide: Seattle + Portland

I'm in need of a good road trip. Getting into the nitty gritty of a new place, walking around and into places that you might oversee in your hometown, talking to the locals- it's all how you get to know somewhere for the first time. I'm heading up to the Pacific Northwest in a couple of weeks to visit a friend in Portland and then driving up to Seattle. I haven't yet been to either city so I'm super excited to check out the people, food, farmer's markets, restaurants, bars and to take some great pictures. Best of all, I get to see a very good friend and do some long-overdue catching up. 

In the meantime, I'm off to explore the east side of L.A. that I've been so rude in neglecting lately. I'll be sure to report back on both trips! p.s. - why didn't i get this car when i moved here?

*image via discoveries of glory

Object of Desire: Heidi Merrick Pillows

"I believe in a living, working style that reflects the beauty of the coastline,”  says Heidi Merrick. The Los Angeles based clothing and now interior designer was raised in a family of craftsman (her father is the famed surfboard shaper, Al Merrick) so her line is a tribute to artistry. Her collections are tactile, luxe, favor a natural fabrication and a tailored cut. Since these qualities are probably the only things I care about when looking at fabrics, it's an obvious love. 

I found these grey and white striped linen pillows (european size- 26" x 26") at Calypso Home a couple of weeks ago. They have this great leather detail around the edges and the pocket zipper. They definitely bring a bit of luxe to a very natural fabric. I'll take two! Shop here. 

Object of Desire: Theysken's Theory Pump

These shoes are ridiculous. The gradation from patent leather to fabric is awesome, and I love the ankle strap. If I only had somewhere to wear 6" heels. Shop here before they're completely sold out.