JEWELIQ

And my jewelry obsession continues.

Have you heard of JEWELIQ?
It's another bargain online jewelry store
where you can purchase super trendy jewelry at seriously low prices...
I'm talking Forever21 prices!
Seriously, go check it out... and your welcome.

 

Color Palette - Turquoise

I have this beautiful turquoise bracelet that use to belong to my grandmother.

I remember being a little girl and marveling at all the

beautiful jewelry that filled her jewelry box.

Thinking to myself: "One day, I want a beautifully filled jewelry box".

Ah... A girl can dream right.

Dear Diary

Are you a good journal keeper?

I'm afraid to say that I am not. 

I wish I was, but every time I think to myself:

"I'm going to be diligent; I'm going to write down memories and feelings"...

about 5 days later, I have utterly failed.

That was until I received the Q & A a Day Journal for Christmas.

This journal has 1 question for each day of the year, for 5 years.

So all you have to do is answer the question of the day.

And you can be as in depth or as surface-y as your hearts desire.

Voila! That's it! Your then done with your daily recording.

Low maintenance journaling... now that's what I'm talking about.

I love this concept so much, that I'll probably keep it going

even after I've run out of room in the original book.

I'll just buy another beautiful journal, like the ones above,

and keep the question answering going!

Current Crush - Oxblood

The color... not actually oxblood. That would be gross.

But don't you agree?!? This color is so amazing for this season.

Last time I was at Sephora I tried on some Oxblood lipstick

and it was so dark, so red, and so fabulous...

I am kicking myself in the butt for not buying it.

But I do have that nail polish,

so at least I have one item in my possession that is this color.

Next item to purchase, those pants!

What has been your current crush lately?

Maple Walnut Brown Sugar Cake

Can I just say that this cake is amazing!

At first I was skeptical...

Will it really taste as Maple-y as I want it too?

Will the brown sugar make a huge difference?

Well, let me just tell you... YES!

This cake was everything that I was hoping for. 

And it is so perfect for Fall. 

Maple Walnut Brown Sugar Cake

Adapted from Martha Stewart

For the Cake
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon fine salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups pure maple syrup
3/4 cup whole milk
1 cup chopped walnut halves, toasted 

For the Frosting
16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
3 unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
4 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat two 9-inch round cake pans (2 inches deep) with cooking spray; set aside.

2.  In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. 

3.  In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar on high until light and fluffy. 

4.  Beat in eggs, one at a time, scraping down bowl as needed. 

5.  With mixer on medium-high, add maple syrup in a slow, steady stream. 

6.  Add flour mixture in two additions, alternating with milk, beating well after each addition and scraping down bowl as needed. 

7.  Fold in walnuts.

8.  Divide batter between pans; firmly tap pans on a flat surface several times to remove air bubbles. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a cake comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cakes cool in pans on wire racks, 15 minutes, then invert onto racks. With a serrated knife, trim domed top from each cake to make a flat surface.

9.  Make frosting: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, butter, and brown sugar on high until light and fluffy, 5 minutes. Gradually add confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition.

10.  Assemble cake: Place one layer, top side up, on a cake stand or serving plate. Spread top evenly with 2 cups frosting. Top with second layer, top side down. Spread remaining frosting over top and around sides of cake.

My TWO Weeks in Instagrams

I just love Instagram.

I was never a very good "twitter-er".

I tried, believe me I tried.

But when it came to being spontaneously cleaver

when documenting my daily activities... epic fail.

 So when Instagram first came out...

documenting your life via pictures...

I knew I would fall in love. 

I hope you enjoy my weekly Instagram postings.

Coming to Life - Persuasion

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

 

Tonight I am hosting our final book club meeting on the book Persuasion.

It had been over 10 years since I had read a Jane Austen book,

and let me tell you, it took me reading almost half the book

to finally get into a grove when reading Jane's writing style.
But I fully enjoyed this small book.

I totally recommend it to you all.

There are so many great characters in the story that make you either

 chuckle in laughter or want to throw the book across the room in frustration.

And the main heroine, Anne, in my opinion,

is one of the most relatable characters in any Jane Austen book. 

And of course you can't not love this famous quote by Capt. Wentworth:

"You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope."

Our next book in the book club...

Wuthering Heights!