These boots were made for walkin'...

C'mon sing it with me now...."and that's just what they'll do, one of these days
 these boots are gonna  w a l k   a l l   o v e r   y o u"

Ahhh, some days it's so much fun to channel your inner Diva! Well, now that you're gonna have that song stuck in your head all day....why not show you some fabulous footwear to go along with it! Here are some of my favorite looks this season...



Um, yeah....no one where's the classic look better than Ms. Jennifer Aniston! I had to start off my favorites of the season with this look! I'm a HUGE fan of hers, and her wardrobe. She's a timeless beauty that knows how to pull it all together, simple and sophisticated! 

Ankle boots and fringe are two great necessities to have in your wardrobe this year!

Mixing grey and brown is so chic! I love combining the two...whether it's casual or dressy, they always looks great paired up together!

Pops of color are always a great way to add a little drama to your look....

...and personality!  {This look is way too cute by the way...I MUST replicate it!}

So which look do you prefer? When you channel your inner Nancy Sinatra....do you prefer a casual flat boot, or a more flirty and fun heeled boot?

All images via Pinterest

Mini Pumpkin Mousse Parfaits...

I don't know about you but when it comes to the holidays and enjoying all the fabulous foods that come along with them...I just can't seem to get enough pumpkin! Since I have so many left over cans of pumpkin in my pantry I thought I'd make a few more delicious treats and share...

I found the pumpkin mousse recipe on this great little blog I stumbled upon called  The Tom Kat Studio. Oh my goodness, is this recipe Fabulous!!  The recipe was originally adapted from Food Network and trust me, if you love pumpkin, you will love these! They are very simple with just a few easy-to-find ingredients.  I followed a recommendation to use regular sugar, rather than superfine and it turned out great.

Photos by: Laura Winslow Photography

Ingredients

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
3 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup superfine sugar
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Ginger snaps, for garnish

Directions

Combine pumpkin, 1 cup cream, sugar and spice in a medium saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes. Cool fully. Whip remaining heavy cream and vanilla to soft peaks and fold into cooled pumpkin mixture. After you make the mousse recipe, use these steps to create the mini parfaits:

{1} Add crumbled gingersnaps to bottom of mini parfait glasses

{2} Put the mousse in a large plastic bag. Snip off the corner and pipe a layer into the glasses

{3} Repeat step 2, but with Cool Whip

{4} Top with crushed gingersnaps

{5} Enjoy!

I can not begin to tell you how amazing this was! Hope you love it as much as I did!!

Hot cider bar...

One of my absolute favorite things about the fall/winter season is snuggling up with a delicious warm drink under a cozy blanket and my favorite book or magazine. Today, I found these great ideas for creating your own hot cider bar...perfect for when you're having company over during the holidays! I can't wait to try it....

First – you have to start off with a yummy hot apple cider.  You can use the store bought cider that comes in the jugs (you can find in the refrigerated section of the produce department) or if you have some extra time on your hands you can make it from scratch. Keep the cider warm by using a hot beverage dispenser or a crock pot works nicely as well.

Hot Apple Cider

• 6 cups apple cider
• 1/4 cup real maple syrup
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 orange, cut into fourths
• 1 lemon, cut into fourths
• 6 whole cloves
• 6 whole allspice berries

1. In a large sauce pan, combine the apple cider with the maple syrup.
2. Stick the whole cloves into 1/4 of the orange through the peel. The add cinnamon sticks along with the lemon and orange pieces to the cider.
3. Next add the allspice berries. You can place them in a small piece of cheese cloth for easy removal. I just add them and remove them with a spoon after the cider is headed. They mainly stay floating on the top of the cider anyway.
4. Heat cider over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Using a slotted spoon, remove the cinnamon sticks, lemon and orange pieces, and the allspice berries. Serve cider in mugs. Makes 6 one cup servings.

Second –  you need some flavored syrups like Torani and regular old amaple syrup.  Pick flavors that would go well with the cider like pumpkin spice, creme caramel, or white.

Third – get some ice cream.  I recommend going for a higher quality ice cream.  You will only need a small scoop for each cup.  Again pick ice cream flavors that will pair well the cider like dulce de leche, rum raisin, or butter pecan.

Fourth – you need some whipped cream.  Offer several different flavors like 

vanilla, maple, and cinnamon.

Fifth – you need those finishing touches like cinnamon sticks, apple slices and caramel ice cream topping to drizzle over the cream.  Now you have a fancy schmancy gourmet hot apple cider bar.

What's your favorite beverage you like to make this time of year? I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments....and I'm ALWAYS looking for new recipes to share!

Have a wonderful evening, Everyone!

Recipe and images courtesy of: Real Mom Kitchen

Happy Thanksgiving, Welcome to my home...

HAPPY TURKEY DAY, EVERYONE!
 You know what that means....time to "Gobble 'Til You Wobble"...

...or collapse face first into your plate of food!

In preparation for Thanksgiving this year, I've been busy this week getting my home ready for family and friends. Last week I posted tips and inspirational ideas for Decorating your home for fall, so I figured I would share with you today some of the ways I decorated my home with the ideas I shared:

The dining table is set...

The fireplace mantel decorating with autumn garland, pumpkins, candles...

and a starfish or two! I love mixing beach elements with traditional elements...

A few blankets folded in a basket under the coffee table for guests to snuggle up with in front of the fireplace...

On top of the coffee table sits a wooden tray filled with autumn magazines like Southern Living and Country home and an over-sized glass vase filled with tall leaf stems I picked up at Pier1. This vase is perfect for every season. I just replace the stems with other seasonal stems and flowers...

Autumn inspired pillows in rich saturated colors are scattered around the living room to create an inviting area for lounging...

Autumn inspired area rugs warm up the living and dining room...

Ceramic pumpkins, autumn scented candles (I prefer "Leaves" by Slatkin and Co.) 

under the sofa table I've added a basket of cinnamon scented pine cones accented with pumpkins, gourds and of course, a starfish...

Sitting area in the kitchen accented with an autumn centerpiece. I created the centerpiece with autumn garland, pumpkins, a candle and used chopped cinnamon sticks as a vase filler...

Apothecary jars filled with pumpkins and gourds. They were on clearance at Hobby Lobby and were actually autumn picks used for floral arrangements.  I just pulled the metal pick out and used them as jar fillers....

A pie plate filled with fresh autumn fruit like apples and pears adorns the butcher block counter top in the corner of the kitchen... 

The front foyer accented with a ceramic pumpkin and my favorite Scentsy Candle Warmer. I have Oats N' Honey melting in there right now. It smells so yummy....

The front porch is ready to welcome guests. These pumpkins I also found at Hobby Lobby on clearance. You would never know they were fake! The truth is by the time I went to the pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins they were all...well lets just say "undesirable". Thank goodness Hobby Lobby!!

Looks like it's going to be a nice day here at the beach to enjoy time with my family and friends. I blessed in so many ways: family, friends, career opportunities, volunteer opportunities, my church and church family as well as all the soldiers that have fought and are currently fighting for my freedom.

Two of the most precious things I am most thankful for today are:

My amazing husband the Lord blessed me with eight years ago, without him I couldn't be half the woman I am today! 

Our new baby girl growing in my tummy that hubby and I will get to meet in April! 

These are definitely two of the most beautiful blessings a girl can have this year!!

What are you most thankful for this year? I'd love to hear your comments and thoughts.

Have a beautiful day everyone and Happy Thanksgiving!!