Comfort in Familiarity

jacket, shirt, pants, boots: Anthropologie / necklace: local jeweler




In my last post I talked about my fall fashion formula. This outfit is very much in those lines, although the only thing I'm actually repeating here is the jacket. I own two pairs of black denim, that pair, and this pair. This pair was a revelation for me; it's my first high-waisted pair of pants and I love them. Finally, a pair of pants that stays on when you bend and squat! A pair of pants that doesn't need to be adjusted or pulled up constantly! A pair of pants that don't require a belt (that, let's face it, is pretty useless most of the time anyway)! The only downside to high-waisted pants? They're not food friendly. Every time I've worn these out to a big meal, the first thing I want to do when I get home is peel them off. But aside from that, they're perfect! And did you spot the fun back detail on this otherwise basic t-shirt? Love it. Also, yay for good hair days! It's growing so fast! Six months ago, it felt like it might never reach my chin, and now it curls so beautifully underneath it. I need to go through my photos and do a growing-out-a-pixie-cut roundup. It'll be a year in January!

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Week in Photos: Week 45

I did not take a lot of photos this week. I also didn't do a whole lot besides work this week... so here are photos of things I made at work!

I played around with some rolled fondant...



...brought some nature into the kitchen...



...and topped some pumpkin cupcakes with a small dose of cute!



Made these orange almond cookies, which were surprisingly delicious! (I say surprisingly because I'm not usually one for orange or almond flavored things.)



Tried my hand at some madeleines... but forgot to spray the pans. (They were soooo tasty though!)



I remembered to spray for the second batch, but I forgot to sift the flour, so air pockets formed. Derp!



Lloyd is such a little instigator.



The sky made all sorts of fun colors on Friday.



I missed this one by a minute! The sunset changes so quickly!

And that was pretty much it! I worked the past two Saturdays, but had an actual weekend this week, which I celebrated by renting some movies from the video store (Chef, King of the Hill, and Jeeves & Wooster), making white chili, and switching the two closets in our apartment (they're so much better organized now!). And now it's Monday and I'm not ready to go back to work!

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Fun Finds Friday #74

The cutest pumpkin thief ever!!



I think I may already have posted this before, but I'm intrigued by the philosophy behind this professor's dumpster living. That's the nicest looking dumpster I've ever seen!



I meant to post this last week, but it's never too late to make these beautiful pumpkin terrariums.


+ Philadelphia, you're a beautiful city.
+ We are all confident idiots.
+ There are some good one-liners here.
+ Fifteen things that make an ordinary day happy.

Happy Friday!!

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The Cat Life - Build-a-Box

It's no mystery that cats love boxes. It doesn't matter how large or small, we all know they will try to fit into whatever empty box becomes available to them. (At least it eases the stress of moving! For them.) So when I came across this video where Jackson Galaxy shows watchers 3 easy DIYs for cat owners, and I noticed his box-hammock, I couldn't help but think to myself, "I can do that! The boys would love it!!" So I brought home an empty box from work and made my own cat box-hammock while watching an episode of Revenge. (Any excuse to use my swiss army knife makes me so happy!) Then I set the box on the floor in the living room and waited... and waited... and waited.

A few days went by and neither of them showed any interest in the their new box. I was getting discouraged, and feeling ungrateful. Shawn moved it out from the middle of the floor and put it underneath one of our side tables. Still nothing. I started thinking to myself, "Oh god, I'm that person. That crazy cat lady that makes an elaborate box for her cats and then gets upset when they don't care about it. Because they're cats. And it's a box!!" But then one night, I was sitting on the couch and Shawn and I were talking about something when all of a sudden he stopped and said, "Honey! Get your camera ready!" Confused, I did as I was asked and then he motioned towards the side table. I quietly went over to take a look...



YES. Satisfaction. I knew they couldn't stay away!









Shawn said he has seen Sylvester in there since too, but I wasn't around for that. It doesn't surprise me though, considering Sylvester sits everywhere Lloyd sits. Hopefully the box-hammock will become part of their regular rotation! If not though, all that's wasted is a box and an old t-shirt.

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Week in Photos: Week 44

A good week always starts with a cat in a box.



I got new running shoes! But now it's dark out by the time I leave work :(



This was before daylight savings time.



Go ahead, take a leek.



Always cats in the morning. Always.



Pumpkin cheesecake swirly goodness.



Sure, just drizzle a little chocolate on there!



This month's scone is my favorite. Toffee pecan. Mmmm!



Bacon, brussels sprouts, and beer. What's not to like?



I walked into the living room and found a scene similar to this one.



When colleagues bring you blueberry donuts from the amish pastry stand, you say Thank You and Nom Nom Nom.



My phone takes photos on its own. And then it loses some of the photos I take!



Decaf americanos don't make for pretty photos like cappuccinos do.



Did someone say nachos? None for you.



Beer braised bratwurst (I like foods that start with Bs, apparently) from Jones.



Their decor there was retro and... amusing. I loved the shag carpet the most.

Goodbye October, Hello November! I'm really looking forward to this month, mostly because it's not jam-packed with plans and activities. October was a super busy month for me, and although I enjoyed everything I got to do, I'm happy to get a chance to rest and not do much of anything this month. We didn't do anything for Halloween (unless you count falling asleep on the couch around 9:30pm as doing something...) but I had a fun Sunday to bring in the new month. My boss at work took us all to a play at the Lantern Theatre downtown, followed by dinner at Jones, which was tasty and fun! If you're in Philly and you like eclectic comfort food, check it out. Their cocktail list was pretty much on point. But then again, I'm an old southern gentleman when it comes to my taste in cocktails.

I hope you had an awesome week!!

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