Pumpkin Crisp

I enjoy baking every day of the year, but something about the shift in seasons to autumn really makes me want to throw on an apron and whip something up in the kitchen. I came across a recipe on pinterest for a pumpkin crisp and quickly saved it to make last weekend. I tweaked the original recipe a bit, and have shared my version below.

It came out AMAZING! Rich & flavorful, not too sweet, with a little crunch from the crisp topping. It just tastes like fall in a bowl. I will definitely be baking this again - Thanksgiving anyone?

We served it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream - highly recommend :)

ingredients

{pumpkin pie layer}

1 15-oz can pumpkin puree

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3 large eggs

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2/3 cup half & half

{cinnamon crumble}

2 cups flour (I use GF)

1 cup oats

1 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

12 tbsp (1 1/12 sticks) of butter, melted

directions

{1}

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat the inside of a medium (9x9) dish with non-stick cooking spray.

{2}

In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, salt and vanilla extract. Add the half & half and cream until smooth. Pour into the prepared dish and set aside.

{3}

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add melted butter and stir with a fork until crumbles form. Spread the crisp topping evenly over the pumpkin pie mixture.

{4}

Bake for 40-45 minutes until the filling is set and crumble is golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool for ~10 minutes. 

{5}

Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 5 days, and either indulge in this treat cold or reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.

My Favorite Seasonal Candles

 I have been a long-time fan of Capri Blue candles - the volcano scent has been burning in my home for the last 15+ years! The jars are beautiful, the throw is exceptional, and they are decently priced.

Pro tip: I buy multiples of the x-small volcano candles when they are on sale (~$12) to have on hand for last-minute gifts. Whether you need something for a hostess gift or birthday - just add a bottle and a card, and you've got the perfect present!

{recently gave this combo to a sweet friend for her engagement}

- - -

The seasonal scents at Anthropologie are some of my favorites, and I love to rotate the fragrance each month to tie into my holiday spirit and decor.

October - Pumpkin Clove

The brand describes pumpkin clove as: "the scent of creamy, buttery pumpkin with a touch of orange zest is wrapped within a savory vanilla and cinnamon base." 

I look forward to this one every year, and admittedly start lighting it in September despite the 90 degree temps outside!

November - Spiced Cider

Spiced Cider is my go-to around Thanksgiving. The scent is detailed as "sparkling berries and grapes mix with harvest apple and cinnamon within a soothing vanilla and Canadian fir base." Which is exactly the fragrance I want in autumn!

December - Hearthside // Fir & Firewood

December's candle is usually a toss-up between two holiday scents! 

I LOVE the Hearthside scent - it is soo cozy! Capri Blue presents it as "notes of smoky cedarwood, pine needles, and clove mingle with a warming touch of vanilla, raspberry and amber."

The Fir & Firewood fragrance is a more traditional Christmastime scent: "a fruity, green aroma of apple, clove, fir, pine needle, white birch, cedar, vetiver, and musk."

You can't go wrong with either one, which is why I typically rotate burning each one throughout the season.

Air Fryer Potatoes

Our air fryer has quickly become a highly-used appliance in our kitchen. One of my favorite foods we use it for is potatoes. This side is the perfect compliment to a cheesy omelet when we do breakfast for dinner.

I don't measure anything, but the below are the spices and times/temp I use to get golden brown potatoes.

ingredients

small gold potatoes

extra virgin olive oil

salt

pepper

cumin

chili powder

paprika

directions

{1}

Cut potatoes in quarters so they are bite-sized chunks. Add them to a large mixing bowl.

{2}

Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with seasonings and toss until all potatoes are coated.

{3}

Pour the potatoes into the air fryer basket. I do them at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes. Pause halfway through and shake/stir the basket so they all get browned evenly. Enjoy!

Currently Obsessed

{Nike Air Jordan 1 Low}

I have my fair share of sneakers among my shoe collection, but Jordan's were not one of them until recently. I'm not a big basketball girlie, but I definitely ordered these .02 seconds after I saw them on one of my favorite instagram fashion influencers. They are very comfortable and the color combo is perfection! Can't wait to wear these all fall and winter.

Office

We have an office attached to our master bedroom through double doors, which has been a great bonus room in our home. It has gone through many iterations over the years, but the current one is by far my favorite. 

This room became Greg's pseudo man cave when we moved the xbox out of the living room - now his sometimes violent video games are behind closed doors and hidden from Jack's curious eyes. Greg stays up later than I do, and he has a place for his hobby that does not disturb me reading in bed.

I also love using this room for my morning workouts. Being able to have a space for myself is so nice. I just push the coffee table to the side, and can roll out my yoga mat and grab the weights that we have stored in the closet.

 We have a couple of cozy recliners, a coffee table and tv stand for entertainment. The desk is compact but perfect for storing important documents/mail/Jack's crafts from school that we have yet to decide which are keepers.

The colors are very natural with pops of green, which makes it feel tranquil and a great spot to nestle in with a book and cup of coffee - or light a candle and watch a movie together at night.

It feels like a second living room and has been used so much the last few months since we transitioned it into a fully-functional part of our home, rather than a holding cell of random furniture.

Recently Read

Reading by the pool is one of life's simple pleasures. A few books I've recently read and loved:

Expiration Dates - Rebecca Serle
I really like this author (also loved One Italian Summer). Expiration Dates is an intriguing love story with a unique plot. The main character, Daphne, occasionally receives notes from the universe with a man's name and the length of time they will be together - which makes her question fate vs. free will. 

Kill For Me, Kill For You - Steve Cavanagh

I read this one on our Seattle trip, and it was a great page-turning thriller for a long flight. Lots of unexpected twists!

Twice in a Lifetime - Melissa Baron

A time-traveling love story that had me rooting for the main character from the very beginning. Also a great through line of self love and acceptance, and working to overcoming challenges, especially with mental health, by seeking support.

All Good People Here - Ashley Flowers

I enjoyed this book about a small town plagued by an unsolved crime decades earlier. It kept me on the edge of my seat as the main character puts the puzzle pieces together. I tore through this one in a weekend.

Only If You're Lucky - Stacy Willingham

A novel about friendship, belonging, secrets, manipulation & murder. I was completely engulfed in this book from the first chapter. The author's writing style and story-telling are topnotch. 

My Tips for Buying Second Hand Designer Bags

 As I've mentioned before, I love a designer bag. But since my budget is in the couple hundred, not the couple thousand, I look for gently used pieces at an amazing deal. You can find great styles from contemporary designers (Tory Burch, Coach, etc) and luxury brands (Chanel, Louis Vuitton, etc) for a fraction of the original retail price. I've rounded up my top tips for buying second hand with confidence.

#1 - Authenticity

Some sites are legit and have an expert ensuring each item is authentic: The RealReal, ReBag, Fashionphile, etc. I personally have found great pieces on The Real Real for a steal! 

If you're going the Poshmark or Mercari route, which are consumer-based platforms, check the photos thoroughly. I've found the zoom quality is better on my iphone than on a computer so you can check every square inch. 

Ensure the serial number, hologram sticker, etc. is visible and accurate (google for reference). Look up the bag on the designer's website to compare side-by-side. Check hardware, zippers, seams and stitching. Designer bags are perfectly made so if something looks off, it's probably a dupe.

#2 - Use The Filters

Use the filters to your advantage: if you're looking for a deal under $500, set your budget and stay within that range. Same with quality - I typically only look at "excellent" and "very good" and stay away from "fair" since I know I won't be happy with the condition. 

I'm fine with gently used bags so long as there aren't major flaws - loose stitching, exposed piping, tears, stains, etc. A few tiny scratches on the hardware isn't a deal-breaker for me, but fully tarnished metal is. Find your own personal line in the sand and stick to it.

#3 - Stay True to Your Style & Needs

So you found a killer deal and are about to click "add to cart" - WAIT! Make sure it's exactly what you want and you will get years of wear out of it. 

Is it the right size for your needs? 

Don't get a teeny tiny purse just because of the deal if you really need a bag for work that is big enough to fit your laptop.

Is it a practical color?

If you only wear neutrals, but found a bright yellow Gucci for $600 = pass! You likely won't use it that often. When in doubt, stick to the classic neutrals - black, brown, taupe, cream, etc.

#4 - Negotiate Nicely

There's no wiggle room on sites like The RealReal - although if you heart an item and add it to your obsessions, you can track when there is a price drop! 

If you're combing through Mercari and Poshmark for your dream bag, there is an "offer" function. Similarly, you can "like" a posting and save it. Sometimes the seller will offer you a deal with discounted shipping. If it's *the one* pounce because those offers go to all of the people that liked that item.

If you want to negotiate directly with the sellers, don't low-ball. I've sold a few items on these sites and it's kind of insulting when someone offers $50 for a $500 bag! The platform makes a commission on the sale so the seller's earnings are less than the purchase price. Be fair and reasonable. I think a good range is 10-20% below the listing price. The buyer and seller can counteroffer as well, so keep in mind that you may go back and forth to find a middle ground each party agrees upon.

#5 - Keep Tags, Authenticity Cards, Dust Bags, etc

However you acquire a designer bag, whether directly from the brand or second-hand, keep all of the important documents. Store the box, price tags, authenticity cards, dust bag, etc. so you have them if you ever want to re-sell in the future. 

#6 - Proper Storage

Some people keep their purses tucked away in their respective dust bags, but I prefer to display them in my closet. Before storing a bag on my shelves, I empty it completely (no loose receipts, etc) and stuff it with either tissue paper or plastic air-filled bags to hold its shape. If there is a removable long shoulder strap, I take it off and roll it up to store inside so the strap does not get bent and misshapen.