Is there anything better than snail mail?

One of the things that makes me the happiest is mail.  

There are few feelings better than opening your mailbox and finding a letter waiting for you. Or getting a package— either for an occasion or just because.

I even like mail that is sneakily hand delivered. Like a note left on the kitchen counter, or a post-it on my desk at work with a bag of my favorite candies sitting nearby. And nothing truly says thank you like a hand written note in the mail. It just seems more thoughtful than an email. Probably because it is.

Since my family is currently spread across the country we take advantage of snail mail often. My dad writes me a handwritten card every month and has been doing so since my freshman year of college. My sisters and mom send cards in the mail every so often “just to say hello.” It’s such a nice gesture that always makes me feel loved and thought of.

I’m currently in need of some new stationery because I’m running and I love so many of the handmade notes on Etsy. I think I’ll have to add some of these to my collection. You can too at the links below...

Don't Forget to Be Awesome 

Orange Bicycle 

Doily Initial

Pink Bicycle

Regal Bulldog

Elk

Owl Post

State Notes

Zig Zag

Wishful Wednesday: I wish I could eat cupcakes every single day

I'm a sucker for a good cupcake. No matter what size and no matter what flavor (within reason), I can't say no. 


My favorite cupcakes in the city are from a bakery in Lincoln Park called Sweet Mandy B's. Their cupcakes are simple when compared to all the different varieties of cupcakes that one can find these days, but they're perfect in their simplicity. They don't need bacon bits or sprinkles or crazy flavor varieties to be special. They just are. 


This past weekend, I tried out a recipe I found online that claimed to be THE Sweet Mandy B's cupcake recipe. I'm proud to report that the the icing tasted eerily similar to the real thing. The cake was a bit off, but not in a bad way, just in a way that's slightly different from the original. 

While I didn't hit the nail on the head, it was, after all, only my first try. And I have to say that I have found my go-to cupcake recipe for the next time I'm called upon to whip up a batch of buttercream goodness. Whether they taste exactly like SMB's or not. 

A pop is better... Animal Print

In the 7th grade my grandmother gave me a pair of leopard print pants for my birthday.

My father was not amused. He wouldn't let me out of the house in them and I was devastated. 

Whatever his reasons for not letting me be seen in the pants, it was probably for the best. In hindsight a full pant in the print really is a bit much for real-life wear.  

A more subtle pop of animal, however, is completely acceptable and I'm loving all of these looks below, especially for fall. 

via Beauty & Grace

via UO UK 

via La Dolce Vita

via Matchbook Mag

via The Glamourai

via Chictopia

 via Pinterest 

via The Simply Luxurious Life

Weekend Arts and Crafts: Anthropologie Zinc Letters

I love Anthropologie's zinc letters, but I don't like the fact that they're $18 a piece. 


This past weekend I finally got around to making my own.


JoAnn Fabrics has paper mache letters that they sell for $2.99 and $3.99 a piece. While I was there I picked up a tube of black and a tube of silver metallic acrylic paint (I bought Folk Art because it was on sale, but I'm sure others would have worked too). 


I painted the letters with a coat of black, and then once it dried, painted them, lightly with a blotchy coat of the silver. And voilà, my own "zinc" letters that cost less than $10 to make!

Once they were done I completely rearranged our bookshelf. I wish I would have taken before and after photos... It was a disaster and just didn't feel like an appropriate spot for such cute letters. I've been wanting to color-code our books for awhile now. I like the organized, yet fun look that it gives. 

So now I'm trying to determine what to spell next. I like my letters so much that I think I'll make more. I just haven't decided what I'd like them to say yet. 

Any ideas? 

xo 

What my iPhone saw this week...

  A fall pop of color in Millenium Park on an afternoon walk 

Leaves on fire 

Grand Central Station by dark 

Date night in Chinatown 

The perfect fortune... 

Chinatown Sushi

Happy Weekend! 

xo

Wishful Wednesday: Warm socks, my own bed and the perfect fall muffin

I’m in New York this week traveling for work. I usually love work travel, especially in this city. But it’s rainy and cold here and after a 6 am flight this morning and a day full of meetings, I’m exhausted. I think I’d like nothing more than to be at home, reading on the couch, wearing warm socks and eating one of these. I borrowed this recipe from the blog Circle B Kitchen and tweaked it slightly. These muffins are perfectly sweet and filled with the flavors of fall. Enjoy one for me.

Pumpkin-Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

For Topping:

1Tbs all-purpose flour
5 Tbs sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 Tbs unsalted butter, softened

For Muffins:1 1/2  cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 can pumpkin
3 oz vegetable oil
1 1/8 cups sugar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 apple, peeled, cored, and chopped into small-ish pieces

Directions:

Blend together flour, sugar, cinnamon, and butter in a small bowl with your fingertips until

mixture resembles coarse meal.    

Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease muffin pan with cooking spray.

Sift together flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice into a medium

bowl.

Whisk together pumpkin, oil, sugar, and eggs in a large bowl. Add flour mixture, stirring until

well combined. Fold in apples and the raisins.

Fill muffin tins with batter and sprinkle with topping mix.

Bake until a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center of muffin comes out clean, about 20

minutes.

Ladylike Pinspiration

As I mentioned, I am so hooked on Mad Men right now.

While I never like being left in the dark, there is something wonderful about discovering a series late in the game and never having to wait until next week to see what happens. On the other hand it can be pretty dangerous. Like the time we were in Palm Springs on vacation and watched 5 hours of Dexter…. Straight.

But that’s another story.

Right now I’m so mesmerized by the ladies of Mad Men and the ladylike things they do and wear. Here are some ladylike photos for inspiration… Hoping I can incorporate some of this glam into my own life.

all images via Pinterest