The Best Fall Floral Dress

Greetings, loved ones! Happy fall!

I hope you're indulging in big, fat cups of pumpkin whatevers, and jumping into all the leaf piles. While wearing your boots and plaid scarves, of course. (Let your basic flag fllllyyyy!)

I've been complaining about enjoying the 80 degree weather that refuses to let go of summer. The sun is in denial about the seasons. It's like that girlfriend or boyfriend who just will not admit that it is OVER. EL FIN. KAPUT.

I think I found a way to compromise with this California inferno when all I want to do is wear beanies and waffle-knit pajamas. And it comes in the form of this Old Navy dress.  Consider this my PSA that this is the most cozy, soft, and feminine fall floral dress. It's flowy, it's showy, and I will not be taking it off. Oh, and it's under $30 right now. Winning!

Buy the dress here. And those amazing thermal jammies I was talking about here—I bought the striped pink. Oh, and if you are looking for a pair of gorgeous investment booties you will just want to hold and caress, buy these Free People booties. I've already tried them on FIVE times and I'm finally taking the plunge. Yahoo!

Apple Cider Donuts

There is a very special story behind these apple cider donuts. You see, I went to the doctor last week to get a lab workup done, just to make sure this machine of mine is working properly. Among the handful of tests drawn was the gluten antibody blood test.

Two years ago I saw an endocrinologist who diagnosed me with Celiac Disease based on this same blood test. My levels were in the middle to high range, a clear indication of gluten sensitivity and most likely Celiac Disease.

Well, guess what the last set of results came back with? Not a trace of gluten sensitivity. At all! Whatsoever!

I sat there scratching my head, completely dumbfounded by the results. I promptly texted my med school friend, "How could this be?! Can something as serious as Celiac Disease just go away? "

In an effort to receive all the answers on the current state of my bipolar body, she replied, "Your plasma cells are over it."

To which I obviously replied, "Welp, looks like I better go celebrate by eating a donut!"

And then I stepped up my game and made an entire dozen of my own! Apple cider donuts to be precise. These donuts came out so perfect, moist and absolutely delectable. The smells of fall seeped into every corner of our house, and sparkles of cinnamon sugar covered the table. It's those little things, ya know? (By the way, do you spell it donut or doughnut? I opened up this debate on Instagram a couple months back and it was a split down the middle.)

Here is the delicious recipe...


Apple Cider Donuts
Yields 1 dozen
(Recipe adapted from this one)

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups apple cider
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

To make the cinnamon sugar coating:

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 stick butter, melted


Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, simmer the apple cider over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes. Reducing it will bring out a strong, vibrant flavor for the donuts. Take 1/2 cup of the mixture and place it in the refrigerator to cool.

2. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease your donut pan. While the oven is heating, mix together all of your dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Set aside.

3. In a medium bowl, mix together your egg, butter and sugars. Once those are mixed and smooth, add in the buttermilk, vanilla extract and reduced apple cider. Mix thoroughly.


4. Add your mixture of wet ingredients into the large bowl of dry ingredients. Whisk together gently, and be sure to not overmix! This is important to give it a doughy, donut-y texture.

5. Pour your batter into your donut pan, filling each mold 3/4 full. If you add more, they will puff up and lose their hole in the middle, and then you will have one sad-looking donut. We don't want that, now do we! Bake for 7-8 minutes until golden. You can test to make sure they are done by sticking a toothpick in to see if it comes back clean.

6. While the donuts are cooling, mix together your sugar and cinnamon for the coating. Once they have cooled, use a pastry brush to apply a light coat of melted butter to each donut, and then dip them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.

7. Pour yourself a cold glass of milk and bite into these warm, spiced treats and savor every bite!

5 Yummy Fall Recipes I Want To Make

1. Pumpkin Bruschetta. This is the perfect appetizer for a dinner party or a comforting autumn snack. I love all of the warm colors it bursts with, and I can practically taste it through the screen!
2. Butternut Squash, Apple and Hazelnut Muffins. That title is a little intimidating, but that combo sounds dynamite! Best part? These muffins are gluten-free!
3. Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate. This is my tried and true recipe, and it's time to bust it out already.
4. Pomegranate Braised Short Ribs. For some reason, I think of oozing pomegranates when I think of fall. Besides being one of the prettiest fruits, they sound like heaven on a platter when braised with beef short ribs. Candle lit dinner for two, coming right up!
5. Four Section Fruit Pie. This is incredibly genius, because you get a little taste of all the fruity flavors pie has to offer. Unfortunately, this picture was for food styling photography so there is no actual recipe. How hard can it be though? Just make a normal lattice crust and fill in the four sections with apple, blueberry, peach, and cherry fillings! I am thinking this will be a homerun for Thanksgiving, but I probably shouldn't talk about that until Halloween is over. I don't want to be like all of the ridiculous stores with their Christmas decorations up already, now do I?

Black And Grey

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group®, InStyle, Vogue and Elle, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #inspirefallfashion http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Mossimo Blocked Sweatshirt in Black/White
Mossimo Textured Skirt
Mossimo Gail Ankle Strap Open Pump
Merona Geometric Clutch (this one is similar)
Xhilaration Round Sunglasses

If there is one thing to know about fashion, it's that September is basically its holy month. New York Fashion Week explodes in NYC, and of course the fashion Bible comes out. Yes, I am talking about the one and only September Issue of Vogue. (There is even a documentary about it! You should watch it. Anna Wintour really is scary.)

Since I am extremely intimidated by events such as NYFW (I seriously think I would need, like, three Xanax before stepping into that concrete jungle of aggressively dressed fashion mavens), I stick to my magazines. Vogue and InStyle have always, always been my prized fashion reads. You see, Vogue is for oooing and awing at all of the sparkly, shiny things. I swear I can smell the leather of the bags rising from the pages. InStyle is more my jam where I draw my everyday style inspiration, since they incorporate high and low pieces together into real life, workable outfits. Sure, a lot of it is still mostly high for my clothing budget since we have things like student loans and college for two kids to save for, but hey, a girl can improvise, right?

I thought it would be fun to recreate a look featured in InStyle on a small budget price range. The main trend I noticed was no fuss, no frills and clean lines. With a lot of black, white and grey. Taking that all into consideration, I decided to go with this boyfriend fit sweater and a flirty skirt with almond toe heels. You know, go outside of my usual outfit box of jeans and flat shoes of some sort!

It was actually a blast digging through racks to match the look best I could — kind of like a fashion scavenger hunt, if you will. I even managed to escape the grips of a toddler and baby, and get gussied up in heels! That is newsworthy information! That's it, I am declaring today a holiday! And using it as an excuse to eat some cake! But really though, in all seriousness I love the way this look turned out. It was sleek and sophisticated, and the black and grey combo cannot be beat. (And neither can an entire outfit for $100.)

I highly recommend you go pick yourself up a copy of Vogue and InStyle this week for your dose of shnazzy fashion. Right now at Target when you purchase two fall fashion magazines (choice of Vogue, InStyle, and/or ELLE) you get a $5 gift card, which you will then probably go buy some shoes with. I would if I were you — we can be shoe twins! The promotion goes through September 13. Happy reading and styling!

5 Cute Back To School DIY Projects To Try

DIY Notebook Tea Cloths. How adorable are these tea cloths? I am sure any teacher would gush over a gift like this, or they would be cute to keep around the house for the first month back to school. Get the directions over on Say Yes.

DIY Printable Apple Boxes. Fill these cuties with candies or your favorite snack. I think they would be fun for lunches, or a goody box for a back to school party. Get the free printable on Oh Happy Day!

DIY Etched Pencils. Aren't these the coolest way to spice up a boring, old No. 2 pencil? I don't exactly have a wood burning tool lying around, but this awesome DIY makes me think I need to run to the store and get one, immediately! Come find the instructions here on DIY Network.

DIY Apple Piñata. My boys aren't in school yet, but I love the idea of having a back to school party night after school has started. I remember how anxious I would get the entire first month of school, and if they are anything like me, a party would be just the thing to keep spirits lifted and excited! This apple piñata is a MUST! You can find the instructions on how to make it over on Studio DIY.

DIY Cake & Cloche Jars.  You'll be earning serious brownie points if your kid shows up with a cake for the teacher! Okay, so maybe not a cake, but I think it would be fun to make some apple cider doughnuts and bring them into class with one of these cake jars from A Beautiful Mess! Maybe take it one step further even and let your kids paint it (with food grade paint, of course).

The Perfect Fall Outfit

J.Crew Leather Brim Baseball Cap
LOFT Stripe Knit Button Down Shirt
Kate Spade New York Sailor's Knot Bangle Bracelet
ASOS Oversized Cocoon Parka
Current/Elliott 'The Stiletto' Skinny Jeans in Jet Black
Intel 2 in 1
Madewell Transport Tote
Steve Madden Eccentric Pony Hair Sneaker in Leopard

Fall is arguably the best season for fashion. Admit it — the layering, the outerwear, the overabundance of black. Ahhh, I love it all!

This is what I will basically be wearing in different variations for the next four months. A quality pair of black denim is an absolute investment, as well as a neutral parka. They can be mixed and matched with almost any outfit. Also, I love the effortless look of this button down, which doubles as the perfect breastfeeding staple shirt for the cooler months. Aren't the stripes cute? And let's not forget the baseball cap and these incredible leopard print slip ons. In the off chance you are feeling lonely and need a furry friend to keep you warm, you can literally cuddle with these because they are made of pony hair. Pony hair! It's nuts, but I'm down with it. Last, but not least, a tote is essential for a busy gal or mom. I love the classic, minimal feel of this one, and it will easily fit a laptop or tablet if you are in school or work remotely, and all of the other 20 pounds of crap we deem necessary to lug around on our shoulder.

Speaking of lugging around stuff, I am working on a little writing project, and have been carrying around my Intel 2 in 1 with me everywhere. It doubles as a tablet and laptop, so I am able to write and then flip it over and leisurely peruse the internet when I need a break. It's excellent for shopping for your favorite fall fashion pieces online as well. I've been rapidly pinning all of my fall wish list items, while using it as a tablet, and then I can switch back into laptop mode to write create mood boards and blog posts. It's definitely a good price if you are looking for something for school or to take on the go for projects, assignments and entertainment!

I hope this inspires you and gets you excited for the fall season! What does your perfect fall outfit look like?

This post was sponsored by Intel, however all opinions are my own. Thanks for reading and supporting our sponsors!