Brown Baggin' It

I've always loved a pretty brown bag, but I especially love them in the fall/winter. These are just a few brown beauties that I wish would magically appear in my closet. I think the handmade K.Slademade foldover clutch (bottom) is a beauty. I have one of her totes and the quality is amazing. I also love that Dries Van Noten tote (top). It would make the perfect carry-on or diaper bag. If one of these could magically appear in your closet, which one would you like it to be?

Espresso Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies

Yesterday I took the day off. I celebrated the infrequent event with a fabulous Pilates session (first session in three weeks and my body is reminding me of that right now), watching re-runs of The Cosby Show, a nice lunch, chocolate and Christmas planning...

A Weekend Of Firsts...

Well hello!! How are you? Gosh I have missed this blogging thing. Thanks for hanging in there with me while I was working away last week. I hope you enjoyed all of the links last week. If you haven't had a chance to check them out, please do! 

This past weekend I experienced life outside of my office for the first time in a while, so of course there were some firsts...

The weather here lately has been very "fallish-like" (first pic), but Saturday was absolutely gorgeous and I was able to enjoy it for the first time in a while. The view in the grocery store parking lot never looked so good (second pic)...

I went shopping for the first time, in actual stores as opposed to online, for the first time in a few months. I wanted EVERYTHING, but my prized possession was that wine glass chandelier from Pottery Barn. My dining room just had to have it, so I got it!! It was 20% off + I had another 20% off coupon, so I feel like it was meant to be. I had to order it, so I won't have it for a few weeks, but that will give me time to wash all 30 wine glasses... :)

So I raided J.Crew. I almost bought those cute boots, but I passed on them for things that I actually needed for the fall like this pencil skirt (in crimson), these jeans and a few sweaters - all on sale (except the jeans) thank you very much.

Sunday, I threw the ingredients of this chicken tortilla soup in my new Crock Pot and let it cook all day while I may or may not have lounged around my house while wearing a scrunchie. I'll never tell. That was my first time making the soup in a Crock Pot and I will be making it another 100 times... Very, very good.

I'm going to take one more day off, but will be back on Wednesday with a sinfully delicious recipe...

P.S. Another weekend of firsts...

While I'm Working...

Hi there! I hope you had a great weekend. My weekend was as I said it would be - all work and sleep with a little eating in between. But your motivating comments on Friday were helpful and I really appreciate it! Unfortunately this week will be similar to the weekend, so there won't be much time for blogging. I hope to be back to my regular posting next week. But, I don't want to leave you hanging! I wanted to leave you with a list of series that some of my favorite bloggers post on certain days of the week. If any of these are new to you, I hope you love them as much as I do!

If you have a favorite series or a favorite blog (even if its your own!), please share in the comment section! I would love to check them out during my little breaks this week...

"Scenes From My Weekend" - Lark & Linen 

"Toast Talk" - A Piece of Toast

"Words For The Week" - Note To Self

"True Beauty Files" - In Honor Of Design

"Tasty Tuesdays" - 33 Shades of Green
"Tell Me Tuesday" -  The Mustard Ceiling

"Tuesday Tastings" - Camille Styles
"Currently Loving" - Brunch at Saks

"The Best Food Series" - A Cup of Jo

"Gab Loves"- Savvy Home 

"The Man Behind The Blog" - VMAC + Cheese 

"What I Love Right Now"-  - Luella & June

"How I'd Wear" - Oh Joy

"I'm Loving" - Sacramento Street
"Dress Your Tech" - Design Love Fest

"My Week In Objects" - Reading My Tea Leaves

"One Item, Three Ways" - The Vault Files
"Five Things" - Cupcakes and Cashmere
"Weekend Wear" - Recently

"Weekend Notes" - Camille Styles

"Weekend Style" - Sequins & Stripes

"Lazy Sunday" - Dustjacket Attic

"Sunday Best" - Your Southern Peach


Have a great week!

Image via

The Perfect Morning + Links...

Isn't that just the most perfect Saturday or Sunday morning setting?? So simple, yet so good-looking...

So what are you up to this weekend? Fill me in as I will be living vicariously through you if your plans are exciting! I am a week away from meeting my deadline at work, so this will be a work, eat, sleep weekend for me. But it's all good! One more week! I found some really good links this week, so I hope you enjoy! Have a great weekend...

There are about 101 things I love about this girl's closet...

An iPhone cord that doubles as a tripod. Why couldn't I have thought of that??

I love when bloggers get real and this girl's post is very real. I'm almost 100% sure you can relate to her thoughts...

My new favorite food blog. All you do is just "click, drool and repeat."

Speaking of simple, these little pretties fit the bill. So I ordered them. :)

On finding "authentic happiness" in the small things. 

Image via

Nate's New Place...

So the lovely Nate Berkus has a newly renovated pad in NYC and I find it to be GORGEOUS! I guess I wouldn't expect anything less from him. I must say that I like this space better than his former loft. It's much more cozy. Nate has a special way of integrating formality with comfort in his designs and I think his new space is a great example of that. The space has formal details, yet I still feel like I could put my feet up and be comfortable - not that he would ever invite me to do so. :)

Are you loving it? Are you also highly anticipating his new line at Target??

For The Love Of The Apple...

Easy Baked Apples | Caramel Apple Trifle | Apple Chips | Apple Rings

I heart apples. I think I have mentioned that in previous posts and will probably mention that a few times a year from now until the end of my blog years. I just adore them. One of my favorite things to do each fall is to go apple picking then make something apple-y that I have never made before. Last year after I went apple picking, I made this applesauce for the first time. It was quite amazing. These are just a few recipes that I may try after my upcoming trip to the orchards. If you have a favorite apple recipe, please share...

The Weekend + Courtney Giles

Happy October!! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. My weekend was, well, let me explain...

Friday night and Saturday were both full of errands, almost two weeks of laundry, and filling up my almost empty refrigerator, paying bills, changing air filters and mopping my kitchen and dining room floors for the first time in -  well, it doesn't matter how long. :)

I showered and was in bed my 4:30PM, not AM on Saturday afternoon. After working long hours last week + everything else I had to do, I guess that might make a little sense.

Am I the only one who has settled in for the night at 4:30PM on a Saturday? Probably so.

I surrounded myself with my book and magazines, but ended up talking to a good friend on the phone for a few hours. She had been on a few dates last week with a guy who conveniently forgot to mention that he got married two weeks ago. Don't. Even. Get. Me. Started. 

I slept 10 hours, yet still woke up exhausted. I turned on the TV and watched my minister's sermon. The subject of the sermon was titled, "Dealing With Burnout." How ironic, I thought...

I ended up working most of the day to try to get ahead for what is going to be another busy week. A deadline at work is looming, but I will be referring the notes I made during the sermon as soon as the deadline is over. :)

I said all of that to say that I didn't get to take any photos this weekend, so these gorgeous spaces by the talented Atlanta designer, Courtney Giles are filling in for me today. I love the simple, clean, soft palettes and the little details like the lighting that seem to make the spaces extra special. You can see more of her beautiful portfolio here.

I hope you have a great Monday my friends...