Baked Apples

by Meredith

Still have some apples left over from earlier this fall?  Me too!  One thing I love to make is baked apples.  It's so easy and they make a perfect side or dessert.

{Wash apples and core off a little on top and bottom}

{Sprinkle a good amount of cinnamon and sugar on top of each apple}

{Bake 350 degrees a good hour}

With Faith - Everything is Possible

by Meredith

This bracelet I wear almost everyday.  There are so many terrible things that happen to us and just in the world that you cannot understand or explain.  Sometimes all you can do is have faith, have hope and pray.  My wish for you this Thanksgiving is that you forget all those terrible things you cannot control - and that your day is peaceful, that you feel love and that you really cherish everything you have in your life and be thankful for it.  Happy Thanksgiving.

{On the inside}

Thanksgiving Treat

by Meredith

Treat your loved ones to something sweet.  All you need is:

1 box of Oreo cookies
1 jar of whipped frosting (I prefer chocolate)
1 bag of candy corn
1 bag of Reese's Peanut Butter cups
*makes 27 turkeys

Simple Fall Decor

by Meredith

Pick up some leaves from outside and put them in a crystal dish you got for a gift and never use.  It's a colorful fall decoration for any counter or makes a beautiful table centerpiece this Thanksgiving.

Shades of Autumn

by Meredith

We've been fortunate to have such a beautiful autumn in Minnesota.  We are well into November and still have no snow on the ground and afternoon temperatures are high above freezing!  Right or wrong, I'm still enjoying dresses without tights.

{Blu Sage dress}

 

{I love anything Fossil}

{Nine & Co. flats}



Shine On

My hair is somewhere between straight and wavy - maybe I'd call it frizzy.  It's frustrating because I can't just get out of the shower and start my day, I need to always pamper my hair with product and tools.  If I didn't, an hour later some is fuzzy and sections sticking in opposite directions. 

For other victims who suffer with this 'in between' hair, I highly recommend Paul Mitchell's Super Skinny Serum.  With my busy schedule, I use it often because it smooths my tresses leaving them silky smooth, helps my head of hair dry faster and  really allows my blonde hair shine.

2011 CMA Awards Best Dressed

The CMA's are one of my favorite award shows of the year.  (Close to the Oscars!)  This is a shout out to the best dressed country lady stars (in my opinion,) who stole the spotlight Wednesday night.

{The girlie pink and silver number (I need to find out who made it) that threatened to steal the show from Miss Piggy.}

{Jennifer Nettles dress by Naeem Khan}

{Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry, looked elegant in an embroidered high-neck evening dress.}

Seaweed Colors

by Meredith

I love my jean jacket and use to only wear it on casual days, but recently I've been wearing it more often, especially when I go out.  Originally created for the workplace as part of an entire denim uniform, have grown in popularity during the 1900s.  Turns out it can be a super versatile item!  My seaweed green dress really matches it and pairs well with my sandy colored accessories.  I wore this to work and then to a musical last week.

{I love coral this season}

{Suede flat boots}

{I love the front of this dress that I found at Maurices - reminds me of something from Michael Jackson's closet}

Last Flowers of Summer

by Meredith

I pulled the last few flowers from the garden today, some shrub roses and salvia. I couldn't bear to let the frost get them. At least I can hold on to the warm months a few more days with these buds.

Barn Quilts

by Meredith

I have family in Storm Lake, Iowa and made a trip to see them this fall.  I like going this time of year because the autumn colors are so beautiful.  Every time I pass the Iowa border, I still have an awe moment at how flat the land is.  It's hard to believe that the corn fields do not go on forever when you're there.  I've taken this ride all of my life and have grown to appreciate the meditation time the car ride allows me.  Also, as I've gotten older I've started to notice the beauty in just what's a around me, even if it is farmland and a lifestyle very different from my own.  It's amazing what can happen when you allow yourself to do this.

On this drive, I noticed a fun, creative trend I never paid attention to before, Barn Quilts. I learned the name from my aunt who said they have been around along time - starting with one woman in Ohio who created a quilt to honor her mother, a master quilter, but then really grew in popularity out of Sac County, Iowa in 2005. What a truly pretty way to add color to the fields.

Corduroy Day, 11/11/11

by Meredith

Each November I'm reminded of the Corduroy Appreciation Club Annual Meeting.  It's commences the start of November and goes for 11 days, ending on 11/1, the date that most resembles the corduroy cords themselves.  This year is even a bigger deal being that it's 2011, 11111!  This style that was once known to appear only on laborers and professors - is now trendy appearing on fashion runways, in magazines such as GQ and on new couches in the White House.  I have many colors of cords, but only in the form of pants and blazers.  In honor of this celebration I've made sure to fit them into my style this week.

{My dark brown cords}

{Short scarfs have been a hit}

{Long jean jackets multitask - dress you up, while keeping you casual}

{OPI Kangarooby}