9/11
We remember.
{images via Tutto Bella}
09/11
today 12 years ago …
09/05
zoo-chini bread
It’s that time of year {has been for a while} where the zucchini plant burst with zucchini growing under it large leaves. My friend gave me a zucchini as long as my right arm, and wider! So, with an upcoming trip to the zoo, the kids and I got to work baking zoo-chini bread. Get it? Clever huh?!
Two versions – Gluten Free Chocolate Zucchini Bread and Zucchini and Chia Seed Muffins. Both were delish…and made for the perfect snack as we watched the Giraffes eat leaves off the tall trees at The Denver Zoo.
Gluten Free Chocolate Zucchini Bread
recipe adapted from Joy of Baking
Ingredients
1/8 tsp xantham gum
1 cup Bobs Redmill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour
1/2 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup chocolate chip morsels
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 light extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups shredded raw zucchini
How To
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients including, the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon. Then fold in the chocolate chips.
In another large bowl, use an electric blender or whisk the eggs, oil, both sugars and vanilla extract.
Fold in the grated zucchini into the wet ingredients, then fold in the ‘dry’ ingredients until well blended.
Pour batter into a greased 9x5x3 loaf pan, place in oven and bake for about 55-60 minutes {stick a toothpick and make sure it comes out clean before you remove from the oven}.
Cool, then slice and serve…or pack for the zoo.
Zucchini and Chia Seed Muffins
recipe adapted from my grandma
Ingredients
3 eggs, beaten
1.5 cup light extra virgin olive oil
1.5 cup coconut oil
2 cups sugar
2.5 cups grated zucchini
3 cups flour
2.5 tsp cinnamon
3 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tablespoons Chia Seeds
How To
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, add eggs, vanilla, sugar and oil, then fold in the zucchini.
In another medium bowl, add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, chia seeds and cinnamon, then add to the bowl with the zucchini. Blend until combined.
Place in muffin cups and bake for approximately 16-18 minutes or until it pasts the toothpick test.
{images via Tutto Bella}
08/27
if this shoe were a party
We did a feature last year, If this shoe were a room. You all seemed to like, so in honor of NYFW Shoe Week in NYC, we’re introducing…
IF THIS SHOE WERE A PARTY.
Sometimes the perfect inspiration for an outfit or a party can be found in your closet…or by looking down. If your feeling stuck on a color scheme or ‘theme’ to a party, just look at shoes. I promise, you will be inspired. And, you can shoe shop while you’re at it…who doesn’t love that?
#1: Sacha Black Shee Footwear,
Shee is a designer this year at NYFW Shoe Week.
IF THIS SHOE WERE A PARTY…it would be a Palm Springs 30th Birthday Party featured at 100 Layer Cake. You have to see the full gallery here because it’s gorgeous!
#2: Sam Edelman Shay Bootie, Nordstrom {$159.95}
IF THIS SHOE WERE A PARTY…it would be a Vogue On Safari Party for Tim Walker . It’s fabulous. A safari party with a chandelier, sign me up.
#3: Licorice by Kate Spade New York, Piperlime
IF THIS SHOE WERE A PARTY…it would be a girly, neutral setting with white, tans and champagnes. These neutral shoes would be the perfect accessory for such a beautiful setting.
#4: SixtySeven Baxter Bootie, Nordstrom
IF THIS SHOE WERE A PARTY…it would be a camp-style, rustic-chic shindig. More photos from this outdoor camp wedding from The Sweetest Occasion here.
#5: Valentino Couture Bow Platform Pump, Nordstrom
IF THIS SHOE WERE A PARTY…it would be a pretty, lovely party full of pink peony’s, feminine touches and woman-to-woman conversations. This pink peony dessert table featured at The Party Wagon is just stunning.
{images via 100 Layer Cake, Vogue, Nordstrom, The Sweetest Occasion, Piperlime, The Party Wagon}
08/26
shoe week
New York City is celebrating their 2nd annual Shoe Week beginning Sept. 5. Today, we’re shopping for our favorite accessory, especially Jenna’s…SHOES!
And, since some of us can afford to splurge, and some of us can’t, we found some shoes priced high, medium and low. We can only afford to buy the high-priced shoes in our dreams…but a girl can dream…and we know that for sure!
JESSICA
top to bottom, high to low
Valentino Jewelery Couture Bow d’Orsay Pump, Nordstrom {$995}
Halogen Katrina Bootie, Nordstrom {$99.95}
Womens Mossimo Supply Co. Odell Ballet Flats, Target {$20}
JENNA
Audrey Brooke Perry Bootie, DSW {$49.50}
steal of a deal. i love these booties! so subtle yet sexy with the top cut out.
Isola Isabel Pump, Nordstrom {$109.95}
medium priced. apparently animal print is a big fall trend this year.
Guiseppe Zanotti Swarovski Crystal and Suede Sandals, Saks Fifth Avenue {$1350}
expensive shoes. love these!
Jenna just couldn’t help herself…she found one more!
Manolo Blahnik Swan Embellished Satin Pumps, Saks Fifth Avenue {$1295}
JODI
top to bottom, high to low
Benjamin adams Denia pump, Nordstrom {$340}
Steve Madden pebbbles {$129.95}
Xhilaration lisbeth smoker flat, Target {sale for $22.99 reg $24.99}
{images via DSW, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Steve Madden, Target and Steve Madden}
08/19
coffee for 2
I wanted to spruce up a wedding gift for an upcoming shower with a cute prop to go along with the gift. I bought the bride a complete set of “Coffee” Mugs from Crate and Barrel, but instead of just giving her a wrapped package, I made a DIY Chalkboard tray for the couple so they could have coffee for two together…hopefully forever! Here’s how you can do it too…for a gift, or for yourself!
First I made coffee filter flowers.
You’ll Need
30-35 coffee filters
A stapler
Scotch tape or painters tape
How To
Stack 5-6 coffee filters on top of one another. 
Fold the coffee filters in quarters, and then open again {you will just have ‘seams’ from the fold}. 
Use your fingers to pinch the bottom of all the coffee filters so you have four seams, and then staple it on the bottom.
Then pull each filter up one at a time, and bunch it together. 
Continue to do that, until you have gathered each coffee filter around the center, and you have a flower. From the gathering process, you will have a ‘stem’ on the bottom, so wrap a piece of tape around the ‘stem.’ 
Then, I made the tray.
You’ll Need:
A cookie sheet
Chalkboard Paint
Rope
A Drill
Chalk
First I primed the cookie sheet with a Primer, spray painted it with Chalkboard paint, glued handles on the sides and Voila, right? Nope, not the case for me. An hour and a half before the party, the gold handles fell off {and I used Gorilla Glue}, along with some paint. So, when I saw rope on the garage floor, I got to work on Plan B {my dad came through like a super hero…despite his dislike for DIY projects}, and then I had to re-paint it. Honestly, it’s cuter than Plan A – it just stressed me out more than I intended…and made me late for the shower.
How To
Use an electric drill to drill 2 holes on each side of the cookie sheet. Thanks Dad!
If you have pieces of metal sticking out or the edges are rough, use a sand block or a hammer to smooth it out.
Cut pieces of rope for the handles.
Prime the cookie sheet with paint primer.
Spray paint the cookie sheet 2 times {allowing appropriate time in between each layer for it to dry}.
Wrap a piece of duct tape around one end of the rope so you can easily fit it into a hole. On the other end, tie a knot.
Insert the rope, duct tape end, from the bottom-up of one hole, insert it down in the other hole, tie a knot, and then remove the duct tape and cut the leftover rope.
Write “Coffee for 2” on the cookie sheet, or even a game of tic tac toe.
Fill each mug with coffee filter flowers {I used Scotch tape to keep the flowers in place in the mugs}.
Add the mugs, a package of coffee, an ‘I love you more than coffee’ tag {from Fleur de Lis} and you have yourself an adorable prop for your gift.
{images via Tutto Bella}