How-to: Boot Care

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Fall for me not only means changing leaves and cooler days, but also means re-introducing my boots and booties into my daily wardrobe. As the season progresses further and we make our way into winter—sometimes early...did anyone else hear about snow in November? Is this a real thing?—our boots begin to show the scars of jaunts through muddy, snowy terrain. I'm here to share a few tips to keep your boots looking great through these next few messy months.

The issues I typically run into are due to snow and salt; my thanks and gratitude to the city of Pittsburgh for their HEAVY salt application on sidewalks. What I typically have been able to get away with is rubbing it away with some warm water and maybe a little bit of soap. However, another effective way of removing those salt stains from your leather is a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar. Either way, please be gentle!

In my research I have found that there are a number of proper ways to ensure that your boots are able to stand the wear and tear of fall/winter weather. From the quick tips to the products made for leather care, I have learned a lot about what I should be doing to make my boots last a lot longer than they do. Like leather conditioner??? Did you know that was a thing??? Well it is, and if you want a good way to avoid cracking (I have a few bags that could benefit) it is best to apply some leather conditioner.

More care should be taken to keep your leather boots intact and effectively protective. King Ranch Saddle Shop in Texas provides further tips that ensure that your boots last through the winter, which may be a bad one this year! I find it easy to take tips from those who know their craft and since King Ranch has been in the leather business for awhile (check out their men's and women's boots as well as bags) I trust them to know their stuff. They've even shared a nice little graphic, offering some of their best care tips:

<3 Ashley

How do you care for your leather boots? Do you have any tips?

Let's Get Deep

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No, no. Not emotionally. Love you guys but I don't think that we are at that level yet! I'm talking colors. More specifically I'm talking colors for fall. I love this season when colors get a little bit deeper and take on a more natural palette reflecting the changing leaves on the trees. Does a burnt orange sweater give anyone else goosebumps? Just me? Cool.

This is the season when sandals give rise to ankle boots, and shorts are replaced by jeans and leggings. From sweaters to scarves to nail color, here are a few of my favorite things:

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<3 Ashley

What is your favorite fall color?

Fall Flavors & Favorite Recipes

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There are many reasons that I love fall. The season brings about change in a number of different areas: fashion, beauty, activity, and best of all—and our focus today—food. There is not much better than the bold spices and rich flavors that grace dinner menus during this season. While on my most recent trip, I was thrilled to see the squash varieties lined up and the apples colorfully arranged. My mind started spinning with all of the possibilities: soups, sauces, and desserts are my favorite cooking categories during the fall. Here are a few recipes that I look forward to incorporating into my autumn cooking:

- Pumpkin Chipotle Soup: This is a recipe I shared about two years ago on here. I had bought an immersion blender for myself and committed to whipping up homemade soups and putting pride in something that did not come out of a can just to be heated up. This soup has a wonderful pumpkin flavor with a chipotle kick that will hit you right away, but fade off the palette shortly after—which I like. Spice is good, but after awhile it can be a bit overwhelming.

- Pumpkin Pancakes: This is actually just a small adjustment from the single serving pancakes recipe that I've shared before. I did not feel like going out of my way to find a whole new pancake recipe when I had one that I was perfectly content with. Instead, I kept the recipe and simply added a few fall spices and a few tablespoons of pumpkin puree. You can adjust amounts to your personal taste.

- Butternut Squash Pasta Carbonara: This is a recipe that I have been wanting to try since I first spotted it on Pinterest, my home planet. My friend and I had a full on fall day once last year and picked up a jar of butternut pasta sauce and were absolutely in love. I would love to try my hand at making the sauce from scratch. I will update with the imminent success story. #confident

<3 Ashley

What are your favorite fall recipes? What ingredients do you use the most during the season?

Fall So Hard

#tbt to last fall and adventures apple picking in Wexford!

Did anyone else wake up this morning aggressively craving a pumpkin spice latte and a jaunt through an apple orchard? Just me? Great.

Fall is finally here. This is Christmas for my people (read: those with Pinterest accounts and a love of layering and booties.) For several reasons all unrelated to each other my summer has been hands down the worst on of my life. Seriously summer 2016, thanks for all the stress. But fall? Mmm...I can smell it on the crisp morning breeze; it's about to get good.

With the changing of the season I always find that my attitude changes. Call me crazy, but summer might actually be my least favorite season. For some reason I do not enjoy being hot, sweaty, and physically uncomfortable all the time.

This month I'm going to try super super hard (honestly!) to blog a lot more often. This summer just felt like one big creative slump. Seriously, my brain felt drained. But as things start to look up and I commit to being a lot more positive I think that the creative juices can start flowing again and you can expect to see a lot more fun content on Sunday Brunch!

<3 Ashley

Are you excited for fall? How do you experience and celebrate the physical and symbolic transitions that the change in seasons provide?

September

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Can you believe that the last weeks of summer are upon us? Pretty soon the air will feel a little chillier and the leaves will start changing color and falling. Fall is—as with many women—my favorite season. The transitional seasons are just the best because they are not extremely hot or cold. Fall is just right. I am waiting to break out the boots, I want scarves back in my life, and it's only a matter of weeks before I show up shaking at a Starbucks demanding a large Pumpkin Spice Latte.

While I'm not one to wish the time away, ya'll know how this summer has treated me (per my last post). I'm ready to jump into a new season and new adventures...hopefully I will have those new adventures by the time fall officially starts.

Fall also means the return of college football; who needs the professional stuff? Be forewarned that Pitt is playing Penn State next weekend and I will be back in Pittsburgh for the game. Steer clear of my social media if you want to avoid the unreasonable amount of alumni school spirit and certain level of trash talk. ;P

<3 Ashley

Are you ready to ditch this hot summer for fall's cool embrace?

Photo Diary: Fall Vibes

With temps dropping outside, my roommates and I are seeing how long we can go without cranking up the heat. Current status: blankets on blankets.

The sweaters are unpacked, placed, and ready to go!

This is this photo's second appearance on the blog, but it's a favorite of mine. Photo creds go to my girl, Michelle on this one. This is from a very well spent day at the apple orchard and pumpkin patch.

A delicious butternut squash and sweet potato soup that I will be posting the recipe for soon!

(photo credit: Pitt Alumni Association)

Also, I cannot say more about how beautiful this campus is in the fall! I love walking through the leaves on the sidewalk and seeing the Cathedral poking out behind the colorful trees. 

<3 Ashley

Are you enjoying the autumn? What is your favorite part of the season?

November is...

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...long hikes through fallen leaves

...a tall mug of hot apple cider

...a cozy cable knit sweater

...evenings baking with roommates

...large family meals
...breaking out your holiday best
...buying decorations

...impromptu coffee shop stops

...early nights in bed

...early mornings to attack the day

<3 Ashley

What is November to you? 

Photo Diary: Embracing the Fall

Delicious Pumpkin Spice Sugar donut!

I'm writing to you from the couch in my living room today...notice how I am not frantically getting ready for class. It's Fall Break (aka...a three day weekend!) Instead I am lounging in our actually kind cold house, wrapped in a fleece, sipping on coffee, and enjoying a plate of pumpkin pancakes--recipe coming later this week!

This past weekend has been a blessed on, which I spent with friends and family. On Saturday, one of my friends and I took a half hour drive to Wexford, PA to spend the day at Soergel's Orchard. Let me tell you it was the BEST day to be there. Perfect weather + Amish donuts + all of the apples, pumpkin and cider a girl could dream for = a very contented Ashley. I got to show off my very impressive apple and pumpkin picking skills and we even took some cute snaps throughout the day.

One thing that we were sure not to leave without was our own bottles of the orchard's apple wine--sampled that night...it was very crisp!

Sunday I spent the (very cold) day with my dad at the Steelers v. Cardinals game. Thank the Lord we won that game despite a very depressing start. I don't know how this city would be consoled otherwise. Haha!

With the weekend fun winding down, today will be spent doing all the work that I should have maybe started earlier. This will be done a lot easier now that I am in the early stages of a cold and refuse to leave this house! >.<

<3 Ashley

What did you do this weekend? Have you fully embraced the season?

Leather Look

Ted Baker Bag | Charlotte Russe Boots | H&M Pants| Chicwish Skirt |River Island Vest 

Hello and welcome to another installment of "I'm Not a Fashion Blogger, But How About An 'A' For Effort!" I'm your host, Ashley and today we are going to discuss the wonder and glory of the leather fall look. But really...it's a great look right? Now understand that by "leather" I am referring to faux, of course...I can't afford the real deal. Plus, if someone is just looking at you and not touching your outfit all over (stop them if they do because that's weird) then who will really know? 

I think that leather is just so sleek and chic especially this time of year as we begin layering and making efforts to keep the chill from directly touching our skin. Plus, how sexy is a pair of leather pants and some leather boots? Very! That is the answer. In reality, I don't own much myself. Just a few pieces with leather panels in them--which is just as great! I have found a number of pieces that I want in my closet right this second. Check 'em out! ^ 

Real or fake, you gotta get on board with this look!

<3 Ashley

Do you love the look of leather pieces like I do? What's your favorite way to wear it?

Get SET

Yes, yes, yes it is that time of the year! Temps get cooler, I leave my window open just a hair to let some cool air get into my heat trap of a room, and I bust out the de la Renta set to keep me from getting too cold at night. Are there people who do not like PJ sets? Why? They are so cute and comfortable when there is a bite to the air--what is not to love? 

Over the past few years, my grandmother has become the supplier to this addiction of mine. For the past few years, a new set gets added to my collection at Christmas. Thanks, Grandma! This one, however was gifted from my parents last year. At $30 at TJ Maxx, it was the one item that was highlighted as mandatory on my wish list. 

Below are some favorites that I have stumbled across on my Internet travels. Click on the images for full size on the retailer website.

                      

Happy sleeping!

<3 Ashley

Are you a pajama set fan? What style do you tend towards?

Go Deep

We are still in the beginning stages of fall, which means I still walk outside in the morning and treat South Oakland with the excitement of being in Disney World. Spoiler alert: South Oakland is NOT Disney World. I am in the blissful stage of being thrill that temps are dropping a bit to accommodate my jeans and boots. We are getting just a little preview of fall and with that fall fashion.

One thing that I love about fall is the deep hues that tend to make an appearance. Don't get me wrong--I do love me the bright colors that spring and summer bring us. However, there is a time and place for more subdued colors and that time is now. Deep shades of red, green and even a burnt orange here and there give me life this time of year. There's just something about fall colors, right? A few of my favorites are above with links below...there are some cozy looking fall collections out there!

Long Cardigan || Forever 21

Dress || Francesca's

Knit hooded dress || H&M

'Rust' Skinny Jeans || Charlotte Russe

<3 Ashley

What colors do you sport in the fall?

First Day of October

Happy October, folks! The weather in Pittsburgh is starting to feel a lot more like autumn now! With highs in the 60s I really don't think that I could be an happier. Today was not only the first day of October, but also a day of seasonal firsts. Today was the day that I deigned to finally sample the new an improved Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. Boy, was it good! What are your opinions on it? I can definitely tell a difference from last season--read: I like it a lot better.

Upon waking up this morning, I threw open my window to let some cool in come through to my teeny-tiny, heat trapping room. I made the mistake of looking back as I headed downstairs for breakfast and saw my warm and inviting bed beckoning me to come back. How I said no to that coziness is beyond me.

As I type this now I am in the process of freezing a batch of butternut squash, which I will likely mix up in a soup in a few weeks--once I get my hands on a nifty immersion blender. The blender we have now is just no match for soups!

Today was also the day I busted out the scarves. They are all lined up and ready to go!

<3 Ashley

Does it feel like fall where you are? What are you looking forward to this month?

Feeling Like Fall

Disclaimer: I'm not a fashion blogger...as you can tell by the quality of this post. "A" for effort? ;P

I apologize for the quality of the photo! After a tragic accident, I have had to return to my iPhone 4 :(

So I woke up and it was rainy and gray outside. I kind of dug it though. I looked at my phone and saw a high of 76 and clouds all day. What does that mean? Why was I so happy? Sweater weather. :)

Today is a transitional outfit kind of day. It is still above 70 which means I will not say no to a skirt, but below 80, so I will finish my outfit with a chunky read cardigan. Paired with some black and gold bangles I think that this is the perfect outfit for the day. The rain did stop, so I neglected boots--I don't think I am ready to break them out just yet. Flats are perfect for now.

<3 Ashley

What is your perfect transitional outfit going into fall?

Take A Walk

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The high today is 72 degrees. Can I get a 'hallelujah'? I am hoping that this means that summer heat is slipping away to make room for crisp fall air--the first day of autumn is this Wednesday after all! We are about 10 degrees from my willingness to buy a PSL as well. I cannot bring myself to do it when there is too much warmth on the breeze.

This gradual drop in temperature gets me even more excited because that means my evening runs/walks will be even more comfortable. I went last night, which was the first really cool evening, and it was amazing. I took the long way just so I could stay out in it longer! Taking frequent fall walks is something that I highly suggest to everyone because, not only is the scenery of this transitional season so beautiful, but this is also the last bit of comfort outdoors before the winter hits us again.

Most of my walks are taken in the evenings out of habit from the summer--the later you go the cooler it is. With my schedule I usually get out around 5 or 6 pm depending on when my last class is or when I get out of work. I love getting out and removing myself from all of my work and honestly from other people--introvert alert!

<3 Ashley

'Tis the season for cool strolls! Do you like to get out in the crisp air?

Fall Favorite: Francesca's

While Pittsburgh is still clutching for dear life to 80 degree weather (let go, I say!) I have seen a number of people on Instagram embracing the beginnings of fall weather and giving previews of their fall apparel. This may be especially high due to NYFW, but in any case, I was then prompted to spend a few hours lazily scrolling through some of my favorite stores' websites and peek at what they have to offer this season.

Francesca's is a favorite of mine for window shopping; I haven't actually bought anything yet. Maybe one day I will splurge on a purchase, but for now I admire from afar. Here are a few of the items that caught my eye during the search--though I encourage you to look at the full collection!

Tunic Sweater

Poncho Sweater - 

I'm very much team poncho (flashbacks to middle school!)

Knit Dress

Vest

<3 Ashley

Do you shop at Francesca's? Do you have a favorite piece for the fall?

What I Made: Pumpkin Chipotle Soup

Oh yes...yes I did!

Look Ma, I can cook! If you follow me on Instagram, you saw that last night as snowflakes were falling from the sky, I was bundled up in flannel pants, a long gray sweater, Christmas lights on, cuddling up to a bowl of soup. I soup was an idea had got from Taylor over at her blog Anticipation (which I read religiously!) One mention of pumpkin chipotle soup had me scouring the world wide web for the perfect recipe.

I found several recipes and ended up just using a bit from each to make my soup--read: I bought what I could at IGA and worked with it. It was so easy to whip up and I have plenty of leftovers to look forward to.

Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion
- 1 clove of garlic (I used minced and just threw in what I thought I would like)
- 1 tbsp chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (found in the Mexican aisle)
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp cayenne
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
- 2 (14 oz) cans vegetable broth
- 1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
Garnish
- cilantro
- dollop of sour cream

Step by Step:
- Saute chopped onion and garlic in olive oil for about 3-4 minute until translucent.
- Add chopped chipotle pepper and spices. Cook about 2 minutes (stir it up so it doesn't stick to the pot!)
- Pour in broth and pumpkin puree. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Pour mixture into blender and blend until smooth--use an immersion blender if you have one.
- Return soup to the stove, add whipping cream and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Dish out when ready and garnish as you will!

Enjoy!

<3 Ashley

Sound good? Do you have any wonderful fall recipes to share?

Dear Weather, Can You Not?

^This is where I would like to be^

If you live in or around the Pittsburgh area (or in a similar city with respect to erratic forecasts) you know that the weather is probably one of the most frustrating things ever. As my alarm went off this morning I rolled over and went to my weather app to get some kind of budding idea of what I could wear today. I found myself staring at the number "37" and a snowflake icon reserved for later in the day. Was it not 70 degrees two days ago?!

I scrolled through the rest of the week and it seems we have officially taken the plunge into Pittsburgh winter. Here's how the weather works this time of year. Autumn starts but it's still pretty warm and doesn't really feel as fall-ish as you want. Then it feels like fall for two week and then BAM it's 30 degrees and you hate your life and can't wait to go home for Thanksgiving (I say this as a college student!)

When I chose the University of Pittsburgh it is easy to say I was not choosing it for the weather here! There is the running joke that in Pittsburgh you can experience all four seasons in one day--that's how some days feel to be completely honest. So now that I am officially in the throws of 30 degree weather and am at the mercy of the constant fear of sudden snowfall, I suppose it's time to start the posts about sweaters, hot chocolate, cozy boots (that are NOT UGGS!) and all sorts of warm comfort. Look out for those!

<3 Ashley

So...how's the weather?