Oh December!

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There is one thing that I have been waiting for this semester, and it is the beginning of the end. Once December starts, the work starts winding down and we start giving presentations and submitting final papers. Yesterday I gave my first presentation, there is one tomorrow, and Monday is my last. Sunday I night I will submitting a final paper and next week will submit my last...and I'm done. Hallelujah!!

While for college students it marks this wind down, December is also the heart of the holiday season! Hanukkah begins this Sunday for many to celebrate and Christmas is just around the corner. This month, I will try my very best to be your friendly neighborhood blogger and help your shopping with a few gift guides to help you find the perfect surprise for the people in your life. Also know that this month the cookie recipe game will be strong. I will also be sharing my favorite winter fashions. I hope your are all as excited as I am to jump right into all that this month has to offer!

<3 Ashley

Weekend Links

A harvest moon, blood moon and lunar eclipse? And it will be super close to the Earth?!

Here are a few things on the internet lulling me into the weekend:

Small Space Home Office Solutions on The Everygirl
A Supermoon and Lunar Eclipse on AccuWeather (check out your viewing conditions for this rare occurrence!)
17 Music Facts That Will Make '00 Kids Feel Old AF on Buzzfeed
Ryan Adams '1989' Cover Album on Wired

It's a small list, but to be fair...my internet time has been limited this week due to multiple papers and assignments. Thanks, college.

<3 Ashley

What's been good on the Web this week? Also have a great weekend!

Blogs I Love: Color Me Courtney

My Bloglovin' list is full of some incredible blogs run by some really great ladies who I have loved getting to know over the past few years. It's amazing that blogging has the capacity to bring together a network of great people who love to help and support each other. 

One of my favorite blogs is Color Me Courtney, run by one of the coolest personalities, Courtney. Unfortunately, she is not one that I have gotten to know, but when I stumbled across her Instagram and then her blog, I was hooked on the updates. Color Me Courtney has got to be my favorite fashion blog right now--her style is fantastic and her perspective and writing is 100% relatable. I am sure that you have noticed on a few occasions how minimalist fashion in black, white, tan (read: all of the neutrals) has become I kind of trend. It is so refreshing to see someone highlighting styles with bright colors, bold prints (the lemon dress is my current favorite) and bubbly personality. 

I don't tend to click on every fashion post in my blogroll--since a lot of them actually lack words--but I check this one daily because I sincerely love every outfit! And what's not to love about the NYC backdrop?

<3 Ashley

Do you read Color Me Courtney or follow in Insta? You should! :)

September

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Is anyone else absolutely baffled that September has started already?! Everyone is back to school and back to work and we are (hopefully!) looking at some of the last super hot days. I love September because of all of the excitement that surrounds the month: being back on campus, everybody getting ready for the leaves to change, pumpkin everything becoming available and, of course, the fashion. New York Fashion Week kicks off in about a week and my Instagram is already filled with #tbt photos of last year's street style.

September on Sunday Brunch will also be plenty fashion forward. This is the month when the transition to autumn occurs and we slowly start incorporating some light sweaters and booties into our daywear. You will also be getting a full review of Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte. As someone who has sipped one or two or twelve PSLs in her life, I will definitely be in line to try the beverage which now includes actual pumpkin in its recipe. Can't wait!

<3 Ashley

What do you love about September?

a new look

Sunday Brunch has been black and white since its inception. I have decided this summer to try a new look on for size--say hello to color! One of my favorite color combos (among so many!) is blue and pink. Aside from that, there are no functional changes to the site. Everything is still in working order!

<3 Ashley

Do you like the new look?

Sunday Brunch: Sweet Potato, Spinach and Egg Breakfast Bowl

Hello, folks! Happy Monday to you.

Today I want to share a fabulous food find that I stumbled upon last week. I made this delicious and savory breakfast for myself this morning for the second time; I am in love with the sweet potato, spinach and egg breakfast bowl. The original recipe is courtesy of Mara over at M Loves M. I have actually tried quite a few of her sweeter dishes and all of them are delicious. My favorite is the blackberry clafoutis which I make with blueberry instead. The woman knows exactly what she is talking about.

There are just a few alterations that I have made myself based on my own timing and patience level. Perhaps if I had just a bit more time during my week day mornings I would prepare it as it should be in the oven. However, for time sake I do it on the stove in a skillet. The recipe below will made enough for one with maybe some extra potato depending on the size.

What you need:

1 smallish sweet potato (1/4 inch slices)
olive oil
salt + pepper
spinach
1 egg
cheese
The original called for onion, but I did not have onion at the time. Feel free to add the ingredient to your liking!

What to do:

Coat the bottom of a skillet with olive oil and heat up over medium heat. Arrange sweet potato slices around the bottom of the skillet and season with salt and pepper (I also like to sprinkle some thyme on mine)

Cook potatoes for about 4-5 minutes on each side; but keep an eye on them just in case! When potatoes are almost cooked throw in spinach and cook until it wilts. Set aside in bowl.

Prepare egg to your liking. I did sunny side up like the original recipe called for. When the egg is done lay it over top of the potato and spinach. Sprinkle with cheese. (Goat in the original; I used mozzarella).

<3 Ashley

What is your favorite savory breakfast?

Wandeleur

Once in awhile you discover a little piece of the internet that you wholly identify with and quickly find yourself hitting 'Bookmark' so that you can come back to the site ever morning. Very soon, it will become part of your ritual; a good part of your ritual. I recently discovered the website Wandeleur, which was only launched very recently (like this week!) 

Wandeleur is the brain child of Emily at Isn't That Charming (very much a part of my blogroll) and Blair at The Fox & She. This Chicago based creative lifestyle website is for those who "aspire + inspire." I have taken a turn about the site and its content. Wandeleur itself inspires me to get back to creativity--easier said than done for me and the packed schedule! The site features posts about lifestyle (think decor, travel, style, food + drink), tips + projects and interviews with creative individuals. Some of the posts that I love right now are this interview with Jenny Bernheim, tips for the perfect weekend getaway and this one about getting creative with acrylic paints.

Stop by the site, say hello and join in the conversation with fellow creatives and be sure to follow them on social media (their Instagram is gorgeous!) I will be in the neighborhood frequently!

<3 Ashley

Have you checked out Wandeleur? What is your favorite post?

Stressed? Take a Step Back

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The title above contains the gist of the text the my mother sent me Monday night when I told her about my workload, patience level, and extreme lack of motivation regarding the next two weeks of classes. Having a paper due today, one due tomorrow along with the delivery of two presentations and entering into the midterm period, one could say that I am nearing the end of my rope and may have a meltdown at 1 AM within the next 2-3 weeks. #college

While I complained to her about the lack wiggle room to take a break (as any small child would do) I do see her point. I knew going into an 18 credit semester was going bring me a heavy work load and multiple late nights. However, I am the kind of person who rails against the concept of all-nighters and late nights; being tucked in by midnight is ideal for me. That being said, it is probably better for my sanity and mental health to take a few breaks and organize things in a way that I get them done on time and in kind of a painless way.

You may have noticed that I have significantly cut down on my blog posting. This is due to the fact that I just cannot do it everyday anymore. God I miss those days! It is also due to the fact that I cannot for the life of me think up fun topics to write about...this one is total improvisation. Impressed? So here is the new deal: my posting schedule is now Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Hopefully come Friday I can have a fun post for you guys that does not consist of my complaints--however, don't try to tell me you don't find me a little bit funny when I am like this.

<3 Ashley

What kind of posts do you like on Sunday Brunch? What would you like to see/see more of on here?

Finals Grind

Yes, Captain! I will definitely try!

So I am going to be completely upfront with you...finals are upon us. While this is the time of year to gather Christmas gifts, string up the lights and play Christmas music, it is also the time for coffee refills and late night study sessions. Our official finals week is next week, however, I have two of my finals this Wednesday. That will be followed by lots of essay writing and group project meetings.

That being said, there is potential that I will not be the most active on here for the next week or two (or at least it will be erratic activity.) I do have posts planned but execution does not always happen when there is a lot on my plate. Thanks for the patience and understanding!

<3 Ashley

Any other college students gearing up for finals week? 

The Chronicles of a Morning Person

I always get comments from my roommates about how I am always the first one up in the morning (unless they have 8 AMs!) and how I am rarely ever dragging my feet. I have never really considered myself a morning person--or rather I hadn't thought about it--but since they have started saying something about it I guess it is safe to say that "My name is Ashley, and I am a morning person."

When I really get down to thinking about it, I have kind of always been this way. My parents always took us to our elementary school before-school program since they worked early so I was usually up at 5:30 or 6 in the morning. This carried over into high school since we lived like 25 minutes from the school and our house was the first on the bus' route. I think it's safe to say that I didn't choose the morning life...it chose me.

Now in college, while I do appreciate those days where I get to sleep in until 11 AM because of a late night out, I still wake up every day at 8 AM whether I really need to or not. I find the mornings are a very useful time where I can relax and get things done at a good pace. I thought today that I would share a bit of my AM schedule with you guys.

8 AM: The alarm on my phone goes off and I have to lay in bed for at least 10 minutes (unless it's a really good day) and encourage myself to start the day.

8:15 AM: Roughly the time I start showering. This is where I really wake up. Ten seconds under some cold water can really make you alert!

8:30 AM: I like to try and get some light physical activity in to start the day. I usually try to find a light yoga or pilates routine to fill about 15-20 minutes.

Somewhere between 8:45 and 9 AM: Make breakfast. Since I now have a kitchen in the equation of my college life I like to make oatmeal or omelettes in the morning. Once in awhile when I have an earlier class or I start work early--towards the end of the week--I just mix up some yogurt and berries.

While I am eating I like to catch up on the news. I'm not the type of person to read an entire page of copy on CNN; I just don't have the patience. Instead I have an email subscription to TheSkimm. I love getting this in my inbox daily; it quickly became part of my morning routine.

9:30 AM: After my breakfast is done and I have been updated on the goings on in the world, I head on back to my desk (or bed!) and do blog work with the help of my friend, Dunkin Dark Roast. I also listen to some chill tunes; if you are a Spotify user--sorry, T-Swift!--check out the playlist Your Favorite Coffeehouse. Hands down my favorite thing to listen to in the morning. Great songs!

From 10:30 on depending on the day it is, I tie up any loose ends on assignments for the day if I still need to. Then I enter the process of trying to get myself ready to go out into the world!

<3 Ashley

What is your morning routine like? Are you a early bird or a night owl?

Letter From the Editor: November

I don't know about my fellow students, but I feel like this semester has absolutely flown by! It's already November. I have a tendency to see Halloween as the official kick off to the holiday season (whether it is or not...I don't particularly care) and as of November 1st have dived head first into holiday planning. An example of this? I've got my pumpkin pie recipe ready to go and my roommates and I have discussed at which point it is acceptable to start playing Christmas music--very soon!

This month on the blog look for a lot of fun holiday themed posts! When I first started blogging I had a tendency of posting a lot of holiday recipes and think now is as good a time as any to bring that back. I will be sharing some of my favorite holiday dishes with you and also posting some other fantastic pieces of holiday inspiration. I will also begin rolling out some of the exciting weekly features that I have planned for Sunday Brunch. What do these include? Well when I first started out blogging, fashion was the topic of choice. I kinda would like to get back to those roots and do a post each week highlighting one outfit that I have worn in the past week--come back tomorrow for the first of these posts featuring my Halloween costume this year! Another thing I would like to do is a small Sunday post. Sunday brunches are a fixture in my group of friends and I would like to share our creations with you. This coming Sunday has stuffed french toast on the menu and surely some great conversation!

I hope you are as excited as I am for this month!
<3 Ashley

What do you look forward to in November?

Welcome to Sunday Brunch

Well hello there! It is me...Ashley...from All That Glitters? Don't recognize me? I can't blame you; I have rebranded and found my way back to Blogger. After spending around three years as All That Glitters I began to feel a little bit of disconnect with the blog and everything that I put into it. However, I still wanted to blog. I get some crazy high off of blogging I guess; I just have to do it.

I decided that I wasn't All That Glitters anymore. I created ATG in the summer between high school and college and just picked a cute sounding name. This time around I wanted to name my blog something that I could connect to and reflected me in some kind of way. Sunday Brunch...who doesn't love it? Since coming to college if there is one thing I can count on it's a brunch on Sunday with my girls where we recount the events of the past week and the weekend. It is always a great time that ends up stretching from 11am until sometimes 2pm! This year we all have our own kitchens so Sunday brunch has only improved in quality now that we are making the food ourselves and experimenting with different recipes. The conversations are still interesting, hilarious and sometimes revealing. So why not name my blog after the setting of some of the best talks?!

Don't get confused, this is not a food blog (though there will probably be a ton of food on it!) In keeping with what I did with All That Glitters, it is a lifestyle blog. Expect a little bit of everything! I hope that you will join me on this new blogging journey that I am embarking on and love everything that goes into it.

<3 Ashley

Do you have Sunday brunches?

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