Fab Friday – Fall Breezes Edition

So, we’re two weeks into September and, guess what, the heat hasn’t gotten the memo. Thankfully, at night, the weather has gotten a bit cooler and there’s a nice breeze that is sweeping across the Philly area. It makes walking the SousPug easier at night because he’s not panting like a madman and has been known to sit his pug butt down and chill a bit, especially when I’m chatting with some of the fellow dog owners at the apartment complex. The weather peeps here promise it will be cooler weather next week – I’m just hesitant to trust them after the last “OMG HUNKER DOWN – HUGE STORM COMING AT 6, no 5, no 4pm – Localized Flooding – STAY INDOORS” debacle a couple weeks ago. Reality was, the rain arrived and, shortly after, Wiggs decides that he wants to go out. We step outside and my exact words were “That’s IT?” Here I was all ready to do some serious cooking, catch up on some dvr’d eps of BBC’s Merlin & their new show Copper, and the daggone weather peeps have again let me down quicker than the Eagles in their attempt to go to the Superbowl.

Well, I’m not letting you down on the virtual shopping eye candy front this week – here are a few lovelies that will have your fall wardrobe, kitchen and cookbook shelf ready for some autumn flavors!

Fab Friday – Fall Breezes Edition

1. I have been ruthlessly hunting down these Ash Divina booties for a hot minute now. I saw them in a MyHabit photo and that started my quest. Sadly, every time I find them on a sample sale site, my size sells out quicker than Trader Joe’s sells out of Cookie Butter (another quest for me this weekend). I am determined to find these booties for the fall – and at a decent price.

2. While perusing Crate & Barrel this week, I couldn’t help but be inspired by some of the fall looks in there. One thing that will become a fall staple for me – this gorgeous Marimekko Kumina Neutral Tablecloth. I love how the colors look and, while I’m more of a “less print –more solid” table linen gal, this just speaks to me like a certain tablecloth from back in the day did (and I use quite often).

3. While wandering the glass aisle and picking up a few things, my eye fell upon these lovely decanters. Now, I confess, I have purchased a couple already for my home (one for Bourbon – one for my beloved Cruzan) and this fall, when everything is reorganized, I plan on having a full “big gal bar” with my favorites decanted into some gorgeous decanters. It looks like I might be adding a couple more.  What about the Tino decanter for the tequila, the Alexander decanter for vodka, the Wells decanter for the Morgan and the Spirits decanter for … oh let me shush.

4. Fall means soups and stews will be on the menu often and I love the idea of cozying up on the couch with these double handled stoneware soup bowls.

5. Last night, I headed to Williams Sonoma to do a bit of retail therapy and, of course, to meet the guys from BAKED. They are beyond sweet and they taught me so much in such a short time chatting with them. Remember – cooking (and especially baking) is all about learning for this gal and when I get some great tips, I remember. I mean, ever have a can of pumpkin, the recipe calls for one cup and you can’t use all the leftovers – freeze it. Bananas freeze well and so does applesauce. My freezer is going to be getting quite the reorganization and workout this month. In addition to the their latest cookbook, Baked Elements, did you know they have a line of cookware out? The Baked Brownie Pan and the loaf pan are perfect for baking missions – safe for oven and micro! Confession: while I am learning to bake from scratch, sometimes, in a pinch, a boxed mix is priceless. However, if I’m going to reach for a boxed mix, I’m going to reach for one of the best and they have their own mixes like this yummy Brookster mix (brownies + cookies = heaven)! I also got some scoop about some of the flavors for the holidays – let me tell you – you are going to stock up your pantry!

6. While I am still on the subject of confessions – did I tell you about the time I put the stovetop espresso maker in the dishwasher and kinda ruined it? Yeah – add that up to a “Aly – why oh why??” Anywhoo – I haven’t used it since because it has this weird tinge to it and I kinda put myself on stiletto suspension for a bit. I mean, the stovetop espresso makers are not that cheap. Well, since I don’t drink straight espresso, I’ve been contemplating getting this Bialetti Mukka Glass Cappuccino Maker. While I love Starbucks, I don’t necessarily like the price tag and, at the amount of lattes I drink weekly, I’d like to be able to brew it at home while the SousPug sleeps and take it to work. I figure it will eventually pay for itself if I apply my Cost-Per-Use theory.

7. When I was shopping in Williams Sonoma, I couldn’t help but notice this cookbook: This is a Cookbook: Recipes For Real Life by Max and Eli Sussman. Well, as I’m leafing through it, I saw so many recipes that I wanted to make that I couldn’t help but get a copy of my very own. First up to be made – poached eggs and polenta. Tell me that doesn’t sound comforting (and easy!). Seriously – for the home cook – especially one who probably could have been accused of burning water at one point – I’m not saying any names *cough cough* guilty *cough cough*, this breaks everything down perfectly.

Are you ready for fall or are you still enjoying the heat?

[FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate and/or referral links which help offset the cost of hosting this site. However, as always, my opinions are 100% my own]

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