Fall Fog

I have to admit that I have been in a bit of a funk lately. It is really nothing new for me and I’m sure I am not alone in saying this. This time of year just seems to suck every ounce of everything out of me. When the days start to get shorter and air cooler I kind of go into hibernation mode. I find myself tired no matter how much sleep I get and the dark mornings make it torturous to peel myself out of bed 

(source)

The clocks did just go back so this has made things a tiny bit better overall, but I am still feeling the fall fog (as I like to call it).

Do you feel this way too? What do you do to overcome the fall fog?

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you feel more alive during the colder months:

-Go to bed earlier, your body needs more sleep in the colder months. 

-Eat seasonal vegetables, like squash, sweet potatoes and turnip. There is evidence that suggests that your body gets more out of certain vegetables when eaten in season. Fall and winter veggies are perfect in soups and stews. (break out that crock pot folks). This time of year people tend to crave carbohydrates but eating them will only make your energy levels crash later on. Stick to foods that give you energy like veggies, lean protein and nuts.

-Drinks lots of water (natures gold). The air in the colder months is much dryer which can dehydrate  your skin and lips etc. Not drinking enough water can lead to fatigue as well. 

-Exercise and keep stress at bay as much as possible. Try to get outside every day for a walk etc. Get a warm jacket and boots and learn to embrace the cold. As the days become shorter we absorb fewer rays, but even on a cloudy days UV rays will stimulate your body to make vitamin D which is fuel for your brain. Light therapy may be an option for people that work day time hours and drive to and from work in the dark.

-Find a hobby or something that stimulates your brain (pull your self away from that TV). Pick up a good book or take a cooking class. Find your creatively.

-Schedule fun things to do. The anticipation will keep your spirits up.  

(source)

xoAngela
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Cozy For Fall

1. Old Navy - Women's Fashion Leggings, 2. Gap - Cozy Plaid Scarf, 3.  H&M - Fake Fur Waistcoat, 4.  H&M - Joggers, 5. H&M - Cardigan in a Mohair Blend, 6. H&M - Fake Fur Mittens 7. Aldo - Hat, 8. Aldo- Purse, 9. Roots - Socks, 10. Dynamite - Open Cardigan, 11. Shoe Company - Jeanne Beker - Waterproof Fur Trimmed Ankle Boot, 12.  RW&Co - Short Wool Blazer, 13. LLBean - Flannel Night Gown

Stay Cozy!

xoAngela
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These boots were made for rocking.....

In Eastern Canada we have been blessed with an unusually warm fall this year. It is so wonderful, I just hope it continues on until November to keep Winter away as long as possible. (Not a cold fan)

Due to the warmer conditions I have still been able to wear some of my Spring and Summer clothing without having to dig too deep for Fall wear. I really haven't even felt the need to purchase any "new" fall items as of yet either (surprisingly). I usually like to wait until we are well into a season to buy a couple of new pieces anyways (on sale, of course).

One thing I was lacking though was a pair of booties. (my feet were starting to get a little cool in my flats) I found these a couple weeks ago for $16.00 (on sale) at Aldo. Last pair in burgundy, means meant to be in my books. They have a little heel and are super comfy and I love the little bit of rocker bling on the side. Grrrrr.

My youngest daughter needed some new shoes as well. We made a trip to Target last week to pick out some new sneaks and she spotted these and immediately had to try them on. She told me "these are running shoes mommy" and ran up and down the aisles. I bought them for her and she has not stopped running since, lol.

It is a short work week for Canadians due to theThanksgiving holiday but to me these short weeks tend to feel like longer weeks. Good luck trying to figure that one out (wink).

Have a Happy Thursday!

xoAngela
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When Fall Gives You Apples, Make Muffins.

My youngest daughter went apple picking with her school.  She came home with a basket full of red delicious looking apples. We decided we should put some of those apples to good use and make something yummy. MUFFINS! I don't particularly have a go-to recipe for apple muffins so I searched the internet looking at several recipes, reviews, ingredients etc. The recipe I chose was from "in a pinch" and I they turned out great.

I did not have muffin liners and did not feel like fifteen minutes of scrubbing my pans afterwards so I cut parchment paper into squares and tucked them down into the tins and then poured the batter in. This made for an easy cleanup and also looks kind of cool too!

I also decided to mix all the ingredients for the topping (including the butter) and sprinkled  it on the muffins before putting them into the oven. I only used about have of what the recipe calls for.

The next best thing to tasting these little delights is smelling them while they cook. Nothing smells better than apples and cinnamon baking in the oven, NOTHING!

Here is the recipe written by Robyn from in a pinch.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (+ 2 teaspoons for coating apples)
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (+ ½ teaspoon for coating apples)
• 2 cups diced apples
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup milk
• For the Topping:
• ½ cup butter, melted
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375º F. Spray muffin tins with bakers spray or coat well with shortening or butter and flour, making sure to discard any excess flour from the tins after coating.
2. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside.
3. Toss together diced apples and 2 teaspoons of flour to coat apples in a separate bowl. Set aside.
4. Cream together butter and sugar until lightened in color, about 3 minutes. Add an egg, one at a time, taking care to fully incorporate before adding the other. Mix in vanilla.
5. Gently fold in flour mixture, alternating with milk. Stir until just combined. Fold in diced apples and scoop mixture into prepared muffin tins, filling about ⅔ to ¾ full. Bake until a toothpick or skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
6. Prepare topping for muffins while the muffins are baking by melting the butter and allowing to cool slightly. Pour butter into a separate bowl sized easy for dipping tops of muffins. Mix together granulated sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl and set aside.
7. Once muffins have baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly in the muffin tin. Then, remove each muffin and dip first into the melted butter and then into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Place onto a plate to finish cooling.

What is your favorite apple recipe?

xoAngela
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The Silliness of September

The month of September has been very busy. With back to school, changes in temperature, dance class start up, and various obligations this month has been a wild one. Here are the mostly highs, and some lows and even some funny mentionable events of September.

Well school has been great. I did in fact purchase the laptop lunch system and I have to say I couldn't be happier with it. If you could see into my Tupperware drawer you would fully understand the need for this kind of lunch system. The laptop lunch has its own containers, lids etc and it all fits perfectly into the box, which fits perfectly into the canvas lunch box. Brilliant I tell you. The wow butter(soy butter) did not go over well with my peanut butter fanatic girl, but we have found a new love for plain ham sandwiches, woohoo.  My husband nearly fell off his chair when my oldest daughter came home from school and told him she had five boyfriends. Oh boy, here we go…….

Dance class has started up again for the year. This is the first time my youngest gets to dance as well.  My daughters are in different classes so we have to go early Saturday morning for my youngest and then back again early afternoon for my oldest.  Last Saturday I somehow managed to convince myself that my oldest daughter’s class was at 1:30 (suppose to be 1:00) so we showed up just in time for dance class to wrap up. And the best Mom award goes to……. (wink).

So I defiantly have a lot on my brain these days trying to keep everyone's schedule straight. In my mad dash out the door I realized after returning home that I had my sweater inside out the whole time at the mall. Another time I had my nylon jacket inside out the whole time at the grocery store, lol.  That just goes to show where my head has been.

The weather has quickly changed over to fall-like at rapid speeds this year in the East Coast. For me this is the hardest part, adjusting to the colder temps. I freeze the first couple of weeks and then my body seems to adjust slightly.  All I have to say is hallelujah to heated car seats!

It’s always a chore transitioning the kids clothing from season to season. I have two girls so the clothing gets passed down which requires storing till the youngest fits into it. We are also grateful to receive hand me downs from two sources for my oldest. Some of this I have to store for a different season or when she grows into them.  I am extremely appreciative for the clothing although it is a “job” trying to keep it all straight.

So lots on the go and lots to look forward to for October. We will be doing some traveling and also busy getting ready for Halloween (one of our favorite holidays).

 

What does October have in store for you?

xoAngela
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More Fall Finds...

1. Le Chateau - Stretch Flower Ring, 2. Roots - Fringe Moc Tribe, 3. RW&Co- Plaid legging, 4.  RW&Co - Hat, felt, 5. H&M- Ankle Boots, 6. H&M- Biker Jacket in Wool Blend, 7. Roots - Olivia Bag Prince,  9. Sephora- Bobbi Brown, nude on nude10. Roots - Sedona Throwover, 11. Dynamite- Kate High Waist Pant, 12.  Le Chateau - Glasses, 13. Dynamite- Long Woven Over piece

Burgundy is "the" fall color.

(newest released ,Tieks- Burgundy)

These gorgeous shoes can be found at Aldo

xoAngela

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Fall Fashion

So originally I was going to to pick a few things from a bunch of different stores but when I started looking at the H&M site I was completely smitten and had to include all these little gems.  

Here they are:

1. H&M Leather Messenger Bag - $129.00 2. H&M Joggers -$29.95 3. H&M Patterned Trousers -$34.95 4. H&M Knitted Tube Scarf -$12.95  5. H&M Short Necklace -$12.95  6.  H&M Top in a Linen Mix (striped) -$19.95 7.  H&M Wedge Heel Boot- $39.95  8.  H&M Lace Blouse -$34..95 9. H&M Cardigan in a Knitted Print -$39.95 10.  H&M Metallic Skirt -$34.95 11. H&M Figure Fit Jacket -$59.95        
 

Fall is in the Air

Now that school has started I think I am finally starting to get back into some kind of  a routine around here. We were so busy in the summer with camping, company and traveling that lots of things, including my diet (healthy, not weight loss) and exercise plan, went out the window.  Remember how I was so proud of myself for beginning to jog?  Well… that slowly came to a stop when the humid weather hit. Don’t get me wrong, I love the heat but I do not enjoy jogging in it. 

As for trying to eat healthy that is almost next to impossible to do when camping and really why would you want too?  Part of camping is making spider dogs and roasting marshmallows for smores. And the best part about camping is frying up bacon and eggs for breakfast in the morning. Some things you just don’t want to mess with you know?

I’m pretty sure last weekend was our last camping adventure of the season, (sob, sob).  We actually spent it with a couple of our amazing friends in their camper which was a nice change. It’s getting to that point now where it’s almost a wee bit too chilly for camping. In the mornings as your climbing out of the cold camper into the colder great outdoors (shivering) you’re asking yourself, what is it I enjoy about camping again?(wink)
Although summer is winding down there is still something that excites me about the fall.  Maybe the thought of getting a new pair of boots? (Joke, well kind of...) Seriously though, I do enjoy seeing the colors of the leaves as they change and I do look forward to pumpkin flavored everything and I love the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival.  I look forward to our family’s annual trip to the apple orchard to pick fresh apples and take photos. We are also traveling to Cape Breton to visit family in the fall as well. So although it is sad to see the summer season change there is still lots to look forward to in the fall.   

What does fall have in store for you?

xoAngela
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