October Instagrams

These just about sum up the month; Time well spent with my dog, drinking coffee, obessing over all things pumpkin, embarking on a few rare craft projects, and letting myself get wrapped up reading e-books. How have you celebrated October?

You can follow me, livkrysti, on instagram, here!

Mulled Wine Recipe

Last December, we were snowed in for three days - the best three days ever - I might add. During that time, we perfected our mulled wine (or Glogg) method. Mulled wine is something we make from what we have available so it may vary slightly from batch to batch. 

The essential ingredients for mulled wine include: Wine, Bbandy, sugar, orange, and mulling spices.

Last night we used Chewing the Cud's mulling spices (from my October OliveBox), which made a great drink without much hassle at all. You may already have the spices you need around your kitchen though. 2 Cinnamon sticks, 2 star of anise, and 8 cloves are all you really have to have. Ginger is sometimes added, but we never seem to have any. For that extra bite ginger would add, I have sometimes substituted all spice in its place. A sweeter red wine will work best, but when you are snowed in you use whatever you have - and can always add more sugar as you cook!

Once you get your ingredients together, place 1/4 cup of sugar (to one bottle of wine) in the bottom of a sauce pan adding just enough wine to cover. Heat liquid, stiring until it begins to thicken. Add your spices and let simmer 3-4 minutes before adding the remaing wine and then 1/4 cup brandy. Bring the liquid back to a simmer until aromatic, about 15 minutes, tasting and adjusting the sweetness as you go. Strain and serve in your favorite mug. Enjoy!

Real BHLDN Brides

Just in case you missed it....

BHLDN posted new photos to their Real Brides album on Facebook.

We were totally honored BHLDN (pronounced "beholden") chose one of our wedding photos to feature! My wedding dress was by the super talented Catherine Deane, and like many brides I knew it would be my dress the first time I saw it.  

Scroll through, and see if you notice a familiar face :)

 

 

 

 

Weather Essentials

In general, I like a nice rainy day. They seem to move at a slower pace, and have to be the best excuse for curling up with a cup of tea and a good book or magazine. It's not until I'm  caught off guard in the rain that I cuss it. Because by then my hair is frizzing, my entire face feels sticky, and whatever new item of clothing I decided to wear is getting drenched. Ugh.

Someday I'll be old and maybe I'll watch the weather channel like my parents, but until then here a few items that could bright 'em up any rainy day:

 (1) Hunter Rain Boots (2) J.Crew Camp Socks (3) Madewell Parka (4) J.Crew Hair Ties


Hunter + Rag & Bone Boots


 

Classic Camp Socks  

 

Madewell + Penfield Kasson Parka 

 
 Metallic Hair Ties

Get Cozy! Curl up with a Pendleton Blanket

As I type this, I am warm and cozy drinking coffee under my very favorite blanket. Last Valentine's, I got Sam the Chimayo Throw, and the days I don't totally hog it are few-and-far in between. I love it so much, I wanted to share a couple other blankets from Pendleton I adore! They make such wonderful gifts for special people in your life. I know I'd be happy to even have a second one lying around our home. Check them out here:

Rustic Deer Chili & an Apple Tart

Last night we made our first big batch of chili of the season. My dad brought me some deer meat, and my mom sent me her famous chili recipe. From there, I went out on a limb and modified a few things in our family recipe (sorry Mom, but we were out of beer!). I guess the chili was pretty good considering Sam had THREE bowls.  Hope y'all enjoy!

Deer Chili

3lbs ground venison
2 sweet onions, chopped
2 green bell peppers
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 Jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
4 tablespoons of chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
32 oz. canned diced tomatoes
32 oz. stock (chicken or vegetable)
3 tablespoons of tomato paste
24 oz. canned kidney beans
add salt and ground black pepper to taste

Heat your large dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Coat the pan with cooking spray and add the venison; cooking 5 minutes or so until browned, stirring to crumble. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon. Cover to keep warm, and set aside. 

 
 
 

Reduce your heat to medium. Add onions, bell peppers, garlic, and jalapeno to pan. Cook about 10 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Stir in chili powder, cumin, red pepper, salt and ground black pepper. Add venison, diced tomatoes, stock, and tomato paste stirring well until combined. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat, simmering for 30-45 minutes. Then add the beans, and allow the chili to cook uncovered for 15 more minutes. 

 

Apple Tart

For dessert, you can make this SUPER SIMPLE apple tart via The Pioneer Woman. It's probably the easiest dessert I have ever made, and only has four ingredients: 1 Puffed Pastry, 4 Apples, 1 cup Brown Sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon Salt.

Preheat oven for 415 degrees.

Set out puff pastry to thaw on a non-stick baking pan, sprayed with cooking oil. While it is thawing you can core your (unpeeled) apples, half them, and then slice each half as thinly as possible. Add your salt and sugar to the apples, stirring to combine. Allow the apple mixture to sit for a few minutes while you cut your pastry sheet in half.  The arrange the apples along your pastry rectangles in a straight line, overlapping. Bake for 20 minutes or until pastry is puffed and golden brown.  

Save for Someday: Cool Weather Crafts

Rarely do I get "crafty," but lately I have been pinning projects like crazy. With cold days coming, I figured I'd go-ahead and share what I have been eying!

DIY Party Blowers

  

I love a multipurpose craft, and party blowers (from minted) could be done in any color for any type of party. However, it's Delia Creates' chalkboard banner that is the epitome of versatility! I'd probably leave it up for fun even after the party - ya feel me? 

All Occasion Chalkboard Banner

Then there's the simple ever-gorgeous boxwood wreath you can customize for any season from Ashley Ann's Photography Blog (which is adorable and you'll totally regret not checking out right now!!). I'll admit to having had the wreath pinned for a year.... but someday.

 Simple DIY Boxwood Wreath

 
Need more inspiration? Check out my create board on Pinterest.  

Link Love: Butternut Squash Recipes

Last week we got our first butternut squash of the season!

Here are a few recipes I hope to try this fall...

Enjoy!

    

Roasted Butternut Squash with lime and Rosemary

Fettuccine with Roasted Butternut Squash, Brown Butter and Sage

 

 Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash with Smoked Paprika

Butternut Squash Apple Cranberry Bake

Butternut Squash with Walnuts and Vanilla

Srirarcha Marinated Butternut Squash and Black Bean Tacos

Roasted Butternut Squash with Garlic Sage and Pine Nuts

The Apartment August 2013

The Christianshavn neighborhood - in the heart of Copenhagen - is where you'll find this adorable design boutique housed in an elegantly restored 18th century loft. Do I have your attention? 

The Apartment features 20th-century art, furniture, and other housewares by internationally recognized designers as well as carefully selected vintage finds. The set up feels like you've stepped into the private home of Tina Seidenfaden Busck herself. From lighting solutions by Michael Anastassiades to vintage Moroccan rugs, their inventory is sure to make you covetous.

 

 

 

 

 

This month one of my very favorite vintage stores, Fil de Fer, is on exhibition. Click here to see  the collection!!!

Acne Prone

Seriously, my skin has always been a battle. I started going to a dermatologist at a young age, and have used a variety of harsh cleaning methods over time. Still, my face used to stay constantly broken-out. I took the advice of a sweet girl at Sephora one day about two years ago, and decided to make my daily cleansing routing much milder.

I went from using a salicylic wash, astringent, and benzyl peroxide cream everyday to one simple cleanser and a Clarisonic. It took a month or so before I really started seeing any results, but finally - they came.

Now as for make-up, I have used Jane Iredale's pressed powder foundation for 10 years. Anytime I have tried another make-up, and trust me I have (I sold Clinique & Estee Lauder for four years), my face has broken-out terribly. So I just stick with Jane these days when it comes to anything that goes on my skin - blush and bronzers included.

In all, I've tried to keep my routine simple - Here are the products I like to keep in my cabinet:


 



 
 

                             

1. Clarisonic 2. Dr. Perricone MD Citrus Facial Wash 3. Caudlie Cleansing Water 4. REN Radiance Renewal Mask 5. Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream 6. REN Clear & Clam Night Serum 7. Clinique Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel 8. Super by Dr. Nicholas Perricone Hyper Hydrator 9. Jane Iredale Prue Pressed Mineral Foundation