Easing into Autumn with Nature Nate's

It's inevitable; we're all ready for the hints of a new season. Though the outdoor temps are just beginning to follow suit, I've welcomed autumn indoors and invite you to do the same. My kitchen has begun to smell like fall with the smorgasbord of savory herbs, squashes and pastas. Here are a few other tidbits to add to your daily rituals, all with the help of Nature Nate's honey. IMG_0708

1. Make a batch of shortbread. Don't forget to drizzle some honey atop the freshly baked treats. Wrap a stack in parchment and twine to deliver to friends and family.

2. Switch out the mason jars and tea bags for a new, more seasonally-appropriate selection: spiced teas, pumpkin coffee, oats and brown sugar. You could even make yourself a tea station, ready to go when the urge to indulge strikes. Of course, Nature Nate's is a vital ingredient for the cupboard.

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3. Bring the outdoors in. I love to decorate with twigs and branches from neighboring yards and the park. Bittersweet and chrysanthemums are also great ways to bring the fall colors indoors.

4. Add a cozy throw to the sofa. During those cooler mornings and darker evenings, it's an essential to movie nights and quiet reading.

This post is in partnership with Nature Nate’s. Thank you for being supportive of my sponsors!

Spaghetti Squash Topping Bar

IMG_0639 Now that we're (somehow) in November, gatherings will become the norm. So rather than stressing about homemade, high-maintenance dishes, I recommend introducing simple yet sophisticated serving ideas for your hosted holiday parties. The spaghetti squash topping bar has proven to be my ultimate solution: minimal dishes required (the squash is a bowl in itself), customizable combinations, and hands-on entertainment for every party guest. Plus, it's low carb; and don't we all need a bit of healthy menu planning this season?

Click on the article below for access to the full November Health + Fitness Magazine, where my spaghetti squash topping bar was originally featured. Enjoy!

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Fancy Your Football Fare

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After this weekend's epic Memphis Tigers victory over Ole Miss, I can't help but feel the spirit of football season...Even on a Monday morning! Enjoy my latest Health + Fitness Magazine article on guilt-free tailgate fare. With these recipes in mind, the weekend will arrive in no time. Screen Shot 2015-10-19 at 10.37.41 AMScreen Shot 2015-10-19 at 10.37.26 AM

 

A Decadent End of Summer

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Though one might find it difficult to discern the correlation between dessert and jewelry, I instantly clicked the two upon learning more about my friend Lauren Carlson's jewelry line, Question the Answer. We strive to emphasize the significance of a process and a presentation. We strive to elevate a creative outlet into a comprehensive lifestyle. Most of all, we absolutely value the term, "treat yourself," especially when it comes to simple and unique adornments.

Lauren and I recently threw a end-of-summer dessert happy hour in honor of her IndieGogo Campaign (which only has nine days left!). Whether on your arm or on your plate, "decadence" is the theme of this approachable soiree. Orange and rose cream macarons from Tart Bakery (served on a Paper & Clay tray) added pops of color and sweetness to the minimal, metallic ambiance. To cool us off on the patio, we dropped raspberries into bubbly flutes on a timeless mercury bar cart.

Nine days remain in Lauren's Indie GoGo Campaign to allow her to expand a highly-regarded jewelry skill set and wide range of product offerings. Funding perks range in multiple levels of gratitude, from a hand-written thank you note to stackable rings and first-edition sugar skull pendants. I urge you to support a talented friend and designer -- Treat yourself, ladies!

P.S. Thank you to Thuyvi Vo for photographing.

Caramelized Home Tour

Cara-136Cara-24 I'm so excited to share snippets of my new home! Ashleigh Peak captured the light and warmth of the space so beautifully. As you can see, the most captivating feature of the townhome is the two floor-to-ceiling windows on the bottom floor and in the upstairs master bedroom.

The light encapsulates a new energy of the construction and interiors, and I especially love how it bounces off of the white subway tile backsplash, curated and handpicked among many other details by my friend and interior design extraordinaire, Ashley York Binkley of York Binkley Interior Design. Though the drapes and kitchen countertops were the initial (and well worthwhile) custom finishes, Ashley and I are already scheming a priorities list for the upcoming years...A handmade kitchen island? A Caramelized headquarters office upstairs? The furniture currently lacks, but the vision is only growing!

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You can follow some of my townhome inspiration on my latest Pinterest board, which identifies a Scandinavian and white-washed rustic-inspired interior that complements the exterior architecture. Enjoy the photos, shop the post's furnishings at the bottom of the photo stream, and see if you can spot some of my favorite Thuyvi Vo creations.

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Pardon the Pamplemousse

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset Pardon the frequency, but my affinity for pink citrus has expanded beyond my daily Pamplemousse Le Croix ritual at the office. I perused through my iPhone photo gallery the other evening, only to notice that grapefruit has appeared in more than a few snapshots from the past week.

Porcellino's bruléed grapefruit (below) is my favorite weekend bite--imagine a cold grapefruit half with a thick molasses crust torched to crispy perfection. A healthy créme brulée, if you will? Oh, and I highly recommend the yogurt and granola as a pairing. It's the best taste and presentation of yogurt & granola that Memphis, Tennessee has ever seen.

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The paloma at Hog & Hominy (pictured below) temporarily subdued the 110-degree heat index earlier this week. I swooned over the refreshing square ice cubes and center-dunked slice of grapefruit. Utterly smooth and refreshing, the tequila cocktail pushed me to post on social media that every productive Monday should end with a paloma.

My recipe below is a summer Caramelized version of a pamplemousse cocktail. Roll out the bar cart and shake away this upcoming weekend! This pamplemousse fizz is ideal for kicking back on the front patio.

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 Makes 1 serving

Grapefruit wedge Margarita salt Ice cubes 1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice 3 tablespoons tequila 1 jalapeño pepper slice 1/2 lime Pamplemousse Le Croix

1. Rub the rim of a glass with a grapefruit wedge; dip in margarita salt to coat.

2. Fill glass with ice cubes. Fill a cocktail shaker half full with ice. Add grapefruit juice, tequila, lime juice, and 1 jalapeño pepper slice. Cover with lid, and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled.

3. Strain into prepared glass. Top with Le Croix. Garnish, if desired.

Inspired by Southern Living