Happy first day of fall, everyone! To celebrate, let's take a look at some living rooms done up in autumn hues. Fall is my favorite season, and I think this seasonally-inspired look creates such a warm and cozy feel. What do you think?
One of my favorite HGTV Dream Home living rooms (in Stowe, VT).
From The Balance.
These warm and inviting living rooms have me ready to welcome cool, crisp days and chilly nights. Now if only our stubbornly summer-like weather would cooperate!
It's now officially autumn, and that means it's time for another seasonal style post! I've decided to take a brighter approach to the season this time, with a colorful Missoni look literally tied together with a band of orange. The Missoni dress above has the iconic zig-zag pattern in colors that would work for fall, accented with a bright orange belt.
This Missoni bedroom has a very similar zig-zag pattern in the same color palette, and once again a band of orange appears, this time on the bed! I wonder which came first, the dress or the room? This color palette would work across seasons, but I do think it would look fabulous for fall!
What dog lover wouldn't want to own these Dog-a-Day Dessert Plates ($14 each) from Anthropologie? I can't wait to get a set of the Dalmatian design (there are also six other options in different colors and dog breeds). These imported stoneware plates created by Sally Muir are dishwasher and microwave safe, so they are functional as well as gorgeous. My table settings will definitely be going to the dogs, but in a good way, with these plates!
I am finally starting to feel that fall is on the way, more because the days are getting shorter than because it is all that much cooler, but I have to admit that at least the mornings are starting to feel more comfortable. Fall is my favorite season, and autumnal colors are favorites as well. Now that those hues are beginning to show up in seasonal clothing, I think it is time to put together a 4x4 wardrobe for cooler weather. I am really liking the colors of Coldwater Creek fall apparel, especially their brown, amber/honey, and dover red (similar to barn red, with just a hint of brown) selections, so I went with that color scheme. L.L. Bean also has some good colors for fall, so between these two sources I was able to find a great selection for this wardrobe.
The complete chocolate, honey, and apple fall 4x4 wardrobe:
🍩🍯🍎🍩🍯🍎🍩🍯🍎🍩🍯🍎🍩🍯🍎🍩🍯🍎
This collection is starting to make me hungry! Yellow is not always a good color on me, especially when my summer tan starts to fade and my skin tone becomes a bit more sallow, but this amber/honey shade with its touch of brown suits me better than other yellow hues, so I think I could even wear it close to my face. Next week I will continue this theme with accessories for the 4x4 wardrobe.
Autumn officially starts in just a few days, so have a happy autumn equinox, everyone!
Continuing with my breakfast theme for the month, I decided to make an egg recipe this week featuring southwestern flavors. Green Chile Cheddar Egg Bake is an easy recipe with the flavors of chile rellenos minus all of the work. I like to serve this dish with salsa, but any southwestern red or green sauce would be a tasty alternative (or just serve plain, which is equally good!). If I could get freshly roasted hatch chiles I would certainly use them, but until we move to New Mexico the canned variety will just have to suffice.
Green Chile Cheddar Egg Bake
1 can (4 oz.) mild diced green chiles
1 C. shredded cheddar cheese
5 eggs
2 T. milk
salt and pepper to taste
salsa for serving (optional)
Grease a 9-inch glass pie plate. Evenly spread the green chiles on the bottom of the plate. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Blend in the milk, salt, and pepper. Slowly pour the egg mixture over the cheese and chiles. If any cheese is sticking up, press down on it with the back of a fork until submerged.
Bake at 35o degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until the center is puffy and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving warm with salsa, if desired. Serves 4.
Earlier this year I began hearing for the first time about the Blue Zones study led by Dan Buettner. The goal of this study was to locate populations around the world with the greatest number of healthy centenarians, and to attempt to determine why the people in these regions were living longer and healthier lives than members of other populations. The first stage of the project identified five specific geographical regions with such populations. These five regions are:
1) Okinawa, Japan
2) Loma Linda, California, USA (Seventh Day Adventists)
3) Sardinia, Italy (Nuoro and Ogliastra provinces)
4) Ikaria, Greece
5) Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
After extensive comparison of the lifestyles in these five regions, Buettner concluded that there were nine characteristics shared by all of the populations:
1) moderate but constant physical activity
2) life purpose (no need for retirement!)
3) stress reduction
4) moderate calorie intake
5) plant-based diet, especially legumes
6) moderate alcohol intake, especially wine
7) engagement in social circles
8) community-based spiritual/religious participation
9) focus on family
National Geographic recently published a special issue entitled "Blue Zones: The Science of Living Longer". I bought a copy and am reading it now. The first part discusses the five Blue Zones mentioned above. The second section suggests ways anyone can incorporate the nine Blue Zones lifestyle characteristics into their own life. Interspersed thoughout this section are descriptions of communities which have decided to adopt the Blue Zones Project lifestyle and how they have implemented their plans. The last part focuses on recipes based upon the Blue Zones diets.
When I decided several months ago to incorporate healthier foods into my diet and try to eliminate unhealthy options, I decided that the Blue Zones suggestions seemed sensible and adopted many of them. I now look and feel healthier, and best of all I find that it is really quite easy to follow and stick to my new diet. In just two days my body adjusted to an almost total elimination of refined sugar and reduction by half of all other processed carbohydrates. I already avoid red meat because of allergies, and I am quite happy to eat more legumes, vegetables, fruits, and especially nuts (which are one of my favorite foods). I eat less dairy, but still eat cheese and yogurt. I do not necessarily follow all of the Blue Zones dietary guidelines, but I have figured out which ones work best for me. Now all I have to do is decide how to best add the other Blue Zones lifestyle suggestions to my everyday life!
If you find yourself interested in the Blue Zones study, there are a number of information sources to check out. Dan Buettner has published several books on the subject, and there are videos on YouTube to watch for an introduction to the topic (check out a summary of the study by Buettner at the bottom of the page). There is also a Blue Zones website. If you can find a copy of the National Geographic special issue, I highly recommend it, as it does an excellent job of summarizing and condensing the information into a format that is quickly and easily read and understood. While I am not one to wholeheartedly endorse anyone's ideology, as I mentioned earlier I find a lot of the Blue Zones guidelines to be sensible and not that difficult to implement in my own life, and you may decide that the same is true for yourself. I figure that the lifestyle changes cannot hurt me, I can always stop if I dislike them, and, who knows, they may actually make a positive difference!
When I was younger I used to wear watches all the time. Now I almost never wear one, and as a consequence I never know what time it is! I think I need to start wearing watches again, and it would be nice to have one that looks more like a nice piece of jewelry than just a utilitarian band around my wrist. The Mini Summit Wood Watch ($145) from Uncommon Goods, made of recycled sandalwood, is a lovely option, and the colors are just right for autumn. It may be time for me to finally invest in a watch as unique and beautiful as this one!
