New to the shop!

I don't always share what I'm making for Bonita Bellita but I made what is one of my absolute favorite earrings! It uses Bermuda Blue Swarovski crystals and gorgeous silver in such an ornate design. Can you imagine how these would look on a bride for her wedding, or maybe her bridesmaids? These add glamour to simply everything!

*swoon*

What do you think? Love them?

Feel free to pick up your own here in my shop

Spiced Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

This week the weather has been cooler, so I decided to jump on the chance to make soup! I just L-O-V-E soup so I browsed some recipes and found this one. I made it last night for my family and am even enjoying some leftover soup today. So good!!

Spiced Butternut Squash and Apple Soup by WholeLiving

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 inch fresh ginger, grated (2 tablespoons)

1/2 teaspoons turmeric

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon cardamom

Dash ground cloves

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

1 tart apple, peeled, quartered, and chopped

4 cups chopped butternut squash

Coarse salt and pepper

Directions

**I learned that it goes faster if you chop your squash, carrots, and apple first! Just thought I'd share that. =)

Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until tender, 6 to 8 minutes.

Add ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add carrots, apple, squash, and 3 cups water.

Bring to a boil; cover partially and reduce to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper.

Cook until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Let cool slightly.

Working in batches, puree until smooth in a blender. Adjust seasoning, if necessary.

Pumpkin Patch

Hooray, it finally feels more like Autumn!! The overcast skies, cooler air, and my personal favorite: pumpkins!

We managed to get to a pumpkin patch this weekend, it was at this fantastic farm I had never heard of until I moved to Orange County. It's called Tanaka Farms and all year they have different events open to the public. Strawberry picking, watermelons, Christmas trees but right now it's pumpkins.

They also have a veggie garden where visitors can pick their own veggies.My kids picked green beans, carrots, radishes, and onions. Then we picked some pumpkins, walked the corn maze, and fed a few animals.

Hope your weekend was just as good!

Until next time,

~ S

Autumn!

Can you believe it's Autumn already? That happens to be one of my favorite seasons, only tied with winter. September was busy and October is much of the same. So far...

~ I've started planting a garden. Now, I live in an apartment so my little balcony is not good for too much, but I bought some containers and pots anyways. Oh, and plenty of seed too! So far there is spinach, broccoli, tulips, strawberries, irises, carrots, zucchini, peas, cucumbers, sweet basil, garlic, green onions, and some sedum varieties. Really though, it's looking great! Photos to be shared later...

~ Cooler weather has finally set in, after months of heat in the 100's range! This morning even had some drizzle. Who else is ready to snuggle into some sweaters and bring out the boots?

~ Autumn has come to the shop! Here's a peek at what you can find -

Until next time...

~S

Sweet treats by my sweet friend

This year has gone by so quickly, but this second half of 2012 feels like the part of the year things start happening for me. I was able to see my best friend in May for the first time in the last 5 years. As if that wasn't enough, I will be seeing her again this fall for her wedding! I'm also meeting with my etsy bff soon. We message every day multiple times a day, and after 2 years we are finally getting our creative minds and wonderful families together. Exciting!

Today was another amazing moment. I have a favorite bakery, Crumbles Cookies I know I've posted about her before. She is that amazing! But this morning, I actually got to meet the extremely talented La Nae in person! The woman behind these mouth watering treats!

Is your sweet tooth craving these darling french macaroons? What if I told you they are hazelnut with white chocolate filling? I know, so tempting! Did I mention the petite, dainty size? I love little desserts! They aren't in shop yet, so stay tuned...

Really though, her work is phenomenal! I always highly recommend her and keep going back! The flavors come through in a way that is distinct but not overpowering. She takes the utmost care in her packaging and shipping. The woman is astonishing! Today I also found out she does wedding cakes too! Consider my mind boggled! Wow!

So that is my shameless sharing of a talented friend. If you want to see more, go check her out here. La Nae at Crumbles Cookies I highly recommend the Campfire S'mores and the TwinkleCream Pumpkin Sandwiches

Until next time...

-S

Tuesday Tunes

It's been quite a while, and I am ready to slowly return to this blog of mine. To start it off, here are a few songs that I find running through my head and heart lately. Enjoy! - S