My Love for Reading



Since this blog is all about my life I guess I should let you in on a little secret....I LOVE to read haha. Big secret I know, but its the truth. There is nothing better than curling up with a good book and loosing yourself in lives of the characters. Growing up I hated reading just as much as any other kid. I think its because when you are in school you are forced to read all these books that you have absolutely no interest in and have to find the 'deeper meaning' whatever that may be. Well that was just not for me so needless to say I only read what was required of me and nothing more until I found the book (well series) that changed my life. I'm 21 so I'm sure you can take a wild guess at what popular series came out when I was growing up. If your guess was Harry Potter, then you are correct! I remember exactly how I stumbled upon this little series about witches and wizards and a Lord named Voldermort. I was in 5th grade and realized that I had a book report due in just a few days and hadn't even picked out a book yet. Well, I went down to the library and found muyself in the new release section of the childrens library and picked the first book in the bin...Harry Potter and the Prisioner of Azkaban. So home I went and started to read and by the end I was in love. I wrote my book report and decided to start the series from the start and its history. Harry Potter will always be my favorite book(s) and yes my (future) kids will be reading them.

Because I love to read so much and almost always have a book going, my plan is to make a weekly post about a book that I am either currently reading or have read in the past that I highly recommend. This week is obviously about Harry Potter. Even though the series has been done for a while, I highly suggest to anyone who has not read them yet to go and pick up the first one at your library or your local bookstore or download it onto your Kindle/Nook/iPad. Yes its a childrens book, but if you can accept that then its definitely worth reading. While there are some deeper meanings throughout the series, they are not hard to find and the  message is simple. I truly believe everyone should take the chance a read it.



Enjoy!
xoxo Katelynn

Whose the new Burch on the block?

Style icon Tory Burch has graced us with so many classic pieces from shoes to handbags but at a price that is not so friendly to the bank account. If it were up to me I would own every pair of Reva flats, but being a recent college graduate with not a lot of money that's quite of out the question. Over the past few weeks I have seen ads all over for this new store called C Wonder. I work part-time at Lilly Pulitzer and one day all the girls were talking about it and since I had no idea what it was they had to fill me in on it. C Wonder was created by none other than Tory Burch's ex-husband Chris Wonder. Esentially C Wonder is everything you love about Tory Burch but at a MUCH more affordable price. Here's a sneak peak....

 





As seen on Ellen. 20% of proceeds are being donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

If your like me and don't have the luxury of living in SoHo or NYC for that matter, there are a few additional stores opeing around the tri-state area including The Westchester (White Plains, NY) Garden State Plaza (Paramus, NJ) and Roosevelt Field Mall (Garden City, NJ). I'm sure as the C Wonder brand beings to become a house hold name, we will see more stores opening up around the country. They are also in the process of launching their website where all products will be offered.

Enjoy!

xoxo Katelynn

A Thanksgiving Must Have

One of my favorite things to do when I'm bored especially is bake. My family hates it because they swear I'm trying to make them fat but I just love whipping up something that makes the house smell delicious and tastes yummy too. Since its Thanksgiving, time of course the ingredient of choice for most people is pumpkin. I LOVE pumpkin pie so much that I plan on skimping on the turkey and sides this Thanksgiving so I can have an extra large slice haha. I have to keep my calories in check some how right?! A few weeks ago I decided it was time to venture out past the pumpkin pie and try a few pumpkin inspired things. I came across these amazing pumpkin iced cookies and the most delicious pumpkin bread (or muffins) ever! Get ready for a long post!

Pumpkin Iced Cookies



Recipe from allrecipes.com



Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Icing: 

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork.
4. To Make Glaze: Combine confectioners' sugar, milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add milk as needed, to achieve drizzling consistency.

My edits: I substituted 1/2 cup of brown sugar for the 1/2 cup of white sugar to give the cookies a deeper flavor. Most likely I added more cinnamon and pumpkin puree than the recipe calls for because they are just so good! 

For the icing, I used a piping bag and drizzled it on instead of fully icing the cookie but that's your choice to make. I even added some cinnamon to give it a little extra kick

They were perfectly moist yet so simple to make. So if its your turn to bring a dessert to a holiday party this fall, definitely give these a try. You won't be dissapointed and your guests will love them too :) 

Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread

Recipe from allrecipes.com



1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree

4 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup applesauce (I used the cinnamon one because that's what was in my fridge)

2/3 cup water

2 cups white sugar

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
3. Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean

Because this batter makes so many loaves and I only have 1 loaf pan, I decided to use the rest of the batter and make muffins. I topped a few of them with chopped walnuts and they came out fantastic. I would probably put them in the batter next time to keep them from getting a little over cooked like they did ontop. If using this at a dinner or breakfast party, I would recommend serving it with cream cheese :)

ENJOY!
xoxo Katelynn

Fall Fashion

As much as I love the summer, there is nothing more that I love about New England than the fall. There is something so special and wonderful about being able to watch the trees change colors adn throwing on a cashmere sweater and jeans. Because the weather is just so unpredictable you could be wearing shorts one day and just a few days later its snowing and your wearing your down jacket! But because of this you end up so many clothes that you could base a whole wardrobe around fall attire. Personally I love being in a long-sleeved shirt with my jeans and sperry's but at the same time I never want to give up the bright colors of the summer that I love so much. Obviously that's where accessorizing and working at Lilly Pulitzer come in handy haha. Here are a few fo my favorite fashion picks for living in New England in the fall...

Yes I know it is a little boys sweater, but they don't make them in women's anymore. Both me and my sister have them and not only are they comfortable, they scream patriotism and Fall attire to me.

Brown is the color of fall. Pair your brown boots with your favorite jeans and acomfortable sweater and you are good to go...perfect for any occassion.

 

 

This is why I live in New England! You will have a hard time moving me from here.

 

Both outfits are just perfect!

 

Perfection......Longchamp, dark jeans, oxford and Patagonia Retro-X Vest. LOVE!

 

 

Lilly Pulitzer Murphee Scarf in Bellina. These scarves are the perfect way to add a little color to your fall oufit. I love this with my white t-shirt, jeans and Frye Boots

 

A Little About Me

This is my first post and I am so excited to start blogging and sharing my life with you. If you have already ready my About Me section you may have had a chance to get to know me a little better but now its time to share some pictures with you to really show you my life....

I grew up in Riverside, CT which is about 45 minutes outside of New York City (and yes I do consider myself a New Yorker) and since I just graduated I am back living with mom and dad, saving up and waiting until I can move out on my own. I have a brother and a sister and 2 adorable dogs.

Me (right) Shannon (center) and Slater (left) at Shannon's high school graduation May 2010

In may 2011 I graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in finance. And yes I do have a job! I work as a financial analyst at Alliance Bernstein, just what I wanted :)

Me after graduation sporting my love for Lilly Pulitzer may I add

Missing all my UConn Girls! That's me in the center :)

During the summer, like any other girl, if you can't find me shopping around town you can find me sitting at the beach with a big bottle of water and a good book. I must say I am more than spoiled that there is a beach in my town and its all of a 10 minute drive through town and that includes getting stuck at lights.

Todd's Point Old Greenwich, CT

There's a little look into my life but with a lot more to come. I just got a better camera lense so I can't wait to start taking pictures of the dogs at the beach, town when it is covered in snow (oh wait it already snowed on Halloween haha) and of my family and friends over the holidays.

xoxo Katelynn 

Are you ready for some football?!

When I think about the fall in New England, I think about the changing of the leaves, endless amount of pumpkin themed foods, sipping hot apple cider and FOOTBALL! I am a huge New York Giants fan and there is nothing that I love more than spending a Sunday afternoon sitting on my couch watching the game or better yet actually going to the game! I am so lucky that my family has season tickets and I get to go to as many games as I want. I am THE fan in the family so everyone else's wants take a backseat to mine, sorry Slater! I grew up a Giants fan and I could not imagine supporting any other team. I have always had a soft spot for quaterbacks so its no surprise that Eli Manning is my favorite player. I will always be a Giants fan and lets just say my kids will be too (sorry future husband!)

To me football is not just about watching the game itself. Half of the fun of actually going to the game is the tailgate! Every game we set up in our usual spot, in the media reserved lot may I add...how we manage to get into the lot every time I have no idea but it works. Everyone brings so much food that you would think we were expecting 100 people instead of the usual 30 or so. We cook everything from steaks to burgers to the most amazing swordfish you will ever have (that's what I look forward to)! And of course there is always an endless amount of alcohol to go around hahaha. I always over eat and feel sick the next day but it is so worth it because the food is just so good!

My main man: Eli Manning

Michael Strahan. Super Bowl XLII Champs! 



Taken at the Giants vs Eagles game on 11/20/2011.


 

Enjoy!

xoxo Katelynn