{fall boots round-up}

I just spent the last month and a half searching for the perfect brown leather fall boots to fill a void in the boot line-up in my closet.  I thought my weeks-long search was over when I made this purchase last month, but I actually returned those after my shoe repair guy candidly told me they weren't worth the price tag by a long shot.  I only had a couple criteria I was trying to fulfill in a pair of boots: they needed to be brown leather (I already own these black boots which I loooove), they had to be flat, and they had to be something that would last me for years to come.

In this search, I probably tried on at least 20 different boots across multiple shopping trips not to mention the amount I looked at online and I ended up pulling the trigger on these Frye polished leather riding boots (pictured above).  Saying I'm obsessed with these boots would be an understatement- I have paraded them around for every house guest we have had in the past couple weeks, already worn them out ten times or more and refused to store them in the closet opting to have them displayed near the front door so I can stare at them.  In the interest of saving you some shopping time, I created a little round up of my favorite fall boots (most of which I have either tried on, already own or have analyzed in person!).

Also- in other news, I am currently in New York City to shoot some fun video segments so make sure you are following me on instagram to get some behind the scenes sneak peeks!

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{one bar cart, three ways}

I know that bar carts are insanely trendy right now and have been for a few years, but I still really love them a fun decor piece and believe they are here to stay- especially since they add a fun glimpse into the owner's personality based on how they style it!  Target gave me this amazing brass and wood bar cart from their newest Threshold collection.  I thought it might be fun to play around with different ways to use the bar cart beyond its traditional use a cocktail station.

First up- how I would use this cart if we didn't already have our current bar set up.  I like to keep all of our alcohol bottles visible for cocktail inspiration so I used the entire bottom shelf to display our various options.  On the top shelf I picked out some of our bar accessories including our extensive collection of stirrers/straws, custom coasters leftover from our wedding and these new brass coasters.  I also placed a small sampling of our go-to cocktail books that are normally hidden away in our bar credenza.

{cocktail books: The Bar Book, PDT Cocktail Book, Vintage Spirits, vintage Esquire Party Book}

{our full alcohol line-up excluding bitters}

Next up- using the bar cart in the office as an extension of my desk.  I already have a pretty spacious desk, but I constantly find myself using up every inch of available space on it while I am working on different projects.  Using the bar cart alongside the desk under the inspiration board gives me even more free room on the desktop.  Besides the overflowing inspiration board, I try to keep the surfaces in my office clutter-free, but it's still helpful to have a few crucial items at my fingertips rather than hidden away. 

{stationary boxes from this post, brass tray, acrylic desk accessories, vintage milk glass, magazine files from Ikea}

Last up, I turned the bar cart into an old school dessert cart like the kind you would see trolling around a nice restaurant back in the day.  Wouldn't this be so fun to surprise dinners guests with at the end of the meal?!?  I used the top for a dessert spread included a raspberry tart, french macarons, a selection of cookies and mini vanilla bean cupcakes.  On the bottom I placed serving utensils and napkins alongside a selection of after-dinner drinks with brandy snifters and whisky tasting glasses.

{vintage jadeite cake stands also leftover from our wedding- you can find them on Etsy or here}

I hope this post inspires you to think of new and creative ways to utilize a bar cart in your home.  Are their any really unique ways you have seen people style a bar cart? Please share!

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of  the opinions or positions of Target.

{my new favorite fall salad}

In the past few weeks, we have eaten some variation of this kale salad at least 3 or 4 times and it is quickly becoming my favorite warm fall salad for weeknight dinners.  While it isn't necessarily a "light" salad seeing that it includes bacon and buttery croutons, it is quite delicious and filling while not feeling overly heavy.  And let's not forget it is topped with an egg so how could it be bad?!?  I'll also let you in on our secret to perfectly poached eggs- it's this tool from Sur La Table.  It works so well that for the month after I brought two of them home we were topping practically every we made with a poached egg. Full recipe at the bottom of the post:

{french tin egg poacher- best tool ever!}

what you need:

• 1 Apple
• 1 bunch of kale or collard greens
• 4 strips of bacon
• 1 slice of french bread croutons
• 1/4 cup of slivered almonds, lightly toasted
• balsamic vinaigrette (I love the one from Trader Joe's)
• 8 oz of mushrooms
• salt & pepper
• paprika
• 2 eggs

1. Cook the bacon in a large pan until crispy, chop into small pieces and set aside. 
2. Saute the mushrooms until they are nicely browned and set aside. 
3. Toss the bread with oil and toast in the oven until crunchy. 
4. Slice the apple into small pieces and place in cold water with lemon juice to avoid browning.  
5. Saute  kale in large pan until lightly wilted.  
6. Combine Kale, Apple (removed from water), chopped bacon, the croutons, almonds, mushrooms and vinaigrette in a large bowl and toss to combine.  
7. Split between two plates and top each salad with a poached egg.  
8. Sprinkle the top of egg with a pinch of paprika.