SO much better than an english muffin

Look at that. Tea and crumpets. The ultimate breakfast duo. The first time I had a crumpet was in the spring of 2008 when I was visiting a friend at school in York and I remember that week very fondly. Sadly, crumpets are nowhere near as plentiful here in the states and I hadn't been able to find them ANYWHERE. Until last week. Thanks Whole Foods. Who knew? Delicious as they are, I'm slightly disturbed by the fact that there are ingredients in these packaged goodies that I can't quite pronounce. So I've ordered these and can't wait to get cooking. Expect pictures of homemade crumpets soon!

Ruche

I am a little bit in love with this shop. Okay, maybe I'm a lot in love. These are some of my favorite items.

And how sweet are the images from their look book?

treats...

In another attempt to use up the last of this seasons apples I baked this Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Cake. Once again I got the recipe from Pinch My Salt and the results were quite delicious. Just take a look.

this is november

75 degrees in November? Surely not! And yet that was indeed the temperature on Monday. I decided that the perfect way to enjoy the warmth was to try out the Minolta SRT 101 that I picked up at the Flea Market on Sunday. I'm quite happy with the results. Many thanks to my brother for being such a willing model and walking buddy.

prettiness

I have a feeling that these curtains will be making themselves at home in my bedroom shortly.

I have a problem with coats. It doesn't matter how many I already have, as soon as I see one like this I feel the need for just one more. Can you ever really have too many? Say no. Please say no.

I am in love with this bag. Look at the strap! Is that not the most perfect length ever? Look at the pretty metal buckles and loops! Sigh. If I had enough money I would forget my issues with leather and this bag and I would ride off happily into the sunset together. The end.

Favorite couch ever. Enough said.

etsy wanderings

My favorite shops of the moment from the land of Etsy.

Diana Sudyka's shop is so lovely I keep coming back for more. I've already ordered three beautiful prints from her and this morning I checked in and noticed the above beauty. How can I resist something entitled Bronte in New Zealand?

Golly Bard's shop is a wonderful blend of whimsy and nature brought to life through delicate watercolor paintings.

Whatever did I do for Christmas presents before Etsy came along?

nothing like a good muffin

I have been searching for the perfect apple muffin for a while now. I like my muffins hearty and healthy enough to not send me on a sugar high for the rest of the day, but I also can't stand for them to be too dry and dense. But I've found it! My perfect apple muffin came from this recipe from the Pinch My Salt blog. These are wonderfully moist and light muffins despite the whole wheat flour. I cut out the raisins and nuts and added in another apple instead, but other than that I followed the recipe exactly. Yum!

Interloper among the muffins!

a bit of both is nice

I love where I live. But every now and then the city calls and I think... maybe for a little while.