On Color: Burgundy

I'm feeling a little burgundy today. The weather in la is surpirsingly gloomy and refreshing. It has me thinking of fall. And burgundy came to mind.

When my mind goes to burgundy it inspires a sensory experience.

Burgundy makes me think of old royalty and rich luxurious velvet burgundy blankets. Me, sitting by the fireplace at the ultra chic hotel and hot spot Gramercy Park Hotel. And just even walking the streets of the asprational New York City neighborhood, Gramercy Park. Other burgundy associations: Gothic architecture, old romance, gold, fall and winter, taking a cold breath of fresh air, candy carmel apples, romance, hot chocolate, comfy sweaters and sweet kisses.

Here is the inspiring Gramercy Park Hotel outdoors and lobby. 

Here are some burgundy looks I have my eye on today. 

From Fall 2013 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Jcrew Collection. These burgundy shoes make me want to dance. I have always loved lace up shoes. They are such a feminine statement shoe. 

Love Kylie Jenner's burgundy concert pants. I want a pair of faux leather pants in burgundy. 

Burgundy lips are so sexy and almost unkissable. Love Megan Fox in her burgundy lipstick. Gorgeous.

I also can appreciate a bold pop of burgundy in the home. Check out this look from Elle Decor Magazine this month. The color truly mixes with animal print so cohesively. Don't you just want to live in this room? I do.

It's September and I guess burgundy is just in the air. Makes me want to cozy up by a fire in rich fall textures and colors and snuggle. Love the fall.

xo Natalie

Comic Book inspired

Hi. So feeling totally inspired today by a few cool comics.

One is the quirky cute Betty Boop.

The Archie girls Betty & Veronica are also pretty cool and catty.

I've been doing some research on comic books because we are testing out a few ideas for the release of a short film I shot in the spring. I want to make it a little quirky like my comic queens too.

It also has me dreaming of wearing some of the comics!

I freaking LOVE Kourtney Kardashion in this super cute comic dress. Want to wear it!

These shoes are fun and tough at the same time. Size 6 please.

Love this skirt on The Daily Dot highlighting the wild comic graphics. 

xo Natalie 

Mama Shoot

I have the coolest friends, I must say. In three words: Creative and inspiring. 

One being, Amanda Richardson who is a la based photographer (among other talents). Amanda's photo company is James Photography. 

She did this fun photo shoot for my mom and I this past Mother's Day. So fun! 

 

xo Natalie

Airport Style

Thinking about traveling today. 

Love Miranda Kerr's airport look. Super cozy dress and her signature jean jacket. 

Mary-Kate looks cozy with baggy layers and fitted jeans.

Always love Gwen Stefani's style: here with a printed coat and boots. 

xo Natalie 

The Sweet Farewell

A Long Goodbye to Seattle...

Some days words pour from my finger tips. I love the sound of my fingers clinking against my keyboard while I'm writing. It's a one of those weird things to love, right?

We have been taking advantage of Seattle lately. Today Nick and I kayaked in South Lake Union. Last Saturday we FINALLY made it to Bainbridge Island to visit Purple Haze, Organic Lavendar Farm. I've been thinking alot about the past year. I moved to Seattle, July 4th 2011. And today a little over a year later, August 11, 2012, I was just thinking a lot about our blessings.

We have been blessed to have moved across the country to experience life in the Northwest. We have discovered much to love in Seattle. Even though I miss the East Coast in my core, the fast-pace, the sense of being where "things are happening." In a way, it's unexplainable. Despite the vast differences in the place we are from and the place where we currently reside, I realize just how much we really do love Seattle.

Fresh produce. Mountains. Mt. Rainer in particular is mystical when it shows up behind the Seattle's typical cloud cover. Friendships that feel right. Adventures into unique landscapes. Lush green nature all around us. Crisp fresh air, makes everyday feel like fall (my absolute favorite time of year). Time to grow as a couple and as people. Solitude. Serenity. The beach. Taco trucks (Nick). Seattle's local breweries (Nick again).

We are now faced with a long goodbye. We just found out for sure that we are leaving Seattle in exactly 27 days. Deep breath, sigh, yes, we are leaving Seattle. But this feels right. And thankfully we have been blessed again with a last chance to farewell to this special place. Right now sitting here, it's a 27 day goodbye. We may never be back. But we have really enjoyed this experience. And although the grey rainy Winter was tough on our moods at times, we have been lucky to have this one last August in Seattle to explore the lush green beauty of this town. There truly is nothing like a Seattle summer and if you ask locals why they love this place, they always reply, the summer here makes the long dark winter (much like a winter marathon to an East Coast girl) worth the stay.

xo Natalie

Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookies

Who doesn't love cookies, right? I know I love them but I often find it hard to bake up a gluten-free, dairy-free, batch that doesn't crumble in my hands. However, I just made a bold new discovery that I had to share. Baking with chickpeas. DUN DUN DUN. This exciting realization came to me after making my very first chickpea burger and realizing how well they held together without an egg. It was incredible. Then my mind starting wondering if this could work for a sweet treat too? Well my question has been answered, surprised and satisfied.

These delicious cookies are extra special for several reasons. First of all they are made with chickpeas so they are full of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Have you ever had a cookie made out of a legume?

Welcome to my world of nutrition trickery.

These magical bean/legume cookies are vegan (egg and dairy-free), nut-free and gluten-free. They also are lower in grains and lower in sugar then traditional chocolate chip cookies.

I know the ingredient list might sound strange... But seriously, these are so delicious so don't freak out about these adventurous edits I've made to traditional recipes. These are a perfect tricky treat for little ones or ANYONE whom you WISH ate healthier--Now they will and won't even know it. Sneak a few good ingredients in your loved ones snacks... why not right? And if you really want to smile just think about what you are not giving them: all-purpose flour (potential allergen-wheat, acts sugar that can make kids have bad tantrums), baking soda (just an extra ingredient you don't need), baking powder (could be corn), 1 stick of butter (saturated-fat), lots of sugar (brown and white can make people crazy moody and hyper), eggs (potential allergen).

Break the monotony and tradition. Do something BOLD and adventurous. Surprise yourself. Try these cookies and you really won't regret it. You will LOVE them. 

Ingredients:
1 can of garbanzo (chickpeas) 15 oz can, drained and rinsed
1/3 cup of maple syrup

2 tbsp. of olive oil (any baking-friendly oil will work)

1/3 cup of gluten-free oat flour (or any alternative gluten-free flour should work)

1/3 cup of gluten-free oats
¼ tsp. sea salt
Plus extra coarse sea salt, set aside to top the cookies with

¼ tsp. cayenne pepper

1 cup of (gluten-free, dairy-free) chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life mini chips) Please note: if you don't care about keeping the recipe gluten-free, any chocolate chips will work

Directions:
(Preheat oven to 375)
1. Place drained and rinsed chickpeas in the blender with the maple syrup. Pulse until smooth.
2. Add the oil, cayenne pepper and salt. Pulse to combine.
3. Transfer chickpea mixture into a large bowl.

4. Add the oat flour and oats and stir to combine well.

5. Fold in 1 cup of (gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free) chocolate chips. I use Enjoy Life brand found at Whole Foods. Fold in 1/3 cup at a time into the bowl. Stir until chocolate chips seem evenly distributed. If you don't like your cookies really chocolaty you can take 1/3 cup of chocolate chips out and maybe add 1/3 cup of raisins, dried fruit or even just nothing.

6. Scoop cookies out onto a greased pan.

7. Press down on the cookies to make them flat because they will not spread out like "normal" cookies.

7. Top the cookies with coarse sea salt.. it gives them a really nice salty-sweet bite so don't forget that key ingredient!
8. Bake on 375 for 15 minutes.

Please Enjoy!
xo Natalie