LIFE / STYLE : Good Clean Autumnal Fun + Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar

Over the weekend we took a short road trip to the west side of Michigan to meet up with a few friends and go apple picking. It's become a yearly tradition of ours- we call it the Good Clean Fun Autumnal Outing! I get absolutely dorky over Fall activities- hay rides, corn mazes, pumpkin patches- when the weather cools and the leaves change, I need it all in my life! We visited Jollay Orchards- a darling little farm that I highly recommend checking out if you're in the area.

Of   course we picked waaaaay too many apples. Like, way to many. I've been making applesauce and apple muffins and apple pear cranberry pie and having apple butter and toast for breakfast every morning and I still have a whole huge bowl full of apples! So when a friend told me she was using her haul to give homemade apple cider vinegar a try, I figured why not!? I'm a huge fan of ACV. Like down a tablespoon of the stuff every morning kind of fan. There are so many benefits to using apple cider vinegar- check it out! I followed a combination of this recipe and this recipe and currently my apples are fermenting in a huge jar in my pantry. I'll definitely let you guys know how it all turns out in a few weeks. In the meantime, if you have any tips, send them my way!

Sweater Season

What does your Autumn wardrobe look like? Lauren shared her plaid obsession for the season a couple weeks back, and it got me thinking - what's my Autumn must have. This year, it's definitely a billowy sweater. Hello warmth and comfort! Two weeks ago, I did my usual Fall closet swap - switching out my Spring / Summer clothes with my Fall / Winter outfits (living in an apartment you aren't always blessed with large closets). I've been rediscovering old sweaters and purchasing a few new. Autumn fashion - you are my favorite!

On Claire:  BDG Knit Beanie // Easy Sweater // Be Awesome Today tote // Levi's 721 Jeans // Shoes - Thrift

What's a regular in your Autumn style rotation?

{Claire}

INSPIRED: Autumn

Chickpea Tomato Minestrone // Ivy Loafers // Pine Cone Garland // Bonfires

(from top left to bottom right - All images via Pinterest)

Autumn is here and we couldn't be more excited! We always crush hard on the season and this year is no exception. We'll be cooking unlimited batches of hearty soups, wearing adorable loafers, making beautiful pine cone garland to decorate our homes, and enjoying as many bonfires as possible. What's your Autumn looking like?

Follow us on Pinterest and check out what else we're diggin' lately.

The Golden Hour

The golden hour- that magic time just before sunset when the light is warmer and softer and just so perfect- doesn't get any more golden than on Fall evenings. With the days getting shorter and the nights getting chiller, this season is about soaking up all the magic we can before Winter sets in. Below we're talking about what we're looking forward to most this Autumn.

Dresses c/o Free People / On Claire: Amelie Mini Dress / On Lauren: Jolene Dress

Apple picking / Last year was a first for Lauren and we can't wait to go again this year. There's just nothing more quintessentially and charmingly Midwest.

Horror film fest at the drive-in movies / There's a drive-in theater just outside Chicago that plays double feature classic horror films on the weekends all October long. We pile the car full of friends and blankets, bring along spiked cider and snacks, and get a little spooked watching slasher flicks on the big screen. Check here to see if there's an open air cinema near you!

Corn mazes / A little town about an hour outside the city boasts the world's largest corn maze. I don't know about all that, but we've made it a tradition to go every year. We may be terrible at navigating our way through the maze, but there's funnel cake and hot apple cider to be had at the end so that's motivation enough!

Sweaters weather / We're all about the Autumn wardrobe! We've got our eyes on this poncho, this cardi, and most especially this beauty.

What are you looking forward to most this Fall?

An Autumn Uniform / Lauren

On Lauren: Oversized plaid shirt / Madewelll.  High-waisted Flares / similar here. Transport Tote / Madewell. Belt + Rings / Vintage. Randa Leather Sandal / Dansko

Dirty almond milk chai in hand. Bag full of goodies from the farmers market. Plaid. Good luck finding me any other way on the weekends this Fall! What does your Autumn uniform look like?

Xx. Lauren

HOMEMADE: Stovetop Potpourri

One of my favorite things about autumn and the holiday season is all the different scents that are associated with this time of year. The blowing leaves through the crisp autumn air, the cooking of a Thanksgiving turkey, the scent of a freshly cut evergreen Christmas tree, and the burning of a bonfire; these scents give me a sense of comfort. They remind me of cooler weather and the slight hibernation I sometimes put myself into over the cold months of winter. Over these months when I am home, you can always find a potpourri sitting on my stove. What I love about stovetop potpourri are the endless amounts of ingredient combinations you can create. Grab any spice, herb, fruit, and liquid you want! Throw all the pieces into a pot on the stove, turn on the burner, and you have a sensational natural air freshener that will leave your whole home smelling absolutely wonderful. Below is one of my favorite recipes.





Stovetop Potpourri //
Apple Cider
Cranberries
Orange
Lemon
Cinnamon Sticks
Cloves
Fresh Rosemary

In a small saucepan, bring to a boil the apple cider. Next add in your ingredients and let boil for a minute. Reduce heat and simmer mixture on low. The apple cider will eventually evaporate, so check in on your pot occasionally and add more when necessary. Play around with the recipe. Add or subtract these ingredients (or others!) to make your potpourri smell just the way you like it.

BONUS TIP - Make this a Christmas blend and add fresh evergreen clippings from your Christmas tree.

{Claire}

Like this homemade project and want more? Check out our full series here.

Three Pumpkin Spice Inspired Drinks

Call us basic b-words if you must, but we're not afraid to admit we're absolutely crazy about Autumn. And most especially mad for pumpkin spice. Like, pumpkin spice EVERYTHING! With October flying by, it feels like we're on borrowed time with our favorite taste of the season. So we created a simple syrup that takes just about any drink beyond your basic PS. Here are three classic drinks with a very fall feel. (Oh, and did we mention each recipe is dairy free to boot!)

Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup

1 cup water

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup canned organic pumpkin puree

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Combine water, honey, and pumpkin in small sauce pan and bring to a boil stirring occasionally. Remove from heat once the honey and pumpkin have dissolved, stir in cinnamon and nutmeg, and let cool. Strain in to an air tight container and store refrigerated up to two weeks. 

Autumn White Russian // serves 1

2 ounces vodka

1.5 ounce Kahlua

1/2 cup almond milk (unsweetened)

1 ounce pumpkin spice simple syrup

Ice

Cinnamon stick (optional)

Fill a glass with ice. Combine vodka, Kahlua, almond milk, and pumpkin spice simple syrup and stir. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and serve.

Pumpkin Spice White Chocolate Cocoa // serves 2
1 cup white chocolate (chopped or chips)
1 cup almond milk (unsweetened)
1/4 cup pumpkin spice simple syrup
2 ounces spiced Rum
Vegan whip cream
Cocoa powder
1 tablespoon honey
Chocolate sprinkles

Combine almond milk with white chocolate in a small sauce pan over low heat. Allow the chocolate to melt completely, stirring constantly to prevent scorching or clumping. Once chocolate has melted, add pumpkin spice simple syrup and stir. Pour 1 ounce of spiced Rum in to your mugs and top hot cocoa. Garnish vegan whip cream and sprinkle with cocoa powder.

To rim glass: Pour chocolate sprinkles in to a shallow bowl or on to a plate. Using a clean paint brush, paint honey around the rim of your mug. Roll the honey-coated rim in sprinkles until completely covered.

Pumpkin Spice Dirty Chia Tea

1 cup almond milk (unsweetened)

2 bags of spiced chai tea

1/4 cup pumpkin spice simple syrup

1 shot of espresso (or 1 ounce of very strong brewed coffee)

In a small sauce pan, submerge tea bags in almond milk and bring just to a boil. Take off heat, cover, and let steep for 5-10 minutes (depending on how strong you like your tea). Strain out tea bags. Add pumpkin spice simple syrup and espresso and stir. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and serve.

THIS MONTH'S PIE // Honey Crisp Apple

When we went to a farm last weekend and picked apples, I went straight for the Honey Crisps (my favorite!) and filled my ponchos with an enormous bundle. I instantly knew what I'd be using these apples for - pie! A classic apple pie is an autumn must-make in my home. The crisp apple smell that radiates from the oven makes my mouth water and reminds me of all things autumn. This apple pie recipe is a little more involved then others, but when you taste this pie, you'll know it was worth the extra effort. Delicious!





Honey Crisp Apple Pie

8 cups of apples (peeled and chopped into bite sized pieces)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon tapioca stach
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter (cut into small pieces)


1. Place the cut up apples in a medium bowl. Add in lemon juice and toss the apples until all are well coated.

2. In a small bowl, combine sugar, brown sugar, tapioca starch, cornstarch, Chinese five-spice, and salt. Pour this into the bowl of apples and mix until the apples are again well coated. Set aside and let mixture macerate for 25 minutes.

3. Place a colander over a medium bowl. Then transfer the apples to the colander and scrape down the sides of the bowl to get all the ingredients out. Let the apples drain for 25 minutes.

4. Pour the drained apple juice into a small saucepan, again scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl to get every drop. Bring the apple juice to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and continued to boil the apples juice gently until it thickens, about two minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Once it's room temperature, chill the saucepan in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.

Assemble pie:
5. Pour the apples into an unbaked 9 inch empty pie shell. Make a well in the middle of the apples and pour in the thickened apple juice. Smooth out pie, then take the cut up butter and sprinkle on top of the pie. Finish assembling the pie by making a lattice top, then freeze for 20 minutes.

6. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

7. Bake pie for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the crust is dark golden brown and the juices are thick and bubbling. Cool for two hours, then serve and enjoy!

-Claire

{Pie from The Hoosier Mama Book of Pie}

LIFE/STYLE : At the Farm

All this autumnal weather has us itching for adventure. So over the weekend, with the wind blowing strong and grey skies rolling in, Claire and I escaped the city for a few hours and set out for the country. Just an hours drive put us deep in the heart of farm lands, where we were tempted off the main highway by road side signs promising apple cider donuts, a pumpkin patch, and a petting zoo. Does it get much more Midwest than that!? Oh wait, it does. Because we spent the afternoon picking apples, tooling around on a hay ride, and having a good frolic in a cornfield that was begging for us to do just that. It was the perfect way to embrace the beginning of Fall and the change of scenery was so good for our souls. We walked away with a bushel of apples and huge jars of local honey. Oh, and apple cider donuts. All of the apple cider donuts! Never forget the apple cider donuts.

{Lauren}