Lots of new and interesting bakes in this roundup! I made some classics as well as a movie-inspired cake and some fun jam cookies. I was most excited about the latest bake - a vanilla bean pound cake - because I was using actual vanilla beans! WOO! Can't wait to they them in another recipe, just have to find the perfect one. Vanilla Bean Pound CakeNative Vanilla sent me some of their O

Wow, September went by super fast!! I had a couple trips this month so I wasn't home enough to do any clothes shopping damage, haha! Next month is my birthday month, so maybe I'll allow myself a splurge - we'll see!THE (modified) RULES Be mindful of purchases Quality over quantityBasics are best  MY PROGRESS  Clothes:VERMONT Sweatshirt in light gray via the Weston Village Store ($

I wore this last month for a drive up to Litchfield and Torrington. Christian was helping a friend get some drone shots of an event in the evening in Torrington so we used it as an opportunity to finally explore Litchfield like we've been meaning to do for a few years. We'd love to move up there one day, but it's a little out of our budget when we look at the acreage we want. For the Litchfi

 Another month, another roundup. (I feel like I always start these recaps in the same way, ha ha)  We've mix of purchases and gifted items this month. I won a giveaway and got a new Aurate necklace and received a bag from a brand I am now an affiliate for.  I also fell victim to the Marshalls clearance section when my mom wanted to quickly stop in. Grabbed a couple pairs of shorts

If I ever get to go on my dream African safari this shirt will definitely be in my suitcase. I'll probably look like a stupid tourist but I can't resist wearing leopards while keeping my eyes peeled for them on the horizon. Neutrals (khaki, brown, green) are the recommended colors for safaris, so this could potentially be a bit too bright, but if so I'll just wear it while we're not on a vehicle.

I was recently introduced to Day Owl, a sustainable company that makes bags out of recycled plastic bottles and other landfill-bound materials. In each product description you can see what sustainable materials were used to create it. Christian has been really into backpacks lately, researching pros and cons for hours, so he was excited to be able to test this out as well!They sent me "The Backpa

An outfit featuring a Summer staple and great color combo.  My late Grandmother - Dad's Mom - made this sweater for my Mom a long time ago. She also made one for my 3 aunts. My Mom had two because she asked her to make a second in a white/cream color, she still has that one. I'm so glad she passed this one on to me because it has been something I've reached for very often the past 10+ Summ