Recipe: Lily's Pumpkin Cake

Are you tired of making the same ole, tried and true pumpkin pie for your Thanksgiving dessert? Don't worry, I've got you covered.  I was introduced to this delicious pumpkin cake and I'm sure this one will soon be the new family favorite. 

Pumpkin Cake

Cake

4 eggs

1 2/3 cup of sugar

1 cup crisco

15 oz can pumpkin

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

Frosting:

3 oz cream cheese

1/2 cup butter or margarine 

1 tsp vanilla

2 cup powdered sugar

- In a bowl, combine eggs, sugar, crisco, and pumpkin and beat until fluffy.

- Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and baking soda. 

- Pour into lightly greased flour pan and bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees. 

- Let cool, and then whip frosting ingredients and spread on top. 

Serve with a big glass of milk.

Enjoy! 

Fall Fashion: Boots

My favorite part of fall (besides my shows which start back up this week) is the fashion. Scarves, jeans, hoodies and boots. I have a few pairs of boots that I've purchased more than once because when I wear them - I realllly wear them. I've also had the heals on those boots replaced because like I said, I really wear them. 

Check out these beauties that I'd love to have join my closet. 

1. TOM's look alike Bootie  

($39.95)

super comparable to TOM's but half the price. Check them out - there are SOO many different colors.

2. Madden Girl Riding Boots 

($55.52)

I love this Cognac color because it would go with everything. Everyone needs a pair of shoes in this color - flats or boots. 

3. Combat Boots
($24.15)
My little sister has been all about these boots. They are super cute on her and all her teeny bopper friends and I'd love to own a pair but I'm unsure if I could pull them off. 


4. Camo Combat Boots
($21.99)
I've been obsessed lately with styling Kingston in camo - but I've realized it's totally a unisex pattern and girls can pull it off just as well. 


5. Quilted Boots
($41.52)
Love these!


Who knew Amazon sold such cute stuff at super affordable prices?
*This content uses referral links.

Favorite Fall TV Shows

I use to think that Spring was my favorite season and time of year. As I've gotten older and realized that with Spring comes tornadoes, something I'm deathly afraid of, (read more about my emergency bag here) Fall has easily become my favorite season. 

Fall sports. Fall weather. Fall fashion. Fall shows.

 I love them all.

I've always been a TV junkie but since getting DVR a few years back things have only gotten worse. It's too easy to record any and every show that tickles my fancy. I'm looking forward to the end of this month when some of my favorite shows return.

1. Scandal 

(Starting Sept. 25 - Thursdays)

A thriller/drama mixed with a high profile love affair and great fashion. If you aren't a gladiator and have yet to jump on the Oliva Pope bandwagon, I suggest you catch up on all previous seasons and be in front of the TV Sept. 25th at 9:00pm. This is one of those shows that I wish I could watch every night.

 It's that good. 

2. Grey's Anatomy 

(Starting Sept. 25 - Thursdays)

I have only watched the last few seasons but this is your typical hospital drama. Supply room romances where everyone has dated everyone. It's hard not to get hooked because there is always so much going on. Hopefully this season is as good as all the others without one of their best doctors, Christina Yang (Sandra Oh).  

3. Once Upon a Time 

(Starting Sept. 28 - Sundays)

CT makes fun of me for watching this one, but it hooked me from the beginning  It's all your story book characters on the big screen. The writer incorporates the fairytales we all know with some fresh new twists. I also heard the characters of Frozen are going to be on this season. Good call by writers since it's all the rave these days. 

4. Arrow 

(Starting Oct. 8 - Wednesdays)

This is a show about a billionaire hottie who was stranded on an island for years. He vowed to avenge his fathers wrong doings by coming back home to 'save his city'. He is the modern day Superman in Starling City.

5. Awkward 

(Starting Sept. 23 - Tuesdays)

This show is exactly that - awkward. High school romances, snotty girls and everyone trying to become popular. The humor in this one is what has me coming back.

I'm also really looking forward to the new premier of How To Get Away With Murder. It is written by the same lady (Shonda Rhimes) who writes Scandal and Greys - and will be on Thursdays also. She hasn't disappointed yet, so I'm sure this will be as big of a hit as the others. 

Looks like I might have to get a babysitter for Thursday nights so I can veg out in front of the TV. That or I'll just send Kingston to the bedroom with CT to watch some football. ;)

What are you favorite fall shows? 

Any I should add to my ever growing DVR list?

What I Wore: Sparkles & a Scarf

Tis the season for scarves! 

I have been having a slight obsession with them, particularly cowls and infinity scarves. 

Look what has me drooling: 

all via pinterest


As much as I love cowls and infinity scarves, I only own one. Scratch that - two and that's only because I did a quick stitch with the sewing machine and turned a regular scarf into an infinity one. 

Because I have so many regular scarves hanging in the closet I needed to find a few new, cute ways to wear them. Of course, I immediately went to Pinterest to get ideas and I came away with a winner. 


Inspiration:

via


My Version:

Scarf // gifted
Sweater // Vanity (old)


I now know how to successfully tie a scarf two different ways! 


Linking up with the pleated poppy.

Non-Traditional Pumpkins

A few weekends ago, my little sister was in town and I had BIG plans to decorate some pumpkins together. You know, the whole she-bang: glitter, paint, jewels, ribbon. {check out my inspiration here} Anyways, we didn't get around to doing it that weekend, because you know how time fly's when you are having fun. Fortunately though, I had some extra time after work this past week and was able to knock out a few creations. . . just in time to take them to work for our Halloween party! 

Paint and a whole lot of bedazzling! 

Purple and gold glitter held on by mod podge! 

I also painted a bigger pumpkin with our companies logo on it and I will clean it out and put some flowers in it! I may decide to add a ribbon bow or two, but we'll see. 

Halloween is my least favorite holiday - but I love when you can be a little non-traditional while still being festive! CT even said 'This is the coolest pumpkin I've ever seen' in regards to the purple glittered pumpkin. He may not like our house in the process of all of my 'crafting' but I love when I create something and he likes it as much as I do.

What non-traditional decorations are up in your home?

Linking up with: craft-o-maniac and Making The World Cuter

Football Fashion

TGIF! 

Well, for me I've had about a week of Fridays and I'm really enjoying this week off between jobs. It's super refreshing and nice to get caught up on everything. 

Anyways, today I am collaborating with Katie over at Studious Style over all things Fall Fashion related. She is doing a series on Fridays about all things fall fashion related. Check her out! She started blogging at the beginning of August and talks about all things fashion related, beauty related, and has the best sense of style! I wish I could raid that girls dresses. 

Since we here in the Trotter household are sports fanatics, I'm going to be talking about Football Fashion. Since tonight is the first SE Buffs football game {CT teaches at this school}, tomorrow is the first Friends University football game {CT coaches at this school}, and next week we are going to our first NFL game of the year {Cowboys vs Chiefs} I thought it was only appropriate to talk about football fashion. 

But first, let me start out by saying I am a simple girl.

 I like plain shirts that I can dress up with a scarf or a fun necklace, and in my closet you will find most things in black, white, or grey. With that being said, I have realized I need to spend a little less money at Hobby Lobby and a focus some of those dollars to help out my wardrobe!! 

In preparation for next weeks Cowboys game, I have already started thinking about what I am going to wear. It's a noon game in the middle of September, so unfortunately it's a no go on boots and jackets. 

Outfit choice #1:

Navy Sperry's // Nordstrom Rack 

Navy Shirt // Gordmans

Corduroy Shorts // American Eagle

Multi Colored Scarf // America Eagle

This look would be a little more comfy casual. 

Outfit Choice #2:

Gold Shirt // Gifted

Navy Shorts // American Eagle

 Gianni Bini Sandals // Dillard's 

This outfit is a little more fun and festive and will probably be the route I go. 

I can't forget the new NFL purse rule. 

Hopefully this one passes inspection! 

Just enough room for my phone, chapstick, id, and debit card. 

I also got my bi-weekly manicure to coordinate with the upcoming events. 

Navy + Glitter screams Cowboys & Fall

Linking up with Well Shut the Front Door, Venus Trapped, and Style Elixir.