Happy Halloween!

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i mean...could this picture be any cuter? 

 

happy halloween y'all!  hope your evening is full of lots of treats and zero tricks!

 

xoxo

 

 

Make These - Butterscotch Pudding Double Chip Cookies

 

a few weeks back my work hosted a bake sale for our "light the night walk" in l.a.  we raised over $800 from the bake sale alone and seeing as a few weeks later one of my girlfriends was diagnosed with lymphoma the bake sale meant that much more to me. 

 

the cookies i made for the bake sale were an absolute hit!  i had numerous people email me for the recipe at work and instagram and thought the best place to share it was here on the blog! 

 

these cookies are easy to make, taste incredible and really have a fall attitude to them!  i am sharing the original recipe i found and will note the substitutions i made next to them. 

 

enjoy!

 

Butterscotch Pudding Triple Chip Cookies

fabulous recipe found via two peas and their pod

 

{ingredients}

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 (3.4 oz) package butterscotch instant pudding mix
• (my store was out of butterscotch instant pudding, i substituted 1 (1 oz) package of sugar free butterscotch instant pudding mix + 1 (3.4 oz) package of vanilla instant pudding mix (less 1.4 oz)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose Gold Medal flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• (i hate white chocolate, so i removed this portion and upped the butterscotch & semi-sweet chips up half a cup each)
• 1 cup butterscotch chips

{directions}

 

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat and set aside.
• 2. Using a mixer, beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add in butterscotch pudding mix, eggs, and vanilla extract. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips.
• 3. Drop cookie dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, or until slightly golden around the edges and set. Remove cookies from oven and let cool on baking sheet for two minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely.

{a few variations}

 

*surprisingly i think the pudding substitution worked in my favor.  the cookies were sweet without being overly sweet

*parchment paper is key!

*i baked the cookies for 8 minutes and 45 secs and then watched them closely for about another 15-30 seconds.

*after sampling the first batch i realized they would greatly benefit with a dusting of kosher salt before i baked them.  the cookies with salt on them were most definitely the best of the group. 

 

so if you are looking for your next sweet to bring for the fall holidays, go ahead and give this one a try.  i promise it will leave them all raving and craving another one!

Song of the Week ~ Adorn

my roomie avery and i share similar tastes in music and agree that "woo-woo" music has no place in our apartment. 

that said, we both made a recent exception for the song "adorn" by miguel (the remix with wiz khalifa is awesome).  i love it. 

it kind of reminds me of junior high with a little bit of marvin gaye's "let's get it on" mixed in.  it is completely "woo-woo" music and i don't even care. 

stop.  sexy time.

Happy {Horror} Weekend!

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yahoo!  so happy it's friday and you can even speed on the highway (if you are lucky enough to not be stuck in traffic)!

 

tonight b and some friends will be attending the l.a. horror fest to see b's sister and hubby's film "evidence".  first we are planning a bite and drink at pizzeria mozza and i couldn't be more excited. 

 

trying to fit in a workout into saturday somewhere and devote some time to traffic school (don't cross over double yellows to get into a turn lane - $300 later). 

 

lastly a sunday morning hawks game and mimosas.  life is good!

 

xoxo

Forever Frugal Friday

 

capes.  formally only for superheroes are now being worn by all in the fashion world. 

 

a heavy coat in l.a. is a bit of a waste of money as it only gets probably 30 days of wear for the year.  but a good cape can be worn well into the spring.  this contrast boucle poncho (it's a cape) is the perfect piece to add to your fall wardrobe that will also work in the winter.  i love the marbled grey and contrast black stitching, perfect to dress up or down depending on what your day has in store. 

 

what do you think about the cape trend?  in or out?

The Smells of Fall

 

i have fought the arrival of fall long enough!  it is now time to embrace the crisp air and warm fall scents! 

 

my mom and dad ever so kindly sent me two incredible candles from bath and body works to welcome in fall.  i lit up the sweet cinnamon pumpkin (apparently no longer available on line - check in stores) for the first time on tuesday night and my roomie came home and said it smelled like thanksgiving in our house - success! 

 

above are some of my fave fall holiday scents (don't worry, there will be a winter holiday set come december).  i also would like to mention that although a candle is the obvious and easiest way to incorporate fall smells into your life, might i also recommend trying out a soap while you are at? 

 

1 ~ voluspa three-wick tin in winesap apple spice

i first received this yummy candle from boeing at work and it makes you crave a hot apple cider (spiked for me please) and the coziest socks you find. 

 

2 ~ anti-bacterial sweet cinnamon pumpkin

i am not a big advocate of anti-bacterial soaps (i believe they weaken your immune system) but after smelling the candle i just couldn't pass on a bottle of it.  i put it in my center console of my car for post workouts, gas pumps and any other yuckies that i may come across.

 

3 ~ williams-sonoma essential oils dish soap spiced chestnut

if you have been following this blog, you may recall this is my fave scent ever.  and while i usually just savor the candle, i was introduced to the dish soap and let me just tell you, doing holiday dishes is a whole lot easier if this delightful fragrance tickles your nose.

 

4 ~ NEST candle pumpkin chai

now this one i have actually never had the pleasure of smelling, but it is high on my list to find since pumpkin and chai are two of my favorite scents.  adding them together can only mean one thing - holy goodness. 

 

5 ~ White Barn 3-Wick Candle Leaves

the second candle my mom and dad treated me to and it is another goodie (my roomie perfers this to the pumpkin scent).  i can't quite describe the scent other than it smells like walking your dog when it is chilly outside at about 5 pm.  does that make sense?

 

6 ~ ILLUME heirloom pumpkin ceramic candle

oh this candle brings sweet memories of christy and this past weekend in san francisco with carebear.  not only did illume master the scent factor but they really stepped it up a notch and provided a beautiful holder that requires no removing of stickers or hiding a label, just pretty gold and fall tones.  winner.

 

so that's it.  my fave scents for fall!  and just a tip, if you can't wait for your scents to arrive at home, your local grocer should carry the pumpkin maple scent in a variety of items for very reasonable prices.  no excuses! 

 

i would love to know your favorite fall scented home good...what's missing from my list?

Word Up Wednesday

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i was reintroduced to fall this past weekend in san francisco.  it was nice to see this old friend.

 

i like this little reminder. 

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love this.

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a good reminder.

 

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i love this quote and love how i found it just when i needed it.  i got some disappointing news this week and was feeling a little down in the dumps.  then i had an amazing conversation that left me feeling hopeful and excited for the possibilities ahead. 

Instalife Lately

blogging has been a bit of a difficulty for me lately and i hate it!  i feel like i am constantly writing things down to blog about and then never actually getting to them because of life.  and i realize it is good to live life and not be a slave to the internet, but i miss blogging.  i miss sharing things about me, things that i love and most of all i miss reading things about all of you. 

 

so in an attempt to catch up a little, here's a glimpse into my life these past few months via instagram (@lyndsylee)

 

 

a sleepy w / place setting / wedding debauchery / a lovely gift

 

a day in topanga / products to review (stay tuned!) / sweet little treat / buns all around at the whaler

 

weekends with christy!

pulled out the red lipstick finally / broken glass at brick + mortar / go cougs!

 

harvest celebration in napa / apple cider margarita / scenes from downtown l.a. / best game ever

still loving the accent nail / some tasty tequila with b

 

small wineworld in napa / a fitting sky for a tribute to an incredible guy

holy guacamole late night burrito / uggs are back / cakebread cellars is my favorite

 

i know i have said it before, and i am sure i will say it again, but i am hoping to find some more time to get back to posting and making blogging a bigger priority in my life.  here's hoping y'all are still checking in and reading it! 

 

xoxo

Happy {San Francisco} Weekend!

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i am off to san francisco to see my bestie and spend some fun times with christy and brie!

 

hoping your weekend is full of lots of treats and not too many tricks!

 

xoxo

Word Up Wednesday

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kind of hard to believe when it is 90 degrees out today...

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on the positive and the possibilities!

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launch you into something great. 



Song of the Week ~ Blue Jeans (Gesaffelstein Remix)



i'll admit i was a little late jumping on the lana del rey train.  i watched the snl and thought, this girl is really pretty but boring.  her snl performance received terrible reviews which made her all the more intriguing to me.  so i listened to her born to die album and was shocked by how much i really enjoyed her music. 

i quickly added her to my florence + the machine pandora station and wouldn't you just know that this amazing "blue jeans (gesaffelstein remix)" came on and i was hooked. 

this remix is great for the gym and totally perfect for a saturday night getting-ready jam session with your besties.  i am officially a lana del rey fan for life.

Happy {Getaway} Weekend!

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it has been one of those weeks. 

 

i am excited to kick off my shoes and spend a relaxing weekend in palm springs with a spectacular bunch of girls.  no clubs, no boys, no dogs, just wine, a pool, board games and laughter.

 

hoping to return to l.a. refreshed and ready to take on the world monday and be my very best self. 

 

hope your weekend leaves you feeling your very best self as well.

 

xoxo

Forever Frugal Friday

 

i finally found my chambray/denim shirt!  i have been on the hunt for some time now and am happy to report that i found one for under $20 two weekends ago and have already worn it three times!  i paired it out one saturday night with a fitted black skirt, and then wore it to work two separate times with different black skirts.  best news...i received numerous compliments on it and had to share it with y'all. 

 

please note the shirt is a MILLION times better than the picture here.  trust.

 

i also spied these three gorgeous finds and am thinking one (or more) should make it home with me this week.  i was leaning towards the mint high-low lace trimmed top originally but the more i look at the mint metallic polka dot button up and after reading love, lipstick and pearls post on fall trends i think i may get that instead.  and of course i still really want a faux leather skirt.

 

what fall trend are you looking forward to most? 

 

Word Up Wednesday

{via}

 

cancer.  this is a direct quote from me to the cancer that has invaded the body of one of my oldest friends.  i found out last night that this beautiful, amazing, mother, wife and friend of mine was recently diagnosed with stage 4 hodgkin's lymphoma.  i am heartbroken and confused and saddened by this news and i want to tell cancer - gfy. 

 

luckily, my friend is a fighter.  luckily the type of cancer she has is 93% curable.  luckily she is surrounded by people who love her so much that i just know she is going to beat it.   

{via}

 

whenever a sad event happens, it is always a reminder for myself to enjoy every single day and live in the present.  to love everything and everyone i am lucky enough to have in my life.  because ultimately, what matters the most is now.  . 

 

so hug your loved ones a little bit tighter, call that friend you haven't spoken to in a while, forget little silly disagreements and relish is all the beautiful things you have in your life now. 

 

xoxo

 

Song of the Week ~ Big Jet Plane

my fave pandora station is my florence + the machine as i have been thumbs uping and downing for over a year now and the selection of tunes just keeps getting better and better. 

one of the songs that just came on a few weeks ago was "big jet plane" by angus & julia stone and i could just kick myself for not knowing of this band sooner.  "big jet plane" reminds me a little of foster the people, so much so that when i first heard this song i assumed it was one of their new singles. 

the entire album is flowy, and easy listening - perfect for at the office, reading a book or a nice drive to the desert (palm springs, t-minus 4 days). 

any of you fans of angus and julia stone?  anyone else want to get on a "big jet plane" and head out just about anywhere else but where you currently are...me too.

Word Up Wednesday

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how crazy is it that is already october?  holy cow! 

 

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it's the worst!

 

i am constantly reminding myself to stop thinking about things so much!

 

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i feel like i keep hearing these terrible stories about mean people bullying kids, reporters, etc.  it takes more effort to be mean, just be nice.  it's that easy.

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here's to always looking lovely!

 

Red Carpet Rundown ~ Emmy's 2012

i'm back from jury duty!  nothing makes you more grateful to return to work than a day of jury duty. blech.

 

the emmy's came and went and overall i found myself rather bored with the award show.  i wasn't bored however, by the fashion!  i loved the bright colors, daring necklines and body hugging dresses. 

 

below are my winners and my one major loser of the night.

 

(all photos here)

 

i loved the abundence of sweetheart necklines that appeared on the red carpet.  whether it was zooey's beautiful periwinkle reem acra dress, padma's incredible fiery orange monique lhuillier or julianne hough's george hobeika mermaid gown the laides have never looked prettier!  i am still not 100% sure but i think, padma was my favorite look of the night.

 

 

another ever present guest on the red carpet were some plunging necklines.  kat dennings really wowed me in her j mendel gown - i mean she looks just gorgeous!  while i still don't know who moreno baccarin is, she definitely made me take notice in this basil soda gown.  the color, the neckline the bodice, just incredible.  and then came miss heidi klum, either a hit or miss often in my book was most definitely a hit in this seafoam gown that left little to the imagination. 

 

i am always a sucker for glimmer, shimmer and gold on the red carpet.  i mean talk about the event to sport all of those trends.  kerry washington is always flawless and this vivienne westwood did not disappoint.  when guilana interviewed her she was just radiant and oh so lovely.  my shocker of the evening...edie falco in stella mccartney.  the girl has never looked better and the gold belt just made her look so tiny!  i just think lucy liu is about the cutest and i loved her mirrored, metal versace gown which must have been so heavy to wear on her little frame.  when she presented on stage she looked like liquid metal and i loved it!

 

i didn't have too many absolute hate looks for the night but i did feel real bad for lena dunham and whomever let her walk out the door in this prada number...

 

i literally cringed at the screen when i saw her in this as i makes her look so big and dumpy.  i mean the dress does NOTHING for her figure and for such a bright star and her first emmy debut, this look just really failed big time for me.  here's hoping she speaks to a stylist stat (might i recommend brad goreski) and wows us all on the golden globes red carpet!