[Things We Adore Sunday] Baking Frenzy, Beds, Pendleton Portland Collection, The Arrival of Autumn

This is a special edition of Things We Adore Sunday. Today, I am going to write what I am thankful for, and then follow that up with some things I adore. I wouldn't want to leave you hanging like that.

I have literally been on my feet all day. I woke up at 8 am, went to the grocery store to get some heavy whipping cream, then proceeded to bake for 12 hours straight. Yes, 12 hours. I took a one-hour break to run (on my feet) and shower (also, standing). I even ate standing up. This cannot be healthy, but it was a small glimpse into what my life would be if I decided to turn South by San Francisco into a real, full-fledged business. And it scared the crap out of me. Still, I loved it too. I was covered in flour, had blackberry juice stains on my fingers, and apple splattered all over my apron. I didn't stop to clean up until the end, I just kept stirring and mixing and pouring and boiling and whipping (by hand, of course) and molding about three dozen mini pies and a batch of cookies.

These are the cookies I made. They're bomb. Peanut butter is the best.

It was glorious.

What did I bake, you ask? Well, consider this the start of the Things I Adore List, because I adore each and every one of these recipes. They remind me of my childhood or of living in San Francisco or of family gatherings on the Jones River Bend in Tennessee.

Things I Adore:
1. Baby Banana Cream Pie (so cute!)
2. Peanut Butter Cream Pie (childhood in a pie crust)
3. Blueberry Lemon Curd Pie
4. Pecan Pie with Sorghum
5. Date-Pecan Pie
6. Apple-Pear Pie
7. Strawberry Mint Pie
8. Blackberry-Nectarine Pie
9. Lemon Chess Pie
10. Peaches and Cream Pie (my favorite pie of all time)
11. Peanut Butter Cookies
Yes, I really baked all of these today. My brain hurts.

Other Things I Adore
12. Looking at photos of beds. I am trying to imagine myself finally relaxing today. I do love a nice bed. Like this one:

via Fuck Yeah Domesticity

13. The Pendleton Portland Collection. I've always loved Pendleton's scarves, but if I could wear that outfit below, I'm pretty sure I'd kick some major ass. And that bag. Oh, dear. In love. 

via Honey Kennedy 

14. Red work pants. I've been dreaming of wearing this outfit to an interview or a conference for weeks. How can you not notice someone who is wearing an outfit that fantastic? The colors are so fall, and I am so ready for autumn to begin.

via The Glitter Guide

15. Speaking of autumn, I ADORE Autumn. I can't wait for all the fall flavors: pumpkin, cinnamon, root vegetables, deep-flavored chutneys, kale, (vegan) stew. I've been collecting recipes that I cannot wait to unleash on friends and family as soon as this Bay Area heat wave disappears. This Mango Chutney-Ginger Baked Tofu with Cranberry Basmati Rice fits the bill perfectly.

Recipe and Photo via A Dash of East

Okay, time to collapse in my bed and dream of autumn leaves and pumpkin pound cake. So happy to be off my feet again. Poor babies! I might just have to get them a pedicure tomorrow.

[Green Thursdays] Green Blog: Eco-Chick

Vartan, photo via Eco-Chick

I've just started following the Eco-Chick blog, which is all about living green and living fashionably (sound familiar)? They're girls after our own hearts. They've been doing what they do since 2005, which, you've gotta hand it to 'em, is a damn long time. The blog's author, Starre Vartan, also has a book that accompanies the blog. It's an informing, easy read, so take five minutes to check it out today!

[Friday Link Round Up] Elie Saab, iPhones, Music & Fashion

1. I want to live the Elie Saab life, which essentially is a fairy wonderland. I'm in love with most of her previous collections, but especially this fall collection.

2. I love my iPhone and it has been good to me, but it is never a bad idea to know how to deal with possible issues.

3. The Music Ninja posted a catch-up post on June 2011 music. I'm loving the Zola Jesus song as well as T.I. & B.o.B. (duh).

4. Fashion posts I loved this week:

Le Blog de Betty's fire skirt

Keiko Lynn's Rose Blouse

[Fashion Attack] Bohemian Summer Fashion

Bohemian fashion is perfect for the summer: crocheted tops, lace overlays, light fabrics, old T-shirts, DIY skirts. Mix them up with fun, surprising splashes of neon. Pair the simple, flowy outfits with flowery hairbands, messy hair, colorful beaded jewelry all layered everywhere, and thrift store side-slung bags that hold all your useful and useless shit alike. 

Sigh. So glad summer is just around the corner!

1. via fashiontoast

2. via Vanessa Jackman

3. via Off of Broadway

4. via Style Essentials

5. via Jeana Sohn

6. via Marie Claire

7. via Cup of Jo

8. via Rhythm of Love

9. via Free People

[Fashion Attack] Splashes of Neon

They're everywhere, and you can't help but love them. 

All links to photos via my pinterest. 

[Friday Link Round-Up]

1. I am quickly becoming addicted to LC's new beauty site, The Beauty Department. It's filled with amazing tutorials for hair, makeup, nails, etc. I never really knew how to put on my red lipstick until I read their post about a week ago. Who knew!

2. The sun is shining! It's time to drink up with friends in your backyard. Or, if you don't have a backyard, drink while looking out the window into your neighbor's apartment or something. 

Wine Jello Shots via Martha Stewart

Raspberry and Key Lime Margaritas via Tokyo Terrace

3. I just found one of my new favorite lookbooks. It's by Rachel R., a girl from Madrid. Her style is bold and unapologetic, and if I had enough money lying around, I'd wear those badass Louboutins too. 

Image via lookbook.nu

4. Last week, I found Thought Catalog, and I am so smitten. The stories are succinct, personal, and informative. I'm especially addicted to the Love and Sex articles. 

[Fashion Attack] Bow Crazy!

Bows are everywhere these days: in hair, on bags, on shoes, adorning necklaces. It's so cute and playful, and adding a bow to your outfit will update it immediately. Tie one on. It's too easy.

In jewelry

In Yo' Hair (Nails Done, Hair Done, Everything Did)

On Your Feet

To cute-ify any outfit

On your underwears

All photos and shopping details can be found via my Pinterest

[Things We Adore Sunday]

1. The separated at birth series by SFgirlbythebay: beautiful photos and decor.

2. Instax Love Feature from From Me To You: I want one!

3. This street style guide from The City Sage

4. Pinterest dress inspiration

Source: fashion-conscience.com via Carrie on Pinterest

Source: citizencouture.com via Carrie on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Amber on Pinterest

5. I love folk.
The Moment by Borissmile

[Fashion Attack] Zooey Deschanel for Oliver Peoples

This Oliver Peoples ad campaign is clearly a success: I want to go out and buy a new pair of glasses today. Then again, I have a mildly concerning obsession with eyeglasses, so maybe that's not a totally normal reaction. 

Regardless, can I be Zooey if I buy these glasses? 

[Friday Link Round Up]

1. A fascinating article from W Magazine on three generations of British style: "For three generations, one London clan has had a front-row seat to the fashion revolution. Alexandra Marshall goes behind the seams with Joan and Sophie Hicks and Edie and Olympia Campbell."


2. The home office of artist Maira Kalman as featured by the WSJ.


3. Gorgeous feature on artist Camila de Resarie from Flowerchild Dwelling.


4. A collection of yummy cake recipes from The Pioneer Woman

[Friday Link Round-Up] Fresh Veggies, Olsen Twins, Photo and Design Blogs

1. EAT asparagus. It's just now coming in season, and it's cheap and delicious. I prefer to steam it myself with a little bit of mushrooms and some pasta, but that's just me. Check out these other suggestions for how to cook asparagus from because i'm addicted.

Photos via Martha Stewart

2. Check out this almost ridiculous blog dedicated to the Olsen twins. You love to hate them, but you also know you totally want their shoe collection.

3. I'm so into this photoblog this week. Love the inspiration and colors. Plus, the girl's so cute it's just kind of ridiculous.

Copyright Leanne Lim Walker

4. Check out this design blog, Design Me Daily. It's filled with photos and design ideas and sumptuous saturated colors. I can't complain. 

Photo Copyright Justin Carrasquillo

5. Have a wonderful, sunny spring weekend!

much love, 

Carrie Melissa

[Girl Crush] Julie Sarinana (Jules)

This girl knows what's up. 

She can dress it up. 

Or she can dress it down.

And she always looks like a badass.

She basically makes me want to get up and get dressed for work in the morning. If you were to only follow a handful of style blogs, Sincerely Jules has got to be one of them.

All photos via her blog.

[Things We Adore Sunday] Daylight Savings, Japan Relief, Sears Fashion, Cute Chairs, Bikes

1. Even though it's raining here in California, I am loving that spring is just around the corner! And daylight savings time has just begun. That means nights full of debauchery. Or maybe just falling asleep with the sun still out.

Photo via thehairpin

2. People rallying to help out those who have lost their homes and family members in Japan. To join the relief efforts, look into donating to the Red Cross or other similar relief organizations.

Photo via hotncurrent

3. The FCUK line now sold through Sears. Who knew Sears was secretly planning ways to be cool again? I also love their Apostrophe line. I've stocked up on all their basic T-Shirts (so comfy and they really move with your body).

This dress: $45. Oh yeah.

4. Lovely cozy chairs that you can fit in small corners of your bedroom. I'm in the market for something like this right now (from Nathan Furniture in the UK-- I don't even want to know how much it would cost), and I'm battling between my urge to have new and pretty things and my propensity toward the eco-friendly reupholstering an old crappy chair option. Oh, decisions, decisions. 

Chair via Nathan Furniture

5. Weddings that incorporate bikes. I've always wanted to do something like this. Now if only I could find a boyfriend who would put up with all my neuroses! Then we could ride into the sunshine together on our vintage bicycles. 

Photo via bettybroccoli

[Friday Link Round-Up] Spring Fashion, Jane Eyre, Cinnamon Bread, Urban Farming

1. WEAR. Be inspired by the carefree spring fashions cropping up over at Cupcakes and Cashmere.

2. WATCH the new Jane Eyre movie. It's out tonight!

3. BAKE cinnamon pull-apart bread with a recipe by Joy the Baker (one of my absolute faves). I've never seen anything like this before! Saturday calls for sleeping in and spending time baking - then EATING - this. 

4. READ this new book from Spring Warren, called The Quarter-Acre Farm about urban sustainability and farming.