I’m such a weather dork! If it’s cold and rainy, I get super excited and if it’s a gorgeous sunny day I’m ready to get out and enjoy the sunshine! I eat comfort food when its dreary and cold and I want al fresco dining seaside during those hot California days. I’m nothing but cashmere sweaters, boots and getting out my jackets when it’s chilly and love sun dresses, sandals and accessorizing with sunglasses when the heat is on! Needless to say, I’m all wrapped up in a cozy sweater, velvet jeans, boots and my furry jacket, because baby, it’s cold outside!!! And I love it! Partially because we have had such a long drawn out period of hot weather here in Los Angeles, and because of the aforementioned love of cold and rainy weather.
After an eternity of picking out one outfit after another for oppressively hot weather, wardrobe selection as of late has been just AWESOME!!! It’s sweater weather!!!
And what goes with sweaters better than anything??? A great pair of jeans. I try on jeans all the time and I am super picky with what jeans I love. Currently, my very favorite jeans are Mother Denim. They literally are as comfy as leggings- I kid you not! And they look great, too!
Currently, I’m wearing my Mother Jeans (I love the Looker cut) with cashmere sweaters as much as I can! I can ALWAYS count on Vince to have amazing cashmere sweaters – and colors that are just to die for. Living in LA, sweater need to be on the lighter side, and I have found their sweaters are comfortable all day long.
I love, love, love over the knee boots! I got a pair from Zara that are amazing. They are a military/motorcycle look, and I wear them all the time! The le coup de gras to any fabulous outfit is always the jewelry. I am lucky enough to call a jewelry maestro one of my closest friends: Jewels by Piper. Her necklaces are amazing, and I incorporate her stuff into my wardrobe almost daily.
And into the kitchen…
All this winter here finally lends itself to a busy kitchen. One of my favorite things is a great big late breakfast on lazy days. Homemade waffles, bacon and eggs are a family favorite. I picked it up from my mom, who does a big breakfast when we visit. The waffle mix she uses has malt powder in it so I tried out some recipes for homemade waffles using malt powder. They are amazing!
Buttermilk Malted Waffles
Here’s the adjustments I made in this recipe. First, if you don’t know this trick, you’re going to love me even more than you do already after I tell you… Buttermilk Hack. Not all of us keep that bottle o’buttermilk in the fridge handy these days. Further, if you do need one for a recipe, you’re not likely to finish the bottle. My dad is literally the only person I know who LOVES buttermilk to drink. (I know, a man of such taste… I never have understood it either!) And, if you’re like me, I love southern cooking, so from time to time I need a little buttermilk for said yummy food prep. All you have to do is measure the indicated amount of whole milk (I’m sure low fat would do, but whole milk tastes a whole lot better!) with 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice – my ratio is 1 cup to 2 tablespoons. Let milk sit 5-10 minutes while you get the rest of the ingredients together and… viola! No one will be the wiser!
I also changed the sugar amount to 1/4 cup – because my kids do not like syrup (they’re crazy). So, I always make pancakes and waffles sweeter. You can double the vanilla as well. I recommend using REALLY good vanilla, always. My mom turned me onto one that I’m obsessed with. Do yourself a favor a get a couple! You won’t regret it for a second! The Sonoma Syrup Co. makes amazing products. This vanilla is awesome, there’s hundreds of seeds and adds a rich taste to everything I use it in.
https://sonomasyrup.com/
Sonoma Syrup Co Vanilla Bean Extract The Crush
John and I love maple syrup, even when the kids don’t. I have two /items/32290016.jpgCoombs is a really good especially heated a bit. It can be a bit pricey, but I believe in splurging on the details that really make things amazing (across the board!) I get it at our local Gelsons Market or you can order from their website.
Joseph’s Syrup surprised me way back when I tried it. It tastes in no way like it’s sugar free or even remotely health conscious – in fact, it’s possibly my favorite maple syrup out there. I get mine at my local Gelsons Market, but Amazon has it for those who want it like yesterday!!!
The kids are back in school and John and I are FINALLY getting back to some normalcy – well as close as we probably ever get! We are trying to plan our next getaway – skiing, Indian Wells Tennis Tourney, Cabo, and squeezing in trips for family visits, too. My wanderlust is calling me to go explore! For now, I’m enjoying time here in Los Angeles, grabbing naps on rainy days with one of our fuzzy babies, if I can ever get their attention away from John!
The animals certainly love having us around!
Between you and me... 