Weekly Wishlist

1. La Lumiere bracelet from HRH Collection (pic from her website). I just think this is the prettiest little bracelet ever! The chunky chains and the dainty gem make for a great arm party. I swear, everything she makes is gorgeous and totally affordable! I think I'm going to have to add this to my Christmas wishlist :)

2. NARS Andy Warhol collection. Ever since I purchased the Orgasm blush when I was 15 (yikes! Ten years ago!), I've little by little been hoarding a NARS collection. I love their rich pigmentation, pretty packaging, and long-wearing products. Every time a new collection comes out I try to get a piece or two (since it can be quite pricey) to treat myself. 

(Photo credits: www.sephora.com)

3. Wedding pictures. It's just about that time! My family and I have been so looking forward to getting the wedding photos back and reliving such a special day! My photographer, Hollin Brodeur, was kind enough to send me a quick sneak peek of one of them. I had the best bridesmaids a gal could ask for! My husband and I are so excited to see the rest!

4. Anthropologie's Sequined Jacquard Dress. I stalk the Anthro website periodically - partially to torture myself and partially to get inspiration from my own closet. I'm a glutton for punishment. This charming frock caught my eye the second I saw it and I haven't been able to forget it. It's so perfect for the holidays!

(Photo credit: www.anthropologie.com)

Local Lovin': Irving St. Kitchen

If you're as much a sucker for ambiance as I am, you'll love Irving St. Kitchen in the Pearl District. Voted best Bloody Mary in Portland Monthly magazine, this restaurant offers the best brunch I've had in Portland thus far.

Walking in, you're greeted by a warm and über hip environment. Old wagon wheels turned into chandeliers adorn the ceilings and booths in the back have an optional curtain to close for further privacy. Early for dinner? Wait for the rest of your party at the incredible bar (pictured below), or on the comfy chartreuse couches in the waiting area.

Sometimes a super hip restaurant has a horrible wait, or even worse, horrible food. That is definitely not the case with Irving St. Kitchen. We showed up at 10:30am on a Saturday for brunch and got seated immediately. We happened to have a reservation, but would've gotten seated right away without one. Perhaps this is Portland's best kept secret? 

Now, when I eat brunch, I always have a dilemma: sweet or savory? So now I order both. I went with the Emperor's Pancakes, an extra thick pancake served in a griddle and topped with buttermilk syrup, toasted walnuts, pumpkin mousse, and baked apples (pictured below). I've never had a more amazing breakfast dish in my life! 

To get my savory component, I ordered a side of their rosemary garlic fries served with basil aioli. I didn't nab a picture of them, but they were incredible too -- smothered with thinly sliced garlic and sprinkled with fresh rosemary. Mmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about them.

My husband got their Salmon Gravlax dish, with poached eggs and a creamy Hollandaise sauce and ate every bite. 

So, bottom line: if you're looking for a fabulous brunch spot when entertaining guests, or even just to splurge on your own, hit up Irving St. Kitchen. They are open for dinner as well, and I'd be interested in going back to check out their menu.

A Few Of My Favorite Things

1. I'm wayyyyy into comedian Chelsea Peretti's new podcast. She's on her third episode and I just can't get enough of her.

2. Timberline Lodge. The horror fan in me loves that this was where The Shining was filmed (exterior scenes only) -- and the fact that they had a murder mystery dinner theater there made it all the more appealing! My husband and I made the 1.5 hour drive from Portland and had an incredible time in the truly spooky lodge. 

3. Baking. Since I got wifed up I've been trying to be more domesticated. My husband loves reaping the rewards of my new interest in baking! These are three-ingredient pumpkin cake cookies. I'll post the recipe soon.

Funfetti Deliciousness

If you don't like funfetti cake, then just please....like, stop knowing me.

Pinterest has once again given me the recipe to a new Holy Grail of desserts - Funfetti Cheesecake Bars. Kayla and I had our little baking adventure again this weekend, and I thought this would be the perfect recipe. I'd never made cheesecake of any sort before, and I was amazed at how easy it was!!

I followed the photo I pinned over to this rad blog, Megan's Munchies, and copied her recipe. For ease's sake I'll retype out the recipe here, but know I got it from her first guys!

Ingredients you will need:

- One box funfetti cake mix

- One container of funfetti frosting

- 2 packages of 8oz. cream cheese (I used the 1/3 fat ones, but you can do whatever you want)

- 3 eggs

- 1/2 cup butter

Recipe:

- Mix dry cake mix and the butter (softened) together until it's nice and crumbly. Measure and set aside 1 cup of this mix.

- With the 1 cup set aside, pour the rest of that mix into an ungreased 13x9 inch pan. Press the mix with the back of a spoon to make the "crust". I found the spoon worked wonderfully, but you can use whatever you want.

- In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese and the frosting. Beat until smooth. Next, beat in eggs until everything is well blended. Lastly, stir in the funfetti sprinkles (unless your sprinkles come pre-mixed in the frosting container).

- Pour mixture over your crust and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of crumbly cake mix.

- Bake for 45 minutes (42 if you use a dark or nonstick pan - which I did and it turned out perfect). Let bars cool completely and set in the fridge to chill for 2 hours.

- Cut into whatever size bars you want and keep refrigerated until serving.

This recipe was a HUGE hit with the husband, friends, and classmates. Make these as a dessert for your next BBQ or party and I promise you people will be chasing after you for the recipe. 

Enjoy!!