Bright Spots

Getting into the spirit a little early with a metallic skull candle

Maybe it's because I was sick for a few days, but this week seemed to fly by. What's even harder to believe is that today is the last day of summer. It seems like June was just yesterday and I was eagerly anticipating spending long drawn-out days outside exploring new hiking trails, running routes and picnic spots. Now September is nearly over, and the holidays are already making their appearance known. There also are fewer than 80 days left before my marathon in December -- when did that happen?! Besides a much-needed long run (I missed two workouts while I was sick), this weekend I plan on slowing down a bit to test new fall recipes, catch up on an ever-growing stack of magazines and, maybe, brave the mall to pick up Halloween decorations. Here's a look at some other things that make saying good-bye to summer a little more bearable.

Fall-inspired nail combo a la Eva of Miss Renaissance (colors: Essie Armed & Ready / OPI Warm & Fozzie / Essie Wicked)

Heels that combine two of my favorite current shoe trends: patent leather & the smoking slipper

Dinosaur friends made even more awesome thanks to a few coats of paint (DIY to come next week)

Thanks to the addition of faux fur pillows and a throw, our bedroom now feels like a cozy retreat







Creature Comforts

Peter Jensen / Madwell / J.Crew / Markus Lupfer / Monsoon / Sonia by Sonia Rykiel / Aubin & Wills / Wildfox Couture / J.W. Anderson for Topshop

There's a huge soft spot in my heart for animals. Growing up, there were always at least three dogs around to keep me company, along with cats, chickens, rabbits and even a duck. I became a vegetarian at age 11 because I did not want to eat my "pets," and for the longest time everyone in my family believed I would end up being a veterinarian so I could help my furry and feathered friends. While those plans didn't pan out, and even though I returned to being meat-eater a few years ago (for health reasons), I still love animals and remain fascinated by them. Which is why this season I couldn't be more excited that animal sweaters are making a comeback. From cats to bats to hens, deer and little lambs, animals are shaping up to be a huge trend, and the above is just a small sampling of a few sweaters I'll be cozying up to later this fall.

Curried Cauliflower Soup

Soup is one of my ultimate comfort foods, especially on a rainy day or at the onset of a cold. Yesterday I began feeling a little under the weather, so to stave off what I suspected were the beginnings of a nasty bug, I whipped up this creamy soup chock-full of healthy, healing ingredients.

While it's not as colorful as a tomato or as trendy as kale, cauliflower is a superfood in that it is rich in vitamins C and K, along with folate, dietary fiber and the two phytonutrients (chemical nutrients found in plants) sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, which together help prevent cancer.
And despite the russet potato's bad rap in recent years, this humble tuber shouldn't be feared. Like cauliflower, russet potatoes are high in immune-boosting vitamin C as well as vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, niacin and iron. Also, be sure to leave the skin on, because that's where the majority of the fiber is.

Onions are the perfect defense against a cold, or any disease, for that matter. Full of vitamins C and B6, biotin, chromium, calcium and fiber, onions also contain sulfur-containing amino acids called methionine and cystine, which are good at detoxifying the body.



 

There's a reason why Mom always reached for the chicken noodle soup when you came home sick as a kid. Chicken stock (and broth) provides potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron, all of which are important for a healthy heart, strong bones and transporting oxygen to cells and organs. Just be sure the stock is low in sodium; I also look for organic brands that are made from whole, natural ingredients.

 

Turmeric, the spice in curry powder that gives it that distinct yellow color, also is responsible for a number of health benefits, including reducing joint inflammation, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and certain cancers. Other spices, such as anise, allspice and cardamom, can help reduce indigestion. Cumin is also good for easing an upset stomach and can help boost immunity thanks to essential oils that act as disinfectants and fight viral infections.

 

While a toasty piece of bread or gooey sandwich would go great with this soup, I topped my bowl with a chicken breast I rubbed with more curry power, cumin and garam masala -- gotta get my protein somehow -- then grilled in the oven.

This soup was so good, it was all I could do not to eat the entire pot in one sitting. The only thing stopping me: the thought of leftovers! Happy Eating!

Black Swan

BCBG Dress (old, similar styles here & here), Saks Fifth Avenue Shoes, Alfani Clutch, Banana Republic Earrings (old)

I love to play dress up, but my day-to-day life hardly warrants anything fancier than a clean pair of pants and a blouse. This past weekend, however, the S-man and I attended a sunset wedding by the beach, which welcomed the perfect excuse for me to pull out one of my favorite cocktail dresses for the occasion. I bought this dress nearly four years ago and from the moment I put it on, I knew it would be a piece that would last me for years. The fitted bodice of black satin that blooms into a fuller skirt reminds me of something a ballerina would wear, and the swaths of fabric at the hips and subtle peplum in the back only add to the feeling of being an elegant swan. Needless to say I did not want the clock to strike midnight and summon the end to the fairy tale.