Sunday, October 30, 2011

Pumpkins & Parties

I absolutely adore Fall, the change of colors, the fashion and anything pumpkin! So this week, I found a way to appreciate every part of fall. I had a very busy week of photo shoots but on my downtime I wanted to be outside and with friends enjoying the crisp air.

It was the weekend of the Hot Diggity Dog Vintage Sale. My dear friend Jen from JenStyle organized a fabulous sale and party to benefit the Chicago Animal Care & Control. It was a blast! Pretty much hanging out with with all my favorite people all weekend telling stories and dressing up for the Holiday! Jen had the best outfit, Pee Wee Herman, she perfected it! I was Courtney Love, now I don't dress up unless I own everything already. In this vintage community there are always costume parties every year. So 2 years ago, I was Edie Sedgwick. Last year I was a porcelain doll. Looking through my closet this year I thought, I can be 1 of 2 things...Grace Kelly in Rear Window or Courtney Love (The 95'-96' Hole years). I though if I do the Grace Kelly thing it will look too much like how I normally dress and Courtney will be out of my normal comfort zone. So Courtney won.

My 15 year old chucks, I don't think I'll ever part with them. A pair of tights that I ripped up just for the occasion, that's dedication:)  A dress you can find in Dethrose Vintage and a Tiara lent to me by Nicole. Voila! Courtney, circa 95, was made!

 Seriously, I can not stress how much I love all these ladies! Sweetest, most awesome women in 1 room:) 
 Jen (JenStyle Vintage) as Pee Wee! Nicole (Bomshell Shocked Vintage) as 93' Niki!
 Sarah (half of the sister duo Zzouzi Vintage) & Tanya (Half of the sister duo Bunny's Trunk Show)
One of my favorite people, Sara (Lovestory Vintage) and her hubby Matt. Seriously amazing couple!  And you have all seen many of my dresses come from Sara's lovely shop!!
 
 This was my first time actually getting to know some of the gals. A very talented and sweet group of women. Please visit all their shops at the links:)

To celebrate the weekend and time with friends I decided it was time to try a new recipe for Organic Pumpkin Spice Muffins (Vegan & Gluten Free).  Nothing makes me think of the Fall season more than the taste of pumpkin. However, it's hard for me to find place that carry foods I can eat these days:( Being Gluten free and lactose intolerant can be frustrating, so I have to improvise with my own recipes:) I made 2 batches, both Gluten Free, but my personal batch had 1 egg (for protein) and the batch I made for all the ladies were completely vegan. I will share both recipes with you! I hope you all enjoy it! 
First you will need your basics:
A large Mixing Bowl
1 and 1/2 Measuring Cups
Tsp & Tbsp Measuring Spoons
Liquid Measuring Cup
1 Large Spoon
Cupcake Pan

Cooking Ingredients, Gluten Free, Vegan & Non-Vegan:
Rice Flour
Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce
1 Egg or 2 Bananas (Vegan Option)
Organic Unsweetened Canned Pumpkin
Nutmeg
Cinnamon
Organic Raw Agave Nectar
Baking Soda
Nu-Salt (Sodium Free)
Organic Vanilla Extract
Organic Pecans
 Begin with 1 cup of Unsweetened Apple Sauce and 1 Cup of Rice Flour, Mix together.
 Next mix in either Egg or Bananas depending on your dietary needs...
 Next add 1 cup of Pumpkin and a few dashes of Cinnamon & Nutmeg, mix.
 Next, mix 1 tsp of Baking Soda, 1tsp of Nu-Salt, 1 Tbsp of Vanilla Extract and 2 Tbsp of Agave Nectar and 1 Cup of Organic Whole Pecans.
 Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees and Bake Muffins for 15-20 minutes (depending on how hot your oven gets).
I like to adorn mine with a whole pecan on top and cinnamon.
Let stand in room temperature for about 30 minutes. The middle of the muffins should be very moist.

Yummy! I hope you all enjoy this healthy alternative:)

5 comments:

Miss Marie said...

Great picture of you as Courtney - very convincing!

My friend and I dressed up as Hitchcock characters this year and Grace Kelly was considered for a moment but quickly dropped for the same reason you said. We ended up with The Birds and Psycho, which was pretty fun. Hovering birds and shower curtain dresses - doesn't get better than that!

Myrtha Meadows said...

I love fall too! And especially the time around Halloween. But this year I had to work all weekend, while my friends partied...*Sigh*...Well, well...Those muffins look really delicious! I might have to try that recipe some day... :)

Vintage Market Place said...

you definitely captured vintage Courtney! Good Job!!
You can send me made pumpkin spice muffins anytime, ya know I ain't makin em lol
Amy

Miss Tallulah Porkchop said...

You look gorgeous. I used to dress like Courtney in my late teens. But I wasn't kididng, that was actually how I used to dress. Argh!

thatdamngreendress said...

Great costume- I love that your photo is in character too!