:: autumn in a glass ::

I realize this makes two alcohol-related posts in a row, but oh well. Really, it's a fashion post. IT IS.

I love the summer, but a few cool mornings up here have made me really start longing for fall. The earth tones, the leaves, the apple picking. True, I don't ever actually go apple picking, but I could if I wanted to. And I love that.

For now, I'll settle for a brunch with a glass of what's below, and this outfit.

:: aperol, pleased to meet you ::

I thought nothing could tear me away from my beloved tequila besides an occasional glass of prosecco, but that was before last Wednesday. A chance encounter with something called an Aperol Spritz at Teatro made me seriously question all of my cocktail choices to date. Lovely Italian aperitif, where have you been all my life?

I ordered another this week at BOND, and it looked like this:

It's light and refreshing and not too boozy or fruity, so you can have a few, even on a weeknight. Here's what's it's made of:

3 parts prosecco
2 parts Aperol
1 part club soda

Seriously, it's the BEST. I'm putting it up there on my cocktail pedestal, just one step below the tequila.

:: she's up all night for good fun ::

I know that Blurred Lines is supposedly the song of summer 2013, but there's just something about it that really creeps me out. Sorry, Robin.

May I propose Daft Punk and the handsome Pharrell as a potential alternative. Because nothing says summer like lucite guitars and sequins.

:: scarves and scarves ::

I can't be the only one who sweats on their way to work only to enter a *very* air conditioned office. Since my summer attire of dresses and skirts doesn't mesh well with a layered fashion strategy, enter the scarf. It might be my favorite accessory of all time. And since I'm not a fan of patterns on my major items of clothing, scarves give me a chance to go a little bolder with print. All while keeping cozy at my desk.

source

Clockwise from top left: C. Wonder ($45); Sperry Topsider ($30); River Island ($30); Les Pommettes ($415); Kate Spade ($128); Dorothy Perkins ($12); PoePoe Purses/Etsy ($25).

:: mouthwatering mondays: crockpot meatloaf ::

Welcome to the fourth edition of....

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Easy Crockpot Meatloaf

I have been WAY neglecting my crockpot lately. But after putting this together in about 15 minutes and letting it cook overnight, I remembered why I needed the crockpot in my life in the first place. It doesn't get any easier than this one.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 egg
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup water
1 small onion (diced)

Directions: 

1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.

2. Form into a loaf to fit crock pot. Place a strip of foil under the meatloaf and place in crock pot, cover with 2 tablespoons ketchup.

3. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.

:: new favorite thing: the buff ::

When I went on last month's survival weekend in the White Mountains, one thing we talked about was that everything in your backpack should have multiple uses. So, your rolled up fleece can be your pillow and your coffee mug can also be your cereal bowl. So when I found this bandana in the AMC gift shop, I scooped it up. Since then, it's served as a head band, a sweat band, a sleeping mask, and sun and bug cover.

 

I bought the Lenana, but the Madina above is my favorite from their website. They're all about $15-20. A steal!

:: margarita damage control ::

I've done the math. And it's not pretty. Even if I skip dinner, margaritas, chips and salsa rack up enough calories to get me straight through to next week. So, I've found a few scaled down recipes to help a girl out. Because we're not drinking these things for the sugar.

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The Cooking Light Margarita: 130 calories. 1 ounce premium or silver tequila, 1/2 ounce Cointreau or other orange-flavored liqueur, 1.5 ounces fresh-squeezed lime juice. Shake with 3/4 cup ice; garnish with lime.

Hungry Girl's Rockin' Razzy 'Rita: 105 calories. 1.5 oz. tequila, 1/2 tsp. Crystal Light powdered drink mix in Raspberry Ice, 5 oz. water, 1 oz. lime juice. Optional: lime slice for garnish and salt or no-calorie sweetener for rim of glass.

Fitness Blender's Strawberry Margarita: 134 calories. 1 shot of tequila, 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1/2 oz. lime juice (fresh is best), 1/4-1/2 packet low calorie strawberry water flavoring (depending on how strong you want it to taste), 2 oz. water, 3/4 cup ice cubes.

Any other good skinny cocktail recipes?