Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Climate Change, Cocktails, and Coffee.

Waking up to today's forecast was not the most cheerful thing in the world. 

We all know fall is a time for dropping temps and changing of the seasons, but I think it's safe to say that snow should certainly not be present in the autumn season. 

That's right, I said the "s" word, and sure enough, there was snow. 

Thankfully, not in our area of the state! It did snow up in Anchorage, but we were lucky and just got forty degree rainfall, and a lot of it! 


Since it was a dreary stormy day, we decided to bring out a bottle of my favorite St. Germain Liquor (elder flower) and make ourselves some white cosmos. I highly recommend these babies, and it's a simple recipe!

1/2 oz lime juice
2 oz vodka 
1 oz St. Germain Liquor
1 oz cranberry juice
Ice



And one simply cannot resist dressing up for the occasion!





You just have to be sure you don't have too many, or else you'll end up like Fudge..



Also, I saved the best for last- National Coffee Day. Frankly, it should be everyday, but since it's a special occasion, I went ahead and had myself multiple cups (not like I don't do that anyway). 

Oh... Pilates? I thought you said pie & lattes... ;)


Monday, September 28, 2015

Fall Favorites.

As I pack up and enjoy my last week I have here in Alaska, I'm starting to notice the little things that I love about fall. 

It is my favorite season after all and as my departure date looms closer, I'm keeping a positive attitude about this new change in my life. Asides from looking about and thinking "this is the last time I'll eat here" or "four days left to sleep in my bed" , I'm fondly looking at all that's around me and celebrating what I've been blessed with.

Fall Favorite #1- Coffee. I know, I know, I go on and on about this, but when fall comes round, it brings about a whole new flavor spectrum for coffees. 


See what I mean?


Fall Favorite #2- Harvest time. As the garden comes to a close, the goods start to come out. Here, Dad poses with the rich variety of garden goods- potatoes and carrots. 


Fall Favorite #3- The views. When I get to wake up and look outside at this every morning? Man. 


Fall Favorite #4- Autumn tunes. Here are just a few of my faves. 




Fall Favorite #5- Sweaters. So much better than bikini season, sweaters are so cozy and warm, and I love bringing them out of their summer hibernation!









I also got a new haircut and boy do I feel like a million bucks!


What I wore: purple multi-strand necklace (used), purple PRANA cowl neck sweater, lavender ODILLE velour skirt (used), black SMARTWOOL tights, and black HUNTER rain boots. 

Fall Favorite #6- Moose mating season. Fall is the time of year when moose like to mate, and currently, we have a family of moose here in the subdivision. Well, when the bucks court the females, they basically moan very loudly and the females respond in a similar, but different moan. Although it wakes me up at two in the morning, I'm so so happy to have a moose family in the neighborhood!

I moose say: I'm ready for this moose mating season. 



But before I sign off, I moose have a kiss goodnight! xx


Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Happy Windsdsy.

The So I was scrolling through my Facebook, one of those rare things I do now, and I stumbled across the absolute cutest picture, posted by Winnie the Pooh.


Not only did it warm my insides and put a smile on my face, seeing a favorite childhood character so cute in his big scarf, but it also informed me of the official end of summer! Although here in Alaska, fall came a couple weeks ago. 

Anyhow, it was the average autumn day here on the Kenai Peninsula. Temperatures have dropped into the lower thirties, frost is present in the lawn every morning, there's a nip in the air, and the trees are undressing themselves as the wind blows their leaves off. 

Let autumn officially begin! 




Yes, I am wearing a cat dress. Ain't it purrfect?




My doll, Jess, also happened to be wearing a cat dress and so we had ourselves a little photoshoot in the leaves. 



What I wore: cream FLOREAT cat dress (used), green VINCE cashmere cardigan (used), and orange DOC MARTEN boots (used). 


Sunday, September 20, 2015

Floatin' in Fall.

Dad and I were driving to Anchorage just last week, when I asked him if he had ever floated the Kenai River. We were driving through Cooper Landing, one of the most scenic and twisty drives cut through the mountains , when the question surfaced.

Naturally, he had floated before. And soon following, he asked if I should like to drift this weekend. Heck yeah!

So yesterday, Mom, Dad, and myself trucked it down there, dropped the boat off into the water and sailed away.

Just for clarification, drifting is different from boating in the sense that there's no motor. Just the pure power of the current and strong rowing arms to propel you forward down the Kenai.

Into the mountain pass we go...


Let the passage begin..



Dad still manages to photobomb, even if it's just with an oar. 


I couldn't get over the contrast of white powdered top mountains, rich fall trees, and beautiful blue river water..



Dad soon had me give rowing a shot. Let me tell you, tis much harder than it looks! It takes a lot of whole body muscle, concentration, and lots of practice!


Next, Mom gave it a shot. We probably ended up going in more zig zag circles than anything...


Dad... always so photogenic. 


Kicking back and relaxing..




There was literally not one spot that wasn't scenic. You look forward, sideways, and backwards and you get phenomenal views. 


We weren't long into the trip before we got hungry, so we stopped at this little beach for a bite. 

And lunch was waiting for us!




Dad and I staked our claim.


Unfortunately, the sun liked going in and out, and went it went behind the clouds, we were cold. 


But when it came back out again.. Smiles all around.





We did get into some rather intense white water rapids, but Dad handled it expertly!


Dad proved to be my camera's favorite subject of the day.




During our trip, we made a turn into some shallow waters, where we spotted vibrant red spawning salmon slowly swimming below the surface. 


One final view!


And at the end of our trip, we were just hopping into the truck when it began to rain out of sunny skies! Perfect timing, if I do say so myself. 


Since I was chilled to the bone from a day spent in forty degree fall weather, I stopped at Kaladis for a Market Spice London Fog, a tea drink I highly recommend. 


And a bath. That helps too. 

What a perfect way to spend a Saturday here in Alaska!