Baby, it's REALLY cold outside.....

Tee: F21 | Trouser Jeans: Hudson via the Rack {Old- similar here} | Flats: Old Navy (Early 2012- similar here- on sale!} | Infinity scarf: F21 {Last winter- similar here} | Necklaces: Gifted, old Charlotte Russe 

Today, the highs are of 28 degrees.... the highs. Answer the following:

Today, I will be:

A. Staying home sipping on peppermint mochas

B. Hiding under blankets

C. Sitting in front of my personal space heater

D. All of the above

The correct answer my friends is D. I was definitely not prepared for all this snow! I woke up to another foot of snow this morning, and I am freezing to say the least. I really didn't expect it to start snowing this much so soon, so I have been storing a lot of my winter gear at my parent's house. Except now I really need it.... I'm venturing home next week for Thanksgiving so I'll just have to hold out!!

What do you wear when it's so cold you don't even want to leave the house??

XO! 

Oldies but goodies!

Hi pretty's! First off, wanted to say thanks for the sweet comments about our anniversary yesterday! It was such a special day, I will definitely be doing a post next week about it! Anyways, yesterday I brought out my camera and discovered a ton of outfit pictures from this summer/early September. It might seem a little off posting me wearing boots one week/sandals the next but maybe think of how you could pair it for winter! There are too many for me to just delete, so here's the first one....... enjoy!

Top: Love Culture {Old, my fav... similar here} | Skinnies: F21 {may 2012? Similar here} | Necklace: J Crew} | Sandals: Target {April 2012} | Bag: Tory Burch {Graduation present!!}

Happy friday/ weekend!! What are your plans??

XO

Pumpkin patch....

Blake and I headed up to Green Bluff this weekend. It was the perfect day, and the pumpkin patch is my favorite activity to do in the fall!! I totally spaced on bringing my camera so today you're getting lovely iPhone photo's, but we loved being up there so much we're going again next weekend! Sipping on fresh apple cider, picking apples and of course, pumpkins, fall flavors, and warm snuggles make the perfect fall day.... 

Just because I love seeing him do a little manual labor ;) 

And me with the hundreds of rows of pumpkins...

Must get the classic pictures my friends! 

Pumpkin doughnuts.... need I say more? YUM. 

Perfect day.... 

This is why I'm bringing my camera next time so we can take more of these!! 

You can follow me on Instagram @Lexiphebs 

I hope you all have a very happy Monday!!! Xo 

Fall To-Do List

I've said it hundreds plenty of times that fall is my fav. Well, lets be real, I love it until it starts raining ;) Anywhooo, because I'm in a new town, I thought I'd make a To-Do list of all the things I must accomplish this fall! I'm checking off one tomorrow by going to the Pumpkin Patch! Maybe once I'm done doing I'll them I'll show you gals all the pictures! Enjoy!! 

1. Go to a High School football game 

I'm now an alumni of here (weird) and football games during the fall were always my favoriteeeee. Oh yes. That many 'e's'. I was a cheerleader and I lived for these games! 

2. Go to a pumpkin patch

Do I have to explain? This is my favorite. thing. to. do. ever! 

3. Make caramel apples

I've actually only made caramel apples once... sad! Blake and I are going to go apple picking and hopefully make some of these babies! 

4. Go to an apple orchard 

Because we need apples to do the above... I've always wanted to go to one, and being from Washington it's embarrassing saying I haven't been to one since I was six. 

5. Outdoor photoshoot 

This is the cutest thing ever... I definitely want cute pictures like this done! 

6. Celebrate Halloween

Blake and I have never celebrated a holiday together besides Thanksgiving, so I'm excited for all the fun things we get to do now!! 

7. Carve pumpkins 

I can't wait to do this with Blake!! Another fun little thing for us to do :)

8. Pumpkin EVERYTHING

Do I really even have to say why?! Yeah okay.

Sooo, what are some of your fall 'to-do's'? Tell me! 

Happy Friday!!!!!! XO 

I'm baaaack! And a yummy recipe!

Hi y'all! I cannot believe it's already October. That's so crazy!! It's been such a long time since I've posted, my life has been crazy with the move but I think I'm settled in enough to get back to my regular postings! I've been here for two weeks now, I started taking classes last Monday, I'm looking for a job and just finding my way around! I love it here... it's so beautiful and I'm totally comfortable already, which isn't something that I expected to happen so fast. Blake has been the biggest help with the move, he's the best... I love him! Anywhoooo, here's just a look into what I've been up to lately. I'm also sharing a recipe for some yummy pumpkin bread I made a few days ago.... Enjoy!

 

 

My morning routine of coffee by myself... my favorite cup and matching nail polish!

Oxford via Charlotte Russe, leather pants via Marshalls, cobalt blue flats via Express

I'm not sure you can classify it being fall here yet with the high 80 days... but that doesn't mean I won't wear my big sweaters and make caramel apple cider!

He's the sweetest... I'm home more often than he is and he always cooks! I'm spoiled :)

J Crew Bubble necklace, chambray shirt via F21, red skinnies via F21, Tory Burch bag, leopard flats via ON

And now for the recipe!! Yummy pumpkin bread with pumpkin buttercream and salted caramel drizzle!

 

I changed the recipe a little  bit from the one I originally found on pinterest, because we liked to eat it for breakfast... I warmed it up for a minute in the morning so the icing would melt down a little bit!

 

For the Bread

1 3/4 C whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp allspice

1/8 tsp cloves

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

2 eggs

3/4 C brown sugar

1/4 C granulated sugar substitute

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 C low-fat plain yogurt

2 tbsp soft butter or margarine

1 1/4 C pumpkin puree

For the Frosting

1/4 C butter, softened

2 tbsp pumpkin puree

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 C confectioner’s sugar, sifted

2 tsp milk

For the Caramel Drizzle

3 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp water

1 tbsp butter

1/4 tsp salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven 325. Grease and flour a 9×5 loaf pan.
2. Whisk together flours, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, salt, baking soda, and baking powder until well-combined. Set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, using an electric or stand mixer, beat eggs until creamy. Beat in brown sugar and sugar substitute on medium speed for one minute. Add in vanilla, yogurt and oil. Beat until well-combined. Add flour mixture and pumpkin, beat until just combined. Scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
4. Spread batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow bread to cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing it to cool completely on a wire rack.
5. While bread is cooling, begin preparing the frosting. Cream together butter and pumpkin puree. Add in cinnamon and vanilla and beat until creamy. Slowly add confectioner’s sugar and milk. Beat until well-combined and creamy. Spread frosting over the top of the cooled bread.
6. In a small saucepan, stir together brown sugar and water. Dissolve sugar over medium-high heat. Continue heating until caramel turns dark brown and starts to boil, making sure to stir constantly to avoid burning. Add butter and salt. Stir to combine and remove from heat. Continue stirring for another 1-2 minutes to cool the caramel somewhat before drizzling over the top of the frosting.
7. Eat immediately and if you're like me, save the leftovers for breakfast! I think this would be a perfect addition to a brunch!

 

 



Cha-cha-cha-changes.....

Top: Marshalls | Tank: F21 | Skinnies: AE {On sale now!} | Sandals: Target {This summer- similar here} | Necklace: Buy similar here+here 

I think I might have this top in every color.... the back is just too fun! Shirts like this are my favorite, especially when they're a solid color, so many options! I just wanted to warn let y'all know about some big changes for this blog. I've been working hard on a new design, but I'm having a little bit of an 'identity' crisis.... I want to change the name! Love and Luxe just doesn't really do it for me anymore. I'm also not completely sure what direction my blog will take once I move. Which happens to be in 5 days.... SO. WEIRD. But anyways, I'll still be doing my outfits/tutorials/random posts, but I'll just have to see how things pan out. I can't even take my full length mirror with me.... major sad face! I have to buy a new one soon... or else........ !! :( And on that negative note......

Happy Monday! Hope your day is filled with sunshine and warm smiles.... and not moving boxes ;) 

P.S. For reals, if any of you want to guest post for me next week {Like Monday, Tuesday, maybe Wednesday?} that'd be soooo awesome. E-mail me and we can chat :)

Lexi.McClelland (at) gmail (dot) com 

{Weekend Recap.....}

Hi dolls! Sorry about the lack of posting yesterday.... I got back late Saturday night and was just not in the mood to turn on my computer and type! I had an amazing weekend with my love, here's just a few pics from our fun together....

I was so excited to get close to Spokane on my way there! 6 hours is a loonggg drive.... especially when your view the whole way is wheat farms.

He took me out to P.F. Changs, one of our favs..... 

Smiling so big because he makes me the happiest person in the world:)

His new nickname is 'grill master';) It's soooooo nice being cooked for.... 

We went to a Spokane Indians game and had a pretty good view! Though it did feel weird with him not playing;) 

At the game! My handsome boy. 

I haven't talked a lot about the details of my move, just of the fact that I am. Blake and I have been together for 2 years {more on that later...} but dating long distance. For those of you who know how hard it is, you eventually have to be together, which is the main focus of my move. We know that we don't want to be in Spokane for an extended amount of time, but it's home for now:) The northwest has been great to both of us growing up and becoming adults, but we want to experience a new place together. I will be a full time student again, pre-majoring in Communications/Broadcast Journalism. I'll also be working, but more news on that one later;) I'm super excited to start this new adventure, and can't wait to see what God has in store for me! I'm so beyond blessed that I've found someone so amazing to spend the rest of my life with and can't wait to have the opportunity to be together all the time. I just thought I'd let y'all know what's going on, and I'll do another post when I'm actually moved! 

You can follow along on my journey on IG @Lexiphebs

Happy Wednesday :) 

......

How high can you go?

So long story short: No outfit post for today because I'm in desperate need of some fashionista help! I bought these awesome platforms yesterday that I'm totally in love with:

But I wasn't quite thinking straight. Next weekend I'm going to Spokane to put a deposit on a townhouse, as well as go to an event with Blake. I  have an outfit all picked out, minus the shoes. These are the exact style I've been looking for, except they make me tower in at about 6'2... about the same height as Blake! This is where you ladies come in.... If you know of any platform-style wedges similar to the above that have a heel-height of about 3 inches, please let me know!! Much thanks in advance.... I am sooo desperate! 

Happy Friday! I'll be back next week with an awesome DIY project ;) 

Insta-life

Loving Instagram just as much as me?! Here's my life+a few extras.... you can follow along @LexiPhebs 

The.best.ever. Seriously. 

Actually wearing my new jumpsuit. Love.

Baseball tee+baubles. 

Only in the Northwest.... froyo with seasonal berries right from the farms. 

My new chair!! Vintage find that I am totally in love with:) Now to find a matching couch.....

Red lips and fancy-shmancy earrings just because. 

An actual bonfire on an actual beach. Must be summer. 

Okay y'all, listen.... I don't drink soda. Except for the ginger ale at P.F. Changs. So worth it. 

Girls night out...

Coral and gold mani! 

I love living close to portland for the reason being the I can go to Cartlandia whenever I want and have some of the best food served from a truck. If you ever travel to Portland, I strongly suggest visiting it. Greek gyros=mega yum. 

On NW 23rd in Portland. Famous shopping area. Salted caramel gelatto for a quick break! 

It was a hot day so the puppers decided they needed to work on their tans. 

DIY coffee mugs! Getting excited for the move.

And consider this a preview for the week ;) 

Happy Monday!!

.....