the aspens are turning...

spending the week in aspen for work. it is always breathtaking this time of year.

xoxo

elle.

i'm ready

 i'm with elle.

i made this roasted sweet potato and cauliflower pasta dish with bacon this weekend and it was official.

(recipe from martha here)

i'm ready for fall.

and pumpkins.

but i think i'm also ready to pull my boots out.

two things that also get me really excited about fall right now:

feathers. (and that mani.)

and fur.

vintage fur, of course.

do you watch the rachel zoe project?

i just started. i know, i'm years behind but (even though this photo shows nothing of it...)

i am OBSESSSSSED with her vintage furs she's been wearing the past few episodes. every shot there's a different coat/cut/color. its major (har har).

her new and vintage clothing/furs/accessories

make me very very envious, and i think that's what keeps me dvr'ing.

JILL

{via slumberdesigns, everythingfab, and rz in vintage valentino}

come n knock on my door....

because now it's pretty.

before:

it was not so much.

i am embarressed to say that it took me over 2 years to paint my front door.

that is the first impression of my home and it was so blaaaah.

i blogged about options here because i was really going to do it then, but it took me until now to settle on a color.

shame on me.

here were/are my issues:

we're tackling the outside of our house in phases. first phase was to spruce up our front door.

so.....

we removed that heavy aluminum (useless) storm door and stuck it on the curb for craigslist... gone in 20 minutes, no joke.

now just the door was exposed. i was pleased because the solid wood door actually has a really pretty shape. i just didn't love the flesh color it was painted, and it was flat paint so it scuffed, and grass clippings would even get blown into it and they would stick!

behr aqua waters, in exterior high gloss to the rescue!

like i said, the house is in phases. but our goal is to paint the entire exterior. so in order to pick out a door color, i wanted to pick out the whole house scheme.

we love ourselves some white painted brick... so we're either going to paint the house white or lime it.

but either way, it'll be white.

then we'll paint the trim a mushroomy-brown-grey color and our shutters are getting a new coat of dark navy.... with a bright teal door. and brass accents to polish it all off.

this is all i have to share with you at the moment.

i actually finished the door! and added some new brass accessories to her but after removing the old storm door, we need to repaint the trim on the outside.

and i haven't done that yet.

i'll share the finished product on thursday :)

JILL



smoky chipotle vegetarian chili

i got a jump start on fall last night with this delicious twist on your usual chili!!!

i added ground turkey to keep my husband happy to!!!

enjoy...

xoxo

elle.

Ingredients

2 15.5 oz cans kidney beans

1 15.5 oz can black beans

1 15.5 oz can pinto beans

2 medium zucchini, quartered and sliced

1 yellow squash

2 large sweet onions

1 red pepper

1 yellow pepper

1 orange pepper (if unavailable, double up on red)

3 14.5 oz cans fire roasted diced tomatoes (I used Muir Glen Organic Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes in Adobo)

½ quart veggie stock

1 7oz can mild green chilies

½ 7oz can whole chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 tablespoons cumin

1 tbsp oregano

3 cloves garlic

1 bottle dark Mexican beer, Negra Moderno if they have it

1 bunch cilantro stems (leaves to be used for garnish and salad dressing)

Garnish

Handful cilantro leaves

Shredded Monterey Jack cheese

2 limes, cut into thin wedges (12 total)

Crushed tortilla chips

Diced avocado (not pictured, but a necessary element!)

In a large pot over medium heat, sauté onions and peppers until beginning to caramelize, 8 minutes. Add the zucchini and the squash and sauté until tender, 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and continue to simmer. Meanwhile, add garlic cloves, cilantro stems, green chilies, and chipotle peppers to a small food processor (see tip at bottom). Puree mixture. Add ½ cup of stock, and pulse to combine. Pour mixture into pot of simmering vegetables. Rinse beans thoroughly in a colander to get rid of the canning liquids, then add to the pot. Add salt, chili powder, cumin, oregano, beer, and the remaining stock.

Simmer with the lid off, stirring frequently until the liquids begin to thicken and the vegetables have begun to break down.

The chili is best if made the night before, and can keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.

{from big girls small kitchen cookbook}

flowers for friday #59

happy weekend!!

JILL & elle.

i need your help!!!

my mom just picked this stool up for me. it's pretty filthy but it was only $2 (!!) at an estate sale. i've been looking for one to go under the front table in my house for a bit.

she's always been destined for a makeover but i didn't have any exact plans....

i like stools that are covered in rugs............

so i remembered i had this one hanging out without a purpose as well.

it's outrageously awesome to me.

maybe not to you.

i'm aware a stack of neon animals on a rug isn't the most coveted but that's what made me like it even more.

that and did i mention it was neon?

i picked this up at a flea market years ago. it was $6 i think. and also pretty filthy.

just couldn't go home without it, though!!

you can't fully tell by these photos but that orange and that pink are BRIGHT.

so here's where i need your help:

the rug, a weird size in it's own right, is too big for my stool. i want to know if you think i should go for it and upholster my stool in this weird and crazy mexican rug while sadly cutting off the last mammal...

or if i should stick it back in the cabinet and hold onto it for a better use. where the bottom donkey? cow? horse? doesn't get chopped off. 

he half way makes it.

 i highly doubt that i will ever stumble upon such a find ever again. but it isn't that sacred.

besides, my favorite part is the neon rooster and i made sure he fit :)

again. i am aware not all of you think this is the best potential diy project i could show you. in fact some of you may be thinking what is she thinking?!!

but i kinda heart it.

spill em.

your thoughts.

don't be shy.

please.

love.

JILL

american indian

 both from asos. and i'm coveting for fall.

theodora and callum 

 theifandbandit navajo tank on etsy.

navajo sunset sweater from spool72 

sterling stud earrings from melanie favreau on etsy. 

 even your ipad can handle it.

both clutches from k.slademade.

i'm in love. 

found this pillow on pinterest and i may or may not be making one for my own casa. 

barkdecor pillows on etsy.

via ace hotel, palm springs

 if i ever find a treasure trove, aka-- something like this... i'd leave with arms loaded... hoarder style.

i love ethnic textiles. even without having a specific purpose, i'd find something for it. either that, or it'd sit with all the other fabrics i have stock piled away awaiting to be used for something, someday.

inspiring. found on pinterest. 

pinterest.

LOVE. i think i might try something like this this coming weekend.

it works best if you sneek it in with your other everyday things.

too much would just be too much :)

JILL