french breakfast muffins

As I'm sure is the case for many of you, Pinterest is an endless source of ideas and inspiration for me. A few weeks ago, I pinned this recipe for French breakfast muffins and finally got around to making them this past weekend. They were very simple and yielded a delicious result. Soft and flaky, buttery and sweet, they would make a wonderful treat at any time of the day, as long as they are fresh out of the oven. Some of their magic is lost upon cooling.

home life

I spent nearly all of yesterday in my pajamas watching TV- it must be the weekend. With all that time at home and the start of a brand new year, I started thinking about making some improvements to my own space. I'm not sure which room will be my next victim, but I started browsing for inspiration nonetheless.

{i love how fresh and open tori spelling's living room feels}

{this pillow from west elm is so whimsical and could brighten up a neutral couch}

{janie molster uses pattern and color to look formal, but not fussy}

{this fun antique mirror could liven up almost any little nook}

{wallpaper and a busy gallery make an entry striking, via absolutely beautiful things}

happy new year

For me, the beginning of a new year is a time for evaluating life and making a fresh start. I don't care much for resolutions (as I mentioned last year), but I love the idea of a clean slate and a year filled with possibilities for beauty and adventure. Happy 2013!

All images via Pinterest.

iced gingerbread cookies

This past weekend, in the mood for something sweet and seasonal, I made a batch of these iced gingerbread cookies. I didn't care for the icing the recipe called for, so I made my own simple variation by adding a little milk to powdered sugar. The cookies turned out wonderfully; they were spicy but still soft, and made the whole house smell like the holidays.

life lately

After a ridiculous round of finals these past two weeks, I am more than ready for this weekend and the break that follows. I'm looking forward to some well-deserved relaxation and time spent catching up with friends and indulging in holiday traditions. Here are a few things that have been on my mind lately.

{caffeine-fueled study sessions at a favorite cozy coffeehouse}

{new arm candy: anthropologie bracelet + marc jacobs watch}

{fresh flowers to brighten up dark winter days}