A Picture-Perfect Thanksgiving Salad

Recipes

With Thanksgiving upon us, it’s time for the recipe mad dash. Have you finalized your menu yet? Sure, this weekend is the official start to the over-indulge season, but why not try to save a calorie or two? Thankfully, Good Eggs agrees with our squash obsession (they’re filling, delicately sweet and gourd-geous!) and has come up with a picture-perfect Butternut Squash, Kale and Farro salad recipe – just in time for Thanksgiving!

Ingredients (2-3 servings):

1 Butternut or Kabocha Squash
1 cup of Farro
1 bunch of Curly Kale
1 clove of Garlic, crushed to a paste with salt
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 fillet of Anchovy, finely chopped
A few squeezes of Lemon
Red Wine Vinegar
Salt & Pepper

Method:

Preheat oven to 425°. In a pot, add the farro, about 3 cups of water and a small-ish handful of salt (small-ish handfuls = three hearty pinches in our world of non-exact measurements). Put pot over high heat on the stove and let the farro cook at a rolling boil until some of the grains are bursting open, but it’s still al dente (about 20 minutes). Strain immediately.

While the farro cooks, cut the squash in half, carefully scoop out the seeds (reserve if you wish to roast them) and remove the skin with a vegetable peeler or sharp knife. Cut the squash into large chunks and place in a mixing bowl. Add the garlic, cinnamon, a glug of olive oil and salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and put in the oven. Roast for about 25-30 minutes.

De-stem, wash, dry and roughly chop the kale. Place kale in a large mixing bowl and dress with the anchovy, olive oil, a few squeezes of lemon and a splash of red wine vinegar (just vinegar works if you want to skip the lemon). Massage the kale gently for a minute or two to make sure all of the leaves have some dressing on them and then set aside.

When the squash and farro are done, add them to the bowl with the kale and toss all of them together. Add a glug of olive oil, more lemon/vinegar if you’d like, salt and pepper to taste and you’re done!

We’re SO putting this on the Thanksgiving table! Need a cocktail for your Thanksgiving? CLICK HERE.

photo and recipe c/o Good Eggs

The Power of Perfect Denim

Fashion

It’s a well documented fact that I’m a jeans addict. I occasionally stray and buy a skirt or dress, but they tend to languish in my closet. I always reach for jeans first. But no matter how many pairs I’ve already crammed into my closet, I can always find room for a new favorite. You know what I’m taking about. That pair you reach for day after day after day, hoping no one notices you’ve worn the same pants for a week!

That’s the case with my latest pair of Hudson Jeans from Zappos. I may have worn them to work Friday, {dressed up with this blazer, this top and these pumps} and then not taken them off all weekend long! A good pair of ripped jeans is really a closet staple these days – proof that they look just as good during a playdate at the park as they do dressed up for a date night.

A pair of jeans that makes me feel just as good when I’m rolling around on the ground as they do when I’m dressing up is exactly what I need right now. With little time to do extensive outfit planning, I need to be able to reach into the closet, grab and go! These might even show up at the Thanksgiving table. I won’t lie, my time is now spent dressing Carter. It it kills me to be able to dress him up in his first {of many!} pairs of jeans too. I’m totally getting into the mama+baby fashion thing. It is futile to resist the cuteness.

Be sure to check out the rest of my mama-style posts HERE! Interested in seeing more? I’m always on the fence about whether or not I should continue outfit posts. Let me know in the comments!

what i’m wearing: hudson jeans from zappos | tibi perforated sweater {similar} | nike high tops | swing coat {similar} | sunnies

what carter is wearing: hoodie, jeans & high tops from zara

original photography for apartment 34 by suzanna scott

This post is in partnership with Zappos and Hudson Jeans. Thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting collaborations we’re excited about and that have kept Apartment 34’s doors open.

What to Wear for Winter Adventures

Fashion

Call me crazy, but winter is my favorite fashion season of the year. Winter fashion let’s you play with thick textured layers, dusty colors and luscious fabrics. And I’ve never met a sweater or coat I didn’t love. Case in point: the latest installment of my post-baby personal style.

While it may look like I took a jaunt across the pond to Wales – that was the inspiration for my styling choices with this look – don’t be fooled!

This beautifully rustic location is a park a mere five minutes from our loft! A hike up a grassy hill delivers some of the best views in all of San Francisco. My Hunter Boots from Zappos look right at home don’t they? There’s nothing better than a wardrobe staple that’s as functional as it is beautifully designed. The heritage of Hunter Boots feels timeless. The modern updates like the leather strap detailing makes Hunters as relevant today as they were when founded over 150 years ago.

It’s been fun to get out of my leggings and back to exploring my own closet in the last couple months. Now that I’ve taken little mini adventures around San Francisco, I may venture even further. All the more reason to come up with another good outfit, right?

If you need to catch up, check out my latest personal style posts HERE! And follow Apartment 34 on Snapchat (apartment34) to get some behind the scenes peeks into my closet and day to day styling choices. I’m thinking a morning outfit update would be fun, don’t you??

original photography for apartment 34 by suzanna scott

This post is in partnership with Zappos and Hunter Boots. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting partnerships that we’re excited about and that have kept Apartment 34’s doors open.

Tasty Tuesday: {A Cozy Roasted Veggie Risotto}

Recipes

Our resident food contributor Zoe is here again to share a mind-blowingly beautiful cauliflower risotto. It’s doused in creamy Kerrygold butter and cheese and topped with roasted sage and hazelnuts. We’re running to the store to make this recipe immediately!!

The crisp air of autumn takes a while to arrive in San Francisco and I found myself daydreaming of falling leaves and the smell of veggies roasting in the oven. I particularly love them with olive oil, burnt sage and roasted nuts. Luckily, I took a trip to Seattle where the colors around the city pointed to the transition from summer to winter with perfection and I have been cooking cozy dishes everyday since then!

This creamy roasted cauliflower risotto with sage and hazelnuts is my favorite! I made it twice in the last few days and served it for a casual dinner party with my closest friends last weekend. It’s a cold-weather winner. Now that fall storms have arrived in San Francisco I think I just might have to whip it up yet again!

Roasted Cauliflower, Sage and Hazelnut Risotto with Kerrygold Cheese

Ingredients (serves 4 larges portions or 6 small)

1 cauliflower head, trimmed and chopped
4 Tbsp olive oil
Salt & Pepper
¼ cup chopped hazelnuts
1 bunch sage, leaves picked
1.5 litres hot vegetable broth
60g Kerrygold Pure Irish butter
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 ½ cup aborio rice
1 cup grated Skellig Kerrygold sweet cheddar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Place the cauliflower, oil, salt and pepper on a baking sheet and toss to coat. Roast for 15 minutes, add the hazelnuts and half the sage and roast for a further 10 minutes or until golden.
2. Place the stock in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 5min.
3. Chop the remaining sage and add to the pan with the rice. Gradually add the broth, 1 cup at a time, stirring continuously for 20 to 25 minutes or until the stock is absorbed and rice is al dente.
4. Stir through cheddar, cauliflower mixture, salt and pepper and serve.

This dish has us daydreaming not only of falling leaves and roasted veggies like Zoe, but also of our trip to Ireland with Kerrygold earlier this year! The cheese in the risotto, the idea of a heart-warming, home-cooked meal brings us right back to those Irish farms where we shared some of the most delicious dishes with friends. You can check out more details of our trip to the Irish countryside here.

original food styling + recipe for apartment 34 by zoe armbruster

Last-Second Pumpkin DIY That’s Scary Good

Decor

I won’t lie, it’s been quite a while since Halloween has been top of mind. It’s just never been one of my favorite holidays. But now that Carter’s first Halloween is around the corner, I’m feeling compelled to get in the spirit – quickly!

But I definitely want to stay true to my aesthetic so the standard jack-o-lantern just won’t do the trick. This no-carve pumpkin DIY, on the other hand, is super chic. And since it takes less than five minutes to make, it fits perfectly into my overly-packed schedule.

Around here, no orange gourds will do. They just don’t mesh with my color palette people! With this look it’s all about the muted hues: white, gray and various shades of pale green. The funkier the better.

Then all you need is a box of crayons, a hair dryer and five minutes to complete the look! Now that I can handle.

The final result is a little bit spooky, a little bit artistic and a lot cool. This is taking modern pumpkins to a whole other level don’t you think?

Are you the Halloween loving type? Whether you’ve already had your costume figured out for months or you’re scrambling for inspiration {like me}, I know you’ll appreciate this tabletop, this drink, these costumes for the adults and these costumes for the littles.

Happy haunting friends!

photography by megan bailey

Spotted at NYFW: 5 Hot Trends for Fall

Fashion

As fashion month starts to wind down {New York, London, Milan, Paris, oh my!}, our eyes have been peeled for the hottest trends and fashion forward styles. We’ve been officially more obsessed than usual after sending our Editorial Director into the heat of it all, as New York kicked off the season’s best fashion show. We’re not talking about the happenings on the runway inside Milk Studios, we’re talking about the show outside on the streets! Here are five totally approachable street style trends we spotted, loved and desperately want to try.

The belt knot is SO on our list of trends to try this fall. Love it with this sheer blouse and long denim skirt. It would look great tied over a coat or sweater too for cooler days!

Suspenders holding up your favorite burnt sienna colored culottes or high waisted denim is so hot for fall. We love the sexy nerdy style. Move over, Urkel. This trend is uber chic!

Scrunched up socks showing past your ankle boots cut off those skinny ankles and make that leg look good, girl. We love the idea of pairing this street grungy look with a feminine sequined skirt or flirty dress. The 90’s are back. Embrace it people.

Summer’s most loved frayed denim look is moving into fall. Denim jackets suddenly feel fresh and new again with that frayed element of surprise!

Now this is a fun look! Pair an off the shoulder top under your fave overalls or sleeveless jumper for a sassy, fashion forward feel! We promise, you’ll be ahead of the en vogue curve with this trend!

Don’t you love? We’re obsessed with the fact that despite it being a million degrees in New York at the time, you can still apply these seemingly hot-weather trends to your fall style – just layer up!

Like what you see?! We captured so much good street style while in NYC, we’ll be sharing some outtakes on Facebook later today!

original photography for apartment 34 by joanne pio

Tasty Tuesday: {Gluten Free Fig Tart}

Recipes

A few weeks ago we introduced our newest contributor to the team, Zoe. She’s an amazing food stylist and recipe creator who is passionate about cooking food that features quality ingredients and is as healthy as it is delicious. We’ll add beautiful to the list too! With just days of fig season left, we’re right there with her on baking this Gluten Free Fig and Crème Fraîche tart! You’ve got to cherish everyone one of those sweet little jewels while you can. Thankfully, today, Zoe is teaching us how…

I’m in love with figs and have recently been obsessing over the hundreds of different kinds of tart combinations – from sweet to savory. So one afternoon I decided to make these delicious gluten-free mini tarts with fresh figs and crème fraîche. They were enjoyed over a magical moment catching up with a girlfriend whom I hadn’t seen in years. The tarts are so light and fresh that we managed to save two for after dinner and enjoyed a second round, post-meal. Shhh, don’t tell!

This recipe features a gluten-free crust alternative that has a lovely nutty finish which pairs deliciously with the figs. This is also a particularly healthy dessert – perfect for enjoying these last days of indian summer and officially welcome fall. You may want to try it with bee pollen sprinkled on top, a superfood that is delicious with tarts, yogurt or granola!

Gluten Free Crème Fraîche Fig Tart

Ingredients:

Shortcut Pastry:
3/4 ground almonds
2/3 cup buckwheat flour
1/2 cup millet flour
1/2 cup apple sauce
4 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp honey
1 tsp baking powder
1 pinch of sea salt

Filling:
3/4 cup crème fraîche
3/4 cup cream cheese
2 Tbsp sugar
Grated zest of 1large lemon (or two small ones)
Juice of 1 lemon
15 to 20 fresh figs, rinsed and quartered

Directions:

1. Mix the dry ingredients with the butter, apple sauce and honey and knead the dough until it becomes a smooth pastry. Wrap it in cling film and refrigerate it for 30 minutes.

2. Roll out the pastry (the easiest way is to roll it out directly on baking paper) and place it carefully in a greased tart pan and prick it with a fork (I used several small pans). Bake in the oven for 20min at 375°F.

3. In a bowl, stir together the crème fraîche, cream cheese, sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice.

4. Fill the cooled tart shell with the cream filling and arrange the figs in circles. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle bee pollen on top right before serving (optional).

For more of our favorite recipes, including gluten free options, CLICK HERE!

original photography and recipe by food contributor, Zoe Armbruster

Summer’s Signature Drink – the Aperol Spritz

Entertaining

Well friends, it’s official. The first day of Fall is here! But it has me feeling a little torn. Now I luv summer as much as the next girl. Long days, warm temps, dreamy afternoons spent on a beach {or at least dreaming of one}. But I also love when the seasons change. It always feels like a breath of fresh air. A new beginning if you will. And just because summer is saying see ya, doesn’t mean entertaining season is ending. Oh contraire! We’ve actually been enjoying a seriously gorgeous Indian Summer in San Francisco right now. So I say set aside a little time to gather friends and enjoy that waning evening light while we still can! In fact, we did exactly that last weekend and the results were equal parts yummy and lovely – if I do say so myself!

Our mission was simple. Gather some of our favorite ladies for an impromptu happy hour. The ingredients for a successful happy hour aren’t complicated either. Copious amounts of easy to snack on food, a killer outdoor patio and a fabulous drink of course. But remember, just because something’s impromptu doesn’t mean it can’t be pretty! Today we’re revealing our tricks to creating a stunning little feté in no time flat {seriously!}.

Step 1: Set the scene. An outdoor patio decked with a farm table and bench seating is easy and relaxed. We were lucky enough that our table happened to be marble-topped but any wood table would be just as pretty. A string or two of cafe lights are extra nice touch. You can leave them up pretty much all year ’round. A few simple flower arrangements plucked straight from the garden are also a thoughtful detail.

Step 2: Don’t skimp on your place settings. When you want to up the ante for your gathering, paper and plastic just won’t do. But again, you don’t need to slave away. We relied on the services of Mrs. Peasy Party Box Rentals who provides gorgeous plates, flatware and glasses for rent! She’s got pre-designed boxes featuring gorgeous items like Heath Ceramics dishware and vintage cutlery. Or you can do what we did and simply mix and match your own set up. The best part? You can drop it all off dirty so your end of party clean up is pretty much done before you even start. It’s genius.

Step 3: Create a humble feast. For our happy hour we decided to create the charcuterie board of champions. But again the task required little else than a power shopping trip at Trader Joe’s and an epic 3-foot long wood board. Cured meats, crackers, cheese, olives, pickles, fresh berries & figs, dried fruit, nuts and our little trade secret – fresh flowers created a truly stunning display. Piling everything high makes your board so pretty you almost don’t want to dig in and mess it all up. Almost.

Step 4: Serve a signature drink! The true star of our party was our cocktail – the Aperol Spritz! Now this drink is near and dear to my heart. A traditional Italian apertif, Chris and I enjoyed a Spritz (or 5 or 6!) in Venice – the drink’s actual birthplace – during our honeymoon and I’ve loved them ever since. They’re totally refreshing – a true before dinner sipper. And the best part? They’re super easy to make. No professional mixologist skills needed here. You’re not concocting homemade syrups or adding tinkshers with eye droppers. The recipe is so simple every party guest can whip up one for themselves – yet another way to take some pressure off of you! Don’t worry – we’ve got the recipe for you at the bottom of this post!

But first we have to give you the final step in our happy hour master plan.

Step 5: Sit back, relax and have a grand old time!! There’s nothing better than some quality catch up time with girl friends. Even with today’s overly packed schedules, offering a chance to enjoy a refreshing drink, a bite to eat and some great conversation is pretty irresistible. We’re quite confident your girls will show up for a gathering like this #squadgoals.

Recipe: The Aperol Spritz

3 parts prosecco
2 parts aperol
1 splash of seltzer

Add a few ice cubes to a wine glass. We actually used oversized square cubes in our drinks. Pour in your prosecco. Then add your Aperol. Top with a generous splash of seltzer. Give your drink a swirl, garnish with orange slices & an orange peel twist if you like. Betcha can’t enjoy just one!!

FOR MORE OF OUR FAVORITE COCKTAIL RECIPES, CLICK HERE

FOR MORE ENTERTAINING IDEAS, CLICK HERE

original photography for apartment 34 by ashley batz // florals by natalie bowen designs // dishware by mrs. peasy // styling by apartment34

This post is in partnership with Aperol. All thoughts and opinions expressed are 100% our own. Thanks for supporting partnerships that help keep Apartment 34’s doors open!

5 Street Style Tips That’ll Take You Right Into Fall

Fashion

Now that we’ve given summer its farewell kiss, we’ve started scanning the streets for all of Fall’s must-have looks. Since temps haven’t quite hit frigid, we’re loving the clever ways fashionistas are transitioning into the new season. It’s all about layering light cropped summer pieces, juxtaposed with fall textures. Fashion’s finest are still raging on with the fun oversized proportions that were introduced to us on last year’s runways, but with these layered looks, there’s no need to put away warm weather pieces just yet. In fact, we’re keeping those wide legged culottes and short skirts at the front of our closets because with just a few style tips plucked from the pros, each of these end-of-summer looks will take you right into fall.

Street Style Tip #1: Pair a short skirt with a textured sweater – don’t go too oversized, not yet! By keeping comfy kicks on your feet instead of switching to flat boots and rocking a rad pair of sunnies, you still stay totally indian summer!

Street Style Tip #2: Instead of reaching for your scarf, try buttoning your blouse all the way to the top. Remember being buttoned up doesn’t mean you have to compromise showing a little sun-kissed skin! Style your conservative top with hole-y denim rolled all the way up to the calf. And if you have a sheer blouse, it doesn’t hurt to throw in some extra sass!

Street Style Tip #3: Think one season on top, the other on the bottom. Frayed white culottes and chunky heeled sandals work perfectly with a cowl neck sweater, leather jacket and a lush cognac bag!

Street Style Tip #4: For a cooler {in more ways than one!} day, make sure those denim cullottes hit down towards the ankle, dust off a fun pair of boots and throw in some animal print – lots of it. Keep things balanced with a crisp white tee. A classic summer look of denim and a white tee never looked so “ready for fall”.

Street Style Tip #5: And when temps do in fact cool down or you’re going for a drink with friends after work, we love the idea of recreating this capri jean moment. Worn with a kitten heel, thin cotton turtleneck sweater and topped with a luxe car coat in a bold blue, this look feels spot on for early fall. Lots of skin south of the ankle still screams we’re not ready to be bundled up, yet!

Are you feeling ready for the new season yet? Shop our fave transitional pieces that work for summer AND fall below.

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images 1, 2, 4 via Style.com // 3 via 5 Inch and Up // 5 via Camille Over the Rainbow

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