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    Author: louise

    7 Simple Meals for Fall

    Recipes by louise

    I can’t believe November is around the corner which means the holidays are almost upon us. It also means cooler temperatures for many and the urge to dive into hearty meals. Today, I’m sharing a few recipes that are perfect to warm you through for your mid week meals or cool you off if you need something refreshing to drink. These recipes are easy to prepare and cooks in around 30 minutes, except for the vegan cinnamon rolls which is totally worth the effort!

    The meals are a mix of vegan and non-vegan meals. and I can only hope you enjoy these simple recipes as much as I do.

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    Meals

    • Vegan Tofu with Noodles

    What can i say? I am addicted to tofu and this recipe is quick and delicious. All you need are a handful of spices, noodles, kelp noodles, cilantro, and tofu! 

    Dice 1 pack tofu and sauté with salt, black pepper, a dash of cayenne and paprika, and turmeric. Sauté until skin is browned and crispy. In a pot, bring water to a boil, add noodles of choice. Once cooked, serve in a bowl, top with a light tahini sauce, tofu, and cilantro. To add kelp to this menu, soak the kelp noodles in warm water for 5 mins. Drain the kelp noodles and add to the bowl. Here is a quick 1 minute video on how I made this.

    • Broiled Salmon

    This recipe for broiled salmon is fresh salmon fillets coated in olive oil, lemon, garlic and herbs, then broiled until browned. I serve salmon to my family at least once every other week. It is quick to make, loaded with nutrition and tastes great. 

    How do you make broiled salmon? Preheat the broiler. Whisk together 4 tablespoon olive oil, 1-2 full lemons squeezed (use the zest to top on the lemon), 2 teaspoons dill, 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, 2 teaspoons fresh parsley or cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Place 4 salmon fillet on a prepared sheet pan. Pour the mixture over the salmon and add 1 thinly sliced vegan butter on top of each salmon. Broil for 10-15 minutes or until salmon is browned and opaque. Usually at the last 3-5 minutes, I will change the setting to “roast” to slightly toast the skin.  Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with rice and vegetable of choice.

    • Cucumber Salad

    Yes, I threw a simple salad into the mix. It’s fairly simple. All you’ll need is 1 cucumber chopped in cubes (you can also remove the seeds before chopping. I tend to make the extra effort to remove this for my kids – you will need to peel the cucumber skin, cut it in half and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds, rinse, then chop the cucumber), 1 tomato sliced with seeds removed, 1-2 spring onions sliced, kale and lettuce, 1/2 red onions sliced, a handful of olives. Serve with choice of dressing.

    Drinks

    • Pomegranate JuicePomegranate juice is a Holiday favorite. This fruit pops up in stores around the holiday season and there’s nothing more beautiful than the bright fuchsia liquid that comes from making a drink. This fruit is also full of vitamins and nutrients and is a good source of vitamin E and K, folate, and potassium.

    You will need 2 cups pomegranate seeds, 1 lemon, 1 cup still water or sparkling water. Optional: 1 tsp agave (to sweeten), 1 tsp fresh grounded ginger. If you’re using a juicer, add 2 cups of pomegranate with a little water, lemon and ginger slices to the mix. Once it’s done, add your water and sweetener of choice. For a blender, pulse the pomegranate seeds with the sliced lemon and ginger for 7-10 seconds. Sieve and add water and sweetener of choice.

    • Hibiscus Ginger Tea

    This is a recipe my mom used to make when I was growing up and I remember drinking it warm and cold. It’s the perfect drink for both warm and cold months and I especially love festive rich color of the tea. I like to think of it as an immune booster during the cold months. You can watch my how to make this recipe here 

    To make this, you’ll need dried hibiscus, 1 tablespoon diced ginger, 1 tablespoon grains of selim, 1 tablespoon cloves  – Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the ginger, grains of selim and cloves. Let it boil for 3-5 minutes then add a 1/2 cup of dried hibiscus. Let it boil under 5 minutes then turn off. Once cool, sieve and serve with sweetener of choice. I love mine without any sweetener.  

    Desserts

    • Homemade Pumpkin Pie

    Just in time for the holidays. I feel like nothing taste better than homemade pumpkin pie. I love making these starting in mid-October until the holidays. For my all-time Fall favorite homemade pumpkin pie recipe, click on this link.

    • Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

    Oh the world of cinnamon rolls love. I have made these multiple times each year and I feel like I continue to experiment and refine. These cinnamon rolls are for my vegan friends. I’ll be sharing a non-vegan cinnamon roll recipe in the coming weeks. The vegan cinnamon rolls are surprisingly soft, fluffy and not chewy. I like to think of them as somewhat healthy.

    You can find this delicious vegan cinnamon roll recipe on my blog post here

    Mantel Decorating: Inspiration for Fall

    Interiors by louise

    Fall mantel decor doesn’t need to be overwhelming although it can be a challenge when you add a TV to the mix. Do you leave the mantel empty, let the TV be the main focus, or fill it up with a minimalist decor? This Fall I decided to take a very simple and laid back approach to decorating, and it’s been quite freeing and refreshing.

    More than any other season, I think Fall decor should take inspiration from nature. Colors like orange, yellow, bronze, gold, reds, brown and purple can be used in your mantel decor or you can keep things simple with just a touch of color. I am all about keeping it minimal lately. When you think of decorating for the seasons, it can quickly become stressful or expensive, but there’s really no reason to feel overwhelmed.

    I am sharing 5 simple ways to style a mantel for Fall with or without a TV above it and using what you already own and a few simple decor items to give you a beautiful mantel for the season. Whether your mantel feels cluttered or bare now, these styling tips can help elevate the space

    Symmetry

    For my simple fall mantel décor this year, I’ve decided to go with a symmetrical design. This means whatever is on one side of the mantel, is mirrored on the opposite side to sort of create a balanced appearance. Symmetry can work well in a formal room that is symmetrical in nature while an asymmetry design can work well in any room.

    To style a mantel in this way, you need to keep everything simple. A tip here is to start with a focal point above the mantel. This could be a TV, large mirror or a painting, and then work around the focal point to include other pieces that gives your mantel an effortless quality. If you want to break the monotony of symmetry, add a few unbalanced pieces at the bottom of the mantel.

    STYLING TIP 1: ADD LAYERING TO YOUR MANTEL DECOR

    Create an illusion of a focal point by adding anything from vases to candles  to faux pumpkins to give it an almost asymmetrical but balanced look. Mixing and matching styles, and grouping pieces together in front of another creates a unique look.

    STYLING TIP 2: COLOR

    Select pieces that compliment your current mantel. Neutral toned mantels are a lot easier to style because you can play with bold or lighter accent pieces and texture. It also doesn’t take much color to really stand out.

    STYLING TIP 3: FEW LARGER PIECES

    A mantel mostly looks pretty with some larger pieces. If you have smaller pieces, I recommend having them on the top of the mantel with the larger pieces on the bottom. If you are decorating a mantel with a TV above it, then you may add some height on the sides, but minimal height directly below the TV. In this case, adding a garland or tall candle holders will help balance out that massive black rectangle.

    STYLING TIP 4: CHEAP FINDS

    I usually like changing my mantel decor with the changing seasons. There are many stores like HomeGoods, Walmart, Hobby Lobby, and Target that have items reasonably priced. Faux florals, garlands, and pumpkins are great because they can be recycled for years to come.

    STYLING TIP 5: ADDING NATURE OR FAUX PLANT

    Adding to the above point, key pieces that are budget-friendly and will add warmth to a mantel are things like real plants or faux garland. It encourages visual movement and adds another element of texture.  Fall is a great season to play with your home decor and create something fun and inviting. Lastly, remember that while creating the perfect mantel display, you should keep safety top of mind since you’re dealing with a fireplace.

    Hopefully, these simple Fall mantel decorating ideas will help you find some great looks for your home to carry you through to the holidays!

    Habits that changed my attitude to managing stress in my life

    Self Care by louise

    Attitudes follow behavior in many domains of our everyday life

    Let’s be honest – building good habits take time and mindfulness. As we know, attitude become habits over time, and habits almost always demonstrate character. Since habits help us to manage how we maneuver our everyday lives, we are usually inclined to make more habits to help us along the way. Sometimes we form bad habits but the truth is that our habits and attitudes are as strong as the power we give them over us.

    Over the last few months, I’ve been making a more conscious effort towards being mindful on managing my stress and embracing a positive attitude to life. I’ve had to juggle a full-time career with the balance of having a family, health issues, and building a custom home. It’s definitely been a roller-coaster but we all know that life throws us challenges and it’s our attitude that can determine our outlook.

    Today, I’m sharing some of the tips that have helped me manage my time better and my attitude to life. These may seem really basic but I hope they are helpful to you.

    1.  Positive thinking changes your perception

    It is true. A positive attitude can take you far in life. When you have a good attitude about anything or about the future, you’re more willing to be resilient because you know that even if things do not always go as planned, it isn’t the end of it all. As long as I can remember, I have always carried the mindset to be kind and patient to myself, and to learn to be optimistic. A positive attitude is a vital key to unlocking the secret to managing stress.

    2.  A good attitude removes limits

    When you constantly fill your head with negativity, you are immediately setting limits on your limitless potential! It’s almost like you are sabotaging yourself because your brain begins to believe that’s the truth and you end up setting yourself for failure. Each week, I set a reminder on my phone with mantras throughout the day to remind me to practice self-talk and with motivational phrases. This helps me get into the habit of a reset when I start to let my emotions get the best of me. Just like anything else, with consistency, it has become almost a way of life.

    3.  Take time out for yourself

    Mindfulness is a mind-body approach to life that helps us to relate differently to experiences. Paying more attention to our thoughts and feelings can increase our ability to manage difficult situations and make wise choices. I think it’s important to strike the balance between your responsibility to others and to yourself, and it’s okay to prioritze self-care and make the time to relax for good mental health.

    4. Get some restful sleep

    A regular sleep routine may not seem like a great way to manage stress but it’s an essential way to help calm and restore our bodies, improve concentration and regulate our mood so that we have sharpened judgement and feel rejuvenated to take on the world. Sleep is a powerful stress reducer. Incorporate some peaceful activities before bedtime like a breathing exercise, warm bath, or essential oils. These activities can release physical tension and encourage the onset of sleep so you are a better problem solver the next day and better able to cope with stress.

    5.  Be kind to yourself

    This could always be a lot worse. As they say, the grass looks always greener on the other side. With that said, try to keep things in perspective and remember that having a bad day is a universal human experience. If you feel like you have failed, carry an attitude of gratitude to lift you up and remember that a positive mindset can anchor you and help you learn from those mistakes or disappointments. Take a few minutes each day to clear out the noise and appreciate yourself.

    Attitude, when shaped in the right way, can influence behavior to achieve a favorable outcome.

    Let’s face it, there’s always going to be stress in our lives and a little stress never hurts anyone, however there are intentional habits that can relieve some of our daily routine stress factors. I am now more intentional in my attitude towards life and how I handle my daily schedule, as well as dealing with the unexpected. These five tips have really helped to alleviate some of the stress in my daily life and I hope what I shared helps you in some way too.

    xo Louise

    Millen Express Guide: Dressing for the Holidays

    Style by louise

    It’s really a few days until Christmas and then the New Year – which means it’s time to plan for those events and dress up in a few favorite outfits, as well as embrace all things merry and bright. And while it’s the most wonderful time of the year, it’s sometimes all too easy to get lost in the frenzy of the holiday preparations and hosting family, friends, and loved ones.

    For us, the end of the year is going to be particularly memorable as it will be the last year in our current home. I am trying to soak it all in because by this time next year, it will be new memories in a new home. We decided to host family for the holidays this year so it is definitely going to be a whirlwind and fun!

    With cozy engagements and upcoming events, I have rounded up a few holiday inspiration outfits for you.

    Faux Fur Jacket: Dillards  I  Boots: Sam Edelman   I  Dress: Red Dress Boutique

    The colors green, red, and gold always remind me of this festive season, so it’s no surprise that my roundups will have some of these colors. My dress is out of stock however I found a similar one at Anthropologie. You can find a close match of my boots at Nordstrom, and I linked my jacket below. Otherwise, here is a collage of some holiday outfit inspirations. I have linked these for you below.

    Do you have any holiday parties or events for the New Year on your calendar yet? I’m definitely pleased to get dressed up and host family in our home this year! xo Louise

    Clean Beauty: Why It Matters to Me

    Beauty by louise

    Remembering my journey with make-up is one of my favorites. To think of where I started in my twenties and how much I have learned over the years amazes me. First of all, I barely wore makeup in my twenties and if I did, it was truly minimal (lipstick and mascara). In my thirties I got to be more exploratory and played with eyeshadow, foundation — the works, but it wasn’t until my 40s that I became aware of how important it is to invest in good and clean products.

    I may not have shared this with you but a few years ago, I made the decision to be vegan. It was a big lifestyle change and one I couldn’t have done without the support of my family. It took a lot of self-will and I’m glad I stuck with it because it’s been a blessing in my life. I’m more aware now of what I put inside my body and the products I use on my body which gives me a good feeling and feeling good about yourself is powerful.

    That brings me to sharing a few clean beauty products I purchased on my latest shopping spree at Credo Beauty! Please note that this post is in no way sponsored and it is my opinion of products I am currently using.

    Maya Chia Optimist Hydrating Essence: The optimist hydrating essence has been in my life for well over three years and still going strong. Since using this product, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in supple hydration. It is lightweight and augments the look of brightness with a proprietary blend of antioxidants, amino acids, chia seeds and a few other ingredients. The smell is heavenly and I usually wear this after I put my makeup on. It is the final touch.

    Maya Chia Super Blend Pressed Serum Multi-Correctional Concentrate: OK, this is by far one of the best facial products I’ve invested in. A little truly goes a long way. It is super moisturizing and very rich and creamy. I could go on and on about this product because it really drenches skin with hydration and since my skin can tend to get a little dry especially in the winter months, it is one I reach for. I usually wear this before wearing my makeup. Also started noticing a difference in the reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles I started seeing. I really cannot stress how much I love this product!

    Maya Chia Eye Achiever, Multi-Correctional Eye Serum: Someone once told me the skin under the eyes is slightly more translucent and delicate than the rest of the face, and hence the need to invest in a good eye cream. This eye cream is highly concentrated and it is fast absorbing. Similar to the serum, it has nutrient dense plant oils and it is comforting to know that I am using clean beauty products on my skin. Highly recommend giving his a try.

    Maya Chia The Great Cleanse, Nourishing Supercritical Cleansing Oil: I had to include this cleansing oil to this list only because it effortlessly remove my makeup and leaves my skin clean without leaving it dry. I still recommend always washing your face with warm water after you your makeup is removed. Oh, another thing, I initially didn’t think I would like an oil as a cleanser but I love this product. It has natural botanicals like Roman Chamomile, Lavender, and Neroli.

    Vapour Beauty Soft Focus Foundation: As I get older, I want to be kinder to my skin and I’m discovering that there are so many vegan friendly and ethically sourced beauty products on the market. The soft focus foundation is absolutely natural looking. It has very a smooth texture and I love how it leaves my skin looking natural. This foundation provides light-to-medium coverage. The foundation is formulated without silicon and some of the other banned ingredients, and it is water based. I think I will be wearing this foundation for a while.

    Vapour Aura Multi Stick: I got the aura multi stick because it can do three tasks; color my cheeks, lips, and eyes. The aura multi stick is creamy, breathable, lightweight, and inconveniently clean. It comes in six colors so there’s a shade for everyone. I’m appreciating the way it compliments my skin.

    Vapour Blush Powder: ‘Tis the season to splurge a little so even though I got the multi stick, I also wanted a blush that will be easily blendable and buildable. The blush powder comes in four colors. I went with a slightly darker shade given my skin tone and I’ve got to confess that it does give the right amount of ‘blush’.

    Vapour Highlight Stick: Finally, a product that leaves a dewy and ethereal glow! I’ve used this on my cheeks and brow bones but I have this feeling that this stick is multi purpose and can be used on the shoulders too. Some of the ingredients here are organic cocoa and shea butter. I grew up using pure shea butter on my skin in Africa so anything with shea butter and I’m sold. The stick has a slight champagne pink undertone with a kind of celestial shimmer for that absolutely perfect glow.

    I was recently introduced to Pyt Beauty by a good friend and makeup guru ‘Nick’. Since I tend to be environmentally conscious, it is nice to know that Pyt Beauty makes their packaging using recyclable plastic and are recyclable when possible. Their makeup are cruelty free, vegan, and hypoallergenic! My recent purchase was the eye palette, brow pencil, and mascara.

    Stocking Stuffers Ideas for Everyone (Him, Her, Boy, Girl)

    Style by louise

    Stocking stuffers are often the final piece for the gift-giving puzzle when it comes to the holidays. Petite presents can be meaningful, thoughtful and as memorable as the bigger gifts. With that said, I have rounded up an assortment of small gifts for him and her, and since I love seeing kids’ faces light up when they see their stockings filled, I decided to include a few fun items for boys and girls. There’s a mix between useful stocking stuffers and a cool and creative stocking stuffers. Highlighting some of my favorites in this blog post, however there are additional gift ideas (approximately 29) for both boys and girls on my Amazon storefront.

    Click on the graphics below to shop directly via my Amazon storefront

    Stocking Stuffers for Her

    1. Sonicare Rechargeable Toothbrush    I    2. Beauty Sponge Makeup Blender   I   3. Ugg Fleece Lined Socks   I    4. Affirmation Cards for Women   I   5. Two-Pack USB Portable Charging Power Bank   I   6. Body Brush for Wet or Dry Brushing

    Stocking Stuffers for Him

    1. The North Face Wool Blend Beanie    I    2. Stanley Classic Flask   I   3. Universal Socket Tools Gift Set   I    4. Leatherman Multitool  I   5. Organic Beeswax Lip Balm   I   5. Dude Wipes

    Stocking Stuffers for Girls

    1. Liquid Motion Sensory Pens   I    2. 60 Pcs Premium Velvet Hair Bands    I   3. Reading Time Book Light & Lamp    I    4. Cutie Stix Friendship Collectible Bracelets   I   5. Unicorn Horn Chalk Set   I   6. Aarons Crazy Mini Thinking Putty 

    Stocking Stuffers for Boys

    1. Magnetic Assemble Transform Robot Construction Truck  I    2. Universal Flexible Thumb Smartphone Stand Holder (comes in 4 colors)    I   3. Walkie Talkie    I    4.  Giant Shark Bookmark   I   5. Nintendo Switch   I   6. Speks Geode Magnetic Fidget Sphere

    I hope this list is helpful. If you are still struggling to find stocking stuffers for your littles or for him/her, leave a comment and I can help with ideas! Now, what is your favorite stocking fillers from this list? I would love to know!

    xo Louise

    Holiday Gift Ideas for Him and Her

    Style by louise

    One of my requested gift guides from you guys has been to put together some gift ideas for Him and Her for the holidays. I know shopping for a loved one can be a little tricky so I hope this gift guide makes it a little easier. I really had so much fun talking to friends and my hubby to put together this gift guide for you guys, categorized by preference for men and women. Lots of really special, quality and unique gifts.

    Click on the graphics below to shop directly via my Amazon storefront

    HIM Gift Guide

    HandyMan

    1. NoCry Cut Resistant Gloves    I    2. Magnetic Pickup Tool    I   3. Magnetic Wristband   I    4. Craftsman Portable Shop Vacuum   I   5. Cross Line Self-Leveling Laster  I  6. Worx Portable Work Table   I   7.  Mobile Rolling Utility Creeper Seat    I    8. Chamberlain Garage Door Opener

     Outdoors/Backpacking

    1.  All Weather Firestarter Kit  I   2. Garmin Compact Satellite Communicator  I  3. Go Pro Camera  I   4.  Tactical Desert Multi-Purpose Scarf  I  5.  Stover Range Outdoor Fire Pit  I   6. Cliq Camping Chair   I   7. Stanley French Press Coffee Maker  I    8. Goal Zero Solar Panel Recharger

    Everyday Essentials

    1. Bedside Reading Light   I 2. Back Shoulder and Kneading Massager with Heat   I   3. Amazon Gift Card   I   4. Nordstrom Gift Card   5. Brewing Beer Starter Kit   I   6. Italian Crafted Crystal Whiskey Decanter & Whiskey Glasses set   I   7. Charging Station for Phone   I  8. Wood Phone Docking Station & Wallet Stand   I    9.  Hey Dude Canvas Loafers

    Her Gift Guide

    Work Essentials

    1. Amazon Fire Tablet   I    2. Reusable Portable Hand Warmer I  3. 2022 Planner  I   4. Tablet Stand Holder and Phone I  5. Family Dry Erase Calendar  I  6. Stylus Pen  I   7.  Vintage Portable Record Player   I   8. Himalayan Salt Diffuser  I  9.  Mug Warmer

    Leisure/Athletic

    1. Pajamas Lounge Set   I    2. Adjustable Wrist and Ankle Weights I  3. Uggs Slippers  I   4. Breathable Cooling Towel I  5. Hydro Flask Water Bottle  I  6. Apple AirPods  I   7.  HeadBands   I   8. Manduko Pro Yoga Mat  I  9.  Yoga Pants

    Home/Baking

    1. Staub Cocotte   I 2. Steamer Humidifier   I   3. Bamboo Cheese Tray and Serving Board   I   4. Facial Beauty Roller   5. Nest Holiday Candle  I   6. Uggs Plush Blanket   I   7. Vitamix A3500 Blender  I  Linked a few more favorites on my Amazon page:  Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven, Nest Smart Diffuser, KitchenAid artisan Mixer.

    I hope these gift guides help you with shopping for friends and family! Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and LTK for more gift guides like this, stocking stuffers which I will be sharing in my next post, holiday outfit ideas and more.

    xo Louise

    HomeMade Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

    Recipes by louise

    Y’all it’s been a while since I shared a recipe on my blog. So today, I am sharing one of my personal favorite homemade vegan cinnamon rolls recipe. I have refined this recipe over the years and love making this when the weather starts getting cooler. It really is the perfect dessert or breakfast for the upcoming Thanksgiving holidays, and for any occasion really. These cinnamon roles are vegan but they are surprisingly tasty, fluffy and a mouthful of deliciousness! For a non-vegan option, I have tried to include substitutes so that you can still make these rolls and enjoy them too! I love my cinnamon rolls warm and they are heavenly with a cup of coffee, tea, or something cold.

    INGREDIENTS

    Dough

    • 1 tbsp active active dry yeast
    • 1/2 cup warm water
    • 4 1/2 cup organic flour, more if needed
    • 1 cup organic unsweetened apple sauce
      • can substitute with 4 eggs
    • 1/4 cup raw organic cane sugar
    • 1 tsp pink Himalayan salt
    • 8 tbsp vegan butter
      • can substitute regular organic butter

    Dough Filling

    • 8 tbsp vegan butter, melted
    • 1/2 cup raw organic cane sugar
    • 1 1/4 tbsp ground cinnamon

    Vanilla Glaze

    • Homemade powdered sugar
      • 1 cup organic raw cane sugar mixed with
      • 2 tbsp arrow root powder
    • 2 tbsp vegan butter, melted
    • 2 tbsp oat milk
      • can substitute with whole milk
    • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

    Vanilla Orange Glaze (Option 2)

    • Homemade powdered sugar
    • 2 oz vegan cream cheese, room temperature
    • 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • 1/4 cup oat milk
    • 1 orange zest, grated

    Recipe Directions

    This recipe takes patience and time but is so worth it! To make the dough, in a bowl, sprinkle the active dry yeast over the warm water. Allow this to bloom for about 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Add 1/4 cup of the flour into this mixture and cover with a plastic wrap and let stand in a warm spot for an additional 25-30 minutes.

    After this time, in a bowl of a stand mixer, add the yeast flour mixture along with the unsweetened apple sauce, organic raw cane sugar, salt, and the remaining 4 1/4 cups of the flour. Fit the mixture with the dough hook and knead on medium speed for 5 minutes until smooth. Now add the vegan butter and continue to knead for an additional 10 minutes. If consistency is sticky, add more flour until dough is smooth and doesn’t have the sticky consistency. Usually another 1/4 cup should do the trick. Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap and a kitchen napkin and let dough sit another 2 hours until the dough has risen and doubled. I wouldn’t recommend going over this time.

    Close to the 2 hour mark, butter a 9-by-13 inch baking dish. I used the Williams Sonoma brand linked. You can use any baking dish of your choosing. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface and roll out into a 15-by-10 inch rectangle or as long as it’s not too thick. For the dough filling, brush the vegan melted butter on the rolled rectangle and sprinkle the raw cane sugar followed by the ground cinnamon. A short cut is to mix the dough filling together and spread on the dough, however this sometimes doesn’t work well. Roll the rectangle snugly and pinch the seam together so they don’t come apart. With the seam facing down, cut side up and place in the prepared dish. Brush the rolls with the remaining butter. Cover with a plastic wrap and let rise in the refrigerator overnight.

    The next morning, remove the rolls from the refrigerator and let it rise another 30 minutes until it’s risen again. Preheat oven to 350F. Bake the rolls covered about 30 minutes, remove covering and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the rolls look golden brown. Take out of the oven and let it cool in the baking dish pan another 15 minutes.

    Meantime while the rolls are cooling, make the vanilla glaze. In a small bowl, add all ingredients together until it forms a smooth paste. Pour then spread the glaze over the warm rolls. Serve immediately following. Makes 8-10 rolls. These are truly heavenly and perfect for the cooler weather and the holidays! If you make these, please tag me on Instagram @louise.millen or send me a note and let me know how they turned out.

    xo Louise

    Fun Things To Do This Fall

    Self Care by louise

    This time of year is an all-time favorite! The gradual transitioning of the weather with leaves falling, lots of pumpkins, gourds, and squash. The weather in Dallas has been pleasant the last week with mornings a little crisp and the afternoons warming up to bearable temperatures. There’s always so much I look forward to at this time of the year and I wanted to put together a few fun things you can do in the city this Fall and some cool home options too! These are things my family and I have already done or we plan on doing over the next month, and you may enjoy adding to your list as well.

    1. Pumpkin Patch

    Pumpkin patches are the cutest! It really is one of those first things you notice as a sign that Fall has arrived. There are many local pumpkin patch places this time of year you can take your family to. It is an exciting experience for your kiddos when they see the variety of pumpkins on display with their different shapes, sizes, and color. I love it when we pick one or two or maybe a couple to decorate for the front porch or to carve a pumpkin! Autumn at the Arboretum is so beautiful this time of year. It’s a great place to take pictures and one of the best Fall festivals. For something a little away from the city, there’s the Big Orange Pumpkin Farm at Preston Trail Farms which is open this time of year through November 26, and has lots of pumpkins, a petting farm and rides. Definitely one we will be going to again this year.

    2. Fall Events

    There’s quite a number of events that are organized this time of year. A great way to step out on a date or again with the family. There’s a few I will list here:

    OCTOBER 28 – HALLOWEEN SPIRIT WALK (ADULT event) at the Grandscape in the Colony, TX. You will be able to walk through the Lifestyle Center and participate in drink sampling at various locations during this event. This is a paid event ($25) and will include a drink passport. There are also FREE music events on October 29 that is open to the public.

    OCTOBER 31 – TRICK OR TREAT on Main Street in Frisco, TX. Your kiddos can help themselves to all the sweets they can handle and businesses on Main Street are encouraged to hand candy outside versus inside. I believe face coverings are recommended for anyone 2 and older to wear.  The city of Frisco have a few more events planned for the months of November through December but that is for a later post.

    OCTOBER 31 – NEIGHBORHOOD GOODS GOAT YOGA at the Shops at Legacy West in Plano, TX. Yup, if you’re anything like me, you will want to go to this outdoorsy event which sounds like a whole lot of fun!!! Oh, and because it is so close to the end of the month, there will be a costume theme for Halloween.

    EXTENDED THROUGH JANUARY – JURASSIC WORLD EXHIBITION at the Grandscape in the Colony, TX. Okay, if you haven’t been to this exhibition, then you simply have to. This is a totally immersive experience that transports you to the park to learn more about the prehistoric creatures that once ruled the land. It is great for both adults and kids, and the dinosaurs move. My kids absolutely loved the experience.

    3. Try New Restaurants, Juice or Coffee Shops

    Y’all. there are so many new restaurants that have sprung up with good food and drinks. One of my favorite juice bars that is 100% certified organic is Clean Juice. They are located all over the DFW metroplex and in other parts of the United States. I cannot recommend this place enough and they have a seasonal pumpkin spice latte and pumpkin smoothie that is absolute heaven! You can also try a local coffee shop like Amor Coffee Shop in Allen, TX which is owned by a fellow blogger and HGTV demo renovation designer, Jenn Todyrk. I also recommend visiting the Grandscape in the Colony, TX and the Gates at Prosper for some pretty cool restaurants.

    If you’re more of a homebody, then you can simply try your hands at making a new Fall drink from the comforts of your kitchen or attempt making a cup of green tea matcha with oat milk and agave. There are so many great recipes that have pumpkin for this time of year. I am a bit obsessed with homemade cinnamon rolls and will share a vegan option on the blog next.

    4. S’MORES AND OUTDOORS

    S’mores outdoors in your backyard are the best! If you’re vegan, there is a brand called Dandies that makes marshmallows and Trader Joe’s have some good options too. There’s always something relaxing about sitting outdoors watching the flickering of the fire as you make a s’more and enjoy it with family and friends. My suggestion is to experiment with the chocolate on your s’more. Next time you make a s’more, instead of using your traditional milk chocolate, try it with dark chocolate or peanut butter cups, or maybe a combo of both. You’ll be surprised.

    5. Home Activities

    Finally, there are LOTS of cool things to do at home. Remember those pumpkins I mentioned earlier? Well, you can certainly carve a pumpkin. We plan on doing some pumpkin carvings this weekend. If you don’t want to get your house messy, then puzzles are another nice way to settle in during Fall evenings with a warm cup of hot chocolate. Its a great family activity and a simple way to enjoy a quiet evening after your kids are all tucked away for the evening. You can find puzzles at stores like Barnes & Noble, Target, and Hobby Lobby. Movie nights are by far my FAVORITE activity to do at home during Fall! I love to turn on the fireplace, cuddle and catch-up on favorite shows or movies. I’m currently watching Succession and that has been entertaining.

    Hope you’re able to do something fun this Fall, either in the City or at home. xo Louise

    @LOUISEMILLEN