Bread pudding is one of my all time favorite brunch dessert items and I normally end up eating a helping or two more than I should, but it's okay to splurge now and then.  This wild mushroom version is less sweet and more savory, but just as delicious.  I started making this with minor adjustments about six years ago for a Thanksgiving dinner with friends in college, and I think it is about time I share.  It doesn't take long to make and it great for cozying up with your books to study, or for those of you not into studying... you can cozy up with a movie.  

Wild Mushroom Bread Puddings
Ingredients
 4 cups fresh bread, cubed *I use a French bread
 1 & 1/2 pounds mixed fresh mushrooms (I use baby bellas, porcini, and enoki), cut into 1/4-inch pieces
 1/2 cup yellow onions, finely chopped
 Salt and pepper, to taste
 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
 1 tsp. white truffle oil
 3 cloves garlic, minced
 2 cups half-and-half
 4 large eggs
 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. On a rimmed baking sheet lightly sprayed with cooking spray, spread the bread cubes out evenly, and bake until toasted, about 10 minutes; set aside.
3. In a sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter.
4. Add the onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Add the mushrooms, truffle oil, salt, and pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms have lost most of their liquid, about 15 minutes or so.
6. Add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.
7. Remove the pan from the heat.
8. In a large bowl, whisk together the half-and-half, eggs, and Parmesan.  Add salt and pepper, if desired.
9. Add the cooked mushrooms and bread cubes to the bowl, tossing to coat them thoroughly with the egg mixture.  Let stand at room temperature for about 10 minutes so that the bread can soak up the egg mixture.
10. Spray the ramekins/casserole generously with cooking spray and spoon the mixture into them.
11. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes.  Serve immediately.

One great thing about this week is I don't have to go to class, which means... NO DRESS CODE.  Though I have spent the past 5 days in various pajamas I have some errands that need to be run today so I took the opportunity to pull out one of my favorite skirts that doesn't fit into school dress code.  Once I started with the all black base layer with the skirt I realized I was beginning to look like my dog, so I decided she was stylish enough to be my muse for the day and just went for it and added a cardigan that is the same color as my skirt.  The cardigan is another favorite because I love the laser cut leather that looks like lace and I believe that is the perfect way to girly up some leather.  I also went for the red lip that always makes me nervous to wear because I normally just wear eye makeup.  I had to be brave because I needed a pop of color. 

This weekend was the busiest shopping day of the year, and I was studying almost the entire time.  It is a shame that finals can't be at a more convenient time so that I could have gotten in on a little of the shopping madness.  I rarely shop on black friday, but I am always fascinated to see people acting foolish about such silly things... plus you can find some good deals.  I did go out around 8:00pm to Hobby Lobby to pick up some Christmas decorations (since I knew it was all 50% off!)  I had this idea of Tiffany Blue, silver, and white christmas, but that was harder than I thought it would be since I guess not everyone looks for Tiffany Blue ornaments.  I ended up getting clear ornaments and painting them myself and doing quite a few different styles of painting (and glittering).   Apart from the tree, I did a window with some bigger ornaments, an old scarf, white lights, and tulle.  It is over the window just behind my studying couch and makes me smile every time I see it.  

It is feeling a lot more like Christmas already and I can not wait 'til it gets here and I get to spend time with those I love.  I am sure I will be adding more decorations at the days go on.  One thing I know is that I need stockings for me and Beans and some more lights!  Have you started decorating?  

Ahhh.... it's black friday!  I feel like it has been hyped up so much more than usual this year to the point that it's a holiday in and of itself, but that's okay.  I guess it keeps our economy going... and provides a form of exercise from the over-eating that many partook of during their Thanksgiving feast.  I don't have anything against black friday except it's being shoved down my throat.  My Thanksgiving  with my books went pretty well, and my weekend is going to be much of the same.  My books definitely aren't being neglected though my friends, social life, and bed are.  I refuse to complain about that anymore though.  Starting now.  I may venture out to get Christmas decor.  I think I want to have a Tiffany Blue and Silver color scheme. Have you started decorating?  What are your weekend plans?

Some things:
Stop-motion wedding videos make me smile
Pretty tiered necklace 
Alexa Chung's hair is what I would want my hair to look like if I ever chopped it off
Neat homemade business cards that I wish were lawyer appropriate
Spontaneous celebration candles that I would like to always have on me
New cookie recipe I would like to try
Truly man's best friend

And for holiday shopping, here are three big tips (for just this weekend)!
* J.Crew is 25% off with code YOURGIFT.
* Shopbop is 20% off with code BIGEVENT.
* ASOS is 20% off with code HAPPYBLACKFRIDAY.
*Net-a-porter end of season sale starts today

Anytime I read something that inspires me, I want to remember it, but inevitably, I always forget it.  I decided that if I made pictures like the one above I would look at it more and thus be more likely to memorize it.  This quote by T. Rubin is one of those that makes me want to live my life and not let it pass me by (he actually has quite a few on the subject that I love).  I think it is important for us all to not take ourselves too seriously if it gets in the way of experiencing life. Side note: I am on the lookout for more fonts to add to my computer, if you know of any. 

I am always looking for heels that I like that are below 4 inches, just because it seems too much to wear giant heels at 7:00am when walking to class.  So, when I found these on sale at Anthropologie I knew I had to have them because it has a heel that is tall enough for me to be comfortable and low enough for me to wear them all day.  I wore them today after we had giant thunderstorms last night since I needed something girly that would go perfectly with my bright plaid skirt.  They worked great though I did kick them off while I was sitting in my office studying, but that was because of the frequent trips I was making to the coffee machine.  Things are getting a little busy for me as I only have a few weeks left in the semester, but I will try and update as much as I can. 

One of my favorite design companies A Friend Of Mine was asked to design and art direct for this cookbook The Good Life. Something I definitely get from my mom is a love of cookbooks, and I can look through them almost the same excitement as I get when looking through the newest Vogue (I did say, almost).  The thing is that for a cookbook to stand out from the very crowded market it has to have a couple of things: delicious and easy to follow recipes, quality photographs, and the hardest part is to have something original and inviting that makes you a part of the book so you can picture yourself making the food. This book does just that as there is seamless connection between type and image, and imagery and format.  The author, Adrian Richardson, who is the chef of La Luna in Australia has the philosophy that things taste better when they are homemade and that comes across as each page is turned.  I couldn't put it down... until I had to because my study break was over.   I think the photography and  the styling is just about perfect, but my favorite part is the way that they used ingredients and foods to make some of the typography. Well, that and the tablecloth bookmark.

While the web is humming with gift guides and general cheer over the coming holidays, I thought I'd share a few non-holiday-related reasons I enjoy this time of year.  Listening to great jazz, reminiscing of coffee and classic movie nights in college. (side note: how bad do you wish that Jamie Cullum had a Christmas album? ) Other things that I love are layering on hats, gloves, boots, jackets even though it's truly not cold enough to warrant it yet. Falling in love with the first breath of chilly morning air each day.  Living in the same cozy sweater for days curled up with my books.  The long nights and late mornings (not that I get to sleep in and enjoy them yet... but I can't wait to finally get into a big warm bed with no plans on leaving for at least 8 hours).  What are your favorite things about winter? Any exciting plans for the weekend? 

Some things:
Favorite non-sticky winter lip balm
Beautiful manifesto, recycled materials
Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward = adorable
I like when cozy things aren't too expensive
Modern art that make me laugh
A lot cuter than having a head on your wall

I love the colors of fall, and though our colors haven't been that wonderful this year due to the drought,  I am bringing in the traditional fall colors in other ways.  This fall salad, that I adapted from this recipe, is a perfect way to do that.  I am not the biggest fan of lettuce, so that was a big part of the draw for me to this salad. I adapted the recipe by getting rid of the bell peppers and replacing them with tomatoes, but that is just a personal preference.  I made this when the Boy was here visiting and he loved it, almost more than the steaks and hollandaise I made!

The sweet potato mixture before it went into the oven.  I went ahead and added some garlic and peppers to this mixture... though I don't think it added much to the flavor.  So I would deem it an unnecessary step.   

The finished result is so beautiful and looks just like fall to me and I love all the flavors too, they just warmed me right up! 

I threw in a picture of the steaks just because they were so pretty and well cooked.  This is the picture of them staying warm while I waited for the Boy's arrival.