Outfit of the Day: Winter White Not?

Reminiscent of morning frost, winter white is an outfit essential this season that I'm fully embracing.  This icy hue completes any outfit's color palette. 

Here I'm wearing a vintage Antik Batik tunic embellished with silver and bronze along the buttoned-down neckline.  I've layered on my gray fur scarf and JCrew's heather gray pixie pant to bring an element of warmth with my open cage heels from Forever 21 (you NEED these black patent shoes). The finishing touch is my winter white Calvin Klein coat with silver zipper details.

This outfit is comprised of two sentimental pieces which I collected from my time in London - only four months but priceless and life-changing.  The fur scarf I hunted down at the Portobello Market in Notting Hill after my co-worker at AT Showroom came in wearing a camel colored one.  As a parting gift, my darling German boss Alexa of AT Showroom gave me the stunning, cobalt tunic by Antik Batik.  I simultaneously strut in my outfit of the day and smile at the magical moments I shared with my fabulous flatmates and faithful God in the UK. 

Winter white Calvin Klein coat, gray fur scarf and JCrew pixie pant

Antik Batik tunic with its silver and bronze embellishment

Forever 21 open cage, black patent heels

I hope you're feeling inspired to layer and experiment with winter white!  Happy Friday!  xx

Sweet Tooth Sunday: Pumpkin Spice Doughnut Holes (Gluten-free & Dairy-free)

These pumpkin spice doughnut holes are an incredible dessert especially around the holidays to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings.  They would also be a delicious recipe to share Christmas morning with your family.  I wonder if these doughnut holes could be converted into cake pops...?

I made these (and an egg-free version) for Friendsgiving, and the crowd went wild!  I had several friends asking for the recipe so here it is:

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

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Ingredients

For the doughnuts:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour blend (I used Silvana Nardone's blend - it's the best!)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your flour blend already contains it like in Silvana's)

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

1/2 cup rice milk (or almond milk)

For the sugar coating:

1/2 cup (which equals 8 Tablespoons) soy-free Earth Balance 

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350º, and spray a 24 count mini-muffin tin with gluten-free cooking spray. Set aside.

2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, spices and xanthan gum in a large bowl. Add the oil, brown sugar, egg, pumpkin puree and milk.  Whisk until smooth.

3. Using a small scoop or tablespoon, fill holes in pan about 3/4 full.  Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of one comes out clean.  Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes.  You will probably need to bake 2-3 batches, depending on how big your pan is.

4. Place half of the sugar and cinnamon blend in a large, zip-up bag and the other half in another bag.  Dip the doughnut holes on all side in the melted earth balance; then place one dozen in the first bag and the second dozen in the other bag (I actually had enough dough for three dozen so I doubled the blend and added a third bag). Seal each bag and shake to coat with sugar-cinnamon mixture.  Serve immediately or let cool like I did.  These are best when eaten the same day.

*** To make my second batch of pumpkin spice doughnuts egg-free, I replaced the egg with 2Tbsp. water, 1Tbsp. oil and 2 tsp. baking powder.***

Happy Holiday baking!  I hope you enjoy these pumpkin spice doughnut holes as much as my friends and I did! xx

Dipping the freshly baked doughnut holes in the melted soy-free Earth Balance. 

Sitting pretty in their sugar-cinnamon coating. 

Ready to taste test with a glass of yummy rice milk. 

Sub Santa's usual milk and cookies with these delicious pumpkin spice doughnut holes (that happen to be gluten-free and dairy-free, and there's even an egg-free option)!

Upcoming Events: Meredith College Fashion Show & Sola Coffee Cafe Pop-up Market

"Whirlwind" seems to be the word of the season.  October and November were gone in a flash, and now we're four days into December!  Whirlwind or not, I love Christmas time.  It's the season bustling with last minute shopping, home cooked meals, charity events and holiday markets for local designers!  

I'm thrilled to announce that my jewelry will be featured this Friday night at Meredith College's Charity Fashion Show: From All Catwalks of Life at Jimmy V's Restaurant in Raleigh!  This free event begins at 7pm, and all proceeds will go towards the Jimmy V Cancer Foundation.  Please come by to support an outstanding cause and to get a first look at The Culture of Design's newest collection (which will be available online here once the weekend is over if I have any items spared from holiday shoppers).

Another event that I'm so thankful to be a part of is Sola Coffee Cafe's second pop-up market and their first ever holiday one.  I along with other local artists will be showcasing my newest designs for holiday shoppers to peruse while enjoying live music and a delicious cup of coffee (or tea if you're a hot tea drinker like moi!).  Be sure to stop by this Saturday for quality creativity and coffee 10am until 2pm at Sola's in Raleigh!  I'd love to see you!

Here's a recap of this weekend's events:

What:   From All Catwalks of Life
            Brought to you by Meredith College's Visual Merchandising class
When:  Friday, December 6, 2013

Where: Jimmy V's Osteria & Bar 
            420 Fayetteville St Raleigh, NC 27601 

Time:   7pm

****FREE ADMISSION****

Why:    Eligible for awesome door prizes with donation! 
            All proceeds will go to Jimmy V's Cancer Research Foundation!
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What:   Holiday Pop-up Market
When:  Saturday, December 7, 2013

Where: Sola Coffee Cafe
             7705 Lead Mine Rd Raleigh, NC 27615

Time:   10am-2pm

****Free event - open to the public****

Why:     Supports local artists/designers and therefore the local economy!
             Hosted by a premium coffee shop with an amazing atmosphere!
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Who's going to attend one or both of these events?  I hope to see you there, but...

If this weekend turns out to be a whirlwind, you can always stop by and see me here at www.thecultureofdesign.com!  Stay tuned for new styling posts... Happy Hump Day! xx