The Best Hot Drinks for the Non-Coffee Drinkers

It's true. I don't drink coffee. I'm not a big fan of the taste (that aftertaste.... yuck) and it always seems to upset my stomach, so I stay away. I may spend most of my time in Seattle, the coffee capital, but I can't bring myself to like coffee. But that's okay! By not drinking coffee, I've found other really delicious alternatives that I'm more than happy drinking! There's nothing like a chai tea latte on a cold fall day! Below are my favorite non-coffee drinks - go ahead, order one next time!

Chai tea lattes  ||  Chai tea lattes are my go-to. If I'm not really sure what I want or what a particular coffee shop or stand has to offer, I know I'll be happy with a chai tea latte. Though delicious on their own, I always add a flavor, to sweeten it up and change it up! Adding the full flavor can be a little overwhelming and overly-sweet, so I normally ask for 3ish pumps, versus 5 or 6.

Best Chai Tea Latte additions

- Hazelnut chai tea latte

- Vanilla chai tea latte

- Vanilla chai tea latte + soymilk

- Pumpkin chai tea latte

- Almond chai tea latte

- Chocolate chai tea latte

- Peppermint chai tea latte

- Chai tea latte + almond milk

Hot chocolate  ||  Hot chocolate will always be a favorite drink of mine. Though it can easily be made at home (my favorite non-instant mix recipe coming soon!), many shops and stands have more options than typically found at home. A white hot chocolate (white chocolate) is what I've been getting a lot recently. It's a nice change from the typical hot chocolate, but just as delicious. When I was in Scotland, I discovered adding honey to my hot chocolate and it might have been the greatest discovery I've ever made. Adding raspberry or blueberry in is nice, too!

Hot apple cider  ||  Ok, really. Who doesn't love hot cider? Especially with a little bit of caramel, hot cider is one of the best fall and winter drinks around. It's perfect when I'm feeling something sweeter, without spending $6 on one drink. A classic choice.

Hot tea  ||  My family is a tea drinking family. We always have hot water on the stove ready because someone is always drinking some! Tea is a great drink, hot or iced, because it's so easy to fit your needs. Adding or avoiding sugar, using cream, blending teas together. It all works (as long as your know your teas). These are my favorite teas:

Hot Tea

- Green tea + honey

- Lemongrass tea + honey (if you're ever in the UK, pick up some lemongrass tea from TeaPigs - best lemongrass tea I've ever had!)

- Orange spice black tea + half and half + sugar or honey

- Chai spice black tea + half and half + sugar or honey

- Lemon ginger tea + honey (perfect for a sore throat or sick days!)

- Peppermint tea + sugar (Trader Joe's has a great peppermint green tea during the holidays!)

Steamed milk  ||  Before I got into chai tea lattes, I drank a lot of steamed milk. It was sometimes embarrassing to order, but I realized that it was too delicious to even care! It's literally a cup full of hot milk with other flavors added. I have a few favorite combos:

Steamed Milk

- Steamed milk + hazelnut

- Steamed milk + almond (the best)

- Steamed milk + cinnamon + vanilla extract + pinch of sugar (best for sick days or when you can't fall asleep!)

Those are my favorite hot drinks! 

Are you a big coffee drinker? What's your go-to hot drink?

Cheers!

Fall Flats: Under $100

clockwise from top: black and leopard, nude, scalloped, leopard, bow, snakeskin

I am a huge fan of flats. You can find me wearing a pair year round, as long as I can keep my feet dry. They instantly glam-up an outfit, are so easy to style, and come in every color, texture, shape, and material you could dream of. Fall is the season of the flat. Pair with skinny jeans, a Thanksgiving skirt, leggings, you name it. I'm a huge fan of neutral pairs (leopard is so a neutral!) and found these six pairs online, knowing I had to share them. The best part: they're all under $100. I know what I'm doing this weekend, and it includes a trip to Nordstrom and my bank account ;).

What shoes are you loving this fall? Flats, boots, both?

Cheers!

A Snohomish Fall

{instagram}

{instagram}

{instagram}

Happy fall! The past two years have made me really learn to appreciate this season for what it is. I used to be very apprehensive towards fall and the colder months, but I've come to love layering, the clouds, and the festivities. This year I've really celebrated the season. My roommate from school last year Lindsey and I went to a pumpkin patch in Snohomish with one of her friends. The Farm at Swan's Trail is just down the road from my house and honestly of the greatest farms and pumpkins patches around, and the perfect place to celebrate fall with loved ones. Aside from a petting zoo, various food and drink options, hayrides, tractor rides, playgrounds, a huge beautiful venue space, and a Washington state corn maze (the maze includes Washington cities as intersections, etc.!), Swan's Trail has an enormous pumpkin patch, guaranteeing you'll find your perfect pumpkin. It's the most family friendly, vibrant, fun, and positive space around! I bought a cup of local fresh pressed apple cider and apple cider donuts, which were amazing. 

As every girl in every pumpkin patch around, I wore my Hunter rain boots (they're perfect and make me feel invincible while in the patch). I also brought out my burgundy jeggings from Hollister, which may have paired badly with my red Hollister jacket... It was chilly! My vest and sweater (similar) are from Old Navy and my monogrammed necklace from Ameera Noor.

What are you doing this fall to celebrate the season?

Cheers!

Vote for Love

Jacket  ||  Tee  ||  Pants (similar)  ||  Booties  ||  Necklace

Oh fall... My love for the season has greatly developed. I used to dread October, knowing the temperature would drop to the 50s and I couldn't get away with just a cardigan anymore. As much love and taste for fall has grown, so has my fall style. Buying this jacket (I swear I own more jackets than just this one!) has been one of the best style investments I've made. The navy color is so neutral and works with every color - even black. I bought this tee just the other day from J.Crew for $12 - yeah, only $12. It's hard to read but says "Vote for Love" across the front and comes in a beautiful peach color! Also, these Nine West booties are too comfortable. I swear I could walk all day in them!

Here a few cute, inexpensive, and similar jackets that are perfect for fall, and similar booties to mine!

What's your fall staple?

Cheers!

Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Fall is famous for one thing everywhere: pumpkin. Everywhere you go, everywhere you look, there will be pumpkin spice lattes (#basic), pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin milkshakes, and pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. I came across this recipe for pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip cookies a bit ago and had to make them! They're soft, gooey, rich, and delicious, perfect for a household full of family, a gift for friends, or to make all for yourself ;) 

Baking these cookies was unbelievably simple. Adding in nuts or taking out the chocolate chips would make them just as delicious. The best part about easy recipes is being able to adapt it to your own desires or needs! Try out the recipe, snap a pic, and send it to me! I love seeing what others are baking - I think I'm going to make a point to start baking more often!

What's your favorite fall treat?

Cheers!