This Bird's Working It Out

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, the greatest food focused holiday of the year. I cannot wait to have stuffing and wine and slowly slip into a long weekend of shopping, sleeping and starting to count down the days until Christmas.

As I write, I'm waiting for the timer to go off for the pumpkin pie that's in the oven and thinking about some recent changes in my life. Mainly, my leap into the world of this thing they call getting into shape. You may have read my post titled 'Diet Cleanup On Isle One' - the one where I told you I'd post on my planned successes with eating cleaner. Well, my update wasn't posted because with the stress of daily life at the time, and my inability to stick to the commitment of shopping for food, cooking, repeat during the week, I fell back into devouring what was available immediately or free at work instead giving some real thought to what I was doing.

Fast forward to the end of October - I was waiting on another contract to start up and found myself with lots of free time. The previous gap I had between contracts lasted longer than I'd like to admit, and yet I made every excuse to not get off my butt and put the focus on myself as much as I was focusing on finding new work. My friend S works at a gym downtown and I must have mentioned signing up to her at least 6 times - followed by 'I'm just not a gym person, you know?' A close friend of mine, M, had started up a serious workout routine and guess what, she wasn't a gym person either. In fact, the first time she told me she had been going it was with a punchy line close to 'I've been doing this crazy thing called exercise!' M is a beautiful woman, and by no means in need to lose weight, but she made a commitment to herself to take on this new experience and it inspired me to stop making excuses.

As I'd mentioned in my other post, it was important to me to never feel badly for eating something that wasn't perfectly good for my body, we all deserve indulgences sometimes. It was also important to me that I wasn't basing my success on weight loss - because weight loss doesn't always reflect a healthy person.

I signed up to start November 2nd. I wanted to start before January 1st, as all too often the pressure of the typical New Year's resolution sets us up for failure. I figure having a routine in place before the year turns over would be my best chance to keep things going in 2012.

I arrived at the gym to meet with a trainer - running on only a few hours of sleep and an empty stomach. I assumed before arriving she was going to beat me up (she's 5'3) and that she was going to scream at me (she didn't appear to be a yeller), but instead of jumping into a kick-my-ass-and-make-me-cry-routine, we spent a good 45 minutes talking about why I was there, what I wanted to accomplish and assessing where I was on a scale of healthy to could use a little work...

I made a list before I went and recited the answers to the questions I thought I would be asked.

Why are you here?

Well, I feel like crap.

My job often means not having time to put thought and effort into taking care of myself.
My body doesn't bounce back as easily when I overeat, spend time going without exercise, or generally don't look out for my health.
My family has a history of being overweight, thyroid issues, cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol - It's a fact some of this is preventable and not doing something about it feels irresponsible.
I have a hard time controlling why and when I use food for other reasons that sustenance.
I am uncomfortable.
I have trouble opening orange juice, tomato sauce jars and have the upper body strength of a kitten.

(Losing weight, working out suddenly felt more emotional than I had anticipated after making this list.)

What do you want to accomplish?

I want to feel stronger.
I want to feel less puffy, bloated, tired.
I want to plan a preemptive attack when I have deemed "Holiday Baked Good Bootie"

Do you care about getting down to a certain clothing size or number on the scale?

Now, this one took some thought. And after much consideration, I realize how much I tell women around me - don't look at the number on the dress you're buying as a reflection on your looks. Clothing makers use all kinds of measurements that change from designer to designer, and you should wear what fits and flatters you. You are not the number on the tag.

No, I don't have a dress size I want to be at. However, if being healthy, more comfortable and less sedentary means knocking off a few pounds on the scale, I'll take that as a positive reflection of my hard work.

So it's been about 20 or so days, and I feel better. Improvements have been slow, but it's good to know that I'm doing something for myself - putting aside time every day to make a conscious decision to take care of my body by working out and eating better. I still don't always enjoy working out  - but it's a necessary evil and I always feel better after.

I have a realistic idea about what I want and can achieve, which is a nice change from expecting huge changes quickly. I think if I had started this routine in my early twenties it would have been about vanity, now I think it's about maintenance and prevention. And hell, if I look better in my clothes that's a great benefit, too. My 30th is coming up in February and this is just one small step in the direction of paying better attention to what's good for me and growing up.

What role do you think nutrition and exercise play in your life?

Wishing you all a happy start to the holiday season.

Cheers,

BR

Even Zombie Housewives Have to Make Dinner - Happy Halloween!

Every year brings a new challenge to create something unique for Halloween - this year I skipped the sewing and tried getting zombified! A happy little platter of brain and finger food, a cute apron, some high victory rolls and off I went to celebrate my most favorite holiday.

Getting ready... or decaying?

Brains for dinner again?

Mom would be so proud.

Birdie Royale shows off her domestic zombie skills in this tutorial on how to cook a brainloaf:

(Or, view hi-res version here!)

Hoping you all had a wonderful Halloween!

Cheers,

BR

Mitsy Meringue Goes to BurlyCon

Every so often, you'll catch a little glimpse at my shiny collection of friends. I'd like to think I've bonded with some of the most stylish, witty and clever girls in the city and recently realized what great contributions their stories and experiences would make to the blog. With that being said, I'd like to happily introduce you to Ballard beauty, Miss Mitsy Meringue. A recent attendee of BurlyCon, she shares with us her experiences as a first time participant and a little tease of Seattle's colorful burlesque culture.

Enjoy!

BR

Last week, Seattle got Glitter Bombed and I bet you didn't even notice. You might not have caught on to the commotion down in SeaTac, but you'll see the ripples all year.

On Thursday morning, some of the best and most legendary burlesque performers in the world fluttered into Seattle not to shine and strip like we so love to do, but to learn, teach, nurture, and network. Sunday night all returned home, leaving a trail of ostrich feather droppings, Swarovski crystals, and a myriad of new connections, skills, and partnerships that will no doubt shape the next year of burlesque performances and new troupes that I'm sure you're just dying to go see!

Now in its fourth year, BurlyCon is the only event of it's kind; focused on education and community building rather than performance or competition. Attendees included performers (and performers-in-training), producers, stage managers & crew, not to mention enthusiasts, historians, and pastie-peddlers.

It was my first year as an attendee, and I am, in a word, overwhelmed (Glitter-pated? Dazzle-dazed?). I only did three days of classes and networking, and absolutely collapsed at the end of each day. Although I did take one dance class (Classic Fans with Jezebel Express, where I borrowed fans from THE Miss Indigo Blue, reigning Queen of Burlesque), I found the panels and practical application classes more to my taste. 

The "Balancing Burlesque with your Day Job" panel discussion was particularly poignant. One speaker shared that she's a professional therapist who would likely lose her license if her burlesque activities were revealed. Another woman told the panel that while she was embroiled in a court case, her former business partner announced to the courtroom (including her parents) that she was in fact, a stripper. Of course, you, Birdie Royale, and I all know that there's a big difference between stripping and theatrical striptease, but try telling a judge and jury that in a court of law when you thought you were there to talk about who's getting the office furniture. It sure made my life of advertising diva by day and tassel-twirler come sundown seem simple as cakepops.

Burgundy Brixx's "Producing 101" class was like getting a drink from a fire hydrant. Just the soundbites alone were worth the hour and half I spent listening to her tell cautionary tales of sound disasters, lighting woes, overly-frisky audiences without security. For example: A bar wants to make money and doesn't give a shit about your art. A theatre, might want to see your art and doesn't care about money. A private show is probably not going to think about the fact that a "dressing area" is not a public restroom OR that a PA system is not a clock radio- unless you put it all in writing beforehand. 

Getting prepped for the Northwest Tiki Social.
Thanks to Gorejess Gals Burlesque for sharing their hotel room and vodka.

Part of the sheer delight of Con was the diversity of the attendees and they're willingness to help each other out. If you're involved in the burlesque community in any way (Vintage fashion? Theatre background? Millinery? Marketing?) I strongly encourage you to bring your experience to next year's BurlyCon.
                               
Tickets are on sale for next BurlyCon 2012. Through December 15th, they're only $125 (at the door, they'll be $375).


Mitsy Meringue is a burlesque dilettante, professional marketing project manager, and glamorous gal about town.  

Celebrating Autumn - Pumpkin Picking

Growing up in the Midwest, one of the things I miss most is the autumn season and all the activities that were a part of it. We'd make multiple trips to the cider mills that were close to my home, and I always enjoyed a long drive to look at the changing colors.

While still my favorite season, autumn in Seattle isn't always the same and I haven't made a trip to the pumpkin patch or cider mill during the four years that I've lived here. I was so excited this last weekend when a friend of mine mentioned they were making the drive to Carnation so I gladly decided to tag along. Such great weather and so much fun to celebrate fall with friends!

Hoping you've been able to start your fall festivities, too!

Happy pumpkin picking,

BR 

Birdie Royale on FreshJess

Thank you to Jess Estrada of FreshJess for giving me a lovely nod on her blog and for those of you who have reposted! Jess is Seattle's go to girl for events, parties, style and shopping and a great example of how to put social media to work.

I'm so glad that Jess has decided to do this monthly feature. I think oftentimes Seattle is overlooked as having unique, stylish ladies and as a place where fashion can thrive. With so many great small boutiques, designers and people interested in Seattle having a larger presence in the fashion world, it's great to get the word out.

The photos on the blog were taken by Andy Westbrock, who was a former Art Director I worked with while at Sedgwick Rd and a great friend. You might have also seen his photos pop up on the BR blog for the Mad Men Casting Call, he's always been great about lending his aesthetic and art direction talents to any photos we have shot. You can find more of Andy's photography here.

   

A Pink Champagne Fête

Cake, burlesque and champagne just seem to naturally go together.

A few more photos of the oh so pink treats created for Caitlin's Pink Champagne themed birthday party:

(Clockwise)
✳ Tiered buttercream fondant strawberry & vanilla cake
✳ Chocolate dipped Oreos
✳ Strawberry,vanilla and chocolate cakepops

I'd say the night was a sugary success thanks to JoJo Stilleto's party planning skills and a little surprise entertainment by the Shanghai Pearl who performed for us by wiggling out of a pink guerilla suit!

Cheers,

BR

A Sweet Celebration - Cakepops!

cakepop: (keyk-pop) noun

1.) happiness for under two dollars

2.) a unicorn's favorite snack

3.) newcomer to sugary indulgences category 

4.) a useful tool during celebration, consoling the departure of a mean boyfriend or bribery

This week we are getting ready to celebrate another friend's milestone birthday. For me, that means more time in the kitchen!

While I've posted photos of my homemade cakepops before, I thought I'd give a little step-by-step photo collection for those of you curious about making these adorable little treats yourself.

Step 1

Start with your favorite batter. My go to recipe when strawberries are still readily available can be found here, but any preferred flavor will do. 

From here you can proceed one of two ways:

Using a press:

If using a press, fill a pastry bag (or disposable plastic bag) with batter and snip the end to allow easy distribution into the concave mold. Follow the press instructions and set aside your little rounded cake balls to cool.

Using a press allows you to create your cake balls without having to combine them with frosting to ensure they keep their shape. As a girl who is a bigger fan of the cake than she is sugary frosting, this is a great way to go! 

Don't have a press?

There are lots of resources that explain how to make cakepops sans a press (click here to see CakeBot show you how.) Generally, this method uses a fully baked cake and a bit of frosting for binding. Once combined and chilled, the steps are very similar on how to dip and decorate.

Step 2

After cooling, it's time to add the lollipop stick. I generally use these with Wilton Candy Melts and add coloring as needed or buy the pre-colored variety and alter to the color I'd like to achieve, warming per the directions and keeping an eye on the chocolate so it doesn't burn.

Warm up a bit of chocolate in a microwave safe bowl, double boiler or warming pot. Each lollipop stick should take a dip and a swirl in the chocolate and be inserted 1/2 to 3/4 of the way into the cake ball.

Once all the cakepops are assembled, let them have a sit in the fridge to allow the chocolate to bind to the cake and the lollipop stick to ensure everything will stay intact when you go to dip them.

The Wilton website or JoAnn Fabrics are great resources for both the lollipop sticks and chocolate that melts easily and evenly.

Step 3

After heating the chocolate in a deep bowl (the deeper bowl will work better than trying to swirl the pops in a shallow dish), work one by one from the fridge to dip you cake pop into the chocolate, giving a quick swirl and tapping or spinning to remove the excess chocolate. Cakepops should be cool, but not freezing when you start this step as a cakepop that is frozen may result in the warm chocolate cooling improperly and cracking.

If you plan on using sprinkles or dragees, add them while the chocolate hasn't set. Piping or edible painting can be done after.

There are several baking brands that make great cakepop holders to keep the cakepops separate while decorating and drying, but a sturdy piece of styrofoam with a layer of plastic wrap over the top works just as well for larger batches.

And, of course, the presentation! Endless ways to decorate and present these treats, but I had a special request from the birthday girl for lots of pink. And sugar. And sparklers - maybe those will go on the cake if it wont end up with the fire chief coming after us.

      

Interested in ordering cakepops for a party from Birdie Royale? I am happy to create quantities between 30 - 250 for all kinds of occasions - contact me here!

Happy baking little birds!

BR

Post script: Craving cake but live in the mitten state, not the emerald city? I'm not the only member of my family who loves baking - pop over to Kakes by Koko where you'll find lots of specialty cakes, cookies and pastries for order created by my cousin Nicole.

Let's Keep Those Assets On The Up & Up - Bra Buying

It's not every Saturday I get felt up by a woman twice my age with a Spanish accent.


I mentioned in an earlier post that I had several boxes of clothes ready for Salvation Army donation pickup. These boxes are full of things I will not wear, haven't worn or shouldn't wear and I'll be happy to have a little more space for the items that have a worthy place in my modestly sized abode. After rifling through my clothes, I thought it was time to move on to the smaller things - sifting though all of my undergarments and seeing what fit, what didn't and what needed replacing. An hour later, and a woeful glance at my 'this no longer fits' pile sitting on the bed, it was that time again to go bra shopping.

Ever worry about drowning in Puget Sound? Just
 remember to wear the bra with floating action!

It had been about two years since I was properly measured, and in the interest of gathering good post content, off I went to the stores to have a stranger cop a feel and provide some sage advance about my assets.

I approached a woman in her 50s, let's call her Rosie, and requested she help measure me and provide some suggestions for new bras.  A quick measure around the rib cage and above the fullest part of my bust, and off she went to pull a armful of bras that needed trying on.

Rosie - "Ok Miss, here you are. These should be a good place to start knowing your correct size."


I flipped over the tag on the first bra.

Wait, this isn't my size. This is an whole cup size different than what I have worn for the entire time bras have been on my body. Rosie gave me a reassuring nod that yes, that was my actual size, and yes, I had been wearing the wrong size for years.

Now knowing that my weight hasn't been all that different over the last 5 years or so I found this a hard fact to deal with. Ok, I'll ignore what those little tags tell me and try on what the nice lady has gathered for me. With an almost certain belief not one in the pile was going to fit, I stood in the mirror, examined the first and against my initial assumptions - Rosie put me in the right bra size. No bumps, lumps or spillage and the girls looked happily situated. I picked up a few more in the same size and Rosie informed I had to try them on before considering purchasing as sizes and fit can differ from brand to brand.

Well done Rosie, I'm sold. With three new bras, I happily went up the counter glad to have had some help from expert saleswomen and confident that I wasn't going to make a purchase that would later have to be returned.

But wait. I wanted to know, how could I have been wrong on my size all these years? Like a bad boyfriend who appeared to be pretty great, only to find out he didn't fit - I had more questions.

So at the risk of being the awkward girl at the store asking things we all should have figured out by now, I pressed the intimates saleswomen for answers to those lingering questions. If there are other women's breasts trapped in a state of ill fitting complacency, they deserve to know the truth.

How many women come in are wearing the wrong bra size? 


The saleswomen all answered with certainty that at least 6 out of 10 woman coming in to shop for bras are wearing/intending to purchase a size that isn't right for them.

In fact, I've spent some time today looking for these stats online and that sounds like the consensus (my Google search history gets more interesting by the minute.)

Wow, all that wasted money on a poor fit!


Do you often encourage woman to get fitted when you notice they are wearing or about to buy a size that's incorrect?

These saleswomen can spot a spillover or lumpy bumps from across the sales floor, and with a gentle nudge, try to advise their customers to be measured before making purchases. The ladies said often women think the size they have been wearing for years is still right for them, or are too embarrassed about getting measured.


How often do you recommend women get measured?

Rosie and her team of perfect fit bra gurus suggested women be measured every two years or so - or when they have lost or gained a significant amount of weight or have had a child.


And Rosie's last piece of advice before I left the store...

Just like clothing, the size you normally associate with fitting you can change by brand or type. Try everything on to not risk having to make returns.

Ladies, studies say we spend on average $4,000 in a lifetime on bras. Let's make sure they fit.

DailyCandy cares about you having the right lady lift, too. Check out this video on how to find a perfect fit.

Linda might be the snarky fairy godmother of ta tas. I imagine her running around the streets of New York telling women their breasts are too close to their elbow.

So after you've made the purchase, what are some options for caring for your new found bras?

One simple suggestion is with a newly purchased bra, use the hooks on longest part of the strap, and work your way to the tightest hooks as your bra gets a little older.

Some lingerie experts also suggest not wearing the same bra for more than two days in a row. Lycra needs 24 hours to fully cool, so the break between wear allows the bra to keep a better shape and avoid permanent stretch.

Hand wash in luke warm water with a mild detergent. Woolite is a great, trusted option for all those delicates, but specialty detergents just for your undergarments are available that promise to clean and play nice with your bras, panties and stockings.

The Laundress Delicate Wash, $19 for 16oz.

Wash on gentle/delicates in a wash bag, Woolite Bra Wash Bag

Fancy new contraptions that ensure shape wont be lost in the wash, BraBABY Washing System

So, as always, before you spend - ask questions, try things on, ask salespeople totally uncomfortable questions in order to be a better educated consumer!

Hoping your next bra is the one.

Cheers,

BR

Diet Cleanup On Isle One

I've wanted to write this post for some time now, and while it's less about a lifestyle overhaul and more about consciousness regarding what I eat, let's be clear this isn't about weight loss.

A few sleepless night lately watching documentaries like Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead and Forks Over Knives have left me wondering, how much do we buy food out of convenience and are those convenience foods seriously impacting our quality of life? I'll admit most days I'm so exhausted after work I just want to pick up something quick, eat, shower and pass out. I can only imagine for Americans who have families or work two jobs - considering cooking every night has to be daunting, not to mention expensive, for those on a budget when fruits and veggies cost more than drive thru cheeseburgers.

When I was young, our family was on the go a lot. Tennis, swimming, dance - we often just grabbed something on the way from point A to point B to make sure at least we were fed. When I was on my own and had the time and ability to make food for myself, I fell into old habits of just purchasing rather than cooking for the sake of convenience. 

I usually give a bit of an eye roll when a friend complains about their weight, especially while out for dinner. I always think women have the ongoing habit of being critical about our weight and there are more worthwhile topics to discuss- but maybe we should pay more attention to what we eat and how much it has been processed. Not quantity, but if it's healthy for us, if it is nourishing, and if it could have any impact on our long term health or aid in preventing adult diseases.  People should enjoy food and not put unreasonable restrictions on themselves, but perhaps learn to enjoy treats in moderation and incorporate healthier choices. This is what I'm aiming to work on.

For me...

I really love food. I love trying new foods, I love the socializing around food, I love baking food for others (see post directly below this one.) Did I mention I love food?

I am Midwestern. Which means, completely true to the stereotype, I love just about everything that's awful for me. Salt, sugar, carbs, oh my.

I've had my share of health issues over the years and would not be surprised to learn that some of the issues are  associated with foods I eat/the quantity of certain types of foods I consume.

I work in advertising, and for many people with office jobs, sometimes this means grabbing what's available versus what's best for us.

I have a hard time sticking to a workout routine. My hours at work are sometimes varied, gyms that I have access to in my neighborhood just aren't open late enough to make the trip after work (insert additional excuses here.)

Sound like a typical late 20 something female?

I've had a lot of friends start raw diets, partially raw diets, green diets (does it ever seem like dieting needs its own section of the dictionary?) and while I admire their willingness to make these major life changes, I also know a totally raw diet or green only diet just isn't something I see my self sticking to for a long period of time. Changing my eating habits will have to be something I do slowly and with a lot of conscious choices. 

So here's my plan for the next three weeks in an effort to pay more attention to what I consume. Not a diet, but a cleanup:

• Less bread, pasta, white foods - whole grain pastas only, and sparingly.
• Less sugar, which for me means less fruit juices and sugary snacks.
• Cut out dairy. This means ending my weekly love affair with cheese.
• No aspartame, those two diet cokes a day have to go.  Check out ArryInSeattle's post on that nasty additive. 
• Greens. Greens. And more greens. Double the amount of leafy greens and broccoli.
• Swap normal snack with healthier options. Almonds, strawberries, carrots.
• Cook as much as possible on Sunday to prep food for the week.
• Stop using the no gym excuse, and make the effort to get outside for at least 1hr 5/7 days a week.
• And the biggest change, no more dining out during the week. Normally lunch and dinner are something I spend on at least 5/7 days a week. I'm hoping not only will this help me watch what I eat if I have to now make it for myself, but should also help by budget.

While these may not sound like big changes, they are a difference in living for me. Like I said at the beginning of this post, this isn't about weight loss, it's about feeling healthier, better.  I will report back on in three weeks to let you know how my eating cleanup is going.

What do you think? What challenges do you face when choosing healthy foods? Do you think making healthier choices in your diet could benefit your overall health in the long and short term?

Cheers,

BR

Baking for Autumn

Autumn is easily my favorite season, and I always look forward to making my favorite fall recipes using pumpkin, cinnamon and squash. 

While it's somehow staying at 80+ degrees in Seattle, I had a free evening and made baked a triple batch of pumpkin gingerbread muffins to bring to work with me tomorrow for a post holiday weekend treat and to freeze for breakfast this week.


PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD MUFFINS 

Learning how to properly swirl icing on these
muffins and cupcakes!

✳ 3 cups sugar
✳ 1 cup vegetable oil
✳ 4 eggs
✳ 2/3 cup water
✳ 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
✳ 2 teaspoons ground ginger
✳ 1 teaspoon ground allspice
✳ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I at least double this amount!)
✳ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
✳ 1 teaspoon ground cloves
✳ 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
✳ 2 teaspoons baking soda
✳ 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
✳ 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 


• In a large mixing, combine sugar, oil and eggs; beat until smooth. Add water and beat until well blended. Stir in pumpkin, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, and clove, vanilla.


• In medium bowl, combine flour, soda, salt, and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and blend just until all ingredients are mixed. 


• Bake in preheated oven until toothpick comes out clean, about 20-30 minutes.




These muffins freeze well or are excellent with a cream cheese frosting for a little cupcake/muffin hybrid.


One of my other favorite fall recipes is fall vegetable pizza, courtesy of Martha!
We made this dish as part of some light snacks at my Halloween party last year and was devoured so quickly!  A good tip is to make lots of the roasted vegetables for other dinners during the week or a quick snack. I swear we took a photo of the pizza but it's has been misplaced! So we'll show you Martha's final product.

FALL VEGETABLE PIZZA

✳ Olive oil, for baking sheet and drizzling

✳ Flour to prevent dough from sticking

✳ 1 pound store-bought pizza dough- Purchased at Trader Joes

✳ 8 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated (about 2 cups)

✳ 6 cups (about 1/2 recipe) Roasted Fall Vegetables, drained and coarsely cut - potatoes, carrots, garlic and squash were used the last time we made this and, as mentioned, we tripled the quantity because the veggies were so yummy on their own

✳ 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

✳ Fresh rosemary leaves

✳ Sea salt and ground pepper

• Preheat oven to 475 degrees. 

• On a lightly floured surface, roll and stretch dough into a 12-by-16-inch oval (or as large as will fit on baking sheet); transfer to sheet covered with parchment paper.

• Sprinkle dough with half the mozzarella. Scatter vegetables on top, and dollop with ricotta; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and, if using, rosemary. Drizzle with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Bake until bubbling and golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve.

For the veggies, we also added a little bit of cinnamon to the salt and pepper which gave them an awesome savory flavor. Yum!

One more fall favorite, Mexican chocolate with chili powder - amazing. You can find the recipe here.

Wishing you a happy start to the fall season!

Cheers,

BR