Seek those that inspire you

Everyone needs a cheerleader in their life. A champion for you and the dreams you have. There is something quite remarkable about people that see  greatness in you even when it is lying dormant. It is absolutely vital to surround yourself with people that bring out the best in you. There are those special people that speak light and life into dark situations, cry with you when things are dark and rejoice with you when the sun shines upon you. Those are the kinds of people you need in your life.

What a lot of us don't realize is that you become like the people you spend the most time with, so spend time around those that lift you up, encourage you to pursue your dreams, those that believe in you even when you don't believe in yourself and those who inspire you to be all the things you dream about.  Four wonderful traits to look for are those that are inspiring, compassionate, authentic and genuine. Those traits are the tent poles of amazing people. Someone that can inspire you, is compassionate about the plights of others, authentic in who they are and genuine is a great recipe for friendship.

What kinds of people do you let into your circle?

Pumpkin Spice

 Happy Tuesday! Have you recovered from all of that good super bowl Sunday eating?  LOL. One of the things I love about this time of year is pumpkin spice lattes. Don't you wish they had them all year long? it is almost time to say goodbye to all of those things we love about winter, including wearing coats, capes and a a killer pair of boots. My love of bold fiery colors drew my eye to this lovely orange cape that I saw at TJ Maxx a few years ago. Yes, it was love at first sight! And the best part was that I was able to go into my stash of birthday gift cards and treat myself to this cape.

Cape: TJ Maxx, Bag: Vintage Ralph Lauren, Boots: DSW, Bracelet: Heavenly Couture

Don't you love a great pair of boots?

Capes are perfect for cooler weather, when you want a great layering option and an alternative to a jacket

Today I am linking up with the lovely fashionistas over at DC in Style and Style Elixir. Click the links if you want to join the fun:-)

I am loving this shade of blue. What colors do you like to wear on your nails?

I have always loved Ralph Lauren and I just parted with two amazing Ralph Lauren button down shirts after getting fifteen years of wear out of them. The only reason I got rid of them is because I wore them so much the threads were starting to unravel. The great thing about investing in timeless pieces of clothing is that you can wear them year after year and they never go out of style or look dated and good quality clothing lasts for a very long time. 

Although I do believe in quality clothing, I also think that you can look great without spending a fortune on clothes. Good style has nothing to do with how much money you spend on your wardrobe, but is more about the way you put your various pieces together.

Have an amazing day! And the best week ever!

Cream Sherry Pound Cake

 This is one of those great recipes I wish I could take credit for, but since I can't, I will share the story behind this delicious liquor infused cream sherry cake. When I was an undergraduate in college, one of my instructors chose to have our class meet in his home rather than on campus and one night one of my classmates brought this cake and we all swooned over it and begged her for the recipe. She said it had been in her family for years and was passed down from generation to generation. I am so glad that she shared this great recipe.

The Cream Sherry adds a complex note of flavor, and the sour cream makes it nice and moist then a rich buttery glaze makes this cake full of flavor inside out. The perfect cake to enjoy warm and if you really want to be in heaven, put a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side:-)

Fresh out of the oven. Even if you didn't add anything to this cake, it is delicious, but with the glaze, this is truly on another level

This cake is moist moist moist

The glaze starts with a stick of butter

Add a little cream sherry and white sugar

I always add the glaze to the bottom of the cake before I flip it onto a plate so that the top and bottom has glaze on it. 

Poke with a toothpick all over

Generously glaze the cake

And the cake sits in a delicious pool of glaze

Ingredients

1 yellow cake mix

1 8 oz carton of sour cream

1 vanilla pudding mix

4 eggs

1/2 cup cream sherry (not cooking sherry)

Glaze Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup cream sherry

1 cup sugar

Directions: Preheat oven to 350, generously spray a bundt baking pan with nonstick spray. In a large bowl, mix cake mix, sour cream. pudding mix, eggs and cream sherry until well blended and smooth (about 2 minutes)

Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Let sit for 10 minutes in the plan. After ten minutes take a knife and go around pan to make sure cake is loose and shake just a bit to release from sides. Poke holes with toothpick and spoon glaze on before flipping onto a plate. Poke holes with toothpick all over cake and use a spoon to generously glaze the cake.

To make the glaze: 

Combine, butter, water, sugar and cream sherry. Bring to a boil over medium heat and stir constantly for about 5 minutes. This will give you great flavor while cooking out a lot of the alcohol content, but if you like a boozier glaze, just mix in the sherry after the glaze has boiled for 5 minutes. 

Note: Cream Sherry is found in the liquor section of the grocery store, usually next to the dessert wines. Cream Sherry is not the same thing as cooking Sherry, so be sure you do not use cooking Sherry in this cake or the results will be disappointing. 

Bon Appetit!