Final Post?

Is anyone out there?

Photo courtesy of D E S I G N L O V E F E S T

So, it's been almost two years since I last posted here on Little Luck Tree. I was always dreaming up posts, but then so much time had passed I started to feel like my next post needed to be, you know, significant and brilliant and totally on brand with my new career and perfect and...well...that was a lot of pressure.

I kept wanting to find a way to make Little Luck Tree blend in with my new life, but I have finally come to a new realization: my time as a blogger is in the past.

I am a 100% committed, full-time, professional, working actor. I'm also writing and directing.

In order to become the best story-teller I can be, I have to give this career my full attention. It's time to officially retire here at Little Luck Tree, which is bittersweet because blogging has introduced me to wonderful new friends, inspired me, and challenged me in very fun ways.

Thank you to everyone who has ever stopped by this blog--your support has encouraged me so much throughout the years!

And if you're still out there and you want to continue to follow me along down this Hollywood road, big things are happening. You can find me on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and my website. I hope you will.

Finally, here's a little video I made for anyone who has ever been obsessed with a cat:

  ♥ Shannon

Snowy New Year's Eve

What do you wear when you go dancing for New Year's, but it's snowing outside? This is what I've come up with:

Gold sparkly dress + overcoat (please let there be a coat check...) + comfortable snow boots / dancing boots. Also, a red lip. Obviously.

I don't have any New Year's Resolutions this year. I kind of started mine in September: be mindful, be grateful, be calm. I am, however, very excited that I will officially be starting Project Life in 2014, which I hope will help me actively make more memories and cherish the little stuff in life.

Wherever you are, thank you for sticking with me and reading my long-neglected little blog. I hope you have the Happiest New Year yet!!

♥ Shannon

BHG Holiday Crafts Magazine!

I was so excited to have my holiday wreath featured in this year's BHG Holiday Crafts Magazine! I bought a copy for myself (and another for my mom!) and had so much fun looking through it (especially page 34!).

In addition to all the seriously cute winter holiday crafts, there are some adorable Halloween projects. Here's a peek at some of my favorites:

I love the holiday season!

♥ Shannon

Easy Vegan Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread

This is my favorite fall recipe ever. I love pumpkin bread so much. Like, so much. I like to make mini muffins and every morning I make a hot cup of tea and enjoy it with two mini muffins while I read magazines and cuddle under a soft throw. I highly recommend this activity for instant coziness.

The great thing about this recipe is that you can make it in a toaster oven--very convenient for energy saving or multi-tasking! Plus it's just so cute.

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup GF flour (I use Bob's Red Mill All Purpose GF Flour)
3/4 tsp Guar Gum or Xantham Gum (this may change according to the package directions on your flour)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup vegan white sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup Earth Balance, slightly melted
1/3 cup almond/coconut/flax/hemp milk
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Grease your pan.
3. Stir dry ingredients together.
4. Add in wet ingredients.
5. Fold in chocolate chips.
6. Bake!

For a bread pan, bake for 1 hour 5 minutes. Yields one loaf.
For muffins, bake for 25 minutes. Yields one dozen muffins.
For mini muffins, back for 20 minutes. Yields three dozen mini muffins.

Store in an air-tight container for up to a week. Mini muffins can also be frozen and eaten later!

♥ Shannon

Our Workspace on Lifehacker

Thanks so much to Lifehacker for featuring our workspace!

You can find the article here, and while you're at it, check out their tips for apartment living!

For the full post on our shared workspace, click right here!

♥ Shannon

Ten Halloween Tricks & Treats!

Here's a round-up of my favorite Halloween Tricks & Treats--try something tasty, spooky, or fun!

1. Whip up some Autumn Punch when entertaining guests!

2. This Vampire Bite Necklace is the perfect subtle piece--it's even suitable in the workplace!

3. A Silver Bullet Necklace keeps protection from werewolves close!

4. Follow this guide to plan the perfect Halloween Cocktail Party!

5. For a weekend treat, whip up some Pumpkin Buckwheat Pancakes!

6. Coconut Oatmeal is perfect for those crisp autumn mornings--healthy & delicious!

7. Make a Spooky Halloween Wreath with items from your local thrift shop!

8. Zombify your family photos for Halloween decor with a personal touch.

9. This Hair Fastener DIY is a whimsical take on a Hitchcock classic.

10. A Jeweled Skull keeps Halloween classy, people!

If you try any of these, please let me know and share your photos! I'd love to see how they turn out!

♥ Shannon

The Windy City Dress

This week it finally feels like fall here in Southern California! Cool weather, soft layered clothing, and pumpkin spice lattes--it feels wonderful. It makes me want to curl up on the couch with a fluffy blanket and a good book.

 Outfit details: Windy City Dress by ModCloth, Mossimo heels from Target, Jones New York coat

We just moved out of the city, and for those of you not in Los Angeles, it pretty much has one season all year: warm. So I'm looking forward to seeing some leaves change color, to cupping my hands around warm drinks, and to sitting around a warm fire.

Happy Fall!

♥ Shannon