beautiful spoon

Valentine's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:25:00 +0000

Hello lovelies! Happy Valentine's Day! I hope everyone is having a LOVE-ly day and has plans to celebrate with their loved ones. As for me, I'm waiting on the candy to go on sale tomorrow so I can stock up! ;)

If you're still looking for the perfect card, here are some printable ones I think are cute.

(Image from Chad Thomas)

Chad Thomas made some amazing 'Downton Abbey' Valentines that I love!

Novel Novice has some book-inspired Valentines to download here and here.

Need a gift tag? Heartmade has some cute ones.

I love this DIY pop-up heart card from minieco.

Need something extra for your homemade goodies? Check out these printable Be Mine tags from Jenny Steffens Hobick and these Made With Love tags from eighteen25.

I love these French chocolate bar labels from Heather Bullard and these French coffee cup wrappers from Eat Drink Chic.

Have time before your date tonight? The Beauty Department has some cute nail tutorials!

A new year!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Wow! 2011 flew by and now we're almost ready to usher in a new year. What are your plans for New Year's Eve and Day?

Here are some new year's goodies I've found around the web to help you decorate and party!

Here's a tutorial for a shiny new year's banner from The Wedding Chicks! So cute! :)

I love this washi tape star tutorial found on Creature Comforts.

These DIY holiday surprise crackers found on Design Sponge would be a cute way to ring in the new year.

Some cute party ideas from Lisa Storms.

A how-to for making glitter marshmallows for your hot chocolate from Shrimp Salad Circus.

A super cute DIY headband from flax & twine to wear to your NYE party!

Make some sequined stir sticks for your party with this DIY from Somewhere Splendid.

Download these cute subway art prints and frame them to decorate for the new year.

(Image from eighteen25)

From eighteen25 (also check out their downloads for other holidays, too)

(Image from Custom Printables)

From Custom Printables

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:30:00 +0000

Wishing you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!! :)

Almost Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:30:00 +0000

Sorry I've been a little MIA lately, but December is so busy! :) I've actually been posting a ton of good links to DIY holiday gifts, food, decor, and more on my Pinterest and Tumblr if you'd like to visit them for some last minute ideas!

I love this downloadable paper nativity from Marloes de Vries. So cute! (Found via How About Orange)

Happy Thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day (stuffing yourself with turkey) spending time with family! :) Since this is one of my favorite holidays because it's main focus is food, here are some of my favorite food art and items I found on Etsy.

Radish Salad from Claudia Pearson Illustration

Embroidered tomato produce bag from Three Bad Seeds

Thanksgiving print from AmandaCatherine Designs

Avocado brooch from ErinF115

Olive oil prints from anek

Autumn vegetables print from Geraldine Adams Illustrations

Grow Your Own Food shirt from Happy Family

Fall vegetables watercolor painting from Lucile's Kitchen

Wreaths!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:30:00 +0000

So I've kinda been obsessed with wreaths lately...

Do you like wreaths? Do you like making wreaths? I've found some really cute wreaths and wreath tutorials online lately and wanted to share.

Velvet Holiday Wreath Tutorial from Danielle Thompson.

Scrap Wood Wreath from Rock Scissor Paper.

Modern Fall Wreath Tutorial from The CSI Project.

Fall Fiber Wreath Tutorial from Alisa Burke.

Felt Winter Wreath Tutorial from Happy Serendipity.

Felt Holly Wreath Tutorial from Somewhere Splendid.

Red-nosed Wreath Tutorial from Rad Megan.

Autumn Fabric Wreath Tutorial by Elise Blaha found on A Beautiful Mess.

And here's a HUGE LIST of over 300 wreaths to make and drool over!! :)

Dogs...

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:42:00 +0000

*LOVE!!* This is my chihuahua Tanner.

I found this little story today and reposted it to my tumblr, but I love it so I am posting it here, too. BEAUTIFUL!!! :)

Hitchcock's Birds

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:55:00 +0000

I love Alfred Hitchcock! I recently found this cute dress - Hitchcock's Birds - from Fleet Collection on Etsy. So beautiful! :)

Not enough to satisfy your love of Hitchcock's 1963 film 'The Birds'? Alright, check out this DIY birds manicure from MissChievous!

October is for BIRTHDAYS!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:30:00 +0000

Just a little treasury I made to celebrate October! :)

Other People's Songs

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Back in college a friend introduced me to the music of Damien Jurado. For weeks I was obsessed with the song 'Letters and Drawings' (see the video below) and even now when I find it on one of my old mix CDs my heart swells and it brings me back to that first day I heard it.

Recently I came across the album Other People's Songs recorded by Damien Jurado and Richard Swift during August 2010. It's available online for free.

OTHER PEOPLE'S SONGS - Volume One - Performed by Damien Jurado & Richard Swift by Richard Swift

Damien Jurado performing 'Letters and Drawings.'

Bright's Passage

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:38:00 +0000

(Image from the Paste Magazine review of the book found here.)

This past weekend I was in a bookstore when I spotted a book called 'Bright's Passage' by Josh Ritter. Some of you may know Josh's music, which honestly, is why the book caught my eye. I thought 'Hey, isn't he a singer?' Wow! Love to see talented people sharing more than one of their talents.

'Bright's Passage' is Josh's debut novel. I hope I can read it soon! :)

Friday songs...

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:54:00 +0000

Awhile back I downloaded the free fall sampler on NoiseTrade (go 'like' their Facebook page to download it) and just now got a chance to listen to it. Yay! So good!!

Some of my favorite songs from the sampler:
'Go Easy Little Dove, I'll Be Fine' by Brooke Waggoner
'Find You' by Brianna Gaither
'Belong' by Cary Brothers
'July and June' by Jillian Edwards

I've also been jamming out to the new SK6ers album 'Gift Horse.' So far my favorite song is 'My Favorite Place.' It's lovely. Check out the video for 'Roots and Wings' on USA Today here.

And some other random 'old' favorites...
'Trace of You' by Peter Bradley Adams
'My Father's Father' by The Civil Wars

'Your Ghost' by Greg Laswell

Also, if you like classical music, check out The 99 Most Essential Autumn Classics album for $1.99 today only!

Gift Horse!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:49:00 +0000

SK6ers in Asheville, NC.

Remember when I talked about one of my favorite bands Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers a few months back? Well, today they released a new album called Gift Horse!

If you buy it on Amazon before midnight tonight you can get it for the very low price of $3.99! AWESOME! :)

You can also buy the album in their online store. And check out the other new merch. I love this shirt!

(Image from SK6ers.com)

If you want to see them live, check out their tour dates.

Here are some photos I took of them back in July.

Birthday! :)

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:21:00 +0000

Here's my beautiful birthday cake! Yes, I know it's not "pretty," but I like brownies. Brownies are my favorite dessert ever and I asked that my cake be super chocolately, so in other words, as much like a brownie as possible! :)

Steve Jobs

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 07:25:00 +0000

I'm really sad...

I'm on the hunt...

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:09:00 +0000

...for an orange dress. Requirements: knee/tea length and solid color orange (not peach) with no patterns or other colors. Wish list: bows, big skirt, and either sleeves or some kind of cover up for my shoulders because I will be wearing this outside in November. Oh, and NO CHIFFON or that ugly SATIN that every bridesmaid dress in the world is made out of! I prefer cotton or something similar. My price range: definitely under $100. Would like to spend around $50 or $60 but we'll see what I can find.

So far I've found tons of gorgeous dresses, but none in a solid orange that fits me...or is long enough or is too long...or is way outta my price range. I don't even know how many times I've thought 'I love that dress...if only it was orange!' I have literally found every other color under the sun except the one I'm looking for. Of course, isn't that always the way it is?

Here are some I've found online...

Orange Juliet Dress from Modcloth.com

Merona tank dress from Target.com

Orange Cream Cocktail dress from aftershowershop.etsy.com

Party dress from thaiclothes.etsy.com

Love Me 2 Times dress from gaiaconceptions.etsy.com

And I LOVE these dresses below, even though they don't fit my requirements...

Vintage 50's Cotton Summer Dress from aiseirigh.etsy.com

Vintage 50's ruffle dress from pennystrip.etsy.com

Vintage 50's Jonathan Logan party frock from VintageFrocksOfFancy.etsy.com

Jay Clifford

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 21:01:00 +0000

Right now I'm listening to the new album, Silver Tomb For The Kingfisher, from one of my favorite artists, Jay Clifford.

Jay was in the (now broken up...sad!) band Jump, Little Children. This is his second solo album. Check it out!

Indie Craft Parade eye candy

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:51:00 +0000

This weekend I attended the Indie Craft Parade and was excited to see the great talent of all the artists! Here are some of my favorites.

Cards and handmade journals from Quill and Arrow Press.

Canoo hats...so cute!

Fabric art from SoSheSews. She makes cute stuff out of recycled materials, such as these great dresses.

I bought this mirror from Marisol Spoon. I've been a big fan for awhile after seeing their art on Etsy, so I was excited to see it in person and purchase a treasure.

Some others I loved were Sweeteeth Chocolate, Christopher Koelle, Steve Morrison, beautiful briny sea (gourmet salts), and Finkelstein's Center Toys among others. See a full list of participants here. Also see more pictures in the Flickr pool.

The rest of the weekend was filled with lots of good food and friends. Yesterday I watched the documentary The Way We Get By. It's about a group of senior citizens who great troops coming back from war at the airport in Maine. So great! Totally made me cry, too.

Indie Craft Parade

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 21:52:00 +0000

If you are in or near Greenville, SC this weekend, be sure to check out the Indie Craft Parade. Admission is free on Saturday and Sunday. There will be crafts, food, music and fun! :)

Spotted on Etsy...

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:57:00 +0000

Some of my favorite items I've seen on Etsy this week...

Triangular Clutch from Embrace Softgoods

What's Up Buttercup skirt from Love To Love You

Once Upon A Time Rustic Recycled Silver Mens Wedding Band from Peaces of Indigo

Funky Eco Tattered Fairy Woodland Pixie Mini Skirt from Creole Sha

Going Hunting Red and Cornstalk Screen Printed Pillow from Bark Decor

Navy Blue Boho Leather Sandals from Iris Smit

Vintage Inspired Mustard Ruffled Lace Skirt With Sash from Lullaby Birds

A little love note.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 18:20:00 +0000

Several months ago my mom found this on the ground at a military base. She came home and said 'I found a love note!' I think it's so sweet! :) And it definitely sums up what all our military families go through on a day to day basis.

How to throw a Cars birthday party!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:30:00 +0000

Recently I got to attend a very special birthday party! My godson loves Disney Pixar's Cars, so of course he had a Cars-themed party. My BFF and her husband are super creative and I love how they incorporate their unique styles into their everyday lives.

The decorations...

Cars happy birthday banner and streamers from the store.

The cake...

My BFF made a racetrack cake. First she scrapped the filling out of some Oreos and crushed them up. I got to eat the Oreos cream and leftover cake frosting, so I definitely was on a sugar high the rest of the day. Haha.

Lots of Oreo cream filling....mmmm!

Next she made a cake and divided the batter into 2 round cake pans. After they were cool she put each cake right beside each other and covered them with green frosting (we used white frosting with green food coloring mixed in). She centered 2 small bowls on each cake, then made a racetrack with the crushed cookies, followed by green sprinkles for the grass in the middle of each cake.

On the right cake there are cars and trophies she got at the store. On the left cake she made 2 racing flags out of white duct tape and toothpicks (she colored them with markers). The finishing touches were my godson's toy Cars racing around the track! :)

Ta da! The finished Cars cake! :)

The fun...

We drew characters from the movies onto white paper and attached it to the table. The party guests got to paint their favorite cars! Everyone had a blast and got super hyper, which led to a super awesome late night dance party...who wants to Cha Cha Slide?

Someone's engaged!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:43:00 +0000

One of my very good friends who've I've known since high school is getting married soon! We had an engagement party for him and his fiancee this past weekend. That means lots of food and fun!

A cute banner in our chosen party colors - gray and yellow - was made from scrapbook paper.

Ham and cheese sliders (we also had turkey and pesto sliders) and one of our tissue paper pom poms.

This spicy sausage dip from Annie's Eats was delicious! It only requires 4 ingredients - sausage, tomatos, cream cheese and hot sauce. We also used the leftover scrapbook paper for food labels.

Our friend Alex made an amazing butterfly almond cake!

We set up some index cards for guests to write well wishes and advice to the happy couple.

The Menu: (shopped for food at Costco)

1. Ham and Turkey Sliders

2. Spicy Sausage Dip

3. Almond Cake

4. Fruit, Marshmallows, Pretzels and Chocolate Fountain

5. Veggies and Ranch Dressing

6. Chips and Salsa

7. Spinach stuffed pastries

8. Little eclairs
9. Candy

Decorations (in gray and yellow):

1. Tissue paper pom poms

2. Scrapbook bunting banner

3. Scrapbook paper food label cards

4. Well wishes cards

5. Gray and yellow paper plates and napkins from Target

The weekend.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:54:00 +0000

Hello! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

I was able to make some sweet onion dip the other night. It was delicious. I used agave nectar since we were out of honey. I also didn't make the zucchini. We ate it with Bugles instead, which was delicious because of the salty/sweet contrasting flavors.

I spent my weekend with some of my favorite people....swinging (and falling) on the porch swing, playing Pictionary, listening to a lot of Vanilla Ice and Beastie Boys on Pandora, and watching Soul Surfer, the story of Bethany Hamilton, which is a great movie! :)

Beastie Boys - Fight For Your Right (Revisited)

What did you do this weekend?

Something to wear and something to eat.

noreply@blogger.com (Jenni) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:05:00 +0000

(Image from Molly on the Rocks on Etsy)

Isn't this dress lovely? It's called The Hannah Dress from Molly on the Rocks based out of Nashville, TN.

(Image from King Arthur Flour)

Last week I saw a recipe for Baked Zucchini Sticks and Sweet Onion Dip on Pinterest and really want to try it this weekend. I mostly want the dip, so I might just use raw zucchini sticks instead of baking them. We'll see.