Wishing for Warmth

I think I need a little time to thaw out... just a wee little break from blogging to gather my thoughts and words (and hunt for my creativity - oh, where has it gone? Must. Check. Under. Couch.)

via ffffound

This weekend is supposedly bringing a quick bout of sun before another cold week, which means I will be outside as much as possible!

... Searching for inspiration, longing for Spring, and wishing for warmth.

XOXOX

Guess it's Time

For some new slippers...

"I was framed."

And some obedience training.

I'm in a Winter Slump

... But these should get me out of it.

Delanco by Jessica Simpson - $88.95 (free shipping + free returns)

And these...

Kimball by Vince Camuto - $119.95 (free shipping + free returns)

Dontcha think???

I'm Blushing

Brooke over at Jackaroo Love has so thoughtfully included me in her BLOG LUV list!

It's my first blog-award evah, and I'm so touched that she thought of me!

Jackaroo Love is a darling site and if you haven't been there yet, you should definitely check it out!!!

Monday Morning Moo

Once there was a girl named Katie.

This is Katie.

Amazing blog.

Katie and Matty

Amazing photos.

Katie on the floor.

Amazing cat.

Moozilla.

... And here's a little extra Moo to brighten your Monday!

Look closely at the Shower Knob Gymnastics!

Love Affair with a Home

I've been longing for some 'newness' here on the homefront.

Even though G and I have only lived in our flat for a year and a half, we are beginning to notice that every nook and cranny is full to the brim.

Mini Cabinet

I have packed up bags and bags of things to be given away, sold, and returned to friends, but my efforts feel futile.

The past few weeks of this have been frustrating... the dance I do with this little home of ours. Sidestepping the avalanche-closets and sashaying around the shotgun floorplan. I had come to the adamant conclusion that I was ready for a move, and then I read this.

Mini Book

Touching and thoughtful, this story of a lady and the homes she's loved, has moved me to tears. It made me realize how much I love our little nest, and how thankful I am that she keeps us warm and safe, despite her wheezy drafts.

Mini Girl

I'll try to remember how she caught us in her arms with a soft *ploof* when we flung ourselves from the coast - half way across the country, to a new city in the big midwest. We knew no one but her as we drove 3 days across deserts- then plains, and just the thought of a cozy light shining at us through the trees was enough to keep us heading east.

Mini Room

Upon our arrival, she patiently allowed me to nail, scrape, paint, and fill her walls, floors, cupboards, and closets - she holds the only life we've ever known together. A time that we will fondly remember as 'Our Beginning'.

The beginning of a story we will tell for the rest of our lives, and one in which she will always have a prominent role.

EXTRA EXTRA!

Take an additional 20% off of the existing sale prices over at Piperlime!!! All you have to do is enter the code EXTRA at checkout! (Offer ends this Saturday!)

Would you like to see my faves???!

Vinny by Modern Vintage

Existing Sale Price: $270

With Extra Discount: $230!

Gellar by Vince Camuto

Existing Sale Price: $80

With Extra Discount: $64!

Ava Button by Frye

Existing Sale Price: $220

With Extra Discount: $176!

Ursula by Sam Edelman

Existing Sale Price: $100

With Extra Discount: $80

Jade by DV by Dolce Vita

Exisitng Sale Price: $80

With Extra Discount: $64!


Don't walk people, RUN! Run as fast as your snazzy little shoes will carry you!

First Family Fashions

"They were looking to evoke a happy, approachable warm mood," said Jenna Lyons, J. Crew's Creative Director.


(See the article in the NY Times here.)

Image from NY Mag

And that they did.

In the meantime, they single-handedly boosted J.Crew's share values, and showed the country that you can achieve a beautifully classic look at a (fairly) reasonable price. (Ok, obviously their outfits weren't cheap, but you could easily get a similar look by shopping the sales.)

Well done to the designers at J.Crew (click to see the sketches), and well done to a fabulous First Family with scads of taste.

Handy McLunchylunch

Planning on making one of these this weekend.

Yup. Pretty excited about it.

It's a lunch bag...

And a placemat!!!

How handy!!!

Hardest decision of my day? Choosing the fabric!!!

****UPDATE**** I'm an idiot (that part is old news), and I forgot to credit Design*Sponge with this adorable DIY lunchbag!

Take Me Away

Feeling the need to go somewhere tropical...

Miguel Antonio, Costa Rica

Ok, let's be serious here.

I'd settle for anywhere that is a consistent 55+ degrees.

I CAN'T TAKE THE COLD WEATHER ANYMORE!!!

There. I'm done complaining (maybe).

Seriously though, does anyone have any travel suggestions for Feb-March-ish, that isn't insanely expensive and has at least mildly temperate weather? I think G and I need a little mid-winter getaway.

Valentine's pressie perhaps?!?!?

Show Yourself

To commemorate the end of De-Lurkers Week, I'd like to have a little impromptu drawing for a fabulous prize!!! Heck, I'm feelin' fun today - let's make it THREE PRIZES!

Here's the loot:

Handmade Origami Zip Pouches - Great for make-up, colored pencils, snacks... you name it!

All you need to do is leave a comment (lurker or not) with your name/alias, where you are from, and the answer to any one of the following questions:

- If you could only eat ONE thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

- If you could have named yourself at birth (knowing what you know now), what would you have picked?

- What is your most favorite present that you have EVER given someone?

- Why is it so difficult to remember to put deodorant on in the wintertime? (Ok, this last one is just a personal pondrance of mine... but feel free to share the answer with us if you have it!!!)

This is the PERFECT time to come out of the shadows and show your 'face'... I'm watching you, Wysowzski (name that movie and you get an extra hundred points)!

I'll draw a winner on Monday night... C'mon, people - FREE GOODS!!!

Sandal in a Snowstorm

Not the most practical choice for today (8 degrees and the flakes are really comin' down!), but aDORable nonetheless!

Lacey Platform Sandal - $29.99

Why must retailers start putting out cute spring-time stuff when it is still ridiculously cold out!? It always makes me feel like warmer days are just around the corner, but I think we've got a ways to go!!!

Valentine

I know Valentine's Day is still a month away,

But if you want to show your love in the chicest way,

Then snag a set of these goregeous cards

Made by Michelle, from Michelle Brusegaard.

It's not really a valentine...

Wait! But, it is!!! (That's the funny part. Get it?)

This last one is my fave! Love the font, love the design... perfection!

I Miss the Pacific

Would love to line a kitchen window with these...

Via Ms. Ruffle herself (originally from Martha Stewart).

And let the mid-winter sunshine warm the room through some ocean-blue.

One Hundred Push-ups

G and I are doing this over the course of the next 6 weeks.



Could be awesome. Could be... shall we say... not awesome.

Note: We took our "intial test" after we had shared a bottle of wine last night. I can't tell if that would be considered a help or a hindrance. Eek!

I LOVE GIRAFFES

Can't say it enough.


That's why, when I spotted this scanned image on the Made by Girl Blog, I just HAD to save-and-share.

A Riddle.

What do you get when you cross a beagle...

Not as cute as Rugby.

... with a doberman pincher?


OUR NEW PUPPY!! SADIE THE LADY!

Nice socks.

Welcome to the fam, little girl. We're all glad you're here.

All tuckered out after a Sunday-afternoon-jog with her mama.

More (many more) pictures to follow!!!

Presh and Practical

Me thinks that these would be the perfect solution to my problem...

Via Swissmiss

It's a "too-much-fabric, need-an-organizational-system-in-the-closet" problem.

You know the one.

I'm on the road to a New Years overhaul of the Jessie and G Household! I CAN FEEL IT!

Gulp.

One of my dearest "imaginary friends" (to use her term) has decided to take a blog-break. Indefinitely.

When I read the news, I felt a twangity-twinge in my heart and I lost my breath.

It feels a little bit like ending a friendship, which is never-ever-no-thank-you fun, but then I realized...

My friendship with Mackin Ink may be ending, but my friendship with Karey M. herself, does not have to end.

Mingle. He's here.

If you have not yet visited her blog, you must head over immediately. Like, the MOMENT you finish reading this post. She has truly championed her own style of writing, and it is one that I have looked forward to diving into every day.

Her words glow and giggle as they blossom right out of the screen. She has the ability to sprinkle love and longing throughout her posts with the greatest of ease and the most earnest of meaning.

One thing that she loves to write will ALWAYS stick with me.

"my greatest goal for my girlies three: to add three women to the world who love themselves so much that they want the best for everyone in it."

Shouldn't we all try to love ourselves that much?

The simplest way I can say it is: Karey Mackin's writing will change you.

Karey, we will miss you and the tales of Uncle Sugar and The Girlies Three. You will all be brightly missed, but I just know that I'll go on being able to sense your spark and your sparkle all the way from here.

xoxo

Jessie

If life gives you lemons...

... Then I'm pretty jealous!

Planned mid-winter purchase:

Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree

Maybe if I buy myself some lemons, life won't throw me any that I don't want! *Fingers crossed*

Does anyone out there in blogland know where I might find one of these babies in the middle of January?!? Please help a sistah out!

Fairy Bootfather

Dear James,

I wish you could have heard me scream when I lifted the shoebox lid and saw these puppies inside... (there was also jumping up and down and waving of arms)

Not only do they fit perfectly, but they are SO comfortable and super warm!

You rock my world.

Love and Hugs,

Jessie

Bring it on.

Click to shop.

Almond Joy Cookies

A few weeks ago, I made this recipe up and brought these into some friends at work.

They were quickly gobbled up and throughly enjoyed (if I do say so myself)!

Almond Joy cookies

2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons apple sauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

Heat oven to 375° F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or aluminum foil. With an electric mixer on medium-high, beat the butter, brown and granulated sugars, corn syrup (I used an equal amount of applesauce instead), and vanilla for 3 minutes. Add the egg and beat until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add the flour mixture to the egg mixture.

Add a few handfuls each of sliced almonds, coconut shreds, and dark chocolate chips and mix until incorporated. Form the dough into tablespoon-size mounds. Place on the prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart.

Bake until lightly browned at the edges, 12 to 15 minutes.

Now, go make some for yourself and eat them very quickly before you actually start on your resolution to lose weight (not that you need to lost weight or anything, I've been meaning to tell you that you've been looking fabulous lately)!

Here's wishing...

Here's wishing you all a blessed, inspired, and shiny New Year.

Image from The Selby

You are lovely, and this blog would not be the same without you.

MWAH!

- Jessie