Dear Mary Jo, 

Thanks so much for this fabulous pashmina from ChinaTown. I am pretty much going to wear it every single day! It's black and white, but looks silver...so it goes with everything!

Love, Jenna

Colenol Mustard

Dear Mom,

Thank you for this gorgeous sweater from Macy's. The details on it are exquisite, and I can't wait to wear it! It will be perfect for work, or for any occasion to dress up!

Love, Jenna

All that glitters...

Dear Mom, 

Thanks so much for the fabulous 24-piece craft glitter set from Martha Stewart. It is almost too beautiful to use, but I will manage somehow! I will be glitterizing just about everything that isn't nailed down. 

Love, Jenna

Christmas Time is Here

Daily Drop Cap from Jessica Hische

essica Hische is one of my favorite designers, and I first discovered her amazing work while browsing the creations of NY based design firm, Louise Fili. She has been working on an endeavor called Daily Drop Cap where she essentially creates a new fabulous drop cap each day!

And the best part is that you can even USE her fabulous drop on your own blogs. Graphic design nerds everywhere are salivating over these exquisite letterforms. Check some of the especially beautiful ones out below!

What I've Been Working On

Here is a flier I did the the Bowling Club at OSU. It is advertising their Buckeye Classic Tournament for 2010 as well as 2011. This project was majorly fun to work on, and I got to play with perspective a bit as well. Enjoy!

What I've Been Working On

I was given the task of creating this set of recipe cards at work, which of course is the perfect project for me to work on. Loved every minute of it. What a fun way to adorn a little gift! I am using these sometime in my own life, and not just for the office. (You punch a hole in the left corner and tie it to a little gift or trinket)

Christmas at the Circus

The team from one of my absolute favorite blogs, Once Wed, created this fabulous Christmas tree inspired by a circus themed wedding, and I think it turned out to be so adorable. It would be great for kids or adults alike! You may have seen this featured here on Design*Sponge earlier this week, but here are some photos to check out.

It would be so easy to recreate, and could be a really fun project for kids. Check out Design*Sponge for the How-To.

Gift Wrap Central

With Christmas two weeks away, the time to wrap gifts is upon us. We're all envious of people who have a crafts room, or even a craft corner, but when you live in an urban apartment, there is just not space for that. This is where the Pottery Barn Wall-Mounted Craft Organizer comes in.

I definitely need to invest in something like this, though I won't stop dreaming of a guest room someday filled with ribbons, paper, fabrics, and every other kind of craft item you could dream up.

Crafty Advent

Jordan Ferney, one of my favorite bloggers, bought this white frame for collectables from Pottery Barn in 2005, and turned it into the best Advent Calendar I've ever seen. With twenty-five beautifully wrapped trinkets, and a festive activity for each day inside, there's nothing that makes the Holidays feel more special!

I am certainly on the lookout for a frame like it to make my own Jordan-inspired calendar so Let me know if you find one!

Mittens You'll Never Lose

These knit items by Oeuf are probably the most cozy and adorable things I've ever seen, though way more pricey than I would pay for kids clothes. You can buy the "Hug-Me Sweater" here or the "Squeeze-Me Mittens" here.

Thanks to Leah for spotting these! They are too cute, and I'm wishing I was wearing them right now. It's freezing at work today! I'm draped in a blanket with my feet on a heating pad.

Amazing Advent

I love the idea of Advent calendars, and this one and the directions for the assembly (a fun Christmas craft) are free from petit elephant! Just start coming up with your 25 activities now, and enjoy the family fun.

White Christmas

I spent the weekend in New York City with my mother, and Saturday was probably one of the most miserably cold and rainy days NYC has ever seen. However, we had a wonderful time seeing all the magical window displays and even got to have dinner with Ryan Dean!

The best part of the weekend was seeing White Christmas on broadway! Here are some images of the truly amazing costumes seen in the play for your design enjoyment.

Since I am basically obsessed with the movie White Christmas, seeing the play with my mother was extra special for me. If you're going to be in New York over the holidays, I highly recommend you check it out...and enjoy the snow!

White Christmas

I am a fan of a classic green tree, or even a real fresh pine tree...though I think I'm allergic. However, if you're going artificial, why not try to hide anything and go for a white tree? Here are some great images of pretty white trees with brightly colored baubles.

Sources for the images are here ,here, here, and here.

Modern/Classic Christmas

This is another fabulous blend of the modern and classic, found at roomenvy! My mom has been dying to paint her dining room red for years, but my dad is afraid it will look like a bordello. This doesn't look that way at all, so Mom...if you're reading this, show it to Dad!

Modern/Classic Christmas

I love the idea of a red and white living room, especially around Christmastime. But then what do you do for the rest of the year? I've always wondered. Either way, this room is gorgeous and I found it on this website. It's so modern and chic, yet warm and classic. Those are pairs of words that don't always go together, so it's definitely something to aspire to!

Pancakes for Parkinson's Logo

This is a logo I created for a charitable event at OSU called Pancakes for Parkinson's. The idea is that you arrive at the event hungry for delicious pancakes, and then all the money you spend goes to Parkinson's Disease research. The client wanted something modern, and friendly and this is what I came up with.

Gift Ideas!

I pretty much need this perfume. Mostly for the bottle. I will buy it regardless of how it smells, and I am running...not walking to Sephora as soon as I can!

Michael Kors, Very Hollwood

I also really like this one from Coach! Though, it's not quite as frou four, and old Hollywood glamour as the Michael Kors.

Pretty perfumes make fabulous Gift Ideas!

Birthday!

So, I apologize for my severe lack of blogging for the past week! I was home for Thanksgiving, and helping my parents clean and prep the house.

But I am back, and pleased to announce that yesterday was my 24th Birthday! I am now well into my twenties, so happy birthday to me! Let's hope it's a great year filled with personal and professional success, great friends, and time spent with family, and of course blogging!

A Vegetarian at Thanksgiving!

Whether you are a vegetarian yourself, or hosting some for Thanksgiving, there are plenty of ways to make sure everyone is happy, full, and stress-free!

Vegetarian?

1. Communicate well in advance: This is so your hostess can prepare to have meatless options for you. This also goes for anyone with special dietary concerns. It's always better to make sure the hostess is well informed.
2. Explain your dietary concerns in detail: People, especially older individuals, tend to not get what it means to be vegetarian! Plus some vegetarians eat fish, some eat eggs, some eat no animal byproducts whatsoever. Which type are you? Let your hostess know!
3. Offer suggestions: Plenty of hostesses aren't hip to the ways you can exclude meat from your cooking. Recommend replacements for things, like vegetable broth instead of chicken stock. You are a pro at cooking for yourself, so offer your insight without taking over.
4. Always ask: This is always a rule for Vegetarians no matter what meal it is, but make sure you ask before taking a bite, just in case there's surprise bacon in the green beans or something!
5. BYOT- (Bring your own Tofurky) or other meatless food items for yourself! For those non-veg folks, Tofurky is basically a meatless turkey substitute with stuffing rolled up inside. Vegetarian? Don't expect your hostess to know what this is or where to find it, especially if they're older, because she is probably not used to shopping for meatless dishes. One sure way to not be left out is to bring this yourself!
6. Bring enough for everyone to try: Wow, it tastes just like real turkey! You can't bring something new and different to a dinner party and not expect everyone to want to try it. Make sure you have enough for yourself, and for everyone else to have a taste.

Hosting Vegetarian Guests?

1. Ask questions: Don't hesitate to ask what your guests do or do not eat! This is the only way to make sure that you are clear as to their dietary concerns. If you don't understand something, the best way to learn is to ask!
2. Ask for Help: You are the hostess, but everyone needs a hand in the kitchen sometimes! Don't hesitate to ask for help from your vegetarian guest to make sure you're getting it right.
3. Plenty of side dishes don't involve meat at all: Sweet potatoes, corn, green beans, cranberry sauce. These are all great Thanksgiving staples that are meat-free. Make sure you don't put gravy on the mashed potatoes yourself, but rather pass around a gravy boat. This will allow your vegetarian friends to enjoy the mashed potatoes with butter or other toppings.
4. No Tufurky necessary: Don't feel pressured to buy commercial meat substitutes! Plenty of vegetarians don't actually like these and would much rather fill up on the other delicious sides mentioned above! Ask your guest if they would like to bring their own meatless substitute if you are uncomfortable shopping for them! And if you do buy some, refer to Vegetarian tip #6 and have enough for everyone to try!

Gap Cheer Factory

I can't decide if these commercials are cute or obnoxious, but either way they are pretty intense and styled beautifully. You can send a silly customized greeting cheer with a friend's name in it here! With choices like Mo' Mistletoe or Big Ol' Piece of Peace you'll be sure to bring someone holiday cheer...or at least a good laugh.

Coco Avant Chanel

Tonight, Cate (my period piece viewing partner) are going to see this movie. I am tres excited because the cinematography and costumes look absolutely beautiful. Take a look at some stills from the movie below.