That's a Wrap!

Today is National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day (it was invented 51 years ago today) and the Ohio Union is taking it pretty seriously... Every banister is lined with the stuff. Every table in the building has some on it. They are giving away cans of pop, and popcorn, and even using a bubble machine to fill the place with bubbles. People are walking through the building, clearly trying to resist popping the Bubble Wrap, but it's just impossible! What is with this stuff? It just makes you happier. I read that the Sealed Air company, the manufacturers of Bubble Wrap, even has "stress-relief boxes" filled with it in their corporate offices for their employees to pop. The verdict: people love Bubble Wrap. And I can't think of a better way to beat those winter blues than popping some.

Ice Storm Denial

As quite possibly the biggest ice storm of the year heads toward Columbus, Ohio, I am going to take the liberty to post a few pictures of the place and time I'd rather be right now...

{Photos via here}

The Smiths Valentines

I am giving you a sneak peak at a current project of mine...valentines with a touch of irony. As someone who has loved The Smiths since I was about fourteen years old, I know that nobody says "I love you" better than Morrissey. And there is definitely nobody who can say it in the most gloomy, sullen way possible. Thus bringing you, my new series of The Smiths-inspired valentines...with some song information on the back in case people haven't heard it before.

Note: These are probably for your single friends...Or your awesome friends...

Flower Power

After reading a very interesting Marie Claire article about what the flowers men give women really mean, I am left incredibly perplexed...The author, Rich Santos, lists different floral options and their alleged meanings followed by quippy or sarcastic descriptions of what your man is really thinking about you. Great idea in theory, but I really just don't think Rich Santos knows anything about it!

There is definitely some truth behind his theory that gifting red roses is both romantic and generic all in one neat package. I honestly think men (no offense, boys) have retained only a few theories about flowers in their lives, and the #1 is that red roses are always appropriate, if not preferred, on Valentine's Day. Every woman I know has gotten a dozen at some point in her life. They don't exactly tell you this guy really knows you, but he definitely knows enough about women to pick up a bouquet...so that's a step in the right direction, right? Maybe?

This brings me to the very first ever, and probably never to be repeated, Jenna Sais Quois Valentine's Day Flower Guide!

Peonies are my personal favorite flower, because they are pink, pretty, and big so you need less of them to make an impact.

Hydrangeas are another winner because they are a slightly more upscale, complex, and beautiful choice that says you know more about buying flowers than your girlfriend/wife/whoever ever thought.

Ranunculus are another exquisite flower because they are gorgeous, eccentric, and have many layers...probably like your girlfriend?

Dahlias are a flower that is so perfect, they almost can't be real. I don't know any other way to explain it other than if you show up with these flowers, she'll know that you did your research.

Peach Roses: Red ones have been done to death. Yellow might send the wrong message, if you buy into that sort of thing. But peach roses are soft, romantic, and subtle. They are the unsung hero of the Rose world, and my personal favorite type.

Finally, Daisies are a flower for a special kind of girl. She's unique, she's kind of hip, and she's probably someone who told you she didn't want flowers on Valentine's Day...But the secret is, nobody really opposes getting flowers in general. They just oppose getting cliched red roses, and/or the last minute grabs from the grocery store florist.


The expression "It's the thought that counts" means exactly as it reads. It's the thought. And yes, showing up with flowers in tow is always thoughtful, but a little extra thinking will go a long way this V-day. I promise.

Artist Spotlight: Sebastiaan Bremer

The work of artist Sebastiaan Bremer is magical. That's really the best way to describe it. It reminds me of the way I saw the world when I was a little kid, and still do sometimes...

{Images via Sebastiaan Bremer's website}

Everything

February and March are going to be tough months for me. I already want it to be Spring, and I can't remember the last time the sun was yellow and the sky was blue. Now they are both just shades of gray.

Photo from here

Missing

I know I really only spent a week with them, but the Habitat for Humanity group I took to John's Island, SC this December on Ohio State's Alternative Winter Break was soo unbelievably amazing. It was my first time playing "Faculty Advisor" and as you can see from the matching tech vests standing outside Wal-Mart (partially my idea), I wasn't much more mature than they were... Anyway, I really miss these goobers.

Kyle, Yang, Katie, Julie, Brittney, Me (in safety goggles), Lauren and Halle

Friday at 4:30

Even though this was only a 4-day week, I feel like I am extra burnt out...I'm ready to get snowed in and just relax and catch up on my zzz's. I better venture out to get these bangs trimmed though, because snow + limited vision is a bad combination. Hope you all have an amazing weekend!

P.S. Upon closer look at this outfit, I think I was subconsciously inspired by this engagement session that I blogged about last year. Pretty similar, huh?

Global Guts

The 2011 Golden Globes were on Sunday night, and I just can't seem to get the red carpet choices off my mind. While I was really impressed by the simplicity we saw from some, I was kind of underwhelmed by most, and some made me feel down right uncomfortable...

Thus I bring you, the very first ever (and who knows if it will ever be repeated...) Jenna Sais Quois Red Carpet Awards.

Emma Stone is my first pick for Best Dressed because she looks fresh, age appropriate, beachy and tastefully simple. The cut of this Calvin Klein dress is stunning, and while she looks a tad washed out, she took a chance and was definitely rewarded.

January Jones is my first pick for Worst Dressed and I know some of you will disagree with me on this. I will firmly say that, yes, she looks stunning and that Versace dress is a conversation starter, but I thought her Décolletage simply made me uncomfortable. I can't be the only one...

Anne Hathaway was absolutely Best Dressed in Armani Privé. I don't even dislike those shoulder pads a tiny bit. She looked absolutely gorgeous, and her hair and makeup were soft and pretty, but that sheer illusion piece on the back of her dress was a little bizarre. That's my only criticism. And I'm reaching for that one...
 

Julianne Moore in Lanvin is a Worst Dressed winner for me because though I applaud her guts, I just don't think the world is quite ready for it. I am all for asymmetry, and I could totally see some Beverly Hills socialite mother wearing this in 1988, but in 2011 and with that the sleeve going through that Bulgari necklace, and that bizarre bag it was frankly just a hot mess...

Claire Danes was another Best Dressed winner for me because like Emma Stone, and both wearing Calvin Klein, she looked fresh, young, simple, and classic. I loved the color on her, and we all know honeysuckle is the 2011 Pantone of the year...My only criticism here is that her hair kind of looks like Kate Gosselin, which is not cute...

Finally, Natalie Portman rings in the last Worst Dressed award and it has nothing to do with her being pregnant...she just looks like a Valentine's Day singing telegram girl who is secretly a conehead. The hair is disastrous, the rose...I don't even know, and that necklace? Natalie would have done well to heed the sage advice of Coco Chanel. If you know you're going to win an award, spring for the stylist. That is all I'm saying.


Missing from this list is Helena Bonham Carter, because I really think she is in a completely other league...and even if she had been wearing Catherine Zeta Jones' dress, nobody would have named her best dressed anyway. She's just on her own planet. I'm not against wearing two different colored shoes, if you're going for that look, but just don't make them dye-to-match junior bridesmaid shoes, please.

A Mystery

Why is it that immediately after you eat an apple or a pear, you are hungry again...even if you weren't even all that hungry to begin with? That'll teach me to have a healthy snack at 2:30pm.

Note: One of my New Year's Resolutions is to eat more fruits and veggies. I've been doing quite well so far. Apples and pears, however, may not make the cut...

Photo from here

Lingering

5:15 pm

Last week, I caught a cold. It started on Monday with a cough, and every day after that I added a new symptom. Friday and Saturday, as you can guess, were not fun. But since then, each day a symptom has been dropping off. Now all that's left are tired eyes and the cough. Hopefully tomorrow, it's just the cough, and Friday I'll be as good as new.

On a happier note, this sweater is from Madewell. I got it on sale for like 80% off and it's kind of my favorite clothing item at the moment. And yes, I'm wearing an ascot.

PrismaColor Lust

My jaw hit the floor when I saw this wall display of beautiful PrismaColor Pencils. Since I was little and picking out crayolas during Back-to-School shopping every August, I've always wanted the pack with as many colors as possible. You need to have every available shade, tint and hue at your fingertips, because you never know which one will be just right.

My mom bought me the 132-pack of Prismas when I was about sixteen, and they've survived high school art classes, a 2-year stint as a fine art student, and then made it through design school. Now they sit collecting dust in the box on my desk. Something that beautiful should be hung on the wall for everyone to see...

Photo from here

L'amour List

I have been using Pinterest for some time now and I'm kind of obsessed with it. If you haven't checked it out yet, it is the perfect place to keep all of those things you find on the internet that you just go crazy for! Here are some of the things I'm in love with lately:

These velvet jewelry boxes via Martha Stewart Weddings cover

This "Secret Passageway" Bookshelf

This ginger-haired boy via The Sartorialist

This classic Kitchen Scullery

This crafty necktie giftbox via Martha Stewart Weddings

This woman channeling 1960's style via The Sartorialist

This rustic kitchen via Desire to Inspire

Puddle Jumper

This Tuesday just feels like a Monday. When I left my apartment this morning, running ten minutes late as usual, it was rainy, rainy, rainy. But it was a welcome kind of rain...The kind that melts the snow that's been slowly piling up and never seems like it will ever go away. The days are getting longer. The snow is melting (for now) and I feel happy.

I think as much as I hate the cold sometimes, I'm relieved to live in a place where we get 4 different seasons. Different weather every four months keeps it from getting too monotonous around here.

{Photo from here}

Hello Pretty

This bag needs to come live with me. I promise to give it a good home, honest. It is the prettiest thing I've seen today, and for a graphic designer/blogging enthusiast who spends 12+ hours a day on the internet, that is a compliment of the highest order.

What They Wore

Umm...goodness, how cute are these family style posts from Bleubird Vintage? Leave it to this adorably hip family to make my maternal instinct kick in. Drat.

{Photos via Bleubird Vintage Blog}

Home Sweet Home

So, I realize I've never posted any photographs of my first big-girl apartment yet, and I'm still a bit remiss to publish them now because it's not perfect! But I have been working pretty hard pairing the new items like the couch, chair, pillows, and rug with the pieces I've inherited such as the bookcase, end tables, and coffee table... Integrating the old with the semi-new in a way that coalesces properly is a major challenge. What do you guys think? Any free decorating advice you'd like to bestow on a newly crowned adult?

View of the living area from the table

Pillows: Half Garden Ridge cheapies, the other half World Market/Target/TJ Maxx

I like to be swaddled in pillows apparently...

My prints from Floyd & Mavis!

The area rug is from Target

The inherited IKEA bookshelf needs some attention...