I'm Still Alive

Don't be alarmed, whatever poor readers I have left! I am still alive. My lack of blogging has been in large part to my fabulous New York City vacation, and also because I've been catching up on everything I've missed while I was away. And I've also started designing my very first typeface! Images coming soon, because I really need you guys to help me figure out what to name it...

Image from here

New York, New York

How I love thee...
I am sick, yet again. I've spent the entire Spring/Summer with a cold, but this time it's a chest cold, which is much worse. Ugh. However, I won't let any of this stifle the excitement I feel knowing that I'm going back to New York City on Sunday morning, and staying all the way until Wednesday. It will be a great trip, and I'll get to spend some alone time finding my way around and figuring out if I'll really be able to move there someday, or if I'll find it all so overwhelming that I'll panic and forget about it...It's a semi-far-away dream, but who knows? I'm not giving up, so it may not be as far away as we think! Do any of you live in NYC? How did you adjust to it? It's crazy, but the real thing holding me back is worrying that I won't have any friends to hang out with!

Photo from here

Photo from here 

Photo from here

L'Amour List: Ryan Dean

The L'Amour List is back, folks! It's been quite a while and I've even received a few requests for its triumphant return, so...your voices have been heard. I am happy to introduce you a lifelong friend of mine; the incredibly talented Ryan Dean Albers! And I'm resurrecting the L'Amour List to show you some of his current favorites. He seriously has the best taste of any man I know...and I also should announce to all of you that I am going to be out for the beginning half of next week because I am going back to New York City, to visit this guy. I have been bitten by the Manhattan bug since my last trip, and I'm not really sure if it's going to go away. I might just have to move there... Anyway, enjoy the list!

1  Must have these 3 products for the perfect Summer coiffe! All Bumble & Bumble products are amazing, and they smell great! Thickening Spray, Sumotech, and Does It All. 

2  Last fall he invested in a well-made briefcase messenger bag and he loves it! It's a stylish way to carry his life around with him all day. This one is from Coach for Men.
3  He is really enjoying this Pad and Quill case for the iPad 2. The design makes your iPad look like an actual book, and he loves the silk bookmark detail. He opted for blue lining with a storage pocket.
4  Even though he has an e-reader, there's nothing like a great bookstore. The Strand is the best place to find rare and unique editions of books.
5  He's in love with the natural watches from Mistura. He wears the Eclissi Dark.
6  He's been kind of obsessed with the Wizard of Oz since he was little, and is now the proud owner of all of these cool LA Artwork prints.
7  This is the book that started it all! Ryan is currently playing the father, Mr. Pinkerton, in Pinkalicious the musical, which I got to see when we were in New York last month. So cute!
8  He bought this style by Toms before vacation, and basically never took them off. Super comfy, socially responsible, and pretty much every person walking around the city has a pair...
9  He's a huge fan of Lypsyl lip moisturizer. It's very hard to find in the city, for some reason, but it keeps the lips soft and minty.

So those are some of Ryan's favorite things! I hope you've enjoyed them. See the entire series of L'Amour Lists here!  

And don't forget, I want YOU to be my next L'Amour Lister. If you're interested, leave a comment below and I will be in touch!

Plumage

I have been a huge fan of Young House Love for probably forever. I've loved so many of their DIY decorating ideas, but one literally stopped me in my tracks, and I can't seem to let it go. They painted their guest room this very deep navy/aqua color called Plumage by Martha Stewart with lime green and yellow accents, and these amazing curtains from Ikea. I can't seem to get it out of my head. I want it. All of it. So I think I'm going to go for it! Plus I found the print of their curtains in a set of sheets at IKEA yesterday, and picked them up. Now all I need is a can of Plumage, a white downy comforter, and to go shopping for textiles! Wish me luck!

Photos via Young House Love  I  John & Sherry Petersik

Eva Sais Quois: Delightful Desk

This week I have been cleaning my apartment, redecorating a little, and most importantly organizing. My desk is always the hardest to get under control because it tends to get stacked with old mail, paper samples, and plain old clutter. I'm never able to work there because it just stresses me out!! Thankfully this week, Eva from Monkey in Los Angeles has put together a slew of desk supplies so bright and cheerful they would make anyone want to sit down and get to work!

1  Apple Memo Pad from Pop Deluxe
2  Memo Book from Field Notes
3  Know-It-All Pencil Set from Paper Pastries
4  iPad Case from Dooney & Bourke
5  Bentley the Westie Bookends from Anthropologie
6  Italian Pushpins from the Curiosity Shoppe
7  Wooden Tape Dispenser from Old Faithful Shop
8  Italian Paperclips from the Curiosity Shoppe

To see Eva's other Gift Guide posts, click here! Then, to see my Swell Sip posts on her blog, click here! And while you're clicking away, be a doll and follow me on Bloglovin'!

Something's Missing from Summer

And it's these guys...

Seriously, AMC/Matt Weiner, your contract squabbles are holding up a piece of my life a little! It's the one thing that's left a giant void in my Summer. See you next year?

Images are official promo shots from Season 4

JSQ Lookbook: Lovely Lighthouse

I just fell in love with this skirt from Anthropologie. The print is a vintage nod to sailboats and lighthouses, and the sailor buttons at the waist had me at hello. I wasn't sure how I'd style this look at first, but I found a demure top with a peter pan collar and some matching flats that would be perfect. I believe if you're going for a retro look, go all the way and add some cat-eye sunglasses. What do you think?

1  Sailboat Skirt from Anthropologie
2  Coral Triple Peter Pan Collar Top from Topshop
3  Milly Suede Point Pumps from Topshop
4  Nude Scallop Front Clasp Purse from Topshop
5  RB4163 Blue Gradient Sunglasses from Ray-Ban


To check out my other Lookbook posts, click here! And while you're at it, follow me on Bloglovin!

Edible Columbus on Design*Sponge

Oh my goodness, my friends and coworkers are blog-famous this week. Did you guys see the gorgeous food photography and styling by Catherine Murray of Photo Kitchen, and of course the culinary prowess of Edible Columbus publisher Tricia Wheeler on Design*Sponge this week? I am so excited for their extraordinary work to be featured. They are both two of the most talented foodies I know! And of course, it reminds me that we have incredibly talented people working for our lil' old Columbus, Ohio publication. Congrats ladies! You guys have made Ohio honey look even more delicious than we already know it is...and that's a testament to your fabulous craft!

Photos by Catherine Murray for Design*Sponge

Cocktail Hour: Freezeritas

After a bit of rain, it's looking like it might be a nice, warm weekend. And with margaritas being my favorite drink, I thought I'd whip up a batch or two of these Freezeritas. They taste like a frozen margarita, salt included, and if you can handle being patient (and not just gobbling down them as regular margaritas) you will have a tasty, adults-only summer treat that's perfect for parties. As always, eat these popsicles responsibly. Cheers!

For more great Cocktail Hour posts, click here!

And if you love cocktail recipes, check out my Swell Sips at Monkey in Los Angeles. While you're clicking, be a doll and follow me on Bloglovin! 

The Girl's Game

I spent an evening last night enjoying America's Favorite Pastime. It just so happens that there's a baseball stadium within walking distance of my apartment. This is just one of the many reasons I love my neighborhood...Anyway, I enjoyed watching the Columbus Clippers, the AAA farm team to the Cleveland Indians, last night. The best part about baseball games is that you can drink beer, eat peanuts, and pay only 6 dollars for standing-room tickets! Then, when the game starts picking up after the 7th Inning Stretch, you can sneak down into the more expensive seats because half the people have left anyway. It's delightful. And to honor my newfound love of the game, Eva from Monkey in Los Angeles put together a girl's guide to baseball for us to enjoy. Batter up!

1  Betsey Johnson Crystal Wayfarer Sunglasses from Urban Outfitters
2  White Chocolate Bar with Lemon & Pepper by Kshocolat
3  Canvas Bow Tote from Soraam on Etsy
4  Chowards Lemon Mints
5  Fresh Ginger Ginger Ale by Bruce Cost
6  Bensimon Laceup Sneakers by Madewell
7  Salted Caramel Pecan Bourbon Caramel Corn
8  Vintage Style Lemon Peel Baseball from LemonBall on Etsy


To see Eva's other Gift Guide posts, click here! And while you're clicking away, please be a doll and follow me on Bloglovin'!

Guest Blogging: The Design Boards

Candace McGourin from the lovely blog The Design Boards took a little vacation across the pond, and imagine my delight when she asked me to guest blog for her! It was such fun putting together a vacation look for a trip to the UK, and in true Jenna Sais Quois Cocktail Hour fashion, I paired it with a drink Brit's adore this time of year, the Pimm's Cup. Check out Candace's blog for design inspiration as well as some other fantastic guest posts! 

These Are Things: American Flags

I am obviously a huge fan of These Are Things. Based right in Columbus, Ohio, I have been gushing about their maps since I've started this blog. Some posts are here, here, and here. However, I think this has to be their cutest product yet...a map of the United States using little pins and flags (I clearly love this motif, if you check out anything on my blog). I kind of definitely need to buy this.

Images from These Are Things by Jen Adrion and Omar Noory

Big Sur, Big Love

There are plenty of romantic vacation spots, whether you're a beachcomber or a sightseer...the destinations are endless. But, I have to confess, my idea of true romance is a bit of isolation. I want to be away from cellphones, reality television, e-mails, everything that consumes my everyday life. I want to sit out on the porch outside this vintage trailer from the 70's, drink a bottle of wine with my mister, and just be alone. Doesn't this portable vacation site in the mountains at Big Sur seem like the perfect place for it?

Photos from Vacation Rentals

What's the Dish?

My best friend Cate is obsessed with these dishes from World Market. I think they're great, and since she eyes them like a kid eyes a puppy in a pet shop window, I am clearly trying to motivate her to buy them. But the problem is...I am the friend nobody wants to bring shopping with them because (as you may have noticed with this here blog) I have a great way of emphatically convincing people to buy things. What do you guys think? Should she get them?

Eva Sais Quois: Kitschy Classics

It's Friday, which means another fantastic gift guide from Monkey in Los Angeles. Eva has created another weekly round-up for us. This week, it's all the fixins for a delicious 4th of July picnic! So fire up the grill, and ice the sodas. Have your condiments ready, and your blanket set in the perfect spot for whatever fabulous fireworks display you are viewing. Tonight, I'm avoiding the downtown crowds for Red, White, and Boom in Columbus, and instead parking at the top of the parking garage and enjoying the view from the best and quietest seat in the house! Happy 4th, folks!

1  Tri-Colored Table Cloth from Terrain
2  Lantstalle Lantern from IKEA
3  Sriracha Habanero pickles from Rick's Picks
4  American Links from Dean & Deluca
5  Mars Party Tub from CB2
6  Blue Striped Paper Straws from Kikkerland
7  Bamboo Flatware from Crate&Barrel
8  Condiment Set from Sur La Table

To see Eva's other Gift Guide posts, click here! And while you're clicking away, please be a doll and follow me on Bloglovin'!

JSQ Lookbook: American Dream

It's been so long since I've come up with a lovely Lookbook post that I couldn't resist making one for the 4th of July. This look is definitely for an Independence Day glamor gal on her way to a pool party or the beach. The vintage-inspired bathing suit and adorable flowered bathing cap are my favorites. After you swim, throw on this light breezy white frock, and belt it for a polished and effortlessly chic ensemble. An Eva Sais Quois gift guide will be coming shortly, and of course a delicious drink for America's birthday is coming on Monday!

1  Shadowstitch Dress from Madewell
2  Floral Cap from Jantzen
3  Striped Swimsuit with Skirt from ASOS
4  Westwind Drive Felice bag from Kate Spade
5  Skinny Leather Belt from Isabella Oliver
6  Flothom Wedges from Aldo

To check out my other Lookbook posts, click here! And while you're at it, follow me on Bloglovin!