Halloweening

I don't really let on much through this blog, but I am actually a huge goofball...as are my friends. So I figured I would take this opportunity to post a picture of our group Halloween costume this year. Are you a big Beastie Boys fan? This is our homemade/mostly borrowed (AND pretty accurate, if I do say so myself...) take on Intergalactic! Enjoy!

I apologize for this bad-quality photo. Camera phones and all...

Cocktail Couture: Watershed Gin Pumpkin Drop

I am very excited to present a fantastic blog collaboration combining a few of my favorite C's...cocktails, Columbus, and Catherine Murray of Photo Kitchen. Catherine is a fantastic food photographer, and fellow Edible Columbus contributer, responsible for some of my favorite features and covers! Now, together, with Catherine's blog, Freshly Baked, we are bringing you a series of drink recipes and photos entitled Cocktail Couture!

Here's what she had to say about Cocktail Couture:
"Haute Couture refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing, usually made from high-quality expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail, often using time-consuming, hand-executed techniques...The hand-crafted (local) alcohol is created by those dedicated to their craft, making award-winning bottles of gin, vodka, whiskey, wine, and Tessora." 

We both believe that the handiwork and detail that goes into the brewing and distilling of our local-to-Columbus spirits are nothing short of couture themselves, especially when paired with fun jewelry and accessories...and you all know I am a firm believer that the cocktail you sip is as much a part of the statement you are making as anything else on your body! So let's get creative!

Our first recipe uses Watershed Gin, an absolutely delicious locally made gin that goes beautiful in absolutely every drink. But in honor of Halloween, Catherine has mixed up a fun punch that's great for shots or small cocktails and it would be perfect to dress up for your Halloween festivities! Check out her recipe for the Pumpkin Drop below!

Photography by Catherine Murray of Photo Kitchen

L'Amour List

Even though this entire blog is basically dedicated to things I love, I thought I'd make a L'Amour List for myself this time around, just to really compile what I'm obsessing over this week! If you're new here, I used to do a weekly feature of readers and friends, and if you want to be next, hit me with a comment! I am happy to feature some of your L'Amours and you along with them!

1  Martha Stewart Craft Glitter
I have a pack, and I leave it out on my desk just to swoon over. It's too pretty to use.
2  Antique Gold Slingbacks by Daniblack from Anthropologie.
I've tried these on, and they are insanely high, but oddly comfortable! Looove.
3  White Subway Tile Backsplashes
4  More Gorgeous Wall Tile
5  Mishka by Emil Karl Bertell
Everyone is currently obsessing over this font at work.
6  These Versace Sunglasses
Yep...still haven't let these go.
7  This Studded Trench
Currently hatching a plan to DIY these sleeves! Stay tuned.
8  This Pretty Painting
I'd like to recreate for my bedroom.
9  Amazing Vintage Graphics from Sanborn New York City Insurance Maps
10  Gorgeous Stationary System designed by Cue
11  Sam Edelman's Renzo Studded Suede Ankle Boots
Shown here in Black and Putty...One of each please!

So there you have it! A list of my favorite things this week. 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!

Changing New York

I am in love with old photos, and this New York Public Library digital gallery of Berenice Abbott's 1935-38 photo series, entitled Changing New York, transports you right into Depression-era Manhattan. This gallery is incredibly special because the photos perfectly capture the unique moment in New York's history where skyscrapers and industry were rapidly surpassing outdated turn-of-the-century conventions, until the collapse of business and commerce left remnants of the old lifestyle out of necessity. A literal pause button was pressed on Manhattan and these photos of the New York culture on hold are really something special to see. I encourage you to check them out!

Facade, 317 Broadway, Manhattan (March 6, 1936)

Murray Hill Hotel, from Park Avenue and 40th St, Manhattan (November 19, 1935)

Automat, 977 Eighth Avenue, Manhattan (February 10, 1936)

Blossom Restaurant, 103 Bowery, Manhattan (October 3, 1935)

Columbus Circle, Manhattan (February 10, 1938)

Cocktail Hour: Xanté Hot Apple

Back by popular demand, I am very pleased to announce that I'm bringing back Cocktail Hour here at Jenna Sais Quois! I took the summer off, and had a little self-imposed "blog-rehab," setting the boozy recipes aside. But now that we're deep in the midst of fall...we could all use a cocktail on our friday night! And this one, featuring Xante, the all-natural pear penetrated congnac (that is somehow only 35 calories per serving!?) is amaaaazing. The pear flavoring in Xante goes beautifully with freshly pressed apple juice and when heated up with a cinnamon stick, this drink is sure to make your chilly heart sing with autumnal goodness. Enjoy your weekends, and as always, drink responsibly! Cheers!

For more great Cocktail Hour recipe posts, click here! And while you're clicking away, why not follow me on Bloglovin'?

JSQ Lookbook: A Little Rain Prep

The weather here is awful. And I mean completely terrible.
So Cameron suggest I come up with a "rainy day" outfit for the JSQ Lookbook to prep for this late-October seasonal shift. So while I was pulling options from far and wide across the interweb, I realized by pairing dark denim, herringbone print Hunter boots and a few chunky knits (all pretty classic pieces), the look I was assembling was totally Preppy. Top it off with this red wool trench for a pop of color to pull you out of your doldrums, and you're ready to take on mother nature in comfort and style. Enjoy!

1  Wool Trenchcoat in Red from Victoria's Secret
2  Perpetual Cashmere Turtleneck in Moss from Anthropologie
3  Hunter 'Regent' Rain Boots from Nordstrom
4 Wood Fashion Umbrella from American Apparel
5  Knit Zigzag Gloves from Gap
6  Skinny Jeans in a dark wash

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

Inside the JSQ Makeup Bag

I am definitely a girly girl when I have time to be. I love makeup and products and I especially love the design and the packaging! However, my hang-up is that I am busy. Like busy, busy busy. But I still like to look and feel great, even if it means I'm putting on mascara in my car, or brushing on foundation at my desk using Photo Booth as my mirror. That's why I've assembled a compilation of all of my must-have products that I keep in my purse at all times. You don't need a million tubes, brushes and bottles to feel fresh and pretty. So I've managed to pare my makeup must-haves into 12 essential products Inside the JSQ Makeup Bag. Do any of you have essential products you can't live without?? I'm always looking to branch out (you'll notice I'm kind of a Clinique girl for the most part...)

1  A Pretty Makeup Bag like this one by Kate Spade. You have to keep everything organized, and not just flying around your purse! Plus, organization is a huge time-saver.

2  Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector works miracles. I, like a lot of people, have visible pores on my cheeks and nose and this smooths out every imperfection! It's kind of like Drywall Spackling for your face. It fills in pores, without leaving them feeling clogged and oily, and leaves your skin soft and pretty.

3  Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray is a new addition to my bag. You just spritz it on your face, either over or under makeup, and it's an instant moisturizer that feels like a 5-second trip to the spa. I use it if my skin feels dry, or just if I need to de-stress.

4  Roll-On Fragrance is a must for your bag. Perfume barely lasts until lunch on my skin, but I love smelling pretty. I keep this in my bag to freshen up my perfume here and there, or to quickly apply fragrance in between the office and a night out.

5  Aveda Control Paste is amazing for taming fly-aways, and perfect for styling bangs. You only need the tiniest bit of product on your fingertips, and then if you pull it into the ends of your hair, you will be frizz free!

6  Too Faced Shadow Insurance is an eyelid primer that seriously changed my life. With this under your eyeshadow, it is guaranteed to not crease, smudge, or fade all day long. If you're going from day to night in a hurry, just add some smoky shadow and freshen up your liner, and you can be ready in 3 minutes!

7  BeneFit Eye Bright is a miracle. If you have redness around your eyes after those late nights at work,  dab it in the inner and outer corners of your eyes, or around the rim on those red spots And poof! You look like you got at least 8 hours in.

8  NARS Duo Eyeshadow in "Silk Road" is really the only daytime eyeshadow you need. I love changing it up for different outfits or from evening looks, but when I'm in a hurry, I want a quick neutral palette that goes on like butter and lasts all day long. NARS can be pricy, but it's great quality, and if it's your go-to color, it's worth spending a little extra cash.

9  Rene Futerer Naturia is the absolute best dry shampoo money can buy. If you color your hair, especially red hair, you know it fades quickly, and several hot showers a week do not help! Use this for that one extra day between washes, and it works miracles. Plus you're saving your color!

10  BeneFit Bad Gal Lash is a perfect on-the-go mascara. It's thick, full brush coats your lashes perfectly for maximum thickness and lengthening all in one. Not only does it give you long, thick, sexy lashes, but the brush's thickness makes it easy to apply even in a moving vehicle (as long as you aren't the driver...)

11  Clinique Even Better foundation is a recent switch for me. I used to use Superbalanced Makeup by the same brand, but I have freckles galore, and in the fall and winter I prefer a base makeup with just a bit more coverage. This is smooth, oil-free and with an SPF 15, which I think is crucial! These reasons and many more are why I made the switch to Even Better.

12  Clinique Superfine Liner for Brows is last but certainly not least. In fact, if I could only leave my house with 1 type of makeup, it would be this. My 2-minute makeup routine involves this liner for my brows, and then I just dab on a little mascara and some chapstick and I'm out the door. This tiny little pencil gives you the ability to fill in your brows with thin, natural looking strokes. And the best part for me is that there is no sharpener needed in my entire makeup bag!

So there you have it, ladies. A peek inside my makeup bag for my 12 absolute Must-Have Items. Am I missing anything? Do you have a product you can't live without? Leave a comment below, because I'd love to hear your Must-Haves too!

50 Years with "Breakfast at Tiffany's"

I am very happy to celebrate 50 years of one of my all-time favorite movies! I think I have watched this movie at least once for every year since it's release, but condensed into my age (which is exactly half that amount of time!)

Though some aspects of Breakfast at Tiffany's haven't exactly stood the test of time, this is truly a movie that has inspired my love of classic cinema, 1960s fashion, and the always elegant Audrey Hepburn. If you haven't seen it, check it out as soon as you possibly can. And while watching it, keep in mind that I believe what's most endearing about the character of Holly Golightly is the fact that she is probably one of the most put-together hot messes of all time. And aren't we all really just trying to keep our heads above water and (hopefully) looking great while doing it?

Throw Some Glitter, Make It Rain

The Elie Saab Spring RTW show was definitely about the sparkle, and you don't hear me complaining! I am loving the crayola-esque color palette which, when paired with dazzling column-like gowns and flowing goddess-esque silhouettes, turned out to be surprisingly sophisticated. While his couture pieces are more than likely to garner a few red carpet moments this season, this ready-to-wear collection is going to give plenty of women a chance to make a few jaw-dropping entrances of her own... Do you guys like?

Images via Style.com

Oh Heeyyyy...

New haircut/color...Self-indulgent, I know.  But I just had to post it, because I'm kinda loving it! I love that I finally met a stylist who could make all my ginger-haired dreams come true. And I know my mom and bestie hate bangs on me, but I really, really love 'em!

While I let them grow out this summer (because who wants hair touching their face when it's 100 degrees outside?) I feel like I am BACK for fall. I'm just renewing myself guys....

Sweater: Madewell Fall 2010