#Blogmas Day 1: Fall Favorites

Sidebar: Can you begin with a sidebar? Whatever, I'm 30, I do what I want... Ahem... Today is my birthday! I'm 30 years old, can you believe it? I can remember back in the heyday of writing this blog, I was turning 26 and announcing my big move to NYC (where I sort of fell into a black hole and barely ever blogged again...but that's irrelevant, right?) and now four years have gone by in what feels like the blink of an eye! I don't really have any anxiety about being in my thirties *yet* so I'm just kind of enjoying the day and celebrating the things and people and life I love. If I DO decide to have anxiety, I may drop those feelings here for all of you, because it's cheaper than therapy!

OKAY, back to our regularly scheduled programming. I'm attempting to do #Blogmas this December. No, no, another bad start! I'm DOING #Blogmas this December. I'm carving out some time to devote to doing what I love! And I thought I'd begin by saying Farewell-to-Fall-and-Welcome-to-Winter® by listing a few of my fall faves for all of you below! These are things I have been beyond obsessed with across the beauty/skincare realm, with a few candles thrown in because nothing says fall like a 3-wick candle from Bath & Body Works.

1  Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Glow Palette

I need to preface by saying that this palette has literally vanished from Sephora's website since I bought it, and as far as I knew, it was a Holiday item...which I'm taking to mean that it's sold. out. everywhere. If so, I am not surprised because the Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop highlighter from Becca was THE top-selling product of the summer, and this palette gives you that signature shade in the center along with two other beautiful shades on either side - a light, stunning highlight that mixes beautifully with Champagne Pop for pale skin, and a blush overlay that looks gorgeous on the apples of your cheeks or wherever your want some GLOW. I looooove this (like, I'm obsessed) and will probably cry when I hit pan on these, but a little goes such a long way that I hope it will last me quite a while. 

2  All Things LUSH Bath

I fell for LUSH very, very hard this fall. I had never really purchased any bath bombs before (or even used my bathtub really) but LUSH bath bombs, bubble bars, and bath melts have become my ultimate guilty pleasure and the best way to #treatyoself. If you have a tub, get yourself to LUSH and try these. They're all-natural cruelty-free products and they smell and feel amazing. (Note: LUSH sells tons of other beauty and body/shower products, but I haven't tried them yet so stay tuned for reviews on non-bathtub related items!)

3  Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

This mask from Boscia has been a super fun addition to my beauty routine this Fall. It's like shiny, black vinyl applied in a thick layer on your skin, and it tightens up and peels right off in one go, taking blackheads and imperfections with it (kind of like a pore strip for your entire face!) I am addicted.

4  Cargo Cosmetics Venice Enchantment Eyeshadow Palette

I got this Cargo palette from Birchbox specifically for Fall, and I have really enjoyed creating looks with it! Full disclosure, it isn't my absolute favorite eyeshadow formulation in the entire world, but most of the shades and pigmentation are gorgeous – especially the maroons and browns in the top row. Most of the shades have glitter, and some are more shimmery but there's no true matte shade in here. While I love matte eyeshadow, I also love my glitter so this wasn't a deal-breaker for me! It was perfect for Fall, and I wore it QUITE a bit.

5, 6, 7  3-Wick Candles from Bath & Body Works

Fall isn't Fall without a 3-wick candle burning in the background, and these three were some of my absolute favorites this season. Autumn was such a perfect, crisp almost apple-like scent (I went through 2 of these) and unfortunately it's not for sale anymore, because the holiday candles have moved in after Halloween. Pumpkin Pecan Waffles is a super-sweet, delicious confection of a candle to burn in the kitchen and I bought a few of these to gift to friends and family this season. And Party Dress, I will be going back for 2-3 more of these to stock up for Winter. It's girly, feminine, and not too overpowering. This is the one where guests will always ask "What is this amazing smell emanating from your bedroom?" Obsessed. Look out for sales where these are 2 for 24 (and 12 for each additional candle). You can get a great deal!

8  Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen

This liquid liner from Clinique is the bomb. I have tried (and failed) to master liquid and gel liners for basically my entire adulthood, and this product helped me succeed! It's super easy to apply, does not budge all day, and creates the perfect super-black winged eyeliner I've been rocking this Summer and Fall. It's a must-have!

9  Clinique Just Browsing Brush-On Styling Mousse

I am in love with this brow mousse from Clinique, and it really adds some extra definition to my naturally sparse, blonde-ish brows, more so than a clear brow gel would. I still use other brow pencils to define the shape, but this is always my last touch to polish off a bold brow. Love!

10  L'Oreal Color Riche Le Matte Lip Pens

Saving the best for last, these lip pens were my absolute favorite discovery this Fall. I bought every shade, and each one is incredibly wearable. They are super easy to apply, and extremely long-wearing. And the matte finish is incredible for the price. I don't usually gravitate toward drugstore makeup because I work literally next door to a Sephora, but I'll keep buying these again and again as long as they sell them! If you try ONE thing from this favorites list, make it these!

No Takeout November | Skinnytaste Meal Planner

Hello, November! I can not believe how quickly time is passing these days. Sunrise/sunset... Okay, moving on. I have a friend who's doing a No Spend November and she is basically my hero. If any of you have done something like this successfully, and saved a quick and easy thousand dollars in the process, my hat's off to you! Truly, I think I would die. But the idea inspired me to take an honest look at where most of my money goes each month (cough, cough, takeout/restaurants/bars) and I've isolated something I can SAVE BIG on without going berserk.

No Takeout November, for a New Yorker, is definitely still a sacrifice in order to save big. I typically buy breakfast, lunch, and usually dinner from various restaurants ranging from Dunkin Donuts (coffee + breakfast at work), to my favorite local Mexican restaurant (a dinnertime favorite), to Domino's Pizza (yes, I am the worst New Yorker ever...my boyfriend will be the first to point this out). Hear me: It is ridiculous to eat 3 meals out every. single. day. And, trust me, it adds up fast. Also, when left to my own devices and spur-of-the-moment decisions, I am just NOT a healthy eater. So cooking healthy for myself is a secondary benefit!

My go-to website (and cookbook) for healthy, easy, delicious recipes is skinnytaste.com and so imagine my surprise when I found that she recently released a companion to her amazing cookbook that was a tool specifically for meal-planning and calorie/activity tracking. Enter The Skinnytaste Meal Planner. It seemed like perfect considering my No Takeout pledge.

Image from Kittsona

It's got a spread at the beginning of each week to plan your meals, which I'm using to establish which nights of the week will be "cooking nights." Since I am still as busy as I ever was, and life doesn't take a back seat to my No Takeout plans, I will try to keep these to 2-3 a week, maximum and try to knock out the bulk of my planning and shopping on Sundays.

Then for each day of the week, there's space to track everything you eat (amazing if you're trying to be cognizant of that) as well as a cute space for activity tracking! Sure hope I manage to do more of that as well, but I also know the importance of focusing on one goal before conquering another.

I'm very excited about this No Takeout November project, and will definitely let you all know how it goes! Wish me luck!

Inside My September Birchbox!

Hello there! This is only a little late, considering my October Birchbox has now officially shipped and is on its way! But I wanted to spend some time with my August Birchbox so that I could give an honest review of each of the seven products included - as well as a sample value breakdown for you all. Full disclosure: Birchbox offers an option where you can peek at the samples you're getting before the box itself arrives, and for the past two months, I've done it. I can't help myself! But I'm hoping to get to a point where I'm fine just being surprised. Maybe I'll treat my November and December Birchboxes and Ipsy Glam Bags a bit more like presents to be unwrapped physically, vs digitally? Who knows!

Anyway, I was super impressed with this special Anniversary Birchbox, which came with a few extra samples as well as some fun balloons! It was like unwrapping a party. And many of the products were great! But for the first time I wasn't as keen on some of the others. For more on that, read the reviews below. And if you're interested in trying a Birchbox subscription, you can get the ball rolling here! Enjoy! xo Jenna

Davines LOVE Smoothing Shampoo
Full-size | $25.00 for 8.45 oz.
Sample value | $07.69
Right away this sample shampoo caught my eye because it was such a generously sized sample. I even brought it with me when I traveled to a wedding, along with the one-time-use conditioner packet. It smelled incredible, and really did smooth and tame my hair. It was definitely my favorite thing in this month's box and possibly the only thing I'd purchase in full-size.

Davines LOVE Smoothing Conditioner
Full-size | $29.00 for 8.45 oz.
Sample value | $01.37
Like I said, loved the combination of these two products, but I'm kind of bummed that this sample wasn't equally sized to the other...because I typically don't like to mix brands when it comes to shampoo and conditioner. Is that weird? Maybe. Plus I always run out of conditioner first, so I need extra shampoo like I need a hole in the head. It would still be great for travel, and I'm certainly not going to let it go to waste. But...that was my big complaint with this sample. Other than that, it was a beautiful conditioner, and the combination with the shampoo is definitely on my list of possible future purchases.

POP Beauty POP Portfolio Eyeshadow Palette
Full-size | $29.00 for 36 shadows

Sample value | $02.15 for 3 shadows

I am loving the formulation of these shadows by POP Beauty. The powder is fine and richly pigmented, and it swatched and wore like a dream. In terms of the colors, each is a shimmery shade and I do love each one in its own right, but definitely wouldn't wear them together the way I would wear the 3-shadow palette from my Ipsy bag (more on that in an additional post). But the light color is a beautiful inner-corner or brow bone highlight, and the shimmery gray is a great lid or crease color. the purple is gorgeous as well, with more of a fall browns/taupes eye look (my personal preference, since an overall "cool-toned" eye is not great for my personal coloring. My holy grail eye palettes work together to create one look, since my everyday makeup bag is a travel bag that lives in my purse at all times. But otherwise, love!

English Laundry Eau de Parfum Signature for Her

Full-size | $90.00 for 3.4 oz.

Sample value | ~$01.32

I'm going to say it. I am just not a fan of perfume samples! I have been on a lifelong journey to find a fragrance that both work with my body chemistry and don't give me an all-day case of the sneezes. #allergyproblems. This was a very floral, romantic scent that I actually got quite a few compliments on throughout the day...but it also made me sneeze like crazy and feel a constant headache. Pass, thanks. I just happen to like amber and woodsy scents. If you like florals, though, this is a nice option to try. 

Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser

Full-size | $32.00 for 8 oz.

Sample value | $02.00

This was a nice cleanser, and I really loved the fresh smell even though typically citrus is not my fave. But I have liked other cleansers much more, recently. So for the price, I would just never purchase the full-size. Last month's Dr. Brandt Pores No More Cleanser is definitely #1 on my current Birchbox wish list.

Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturizer

Full-size | $46.00 for 4 oz.

Sample value | $01.13

This was the biggest disappointment in my entire subscription box history, by far. The foil packet sample may have done something to alter the scent of the product, and I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, but it smelled terrible! Kind of like plastic or synthetic; just nothing you'd want to put on your face. And it just sat on top of my skin and never really absorbed, giving me an oily residue. I have naturally dry/combination skin, so I don't often feel oily or shiny, but with this I certainly did. I hate to be rude, and I love reporting back to you guys that I love everything I try, but this was so so bad. I can not imagine a world where I would ever pay $46.00 for this. Bye, Felicia. 

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive

Full-size | $39.00 for 2 oz.

Sample value | $04.29

I really enjoyed trying this product, and while a peel isn't part of my typical beauty routine, it was fun to try. The sensitive formula was gentle, and the green apple scent was super refreshing and perfect for fall. Ultimately, I liked it and it's definitely worth a try. I'll certainly use up the full sample, but I probably wouldn't get the full-size because I just don't think I'd use it often enough. My routine already includes a weekly exfoliating scrub, and an every-other-day cleansing treatment with a vibrating cleansing brush, so a peel is just not really necessary. (I'd like to do an upcoming post on my sort of "skincare regime" soon, so look out for that.)

FINAL TALLY:

Money spent on my September Birchbox: $10.89 (including tax)

Value of my September Birchbox: $19.96

I am loving my subscription boxes (and bags) and definitely find that they are absolutely worth the monthly cost. Plus, if you're a Sephora junkie like me, with a store in walking distance and a burning desire to TRY ALL THE MAKEUP AND SKINCARE PRODUCTS EVER MADE, getting these boxes satisfies that urge to sample without spending a bazillion dollars on hit or miss full-size products. If you'd like to subscribe to Birchbox and see for yourself, you can do so at this link!

Inside the JSQ Makeup Bag: Fall 2014

So I may have taken myself out for a bit of retail therapy last Friday... and a trip through Sephora led me directly next door to Ted Baker on Fifth Avenue where I found the most to-die-for makeup bag! That, plus a matching pencil case (for my brushes) and two new pairs of fall shoes later, I was ready for the change in seasons! And that brings me to the fact that it's been quite a while since I've given you guys a peek inside the JSQ Makeup Bag. So, without further adieu, here are some of my must-have products, 2014 edition.

1  Too Faced Shadow Insurance is still a staple in my makeup bag and it's served me well since 2011. Try this product and you're guaranteed smudge-proof crease-less eye makeup all day and night long!

2  H&M Lipstick & Lip Gloss is my go-to daytime look. It's pretty and neutral, and with the 2-in-1 factor, it's the perfect for a grab-and-go kind of morning.

3  Make Up For Ever Mat Bronze was a new addition to my bag this summer. I'd never tried Make Up For Ever products before, but they're becoming a new favorite brand. This bronzer is matte and goes on beautifully for a perfect sunkissed glow.

4  Make Up For Ever Duo Mat Powder is the newest product in my arsenal, after I fell in love with the bronzer, I added a powder to match. It's light and perfect for sealing in your look. Loving it so far!

5  Benefit Fake Up Concealer came into my life as a free sample and wound up a staple! It's the perfect under-eye brightener, and I love the silky texture of the moisturizing ring. It goes on like butter and doesn't crease all day.

6  Ted Baker Large Bow Cosmetic Case literally had me at hello. Well, actually this hot pink version was what initially caught my eye, however I opted for the more classic variant and I stand by my choice. The black sateen liner is much less likely to get dirty if any of my makeup products should leak, break or explode (heaven forbid!) I am absolutely in love.

7  Ted Baker Bow Pencil Case I am a sucker for a matching set, so when I saw this pencil case I knew it would be perfect to nest inside my larger makeup case to keep my brushes organized. Tres Magnifique!

8  Clinique Even Better Compact Makeup is the best foundation I've used in quite a while. While I've branched out a bit with the rest of my makeup bag, I'm still very loyal to Clinique when it comes to my skincare regimen, and that includes foundation. This creamy compact makeup buffs on lightly to even out my post-summer freckles, and with my combination skin, it works great on my dry cheeks and semi-oily T-zone. Perfection.

9  Sugar Lip Treatment, Untinted is the best there is. It's part of my morning and evening moisturizing routine and it feels like absolute bliss going on. I absolutely insist you give this product a try. It's a bit pricey (for what's essentially a chap stick) but it's worth every penny when you consider how amazing it makes your lips feel. I can't live without it!

10  Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara It took me quite some time to find the right mascara, and I've looked no further once I tried this brand. While I've got loooong lashes, they are sparse and this mascara bulks up my lashes beautifully with no sign up clumps. I've never heard so many people ask if I was wearing falsies only to have me smile like Mona Lisa and reply "Nope, they're all mine!"

11  Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense is my favorite lipstick on the market right now. When I'm wearing full-on lipstick I want a big pigment pay-off and this product doesn't disappoint. The color options are beautiful, and I've found it has great staying power as an added benefit!

12  Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette is an everyday must. Whether you're going natural or romantic, shimmery or smokey, this palette provides ample options. My favorite daytime combo is Tease over the entire eye with YDK in the center of the lid to add a romantic shimmer and then a bit of Busted in the crease to add definition. It's a great look for fall!

Keds x Kate Spade New York

Labor Day has come and gone, but with the warm weather lasting well into October here in New York City, September is definitely still feeling like summertime! Which got me thinking about these adorable Keds x Kate Spade New York that I'd been eyeing these past few months. I am just mad for the patterns, and I'm actually loving the slightly more pointed-toe variety too. But I have to say, my favorite is the cork pair that is totally in line with the Jenna Sais Quois color palette, but it's unfortunately no longer available. Of course! Taylor Swift also has a great fall collection for Keds which I may blog about next week while I'm on a Keds kick! Say what you want about Taylor's music (I happen to love it but it's not for everyone), she has sensational style.

I hope you've all had a lovely summer and are ready for my favorite season. It's right around the corner...hopefully!

1  Keds x Kate Spade New York Cork Shoes (No longer available)
2  Keds x Kate Spade New York Champion
3  Keds x Kate Spade New York Pointer in Floral Pink On Sale!
4  Keds x Kate Spade New York Champion Seaport Dot On Sale!
5  Keds x Kate Spade New York Champion Laceless in Geo Navy Red
6  Keds x Kate Spade New York Champion Jersey in Green Stripe Jersey
7  Keds x Kate Spade New York Pointer Cheetah in Blue
8  Keds x Kate Spade New York Champion Mariner Stripe On Sale!

Sartorial Soulmates

I know that, in terms of styling or accessorizing, ladies certainly have an unlimited number of tricks up our sleeves. But, is there anything better than a well-dressed man? In New York City, you can definitely catch a fair few in their natural habitats, but for the quicker and easier route, I turn to Pinterest and my Sartorial Soulmates pin board. Below are a few of my favorites. What do you guys think about a well-accessorized fella? Too much? Just right?

Image from Le Ruffian Bureau

Image from styleguy on Tumblr

Image from here

Image from Men's Interests on Tumblr

Sarah Lazarovic | The Ponchos of My Life

I'm sorry, but who doesn't love a good poncho? Especially when fall weather changes bring that dreaded combination of rain/wind! Whether it be wool, or made from a makeshift garbage bag, Sarah Lazarovic's illustrations on The Hairpin yesterday covered just about every poncho in not just her life, but in ours as well. Love. Check out all of the ponchos here.

All illustrations by Sarah Lazarovic via The Hairpin

Hello, October!

Hello, everyone! Fall is in full swing and I wanted to wish you all a very happy October! I celebrated by doing a bunch of lovely fall activities this past weekend including apple picking, apple cider (with a splash of rum, of course) drinking, apple pie baking...hmm I think that covers all the high points. Hope you are as excited as I am that the most amazing season of all seasons has arrived.

 The below photo is from Instagram. To follow my adventures, search for Jennasaisquois!

Blog Favorites: Skinnytaste

Skinnytaste, from blogger Gina Homolka, has been a favorite blog in our apartment all summer long, and it's been an amazing (and completely fail-safe) resource for delicious and low-calorie recipes. We are a Weight Watchers apartment, so it's great that she's listed the Points+ values there as well as the calories. A major strength of the blog is that nearly every recipe is loaded with fruits and vegetables, and it's great for families because the produce isn't disguised, but rather presented in a way you never knew how delicious it could be!

My roommate Colleen made the Loaded Baked Sweet Potato recipe for us last night and it was to. die. for. Seriously. A perfect welcome to Fall. (Note: this particular recipe is from guest blogger Anjali from The Picky Eater)

Loaded Baked Sweet Potato recipe from Skinnytaste.com

Below are a few more of our favorite recipes from throughout the summer! If you haven't already, I definitely suggest you check this blog out! So so so tasty.

Southwestern Black Bean Salad from Skinnytaste.com

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad from Skinnytaste.com

Art Prints by Remko Gap Heemskerk

Happy Monday, friends! Fall has arrived in Manhattan, and it's brought rain and subway delays with it! It took me nearly an hour to get to work this morning...thank goodness I left early. Anyway, I would never complain too terribly much about New York life because despite the ups and downs, it really is a dream land. Just take a look at these beautiful art prints by Remko Gap Heemskerk for living proof that the vibrancy of NYC is apparent year-round. You can purchase these online here, and just as a suggestion, I'm thinking three of them lined up and framed would make a lovely series! My faves are below. Enjoy!

Park Avenue  |  Buy print

Tribeca  |  Buy print

Greenwich Village  |  Buy print

Bobbi Brown Navy & Nude Eye Palette

I know that Summer is nearly over, so I'm a bit behind on this, but I've had my eye on this Bobbi Brown Navy & Nude collection, and the eyeshadow palette specifically, for quite a while! (I tend to troll the aisles of the Sephora on 5th avenue after work, and let's just say I may have obsessed for long enough that it's time to finally bring this baby home). Does any of you have this in your makeup bag? With the nude tones, and the slate and navy colors, I definitely think it can transition from summer to fall quite easily!

Happy Friday!

Hi everyone, I hope you had a great week! I did because I feel my favorite season edging ever nearer to my fair city. And speaking of which, I found the below photo on Pinterest (can't find the original source, so sorry about that!) and it made me sigh with the deep regret that I didn't live in NYC in the 1950's. Those cars! And that pink townhouse... I can't even imagine how fabulous the woman living inside must have been. I will now aspire to be her. Have a great weekend!

Kate Spade Fall 2013

It's that time of year again! The time where the heat begins to recede, and the evenings get a little bit breezier, and then suddenly it transitions into the season to trump all other seasons: Autumn! Or Fall, whichever you prefer. Though, it goes without saying what I personally prefer are fabulous jackets, cute sweaters, and hats. Enter the Kate Spade Fall 2013 Lookbook! I want everything. Obviously. But especially everything in the yellow and black sections...What are some of your favorites?

J'Adore Jackets: 2012

The time for outerwear is back in a big way, so since I had so much fun scouring the shops for my top Jacket Picks of 2011, I wanted to do the same thing for this coming season. From faux fur collars to belted waistlines and 60s silhouettes, you can't beat a great jacket to amp up any outfit! I think my favorites are #1 and #2. How about you guys?

1  Morning Coffee Shop Coat from Modcloth
2  Stadium-cloth Boulevard Trench in Neptune Green from J. Crew
3  Meringue the Bell Jacket from Modcloth
4  Apt. 9® Boucle Wool Swing Coat from Kohl's
5  Plenty by Tracy Reese Undiscovered Tomes Coat from Modcloth
6  Women's Short Trench Coat from Uniqlo
7  Double Breasted Epaulet Caped Coat from ROMWE
8  Tall Tipped Peacoat in Black from J. Crew

A Rainy Day in NYC

I have been looking forward to Autumn in New York for basically this entire year. In fact, I have dreaming about it since I was a kid who watched way too many old movies with no idea about what life or this city would actually be like. I arrived in January, and saw the seasons change and build to what would no doubt be a sort of grand finale...And now it's here. And it apparently brings with it a fairly consistent downpour of rain. But, lucky for NYC, I feel about this town like Owen Wilson feels about Paris. So bring it on, New York. There's nothing you could ever do to really upset me.

Your Fortune

While I was sitting on a stoop in my neighborhood, enjoying the crispy Fall weather, I saw this fortune on the ground right near my shoe. It says "You can do everything you ought to do." Of course I snapped a picture. Really, I think we could all use a little positive reinforcement. An outside voice telling us we are doing a good job. Telling us that we can do anything. So I am declaring this a universal fortune for anyone who sees this photo. Sometimes the right fortune for you is on the ground instead of in the cookie.

Milly: Pre-Fall 2012

I have been planning this post forever, it seems like. Or at least there's been a Post-It stuck to my computer about writing it for roughly two weeks now... I am not sure how to feel about gearing up for Fall already when I should probably be jumping for joy about Spring fashion, but what can I say? It's just too beautiful to not gush about... So, I'll just get right to it! Feast your eyes on Milly's Pre-Fall 2012 collection. It's everything I could ever want. Black? Check. Pops of color? Check. Leather? Check. The perfect amount of polish? Obviously.

L'Amour List: Rose

It's time again for another L'Amour List. This time I am thrilled to be featuring an Ohio State student, fantastic marketing intern, and all around lovely lady named Rose. I'm very excited, as is Rose, to show you a few of her favorite things. I hope you enjoy them!



1  Harney & Sons English Breakfast Tea is her absolute favorite!
2  Rose love photorealistic paintings. Especially this one by Ralph Goings. It's also a dream of hers to be a "regular" somewhere, at a diner or breakfast place or something, which is why she loves this particular painting so much.
3  She loves art inspired outfits like this one on Polyvore. She loves black, white, and the gorgeous champagne color...not to mention this very poster is hanging in her room right now!

4  This dress from Modcloth is on Rose's wishlist! Red is her favorite color, and sheath dresses are her favorite silhouette for sure.

5  Pugs! They are her favorite dogs.

6  Dystopian Novels are Rose's favorite genre... She's not quite sure why, but she's read 1984 and Brave New World several times each!
7  Her go-to scent, especially in the winter months! It has a deep, rich, spicy scent that's perfect for holiday parties or spicing up an otherwise dreary winter day. Unfortunately she just ran out, so a new bottle is on her Christmas wish list!
8  Another great dress from Modcloth in Rose's second favorite color...(and MY favorite, obviously.) She loves how this color dresses up an otherwise conservative cut. She would pair it with a cropped jacket and red heels. Super cute!
9  Rose has been eyeing these vintage-looking earrings, also from Modcloth.
10  Last, but certainly not least, the Chipotle burrito! Her favorite food of all time...everyone at work knows this. She can't NOT mention Chipotle.

There you have it! Rose's L'Amour List. (I truly can not believe no one has ever mentioned Chipotle before in these...Can you??) To see other great L'Amour Lists, click here! And while you're clicking away, be a doll and follow me on Bloglovin'!

Cocktail Couture: Camelot Cellars Chilean Pinot Noir

This week's installment of Cocktail Couture features a glass of wine recommended to me by Catherine Murray, food photographer extraordinaire behind Photo Kitchen and the blog Freshly Baked. And believe me, you are never going to want to pass on this glass...straight from Camelot Cellars, an "Urban Boutique Winery" located in the heart of Columbus' Short North district. With long, rustic wooden tables, cozy seating, soft, industrial lighting and a wall of literally every type of wine you could ever have dreamed of, Camelot Cellars is the perfect place to explore your passion for wine. And there is truly no better guide than Janine Aquino, the mastermind behind the revamping of Camelot Cellars, and one of the most personable ladies you will ever meet. If you stop by and introduce yourself, she would be more than happy to chat with you about the latest episode of any show on Bravo TV, follow you on twitter, and most importantly, introduce you to a bottle of wine you will really love. If you aren't a fan of wine, that's simply because you haven't met Janine and given her a minute to recommend the perfect bottle as though she were an oracle of grapes. Or, better yet, get you and your friends set up for a private wine tasting!

Below you will see more of Catherine's favorite, the Chilean Pinot Noir, which she bought when we were shopping together, and foolishly left at my apartment...You can bet an unopened bottle of wine doesn't last long in my natural habitat! So, although I felt a bit guilty about it, I cracked it open for myself and a few out-of-town guests, and all three of us were obsessed. Of course, I replaced Catherine's bottle, so it was a win-win for us all. Catherine describes the flavor best on her post, saying that it "has a scent similar to strawberry jam, but the flavor is smooth, rich, just slightly fruity, and a little smoky."

All Photography by Catherine Murray of Photo Kitchen

I highly recommend you check out Camelot Cellars and this delicious Pinot Noir immediately! And bottles of wine, as well as wine tastings and wine making parties, are perfect gifts for the upcoming holiday season! Salut!

And in case you need a refresher on Cocktail Couture, read our description below:

"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." 

Catherine and I 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!

First there was the fantastic Watershed Gin Pumpkin Drop featuring Columbus' own Watershed gin, and next the Tessora Lemon Capuccini made with Tessora Limone! Then came the Hot Apple Toddy, made with Middle West Spirits Whiskey. See all the recipes in this Cocktail Couture series below:

 
 

A Designer's (EXPENSIVE) Toolkit

I had a very expensive day today... The kind of day where you're literally just s t u n n e d.
The kind of day where I saw basically a year of scrimping and saving (and freelancing my pants off) flash before my eyes with just one swift swipe of the debit card. And I left not wanting to scare the nice gentleman helping me carry my new treasures to my car by quietly weeping...

You will know this feeling well if you've ever been a graphic designer who desperately needed to stock up on new hardware AND software all in the same hour-long trip to the technology store. I am feeling better about it now, especially since while I was going swipe happy,  I added a pair of Warby Parker glasses to my expenditure tally. You gotta be able to see straight (and look cool) to be a designer, I've learned! And I didn't end up really loving any of these ones... Once I crack open this new Macbook Pro, upload all of my new software, and try on my new glasses, I will just be a brand new lady! What do you think? Have you guys ever taken a soul-crushing trip to the Apple store? Here are a tally of today's purchases:

1  15-inch: 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro
My 3-year-old MacBook Pro has survived an exploded battery, a blown left speaker (which has left it whistling like a tea-kettle), 2 years of design school, a senior thesis project, and a job designing a magazine... It's officially time to retire him. Also, you should note, I NEVER go without AppleCare protection. It has saved me twice in the past, and I'd definitely rather be safe than sorry...

2 Adobe CS5.5 Design Premium
Who could pass up an Ohio State Employee discount on Adobe CS5.5 Design Premium when instead of costing the usual $1,899.99 smackers, I got it here for a miniscule $350 dollars??

3  Microsoft Office:Mac 2011
I once again chose to utilize my Ohio State employee discount to get this software down from $149.99 to a mere $85.00. Thanks, Wired Out!

4  A FREE HP Deskjet 3050A e-All-in-One Printer/Scanner/Copier 
I use a printer next to never, but why turn down a freebie? And who knows? Maybe I will use it more than I think I will?

5  Crosby Burgundy Fade glasses from Warby Parker
This was the biggest surprise of the day, actually. Libby, my lovely coworker, had utilized Warby Parker's amazing 5-pair "Try Before You Buy" offer, and we were so excited to get the package today! I love trying on glasses, so I snatched a few pairs to try on for myself, and kinda-sorta fell in love with this pair. They are exactly what I was looking for in a pair of big, plastic statement glasses. And I love the coloring, because it looks almost black on top when they're on, but with the red fade pattern, they go well with my hair. It was a great surprise, because I really never would have tried these on if they weren't sitting out on a table in our office. I ended up loving these way more than the ones I debated in this post...and thus, I was sold.

So I am truthfully stocked up on every piece of equipment a good designer could possibly need to do her job. I don't even know what to do next. But the answer is probably design something, so I can make back some of my squandered money!!