The Bite-Sized Book of Bite-Sized Recipes

I am beyond excited and inspired to share my friend Catherine Murray of Photo Kitchen's latest project, The Bite-Sized Book of Bite-Sized Recipes. You may remember Catherine's stunning photography work from the Cocktail Couture series back in 2011. Now she's putting her love of cooking and food photography to use creating possibly the tiniest, most adorable cookbook ever and she's set up a Kickstarter campaign to fund the project.

"At 1 3/4 inches tall and 1 1/2 inches wide, it might be the smallest cookbook in the world. With 20 photos and recipes of cute, clever, bite-sized dishes, it's perfect for kids, cookbook collectors, foodies, anyone who loves to eat, cook, or entertain, photographers, book lovers, and collectors of tiny things."

If you want a mini-cookbook of your own, donate today! It would make an amazing stocking stuffer, and there's even an option to buy 1 book, and donate 1 to a children's organization. And the Kickstarter ends in just 19 days, so every little bit counts!

New York, New York

Illustration by Carolyn Gavin

I have spent this entire year crafting a post to accurately explain just how much my life has changed since I moved to this crazy, crazy place. It's been both the best and worst and most epically different year of my life. I never use this blog to complain, so I certainly won't do that. But when you think about starting over in a completely new place, moving in with 3 new roommates, making new friends and meeting new coworkers, starting a new job and then subsequently phasing into about a 60-hour work week in no time flat...it's made these nearly 365 days in the city go by in the blink of an eye! Take something similar to the fall semester of your freshman year of college and multiply it by 50x more stress and 30x more fun, subtract ALL of your paycheck when you realize that you will now burn through shoes at the rate that an F1 racecar burns through it's tires...and then add 25% homesickness and 25% friendsickness, divided by the square root of Pi, for good measure. That leaves you with a pretty strange equation that equals my new life in New York City.

I explained to my roommate once that I was a bit depressed that I never got to see or do the things I thought I'd certainly have crossed off my to-do list in the first year. Things like walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, or eating a Nathan's Famous Hotdog at Coney Island, or freezing my butt off watching the Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade live and in-person. But then, he said something that really got me thinking...Jenna, you LIVE here. And you've LIVED here for a year. And that doesn't mean going to tourist attractions or vacation spots everyday. It means going to work, sitting on the couch, watching TV and eating takeout. It means paying way too much for a cab home because there is now nothing at all whimsical about riding the subway after a long, hard day. It's not about going to the hottest gallery openings, or taking vacations aboard Ramona Singer's yacht. Because life in New York is not a TV show. It's just life.

And for those of you who are curious about what I HAVE done in my time here, below is a list of things I am incredibly proud to have done/seen/accomplished:

1. I took a surfing lesson on Long Beach
2. I drove an actual racecar (!!!) in New Jersey
3. I got to sit in a floor-level box to see Madonna perform at Madison Square Garden (where Psy also made a surprise experience)
4. I added Hellmann's Mayonnaise, American Express, Klondike, and Dove Style+Care to the list of clients I've worked with
5. I drank a Black & Tan in the same bar that Abraham Lincoln used to hang out in
6. I saw Bon Iver perform at Radio City Music Hall
7. I saw about a bazillion shows on Broadway. Some favorites include: Newsies, Anything Goes, Porgy & Bess, Bring It On! The Musical, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Heiress (Starring the dreamy Dan Stevens from Downton Abbey...sigh), A Christmas Story, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and maaaaany more.
8. I had visitors in the form of friends from high school, friends from college, friends of friends, my aunt, my parents, and friends of my parents...
9. I rode the Long Island Railroad and then took a train to Connecticut all in the same weekend
10. I got sunburnt to a crisp on the 4th of July on the beach at Fort Tilden Park
11. I danced the night away in a basement bar on Bowery street (a few times...)
12. I took the Chinatown bus back to Columbus for an incredible weekend
13. I made it through a major natural disaster relatively unscathed and sent many prayers to those who felt it's effects more closely
14. I have made incredible memories with incredible friends that I didn't even know existed only a year ago
15. and I have made an incredible, lasting bond with friends I did know existed but now I know them a whole lot better

It's been an incredible journey. One that I haven't been too communicative about...apologies about that. But while my plans of documenting my first year didn't go so well, I like to say that it's because I was too busy experiencing everything. And next year comes the writing!

Peachy in Columbus!

Until 6 months ago, I had never lived anywhere but Ohio. And I am not even a little bit ashamed of that fact! It was a great place to grow up and, franky, it's the state with the cutest shape in the union... So there's that. Since I moved to NYC, my life has been on overdrive. So much so that it felt like I warped into this alternate reality, and when I got back to C-bus on Saturday morning, my old life just picked up right where it left off. Very sci-fi, I know. I got to see lots of friends, eat delicious food that I have been craaaaving, listen to great music, hang out in the Peach District, go swimming, dance and dance and dance some more, celebrate the Summer Solstice early, wear a crown made of flowers, sit on a front porch, lay in some grass, and enjoy a record amount of Brooklyn Summer Ale (a little taste of new home at old home prices. Score!) Here is my entire weekend in photos. Enjoy your own little taste of Columbus!

My favorite old sign on High St.

My faaaavorite swingset ever right near Aab India in Grandview

Delicious breakfast at Marshall's in Grandview

I helped make these snowflakes right before I moved. Still there!

Party at the most famous backyard swimming pool in Columbus

My fabulous friend Abigail at the Peach District Classic

Peach District Classic: Photo by Cate, aka Pearrier on Tumblr, aka my BFF

The wonderful Johnny Newman performing at the Peach District Classic

The DewDroppers, aka my favorite local band in all of Columbus

I was having so much fun, I missed the bus back to New York...
Luckily, there was another coming in 2 hours! 

Wink, Wink

Somebody payed a little surprise(ish) visit to Columbus this past weekend! Spoiler Alert: It was me. I had an amazing time, and now that I finally have this handy, dandy iPhone, I am about to resume blogging in full force. Thank you, Instagram! So, a full post about my weekend will be forthcoming, but for now, here's a little tease... BAM! ...Yeah, I did that.

Magnetic Valentine by Laura Sanders and Cate Humpage

1 Month in NYC

Wow! I've been here for a entire month already... Over a month, really. I hit the city on December 29th, and now it's February 6th! But, I've really been taking Manhattan (and parts of Brooklyn and Queens) by storm. To illustrate, I've put together a little map of my excursions (aside from the daily to-work-and-back...) for you. As you can see, I haven't let spending my winter in a relatively unfamiliar city stop me from popping up all around town. 

Some cool places I've been: 

Theatres

Ethel Barrymore Theatre 

This is where I saw Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin in their truly awe-inspiring cabaret performance. 

New Amsterdam Theatre

When my mom was in town for a visit, we went to see Mary Poppins here. It was actually really wonderful! I highly recommend it for the broadway novice or regular alike. 

Restuarants

The Smith

This restaurant (I went to the Midtown location) was really great. I had a tomato soup that was prepared almost like a French onion...with cheese and bread on top. High praise. 

The Beagle

Located on Avenue A in the East Village, this was the location of our belated office Holiday Party. The cocktails were amaaaazing. And I think the food was great too! The bartenders looked like they were plucked out of the 1930s and early 40s. I love that old fashioned vibe.

HB Burger

This place is in the Times Square area, but tucked away a little. I went here with my parents on my second day in the city, and they had a veggie burger that taste almost like a chicken parmeggian sandwich. I don't know how or why, but I loved it! 

The Counter

Speaking of burgers, this is another cool place in Times Square. Great for a pre-show dinner. It's this tiny little glass enclosed restaurant with great burgers, and "Burgers in a Bowl" which are basically burgers atop a delicious salad. Decent veggie burger, and amazing fried pickles.

Fred's 

New Yorkers are all about Brunch with cocktails. It's a thing here, believe me. That and drinking seltzer... But anyway, this place is great. If you bring in a picture of your dog, they'll find a place for it on their already very crowded walls. And they give you muffins with butter that's infused with strawberries. It was kind of epic. 

Bars

McSorley's Old Ale House

Abraham Lincoln drank here. And John Lennon, Woody Guthrie, and Teddy Roosevelt just to name a few. E. E. Cummings wrote a poem about the place! What more is there to say really? Try the black & tan, and don't mind the crowd. 

The Bowery Electric

This is the first place in New York that really reminded me of home. It was basically the East Village version of Skully's with music more akin to a trip to The Clampdown. And I danced and danced until the wee hours of the morning, and spent $40 on a cab home... Miss you, Columbus! Miss you, bars close enough to walk to!

M 1-5

This was my first NYC "Club" experience. A huge warehouse-type bar tucked away on a quiet side street in Tribeca with a neon bar and white, leafy trees hanging from above. It looked amazing, and I had a good time despite the fact that it was a bit too crowded to dance, and someone almost threw up on me in the ladies room. Ahhh, New York! Love it.

Upstairs Bar

This place is near my office, the beers are cheap, and it's never crowded. I think that's because it's literally a hotel bar...I've been there twice now, and I have a feeling it will be a regular stopping point on a Friday evening. 

Shopping

Uniqlo 

This place is amazing. I don't need to elaborate much, since I raved about it here! 

Sephora

It's about a block away from my office, and probably the place in NYC I've spent the most time, besides my apartment or work...It's very inconvenient on the wallet, as you may imagine.

Fishs Eddy

Another place I've previously raved about...

The Strand

I could literally spend half a day in this place and still want more. Books as far as the eye can see. Quirky or out-of-print ones are their specialty. Their art books section overwhelms me in the best possible way. 

Scott J Salon

Okay, not quite shopping, but they do sell Aveda products there... This is officially my new hair salon, although my heart forever belongs to Phia and Meagan back in Columbus. 

Wow! That was a lot. If you stuck with me, thanks so much! I've been neglecting this blog so badly that I just wanted you all to see exactly where I've been when I was NOT blogging... I promise I will be back soon with lovely content for you to feast your eyes on. And tomorrow there will be a post on NAIL ART, so stop back soon!

Shopping for the Perfect Red Pump

Hi there JSQ readers! It's Libby, Jenna's former co-worker (We miss her already) and owner of the Etsy shop FollowMeMoon. You may remember me from my L'Amour List or Pinspiration Fashion Week. While Jenna's getting settled in NYC, I want to share with you my adventures in searching for the perfect red pump. I love how a red shoe can really amp up a so-so outfit, and how when you put them on you feel instantly sexy. Here's my personal shopping checklist for finding just the right pair: 

• A lower heel so I can wear them both for work and evening. 
• No frills! I'll pass on the flowers, sparkles and studs. I want this pair to become a wardrobe classic.
• Pointed or almond toe. In my opinion this type of toe is really flattering and chic.
• Color is important. I love a lipstick red, almost orange shade that really pops! 
• No patent leather, please. While there are some classy versions, I think red patent leather heels can sometimes look cheap. 

Here are some options I've found: 

J. Crew Valentina snakeskin pumps

Charles by Charles David Hocus pumps

Nine West Flax pump

Vigotti Lanka pump

Midnight in Paris

Let me preface this by saying that I know I am very late to this party. People have been telling me I needed to see it since it first premiered, but I finally saw Midnight in Paris last night, and it was absolutely perfect. It was my final trip to the very underutilized "Dollar Theatre" on Bethel road. (Why didn't I take more advantage of this theatre? It will probably be one of my life's biggest regrets now that movie tickets will cost me 15 dollars, and popcorn won't even be an option...) Anyway, this movie felt like it was made for me. For one thing, the protagonist spends his life romanticizing another time period and fantasizing about the many ways life was better then. That sounds only vaguely familiar to me... And lots of other people out there too, I imagine! And Midnight in Paris certainly gets to the heart of why we prefer the fantasy of another era to sometimes less-than-glamorous reality of living today.

Regardless, there is nothing unsatisfying about the journey we take in this movie...back to 1920's Paris! And we're in excellent company with bohemians, masterful artists and writers, many of whom we've studied in high school and college, and certainly revisited since we realized maybe there was a pretty good reason we were required to study them in the first place... I won't spoil any of the cameos for you, since meeting and discovering them on your own is half the fun. All I will say is, this is actually my new favorite movie of all time.

By the way, I should mention that after the movie, Cate's mom Annie (a very dear friend of mine) gave me a fantastic idea! I should reward myself for this brave new step in my life by treating myself to a long weekend in Paris this Summer. I've never been, despite my love of the fashion, films, music, and food...and especially the language, which I don't speak, but have always planned on studying. I felt absolutely inspired by this suggestion, and am already mentally saving my pennies! It makes me smile to think about turning this recent streak of independence into a habit.

The Final Countdown: 9

Yesterday I had a little farewell dinner and strategy meeting with the publisher and the editor-in-chief at Edible Columbus, both wonderful ladies and former New Yorkers! They surprised me with a nice little gift: The Little Black Book of New York! It's a pocket-sized guidebook filled with pull-out maps of each Manhattan neighborhood, a full subway map, and a ton of suggestions for cool things to do in the city. I've pulled it out of my purse to look up certain things all day today, so I can already tell that I'm going to be using it to plan lots of my future adventures.

I know the city is constantly changing, so piecing together this New York puzzle will be a nearly impossible feat. Once I feel like I've got it all figured out, I'll realize that I'm still missing pieces, or that ones formerly in place will have changed shape. Then I may just feel like Frank Sinatra in this scene from On The Town! But it's definitely better to have a guidebook and goals than none at all. Thanks so much, Tricia and Colleen! I will use my new Little Black Book well!

P.S. Watch a handsome young sailor and a very forward (for the 1940s, anyway) lady cab driver on their ill-fated sightseeing tour On the Town in this video! 9 days!!

ColumBucket List: pizza with Pizza

My goodbye tour of Columbus kicked off a few weeks ago, when my amaaaazing bestie threw me the most incredible surprise bash with all my friends at our favorite local watering hole, Zeno's. Since then, I've been trying to mentally wrap my head around the fact that each time I do something I love around this town, it will most likely be for the last time! (Of course I'll visit...but for now, it's time to say goodbye!) While I'll certainly miss friends and co-workers, I'm confident that we'll stay in touch. So the thing that is hitting me the hardest is leaving behind some of my favorite quintessential Columbus foods!

If you were ever lucky enough to be a South campus student at Ohio State, you know perfectly well that the best pizza in this entire town comes from Adriatico's. It claims to be New York style, so I'm praying I'll find something comparable, but who knows!? I've been an avid customer since freshman year when their friendly door was just a block or two away from my dorm. The number has been programmed into every cellphone I've had since I was 19. I have to say, it will be pretty weird to not see it located as #2 on my contact list... Cate and I have our order down to an absolute science. A Medium thick-crust pizza, always covered with green & red peppers and onions. Half with black olives for me, and the other half with pepperoni for my non-vegetarian pal. And, of course, an order of breadsticks with garlic sauce and pizza sauce and a 2-liter bottle of Diet Coke.

Then, last halloween, we met a lovely man (pictured above, mid-chew) named Will, who, as luck would have it, happened to be dressed like pizza! I'm serious. He was dressed like a slice of pizza...if pizza happened to accessorize its look with a worn out, blue Kentucky hat. And, very unfortunately for him, we kept making him hang out with us, and the nickname "Pizza" just stuck! Now, over a year later, I can honestly say I love Pizza almost as much as I love pizza. See what I did there? The proper noun and all? So I couldn't think of a better way to spend our last evening together (before he jets off to his medical school interviews tomorrow and misses the opportunity to help me lift heavy boxes into my Uhaul truck...) than by splitting an Adriatico's pizza! A farewell to both the #1 pizzas in my life!

Note: Pizza happens to like his pizza with pepperoni and green olives, which I will just never understand...I'm willing to overlook the blatant cannibalism, but green olives? Never. 10 more days!!

New City, New Mood

I've been thinking about redecorating my bedroom all year long, but never really got around to it. I primarily focused on my living/dining area instead since, for the past year and few months, I've lived in my own place and had no immediate plans of doing anything crazy like moving to New York City... But now that life has changed, and plans have changed, I'm happily planning on investing some time really decorating my NYC bedroom. My goal is to keep it bright, but calm, and a little eclectic. Totally me. Of course, I needed to find a way to combine my living room pieces with my bedroom items, because now that I'm moving in with people who've already lived together for a year, a lot of their furniture and decor is mostly figured out. That makes this an ideal time to really overhaul my boudoir. So for your viewing pleasure, and with the hope that you'll give me some budget-friendly ideas, I've created a little mood board.

1  Mix and Match Lamps from World Market. Base: Martina Aged Mirror Table Lamp Base Shade: White Mulberry Paper Table Lamp Shade.
2 This ultra-cheap Room Essentials Leaf Comforter from Target is reversible, and super soft to the touch.
3  I have a ton of painted gold frames that I've picked up at Goodwill and garage sales. And a vanity mirror to match!
4  The hardwood floors in my new bedroom (the first one shown in this video tour) are just about this color. I think? Maybe just a bit more red.
5  I fell hard for this Silver Recycled Bangle Jewelry Box from Urban Outfitters.Very art deco.
6  This Room Essentials Bright Exploded Flower Rug from Target currently lives in my living room, but will be making the switch to my bedroom in NYC.
7  I'm planning on jazzing up my room with a good old-fashioned frame wall!
8  I'll never forget my old stompin' grounds with my Columbus Neighborhoods Map from These Are Things. Maybe I'll get a matching NYC map once the city really feels like home?
9  Concealed storage is the only way to go. Classic white boxes from Ikea will have a home in any place I ever live...
10  Not my exact dresser, but the same finish, Birch Veneer, from Ikea. I'll replace it eventually, I'm sure, but for now, it works just fine.
11  Just an idea, but I'm thinking about painting a subtle, thick stripe on my walls, or maybe even a chevron wall behind my bed...depending on how much smaller it may make the room look. We'll see when I get there!

So this is the direction I'm headed when it comes to nesting in my New York bedroom. What do you think? I wanted to go with something a little more adult for my actual bedding, but then use the bright colors in the rug to really make the space cheery and fun. We shall see how it all turns out, once I move into my permanent apartment in February! In the meantime, I'm sure I'll just keep compiling more ideas. Or be so busy exploring my new turf that I won't think of it at all!

The Final Countdown: A Renter's Tale

I saw my new apartment for the first time today, via video-tour recorded on my new roommate's iPhone. I should start by saying that I absolutely love it, and can't even believe that I am lucky enough to be moving into a recently gut-renovated apartment in Manhattan(ish) for $250 dollars less per month than I am currently paying in Columbus! It seems like a dream come true! Or too good to be true, I thought, until I saw this video and my mind was finally put at ease. I think I'm handling myself well considering I'm headed to a city where I've never lived, to an apartment I've never actually seen (in person, or in video until today) and starting work at a new office with people I've never met before! Come to think of it, I haven't actually seen the office either, since my interviews were done through video correspondence. In 13 days, I move, pretty much site-unseen.

I'm just relieved that I know all of my roommates, and that they shouldered the brunt of the apartment hunt for me while I chillaxed in Ohio. Thanks, guys! It's all brand-new with hardwood floors, 1.5 baths, granite countertops in the kitchen, and pretty decent sized bedrooms. While it's not Selling New York material, it's definitely nicer than anything I ever expected... I guess it helps to pony up for the broker's fee...

Hear the entire saga of our apartment hunt (which was definitely not as easy as I just made it sound) after the jump!

The Final Countdown: 16

Photo for sale at Eye Poetry Photography on Etsy  I  $35.00

  
So we're getting down to the wire here. And I'm going to be very honest with you all. Throughout the entire month of December I've been calm, cool and, for the most part, unaffected by the realization that I'm about to make a pretty drastic move in a few weeks. I was combating stress by packing a little bit each day and using the move as an opportunity to regain control of my ever-growing pile of material possessions. I was unemotional about leaving work and friends. I kept thinking, "Moving to New York is about the easiest life decision I've ever made! Bring it on!"

Uhhh... Let me just tell you, the thin, linen veil separating me and pesky reality is now officially threadbare. My apartment is a mess. My head is in a million different places, none of them productive. I've crossed zero new things off my to-do list since I clued you in with my bragadocious packing tips. And if I don't get back on track in the next few days, I'll be riding to New York on the Hot-Mess-Express train. Wish me luck!

Pack That Thang Up...

Packing. I'm doing a lot of it lately...as you may have heard, here! And instead of feeling extremely bogged down, like one might expect, I'm actually becoming quite an expert at it. In the past 8 years, I have lived in 2 different houses, 3 different apartments, and a dorm room. So you'd think I would be able to live out of a suitcase (or a few) at this point, but believe me, I have had plenty of chances to accumulate junk...

Image via Pinterest

I am what I like to call an organized hoarder. I have LOTS of things, mostly clothing related items (does any twenty-something really need 15 different coats?) but they are all hung up, grouped by item (i.e. skirts, shirts, dresses), and organized by color. I also collect those $5 DVDs on sale at Target like it's going out of style, but they are all alphabetized and live in white boxes like this one from IKEA. I also archive back-issues of Martha Stewart Living by year in these white boxes. You never do know when you're going to want to revisit a really great craft idea, I always say. But thanks to blogs and Pinterest, perfectly lovely daily inspiration, these mags are getting tucked away in storage until I own a sprawling country home like Martha...

Obviously staying organized is still a challenge when I have so much stuff crammed into a 1-bedroom apartment in Columbus. But it's about to get even crazier now that I'll be trying to fit everything I own into one bedroom in a 4-bedroom Manhattan apartment with minimal closet space. I had to downsize. And it felt good! So good, in fact, that I decided to share my downsizing and packing strategies with all of you. Check them out, after the jump!

Winter Edible Has Arrived!

Columbus residents: come one, come all! The Winter issue of Edible Columbus magazine has officially hit advertiser locations. Support local C-bus businesses, and our fabulous Edible advertisers, and pick up your copy TODAY! I'm giving you a preview of the cover, featuring a gorgeous photo by Catherine Murray of Photo Kitchen, and my partner for our Cocktail Couture series in November. What do you think?

Holiday Printing Party

Wow. I had an incredible Friday night... And it started at 6:00 when Cate and I went to the Igloo Letterpress Holiday Printing Party. Kendall was there too, working, since she does her other internship at Igloo! I had never been inside Igloo before, so I was seriously mesmerized by what I found. Gorgeous, colorful, letterpress items coming (literally) out of the woodwork! Trays of movable type, tiny cubbyholes filled to the brim with envelopes and paper in every shade imaginable, and above all else, design inspiration. Everywhere.

A highlight was getting to meet and chat with Omar and Jen from These Are Things. You guys know I love them and their beauteous graphic maps because I've blogged about them here, here, here aaaaand here. Needless to say, I was excited to meet them, and score some free swag, but I about died from obscure-up-and-coming-blogger joy when they recognized me from Jenna Sais Quois! I hate getting designer starstruck, but These Are Things (And still Jeremy Slagle) invoke this feeling in me, and I can't really fight it. So I won't... But anyway, check out some images from the party that I pilfered from the Igloo and These Are Things facebook pages...including one of me with my new Ohio Letterpress Print. I am going to want lots of nods to my Ohio roots once I get to NYC, so I am beyond jazzed about this print. Plus, I even got to ink the press!

Images from here and here

Birthdays and Big PLANS!

Today I am 26 years old. I can remember thinking 26 seemed ancient when I was a little girl. And today I feel a strange duality. It seems like I've lived nine lives already, because I've kept so busy with books, activities, organizations, sports, music and art. And that was all before graduating from high school. In college, I kicked it into even higher gear trying to learn everything I could on top of design school, dating, more music, friendships, socializing, etc. Every year I've made new friends, and kept some great old ones along the way. I feel tremendous love and support from all of you blog readers (alot of whom are the old and new friends I speak of...) and for that I am so thankful! But while I've lived a lot of life so far, I feel like it's all just beginning! Which brings me to my big announcement!! After a lifetime of fascination and a great deal of recent consideration and blogging (here, here, here, here, here, here, here AND here...) I have finally decided to pick up roots and move!

Every time I've visited the city, I've literally fantasized about latching on to a lamp post so that nobody could pry me away and make me go back... So I'm experiencing a bit of disbelief that when I arrive just days before New Years Eve, I will get to stay. And work as graphic designer at a new, exciting office doing new, exciting things! And change my entire life. Maybe for a couple of years or maybe forever! The beauty is that I just don't know!

Hopefully you'll all be along for this crazy ride with me... With any luck, I'll be even more inspired to blog about fashion, events, cocktails, and other delightful topics! And I can throw in some advice about starting over in the Big City as well!

So thank you all again for reading, and I hope you are as excited as I am to take this show on the road!

May I have your attention please?

...Tomorrow is my birthday! But as exciting as getting another year older is for the mid-twenties-aged female (hah!) that is not my big news. I actually have some really big news to share with you all, and it will all be revealed tomorrow!

And let me clarify here... It's not just really big. It is a REALLY BIG, HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT. Dare I even say it falls under the category of "Life-Changing?" Any guesses, by the way? (Don't guess if you already know...friends, family, MOM...)

Check back in tomorrow, on my 26th birthday, because I've been sitting on this carton of dynamite for about 1.5 weeks now, and I've been waiting for a really special occasion to share it with all of you!

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: Middle West Spirits White Russian

This week's Cocktail Couture finale features one of my all-time favorite cocktails, repopularized by The Dude, but enjoyed by the likes of Don Draper and Roger Sterling in 1963 as well...The White Russian. And not only is this my favorite of our drinks, but I am absolutely in love with the glamorous photos taken by none other than Catherine Murray of Photo Kitchen and the blog Freshly Baked. She has utilized some of my favorite budget-friendly jewelry pieces (both the bangle and the cocktail ring were less than 15 dollars each!) and the most glamorous piece in my entire jewelry arsenal, the vintage necklace I picked up at Funky & Functional down in the Short North. It is so excitingto see the way she's styled the pieces with this gorgeous marble she picked up at Columbus Architectural Salvage.

We've blogged about Middle West Spirits (here for a refresher course) in our Hot Apple Toddy recipe, so if you need to get caught up to speed, check that out! And I would love to recommend you guys prepare your White Russians using Snowville Creamery products so you can rep Columbus through-and-through! Bottoms up!

All photography by Catherine Murray of Photo Kitchen

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!

To walk you down memory lane of our fun photo series, first there was the 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 followed by a bottle of Chilean Pinot Noir from Camelot Cellars. See all the recipe cards for the Cocktail Couture series below:

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: