#Blogmas Day 20: Modcloth's Epic Wrap Battle

With just five days left until Christmas, it's about time to start wrapping those prezzies! And I've been loving the weekly segment on Modcloth's blog, Story, called Epic Wrap Battle where two members of their staff go head-to-head to see who can come up with the most creative gift-wrapped creations! If you like something you see, they have follow-up posts on how to recreate the wrapping at home. My favorites are definitely the giant peppermint candy and also the meat (like, how cute is that?) And I've been loving staying tuned each week to see more gift-wrapped creations. How about you guys? Do you love putting tons of thought and effort into presenting your packages, or are you more the festive gift bag sort? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Week 1  |   Homespun Holiday vs. Candy Inspired Surprise

Week 2  |  Unconventional Patterns vs. A Rustic Rendition

Week 3  |  Meat-Lovin' Magic vs. Veggie Vibes

#Blogmas Day 18: Cocktail Hour - Boozy Egg Nog

You guys, it feels so amazing to be back at it again on this blog. And since I've been feeling so great, I thought it only fitting to bring back what is arguable my MOST POPULAR (and certainly most-pinned about) segment of all time: Friday Cocktail Hour!

And since I'm in a festive sort of mood, I thought I'd raise a glass of boozy egg nog to all of you! Now, a few thoughts on eggnog for the holiday season: I realize this drink is not for everyone. Some of you may find it mildly disgusting. But I must admit, as I've gotten older, eggnog has certainly grown on me. And the way I like it best (sorry bourbon-lovers) is with a nice, dark rum. I think the sweetness of the rum works beautifully with this sugary, frothy confection of a cocktail! And alcohol is key in preserving this drink since it does contain raw eggs. But still, it should really be consumed the same day you make it, or at the very least, the next day. As always, drink responsibly! Cheers to the weekend!

Directions:

Step 1: Separate the egg whites and yolks, and pop whites in the fridge for later.

Step 1: Start whisking your yolks up, and slowly add in the cup of sugar little by little until it's smooth and blended.

Step 3: Add in your milk, cream, and rum and whisk it all together.

Step 4: In a separate bold, whisk up your egg whites until they've stiffened up, and then fold them into your eggnog to give it that yummy frothy texture.

Step 5: Top each glass with a pinch of ground nutmeg. Serve and enjoy! Note: this recipe will be enough for 5-6 cups so feel free to double if you're making enough for a party!

#Blogmas Day 17: Kate Spade "All in Good Taste"

I can't even explain how much I need this book. I just...there's a deep history of how much I love Kate Spade on this blog. I basically worship at the temple of the religion of Kate Spade. And not just because of her gorgeous clothing, or her statement handbags. The real reason is because I find her attitude completely celebratory of all things womanhood! While she's obviously an incredible tastemaker, I also firmly believe she is truly in touch with the modern woman who might not be perfect, but isn't trying to be! Her life is one big party with champagne and glitter and bows on everything, and frankly I want to jump inside her world and never leave. So when I saw that this book "All in Good Taste" was coming out, I knew I had to have it. In fact, skip the Holiday wish list and I think I'll just celebrate my own womanhood and pick it up on my way home from the office!

I want to get lost in the art of assembling a vibrant guest list, trying new recipes, raising a toast to myself frankly. It's been a long year, and a very tumultuous month. But I can firmly say that I'm even more proud of the woman I am today than I've ever been. Cheers!

The Secret to Sensational Summer Legs

Hello everybody! This summer has nearly come and gone, but this tip was too important not to share. Because I, Jenna Sais Quois, have uncovered––after twenty eight summers of life––THE secret to my best ever summer legs! Seriously, they've been smooth, glowing, and most importantly not transparent (because other than freckles, I do not tan #gingerproblems). And while I wish I could tell you that it just happened and requires minimal work, there are a few critical steps involved. But not to worry, I've outlined the different steps and products I use below! Best of luck with your own sexy summer gams, ladies or gents!

Step 1: Dry Brushing

Now, this is a new to 2015 step for me, but beauty bloggers and vloggers have been recommending it like crazy, saying it helps to smooth, exfoliate, and even reduce the appearance of cellulite. I don't just use it on my legs, I use it all over my body, and have definitely noticed improvements. The dry brush I use is from The Body Shop for $12.00 and worth every penny.

Step 2: Exfoliating

I think exfoliating is super important for both the health and overall look of your skin, and it's a step I've always done though my products of choice have evolved over time. The Clinique Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliator feels gentle and lovely but the best feature for me is the packaging, which takes up very little space on my shower shelf vs. most others that come in large pots.

Step 3: Shaving

This razor was new-to-me for the Summer of 2015 and I'm loving it. It's called the Venus Swirl Razor from Gillette, and the unique ball joint at the head makes the razor perfect for navigating the contours of your knees and ankles. It's kind of like the Dyson Vacuum of razors, in that way! I'm a big fan, and will definitely be continuing to use this razor for the foreseeable future. I just need to order the replacement blades from Target or something, because I can't find them in Duane Reade. 

These next few stops can be either combined, or used independently of one another. I like to use 2 out of 3 for everyday, and a combo of all 3 for special occasions. 

Step 4: Moisturizing

This moisturizer has been my favorite product of 2015, hands-down. It's the Jergen's BB Body Protecting Skin Cream, and it's firming, nourishing, formulated to hide skin imperfections, and gives the skin such a beautiful luster. Plus it smells amazing. Whenever someone catches the scent of it, they always ask me "What is that scent?" like it's perfume or something. I've gone through two bottles already this summer, and they aren't cheap for a drugstore lotion but I don't even care. Give me more. I'm addicted. I will say, I use the medium to dark lotion on my pale skin, because it blends beautifully and gives me a nice subtle tint to the skin when I'm not going full-out with my next favorite product.

Step 5: Tanning

I am very happy I discovered Sally Hansen's Airbrush Legs, a product I've seen in drugstores for years - but was a little too scared to try the airbrush can because it seemed, I don't know, too intimidating. But behold - there's a new lotion formula. I like to apply this after my Jergen's lotion, so it's a bit easier to blend into the legs. I just let it dry-dry-dry completely before I dress for the day. It is truly a miracle product! It evens and perfects your legs until they literally look like Hollywood Barbie legs or something. And it isn't like most self-tanning products that have a chemical smell and leave a permanent affect (where if you mess it up, you're stuck with it for quite a while). Small Disclaimer though: This comes off with a scrub in the shower. But if it rains, it may rub off on clothes so check the weather! And don't ever sit on a white couch, just in case...

Step 6: Glowing

If I'm not doing the full tanned leg bit, I do quite like to add a glow to my moisturizing lotion (all over, not just on my legs) and just strobe out my whole body by adding a bit of the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector ––I use the shade Opal––and it gives a gorgeous effect. I don't actually love a liquid luminizing product on my face, but I love it for body. it looks beautiful on legs, shoulders, décolleté, wherever you want a healthy summer glow. 

Hope all your gams are glowing out this August! xo Jenna

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!

Industrial Design

I love this DIY for a hex nut bracelet from Honestly...WTF,  recommended to me by my coworker, Dennis. It looks easy and fun to make! What do you guys think?

Images via Honestly...WTF

Green Ribbon Tablescape

Here is an adorable tablescape idea for an event or wedding using woven ribbons and a crisp, clean color palette to kick your party or event up to the next level. It was featured on Martha Stewart Weddings with the green color palette ideas, and I think this would be a super easy and affordable way to make an impact.

Images via Martha Stewart Weddings

Sea Island Habitat for Humanity

Hello to whichever faithful blog readers have stuck it out through the radio silence of this Autumn and early Winter here at Jenna Sais Quois. I just got back from a week-long trip to John's Island, South Carolina where myself, and 17 Ohio State Students, participated in the Alternative Winter Break program through Buck-I-Serv. It was an incredible experience, and we worked with Sea Island Habitat for Humanity building flooring systems for two different homes in the area. In the end, our work was completely covered up by plywood, but houses don't stand up straight without a lot of infrastructural stuff underneath, which we were happy to help out with!

It was really hard work, and hammering super long nails into cold, hard wood was a challenge, but by the end we all got some muscles, some construction smarts...and sustained a few minor injuries along the way (i.e. splinters, blisters, bruises, etc.) Here are some photos from the trip. Enjoy!

Sideways hammering is even harder than normal hammering!

Lifting a side beam for the exterior frame

Tacking the floor joists in place

Stop! Hammertime.

I used a drop saw to cut all of these joists...Luckily, I still have all my fingers.

All of our hard work lies beneath these plywood sheets...

Group O-H-I-O / Fork in the Garbage Disposal shot

 {All photos via Sam and Lindsey's facebook albums...Thanks girls!}

Special Delivery

Sending a family member your famous (insert-your-special-type-here) cookies will be a snap and also a surprise when they come in a mailing tube this Christmas instead of the usual tin or care package. Check out this creative tip on sending an unforgettably sweet holiday delivery here at Martha Stewart Living!

{Images via Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia}

Ask Jenna Sais Quois: Accent Walls

Question: Do people still do "accent walls" where one wall in a space is painted differently? I'm a little worried it's going to come out too... icky for lack of a better word. IF you think this is a good idea, what do you think of me trying to replicate something like the pattern on the green and white chair that you recently posted in your blog? I have dark brown and green in my living room and the white walls bum me out :(

Jolene

My Thoughts: Jolene, to accent or not to accent is definitely a question of personal taste. I love color, and patterns, and making your space fun! You are in your early twenties, so my vote is that you can definitely handle an accent wall! Now that doesn't mean that people don't royally screw them up either...I have pulled a few of what I think are good examples of accent walls for you to check out. They range from subtle and soft, to patterned, to bold and colorful. I just wanted you to see that accent walls are indeed alive and well in the decorating world.

{Photos from here, here, here and here}

Note: Patterned walls are a bit more tricky. If you are confident in your painting skills and you select muted enough colors (highly saturated lime greens can look a little too neon. I recommend using greens similar to the two photos shown above) then I say go for it! Personally, if I wanted a patterned accent wall, I would look into wallpapering.

Sherwin-Williams makes a product called Easy-Change Wallpaper, which sticks up and comes down without paste, glue, etc. It's perfect for renters, and they have a ton of patterns to choose from. Just go to this link, select green, and browse through tons of great patterns like the swatches I've pulled below.

DIY Tip: If you have your heart set on painting, and don't trust your hand to complete an epic mural, check out this DIY project for a modern, patterned accent wall using good old fashioned paint and tape. The finished product could look like this!

{Image from here}

Paper Pinwheel Wedding

Who saw this fabulously crafty wedding on Green Wedding Shoes yesterday? I am in love with every aspect of it, from the vintage fabric runner to the incredible paper flower trellis to the colorful balloons serving as a backdrop for the cake table. To say "I Do" under a whirlwind of paper flowers in every color of the spectrum must feel pretty spectacular. What do you think?

{Images from here}

A Super Father's Day Idea

Jordan Ferney, my vote for most creative woman on the internet (heavy statement, I know) does it again with this post on Alphamom. A Superhero themed Father's Day Kit. How cute is that? Equipped with Hero Juice, Energy Chips, and a Secret Identity Bar plus lots more, this homemade gift would be perfect for that Super Dad of yours. The best part? Prinatbles are free! Just run them through your printer on adhesive label paper, and you are on your way. 

{Photos from Alphamom}