Cocktail Couture: Middle West Hot Apple Toddy

This week's installment of our Cocktail Couture features a fall favorite, a classic apple Hot Toddy with a delicious Middle West twist! Using local Ohio honey and whiskey from Columbus' very own Middle West Spirits gives you an opportunity to present your upcoming holiday guests with a taste of Ohio's bounty. Once again, Catherine Murray of Photo Kitchen and the blog Freshly Baked has styled these sultry-looking evening cocktails with some baubles and bangles directly from my own person jewelry armoir! Although I am sad to say that fabulous crushed onyx locket is her own piece... I am really coveting that right now! Anyway, I hope you all get a chance to work this delicious recipe into your upcoming Thanksgiving feasts. I happen to guarantee this will go perfectly with that piece of pumpkin pie. Cheers!

All photography in the series 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!

First there was the fantastic Watershed Gin Pumpkin Drop featuring Columbus' own Watershed gin, and next the Tessora Lemon Capuccini made with Tessora Limone! See the recipes below:

Once Upon A Time...

There was a girl named Jenna who watched way too much television. The most terrible, horrible shows that turned her brain to absolute mush! First, there was Dance Moms and The Real Housewives of Everywhere... Even, on occasion 19 Kids and Counting, or whatever the running number is at the time. Oh, the shame!

Of course there are plenty of shows I will unapologetically love forever, like Project Runway and Gossip Girl, and but once in a while, I find something that is actually really great television. Enter the new ABC fairytale series, Once Upon a Time. I look forward to it every Sunday, to see which new fairytale characters are going to be introduced, and watch the crazy evil queen and Emma Swan go head-to-head. You can get all caught up by watching the first few episodes on Hulu here. So what do you think, guys? Anyone else loving this show? Anyone willing to give it a try? I'd love to chat about it with you!

Laundry Room Lust

I spend an inordinate amount of time just pining for laundry rooms. I have been without one of my own for the past seven years, and even when I did have one, I was sharing it with four messy, disorganized people... i.e. my family. I can not wait to live in a place where I can go into a whole room designated just for washing, drying, ironing and folding clothes. Goodness, I'd even settle for a washer/dryer behind some folding doors! But I can promise you, if I had one of these laundry rooms, I would never ever EVER take it for granted...

 

All images via Pinterest

Pinspiration Fashion Challenge

Next week, my coworkers and I are going to spice up our week with a little something I have dubbed the Pinspiration Fashion Challenge. Each day of the week, we need to find an outfit on Pinterest to recreate using clothes from our own wardrobes. I think it will be a fun way to put some extra thought into getting ready, and to take a second look at what we already have in order to find pairings we've never thought of before. I am busy pinning away...and one (or more) of these outfits from the September Pull & Bear Lookbook is definitely going to be inspiring one of my looks during the week... I'm excited! I'm hoping to share a few "best-of" pics here on JSQ so you all can see how it all turned out!

Where in the World?

If I could close my eyes, and instantly transform and transport myself anywhere in the world right at this very instant...I'd go here. Where would you go?

Autumn in Central Park

L'Amour List: Eric

Hey lovelies! It's time for another L'Amour List! This week's featured lister is Eric, creative director of The Ohio Union, here in Columbus, my boss, and also the Capitol City's resident (real) ginger. Mine is fake, I'm sad to say... So without further ado, enjoy Eric's pop-culture explosion L'Amour List!

1  Eric is a very 3-dimensional thinker, and the possibilities with packaging design are virtually endless!
2  Andrew Yang's Kouklitas Couture fashion rag dolls are a huge inspiration for his interest in art toy design. The detail is exquisite!
3  Disney! It sparked Eric's ambition to become an illustrator and designer from a very young age.
4  Eric loves himself some Spice Girls music. Has since junior high.
5  Tom Ford...a true inspiration.
6  He's obsessed with all-things British.
7  Mashed Potatoes are his favorite comfort food.
8  Vintage wallpaper inspires him to create wonderful patterns and explore color within his own work.
9  Jem and the Holograms, He-Man, Ringer Tees, Cassette Tapes...What's not to love about the 80s?
10  Halloween is never complete without these delicious treats; Franken Berry, Count Chocula, and Boo Berry cereals!

And there you have it folks, Eric's amazing L'Amour List! Would you like to share some of the things you love? Leave a comment below and you could be next Week's featured L'Amour Lister! (After you, Rose!)

Did You Vote Yet?

It's election day! Have you set aside some time to vote today? I went this morning, and I was relieved but also a bit surprised to find no lines! Today is a hugely important election for the state of Ohio, and I am certainly eager to see how it all turns out. I want to encourage all of you, regardless of political affiliation, to get out there today and cast your ballot. With issues as big as the ones on the ticket today, it's important for as many Ohioans to weigh in on these matters as possible. Voting is one of the fundamental freedoms our country was founded upon, as well as a civic responsibility, and I hope as many of you get a chance to participate in democracy today as possible! Good luck!

Cocktail Couture: Tessora Lemon Cappuccini

This week's installment of our Cocktail Couture feature boasts a fantastic recipe featuring Tessora Limone, a lemon liqueur with Italian roots made locally in New Albany, OH. The recipe was created by a bartender at the Columbus restaurant Black Creek Bistro, and though it seems an unusual pairing, espresso with lemon is a truly amazing combination! I love the way Catherine Murray, of Photo Kitchen and the blog Freshly Baked has styled the drinks with some costume baubles directly from my own person jewelry armoir! I hope you all head home this evening and whip up this recipe. Just don't forget to garnish it with the 3 beans: One for luck, one for life, and one for love of course! Cheers!

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!

Last week's recipe was the fantastic Watershed Gin Pumpkin Drop featuring Columbus' own Watershed gin, a cocktail that we enjoyed on Halloween, but would be sensational all through the Holiday season! And remember, a bottle of spirits paired with a delicious recipe would make a sensational holiday gift!

Buys on a Budget: Herringbone Boots

Remember a few weeks ago, when I blogged about a preppy rainy-day look that included a really great pair of two-toned Hunter Regent herringbone boots? I have had galoshes on the brain ever since! I really love the boots because they go with everything, and the herringbone pattern really spruces them up, so they aren't just your standard black wellies. They are truly what I would call the perfect pair; good for any rainy day occasion, whether you just wear them in transit and then slip on your shoes, or build the rest of your outfit around them. However, I really couldn't justify spending the full-price (nearly 200 smackers) on a pair of herringbone boots when I already have two pairs of perfectly good, albeit rather loud, galoshes sitting in my closet. So imagine my surprise when I found this pair today at Target, with a fraction of the price-tag. Needless to say, I'm now the proud owner of a new pair of herringbone rain boots, and this got me thinking...and then blogging...and now I'm pleased to bring you a new JSQ Feature: Buys on a Budget. In my travels, should I come across an equally great (and affordable) item that is nearly identical to it's designer counterpart, you will all be the first to know about it!

Wedding Gown Silhouettes: A Comprehensive Guide

Saturday has been a full day of wedding gown shopping! I am a bridesmaid in my friend Rachel's wedding, which is scheduled for this July, and I was so honored to have been invited to help weigh in on probably one of the most important fashion decisions of her life. And, surprise surprise! I was loaded with opinions...even through a particularly nasty bout of laryngitis that made me sounds a lot like this woman. (Yes, I'm sorry to admit that show is a bit of a guilty pleasure...) Anyway, if you weren't born automatically possessing an ability to swiftly identify wedding gown silhouettes, I've created a comprehensive guide for all of you!

A-Line: Simply put, the bottom of the dress flairs out just slightly at the natural waist, resembling a letter "A." This gown is flattering on almost every body type.

Ballerina: This usually means a full, usually ankle length dress, reminiscent of a 1950s silhouette. It typically has the shape of a shorter ballgown, and utilizes material like tulle or crinolines to keep it's full shape. The length of this gown can sometimes make you appear shorter, so if you're teeny to begin with, a ballerina length may not be right for you.

Ballgown: This is definitely a traditional wedding gown silhouette. If you can imagine a cake-topper bride or wedding Barbie, you usually picture her in a ballgown. It's basically a gown with a fitted bodice, and a very full-skirt which begins at the natural waist. I think ballgowns can be very flattering if you want to highlight your waist and minimize your lower body.

Empire: This silhouette simply means the waistline, separating the bodice from the skirt hits higher than your natural waist. Usually the empire waist lays at the ribcage, slightly under the bust. Selecting a looser-fitting gown with an empire waist can definitely help minimize your midsection.

Mermaid: This gown is fitted all the way down to the middle of the leg, and the flares out dramatically, resembling a fish tail. These dresses can be gorgeous, but they are definitely better for a body-confident bride!

Princess: To quality as a princess gown, it's less about the silhouette, and more about the construction. A middle-panel, with two seams running up the bodice gives this dress the "princess" moniker. These vertical seems can be very slimming, as long as the material and silhouette works with your body.

Sheath: A sleek, sexy, straight silhouette is considered a sheath. This style is great for those soft, silky fabrics, and works perfectly for summery or destination weddings. It's definitely reserved for a confident bombshell of a bride.

Trumpet: This silhouette is hugely popular right now, and is usually a tight bodice with a drop-waistline that rests very low on the hips and then flares out dramatically like the bell of a trumpet. I love the look of this, on the model, but it really does nothing to hide any flaw you may want to disguise, as it draws attention to your bust, waist, and backside all at once! But if you are confident with your bod, definitely give this gown a try-on!

And there you have it, my Comprehensive Guide to Wedding Gown Silhouettes. My tip for shopping would be that if you have too many ideas of what you want, or what shape would work best for you, you may really miss out on a silhouette you never considered. The same thing happened to Rachel! So know what you want to highlight, or hide, but also utilize the bridal consultant's expertise as well. Believe me, she's seen a lot of gowns on a lot of brides, and she knows what may or may not work...But in the end, it's your day, and you need to feel beautiful, confident, and above all else comfortable!

Note: All these lovely images are of wedding gown silhouettes were taken from Aire Barcelona's 2011 designer gown collection. Don't you love the styling? I adore the sleek, polished piled up-dos with those diamond earrings, and lots and lots of lashes! Gorgeous.

Photos from Aire Barcelona 2011 Collection

Navy Nails

I know navy nails aren't exactly a new trend, but I don't really love dark nail colors for spring...so I've put off giving these a try until fall rolled around. I have to say, I am loving them! Russian Navy by OPI is my current favorite, because it's dark but with a really great shine. What do you think? Are navy nails your cup of tea?

Luxe Lettering

I love gathering inspiration for design projects and other odds and ends on Pinterest , in magazines, on blogs...you name it. But there's absolutely no denying the fact that sometimes the best inspiration comes from the past. In this case, waaaay back when. The gorgeous insurance maps  from the Sanborn Map Company came complete with some of the most exceptionally detailed lettering I've ever seen. And they were created over 100 years ago! I am just in awe. I really need to create something like this soon...

Images from Pinterest via Christian Annyas 

A Green Cleaning Machine

I spent today sick in bed, for the most part...but I have a type of strange, nervous energy that always has to be doing some sort of work, so I also took the opportunity to deep-clean my apartment while watching Regis and Kelly  and Dr. Phil , and play stay-at-home-not-mom.

This seemed the perfect chance to test out some of the new Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day products I stocked up on last time I took a trip to World Market. I've been a Meyer's-fan for quite some time, mostly because of the packaging (I mean, hello? The basil scent matches my blog rather perfectly...) but today I realized that not only do they look and smell terrific, but they get the job done! A personal favorite would have to be the Surface Scrub. As my Comet -obsessed best friend knows, I have been looking for a product that works just as well, but isn't full of chlorine bleach and a whole other cocktail of strange, scary chemicals. Mrs. Meyers, you've made a lifetime customer out of me!

Next up on my list of products to try? 
Countertop Spray
Surface Wipes
and Toilet Bowl Cleaner

I Love You, Mom!

Attention, Attention! Today is my amazing, creative, incredibly special mother, Susan Brucoli's BIRTHDAY! 

So, since she is constantly bugging me to teach her Adobe Illustrator, but I usually end up getting frustrated and wanting to bang my head up against a wall, I am presenting to her this coupon! (See Below) Because do you think she was frustrated when she was carrying me for 9 months? Probably. Do you think she wanted to bang her head up against the wall when she was experiencing labor pains in the wee small hours of the morning until I finally decided to make the earth my permanent locale? Definitely! But did she complain? NO WAY, (or at least not to my knowledge) because being a mom clearly teaches you a selflessness you never even knew you had before. And, Mom, you are easily the most selfless, wonderful, person on this planet and the best friend a gal could ask for. Thanks for being born today, and you know...for all that aforementioned labor stuff... I love you! 

Hey, 4-Eyes!

I've worn glasses since I was in 4th grade, so I have come to terms with the fact that they are an integral part of my life... In fact, I've learned to love them. And here are a few reasons why:

1  They make you look smarter

At least to other kids at school..

2  They make you look cuter

It wasn't even possible for this woman to be cuter...until she put on a pair of glasses!

3  They make you fit in

Over 75% of adults wear correctional lenses of some kind. 64% wear glasses specifically.

4  They make you stand out

Is any person included in this poster series known for being a wallflower?

5  They become part of your signature

Literally, if you're Edith Head, who rocked the most iconic pair of glasses...ever.

Now, that my love for eyewear has been sufficiently covered, I want to take a moment to be completely self-indulgent and show you a few glasses I have my eyes on... They are all from BonLook, which seems to be the best place to find trendy and affordable eyewear online. And this digital try-on feature (albeit slightly creepy) is actually really fun. I'm settled on the Jungle Chic frames, but the color options are tough! What do you think?

1 Jungle Chic Green

2 Jungle Chic Tortoise

3 Jungle Chic Grey

4 Jungle Chic Midnight Blue