Just Jen

I'm thankful for...

...sweet potato casserole. My mom's specifically - full of sugar and topped with tons of toasted mini marshmallows. It just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without it. I mean, it's practically a dessert, but you get credit for eating a vegetable and you still get to eat a piece of pie after! Greatness. No Thanksgiving table should be without it. Not big on the mini marshmallows? Better Homes and Gardens has a bunch of really great sweet potato recipes to choose from. Find them here. For a traditional marshmallow-laden recipe, click here.

Friday Favorite - Microfiber Hair Towel

I have long, thick hair and probably always will. Every year about this time when the heat is almost unbearable, I threaten to cut it off, which results in loud and passionate protests from the husband. And he usually - ok always - wins that battle. I think what I hate most is blow drying my hair. The longer my hair is, the longer it takes, and the hotter I get. I almost need another shower by the time it's dry. What's a girl to do? Well, a couple of years ago, I bought a microfiber hair towel. Best purchase EVER. The package boasted it could cut my drying time in half. "We'll see," I thought. I am thrilled that I can now dry my hair in 4 minutes flat. And for a compulsive snooze button pusher, those four extra minutes are golden. I also recommend this for the mommy of a newborn who barely has time to squeeze in a shower much less blow drying her hair afterward. I doubt that it matters which brand you choose, but the microfiber magic is definitely key!

Friday Favorite - Ode to the York Pattie

Oh, how I love thee, Mini York Peppermint Pattie. Not only do you satisfy my constant craving for sugar and chocolate, but the fact that you contain 70% less fat than the leading candy bar allows me to consume up to 4 of you in one sitting completely free of the guilt normally associated with this kind of gluttony. And because you are so minty fresh, you also eliminate the need for me to brush my teeth after lunch. For all of these things, I am forever grateful.

Friday Favorite - Crochet Covered Stones

I am a crocheter (crochetist?). I am not a knitter. I tried. I did not like it. I always find myself looking longingly at knitting patterns, though, as there seems to be more versatility and different looks that just cannot be achieved with crochet. So, when I came across the post on the Purl Bee featuring artist Margaret Oomen and her beautiful crocheted stones, it took my breath away. Literally. And I'm not typically the over dramatic type.

Are these not beautiful? I especially love her patchwork stones. In the Purl Bee post, she shares some of her creative process and inspiration and even better - she shares a special free pattern for making your own stones.

Be sure to also check out her personal blog, Resurrection Fern along with her flikr stream and Etsy store.

Lovely Letterpress

It's a good thing I didn't stumble across Bella Figura's site when I was planning my wedding, or I might have been tempted to completely blow my budget on one of their lovely invitation designs. I love their use of type and unexpected design elements (gingham on a wedding invite?!), and of course letterpress just makes everything so nice.  

I'm still very much on my calligraphy kick, so I especially love these:

 

 
 

Friday Favorites

I first saw Nelle and Lizzy a few years ago at one of my shows. I fell in love with their personalized jewelry - especially their rings, but didn't yet have a reason to get one. When I had my son Jack, I decided it would make the perfect "push present" from my husband. (Sometimes they need less than subtle hints. :) It is now one of my most precious possessions and a daily reminder of the moment the littlest person I love entered the world. Recently, I added a ring with his birthstone and love the way it looks stacked next to the double bands. Kudos to N&L for creating non-cheesy mom jewelry!

Friday Favorites

I've been tossing around the idea of having a "Friday Favorites" highlight on my blog. So I know I'm two days late for the first post - off to a grand start, eh? Probably not the last time it'll happen, I can assure you.

So here we go...just pretend it's last Friday and you have the whole weekend ahead of you...ahhh, see isn't that nice?

 

I'll admit, I've had to throw on the brakes lately on my nail polish purchasing - so many yummy colors out now! Luckily I added this one to my collection before my self-imposed ban. It's Chinchilly by Essie, and I LOVE it. Such a pretty shade of gray. And I get compliments on it all the time, even when it's all chipped up - which is most of the time.

  This is the one I'm currently trying hard to resist. When is pay day again??