What to Wear: Jaran

I like to make outfits for people. My dear friend Jaran has a date night with her husband coming up, (pictured here)and she also wanted me to help her spice up her work wardrobe for winter. I start with a few things she already owns, and then I add things to help guide her shopping. I did this earlier this year for the warmer months...

Jaran Winter Date Night: Dinner and a Movie
Jaran Date Night #1 by JennyLove82

A slightly fancier date night or holiday party...

Jaran Date Night #2 by JennyLove82

Winter Work Outfit #1:
Jaran Winter Suit 1 by JennyLove82

Winter Work Outfit #2:
Jaran not sure by JennyLove82

Winter Work Outfit #3:
Jaran WInter Work by JennyLove82

Winter Work Outfit #4:
Jaran Work Winter 3 by JennyLove82

If you ever need some outfit ideas just ask! I love to do it!

Happy Friday all!

Love for Silhouettes

I've noticed that I started collecting something with out actually knowing I am doing it- which really is the best way to start collecting something you really love! I've started collecting antique/vintage silhouettes. I realised this when I was reading the current issue of Country Living... if you don't get Country Living you should! I looked for the article online, but it doesn't seem to be on their site yet.

Basically it talked about grouping silhouette portraits to make a huge statement. It shows some beautiful mantles full of portraits!

Here are a few samples of what you can do with a simple silhouette...

Family portraits as seen on Ohdeedoh's blog
Another cute way to do your family portrait or a birth announcement as seen on Smitten by Karl- see below
Notepads and Stationary of your family on Petite Prints...
Lots of neat products on Simply Silhouettes website...
Southern Living tells you exactly how to make your own...
And if you don't want to make your own, Karl, a 3rd generation cut artist, can make you one! Go to www.cutarts.com. He has some awesome design ideas to under his image gallery!This is Karl doing portraits at a wedding- coolest idea I've seen in awhile!

The Vintage Christmas Experiment: Part I

Well, I decided I was going to make a fun Christmas garland like my friend Courntey's, which I posted about a few days ago. I don't think I could handle the task of putting up and taking down all of the holiday stuff that sweet Courtney has, but I thought I could handle a fun garland for our mantle and maybe a wreath.

On Sunday, when I decided I would make my own, I started gathering things to use in my decor. I found a few things with Courtney and Sarah on the way home from Granbury at an antique mall, and then I went on my own to Salvation Army and found a ton of really charming old ornaments from back in the day. I did a little more digging at a local antique store and a trip to Hobby Lobby for a little 50% off Christmas ornament filler, and I was off.

The Loot

The Loot Upclose

Since tennis was canceled, I started last night. I am sad I couldn't do it with Courtney, but she had full confidence in me and told me what I needed to do. The hardest part was the tinsel garland that I was supposed to wrap around the green garland. Wore me out.

Me hard at work...

Then I put on a red bead garland type thing, and then funky big colorful lights. I then started wiring on my ball ornaments in groups of threes, some twos and some of the big ones went on solo. I tried to do one filler ornament, one antique ornament and something funky and bright. After I put all of the ornaments I started to put on some of the little figure ornaments. This part wasn't bad.

I pretty much had to stop here last night b/c I didn't have the energy to make the giant red bow. I am kind of nervous to hang it up. It is rather heavy! I will be sure to finish it tonight and then post for all to see. I think I most liked shopping for the stuff to go on it. Shopping is a special talent of mine. :)

More to come tomorrow! I might even start the wreath!

I love Turquoise- La!

Well, I happened upon Turquoise-La when I was browsing on The Scoop.It looks like she took all of the fun stuff I have in my house and arranged it rather stylishly in hers! Asian furniture and figures, aqua blue glass bottles, girlie chandeliers, slate blue walls and antique mirrors- I have them all! Now how to convince her to come to Tyler and arrange it for me to look like that?!? Everything looks clean, fresh and stylish. I love it! She also has an E-Decor where she will design your room via e-mail. It is a little out of my budget- but a fabulous idea!

Check out her website- you will be inspired! My favorite are the Venice designs!

The Christmas Survey!

I saw this on someone's blog, and I felt like doing it too!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper. I love it! All of the fun patterns and colors!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. I've never had a real tree. I did purchase a bouquet of Christmas greens at Central Market yesterday and they made such a mess while I was putting them in a vase with flowers- I can't imagine how much mess an entire tree would make!

3. When do you put up the tree? Day after Thanksgiving or soon after

4. When do you take the tree down? Normally on New Year's Day or soon after.

5. Do you like eggnog? Not now that I know raw eggs are in it! YUCK!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Probably my Baby Dear I remember laying out a pink blanket for Santa to wrap her up in so she wouldn't be cold. Such a good memory!

7. Hardest person to buy for? Greg's Dad- so hard!

8. Easiest person to buy for? My mom. I can always make her pretty happy!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, we need to get one!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail...I love receiving Christmas cards!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't think I have ever received a bad gift. They all included love and thought of some sort.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I am really loving ELF these days!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Way early. Like the week before Thanksgiving? I like to buy most of everything online.

14. Have you ever re-gifted a Christmas present? Not that I can remember!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Iced Christmas cookies. Heaven.

16. Lights on the tree? Of course!

17. Favorite Christmas song? Joy to the World- it just makes me happy

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We just have to drive to Dallas and Canton. I enjoy spending Christmas mornings with Greg at home though.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph!!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Right now we have a star that lights up, but growing up we always had an angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One on Christmas Eve (normally pajamas), the rest on Christmas.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The crowded malls, but I guess that is good for the economy!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Ornaments that mean something. Like our first married Christmas or our all of the angel animal ornaments for pets that have passed on. I like our tree to be a memory keeper.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Pot Luck stuff at my cousin's house.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? See my latest J-List!

I am tagging... Courtney, Christi, Jaran (Via E-Mail), Jessica, Lauren, Christina, Jennifer L. and other lovely girls that read my blog!

Whirl of a Weekend

On Friday I headed to Dallas to spend the night with my dear friends Courtney and Dave Bryson. We went to dinner at the tasty PF Changs in Allen and then headed home for a little R&R with their cute cute puppies Cash and Berkley. Courtney has a talent of decorating. Look what her house looks like all done up for Christmas! Amazing...She promises to help me with a wreath after I find all of the vintage goodies to go on it- I can't wait!

Saturday morning I woke up REALLY early for a hair appt. with my favorite hair guy Don at Salon Opus, and then I went to go visit my Memaw. She is not doing as well as I had hoped, so please pray if you can. I love her dearly!

After a long visit, I met up with Courtney for some shopping at Anthropologie and a little lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. They still have the best Chinese Chicken Salad ever. Then we met up with the girls: Sarah, Jaran, Leslie, Allison and me and Court- and headed to Granbury, Texas for a little girl time!

We stayed at the Iron Horse Inn. It is a beautiful historic house near downtown Granbury. We actually rented the Garden Gate Cottage so we could all stay together, have a fridge for drinks and snacks and be as loud as we wanted- which we were! After shopping on the square and dinner at Stringfellows, we ended up back at the house sipping champagne and playing Whoonu, which we all agreed was one of the funniest games ever! I learned Leslie hates coconut and Sarah does NOT like bus rides. :) Alli also loves black licorice and Courtney prefers New York City over diet soda- a SHOCK to me!!! Jaran also loves dressing up and jewelry- but somehow I already knew that! Such a fun game!!! We also played the favorite Taboo. I I seriously think I cried twice from laughing so hard.

After a late night of fun we crawled into bed and woke up and headed out... after one more round of Whoonu of course. We had a fabulous time!!!

When I got back into town I stopped by Central Market to get some goodies and then I headed back to Tyler. While I was away my sweet Greg had put together a little prize that I bought for us as an early Christmas present. I am so excited to try it out tonight for more than 5 mins... I was too tired to do anymore!

I had a wonderful weekend! Such fun girls and such a great time!

J-List: Santa, Jenny's Been Real Real Good Edition

Ho! Ho! Ho! So this is my Christmas wish list this year. I don't expect to get everything or anything on this list- except for the stuff I already bought for Greg to give me :) - but it is just a collection of happy things a certain Jenny (me) likes!

Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum at Neimans, but they carry it at most department stores.I love this scent. It is not too heavy or sweet- just right!

Puppy Dog Pajama Pants from the Gap: On sale for $25.00! Mine are already on their way for Christmas Eve!!The little puppies are soooo cute and somewhat resemble my baby Oscar!

Saintpaulia Wine Glass at Anthropologie for $12.00
I love anything that gives me vino and looks like a flower...

Alfani Lux Sweater Robe from Macy's: On sale for $32.99!
I love the ruffles. What can I say- I'm all girl :)

Antique Geisha Ring at RubyLane: Sorry Ruby Lane won't let me place a picture on my blog, but I think this is awesome! It is from 1875. I am a HUGE antique fan, and have a serious love for antique jewelry. I love this piece, but I love most antique jewelry- so I will leave it up to my husband to surprise me I hope!

Paris Stroll Sketch Book: $10.00 at Barnes and Nobles
Well, I already bought this for my Greg to put in (or stand next to) my stocking. I couldn't pass it up! It is a Paris themed sketch book with puppy dogs on it! I mean come on- I'm only human!

And last but certainly not least... anything large by Coach! Here is a good one...
Madison Metallic Fringe Tote: Yes, I know there are starving children in Africa, and I don't need a $1000 purse. But, I would love it, and pet it, and squeeze it.... Can you blame a girl for trying???

What do YOU want for Christmas???

Current Love

Antique Turquoise Cocktail Rings

Today's Outfit

Work Outfit 12/2/08 by JennyLove82

My fun cape/jacket is from the Gap, and the skirt and top are a bit off- but it is close! I still love Polyvore!

Whirl of a Weekend: Part II

When we got home from Austin, I decided I needed to decorate for Christmas! I LOVE decorating for the holidays! My job is always the tree and inside decor, and Greg does the lights outside. I already have most of my gifts wrapped and under the tree because I am a dork, and I love to sit by the tree at night and do things. Here is our tree this year....

These are a few of my favorite ornaments...

This is a painting I did of Greg's dog Celis that we turned into an ornament on Cafepress, and of course we had to get an orange rose because we live in Tyler, Texas and my husband thinks that everything needs to be orange!This is me when I was about 3- my mom gave me some of my childhood ornaments when we got married. They are really special to me.
This is our Muir Woods ornament from our trip to California this year. We try to pick up ornaments where we travel each year.

My mom gave my my cupcake ornament last year, and they got us an espresso machine last year for Christmas, so of course we had to have Starbuck's ornaments too! Thanks mom and dad!
I also had to finish a painting for the Hunting Art Competition. I did another longhorn aka 4 foot giant drippy cow head. Not sure how I like the result, but c'est la vie! I sure had fun painting it!

Whirl of a Weekend: Part I

On Thursday morning Greg and I headed to Austin for the University of Texas football game. Two of the puppies went to the vet for boarding and two went to stay with my parents for the night- thanks mom and dad!!! We left around 10am, after a tasty Thanksgiving breakfast at my parents- again- Thanks mom and dad!

We arrived in Austin around 1:00pm and headed to the Texas Co-Op and then to the hotel. We checked in and headed to 6th street for a little un-traditional, but amazingly good Iron Cactus Thanksgiving feast.

The game started at 7:00pm- so much fun! Texas of course won, and it was the most attended football game in Texas history! It was crazy! That stadium is huge! My new favorite player is #5- he dances and scored a touchdown. I picked Vince Young as my favorite player in 05 because he danced before the games too...This is where we sat- it was PACKED!

(I like how so many guys prayed before the game)

(Biggest score board screen ever!)

After the game we headed to Aussi's- Greg's old favorite hang out- for a late dinner/ cocktails. Then we crashed and headed home after a little Austin shopping... stopping in Waco at Spice for old time sake. I can't believe it is 2 stories now!

We had a great time. It was a lot of driving, but fun to hang out with each other- even though Greg is a radio flipper!Not the greatest pic, but a nice hippy took it for us. Notice the tower lit up in the background after Texas won!