Shine.

A little bit of DIY sparkle for my New Year's Eve.


Also on the heels, so I can shine coming and going.


I hope your New Year is sparkling and happy!

What are you doing New Year's Eve?

I'm not someone who's totally in love with everything Zooey D. does, but this little diddy with Joseph Gordon Levitt is both sweet and holiday-appropriate. I've always loved this song, anyway. Also, her voice sounds really good here. And JGL isn't that bad of a crooner, either.

Joy.

I wish all of you, wherever you are in this great big world and whatever you may celebrate, the very happiest of holidays. Time with family, good friends, good food and drink, laughter and smiles. Peace and happiness in the New Year. Thank you all for visiting my little blog and leaving comments... I hope you will continue to stop by throughout the year to come; I promise to make it worth your while!

Photo: Jennifer Zinn

Crafty Holidays.

I love this sweet video holiday card from Chronicle Books!



I've been very neglectful of my little blog lately... No excuses other than sheer laziness when I'm home from work. With the promise of a full week off (with pay!) between Christmas and New Year's, I've been making a "to do" list that includes not only some housecleaning/de-cluttering, major laundry doing, and a visit to the local DMV to renew my little Civic's registration, but also catching up with friends I haven't seen in ages, finally seeing the Muppet movie, finishing up some of the many craft projects I've begun but never yet completed, actually listing new items in my Etsy shop (instead of only continually writing here that I'm going to do it), and doing a bunch of new posts here that I've had in mind for months or longer. Whew! That's quite a list, considering when I first learned about this little break I imagined myself doing absolutely nothing except lying around watching DVDs and reading magazines.

Cool collab.

This is very exciting news to me (and, I'm sure many, many others out there)... I've never did the waiting-on-line-to-grab-whatever-I-can-by-(insert designer's name here)-whether-I-really-want-it-or-not-because-it's-all-going-to-sell-out-in-under-one-hour thing, but that may have to change come March. Fingers crossed that the designs and quality will be worth the wait. And I really, really hope there's some great necklaces such as Consuelo Castiglioni is known for.

Collared.

Collars: a big trend lately. Peter Pan. Pointed. Scalloped. Cloth. Metal. Plastic. Bought or DIYed to wear over your own dresses and tops. I haven't jumped into this fashion yet... As much as I love them, I don't know if this is one fad that I'm too old to partake in. That is, until I saw this fabulous design. I really, REALLY want to add it to my wardrobe. ASAP.

photo from YOUNG FRANKK's Etsy shop.

Shock to the system.

I've been AWOL again for the past few weeks... Between work, and my friend's husband's 50th birthday/son's 1st birthday party (yeah, you heard right), and a five-day trip to the San Francisco Peninsula for my sister's wedding (woohoo! The best I've been to!), and back to work, I've not had much time for my little blog. And if I've had time, I haven't had the energy to compose anything coherent (see, I'm rambling right here, even when I'm not that tired).

As for my post title, we're now experiencing a bad storm here in the Northeast... strong winds, heavy rain, sleet, wet snow... It's a terrible shock to my system after the lovely warm and sunny weather in California. The day of the wedding in San Gregorio it was in the lower 80s, and the rest of our stay in Half Moon Bay the temps were in the upper 60s/lower 70s. I've just started sorting through the hundreds--yes, HUNDREDS--of photos I shot on the trip... I do believe I got some images worth sharing here, but until I get them edited down quite a bit, I'll just leave you with a small preview...

My very talented father, hand-lettering the chalkboard that would sit at the entrance to the wedding venue...

My beautiful sister, waiting to see her super-wonderful groom...

The breathtaking sunset on the beach our last night in Half Moon Bay...

My photos, along with my memories, will help keep me California warm during this destined-to-be nasty New York winter!

Connected.

I finally managed to get a cord for my new camera (a ridiculous saga not worth recounting here), so now I can download my photos onto my computer. I've been playing around with some product shots of my jewelry, enjoying the freedom of a faster camera that allows me to shoot much crisper handheld images. It's also nice to have control over depth-of-field/selective focus again.

D-Lightful.

Well, I finally did it. I took the plunge.

I finagled the funding to adopt a brand-new Nikon D3100, which came home with me on Saturday. My very first DSLR, and my first non point-and-shoot camera of the digital variety. I'm excited to get back into framing images with my eye to the viewfinder instead of looking at a screen while pressing the shutter release, to having the camera as an extension of myself instead of holding it away from my body as I shoot.

Though I was (and am) well-versed in the ways of the film SLR camera, I've got quite a bit of manual reading and practice shooting to do to feel competent with its digital relative. I'm looking forward to every bit of it.

Now, to buy a USB cord so I can download my shots to my computer, as the card reader I splurged a big $7 on doesn't seem to work (surprise, surprise). Otherwise, the only way I'll be able to share them will be like this:

Smooth as silk.

This site is going to be a real time sink for me, but in the very best way. Click and drag your mouse around the screen to create beautiful, flowing designs that look like silken fabric rippling in a breeze. A relaxing, soothing way to take a break from all the flipping around I do from site to site, blog to blog, tumblr to tumblr.


{One of four beautiful wallpapers you can download from Silk}


{One of my creations from the site}

Found via How About Orange

September song.

To all of my friends in the States, Happy Labor Day! To all of you elsewhere, Happy first Monday in September!

I've been away from here for so long... My job has been taking up a lot of my time, and last week we moved into a new office space too. Then there was the little fact of Hurricane Irene beating up the East Coast of the US, and leaving me without power for five days. I feel terrible for all of those who are still without power one week later, not to mention all of those whose homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed by the flooding. I got away very easy, when I think about it.

So, while I spend the holiday being incredibly lazy, prepping for a new week at work, I thought I'd at least drop by to say "Hi!" and let you all know that I'm thinking about some fun new posts, working on new pieces for my shop, and getting very excited for the new DSLR I plan of FINALLY buying this week, so there should be some better-quality photos coming down the pike in the next few months too. I also found a simple yet gorgeous dress for my sister's October wedding in California and am working on the shawl and necklace I'll accessorize it with... now to figure out what shoes to wear...

On a totally different subject, is anyone else as excited as I am about the impending arrival of fall? It's my all-time favorite season... After the heat and humidity of summer I'm looking forward to spending more time curled up indoors with a cup of tea and a good book; wearing sweaters, scarves, boots, and great coats; enjoying apple cider, cider donuts, and pumpkin-flavored treats; the scent of woodsmoke in the dry, crisp air; the crunch as I walk through carpets of fallen leaves... I could go on for ages, but you get the idea. Fall, I'm waiting for you with open arms. But until you get here, I'll just enjoy some photos from your last visit.

Cheers!

Found via the wonderful Park Street (Yet another great post, Audrey!)

SHIRO Cheers System from HN on Vimeo.

M.I.A.

Hello out there!

Sorry I've been missing in action lately... my job and commute to Manhattan have been keeping me pretty busy (and tired!), and the summer has been filled with birthdays, barbeques, dinners out, and only last week a visit from my sister and her fiancée (all the way from San Francisco). I really need to get back to working on new pieces for my shop; just today I made a list of all the new designs I've come up with and have to not only get cracking on producing them, but also make sure to photograph and get them into the shop soon after so they don't all sit around on my worktable for ages (not that I've ever let that happen before--or now ;)

I hope you've all been enjoying your Summer--or Winter, depending on your hemisphere--and hope to see you here again soon!

xoxo,
Jennifer

In the meantime, please enjoy this random photo of a summer garden, shot by me:

Thoughts and prayers.

My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Norway. How terrible that the actions of one bigoted madman can cause so much pain and sadness.

Colorful driving.

This public art work is so original and clever. And colorful! I'd love to see it happen in NYC. (Thanks to Honestly...WTF for bringing this to my attention... be sure to watch the video on their site!)


Photo via Honestly...WTF

Shop update.

I've restocked some of the sold Chevron necklace color combos in my shop. I'll get those wood and brass bead necklaces in there sometime this week; crunch time at my job is taking a toll on my ability to keep my word ;-)

Daydreaming...

I am really in love with this bag... picturing us wandering small seaside towns in France... sitting in cafes, watching the world go by... if only it wasn't out of my budget... SIGH!

Adeiu, sweet satchel, I'll see you in my daydreams.

Jour de Bastille Heureux!

Happy Bastille Day to all of you in the States! To those of you where it is already the 15th: belated Happy Bastille Day to you!

I'm not ashamed of my advanced years but tend not to reference my age in my posts. That ends now; this clip is from a favorite movie of my teenage years and is presented here in honor of Bastille Day (just watch; you'll see the connection). Many of you may have only been a twinkle in your parents' eyes (or not even that) back when this film was in theaters, so if this is your first experience with Better Off Dead, please Netflix, rent, download, or stream it ASAP. It's totally an 80s comedy, with a very young John Cusack to boot!

Additions.

Some new necklace designs in wood & brass; in the shop later this week.

Lovely colors.

My Independence Day weekend was pretty mellow... foreign magazine browsing at a local bookstore, craft store perusing, outlet shopping (inexpensive additions to my work/weekend wardrobe are always welcome), dinner/ice cream cake/disney movie watching with good friends, bbq with extended family... an excellent weekend, in my opinion. Oh, and I almost forgot Friday evening at the new section of the High Line: art installations/food trucks/beautiful wildflowers... how could I forget that?

Part of the craft store perusal was spending at least 10 minutes in front of the embroidery floss display, picking and choosing new colors to create more and different Kumi necklaces, and possibly a new bracelet design I've been thinking about.


I am just completely enamored with this spectrum and can't wait to get started working with it.

Empire State.

Friday morning I was sitting in Bryant Park, having stopped for a few minutes on my way to work. I looked up from my book and saw this perfectly framed view of the Empire State Building, so I had to grab my camera from my bag and snap it. As much as I grumble about the city sometimes, there are so many things I do love about it.

Snake in the grass.

Or on my hand, in this case. Also on my fabric samples.

Wiksten/Dealtry collab.

This looks to be exciting collaboration! (And how cute are Jenny and Helen?)

Photo by Tara Donne

Farewell, Readymade.

This is sad news. Another print magazine bites the proverbial dust.

Silly old bear.

I think I may be waaaay too old to be excited about this, but I am (excited), and I don't care who knows it.

Summertime.

Summer is definitely not my season (I wilt like a lettuce leaf in the heat), but I am looking forward to evenings at the beach, when it's at its most beautiful... I mean, look at that sky!

I hope all of you in the Northern Hemisphere enjoy your summer, and to my friends in the Southern Hemi, happy first day of winter!

Ermie.

Check out this great interview (over at the Collete Patterns blog) with Jennifer Parry Dodge, the super-sweet, super-talented creator & designer of the incredible clothing line Ermie and writer of the fabulous blog also called Ermie (after her great aunt).

Jennifer also has a fabulous guest post over on Simple Lovely. She's got a great eye and highlights a load of great finds--and dig her awesome logo!

I have been following Jen's path since the days when she was working as a nurse, through her decision to leave nursing and be a full-time designer and artist, up to her current amazing new spring/summer line... I'm excited to see what she goes on to do in the future!




All images courtesy Ermie; designs copyright Jennifer Parry Dodge & Tomory Dodge

Written from my sick bed.

(Scan down for various photos of my weekend.)

So, I started out this weekend with loads of energy... I got out of work early on Friday and headed down to Warby Parker's Chelsea headquarters to get my new glasses adjusted*, and then stopped in to the Fifth Avenue J. Crew (got a chance to admire the Hugo Guinness prints in the bathroom!). Afterward I wandered around the Union Square Greenmarket, getting a big bag of delicious handmade Martin's Pretzels, some fresh organically-grown pears, and some Deep Mountain Maple candy. I finished the afternoon off with my very first Coolhaus ice cream sandwich: brown butter w/ candied bacon ice cream on peanut butter cookies (YUM). I look forward to trying more of their delicious-sounding flavors.

Saturday started with the weekly catch-up over brunch with my dad, something that means even more to me as we both get older. Then a few errands (library, Target, Anthropologie) before heading over to a gathering at my good friend's house.

One of my oldest friends, Jennifer, (we've known each other since kindergarten and have been friends since third grade--in the 70s, mind you, so it's a really looong friendship!) was in town for the weekend with her two beautiful and hilarious girls. Another good friend (since junior high), Debbie, and her family hosted a bunch of us for a beautiful afternoon lounging around in their massive backyard while everyone's kids tired themselves out on the trampoline and with games of horseshoes. It was the first time that Jen got to meet Randy and Noah's precious little boy Zach (aka my nephew, now eight months old!) and everyone spent loads of time being charmed by his beaming smile and happy temperament. Lots of good food and good drinks with great friends; the perfect way to spend a breezy, sunny, late May afternoon!

Sunday was a day of more errands, none worth mentioning (except, perhaps, that I picked up some colorful climbing ropes at REI and EMS to experiment on a few new bracelet designs), then heading home and succumbing to the cold that was creeping into my system since I woke up that morning.

I woke up today with big plans of getting out to the local bookstore for a few hours lazing around in the AC with a cool drink and some foreign magazines (for research). Unfortunately, my bug had gotten worse overnight and my sinuses didn't like my plan for the day. They decided we should stay home in bed, dozing off in front of the NCIS and Roseanne marathons on cable. Oh well... the best laid plans of mice and (wo)men...

*Photos of me in my new glasses coming as soon as I'm camera-ready again, as I know you're all dying to see how they look ;)

My delicious Coolhaus sandwich, mid-consumption:

Hugo Guinness in the Fifth Ave. J. Crew bathroom:

Zach, ever the party animal:

Cookies decorated by the artistic children attending the party:

Bonus photo: one random shot of my bedroom windowsill:

New items, and a discount.

I've restocked my shop with Chevron necklaces, including several new color combinations. Please do stop by to see them, and don't forget you can get 10% off any purchase from the shop (use code MOPIEGIVEAWAY through May 31st at 11 p.m. EST)!

Macaron, Je t'aime.

Laudree coming to Manhattan this summer?!? Fantastique!

Chevron rainbows.

Work has been kicking the you-know-what out of me lately, but I've managed to make a bunch of new Chevron necklaces and will update my Etsy shop with them this weekend. There will be a couple of new color combos as well as several in the original colorways.

And don't forget the 10% discount offer on all items in the shop, including these new necklaces! Ends May 31 at 11p.m. EST.