A Resolution

The W family is on the brink of its very own sort of fiscal cliff – Honey has decided to become our household CFO after ten years of turning his head on pretty much all expenditures.  I suppose it’s time…  *wipes tear from eye*

With this in mind and considering all of the “things” I’ve stashed away because they were 1) too good of a deal, 2) something I’d totally need “one day” or 3) all of the above, I have plenty of projects to keep me busy and one resolution for 2013 -



- To evaluate everything I buy and ensure it has a specific and immediate purpose (which will also help tremendously when Honey starts logging on to check the amex)

- To evaluate everything I commit myself and my family to doing/going/supporting/etc (I have always taken my role as guardian of our family calendar seriously but fear it may get out of hand as the baby is on the brink of having is own friends and activities)

- To evaluate everything stashed away in a closet or cabinet to ensure it's something we truly need (you know, so I don't go all hoarders over the years)

I haven’t made resolutions in eons but I’m pretty darn thrilled to be back in the saddle.  There are many good things to come in 2013!!! 
xoxo


(As a side note, I'm proclaiming this resolution to the "world" while under the lingering haze of nighttime cold meds.  UGH.  Please excuse any ramblings that don't quite make sense.)

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Ringing in 2013

Although the littles stayed up with us to usher in the new year, it was a relatively quite night over all.  And this first day of January in the South brought dreary skies and the tenth anniversary of our traditional New Year’s Day eats.
    
I adore the juxtaposition of a little grit and a lot of glam, so silver, crystal and candlelight glittered over a simple length of burlap on the table.  I pulled last year’s Bonne Annee kraft paper pennant out for another go round.


Sister and her Mister made the delish pork roast and Honey and I made the rest of our standard fare – hoppin john for luck, bourbon bacon greens (I substitute turnips) for wealth, honey cornbread muffins, the Pirate's House pecan pie (recipe here), sweet tea and champagne.
 
Hoppin John

1 c celery chopped
2 sweet onions chopped
1 green pepper chopped
6 slices bacon, ham pieces or ham bone - cooked
Salt and pepper to taste (about 1 tsp and 1/2 tsp respectively)
1 c uncooked rice

can of chicken broth plus enough water to have all the rice almost covered
container fresh black eyed peas (or two if you like a lot of peas like we do!)

Combine everything in a large pot.  Bring to boil and then lower to simmer for about 40 mins or until rice is cooked and veggies are tender.  You may need to add water if it cooks out before rice is done.  
I liberally salt and pepper it and ward adds hot sauce.

After stuffing our gullets we splayed out all over the den for a lazy day of watching football.  I’m already mourning the end of the holidays, as Honey heads back to work tomorrow.
 
Happy New Year, y’all!
xoxo

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Fashion: New Year's Eve Dresses

Hi everyone, Jocelyn here. It's time to get into the  party spirit. I'm sure many of you are filling your social calendars with new year's eve parties which means it's time to strut those fancy dresses. 

Sequins, metallics, and bright colors are always at the top of my list. I put together a few options that would look amazing into the late hours of the night. I'm personally in love with that second dress. What are you planning on wearing for New Year's?

Modcloth dress | Dorothy Perkins dress | Alice + Olivia dress | Rachel Gilbert dress | Bird by Juicy Couture dress | Badgley Mischka dress

-post by jocelyn sanchez

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Celebrating a New Year

We’ll be ringing in a new year in a few short days and I thought I’d share some of my favorites from last year…

Champagne Cupcakes

find the recipe here

Champagne Jello Shots

find the recipe here

Collard Green Centerpiece

 See more here

Traditional Southern New Year’s Feast

find links to the recipes here

See all New Year’s here!

The PCP is going to work with his daddy today, much to his delight!  I’ll be taking down Christmas – at least it comes down quicker than it goes up…

xoxo

Flattered for the feature at No Minimalist Here!

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Champagne Jello Shots

As promised in my New Year's Eve recap, here is the crazy easy and superbly festive recipe for Champagne Jello Shots.  Mind you, I cannot be held responsible for any debauchery that ensues after consuming said jello shots, and I can hardly bear to look at a picture of the darned things just yet.

Champagne Jello Shots
1 box of unflavored gelatin (contains 4 packets)
1 bottle of champagne (I used Spumante)
- Pour 2 cups champagne in a small sauce pan and sprinkle with the four packets of gelatin.  Allow to soak for a few minutes.
- Heat on low, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved.  This probably takes 5 minutes or so.  Once all of the foam subsides you'll be able to see that the gelatin is dissolved.  Remove from heat.
- Stir in the rest of the bottle of champagne.
- Pour into an 8x8 pan and refrigerate until set.  I made these the day before to be sure they would gel.
- Cut into shapes and enjoy!

Cheers, y'all!

xoxo

PS. The clock face kraft paper rounds and other printed kraft paper used for the bonne annee banner were all found at AC Moore while in Savannah.  So sad we don't have that store in Atlanta!

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Sunday Supper {New Years Style}

Along with folks all over the South, we rang in 2012 with the traditional, albeit meager, meal of peas for luck and greens for wealth.  We've been cookin up this meal and enjoying it with Sister and her Mister since the first year we were married.

I repurposed the table decor from New Years Eve for the occasion.  I thought about cookin' up those collards but just couldn't bring myself to deconstruct the centerpiece quite yet.

Along with our hoppin john and bourbon bacon greens (my new fave recipe, though I substitute turnips), Honey grilled up his delish bourbon and brown sugar glazed pork tenderloin and we noshed on honey cornbread muffins, the Pirate's House pecan pie (recipe here) and the sweetest tea you've ever wrapped your lips around.

Now, I've got to go get me a piece of that pie for breakfast before the boys wake up and beat me to it.  Yes, they are all still asleep.  Glory be...
xoxo

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Bonne Annee

After a fantastic hibachi dinner out with friends and a table load of littles, we came back to our place to ring in the new year.

A few yards of burlap, candles and mercury glass were the perfect back drop for a simple and so-Southern (four dollar!) arrangement of collard greens and a "bonne anne" banner.  Champagne Cupcakes and Champagne Jello Shots were a sublime variation on the traditional new years bubbly, and terribly delish tres leches cupcakes and chocolate covered strawberries rounded out the convivial fare.

The kitchen table had a few snacks for the littles, sheets for them to record the year's superlatives and an assortment of party ware that I dug out of the bowels of my closet.

Come midnight, we cued the Auld Lang Syne as we counted down, chinked our glasses, smooched our honeys and welcomed all of the great possibilities of the year ahead.

Sadly, this is the sole "people picture" I have of the whole night...

Bonne annee!
xoxo

Jello shots inspired by this but using this recipe.
Champagne Cupcake recipe found here.

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2011 Recap

This year was a special year for my business and my life.
New things, improved things, and experiencing important things. :)

Baby Ruche in Dark Navy

Let's start from the beginning...

01. Introduced the Mini Ruche, a smaller alternative to the Baby Ruche.

02. Reinforced the Briefcase, minimizing saggy bottoms!

03. Boy and I raised $2,136 for Together for Japan, our initiative to help those affected in the earthquake in Japan... thanks to your support!

04. Started my addiction for reading books written by comedians. Started with Tina Fey. Followed by Demetri Martin, Mindy Kaling and Ellen DeGeneres. More book reviews to follow.

05. Experienced my largest business loss to date. Very valuable learning experience.

06. Clutch had a makeover and transformed into the  Foldover Clutch. 

07. Introduced the Packet.

08. Started and ended my series of outfit posts.  Dressing up was too much work. :(

09. Had a blast at Chicago Renegade (as always).

10. Married my best friend and better half.

11.  Moved into our new home, bought lots of stuff, shopped for lots of gifts.

12. Enjoyed the holidays at home with family. :)


What are your plans for the new year?

I can imagine a fun night dressing up, ordering in food, and drinking sparkling wine while watching the ball drop on TV. :)

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Happy New Year!

My fiance (EEEK!) and I celebrated New Years this year with his brother and sister-in-law.

Yes, I set up a photo booth.

See our pictures here!

p.s. Sorry no pictures of the ring. It's getting re-sized and I won't have it back until the end of this week. 

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New Years Photobooth

We set up a photobooth for my friend's New Years party. I brought over my old set-up I used to photograph my bags before I moved into a new space with lots of natural light.  My tripod, some panlights, fabric to drape over the curtain rod, bedsheets to soften the light, and a pretty inexpensive point-and-shoot camera (even better a DSLR, but I don't have one). Voila! Instant "photobooth" for your next party!



p.s. The Mustache on a Stick party kit from Something's Hiding in Here was a HUGE HIT at the party. :)

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Here's to 2010!

It has been quite a year for me and my business. Here's a re-cap:

Jan: Started a wonderful collaboration with Margot Bianca and her beautiful batiks.

Feb: Successfully litterbox-trained my pug, Hubert.

Mar: Met The Boy.

Apr: Learned to cut my own hair.  Introduced The Clutch.

May: Graduated college and moved away from campus to get an engineering job.

Jun: Turned 23. I was spoiled.

Jul: Improved my product photography, which changed my entire business!

Aug: Introduced The Traveler. Met The Boy's parents (they like me!).

Sep: Stopped job-hunting and went full-time on Etsy with the bag business.

Oct: Improved and re-introduced The Briefcase (in leather!). Contemplated designing cowboy gear. Enrolled an unpaid male model (The Boy).

Nov: My first vendor fair. Featured in Decor8 and PoppyTalk. Blogged about it.

Dec: Celebrated a great holiday with my family, my boy, and my pug.

What to expect in 2010?

A giveaway, a new bag design, new fabrics, and more improvements.  At least that's as far as I know. :)

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Holiday Picks: New Years Glam

*Update 11/22: My treasury made it to Etsy's Front Page! :) Check out the screenshot.

The perfect clutch for your next cocktail party.

Pair it with more glitz and glam for the New Year!

I've also got a treasury to match!

a. Graphic Camellia Cocktail Hat, emilliner
b. vintage BLACK ICE sequin silk blouse, DearGoldenVintage
c. vintage MIDNIGHT SPARKLE glitter pumps, allencompanyinc
d. Fairytale Collection BLACK MUSTACHE Necklace, newyorkcouture
e. 5x7 Darwin - Maltese wearing bow tie, christineedwards
f. Sudden Rain - Framed Original Acrylic Painting, SarahJohnAfana

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Guest Blogger: Carrie from Bloomacious- (7 Must-haves for your New Years party)

I’m Carrie Leber and my magazine, Bloomacious is a mix of style news and ideas. The amazing MadeByGirl herself, Jennifer thought I might have a few thoughts for must haves for New Year’s partying. I’ve been to a few of these over the years and I must say that while you can go way over the top, there are a few ingredients make it a night like no other:

1) You simply must have at least two gals who love to holler, particularly after they’ve gotten a few drinks in them. While you may tire, or want to sneak off into a quiet dark corner at some point – the party gals will act as cheerleaders for your guests, keeping them perked up and entertained until at least midnight.

2) Something really spectacular to drink – can be either alcoholic or non, and not necessarily super expensive – it should just be a combination that’s a little unusual like Proseco with a float of Frambois, or sparkling cider spiked with cherry juice. Let your imagination guide you.

3) No matter where you are, the quintessential New Year’s moment is when the ball drops in Times Square. If you don’t have at least one TV in the vicinity of your party, guests will get restless wondering what’s going on in the Big Apple. Don’t torture them – just tune in. Sound off or on.

4) Wear high heels. These are from Jimmy Choo.

5) Don’t let the music stop for a moment on New Year’s and don’t fool yourself into playing romantic or orchestral tunes. People want to dance and act out. Rock with as many disco hits as you can gather for the big night.

6) Like your heels, your dress should be scandalous. This doesn’t mean expensive, but when you look back at the pictures from the night years later you’ll want to fondly remember how great you felt in your outfit.

7) If you incorporate no other decoration into the evening, dim the lights and spark up as many candles as you can get your hands on. It’s instant magic!

8) Most important, scope out your kissing partner for midnight early. It can be a lover, baby, dog, or doll – just make sure you love them enough to want to make the jump into the new year with them.

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