Jenny's Favorites: December Edition

Here are the things that I have enjoyed throughout a very busy month of transitioning back from a tour bus to home, my birthday and Christmas!

1. My skin gets terribly dry in the winter and Lush's Ultrabland cleanser has been helping so much. It's made of almond oil, beeswax and other moisturizing natural ingredients. It's amazing. 

2. For my birthday, I was given Lily and Laura beaded bracelets, made by women in Nepal. They are a great pop of color for the blah winter months. 

3. I've been keeping warm with a Karama scarf, made by artisans in Ethiopia. 

4. After a couple of weeks being home, I finally managed to finish unpacking my Cuyana Weekender bag.This was one of my best purchases in preparing for tour. I had it with me daily into venues or hotels, it was just the right size to hold everything I needed. 

5. For my birthday, Teresa treated me to a manicure and pedicure at Julep. We both went with reds, perfectly festive for Christmas. 

6.  After listening to Christmas music all month, I've finally turned it off and turned on The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill on repeat. I'll never get tired of this album. 

7. I haven't had a ton of time for reading this month, so Dear Life: Stories, by Alice Munro has been perfect for me to pick up in spare moments. It's a collection of short stories. 

8. I can't stop thinking about the amazing food we ate at Canlis for my birthday, yummy. 

Here's to the New Year and all the new wonderful things out there to discover!

Monday Motivation

2014 is almost here! 

(Etsy Print)

Friday Roundup

Happy snowy Friday from Seattle! Myles and I went out to enjoy his first snow this morning, he was pretty excited as you can see.

Hope you have a fun holiday weekend ahead of you. Ours is going to be jam packed with Jenny-birthday and Christmas festivities. I love this time of year (and I'm going to need a long nap after Xmas!).

Here are a few links to get things started.

Way too much cuteness.

This would be tasty at a holiday party.

Warning, this sweet photo shoot might make you tear up.

Super cute and cool playmat for little ones.

Awesome gift for the traveler in your life.

This toffee recipe looks easy and delicious if you need last minute gifts.

Beautiful design ideas with balloons.

Lil' Bub is at it again...cat and fire, yes please.

This is inspiring and beautiful.

Happy Birthday Jenny!!

Today is a big day!! Happy 30th to one of my favorite human beings on this earth! I'm so glad that Rich and Sylvia had you 30 years ago, I can't imagine life without you by my side. Your creativity, wisdom, loyalty, spontaneity and giving spirit is a gift to everyone you come in contact with. I remember when we turned 20 oh so long ago, and the past 10 years have been filled with so many fabulous experiences together around the world. I can't wait to see what the next decade has in store. I LOVE YOU!!

Plated

Have you heard of this new food service called Plated? There was an online deal for 50% off your first order so I decided to give it a try! Basically, they release a new menu every week with half a dozen meal choices to select from. Yesterday a big box arrived on my doorstep with all of the ingredients and recipes for four delicious (and mostly healthy), fresh meals. I made the Seared Flank Steak with Escarole and Marcona Almond Salad last night and it was a big hit! Without a discount the meals average about $12 per person, so it's not inexpensive, but it's similar to what take out or a casual restaurant would run. I had fun learning a new recipe and the instructions are so clear I think Patrick could even give it a try sometime. 

The Most Delicious Rum Cake

What is Christmas without rum cake?! My sister made the delicious cake above (yes, she did just have a baby 10 days ago, she's making me look bad!) over the weekend. Here is the best recipe from my uncle's friend Mary Kay, soooo delish.

Bob and Mary Kay’s Rum Cake

½ cup Pecans (chopped)
1 package Butter Golden Cake (Duncan Hines)
1 package (3- ¾ oz.) Vanilla Pudding (Instant Mix)
½ cup Dark Rum
½ cup Water
½ cup Crisco Oil
4 Eggs

Preheat Oven to 325°

Grease and flour a Bundt cake pan. Crumble pecans in bottom of pan. Place cake and pudding mixes in a mixing bowl. Add rum, water, oil and eggs. Mix for 2 minutes only with an electric mixer. Place mixture in the Bundt pan and bake at 325° for 50-60 minutes. Pour on Hot Rum Glaze (recipe below) and let cool for 30 minutes (still in Bundt pan).

Let cool for 30 minutes. Turn onto plate.

Hot Rum Glaze
1 cup Sugar
1 stick of Butter
¾ cup of Rum
¼ cup Water

Put all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil for 3 minutes.

Wedding Photo Presents

If you got married this past year, framed wedding photos make a great gift for parents and other relatives. Make your mom a collage of images, including one of you and her. Or how about an image dancing with your dad? If your family isn't the type to have family photos framed all over the house, consider choosing a more artistic image that'll look more like a piece of art. 

Images via JKoe Photogrpahy