pomanders

i hosted my annual pomanders party this week. my home was oozing with the scent of oranges and cloves! it was a lovely night.

this is a fun thing to do – have you heard of a pomander? pomanders originated in the medieval times, women would stud oranges with cloves and wear them as a form of sachets to smell good. nowadays people re-create them during the holidays as a festive activity, and then you can put the oranges on display in your home as decorations. set a few in a bowl, hang them around your kitchen… the perk: they smell so good!

how to make a pomander:

1. tie ribbon around the orange. {this is optional}
2. using a toothpick or small nail, stab little holes in the orange as a stencil for your design.
3. press whole cloves into these holes.

advice: purchase your oranges and whole cloves in bulk at costco for the best prices, unless you have a farmers market near you that is still open, you may be able to find better prices there.

gather those you love and spend time with them! xo.

{photos by me, follow @see_jane on instagram for seasonal festivities!}

Posted in christmas, gno, parties, party plans, pomanders | 5 Comments »

so good to be… in utah.

i arrived in utah four days before alt. design summit began so i could spend two days with family & two days with my besties.

sara wrote a tender post about our girls night out, here. i agree with her one-hundred-percent.

cheers to the worlds best girlfriends. they make life so sweet.
xo.

{photos by me.}

Posted in friends, gno, jane | 1 Comment »

…an escape hatch of laughter.

Posted in farewell to utah, friends, girls trip, gno, jane, restaurants | 5 Comments »

water for elephants.

a few months ago, my book club read this.

then we planned a book club + spouses-were-invited date night…

we had dinner at a fave pizzeria & went to the movie!

the movie ~

…it wasn’t “the most spectacular show on earth!” but, it was good.

beware: the animal cruelty at times is rough on the eyes. i felt a bit like a little kid when i had to plug my ears and close my eyes… my heart is tender towards animals, so those scenes were tough to watch.

have you read the book? seen the movie? what did you think?

fyi: the evening was spectacular!
{first three photos by me. last image via here.}

Posted in book club, date night, friends, gno, husband, jane, movies, read a book | 3 Comments »

diy: chandelier

have you ever seen the ‘west elm’ capiz pendant lamp? well, it’s magnificent.

and, my friend susan made a chandelier for only $9.00 that is very comparable using this tutorial,
and it turned out beautiful! like, your jaw hits the floor, shockingly-beautiful!

then {then!} as we all oooo’d and ahhhhh’d over the $9 chandelier, susan offered to have a craft night where we all got together, and made an assembly line to finish a few of them as a group!

here’s our big night {at my house} ~

my thoughts post-project:

• i am obsessed with how my chandelier turned out – it’s gorgeous.
• it’s strange that wax & parchment paper are so hard to find.
• when cutting the wax circles, i learned that making a pile of 3 layers of sheets {x the 3 layers you iron together, so really 9} – cutting 3 holes at a time – is the best/most efficient way to go.
• i own two sewing machines, that both suck.
• susan is crazy-amazing with her sewing machine. everyone should check out the moccasins she makes - i mean, how hip is it that the kardashian grand kids are wearing them?!?
• as i’ve said 1,000 times before, i feel so lucky to be surrounded by such talented-brilliant women.

my chandelier expenses:

• floor lamp – already owned {this was a great face lift for it.}
• wax paper – 6 rolls /1 roll parchment paper…$11
• white thread – already had.
• thrifted lamp shade + one row of wire…$2

=$13 total cost {amazing, yeah?}

{all photos by me. all opinions are mine – this is not a sponsored post.}

Posted in create something, DIY, favorite posts, gno, jane | 28 Comments »

everybody, everybody wants to love…

good friends.
small club.
great seats.
swaying to some of my favorite tunes,
singing along in a room of ingrid fans.

winter style…

remember in this post, i said it always snows before halloween?
well, it happened – last night. october 24th.

we had a midnight dinner at eva’s. go. Go. GO! tonight, if you can. seriously.

brussel sprouts swimming in butter and apple vinegar. oh. died-and-gone-to-heaven!
eva’s pie {cheese pizza}, french fries covered in Parmesan, garlic, and rosemary.

eeeegads…it was delicious!!!

we had a stranger join in the picture…
interesting folks downtown slc around midnight.
{we stayed out till even the moon was tired!}

you know the best part?
i needed a girls night out.
i sat in the club,
in love with the live music,
thinking of my love at home.
dwelling on the fact,
that without him,
these songs would have no meaning.
my soul would know no true love.
i think it’s a pretty good sign.
to be surrounded by great women,
having a great time,
and to have one constant wish…

i wish husband would have been there.
we are approaching our fifteenth wedding anniversary in just over three months.
husband is about to have his fortieth birthday,
i am a couple months away from turning thirty-five…
so many milestones approaching us,
and we’re stronger than ever.

in love more than ever.

{everybody everybody just wants to be loved.}

…turn-up the ingrid michaelson {really loud},
shake your booty,
and have a lovely wednesday evening!

xo.

Posted in concerts, friends, gno, jane, music, restaurants | 5 Comments »

greg’s restaurant…

on friday evening, i enjoyed an evening at greg’s with girlfriends who are like family.

a much needed girls night out.

we were actually asked to leave the restaurant,
because we over-stayed our welcome.

thanks girls.

xoxo.

p.s. greg’s restaurant only takes cash.
a little detail, i sometimes forget.

Posted in friends, gno, jane, restaurants | 6 Comments »