Valentine's Collection | Liberty Floral Prints, Pink Bakery Boxes, Heart Creme Brûlée, Cupcake Kits, Lychee Rose Collection

Holidays are really something special.  Just as winter is setting in comes the sparkle and magic of Christmas to distract us.  Then, cold and quiet January is a welcome change to the crazy bustle.  The simple and quiet routine of winter months can start to become a bit of a bore... then along comes pink boxes filled with cupcakes, iced sugar cookies, bouquets of pink flowers and romantic candlelit dinners. Valentine's Day is exactly what we need to lift our "hearts" through to the spring thaw.  Amazing isn't it - how this world works? 

Shop the entire Valentine's Collection, here.

I hope you enjoy this collection of fun, light-hearted goodies that will make celebrating the loves in your life a complete pleasure! 

Jenny

Isn't this just darling? I lined the box with Liberty Flowers Paper Napkins, made chocolate glazed cupcakes and wrote on them with a simple icing.  I just love how it turned out.

Did I mention the box is pink?

Pink Bakery Boxes, 10 for $8

These might be my favorite product for Valentine's Day.  I just love the color!  They fit 4-5 cupcakes perfectly, but could also hold cookies, a mini cake or any other treats you can dream up.  They are kraft inside and a very pretty matte pink on the outside.  Love!

Red Heart Tags, 10 for $4

This is simplicity at its best, the red heart tags are back, too.  A simple red heart on a natural cardstock with hole punched ready to hang on treats and gifts.  Classic and beautiful.  These tags can be fun with the pink bakery boxes, but also can transform into an elegant and classic accent.  Add them to treats for school, or a hostess gift - one of my favorite's yet. 

Liberty Flowers Print Cupcake Papers, $8

When I saw these I just couldn't get over how perfectly whimsical and lovely they would be for Valentine's Day.  I mean, who doesn't want a box full of florally cupcakes?

What I love about this set, is the mix and match, pieced together feel - they have a nostalgic feel, don't you think?

Set of 100.

Glassine Treat Bags, Set of 50 for $8

Liberty Flowers Print Heart Stickers, 50 for $8

Liberty Florals Paper Napkins, $6.50 - $8

What I love so much about these florals is what while they will look perfect for Valentines, the various florals will be perfect all through spring and summer.  

This scent, Lychee Rose, is my all time favorite that instantly gives me all the warm and cozies.  It is soft, feminine and floral, and has an underlying warm amber.  Mike buys me a huge stack of the soap each Valentines.  This year I even got some in my stocking : )

"This fragrance, inspired by the revered Chinese lychee fruit, blends fresh lychee with juicy mandarin, peach and black currant. These fruits intermingle with white rose, warm woods, sensual amber and white musk to create a delightful scent."

My favorite - Lychee Rose Soap

Lychee Rose Hand Cream

Lychee Rose Candle

Clearly we all have a thing for velvet ribbon.  For the last couple of seasons, I've tracked down new colors and they sell out like crazy.  There is something about it, right?  I just removed the deep green color that was holding my paperwhite upright and swapped it for the Blush color.  Amazing what a little touch of pink velvet can do  :)

Blush Velvet Ribbon - 33 yards

Rose Velvet Ribbon

Bashful Pink Ribbon

Mini Cherry Heart Scones

I made these darling, small heart scones using the smallest of the set of 3 cutters.  I took the most of the sugar out of my standard recipe, added chopped dried cherries...

And drizzled with a simple glaze.  They were so good.  Just the break I needed from the overly sweet treats from the holidays.  The tart cherries, the buttery, tender texture - perfect.

Set of 3 Cutters, $6 

This set of three cutters is just so perfect for turning anything into a Valentine's treat.  You can use them for cookies, tiny pancakes, biscuits or scones, like I've done here.

Last year, I made these layered heart cookies with copper cutters, but they can also be created using the largest and smallest from the set of 3 above.

Set of 3 Cutters, $6 

Cello Bag

Bashful Small Velvet Ribbon

Lily Tag

Heart Ramekin for Creme Brûlée, $6 

I don't like to own too much specialty cookware just for one holiday... except Valentine's Day.  A heart-shaped dessert is just so darn cute.  There is nothing quite more Valentines than Creme Brûlée + Chocolate... especially in a heart shape.

I used the Barefoot Contessa's Chocolate Creme Brûlée recipe to make this.  It was completely simple and absolutely luscious.  

Cupcake Kits, $5.50 - 12.50

I think these sets are so stinking cute.  So cute, in fact, that we used them for Emma's very pink 4th Birthday party.  It is the perfect amount of whimsy and sparkle to dress up the simplest cupcake - I just love them!  There are two sets of various patterns and toppers.

And then, of course...

The Dripping Milk Chocolate Heart Cake I made with the new 8" Heart-Shaped Pan.  Of course, you can make any sort of heart cake with this pan... but I really recommend starting with this one!

Heart Pan, $12

Lily of the Valley Tags

These tags have my heart.  I love the little sweet floral sprig in a soft coral pink.

And of course, I love the repeated pattern on the back.  

Freshening Your Home

Of course, we don't dedicate as much time transforming or home for Valentine's Day as we do for Christmas, but little touches go a long way.  After the Holiday decorations come down, our home always feels a little sparse.  I added some potted flowers on my counter, in our powder room and on our table.  I also replaced my autumnal botanical prints with fresher versions (below).  My next move is to bring in a blush colored pillow here and there to add softness.  I love the mix of pinks and corals with soft warm browns.  

I'll share photos of our freshened home featuring these products later this weekend.  We are currently too covered in frosting and chocolate glaze to handle velvet pillow cases...

Leaf Block Print Napkin in Nude, Set of 4, $32

I love this print.  It is just the right amount of pink to be used anytime.  It doesn't have hearts all over it, so its use is limited to two weeks out of the year ; )  It will look just as lovely with big bowls of peonies and hydrangeas, as it does with my potted roses for our Valentine's Day table.

Bashful Velvet Pillow, $28

Clay Velvet Pillow, $28

Blush Velvet Pillow, $32

Army Velvet Pillow, $24

Bashful Velvet Pillow, $28

This collection of Botanical Prints have been visually layered on a soft cream backdrop, modeled after the ones I created above above in our guest room.  This effect makes it truely look like a page from an antique book that has been mounted.  

Vintage Botanical Print professionally printed on photo paper.  

$8 - 8x10"

$5 - 5x7"

Shop all Botanical Prints, here >

 

 

 

Have fun gathering things for your loves and to make your home feel lovely this season : )

All the Best,
Jenny

Skillet Roasted Lemon Chicken | Barefoot Contessa Cooking for Jeffery

Like most Januarys, I'm ready to start trying some new recipes and looking for new inspiration.  During the holidays, we crave those comfort, nostalgic meals that we mix into our December rotation.  When January rolls around, I can't wait to freshen things up, spend some time in the kitchen and start experimenting again.  Laurie surprised me with the new Barefoot Contessa cookbook the day it came out and I've dog-eared many pages that I've been itching to try.  

Her newest version of Roasted Chicken did not disappoint.  The method is using a cast iron skillet, lining the bottom with lemon and onion slices, then placing the chicken on top and roast it in the oven.  Midway through, add white wine to the pan and continue roasting.  The lemons and onions in the bottom of the pan were transformed during cooking in the juices that dripped on them from above.  Completely delectable - and healthy dinner.

The Barefoot Contessa's Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken (original recipe here)

Of course, I altered the recipe a bit from the original to fit our tastes and what I had on hand.  I don't really like dissecting a whole chicken, so I used two bone-in/skin-on breasts and thighs.  She calls for whole fennel seeds to rub on before roasting which Mike does not care for (at all!), so I left out.   However, I also made her Seafood Stew a couple of days later and which called for sauteed fresh fennel, which we both loved.  My thyme plant had the smallest, most minuscule bit on it, so I used what I could.  My cast iron skillet is not large enough, so I used my cast iron dutch oven (staub) and it worked perfectly.

I made Colorful Roasted Carrots to accompany, one of Emma's favorites.

And Braised Green Beans.

And Mashed Potatoes (insert cheesy face emoji).  I put a touch of goat cheese in my classic recipe and it added a terrific bite.  Emma barely noticed - but she did.  She said she could tolerate.

It was quite a spread for a Monday night dinner.

 My best helper!  I can't wait for you to try this recipe - I'm telling you, it was so easy and de-lish.

Valentine's Collection Preview | Coming Friday at 7am Central

The Valentine's Collection will launch Friday morning at 7am.  This collection is full of the sweetest blush and bashful hues in lush velvet to add some romance to the bleak winter months.  Hints of soft brown and deep chocolate add richness and depth, while small floral prints bring plenty of whimsy.  I've added a new collection of botanicals that feel a little lighter and fresher, to bring some glimpses of the impending spring inside your home as winter settles in.

I'll see you Friday morning : )

Valentine's Collection Launch, Friday, 7am Central
https://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/

Spring Workshops + Pop-Up Shop

Spring Workshops + Pop-Up Shop

I've been getting the itch to get out there and do some workshops!  I'm so excited to announce that I've schedule an entire day of workshops, here, in Kansas City.

March 1st, 2017
Indian Hills Country Club
6847 Tomahawk Rd
Mission Hills, KS 66208

(Please note in your reservations if you have any food allergies.)

There are three sessions available on March 1st, 2017.  Each session will have cooking demonstrations, table settings, entertaining tips, and home decor presentations.  There will also be a Pop-Up to shop for participants with my store products and new products not available in my online store, like breakable + heavy things : )

Order Tickets, here.  There is a limited amount, so we are able to keep each session intimate.

Session 1 : Lunch, 10 am - Noon

Enjoy cooking, table setting and baking demonstrations followed by a lunch created from my recipes + pop-up shop open for participants.

Session 2 : Flowers & Baking, 2pm - 4pm

A hands-on floral workshop - you'll make your own small spring arrangement to take home.  I'll also demonstrate my favorite scones recipes that we'll sample + pop-up shop open for participants.

Session 3 : Dinner, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Enjoy cooking, table setting and baking demonstrations followed by a dinner created from my recipes + pop-up shop open for participants.

Order Tickets, here >

Perfect (make ahead) Cozy Dinner Party Menu

Perfect (make ahead) Cozy Dinner Party Menu

Baked Fontina & Baguette
Aperol Spritzers
...
Caeser Salad
Short Rib Ragu & Fettuccine
...
Affogatos
Chocolate Chip Cookies
(fresh baked - from the freezer)
We've already done a little bit of entertaining this January.  I actually love entertaining in January - expectations are lower, schedules are more open, and everyone is more relaxed.

This menu is so simple.  It is full of make ahead recipes - everything is ready to go by the time the guests arrive.  Each item is easy to make and comforting, too.  It was the perfect cozy night dinner with kids running around, snow outside, red wine and big bowls of short rib ragu.  And, I mean, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies for dessert?  Followed by hot coffee poured over ice cream?  I love to do what works and keep things simple.

I set the table for the adults... and completely forgot to put out napkins for the photo... and for the dinner.  The funny part is that the day before I had re-organized our linen pantry and ironed EVERY SINGLE NAPKIN I own.  And left them all folded in the linen pantry.



We started the night with another Barefoot Contessa favorite - Baked Fontina (How Easy is That? cookbook).



It is perfect entertaining food, especially on a cold night.  I put the cheese, herbs, garlic and olive oil in my skillet in the afternoon.  Then, ten minutes before the guests arrived, I put it under the broiler for 8-10 minutes.  It comes out melted and bubbly.  I served it with sliced, crusty baguette.

For dinner, I made our favorite tomato sauce and added some...

Short Ribs + a little cream.  Easy Short Rib Ragu.  (The recipe link here uses stew meat, but just sub short ribs instead.)  I served it tossed with fettuccine.  The kids even cleaned their plates.

For dessert, I served Affogatos.  Because my nespresso machine is on the fritz, I made strong decaf coffee and served it over vanilla ice cream in big mugs.  I made chocolate chip cookie dough earlier in the day and put it in the freezer.  I put the balls on a sheet pan before they arrived and popped it in the oven after we finished dinner.  The kids and adults gobbled them up.  Who doesn't love a warm chocolate chip cookie?

I hope you've got some winter entertaining planned.  I feel like everyone needs some slow nights in of somebody taking care of them after the Holiday season.  

.....

Thanks for all of your kind and supportive words yesterday after my Instagram confession.  It seems as though I hit a chord with many of you!  And for those of you who are afraid you won't see me on instagram every again, don't worry.  I will be posting once of twice a week to keep you in the loop - mostly of new blog posts or new products.  I have resolved to post only how I will use IG, and how I hope people will continue to use it themselves.  Instead of a constant and continuous use throughout the day, I will pop in once or twice a week to give the updates.  I will not use it to kill time, or keep my mind from being able to wonder.  I will use it actively and consciously, a couple of times a week.  However, most of my updates will come through my email newsletter, so be sure to sign up.  Thank you all for joining me in this journey : )

Jenny

A New Year | Fresh Start | Insta Feelings

Hello, Friends : )  I've been gone for almost a month, but now I'm refreshed and ready to be back - for the most part.   I intentionally unplugged for the last 30 days to give myself a break from the online world, the store and work.  When your work life and your real life intertwines as mine does, I feel like it important for me to remove myself from all of the things every now and then to revive perspective.  I am ready to get back to work, be creative, write, photograph, create - I truely enjoy my "job," but in 100% honesty, there is something I did not miss.  Instagram.  

For a month, when I had an extra 20 seconds, or 5-20 minutes, instead of grabbing my phone and scrolling insta, I would make a cup of tea and sit, or light a candle and sit, I would relax, I would color or build legos mindlessly with Emma, I would tidy something up, I would play music, I would water the plants, I would go out on the back porch and take a deep breath and look around the back yard, I would mix a quick batch of cookies, I would let my mind wander, I would sit, I would flip through a cookbook, I would eat a slice of cake.  This was living.  

One afternoon about two weeks ago, I had an extra 20 minutes to lounge so I indulged my renewed self and grabbed my iPad (I removed Insta from my phone, but kept on the iPad) and spent 20 minutes with my head down, scrolling.  Taking about .4 seconds to consume each photo, scrolling and looking at snapshots of peoples lives.  With each snippet of insta photo there was an instant thought - instead of relaxing on my bed, maybe I should be at the park with Emma like that family, or wow, wish we were on a tropical island like them, hum, maybe I should redecorate our house like that one, gosh, I wish I had more antiques in our home, I need that dress, I should wear dresses more, I wish I was going on a date night so I could wear a dress, I wish I was staying at home with a candlelit family dinner, I want to be out and about with my girlfriends.  You see the problem. 

After losing 20 minutes of my day, I went downstairs and got annoyed at how messy the house was and irritated at Mike for watching golf on tv (shouldn't he have been vacuuming or something?), irritated that there was glitter and bits of playdoh all over the floor (again), and annoyed at myself for not being outside enjoying the rare 50 degree day in December.  Ick.

I've never been one to be envious of anyone else's life - it just isn't how I'm made.  I've always felt that I'm responsible for my own happiness and that if I'm not happy, then it is up to me to something about it.  Being in charge of your own life helps you to always be fulfilled with it.  And I am.  If I wanted to do or be something or someone else, then I would.  I can do things.  So when I scroll through insta and I get these feelings of I wish, I want, I need, I'm annoyed - it doesn't sit well with me.  It's not who I am.  I'm a doer.  I'm a maker.  I'm not an envier.  This feeling does not inspire me.  This feeling makes me want to compete - put up a "me too" post.  See how cute my family can be?  Look at how much fun we're having, too.  See how perfect my house can look?  Major ick.

Notice the photo above?  The photo below is what was at my feet when I took the photo.  Not as cute, right?  I know, I know - everyone is just sharing their perfect snippets of a non-perfect day/life and it makes us feel good to do it, but it doesn't change how it makes other people feel.  And what's worse is we're addicted to that feeling.  All of us.  Ok, maybe just those of us that are normal and not all of the instagrammers that actually are perfect.  ; )  

I get it.  It's fun to share the perfect.  It's fun to put only the good out there.  When I scroll back through my own feed, it looks good, it feels good.  But the mindless scrolling through it all makes me feel bad.  I hear it from many of you, too.  People think my life is perfect.  And it is.  It is perfect for me, but it isn't perfect in the way everyone thinks.  My house isn't always spotless, my dinners aren't always gourmet - and I couldn't care less.  The stuff that I put out there is the stuff that is fun for me, but doesn't really matter.  I want you to know that.  I know that.  Most of those perfect photos that I create are done so during my work day.  They are done in my creative mind space where I get to be an artist and create and make and do.  I love that part of my day.  I love creating beautiful photos of pretty projects.  It is my art and I love it.

So, now I'm in this space of not sure how to move forward with incorporating this new point of view with my work.  Instagram is such an easy way for me to put my work out there.  It is such an easy way for you all to keep updated on what new products I have, suggestions for what's for dinner, grow my business, etc.  But scrolling through insta is not a great way to spend a day.  I would rather you all be sitting, thinking, doing, making, relaxing, instead of scrolling.  I don't want to feed the beast.  But, I want to still share with you all.  I want to grow my business.  I want to still have a voice.

We had a long road trip over Christmas which gave me the chance to talk at length about my Insta frustrations with Mike.   I told him that I was worried that if I disappear from insta, that my brand might disappear, too.  Would I become irrelevant?  Out of touch?   He reminded me that if the means of communicating didn't fit the brand, then it wasn't working anyway.  He reminded me that this is my business - I'm in complete control.  He reminded me that I'm good at knowing what you all are looking for, that others are probably feeling the same way.  He encouraged me to do it my way - even if it seemed against popular culture.  Isn't that what my brand is against anyway?  Being sucked into all of the rush and hurry of life?

I've always wanted my brand to be about encouraging you all to live your best life.  Through my recipes, home projects and store products it is always my goal to inspire and empower you, and give you simple tools to enhance your day/life/home - you can host friends for dinner, you can easily refresh your home each season, you can make bakery worthy treats, you can sit down to a family dinner most nights of the week and experience real moments with your family.

I feel like what resonates most with all of you about my brand is that it feels like slowing down.  You come here to read my blog and you see photos of our quiet dinners at home, you see comfy sofas with throws and pillows, you see little arrangements of flowers on my bedside, Emma playing in the backyard, me stirring something on the stove, baking fresh scones each morning, delivering homemade gifts to friends each season, hosting family holidays with grace and style.  That is my brand and what I want you to feel.  And quite honestly, it is my real life that I'm sharing here.  But if you are spending your time only looking at these photos and not doing any of those feel-good things, then I haven't done my job.  I want you to do these things.  I want you to spend your time baking homemade treats, playing in the grass, cooking with your kids, hosting friends - it is a beautiful way to live.  I want you to stop spending your free, valuable mindspace scrolling on insta.  

I'm making a conscious decision to re-devote my time her on my blog.  I will be here more and sharing and blogging more.  I will.  I will be on instagram less.  Much less.  I'm thinking maybe once or twice a week on insta, just to update you on what is happening here for those of you that don't get my email newsletter.   It will be generated on my computer and posted on instagram.  I will not be re-installing instagram on my phone.  I hope you will continue to come here.  I hope you will join me in refocusing your day to being and doing, instead of watching others do and be.  It is better on this side in the real world, right?  

I would love to know your thoughts about this.  Please tell me I'm not the only one!  And do, please come back here to visit.   I know your time is valuable and I hope you'll join me for some more real life inspiration.

Now, because I don't want to just rant (I do have other things to share!) here is a little real look around our house this morning.  Emma and Mike have gone off to school and work, respectively, and I'm here with Mr. Darcy enjoying a quiet morning.  I snapped some photos of how our home is feeling this morning.  Because I believe in enjoying my day, I thought I would focus on the things that are making me happy this morning.  I know that they might seem "too perfect" (especially after my strong thoughts above), but I think photos feel different when paired with words.  Welcome to my happy place, with pretty snippets of our home.  Please do know that there are unmade beds upstairs, piles of laundry and dirty dishes in my sink : )  And you've already seen what my floor looks like...

I love these little mini topiaries I found last week.  They are real and I'm trying not to kill them.  I also replaced our Christmas prints with fresh framed botanicals that will be part of the valentine's collection (coming friday!).  Swapping out prints each season is just so easy and makes me love this corner even more.



These are the topiary that I bought this fall... that are struggling in a major way.  I think the transition inside was too much for them... and I am not the best at watering.  So, trying to get them to come back!

A few days after Christmas, I got rid of the greenery and added about 4 potted flowers to our home.  They are making the house feel so fresh and alive (after all of that crispy greenery!).


Isn't this the sweetest shade of pink?

My Mister : )  Watching the squirrels.

I kept the pinecones and got rid of the greens.  I love how they feel very wintery and sparse.

I just realized I forgot about this greenery!  Very crispy.

A glimpse of the snow, past the snowflakes on our or door.  Lots of smudges, too : )

The aftermath of our walk this morning.  I'm not really a very neat person.  At some point today, I will have to go around and pick up after myself... usually around 5:30 right before Mike gets home!

Yesterday, my sister and I were talking about how much we love Jenna Bush Hager.  She is so real and normal and funny and smart.  (She also deleted insta on her phone!)  We love her on the Today show.  As I was walking around snapping my photos, she was almost in tears apologizing for a mistake she made on air.  I felt so bad for her : (   Jenna - keep on pluggin!

Sledding aftermath from Saturday!

The artwork wall in my office.  The most perfect part of the whole house : )

Thank you all for taking your time to come here and read my thoughts.  I'd love to hear yours.  How does this new idea sit with you?  I hope your new year is off to a slow and happy start.

Jenny