Inspired Harmony

Now this is what I call 'good news!'  If you have not seen this TED (I love this site) video about Eric Whitacre, a musical conductor, trust me... take the time to watch this video.  It brought me to tears... coupled with goosebumps from head to toe.  It is the perfect thing for a rainy day...like today.

 

Thank you Jenny for sharing this amazing video with me!

I will be back more regularly after I have detoxed from the holidays!

10 Things I Love About JJ Jackson's

There are not many stores I can think of (except 2 this one and My Favorite Things) where I have something from every department in the store because I love their selection of merchandise so much.  This month has been all about the things and stores I love and I wanted to end with JJ Jackson's for all those reasons.

So...I am going to get right to it and go department by department and tell you about the items I have bought and enjoyed over and over again...and I believe are great gift ideas:

1.  Hobo Lauren Wallet...hands down the best wallet I have ever owned (from Louis Vuitton, Paul Smith to Gucci I have literally tried them all and they don't hold a candle to this baby!) They have an amazing selection and all the colors...from hot pink, black to the perfect mocha brown...they are all beautiful and very soft, but totally durable.

Lauren Wallet I asked for this Christmas...hint, hint!

2.  Coleur Tablecloths:  These beautiful French designed, Indian wood blocked linens are a great gift because this is something people won't always buy for themselves, but will love year after year. (this has been a winner time and time again)

3.  Totally Bamboo Salad Hands:  Another great hostess gift that is sure to please.  I love these salad tongs because they work!  Totally affordable and durable.

4.  OXO Salad Spinner:  I know this sounds weird...but this puppy rocks and makes cleaning your lettuce fun!

Papaya Art

5.  Papaya Art:  Beautiful cards, artwork, journals and bags.  I love this product line for it's inspirational quotes and spectacular artwork.  Truly inspired products!

6.  Books:  From unique and colorful cookbooks to silly and obscure non-fiction books...their selection is just fun to browse.  Wonderful for stocking stuffers or that hard to buy for family member.

Shannon Martin Card

7.  Cards:   Teresa (the owner) and I stood in front of the card wall...laughing out loud for 20 minutes the other day.  I was in a terrible mood and I left almost euphoric from the joy I received from there amazing selection of cards.  (if you need a pick me up go in and walk the wall and laugh...then buy a few to send to some friends to brighten their day...I mean who doesn't love to receive a funny card!)

8.  Thymes Frasier Fur Candle:   I have a fake tree and this candle smells like the real deal.  I am not a big fan of scented candles so when I found this one...I was overjoyed.  They also have a room spray.  This brand has great products including a luscious lavender bubble bath (another great stocking stuffer)

9.  Game Table:  I think this might be my favorite thing in the store because it has kept my children peaceful while I can shop, visit with the wonderful people who work there and browse easily through each area taking in the beautiful displays.  My favorite item on the table are the fake mustaches...I have brought these to birthday parties and everyone has worn one all night...it is a blast. 

10.  Service and Selection:  I love this store for more reasons then I can put in this blog...I haven't even scratched the surface of my purchases...but alas I can't end this without a big shout out to Teresa and Kristi for the focused and superb selection of merchandise...and the visually beautiful and clear statement you make in your display tables and windows.  Bravo! (and I am not easy to please)  And last to the wonderful service and well informed staff that make me always feel welcome and taken care of...JJ Jackson's has it all!

So,  this holiday in the spirit of being one of the 99% lets support our local and small businesses so they will be here next year. 

Honorable Mention:  Their travel section rocks,  great candles, glassware, throw blankets, aprons and scarves...I could go on and on, but just check it out for yourself...last thing their prices are well considered and not over the top!

The Playlist That Bonds

Like many of you, I have children who are on completely different schedules.  My oldest son starts school at 7:20, followed by my middle son at 8:40 and my youngest daughter at 9:00...it is enough to make me crazy.

The 'good news' about this varied schedule is that I get to spend one-on-one time with each child in the morning, starting with my freshman in high school. We usually get up around 6 am, eat breakfast, make lunches, and discuss life and our varied interests.

But when we hit the car it is music time.  For most adults it can be a challenge to find music that both parent and teenager can enjoy.  My son is obsessed with music so I challenged him to find some songs we could both enjoy after he complained about me playing Adele or Sara Bareilles for the hundredth time.

To my delight and surprise from that day forward he has really opened my mind to some amazing music and bands that I would otherwise never have considered.

Each morning I am excited to see what he has for me.  His music has made us closer and brought us hours of happiness.   Now that is what I call 'good news!'
 

The Roots a surprisingly great band!

Here is the Playlist of my top 10 favorite songs he has turned me onto:

1.   Broken Bells:  The High Road
2.   The Roots:  The Seed
3.   Foster the People:   Helena Beat
4.   Blackalicious:  Deception
5.   John Legend & The Roots:  Hard Times
6.   The Heavy (I heard this one in 2 movies this weekend):  How You Like Me Now
7.   Jurassic 5:  What's Golden
8.   Arctic Monkeys:  Mardy Bum
9.   Martin Solveig & Dragonette:  Hello
10. Miss Li:  Dancing The Whole Way Home   

Whether it is music, books, movies, or sports...if you have a teenager (or really any age) try to find a way to connect with them on their level.  It is fun, interesting, and frankly a key ingredient to having a long lasting relationship with your child.  Try it...you'll like it! 

*Please be warned this is not your typical top 40 stuff...except maybe Foster the People.  We will also burn this list onto a CD  for our Xmas basket, which will be his contribution to our favorite things.

The Perfect Cosmo

Sex and the City cast...look how young they were!

If you know me well...you know I love an ice cold cosmopolitan on Friday night.  I started drinking them long before Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha made them famous on Sex and The City (one of my all-time favorite T.V. shows).

When I was twelve-years-old my dad sat me and my older brother at the bar in his house to teach us how to make and order a proper drink...and how to drink responsibly (His number one rule was never to water down his liquor).  While this lesson served as great material for therapy later...I will say I do know how to make a mean drink (margarita's, cosmos, gin fizz...I could have been a bartender)...I think it is an art form of sorts.

About twelve years ago I was in Vegas at a mini storage convention (this is too long a story to share...needless to say I am not in that business anymore... yet another daddy issue!) with my father, step mom, and my business partner.  One evening the three girls (I say girls because my step mom was only 6 years older than me) went to Spago's and while waiting for our table we sat at the bar and enjoyed the best cosmopolitans I have ever had.

They were so good, we kept ordering them like candy (not good news, because two is really my limit and the next day we had wicked hangovers).  Four cosmos later...I was very tipsy, feeling no pain, but the 'good news' was I had the recipe in hand.  The bartender was so sweet he gave me lessons...long before the third drink.

So below is the recipe and my advice is to keep it to no more than two... most people prefer one because they can kick your ass.  And no cosmos and driving!

Materials Needed:  Shaker, Martini Glass, Ocean Spray Cranberry Cocktail, Kettle One Vodka, Cointreau, Fresh Lime and Ice

First, take your martini glass and fill with ice water to chill glass for about 5 minutes.

Second, fill shaker with ice and add the following ingredients (no substitutions!) below:

1.0 ounces Kettle One Vodka
1.0 ounce  Ocean Spray Cranberry Cocktail (do not substitute another brand!)
.50 ounces Cointreau (if you like it sweeter go for .75)
.25 ounces Fresh Squeezed Lime (freshness is the key ingredient)

The Perfect Color Cosmo!

Shake really hard so you have shards of ice in your drink...pour into chilled martini glass...sip slowly, and enjoy!

Thanks to Elsie for letting me experiment and take photos at her house...to ensure the recipe was correct!

My youngest has had the flu all week and I am running on vapors...is it five o'clock yet?

Glitter Love

My Favorite Things

One of my favorite stores (and people) can be found in the heart of Nevada City at the top of Broad Street, and it is aptly named My Favorite Things.

Tina Haller (Basich for those who are snowboarding fans) is the owner of this unique shop that houses her spectacular and original merchandise, and she also has a full-blown art studio where anyone can come and create their own glitter masterpieces.

Every year I send my three children to Tina where they can create handmade gifts to give to their grandparents and add to our basket.

This tradition of making homemade gifts began when I was nine-years-old and my Momo (my grandmother) invited me to her home where she taught me the art of giving.  She explained that I was old enough to start giving to those I loved; and she made it a lot of fun, too.

For years, we baked in her kitchen where she instructed me on how to make cookies, fudge, and popcorn balls...she said the key was to follow the recipe exactly...do not waiver, and you can't go wrong (I still follow this advice today).  I included the baked goodies in beautiful baskets that I presented to everyone in my family. 

I have passed this tradition onto my children, and they haven't gone wrong, with the help of the Glitter Girl Studio...a place to create, inspire, and sparkle.

The studio can also be booked for private events: birthday parties, bridal showers, classes...

Glitter Girl Studio set-up for baby shower!

The studio is amazing, and so user friendly (the best part is the glitter mess is there and NOT at my house!).  My kids have created beautiful one-of-a-kind items from music boxes to holiday ornaments.  Everything they've made have become treasured keepsakes. 

Her store is magical too... full of amazing items from Vietri dishes (now 30% off) to a great selection of mercury glass, holiday decorations, candles, cards...and so much more!

Glitter Girl Studio Hours:  10:30-5:00 daily (closed on Tuesdays), $5 per person a day use fee plus materials.

*In fact I need to get my kids into the studio pronto...tick tock!