just jess

While I love Tumblr’s look and feel and the blogs I follow here, I’ve decided to move the blog to blogger from now on. Luckily, Blogger allows comments from anyone - not just members- so feel free to keep in touch!

Today’s Tablescape was found on Pier 1’s guide to throwing a “Killer” Halloween party. I like this setting because it’s Halloween fun - for adults!

Here’s another tablescape of fun Halloween things not meant for the kiddies from Potter Barn! I borrowed it from their Facebook page. It was a contest they had going, cna you find 10 differences? I did! 

I’ll be following some hints from both of these great how-tos! 

Finally, here’s a great Kid-friendly tablescape from Paula Deen!

Stay tuned for pics of my decor!

Obviously, I’m not as original as I first thought. People have been blogging about tablescapes for a while now and who wouldn’t want to? While some have given up on the task of sharing weekly wonderful table settings, I found one blogger on her 111th tablescape thursday! So since it is Thursday (and you’re patiently waiting for my Tuesday edition) here’s a link to hers. One really cool thing is each post seems to be of her own table!

It’s a little strange that I found out about National Diabetes Awareness Month after learning about Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I say this because it has a huge impact, especially recently, on my life. Diabetes runs in women of my family. While any type of cancer is probably the scariest news I could think of getting in the doctors office, diabetes is very scary too. People with diabetes are almost twice as likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke and heart disease is the number one killer of women in America. According to the American Diabetes Association 1 in 3 women will die of heart disease, compared to 1 in 9 women dying of breast cancer. For more information and the source of these statistics please see www.diabetes.org.

I’m currently blessed to say I have no been diagnosed- yet- it’s important for me to monitor my heath and weight though as it is for everyone!

If you’d like to donate to the cause or get involved, here’s more info! Look forward to me participating in next year’s StepOut! once my honoree has fully recovered from her heart attack. She didn’t want me to make “a fuss” over her and would rather walk with me if I did, so this year I will only be donating financially.

Ok, thanks for reading a very un-fun but important post. 

Another great fall table for ya, this one comes from Paula Deen’s Email newsletter. I like that the stylist included why/how she chose the items to make this tablescape. Most of it is easily recreeated through a trip through your produce section and local craft store. Even antique plates can be found from places like etsy or ebay. Here’s on I found on etsy for $8.00.

I’ve always loooved to bake. Ever since my bff in 5th grade Kay Kay (and still bff btw) and I made cakes in her easy bake oven I’ve loved to bake. I believe I enjoy it more than other types of cooking for 2 reasons: 1. It’s very logical and precise - I have a lot of my dads math brain so I dig that. 2. The results are special. You don’t always have dessert, and 9 times out of 10 you get to share what you’ve baked with others and they are delighted and appreciative for your efforts.

However, I had yet to master a bread with yeast - specifically dinner rolls. My grandmother always made hers from scratch anytime family ate together, even lunch. However, when I asked to learn her expertise, I realized I waited too long. While I’m very lucky she’s still a full box of crayons after 80 years of life, it does make her a little forgetful of ingredients. Last thanksgiving’s attempt at making these rolls was the worst baking mistake since K.K. and I used a layer of granular sugar in a chocolate cake (that is the day I learned the difference between granular and confectioners sugar).

Grandma was convinced we should use waaaaay too much salt than was needed. I never see her persistent like this either, usually she just says my mom knows best. After my mom, who if you haven’t picked it up yet is where I learned everything I know is quite the accomplished cook/baker,advised me start a new batch. Grandma kept tending to hers while my mom tried to balance keeping an eye on her mother and helping me - and I was left to kneed the new dough. The salty dough was never baked and mine came out very dense (I kneaded in too much flower to fight the stickiness). Grandma seemed to have great confidence in me while we waited for mine to rise. She sent me out to buy brown n serve rolls for dinner.

Yesterday, I was struck with the idea that I should try again. I opened “The Joy of Cooking” for instructions, but after reading about how I should find kneading “relaxing and sensual” I closed it. I turned to Williams and Sanoma’s guide to baking instead. While the recipe’s instructions included the use of a stand mixer, I still found them very easy to follow. I waited until this afternoon to finally bake the rolls and the came out pretty well! Needless to say I’m proud of my accomplishment but also very aware of my need of a stand mixer and possibly a bread machine. Who doesn’t love fresh bread?

There’s a lot going around for October and it’s breast cancer awareness month. It’s relatively easy to find a way to support the cause, but more importantly - make sure to check yourself! As the NFL’s 2010 program puts it, it’s a “Crucial Catch” to find it early. 

The NFL is wearing Pink again this year, this time for the entire month! While it definitely clashes with my Redskin’s Burgundy - I think its a great idea.

While shopping at my favorite beauty store, Sephora, I found out they even has some products to support the cause. I chose the “forever Pink” lip gloss.

For more information see here!

Now I know most of you would expect a tropical outdoor tablescape for the Bahamas edition. I expected to do that myself, before I discovered that The Mesa Grill by the one and only bobby Flay has a location at the Atlantis (where we stayed - Paradise Island, Bahamas). I’ve previously mention my love of Bobby Flay and was ecstatic when Mike made reservations for us our on last night.

Here’s another surprise - I chose this tabescape not for what was on the table, rather than for what was next to it. Check out the cowhide chairs! Very Bobby flay. Like the old saying goes, look in the mirror and remove one accessory, Bobby kept the styling simple on the table after such a bold seating choice.

The food was as amazing as I imagined. I enjoyed a tuna steak and Mike a NY steak. The flavors were Bahamian with a Southwest twist. Here’s a look.

Another highlight was that the kitchen was visible from the dining room.

I’ll leave you with 2 pictures of us with a slight food high from the experience.

We just got back from the Bahamas…here’s what I got a week of :)

BTW “I get do right in” means to get tipsy or drunk. We stayed at the Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas.

Since tomorrow is the 1st day of fall we’ll make today’s tablescape a warm one with plenty of fall decor. This is all from Potter Barn’s new fall line- check out these photos and more on their facebook page. 

I’m in love with the table runner and place cards, which appears to just be plain brown paper and gift tags. This may stem from my recent affair with brown paper gift wrap. 

Apparently, so were the stars on the red carpet. Red carpet style is really the only thing I look at (the morning after an awards ceremony). I like seeing who rocked it, and equally as much, who really didn’t.

Here’s a look at my favorite- complete with navy nail polish. See a closeup on the dress here.

I was hoping to wear this lovely dress to a wedding the 1st week of October, but it’s sold out! I’m now on the hunt for a different navy dress - to wear with some neutral pumps or booties.

This dress is from www.modcloth.com for less than $50!! i was really excited to try this site out for their seemingly great prices and return/exchange policies. Maybe something esle will come out that I like before the big day!

Today’s tablescape was used as a Thanksgiving setting, but I like mine a little more traditional with warm fall colors. This I love for September though, the bright blue and navy mix that kind of says hey summer is still here but fall it’s practically fall…

Here’s the full article with more pictures!

This week’s tailgate was again at Fed Ex field, but for the Redskin’s vs Cowboy’s game. Mike is a Cowboy’s fan so this made for a competitive game! We tailgated with another couple, so this time I got to bring more of the food. Included was my stuffed bread (this time made with refrigerated french loaf instead of pizza dough) and my mac n cheese! So finally here’s what the stuffed bread should look like when you’re all done!

Today is also Mike’s Birthday! Happy Birthday Mike!!!

p.s. if you’re wondering who won, the Skin’s did thanks to one of the Hokies on the team’s (Deangelo Hall) defensive touchdown (and some penalties to the Cowboys).

I attended the VT vs Boise St. game yesterday, and while the outcome wasn’t as I would have hoped I still had a great time. Many of my friends came in town so there were lots to entertain. However, because we took a party bus to the tailgate (planned by local friends) I was not in charge of the table spread. My friends did a lovely job (with only minutes to set up due to the rush on the food). Here’s a look:

Seen on the table (other than some great food) are maroon and orange (VT colors) flower center pieces and a few Hokie Birds.

Penn State is another great school who is really into their football program (they have some great fans too). I really like their tailgate set up. Even though usually I’m very anti-matchy-matchy, with school colors I’m a “fan”.

Here’s a look at a few pics of a great tailgate/tablescape. Find the full story here.

One of the reason’s tailgating is so great is beacause you get to dine outdoors, but it doesn’t mean you have to eat on beer pong table standing up. Here’s a great outdoor tablescape that are almost VT colors. See original blog here. I love the use of flowers.

If you’re dining inside to watch the game, you could always use a football as your center piece to help bring the game indoors. (there’s also plenty of football decor at party stores.)

or if you want something that works for more than just gameday, you can just use the colors. This look would be great for any Redskin’s fan (like myself, httr).

Happy Football season to everyone!