Amelia Brilliant

Namaste, Amelia!

2012-01-16T19:41:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow morning we are off to Yogawood for our first Baby and Me Yoga class. Amelia is very excited and has already picked out her outfit.

Finally...

2012-01-15T16:46:00.000-08:00

I finally posted a (very) few of my greeting cards in my etsy shop. I wanted to get them in before Valentine's Day but sadly was only able to get two "love" styles up in time since the others won't be ready until the beginning of February and I don't want to risk not getting them in time. Luckily, love notes aren't just a Valentine's Day phenomenon so I'll be putting the rest up when they get back from the printer and some jewelry once I have the photos ready. I have a lot, a lot, a lot to post. Very exciting!

Happy Sunday!
Love,
Jes

Thoughts On Giving...

2011-12-26T13:22:00.001-08:00

We had a wonderful Christmas and received gifts this year that were far less consumery and far more thoughtful than ever before. My mother gave me a photo of myself at 6 months along with the very dress I was wearing in the photo and a gift certificate to get Amelia's photo taken when she reaches 6 months. My inlaws gave us a night's stay at a fancy hotel along with babysitting for the night so that the two of us can go on a nice date. Me and Beck are going to a class to learn how to knit. What creative and thoughtful people we have in our family.

It makes me think of this article about helping kids cultivate a giving identity. Growing up, whenever we'd ask what my mom wanted for Christmas, she'd tell us to make her something. We never really believed her, but now that I'm here, I totally understand. Who wouldn't want a pasta necklace created just for them over a sweater that other people have too? The pasta necklace after all is nearly couture (*and if made in Paris in a building where 10 others are also making one-of-a-kind noodle necklaces actually would follow the rules of couture). And, as they say, it really is the thought. How lovely. For Amelia to understand this is one of my wishes for her. One of a great many and one that my mother succeeded in instilling in me. Me and Beck each wrote her a love letter for Christmas this year and gave her tickets to the Love Letters Mural tour in Philadelphia. So we'll make her some memories to fulfill the "make me something" request this year.

The Luckiest

2011-12-22T07:01:00.000-08:00

Amelia has taken to napping for 20 minutes every 3 hours or so. When she is sleeping, I've been trying to work on a handmade gift for Dan loosely inspired by Elsie Larson's 12 Dates of Christmas. I thought it would be important to do something like this because babies ain't easy...and I want him to know that even though I'm exhausted when he gets home, I haven't forgotten him. He's been doing the same by bringing me or sending me flowers every week. Yeah, I know. How lucky and smart of me to marry him.
I realized we needed to reconnect when discussing this photo. It's called The Human Nest and you can actually stay it in for the night. I saw it when Jordan from Oh Happy Day blogged about it. I told Dan that I'd like to live there with him and he said that he'd like to live there with me too. I realized that I could easily be happy living in a little ball of sticks with him and Amelia. That also means that I'm really lucky to roll with such a rad crew.

P.S. Dan has off for a whole week starting tomorrow. I feel like I won the lottery.

Here's hoping your day is full of winnings and windfalls too.

Love,
Jes

2 months!

2011-12-19T07:00:00.001-08:00

Amelia is two months old! Here are some of my favorite moments with her so far:
-her first smiles were all in her sleep and I suspect resulted from gas, but I loved them so much anyway.
-her very first day, she started stretching like an adult. She throws her arms up in the air and arches her back. Me and Dan decided that it's her way of reminding us that she's a real person and not a doll or a robot baby.
-When she gets excited, she kicks really hard and fast and I usually can't help but think, man, I should do that when I get excited too.

I love that girl.

Love,
Jes
photo by Matt Walker

30...fabulous

2011-12-17T11:52:00.000-08:00

I had the best 30th birthday wherein many of my dear friends somehow (through the powers of Dan) ended up in the same little room. We all ate greek food, drank wine and laughed a lot. Man am I lucky.

Lucky Indeed

2011-12-04T08:38:00.000-08:00

I just came across Lucky Jackson's 365 Lucky Days Project and I'm a combination of mesmerized, inspired, impressed and jealous. Lucky makes a new piece of art every day, most of which involve intricate embroidered illustrations. My favorites are the mixed media projects with flowers and lace and the strange pop culture references she makes in her artwork. I have no idea how she's able to complete one of these every day...embroidery, though easy, is the most time consuming medium I've ever worked in. But I love and miss it and hope Amelia will let me embroider again some day. (Lucky's 52nd day is shown above)

Happy Hooping,
Jes

SO SWEET!

2011-11-17T18:14:00.000-08:00

Have you discovered Sweet Paul yet? I can't believe this eluded me for so long...so many awesome ideas for baking and DIYing. It'll help me get my magazine fix in between issues of BHG and Martha. The photos are gorgeous!

Have a sweet weekend.

Love,
Jes

I was going to write about hats...

2011-11-16T11:55:00.000-08:00

...but I'm too obsessed with the fact that two dogs and one baby are draped all over me and all three are making beautiful sleeping sounds. Man...there needs to be a stronger word than love.

Towanda! Righter of Wrongs, Queen Beyond Compare!

2011-11-14T06:28:00.000-08:00

I somehow roped Dan into watching Fried Green Tomatoes with me last night (ironically I just plucked the last four green tomatoes from the garden yesterday). Anyway, as usual, I grew achingly inspired by the fashions in the film thus solidifying my unwavering love for depression-era everything.

Here are some things on my list to purchase for myself in celebration of turning 30 in one month. (I know). Everything is under $100. See you at the Whistle Stop!
Blouse from Mod Cloth.
Hat by Reenacat.
A size to strive for...but still. From Shabby Apple.
From Anthropologie.
From Idea2Lifestyle.

SEE YOU AT THE WHISTLE STOP!

Love,
Jes

Hair Romance

2011-11-11T16:56:00.001-08:00

So maybe I haven't gone a single day in the past three weeks without finding spit up in my hair. (My mom calls it "a mother's badge of honor") This doesn't mean I can't continue to fantasize about beautiful hairdos.
Do you think I could pull this off? From Rhapsodic Musings.
What event would make this look appropriate? I need to get in on it.
I do NOT agree with Patti Stanger. Red hair is the bomb. (I also love the hair wear by Gardens of Whimsy).

Have a Happy Weekend.

Love,
Jes

Happy Palindromes!

2011-11-11T16:36:00.000-08:00

TACO CAT!
(Happy Palindrome Day)

In Celebration...(???)

2011-11-03T12:23:00.000-07:00

Some blue things to celebrate the possible end of my baby blues:
A beautiful 'scape with lots of layers. Side note: Blue is rumored to decrease appetite. (Bonus!)
God I love a shoe with a bow.
An ode to Saturday.

I'm finally feeling like the baby blues haze is starting to peel away a bit, so why not celebrate. It's funny because it hit me in such a different way than I thought it would. I imagined myself feeling gray and living in a bathrobe with my hair in dreadlocks (if you knew me sophomore year of high school, you'd know that dreads are not a good look for me). This didn't happen. So far Amelia is a really easy going baby and she gives me a lot of time to get dressed in the morning. I make the bed every day. I let the dogs out. I've even found time to work on some necklaces. Instead of the self-centered blues that I was waiting for, my blues were directed outward toward everyone I knew. I felt sad for Amelia because I felt like she was growing up too fast and I wasn't savoring her enough. I felt badly for Dan when he had to go to work. I felt badly for James and Pete who had to readjust their lives. And when I say I felt badly....I mean....it was debilitating, often involved tears and left me very reckless. I'm still trying to power through it, but the edge is gone and I'm trying to savor this baby and he beautiful baby powers while she's still little. I'm also discovering that I have some things that I so desperately need to GET OVER!
1. Babies grow up. Stop getting mad when people tell you this or when they comment on how big Amelia is already.
2. People will talk baby talk and you must let them. After all, it's apparently good for them. Sigh.
3. The four days in the hospital will always be the best four days of my life. I need not try to top them for it will be impossible.
4. Most people don't know how to savor. That doesn't mean I shouldn't.

I hope your day is full of color...blues or otherwise.

Love,
Jes

Scents and Sensibilities

2011-10-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Pete is allergic. To everything. He recently went on a gluten-free white fish and potato diet thanks to his new homeopathic vet, which has made him seem a lot perkier and his skin is finally not weeping every other day. I recently realized that he is allergic to scented sprays, like Febrese, which I spray on the carpets almost daily. The fact that it's taken me this long to realize this makes me really sad, but I digress. Better late than never.

I researched options for natural home sprays and I came up with one that doesn't seems to hit any of Pete's known allergies and it makes the place smell even better than the stuff you buy at Target because it's not all weird chemicals. Here's my recipe:

* 1 oz gin (it smells like Christmas!)...you can also use rubbing alcohol or vodka
* 6 oz filtered water
* 20 – 40 drops of essential oil: peppermint is my fave (Bonus: it keeps bugs away)

Mix all of the ingredients together and spray away...but not into anyones' eyes...it's all fun and games until someone gets spritzed in the eye. Shake well each time before you spritz.I put this spray in a vintage plant spritzer that I bought at a garage sale, but a regular spray bottle would work too.

Feeling Thankful

2011-10-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

I haven't been the greatest pregnant person. In fact, I have probably been one of the worst I can think of with all of the whining and complaining and utter denial. In fact, this whole time, I was certain that I would lose this baby despite what doctors told me each time, so I'm going to file the experience under self preservation. Done.

Today (I wrote this on Sunday), Dan came home from softball and was the happiest I've ever seen him. He is very excited to meet Amelia and, after much deliberation, decided to shave the beard he's been growing because he did think it would feel good against the baby's face. So sweet.

He took me to Honey's for lunch in Northern Liberties and it was a perfect day. If you haven't been there, you're totally missing out...they call it Southern Jewish food, which is the perfect combination of my sensibilities and Dan's heritage. You seriously can't order anything there that isn't amazing and it's also really inexpensive. I suggest the mac n cheese and the matzah ball soup. See...Southern Jewish. How can you even go wrong?

Dan has already picked out the shirt that he'd like to wear in the hospital for photos. He actually went out yesterday and bought it special. Man...I love that guy. I'm about to make one to wear that is inspired by a shirt that Nicole S. wore to my house on Friday. Let us be vain until we can be no more.

Love
Jes

Sweet Sweet Escapism

2011-10-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

I made a deal with myself to blog at least once a day so I'm writing this Sunday afternoon and posting on Monday. Right now I'm most likely being induced. I'm terrified, but I won't tell anyone that beforehand because I HATE advice. Always have. So instead of thinking about it, I've decided to escape for a bit and set my house up in a nice way that will make me smile when I get home from the hospital beginning with a cute table scape. (Yes, I do realize that this will be the least of my worries, but just go with it for me.)

I LOVE a good table scape. To me, the tablecloth is a clean canvas for a beautiful story to be told. While preparing for my wedding, I kept going back to this look from Once Wed. I was literally obsessed with it for months, but at the time, I couldn't find a way to work it into my wedding with the budget at hand. So today, as I set the stage for a whirlwind adventure to begin, I used it as my main inspiration.
The result is obviously pared down, not outside and taken by my phone since I'm camera-less, but I think the colors come through well and I already have returned to the kitchen several times to look at it. It makes me so happy. I grew the dahlias and used some of the flowers from my anniversary bouquet to make the arrangement in the same jewel toned colors as my inspiration table. The vintage tablecloth is one of my proudest ebay finds and I layered it with cuttings from an old frayed quilt that my aunt gave me in hopes that I could rework it into something. I usually use them as pseudo doilies under things and there are a few under pumpkins on my front porch at the moment. (Apparently I'm 86 because I have a bad case of lace doily fever).

It's good to escape sometimes...now on to reality. Wish me luck.

Love
Jes

I Can Hear The Bells!

2011-10-14T07:15:00.000-07:00

In my family, we like to pile on the big events like graduations, births and weddings and cram them all into tiny bits of time. It makes life more exciting I think. So, in the spirit of celebration, my sister is getting married on October 29. I seriously can't wait. This summer, she asked me to make thank you gifts for the moms that were inspired by the vintage brooch bouquet that she had made and what you see above is the final result---taken by my phone since I don't have a camera (gasp!). I made them using this tutorial from Fancy Pants Weddings. While I wouldn't say it was the easiest DIY I've ever embarked on, I can certainly say that it was one of the most fun.

I sourced the brooches from Ellis Antiques, Columbus Mart and I used a few of my great grandmother's that I had. I'm totally making these again in the future since it makes for a wonderful centerpiece that doesn't die, or in my case, result in ants crawling around your house---ants love dahlias! who knew!?

Happy Friday.

Love,
Jes

If You Could Be Anywhere...

2011-10-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

Forgive me for the cliche that skips hand-in-hand with "If you could spend the day with anyone...who would it be?" (Douglas Coupland...duh). The thought popped into my head as I've been feeling like more and more of a shut in. At 41 weeks pregnant, it would appear that NO, I am not allowed to go for a walk by myself in Northern Liberties, NO, I am not allowed to wander the rows of "trashtiques" by myself at the Columbus Mart and No, I am not allowed to take the NE Corridor train into Manhattan to try out for the next season of Design Star. Jeez, Dan, what a killjoy.

The worst no of all, however, has been keeping away from Terrain. My end-all, be-all, "if you could be anywhere in the world where would it be?" locale. I know. Maybe it's lame to want to go to a store instead of, say, Versaille or somewhere equally as esthetically impressive. Terrain is tangible to me and it always fills my mind with fresh ideas. And as a poor traveler, I've come to the conclusion that I don't need to fly far away when my brain is so full of amazing thoughts. Man, I can't wait to go there again...

Here's hoping your life is enjoying a bit more autonomy. And here's to knowing that being a temporary shut-in is totally worth it.

Love,
Jes

Crowning Glory

2011-10-12T08:05:00.001-07:00

When I met my husband, I was going through a really intense fashion phase that involved lots of polyester, stubby fat neck ties (a Melissa B inspiration) and hair that I could sit on when I rode the 1/9. Thanks to time, multi-vitamins and my inability to successfully make appointments, my hair has reached the bottom of my back and within the year will probably be sat upon at some point. This, I find awesome.

In the midst of DIY summer, where I attempted to make everything from scratch including 6 vats of pickles, a new dress and baby mobiles, I came across the idea to create my own shampoos and conditioners. I had wanted to do this with my fashion students at some point, but never got around to it. Also, I like that it's green and is customizable, plus, it can be unbelievably easy and rewarding as most prairie-style DIY projects are. Here's the first recipe I tried and, let me tell you, I'm impressed. (I made sure to use Dr. Bronner's castille soap for the liquid soap as it's pretty pure and doesn't contain weird chemicals that will yield three-eyed fish in our future)

Specifically, here's my modified recipe:
-8oz. distilled spring water
-4 tbsp. liquid castille soap
-3 tablespoons dried/crushed lavendar (I had this in my garden, but you can buy it in health food stores or craft stores...just make sure its organic)
-3 tablespoons dried/crushed rosemary (also had this in my garden)

1. Bring water to a boil
2. Place herbs in a strainer (the kind with very small holes or mesh)
3. In the bottle you'll use for your shampoo (I used an old glass vanilla bottle), add the castille soap.
4. Make herb water by holding the strainer of herbs over a container with a lid. Pour boiling water over the herbs and squeeze out any excess water into the new container. Make sure no renegade herbs got into your herb water. Cover and let steep for 10-30 minutes.
5. Transfer herb water to the shampoo bottle (the one that contains the castille soap)
6. Date and label the bottle (the shelf life is up to a year!). You can really go overboard with the cuteness of the label, as those shown below. Because mine was a practice round, I just sort of let it be anonymous....I'm the only one in my house that uses liquid shampoo anyway, but I'm toying with the idea of making this as a gift in the future and perhaps infusing with orange zest. We'll see.

"Her" Shampoo by Good4You; A Beautiful Life's (P.S. They're local!) "Honey'do" Shampoo in honey bear bottle,

Greetings from the Happy Files

2011-10-11T07:56:00.000-07:00

Just a few things that are floating my boat:
Embroidery Art from the merriweather council.

Fabric Plants! from janejoss

Simple...and not so perfect. Compliments of AmeliaBrilliant ;)

Here's hoping this positive outlook will lead me straight into a positive labor. C'mon out, Amelia!
Love,
Jes

Someone Was Looking Out...

2011-10-10T08:19:00.001-07:00

About ten years ago, I was sort of a wayward girl living in Manhattan and going through a real "lady of the night" phase if I can call it that after a bad breakup with ye olde high school sweetheart. When I came home to hide out after September 11, my friend introduced me to this flippant boy who offended me and never deserved a second look until I saw him again months later and we were wearing the same shirt. In this new context, I knew I had to have him. So I got him. Between college classes, I wrote his senior year research paper on the relevance of celebrating Christopher Columbus (I got a B+ but it was totally an A paper) after he refused to do it. He came to New York and spent his last dollar to bring me ice skating. We walked around a lot and talked about things because we didn't have any money to do anything. I made him a wallet out of ketchup packets. He gave me a stuffed dog named James. I went to his prom and wore a red dress from 1955 that I bought and reworked for $12. He carried all of my shoes from West 27th St. all the way to the train when I moved home. Somewhere along the line, after refusing to let myself for a really long time, I fell in love with that guy and I married him two years ago today. Now I look at him sometimes and I wonder what I did in my past life to deserve him. If I were president, there would be a law that would make it mandatory for everyone in America to have someone that makes them feel the way he makes me feel. In other words, world peace. Man....I'm lucky.

Farewell, Fringe and Frida

2011-10-07T08:01:00.000-07:00

It was a tough week in our house with the passing of a family member. We were lucky to have been invited several days this week to say goodbye and we're currently working through a two-day funeral/memorial service, so we've been in a bit of a fog. Dan's uncle was a wonderful man and I'm happy we've been able to say goodbye in a big way. Still...at 39.5 weeks it's been pretty hard on the body. I'm secretly hoping that the experience is teaching Amelia the importance of family in utero. I don't think we'll have a hard time getting this idea through to her either way...but I digress.

Unless she's born before her Monday due date, I'm hoping to get back into the craft room this weekend to make some Spring 2012-inspired necklaces to add to the bunch for spring shows before I become a full-time mom. Here are a few inspiration pieces that, oddly enough, I had found myself wearing in the ridiculous dreams that I've been having. I know. Obsessed.

also...uhm...hi, Frida.

Happy Friday.

Love
Jes

Channeling Frida

2011-10-05T11:19:00.000-07:00

I recently read Elsie Larson's tips for staying inspired and I was particularly taken with tip #2-Find a New Muse. I can't agree more that, when doing any kind of organized creativity, it is important to have a concept. At the same time, I can't seem to digress from Frida Kahlo, my life's greatest muse, as she seems to creep into all of my artistic endeavors and, of late, into most of the late-pregnancy looks that I've been struggling to put together. Especially lately. (At least for now, I refuse to live a day where I do not dress-please spare me any "wait until the baby is born" nonsense. This is currently non-negotiable.) So while I may take Elsie up on her other tips (Elsie after all is muse-worthy in and of herself), I think I'll keep Frida around for a while. I think I may even let her take over for a while. After all....

She refused to live by Coco Chanel's rule of taking off one accessory (could you die over that head piece?!:

Girl knew how to layer:

And oh, the colors. It's impossible not to think of Frida in those saturated reds and yellow, as though she lived her life in a brilliant Mexican shrine:

She never ceases to inspire me and I plan to let her for as long as she likes. Especially if it means that I'll continue wearing fringe booties with maxi skirts and lace shirts. <3 Thanks, Frida.

Love,
Jes

Teeny Tiny Things-No it's not pregnancy related

2011-10-03T06:34:00.000-07:00

I held my breath when I read about Emily Henderson's "I'm A Giant! Dollhouse Challenge" this morning here and straight from the source. I was so excited...until I realized I was holding my breath and I nearly passed out. Whoops.

I've been totally addicted to miniatures since I was a little kid and once of the highlights of my life was building my dollhouse with my mom. I even took a class to learn how to make a tiny wicker dog bed and a wicker bathroom waste basket from a certified (CERTIFIED!) dollhouse expert. I have to admit that I played with my dollhouse until I was way too old to admit I was playing with a dollhouse. Like, seriously, I think I was driving when I finally stopped...but I always decorated it for Christmas...even when I could drink legally. Whew...It feels good to admit that. Throughout this pregnancy I've toyed with the idea of making a dollhouse for Amelia, before realizing that it had nothing to do with Amelia. This challenge is making me feel tempted again, but luckily, the fact that I can barely bend over would make this project an impossibility so I'll sideline myself. For now.

Love, Jes

Happiness Files Cont.

2011-09-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

Some Things I've gathered for inspiration:

Shoes from that I started making this summer but don't plan on finishing by the 10.29 deadline. (My sister's wedding day!) Luckily I found a worthy pair to wear as plan B.
What is it about a beautiful table scape?
A great stop on the 3R highway. Reusing an old tee shirt to decorate a new tee shirt. I'm currently making one of these for my sister-in-law.

On the Other Side of the Wish

2011-03-07T09:40:00.000-08:00

So...I'm pregnant. Accidentally actually, but still, it happened and this time it took. And here is what happens in movies when people get pregnant:
-tears of happiness
-go out and buy things that are small sized
-go out and buy pants from the ever expanding midsection
-eat. and then eat again.
-have your husband drive to the Dairy Queen to pick up a sweet treat
-talk to your mom on the phone daily about your symptoms, cravings, aversions
-smile a lot and showcase that unmatched pregnancy glow

Nice.

Now, here's what's happening on my end of the wish
-Cry
-Cry some more
-Burrow into your life so that you don't need to talk about it
-Turn off your cell phone for 2 weeks...again with the avoidance
-Try to explain to your Dr. that you can't possibly be due three weeks before your sister's wedding
-Try to get your sister to stop hating your guts
-Ask Dr. for pills
-Stash small sized items procured through gift giving into a tiny cabinet where light does not enter
-throw up. in classroom, outside of classroom, around the corner for classroom...you decide.
-Lose weight.
-Turn down Greek food. Turn down all food.
-Shame, Blame, Untamed
-Remember to brush your hair after husband tells you that three weeks is long enough
-Cry. cry. cry.

I'm learning that there is a stigma to prenatal depression. I suppose it's those bitches in the movies that are doing all of the glowing and smiling. I wanted this, after all. But now, it seems like a bit too much to handle. So, in usual fashion, I've disappeared. But I promise I'll be back soon...once I figure out why I'm so damn depressed.

Ugh. I'll never wish for anything that hard again.

Paper Beauty

2011-02-11T20:48:00.000-08:00

The Move, Paper Animation from Mandy Smith on Vimeo.

More than Inspiration

2011-02-10T18:33:00.000-08:00

So it's been a rough year. I'm sure it has for a lot of people out there and I'm trying to find solace in the fact that really, if you think about it, there is way more good in the world than there is bad. We just really like to talk about the bad. A lot. So I've decided that I'm going to try not to do that anymore. Please notice that I said "try".

I've also nearly overdosed on self pity parties. I've thrown enough for myself to last a lifetime, so, yeah...only the regular kind of party from here on out...preferably the kind with a theme or a party hat.

I'd like to be like Stephanie Nielson of Nie Nie Dialogues. I started reading her blog before her plane crash and fell in love with her and her family. I kept up on her through her sister's blog and shed tears when new posts began appearing on her page, right from the source. She is such a creative and whimsical mom and I imagine her home to be like a trip to munchkin land, you know, pre wicked witch of the west-era. If you have a moment, give it a read. There are no words for the bravery, passion and optimism that saturates every sentence. Prepare to be inspired.

Love
Jes

From The Happy Vault Vol. 3

2011-02-10T18:21:00.001-08:00

I guess I was going through a deer "thing."

Have No Fear

2011-02-10T18:19:00.001-08:00

for tomorrow is dress-down-day.

Happy Friday Eve.

Love,
Jes
(Pete and James Todd-Brill, 2011)

Pop pop got an iPad...

2011-02-05T17:38:00.001-08:00

...and he is totally stoked.

Happiness Files 2

2011-02-05T17:28:00.000-08:00

Not feeling well and depressed that I'm lesson planning on a Saturday night instead of being somewhere dance-y calls for a quick trip to the happiness files. Here are a few things that make my feet tickle (that's a good thing):
Inside outside outside inside.
Flowers by Emerson Made
Free Mustache Rides! Free!

Have a Happy Weekend...hopefully somewhere dance-y.

Love,
Jes

Creepy Beautiful

2011-02-02T17:15:00.001-08:00

This is what all of those fashion beards will look like come spring (coming soon according to Phil). By chipmunk cheeks.

From the Happy Vault

2011-02-01T18:55:00.000-08:00

I started a folder on my desktop this summer that I called "happiness". While it was, at the time, merely for survival, it has become a great source of, well, happiness for me when I look back at the things I've collected. Here are a few...
Confetti from confetti system
Felt and Embroidered Flower Wreath
I swear I'm going to paint this on an unsuspecting wall.

Happy Tuesday.
Love,
Jes

I Love a Holiday!

2011-02-01T18:31:00.000-08:00

Let's forget that Valentine's Day is sorta made up and love it anyway. It could be much worse. We could have grave sweeping day, like they do in China, or Sports Day, like in Japan. Instead, we get a holiday that involves candy, flowers, lace and the color red. What could be better?

Like most holidays, I've always gotten in a bit over my head when it comes to Valentine's Day....like the year when I folded 365 origami stars for Dan and inside each one of them I had written something I loved about him. Man did my fingers hurt.

Or in second grade when Mrs. Fabry offered up a contest (you know how I feel about contests) for the best Valentine in the class and I knew right then and there that I had to win. And I did. The winning entry was a 3 dimensional Valentine's Day sculpture in the round (of sorts). I turned a big square box upside down, painted it green with contrasting dark green blades of grass and some tiny wildflowers here and there. I took popsicle sticks and built a tiny clothes line while sitting outside and staring at my neighbor's clothesline. It was a replica. I then cut out and sewed 27 tiny garments and painted a name of each of my classmates on each of the garments. But the best part was courtesy of Janet, my mom, who never fails. She went out and found tiny clothespins that were to scale. TO SCALE! AAA! And the kicker....painted on one side...in big bold red letters..."SENDING YOU A LINE FOR VALENTINE'S DAY." I think that may have been my mom's idea too. I was so proud that day. I won a green stuffed frog wearing a yellow rain coat and hat.

I made some vulgar valentine's in fashion school that I can't describe here and "Jesus loves you and so do I" cards when I was at Rutgers. It doubles for Dan since Valentine's Day is his birthday. For years I painted him a picture of something he loves like a big pop art bottle of ketchup. I've built him a Mexican love diorama, a pop up book and a cupcake tower with heart toppers adorned with his face. And let's not forget the year that I turned his shore house into France with French decorations, made french food and wore a french outfit with beret. I just love every second of it.

I'm not so sure if I could ever hate a holiday. I guess it's an opportunity for me to let my flag fly.

Happy February (Rabbit Rabbit)
Love
Jes

Saddle Up The Hobby Horse

2011-01-28T20:46:00.000-08:00

There's a certain kind of majesty in escapism. And while some experts, some books and some Dr. Oz-advised individuals may tell you to face your own reality head on, I've decided that reality is, well, never really was my life technique. And the latest hobby thrown atop the growing pile is bread baking. The smell of baking yeast is second only to the crunch of the magnificent crust. Bread baking requires a certain amount of time, patience and love..I naturally have but one of these items listed...but there are days when all three seem to appear and hours of kneading ensue. I'm serving Martha's chicken club salad with these two loaves of freshly made white bread laced with fresh PA honey from Terrain. Here's a beautiful olive roll recipe, also from Martha, that I really love. Try it...especially if you need a little bit of escapism yourself.

OLIVE ROLLS
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for parchment, bowl, and plastic wrap
1/4 ounce active dry yeast
1 cup warm water, (105 degrees to 110 degrees)
3 to 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 cup oil-cured black olives, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Directions

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Brush parchment with oil; set aside. Oil a large bowl; set aside. Sprinkle yeast over warm water in a small bowl. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir until dissolved.
Put 3 cups flour and the salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook. Add yeast mixture and oil; mix on medium speed until a soft dough forms, adding more flour if needed. Add olives and red pepper flakes; mix until fully combined, about 15 minutes.
Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead until smooth and olives are set firmly in the dough, about 15 minutes. Transfer to oiled bowl. Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface; gently flatten. Using a butter knife, cut dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each into a cylinder, and transfer to prepared baking sheet. Cover with oiled plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Bake rolls until tops are crisp and dark brown, about 15 minutes. Serve.

Jour de Neige! Snow Day!

2011-01-27T09:37:00.001-08:00

Me and Dan are both enjoying a snow day, our second so dar this season. The section of Philadelphia where I teach got nearly 17.5" of snow yesterday and last night, so it was probably a pretty good call. Of course we're sitting here doing work anyway....clicking away at our laptops, attacking the endless piles that never seem to shrink. The house also needs cleaning and Pete needs a bath after an anonymous person that wasn't Jes accidentally spilled pancake syrup on his head.

I'm trying to get all of this done early so I can work on my etsy shop. After selling a few mini embroidered pillows in the last few weeks, I'm hooked again and I'm working on inventory that I'll put up in the summer as well as a gift for Jane's mystery baby that is being born as I write this.

Snowed in. How romantic.

Love
Jes

Kitchen Reno OR How Many Times Will We Be Spotted at the Legacy Diner in February?

2011-01-25T17:39:00.000-08:00

We ordered our kitchen cabinets this weekend and in three short weeks, we'll begin the renovation. My mother reminds me that most people never get to tear out and rebuild their kitchen so I need to really let myself be Bobby Trendy luxurious about it. I guess. These are our cabinets, although two of our kitchens could probably fit into this one with elbow room.

The paint color is a bit more grey than it appears here. It's called hazel. It reminded me first of the focal wall at the Pop Shop and then really of my own dining room. What can I say....I know what I like.

My favorite part is the backsplash, which is this style, but a bit lighter than shown here. I had to put up my dukes for this one...it was so worth it.

Care to join us next month at the Legacy?

Love,
Jes

In Sheeps' Clothing

2011-01-25T17:21:00.001-08:00

This photo reminded me of Pete. Pete also likes to spend a lot of time in our kitchen...his preference is no more than 3 inches from our feet. <3

Terrarium Saturday

2011-01-17T15:09:00.000-08:00

I can't lie...I'm totally obsessed with the terrarium I made at Terrain on Saturday. It's delicious.

Reduce Reuse Refabulous...

2011-01-14T11:51:00.000-08:00

We've started our recycled fashions project in fashion design class and for the second year in a row, I am left speechless by the quality of and creativity behind the things that my students are creating in our class. the necklace above is a project that we made in class using recycled magazines rolled into beads. The photo and tutorial are not from my class, but from the amazing cut out and keep blog. I'm actually working on a multi-media version of this necklace for myself. You know embroidery is involved.

Remember Dr. King: Have a peaceful weekend, do something harmonious and be thankful that we're all so different (it makes life so very interesting).

Love
Jes

The Art of Display

2011-01-12T17:24:00.000-08:00

I was inspired by this photo of a simple vignette today featuring my favorite flower, the peony. I love creating new vignettes in my house, especially since things look so sad around here now that the tree and all of our homemade decorations are packed away for another year. I made a trip to Terrain and bought a few things including some Irish moss, Angel's Tears, fresh basil and thyme, a shitake mushroom log and walnut garland to fill in the spaces.

I'll be headed back to Terrain this weekend for their terrarium workshop from 2-4. You should totally come!

Love,
Jes
P.S. Dan and Colin are measuring our kitchen at this very moment in preparation for the kitchen of our DREAMS! ah!

Three Claps

2011-01-12T08:21:00.001-08:00

Pulling yourself out of a slump requires a certain brand of fun with a particular combination of people.

Love,
Jes

Day 2: Casserole and Nostalgia

2011-01-11T16:41:00.000-08:00

I wish I could say something here like "No time to blog, working on the peanut pillow!" but alas, the peanut pillow is across the room glaring at me, bourbon in hand, for all of the broken promises (did you just hear it say "we never spend time together anymore" with a bourbon-stained slur!?) I'll get to it...just after I finish these lesson plans.

I was thinking outside of my work addiction today when I saw this dollhouse post on zakka life during my lunch. (Note: This is the mother I had always intended on being one day and coincidentally, the very dollhouse I had always wanted to build.) It reminded me of the conversation that I'd had with a few of my friends at the SFA show on Friday who were going with the band to D.C. and stopping for a quick trip to the Smithsonian where they'd planned on visiting Kermit and Julia Child's kitchen. I insisted that they had to stop at my life's greatest inspiration---the Smithsonian dollhouse. I spent what felt like 3 hours in front of this dollhouse when I was a kid, absorbing eah inch of perfectly calculated scale.

I built my first dollhouse with my mom when I was 12, the year after my dad died. Looking back, we did a lot of things like that in 1994 and I realize now that my mom sortof always did what I do. The delicate art of escapism. Still, the dollhouse became a huge part of my childhood and I have to say, I played with that thing way longer than I care to admit. I took dollhouse furniture-making classes, sewed my own miniature curtains, hooked my own tiny bath mat and set elaborate tables with miniscule forks, tea cups and gravy boats. And Christmas...oh, Christmas...it involved hours of planning, crafting and decorating before I'd invite my family to a miniature tour of my miniature world. The perfect one with a really tall dad and three kids with rudimentary haircuts, not unlike my current dollhouse, slightly bigger, one lady, two dogs and one Dan with a rudimentary haircut.

We're high fiving the snow fall and hoping for a day off where we'll do anything but work. Well, maybe a little work (you don't expect me to do this cold turkey!). How romantic.

Love
Jes

Here's my Damn New Years' Resolution

2011-01-10T19:29:00.000-08:00

I had a conversation with the almighty Nicole a few weeks ago...it went something like "don't be absorbed by your job and blah blah blah." As per usual, the almighty called my bluff. I am utterly OBSESSED with my job. Lucky for me, it's because I love it. I can't really explain what it's like because I didn't really notice it until recently. I can only compare it to saving the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm getting close to doing just that at my job. Dramatic, sure, but it's in these times where I'm feeling the most lost that I dive in further and I disappear for a while. Maybe it's the thought that being childless isn't really being childless with 125 kids of my own to take care of every day.

This obsession has come with its fair share of victims, namely most of my friends, my husband, my dogs and, as if they were people, my many hobbies. I am not exaggerating when I say that there were literally 10,000 new blog posts in my bloglines and the famous giant embroidered peanut pillow remains half complete just as it was on the beach in August. For Christmas, I was given three beautiful embroidery/craft books that are sitting in my bathroom. I flip through them every day with the best of intensions knowing full well that some scandinavian crewel seat cushions aren't going to happen, not even close, until the peanut pillow is complete.

So, in the spirit of being balanced, I've joined a really crazy (like, scary crazy) kickboxing class and the peanut pillow is out, ready for its first stitches since Labor Day. I've cut out the appliques that I intend on stitching onto a shirt that I bought in July, I purchased the fusible interfacing and I've picked out the thread. I made a date with Katelyn for our monthly painting club where I'll (finally) finish my mixed media painting (of course it involves embroidery) without cancelling...except maybe if there's snow...uhm...tomorrow. I'm going to have a life. That's what I'm doing this year. Finally.

I'll call you Thursday, Nicole. :)

Tell Me a Story, Idgie.

2010-09-28T19:12:00.000-07:00

If I weren't totally overwhelmed, utterly sick and undeniably in over my head (again), I would tell you about the fried green tomatoes I made tonight. I'd tell you about how the tomatoes had been hiding, perfect and green and smelling like the sun, in the back of the garden behind the eight (yes 8!) foot tomato plant. I would probably also post a photo of how perfect and round they were and then describe how I should probably write to Martha about them so she can put them either on tv or in glossy print. '

Here's hoping life comes back soon.

Jes

FINGER PANTS!

2010-09-21T05:52:00.000-07:00

I've been filling in for Captain Busy this week on the Busy Boat, so I haven't had time to update. I thought I'd stop by in a solitary moment of down time to let you know about a first period trend that will hopefully make your day just as it usually makes mine.

My first period class is made up of pretty much the worlds greatest humans. One of these humans is a freshman with an imagination and a flair for drama. He decided that he would do everything he could to design and construct a pair of pants...for his fingers. And he did it. He made them out of paper and whenever anyone starts to lose their cool, he brings out the finger pants and diffuses the situation. Man, I love those finger pants.

Here's hoping your day is full of happiness and well dressed fingers,
Jes

Stay Fierce

2010-09-15T18:43:00.000-07:00

Despite the precautions I've taken...the double shot neti pot sessions, the endless amounts of sleep I've been forcing my body to perform and the various witchy pills that I've taken that claim that I'll jump higher, run faster, lose weight, gain sleep, lose bags under my eyes, roll around in a wheely chair with great enthusiasm all the while fighting things as ferocious as H1N1 (I know, no longer a stylish virus, so very passe), I'm overcome with something that is rendering me a bit helpless. So, while I drag my body around behind me for the next few days, I'll continue to weigh the purchase of a very stylish neti pot in some kind of school district-created decision making framework. That's just how we do things, us robots. (And really, just because we shove it up our nose doesn't mean it shouldn't be stylish.) Am I right?

Are you in the market for a calico neti pot too?

To Mystery Viruses and the Children that Harbor Them,
Jes

The Sun Has Gone To Bed and So Must I....Goodbyyyyyyye

2010-09-13T18:17:00.000-07:00

I'm wondering how my body is going to handle 190 days of teaching when I'm already feeling like I'm going to die of exhaustion. Like I even need a cute sleep mask like this one from Origami Revolt.

Sweet Dreams,
Jes

Fashion Week GWHS Style

2010-09-12T18:26:00.000-07:00

I'm putting the Fall 2011 shows up with the projector tomorrow in fashion class. I like to try and make the room feel like fashion week and I hand out little note pads so the kids feel like they're front row celebrities. I loved Jason Wu's collections almost as much as I loved the fact that he was inspired by brazilian artist Beatriz Milhazes. Seriously, who wouldn't be. I love her work with all of its color and life. You just want to live in it! Wu wu!

Local Legends

2010-09-11T09:41:00.000-07:00

(Forgive me for the terrible photography) My family has a running joke about me and olives. Dan told them once that the reason he goes grocery shopping instead of me is because I'll spend $30 on olives. (To this day, I get a card from my grandmother on my birthday with some cash and a note that says" buy yourself some olives".) I'm not sure where he got his data, for I have never spent $30 on olives before, but he is right that they will always make their way into my grocery cart in all of their salty deliciousness. I'm afraid grocery store olive fare is small potatoes, however, when compared to that of Millville, NJ's reigning pickle kings. I picked up my $7 jar (yes, it was Zumba class or olives and I chose olives) of Duker T's cheese stuffed olives at the Collingswood Farmers Market this morning and I felt no guilt. After all, they're only available 6 months out of the year, so it is only wise to get 'em while they're hot. They're sortof what dreams are made of. I also picked up some of their famous pickled tomatoes just because I deserve it.
Don't worry, Danimal. I also got some produce, which included this one very alien sweet potato that, for all I know is trying to phone home, and a head of romaine the size of Pete (tragically, not pictured).

Man, I love this town,
Jes

Use The Good China

2010-09-11T07:18:00.000-07:00

I got into an argument about the world with a friend recently. We were on one of our pilgrimages to Yama for sushi (best sushi in the state) and he was talking about how the world is filled with such misery. This terrible world. I had to jump in. We were all driving together and listening to music. There were trees all around and it was one of those summer nights that just tastes good. "I'm afraid you're wrong," I said. Call me naive if you want, but it's my belief that there are far more wonderful things in the world than there are bad things and I believe I've had the world experiences to know the difference. It's when we let the bad creep in that we get into trouble. It's easy to dwell on that kind of thing.

I remember a lot about 9/11. Mostly I remember my mom picking me up from the train, the first one out of New York, and as we drove home we looked at the cars in the lot and silently wondered how many of them belonged to people that would never return. I had never felt that feeling before and haven't felt it since. Such unbelievable sadness and confusion. How could this happen in our beautiful country?

But of course, when we least expect it, there is a silver lining. I don't know about you, but for me, 9/11 made me realize how much I need my family, how much my mother and my sister mean to me and how important it is to live like you really mean it. We almost lost my grandmother just days after, she died on the table and came back to life and is still marching today like she did in her majorette days. And when I went back to New York two weeks later, it was just as people will describe. Small town NYC. Where people smiled at one another, held the door for you and held hands when they gathered regularly to remember. Sounds sappy, but it's true. Bad stuff brings you together like nothing else can and, for me, helps me to sortof understand what The Big Cheese is doing up there when s/he allows such terrible things to happen. While I don't think anyone should have to die the same way those who died on 9/11 did, I still hold true to my beliefs. Terrible things kick us out of that place where we take things for granted. The bad sweetens the good.

Use The Good China,
Jes

Ice Scream

2010-09-10T21:55:00.000-07:00

We finally made coffee can ice cream after months of talking about it. Following this recipe, we spent about 15 minutes rolling the can around the floor. Whimsical. (The video wouldn't upload properly...so sad).

Love,
Jes

Make Cookies Not War

2010-09-09T21:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Terry Jones,

In lieu of burning religious books and being, well, creepy, might I suggest a better way to commemorate 9/11. Do what I did and bake some black and whites. I trust you understand the sentiment. I'll even give you the recipe. Burning the Q'uran? Lame. Handing out cookies? Fabulous and way more green. See? You're hipper already.

Peace and Love,
Jes

Kangaroos and Girl Scouts...always prepared

2010-09-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

I wish someone had calculated the amount of time I spent traveling from drawing tables to my desk and back again last year. I had great calves by the time June rolled around. Even so, I felt it important to improve efficiency and the only way I know how to do anything is through fashion. I took apart my sister's old waitress apron to make a pattern.
Cleared some space off of ye olde craft table.
And used some Amy Butler (swoon) fabric to create a little kangaroo pouch. One pouch for scissors, one for pencils and one for hall passes. It makes me really "get" fanny packs. Sorta.

Love
Jes

The Tomato Stands Alone

2010-09-09T20:46:00.000-07:00

As if I needed another reminder that summer is over...our very last tomato "reddening" on the window sill all alone. Melancholic almost.

Love,
Jes

Feets of Strength

2010-09-09T06:32:00.000-07:00

I failed to let myself recall what my profession does to your feet. After two days on the job, I'm already feeling it and I'm currently scouring the internet for a pair of (barf) sensible shoes. Even in pain, I can't help but harken back to the pair that I wanted so badly this summer. In fact, I'm still pondering the looks I could curate with a pair of these Bonnie platforms from 80%20. I think it's love.

Lots of Shoes,
Jes

Sittin' In A Tree

2010-09-08T18:51:00.000-07:00

It's the best feeling.

Love,
Jes
Print by Shana Murray

Steam Punk...hubba hubba

2010-09-08T17:46:00.000-07:00

I just died over this watch from revolt70. (Please tell Santa). This falls in line with several steampunk moments that I've been having lately. Nerd. Alert.

Love,
Jes

Dear Old Golden Rule Days

2010-09-07T19:19:00.000-07:00

My apple sweater is back in action after a summer off. I can barely keep my eyes open, but thought it necessary to take a moment to jot down a bit because today was full of so many unexpected moments.

First, the expected:
My alarm went off at 5am and I don't think I ever actually fell asleep, I experienced waves of nervousness that shot through my fingers throughout the morning, None of the computers worked and it was pure bedlam. I smiled through it, Not every student thought that I was as hilarious as I think I am. Lucky I was there to laugh at my jokes.

And the unexpected:
While we realize that we are not alone as teachers and think that we will have EACHOTHER to lean on throughout the day/week/month/year, we forget that sometimes the best support is made up of students who truly care about us. Old students came to visit throughout the day, some more than once, just to say hi. One burst into class and told everyone not to mess with me. My heart swelled. My whole being smiled.

Sometimes when we feel as if we're drowning, we reach up to find unexpected hands pulling us up. That's really something.

To the Unexpected, With Love,
Jes

Our Biggest DIY to date

2010-09-06T11:48:00.001-07:00

We're getting ready to demo our kitchen and rebuild the kitchen of our dreams using the above as our inspiration. We're looking for ivory cabinetry, silver hammered tin backsplashes, turquoise walls and red accents (all of our pots, pans, and small appliances are fire engine red).
I'm thinking I'll finally get a chance to buy the famed Cole & Son "Woods" wallpaper that I've had my eye on for four years as an accent wall, while the rest of the walls will be a turquoise color. Photos to follow. This is all in the spirit of tearing down the bad stuff and rebuilding. Our theme of the year. Happy Labor Day!

Love,
Jes

The last hurray. Yeah, I said hurray.

2010-09-06T07:36:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to lie. I'm sad that summer is ending, especially since this particular summer was nothing short of magical. I got really tan and lost 10 lbs! I saw parts of Maine that regular people don't get to see. I slept in. A lot. I made homemade ice cream in coffee cans (video will follow). I'm softening the blow today by making sun and strawflower bouquets from the flowers I grew from seed. I've been making these for friends and family in little juice glasses as they grow in, but I can't seem to keep pace with my two over zealous flower bushes.
These are miniature and starburst sunflowers. I would recommend growing these to lazy gardeners. I really just threw some seeds around and ignored them for most of the summer (watering twice to three times/week).
These straw flowers grew in the most beautiful colors. I have to admit, I thought they were weeds for most of the summer until they started to bud the second week of August. I'm saving the seeds from these and growing them EVERYWHERE next year. They're amazing.
You need to go and buy this issue. It's the kind of amazing that makes your hands shake and it'll get you so ready for the best day of the year. Plus, how awesome and beautiful is Martha on this cover. I mean, really.

Swoon Fest 2010

2010-09-03T13:27:00.000-07:00

I think I need a pill whenever I see a new beautiful hair fascinator like the one from ban.do above. I can't even get a hold of myself. This model's hair is just perfect too. I really want to be her and have beautiful red hair too! (Until I harken back to the red hair incident of 1998 wherein a box of red hair dye truly got the best of me.)
I love the idea of wearing a huge one on my lapel and I'm totally obsessing over emerson made lately and wishing I could afford one. Maybe someday.
And of course, there's the mighty Vinny and Vernelle, made by the beautiful Jessie out of antique millinery flowers. She made all of the hair doodles for me and my bridesmaids! Love her.
Last but not least are the fabric corsages that my high school fashion students made this spring. They were obsessed with this project and I saw them wearing them all over school. Some students that I didn't even know came to see me for private lessons on the art of fabric flowers. Loved it!

Love you too!
Hearts and Unicorns,
Jes

Hot Off the Hoop: Engagement Gift, Peanut Gallery

2010-09-02T17:31:00.000-07:00

I just finished this embroidery project for my friend Lou and her fiance Dan. It's the story of the proposal that is soon to be a little pillow. This took forever, but I loved every second of it. All 7200 beautiful seconds.

Once I finish this peanut embroidery project I have some vintage hankies to do for some friends. After that, I plan on taking on a HUGE embroidery project inspired by the work of Joetta Maue. Thanks to everyone's favorite librarian for reminding me of this wonderful artist.

I swooned so hard I hurt my back.

You're Tops,
Jes

Avant Garden

2010-09-02T16:31:00.000-07:00

Dan built a little raised bed garden for me this summer. It was beautiful and rustic just the way I like it. (By the by, has anyone noticed people using the word rustic a lot lately?) Anywho, there's nothing like some home grown vegetables---they taste like summer in the same way a gin and tonic tastes like christmas.
Beans, beans the musical fruit!
I had a boyfriend once that hated the fact that I ate peppers like apples. He's gone now, but I'm still wishing they would make a pepper perfume I love them so much.
A little heirloom tomato. Just for you.

Wish you were here, With Love,
Jes

Happy Teen Pregnancy Month

2009-08-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

Yep...it's teen preggers month. I know. Seemed weird to me too, but I'm new to this teacher stuff, so I'm not asking questions.

I just cut into our 2nd home grown tomato of the season and I have to tell you...homemade tomatoes make you feel like dancing. Instead, I'm going to take a stroll around the block with Jim Brill (state legislator) before it's back to the wedding planning and nagging of Philadelphia Human Resources Departments that shall remain nameless.

Today was the first day of induction for the Philadelphia Department of Ed. It was a little strange because we were being taught by Powerpoint instead of being taught by Mary. There were no colorful posters to create nor Objectives to read aloud...and nary a post break peppermint to get the electricity going in our brains. I suppose it's a good thing to experience different kinds of teaching before actually jumping in head first because you realize what to do and what not to do. Today I learned not to create powerpoint lessons. Also, I learned not to take things like cell phones from students, but to take shoes from them...or...give them a pencil for a shoe or a quarter...or something. Seriously...I'm not really sure. Maybe I just miss Mary.

In other news, Mr. Tony Danza was at induction, also learning to be a teacher in the Philadelphia school district. He's filming a reality show for A&E wherein he teaches English to high risk youth and he looked at a bunch of schools before settling on one in the Northeast...he even looked at G-Dub (Go Eagles). While he still has a lot of cred points to earn in my heart (and Katelyn agreed), he def earned a check plus today for being there and learning the biz. Nice work, Mr. D.

To Being The Boss,
Jes

Soft Fruit

2009-07-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

So far this week has been bitter sweet. While the summer school kids are in class until Friday, yesterday was our last day. We didn't tell them we were leaving until the end of the day after we threw them a pizza party. I have to admit, their reactions surprised me.

It was never my goal to be friends with my students and I went in with the idea that I wouldn't strive to be the most well-liked. Because of this, I imagined that the kids would be happy to see me go...I was harsh at times and I think I really challenged them. But they weren't happy to see me go. They said that they'd miss us and they seemed a little sad when we told them that we wouldn't be in class today. And I was sad too....I probably won't see any of them ever again and they all left such a mark. I'll never forget the first 5 kids I taught...not ever. But the sad is matched with happy. I realized that I made the right decision to join PTF. I've never felt such a mixture of emotions before nor have I ever felt this rewarded.

Funny how things work out.

Love
Jes

Math Blaster Mystery

2009-07-21T14:07:00.000-07:00

Today was my first day teaching Math. I taught Order of Operations, (PEMDAS or Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally). Students were bad today and it was a huge challenge, but then they surprised me...they all got 100% on their quizzes. 100% at 100%. I think that's sticker worthy. I was a happy math teacher today. Despite the attitudes.

Love
Jes

Hello on the Fly

2009-07-16T19:12:00.000-07:00

Hello There!

I'm flying by to say hello and let you know that I'm doing great and could not enjoy my PTF experience any more than I am. I've also never been busier and I'm having quite the time with...time management. I'm thinking that Nicole was right in her efforts to introduce me to the word of pocket planners. l...I'm managing and may even go to the beach on Saturday...we'll see.

Here are some highlights from the week:
1. One of my students has created a habit of waving to me from different parts of the classroom.
2. Another student used something I taught her...CONTEXT CLUES. My heart sortof fluttered.
3. James caught 3, 3!!!!, treats when I threw them to him. This is a trick that we have been really practicing and our practice is starting to make perfect (especially when it comes to popcorn...his favorite medium).
4. Tomatoes...tons of the them...are growing in my backyard. It's amazing when things grow before your eyes. Especially when you can eat said things.
5. Mom found a dress to wear to the wedding, well, two dresses but we narrowed it down to one. She bought both. They're both incredible and she looks great in them. She's wearing the blue one to Jenn's wedding.

Happy Thunderstorm Thursday.

Love
Jes

Hello From Sunny Philadelphia

2009-07-13T17:47:00.000-07:00

Just saying hi and letting you know that, yes, I'm totally overwhelmed, but also really happy about what I'm doing. I get observed again tomorrow, again on my 7th grade reading lesson, so, needless to say, I've gotta go and get some stuff done. Wish me luck.

In the meantime, here's a pic of the other SPED Science Fellows, also known as "The Greatest People You Will Ever Meet". Just imagine all of the smartest, warmest, funniest people you know in one classroom. You should probably invite them to be on your Quizzo team.

Love,
Jes

you can do it, put your brain into it

2009-07-09T14:22:00.001-07:00

It was definitely one of those days. The kind with a soundtrack in the background where you picture yourself walking around smiling and your hair and outfit look perfect.

Today, my cooperating teacher, a teacher that I respect and admire very much, told me that I was born to teach. I know, right. I sortof felt like moonwalking and crying and retreating all at the same time.

Love
Jes

terminal

2009-07-07T14:56:00.001-07:00

Today I learned that I have a lot more learning to do. I gave my first mini lesson to a class of 4 and wasn't thrilled with it. At all. Embarrassed even. No bueno. Luckily, I'll have a few more chances to practice.

In other news, I have an incurable case of "not enough time in the day" and I fear it may be my downfall.

I recommend not changing everything about your life in the course of 3 months.

Bummer.

Jes

terminal eye headache

2009-07-06T18:03:00.000-07:00

Day 1 went pretty well aside from a snag with the system that may find me teaching at Bartram High instead of GW. Which would be a bummer, but we'll see.

Today I learned that kids don't show up to summer school. Awesome.

Hopefully more will show up tomorrow, but if not, three will do. Baby steps.

Love
Jes

'Rithmetic

2009-07-05T19:52:00.000-07:00

I'm assigned to help teach summer school tomorrow as a part of the philly teaching fellows program. I'm teaching in Kensington. woah. And wondering if they ride bikes at lunch in Kensington like they do at Urban Outfitters Inc.

Hm...prolly not.

What a great weekend on the beach in a maxi dress.

Hope yours was too.

Pete says hi. Love,
Jes

Oh, hey

2009-07-02T16:19:00.001-07:00

The first week of "being an emergency teacher 101" flew by thanks to my Fellows Advisor Mary DeSalvo and a room full of the smartest people you will ever meet. Don't you just love being in a room filled with smarties? It reminded me of Mr. Gair's IMPACT classes in elementary school minus Mr. Gair, who always kindof fascinated and terrified me simultaneously.

It's hard to illustrate how much I admire my FA and I know I'm not alone. At the begining of the week, I wanted to be as amazing of a teacher as Mary is and by the end, I just really wanted to be her. Like...actually BE her. Parisa felt the same way and did a little dance to symbolize her jumping into Mary's body. It commenced with a shoulder roll that made me laugh at inopportune times throughout the day. Like when I was in class, when I was driving home and when I was making Oreo truffles in the kitchen all alone.

My favorite part of the week was actually when we sat and wrote our first lesson plans. I loved every breathtakingly creative second of it, but pretended I didn't because the people around me were really scared by it...or maybe they were pretending too. Lesson Plan, I have learned, is the veritable cuss word in the biz. The biz of molding minds, that is. And I'm in Rome...you know the rest.

The week ended, or shall I say is ending, with me eating creamed spinach out of a box (woah, South Beach) with Oreo under my fingernails...if you have tried my sister's recipe for Oreo truffles, you know how much it's worth it...and working on shoes so that I can do wedding stuff and head down the shore. To work on my freckles.

Oh...about the wedding. Of course I decided to design my own invitations (I know), and I'm getting custom hair fascinators for all of my maids made by a girl named Jessica who lives in Olympia. Just wait until you see these things. I'll abandon South Beach next week for the great tasting of 2009 and to celebrate myself after a week of summer school.

Wear Sunscreen and Be As Independent As Possible,
Jes

Golden Rule Days

2009-06-30T20:14:00.000-07:00

Today was my very first day of Institute for the Philadelphia Teaching Fellows and I have to tell you, I loved every second of it from the ice breakers to the color coded note cards. Yeah...I said I liked the ice breakers. What gives. I didn't sleep at all last night and I couldn't eat this morning because of the nerves, but I did ok. The school where we're training is what you see when you think of schools in old books. It's got interesting windows and shiny wooden floors with knicks and dings that are certain to have a story or two. It even smells like school...glue, books and working minds. And there are seats with baskets under them. Very authentic.

I talked to a kid in my program about teachers and what I thought of them before realizing that I was generalizing. I should stop doing that. Still...I decided a long time ago that teachers were the most organized people in the world and they are always on time. Pretty much the opposite of me. That's something I'm going to have to work on. School starts at 7:30am. Ouch.

I think this is going to be good and I know this because of one very distinct clue. I have already picked out all of my outfits for the rest of the week. History tells me that this means I've made the leap...head first...without a swim cap. Yeah. No swim cap.

I teach summer school next week with a "real teacher" in the classroom. Stay tuned.

Love,
Jes
P.S. Did you hear that Tiger Woods is coming to Philadelphia? He finally realized that I'm the girl of his dreams (at last).

99% perspiration

2009-06-26T14:07:00.000-07:00

The word reinvention makes me think of Madonna, which subsequently makes me mad. I hate Madonna. But I guess, on some level, we have things in common.

I'm a teacher. As of yesterday. That's funny. Yesterday I took a position at George Washington High School in Philadelphia through the Philadelphia Teaching Fellows. I'm teaching special ed/science...Biology and Life Sciences. Can you believe that? And you're right to think that I'm out of my mind terrified and out of my mind with ideas. Reinvention---as far away from fashion as I could possibly be and all because of a little essay I wrote for the Philadelphia Teaching Fellows on the very day that it was due.

Reinvention is a funny thing. I consider myself it's unlikely wunderkind. I've done it so many times that I'm now allowed to skydive without an instructor...without a parachute even. My resume says that I've been a project manager, a writer, a designer, an entrepreneur, a publicist, a web merchandiser....and now it'll say I'm a teacher. And while I know you're thinking it but not saying it, yes, I do agree that my occupational wanderlust is bordering on ridiculousness. I refuse to apologize. While I was all of those things on paper, I wasn't really ever any of them. I was always just jes. And I'm happy for that.