First entry of the year..and a GIVEAWAY!
I've been so negligent with updates and therefore I have to stretch way back into 2007 and recap our night in the city for my sister Missy's birthday. We have fun pics and I couldn't stand to let them rot! Our tradition as Heid kids is for all of us to get together and make a whole day of each other's birthdays. This year for Missy we did NYC at Christmastime. We started out at the famous Vincent's restaurant in Little Italy. You may know Vincent's from their sauce on your super market shelves. It's one of the oldest restaurants in Little Italy and it's probably no different than it was 40 years ago. Black and white tile floors, older Italian waiters, autographed photos on the walls, pasta with sauce on basic white dinner plates, bread and oil. We got STUFFED. After that we did Rockefeller Center. The tree was gigantic and noticeably different looking because of the new LED, energy saving lights. None of us skated because there was very little time left but we did all pose like break dancers. You can tell it was COLD by how bundled up we are in the pics. We looked at the amazing department store window displays...of which I have no photos...And then we went to Yaffa Cafe for dessert. It's this open all night place on St. Marks that we've been going to for a decade. Wild decor, leopard print, garish floral patterns, kitschy bric-a-brac, beads, candles, exaggerated victorian style. Way back when we used to decorate similarly but without the irony. We actually tried to pull it off right...and I think we did...now all that stuff is in the closet. Anyway, just so you know who's in the pics: that's Missy with the blue streaked hair, her boyfriend Charley with the mop top hairstyle, my little bro Walt in the leather (his current purpose in life is to attain the perfect wardrobe), and the other handsome devil is my other little bro Jay. We had a blast and we kept Walt out way too late on a school night. Ok, recap over, must press on!
I'd mentioned previously that I was in a Vintage Stocking Swap and here's my contribution. My partner Mary Ann had the patience of a saint. I was super late but she was so gracious all the way. See, I do not sew. So my handmade stocking had to made from a material I deal with very often...paper. Lot's of glue, mod podge, a vintage photo, sheet music, patterned papers, glitter, and frilly goodness. And it's equipped with a small pocket. The previous pic is the assortment of extra holiday cheer I sent her way. The Charlotte ornie fit perfectly in the stocking pocket, so she had to be included. The glass glittered WISH is so lovely. I got myself one too.
I guess our new wall color inspired this year's gift wrap. We generally tied in more aqua and turquoise in all areas of our life. And gift wrap ain't gift wrap without custom tags. This year I got 'em from my two favorite tag making gals: Amy Elise Designs and One Ripe Peach. I love them both! I will not do Christmas without getting tags from these fab fabricators.
Pop over and visit these lovely ladies...they are already in Valentine's mode! Be sure to tell them that Jenny sentcha!
Ok, this is our tree with the new walls. I mean, it's the same tree with almost the same ornaments, but to me it looks waaaayyy different. This year's new additions: the Charlotte ornie, some glittery gold stars, that fab piano ornie I showed a few posts back, glittery lolli pops from Pink Rose Pastries ,Cari Kraft goodness, Betsy ornaments from Sadie Lou ,beaded satin balls from Snowflakes on eyelashes and probably more stuff than I even realize. Aar says it looks fuller than last year but I'm not too sure. Overall, we love the new wall color and do not foresee a change anytime soon.
And some other Christmas decor around the apartment. The mantel shot this year is so much more blue.
And this JOY banner I fashioned from old and new papers and bits.
We needed to change some things in the apartment and our parents helped with some generous gift giving. Aar's parents got us the faux wood blinds we'd been coveting, as well as a new curtain rod and some balloon shades (the apartment now glows in the daytime!) And my parents got us some new slip covers for the couch and chair (they so desperately needed a makeover!)
And that leads me to the parade of fabulous gifts: That big gigantic Betsey Johnson Bag is from Missy. The amazing Betsey Johnson necklaces are from Aaron. And those turquoise Cody Foster Mercury Glass candlesticks as well as that fab cake platter are also from Aar...He snuck off to this beyond amazing little shop in our very own Red Bank called Bodega Shoppe and picked those up! Bodega is too perfect to sum up here in a blurb. I promise to give this shop it's very own post with lots of photos. Me and Aar never get out during business hours, so we often window shop very late at night. When I first spied Bodega I thought that someone secretly took the contents of my brain and built a store. The owner is a dazzler of a guy named Michael Buess and I just can't wait 'til all the magazines splash him and his shop all over their pages. Ok, back to the gifts...You see that big jar with the most perfectly colored lid? well, that's from Martha's line at Macys...I also got her recipe card holder in that same perfect color. Hmmmm. what else?...a Kitchen Aid blender from Missy (but you don't need to see a pic of that) and a whole workout wear set-up, sneakers and all...I think someone is sending me very unsubtle hints!
New Years Eve was a blast. We did the Weird New Jersey trip which took us to an abandoned insane asylum (ewwwwww) and way down into some reeeeally scary dirt roads in the south Jersey pine barrens. Nothing real scary happened because the most scary part of the legendary road was inaccessible due to the combination of deep mud and the tiny non-four wheel drive Nissan we were in. But a creepy/fun night nonetheless. I think next Year we'll set out earlier and do Weird New York.
So, the Valentines issue of Romantic Homes magazine is out, with our stuff in it, but we do not yet own a copy! I buy most decor mags from the newsstand because I found that when I subscribed I'd end up with very ragged and torn magazines in my mailbox. Aar's New Yorker's seem to show up unscathed but all my decor mags were beat to heck so I stopped subscribing. But now all you subscribers out there are getting to see the spread that I so desperately need to see and I'm stuck calling Barnes and Nobel every day asking if the new RH arrived yet. Anyway, can't wait to see. And while I'm on the topic...I promised a give-away! And so in celebration of their magazine debut...I'm giving away a set of four of our Valentines Cupcake Nutcups! Just leave a comment on this post and I'll pick a winner at random this Sunday. And for those of you who want these and aren't gamblers, or feel generally unlucky, you can get them over on Etsy and eBay !
Ok, that's it for now. Glad to be back and hope to post doubly in 2008! Good luck with the give-away...and thanks for visiting! xoxo, Jenny
Love you!
Ooh Ohh ohh.....before I go...Would you get a load of this AMAZING garland that I received from the over the top, ridiculously cool Kimberlee Edgar??? Vintage cigar labels, mercury glass beads, and seam binding in the most perfect shade of red?? Is she genius or what?? LOOOVE it!
Your apartment is so cute. Thanks for sharing the pictures.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Kat
My kitchen is the same color! I love it so much - so bright and cheery even on a cloudy day. Your apartment looks so magical. Looks like you had a lot of fun in NYC!
ReplyDeleteKarla
Hi Jenny, I've been a reader a long time, but am going to start commenting in 2008. Love your blog and your friendly and familiar style of writing. Can't wait to see what the new year holds!
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny, it is so nice to catch up with you! Beth loved her Raven art that I gave her for xmas. I love your tree this year and all your pictures! xo, suzy
ReplyDeleteskybluepink !!!
ReplyDeleteone of my favorite color combos !!!
and then with the black & pokey dotz thrown in !!!
well... your photos give me a great big smile from just lurking !!!
thanks, jenny and aaron
Count me in!
ReplyDeleteMaija leporeaz1@cox.net
Wow! What a fun photo filled post! You guys know how to celebrate (and work hard!). I'm intrigued by the tray Aaron gave you...was that his own creation? Was it a secret from you? I love it! Also, I've had my RH mag for a week now, I guess I'm lucky my mags do come in the mail, I think Andy-my-mailman is not interested in the same things I am! Like Holidays, Romance and Art!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
*Heidi*
Hi Jenny!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading your blog for a little while and I love it! Off course now that you're having a give away it is THE moment to give a comment LOL!! It took me about half a day to register and I still don't know whether you can discover my email now (yesssss I'm blonde!) so I'll give you my blog:
http://lilimsadventures.blogspot.com.
Have a terrific 2008, keep those posts with about 100 photo's coming!
xoxo LiLi M.
Happy New Year! NY - looked like BIG FUN! Please put my name in the hat for your lovely cupcake nutcups! Congrats on being in the magazine. Now I've got to go get a copy. - Amy Bauer -- amy@usdemolition.com
ReplyDeleteCount me in please. Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteLesha
LilacButterfly [at] earthlink.net
http://www.fashionfling.com
oh my goodness, jenny, so many things to swoon over.. first all your desccriptions.. second, your incredibly fabulous looking siblings and of course, Aaron, then.. YOUR TREE, oh i am fainting here...and it just gets me all so excited to come up there and see everything in person...
ReplyDeleteomg those nut cups are way too cute!
ReplyDeletepick me pick me!!
jayamaree@gmail.com
Oooh -- I am going to have to go look for a copy of Romantic Homes! That's becoming my new favorite magazine -- it seems to always feature some of my favorite bloggers!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be entered in your contest!
Barbara H. @ Stray Thoughts
http://barbarah.wordpress.com/
barbarah06 AT gmail DOT com
HI Jenny
ReplyDeleteGreat Pictures and LOVE the tree skirt!! Thanks for including me in your blog. Your tree is amazing, everything just goes together so well. My 12 year old daughter immediately spotted the AC/DC ornament...."too cool", she said.
Mary
http://journals.aol.com/mary866/snowflakes-on-eyelashes
HEY Jenny!
ReplyDeleteAh, what a fabulous Christmas you must have had! Beautiful EVERYTHING!!
Please enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Hugs to y'all!
Analise
leesiebella.typepad.com
Oh please, oh please, pick me, pick me!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your work and would love anything from you.
Happy New Year Jenny!!!! You guys look so darn cute in those photos!!! Hope this year is filled with happiness! xo
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos and glitz! How do you get such bright lighting?
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in giveaway. Thanks. Blessings for the New Year!
Pamela at
http://HomesteadMercantile.blogspot.com
Hi sweet Jenny... I'd love a batch of your cupcake cuppies! Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeletewww.hollydoodledesigns.com
Hello to you,
ReplyDeleteJust a quick note to wish you and yours a joyful new year. Many thanks for sharing your creative lives.
Kindly,
Heidi
Hi. I am new to all of this incredible art work online. I am so overwhelmed by such amazing talent you have! I had to go through the registration process so I could be considered in your giveaway! ( I am ashamed to admit that I have not even heard of RH! It is now on my list to try to find! Being a single mother of three, I guess I am living in the dark ages. lol)
ReplyDeleteThank you
Kelly
kellyishamphotography@hotmail.com
Jenny,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you. I'm looking forward to more of your delicious creations this year!
Ev
Please randomly select me!!
ReplyDeleteJenny,
ReplyDeleteLOVE those nut cups! You just are the most creative couple around. Did you make it over to Sonics on New Years Eve for your less spensive dinner? ha...
Here's to a wonderful new year of posts and creations. Mary
ginghamgirl358@hotmail.com
Fun giveaway! Happy New Year!!!!
ReplyDelete-Amy
http://craftingbycandlelight.blogspot.com
That sis of yours just has the BEST cheekbones Jenny! So fun to hear about your antics over the holidays and the new paint looks fab! I would love to be a part of the giveaway. Thanks for starting 2008 with a yummy surprise!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Kim
www.artisticbliss.typepad.com
Can i just move into your living room? It is beautiful!!! And the nut cups--EyeCandy for sure!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2008!
brenda bliss motherbead@aol.com
You Tree looks just dreamy :)
ReplyDeleteLove it all!
Jeanie
http://www.southernnest.blogspot.com/
Happy New Year to you and Aaron, and congrats on RH magazine!! Can't wait to get my copy and read all about it!! :o) Cheers,
ReplyDeleteLisa Hessabi
Love the new wall color and the way your tree looks against it. Thanks for all the pics and the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteKaren
Hi Jenny, please enter me in your drawing!!! Love my tray I just got from you.
ReplyDeletehappy new year! love this post and all your treasures! i especially love the valentine goodie cups ~ too sweet! congrats on romantic homes, got to go pick up that issue. best wishes, xo heidi
ReplyDeletehttp://hkwdesign.blogspot.com/
Hello! I frequent your flickr for its beautiful images and your amazing works of art. This is the first time I've visited your blog! I'd love to enter the contest for the Cupcake Nutcups! They are absolutely adorable!
ReplyDeletexoxo
KaitKaBOOM kaitkaboom@hotmail.com
kaboomboomboom.blogspot.com
love the pretty valentines!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to spend a sister's birthday......so fun.
ReplyDeleteLove your Christmas house.
Louise
The photos are so lovely. It looks like it was a wonderful Christmas. Love the valentine photo.
ReplyDeleteLove all your photos and new Valentines goodies!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in your drawing
My email
jamon0126@msn.com
Hi Jenny & Aaron!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a wonderful Christmas!!!! What beautiful gifts and decorations!
Your new Valentine's Day goodies are AMAZING!!!! The little candy cups are too cute for words!!!!
I wish you guys the best for 2008, and look forward to what other new and fabulous things you two will be creating!
Hugs,
Heather
www.speckled-egg.blogspot.com
Hi Jenny & Aaron!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a wonderful Christmas!!!! What beautiful gifts and decorations!
Your new Valentine's Day goodies are AMAZING!!!! The little candy cups are too cute for words!!!!
I wish you guys the best for 2008, and look forward to what other new and fabulous things you two will be creating!
Hugs,
Heather
www.speckled-egg.blogspot.com
Love your blog! The cupcake nutcups sure would look pretty at my house.....
ReplyDeleteSmooches! XOXO!
Holly
http://howdyholly.blogspot.com
Happy New Year! I just discovered your blog and can I say "too cute"! Looking forward to many more visits. Please enter me in your drawing. thx, erin
ReplyDeleteLOVE the nutcups!!!!!! But then again I adore everything you create :) I am really enjoying the Happy Holidays I got on Etsy ~ just love it. May still be up this summer :) I am stalking Barnes and Noble for a copy of Romantic Homes ~ hopefully tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteHi, I just recently found your blog and love it! What cool stuff! Please enter me in the Valentine giveaway. Thank you so much for the opportunity to win and also for sharing on your blog. Joan
ReplyDeleteCollectitall676@aol.com
Ooooh la la! I want to win! :)
ReplyDeleteMissy
Wow! This is so nice! Just love your stuff and your blog! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteHi ! Happy New Year! I am going to have to pick up the issue of Romantic Homes> Your creations are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteKerri N
Oops I forgpt to leave my addy!
ReplyDeleteKerrinorrod@yahoo.com
Kerri N
I can not WAIT to get your issue of RH - so many great gals are in it! Woo hoo! And yes, please sign me up! Happy New Year - maybe it be lovely and full of wonderment!
ReplyDeleteOh Jenny, I hope I win! I NEED a little pick-me-up tonight! Kids go back to school tomorrow and I need some me time! Love all your Christmas pics!
ReplyDeleteCarole
I am probably too late for the giveaway :O( But I had to tell you how beautiful your Christmas decorations are!!! They are my fave colors and just awesome!!! :O)
ReplyDeletehttp://thehappyhousewifedecoratingadventures.blogspot.com/
WOW! Talk about eye candy! WHAT A TREE!!! And the packages all wrapped perfectly in your signature colors....well I don't know WHEN you sleep! Beautiful! Love your new V-Day goodies, as well. Yum. BIG HUGS to you....cheryl :)
ReplyDeletewell, i don't know if i missed the giveaway or not, but i'll leave a comment anyway! i found your blog through your flickr site and absolutely love it! my eyes cannont get enough of all your wonderful creations and beautiful vintage collections. i'm am also at the Jersey Shore, in Wall Township, near Asbury Park. If you ever know of any interesting artsy things going on - give me a shout will ya? i 'm orignally from California, so sort of out of my element here (even though i've been here for 10 years!) - but really haven't found too many interesting people in this area that share my love of vintage, flea markets and altering anything!
ReplyDelete♥ Happy Valentine's Day! ♥
ReplyDeleteThese Valentine's cupcakes are soooo SWEET :)
I love your work and get excited when you have a new work at your Flickr!
They are so unique & elegant
Wish I was as creative as you :) Your creativity always amazes me!
♥ Yifat
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yifatiii/