PROGRESS.

Making great progress over the past few days on the accessory line! I am getting more excited about it everyday and wish June 1st was closer. But then, I would probably be in a panic because there is still a lot to do.

1. Source Fabric

2. Fabric prep

3. packaging design

4. set a launch date

5. create cohesive collection

6. production

7. product photos

8. listing

This past weekend I completed my fabric selections and carefully chose what fabrics to feature in the Summer 2012 line. I completed all of the fabric preparations and even started production on some of the pieces. The prototypes have been completed and I will definitely be wearing them around for the next few weeks, I love every single one! This first collection is going to focus more on soft goods, such as hair bows, bow ties, rosette pins, and working on developing a tie for the guys! I am already scheming up the next collection and what other mediums I want to explore.

Oh, and dying over the lace bow right now- I think it might be my favorite :)

Xo-

Janae

SUNDAY DINNER.

 his and hers

Last night the mister and I tag teamed on making this amazing dinner ... the recipes are the Chicken Stir Fry and Fried Rice from Gwenyth Paltrow's My Fathers Daughter. Umm delicious!  I made beets to go along with mine- beets always remind me of my grandma, she used to make them all of the time. I love nostalgic foods!

We have the heart measuring cup set from UO and I had to snap this of the brown sugar- shaped measuring cups are the best :)

Xo-
Janae

CHANGE IS GOOD.

 That people, is me planning out our weekly meals. And a detailed grocery list. That people, is something that used to never happen. I was more of a fly by the seat of my pants kind of gal when it came to dinner preparations- which may be the culprit of our becoming regulars at just about every nearby restaurant/take out. Not a proud moment of realization, let me tell you.

So we went grocery shopping, we used our reusable shopping bags, and we spent under $100 for a weeks worth of meals. Not too shabby. There may have been a few meltdowns in the kitchen as mentioned in the post about the mac n cheese earlier in the week, but over all, I like to think that I am getting a little more comfortable in my role as chef. 

I am looking forward in the coming weeks sharing with you the recipes I find that I can't resist and ones that are a big hit with the mister. Nate is a hard core carnivore, I am of the vegetarian variety, so finding a harmonious meal can be hard some times. Hmm, new series perhaps? :)

Happy cooking, friends- I hope your Sunday is perfect!

Xo-
Janae

NEW FOODS.

 homemade spaghetti sauce with penne and fresh Parmesan, garlic toast (broiled),baby spinach salad with avocado, chive, and balsamic vinaigrette.

This week I have successfully cooked more meals than ordered take out meals. Huge. Step. This is one of the meals I made earlier in the week- I am a big fan of the homemade sauce! It had such a fantastic natural taste to it.

Do you have any go-to recipes?

Xo-
Janae

EASY BOOKENDS.

I have been on the hunt for the perfect bookends for awhile now. Since I have yet to find my investment piece of a bookend I decided to try a practical and inexpensive way to contain my cookbooks. The answer came to me in the form of bricks! For .49 a piece I paid less than a dollar! I simply attached some felt to the bottom to protect the vintage stereo they sit on and bam, done in like 2 minutes.

I hope your week ended on a high note- tomorrow I am helping my baby sister get ready for her senior prom ... senior prom. So hard to believe this is the last dance I will provide a cover up, do her makeup and be her apparel adviser. ::sniff:: They grow up so fast.

Any fun plans for the weekend? I would love to hear! The mister and I need a good idea for Sunday :)

Xo-
Janae

DIY: PEARL EMBELLISHED SHORTS.

Have a pair of shorts that could use a new lease on life? This is a simple and inexpensive way to change up the look of your denim- all you need is: pearl beads, needle, thread, and scissors.

Step one: arrange your pearls to see how many you want to sew on. Play around a bit and see if you prefer more or less- I ended up going with less for a more subtle look. Then, one by one sew each one on.

 And there you have it. I am looking forward to pairing them with flowy tanks and platforms when it gets warmer!

Happy Sewing!
Xo-
Janae

TOP KNOT.

Its Wednesday! And its actually going to be warm today, and sunny. You really can't beat that.

This morning I have been sewing away on some new accessories and watching the most amazing documentary, Bill Cunningham: New York. If you have Netflix you must watch it. Right. Now. He really is the best street style photographer, and the cutest :)

 she wore: Forever21 Lace tee, woven, denim, necklace; Target flats.

Last night I made homemade Mac n' Cheese for the first time! I am no culinary expert, I am actually horrifically awkward in the kitchen. I recently purchases Gwenyth Paltrows cookbook and its amazing- amazing enough that it has inspired me to keep plugging away it. The awkwardness goes away with time, right? The inevitable mess that ensues a cooking endeavor lessens, right? Right??

 (you can follow me on instagram at janae_c)

Yea, I will keep working on it.

Happy Wednesday, kids- I hope it's a great one!
Xo-
Janae

DIY: DINO DECOR.

Here is a fun and easy way to decorate your space with an inexpensive spin on a childs toy! The mister loves dinosaurs and I am always trying to integrate our two different tastes in our home- so when I was looking for a fresh idea for a centerpiece I turned to these little guys at the dollar store.

What you will need: Dinosaurs (or any plastic animal) acrylic paint, brushes, high gloss glaze medium, cake pedestal.

Paint your dino's whatever color you desire and let dry. Ours took about 4 coats of paint. Allow to completely dry and then apply your gloss glaze. This will give your dino a nice polished look and help keep the paint from chipping. Once complete, I arranged mine on a cake pedestal in the center of our table... I love the way they turned out!

I am hoping to find at least one large on to add to the bunch!

Happy painting!
Xo-
Janae

BOW TIES ARE COOL.

she wore: Forever 21 denim cut out shirt, oxfords; Gap denim; handmade bow tie.

This picture was taken when it was much much much warmer outside. We finally caved and turned the furnace back on because it really felt like old man winter was back for one last hoorah! Well, we said boo and donned our sweaters and boots today and wished for cups of hot coffee and afternoon naps. Its almost May, right? Just checking!

This little calico bow tie is one of my prototypes for my upcoming accessory launch- I just love anything over-sized right now.  And anything with cut outs. There is a lot to be inspired by out there this spring!

What is inspiring you these days?

Xo-
Janae

DIY: JOURNAL BOX.

I am always looking for ways to be more organized. And if I can get the job done and make it completely personal all the better! I found this plain white box in the kiddie craft aisle at Target- its about the size of a shoe box and was the perfect fit for all of my notebooks that I don't need to carry in my bag.

 All I did was used rubber cement, scrapbook paper, and letter stickers. I chose a notebook print paper, cut it to fit the front side of the box and adhered it with the rubber cement. I then put my stickers done and tucked it in its cubby. It seriously took all of 10 minutes to make this little odds and ends hide-away!

Happy organizing!
Xo-
Janae

ALL ON A SATURDAY NIGHT.

I am having the best weekend. Not to brag. But its true. I am in the midst of a beautiful 3 day weekend with nothing on the schedule except for family time and projects! Its a miracle, really.

Yesterday I started changing us over to a more green living space thanks to the tips from Practically Green. I am happy to say that we now only have natural cleaning supplies in our cupboard and organic drinks and snack foods. Tomorrow we are going grocery shopping at a natural foods market for the first time ... a little intimidated but I purchased a few cookbooks to help. If you follow me on instagram (janae_c) you followed me along the way!

After all that we went and saw my little sisters high schools production of Hairspray- oh nostalgia of the olden days. We took these pictures out side of the school- we were only able to snap two pictures before the camera died so we took two on instagram, a mish-mosh of outfit photos just for you!

 It is so cold and rainy today! We staying cozy inside painting dinosaurs (future post alert!) and working on projects. We also squeezed in in some Palm Springs Weekend- I am just jones-ing for a vacation now!

Dreaming of fun getaway destinations ...
Xo-
Janae

CONFESSION.

Confession: I just completed the entire 6 seasons of Greek. Best show ever? Probably not. But waaay back when I was a college gal my roommate and I watched seasons 1 and 2 and then I graduated and it was all sad and now I am all nostalgic about it. And how bad is it that I actually got choked up at the end of the final episode?? I just wanted Cappie and Casey to be together forever haha Well, if you watch it and think its lame don't blame me. I'm just a sucker sometimes.

But anyway!

she wore: Forever 21

He wore: Old Navy woven

Nate and Stella Bean are on their evening walk, I am sitting here eating alphabet pasta (pretty sure its intended to use in homemade soups but you know, the kids in us like pasta in fun shapes!) and listening to the neighbors move out. There are 8 units in our building and this is the third to hit the trail in the past few weeks, I wonder if this is a sign??

Well I am full of rambles tonight! Hope you all have a most fantastic evening ...

Happy Tuesday!
Xo-
Janae

HAPPY MONDAY.

Yesterday we got together with Nate's family to celebrate April birthdays. I really lucked out in the in-law department! I can't imagine not liking my in-laws, I always thought that was pretty unfortunate for those who don't get along with their spouses family. Now we have double the family, what could be better?

He probably won't be too thrilled about all the outtakes of him but you know what? I thought they were funny, so ... there. Aren't family portraits the greatest? I think I like the outtakes better than the put together one! So much more character.

I am currently waiting on the mister to get home so I can get to making our breakfast for dinner ... or Brinner, if you will. I freaking LOVE breakfast for dinner. And I think I will make chocolate chip pancakes and maybe an iced coffee to go with.  Hm, well I am hungry now ha!

Happy Monday kids, I hope its a good one- full of sunshine and optimism for the rest of the week!

Xo-
Janae