she never forgets to call her grandmother...

Source: itsaprettycity.tumblr.com via Tuttibella on Pinterest

Fuck the rain!

It's only Tuesday and I've had a hell of a week that will see more valleys before I can see clearly again from a sunny mountain top. Now it's raining to add insult to injury. I need one of these. It's absolutely brilliant in my mind! I'm a New Yorker born and bred and sometimes I just want to stand up and yell #%&C #*@! as loud as I possibly can!


Umbrella and images via artlebedev

XOXO

Jessica

Homemade Advent Calendars

My kids love and look forward to their advent calendars every year. I want to do something a little different this year and am toying with the idea of making my own. I love the idea of filling little boxes with inexpensive little goodies - chocolate coins, chapstick tubes, silly little nothings really,  but I also like the idea of creating an advent calender with fun Christmas related things to do - go on a Christmas lights drive, put on Christmas carols,  write letters to Santa, bake cookies... things of that nature, or maybe even create a little scavenger hunt. As usual I am looking for ideas that are simple and easy to create.

Source: writeclickscrapbook.com via Jessica on Pinterest

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Source: aliedwards.com via Jessica on Pinterest

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Simple and lovely... simply lovely!

I think I like this idea!

XOXO

Jessica

So very thankful...

For your words and support... kindness and thoughtfulness, love and understanding, respect and friendship...

Source: papercrave.com via Kimber-Leigh on Pinterest

Source: acountryfarmhouse.blogspot.com via Kimber-Leigh on Pinterest

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Source: sprinklebakes.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

May your hearts and bellies be full today!


XOXO

Jessica

The Girl with The Pretty Perfume

As many of you know my latest addiction has been my morning Zumba class.  I try to go at least 3 times a week but am happiest when I am there 5 days a week. It's the one thing that keeps me in check both mentally and physically. I love the instructors... I love the women who dance along with me.

A couple of weeks ago I was not in my usual spot (all the way up front - I am blind without my glasses these days and need to be where I can see both the instructor and myself) and found myself standing next to a pretty girl I hadn't seen before. She was about my height, with pretty, thick blond hair pulled back into a neat ponytail. She danced well. She smelled well. In fact, she smelled incredible! Every time she came near me I inhaled the most magical scent. Red and dripping with sweat, I felt anything but pretty on that dance floor, but every time the girl with the blond ponytail came near, I couldn't help but to try to get a whiff!

At the end of class I approached The Girl with The Pretty Perfume and said that I hoped I wouldn't come across as sounding strange, but that she smelled absolutely amazing! She thanked me and told me that she was wearing Chloe perfume. We then introduced ourselves. Her name is Anna. Anna smells beautiful. All the time. Even after an hour of high impact, sweat inducing, aerobic dance!

image via Sephora

The next couple of classes came and went and Anna smelled just as fresh, just as amazing after each class. I stood it until I could stand it no more. And then I did it. I broke down and got my own bottle!

Sephora says that Chloé captures the spirit of women and that the Chloé vision is not about one singular woman, but rather about the rich and varied personalities of all Chloé women. This fresh, smooth floral fragrance evokes sublime powdery rose. The effect is chic, comfortable, and entirely addictive.

Top notes of pink peony, freesia, and lychee embody subtle freshness. At the heart, midnotes of magnolia flower, lily of the valley, and rose rise to sublimated femininity. A base of velvety elegance comes to fruition through cedarwood, amber, and honey.

Inspired by the details in Chloé's fashion, the flacon's heavy but softly curved and grooved glass reflects femininity and strength. The plated-silver top is embossed with the Chloé mark and adorned with a hand-tied ribbon.

There's a reason why the classics are the classics and why there's staying power to the tried and true. This fresh, clean, classic scent will easily carry you through the day from morning meetings right through to your evening cocktails. 


The holidays are just around the corner, I'd add this to the top of my list!


XOXO

Jessica

A Thanksgiving message inspired by the river...

I love river rocks... I love the way they look and I love the way they feel in my open hand, against my skin... smooth and cool to the touch. Perhaps it is because they come from the river, and water has calming powers, that I find them so soothing. Their natural, organic beauty compliments any interior. I have seen many river rocks used as name cards, place holders, conduits of thoughts or well wishes and short inspirational messages. I love the way these rocks look nestled together in a large glass bowl in varying shades of the color gray, in their various shapes and sizes. And so I had a thought, wouldn't they make a lovely home for a simple Thanksgiving message? Perhaps each year guests and family members add something new allowing the collection to grow in both size and meaning.

Source: potterybarn.com via Jessica on Pinterest

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Health
Family
Friendship
Love
Opportunity
Laughter
Sunshine
Strength
Hope
Grace...

What are some of the things you are thankful for?

XOXO

Jessica

Amid life....

I have decided to start a new blog (as though I really have the time to do so!) where I can chronicle my life, freely and as I wish. I am completely blown away by your words, love and support. And while I have not been able to thank you all, I want you all to know just how much you and your support and love has meant to me. I will be removing all my pieces about divorce from The Entertaining House. I want this to be a happy, fun, inspiring place. I need to keep the two blogs separate. For those of you who wish to follow my personal journey, please feel free to visit me over at Amid Life, for the rest of you, I hope you continue to come to be entertained here at The Entertaining House!

Sunshine on a Rainy Day!

image via Joules

image via Joules

You make me feel like dancing! Dancing!

These happy sunshiney boots are from a British company called Joules. I am not being paid or endorsed by them, but if someone from Joules should happen to see this I am a US size 8.5 and I love the red as well as the purple versions as well, should you decide you would like to send me a pair!

XOXO

Jessica

Brighter than the Sun!

Sometimes we simply have to force ourselves to stand up... dust off, walk forward, stand tall, head held high and chin up!

I have received so many wonderful and kind comments, emails, tweets and messages over the past couple of days. Your care and concern truly amazes me and I appreciate you all taking the time to contact me from the bottom of my heart. Your comments were my ray of light on a very rainy day.

The night before last I called my mother and asked for a contribution to my fund. "What fund is this?" She asked. The highlighting fund I replied, eagerly!  I need to be blond again, I explained. I am always happiest when I am blond... when I am really blond! (Even though it is illegal, I have been financially cut off from my soon to be ex husband receiving only a meager amount for groceries and gas.)

So yesterday, after my Zumba class, I showered and dressed in my faded bootleg jeans, sexy zip-up boots, little black sweater and my Mac Daddy (meaning oversized) black pearl earrings. I already had a spring in my  step. I turned the radio on in the car and opened up the windows. The songs that I have just added to my playlist that's now back on my blog, played at some point during my drive. I could feel the sadness start to melt away. I could feel the old me return... the me that knows everything really will be alright. In fact, the me that knows that everything will be better than alright!

I got to the salon and hugged my colorist hello. I have followed her highter and thither and would follow her to the moon and back. I told her that I needed to get out of my funk. She knew exactly what I needed... she knew exactly what I wanted. The lighter the hair the lighter the mood!

My hair and my mood are now brighter than the sun!

All photos via Pinterest

What is it that you do when you have to chase away the Mean Reds?

 XOXO

Jessica

Advent Calendars...

My kids love their advent calendars almost as much as they love Christmas.. They bring on the excitement of the season.


But why should the children have all the fun?

I've found one for myself this year. Yes, for me. But I'll be more than happy to share with you.

So what do you think?

Genius, isn't it?!

image via Style me Pretty who originally used them as table markers. 

I love the advent calendar idea better.Idea via Ali LaFleur

Jessica

See ya ladder!

I love old wooden ladders in all sizes and shapes. Recently, I wondered what I could do to re-purpose some, and bring them into my home in a new light... I curated the images below on my Pinterest board as I started my research... I'm armed with many wonderful ideas, but the chandeliers now top my list! I love the rustic look of the old unfinished wood, but would love to take a small ladder, paint it in black, high gloss, and turn that in to a chandelier for my kitchen. My next home!

Source: contented-sparrow.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: thehandmadehome.net via Jessica on Pinterest

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What other ideas do you have for old, wooden ladders?

Jessica

I'm coming home...

I headed back in to the city again yesterday to meet Ronda Carman (All The Best) for lunch near Grand Central Station. Knowing that the only thing on my agenda was our lunch date, I went in equipped with my camera, excited not only to meet Ronda but also to have a bit of time without having to rush around madly, or look after young children. The day was magical. Ronda is lovely and our lunch was wonderful. After we ate and asked the kind gentlemen at the front of the restaurant to take our picture, we parted ways, and promised we would get together again the next time she's in town.

After lunch Ronda headed to Starbucks to work and catch up on emails and I thought I might rejoin her there as it's a great place to recharge my iPhone but I never did. Instead I let my camera be my guide and lead my way... we headed back to Grand Central Terminal and then towards the New York Public Library... all the while I was looking at things anew.

as many of you know, I grew up in the city, and while I no longer live there I will always consider it my home. I feel safe and welcome there - and even though I had the luxury of a few hours of solitude, to wander by myself, to contemplate in my thoughts, I knew I was not alone. In the city one can be alone without being lonely.

That old saying is so very true and very much applies to me. You can take the girl out of the city, but you can never take the city out of the girl. I love my home in the country. I am surrounded by miles and miles of farms and barns, animals, trees. It's gorgeous. It's bucolic. But, it's not Manhattan. I've been to many cities in my life, Manhattan is mine. Manhattan is home.

The city is filled with so many wonderful threads, colors and textures... everything tells a story... I love the blending of the old and the new... I love to see the finer details that are often overlooked... I love to watch the people pass by... I'll be back home again one day very soon!

Jessica