How sweet is this embroidery hoop art? I have this dream of having an entire wall in my house filled with beautiful embroidery art like this. Beverly from Flamingo Toes created it and is here with the free pattern. After this tutorial, you might just want to get started on her Home Sweet Home Embroidery or Mason Jar Dishtowel. These would also make great holiday gifts, along with her Linen and Ruffles Coin Purse too.
By now y’all must have noticed, wether here on Pretty Prudent, or via our facebook and instagram feeds, that I have become obsessed with jam and jelly making. Making jam is so much easier than you think, and experimenting with recipes and flavors is just my kind of tinkering. A new hobby has been born, and bonus, all my friends are now overrun with homemade jam.
Today I am sharing my Blueberry Mint Jam recipe with you. I am a strange bird in that I do not like berries. Something about the texture, the way they pop in your mouth and juice comes out – it’s just not my thing. But as you know I adore them in smoothies and other mashed-up ways. Blueberries are my favorite AND they are full of antioxidants. This recipe adds just a hint of mint to make a jam that is super refreshing and light.
When I visited Jacinda and her kids in Dallas, I brought all of my recent jams for her. My favorite was probably our Watermelon Jalapeño Jelly, but the kids’ far and away preferred this Blueberry Mint Jam over all the others.
It didn’t hurt that Jacinda made a cream cheese heart. A CREAM CHEESE HEART! IS THERE ANY BETTER KIND OF LOVE THAN CREAM CHEESE LOVE? We turned around to have a bite and the whole thing was gone. Rascally children. But how great to give them a fresh jam free of preservatives and have them love it?
I gave you the full play-by-play on how to make jam for newbies, including step-by-step photography, on my Blackberry Basil Jam recipe post, so this time I’m going to share the Blueberry Mint Jam recipe after the jump… (more…)
This summer I stayed for two weeks on a little island near Puget Sound and spent many-a-days at the beach collecting seashells. I had made the start of a driftwood and twine dreamcatcher while I was there, but waited until I got home to attach the seashells. When I pulled them out of the bag I realized some intensive cleaning was going to have to happen.
If you’ve been collecting shells at the beach this summer too, check out the steps for cleaning them up so you can start crafting away.
Writing a book is hard work but it’s also really fun and wonderful. A few weeks ago I road-tripped down to Austin and met up with the amazing Amanda from Spruce(and HGTV, check out her stunning upholstered door project) to check out her space and drop off a few chairs with big potential but in need of a major makeover. Since it was also my friend Jenny’s bridal shower, I made a weekend of it and spent a little me time at Hotel San José. It was a luxurious relaxing retreat since we usually make Austin a day trip or stay with friends. So yeah, it was me in one of those super soft cotton robes. Speaking of which, does anyone know where I can score a few yards of this stripey soft cotton?
If you can find me some, I’ll buy you one of these the next time we’re in Austin. It’s called a Blue Heater (even though it’s pink) and it’s a delish poolside champagne, blueberry, blue agave, lemon balm, etc cocktail.
The only thing prettier than that scene is the splendid Spruce headquarters. Have you ever so wanted to live in a retail shop?
Isn’t Amanda a gorgeous Mama-to-be?
This place is full of lovely items that have been given new life under Amanda and her team of artisans capable hands.
I even picked up some remnants. I spy some Skinny LaMinx!
GAH!! What the what is that? Seem out of place? Yes, these are my beauties that Spruce is going to spruce. That little rocker was $5 and it’s Clare’s favorite. She can’t wait to get it back. That blue beast is insanely comfy, which is why I’ve moved it 5 times. Amanda and I have worked together to pick out the perfect fabric for this chaise and bring it from the dark corner of the guest room to the focal point of the living room. I’m excited to show you the big reveal in our Pretty Prudent Home book next year. That little rocker is going to be decked out in my own Texas Modern Sunset fabric (can’t wait to see it!)
From Spruce, I headed to brunch with my girl Lauren Bayne from MILK (yup, they dropped the TX so everyone can feel the love, and designed a pretty new site.) She insisted I pose for a pic with this cool honky-talk cowboy who was totally calling me out on hiding around the corner when this was snapped. Also, Jorts.
Then a quick bit of shopping on South Congress. Remember how I was asking y’all where I could buy shed deer antlers? Well I found them all. Plus an taxidermy armadillo that I would have scooped up except stuffed armadillos are crazy expensive. Anyone has one they want to give to a loving home? You’re judging me, I can feel it. Just keepin’ it weird y’all.
One more Jo’s for the road and I started home. Austin, why ya gotta be so perfect, and so far away? See ya soon love, I’ll be here writing and crafting and sewing and writing and dreaming of my next Blue Heater by the pool.
It’s always a treat to see the ways people have put their personal touch on Pretty Prudent projects. K:Creates made a padded travel changing pad with button closure.
As you may have noticed, as of late I am obsessed with jam and jelly making. Has it ever occurred to you that jam and jelly need not necessarily be sweet? No? Well, it has occurred to me. Trust me on this one! Savory jelly is mind-blowing! Here is a savory (yet semi-sweet) jam recipe that will surprise and delight even the most jaded of foodies.
This recipe for caramelized onion and roasted garlic jam is easy enough to execute and results in a truly unique experience for your toungue. A little bit sweet, but mostly savory, it’s perfect served with a stinky cheese plate and salty meats.
Serve it at cocktail hour with crackers, smoked meats, and cheese (stinky, soft, or cream varieties work best) and red wine. Win!
I gave you the full play-by-play with step-by-step photography on my Blackberry Basil Jam recipe, so this time I’m going to share my Caramelized Onion and Roasted Garlic Jam recipe after the jump… (more…)
Our friend Erin and I decided we had to throw a shower with a theme fit for one of Kate’s passions: fresh, local, organic food. We all live near the original Los Angeles Farmers Market and that inspired our theme: Made in California, just like her baby! Isn’t that cake just stunning? I ordered it from the lovely proprietress Danielle, of local bakery Bittersweet Treats. It’s wild rose flavored. I love that it’s not overdone, just perfect. Everyone oohed and awwed. You know we usually like to make our own cakes here at Pretty Prudent, but I’m so glad I ordered this one!
Another friend of ours offered up her abosolutely stunning home, so we were able to focus our energies and budget on quality catering, though if you are doing a local “Made in YOURSTATE” themed shower, you could easily potluck or make your own local delicacies (note: Can someone please invite me to a “Made in New Orleans” party?). We had a spread of fresh, local, organic California salads, beef, and vegan portobellos from Whoa Nellie Catering – it was the freshest, most delicious spread I have experienced in a long time.
And Erin brought these adorable chalkboards that we used to make menus over the buffet.
At the entrance to the home, we set up this welcome station using one of my vintage wooden crates and all that jam I’ve been making, gussied up with labels Jacinda design that say “MAde in CA”.
These were also the favors that people were invited to take as they left.
I am not one for silly baby shower games, but we did want to have an activity that would leave Kate with some memories from the party. Erin hunted down these stunning oversize postcards featuring vintage pictures of local Los Angeles landmarks, and everyone wrote a letter to the baby.
Kate’s sister lives far away, but really wanted to help plan Kate’s shower, so she offered to do a onesie station. We were so glad, but we had no idea how awesome it would be until she arrived with a whole slew of onesies, tees, and kimono tops in all different sizes that she had appliqued with different fruits and veggies! Everyone was invited to use paint pens to write something on the outfits. I chose a peach and wrote “You’re a…” but this one by my friend Sherri was the absolute winner by far.
A few fun details that always jazz up a shower are to gussy up your mason jars with colored bakers twine to use as water glasses,
and to chill wine in a tub using balloon ice. You just fill a balloon with water and freeze the night before, and they become perfect little ice packs that don’t turn into a puddle of water!
We had so much fun planning, attending, and eating everything at this shower!
Looking for a little gift for your kiddo to bring to their new teacher? Last week I shared some super easy, super inexpensive and dare I say… super cute Last-Minute Teacher Gifts (on LIVE TV!!) here on Dallas’ local morning show, The Broadcast. They each can be made for around 10 bucks! Check out these simple ideas…
One thing I will remember for my next appearance is that 5 minutes goes by REALLY fast. In fact I had one idea that I didn’t get to at all. That’s ok because now I can share that with you here this week, but first take a look at these great little gifts for teachers that made it on air.
Read one for the details and more last-minute teacher gift ideas. (more…)
by Jacinda
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