do you ever?

 during our lazy day off yesterday, husband and i were watching movies while cleaning and taking down christmas around the house.

we landed on unknown.

it's an ok, entertaining movie full of twists.

but i was way more interested in the background scenery.

do you ever do that?

how could you not in this room, though?

the pale blue/aqua walls and wallpaper with bright red/orange/persimmon drapes.

i paused it, got my phone and took a picture.

then stored it away in my brain.

my husband and i have been together for almost 10 years now.

i think he used to think it was cute, when we'd watch a movie and i'd ask him if he just saw that lamp or asked if he liked that room... of course he didn't even notice but he'd smile and say something cute or witty.

now he just gives me a weird look, like "only you" and a polite smile.

i blame home alone.

i loved, still love, and always will love that house.

even to this day, i soak up that house.

sure it could use a little update, but i also think about that- what i'd do to spruce it up.

do you do that, or am i nuts?

we saw james bond over the weekend.

if you aren't a james bond fan, and you like pretty sets, you might love this movie.

if you are a total and serious you-own-the-entire-collection-set james bond nerd, like myself, you'd love it. i wasn't a fan of the last 2 with daniel craig (not bc of daniel craig, but the movie itself). this one, however, was awesome.

and the sets were amazing.

from shanghai to scotland.

beauty.

i can't be the only one who does this.

that's why they make sets so pretty...

for those of us that notice and appreciate.

right?

do you have any favorites?

JILL

pop. fizz. clink.

the glitz and sparkle of new year's is always my favorite.

i don't usually enjoy going out out tonight because of the cost, and i'm cheap :)

but i love a party at home!!

{i've never hosted myself, and its something i'd really like to do.

next year's my year. mark your calendars.}

camille styles and kate spade worked up a little party inspiration for us all. and if i were to throw a nye party, i'd certainly hope it looked at least a smidge this glam:

^  those are screaming my name.

i. will. be. having a white russian milkshake tonight.

vanilla ice cream with vodka and kahlua poured on top.

holy yum.

but i guess the party decor isn't 100% crucial to a great nye party.

this might be:

because who needs food?

just kidding.

i like food.

this is the fridge you have out in your garage.

but i'm actually really excited about my plans tonight.

going out with my dude, to a little get together.

i have a most fantastically badass outfit planned.

the snow just started here in kc and it's unloading...

not planned to stop until tomorrow morning!

and i really am planning on a white russian milkshake.

white russians, snow, sparkles and....my outfit = awesome.

{if my outfit turns out half as cute as i'm hoping, i'll share on instagram : @jabarrier. follow.}

happy new year's everyone!!!

see you bright eyed and bushy-tailed tomorrow morning ;)

JILL

flowers for friday #126

last friday of 2012!

have you accomplished all you wanted to in this fine year of ours?

i guess there's still a spot of time left.

#notimelikethepresent

happy friday to you,

now go make this the best weekend 2012 has seen yet.

love you lots.

JILL

{via oncewed}

new dolls in town.

i have my cousin's 2 baby girls in the family.

one is 2, the other is 7 months.

you know my obsession with making dolls, as seen here,

so a day before christmas i decided i wanted to make some to give to the girls.

i love the ones jenny komenda made so i modeled them after hers.

i used only fabric i had in my stash, only running to hobby lobby for the pink and purple felt.

i think i was most excited for their hair :)

i didn't know exactly how the first one would turn out so i didn't even pause to take a photo. just when it was 80% finished.

voila.

i was kinda in love.

so i rushed to make the second.

as you know, i like color. and i like pattern. and i kinda like it when those two things are crazy and not totally matching, alot. so that's what i did.

once i get to a point where i'm almost finished, i get scared to do anything else for fear that i'll ruin the good thing i have going. so i almost left them without a face... but my mom thought that might creep the girls out.

so i pushed on to make their faces.

and i actually thought i ruined them, with those with those big, blank, hollow eyes... but waited until they had a mouth to decide if i needed a re-do... 

and thankfully, that's all that was needed.

a cute little, french, pink, puckered pout.

(made with a sharpie. i almost lost it, because what's more permanent than a permanent marker?)

getting packaged up to meet their little ladies.

and.....

approval!!

they loved them.

and so did my cousin :)

did you all have a great christmas?

were there any homemade dolls amongst you?

JILL

merry christmas.

i hope you and your family have a joyous christmas.

wishing you all the happiness and peace.

JILL

hot chocolate and marshmallow... men.

i just made these cookies and wanted to share in case you're sitting around wandering what cookies you could be making on this christmas eve....

my mom and i made these hot chocolate cookies with marshmallow filling.

they're a big hit.

mix all your stuff together.

#messycook

and... here's the stuff to mix together.

(we just bought whole almonds and pulsed them in the processor until they were ground. i'm sure you can buy ground almonds at whole foods or something. and i bet a magic bullet would do the trick if you don't have a food processor.)

roll out thin. recipe said 1/16".

they're going to be sandwich cookies!

cut.

we used an old teeny tiny lil copper gingerbread man.

he felt festive.

they're awesome because they hardly spread when baked.

i'm always looking for recipes that don't spread.

here's a chocolate one in case you are, too.

make little sandwiches with your men, or any other shape you picked,

with marshmallow frosting.

MARSHMALLOW FROSTING:

1 cup room temp butter

1 cup powdered sugar

1 7oz. jar of marshmallow fluff

cream butter in mixer until fluffy.

add sugar, mix.

then add fluff.

mix.

pipe it out.

we tried using just the fluff for the middle as the recipe suggests, but it spreads and is really sticky-messy.

we googled and found the marshmallow buttercream above, and it was perfect.

on your cookie, or your finger.

they are 'hot chocolate' cookies but it's really just a glorified name for a chocolate cookie. there's no hot chocolate involved. but i'm not mad.

they taste delicious and were/are a big hit.

merry christmas eve!!

JILL

flowers for friday #125

happy friday weekend!

i thought it'd be better late than never, right?

i hope you're doing all sorts of festive activities today.

i have 2 gifts left to buy and i'm sorta dreading going out there. i'm sure it's going to be one big hot mess of people who procrastinate.... like me :)

have a very merry weekend.

JILL