Currents

listening: My secret obsession (well, not secret now!) Beyond Survival with Survivor Man.  
eating:   Morning Star farm blackbean burgers. Very yum! Also sugar-free Boston cream pie pudding. 
drinking: Water with hint of orange.
wearing:Vera Wang cotton PJ's from Kohls.  The softest PJ's ever. 
feeling: like this was the longest day ever.  Also, that I shouldn't have procrastinated on my animation project.  Have I mentioned that in 2+ years of school this is my least favorite class (and that includes math!)
weather: B.E.U.A.T.I.F.U.L Bright blue skies (I call them Charleston blue) + in the 60s!

::Can't wait for this::

need: to start moving.  I am no where near my 20 mile goal for this month (read: zero.)
thinking: about old friends, Facebook, + why being an adult sucks :)
enjoying: my BRAND NEW iPHONE!! Cellphone nirvana.  I am a lemming and so happy!
wondering: how I am going to convince work to let me take my last two classes for my degree?  They are only offered during the day on Monday and Wednesday this summer.  I can't go through another semester. Must make this happen so I can graduate.
internet find:These shoes + these bracelets.

Source: gudrunsjoden.com via Jennifer on Pinterest 

Source: brigitte.de via Jennifer on Pinterest

Happy Valentines Day!

Hello friends :) I hope everyone had (is having) a fantastic Valentine's day. I was planning on posting a tutorial, but still haven't be able to finish up taking the photos. To be honest this week is going to fly by while I work on this animation project. Have hedgehog, must animate. So, I am going to leave you with a little visual love tonight. See you tomorrow ;)

Source: dustjacketattic.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

An early Valentines Day

::image here::

Hello friends! I hope everyone had a great weekend. Why are they so darn short?!? Thanks for visiting my Friday Fancies.  I actually think I am going to get that dress.  I can't stop thinking about it.

This weekend has flown by probably because I've had SO MUCH HOMEWORK.  I once heard that design students have as much homework as med students.  I was up both Friday + Saturday night until 2AM finishing assignments, so I pretty much agree.  It doesn't leave much brain energy for the rest of the weekend.  I am sure other working students understand!

So it was nice to take a break tonight, get dressed up (boots + a dress) and go to a nice dinner with my husband.  He planned our Valentines dinner tonight so that we could enjoy it and not stress about getting home tomorrow night.  That was an excellent gift in itself.  Remember this necklace? It was my other valentines gift! A nice perk of having a blog that your husband reads :) We went to our favorite local restaurant ::17North:: where the menu is seasonal and always changing.  In fact most of the food the restaurant serves is grown in an on site garden.  The food is out.of.this world.  John had lamb and I had Beef Bourgeoisie (a la Julia Childs) and a nice bottle of Red. Perfect way to end the weekend.








I also made some Valentines treats (see above) that I will be delivering to my family tomorrow. I found these adorable vintage valentines online and printed them on canvas paper.  They turned out so adorable. I was bummed that I didn't hand make the cards (and that makes me so sad,) but I wanted to get something together.  I really can't wait until I have sometime to just be myself.  It is one constant deadline.  And yes, I know that when I have children time will not be my own either (added incase my Mom is reading!) Anyhoo...I WILL be back tomorrow with a tutorial.  I wasn't able to finish taking the pictures.

PS. The photos above are all from my iPhone. I love, love, love instagram. What a great app! Have a great Monday.

Friday Fancies- Be my valentine?

Its time for Friday Fancies!   Tonight I designed an outfit I would wear to a valentines day with my husband (our first Valentines Day as husband + wife!)  Guess what? We actually ARE going out for Valentines dinner and if it is warm (supposed to be in the 60s) I hope to wear a dress and boots.  Of course it won't be as nice as this outfit, but it is my DREAM outfit after all. Aren't those Kate Spade bracelets perfect? I bought similar ones for my bridesmaids.  They loved them! I would like to own all three. Are you joining us for Friday Fancies?  You should! It's fun to play with fashion when you don't have to worry about the size. I hope you all are having a great Friday night.  I will be back tomorrow with a little tutorial (eeks! can you feel the excitement?)

PS. I love, love, love my iPhone.  If you have app recommendations I would love to hear them.

Be my valentine? by jenypenny featuring a cable necklace

Stribed jersey dress, $120
FINN JACKET, 185 GBP
frye CARSON cowboy boot 77679-BLK, 468 CAD
Y-Mail Metallic Leather Clutch in Silver or Gold, $445
london calling idiom bangle, $78
Kate Spade New York - A Penny For Your Thoughts Idiom Bangle (Modern..., $48
Kate Spade Mop Flower Stud, $45
Kate Spade New York - On Cloud Nine Idiom Bangle (Bright White) -..., $28
Eye Catcher Necklace, $11
Gandia Blasco - Books Wool Rug, $2,000
paperclip notes gift set, $35

Like a kid on July 4th!

I have waited years to get an iPhone and my sweet husband got up this morning went to the Verizon store and got our iPhones.  I am so excited.  So, I will be offline tonight getting this phone set up.  Any iPhone apps I just have to get?  (I realize the picture and subject matter are silly, but sometimes its the small things that make a difference in your life.  This is one of those moments for me.)

See you tomorrow for Friday's Fancies.  Join in!

Wordless Wednesday: Snow?!?

Hello friends.  I have had at least seven people tell me today, "Did you know they are calling for snow?" Snow in Charleston...my goodness!  Well how soon people forget that last year in February we had snow.  So for my wordless Wednesday I thought it would be nice to remember that snowy night.  The best part about getting snow here last year was the joyous sounds heard all over the neighborhood. For many of the kids, this was the first time they had ever seen snow in their lifetimes.  Mom's + Dad's were out until midnight building snowmen and playing in the snow.  It was a night I will never forget.  It was the first time that I could actually hear joy + happiness in laughter.  That night it was contagious. Will I wake up to a winter wonderland tomorrow?  Are most of you SICK of the cold and snow?  It seems like it has been a crazy snowy winter.  Anyhoo.

Now for the winner of the 21 day giveaway.   As determined by the scientific method of me asking my husband to choose a number between 1-4 is...soveryvicki! She has been a great supporter of the blog since I started so Vicki, please send me your address via email at jenypennydesigns (at) gmail (dot) com.  She is planning the most adorable valentine party.  You should stop by her blog and take a peek. 

And ONE last thing before I get the the (ahem) wordless Wednesday photos.  If you are crafty, or love handmade products.  This ezine, "inspired ideas" is incredible beautiful.  Her past two issues have been free + this one has a small fee.  The beauty and detail is worth every penny.

Finally, the photos...have a great Thursday. 

::In her blog debut, Ms. Bella Boo Tyler::

The next challenge

Thank you for celebrating with me today! I will be drawing a name tomorrow :) I had a whole blog post written and when I went to add an image it was gone...sigh.

Anyhoo...I decided what my next 21 day challenge is going to be. It isn't as exciting as starting a blog or as creatively fulfilling, but it is important. My next challenge it to start MOVING. Trust me when I tell you anything is better than what I am currently doing (read:nothing.) Do you all have a small challenge you want to tackle? I think 21 day challenges break things up into easy bite size changes. Let's keep each other accountable!

Source: weheartit.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Celebrate! 21 day celebration giveaway!

Hello all! I am so very excited that I just had to squeeze in my 21st post before the end of the day! I can't believe I did it....21 days and I have a blogging habit! Yes! I couldn't be happier. Tonight I have been busy finishing a magazine project for a school presentation tomorrow, so I am bummed that I couldn't make this post as big as I planned, but that doesn't change the feeling.

::Me + my sister::

 Blogging has honestly made me a happier + more creatively fulfilled person. Shocking that such a small change can have such a huge impact on your life. It is nice to finally be apart of the community I have admired for so long.
As a way of saying thank you for the joy...I wanted to do a small giveaway.  Hip-hip Hooray a giveaway! To enter all you have to do is leave a comment on this post + follow my blog.  You can also grab a JenyPenny button if you want (who doesn't love radishes!) The giveaway includes items from my etsy shop + a surprise. If you have been following my blog you know that I love minibooks. I also love to create minibooks full of creative bits of happiness.   

So, thanks for all the recent support and thanks for taking the time to stop and say hi.  I appreciate all the comments and encouragement.  Looking forward to celebrating the next 21 day challenge.  Have a great Tuesday!

Project Re-Style-Old School Desk

Several weeks ago my Mom and S-dad gave me this desk.  I am actually not sure of its history other than it's been in my S-dad's family for a long time.  It was pretty banged up and had several wads of gum stuck under the seat (about six), but it had good bones and was sturdy enough.  I decided to give it a good sanding to bring out the beauty without ruining the character/love its been shown over the years.  Lucky for me John brought out the hand sander and we made quicker work of this tedious job. After a finishing sand and a coat of chalkboard paint on the desktop,  I am pretty please with how it turned out. It's now sitting in the entry way awaiting the rest of the mini hall make-over.  I also think I am going to rub mineral oil in to recondition the wood.  Any experience or tips about this?

The inspiration for this project came from Rachel Denbow and Elsie Flannigan's  Project Restyle.

Project Restyle is a just-for-fun creative group focused on ReStyling damaged, unwanted or unusable goods into fresh, beautiful pieces. 

You can read about the project here. And see other awesome before + afters here. I hope everyone has a GREAT start to the week.  Monday...ugh.  Let's make the best of it shall we :)

::ps:: TOMORROW is the 21 day celebration!! Please make sure to visit. 

Tools to use

Yesterday was a cold and rainy day here in the South.  I thought it was just perfect! Lots of cleaning, reorganizing and homework.  I even had time to make a new mini book! I will be back later with photos of the rearranged craft room & minibook,  but I wanted to share a "new tool" that I got last week and finally had an opportunity to try.  I am probably totally late to the party on this, but I wanted to share in case someone out there is looking for a great adhesive. This is honestly the best adhesive I have ever used in terms of strength.  It even works great on attaching fabric to projects.  To clean up, you just rub remaining adhesive off with your fingers.  Perfect!

I bought mine from overstock.com (also a new love of mine...where have I been?!?) The amount of adhesive it can hold is also impressive.  Before I got this I was a total glue stick girl.  I only used glue sticks because I was spending a fortune on adhesive refills.  Anyway, just thought I would share a new tool to use!
Have a great Super Bowl Sunday! I am off to take pictures since it is nice and sunny here today.

PS. Overstock.com & Scotch tape have no idea who I am.  The is just a personal recommendation.

Friday Fancies

Have you ever visited {av} at long distance loving? If not GO (after your done here!) She is the creator of Friday Fancies...a little break from the monotony of the week.  It is your fantasy outfit.  Cost doesn't matter.  Size doesn't matter (it's true!!) The event doesn't matter.  Nothing matters! 

"Friday's Fancies are the post where you can dream big--since you're looking at the fashion and not the pricetag. How wonderful is that?!" -{av}

 So I decided to link up with her this week! I am so excited about the outfit I chose for tonight.  It is a cold + rainy night here in Charleston, so I planned the ultimate date night outfit.  I am thinking we will go eat at 17 North outside under the heatlamps and enjoy the romantic rain from our cozy table.  (Reality is...homemade chili and battlestar gallactica!) Have a great rest of your night...and special thanks to {av} for the challenge!! If this seems like fun (and it was)...you should join up next week.

A rainy night date by jenypenny featuring striped jeans

Theory Striped wool and cashmere-blend turtleneck sweater, $190
21401-04 Dark Grey Jacket, 165 GBP
Henlow Skinny - Long, $89
Guy de Jean Striped Pliant Auto, $70
MARINA Grey Chiffon Bow Pumps, $55
MARC BY MARC JACOBS M303048 SAGE LEATHER -, 374 GBP
Dame Tri Link Earrings, $1,950
MARC BY MARC JACOBS 'Henry' Rose Gold Chronograph Watch, $225
Freebie: 12 Grungy Bokeh Textures | Psdtuts+, $3

Passion the great motivator?

weheartit.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

I have this theory that REALLY successful people know who they are from the moment they are born. We've all had friends that have known since they were young that they would be a lawyer, a social worker, a teacher, an artist.
These are the people that I'm totally jealous of. They go to work everyday living their passions. They never wanted to be (or want to be) anything other than who they are. Every.single.day they produce, cook, design, sew and paint with a drive that seems to outweigh any doubts they have. Making them inspirational successful.

I decided two years ago that I wanted to go back to school to follow a dream I've always had in art. Specifically graphic design. When I was little I used to sit at the desk in my room and design recipe card using colored pencils and white index cards. Weird how that moment is what propelled me as an adult to pursue this dream. I also work full time in a very demanding, belittling, male driven field that I believe zaps every bit of energy from me.

The point...not too long ago someone I admired told me that they didn't see my passion, that my lack of passion is holding me back from being a good designer. I was PISSED. I have no time to have passion. I am working and going to school full-time. Any free moments I have are spent doing homework and just keeping the day to day household running.

Is this lackluster fumbling through life actually getting me any closer to my dream?

All I can figure now is that I am 34 years old and despite the hard work, I still don't know who exactly am or what I want to do. Is it possible that I am filled with so much doubt about the choices that I make...that I'm actually doubting my passions?
*For example if I was MORE passionate wouldn't I want to design that website for a friend? Its a great portfolio builder for me and would get me closer to being a working designer, but instead I sit on the couch watching another re-run of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. What is it that makes some people follow passions without pause and others (me) watch them run by?

Is a passion that leads directly to success somehow tied to confidence/ self doubt? Am I missing passion or am I actually just lazy?

Personal Comforts

Hello friends! Two days of fever and I am on the mend. Hip-hip-hooray! Only five more days until my 21 day celebration.  21 days of making THIS BLOG a habit.  I couldn't be happier.  I am already thinking about my next 21 day challenge. Hmmm...

So with all the crazy sickness of this week, my Kinda Wordless Wednesday (what can I say I am a talker) is about a few of my personal comforts. Do you have special comforts?  I would love to hear what they are. 

::Wedding Photos by the talented Shannon Michele Photography::

As always thanks for taking a moment to stop by and share your Wednesday with me.  I hope you have a great night.  Talk soon :)

Fresh Feburary Goals

Hello friends.
This has been quite a day as I have been sacked by this dumb fever.  Has anyone else has this thing? It honestly feels like mono.  Anyhoo...I am just grateful that the temperature isn't too freezing outside as I am covered by multiple blankets inside.




Lucky for me...my very sweet hubs brought me some tomato zucchini soup from Whole foods and some crunchy bread.  Soul soothing.

February is always one of my favorite months. All the love, the excitement from the Superbowl, and its the shortest which means if you create a monthly goal you have a great chance of sticking to it!





My February Goals

1.  Walk at least 20 miles.
2. Plan a date night for John and I (use group-on at bottles and brushes.)
3. Plan my Mom's Birthday party.
4. Cut OUT un-nesscerary sugar (goodbye peppermint patties.)
5. Make 5 scrapbook pages using Studio Calico kits (December or January)
6. Get my ETSY shop off of vacation mode.  
7. Finish sanding and painting the old school desk and chair.  Front hall make-over coming soon!

Do you all make monthly goals? I find that it helps keep me accountable for actually getting out of the work > school > house > work habit and having some productive fun! Hope you all are keeping WARM and keeping the "fever funk" out of your homes. See you all tomorrow :)

Minibook Monday

Hello! Did everyone have a good Monday?  I always feel happy when Monday is almost over.  It is my least favorite day of the week.  It always seems like a Grey, slow start to the week.  It's so unfair to the poor weekday.  I made the BEST dinner tonight though.  I used this recipe.  I made a few substitutions (whole wheat pasta, 1/2 cup pasta sauce and I used skinless chicken breast.) Best part...enough for lunch tomorrow!!

Anyhoo,  I love sharing my minibooks.  Hopefully it's not too boring to see them.  Is it?!?  When I was thinking about the kind of things I wanted to blog about, I decided to start blogging the things that I most enjoy looking + reading about.  Minibooks top that list!  Do you all know Elise Blaha? She is the minibook MASTER!

::Moo cards make the fastest minibooks::

Alright all...have a great tomorrow:)  Hopefully the BIG HUGE blizzard isn't too bad for those of you in the path.  Thanks for stopping by and saying hi!

A good day for an oyster roast

It was a beautiful day.


I mean a picture perfect - blue sky - 70 degree day.  Its the kind of day that makes people in the North jealous when you tell them you live in Charleston, SC.  So, what does any good Charlestonian do with weather like this in January? They go to an oyster festival!  We are lucky to live just minutes away from Boone Hall Plantation which is home to one of the largest oyster roast in the Southeast. The roast was crowded, but it was a great day with family and friends.


I hope you all have a fantastic start to your week:)  Thanks for stopping by!

::Bucket of oysters + John & I::

::Me & my sister + the crowds::

::Boone Hall Plantation cotton bushes::

Right now I am...

listening: Drake and Jamie Foxx KILL IT on this song.
eating:   Anything from this cookbook.  Most things only take 20 min to prepare!
drinking: Trader Joes Blueberry Green Tea.  Sugar free!
wearing: Gap hoodie + gap yoga pants.  Comfy Clothes!
feeling: achy.  Took a nap today, but can't really shake this fever.

::favorite quilt::

weather: B.E.U.A.T.I.F.U.L Bright blue skies, mild temps.
need: to work on magazine cover for electronic publishing class + finish working on a mini book.
thinking: about how to get my b u t t going on a gym routine.  I am feeling stiff and sluggish.
enjoying: my new washer & dryer.  Front loader bliss.
wondering: if I WILL be able to graduate in August.  Finger crossed that the last class I need is available this summer...anxiously awaiting the summer session catalog.
internet find: this unique necklace that I am coveting. Can we say VALENTINES DAY!!

Source: etsy.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

I hope you all have a great Sunday.  If I am feeling better *fingers crossed* tomorrow I will be at a huge oyster roast at Boone Hall plantation.  Thanks for stopping by + taking the time to comment.

::Thanks to hello again for sparking this post::

Five for Friday

Hello!
I am glad to see others share the same frequent word issues I do.  In fact today I left comments on a few blogs and never once used the words amaze, love and inspire.  Success! So what does everyone have going on this weekend?  I have some school projects and an oyster roast on Sunday.  The best news of all...60+ degrees and SUNNY! Moments like this I just LOVE living here.

::Sunny day on the Battery::

So far I have three blog features I am excited about Monday Minibooks, Wordless Wednesday and Five for Friday. These may change, but for now I like the structure. What can I say. I am a Virgo :)

1. Kashi Warm Oat Cinnamon Cereal.  WHAT?! This stuff is so tasty and filling. Its basically like cinnamon toast crunch for adults.
   
   
2. Battlestar Galactic. Oh holy goodness.  My nerdy husband is making me a nerd.  All things considered its a really good show.  We like watching TV series from beginning to end and I am actually enjoy the story lines.
   
   
3. Overstock.com. Am I the last to know?  Happiness.  I got these sheets (blue ticking.) Take it from me, soft as velvet.
   
4. Keurig. This is my HEAVEN.  It makes one perfectly brewed cup of coffee on demand.  John (hubs) bought it as a Christmas gift and I use it every.single.day.  *If you are wondering...I think Emeril's Keurig Coffee is the best. 
   



::image here::

5.  Lastly, all of you that have taken the time to comment this week! It has excited me beyond words to open my blog and see the comments.  So, thanks for the warm blogger welcome :)

::image here::