For granted

It happens every time I have visitors.  I play tour guide and I then it hits me like a blinding light.  I live in the most amazing place ever...EVER.  Charleston was just honored as the top American travel destination by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler Magazine.  Not that I need a magazine to tell me that it is amazing to live here. Granted we deal with issues like every semi big city, but the overall beauty, history and self preservation make it very exciting to live here.













Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods (one of my FIVE most favorite shows) is currently in Charleston taping for his new season which will be all about American foods & traditions. He recently gave a short interview to Charleston Magazine and what he is here to capture goes far beyond the tourism industry. It is about people, tradition and the fight to preserve our history. It's worth a read.

If you want a copy of Charleston Magazine, but can't get it where you live- let me know in the comment section and I will be happy to send one along. It's a beautiful magazine about a magically place. I am so glad I was forced to slow down this weekend and remember why I fought so hard to live here again. What do you love BEST about where you live?

Friday Fancies: Fall in the South

Hello friends. I am looking forward to this weekend because my bestie from DC is coming to town. Whenever I get to show a friend around Charleston, I love it even more! I have so many things planned for us- hope she is ready. Ha! The weather is cool in the morning & evening so it makes pulling out some of the fall clothes exciting, but you still have to dress for the midday warm-ups. Shorts & boots are always a fall staple for me--especially while living here.




 J Crew scoop neck top, $18
Maison Scotch cream jacket, $90
Mulberry highwaisted shorts, $243
Cotton socks, $12
Frye antique boots, $378
Irene Neuwirth link jewelry, $2,290

ABCs of me

I couldn't resist.  I love reading these types of meme's on other blogs, so I wanted to join in on the fun. It's always good for a quick read & acts a lot like a time machine. I am working on a regular blog schedule and loading up photos of the summer, etc.  Can you all believe it is already October? Why is it when we are older, time moves SO.DARN.FAST?

Live out-loud :: Scrapbook page

A. Age: 35 (seriously can not believe I just typed that.)
 
B. Bed size: King- though I would prefer a Queen.


C. Chore that you hate: Unloading the dishwasher.


D. Dogs: DOGS! LOVE DOGS! I especially love all the little yorkie-poo's in our life.

E. Essential start to your day: check email, cnn and facebook on the iphone, drink water.

F. Favorite color: Kelly Green.

G. Gold or Silver: A mix- though I tend to be mostly silver.

H. Height: 5’4"

I. Instruments you play: My voice.

J. Job title: Senior System Engieer-day | graphic designer-night

K. Kids: not yet ;)


L. Live: Charleston, SC

M. Mother’s name: Mommy

N. Nicknames: Jen, JT, JenyPenny

O. Overnight hospital stays: One week stay during after getting a blood clot. Boo.

P. Pet peeves: SLOW drivers, drivers that consitantly use the break, singing all the verses in church (is verse 5-6 really nessecary?)

Q. Quote from a movie: "A piper is down, I repeat a piper is down." So I married an ax murder

R. Right or left handed: Right handed.

S. Siblings: 1


U. Underwear: Cotton (why is this a question?)


V. Vegetable you hate: Corn on the cob, or corn kernels and peas.


W. What makes you run late: Finding something to wear.


X. X-Rays you’ve had: Dentist, arm, toe, heart, chest, ankle.

Y. Yummy food that you make: Pretty much the best chili around & a kick-a** Thanksgiving feast.


Z. Zen time:  A nice cup of tea and Jazz on the Squeeze box- a nice way to zone out.

Four Random Things

Isn't that title mysterious- full of intrigue. Ha! Actually I had four things on my mind that I wanted to talk about, but none of them are related. So here are...

1. Orville Redenbacher Salt & Vinegar popcorn.  There are two snack foods I love Salt & Vinegar chips (LOVE-could eat a whole bag kinda LOVE) and popcorn.  This is what I would call the best snack food EVER invented.  Try it.

2.  The public library! If you haven't been lately, you should go.   I checked out four books yesterday- two are craft books that I saw at the bookstore recently.  It is a great money saver & they have DVD's, Blu-rays available also! Very cool. I am probably late on this bandwagon aren't I!

Source: etsy.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

3. I am a huge fan of Everyday Foods Magazine.  I have been getting it for around seven years.  I just discovered that you can browse all the recipes via this link if you are a subscriber.  AWESOME!

4. Since I finished school I have been getting back into beading.  I was looking for a good beading book at the library, but I could find one that had the kind of tutorials I am interested in.  Do you all have any suggestions for good beading websites, tutorials, etc? I usually copy what I see in the Anthro catalog (at least use as an inspiration source) but, sometimes I just can't figure it out.  So send any beading resources you have my way.

::my bracelets::

What new favorite things have you found?

PS. A bonus random...anyone watch Storage Wars on A&E? I'm obsessed.

Friday Fancies: Back with Fall 2011 Needs!

So, so, SO happy to be back with Friday's Fancies.  HOLY COW has FF grown since I last published.  EEKS! Way to go {av}!

Here in Charleston it stays warms pretty much through October- so I am always trying to figure out a way to wear fall with out sweating to death. I think it would be cute to wear longer shorts with boots and some over the knee socks.  A tiny little step into fall.  My must have's for this fall are brown riding boots, some over the knee socks & the new collection of Kate Spade Supercalifragilipstick! 

Fall 2011 Needs by jenypenny

Striped top, $80
GAP puff sleeve top, $20
Slouchy socks, $15
Leather booties
FOSSIL leather bangle, $38
CO-OP Barneys New York Walking Short - Navy Blue size 29, $49
Kate Spade and Poppy King Put Out Bright Lipstick Collection, Thus...
In LVoe with Louis Vuitton: Fall Winter 2011 2012

Is it Fall where you are? Or are you stuck with humidity and temps in the upper 80s?

Childhood

Sometimes without knowing why a wonderful childhood memory will pop into my head.  For some reason I can really only remember things that happened in my favorite childhood home. It was a Green split-level and I had the room above the garage.  That room still brings back the best memories- well the room and the awesome old school desk my Mom put in there.  It was always filled with one of my distracting treasures...(read:: why I just graduated college in my 30s.)  Anyway, my mom used to make my lunch for me everyday.  I actually wasn't a huge fan of school hot lunch unless it was waffle day.  My very, very favorite part of that lunch was seeing a little note written in blue pen on my white napkin that was folded at the bottom of my lunch bag.  I am not sure what the notes said, but if I had to guess it was probably "do your best" , or "have a great day!"...but they were always signed love, mommy. 

I can hardly remember what I got for birthday's and Christmas back then except for a few TOTALLY awesome gifts that stand out (read:: Barbie apartment furniture) but, I always remember the small gestures that made those early childhood years worth remembering.

Right now during a time when the world is unsteady and people are more and more self-absorb, my simple childhood memory reminds me that it isn't where you live, what you do, or what you own that make you happy, it's the finding and giving of small gestures that make a life.

And just cause this is so darn cute...

Snack lunch bag download:: found here

Well...hello there

My one month to catch my breath turned into a three month craze fest as I finished school. I am happy to say that I graduated (with honors) and have now rejoined the land of the living. College as an adult is SO.MUCH.HARDER (read: I wish I actually paid attention the first time!)

So for the last days of summer, I felt a lot like this...



What really prompted me to get back to blogging was a post from eat, drink be a tourist.
It's her bucket list for the rest of the year...only three more months?!? Ekks! I love list and I thought this would be a great way to really put my thoughts (future post) wants, needs and must do's down.  2012 will be here before we blink.

1. Get my husband to go downtown with me on a weekend to walk, enjoy the sites and use our gift certificate to Charleston cooks!
2. Have a pumpkin spice latte date down at Waterfront park.
3.  Take Bella for a walk on the path at Daniels Island.
4.  Make time to see my friends I've neglected this summer (dinners!)
5.  Plan the annual family fall fun day- Brookgreen Gardens.
6. Order new blinds for upstairs.
7.  Get to IKEA and get new bedroom furniture.
8. Go to Taste of Charleston.
9.  Finish secret Christmas project for family.
10. Eat a late lunch at Village Bakery.
11. Walk 6 days a week on treadmill.
12. Clean out closets & donate.
13. Finish front room. 
14. Have a yard sale.
15. Plan a bonfire on the new patio (hint...hint John.)
16. Go downtown for the Chirstmas tree lighting at Marion Square.
17. Get ETSY shop filled for Christmas.
18. Spend on afternoon taking photos around town.
19. Visit friends in Greenville.
20. Send one greeting card a week to someone special.


So there you have it.  20 items to cross-off the list by the end of the year.  A shout-out to Kelsey at eat, drink be a tourist for giving me the virtual push to get this blog out of hibernation. Do you have a end of year bucket list? What are you waiting for...

Have a great Monday you guys!