I have a new friend...

...and her name is Nina. Aaaaaand, ok. She also happens to be a knitting shop.

If you are in the Chicagoland area, please pinky swear that you will visit her. You will find the most exquisite and beautifully displayed yarns. My head was spinning, causing me to forget that my mom and I had a car parked outside, and the meter had run out 20 minutes prior. Thank you, City of Chicago, for not catching this mistake for once. You are usually so good at that.

So, check Nina out! Trust me, you won't regret it.

xo,
J

2-digit problemo

Well...I've reached the 2-digit mark. I currently have ten (ten!) projects in the works or soon to be on my needles. How did that happen? Aren't I the very same girl who merely 5 months ago declared that I can only do one project at a time? Silly me, because looming December has one thing July does not: Christmas. Clearly I was talking crazy talk a few months ago.

I loOoOoOoOve giving knitted gifts as presents. And I made the mistake of deciding this weekend that I had three gifts to knit before the 25th. Because that's what I do best. Pressure myself during unrealistic circumstances. That's what I do best. Well, that and shopping. I'm good at that, too.

So, among the many projects keeping my fingers busy, I have a new fave:


Welcome to my collection, Blue Sky Alpaca High Neck Cable! Can I just put it out there that this is the cutest sweater ever? I can't wait to lounge in that sweater, pen in hand, pondering my next move.

Please check out the Blue Sky Alpaca site. It's pretty much the best, and I'd best avoid it so that my 10 projects don't turn into 11...yikes!

Off to listen to some jolly holiday tunes. December is upon us!
xo,
J.

Finished, finally.

I am proud to announce that I have (finally) finished my first project that I have introduced on this blog. The cabled baby blanket is now complete!

Let's take a trip down Memory Lane, shall we?

First, there were the dreaded cable needles:



Then, the panic set in as the baby was born and the blanket looked like this:


And, finally, a finished blanket to keep baby warm, complete with tag:





I've got to say, it's a wonderful feeling giving a handmade gift. This project meant a lot to me, as I learned so much from it, and I hope it keeps baby warm and cozy in this chilly winter weather.

Cross your fingers that this creates some sort of momentum...

xo,
J.

On My Needles

About 2 weeks ago, lovely yarn from PurlSoho entered my life. 8 beautiful skeins all wrapped up in a neat little package. Heaven? Yes.


Determined to knit up a Christmas stocking (see post here), I got all merry and started knitting away. And, let me tell you, what a nice little pattern this is! Because you are constantly changing colors, I feel like I'm making good progress. Aaaaaand, progress isn't actually one of those things that I'm great at when it comes to knitting.


My only disappointment is that I didn't realize how small this was going to be. If I were savvy enough, I could change the size of the pattern. Or, even easier, I could have read the measurements before I started knitting. But that would have taken all the fun out of it.

This little stocking will hang by the chimney with care (in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there...you know you were thinking it, too.)

I'll share some more once I tackle the heel. Double pointed needles scare me.

Stay cozy!
xo,
J.

What I Wore Wednesday

I have been super busy, and Thanksgiving break cannot come soon enough. This is getting a bit embarrassing. Good thing for What I Wore Wednesdays - it's like homework for me. And I never want to miss out on an assignment. It's the one thing that's keeping me on my toes!

Check out The Pleated Poppy and join in on the fun!

The "It's Conferences Day 1" Outfit

Gold Sweater - Nordstrom
Brown Tank - Banana
Skirt - Boden
Boots - Nordstrom

This is my official conference outfit. Why? Because it feels very conference-y. And yes, that is a new word.

The "It's Conferences Day 2" Outfit


Dress - Boden
Boots - Nordstrom

I love Boden. Thinkin' about marrying it.

The "Who doesn't love corduroy" Outfit


Black Turtleneck - Banana
Corduroy Flippy Skirt - Anthropologie
Olive Green Belt - J.Crew
Boots - Boden

The "I'm Mad for Plaid" Outfit



Sweater - Anthropologie
Embellished Shirt - J.Crew
Brown Plaid Pants - Anthropologie
Shoes - Nordstrom
Weird Close-up of the Pants - That's all me, baby.

Happy Wednesday to YOU!
xo,
J.

What I Wore Wednesday

I have been a bad blogger. My posting has been lackluster this week due to looming conferences around the corner. Dun Dun Dunnnn. My favorite time of year.

Anyway, please play along at The Pleated Poppy. So much fun!

The "Pin a Rose on Your Nose" Outfit


Gray Jacket - Banana
Black Pants - Banana
White Blouse - J.Crew
Flower Pin - Anthropologie

Doesn't wearing a flower pin just make you feel fancy? Makes me feel like prom.


The "Wait, is That a Robe?" Outfit


Red Sweater - Anthropologie
Skinnies - Nordstrom
Boots - Steve Madden

Funny story about this sweater. I just happened to wear it on Pajama Day. A fellow colleague commented on how much she liked my robe.

Ummm...excuse me, but I did not spend this kind of money on something that could be mistaken for a robe.


The "Whoa, This Needs Some Color" Outfit


Gold Tee - Anthropologie
Vest - Anthropologie
Navy Pants - Banana
Shoes - Nordstrom

I'm not averse to color. Pinky swear.


The "OhmygoshIlovetheseboots" Outfit


Striped Tee - J.Crew
Military Green Skirt - Anthropologie
Boots - Steve Madden

I need a haircut. Badly.

Off to catch some zzzzz's for conferences. I need to choose my outfits wisely. I tend to feel a little anxious and...*glisten*. Because, you know, ladies don't sweat, they *glisten*. Nothing says gross more than saying "Your child is a pleasure to have in class" while sporting pit stains.

On that note,
xo,
J.

What I Wore Wednesday - Halloween Edition

I. love. Halloween. That is why I'm so glad I can share not one! but two! Halloween costumes with you. Because, you know, a girl needs options.

Join in on the fun at The Pleated Poppy. I promise you'll love it!

The "I'm Feeling Red" Outfit

Black sweater - Banana
Red Pants - Anthropologie
Shoes - Tory Burch


The "Hello, My Name is Raggedy Ann" Outfit


Made By - My mom and grandma! Too bad my students don't know who Raggedy Ann is, boo hoo!


The "I'm a Flapper Because I Like Fringe" Outfit


Store Bought - I love this costume


The "This Has Always Been My Favorite Skirt" Outfit


Black turtleneck - Banana
Skirt- Anthropologie
Boots - Nordstrom

Happy November!
xo,
J.