Jennie Loves…

Whoa, it feels like forever since I’ve posted. Really, it’s only been since last week, but, still, those few days felt like eternity.

I decided to take a weekend trip to visit my grandparents in PA with my mama. We headed out at 5 am on Saturday morning, which meant that this gal had to rise and shine at 4 am to prep. I don’t advise anyone to wake up at 4 am ever. Did you know it’s still dark out at 4 am? Well, it is–pitch black. There will be no 4 am wake up calls for me again anytime soon.

I didn’t cook for an entire weekend. What? Very out of character, I know, but oh so relaxing. I can’t remember the last weekend I took a break from cooking. That right there suggests that it has probably never happened, or it has been eons and I just can’t remember.

Do I have food for you today? Um, well, not exactly. See, the thing is, I haven’t had time to whip up anything special for you since my return home. I’ve been so busy at work this week that the last thing I feel like doing when I get home is cook and photograph.

Instead, I’ve put together a list of my current favorite must-have items. I’m like Oprah; only, I wont be giving away any of my favorite things. Trust me, if I were a gazillionaire, I would totally send you everything on my list.

Have you heard of bakery emulsions? I just discovered them a few weeks ago at my local cake decorating store. Intrigued, I picked up a bottle. I couldn’t wait to get it home and twist the cap off. One whiff and you’re hooked. The sweet emulsions are richer, deeper, and more pronounce in flavor compared to regular extracts. I’ve stocked my baking cabinet with a few of LorAnn’s extensive list of emulsion flavors. Good-bye, extracts. Hello, emulsions!

If you read my blog on a regular basis, then you know that I’m a nail polish enthusiast. I love the stuff–can’t get enough of it! I own close to the entire line of O.P.I. This may sound weird, but I pick my colors based on the name of the polish. Not the color, but the name. If it’s funky, then I gotta have it. My current favorite is My Chihuahua Bites. How’s that for funky?

In order to increase the longevity of my polish and protect my nails from dish water, I use Seche top and base coats. The stuff is amazing. It dries ultra fast and my nails stay strong.

I received a box of goodies from Oxo a few weeks ago, and inside I found a pineapple slicer. It doesn’t look like much, but the pineapple carving device is a ninja. It hollows out a pineapple like a beast, leaving only the good stuff and slicing it into perfect rings as it goes. I was in awe the first time I used it. Pineapple slicer, where have you been all my life?

Don’t you just love that t-shirt? As soon as I laid eyes on it, I knew it had to be mine. Baller–that’s funny! I purchased it from Butcher & Baker. They have a great selection of unique food-related clothing.

New to the Thirty One collection is this lovely Fresh Market Thermal. It’s the perfect bag for my weekend farmer’s market trips. It has a ton of room to store my goods while I make my rounds to the various stands. I also use it as a cooler when I take a road trip or go to the beach.

Trouble sleeping? That makes two of us. My brain refuses to relax and shut down at night. I toss and turn for several hours before falling asleep. Food is what usually keeps me up at night. I’m constantly processing ideas for new recipes and blog posts. It’s a vicious cycle.

My sleep deprivation was getting to a point where I was about to ask for prescription medication. Just before I made an appointment with my physician, I was walking through my local organic market and came across Yogi Bedtime Tea. “Heck, it can’t hurt to try,” I thought. I didn’t have high hopes, but what the heck.

It works! Not only does it work, but it works fast. I start getting sleepy after drinking half a cup. Miracles do happen!