jules and juniper

At least that’s what my office mate wrote in my birthday card… Yes, I turned 28 on Tuesday and I will continue to celebrate this momentous occasion with a week of birthday magical events.

Tuesday night, close friends came to my house for a “house” dinner turned birthday gathering. Pictures will come later, but for now just keep in mind that it looked something like this…

…except that the cake was a paleo carrot cake that Lindsay made especially for me (yummy), and Chris Chen was the only one dressed so formally (Matt Hemerlein came pretty close).

Yesterday was dinner at Kramer’s Afterwords, one of my favorite restaurants in DC. I reconnected with a great friend and enjoyed a paleo friendly meal, no dessert (go me!). Thanks Rayhan, you are the bestest.

Tonight, I am going to see Avatar (finally!) in IMAX, no less. Ronald is calling this my “birf week” movie. And so it is, and we shall have a wonderful time geeking out to scifi plots and mind-boggling special effects. I should note that he has already seen this movie twice.

Saturday is the big birthday pajama party! Details here: BANANAS IN PAJAMAS!!! Elizabeth did the art for the flyer. My friends are spinning. There will be cake. People will wear pajamas. Fun will be had by all.

And for the final stretch of this birthday jubilee, family Brunch in Richmond the morning/day after my party. After which, I fully intend to look like/do this…

The Child Ballads show (courtesy of All Our Noise) last Wednesday was amazing. I did a little write up for ReadysetDC which you can find here. Lovely photos by the talented Justin Young.

In August, I attended Camp Lo for the 3rd year in a row. It’s an annual group camping trip started by my friends Terry and Jaysen in the tradition of the camping trips their father used to plan for his family and friends. Every year 40 or so loosely affiliated and entirely awesome folks congregate on Long Island in the middle of Lake George for four days of relaxing in nature and binge-drinking(optional). This year I brought Elizabeth as my guest. We bonded just like girlfriends do in the movies, swimming in the lake, carrying firewood, roasting marshmallows, setting up an arts-n-crafts pavilion and just hanging out by our campsite. I adore this picture of her (I made her pose). It’s timeless, like we could do this together for every year to come. Unfortunately I cut off her feet, but ignore that and instead, bask in the warm August sunshine and the good natured-ness of camping trips with friends…

Lake George here I come, with the wee one (Elizabeth) in tow. Looking forward to relaxing on my annual camping trip in upstate NY. It’s perfect timing after the arduous move and I hope to return well rested and ready for loads of blogging and jewelry. Till then, here’s a photo from last year’s Camp Lo.

Can’t wait to see returning campers tomorrow!

bisous,

jenn

You thought you were free on Wednesday night…? Well, you’re wrong cuz you’re going to see Bryan Scary and the Shredding Tears at RnR. I know, you forgot, but it’s ok, I won’t tell Bryan. It’ll be our little secret. Just make sure you come in costume, otherwise he’ll know….

Here’s some photos from the last time I saw them live. Roger was such a doll, indulging me by lugging his photo equipment around all day just so I could have lovely pictures of my favortie band. Roger, my apologies for not posting them earlier. They are fantastic. Have you made friends with the band yet…? Hmmm, we’ll have to work on that.

Union Hall performance, February 15th (?), 2009

All photos by Roger Braunstein. Check out his photostream here.

And here’s some photos from Bryan Scary shows past….

March 2008

August 2008

Always with the lovely Laura by my side. She’s the best partner-in-stalking a girl could ask for!

… a roommate with purple hair, piercing quests, tattoo envy and that rebellious angst of youth that seems all too far away most of the time. Those were my days of PUNK. We used to watch SLC Punk over and over and we’d quote the film at every opportunity and talk about dyeing hair with kool aid and dating guys with mohawks.

Well, tonight I’m gonna do a little reliving and maybe some drinking and remembering how good it feels to be a little (just a little) hardcore punkette for a night. Check out the lineup at DC9. Only $15 for you and free for me. 

On Thursday night, my dear friend Peyton treated me to the opera. I’ve been before, to a handful of performances, all at the Kennedy Center Opera House. Now I must tell you, I adore the opera, I really do. The combination of the greatest musical composition, live symphony performances, outstanding vocal performances, breathtaking sets and costumes and acting is almost too much – almost but just right for someone like me. I’ve heard before that opera is one of those things you either love or hate instantly. Well, Peyton and I, we LOVE it! And Turandot, which runs through June 4th, is the BEST opera I have ever seen. Hands down. No contest. The message I believe Puccini was trying to convey, Love is Life, was communicated so well that even if I hadn’t already agreed with him, I would be an instant convert. If you have the time (and the money) please go see it! And call me as soon as you get out so we can gush about how wonderful it was!

I have yet to write/post on many things, including my adventures in CRAFT WEEK DC. I will try try try to get to it some time in the not so distant future. Promise.

For now I am busy with the previously eluded to ‘projects’ and prepping for attending the Summit of Awesome. Yes, you read that right, Summit – of – Awesome. Well, we shall see how it goes. I’m just hoping to meet some cool people, learn some cool things and have a good time.  I think they should be able to manage that, don’t you?

 Also, another sale at the jewelry shop today!

AND a jewelry show for you on Friday. I can’t go (awesomeness calls) but you should.

It’s Friday. The sun is shining. AND Peyton and I are going to the Cat for Thao Nguyen. Today, life is great! :)

ALSO, I had 5 sales this week. Yeah, I’m awesome!!! (and so is Thao, check her out, seriously.)

Earlier in the month, Niko and I attended the official opening of Poppy, a new handmade jewelry boutique in Georgetown. Owner and jewelry designer Heidi Hess greeted her guests with homemade Russian poppy bread, sparkling wine and abundant enthusiasm for her silver and gemstone creations. Her main impetus for opening a boutique – each of her pieces has a story and those stories can only be shared when the buyer and the creator have in-person  interaction. Heidi, who comes to us as a transplant from Washington state, is also selling the work of former classmates from the University of Washington. Her pieces are timeless, not catering to trend, not disposable, but collectible. I encourage anyone with an interest in unique jewelry to stop by her boutique, take a peek, and listen for a story or two or three!

The front table with work from her classmates and friends….

Vessel pendants for holding wishes…

Rings with folds…

One wall is anchored by the blue and red fireplace with a metal poppy art piece also by Heidi.

Niko covets a vessel necklace…

And then of course, where should we go for after-opening drinks - Gazuza, our new staple. 

I never met a Gazuza cocktail I didn’t like!

Then off to Velvet Lounge for Detox Retox. I have to say, I had no expectations for the show and would support a friend regardless of personal opinion but  – THESE GUYS ROCKED! I mean, Parker climbed speakers and sang in the crowd and that was all in the first three songs! Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that they charmed the hell out of the crowd and even got me to play tambourine on stage. Definitely check them out the next time they play your city. SO MUCH FUN!!!