jules and juniper

When I started this blog late last year I had every intention of only doing posts related to jewelry and crafting (yes, I know I’ve said this before) and yet I continually find myself wanting to share more. Perhaps I will regret this at some unknown future date, but until then I’d like to start a series of (for lack of a better title) “Show and Tell” posts.

So, here goes number one!

For those of you who know me personally (and as far as I know my readership consists of two friends) you have certainly heard me talk about my fitness and nutrition program. You know that I workout with personal trainers twice a week and I try to stick to a “zone diet” nutrition program. Ah well of course the holidays have been tough with regards to my eating habits…. On the fitness level however, I have been making great strides. I’ve recently moved to a group training format once per week and I try to get in a minimum of four workouts per week. Eventually I will move to five or six – insane by many of your standards I’m sure. Well, I do all of this because I believe (BELIEVE) in the philosophy and science behind what my trainers (John and Mel!) do and more importantly they have taught me to believe in myself. I have learned that “I can’t” is another way of saying “I won’t” which is not to say that I have gotten past complaining when a difficult workout crosses my path. I have also learned to value my health just as much as my intellect and spirituality. Because of them I feel POWERFUL, STRONG and capable of anything I set my mind to, inside or outside of the gym.

So, thanks guys! Thanks to John and Mel. Thanks to everyone they train (my teammates). Thanks to all those who care and listen and support what I am trying to accomplish physically.

And all of this is an introduction toooooo……. drum roll please!!!! ……….. CrossFit! I won’t go into too much detail here. If you’d like to know more you are welcome to ask me or just google CrossFit for more information. This video was posted on my trainers’ blog yesterday. It exemplifies everything that CrossFit means to me: dedication, teamwork and camaraderie (listen for fellow CrossFitters cheering) and an inspirational effort on the part of one individual to challenge himself and the clock with the result being a phenomenal effort for the CrossFit benchmark workout “Helen.” I may never get a time like his, but I do hope to challenge myself to an equal degree and to always feel this excited about what I do in the gym!!!

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!!!

Last night’s texts….

Jenn: Brooklyn. Word. :)

Nick: Just got my shift covered so no sleep till brooklyn!!!

For your information: VDAY a global movement to end violence against women and girls

This past weekend I traded time at the Corcoran studio for time at my own studio (read: coffee table) working on some conceptual-esque pieces for my “Rising Stars of the Corcoran” application. I received notification of this show late last week from my professor, Jimin, and the app was due on Monday night!

Most of the pieces (actually all) that I make for sale are naturally very commercial in nature. I’ve made more conceptual things in the past, mostly for personal use – but for the show I didn’t have anything ready. With little time to “create”, here’s what I came up with.

I know, I know, it spoils the surprise for the show, but I’m not necessarily expecting to be accepted and I really wanted to share. These are things I would actually wear  – however as we all know that doesn’t mean anything because my ‘look’ is rather costume-y to begin with and I really do think I would wear anything once.

I hope you enjoy them and fingers crossed I get into the show and we can all view them in person at the opening!

 

Love this brooch for Valentine’s Day!

 

 

A whimsical ladybug ring!

Check out what’s inside his belly!

 

 

Last Sunday (yes, I’m behind on blogging and still recapping from a week ago) I had friends over for a sweet afternoon treat before heading to the Kennedy Center for the Chinese New Year concert. Being of Asian decent, the Chinese New Year, or ‘Tet’ as the Vietnamese call it, is of particular importance to me. It’s a time for renewal and for starting the year off on the right foot. I didn’t get the opportunity to spend this holiday with family so I was glad to have great food, friends and music to make the holiday still feel just as special.

Sunday was one of those glorious winter days that we rarely see come February in the DC area. Mild weather and an overabundance of sunshine. We were all smiles for the concert, partly due to the lovely day and partly due to dessert wine and sweet treats!

When I’ve little time to prepare for guests I like to make an easy dessert of ‘oven s’mores’ and ice cream. The only trick is making sure the marshmallows don’t burn, the rest of the dessert is self-serve and the berries dress it up a little for the holiday!

One batch fresh out of the oven. I made two! :)

 Ray thought I looked funny as I concentrated on the s’mores…

 My hands-down favorite dessert wine, Ellysium. What a treat!

 

I am the queen of (self-titled) last-minute entertaining. I pride myself on being able to take whatever I have on hand and creating a spectacular meal, or at least that’s what I try to do and in the case of this past Saturday my recipe was a smashing success.

I woke up wanting to bake something and found that my kitchen mostly contained apples so I started thinking apple crisp. Now bear in mind that I’ve never actually made this before, nor did I have a recipe on hand. All I had, in fact was a distant memory from church camp. It must have been 15 years ago that my summer camp counselor, Jason, attempted to make apple crisp over a camp fire. I remembered the basic ingredients: oats, flour, brown sugar, butter and…cinnamon? Only when Jason made it, he used cumin by mistake – thus rendering his version an inedible disaster! So, with a sort of memory of a failed ‘cumin crisp’ and a bag full of apples in hand, I dove into creating a new recipe and here it is!

CINNAMON! Apple Crisp

5 cups chopped apples (any variety, I used Fuji and Macintosh)

1 stick butter

1 cup oats

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

CINNNAMON (not cumin) to taste

pinch of salt

2 ounces gruyere cheese cut into small pieces (optional)

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Chop and peel the apples and place in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the cinnamon, flour, brown sugar, salt and oats until evenly blended. Chop the butter and gruyere into small pieces. Add 3/4 of the butter, gruyere and the oat mixture, reserving 1/4 cup, to the large mixing bowl of apples and mix together with your hands. Pour the mixture into a casserole dish, pack lightly and top with the remaining oat mixture and butter pieces. Bake in the oven for approximately 45 minutes or until the crisp bubbles slightly and the top is golden brown. Serve alone or a la mode for a special Saturday morning treat!

 

 

 

 

 

Now, I know I’m a pretty good cook, great even – but this crisp was so AMAZING that I surprised myself, especially since I basically made this one up on the fly. Second helpings were definitely in order and the remaining crisp didn’t make it past my late night snacking the same day…

 

If you don’t believe me when I tell you how good this was, then maybe you’d believe Rayhan who after taking his first bite with some vanilla ice cream exclaimed, “Oh F— Me!!!” and had to sort of back away from the bowl for a second. Um yeah, it was THAT good….

Let’s tour the studio!

Hey that’s my stuff in that chair!

The roller and cutting station. Don’t you love the real tree stumps for hammering?!

Soldering stations – no more soldering in my kitchen!

Lots of jewelry workbenches all in a row!

The drill, not that exciting but it makes nice perfect holes…

I worked on a new pendant in class. This will likely be part of my puzzle pendant project, only this is just a mock-up…

I used the blow torch to clean it up after cutting…

Basically you burn it clean… wow, jewelry is pretty hardcore huh?

In this session, we learned how to use the roller to make patterns on metal…

 

Puzzle pendant mock-ups..

Oh how I wish I had sandpaper to finish this one off. Soon!

We also learned about pickle (I just love that we get to call it that). It’s the acid you use to clean off the residue from blow torching your metal. Jimin then demonstrated patinaing with sulfur, a smelly technique that I have yet to practice on my own. Maybe I’ll get into that this weekend….

Great class, I feel like I learn so much each time. I can’t wait for the next one!

 

Friday started off at Studio 4903 for Jimin’s gallery opening. Several artists, including Jimin, showcased works created around the concept of a whim-wham… see the picture below for a definition…

I took loads of pictures… please forgive my inability to identify some of the artists as I seem to have misplaced the guide from the night. Here are some of Jimin’s pieces from the show…

And works from some of the other artists…

Niko and Ashley check out Jimin’s work…

Jimin (on the left) doing the gallery thing… 

I tried on one of Anya’s bracelets (not part of the exhibit) for sale at the studio…

Ashley found a ring!

I think she wants to take this one home!

And so did Niko!

Ashley finds another ring to covet that is on exhibit…

Niko and my classmate Sarah discuss the art…

Awww so cute!

This is also a working studio which was especially interesting for me…

Something to dream about…

Then a stop at Larry’s ice cream shop for a cupcake before drinks and ceviche at Gazuza in Dupont. Always a lovely time with yummy cocktails and a warm welcome from the restaurant manager, Ari. :)

Niko attacks!

They were good, but not ‘incredible’ as the sign indicates…

The cocktails at Gazuza though, definitely incredible… try the passion fruit mojito.

A classic ceviche…

Funny faces!

Okay, let’s try that one more time… a little better…

Relaxing to the lounge-y musicccc….

I had such a great time that I didn’t want the night to end.. soooooo we went dancing at DC9! What a Friday! 

Rayhan makin me smile! :) 

One of my favorite bands, Antony & the Johnsons, is playing a show tomorrow at the very intimate Sixth and I Synagogue. This will be my first time seeing them perform and my first visit to this particular venue. Also I’ll be wining and dining with some dear friends, Alfonso, Ben and David, before the show so I’m sure to be all smiles and warm fuzziness tomorrow night – I can hardly wait! And, as Alfonso put it, he can’t believe we haven’t seen each other in just over a week and so I’ll be glad to scratch that nagging itch for A. F. B. time!

Antony and company just released a new LP on the 20th of January and here is the video for their first single, Epilepsy is Dancing…