These are a few of my favourite things.....

Hello everyone and a big WELCOME to all the new readers that have added Jessie Street Designs to your reading list!  I'm so flattered and happy to have you here:)

Today, I wanted to start by sharing with you one of my favourite Pinterest finds - An All Natural, Homemade Cleaner!  Holy cow, can I be any more EXCITING?!?!  All kidding aside, I had been looking for a great homemade/natural cleaner to use in our home and was happy to find this simple recipe that contained three ingredients that we all have in our house - Equal parts Water and Vinegar with a few drops of Lavendar Essential Oil.  Doesn't get much easier than that and it cleans really well too!  I also loved the idea of using microfibre cloths on your Swiffer - terrific idea!  Check out Nature's Nuture blog, for this cleaner and other green ideas.

The next thing that I wanted to share with you is a new beauty find that I have been trying out.  Tinted Moisturizer has been around for quite a while now, but I had never tried it before until recently.  As much as I LOVE make-up, I don't like to wear a lot in the summer but like to have a bit of coverage to even out my skin tone.  I decided to try out the Smashbox Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer and I was pleasantly surprised.  Intially when I put a little on my hands I thought that it was going to be too heavy and come off looking greasy, but after I applied it , it looked smooth and gave me even, full coverage - I was thrilled and have been using it regularly ever since - no breakouts either (which I am occasionally prone too!)  Check out Smashbox for more information on this product and many others!

The last thing that I'm digging is Metabolism Boosting Water.  I don't know if it works, but it tastes great and with these crazy high temperatures we've been having it's super refreshing.  All you do is cut up one cucumber and one lemon and add it to a jug of water with 10-12 mint leaves and you've got yoursef a delicious drink of water!!!

(source)

Stay cool and enjoy your week!

Christmas in July at Happy Hour Projects!

Hello Everyone!  Hope that you are all having a fabulous week so far.

Today I'm so excited to be sharing with you an awesome giveaway that Adrianne from Happy Hour Projects is hosting.  It's called Christmas in July and it is a HUGE giveaway with over $600 worth of prizes - isn't that awesome!!!  I thought that this was such a cool idea that I also jumped on the bandwagon and donated one free item from Jessie Street Designs as a prize.  If you haven't entered yet, head on over to Happy Hour Projects and get yourself in the draw - it's super easy and tons of ways to participate.




 
Also, the Ready, Set, READ link party for July is almost done....if you haven't linked up your book review for July for a chance to win the draw that Seven Alive and I are hosting, there's still time left. 

The LBB aka - Little Black Blazer;)

It's that time again....your monthly fashion tips from my lovely sister Christine!!  I really look forward to these posts and I hope that you are all enjoying them as much as I am:)   Take it away Sista!!
Hi again Jessie Street Designs readers, I am so happy to be here and share some tips on incorporating a black blazer into your wardobe.

The black blazer is a staple in my closet- it is my go to piece of clothing for any occasion. You can easily transition this blazer from work to errands to a night out. It really is a good piece of clothing to invest in that will stand the test of time :) Plus take your time searching stores like GAP, JCrew and Banana Republic for sales. I picked one up for less than $40 at the Gap.

So you can see from the diagram above how versatile it is to work with. Picture 1 is of office wear- nice and professional but then you can see in picture 2 how you can easily work it into your weekend wardrobe to get a more casual look
Tip* if you want to make a dressy piece of clothing more casual a good tip is to pair it with destroyed denim or worn in jeans. It gives the look an overall more laid back feel :)

Now picture 3 is a more playful and fun look for a night out on the town. Plus florals (which are very feminine) would play off nicely with a more structured jacket like a blazer. I once saw a girl wear this to a baby shower with flats and tights in the winter and it was very cute and weather appropriate.

Either way a blazer is a good wardrobe staple for any closet.

What I'm Reading....July!!

Wow....it's July already!!  We had a terrific weekend at the cottage and I was able to spend sometime at the beach reading my book for the July edition for Ready, Set...READ!  I think that a good book and sand, sun and the water are a great combination:) 
Ready, Set.....READ is the monthly link party that my friend Kadie from Seven Alive and I host.  At the beginning of each month we share the book that we are going to read...you may read the same book as us or one of your own.  Then, on the last Monday of the month, link up your review of the book at our link party!  Everyone who links up is automatically entered in a giveaway!!!

For this month, I'm reading Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum.  I gave this book to my sister-in-law for Christmas and now that she has finished it, it has been passed around my family and has made it's way back to me. 

Our link party for June is still open, so if you would like to participate, click here.

"The Places You'll Go!"

Today I'd like to share with you some of the books that are favourites amoung the toddlers in our house.   The twins recently celebrate thier 3rd birthday and recieved this book as a gift:

This is a nice book and I renjoy reading it to the kids:)   It is a beautifully-illustrated story of how children see the world around them.  All of us highly recommend this book.

Another big favourite in our house is this one:

If you are looking for a book to teach your children the alphabet in a fun way or if you just a want a great book to entertain your little one, then this is the book for you:)  The ryhmes and illustrations are excellent.    
Want to share some of the books that your kids are reading or how about sharing a review on a book that you've read recently?  Then, be sure to link up to the Ready, Set....READ!  book party.  Click below for details!







"The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” - Dr. Seuss

READY, SET......READ!!!!

Happy Monday everyone and welcome to the first month of Ready, Set....READ!  Kadie from Seven Alive and I are so excited to be launching this new monthly link party.

On the first of each month Kadie and I are going to post the book that we are going to read for the month. You may read the same book as us, or pick your own - it's up to you. On the last Monday of the month we will have our link party where you can post a review of your book (was it hard to get into, could you not put it down, did you make a craft based on something by the book - we want to know about it...link it up!!!)

This month, I read "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay.

Sarah's Key is a historical novel that tells the story of the 1942 roundups and deportations, in which thousands of Jewish families were arrested by the French police, held at the Velodrome d'Hiver and then transported to Auschwitz. 

The novel is told from two perspectives - 60 years apart.  The first is that of  ten year old Sarah, whose family is brutally rounded up during 1942.  In order to save her brother, Sarah locks him into a cupboard of her families apartment thinking that she will be back within a few hours to let him out. 

The second story is that of Julia, an American journalist who currently lives in Paris and is asked to write a story about this terrible day in France.  Through her investigating she stumbles upon her personal connection to the Roundup.  The more research she does, the more she starts to question her place in France.

I LOVED this book.  It is incredibly well-written and the story will stay with you long after you finish it. I could hardly put it down and honestly finished it within a day.  It will make you sad, it will make you cry - but most importantly....it will make you remember.  This should be a must read on everyone's list.

So how did you like your book this month...link it up!  Have you read Sarah's Key and want to share your review...link it up!  Did you read a book and then do a craft about it...link it up! 

Only a few housekeeping rules before we get started:

1.  PLEASE....No spoilers!!!
2.  Keep it family friendly
3.  Link back to our party in your post
4.  Following us would be nice (but not mandatory!)

And as if reading a good book isn't reward enough....when you link up, you are automatically eligible to win this awesome prize package that Kadie and I created!!  A beautiful handstamped necklace that the lovely and talented Kadie made and a super cute glass case made by yours truly:)  WHOO HOO!! 

So, let's get this party started.....can't wait to see what you have been reading this month:)

Nothing beats Homemade Strawberry Jam:)

One of my favourite things to make and give to people is Homemade Strawberry Jam!  Mmmmm, I could have a piece of toast and jam just thinking about it;)  I made a batch of jam on Monday - I froze some of the jars already and gave the rest away as hostess gifts and teacher gifts.  This year, I decorated the the tops of the jars with red and white gingham fabric and twine...such an easy thing to do that makes it look even more special.

I thought that I would share the recipe that I use to make my jam - there's nothing to it, I just follow the recipe that's on the CERTO box...why mess with a good thing, right?!?!  They give you different options to make the jam (Cooked Jams, No-Cook Jams, Cooked Jellies) I always do the no-cook, freezer jam and it is by far the easiest method that I have ever used and it honestly took me less than an hour to make a batch.  Enjoy!

No-Cook Homemade Strawberry Jam

1 3/4 cups crushed strawberries
4 cups of granulated sugar
1 pouch CERTO Liquid Pectin
2 tbsp lemon juice

In a large mising bowl stir together strawberries and sugar.
Let stand for 10 minutes
Add CERTO and lemon juice.  Stir for three minutes
Pour into clear containers.  Cover with lid and let stand for 24 hours.