because it's wednesday

image via pinterest

It's another wednesday and another furry creature. This little puppy is just the cutest thing I've ever seen. I say this every wednesday, I know. But he actually makes me want to drive my honda to the pet store. And I would totally do this if I didn't have a very tempermental persian kitty living at home with me. Someday... For now, I guess I'll just have to settle by gazing into his sad little puppy eyes.  

Enjoy and happy wednesday everyone! 

 P.S. I just joined pinterest and created a board entitled "Sweet Little Things" to archive images such as these. I would love it if you felt so inclined to follow me (Jenna Brooke is my username). Still learning exactly how to use the platform, but so far I'm a bit obsessed. Expect a post on this shortly.

dear hurricane irene

image via moi

Dear Hurricane Irene,

I'm writing this letter because I'm a bit disappointed.

To be totally honest, I expected more. It's not often we get to experience a major hurricane here on the East Coast. We New Englanders are a bit spoiled when it comes to dangerous weather. We get our fair share of blizzards and heat waves, sure, but it's not often we get to see a full-fledged hurricane.  

Being good hostesses, we were prepared. We braced ourselves for a crazy weekend here. We evacuated our homes. We bought thousand dollar generators. We made 5am runs to home depot. We taped and boarded our windows, expecting 100 mph winds. And we watched the news expectedly, waiting for your arrival.   

But by the time you got to us, you just fizzled out...  

This was not the exciting weekend I had planned for us. And to make matters worse, you were a bit annoying. You flooded our streets, houses, and parking lots. You blocked our roads with fallen trees. You even knocked down a few power lines. I admit, it made for a few cool photos. But that was about it. 

So I guess what I'm trying to say is, next time you promise us a category 4 hurricane, please deliver.  

Yours Truly,
Connecticut

P.S. For pictures of the wreckage, check my twitter page @JUSTjennabrooke.

nigel parry: celebrity portraits

images via Nigel Parry

Nigel Parry is one of my all-time favorite photographers. Judging by the above three images, I'm sure you can tell why.  

Since beginning his career in 1988, Parry has photographed hundreds of celebrities and influential figures. His iconic images have been displayed in galleries and festivals across the globe. He's created three books (Sharp, Precious, and Blunt) and has photographed for several prominent magazines (including Vanity Fair). As far as I'm concerned, he's the J.K. Rowling of photography. 

P.S. For more ah-worthy images, check out Sharp on Amazon... It's on sale for $22 and features tightly cropped images of some of the most powerful people in the public eye. Perfect for a coffee table...

vogue russia

images via vogue russia

Striking model Anna Selezneva graces the pages of this month's Vogue Russia, leaving a lasting impression. I found these images on Monday, and have been holding onto them all week to share. I'm captivated by Anna's sensual red lips, perfectly defined eyes, and angular cheekbones. The soft feminine pieces look just as stunning as the minimalist masculine look. I'm just loving the long, lean silhouettes. All in all, a dramtically rich entry into fall fashion.

 P.S. The floral top is by Lanvin, while Tom Ford designed both the simple black shirt and purple lace gown. Just in case you were wondering.

dear noah (just something special for a rainy thursday)

image via Sapling Press 

Sometimes, the simplest things in life are the best. This little note from Sapling Press is just one of those things. Hope it brings a smile to your face. It certaintly brought one to mine...

P.S. Hopefully the East Coast doesn't drown this weekend. A perfect post for a Noah worthy weather forecast.

because it's wednesday

image via Shawna Veasey Photography

So it's not exactly a furry little creature, but it is a supersweet baby boy.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

danielle hayes (by david shields)

images via fashion gone rogue

While perusing the internet, I came across these beautiful images of model Danielle Hayes. I love the juxtaposition of skin, rock, and textured garments. The photographs are minimalistic and raw and I'm really feeling them.

I also think Danielle is the perfect model for this shoot.  She has such a unique and interesting look. Her heavily freckled face, dark wavy hair, and piercing gaze are quite the combination. This being said, I think she could stand to eat a sandwich. I'm hoping that in the coming years we return to a healthier ideal when it comes to beauty. Or at the very least, more variety.

How do you feel about these pictures?

P.S. Random fact: Danielle Hayes won New Zealand's Next Top Model (Cycle Two).

obsessed: lobster ravioli (from TJs)

images via moi

You know when you're having one of those days where you're totally swamped, exhausted, and the last thing you want to do is whip up a gourmet meal from scratch? Well I'll let you in on a little secret... I have those days all the time. Which is why I've created a mental list of easy peasy go-to meals. Boyfriend will be the first to tell you I'm no chef. I am, however, very good at creating delicious dinners that seem far more complicated than they are.

My famous lobster ravioli is one such meal. I shouldn't even call it mine. It's from Trader Joes. No, really. It comes in a little plastic container for $2.99. Of course you're going to have to buy several because it's that good. And it's the easiest thing you'll ever prepare. In your life. You simply bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, drop the fresh raviolis in the pot (I usually turn down the heat), drain after two and a half minutes (do not overcook these, they will fall apart), and sprinkle with butter and salt (or pesto). You're done.  

It's delicious. It's nutritious. And it's impressive. I recommend serving it with a salad.  And if you discard the containers in the bottom of the trashcan, noone will ever know it's premade.

P.S. Boyfriend actually requests that I make this on a weekly basis. We make Trader Joe's runs where this is all we buy. If you try it and hate it (you won't), please let me know in the comments...

better than the real thing, jessica durrant

illustrations via jessica durrant as seen on etsy

While reading one of my favorite blogs, Breakfast at Toast, I noticed some fabulous artwork in the banner. After a little investigating, I learned that the stunning illustrations were completed by none other than Jessica Durrant. There was just one problem... I had no idea who this was. Wanting to see more of her work, I followed a link to her etsy shop, appropriately titled Jessica's Little Shop of Illustrations. There I stayed for several minutes, captivated by the beautiful watercolors and ink prints. As you can already tell, most of her illustrations are inspired by fashion. And if you visit her little shop (which I highly recommend) you can even click on the individual prints to learn which designer inspired which piece. So much more fun than reading a magazine.   

Happy fashion friday everyone!

 P.S. You can own one of these for under $30... perfect for a bedroom or boudoir.

moving on

image via moi

Two weeks ago I made the decision to quit my job and follow my dreams. Yesterday was my last day. I took this picture minutes after leaving my desk for the last time. This was the right decision for me. But goodbyes are always so final. And bittersweet. Even when I'm so excited to embark on a new journey, there's something to say about leaving behind people, places, things. A life. Even when there's no doubt in my mind this was the right thing to do, it's still hard.

It seems this past month I've been closing a lot of doors. But without this, I wouldn't be able to carve a path for myself. And I refuse to live with regrets. So I guess this post is really about what's to come. I read a quote recently about how life is like a garden. You have to prune it so that it can grow. I hope my garden is unpredictable, full of excitement, challenges, and laughs.

And more than anything, I hope if you have the opportunity to follow your dreams, you take it.

because it's wednesday (on a thursday)

image via fotoblur, appropriately titled Catitude

Yes, I am aware it's thursday. But it was an insanely busy day yesterday and I missed my post. This made me sad. So instead of skipping it this week, I'm doing it now. That's right people, I'm not going to neglect my blogging responsibilities just because my life has been a tornado. Plus, I know these posts are totally the highlight of your week and I wouldn't want to disappoint (sarcasm).

Usually, I choose something super cute and fluffy. But, as you can already tell, I'm in a bit of a sour mood today, so I went with this. I mean, I thought I've been giving people death glares. Apparently, I was mistaken. Look at this guy. I definitely wouldn't wanna be on his bad side.

Happy thursday everyone?

P.S. I actually have some amazing things that have been going on in my life ... so stay tuned.

mozart guerra: nylon rope sculptures

images via mozart guerra

Geishas, animal heads, skulls... welcome to the wonderful world of brazilian born artist Mozart Guerra. Formerly trained in architecture, Guerra now resides in Paris, where he creates these fantastical sculptures made of expanding foam covered in colored nylon rope. So fun and creative. I'm having a difficult time choosing a favorite, although I must say I'm partial to the geisha. Thoughts?

P.S. If you can find a site in english explaining his work further in depth, do share.

family dinner

images via moi

Every Sunday, we've been having family dinner. This basically consists of dad making an enormous amount of food, which boyfriend and I eat (mostly boyfriend). We then have leftovers for six days. This week, dad prepared a giant pot of homemade sauce, a box of pasta, and six pounds of meat. Yes, six pounds of meat. Meat included (but was not limited to) sausage, pork, and chicken. We then watched Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. Dad cried when Matthew McConaughey delivered emotional wedding speech. The night ended with pie and cannolis (storebought).

For delicious sauce, try the following:

4 cans crushed tomatoes
4 cans plum tomatoes
4 cans tomato paste (equal parts water)
1 clove garlic
1 onion, chopped
14 basil leaves
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar

combine all tomato ingredients in one large pot, smush tomatoes until mixed, let sit on high heat until the sauce bubbles

add garlic, onions, basil, salt, and sugar, let simmer for one hour

*For extra tastey sauce, brown any meat of your choice in a pan with olive oil, when cooked fully, place in large pot of tomato sauce and let sit for 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your preference (the longer you leave it, the more stringy the meat)

p.s. This is why I can't lose weight.

april, may (F/W 2011) collection

images via april, may website

It's fashion friday! (Okay... so I sort of just made that up) But really, I am in love with the April, May (F/W 2011) collection. There are so many pieces in here that are to die for. I want the floppy hat, brown suede over-the-knee boots, grey speckled wool jacket, mermaid maxi skirt... that's basically the entire collection so I'll stop now.

April, May is created by french designer Diane Goldstein. Just by looking at the images, you can tell she's french. The clothes really master the whole "I'm sexy but not trying" thing. The "I just rolled out of bed, my hair perfectly tussled, and threw this on for a quick jaunt to the cafe" thing.

And I love how the model's so bare... I can see any of these looks with a sultry red lip (my obsession of the moment) or a smokey eye. There's so much room for making these pieces your own.

What's your favorite look? Are you loving this collection as much as I am?

P.S. "April, May" is named after the designer and her huband's birth months.

massimo gammacurta logopops

images via massimo gammacurta 

While browsing the internet, I came across these logopops by Massimo Gammacurta. So cool... I mean, who thinks of this stuff? I'm just loving the playfulness of it all. And I highly recommend checking out the rest of his porfolio at gammacurta.com. However, do not - I repeat, do not - do this at work. Lots of nudity will make for some super awkward conversations. Wouldn't wantcha to get in trouble...

because it's wednesday (and i'm somehow still sick)

image via besotted brand blog

When you thought it couldn't get any cuter... it did.

Happy half-way-through-the-week everyone!

p.s. I've decided to make "because it's wednesday" a weekly thing. Bring on the sweet little furry creatures...

obsessed: bloglovin

images via bloglovin.com

For all of you out there who use google reader, blogger dashboard, or (gasp) haphazardly save blogs in your favorites folder, there's a bigger and better tool out there. It's called bloglovin. And it's amazing. And incredible. And everything you've ever hoped for. It's the one. If you've been living in a cave and have no idea what I'm talking about, let me enlighten you:

Me: Imagine a world where you can save all the blogs you follow in one location. A world beyond your wildest dreams, where the most recent posts from all your sites are automatically updated and displayed in a pretty little list...

You: Um, my google reader already does this...

Me: A world where these posts are kept in tact. Not reduced to depressing black and white sentences.

You: Keep talking.

Me: A world where color and images reign supreme. A world where blogs are allowed - no, encouraged - to reflect their true selves...

I'm going to stop now because I could probably have this fake conversation for the next twenty minutes. You must go to bloglovin.com and see for yourself. If you hate it, you can always leave me a not so nice comment...

p.s. I'm not affiliated with bloglovin. I'm just a blogger who is head-over-heels obsessed.

it blooms

images via moi

A recent trip to Anthropolgie resulted in an impromptu photoshoot (the best kind). I just couldn't help myself. There were flowers everywhere! And it was totally fine that the dress I was wearing was the short, balloon kind where if you bend over or basically do anything but stand, you risk giving passerbys a bit of a show. Oops. Note to self: do not become so wrapped up in the amazingness of flowers that you forget about your surroundings...

I even managed to get some shopping done on my shopping trip. Who would've thought?

just someone special, grandpa

image via moi

Every Sunday, I've been driving down to Queens to visit my grandparents. As I grow older, I've found that spending this quality time with them has become increasingly more important. Maybe it's because I know they won't be around forever. Maybe it's because they're full of wisdom and advice. Or maybe it's just because it makes them happy. But these are definitely visits I cherish.

In America, I've found that we have a tendency to sometimes forget about and discard people after they reach a certain age. This isn't the case in all cultures. I hope that in the future, this changes.