The BEST Oatmeal Cookies

The story goes that my Mom got this recipe from a friend "back in Michigan" (where my parents lived shortly after getting married and where I was born).  They quickly became a family favorite.  So much so, that there were many a Christmas mornings when my Dad opened a box to find an entire batch of Oatmeal Cookies made entirely for him.  To this day, I think that is one of the best presents I can give him.

A few years back, there was this recipe going around that was referred to as "Engagement Chicken".  Anyone else remember that?  I guess the story went that if you wanted to get married to your boyfriend, you would simply have to make this chicken dish and he would love it so much that you would soon get engaged.  Well then I guess you could call these "Engagement Oatmeal Cookies", because I truly think that tasting these cookies and the promise of more in the future, may have been what swayed my husband to want to marry me.  He loved them so much that he was even a bit upset when he heard I had shared the recipe with a friend... and then was pleased when he later heard her say that they "didn't come out as good" as the ones I had made.

So don't tell my husband I'm sharing this recipe, again.  And I'm sure when you make them, they will be excellent!  So here goes, The Best Oatmeal Cookies you will EVER eat.  You may want to print off this recipe, just in case it self destructs...he he!

Happy Baking!

Jill

Friday Favorites

Happy Easter Weekend, Everyone!  Thought it was a good time to post some of my favorite "bunny things", because if not Easter, than when, right?  I have been a fan of rabbits since "Pat the Bunny" was my favorite book, so in honor of Spring and the excuse to post about cute things, here we go,
(click on title for links):

1.  Bunny Pillow Cover - This would be cute on a front hall bench, this time of year or in a little girls room year round.

2.  Salad Tongs - Now these are actually kind a scary looking, but also a great conversation starter during Easter brunch.

3.  Cookie Jar - This one has shown up on a lot of blogs these past few weeks, but I think it warrants another mention.  The all white color with the hint of gold is just so pretty.

4.  Wall Mirror - I have to say I am trying to figure if there is a place in my house for this now.  I realize it's probably meant for a kids room, but I love it for me.

5.  Night Light - I am a big fan of lighting and whether or not you need a night light to ward off scary dreams, the warm, soft light is always so cozy and relaxing.  There are other woodland animals available, too.

6.  Toddler Bedding - This comes in crib size, too.  Very sweet for a nursery or a young girl.

7.  Alarm Clock - I LOVE this clock!  It's so "Alice in Wonderland" and I'm considering it for my own bedside table.  Available in a few different finishes.

So there you have it.  A little fluff reading (pun intended) for your holiday weekend.  I'm working on some more in depth content, promise, for upcoming posts, so be sure to check back.  

Jill

Friday Favorites

I would't consider my design style to be very traditional, but I have always been drawn to the very traditional design of turned leg and pedestal furniture.  The look is timeless and these pieces can be added to so many non-traditional rooms.  In fact, that is my favorite way to use them, as statement pieces that stand out among the more subdued.  Like the dining room table above paired with more modern, clean lined chairs.

My only bit of advice is to add at least two turned wood pieces at a time.  Whether it is a side table and a candle holder or a dining room table and a cake stand on the side board, I think that these items need to speak to another similar item in the room.

Now, here's a bit more information about my picks:

Friday Favorites for Spring

As you may have noticed, my plan to post "Friday Favorites" every Friday, has not panned out too well.  But it's a new day and a new season and a good time for a fresh start.  Right?
So I'm starting off Spring, my most favorite of the four seasons, with a list of fresh new things to get you in the mood for warmer weather.

1. Pink Ray-Ban Sunnies - Now I'm not one of those people who looks good in glasses.  At the same time, I tend to squint a lot, so sunglasses are essential 365 days of the year.  I love the shape of Ray-Ban Wayfarers as they tend to be flattering on most everyone and this pretty pink hue is a fun twist.

2.  Pixi Glow Mist - I really like this cosmetic line from Target.  It's fun and fresh and the packaging is cute, too.  I've been wanting to try this product called "Glow Mist.  You can use it before applying your make-up to "hydrate and protect" or after you make-up application to set it and add a dewy finish.

3.  Disneyland's 60th Anniversary - The happiest place on earth is 60 years old this year and they will be celebrating their Diamond Celebration with 3 new "Night-time Spectaculars"!  The party kicks off on May 22nd with and 24 hour event!  Who wants to go with me?!

4.  Elsa Inspired Cosmetics - e.l.f. has been doing a series of cosmetics color stories involving Disney characters and their latest features Elsa from Frozen.  The colors are fairly neutral and very wearable. And again, the packaging is lots of fun.

5.  Fine Art Photography from Etsy - Lately I've been finding so many beautiful fine are photos from Etsy.  I especially love the work by Libertad Leal.  Her photos are bright and cheery and will make your home feel like Spring everyday of the year.

6.  Fresh Bedding - Just like you change your wardrobe with each season, I think it's important to change your sheets.  It's hard to go wrong with bright, white, but I also love a pretty pattern like these cute dot sheets by Xhilaration from Target.

7.  Bulldog Cookie Jar - As much as I like to bake cookies, I don't actually own a cookie jar.  That may change after I discovered this adorable Bulldog one by Threshold by Target.  It's clean and simple and would make sweet addition to your counter top.

8.  Grey Sneakers - I have been eyeing these Superga Cotu Classic Laceups, as well as Bensimon's for a couple of years now.  I'm usually a Converse girl, but my grey ones have seen better days and I'm ready for a new pair.  Which one of these should I choose?

Well those are some of the things I'm eyeing for Spring.  Bring one the sunshine and mild temps!

Jill

Design Throwback: Little Boy Nursery 2010

Five years ago there was no Pinterest, I didn't know about the world of design blogs and I was expecting a little boy.  This is the story of creating his nursery.  

Now, I wasn't an interior design novice at the time.  In fact, it was my 10th year in the field, where I had mainly worked as an architectural detailer and space planner, so I had plenty of ideas....too many ideas really.  But I also had a very limited budget.  My go to source for nursery furniture inspiration was Pottery Barn Kids and Land of Nod.  The goal was to try and get that look, for less.

Friday Favorites.... a few days late

Since Wednesday's post was called "Where do you find your Design Inspiration?' and about the many options available, I thought I'd focus my Friday Favorites on where, specifically, I find some of my inspiration.

1.  We mentioned Pinterest as quite possibly being the place to go when you need ideas.  Above,  I've spotlighted of few of the pinners I follow that are constantly pinning good stuff.  You might want to follow them too .... and follow me while you're at it...I'm jjillcamp.

2.  These three blogs have been around for quite a while now and tend to set the standard for everyone else who wants to get into blogging about design and lifestyle, me included.  My favorite features on Design Mom is her "Living with Kids" home tour series.  I love to peak into the homes of other real families and see how they live.  Apartment Therapy also features rooms from designers and DIY'ers.  Little Green Notebook is a very thoughtfully curated blog by a designer Jenny Komenda, whos work has been featured in countless publications.

3.  I have always loved Disney animation and photography.  So it's no surprise that some of my favorite art comes from those two areas.   Mary Blair was an artist with Disney who's beautiful work is fun and feminine.  The 6 female artists who put together the book "Lovely" - Ladies of Animation  continue that tradition with their pretty and individual styles.  I also love the beach and Gray Malin's stunning photographs are incredible.  I hope to own one some day.

4.  As I mentioned before, HGTV and Domino are some of the current magazines I read, as well as Coastal Living and one I just discovered recently from Australia, Inside Out.  These layouts tend to feature a very relaxed vibe and livable spaces.  I've also be enjoying the new book "Elements of Style" by Erin Gates of elementsofstyleblog.com.

5.  It seems that many stores are opting for online stores instead of catalogs now, but I do still love the annual Ikea catalog for their space planning and use of small spaces and Pottery Barn not just for the furniture and accessories, but the homes they photograph always have such beautiful architectural detailing.

6.  Remember when HGTV used to show design shows?  Those were the days.  Any of Sarah Richardson's shows are good.  They do still show up occasionally on my DVR.  "Sarah's House" and "Sarah 101"are my favorites.  HGTV Design Star winner, Emily Henderson, hasn't been on the network very much recently, but they need to bring back her show "Secrets from a Stylist".  In the meantime, she writes one of my absolute favorite blogs stylebyemilyhenderson.com.  My current go to HGTV show right now is "Fixer Upper".  The husband and wife team of Chip and Joanna Gaines manages to mix what the network's current angle seems to be (buying and selling homes) with what, I think, the viewers want.  Good, creative and professional renovation and interior design.

Let me know about your design inspiration.  Leave a comment below.  
Have a great weekend!

Jill

Where do you get your Design Inspiration?

These days, people are much more decorator savvy than ever before.  There are so many places from which to draw inspiration for design, it can be somewhat overwhelming.   I've complied a list of the some of the most popular ways design aficionados scratch their creative itch.  These are some of the newest, some of the more traditional and some of the best places I've found to get home design ideas.

1.  Pinterest - This has been a huge game changer in the way we can get ideas for home decor.  As a Designer, I used to tear out photos from magazines, print pictures from websites and put them all together in a spiral binder.  Many spiral binders.  But today, my book shelves are empty (well no more binders, anyway).  Instead, I have a Pinterest account with over 50 boards and more than 5000 pins, subdivided into any design topic imaginable and available for review with just a few clicks.   And not only can I reference my collection, I look into everyone else's too!  Talk about information overload.

2.  Design Blogs - You're reading one now.  Many of the Pinterest "pins" link you directly to design blogs.  Professional Designers, DIY-ers and all around creatives have made the internet a cornucopia of design information.  From professional installations to your neighbors house, you can truly learn from everyone.  Complete with how-tos, what not-to-dos and resources.