since last we talked

 

I joined Instagram. Follow me @favoringbrave and comment with your username! I need more people to follow!

post shark week

Man, shark week is over, the Olympics are over, what am I supposed to watch at the gym? Cooking shows seem to be the popular other option, but personally I find that watching Rachel Ray sauté garlic to make Chicken Alfredo while I'm running just makes me want to stop running and go eat something.

Not really the point.

Anyway, I am not a fan of the sharkbite cut (see the Shark Week connection there, right?) in general for clothes, unless your a total skinny mini, but this dress actually works for me. It's practically vintage Forever 21 in F21 years (think fashion dog years) because it's at least 4 real years old and it is surprisingly well put together, so I think I can squeeze a little more out of it.

Here's to hoping!

peace&love,

Jill

in the present

I am happy as a little clam. 

On Friday I was offered a great job teaching acting and musical theater at a local studio. I am so excited that sleeping has become difficult, and there are definitely visions of warm up games and costume fittings dancing in my head. My poor students aren't going to know what to do with their crazy teacher.

This dress was a birthday gift from my mom and I've been wanting to blog about it for a very long time, because I wear it all the time. It is the ultimate "throw it on and be done with it" tee shirt dress, especially because the embellished top functions as a really huge statement necklace.

And I think these booties are precious.

Here's to new adventures!

peace&love,

Jill

black bean brownies *recipe*

I am constantly trying to have my cake and eat it to, i.e. eat things I like and still stay healthy. I love desserts and goodies but I also realize how long it takes to tick down those calories on the elliptical machine, so I'm a big fan of the middle ground. These brownies are delish, completely gluten free, have a healthy kick of protein and much less sugar than traditional brownies.

So put aside your skepticism and give these babies a try.

Recipe originally from the Babble Blog here.

Black Bean Brownies

adapted from the Whole Foods Market

1 19 oz (540 mL) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup cocoa
2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Place the black beans, sugar, eggs, melted butter, cocoa, vanilla and salt in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth, pulsing and scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure all the beans are completely pureed. Remove the blade and gently stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Pour into an 8″x8″ pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until slightly puffed and set. Cool before cutting into squares.

Now we just have to wait and see what husband thinks about them... 

peace&love,

Jill

friday i'm in love {8/17}

• Who's in on this whole bubble tea thing? If you are, which I am sadly not yet, here is a way to make your own!
• I'm such a fan of this blog and here is an adorable way to make your own print dress, or fabric in general!
• Kids as iconic characters. Just fun.
• I think almost every party needs these.
• Missing the Olympics? Refresh your memory on how every country did.
• Trying to get in shape, but still be lazy? (I know I am!) Lazy girl fitness is for you!
• This magazine sculpture is pretty amazing.
• I'm on a sculpture kick apparently, but this is an awesome, sunflower seed covered elephant!
• Make your own gourmet pixie sticks!
• Also from Curbly: dorm room makeovers.
• Make pancakes in a jar!
• I want her hair.

And here is my new favorite bracelet, which seems an excellent motto piece for a business called Favoring Brave:

Enjoy your weekend! 

peace&love,

Jill

housewife redux

This dress is a treasure. 

It looks marginally okay on the hanger, kind of shapeless, which it also is when I wear it by itself, but a simple, tiny belt is all it needs to become amazing.  I'm just happy I found it and had faith enough to try it on!

It was $3.50 at the thrift store. Didn't I say it was a treasure?

It is so wonderfully full and twirly, not to mention the fact that it makes me feel like a 1950's housewife.

Happy Friday! Links to love coming later today!

peace&love,

Jill

brooch organizer *tutorial*

I have a lovely lot of vintage brooches from family members, flea markets, and vintage sales but I always forget to wear them. They are always holed away in my jewelry box, and usually I don't look beyond my earring basket and necklace frame to find my day's accessories. But that's all about to change now that I have made this sweet little brooch and pin organizer, and with this super easy tutorial, you can make one too!

All you need is some fabric, a large embroidery hoop, and a pair of scissors (& your brooches too!)

Start by loosening the screw that tightens the outside ring and positioning the outside (the bigger ring) underneath the piece of fabric, and placing the smaller ring on top, pushing down so that the little ring fits into the bigger one.

While holding the inner ring down with your fingers, pull on the fabric around the edges to tighten it.

Then flip the whole thing over and tighten the screw back down so that the rings are secure. Pull on the fabric around the edges again to get everything REALLY tight.

Once everything is tightened satisfactorily, flip the hoop back over and begin trimming around the edges.

Keep going until you get all the way around.

Your hoop is complete!

This is what it will look like when you're done.

Add your brooches!

Don't they all look pretty together?

To hang, all you need to do is put a simple nail in the wall and 

hang from the screw you use to tighten the frame!

Mine is living below my necklace frame in the bathroom.

Enjoy your easy way to see all your brooches!

peace&love,

Jill