fall party.

I've been thinking about entertaining a lot this week in anticipation of our housewarming party. We should have our first truly fall-like weather of the season, and I can't wait to open the windows, light up some pumpkin candles, and cook up a big pot of chili. In addition to that, here are a few other recipes I plan to make:

This Harvest Moon Punch looks delicious and lethal — it has moonshine and Applejack in it. Plus regular and sparkling cider. Yes, you can buy moonshine in S.C.

This Artichoke and Cheese Tart looks yummy — and surprisingly easy to make.

S'More Brownies. 'Nuff said.

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Dip. Obviously I'm not going for healthy here.

j. crew fall.

I have to admit I felt a little "meh" toward J. Crew this summer, but when I stopped in this weekend I wanted to steal everything off the shelves. Steal, because I still can't afford to buy anything there, except for this little bauble. Crisp, colorful blazers, silk shirts, soft matchsticks, and lots of gray — it's like they read my mind this season. It makes me want to stop shopping at cheap places and start investing in my wardrobe. Too bad my wallet doesn't agree with that sentiment.

breathe brides.

This summer I wrote some of my first freelance articles, and two of them were published in Breathe Magazine's wedding issue this month. After four years of working as a journalist, I've gotten used to seeing my name in print every week in the paper, but it's fun to see it somewhere new — and to get paid for it.

Breathe is targeted toward active, health-conscious women, and I had so much fun writing about buying local for your wedding as well as going the DIY route. I interviewed some inspiring planners and brides like Alice, above, who had local blueberry jam favors, a table full of homemade pies, and an arch made out of a cattle feeder and grapevines. As glad as I am to have my own wedding behind me, there's a part of me that really misses all of the planning, and I hope to continue writing for wedding mags in the future.

siesta key.

***

I will be here in less than one month. Siesta Key, that is. I never knew that Florida beaches could be so beautiful until I went with Todd to a tournament in Sarasota a few years ago. He's been returning every year since to man a booth at the national ultimate frisbee tournament (this is his company).

I stayed home last year because of wedding planning, but I'm not about to miss it this year — I'm going the whole week. I'm honestly not sure what I'm going to do with myself, especially since Todd will be working a big chunk of the time, but I'm excited for what will undoubtedly be one of the most relaxing vacations I've ever had.

Know of anything fun to do around this part of Florida, besides bum around on the beach? I'd love some suggestions.

mag hound.

 ***

I have a serious weakness for magazines. I probably shouldn't admit this, but most of the time I'd rather curl up with the latest issue of Saveur or Travel + Leisure than a book. I've talked before about my regretfully short attention span, but at the same time there's some solid reading to be had in magazines, if you look beyond Cosmo.

I briefly mentioned Maghound a few months ago, and it's since become one of my favorite things. It allows me to subscribe to a ton of magazines for a ridiculously cheap rate, and I can add or drop subscriptions whenever I want, which has helped me pinpoint my truly favorite publications.

Right now I'm subscribed to 10 magazines for $13.45 a month. I've realized that most fashion mags bore me and fitness mags are repetitive, and I find most of the home inspiration I want on blogs like Design Sponge and Apartment Therapy. My favorite magazines tend to put the focus on food and travel. Besides the first two magazines I mentioned, I'm currently subscribed to Bon Appetit, Esquire, New York Magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Everyday Food, Better Homes and Gardens, This Old House, and Traveler.

The only problem? I'm struggling to keep up. I've got a pile beside my bed that I need to read, including three issues of Wired (I just unsubscribed). I also have the hardest time throwing them away after I've read them, even though I'll probably never look at them again. Anyone want my old issues?

What are your favorite magazines?

packing for a wine festival.

This weekend Todd and I are heading to the Upstate for Euphoria, a food, wine, and music festival in downtown Greenville. I'll be covering all aspects of the event, from seminars to parties to multi-course wine dinners, and I need a wardrobe versatile enough to keep up with me.

Versatility by ericajackson featuring metal jewelry

After checking into our hotel on Friday, we'll head straight to Taste of the Town, a casual outdoor event with music, food from local chefs, and drinks. With a quick accessories change at the hotel, I'll be ready for the more swanky VIP after-party.

Wine Festival by ericajackson featuring link jewelry

After a media breakfast Saturday morning, we'll bum around the town a bit before heading to the tents for a day of wine tastings, cooking demos, food sampling, and a beer garden. This dress is cute, sure, but it also has room for stomach expansion and the dark color will hide stains. The crossbody bag will keep my hands free for taking pictures and notes, plus holding my wine glass. A simple cocktail dress should do for the wine dinner later that night.

Hangover brunch by ericajackson featuring long sleeve tops

We'll undoubtedly be a little tired on Sunday morning, but that's nothing a little jazz brunch can't cure.

Will I see any of you at Euphoria this weekend?

botanicals.

This picture set me off on a quest for botanical prints:

Except I didn't know they were called botanical prints. I Googled "plant pictures old black background," or something ridiculous like that, and found nothing. Surprising, right?

So I was excited today to see that Design*Sponge shares my obsession. They wrote about a book, Art of Instruction, that includes illustrations not just of botanical prints, but all sorts of fun educational charts. (I want this book, but didn't enter the contest because I never win anything.)

Now I'm hot on the trail of some great vintage charts, and I can't wait to find the right one to live on my wall.

And look, these are free printables!

etsy love: blue notes.

I've been spending a lot of time on Etsy trying to extend my circles and discovering some really cool vintage shops. Here are some of my recent blue-hued favorites.

King's Down Road is an Atlanta-based shop with lots of fun glassware.

Mod Vintage Shop has a great selection of vintage glasses from the Netherlands.

Two Ring Circus has just everything I love.

 

Brooklyn Retro has antique typewriters and more.

Nod to Mod Vintage has the best dresses.

etsy.

I've been threatening it long enough: I'm finally working on making an Etsy comeback. I had a lot of fun doing Stinge Vintage with a friend, but we lost traction when most of our stock was damaged in a fire. I've been collecting clothes and housewares over the past few months, and will slowly be filling up my shop with vintage goods. Here's a little treasury I made, and you can see some of my first listings right here. I'm still figuring out the best place/time of day to photograph, so bear with me.

trader joe's.

For a long time, I've read with jealousy my fellow bloggers' accounts of their amazing Trader Joe's finds. Now that Charleston has one, I can do some of my own bragging. First of all, I'm a sucker for good packaging, and how cute is this stuff? I haven't tried the wine yet, but the chocolate is pretty darn tasty. I've already gotten addicted to their sparkling limeade, ravioli, and sourdough bread, and Todd became a convert thanks to their giant, cheap chunks of fresh parmesan. What are your favorite TJ's finds?

early fall.

I don't know about you, but I'm so ready for fall fashion. I feel like it's so much more flexible, fun, and forgiving than summer in the South, which is all about wearing as little as possible so as not to melt. I'm excited for long sleeves and piling on layers. My must-haves: dark nails, manly button-ups, chunky sweaters, blanket-like scarves, and soft, skinny corduroys. Plus a cute suitcase to put it all in for weekend road trips.

fall.

via Happenstance.

Silly Charlestonians. We think that temperatures in the low 80s feel like fall. But when we've been dealing with crushing humidity and record highs for the past few months, it's a wonderfully refreshing relief to be able to go outside without breaking into a sweat. 

My bike and I are getting reacquainted now that I can ride her without hyperventilating. Yesterday I rode her to work, to happy hour, and down to the river to watch an incredible sunset. Today she's escorting me to a bloody mary mix launch party, a bike fashion show, and an event at Cynthia Rowley. It's going to be a good fall.

zara.

 

When Todd and I went to Europe a few years ago, there's one place I just had to go in every country and almost every city we visited: Zara. They're finally launching their online store tomorrow, but I got a little sneak peek of the goods today. It's got me craving blazers, cords, and bright, fun shoes.  And a massive shopping spree.

millions of peaches.

I went home to Virginia for Labor Day weekend and had a relaxing time with my family catching up, eating too much, and chasing my four nephews around. I came home with some great antiques for the shop, some plants, and a big box of peaches to experiment with. I'm writing an article on canning, so I'm thinking of trying this recipe, along with these:

peach and tomato salad with avocado, red onion, chile flakes and cilantro. 

 cinnamon toast with peaches and mascarpone.

peach salsa.

grilled peaches with ricotta 

(I'm making Todd grill me one right now, at 10 p.m., because that picture is so drool-worthy.)

Do you have any favorite peach recipes?