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Variegated Yarn Baby Blanket

Knitting is one of my favorite things to do in the world…but really, the only things I’m good at making are blankets (my baby hat was kind of a disaster and ended up looking more like a Bizarre Pom-Pom Elf-Cap). That’s OK, though, because while blankets are pretty time-intensive they’re also super relaxing to make once you get the hang of them.

All I did to make this blanket (which is being shipped off today to Morgan, who’s expecting a daughter in just a few weeks) was cast on 100 stitches*, knit and knit and knit (no purling) until I had a 36″ x 36″ square (the typical size for a baby blanket), and then cast off. So easy.

The reason I chose not to knit-purl or create a pattern like I did for this basketweave blanket: when you choose a variegated yarn** (one that’s dyed lots of different colors) like the one pictured here, the color variations basically create a pattern for you; there’s no need to add any texture because it’s visually interesting as is.

As a final touch, I reserved some extra yarn to create a matching “ribbon”.

*The number of stitches that you’ll want to cast on will vary depending on the weight of your yarn and the size of your needles. To figure out how many stitches to cast on to get a 36″ x 36″ blanket, try knitting a small swatch and counting to see how many stitches are in four inches, and then multiplying that number by 9.

**For a baby blanket, make sure that you choose a washable yarn. I made my first baby blanket out of cashmere – I blame the hormones for that particular error – and almost cried when it was accidentally thrown into the washing machine and more or less ruined.

Related:

Rainbow Stroller Blanket

Basketweave Baby Blanket



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June 18th, 2013 | Posted by Jordan | Home | 4 Comments »

Five Hat Hairstyles

I’m kind of in the mood to hide out at the moment. Mostly because I’m both a) super busy and b) a little sick (laryngitis, whee), which means that I’m interested doing exactly zero in the beauty department.

Lip gloss and sunglasses and hat and Hairstyle #5 from that video up there, c’est fini.



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June 18th, 2013 | Posted by Jordan | Beauty | No Comments »

Baby Doll

I don’t usually love babydoll dresses. Loose dresses, yes; babydolls, not so much. Mostly because I feel like they require you to explain that you’re not expecting the arrival of an actual baby in 4-6 months (I’m not).

I do, however, love this dress. I found it at a thrift store in Canada while on a trip to visit my relatives, and originally planned to wear it to Stephen and Dave’s wedding. I ended up not wearing it to the wedding after all (it felt too short and casual)…and then ended up not wearing it to the next thing I’d planned to wear it to (it felt too girly and fancy)…and now it’s been sitting in my closet unworn for over a year.

Which makes no sense, because it’s really pretty. It’s just one of those things that I put on and can’t figure out how to make look more “me”, and so I end up just giving up and taking it right back off again. Putting on denim shorts or leopard skinny jeans. You know the drill.

But on Saturday afternoon (for our pre-movie dinner date) I decided to give it another shot, and ended up dressed like I was playing hide-and-go-seek at Coachella (hat and sunglasses, fringe and floral).

I’m still kind of on the fence about this look, and think I’d prefer the whole thing if the dress was more this type of silhouette. But it’s different, and different is good.

On me: Vintage dress and necklace; bag c/o Alexandra Satine; Nine West boots; GANT Paula sunglasses; Forever 21 fedora.



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June 17th, 2013 | Posted by Jordan | Style | 4 Comments »

Weekend Snapshots: Father’s Day Edition

Honestly, is there anything like a midday hammock nap break?

Except for birthday parties involving balloons and best friends. Those are pretty great, too.

On Saturday night, as an early Father’s Day present, I took Kendrick to see – what else? – Superman.

Ehhh.

I mean, really, guys?! This movie had Russell Crowe – the Gladiator himself - at its emotional center. Diane Lane, who is lovely. Kevin Costner! The most obscenely attractive pectoral muscles I have ever seen, ever! Grand, universally appealing themes involving questions of belonging and acceptance!

There was literally no excuse for it not to be wonderful. Obviously there’s a lot of hype to live up to there, but still: oh my goodness did the script ever not make sense.

It didn’t matter much to us, though: two hours of sitting completely still and eating popcorn is enough to make us happy as little butter-covered clams.

I celebrated Father’s Day with my dad last week (a day of fishing, of course), so Sunday was just the three of us and a few presents.

Quite an autograph, no?

And quite a present, ifIdosaysomyself.

Kendrick has a huge thing for Air Jordans, and I totally don’t get it, so the conversation at the Nike store went like this:

Me: My husband has a huge thing for Air Jordans and I totally don’t get it.

Man At Nike Store: He probably wants these.

Me: Okay.

Because it’s Father’s Day and he deserves a little appreciation (also just because), know what’s amazing about Kendrick? For Mother’s Day, I and every other mother I know wanted nothing more than a few hours to relax, whether that meant getting our nails done, quietly reading, taking a nap, or just being lazy. And I wouldn’t have blamed Kendrick at all if he had said, “Hey, it’s Father’s Day…would you mind if I just chilled out for a while and did my thing?” He deserves a break, and I was totally prepared to give him one.

But when I asked him what he wanted to do, he asked if we could go to the aquarium, because he likes it…but mostly because our son loves it.

And so that’s what we did. Meerkats and stingrays and turtles, oh my.



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June 17th, 2013 | Posted by Jordan | Love | No Comments »

Summery Shoes For Dad

The Better TV segment I shot last week is up, with comfortable, summery footwear options for your Father’s Day Gift consideration! (The boat shoes and flip-flops are my favorites.)



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June 14th, 2013 | Posted by Jordan | Video | No Comments »

Lust Or Less: Floral Sandals

Despite the fact that I do not enjoy the price tag on the J.Crew version, for me this one is a no-brainer…those Tabitha Simmons sandals are just summer-perfect, and I love the unique country-girl-goes-glam pairing of the soft ruffle and gold sole. They can go everywhere from a wedding to a BBQ to a cocktail party and look completely chic. Still: for less formal events, I think the H&M pair would be adorable with jeans, denim shorts or a simple dress.

Speaking of J.Crew: these silk pants are J.Crew Collection, which ordinarily would mean they’re Lust-Only. But they’re also hugely on sale ($69.99; also available in black with a white stripe), so…Must.



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June 14th, 2013 | Posted by Jordan | Style | No Comments »

One Piece, Three Ways: Silverware Organizer

I’m pretty proud of my kitchen drawers.

They’re the one storage area in the house that’s actually the size we need it to be, and – against all odds – I’ve managed to keep them relatively organized…mostly because every inch of them is filled with things that divide and conquer all the mess, like teacups, salt bowls, baby food jars, and silverware organizers. I have a silverware organizer in both drawers, actually – even the one that doesn’t hold silverware – because they’re just so handy for arranging smallish items like serving utensils, bibs, pens, and tape dispensers.

But the uses for silverware organizers (like the pretty one pictured above) don’t end in the kitchen! No no. Want to see?!

Bedside Table Organizer: If your bedside table doesn’t have drawers (or even if you just like to have all your nighttime necessities readily available), try using a silverware organizer to separate out things like jewelry, lotions, chargers, and a sleep mask.

At-Home Nail Salon: Nail polishes can multiply like Mogwais, so try using a silverware organizer to keep them nice and neat (I even organize them by color so that I can easily find what I’m looking for). Other sections can hold hand creams, files, nail polish remover and cotton balls, clippers, and press-ons.

Zen Tea Tray: Instead of making multiple trips from the kitchen carrying teacups, cream, sugar, and candles, start your relaxing evening ritual by arranging everything you’ll need on a silverware organizer. Maybe replace the rocks with chocolates (I was going for a zen thing, what can I say?).

Silver organizer via T.J.Maxx.



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June 14th, 2013 | Posted by Jordan | Home | 3 Comments »

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