JO Blog

One of the best parts about my creative life is watching other creative women soar! I count one of my blessings is having such inspiring and encouraging friends. It is always my pleasure when I can encourage them right back. Jennifer Rizzo is one of THE most creative people I know. She can look at […]

It is easy to walk into a store like Anthropologie and want to buy everything in site….even when your wallet is empty. The music, scent, art, lighting, vintage statement pieces…and that is even before you see the clothes, shoes, tea towels and bedding. (just got this) (dreaming of this) They have me at hello! The […]

I grew up in a really small, rural town. When I was young we would head to the Ben Franklin and buy the gum cigarettes. Neither of my parents smoked so I don't even know why we thought it was cool. So, here I was around 10 walking around town blowing candy dust through my […]

When I was just starting out I was so blessed by many women that had gone before me and they gave me their knowledge so willingly and openly. When I would come across someone that didn't want to share information ( I am not talking about a trade secret ..just basic information) I promised myself […]

  Last week Benjamin and I took a little walk to scout out a location for a family photo shoot I was doing.   Sometimes I don't realize how little time Kelly and I get alone with each of them. When we have that time alone with one of the children I love it.   […]

OK…before you see the weirdest photo of me I would like to explain. I don't know if it will do any good but I want to try! Last year when I went to Brave Girl Camp they made the most awesome caramel corn. SERIOUSLY AMAZING!!! I made it a few times around Christmas and everyone […]

I am very fortunate to be surrounded by incredibly amazing women. One of the many benefits of this creative world I have the privilege of being a part of is watching everyone's creative journey. Every once in awhile I want to introduce you to my creative friends and their art. Today I would like you […]

I get a regular stream of emails asking questions about running a small business, Etsy and other shop questions so I thought it was time to have a post every once in awhile about….The Shop. One of the things that has always been important to me as a shop owner is to present my items […]

Because I have been so busy getting the new line out I have not had a chance to share with you about Brave Girl Camp. If you have been following my blog for awhile you know that I went to BGC a year ago and what an amazing impact it had on me. You can […]

Tomorrow at 8 am MST my new collection, The French Brocante, will be available. I can't wait to show you!!  

  I know you are probably waiting for my post on Brave Girl Camp. Sorry…I haven't even uploaded the photos.  Serious. You are probably waiting to see a little sneak peek of my new line coming on MONDAY:-) Sorry…that would require me being ahead of schedule and that doesn't usually happen. As you can imagine […]

listening: the music from my blog eating: nothing drinking: hours old latte from Starbucks wearing: pajama pants, tank and a sweatshirt…hot! feeling: content weather: cool fall evening wanting: all my Brave Girl sisters around me needing: to finish my winter collection thinking: about the women I know that are hurting and wishing I could carry […]

My love story began like so many….in a bar:-) OK…it was a restaurant too…which my mom always likes to remind people. I was sitting at the bar with some girlfriends. The most handsome of boys walked in with a group of people. I leaned over to my friends and whispered, "I would like you to […]

  If you live in the Chicago area I encourage you to take a drive this weekend and enjoy the prettiest of barn sales. My friend Anne Marie will be having her annual barn sale with talented vendors from around the area. Everything Anne Marie does is so full of detail that I know you […]

These are the little things that are making me smile today…   Quick project in the kitchen.  I took the door off and sewed this little linen curtain to go in its place.  I loved the idea so much when I saw it in this beautiful lady's livingroom (under their built in cabinets). My green […]

One of our favorite things to do at the end of summer is to have an outdoor movie night. Last year our rainy and cold September didn't allow us to have one.   This year Benjamin wanted an outdoor movie night for his birthday party. (Benjamin getting his glow stick bracelet and then rocking out […]

When I knew that my friend Vana Chupp's new book was out I was so excited for her! Her taste is exquisite!! The first thing I ever ordered from her was a set of cards with the silhouette of all three of my children on it. Everyone that ever received one of these cards oohed […]

  There are few things that I miss from growing up in the Midwest as much as the trees! Trees that provided us endless hiding places and shade throughout the hot summers.   Trees that painted the hills with the most gorgeous colors in the fall.   Trees that were my dreaming place.  I can […]

  When I was making plans to go to the south of France I couldn't imagine coming all that way and not spending a little time in Paris. I really wanted to make sure my time in Paris overlapped with the flea markets. When I dreamed of coming to France I truly couldn't get the […]

While Kelly, Benjamin and I would sleep in every morning…..Jack and Madolyn would wake up early and go with Grandpa to get coffee and donuts at "The Depot." The Depot is just the local gas station in town (VERY SMALL TOWN) that has a cafe and grocery store attached.  Yes, I allowed my kids to […]

  Every year we travel back to Illinois to spend a few weeks at my parent's farm. This is a place of pure joy for my children! I didn't grow up here.   When my parents told me four years ago that they were going to sell the house I grew up in I cried and […]

  I grew up in a small town in rural Illinois. I walked to school, to my dad's office in town and everyone knew us (that can be good and bad). Every home was different. There were no subdivisions or track homes. Most yards had a clothesline. All summer we would help my mom hang […]