Gabrielle, my love, YOU are the highlight of my 2009. And today's brisket sandwiches were a close second!
Monthly Archives: December 2009
Cheers for a road trip! Bruna, Gabrielle, and I took the just over two hour drive to Asheville, North Carolina, to visit the Biltmore Estate and tour America's largest home during their Candlelight Christmas Evenings Be inspired by the relaxed elegance of George and Edith Vanderbilt's 250-room family home and country retreat. Discover original art…
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I absolutely LOVE the Biltmore! It certainly is breathtaking. Glad you enjoyed yourself 
Cheers,
Bon
Sounds and from the pics … looks AMAZING!!! Happy New Year my friend! May 2010 be your best year yet!! I’m sure it will be!! Lots of love
jenn
Hoping you and your family had a wonderful holiday.
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I think she’s made of porcelain.
she’s growing so fast!
I have a great GIVEAWAY on my blog, so stop by if you’d like to win!
leni.typepad.com
Adorable!
Oh God!!!
Angelic!
She is such a little doll.
Precious!
we had a fabulous Christmas!!! LOVE her picture too sweet!!! xo
Beautiful photo!
JESSICA: What do you think about being with a younger woman? JEFFREY: First of all, you represent to me a better perspective of what is happening now. Your growing up life and my growing up life were not the same. But to me it's not just a matter of "you're younger than I am" –…
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Love it.
That is really neat that you two think that way. I wish more people did. We have several family members with older and younger partners both. It makes life interesting and fun!:) I hope you print that out to put in her baby book. What a great little keepsake to have. Merry Christmas to you both!
WOW…this is fantastic:)
lovely thoughts. i think some people are so focused on the “normal” or “expected” partners and paths in life, they miss out on a lot. your love and family is a beautiful story.
very sweet…and just think someday your daughter is going to read this and it will just reinforce how special her parents are!
<3 very sweet!!!
Love you both!
What a neat way to address a question that the two of you probably get asked often! I particularly liked Jeffrey’s comment about one partner creating laughter in the other…because I think that, regardless of age, the best relationships are ones in which both partners bring out the best in each other – laughter, kindness, joy and so on. Thanks so much for sharing these thoughts! =)
I think those are the keys to any relationship at any age. Such a blessing that you have found them.
Have a great holiday season with your family Jess.
this is very sweet and funny! sounds like you two are a great match.
Love this!!!!!!!! Age is only a number and what a great dialogue to share:) My Dad is Jeffrey’s age and My Stepmom (more like a friend:) is 43. I couldn’t of picked a better mate for my Dad now and to have a half brother who’s 7. What a joy.
Oh Jessica, you’ve got a wise man. My Husband is 14 years older than me (i’m 31) but in my oppinion there is nothing that stand between us, especially not our age. Thank you for sharing this and a merry christmas to all of you and your families from germany
I love this conversation. My partner is also 63 and we have one child who is five. Though I am much younger, our souls match!
I agree, intellect is a key element to a relationship. And growth which goes hand-in-hand with respect. Age becomes less important as the relationship grows.
All the best to you, Jeffrey, Gabrielle and your entire family for a wonderful holiday.
Very sweet and oh, so true for the two of you!
oh wow..a jewel that jeffrey is..and so smart..tell him my 16 year old son read this with me and said ” ya know that’s really true..seriously..I like the way this guy thinks”
a wonderful post jessica
Thank you, my camera. For being there to help me capture all the moments I never want to forget.
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Jessica, I noticed your camera is a Canon Rebel but the lens I dont recognize from the other type of lens. Could you give us some info on it. Thanks
she is so cute!
Hi Ronnie,
Thanks for your feedback. I like the banner just as it is for now. Black and white and red are definitely colors of influence from Jeffrey’s brand – but they’re some of MY favorite colors as well.
Cheers!
Jessica
I like your new banner but not as much as your last one or the one with all the shoes – now that one was pretty. I wonder how it would look if you were to change the color of the J to red? I think the black looks a little harsh on your blog because everything you post is pretty. Just my thoughts. It kind of reminds me of Jeffrey’s website because of the use of colors.
She is so freakin cute.
and boy have you captured them jessica..amazing beautiful photos I have seen from you in this blog..a highlight for my day..details of your life I’ve so very much enjoyed..can’t wait for your coming posts and captures for the new year..:)
your babe is adorable…growing fast!
enjoy this first Christmas together…
kiss kiss
m
It’s wonderful going back through those memories as children get older…enjoy! Happy Holidays!
Amen. Jon got me a fancy DSLR as a gift when I had Hayden (my “push” present:-)) and it is the very best gift that I have ever been given. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving. Cheers and happy christmas!
I got the urge to do all kinds of fun cooking this past week! Little candy cups (that looked lovely in the vintage white custard cups I found on Etsy)… to hold pineapple mousse. Crockpot meatballs for meatball sandwiches. So happy that Jeffrey LOVED this dish. (See comments on this post for the recipe I…
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I like those bowls a lot. Might have to pick some up. Meatball sandwiches are one of my favs.
Everything looks delicious, especially those crockpot meatballs! Can you recommend a good recipe? It would be the perfect dinner for a cold rainy day. Thanks!
Lots of little wonders in my world this week. I read in a magazine that poinsettias were "out" and amaryllis were "in" for holiday flowers. But I like both – and prefer paper whites over both – mostly because of their delightful fragrance. Bruna decorating a "real" Christmas tree for the first time. Today my…
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My fridge magnet says; “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams; Live the life you’ve imagined!” Trying to follow that mantra has made my life much more interesting and exciting!
A magnet that has a picture of a woman from the 50s saying “My house is cuter than yours.” I had picked it up from Target’s dollar spot a while back. It’s geared toward my sis, not anyone else 
Your baby girl is adorable. My little one will be 9 months at the end of the month. They grow much too quickly.
I have a magnet that reads “Love your life and it will be worth living”. Happy Holidays to you someone whom I can tell loves her life. I really enjoy reading your blog.
Jennifer
Hi Kendra!
I found those lights several years ago at Restoration Hardware. Here are some that are similar http://www.partylights.com/Strings-Bulbs/GlobeLightSets
Happy Holidays!
Jessica
I LOVE the bulky light bulbs for the tree!Where did you find those!
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oh so true …lover this jessica..and something I will share with all 3 of my daughters..thanks
I saw these, http://www.seekairun.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=JENNIFERLEE while browsing the internet today and I immediately thought of Gabrielle. Enjoy!
I love that thought! I teach teenager girls at church each Sunday – I am going to share this thought with them, it is something they need to hear over and over.
love that!
My two favorite people. Gabrielle who is totally rocking the beach gear and hanging with Bruna so I can be part of Jeffrey's event. And Jeffrey who is putting on an incredible weekend for those in attendance. What an inspiration to work for and with such a great person – and be surrounded by a…
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You should do your own seminars. Would love to hear your words of wisdom and some seriously needed fashion advice!
love these two pics..I had to catch up with all yor happenings this morning..looks like your havin some good times
she is so adorable! Sounds like you having a wonderful time enjoy (and have fun learning too!!! awesome)
Just watched Victoria Labalme perform at Jeffrey's Boot Camp. Wow. She inspires me. "Use your eyes: Looking doesn't have to be outward. Looking is about receiving. It's about taking in what already exists." -Victoria Labalme She challenged us to think about what we love – not things – but words that end in "ing." What…
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love this…
it inspires me to more of the items on my list, so thanks for that:)
papercrafting
creating (with my little one)
entertaining
eating
shopping
being (inspired by seeing new things.)
I love…
seeing
…things not for what they are, but what they could be.
And I love you.
writing
blogging
jogging
laughing
loving
you have beautiful handwriting.
laughing
traveling
eating
organinzing/cleaning
exploring
photographing
writing
reading
decorating
cooking
caretaking
creating
loving
parenting
singing
laughing
knitting
talking
cooking
bloging
loving
observing
walking
learning, playing, photographing, writing, connecting
What's your mood today?
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introspective. if you consider that a mood. LOL
Hot tea and cookies for Jeffrey after a long day. It's nice to have a little stove in our resort room to make this happen! Jeffrey's tea of choice is darjeeling with Pepperidge Farm Gingerman cookies. My favorite is the white tangerine tea they serve at PF Changs and fresh baked oatmeal chocolate chip cookies….
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I echo Deana – the edamame caviar looks delish – please do post the recipe
I love the video, it’s so cute. My favorite tea is Yogi Green Super Antioxidant.
I like oatmeal raisin too
I love Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice tea! That edamame caviar looks delish…hope you share the recipe if you are able to figure it out!
That edamame caviar looks so yummy. If you’re able to recreate it, please post your recipe!
My favorite tea is Good Earth’s Sweet and Spicy and my favorite cookies are also freshly baked oatmeal-chocolate-chip with dried cherries/dates. (got to have a cherry on top).
During the winter, my favorite tea-and-cookie treat is Twinings English Breakfast tea (which I drink all year), with a few pfeffernusse (iced gingerbread) cookies on the side. The holidays are usually the only time I’m able to find these delicious cookies in the store, so I make the most of it. =)
We are in St. Pete Beach at the Tradewinds Island Resort for Jeffrey's Boot Camp seminar. Looking forward to his arrival here tomorrow and the commencement of the weekend events. I chose a bit of a different packing method this time around to eliminate some of the baggage. I checked for a local baby store…
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beautiful girl!!! love you and miss you!
Awesome! I love her flower and so glad she got to go in the pool. I LOVE swimming with the kids!
Gabrielle attended her first official birthday celebration last weekend. A party at Gymboree to celebrate Jeffrey's grandaughter Isabel's 2nd birthday! I love how Gabrielle is looking up to Isabel here. The birthday girl! Watching all the "big kids" sing and dance. Isabel greeted each of her dozen or so guests with an enthusiastic personal hello…
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I’m seein alot of black tights lately..I love them with mary jane type shoes
This is one of my favorite Madonna looks of all time – when she spoke about Michael Jackson at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. I was in awe of her beauty, her intelligence, and her tribute. I'm hoping to recreate this hair look in the future.
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this look will look great on you jessica!
Delight of the decade. Gabrielle wearing her Grandmother Pati's circa 1948 vintage baby dress.
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oh my…too cute for words jessica
Your mom did so good!!!!
Gabrielle looks like
the prettiest angel!!!!
Oh My God!!
Seriously gorgeous. Wow, kudos to your Mom for hanging on to it.
She looks so precious in the dress!!!
Gabrielle is gorgeous! The dress also!
Hello visitors,
If you have any vintage baby clothes in your home or attic, take them to your dry cleaner for restoration. They come out amazing. My mom had a whole box full of the most precious pieces of clothing – some were in pretty bad shape – all now look so incredible.
Thank you, Mom, for saving these.
Jessica
Gabrielle and I took a walk around the neighborhood this afternoon. I was so happy to see the camellias in full bloom (wish I would have had a camera other than my iPhone). The flower made me think of Coco Chanel and how I can't wait to see the new Coco Before Chanel biopic. I've…
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forgot to say I LOVE that flower capture..so pretty jessica
jeffrey is “the best”..seriously ..a lovely man you have there
11:11 is a lucky time of day…and now you have the text pic forever Very cool! makes me smile for you just reading it!!!
something very comforting about that text. don’t you just love texts? it sounds crazy but when I was pregnant with my daughter, I took photos (just like the one you posted) of many of the texts that my husband and I sent back and forth to each other about her and I put them in her baby book. I’m sure when she grows up texting will be ancient… like a giant cordless phone or something…but surely she will still love to read messages from her parents in the middle of a random day that say things like, “I was just thinking about our daughter and I hope she’s just like you….” and my response, “…that’s funny…because I hope she’s just like YOU!”
Awwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!! Yeah, keep it forever. I think by putting it on this blog, you just did!
What a wonderful text message to receive, it made me smile.
The picture of the camellia is beautiful…I actually love the soft, fuzzy look of it.
And the text from Jeffrey is so lovely…what a blessing to share life with someone so caring and open with his care.
that text… perfect.
And 11:11 is a lucky time of day, I’ve always thought. You are quite the lucky girl to receive a message like that!
That’s a keeper. The text message and the gentleman who sent it.
I bought this book (Mimi's Shoes by Christine Tasche, illustrated by Somsack) on a whim looking at J.Crew's kids items. Oh my, it's delightful. I'm trying to locate the author to order several cases of signed copies to give as gifts (the J.Crew personal shopper was no help). Would make such a great gift…
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Thank you and My best regards! Thank you and Sorry for so many questions but i really need your help.
you can get this book on line
just type mimi’s shoes book into the jcrew.com search box
or you can get it in all jcrew stores where crewcuts is sold
ss
Thanks Julie!
Please email me your address so I can send you a little token of appreciation for the connection!
Happy Holidays!
Jessica
I forwarded the link to your blog to my cousin Micah (Christine’s brother). He said that they will reach out to you, so I’m sure you’ll be hearing from him! J.Crew just threw a launch party for her on Wednesday night in NYC:)
Julie
Julie!
I am absolutely interested!
Send me an email if you need any details.
jessica@gitomer.com
Wow – this is awesome!
Jessica
This is my cousin’s book. I can check with her brother to see if she’d be willing to sign a copy for you. She lives in Washington state. Let me know if that would be something you’d be interested in! This is her first book and the story behind how it got published is really interesting!
Julie Keil
Hey Jessica!
I enjoy reading your blog every now and then. I am glad I stopped by to see this post! I love the idea of this book… because I love books, I love shoes, and I would love to get it for my mom who my niece calls “Mimi.” I am searching…so far no luck. If you find extra copies, please let me know where!
Hi Chloe,
I added links to this post.
Here is where you can buy it – I don’t believe it is sold anywhere else!
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/CrewCutBrowse/Girl_Shop_By_Category/knitstees/collectibletees/PRDOVR~18713/99101831922/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~0~15~all~mode+matchallany~~~~~mimi%27s%20shoes/18713.jsp
Alison,
I love Babyccino as well. It’s definitely one of my daily visits.
Thanks for visiting!
Jessica
This looks gorgeous – would love to know if it can be bought online – I’m from NZ!
LOVE LOVE LOVE. And even though I’m not a mommy YET, I fell in love with the Babyccino website that you posted the other day. Such good picks and great inspiration, thank you Jessica.
Regardless of the current weather you're experiencing in your region (it's raining here in Charlotte) which of the above satin pants outfits would be your choice of the day? My choice would be WORK. And I'm guessing that means I need to 'get to it' today!
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I think I like weekend too. These remind me of something Audrey H would wear on her day off. Never seen them before, but I am a big fan of these pants now…great post Jess!
work would be my choice–BUT I LOVE the weekend Handbag!
Weekend, for sure.
I like the work look BUT whoever styled that has not worked in an actual office (not the magazine) for YEARS. I have worked in publishing for 13 years. I would never wear that in the office. It looks like I threw a blazer on over my PJs.
The most ridiculous part is claiming that a structured bag makes a difference. I don’t carry my purse around the office with me to go to meetings or talk to my boss.
Well I guess fashion is supposed to be slightly (or very) ridiculous.
I love the work look!
I like work best, but weekend is a close second.
weekend, hands down!
the weekend definitely but since i’m short, i need some heels :O)
ohh..I love the weekend one..comfy flats and lots of layers..and I bet those satin pants feel like pajamas..just what I love to wear all day around the house..and loved your story on cashmere..learned alot I never knew
"You're so soft today. Just like your mama." Both Gabrielle and I wore delightful cashmere sweaters yesterday. I love their amazing softness and lightweight warmth. Jeffrey keeps telling me that before we know it, Gabrielle is going to start asking so many questions. "Daddy, why is the sky blue?" "Daddy, why are you taller than…
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Hi Vera!
Because I travel so much – I don’t store any of my clothes away during summer. I like to have everything accessible. Right now (as I’m working on a remodel for a new closet) I have all my sweaters in plastic tubs.
Here are some notes about sweater storage http://www.ehow.com/about_4571754_sweater-storage.html
Thanks for visiting!
Jessica
Interesting! I love cashmere. How do you store your fine wools and cashmere garments in the summer months?
Love this idea from Mo in London. What a special way to count down the days. I'm taking note of this to do it next year!
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I love this crisp look/idea! Nice!
We have calenders like that in Germany every year! You can either make your own and fill them with little presents, or you can buy them filled with chocolates or tea. It is a christmas tradition I wouldn’t wanna miss!
WOW….I love this idea!! I am definetly taking note for next year!!
i love this idea. thanks for sharing.
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leni - that first photo is too cute