Project Jenny

Heading to the airport shortly which means I’ll be sitting at the airport bar cheersing to “entering into a stress free zone” aka vacation! Apologies in advance that due to the fact that I’ll literally be off the grid I likely won’t be able to blog until the week I get back (10 days from now). That means, no Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram, Foodspotting, etc., for 10 days! I will certainly have lots to share upon my refreshed return.

Adios amigos!

xo

J

∞04:53 pm, by projectjenny ∩2 | Comments

[travel]

Packing List: Guatemala & Belize

Headed to Guatemala and Belize on a 10 day backpacking trip tomorrow night! You might remember when I booked the trip back in October - wow, how time flies!

I spent most of my day off on Monday getting prepped for the trip - running errands, packing, and all that good stuff. Packing for a trip of this kind can be quite the challenge when you’re bringing it all on your back!

Here’s my packing list below as well as a few travel prep tips:

Backpack

1 yoga towel (extra absorbent)

1 small beach towel

1 hostel sheet

1 pair of jeans (wear on plane)

3 pair of jean shorts

1 onesie

4 tank tops, 3 t-shirts

2 short printed sun dresses

1 bathing suit covers

1 maxi dress

2 cardigans

1 knit pull over (wear on plane)

1 zip up north face fleece

1 pair yoga pants

1 pair of leggings

2 pair pjs

3 bathing suits (only need 2, but I bought a new one I have to bring!)

1 American Apparel skirt

1 pair of Toms (wear on plane)

1 pair Nike sneakers

2 pair of sandals (rainbows/ Jesus slippers)

1 pair of cheap sunglasses

1 travel size hair dryer; 1 travel size straighter

toiletries/underwear/bras

camera

1 purse aka adjustable strap satchel

6 mini cliff bars

And… believe it or not all of that fit in my backpack!

Just a few travel prep tips:

1. Yoga towels - are great for this kind of trip because they are compact and extra absorbent as well as quick to dry.

2. Hostel sheets - are a must. They are sold in most athletic stores in the travel section and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Great to have in case you end up in a not so ideal sleeping situation - at least you have a clean sheet with you.

3. Check the weather - make sure you check to see what the weather conditions are for the week or so that you’ll be in each country. Weather can vary from day to night and certain months of the year can be dry, wet, buggy, etc. so it’s important to know what you’re up against and how to pack accordingly.

4. Airport attire - this might be obvious, but it’s always a good idea to plan ahead and wear on the plane whatever you’re heaviest pieces are so they aren’t taking up room in your bag.

5. Make copies of your passport - god forbid it was stolen or lost, it’s smart to have copies with you in a different bag or with someone your traveling with (and with someone back at home) in case you need them.

6. Gel Mani - If you’re anything like me and get your nails manicured regularly, before a long trip I recommend getting a gel manicure. It’s a little extra $, but is said to last up to two weeks without chipping (I’ll let you know how it goes!)

8. Call your bank - very smart to call up your bank and credit card companies and let them know you will be traveling internationally and the time period you are away. This way they can put a note on your account and your account won’t get shut down due to suspected fraud (like my did when I was in Spain a few years ago, no bueno!).

7. Last, but certainly not least, I always like to leave a little extra room in my suitcase or bag for the things I might accumulate along the way. Sounds silly, but you’ll be so happy you did.

∞09:24 pm, by projectjenny ∩1 | Comments

[travel] [packing] [home] [fashion]

V-Day Heart Shaped Pesto Pasta

This year on V-Day Jeremy and I joined forces with Kate (my co-worker and good friend) and her roommate Kevin at their place to concoct a delicious dinner. I stumbled upon the most adorable heart shaped pasta and insisted on finding a recipe to put the pasta to good use. As fate would have it, the Tasting Table email of the day on V-Day was the most perfect pesto recipe a girl could ask for. Check it out, it was easy and delicious - and I ate leftovers for lunch and dinner for two days straight! Yum.

Nutty Love, Pistachio Pesto via TastingTable

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INGREDIENTS

1 cup shelled pistachios

1 tablespoon kosher salt plus extra for pasta water

1½ pounds medium shaped pasta (we combined shells/hearts, but can use whatever you prefer)

1 large head broccoli, stems trimmed

2 garlic cloves

Juice and zest of 1 Meyer lemon (or zest of 1 regular lemon with 3 tablespoons lemon juice and 1 tablespoon orange juice)

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves

½ cup mint leaves

1½ cups extra-virgin olive oil

½ cup finely grated Pepato or Pecorino Romano cheese

2 tablespoons finely chopped chives

Sea salt

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DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. On a rimmed baking sheet, toast the pistachios until fragrant and lightly toasted, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a large plate and cool, then coarsely grind in a food processor. Transfer the ground pistachios to a bowl and set aside

2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add some kosher salt and the pasta and cook until almost al dente, about 8 minutes. When the pasta is almost finished, add the broccoli to the pot and cook for 2 minutes more or until the pasta is al dente and the broccoli is tender. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta and broccoli through a large colander.

3. In the same food processor, combine the garlic, lemon zest, red pepper flakes and kosher salt and grind into a fine paste. Add the parsley and mint and pulse to make a rough paste. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Transfer to a medium saucepan and stir in the ground pistachios.

4. Add the pasta water to the pesto; bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes.

5. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, broccoli and pesto. Stir in the lemon juice and set aside for 5 minutes. To serve, divide the pasta among plates or bowls and garnish with the grated cheese, chives, sea salt.

∞02:50 pm, by projectjenny ∩3 | Comments

[Holidays] [love] [recipe]

This past Saturday afternoon Jeremy and I joined Sarah and Garrett and co at Rodeo Beach in Marin County for a day of picnicking, surfing, and lounging around. Rodeo Beach is two miles north of the Golden Gate bridge so makes for the perfect half day trip.

The beach is known for its pebbly sand and gorgeous bluffs (tip: sit with your back against the bluffs to hide from the wind). We brougth wine and cheese, a baseball and baseball mitts, blankets, a JAMBOX, + great company - and we had ourselves a lovely day.

A day on the beach in the middle of February, is just one more reason I love CA!

∞03:10 pm, by projectjenny ∩2 | Comments

[san francisco] [beach] [picnic] [friends]

Pretty excited about my latest purchase! #Nike #running #pink (Taken with instagram)

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∞07:34 pm, by projectjenny ∩5 | Comments

[pink] [running] [nike]

You gotta stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone outta be.

- Elizabeth Gilbert, best-selling author of ‘Eat, Pray, Love’

∞11:22 am, by projectjenny ∩2 | Comments

[quotes]

Well that’s upfront. (Taken with Instagram at Jenny’s Burger)

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∞06:59 pm, by projectjenny ∩1 | Comments

I <3 Brooklyn

via photomelissa:

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∞11:46 am, reblogged by projectjenny ∩58 |
Comments

[ValentinesDay] [brooklyn] [nyc]

Dinner in the making! @jeremy_frank @k8mcewen (Taken with instagram)

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∞07:55 pm, by projectjenny Comments

Valentine's Day Google Doodle Video

Valentines Day Google Doodle Depicts All Forms of Love [VIDEO]

Cutest video on Google’s homepage today!

Also, love this slideshow of V-Day Google Doodles through the years.

∞11:22 am, by projectjenny Comments

Love these pretty little festive ladies. Will definitley be sipping some sparking Rose tonight! Stay tuned for the heart shaped pasta dish (oh, yes I am!) I am whipping up tonight with Jeremy, my friend/co-worker Kate, and her roommate. Should be a good one!

xo

J

(Source: fuckyeahweddingideas)

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∞08:06 am, reblogged by projectjenny ∩227 |
Comments

[Holidays] [ValentinesDay] [Cocktails] [wine] [love]

So darn cute!

GreenWeddingshoes:

Girl Scout Themed Bridal Shower Inspiration

∞08:55 am, reblogged by projectjenny ∩240 |
Comments

[Wedding]

In honor of miss Whitney Houston.

∞08:19 am, by projectjenny Comments

[music]

This just happened. (Taken with Instagram at Dreamers & Make Believers Salon)

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∞12:14 pm, by projectjenny ∩2 | Comments

Thanks @futurecindy @blmboulder for the V-Day cookies! Sweetest part of my day :) (Taken with Instagram at The OutCast Agency)

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∞11:28 am, by projectjenny ∩1 | Comments

Project Jenny

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Packing List: Guatemala & Belize

V-Day Heart Shaped Pesto Pasta

Valentine's Day Google Doodle Video