2014 FALL THRIFT STUDIO PREVIEW PARTY

Dwell with Dignity's 2014 Fall Thrift Studio Preview Party is just a little over a week away! 

I'm getting quite excited...

Have you gotten your tickets?

If you want first dibs on some of their amazing items [furniture, artwork, decor.... all designer finds], get your tickets HERE.

All proceeds go to Dwell with Dignity.

Not to mention... the fabulous eye candy [the vignettes created by some of the biggest designer talents in the world] is an extra special treat of the Preview Party! Check out the wonderful line-up of designers here.

I have shared photos of some of the vignettes from past Thrift Studios here and here.

This time, I thought it would be fun to share some of the FABULOUS FINDS I have personally scored at the Thrift Studio for my home.

Ceramic Horse Head and Black and White Designer Pillow by Square Feathers for Our Living Area

Large Antique Wood Mirror with Original Patina for the Foyer

Ikat Dinner Plates for Entertaining 

Corrugated Designer End Table for the Balcony

Jonathan Adler Turquoise Lacquered Tray for Kiddo's Room

As well as, many other fabulous pieces.

You will find me at the Preview Party on Thursday, October 9th. But, you will also see me pop in at Thrift Studio several other times throughout the month as they continuously restock the studio!

And don't forget.... these two Artwork by JoJo pieces will be available for sale:

LEFT | Acrylic on 36" x 36" Canvas | Vogue
RIGHT | Acrylic on 36" x 36" Canvas | Poetry in Motion

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Can't wait to see what I will find this season!

FOOD: Pumpkin Oaties

Autumn is one of my favorite seasons of the year.... well, to be honest... the start to any season is pretty much my favorite season of the year. But, autumn holds a special place in my heart thanks to all the warmth and coziness which is conveyed in the scents and food of the season.

So, what better way to get into the autumn spirit but with baking some Pumpkin Oaties!

This was our first PUMPKIN recipe of the season and I wanted to share it with you.

First off though, I was so excited about eating baking these.... that I only took one pic.

Here it is... in all it's Instagram glory:

Now back to the recipe.

I LOVE my cookbooks.
In fact, hubby frequently gifts them to me for special and "just because" events.
He knows my heart well.

And one of my favorite cookbooks is The New American Heart Association Cookbook 8th Edition. And that is where I received the inspiration [and recipe] for these pumpkin oaties. I just altered the recipe in several different areas and they still turned out great!

PUMPKIN OATIES
1 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour
        *Note: Altered from the TNAHAC's recipe of 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour.
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
       *Note: Altered from the TNAHAC's recipe of 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour.
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp Feather Weight baking powder [sodium free]
       *Note: If not sodium free, use same amount baking powder.
2 tsp Ener G baking soda [sodium free]
       *Note: If not sodium free, use ONLY 1 tsp baking soda.
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
       *Note: Altered from the TNAHAC's recipe of 1/4 cup canola or corn oil.
1 large egg
1 15 oz. can pumpkin
1 c uncooked quick-cooking oatmeal

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, sift together the flours, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Put the brown sugar, oil, and egg in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until smooth. Beat in the pumpkin until smooth.

Stir in the oatmeal. Gradually stir in the flour mixture, about one-third at a time, gently blending until no flour is visible.

Using a small 1 Tbsp spring-loaded ice cream scoop or tablespoon, drop the dough by tablespoonfuls on to a lightly sprayed baking sheet. Dampen the heel of your hand and lightly press each cookie to flatten slightly. The cookies don't spread as they bake.

Bake for 14 to 18 minutes, or until the cookies appear dry. Transfer the cookies from the baking sheets to cooling racks and let cool.

I was able to make 30 cookies with my altered version of the recipe.

Nutritional value per cookie according to "MyFitnessPal":
Calories 59 | Fat 0.2g | Sodium 54 mg | Potassium 74 mg | Carbs 13 g | Fiber 1 g |
Sugars 7 g | Protein 1 g | Vitamin A 33% | Calcium 8%

Such a yummy special Fall treat!
Happy Fall Y'all!

DALLAS: An Architectural Walking Tour

Our family had such a lovely weekend and I wanted to share a part of it with you!

Even though these shots are from my iPhone, I thought why not share a small part of why I think Dallas is beautiful. And... I'm not the only one. Did you know that USA Today Reader's Choice named Dallas the #1 skyline in the world?! 

That's right... THE WORLD! See the news article here.

We took a walking tour through the Dallas Arts District this Saturday morning with the Dallas Center for Architecture. I visit the Dallas Arts District at least once a week... this past week I visited 3 times. I even see some of these buildings from our home... but, I have never experienced it like this.

To start with... it was a picture perfect day. 

Just check out the sky and clouds in these photos. Simply divine!

Dallas Museum of Art

Trammell Crow Center

Belo Mansion - Home of the Dallas Bar Association

Cathedral Shrine of the the Virgin of Guadalupe

Morton H. Meyerson - Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dee and Charles Wyly - Dallas Theater Center

Dallas Theatre Center

Walking on water at the AT&T Performing Arts Center 

Dallas Opera House

AT&T Performing Arts Center Garden and One Arts Plaza

As you can see, it was indeed a beautiful day.

We plan to go on all the walking tours the Dallas Center for Architecture provides. 

Go HERE to see the walking tours available.

It seems to be another beautiful day here in Dallas... with beautiful skies. 

I think we will plan to go for a walk!

ARTWORK by JOJO: Another Sky-Influenced Piece

I have truly enjoyed working on this current series.

Each piece has been somehow influenced by the sky.  And let me tell you... I have a bountiful view of the sky while I paint. People ask me where I paint. If I have a studio or what. But, it's nothing that glamorous. Just me.... my paints.... our little dog Chewie... and our floor to ceiling wall of windows that spans the entire length of our condo unit. A bountiful view of the sky, indeed!

Here is the latest of the Sky-Influenced Series:

Acrylic on 24" x 24" Canvas | Two Worlds Collided

Have a FABULOUS hump day!

Go HERE to see more Artwork by JoJo.

ARTWORK by JOJO: Inspired by the Sky

Here in Dallas, a cold front came through this weekend. It was quite a nice break from the 100+ degrees. And, it came at the perfect time.... for the Dallas Heart Walk. My family and I participated in the walk along with 70,000+ others. It's the largest Heart Walk in the nation... so fabulous! You can always check out my instagram for pics of what I'm up to.

We had a wonderful time walking through the streets of downtown Dallas. It was an overcast day, so I didn't get to see any clouds... but cloud-like images have been in my head for days now.

Here are two recently completed pieces.... both inspired by the sky.

Acrylic on 30" x 40" Canvas | Hands to Heaven

Acrylic on 24" x 24" Canvas | Lost in Emotion

What inspires you?

Have a lovely Monday, friends.

We Remember

We will NEVER forget...

“What separates us from the animals, 

what separates us from the chaos, 

is our ability to mourn people we’ve never met.”

-David Levithan

ARTWORK by JoJo: A Colorful Commission

Happy Monday, friends!

This is gonna be another great week.... I can feel it.

I thought I would start off the week by sharing my latest commission!

A fun and vibrant piece entitled "13 September".

Diptych | Acrylic on two 36" x 48" Canvas Panels | 13 September

I always enjoy painting commissioned pieces. To get to know someone through a creation of a piece is such a unique experience and also a lot of fun! It is quite an honor to participate in this process with an individual that is trusting you with their thoughts, style, design and hopes.

It is so wonderful to see the finished piece in the final surroundings.

And this piece was nothing different.... except....

I really especially LOVE my latest client.

My best friend.
My husband.

I hope his colleagues enjoy as much as he does.... as it's been installed in his office.
He wanted something with energy.... something that is peaceful... something that was vibrant.

I love painting commissions... but, this one was EXTRA SPECIAL!

Go HERE to see more Artwork by JoJo.

ARTWORK by JoJo: A Calming Neutral

There is always something so soothing about creating a piece of artwork in a neutral palette. 

This pieces is a lovely combination of such a said palette.

Acrylic on 36" x 36" Canvas | Breakfast Club

How about you.... do you like neutrals or do you go for more COLOR POP in your artwork choices?

"Breakfast Club" is now available for purchase.
Other neutrals are also available in differing size canvas.
Email me if interested.

Go HERE to see additional artwork by JoJo.

WORDS: Inspire Me

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