Black Friday Through Cyber Monday Sale 25% off!

This Black Friday through Cyber Monday Julia Catherine Jewelry will be having their Annual Sale. This is the only time every year where you will automatically receive 25% off all items in my etsy shop! All items have already been marked down 25% with the original price noted in this description.

Please also join my mailing list on the right side of this blog for free giveaway contests and early notification of sales like this one.

I hope everyone had an amazing thanksgiving!
xoxo
Julia Catherine

Famous Fall Squash Soup Recipe

After many requests, I have finally wrote down my now famous recipe for squash soup. This is a great recipe to use for either delicata or butternut squash, or any combination of other squashes. It is a little sweet and a little savory. It only takes about an hour to make if you are really good at managing your time. If you prefer to use fresh or canned broth, forgo the 4 cups of water and bouillon cubes for just 4 cups of the broth of your choice.

Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees.

4 Cups Water Plus 1 cup for roasting squash
3 Delicata Squash (cut in half lengthwise and seeds removed)
3 Medium Potatoes (peeled and cut)
4 Chicken or Vegetable Bouillon Cubes
3 Tbls Olive Oil
1 Medium Onion
1/4 Tsp Salt
4 Average Size Cloves of Garlic (2 monster) Chopped
1 1/2 Tsp Dried Rubbed Sage
1 1/2 Tsp Fresh Thyme Removed from Stem & Chopped
1/4 Tsp Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
2 Tbls Salted Butter
1 Cup Milk

Take a large shallow baking dish and add 1 cup of water in the bottom. Place your squash, cut side down in the dish. Place in 400 degree pre-heated oven. Bake for 40 minutes.

While the squash is baking, peel and cut the potatoes. Place in a large pot with the 4 cups of water and 4 bouillon cubes. Cook over med-high heat till tender.

In a large frying pan over medium heat, add 3 Tbls Olive Oil. Add chopped onion and salt, cook till nearly translucent. Add garlic, sage, thyme and black pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes. Then lower heat to lowest setting.

Remove squash from oven and either peel back skin or scoop it out with a spoon. Be careful they will be hot! Add 'scooped' squash to the onion, garlic and herb mixture. Mash the mixture together with the back of a wooden spoon till the onion mixture and squash are combined. Add to the potato and broth mixture. Add butter. Stir.

***REMEMBER when using a blender for blending hot contents take out the top part of the lid and put a towel over the opening.***

Place half of the mixture in a blender with half of the milk. Blend on middle setting till velvety smooth. Place in a large bowl and set aside. Repeat this step with the second half of the mixture and milk. Return both back to the large pot and stir together.

Hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as myself and my family and friends. It is great to take along for lunch the next day with a sandwich.

xoxo
Julia Catherine

... And Im Back!

It has been a very long time since I have blogged. I am happy to be back. For all of my fans, I am glad to see you are still reading. Newbies, please sign up for my mailing list to the right of this post.

I would like to share with you some new items!
Please take a look at my etsy store to see the new things I have been working on. Check back frequently, I will be added a couple items daily to try and get everything I've been making the past 2 years up.

My shop has a bit of a new look, as you will notice. It's still the same thoughtful, stylish, work I have always made though. I hope you enjoy the new look of Julia Catherine Jewelry.

NEW CONTESTS!! 
I will be starting up my contests again soon! So please join my mailing list, again to the right of this blog post. Mailing list members will get a sneak peak and headstart on all contest and of course VERY generous coupons. All exclusively for mailing list members only! 

A little taste for blog readers though. Visit my etsy shop and type "WELCOME2012" and get free shipping automatically. 

Thanks everyone!
xoxo Julia Catherine

And the winner is...

"Little Galaxy Rings" Submitted by ThePaperBlueBird.etsy.com . Thanks so much for all the submissions for this months contest. Make sure you sign up for my mailing list to the right of this blog post to be notified of future contests and upcoming events!

xoxo
JuliaCatherine

June Contest Starts NOW!

This month's contest is a "Name Game" Contest. Your mission... if you choose to accept, is to name the rings below. A little bit about this ring. It is a new style I have created. They are a limited edition ring. Each one is handcrafted from large gauge sterling silver. Each one is one of a kind. So while they will all be similar in style, no two will be exactly alike.
I just can't figure out what to call these gorgeous rings!

What will you win if your name is selected? The winner will be awarded 2 pairs of my little berries earrings. One pair for yourself and one pair to give away or to Pay It Forward, and of course bragging rights! Your name will be posting in each listing for this amazing ring. As always the winner will also be extended the offer of free shipping on any shopping in My Shop. As well as the 15% off any other purchases they wish to make from my shop.

So leave your name suggestion (entry) as a comment on this post and of course leave your email (entries without emails will not be considered) Entries will be accepted up till June 19th and the winner and name will be posted the following Monday June 22nd.

Have you joined my mailing list?? That's the little widget, over there>>>>
If you did you will receive advanced warning to monthly contests and exclusive discounts.

I look forward to reading all the names you will submit.
xoxo
JuliaCatherine

June Blog Contest Starts Soon!

Hello everyone! Hope everyone is well and had a happy and safe holiday weekend. After a brief break from monthly contests I will be starting one again coming up in June. June's contest will be a "Name Game" contest. I have a gorgeous item that needs naming! The winner of June's contest will be awarded 2 prizes, both the same. One to keep for yourself and the other to Pay It Forward (PIF) to a someone in your life. For full details before anyone else be sure to join my mailing list in the top right section of this blog. Full details will be posted on this blog the first week of June, mailing list members get a sneak peak the end of this week.
xoxo
JuliaCatherine

Perfect by Nature...

Wow it has been awhile since I have posted! I finally had a chance this morning to get out and take some gorgeous photos of the plants and other things growing in the yard here at home. Those who know me, know I have a love taking photos of all the amazing things nature creates. Really close up photos.

For more photos please visit my Flickr photostream.

As for me? Im going to get back outside, weed my garden a bit and then lay out and soak in some of this amazing weather. Enjoy the day everyone, and be safe.

xoxo
Julia Catherine

Stylish Storage Solutions!

If your like me, you are always limited with your space and looking to create more space. Especially with an 'attic room'. Slated ceilings etc. With the help of my mother I finally got around to building myself a book shelf. No longer will my books have to sit in a pile next to my bed! Now my lovely (new) terrarium also has a home too.

So first we took a trip to our local lowes store and purchased some 8x1 pine board. We looked for a board with as little knots and possible and as few blemishes as we could find. Then I selected some corner molding to create a ledge on my shelf. I wanted a ledge so that I could know any items I might place on my shelf will be secure (knick knacks, candle holders etc.) I also selected these lovely L brackets that have a bronzey scroll design on them instead of the ugly ones. Carefully chose my nails. I bought 1 inch brads to nail the ledge to the shelf, 1 inch finishing screws to screw the bracket to the shelf and 1 1/2 finishing nails to screw the shelf to the wall.

With the help of my mother the boards were cut and the edges of the ledge were mitered. I just love mitered corners!! I matched up the corners and glued the ledge down using wood glue, clamped them down and waited 30 minutes before nailing the brads into the ledge. Then I used a bit of 'plastic wood' to fill in any screw ups I made :/ After letting that dry for another 20 minutes I got my handy dandy sanding block out and sanded down any rough edges through the whole shelf, even rounded off some corners. I gave the entire shelf a good dusting and then stained it using a walnut stain we had left over from another project(use plastic gloves while staining). I only did one coat yesterday and let the shelf dry till this afternoon.

I attached the fancy brackets to the shelf and then the shelf to the wall using a level of course. And now im lovely shelf is complete :) The entire project cost me about $29 and that is enough wood and screws for another shelf.

xoxo
JuliaCatherine

Vegan Black Bean Soup- Recipe Courtesy of YCHRISTINE

A favorite recipe that I have made twice so far and works out perfect everytime. Very quick and easy, well worth taking the time to make this instead of opening a can of some crappy store bought soup.

"Pureed black beans and tomatoes are combined with vegetable broth to make a nice thick base for this soup, which hosts celery, carrots, onion and corn.
Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 pinch black pepper

4 cups vegetable broth

4 (15 ounce) cans black beans

1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn

1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1.	Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Saute onion, celery, carrots and garlic for 5 minutes. Season with chili powder, cumin, and black pepper; cook for 1 minute. Stir in vegetable broth, 2 cans of beans, and corn. Bring to a boil.
2.	Meanwhile, in a food processor or blender, process remaining 2 cans beans and tomatoes until smooth. Stir into boiling soup mixture, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 15 minutes.

The recipe in it entirety can be found here

I strongly suggest the following substitutions. 2 cups frozen kernel corn. I also did not have fresh celery so I used a tablespoon of celery flakes and a can of stewed tomatoes instead of crushed. Great with a grilled cheese sandwich, baked potato. Even better the next day as lunch or leftovers. I hope you will give one of my favorites a try!

xoxo
JuliaCatherine

February Contest Winner Announced!

And the winner for February's Contest is...

Beth W. Of Rose Bush Designs!

Congratulations Beth and Thank You to all who participated in this Months Contest. The answer to the riddle was my "Classic Pink Pearl Studs" There were many entries that were correct so it came down to the random number generator. Each entry was assigned a number then the number was picked at random.

Remember to sign up for my mailing list so you can be notified of special contests here on my blog and exclusive sales and coupons, only for mailing list members.

xoxo
Julia Catherine

February Contest

This month's contest is to solve the riddle related to an item in My Shop.
The riddle to solve is:

"In the section for your ear
You will surely be near,
Find the studs that are pink
And you've got the right link!"

How do you win? What do you win?
Just shoot me an email to juliacatherinejewelry@gmail.com Use the subject "Blog Contest" in the subject line and copy and paste the link or the name of the item that the riddle is referencing.

If there is more than one person who submits an answer they will be submitted to a raffle to win my 'Floating Heart Earrings"! Now remember that as always the winner will also be extended the offer of free shipping on any shopping in My Shop. As well as 15% off coupon for any other shopping they would like to do.

Mailing list members have already gotten a head start! Make sure you join so next time you can too.

Good luck everyone! Answers will be accepted up till February 15th, all correct answers will be put into a raffle and drawn on the 16th.

xoxo
Julia Catherine

p.s. Comments have been disabled for this post so answers aren't mistakenly left as posts.

Tuesday's Finds- Italy In Honor of "eat, pray, love"

I just started ready Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Love, Pray:One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia" The book is about Elizabeth's travels across the 3 countries. So far she has traveled to Italy and that's what today's finds are all about! ITALY! The book is great so far, I highly recommend it!

alebook67's- buonconvento,tuscany watercolor original painting.
A sunset view of Buonconvento, a small village near Siena in Tuscany. The detail of this is amazing for a watercolor. This artist was born in Florence Italy where he lives and works as a professional artist. All his artwork comes matted on black, which really makes the artwork POP. Still a fairly new artist on etsy, show some love.

Lots more artwork of Italy in alebook67's shop.

Whichgoose's Roman Leaf Crown
A little Julius Cesar for all of us. You could go roman or Greek with this one with this gorgeously detailed leaves in metallic colors. Handmade by whichgoose.

Lots of AMAZING headbands for all ocassions in this shop.

ThePigAndThePeacock-Roman Neroli Shea Butter Soap.

This soap is infused with spicy, flowery, sweet neroli and exfoliating orange peel. Can you say LUXURIOUS?

Also made with shea butter which is amazing for skin care. So smooth and moisturizing. Help your poor skin through this dry, dry winter. Many more flavors in this shop. Check them all out.

I hope you all enjoyed this weeks tuesday's finds. Hope to meet you back here sometime soon. Also be sure to check out more great "Tuesday Finds" today on The Awesome Chicks of Etsy Blog. (sponsored by the ladies of ACE)

xoxo
Julia Catherine

P.S. Make sure you sign up for my mailing list to the right, february mailing going out soon and giveaway starts soon too!

Crummy Yummy Mac & Cheese Recipe

As you can see, I have a way with cheese. Yet another creamy cheesy delicious recipe. Im not that good at recipe writing so please excuse my lingo here. It looks like a really big complicated thing but its really not, and it tastes wayyy better than anything i have ever made from a box. Its worth the time to make something tasty for your family. They will thank you!

Preheat Oven to 375 Degrees

2 1/2 Cups Elbow Macaroni
Kosher Salt
1 Egg, scrambled
Sauce
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
1/2 Cup Diced Onion
1/2 Tsp Kosher Salt
Red Pepper Flakes to Taste (i do like 4 big shakes)
2 Tbls Flour Heaping
2 Cups Milk (I use 1%)
1 Cup Reserved Cooking liquid from pasta
5-6oz Cheddar Cheese Shredded

Crumb Topping
1/2 Cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs, i like Italian style
3/4 Tsp Chili Powder
1/2 Margarine, Butter or Shortening

Boil your pasta according to package directions, make sure to salt your water if you want your pasta to taste like anything. The general rule is to salt it like the ocean, please use kosher salt for this. Because of the cheese in this recipe i suggest slightly less. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid just before you drain your pasta and set both aside.

The Sauce: Put in a small saucepan the olive oil or other oil. heat on medium to medium hi temp and add your diced onions and red pepper flakes and 1/2tsp kosher salt, saute till the onions are softened up for the most part. For this next part i recommend using one of those rubber scraper type spatula deals. We are gonna make a ROUX!! I think that's what it's called officially but don't let it scare you away from this recipe. To your oily situation you are going to add your 2 heaping Tbls of flour. You are going to mix it all around with your rubber scraper and you are going to mash down those little flour lumps with your spatula. mixing mixing mixing, smoothing smoothing smoothing. At first you will notice that uncooked floury smell, once you cook it for a couple minutes and incorporate all the flour into all the oil mixture you will notice that smell will dissipate. Now add your milk about a little at a time. Add a little and mix it all really well together, cook for a minute till bubbly (at this point i get out my whisk) mix mix, add, mix mix add. When you have about half of it in there it will look like your making mashed potatoes, this is totally normal. Keep mixing. Once all your milk is added let it bubble along a couple minutes and add your cheese choice. mix mix mix. it will get really thick, add about a 1/2 cup of your reserved cooking liquid (or the same amount in milk if you don't mind) Work quickly here and be very attentive. Kick that temp back to medium once this all bubbles up. Make sure to stir every couple minutes.
Crumb Topping: Now this works like making any crumb topping for pies etc. Mix all your crumb ingredients into a bowl and fork around it to create crumbs.

Add your sauce to pasta and mix really really well. Right at the end add your scrambled egg and stir really vigorously so it doesn't cook. Pour your pasta and sauce mixture into a semi flat dish (mine was 8 1/4 inch Pyrex) even it out and sprinkle on your crumble topping. Place in your oven at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or till the crumb topping darkens up a bit and the sauce gets bubbly. Enjoy! About 8 side dish servings or 4 main dish portions.

I like to do the red pepper flake and chili combo for this but if you like a savory 'situation' you might try and add some thyme instead. Get creative with things you know you like and you will not be disappointed. You could skip the red pepper flakes and chili powder all together and sub the cheddar cheese for pepper jack! That would be spicy and delicious!

I hope you will all try this recipe and let me know how it is, if you have any questions just shoot me an email and i will try and clear up any confusion. juliacatherinejewelry@gmail.com

Make sure you all join my mailing list so when i start my February giveaway and send out the months coupons you can get the exclusive scoop!

xoxo
JuliaCatherine

Tuesday's Finds- V-Day Gifts for Friends and Family

I always like to get a little something special for special friends and family members. Just a little something to let them know your thinking of them. Here are a couple of my favorite finds for this occasion.

nuvonova's Pink Deco Doll - blank notebook

Love this one. 120 pages to draw, journal or doodle on. The cover is a drawing of a doll made entirely from shapes. Get some photo corners, i think this one would also make a great scrapbook. Measures 6x4 inches.

novonova also has many other sketchbooks in her shop.

Flameworks' Black Raspberry Vanilla Vegan Soap.
The best gifts in the world are the most luxurious. Flameworks soaps are so fragrant and lather amazingly. I have purchased from this shop on many occasions before for gifts, whoever your buying for, they will thank you. Simple as that. All of the scents in this shop are amazing, black raspberry vanilla is my absolute favorite though.

Just buy the whole shop, it's all awesome.

Jenngee's Coffee Corset
A stylish way to be Eco friendly. Friends don't let friends use ugly paper cuffs. Such a creative idea originated by Jenn. Just use and reuse, keep your hands protected and help the planet a little. (every little bit counts) This shop is also offering free shipping for a limited time. This shop make coffee corsets for anything them you could imagine. Check out this entire shop.

Thecupcakemint's Chocolate Covered Strawberry Vegan Cupcakes
OH MY GOSH. I just had to say it. How is it possible these look so delicious and are vegan too? Im not sure how thecupcakemint does it but they do. Share these with friends and family or better yet give one to your object of affection and tell him or her you made them, you know what they say about hearts and bellies, right? Maybe not a wise idea there actually, i could never make anything that pretty. Even better if you live within 25 miles of the seller, they will deliver for free. Located in NJ.

Just check out the whole shop for delicious gift ideas, and stop drooling.

I hope you all enjoyed today's finds!

xoxo
JuliaCatherine

And The Winner is!

With 68% of the vote, Jillian of EternalImages ! Congratulations Jillian you are the winner of the first pair of Winter Blossom Earrings. Thanks so much for the winning name. These earrings are available for purchase by clicking here.

Thanks also to everyone who submitted entries to my January Blog Giveaway Contest. All of them were really good and it was hard enough to pick two finalists.

February's contest will be starting up soon, so make sure to join my mailing list so you can be notified on how to get in on it. All mailing list members are also the first to be notified of sales, and get free coupons too! So sign up using my mailing list widget to the right.

xoxo
Julia Catherine

Quick Recipe- 3 Bean Salad

One of my favorite quick, easy and healthy recipes of all time. 3-4 bean salad. Normally eaten cold, it makes a great topping for salads or just snacking throughout the day. In my house this does not last very long at all. I have recently found that this recipe is even more amazing when made with organic canned beans. Also tastes best when you let it sit and marinate for a couple hours or more.

1 Can red kidney beans
1 Can green beans
1 Can Chick/ Garbanzo beans

1/2 medium onion diced
1/2 green or red bell pepper diced
1 clove garlic minced
1/2 cup oil
1/2-3/4 cup apple cider vinegar (depending on your taste)
1 1/2 Tbls sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Open all your cans and rinse all your beans in a colander, set aside to drain.
Dice up your onion, pepper and garlic, add to a large bowl.
Add oil,vinegar and sugar, mix. Add your rinsed and drained beans. Wait a couple hours. Enjoy.

As i always say, mix in whatever you like to this recipe to make it your own. Use whatever beans you like, most of the time i make this with a yellow wax bean too. Salt and pepper to your taste, as well as vinegar.

Let me know how you like this one!
xoxo
Julia Catherine

Executive decision! New 50% off section

In an attempt to avoid overcrowding in my etsy shop I have made the decision to mark down selected pieces 50%. Currently there is about 20 items in this section. Clearing out these items will make room for many new items and bring a cleaner more cohesive look to my shop. I will be letting these items expire and will not be renewing them, so act now. Click here to visit my 50% sale section.

Thanks for checking in!
xoxo
Julia Catherine

Tuesday's Finds- How Presidental

I thought I would do today's finds in honor of our new President Obama. History making day for America!

palomasnest's BE THE CHANGE tiny text bowl
A little ceramic trinket bowl that measures 3 1/2 inches in diameter and has the words "Be The Change" stamped on the inside. I think this is perfect because you are reminded of this message every time you go to put your rings or other small items in it. Palomasnest ships this item within 2 days. I dare you to be the change today.

Other items tagged "obama" in Palomasnest.

Ohyeahstudios' President Obama 11'' x 8'' mixed media art print
A limited edition blue and red President Obama mixed media print on heavyweight textured paper. It is ink and oil based enamel paint. It is signed by the artist and ready to be framed and hung on your wall. I love this one in particular because it is in Red White and Blue. Ohyeahstudios ships within 24 hours, so you can having this hanging on your wall in just a few days. Be sure to check out all the other amazing work by this artist.

Other items tagged 'obama' from ohyeahstudios.

oneplaidaunt's Michelle and Barack Hair Barrettes
What and amazing idea. Photos of the couple have been edited by this seller and printed on 100% cotton buttons. A portion of the proceeds for this item go to Americans for the Arts Council.

Other items tagged "obama" from oneplaidaunt's shop.


Have any ideas for my tuesday finds? email me JuliaCatherineJewelry@gmail.com . Be sure to check out my tuesday finds on the Awesome Chicks of Etsy blog today with an MLK/Obama Theme.

xoxo
JuliaCatherine

Zucchini Fettuccine Penne...mmmm

Sort of a funny name. I made this delicious dish tonight for dinner. The idea came from taking a couple of my favorite things and combining them for something really amazing. Has anyone noticed I love sharing what i cook?

Zucchini Fettuccine Penne
1 box of Dreamfields or Barilla plus Penne Pasta
1 1/2 cups cooking liquid from pasta reserved (more for thinner consistency)
3 tiny Zucchinis or 1 Large
1/2 Cup diced sweet onion
5 Cloves Garlic diced (average size)
1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Teaspoon dried oregano
1 Tbls minced fresh flat leaf parsley
3-4 Cranks of the Pepper Grinder
1 Cup Parmesan Cheese (from the jar, fresh never works for this)
2 Egg Yolks

Kosher Salt

Start your pasta in a large pot. The average cooking time of Penne is 11 minutes, salt your pasta water with KOSHER salt. This is very important if you would like your dish to have any flavor. Feel free to omit for health reasons but its very important otherwise. You want to salt the water to the taste of seawater. About a half a handful of kosher salt does the trick for me.

Put your olive oil in a large frying pan and heat on medium - high heat. Chop your onions and dice your garlic-put aside. Chop your Zucchini into quarters. Once your oil is a bit hot, add your onions then Zucchini then garlic. This order is important so you dont burn your garlic (its nasty if it burns) Stir it all up. Add like a teaspoon of your kosher salt to this. If not much is going on kick the heat up a bit. Separate your eggs-put aside.

Before you strain your pasta be sure to reserve your 1 1/2 or more cups of liquid-put aside. Pour your pasta back into your large pot you boiled it in. Your zucchini onion and garlic mixture will be ready when the onions turn a bit translucent and everything is slightly soft. not mush, soft. Add oil, zucchini, garlic, and onion mixture to pasta. Add also your Parsley, Oregano and Fresh Cracked pepper. Mix well till pasta is completly coated with everything.

Add the Parmesan cheese and approx 1 cup of the reserved cooking liquid. Put back over medium heat. Stir Vigourously for 3-5mins!! Add the yolks and STIR VERY VIGOROUSLY! You do not want to scramble your eggs. The dish will become very thick at this point, add the rest of the water, keep stirring and over medium heat for another 3 mins and you will end up with a lovely dish.
I hope you all will try this out. Feel free to add whatever spices you like, more or less. Cooking is fun! Experiment! If your a meat eater i guess you could add like chicken?

xoxo
Julia Catherine

P.S.
Don't forget to vote for the january giveaway to the right>

Just Lou...

I took this sweet photo tonight and just wanted to share. It's my little-love-of-a-cat Big Lou. Caught during his favorite activity "sniffing". The thing he is sniffing is a little toy. You press the button on the head and it plays like circus music, moves in circles then meows 3 times.


Don't forget to vote on the winner for January's Blog Giveaway to the left.
Sign up for my newsletter too, that way you can be notified of future sales, giveaways and COUPONS!

xoxo
Julia Catherine