Do you remember the photoshoot that we did waaaaaaay back in January for a Japanese magazine on decorating for the holidays, American-style? I kind of forgot about it too until Asako, our contact and writer, emailed me not too long ago saying that it was finally out in Japan and in Japanese bookstores here in the states. She came by Gifted on Tuesday to deliver a few copies. We nearly fell off our chairs in amusement when we saw Mia on the cover! Mind you, this photoshoot was taken almost exactly a year ago so this was pre-2009 house improvements (like the wall in the kitchen looks so bare without the wallpaper…and is that a dirty blue sponge that I see on the edge of the kitchen sink? ha!).
We have a 2 page spread that you can see below (and for some reason because of the way I am sitting, I look puffy and pregnant in the photo. No, it’s not just my imagination, my friend Re Jin agreed too when she saw it, gah!). There are a few other American families and their homes featured in the magazine, although I am totally speculating because I can’t read Japanese. I don’t know what they are saying about us here, so if anyone can roughly translate, please do!
Ahhhhh, today is the last day of Gifted. It’s a short 4 hour day too so it sort of feels like a half day at school. I’m leaving shortly to go set up and Mark will join me after he mails 14 more packages out today. After he does a bit of work for the restaurant where he bakes, he’s done for a few days. It’s over (I, on the other hand, will be working Christmas weekend on a last minute design assignment that just came in from a client, hmm). We’ll be spending Christmas morning here with a nice breakfast and present opening and then we’ll drive out to my parents for a retreat to the burbs till Monday. Although we still have a queue of orders that still need to go out next week, we hope to do all the fun Christmas stuff that we haven’t been able to do in the city like see the Rockefeller Center tree and the fancy shop windows.
Oh, one more thing: Some nice blog readers nominated us for the Apartment Therapy 2009 Homies. Sometimes these things feel like popularity contests and I don’t like that aspect of it, but if you so feel inspired, please vote for us.
Hope you guys have a great holiday. Thank you to all for checking in every day, for buying our cookies, for your nice words. See you in a bit.
Your family is so beautiful! I remember the post Christmas shoot and it came out great!!!! Merry Christmas Mark, Jenna, Mia and Claudine! I hope you get lots of rest and lots of presents!
ha, so cool! does mia realize how cool it is that she’s on the cover of a magazine?
i have a question, the bottom left photo looks exactly like the cover image, except you guys are in the frame (and there’s no dirty blue sponge in the bottom photo). were you photoshopped out for the cover?!
Wow, so impressive! Your family is gorgeous – perfect for being featured in a magazine, seriously. Congratulations!
awww Mia is the cutest! Congrats on the feature — it looks lovely! ๐ Happy holidays Jenna!
The feature looks great, c’mon, no nit-picking! Have a wonderful Christmas!
riffraff, yes, I think they DID photoshop us out of the photo! Or they probably used a composite of 2 or more photos to get the cover shoot.
Dinah, I know I know, I guess the blue sponge didn’t bother them, lol!
Cover of the year, I must say. Mia’s born to be a cover girl ๐ Jenna, you really have a beautiful family and home! Lovely post for a lovely Christmas eve. My hubby and I gonna hit the Japanese bookstore tomorrow and search for this magazine here in Singapore ๐
Have a blessed Christmas, Jenna and family ~
Hello!
I live in Japan and I am great fan of your blog!
This post is amazing! I’ll never miss the magazine.
It’s really happy my favorites are introduced to Japanese people(as if it is my credit).
So, have nice Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love it, Merry Christmas!
Love that cover! Congratulations. ๐ A half day! Is your holiday madness over at that point? It was SO weird (and so wonderful!) to wake up this morning and not leap out of bed with 10 things that had to happen immediately for holidays orders or Renegade. It’s SO wonderful to be sitting in bed, decadently reading my favorite blogs!
A very very happy (and RESTFUL) holidays to all of you. You certainly deserve a day or two of family time, fun and rest! xoxo
Looks lovely! Merry Christmas and enjoy your mini-break!
How cool is that! That is awesome! You should definitely keep a copy so Mia can see it someday!
That’s awesome. Congratulations! Photoshop was the first thing through my head as well. But it looks great. You have a beautiful home.
I hope you and your family enjoy the holidays (we’ll be doing all the holidayish stuff after the fact as well) and get much needed rest!
Merry Christmas; may it be one of wonderful warm time together relaxing and playing and loving! You deserve it SO much!
Bravo…..
how exciting! I love your home, ever since I saw your tour on Design Sponge… so I will definitely go and vote for you over at Apartment Therapy… love your living room!!!
You totally deserve it! You are your whole family are just adorable!!! Happy Holidays!
I always enjoy reading your blog and this post is totally cool. ๐
Merry Christmas~
Congratulations Jenna & Mark and to Mia as well. Have a Merry Christmas in the cool weather. Aloha, Marie ๐
Mia looks adorable in that front cover!! There’s a career path for her right there!!
I’m glad the mayhem is over for you guys. Have a merry Xmas and enjoy the few days that you have off!
Hi Jenna, It was great to work with you ! Hope to see you and your family soon ! Happy holidays !! xx
merry christmas! it has been wonderful to ยซreadยป you.
congratulations and thank you for the wonderful photographs *
Happy holidays to you and your beautiful family ๐
Beautiful family. beautiful home. So sad I missed you at the Gifted market, Jenna and Mark. I just ordered some treats to enjoy in the New Year. Best wishes for happy surprises to you all in 2010.
Thought I would share with you some photos of my little sister’s wedding. Have a great Christmas x
http://www.cricketwife.com/2009/12/french-wedding-in-tasmania.html
Merry Christmas to all your great and kind family!!! And Mia is so stylish in this cover. So great!
what a cutie that mia is.
hope you re relaxing in the burb at last!
xo
Merry Christmas , jenna! I can translate for you but I can’t actually read the text via the site. Do you have the text you can email me? The text under your name says (roughly), “A Brooklyn Christmas– where mom’s handmade touches shine and the kids are the stars of the show”. I love Mia on the cover and that sponge just makes me laugh!
carolyn, thanks for the translation – forgot you were fluent in japanese!