I don’t know Jennie Perillo. Until this morning I had never visited her blog, In Jennie’s Kitchen. But when an autumn Unraveller emailed me a link that had struck a deep chord with her, I clicked over.

Jennie’s beloved husband, Mikey, died of a sudden heart attack a few weeks back, leaving Jennie and their two beautiful daughters, aged 8 and 3. Jennie and Mikey had been married for 16 years.

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you’ll know that in 2005 the man I loved died of a sudden heart attack. Reading Jennie’s posts, and looking at photos of her and Mikey, made me weep and I haven’t been able to stop thinking of her and her girls. My love and I weren’t married and we didn’t have any children together, but I know intimately the pain of such sudden bereavement. I know what it feels like to have not been able to say goodbye.

Members of the food blogging community have rallied round to support Jennie and Bloggers Without Borders set up A Fund for Jennie to raise money to support her and her girls through this time. Many bloggers are holding auctions and I feel moved to do something too.

I donated to the fund this morning and if you have something spare you could donate, i know that every little will help. Like I said — i don’t know Jennie, but i’d like to help her. So if you are able to make a donation, please then come back to this post and leave a comment for a chance to win one of the following from me:


– 8″x8″ Polaroid print — The Cupcakes of Happiness
– 8″x8″ Polaroid print — Cupcake Heaven
– 5″x5″ Polaroid print — Franka
– 5″x5: Polaroid print — Love Your Self
– 5″x5: Polaroid print — The Path
– 5″x5: Polaroid print — The Chair
1 set of assorted postcards
1 pack of Pretty Polaroid Notes

As far as I can tell the campaign ends on Monday 29th, so I will draw the name of the 8 winners on Tuesday morning.  ( I imagine you can still make donations after that time, though)

Once you’ve donated just come back here and leave a comment saying you have (obviously, you don’t have to share how much you donated. Every little counts!). I will cover post & packing of the photos/cards and am happy to post them anywhere in the world.

Love to you all xo

I’m loving Emily Peacock’s tapestry, especially the KISS pillow

If I was going back to school I’d want these cool pencils

He wrote parts of it with his tongue in his cheek, but Caring for Your Introvert still rings true :)

LOVE these portraits of newlyweds on day one of marriage equality – yay! Love rules!

This blog really does feel like an artist’s journal (plus more journals that make me dream)

Kinda cool: An infographic resume

What if your hotel room… was actually a plane?

New York City Polaroid Project (see also: Morgan Spurlock is looking for New Yorkers who want to change their lives)

I want to visit this new photography gallery when I hit San Francisco next month — there’s a sneak peek of our Polaroid book at the end of the post :)

Speaking of Polaroids I adore this set on Flickr (and how cute are these Pola frames?)

Have you met Chris Zydel? The Myth of Competition and the Reality of Love

Inspiration to invest in: Heather’s A Path for Wanderers & Edge-Walkers and Jenn’s Self-love Warriors

Taking a stand against bullying: I won’t photograph ugly people

Mmmmm… books

The incredible work of il lee

Loved Jan’s washi tape round-up (see also: Lotta Jansdotter’s pretty tape!)

Have you met Ms Franzen? 17 ways to be a patron of the world, without spending a dime

GENIUS! Zombie attack engagement photos

I cannot tell you how much I want one (or four) of these: Tweet towels (via Sas)

And finally, the winners of the Pretty Polaroid Notes giveaway* are…

no. 53 — Jennifer Mazzucco and no. 128 — Lisa Van Pelt! Yay ladies! An email is on its way to you right now :)

* reading through all of your lists was AMAZING!

There wasn’t time to take any photos today because I’ve been working on
this slice of fried gold. Eeeeep! So excited!