Last night I snuck out for this:


So here’s what happened. I had just finished my take-out and was sitting on my couch in my pajamas with soaking wet hair around seven o’clock. I had big plans for the evening, which included my new book and a hot cup of tea. What can I say? I live on the edge. Anyways, Almanzo calls and tells me there is a big slice of almond cake and a glass of Cabernet with my name on it at the fancy shmancy Kendall-Jackson National Sales Meeting dinner.
I don’t turn things like that down.
“When do I have to be there?” I panted into the phone, throwing clothes around and up in the air while I searched for a suitable cocktail dress.
“Ummm…twenty minutes? There’s cake here.” He said. He always gives me great advance notice for events like this.
My hair was wet. I had coffee stains on my t-shirt. I WOULD NOT FAIL. There was cake on the line.

I don’t know how, but in a matter of twenty minutes I dried and straightened my hair, put on my make-up with a great smoky eye emphasis, put on a swanky cocktail dress and heels and even changed my nail polish.
The end result was worth it!


Hi, Rocky!

Let it be noted that while that looks like candied bacon on the cake, it’s actually candied toasted almonds. It was delicious.
This morning I drove though this:

To get this:

And now I’m stuck at the Honda for two hours while my car is serviced. Ahhh, the glamorous life I live.
Angharad
August 2, 2010 at 9:11 amNo pictures of the dress and pretty make up and nails?! No me gusta. I love last minute things like that. I can pretty much get ready in 20 minutes flat as well, including shower. It’s the clothes that always get me…
But for cake like that? And wine? Worth it.
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
August 2, 2010 at 9:12 amWow good for you for getting it together so quickly. Looks like it was worth it!!
Cynthia (It All Changes)
August 2, 2010 at 9:18 amThe cake call is hilarious. And when something like cake is on the line I could throw my hair in a chignon and wiggle into a dress ASAP!
Heather (Heather's Dish)
August 2, 2010 at 9:20 amWOW that cake is beautiful! i’m thinking this should be your next culinary project…mini-cakes that look and taste just like that!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers
August 2, 2010 at 9:24 amThat cake looks totally worth trading in comfy couch sitting 🙂
allison @ livingoneday
August 2, 2010 at 9:28 amcall me crazy but i think bacon might have worked, too. and i wish you put up a picture of you on this post!! i want to see what you looked like =)
Katie
August 2, 2010 at 9:29 amI read your blog everyday : ) dont comment, I think i might of once or twice, but just want to say I love your blog and wish you all the best with your book! How exciting that will be when it’s done, I know its alot of work Im sure!
The cake looks sooooooooooo good, that was worth getting out of the comfy clothes and going out for sure!!
Mandy A
August 2, 2010 at 9:29 amUm yeah, I’d say that’s one call worth going out for! 🙂 What a guy 🙂
And I had the exact same breakfast this morning! Was on the run and had no choice… enjoyed every bite!
Enjoy your day Jenna!
Ameena
August 2, 2010 at 9:30 amI am pretty impressed you can get all of that done in 20 minutes time! I can barely pull my hair together in 20 minutes, nevermind work magic with makeup!
Ellen @ Undercover Runner Eats
August 2, 2010 at 9:31 amThat cake definitely looks worth the dressing/makeup frenzy! I used to be able to get ready that fast, but my hair has grown SO much since I last cut it in May that it’s impossible to deal with in a timely manner.
Estela @ Weekly Bite
August 2, 2010 at 9:32 amThat cake looks so worth the effort!!! I’m impressed with you twenty minute dress job 🙂
Courtney (Delightful Devours)
August 2, 2010 at 9:33 amHaha I’m very impressed you made it there in twenty! I have to say it sounds like every morning of my life 🙂
RhodeyGirl
August 2, 2010 at 9:35 amPB loves the starbucks oatmeal, even more than my HOMEMADE OLD FASHIONED OATS I make. WTF? I think it’s because of the cute container.
Have fun at Honda. Did you know I have a Honda too? His name is Harry.
Miss you girl!
jenna
August 2, 2010 at 9:37 amMiss you too—take good care of my other half on Friday…he’s exhausted!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
August 2, 2010 at 9:39 amWhew. What a whirlwind of managing to be ready in 20 minutes AND to look pretty. You are my hero.
The cake looks totally worth it. 😀
Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete
August 2, 2010 at 9:40 amYour post so made me smile this morning. The hubs and I have to share a car until our other car gets in, and I had to spend about 4 hours at the dealership last week so they could service my car. This morning, I’m stuck at Starbucks b/c we just moved and we don’t have wifi yet. Yes, my life is glamorous as well. 🙂
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)
August 2, 2010 at 9:43 amI would spin around like the Tazmanian devil in a flurry to get ready for cake that good too. Best of luck with your car servicing, I know what a huge pain being on stand-by for car troubles can be. Best of luck to you!
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
August 2, 2010 at 9:46 amI wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to eat cake, either. As much as I love a good book, sugar always wins out.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
August 2, 2010 at 9:50 amHehehe! Awesome job on the quick getting ready! The candied bacon comment made me laugh – I’m sure you’ll get Jess @ HowSweet’s hopes up with that one!
Suzanne de Cornelia
August 2, 2010 at 9:51 amCake and wine: The Food Groups.
Gorgeous photos. Even though we got stiffed on the dress! 😉
Kelly
August 2, 2010 at 9:59 amI’d drop everything to go to something like that! Sounds fabulous 🙂
Megan @ Healthy Hoggin
August 2, 2010 at 10:02 amI’d drop everything for almond cake, too! Holy cow, that looks amazing!! Almond is one of my very favorite flavors on the planet!
Krista (kristastes)
August 2, 2010 at 10:04 amIt takes me 20 minutes to blowdry my hair alone ha. You have mad skillz!
Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies
August 2, 2010 at 10:06 amSo fast! But then again…I would bust my butt for cake like that, too! Looks amazing!
Mandy Wood
August 2, 2010 at 10:18 amWine and cake – what better reason to get ready in a hurry? Looks amazing.
Suzanne de Cornelia
August 2, 2010 at 10:28 amPS: ultra charming very short vid ‘Kiki and Coco’ in Paris:
http://tinyurl.com/npt7ze
crunchy granola gal
August 2, 2010 at 10:30 amspontaneous cake opps are always necessary to take advantage of. worth the trip, i’d say!
Daisy
August 2, 2010 at 10:37 amanddd show us your dress, heels, nails, smokey eyes. you’re too pretty not to show us. GO.
Tina
August 2, 2010 at 10:55 amUm, yeah! Totally worth it! That cake looks delicious. I bet you looked gorgeous too. It’s amazing how fast we can get ready in a time crunch.
Laughter-Loving Stacy
August 2, 2010 at 10:56 amHoly moly, that cake looks GOOOD. Simple, and delicious.
Jenna
August 2, 2010 at 11:03 amYou are too funny Jenna!!
Hope ya had a great night 🙂
Nancy @ The Wife of a Dairyman
August 2, 2010 at 11:05 amOoh a fun event! Glad you were able to make it. Where’s the pics of your outfit?!
Amy @ Amy Starts to Run
August 2, 2010 at 11:33 amSeriously. I need someone to call me for an emergency cake meet up.
There definitely would not have been a nail polish color change-up, but you’d be amazed at how fast I am at black eye-liner application.
Janna (janna's keeping it real)
August 2, 2010 at 11:44 amOh my!
Perfect nightcap!
Sana
August 2, 2010 at 11:51 amYou have an amazing bf- who recognizes your love for all things yum!!
Jasmine @ Eat Move Write
August 2, 2010 at 12:07 pmNice. I get ready super quick too. This morning I had 30 minutes from bed to door. Finished in time to eat breakfast (of course).
Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
August 2, 2010 at 4:20 pmWhat a great impromptu night.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin
August 2, 2010 at 4:33 pmGood for you for going! Once I’m in my PJs for the night, there is no turning back for me. If I absolutely must go out (say, for an emergency ice cream purchase), I can guarantee it will be in my PJs. 😛
Nora@LifeLifeEatRight
August 2, 2010 at 5:31 pmI had something VERY similar to this at work today. it was an “Almond-Blueberry Torte” It was so dense and I had a mighty piece. It needed a cup of espresso but was delicious without :). When in Rome right? Looks phenomenal!! Almanzo is a keeper.
amanda
August 2, 2010 at 5:49 pmI would have changed my clothes in a matter of mere minutes for that cake too!
Hillary
August 2, 2010 at 6:34 pmWish we could have seen a pic of you (and the boy) in your swanky cocktail dress. I drove thru Sbux today too. Oh, how I miss their perfect oatmeal – why is it so dang delicious? It’s out of a damn bag for heaven’s sake!
Pam (IIN Health Coach)
August 2, 2010 at 6:39 pmI might get that oatmeal and starbucks tomorrow before heading to the dentist, that is, after my trainer tortures me for 40 minutes.
How did you have time for the nails? Great job getting all put together for the cake and wine so quickly!! You’re my hero 🙂
Samantha Cernock
August 3, 2010 at 4:05 amThat cake looks amazing. And I love Kendall Jackson vino!
shannon
August 3, 2010 at 6:48 amOh my heavens…that cake. I need…need…need that. 🙂
Amber K
August 3, 2010 at 1:29 pmI’m pretty fast at getting ready, but doing ALL of that in 20 min? You’re superwoman!
Kaitlin With Honey
August 3, 2010 at 6:19 pmI really, really NEED to eat that cake. If you had to guess the recipe, could you? And could you pass it on? I’d love you (even more) forever…