littmssunshine

cleaning habits.

2012-02-07T15:24:00.000-07:00

I can't deny that I'm fairly quickly getting a hand on this domestic thing. Cleaning, cooking, and obsessing over the never ending decor + organizational possibilities, have all recently become past times of mine. My cleaning obsessions have taken it to a bit of a new level, but it always leaves me wondering how I get so messy in such a short time period?? Anyway, my innocent 2-3 hour cleaning rages have turned into myentireSaturdayoff cleaning frenzies. But it's all good. This is more a confession than a complaint. :P My sister's voice always echoes in my head, when I realize several hours of cleaning have gone by and I'm reorganizing our storage closet for the third time since we've moved in, "Gawd jesska, quit cleaning everything!".

So it happens that I found myself on such a Saturday this past weekend, on the floor in my bathroom organizing my side of the cupboard, which holds of course, 15 times the health & beauty products than N's side. Once I took a look at the recent state of my make up bag I couldn't bare to zip it back up without deciding to give it a good clean.

This is serious stuff ladies. I have seen some seriously scary looking make up bags and this is me slapping you in the back of the head. Nothing wrong with giving yourself 20 minutes tops on a lazy day to give your daily make up tools a quick bath. :-) don't make me use the "think of the germs" line on you.

First off, I realize there are plenty of cleaners you can buy for this kind of stuff, but I keep it simple, repeat at least once a month, and my make up + wallet stay happy.

how to: clean your make-up kit

1. Collect your needed utensils - Towels, paper towels, 2 jars of water ( 1 hot + 1 cold ), Johnson's baby shampoo, and of course your make up bag

2. Start with your brushes as they will take the longest to dry.

3. Squirt a little of baby shampoo in the hot water jar ( large mason jars are perfect for this) and give your brushes a good scrub.

4. Rinse + sometimes repeat. :-)

5. Pat your brushes dry with a paper towel, squeezing out the excess water.

6. Lay out your brushes to dry - *depending on the thickness and type of brush they could take up to 24 hours to dry. Plan accordingly ladies :)

7. Empty out the rest of your eye shadows, blushes, lipsticks, etc..take a damp paper towel and give them all a little scrub. Most importantly, don't forget to take your actual bag and dump + scrub out all that gooeyness :-) Lay everything out on towels to air dry.

8. And if you haven't already noticed in previous shots :-) your face will thank you!!!

good habits, ladies :-) good habits.

xo . jess

To Giving Thanks.

2011-11-24T21:24:00.001-07:00

Currently it is 9:24pm, Happy Thanksgiving, if you are still celebrating strong - or if you're like me, it's early evening of the holiday that even has me officially in full Christmas *cheer* and you have parked your stuffed, pj wearing self into bed. I don't have to explain that I'm not one of the crazed midnight, all night, early bird, zombies..I mean shoppers. Although I can't deny that it wasn't more than ten minutes ago that N turned to me and suggested I hit the stores at 6am.

Wwhaaaaat?? And yes, I am totally considering! But we will leave that for tomorrow to decide, because what I really wanted to share with you, was the holiday Christmas cheer this day brought to me. But Christmas cheer isn't the greatest word to describe the warm reflective feeling I have tonight.
Excitement, relief, happiness, gratefulness, ... might all be a bit more descriptive than *cheer* but they all reflect a positive thing and therefore are all equally relevant.

It's been quite the year. Some months I've completely shoved to the back of my mind, which explains why it's by the far the fastest year gone by in a while. Which turns out to be perfectly convenient since I cannot wait to say goodbye and hello to the new year, for which I have big plans for already. A new home for N and I, returning to school, relocating to our favorite place in Colorado :-) new jobs, new plans, new hobbies, new alotta things! And it's going to be freaking fantastic.

But why would I babble you through 3 paragraphs and leave you without such an unrelated post title? Well, I wouldn't of course and so I have to explain that somewhere in that jumble of word vomit [aka] my heart thoughts, is the dearest thank you to all the friends, family, workfamily, bf's and long lost always friends that gave me so much this year. In the months where I felt rotten, through the months that I enjoyed, through the ones that flew by, and double thanks to those who stuck with me through the ones I have attempted to erase from memory.

Throughout all of them, I never expected to learn so much about myself and work up such an appetite for change. So what my answer should have been today as we were sharing what we are thankful for, was that I am thankful for you. For spending this year with me and keeping me your friend, lover, daughter, family all the way through. I look forward to a time of growth, happiness, love and most importantly discovery.

I wish you a wonderful holiday season.

xo . jess

to being mr. and mrs.

2011-10-02T10:14:00.000-06:00

N and I got fancy to go and celebrate our anniversary yesterday.

And since it was just the two of us we got creative for memories' keepsake.

Happy 1 year wedding anniversary, schatz. What a ride the first year was. I would be no where without you in my life. Thank you for being the supportive, encouraging, and loving friend and husband that you are.

I love you with all my heart.

your jess.

September Familia Time

2011-09-27T22:48:00.000-06:00

" I never realize how much I like being home unless I've been somewhere really different for a while." - Juno

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That's sometimes how I feel about coming back to my blog when I shamefully click on the B icon at the top of my Google Chrome bar. (After not having blogged let alone signed on for a solid week.) Then let the guilt settle in as my home page loads and I start to catch up on all of you [braf] bloggers. Then I doodle around on my own blog and feel right at home again. No matter how long my break, it's always my blog and so who cares :) But still sorry to leave September hanging.

It has certainly flown by with birthday, wedding, and fun time celebrations and is coming to an end all to quickly. As much as I am looking forward to these next few months passing and bringing in the new year, I can't deny that despite some frustrations, soul searching moments, and trying days, this summer was pretty freaking fantastic. And my crazy awesome family and I decided we'd send it on its' way with one last camping hoorah in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. The closest place to heaven on earth. :)) (scroll down for picture paloozah!)

As October approaches N and I have recently decided to take matters into our own hands and are getting busy with [creating our own future] I guess. I'm in no way talking babies if this is coming out weird. You'll have to stay tuned for now. However, it was a good moment when N and I were driving home late from work together and I said "Babe. I feel better lately." And N said "Me too."

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Now to these favorite camping pictures of mine:

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On Saturday N and I celebrate our First Wedding Anniversary :) I don't know what feels more strange: being a married woman for already a year (maybe our parents really aren't kidding about how fast time flies) - or - how much I love being a married woman. Girl. Young woman. Still feeling out my identity with those terms if that makes sense. !?

Hope you are having a lovely fall season!

xo . jess

Celebrating September.

2011-09-12T12:51:00.003-06:00

No denying September came with quite the celebrations one after another, mix in sleeping most of all my days off to catch up on lack there of, combined with a non stop work schedule, it's safe to say September through all of my routines and control of balance out the window. But it's been good actually. At the same time I've enjoyed this change of pace, and September has really become a month of family and friends! I forgot how little you can manage to see your friends when you're slacking at life. I feel sometimes if I'm not tweeting my days away or checking Facebook every day and night you quickly feel as though you end up living under a rock.

However, with my mom's 50th birthday celebration, our friends' wedding this past weekend and our upcoming family trip (woohoo!) this weekend, it's been refreshing to actually see your friends vs texting and calling for weeks on end, laughing and spending time with family and friends and especially catching up with those you've not seen in months or even years.

So here I am to catch you up and share with you pictures of the fantastic first couple weeks of September. Stop by again tomorrow for Hair Too(s)day and I might even have a thrifting treasure post ready mid-week before I say goodbye work week Thursday afternoon, load up the car and head to the mountains! Hollaaa. :)

suzy's 50th.

my fabulous mom & friend

more besties ♥

the big sister I never had :)

rockin' out at the 9th door.

my stinkin' adorable sister and silly Amy.

happy birthday mom!

smile ladies!

aawkward picture.

(thnk you J for letting me borrow that adorable top!)

mitch & ang's wedding.

these two have known and loved each other since the 3rd grade. :)

oh schatz. ♥

the greatest friend on earth :)

I dare say we look pretty darn good lady.

show us the kissy face Steve.

high school trio.

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Like I said. A month of celebrations! :) Happy Monday to you guys. Hope your fall is starting out just as wonderful.

xo . jess

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

2011-09-08T21:38:00.001-06:00

Hi loves. I hope that you had an enjoyable day and get to look forward to the weekend coming up so quickly again. (Monday's are such bummers and I have no motivation - yet you can always count on Friday to sneak up just in time.) Since I'm teaching myself to be grateful for even the simplest of days lately, it feels good to be able to say that I actually had a pretty good damn day. Work was ten times more manageable than yesterday even though I was in that building for a good tenhours. yuck.

Yet I feel accomplished and good about my workweek ending tomorrow mid day and preparing for our good high school friends' wedding this coming Saturday! I am so excited for the two love birds to get married and I think our first wedding anniversary coming up is putting me even more in the celebrateweddinghappiness mode! :) Expect some fabulous pictures from the weekend! For the remainder of the evening, I heated myself a searing hot, delicious cup of ~~chamomile~~ peppermint tea and am calling it a night. Holy shit I might even read something! :)

( I have to though, share with you this picture of my freaking adorable godson!

Today was the first day of Kindergarten :) I miss that kid. )

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And now for something I am very much looking forward to participating in for the first time (!!) :

awkward & awesome thursday

awkward

. coming home from work to N hanging out with billy and being so wired from work that I sit down with them and find myself blabbing my ear off to them about work drama. you shoulda seen their faces. it's almost as if they're thinking "please don't let her sit down please don't let her sit down". I'm supercool.

. having the best most punctual morning staff - no matter how hard I try to beat them I come out of the parking to garage to find my entire staff already sitting there waiting for me. talk about feeling sheepish.

awesome

. reaching my first ever weight loss goal of 10lbs and fitting into my sister's dress I'm borrowing for this weekend.

. (speaking of) ang&mitch's wedding weekend!!!! :)

. remembering my shopping totes every time I've gone to the grocery store in the last (almost) 2 weeks!

. having worked such long days in such a short week means my work day will be cut in half tomorrow and I will be free after noon! woop woop! (i might even get a mani)

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Alright so my creativity and maybe ability to think has apparently already punched out for the day so I guess I should too before I put you all to sleep with me. Happy weekend kids!

xo . jess

post it.

2011-09-07T22:53:00.000-06:00

alright loves. it's been a week. well, not even technically - actually, nope tomorrow it will mark a week of these crazy last 7 days of September. a week that completely knocked me on my ass. even topped it off with a (dontholdyourbreath) great morning at work - felt totally accomplished, on top of it - only for mr. boss to come and spill my milk.

So in one sentence, you have missed my mother's 50th birthday celebrations, lazy days with N, and a whole lotta work piled into 3 short days and if I'm honest with myself you will also miss our good high school friends' wedding on Saturday before you hear from me again. (Maybe I'll squeeze in some quick blanks) But hey, look on the bright side. You get to look forward to some goodies.

So for now, I'm taking you loves, putting your name on a post it and sticking you on my to do board. you've been posted.

xo . jess

Hair Too{s}day.

2011-08-30T13:16:00.000-06:00

Volume 12: the curling stick. 

Welcome to my official weekly tutorial  of what do to with your hair!! People are always asking me 

"How did you do that to your hair?" 

And so here are my answers, trials, and step by step tutorials of 

"How you can do that to your hair, too!"

Today will be my first every product post. I'm sorry to admit that I did not find the time over the even more shameful half weekend off I enjoyed, because I was too busy filling it with funness. Not that making tutorials isn't fun, but summer is almost gone and as much as I'm cheering it's goodbye to welcome everything fantastic about the fall season, I can't help but want to squeeze in as many hot summer days as possible. Maybe a little cold feet of what the fall season will bring? We shall see.

A lot of you wonderful followers whether through blogger or facebook etc make me feel so special when you email me with questions, comments, and raves. And lately a recurring question has been what that thing is that I use to curl my hair. Well fasten your seatbelts kids cuz today you're gonna learn all about the

the curling stick.

A few months ago I saw another blogging using this crazy curling iron to give her long amazing hippie locks the coolest curl. So of course I had to have this device and that's when I discovered curling my entire head of hair in less than 10 minutes; hiding every bad version of bad hair day in minutes; curling every type of curl from 1 inch to long loose beach waves..all with this crazy looking thing!

It's as simple to use as a curling iron. Instead of having a clamp to hold your strand in place, you can wrap each strand of hair every which way you want which gives you different types and tightness of curl, and you definitely don't get shirley temple curls. Why does the picture picture a sexy single glove? That's because this thing can get a little hot (superfreakingcrazyburnshot!!) and so each curling stick comes with a fancy little protector glove :)

If you want to order the tool of magic right this minute just go here.

Or just remember to stop by Target where I found mine and look for the

Remington Salon Collection

Ceramic Curling Wand

The small/medium size I use can be found in store other sizes can be found on Target.com

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My procrastinating self has to jet off to work now!

xo . jess

summer to go.

2011-08-28T22:15:00.000-06:00

The weekend felt long and enjoyable. And being off Friday and Sunday made The Saturday from Hell at work much more manageable. And forgettable. Especially after today's hot summer Sunday afternoon.

If you caught my Friday post, you know that I promised picture sharing time before the end of the weekend of my finds at the thrift store. (Yeah so you've probably started the new week already but you know the weekend is still fresh in your mind. So let me kill some of your Monday morning blues by picture sliding you through my weekend + share with you my thrift finds!

fabulous saturday.

+ this cute little pants of sass stayed the night at the house and was complete with french braid pigtails, sun tan lotion, and sunglasses fabulous before 9:40am.

+ After lounging the morning away I found myself in a work chaos disaster most of the evening. Which I then danced away for a spontaneous night out with Jenna and the girls*

summerfun Sunday.

it was a french toast kind of morning.

got sweet and sweaty cheerin' on at Ty's soccer game.

(chowed down almost an entire bag of the best grapes I've had all year)

Oh my talented brother. 7 - 0 you show off kids.

Had a little (one legged) visitor take some shade in my half tent. He was kinda cute until he tried to crawl into my tote and I had to kick him out. Gently of course. The poor guy already only had one leg.

And now :) my thrift finds from Friday! It wasn't much, but I count myself very successful. I got 5 items which is in itself a good find. And all pieces are fairly unique and quite the staple items. A perfect start into the fall thrifting season I'd say :)

thrifting treasures:

I have been dieing to have a denim vest in my wardrobe. I've recently discovered that I have a love affair with vests. I have the most random pieces. And I decided to keep my eye out for great finds to widen my collection.

Brand: Levi's

Size: small

Price: $4.99

This poncho is an item that I'm loving more and more just knowing it's in my closet waiting for the warm weather to bring those cooler Colorado falls days. At first I saw it and thought it was at least worth trying on. Then as soon as I put it on in the fitting room - even paired with the magical Banana Republic boyfriend jeans I found - I knew I would regret passing it up.

Brand: anu

Size: small - medium

Price: $3.99

Yes..unfortunately for you I was so in love with the above mentioned lightwash boyfriend denim jeans I found for $9.99 that I not only wore them to work the next day but straight out to the bar afterward with the girls. So they are already on their second cleaning. But trust me when I say they fit like magic pants.

Lastly I found these fantastic totes. The basket tote on the left reminds me of the one my mom carried around when I was a kid. Also something I've already used several times over the weekend. The second has a fun printed plastic inner lining which will be perfect for toting around hair and make up products.

left:

Brand: unknown

Size: medium bag

Price: $3.99

right:

Brand: Jane Maryl

Size: large bag

Price: $2.99

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I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful weekend. Summer is fading fast and although it seemed sort of a stressful season this year, we had some great weeks, trips, and days. We have the fortune of getting to look forward to one more camping trip back at Red Feather's mid September. A little family vacation mixed in with celebrating our one year wedding anniversary.

Have a happy Monday lovelies!

xo . jess

little neighbor.

2011-08-27T13:37:00.000-06:00

On Friday morning I noticed we had a little visitor that had made himself an overnight stay in between our screen and window.

I know. Iiiew a mouse!! But c'mon. I don't think any living thing could possibly be ugly or gross in baby form. Alright maybe spiders. And frogs. Okay you get what I mean! There's no way this thing was gross and we of course could not let him be stuck in the basement window shaft. Let alone squished in the window like this.

And by me I mean N.

We waited until the little guy had woken up and came out from between the screen and window. Once he was chillin on the newspaper in the sunshine, N scooped him out!

So we set him on the other side of the fence, where N had released his 2 siblings Thursday morning.

Look how little he is!

Like a golf ball.

Then the little guy he decided he was gonna take a walk.

yes of course I said "awwwwww" :)) he's freaking cute people. And our fence is really high so I was hanging over the top of the wall hence the little girl voice. I was in a little squished position.

So the little shit head decided to crawl right back under the fence and chill in the warmth of the ac unit.

(sorry for the super annoying ac unit noise!)

say what you will this guy was so cute. we found him a better place to hide after and haven't seen him or his siblings since but I'll keep you updated on my mouse adventures. :)

I gotta jet off to work for the rest of the afternoon/night. Might possibly stop to have drinks with Jenna & her girls on the way home and am already looking forward to share my thrift finds with you tomorrow, and cheer on my brother Ty and his soccer team in the afternoon!

Hooray for work free Sundays!

xo . jess

Fill in the Blank Friday

2011-08-26T20:53:00.000-06:00

I was always quite the procrastinator. I had no problem choosing to go shopping, or to the mountains, or to someone's house before doing the more responsible option in college such as stay in and study, stay in and clean, or maybe even catch up on a little bit of sleep.

And while my day off today sort of ran away from me, I regret nothing because I got to have breakfast with N (german of course), got to wash my hair today :) it's getting super loong!, pick up yummy junk food and catch up over lunch with my Jenna, rummage through her closet for things to borrow and kill the afternoon thrifting at our favorite thrift store (Unique Thrift Store). Although I was unsuccessful in my search for a new bag, scarf, and t length skirt (my current thrift store wish list), I discovered some great things and I can't wait to share them with you over the weekend!

For tonight I'm leaving you with blanks and wish you a happy Saturday! Even though I have to report to work for a long day tomorrow I get to snooze away Sunday for a back to back day off. So I am not going to complain! Plus + N unfortunately does not get to share Sunday off with me so I might hit the flea market before the season is truly over!!! aah! :) I'd be tweeting #happyme's all day!

If you want to play Lauren's famous Friday Blanks head here and follow instructions.

1. One of life's most simplest pleasures is (to me) N's forehead kisses.

2. makes me want to punch someone.

3. I like to iron my bed sheets , because because I love perfectly made beds.

4. Wagon is a funny word. (Pronouncing it feels so awkward I always think it's not actually an English word.)

5. If I had to choose one beauty product to use for the rest of eternity it would be The Body Shop Body Butter, eye cream, mascara. (Every girl knows there's no such thing as "one" beauty product.)

6. I'm happy that I recently lost 10lbs and dropped 3 jean sizes. Hollaa :)helloo 28.

7. I would never go Hilbilly Handfishin'.(What is the matter with people.)

happy weekend !!

xo . jess

pleasantweek

2011-08-25T10:16:00.000-06:00

Happy mid morning to you all. I have a short morning before I jet off to work a mid shift that soaks up all the good times of the day but it's okay because tomorrow I get to welcome a day off! As much as I hate having a random popcorn schedule, it does make working retail much more bearable. 5 days straight is much more than 2 days or relaxing can make up for. Anyway, I'm rambling...

Even though I have put college behind me, the end of August also brings the month of September which for me this year is one busy month! Don't get me wrong they're all good and exciting things by all means very exciting actually (!!) which of course I look forward to sharing with you, but that little "September" tab on my planner just came a little quicker than I thought and it's caught me off guard.

You might not think it but I feel as if I can be really cautious sometimes. Especially within the last year I have learned a lot about myself and the things I need in order to maintain balance in my life. I think the most important thing in doing so was admitting that I had become a little lost and since then I like to take things one step at a time so to speak.

One of the things I have been teaching myself this year is finances. Between paying myself through a 4 year college on a minimum wage job, life, and a shopping problem..(not to forget that education and its expenses in the US is quite the rip off.) .. you turn 23 and realize - wow I'm flat broke. No doubt 2011 has been one huge bitch year of learning lessons, learning patience, and learning to be grateful no matter what the amount in your bank account. Can't take that dirty paper with you when you die any how :)

So to tie all these loose strings together, September is knocking on my front door and I am getting so excited to be celebrating the string of wonderful events and enjoying our last camping trip of the season! I'm going to take this next week to budget like a smart girl, plan to the last second, and start shining my dancing shoes.

September will be bringing..

* my mother's 50th birthday

* the wedding of two great friends

*family camping trip

*hair too(s)day goes professional

*n's and my one year wedding anniversary

Hope you enjoyed this mornings ramblings. I'm off to hop in the shower and tackle the day.

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xo . jess

Hair Too{s}day.

2011-08-23T16:50:00.000-06:00

Volume 11: the messy sidebun

Welcome to my official weekly tutorial of what do to with your hair!! People are always asking me

"How did you do that to your hair?"

And so here are my answers, trials, and step by step tutorials of

"How you can do that to your hair, too!"

Alright, this is becoming more like hair Wednesday..but yesterday I didn't realize how pooped I was from the last 5 days of work and not only did I pass out cold before 10pm last night, I proceeded to oversleep the work meeting I had this morning (but that could be blamed on the failed alarm) - still - and have been wanting to relax and have comfyness all day.

So after the failed work appearance, it was german breakfast time and of course 2 big cups of coffee..a shower and quick trip to Target (which turned up pretty unsuccessful) so planning, a little nap even, and now

it's hair too(s)day time!

weeeeeeehhhhhh!!!

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This week I received a very special request from my dearest *schwesterherz*

(inlaw)

for a very special 'do. So am I super excited to be posting my first request 'do! Please know you're always welcome to send me any kinds of pictures, questions, or thoughts on 'dos or styles and I'd be happy to tutorial, try, and experiment!

the messy side bun: a la Julie's request

what you need:

1. Straightener/Curler

2. Comb

3. Pins

4. Hairspray of choice :)

What you do:

I still haven't fixed my computer so I'm sorry that I can't talk - but I can play you music for some reason! Excuse the lame Pandora commercial, enjoy my computer almost dying mid video and me frantically plugging it in, and make sure you get your bobby pins ready. Not like me who's scrambling to find the right sized towards the end of the video. Just know that I am working on the improvement of my videos ;)

Now who's got the cuter sidebun?

Hope you have a fantastic Tuesday/Wednesay. I'm headed to the Rockies' game! Woop Woop!

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xo . jess

Blanking it Saturday

2011-08-20T11:25:00.000-06:00

fill in the blank Friday

haven't played in forever!!!

see Lauren for details.

1. My idea of pure perfection would be finally having our own home. And I'm not even talking house. Box would be fine with me. 4 walls, and a door. Just him and I. We've been together for 6 years; married for almost 1, and have never lived alone. I'm feeling it's time.

2. l.o.v.e. makes the world go 'round.

3. If it weren't for that big ole chunk of time, land, and peoples separating me + some of my favorite people, I'd laugh more, cry less, and feel oh so loved.

4. Bloggers are some of the most inspiring, uplifting, empathetic, and coolest people around. (duh.)

5. If I had "..much money..." I'd buy you "...a big house where we both could live..."

6. I'm glad it's (Saturday) because the best morning cartoons are on tv.

7. Something I'm excited about is fall accessories ,weather ,shoes , and colors.

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xo . jess

non stopness.

2011-08-18T23:04:00.000-06:00

Work was a complete non stop cluster-you-know-what today. I interviewed from 10 to 6:15pm with a 40 minute break in between. And although I think I managed to stay pretty clear headed until the very last interviewee, my voice is going to sound even sexier in the morning. booyaah.

Lesson learned for tomorrow's 7.5 hrs of interviewing: keeping a bottle of water and chapstick nearby!

Needless to say I am pooped and grumpy tonight because I didn't think I was going to be able to blog tonight. However, with a little positive attitude I have been working up I decided..why not just share with you the non stop weekend I've got ahead of me! Since I'll get to enjoy your weekend posts during (my) mid-work week ;) Who says there's anything wrong with living vicariously?

my weekend non stopness.

being a working girl.

celebrating my best friend's 25th birthday. (What is up with this photo??)

being a sleepy girl :)

(haven't used this site in ages but all images via)

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Have a happy weekend if you do get to enjoy the weekend as the break in your week! Even if I won't have anything exciting to post & share I know you will and I look forward to having something to read before bedtime to keep me going till my Friday.

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xo . jess

tante katie comes to visit.

2011-08-17T14:24:00.000-06:00

Back in -whatfeelslikeforeverago- July, one of my favorite people in the world came to visit. The visit was last minute, poorly planned, with the sole agenda of closing the biggest childhood chapter together vs alone, and of course the greatest 8 days of the year!!

Hanging out with nothing to do but bbq, catch up on movies, talk and drink wine and yes - go see Harry Potter together onelasttime!!!!!!!! - was the greatest little staycation I could have planned for this year!

(who doesn't love picture stories)

friday.

out of all her visits to beautiful Colorado K had yet to see downtown Denver in the daylight! We quickly changed that.

Took this crazy kid along for a night on the town (patio dinner + hp7)

saturday.

a very important ritual: Illegal Pete's before a Rockies' game!

greatest baseball game company, everr.

we silly faced.

we stuffed our faces with tornado thingies.

flaunted our super ueber sexy hat hair.

and of course, kissy faced.

then came the misfortune of the umbrella.

that yes of course I broke.

Rest in peace Eddie Bauer umbrella. You shall be replaced.

birry. sena. and my dinosaur husband. I mean N.

sena & K. cheers to a fantastic, hilarious, unforgettable evening!

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Today, Wednesday August 17th, 2011, I am lounging around my house because 1) N and I are still sharing a car so I'm more or less trapped here with nothing more than my bike and a grocery store (which believe it or not I have already visited today!) and 2) today is basically my Sunday and tomorrow is fully my Monday and I will be working until next Tuesday. Cheers to 6 days.

I am not really dreading the work days. I have actually been enjoying the longer of stretches of work because I am in total save and move mode and I am getting so excited to be moving out into our own place in the upcoming months. And since it is still a chunk away --> longer work weeks I welcome you!!

So far my ~~Wednesday~~ Sunday has included:

+ awaking at 7:31 all on my own. lovely.

+ strapping up for a bike ride and a trip through the grocery store and back. all before my cup of coffee

+ snoozing the morning away to the Jetsons, Popeye, and the Flintstones (thank you Boomerang)

+ lunching with my brother over "Hoodwinked, too!"

+ and now hanging out with you lovelies

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Happy Hump Day.

xo . jess

Hair Too(s)day.

2011-08-16T10:54:00.001-06:00

Volume 10:the messy pony

Welcome to my official weekly tutorial  of what do to with your hair!! People are always asking me 

"How did you do that to your hair?" 

And so here are my answers, trials, and step by step tutorials of 

"How you can do that to your hair, too!"

Alright ladies, this week I'm gonna pull a quickie on you. I spent the entire morning putting this together and mama's gotta get dressed for work! (I know - not your fault I'm queen of procrastinating but whatev)

This week we are going to learn the messy ponyyy! woop woop (wouldn't I be the coolest teacher)

What you need

1. A curling iron or stick (my favorite tool in the hairworld!)

2. A comb or brush - nothing that will make your hair frizzy - just to comb out knots.

3. Hair ties. (I've recently discovered the tiny gummy hair ties - they work wonders!! (If you're fortunate enough to have medium thick hair they really give you play room with your do. And also - no pony tail headaches!)

What you do

I apologize but the microphone still isn't working on my computer so the video is nice and silent so I suggest you turn on some tunes while you watch. 

1. Comb your hair out. Knots are never fun.

2. Start with getting your bangs prepared. Or the hair that will be loosely framing your face. Curl the locks backward, away from your face. They'll stay there all day - out of your face. 

3. Give your ends all over a good curl. I'm only showing you the fast track version in the video to keep you from falling asleep ;) I went back and curled all of my ends pretty decently. Always mess with your fingers to give it a messy look!

4. Slightly part your hair where you will be leaving fringe in the front out. Work your hair to the back of you head in the direction of the ponytail. (this is something my sister taught me) 

5. Wrap a hair tie around your fingers before you start to loosely gather your hair for the pony tail. Don't make the gathering perfect - this will allow for a loose messy pony look - and simply wrap the hair tie once you have it gathered in the place you want it. 

6. Once you secured the hair tie loosely grab ends and tug for support and of course - messyness! :) 

7. Fix, primp, and check for last minute needs to curl and tadaaa! Enjoy your sexy pony girls. 

*tip of the week*

When I'm in a hurry and it happens to be a morning I had to plan on washing and therefore styling my hair, it's hard to let my hair air dry just a bit before styling, which can risk frizz or a limp do'. When I don't have enough time to give my air drying time, I will work in my product of choice (whether you're straightening, volumizing, or curling) while my hair is still decently damp and wrap it (loosely!) back up in a towel - this is where those fancy hair towels come very handy! - and let the towel soak all left over moisture from my hair for me while letting the product work itself into my hair. Maybe there's not much sense behind it, but I swear it's never left me with a stubborn set of hair to style! So to recap:

eins. apply product to damp locks. no matter the product.

zwei. loosely wrap hair in dry towel. (try to avoid the towel you just showered in ;))

drei. leave hair wrapped while you finish your make up, pack your lunch, or whatever the heck else you can kill time with.

vier. style like normal.

---

xo . jess

Confessions and Church Clothes

2011-08-14T11:24:00.000-06:00

I should confess to you that unfortunately I won't have any updates to post on my thrifting. Actually, while I'm coming clean..I won't have any shopping posts to share from the summer or for the next month or so. N and I decided that we are both in need of serious new wardrobes. I of course have taken this to a whole other level than just buying some new clothes. :) C'mon, it's me here.

Don't get me wrong I only buy the things I love and even when I take them to sell, thrift, or give them away I still love them - I just change my style. A lot. And this time I feel as if I've grown up in my fashion confidence slightly and I'm really looking to revamp myself just a little bit. Grow up in my style just a bit. :) And since my love for thrifting goes both ways, if I have something hanging in my closet that I just don't wear month after month, I start to feel guilty, because no matter how much I love something, it doesn't mean I'll end up actually wearing it. And if I love something but won't wear it, I'd much rather pass it along or put it out there for the person that's going to love it and wear it to find - and I get to replace the empty hanger with something I love and will wear.

Hopefully :)

And because I won't deny that I was actually less useless than a couch potato yesterday after we came home from my brother's soccer game (after we had spent the morning in the Springs which required getting up at 3:30am) I have no problem admitting that I laid around in my bed online shopping the shit out of h&m. And since we are only +weeks+ away from the very first h&m to open here in Denver (and I have front row seats to the whole show from my store's entrance) I need to start gathering inspiration for this

*brand new wardrobe*

(excuse me a sec - eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - I'm quite excited.)

Here are a couple of my must haves I've bookmarked so far. (Oh H&M, you cannot open soon enough!)

all images via

blouses, sweaters & everything comfy:

mhh..skinny jeans and boots for a weekend with N ♥

bottoms:

I owned a grey pair last season and can't wait to have these ones!

how else do you survive weekends without boyfriend jeans?

my addiction for high waisted shorts simply carriers over to jeans.

dresses & skirts:

you know you always buy two colors of something you really love.

to me this cut of jean skirt is classic. I've been out on the lookout for one of these for years.

vests & jackets:

I'm already itching to bring out my vests from last season.

I live in Colorado. Down vests are your best friends girls.

I have collected 12 blazers. They're always going to be a must have for me :)

accessories:

shoes:{total image fail I know}

I must have a pair of Oxfords this season.

---

what are you adding to your fall must-have list?

---

xo . jess

little landslide.

2011-08-13T09:06:00.000-06:00

Good morning kids.

(alright so this is a picture of a sunset. just go with it.)

I know right. I come back and disappear again. We were having some technical difficulties at the house the past week so cut off from the world we were. I even missed a Too(s)day post. I know. Complete and total failure.

No biggie. It's the weekend. And it just so happens that I have it o.f.f. That's right I even had to spell it out for you. :) We're in the middle of blackout so I'm making the most of this little jem weekend. N is working a marathon this morning in Colorado Springs and since I'm serious about making the most of this weekend I hitched a ride with that handsome man and am spending the (very early!) morning all by myself.

Me time (always) = a great time.

I hope it's not selfish. But me time is fantastic time. And I don't think I've given myself enough of it lately. I think I've entered a very reflective phase in my life. Or...I haven't figured out what phase I'm really in and I'm finding myself being more reflective and introverted trying to figure it out. Maybe that's isolation. But I don't care. I'm too much of a doubter. A questioner. I'm always questioning myself in reference to what others might think, feel, do..and I've decided to rethink the energy I'm spending on melodrama, daily stresses and opinions.

Before I married N, I knew without a doubt I had to have him in my life, every day, for the rest of my days. Every day I'm with him, I want to better myself. I don't want to be rude, or whiny, or negative (my favorite). He shows me and reminds me every day that we have so much to be thankful for, count ourselves lucky for, and that there is no reason to go through life always wishing we had more, did more, owned more,{whatever I feel like bitching about that day} and for that, I am so glad.

We are free. We're in love. And we laugh. From morning till night. And lately, I've realized that it's one thing to want to be a better person, but a completely different thing to actually be a better person. And that is me. Working on finding that better person in myself. The person that's not necessarily stuck in the "waiting zone" of life, but it's safe to say I've completed the most recent phase of my life and I'm trying to figure out what the next one holds. Most likely my little loss of direction is because the possibilities are endless and I'm beginning to grasp that idea and asking myself "what are you going to do with it?"

So I hope in the meantime I'm as entertaining, loving, and always hilarious, not to forget smart assy (N's favorite quality about me) and know I am not over here blowing up a big balloon of self isolation...but happiness comes from within and so that's where I'm going to start.

xo . jess

Would You Like Some “Catch up” With That?

2011-08-07T16:51:00.000-06:00

Alright, so I am only a week into my relaunch and I lose my internet half way through! It’s okay. I can manage. This week wasn’t too exciting anyway. Although, I’m always quite amazed at the picture story that comes out of my phone’s “camera shots” album every other week or so.

I was preparing some things for this week’s Hair Too(s)day and knew I needed some pictures off my phone from a good month ago. So I connect my computer, pull up my Picasa and watch the slideshow of pictures appear on my screen only to find a treasure of postable pictures. HOLLAAAA!!! J

Tuesday:

We felt bad for skipping the gym so we went for a walk before dinner and (ROGUE SHARKS!) àwe were obsessed with Shark Week this week for those of you who don’t follow my rambling twitter feed. Birry showed up early enough and so he came too.

Since I prefer the snail pace I might as well keep myself entertained with Colorado’s crazy clouds, rainbows, and sunshine.

Backyard jungle over here.

Lonerr.

Who can resist a bundle of wild Sunflowers??

Wednesday:

I looked like a hippy.

Thursday:

This sassy ass girl, also known as my very blonde sister in law (I’m pretty sure she’s not blonde anymore though :P), turned 18 years old. Little legal girl. So what do Italians do when it’s someone’s birthday? They go and eat pizza.

Why the random drive way pictures you ask? Well, it just so happened that it was also N’s mom’s birthday who gets a call 30mins before we were headed off for dinner, asking to be interviewed by Fox31 on the stock market crash from earlier that day. Sooo dinner got delayed, we got antsy, and screwed around in the driveway. Just look at the picture of Julie. Silly girlJ The italiano’s are one entertaining family!

Friday:

I worked late and we both came home pooped.

Saturday:

I learned that it is possible to get a sunburn working retail. Just work an outside jobfair with no tent in the direct sunshine from 10-5pm. That was a fun day. Just look at this super sexy picture of me.

I think I was asleep standing up.

We attempted our walk but only made it to the park to throw Oli some balls.

And made it home before this guy faked us out and pulled completely north of us. Ooh Colorado weather.

----

Since I’m posting to you from guest internet (I know I’m that committed right now) I will try my best to report on all the funness from my day off today (booyah!) which we will be spending again at the italianos’ house (my inlaw’s) to recelebrate the birthday of ms. Mikayla and Terri with of course, more family! J Oh yes, it will be a wine filled Sunday everyone!

Happy Weekend!

xo . jess

Hair Too{s}day.

2011-08-02T00:00:00.001-06:00

Volume 9: Sneak Preview Fall 2011

Welcome to my official weekly tutorial of what do to with your hair!! People are always asking me

"How did you do that to your hair?"

And so here are my answers, trials, and step by step tutorials of

"How you can do that to your hair, too!"

It's going to be a good fall time ladies! As much of a procrastinator as I was about blogging the past 3 months, I have to give myself the fact that I have been a good girl growing out and taking care of my locks. I have almost completely grown my bangs out and past my cheek bones, and I have gained a good 2-3 inches since my last hair cut in March. But why the hell do you care about all this? I don't know.

Moving on to what you came for, some hair inspiration! I wanted to give you girls a preview of what's to come in my hair tutorials and would gladly take any requests! Enjoy my current obsessions when it comes to hair.

the messy pony.

I can't wait to try this and tutorial the do!

I'm thinking a chunky scarf and boots come October.

(oh fall I'm so excited you're coming!)

growing long layers.

I'll sneak in updates of my process of growing long layers into my hair - a style I've never had before.

currently it's very close to this.

love love loove this natural look.

(could hardly find any brunettes!)

everything braids.

will I ever give up my love for braids?

I think not.

I got my hair to look just like this the other day and had no time to tutorial or take a picture.

I will retry don't you worry. I'm just excited my hair is finally long enough :))

This makes me want to plan a night out in Denver! What a cute yet sexy hair style.

Definitely recreating this.( Dina, I need your straightening skills!)

sorry for the crappy photo but this I can't wait to try!

(especially since I'm obsessing over 70's inspired silhouettes already)

fall wedding season.

I have a friend's wedding to go to in September and I of course am going to need a fab hair do!

I love this do, but someone give this girl a burger.

* tip of the week *

If you're like me, you believe avidly in washing your hair every other or third day. I will sometimes even push it to four if it happens to be Sunday. I'm telling you ladies, I swear by it. If you have easily greasier hair after only a day try one of my tricks to boost my do on a second or third day.

Just because you're not washing your hair, doesn't mean you should go four days without showering completely! If you flip your head over and pin your hair into a ridiculously high buns before you hop in the shower, the steam will freshen up your volume and product.

eins. Brush your hair with a large tooth comb to eliminate any knots and tangles and to distribute natural oils. (Don't stress if you dampen your roots)

zwei. Unpin your hair working your hands to get the style you had the previous day and let any dampness air dry itself.

drei. Wear naturally the rest of the day for a relaxed beach wave style, or take advantage of the texture and work your skills on a braid, up do, or messy pony.

* coming next week *

I'll compare freshening up with baby powder vs dry shampoo? Have any of you tried that yet?

---

love your locks, girls.

xo . jess

Riding in cars with boy.

2011-08-01T10:06:00.000-06:00

Happy August!

I'm really excited the end of summer is nearing! I'm sorry for all of those going back to school (I've got my own battles to fight there) but the fall should be bringing exciting new things and events and I can't wait! I'm over summer. It was not fun hot and I went through 2 and a half umbrellas (Welcome to Colorado, monsoon season!) and I worked. A lot.

Thankfully, we are not total summer bums and I can't deny that the summer had quite its' good moments...and plus - you can have the best car photo opps with N.

we're pretty infamous for them.

(just look at how many times my facebook profile picture is of us in a car :P )

he steels hat.

steeler.

what's a car photo session without a good self portrait, right?

---

** don't forget - last month of summer people!

got any plans to go out with a bang? **

---

xo . jess

Welcome back, sunshine.

2011-07-31T23:33:00.000-06:00

Heeeellooooooo!!!

I had no idea how else to start. And at this point I just wanna get around this "howdoIstartthis" writer's block so hello it was and woohoo I'm back ! What else can you expect from a "welcome back" party you have with yourself and then share with others? :) But I hope you know I'm excited to have found my way back to my blogging self.

I definitely did not realize how long the break really was which I fully blame on 2011 which is going by unbelievably fast. I think my mind is still back in May somewhere. ( And I'm about to write the schedule for week 3 of August at work-whaaa?! ) Anyhow, I have spent the last few weeks editing, changing, deleting, and creating on my little site so I hope you enjoy the new features. I have fun and exciting things put together to jump start myself back into blogger happiness!

Now let's visit for a second shall we? (Don't worry - I took the liberty of choosing the fast track option)

eins. N and I unfortunately have no news on our own home yet. Trust me you would have heard about that one.

zwei. I was promoted about 7 weeks ago and am lovin it! Although it doesn't get less demanding and tiring at times, I've made progress on balancing work & life. N just started a new job a couple of weeks ago as a marketing/sampling representative for a new company.

drei. Like I bitched the year has flown by. The summer was quiet. With the exception of two amaazing camping trips first for my birthday and then again for 4th of July weekend (posts later on this week!), we've been working hard on stringing things together for ourselves.

vier. With the late afternoon warmth we've been having after the monsoons pass through, N and I have become quite the grilling lovers. With yours truly becoming quite the bad ass at the grill.

funf. No. We are not having babies. (I have been asked that quite frequently lately. Think of it as an FAQ ;) )

six. It's been a very reflective few months. I feel a bit lost. Or finding myself in a really inbetween spot. Sort of in the middle of something. :) (stay tuned!?)

seven. I got to get my feet wet doing some work doing hair for a fashion show. Was super neat and gave me lots of inspiration and new ideas for Hair Too(s)day! (definitely stay tuned! And yes I will post about the show!)

eight. I hate to admit that my photography has hit the snooze quite a bit over this year. I have no excuses. I won't even try. It just wasn't happening. As of now, no action plan on how to tackle this. Open to suggestions! :) photoshoot anyone?

nine. i heart thrifting! we all know this. But with our plans for moving there hasn't been much of it this summer. In reality, I'm just waiting for the good fall stuff ;)

ten. I hope you enjoy all the new things as much as I'm happy to be back here :)

xo . jess

quoting Juno.

2011-05-28T00:46:00.000-06:00

You're gonna have to do me a huge solid and just sit tight with me.

Things are aall over the place right now. Nothing too overwhelming, lots of good things actually!! And as much as I wish that I could sit down and share them as I go, I'm trying really hard to keep a healthy balance and it's been a couple of weird months. :) I have my entire blogger list securely downloaded on my trusted google reader app on ma evooo, so I'm keeping up on all your blogging goodness and it's keeping me connected! I'm just gonna be the girl that's faking cramps in P.E. so she doesn't have to.

"You're golden, man." - Juno

xo . jess

2011-05-20T11:01:00.000-06:00

it's friday pumpkinnn.

and lauren's playin her blanks! go here to play too.

1. People always tell me I look like...the latest brunette starlet. Honestly, I've heard a lot. I used to get Britney Spears and Katie Holmes. Lately,ever since I took my hair back to its dark dark brown roots again, I've gotten Vanessa Hudgens, and Mila Kunis. When I was a teen I was in loove with Katie so I think she's by far been my favorite look-a-like, but hell-ya-i-love-you for thinking I look like Mila Kunis :P Although I have to secretly admit my current hair inspiration is ms hudgens so that people think I look like her might just mean I'm pulling it off :P

2. Friends don't let friends go.

3. A sunny day is perfect for driving to the mountains with N.

4. My favorite accessory is my Nikon.

5. If I could afford it I would go on vacation every 2-3 months.

6. The cure for boredom is calling my sister Dina. :) Always a fool proof move.

7. I'm currently "in like" with running this song on repeat on my iTunes. my youTube. my phone. my car. all the same to me ;)

i might love brunch more than my mommy. juuust kidding :)

2011-05-10T00:06:00.000-06:00

It's only a work day into the week and I'm already exhausted :P Alright, that's a little bit of an exaggeration, but I was out of the house 2 hours before N even had to get up today, and didn't see him again until 10pm tonight. It's been rough having such a different schedule. Yes we can be a little whiny :P but it sucks when you're spending your weeks in passing. Where's the fun in that? And the sex! :P

Before I tuck my aching feets and self into my bed I wanted to share with you some of the mother's day pictures because I do really heart them. It was such a yummy brunch and so much fun! The weather was fantastic, the food was amazing, and our champagne ended up being free!! hollaaa :P

such a mommy's boy. i'm beginning to have a hard time that that little justinbieberteenager is my 13yr old brother :[

there's people that refuse to believe I can have bad hair/outfit/everything days. this picture is proof. guess I really didn't care this day :)

♥ senabena

again. this girl and the kiddos.

*favorite photo of the day*

my absolute favorite picture of my brother :))

these two gangin' up on the little guy..

..end up seriously karate chopping the shit out of my brother's neck. he lived.

-------------------------------------------------

Wishing you all a good rest of the week. I'll be checking in sometime mid-week and will have your posts to keep me company during lunch hours this week ;)

xo . jess

hooray for moms.

2011-05-08T15:34:00.000-06:00

I hope you all are enjoying a wonderful mother's day. Maybe it's not that big of deal, but I never have these holidays off, and it is soo nice out and it's been a pretty great day, so I'm all over it. Even my sister made it down from downtown to go to brunch with us this morning at Village Tavern by the Flatirons Mall (sidenote* never been there and the food was pretty freaking awesome!)

Amy & B my favorite mommy&daughter combo, and the older sister I never had, Sena met us for yummy breakfast food and mimosas! Can't wait to show you photos later. For now we're soaking up some rays on my mom's porch, mr.ray is putting golf balls around the field (so not white trash) and I'm sitting around to tell you about it :)

For dinner we're stopping by the grocery store for some bbq supplies and heading to n's mom's house. Hope you all have a fabulous day.

xo . jess

dear diary, i need an update.

2011-05-02T21:47:00.000-06:00

spent the day at my sister's house lounging and watching movies. we were supposed to unpack and decorate her new place. oops. we rainchecked for friday.

got a bit of a word heavy post for you, but..I think it's a good one.

I'm not really much of an "updater". I try to squeeze little tidbits about the happenings in my every day life in with posts here and there. But lately I am asking myself if I've been just plain vague with you lately, but then I'm not sure if it's just me and I'm talking myself up to sitting down and spewing out a little bullet pointed post to make myself feel better; not you guys. You're going to find this really strange, the behavior and thought process of mine that I'm about to share with you guys. But for the first time in a few months I can feel footage again. Routine has settled back into my life and even though I am desperate to still make changes to my surroundings, I am welcoming that routine with open arms!

I'm justifying this coming back down moment with the events that moving out of your house, graduating college, new apartment, watching your fiancée move halfway across country without you only 4 months prior to your wedding, alone in said apartment, planning your wedding, lots of family, get married, go on honeymoon, pack up life, drive across country, new apartment, same job new store, endless home searching, making a 180 and packing up things again, going back home, living with parents, same job new store again, realizing hey - we got married (!!!!!!!!!) is a lot of fucking events for a timeline that is shy of 9 months.

The other morning, N and I were starting to wake up yet still dozing, and at one point I turned my head to N and whispered "it's so, quiet."
Let's just say, being able to keep up with laundry, making the bed, balancing (and gaining back!) my energy between work and getting to the gym on a regular basis is a big thing for me. But I'm getting ahead of myself here. So let me skip ahead to that "bulleting" I had mentioned earlier and give you a quick witty update of what's been going on, what's happening, and what's to come!

what's been going on

work. work. work. me, I'm working downtown still and either loving or hating it. Literally, but they're starting to meet in the middle and there too I feel I have found more balance. Since we've been back I feel like I've just been throwing myself into work and nothing else but coming home and taking refuge on the couch. (combined with my winter blues that was reeeal attractive) I did tell you that I was running again and I can already feel my energy rushing back some days and something's gotta happen cuz I'm not going back to work + couch = my life. no sir.
so, you know how girls are usually their skinniest at their wedding? (I say skinny not healthy, because I've been there. I know it's not about healthy it's about looking as tiny as possible in that stupid dress. Alright, NOT stupid..but true.) Well, although I don't think I looked fat on my wedding day, I was neither healthy nor skinny. And several months later, I am realizing that the time around my wedding I was the unhealthiest I've ever been. I think I worked out maybe 3 times last year? I've battled weight, stomach, and emotional issues over this and no more. Again this is getting better and better.
my hair is growing and I looove it! and I'm so sorry Hair(too)sday has been off air lately. I've honestly just been giving my locks a break from all experiences and just getting a feel for it getting longer again and playing with the length, etc. i'm a little sad, cuz I've noticed that growing back, it's not as curly as it was before the 13 inches of curl awesomeness. but I think I like where it's going :)

what's happening

n is desperately on the job hunt and lately our mini battles have been about him going back and finishing school sooner rather than later.
we have decided to move downtown Denver (!!!!! YAAY!) and are both totally smiley faced about it. we have the rest of our lives to live in suburbia and there's financial things we want to accomplish and want to put first before getting a bigger place for the two of us and so nixed a house in the butt. it's funny because we are very flipped from a lot of our friends. we already lived in our house and had a house. so for us it's cool and new to think of a smaller more intimate place for just us two. therefore, we are on a desperate search at the moment.
lately I've been mulling all kinds of emotions over and over. From feeling different, very different in my own skin to my priorities now, to feeling completely new things in my relationship with n, wondering (with n aloud sometimes) what happens when everything starts to feel like marriage, to wanting and embracing the simpler things. I won't deny that I've been a very introverted person lately. I've not kept in touch, only seen very little of my friends, some not at all, but I can't help but ignore that even when the contact is there, I'm not much of interest, but...I'm starting to think that that's okay. I think I even prefer it that way for now.

what's to come

continuing right on from the previous part, I think turning 24 next month is going to be really good for me. I have this image of myself in my head of the person that I want to be, but I'm not sure if I'm all the way her yet. I know, I'm just trying to come up with a different way of saying I'm trying to find myself, but call it what you want, I'm even keeping a diary again lately.
I want to add to the sort of lost thought a few lines back about being "ignored" by friends ..I didn't mean this negatively, but at first I think my reaction was, "well why does no one like me?" to "maybe they are sick of hearing about me" for awhile. I did just get married and even though I don't think I was that kind of bride to be, it was a long engagement and the months leading up to the big even were quite stressful on not just me. as much as I want my relationships rekindled, I think I needed this time out.
last on the list is graduations, birthdays, successes, summertime, and new beginnings!! And come on, you know me, nothing's ever complete without a little d.raamaa.a :)

Blanking it Saturday

2011-04-30T11:03:00.000-06:00

Hi kids.

Happy Saturday day to you. And happy friday blank day if you're playing along! I haven't filled out my blanks in months. I really think it's been months but here I am blanking it up. I'm spending the morning in bed even though the sunshine is all over this great state right now (Colorado is the true sunshine state, no offense Courtney :)). But I've got quite the workday Saturday cut out for me and after making the wrong shoe choice for yesterday's work day, I'm giving my sore legs as much rest as possible. Especially since I get to do it over again tomorrow. Is it time for me to be a stay at home mom yet? :)

eins. i am looking forward to moving downtown and into our own place! N and I have finalized our decision to move downtown as soon as N finds a new job. I'm working all the hours I can get to save up as much as possible now all we need is a new job for N. We're both really excited for a place of our own and moving downtown is an adventure we sort of stumbles upon and now can't get out of our heads so, let's move downtown!

zwei. something kind of embarrassing that I still love anyways is watching spongebob. I know. Me and all the other 10 year olds. If you follow regularly you've read me talking about why I love it. I even get excited when I catch an episode I've never seen before. I'm uebercool.

drei. my favorite car convertible bugs :) maybe it's the German in me. But I wouldn't mind cruising around in a Range Rover :))

vier. if I could pick one type of weather to live with for the rest of my life I would want beach air so I would never have to style my hair again and have the best curls, and something around the high 70's.

fuenf. my favorite thing to do after a bad/stressful day is turn my phone on silent and take to my couch preferably with N and Oli next to me.

sechs. this weekend I'm closing at work Friday, Saturday, oh yea and Sunday.

sieben. if I were a color I'd be yellow because only Spongebob and I can pull it off :))

xo . jess

can't get enough of you.

2011-04-27T23:41:00.000-06:00

For the past couple of weeks I've been treating myself to a mani every so often and I've been getting this "chalac" painted on which is this nail polish that lasts for weeks instead of days! It's so cool. You put your hands in these blacklight boxes while they're painting them and the nail polish gets hard and chip proof!

The first time I did it I just picked this color by random and I've never become so obsessed with a color! #42 Sky blue - I get so many compliments on you!!

Midweek Update:

N and I got to have the day off together today which was amazing! We lounged around the house in the morning, taking our time cooking a delicious breakfast. Sipped on our second cups of coffee while fixing up N's resume and ran errands in the afternoon. Sneaking in a quickie nap before meeting n's ma for happy hour and birthday shopping before heading back to her house for family dinner.

Sad that I have to go back to work tomorrow which will take me through the weekend closing every, single, day until Monday I think, I'm taking my stuffed self to bed. Please, share with me your weekend plans so I can try and convince myself I won't be running around at work all weekend. I got a little camera happy this afternoon in the car, and who doesn't love classic car pictures?? So yea..I'll share :) despite the sillyness.

it was so sunny!

love you co ♥

i love me some mr. ray

my little cousin gio. watch out selena gomez and miley!

I hope you have an easy Thursday and if I don't talk to you before hand, a lovely weekend =)

xo . jess

happity hop.

2011-04-25T12:45:00.000-06:00

Happy Monday!

I hope you all had a great Easter Sunday or just a lovely Sunday if bunnies and eggs aren't really your thing - whatever floats your boat - I however, had a very stuffing, satisfying, and honestly tiring day. But leave it up to my husband to round out the day with a relaxing movie night. I was very camera happy throughout the day, which we spent getting up early enough for me to run out my soreness in my legs (lately in the mornings when I'm trying to wake up and just dozing in bed my legs feel so sore and stiff?!). After brunch at my mom's with the best quiche everrr we hopped in the Jeep and stuffed our tummys with more delicious Italiano cooking, easter egg hunting, and not to forget a very competitive round of boccie ball!

My little manbrother.

These kids.

I love kids in their easter dress!

playing Hoppa Hoppa Reiter.

B opening her easter basket.

Ty trying some new things with her hair.

♥

kleines schwesterherz

us German girls.

happy bunny day.

attempting some family pictures

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter!

xo . jess

happy birthday, mr. ray.

2011-04-24T02:08:00.000-06:00

I was hoping to post about N's birthday from yesterday, this morning before I had to jet off to work..but, unfortunately we ended up laughing too long and having too much fun with everyone that I didn't get shut eye until after 2am. Then having to get up and work a 9.5hr day running basically, the entire time (ohretail!), nooo buenoo. no.

Mr.ray turned 24 yesterday and he's having a hard time with it I think. I don't think it's really about turning that age but where we're at right now with financial things, work/school things, and living things. But I know it's weeks' time before we have our own place (livingdowntown!!! :D) and things can only go better from here.

I don't dare jinx myself more than that so moving on....

I think meeting a few of our dorky yet good friends for some drinks at the end of his bday really cheered him up. It was great to see everyone. We're getting better about getting together more frequently and it's amazing how much seeing your friends regularly and laughing till a little bit of pee comes out, can brighten your day to day mood and emotions.

I'm really kind of loving my evocamera.

the birthday boy.

the adorable newbies :)

coors light & fries. can never deny them as midnight snack.

possible captions for this photo:

1. This photo made me realize that my friends are huggers.

2. The graphicTtubbies

3. Ryan's freakishly long arm.

we're a smiley bunch.

didn't realize it had gone black and white.

my two favorite boybuddies.

my friends hannah. ryan. and dane my cousininlaw :)

according to my friends,

love is in the air

♥

Now..since you are most likely going to read this on Sunday sometime and I'm going to kill two birds with one stone right now and wish you a happy easter right now. We have a busy day tomorrow and I'm still awake, again (!) at 2.05am - I seriously suck at this going to bed stuff - so blogging wishing you a happy bunny day would just definitely not happen. So, it's happening now.

We are heading to N's uncle's house for Easter, after brunch at my mother's and in the afternoon we might head over to his dad's house :) so like every holiday, family family family time :) I do love it. I always have my camera, because I used to always love looking at old picture's family pictures before I was born, at family get togethers sitting around and talking, how young everyone looks..so I somehow love having pictures like that of my family. (sidenote.) I really am sad to think that people hardly every have physical pictures anymore or photo albums. It's so much funner to look at them in person.

Here's wishing you a beautiful Sunday, time with friends and family, candy and food, and of course a requirement for any family gathering, something to 'cheers with! Prost! Frohe Ostern!!

xo . jess

an afternoon at the park.

2011-04-19T23:49:00.000-06:00

Today was one of the most bizarre days in months. I'm exhausted yet nothing really happened. Work was really frustrating and challenging today and I'm so blah that all I have for you tonight is my favorite snapshots of n and I letting Oli run around at the park for awhile the other afternoon. :) I forgot about these and found them hanging out in my Picasa when I switched on my computer tonight. Oli is so big and gold now :) He's such a good puppy. He absolutely loooves catching the ball and gets so focused when we play with him. So, no captions just pictures tonight. I'll have a more exciting collection to share Thursday; tomorrow mr.ray and I have the day off and we're heading downtown for the Rockies game and possibly dinner in Boulder after :) Follow my twittertweets for live action :P

I'm sorry. I know the kissy pictures are kinda gross. But, its even more gross how much fun being a newlywed is :)

xo . jess

oh italiaaa familiaa.

2011-04-19T00:19:00.000-06:00

be aware that this post may be a bit picture heavy, but yesterday was such a perfect sunny day with the family you're going to have to share my favorites pictures of dinner at grandmasonja'shouse :)
Nothing short of laughs (we will always be considered the kids table), amazing food, bibs, and sunshinee. ♥ absolutely lovely.

off to grandma's

homemade ravioli = pink or red bibs. serious

the cutest and coolest little sister

oh sweet julie :) do you need some help?

cousins with Aunty Lorii!!!! We miss you :)

then we got serenaded by this girl. watch out Miley

her biggest fan ♥

how julie tells you she loves you :)

taylor laut-..I mean cousin max & sweet Giovanna. Go ahead. Leave a comment and I'll email you his age. Take a guess.

my sweet in laws :)

the coolest Aunty. No really, I don't think she has a real name :) She's just "aunty!!" :)

N holding 2nd cousin baby Jack!

the cutest chunkster.

no. they don't look alike at all.

It was amazing to sit around and laugh and dick around with your cousins, sneak pizailles off the desert table..while still eating dinner, after feast coma, lounge around the deck in the sunshine drinking all the wine. We're lucky that we get to see my mamacita and brother daily, but seeing family for a perfect day after not having done so in awhile is pretty amazing :) If we could do this every Sunday..we'd always look like this:

> happy. as. clams<

and last but not least. check, OUT ..grandpa's fire hydrant. Go ahead. Inspect it good.

Viva Italiaaa

I freaggin love my italiaaafamiliaa :))

xo . jess

spring cleaning brings closet cleaning!

2011-04-09T00:56:00.001-06:00

Today I spent the afternoon cleaning my out reorganizing and beautifying my closet and this was the end result.

I WISH! :D

Are you kidding? I drooled on myself the first time I saw this picture via. This is every little bit of a

d.r.e.a.m. closet. But for some reason, having a lot of clothes in my closet, knowing there are items I'm not wearing and just having them in my closet drives me crazy, because sometimes I'll get desperate, pull out that one sweater I know I'll hate as soon as I put it on, I curse myself because once it's on it looks just as terrible as the last time I tried it and I still don't know why I keep putting it back on the closet shelf.

However, even though I'm sad to say that beautiful closet is not mine, I'm very pleased with my afternoon spent closet cleaning. It was very cleansing. Very positive. (I know. This sounds pathetic. But hey, I told you this was meonajourney. You don't have to keep reading ;)) I myself of sweaters, dresses, tights, skirts, blazers, jackets, even jewelry (!!) that I constantly keep around to remind myself of how little I wear them. I don't know why, but I cannot hold on to things. It's like I'm the opposite of a hoarder.

I don't wanna keep anything around I don't like anymore, or more specifically, that I know I won't wear. To get even more pathetic, I think my clothes, more so than anything, are my favorite way to express myself. Which would explain why I'm going through such a weird time. :)

As good as it felt to separate items into "goodwill" "buffaloexch" "handmedown" I'm even more excited to spend a couple more months working out, hopefully shaping up a little bit and maybe even *fingerscrossed* my stomach will be more healthy, saving money and then planning a big summer shopping spree. In the mean time I plan to make a list and create sort of a checklist for "the perfect closet". I can't wait to start my new

*grown up* wardrobe.

But of course, because I firmly believe you should never take yourself too seriously and because I just can't part from these items :) -at least not yet- here are the pieces that tugged on my clotheslovingheartstrings too much:

the carrie bradshaw inspired pale pink tulle skirt I wore to my bachelorette party

my -other- perfectly pearl colored knee length tutu skirt. tutu's man. they get me.

the bunny sweater. how adorable would this be cutepregnant with leggins and flats?! I'm telling you. I don't think I could ever part from it :) (alright, damnit. I just made a baby reference. I meant what I said yesterday :P)

(remember the specialty Target line from last year that mimicked Alice in Wonderland? This is from that line. I loved it so when it came out but it was spendier than I could afford at the time. Then, more than four months later I think, I found this dress (which had been my favorite one) for less than $10 on the sale rack. I was in love all over again. Plus, I wore it to our rehearsal dinner, so I really couldn't part.

xo . jess

99 luftballons.

2011-04-07T23:43:00.000-06:00

I think I hit my limit tonight. I don't think I can go another day without my blog. I've been terrible the last couple weeks. I tried to sort of keep you updated on what was going on. But as much as I wanted to share my thoughts with you, I probably couldn't even have made sense of anything I would have tried to share, anyway.

I'm a terrible,

"let me explain myself"

person.

However, in my own defense, I've been run down lately. My health has been all over the place. My stomach problems are worse than ever. Gluten Free trial was a bust. Still no answers and more symptoms to add to my list of my stomach mysteries, emotionally a bit drained, annoyed, and to tell you the truth.

I think it's going to be an interesting year.

I feel older. I've been thinking a lot about what it means to me to be turning 24 this year. The past couple of years I felt pretty confident in my skin. Knew who I was, had a solid style that consisted of bows, polka dots, and tulle skirts, had a fiance and just graduated college.

Now. I've been out of college for a year. I'm a married woman. I LOVE being a married woman and yea..there's a natural sense of nesting grumbling in my tummy. But, more of the "I want to have a cute home for my husband and me" not "let's turn the office into a nursery" type of grumbling. I don't even have an office yet. Let's get there first, ya? So every body chill. (I swear, the next time I have a cold and am sick and someone asks "are you pregnant?" I might hurt them. I'm quite educated in that area, thank you. I promise to inform you immediately if such a thing occurred.)

Where were we? Oh ya. Kids. Or, not kids. >anyway<

I'm feeling different. Right. Here we go. Nesting feeling. My priorities are changing. But at the same time I'm realizing there are a lot of things I still want to do and for the sake of my youth, these are reasons why parenthood is not the top of my list. I'm too selfish. I really am.

Plus, until I can quit my crying, I'm simply not ready. (More health issues underlined in that sentence there.) But seriously, my self confidence is at an all time low, my energy is down, my diet & exercise suck (even though I've started going again already) and clearly..I've got a year of self discovery ahead of me. Which is awesome! Love it. Let's explore :) I guess I just had to say all this out loud because I'm proud of myself for getting my ducks in line. I was about to fall off my chair I think. I had some rough days the past couple of weeks, and I'm ready for some changes. Positive energy. And some closet cleaning :)

Oh, don't you worry.

You'll get front row seats for the show :)

Missed you guys SO much. I vow to be the follower and love leaver I was before and keep things around here much more entertaining.

xo . jess

Wee Bits

2011-04-06T22:54:00.000-06:00

It's still Wednesday in this mountain time zone..and I wanna play today! It's been so long since I've participated!

{one} what is one food that, as an adult you love, but as a child you said you’d never touch?TOMATOES. I used to haaaate tomatoes when I was a kid and all throughout adolescent. Not on burgers, not chunky pieces on pizza (sauce, yes), but not raw/fresh...nothin! But now..if my mouth wouldn't be so sensitive to the acidity of the tomato I could eat a basket full of grape tomatoes.
{two} did you go to college? if yes, what was your major?Yes. Colorado State University GO RAMS! My major was Family & Consumer Sciences on the educational track aka with my teacher's licensure ;)
{three} what’s the most wild animal you’ve seen in real life (not counting the zoo)?I have no idea! Like a lizard, I guess..in Italia. Oh no..now that I think about it..one time (in Italia) I was exploring while my family spent the day at the lake, and while I was climbing rocks, I spotted a snake curled up and sunning itself on a rock I was just about to step on, panicked, stumbled and almost broke my ankle trying to avoid it. I turned and ran. I couldn't even tell you what it looked like.
{four} have you ever been to a fortune teller?noope.
{five} can you juggle?are you kidding?
{six} hardwood floors or carpet?mhh..hardwood reminds me of my German homes, carpet of my American :) I think they're the best of both worlds and I'd want a mix in my house.
{seven} is it called “soda” or “pop”?say it with me: "sooooo, da!"
{eight} what was your first car?well, I actually still drive my first car. Don't worry I want a new one really badly and I've been swearing off every one around me that's been getting new cars lately. But I still love my silver '02 two door manual Chevy cavalier. (I didn't have my own car until my freshman year of college - hence the reason I probably still drive mine)
{nine} what is the most decadent dessert you’ve ever eaten?Coldstone ice cream :)

{ten} how often do you rearrange your furniture?mhhh..once or twice a year.

xo . jess

schneegloeckchen.

2011-03-31T22:38:00.000-06:00

I'm in a real funk kids. Big time. I'm so moody lately. Unmotivated. Lazy. Tired. And just wanna work almost. Just sleep, and work. It's weird. And every night I sit down in my chair or on the couch or hop up on my bed with laptop in hand ready to blog a little. And then I just end up sitting here, getting distracted with the tv, or Facebook (embarrassing I know :P blogger is so much cooler) and nothing comes. And then sometimes the second I sit down I get tired and I just wanna go lay down.

It's sooooo blaaah! And I apologize, if you've only been following this blog recently, it has been seriously, boooring in littmssunshine's place. I promise, just go look back at my archive, the saaame thing happened last year - I was on a big blogging spree, posting almost everyday and then I go into this huuuge slump in February/March and hardly blog, well, I think it's that time of year when I sort of come out of my winter blues.

I'm a true believer of the short term slight depression/anxiety period of time some people call "winter blues". But the happy part about this post, is that I've now realized it's happy time! I'm thawing from the winter so to speak. Spring is just around the corner (on some 80 degree days it feels it went straight to summer!) and I'm thawing right along.

I love, two people in love.

2011-03-30T00:03:00.000-06:00

I had the honor of doing my friend J's engagement pictures. She is so beautiful! And it was so amazing doing their shoot; they were so adorable and shy, like they just met but then you'd catch them have this adorable moment of intimacy where they give each other this look like they know each other like the back of their hand. Freaking, adorable. And they're ever adorable pictures show it! Congratulations my love :) so happy to be your friend! xo . jess

2011-03-27T23:07:00.000-06:00

How did I end up back here? Snuggled into my bed turnedhugedeskslashcouch, with the chills and a stuffy nose?? I'm gonna try and not to mention the headache I've been trying to forget about, because nothing else, helps. The worst thing is, is that I don't really get stuffy noses. My ears clog! So it's as if my ears are congested and someone's holding them shut. It's awesome. Let me tell you. But lemme quit bitchin and get back to the vintage finds I owe you still.

Rewind to Friday afternoon, which seems like a week ago, and Que this girl treating herself to the best mani and pedi around with her bff J in tow. I always think we're rude, because from the second we sit down in those chairs next to each other we just start yapping with no end. But whatev..sometimes, everyone gets annoyed with small talk, and we don't see each other and we've got things to catch up on :)
And so J and I talk all throughout our pedis, manis, through our amaaaahhzing sushi dinner, and on to almost three hours of yapping while overloading our cart at the local thrift store. It's okay if you're thinking these girls are crazy. We understand each other :)

Well, one fabulous Friday night later, I'm these 8 beautiful pieces richer.

this first amazing dress, is floor length and this rich rich red with a beautiful paisley/floral design. At first I didn't think it'd be my style, and I have to have it altered (without the belt the waist swallows me) but once I put it on J and I just gave each other that "yup" look.

J brought almost 6 different blazers in with us! :D But I can't deny, that girl sure knows how to find a beautiful oatmeal colored, light weight, cropped sleeve blazer to add to my collection :) I now have a blazer family of 12.

A new unexpected of mine is this mustard yellow fitted grandpa cardigan. More pictures to come because I will be wearing this adorable knit this week, for sure :) Watch on my tumblr. for it.

I already wore this slightly oversized vintage (serious grandma) blouse with delicate detail paired with skinny blue jeans and mary jane heels.

Again, serious grandma pale pink blouse that I can't wait to wear with tailored shorts and a white tank :)

This might be a new addition to my top 3 favorite thrift finds, it's so cool. But for now this is all I'm showing you, because I think it needs some serious debuting. I'm thinking Easter outfit? :)

What else could a girl want besides a taupe colored skinny waist belt? ♥

Then, on our way out, trustworthy J finds this ..

a classic Dooney & Burke in basically perfect condition.

We couldn't leave her there :)

We are seriously considering quitting our day jobs and becoming full time vintage clothing searchers, buyers and sellers :P Maybe an etsy shop to start?? :P

I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend.

Can't wait to read up on your adventures tomorrow.

xo . jess

bunny colors.

2011-03-26T22:52:00.000-06:00

I'm getting sick again and it's been a weird weekend. That's my statement for tonight and I'm sticking to it :) I knew after the craziness with work lately, that if I didn't get myself some vitaminn C..I'd for sure get sick. And voila! All it took was a couple sick people at work and lack of sleep and I have a sore throat and chills. Whoopii.

So that's why I'm getting sick. Legit I think.

Now on to why this weekend is weird. I've had most of it off, but in a weird way..because I had yesterday off and it was a perfect day off, much like any cool weekend day, but I plan on sharing with you more later, so we'll leave the rest of that for your imagination till then :) Let me just say, it included the best thrift store adventures I've had so far (same thing goes for the finds I scored!)

But unfortunately I am feeling like big time kacka tonight, and I'm spending tomorrow shooting my best friend's engagement photos (IIEEK!!) And so, I'm sharing a little snapshot of my brand spankin new beee-awesome nail color!! I got the color at the salon, I'll have to go back to look at the name, but it's the perfect easter yet spring shade! LOVE IT.

xo . jess

which square are you?

2011-03-23T00:15:00.000-06:00

The one thing I can't deny is that I have a really bad childish side. I guess it's not really bad, but..ye might not expect it I don't know. But I would much rather watch Spongebob on the couch all morning than the news or some morning show, play my gameboy all afternoon, watch Nickelodeon in the afternoon when I get home from work :)) and eat "cini minis" for dinner.

I should probably explain that "cini minis" are to me what you call Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal :) the b.e.s.t. nighttime cereal arooound. Don't you dare ask me what nighttime cereal is. The cereal that only tastes good when you have midnight cravings. :) duh. Well, in Germany, they are called Cini Minis and I used to stay the nights at my friend Marlen's house, who alwaysss had cini minis and we'd sneak down to her kitchen every time and eat at least 2 bowls :)

Well, tonight was one of those craving filled nights and of course, while I'm preparing my bowl of cereal I get distracted and start to read the back of the cereal box. When I happen to stumble across the coollest (!) back of the cereal box I've ever seen! It had the cute four cereal squares on the bottom, and above it was a

what's your

crazy squares personalities?

Of course, n and I did it. We're not lame.

hearts = littmssunshine

dots = mr. ray

a few multiple choice questions later...

littmssunshine scores to be like "Sweety"

(the one on the left :)) and this is sweetie's description: you're deliciously full of sugar and spice and everything nice. Voted least likely to bite a friends in the back.

mr. ray scores to be like "Gobbler"

(again, the one on the left haha :)) and this is gobbler's description: you have a big appetite for life. You think life is one big adventure and you're on a constant quest to feed your latest craving!

I'm sorry. I couldn't help but post this. I loooove cini minis. And it made my night! :D

xo . jess

70 degrees in march.

2011-03-22T11:03:00.000-06:00

this is my car. it has looked like that for weeks now. day after day, i'm always running late for work, hate what i'm wearing (yet still posted it on my tumblr. for all to see), and am snacking on something because i skipped breakfast. harvest cheddar sunchips instead of vanilla yogurt & granola??? I.E.W.

then, on Sunday evening (on my way home from work - I could swear I never leave that place) which was also technically my "friday" if you know what I mean, i thought to myself "oh yeah..I gotta remember to post those pictures I took and love of mine and n's day off .... (when i realize) which was ..foour days agoo????" so..my sense of date and time has just sort of left me lately.

who the hell wants to read about something from four days ago?? or do they? i swear, college gave me "deadline anxiety" like maad. I was the world's worst (best?) procrastinator in college.

but that's neither here nor there.

then yesterday (when I had STILL gotten up at 6:20am to be at a w.o.r.k. meeting at beautiful 8am for two hours ON my day off) i decided that it had to end. chaos, you are gettin the fuck out! i can't take it no more. no uh.

i hope you can forgive me one more time for no hair.too(s)day today. i know it's been forever. i've had some great ideas (and a new haircolor) in the mean time so look forward to next week!

I'll make a fresh start tomorrow, but for now..let me share you those pictures from one of my favorite days' off with n in a while :)

(tweeted this) my favorite thrift find & aviators.

talked the boys into lunch at nick n' willy's

n of course playing that game i never know how to play.

he ♥ puzzles

♥ mr. & mrs.

my new comfort food: honey on pizza. o.m.g. thanks a lot j.

it was 70 degrees in march.

a perfect sunday.

2011-03-13T23:25:00.000-06:00

It has been crazy weird the past couple of days. My day's direction is completely backwards and upside down and I feel like it has been the looongest weekend ever! Usually, you'd expect that to be a good thing. Which it is in this case too, it's just a weird feeling knowing, that you only had one day actual weekend day off and your weekend really wasn't that long. Don't worry, I think I just confused the heck out of myself too.

Anyway, today was great. Even though I felt like a truck hit me when N woke me at 7:30, but it was really 8:30 and I felt like I was late for something not realizing that it was for my day off (!!) until suave mr.ray kisses me on the forehead and heads to work. Luckily, I had the coolest 2 year old toddler at my house that kept me company drawing in her coloring book next to me on the couch, snuggling with me, playing again, braiding my hair and snuggling again, and so on and so on, while my lazy ass laid around and watched almost 2.5 hours of the Toy Story marathon on the Disney Channel - hollaa!-

At 1:30 I had finally woken up for the day and felt motivated enough to throw on my skinny pants, a white tank and oversized sweater (complete with my white and grey heart patterned keds!) hopped in my car and drove 15 miles to the next town to a consignment store called The Buffalo Exchange. Almost an hour later I earned $110, spent $105, and earned $5 ( minus the $1 for the chocolate frosty on the way home). Not to mention

these fucking fabulous pieces richer!!!

sorry for the vulgarity. but i love these pieces!

very Zoey Deschanel. ♥

To the Max by Max Azria mauve colored dress

backview hard to see but has a framing pink seam. I'm in love.

simple yet sexy royal blue dress H&M

very flattering sinched shoulders.

I just hear my sister's "youlookgoodbutyourstyleissoweird" voice

I'm sorry. I just can't help but LOVE it!! (farmer's market, dinner on pearl street, or a day trip to foco..hello??? I'd be crazy not to own this. Of course, with cowboy boots. This is Colorado people)

i'm girly. have ya noticed?

ugh. you're gonna think I'm totally nuts.

i just could nooot get myself to pass up these aaamazing high waisted shorts.

I couldn't. (they have black wedges + black tank on a hot Rio margaritas kinda night, written aaall over them)

_____________________________________

I know this is a little random, but I came to one very important and crucial realization tonight:

I don't like raisins.

I don't like cookies.

But give me

Raisins

and make

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

and I can devour almost an entire box.

Like this evening.

(I told you this was a perfect Sunday)

xo . jess

Come on Over to my Place.

2011-03-07T23:00:00.000-07:00

So. I sort of love to do girly things. Well okay. That was nothing we didn't already know. But I looooove to do hair and make up. Alright. So we already knew that too, but I'm not gonna lie..sometimes the thought of attending some certain schoolage for this hobby..so for now..to quiet some of these curiosities..I love to make a big deal about doing other's hair and make up.

It's the most calming thing. I could spend all day doing hair and make up one after another. I'm serious. So serious that I insisted on spending the morning of my wedding day doing all of my 6 bridesmaids' full make up and hair including my mom's and friend Sena's. Everyone asked me up until the very last minute if I was absolutely sure I wasn't going to be stressed and wanted to book a professional instead. But I knew that doing this would keep me calm, entertained, and enjoying myself vs freaking out and stressing. Maybe it's a little bit of controllness (?), but it's more about that fact that physically applying someone else's make up and getting creative with their locks is simply amazing. :-P

So anyway, lemme get off my soap box here..and share with you these lovely random shots of my selection all laid out for my sister Julie last Thursday so she could come over and pick out accessories and jewelry and have me teach her how to do a smokey eye. Even though I got way into teaching her all the important steps of painting yourself a jet black smokey eye that I sort of forgot to take any pictures and can't really share the steps with you like I had planned. Alas, I only have pictures of my jewelry to share with you :P

I'm such a girl.

chunky necklaces.

ring collection.

my studs.

the beginning of a very successful smokey eye. I'll raincheck you. ;)

xo . jess

Krispy Kreme Boy

2011-03-07T21:09:00.000-07:00

Alright. I know I've been suuper absent around these corners lately. Between work and some health issues I've been having I don't even know where the time has gone and I apologize for being so lame to follow lately. :) If you're into tumblr. at all, I have to say, thanks to my brandspankin' new smart phone my mom got me as an advanced birthday present :) (Evo from Sprint - AMAZING!) I've spent my mini free minutes of the days quick uploading daily shots to Stripes & Tutus.

I can't deny that I've kind of become a phone junkie. Searching all kinds of apps, tweeting, and doing mostly all my Facebooking via my phone are what I mean. I'm becoming quite the technological wiz over here, let me tell you :) But..the favorite thing about having such a saweet phone (!) is how amazing the camera is!!!! I'm so obsessed with it lately that I'm constantly shoving a camera in someone's face.

However. If you happen to be hanging out with the coolest kid to ever walk the face of this planet and he then also happens to be your 13 year old younger brother A.K.A. one of my favorite people ... then you don't need to be shoving the camera in his face, because this kid is a walking photo opp. :)

Ty is at our house tonight, with his dad the rest of the week after that and then he'll be with us for 4 weeks straight!!! :D woop woop. There's no nights like when this kid is around. Eating everything you make for yourself, stealing your computer, or playing video games with you. Tonight in particular ... he comes home and tells me that he has a crazy craving for Krispy Kreme doughnuts and that he has $20 and we just absolutely have to go get him jelly filled doughnuts, right, this, minute.

Here's what came out of it.

We enter while he's rapping about jelly filled doughnuts filling his belly to "What's My Name" - Rihanna.

He's so excited he can hardly contain himself and is freaking out because he doesn't know how much doughnuts = "a dozen" Tyler: "Can I just say I want like, 20 jelly filled doughnuts?" - :-D

Cuter than Justin Bieber with his skater/soccer street style and going on becoming taller than me!!! I promise he's my "little" brother.

His proud $8 purchase for 6 original glazed and 6 jelly filled doughnuts, complete with Krispy Kreme hat. I'm telling you I love this kid with all my heart ♥

Like I said. Street style. This is doughnut #2 btw.

Enialating doughnut #3 he asks "Can doughnuts make you fat?"

I love this kid. I don't blog about him enough. (Did I mention that we went by GameStop after our delicious dinner of sin, and he bought me my very own Polly Pocket game for the DS with his allowance?? I know, I know..coolest. kid. around.)

xo . jess

Hair Too{s}day.

2011-03-02T15:59:00.000-07:00

Volume 9: Milk Maid Braids

Welcome to my official weekly tutorial of what do to with your hair!! People are always asking me

"How did you do that to your hair?"

And so here are my answers, trials, and step by step tutorials of

"How you can do that to your hair, too!"

I love that my hair is growing out. I really do. I've been in the inbetween phase and constantly asking myself, should I keep going or cut it again!? Sometimes I still go back and forth. But I'm not going to lie..seeing my long curls come back gets me pretty excited :)

One thing that I always come back to about asking myself if I want long hair back, is the fact that if it was long again, I could do so much more with braiding my hair and there are so many things I'm dieing to do that it makes me so happy it's growing fast lately.

So the fact that I'm starting to do certain 'do's with more ease I'm excited to share my Sunday's *milk braids* attempt!

What you need:

- 2nd day hair. The messier is always better :) Especially when it comes to braids!!

- bobby pins

- clear elastic bands

- hairspray

What you do:

- if you have crazy bangs you're growing out like me, make sure you reuse your hairdryer to give them a fresh look. The rest of your hair can stay messy.

- this is a good hair do if you want to spend the day condition it or hiding 3rd day hair even

- I will always spray leave in conditioner for texture and all day conditioning before I braid my hair like this.

- separate your hair down the middle and make two low pig tails.

- loosely braid your pig tails "under"

- braid until you can't any more and let it hang.

- braid your other pigtail and secure with clear hair bands.

- take one of the pigtails and pull it up and over your head depending on how long hair is.

- secure at the end with two bobby pins.

- pull your other braid over head covering the ends of the other braid and tucking the other ends under

- for a really girly romantic look, make sure to place your braids close to the front of your head

- when you are secured gently tug on pieces around your head for an effortless look.

Not gonna lie. If my hair keeps growing till summertime, I might be sporting this look a lot all season :)

Hope I could give you a little inspiration this week!

xo . jess

No Need to "Take" I'll go Willingly! :)

2011-03-01T00:58:00.000-07:00

I hope you kids enjoy my *spring* inspired new headerrrr. You know me, love to keep things fresh. And I'm really sorry, especially for those new followers of mine, first off THANK YOU :) for the lovin' and followin'. Tuesday's is usually super fun around here as I like to set that day aside to post my favorite HairToo(s)day tutorials and I have to ask you guys for just a 24 extension. Tomorrow I'll be on what feels like working 10 days in a row and I've been going to bed waaay too late and getting up sickly early the next morning, that I'm just beat. And even though i've got tomorrow morning off work, I've filled it back to back with dr's appointments that have been long over due..so I'll bring you guys a dr's note to excuse my absence, and promise to bring you funness and new fabulous idea of what to do with your hair on Wednesday (possibly even tomorrow late night?!)
and leave you tonight with the straight up tip, just gonna throw it out there, that if you're into a good fun shooting movie, a little guy weakness for you girls out there like me, hot hot hot boys and when I say boys I mean the adorable, kind of childish, yet so incredibly sexy (Hayden Christensen with sleeves, button down and bow tie and bowler hat..mh mh mh. And did I mention Paul Walker's Ray Bans?) TRUST. ME.

You're going to want to see this movie.

You can thank me later. Sorry for the rant. It's 12:57am. Oi. xo . jess

The Weekenders.

2011-02-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

I can't wait till the day N and I finally have weekend free jobs. We hate working weekends and waiting every week for the "which days do I have off next week? Do we have any together? What errands can we do on what day??" gamble. It sucks. And it's just simply a shame, because N and I are pretty good weekenders.

We don't sleep too long. We always make a yummy healthy breakfast with way too much coffee. Waste half the morning talking about the most random things on the kitchen counters drinking our 2nd cups of coffee, in the bathroom, in the shower, when one's done before the other, even while one is brushing their teeth. We are always talking. Then we always do something fun followed by splurging on lunch. Coming back home for an afternoon nap or quickie session of Left for Dead 2 :P Oh yea,..we love to shoot zombies. :)) And then either one of us goes to work or we hang out with friends in the evening.

I'm telling you. Weekdays off are so wasted on us Weekender pro's.

Saturday was the only weekend day we had off together, so we had a simple one day weekend. During which we of course had to go to Noodles & CO :D.

N was making funny faces with his lips :P but check out this awesome camera phone from my new evooo!!! :D I love it soo much!

Mac & Cheese and Parmesan Chicken deliciousness!!!!! :D I didn't eat the rest of the afternoon.

Then my husband takes me next door to stop into Game Stop real quick and we leave with a shiny pearl pink Nintendo DS for me :D :D I was 11 years old all over again :) I LOVE it :P

So we of course went home, lazied in bed, and both played DS :P Here is N blowing into the microphone to win some mini game while playing Ratatoullie :P

Then my amazing mommy bought me these beautiful, flawless, so amazingly comfortable, vintage looking wedges! I should go back and get a second pair, because I will wear these every day until they fall off my feet.

And then I received another gift during this weekend of gifting. This stunning (!) bath cap from my beloved Bev!! :D Thank you!!!!

xo . jess

Testing. Testing.

2011-02-26T11:57:00.001-07:00

I am performing a little test run posting a blog post from my phone. My awesome mamacita splurged on my birthday gift 4 months early yesterday and bought me a new phone! I'm now happy to admit that I'm an obsessed evo owner! Loooove it!

This is me stealing my sisters happy face to show you how excited I am!

Spitten' Image of You

2011-02-25T00:11:00.001-07:00

Hi kids,

I'm so going to regret this in the morning, but tonight when I finally hit my couch with laptop in lap and blanky, mr.ray yellin at the Nuggets game next to me, I felt like I finally woke up. Since Monday morning started! I've gotten so used to loving and filling my weekends with lovely things and great adventures, that I recover Monday - Thursday...and wake up again on Friday! So, as cool as tonight has been, not passing out 30 minutes after watching TV or watching sports with the boys (that could by my problem ;P ) and having even the energy to sit up and blog with you guys at night.

Night posts are the best, duh.

So..I have to admit that I've been very committed to my new tumblr. over there, uploading my outfits I like to call stylish for you to judge and pick apart, but I'm sort of loving it. I include fun accessories, details, and of course, hairdoooos in my posts - don't worry, you can still get your HairToo(s)day fix here every Tuesday coming back next week (!!) - so if you enjoy sillythings such as that then I'd recommend you pay me a little visit in my little closet.

Second, (yes, we covered first somewhere up there) I got stuck in traffic today and got picture happy - I know, so terrible at the wheel! I swear I'm a safe driver! Only when I'm at a standstill...and got this great shot of me looking exactly like my mom when she was my age...or..however that would go, but I love it so I had to share with you, only because it's almost like I kinda lost my babyface...a little? and I look just like my mom. This is pretty spectacular for me. I've looked the same since I was 3 years old. Seriously.

Told you. :)

But..here is the actual photo that I wanted to share with you tonight. The one where I look exactly like my mother? Ya. Focus here kids :) Alright, here it is.

crazy huh :) (for those of you that know what my mother looked like at that age or even now :) crazy huh! :) )

Happy Friday.

xo . jess