My Backyard is Pretty Great

If you head north on hwy 287 and make a left to a little place called Red Feathers, in a little less than an hour you can be surrounded by gorgeous rolling mountains, cool mountain air, and a huge outdoor playground. We have been coming here since we stumbled upon this area in college with friends and have brought several family members and friends up here to camp.

This weekend we were joined by Nick's dad, his sister + her boyfriend. We hiked, fished, and hung out lazily in the sunshine. It was the first weekend in all of our times up there that we had two days with no clouds in the sky almost all day. The coolest thing that in the late afternoon of our first day we sat and watched huge thunderstorms roll past us only to find out when we got home the following day that they had brought golf ball sized hail into town. We sat and enjoyed a weather lightning show from the time we started dinner well into the late evening settled around the campfire.

 


 I drove up early Friday to claim us a spot and headed out for a solo hike with Oli after setting up camp. It was so peaceful and quiet (when I wasn't playing my tunes ;)) to spend some time alone, take in the views and the sounds of the tress. It was exactly what I needed to level myself after some trying weeks.

The one thing I love most about Nick is how he's taught me to see the beauty in the simple things and that happiness with life comes from within. Nothing reminds me more of that than a weekend with family, my dog, and perfectly clear night skies. I couldn't remember the last time I sat and stargazed. 

 

 

My week is filled with daily things, chores, a couple shots of reality, and lots of loads of laundry. And packing for this weekend's trip :) When your backyard is the Rocky Mountains, life can be simply wonderful. 

Friday's Fancies #133

We are escaping away to the mountain this weekend with my father in-law, Nick's sister + herbetterhalf, and of course Oli to camp and celebrate father's day. Right now I'm putting the finishing touches on my to-do list making sure we have all of our gear to fish, hike, and tent camp for a few days.

I can't wait to get back and share pictures with you. It's been a rough week and a few very busy weekends preceding this one, so I'm looking forward to get to breathe in fresh mountain air, hear nothing but the peace and quiet of the trees (especially in Red Feathers, CO) and just unplug from my day to day.

As much as I can't believe that it is halfway through June .. of 2013... the summer will be over before we know it and my favorite time of the year will be upon us: fall. One of the biggest events this year is our best friends' wedding (!!) in the beautiful Colorado mountains and this week's fancy topic was a perfect brainstormer for my possible attire. Nick will be standing up as one of the groomsmen and dressed in a sharp gun metal tux. Maybe it's the summer colors still so fresh on my mind, but my inspiration board came out very bright, feminine, and structured.

Wedding Season by jesslongo featuring a lace dress

Matthew Williamson shift dress, $1,250 / Alexander McQueen / Jones + Jones prom evening dress / Oasis lace dress, $94 / Little Mistress lace dress, $70 / Forever New sweetheart cocktail dress, $155 / Versace frilly dress / Ted Baker lace dress, $235 / Dorothy Perkins strap high heels / Giuseppe Zanotti platform shoes / Coach shoes / Ivanka Trump / Envelope clutch, $25 / Friis & Company , $53 / Mint green necklace / KENNETH JAY LANE turquoise earrings / Suzanna Dai vintage jewelry / Chalcedony earrings / Feather & Stone feather earrings, $140 / Kendra Scott / Feather hair clip

Personally I have never been a fan of the sleeveless look on me. But as of late I have shed some poundage and am gaining some definition and plan to show off some toned arms and legs ;) In addition to being inspired by everything feminine lately - thank you  Daisy Buchanan - I couldn't help but find myself very drawn to this style of dress.

Happy Friday

Bedtime Routines

I love sleeping. I'm sure it must be very difficult to comprehend. But it's fantastic. Right?! Although I'm not much of a napper, when I am ready for sleep it's like a light switch. I can be on the couch, in the car, at a friend's house...when it's time for Jessica to go to sleep, nothing will stop me. And recently I've come 'out of the dark side' and switched back to my morning-person self. At first it was due to work schedules but now..my body feels that 5:30/6:00 am is go time; running, blogging, cleaning, watching the depressing news (ok - Boy Meets World),...are all among my favorite morning activities.

But back to sleeping. The zzzzz's - they're wonderful. However not always as easy to come by as we'd like, especially if we have these things called schedules, families, friends, jobs, school, errands, bills, deadlines, blah blah grossness...  :) not the family+friends part obviously. ... actually .. haha yeah the family + friends part goes in there too. We all love each other but if we're honest... c'mon.

But with these things on our mind it can be difficult to relax and unplug and let ourselves get the sleep we deserve and need. I've dabbed in all kinds of trouble with sleeping and have collected a few tricks and routines that help me unwind, relax and slumber soundly at the end of the day. When it's time to flip the light switch.

1. Liquid soothing

 

I have a soft spot for tea and before I found my love (and need) for coffee I drank it several times a day. The Sleepytime tea is one of my favorites and a frequent part of my bedtime routine. 

Another sleepytime drink that I swear by is the SLEEP by Neuro. A function drink that mixes melatonin with magnesium to help you sleep. This stuff knocks me out and I know from family and friends who've tried it that it certainly does its duty.  

2. Bedtime Yoga 

I have recently become a fan of this and haven't been able to stop just for the sake of getting in a small yoga routine on a daily basis. I found an easy routine here, welcome to any level of yoga skill on Pinterest (where else!). Nick and I have a mattress that needs serious replacing, so I can't say it's done much for my back soreness, but adding some of my favorite slow tunes music, some candles and turning off all the lights in the room and this routine helps me let go of all the day's and life's disasters, relaxes my mind, and perfectly prepares me to to curl up in bed and call it a day (if I don't fall asleep in savasana). 

3. Read a book, magazine - or your News Feed if you have to 

Just don't end your night drooling in front of the TV. I am still one of the worst offenders of this (hence I have this list) but it makes such a difference to turn of the box, brush your teeth, and climb into bed (with your steaming hot sleepytime tea) and allowing yourself at least 30 minutes for down time. 

But control yourself and try to avoid this: 

that goes for reading too :)

There are a lot of ways to help you unwind at night and find some z's. Having trouble sleeping, insomnia or night anxiety can have a serious impact on your daily life, immune system, and overall happiness. Remember that even 30 minutes can make a difference and doesn't take too much commitment. Sleep soundly and thank yourself later. 

What are some ways that help you sleep at night? Share the z's

:)