'Bout those resolutions.

Every year I'm super pressured when the talk about "New Year's Resolution" starts a happenin'. With all the things swirling around in my head for the past few months, I've been thinking about things I want to be different in 2011 since about November. I gave myself the entire month to really think about the things I'm going to change this year and what my goals are going to be. 

Check out my new tab coming up later on today for my progress, reflection, and success. 


Right now I'm going to battle the snowstorm we got today and see if I can make it to downtown Denver in one piece. 


xo . jess

I{'ve} Miss{ed} You

The weather is getting to me out here. I had a rockin' day on Tuesday at work. I was there 9.5 hours alone, it was the day of voting and the entire surrounding area had school out and lots of people were off work and after they all went voting, they came to the mall. It was nuts!
But then yesterday, the weather had dropped severely in temperature and it was rainy, and I woke up to go to work for another kick ass day and I could not wake up. All day. I even loaded up on a second bigger cup of java sometime afternoon, but I just continued to drag until the very last second of work. I came home to find Nick in the exact same state and we crash in bed just a little bit after 9pm! Although we both woke up at the exact same moment this morning, I've only gone as far as making two big hot cups of coffee, two slices of warm toast and back to bed.

I've needed a morning like this! It's my favorite way to blog. The last time I remember having a morning like this was about two weeks before my wedding. Just as much as people love getting cozy by a fire, I love getting cozy with just my computer :P Especially because ever since we've moved I've been pushed over the edge of losing all my friends to my computer. You all live in here now, since I can't just hop in my car to see you anymore, and so my connection to you via the www has become critical. 

Nick mentioned the other day that we might not be able to get internet for a few weeks once we move into our own place and I panicked just a smidgen.

But for now, everything is okay and I have more images for you. Back by popular demand from my best friend and newbie to the blogging world, Ryan I have more images of Michigan for you. This time I got to work way early one morning and walked the whole mall to see what shops we had. Well I had to show you some pictures, because this mall is just ridiculous. And I have a little picture of my store for you as well :) 

Three stories high, with palm trees, a concierge desk, and four fancy glass elevators. Look how far back it goes! 

My little store :) 

Even though I really don't want to go there today and wish today was already tomorrow which would make it my day off. Tomorrow is laundry day. Woopii. But if it's as gloomy tomorrow as it is today, I might just catch you back here tomorrow. I've had some really good ideas for some great posts lately. Things I've wanted to reflect on and some things a little more tangible than what I often post :) I've kept putting them off, because I was never in the right mood to sit and ponder, but maybe tomorrow will be the day. 

I'll need something to do while I'm waiting for my laundry to wash & dry. ;) 

I've also started my second smaller series for this month. A type of series I've not participated in, which is really odd for me, since it's all about picture hunting. If you haven't noticed it, you can check out all the themes here where I've uploaded the links to my posts that I have completed. 

I've wanted to participate in the 365 pictures challenge where you take a picture of something for a year, but again, the time isn't right yet :) And I had a blast participating in Becca's 30 day blog challenge, last month, I really want to start her 30 days challenge maybe next month :) so lot's of series to come! :P 

Hope your day is as cozy and slow as mine, 

xo . jess

Day 24 / 30 Days TGIF

Quit busting my bubble. I know it's Thursday. But weeks are cooler than yours. For me, it's Friday!


Today marks my 8th straight work day and I am pooped. But not at the same time. I had a dance party in my bathroom this morning. Oooooh yes I did!
It was fantastic! So..even though my last day off really feels like a month ago..I'm not going to complain, because surprisingly, I'm coming out of it energized, happy, and dancing!


Maybe a little sad. Technically, today is my last day off work. But then again, not technically. By the papers today should be my last day at work. But then my replacement isn't going to be quite ready  over the weekend and so I agreed to help out Sunday & Monday one more time. so come Monday..THAT will be my last day according to me physically being at work and working. But for now, it's FRIDAY! And my weekend is stacking up to be a great one. 


But this post isn't about how great my weekend is going to be.. . Sorry, no. As I'm coming to the end at F21..I'm also coming to the end of my 30 day blogging challenge that really took me about 40 but who's counting? And today is day 24. Meaning it's..


your week in great detail


(guess what comes after?)


Which is really kind of unfortunate for you, because, even though I'm not complaining about working all week long, you will be :) But don't you fret kids. I'll let my creativity play it's part so let's do this!


Thursday (a week ago - well, YA I have to start with Thursday of last week or it's not a week!)

My work week begins. Honestly, do NOT remember this day in the slightest detail. 


Friday

Got sick at work. Had to leave early. Was a little scary for the afternoon. Drank it all better with J and a few margaritas. 


Saturday

Fought with N. We had a stand off. I won. 


Duh.


Sunday

Enjoyed a mini German breakfast with coffee and the Sunday paper before work. 


Monday

Made a mistake at work. 


Tuesday 

Dina went into the hospital with a relapse of her stupid brain condition. (Blog post for another time). Everything was fine and we discussed her stylish hospital fashion by the end of the day :)


Wednesday

Remember that detailed post from yesterday? Yea...about that. 


Thursday

Is it 5pm yet??

Day 23 / 30 Days : Details

your day in great detail. 


oh boy. You ready for this? I'm not sure if I am. Once you get me started on details I could go all day long. 


I thought about the best way to go about this post in making it at least fun for you to follow along and I think for me, it's actually going to be fun, because .. well..I just established I love details and two..I already kinda forgot what I did today. There's also a slight possibility I could get a slap on the hand if I talk about work too much, but I really don't care. 'Specially not after the week I've had there. So let's see.. 


let's start with...


8:05am my alarm rings for the first time

8:10am my snooze goes off and I realize I have no actual need to be awake just yet. So I choose snooze again pull the covers completely over my head and fall back asleep. 


9:32am I get woken up by my Mario Brother's ring tone (no, seriously). It's N calling. He apologizes for waking me. I can tell hearing my asleep voice is making him miss me and I promise I'll call back when I'm awake. 


9:36am I lay back down and close my eyes but my "strict mother" self is shaking her head at me and I realize I should get up. Or at least attempt to wake myself up. 


9:45am I'm craving a soft boiled egg and toast and I'm up. 

10:00am (Try and tell me this doesn't look delicious.) nom. nom. nom.


10:08am I'm joined by my mother, the left over Sunday newspaper and my laptop to catch up on the morning blog posts collecting in my RSS feed. 


10:38am I remember my phone date with Katie, dial her number and put her on speaker so her, my mama and I can have a nice morning chat. We decide we are over excited that she will be here this time next week in person, gossip over family drama, and discuss what we can do with her wrinkled bridesmaids dress once she gets here. 

12:01pm In a slight rush to ready myself for work. Brush my teeth, wash my face, quick strokes of the hairbrush (LOVE that I get 2 full days out of my hair before greasyness appears) and lather my face with lotion. I loooooove face lotion. 


12:10pm taking way too long to do my make up. Thinking about what I'm going to wear. 


12:26pm deciding on a pink and white striped oversized sweater, grey leggings and camel colored riding boots with oversized zipper up the calve. 

12:30pm don't forget my minimum of 4 accessories! F21 dress code standard! 


12:37pm rushing to work. Making my mom laugh in the car. Realize I forgot to call N back - big whoops


1:00pm Clocking in ON THE DOT. Already dreading being there. 

2:47pm taking my first break. Enjoying my greek yogurt with honey and raisins. Missing N. 


4:04pm crisis averted. Glad I have the store to myself. 


5:02pm closing worker's take 5 - discussing my expectations for tonight's close. 


5:42pm Lunch break!! More like dinner break. Red velvet cupcake for dinner that I'm going to feel mighty full from in about 36 minutes. Cracking open the first page of The Historian. 


5:51pm already intrigued with this book. 


5:59pm scandalously texting N. 


6:07pm back on the floor. Helping customers and prepping to close. 


7:47pm realize I didn't clock back in from my lunch break. Damnit. Going to have to ask my boss for yet another time edit this week. Decide it's not my week to be on top of it and move on. 

9:21pm slide in the front seat of my mom's car. Another day closer to my last day of work. 


9:30pm not even thinking twice about devouring that piece of left over salmon and a nice helping of rice from mom's cooked dinner. 


9:31pm call N while my supper is warming in the microwave. Get received by a drunk and giggly N. Tell him I love him and hang up knowing he'll be too drunk for a good night phone call and am perfectly content with that.


9:58pm while invisible, I sneak back into the kitchen for nuked cookies and milk, jet back upstairs and plop down on my bed for my nightly House episode. 


11:30pm check my blog. Begin blogging. 


11:47pm hear a soft noise outside my window. Realize it's raining. Couldn't be more ready for bed time. 

Day 22 / 30 Days : Perfect

whatever tickles your fancy.

I've been experimenting lately. With make up. And  hair. And a little clothes. I secretly follow a couple fashion blogs and lately..I've been up for going outside of my comfort zone a little here and there with new hairdo's .. bolder make up .. and pleather leggings! :P All of us girls at work have them and we love 'em. The leggings that look like fake leather. Kinda a la Sandy from Grease. But I love them because they're instantly dressier than regular leggings and I love pairing them with my boyfriend blazer and a tank. ... anyway

VERY recently..I've made a step in the .. lipstick .. direction. And I LOVE it! I used to completely ignore my lips. I would take care of them with chap stick and such..but that was about it. Then i fell in love with the nude lip because it was easily doable with my already minimal lip care. Then a couple days ago I was in Walgreens and spent about 15 minutes staring at the berry reds in the make up aisle before I started popping off caps and doing little trials on my hand. 

I knew I wanted a red. Not a cherry red. A berry red. A beautiful dark enough red for the fall that I could minimize my morning make up routine with by just doing a minimal eye and accentuate the lip. (I'm thinking that I've learned..as in clothing it is the same for make up..if you're showing lots of leg..cover up the girls; in make up: if you're showing off the eyes..go for the nude lip)

well kids. I think I'm getting pretty good at it. And I love it more and more everyday I go with the bold lip. I was the total dork taking pictures of myself in my mom's car today while she ran into the store to grab some things. (I was so pooped from work I couldn't even get my butt to go in with her) But I wanted to show you and get your feedback on what you guys think! And when I saw that I get to tell you whatever happens to tickle my fancy today (!) I realized showing you my smoldering red lips is just going to go perfect with this post :P alright that was super dumb. I'll shut up and show you the pictures now!

Day 21 / 30 Days : For Erin

a YouTube video.

As much as I would love to be, I'm no funny girl. I suck at making people laugh and I'm the worst story/joke/anything teller walking this planet. The only person I have the ability to make laugh on a regular basis is my mama. And that's only because she loves me and probably just laughes because 1) I got my inability to be comical from her and she just gets it or 2) she feels too bad for me not to. 

So when it comes to YouTube..I would never be able to show you a funny video and wouldn't find them or view them unless someone brings them to me. Brings me into the world of funny. Not the other way around. When this girl is YouTubing..I search music videos and secretly and mostly always..scenes from my favorite movies. Love movies of course! :P And therefore..I must dedicate this post to my blogger soulmate Erin. 

We literally live in the same, nerdy, hopelessly romantic alternate universe in which we fill our days with love letters, love stories and panoramic shots of a girl standing in a meadow longing for the one man she could never have...or could she?

Erin :) This is for you.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqidX_5ZsLg

(I couldn't embed the code I'm sorry..stupid starbuck's wifi!)

Day 21 / 30 Days

a website. 


that was easy. I love love looooove Modclot.com. It's amazing. It's vintage. It's fantastical!! And makes me want to have a credit card with no limit (of course one that I wouldn't have to repay - ever!)


Unfortunately..when I visit this site..I spend my time more "picture shopping" than anything. I've never actually purchased a single item off this website as much as I would LOVE to own a single ModCloth item. But maybe soon. 


If you have never gone to the site and you love all things girly, vintage, and pretty..GO TO IT. Now, I said. K sorry. I'm so incredibly tired and literally falling asleep a little. But I didn't want to skip a day without continuing my 30 day challenge after my breather this weekend..and right now..it's still 11:32pm so technically I'll still make it :)


SO. Who wants to see my newly picked dream outfit?? Who cares if you do. I want to admire it some more!! :D
This jacket is a dream! All my inner Aubrey Hepburn I'm a ladyness would come out in me in an instant. It's such a stunning jacket. 

Underneath this beautiful soft dress. The pattern and the neckline are my favorite. ♥


Complete with the perfect girly strappy heel...

A classic accessory...

And a colorful stand out purse to complete the whole look. 


































On to outfit number dos..

 

This sweater looks like a dream. With skinny jeans and flats for a stroll around the town..

..or with a cream tank..this adorable skirt..

And the perfect riding boot to pair off a glamorous but effortless fall ensemble. 


Are you in Love yet??? 

Day 20 / 30 Days

Today I have to share with you a recipe. Mhh.. this would be much easier if I was domestic and knew how to even follow a recipe. So I've decided I'm going to share with you my all time favorite meal! For which I would easily kill for. 


Okay maybe not kill. But I would definitely, definitely bulldozer small children out of my way if need be, to get this yummy goodness into my belly. (You're laughing. I'm not joking.)
First off, of course this meal is more like a dessert. What are you crazy? Why else would it be my favorite food? :)Unfortunately for my belly and my sweet tooth, I've only ever had this deliciousness in Bavaria, Germany where you have to hike at least 2-3hours up any one mountain of the Alps to one of those cute huts on the tip of the mountain to taste the best of its kind. 


Come to think of it, maybe one of my future goals is to perfect the recipe of a kaiserschmarrn!!! 

For those of you that are going "the Hell is that?" it's like a mushed up pancake, but much much lighter and softer, and you load up the powdered sugar.....ohmigod I'm drooling all over the keyboard. It's AMAZING!!! Wanna try it? 


Here's the recipe ;) 

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup rum
• 1 cup whole milk
• 5 eggs
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, plus more for dusting
• plum preserves for serving

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine raisins with rum and let soak 30 minutes then drain.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the milk, eggs, white sugar, vanilla, and salt. Gradually whisk in the flour to make a smooth batter. Stir in the drained raisins.
3. In a large skillet melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Pour the batter into the skillet and cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until the pancake has set and the bottom is golden brown. Turn over the pancake and cook 3 minutes, or until this side is also golden brown. Using a spatula or two forks, tear the pancake into bite-size pieces. Drizzle in the melted butter and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Turn up the heat to medium high and use a spatula to gently toss the pieces for 5 minutes, or until the sugar has caramelized. Sprinkle with additional confectioners' sugar and serve with plum preserves.

Day 19 / 30 Days

I know I should have completed this challenge .. mmhhh.. about 10 days ago I think .. I definitely cheated and skipped a few days. But hey! I've done my best and I think I've stuck with it for the last good 11 days! And now it's getting close to the end. :( That's okay .. I have a feeling that I'm going to have to prep for some posts ahead of time to hold you over while I'm getting hitched, sticking my feet in the sand on my honeymoon, and driving cross country to my new home in Michigan. Plus, I've really been to start the 365 days Photo Project for months now, but I think that will be the perfect way to get my feet back on the ground and blogging (after of course I post all about the wedding, honeymoon, and move. thought I wouldn't share that with you? psshh. thought you knew me better than that). 

anyway..rambling a bit this morning..I've got day 19 to complete here people! A hobby of yours. 

well. Without being repetitive. I'm really sorry to inform you I really only have one real hobby. I wish it was more. And it is a goal of mine to take it there one day. But for now, it really is more a hobby. My photography. enjoy...