summer to go.

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

---

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

dear diary, i need an update.

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 :)

happy birthday, mr. ray.

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.

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.

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

:P

I freaggin love my italiaaafamiliaa :))

xo . jess