lust list

Hi loves,

This post will be brief because I have a very hectic work and appointment week AND my sister is coming into town with her family!!!! I am so excited!

lust list:

1) Parsons Desk in Lacquer white

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I am so in love with this desk I can hardly stand it!!  I love how elegant and sleek it is.

2) Louis Ghost Chairs..... BOO!

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Again, LOVE! It is so effortlessly chic and clean.

3) San Pellegrino. 

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I cannot tell you why, but lately I have been living for San Pel. It is so yummy and refreshing!!

4) Summery flowers, especially hydrangeas.

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Hydrangeas are my favorite flower, but unfortunately it is too dry for them where I live. :(

5) Sparkles. Seriously, anything shimmery and shiny. 

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I don't know what it is, but all of a sudden the sparkle/glitter gene has kicked in.

Well that is all for now dears!! I hope you all have a great rest of your week, and if I can't post before the weekend, have a great weekend too!

xoxo,

-J-

Processed to Curly: Part 4

Hi loves!!

Well it's that time of week again.  Hair update time!  I know you are all so excited, so first some pictures.

The middle/back 

I don't know what to call this, wavy? curly? messy?

the top/front

Ugh, this part is just awful.  It's straight, frizzy, dry, damaged.

Another side view

It's curly/wavy kinda.  It's just so odd and awkward.

The front.

Ugh, it's is really terrible. The roots are kinky, the ends are basically straight, and it just sticks out in all directions with no shape or style.

So this week I did the olive oil/conditioner treatment again, but let it sit in my hair for about an hour.  I like how soft and shiny it made my hair, but it also made it clumpy and greasy looking.  (One reason why I was hesitant to give it another go when recommended.)

I think it has come down to the basics of needing a good haircut and product regimen to help fix my hair.  The front is literally so fried that split ends just happen, no heat induced splitting here.  Also, the fact that my hair doesn't really have shape or style is really making me want to take hot tools to it again. But I promised you all 6 weeks of no heat, and I plan to stick to my word.  This hasn't been easy at all.  I know that sounds terribly vain, but I am realizing a woman should do what makes HER look and feel pretty, regardless of if it seems to conform to society or not.  Example:  One of my good friends has stopped wearing makeup daily and feels so much better and at ease, which is great.  But my hair, which I have never had issues with, is giving me some stress and anxiety.  So I really think it is up to women to do what makes them feel best!!  But this is a point I am just now understanding.  I always thought I was prettier with my hair curled or straight with wavy ends, but I always kind of did that because I thought that was how guys would like to see me.  I am now realizing that I like my hair "done" and ready to go at a moments notice.  I feel better physically, psychologically, and emotionally.  When my hair is "natural" or gobbiditaly goop, I am so frustrated, and it honestly takes me way longer to get ready and find something I am comfortable in to wear because I don't want to look sloppy and unkept.  Now, I realize some people like and use this look, but it is not one I prefer, or like at all.

Phew, OK, great to have that off my chest.  Now time to schedule a haircut and see if the next two weeks can actually have progress!

xoxo,

-J-

mr. warby parker

Hi loves!!

Ok so last night I received my Warby Parker(R) home try-on specs!!! Their actual lens are anti reflective, so please pardon the glare in the pics.  If you haven't checked out Warby Parker(R), I recommend doing so! Especially if you need Rx peeper helpers.  They also have sunnies!!!  Visit Warby Parker HERE!

Also, they donate a pair to someone in need for every pair you buy!  Did I mention that home try-ons are FREE?!?!! How awesome is that?!  And all of these frames AND lenses with your Rx in them are $95 each!!! Great looks for a great price with a great cause!!! Can't beat that.

Fitz

in Whiskey Tortise

Reece

in Whiskey Tortise

Langston

in Amber

(also my "normal" face, yep guess it's safe to say I suffer from PBF, permanent bitch face.)

Winston

in Old Fashioned Fade

(don't mind the MASSIVE vein popping out in my forehead)

**This was my wild card pair, I wanted to try something I typically never would.  This was that pair.**

Webb

in Amber

All the glasses have links to their respective pages.  Be sure to look at the other colors the frames come in! That is also a great thing about WP, if you love a frame but the display color isn't your fave, there are one to four other alternatives!!

As you can see, I stuck to one color scheme.  I really like their revolver black too, but I think it looks best on light haired individuals.  I am VERY pale and have dark hair, obvi I know but... Also, I am not that bold.  I am trying to go more out of my box, but I am also in the state of mind that if you know what works for you, stick with it.  However, the Reece and Langston most closely resemble my current glasses, which is nice because I know they will look good on me... but one of my reasons for wanting new glasses is more lens space, so for the moment those may be out.

Which are your favorites?  

I actually like the Webb in pictures, and the Fitz in real life.  I'll definitely be wearing these to work today to see which ones are the best!

Go get your 5 free home try-on glasses NOW!  Don't wait, they are so fun!!! 

xoxo,

-J-

PS.  I need a new foundation! And possibly some makeup lessons! EEK, line-o-rama.  Sorry loves, I'm working on it!  You would think at 24 I'd know how to put makeup on, but apparently not so much.  If you have any make recs leave them in the comment section below with your favorite pair of Warby Parkers!!!

animal style

Hi loves!!

As some of you know, I am completely and utterly obsessed with interior design at the moment.  (Well I always have been, it's just on steroids at the moment.)

In searching for fun room elements that are childishly mature, I have found so many fun animal pieces!!! Here are some pieces I love, and where I would put them!

1) Doggie Pillow from West Elm (sadly this is no longer available :(...)

link.

I think this would be super fun, and a little cheeky, in a guest room as an unexpected bed pillow.  I'd do white/off-white bedding with red pipping.  I'd also monogram the shams in quirky nighttime sayings.

2) White Lacquer Moose head & Deer head from Z Gallerie.

link.

&

link.

These would be perfect in a his/her changing room OR just outside a his/hers closet!! **Note: The deer head is considerably smaller than the moose head!!**  (There was a large deer head, but it looked to masculine to differentiate between an obvious his and hers effect.)  I would use the moose head to hang his ties and bow ties.  I'd even put a tie around his neck!  The deer is perfect for bright vintage silk scarves!  (Yes, I know female deer do not grow antlers.)  And I would place a big bauble around the deers neck.  It's a great way to display gorgeous ties, bow ties, pocket squares, vintage scarves, and big costume jewelry!

3) DIY ideas!  

  

{I honestly cannot remember where I saw/found this.  I know it was on a blog, I saved it for my personal inspiration and memory.  I am so sorry I don't have a link.  If anyone knows where they have seen this, please feel free to post it in the comments section!  **I am not meaning to intentionally "steal" this image or the idea.**}

Ok, all that aside.  I think this is brilliant for many things!!  If I remember correctly the elephant is a children's toy that was spray painted then glued to a gorgeous rock piece.  I love so many things about this.  The DIY effect, the repurposing, the mix of media, the color & contrast, and the this would work in any room of your house!! You can do this with any plastic animal toy and rock, which is brilliant because ANYONE can do this!!!  And it is very affordable.  If I had to guess this cost under $10, maybe even less if you already have toys like this lying around.  You could use this in a children's room as they out grow these toys for decor and memories.  You could use this in your office, in your living room.  I think a pair of these would be fun and whimsical as centerpiece in your dining area!

4) Rabbit door knocker from Anthropologie. 

link.

This is just too cute!! It may not "go" with anyones home, but that is the point!! It reminds me of The Tales of Peter Rabbit! I dare any house guest not too use this adorable knocker.

Well there are some fun animal pieces for the kid in all of us!  There are so many more out there, and I could post on and on about them! 

xoxo 

-J-

book worm

Hi loves!!!

This may (or may not) come as a shock to you.

I have never read Harry Potter. 

I don't know what sparked my current interest after all these years, but I am dying to read the books now!  All of them.  I have read the first book, but that was in 6th grade when I received books 1 & 2 for Christmas.  I was planning on reading 2 but it was stolen from me.  Maybe that has something to do with why I never read them.  I was so upset about the book being stolen that I just stopped.  Or maybe it was the hype over them.  I don't know.  I had friends who lived for the books, but I never put much effort into the craze.  Until now. Now I am dying to read them.  I probably will not buy them, but I will certainly check them out from the library!!!

So at 24, I am planning to read the series that, for most in my generation, defined our generation.  I am really looking forward to reading them, but also quite scared I may be let down.  (I highly doubt it, but where high hopes lie...)

I will keep you updated as I read them.  I have heard that they don't get really good until book 3, but I am hoping books 1 & 2 will not be terrible.  I don't recall book 1 being too bad, but I was 11/12 when I read it so..... Needless to say it has been awhile.

Let me know your experiences with the books! I'd love to hear about how you loved (or loathed) the series!!

I plan on watching the movies after I have read all the books and understand the language and plot more thoroughly.

Until next time!

xoxo
-j-

Processed to Curly: Part 3

Hi lovelies!!

It's that time again.  Weekly hair progress update.  I have been washing my hair with Paul Mitchell(R) products for a little 10 days now.  Which, for me, is ~4 washes.  I can with certainty say there has been progress.  However, there is so much new growth on my head, especially around my facial hairline and crown, that frizz is now a big issue.  But I am taking that as a positive, as it means my hair is growing AND becoming curly again.  Around my face and crown, I can definitely tell what a few years of straightening and barrel curling has done.  The new growth, and any out growth (About 2 inches), is kinky curly whereas the lengthy part of the strand is basically straight.  This will only change in time, and a trim would definitely aid in the re-curling process.  Near the end of this "challenge" I will most likely get a trim, but it is just not in the cards right now.

One parting tip before I go.  I was talking with a good friend yesterday about glazing or glossing my hair.  She recommended I try olive oil first.  Now in the past it has made my hair slimy and greasy.  But after shopping around for glaze to no avail, I decided to add just a tablespoon to my conditioner last night.  Let me tell you, that was possibly one of the best decisions I made!  My hair feels great, no more than great, spectacular.  I left the treatment in for a few minutes, if I had not been so tired and had a working bath tub, I would probably have let it sit for awhile longer.  My hair feels the way I remember it feeling as a child!  I am so happy, and it smells sooooo good.

I know I am far from out of the woods with this process, and will have to accept some minor hair changes.  (Your hair changes every 7 years!)  Also, I know it can change due to hormones too.  So, honestly only time will tell with what texture my hair will resort to, but I am actually enjoying this process, growing pains and all.

No pictures this week, sorry.  I had a crazy busy weekend working a golf tournament and was honestly too tired to do much else.

If you have curly hair I highly recommend adding just one tablespoon to your conditioner, at least once to try it, and about every 4th wash (2 weeks) to rehydrate strands.

xoxo,
-J-

PS. Thank you L for the tip and dealing with my stubbornness in trying to convince me to try olive oil again. 

a little bit about me.

Hi lovelies!!

I realized I rejuvenated this blog and some of you dear visitors may not understand the concept or "know me."

Here is a little background.  I am a 24-year old, soon-to-be momma, recent college graduate looking for a job/career in my field.  I graduated in December with a B.S. in Health Services Management, which honestly just means Health Administration.  Throughout my last year of school I had started a very small business, which some of you may remember.  {This business is no longer in existence but I am still able to perform a lot of the duties that came with it.}  Leading up to graduation, I had two jobs and a full school load.  What can I say, I like to be busy, busy, busy.  Upon graduating I had shifted one job to another but still maintained my part-time work with a well known preppy brand (I loved that job. So much fun!)  In mid-January I became pregnant, but didn't know until late February, after I had the amazing opportunity to work downtown at a quaint bar during Super Bowl.  (Sadly, the Indianapolis Colts were not even close to having a team healthy enough, or good enough, to play.)  After leaving this job shortly after Super bowl, I found out I was pregnant.  Let me tell you, so many things were going on in my life and in my mind at that time!  I had just moved back in with my parents.  And that alone was a fairly difficult transition after living on my own and in my own way.  I had just left the job I loved of two years, for a hopefully more open growth experience.  I was also fresh out of an interesting relationship.  SO here I was trying to cope with these fairly big things and some minor ones, when BAM! I found out I was pregnant.

Since then I have moved with my father across the country, "back home", to Oregon.  We now live in central Oregon, and it is so nice!  I found a great job quickly and have started to set up base here.  However, it hasn't been without struggle!! The first weeks here were very difficult, because I felt alone and was going through an emotionally difficult time with my pregnancy.  {This is very personal, so please if you have comments make the constructive or, kindly, keep them to yourself.}  The baby's father and I are not amicable at all currently, though I made efforts in the beginning, the relationship quickly soured.  Now we each have our own personal side to the story and I respect that maybe he was doing his best, just not in the best way.  There are a lot of personal details I will leave out simply because it does not paint the other person in the best light, and because he is not a part of my life or this blog he does not have the opportunity to defend himself or explain his actions, therefore aside from saying he is not involved, nothing more will be spoken of him.

As you can imagine, moving is a difficult process to begin with.  Moving while pregnant even more so.  So many emotions are amplified, as are the things you can't help with like lifting and carrying.  I am a helper, and a people pleaser, so for me it was emotionally difficult to not help (even though we had movers).  Then came the struggle of being, seemingly alone, in a new state and new place.  My family is from Oregon but they all live in Portland or the "college region", which spans Corvallis to Eugene.  I live in Central Oregon about 2-3 East of all of them.  So being near, but not next to a support system was hard.  My dad has been awesome throughout this ENTIRE thing, but my mom is still in Indiana.  For all of our hard times, it is difficult not having your mom near you when you are on the roller coaster ride of pregnancy.  We talk frequently, but it is not the same as having her here.  It has also been hard adapting to being a single mom.  To all single moms out there, you are the strongest, bravest women on this planet and you can truly do anything!!!

Being in Oregon has had its fair share of ups & downs, but I will never regret moving "home" ever.  I am still friends with the women that are my true friends, and no matter where we live that will never change.  I am finally getting really settled here and in my own life.  And it has been truly amazing.

Revamping this blog recently has definitely helped.  It has helped me focus on things that are truly fun for me to write about and create.  This will not become a mommy blog, but a blog of things that inspire me to create and be better.  This is my fun time and my fun space!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!!

xoxo,
-J-

Room Design

Hi lovelies!!

I hope you had a great weekend! It was super HOT here.  Bless those outdoor weddings for enduring the heat!

I have recently rekindled my love and passion for interior design.  Maybe it is due to redesigning, and nesting, in my room, but I am obsessed!  I have been using the web application Polyvore(R) to design a few spaces.  (If you want to follow my polyvore click here!)

After being inspired by assorted design blogs, catalogs, and websites, I knew I had to start "decorating" in a visual forum.  Insert Polyvore!  I had though Polyvore was only for clothes, but NO!  I did some quick browsing and found some home wares on the site. (much to my extreme joy!)

Here are a few of the rooms I have put together so far!  (These are screen shots from my polyvore, the items are from sources on polyvore)

1) Palm Desert Siting Area

2) Pastel Office

{If you visit my polyvore you will notice a third interior.  Try as I might screenshot and this particular room were NOT getting along when I was grabbing these.  So, please jump on over there if you are interested!}

My personal favorite is #1.  But I am "designing" these space for others to look at, and possibly build a small internet based portfolio.  Please feel free to leave comments and words of wisdom in the comments section!!

I hope you enjoy these little spaces!

xoxo,

-J-

Processed to Curly: Part 2

Hi lovelies!

I know you all are SUPER concerned about my hair. It's a crucial topic for a lot of women, and I honestly have never had complaints or issues with my hair... Until now.  I very rarely have I had "bad hair days" or serious salon blunders, and I know I am very fortunate in that.  But now my hair has morphed into a semi-untamable beast.  (If you have curly locks like I do, you understand every day is a new day to "tame the beast.")

Week 1 is behind me, and I've got to say, it has been FRUSTRATING!  I spent all of 10 days washing my hair with a baking soda mixture and apple cider vinegar/water mixture before turning back to shampoo and conditioner.  In the past two days I have added argon oil & a mild frizz tamer.

Baking Soda & ACV Rinse:
I've got to say, for all those advocates out there, this did absolutely nothing for my hair.  Maybe I didn't keep with it long enough.  Maybe my hair is too damaged for this routine right now.  Who knows!?! (A hairdresser probably.)  It dried my already damaged and brittle locks WAY too much for my hair to anywhere close to manageable.  My hair just became very frizzy, kinda kinky, but mostly limp and straight.  Here are some pictures of my hair using this routine:

Top 

(how awful is that?! It looks, and feels, like straw!)

Middle 

(Not too bad, still pretty frizzy and limp)

Bottom

(Oh sweet shine and body!)

Shampoo & Conditioner:

After seeing my hair the day I took those pictures, I snapped, wholeheartedly snapped.  I just want what my hair used to be back.  Maybe this is repayment for a couple years of styling twice a week.  

So, the next day I ran errands and made sure one of my stops was a beauty salon to purchase S & C.  I am currently using Paul Mitchell(R) Awapuhi Shampoo & The Detangler. These are two products I grew up using, and in silly teenage angst or whatever, I abandoned them at the first chance I had to buy "my own products."  Silly, silly me.  Sometimes mother does know best.  But I have gone back to them, and so far my hair is more manageable.  It is still unruly, but I honestly think it needs a cut. 

I have only washed twice with the S & C, but I can tell a minor difference, that I think, in time will be far greater.

*Side note: I will be doing a blog about Paul Mitchell products, and in it I will describe the benefits of both products listed above.*

Finishing Products:

I have only been using any finishing products the last two days.  One day was a wash day, the other was just a normal shower.  (Wash days are days I S&C my hair.  Typically twice a week, on non-consecutive days.  "Normal" days are days I exclude S&C from my routine, or add a tiny bit of C to the ends.)  

The products I have been using are: A sample size of Redken(R) Argon-6 & Davines(R) MOMO / fluid Moisturizing Anti-Frizz Protective Fluid.  How I use these products: I place a quarter size dollop of MOMO in the palm of my hand and add 3-4 drops of the Argon-6.  My hair is noticeably softer, and mildly less frizzy.  The hairline around my face, and crown areas, are deeply damaged, so there is still quite a halo of frizz in these areas.  However, the rest of my hair is reacting quite nicely to these finishers.  However, I may not continue with them once they are gone.  I prefer Moroccan Oil(R), and I haven't found a Davines(R) retailer where I currently live.

Hopefully, I will have some progress to show and tell about in next week's, Part 3!!

xoxo,

-J-

happy thoughts

via.

happy thoughts for this week:

1. It is FINALLY getting warm here!  Now, the weather can be quite fickle in this part of the world, but it is mostly nice here constantly!

2.  "Remodeling" my room/nursery!  And by remodeling I mean striping a horrid wall of its color and texture and rearranging the furniture.  (Blog on this process to come!)

3. Buying two very flattering, very comfortable maternity maxi dresses. It's about gosh darn time!

4. BERRIES!!! Lots and lots of berries.  That are OH so yummy!

5. Missing my pre-pregnancy clothes.  How is this a happy thought you ask? Well, I am looking forward to wearing them again.  It means I have accepted my body and my pregnancy.  Also, that I appreciate the clothes I have curated over the last few years! And I really do.  So I am excited to wear them once again!

What are some happy thoughts from your week??

xoxo
-J-

Happy Birthday America!

I hope you all have a safe and fun Fourth of July!!! Hopefully the weather is good for everyone and you get to celebrate with friends and family!

I will be working tomorrow but will have the night off to spend with my dogs and my dad.  And hopefully catch a glimpse of a firework or two!!

xoxo
-J-

Makeover

Hi lovelies!!

I recently posted about my hair trials and tribulations, and the drive to "makeover" my hair.  Well,  as I am sure you have noticed there have been a few changes around here too!  This may be a minor, short-lived ongoing process as I settle into a new name (coming soon!) and a new topical theme.  Though AOA served me well for awhile, I felt it somewhat of an obligation to fulfill the theme I had set for it.  The theme, though a very large part of me (planning, organizing, and events) felt much to contrived to really connect with readers the way I wanted to.  So going forward, this blog will be full of things I find inspirational and that I hope you find inspirational too!!

I am going to try my hardest to not make this a mommy blog, no offense to mommy blogs, I just think there are plenty of spectacular mommy blogs out there that are far better than one I could do!  However, there will be some baby/child related things, I plan on publishing helpful and inspiring tips/tricks and ramblings!

If there is a topic you would like to see me cover, please feel free to post in the comments section of any past or current posts, or e-mail me at jrude88{@}gmail{.}com with the title Blog Topic Idea.

I hope you will enjoy me on this exciting ride!

xoxo

-J-

Processed to Curly

Hi lovelies!!

I hope all is well for you all!

For my first post back I will be starting a mini-series that is to last about 6 weeks (hopefully).  Many of you may not know this, but I actually have VERY curly hair, or I used to until I started straightening it and iron curling it twice a week.

I don't know if it is because I haven't had a cute in ages, well months, or the fact that I style it so frequently, or being pregnant, or ALL of the above, but my hair is awful now!  It is so fine and damaged around my face and the top of my head but underneath is so luxurious and thick.  I swear I have at least 3-4 different kinds of hair on my head, which is entirely possible!  I know I have at least 3 types of curls on my head!  The front and top are kinky/frizzy, the middle is wavy, and the underneath is on the curlier side of wavy.

So in order to correct or help mend the damage I am putting my heat styling aids aside for 6 weeks.  One reason is what I am assuming is horrible damage.  The other is out of sheer vanity.  I have found that unless my hair is done and styled I do not feel as though I look attractive.  Ummm, yuck! I have curly hair, if I take care of it, it should be beautiful!

Also, I am trying to break the styling habit, because I certainly will not have 30-45 minutes every 3-4 days to style it with a newborn! I'll be luck to shower every 3-4 days!!

So lovelies, today I am starting a 6 week journey to healthy, natural hair.  I will update you once a week for the next six weeks on the progress of my hair!

I have stopped using conventional shampoos and conditioners for washing, at least for the next couple of weeks to rebalance my hair.  In turn, I am using a baking soda mixture and an apple cider vinegar diluted rinse.  I have used this method twice and so far my hair is softer, but much, much frizzier!  But I chalk it up to hair detox! Hahaha.  I am considering adding a Nioxin(R) product into the mix called Diamax(R).  Now I do not necessarily have thinning hair, I don't believe, but this product is said to increase the shaft size of your hair, making it more voluminous.  And since one of my main issues is the thinness around my face and crown, it may be worth a try.  I have also noticed a general "thinning" or loss of body in my hair.  This is most likely due to any chemical treatments and heat styling over the years.  So, I thought I would take a step in slowing the process.  Hey, its worth a try, right?!?  If I do begin to use this product, I will let you know when I start, and how it is progressing.  I will also let you know if I add a curly friendly shampoo & conditioner back into my routine.  It will most likely be Paul Mitchell(R), a brand I grew up using, or rather my mother used on my hair and I never stopped until those awful rebel teen years.  I could write an entire post on Paul Mitchell(R), and I may when I do re-incorporate their products back into my routine.

That is all for now loves.  I hope you have had an incredible weekend and have a safe, FUN Fourth of July!!!

xoxo,

-J-