absence

Sorry for the recent absence.  I have not been really feeling myself and there have been lots of things going on.  I am hoping to return to regular posting in the next week or so.

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

via.

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!

via.

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

3) San Pellegrino. 

via.

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.

via.

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

5) Sparkles. Seriously, anything shimmery and shiny. 

via.

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.