26 Things I'd Tell Myself On My Sweet 16

So, two of my blogging beauty gal pals recently wrote posts about things they would have told "their younger selves" Sarah from Our Journey recently wrote this awesome post called "20 Things I Would Tell My 17 Year Old Self" and Katie from Call Me Trouble wrote "25 Things I Know (or Don't) Before I Turn 25" I LOVED their lists and thoughtful advice!

Welp, today is my last day of being 25 and I took the day off work and I'm being a bit nostalgic. I remember the day before my 16 birthday (scoff, a whole decade ago!) and how I literally was going nuts to turn 16 and "be an adult..." Oh, Lil Jessie! So, inspired by these other ladies' posts, here are 26 things I learned the past decade that I wish I could have told myself on my sweet 16:

1. I know you're jazzed about getting your license, but be careful. A garage door opener will prove to be your nemesis (swear to God), you'll wreck your Mom's car, and have some serious issues about reversing for the next 10 years. Don't worry, you'll get a sweet car eventually with a back-up camera and your reversing/parallel parking skills will significantly improve. You'll laugh at this story someday.
2. Be kind to your body, it's beautiful and the only one you get!
3. Liking school and loving to learn IS actually cool. The guy you're dating now and a couple after that will tease you about it, and you'll try to hide your bookworm tendencies. Own it. Being smart IS sexy and eventually you'll believe it and find a man who loves this about you most. 
4. I know you've missed your sister while she's been away at college, but you'll get the chance to live with her again.
   
   

   

   Halloween '10

   It will be fabulous and your relationship will grow closer and it will be some formidable years as a young adult.
   
   
5. Keep writing. You've been writing short stories and poems and essays. Be thankful you've already discovered this passion that will stick with you. Keep writing. It will serve you well in college and in your career. Keep writing.
6. Your family will heal itself. This is a really tough time for you and the whole family, I know. Next year, things will start to get better once Dad has his first surgery. It will be a rollercoaster, but it will get better and your family will heal and become stronger and closer. Which leads me to my next point...
7. Family first. I know you think your friends will always be there for you, but most of them will lose touch with you or grow in other directions or turn out not to be good for you. So appreciate your family and always put them first. Stop being a little wiener.
8. Drink lots of water. It'll make your skin prettier.
9. Your dance moves will only continue to improve...
   
   

   

   From the freshman year lean back belly rub...

   

   To the senior year hair swing raise the roof!

   
   
10. Your empathy is your best quality and worst quality, choose wisely. You have a kind heart and feel for others, but don't let them take advantage of you. You're extraordinarily loyal, but don't lose a sense of self by trying to help others solve their problems. Help others who help themselves.
11. Stop obsessing. Your mind is like a hamster on a wheel, always spinning. Your thought habit of worrying and catastrophizing scenarios in your head are useless. So stop now...
12. Okay, so you didn't listen about worrying about things that will most likely never happen... Now you have to deal with anxiety. And that's okay too. It will not kill you--it may feel like it will in the moment, but I promise the panic attack will subside. "This too shall pass" will become your fateful mantra, so learn to love it and live it. 
13. You'll forgo a high school graduation party in exchange for a trip to NYC to celebrate your graduation and 18th birthday with your sis. Great decision.
    
    
    It will be an adventure and you will meet a guy and it will be a whirlwind romance. Bet you didn't see that coming! But you'll learn a lot and what it feels like to be treated like a lady and develop a special place in your heart for NYC.
14. You'll get big boobs. 
15. Don't lose your sense of humor. Once a goofball, always a goofball. If you can laugh during a difficult situation, you win.
    
    
16. I know you're rolling your eyes at your Dad's advice now, but seriously, the guy's a trained clinical psychologist, and has got some years of life experience. "Push yourself. Don't take anyone's shit. Remember your breathing. Count your blessings. Say your prayers. Keep your spiritual light on."
    
17. You will never grow into your big feet. Sorry to burst your bubble kid, but 5'5 will be as good as it gets. 
18. There will be a monster hurricane that hits New Orleans as you begin your first week of college. It will haunt you and nag you. You'll write a paper about it, and become committed to finding a way to help. You'll get to the chance to go down there and build a house.
    
    
    
    
    It will forever impact you and open your eyes to the tremendous poverty, need, passion and resilience that the people of the Gulf Coast have in our own country. Be thankful.
    

    

    Miss Carolyn here personally knew 44 people
    who died in the storm
    yet had the most jovial spirit of anyone I've ever met.

19. Be authentic. Being yourself will make you far happier than trying to fit in or being someone you're not. It will help you navigate many future interactions and life decisions.
20. Fart jokes and people tripping or falling will still make you laugh 10 years from now. 
21. Trust your intuition. Your gut will prove to be right nearly 9 out of 10 times.
22. Everyone grieves differently, be kind to yourself. Haters gonna hate. This will be a tough lesson for you to learn after you lose one of your best friends but will make you stronger.
    

    

    Remember his love and light and laughter

23. Your Mom always encouraged you to appreciate the simple beauty, the awe of nature, the creativity of art, and the magnificence of ancient architecture. It sounds corny now, but you will come to realize what a wonderful appreciation she passed along to you.
    
    
24. The girl you met on your first day of high school is your homegirl by age 16. She's a good egg and will stick by you through the best of times and worst of times. She'll still be your best friend 10 years later and many more to come.
    
    
25.  You'll start a blog when you're 24. It will revolutionize your world and finally give you another learning challenge post-schooling. You will make amazing friends, push yourself to be more adventurous, satisfy your hunger to begin creative writing again, and have awesome opportunities along the way.
26.  Your journey is unfolding exactly as it should be. Reread that once again. One you believe in this, your entire world will open up. Keep JAMmin!
    
    

Weekend Recap: Holidays, Birthdays, Food & Fun in CLE!

This weekend was a busy one! So much to do and so much to celebrate!

I kicked off my weekend by meeting some of my blogging gal pals, Jen and Sarah, for dinner at Deagan's in Lakewood. I got the mac & cheese (with gruyere, bacon, peas, chives)... I got mine without the bacon since it was Friday but it would have been tastier with the saltiness in it. The ladies and I had an awesome time chatting and they shared with me some very helpful blogging tips. I admire their styles of writing and years of dedication to the craft...thanks to these blogging beauties for the inspiration and insights :)

Blogging Beauties: Sarah from Our Journey and Jen from WhyCLE

After dinner, I headed over to 78th Street Studios in Detroit-Shoreway. The venue bills itself as largest fine arts complex in NE Ohio with over 40 retail galleries, studios, and other creative spaces all under one roof. And I've been dying to check out their monthly event which allows visitors to meander and explore the countless galleries.

Click here for more info about Third Fridays at 78th Street Studios.

The event was PACKED with people of all ages checking out the creative spaces. From ceramics, jewelry, paintings to installations, there was something for everyone to enjoy and appreciate. I'd definitely go this event again, especially when I am on the hunt for a one-of-a-kind gift!

On Saturday, the whole familia saddled up at our favorite restaurant, Bruno's, to celebrate my Gram's 86th birthday! The heaping portions of pasta, flowing olive oil, and heavenly tiramasu only added to the delicious meal and happy celebration!

 

Happy Birthday, Gram!

Like mother like daughter ..hope I inherit your good genes :)

After dinner we met up with friends to continue the birthday celebrations! Happy birthday, Ryan and Danny!

 

 

 

Awesome photo bomb, birthday boys...thaaanks

Sunday, I welcomed one of my favorite Cleveland holidays, St. Patrick's Day! (Yes, I am half Italian and half Irish...can't you tell?!) I started off the day with this little adorable nugget...meet Chloe!!! Kayla's newest addition :) I am obsessed with her!!!

 

Then we grabbed some Conway's Irish Ales and corned beef sandwiches at McGinty's in Lakewood and listened to some Irish JAMs.

 

 

And I ended the green holiday festivities taking in this sightly view of the Terminal Tower lighting up Cleveland with the luck o' the Irish!

How did you celebrate St. Patrick's Day? What's your favorite CLE family restaurant? How do you celebrate your family's heritage?

Sweet Treats at See's Candies

Last week, I was invited to attend one of the sweetest events in CLE! See's Candies recently opened their doors at Beachwood Mall.

See's Candies Media Preview Event at Beachwood Mall

Bring on the chocolate!

I was delighted to indulge in my favorite guilty pleasure... chocolate!!! Who doesn't love chocolate? I mean...c'mon. Savory chocolate displayed in pristine white glowing cases... ginger, almond, raspberry, butterscotch cream...the fillings and flavors were endless!!!

Since 1921, they've been serving up these preservative-free, wholesome chocolates (since all that high fructose corn syrup yuck wasn't used 90 years ago, they stuck with the GOOD stuff!)

Read more about See's Candies rich history here!

With See's Candies delivery service and early establishment  in the fine chocolate business, it became a favorite amongst early Hollywood stars, including the beloved Lucille Ball of "I Love Lucy." As the story goes, Lucy loved the chocolates so much that she wanted to film an episode at  See's chocolate factory.  Little did they know it would become one of the most infamous and favorite scenes from "I Love Lucy."

 Click the image to watch the famous chocolate assembly line scene

So the folks at See's Candies Beachwood shared the neat piece of history with us and then "dared" us to compete on our own assembly line of chocolates as Lucy! They taught us how to properly cup the chocolate and package it (to Lucy's credit--it is harder than you think!) Then everyone raced as teams with hairnets and paper hats on full display :)

Thankfully, we were all winners that night despite our packing skills!

See's Assorted Chocolate Truffles!

 

"Giant chocolate Easter bunnies? Yes please!" Gina

My sis and I had SO much fun at the event. From the retro vibe checkered floors, to the rows upon rows of chocolates, to the fun activities throughout the evening--we left there with sugar highs and wide smiles :)

Super Sweet See's & Sisters!

So to all my crazed cocoa-loving Clevelanders...head on over to Beachwood Mall (in the center court second floor) to scoop up some chocolate Easter bunnies and other favorite treats at the legendary See's Candies! Three cheers for chocolate!


***Disclosure: I was invited as a Cleveland blogger to this store opening preview event. I was provided a bag of chocolates and samples by See's Candies. All opinions and thoughts expressed are 100% my own.***

Ohio Blogging Association Meetup: Chocolate & Wine Divine Time at Whole Foods!

This week, I attended my first Ohio Blogging Association event at Whole Foods Cedar Center and it was spectacular!! After blogging for just over a year, it was time for me to spread my wings and venture out to meet more bloggers in the the great land of CLE.



Solid lineup!

Here are the top 5 reasons why it was fab and I DEFINITELY will attend more OBA events!

1) Chocolate. Okay, I should just stop here. Tell me there's chocolate, and I'm in! As I've said in previous posts (JAMinCLE Goes to SEA & Surround Yourself Only With Those Who Lift You Higher), chocolate is totally the way to a lady's heart. And this meetup was a chocoholic's dream! All the delicious treats were provided by one of my favorite chocolate shops in CLE, Sweet Designs!

Chocolate covered goodness!

2) Learned something new. As a curious cat and life-long learner, I am always excited to hear peoples' stories, see new perspectives, gain new insights, and learn new tips and tricks. We were lucky to have Ines Rehner, owner of Sweet Designs, there to spread her chocolate knowledge!


Ines Rehner, owner of Sweet Designs, teaching us all about CHOCOLATE :)

She really helped explain the different processes and the care that goes into hand-crafting superb chocolate. The best part was when we got to try these heavenly chocolate covered strawberries and she taught us the most critical chocolate covered strawberry life saving tip...cut it in half! Yes, have you ever bit into a chocolate covered strawberry only to have the tasty shell break and fall off, onto your lap? Doh! Don't worry, you're not alone. I tried her recommendation, and sure enough...no shell slippage! Just sweet, strawberry, chocolate goodness with each bite!

That's what I'm talkin bout!

3) Wine. And yes, I certainly like to indulge in a glass of good vino (or two..) But this was no ordinary wine....

Oh my!! Enough said...

4) Prizes & giveaways. There were so many fun prizes and giveaways. I scored some awesome Robot Valentines (don't be surprised if you get some robotic love this year...) My favorite was a complimentary parting gift... a gift certificate for a half pound of chocolate, courtesty of Sweet Designs...woowee thank you!


WhyCLE, Our Journey, me, SmittenInCLE

5) Making new friends. I was so happy to meet and make new friends at the event-- young professionals who are engaged with Cleveland's culture, events and activities and actually have a positive message to share about our city and lives here! People can often be quick to give CLE a bad rap, but these lovely ladies (and all the other bloggers I met there) choose to look on the bright side and bring out the positive in CLE...my kinda gals :) I was so grateful to be invited to join the Ohio Blogging Association event and look forward to going to more, hanging with new friends... and a few pounds of chocolate over some wine never hurt either! Cheers to chocolate! And keep JAMmin!