Whacky weather lately, huh? On Saturday, despite the unpredictable weather, the day was made extra bright when we celebrated Julie and Ryan's Wedding Shower with friends, family and fun bridesmaids!
I am so honored to be a part of Julie and Ryan's special day, and this weekend we kicked off the festivities!
Bridal Party!
The Happy Couple!
Her pink and black color theme carried throughout, from table cloths to pink lemonade!
JP looking like the beautiful bride-to-be
Me being a creeper winking at someone in the background
Adorbs and Delish!
The wedding shower included sweet treats, beautiful flower surprises from the groom, and fun "how well do you know each other" couples' quiz. They looked happy and relaxed and it gave the bridesmaids a chance to catch up and get to know new faces too.
Later that evening, we headed down to W. 25th to have some girls-only fun at the bachelorette party! It started with dinner and drinks in the private room at Bar Cento. *Shout out to Moira for taking care of us!* :)
OMG! JP is getting Married!
Best Bachelorette Party Gift!
After dinner, we had a whirlwind of a time at Market Garden Brewery, awkward encounters at
ABC Tavern and finished the night with an unexpected rain storm on the patio at Nano Brew. It was laughing, fun, not-THAT-obnoxious-party, time. I must say, I'm thankful that Julie is such a laid-back, witty, sweet, and go-with-the-flow gal. Call her anti-Bridezilla! Yes, I am one grateful bridesmaid (and taking notes for future reference!)
And big thanks to the co-maids of honor Gina and Emily for throwing a rocking wedding shower/bachelorette weekend! Pyaw!
Color me bad!
What was your best/most memorable bachelorette party? Have any fun/cool bridal party tips or traditions I should note for the big day? Share your positive thoughts!
Throwback Thursday: CLE Kids, Keepin It Classy Since 1992
We had just moved into our house in 1992. I'm fairly certain my Mom was trying to take a nice family photo of us in the new backyard to send relatives (see awesome matching sweatshirts, heavy bangs and beloved acid washed jeans). So per usual, my sis and I decided to be total goofballs and put on my Dad's gigantic shoes. "How's this for a family photo, Mom?" :0) CLE Kids...keepin it classy since 1992! XO, Keep JAMmin!
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:
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.
Be kind to your body, it's beautiful and the only one you get!
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
Drink lots of water. It'll make your skin prettier.
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!
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.
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...
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.
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.
You'll get big boobs.
Don't lose your sense of humor. Once a goofball, always a goofball. If you can laugh during a difficult situation, you win.
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."
You will never grow into your big feet. Sorry to burst your bubble kid, but 5'5 will be as good as it gets.
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.
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.
Fart jokes and people tripping or falling will still make you laugh 10 years from now.
Trust your intuition. Your gut will prove to be right nearly 9 out of 10 times.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
Do you ever one of those days/weeks/years where it seems to be one challenge after the next? Yep, we've all experienced that feeling! I had a few instances recently of gravity punctured by lightness. What a difference it makes to pause and bask during the moments of lightness.
I was having a deep conversation with someone about eating and nutrition habits for IBD. I suggested "to avoid all dairy products, including eggs." ....Where is that food pyramid from grade school again? ... Well, evidently eggs are categorized as dairy in my book. My silly slip up prompted a belly laugh for both of us and an ongoing joke that helps break up the challenges of combating stomach issues. Hey...
What I'm saying is, don't take yourself so seriously. Life is full of serious challenges, so relish in the moments you can laugh at yourself, at mistakes, at fear, at frustration, at adulthood.
Lighting up the laughter with some glow in the dark/neon glasses :)
Get a good laugh in when you're physically exhausted too. Like this weekend, when I spent 3 hours cursing that stubborn pachysandra I tore out from the garden and cathartic relief as I beat the crap out of the shoveled mounds to shake the dirt from the roots. Pyaw! Take that!
After a long week, I needed to start my weekend with some laughs...ridiculous, inappropriate, wholesome Cleveland laughs with Last Call Cleveland live at PlayhouseSquare!
This wasn't my first laugh-fest, in fact, I have seen the YouTube sensations and Cleveland comedy troupe, Last Call Cleveland at least four times before! From local "celebrity" impersonations, to the invasion of Asian carp, to saving Cleveland...these guys are always sure to get a chuckle and good belly laugh from any true Clevelander! Check out more of their hilarious videos on their Last Call Cleveland YouTube channel.
On Saturday, I headed out to Aurora for my college gal pal, Steph's wedding shower! The wedding shower was so elegant and beautiful! Her and her husband-to-be are fun-loving and always know how to have a good time! I had fun, laughed a lot, celebrated their happy future, and ate entirely too much!
Steph & Joey's Wedding Shower:
from top left clockwise:
1.DELICIOUS desserts and adorable party favors (wine cork keychains, I'm obsessed!)
2. The happy couple.
3. Three cheers for wedding shower gifts!
4. First ribbon break, thanks to T.A. at least one baby...
5. The beautiful flowers he surprised Steph with, how sweet!
6. Excuse me, but I mustache you a question...
T.A. and I
The Official Papparazzi for the afternoon :)
Lovely ladies!
Congrats Steph! We <3 you!
After the shower excitement, I discovered that we were JUST down the road from Aurora Farms. Naturally, I had to venture over to check out some deals...and boyyyy did I get me some deals! Let's be honest, who else gets an awesome high from sweet shopping deals?
Ann Taylor Outlet Deals & Steals!
Pretty spring cardigan!
Originally: $64.99
Priced: $14.99
Can never have too many cardigans, especially at this price!
Originally: $64.99 each
Priced: $11.99 each!!!
Gorgeous silky spring top to wear out
for Steph's Bachelorette Party Weekend in DC :)
Awww yayuhhh!
Originally: $49.99
Priced: $14.99
Nearly $300 worth of merchandise for just around $60...woooooo! Bring on the spring weather and happy colors!
Polka Dot Flats from the Gap Outlet
Originally: $34.99
Priced: $19.99
More spring colors!
The Banana Republic Outlet
Perfect for layering!
Top orginally: $44.99
Priced: $12.99
Love this color combination!
Turquoise necklace originally: $29.99
Priced: $16.99
Coral bracelet originally: $19.99
Priced: $5.99
Nearly $100 worth of merchandise for under $40! I'd say this spring shopping spree was a huge success and several hundreds in savings! Wooohoo! These warm colors make me so happy! Hope you had a wonderful weekend in CLE too!
How do you laugh off a long week? What's your favorite wedding shower tip or treat? Where do you go to get awesome spring deals? What trends are you looking forward to wearing in CLE this spring?
It's Hump Day! Almost to the weekend! I've been down for the count with a nasty flu bug for the past week. So now that I'm making a bit of a recovery and we're halfway to the freakin' weekend...how about 6 silly pics to make you smile :) Enjoy!
Have you heard? The Transformer Station in Ohio City is now OFFICIALLY open! Woohoo! As an art-lover and Cleveland history nerd, I was thrilled to learn that the Cleveland Museum of Art would be opening a "satellite" branch, so to speak, on the west side.
The opening exhibit, "Bridging Cleveland" by Vaughn Wascovich was the perfect choice of beautiful artwork to "bridge" the rugged industrial history of Cleveland to modern day art housed in a restored industrial facility. Rust belt chic! "The Transformer Station was built in 1924, and is one of sixteen
substations built by Cleveland’s one-time private transit provider, the
Cleveland Railway Company. The substation converted power for the
Detroit Avenue Streetcar Line, which carried 19 million riders annually
at its peak"(source).
Innerbelt Bridge
See what I mean? Eerily stunning. Raw beauty. Cleveland captured. Bridging our past to the present day.
my favorite!
CLE love!
You should totally check out the Transformer Station in Ohio City, if you haven't already. It's a treat to have such a reputable arts organization now on the west side! Appreciate CLE beauty and art, both past and present!
After checking out the exhibit I headed over to Battery Park Wine Bar for some dinner and a glass of vino with my Mom! I'll tell you what, a girls night with your mom as an adult is thebomb.com! I'm lucky she's awesome, and hilarious!
cotton candy winter sky!
As we made our menu choices, my Mom noticed the catchy pop culture company menu tagline. YOLO. Of course, she wanted to know what it stood for. "You Only Live Once," I told her. She loved it. She then dropped the best knowledge bomb dating advice a mother could possibly offer and it went like this, "Jessie, you're mature for your age. Don't date anyone under age 30, because they're all just a bunch of pant-peers. YOLO."
I nearly fell out of my chair laughing. Man, I love her. Yes, crybabies, please keep it moving!
Battery Park Wine Bar
Grape, camembert cheese, pesto, & balsamic reduction pizza...YUM!
Our delicious menu choices!
Battery Park Wine Bar
Stuffed grape leaves...always a big fan
We had a wonderfully good time and I was home and in bed by 9pm. Sometimes, those are the best weekend nights!!!
Pancakes, baby, yeah!!!
I started off my Sunday early and grabbed brunch with my besties and nieces. Seriously, I can't get over how quickly they grow after each week that I see them. They always bring me back down to earth, and really remind me of that "YOLO" theme. The world is their oyster! (...or chocolate chip pancake for that matter!)
Open wide!
Sharing is caring! And these little love bugs always brighten up my day! They are officially becoming big girls and even using fancy utensils. Haha.
Get it, Chloe!!
Got the sassy smile down, sister :)
Post-brunch with the babes... I headed out to my sister's for her annual Super Bowl Party. Everyone brought their favorite Pinterest recipes (yes, finally made something we pinned!) I meant to take a picture of all the pinned party apps...but let's be honest, I hoovered that stuff down! Gina's Slow Cooked Pulled Chicken Sliders were a HUGE hit. Get the recipe here! And follow her BeautyFoodie finds on Pinterest.
Hahahaha!
As we chowed down, cracked jokes, soaked in the creative advertising during the commercials, and (semi)-watched the game, all of us girls were anxiously awaiting Beyonce's stellar redemption half-time performance. And seriously she worked it. <so much she blew out the stadium power, flipped the "off switch" from all those Bootylicious moves, insert the endless punchlines you read on social media during the power outage> As the guys all yelled at the TV because of the game delays, compared stats and checked their squares...we cheered... GO TEAM BEYONCE!
Left to right: Kayla, Gina, Jenna, me, Gizelle and Donna (Julie, pictured in spirit)
Go Team Beyonce!!!
Did you dig the Beyonce/Destiny's Child performance? I wish I could rock a Super Bowl dance routine/performance post-baby like that. YOLO, right? Work it, girl!
And in case you live under a rock...catch the 2013 Super Bowl Halftime Performance here! How did you spend your Super Bowl Sunday? Have you been to any of Cleveland's awesome new art exhibits? Share your thoughts! And keep JAMmin!
