Happy Birthday to Me! The Big 23!

http://pinterest.com/pin/68609594294768865/

Hey y'all,

Today is the day! I am officially 23 years old! It is so strange to say that. I don't have any big plans for the big day. I am going to lunch with a co-worker and have Bible study tonight but other than that I am going to enjoy a nice relaxing birthday.

It is strange to think of all the things that have changed in the past year. I graduated from Carolina, I got my first full time job, and I have had some amazing times with friends. I can't wait to see what 23 will bring!

Peace and Blessings,
jDl

WILW

Hey y'all,

I hope that you are all having a lovely week! This week has been crazy weather-wise here in the Carolinas. There was freezing rain Monday after an awful ice storm hit on Friday afternoon but yesterday and today we have been in the 60s and 70s. It feels like spring! But besides the beautiful weather we have been having I have been loving:

....that tomorrow is my Birthday!!! I am still in denial that I am turning 23, but I already had lovely festivities at home with my parents so I am not really doing anything special tomorrow.

...Apple Cidar K-Cups from Green Mountain. They are so good and the perfect way to start out a chilly morning. While I don't drink coffee, my office has a Kuerig so when I found these at Harris Teeter on sale I picked them up and I have not been disappointed.

...Old Navy. I went shopping at ON while I was home and found some really great tops that transition easily from work to a night our or for casul days. Perfect for my tiny budget.

...that I am checking out two different small groups this week. I am really excited to check them both out and find my perfect fit!

....that while work is picking up (drop/add period!) I am beginning to feel comfortable in my roll. It has been daunting considering I still haven't made the one year since graduating mark but I love helping students and can't wait to see where the future takes me.

...car shopping. I am placing a no spending band starting Friday until the end of April. This means no spending money on anything outside of rent, utilities, student loans, and groceries. I really need to be saving money for a car and while searching I have made a list of a few cars I want to check out, but who knows what I will end up with. HERE IS TO SAVING FOR A DOWN PAYMENT!

...these pins:

the most adorable flower girls

 

Source: boards.weddingbee.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Bunnies!

Source: atrandum.livejournal.com via Jessica on Pinterest

 

My Life

Source: so-relatable.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: memegenerator.net via Jessica on Pinterest

How cute would this be in a UNC pillow for my living room?

Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest

What are you loving this week?

Peace and Blessings,
jDl

Restless

Hey y'all,

I don't know what it is, it might be the weather, it might be the fact that I have a birthday this week but I am feeling really restless. I know that traveling is out of my budget at the moment (hello student loans and trying to purchase a car) but thanks to Pinterest I am starting a list of places I want to travel to in my lifetime. I know that I have been blessed to travel to a lot of places thanks to living in Germany for three years, however since then my family and I have not traveled to much. I think traveling opens your world and helps create a global appreciation of culture and more acceptance.

Here are some places that I currently have my eye on. You can see a whole lot more on my Pinterest board here.

The art historian in me loves Cathedrals.

Source: 500px.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Budapest

Source: livingpierside.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Mont St. Michel, France 

Source: delectabledesires.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Bath, England

Source: 1dropsofjupiter.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

The Northern Lights in Norway

Source: news.nationalgeographic.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Switzerland

Source: landscapelifescape.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

New Zealand

Source: travelust.org via Jessica on Pinterest

Kiawah Island, SC

Source: kiawahisland.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Do you have a to-travel list? Where is your favorite place to visit?

Peace and Blessings,
jDl

Not Your Mother's China....

Hey Y'all,

I don't know about you but I have always loved looking at china patterns. I know that I will not been seen with a registration gun picking out my future husband and I's perfect table but that doesn't mean a girl can't shop and pick out a few perfect patterns. Here are some patterns I would love to have grace my table.

Waterford Ballet Ribbon Dinnerware

Vera Wang Wedgewood Flirt Dinnerware

Mikasa® Calista Dinnerware

Lennox Scripted Platinum Dinnerware

Kate Spade: Grace Avenue Collection

Kate Spade: Larabee Road Platinum Collection

Kate Spade: Chapel Hill Dinnerware

Home Basic White Scalloped 16 pc. Dinnerware Set

Kate Spade Market Street Pink Collection

 

Kate Spade: Trimble Place Collection

Do you have a china pattern?

Peace and Blessings,
jDl

Book Club Friday....

Hey y'all,

It's official, I am the proud owner of a nook Simple Touch. I am so happy and grateful that my parent's gave me a big birthday gift so early and if you are looking for just an e-reader I highly reccomend it. It is the perfect size and allows you to add memory if you ever fill it up, not to mention it has a 2 month battery supply!!!!

So since I received my nook on Saturday afternoon, I have already read one book on it and downloaded a few more. I am very lucky to have access to the North Carolina Digital Library. It allows you to download ebooks and check them out for a various amount of time. Most of the books I have downloaded are issued for a week and then they disappear from your device. Much like a library though there are a limited amount of copies of any given book so you sometimes have to sit on a waitlist to enjoy your book but free is a whole lot better than spending your own money.

I read:

Kady Cross' The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles #2)

In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling - or dangerous.
Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her "straynge band of mysfits" have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper, hauled off by bounty hunters. But Jasper is in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade-the dangerous device Jasper stole from him...for the life of the girl Jasper loves.
One false move from Jasper and the strange clockwork collar around Mei's neck tightens. And tightens.

I actually reviewed the first book here. I loved that the book continues right where the first novel stops and loved the relationship between Finely and Griffin's development along with learning more about the character of Jasper.


I am also almost finished reading Kindred Spirits and Definitely Not Mr. Darcy (nook book) but with being gone all weekend, a dinner in Raleigh with friends, coffee with another friend and crazy weather here I have yet to sit down and finish them off. I also tried to start The Casual Vacancy but after about 50 pages I was not enticed....

What are you reading right now?

Peace and Blessings,
jDl

Make a Statement in Color.

Hey y'all,

Ever since I won the beautiful Briolette Teardrp Bib Necklace from Brighthouse Baubles on Mason's blog, I have been eyeing colorful large statement necklaces. With the chilly weather going on right now who doesn't like a large pop of color to warm up the day. Here are a few necklaces I am loving (in all price points)...

Statements by janeaustenprepster featuring a turquoise necklace

Kate Spade turquoise necklace
neimanmarcus.com

Statment Necklaces 2 by janeaustenprepster on Polyvore

Other Statements by janeaustenprepster on Polyvore

Forever 21 Statement Necklaces by janeaustenprepster featuring forever 21 jewelry

Are you obsessed with statement necklaces? Where is your favorite place to pick up a necklace?

Peace and Blessings,
jDl

Hair Inspiration

Hey y'all,

My hair routine is in a rut so I am really excited for my hair appointment this afternoon! I have naturally curly hair and I have been wearing it both curly and straight at work. This is actually the first time in years when I wear my hair down more than up. Here are some photos I am drawing from for inspiration. 

Source: pin4fun3087.blogspot.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Source: always-summer-somewhere.tumblr.com via Olivia on Pinterest

Source: csebastian.tumblr.com via Chloe on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: instagram.com via Aramis on Pinterest

Source: runningonhappiness.blogspot.com via Randa on Pinterest

And of course my style icons have some pretty gorgeous hair:

Source: harpersbazaar.com via Brooke on Pinterest

Source: longhairstyleshowto.com via Molly on Pinterest

Feel free to post images/pins in the comments for me to check out before my appointment as well as share your favorite hair products/secret tips!

Peace and Blessings,

jDl

Source: chloeroseboutique.tumblr.com via Shawn on Pinterest

Birthday Wishes: Apartment Items

hey y'all,

Since I am home spending time with my family for my weekend I thought I would post some more of my birthday wishlist. You can read about my bookworm desires here. This list though is items for my apartment. I am still settling into my apartment I still have some random items I want to decorate as well as some functional things that I think everyone needs in an apartment.

a clock
there is no clock/way to tell time between my living room, dinning room and kitchen



Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I love tea so this one is right up my alley!

Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I think this one might be the winner. It has a cute girly flare with touches of pink and green (the colors of my living and dinning room)

Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I love the summery feeling of this clock but I don't know if it is the perfect fit.

Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I just love this clock but it doesn't perfectly fit my color scheme.

a crockpot

Source: crock-pot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

wall decor

Source: target.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I would love to have these letters from Target in light blue and brown to spell out my name. They would be perfect for the wall in my bathroom.

Source: steppingoutflorida.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I need some bottles gifted to me so that I could make this.....

Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest

This is a greeting card but I would love to frame it for my desk at work. GO HEELS!

Source: target.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I love this since I love Paris!

a small tray for my everyday jewels

Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest

a cute lamp for my living room/bookshelf

Source: rosenberryrooms.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I would never turn down a Tervis...

Source: tervis.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Or some tea related things...

Source: garnethill.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: cwonder.com via Jessica on Pinterest

What are some of your favorite things in your apartment? Did I miss anything?

Peace and Blessings,
jDl