A Glimpse Into My Weekend

Hey y'all,

It's officially birthday week! I can't believe my birthday is so close, this month has truly flown by and we are almost in February! CRAZY!

Anyway, I though I would share a bit of my weekend through some photos.

1. Friday I unexpectedly got a call to babysit and after watching Lilo & Stitch 2 I allowed the twins to watch Let It Go on my computer before they went to bed. I mean, who doesn't love listening to Disney music before bedtime?

2 & 3. Saturday I hosted a wine, cheese and cupcake gathering at my place to celebrate my birthday with some friends. It was a great night of catching up, eating good food and playing the birthday quiz game. It asks for questions like "If Jessica was a state what state would she be?" and "What is Jessica's spirit animal?" It was a lot of laughter and a relaxing night in. I even was able to see MScott (on the left in the photo) who was in town from Grad School in VA! 

4. On the way home from Church before the party Saturday I caught this picture of the sunset while at a stoplight. I mean how beautiful is that?

5. Sunday wrapped up with watching Downton with my roommate while we sipped tea and painted our nails.

How was your weekend?

Weekend Update

Hey y'all,

If you were like me and had yesterday off I hope you enjoyed the long weekend, for those of you that were hard at work yesterday I hope you were able to take a moment and relax remembering MLK and his acts of service. Since it has been a really long time since I did a we into my life. thought I would share a glimpse into my life. Sorry if it is too long!

Thursday night, I opened my mailbox to find this:

It says "I have my mister...but I need my sister...Maid of Honor?" Yep, I am officially in Jenn's wedding this August! If y'all are wondering about the lamb, it is our sorority symbol and all of us bridesmaids were in PBX together.

Friday I was in a funk at work and was really glad to be home with a long weekend ahead. After deciding to do stretches instead of hitting the gym I ate the last of the beef stroganoff I made for my book club. Around 7pm I headed over to Top This to have dinner with Traci, Jordan and Melanie and no I am not a Hobbit eating twelve meals a day, I just had a small salad. It was such a needed time to catch up and celebrate Melanie's pilot's license! We headed down Franklin Street to grab some Gigi's cupcakes. I might be in the minority but I am not the biggest fan of Gigi's. I think the ratio of icing to cake is wrong and the cake itself was on the dry side. We then headed to Traci's place to watch Just Friends. It was a great start of the weekend and I was able to get to sleep by 11pm which ever since the new year my sleep schedule has been wonky and I figured MLK weekend was the time to reset.

Saturday began with reading in bed until noon. I then get ready to head to Raleigh to spend some time with the lovely bride-to-be Laura at her Bridal Shower.  It was a great shower filled with lots of joy, laughter and a few tears. I can't wait to watch her walk down the aisle in less than two months! 

After the lovely shower it was home to relax and watch some of  the Smuckers Skating Spectacular (and re-watch Gracie Gold's Nationals performance)and then head to church. The sermon was all about discerning God's path for our lives.

And since it had been an emotional few days I decided to make spaghetti sauce at 8pm. Yep, I cook when I am stressed.

Sunday began a bit later than usual since the family I babysit for did not need me, I still helped out at the church nursery and then headed home. I was able to squeeze in lunch, a trip to the local Aldi's for some produce and then head to the dealership in Raleigh for my car's 10,000 mile service. 

Waiting Rooms are for planning and reading.

After heading back from the dealership I met up with some co-workers to catch Frozen at the local discount theater. Yes, it was my third time seeing it and yes I still got tears in my eyes near the end. Let it Go still never gets old.

The rest of Sunday was filled with Downton and Sherlock like any good anglophile would enjoy. I also was able to pick out a few options for the bridesmaid dresses so that is one more thing off of Jenn's list.

Monday. Since I had the day off for MLK, I did nothing until 4pm Monday, yep, all I did was watch daytime-tv, do some chores, and read. Around 4pm I emerged from the apartment to head to the gym and then grab dinner before small group. Small group was very chill since we really just wanted to love on one of our leaders who is going through some rough times. So sweets and a chick-flick it was.

And now I think I am getting sick so it is plenty of fluids and medicine for me.

Any big plans for y'all today? 

Last Week's Shenanigans....

Hey y'all,

I HAVE A NEW LAPTOP! Yep, I am officially back to the blogging world and I am so excited to share with y'all about what has been going on. This past week has been chock full of lots of things and I would love to share everything. *warning: lots of photos ahead!

Last Friday my parent's were in town since they were amazing and when my little sister and I started to plan for a birthday celebration including Beauty & the Beast when it came to the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) they asked if they could come and we said it was ok! So after work I ran home to get ready and wait for the family to arrive. We headed to the American Tobacco Road area for dinner and ended up at Tyler's Tap House. 

 yummy blue cheese chips to start.

herb chicken sandwich and garlic fries

After dinner we decided to take a stroll around the American Tobacco area before heading over and since my Mom had just gotten her iPhone that week so it was a chance to have an impromptu photo shoot and help her learn the settings on her phone.

with the birthday girl/baby sis

selfies with daddy

Then after our photo shoot outside we might have taken a ton of photos in the lobby before they opened the doors for seating.

And the photos continued inside as we waited for the show to start. I must say, thanks to my parent's for our amazing seats and a great night of broadway. The show was great and I might have been lip synching to all the songs since Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney movie. I mean, its kind of obvious that Belle is awesome and as a bookworm, who wouldn't want the library?

After that fun filled night you would think the weekend would calm down, but, I spent Saturday morning at Deb's Powderpuff Playoffs, it is the annual event held by PBX in honor of the former Faculty Advisor/current house mom who is a breast cancer survivor. 

The really old Powderpuff shirt I have.

One of the games: PBX vs Phi Mu

What was at stake. 

I mean who wouldn't want this trophy.

What was really great was my second little, mGk surprised me and showed up to the event. It was great to spend some time together and we even got a bib/little picture, our last before cFm found out her little (reveal is next Saturday).

It was a great event and I am so proud(as always) of my sisters putting on a wonderful philanthropy event. The money raised went to an organization that helped Deb in her time of treatment, Get Real and Heel.

Sunday was spent babysitting, cleaning, going on a date at the Duke Gardens and then unwinding with dinner before a Monday full of Chaos!

Monday was deadline day for work and then I left to grab my best friend, aMl, headed to Chick-fil-A and went to my small group before calling it a night. Tuesday was an exciting day for the bestie (I will reveal more later) and I was able to leave work a whole hour early due to dropping her off at the airport. As usual for our lives we promised to grab a picture while she was visiting but during those 24 hours I got a picture instead of the Dickey's BBQ we grabbed since she needed a BBQ fix before she was back to DC since they apparently can't make good BBQ (especially NC style though VA is a neighboring state). 

The rest of my week contained lots of Dayquil since I am battling a cold and then Thursday I did dress up for work for Zero Dark Thursday. 

And, eCs had a similar thought that morning since we were unintentionally twinning (yes people asked if we planned it since we are really good work friends).

Friday was employee appreciation day at Carolina so after free breakfast, lunch and a new water bottle I headed to BestBuy to purchase the laptop I am currently using. 

That was my week in a post, how was your's?

 Have you seen any Disney shows on stage?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Hey y'all,

This week I'm loving...

...little L finally arrived. My cousin was induced Monday night and we finally have a new member of the family. I can't wait to meet this little guy but he just so happens to live on the other side of the country. :( I guess I will have to live with pictures and my parent's seeing him this fall.

.....FINDING DORY! Yesterday's announcement that Finding Dory will be happening makes me wish I had a planner for 2015 to mark down a movie date in November.

....my Big, sCa. Today is Big Appreciation Day for my chapter. It comes around at the end of every semester as a reminder of how special the bond between Big and Little are and how much we appreciate the guidance and support that comes from our Bigs.

My great-grandbig, my big and I at Mother/Daughter Brunch circa Fall 2009.

little #2 mGk and her little (glittle #2), kBm posted these on my facebook for Big Appreciation so I thought I would share.

....this list I saw on Erin's page. I think we often get too tied up in this world.

via

....a new Bible reading plan. So I tend to stop most devotionals/reading plans and it can be a real problem but my church handed out bookmarks with a reading plan for the Gospels and so far so good. You can read along as well, here is the plan.

...these pins

via

via

via

via

via

via

What are you loving this week?

Peace and Blessings,
jDl

My Obsession Monday: Disney

Hey y'all, 

This week's obsession is DISNEY! Especially after going to see the adorable movie, Brave, this past weekend I am proclaiming my second name, Disney Diva. When I was little the only TV I was allowed to watch was PBS and Disney movies so I have some favorites like Beauty and the Beast, Tangled, Hercules, and now Brave. 

Some things that qualify me to be a Disney Diva are having over 11 hours of Disney music on my iTunes, going to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D for my 22nd Birthday, getting Disney movies for my Birthday (hello Hercules and Mulan), watching just about every Disney movie(see the bold ones on this list:)

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Pinocchio(1940)

Fantasia(1940)

Dumbo(1941)

Bambi(1942)

Saludos Amigos(1942)

The Three Caballeros(1944)

Make Mine Music(1946)

Fun and Fancy Free(1947)

Melody Time(1948)

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad(1949)

Cinderella(1950)

Alice in Wonderland (1951)

Peter Pan (1953)

Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Sleeping Beauty (1959)

One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

The Sword and the Stone (1963)
Mary Poppins (1964)

The Jungle Book (1967)

The Aristocats (1970)
Bednobs and Broomsticks (1971)

Robin Hood (1973)

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)

The Rescuers (1977)

The Fox and the Hound (1981)

The Black Cauldron (1985)

The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

Oliver and Company (1988)

The Little Mermaid (1989)

The Rescuers Down Under (1990)

Beauty and the Beast (1991)
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Aladdin (1992)

The Lion King (1994)

Pocahontas (1995)
Toy Story (1995)

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
101 Dalmatians (1996-people)
Muppet Treasure Island (1996)
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)
Hercules (1997)

Mulan (1998)
Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998)
The Lion King II: Simbas Pride (1998)
A Bugs Life (1998)
Tarzan (1999)
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Fantasia 2000 (1999)
Dinosaur (2000)
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000)
102 Dalmatians (2000)
The Emperor's New Groove (2000)
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Return to Never Land (2002)
Cinderella II:Dreams Come True (2002)
Treasure Planet (2002)
Brother Bear (2003)
Piglet's BIG Movie (2003)
Atlantis:Milo's Return (2003)
Finding Nemo (2003)
Home on the Range (2004) *not my favorite
Mulan II (2004)
The Lion King 1 1/2 (2004)
The Incredibles (2004)
Chicken Little (2005)
Lilo and Stitch 2:Stich Has a Glitch (2005)
Pooh's Heffalump Movie (2005)
Kronk's New Groove (2005)
Brother Bear 2 (2006)
The Fox and the Hound 2 (2006)
Bambi II (2006)
Cars (2006)
Enchanted (2007)
Meet the Robinsons (2007)
Ratatouille (2007)
Cinderella III: A Twist in Time (2007)
Little Mermaid III:Ariel's Beginning (2008)
Tinker Bell (2008)
Bolt (2008)
Wall-e (2008)
The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure (2009)
Up (2009)
Tangled (2010)
Toy Story 3 (2010)
Winnie The Pooh (2011)
Cars 2 (2011)
Brave (2012)


I even got to go to Disneyland after my High School Graduation.

Hanging out with the Beast: Disneyland 2008

Hugs from Mickey Mouse!

And yes my Princess ears with tiara and veil  has my name embroidered.

Brave kept up my expectations of Disney. The story of a teenage girl rebelling against expectations in order to changer her fate isn't that far-fectched. The story is all about finding one's own path and changing fate through one's own actions rather than following the expected. While not a traditional love story and no unrealistic expectations of hair I recommend Brave highly if you are like me and love Disney movies.

Crazy Irish Curls...

Wild Curls at Formal 2011

What have you been obsessing over lately? Favorite Disney movie? 

Peace and Blessings,

jDl

WILW {June 20}

Hey y'all,

On this first day of summer I'm loving....

....spending time by the pool. It was the perfect day to lounge on a pool bed and read during the afternoon.

...that I bit the bullet and ordered the Erin Condren life planner. Now to wait until it arrives. I think it might kill me to wait that long.

...the Lifeguard Press Lilly Pulitzer stickers. This would have been perfect if I was still in school so I am going to buy some of the sorority sheets and some of the academic ones and send them up to my sorority family to use in their planners. SO CUTE! There is even a family themed one here.

Lilly Pulitzer Academic Sticker Set

Lilly Pulitzer Greek Sticker Set

....while on the Lifeguard Press website I  rediscovered my love of these Jonathan Adler Die-cut notepads. The second I get a job and desk to decorate these guys are going into my cart for purchase. They are so cute and a great way to jot down a note and decorate a desk.

crab

whale

elephant

fish

also look at these adorable magnets. They are perfect for my Lilly magnet board.

via

...that Disney/Pixar's new movie Brave comes out THIS FRIDAY! As a Disney lover, a girl with some Irish heritage and the fact that I studied Celtic Art, this is the PERFECT movie for me.

....SWAPS. I love the blog swaps I am participating in as well as looking for the perfect gift for my partners. Its a great way to find new blog reads and have lots of fun creating mini gift baskets. I'm thinking about hosting a school supply swap. I personally love finding cute school supplies and I think it would be great to host one in July/August so people could have an adorable "first day of school" gift filled with cute and useful items. Thoughts? Anyone want to co-host?

What are you loving this week?

Peace and Blessings,

jDl