Favorite Favorites- Warm & Furry Clothes

Lately, it has been so cold here in Florida! In the 30's with several days of rain. Some places in Florida were lucky enough to get some snow. Unfortunately, we did not get anything in Jacksonville (I cried a little). I actually am truly okay with the cold weather, as long as I am bundled up & not outside. 

With all this chilly weather, I cannot help but wish that I would have bought some cute winter clothes; but it is too late now because by the time I get it, it will be in the 70's again (Boo !). Boots, fluffy fur coats, and scarfs will definitely be added to my wardrobe for next year. 

Source

These outfits just scream comfort!! I could live in all of these outfits, especially that fur vest. If I had it, I would honestly probably sleep in it. I have been wanting these Minnetonka fringe boots for the longest time, so I am definitely going to keep an eye out for a sale on them (I will have them next year!). While summer maxis & tanks are fun...Winter clothes are truly my fav !! I love boots with skinny jeans, tons of layers, & colorful warm scarves.

So what are your favorite clothing items that you cannot live without during the cold winter?

Stay warm out there my little friends! 

A Sign From The Heavens...

Five months have passed since my Dad went to Heaven. 

When he first passed away, I got a few “signs” that I knew were from him (here). I was hoping & praying that I would always get signs from him- just to know that he was there.

Several weeks went by… I was constantly looking & waiting for another sign that I would get from him & nothing appeared… until a few weeks ago.

I was driving down the street, & was having one of those days… just listening to my favorite song (Danielle Bradbery- I Will Never Forget You) that reminds me of my Dad. I stopped at a red light & BAM! right in front of me was a license plate that said “Squeaky”. My Dad has called me that name from as long as I can ever remember… (maybe not a true "sign" but it made me smile)

A few weeks later, I was standing in my kitchen, alone, cooking dinner, when I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was the most real feeling I have ever felt; so real that I stood frozen in my place, almost in tears. I have been thinking about my Dad a lot more lately, so I knew right away that it must have been him. Just thinking about it, as I am writing this, is bringing tears to my eyes because I know what I felt that day, as I stood in the kitchen.

A few days later, I came home from work & as I walked through the door, I was taken over with the smell of cologne. The same smell of cologne that my Dad wore—I even smelled a touch of cigs in it. It smelled just like him! It was in the same exact place in the kitchen, that I got a tap on my shoulder just days before. 

I know whoever is reading this right now, is probably thinking that I have lost my damn mind… but I am telling you that this is real! I know that it is my Dad…

I have been so extremely stressed lately… And I think it is his way of showing me that that he is here with me & that everything will be okay. He would always tell me… “Nothing lasts forever Sweet Pea!”, “Just do the best you can!” and “Everything will work out”.

To some people, having "signs" from there loved ones who have passed away might creep them out; but not for me. I honestly miss my Dad so much & there are days (like lately) that I just need him... so having the feeling that he is here, honestly makes me so happy.

I love you sweetness & I miss you more than ever !! You have no clue what I would give to be able to talk to you right now. 

Friday Favorites- Fun Outfits

Happy Friday ! This week was only a four day work week, but it honestly seemed like it was 16 days. It is so weird to me that it always seems that way when there are short weeks. Anyways, I am glad it is the weekend... I have a large to-do list ahead of me. 

So this Friday, I bring to you some of my favorite little looks. I am not a fashion blogger !! These are just looks that I would not mind having in my closet; whether or not they are in style or not, I love them. 

Day: I love an outfit that is comfortable & warm (it is super chilly in Florida these days!) & this outfit screams comfort ! I really love baseball tees, so add glitter and the my favorite color ivory & I am sold !! Add an infinity scarf and some comfy sneaks & you're all set to go out to lunch & have an afternoon of shopping.  

Night: This outfit would be a good one to wear out on a date with your hubby or a night out of girlfriends. I am loving the ivory & lace peplum top. And I have always loved the look of skinny white jeans with a cute pair of flats, especially these Tory Burch ones. 

Relax: Who doesn't love a tee & sweats outfit, especially from Victoria's Secret ?! And these Nike leopard sneaks... well they need no explanation, other than, I want them now !! 

So what are some of your favorite pieces of clothing that you love to wear ?! 

Drink Up Buttercup !!

One major item on my to-do list for this weekend... is prep for a weeks worth of green smoothies. I am jumping on the bandwagon & I am honestly super excited. I have been searching for some yummy smoothies on Pinterest & I have found some good ones that I will definitely be trying out. 

Henry Happened blog was so helpful for all green smoothie information that you could possibly need. There are six smoothies that I really cannot wait to try... 

Smoothie Info.

• Banana Blueberry: 1 large banana, 2 cups blueberries, 2 cups spinach 
• Pineapple Blueberry: 1/2 banana, 1 1/2 cups pineapple, 1/2 to 3/4 cup blueberries, 2 cups spinach
• Kiwi Watermelon: 1 sliced kiwi, 1 cup diced watermelon, 1 cup grapes, 2 cups spinach 
• Banana Berry: 2-3 cups mixed berries, 1/2 large banana, 2 cups spinach 
• Melon Berry: 1 cup melon, 1 1/2 cups mixed berries, 2 cups of spinach 
• Pineapple Banana: 1 large sliced banana, 2 heaping cups pineapple, 2 cups spinach 

Smoothie Info.

I'll keep you updated on how on the smoothies taste next week... 

So what are some yummy green smoothie combinations have you tried ??

Ten Things About Me...

I thought it would be fun to a post about ten things people probably don't know about me.

1) Just looking at me, you would never think that I have six tattoos.
A heart on my wrist- for when my grandmother passed away.
The phrase I carry your heart on my wrist- my mom, sister, and I all have the same one.
The word love on my wrist written by my Dad- for when my Dad passed away.
A heart with wings on my foot- my sister & I have matching ones.
A butterfly on my lower stomach- always hidden & hard to see.
And the one you've all been waiting for... cherries on my lower back (tramp stamp baby! ha!)- got when I turned 18.

2) I do not eat gluten or dairy because of allergies.

3) I am terrified of the dark. As far back as I can remember, I have always had this fear. When I was little, I would make my mom turn my closet light on before she left my room at night. Over twenty years later, I still need a "night light" on or I freak.

4) I suffer from severe anxiety & worry about everything.

5) I love my hair, but can count on one hand how many times I have worn it down in a year.

6) Sadly, I have a mouth like a sailor.

7) My mom calls me Susie, when clearly my name is Jessica (I call her Sally & My sister is Satan).

8) I cannot fall asleep at night without my plush blanket wrapped around my neck.

9) I want to be a mom more than anything in this world (I literally plan for it, daydream about it, and dream about it).

10) I have the biggest fear of losing the things I love most in life.

When reading people's blogs, we tend to visualize that their lives are perfect. That they mustn't have any fears, struggles, or weird quirks. I must say that when I read "real" things about people, things you would never imagine about them-- it intrigues me and makes me relate to them even more.

So do we have anything in common ?!

Friday Favorites- For The Home

Happy Friday !! 

Thank goodness it is here because I don't think I could make it one more day. This weekend is a three day weekend, so that makes it even more awesome! 

I have lots of crafty projects planned for this weekend, so stay tuned next week :) 

If there is one thing that I love to do on weekends, it is shop for more & more stuff for our house. I just cannot have enough stuff. 

My husband thinks I am a hoarder... If you consider a person with a nice clean house, everything well organized , with lots of brand new beauties a hoarder; well then, I am proud to announce to the blogging world that I am a Hoarder. 

Here are some of my favorite things that i'll either be shopping for or daydreaming of this weekend... 

You cannot have enough baskets in every single room & these beauties are truly lovely. It gives all "hoarders" a place to hide their goodies without it looking cluttered. 

There are two items in my house that I hoard the most... blankets (throws) & pillows. Just to give you an idea of my love of pillows- between our bed, sectional, and sofa... we have 29. And i'll spare you the count of the blankets, they are tucked away everywhere. 

I am literally dying over this throw, but Ill have to find a look-a-like because $128 is a little pricey. 

These decorative glass votives are so beautiful. I love the gold plated on them. They would be a nice touch to a shelf or table. 

Serena & Lily had me with these Dip-Dyed Stools. They would look so amazing in our newly finished loft and a baby room someday. If I don't get my hands on them soon, well... I just might DIE! (Dramatic, I know!)

So what are your favorite home goods that you love to hoard? 

Lovely Loft

When we moved into our house, I loved that it had a loft- secretly I loved it even more because it could be a playroom one day. I knew that no matter what I wanted to keep it all neutral & cozy, with a lot of storage.

So the first thing I got was a fluffy, gorgeous white rug. I love this rug, so much that it is rare that I even let people walk on it (my family thinks I am crazy). Also snagged a super cuter, cheap version of the Anthropologie stool I was dying to have. 

Then we added some white shelves with tons of baskets and bins.

My husband put up 87893721 12 frames on the wall to create an awesome gallery wall.

Going to add more DIY canvas this weekend... 

We also changed out the standard light fixture for a pendant light. 

Then a few weeks ago, we found an perfect little sofa at World Market. It was 50% off & was such a great deal, so we had to get it!

And to top it all off, I picked up some go-to chalkboard baskets & pottery barn pillows.

I am in search for a perfect little fur throw & then it will be all completed. I honestly love the space right now. It is so cozy and gives me a place to go for peace & quiet (where I don't hear the hillbilly voices from the Moonshiners show, that my husband is obsessed with). 

While I am enjoying the clean, clutter free space... in my heart, I cannot wait for the day when I have 10 more baskets filled with toys & little babies playing on my clean, white fluffy rug :) 

Valentine's Day Goodies...

I honestly am still in shock that 2013 is over... & let's be real, the new year resolutions & new begins... well, I am still trying to start those. I will start fresh next week ;) 

So it is has been a few weeks since I took down the Christmas decorations, so it only makes sense to put up the next set of holiday decorations- Valentine's. I love Valentine's day- being cuddly with your lover, pink & glitter everything, sweet treats, & fresh flowers. 

I am definitely going to Michael's & picking up materials to make these beauties. 

Gluten free, heart-shaped rice crispy treats- I just died & went to heaven. 

Almond milk & strawberry syrup, don't mind if I do :) 

Red velvet cupcakes in a  jar- cute & yummy! 

I cannot wait to make some goodies... part of my new year resolution (add that to the million others I created- ha!) is to be more festive, so I will do just that... you wait & see. I'd say I am doing a pretty good job so far, since I have already put up some decorations- a month early. 

Print is jandpaper 

So what is your favorite sweet treat for Valentine's?! 

Friday Favorites

So I decided on Friday's I am going to do a Friday Favorites post. It will be about the things that I love, want, or just cannot live without. 

If you have read my blog before, then you know that I am obsessed with gallery walls & frames galore. If I did not have a complete utter disgust for clutter, I would literally have frames covering all of the walls in my house. 

On our gallery walls (check them out here), I like to mix it up with personal photos and different prints. Currently, every floor & room in my house has a j&paper print. The Etsy site offers unique, one-of-a-kind, hand drawn chalkboard prints. I seriously CANNOT get enough of them & basically ordered every.single.one.

You definitely need to check out j&paper & buy them ALL! You'll thank me later :)

New Years Resolutions

New Years seem to be all about making resolutions, that everyone seems to break (include me in that everyone). At the beginning of each and every year, I have good intentions on starting new & doing things differently. The problem that I have, is that I set unrealistic expectations for myself. 

So this year I am going to try and do things a little differently & have realistic goals for myself & the year ahead. 

1. Continue to stick to my gluten & dairy free lifestyle (allergies suck!)

2. Cook more meals that are out of my everyday comfort zone

3. Save more & spend less -- this is going to be the hardest one! 

4. Compromise more with my husband

5. Take more pictures of the ones I love 

6. Focus more on fun, relaxing things on the weekend, rather than making our house spotless  

7. Find a good book & read it to the end. 

8. Make working out & losing weight a priority   

9. Stop worrying & enjoy the moment 

10. GET PREGNANT -- this is going to be the most fun!  

I truly hope that 2014 is filled with love, happiness, good health, making memories, & success. 

Patience in 2014.

When I think about last year & what I would want to do differently for the new year-- the first word that comes to mind is patience. 

Since the passing of my father, I have struggled to make his death seem "real". It still seems as though, I am going to wake up one day & get a "good morning" text. I have had a difficult time, with the time it is taking me to cope; everyone says that with time, things will get easier-- they have not got easier for me. 

In 2014, I will have patience with my healing from my loss.

March 2014 will mark my four year wedding anniversary with my husband. Like all couples, we have had our ups and downs. I clean, he makes a mess. He is carefree and I am a worry wort. He lives his life day-by-day and I plan years in advance. He and I are complete polar opposite soul mates. 

In 2014, I will have patience with my husband.

My one wish for the new year, is to start a family with my husband. 

In 2014, I need to have patience and trust God's plan & timing.

I have been working on getting healthy & losing weight. To get back to my "old self"; to feel good & healthy & enjoy life.
In 2014, I will have patience with weight loss because we all know it takes 10 seconds to gain it & 10 months to lose it.

I am also determined to have more patience at work... with so many different personalities & visions, it tends to be hard at times.

I am excited to see what 2014 will bring to my life-- I am determined to be patient & just let it be.