Droolin’ for {Druzy}

I have once again been inspired… by shiny objects… on Instagram.

Do you see that beautiful amethyst rock on the simple red band? I want it.

Now, I’m not one for arm candy. I have one, silver bracelet that I wear on my left wrist. My mom and I both have it and I have not taken it off in over 5 years. I’ve made purchases in the past but am unable to commit to wearing them, similar to my growing hat collection. My jewelry style is uncomplicated but for whatever reason I am drawn to this Druzy delectable like a baby to an electric socket. This could get dangerous.

Naturally, I began obsessing over said ornament like any other normal human being that has access to the interweb 24/7. Honestly, I didn’t realize this was a trend but my eyes are wide open and my wrist is bare. I’ve found a couple that I’m interested and emailed them to my Mr for obvious reasons. C’mon, I couldn’t possibly buy this for myself, right?!?

Here are my faves:

Have you participated in this droolworty Druzy movement? How do you adorn your arm?

Until Next Time,

{Monday is for Music} the Head and the Heart

The Seattle based musicians of the Head and the Heart combine harmony, clever lyrics and smooth instrumentals to create my favorite sing-along group. After my SIL introduced me to this indie-folk-pop band, I knew there would be car concerts in my future. Piano and tambourine greet the smokey voices of Josiah, Jonathan and Charity in my personal favorite Down in the Valley…

Another favorite is Lost in My Mind…

Oh and I can’t forget Sounds Like Hallelujah…

They have one self-titled album out and are making their presence known in the indie circuit. Not only did they perform at this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (did I mention I was there?) but they have toured with the likes of Vampire Weekend, The Decemberists, Dr Dog and even performed on Conan… a recipe for success if you ask me!

Luckily, my Mr not only serenades me with Rivers and Roads at the drop of a hat but he is taking me all the way to Tulsa, OK at the end of September so we can experience a more intimate encounter with the lovelies of the Head and the Heart.

Stop by and visit their website, like their facebook page, follow them on twitter and maybe you can experience their sound first hand…

Until Next Time,

Give {Peach} a Chance

Ladies and Gents, I’m pleased to announce it is once again peach season.

I’ve seen them at grocery stores and markets for a while but it wasn’t until this week that I actually made the purchase. I bought 3 peaches from a local farm knowing I needed to give them a few days bundled in a paper sack on my kitchen counter before I could savor their sweetness. Luckily, I’m blessed with patience (ha!).

I opened the paper bag this morning and my kitchen was immediately filled with the loud, peach fragrance. Today was the day I had been waiting for. I rinsed off my stone fruit and took a bite. I already knew to lean over the sink because these are chin-drippin’ peaches, make no mistake. It was delectable, enjoyable, amazing, delicious!

Here are some of my peach buyin’ tips:
1. look for unblemished fruit; no bruises or cuts
2. should be soft to the touch without breaking the skin
3. sniff the top of the fruit for the strong fragrance

Storing your peaches:
1. keep at room temperature, best place is in a paper sack on your kitchen counter
2. refrigeration should be avoided

I’ll post some peachy recipes later this summer but for now… I urge you, my reader, to go the farmer’s markert in your neighborhood and buy at least 1 peach, heck make it 2!

Pre-Sneeze Face

I am a big fan of the hilariously, blunt cards from someecards.com. Usually, I read them and have one of those “hmph”, relatable moments. This one, however, made me laugh out loud… on the couch… by myself! Mainly because I know I make that crazy about-to-sneeze-get-outta-my-way face every single time, especially now during allergy season.

Which someecard made you guffaw?

{Mission Impossible} Chair and a Half

My husband and I moved into our first place at the end of September. In the midst of planning our wedding, going on our European honeymoon and celebrating holidays with our families, we have been making this house our home… slowly! Our living room is seriously lacking. This is what we’re working with: a chocolate brown sofa, rich wood media stand and a new tv. I’d love to have a Super Bowl party (because, let’s face it, I love to have any party) but we need more seating.

We have looked all over the place! I’ll find something that’s perfect but it’s $800 and I just can’t justify that purchase for a temporary living situation. I’ve come across furniture that is cheap, small, expensive, large… pretty much everything but what I want. Maybe I’ve created something in my head that does not exist in the real world but I’m destined to find the missing link — my chair and a half!

The mission, if you accept, is as follows: I want a chair and a half. I want an ottoman. I want to spend less than $500. I want it to be patterned or at least a color. I don’t want microfiber.

Do you accept? Please, ACCEPT!

Resolutions (ewww, scary) vs Goals (inspiring)

Happy 2012 to you!

New Year’s Resolutions always come off a bit initimidating to me, how about you? However, I do think it’s great and healthy to refocus for the new year. To make this easier for myself I prefer to have New Year’s Goals instead and this seems to work, at least for the first few weeks. Thus…

Jenine’s Goals for 2012

1. Learn something new… hopefully yoga!2. Give more of my time… become a Big Sister!3. Have patience

What are your “goals” for 2012? Any advice for me with mine… I could use it!

Until Next Time,

Jenine

{Laundry} Sorting out life one load at a time

This morning, I woke up motivated and focused. After 2 cups of delicious coffee and some social media shmoozing… I lost it! Thus, my laundry piles continue to grow. Instead of taking on this task, I focused on just about ANYTHING else. Luckily for me, I was able to find some great images on the web to perpetuate my distraction.

Check it out!

I browsed etsy to find all of these “clean” treasures.

What do you do to procrastinate from your daily chores?

{Arch d’ triumph} Know your brow

Friday I shared the new eyebrow trend, check it out here.
Now, let’s talk about the how-to of eyebrows. I would personally recommend going to a professional for the first shaping strategy. After that initial procedure you can manage it on your own; maybe visiting the specialist every couple months for an update and to maintain the shape.

PROFESSIONAL EYEBROW SERVICES

Waxing – This method can definitely get the job done.

Pros: widely offered at almost every nail salon or beauty salon, cost is $10-$25 depending on where you go
Cons: pretty painful, high maintance re-growth, be aware whether or not your allergic to any scents or brands of wax

Threading – New, trendy way for hair removal

Pros: similar cost to waxing $10-$25, hair stays maintained for a longer period of time
Cons: tediously painful, can cause skin irritation

There are other ways to go about this, as well. For example electrolysis or sugaring (hmmm…) If you are trying to get all gussied up for a big event, give yourself at least 2 days prior to the occasion in case you have a reaction to the treatment.

The rest is up to YOU! Here is a guide to a natural shaped brow:

Hold an eyeliner pencil up to your face creating these lines. The pencil will act as a point of reference. Go ahead and mark on your face if it’s easier for you to see what needs to be done. Just make sure you wash up before you go out in public.

You can see that each person will have their own style and possibly each brow could be slightly different. Before you begin plucking you should check for the following:

1. a clean, dry surface (no lotions, creams, oils, make up)
2. a magnifying mirror (the better to see you with, my dear)
3. excellent lighting
4. tweezers

Your worst enemy here is overplucking. You might get into the swing of things, think to yourself “Whoa, this isn’t half bad” and before you know it you’re a hot mess. We’re dealing with “less is more” here, people. Don’t get too excited, stay focused on the stray hairs that are sprouting not the ones that are firmly in place. Now, if you do go a bit crazy, stay calm. Run out to the store and grab an eyebrow pencil to fill in the missing follicles until they grow back.

How do you maintain the hair up there?

{Monday is for Music} The Cool Kids

“Let me introduce you to some kids that you ain’t used to…”

Mikey Rock and Chuck Inglish hail from the windy city that is Chicago. This rap, hip hop pair make up The Cool Kids, a clever and creative duo that keep me dancing and bobbing my head all day long. My favorite song off 2008s The Bake Sale is Bassment Party. I love when I can use song lyrics in everyday conversation, it makes me feel smart. Now, listen to this song and tell me that anytime you give someone directions, you won’t be inclined to say “make a right at the light, it’s the first house on the left”.

Jeremy and I had the privilege of seeing The Cool Kids perform last summer at the Dallas Observer Music Awards. It was ridiculously hot out but we danced, sang and got down. It’s definitely exciting to know every word to every song at a show!

*Jeremy, Mikey Rock and me at DOMA 2010

They just released a new album When Fish Ride Bicycles and I pleasantly approve. Send The Cool Kids a shout out in 140 characters or less on twitter, check out a live show or just stop by their site and sample some of their new sound.

{Fashion Friday} Let’s talk arches

“You must never underestimate the power of the eyebrow”
– Jack Black

In preparation for my upcoming nuptials, I am taking biotin (for my locks), partaking in daily arm work outs and most drastically growing out my eyebrows. I noticed a significant change in the eyebrow trend from thin to what some may call, bushy and I love it. You might say I’m obsessed and that would be okay.

I’m a pretty observant person. I study the things/people/colors around me. I often check out people’s eyebrows, it’s one of my many peculiarities. My arches have been sprouting since May, right after taking our engagement pics. I’m extremely self conscious of it and in order to ease the discomfort/embarassment, I’ll probably tell you I’m growing them out before you even notice. Leslie says I do this because I stare at everyone’s eyebrows and assume they do it but they don’t. No one can tell, it’s just me and my weird fixation.

Thankfully, I’m not the only one succombing to this life altering fashion. Check out the celebs these days, they’re all doing it.

*Camilla Belle

*Keira Knightly

*Megan Fox

*Jennifer Connelly

*Brooke Shields (now)

*Brooke Shields (then, always ahead of the trend)

I respect this fad. I think it looks mature, sophisticated and sexy. I just hope mine are where I want them to be by the time I walk down the aisle.

Next week, look for my post on how-to shape your brows and the different ways of grooming those forehead features.