OSCAR TIME

The Oscars were last night.

And they were pretty legit.

Here are my top highlights:

LOVE IT:

Dakota Johnson

Naomi Watts

Emma Stone

 

Jennifer Lopez

Anna Kendrick

Reese Witherspoon

Rosamund Pike

Jenna Dewan Tatum

Margot Robbie

LEAVE IT:

Julianne Moore

Jessica Chastain

Scarlett Johansson

Felicity Jones

Lupita Nyong'o

Georgina Chapman

Lady Gaga

Chrissy Teigen

Dapper Dudes:

Eddie Redmayne

Channing Tatum

Neil Patrick Harris

Michael Strahan

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Micheal Keaton

DUD:

John Travolta...

STATEMENT MOMENTS:

FAVE MOMENT:

Lady Gaga performing the tribute to Sound of Music. Perfect!

FOR A LIST OF THE WINNERS, click here. What did you guys think?

Happy Monday!

xo jess xo

LOVE actually is all around

It's coming... 

the holiday created by Hallmark to sell candy, flowers, and cards.

Or something like that they say.

PSSSHHH.

 While I agree that Valentine's Day can take on an over-the-top entity, 

I like the sentiment. 

My husband and I say I love you everyday... multiple times.

And we try to say "thank you" when one of us do something for the other.

But I like to take Valentine's Day as a chance to appreciate the people in my life.

Especially my hubby.

We have never spent a fortune on each other or the night out.

But we go on a special date night and get mushy-gushy with each other.

Here are some ideas for low-key everyday dates or Valentine's dates:

1. Drinks + an app or dessert
 Too often you go out for dinner and don't get a chance to enjoy the appetizers or desserts on the menu! Every once in awhile, switch it up and don't get an entree.

2. Bowling!
Shoe rentals, a couple games, maybe a few drinks... fun and doesn't break the bank.

3.  Coffee date and some exploration
Grab a coffee at a local cafe or Starbucks and take a walk or a drive. Literally anywhere. Nature walk, window shopping, or just looking at the sights. Use Valentine's Day to be a tourist in your own city!

4. Order take out and play a board game
Get the competition going with a friendly board/card game... or one that is not so friendly ;)

5. Movie time: Catch an afternoon matinee or rent something in your home.
Afternoon matinees are still cheaper than at night right? Go see a flick and relax! Or even have a day of snuggling with a movie marathon (or series binge) at home. Rent on-demand or with Redbox OR just check out Netflix.

6. Groupon
Don't have anything planned? Just check out Groupon in your area and go... get deals like a hotel room, dinner, drinks, or an activity for the two of you to do!

7. Brunch it up
Another opportunity to go out to eat on Valentine's Day that has the opportunity to be a little cheaper than the normal reservation and night on the town. Get a nice mimosa or bloody mary with breakfast and linger over brunch.

8.  Cook a fancy meal together
Cooking? Don't we already cook on the regular? Well we don't always cook together- we take turns. Or in the hustle and bustle, we tend to cook quicker or routine items. So plan together and cook something fancy.. drink a little wine... play some music... you get the idea... make your own romance.

Us? We are thinking of doing a combination of 3, 5, 7, and 8. 

Wake up and get get some brunch... wander around in the general area with a cup of coffee...  cook a fancy meal together with wine and some music... and end with a rented movie all snuggled on the couch. 

Happy Monday!

xo jess xo

"LAME" adult snow day

I remember when I was younger and there was snow in the forecast... unless it was cancelled the night before, I would wake up in the morning and crawl into my parents bed to watch the morning news. I would lay there forever it seemed while watching the scroll go by to see if my school would be cancelled. Sometimes it wouldn't and I would then have to rush to get ready, but sometimes.... it was. 

via mashables

Those days meant sleeping in, movies, junk food, and possibly hanging out and sledding with friends.  In college, it could mean the same thing with the possibility of alcohol.

But as an adult... well snow days are definitely different.

Don't get me wrong, a planned snow day where you can sleep in and do what you want... still amazing. This is not such a story.

We had a blizzard yesterday in Chicago that resulted in just a bit of snow... 10-16 in worth I believe. 

I was proactive in uncovering my car and running it for 5-10 minutes yesterday.

I go to my car today and start it to heat up while I scrape and dig myself out a bit to head to work.

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE. 

Crap. That's right, in the aftermath of the blizzard, I have a flat tire. 

via reaction gifs

 Now I KNOW how to change a tire, my daddy made sure. BUT in the past, I have had no luck doing it either by myself or with my husband. Had to call for some roadside assistance-

Which, remember, is crazy busy from the blizzard... on top of that dealt with some not so stellar customer service of a few companies... and eventually after 5-6 hrs, the tire got changed into the donut! So now, I have to go take my car in and get a) a new tire or b) this one patched or something.

Currently, the side streets are still not towed and when I see an SUV getting stuck in my street... well, just not sure how the donut will match up.

That is how my "snow day" started... mixed with and followed up by dishes, laundry, light cleaning, meal planning, and a call to Comcast. 

If it is gonna be a lame snow day, might as well make it a productive one, right?

Here is to a better week! Happy Monday!

xo jess xo