It's on like Donkey Kong.

{{Note to self: I will not make myself feel bad/guilty by writing about the fact that I haven't wrote a post in over a month... I was busy and it's ok. ha}}

 Over the last month or so, I have been looking for a new coffee table to replace the cheap $20 ikea purchase when we had first moved to Chicago. 

Time for an update. Time for grown up furniture. 

When slowly updating our furniture/living area, seemed like a good place to start.

I have found I keep going back to the industrial style coffee tables. Very classic lines and I love wood tones. For example, my fave show Fixer Upper has used this coffee table in multiple homes and I love it!

 

Problem is I am having a hard time finding the exact one... and/or a similar one within my price range.  

I was going to take my time with this, but it seems like one Mr. accidentally put his foot through our current one... and covering it up with a cute tray can only last so long ;)

So I guess the search is on!

xo jess xo

Christmas for Couples

Christmas is coming!

last year's Christmas tree

It's time to shop around and find that gift for your special someones. 

Starting with my sister and her husband and my brother and his wife. Technically, we do not "exchange" presents anymore. But I have not let this stop me from getting them a little couple gift. Nothing too expensive, but just a lil something because it's Christmas and a token of appreciation for my family. I like it. 

I have found many lists that say "for the ______ (enter specific adjective/adverb) couple" or many personalized presents; while these lists are great, I would rather something more general but still awesome. 

Here are some ideas for (what I think) are generic-ish awesome couple presents:

1. Board Games- I have gotten couples in my life board games for the past couple years. Who doesn't want to build up their collection? And we tend to end up playing them on the holiday itself! Board/card games that I am a fan of are: Apples to Apples, Buzzwords, Cards against Humanity, Scene It, Hedbanz, Taboo, and Balderdash. 
2. Ask family members for recipes or just put together a good collection of your own to share and make a " ______ Family Recipes". You can use a website like blurb.com (my favorite) to make a professional looking book or use zazzle.com to create a personalized binder that you can put recipes in.
3. Custom drawn home portrait. Not a huge fan of getting people picture frames or art since people's tastes are generally different or they may not really have a place for what you get them BUT I can not get over this idea of sending in a picture of your home and getting a custom drawn portrait back to hang in your home with pride. Some artists also let you customize it more, for an additional fee, to add your family/pets into the picture. There are a wide variety of options on etsy.com in multiple price ranges like here, here, and here.
4. Another personalized gift that I think is cute and functional is a customized address stamp. Someone wouldn't have to worry about what to do with this personalized present, it has a use besides being pretty. These can also be somewhat pricey.. but if remember, up to a point with a couple gift- you are basically getting two presents for one! (So $70 is like $35 pp which isn't terrible)
5. Something I am warming up to the idea of is matching pajamas. This is still a generic idea, but I understand it can get into a very specific type of couple and can be odd gifting with if you aren't parents giving your children christmas jammies. Definitely not for everyone. I will say, I was excited when I asked my husband if he would wear matching pajamas and he said "yea.. i like pajamas". Simple answer but a go! But when I then asked if he would think it was weird if my sister and her husband bought us matching pajamas for a Christmas present and his answer was "yea..."  So... maybe yes, maybe no?
6. Gift cards. Duh. Who doesn't like a gift card? Obviously generic, but of course I would tailor it to the person. My sister and her husband like Buffalo Wild Wings, done. They are working on home projects? Lowes or Menards gift card done. We like coffee- BAM- they got us a Starbucks gift card. 
7. Do they have a keurig? Maybe a cute little basket of K-cups. Such a simple gift- you already know they like it because they have one/buy k-cups- prices of said k-cups can add up, so sometimes people don't buy them as often. Easy and it becomes a nice, thoughtful gift.
8. .... a doormat. There are so many random doormats that range from funny to welcoming to personalized; it can fit a lot of different people! And who doesn't need a doormat? 
9.  a "cuddle kit" for two- cheesy for sure, but can be personalized to the couple and includes things that separately aren't necessarily great gifts but together make a genuinely nice gift.  Especially since last year, I bought this faux-fur blanket and it is my all time favorite blanket to grab and snuggle into.
10.  Sometimes when taking a trip, the husband and I would try and watch a movie together on his tab or something and would end up sharing headphones with one earphone a piece. I just found this- where you can each have headphones and link it up to one! Awesome sauce!

Now I am just deciding which of these I will use this year!
xo Jess xo

How to: look good and be cozy while flying

In packing for an upcoming vacation, I was planning out what I wanted to wear on the plane and there were some considerations.

• We are going from cold weather to warm weather; so it's got to be layered. No coat.
• And in general, I tend to get cold on the plane.
• Obviously has to be easy to go through security.
• Comfortable for the day of traveling.
•  I think I want to wear jeans, so I don't have to pack them... as well as a top and shoes I can maybe re-use while there.  
• Do not want to buy anything new.

So off to Pinterest I go (of course) for a little inspiration for travel outfits.
   


           


All very similar and fitting my requirements.

From my closet:
Jeans (Tall b/c I am 5'7... no longer selling at Gap, found here on ebay OR similar here)
White tank (Target)
Scarf (Zara) -seriously amazing. I love it. And size wise, can practically become a blanket on the plane!)
Cardigan (Old Navy -in a light grey/oatmeal color or boyfriend cardigan- similar)
Moccasins (Target) OR Sperry boat shoes (Nordstrom or Von Maur) OR even just black flats (similar)
Necklaces (ILY Couture)


We shall see how it all pieces together... mostly the cardigan and shoes are what may evolve more so that I can re-use them on vacation if needed.  Maybe I'll even try and take a picture of the whole look completed... :)

Welp- back to making my packing lists! and one of my favorite shows The Mindy Project is on soon!

xo jess xo

feeling un-lucky

UGH! 

If there isn't one, there should be a word for "when you AREN'T looking for something, you will find it everywhere BUT when you ARE, ha-good luck finding it".

gif via mashable via sevanderslice

Yes- That is me right now... I tried to start looking for a dress for an upcoming wedding over a month ago and yet- NO DRESS! I have even bought a few hopefuls online at like Nordstrom & NastyGal, but they sadly didn't fit my big ass just weren't for me. So I am still stuck at the drawing board.

Oh and I also found an amazing dress at Nordstrom that fit and I felt/looked fabulous (obviously personal confidence booster).. about to say "I'LL TAKE IT" and realized that on this particular dress, I forgot to look at the price tag. WAH WAH. $258. WAAAAY out of my price range right now. Thought I would go up and just see if by chance it was marked down and...... it was!!!!!  By $10. Enter multiple curse words here.
Just under 2 weeks left to find one. Bestie lent me 2 options that are viable, but that stinkin dress is still in my head.

Just don't know what I want to do about it all just yet. I'll keep looking, but at least like I said, I have back-ups now. Maybe my luck is about to change! :)

xo jess xo