Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Tell Me Something Good...

Hi Girls-

Happy Tuesday y'all!  I hope y'all enjoyed reading about my super fab blogger exchange package yesterday.  I found some great new blogs to follow and those girls got lots of fun stuff too.

It's been about a week since I blogged, due to traveling for work and just life in general, and I thought I would just catch y'all up on some of the good things going on in my crazy world. 

 
Do y'all ever just think about how good life is?  I've been in that mindset recently and can't get over how blessed I am.  Like for reals y'all...I really am living my best life!  And I don't want to take a single moment of it for granted.  
 
Y'all know I love a good meme...and a good dress or outfit with pockets!  Well I couldn't resist this pic and now that the Olympics are officially over, I found it very fitting.  Enjoy!
 
I worked last week...which I know y'all are probably like...oh, so she does work.  Yes, I do!  I love my job and the flexibility it has.  I was in Orlando for a hardware show and if you follow me on IG, you probably think all I did was eat and drink...and for the most part I did.  But I also got to hang out with my work bestie and managed to fit in a little bit of work as well.

Dress is from Target and I am in love!



These are the products I sell. 
 
When I got back from the above trip, I was super excited about the packages that my concierge received for me while I was gone.  But quickly become overwhelmed at my obvious shopping addict problems I have.  This is ridiculous y'all!
There were lots of bikinis (love you Target and can't wait to show y'all plus they are buy one, get one 50% off now!) And baby shower gifts (Amazon registry is amazeballs!).  And a ton of other stuff...

Including these beautiful Hunter boots.  My first pair!  And I got them almost 50% off from Nordstrom during a recent sale.  Yeah me! 
 
After opening up all my packages (HA!) the weekend was upon me and OMGeeee...the weather in Charlotte was outstanding.  Well, up until Sunday mid-morning!  But it was a super busy packed weekend.  my bestie and I hit up Food Truck Friday at the brewery right behind my place Friday night and then took our dogs to another bar, followed by an ice cream trip for our pooches.  This sounds like we had a late night but truth be told, we were both laying in my bed with both dogs at 9:30 watching Golden Girls.  Living my best life y'all!  And I'm not ashamed to tell you.
 
Saturday morning I went to the baby shower of one of my sweetest friends ever to celebrate the upcoming birth of her sweet Tinsley Catherine.  Jill is such a beautiful soul, inside and outside.  And this baby has been prayed for so much and is so loved already. 
 
Then I came home, ran some errands, got caught up on laundry and watched the new Adam Bovine movie on Netflix, 'When We First Met' which I highly recommend. Oh and I snapped this photo...can I tell y'all how much I love my city?!?
 
Sunday was church, brunch at one of my favorite spots, lots of extra caffeine and puppy snuggles as I was dog sitting one of my besties perfect pooch. 


So...my dating life.  Well...Bulletproof and I are not still seeing one another.  Things happen--we just weren't meant for one another which means that someone else is. C'est la vie y'all!  Live and learn.  I went back to Bumble to start the process all over again.  I've said it time and time again but dating is an exhausting process but I still believe that my lobster is out there.  And I know that I'm not the only single person on the planet.  It's funny because from time to time, I run across someone I know and there's that awkward moment of "hmm, what do I do?" And then there are times that I run across people that I'm like, "No way."  Like this below.  HA!  Even Pauly Shore is looking for a date.  I wasn't sure if this was legit but one of my besties looked at where he was performing and he was in the Carolinas so I have to believe this is true.  See, everybody is looking for love!  For the record, I did not swipe right...Encino Man isn't exactly my type but I hope he finds what he's looking for.  Hey buuuuuuuddy!

My tribe and I have booked our first trip to Folly Beach--if you aren't familiar with the area, it's just right outside of Charleston which is one of my most favorite places in the world.  We are heading down for a long weekend right before my birthday in May.  Yeah us!!! 
Speaking of the beach and vacay, it's getting close to the point of no return for bikini season where I need to get back on track with my eating plan.  I've been pretty slack with keeping to my high protein, low carb plan and have put on about 12 lbs.  I'm not freaking out...yet...because I know what to do to lose it and I have time before bikini weather hits.  But telling you is my accountability side and also my funeral for some of the yummy foods I've been devouring recently. 


 
I'm going to really miss these biscuits and cinnamon rolls from a bakery right around the corner from my place.  

 
OK...big news!!!!  Y'all...it's almost time for Southern Charm on Bravo to come back.  April 5th.  I am so ready!!!  Cam is seriously one of my most favorite people on the show and I'm certain that if I lived in Charleston she and I would be besties...along with Patricia too.  Duh!
 
OK girls...if you made it this far in my catch up..thanks y'all!  Feels good to be back at it. 



Monday, February 26, 2018

Just Another Manic Monday...Except With Presents :)

Hi Dolls!

Happy Monday!  So I'm a bit behind in blogging on account of traveling all last week and some big work meetings that I was involved in so I need to spend some time this week catching you all up on what's been going on in my life.
 
 
But until I can get into all of that, I am super excited about today's post!  When I first got back into blogging, The Blended Blog was one that I always stayed on top of.  So many of my favorite bloggers are contributors and they always write about such fun stuff.  Well...they were doing a gift exchange, and well duh, I just had to participate.  So today, I am writing about said gift exchange and the fun stuff I received. 
 
 
Let me tell y'all about one of my favorite bloggers...Shelly from The Queen In Between.  I've been following Shelly since way before I started blogging and she is ah-mazing.  Her posts are encouraging and real and I love her honesty.  She is deeply devoted to her family, her fun state of Texas, Mexican food, and fashion.  Oh, and let me not forget about the fact that she is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!  Like for reals y'all...does this gal ever have a bad hair day?!? 
 
Funny story about being a blogger and doing a gift exchange is that I've only participated in 2--this current one being the second.  And Shelly and I were matched up then too--like years ago.  So when I got the email that we were matched again, I literally squealed.  Out loud.  And sent her a message saying something that went like this...
 
And then maybe a little of this...
 
 
Ok, so y'all get the gist.  I was excited.  Because Shelly is that fun and that cool.  And obviously we were destined to be long distance besties because the universe lined up twice to match us up.  I hear you universe!
 
Now let's talk about the goods...that's what we're here for right?!?  OMGeee...does she know me?  So there's a few things I'm obsessed with in my life---pretty jewelry, specifically dangly earrings, chocolate, paper products and pens.  And she nailed them all in my sweet little box. 
 
This was after I opened my box.  You can't really see it but the bottom left hand corner was filled with a mound of dark chocolate---my fave. 

Y'all...are these earrings not to die for.  What's funny is that I sent her a very similar turquoise pair as well.  I mean, great minds, right?!?  And even further confirmation that we are besties from afar. 
 
And who doesn't love handwritten notes.  And seriously...could her penmanship be any prettier?
 
I store all my chocolates in a pretty canister--there were a lot more in the box than what ended up making their way here.  It's also empty now too.

What a sweet box from the sweetest of my gal pals!  I was so excited when I learned that Shelly was going to be my girl and love, love, love everything she put in my package.  Can't wait for the next one---and will the universe link us up again?!?

Thanks Shelly!  You rock!
 

Thursday, February 15, 2018

A to Z List---Of How I Get Through Life

Hi Dolls-

Happy Thursday!  If you are single, you made it through another year of Singles Awareness Day and lucky you...all those chocolates are now 70% off at CVS.  Stock up girls!  I actually did have a post all about love and what it meant to me that was 90% complete that I was going to upload yesterday.  But I abandoned it because I just really wasn't feeling it and it felt very BS'y.  And I'm trying to be my 100% authentic real self here with y'all. 


So today I thought I would share with y'all my A to Z list of certain rules I try to live by that help me get through crazy thing we call life.  What would your list like?

A-Always be kind to others.  Your Uber driver, your boss, your waiter, your family, your friends, the customer service person at Amazon---everyone deserves the same level of respect.

B-Be yourself.  You're pretty amazing.  Remember that.

C-Call people.  This may come with mixed reviews but in general, I hate texting.  People just don't pick up the phone and talk to folks the way they used to.

D-Don't let anyone make you feel like you are less than you are. 

E-Each and every day is a gift.  It truly is.  I've experienced a lot of loss in my life that could have completely changed the trajectory of my life.  And when I'm feeling down, I realize how blessed I am with the life I have.  It's a gift.  Every single day. 

F-Family is everything.  You often don't realize how important those people in your life are until they are gone.  I had the misfortune of losing both my parents in my late teens and there's nothing that I wouldn't give just to have 5 minutes with both of them.

G-Give.  Give of your time.  Give of your resources.  Just give.  We are so very fortunate and sometimes I forget just how much. 

H-Hug more.  I have friends who aren't huggers.  Especially with people they don't know.  I'm kind of like that too.  But I love hugs and I love to be hugged.  My best friend Pamela gives a great momma hug.  Y'all know what I'm talking about.  She said she learned it from her momma.  But it's those hugs that when she's done doing it, I feel like my pieces are put back together.

I-Ignore negative, toxic people.  There's going to be a lot of them out there.  Don't let them get the best of you. 

J-Just do it.  Whatever "it" is.  Eat that cake.  Tell that person you love them.  Buy yourself flowers.  Take that trip to Bora Bora.  Go back to school.  Get that little black dress and find a place to wear it to. 

K-Keep your chin up and keep trying. 

L-Love.  Love yourself.  Love others.  And do it a lot.  Be open to it. 

M-Me time.  I think me time is so important.  Even if you are in a relationship/marriage/etc.  You have to focus on you to be your best self.  You can't present your best self to the universe if you aren't good to your mind, body and spirit.

N-Never allow anyone to dull your sparkle.  Not everyone is going to like you.  And that's ok.  But don't let anyone else affect the way you feel about yourself.  I've spent years upon years worried about what people thought about me.  Let that shit go! 

O-Open your heart.  Even at the risk of getting hurt.  And you probably will get hurt.  But that's ok.  I keep telling myself that it will pay off in the long run.  (You know, trying to speak that 'ish into existence). 

P-Pick yourself up by your boot straps, dust yourself off and try it again when something doesn't quite go your way.  This has happened to me a lot and if I hadn't of done this, I don't know where I would be. 

Q-be Quick to listen, Slow to speak.  Seriously, this should be my mantra.  Listening is definitely not my best attribute but hey, I'm working on it. 

R-Remember & Reflect..  Remember the good things.  Remember the bad things.  Remember the ok things.  And then reflect on those things and how they make you better or worse of a person.  Make changes when it's not someone you like.  And shine on those things when it makes you better.

S-Sing loud and proud.  I'm a horrible singer.  But I am huge music lover.  And I can sing the mess out of some Cher. 

T-Travel.  As much and as often as you can.  By yourself, with your friends, with your family, with your significant other. 

U-Understand that it's not all about me.  I'm still trying to learn that it's not just Jenny's world.  My friends are quick to remind me of this.  It's best not to be so selfish.

V-Visualize it.  Kind of what I said on letter 'O' about speaking it into existence.  Maybe this is a visual goal board for you or it's in your journal--but put it out there for you and the world to see. 

W-Want the best for yourself.  You're the only person that's can do this for YOU.  Make yourself a priority.

X-determine what your X-FACTOR in life is.  Is it your energy? Is it your calmness?  Are you Wonder Woman in disguise?  BTW, I think all women are Wonder Woman. 

Y-You are unique.  Did you know that there's only one like you in the world?!?  Of course you did but that's pretty amazing right?  Value and love yourself and your existence here in the little time that we get to spend on this crazy Earth.

Z-Zoom in your focus on what makes you happy.  Others will see it and wonder how you got there.  It's a pretty incredible place to be. 

OK girls, that's all I have.  Come back tomorrow as I share my Friday Favorites and show y'all a sneak peek into my budoir photos I had over the weekend.  OMGeeee...they are soooo good!

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Forgive & Forget....Do You?

Hi Dolls!

So today's post is brought to you by a very humbling experience that happened to me a few weeks ago.  I debated on sharing it for several different reasons, including some vulnerabilities about myself, but my sweet bestie Jenna encouraged me to do so as part of writing about what I know. 

Part of the reason why I started a new blog this year was because I felt like a new person, a new Jenny if you will and I just didn't feel like I could relate to that "Jenny" from my old blog anymore.  I've made huge changes in my life over the past 18 months--physical changes, relationship changes, friendships, moving to a new place, and letting go of things from my past.  The last one was a hard one.  And a big one.  And probably the most important one mentally for me. 
 
Growing up, I was taught to forgive and forget--turn the other cheek.  But for some reason, it just never stuck with me.  I'm almost 40 and forgiveness (and forgetting) is something that I have struggled with my entire life.  I know lots of people that can forgive but never forget.  I know people that can do both and truly can move on.  I'm sure if I had a therapist I could tell them my life history and they would respond with a resounding "DUH!" but I remember even as far back in high school (and sadly even grade school) when someone would hurt my feelings that I just couldn't get over it.  There are still people from over 20 years ago that I don't like because of things they did or said to me.  I could also lump people from my professional career into the same category.  I just haven't ever been of the mind frame to forgive and forget.  I've held onto those negative feelings and carried them with me forever, which as you probably know isn't healthy at all. 
 
Last year, I had one of the biggest heartbreaks I've ever experienced in my adult life.  I wrote about it on my old blog.  I poured out my soul and my feelings which was probably one of my most gut wrenching posts I've ever done.  I wrote about when we met.  I wrote about when he broke up with me.  I wrote about how I felt immediately after.  And I wrote about the moment that I realized he was a dick and that I was moving on.  It was therapeutic but also exposed a side of me that I regretted sharing.  Because I didn't like the way it made me feel weak.  That experience hardened me for some potential relationships that I may have had in the last year.  It also fed into my feelings of not opening up to new men for fear of getting hurt again.  Yes, I know...not healthy but I'm laying it all out. 
 
So here's the story:  difficult to tell but I think is something I should get out.  For the purpose of this post, I'm going to call him Bob.  That's not his name but I don't feel creative enough to give him a fancy nickname.  Bob is the guy who broke my heart into a million pieces.  And for the longest time I swore that I was giving up on love.  As a matter of fact, I think I just said "Screw it and screw all of them."  But the truth is Bob catapulted many of the changes that took place in my life over the last 12 months.  About a month after Bob broke up with me...on a text (yes, that's right...a text), he sent me a text that said "I miss so many things about us."  It took all of me, and all of my friends, not to respond.  It would have been so easy for me to have responded back saying I miss you too, let's get back together.  But it would have been so bad for me.  You see, Bob wasn't the greatest boyfriend.  He often said things that weren't very nice without thinking--about me, about my friends, about my family.  That alone should have been a red flag but there was something about him and "us" that couldn't be denied.  We had an amazing chemistry.  He had a great family.  He was smart and we had a ton of things in common.  And he wasn't a douchebag all the time, but sadly was enough of the time, which should have been plenty for me to say no more.  But I cared for him immensely and even after our break up and after his miss you text, I found myself thinking of him often and even comparing new guys to him. 
 
We didn't communicate again until about 3 or 4 months later when I actually reached out to him regarding a massage that I had transferred to him while we were together.  I'm sure you know it wasn't about the massage.  It was about us.  It was about me wanting to speak to him.  Fortunately the conversation was very quick and that was it.  He obviously had moved on and I needed to as well.  Fast forward about another 5 months and we had another series of text conversations that were friendly but very basic.  We never talked about our relationship or dating or anything from the past.  We talked about the weather, travel...generic things.  Nothing that really caused me to become concerned about where I might be headed as far as my feelings were concerned. 
 
Then it happened.  After the first of the year, we were texting and I got the one that caused my heart to drop.  He said that he missed me and the I had been on his mind.  And that he knew it was a rash decision to walk away from me.  I nearly fell of the bar stool I was sitting on in the wine bar I was at, with one of my besties fortunately.  I took a deep breath and responded the only way I knew how to.  "I don't know what to say to that.  It wasn't just a rash decision.  You broke my heart."  We actually spoke on the phone that night for the first time in almost a year.  I told him I didn't want to talk about our past unless it was in person.  Good thing is that in the time we weren't together, he moved to the shore and is now about 3 hours away.     
 
In the few texts that we sent after his profession, he never apologized.  That could have been because I said I didn't want to talk about it unless we were face to face.  But we made plans to see one another and my feelings leading up to that were mixed.  I was nervous and sick to my stomach because the last time I saw him I had no idea that 8 hours later he would send the most cowardly, heartless break up text ever.  On the other hand, I was feeling super confident because I knew that he knew he had made a mistake.  And in the almost year that we've been apart I've become a complete new person.  One that I am so proud to be. 
 
Forgive & Forget?  I had dinner with one of my best friends the night before Bob and I were supposed to meet.  Even through my tears about the upcoming situation, she gave me some tough love that night.  Long story short, she told me to let it go.  She said even if he doesn't apologize or say the things he should say that I had to forgive him and forget what had happened.  Forget all the hurt he had caused me.  Forget the tears he caused.  I had to let it go or it could potentially ruin the rest of my life.  OK, so perhaps a little dramatic but was exactly what I needed to hear. 
 
We met.  We ended up having drinks at a couple of places and dinner.  The first hour of being together was a little uncomfortable as we were avoiding the exact conversation that we were meeting up for.  But he took the lead and said everything that I had wanted him to say for nearly a year.  He took full responsibility for his actions.  He said he regretted it.  He said that during our relationship there were things he wanted to talk about that bothered him but decided to take the easy way out and just let us go instead.  He said he thought about me often and wanted to reach out early but didn't out of respect for me because he didn't know what I had going on in my life and didn't want to mess it up.  He was sincere and said that he knew that I had changed and grown so much in the last year.  But most importantly, he apologized.  As a matter of fact, he apologized a lot.  And for the first time in a long time, I said the words, "I forgive you."  And I meant it.  Now that doesn't mean I am forgetting anything (baby steps people) but I let him release the chains that I've had because I heard him say the words that it wasn't my fault.  I knew it wasn't my fault but hearing it out of the mouth from the person that hurt you makes all the difference. 
 
So what's going to happen between Bob & I?  Truth be told, I have no idea.  Will we be friends?  I don't know.  Will we be more?  Remember that I'm not forgetting.  Will we be cordial?  Absolutely.  I've let go of that hurt.  I'm not in that place anymore and I'm definitely not that person anymore.  And giving myself the ability to forgive is eye opening.  Who says you can't teach an old dog new trick? 
 
 

 

Monday, February 12, 2018

It's Monday....Again!

Hi Dolls!

Happy Monday!  Y'all, this weekend blowing by thing is starting to really piss me off, especially after the longest of longest work weeks last week.  I swear it was Monday five days in a row.  And yes, I know, I should be grateful for everyday that I am breathing life.  And for the most part I am.  BUT if I had a 3 day weekend, every weekend, I can guarantee you that I would be so much more charming.

I feel you girl...I feel you! 
I had a super fabulous weekend!!!  And I did last week too (because well, I only blogged one day).  So I'm going to do a weekend recap mixed in with a "what I did last week". 

I went on another date with Bulletproof last Monday and it was fantastic.  We went out again on Saturday (more on that later).  I had mentioned to him that I wrote a blog and he asked what it was called.  I told him that I wasn't quite ready to share that with him because I write about a lot of stuff that he doesn't know about me yet and that I would prefer "I" be the one the tell him those things rather than him reading it himself.  He said he respected my wishes, which I certainly hope so, because we all know that I don't want him to find out all my juicy secrets or crazy level before I get him hooked on me lol.  Oh and if you aren't sure who I'm talking about you can catch up on him here.

Tuesday I had my first appointment with a life coach.  Have any of your girls done this before?  Two of my besties have and encouraged me to give it a try.  I'm still a little apprehensive but this is the year of trying new things so I figured, "why the hell not?"  We have another meeting this week to discuss the results of the personality test I took last week---that should be interesting.  Besides, I'm always open to self growth.  So what next Dr. Freud?!?  I also had dinner at one of my fave places, Zoe's, with one of my fave people, my bestie Jenna.  Y'all, girlfriend time is sooooo important!  Be intentional with your friendships. 

I rounded out the rest of my week with a check up for my 15.5 year old senior pooch, Serena--gosh, I should have been a vet.  And why are her visits so much more expensive than my own doctor appointments?  Followed by some pampering of my own with a fresh hair color update and spray tan (which I am absolutely obsessing over) and a meeting at one of my customers on Friday afternoon---just to show y'all that I do work. 

Now enter the weekend....
First of all, this is one of my favorite snapshots ever!  I used to think Patrick Swayze hung the moon!  And well, Chris Farley speaks for himself.  Truth be told, if you asked me who I would be more attracted to I would totally say Chris.  I like a guy with a little meat on his bones. 

Anywhoodle, I went to a Pure Romance party that was of my girlfriends was hosting on Friday night.  If you're not into that sort of thing, no biggie but it was a great time with great girlfriends and OMGeee..super delicious sangria.  I ended my night up snuggling with my pooch and watching episodes of the Golden Girls (much like I do most nights as it comes on the Hallmark channel every week night from 11-1). 

It's been so dreary here in Charlotte with rain and just yuck so I got up, went and got a bagel and literally laid in bed until about 11:30.  It felt so good to be so lazy.  After pulling myself out of bed and getting a few errands and loads of laundry done, I set out to make plans for my evening.  So here's a little update on Bulletproof.  But let me press pause for a quick sec. 

Dating has never been easy for me.  I'm fiercely independent, easily annoyed and very quick to check out when something doesn't go the way that I think it should.  {I know, I know--insert the "no wonder you're still single Jenny" right?}.  But I've been trying to better myself and make changes in some areas in my life where my lack of patience definitely needed a little kick in the ass.  OK...so with that, now I can resume the Bulletproof convo with y'all. 
I got a little annoyed with him on Wednesday---ok strike that, I was pissed.  I felt our communication had been off a bit and he cancelled a date with me last minute on account of him being sick.  Things happen, I get it but I was angry and felt he hadn't been considerate of my time by letting me know that we weren't going to be doing something earlier.  Or at least early enough that I didn't waste a whole face of makeup or finishing this mop of hair on my head.  (Quick sidebar---my bestie Pamela and I decided we were going to coin a new phrase for all the singles called GALIMONY as a result of the cancelled date when you are already polished and ready to go--more on that in another post).   All of that led to me withdrawing and using my friends as a sounding board for the next few days of what a butt Bulletproof was and also questioning whether this guy was even into me or why I was wasting my time (and so typical of me).  I don't know about you but when I'm pissed, I jump to crazy conclusions and usually play out an entire conversation in my head between myself and the other person regardless of it being true or not.  Anyways, Bulletproof and I ended up going out on Saturday night.  The plan was for dinner and a movie but the movie we planned to see was sold out so we hit up a new bar nearby my place instead.  I definitely felt a bit on edge with him initially and was slightly annoyed that he wasn't even bringing up the past couple of days but again, in an effort of self realization and trying to work on my patience levels and communication, I allowed myself to let go of my inner crazy and enjoy the time that I was having with him because he really isn't a butt y'all.  He's a man.  He can sometimes be stupid.  Just like I can be.  While we were sitting at the new bar, I just let it go and told him how I felt.  Communication is not my thing in relationships--I'm not good at it.  In every other relationship I'm in (friendships, family, work life, etc) I have no problem in telling people how I feel or what I'm thinking.  But in relationships with men I choose the path of least resistance and in the past have allowed things to fester inside. Which typically results in that festering to become manifested in something else.  Which then causes me to become a bitch and annoyed at the slightest thing y'all.  Like, what do you mean that you ate the last of the ketchup?  Off with your head!
So back to the date.  I told him I was pissed.  I told him that I thought he was not respectful of my time.  I told him that I didn't like the way our communication had gone.  And you know what?  He listened to every word I said, didn't make any excuses and apologized. 

Who else misses Three's Company?!?  Am I right?!?  Also, if you ever are looking for a "Say What" gif there are soooooo many good ones out there. 
OK but seriously, he said he was sorry.  For hurting my feelings.  And for not being considerate.  And I forgave him (which is a huge deal for me y'all...I can't even tell you how big..but I will...in another post).  And we moved on.  And that was it.  OMGeeee...is that how adults in grown up relationships solve their problems?!?  Who knew?!?  ;) 

Moral of the story is this my sweet friends...I don't know what will come of Bulletproof and I.  No clue and too soon to determine.

Now enter Sunday!!!  Y'all, yesterday was a big day for me!  About 6 months ago, I signed up to do a budoir photo shoot with a photographer that I had been following for quite a while.  And the time came.  I thought I would be nervous going into it but y'all, I really wasn't.  My bestie Jenna went with me as my wing woman, and also because she was interested in doing one as well and wanted to see it first hand before committing to it.  This was the first time that I had ever had professional hair and make up done...well, and to address the elephant in the room, the first time that I had let someone take pictures of me nude or in lingerie (not counting a Polaroid--LOLOLOLOL!!!)  I can't even begin to tell you how amazing the experience was.  First of all, my hair and make up was outstanding!  If you have never had your hair and make up professionally done, you have to!  It was so amazing!  And I have never felt more beautiful.  The experience of the whole shoot couldn't have been more outstanding either.  The photographer was amazing and she was so sweet and patient in telling me what to do and where to put my head or hand or to relax my forehead.  I get my proofs back in a few days and CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THEM.  I'm sure I'll show some of the more conservative ones with y'all but the majority will be just for me because this is the year I'm embracing the big 4-0 and I couldn't think of a better way to express self love than this.  But if you ever come over to my houseI can't promise that I won't have a coffee table book of me or huge photos of me hanging in my bedroom.  For some reason, Carly Simon's 'You're So Vain' just popped in my head...but whatevs.  I'm embracing it!!!  Also, fake eyelashes are the best thing in the world and I must learn how to apply them myself.  Love love love!

And there we have it...a little longer recap than normal but I wanted to get caught up with you girls since I didn't blog much last week.  Hope y'all have a great week!