Christmas List

Here's my Christmas list for this year... some things I ask for every year and then other new stuff... If I think of anything else I'll add it.

As always, if anyone wants to buy me the fancy DSLR camera I've asked for many years running... you are totally welcome to... but I don't expect to ever get it!

Clothes:

• Work Dresses or just dresses in general.  I'm typically a size 10 or medium or large just depending on where you are.  I would love some type of lace dress b/c I think those are really pretty.  I like some 'going out' dresses, or some casual slip type dresses.  I really like most of Old Navy dresses.  Comfortable work dresses are what I will wear most of the time. (not a fan of cowl necklines)  There's just so many dresses out there I love so I'll link to just a few.  Most of these fall into the 'work' catergory... but I DO want some fun going out and casual summer dresses too!

1. Dress 1
2. Dress 2
3. Dress 3
4. Dress 4
5. Dress 5
6. Dress 6
7. Dress 7

• Skirts:  I like flowy knee (or slightly above or below) skirts.  I'd also like a shorter sequined skirt and a lace one.  Here's some examples.

1. Skirt 1
2. Skirt 2
3. Skirt 3
4. Skirt 4
5. Skirt 5

• Leggings (black and brown) size large probably and tights (interesting patterns) - large or extra large.
• Tops - nice sweaters, tunics, regular tops... you know the drill...  I wouldn't mind a cute sequined wifebeater/tank top thing...
• Jeans - probably size 10 - curvy fit
• Cardigans - I love cardigans - would love to have different fun colors - I like short sleeve, long sleeve... whatever

Home Items:

• Pots/Pans like this set from Rachael Ray
• Bakeware like this set also from Rachael Ray
• Vacuum like this one by Dyson... not really expecting this, but a bagless one is prefered.
• New pillows - something nice, maybe down, but whatever
• New Duvet - not white! (queen)
• Sheets - charcoal gray, jerney knit or something soft (full or queen)
• Fun, interesting prints or paintings

Shoes (size 9.5):

• Blown Clogs (example, does not need to actually be Birkenstocks)
• Brown Flats (example)
• Tennis Shoes (example)
• Moccasins or Boat Shoes (example)
• Maybe some TOMs (example)
• Other flats

Books:

• Becoming Sister Wives
• Young House Love
• The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling
• Lemony Snicket's All the Wrong Questions Series

Other Stuff

• Flat Iron case - fun color or pattern
• Overnight bag/tote like this, does not actually need to be Vera Bradley
• iPhone 5 charger (2 additional) (I guess I really just need the cord, I have the pieces that plug into the wall)
• iPhone 5 car charger
• iPhone 5 case (fun, bright, protective)
• Headbands (not too 'tight' feeling, like thick, thin, with stuff on them, whatever, all around the head or other kind)
• Rings - like cocktail rings (like the higher quality, like actually silver), size 8
• Perfume... but not really sure what smell I like, but need something new
• Silver random charm necklaces (like the kangaroo one I wear)

1. An armadillo
2. Lucky Grouping
3. Gnome
4. Deathly Hallows
5. Hedgehog
6. Stapler
7. T-rex
8. Wishbone
9. Paper airplane

some iphone pics

Hi all -

I just wanted to share with you some iphone pictures of a few things I have purchased recently and something I made for a lucky man...

First up is these cards that I bought at the StrangeFolk festival.  This is such a great place - I have gone to it the last three years and finally purchased something this year.  I may be getting more stuff at say Christmas, but this is what I have in my possession now.  These two cards from Reuse First.  I hope to frame them for my someday home.

The first one says "I'd hug you if I could reach you" and the second one says "You're Special"

The second thing I'll share is two prints I got in Eureka Springs this past weekend.  I am in love with them.  There were some many in this 'series' that I could choose from... eek - they are awesome.  They are also for my someday home.

This one is titled 'Flipping the Bird'

This is 'hoo tooted' maybe for the bathroom?  Although I already have my toilet pictures... but I hope to have more than one bathroom I guess :)

Finally, yesterday was Dan's half birthday... so I decided that making him a little card would be a nice, fun surprise.  I really wish I got a better picture - but atlas here it is.  Just a note: I did NOT get this idea from Pinterest or the internets.  We've been making cards like this in our family for quite awhile... I just felt the need to say that :)

Here's what it says - (the candy bars in CAPS)

Hey HOT TAMALE,
TAKE 5 to celebrate a WHOPPER WHATCHAMACALLIT...  The REISEN?  Your half birthday!!  NERDS may CHUCKLE(S) and AIRHEADS may SNICKER(S) but SMARTIES know their half birthdays SKOR MOUNDS of (ALMOND) JOY like a 100 GRAND PAYDAY.  This card may make you CHUNKY but I'll still love you past the MILKY WAY.  Love your BIT-O-HONEY SWEETTART(S) Jenn

A big thank you goes to my mom for the creative ability of the wording... so I really shouldn't take credit for that :)

Random Musings

Here's some randomness for your Wednesday

• This year has been crazy... I just can't believe how much stuff I have done.  I know my last post told you some of the stuff, but it just feels so much busier than that.  This year I have some stuff, next weekend I'm going on a mini road trip with my mom and grandma, then two weekend from that my best friend is getting married... maybe after that things will die down, but probably not with the holidays coming up.  Sometimes I hate being so busy and but honestly I love having so much going on.  I think the driving back and forth to Dan's and spending time with him takes up a lot of my time too.
• Speaking of Dan (the boyfriend) things are going so well with him.  We've been together for about six months now and time has flown by... in a good way.  We just go together well.  We don't agree on everything (um... he's not a democrat... and not a huge baseball fan) but we make it work (he'll come around on both issues haha)  I'm happy... he makes me happy.
• Going kinda along with that I was going to write a reflective post.  As some of you know or may remember that it was a year ago (beginning of September) that things fell apart with Chad... and then we hit the whole anniversary of our wedding thing and slowly we are coming up on a year since I moved out (last time I saw him)... I don't really think about this... but you know those things come up.  The thin I want to say about it all is it's been a year... and honestly things are so so amazing... better than I ever thought they could be.  Life is good and this last year has given me this amazing opportunity to live life more than I ever thought.  The fact this year has been crazy is because I was able to do what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it.  So people that may be reading this - time will pass and you'll realize that life is better on the flip side :)
• In the last few weekends Dan and I went to Grant's Farm and Six Flags - both of which was amazing.  Grants farm was so so much fun.  Dan had a great time feeding the goats.  Six Flags was perfect - great weather, no real lines... it was as perfect as any day could be at Six Flags
• I really am going to try to write more... promise (you're probably think I'm calling wolf or whatever)
• Live is good, I'm loving my new job... just makes life good
• So happy new fall TV has started, and Dan has gotten me into some new shows which is amazing.

Ok... I'm going to fold some clothes and head over to Michelle's (we want TV together one night a week - right now it's Survivor and The Challenge on MTV.)

Since I last wrote

Since you last heard from me…

My brother graduated law school

Saw Mary Poppins at the Peabody

Had a duel graduation party at my dad’s

Got a new job, lateral move

Went to the Gypsy Caravan with Liz

Assisted with the bowling event of the Golden Age Games

When to a relative’s wedding

Went to an art class at SBAP with mom and sister, Lindsey

Celebrated father’s day with my dad

Had lunch with a pregnant friend from high school, Beth since I missed her baby shower.

Switched my AWS day at work

Went on a road trip to Mammoth Cave with my family.  We haven’t done a trip like this in many many years

Started a new tradition of going out the night before Fourth of July (like the night before Thanksgiving?)

Received my diploma in the mail

Went to my amazing cousin, Billy’s wedding… outside… on July 14^th… quite hot, but a very nice day!

Saw the FOADs at least twice

Saw The Dark Knight Rises at the Omnimax at the Science center

Went to a surprise 30^th birthday party for my very favorite cousin Andy

Went on a real vacation to Daytona Beach with my step-sister and bff Liz… a whole week on the beach soaking up the rays

Read Where we Belong by Emily Giffin one of my favorite authors (and had a crap ton of StL references)

Went to Des Moines to visit my friend from college, Melissa.  It was a surprise visit and we went to the Iowa State Fair.

Celebrated my brother’s birthday… twice

Took an afternoon off to celebrate my other bff’s 30^th birthday by shopping and going to happy hour.

Celebrated my graduation at PF Changs with the family

Saw the Lion King at the Fox with my mom.

Went to a wedding ceremony with my dad.

Officially celebrated Susan’s birthday on Main Street in St. Charles.

Threw a bridal shower for Liz

Started a cross-stitched Christmas stocking

Weekly tv night with my friend Michelle

And numerous hang out with the boyfriend

.

It’s been quite a summer my friends!