Work it

My friend Maureen over at New on U featured me in her Work-it Wednesday post! It is my first time ever being featured on a blog so I feel super official. Even though I know Mo personally, I still feel special. :)

So check it out!

*I think Maureen's Work-It Wednesday post was good luck! The day this blog was published I was offered my "promotion." I have been working 11 hour days to get caught up but I don't mind because everything is new and exciting.

So if I fall off the blog wagon for a little bit, I hope you will forgive me. The dust will settle soon!

I'm workin' it girl ;)

Jes

oh, how PINTERESTing! #2

I miss the beach - Terribly. I caught myself daydreaming in the office yesterday of sand between my toes, and then it occurred to me that I haven't seen the beach since 2010, Memorial Day weekend. That's sort of a long time, right?

I miss this.

So today, I am linking up with Vintage Apple to daydream of the beach once more for Oh, how PINTERESTing Wednesdays.

Dream with me...

So, who's with me?!

Bon Voyage!

Jes

oh, how PINTERESTing!

Today, I am linking up with Michelle at the Vintage Apple for Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesdays.

 Lately I have been obsessed with ombre hair and I am saving up for the right hairdresser (come out, come out, wherever you are)! 

What do you think?!....

Or if I dare..... 

I found a bunch of other awesome ombre stuff while I was searching too!

Do you LOVE the ombre look as much as I do? What hair trend are you obsessed with right now?!

xoxox,

Jes

P.S. Follow my boards on Pinterest to see what else I find Pinteresting ;)

Fill in the Blank Friday

Today, I am linking up with the wonderful Lauren at the little things we do.

If you want to link up as well, visit Lauren's blog, submit your link, and don't forget to give the little things we do credit on your post too :)

1. One of my favorite things to do when I have free time is.... build a fire, listen to vinyl on my record player and sketch or blog.

2. When I have free time I tend to... Plop on the couch and stuff my face with cheese while watching trash TV or murder investigation shows. I love Dateline NBC!

3. If I had an entire day completely to myself I would... clean and organize my life, soak in a hot bath, and paint my nails :) I realize this doesn't sound super exciting but getting organized feels great!

4. I would prefer to spend my free time (alone or with others)... One of the reasons I moved back from DC was to be closer to my friends and family so in my free time I love to spend time with my boyfriend, family and my beautiful niece Gwenyth!

5. Most of my free time happens... Monday night. Sunday nights I am usually driving back from Columbus, Cincinnati or wherever else I chose to visit for the weekend because I have a hard time sitting still. I always make sure to make it in time for my Sunday night Showtime shows (Dexter, Homeland, Shameless and Californication). By Monday, the weekend activities have calmed down and it's time to start the weekly routine.

6. The best thing about free time is... No rules, no obligations, no appointments, no responsibility. You 
can watch what you want, wear what you want, listen to what you want... the options are endless :)

7. The next time I have free time I should probably...scrub my bathroom, clean out the fridge and do all of those not-so-fun chores... but instead, I'll probably... paint. I have a few blank canvas that are in need of some color!

Happy Friday! We made it through the first week back at work alive!

xoxox,

Jes

DIY: Hair Bow

My lack of skills are laughable.

I was going to wait to post this awesome hair bow post until I perfected it, but with my lack of hair skills that could be at least another year and it's too cute to NOT share!

What it is supposed to look like....This girl is a pro!

Check out the instructions and other hair ideas at one of my favorite blogs: A Beautiful Mess.

I admit I need some practice, but it kind of looks like a bow, right?!....

xoxox,

Jes

Looking Back and Moving Forward

1. I moved back to Ohio from DC and I am finally digging in my heels and settling down. After 4 years in college and a year in DC, it dawned on me that I haven't really "been around" for my family in 5 years. I love the fact that my best friends are only 1 hour away, my boyfriend is 40 minutes away, and my family is right down the road. I can honestly say, that I am truly HAPPY right now.

2. My beautiful baby niece arrived in 2011, making it the best year ever! Baby Gwenyth is incredible. Seriously. I can't take my eyes off of her.

3. Coming to terms with the things I cannot change - friends, family, money... whatever it may be... there are just some things that are completely out of my control and I am finally learning how to be okay with that. I no longer feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders.

4. I love my new job and it challenges me in all the right ways. It forces me to be creative, analytic, decisive, and self motivated. It keeps me on my toes and I can't wait to see what's next.

5. Becoming more physically fit. In the last years of  binge drinking in college and indulging in comfort food in DC, it was easy to "lose myself." I have been frequenting the gym and I never thought I would say it, but I even look forward to the gym! It feels great to take charge and I am finally starting to see results (Holiday eating aside.)

1. Kicking all my bad habits - I bite my nails and I "pull" out my eyelashes. How disgusting! I look like a child and it's time to grow up! I will kick these habits in 2012.

2. Put a dent in school loans - I went through the angry/ pouty phase of post grad school loans. "Why me? Will I ever get out of this? I'm poor. Wah. Wah. Wah." But as I stated in #3 of 2011, I cannot focus on things that cannot change, and I was starting to annoy myself with all the whining about money. Just save your money and suck it up. In 2012, I will put a serious dent in paying off my school loans!

3.  Stay connected - I think I could do a better job of checking in with my friends and family that live farther away. I don't "like talking on the phone" but that is no excuse. In 2012, I want to stay connected with the people who matter most.

4. Cook more - baking, cooking, exotic cocktails.. I want to do it all. I would like to try a new recipe at least once a week (as long as it doesn't become too costly and interfere with #3). In 2012, I want to advance my skills in the kitchen, and I don't think my boyfriend will mind being my personal taste tester :)

5. Get 50 new blog followers - I want to become more involved with blogging and provide value to my readers. I need to attract readers and get them interested enough to come back! In 2012, I want to attract 50 new blog followers. Right now I have 26, so cheers to 76!

If you want to make your own Looking Back.. and Moving Forward list on your blog, LINK UP with Life According to Jes and submit your link below!

xoxox, 

Jes.