Let's go.

So I was digging through my inspiration folder this morning and found this.

It rings so true to what I'm currently dealing with. I'm in one of those life places where you feel like you've run 10 miles just to look up and see you've actually taken two steps back.

Let's be honest, it sucks.

Feeling like your not keeping up, not on track, or working within "the plan" you had set for yourself. I am there, looking around saying "how?" or "why?" or the ever so popular "this isn't what I had planned!"

But, I decided today I'm sick of questioning. I'm sick of sitting in my dream head wondering where I should be. I'm throwing it all away. I'm throwing out the map, the plan, anything I had that gave me some sense of where I am going. I'm just going to call this one an adventure.

"We are nowhere, and it's now"

There is a hundred different ways to get where we are going. Just take a deep breath, close your eyes and start moving.

xojess

These friends of mine.

I have really talented friends.

No seriously, whenever I am in need of almost anything, I probably know someone who specializes in it. Wether its book smart, helping me recall dates and facts- giving me historical insight to situations. Music gifts, friends who make me smile when I see them sing because I know how much they love it or play me an instrument just so I can dance- or to make me laugh- or put me to sleep. Artistic friends, those who are brilliant painters, photographers, designers, and screen printers. Tech-e friends that I can call when my computer crashes or I can't recover a document. Teacher friends, those I can bounce curriculum and lesson plans off of, those who get as giddy as I do in the children's section of a bookstore. I have a wide range, and I love it. I love being connected to a group if people so diverse in their strengths. It makes us such an interesting bunch:)

Well anyway, I'm a super proud friend. I notice when I meet new people and talk about my loved ones, I am so energized to share who they are (as people) and all their accomplishments. So I decided to just start embarrassing them all on this blog.

Introducing my very first blog segment: Friend of the week:)

I'm sure this wont be an every week thing. I just want to credit these people for how amazing they are. They are all making the world more beautiful in their own ways, and have all had impact on my life.

So should we just get started?

Friend of the week: Danny Ebersole

Danny is a newer friend of mine, he is just darling. He is dating one of my best friends, Brandi. (<3)>

I have noticed over the last year he is really growing in his ability as a photographer, and more specifically using film. Some of his photos cause me to take a deep breath because they are just so beautiful. Some of them make my eyes well up (I am a sappy girl) so much that I have to instantly print them out and hang them on the inspiration wall.

Just a few of my favorites.

You can see more here! Love you friend.

Quite enough for now I think. I still am reallllly going to post some of my as of late projects tonight!

I'm surrounded with wonderful people,

J

All things grow, all things grow.

Oh man.

I mean I knew autumn was on its way in. The smells, the one leaf that just couldn't wait to turn yellow, the cooler weather, pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks, sweaters, listening to the old Sufjan. I mean the list goes on and on.

But today I got home only to find one of my cementing facts in knowing that fall has arrived..

That's right, Double Stuff Oreo's with orange filling.

These are one of my childhoods fondest memories and the last sure sign of the changing season.

Drinking coffee and what else but crafting. I'm really hoping by tomorrow I'll have a "what I've been up to" post for you. (fingers crossed)

Hope everyone is ready to embrace the new season! yippie!

xo, jess

Wham bam thank you fam.

You know those night when you just feel blessed?

I had one of those recently.

My baby brother has been home on leave the last few weeks from the US Army. He has been all over the place trying to catch up and see everyone that I felt like we didn't have any really good "fam time". So saturday when we we having super basement clean out day, I said "thats it!" and we planned that Monday we would have a huge dinner for our "family". I say it like that because some blood relation people share isn't the only factor here. I'm talking down right love/hate, be there through anything, make you laugh, make you cry, sleep next to, fight with, play with your hair, unconditional people that make up your "family". And I'm really lucky to have mine.

My brothers and sisters.

Not only did we eat a literal feast of amazing food, we had ridiculous amounts of laughs. I just was so at peace and relaxed. I think everyone was, it was one of those much needed kind of nights.

Love makes you remember you are wanted.

from my happy heart,

jess

Keeping up.

I've been locking myself up at home because of all the work I have to get done. So occasionally I actually miss human contact and I escape to see some of my loves. Here's a peak at all the fun dates I have been going on.

1. Yogen Fruz with Lizzy. UH-mazing we're pretty much addicted.

2. Annual coffee date my Steven and Sarah. Oh I missed him so.

3. I baked my first ever apple pie from scratch. I know its pretty rough but I worked so hard and it actually turned out delish!

4. My sweet little Tessa, had been in my class for three years. So her family invited me over for a pre- first day of kindergarten breakfast. And of course Tess wanted us to have matching nails for her first day of school.

5. My little cousin Becca came to spend the weekend at my house. Fun nonsense, shopping dates, couch potatoes.

6. More apple pie and apple crisp with the girls. Walks to get coffee in the nice cool weather. And laughing about absolutely nothing.

I've been loving cozying up in sweaters, with warm drinks and pie. We had a really lovely labor day but it really deserves its own post.

I have painting to get done. No homework tonight:)

love, j