What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Join in on Jamie's blog!

1. Makeup by TiffanyD. I tend to google youtube videos on cute hair, smokey eyes, etc.. Ya know.. stuff I have no idea how to do and feel like I need a video tutorial on. Annnyhooo, I stumbled upon Tiffany dig her a lot! She's fun, has great info, and has a youtube channel, a blog, a twitter, a facebook... Anyway, you get the picture. She's got some great beauty tips for spring right now, so have to share my fun new find on the interwebs! Love me some TiffanyD! :)

2. My disgusto cold sore is going away! Finally! How on earth I only started getting them as an adult, despite my mother having them all her life is beyond me. Blerg.

3. All my shows are back on before their summer hiatus! Yes, that's incredi-lame that I'm so jazzed about that, but whatever. :)

4. I found a gym! I'm definitely gonna join that one I mentioned (forever ago, but we dont need to talk about that) even though I know half the people who work out there. I took a tour and the moment I walked in the pool area, I inhaled the chlorine and felt relaxed and at peace with life...haha.. I'm being overdramatic, but seriously. It was a definite sign I wanna swim again fo sho. I can't really do much with this blasted cold sore, soooo when it goes away, I'm gonna guest pass it up there! :)

5. Blogger's scheduled posts... b/c um.. I'm totally drafting this on Tuesday night. haha.. Gotta blog when you have time, right?! Duh. :)

6. My blogfriend, Annie, and her husband Billy welcomed their fabulous baby boy into their lives! Cullen is absolutely adorable and you should definitely go over to her blog for some ooh-ing and aaahh-ing over his cuteness! :)

7. Goody's spin pin. Okay, I dont LOVE it yet b/c I haven't gotten it, but my coworker and friend showed it to me in her hair, explained it and um... I need one. Stat. What am I talking about? Watch the video!

8. The storms/hail are officially supposed to be DONE in T-town today! We've had storms since last Friday, dropping some hail in their path and creating some serious flooding. Thankfully, my car has no hail damage and my area hasn't been affected by floods, but I'm glad to see the storm system go. Sending good thoughts to any of ya'll affected by this stuff...

Happy Wednesday, friends!

Tail Wagging Tuesday!

So, every week I've been wanting to participate in C Mae's Tail Wagging Tuesday b/c um.. hello... my dog is kiiiinda my child. So it only makes sense that a Gracie-themed blog is something I'm all over...:) Anyhoo, I dunno what blogger and I have been doing lately, but it hasn't been bonding. I think I've just been busy and then get home, look at the macbook, and think "I'll get on later..." Ever go through weeks like that? *shrugs* Anyhoo, as I prepped for bed, I decided I was bound and determined to link up this week!

This week's Tail Wagging Topic: 

*********Where your pup sleeps!**********

My answer to that is easy.... EVERYWHERE! 

In terms of night time though, she sleeps in my room wherever she pleases.... in bed or on the floor. I got her a really nice pup bed. Of course she's NOT a fan of that. It's like getting your kids really nice toys and they like the box it came in...haha.. *shrugs* My roomie's dog loves Gracie's bed, so whatever. At least it gets use. 

She sleeps atop the sofa like a cat...

Meow!

 She sleeps on the sofa pillow like a person taking a nap...

 Her new favorite is our tan sofa. The black pillows go really well with her white fur she leaves behind...haha.. :) She's too cute to care about that though...

 And like I said... my bed :)

But I think her favorite place to sleep is pretty much anywhere close to her person (aka me). And that's perfectly fine by me. Very little makes me happier than my little snuggly doggie. :) This photo is horrid of me, but it was too cute not to snap. She crawled up by my face and just laid down. Gracie is the awesomest (yes, I realize that's not a word. Whatever)....even if she does snore. Shh...don't tell her. I don't want her to be embarrassed. ;)

:) Happy Tuesday, friends! Head on over to C Mae's blog and link up!

Dear Blog-

Dear Blog-

I'm sorry I've left that week old post sitting at the top of your page. You're way too fabulous for such old dribble to be the most current thing available. I've been busy, but that's no excuse. I miss you, dear blog. I had a lovely weekend and cannot wait to tell you all about it from the comfort of my pretty little white macbook keys. :) I also had quite a busy week last week and even managed to get a cold sore from likely overcommitting myself recently and/or stressing myself out... (gross! Cold sores are evil). So, blog, please send my best to all the other blogs out there and know that I'll be back soon! I can't promise to be any more exciting...b/c let's face it... I ramble... But I promise to not disappoint you in updates like I did last week. :)

Much love-

Jax

Weekend Recap! :)

Hiya friends! How was the weekend? Mine=gooooood! The weekend was a busy one, but was definitely good times. :) Before I start rambling about it and blasting you with photos, I wanted to tell ya I have a guest post on Tracy's blog today about St. Lucia! Go check it out if you're like me and feeling like you need a vacay!  :)

Okay, now for the weekend!

Friday, I had the privilege of attending Project Hope's annual fundraising event, Kwero, with Maria at the Mayo, a historic hotel in downtown Tulsa that's been completely restored. :) At each place setting was a little bookmark with the photo and hearbreaking, yet inspiring story of an orphan in Uganda. All donations went to help build an orphanage, medical clinic and school in Lira, Uganda, known as “Calo Me Lare” or “Village of Redemption." Check out any of the event's linked websites above for stories about the orphans, the mission, etc...

The below is a horrible photo of me, buuuut it's the only one we remembered to take. (I know.. who am I? haha). :) Anyway, we enjoyed our fans and wanted to pose with them. (of course).  As far as Friday nights go, it was definitely 5 star. :)

Saturday, I actually headed BACK to that historic hotel, the Mayo, for a wedding! But, not just ANY wedding... MARY'S WEDDING! :)  I blogged about her shower a couple weeks ago and have been so jazzed to celebrate with her and Bryan! :)

The decor was gorgeous...

The couple is perfect...  :)

...and my date is kinda awesomesauce (and he even accidentally matched their lavender decor...haha).

Aren't they just glowing?! :) I don't cry at weddings...usually. But, I definitely fought back some tears for these peeps. :)

"The family." Mary (bride), Dennis, and me all met at the law firm. :) What started as a few lunches and stopping by each others' offices turned into a great friendship that's lasted years after we all left the firm. :) Oddly enough, we all left within the same calendar year...and none of us really do litigation anymore. Kinda random...

Mary's husband, Bryan, is a very talented musician in his spare time. He used to play in a great, local band called Taming Enos. :) (As I type that, my mind rushes back to college, live music, buckets of bud light, and entirely too much fun swaying around on the dance floor) Anyhoo, Bryan actually wrote a song for Mary and sang it for the first time at the reception! :) (I SO have it on video, but was having issues uploading).

The room was definitely not in a shortage of musically talented people! Bryan and Mary's good friends, David Cook and his band, were also in attendance. (David Cook and band are from here). :) So the reception closed out with a really fun jam fest of some pretty talented folks!

An absolute blast with some really fantastic people that deserve all the happiness in the world. :) Eric and I headed home and thought watching Lost would be a totally good idea (Have I mentioned that I've gotten him a little hooked? He's on Season 1!). Things you shouldn't do when you're exhausted from a long week and have had a few glasses of wine: lay down to watch a television show. The next thing either of us remember is waking up on the sofa-him on one and me on the other-at around 9am the next morning. My mascara-coated eyelashes were glued shut and my contacts felt like I'd used a blowdryer in.my.eye...

haha.. Good grief... :) #exhausted #toomuchgoingon (<-- I like to use hash tags when I'm not on twitter. Whatever).

Had plans to do lunch with some of Eric's friends, so headed out there mid-afternoon Sunday. Nadine (his friend's wife) is from Sri Lanka and prepared an amazing Sri Lankan meal! I'd never had Sri Lankan food-good stuff, friends. Good stuff indeed. :)

Random: So... a girl at the wedding had on an awesome little gold necklace. I complimented her on it and she said someone had brought it back from NYC for her. Anyway, decided to look on etsy for something simple and gold and I found the EXACT necklace! :) And it was under $30! Awesome necklace for the win!

From http://www.etsy.com/shop/simplybybluebird

Soooo that was the weekend! Hope yours was good, friends! :) SO glad winter seems to officially be behind us!

Oh and um.. I have a quick confession... I woke up this morning and my first thought was how excited I am to see these two again tonight... Not sure if that's sad or awesome. Let's go with awesome. ;) 

Gossip Girl is BACK!!!!!!!!!



I have a royal obsession...

It's Friday. I'm finishing a project I haven't had time to finish all week b/c meetings and other stuff ate my schedule. *picture pacman eating my outlook calendar...b/c that's what I just pictured...*

Need a quick break from the daily grind? Lemme help...

I've been obsessed with Ms. Middleton and her suitor for a few weeks now. Not like creepy obsessed... but just obsessed. I read a newsweek article b/c my interest was already peaked, but yeah.. now it's official. Thanks, a lot newsweek. ;)

The article: an excerpt and the full link:
When Catherine Elizabeth Middleton marries William Arthur Philip Louis Windsor, a prince of the royal blood, in Westminster Abbey on April 29, she will be scoring a number of firsts. Kate will be the first royal bride to have a university education, the first to live with her husband before marriage, the first to have a mother who used to be a flight attendant. Most impressively of all, Catherine will one day be the first queen of the realm to have fallen over at a roller disco in a pair of yellow hot pants.


From this site (check it out-it's funny)



If I was a morning person, I'd SO be going to a local movie theater where they're actually catering breakfast and broadcasting the wedding! (How freaking cool is that?!) And I'd prolly wear a fasinator. B/c um.. Kate makes these crazy headpieces haute. I'm just saying...

You go, girl! (Yup, said 'you go girl' to the future princess)

My point here: Kate rocks! This wedding is gonna be awesome. I'll be awake watching it. And likely tweeting with any of you also watching it (please say I won't be alone!). Okay, resume your life now...:)

(Have a great weekend! I need to play blog catch up this weekend after another meeting-heavy week). :)

I look like a human torpedo in a swimcap

So, I've been thinking about cardio workouts and have come to the conclusion that I really don't love the treadmill. I'm just not a natural runner. I DO it, but running is just something I kinda do as a means to an end (a tighter booty) ...or if I'm being chased. I mean, it's a great workout... but I've just never LOVED it. I also don't dig spin class. I mean, you're not going anywhere, but the teacher just keeps yelling to go faster and turn up resistance... I don't get it. I especially don't like it when the teacher is one who exclaims things like "visualize climbing the mountain!" Newsflash: There is no mountain. I visualize the clock reflecting in the mirror and how much longer I have to endure the instructor bouncing around on her bike while I contemplate throwing my water bottle at her. (But only b/c she's totally k*cking my butt since I'm out of shape!) And my butt hurts afterward like someone beat me with a stick. I know tons of people LOVE running and spinning...and I could definitely give it a chance, stick with it awhile, and likely learn to enjoy it more. I know that. But... I got to thinking...why do that, when I could do something I already know I really do love?

Swimming!

Swim caps. Goggles. Lane ropes.

I dig it.

I feel the same way about swimming that some people feel about running. It's relaxing, clears my head, and it's a great cardio workout. I don't even mind smelling like chlorine or bruises on my arms from accidentally bumping the lane rope... :) I swam competitively back in my high school days, have taught swim lessons, and my summer job as a teen was lifeguarding. In short, I like pools. :)

So, I've begun my quest for a gym with a great lap pool. In Tulsa, that's a challenge b/c swimming just isn't a big thing here. Two gyms decently close to my house have pools. One is kept at approximately boiling (overdramatic=me) so as to not freeze out the aquacise participants. Yeah. Not exactly workout-friendly.

The next gym is actually quite awesome and has a pool open for lap swimming at almost all hours of day. And the non-pool part of the gym has a zillion classes! I puffy heart classes. :) I just have to go check it out soon! :) The only downfall=half the professionals I know work out at that gym (again, likely being overdramatic). Not a big deal; I know I know... But really, I like to keep working out kinda private...or at least semi anonymous. And I prefer my current all-chick gym b/c I don't like working out with dudes because they grunt a lot, sweat profusely, and intimidate me on the hand weights for some reason. But, if my little gym isn't meeting my needs, it's just not. Soooo time to buck up on my end for the purpose of bettering of my backside (and other sides as well)....haha.... :)  So, headed to check it out this week. Guest pass here I come!

I just really want my workout to be something I enjoy doing. *shrugs* What about you? Is working out just a means to an end? Do you really like your workout? Thoughts on your gym? Do you like classes or just working out on your own? Are you a morning worker-outer or an evening? (I'm totally evening).

Welp, that was really random... *shrugs* It's a Monday. Random always works for a Monday...haha.. :) Hope the week has started off well for you, friends....

Oh also! I wanted to take a moment and introduce my friend, Maria! She's the one who set up the fun photoshoot over the weekend that I posted about. :) She just posted her first blog entry today and I'm excited for her to be joining the blogger world! She's also the one who set up that fun hip hop class I'm taking that I've blogged about. In short, she's a cool chick and I've talked her ear off about how awesome blogging is. If you have a moment to follow her Hijinks and High Heels (how cute is that name?!) or pop over and welcome her, I'm sure she'd totally love it! :)

Maria at the photoshoot...with a raspberry flavored beer and a curly straw...haha! Love it! 

Happy Monday, friends!

What do a photoshoot, a Chinese buffet, and a new wreath have in common?

They're part of my weekend recap! Duh. ;) (I really like saying "duh" and I notice I say it in almost every post. Sorry if that's annoying. I don't say it out loud that much... or...maybe I do... Anyway, whatever). ;)

This weekend was pretty awesomesauce! Oh yeah, that's right friends; I brought out the awesomesauce. Been awhile since I've said that, right? I think it's the fabulous weather makin' me all feel-good and stuff!

Okay, sooooooo Friday, I was SO tired, I was fairly worthless at life. Eric and I opted to forego Mexican restaurant fun and instead got take out and coronas. Put on comfy clothes and enjoyed food, each other's company, and the fabulous weather from the comfort of his patio. Even my favorite furry kid came with me! Gracie dog beached herself on the cold concrete til we humored her and went inside to the a/c... :) 

We rented a movie on appletv, but not just ANY movie... We saw Caddyshack! I'd never seen it! If you find that shocking, I haven't seen Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Pretty in Pink, Weird Science, etc.. So bizarre b/c I dunno why I never saw some of those somewhat "classic" movies. *shrugs* We didn't have cable when I was growing up...and I didn't have any big bros/sisters to intro me to them, so maybe that's some of it? Who knows!  Even my mother laughs at me over some I haven't seen...  I totally need to ask my fav movie guru, Jennifer, for a good list of must-sees! 

Saturday, my mailman dropped off a package for lil ol me! It took every ounce of willpower to take a photo before ripping it open...haha! 

Inside was this beautiful wreath made by one of my fav bloggers from right here in Oklahoma, Cassie! (Can you believe she MADE this?!) I won the wreath as part of her pay it forward giveaway! Great idea for a giveaway and I'm excited to pay it forward with a giveaway of my own (coming soon)! Thank you so much, Cassie! My roomie and I both think you're incredibly talented and we both appreciate our new fabulous decor! :)

Saturday night, I participated in a photo workshop for Okstrobist, a local organization dedicated to teaching photography techniques-from lighting to editing, and so much more. :) It's a really great organization that's helped develop some absolutely excellent photographers in our area. Anyhoo, one of my good friends, Maria, works with the org to develop themes, settings, models, makeup, etc... (This is all a very general description, but you don't want a novel anymore than I want to write one...haha). She asked for some volunteers in the "talent" department (I like being called "talent" haha). Some friends and I were ecstatic and jumped at the chance! I mean...costumes, hair, makeup, fun photos... What's not to like?!!

The theme= masquerade! How freaking cool is that, friends?! (I'm kinda obsessed with masquerade parties and really want to throw one someday, but that's for another blog).

So, at 3:30 yesterday, off I went to have my makeup and hair done by some great, highly talented girls from Clary Sage Beauty College here in town.

Then, we all headed to the historic and beautiful Harweldon Mansion for the shoot! Oh, and I got to wear wings! How.freaking.cool. I mean.. I'm kinda angelic, but this proves it... (I kid, I kid). 

One of our friends posin' for the camera :)

 Ashley, Carrie, and me towards the end of the night... Still having a blast!

What do you do after a masquerade shoot is over? You go to a wine bar of course! Duh. We got some hilariously awesome stares, but we didn't care. My personal favorite was driving with my wings on. I felt kinda Jenna Elfman in Can't Hardly Wait.

 My hair looked kinda amazing, BUT combing it out made it look absolutely hilarious. I've never seen my hair do anything remotely close to being called "frizz." I have very, VERY fine straight hair. Anyhoo, I took it down, brushed it out, and met the awesomeness that was my head...haha! Couldn't resist a photo of my untamed mane...

One of the fabulous photographers, Sherman, posted a couple of his shots to my facebook today already! :) Had to share! 

Today, I cleaned, groceried (I made it a verb. Whatever), and visited a pretty good Chinese buffet with Eric. (Don't tell MyFitnessPal from my previous post... shh... ). ;) May or may not have jammed out to Britney's new CD whilst cleaning...and the vacuum attachment may or may not have been used as a microphone fifteen or twenty a couple times. :)

Hope you had a great weekend, friends! Love from T-town!

Finally Friday!

B/c the week isn't complete without some random ramblings...

* This week tried to beat me (10 meetings in two days, Lady Gaga concert, a work dinner, family dinner,....) but it did NOT! *said triumphantly and thrusting fist into the air very Braveheart style* However, the week definitely won in terms me checking personal email, watching anything on tv, and cleaning my bedroom. We won't talk about any of those things I didn't get done, though. The weekend is for catching up, right? :)

* My skirt is too short for work today. *glancing down at legs* But, it's Friday and I don't care. :) I mean, I'm wearing an extra long, somewhat bulky cardigan. That has to help...er...right?

* Speaking of clothes, I got some of the really skinny pants from Gap last week. And.I.love.them. I wanted some skinny pants I could wear to work if I wanted to. A friend at work had some from Gap so I took a quick trip to the mall...and hooray for Gap having them on MAJOR sale! It was like pants-destiny. Duh.  I may have asked myself if I could wear them twice this week without anyone noticing... Need more. Stat.


  * That same friend who intro-ed me to the jadorable pants, Andrea, also introduced me to a website designed by someone skinny and evil a fitness/nutrition website. My Fitness Pal helps you track calories for every meal, the calories burned during exercise, etc. I only signed up yesterday, but already, I ate a healthier breakfast this morning (which wasn't hard b/c yesterday was doughnut day at work, soooo today was bound to be healthier...haha). :) Anyway, admittedly, I really dig the accountability. Now let's see if I stick with it. Not really trying to lose weight necessarily, but to get some accountability for eating better...

* Super excited for tomorrow's activities! One of my good friends (who will be rolling out her own blog soon!) works closely with an org that does workshops for up and coming photographers. Anyway, they need subjects for fun, themed shoots occassionally! And well...models aren't nearly as fun or awesome as friends are (duh). So, a group of us are getting all costumed out for a masquerade themed shoot-complete with awesome painted on masks, etc! Pics to follow! :)

Hope you've all had a fabtastic week, friends! I'm really hoping for some r&r with Eric this evening and possibly a good dose of Mexican food (the fitness pal website is gonna be mad at me). :) Happy Friday!

Gaga Oh La La!!

My current state= sleepy. :) My thoughts on last night's Gaga= AWESOME! 

Had a GREAT time! Gaga was impressive, audacious, and so extremely talented. I expected some awesome theatrics, flawless vocals, talented dancers, and I was DEFINITELY not disappointed in any of those fronts! 

Sure, some of it was a little campy, but that's Gaga! The night involved her biting the head off a Barbie doll (shunning the image of the "perfect" body, etc), someone eating her heart, some incredible outfit changes, etc... :) And even though we were on the crowded floor, everyone was SO well-behaved and respectful. I'd never really seen anything like that at a pop/rock concert. I mean, people are usually nice, but never so polite, asking "Can you see?" and "Did I just bump you? I'm so sorry!" Bananas! :)

So here's an excessive a little recap....and a lotta photos/videos. :) Sorry if the vids kinda jump around a little bit. I was trying really hard to keep a clear shot around people. And it didn't help when Gaga screamed "jump everybody!" haha! 

Pre-concert sushi with friends 

We didn't really get "costumed out" b/c (1) it was a Monday night and (2) we were too lazy. Blazers and tights is about as rocker-chic as we got... haha.. :)

But, some others went all out.... No, I don't feel badly posting some of these sneaky snaps b/c there are no faces AND if you're willing to wear it to a concert, you should be willing to have your photo in it... Besides, if they wanna rock it, more power to them! :) 

T and I standing with the stage just behind us gearing up for Gaga!

Okay, soooo Gaga kept all of us little monsters waiting til around 10pm to come out and play. We were getting sorta impatient and texting between friends seated throughout the arena "Seriously.. is she coming?"

And then, the lights dropped, the crowd roared, images of her stared flashing on a screen, and her slight delay was forgotten! This photo cracks me up with all the cameras in the air preparing for the curtain to lift!

Dear Eric- I heart your zoom lens. Thanks for letting me use your camera. :) (We were really close, but not THIS close. Loving the pics I was able to get!)

For those of you that don't know, her concert is supposed to be a sort of tale of her rise to success... It's a a narrative of her trying to get to the "Monsters Ball" and what happens along the way... :)

Video=Telephone

Video= Born this Way, awesome acoustic version

Pretty sure they're attacking her/eating her heart (per the song lyrics)

....which probably explains the fake blood... ? (Admittedly, this part was a little bizarre, but you gotta give it to her on theatricality!)

Video: Poker Face... shows the awesome energy and dancing! :)


The fame monster...

On our way out at the end... Always so crazy to look back and see the crowd you were just standing in the middle of!

Came home to my "little monster" and called it a night... well past 12 midnight! Bananas for a Monday! ha! :)

I LOVED how she kept saying positive things about Tulsa and thanking her fans for supporting her! I thought that was really great... 

I highly recommend going if you get the chance and like her music. :) T and I couldn't stop from dancing, despite our little heeled booties destroying any comfort level our feet had...I mean, we were at freaking GAGA! Feet will recover... haha... :)

Okay, this little monster is about 5 minutes from crashing.out. Sweet dreams, everyone! :)