Mini Vacation at my Parent's House

Hello Everyone!

I am currently house sitting for my Parents and their two miniature Schnauzers whom are fondly called "the girls".

I actually love staying at my parents for a bit.  First of all their bed is FANTASTIC!  Second, I am currently on a horrible gluten free diet and I am craving bagels.  Since my mother loves me she bought me lots of tasty gluten free treats that make it even easier to stay here!  Third, having some time just for myself, not worrying about chores at home, what Mer and I are going to eat for dinner, or do I need to clean the toilet, makes me feel super...you guessed it, inspired!

Don't get me wrong, I love taking care of my family and now getting to call Meridyth my wife seems to make it even more official.  However, tying into my post yesterday it is nice to have fresh ideas and feel excited to create.

Now pictures of "the girls"!

These dogs love to bark which can drive you crazy but they are so loving and wonderful and I love them to pieces.

Until tomorrow....

Lots of love,

Jess

Best Friends...

Hello Gorgeous People Out There!

I am going to sleep tonight with a big smile on my face because I spent the night with my best friend.

I actually have two best friends.  Both are two amazing women who keep me grounded and know me inside and out.

The lovely lady I saw tonight is Lisa and more than a best friend she is like a sister.  Our mother's met each other when they were pregnant with us and I was born in April and Lisa was born in May.  Our mother's are actually best friends too!

We went through pre-school, elementary, middle, high school, and even college together!  We liked the same boys (when I liked boys!), went on family vacations, were in the school plays, and always slept next to each other at summer camp.

She makes me laugh so hard I almost couldn't drive the car tonight.

There is no pressure to call or have certain etiquette.  She is family and I was so happy to see her tonight.

Do any of you have a best friend like that?

Every girl needs one or two or three!

Lisa and I at summer camp before senior year of high school

Lots of Love,

Jess

What has been going on this week...

O.k. People...I have have not been blogging this week for one reason.

Don't get too excited, Meridyth and I did not run off to D.C. And get married and no I did not quit my job and decide to move back to Venice.

Truthfully I wish it was something great and exciting.

Instead it as been my health...Horrible pain, a horrendous allergic reaction, enough steroids to probably kill a small dog, and lots and lots of Benadryl. Needless to say, I am already lying in bed and other than an update don't have any pictures or fun things to share.

On an upbeat note our wedding invites went out this week and I am so grateful to Mer and my family for major support in the last few days. So much to be grateful for.

I just wish this rash would go away!

Until tomorrow,

Love,

Jess

31 things

Merry day after Christmas everyone!

I hope most of you have the day off and are recovering from all the food and drink that were had over the holiday.

On a different note, I have been blogging now for about two weeks and I hope you feel you know me a little better, but I think it is time to really open up and share a bit more.

Hopefully if I share a bit more, some of you our there reading will start to comment a bit. I want to know who you are!  So here we go. 31 things you don't know about me.

1.   I am 31 years old
2.   I lived in Venice, Italy for a year and went to school for my M.A in graphic design
3.   I have three best friends. Steph, Meridyth (my fiancé) and Lisa
4.   My mother and Lisa's mother are best friends and met when they were pregnant with us
5.   I played tennis in high school
6.   I am going back to school to hopefully be a nurse or a P.A
7.   I worked as a hostess in a restaurant for two hours and they fired me
8.   It is the only job I have ever been fired from
9.   My first concert was Hootie and the Blowfish
10.  I had my first major surgery this year, a disectomy/spinal fusion
11.  I have been dealing with depression since my early twenties
12.  I strongly believe in therapy
13.  I hate flying but love airports
14.  I lived in Israel for a summer and worked on an archeological dig
15.  I knew after that I did not want to be an archeologist
16.  I have insomnia and it is usually on those nights I feel most creative
17.  I am a wedding photographer, http://www.jessicalorenphotography.com
18.  Meridyth and I have been together for almost seven years
19.  I like falling asleep to the movie Jurrasic Park
20.  I have one sister that is five years older than me
21.  I am an NPR junkie
22.  I treat our cats like dogs because I never had a cat until two years ago
23.  I believe in soul mates and angels
24.  I was brought up Jewish, though more culturally than religiously
25.  I'm very stubborn
26.  I still occasionally get carded when I go to the movies
27.  I did a sprint triathlon and finished
28.  I love to read and usually read 3 or 4 books at a time
29.  I love watching On the Case with Paula Zahn
30.  Miller Light is my favorite beer
31.  Cinqueterre is my favorite place on earth

That's it!! Thirty one things. I hope you feel you know me a little better. Now you can share with me! Don't be shy!

original author unknown

Love,

Jess

Inspiration: Gifts to Give

Christmas and Chanukah are right around the corner and if you are anything like me you have been browsing the internet rather obsessively looking for cool presents.  Meridyth and I are actually not buying presents this year.  Times are tough, as I sure they are for many of you, but that doesn't mean that I am not in the holiday spirit and that I can't look at all the amazing things I would like to buy for people!

Row One:  Cloud Mobile from GoshandGolly, Puzzle Piece Rug from Rosenberry Rooms, Dog Hat via Sweethoots
Row Two:  Awesome wall decal from CherryWalls, Paris Poster by Moxy Creative House
Row Three:  Urban graphic candles from RE-SURFACE, Adorable Moustache Ring from smilingsilversmith, stylish satchel from Urban Outfitters