Color My World

This has been a colorful week for me!

Seeing all these amazingly beautiful colors trend is kind of fun. I'm starting small, but loving the pops of color I'm adding to my life.

Check out the video to see!





White Skinny Jeans- I may be crazy to rock white pants, but I am so excited to have added them to my wardrobe. Bring it on spaghetti!

Teal Clutch- I couldn't find it online. It was $12.99, from Target. Pictured below.



Nail polish is so fun. I love using it to add some brightness and color to my world.
Sally Hansen- Snappy Sorbet (love the color hate this line)
Sally Hansen- Mint Sorbet (no complaints)

Statement Rings are a fun way to show your unique personality. And yet another way, to add color your world. Forever 21 has great accessories. Here are the ones I picked up from there.





"Hunger Games" movie tickets are purchased!
Dear Midnight Showing, Jenny and I are coming for you!
Andrea, wanna join us?! :)

Go enjoy the rest of your week! What is coloring your world?

Come back next Thursday for a special edition of Thursday Latelies!
~Jessica

How NOT to be a Parent

Have you seen this video?



If you haven't seen it, don't watch the entire 8 minutes. You can just skim through the video and get the gist.

This video has been floating around Facebook the last few weeks, and many have praised this father for the way he handled the situation with his daughter.

Well... I hate this video.

It's been on my mind these last two weeks, since this guy posted it, and every time I see it, my blood gets boiling. I'm going to give you all a piece of my mind about it.

I'll list my issues with the video, and below in bold will be my response/what I would do, as a parent.

1) This wasn't punishment. This was retaliation.
While the father was shooting the laptop he says, "and this one's for your mom."
To me that screams, "I just want to pay you back."
I could feel his anger oozing while watching his video.
Doing what your child did, to teach them a lesson, only makes you look like a child yourself. Children retaliate. Parents shouldn't.


Calm down. Breathe. Pause. Think. Respond.
Never respond out of anger.  Before you do anything, you have to consider the ramifications of what you are about to do. It's your responsibility to think ahead, as best as you can, for your child. When you respond out of emotion, you are no different than the child your are punishing. You will cause far more damage than good.

2) The father proved to be no different than his adolescent daughter by publicly humiliating her in return.

It's never "an eye for an eye" in parenting. Consequences should always be with the child in mind. What will help them learn, and let them feel the weight of their decisions? Not, "What can I do to pay them back?" Doing what they did to you, to teach them a lesson, is ridiculous and thoughtless.  Real consequences take some creative thinking and patience.


3) By destroying the very thing he ranted about putting so much money into, he also punished himself.
Hello dude, you just complained about how much money you spent getting this laptop all nice for her, then you go and destroy it. How does that do any good? Such a waste of money and time. Plus, what if his daughter had school work on it that she needed? It seems there wasn't much thought about it, or he simply didn't care.

Think outside the box with consequences. Take away the laptop, absolutely, but destroying it shows you're just as emotionally driven as your 15 year old who posted those things on facebook. Give the laptop to someone who needs it, make her work to earn a new one. Don't destroy it.

4) Shooting things is violent and extreme
Even though he wasn't physically violent to his daughter by shooting the laptop, he was emotionally violent. Pointing a gun at someone's possession, shooting it, and naming what each bullet symbolizes is emotionally violent and anger filled. It's not equal to the offense.


5) This father had no regard or forethought.
The emotional damage that this father caused his daughter by choosing to handle this the way he did, will take years to repair. He broke trust, showed what he is willing to do to prove he is in control, and didn't think about what his actions might do to their relationship. His daughter should not have written what she did on facebook, but she's 15, and most teenagers don't reason well or think of the future, adults do though. He should have known better than to put something out that there, that everyone in the world has access to.This video will haunt her.

As a parent, you are the adult. Emotionally and mentally. Your responsibility and job is to be able to hold your children's emotions, and recognize where they are at. If you explode when your children do, your whole house is at the maturity level of your children. Hold your children's emotions, let them feel without the threat of your retaliation.

6) Reprimanding your daughter's foul language, with foul language... Really? Serious fail.

Your words towards your children need to be chosen carefully- even when they are 15. Our words matter deeply. You're the adult, think before you speak.

The Bottom Line
To me, the fact that his daughter was even saying such horrible things about her parents in the first place, implies severe brokenness in their relationship. I imagine that on a daily basis, there is a lot of emotional pain that this 15 year old girl is experiencing, and that she is desperately looking for little bit of power, because she feels so powerless. She went about expressing it the wrong way, but how she feels is legit. The fact that her dad responded the way he did, confirms that brokenness to me. The way they are willing to speak to each other and treat each other, shines light to the everyday battles they likely face. I actually felt really sad for both of them while watching this video. But, mostly for the girl.

Working to express emotions and communicate expectations in ways that are respectfully, and not demanding, is a constant challenge as a parent. But, it's essential to your relationships with your children. When that groundwork isn't laid, or worked at being repaired when broken, this facebook and video interaction is what occurs.

What I would have done
- I would ask that a public apology be made on her facebook status. I would also have her make phone calls to those who had contacted me about what she wrote, and apologize to them personally.

-Her facebook would be deactivated, and the password would be changed to only something I knew, so she didn't have access to it anywhere.

-Her laptop would be confiscated. It would be in my possession, and would either be given to someone who needs it, or with me until it is earned back.

-I would listen to her. What is she trying to communicate by writing such things? How is she feeling about "xyz?"

-Evaluate what my part, if any, was in the whole thing. Did I say something that was hurtful? Did I treat her unfairly? Did I communicate clearly?

Believe it or not, parents aren't always right. Though she shouldn't have responded to how she was feeling by posting such harsh things on facebook, I need to consider what I may have done to make the situation worse. Maybe there's nothing, but it would be wise to look at yourself. You're never going to go wrong with being self-aware.

-Work with her to repair the situation. Give her opportunities to build your trust. Give her chances to earn privileges back, give her the respect she deserves as a human.

I feel better now that all of that is out of my mind, and into words.

I'm going to go shoot the kids' "family" ipod now, because Cullen keeps turning it up too loud.
~Jessica

Thursday Latelies- My First Love

This was a week of firsts for me.

First time trying a new food.
First time making a new dessert
Reminiscing about my first true love.

It was a good week.

Check out my goodies in this week's video!

Chobani Greek Yogurt- What a lovely treat for my taste buds. I think I might be only one on this earth who hadn't tried it before, but now I have I joined the greek yogurt club, there's no turning back.

Rice Krispie Treats- How I went through my entire childhood without ever making these goodies, I don't know. Some would even call it un-American. We were just a cookie, ice cream, super rich stuff kind of family... but there's a first for everything, right? Well, this week, I made my inaugural batch of rice krispie treats, and have no intention of stopping.

John Mayer Shadow Days- There just aren't enough words, or even the right words, to describe my love for John Mayer. Seriously. He's my first love. We've been through a lot of life together. A new album is upon us, because he just released a snipet of his first single off the new album, "Born and Raised." My heart leaped and skipped a few beats when I found this valuable information out, and heard the new song.

Rach and I have an equal love for the guy. Here's us rockin' out during one of our listening parties. We're notorious for getting pizza and diet coke, taking it to the beach, and serenading ourselves with his music. Below is our 2006 sesh. "Continuum" had just been released. Wowza.

Have a great rest of your week, and weekend!
~Jessica

We Like to Party!

Happy Thursday!

What are YOU loving this week?

I'm loving parties. Birthday parties, and songs about parties. It's just been my thing.

So let's talk about it!
Below are my goodies.





Our little guy is officially 2-What?
Happy Birthday, Cullen!

Oreo Cupcakes are a must try. No excuses. Go make them NOW!
Thanks, Rach, for the inspiration AND the posting recipe.

Garnier Anti-Dark-Circle Eye Roller. Thanks to Lindsey, from Flimsy Lindsey, for the suggestion!

e.l.f bronzer and blush duo. Hey, for $3.00, you can't go wrong!


Song of the Week

I don't own a single Beyonce' album, and personally would not say that I am super into her. She's beautiful, creative, and a strong woman, not doubt, BUT, I don't fancy her music. I guess there are exceptions to every rule. Though the silly, fictional word "Swagu" appears in the song, I can't get it out of my head and off of repeat. Funny, I know. I'm not saying that this is the best song ever. Please don't hear me say that! It's just chill, the lyrics are complete fluff, and there really isn't much substance to it- and sometimes that's just the kind of song you need/want for your week.
Thank you to Lindsey, from Merely a Mouthpiece, for posting this song for me to find!
Are you all ready for the ridiculous-ness that is this song? Watch below :).





Now go have yourself a great rest of the week!
~Jessica

A Sunny February 6th

February 6th, 2010 was an unusually sunny day for Washington. I looked out the window from my hospital bed, and thought to myself, "What a beautiful day to be meeting my son." I marked the weather in my head, because I knew how rare an occasion it was to have the kind of sun we did, on a winter day.


Fast forward two years and here we are. Celebrating Cullen's 2nd birthday. How time escaped me so quickly, I couldn't even tell you. I woke up this morning with a smile on my face, not only because it was my little's man birthday, but because the sun was shining bright and warm today, just as unusual as the day he was born.



Memories of the day I held Cullen for the first time came flooding back to me, and all throughout this day, I have been consistently reminded of how elated I am to be Cullen's mom.
That he is mine to love, teach, and take care of. That he was entrusted to me.


So, here's to you, my precious Cullen. May you grow up to be just as energetic, strong willed, and thoughtful as you are already are now, and may you always know that your worth comes from who created you, not what you do. Finally, may you always know how furiously loved you are. Thank you for teaching me how to love in ways I didn't know were possible.



Happy 2nd Birthday, my sweet boy. I adore you.

That face. Oh, that face. Love you, bud!

Take #Bajillion

Are you having a good week?!

I surely hope so!

Life is good. I've got nothing to complain about!

Check out what I'm loving this week!





Chipotle Black Bean Burgers- Unbelievably delicious, healthy, and filling- in a good way.

"Parenthood" - What a great, new-to-me-and-Bobby, show.
Whether you're a parent or not, it's a good show.
Do you watch "Parenthood?"

This summer, we're going to Disneyland! (like it even needs a link to it)
I canNOT wait!
I'm so looking forward to sharing some of mine and Bobby's favorite memories with our kids.


You know how I said I'm loving teal, last week?
Well, I found my future first teal purchase.
Here are my teal pant gimme's - and pictured below.
Thanks Forever 21- I'm headed your way!
I'd also like to add that I want those in white, and red.
Can I have one of every color please?





And, once again, my pale pink pant gimme's.
Thanks, Jenny, for finding them for me!
There's something about pale pink and denim.
I can't take my eyes away.

Want some fun shoes? Check out www.urbanog.com
Thanks, Lindsey, for the suggestion awhile back!

Go to Bex's page, and check out some other ladies linking up to share their lives!

Until next time!
~Jessica

Take Your Brain With You

No matter how you feel about politics it is important...no... imperative, essential, vital, etc, to vote. We live in a nation that gives us the opportunity to offer our opinion, and participate in what happens...and that is a privilege. You must vote if you want what you say to matter. If you don't vote, you can't complain. Not voting is the worst kind of indifference to have. No matter how annoyed you may be about politics, don't miss the chance to practice democracy.

That's where I'll start.

Politics, these days, seem to be less about the needs of this country, and the role we should have in this world, and more about the candidates' sex lives. I wouldn't call myself someone who is passionate about politics, but in the year of a presidential election, it's hard to escape hearing details about the political world. In the recent years, I feel like the political races have gotten more and more unnecessarily personal, and quite violent. I realize that someone's character is important in a situation where they would be leading, and we should absolutely look at patterns and themes in someone's life, but if we tear apart every last decision someone has ever made, no one would ever be an eligible candidate.

Politics are also quite frustrating to me these days, because each side does so much ridiculing and slandering of "the other side." Playing the "I know best" or "My side is correct" game, just gets ugly, and frankly, it's arrogant. The division that kind of talk creates is quite bothersome to me. The way someone votes is, and should be very personal. If we all have a story, then we all have reasons why we vote the way we do. So be it. I fully respect anyone's right to have their opinion, and think that's the beauty of living in this nation, but to call someone ignorant because they don't see things exactly like you do, is unacceptable in my book... Unless of course, they really are ignorant. Just kidding. TOTALLY kidding.

Politics become even more tricky when throwing it around the religious circles. The idea that if you are a person of faith, you are automatically a republican, or that someone who considers him or her self a democrat, doesn't have a moral compass, is unfair and completely untrue. As someone who considers herself someone of faith, I feel I'm becoming the rare-bird who isn't going to automatically click "republican"  simply because of my faith. I want to first be open-minded. If that lands me on the Republican side, great, but if I identify more with the left, then I'll vote that way. Admittedly, I have always voted Republican, and I just may keep that track record going, but I guess, what I'm trying to say is that it wouldn't make me less of a person of faith or intelligence if I did, in fact, vote a different way. Truthfully, in our day to day life, I do not believe it matters how you vote... it matters how you love. Last time I checked, your political preference didn't define who you at your core.

Where do I stand in the this election year? Truthfully, politics exhaust me, because of everything I stated above. I can't watch all the debates, and read all the political articles- I'm drained two sentences in. But, because voting is a non-negotiable for me, I am committed to researching each candidate on the both sides, and will vote the best way I can, based on the information I find. I will do the research, I won't let someone else tell me how I should vote. I plan to go issue by issue that's important to me, and look at what I feel most passionate about. Whoever lines up best with the things that are important to me, will get my vote.

I know it's early in the year, and we have until November to listen and research, but time moves quickly and politics, though annoying at times, are important. I may not be passionate about them myself, but I want to be aware. Honestly, I haven't done much digging for information yet in this race, but I will once the candidates are chosen.

One of my favorite "pins" on Pinterest says, "Follow your heart, but take your brain with you." Don't vote based on feelings alone. Think. Research. Ask questions. Be informed. Vote for yourself.

Happy Election Year!
~Jessica