slurp...

Yeah, that's right.  I made a stop at Sonic for Happy Hour, 

and now I'm a happy girl with my cranberry limeade. 

Just what I needed on this miserably hot and muggy afternoon.

Yum.my.

A letter to my 20 year old self...

I came across this collection via this blog.  I read through all of the letters from bloggers to their 20 year old selves, and cried.  I was inspired and feel like I have something to say to 20 year old Jen, so here goes...

Dear 20 year old Jen,


Oh boy, where to I begin!?  We just turned 30, and I've been thinking about you alot.  It seems like forever since I was you.  I have some things to tell you, and some of it's not going to be fun, but hear me out.


First of all, you know that guy you just met?  Yeah, the one from the baseball game.  That hunch you had about needing to know him, you were right!  Don't stress over it though.  You'll see him again.  Don't be afraid to call him either.  Oh, and yes, leave a message, cause they do have that new caller ID thing!   Make sure you don't take out what you-know-who did on this one.  He doesn't deserve that, cause he's a wonderful guy, and here in just a few years you're gonna face something tremendously hard together.  I can't tell you what it is, because you would totally freak out.  You'll know it when it happens, and just remember, stick it out.  Take it one day at a time, and do what comes naturally.  You're a great nurturer, and it will all work out.  Before you are 30, it will be securely in your past.


Deal with your demons now.  Seriously, you will be so much happier later if you do.  Figure out who you're really mad at and let it go.  I know you really don't know, but you'll figure it out.  Quit blaming yourself.  Give it to God.  Trust me, it really works.


Stop worrying about what other people think!  You are pretty awesome, and beautiful, and skinny!  Seriously, why can't you see that!?  Oh, it might be beneficial for you to start exercising...maybe try and fall in love with running.  I know, you're laughing, but really you will love it at one point...and then you won't.  But, maybe if you start now, you could save us both alot of grief later!


Stop taking everything so seriously.  And stop worrying about stupid stuff!  No one is paying as much attention to any of that as you think.  And, if they are, then they're superficial jerks who you don't want to be friends with anyway!


Have Grandma teach you to crochet and knit.  You'll thank me later.


Spend more time with your sisters.  They are gonna grow up way faster than you can even imagine!


Mostly though, just keep doing what you're doing.  You're not gonna screw anything up.  Have fun and go out more!  You're young, go blow off some steam! 


See you in 10 years!
30 year old Jen

I highly reccomend checking out  Cassie's blog.  Truely inspirational! 

What would you say to your 20 year old self?  {make sure if you write your own letter that you credit the idea back to Cassie, and let her know so she can publish it!}

Harmony House...

I've just spent the last few minutes playing around with the Harmony site.  No, not EHarmony, I'm a happily married woman, folks!  I'm talking about this little drawing tool created by Richardo Cabello  
{a.k.a. Mr. Doob}  

I was introduced by the lovely blog Slowlane.  If you haven't checked out this blog, you must! 

I quickly "painted" this lovely little house just for you, my dear readers.  I hope you enjoy!  haha!

Seriously though, this tool is addictive.  Go play with it!  The only thing I've found that I wish it had was an Undo.  ;)

Happy Wednesday to you!

Go create something on Harmony!  

{and send it to me so I can see!  oh, wouldn't that be fun!?}

Any other fun tools out there that I should know of? 

I miss my sense of smell...

Thank you all for your well wishes!  Jon and I are still feeling kinda peuny, but are back {at least trying} to live our normal lives.  I sure could use a nap, though! 

I miss not feeling like I just got water up my nose at the pool.  Ick.  And, I miss my sense of smell.  It's the pits not being able to smell in the summer. 

Some summertime smells I'm longing for:

juicy lemon

via

fresh cut grass

via

and

homemade chocolate chip cookies

via

 {really chocolate chip cookies are great in any season}

   

What are your favorite summer smells?

Jon and I have spent the entire weekend sick.  We went to the doctor this morning and seems we both have sinus infections caused by a nasty cold virus.  We got our matching prescriptions and are now resting and watching Gone With the Wind.  It's been years since I've seen it, and Jon never has, so we thought now was as good a time as any to watch it. 

I wish I had something more eloquent to say...but alas, my head is stuffy.  I hope your weekends were much more fun than ours!  I hope to be back resembling my usual self tomorrow. 

{photo via here}

eh...

I'm feeling a little under the weather today.  Not quite sick, but not quite right.  My throat is the tiniest bit scratchy, and my shoulders and hips feel achy.  I'm thinking it has to do with the air conditioning blowing on me during the night.  I know that sounds weird, but I woke up at 2:00 burning up, so I got up and turned it down....maybe a little too much.  

Anyway, I'm sure that was more than you cared to know.  Point being, I'm feeling less than creative today, and really should save what little I have in me for the pile of work on my desk.  

I'll see you lovelies tomorrow!  

{photo credit:  the cheshire smile}

small purses...

Now, I'm usually one to carry a giant honkin' purse, but these tiny Gigi small purses by bagatelles&co are too swoonworthy not to want!  I've been thinking of them ever since I saw them on The Brightside Project last week.  I have a black clutch that I've dubbed my "wedding and funeral clutch" as those seem to be the only occasions for which it makes it appearances.  If I had one of these, it would certainly get out more often!  The only problem would be choosing one. 

**This London based etsy seller has many other lovely items.  You should check it out here.

Sometimes all you need....

 is a day spent with your best friend!  

It's just a shame that we can't do it more often.

I cannot say enough how full my heart feels today.  Getting to spend some time with my best girl and her fam really hit the spot!  

Our time was spent with visits from mom's wanting to see the kiddos, movies, a walk to the pool {it was a scortcher!}, pizaa and wings, a few adult beverages, lots of popsicles, a long walk full of girl talk, and some patio time with a glass of wine...and more girl talk.  Ahhh.  So nice!  

I'd be lying if I said I didn't already miss them, but I'm so glad they stopped by!  Love you guys!

What has everyone else been up to?

{photo credit:  Madeline Bea}

Extended weekend...

I'm playing hookie today and hanging with my bestie and her beautiful family.  

I love having them here, and am going to soak up every second of this short visit.

I'll see you tomorrow!  Have a great Monday!  ;)

{photo credit: Spencer Fields Forever}

Hot, Hot, Hot...

If it's going to be this hot, you really should be at the beach.   

{or a pool. or lake.  or at least near a sprinkler.  not outside without some kind of water.  and certainly not in a Wal-mart parking lot.  oh my.}

Summer is here in full force, and it is steamy!

What's the weather like where you are?

Oh, and hey, hey!  Tomorrow is Friday!  ;)

{photo credit : Christian Chaize available here found here}

Dear Jon...

Have I ever told you guys that I have the best husband in the world?  

Well, I do.

Dear Jon,

Thanks honey, for always being there to help me package up orders and for taking them to the post office for me.  There's a reason I named my store jdavissquared.  The squared part is very important.  I couldn't do it without you.  

Love,

Jen

p.s. I think you're pretty cute.  ;)
p.p.s. Thanks for not judging me when I had a root beer float for dinner at 10:00 last night.

{image credit:  Print by colorbee via Etsy}

In the Garden...

Saturday morning I spent some time with my flowers.  

This is the first time I've ever potted anything, and I have to say, I'm enjoying it tremendously!  It just adds such vibrancy to the yard.  Everytime I come and go, they make me happy.  

I wasn't sure if I would be able to keep them alive.  I didn't think I inherited my mom's green thumb, but so far, I think I'm doing well!

Love my flowers.  Pink, white and red geraniums.  Yellow and orange marigolds.  Herbs galore!

{oh, that one on the top right is a rose of sharon...I didn't plant that one, but it's aweful pretty!}

Do you have flowers on your porch/patio?  Which are your favorite?

{photos by me}

Wedding Print...

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!  

Ours was packed full, but oh-so-much fun.  I have lots to share with you this week! 

We went to a nice backyard wedding reception on Saturday.  We gifted the bride and groom one of my custom wedding prints.  I thougth it turned out so pretty!  

 {get yours here}

I hope they enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it!

The weekend flew by, didn't it?  This week is going to be a long one.  I have TONS to get done both at work and at home, and I have a visit from my best friend to look forward to next weekend!

Weekend Again...

Hey lovelies!  I'm juggling lots of work again, but wanted to pop in and wish you a Happy Friday!  Can you believe it's the weekend again already!?  Hooray!  

I'm looking forward to some down time, a possible trip to the farmer's market, a wedding reception, a birthday party for yours truly with some friends and family and hopefully some time spent with my darling hubby.....and maybe a bike ride or two!

What do you have going on? 

Whatever it is, I hope you enjoy every second!  

See you next week!  

{photo by Aura-joon via Pinterest}

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

I have a new thing for mirror covered walls.  My in-laws have decorated their powder room with antique hand mirrors hung on the wall, and although it creates a sort of spooky atmosphere in a hundred year old house, I love it!  Their walls are painted black, so the shimmer of the glass really pops.  I think it's the perfect way to add interest in a small space.

Here are a couple examples of great mirror walls {in my humble opinion}....

 

What do you guys think of this idea?  Love it? Loathe it?

images via here and here.

Let's party...

I want to have a party and hang one of these from my ceiling!  Heck, we don't even need a party, I'll hang it anyway!  

These fabulous tassel garlands are made by Confetti System, and I was introduced to them through Mixed Plate.

The birthday feast....

Friday night Jon took me to Fogo De Chao to celebrate my birthday.  {It was amazing, however, we both decided that Texas de Brazil has a clear edge.}  We stuffed ourselves with meat as was expected and the fillet mignon is still my fave.  Since it was my birthday, they forced a dessert down our throats.  I chose the Chocolate Mousse Cake.  

We did our best to choke it down. 

Clearly, we hated it.

There really is always room for dessert!

God Bless America!

via

 

Happy 4th of July!

This is one of my favorite holidays, and becomes more and more special every year as I grow and understand more how precious our freedoms are.  I love this country so much,  and I get choked up thinking about all the men and women who have fought to the death to give us the freedoms that we have.  We must make sure that they are never taken away!  We are living in such a politically charged time, and I pray that we may come through it stronger and more appreciate than ever before.  

We plan to spend the day with family and friends.  BBQ, fireworks and lots of red, white and blue! 

For those of you in the USA, happy Independence Day! 

For my international friends, Happy Sunday! 

Today is my birthday...

I'm in my 30s.

There, I said it.

But, guess what?  I feel like a kid again.

Cause I got something super cool for my birthday.

You know how I've told you that my dad reads my blog.

Well, he noticed a trend.

And, he thought I needed something.

Can you guess what it is?

It's shiny...

and blue...

and white...

and has a basket...

with tulips...

that's right!

MY VERY OWN CRUISER!!!!!!

OMG, YOU GUYS!

I'm so excited I can't hardly stand it! 

I can't wait to take it for a spin!  ;)

Thank you Dad!  And thank you Brenda for the basket and the tulips!

Happy Birthday to My Bestie...

"Sometimes in life there really are bonds formed that can never be broken. Sometimes you really can find that one person who will stand by you no matter what. Maybe you will find it in a spouse and celebrate it with your dream wedding. But there's also the chance that the one person you can count on for a lifetime, the one person who knows you sometimes better than you know yourself is the same person who's been standing beside you all along." 

-Marion St. Claire, Bride Wars

We both, no doubt, have been blessed to find our perfect matches in our spouses,  but I cannot tell you how glad I am to have found you.  You're that one person to me.  The one who's been standing by my side all along.  We will always have each other, no. matter. what.

I love you girlie!  Happy Birthday!  I still can't quite wrap my brain around the fact that we're turning 30.  Seems like just a couple years ago we were spending the summers together combing the mall, soaking up the sun at your pool and putting balloons on our fingers and toes.   Here's to the next decade, may it be our best yet!

xoxo, jen

photo tape and scallop medallions from here.

****And check out Amanda's photography blog, Wanted Photography .  She's a very talented photographer, and has just launched her own business!  If you're in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, she's offering an amazing discount for a limited time!  {I'm talking amazing, you'd be crazy not to call her discount!}You'll love the photos, and she really is the nicest person you'll ever meet!  {I am not just saying that cause she's my bestie either, she actually is the nicest person ever!}