jamie ann

I’ve been feeling a little off, so a list of favorite happy things are in order. Well, minus one of them.

• The Pioneer Woman’s book – Black Heels to Tractor Wheels. I read it in one afternoon with a swoony smile permanently on my face. I’d like a cowboy, please.
• But instead of a cowboy, I’ll take Tim Riggins. I think my new goal in life is to find a Tim Riggins and keep him forever because THAT IS A PERFECT MAN RIGHT THERE.
• The fact that the bar I went to Friday night played Tearing Up My Heart and MmmBop. I just about died.
• Finding a new job. Job hunting is the most frustrating and exhausting thing ever. It’s like, you don’t want to just settle for any job thrown your way because you know a great job is out there for you. It just can get a little disheartening sometimes.
• Music-wise, I’m on a Yeasayer, Tapes n Tapes, The Weakerthans and The Get Up Kids kick.
• Pinterest. Dude, a site dedicated to pretty things is bad news for me. I legit spend a couple hours on it throughout the day. A girl can get lost!
• Making a list of Chicago places I still haven’t been to and finally going to them. It’s ridiculous when I think of some of the places I’ve never been here.
• Party Down

Now I’m off to straighten my hair and paint my nails before getting back to the grind because even if I feel off my game, I’m going to at least feel pretty.

SO TAKE THAT, LIFE.

Things are starting to pick up again for me and I’m pretty grateful for that.  I’m much happier when I’m busy and being more social.

Really digging:

• New projects I’m starting to work on. I really love the brainstorming, planning and strategy that goes into getting it all off the ground.
• Boardwalk Empire. I really like this show, especially now that Mad Men only has three episodes left this season, it’ll be a good replacement. I love the time period it takes place in and it just really brings it when it comes to the aesthetics.
• Knitting. Fall and winter are my favorite seasons when it comes to clothing because I really love the layers and chunky knits. I’d like to be able to make some of my own so I’m going to give it a shot and take a class. I’ve been following Allyson for awhile now and really dig what she does.
• Friends. Obviously.
• Branching out and trying new things, feeling out new crowds and places and meeting new people. Change is good, dudes.
• Coffee shops. The other day I randomly got a white mocha, something I never do because I don’t like coffee. And I liked it, so now I like coffee, but only if it doesn’t taste like coffee. Anyway now that I have more projects, I think I’m going to spend more time out of the house and working in cafes and coffee houses. I think it’s time to find My Spot. You know, the place I go to regularly.  Let’s call this The Great Chicago Coffee Shop Tour.
• The urge to go buy Beauty and the Beast on dvd because I’m seeing stuff about it everywhere. I couldn’t even tell you the last time I watched that movie.
• South America Adventure in winter 2011. It’s totally going to happen.

Yeah, so that’s what’s up.

What are you obsessing over? Anything I should add to my list?

Last weekend was pretty terrible. This weekend has so much potential for awesome.

Really digging these things:

• my new Matt & Nat bag and Betsy Johnson sunglasses
• NYC ON FRIDAY
• sleepovers and seeing the city with Caroline
• seeing Katelin for our third annual drunken BlogHer video blog (with hopefully another special guest appearance by Jess)
• Mad Men starting again and the new babe that works at the office
• how long my hair is getting
• the Nintendo DSi XL book club I’m hosting with Stacey next weekend
• the fact that it’s August and FALL WILL BE HERE SOON
• making super fun amazing plans for fall
• Joseph Gordon Levitt and his three piece suits (hi, call me)

Things I’m not obsessing over and actually like, really hate:

• summer
• losing a big freelance job very unexpectedly on Friday
• having to do laundry and pack for my trip
• not being able to get in at my salon for a teeny tiny trim before I leave for New York so my bangs and hair are kind of a hot mess

So yeah, if you’re in NYC this weekend – holler.

If you know of any awesome freelance gigs around the interwebs and/or bad ass jobs in Chicago – holler times two.

Your turn. Currently obsessing over _____.

I’ve been pretty busy the past week and I’ll be out of town for the next few days. Don’t worry, you know where to find me while I’m gone.

Currently digging these things:

• Californication
• my new purple flats
• getting mail, especially if it’s pretty Etsy stuff
• Literacy and Longing in LA
• spring finally making it’s debut in Chicago (we had a little setback this past weekend but we’re on the right track)
• dinner with friends on Friday night at 44th Ward Dinner Party
• Vinny Chase (catching up on the last season of Entourage)
• finally using my Groupon for a dozen cupcakes from Swirlz for my birthday this weekend

Yes, my birthday is Saturday. Sigh. It will be the 5th anniversary of my 21st birthday.

Feel free to send me love notes, pretty things and hugs & kisses to help ease the pain of getting older.

I have a tumblr. It can be found here if you want to follow it or whatever.

I kind of forget it exists sometimes but I dig it because I can post all the pretty images I come across.

Like these:

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Do you tumble?

I walked into the salon just as they were flipping the sign from closed to open. Was welcomed with an “oh hey girl!” as I put up my coat and sat down to hype myself up for the scissors that were about to give me a heart attack as the girls opened up shop. It’s really no news to anyone who knows me how anxious I get about getting my hair cut. Hell, if you tell me you’re going to chop off your hair, I get nervous for you. It’s actually really silly.

But I really do have complete faith in my current stylist and she barely has to ask me what I want done anymore. She GETS long hair. When girls with long hair say they want a “trim”, she knows it means DON’T YOU DARE TAKE OFF ANYMORE THAN YOU HAVE TO. She takes as little off as possible and doesn’t laugh when I say that it’s just getting long again. She completely understands.

After a little shampoo, conditioner and some small talk, she had cleaned my layers up nice, trimmed my bangs, gave me a killer blowout and smoothed out a few pieces of hair with a flat iron. When she pulled off that little cape thing and turned me to face the mirror, I let out an audible sigh of content. She laughed and said, “feels good doesn’t it?”

I’m absolutely convinced there is no better therapy than a good trip to a salon. There is nothing they can’t solve.

Break up? Haircut. Job stressing you out? Color. Big date? Blowout. World peace? HAIRCUTS FOR EVERYONE WITH BONUS MANI/PEDIS!

(You can give me my Nobel now)

Anyway, now that I got my hair cut finally, I can share photos of my gorgeous new headband. Pretty, right?

My friend Tia, of Icing on the Hair fame, made me a special custom headband because she loves me a lot. It’s called the Jamie Lovely and I do believe she might be making them for her Etsy shop in the future. It has a two purple felt rosettes and two black sheerish chiffon (I think?) ones and a couple of tiny rhinestones on either side. It’s adorable and I’m in love.

(I even changed into my pajamas but I’m still wearing it)

So yeah. I have something named after me now and I’m pretty sure that makes me even more awesome than I already am.

And it gives me another reason to obsess over my hair.

(like I really need one!)

(too long bangs. what. up.)

• plaid shirts (picture!)
• the fantastic books I’ve read lately: Rules for Saying Goodbye, I Am Not Myself These Days and This Is Not Chick Lit to name a few
• cleaning out my closet and rediscovering my love for all my old Nike Dunks and Air Maxes
• Kiehl’s lip balm. I was gifted this when I was flown out to Vegas to attend the Swagg party and it is AMAZING.
• Blow Pops
• my new OPI polish: Metro Chic (picture!)
• Amy’s Kitchen frozen dinners. Pesto tortellini and mac and cheese are my faves when I’m too lazy too cook which needless to say is A LOT.
• my hair finally getting long again (picture!)
• DiorShow Iconic. BEST MASCARA EVER.
• music flashbacks: ska, 90s r&b and pop. Holler.

Your turn.

Go.

• nail polish. I’m currently wearing Concord Grape by O.P.I.
• Icing on the Hair. I’m getting ready to order a headband and you better not order the one I want before I get to it. I’m not above shanking a bitch over hair accessories.
• chocolate and champagne first thing in the morning
• Jenn
• Glee parties
• Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
• The Get Up Kids. I can’t stop listening to Something To Write Home About and On A Wire. No really, I can’t stop listening to them.
• those of you who voted for me to win Best Secondary Blog for Oh How Lovely Shops
• trying to plan interview outfits around a new pair of shoes (it didn’t work so I have to wear different shoes. LAME)
• my puppy who guards my room from my dad’s dog and chasing him away when he looks in here. EVERY TIME. It’s really hilarious.
• the internet because we managed to raise over $2,000 in 24 hours for www.loveharder.org. Go donate.
  

Send some good vibes my way today?

I could use them.

Love lists seem to be going around again. I couldn’t help myself because I’m feeling quite optimistic today.

I love –

Great hair days. Las Vegas. Library books. Ordering in. Perfect 75 degree Chicago days. Having a dj at my disposal who plays silly poppy songs for me that he wouldn’t play in the club. Wine tastings with my favorite girls. Ryan Leslie’s music. Meeting old friends for the first time. Polka dotted flats. Ice cream sundaes. Pedicures. Friends who look out for you.

BlogHer in a few weeks. Summer mix cds. Brand new notebooks. Puppies named Edie. Gchat convos with my Vegas people. The Beatles. Chick lit. Real lit. Pretending I’m a foodie. Finding the perfect shampoo and conditioner combination for my hair. Mac and cheese. Sitting down to write and the words just flow. Movie nights.

Swirlz cupcakes. Getting a tan. Super cold Pepsi. Honesty. Rereading favorite books. My iPhone. Greek. Ideas for days. Puppy swimming pools. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.  Discovering you and your friend could have had the same prom dress. My hot pink MacBook. Having options.

What’s is one thing you are loving lately?

Pillows…Check
Blankets…Check
Hoodie…Check
Puppy…Check