The Sparkle Diaries

moving on.....

2011-12-08T21:25:00.000-05:00

If you visit here periodically....you may have noticed that there hasn't been much activity. That's because I'm concentrating my blogging on my photography site. It's been great sharing moments in my life here at The Sparkle Diaries...but it's time to dedicate my time to my photography blog now.

I hope you'll take a moment to come over and say hello! And hey....The Sparkle Diaries is still alive and well over at Tumblr, where I showcase all kinds of pretties!!!

www.jkristenphotography.com

www.thesparklediaries.tumblr.com

dear fall: you've stolen my heart :)

2011-10-26T21:35:00.001-04:00

Things are starting to change around the neighborhood! The pots of flowers are being replaced with pumpkins and mums. There's a general feeling of autumn around these parts:) Although it's supposed to be upwards of 80* tomorrow...I hear the temperature is gonna drop drastically Friday and we'll really get a taste of the season. Already, our mornings and nights are cooler and the sun is extra crisp and bright these days. I just love it! Next thing you know we'll be spinning the x-mas tunes and braving the snow:)

We went for a nice long walk last Saturday....and here's what we saw on the way. Hope you enjoy:)

how rude!

2011-10-23T16:07:00.001-04:00

I asked someone who shall remain nameless if he wanted to go for a long walk this afternoon?

This is the response I got. And then that someone....proceeded to take a nap.

I guess it's just as well...cause that's how I spent a good portion of my Sunday afternoon too;)

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Did you do anything spectacular? I'd love to hear all about it!!

xxoo,

making magique!

2011-10-22T10:56:00.000-04:00

Here's a sparkling little gem to get your Saturday started! If you don't know about Haleigh and her blog 'Making Magique' you really must go! To say I'm a little bit jealous of her life in Paris would be a huge understatement!!! Love, love, love her blog:)

Recently she ventured to Basilicata, Italy to shoot a video for Can't Forget Italy and it just reminds me so much of my time in Naples while my family lived there. Lovely memories...I can feel the hot sun and salty water on my skin now!

Ciao!!

the safe place....

2011-10-21T22:02:00.002-04:00

It's starting to look like home around here:) I'll finish painting the bedroom this weekend and hopefully put up some shelves in the "office" area!

Have a wonderful fall weekend everyone:)

a weekend in review...

2011-10-17T21:30:00.002-04:00

Wasn't this past weekend's weather just dreamy??!!! Sunshine! Sunshine! Sunshine!

And not just beautiful sunshine, but cool temperatures and amazing breezes. It was...in a word...perfect:)

I hope that you had a great time doing something out-doorsy. I visited with family and went to the local art festival in my neighborhood. Beautiful art, yummy pita sandwiches and lots of dogs!

Bailey and I decided to dry-run the witches hat that I'll be donning for Halloween. I think one of us had more fun with this than the other;)

One of the lovely things about all that fabulous sunshine was the equally fabulous sun flare!

Finally....I attempted to carry all the empty boxes in my living room corner down 3 flights of stairs. But then I decided to do something more productive, like take a nap:/

So here we are...into another week. I hear it's gonna be super chilly this weekend!

Maybe it will be time to break out the scarves;)

Toodles!!!

fall sale @ chasing the light!!!!!

2011-10-13T18:46:00.001-04:00

Did you know that I sell prints on Etsy??

Well if you didn't...and you've been wondering....now you know!!!

I've carved out my own little boutique in my own little corner of Etsy called Chasing The Light and this weekend we are having a

CELEBRATION OF FALL SALE!!!!

Everything in the store will be 20% off!! Now's the time to grab that Spooky Halloweeny tree shot or some red berries or purple and orange twinkle lights! And although we really don't want to think about it right now well ok I like to think about it Christmas is right around the corner! Time to start shopping ladies and gentlemen:)

I do hope you'll take a moment to come check out my little part of the world-wide-web...I promise you might see something you like;)

dear week ahead.....

2011-10-10T20:06:00.002-04:00

{photography by me: somewhere out in suffolk, va}

I'm tired. And it's only Monday. Maybe that's a sign that I need to slow down on the weekends and use them for what they are....a time of relaxation. I went to bed Sunday night utterly exhausted and said "I need a vacation from my weekend." Huh? That cannot be normal.

So this week, even though parents are coming into town this weekend, I'm gonna take it slow. I'm not gonna stress out over the gargantuan pile of broken down boxes in the corner of my living room. I'm not gonna stress out over the fact that my bedroom is only half painted in the lovely blush pink I chose. I'm not gonna stress out over the utter chaos that is my desk.

Instead, I'm gonna breath. I'm gonna enjoy my evenings at home and only un-pack one box per day. I'm gonna take Bailey for a walk every night this week. I'm gonna go to bed early and eat healthy each day.

So here's to the week ahead. I hope you don't stress either my friends:)

where you go for peanuts and fried oreos!!

2011-10-09T12:43:00.000-04:00

It was a gorgeous day at this years Suffolk Peanut Festival! The sun was shining, there were gorgeous white, puffy clouds in the sky and the temperature was perfect!!

I usually tag along with my sister to this event every year, since she works for the city and has to man the information tent. It's a good opportunity to people-watch and catch some fun photos. And...I had my first fried oreo this time out. I'll just say....WOW! Pretty awesome treat!

I hope you were able to get out this weekend and enjoy the beautiful fall weather. Next weekend will be the Stockley Gardens Art Festival. It's taking place 4 houses down from where I live, so there will be plenty of pictures to come! Have a great week everyone:)

i'm officially obsessed with Paris. {and all things french}

2011-10-03T07:00:00.004-04:00

I can't help it! I'm desperate to go back to Paris. Like...right now! As I'm decorating my new apartment, I keep imagining it's a studio, high up in an old building with views of the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre. I dunno....is this normal people???!!!!!

{all images via Tumblr and Pinterest}

scenes from my nest in the sky.....

2011-10-01T22:46:00.001-04:00

Things are starting to take shape. Slowly. I have to keep reminding myself that I work 7am - 6pm Monday thru Friday. It's not gonna all come together in just two weeks:/ But I am a little frustrated. Not gonna lie. But isn't that part of moving?? We have to introduce ourselves to the new place and just be present, taking time to find all the nooks and crannies that it has to offer. To think outside of the box in regard to storage....especially when you downsize in square footage but still have a lot of personal possesions!

I can say that the kitchen is pretty much done. The living room is getting there....seeing as the couch and lazy-boy wouldn't fit up the VERY narrow stairwell I don't have much in there! The bathroom has a few tweaks that will get done over the weekend other than that it's looking good!

The bedroom/office? Let's just say...it's the bane of my existence. The thorn in my side. The real challenge.

I'll post more when I can...hope you are all enjoying this beautiful first day of October! We have the windows thrown wide open, there's a lovely cool breeze and I'm listening to this:

a walk at dusk....

2011-10-01T17:19:00.001-04:00

Just a quick little post to give you a look at where I'm living now. A little tour of my new neighborhood. We're about 4 houses down from Stockley Gardens Park and it's just lovely to take evening walks as the sun sets. Hope you enjoy!

Till later my friends!

xxoo

Jenn

someone like you.....

2011-09-29T19:28:00.000-04:00

OMG!!!!!!

2011-09-27T20:03:00.000-04:00

Contrary to popular belief....I have NOT fallen off the face of the planet or given up on the bloggie!

I've been moving finally and Internet has been a challenge to say the least:/

I have it. For now..... And I say for now because apparently living in a 100+ year old brownstone presents challenges to the cable company. Especially when you are residing in the 3 floor attic apartment!

(Wait till you see this place friends! I'm calling it my little nest in the sky!)

Anyway.....I have Internet for now, and they are to come out Saturday morning and replace the cable lines...something that probably hasn't been done since...forever. I'm going to try to post a few things over the next several days..but forgive me if I'm still a little MIA. I have a wedding that desperately needs my attention in the editing department!!!!

Ciao for now my friends:)

on my mind this tuesday evening.....

2011-09-06T19:46:00.001-04:00

Flipping Out!!
I freakin LOVE this show......
Jeff, Jenni, Zoila and Gage own me this summer:)
Unfortunately it's ending tonight...sad face:(
9-11
Can you believe it's been 10 years?
I will always cry when I see coverage on it....
Always
Thunderstorms....
I really love them!
Especially when they don't cause the power to go out or flood the roads.
...or have a first name:/
My new apartment!!!!
I finally found one and am extremely anxious to get into it!
More excited than anything to hang my starburst mirror:)
Yoplait yogurt...how many flavors are you gonna come out with?
White chocolate raspberry and Orange cream are still my favs.
Whining.
I've been doing a lot of it lately between stress at work and stress finding a new home.
I'm honestly tired of listening to myself....blech.
Hopefully things will get easier from here on out.
Saturday!
I'm shooting my friend Ebony's wedding and I'm super-excited!
It's gonna be a beautiful day....
I cannot wait to capture the memories for them:)
Contagion. You look super scary. I like that!
Carrie Fisher.
What the hell happened to you????

still holding on.....

2011-09-05T18:30:00.000-04:00

{image via}

Summer. It's officially over on Sept. 21st, even though the weather usually has something else to say about it! Living in Hampton Roads, we kinda get used to the fact that although the calendar says Fall...it still feels like Summer well into October. Which is a blessing and a curse in my opinion. See...I love fall. Everything about it just makes me giddy! Crisp air, falling leaves, golds, browns, deep burgandies, steaming cups of coffee, courdoroy and clear blue skies! Don't even get me started on pumpkins, orange & purple twinkle-lights and candy corn. OMG! Candy corn is coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On the flip side, the lingering summer breezes can be lovely. Nice for sitting out on the porch sipping a cocktail or taking a dip in the ocean and not freezing your patooties off! Melting ice-cream cones and bike rides in the evening after dinner:) Siiigh....good stuff.

I do hope that all of you are enjoying your last days of summer. I haven't been around here much the past month or so. Sorry for that. A lot going on that occupied much of my time. But I think things are starting to settle and even out. I finally found an apartment in my beloved Ghent {after much stress} and I'm kinda-sorta moved in. My stuff won't officially be in until the 17th since I'm shooting a wedding next weekend, so I'm taking the next 2 weeks to clean and paint and get to know the place. It's super cute! Kinda like a little nest in the sky {as I'm on the 3rd floor} that overlooks a lovely park in my city. I just couldn't be happier and can't wait to start getting to the decorating! It will be like Christmas when I get my stuff out of storage, as I haven't seen it in 10 months!!!! Crazy...another story for another time I'm afraid:)

Stay well my friends....check for a wedding sneak-peak over at J.Kristen Photography on Sunday:)

xxoo,

Jenn

i'm intrigued......

2011-09-02T07:25:00.001-04:00

Are you????

come on irene.....

2011-08-26T19:41:00.002-04:00

I can't seem to get this song outta my head today. Wonder why?!?! We're getting ready to "weather the storm" here in VA tonight and assuming the wind doesn't blow my house down...I'm hoping to show some "after" pictures on Sunday evening:)

If you are in the path of Irene...please be safe. And as my Dad likes to say, "Keep your wits about you." And if you're in NYC....I leave you with this great article from Gawker.com

Pee in your pants laughter ensued after reading this one...humurous people are wonderful aren't they?!

dear photograph.

2011-08-25T07:50:00.000-04:00

{all images via}

Photography. As many of you know, it's one of my passions. I cannot imagine a life without photography or music. They are my go-tos for comfort:) Over the past month, I stumbled upon this tumblr site that takes an old photograph and super-imposes it over the same spot in the present day. Genius, isn't it?!

There's something very moving about these photos. They are reminders that despite passing time, some things remain the same. And that's the beauty of it all:) I may have to try this one of these days!

glitter....so much glitter:)

2011-08-20T07:00:00.000-04:00

PLEASE tell me I'm not the only one who loves this commercial??!!!!

I wish I'd had a teacher like her.....

GLITTER, SO MUCH GLITTER!!!!!!!

the past month...according to my phone.

2011-08-19T09:15:00.002-04:00

Well hellooooooo there! The past month has been kinda uneventful I gotta say:/ Lots of pretty skyscapes during the commute though! I haven't signed on an apartment yet...I'm hoping to change that this weekend. I've looked at a lot of crap and I'm just not gonna settle for any old thing. So, it's been challenging, to say the least. I know it will all come together soon...I just have to be patient and keep plugging away!

Meanwhile...a few fun things happened over the past month. In no particular order:

Thunderstorms from the bridge.

Cupcakes!

Rainbows!

Old country barns.

Sleeping pups.

Blueberry stuffed pancakes...yum!

Rockin cloud formations.

Colorful umbrellas & rain puddles.

J.Kristen Photography got a new logo!!

Smoke from The Great Dismal Swamp fires. Ugh...so not cool:(

Here's hoping you all have a great weekend....and the weather is pretty enough to get outside!

seriously.....

2011-08-18T21:14:00.000-04:00

{image via google}

How utterly chic is this lady? I love everything!

The bike, the jeans, the shoes, the gloves, the ahhhh-mazing camel colored coat!!

I really wish we rode bikes more here in the U.S.

Oh! And hey! I'm back:) Kinda....and don't ask me what that means, cause I don't know!!!

Hope you've all been well....ready to catch up on the past month??!!

Me too!!!!

happy golden days of yore......

2011-08-01T05:02:00.002-04:00

Humor me. I know...it's August 1st!!! But it's sooooo darn hot outside, and I heard a Sinatra song on the TV the other day, and it got me thinking of my favorite X-mas song, and...and.....

I JUST HAD TO SHARE THIS!!!

This song gets me every. single. time. It makes me feel all warm and cozy and loved and happy for all the wonderful things and people I have in my life:) I'm still apartment hunting {it's proving to be a challenge}and it has me pretty stressed out:/ But then I hear a song like this and my blood pressure drops and I'm calm.

So yeah...maybe it's a little weird to be listening to Christmas music in the dead heat of summer...but it's what works for me. Now, if it would just snow ;)

mini letters.....

2011-07-28T19:07:00.000-04:00

dear humid weather,
you really need to take a vacation.

dear philosophy purity,
i forgot how much i love you...thanks
for making my skin beautiful!

dear sunsets at the beach,
you're so beautiful & colorful.

dear new apartment,
i know you're out there somewhere...show yourself!

dear blue crush II,
at first i wasn't sure...then i really got into you:)

dear whole foods,
i hear you're coming to vb! but 2013? why so long???

dear giulianna & bill,
you're silly...but fun!

dear friends,
i hope you're doing well and staying cool!!!!

we're on a break!

2011-07-14T22:31:00.000-04:00

Hello lovelies:) I wanted to let you all know I'm going to be taking a break from the blog from now through the month of August. It's a much needed break as the temperature is just too hot to concentrate on regular posts. Also, I'm moving into a new apartment. Something that will take up a lot of my free time with organizing and painting and decorating {I can't wait!!!!}. Then there's a friend's wedding that I'll be photographing beginning of September! Expect lot's of great new posts when I return to regular programming in the beginning of September:)

Meanwhile, I'll occasionally post some photography here and over at JKristen Photography and I'll probably update my Tumblr site with plenty of pretties! I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the summer and I'll see you on the flip-side!!!!!

xxoo

Jenn

tuesday shoesday {for the love of red satin mary janes}

2011-07-12T06:02:00.001-04:00

{image via}

Le siiiiiigh.

Red satin? Check!

Mary Janes? Check!

Floral embellishment? Check!

I have nothing but awe for these shoes. True fact!

on my mind this monday morning....

2011-07-11T08:36:00.000-04:00

Harry Potter!!
Pajama Jeans....really???
I bet they're comfortable though.....
The oceanfront - I love watching little kids run in the surf....so cute:)
Baby birds.
Catherine Middleton - welcome to the states!!!
Alaska.
My friends are there for the next 2 weeks and I know they are having a wonderful time!
Cannot wait to see pictures from their adventure.
Josh Groban. Somehow, I'm gonna figure out a way to afford your concert this November!
Sunflowers.
Paris - I'm dying to go back a photograph you:)
Tumblr.
Lightening & Thunder...oh how I love you.
Exhaust systems - why so expensive dammit????
I can't wait for fall, the crisp breezes, colorful leaves, hot chocolate!
The Gyro Bowel. I love this thing!!!!
Expecto Patronum!!

Your turn...what's on your mind this Monday morning??

inspiration sunday {the very girlie edition}

2011-07-10T02:07:00.001-04:00

Siiiigh. There's must be something in my DNA that draws me to beautiful fashion. Clothes and shoes I just cannot afford, but would gladly spend my money on....if I had that kind of money! I find myself drawn to flowey, gauzy-like materials. Light-weight and very, very girlie:) I also love ruffles, pleats, flowers appliques and crinolines. Yes...very girlie indeed!

See more of my favorite pretties over here!

last friday night.....

2011-07-09T12:45:00.001-04:00

i believe.....

2011-07-09T09:04:00.000-04:00

I believe in pink.
I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner.
I believe in kissing. Kissing a lot.
I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.
I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.
I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.
~Audrey Hepburn

rockin robins.

2011-07-07T20:45:00.000-04:00

{Hit play...you'll see why in a sec!}

Sometimes nature just astounds me. Smacks me straight in the face and reminds me that there's more than just humans inhabiting earth. In our daily life of concrete and cyberspace it's nice to come across something as beautiful as a mother feeding her children in the rain, red roses and majestic fir trees! And this is just what I found in the tree outside our patio tonight. I scared Mama Robin off at first, but after about 15 minutes she returned and other than the rain and my shutter snapping all I could hear were the sweet babies, chirping and twisting their heads up for dinner:) Lovely isn't it?

gettin my lunch on....salad-style!

2011-07-04T13:10:00.001-04:00

You might remember a few posts ago, I wanted to try and get healthier food incorporated into my

daily diet. Well....I'm not gonna lie and say it's been easy. It hasn't. It's SO easy to slip into old, bad habits after a long day at work accompanied by a really long commute home:/

But I'm trying and will keep on trying until it becomes second nature! It may take awhile as I'm

a bonafied stress-eater:/ And right now I'm trying to find a new apartment/house to rent and it's

very stressful. I'm anxious to find the "right" place and also aware that it's beyond time for me to

have my own place. But this too shall pass:) Till then, I'll keep trying to steal nutritious moments like today's lunch! It was a perfect combination of chicken, apples, strawberries, tomatoes and shredded cheddar over spring greens. Yumm-o! Someone enjoyed the strawberries too!

happy 4th of july!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-07-04T07:53:00.001-04:00

inspiration sunday {the random cuteness edition}

2011-07-03T09:03:00.015-04:00

Patriotic Toes and sparklers!!!!
Luscious homemade frozen fruit pops! Such gorgeous colors:)
My dream house by the lake and soft, neutral interior design. I could fall asleep on that bed...easily!
Mini pancakes! How cute are these???
Always reminding myself to keep calm and sparkle on! Kate Middleton...she can do no wrong!

{Now it's your turn. What inspired you this past week?!}

ummm........

2011-07-02T08:08:00.000-04:00

As the saying goes -- "If you've got nothing good to say, say nothing at all"

Enjoy your Saturday.....see ya tomorrow!!!

here's to a sparkly weekend!!!

2011-07-01T19:12:00.001-04:00

{image via google}

Ahhh....a 3-day holiday weekend is upon most of us! I've been waiting for this alllllll week long and think it's just super that it decided to grace us with it's presence!!!! I'm looking forward to three days of soaking in the sunshine, relaxation and hopefully some rockin fireworks Monday evening:)

I hope my fellow Americans have a wonderful July 4th...~~things could get mighty sparkly around here, so check back Tuesday for some photos to commemorate the holiday!~~

We got rained out:/ The fireworks are re-scheduled for July 22nd...so hopefully we'll have something to show after that!!!!

the help.

2011-07-01T04:39:00.000-04:00

Can't wait for this film to come out!

on my mind this thursday morning.....

2011-06-30T07:26:00.002-04:00

Driving rain......
Such gorgeous sky scapes on the drive home Monday night.
The Voice
When did Blake Shelton get SO HOT?????
Damn Miranda...don't let that one go:)
Christina Aguilera.....
Ummmm......I don't know what to say.
3 cheese pizza from California Pizza Kitchen.
You so own me!
Hershey Roggmann.
Cutest little girl everrrrrrr!
....and she likes to drive too:)
My new job is great, but the commute is kicking my ass....
So now begins the ~~fun~~ stressful part of finding a new apartment closer to work.
I cannot wait to be back in my own home, with my own stuff!
But I'll miss living with my sister....she rocks!
Random songs on my iPod: Owl City, David Guetta and The Glee Cast.
Ice & Coco

we interrupt your regularly scheduled programming for........

2011-06-29T08:30:00.003-04:00

SOME SERIOUS SPARKLE!!!!

tuesday shoesday {for the love of white converse}

2011-06-28T08:49:00.004-04:00

{image via}

Everything about this grouping grabs me and delights me:)

Jeans? Check!

Gray t-shirt? Check!

Tangerine sweater? Check!

Turquoise jewelry? Double Check!

White converse sneakers? Check!

Yup. I pretty much fell in love with this the second I saw it. I have everything but the tangerine sweater...keeping my eye peeled for one to buy. So if you know where to get one...drop a girl a line!

Till next Tuesday:)

bicycles & day dreams!

2011-06-27T01:54:00.001-04:00

I really love the idea of taking a bicycle everywhere:) It's all so very french-like. I imagine riding through the streets with my espadrilles on and my wicker basket full of fresh flowers! Usually in this dream I'm on my way home from the local farmers market and I have fresh bread, cheese, grapes, wine and pastries in there with my flowers. And there's hot sunshine beating down on my skin. Ahhhhh....sounds nice eh?

Here's a few bicycles that would fit the bill just perfectly...enjoy!

{all images via google images]

a weekend in review...

2011-06-26T13:52:00.001-04:00

What a great weekend! Summer is really here and in full force...temps in the upper 80s and low 90s, but when you're on the water you really don't feel that bad! My friend Courtney and I spent Saturday traipsing all over Isle of Wight County and Williamsburg, VA. We took the ferry that departs out of Surry and lands at the Jamestown Settlement and then headed into Williamsburg for some serious outlet shopping!!!

Some highlights of the day were:

The Yankee Candle outlet store and Christmas shop!
Chipotle for lunch.
Finding a store with candy from my childhood...Fruit Stripes for the win!!!!
Pierce's BBQ for dinner.
Slurpees from 7-11 on the ride home.
Magnificent skies and rainbows.
Hershey learning to drive ;)
Finding my dream starburst mirror for the most incredible price! SOLD!

I will admit....Sunday is gonna be spent on the couch watching TV and catching up on naps. We kinda, sorta excel at that in this household:)

Have a great week everyone....last week before the Fourth of July!!!!!

inspiration sunday {the cute animals edition}

2011-06-26T11:16:00.001-04:00

{all images via}

This week I was drawn to the cuteness overload of animals! When you're having a bad day, they just can't help but make you smile:))

I hope you had a great weekend! Best of luck with the week ahead and if you need a pick-me-up at anytime, think of these cuties and I guarantee you'll turn that frown upside down;)

guilty pleasure.....

2011-06-24T07:27:00.000-04:00

Not gonna lie...those of you who know me...know that I cannot wait for Breaking Dawn:)

And the announcement last week that Carolina Herrera designed Bella's wedding dress??!

Wooohoooo! Bring on all the vamp lovin and cheesy dialogue oh and hotty Rob Pattinson cause I for one will be there at midnight with all the tweens:/

decorating envy hits...big-time!!

2011-06-23T19:56:00.000-04:00

{images via House of Turquoise}

Siiiigh....isn't this the prettiest house? I'm in serious decorating mode right now, since I'll be moving into my own home again in August! It will have been 10 months since I put my household in storage and I'm dying to get to it again!!!!!! I kinda forget what I own:/

Anyway...back to this house. I saw it over at House of Turquoise the other day and instantly fell in love with the pops of teal and yellow! I'm seriously coveting that chandelier in the stairwell:) If you are interested in seeing the rest of the house, head over to House of Turquoise....it's truly amazing!

tuesday shoesday {for the love of grey wool}

2011-06-21T13:45:00.000-04:00

Maybe it's the fact that temperatures are flirting near 100* this week.

It must be making my brain a little addled.....

Because when I saw these shoes, all I could think of was:

September
Returning to school
Fall leaves
The smell of burning fireplaces
Steaming cups of hot cocoa
Plaid and velvet and corduroy
crisp winds and hot sunshine

I guess my mind is already thinking of fall....but that makes sense since after all

it is my favorite season of the year:)

hello there monday!

2011-06-20T20:41:00.000-04:00

Hello last day of spring!

Hello laying in bed all day Sunday!

Hello shadows and light, floating through the window shears!

Hello strawberries so bright and red and luscious!

Hello spring storms that rolled through Saturday night!

Hello staying up late to watch The Empire Strikes Back!

Hello sparkling raspberry Italian Spumanti!

Hello sand, sun and waves!

Hello seeing old friends and making new ones!

Hello beautiful family photo shoot at the oceanfront Saturday evening!

Hello fresh shrimp tacos with cilantro!

Hello crazy sister and furbaby playing on the floor!

Hello gorgeous sunrise Monday morning!

Hello new start to a new week!

Hello summer....let's have a blast!

I hope you had a great weekend!

What great, adventurous things do you have planned for summer????

love, is all around :)

2011-06-20T04:37:00.002-04:00

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around.

~Love Actually

Want to see more of the gorgeous Del Castillo family? Come take a look over at my photography blog:

www.jkristenphotography.com

happy father's day!

2011-06-19T11:28:00.002-04:00

What Is A Dad?

A dad is someone who
wants to catch you before you fall
but instead picks you up,
brushes you off,
and lets you try again.

A dad is someone who
wants to keep you from making mistakes
but instead lets you find your own way,
even though his heart breaks in silence
when you get hurt.

A dad is someone who
holds you when you cry,
scolds you when you break the rules,
shines with pride when you succeed,
and has faith in you even when you fail...

He is one of the two most important people in the world to me.

Someone I LOVE with all my heart.
He is my friend, my hero, but most importantly he is my...

Dad!!!!

~ Anonymous ~

we're mobile!

2011-06-19T10:58:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note to let you know that The Sparkle Diaries has gone mobile!

Hopefully, this will make viewing on a mobile device a little easier and faster:)

Thanks and have a great day!!

inspiration sunday {the good guy}

2011-06-19T06:59:00.003-04:00

{Photos via}

I like to think that Rob, Simon, Ian, Gerry, Mr. Big, Sheldon, Alex, Richard and Nathan....if melded together and not like that gross human centepide movie would be the definition of the perfect boyfriend:)

A girl can fantasize.....right?????

Till next Sunday friends....

Jenn

;)

on my mind this friday evening....

2011-06-17T05:21:00.003-04:00

With the weather being so hot lately...
I've woken up to some pretty awesome fog rolling across the field in our backyard.
Both spooky and calm at the same time...I'm diggin the ethereal look it gives mother earth:)
NYC
I miss your crazy, wild and frenetic pace....
But I don't miss what caused me to leave you. Some ~~people~~ things are just not meant to be in your life.
Which got me to thinking....
I tend to worry so much about everyone else and how my actions are directly affecting them.
And while that's not a bad trait at all.... it can lend itself to being taken advantage of.
So, I'm overly cautious now with people who just seem too good to be true.
Does this make sense? I dunno....guess I'm still dealing with past hurts.
My new job is great!!!!!
It's so nice to be back in a position where I'm making decisions that actually matter.
No more being the dung-beetle, cleaning up after everyone else and doing the $hit jobs they didn't want to do.
We all need to feel valued and that what we do matters.
I'm also feeling a little bit like Alice In Wonderland these days....
I've got my eye on that looking-glass and I'm anxiously trying to see what my future holds!!!
Patience.
I'm trying hard to find mine:)
Baking is such a satisfying past time for me.
We had an awesome chocolate cake last night, even if it was 4,000 calories a bite!!!
Christmas....why can't I stop thinking and planning for you?? It's only June for crying out loud!!
Tomorrow I'm doing a photo-shoot with an awesome family down at the ocean front!
I'm excited and nervous all at the same time! Yet I know it will be loads of fun!!!

Your turn! What's on your mind and what makes you nervous???

karmin...

2011-06-16T01:52:00.002-04:00

I love it when I stumble upon new, up and coming groups! It's like a special secret that you just wanna share with everyone!!! I found Karmin a couple months ago and instantly fell in love with their sound. They are a couple from Boston who does most of their recording right out of their home.

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://karmin.bandcamp.com/album/the-winslow-sessions"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;The Winslow Sessions by Karmin&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

They really are great and I highly recommend purchasing their EP The Winslow Sessions.

You won't be sorry...promise! Here's a sample of their cover tunes...Look At Me Now by Chris Brown and crew. How does she speak so fast???!!!!

tuesday shoesday {for the love of peacock feathers}

2011-06-14T04:16:00.001-04:00

{image via}

Shazamm!! Now that's a shoe!!! Don't know where or when I'd ever where these, but you can't deny they are spectacular! If you didn't know....peacocks are one of my favorite birds and I'm totally in love with their feathers:) This is a lot of shoe...but I think it's awesome:)

sunday inspiration {green}

2011-06-12T08:12:00.002-04:00

{images via}

I used to hate the color green when I was younger. Burgandy too..but that's another story for another day;) Obviously, my tune has changed! Aren't the above and below collages pretty? So crisp and clean and lush! Love, love, love it! My friend recently went to Ireland with her Mom and I like to imagine that this is what most of the country looks like!

Do you have a color that you hated as a kid and now you've embraced it?

Till next Sunday:)

Jenn

{images via}

sometimes.....

2011-06-11T01:25:00.001-04:00

{photo via}

you can stumble across something so interesting, so pretty and so cutting edge....that you have to stop for a second and enjoy it! That's what happens whenever I visit Jamie Beck's blog From Me To You .

Her photography is beautiful to begin with, but she and her partner/fiance Kevin Burg have created a whole new look to their photos. They call them cinemagraphs and they are simply...wonderful:) I don't know how they do it but I hope they continue thrilling us with these gems! I do know one thing though...whenever I go to her site...I look at every photo and wait for it to start moving!!! So cool!

arrrrr matey:)

2011-06-10T01:51:00.000-04:00

My parents are cool....and a little silly:)

sickness & a craving for fruit...

2011-06-08T12:55:00.000-04:00

{Photography by JKristen Photography}

I haven't been eating well lately. At all. I've chalked it up to mega stress over finding a new job on top of already being an emotional eater:/ So yeah, things have been rather "take out" around here. And my body is starting to really protest over it.

Yesterday and today I've been extremely ill some stupid stomach virus and when I'm not sleeping on the bathroom floor, I find myself craving fruit. But I can't eat it, cause...well...you know:/ I thought I'd be better today, but SO not the case:( Laying in bed, I got to thinking about that old adage "You are what you eat" and if that's the case, then I'm officially a gordita with a twinkie as my accessory. Not good. Not good at all. So...starting next Monday I'm buckling down and I'm gonna really try hard to get off this junk-food train:) I just hope there isn't an unexpected layover in FellOffTheWagon Central.

Wish me luck!!!!
p.s....isn't this fruit pretty?!!

{and yes...don't judge, I cut off all my hair for summer. not sure how I feel about it.}

my definition of happiness:)

2011-06-08T00:01:00.002-04:00

{image via Pinterest}

coldplay...

2011-06-07T11:20:00.001-04:00

Coldplay has a new single out today on iTunes.
I kinda like it, and I know that my Mom will love it:)
she has a little crush on chris martin;)

You can download it here and here.

tuesday shoesday {for the love of metallic gold sandals}

2011-06-07T04:01:00.003-04:00

{image via}

I love everything about this ensemble!! {although I would change out the shorts for a cute white linen skirt!!} The colors remind me of the sea glass you can find along the oceanfront. So dreamy! And I'm on a huge gold pop this summer. Usually I'm a silver kinda gal, but I'm loving the metallic look of gold and pewter this season:) This is an outfit I plan to replicate, especially the shoes!

signs of summer are all around!!!

2011-06-06T06:41:00.002-04:00

It's officially summer folks! I always have an internal soundtrack playin in my head this time of year.

It usually includes Will Smith, Colbie Caillet and Sean Kingston! And all around me are signs of what makes summer so awesome!

This year, I was supposed to be spending the first of what I thought would be many summers in NYC and New England. But, things don't always work out like you planned and sometimes that's for the better:) While it would have been fun and exciting...there would have been an underlying misery due to certain....circumstances. {And that's all I'll say on that. Those who know, know what I'm talking about}

But sometimes I think it takes leaving your life to realize exactly what you have and that it's a good thing. Most of my adult life has been spent in VA. There have been great times and not so great times here. I've met loves and lost loves here. I've spent wonderful evenings on a front porch sipping cocktails with a friend and I've buried that friend after a long bout of illness. I've spent countless hours navigating downtown Norfolk and the oceanfront and bought ice cream and watched children play in water fountains. I've been to some wonderful concerts and taken some great trips down to the Outer Banks of NC. There's so much to do here...I think I forgot that in my quest to figure out what and where I wanted to be.

It feels good to be back but this time around I won't be living in the same neighborhood as before. I'm going to try something new, but familiar to me...if that makes sense?!? You see....Hampton Roads is made up of 11 cities and towns and 6 counties. I've always lived in Norfolk and will be trying something new this time around. Just over the bridge a little way...not too far from family and friends. Yet, something new and exciting for me:) And I'll still be able to participate in moments like the following:

So, I hope you have a wonderful beginning to your summer! I hope you're happy where you are and are making some fantastic memories this season:) I know I will be!!!!

sunday inspiration {summer}

2011-06-05T06:50:00.006-04:00

{images via}

After our Christmas themed inspiration last Sunday...I thought it was time to embrace the actual season:) So, hellooooooo summer!

Even though summer is hot and sometimes uncomfortable...there's so much to love about it! Twinkle lights galore, fireflies, candles, strawberries, sangria, ice cream, lazy naps in a hammock and the sun setting at 9pm :) Doesn't get much better than that, does it?

What's your favorite thing about summer?

Till next Sunday:)

Jenn

a little pretty for your saturday.....

2011-06-04T13:51:00.000-04:00

{image via Pinterest}

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!!!!!!

red velvet brownies??? yes please!!!

2011-06-03T20:23:00.002-04:00

{all images via}

Sometimes...I'll be boppin along the great highway of the world wide web and I'll see something out of the corner of my eye and have to do a U-turn! Those are such great moments in life...dontcha think?

Anyway...tonight I was cursing my raging headache and about ready to log off and go crawl under my comforter with a couple of episodes of Sex and The City when I stumbled upon this recipe via A Diary of Lovely via Indigo's Sugar Spectrum! Wow! Yum! Gimme nowwwwwww!!!!

So the plan is to sleep off this headbanger and bake these puppies tomorrow! A celebration for my first week of work which went great by the way and a thank you to my sister for being so hospitable the past few months;) Here's the recipe for you too...go forth and bake my friends!!!!

*******************************************************************

INGREDIENTS (Red Velvet Brownies)
Delightfully borrowed this whole recipe from How Sweet It Is
{Printable Recipe}

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons red food coloring
2/3 cups chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS (Red Velvet Brownies)

Preheat oven to 350 & Butter and flour an 8 x 8 cake pan (I ended up doubling the recipe for a party).

In a small bowl, combine cocoa powder, red food coloring, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to create a paste.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then add remaining teaspoon of vanilla. With the mixer on medium speed, add in cocoa powder mixture. Beat until batter is completely red. Add flour and salt, mixing until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

Spread in the 8 x 8 pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting. This recipe develops a thin top layer, remedy this by inverting the brownies and icing the bottom!

INGREDIENTS (White Chocolate Frosting)

1 stick of butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 ounces white chocolate, melted
1-2 tablespoons milk

DIRECTIONS (White Chocolate Frosting)

Cream butter in an electric mixer until fluffy, then add vanilla. Slowly add in powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time with the mixer on low speed. Add in melted white chocolate and beat until incorporated. To reach desired consistency, add in milk 1 teaspoon at a time with mixer on low speed.

let's go to the movies!!

2011-06-03T06:34:00.001-04:00

Don't you just love the movies??! Getting lost in a fantasy world for 2 hours, where you can leave all your troubles at the door! And spend more on concession stand food than the actual movie ticket:/

In this day of "On Demand" and Netflix and Redbox it would be so easy to spend the evening laid out on the couch in your sweats, able to pause to grab a drink or answer the phone. But there's nothing like the experience of the cineplex and sharing in the grandeur or laughter or tears with a crowd:)

Here's my list of must-sees for the month of June.

What movie are you anxious to see???

classical....

2011-06-02T08:51:00.000-04:00

I've been listening to a lot of classical music on my ipod lately...it's very comforting:) I've always loved Clair de lune by Debussy.

Do you have any favorite classical music?

here we go...are you ready east coast???

2011-06-01T05:28:00.012-04:00

{image via}

Today marks the beginning of Hurricane Season on the East Coast. Are you prepared if one comes knocking on your door between now and November 30th? We've been pretty lucky the past few years, the last one to do much damage here in Virginia was Isabel in 2003. I was staying about 5 blocks from the oceanfront during that storm, and honestly...other than power outage, it wasn't that bad. There was worse damage inland that time around....ironic.

But you cannot take these storms for granted. After what we've seen this past spring in the Midwest with the tornadoes...it's always a good idea to be prepared!! Thanks to the site Ready.gov - I've compiled a list of things you should have handy and ready to go to help you weather out the storm:

Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
Flashlight and extra batteries.
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both.
Flashlight and extra batteries.
First aid kit
Local maps.
Whistle to signal for help.
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food).
Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger.

Here are some additional items to consider adding to your Emergency Supply Kit:

Prescription medications and glasses.
Infant formula and diapers.
Pet food and extra water for your pet.
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
Cash or traveler's checks and change.
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov.
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire Extinguisher.
Matches in a waterproof container.
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items.
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
Paper and pencil.
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.

Hopefully you won't have to bust out the emergency kits this season...but if you do, I'm hoping that this post will help you be prepared!!! Be safe my friends:)

tuesday shoesday {for the love of blush & swarovski}

2011-05-31T15:58:00.001-04:00

{image via}

Gosh...I do love pretty shoes:) Can't afford half of what you'll see in these Tuesday posts and being as tall as I am...I can't wear most of them either!! But it doesn't stop me from oohing and ahhhing and drooling over the pretties:)

Come by each Tuesday to see more. Some days it'll just be the shoes. Other days they'll be included with a cute outfit. Either way I can promise you they will be spectacular!!!!

have sun?? make tea!!!!

2011-05-31T12:39:00.001-04:00

{photo via}

With all this sun and heat this seemed like the perfect recipe!

Add a little lemon or sugar and voila!

Sun Tea:)

on my mind this tuesday morning....

2011-05-31T11:25:00.002-04:00

It's freakin 100* outside....
and it's only 11am :/
Hard to believe this was the scene just a few months ago.
I love snow:)
So sparkly and pretty and soft.
Siiiigh:)
Today's my last day of unemployment.
Yayyyyyyyyyy!!!!
I finally start a new job tomorrow and I'm beyond excited!
I have a long commute for the next two months though....
30-40 min each way, which kinda sucks.
But I got a job and I'm happy to be back in orthopedics!!!
Scrubs.
I have to start wearing them again.
It's a good thing and a bad thing.
Good in that I don't have to worry about what to wear each morning.
Bad because they don't hold me accountable for my eating habits...easy to ignore weight gain:/
So...I'll have to be extra diligent this time around!
Pools....I love the idea of swimming in the pool.
But I'm paranoid about the "pee" factor and will probably avoid them. Oh well.
Kittens...they are still on my mind:)
Especially after viewing this.
Lady Antebellum...hurry up with that new album.
Please:)

Your turn! What's on your mind today???

the face of an angel.....

2011-05-30T06:26:00.000-04:00

{Photos via iPhone 4 and ShakeIt app}

Look at that face:) My bambino. My boo. My bud. My friend.

Bailey is my longest relationship....ever. He'll be 12 years old end of July and I cannot believe it!!!

Seems like just yesterday I was picking the little 3 month old puppy up from the family that bought him.

They named him Mr. Perkins {?!!?} and clearly bit off more than they could chew with him. Instead of giving him to the SPCA they asked me to take him. I already had a senior cocker spaniel named Sebastian at the time. They knew I had experience with the breed and I just couldn't let the little tyke go to the pound.

So yeah...I proceeded to bite off more than I could chew and brought him into the family:) After a name change and introductions...he has become a permanent part of this family. I cannot imagine life without him, although I know that time will come:/ To say this dog is unique is an understatement! I do believe there's a zipper somewhere under all that fur and that if we unzipped him a tiny little man, maybe Nathan Lane-like, would pop out!!! He keeps us smiling and laughing and annoyed all at the same time....all the time:) He's also on Facebook, if you wanna chat with him.

If you've ever considered a cocker spaniel...I urge you to read up on them first and contact me! They are wonderful, loving, high-strung and completely neurotic dogs! And they are the best friend(s) a girl could ask for:))

What's your favorite dog breed?

sunday inspiration {white christmas}

2011-05-29T07:39:00.011-04:00

{images via}

I know...I know:/ Thoughts of Christmas and it's only the end of May. And we just celebrated Memorial Day. But I can't help myself!!!

I. Love. Christmas.

Each year I decorate my tree with a different theme, much to my sister's annoyance, and this year I'm thinking of making it a White Christmas.

What do you think? What's your favorite Christmas color scheme?

Till next Sunday:)

Jenn

{images via}

ohmmmm.......

2011-05-28T21:49:00.002-04:00

We're not doing a whole lot around here this holiday weekend....and it's nice!

If you're feeling a little stressed and you're online...why not try to be still for just 2 minutes:)

kicking off the holiday weekend with jimmy buffett:)

2011-05-27T13:13:00.002-04:00

Jimmy hasn't been to Virginia Beach for 11 years and last night marked the return of The Man & The Coral Reefers! Getting tickets to one of his concerts is next to impossible...and since he hadn't been here in so long...they sold out pretty quickly. But last minute...I got a call from a friend whose husband was pretty sick and unable to go. I wish Mike hadn't missed the concert...but I thank him for offering his ticket to me. Thanks so much Mike...you're a good egg:) So...it was fun and crazy and exhausting and I'll just let the pictures do the talking from here on out! I will say, if you've ever thought of seeing Jimmy in concert...do everything you can to make it happen! He puts on a rockin show!!!!

{all photos via iPhone and Camera+ app}

what am i doing tonight you ask ???

2011-05-26T14:29:00.000-04:00

"Fins to left...fins to the right!!!!"

Expect LOTS of pics tomorrow afternoon:)))

i dunno:/ do you think it's too small???!

2011-05-26T07:59:00.001-04:00

sending love and strength .....

2011-05-25T12:47:00.001-04:00

As I sit here today, in my comfortable house filled with plush pillows, AC, electricity and personal mementos, I can't help but think of the thousands of you who have been displaced in the Midwest due to this springs storms. I see the pictures and footage on the news and my heart aches for you and your families. I just cannot fathom crawling into a closet or bathtub and opening my eyes to see my home completely gone. This truly shows us that life can change in a blink of an eye. So, from here in VA I'm sending out a giant virtual hug to each and every one of you affected by this. Stay safe.

laugh and the whole world laughs with you!!

2011-05-25T00:01:00.002-04:00

magnum.....

2011-05-24T14:18:00.000-04:00

OH. MY. GOD.

I love ice cream...always have, always will:) When I saw Rachel Bilson running across car roofs in traffic to get to the ice cream truck...I figured these had to be pretty awesome! Well....awesome doesn't even begin to describe them! I had the double caramel the other night and let's just say I too would run across car roofs for another one! I'd do pretty much anything for another one of these actually...and that kinda scares me;)

RUN. NOW. GET. ONE. IMMEDIATELY.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sarah's summer house

2011-05-24T06:06:00.009-04:00

I think I could easily live on a lake. Don't get me wrong...I love the ocean and the mountains too. But there's something very peaceful and community oriented about living on the lake. Yeah...I could live there:)

One of my favorite HGTV interior decorators is Sarah Richardson. She's got ahhhh-mazing taste and it seems everything she touches turns out perfect. I was so happy when my Mom introduced me to her series Sarah's House last year! To say I was entranced would be an understatement...I gobbled up each and every show like it was an oasis in the hot desert! Obsessive? Maybe a little...but the girl's got great taste. And her partner Tommy is just too cute for words, love how they spar with each other while collaborating. Good stuff I tell ya!

Her latest venture is Sarah's Summer House. She's renovating a lake house that her husband purchased prior to their marriage. It's a great house..just needs a lot of work. Plus it's located about 17 miles off shore:/ But that's what Sarah and Tommy do best, so I'm completely confident that I'll want to move into this house too:) So, take a moment and check out the show...I guarantee you'll love it. Just as much as me:)

run the world

2011-05-23T12:50:00.000-04:00

Did you watch the Billboard Music Awards last night? I didn't, but I heard it was pretty decent.

Although I'm not really diggin Beyonce's new song...I understand she put on a hell of a performance last night.

And after viewing the above video...I'd agree:)

Have a great day everyone!

on my mind this monday morning....

2011-05-23T03:56:00.000-04:00

Paris
Specifically....midnight in Paris
Rachel McAdams...I have a little bit of a girl-crush on her:)
Arizona Arnold Palmer Lemonade Tea
Really, how can you be so damn good for only $2.99???!!!
Cats.
I'm thinking of getting a kitten once I'm settled. Probably next year.
How do you raise a cat?
I have a dog....don't know the first thing about cats:/
Foam hair color.
Curious to see if you really work!
Love the idea...skeptical about the outcome.
Super 8.
This movie looks great....can't wait!
Canon Rebel T2i
I borrowed one this weekend and gotta say...you're climbing to the top of my wish list.
Especially since you're about $1000 less than the 7D and $2000 less than the 5D MarkII.
Justin Timberlake.
You are the best SNL host in my opinion!
And Seth Meyers" You are my nerd crush....big time;)
The Edge of Glory.

holy sidewalk-art batman!!!

2011-05-22T13:59:00.004-04:00

OK. Who else did a double-take on this picture?!?!

Amazing sidewalk art, isn't it?

There are some really talented individuals in this world, and I for one am so incredibly happy they are sharing this with all of us!

Have a wonderful day everyone:)

Jenn

sunday inspiration {pink}

2011-05-22T05:18:00.007-04:00

in·spi·ra·tion [in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

— n
1.	stimulation or arousal of the mind, feelings, etc, to special or unusual activity or creativity
2.	the state or quality of being so stimulated or aroused
3.	someone or something that causes this state
4.	an idea or action resulting from such a state

{all images via}

I've declared my love for Pinterest before...and now I think I'll dedicate a regular Sunday post to my favorite images I pinned the week prior:) If you haven't joined yet...what are you waiting for?!?!? I'd be glad to send you an invite...it speeds up the process...just drop me a message with your email address in it:)

Till next Sunday:)

Jenn

shake, rattle & roll...

2011-05-21T17:55:00.005-04:00

One of the nice things about having a sister that works for the city is that frequently they need freelance photographers for local events:) I utilized my Canon SLR for the majority of the shots...but also took some time to do some iPhoneography:))

We couldn't have asked for a better day for the Shake, Rattle & Roll Festival!! Beautiful antique cars took over Main Street and brought out a lot of fans. I swear, I think I saw a few of the owners polishing their cars with a diaper;) It was a lot of fun and we felt transported back to Pleasantville, USA for a couple of hours this afternoon!

And then...what better way to cap off the fun than a trip to California Pizza Kitchen? Yum! Yum!

I hope you're having a great Saturday! Up tomorrow...Stockley Gardens Art Festival in Ghent. Back to the old neighborhood for the afternoon...yay!!!

dilemma....

2011-05-21T07:11:00.001-04:00

{photos via}

A. I really want a pair of Toms shoes!

B. Do I dare go with sparkle Toms???!!!

Do you see my dilemma friends? Please, tell a girl what to do:)

it's the end of the world as we know it......

2011-05-20T11:07:00.000-04:00

Well...I guess if you're reading this we're all safe;) It's officially May 21st in some parts of the world and so far...nada. Phew!!!

But seriously....thanks to E! Online....look at the list of things we would have missed had this prophecy come true!

10. Ice Loves Coco: Do you know how excited we are for this one? Have you seen the promos?! Missing out on Ice and Coco is ice cold cold.

9. The Hobbit Movies: Damn you, production delays! These films could have been holiday favorites in 2009 and 2010 and we could be enjoying them on DVD as the world comes to an end.

8. The Next Season of Mad Men: So much for wondering if and how they were gonna work in January Jones' pregnancy.

7. Charlie Sheen 3.0: Oh, c'mon. Aren't you even a little curious to see what he does next?

6. The Hunger Games Movies: All of those delicious casting stories. Now just teases.

5. Lindsay Lohan Making a Comeback for Real: It could happen. Hey, you never know...only now we might really never know.

4. Suri Cruise as a Teenager: Weren't you looking forward to her growing up? The fashions, the hairstyles...but mostly the tell-all book and karmic payback to TomKat for all of those late nights out with no coat?

3. The Royal Baby: No Kate Bumpwatch. No Duchess of Cambridge bridal shower photo gallery. No Royal Baby Name Generator.

2. The Breaking Dawn Movies: We may never see Bella and Edward get it on on the big screen. Or see little Renesmee come to life! Thank god, we at least have leaked photos.

1. The Last Episode of Oprah: Gee, thanks, folks upstairs! You couldn't hold the rapture just one week later? Guess Oprah Winfrey's power isn't as all-reaching as we thought. Or maybe her last show is the end of the world!

true fact...

2011-05-19T12:53:00.002-04:00

raindrops and sparkle!!

2011-05-18T17:02:00.001-04:00

There's something amazing about thunderstorms. They fascinate and enthrall me. There's a danger alongside the beauty that draws me in each and every time. This spring has been abundant with storms and luckily...I've been able to capture a lot of them on film since I'm not working at the moment. {fingers crossed that changes soon!!!!}

Today we had another one pop up and the air just seemed to glow this time:) I did my best to capture it properly...I hope you enjoy these shots as much as I do!

Do you have a favorite weather event that just gets you all excited too??!

the good wife...

2011-05-18T13:16:00.001-04:00

Do you watch The Good Wife? No???? You really must change that....STAT!!! The season finale was last night and oooooohhhh baby!! Will & Alicia finally give into their desire for each other. And it was good:)

But don't start there. Take the summer to get to know The Good Wife. Watch full episodes over at CBS.com and discover one of the best shows on TV {in my and many others opinions} I promise...you'll be really happy you did!

waiting....

2011-05-17T10:17:00.000-04:00

{image via google}

I'm so anxious today. I had an interview yesterday for a job that I really want.

And now the waiting begins:/ And with the waiting comes the self-doubt....

wondering if the interview really did go as well as I thought...

wondering if I talked too much and too fast...

wondering if my references were kind to me...

GAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

I think I'll just go for a walk, try and take my mind off of this thing called waiting.

Any suggestions on how to pass time?!

on my mind this monday morning....

2011-05-16T09:30:00.000-04:00

Life is ever changing...wear comfortable shoes.
One moment you're doing one thing...then the next BAM!
Bailey is quite possibly getting sweeter and cuter as he gets older.
My family means everything to me.
I'm currently obsessed with all things french....
I want to live in Paris...just like Haleigh:)
There needs to be more fresh flowers in this house...they make me happy.
Cheese makes me happy too!
I may need to go up a pant size {see above:/}
I own a lot of blue and teal, don't see this ending anytime soon either!
I have 2 interviews today.
One will require a long commute...the other, not so much.
I'll take either one...I need an income.
Because I'm dying to buy some spring/summer clothes!!!!
Oh...and I really want a place of my own:)
Humidity & curly hair = disaster town:(
Thunderstorms.
True Blood and Nurse Jackie.
I need to find a way to watch these two shows...I don't have HBO/Showtime.
I have many, many blessings in my life.
I'm totally winging it here folks...just taking it one day at a time:)

Now it's your turn...what's on your mind today??

isn't she pretty?!!

2011-05-16T07:05:00.000-04:00

Sisters are different flowers from the same garden.

~Author Unknown

magic moments...

2011-05-15T00:01:00.002-04:00

Ahhhh.....

Now that we've moved my sister into her new home....there's an opportunity to relax:)

Saturday was that day for me. To just be still...to bask in the sunlight, to be quiet and contemplative. There's a bliss that occurs when you can sleep in late, slowly stretching to greet the day. I took my time with the day yesterday. I acknowledged the comfort of home and my surroundings.

I read some books, one of my great loves and something that I haven't been able to do much of the past month. It was nice!

I gave the JLo CD another chance and discovered that I really like it!!!

I didn't get outta my pj's until well after noon, how awesome is that?!!

It was lovely to pamper myself with my favorite lotions, some pretty sparklies and my sequined summer skirt! Love, love, love them all!!!

I found my fav Sephora lipgloss in my camera bag! Had some fun experimenting with my makeup too:)

Gave my tootsies some special lovin too....how awesome is Essie Watermelon? I think I'll be going through this bottle and possibly buying one more before summer's end!

You may have noticed my new quote...maybe not. Here it is:

“Sometimes happiness is a blessing, but generally it is a conquest.

Each day’s magic moment helps.”

~Paulo Coelho

It truly is every day magical moments that make up the sum of your happiness. Yesterday was one of those days for me. Relaxing, quiet, beautiful and blissful!

What are your magic moments that bring you happiness?

Till next time my lovelies:)

moon river....

2011-05-14T20:42:00.001-04:00

A perfect way to end the evening, no?!

a sweet remedy...

2011-05-13T18:33:00.001-04:00

This Friday the 13th {yikes!} finds me a little under the weather:(

Nothing major...just kinda blah and headachey. So today...

I stayed in my pajamas and baked some yummy

peanut butter cookies!!!!

Such a great remedy to a so-so kinda day don't ya think?!

What's your favorite comfort food that you go to on blah days?!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend:)
Jenn xxoo

what we saw last night!!!

2011-05-13T18:25:00.000-04:00

We just had to get out of the house last night!

The boxes and chaos were starting to get to sister and I....

so we took Bailey and a picnic down to the wharf!!

It was so gorgeous out...there was a perfect breeze & perfect light.

This lovely boat was framed beautifully by the sun...

thought you might like a picture of it:)

My little friend here tried his best to nab some Doritos:)

Nice try bubba!!

I hope you had a great evening last night!

i hope....

2011-05-12T13:02:00.001-04:00

...that you are having a wonderful day today!!!!

{and that you stop everything and have a bit of some sweets!}

on my mind this wednesday morning.....

2011-05-11T08:19:00.001-04:00

Humor, laughter, funny people!
Seriously...where would we be without daily laughter?
Moving....it really sucks:/
Next time I move I'm totally hiring burly men to do. it. all.
I have a crazy craving for Chipotle!
Trying to find my own space and not feel like I'm living someone else's life right now....
I know it's temporary.
But I'm starting to lose sight of who I am...and this scares me.
Wow...so serious. Sorry bout that;)
Photography....I really need to get out there and shoot something!
Fresh fruit and vegetables.
My body is craving green stuff!!!
But it's also craving ICE CREAM!!!!!

What's on your mind today? And what's your favorite ice cream flavor???

Mine is Ben & Jerry Phish Food:)