I Invented Post-Its/ Getting Reunion Ready

This past week was mine and my husband's 10 reunion. We both graduated in 2004 from the same High School. I knew the reunion was this year and last year I started having the thoughts:

-I'm going to start working out right now so I can be in awesome shape 

-Good thing we are done having kids so I won't be pregnant

-I better hurry and accomplish something great

Judge all you want for my vain-y-like thoughts, but I'm pretty sure at least a good 80% of people that go to their reunion have similar thoughts, if not the same. It is what it is. You want to have aged like a fine wine..not like your diet coke that sadly goes flat waaaaaay to suddenly. Why is it that we feel the need to impress people that we haven't seen, nor talked to in 10 years? Who knows… I think movies brainwashed us in that way. 

Anyway, the reunion snuck up on me too quickly and I guess when the last time I went to the gym was?

……………

December. Freaking Christmas time. So what do I do? I run a half marathon that I didn't train for. In hopes that 3 hours of jogging/running would lift my butt back to where it used to be and that the constant forward/backward movement of my swinging arms would give them definition that didn't require the push of a finger. 

With the working out part out the window it was time to make due with what I could control. SPANX it is. 
So without further a due, here are my reunion ready tips.

1. Get Your Hurrr Did

Cover those grays girl! Seriously. I started going gray at about 20. Stupidest thing ever. Something I thought about after the fact, was call for back up. Remember in High School when you would get together with all your friends and get ready for dances? If life allows, have a hair sesh before the reunion. If life is too busy for day of, invite a few of your old group to go get pedicures. 

2. Treat Yourself to Nails and a Pedicure

For those awkward moments when you are talking to someone from high school and a conversation and you have nothing to say. They can just comment on how cute your nails are…

I promise you will at least have one awkward conversation. 

3. Find the Outfit

This kind of depends on the venue. Ours was being held at a park so it was a no go on trying to fit into my old prom dress. 

Sad emoji face.

I really didn't want to wear Bermuda shorts. I have my reasons..

In High School I definitely marched to the beat of my own drum when it came to fashion. I took risks. Some were great, some were just as bad as your dad still wearing his retina damaging neon shorts from the 80's. I wanted to pay homage to my younger self and wear something that reflected good old me. I have definitely grown since High School, but there are parts of me that existed then that I embrace now. I say go with comfort and something with a little edge. I think ant a reunion is a great reason for new clothes. they don't come along very often so go ahead and treat yourself. Whatever you chose, make sure it is YOUR style. Don't forget to accessorize. If all else fails, maxi skirt it. Dress 'em up or down. Like I read on IG the other day:
Maxi skirts are just crotchless yoga pants
Completely acceptable if you ask me. Who does't love yoga anything these days?

4.What is Your Accomplishment?

The two main questions you will most likely hear are

What have you been up to?

What do you do?

Sadly I could not tell everyone that I invented Post-Its.

I did however marry the man of my dreams and have three beautiful children. That is my accomplishment. My best accessory was my family. What ever your accomplishment is, wear it like a statement necklace. Refined and finished. Be confident and proud of who you have become and where you are at in life. Be genuine and exude passion when you speak. If you do this, it won't matter the accomplishment, you might as well have won the Nobel Peace Prize. A mother of 3, or the inventor of Post-Its.

5. Reunions Are No Longer Like the Movies

Leave your expectations at the door because Facebook has completely sucked the fun out of reunions. There is no element of surprise. The people you care to know what is going on in their lives…..you are probably already in the know because you are friends on Facebook. You have already spied on your High School crush/boyfriend and know whether or not he is fat and bald and if you are cuter than his current wife. What's that? They don't have a Facebook? Then they probably won't be at the reunion anyway because that is how the reunions are mainly communicated. You already know who married who, who has kids, and who is the world traveler. It seriously puts a strain on conversations when you have been Facebook friends for years but when put in front of each other you can't find crap to say. 

Oh social media…. you oxymoron you.

All in all.. try not to stress over it. Be confident and love who you have become. Be proud of who you have grown into. Confidence will carry you a lot further and impress more than the perfect outfit… Although it definitely wouldn't hurt ;)

Sun Kissed Tee// American Eagle 
B&W Aztec Pencil Skirt// Rue 21
Breckelles Gladiator Sandals// Amazon.com
"L" Necklace// Rue 21
Hoop Charm Necklace// American Eagle
Wrap-Around Watch// Covet Boutique 
Extensions// Bellami *use code "sheena" for a sweet discount*

The nerdist, Dan Farr, & flower pots.

I had the best/craziest week last week:  4 photo shoots, including a beautiful wedding, Wiseguys with a couple of our besties, & Tim's 30th Surpise party.  So glad it's over.  You know by now that I loooooovvvvveeee the Walking Dead.  Well did you know that Chris Hardwick of Talking Dead, also of Singled Out (yes, throwing it back), does stand-up?  He does and it's hilarious.  He also has a podcast under NERDIST.  Check it out.  I think my favorite part about him is that he took the time to meet us, AGAIN.  He is THE nicest guy you've ever met & so is his darling girlfriend Chloe.   

Chris Hardwick of Nerdist & Talking Dead

The other best part of the evening was sitting next to Dan Farr.  He is the producer of Salt Lake Comic Con & I nerded out more than a little.  Like if Justin Timberlake talked to you - He is a geeky version of that for me.  I don't like to post bad pictures of myself, but I had to share the crazy/excited expression on my face (see below).  His wife was adorable too & told me how she is also a Walking Dead fan.  She went on to say that she has met THE Norman Reedus..... Uh, what?!?  Naturally I blurted out "What does he smell like?"  Reasonable question or not, I asked it.  She answered back "UH-mazing."  Night made.   

One day Norman.  One day.

Dan Farr of Salt Lake Comic Con

Oh how I wish I would have posted this next part around a month ago.  As per the usual, life happened.  I'm posting this for those of you who are like me, late to the game on planting &/or maybe for next spring! 

Have you seen those killer giant flower pots at Costco for $17.99?  I love them.  Well, mostly in love.  The thing is that whenever you have a giant pot, what the crap do you fill it with?  I was-in-no-way willing to buy 2-3 bags of soil per pot.  I also didn't want to use rocks to take up room in the bottom and make it soooo heavy.  So after quite a bit of perusing around the garden forums, I settled on plastic bottles.   I have 4 pots to fill & I got a little creative with the bottles.  Have a party before this project and only serve drinks in 2 liters.  It helps.  

I filled each pot 2/3 up with bottles of all sizes.  I tried to create as close to a flat layer with the bottles before adding the potting soil.

 

It took about 3/4 of a large bag of potting soil after I placed the bottles.   My husband, Tim would add the soil and I would shake the pot to move the soil down around the bottles. 

 

The beautiful Dareth Anderson (flower pot specialist) recommends doing 3 types of plants per pot.  Thrillers, fillers, and spillers. 

Thrillers: Anything like spikes or taller flowers that tend to be the center of the pot.

Fillers: Petunias or any little flower that will fill in the soil space.

Spillers:  Dareth introduced me to sweet potatoes.  If you are lucky enough to find them, they will be your favorite part of your pot.  They "spill" right over the edge and look so pretty all summer long.   Talk to your local nursery and they can help you find the right look for your pot.

Sweet potato on the left & Spikes on the right.

This is my pot after 1 week.  I typically use miracle grow one time per week to help my plants along.  That's all she wrote for today.  Happy Hump Day Lovelies.

XoXo,
Jamie

Whatever You Are, Be a "Good One" + Bachelorette Rambles

From your porch….. Just kidding. 

Abe Lincoln once said,

"Whatever you are, be a good one."

We love this quote and so does the super cute Kate from 

Ivory Kate. So much in fact, that she started making these amaze-balls Tees. Not only is the message "Good One" ..a good one, but the fit of these shirts are perfect. They are lightweight and LOOOOONG. What's worse than a short shirt? Almost nothing I say. I've washed my shirt 3 times and so far it is still in pristine condition. As per usual, just make sure you are following the care directions. Do this and your clothes will live long happy lives. Promise. 

This shirt comes in white or black xs-xl. Mine is a medium. I probably could have gone with a small but I always like to error on the "a little baggy" rather than "muffin top". Jamie loves it too! She is getting it in black so we can twin it like no ones business.

Be sure to head over to Ivory Kate while she still has a few of these left in stock. She has some amazing other products (accessories/ mary jane moccs) but she is on a little hiatus since she just had herself THE cutest little babe. 

You can find yourself the most comfy of shirts that you can dress up or dress down 

HERE

Did anyone watch The Bachelorette Part 1 last night? Prettttty sure I freaked a little when I saw 

Boys ll Men. They were my first concert EVER. I know… I am THE coolest….and old. Those boys butchered one of the best baby making songs of all time though. Let's just be real about that. And classically trained homeboy wasn't helping much. Like.. at all. I'm liking Nerdy Nick but I don't have any other loves thus far. Can we talk about how beautiful Andi looked as an older woman? I decided that when I get to be that age I will have to own a wig. It was her beautiful white hair! But there is no way I'm heading that direction with these thin locks. So I will be the old lady with the fabulous wigs. Who blogs about her fabulous wigs. ;) Bellami- Can you start working on that for me? Kay thanks!

Last but not least.. I can't help but feel a pang of sadness every time they show Eric Hill. Especially last night with all the talk of death and it could happen to any one of them. They were talking about Ron and his friend that had passed of course, but it was just eery. I couldn't help but wonder how it is for his family and friends to watch the show. Bittersweet I'm sure. 

Good One Shirt// Ivory Kate

Skinny Jeans// Rue 21

Black Pumps// Rue 21

Black Faux Leather Crop Jacket// Kohls

"S" necklace// Rue 21
Extensions// Bellami *Use code sheena for an extra discount*