RaNdOm

Nicole sent me this random link and just told me to "wait for it to load. All you need to do is click the link and then let your computer do the rest."

OK ... you got me. I was intrigued. CLICK HERE.

I so wish I had enough time on my hands to create something like this, just because.

Airplane, Eight-ball, Ying Yang Glasses. Mailbox ... Open Mailbox

For those of you who are self-admitted nerds like myself ... you will appreciate this. For all you graphic designers out there, you'll never look at your font menu the same. Oh how I enjoy this.

CLICK HERE FOR FONT FUN!!

I will be incorporating spoken word wingdings into my vocabulary somehow. Be prepared.

lyrics of the day ...

It happens to me all the time and I am certain is has happened to you at least once. There are times when things are happening in your life or the lives of those you love and you just can't seem to find the words you are looking for to sum it up. You can't find exactly the way to verbalize what your very being is trying to say. You search yourself and then just succumb to the fact you probably won't be able to ever capture what your desperately longing to convey.

Then, just when you've come to terms with it ... there they are. The universe somehow finds a way to drop the words/thoughts right there in your lap just when you need them the most. In my case they are always delivered in the strangest and most perfectly timed way. Not always on my schedule, but perfect all the same. I often find myself lost in music and then I realize the words swirling around me were the ones I had been searching for all along. Certainly not verbatim, but the concept is almost always right on target.

I am so thankful for moments like these. My favorite and much appreciated lyrics for today ...

sugarland: fall into me

when the weight of the world

breaks down so strong

leaves footprints on the street

and there's too many miles to face

without a few more hours sleep

the storm clouds overhead won't shed

any rain to quench your thirst

i wanna be the one you reach for first

when your faith is stretched so thin

you can see right through your soul

and you can't find a nickel to buy a smile

cause all your pockets all got holes

you wanna shut the door and

hide hide before the day can get much worse

fall into me

my arms are opened wide

and you don't have to say a word

cause i already see

that it's hard

and your scared

and your tired

and it hurts

and i wanna be the one you reach for first ........

POUNCE

This is my favorite ETSY feature right now. You just click on it ... pounce ... and BAM! Up pops some of the cutest stuff you probably never would have found on your own. You can still search for keywords and you can look at up to 10 rows of items at a time. Then you just link over to that individual artist's site and your off to spend, spend, spend.

Pounce away friends ...

oh the hair ...

If you are looking for a little time killer ... you should just go Yearbook Yourself. No seriously. All you need is a photo of yourself and you're off. Give it a try. There are some doozies in the hairdo department on this site. Here are a few of my faves ... oh sweet lord.

90210

So I'm sure you've heard ... they are bringing it back.

Apparently the success of the 90's hit 90210 was too breathtakingly fantastic for the marketing geniuses at the CW to pass up reviving it for the latest generation to enjoy. Though I am sure the new version will be more naughty, more twisted, more trendy, more dramatic and even more full of teen angst than the original ... I can't help but love the old stuff.

If you want to relive all the good times with our old pals Brandon, Brenda, Dylan, Kelly, Steve, Andrea, Donna, Dave and more ... CLICK HERE FOR THE OLD!! Please believe you can watch the episodes we know and love, all the way back to the pilot. AMAZING!!

If you want to check out the new kids in zip code ... CLICK HERE.

i do NOT have this .. but lord i need it ...

Patience (ˈpā-shənz): is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances. This can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties.

pa·tient (adj.)
1. Bearing or enduring pain, difficulty, provocation, or annoyance with calmness.
2. Marked by or exhibiting calm endurance of pain, difficulty, provocation, or annoyance.
3. Tolerant; understanding: an unfailingly patient leader and guide.
4. Persevering; constant
5. Capable of calmly awaiting an outcome or result; not hasty or impulsive.
6. Capable of bearing or enduring pain, difficulty, provocation, or annoyance.

Windshield Glass

This is so awesome. Yet another fun recycling thing I would have never thought of. One of my favorite fun sites to shop on is currently featuring these glass items made form recycled windshield glass. The look great and not a bad price.

If you've never been to Uncommon Goods .... YOU SHOULD CLICK HERE!

EYE see ...

So this totally random post is baised on an article I happened upon. It mentioned something about green eyes being a genetic mutation. Having green eyes myself and never having heard that (and being a complete nerd) I had to know more. This is what WIKI has to say about it:

Green eyes
The color most unusual, only 1-2% of the the world population have true green eyes. Green eyes are the product of moderate amounts of melanin. According to some researchers, green eyes are the result of mutations that change the melanin structure. Green eyes are most common in Europe and to a lesser extent in the Middle East, Northern parts of India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. 88% of the Icelandic population have either green or blue eye color.

So only 1-2% of the world ... pretty crazy. CLICK HERE for more interesting eye info.

BYOB

BYOB has taken on a whole new meaning in my life. BRING YOUR OWN BAG!!!

I now carry cloth bags with me to the grocery store almost every trip. If I know I am doing errands, I try to snag a bag and collect all the items in one cloth bag instead of several plastic ones. I have also drastically reduced the number of plastic bags I accumulate, when I do forget to bring my cloth ones along, by simply asking the person checking me out to kindly stuff the bags as full as possible. Most people have looked at me crazy and scoffed at my request, but still complied. I can tell a major difference at my house. No more bags piling up in the laundry room or under the sink. So freeing. I now keep one or two bags in the car, so for those last minute trips, I really don't have an excuse.

I know many people are making their own strides to live a more envitonmentally concious lifestyle ... the bags are a particular pet peeve of mine. Take a look at this for some factual data to back up the reasons why you should consider the BYOB lifestyle. It is astounding. I can't comprehend why we would do this to our world when there is such a simple alternative.

Click here for more information on how TERRIBLE plastic bags are.

Vegas

I know I have been a complete slacker about posting. Sorry. Scott & I just spent the week in Vegas.We stayed at the Venetian which was beautiful.

It was a work trip but we squeezed in two great shows while we were there. The Beatles Love show at the Mirage was amazing and I highly recommend if you ever get the chance to see it. The performers and the music were both phenomenal.

We were also very fortunate to get some tickets that were going to go unused to see ... ELTON JOHN at Ceasar's! I know, crazy right. I can't believe we got to see him (for free). He had these beautiful video boards on stage and played amazing videos to accompany all his hits. There were cameo appearances by Justin Timberlake, Pamela Anderson and even Pee-Wee Herman in the videos. It was a great show.

I also toured myself around town, per usual. There was plenty to see ...

and even a few things that are only in Vegas...

Scott and I also found time to go up to the top of the Stratosphere and take a look over Vegas. It was stunning at night. The picture doesn't do it justice. Vegas was great, but I'm glad to be home.

random tuesday humor

Has your service at a fastfood joint ever been this bad?
CLICK HERE FOR A LAUGH :)
Shout out to You Tube for always having something to laugh at.

Shop 'til you drop!

Does anyone else listen to the Bert Show on Q100? Well, they are officially my morning family as I make my ridiculous drive to Atlanta every morning. Anyhow, the Jessica Shops segment always sounds appealing to me, but I rarely ever follow through on the deals. This one seems way to exceptional to pass up. Looks like I may be bargain shopping with the crazies this weekend.

DIRECT COPY & PASTE FROM JESSICA SHOPS.

Original Boutique Warehouse Sale
The Original Boutique Warehouse Sale is back and I can get you in to shop early before the doors open to the masses! Mark your calendars for Friday and Saturday July 18 and 19, at Atlantic Station. More than 20 of Atlanta's favorite boutiques will open shop under one roof for two days at Atlantic Station with designer clothing, shoes and accessories up to 80% off the original price. This is HUGE!!! Participating boutiques include Addiction, Boogaloos, Deka, Jac, Kelly's Closet, Liv's, Mint Julep, Pella, Runway Atlanta, Sandpiper, Tulipano, fab'rik, Fickle Manor, Kaleidoscope, K-La, Emly Benham, and more! The Original Boutique Warehouse Sale will take place on both Friday and Saturday July 18th and 19th from 10 am until 6 pm. Atlantic Station is located on 17th Street in Midtown. www.boutiquebargainsatl.com or call Sandpiper at 770-433-2989. The exact location of the sale is on the second level above Z Gallerie across from Central Park at 231 18th St., Suite 8100 - To win early bird shopping passes and start shopping 30 minutes early (think.. no fitting room or check out lines!) email me, jessica@jessicahops.com and I will choose a few lucky people at random. Good luck!! Also.. don't forget to bring extra cash and checks just in case a few stores don't accept credit AND dress to shop! Wear tank tops, bike shorts, long skirts, a swimsuit - anything that will allow you to try on items in the aisles if the fitting room lines get too long. Some people even bring their own mirror - no joke!! This is serious bargain shopping.

YUM!!

Ok. I'm never one to pass up a chance to appreciate food. Eating it, recommending it or just admiring the beauty of it. This girl makes the cutest freaking cupcakes I have ever seen. Check her website out at Happiness in a Bite.
ADORABLE & I am sure they are delicious.

I am going to need to learn how to make these. Add it to the "to-do" list.

Sex and the City ... in the city

So my girlfriend Christy & I are finally (I know, stifle the laughter please) going to see the Sex and the City movie. Even though I have been bummed about not seeing it yet, I think it is really going to work out in my favor. On August 7, the Fabulous Fox Theatre is showing it as part of their Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival series. I am so EXCITED! I've heard some spoilers about the movie already, but I am crazy pumped about seeing all the amazing clothes, bags, jewelry and other beautiful things. Nothing beats seeing it for yourself. Plus, as luck would have it, this is my first movie at the Fox. I get to check off two things on my summer to-do list in one shot. YAY!!!

140,000 miles

Sally (my Saturn) & I celebrated an interesting milestone in our relationship today. We've been on many adventures together and today ... at a 140,000 well earned miles ... she is still getting me from here to there. Both of us are a little worse for the wear, but we're holding up okay. Here's to a many more miles and at least a few more adventures for us both. Thanks Sally.

Welcome to Miami

It is so funny to finally arrive at a place with a reputation as big as Miami's. Thanks to celeb sightings, television shows and a host of other things, the mental image I had was already formed before I arrived. I can say that thanks to this being a work trip, I did not see the "lifestyles of the rich and famous" version of things, but I did enjoy some luxuries I wouldn't have here at home. If anyone is planning a trip here (and you have a huge budget!!) the Loews Miami Beach Hotel is the place to stay. This 4-star, 4-diamond hotel was the epitome of customer service from arrival to departure. The grounds and rooms were beautiful, the proximity to the beach was priceless, but the staff made the experience amazing. Here are a few pictures and my GLOWING recommendation for the best hotel experience I have had in quite awhile. 

This was another very cool hotel that turns into a Miami nightlife hot spot. Check out The Delano.

I'm leavin' on a jet plane...

It's true. I take off tomorrow for my last work trip of the summer. Fortunately for me, this particular conference is in Miami, FL!! I have always wanted to go there. I've got lots of plans if I can sneak away some personal time. I also just came across a handy little tidbit. My hotel is right on the beach and mere 0.4 miles away from MIAMI INK. WHAT?!?! I am stopping by for sure. No plans for another tat, but maybe I can get a cameo picture with one of the guys. (fingers crossed XX) More to come on this latest adventure.

kenny chesney

So this song by Kenny Chesney has been playing non-stop on the radio lately. I seem to hear it at the same time everyday. Some songs just hit you in a way you can't explain. This one makes me almost cry everytime. I'm sure that on a subconcious level I know exactly why. Enough exploring down that road for now ... take a look at the lyrics and click here for a listen.

Better as a Memory:

move on like a sinners prayer
let 'em go like a levee breaks
walk away as if i don't care
learn to shoulder my mistakes
i'm built to fade like your favorite song
get reckless when there's no need
laugh as your stories ramble on
break my heart but it won't bleed
my only friends are pirates, it's just who i am
i'm better as a memory than as your man.

i'm never sure when the truth won't do
i'm pretty good on a lonely night
i move on the way a storm blows through
i never stay, but then again, i might
i struggle sometimes to find the words
always sure until i doubt
walk a line until it blurs
build walls too high to climb out
but i'm honest to a fault, it's just who i am
i'm better as a memory than as your man

I see you leanin', you're bound to fall
I don't wanna be that mistake
i'm just a dreamer, nothing more
you should know it before it gets too late

cause goodbyes are like a roulette wheel
you never know where they're gonna land
first you're spinning, then you're standing still
left holding a losin' hand
one day you're gonna find someone
right away, you'll know it's true
that all of your seeking is done
Its just a part of the passing through
right there in that moment
you'll finally understand
that i was better as a memory than as your man
better as a memory than as your man

baby fever

Let's be clear - I'm not saying I have it, I'm just saying - it is spreading like wildfire! Most of my friends and associates are at that age where babies are either already a reality, very close to entering the world or on the "To-Do ASAP" list of their life. I'm not quite there yet, but is certainly all around me.

Fun story : I recently discovered that and acquaintance of mine has this fever so badly that it makes her do astonishing things. For example, while attending an amazing clearance sale at a high end department store she could not stop herself from purchasing the perfect onsies, socks, hats, pants, blankets and the like for the child she hopes to have some day. When asked by her husband (that I would like to point out discovered the items tucked away in a secret drawer!!) to explain that which could only be a psychotic episode ... her only response was, "they were just too adorable and at 70% of retail (which she almost swayed me to her side with this argument, but no.) how could I NOT buy them honey? I mean, we will have kids someday. Right?"

The story was to shocking to be real. Anyone who knows me can appreciate that it would be a vast understatement to say I like to plan ahead. I would say I am an advocate for planned parenthood, but good grief! Like I said, there are things about kids that I am just not sure about yet. I am pretty sure my reservations boil down to selfish reasons and I am completely ok with that for now.

I leave you with this. Best of luck to each of you that already have children and those with a bun in the oven - even if I don't know you personally, I think you are very brave. Here is a photo of one of thw world's latest editions. Meet Sophia Ann. So tiny and full of possibilities. I wish her well in her journey through life and will be laughing all the way as she wraps her daddy around her little finger. Congrats Darren, we love you.