Showing posts with label About Me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label About Me. Show all posts

2/8/14

New York Trip......LAST YEAR!!!!

So, let me get this straight, I tease you by saying that I'm going to NY, I visit all of these fantastic places and meet so many wonderful people and I never TOLD you about it?????? How could you let me get AWAY with something like that? I am so sorry!!! The sad thing is now struggling to remember all the details of that heavenly trip and when specific things happened. One of the very first things we did was head over to ground zero. What a reverent, beautiful reminder. I am so glad that we stayed as long as we did and listened to every bit of information. The rain didn't dampen our spirits but it did lend a chance to use my scarf in different ways ; D.
Just around the corner we found an amazing Indian restaurant tucked in between some shops and ate heartily. Kev was in heaven with all of the options =).
I loved their cute lil cups LOL!
Kev was so amazing at mapping out where everything was on his phone. He was a whiz with the subway and I never worried about getting lost. Before we went we wrote down all the things we wanted to see and asked friends, of course, since we had both never been. Ladies, WE SAW EVERYTHING on our list!!! It was the most jam packed wonderful three days EvEr and I can't wait for me and Kev to do more world traveling if this is what is in store. I LOVE ebing on the go, waking up early and seeing 5 things before breakfast time. Just love it!!! Well, one thing on Kev's list was to see the amazing NY Apple store which was pretty close to our hotel.
  It was pretty visually stimulating and happened to be next door to another list item. FAO Schwarz =). The big piano? Yeah, we hit that. Zoltar? Yeah, we spoke face to face LOL. I'm a geek, I know.
 So the whole reason we were able to go on this wonderful trip was because Kevin is a graphic designer and one of his apps was nominated for an award. There was to be a huge banquet and presenting of the awards to those that won. It was so pricey ($400 a plate) that I opted to not go but hit a broadway musical instead. Another couple had flown out as well (her hubby was also nominated for another category) so her and I set out to Times Square to see what adventures lay before us. Thanks to my wonderful friend, who was touring with Billy Elliot at the time, and her counsel, we scored some tickets for Newsies and couldn't conTAIN our excitement!!! IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!


 For all of you So You Think You Can Dance fans here's Evan from season 5. I spotted him RIGHT away and couldn't stop watching this amazing dancer. I was so stoked afterward to get to meet him! I cannot even TELL you how sad I am that this picture is so blurry but it's all I have so I must use it lol. During the performance I got a text (which ANYone will tell you the ushers will flash their lights at you for) from Kevin saying he had WON!!!!!!!! I was so proud that I was busting at the seams!!!!!! I wish I could have been there to clap the loudest for my man and give him hugs and kisses. It was SO hard to sit still after that text = D.
So the city never sleeps eh? Well what about restaurants??? After the show, my friend and I went shopping at the FIVE story Forever 21....yeah it was awesome, met up with our men then went out for some grub. It was only 1am but we couldn't find a place ANYwhere to go!!! Finally, we went back to the hotel to ask. They said there was a great bar just down the road that had great food. Let me tell you how funny it was to have the waitress tell us there was no room at the bar and sadly there were only tables available in the dining room. Since non of us drink at all we were ecstatic and told her to lead the way to the table!!! I had THE most amazing goat cheese and spinach salad that I still dream about it!!! I took a pic of their sign so I wouldn't forget where to go at 1am the next time I'm in town LOL.
One thing that is very pertinent to this cosmetics site was visiting my bestie at VH1 the Buzz where she is Carrie Keagan's personal makeup artist. We showed up that morning, got our lovely security badges and up we went. Jess showed me the beautiful green room where they get all the talent ready (specifically Carrie) and what she uses on her. Do you spy Lisa Loebe in the mirror and me being not two feet away from her??? Love her!!!
                                                              In the best hands possible!
 Carrie asking about Hulk Hogan's latest scandal.
 Learning about the set.
 Panoramic Kev took of the green room.
 Me Carrie and Jess. Ironic that I reeaaallly don't like my makeup here!
Kev had never seen Phantom so we went. I had seen it a baziiiiilion times and have seen better but I was super glad he wanted to go and that he appreciates the beautiful art that is Opera.
That night Jess took us out on the town. Kev loves 30 Rock so he wanted to at least walk by the building =). The Jess took us to this sky bar where you could get amazing views of the whole city, especially the Empire State Bldg. This place was new to us though since it was cold, it was outside, they had cloaks for you to wear. Red cloaks, shining in the red glow that came from the heaters. I felt like I was in the den of the Illuminate! Needless to say I don't know how often they wash them in between patrons wearing them so I opted not to accessorize that night. We had scrumptious hot fries and steaming hot chocolate. Now some things you need to know about my friend Jess are that she is SUPER kind, very thoughtful, selfless and loves God and her Savior and sings their praises without embarrassment. Boooooy when the waitress said she wouldn't split our little check she had a THING or two to say about that. When she got no satisfaction from her she went to her boss then his until they preformed the simplest of tasks...splitting the check. It was then that I started noticing how NY is not a place to find the best customer service experiences (and how I wanted Jess around for all of it) HA!
 Want to hear a sad yet funny story? That is, if you are still reading this. Mom? Are you the only one? HI! I'll see you in a few days!!! lol KAY! So I've seen quite a few movies where the Empire State Bldg has been in the background. Lovely, majestic, easily recognizable. Well, when Kev and I went to see it earlier that day I walked RIGHT past it!!! He's like, "Jen, we're here." I assured him we weren't. He wasn't quite sure how to take that. After all, he had never steered us wrong visiting any landmark. He stood there looking at me (insert me wearing a very matter of fact face). "What do you mean we aren't here. It's right in front of you." "But...it's not....black." He was very confused at this point and his face showed it. "In every movie I've ever seen, the Empire State Bldg is black." Crickets chirping, thoughts of wondering if he married Jessica Simpson I'm sure were happening in his head. Sleepless in Seattle, On the Town, An Affair To Remember.....ALL of them showed images of it at night time. Of COURSE it looked black MORON!!! I have to say though, I was a little disappointed =(. Okay stop laughing. I thought it was all black tinted windows not black concrete...or I guess it could have been. Regardless I was happy at that sky bar because my beloved Empire State Bldg was black. Kev still won't let me live that down.
NO. SLEEP. TILL BROOKLYN!!!!! 
Now THIS was an awesome day (although I will always remember my feet killing from my boots). We went all around Brooklyn, then walked the Brooklyn Bridge and had some yummy pizza at Grimaldi's. NOW I know the obsession that is NY pizza, Thanks Kat!!! 

 On our last day we went to Hoboken NJ to visit Carlo's Bakery from Cake Boss and DIED eating all the scrumptiousness!!! I was so impressed with how it wasn't very busy (maybe one other person in the shop) how inexpensive it was and how very tasty.
We ended up buying even more to take back home to our boys and family.

Loved the display window (worthy of Disneyland), a pic of Kev in the alley where they would always pull pranks and our yummy treats before we ate them right there on a bench like ravenous beasts!
Can't go to NY without seeing Central Park. It was SO close to our hotel too! We walked around and saw spots that are in our fav movies, hello? One Fine Day, Home Alone, the Muppets!!!  
to the Boathouse for one last lunch with Jess. Again, customer service left MUCH to be desired but the company more than made up for it!
Jess was such a wonderful tour guide and we miss her! If you haven't already heard, Carrie has left VH1 to pursue other ventures in California so now we get to see her again whenever we go to Disneyland with the boys. Yay!!! =D
All in all, amAZING trip to NYC and am so glad we were able to go. So proud of my hubby, loved seeing historic things, visiting museums, galleries, Broadway shows, seeing friends and spending so much uninterrupted time with Kev. Hope you enjoyed this long over due post/novel/are you still awake??? ; D

2/6/14

New Year, New Thoughts

Eating "clean", Ipsy find (and love) and going "natural". I've had such a transformation since moving to Utah. There are so many things I've been introduced to. Oils, clean eating, lifting weights vs. cardio, I did makeup for my first movie and I learned a lot about fake blood, scars on the face, hypothermia, just so much!!! Here are a few more things that I've learned ; D.

12/24/13

Merry Christmas!!!



I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heeeaaaarrrrrt!!!!! =D It's Christmas Eve. Can you feel it? Can you tell something special is coming? I remember as a kid, this night held such magic. We would not only read T'was the Night Before Christmas but we would read the even more wonderful story in Luke about our Savior being born in a manger in Bethlehem. We would sit by the lit Christmas tree with all other lights in the house off and feel the words my dad read. We knew they were true. I still do =). It was such a good transition to a peaceful sleep......but how could one SLEEP??? 

Enjoying yummy treats at Grandma & Grandpa's

I was the only girl with three brothers so I always had my own room. I would sneak down the hall to where they were and we would stay awake all night playing games and guessing at what we would find in the morning. My parents always tacked up a sheet to hide our view if we ever walked past the hallway leading to the glowing Christmas tree. We would have Captain Crunch Berries EVERY year, my brothers chugged Egg Nog like it was going out of style while I sat in the corner gagging at the sight (I may have just gagged thinking of the smell). We would wake up and head down the street to Grandma & Grandpa's for Christmas breakfast. I can hear the plates chinking, the smell of the bacon, their hugs, her glass Christmas tree candy jar filled with sweets all stuck together. Oh MEMORIES!!! Do we love traditions because they are so familiar? Because most of them are only practiced once a year so they are special? Because people we love teach us them? I think it is a sprinkling of all the above and I LoVe them!!!



Kev and I have been married for almost 10 years and haven't lived by family for most of that time. We have loved coming up with our own little family traditions but have also brought our own from our separate families into the mix and have just loved the holidays that much more. This year we have been able to help others in ways we have always wanted to and are finally in a position to do so. We told our kids the plan of only one present from Mom and Dad, one from Santa and whatever grandparents or other family members might send. What we would have spent on Christmas has been split up between the Sub For Santa program, people in the neighborhood, acts of service (giving of our time), the United Way, food drives at school and helping lift others spirits in any way we can. The underneath of our tree may be bare but our hearts are SO full and I am SO proud of my boys (seeing as how they are younger) for being so great and excited about our Christmas this year. 



My oldest (above) and I lay awake talking about Christmas and how it's a little different this year. "Mom" he said, "Do you know what I like best about this Christmas?" "What Love?" "I loved taking those presents to all those families that wouldn't have had a good Christmas. When they smiled and saw the bags we brought, that was my favorite present. I want to keep making people smile. Are we doing this again next year?" {insert heart MELTING right then!!!} "Yes, Kayson. We will do this as long as we have the means, and even when we don't, we can always give our time and talents to those that need us."
Speaking of talents.....lol.....bet ya didn't think I could ROCK Mrs. Claus for our local high school did ya? Well, you'd be wrong!!! HA!


Is that not one of the funniest things ever? I know I would have to do a double take every time I passed the mirror =D. It was so much fun to read to little kids and pretend I was married to a waaaaaay older man with a lot of power ; D. I used a lot of Ben Nye makeup for this look and the NYX Jumbo Pencil in milk for my hairline and brows. This year held a lot of parties for our family too. One was Kev's work party up in Salt Lake at Little America. I loooooove when the invite says formal & you can take it up a notch!



I opted for this bad boy from BeBe and did a deep red wine lip. Head didn't seem complete without a loud obnoxious bow so I added one last minute and pearls from H&M.


I hope you have the merriest of Merry Christmases and are able to feel peace, love and joy this season. And if you have any room left over, try a bold lip with gorgeous lashes to top everything off =). Love you all!!!
P.S. Our family pictures were taken by the lovely Sara Simpson and I HIGHLY recommend her for your photos! She travels and is SO good with kids I can't even tell you!!! Let me know if anyone would be interested in a giveaway from her!!!

9/24/13

Ode To My Bow



Ode To My Bow Bracelet
{Ahem}
I love you, I love you, I love you 
I do.
I love you, I love you.....
and now I am through.
LOL I really am so in love with this thing. I wear it any chance that I can. Whenever an outfit needs a touch more class, a touch more bling, a statement! I rocked it around Disneyland a few weeks ago, then up in Sacramento for my little sister's wedding (guess who the makeup artist waaaaas??? lol). I have gotten so many comments on it that I had to share where YOU can get it too. Are you ready? Click here before they are all gone!!! and go to Chic jewelry. I can't believe it's only $15.99!!!! The owner of this fabulous site is Summer and is a dear friend. She will take care of you for SURE!!! Her button is on the side bar of the blog or you can click here to go to the homepage of her site. Happy shopping and bow wearing!!!!!

5/12/13

Happy Mother's Day

I want to wish everyone a wonderful Mother's Day. Mothers come in all shapes and sizes. They also come in the form of an aunt, neighbor, grandmother, sister, and friend. No matter your role here on Earth, we as women are nurturers, healers, friends, and companions. I want to give a special virtual hug and kiss to my sweet mother. This gal is pretty special to me and it is rare for us to go without talking long. Earlier in life I was her little girl, her only little girl with three other boys. She dressed me up in dresses (I rarely went a day without wearing one) only to dig in the dirt, play guns or trucks with my brothers. Later in teenage years we didn't see eye to eye and, sadly, I was the reason for most of it. I am sad that I made choices that made her sad and sometimes hurt. It was only when we split ways and I moved out that I truly understood all of the wonderful things she did for me. Isn't that sad that it took that long? She was in Sacramento while I was in Huntington Beach living very different lives. I called her with news about jobs, friends and life in general. I had a HUGE impression to move back home one year and I thought in my head,"She will NEVER accept me back. She will remember too freshly everything that I have put her through, no way!" She responded with tears that she had been feeling the same way and I will never forget feeling vErY grateful for such a forgiving and in tune mom. She welcomed me back with open and loving arms. A short year after that and I was packing to go live and serve in Siberia and we joyfully went shopping together getting me all ready. Tears were shed the whole week before me leaving and the airport was even worse. Leaving my mom was a very hard thing to do. We were allowed to speak to each other only a few times in the year and a half that I was gone and we made each second count. I came home for a short while before I was engaged to my prince and we were OFF and planning a wedding together. Kevin was out of state so my lovely Marmy was my date to look at linens, rental businesses, cake tasting (our favorite part!) and reception venues. My mother has grown into my very best friend. Someone that knows my faults and loves me anyway. Someone that has seen me at my worst and still saw potential (even if I didn't). Someone that seems to know all the ingredients I need for every meal at the drop of a hat, the cure for every heart ache and sickness, the one that sends cards to all of her kids for every little occasion. The one who knew I needed her last year and came a total of THREE times in a manner of months to come and be with me. She is my partner in crime (when a hubby can't fill in the gaps), my "go-to" gal for almost everything and the only mother I could and will ever want. I love you sweet Marmy and I always will. Here's to many more years of giggles, hugs, long talks and special occasions. 
Forever, your Jen

4/27/13

Come On A Home Tour With Me!

Comment below if you would like to go on a home tour with me!

10/16/12

Sick Girl

Can I please tell you how amAZING New York was??? I absolutely loved every second of it and am so glad that we were able to go! Sadly upon our return I got very sick and I just couldn't function...enter the doctor saying I have strep. I have personally never been through this torturous illness before and am sorry to say I AM A WIMP!!!!! I have been in bed with no energy, feeling sore enough to think that maybe I have just run a marathon (go me!) and not able to even take care of my little boys. Thankfully I have a hubby that is 100% amazing and can occasionally work from home. Have you ever been through this awfulness? What made YOU feel better? HELP!!!!! *sniff* = (

1/19/12

Who's Your Favorite?

American Idol is under way for it's next season and from what I hear there seems to be no lack of talent....and humiliation. I have long since stopped watching the show but LOVE to blast the radio on long and short car rides and belt it out with my favorite singers. Tell me I'm not alone!!! In honor of yet another nationwide search for more vocal talent I wanted to post my favorite singers and, in my opinion, some of my favorite makeup looks of theirs. Comment to which is YOUR favorite look and I'll do a tutorial on it =)!
The classic red lip, gorgeous lashes, effortless style, class and bombshell blonde hair. How can I NOT love her!!!!!

Love her, hate her (how could you) or think she's full of cheese, THIS girl has some PIPES!!!!! Whenever I think of Celine Dion I think of someone that no matter how high they are going (not wise) I am NEVER cringing to see if she'll hit it. She's amazing and I would LOVE to see her in concert...insert me hinting to my hubby ; ).
This girl has had so many ups and downs but I LOVE dancing and singing to her songs. Look at that natural glow!
I fell in LOVE with this look from Burlesque. I bet you didn't know this but I actually sound just like her when I'm singing. Oh yeah, you can too! Just turn her up to the absolute max and just mouth every perfect note ; ). I always feel so badly on American Idol when someone picks a song of hers...it's just sad = (.
I aDORE Roisin Murphy's music! Chances are you like her too. Do you wtch So You Think You Can Dance? Remember Ramalama? Yup, that's her. Wade Robson uses her a lot too aaaannnndddd since I love HIM, well there you go. I wanted to put one a little off the wall and fun up and you can always count on Roisin for that!