Archive for December 2009

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30 December 2009

Peace out 2009 and hello 2010

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: BlogHer, celebrity, Chicago, family, Friends, Random, travel, Wisconsin, work

So tomorrow is New Years Eve, which means I’m taking a look back at 2009 and looking ahead to 2010 by making a list of resolutions.

Or as I like to call them “things I try to achieve when I’m not lazy.”

But before I go out tomorrow night, drink loads of champagne, possibly force a guy to make out with me and spend the first day of 2010 hungover on my couch, I want to highlight a few 2009 highlights (in no particular order):

All in all, 2009 was a pretty good year, lots going on but a lot of positive things too. So as I continuously try to become a better person, let’s look at how I plan to do that starting Friday. Oh and this is separate from the yearly pledge to lose more weight.

2010 resolutions:

  • Sign up for dance classes (real ones at a real dance studio)
  • Run a 5k (and start the Couch to 5k program)
  • Be a better friend and daughter
  • Start a knitting project (other than a scarf) and FINISH it
  • Make one new recipe a month
  • Be more active in blogging communities in addition to my blog

Well that’s my 2009 wrap up and 2010 sneak peek for now. I hope 2010 will be as exciting and good to me as well as for all of you. I think 2010 could be the year of me!

I’ll be back this weekend with more but in the meantime, I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year! My New Years Day plans involve my couch, a pizza and lots of water and Naked Juice. Let’s party.

What was your 2009 highlight (blog or otherwise) or what’s your big 2010 resolution?

New movie review is up! You can read my full review of the musical Nine, get those jazz hands ready!

What I’m wearing: Sunday, I put up a picture of me wearing the below outfit over the holidays and then I didn’t share what stores I got everything from! I’m sorry! Details on my comfortable, “trendy” look are below.

Outfit breakout:

Shirt: Old Navy

Long vest: Banana Republic

Leggings: Hue, purchased at Nordstrom

Necklace: Banana Republic outlet

Boots: Banana Republic

Bracelets: Old Navy (black jet beaded ones) and David Yurman

As many of you know, I’m a huge Gap/Banana/Old Navy fan. Minus the Yurman bracelets, the most expensive item from this ensemble was the boots, which were $100 on super-end-of-season sale. Everything else individually was $40 or below.

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28 December 2009

I hate passive aggressive behavior

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: family

I can admit that I’m a double standard when it comes to acting passive aggressive. I hate when others do it, but I’m guilty of it too.

When I lived in Germany, people joked that I had a passive aggressive monkey that stayed caged until I let her out to play and wreck havoc. Then, it was hilarious, but as I’ve matured, being passive aggressive is a pain in the a**.

I used to be passive aggressive because I was mortally afraid of confrontation. I had trouble expressing how I felt when people upset me, so I would bottle it up and wait to unleash it. This means I may teach you a lesson by hiding cassette tapes or when I would fight with people, stuff would start coming out like, “six months ago you didn’t call me back and I was mad.”

I’m still not great with confrontation or harsh criticism but I like to think that I do better at talking to people about it and working through it so it’s “resolved.”

I’m also clear with people I’m friends and work with that I want them to be honest with me and tell me if I do something to piss them off. Believe it or not, I’m not a mindreader (if I was, I would be making SO MUCH more money). I don’t always know if I’ve done something that has upset someone or if they have misinterpreted something I said. The popularity of texting, IM and email makes it difficult to determine what’s sarcasm or just mean.

Today, I had a bad run in with the passive aggressive gorilla living in my parents house, which resulted in a big fight and me in tears all day (literally) and en route back to Chicago early. And when this person and I had this blowout I said, in a stunned voice, “why didn’t you tell me you were upset earlier?”

I got no response but realized through this awful situation that I need to be better about talking out my issues and problems with friends and family before it’s too late and it explodes in a tirade.

So what about you? Do you talk to friends or family when they’ve done something to upset you? Or do you have a tendency to be a little passive aggressive at times? Or do you hate when others are passive aggressive to you or others?

Movie review reminder: Just a reminder that my review of The Young Victoria is over on the review blog! My first one ever!

30 Comments

27 December 2009

Weekend recap: Holiday recap

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: family, Fashion, Food, Movies, Wisconsin

Happy Sunday everyone!! I hope you all had a really great holiday and that Santa was extra good to each and every one of you. I had a nice few days off and am now slowly trying to remember what day it is.

Honestly, I had to write down that today is Sunday because I totally forgot. That’s what happens when you’re off for several days in a row.

Santa definitely visited my house this year and it was clear that dad told him I was a very good girl :) I’ve had some past issues of dad not following my Christmas list (which he always requests), but after a heart-to-heart about the difference between what I want/need and what he wants to give me, this year went much better.

Santa managed to fit in his sleigh for me several fun/practical things like a Wii, Wii Fit Plus, Huntress boots, yoga mat/bag, Glee seasons 1-2 CDs, JCrew/iTunes gift cards and a crock pot. Seriously, I was really excited about that crock pot. I cannot wait to bust that out!

And of course we had insane amounts of food in our house. I swear, any healthy food was replaced with M&Ms, fudge and cookies. My stepmom made a fruit salad and I devoured the entire thing because I FORGOT how good fruit tastes. Sad.

Festive ice cream cake, nummy

So all of this food meant I had to constantly wear comfortable clothing (to avoid another uncomfortable pants hissy fit) and I ended up wearing variations of this outfit anytime I went out in public. At least I was trendy.

A few other highlights of the last few days include: the first time having fondue with my work/WI buddy Lizz, seeing a few movies and not washing my hair for a few days. God, that was liberating.

Oh and I had to share a picture of my mom’s new ornament, can you guess the classic movie this appeared in? :)

How was everyone else’s holiday? What was your favorite present?

Review blog update: I’m staying strong on my no shopping pledge, but that means I’m behind in having things to review, so I’ve added movies! And my inaugural movie review is one of the best movies I’ve seen in recent memory (minus New Moon): The Young Victoria.

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23 December 2009

Overdoing the holiday decor

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Random, Wisconsin

I saw this in my neighborhood today and I had to take a photo. This house always overdecorates for the holidays. Doesn’t matter if it’s Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, 4th of July or Easter.

As you can see, this year is no exception :)

Well my lovely readers, it’s time for me to wish you all a very happy holidays and sign off for now. That’s right, I’m taking a few days off to eat, drink (a lot) and be merry with family and friends in town.

I hope everyone has a safe, happy and joyous holiday and that Santa brings you everything on your wish list.

Oh and I’m thinking of adding some movie reviews to my review blog (due to the cutbacks in shopping). So hopefully that will help me keep that updated more frequently!

Have you seen decor like this around your house? It’s so…eye catching :)

JB out.

36 Comments

22 December 2009

Holiday weekend movies

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Movies

When I’m home for the holidays, I definitely need time on my own. I call them “Jess-only field trips” and no one can come on these trips unless you are invited. Very exclusive.

I go on these field trips when I need time alone because my family and lack of privacy have driven me to the point of near insanity. It happens.

And because non-holiday gift shopping is a no-no until the 29th (staying strong!), I’m occupying my time with movies. And yes, I brought a list home with me of what I want to see.

So my post-holiday-movies-to-see wish list includes:

Nine - I love Rob Marshall’s directing style and musicals. Plus, Penelope’s song and dance number looks hot!

nine_paparazzi_final-(2)

It’s Complicated – I’m not the target audience for this but my future husband John K is in it and looking smoking hot (as normal) so I must support him (and dream of marrying and having lots of babies with him)

itscomplicatedpic3

An Education – A Golden Globe nominee so I need to see it to see if I pick it as one of my winners. And I hear great things about it.

An Education Movie Poster

Invictus – I like Clint Eastwood’s movies and I could use something motivational and uplifting. Plus, Matt Damon is hot too

invictus_poster

The movie you won’t see on my list, Avatar. I’ve heard amazing things about it but I’m not really in the mood for it right now. I’m sure it’s great but I’m not sure if it’s my cup of tea. I’ll hold off until I can drag Scratching Post Jenn with me next week.

What about you? Do you see a lot of movies over the holidays? Or what do you plan on seeing while you’re at home?

Hot/cold: First, I’m really glad I’m not the only one freezing cold in my parents home. Everyone’s comments made me laugh about their parents, husbands or boyfriends keeping their place cold. I know, I should be better about my carbon footprint. But I hate being cold.

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