‘Uncategorized’ Category

20 September 2009

Weekend recap: grown up girl bonding time

By: Jessica B.

Yeah, I totally stole that line from Enchanted, but the meaning around it here is totally different. Although I would like “grown up girl bonding time” with Patrick Dempsy. Meow.

Anyhow, as you all know, last week was kind of a tough one. And this weekend, I did something I definitely needed more than I thought I did: girl time!

It started Friday with a lovely dinner at Marche in the West Loop with some of my favorite co-workers (even though I felt like my throat was raw meat and I was running a fever by the end of the night) where we gossiped, laughed and enjoyed really good food. Perfect way to start the weekend.

Then Saturday night came the main event with several Chicago lady bloggers (and out-of-town guests). We gathered to celebrate pretty wine labels and each other, gossiping, hugging, talking about feelings, bad wedding stories and catching up. Whether it’s having an awful boy-related week, preparing for a big week coming up job and and health wise or just talking about upcoming wedding plans, girl time solves any problem and provides all the support you need to go kick some a**!

That may be dramatic but with the right group, it’s true.

What else helps: wine shots and music. That’s right, you heard me, shots of wine, classy.

And after solving world issues and storing up on hugs, laughs and wine shots, the most epic thing ever happened: an impromptu dance party.

Oh that’s right, we danced and screamed/sang our hearts out to Bon Jovi, Glee, Gwen Stefani, The Little Mermaid (yes you heard me correctly) and the most epic of all songs to make my night: Sister Act.

I nearly died when that came on. Actually, I think there is video of us screaming/singing. Somehow, in my head when I heard us sing, it sounded TOTALLY different.

Anyhow, that party raged from 7 until 1:30 a.m. and I have to say, being around positive people who made me laugh, watched me dance (which looks like I’m having a seizure) and gave lots of hugs, gave me exactly what I needed after a tough week.

Girls night out solves every problem :) And considering last Saturday I was on my worst date ever, this was the best way to change Saturday night karma back to awesome.

Oh and we had cupcakes from a new (to me) cupcake place in Chicago, the Cupcake Counter. I will be checking that out one Friday post-work, the red velvet was tasty. You can see our spread below, yeah we went through 11 bottles of wine.

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How was everyone else’s weekend? Emmy fashion recap/awards are coming tomorrow!! So far, I’m loving Neil Patrick Harris, so adorable!!

17 August 2009

My birthday list

By: Jessica B.

My birthday is coming up (fast) and I have no idea what I want. Dad is asking almost daily and I honestly have no idea.

He apparently didn’t like my first answer which was, “a pony.”

No, it’s not very practical for the city but they’re so PRETTY!

Normally on birthdays, I rotate between getting myself a new purse (example: Speedy last year) or jewelry and because this year marks an entrance into a new decade, I think jewelry might be the most appropriate gift.

But because I need options, I’ve listed below some awesome stuff I would love to have for my birthday, some more realistic than others.

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Wii. Actually a Wii plus a Wii Fit. I really want to faux bowl or play tennis at home after a long daywms_ts_lg

Bose soundsystem. I love playing music (loudly) at home and this would definitely bring it up to an 11

Marc Jacobs. I LOVE the color. I cannot take my eyes off of it

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Trip to the beach. This might have to wait until January/February but I am dreaming about it already

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Anything from here. Preferrably of the sparkly earring, necklace or bracelet variety (nothing says 30 like diamonds!)

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Or a funky piece of jewelry like this from David Yurman. I love the detail and multiple bangles

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Nikon. I’ve been salivating over one for a long time. Might be my year to get it

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Love this necklace from JCrew. Actually multiple things from JCrew would be a lovely gift

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A recent trip to Dave & Buster’s brought back my love of Skeeball. Practical? No. Fun? YOU BET

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Okay, okay, if the Nikon doesn’t work out, I definitely need a new point-and-shoot. Mine is not up to par anymore

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What? A pony? Well…..OKAY! Who’s a pretty pony? You are!

Like I said, some are more realistic than others but, I think there is a good mix here.

If you could pick ONE THING, anything, literally anything for your birthday, what would it be? Or what have you always wanted but never received?

10 August 2009

More online dating FAILs

By: Jessica B.

I love talking to people who are also online dating because the stories we share are a) hilarious b) totally true and c) shocking, usually at the same time.

I’ve been on Match now for a few months and overall it’s been a pretty good experience. While Dayton is now totally out of the picture (I don’t think that’s a real shock), JohnBoy has entered the picture and I think he’ll be staying around for a while.
But I’m shocked by the balls of some of the Match.com guys because really, some just reinforce why they’re single. Honestly.
Here are two recent examples…
Puxatawney Phil
Phil lives in the Chicago suburbs and works in finance. He also has a little bit of a short temper and lack of finesse in communicating with women.
Why do you ask? Please let me explain.
Awhile ago, Phil and I winked at each other through Match and I was waiting for a first e-mail from him, because, well he initiated that communication so that makes sense.
Anyhow, when I was sending out “no thanks” messages to some guys, Phil accidentally received one, unbeknownst to me, because of an interweb/Match glitch. So Phil e-mails me asking if that message was sent in error because, well he was hoping it was a mistake. I received this message at work and couldn’t respond right away but made the note to clarify that with him later that night.
But I got sidetracked again and forgot to do so, unfortunately, Phil didn’t forget that he had asked me earlier if this was a mistake and sent me another message (not even 24 hours after his first one) that said, and I kid you not:
“I asked you a question.”
OH SNAP. It’s on b*tch.
Having a momentary Rage Girl episode, I respond to Phil right away with the following e-mail:
“Hi Phil, actually that ‘no thanks’ message was sent in error. I did get your earlier email and I’m sorry I could placate and coddle you in a more timely manner so you could feel better about yourself because the Match wasn’t officially closed. I guess I got busy…at my job…where I work during the day. But if you can apologize, check the bitchy attitude at the door and try again, I’ll see if I’m willing to give you another chance. Otherwise that ‘no thanks’ message will be for real.”
I hate being this kind of bitchy to guys but seriously, WTF? WTF?
Having options:
Awhile ago I winked at this guy who was a little younger than I was looking for my guy to be, but was willing to give it a shot. Didn’t hear from him for about a month. Not a huge deal.
Then I come home one night and he’s emailed me the following:
“Hi I’m [insert name], the half-shirtless wonder! Your wicked gorgeous smile is a heart throbber. I would like to present you with four nice options:
  • We can exchange not more than 3 detailed e-mails before meeting up or…
  • We can exchange numbers and have 30 minutes of sparkling ear to ear conversation or…
  • We can go on a nice date or…
  • You tell me to go screw myself and stop writing you or you’re calling the cops
Options may be combined. Discuss.”
Seriously I laughed so hard out loud that I nearly had to sit down. Witty, yes, clever, yes but he lost me somewhere around the shirtless wonder and the use of the word “heart throbber.”
But I do have to say, a girl likes options.
So how would you have responded to these situations/e-mail conversations?

30 July 2009

My kind of reality show

By: Jessica B.

I’ve talked about my love of reality TV before on this blog, in fact, Alexa has written why she’s not the Bachelorette and Katelin even talked about what she’s tired of in the reality TV-world, so it got me thinking, what kind of reality show would I be on?

I like romance but honestly, taking me out on romantic dinners all the time, going on exotic trips and destination dates is not the way to completely win me over. Oh don’t get me wrong, these things are nice but there is an easier way to go about it.

Today, I decided to design my own reality dating show. Move over Daisy of Love, it’s time to list out what guys would do on my show to win my affection.
Sure, dates are nice but I need a man who can not only create romance, but also be real. The kind of guy that doesn’t turn into a toad when the show is over and has skills beyond making out and heavy petting. Although that is nice too. Wink, wink.
So here is what guys will do on this reality dating show to try and get a rose from me:
  • Paint my apartment – OMG a guy who could successfully help me paint my living room/dining room would be a gem
  • Hang pictures and my massive Pottery Barn mirror – nothing says hot like driving a nail into the wall. Hey-oh!
  • Reach things in high places – I’m sure watching me jump for or climb on things to reach tall items is enjoyable for them, but not for me
  • Not leave balled-up wet towels on the floor (gross)
  • Let me have control of the remote sometimes (no, I won’t torture him either by just watching Bravo or Lifetime)
  • Make a nice dinner (I’m a no frills girl anyhow but for coming home and seeing him cook, hot)
So that is my list of activities guys will have to do on my dating reality show to win my affection. I need a guy who can hang pictures and then take me out. Trust me, that increases your chances of heavy petting…because the pictures I have to hang are pretty heavy for me to hold up :)
What would guys have to do on your reality show to win you over?
Blog note: I’ve finally started adding reviews on the review blog here, so far I have two up and running. That blog also has a Google Reader/RSS feed as well
Reader note: Thank you everyone for your feedback on telling JohnBoy about my site. I have some thinking to do about how to handle it but your thoughts were really helpful.

27 July 2009

My blog’s hot new look

By: Jessica B.

Welcome to new Everyday Adventures!! Woooo!!!! That’s right, I cranked the “cool factor” on this blog all the way up to 11 and I’m not turning it down.

I’m still your hostess, Jessica, would you like a cocktail or appetizer, pigs in a blanket maybe?

When I started blogging in December 2008, I literally typed “start a free blog” into Google, and Blogger came up (shock!), but because I wasn’t sure if I would keep blogging, I stayed with the standard Blogger template because a) it was easy and b) I was lazy.

But for the last few months, I’ve been working on several BIG changes and I’m finally ready to share them with you!

Here are some of the new things on this site:

Design (duh) – I really love this design. I think it really captures me and what this blog is about. A few more changes will be coming in along the way but for now, I just can’t stop staring at how pretty it is. And if you met me this weekend at BlogHer, you already got a little preview but now you can see the entire thing! I also want to say a big thanks to Mark G. Davis who helped design and implement everything.

Dumping Blogger - Blogger was a great place to start but lately, it’s become less user friendly for me and the fact that I cannot reply to comments makes me crazy!!! So I broke up with Blogger and starting fresh on Wordpress (Blogger, it’s not me, it’s you). I still have no idea how to fully use this platform either so bare with me :)

Feeds – If you subscribe to me through RSS, all you have to do is hit “refresh” in Reader for the new URL to be grabbed. Yes, there is a partial feed issue right now with RSS that I’m working to adjust. If you subscribe to me through my regular, Atom feed, you will have to update your links (sorry!) My sidebar option to update in Google Reader has been finicky so if that doesn’t work, please copy/paste the new url, http://www.myeverydayadventures.com into Reader and you’ll be all set.

I promise it takes two seconds *bats eyelashes*

Reviews – I don’t really mention products on here but I wanted to create a space where I can share things I recently have bought and love with everyone rather than figure out a way to finagle it into my main blog. So be on the watchout for cool stuff coming up on that too

So yeah, take a tour around and let me know what you think. The site’s definitely a work in progress but this place feels more like “me.” Content will still kick a** so don’t worry. Oh but be sure to use a coaster with your drink, I hate water marks on my coffee table.

Any issues with your feeds, e-mail me at: myeverydayadventures@gmail.com and I’ll keep working on them.

And come back tomorrow because I’ll have my BlogHer recap including my photo with Tim Gunn. Make it work!