‘Wisconsin’ Category

16 August 2009

College memories and wedding awkwardness

By: Jessica B.

I have fond memories of college. Before I moved to Minnesota for two years, I went to a small liberal arts school in Wisconsin. The kind of school where everyone knows your business and you can run out of guys easily to make out with at drunken frat parties. Oh frat parties, how I miss you. Jungle juice on a Saturday night while making bad decisions with the new recruits and dancing on at the bar. Oh memories. I still have a small scar on my knee from one bad bar dancing night.

But along with fooling around with half the guys in my German class, I made platonic, non-make out friends too, that I’ve stayed in touch with since I left Wisconsin for Minnesota. And this weekend, two of them got married!

So I went to Madison for the wedding, in my cutest summer sundress and giving my liver a pep talk that there was going to be a SH*T TON of liquor in it that night. Oh but wait, I was driving home, so I settled for 1.5 Miller Lites, which still got me buzzed. Sad.

And while there were some up and down moments, I had a nice time. I know, my tweets from Saturday night probably painted a different picture, but it did end up okay. I was bold and went to the wedding alone and found that some of the college friends who said they were coming didn’t make it, so it was tough to talk to people I did know but haven’t seen in seven years. I’m outgoing but somehow clammed up like, well a clam. And there seating was unassigned at the reception so when I went up to several tables, I was told seats were “reserved,” causing me to sit at the “who are they” table. That was uncomfortable. No assigned seats? I’ve never had that happen and I felt like I was right back in high school.

My college nemesis was there too and I won’t lie, I think she was shocked to see me. I don’t want to be too petty and say mean things about her and stuff that was done years ago, but I will say this: time was much more kind to me :) Karma is a b*tch.

But after a faux “oh my gosh how are you” hug and air kiss at the ceremony, we really didn’t talk at all, except I saw fingers being pointed at me from across the room and people whispering. Yes, that’s comforting too.

So I did catch up with a few friends later at the reception (everyone’s married! OMG) and went home happy that at least the experience ended well. Oh and watching four hot guys sing a cappella in a boy band-like fashion while tipsy on Miller Lite was fun too. Yeah the “college me” would have hooked up with three of them, fortunately I was not tipsy enough to begin spanking. That would have been awkward.

How was everyone else’s weekend? Are you outgoing in social situations like weddings or parties where you don’t know many people? I usually am at parties but somehow, I just get very awkward at weddings!

09 August 2009

The joys of vacation

By: Jessica B.

That’s right, last week I was on vacation, spending time with my parents in northern Wisconsin, where McDonald’s and Starbucks don’t exist and Wifi access makes you very popular.

In fact, when I started writing this post last week, I was sitting on a park bench in front of a local library where Wifi is free. Yes, it’s quite a scene.

So while I loaded up on fresh air and watched my hair disintegrate thanks to humidity (stupid curls!) I wanted to share some of my favorite things about being on vacation, outside of the no working thing.

  • Sleeping late (which is still 8 a.m. for me. So sad)
  • Not counting calories (yes, I will have another beer, piece of pie and/or cup of gelato)
  • Looking at the stars
  • Watching the sun set (beer in hand is optional)
  • Visiting boutique shops (no JCrew or Banana Republic within 50 miles)
  • Forgoing make up and fashion (I didn’t wear make up for a week and I LOVED it)
  • Seeing local, exotic animals (including raccoons, deer and wild turkies. Not your average city animal life)
  • Laying at the beach and/or pool (assuming a beached whale position on a chaise lounge chair)
  • Reading on the porch (I read three books while I was gone and I show no signs of stopping!)

I have to say, reading in general is my favorite part of vacation. I loved relaxing with a good book on our screened-in porch or when lounging at the beach or pool. I just picked up another book today and have another waiting in the wings for me to get started on. My brain is just a sponge when I’m on vacation, soaking up all the good books and stories I’ve been waiting to read.

What do you love most about being on vacation, or where is your favorite place to retreat to each summer? Northern Wisconsin is definitely ours. Also, how was everyone’s weekend?

Tomorrow I’m officially back in the office, which means this happy little vacation bubble I’m still living in goes away.

F*ck.

But, I will be back to regularly blogging and commenting again :)

Giveaway update: The winners of the Gap giveaway are up now on the review blog, along with my review of the Gap Perfect Boot jeans! Thank you everyone for your great entries!

31 July 2009

My first car

By: Jessica B.

When it comes to driving, I was always a late bloomer. I learned how to pump gas at 16, got my drivers license at 17, had my first speeding/bull-sh*t-ticket-that-the-cop-made-up-a-reason-for-to-pull-me-over at 18 and my first car at 21.

Oh yes, 21 is when I finally had my own car. That’s why I am SUCH a good co-pilot on long trips. I’m very attentive :)

But recently, I was digging through some old photos and I found a picture of my first car and with a smug Katie-Holmes-like-side-mouth-smile, I took a little trip down memory lane.

My first car wasn’t a LeSabre or Ford Taurus, it was a white Plymouth Laser (similar to the photo below). Sexy.

plymouth

It was a two-door piece of freedom given to me by my dad when I transferred to the University of Minnesota because, well, he wanted to make sure I could come home whenever I wanted. And after borrowing cars for so long, I could not WAIT to do whatever I wanted in it. It was like a gift from heaven, with automatic windows and transmission and A/C.

And what made that car even better was the word “Laser” written in cursive on the trunk. I thought this was so classy, until a friend pointed out that from far away it looked like it said “Loser,” thus naming my car, “the Loser car.” Trust me, those girls stopped calling it that when they needed a ride.

Other fond memories in this car include, dreading emissions testing, whining about gas prices (when they were under around $1.25/gallon) and getting stuck in the snow because the car rode so low to the ground. I kid you not, the seats were so low and reclined that I felt like I was in a DeLorean. I was just missing the flux capacitor.

And I’ll just breeze over the front seat making out stories where you try to figure out how to move over the passenger side when your short legs get caught in the space around the gas/brake pedal. Nothing says, “I want to second base” like getting stuck in the car and then laughing. Hot.

So those are my first-car memories. And while the Laser was replaced with a Honda Civic after an unfortunate engine issue, it will always hold a special place in my heart. But man, I did really love that Civic.

What was your first car? Any fond memories of it?

05 July 2009

Weekend recap: The 4th of July, Wisconsin-style

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: family, Wisconsin
Hello and happy belated 4th of July!
I hope everyone had a nice, relaxing weekend. I took a few days off after my little vlog adventure to relax and chill in Wisconsin, where is it so quiet, it creeps me out sometimes.
I find that now, whenever I go home, I miss the Chicago urban hum. What? No drunk person stumbling around or horns honking at night? I should record the Chicago “hum” and bring it with me to soothe me to sleep. Or get a nice little mobile for above my bed. Sad.
Anyhow, outside of getting a much needed/deserved mani/pedi at home, the big activity of the weekend was my hometown parade, which I chronicled here last year and was dying to photograph again.
Wisconsin loves the 4th and it loves our country. I see this displayed in several ways at home, from interesting outfit combinations to pride in our parade.
In fact, our local parade is so big and popular that the city had to pass an ordinance a few years ago to keep people from putting out their parade materials too early, thus monopolizing the good places. Clever. And I can guarantee you that people woke up early and waited outside until it was officially 6 a.m. to start roping off space. We’re that hard core.
You don’t f*ck with America and you don’t f*ck with our parade spots. I even started stretching before the parade so I could be more limber to get candy instead of kids. Yes, that’s what I do, please don’t pretend you’re surprised.
So here are some highlights from our parade, from sh*t to camels to kazoo bands to enjoying the parade with bistro tables, wine and a feathered mullet. It’s better than what people used to do which is drink openly and ignore their children at the parade. Guess that was cracked down on too with the new ordinance. I cannot wait until next year!

Saw this on the hood of a car en route to the parade – yes, I’m immature

Celebrating the Civil War heroes

My favorite picture of the day. Bistro tables, feathered mullet and wine (forgive the grainy image, I had to zoom almost all the way to capture it)

Yay, a camel…in a southeastern Wisconsin parade…yay, a camel!

Kazoo band drummer. Yes, he’s pointing RIGHT AT ME *faints*

Parade outfit – Wisconsin loves America and keeping its legs warm on a cool July day

Cleaning up sh*t from a horse-drawn carriage. We’re givers
I was also home this weekend because tomorrow is my dad’s 61st birthday. I mentioned here last year that I risked increasing my chance of skin cancer to help him ring in #60 and this year, he’s keeping the celebration much more low key and unfortunately I can’t be with him on the big day.
I know he doesn’t read this blog (thank god, although I think he’s hunting for it), but I want to say in closing, happy birthday dad. I know I’m not always the easiest person to love, but you do, and I love you back a lot.
How was everyone else’s fourth of July? Is there anything you do every year or that your family/city is really hard-core about?
Note: Thank you everyone for the sweet comments about my vlog last week. I was so nervous in recording it and making it public. Your comments definitely made my day and made me smile. I’m so lucky to have you guys :) Oh and yes, big things are coming up! I can’t wait.

28 May 2009

Caption needed: Party pants

By: Jessica B.

This is a perfect example of why I always keep a camera in my purse. 

It’s so good that you have to photograph it.
While I was at home last weekend, we stopped by a “high end” Goodwill store, that sells brand new or designer clothing donations. I think it’s a great idea so my stepmom (who is the shopping devil) and I went in to peek around.
And while I was digging through pants, I happen to come across this beauty. I immediately took out my camera and fluffed the legs so the detail could be caught perfectly. I didn’t want you all to miss a thing because it’s such good blog fodder!
After the photo session, I told my dad and stepmom I wanted to try them on (kiddingly). Dad got the joke and my stepmom didn’t. I think she looked actually horrified.
So rather than rack my brain for something clever to say, I thought I’d open it up to everyone!
Leave a comment with your wittiest caption or most appropriate place to wear this fine piece of fashion. I’ll even put together a little something to send the person with the best answer. If that’s not tempting, I don’t know what is!
Go!
Oh and does anyone want to go to a pants party? (name that movie!!)