I dig your style: Zooey Deschanel

I didn't know much about Zooey Deschanel until she came into my life via a little flick called "500 Days of Summer." It is a really great movie with an interesting message and storytelling style (did anyone else love the calendar that represented how long they had known each other and the scenery matched the mood of their relationship?!).

About halfway through the movie, however, I began to be distracted by how CUTE Zooey is. Her style is classic, vintage, feminine and detailed. She's timeless instead of trendy. She's quirky and beautiful - a tough combo to pull off.


When you throw in her natural beauty - rocking haircut, dark hair/blue eyes killer mix - you have a bonafide style icon.

There is a recurring theme of light, airy fabrics in her wardrobe. Love love love it.

I won't spoil the movie for any of you who haven't seen it, but here's a cute scene from the film. Netflix it today. You won't be disappointed.

Hello red. I'm so into this outfit. And glad it's getting to be cool enough for tights!

And not only is she a pretty face with pretty clothes. She sings pretty too. I love the energy of this video. And the dancing. I appreciate the attainable choreography.

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All in all, this is a chic that I totally dig. I want to be friends. If only just to closet swap. But I'm pretty sure we'd be real friends too. She seems cool.

Start playing with fabrics and details. A simple shirt with an interesting focal point or a classic outfit with a pretty hair accessory is oh-so-Zooey. And oh-so-lovely.

XOXO
JAM

Love one another

This video has had me in tears at least 4 times this week:

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I am broken-hearted over the thought that there are young people in the world that don’t think life is worth living anymore because they feel alone, misunderstood, guilty or ashamed for who they are. Why? Because someone around them said, either directly or indirectly, that who they are is wrong or bad or unwanted. They’ve barely begun to live, and already they want to die. This is an incredibly tragic wake up call. It has to be a call to start loving each other more and hating each other less.

I’ve been thinking about what we are capable of doing to each other with our angry speech and hateful thoughts. Our words matter. They wound. They have the power to make people hate themselves and cease to see love or hope in their worlds. Despite the old rhyme about sticks and stones, sadly it turns out words can harm worse than broken bones; they can kill.

I don’t have children, but I have little brothers. I worry about them being bullied or being bullies… and the truth is the only thing I can do is love them enough that they never question their place in my heart or our family or in this world. And also love them enough to show them that loving other people is a more fulfilling way to live.

It’s not that hard just to love each other. It really isn’t. And I’m not even just talking about gay or straight, rich or poor, cool crowd or dorks…. I’m just talking about caring about people. I don’t have to agree with everyone, but I can care about their well-being, (or spirit, soul or whatever YOU believe is the essence of a person) enough to not destroy them with my words. In fact, I don’t feel any better or prouder or get any joy from saying something hurtful to or about someone… If you DO get joy or satisfaction from hurting others… seek help. You have issues of your own.

Compassion without reservation. I’m making this my motto. Please do too. I think it can only be good for all of us.

XOXO

JAM

P.S. Thank you Joel Burns for speaking up. You're making a difference.

Eat at: Eatzi's (Dallas)

Every time I come to Dallas – which is often for work – I hope that I somehow find the time to make it over to Eatzi’s. I never do… but tonight, I was on my own for dinner and quite close to an Eatzi’s location on Lover’s Lane. My dreams came true!

Eatzi's on Lover's Lane

Eatzi’s isn’t your typical restaurant. In fact, it’s not even really a restaurant. It’s a European-style market that just happens to have some seating. I, however, never sit down. I’m too busy walking around and drooling over the delicious displays, samples and chef-prepared foods.

Hello gorgeous.

Imagine a place where there is the most colorful produce laid out before your eyes, a wall full of freshly-baked, still-dusty-with-flour artisan bread, a case of divine too-pretty-to-eat cakes and pastries, fresh cuts of meat hanging behind the butcher, wine wine wine everywhere and as many varieties of cheese as your heart desires. Not to mention the make-to-order salad, sandwich, pasta and grill stations. Top it all off with classical Italian tunes piping in your ears and this place is a gourmet heaven.

For me, Eatzi’s is a total sensory experience, but most of all, a feast for my eyes. Which is probably a good thing, since it’s a little pricey. You gotta PAY for gourmet heaven!

Tonight I spent about 45 minutes in there, just perusing. And tasting. Oh the tasting! I tried red pepper hummus. Artichoke and CRAB spread. Homestyle chicken salad. Havarti dill cheese. Jalepeno cheese sourdough. The most delicious snickerdoodle cookie I’ve ever had. So much tasting that I wasn’t really that hungry by the time I was ready to make my purchase. But I had to get what I ultimately came here for: the Bombay chicken curry pasta. Think chicken, tortellini pasta, hint of curry, raisins… Yum.

Then I topped it off with a Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Juice. Sparkling yum.

Drink Your Apple a Day.

On second thought, I’m glad there isn’t an Eatzi’s near my home. I’d be broke. And constantly full to the max. What this little Eatzi’s excursion HAS done is inspire me to start making my meals more beautiful, more gourmet, more of an experience. I’m going to give the microwave dinners a rest and try to be more thoughtful about dinner. Maybe I’ll start playing Italian classical music while I cook… instead of watching Jersey Shore. Ugh, embarrassing.

Anyway, no matter where or what you dine on this evening, I hope it’s lovely.

XOXO

JAM

Fill in the Blank Friday

I'm kind of a blog creeper.

I read tons of blogs and until recently, have never participated. I'm done with the sidelines. I'm getting in the game.

One of the blogs I read is Lauren's spot: The Little Things We Do. She does a weekly series called "Fill in the Blank Friday." Today is my inaugural contribution.

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1. Blogging is: a little overwhelming. I've avoided it because I know I can't keep up with it all the time. But I've decided that's ok. I'll do it when I can/need to/want to.

2. A current fashion trend I wish I was brave enough to wear is: jeggings. Jeans that tight? Are you serious?! It's not that I'm afraid to wear them in public, I'm afraid of the removal process...

3. My greatest accomplishment in life thus far is: being the first in my family to get a college degree. The support of my family was tremendous, and now... my parents are going back to school and getting degrees of their own! It's awesome!

4. If I had to choose between a mountain or a beach vacation I'd choose: a beach vacation. I went to Denver this summer as my first time to try a mountain vacay, and I LOVED IT. But I'm a beach girl always and forever.

5. A talent I wish I had is: being able to sing. My mom and sister both have beautiful voices, and I love to hear them sing. I sound terrible. I still sing, but I sound terrible. Or play piano. I'd like to do that too.

6. A talent I do have is: figuring out puzzles and mazes and problems. I can fix almost anything.... I just can't TELL you how to fix it. I have to see it, see the tools and components, and I can figure it out. I've taken apart my Mac to replace the keyboard and successfully reassembled it. I felt like a winner that day!

7. This week is: the first week my dog has lived with me in my new place. He's been fantastic. Definitely my home dog :)

Ok. So if you blog and want to play along, link up! If you don't blog... post your responses in the comments. It's fun! Trust me!

XOXO
JAM

What I love about you...

This post is something I'm going to start doing regularly... thinking about what I love about the people in my life. And I'm starting off with my most favorite person in the world: my sister, Tiffany Lynn.

What I love about Tiffany most is her sense of humor. She is seriously the funniest person I know. Harmony High School confirmed this by voting her Best Sense of Humor... twice. They voted her mascot zero times... but she only tried out once and she was a freshman - no one knew how truly hilarious she was yet. I believe if she would've tried out again, she would've had it in the bag.

Me and Tiffany this summer.

I also love her lightness of heart. You may not know what that means, but what I'm trying to describe is her childlike spirit. She's not immature or childish, but she sees the world with a very innocent and pure-of-heart perspective. She cries at sentimental commercials, adopts stray animals and is kind to children. I tend to be more serious, and I can't count the number of times Tiffany has lightened the mood and my attitude with a little joke or quip or anecdote. She loves good times and good jokes - and I love having her around me.

Me and Tiffany in Summer 2005. I had just gotten back from Mexico. A summer without my sister :(

And what I truly love the very most about Tiffany is that I don't remember what life was like before her. I was almost 2 when she was born... and I am so lucky to have grown up with a best friend for my entire life. We moved around ALOT as kids too, so it was such a blessing to have a built-in buddy through the times when we've been "the new kids". I'm not sugar-coating reality - we HAVE HAD FIGHTS. We went through the "we hate each other" phase. But we've always been the type that fight fiercely, but love each other even more fiercely. I've been mad at her, but if a friend tried to commiserate by adding some negative comment about my sister, the tables turned and I wasn't having anyone talk about my sister. I've got her back. She's got my back. That's just the way it is. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE that about her.

Me and Tiffany after an impromptu mudding Sunday. We didn't MEAN to go mudding... but that kind of stuff just happens when you hang out with Tiffany.

I'm really excited to think about the qualities of the people I love. It's easy to take people for granted when you are lucky enough to have them in your life... it's always when someone is gone that we usually start spending time considering the wonderful things they brought to our lives. And by then it's too late. I don't want to wait that long. Love is the essence of what it means to be humans; it sets us apart and above other animals. It's an important quality to nurture.

So that's what I love most about a person I love so much.

xoxo

JAM

Hello October!

Today is gorgeous. Like really, really gorgeous. It makes me want to be outside... and I've been thinking how great it would to go (gasp) camping!

My mom and stepdad used to drag me and my sister camping all the time when we were younger. I wasn't a fan. I was even LESS a fan after one trip where someone didn't close the tent all the way and mosquitos bit me all over my face. I'm mildly allergic to mosquitos. It wasn't pretty.

When I was in high school, my parents got a camper, and that MUCH improved my camping experience. Plus, I was old enough to stay at home while they went, so that was pretty much the end of my camping days.

Until now.

I have discovered a camping style that I could really get into: glamping! (Glamorous camping).

Jen Campbell blogged about it over at Green Wedding Shoes. She and her new hubby honeymooned at Resort Paws Up... and I must say, it looks glorious.

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Wow.

While I won't be glamping this weekend, I do have some busy busy plans... I hope you can spend some time outdoors this weekend :)

xoxo

JAM