by Joey | Aug 12, 2014 | Throwback
Shoes: Payless (last season, similar
here)
I had every intention of wearing this simple and flirty dress to my BIL’s wedding in May, but then I got put in a boot and figured a floor length dress was a better choice. I love how this piece fits, and the price point is even better.
I had a great time over the weekend catching up with Meg and playing fashion blogger. Y’all? I am awkward in front of a camera. It also doesn’t help that my bad photo luck continued and it was absolutely storming on Saturday. Oh well, we made do!
I have to say–she did a pretty dang good job with my dinky little point and shoot, huh? That last photo she snapped? A total accident and definitely one of our faves! At least all the rain provides a nice lush background, huh? That’s my front yard!
If any one ever tries to tell you NC isn’t beautiful, they’re lying!
by Joey | Aug 11, 2014 | Throwback
For some strange reason I was digging through my drafts in blogger. FYI: there are a lot. And I happened across this one. And every hair on my arms stood up. This was written on April 5th. At that time, I was knee deep in revisions, and I still wasn’t sure how all of this would play out in the end. My dreams still felt totally out of reach. The thing with writing is, it’s not an instant gratification type of career. You have to put in the hours and make the sacrifices without ever knowing if it’ll be worth it in the end.
*****
I’m writing this today and keeping it in my drafts. Because today, I am a self proclaimed writer. I sit at my desk day in and day out, and I pound out words. But the world has not dubbed me a writer yet. No one has paid me for my words. You cannot walk into a book store and find my name on the spine of a hardback. I am just me. At my desk. With my words.
And today, I want it so badly. I want to Be A Writer so badly that sometimes I break down because that want is so big that I can’t even carry it anymore. I feel like I am standing on one side of a 100 ft wall, and the only thing stopping me from Being A Writer is the climb over that wall. Sometimes I feel like that, the climb that is, is the easiest feat in the world. Oh, that wall? Please. I can climb that in my sleep. And other times I feel like I’ve lost all use of my arms and legs and I lay there at the base of the wall looking up thinking it is impossible.
I’m not sure those feelings ever really go away. That want. That confidence and that fear. Because no matter what happens, no matter if this book is a success or a failure, I think I will always want it. I will always want to be a writer. The question is, when this post finally goes live–whenever that might be–is the want still there?
Because today–the day this post goes live–the world has dubbed me a writer. Someone has paid me for my words. Someone has picked me and said yup, you’re good enough. And I want to know, are the feelings the same? Will I still just be me at my desk with my words?
Because man. I really hope so.
{written 4/5/14}
*****
For the record?
Yeah, it feels the same.
That want is still there.
Thank God.
by Joey | Aug 7, 2014 | Throwback
**Saturday night, I ended up on the couch. That. Should. Never. Happen. Why? Oh, well the hubs snores. That’s nothing new. But normally when I awake to the wood sawing snoring, I kick him gently nudge him and he rolls over & stops. Well Saturday night we were both exhausted. He was out cold, and my futile attempts to roll him over were causing me to wake further and further up. So finally, I grabbed my pillows and huffed into the living room. The next day, I bought silicone putty earplugs. I busted out the big guns, y’all. I wasn’t playing games anymore. Those suckers work. So for under $4 I’ve slept like a baby the last week. Thank you, Walmart.
**I got a new computer on Tuesday. It’s true, folks. My husband spoils me rotten. It’s so pretty. And shiny. And you know not crashing every 30 seconds! Whoop whoop! My old computer hasn’t been able to support a new operating system in a few years–so making the jump to the newest one is taking a little getting used to, but I’m loving it.
**I made this recipe last week and ate it for days. DAYS! It was so good I could cry. I don’t know why it never dawned on me to make stuffed shells. I’d never had any other than those sad little frozen dinners. They were surprisingly easy to make and absolutely delish.
**I am absolutely shocked at how many requests I’m getting for a sequel to Yeah, maybe! It makes me so excited to get back to work! I know I keep saying this, but you all have no idea how much of a dream come true all of this is for me. I’m still walking around on cloud nine. And you know what? There’s a lot of nail polish up here!!
**Every time the bestie calls me, my heart jumps into my throat. Because yup. It’s that time. We are officially in the baby could come any minute zone. And I am so. freaking. excited!!! I’m doing my best to make sure everything I can possibly arrange is in order because the second that call comes in–I’m out the door!
**Remember about a month ago when I shared that someone from my past passed away? He was a die hard Broncos fan his entire life. His uncle wrote to Peyton Manning, and the next thing we all know Chris has made national news. Peyton honored him by wearing a towel during camp with his name on it. Manning… what a stand up guy. Find the story here. Chris’s family is very important to me, and I know that this is something they appreciate so, so much.
by Joey | Aug 6, 2014 | Throwback
Hi Friends!!
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve shared my monthly favorites with you, so let’s just jump right into it!
1. Very Large Round Brush: Like my technical term? Yeah? Me too. Anyway. Since I hacked in some short layers into my long locks, I’ve fallen back in love with the good old fashioned round brush blow out!
2. Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain: I’m usually a pansy when it comes to bold lips, but these guys are super fun! The formula is amazing (it’s gel-like and sheers out nicely without losing too much pigment). And the colors are so pretty! I’ve been loving India Intrigue and Barcelona Nights. (Quick tip: these suckers are close to $10 at drugstores but are in the $5-6 range at Target).
3. Maybelline Falsies Flared: This is an old favorite. I picked up a new tube a little while ago, and I fell back in love with it all over again! It’s a good daytime stand alone mascara.
4. B&BW hand lotion: (not necessarily in the Carried Away scent, but I must admit I’m kind of loving that, too). I guess B&BW reformulated their lotions? I had no idea. My bestie sent me home with this when I was at her house for her baby shower, and it leaves my hands so soft! They’ve upped their game!
5. Burts Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream: It’s come to my attention that there’s a possibility that I’ve never mentioned this beauty on le’blog. I’ve mentioned it (a few times!) on instagram, though. This is my number 1 favorite cuticle cream of all time. As you continue to use it, it seems to actually change your cuticles. All my life mine have been ragged and almost painful. Now they’re clean and soft! I owe it all to this baby! Also? The smell, you guys? I want to eat the stuff.
6. Neutrogena Skin Clearing Foundation (I wear color 60 Natural Beige): This is my go to every day foundation. I’m still in love with my beloved bare minerals, but for every day use (when, let’s face it, I probably won’t even see anyone), I’ve been reaching for this stuff. It doesn’t make my oily skin extra oily, and it wears nicely without feeling like a film over your skin. It also has salicylic acid in it to help with breakouts, but I’m not sure how much that actually helps with me (I have some serious acne prone skin).
7. Runtastic App: This baby tracks my runs. It tells me how long I ran, how far, and what my average pace is. I’ve stopped “timing” my runs (meaning, I just go out and run somewhere then turn around and come back. I no longer run for a specific amount of time waiting for a timer to ring telling me I can stop). It has a voice over feature that will come over your music and let you know each mile you’ve run, but I actually turned that off for now. I found that I was letting myself stop after 1 mile too easily with it turned on. It’s a great app, though. Oh. And it’s free!
8. Wet N Wild Wild Shine in Blazed: First of all, this baby is cheap. Really cheap. The formula was great, and the color is on point. But all that aside, this polish is the one that rekindled my love for a good jelly polish. I just love the soft color tone jellies offer!
I still can’t believe July is already over. Training camp is in full swing, and my best friend sends my heart into my throat every time she calls because she’s that close to going into labor! August! I have big plans for you!
What were your July favorites? Be sure to link up with Mia!
by Joey | Aug 5, 2014 | Throwback
I don’t think that’s actually a thing, but it worked for this post!
Like anyone else, I spend entirely too much time sitting at my desk. It never really bothered me before, but now that I’m paying a little more attention to my physical activity–I decided to ditch my old, uncomfortable desk chair for a yoga ball.
A few years ago (you know, back when two incomes were a thing), I had a membership to Massage Envy. It wasn’t because I wanted monthly massages (I mean, that part didn’t suck), but I was battling my posture. Let’s just say…my posture wasn’t pretty.
Now that I’m running, I’m stretching. And by golly, wouldn’t you know my posture has pretty much straightened out. But in my old desk chair, I’d sit in all kinds of contorted positions. I even brought one of the ottomans in from the living room so I could slouch even further. Hashtag: lazy.
So on Sunday, all that changed. The desk chair got the boot. Aside from helping with my posture, sitting on a yoga ball engages your core. You know, so you don’t go rolling off of it. Core strength is such a huge part of running–so I’m down for anything that might help in that department.
Would you consider ditching your desk chair for a yoga ball?
Do any of you already do this?
NYC Long Wearing: 152 Tudor City Teal
This jelly formula teal is absolutely to die for. And you know what’s even better? It’s 99 cents! (I just heard my husband bust into Thrift Shop in my head). I’ve mentioned before I’m a huge fan of the cheaper brands. Sometimes you have to hunt a little, but there are some serious gems. This went right onto my list of favorites. The formula was great (like most jellies, it’s a little sheer. I used 3 coats), and I just love the soft color the gel gives!
