tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39051115238897097352024-03-05T15:55:52.333-08:00Four Seasons StyleLifestyle, Family, Faith, Marriage, Food, Home, Beauty and so much more....here's to hoping you can find something interesting, inspirational and/or helpful for any season of your life! Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-2225868393909437552017-05-11T10:18:00.000-07:002017-05-12T04:59:16.947-07:00Is this really "Mother's Day"?Oh, Mother's Day. A day we love to celebrate our mothers. To give them the acknowledgement and their "due" for the hard work they put in all the other days of the year. A day to honor and lift high our mothers. A way to say "thank you" for making us who we are and everything we do possible (did I go too far there? I mean, it's true....we totally rock!;)<br />
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Posing in 2014 for a Mother's Day picture - we were waiting to travel to China to bring home our Liliana :)</div>
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My "Happy Mother's Day" door a few years ago boasting numerous crafts and cards from my family!</div>
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My family for last year's (2016) Mother's Day</div>
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One of my favorite Mother's Day memories - May 2016</div>
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The card my then pre-school aged, Parker, (now 10 yrs) gave me.....I was not even close to 41 - at the time! ;)</div>
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Now, bear in mind that I am at a stage in my life where I still have young children. My oldest in 15 years old and my youngest is 5 years old and we have everything in between with our five. What I am about to write will apply mostly to those moms out there who are in a similar stage of life. For those mothers out there with grown children who have gone before us - I pray that you will get to spend some quality time with your adult children who you probably look forward to getting special time with on this day each year. I look forward to the day when I can experience that with my crew :)<br />
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Okay, so on with my rant.....yep, it's about to become one so hold on!<br />
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Most of my life we have celebrated Mother's Day with a brunch, lunch or dinner out with my mother, my mother in law, my sister in laws, maybe even grandma's. Basically whoever is in town, available and willing and their children and spouses. We end up with quite a large table of guest in a local eatery that quickly turns to chaos. This typically turns in no adults (okay, well the men seem to manage) actually being able to talk over the constant barrage of "mom" being yelled out by various children. Or orders being decided with the help of, you guessed it, Mom. Or the ever present bickering, arguing, laughing, crying, etc. of the various children at the table. Or the need for at least one of the numerous children to be requesting an escort to the bathroom pretty much on an ever constant rotating basis throughout the mealtime. Now, I know I left out the spilling of drinks, crawling under the table, crying over what they order or how quickly what they ordered comes out or need to order more, but I didn't want to send you precious mothers out there into a panic attack as you recall these very instances from your own life as you read about mine! And don't even get me started on the when we make the decision we are going to do the meal at our house for everyone and the guys are going to take care of everything....um, no. Never actually happens.<br />
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So what is my point? Well, does any of the above sound like a celebration of moms to anyone else? I'm just going to go ahead and lay it out (think of me what you will!).....It doesn't to me!<br />
It sounds like pretty much a snippet of any regular day of any mom's year. This is what we do. It doesn't mean we don't love it (okay, so maybe "love it" is too strong here ;), but it doesn't sound like an appropriate way to celebrate moms to me. In fact, it actually makes me quite anxious to think about. Every year I really want to do the whole brunch, lunch or dinner celebration thing with my family. I am actually the one that is typically organizing it so it's not like I am drug along kicking and screaming or something. I think in my head and heart this sounds like the "right" celebration for Mother's Day. <br />
It sounds down right blissful when I say it to myself each year. We will wake up (often times I am served a sweet little variation of breakfast in bed and given multiple hand made cards and/or crafts that I cherish!), head to church as a family and then enjoy a beautiful meal together as a family. I picture sunshine and birds chirping. Me in a darling dress having an incredible hair day with my make-up applied just right. All of my children dressed equally cute and well groomed and well behaved and, of course, my knight in shining armor (I mean husband) skipping up the sidewalk to our intended eatery. As a matter of fact, I think I build it up in my head so much each year that when the actual event doesn't measure up I feel like I need to smile through it anyway to show my adoring children and husband that this is exactly what I wanted anyway. Because, after all, this is Mother's Day and this is what I should want to do right? Spend it with the people that are responsible for that title? And adore Every. Single. Minute. I mean what kind of mother would I be if I didn't? <br />
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I'll tell you. I would be the mother that I actually am - and it has taken me many many years of motherhood to be able to admit this to myself, let alone the 3 of you that have continued to read this far!<br />
I am a mother that LOVES my children with every fiber of my being. All five of them. Every day of the year. Each year of their precious lives. No matter what! I am a mother that is eternally grateful for each one of those children. The ones that came from my body and the ones that came to us through the miracle of adoption. I am a mother because I chose to be one - five times over (I know that several of you are questioning my actual sanity now - I don't blame you!;). I am a mother that loves doing all the "mothery" (just made up a word - go with it) things like going to the zoo, the library, school events, serving on the PTO, cheering loudly and embarrassing my kids at every sporting event they are part of. I am a mom who loves to cook for my family - every day of the week if I can. I actually love to serve them, truly love it (well, except for serving them by doing laundry - I could really pass on that serving opportunity!). I am a mom who enjoys bath time (mostly because I know bedtime comes next!!). I am a mom who loves to read stories and sing songs and take my older ones on driving lessons and to pick out a tie for the next high school dance. And so so much more. I am a mom, like almost every other mom out there, hangs on every moment of our kids lives and falls all over herself to make their lives as amazing as we can.<br />
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But, just this one day of the year....the blessed Mother's Day...I would like to actually take a break from all of that. Not because I don't love it - most of the time. But, because it would be awesome to have just one day a year, since becoming a mother, that I have to think only of myself. And what could be even better than having just one day where I get to think only of myself - taking care of just me, me, me? How about throw some other moms in there for some great conversation, laughs and relaxation and it is starting to sound like EXACTLY the way I would love to spend my day being "celebrated"! <br />
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So this year that is exactly what I am doing! I have gathered up 5 of my girlfriend's and we are heading out to a mom's only dinner and a very "girlie" destination! We will not be worrying about what our little people are eating for dinner that night or how much of it they eat or when and how it gets cleaned up. We will not be giving baths and washing a drying hair or cleaning up the splattered water all over the bathroom. Or putting on pjs or reading the 5th "just one more" story for the evening. Or answering whatever need it may be that takes us back into their rooms or has us getting back out of bed to answer the knock at our door for the 12th time. Or threatening, cajoling or begging for them to put the electronics away, do homework, get off the phone or just get to sleep so they can get up for school the next morning. No way.....not this day!<br />
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We will be sitting at a table dressed in our darling dresses, having incredible hair days with our make-up applied just right while we have amazing glorious uninterrupted conversation about whatever we feel like talking about (which will most likely be our children :). Our orders will be taken by a waiter who will tell us he can't believe we are mothers because of course we all "look way to young and carefree to possibly be" (that's how I am picturing it of course!).<br />
We will enjoy incredible (HOT - like not lukewarm, but actually HOT!) food that we did not have to shop for, cut coupons for, prepare or clean up. We will sip incredible drinks and indulge in rich desserts all while taking as much time as we want to enjoy. Then when we get home the house will be cleaned up, toys put away and kitchen back in order. The kids will all be tucked in bed where we can look in on their angelic little faces fast asleep and sigh to ourselves that we love them more than life itself. And we will fully appreciate that having been refreshed and renewed and feeling totally "celebrated" in the last few hours of sweet freedom that will carry us through the next 364 days (again, this is how I am picturing it, of course :)<br />
Selfish? Maybe. But can't we have just ONE day of the year where we are allowed that?<br />
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And, finally, to all of you mothers out there - I hope that you enjoy your day of celebration however it is that you chose (or are dragged) to. ;) Without mothers none of us would be here, that's for sure. And to all of you who are blessed to still have your mother here on earth; give her a big heartfelt "thank you" for being your mom and for the 364 days of the year that she does so without recognition or fanfare.<br />
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Me & my mother in law :)</div>
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My mom, my grandma (her mom) and my girls :)</div>
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Happy Mother's Day beautiful ladies!<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>XO </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Jessy </i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And one more thing to help you all out:</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.datecrawl.com/" target="_blank">DateCrawl</a></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnAOju6qRX_AXWgaZsedfSLszzmRR8Axxy5qd5X-8bmHRQX7peuEm3FjjNvlfHYhMeFZDs2DlYLfMqH9RiG2rK2bUO7Fs1hTaDYlO3uC7mdra8-7t7rOJX7RZqHU_fYuEMBnl5rxa-8E/s1600/datecrawl2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnAOju6qRX_AXWgaZsedfSLszzmRR8Axxy5qd5X-8bmHRQX7peuEm3FjjNvlfHYhMeFZDs2DlYLfMqH9RiG2rK2bUO7Fs1hTaDYlO3uC7mdra8-7t7rOJX7RZqHU_fYuEMBnl5rxa-8E/s320/datecrawl2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Are you having trouble coming up with a great last minute Mother's Day "date" idea? Looking for something fun and different that is more than just simply dinner out? Check out <a href="https://app.datecrawl.com/datecrawl/" target="_blank">DateCrawl </a>on the app store. It's a free app that will lay out the entire date for you. "Datecrawls" are submitted by other users and verified before being added to the site. My husband and I assembled a great team of programmers and developers a little over a year ago to build our latest app - Datecrawl. We felt there was such a need for this and based on our users the public agreed! There is nothing like it out there and it will CHANGE the way you date :) </i></div>
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<i>Check it out and have a great Mother's Day ladies!</i></div>
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<b><u><a href="http://www.datecrawl.com/">www.Datecrawl.com</a></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://cincinnatirefined.com/lifestyle/cincinnati-startup-datecrawl-app-promises-to-end-your-date-night-difficulties" target="_blank">Click here for the latest local write up on this awesome app!</a></div>
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<br />Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-80842209922323627612017-01-17T09:11:00.002-08:002017-01-17T09:36:43.527-08:00New Year's Resolutions? Service calls!<div style="text-align: center;">
I can not believe that this is the 3rd week of 2017 AND that I haven't written a post in 6 months! Life is beyond busy....just beyond. It is that reason exactly that I was both determined and terrified by what I knew had to be my "New Year's Resolution". </div>
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Do you make resolutions every year? I confess that usually I do not. The few times I have made a resolution I have never managed to stick with it or see it through. I realized that making the resolutions typically just leave me feeling like a failure when I don't stay with it. However, this year I decided to make a resolution for my entire family (yep, dragging them in with me and I didn't ask their permission!) and we are going to see it through! </div>
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I have a ton of excuses for why I don't volunteer as much as I used to or as much as I want or as much as I feel I should be. "For who much has been given much is expected."....can't remember who said it but I do believe it. We are a blessed family and I know that. While we have a lot of responsibilities and challenges within our own four walls I know that we still have a lot that we can give outside of those walls. I used to do a lot on my own in regards to volunteering with church, school and even, for a couple of years, with a local pregnancy care center, but as our children increased my time decreased until I feel like I do almost nothing any more outside of my home. We also used to spend a lot of time giving back to our community as a family, but with the addition of my littlest ones over the last few years we have also nearly stopped doing any volunteering as a family. Well, this year that is going to change. </div>
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My "resolution" this year is really about being intentional more than anything else. I am resolving to be intentional about something that is important to me - giving back, volunteering, loving and serving others. And it is something I want to model to my children (even if that means listening to them grumble and complain about it - let's be honest!) the way that my Savior modeled it for us and to hopefully teach them it's really an important part of our lives.</div>
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We actually started our resolution back in November, but I officially handed the mandate down to my children while on vacation as a family over the holidays a couple of weeks ago. </div>
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The resolution: "We will be participating in serving, volunteering and/or giving back to our community and others around us in at least one intentional way each month." </div>
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Typing that out doesn't make it sound like a lot, but I have to tell you that I was already panicking about what we were going to do in January as I looked forward to the rest of the month and realized that we had no more available weekends! So this past Friday night I realized we had some time on Saturday and I planned our "give-back" activity for Saturday afternoon. After some grumbling and fussing about it, the kids (all 5 of them!) actually got into it and were happy to participate by the end of the activity. </div>
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What did we do Saturday? We collected sporting equipment for a charity that's local branch was started by a family that we are connected with in our community called Ohio Cleats for Kids (C4K). You can check them out on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ohioc4k/" target="_blank"> Facebook here</a>. </div>
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We designated an hour for our family to "divide and conquer"! My husband and I tackled the mudroom and garage areas and we sent each kid to his or her room to go through closets, drawers, under beds (lets be real - that is where most of their unused sporting equipment ends up and I have no idea why!), etc. and come down with everything they have that cold be donated. We ended up with a good bin of supplies including gymnastics outfits that no longer fit the girls (sniff, sniff - they are growing too fast), cleats, gym shoes and both soccer and football pads and equipment. After loading it all up with all piled in the car and drove it to a drop off bin so they could all participate in seeing the entire project through. </div>
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We chose this bin at<a href="http://www.scene75.com/cincinnati/" target="_blank"> Scene 75 in Milford, OH</a> since we were going to be in that area.</div>
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That was all it took and I know that small amount of time and effort (even though it felt much bigger trying to get all 5 kids to participate "joyfully"!) it will be a BIG impact on others in our community. </div>
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In preparation for the coming months I have reached out to many different area charities to find out their volunteer policies (ages, times, place, etc). In case anyone reading this would like the info on the charities I reached out to so that your family can spend some time giving back this year, I have listed them below with links:</div>
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<a href="http://freestorefoodbank.org/" target="_blank">FreeStore Foodbank:</a> Volunteer opportunities for ages 5 years old and up. During months of harvest they have a farm in Melbourne, KY that you can visit with your kids and help them by spending some time working in the fields. Learn more about <a href="http://freestorefoodbank.org/the-giving-fields-volunteer-opportunities/" target="_blank">Giving Fields Farm here</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://www.matthew25ministries.org/" target="_blank">Matthew 25 Ministries: </a> volunteer opportunities year round for all ages. No need to call ahead or plan your visit - just show up and they will put you to work :) We have volunteered here many times as a family over the years and it is really a great place for the family to work together with other families and the projects are always changing. </div>
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<a href="http://thechildrenarewaiting.org/portfolio/hands-against-hunger/" target="_blank">Hands Against Hunger (A Child's Hope International):</a> I LOVE this ministry and what they believe and how they support families and children not just around the world but also right here in Cincinnati. Families can go to their facility and work together for 2 hour time blocks to package enough food to feed a child for 1 YEAR! Imagine if everyone you knew just gave 2 hours a month?! Go to their website <a href="http://thechildrenarewaiting.org/hands-against-hunger/volunteer/public/" target="_blank">here </a>to see the packing schedule and sign up for your day of service.</div>
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I had mentioned earlier that our family started our volunteering/serving back in November. We started by going to a woman's home who we knew was ill and unable to work in her yard to clean up all the leaves that had fallen over the last month. My husband and I talked about how we could assist her and briefly talked about sending our landscapers out to her house and paying the bill for her. In the end we decided it would be more meaningful for her and our kids if we helped her as a family so that is what we did. We packed up the kids, our rakes, and leaf blower and headed out. Unfortunately the morning we had set aside to do the work it began raining and it was cold. The kids were grumbling and upset that we were "making them do this"! I can't tell you how many times they complained and asked why we had to do this and why she couldn't have someone else do it. I stuck it out. It was cold and it was hard work - there were WAY more leaves than I realized and our little couple of hour job ended up taking us the half of the day. </div>
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The best part though was that the kids got to see how this act of service impacted this woman. They realized how she was a real person who needed help and how much what they were dong was truly making an impact in her life. She just couldn't believe that we would come out and do all of this work and not ask for anything in return. That we were just there to show her love. The next day (yes it took and entire day for them to come around!) my boys were starting to talk about how cool it was that we were able to help her and to do it as a family. And we were even talking about naming something that was a good memory for you over the last few weeks at dinner a couple of weeks later and my youngest son said that he really liked doing the leaf raking together - WIN!</div>
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Then in December we had to opportunity to volunteer with Hands Against Hunger where our church hosted a family event packaging 30,000 meals! We volunteered together for 2 hours in that event and even my little ones (4 year olds) got to help fill the packages. I am looking forward to going to their warehouse and doing this again with the family soon. </div>
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Of course there are many many ways to volunteer and help serve others in our community and around the world but I hope that this gets you going and helps you to step out with your family. What a difference in the world we can make if we can just set aside a little of our time each month or week or year to love and serve others :) </div>
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Happy New Year and make this a GREAT 2017!</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>XO</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jessy </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>P.S. I have had some messages about doing "outfit posts". I know I haven't done one in a long time - even before the last time I posted. I will do my best to update with an outfit post soon. Thanks for reading and being patient!</i></span></div>
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<br />Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-79160601171749777152016-06-09T13:48:00.001-07:002016-06-09T13:48:19.845-07:00Why do they call it "Summer Break"?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Did summer really just start? Really? Then why am I already D.O.N.E.....DONE?! Is it called "summer break" because someone figured out that it will literally <b><i>break</i></b> you?! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">I probably should have called this post "mommy confessional"...maybe I will go back and re-name it. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Okay, I am just going to go ahead and spill it so here goes <i>(and in the process I hope this makes another mommy - or daddy - out there feel like they aren't the 'only one'!)</i>.......</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">So I decided to treat the kiddos to brunch out today in an effort to brighten (my) spirits and bring an end to the hostility between some of them <i>(seriously, how many times can a sibling yell "STOP" at the other before they actually stop??!!). </i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">I have been feeling a bit sorry for myself this week (yes, I know that is ridiculous and I have way to much to be thankful for to be wallowing in "woe is me" but there it is!) and am just a bit overwhelmed - already! I always think summer is going to be lazy mornings, blue skies, lounging by the pool, reading in the hammock while my children play peacefully together in the yard, but it is never actually like that at all. I mean there are moments - okay maybe "minutes" of peaceful bliss, but with 5 children -and usually many more than that when you add in the friends and cousins hanging out <i>(which we absolutely love - <b>really</b>!)</i> - the bliss runs and hides more often than not. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">So what our summers actually look more like: crazy mornings as we prep to get out of the house to various events, lessons and therapies, meals that have to be prepared All. Day. Long. for all these little people <i>(I am SO out numbered)</i>, phone calls that have to be made to make appointments for so many things I lose track and we never seem to be on time, bickering siblings, whining<i> (if I hear "mom, I am SO bored" one more time.....!!!!) </i>and me barking out orders and keeping things moving forward as best I can without snapping. I wish I was kidding on that, but I am being real here......</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">There is little to no time to stop and reflect on all the blessings caught up in with all the demands. Most days I don't even have a single adult conversation <i>(except through texts usually with other moms who I am trying to coordinate running kids places with, etc. Can I tell you how much I love even just the adult words typed on my screen - seriously!)</i> until my husband gets home and then I am too tired, too frustrated or too busy to engage in a conversation. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">My sweet husband told me this morning before he left for work <i>(because I was whining about all the things I had to do today and how exhausted I was from yesterday, blah, blah, blah - but for real!!) </i> that "I was made for this. God knew I had it in me to give each of our children exactly what they need and that is why he entrusted them to me." I thought about for a while today<i> (okay, for like 1 minute because that's how long I was able to hide in the bathroom to reflect and pray this morning! ;) </i>and he is right. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">So today I decided to get everyone from the 4 year olds to my teenager and treat them to lunch. It was a little rough getting out the door...teenager had to be woken up <i>(it was 1pm - seriously)! </i>And trying to get get 2 four year olds out the door and buckled into seats with the 15 stuffed animals, books and barbies they want to bring with them is a bit like packing for a cross country trip. Of course, this was after the 3 appointments this morning - 2 of which we were late to - and trying to fit in the house cleaning before we left. This is a cleaning day at my house and I have to make an attempt or with this many people we would truly be living in filth if it was left to go more than a couple of days. </span></span></span></div>
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Not pictured: my two oldest children. My oldest son was taking the picture and my 2nd oldest was not here because he was at theater camp today. Yes, I know I look tired....I AM tired!! The sleeping in during the summer thing doesn't happen for us since my oldest daughter wakes us up about sunrise every morning!! I NEED to learn how to get to bed earlier, bu summer activities always have us up later than usual ;)</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Once there we talked, laughed and enjoyed a meal I didn't make and didn't have to clean up after. There were no electronics involved and we really just connected for a few precious minutes. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">And maybe the best part is that while we were there an older woman and her husband got up to leave and approached our table. She smiled at me and said, "honey, I wanted to come over and commend you on how incredibly well behaved your children are. I know how hard that is to do and how much work you put into them. You are doing a great job!" I thanked her and smiled as tears welled up in my eyes. I was so grateful for her kind words and knew that my Heavenly Father had laid it on her heart to give me that message. I had been praying that He would help me be a better mother and have a better attitude <i>(an "attitude of gratitude" I called it)</i> toward my daily responsibilities no matter how wearing and mundane they can sometimes feel. Because even when I feel bogged down or frustrated or like I am just barking orders at the wall all day because no one here actually hears me, I truly am blessed and I am so thankful that I am mom to these 5 beautiful perfectly imperfect children than only I can raise exactly the way I will raise them no matter how imperfect that may look. Because I believe the words my husband spoke to me this morning and the ones he sent me in this sweet text just a few hours later:</span></span></span></div>
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So I want to wrap up by saying that I wrote this entire post not to throw all my insecurities and struggles a party on the world wide web, but because I know that when exposed to the light those dark things have a harder time taking seed in your life and mind. I also know that sometimes we feel all alone in this parenting thing. We see images of people having fun with their kids <i>(I LOVE those pictures for the record and often post them myself. It's like seeing hope out there!)</i> on social media and can sometimes feel like we are the only ones frustrated, struggling and ultimately alone. Even though I know that isn't the truth often those lies start to creep in and I can start to second guess everything I am doing and why I am doing it. The struggle seems so much greater than the cause <strike>some</strike> <i><b>most</b> </i>days. Rest assured it is not. I don't think there is anything more important that I could be doing in my life right now than raising up this next generation. I have been called do this and I am equipped to do this! I KNOW that I will miss these days when they are gone. I need to and I will live in the moment and do my best to cherish even the messy hectic times doing my best to put to memory the blessings in those moments because they are there when we learn to look for them. </div>
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And for the days that I fall short and forget how blessed I am I pray that my Heavenly Father will continue to remind me with stranger's kind words and my husband's sweet texts. </div>
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I hope that in reading this any other parents out there feeling the same way I have been are able to take a deep breath, throw your shoulders back and keep carrying on the good fight! Don't ever feel like your work is less important because you are at home raising little ones. No corporate job or even running my own company has ever been more work or been more demanding than what I am doing now. Nor has it ever been more rewarding or more worth it! </div>
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XO </div>
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Jessy </div>
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Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-71554809666871857852016-05-03T07:57:00.000-07:002016-05-03T07:57:10.111-07:00Updating Your Wood Railings (New House Project)<div style="text-align: center;">
So I have what feels like the never ending to do list for a couple of months now. It started when we decided to sell our last house - lots of little projects I wanted to complete before we put it on the market. Mostly painting...NOT my favorite! Then we started in on the new house literally the day after we completed the projects on the previous one. And I am still going over 2 months later.....</div>
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Since I am doing all these projects I thought I should share some of them that may be helpful. For instance the last week I have been working on changing the color of all the railing in my house (I had no idea how much there actually was until I started the project!). </div>
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When we bought this house we decided to have the floors refinished before we moved in. I had my heart set on a very light, muted, casual floor. After looking at many many samples (and my husband wanting to check out the darker stains too) we ended up having them do a custom mix that would give my husband the depth he was looking for and me the softness and varied muted wood grained I wanted. </div>
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We ended up using a blend of Classic Gray and Weathered Oak to get the "weathered" soft look I was going for. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWKWnolUr5mhzcsfT6TOhLC0kAY1txipKQTVh0lS1BkOJZ2HYyNfTuAsEznjU4fvvrbQkPbp1Ug_1aechpMCnu8mz7QNfXK2yGVPmItYUAmVsI6l1ZR3E0JiOGilJONYL0ek3rZmXoXw/s1600/13151939_10206261311235662_6556062155380440766_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWKWnolUr5mhzcsfT6TOhLC0kAY1txipKQTVh0lS1BkOJZ2HYyNfTuAsEznjU4fvvrbQkPbp1Ug_1aechpMCnu8mz7QNfXK2yGVPmItYUAmVsI6l1ZR3E0JiOGilJONYL0ek3rZmXoXw/s400/13151939_10206261311235662_6556062155380440766_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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When I saw the floors done my heart skipped a beat - PERFECTION!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7aPSWhyrvhNaJgM4RJkOowpz4DFhVsysRG4kOsfW3_olehiu-DHEuK8ZQFGvTqmwunV6kLJwYiAhwLBgX-2MSUtXPeqJI3K9uJNYytv3uZZpG25OfNMoca-NpRLCv2MW46Os11aN8A8/s1600/13087362_10206261310395641_5362241617013273888_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7aPSWhyrvhNaJgM4RJkOowpz4DFhVsysRG4kOsfW3_olehiu-DHEuK8ZQFGvTqmwunV6kLJwYiAhwLBgX-2MSUtXPeqJI3K9uJNYytv3uZZpG25OfNMoca-NpRLCv2MW46Os11aN8A8/s400/13087362_10206261310395641_5362241617013273888_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXcuAj_and_z63-alLrye0R5b33254HcpGtukhZZv-EI9ORhkYiraEB9DMxU-GI2IVGiERhyphenhyphenh0yBHBdE7aQbfZbLBBZi3Vrp4l3Wey8UXBSUB73UmeoqFQ8zVd43YTGB_sodyuOQC3_U/s1600/13124988_10206261310315639_8449837985573686331_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXcuAj_and_z63-alLrye0R5b33254HcpGtukhZZv-EI9ORhkYiraEB9DMxU-GI2IVGiERhyphenhyphenh0yBHBdE7aQbfZbLBBZi3Vrp4l3Wey8UXBSUB73UmeoqFQ8zVd43YTGB_sodyuOQC3_U/s400/13124988_10206261310315639_8449837985573686331_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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These pics were before the poly was added. I did go with a mix of "matte" and "semi-gloss" poly - heavier on the "matte". I really wanted to see the grain and variation in the oak, but make it soft with pretty much no shine at all. The more the grain in the wood the more of the gray it took on. The floors actually look "soft"!</div>
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And here is a section after the poly was done. In pictures you can't see the gray or "weathered" look as much as in person, but you kind of get the idea....no shine/soft/lots of variation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyp5Q9LTHTPKI99a274f7EvIwV6JZwgMM2y0BR6QM4BeT1iK4JPt7iBwnp9pgABAx7KWIh6n4VycEkj0k4zHPimcl8X7EAfl6BgvNs8rWRlyLIP448i8LtNakiDSBfulLZMSZDfOqBTU/s1600/13120030_10206261369237112_2998761564089769916_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyp5Q9LTHTPKI99a274f7EvIwV6JZwgMM2y0BR6QM4BeT1iK4JPt7iBwnp9pgABAx7KWIh6n4VycEkj0k4zHPimcl8X7EAfl6BgvNs8rWRlyLIP448i8LtNakiDSBfulLZMSZDfOqBTU/s400/13120030_10206261369237112_2998761564089769916_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But then I looked at the stairway railing. It was yellow - or orange.....well, all I know for sure is it looked terrible with the new floor stain. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4plvE6b-K7zY-BxQfL2I2BruotbSNkEx9_qU9yEjGBCJzlRE1lo-sCmQTCv5hvx3TFxIiQYYT4W6Y5dM4fwl1T-4ZGFlJarOEmXsWvaJvFc_ewQ6BA-HHIr0CfakO3GOMQMtbx9WHsyk/s1600/13087592_10206261398397841_1395875873616303176_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4plvE6b-K7zY-BxQfL2I2BruotbSNkEx9_qU9yEjGBCJzlRE1lo-sCmQTCv5hvx3TFxIiQYYT4W6Y5dM4fwl1T-4ZGFlJarOEmXsWvaJvFc_ewQ6BA-HHIr0CfakO3GOMQMtbx9WHsyk/s320/13087592_10206261398397841_1395875873616303176_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdsvs1sHoNzXL00ouZ_PpLg47bXyRM20K2TYbj3SYdhN84pvIu6pujnHG9shnXsRSjtRiSj-eMnx4J_oxNXGKRbvX6i26bSi3yGwiJ3oDALudaIujhiIbJkkfKWXL9-BHt7oRloN1cuI/s1600/13139340_10206261398477843_1990687844455804307_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdsvs1sHoNzXL00ouZ_PpLg47bXyRM20K2TYbj3SYdhN84pvIu6pujnHG9shnXsRSjtRiSj-eMnx4J_oxNXGKRbvX6i26bSi3yGwiJ3oDALudaIujhiIbJkkfKWXL9-BHt7oRloN1cuI/s320/13139340_10206261398477843_1990687844455804307_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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(This is actually the lower level railing because I forgot to take a good "before" pic of the upstairs railing, but it looks exactly the same)</div>
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I asked my floor guy about the railing and he said they could do it for me or he told me how I could just do it myself (and save a ton of money). Done! </div>
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So I went to Lowe's and gathered up all the supplies he said I would need and set out to work. </div>
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Here's what I bought: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvrNDo4SyA3WMYhwSl8gzFZdXUXs7iI5B7kFUj1wkYKctF5dQJlMbPfaAAcY2Aw2WmyOsD7IY-d5OkloxF7FssTrm991OiGp4P5Kao5lQdgAC-Q4dfM-DzT7esY3umnUH76cFlaZpjxU/s1600/051141944180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvrNDo4SyA3WMYhwSl8gzFZdXUXs7iI5B7kFUj1wkYKctF5dQJlMbPfaAAcY2Aw2WmyOsD7IY-d5OkloxF7FssTrm991OiGp4P5Kao5lQdgAC-Q4dfM-DzT7esY3umnUH76cFlaZpjxU/s320/051141944180.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Very Fine sandpaper for finishing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh382YysQl4dMJLDm9im7RomObcI_gNdcBfKxr9fqhmec58SV9RCbiJx_uYT5-3-3bsoZT-ewAo-4-ljLmpFfnZOApjSnZnM9nVyRd7IcSDzTRkT6mP_aUV9-lYRWzYWstdQRm5Q4m-DL0/s1600/051141944227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh382YysQl4dMJLDm9im7RomObcI_gNdcBfKxr9fqhmec58SV9RCbiJx_uYT5-3-3bsoZT-ewAo-4-ljLmpFfnZOApjSnZnM9nVyRd7IcSDzTRkT6mP_aUV9-lYRWzYWstdQRm5Q4m-DL0/s400/051141944227.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A course sandpaper to strip the old poly and stain from the railings.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhpMG9rrjUkyyO-6KcLEedbZiAp0QwzJtphHq1a6USD2j4cKbghrqh1xTN7KmbismCSXN_NWZMT2TGPdNX-_QRjJFDmywM7n1XNCMm6kV9D1MDrR7YpV2lwi7Vxncr6wqRrr6fm-nYn4/s1600/019736997676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhpMG9rrjUkyyO-6KcLEedbZiAp0QwzJtphHq1a6USD2j4cKbghrqh1xTN7KmbismCSXN_NWZMT2TGPdNX-_QRjJFDmywM7n1XNCMm6kV9D1MDrR7YpV2lwi7Vxncr6wqRrr6fm-nYn4/s320/019736997676.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rags for wiping on the stain and for clean up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pFkn86AuMj5trf1YfpW54LJQcMO5Jp4JEa7FFVo2oB4FB8gTgdqF-rCcyuWF3D7UkLTRVp5xfycIrXGACbkQxy3G_XvpP8o9hqbteXsejhrKF6cEVJjhJ_RI26bsMDnCGEbZ9YbK2Nc/s1600/071497170620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pFkn86AuMj5trf1YfpW54LJQcMO5Jp4JEa7FFVo2oB4FB8gTgdqF-rCcyuWF3D7UkLTRVp5xfycIrXGACbkQxy3G_XvpP8o9hqbteXsejhrKF6cEVJjhJ_RI26bsMDnCGEbZ9YbK2Nc/s400/071497170620.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A brush for the Poly coat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5u8dPez0uwGQtGfxzt88oJZGRnRnbkVyTsdnlP1b2W4GvllyZgEjXcC9j-N6I7_Ij3zBOtK0JYLIQew6I6UHZsDak5Nn5Omu6rWxoqYucLfL0TBhFuOGEpAYAbJyCAfpZ3s2flzrM54/s1600/027426630109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5u8dPez0uwGQtGfxzt88oJZGRnRnbkVyTsdnlP1b2W4GvllyZgEjXcC9j-N6I7_Ij3zBOtK0JYLIQew6I6UHZsDak5Nn5Omu6rWxoqYucLfL0TBhFuOGEpAYAbJyCAfpZ3s2flzrM54/s320/027426630109.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Clear fast drying poly in a satin finish.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_89orzk6TBLaYOrblKOvGnLmqaSlS9U9TEzWcvdtor1LYAfPwWJXKzg0ntd3l9IY9mWhtY6_7LOCmmsV_rHP5-TqN8nD0rgTxjPwdms7Sa3VBUlnafu7XLC5_rvXmtaH80WLp0zWxv7M/s1600/933900_526179194113413_725342391_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_89orzk6TBLaYOrblKOvGnLmqaSlS9U9TEzWcvdtor1LYAfPwWJXKzg0ntd3l9IY9mWhtY6_7LOCmmsV_rHP5-TqN8nD0rgTxjPwdms7Sa3VBUlnafu7XLC5_rvXmtaH80WLp0zWxv7M/s400/933900_526179194113413_725342391_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Minwax Wood Stain in Classic Gray and Weathered Oak to mix - I did a 1 part Classic Gray to 2 parts Weathered Oak.</div>
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<b>Step 1:</b> I started by using the coarse sandpaper and really getting all the old finish off the railings. After getting the finish off I switched over to the very fine sandpaper to get everything really smooth again.</div>
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I finished up this step by taking a damp rag and wiping down all the surfaces I had just sanded to remove all the dust. </div>
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This step too me pretty much an entire day (did I mention how much railing there is in this house?!). Your arms will be SO tired!!</div>
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<b>Step 2:</b> The following day I mixed my stains in a plastic cup and applied them by dipping my rag into the cup and then removing the access stain on the inside edge of the cup before wiping the railing with it (so it didn't drip everywhere while applying). </div>
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I also kept a clean damp rag with me so that if I got any of the stain where it wasn't supposed to go I could quickly and easily wipe it off. </div>
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After about 15 minutes I would go back over the railings lightly with a clean rag to wipe off all the access stain that wasn't absorbed into the wood. Then the railings need to dry for 4-6 hours before applying another coat of stain. </div>
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I did this step 4 times over the coarse of 2 days. <i>You can do it as many times as you want to get the color/effect you want just making sure you allow at least 4 hours in-between coats. </i></div>
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<b>Step 3:</b> On day 4 I was finally ready to put the poly on! I used my brush and gently applied a light coat of the poly onto the railing. Caution: do not shake your polyurethane can prior to using. It will cause bubbles in the poly coat that will remain in your finish! After allowing this to dry about 4 hours I lightly sanded the finish with my very fine sandpaper. I then took a damp rag and wiped all the dust off before adding a 2nd (and final) poly coat to the railings. </div>
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And that's all! I am SO pleased with the results and it really wasn't all that difficult (and it saved me a ton of money over having it done professionally!! :)</div>
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Here are the results:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOznJUAs2Vep8vA4gBdszoYX6pUxb6PNu03Tlx4a96C1AcHWA0wviol1dHL_EApv7R43ULBHHSZRvzWN-Vw4TSXesZ-ggXZzyYRgq387dh9N8vRBMliacVF9S-BpTp-tva10Nudcx0N74/s1600/13087431_10206261398357840_3018095704064956979_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOznJUAs2Vep8vA4gBdszoYX6pUxb6PNu03Tlx4a96C1AcHWA0wviol1dHL_EApv7R43ULBHHSZRvzWN-Vw4TSXesZ-ggXZzyYRgq387dh9N8vRBMliacVF9S-BpTp-tva10Nudcx0N74/s400/13087431_10206261398357840_3018095704064956979_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAXjDSkPhOq7QtJD3Lt7XbrNLGIVI6SDMQjAbXko_mb_AtSUxMItnt9gpAJikKd7Rc5vPeKSKcuU5WX-AR9DjoMSLpzSnKdAgVzHQJ3__eMlyItsgGUQAk0Uao_Bjxs1wuQoFtBkEblQ/s1600/13102861_10206261398437842_8884397992842868817_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAXjDSkPhOq7QtJD3Lt7XbrNLGIVI6SDMQjAbXko_mb_AtSUxMItnt9gpAJikKd7Rc5vPeKSKcuU5WX-AR9DjoMSLpzSnKdAgVzHQJ3__eMlyItsgGUQAk0Uao_Bjxs1wuQoFtBkEblQ/s400/13102861_10206261398437842_8884397992842868817_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMZMtGK-ZxI_ZJzKQAAydat-mxBzuWQUsktLlcGpyfMdlw05yw7G2FpzGGQRxx_XKIT25-w_Q3loEXyk41f46n4BWvF4baKLgdSz1_050NsoCEUGPgqTGVFmsQq8mpaq6jsz6mM3munQ/s1600/13164233_10206261271154660_6276539353087359879_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMZMtGK-ZxI_ZJzKQAAydat-mxBzuWQUsktLlcGpyfMdlw05yw7G2FpzGGQRxx_XKIT25-w_Q3loEXyk41f46n4BWvF4baKLgdSz1_050NsoCEUGPgqTGVFmsQq8mpaq6jsz6mM3munQ/s640/13164233_10206261271154660_6276539353087359879_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Looks great, right?! I can't tell you how happy I am with the results. I didn't take pictures of all the two story areas, but they look amazing too. </div>
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Here is a pic of the catwalk you see from the entry:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOcvz1Rt4lFMZsUeh0ftN1QPZyMsxEEkMHPCLBMDOpSLd_-ULbVns-Zr1wp9_2k3BKyDPrhP3-biGDYNZJE7coybT9M4pU1yRxP8l4njzDMlLXjRTeHIQ_hBFxayx4rnyTO1AURymb_0/s1600/13139104_10206261617763325_3915287465348287945_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOcvz1Rt4lFMZsUeh0ftN1QPZyMsxEEkMHPCLBMDOpSLd_-ULbVns-Zr1wp9_2k3BKyDPrhP3-biGDYNZJE7coybT9M4pU1yRxP8l4njzDMlLXjRTeHIQ_hBFxayx4rnyTO1AURymb_0/s640/13139104_10206261617763325_3915287465348287945_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And part of the upstairs hallway railing:</div>
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It no longer clashes with the stair treads! :)</div>
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I hope that this has been inspiring for someone and if you have been thinking about updating your stairways and railings that you feel like it is certainly a project you can tackle successfully now! </div>
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XO</div>
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Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-68433620948775430992016-04-28T07:56:00.000-07:002016-04-28T07:56:25.440-07:00Good Reads - Food for your Soul!<div style="text-align: center;">
Good morning! </div>
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Man, I have just been all over the board on doing my blog posts. This whole moving thing has really messed up any sense of a schedule that I was trying to do. </div>
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Well, I have a little time this morning to get one out real quick so here it is......</div>
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I really wanted to share with you a few books that I have been reading lately. They are not just good reads, but they are incredibly good for feeding your soul and helping you to live your best life - REALLY!</div>
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I want to start with <i>One Year Chronological Bible (NLT). </i></div>
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This is a life changing way to read and <i>understand </i>the Bible. So I know it's not January 1st (which is where the Bible reading plan starts), but I just started there and plan to read a bit extra every day until I am caught up on the plan. But really even I don't catch up it's not a big deal. Just reading the Lord's Word every day will be incredible whether you are on the actual reading plan or not. </div>
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Really the best part about this One Year Bible is that it is chronological so that means it walks you through the bible as the actual events happen so it jumps around from book to book as needed. It is such an amazing way to get a new understanding of the Bible and God's Word. </div>
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Another book I am really enjoying right now is <i>Looking for Lovely</i> by Annie Downs.</div>
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What a raw, honest, insightful and inspiring read this is. I am only about half way through the book, but I can not recommend this enough for every woman to read. Whether your struggles are the same ones as hers or not we can all relate on some level because we all have our own struggles. Her words will resonate with you - I am certain! I love how she ties everything back to our Creator and biblical text and helping to show her readers that we were created for so much more than we often feel in this life.</div>
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So I show you this picture because this is how I was reading the other day - on the hammock in my back yard. It was a GORGEOUS spring day and the little ones were at school so I took advantage of a little relaxing (something I have not been doing much of since the move over a month ago!). </div>
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So the third and final book I want to tell you about it this one:</div>
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<i>To Love, Honor and Vacuum </i>by Shelia Gregoire</div>
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(yes, I know it's not pictured above - I had already finished it by the time I was relaxing in the hammock!)</div>
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A couple of months ago I started a bible study/book club with some girlfriends and this is the book we decided to use. It's been a great look at struggles that we have as women whether we have 5 kids or none, work outside the home or are stay at home moms, have lots of disposable income or none, have great supportive husbands or ones that we butt heads with a little bit more, etc. </div>
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I think the best part about doing this book club with the women is the discussion that the chapters have us getting into. It's so good to know that we share so many of the same struggles and successes and are able to get ideas and solutions from each other. It also has us digging into the Word and seeing how applicable it is to our daily lives. </div>
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So in both pictures where I have my books grouped you see the Raising Grateful Kids in An Entitled World by Kristen Welch. </div>
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I have not actually started reading this one yet - even though I keep carrying it around with intentions of cracking it open! I have read so many amazing reviews on this book. This very topic has come up several times in my book club meetings lately so I know that it is something that is not only heavy on my heart but on my girlfriend's hearts as well. </div>
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With this is mind I am thinking that I may use this book for our next "book club book" to discuss. I plan to take a couple of months off for the summer so maybe this could be a good summer read for us all and we could go through it and share in the fall. </div>
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Well, that's all I have for today. I hope to get back to a more regular schedule for posting, but in the meantime I would love to hear from you and any comments that you may have. </div>
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Have a blessed rest of your week!<br />XO</div>
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Jessy </div>
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Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-13200122051970406262016-04-07T13:32:00.002-07:002016-04-08T11:17:37.760-07:00Moving....And the power of Staging a home!Wow - it is hard to even really know where to start with this post so I will just start by saying we are MOVING!!! Okay, well actually at this point we have already moved. My last blog entry was on Feb. 24th and at that time I had absolutely no clue that I would be sitting here in my new office in my new house writing this blog entry about a month after my last one.<br />
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So we are in Real Estate - as in that is our careers, our business and the way we make a living, but it is also our passion and a career that we really love. Having said that it is also the way we see a lot of homes and get the itch to move fairly often (we have lived in 8 homes in 20 years of marriage!). I think after this last move we have decided we need to get into the business of buying, fixing up and selling OTHER homes instead of the ones we live in! Anyway, these moves have been motivated by many different things; investment opportunity, need for more space (nearly every time we have had another child - we have FIVE!), wanting a change of location and in this case it was much of all the above in addition to the fact that we were about to start on some serious remodeling projects that would have locked us into staying at our previous home for a long time. <br />
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Just before we made the decision to hire a contractor to get started my husband came home one afternoon - about a month ago - and said, "we are moving". What?! He MUST be crazy I though, but he was ultimately right! After showing a home to clients he said he just knew it was meant for us and was going to be our next home. He showed it to me the next day and he was right! I instantly loved it and knew it was the right move for us. It gave us so many of the things that we were going to attempt to get in a remodel on our current home and then many other things we would never be able to accomplish. And all for less than what we were going to have to spend on ours! <br />
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So the work began to stage our home and get it ready for sale. We moved into our new home 2 weeks later with half of our furniture (the rest stayed behind for staging) and put our house on the market the very next day after moving out. It sold in the first few hours on the market and for FULL asking price (Yay! for the BEST Realtor I know - I also happen to be married to him! :)<br />
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Anyway, in this post I wanted to share how we staged the house and some of the things we did to get it ready. It mostly involved a lot of long hours, hard work and lots of help from friends and family to pull this off in such a short amount of time.<br />
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I always loved this house but seeing it freshly painted, cleaned, organized and staged made me really excited for the new owners and the amazing family home they will be moving into.<br />
And just to refresh your memory - many of you may have seen <a href="http://fourseasonsstyle.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-new-kitchen-remodel-on-budget.html" target="_blank">this post</a> from almost 3 years ago when we first bought this home. <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/176344141632916701/" target="_blank">This pin</a> was shared almost 3,000 times and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/96968198200726620/" target="_blank">this pin</a> almost 3,000 times and this one 300 times on Pinterest and the blog post was viewed more than 67,000 times and counting!<br />
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So let me show you some of the work we did to it over the last few weeks:<br />
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<b><u>Mudroom</u></b><br />
When bought this house we converted a second family room that was on the back side of the house into a "mudroom" or multi-purpose room. there are 3 doors off this room leading to the outside (back yard, garage and front yard) and one door way to the kitchen and the other to the laundry room which made it the perfect "catch all" room. The room is about 22'x15' so it made a very large and wonderfully usable space for our family of 8 to dump shoes, coats, homework, mail, have our computers, extra overflow storage and even a large island space in the center of the room that I LOVED for wrapping gifts. Because it was the only room I allowed to collect junk in our home it definitely did collect! Check out the before and afters of this room's transformation:<br />
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Very functional but dark and crowded with all our stuff. The fireplace in this room is a second fireplace in the home and never used. Even so I always thought it was such an eye sore and had wanted to at least paint it to lighten it up. I started by painting the brass fireplace insert an Oil rubbed bronze (already completed in these pictures - Below is the work in progress). And then I painted the mantle our trim color. Ultimately I would have white washed the brick, but I think it all turned out beautiful. Check out the pics below for what the finished product was once we staged it! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZrRUZk6n-TdioI-aDrNgT6rz3JHLmEsu_ZBHKkgmapx7MgftZRnt1YUIKfYvTFX6GunTNzdFUf1x1TLBubexHPv42828jyT5002AvsBf7_xU4h03n6yTc68OGFfRXoXhyphenhyphenf0BKACK-n4/s1600/10626529_10205751771777494_7324428388980484395_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZrRUZk6n-TdioI-aDrNgT6rz3JHLmEsu_ZBHKkgmapx7MgftZRnt1YUIKfYvTFX6GunTNzdFUf1x1TLBubexHPv42828jyT5002AvsBf7_xU4h03n6yTc68OGFfRXoXhyphenhyphenf0BKACK-n4/s400/10626529_10205751771777494_7324428388980484395_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmNRU5Oi6FpppB0Nn9peC6w8wEgkwytUK7WU2sDA3NWCwCM4qb3n4TWufs9Fo6ODH6Gx4xb66JQZDU2hxxHSfqnIggAG6J_bc0FwZUjFN-xVyDF5vZW_Ph97Yr3yt3u5Cdnenhoo_LzE/s1600/12072561_10206100611138260_1084427873044956800_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmNRU5Oi6FpppB0Nn9peC6w8wEgkwytUK7WU2sDA3NWCwCM4qb3n4TWufs9Fo6ODH6Gx4xb66JQZDU2hxxHSfqnIggAG6J_bc0FwZUjFN-xVyDF5vZW_Ph97Yr3yt3u5Cdnenhoo_LzE/s400/12072561_10206100611138260_1084427873044956800_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I used <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_75474-90-249131_0__?storeNumber=0542&store_code=542&selectedLocalStoreBeanArray=%5Bcom.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%40494e494e%5D&k_clickID=383da0d5-7a0f-4026-afd0-07a487bc3228&productId=3729731-_-" target="_blank">Rustoleum's Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint </a>from Lowe's for the project. It took 3 days for the smell to dissipate. I do NOT recommend breathing while you paint with this stuff! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGQJpuRJhch4I5tiMmgWWoKAdSGYA_CLuGFzu5-P0HQAtICYjnLJ7xe0G75bfD-FqmTKlwAnUq1vOIH61Th3-LU02CeG1GstTScWGn3Dx1j6tQ5sKvVt3G9RnYEvisvRpGLAApp3ii1A/s1600/12743951_10205751767097377_6043706799532417969_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGQJpuRJhch4I5tiMmgWWoKAdSGYA_CLuGFzu5-P0HQAtICYjnLJ7xe0G75bfD-FqmTKlwAnUq1vOIH61Th3-LU02CeG1GstTScWGn3Dx1j6tQ5sKvVt3G9RnYEvisvRpGLAApp3ii1A/s400/12743951_10205751767097377_6043706799532417969_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Insert finished....it turned out so nice and now matches all the other finishes in the home!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZi-yF_NOd6NxW8al050IHn3OgC-SMAVRmWRrW8K-EGrfNjaEPd_C9j9HRKbrrww5WluvdIAHzKy0inOMbrx75gd63m2cc3uZ5upXYdtP7nFWzwTR8DG6scUCT3RRPw31loxmFg4amWZE/s1600/12920430_10206100609618222_4702124962999316545_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZi-yF_NOd6NxW8al050IHn3OgC-SMAVRmWRrW8K-EGrfNjaEPd_C9j9HRKbrrww5WluvdIAHzKy0inOMbrx75gd63m2cc3uZ5upXYdtP7nFWzwTR8DG6scUCT3RRPw31loxmFg4amWZE/s400/12920430_10206100609618222_4702124962999316545_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sanded down and ready to paint the mantle. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyige8-NOp91AvSgxfnoovnzeLDTCzKxVAaNd_aK-9kEIJR2NW271R0R5M1k-ZMn2qXaukSOK_PnK1yCLbvps2jsXVFZGwXaHwaOM1c4vUTeaAebyPM_Ti0x_tNsvrTc-DSU2h_JF0apI/s1600/12924412_10206100607578171_1192825408367405567_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyige8-NOp91AvSgxfnoovnzeLDTCzKxVAaNd_aK-9kEIJR2NW271R0R5M1k-ZMn2qXaukSOK_PnK1yCLbvps2jsXVFZGwXaHwaOM1c4vUTeaAebyPM_Ti0x_tNsvrTc-DSU2h_JF0apI/s400/12924412_10206100607578171_1192825408367405567_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mantle painted, insert painted....now time to stage this room!</div>
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<i>*Our whole house interior trim here was<a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/search/?siteSection=&Ntt=muslin" target="_blank"> Sherwin Williams Muslin (#6133)</a>. I used their interior "Pro-Classic" trim paint in a satin finish to do the mantle. </i></div>
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And here we are "Staged"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHwegxcvKiCPMG8UU990wLrC3ig8FniIOVU9ugJv6FwJoXnT4r0rKhaM9llZWKrBS5IfMEXhiFWxv6RBaUtSvNFA-PETrcsBj7MXFm62vmCiQvb5vST4_oKjTMQ5n6rBVpL-II7qpFkw/s1600/12961703_10206100615058358_2377922848776678866_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHwegxcvKiCPMG8UU990wLrC3ig8FniIOVU9ugJv6FwJoXnT4r0rKhaM9llZWKrBS5IfMEXhiFWxv6RBaUtSvNFA-PETrcsBj7MXFm62vmCiQvb5vST4_oKjTMQ5n6rBVpL-II7qpFkw/s640/12961703_10206100615058358_2377922848776678866_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwouaOwYMmfsclkN0Zoa4MAYJG6V1Y0j5Ljz92MN56-_Jjb7nigqW8RhlJE4LwJSpb9FkysvD8atF-8SFXI3aX4rjPcE9_JIA8sEk_rbjpmOMkaaGZ4j4PdGZQ2g1YLs3LM1TsDQrIa44/s1600/12920350_10206100614698349_430885723840764511_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwouaOwYMmfsclkN0Zoa4MAYJG6V1Y0j5Ljz92MN56-_Jjb7nigqW8RhlJE4LwJSpb9FkysvD8atF-8SFXI3aX4rjPcE9_JIA8sEk_rbjpmOMkaaGZ4j4PdGZQ2g1YLs3LM1TsDQrIa44/s640/12920350_10206100614698349_430885723840764511_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-f3qRmogy_Ar5_xCce7NDaOhZqWZq_0dqKcYwwoR0L0Jg8PQWJl5qvJ5CiuNxypWSaUyLHthrXzABevtK09vqNWjXnBsEoiCIK1Jtnn9b_hM6E6H-nYbemvbdtLVo_4so5uR4CRfUevI/s1600/1485810-11-alt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-f3qRmogy_Ar5_xCce7NDaOhZqWZq_0dqKcYwwoR0L0Jg8PQWJl5qvJ5CiuNxypWSaUyLHthrXzABevtK09vqNWjXnBsEoiCIK1Jtnn9b_hM6E6H-nYbemvbdtLVo_4so5uR4CRfUevI/s640/1485810-11-alt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It is truly a dream space for a large family and now it just looks incredible and is about the most amazingly functional space ever!</div>
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<u><b>Basement/Lower Level:</b></u></div>
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The next super large project we tackled was the lower level/basement area. It had been finished in the 90's with some really nice built-ins, a full wet bar and mini kitchen, 5th bedroom, bathroom and storage closet fully lined in cedar. It all looked great - for the 90's. It had literally not been touched since then. It looked like an oak tree threw up in there and I avoided spending any time down there at all despite the fact that it was nearly 1500 sq ft of living space (actually I did go down there - when it was dark and we were watching a movie in the theater area! :). I knew what had to be done to bring it up to date and set out to get it done in a couple of weeks time with just the help of some friends and family. </div>
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Here is the progression in pictures:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDr02fn3J7_Qs2fDOL1jKlP8TEz-OFBNGDsyxDU46aFXwzhm3WcxGoRipLLTTUE0HtaEzMUa8EzFe9vfT8ISUGDyOe61TdJmB3kRzpakMMzyTq2eyoBU-ro0fOHlCPMhOCDrikeRvMYxI/s1600/12928197_10206100607378166_8463773507675374735_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDr02fn3J7_Qs2fDOL1jKlP8TEz-OFBNGDsyxDU46aFXwzhm3WcxGoRipLLTTUE0HtaEzMUa8EzFe9vfT8ISUGDyOe61TdJmB3kRzpakMMzyTq2eyoBU-ro0fOHlCPMhOCDrikeRvMYxI/s400/12928197_10206100607378166_8463773507675374735_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSw0IVsZpN0b7WiyTH5Iiy-D7tDx5C9LLhNhOBII3IFVOIEcn5EXtN8Y7a38Y1PB_JWz-OAf9amVoS-uNjwxwCFKl_19J2EQe-I5F1quiFcyr6bJ66p1XageoSRY8B4FcrQAKZbbGwNc/s1600/12321334_10206100612018282_2963982636694577858_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSw0IVsZpN0b7WiyTH5Iiy-D7tDx5C9LLhNhOBII3IFVOIEcn5EXtN8Y7a38Y1PB_JWz-OAf9amVoS-uNjwxwCFKl_19J2EQe-I5F1quiFcyr6bJ66p1XageoSRY8B4FcrQAKZbbGwNc/s400/12321334_10206100612018282_2963982636694577858_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This was "Before".....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03XPfg43HZIzoez3REjlnt8zN5W9AwT_IFeevaH9xx36_YukZr2hnXokNvPgPj46zGtNwQR1vxi0bDuAhCqQX9luYM-g_kbPfEPEEXvs4FTjKYf4yQ0mhFUtJU1pxCa9snFJtekIiwCM/s1600/12938303_10206100615938380_6488471359592009770_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03XPfg43HZIzoez3REjlnt8zN5W9AwT_IFeevaH9xx36_YukZr2hnXokNvPgPj46zGtNwQR1vxi0bDuAhCqQX9luYM-g_kbPfEPEEXvs4FTjKYf4yQ0mhFUtJU1pxCa9snFJtekIiwCM/s400/12938303_10206100615938380_6488471359592009770_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AuSc3CEjNoYCd_bmMK7dtoelthDxPUZyicJKNYmnhk9awYxYjiZLBfnOrrQCrWGo3xAH6Dfky1qCZRRKYWHTT51eZvceEXih5BKmzNONmTYiTz3yVSAKaVCSteAC-_47k5qQRgNlAI0/s1600/12963489_10206100613818327_3000037179020426246_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AuSc3CEjNoYCd_bmMK7dtoelthDxPUZyicJKNYmnhk9awYxYjiZLBfnOrrQCrWGo3xAH6Dfky1qCZRRKYWHTT51eZvceEXih5BKmzNONmTYiTz3yVSAKaVCSteAC-_47k5qQRgNlAI0/s400/12963489_10206100613818327_3000037179020426246_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Painting is underway. We painted ALL the built ins (I can not describe to you how many actual linear feet of cabinetry there was in this basement!), all the trim (baseboards, etc) and all the doors (all solid 6 panel oak). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqnYInZuScPbH4YSvCteKHEANTluz1MpUB_Xm7q0eZikxT0FwkB1w7UATqq4KFmEycph8GfTzQMNYYkZjve6Y5Mfz2cAaRPZ8wXXVa4-ii9XLM4r0pU8f2nK7fzyYJCFChtDEm8xdJWU/s1600/12933151_10206100613378316_7741055790053607377_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqnYInZuScPbH4YSvCteKHEANTluz1MpUB_Xm7q0eZikxT0FwkB1w7UATqq4KFmEycph8GfTzQMNYYkZjve6Y5Mfz2cAaRPZ8wXXVa4-ii9XLM4r0pU8f2nK7fzyYJCFChtDEm8xdJWU/s400/12933151_10206100613378316_7741055790053607377_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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My 77 y/o father-in-law painting a "love note" to my mother-in-law....these two! ;)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3jCz4AqZG9CNk88RUb7dNZpTPdxfAQYO4BlB0bH6kIqZ3exDUVQXX1pRhc7gjkNtSD11Q4MZjdzlkrtTTfGLjMEr639TqJd2aDGlYyjZ0KnWJdy6GEDR3E-mSQk3Y9T6tVifcl-1-4A/s1600/12112516_10206100616658398_6371400023299318211_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3jCz4AqZG9CNk88RUb7dNZpTPdxfAQYO4BlB0bH6kIqZ3exDUVQXX1pRhc7gjkNtSD11Q4MZjdzlkrtTTfGLjMEr639TqJd2aDGlYyjZ0KnWJdy6GEDR3E-mSQk3Y9T6tVifcl-1-4A/s400/12112516_10206100616658398_6371400023299318211_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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And here is my 9 year old son and my mother in law (hidden behind him) painting one of the support columns. My best friend, Anna (not pictured), also came over and helped me get all the doors, railing, and all the walls done (painted in <a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/search/?siteSection=&Ntt=nomadic+desert" target="_blank">Sherwin Williams Nomadic Desert #6107</a>) over a few days of hard work. </div>
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And here is the finished project! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFbBC6oFuxFrxZjJooR4YPaIjpXyay1te-znlzw-ZbTw-0jveJFEvOFCGyby1MV2U8ac022VUYel4GN1PxkryUehhQrINDdlhPbVqHEzY6wl2-4Mllg4ebVLpXxoADCTSb6HQTVEsX14/s1600/12321352_10206100617698424_8096018773888877564_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFbBC6oFuxFrxZjJooR4YPaIjpXyay1te-znlzw-ZbTw-0jveJFEvOFCGyby1MV2U8ac022VUYel4GN1PxkryUehhQrINDdlhPbVqHEzY6wl2-4Mllg4ebVLpXxoADCTSb6HQTVEsX14/s640/12321352_10206100617698424_8096018773888877564_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> Looking into the theater area from behind the bar. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlkdRTdKtaJdk3YPYo9g1Gk87wEztZutemcQKpkNpY2lgoShpvOxvFZK_KZCF3MNDukI90W0m-OQXiq502OGT6ifu_9MkTVwCvdMU_rQqhKoud3KAtGmnz7Z-Yk44qyAWm1KU6KDMoCk/s1600/1485810-20-alt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlkdRTdKtaJdk3YPYo9g1Gk87wEztZutemcQKpkNpY2lgoShpvOxvFZK_KZCF3MNDukI90W0m-OQXiq502OGT6ifu_9MkTVwCvdMU_rQqhKoud3KAtGmnz7Z-Yk44qyAWm1KU6KDMoCk/s640/1485810-20-alt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Looking back to the wet bar area from the playroom (not pictured but we painted all of it too!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_BNjqp47se1OzF1MU8ZIPZ7wzhjghZFTSB5pYDvVpzCnLQAmTigVUYzxleAXTEJleONVIfY1HjpI78tVzBqjO9LqPgEnDT2M2lO6zOREA5evQQFj5YNispryF0NI4AHpNjaApRT2P_A/s1600/1485810-19-alt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_BNjqp47se1OzF1MU8ZIPZ7wzhjghZFTSB5pYDvVpzCnLQAmTigVUYzxleAXTEJleONVIfY1HjpI78tVzBqjO9LqPgEnDT2M2lO6zOREA5evQQFj5YNispryF0NI4AHpNjaApRT2P_A/s640/1485810-19-alt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Theater area complete with popcorn and man were we ready to plop down and relax after all that hard work! </div>
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Not only did we paint the ENTIRE lower level including the playroom that you can't see in these shots, but we also added all new frieze carpet, new light fixtures and recessed lighting baffles, new sink faucet and new door handles. </div>
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All the hard work really paid off though!</div>
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For the finishing touches my girlfriend, Julie, came over and helped us do the final staging before we actually listed it for sale. Not only is she an interior designer, but she is starting her own "staging" and design consulting firm called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ASEDesigns/?fref=ts" target="_blank">ASE designs</a>. She has done a few now and has been very successful at it. I can't recommend professional staging enough to anyone who is selling their home. And if anyone is reading this in the Cincinnati, OH area and is planning to sell their home I would definitely check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ASEDesigns/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Julie's Facebook page</a> and get in touch with her. It is a fact that staged homes sell quicker and for more money than homes that aren't!</div>
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Julie also offers "virtual design" for anyone who is not in the area. You can see pics on her FB page of homes she has done through "virtual design" services. </div>
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Check out the rest of the pics of our home when we were done:</div>
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A pretty traditional full brick Colonial built in 1979. It was located on a beautiful 3/4 acre level, partially wooded, cul-de-sac lot. An over sized 3 car side entry garage was the icing on the cake when we looked at this house to purchase a few years ago :)</div>
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Kid's bathroom - <a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/search/?siteSection=&Ntt=rainwashed" target="_blank"> Paint color: Sherwin Williams Rainwashed #6211</a></div>
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Master bedroom - paint color: <a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/search/?siteSection=&Ntt=killim+beige" target="_blank">Sherwin Williams Kilim Beige</a> #6106</div>
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<a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/search/?siteSection=&Ntt=nomadic+desert" target="_blank"> Family room - Paint color: Sherwin Williams Nomadic Desert #6107</a></div>
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Kitchen, breakfast room and hearth room - Paint color: Trim & cabinets <a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/search/?siteSection=&Ntt=muslin" target="_blank">Sherwin Williams Muslin #6133 </a>and wall color <a href="http://www.valsparpaint.com/en/explore-colors/painter/color-selector.html?colors=2007-9B" target="_blank">Valspar Milk Chocolate #2007-9B</a> (we redid all of this when we moved in 3 years ago...I LOVED this kitchen and always just wanted to be a little bit bigger for entertaining).<br />
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Master Bath - recently remodeled by Neal's remodeling (has a killer shower that isn't pictured)</div>
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Entry - Terracotta floor tiles, refinished stairway and remodeled arched opening into the kitchen (new light fixtures not pictured)</div>
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Upstairs hallway - updated paint (SW Nomadic Desert) and new chandelier</div>
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Dining Room</div>
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Freshly painted all exterior trim, power washed all brick and concrete work, refinished blacktop driveway and freshly mulched and trimmed all landscaping.</div>
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I hope that this helps inspire you to stage or just to freshen up your home a bit. I know that in the three years we lived here we did a lot of remodeling projects, but had always talked about doing most of the things we ended up doing right before we sold it. It sure would have been nice if we had done those things earlier on and actually enjoyed them while we lived here! </div>
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I will share pics from our new house and some of the projects we have already done here in my upcoming posts. We have been working on this house now for about 3 weeks and have done so many fun things to make it our own. I am excited to share those with you - including some fun new paint colors that I am absolutely in love with right now! :)</div>
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All the best, </div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Jessy </i></span></div>
<br />Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-46870979544779058732016-02-24T12:26:00.000-08:002016-02-24T12:26:02.070-08:00What's Happening {Birthdays & Chinese New Year!}<div style="text-align: center;">
February the month of birthdays for us! So many friends and family have celebrations including myself and my daughter this month. My daughter Gabby's 4th birthday was this past Friday so we did a small breakfast celebration with family on Saturday.</div>
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Friday I made her a princess cake that she had seen on YouTube. Yes, you read that right....she saw it and asked me to watch the video of how to make it so she could have it for her birthday! Kids these days...... </div>
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So here she is<i> (don't laugh - I tried!)</i>:</div>
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Okay, so not exactly like they show on the YouTube video, but my daughter LOVED her and that was perfect for me! </div>
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Gabby was thoroughly impressed by my baking skills :)</div>
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We decided to have cake before dinner to celebrate Gabby. Now let me explain this pic....my younger daughter, Lily, (crying on the right hand side of the pic) had just been told by daddy that she couldn't blow out the candles because it was Gabby's birthday. Her feelings were very hurt!</div>
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Now let me back track for a minute. First thing that morning we let Gabby open her gifts from us - this was about 6am because she insisted on getting up early on her birthday! </div>
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The one she was most excited about was her Barbie pool. She is always grabbing bowls and filling them with water to let her Barbie dolls "swim". The bowls always get spilled so I was excited to get a properly weighted pool for those Barbie dolls :)</div>
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Lily was just as excited as her sister about the birthday gift!</div>
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On Saturday morning her Uncle Jeremy, Aunt Amy, cousins Mason and Cooper, Grandma Jeannie and her birth mom, Michelle, and her son, Maison came to celebrate Gabby's 4th birthday. </div>
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We had a fun and yummy brunch where I made an egg bake (<a href="http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2012/03/recipe-for-spinach-and-mozzarella-egg.html" target="_blank">get the recipe here</a> - it was great!), bacon, sausage, scrambled egg patties for all the kiddos, biscuits and waffles with all the fun toppings. </div>
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Then, as if that wasn't enough, we still had half of her birthday cake left from the night before so we stuck candles back in the princess skirt, sang and let her blow out candles again!</div>
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She is TOO much!! </div>
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So after all the activity of the last 24hrs. I needed to just sit and relax (and reflect on how grateful I am for this crazy life and my incredible daughter who I can't believe just turned 4 and I love with all my heart!). This picture just makes me think I need to do this more often than I do. It is by far one of my favorite things do to relax for sure. Even though this last about all of 5 minutes....</div>
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<i>(Apparently our poodle was worn out too ;)</i></div>
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So then later that same day we got to go celebrate Chinese New Year with <b><a href="http://fccgc.org/" target="_blank"><u>Families with Children from China</u> (Greater Cincinnati Chapter) </a></b>with some of our friends.</div>
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Last year we had the celebration at our house and it was really amazing. We had just brought Lily home a few months before and we thought staying closer to home would be better with some of the challenges she was having at that time.</div>
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<i>Lily and her sweet friend from last year's party at our house. Both had just recently joined their families :)</i></div>
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<i>Kiddos of the families who attended our Chinese New Year celebration 2015</i></div>
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This year enjoying the celebration with many of our friends that had come to our house the year before was great, but someone else did all the work this time :) <i>Sometimes</i> I realize I truly can NOT do it all!! </div>
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And here is my clan (minus the oldest) ready to go celebrate!</div>
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Here we are at the event: Me, my daughter Lily, our Au Pair Morgan, Middle son Max ,youngest son Parker and our sweet Gabby up front :)</div>
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Waiting our turn in line to get into the celebration.</div>
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This is Liliana pointing to the flag we just put on the map that marks her home province of Jiangsu, China. All the flags on here had been placed by other adopted children of all ages that were celebrating Chinese New Year here together tonight with their families. It was absolutely beautiful. </div>
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Here are the traditional Lion Dance. It was so beautiful and the kids just loved it - of course that probably had something to do with the fact that the lions kept throwing them candy!</div>
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Here is the beginning of the Dragon Parade. This was so fun and all the kids loved joining in the parade with the Dragon around the gymnasium. </div>
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And here is me trying to lead Gabby on because she had just stopped (essentially holding up the entire parade!) because she was taking her shoes off - <i>notice one is missing? </i>Lily isn't far behind us in the bright pink Chinese dress :)</div>
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Lily was very happy with the dinner we got to enjoy!<br />
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Look at these cuties! Ranging from about 18 months to 4 years old, these little ones have all come home within the last year and a half. It is amazing to see them all celebrating in America together and thinking back to the months and months me and all their mommas met at Starbucks to catch up on where we all were in the adoption process and pray for each other through the process. Sniff, sniff....</div>
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And here are all those amazing mommas (China Moms Group)! What an amazing journey to share together. Now these kiddos (and a few others that weren't able to make it that night) have play dates together. What an amazing life this is!</div>
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Our family has been so blessed by adoption (both domestic and international) and the celebrations we took part in this weekend alone are proof of that. If any of you reading this have questions about adoption, have adopted or just want to talk about it please don't hesitate to contact me. I am passionate about adoption. There is more than one way to build a family and adoption is one of the best! </div>
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Thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of your week.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>XO </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Jessy </i></span></div>
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Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-53459063378409678162016-02-16T09:13:00.000-08:002016-02-16T09:13:06.707-08:00Valentine's Day Dinner (and winner for give away!)<div style="text-align: center;">
What a jammed packed week this past week was! It was mostly good stuff though and it was fun to end the weekend on such an up note with our Valentine's day celebration. </div>
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Sunday is our "family day" around here and we typically have a big Sunday dinner every week. With Valentine's day falling on Sunday it made the perfect day for me to celebrate the "loves" in my life and I was so excited to do it. I just love a good excuse for a fun themed party any day!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTt5yu3n8yGYi0hBWBRcNAHsP5WhXSXsi5aJJZ5HLLCJ2qxZEMfCBvt4N3grJV4hlouuAwU33fUg69y1Ye9G6t50bNyQka0YtVxtjS9KO6WF1tsSgJf7j9ZDmDEOPkNlz39bR6Xcyhn8/s1600/12734259_10205706556807148_5941488090798824282_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTt5yu3n8yGYi0hBWBRcNAHsP5WhXSXsi5aJJZ5HLLCJ2qxZEMfCBvt4N3grJV4hlouuAwU33fUg69y1Ye9G6t50bNyQka0YtVxtjS9KO6WF1tsSgJf7j9ZDmDEOPkNlz39bR6Xcyhn8/s640/12734259_10205706556807148_5941488090798824282_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>I just had to throw this picture in there. This is my youngest daughter (3 yrs old) watching the fire I had just lit before our guests arrived. She is such a precious girl - just look at that face!</i></div>
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I would love to share with you what our celebration and dinner included as it was a huge hit with young and old alike.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-PYS9mTXy_Y6TDftHcsBNAfYU2B9-dVq96lx0BujatHks05Qs84hFF_yJPcjHmZV6HRpNPpy6Qddf1-JOJsivwH3U1FyuFCLQmTE2xhOIYyvDd825dmoN-bBN5meqJk4J893oMf6XLs/s1600/12742107_10205706563047304_7249474075097302193_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-PYS9mTXy_Y6TDftHcsBNAfYU2B9-dVq96lx0BujatHks05Qs84hFF_yJPcjHmZV6HRpNPpy6Qddf1-JOJsivwH3U1FyuFCLQmTE2xhOIYyvDd825dmoN-bBN5meqJk4J893oMf6XLs/s640/12742107_10205706563047304_7249474075097302193_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Our breakfast and hearth room. I had set out the kid's "affirmation books" (read more about those below) on the breakfast table as we had originally planned for them to eat dinner in here, but in the end we moved everyone into the dining room and enjoyed our dinner in there - all 11 of us :)</i></div>
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<i>It was dumping snow on us outside so we had a warm fire burning in the fireplace and the house smelled so good with the aroma of the roast cooking.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQyXjfLJYDGZKND-vsvwWmKWwl3frkUpgamoKpmh9MhpVEEWFInYhov79ZhWBRZ0ysQvqnFXcENWhq5UOG8Vpoii1lrLuKnwH4xxWv4-s7nbzV9spm-DGlkQ2WUDsRWsyOyfayCgKk84/s1600/12670622_10205706557327161_1308699762971451614_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQyXjfLJYDGZKND-vsvwWmKWwl3frkUpgamoKpmh9MhpVEEWFInYhov79ZhWBRZ0ysQvqnFXcENWhq5UOG8Vpoii1lrLuKnwH4xxWv4-s7nbzV9spm-DGlkQ2WUDsRWsyOyfayCgKk84/s400/12670622_10205706557327161_1308699762971451614_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>The kids especially loved the conversation hearts left out in the middle of the table....who needs real food when you can just eat and endless supply of sugar?! </i></div>
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Our guest list included my five children (ages 14, 12, 9, 4 & 3 years old), my husband, my mother and father in law, my mom who was in from out of town and staying the night with us and our Au Pair, Morgan.</div>
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I had really wanted a fun, festive and love filled environment and I think it was accomplished. It was snowing outside - we ended up getting about 3 inches total - so everything seemed that much more warm and cozy inside. </div>
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<i>Our dining room - can you see all the beautiful snow falling outside and covering the trees? It was so beautiful :)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDVYOWyk77UdgkQjjRVo_14aNsVubyZqdPas6V2XfJQsjGtlrm9UOx9mhA8ndJ7Mue8JVctwGpB1jCYAexpcZTVVxCzDn82vYyRvSy4WdOGe0RagYFhyphenhyphenLZDVikl1KHOwxw5bNVxxA2Dw/s1600/12734190_10205706558607193_5755791759835275836_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDVYOWyk77UdgkQjjRVo_14aNsVubyZqdPas6V2XfJQsjGtlrm9UOx9mhA8ndJ7Mue8JVctwGpB1jCYAexpcZTVVxCzDn82vYyRvSy4WdOGe0RagYFhyphenhyphenLZDVikl1KHOwxw5bNVxxA2Dw/s640/12734190_10205706558607193_5755791759835275836_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i> In my dining room mixed a few quick and easy festive ideas I had collected off Pinterest. I used plastic cups filled with conversation hearts to hold tea light candles in the center of the table. I also took some heart garland and placed it in the center on the glass "lazy susan" where our dinner platters, etc would be sitting. I also put our personalized "affirmation books" in the center which I moved onto to eat person's place setting just before dinner was served. </i></div>
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Just before I put dinner on the table I asked everyone to come on into the dinning room and take a seat. Everyone had their own personalized (I wrote their names on the front with a sharpie! ;) "Affirmation Book" at the place setting and they were asked to take theirs and pass it to the left. Once they had done this they were instructed to write a positive word, sentence, etc. about the person who's book it was and then pass it again to their left. We did this until everyone had written something in everyone else's book and they had their own book back. It took about 10 minutes. </div>
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What a way to "spread the love"! </div>
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While they were completing this I put all the food in the center of the table so we could dig into dinner.</div>
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<i>The "Affirmation Books" were just little pocket notebooks purchased at Michael's Craft store the day before the party and had cost about $1.00 for a pack of 10. They were great to write little messages in and made the perfect pocket or purse sized reminder of why you are LOVED! </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yetPdubh3Y9a8r9Pas_DeoQSTdRTWjYmYVFbyOENX-vuo6RzwzMby6inm4aLjj_ZBeQI7FZyq7fgIhlJkGNve-MsYXX_C7pSr36ptLhlDddVcT3VLM6xAwXRzOma4r0Wfpa8mzjBPlA/s1600/6367_10205706554927101_3393847586452012810_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yetPdubh3Y9a8r9Pas_DeoQSTdRTWjYmYVFbyOENX-vuo6RzwzMby6inm4aLjj_ZBeQI7FZyq7fgIhlJkGNve-MsYXX_C7pSr36ptLhlDddVcT3VLM6xAwXRzOma4r0Wfpa8mzjBPlA/s640/6367_10205706554927101_3393847586452012810_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Everyone taking a moment to write in each other's book....I love this so much! Even my 3 & 4 year old girls scribbled a message in each person book :)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPM-QGeP5dtONJU5aGdEN9CZvtan6JRXo_UBSogMYFGFkQvIYWIjrkOMjsSxN2N3JvGMAOLdzgUUGG0KRs1g3Mvui1ahvkMDyNJI8nzlgiLjgcL0NJyBkToBRZmMUhMdmBPtG3T6lWCI/s1600/12742025_10205710305460862_6378894043588333953_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPM-QGeP5dtONJU5aGdEN9CZvtan6JRXo_UBSogMYFGFkQvIYWIjrkOMjsSxN2N3JvGMAOLdzgUUGG0KRs1g3Mvui1ahvkMDyNJI8nzlgiLjgcL0NJyBkToBRZmMUhMdmBPtG3T6lWCI/s400/12742025_10205710305460862_6378894043588333953_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6jmVTjyWTEzVZXcDjFPfEYbKrueVRuqcXhpwIVTcqJfC0D3bGQzxaN0La_YSrmjVvR_HAdjGISVlOzmzlpSD_mxFGalYLZX1MjBY2z62Wybz6HLUAjnYfz53RGcEZPUdCNE85gNzrAw/s1600/12744064_10205710305220856_1330477260110873879_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6jmVTjyWTEzVZXcDjFPfEYbKrueVRuqcXhpwIVTcqJfC0D3bGQzxaN0La_YSrmjVvR_HAdjGISVlOzmzlpSD_mxFGalYLZX1MjBY2z62Wybz6HLUAjnYfz53RGcEZPUdCNE85gNzrAw/s400/12744064_10205710305220856_1330477260110873879_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Messages from some of the different books....</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrWK-pgtHuTUsoOPXqXZqYY_TXFjuNC_-HSZLspcuB_Eoi54dQgafYW35u3SA1lMaz9x0qOjwB0PZOv067gD4_TGhDCsTfW7GlvbIIKE-LUBQrNHfg22rYO1b40jXhpXwHEDZefdrDMs/s1600/12728918_10205710306180880_290362896346647032_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrWK-pgtHuTUsoOPXqXZqYY_TXFjuNC_-HSZLspcuB_Eoi54dQgafYW35u3SA1lMaz9x0qOjwB0PZOv067gD4_TGhDCsTfW7GlvbIIKE-LUBQrNHfg22rYO1b40jXhpXwHEDZefdrDMs/s400/12728918_10205710306180880_290362896346647032_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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T<i>his is my youngest daughter's book. She can't read one bit, but we read what everyone wrote to her and she is still carrying the book around with her 2 days later (she's 3 yrs old!). She has even almost worn off the permanent marker on the front! If you doubt the power of a kind, loving and affirming word to others then just look at her example. Just<b> knowing </b>what is written in this book is good enough for her! </i></div>
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We enjoyed a roast that I had slow cooking for about 8 hours for dinner. It is probably the best roast recipe I have ever made and it is super easy. This was the second time I have made it and I did it with a bigger roast than normal this time (4 1/2lb), but it is still the same basic process. </div>
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I usually take about a 2-3lb rump roast (use grass fed beef if you can find it - it does make a difference in how it cooks and taste) and brown it in a skillet on med-high with olive oil and salt and pepper. Once all sides at browned I place it in a slow cooker. It the same skillet I browned the roast I pour about 1/2 cup of red wine (not cooking wine - I typically use a Malbec and then serve the rest with dinner) and 1/2cup to 1 cup of bone broth (homemade chicken or beef stock that I keep on hand) and scrape all the bits and pieces from the bottom of the pan until it's all free mixing well with the liquid. This usually only takes about 4-5 minutes. </div>
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Pour that in the slow cooker over the roast. Throw in 2 onions that I've peeled & sliced into eighths, 6-8 full sized carrots that have been chopped into 3-4" pieces and 2-3 minced cloves of garlic. Liberally salt and pepper everything once it's in the slow cooker and cover on low for 6-8 hours. When you pull it out to serve it will be falling apart and will melt in your mouth! It is the perfect old fashioned beef pot roast - truly. Sorry I didn't take a picture of it. Maybe I'll add a pic next time I make it :)</div>
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Actually the only part of dinner I took a picture of the cornbread - I forgot to take dinner pictures before everyone started digging in so this is the only one I have and it's half gone by the time I get the pic - LOL!</div>
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This cornbread is worth mentioning because it is my guests' favorite every time. My oldest son can not have gluten (and I avoid it most of the time) so I started buying this a few months ago. It is just so so yummy and better than any other cornbread I have ever made in the past. If you haven't tried it you need to! </div>
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It is available at Whole Foods, Fresh Thyme and even in my Kroger in their "healthy & organic" section so I would think you can find it many places now. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHj4p9uaq_ucglI72fJ7i2fPohXPd89Zk0BPQlieK4IIrmUFs41_isIQALOaUWgPcp6NGNk7FiodbrquINCHjtmoT42MieDm5KD_9qEqAdCv7pGesNC26e7uWH8ZOlunOhOOFyYBQQeQ/s1600/10712728_10205710387702918_3421441948888794896_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHj4p9uaq_ucglI72fJ7i2fPohXPd89Zk0BPQlieK4IIrmUFs41_isIQALOaUWgPcp6NGNk7FiodbrquINCHjtmoT42MieDm5KD_9qEqAdCv7pGesNC26e7uWH8ZOlunOhOOFyYBQQeQ/s400/10712728_10205710387702918_3421441948888794896_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="http://www.bobsredmill.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQiArou2BRDcoN_c6NDI3oMBEiQANeix5q74GwjEKXzIIUS70v7xpf1JPSsQg0T3dPqZmgKy2FgaAp1A8P8HAQ" target="_blank">Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Cornbread Mix</a></i></div>
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After dinner we enjoyed a few homemade treats and coffee. </div>
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For dessert I made peanut butter chocolate hearts, heart shaped Rice Krispies Treats and strawberry jello cups topped with whip cream and strawberries. </div>
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For the jello cups I used<a href="http://www.kraftcanada.com/recipes/jell-o-strawberry-parfaits-153353" target="_blank"> this recipe </a>and it turned out great and they were so cute (sorry I didn't get a good picture of them). I doubled the recipe so everyone at the party had one and they went fast so I was glad that I did! </div>
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The Rice Krispies hearts were the basic recipe (<a href="http://www.ricekrispies.com/recipes/the-original-treats" target="_blank">find it here</a>), but I added a little more marshmallows than it called for (maybe a couple extra handfuls) & one drop of red food coloring that I didn't mix in all the way in order to give it the uneven color. I pressed the mixture between two sheets of parchment paper until they were the thickness I wanted and then I used a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut them out. I had to work fast because once the mixture starts drying in it really hard to work with. As soon as I cut them out I sprinkled a little Valentine sprinkle mixture of candy hearts and red/pink/white jimmies. </div>
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<i>After they were cut out and awaiting some sprinkles.</i></div>
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<i>All covered up in plastic wrap to stay nice and fresh until after dinner - They turned out so cute!</i></div>
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For the chocolate peanut butter hearts I followed <a href="http://bakerbynature.com/chocolate-covered-peanut-butter-hearts/" target="_blank">this recipe </a>I found on Pinterest. The only variations was I didn't put the salt on the chocolate coating, I used <a href="http://www.ghirardelli.com/#Wg6hvJX8qlqBkBe7.97" target="_blank">Ghirardelli </a>milk chocolate chips, a cookie cutter to cut out the heart shapes and I added the same heart & pink/red/white jimmies sprinkle mix that I had used on the Rice Krispie treats on the chocolate. </div>
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<i>The key to being able to cut them out was using a metal cookie cutter (<a href="http://www.michaels.com/wilton-cut-outs-fondant-cutters-heart/10356724.html#srule=price-low-to-high&sz=12&start=37&cm_sp=online-experience-_-valentines-day-_-products" target="_blank">like these</a> or I used <a href="http://www.michaels.com/cookie-cutter-set-hearts/10062678.html#srule=price-low-to-high&sz=12&start=228&cm_sp=online-experience-_-valentines-day-_-products" target="_blank">these exact ones</a>) and getting the consistency right. I messed around with the milk/sugar ratio a few times until I got it right.</i></div>
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These turned out amazing and were definitely the biggest hit! I have to say that I have never had a peanut butter chocolate candy that was better and I have always made a pretty "mean" buckeye (think I may be switching up my recipe! ;)</div>
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My son's 14 y/o friend was over after dinner and after he ate one (then two and three.... ;) he asked me repeatedly if I made them. Asking, "so, you actually mixed everything up and really made them? Like, you made the peanut butter hearts and put chocolate on them? You didn't buy these, right? They are amazing! " LOL</div>
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So that is pretty much it for our Valentine's Day dinner and LOVE celebration! I hope that you had a wonderful weekend and were able to celebrate love this weekend as well. </div>
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And now DRUM ROLL please...........The winner of the $50 gift certificate from my <a href="http://fourseasonsstyle.blogspot.com/2016/02/romantic-getaway-and-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Romantic Getaway and Giveaway post</a> is:</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Janet B. from Monroe, OH</span></b></div>
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Congrats Janet! I have sent you and email per your linked contact info. I hope you also check back here and see that you have won. Please contact me by Friday so I can get your certificate out to you :)</div>
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Have a great week everyone!</div>
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XO </div>
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Jess</div>
Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-79148133128407813512016-02-11T12:26:00.002-08:002016-02-11T20:18:32.967-08:00Romantic Getaway (and GIVEAWAY!)<div style="text-align: center;">
In the spirit of love and the upcoming Valentine's day I thought it would be a perfect time to discuss the details of the romantic stay my husband and I just had at an Ohio Bed & Breakfast (our first time at a b&b!) Tuesday night for my birthday. The Bed & Breakfast he chose, <a href="http://www.hideawayinn.com/" target="_blank">Hide Away Country Inn</a>, was about a two and a half hour drive north from our house here in Cincinnati, OH in a town called Bucyrus, OH. It was just outside of <a href="http://www.delawareohio.net/" target="_blank">Delaware County, Ohio</a> and was such a beautiful and scenic trip along the Olentangy River.</div>
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I want to give you a review of our trip and stay because the b&b we stayed at was generous enough to provide us with a gift certificate for $50.00 to be used in the following year toward your two night stay. I am excited to be able to pass this along to someone who would also like to try this place out. You won't be disappointed!</div>
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Read on and see if this is a trip you would like to enjoy and I'll tell you how you can enter to win the $50 gift certificate and how you can enjoy a beautiful room, a private massage, room service, a private hot tub or private candlelit couples dinner and so much more!</div>
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My hubby blocked out his schedule from Tuesday (day before my birthday) at 12:30 through all day Wednesday. We had about a two and a half hour drive north to get to our bed & breakfast, <a href="http://www.hideawayinn.com/" target="_blank">Hide Away Country Inn</a>, so we left around 1pm so we could take our time getting there for the 4pm check-in(we both love a relaxed road trip!). </div>
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We stopped at Dunkin' Donuts so I could grab my "free birthday coffee" before getting on the road.</div>
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<i>I don't stop to get Dunkin' very much anymore (since I started drinking my coffee black I usually just make it at home now) so it was fun to be "treated" for my birthday even if I know longer enjoy their creamer in my brew :)</i></div>
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We decided to take the little longer route so we could enjoy the drive and the scenery through parts of Ohio that we had never seen before.</div>
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<i>I had to throw in this pic of my super handsome date driving me to our "getaway"!</i></div>
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Along the way we made a few little stops like Cracker Barrel...not to eat, but to take a potty break and to shop through the little store without the kids! I know that is silly, right?! Can I tell you how much I enjoyed that?!! There are always so many fun things to look at, but I can never really take it all in because I am typically chasing 3 year olds around telling them to put everything down. Sometimes it's the little things!</div>
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Back on the road we enjoyed the beautiful scenery on the Ohio countryside. It was so peaceful and we saw so many beautiful farms. It was just so relaxing and peaceful.</div>
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<i>Do you see the train in the distance? It was so cool to watch it stretch across the horizon like that.</i></div>
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And around 4pm we arrived at Hide Away Inn....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5x21v6RElkdb8NWzzT06GOJkGAgVmj1lVzBrpGLqWn5_zVuP6hRs5mh9EBZbV-USrKXixQq3fLtzfDUslfg_8Am52LYTRhWy9cu5rJBBOcTjBqCcw6B58iHXyLxczxDsX8jzWSRQa0KE/s1600/12717358_10205680222068796_5079438280617358378_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5x21v6RElkdb8NWzzT06GOJkGAgVmj1lVzBrpGLqWn5_zVuP6hRs5mh9EBZbV-USrKXixQq3fLtzfDUslfg_8Am52LYTRhWy9cu5rJBBOcTjBqCcw6B58iHXyLxczxDsX8jzWSRQa0KE/s640/12717358_10205680222068796_5079438280617358378_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The grounds were really beautiful...even this time of year! </div>
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The home and farmstead was built in the 1930's and retained much of it's original elements which adds to the charm. You can read all about the history of it <a href="http://www.hideawayinn.com/home/history" target="_blank">here</a>. As Realtors, my husband and I both really love homes and especially historic homes. I don't want the upkeep of owning one, but I LOVE to visit them, tour them and stay in them when I can. This place definitely fit the bill for the history we love to take in. </div>
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After checking in we brought in our bags, settled into our room (we stayed in the Serenity Garden suite) and started exploring. </div>
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<i> Hall and side entrance where we brought our bags in after checking in at the main desk. </i><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.hideawayinn.com/rooms/serenity-garden-standard-hot-tub-room" target="_blank">Serenity Garden </a>is one of the smaller rooms at the Inn, but we chose it because we liked the decor of the room over some of the others and it featured a private deck with a hot tub that would be perfect for relaxing after dinner! We wanted to stay in the main house, but there are many other rooms to stay in if you prefer a larger suite and don't have to be in the main house.</i></div>
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There are 4 rooms in the main or Manor House with our room being one of them. You can also choose from the original master suite called the "Smith room" or two other rooms located in the same hallway. </div>
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There is another large building that houses several "loft suites" and even an apartment type 2-story suite. Prices start around $150 per night and range to about $400 per night depending on the room/suite. You can view them all<a href="http://reservation.worldweb.com/Bookings-nr105/activity-edit.html?table=hotels&mode=command&command=roomsearch&listing_id=1589&&hotel_id=1589&lo" target="_blank"> here</a>.<br />
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I would say that we had a really great experience with our room. The only downside was that the room is on the southwest corner and it was a very windy night. Couple those things with the fact that this is a home built in the 1930's and it was a quite noisy. Mother Nature made it a bit difficult for me to sleep very well. Thank God for a super cozy bed and linens as they mostly made up for the relentless wind noise. </div>
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<i>Checking out the guestbook in our room while enjoying the wine and cheese. It's always fun to read about other people's experience when staying somewhere.</i></div>
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After relaxing for a bit we decided to change for dinner and head down to explore around a little in the main house.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__UkOCqZuYroi7JXpW9rVr91uilLx9R9TUQ4x8KMtAdYHa58XGSg9XqLbSLk68UtMJE9yPOjoQs_uptY9doN4VlOC489udjsP4Za7pBuSRUQ_ypVJ6UUhsmlniODeeg0rUFk2Rj_XEbo/s1600/12734049_10205680224868866_504167885405507965_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__UkOCqZuYroi7JXpW9rVr91uilLx9R9TUQ4x8KMtAdYHa58XGSg9XqLbSLk68UtMJE9yPOjoQs_uptY9doN4VlOC489udjsP4Za7pBuSRUQ_ypVJ6UUhsmlniODeeg0rUFk2Rj_XEbo/s640/12734049_10205680224868866_504167885405507965_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>The hallway and landing right outside our room. Mostly original interior including the floors and was decorated with many antiques that really added to the romantic ambiance of the place.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZJ1dmYDWuvK6N6WFnUBeQJCEkffMCBV_abbLjcwngA9gWpfu1ATYEN4EXvK9f-U1anJfbPtgl48SMtnbiRwhVsoJ0KGymlhQzXnIcuh0WeX6RKbkL1iPRIFuk6MoX3zVBmBdpWwuJsc/s1600/12717448_10205680225988894_5301060367009673040_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZJ1dmYDWuvK6N6WFnUBeQJCEkffMCBV_abbLjcwngA9gWpfu1ATYEN4EXvK9f-U1anJfbPtgl48SMtnbiRwhVsoJ0KGymlhQzXnIcuh0WeX6RKbkL1iPRIFuk6MoX3zVBmBdpWwuJsc/s640/12717448_10205680225988894_5301060367009673040_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>Stairway leading down to the main floor and entry area. Off of the vestibule you could take a hallway that led to the library, the dining room, the parlor or the breakfast nook.</i></div>
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<i>This was the main dining area that had been set for dinner that evening. The Inn was full so there was lots going to be happening in this dining room soon! </i></div>
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<i>The door in the back of the room led to a pub built onto the backside of the Inn. It was complete with a full service bar and tv's. Some of the guests were gathering in there for a drink before dinner. </i></div>
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And then it was time for us to head to dinner. We were escorted to another room down the hall - the library - which had been the original owners personal office. They had set us up a white linen covered table, a romantic fire in the wood burning fireplace, made sure soft love songs were playing and had the entire room lit with candles. It was over the top in ambiance and the most PERFECT setting for a romantic dinner for two!</div>
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<i>This was something I had only seen in the movies and here I was with my amazing husband having this intimate and over-the-top romantic dinner. I would highly recommend that you do this if staying here for a romantic get away. We enjoyed the 5 course meal and spent 2 full hours talking and enjoying each other's company. Perfection.....</i></div>
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Let me talk a little about the food. First, I want to say that while we are not completely gluten free and I specifically do not have a gluten allergy, my son does, so we are a mostly gluten free family for him. I have learned that I feel SO much better when I avoid gluten but that is not always super easy to do when eating out because it's hard to be certain what they put in the sauces, etc. The cool thing about Hide Away Inn is that the owner is gluten free so they have a *mostly* gluten free menu and feature a "farm to table" type menu. </div>
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For our 5 course private dinner the executive chef chose our menu and did let us know that he kept it gluten free for us which was awesome! We enjoy smoked cheddar fritters with apples and strawberries, chicken satay skewers with a peanut sauce, salad with scallops for me and chicken for my husband and our main course was beef tenderloin in a wine demi glace and mushrooms with green beans and baked potato. Our desserts were creme brulee for the hubby and I had this beautiful flourless chocolate torte with vanilla ice cream on top and a raspberry sauce - it was so good! </div>
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My husband and I do a lot of dinning at very nice restaurants for our date nights (we own a "relationship improvement" based company, <a href="http://howdidheknow.com/" target="_blank">HDHK</a>, and our second app to be released later this year is a dating app so we are busy doing research on all the great places couples can spend a date so it comes with the territory!). So I realize that we may be a little tough on places sometimes. </div>
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Having said that, I think that most would find this to be a very good dinner with the emphasis on customer service and a beautiful and unique setting. </div>
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My favorite dishes were the salad with scallops and the flourless chocolate torte. The executive chef at the Inn visited our table a couple of times personally throughout the meal and really wanted to know how we were enjoying ourselves. I think that goes along way. He truly seemed to care that we were enjoying what he was sending out for our special dinner. </div>
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They also do wine tastings, cooking classes and their <a href="http://www.hideawayinn.com/dining" target="_blank">1938 Restaurant and Pub</a> is open to the public and quite well rated.</div>
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After dinner we headed back up to our room for some board games. Yep, you read that right. I wanted to play a board game! My husband and I really enjoy playing a few different boards games and he had brought along one of my favorites for us to enjoy. It's fine, I'm a nerd and I'm okay with that :)We so rarely find the uninterrupted time to play at home (not sure it's possible with 5 kids at home!) so this was a super fun treat for me! </div>
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<i>This one is called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rio-Grande-Games-RGG170-Carcassonne/dp/B00005UNAX" target="_blank">Carcassonne</a> and is one of the many Rio Grande games we love.</i></div>
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And just as we began playing there was a knock at the door. Angie, the girl who took care of during our entire stay, had brought us up some strawberries for my birthday! It was so sweet and they went very well with our after dinner wine :)</div>
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After the game we enjoyed some time in the hot tub on our deck. I have to say that while it was very nice it was also super COLD outside! The Inn provides you with super luxurious robes which were perfect for trekking out in the cold to the hot tub, but the wind was brutal and we didn't stay out there long. Even so by the time we came in I had ice crystals hanging from the back of my top knot! I think it was in the teens and probably colder than that with the windchill. </div>
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The next morning we were able to enjoy sleeping in long past the typical 6:30am wake time at our house and even enjoyed fresh brewed coffee that they had waiting just outside our door in a stainless steel </div>
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carafe for us when we awoke :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzB2s8mU-lNJF0I9ygB_ZY_TQZ18ckOXU0bFEe-hAM0mOWdHqb99l5WtxLzC-mcMyi70QZqvjdxoXG_nUh9HPIhhEpOTaj6aAMAGc28TTKi2EnewwPstL1vh4i1JCvo2lryvIsylL4hJc/s1600/12715688_10205680226268901_2163761614129148600_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzB2s8mU-lNJF0I9ygB_ZY_TQZ18ckOXU0bFEe-hAM0mOWdHqb99l5WtxLzC-mcMyi70QZqvjdxoXG_nUh9HPIhhEpOTaj6aAMAGc28TTKi2EnewwPstL1vh4i1JCvo2lryvIsylL4hJc/s400/12715688_10205680226268901_2163761614129148600_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>It even came with the sweet note - it was my birthday morning!! Coffee in bed....aaaahhhh, perfect :)</i></div>
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<i>I did step out to the deck for one last view of the beautiful countryside and creek that ran alongside our room before heading down for breakfast!</i></div>
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Breakfast is served late here (9-11am) so we didn't head down to eat until about 10am. It was quiet and we were the only ones in the dining room at that time. The breakfast nook is situated in the home's original dining room and adjoins the larger room where dinner is served so the french doors can be opened up to allow for more guests at once. </div>
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<i>The views over the gardens and surrounding land here were really beautiful even during this frozen time of year.</i></div>
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A two course breakfast comes with your stay and it is chef's choice this morning. We enjoyed yogurt with house made granola for our first course and then scrambled eggs, bacon (super thick and yummy!) and home fries for the main course. I'm not a super big breakfast person so I really didn't eat more than a couple of bites of the eggs and all of the bacon :) Of course, more super fresh coffee was served, too. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAfVJitz3C9a8W_gZE3caKVeOIyoyE63pGJGDd3oi9UWEzHSo5NwxxsfWiSL60l-FF7lXcZcvqG65gp-zy8I26qPiRe1BYtJmXzCHYkxKpq92zZDbXEtQ5gWcxxxFbWwZhOhUGZQ6AZI/s1600/12744610_10205680229148973_1983433060190107201_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAfVJitz3C9a8W_gZE3caKVeOIyoyE63pGJGDd3oi9UWEzHSo5NwxxsfWiSL60l-FF7lXcZcvqG65gp-zy8I26qPiRe1BYtJmXzCHYkxKpq92zZDbXEtQ5gWcxxxFbWwZhOhUGZQ6AZI/s640/12744610_10205680229148973_1983433060190107201_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was even able to purchase one of the handmade Hide Away Inn coffee mugs to take home with me. One of the only things I collect are coffee mugs from places I have been - if I find a really good one that I love. This one is from <a href="http://deneenpottery.com/" target="_blank">Deneen Pottery </a>and is the second Deneen Pottery mug I am adding to my collection (first one was from <a href="http://www.anotherbrokenegg.com/" target="_blank">Another Broken Egg Cafe </a>in Destin, Florida).</div>
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Check-out is at noon here so we pushed it to the last minute and checked out at pretty much noon on the dot! We wanted to take yet another scenic route on the way home so we mapped a new way and saw some really gorgeous scenery along the Olentangy River through Delaware County - this time from the other side of the river than the way we came in. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJrpgEKBiTBepLK6VQmtRNgGLxgENPlO97AAy7e2fdXd6WlPrtto1Sb74pA-XV0t-2vbuXE-jxc3WPhpXkwFCwmCHrR2uD7DFB4S3yVFtIF58rPn0nkMWQ1gCeHxrXIgkFsIiuxoenqU/s1600/12742006_10205680232789064_4618123083031666593_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJrpgEKBiTBepLK6VQmtRNgGLxgENPlO97AAy7e2fdXd6WlPrtto1Sb74pA-XV0t-2vbuXE-jxc3WPhpXkwFCwmCHrR2uD7DFB4S3yVFtIF58rPn0nkMWQ1gCeHxrXIgkFsIiuxoenqU/s640/12742006_10205680232789064_4618123083031666593_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Bridge across the river was flanked by an old railroad bridge that was now converted into a walking trail. It was really beautiful in person.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9E_Bxw4mKmR1Pue5fDNzFopBmI5msOOHJmhyp3Tc2JSjZcd_qsLQsjNfAe0BRtJwmM_c9ZXfTImi3cHSyXpFe9ncG1gxgUVW-rn9Gf6HQgDlgC-iR0hFHBq7HdiklnJRdO7QMNUv70FQ/s1600/12654396_10205680232309052_2360670077362329074_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9E_Bxw4mKmR1Pue5fDNzFopBmI5msOOHJmhyp3Tc2JSjZcd_qsLQsjNfAe0BRtJwmM_c9ZXfTImi3cHSyXpFe9ncG1gxgUVW-rn9Gf6HQgDlgC-iR0hFHBq7HdiklnJRdO7QMNUv70FQ/s640/12654396_10205680232309052_2360670077362329074_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>I feel like this should be an advertisement for Land Rover - ha! Maybe I could get some incentives...are you listening my local dealership - <a href="http://www.jaguarcincinnati.com/" target="_blank">Cincinnati LR</a>?! :)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ64VmHHtfzkwwvU0a7CV76u1JSE7-EYnAQ8KZeWwsFblfYTbBZRjjAW_uIhzHFxUQ1PGXGNal1Psv9nhAad0GEz_xiK7UtyyT6LYdRMGzC10k0yaKkn93BtDe6LbJHO6gjD28m0ktNKU/s1600/12688387_10205680233189074_3497010316272546042_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ64VmHHtfzkwwvU0a7CV76u1JSE7-EYnAQ8KZeWwsFblfYTbBZRjjAW_uIhzHFxUQ1PGXGNal1Psv9nhAad0GEz_xiK7UtyyT6LYdRMGzC10k0yaKkn93BtDe6LbJHO6gjD28m0ktNKU/s640/12688387_10205680233189074_3497010316272546042_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>The Olentangy River to our right.... There were stunning homes and estates ranging from 100+ year old farmsteads to brand new construction for miles along this river.</i></div>
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We took a leisurely pace on our way home too and made a final stop at the<a href="http://www.tangeroutlet.com/jeffersonville" target="_blank"> Tanger Outlets</a> about an hour and a half from home so that I could get some orange creams and raspberry creams from <a href="https://www.rmcf.com/" target="_blank">Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory</a>! I haven't had these in a couple of years and was so excited to be passing by during hours they were open. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkbW2DsDtbXKLmF41l0LdCNTADfqKD6EydONDImllCZCx6zqldt9qpx2rgP_CX9LCD3pO2-RTUc_OeVzf_UdyipjoNHBztDL4XSTfXDYfuJh3wEeAsKn6FLQZgpXaZmXiWNi6l9causU/s1600/12734153_10205680225148873_8127587932153928136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkbW2DsDtbXKLmF41l0LdCNTADfqKD6EydONDImllCZCx6zqldt9qpx2rgP_CX9LCD3pO2-RTUc_OeVzf_UdyipjoNHBztDL4XSTfXDYfuJh3wEeAsKn6FLQZgpXaZmXiWNi6l9causU/s400/12734153_10205680225148873_8127587932153928136_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Some of the most delicious chocolate creams are in the is bag! I can never decide on my favorite flavor. When I eat an orange cream I swear it is the best, but then when I eat a raspberry cream I always exclaim that is the favorite. This time I even bought one milk chocolate covered caramel. I haven't tried it yet, but I have a feeling there may be a new favorite :)</i></div>
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And then we arrived home just in time to take the family out to dinner at our favorite local Mexican place before coming home to enjoy some homemade "brookie" cake and my beautiful family singing me "Happy Birthday"! :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3CiMg_8sxFXI0qzDeGcSIpXHcGVlod4mMPVUlWP5fS4f_SLjxlrMu2Mbsbm7GuLIQ1lRGcLFAP8oLmC-73oyyqCdcRUJ2OO0ISQKt0LDXmxF_vHECiQ3muWzqSLtNz9PDtSVhZYeGjk/s1600/12742159_10205676329611487_8165075476527371965_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3CiMg_8sxFXI0qzDeGcSIpXHcGVlod4mMPVUlWP5fS4f_SLjxlrMu2Mbsbm7GuLIQ1lRGcLFAP8oLmC-73oyyqCdcRUJ2OO0ISQKt0LDXmxF_vHECiQ3muWzqSLtNz9PDtSVhZYeGjk/s640/12742159_10205676329611487_8165075476527371965_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Look at this amazing group! From left to right: Lily (3yrs), Morgan (our au pair), Max (12yrs), Gabby (3yrs), Parker (9 yrs), Tanner (14 yrs) and Derek (my incredible husband!).....singing before I blow out the candles on my famous (infamous?) birthday **"brookie" cake! </i></div>
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**this is a homemade chocolate chip cookie and brownie cake that I top with my own homemade vanilla frosting. I have made a version of this for years for almost everyone's birthday. It is almost always the requested treat by all of my kids in one version or another. One of them likes it "double doozie" style (vanilla frosting in-between two layers of chocolate chip cookie cake). Another likes just chocolate chip cookie cake with vanilla and milk chocolate frosting decorating it. Another one likes it like this with half brownie and half chocolate chip cookie where the middle overlaps and you half a section of "half & half" topped with vanilla frosting. The options are almost endless and we LOVE these! This one was gluten free and totally amazing!!! :)</h4>
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Okay, so that wraps up our completely relaxing, seriously fun and adventures romantic birthday celebration night away. Now for THE GIVEAWAY! </div>
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I have for you a $50 gift certificate to use toward a two-night stay at <a href="http://www.hideawayinn.com/" target="_blank">Hide Away Country Inn</a> good for anytime until Feb. 2017 courtesy of Hide Away Country Inn!</div>
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All you have to do to win is like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fourseasonsstyleblog/?ref=hl" target="_blank">Four Seasons Style Facebook page</a> and either leave a comment here or on Facebook or private message me on Facebook letting me know you would like to win the contest. </div>
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I will draw one lucky RANDOM winner on Valentine's Day (it is the day of romance and love) and announce it here by Tuesday morning so check back! </div>
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Thanks for reading and I hope you have a wonderful weekend of love! </div>
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XO</div>
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Jessy</div>
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Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-80746641531210574382016-02-07T13:10:00.000-08:002016-02-12T07:54:06.854-08:00Face Care Essentials - P.M. routine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello again and welcome to Part 2 of my Face Care Essentials (P.M. edition)! If you missed Part 1 (A.M. edition) you can view it<a href="http://fourseasonsstyle.blogspot.com/2016/02/face-care-essentials-am-routine.html" target="_blank"> here</a>. </div>
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So let's just get right into it!</div>
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<b><u>Night Time</u></b></div>
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<b>1. Exfoliate:</b> After the day's worth of grime I just can't wait to really clean and scrub the junk off and out of my face. To do this I exfoliate. I use one of two methods. I will either use my face wash (listed in <a href="http://fourseasonsstyle.blogspot.com/2016/02/face-care-essentials-am-routine.html" target="_blank">Morning routine)</a> with my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Clarisonic-Mia-3-Pink/dp/B00YCY8DG8/ref=sr_1_3?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1454700750&sr=1-3&keywords=clarisonic+mia+3" target="_blank">Clarisonic</a> brush again or I will use a cream exfoliating wash. My current favorite is also from Peaches - Peaches Perfecting Polish. It also has essentials oils in it which I think is a great bonus for your skin and works well to destroy bacteria gently. <span style="text-align: center;">Your face literally glows after using this. <i>Note that a little goes a long way with this so you don't need to use a ton and it will last you forever!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0-wOmwypNAJefmibzJ_KhntLNTwacbz0HBsG4TC5gCJI20MXugNIKXESsu_NmOVhhIDZlJmcAST0J-O-Zze4Sb-D3TpcpZAX_i-6BtV75_-TX1yUg-rvnsR2AmxM-H2xRiTiL28Vo-k/s1600/PerfectingPolish_380x570__88103.1423626315.1280.1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0-wOmwypNAJefmibzJ_KhntLNTwacbz0HBsG4TC5gCJI20MXugNIKXESsu_NmOVhhIDZlJmcAST0J-O-Zze4Sb-D3TpcpZAX_i-6BtV75_-TX1yUg-rvnsR2AmxM-H2xRiTiL28Vo-k/s320/PerfectingPolish_380x570__88103.1423626315.1280.1280.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://peachesskincare.com/perfecting-polish/" target="_blank">Peaches Skin Care Perfecting Polish ($28)</a></b></div>
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<b>2. Face Mask: </b>I do a mask pretty much every night. Yes, I know this is time consuming and you may be balking at this step and saying "there is no way I have time for this every night!". Okay, I get it. SO maybe just do a couple of nights a week to start with. I promise you though once you start to see the results you may decide, as I did, that you WANT to take the time to do it every night. I rotate my routine between 3 different masks. Don't laugh at the first one - it's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Phillips-Original-Magnesia-Liquid-12-Ounce/dp/B000GFZ12G" target="_blank">Milk of Magnesia</a> (be sure to use the "Original flavor"). You read that right. I use antacid to mask my face. Okay, stay with me here! MOM has a very basic pH level while your skin's pH is very acidic. For this reason, using MOM ask a mask (specifically in very oily areas on your face - think "T-Zone") can help to clear out some of the bad bacteria and oil that builds up in your skin. You can even use it by applying it directly to a pimple as you first see it appearing and then leaving it on overnight. When you wake you may notice it has reduced noticeably or gone all together! I would be concerned with using it all over your face because of the pH effect and fearing it could be very "aging". This is why I use it only in my t-zone area or specifically on a pimple. </div>
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I also use <a href="http://peachesskincare.com/peaches-miracle-mask/" target="_blank">Peaches Miracle Mask</a> and use this in all the areas I don't use MOM. Miracle Mask contains beeswax and avocado oil which is super hydrating. Because these two mask have very different qualities I will mask with both using the MOM in my oily areas and then Miracle Mask on the areas that tend to be dry. After about 10 minutes I will rinse them off and viola - gorgeously glowing skin! :)</div>
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One more thing worth mentioning about MOM is that I have heard it makes a great make-up primer. I know it works to control oil production but I do worry about whether the pH balance on your face it negatively affected by wearing it all day? I thought it should be mentioned though. I would be fairly certain that if you use a primer now that using MOM instead is probably a better choice for your skin health. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCAFB1HX83nsCUI9fymBmT9Q2C1qsXyto-S-qVVuCER9809DJRQ_2jLF_KeCl0tSw3Zpkr_W83DnipvYgXzcVLG5jETjYJlbqd2SLSVNb2XpLbcPUS6Wbt-gUBzrUvdbX42D69LUg_zg/s1600/12670238_10205644452694584_1103928034583154754_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCAFB1HX83nsCUI9fymBmT9Q2C1qsXyto-S-qVVuCER9809DJRQ_2jLF_KeCl0tSw3Zpkr_W83DnipvYgXzcVLG5jETjYJlbqd2SLSVNb2XpLbcPUS6Wbt-gUBzrUvdbX42D69LUg_zg/s400/12670238_10205644452694584_1103928034583154754_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Phillips-Original-Magnesia-Liquid-12-Ounce/dp/B000GFZ12G/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454696602&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=milk+of+magensia" target="_blank">Milk of Magnesia (-$5)</a></b></div>
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<i>*I apply this by Shaking the bottle well, pouring a little into the plastic sup that comes with the product and applying it to my face with a make-up brush as you see in the pic above. I then wash the cup back out and place it back on the bottle for next time. No refrigeration required so it can stay right in your bathroom :)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0OCvNxAZwehUBEccC2mDPul85E5JucJX6ngI8iJA9dDXhpNZosrT1DVeLygVvQ3fiUL4mNwddH9ILN1H1U4x_EF6qZtkj71JgsoZpgPmLX4CX3AXSevqJ3opwXzZIcDGzcd7o_YgyOE/s1600/MiracleMask_380x570__14997.1423626419.1280.1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0OCvNxAZwehUBEccC2mDPul85E5JucJX6ngI8iJA9dDXhpNZosrT1DVeLygVvQ3fiUL4mNwddH9ILN1H1U4x_EF6qZtkj71JgsoZpgPmLX4CX3AXSevqJ3opwXzZIcDGzcd7o_YgyOE/s320/MiracleMask_380x570__14997.1423626419.1280.1280.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://peachesskincare.com/peaches-miracle-mask/" target="_blank">Peaches Skin Care Miracle Mask ($29)</a></b></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">And the final one I LOVE LOVE LOVE is </span><a href="https://alituranaturals.com/product/alitura-clay-mask/" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Alitura Naturals Clay Mask</a><span style="text-align: start;">. I think every girl needs a good clay mask to use regularly on their skin - every girl! This is truly the most amazing mask I have ever used. My skin looks years younger and literally GLOWS after I use this. It is a true "miracle"product and is 100% organic, natural and made with holistic and sustainable products. Buy it and use it now and thank me later! :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-G3Z2SGGwxTllI8zNHPG-kwwRubmxBBwwAAzVEZqhIosyZyKAma3E5ySJCkSBnzhaTP9D1TcK1RD0zAik-2qcmKnMhSTmbJIM8VgNhzzewD1_Ix7R3qHxqbnYneVu2bL6COdqXh2a_U/s1600/the_clay_mask-square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-G3Z2SGGwxTllI8zNHPG-kwwRubmxBBwwAAzVEZqhIosyZyKAma3E5ySJCkSBnzhaTP9D1TcK1RD0zAik-2qcmKnMhSTmbJIM8VgNhzzewD1_Ix7R3qHxqbnYneVu2bL6COdqXh2a_U/s320/the_clay_mask-square.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://alituranaturals.com/product/alitura-clay-mask/" target="_blank">The Alitura Clay Mask ($59)</a></b></div>
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<b>3. Toner:</b> Refer back to this step in the <a href="http://fourseasonsstyle.blogspot.com/2016/02/face-care-essentials-am-routine.html" target="_blank">A.M. routine here.</a> I do this step right after whatever mask I have just used and rinsed off. </div>
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<b>4. Retinol Treatment: </b>For this step I actually alternate between a retinoid (vitmain A) product from Peaches Skin Care called <a href="http://peachesskincare.com/retinol-night-creme/" target="_blank">Retinol Night Creme</a> and a skin brightening serum from Peaches Skin Care called <a href="http://peachesskincare.com/luminescent-lifting-serum/" target="_blank">Luminescent Lifting Serum</a> (which has skin powerhouse CoQ-10!) to get the results I am looking for. Using a retinol product is great not only for acne (as it was originally FDA approved for) but also for ramped up collagen product and cell turnover which results in brighter and tighter skin with less wrinkles - awesome! :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFDK3yxoOc-PAZ5KUZtyfrwn3yC9C8g6UjkWu_zYoJSkN3Q2quKq6q3HLq95rT7LNOEWibkgbnMQ3acyIc-yNHN24CxGm0XvUaHHcZ4MUH6kUOwdMb-4f2qm8FWQ7cpbZv0aPfm4TUMQ/s1600/LiftingSerum_380x570__24317.1423627737.1280.1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFDK3yxoOc-PAZ5KUZtyfrwn3yC9C8g6UjkWu_zYoJSkN3Q2quKq6q3HLq95rT7LNOEWibkgbnMQ3acyIc-yNHN24CxGm0XvUaHHcZ4MUH6kUOwdMb-4f2qm8FWQ7cpbZv0aPfm4TUMQ/s320/LiftingSerum_380x570__24317.1423627737.1280.1280.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://peachesskincare.com/luminescent-lifting-serum/" target="_blank"><b>Peaches Skin Care Luminescent Lifting Serum ($29)</b></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hUQmowPKSCSpI1PoAPGnSn2QXPKYfRMdRc8uWLHCgZtHVmJs2I6roMhLtVpeVXa72GAME_KUedZ9VoKEhtoAsiP9LpY17GAE9EnyxEBUtWs-EPIzdhz61ohAGLxVS6kuued6rp3b8Wc/s1600/RetinolNightCream_380x570__51597.1423627107.1280.1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hUQmowPKSCSpI1PoAPGnSn2QXPKYfRMdRc8uWLHCgZtHVmJs2I6roMhLtVpeVXa72GAME_KUedZ9VoKEhtoAsiP9LpY17GAE9EnyxEBUtWs-EPIzdhz61ohAGLxVS6kuued6rp3b8Wc/s320/RetinolNightCream_380x570__51597.1423627107.1280.1280.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://peachesskincare.com/luminescent-lifting-serum/" target="_blank"><b>Peaches Skin Care Retinol Night Creme ($36)</b></a></div>
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<b>5. Moisturize:</b> Refer back to <a href="http://fourseasonsstyle.blogspot.com/2016/02/face-care-essentials-am-routine.html" target="_blank">this step in the A.M.</a>here - I add this just before heading to bed. </div>
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<b>EXTRAS</b></div>
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Okay, so now that you know my a.m. and p.m. routines I want to share with you the "extras" that come into play from time to time. </div>
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<li><b>Baking Soda </b>- I keep an airtight/watertight container of this in my shower (so that the powder stays dry). When I shower, after washing my face, I will put a little of the baking soda in my hand and mix a little water into it so it's a paste. It can then be applied with a circular motion to any areas that you have a breakout of specifically milia (those little white bumps that form in clusters and never go away). I typically get those on my chin so that it was I apply it. Because of baking soda's high alkalinity I avoid using it all over my face (I have seen it recommended other places as a great all over face wash, but I am not so sure about that being a great idea unless you have acne covered skin and even then I think you need to start elsewhere). I do think there is great benefit in using it to help clean up some of the "problem areas" though and have seen a reduction in those issues in my own skin. </li>
<li><b>Clean & Clear persa-gel 10 - </b>This was recommended to me to use by a dermatologist as a much better acne spot treatment than any of the expensive or prescription versions that they could sell me. I will use it on the occasional blemish. It truly does banish the blemish very quickly and without over drying. See the picture below and click <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Clean-Clear-Persa-Gel-Strength-Medication/dp/B001E96LXQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1454876874&sr=1-4&keywords=persagel" target="_blank">here to buy on-line</a>. </li>
<li><b>Primal Life Organics Banished Blemish Serum </b>- this is an organic blend of natural products including essential oils for targeting acne. I prefer this to the above listed product. It will get rid of any size acne or blemish very very quickly. I only use this product at night by dabbing it on affected area lightly after my complete night time routine (meaning this is the last thing I apply before bed). The bottle will last you FOREVER because it only takes a very tiny bit for a blemish. And once you start on this skin care routine you will find that you will rarely have a blemish to treat :) See picture below and <a href="http://www.primallifeorganics.com/collections/facial-products/products/banished-primal-blemish-serum-0-5-oz-1" target="_blank">click here to buy on-line.</a> </li>
<li><b>Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules</b> - great skin starts inside first and is very often is a clear sign of your gut health and balance of good internal bacteria. The two are in direct connection! If you know the role that ACV plays in your internal health and realize it has many health benefits, but just wasn't sure how to take it internally then this is your answer! If your like me you may not be able to stomach taking a tablespoon a day (generally recommended dose for digestive health) then this is also a super good option for you. I take about 4 grams a day which is typically 2-3 (500-650mg) capsules twice a day (a.m. & p.m.). See picture below and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Potency-Apple-Vinegar-Swanson-Ultra/dp/B002CHH8OK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454877960&sr=8-1&keywords=organic+apple+cider+vinegar+pills" target="_blank">click here to buy on-line</a>. </li>
<li><b>Apple Cider Vinegar (with <i><u>"the mother"</u></i>) </b>- and of course, as I mentioned in the <a href="http://fourseasonsstyle.blogspot.com/2016/02/face-care-essentials-am-routine.html" target="_blank">A.M. routine</a>, this is an important resource for face health! You want to make sure you are using an organic apple cider vinegar with "the mother" (that chalky, stringy looking gunk at the bottom of the bottle) because that is where all the nutrients and live bacteria that you WANT hang out! </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xkRWIy8o7Lr4Bje5AkwhoXYlWdVwvFJ5VPHKpJBMjL-nNPTHbVtRSLe29opg-p008g-H-9IBGBdK1t3Gbu4sKUwBq7n8iVkH3Qgvwmw0MPMEefQY_Vg2-tqVd2al7NwSVzn9GBSDIOU/s1600/6184BEV36DL._SY679_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xkRWIy8o7Lr4Bje5AkwhoXYlWdVwvFJ5VPHKpJBMjL-nNPTHbVtRSLe29opg-p008g-H-9IBGBdK1t3Gbu4sKUwBq7n8iVkH3Qgvwmw0MPMEefQY_Vg2-tqVd2al7NwSVzn9GBSDIOU/s400/6184BEV36DL._SY679_.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Clean-Clear-Persa-Gel-Strength-Medication/dp/B001E96LXQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1454876874&sr=1-4&keywords=persagel" target="_blank">Clean & Clear persa-gel 10 ($26)</a></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMj9sNTkmHH2KYgLipH8h6YLBa420ik4Z4JIIYYlm-6wwrDZS5PWbbvXt-9zd-HOAMVgI7DLEfvM0l3PV_vVsfBw3tNnZRaj2THx2V236PeyR-XuCRsJBHohLoDYdkSu-MytJGkShdaI/s1600/banished_serum1_fa977477-e8e4-4014-858e-e22d0cf7c8e9_1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMj9sNTkmHH2KYgLipH8h6YLBa420ik4Z4JIIYYlm-6wwrDZS5PWbbvXt-9zd-HOAMVgI7DLEfvM0l3PV_vVsfBw3tNnZRaj2THx2V236PeyR-XuCRsJBHohLoDYdkSu-MytJGkShdaI/s320/banished_serum1_fa977477-e8e4-4014-858e-e22d0cf7c8e9_1024x1024.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.primallifeorganics.com/collections/facial-products/products/banished-primal-blemish-serum-0-5-oz-1" target="_blank">Primal Life Organics Banished Blemish Serum ($55)</a></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SkDsPBDefkuuqccgi-hFAHPRDzKinVbIb4JN2edQ9RnBSIrSbWUa7A_f1Qjy1LMf3G7RlZW77goGCK86D-iKPHJjIecXGRQGJP27eTk7eTQ9f-aErNRuMC_5CK1O75h1nbUqEbDQ6Ds/s1600/81Anq1wt8xL._SY679_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SkDsPBDefkuuqccgi-hFAHPRDzKinVbIb4JN2edQ9RnBSIrSbWUa7A_f1Qjy1LMf3G7RlZW77goGCK86D-iKPHJjIecXGRQGJP27eTk7eTQ9f-aErNRuMC_5CK1O75h1nbUqEbDQ6Ds/s400/81Anq1wt8xL._SY679_.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Potency-Apple-Vinegar-Swanson-Ultra/dp/B002CHH8OK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454877960&sr=8-1&keywords=organic+apple+cider+vinegar+pills" target="_blank">Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules ($18)</a></i></b></div>
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Okay, I think that pretty much wraps it up! That was enough, right?! I hope that there was something (or maybe many things!) that you found helpful and you will be able to use to help with your skin health. </div>
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Do you have experiences with any of the things I have mentioned or have recommendations that you would like to pass along? I would love to hear them if you do so please don't hesitate to leave a comment below. </div>
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Thanks for reading! </div>
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XO </div>
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Jessy </div>
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Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-38116395729349882042016-02-05T13:08:00.000-08:002016-02-05T13:16:36.480-08:00Face Care Essentials - A.M. routineHappy Friday and welcome to my blog! <br />
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So today I am going to share with you my face care routine. In order to not make this post super super long (it is already very long!) I am going to split this up into a morning and evening routines based post. I should warn you that a lot goes into my routines AND most of the products are not able to be picked up on local retail selves - sorry! I KNOW it is a major pain in the butt.....(sigh), but at least everything I list here can be ordered online and that can be a bonus!<br />
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A couple of years ago I did a post much like this but the products I used were SO different. I mean really really different. I used to base my use of skin care products and makeup by popularity or what a celebrity was endorsing - not so uncommon, right? The problem was that my skin never got any better and I was always on the hunt for the next product that could make up for what the previous products lacked. I thought my skin was getting worse partially because I was getting older so every year I was just going to have to "try harder" or buy more products or spend more money or start doing in depth procedures to get the results I wanted. I had wrinkles, dry patches, oily patches, breakouts at least once per month, lots of milia (little white bumps) on my chin and sometimes my cheeks and probably worse of all, my dark skin patches and spots (hyper pigmentation) were getting worse and worse. I could clearly see these things every time I looked in the mirror or even a picture of myself. I knew at 30-something I did not want to have all these skin issues and if I didn't do something by 50-something I would look much older than my years.<br />
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The one day, by chance, I had been listening to a natural health podcaster that I listen to pretty regularly when they had a guest on, Trina Felber, who was talking about her new book, Beauty's Dirty Secret. While I was listening to her it just all started to click....my skin care and beauty care routines really mattered to my health and the health of my skin!<br />
I had been changing my family's diet and my own diet over the last few years and we were seeing the enormous health benefits of it, but what I hadn't really considered was our personal care and beauty products. It was a big "DUH!" for me. I had noticed certain things get better with my skin since making the changes in what I was eating but had become frustrated when those positive changes stalled or reversed. Now I was realizes it wasn't just about what I was putting in my body but I needed to pay attention to what I put ON it as well. I bought Trina's book. Read it in a couple of days and things have been looking up ever since :)<br />
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Check out this book - it is life changing!<br />
<a href="http://www.primallifeorganics.com/products/beautys-dirty-secret" target="_blank"><b><i>Beauty's Dirty Secret</i></b></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6p8J3iqmv-famRBgjNxc4JtomGd3qMgijR_F2o6WCqsV7rP2k5qiUaIjjBGpFtYBgFRZ6fQxyRIV79roIZ0dRkayttXYYNnunrr9xI18InLaV-KqAh1m2p0Sb2W9FExkn6OvVN_dAyo/s1600/51jvC4ixSgL._SX322_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6p8J3iqmv-famRBgjNxc4JtomGd3qMgijR_F2o6WCqsV7rP2k5qiUaIjjBGpFtYBgFRZ6fQxyRIV79roIZ0dRkayttXYYNnunrr9xI18InLaV-KqAh1m2p0Sb2W9FExkn6OvVN_dAyo/s400/51jvC4ixSgL._SX322_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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In the months since I began changing my skin care routine and products I have noticed big changes in my skin - and I'm not the only one. I have had friends and maybe most amazingly, my husband, (I say this because I can cut 4 inches off my hair and he won't notice, but he noticed my skin before anyone else did!) say that my skin looks great. I have been with my husband for the past 22 years and he has told me in recent months that my "skin has never looked better"! Really...never?! That's amazing since we have been together since I was a teen, but he is right, It has truly never looked better and it's the first time in my life I have not been slathering chemicals on my skin!</div>
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I really want to share with you what I use, why and how so that you can start to see what a difference it can make in your life, too. I know it's hard to give up the products we are currently using even if we don't really feel like they are working. We <i>want</i> them to work. We have <i>faith</i> they will work. And we are seduced by the pop culture that tells us this is what all the <i>beautiful</i> people use. Please trust me when I tell you if you move away from the chemical products your skin will get better. Just take baby steps. If you don't want to trash everything tomorrow then just try a couple of things for a while and see the difference. I think you will become convinced and you will replace the rest of it quickly. </div>
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Okay, so for my routine, here is what I use: </div>
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(please know that I am not being endorsed for the mention of or your purchase of ANY of the products in this post!)</div>
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<b><u>Morning</u></b></div>
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<b>1. Face Wash:</b> I have three products I like and use on a rotation. First is <a href="http://www.primallifeorganics.com/collections/facial-products/products/bare-primal" target="_blank">Primal Life Organics BARE Face Wash. </a> I really can't say enough good things about this face wash. This was the very first thing I changed and man did it make a difference right away. The smell, texture and color may be strange to you at first, but the results will make you a believer!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0XwMAfGyrwTtJxvPv_fdf2jtFemQVk-JQj8hmBNVX4cOml2WTmrSMfBc6hLPSnq_Z3jmceABB9tHh1GbL2dZD3EhfIM_RgnCiQ0jd9bVQws95w_-hQHN-QW3AMVV3rNWMOg3w5KqTWs/s1600/11_zps89ln1rxu_1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0XwMAfGyrwTtJxvPv_fdf2jtFemQVk-JQj8hmBNVX4cOml2WTmrSMfBc6hLPSnq_Z3jmceABB9tHh1GbL2dZD3EhfIM_RgnCiQ0jd9bVQws95w_-hQHN-QW3AMVV3rNWMOg3w5KqTWs/s320/11_zps89ln1rxu_1024x1024.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.primallifeorganics.com/collections/facial-products/products/bare-primal" target="_blank">Primal Life Organics BARE Face Wash ($26)</a></b></div>
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Not long after I began going the more natural route with my skin care I was introduced to a new skin care spa in our area called "Peaches Skin Care". It was opened by Lisa Pfeiffer, who had started the company (and their flagship store) in southern California before opening her second store here in Montgomery, OH. I noticed a difference in my skin immediately after the first facial at Peaches and have been going back ever since. I use many (almost all) of their products and will show you many of them in this post. You can order them online and I will link those below. </div>
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I like this particular cleanser because it full of antioxidants - many of which are known to help with reversing signs of aging like dark spots which I have had for years. My skin's hyper pigmentation has faded so much that I no longer wear any foundation - ever! Considering 6 months ago I would barely go anywhere (even the gym) without some kind of foundation - at least a tinted bb cream - this is a very big deal! I know that the use of Peaches Skin Care line and going to their salon monthly for a facial has really contributed to that. All of there products are geared toward helping with hyper pigmentation and other common skin issues. </div>
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<b><a href="http://peachesskincare.com/classic-cleanser/" target="_blank">Peaches Classic Cleanser ($26)</a></b> - I use this every morning with my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Clarisonic-Mia-3-Pink/dp/B00YCY8DG8/ref=sr_1_3?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1454700750&sr=1-3&keywords=clarisonic+mia+3" target="_blank">Clarisonic brush</a>. </div>
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And the other cleansing product that I really love it from Dr. Trevor Cates new skin care line Daily Essentials System called <a href="http://store.thespadr.com/products/gentle-cleanser" target="_blank">Clear</a>. It is an amazing product and the most pure cleanser that works hard to maintain your ideal pH level on your skin with essential oils and incredible extracts that your skin will just drink up! </div>
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One of the best parts of this product is that the ingredients are grown, harvested and manufactured in the UK which has very high standards that must be followed for beauty products. Something that the US does not have...unfortunately. It helps you to know that these products entire ingredient lists must be shared with you (yes, that's right the products produced in the US do not have to give you an entire ingredient list!) and they must be grown and harvested with some pretty strict standards that are designed to keep them safe for human and animal use, in addition to not being harmful to the environment. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzV-eVGp-QoblZ0KgHP0kKNQUzlS8aE1bqeTD05s4snoRyhUuU1GL1nzMAqyRAj6BU5-a8TUX5TuPn9B2T2X9cR5Na4t8-20vlaiB9206EJoWkk874lSxVK0sxKRs0JBxzR2LmyrHxLUU/s1600/the-spa-dr-clear-gentle-cleanser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzV-eVGp-QoblZ0KgHP0kKNQUzlS8aE1bqeTD05s4snoRyhUuU1GL1nzMAqyRAj6BU5-a8TUX5TuPn9B2T2X9cR5Na4t8-20vlaiB9206EJoWkk874lSxVK0sxKRs0JBxzR2LmyrHxLUU/s400/the-spa-dr-clear-gentle-cleanser.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://store.thespadr.com/products/gentle-cleanser" target="_blank">The Spa Doctor Daily Essentials Clear cleanser </a>($40)</b></div>
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<b>2. Toner: </b>I think this is a super important step that is often overlooked because we just don't understand why it's needed. Basically our skin has a pH balance that is knocked out of whack every time we clean it with an alkaline cleanser (pretty much all over the counter products in our drug stores or cosmetic stores) making it ramp up oil production and cause all kinds of cascading issues from there. We have to clean our skin so what do we do? </div>
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Well, we can start by using one of the cleansers I have listed above which are very pH balanced and we can also use a toner after cleansing. Even if you are using a great pH balanced cleanser, a toner after cleansing helps to close up the pores on our skin to protect them from becoming filled with the days grime and dirt - bonus! If you don't want to buy a toner or just want to try the completely natural route you can use Apple Cider Vinegar, lemon juice or even cucumber juice. Put some on a cotton ball and gently wipe it on your face after cleansing being careful to avoid the eye area. </div>
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I personally love to use ACV to restore the proper pH balance on my skin and removes harmful bacteria that can lead to breakouts. It is important to only use organic, raw and unfiltered ACV such as Bragg's. It also contains the "mother" which is a living organism teaming with helpful active ingredients and bacteria for your skin. This is where all the benefits come. I apply this typically at night, but you can use it a.m. and p.m. if you would like. I keep the Bragg's ACV on my bathroom vanity (no refrigeration required) and to use it I just shake the bottle well, apply some directly to a cotton ball and apply to my entire face (keep it away from your eyes). It does smell (this is why I typically only use it at night) and it may burn a little as it comes in contact with any skin impurities. You may want to dilute it with water the first few times you use it until you get used to it. I would allow the ACV to sit on your face for 10 minutes before applying any moisturizers, make-ups, etc.</div>
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<b><a href="https://bragg.com/products/bragg-organic-apple-cider-vinegar.html" target="_blank">Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar ($4)</a></b></div>
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If you prefer to purchase a pH balancing toner that smells good and feels good then I highly recommend the one from Peaches Skin Care. Their<a href="http://peachesskincare.com/perfect-ph-toner/" target="_blank"> Perfect pH Toner</a> comes in a spray bottle and you can lightly mist it on throughout the day even to refresh your skin if needed between washing. I take this in a carry on size bottle when I fly anywhere and always mist my face with it a few times throughout the flight and then after I have landed. It really keeps your face from drying out or becoming too oily during a flight and your skin just looks and feels so much better.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbuZ4IaVk1iVdY07kvgv7GejOpYFtxEgtzNjyhshhsiOvAjN-CoSS9A7X3ZKzKZBBeDuVu17_CG-kX05yJvRmVNYkXA3ByEdVCx1rWVnWbxvGYb5tc8LxrdQPmKKMeoPO-eNp8saXdxg/s1600/PerfectPHToner_380x570__26234.1423627141.380.380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbuZ4IaVk1iVdY07kvgv7GejOpYFtxEgtzNjyhshhsiOvAjN-CoSS9A7X3ZKzKZBBeDuVu17_CG-kX05yJvRmVNYkXA3ByEdVCx1rWVnWbxvGYb5tc8LxrdQPmKKMeoPO-eNp8saXdxg/s400/PerfectPHToner_380x570__26234.1423627141.380.380.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://peachesskincare.com/perfect-ph-toner/" target="_blank">Peaches Skin Care Perfect pH Toner ($22)</a></b></div>
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<b>3. Moisturizer:</b> Even if you have oily skin it is very important to moisturize your skin. Your skin needs the nourishment and "drink" to continue to turn over cells and look healthy and hydrated. I have a two products that I like a lot. One I have been using for a while is <a href="http://peachesskincare.com/signature-firming-creme/" target="_blank"> Peaches Signature Firming Creme</a>. Lately I have also been turned onto <a href="http://store.thespadr.com/products/enriched-moisturizer" target="_blank">The Spa Dr. Enriched Moisturizer</a> and really love this product. </div>
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I have been so happy with all the other Peaches products and when I couple that with the cost savings over other products I have used in the past I just can't see a reason not to continue using them. On the other hand the Spa Dr. Essential line is truly made with the most incredible and completely organic ingredients while the price is still minimally to moderately priced. I will try each for a month before making a decision and will update you once I have my results. If you use either of these or do after reading this post please let me know what you think! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcmHnBzbeObh3VaD7hgnB9aKlrOVMILsY2KcNLc5kzCh-pP-tZAMDLMkYgf1GAfiQDC5oGw6ET_i1RlLaFIKfy1_bEYHcPyz_SQt24D5PtJo6ph_7NIG5iWiy-HUTYqKnCjgDrS-obU4/s1600/the-spa-dr-renew-moisturizer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcmHnBzbeObh3VaD7hgnB9aKlrOVMILsY2KcNLc5kzCh-pP-tZAMDLMkYgf1GAfiQDC5oGw6ET_i1RlLaFIKfy1_bEYHcPyz_SQt24D5PtJo6ph_7NIG5iWiy-HUTYqKnCjgDrS-obU4/s400/the-spa-dr-renew-moisturizer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://store.thespadr.com/products/enriched-moisturizer" target="_blank">The Spa Dr. Enriched Moisturizer ($60)</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7xnwvtSDWTwQgCYd2yJvs8P1wz592EaUT2MvoxR5omD4skxcjiCk0vifeYGUg4_USaLaN5mzdiqvRr9_8W5mBGd8EkSLGZ_lRslzvPwOhHkxl5GHk9yh3fn78Do2yEG-yp95PeLQQn0/s1600/FirmingCream_380x570__39258.1423678767.1280.1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7xnwvtSDWTwQgCYd2yJvs8P1wz592EaUT2MvoxR5omD4skxcjiCk0vifeYGUg4_USaLaN5mzdiqvRr9_8W5mBGd8EkSLGZ_lRslzvPwOhHkxl5GHk9yh3fn78Do2yEG-yp95PeLQQn0/s400/FirmingCream_380x570__39258.1423678767.1280.1280.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://peachesskincare.com/signature-firming-creme/" target="_blank">Peaches Skin Care Signature Firming Creme</a> ($29)</b></div>
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So that pretty much wraps up my A.M. face care routine. The much more "complicated" routine I have is my evening routine. I will follow up this post with my evening care routine so you'll have that as well. </div>
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Before I go I want to leave you with one final thought. It is vitally important to keep your skin care products as natural as possible which many of you may know, but what you may not know is that it is just as important to make sure that the products you are using as mildly acidic - like the ones I have listed in this post. Research shows that it is that delicate pH balance on our skin that goes hand in hand with skin issues like acne, rosacea, eczema and so many more. And your pH balance is also the number one thing that keeps our skin looking youthful and this is affected by want we ingest, as well as, what we put on topically. As we age our skin becomes more alkaline and that is an environment that can lead to our skin drying out and allowing the formation of wrinkles and discoloration just to name a couple of common concerns. </div>
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I really hope that this post was helpful to you and you learned something maybe you had never known or thought about before. </div>
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I would love to hear your thoughts and comments so please take a minute to let me know what you think.</div>
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Have a great weekend!</div>
Jessy<br />
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Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-54156493799791957332016-01-29T12:20:00.002-08:002016-01-29T12:31:02.066-08:00Weekday Date NightI can't believe it is Friday already...where has the week gone?!<br />
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Well, last night my husband and I had a weekday date night. We try to do these a couple of times a month, actually. It's often the only time during the week that we are actually able to talk uninterrupted during the week (remember we have 5 kiddos so we are super outnumbered at home!).</div>
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I thought I would share my date night outfit with you. It was a very casual date night so it involved some of my very favorite elements: a tunic, boots and leggings. *Gasp* I know, leggings on date night?! Seriously, I thought the same thing but we did a painting class so I thought they would work and I was happy to see 3 other very stylishly dressed ladies at the event also in leggings! :) It would have been far less comfy to sit perched on the stool in front of my canvas in jeans for hours for sure! </div>
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Please do give me some grace for the poor quality selfies in the mirror. The lighting was terrible in the full length mirror in my bedroom so I had to resort to the bathroom - sorry again!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEorNTxQmkcVmVDrJneLEM0Z3oh39l0CJ59ypXZKIRd0D0BNvlNlAZHKFWhNYgtQC2yjLKSe8Ql-JKEWuM8VGtdY6M68AxeUJpW4BvYoay9jzh-65UsZ0c24GlGzIe-4kSiBlLjYfBEdo/s1600/12643032_10205604733981641_4197656532342126425_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEorNTxQmkcVmVDrJneLEM0Z3oh39l0CJ59ypXZKIRd0D0BNvlNlAZHKFWhNYgtQC2yjLKSe8Ql-JKEWuM8VGtdY6M68AxeUJpW4BvYoay9jzh-65UsZ0c24GlGzIe-4kSiBlLjYfBEdo/s640/12643032_10205604733981641_4197656532342126425_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lush-perfect-roll-tab-sleeve-tunic/4014220?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Ivory&resultback=200" target="_blank">Tunic</a>/ <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/hue-ultra-wide-waistband-leggings-regular-plus-size/3177749?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Black&resultback=200" target="_blank">Leggings</a>/ Watch (Fendi "Zip Code" not available) other styles<a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/Fendi/Jewelry-and-Accessories/shop/_/N-1z12vgqZ52floi/Ne-6lvnb6" target="_blank"> here</a>/ Zara Boots (no longer available) similar<a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/sendra-leone-tall-boot-women/3829954?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=8100" target="_blank"> here</a> &<a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/blondoviva-waterprooftall-boot-women/4026731?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Butterscotch+Leather&resultback=2900" target="_blank"> here</a>/ <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/jewelry/necklaces/necklaces-all/sanibel-pendant?color=silver" target="_blank">Stella & Dot Necklace "Sanibel"</a> reversible pendant/ Coat (Loft - sold out) similar <a href="http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/leopard-print-coat/8842.html?utm_source=spring15&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=LINKSHARE&src=A055PERF&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-NGeiSq9lFI5K07JRHECWfg" target="_blank">here</a> & <a href="http://www.simplybe.com/view-all-coats-and-jackets-/leopard-print-coat/invt/je913fa?utm_source=Ebay&utm_medium=Affiliates&utm_content=%5BAffiliate%20ID%5D&utm_campaign=Feed&PROMO=3000&source=pjn&subid=20648&CA_6C15C=120150000000196664" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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Soooo, I did make this work for our mid-week painting date night, but I also love wearing this to pick up the kids, run to the grocery, a quick girl's lunch date, etc. This is such a comfortable and easy outfit to wear and really works almost anywhere :) </div>
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<a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lush-perfect-roll-tab-sleeve-tunic/4014220?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Ivory&resultback=0" target="_blank">This tunic</a> has been featured by about every fashion or style blogger out there so it is nearly sold out, but there are still a FEW sizes and colors available so I wanted to alert you in case you haven' yet heard about it. </div>
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For me it is about a perfect tunic. Even though I am 5'10" you can see that it covers my bottom completely (see above pic)! It is very light weight which I love to have when I wearing a coat because otherwise I start burning up in the car, etc. And really you need it just because it is now on sale for just under $26.00! No kidding!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhES7ujf_U6l1yYJ6KIPtsv1e_TxwO1daHlDTr00gGScch3t8vpBywE_Mqs1YAyQYGK398VW7ZY9cM0YdL7OXpg1QXN-a2XCFxilrDQgxAysP3zocrGQsyfuJzj8cz6ufzCpbjQu2FpAKw/s1600/12321223_10205604739341775_4099908326768888046_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhES7ujf_U6l1yYJ6KIPtsv1e_TxwO1daHlDTr00gGScch3t8vpBywE_Mqs1YAyQYGK398VW7ZY9cM0YdL7OXpg1QXN-a2XCFxilrDQgxAysP3zocrGQsyfuJzj8cz6ufzCpbjQu2FpAKw/s400/12321223_10205604739341775_4099908326768888046_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Note: for size reference mine is a small and I am not a "small" girl. I typically wear a medium in a tunic and sometimes I will go for a large even. I am 5'10" and have a pretty good sized chest so take that into consideration when choosing your size. They do run big.</div>
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Leggings (must get yourself a pair if you haven't already!) and boots are old standards of mine. I LOVE these Zara boots from a few years ago and go back to them time and time again. I own several pairs that are so similar (like the ones I linked above), but these are just a favorite no matter what! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPYSu36PeffREiImLmXMZeIpQqewkkmgiDNPh27g4t_Tz_Xo-qVPWZrMf_8xnqOVKdMcs_xTnIpM-4VHvsFMHLLc1gX9HiUMOKTJkDG3x3WJ9ruiiTg_pNvksWvOiGHULfAJ24CqLvmA/s1600/1915324_10205604739661783_5821509248261123126_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPYSu36PeffREiImLmXMZeIpQqewkkmgiDNPh27g4t_Tz_Xo-qVPWZrMf_8xnqOVKdMcs_xTnIpM-4VHvsFMHLLc1gX9HiUMOKTJkDG3x3WJ9ruiiTg_pNvksWvOiGHULfAJ24CqLvmA/s320/1915324_10205604739661783_5821509248261123126_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My coat was a purchase from Loft a few years ago and I get more compliments on this coat than about any of them in my closet (I have a "few";)! And, it is by far the most comfortable one to wear. The perfect weight, length and cut for me. I referenced a couple above that look very similar since Loft no longer carries this. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3GGNd380KsLMjv5mOBQWEl2iu7gQ8SXwQGfdSpmUJG8MHxYfXgF55O58hrhVBS3o4jsdtaafKS7EesU2-YSBvKZYhzSksz3wISCJQcopEBF8AjZQdSNJFZEHtbQm3ZegldYzlj2Omnc/s1600/10405678_10205604739941790_3262178060074253814_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3GGNd380KsLMjv5mOBQWEl2iu7gQ8SXwQGfdSpmUJG8MHxYfXgF55O58hrhVBS3o4jsdtaafKS7EesU2-YSBvKZYhzSksz3wISCJQcopEBF8AjZQdSNJFZEHtbQm3ZegldYzlj2Omnc/s400/10405678_10205604739941790_3262178060074253814_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oh, my watch. I can't say enough about how much I love this Fendi watch. Although it is no longer available through Fendi you can find similar ones. I have had this for years and it continues to be my favorite one to wear. It dresses up or down easily and I love the size and uniqueness of it. </div>
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And finallly, I wanted to let you see a few pics from the actual date. We spent 2 hours in an art studio, sipping wine, eating cheese and crackers and getting instruction on how to paint the Cincinnati skyline. It was so much fun! BIG points scored by my husband who arranged the entire thing....he did very good :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2NvWZ0-D5s2tf_0gyE6gSDL2lonuBwJe0Le8obS8BZX9yBL-uA_Y261TcW2ZyM_XFWoNDQuhHXUBzL2_GsshqmcJlTUbisoMY2zXz0DgLvDmpUfhE189a18kCUwdMgqqUi9M3Rqlg40/s1600/12662624_10205605062629857_7725366307270024755_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2NvWZ0-D5s2tf_0gyE6gSDL2lonuBwJe0Le8obS8BZX9yBL-uA_Y261TcW2ZyM_XFWoNDQuhHXUBzL2_GsshqmcJlTUbisoMY2zXz0DgLvDmpUfhE189a18kCUwdMgqqUi9M3Rqlg40/s640/12662624_10205605062629857_7725366307270024755_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our station set-up. Instead of going out to dinner before or after we just took our dinner with us. <a href="http://www.mondofood.com/shop/new/bellavitano-merlot-quarter-wheel-by-mondo-food/?gclid=CjwKEAiAuKy1BRCY5bTuvPeopXcSJAAq4OVsPzXnQHp3d67xRX4OmSbr9y78MO6RRQQCYGPW6YKrmhoCTrLw_wcB" target="_blank">Merlot soaked Sartori Bellavitano </a> (Ah-mazing cheese that you must try!), my favorite Genoa Salami (<a href="http://www.gourmet-food.com/gourmet-food/salami-premium-genoa-102927.aspx?gclid=CjwKEAiAuKy1BRCY5bTuvPeopXcSJAAq4OVsnpH_kzy59-sRbVCd4ddUSedhmJhDVw1QSghiu6KMhhoCrfLw_wcB" target="_blank">similar here</a>) and a few of my favorite <a href="https://jet.com/product/detail/22db36162aae4bc2ae2a9cca481565c7?jcmp=pla:ggl:jd_food_beverages_tobacco_a3:food_items_snack_foods_crackers_a3_other:na:na:na:na:na:2&code=PLA15&k_clickid=de039ff8-aa5e-47d3-b850-a9fa21b30b04&abkId=403-170678&gclid=CjwKEAiAuKy1BRCY5bTuvPeopXcSJAAq4OVsUdDMRWUFP-dmCHpAQczlMytgDMOSKYdo3zqoUi6wfRoCKN3w_wcB" target="_blank">Carr's Table Water crakers</a>. Seriously soooooo good!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjob3oeyM08vk9yZVbGi191RRBk5t_1PGVGezlYHU4FDbU6Sg3_Fr-Vjr5NpO1OBnK28HYrXsD1ikZzrmzeDehoyceXBPnMDTfl5zK9_Qgc3nE0-zA4Ya_B6HAw0nccSUb2VtdnJrSREiA/s1600/12662499_10205605063029867_5646310649266337635_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjob3oeyM08vk9yZVbGi191RRBk5t_1PGVGezlYHU4FDbU6Sg3_Fr-Vjr5NpO1OBnK28HYrXsD1ikZzrmzeDehoyceXBPnMDTfl5zK9_Qgc3nE0-zA4Ya_B6HAw0nccSUb2VtdnJrSREiA/s640/12662499_10205605063029867_5646310649266337635_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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My super good looking date; aka my husband, Derek :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UyDLfO0yqhwn3V9FnOJBaFPkm-XnKspg3QZEXlzygjBGcKO1v94owzo3wq8cb2V7H7eJw7D5eQQxZV0E88PmfpEzTqW7BdA5RUr8NdMx9F_IcUY4A9zx6NJUIZ63kek-0HDo6Mwj89s/s1600/12654178_10205605062269848_8506049822701603973_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UyDLfO0yqhwn3V9FnOJBaFPkm-XnKspg3QZEXlzygjBGcKO1v94owzo3wq8cb2V7H7eJw7D5eQQxZV0E88PmfpEzTqW7BdA5RUr8NdMx9F_IcUY4A9zx6NJUIZ63kek-0HDo6Mwj89s/s640/12654178_10205605062269848_8506049822701603973_n.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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And here is my finished art (yay). It was so much fun and I left feeling very artistic :)</div>
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I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! </div>
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Jessy </div>
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Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-85096041060799800792016-01-26T12:41:00.000-08:002016-01-26T13:46:41.667-08:00I Declare!<div style="text-align: center;">
So for today's blog I really wanted to share with you one of my very favorite things I do everyday.....I declare! And I use Joel Osteen's book "I Declare: 31 Promises to Speak Over Your Life" to do it. It is an amazing, amazing book with incredible truths that you NEED to know and have declared over you every. single. day. And the best part about spending my mornings with "I Declare" is that my children are also a part of my "I Declare" mornings!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfNCmG9VqdCcnZz7fJZOvkb-MfS7CdcjuKq4GO-ObMF4Z4rBoOfMXWNpShaa_YAxjamzkonqiw_DKoB5PPZE-SY8z1-NP8MW6xr22xlpjdRn4RBVm7Fz0v6NUG3A2OIzoezKL08pq_GM/s1600/12565564_10205587999083279_2261755659488660360_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfNCmG9VqdCcnZz7fJZOvkb-MfS7CdcjuKq4GO-ObMF4Z4rBoOfMXWNpShaa_YAxjamzkonqiw_DKoB5PPZE-SY8z1-NP8MW6xr22xlpjdRn4RBVm7Fz0v6NUG3A2OIzoezKL08pq_GM/s400/12565564_10205587999083279_2261755659488660360_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I actually stumbled upon this book for my mornings so I can't take credit for this. My husband had bought it for himself (he is a huge Joel Osteen fan) and was reading it daily on his own. When the new daily devotions book I had purchased to do with the kids ended up being a dud he suggested that we just try and read this with the kids each morning instead. Our kids get up and leave in shifts (5 kids in 4 different schools and 3 different buses!) so it would mean he would read it with one "shift" and I would read it with the other. </div>
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We read the declaration that coincides with the day of the month that it is. So for example today we read the "Day Twenty-Six" declaration. I am typically reading with my 9 year old and my two 3 year old (almost 4 y/o) daughters every day. I have my son read the actual declaration (you can see how it is laid out in the pic below) and then I read the short message that comes after it (usually a page or two with an uplifting message and/or practical application of the declaration). My son really loves this and has come home several days this month excited to tell me that he remembered what he declared before leaving school and he knows it helped him in a specific situation. <i>**Oh, be still my heart**</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtG6Lx6ABbUdfJwjiNFhSMW2FKrOMT7dUxjRciYGitgt9EEXnvgfzOTJKD4G4o4O9ffcHZCxhOMXaKuaBskuH0aUGL_vxvx6oTaPE_rsBM1oyi1-W_tmlSvaKzqgyksdDKTzAvYWn_Ko/s1600/12565601_10205587999403287_5868179117434675463_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtG6Lx6ABbUdfJwjiNFhSMW2FKrOMT7dUxjRciYGitgt9EEXnvgfzOTJKD4G4o4O9ffcHZCxhOMXaKuaBskuH0aUGL_vxvx6oTaPE_rsBM1oyi1-W_tmlSvaKzqgyksdDKTzAvYWn_Ko/s400/12565601_10205587999403287_5868179117434675463_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We plan to continue to read this through each day of every month throughout 2016. I do believe in the power of your words and how much more powerful can your words be when you are speaking God's Word into your heart. And to do it out loud with your children in a deliberate way like this is absolutely life changing! In just under a month of doing this we have seen my once very negative, always thinks the sky is falling child turn into a very positive, life speaking little man. </div>
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<i>We keep it here - a basket in the center of our breakfast table. Easy to go back to anytime of the day that you need to repeat the message to yourself!</i></div>
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I can't recommend this book enough and specifically when reading it with your children - whatever their age. It is never too young and it is never too late to begin declaring greatness in their lives!</div>
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Have a fantastic day!</div>
Jessy<br />
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Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-60456258323462759892016-01-22T14:22:00.001-08:002016-01-23T08:49:53.917-08:00Bust the "Snow Day" BoredomIn light of all the snow being dumped on many parts of the country right now I thought it would be a good time to share my "snow day boredom busters". In our family we have a mix of 5 girls and boys ranging from 14 years old down to 3 years old so we need a variety of ideas to appeal to everyone.<br />
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When we get the call and school has been cancelled it can be a little terrifying to think of being locked down at the house for the entire day. Alone. With five kids. Did I mention alone?! Okay, well it's really not <i>that</i> bad...really. I actually quite like a snow day and I enjoy the break from the normal routine...the excuse to sleep in a little, stay in pjs and take it easy, and the best part is really just having an entire day to make memories! These days are so fleeting and I realize as I look at my 14 year old "man-child" that I really need to cherish all the time I get with them while they are growing up.<br />
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I don't think we do anything to earth shattering on our days snowed in, but I am excited to share what we do with you and hope that your families can use some of these ideas to enjoy your next snow day together.<br />
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<i>Our 4 youngest checking out their first "snow day" of the year just a couple of days ago!</i></div>
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<li><b>Get outside!</b> Okay, so maybe this is pretty basic, but since you can't beat the snow you might as well get out there and join it, right?! Build a snow man, have a snowball fight, make snow angels. Or maybe do you have a hill nearby that you can sled on? And for the more practical; get out some shovels and start shoveling driveways! Once you have tackled your own maybe you could offer to shovel a neighbor's driveway that could use a helping hand? My oldest sons grab shovels and even a friend or two and will traipse around the neighborhood knocking on doors and asking if they can shovel driveways for a few bucks. They split $75 up 3 ways last snow day for a little under 2 hours of work....not bad!</li>
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<i>Our oldest son (far left) and two of his friends going out to shovel neighborhood driveways.</i></div>
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<i>We get everyone in on clearing the snow around our house - even the 3 year olds and our poodle, Tuscan, gets in on the fun!</i></div>
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<li><b>Make Snow Ice Cream. </b>What is snow ice cream you ask? It is a time honored tradition in our family! My husband and his family made it while he was growing up and he would even make it for the two of us before we had kids (seriously, he is obsessed with the stuff!). And now our kids BEG for snow ice cream anytime there is even the slightest hint of a flurry outside. Try it with your kiddos - I think it will become a hit for your family, too! </li>
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<i><b>How to make Snow Ice Cream</b></i> <br />
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<i> Vanilla extract</i></div>
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<i> Gather up a couple of large mixing bowls of fresh, white snow. Mix in about a 1/2 cup of sugar, a tablespoon or so of vanilla extract and a few splashes of milk. We just add in the ingredients until we get the right consistency and taste. SO easy and SO yummy! :)</i><br />
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<i>Our Family Making Snow Ice Cream - Lily, Morgan (our Au Pair), Parker, Tanner, Max, Derek(my husband) and Gabby</i></div>
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<li><b>Have a Treasure Hunt! </b>Too cold to venture outside? How about an indoor treasure hunt? When I was a kid I used to play a game called "Huckle Buckle Beanstalk" with my dad all the time. Any one else play this? He would hide a small object (we often used this small horse trinket that I loved) somewhere in the family room. It has to be within sight (think <i>not</i> putting it inside, under or in something). As I would get closer he would say "you're warm, warmer" and "you're hot. On fire!" or if I was looking in the wrong areas he would say "you're cold. very cold." It is truly one of my favorite memories of time with my dad. So simple, but truly so much fun. Think your kids are too old for this one? You might be surprised! I add incentives - like the kid that collect the most "treasures" can pick what kind of cookie we will make (see the next tip :) or I will add 50 cents to their allowance for winning or they get to choose a piece of candy when they win, etc. Sometimes it can be hard to get the older ones to participate and I am not above incentives so we can have a fun, all in kind of time together. When playing with multiple kids I will usually switch up the game a bit and actually write out a list of things they need to find around the house that they have to check off as they go and then bring the completed list back to me once it's finished. Sometimes we do "teams". It can really be fun and such an interactive way to spend an afternoon together. </li>
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Here are a few ideas that I found online that maybe could give you ideas (I make my own, but they are nearly as pretty as these!).<br />
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<li><b>Make some Homemade Cookies.</b> I don't always make cookies as an "event". As a matter of fact, I usually try to make them alone so I can get it done, get them baked and get out of the kitchen. Anytime I involve the kids it can be quite a mess and I can get a *little* frustrated (sigh). At any rate when stuck in the house for a snow day it can be a great opportunity to get everyone together and take the time to let everyone participate in baking and then enjoying some yummy cookies! We love to make cookies and then some hot cocoa to enjoy with them. The two together can't help, but warm you up! </li>
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Here is a recipe my family loves. We call them "snowball" cookies. I hope you enjoy! </div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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1 cup of butter, softened</div>
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4 teaspoons of vanilla extract</div>
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3/4 cup of powdered sugar</div>
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1 cup of powdered sugar (set aside for decorating later)</div>
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2 cups of flour</div>
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pinch of salt</div>
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1 tablespoon of cinnamon</div>
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Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream butter in large mixing bowl. Add vanilla and gradually add in the powdered sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Add flour into the butter mixture and mix until forms a ball. Roll dough into about 1 inch balls onto a cookie sheet and bake 15-20 minutes - until the edges are very light brown. </div>
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Remove from oven and while still warm, roll in the powdered sugar that you sat aside. place them in the freezer for about 5-10 minutes (should be solid to the touch) and then roll again in the powdered sugar and serve. These are truly delish with a mug of hot cocoa! Enjoy :)</div>
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<li><b>PJs and a Movie.</b> So with my family this is a biggie. We have a home theater in the lower level of our home and we love family movie nights. This is a snow day twist on our family movie night! Everyone gets in pjs, we usually pop some popcorn and get cozy in front of a fun "snowy" movie. Some of our favorites are Home Alone, Polar Express and Elf. </li>
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<li><b>Play "Heads Up"!</b> Okay, so this requires an iPad, iPhone or other smart device. The app is free to download. You can play many fun categories including "just for kids" for free and add others for a minimal one time charge. This is a kind of electronic version of "Head Bandz" game but WAY more fun! We LOVE to play this game and it is as fun with 2 or 3 people as it is with huge groups of people. It can also be a really active game, especially when choosing the "act it out" category and is always a ton of laughs from adults and kids alike! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li><b>Surprise Ride box. </b>This is an amazing craft box that you can have sent to your family monthly with a subscription. We aren't always able to do our monthly box so we store them in our front coat closet and when we have a snow day or a low key weekend day or evening we pull one out and work together as a family. There are several activities in the box so typically my boys will each pick something they want to head up and we will all help with each part. The boxes have crafts, books, snacks, etc. and they are really well thought out. We often provide these for birthday gifts to our kid's friends. They really love the Surprise Box so much and often want to introduce their friends to it. This is something you will have to order in advance so do it now and be ready for the next snow day :) You can check it out <a href="http://www.surpriseride.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</li>
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<i>This pic is actually almost 2 years old of my boys with a surprise ride box. We have been enjoying these for a long time! </i></div>
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Well, I hope that my list helps inspire you with your kiddos on your next snow day and if you have a fun activity that your family does on a snow day please share it in the comments below! I would love to have some new ideas to add to our list. With my youngest two at just 3 years old I think I am going to have many many more snow days in my future and your can't have too many boredom busters to chose from.</div>
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Happy Friday! </div>
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Jessy </div>
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Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-23678715179773600842016-01-20T12:53:00.001-08:002016-01-20T12:53:23.945-08:00I'm Back?! Wow, it has officially been "A WHILE"! Okay, so nearly 2 years....I think that qualifies as "a while". It has been a very busy 2 years in our family to say the least.<br />
We welcomed our youngest daughter and fifth child in Sept. 2014 and even though that seems like a long time ago I am truly not quite "adjusted" yet. I have had a really difficult time managing my time over the last year and a half and decided that had to change. Call it a New Year's resolution if you will. It IS my resolution and I am sticking to it. There, I have declared it and now it MUST happen (can you tell I am trying to convince myself here? :)<br />
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And, who can blame me for not being able to manage my time away from this cutie? Could you?!<br />
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I have documented much of our family life over the last several years including the addition of our little Lily on my adoption blog <a href="http://tyeadoptionjourney.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. If you would like to see what we have been up to you can catch up there.<br />
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(This was taken about two months after she came home - I was heading to a costume party - obviously!)</div>
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Now for this blog! I have really really missed writing and want to get back to it. I have also vowed to stop wasting my time on Facebook (not that you are wasting your time if you use fb, but I do - trust me!) so I thought this would be a much better outlet for my daily musings, recipes, lifestyle and beauty posts than signing into Facebook much too often. I can't and don't post most of what I want to there anyway so the blogging world is a much better space for me. So after the encouragement of a few of my friends and readers over the last few months I have decided I am going to do just that.<br />
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I truly do hope that you will enjoy reading this blog. I intend to update it several times a week using my daily life experiences with everything from <b>COOKING</b> (I am constantly creating new recipes and dishes that I would LOVE to share with you and I am a self proclaimed foodie and home chef!), <b>BEAUTY</b> (what woman doesn't want some good tips for this?!), <b>FAITH </b>(I strive every day to grow my relationship with God and be more of who He wants me to be and sometimes I could really use a place to write out my struggles and successes in this walk and I am just starting up a new women's bible study in my home and can't wait to share some of the principles we learn through this!), <b>STYLE</b> (yes, as a mom with young kiddos I spend many days in yoga pants and a tee, but I love having an idea of what I can wear instead to feel just as comfortable and a little more pulled together so I hope to share some of those with you that you!), <b>NUTRITION/HEALTH</b> (I am kind of a nutrition and health/wellness nerd and my ipod is filled with dozens of health & wellness podcasts that I listen to daily), <b>MOTHERHOOD</b> (I am NOT an expert, but I do have five kids ranging from 3-14 and I am sure I can give you lots of pointers on what NOT to do at least and that's half the battle, right?! :), <b>LIFESTYLE</b> (we are a very busy and diverse family and I run across things I want to share from a helpful and inspirational standpoint almost daily and this is where I can share those things!), <b>TRAVEL</b> (as a family we traveled more than 40 total days this year. That may not be a lot to some and to others it may be a ton, but suffice it to say I love to travel and we do so as often as we can!) and <b>MARRIAGE</b> (my husband and I have been married for almost 19 years and I am more in love with him that I have ever been in my life and I am more than happy to share how I think anyone can accomplish this - plus one of the companies we own just happens to be a "relationship growth company" with an app out right now and a couple of more currently in the works! We are kind of really into this happy healthy relationship stuff :).<br />
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Okay, well, I think that about wraps it up for today. I hope to be back with a "real" entry before the week's end. I am really so excited to be back!<br />
Bye for now!<br />Jessy<br />
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<br />Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-48089643914344522792014-03-28T08:41:00.001-07:002014-03-28T08:41:27.738-07:00Spring Break: Caribbean Cruising!<div style="text-align: center;">
We are on the road and on our way to tropical temps and scenery in the Caribbean! Derek (my husband) and I have never been on a cruise and decided it was time...yay :) We chose the Royal Caribbean International ship Liberty of the Seas heading to Belize City, Belize and Cozumel, Mexico In tow we have all 4 of our kids (ages 12, 10, 7 & 2 yrs) and our nanny (my sweet 16 y/o 2nd cousin who watches the kiddos for us in the summer) - that is 7 of us total!! </div>
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We are also meeting up with my mother in law and father in law at the port so this will be an amazing family trip that we are all so looking forward to. </div>
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In part because of all the people that will be in our suite on the ship (we had to go with a suite just to accommodate us with the kids and nanny!). A suite sounds nice, but on a cruise ship that is still a tiny room for this many people. I decided to take great care in my packing to hopefully help off set the lack of room in the car and on the ship. This is an area that I usually suffer greatly in and I ALWAYS over pack. This time I was determined to get everything I would wear for our 11 day adventure into 1 suitcase.....I mean everything - shoes, hand bags, jewelry, clothing. It was a big undertaking for me, but I managed. </div>
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I took pics of many of the things I packed - I didn't include the gym clothes (as I am sure you all don't really care about those), bathing suit cover ups, or my lounge and bed clothes. But I am hoping that maybe this will give someone else an idea of how they could pack if they suffer from constantly over packing like I usually do. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOO2drTcTYIpt_Wmff-TcCoGVkMlQ0EjKJo9d8x5NxwhplhuRb2xMpm_EudzG7rwWL8RDJTAnGplCJuT40ulDndXDqa7R_DIshQV9u5MH8_J6TVQBBhWJCLORaE13Zv6vNYr-Pfa2J8c/s1600/IMG_1433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOO2drTcTYIpt_Wmff-TcCoGVkMlQ0EjKJo9d8x5NxwhplhuRb2xMpm_EudzG7rwWL8RDJTAnGplCJuT40ulDndXDqa7R_DIshQV9u5MH8_J6TVQBBhWJCLORaE13Zv6vNYr-Pfa2J8c/s1600/IMG_1433.JPG" height="448" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=942287002&locale=en_US&kwid=1&sem=false&vid=1&sdReferer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gap.com%2Fproducts%2Fwomens-dresses.jsp" target="_blank">Gap Sateen fit and flare stripe dress</a> / <a href="http://www.solesociety.com/brocket-cuban-sand.html" target="_blank">Sole Society "Brocket" sandals</a> / Merona white cardigan via Target / Layered necklace via Stella & Dot / Starfish bracelet via boutique in Clearwater Beach, FL<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJnhLt0tvL205Popls9oagiSvx-RFHk0UYwi-9URKLCY65914zBft3wY-s76G2TskKDn_ZI4cZxLViDzo1HmjcGPWqMfMET9EIC-ANsIkJ-HXRY6ipKyvppCUhgQvnCeGJapOTF_hKvo/s1600/IMG_1438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJnhLt0tvL205Popls9oagiSvx-RFHk0UYwi-9URKLCY65914zBft3wY-s76G2TskKDn_ZI4cZxLViDzo1HmjcGPWqMfMET9EIC-ANsIkJ-HXRY6ipKyvppCUhgQvnCeGJapOTF_hKvo/s1600/IMG_1438.JPG" height="450" width="640" /></a></div>
Joe Fresh light weight sweater (old) / <a href="http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=46800&vid=1&pid=580959002" target="_blank">Athleta Napali Linen Pants</a> / Taupe tank via TJ Maxx (old) / Tory Burch flip flops (old and DIRTY but I love these and wear them with everything! ;) / Sole Society sandals / same jewelry as above<br />
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Same as above, but switching out the Athleta linen pants for Victoria's Secret linen drawstring shorts<br />
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Fiesta dress via TJ Maxx / Necklace from local boutique / <a href="http://www.soybu.com/dresses/" target="_blank">Soybu tank dress</a> (built in bra top and super flattering fit makes this a total winner!)<br />
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Maxi dress via TJ Maxx / Old Navy denim jacket (old) / Merona sandals / Scarf via TJ Maxx<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCAgRVJdwT_46UDZoBByQuf1UOEv7BkarrCv0A9p6Ti5a56DoPx5j-1Ov8rGq02aGxChNDJXY5T24pMM_7WBR18-AFj71SLqwhyS4S_Q49aP0HSrRxc2RBfJpynpt22pI9VViXq5L-Pw/s1600/IMG_1443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCAgRVJdwT_46UDZoBByQuf1UOEv7BkarrCv0A9p6Ti5a56DoPx5j-1Ov8rGq02aGxChNDJXY5T24pMM_7WBR18-AFj71SLqwhyS4S_Q49aP0HSrRxc2RBfJpynpt22pI9VViXq5L-Pw/s1600/IMG_1443.JPG" height="464" width="640" /></a></div>
Old Navy denim Jacket (old) / Patterned Maxi dress via Marshall's (old) / Merona sandals / Bracelet from boutique<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmr1x2K3CxfAoNeQa4QmN53Cy08RcpT5xaozkxuZXqbNUA2cuhhIuiyrKPS5g6VvnhaBTG7qgQOSq3OfkmDNKU9dk5GB3iuDv4fQprhiDfqeBfIspE5luFaA0Ar55xe3K0aBQFrDTOaFE/s1600/IMG_1444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmr1x2K3CxfAoNeQa4QmN53Cy08RcpT5xaozkxuZXqbNUA2cuhhIuiyrKPS5g6VvnhaBTG7qgQOSq3OfkmDNKU9dk5GB3iuDv4fQprhiDfqeBfIspE5luFaA0Ar55xe3K0aBQFrDTOaFE/s1600/IMG_1444.JPG" height="275" width="400" /></a></div>
Kenneth Cole black ruffle bikini (old) / Coco Reef brown patterned bikini via Dillard's (old)<br />
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<a href="http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=94579&vid=1&pid=964874052" target="_blank">Athleta Twister bikini</a> (LOVE the fit of this - available in may different color and pattern combos to mix and match) / Anne Klien one piece suit via TJ Maxx<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNC6gZsGncttELCub4G86Bt_a4nkoJm2rCj-G5H4WEiIMj6EEDLEa1HLQrbfPPTccK77A4ourSnMinYDLyPcHrC31jEULcgOAxnSjbjWMP-xVQeAde7PcQ2rEeN1clNT23oKWH-J0-LM/s1600/IMG_1446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNC6gZsGncttELCub4G86Bt_a4nkoJm2rCj-G5H4WEiIMj6EEDLEa1HLQrbfPPTccK77A4ourSnMinYDLyPcHrC31jEULcgOAxnSjbjWMP-xVQeAde7PcQ2rEeN1clNT23oKWH-J0-LM/s1600/IMG_1446.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
Collection of bottoms (not pictured are my white Lucky Brand crops that I decided I had to have the last minute!)<br />
Champion moisture wicking drawstring capris (for the Mayan ruins hike!) / Old Navy denim capris (old) / Gray and White drawstring shorts (so old I don't remember where they are from!) / Victoria's Secret white linen shorts<br />
*All of these can be mixed and matched easily with the collection of tops and tanks that I brought<br />
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<a href="http://www.victoriassecret.com/clothing/bra-tops-a/lightly-padded-bra-top?ProductID=168553&CatalogueType=OLS" target="_blank">Victoria's Secret bra top breezy tank</a> in Sea Breeze / <a href="http://www.victoriassecret.com/clothing/all-tops-a/drapey-tank-vintage-tees?ProductID=118722&CatalogueType=OLS" target="_blank">Victoria's Secret Drapey Vintage tank</a> in Maui Mango</div>
*I did not picture all the basic tanks I packed (coral, turq, blue stripe, white and black in color)<br />
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Athleta Santana bra top dress (old - no loner available in short length but they do offer it in a maxi version <a href="http://athleta.gap.com/browse/search.do?searchText=santana" target="_blank">here</a>) / Sam Edelman chain detail sandals / Shell and pearl necklace (old) / Merona grey cardigan via Target / yellow and grey infinity scarf via local boutique </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1e_afBUfi4mErkk6A_QjXgh93LyGIES6O17F3kc_lxkuaenmV8CviH3CxBEuKee3-XWnrAQKw9LD_SHQ2wf6wpXEmVKA5DwVqDE1YgeRpV-5yHFKIdDAAs6jvqdiw3JZcVoRWOxZyY4/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1e_afBUfi4mErkk6A_QjXgh93LyGIES6O17F3kc_lxkuaenmV8CviH3CxBEuKee3-XWnrAQKw9LD_SHQ2wf6wpXEmVKA5DwVqDE1YgeRpV-5yHFKIdDAAs6jvqdiw3JZcVoRWOxZyY4/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG" height="353" width="640" /></a></div>
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Selection of shoes (not pictured are my gym shoes and a pair of fun woven wedge sandals and Michael Kors thong sandals. I realize that I do pack a lot of shoes, but like many women I have a thing for shoes and love to have options. I was able to fit them all so I just went with it! :)</div>
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Forgot that I had actually pictured some my tanks with the hats - basics with some fun color and easy to mix and match with every bottom :) Hats are a must for me since I don't sun my face at all - these two will go with everything. </div>
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Both fedora and floppy hat from TJ Maxx & all Tanks via Target</div>
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Okay, I realize that was a picture heavy post, but hopefully that will give others some ideas or tips on what can be mixed and matched to keep the travel packing to a minimum - at least as minimum as i was able to get it to.</div>
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All of the jewelry and accessories I packed (not all of it is pictured) can be easily mixed and matched with any of my outfits. That seems to be something I usually have a hard time also taking the minimum of - feeling better about it this time around. I also plan to pick up a custom made local piece in Mexico or Belize if possible so I needed to leave room for those. </div>
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That is all I have until the "post cruise" post where I will hopefully be able to update with the above actually on and picked against some gorgeous back drops and fun times with my family! </div>
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If you are traveling or staying home for this Spring Break season I hope that yours is sun filled and fun!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Bon Voyage!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>XO </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jessy </i></span></div>
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Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-65181577532821050442014-03-27T12:22:00.002-07:002014-03-27T12:22:50.676-07:00Where is Spring?!<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, I know it's not this way everywhere in the country, but in Cincinnati it is still cold - not just chilly, but really cold! We even had snow flurries yesterday and today.It has made enjoying "Spring" difficult since it is still very wintry and drab and cloudy most days. I have been refusing to wear a winter coat any longer and have switched over to vests only regardless of how cold it gets.</div>
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I am posting 2 outfits on this post from this past week. One is from a casual day that I spent running errands and packing for our spring break trip (yay - warm weather in my very near future!) and the other was from a day at the office this week. </div>
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My next post will hopefully be my Caribbean cruise vacation packing :)</div>
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(Sorry about the bathroom pics! I had clothes and suitcases draped all over my bedroom where I normally would snap this pic so I had to duck into the bathroom for them this time around! :)</div>
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Jeans via Express / Vest (old) / Boots via Marshall's / Scarf via local boutique / Sweatshirt/sweater via Target</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8feIdKy-9c_UWV0f9k-OCr9s4KviNe2_P4_yRRcv-cIUlUBHNYC839gGF7qk5mHhI_dM5z-YLq3QdBz5zhWExKhrZlNpl-xKp5lRk7DJl2sG6xdHyxNPg4bXzrW3jtBL_bGm2n0YKHI/s1600/IMG_1430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8feIdKy-9c_UWV0f9k-OCr9s4KviNe2_P4_yRRcv-cIUlUBHNYC839gGF7qk5mHhI_dM5z-YLq3QdBz5zhWExKhrZlNpl-xKp5lRk7DJl2sG6xdHyxNPg4bXzrW3jtBL_bGm2n0YKHI/s1600/IMG_1430.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hiding under my scarf is this necklace - custom order from Etsy shop - love the anchor and it is so perfect for my upcoming cruise vacation!</div>
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I switched over later to a different scarf for the evening. It was actually getting colder so I went for the warmer scarf :) This one is from GAP. </div>
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Nice and simple for the office this week: </div>
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New York & Co. pants / <a href="http://www.express.com/clothing/the+convertible+sleeve+portofino+shirt/pro/9799357/cat910002" target="_blank">Express Portofino shirt</a> / Easy Spirit Pumps via TJ Maxx (seriously comfortable pumps worthy of work and all the time spent on my feet in them!) / Bubble necklace via boutique (old) </div>
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*I did add a MK gold watch before I walked out the door, but otherwise kept all my other accessories very simple since I went with the bubble necklace</div>
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Have a wonderful rest of your week!<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>XO</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jessy </i></span></div>
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Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-74261756003591673632014-03-13T07:27:00.000-07:002014-03-13T07:27:00.574-07:00Product Review: Best Matte Pressed Powder <div style="text-align: center;">
Hi All! </div>
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I just have a few minutes, but I really wanted to get this product review up, because you need this right now :)</div>
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Seriously, this is the best matte finish pressed powder I have ever used. It literally stays matte ALL day. I typically get dressed and make-up on and out the door around 7-8am and I don't stop running until close to 12 hours later on a typical day. I have yet to find a powder that I could set my look with and it stay put and stay working to keep the "shiny" at bay for that period of time until now. I just don't typically have time to be re-applying and worrying about if I need to touch up or not. Well, now with Rimmel's Stay Matte pressed powder I don't even have to worry about it. </div>
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The icing on the cake? It costs around $4 - seriously, four dollars! I buy mine at Walgreen's, but I know that many other drugstores sell it and I assume it's about the same price everywhere. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfZoPDiB2JhVUhYS1PuPyOn0FkJCSPqZuDc0bEasW0FvLbnaY3MVs8YZNDXKNrpUp1pnV8riCHwipzFWWe-yORUrud_oqUPm4w8kBaIsOvChvV6t_ADgMq1y8_6SOXM2EtFOIzZMDkHs/s1600/IMG_1183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfZoPDiB2JhVUhYS1PuPyOn0FkJCSPqZuDc0bEasW0FvLbnaY3MVs8YZNDXKNrpUp1pnV8riCHwipzFWWe-yORUrud_oqUPm4w8kBaIsOvChvV6t_ADgMq1y8_6SOXM2EtFOIzZMDkHs/s1600/IMG_1183.JPG" height="336" width="400" /></a></div>
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Rimmel London Stay Matte pressed powder via Walgreens (<a href="http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/rimmel-stay-matte-stay-matte-long-lasting-pressed-powder/ID=prod1111314-product" target="_blank">ON SALE right now via their websiteHERE for UNDER $3!</a>) </div>
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I wear "creamy natural", but may change that to "buff beige" in the summer months. I do not tan my face at all so I usually have to use a combo of powder and bronzer to achieve the right "summer face" ;)</div>
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Speaking of bronzer, I also happen to love Rimmel's Natural bronzer in "sunshine" (and it's WATERPROOF - perfect for my upcoming cruise to the Caribbean! :). I have pictured it as well in case you want to check that out. </div>
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I hope that this is helpful and that you all love it as much as me! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>XO </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jessy </i></span></div>
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Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-47220133420095295702014-03-10T13:43:00.000-07:002014-03-10T13:43:32.887-07:00Work Wear <div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Monday, All! </div>
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I hope everyone is fairing okay if your area participates in the time change and had to "Spring forward" this weekend. Losing an hour is rough, but having daylight for an hour later each evening is a nice touch :)</div>
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Personally this morning was pretty rough for me.....I get up through the week at 4:15am so that was quite brutal this morning considering my brain and body still knew it was actually 3:15am!</div>
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Okay, enough about that....on to today's post. When I go into the office I can be really pretty casual so these work wear ideas may not be suitable for everyone reading (one outfit has leggings - gulp! ;) so likes to be a little more "buttoned up" in the office. In my position as a women's counselor I also try not to dress intimidating if that makes sense. I want to look put together and professional, but I also want my clients to feel comfortable when we are in a session together. I need to be able to relate....okay so on to the pics! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQx9mDTNEC6wOYFpuzqP9w5fMTItV7geXFteMc6liMPucjZ9nw-vcmW0KK7WDqyU7pLG_waL7a-EXw3IR7WnMNgaziroUDHXabGfHbcmfjfe97f4AKlZ4tNty8la2Nn8CeEgrKHogrINU/s1600/IMG_0877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQx9mDTNEC6wOYFpuzqP9w5fMTItV7geXFteMc6liMPucjZ9nw-vcmW0KK7WDqyU7pLG_waL7a-EXw3IR7WnMNgaziroUDHXabGfHbcmfjfe97f4AKlZ4tNty8la2Nn8CeEgrKHogrINU/s1600/IMG_0877.JPG" height="640" width="344" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Gianni Bini blazer via Dillard's (old -</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://www.dillards.com/product/Gianni-Bini-Annie-Jacket--Pierre-PleatDetail-Skirt_301_-1_301_504473259?df=04250094_zi" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">similar here</a><span style="text-align: center;">) / 7th Avenue Tall black pants via New York & Co. (</span><a href="http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/prod/pants/tall-pants/7th-avenue-city-double-stretch-bootcut-pant-black-tall/A-prod33129/#.Ux3ok_ldV1U" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="text-align: center;">) / Cut-out Strappy Pumps via Target (very old!) / Animal Print peplum top via Target (old -</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://www.target.com/p/mossimo-women-s-sleeveless-scuba-peplum-top-assorted-colors/-/A-14715049#prodSlot=large_4_1" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">similar here</a><span style="text-align: center;">) / Mixed beads, pearls and rhinestone necklace via Dillard's (old) / Renegade bracelet via Stella & Dot</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7r-PFmrHADfrDalipoL_APDPVGT6btloIwPgy8EiFoR0l87Y4RPe6ApJAaYlT6PiEjIhE-3snEXNl9C01HlxsHqnmcDIfdytZJxJ4-0XW4AoR4HRG8oy7HtZIQxys44hX_-DBeUbUdE/s1600/IMG_0911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7r-PFmrHADfrDalipoL_APDPVGT6btloIwPgy8EiFoR0l87Y4RPe6ApJAaYlT6PiEjIhE-3snEXNl9C01HlxsHqnmcDIfdytZJxJ4-0XW4AoR4HRG8oy7HtZIQxys44hX_-DBeUbUdE/s1600/IMG_0911.JPG" height="640" width="244" /></a></div>
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Michael Kors blazer (old) / Express Sexy Stretch legging (BEST ever! <a href="http://www.express.com/clothing/sexy+stretch+legging/pro/9163393/cat430025" target="_blank">Here</a>) / Embroidered tunic (old) / Steve Madden boots (old) / Pearl, beads & rhinestone necklace via Dillard's</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsCmi6pzj285LRZle-GmEgWAB7R0F4c0mnCQcFIjFXaFKp5GiDcOEAYJd87eISdt8fPF8qT4BBy0Dh9lI9Trl5F7c-yAMumOLv_T0utrvk56yOw8ufDqDYl2dkm3ZZBKKJdNbjCTgeOA/s1600/2014-03-05+08.03.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsCmi6pzj285LRZle-GmEgWAB7R0F4c0mnCQcFIjFXaFKp5GiDcOEAYJd87eISdt8fPF8qT4BBy0Dh9lI9Trl5F7c-yAMumOLv_T0utrvk56yOw8ufDqDYl2dkm3ZZBKKJdNbjCTgeOA/s1600/2014-03-05+08.03.49.jpg" height="640" width="326" /></a></div>
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Sweater via Ann Taylor LOFT (old) / GAP essential tank (<a href="http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?vid=1&pid=617641012" target="_blank">here</a>) / New York & Co. 7th Avenue tall pinstripe pants (<a href="http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/prod/pants/tall-pants/7th-avenue-bootcut-pant-stripe-tall/A-prod530017/#.Ux4g6PldV1U" target="_blank">here</a>) / Michael Kors gold tone watch (old) / Beaded, pearl & rhinestone necklace via Dillards / Tory Burch black leather Horsebit Jaden handbag / Easy Spirit pumps via TJ Maxx (these are SO comfortable AND cute! :) / Evo Vorro long open front blazer (purchased at boutique in La Jolla, CA)</div>
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You may have noticed a re-occurring theme with each outfit....my necklace! Okay, I do wear it a lot, but I did choose specifically to show the pics were I am wearing that accessory. I LOVE a great necklace and this one is definitely a fav and one that always draws plenty of compliments. It is so pretty in person and is really eye catching. </div>
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Have a similar piece? Start rocking yours today!! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>XO</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jessy </i></span></div>
<br />Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-90755153193439353682014-03-03T09:24:00.001-08:002014-03-03T09:24:32.678-08:00Casual Winter Wear.....<div style="text-align: center;">
So I have not posted since my Holiday post! I really can't believe it's been that long....I guess things have really been as busy as any time I can ever remember. Having a very busy two year old has definitely added to that!</div>
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I have been collecting outfit pics every now and then for the time I am able to finally do an updated post so here is some of that collection. I will hopefully NOT be blogging much more in winter attire....SO ready for Spring here :)</div>
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Nasty Gal Leopard Sweater (old) / Purple scarf from local boutique (old) / Franco Sarto Riding boots via DSW (old - <a href="http://www.dsw.com/shoe/franco+sarto+celeste+riding+boot?prodId=283036&productRef=SEARCH" target="_blank">Similar style here</a>) / Michael Kors gold tone watch (old) / INC skinnies (old)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZmcnUgy0DS6Ii-E8q0BWELqGN-qw8KtGhA0evBxGiWMJKQw7pNX7FnrI73wcOjrpsdqxrGaPY5f4qlNmTucrXrHmbnefVq7yWKaIKkiuFDJqM5b6gImHWVj4u-PsTZqbRrESER1JsnY/s1600/IMG_0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZmcnUgy0DS6Ii-E8q0BWELqGN-qw8KtGhA0evBxGiWMJKQw7pNX7FnrI73wcOjrpsdqxrGaPY5f4qlNmTucrXrHmbnefVq7yWKaIKkiuFDJqM5b6gImHWVj4u-PsTZqbRrESER1JsnY/s1600/IMG_0488.JPG" height="640" width="224" /></a></div>
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Leggings and Scarf via Express - these are the BEST leggings ever!(<a href="http://www.express.com/clothing/leopard+infinity+scarf/pro/1032483/cat740011" target="_blank">Scarf </a>and <a href="http://www.express.com/clothing/sexy+stretch+legging/pro/9163393/cat430025" target="_blank">Leggings</a> here) / Riding Boots via Zara (old) / ING stripe tunic via Dilliard's / Winter white puffer vest (old)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY10lrgGLkdlnk-JBWjfYc2ZqRfK8r86U80SVZ2s5ErxYTyjjzWHJ6EoYT7nK0MDKk2MoXn3Jbe5Jo3rzC7IwDyOh4DqWPWwpFcVxQU-oqeQbm9uTybyaNhQMGkcYnoQMVD6kza29OZXc/s1600/IMG_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY10lrgGLkdlnk-JBWjfYc2ZqRfK8r86U80SVZ2s5ErxYTyjjzWHJ6EoYT7nK0MDKk2MoXn3Jbe5Jo3rzC7IwDyOh4DqWPWwpFcVxQU-oqeQbm9uTybyaNhQMGkcYnoQMVD6kza29OZXc/s1600/IMG_0445.JPG" height="640" width="272" /></a></div>
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INC skinneis (old) / America Eagle Boyfriend Cardi (<a href="http://www.ae.com/web/browse/product.jsp?productId=4373_3185_030" target="_blank">here</a>) / American Eagle scarf (no longer available) / Zara Riding boots (old)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenLobEzaPQ3kLZEbxeNnZFtYUgeQu6vlSACPRYcuTrUuGGWQrGCpk6QtAS4qiexwfXHLc1TI5zJCRIXH45KQXdiYmoUKSeybk7booDMsrR5ZvXUIzCzk__lb2p4oihQT01E5s_TQx71Q/s1600/IMG_0649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenLobEzaPQ3kLZEbxeNnZFtYUgeQu6vlSACPRYcuTrUuGGWQrGCpk6QtAS4qiexwfXHLc1TI5zJCRIXH45KQXdiYmoUKSeybk7booDMsrR5ZvXUIzCzk__lb2p4oihQT01E5s_TQx71Q/s1600/IMG_0649.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Michael Kors Cardigan via TJ Maxx / Express Leopard Scarf (<a href="http://www.express.com/clothing/leopard+infinity+scarf/pro/1032483/cat740011" target="_blank">here</a>) / Express Stella Slim Leg Flare jeans (<a href="http://www.express.com/clothing/stella+slim+flare+jean/pro/7155718/cat1040020" target="_blank">here</a>) / Michael Kors watch via Macy's (old) / Zebra print ballet flats via Target (old)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYcigsdgYEHBAqkuprbbxRSRpUFeQZ2MXLaZBt04UZQI4aFFfytgt3E29sJSJKuI4h1tO2w0wuxwKFT4mFcM8-SRq833GWleQc1ZyZM5xa6c5qBZVHx1RrXG4KU1jHNoCKXhQEcc9R4w/s1600/IMG_0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYcigsdgYEHBAqkuprbbxRSRpUFeQZ2MXLaZBt04UZQI4aFFfytgt3E29sJSJKuI4h1tO2w0wuxwKFT4mFcM8-SRq833GWleQc1ZyZM5xa6c5qBZVHx1RrXG4KU1jHNoCKXhQEcc9R4w/s1600/IMG_0650.JPG" height="640" width="272" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UpgsqwBZrse-t5psA_kQ6h_OFm1kZE_rz6UmnrIR0ZZUbD914qme6pDhhJs5bKjOkbT2QBZEyIuEEKhjYU30yCfYpL4oqYRbjQIuDc7vfPSTFAWRfs28eG3A37DmJGcryLYDTXEL1DQ/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UpgsqwBZrse-t5psA_kQ6h_OFm1kZE_rz6UmnrIR0ZZUbD914qme6pDhhJs5bKjOkbT2QBZEyIuEEKhjYU30yCfYpL4oqYRbjQIuDc7vfPSTFAWRfs28eG3A37DmJGcryLYDTXEL1DQ/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" height="640" width="236" /></a></div>
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Gap 1969 Flare Jeans (old) / Rip Curl Cardigan via Surf shop in Clearwater Beach / Coral tee via Target (old) / Rocket Dog booties via DSW (old) / Scarf via Gap (old)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>XO </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jessy </i></span></div>
<br />Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-28447187130717739902013-12-30T12:55:00.002-08:002013-12-30T13:41:27.374-08:00~ Holidays in Pictures ~<div style="text-align: center;">
Wow, what an incredible Christmas this year was! Time with family and friends, great food (way too much food actually!) and incredible celebrations wrapped up just yesterday with the last and final Christmas celebration. Tomorrow we start celebrating the New Year with laid back family time at our house and an annual family reunion on New Year's Day at a second cousin's home just about 20 minutes away. </div>
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I hope that you all have had wonderful holiday celebrations of your own! I will leave you with a few pics from some celebrating at our home.</div>
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This is a classic Jessy (me!:) laugh - and the reason I know I need to replace all my mercury with white fillings :)</div>
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My precious 22 month old baby girl, Gabrielle....I could kiss her all day long!</div>
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With my gorgeous husband on Christmas Eve (the first family/friends Christmas gathering at our home this year). </div>
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<i>My Christmas eve attire: Michael Kors red rhinestone embelished sweater / Gold sparkle scarf via TJ Maxx / Gap Long and Lean 1969 Flare Jeans (not pictured)/ Invicta square Angel diamond stainless steel chronograph watch (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Invicta-Womens-Diamond-Stainless-Chronograph/dp/B001QFZWW4" target="_blank">Buy it here now </a>at 86% off!!)</i><br />
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Gabby with her sweet little Ballerina outfit on (a gift from Grandma Jeannie - my mother-in-law :)<br />
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Our breakfast room window seat with holly berry wreath - love watching the first snow fall from this spot!</div>
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Front porch and walk as the first snow of the Christmas season began to fall.</div>
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Our hearth room decorated for Christmas :)</div>
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My "Jesus is the Gift" lantern - I got the idea from posts I saw on Pinterest. Used what I already had on hand to come up with my own holiday version. </div>
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Working on my "canvas wall" going up the stairwell. I took these pics with my phone in low lighting so they aren't great, but I will update when I have more of the canvas prints hung and can take the shots with my SLR camera. I wanted to include the railing in the Christmas post - wrapped in greenery, holly, lights and ribbon :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHs7gPJsHiZUpGBDmmZGRukPBLbwI6KfO7ZHTM3BYAE_UOJT1suGES5iSNA59T_X_Bz84wFajUJJYriNR76bdPJsuAJEzBhoDVW1boaHZeLL3ogTk-mB3Wb5qI5LSKxSE_klUPfq1VbOY/s1600/IMG_9816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHs7gPJsHiZUpGBDmmZGRukPBLbwI6KfO7ZHTM3BYAE_UOJT1suGES5iSNA59T_X_Bz84wFajUJJYriNR76bdPJsuAJEzBhoDVW1boaHZeLL3ogTk-mB3Wb5qI5LSKxSE_klUPfq1VbOY/s640/IMG_9816.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Our mischievous Elf on a Shelf, Snow Flake, found his way all around the new house this year. He liked the window seat spot, as well ;)</div>
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My "O Holy Night" burlap canvas - LOVE this. I think I just may have to leave it up year round. Perfect match to my decor and the message is wonderful of course! </div>
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My little girl enjoying her first snow fall!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9OI3tr3CLVS0ke5HBMieQzLEE9WLdbNYKXPoiq5c8n0vnoz3sBVQFMoOpiEkS_6Z7lKSu7VcQ5wSVHzVQKiQ0OsQGu1gXhLcvaIey2GfZGqIRjJ67-Br1euycvCdW9yWc4KO8t499OM/s1600/IMG_9977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9OI3tr3CLVS0ke5HBMieQzLEE9WLdbNYKXPoiq5c8n0vnoz3sBVQFMoOpiEkS_6Z7lKSu7VcQ5wSVHzVQKiQ0OsQGu1gXhLcvaIey2GfZGqIRjJ67-Br1euycvCdW9yWc4KO8t499OM/s640/IMG_9977.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Christmas present to myself - I updated my bedding with a set I had been watching for months. I figured since I still wanted it after so long and now could get 20% off I should just go for it. So glad that I did.....love it :) (<a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/Barbara-Barry-reg-Poetical-Duvet-Cover-100-Cotton/128312?categoryId=12017" target="_blank">Find it at Bed, Bath and Beyond</a>)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>XO</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jessy </i></span></div>
Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-39610581044965250612013-12-02T09:54:00.003-08:002013-12-02T11:14:57.101-08:00Cyber Monday and Traveling update!<br />
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Hi! </div>
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I am updating from the road as we travel back from our annual Thanksgiving migration down south to spend time with the family in Tampa, FL. It was a wonderful time as always. While it was only about 25 degrees and snowing in Cincinnati we were hanging out on the beach or playing at Busch Gardens in 70 degree weather in Florida. It was a good time to be there weather wise! </div>
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So since I was taking a 14 hour road trip to see the family comfort was the most important factor in these outfits. Our trip was really broken up since we actually stopped at 3 different places for a day or two here and there before reaching our final destination. It also required that I be able to take off layers and slip on different shoes, etc. as the temps warmed up. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYm87zSMii6s5lsMIolyfrdVyTb8Mduf02t337hdrcqFBCciGfRjbBE205zC_OIcLW1ckcP3G_OqeFh5pG4SQCCrfZek3V19o1OmRcf9qJxT5JEzFgsHC8DL5GhKo-Hm1I6ewhob30ck/s1600/IMG_9258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYm87zSMii6s5lsMIolyfrdVyTb8Mduf02t337hdrcqFBCciGfRjbBE205zC_OIcLW1ckcP3G_OqeFh5pG4SQCCrfZek3V19o1OmRcf9qJxT5JEzFgsHC8DL5GhKo-Hm1I6ewhob30ck/s640/IMG_9258.JPG" width="354" /></a></div>
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Express Zelda Barely Bootcut Jeans (<a href="http://www.express.com/clothing/zelda+thick+stitch+barely+boot+jean/pro/6225639/cat320067" target="_blank">here</a>) / Mossimo wedges from Target (old) / Cowl neck oversized Cashmere sweater via TJ Maxx / Emma Fox Cambridge Satchel (similar <a href="http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/emma-fox-handbag-classics-leather-dome-satchel?ID=941360&CategoryID=26846#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D21%26kws%3Demma%20fox%26slotId%3D19" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/michael-michael-kors-handbag-hamilton-saffiano-leather-e-w-satchel?ID=1209591&CategoryID=26846&LinkType=#fn=PRODUCT_DEPARTMENT%3DHandbags%26PAGEINDEX%3D2%26sp%3D2%26spc%3D259%26kws%3Dmichael%20kors%26slotId%3D61" target="_blank">MK version here</a>) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq95LxbkJeY5dO8gY6GKA2TKLyxXu3L_je2H3wvElXq-GsRgomA7vByrIfTimmMF6nxFwmR2KES3JYtr-N7sUX1-aaM2WjjTAEdq4DIIppk6p2ee03rwxDJg9Gq848wRPnd11ayFVTTcQ/s1600/IMG_9364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq95LxbkJeY5dO8gY6GKA2TKLyxXu3L_je2H3wvElXq-GsRgomA7vByrIfTimmMF6nxFwmR2KES3JYtr-N7sUX1-aaM2WjjTAEdq4DIIppk6p2ee03rwxDJg9Gq848wRPnd11ayFVTTcQ/s640/IMG_9364.JPG" width="280" /></a></div>
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"Shiva" tunic in Charcoal via Athleta (now on <a href="http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=49982&vid=1&pid=906165122" target="_blank">SALE here</a>!) / Express classic black leggings / Vest via Target (old) / Sweater Infinity Scarf via Victoria's Secret (<a href="http://www.victoriassecret.com/clothing/free-scarf-with-sweater-purchase/infinity-scarf?ProductID=154459&CatalogueType=OLS" target="_blank">free with sweater purchase</a>) / Hunter Tall Classic rainboots in black (<a href="http://usa.hunter-boot.com/product/original-tall-rain-boots" target="_blank">website here</a>) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHAUmxtqaPF8h7XM-B1plFFLsPLYLhQtRYCZX2SzKycmFIT7U8h5jbPOZt7OWn1E8UaHlkDMR_T81LxUk_fElswUdsLJbO_ryf2I3B0waCvcPTZmxmBptwnlPJ4RFO3VoRnjBcZhCeQA/s1600/IMG_9211A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHAUmxtqaPF8h7XM-B1plFFLsPLYLhQtRYCZX2SzKycmFIT7U8h5jbPOZt7OWn1E8UaHlkDMR_T81LxUk_fElswUdsLJbO_ryf2I3B0waCvcPTZmxmBptwnlPJ4RFO3VoRnjBcZhCeQA/s640/IMG_9211A.JPG" width="258" /></a></div>
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Mossimo pullover sweater via Target (<a href="http://www.target.com/c/cyber-monday/-/N-5q0f1#?lnk=Other_120113_HP_0_E1_15_10_2013|E1|T:Template_Home5|C:&intc=1482124|null" target="_blank">Cyber Monday Sale</a>!) / A.N.A. skinny Jeans via JC Penney (old) / Madden Girl boots (old) / Infinity Scarf via Target (old)</div>
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*Not pictured above is this perfect light weight (but so warm!) tunic length parka from North Face that I brought along - <a href="http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/womens-jackets-vests/women-39-s-osito-parka.html?variationId=D3R&variationName=GREYSTONE%20BLUE#" target="_blank">here</a>. *Offered for 2 day free shipping on TNF website now for Cyber Monday. (pic from web)<br />
<i><b>"Osito Parka"</b></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjpAzgUMHPPfbH3PXHE3lTUaFM5LTftLlbgqetollamfQSTYuNMk8MaK_75ldRiPEpG6TqguN-opgQQ0wh4zr9mwfLNGUpiXY1i25ij2Z8LmNVOommarCcHtYtPNtt8U2lEjw8DqsIqs/s1600/A6FL_JK3_hero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjpAzgUMHPPfbH3PXHE3lTUaFM5LTftLlbgqetollamfQSTYuNMk8MaK_75ldRiPEpG6TqguN-opgQQ0wh4zr9mwfLNGUpiXY1i25ij2Z8LmNVOommarCcHtYtPNtt8U2lEjw8DqsIqs/s400/A6FL_JK3_hero.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
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We will be home in the next few hours and while the temps keep dropping the closer to home we get I am still warmed at the thought of seeing our house, our neighborhood, our dog, our friends, etc. It always feels amazing to arrive back home :) The best part about coming home from this trip every year is that as soon as we arrive it's time to go get our tree and start decorating for Christmas - my very favorite time of year. </div>
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I hope that you all had wonderful Thanksgiving with your families and ate way too much (but oh so good!) food - I know that I sure did!</div>
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Before I go I would like to share some of my favorite Cyber Monday deals that I am enjoying from my laptop on the road - Enjoy!</div>
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<b><a href="http://athleta.gap.com/browse/division.do?cid=49936&mlink=49982,7395048,SW_B_12_2&clink=7395048" target="_blank">Athleta</a></b>: "CYBER20" - Extra 20% off all sale items and 20% off all winter (<a href="http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=49982&vid=1&pid=906165122" target="_blank">LOVE this top!</a>)</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.express.com/" target="_blank">Express</a></b>: 40% off EVERYTHING + Free Shipping (<a href="http://www.express.com/clothing/Women/Leggings/cat/cat290004" target="_blank">BEST leggings ever!</a>)</div>
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<b><a href="http://j.crew/">J.Crew</a></b>: "MONDAY" - 30% off Online AND In stores + Free Shipping (<a href="http://www.jcrew.com/womens_feature/NewArrivals/knitsandtees/PRDOVR~A2855/A2855.jsp" target="_blank">Love this tee!</a>)</div>
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<a href="http://www.grandinroad.com/?mkwid=sNi53UQG8_dc&pcrid=29592876260&pmt=e&pkw=grandin.%20road&SourceCode=ZZ50897&cm_mmc=SEM+Brand-_-Exact-_-grandin.%20road+e-_-google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand+-+Search&utm_term=grandin.%20road" target="_blank"><b>Grandin Road</b></a> ( I LOVE this catalog for really unique quality gifts :): "CYBER2013" - 25% site wide + Free Shipping (Just ordered <a href="http://www.grandinroad.com/retro-rotary-phones/153043" target="_blank">one of these</a> for starters!)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>XO</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Jessy</i></b></span> </div>
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Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-55035915757555607242013-11-10T13:41:00.000-08:002013-11-10T13:41:38.322-08:00If the Cape Fits......<div style="text-align: center;">
I have to admit that I LOVE wearing capes/ponchos in the Fall as much as I love wearing maxi-dresses in the summer. They are a staple for me and I have them in many different colors and styles. I am sure if you look at this blog again this fall you will be more, but for today I have pics of a few that I have been enjoying so far.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlF53pXBR_iYS4qAmQOsYMCtkNftobH2hZL0L2t3bW6pLEz9aEhbEmZYbHLLf6RywdmpTDaYVtQ4m7lUteIH7X-5PovKLhsf22Qx3Jh8s9ZzsaQPHwTzelEP0wCuv-U1Jr9bQRK4CFzYU/s1600/IMG_9025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlF53pXBR_iYS4qAmQOsYMCtkNftobH2hZL0L2t3bW6pLEz9aEhbEmZYbHLLf6RywdmpTDaYVtQ4m7lUteIH7X-5PovKLhsf22Qx3Jh8s9ZzsaQPHwTzelEP0wCuv-U1Jr9bQRK4CFzYU/s640/IMG_9025.JPG" width="260" /></a></div>
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<i>Above:</i> Carolyn Taylor Cable Knit Poncho via TJ Maxx (old) similar <a href="http://www.boscovs.com/StoreFrontWeb/Product.bos?itemNumber=230061&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CSE&utm_term=662136561802&utm_content=Ladies%20%3E%20Misses%20Sportswear%20%3E%20Misses%20Sweaters%20%3E%20Cardigans,%20Shrugs,%20%26%20Wraps&utm_campaign=ChannelAdvisor&CAWELAID=520009920000180002&catargetid=1787551963&cadevice=c&cagpspn=pla" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.google.com/shopping/product/16556590614445729382?rlz=1C1CHHJ_enUS522US522&sclient=psy-ab&q=poncho+fringe&oq=poncho+fringe&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.56146854,d.dmg,pv.xjs.s.en_US.zw3S-PWncBk.O&biw=1366&bih=643&tch=1&ech=1&psi=yO1_UqKoNa7K4APL6YHYBA.1384115660996.7&prds=paur:ClkAsKraXzf7odm5ZmdXB3MnUj_VuKMcEi-fDFPMBrv2A9zWDJlMA_P8cWCWVvw-B34eb8Xr4wSEYHKGWvDD8xyRBl9YroFkhewxs9S-t3ZQPFJ0PnMlDux75RIZAFPVH72aVo-WF29N2ivaHOEDGSAbmtPosw&ei=Vu5_Uoq9MbLE4APr8oHIBA&ved=0CPMEEKYrMB8" target="_blank">here</a> / Denim button down shirt via Old Navy (old - <a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=72302&vid=1&pid=647210012" target="_blank">similar here</a>) / Leggings via Express <a href="http://www.express.com/clothing/sexy+stretch+legging/pro/9163393/cat430025" target="_blank">(here)</a> / Zara Riding boots (old) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8Hj6bf1WMkmgtoJniG5cyGCuJNc0dpaiyvz-zSI1mNPZHZrnvkDPfKzcLHKjamTZuB7pMs572cfUySU-Hn8XXyNITHN9SyLLbXg992bpmV_tO9DSV1b8zE0UVIhG-0sKGlDabqHM_ZU/s1600/IMG_9123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8Hj6bf1WMkmgtoJniG5cyGCuJNc0dpaiyvz-zSI1mNPZHZrnvkDPfKzcLHKjamTZuB7pMs572cfUySU-Hn8XXyNITHN9SyLLbXg992bpmV_tO9DSV1b8zE0UVIhG-0sKGlDabqHM_ZU/s640/IMG_9123.JPG" width="382" /></a></div>
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<i>Above:</i> Kate Landry navy blue cape/poncho via Dillard's (<a href="http://www.dillards.com/product/Kate-Landry-VNeck-Poncho-Sweater_301_-1_301_504150507?df=04136921_zi_navy" target="_blank">here</a>) / ING stripe tunic via Dillard's (s<a href="http://www.dillards.com/product/ING-Chevron-Knit-Tunic_301_-1_301_504141807?df=04128903_zi_taupe_black" target="_blank">imilar here in chevron prin</a>t) / HUE jeggings via Macy's (old) / Old Navy red flats <a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55148&vid=1&pid=645679032" target="_blank">(here)</a> / Emma Fox satchel via TJ Maxx (find similar <a href="http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/emma-fox-handbags-classics-frame-leather-satchel?ID=759642&cm_mmc=GOOGLE_Handbags_Geo_PLA-_-PLA+Handbags+Sale_Ad+Group+%232-_-28981225900_-_-_mkwid_uZtjWazh|d{device}_28981225900%7C-%7CuZtjWazh" target="_blank">here</a> and<a href="http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/emma-fox-handbag-classic-top-handle-leather-frame-satchel?ID=1079282&CategoryID=26846&LinkType=PDPZ1" target="_blank"> here</a>)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireK7ne3T20H_FBrLM2j03YSgI5RLb7-ZN_tc3t5Kg_uqjdH4mseNH_YgmRBehOuE_H-GOiY9aeDVR37-zMiDSe_W9NkX1_-8cZM7aCp1ZLlusQGduH3600I2CvtWJGjhJ0QL48kcGn8Y/s1600/IMG_9169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireK7ne3T20H_FBrLM2j03YSgI5RLb7-ZN_tc3t5Kg_uqjdH4mseNH_YgmRBehOuE_H-GOiY9aeDVR37-zMiDSe_W9NkX1_-8cZM7aCp1ZLlusQGduH3600I2CvtWJGjhJ0QL48kcGn8Y/s640/IMG_9169.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
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<i> Above: </i>Steve Madden Poncho ( I LOVE this cape - my fav ever :) in grey <a href="http://www.vonmaur.com/Product.aspx?ID=159169" target="_blank">here</a> / Express black leggings (<a href="http://www.express.com/clothing/sexy+stretch+legging/pro/9163393/cat430025" target="_blank">here</a>) / Express leopard infinity scarf (<a href="http://www.express.com/clothing/leopard+infinity+scarf/pro/1032483/cat740011" target="_blank">here</a>) / Athleta Shiva tunic in nightshade purple (<a href="http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=46761&vid=1&pid=906165122" target="_blank">here</a>) / Madden Girl boots (old) / Emma Fox satchel-</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAVZfszmeeMwZWzuxeV4jHXHNfQNcmDxsZJfQYIwz0KBQtrzHIo9KE26raoebMs3hYjSCVWCoyycbRit0Jvc083dNxECayG29Hc6DTq4ca2HSQbxgqVR29xhTVDwHnrUU10KQoLSYvN8/s1600/IMG_9157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAVZfszmeeMwZWzuxeV4jHXHNfQNcmDxsZJfQYIwz0KBQtrzHIo9KE26raoebMs3hYjSCVWCoyycbRit0Jvc083dNxECayG29Hc6DTq4ca2HSQbxgqVR29xhTVDwHnrUU10KQoLSYvN8/s640/IMG_9157.JPG" width="302" /></a></div>
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I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend and a great start to the next week! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>XO </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jessy </i></span></div>
Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-15453756474889449662013-11-02T11:07:00.001-07:002013-11-02T11:07:45.984-07:00Trying to catch up!<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been a while! I just can not seem to catch up around here and honestly this blog always gets pushed to the back burner. I have so much fun doing this, but my need for sleep often overrules - LOL :) </div>
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Oh well.....here is a bit of what I have been wearing lately.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYxH5aqfSPrnMJnU9r_oGpSLiTzHXsNfdAXgpM0r-8oOjh1n5WIAhbLCkANYfa-Uzq1L6Bok2Q1ThP9Rx3hUiiQHMA94fA48hqHBvtrvxR7S1et45uU6D6ebLX2z-6i_QKJGLGt7fO8Y/s1600/IMG_8531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYxH5aqfSPrnMJnU9r_oGpSLiTzHXsNfdAXgpM0r-8oOjh1n5WIAhbLCkANYfa-Uzq1L6Bok2Q1ThP9Rx3hUiiQHMA94fA48hqHBvtrvxR7S1et45uU6D6ebLX2z-6i_QKJGLGt7fO8Y/s640/IMG_8531.JPG" width="348" /></a></div>
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Above: Nine West bag (sold out) / Tory Burch Peep Toe Wedge Espadrilles (no longer available) / I.N.C. pleated skirt (old) / Mossimo Sweatshirt via Target (last season) / Scarf via TJ Maxx / Stella & Dot Rebel pendant / Stella & Dot Renegade Bracelet / Michael Kors Watch</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrDFAWW50C8NtdZPEjUJ3upO815c2x0hOPDMkbNnpMr8Qhim_NPiiMiVaccfQJAG24Fbvhw3IkEja8n7xS1WTu-tdMyWTY8KmDSNB-LjAmO6d4QcdgHh2oC0bChKcXKX5WrBuQ6j2Y6A/s1600/IMG_8594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrDFAWW50C8NtdZPEjUJ3upO815c2x0hOPDMkbNnpMr8Qhim_NPiiMiVaccfQJAG24Fbvhw3IkEja8n7xS1WTu-tdMyWTY8KmDSNB-LjAmO6d4QcdgHh2oC0bChKcXKX5WrBuQ6j2Y6A/s640/IMG_8594.JPG" width="330" /></a></div>
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Express Stella Slim Flare Jean (<a href="http://www.express.com/clothing/stella+destroyed+slim+flare+jean/pro/7155823/cat320023" target="_blank">here</a>) / Banana Republic leopard print calf hair peep toe pumps (sold out - <a href="http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=35159&vid=1&pid=558357012" target="_blank">similar here</a>) / Steve Madden fringe bag ( old - similar <a href="http://www.lyst.com/bags/steve-madden-bfringy-sm-tote-fringe-bag-black/" target="_blank">here</a> or<a href="http://www.stevemadden.com/Item.aspx?id=102330&np=158_365" target="_blank"> here</a>) / Blazer from TJ Maxx (old)/ Michael Kors watch / Misc jewelry from boutiques</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiQdJG0i_hCRtnK8m9RF9z6yhstD_y9kvjMPRpoC6llClWgvB9eikejISzj51VfVEQ4gNgKqwcp_GOA0CF75Nh4fy5WbUMbklPybuxCo-ky2DiFRvXmLwWV0g78viiqcJHJuTpWwHokc/s1600/IMG_8606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiQdJG0i_hCRtnK8m9RF9z6yhstD_y9kvjMPRpoC6llClWgvB9eikejISzj51VfVEQ4gNgKqwcp_GOA0CF75Nh4fy5WbUMbklPybuxCo-ky2DiFRvXmLwWV0g78viiqcJHJuTpWwHokc/s640/IMG_8606.JPG" width="288" /></a></div>
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Above: Michael Kors Trench (sold out everywhere I could find but possibly <a href="http://www.lyst.com/clothing/michael-by-michael-kors-double-breasted-trench-coat-start-of-color-list-cadet-blue/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/calvin-klein-double-breasted-trench-coat-nordstrom-exclusive/3335242?siteId=J84DHJLQkR4-jKvWpuXSjDiU_kdE7W01Pw" target="_blank">similar here</a>) / Joe Fresh print dress via JCP (sold out but similar <a href="http://www.jcpenney.com/joe-fresh/dresses/joe-fresh%25e2%2584%25a2-multi-print-dress/prod.jump?ppId=pp5002630404&N=4294966491&Nao=48&pN=3&searchTerm=joe+fresh&topDim=Product+Type&topDimvalue=dresses&dimCombo=Product+Type%7C&dimComboVal=dresses%7C&currentDim=Product+Type&currentDimVal=dresses&catId=SearchResults&colorizedImg=DP0313201317010741M.tif" target="_blank">here</a>) / Banana republic nude pumps (<a href="http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=35159&vid=1&pid=558360032" target="_blank">similar here</a>) / Blazer from TJ Maxx (old) / Stella & Dot Renegade bracelet / Michael Kors goldtone watch / Stella & Dot Rebel Pendant </div>
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**Pair of tiny little gold tone feet on my lapel - received this evening while attending St. Elizabeth's Women's Center Annual banquet. Represents one of the many lives saved by this incredible organization who strives to educate women about the lives of their unborn babies and end abortions. This is the "sister" organization to where I work as a women's counselor. Very near and dear to my heart!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjno5YV1ONVTAaqnq8zF70N5Kmu6wWjR77yGxqEao2hMPpmxV699DAAHoJuW8X0jHOhGMnKk4inpEOuD7ese6egIXTpcrxc2WsOSM5Uq5pO1lJuo1xlX-beTqqJRMWPt54cvVjui_7rYog/s1600/IMG_8618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjno5YV1ONVTAaqnq8zF70N5Kmu6wWjR77yGxqEao2hMPpmxV699DAAHoJuW8X0jHOhGMnKk4inpEOuD7ese6egIXTpcrxc2WsOSM5Uq5pO1lJuo1xlX-beTqqJRMWPt54cvVjui_7rYog/s640/IMG_8618.JPG" width="250" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nuCYdCqFaI_An9vWc80oTAJYoCv0VFlcpZT1w5AXRxxppGGLZPl4eJaxBdg5wmupjEIQOYJlQiuPtbF1dmVX8P94n8UJgZqo-ub10odhIirBcmY-m0J-kItPAP7psMfmdmrfBFW6UlQ/s1600/IMG_8636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nuCYdCqFaI_An9vWc80oTAJYoCv0VFlcpZT1w5AXRxxppGGLZPl4eJaxBdg5wmupjEIQOYJlQiuPtbF1dmVX8P94n8UJgZqo-ub10odhIirBcmY-m0J-kItPAP7psMfmdmrfBFW6UlQ/s640/IMG_8636.JPG" width="278" /></a></div>
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Calvin Kline Floral Print Sundress (old) / Max Studio 100% cashmere cardigan (similar <a href="http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/vince-cardigan-rib-cashmere?ID=837960&CategoryID=2911#fn=spp%3D8%26ppp%3D96%26sp%3D1%26rid%3D%26spc%3D70%26kws%3DCashmere%20Cardigan" target="_blank">here</a> and I <a href="http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/aqua-cashmere-sweater-drape-front-exposed-seam-cardigan?ID=775109&CategoryID=2911#fn=spp%3D25%26ppp%3D96%26sp%3D1%26rid%3D%26spc%3D70%26kws%3DCashmere%20Cardigan" target="_blank">LOVE this one</a>!)/ Infinity Scarf from local boutique / Silver ballet flats (old)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWM2TL78LQOpvZPfxh2oYAVA8yu4UHfAQ2z3Uzr_g-V3wxF4R9VSedw4LuGsL9CppnInewMDqkuFlhG6ELhT3QqlY6AGRfl_6HV81RSn0-4UL0Gxt8oAlV0GawUnjyieoT8toKL2D9CE/s1600/IMG_8637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWM2TL78LQOpvZPfxh2oYAVA8yu4UHfAQ2z3Uzr_g-V3wxF4R9VSedw4LuGsL9CppnInewMDqkuFlhG6ELhT3QqlY6AGRfl_6HV81RSn0-4UL0Gxt8oAlV0GawUnjyieoT8toKL2D9CE/s640/IMG_8637.JPG" width="336" /></a></div>
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Well, that is all for now. I hope to be back sooner than later and look forward to taking a few minutes now to check out all the lovely blog posts you have all updated recently! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>XO</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jessy</i></span> </div>
<br />Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3905111523889709735.post-19332760171951719732013-09-27T06:27:00.001-07:002013-09-27T06:27:39.197-07:00Weekend of Dresses<div style="text-align: center;">
It has been super dry here and Friday night the heavens opened up! We have certainly made up for all the rain we haven't been getting in the last month or so. Time to break out the Hunters for my afternoon appointments :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufd6wKMEeTMGD8ean6hvDRnM3PmjpueIp56TbmqVNECzAe6DvBqB7N5SgbCVDgQHpKT8s77xptDHB0omLODUw3hCbWrTDa_olJVo-sGLkutViPsG34EoxWK4qhTpv78IfG6SfqeBYVYA/s1600/IMG_8430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufd6wKMEeTMGD8ean6hvDRnM3PmjpueIp56TbmqVNECzAe6DvBqB7N5SgbCVDgQHpKT8s77xptDHB0omLODUw3hCbWrTDa_olJVo-sGLkutViPsG34EoxWK4qhTpv78IfG6SfqeBYVYA/s640/IMG_8430.JPG" width="310" /></a></div>
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Joe Fresh dress via JCPenney (no longer available) / Old Navy Jean Jacket (<a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?vid=1&pid=385356022" target="_blank">here</a>) / Hunter rain boots - original (<a href="http://usa.hunter-boot.com/product/original-tall-rain-boots" target="_blank">here</a>) / Michael Kors watch / Tiffany & Co. heart charm bracelet / Nine West bag (sold out - see others <a href="http://www.ninewest.com/Handbags-Accessories/8346270,default,sc.html" target="_blank">here</a>)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnM14iGjLrnh1ER6zqFe-CmGOTEJnkh8xaqCJTL-zRO_GWNDP0mu0Zao1Z1FEocIzNxzCxqrKWhKPmDj1dRmEbIZOp47_uxPFZn7DMs4fvyanS3UqStdekhx-Nj9z6MgsdPLggQJFugM/s1600/IMG_8437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnM14iGjLrnh1ER6zqFe-CmGOTEJnkh8xaqCJTL-zRO_GWNDP0mu0Zao1Z1FEocIzNxzCxqrKWhKPmDj1dRmEbIZOp47_uxPFZn7DMs4fvyanS3UqStdekhx-Nj9z6MgsdPLggQJFugM/s640/IMG_8437.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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Saturday was "date night" with my husband. We went out to dinner to a place downtown called 360. It is at the top of a hotel and it slowly revolves so that it goes completely around the top in 1 hour giving you amazing views of the downtown skyline, the river, the stadiums and the hills of Ohio and Kentucky river valley. It was so nice since we got there about 20 minutes before sunset and finished up our very relaxing visit by enjoying the city all lit up and even a fireworks show in the distance over the river banks. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3yzjeGRA7UjvwvxPtGah801-kyPTj9opAW0tlaXbRD7m02_wbL6Id28mOjU6gtNghVTsC_tEUg3_pWruOKcOLm1C1_nB8sPqD4ExWPLkmhvirtqT-1UeCoR04wX8WSk30729Dj1Pdxo/s1600/IMG_8455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3yzjeGRA7UjvwvxPtGah801-kyPTj9opAW0tlaXbRD7m02_wbL6Id28mOjU6gtNghVTsC_tEUg3_pWruOKcOLm1C1_nB8sPqD4ExWPLkmhvirtqT-1UeCoR04wX8WSk30729Dj1Pdxo/s640/IMG_8455.JPG" width="310" /></a></div>
Banana Republic Dress (no longer available) / Steve Madden Leather moto Jacket (old -<a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/steve-madden-fringe-trim-faux-leather-jacket/3482676?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=steve_madden_fringe_trim_faux_leather_jacket:681356&cm_pla=outerwear:women:short_jacket/coat&cm_ven=Google_Product_Ads&mr:referralID=23a5c761-247d-11e3-a8bc-001b2166c62d" target="_blank"> love this option</a>) / Banana Republic Peep Toe Leopard pumps (<a href="http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=35159&vid=1&pid=558357012" target="_blank">similar here</a>) / Stella & Dot Rebel Pendant / Braided gold tone bracelet via <a href="http://www.jewelmint.com/" target="_blank">JewelMint</a><br />
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And Sunday was a much more relaxed but very crisp day (a PERFECT fall day!) so boots and jean jacket again were again the uniform paired with today's dress.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrV7fxb1EIqqJsScstYgWCPGs-SLu0xRYNAt-Qji7w5Ft1Ui_LYRktqUlnf_yKwkz-LHDr4FhCj0DT3IhVMaVzi8TA_2LF4FWXKqCjdW4TCrd49AImKOVeLzQeATnPC___JBDfYxb-YI/s1600/IMG_8460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrV7fxb1EIqqJsScstYgWCPGs-SLu0xRYNAt-Qji7w5Ft1Ui_LYRktqUlnf_yKwkz-LHDr4FhCj0DT3IhVMaVzi8TA_2LF4FWXKqCjdW4TCrd49AImKOVeLzQeATnPC___JBDfYxb-YI/s640/IMG_8460.JPG" width="312" /></a></div>
Madden Girl boots (old) / Old Navy Jean Jacket (<a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?vid=1&pid=610900012" target="_blank">here</a>) / Dress via Macy's (old)<br />
(I totally forgot to put on jewelry until rigth before I walked out the door so it's not pictured here - sorry! ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJlpngW2tqLih_YLSbq6wyGUiWwZrX4BiLz1NRO6vXBlAr5W09kdlvY6wbXM7M92fsIOsXcaI-Hr304rvngOKJ2uzMz5SBr0lqUyJPRT_ED8iVY-qCkrEtor-8nZB9S9alE_aET5QOaE/s1600/IMG_8463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJlpngW2tqLih_YLSbq6wyGUiWwZrX4BiLz1NRO6vXBlAr5W09kdlvY6wbXM7M92fsIOsXcaI-Hr304rvngOKJ2uzMz5SBr0lqUyJPRT_ED8iVY-qCkrEtor-8nZB9S9alE_aET5QOaE/s640/IMG_8463.JPG" width="342" /></a></div>
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Okay, so I know these were all from<em> last</em> weekend...sorry! It's been a VERY busy week. </div>
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I hope that everyone is starting to enjoy a little "fall-like" weather in your part of the country.If you enjoy it as much as I do, that is! </div>
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XO</div>
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Jessy </div>
Four Seasons Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13140396627692770329noreply@blogger.com6