Category Archives: Life

Life

Happy New Year!

December 31, 2014

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Happy 2015! This year has been a good one. Last year at this time, I was packing up my suitcases and signing the lease on my new apartment in San Francisco (without even seeing it first!). I was nervous and excited, but I mostly felt ready for this new adventure. It took five suitcases, one horrendous back injury (always lift with your knees…), and two layovers for a total of a 13-hour trip to finally make it here, and I’m so glad I finally did. I think the New Year is a great time to look back and reflect on all your accomplishments in the past year. 2014 was a big year for us, and we have many more exciting adventures awaiting us in 2015.

Cheers to you, 2015! Happy New Year!

XO, J

Image custom designed by Meghan Scanlon.

Life

Merry Everything!

December 17, 2014

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We hope your holiday season is merry and bright! We will be hopping on a plane and heading back to snowy Maine later this week and we’re SO excited to enjoy some much needed R+R! Merry everything, dear friends!

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XO, J, Sawyer, and Buddy the cat! :)

Holiday card graphic designed by my amazingly talented friend, Meghan.

Life

Today I am 24 Years Old.

November 18, 2014

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Today I am officially in my mid-twenties.

I feel so proud of everything that I’ve accomplished in the last year. I’ve sold my car and most of my possessions, moved across the country, rented a new apartment, found a new job, and made a life for myself here in San Francisco. After almost a year of living here, I feel like I’m coming into my own and settling into the city. I feel extremely grateful that I grew up in Maine and it will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart, but I’m also so grateful to have this amazing new experience of living somewhere completely new and giving it a go on my own. And although this blog tends to only highlight the fun and exciting things about city living, there are many not-so-glamorous aspects, too (like the fact that rent prices can’t stop won’t stop).

It’s been a year of both good and bad memories, of forging new friendships and cherishing old ones, of blossoming growth, and of crippling loss. I’m so grateful for the everything past year has taught me and I’m looking forward to what comes next. Bring it on, 24.

XO, J

P.S. Photo taken by Sawyer while enjoying a post-ice skating birthday burger and chocolate shake at Calibur.

Life

Lena Dunham is Not That Kind of Girl

October 12, 2014

Have you seen Lena Dunham’s advice web series, #ASKLENA? She comes across as funny, charming, and relatable. And, as it turns out, she manages to give a lifetime of advice in a 2 minute video. Here are a few of my favorites.

On positive body image:

On sleeping with bad people:

On dealing with jealousy:

I’ve just downloaded her book, Not That Kind of Girl, and can’t wait to start reading it! Lena, you rock.

XO, J

Life

A Weekend With Friends

October 8, 2014

I’ve been getting back into the swing of things and finally got to go through the photos from a few weeks ago, when my bestie Sierra and her boyfriend Jason visited us. Sierra and I go way back, but she moved to Canada after high school and we hardly got to see each other after that. It was so good to be reunited at last after many years of being apart! Some photos from their visit are below if you’d like to see!

beachWe spent as much time on the beach as we could… obviously! ;)

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For lunch one day we went to Tlaloc for the most delicious burritos (maybe the best we’ve had so far?). And yes, I got a salad because I’m boring. It makes for a prettier picture than a burrito, though!

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So happy to be with my people!

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The lovely couple riding the train like old pros.

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IMG_7387We <3 San Francisco! xoxo, S&J

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A snap taken from our car window as we drove down the famous Lombard Street!

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We spent the day at Crissy Field on Saturday with our toes in the sand.

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And afterwards we ventured over the Golden Gate and into the Marin Headlands for some breathtaking views of the Bay.

 

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Our view from Cliff House! :)

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Friendship like this doesn’t come often. Thank you, Sierra & Jason, for visiting us in SF! Come back soon!

XO, J

Life

Keep Searching For Yes

September 21, 2014

“No” is not a negative. “No” is neutral. Keep searching for the “Yes-es” in your life. -Jen McGowan

A few nights ago, I had the pleasure of attending LUNAFEST 2014. It started out with a swanky reception for the VIPs to mingle and nosh on yummy hors d’oeuvres. I had the delight of meeting the lovely ladies of Linqia (hi, girls!) and a few other Bay Area bloggers!

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The event continued with several different speakers, including the co-founder of Clif bars, Kit Crawford, and Jen McGowan, the award-winning film producer of Kelly & Cal. Her speech was so inspiring and encouraged all women to “keep searching for the yes-es” in their life, no matter how many times they’ve been rejected.

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After the speeches, they aired eight short films directed by women about women. Some were funny, some were sad, and every single one was poignant and thought-provoking. After watching these short films, I was inspired to think about the women game-changers in my own life. That’s why this post is dedicated to my Mom – my number one role model and number one fan! :)

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Mom, I appreciate you more than I can express in words. You have been an incredible role model and my number one cheerleader! Thank you for raising me to value my intelligence and independence, and always focusing on my accomplishments rather than my appearance. You taught me that it’s cool to be smart (3 years of math & science camp, say what?) and instilled in me a strong sense of morality. I am so grateful for everything you do!

Check out the trailer for LUNAFEST 2014 and see if it will be coming to a city near you!

Who has inspired you in your own life?

XO, J

Thank you to LUNA Bar for sponsoring this post and for inviting me to LUNAFEST! All opinions expressed are my own.

The film festival—by, for, and about women—has not only raised 2.5 million dollars to date for the Breast Cancer Fund and other nonprofits around the country but is also rare in that it is one of the few recognized and heralded avenues reserved for women filmmakers, and enables them to get their films out into the world and to impact and inspire other women filmmakers and their audiences. LUNAFEST is created and funded by LUNA®, the maker of the Whole Nutrition Bar for Women®.