Colonel Kenneth Dick

Good morning, my darlings.

I am taking today and possibly tomorrow off of posting, due to a death in the family.

My dear dear step grandpa, Ken, passed away yesterday morning after being in Hospice for the last few weeks. He was such a strong man, and over the last few years had beaten several different kinds of cancer, and lived through two serious heart surgeries. Even though he had many struggles with his health recently, I NEVER saw him without a smile on his face.

He and my Nana found each other almost 10 years ago, after each had grieved the deaths of their first spouses. They made wonderful companions for each other and spent their time traveling, playing bridge, and doting on their grandchildren... both Nana and Ken practically adopted the children and grandchildren that came with finding a partner so late in life, and both families love them like their own.

Ken served a long and honorable duty as a Colonel in the U.S. Navy, which allowed him to live in many different places around the country and the world. He LOVED to tell stories about all of his experiences, and was always sure to keep us very entertained at family dinners and holidays.

I will miss Ken SO very much, and I know my entire family will as well. My prayer this week is that my sweet Nana will feel peace, and be comforted by family and friends. She and I talked for a long time last night, and it just broke my heart to hear the hurt in her voice. We cried together and reminisced about all the happy memories, but I know the pain will last for some time.

I will be back later this week...

Love, Jessie

Plaza Photo Project

After several rainy weekends in a row, I finally got around to trying the "abandoned camera" photo project this past sunny Saturday. Like the website where my inspiration came from, I wrote a simple note and tied a disposable camera to a bench in a high-traffic area. The note said simply, "Hello, I attached this camera to the bench so you could take pictures. Seriously. So have fun. I'll be back later this evening to pick it up. Love, Jessie."

G and I picked a bench in front of a coffee shop on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, and we scootered ourselves over on Saturday morning to set it up. After tying the note and the camera to the bench with some embroidery thread, we went about our days as usual.

We swung by late Saturday night on our way home from a friends house, and all the exposures had been used, Yay!!! Below are the highlights of the roll of film. The photos that I left out were duplicates (there were a surprising amount of shots of the street and the lampposts).

Enjoy!

Overall, an interesting social experiment... I'd love to do this another time in a different location to see what happens.

If any of you lovelies decide to try this in your own hometown, please let us know about the results!

I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone

Lacewing by NaturalDevelopments

Well, the metaphorical rain is gone, but the actual rain is still very here...

No one told me that Early Summer in the Midwest would be so much fun (sarcasm intended)!

I'll take real storms and rain, over the metaphorical kind, ANY day. Allow me to explain...

The Butterfly Garden by irenesuchoki

For the past eight months, I held a position that taught me many things.

I didn't learn how to become better at marketing, or how to develop a business, or how to succeed in a professional work environment. I didn't experience any of the things that I was hoping to encounter when I accepted my former position back in September.

I learned that leaving 20 minutes early on the Friday before your birthday weekend will sometimes get you docked a whole half of a vacation day.

I learned that sharing your original ideas with someone may mean that they will steal them, present them, and claim them as their own.

I learned that not every boss that you work for will have your best interests in mind when they are making decisions.

I learned that when you are hired as a Marketing Associate, you very well may be hired the same week that the receptionist is fired, therefore making you a super-stapler-phone-answerer-copymaker-dish-washer-errand-runner completely by default.

I learned that being offered more money to stay at a job that sucks the life, soul, joy, energy, confidence, and charisma right out of you is not usually a good idea.

I hate to be a downer, but as far as I can tell, the end of this story is going to be a happy one.

Dusk by jmulcahy

For the past eight months, I have been a shell of the person I once was, and this past week has seemed to be what it must feel like to bust out of a cocoon after a dreary winter.

At my new job, I have tentatively begun to stretch out my stiff limbs of logic and my delicate wings of creativity.

So far, I have spent my days enjoying myself more than I ever dreamed would be possible at an actual job. I have been brainstorming and writing much needed marketing materials. I have been meeting, planning, and preparing to help open a store that is run by people with a mission and a purpose - our store is part of a company that I believe in with my whole heart.

I have been coming up with displays for some of the most gorgeous jewelry, dish ware, bedding, and furniture lines that can be found in Kansas City. I have been thoroughly enjoying myself, loving my co-workers, contributing to the progress of the business, and finally feeling like my presence is needed and that I really belong.

Flutterby by soundslikerain

As each day of the first week has passed, the wings of my heart have fluttered like a baby butterfly who is just realizing how much of this glorious world she has ahead of her. She is no longer a caterpillar who has to bore herself with munching through endless amounts of leaves.

This brand new butterfly has the freedom to flit about from flower to flower, spreading the pollen it takes to make the world beautiful.

I suppose that the longer one spends in their dark lonely cocoon, the more appreciative they are to finally be free.

Jessie's Piperlime Pick of the Week V

It's Friday, and you know what that means!!!

Time for your weekly Piperlime Pick!

"Looker" by Enzo Angiolini - $99

This week's shoe reminds me of a high heeled version of the gladiator. The dark brown leather and the gold-toned hardware send a vibe of toughness, and the heel adds just the right touch of femininity.

Pair these with a floral vintage tank dress, cinched in at the waist with a brown belt, and you have a look that says "I may be girly, but don't mess with me!"

On another note, I'd like to mention that my first week at the new job has been amazing! I wanted to wait at least a week before I actually blogged about it, so I will hopefully be sharing more details with you next week!

I have been feeling a little stressed with my posting these past few days and I think it's because I am finally in a position where I get to use my creativity, so when I end up sitting down to write/post I am a little drained of ideas. Bear with me and thanks so much to my readers for continuing to check in and supporting me with your presence and your words... I love you and have a fabulous weekend!

I'm Yours

Summer is here my friends, and lately, I've been missing San Diego SO much.

Come to think of it, I have pretty much missed SD all year, but especially now and especially when I watched this video (even though it wasn't filmed there).



Road trips, swimming in the ocean, driving with sun roof open, frozen yogurt, shopping with friends, going to the beach, riding bikes, bonfires...

Kansas City, I love you.

San Diego, I'm yours.

Healthy Hooves

My finger nails are paper-thin. Peel 'em apart, fold 'em into origami shapes, papery-thin-thin.

I have tried countless nail hardeners by reputable polish names like OPI, Nailtiques, and Sally Hansen. None really seem to do much besides add a little shine, and they all end up causing frustration when my nails continue to break.

This year, my search for the perfect clear nail polish ended.

One of my old bosses had the most enviable nails I had ever seen - always beautifully lacquered in shiny red, just the right length, and never chipped. After a few weeks of noticing her darling digits, I told her I just had to know where she got her nails done.

I was shocked to hear that she does them herself, and the reason they are so strong and always perfectly polished, is because she uses a secret weapon that she was happy to share with me. She scurried back to her office, and returned holding a little amber colored bottle that has since changed my life.

Healthy Hoof Hi-Gloss Protectant - $4

That's right. Hoof lacquer.

I don't know if was really originally formulated for horses, but let me tell you - It works.

I was able to find it at our local CVS, but after a quick online search, it looks as though they also carry it on Amazon, as well as several beauty supply websites.

Use a couple of coats on your bare nails to make them stronger than ever, and over nail polish to add shine and prevent chipping.

Now trot on over to find yourself a bottle...

Neigh.

Jonathan Adler Giraffe Lamps

It is weird that G and I have NO idea if/when we will ever be ready to have children, but when it comes to picking out names and decorating the nursery, I have everything perfectly set up in my head?

Theme for said nursery? Giraffes. Weird, I know.

I really rully love animals, and Giraffes are one of my favorites. I think it's because G is a little Giraffeish in his own way... tall, thin, eats leaves, has those little nubby antler things growing next to his ears...

Ok, just kidding about the eating leaves part.

"Giraffe Lamp" by Jonathan Adler - $375

Anyways, when I saw this lamp here the other day, I quickly added a pair to the ever-growing shopping list in my head.

So, besides the $375 price tag (that's for one, folks) what do we think?

Cheesy? Darling? A little too... too?

I'm dying to know your thoughts, my lovelies!