awkward & awesome: "katniss with a pug face"

{ What I Wore: StyleMint tee // Tolani scarf // Old Navy rockstar skinny jeans // Steve Madden over the knee suede boots }

{Get the Look}

blue tee {$20.99} + patterned scarf {$32.00} + skinny jeans {$29.50} + black boots {$69.00}

{ Awkward }

• I have worn these jeans for more than the past week (have you noticed!?), and they are still pretty tight. Moral of that story, the Old Navy Rockstar skinny jeans are very cute, but order a size up!
• For the person who found my blog by searching for "toplesspics", I hope you were disappointed... who does that?! awkward
• If you found my blog by searching "katniss with a pug face", and are still around, will you come forward? I want to shake your hand, that is an amazing search (we are talking about Hunger Games, right?)! (and now my blog can be found that way... and I love it!)

• the boyfriend and I moved in together this summer, and I wanted to share some more about that experience in the near future, but I didn't know how to bring it up... so, there's thaaaaat... was that awkward to anyone but me??

{ Awesome }

• Being sick means eating lots of soup, and I have perfected my own butternut squash soup recipe... no spoon needed, slurp, slip and enjoy
• My boots are out, fluffed from their summer storage, and lined up along the bottom of my closet... brings a smile every time!
• my new iPhone 5 made its way to my welcoming arms last night... I. Am. Obsessed! Watch out Instagram (@jesshereandnow) - I am back in the game!
• saw Argo with my girlfriends last night (it was goooood!). Even if we were just sitting in silence, I really enjoy and cherish my girlfriends time (especially since moving in with le boyfriend)
• annnnd my sister and brother-in-law are coming to visit me in Nashville for the first time EVA! So excited to show them around my fair city, and soak up some Fall goodness!

Did you have any awkwards or awesomes this week?
Dish it ladies!

awkward&awesome

As I mentioned before, my 24 hour journey to France was a bit draining, but once there, I was invigorated by all exciting prospects of exploring and eating my way through the week along the French Riviera. There were highs and there were lows, lots of awkwards, and many awesomes. Here is but a small bit of my daily life while at both the scientific conference, and holiday in Nice following.

Awkward

1. When you aren’t able to speak the native language, one has to excel at gesturing and smiling… good thing I was always a Charades winner

2. 4 options for water (room temp, chilled, still or sparkling), and yet none of them involve ice (and I am a serious ice cruncher)

3. Stalking pugs through the streets of Nice… Good thing Pug owners are just universally nice people!

George the pug

4. When you ask a French person to photograph you, you are open to tips, criticism, and laughs… well, at least I will never see them again!

Here I am reacting to the suggestions of the person I asked to take my photo... who told me I looked too stiff & serious!

5. Scientists… skinny dipping…. AWKWARD! I was the on shore lifeguard, remaining fully clothed at all times

Nerding out with my science!

Ok the top 5 awesome things were beach, food, beach, shopping & food... but I thought that was a little boring, so here are the next top 5!

Awesome

1. Traveling alone - while I was lonely at times, the fact that I flourished and actually came to enjoy my alone time was quite amazing to me. I navigated my way through a country, of which I had ZERO understanding of the language, I found my way through the city's winding paths, I discovered hidden gems, and out of the way restaurants, and I took the time to just sit and enjoy

Dinner for 1: scallops & linguini, local red wine, and bottom-less bread. Definitely took a break from my gluten less lifestyle!

2. Sunsets on the beach - it was amazing to have been so close to the water for a week, appreciating how the light changed the color of the water throughout the day, watching the birds and the fish circling above and below, and dipping my toes into the waters everyday.

3. The conference I attended brought an international attendance, and I had the great pleasure of meeting fellow scientists from around the world. Seriously, I must say the Cyprus girls were a beautiful & fashionable bunch!

4. Somehow French dogs are just more chic than other dogs (well, except Doug)!

5. At lunch, when you wanted to get something to drink (since iced water, and diet coke were out of the question), you just walked up to the wine barrels, pulled the tap and took your fill... all the time, no matter what... I could get used to that!

What are you favorite parts of traveling?

Any awkward and awesome stories in your life lately?

xx

Jessica

awkward&awesome

Good morning... things have been pretty awesome and awkward around here... but I guess I wouldn't have it any other way!


**Before I get to my A&A, I have a public service announcement... I love reading your blogs, and sometimes in the comments I can't figure out how to link to your site (I am slightly technologically challenged)... so let's all use this little genius-ness


post: <a href=http://www.myhereandnowlife.com/ ]]> Here&Now</a>
Put your domain name where the purple text is (i.e http://www.myhereandnowlife.com/), and what you want your link to show up as in green (i.e. Here&Now)**


Ok, back to the regularly scheduled programming...

{ What I wore: StyleMint Tangerine Tank // Blank Denim via ModCloth mint jeans (similar) // NineWest wedges }

{ Awesome: }

- Mint jeans... these guys continue to rock my world. Is there a color they don't look amazing with?! (check out more navy + mint inspiration here)

- I have officially become a hoarder of striped tees... and is officially AWESOME!

- My new roommate moved in, and came with a kegerator! Still working on getting some gluten-free cider in there!

- The boyfriend got a motorcycle... I can't lie, he looks pretty smoking hot on that thing! (he still is trying to get me on the back...but I'm letting him log a little time on that bad boy before I hop on)

- No cable or internet in the new place yet (which is why I haven't been able to reply to as many comments, or check out your amazing sites this week!), but it does mean that the boy and I have been playing board games, catching up on some season 1 Entourage and generally nesting.

Don't mind me... just fixing my mullet!

{ Awkward: }

- I have had a iPhone for about 4 years now, and I still fail to hit the "dial" button about 90% of the time... so I stand with my phone to my ear for 5 minutes before realizing that I don't know how to make a phone call! Text messaging is going to be the downfall of me!

- Driving down a busy, street in the heart of Nashville, I almost hit a deer... my country girl survival skills must be rusty, because I freaked out (luckily the deer ran to safety in a nearby park)

- I am such a baby when it comes to anything that closely resembles "working out" (re: skinny fat), so when riding my bike I realize that I am exerting so much effort that the tops of my feet are sweating... that is NOT ok with me!

- Bringing 2 poop bags along on the walk, and the pug lays down 3 deuces... what are we feeding him!? 

- A typical evening at my place has been captured in the video below... I was doing a little rearranging of the bookshelf (have I mentioned how OCD I am about organizing!?), when Doug took it upon himself to defend me against the villainous Piggy Bank

(*Warning: if you are at work, turn off your sound or use headphones, this video contains barking)

How has your week shaped up? 
Any awkward? Awesome? Do share!
xx

Jessica


P.S. I have just recently become obsessed with the fabulous clothes over at Oasap and signed up to be a part of their fashion hunter program
 (you can too: Join Now )
The wonderful people over at Oasap also have a Super Giveaway opportunity for you
{enter HERE to vote for the item you want to win!}
152 silk tops & dresses are up for grabs! So get to voting!
There will be 1 winner selected for every 100 entries, and you can enter 3 times!
For extra entries:
Like Oasap on Facebook
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Giveaway ends July 10th, and winners will be announced soon after
Cheerio!

a little awkward, mostly awesome

Day 25 of my 30X30 Remix Challenge! Today I am bringing back the awkward&awesome

{ Blank Denim for ModCloth Mint Jeans / Splendid Sweater / J.Crew Silk Tank & Belt / Thrifted purse / Vince Camuto Derby Pumps {lust list} }

{AWKWARD}

 1. Apparently, the only way I know how to spice up an outfit is by adding a belt... {here, here}
2. The neighbors just got a dog, and Doug isn't allowed to meet it until it is "trained", says the owners... oh sorry, wow people, wow...
3. Driving by the place I am going to move to (see below) no less than 3 times per day... yes, I am stalking it until May 1st!
4. Living out of boxes... I got excited and already started packing... whoops!

{AWESOME}

1. Yesterday's wet bun turned into decent curls for today... usually it looks like a small creature has taken over my head when I attempt this... so I'll take this as a win

2. I became an Aunt yesterday, my sister gave birth to two beautiful twin girls (Etta Jane & Claire Elaine)! You can call me Aunt Gigi from now on!

3. I found a place to live! This is beyond awesome. I had a little bit of impending homelessness that has been stressing me out... but no more! Now I can look forward to decorating (I am going to ignore the chore of moving for the time being)

4. Bachelorette Party this weekend in Dallas... besties, girlie drinks, glitter, and lingerie party oh my!

5. Um, the weather in Nashville is beyond amazing right now. I can totally get over the 2 inch layer of pollen on my car in exchange for this Spring time lasting FOREVER!

6. I may or may not have (pssss... I did!) fall in love with a little black girl pug... and am currently trying to convince myself that this time of moving, traveling to weddings/visiting friends, and generally transitioning is not a good time to adopt a new pug baby.... so far it isn't working!

I really like how the belt changes the shape of this sweater... if I can't buy a peplum, I'll make a (faux)one!

7. Getting to see my talented roommate Kiernan McMullen play a show last night in town. You should definitely check out his music!

8. My boss has been gone from the office this week, which means that I have gotten lots of furniture stalking accomplished (picture inspiration boards for every room of my apartment that I am not even living in yet... obsession!)

9. Close to being finished with my 30X30 Remix Challenge... it has been wonderful so far, but I am ready to hit up the mall to pick up some inexpensive trendy items (neon, neutral sandals, peplum top), and also some investment pieces that I have identified as being lacking from my wardrobe (a tweed jacket is at the top of this list!)

10. Just found out that I get to attend a science conference in the South of France this Fall! Being a nerd finally has its perks! yay!
xx
Jessica
P.S. Share your awkward&awesome with me!

stumps: awkward or awesome?

Coat - J.Crew {similar, on sale!}
Sweater - Banana Republic {similar}
Jeans - Citizens of Humanity {similar}
Heels - Jessica Simpson {similar}
Snood - Homemade {similar, lots on etsy}

I am so thrilled that jeans can be found in every shape and color these days, and have jumped on board with high-waisted, flare, skinny, red, blue, and green varieties (to name a few). 

When wearing my flare leg/bellbottom denim I am always vigilant to avoid the stump leg look and sport shoes that show from beneath the bottoms. 

But last week I saw Sydney rocking the phantom foot look, and now I don't know what to think!

So, what do you think? In spirit of Awkward&Awesome, which camp does this fall into? Should your shoes show from under your jeans, or do you think the column of jeans is leg-lengthening?

 Personally, I usually just want to show off my cute shoes!

See - told you I'm wearing {cute} shoes!

{Awkward}

- Currently having two pimples on either side of my forehead that resemble Devil horns... just perfect!

- Doug had a stomach issue last weekend... I will spare you the details... but it. was. horrid.

- My lips are shedding their skin... like snakes, but less cool and more ow!
- Eating ramen noodles for the rest of the month so I can afford the new Spring fashions (but seriously)

{Awesome}

- Got my Winter fix, Nashville had snow flurries last weekend... some even stuck around for a few hours!

- Mint jeans... I finally got a pair (two actually, but sending one back), 

I'll fill you in on details and share photos soon

- Having my boyfriend make me my own beer... a Dunkelwizen, that is perfectly banana-y and clove-y! DE-Lish!

What's your awkward and awesome-ness? Spill it!

xx

Jessica

awkward&awesome

Good Morning!

Are you feeling awkward&awesome?! Me too :)

let's start with the awkward and end with the awesome

Awkward:

{1} My obsession with pugs (pugs + post-its, its love!) - at least I can admit it!

{2} Finding and jamming out to my NKOTB (New Kids On The Block) TAPE! Awkward, being still knowing every word!

{3} Getting off the elevator on the wrong floor, waiting a second, pushing the button, and the doors to the same elevator that I just got off opening... face palm

{4} Realizing only after I have a 5 minute convo with a professor in the grocery store that I am wearing my gross house slippers... so classy!

Awesome:

{1} Running my first 5K in 30 minutes!

{2} Wearing a panda hat while running 5K! Maybe it is my lucky charm!

{3} Drinking beer homemade by my boyfriend! so yummy

{4} Enjoying Restaurant Week in Nashville - tried 2 new restaurants, and brought 2 food babies to full term! I think I found a whole new level of food coma after sampling all of the deserts at Caffé Nonna (Tiramisù, egg nog gelato, citrus cheesecake, chocolate bread pudding, oh my!)

{5} Reading the new issue of Rue Magazine! So much inspiration!!

Share your awkward&awesome-ness here, 

and read more over at The Daybook

xx

Jessica

awkward&awesome

When I started this blog a whopping 3 months ago in October, 2011 I knew that I wanted this little spot on the internet to be a place to share my daily fashions, as well for it to be a journal to look back on. In the new year I would like to start doing a better job of chronicling just exactly where I am in this Here&Now life. My first step in this direction is going to be implementation of a bi-weekly "Awkward & Awesome Thursdays". Awkward and Awesome Thursdays are a brain child of the wonderful Sydney over at The Daybook, and I have really enjoyed reading her hilarious and "that-is-so-me" moments. I think it will be fun to look back at my Awkward & Awesome Thursdays to see exactly what was awkward and awesome in my life at that point along the journey.

{Doug is Awkward & Awesome too!}

Ok here are some of my awkwards and awesomes from the past week... now that I am doing this, I will try to pay attention and remember more!

Awkward:

- Wearing the same jeans 3 days in a row ... saggy butt!

- Waking up to find tinkle on the bathroom floor and not knowing if it is from the dog or the boy roommate (instinct told me it was not the dog, unfortunately I was right!)

- Having your roommates find out you have a fashion blog when they walk up on a fashion-shoot-in progress occurring in our back yard! oh hey guys!

Awesome:

- Coming home to the most excited pug ever! (he has energy for 15 minutes when I get home, and then he is content to chill with me the rest of the night. BEST. DOG. EVER!)

- Getting to watch the Razorbacks (Arkansas Football team) one last time on TV for the season... ok, I got my fix, y'all can take a few months off now

- My sister sharing ultrasound pictures of her adorable twin girls (6 months along)!

Want to join in on the Awkwardness & Awesomeness? Head on over and visit where it all started {here}, or let them loose on the comments below!

xx

Jessica