Lately

Outfit - Earrings: Lyn Jewels, Skirt: Urban, Tank: Target

(I decided the majority of the photos from this shoot were too "boobalicious." I asked Jordan why he didn't warn me about this when he was taking my picture. His response? "Why would I?"

It's been a while since I've done a "Lately" post, which I often turn into "outfit" posts. I got these adorable crystal ear studs from Lyn Jewels and thought it was time I show them off! You can get 12% off your order with the code JULIEANN12 until June 30th!

Besides being able to rock (aka: sweat in) cute skirts and tanks thanks to the ridiculous heat wave we just went through, my life has still been a sea of randomness. Lately I've been:

- Tying up loose wedding ends (buying parent gifts, writing vows, finalizing timeline, etc. etc.)

- Enjoying our first beach day of the year (thank you ridiculous heat wave).

- Trying to teach Penny how to "speak." Bitch doesn't get it.

- Going to cardio barre. Still!! Are you proud of me? I finally feel like it's becoming a "habit" rather than....torture.

- Taking it easy on the business side of things and trying to remind myself that that's ok. It's hard to not feel like you have to constantly be pushing your business. Fears creep in. Fears of being left behind. Fears of losing business. But the thing is, no one can do everything all the time. And wtf, I'm busy getting married, ok? :p

- Getting excited to share a booth at Renegade LA with my dear friend Erika from Rouge and Whimsy. If you're in the area, put it on your calendars (July 26 + 27) and come see us!

- Counting the days, really. Only 10 more until #thejjwed! ;] We are so excited, I know it's going to feel so unreal.

What have you been up to lately?

Show Prep

Dress c/o Fleet Collection, Shoes: Target, Clutch: No Rest For Bridget   I got some questions on Instagram about this bun hair-do. Wanna know the secret? It's a Hot Bun. Yes, a Hot Bun. Have you seen the commercial? J's sister ordered one and they sent her four so I got to snag one. Finally figured out how to use it last week and I kind of like it!    In other news, I'm sitting on the couch next to Pen right now and she is dreaming. Her paws are twitching, her nose is twitching, she's making snorty noises. Oh, to be a dog.   I just finished folding stock for a San Francisco show this weekend. That's right, I'm headed back to San Fran! At Renegade SF I got to meet Brit of Brit + Co. She told me about an event her company is putting on called ReMake:2013. It is a 2-day event, part conference, part market. It is focused towards a more "techy" crowd than other shows I've done so I'm hoping to reach a different audience. I can't believe it's in two days though. I haven't even start messing around with my display in the garage yet. That's a "must do" for today.   The other big thing that has been looming on my to-do list is holiday cards. They're coming, I promise, it's just taking some time to get them "right." Honestly, it's been hard to find design time to commit to. Sometimes I almost have to give myself a pep talk. Come on Jules, let's do this. Otherwise, before I know it, I've spent 2 hours pinning wedding inspiration. Oops. I have a feeling that is going to be an ongoing challenge until our wedding.   If you're in the SF area, come see me at Re:Make on Saturday! And if you're not, stayed tuned for an "events" update where I'll share all the shows I'll be doing this season. (I applied for too many, let's see how many I get accepted to!)   xo JA

Welcoming Spring Dresses

I don't know if you've noticed from the seldom outfit posts I do, but I like to wear black. Sometimes grey. Sometimes black and white. It's not that I "don't like" colors, I am just, for whatever reason, drawn to black. I do make an attempt to branch out (it just doesn't always work) and to help me with my attempt I thought I'd put together a spring dress wish list, that is of course, colorful.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 /  8
I mean, everything is super cute, am I right? So why when I go to the store to I generally skip over all this stuff? I'm telling you, I need to hire Erika as my personal shopper. One day I'm going to fly her down from Seattle and make her go shopping for me.
What's your style like? Are you drawn to bright colors? Are you embracing the crazy neon trend that seems to be around every corner at mall right now? Will you come help me shop? ;] xo JA
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Lately

Outfit details: Dress: No Rest For Bridget, Camera Bag c/o JoTotes, Shoes: F21

Lately I've been:

Trying new recipes from my Granny's cook book.

Listening to old school Yellowcard songs.

Feeling anxious for beach days (almost here!).

Getting excited to release new JAA products.

Teaching Penny a new trick ("be cute").

Feeling the pressure to be the best I can be.

Missing home (officially visiting in June!).
Learning how to stand up for my business.

Looking forward to heading to San Fran over Easter.

Feeling closer and closer to my blog friends.

What have you been doing lately?

The Anti-Valentine's Day Valentine Card Maker?

I have been talking about Valentine's Day for months now. Basically right after Christmas (or maybe even before) I am in a Valentine state of mind. Sort of weird for someone who has never really been into the holiday.

 Shirt: ASOS, Headband: Much Love Illy

The relationship I was in before dating J was 6 years of not celebrating Valentine's Day, or really any holiday or birthday for that matter, because we were broke college students who just didn't care. Now I'm in a better financial state (and better relationship) and I'm still just not into the holiday. Like, make me a handmade card and I'm good to go (go figure). (And don't you dare get me chocolates because you know I'm trying to eat better.)

When I talk about Valentine's Day plans, it's in a "We should probably do something, huh?" kind of way. "I guess we could go to a movie...we've been wanting to see Les Miserable anyways." And honestly, now I feel like the work craziness I experience before the holiday impacts these feelings even more. I'm in a state of I don't want to do anything but sit here on the couch.

But this most likely will not stop me from getting dressed up, putting on my festive Much Love Illy headband (20% off with the code SPRINGCLEANING) and get lovey dovey with J. Do you celebrate Valentine's Day?

Also, two big things happening on the blog tomorrow! Stay tuned for a HUGE giveaway. And also, the winner of the 11x17 poster for my Customer Appreciation Giveaway will be chosen! Have you entered yet?

Also just want to throw in a quick thank you for all your comments on yesterday's post. It's a special thing to be a part of such an amazing supportive community. Thank you! xo JA

Long Distance Friendship

So I'm not entirely comfortable being in front of the camera. And I'm also not a huge fan of the color pink. But here I am, getting my photo taken in some bright pink shades. You know why? Friendship. Are you confused?

Back in April I attended a blog conference in Arizona where I met some fly bitches. Yes, bitches. (We are that tight so I can call them that.) While I was so thankful to have met them, it was like, dang we live literally all over the country so seeing each other will be hard.

The lovely Illy, came up with the idea of The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Sunglasses. She wore them over on the east coast. Then passed them on to Leo, who took them all the way to Ireland!

I took them to the west coast, gracing the edge of the Pacific Ocean. So they have now been coast to coast and even international! Their next stop is up north to Seattle to visit Erika. (I actually get to give them to her in person because she is coming to San Diego next weekend and we're going to have a little blogger party!) Be sure to follow them along!

It's pretty crazy to think of my friendship with these girls. It never would've happened if I hadn't started blogging. What a good decision that was, huh? ;]

My Style: A Lunch Date

This weekend I had the pleasure of meeting Gina, of Acute Designs, and Tammy, of Lemons, Avocados and The Bay! We live relatively close to one another and decided to meet for lunch. I'm so glad we did because I had so much fun!

I decided to wear one of the new dresses I got from Ruche.  I have a thing for dresses with sleeves and I just couldn't pass up this pretty blue floral pattern. It's really comfortable and has a fun cut out in the back.

 (This happened.)

Outfit Details: Dress: Ruche, Shoes c/o Blowfish Shoes, Ring c/o My Life In Lavender

My Style: The Weekend

Shorts: Tillys, Top, Bracelets, Sunglasses: F21, Shoes: Aldos

The majority of my weekend was spent working on or working at a craft show. Once Monday rolled around I was like ok, I deserve some me-time. This is not to say that I didn't work at all, because I had to devote my evening to shop orders. But I did spend a sunny afternoon poolside with some great friends, yummy food and good tunes. Just what I needed to end the crazy busy month of May! Did you do any relaxing this weekend?

My Style: Alphabet Dress

Outfit details: Dress: ASOS (out of stock), Belt: Target, Shoes: Blowfish Shoes

I loooove this dress! It is my first high-neck dress and I totally feel like I'm channeling my inner-Betty Draper (not sure that's a good thing actually since she's not the nicest, but you know what I mean!) And maybe it's the typography nerd in me but I think the lettering detail is adorable. I paired it with my new blowfish shoes, that I found through this post from Sandy, of SandyalaMode! I don't wear heels too often but when I do, I'm a sucker for a red wedge! ;] What's your favorite fashion accessory?

My Style: Lust For Life

Outfit Details: Pants: AE, Tank: UO, Shoes: Steve Madden, Jewelry: F21, Clutch: No Rest For Bridget (local shop that I LOVE!)

Man. Life is good. I've just been feeling so thankful lately. It's one thing to get the chance to take a trip to another country. It's another thing to be excited to come home. It just makes me realize how happy I am in life right now. I love our house, I love the comfort of sitting on the couch, watching tv, Penny curled up next to me. Oh how I missed Penny. Being away reminded me to not take anything I have for granted.

P.S. Did you see my little garden in the background of the outfit pics??! My tomato plant is getting big! So excited!

**Linking up with TheLetter4 and ThePleatedPoppy**

My Style: Mustard Crush

I've done a lot of shopping lately! If you follow Illy's blog, you may have seen this post about all of our thrifting adventures (there were a lot of them).  I scored all kinds of goodies, including this super sweet spice organizer! We also enjoyed the clothing boutique's downtown and that's where I picked up this mustard print dress! (I'm totally drawn to mustard.)

Outfit details: Dress: Funky Shoe Boutique, Cardigan: Target, Tights: Express, Necklaces: Craft Show (Can't remember the seller!!)

Also, today's the last day to enter this week's sponsor giveaway! The Skinny Confidential is offering $30 towards some adorable packaging and party supplies (that I'd love to get my hands on if I could!) so don't miss out! Winner is announced tomorrow!

This post was linked up with TheLetter4 and The Pleated Poppy.

My Style: A Day at Home

I had yesterday off work so I thought it would be a good time to shoot an outfit post. But since I had just been getting things done around the house, my outfit wasn't exactly "outfit post" material. But then I thought, so what? Why not share the casual look I normally wear around the house? I'm sure not dressed in "outfit post" attire every day of the week! So take a look at this super styling outfit I chillaxed in all day long today.

Outfit details: Leggings + Cardigan: Target, Obey T-Shirt c/o Jordan's closet

That was fun! I think it's time to spread the word on comfy clothing outfit posts! What do you think? Who's next? ;]

My Style: Valentine's Day

Outfit Details: Dress and Tights - ASOS, Shoes - ModCloth

Happy Valentine's Day! Tonight we're getting dolled up and going to a comedy show. I love comedy shows!! I mean, who doesn't like laughing till your cheeks hurt (well, hopefully). Doing anything tonight? Special or not? xo JA

My Style: Working Weekend

Outfit: Tunic c/o ShopKempt, Purse c/o Altliae, Pants- Tilly's, Scarf - Target

We've had a busy weekend! Lots of work being done, it feels like Santa's workshop over here (Jordan has even called me "Santa" a few times. Maybe I shouldn't have worn my red pants)! We've managed to get out of the house and enjoy some really delicious meals and taken Pen around for some walks. But we are all putting time and effort into the crazy orders coming in. So thankful for the support my shop is getting this year. And I know a lot of it is because of you guys. You're the best!

How was your weekend? Do anything fun?

P.S. I've got another fun giveaway coming tomorrow! Have you entered this one yet though?