Bride 2 Be

So I'm a little behind on my posts....

I'm probably just still in shock that my baby cousin is getting MARRIED in OCTOBER!

Love the guy. Love the girl. Love the idea....

It's just so surreal that it's all happening. 

I had the privilege of helping her shop for a dress a few weekends ago and let me tell you, this girls is  a lot like her ol' cuz (me). She knows what she likes and once she finds it.. that's it. Game over.

Jeu terminé (that's for Maryn).

My kind of shopper. 

{p.s. this is NOT THE dress... I know not to ruin a surprise like that! }

She is going to make a beautiful bride! 

Congratulations Maryn and Travis . 

xoxo---

Giveaway

To the first person to e-mail me at joy4lxpressions@gmail.com

and 10% discount for the rest of you.

Ready, Set, Go !

@tessajoy05

First off... can I just say that Instagram has to be the most brilliant app out there. I mean think about it... you take a picture, you choose an edit, your friends like it and wallah you got yourself an app.  Some guy is living high off the hog right about now because of your pictures... probably in the Caribbean sipping margaritas while getting his feet rubbed and soaked in gold. Makes ya feel grand doesn't it?

Anywhooooo... here we go.

1. I am pumped I got to break out the peep toes in the middle of March- unbelievable weather we are having here. I'm soaking in every minute I can and praying it stays this way.

{yep, my second toe is longer than my first... means I'm lucky, right?}

2. Nice weather requires long walks at the local State Park with Mr. Sea Ray

3. Retro bowling shoes and balls at a senior day care center- pretty rad, eh?

4. HUH!?

5. A friend turned me on to the best eye shadow pallet out there right now-- Urban Decay Naked 2 

(she claims 1 is pretty good too)

6. Sport'n my new hat... and ever since this picture was taken Charlie has decided to take it upon himself to see what the hat would look like after he ran around the house with it in his mouth, shaking it back and forth so the shape now looks like a tilley hat {remember those? LOL}

Grrr little man... momma is not happy with you.

7. Girl Scout Cookies! - My favorite... Carmel Delights

8. Hi Mom {fine.... can't be mad at him for too long}

9. My beautiful little niece who is now starting to walk! You go girl! You are making Aunt Tessa proud.

Follow me : @tessajoy05

Open Book

Erase. Start over. Erase. Try again.

These have been my attempts at putting up a post today.

It's 5:30pm on a Saturday night and the most constructive thing I have done all day is get a shellac manicure and a massage. If you don't find that constructive...bite me :) 

On that note.... some days I don't feel like being so "JOYFUL" and I more or less feel like just "EXPRESSING" my true feelings on this thing. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the fantasy of blog land and make everything in your life seem so rosy and beautiful with pictures and words. Don't get me wrong, I love photography and seeing how everyone makes their pages unique. It's like eye candy! However, I follow quite a few blogs and I can tell you that half of these bloggers have more troubles and heartache going on in their lives then what they make it out to seem.

So my question is...

Why do we do this? What is the purpose of making people believe that everything is peachy keen in our lives...that we just float around with an SLR camera in our hands and a smile on our face? Do we think that our readers will like us more?  That we will gain more followers? Are we afraid they will judge the real person God made us to be? This seems to be true in all forms of media these days.

I've got news for you. I'm not perfect. I screw up on a daily basis. When I take my makeup off at night, you will find plenty of imperfections. I don't have the best grammar and writing skills... but I don't claim to either! (I wasn't an English major). I tend to be more pessimistic towards things. I run late to just about everything. I have a horrible time remembering names. I can't even draw a decent stick figure for goodness sakes. But guess what... I am who I am. and this is my blog. I am free to write whatever I so desire. That is the beauty of it. 

ahhhh. sigh.... just wishing we could all be a little more down to earth. real. who we really are.

So my vow to you is that I will always leave my blog an open, honest canvas for the moments I feel inspired or have a thought I want to share. I don't need to update every day, have hundreds of followers, and paint my life out to be perfect all the time. Because it's not. ..and neither is yours.
I am who I am. You are who you are. 
Stay true to that and we will be able to see the true talent that God has placed in each and every one of us. 

That's all for now folks ! 
:)

Quick and Easy Superbowl Salsa

Friday Friday ! Indeed it is the weekend. My weekend starts right after I throw up this post and get in my car. I've planned a little getaway for myself to Indianapolis where the Superbowl is going down.

If you're looking for a good game starter for your party this Sunday, here is a tasty salsa recipe for you:

Ingredients:

• 1-14oz can diced tomatoes
• 1-10oz can original Rotel
• 1/2 small onion, roughly chopped
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed
• 1/2- 1 jalapeno, seeded or not ( depends no how spicy you like it)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1 small to medium size handful of cilantro, washed
• juice of 1 lime

•                                                                                               

Directions:

Put all the ingredients in the base of a food processor or good blender and pulse to combine for 30 seconds or so until all the ingredients are finely chopped and salsa is a desired consistency. Taste for seasoning and adjust to taste. Serve with chips or over tacos.

Happy Superbowling Friends.

Lipstick and Instagram

Some recent instagram pics...

1. A Beautiful/ Caring Friend 
2. My new lantern that I am obsessed with
3. Cousins puppy poo- Jack.
4. Homemade Deep Dish Pizza- Yummers
5. Really? 
6. Excited to go to work
7. Never too many kisses for Charlie Ray
8. Ann Taylor Loft Sale! YES!
9. Sushi Sushi

and one helluva quote...

Amen to that sista- exactly my plan for the weekend. 
Happy Friday Friends!!

Every Day...

5 things I use every day.

I thought it would be fun to show you 5 of my favorite items I use on a daily basis and couldn't live without.

My make up.

 {someone asked me where I get my ELF make up at ... I find it at Target and holy cow is it cheap- I think I paid a buck for the shimmer whip}

Ugg Slippers

 {my Ugg-a-licious slippers that keep my feet oh so toasty}

iPhone

{my iphone with my new Kate Spade case... do you like that I'm rock'n the hot pink nails in the middle of January? I do too }

Aveda Hair Products

{I'm really into Aveda products right now. The smell is glorious and their products seem to work the best with my hair type. I use the the Damage Control Spray,  Firmata Hair Spray, and Light Elements Serum on a daily basis}

iMac and Macbook Pro

{Couldn't live without my imac and macbook pro- use them constantly and would never go back to a PC. The saying is true... "once you go mac you will never go back"}

and there you have it!

Oatmeal Cookie

The perfect oatmeal cookie.

Buying groceries has always been on my "not so fun" list.  I would rather take my $100.00 and shop at Ann Taylor for a new sweater or slacks(who still uses this word?) Yesterday I found myself craving a good homemade cookie... Something about the smell of freshly baked cookies while snow is falling down outside had me more than excited. I skimmed through a couple recipes and came across this one. Best part about it was I didn't have to step foot outside of my cozy home to buy the ingredients! Score! 

How to make your own Oatmeal Cookies:
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
 1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups quick cooking oats

Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, cream together butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon: stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in oats. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls, and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.Flatten each cookie with a large spoon dipped in sugar.
3. Bake for 8-10 minutes in preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.


Top it off with a good cup of coffee and enjoy.

Simply Delightful!

Update

Okay Okay... So I have waited almost a month to write up another post. I know! But I don't know where the time goes to be honest. No excuse though. My new years resolution is to write more frequently...so hold me to it, will ya?! Thanks.

Catch up...  

Christmas 2011

My Darling Maryn Dawn fixin' us some yummy's 

 We did a little sight seeing on Christmas Eve and stopped by my Pop's parents grave site. It was an emotional moment but it was interesting to hear the stories of my ancestors.

A Christmas Tradition on my dad's side of the family the past few years has been to make a stop at the Hofbrauhaus in Kentucky on Christmas Eve Day. I always stick with the tasty "Christmasbier"they brew there.

{my mom and her mom-- she looks great for just turning 85! }

 

I am

Listening to..."Girl from the North Country" by Bob Dylan

Thinking of...how i'm going to get all of my Christmas shopping done

Looking forward to... spending time with family over the holidays, visiting with my friend from Cali, summer weather

Smiling at... old photo's

Wishing... it wouldn't get dark so early

Feeling...cozy

Blown away by... the peace that is given to me when I spend a few whispered moments throughout my day with my Heavenly Father 

Loving...my imac 

Making... homemade gifts, tea, new design for my blog 

Learning... that people come and go far too fast in our lives.... I am learning to cherish the time and season I have with them while it lasts

Feeling... humbled. relaxed. especially after listening to THIS

a few of my favorite things...

Homemade Peppermint Sugar Scrub

Sugar Scrubs are going to become a new ritual in my bathing routine. After dealing with dry skin every winter and trying just about every product out there... it comes down to sugar scrubs and Aveeno lotion for this girl. 

After I made this remedy for myself, I thought.... what a cute, inexpensive, fun gift to give to a friend this holiday season.

If you would like to try making some for your friends ...listen carefully and do as I say :)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon vitamin E

A few drops of Peppermint Oil

 Mix sugar and oil together, then add vitamin E and peppermint oil and stir until blended. 

Place in a mason jar.
You may need to add a little more oil as you see fit.

---------------------------------

As most of you know I love burlap and try to use  it just about anywhere I can,  so of course I had to incorporate it in this project somehow. Out came the ol' hot glue gun as I glued some burlap onto the lid of the jars and wrapped it up with a little greenery (snipped from my Christmas tree) and ribbon.

For the label...

I created this and then bought white shipping labels {Avery Template 5164} to print them on so they became stickers. 

Very Simple.
----------------------------

This  became such an easy project that I made quite a few of them. Don't be surprised if you get one from me for Christmas. (I hope my Secret Santa from work isn't reading this).

best of luck and happy holidays dear friends!

it goes on.

What is it about a good quote that just makes us feel comforted? It's like someone else has been in our shoes before and had the courage to write their feelings down so the rest of the world could relate at some point. I'm glad they did. 
Today this one stuck out to me,
So I turned it into this so I could frame it for myself.

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving.

From one happy bunch to another.

what are you thankful for ?
I am thankful...

that throughout even the toughest circumstances,  I still have loved ones to turn to.

I have my faith that I stand strong upon. 

I hold one word in my heart that matters most by the one that matters most... Forgiveness.

I have a job that has led me to reach out and meet so many great people.

A roof over my head, food in my belly, a hot shower to jump into, clean clothes (too many) to put on, a pooch that gives me such unconditional love, my health, technology, shoes, blogs, life's challenges, transportation, laughter, red wine.

I AM THANKFUL FOR IT ALL.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We celebrated my cousins birthday tonight- what a cool birthday to have on Thanksgiving!
Happy Birthday Brook-eeeeeliz

 and these two wonderful cousins always fill my heart with joy when I see them.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

5K- Chicago

Run Forest, Run! Run like the wind. Run like hell. Run for your life.

I ran my first 5k in Chicago last weekend and enjoyed every second of it (once I crossed the finish line). Never in a million years would I consider picking up running as a hobby. How do people do this for fun? This was a bucket list item that I have been wanting to check off for awhile now and was so glad I did. I was just lucky to have my friend coaching me the entire way on how to breathe properly.

What an amazing feeling when I crossed that finish line, and an even greater reward when I  got to meet up with some more friends in the city for a night out on the town :)

Picture Perfect

Fall is here, but the beautiful colors that come with this season only last for so long. Indeed it's picture snappin' time ! Thank you Amanda for letting me capture the beauty that you and your  daughter both posses. These are moments to treasure forever.

Pumpkin Spiced Latte

Although we are in the midst of an Indian Summer, soon enough we will be back to wearing warm woolen scarves, baking an apple pie, and hopefully sipping a pumpkin latte. 

{so save this recipe}

Hope you find a friend to share some with and enjoy!

McWard Wedding

I had the privilege of standing up as a bridesmaid this past weekend in my girlfriends wedding. She is from a small town in Southern Illinois where the wild grass grows and everyone knows each others names. This was the first time I made the trip to her hometown and I must say that I really enjoyed my stay. Life is a bit slower, more meaningful, and God's beauty was shining all around down there.

 If you must know what the wedding was like just close your eyes and imagine how an interior decorator from Potterybarn might do her wedding. Now add a southern gentleman on the side of a beautiful bride and you will have the McWard Wedding.

Picture perfect. Straight from the catalog. 

Burlap. Ball Jars. Twine.

Although I had strict instructions to just play "bridesmaid" this weekend, I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of my own when I wasn't in them.  

(sorry hired photographer)

Thank you for letting me be a part of your special day K and J McWard!!!  

There is only one happiness in life,

to love and be loved.

- George Sands

Cowgirl Bride

Well this cowgirl here is a friend of mine,

we went to college together and had a mighty fine time. 

We stuck together through thick and thin

kind of like those boots she's in.

She met a man who swept her off her feet

and now they're going to dance forever to their own two beats. 

They will be as one in a couple of weeks, 

but this cowgirl will always mean a lot to me. 

{Nashville, Tennessee}

Bag Belle

Happy Labor Day !

I don't know about you, but I sure do enjoy a break from the normal routine Monday. Sleeping in, staying in a T-shirt and sweats all day, letting my face take a breather from make-up, are all reasons I love having a day off of work. After my coffee this morning I headed to Hobby Lobby ( surprise surprise), to see if anything was calling my name. My sister text me while I was there and asked what I was buying. I had to stop and think about it for a minute and replied... "Whatever I walk out with!" You just never know how that store will inspire you. 

Did you know that in almost every isle there are free pamphlets with inspiring ideas in them? Hobby Lobby is like a second home to me and I never noticed these freebies until today. I picked up one today called "Burlap Goes Boutique" and went to town. 

This was one of the ideas in the booklet.
{I added the stone}

 "Bag Belle" 

       If you want to check out the pamphlet, click HERE
{you may have to type in "Burlap Goes Boutique"}