Five Years Ago Today - Part I

People always ask me "what brought you to Cincinnati"
And (until I get to know them) my typical response is "my job"
Nobody ever questions it since it's such a logical response.
But it's always been a lie.

-----
Five years ago today...

I was packing up my life.

My tiny apartment was filled with boxes

It was in Memphis. In Harbortown. On the Mississippi River.

Where I took daily strolls along the park

And shopped at a cute local grocery store called Miss Cordelia's

I was minutes away from my best friends condo

and a $5 cab ride from a night out on the town.

I had a huge walk in closet

but the tiniest kitchen.

Priorities.

It was my fourth year at the bank
I'd already been promoted three times.

Had a wonderful boss

Got to talk to Justin Timberlake on the phone (shameless name drop)

It was a short walk to the famous restaurant, Rendezvous

and a 5 minute commute from home.

 I could do laundry on my lunchbreak if I really needed to.

Most of the family lived close.

Mom, sister, and brother all lived a short drive away.

If my car broke down my brother could come to the rescue within minutes.

I saw my sister at least once a week, especially since we had class together.

Home cooked meals were 20 minutes away.

If I was sick, there was soup.

Help was at my fingertips.

Handfulls of friends.

From highschool, from college,

from just being awesome (just kidding)

were constantly surrounding me with love

with laughter, and sometimes with trouble.

I had just finished my MBA program.
I felt smart.
And I was excited to add those three letters on my resume.
A resume that I would need to update immediately

Because I was moving.

It was the plan to move once I finished my MBA.

A move where I didn't get to pick the place.

And today was the day.

I broke my lease.

I quit my job.

I sold my car. (yup)

My friends threw me a going away party.

I had one last homecooked meal with my family.

I hugged them all
And I cried.

And then I left for Cincinnati, Ohio for my then relationship.

To Be Continued...

Book Review: ROOM

Wow. This is a MUST read.

My Review:

Room is unlike any book I've read. The first few pages were hard to read, but once I understood how 5-year-old Jack talked (he is the narrator) and his perception on the things in the Room, I thought it was brilliant. It's a quick and an easy read about a serious subject. I couldn't put the book down (even took it to work to read on my lunch break) and it only took me 2 days to read it! (That has NEVER happened before, it usually takes me weeks to finish a book!) I highly recommend it if you are looking for a new book.

I even liked it so much, I got on the website http://www.roomthebook.com/ to write the author a letter (Yes, I'm THAT girl!) And while doing so, I found a 3D version of the actual room. Now this puts EVERYTHING into perspective! If you've read this book, this picture makes you understand it a little bit more.

Here is the overhead version:

Door, lamp, rocker, books, bed, rug, table, sink, stove, bath, toilet, tv, wardrobe.

Wow. I know its fiction, but I'm still speechless.

And notice the skylight and the keypad on the door.

I was picturing it in my head completely different.

I'm obviously still affected by this book. I've you've read it, let's chat!

Fashion Friday: I Heart Bow

I recently purchased this dress from ASOS and am in love.

(Perfect for one of the 5 weddings I have left this year!)

One, I loved it because of the price. (It is on sale for only $29!)

And two I loved it because of the tulip shape and this little surprise in the back.

If you know me, you know I LOVE wearing bows!

Any clothing item with a bow (or ruffles or lace), I'm pretty much game for wearing because I always feel so girly and feminine in a bow.

Here are some other pretty bows that I adore. I soooo wish they were in my closet.

And ofcourse, I'll wear them on my feet too.

Are you bow-ed out yet? I'm not!

BRING ON THE BOWS! :)

Where You Can Find Me...

Sometimes when I'm running, I sweat a Jack-o-lantern.

So random, but true.

It took alot of motivation (and sweat, obviously) to get started with running again, and a few things definitely helped out the most. Want to hear them?

Then, hop over to Meghan's blog, Little Girl in the Big World where I guest blog about how I started my running journey.

Hope to see you over there!

Lemon Garlic Tilapia Recipe

The thought of cooking fish has always intimidated me.

How do I cook it? Should I use foil packets? What seasonings should I use? How do I know when it's done?

My insecurities with cooking showed a whole new light when it came to fish.

But last week I had a fishy craving and just decided to go for it. So, I threw some fish in a dish, topped it with seasoning, put it in the oven, made some healthy side dishes...and waited on the outcome.

Thankfully if it sucked, I'm lucky to live in walking distance to a local pizza joint!

Finally, the moment of truth.

My reaction, "BEST FISH EVER!"

Ingredients

I made my recipe to feed 2 people, but feel free to double the recipe to feed more.

2 tilapia fillets

1 lemon

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 tsp parsley or thyme

pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Rinse tilapia fillets under cool water, and pat dry with paper towels.

3. Place fillets in baking dish.

4. Cut lemon in half, squeeze half a lemon over fillets.

5. Drizzle olive oil on top. Sprinkle with garlic, parsley or thyme, and pepper.

6. Cut slices with the other half of the lemon and place slices on fish.

6. Bake in preheated oven until the fish is white and flakes when pulled apart with a fork, about 30 minutes.

I served it with a ceasar salad, asparagus and brown rice.

Seriously, this meal was just what I am looking for. Easy, tasty, and healthy! 

I loved it soo much I made it first on Friday night, again on Monday night, and had fish leftovers on Tuesday night too. I’m in LOVE with it! And I'm so happy I am not scared to make fish anymore.

Do you have any great fish recipes? I'd love to try them so please share!!

Photo Booth Time

Just wanted to share a few pictures from the Tate/Stevens wedding photo booth this weekend in Nashville.

My hot date CV!

Me & my beautiful friend Natalie

Don't worry. We come in peace.

Well, maybe not.

The Beautiful Bride, Me & Nat!

Two of my favorite ladies!

The BHS Group!

These were some of my closest friends in high school. Still so much fun.

All were Class of 2001, except for one!

Do you like my mini trumpet?

High fives for a great weekend in Nashville.

I loooooove photo booths.

Fashion Friday: Make Me a Bird

I am in love with animal print.

I know what you're thinking...but I'm not talking about your typical snake skin/leopard print/zebra print collections. I'm talking about animals, real animals. Today, birds, in particular.

There are only two bird printed pieces in my closet and that's only because I have to talk myself out of animal printed clothing every time I find a piece I love. To be honest, I just don't know how long this trend is going to be here, and I'm not one to throw away all my money on "trends". 

So for now, I must be content with my two bird pieces: a little white/navy bird covered tshirt and my blue bird printed summer scarf.

Mela Loves London bird print dress, $20 / Button dress, $19 / Marc by Marc Jacobs silk sleeveless blouse / Warehouse lightweight jacket, $55 / Glamorous cream vest, $28 / Romper jumpsuit / MSGM striped shorts / Striped handbag / Vintage looking jewelry / Layla Amber laser cut jewelry, $25 / Dorothy Perkins flat earrings

Do you think this bird print trend is going to stick around???

Please say YES so I can do some bird shopping!!

Nashville Bound

I'm off to Nashville this weekend...

...to see my friend Candice get married!

In class at BHS. (horrible picture, don't judge)

Girls Night out at Bahama Breeze.

New Years Eve, Candice came to visit me in Cincinnati

Our 10 year High School reunion.

And a few weeks ago in Austin for her bachelorette party.

(Very fitting picture, wouldn't you say?)

Candice,

I'm so excited for you and Adam and I wish you both so much happiness!!

I can't wait to see you on Saturday as a bride and help you celebrate your BIG day!!

xoxoxo forever -

Jax

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm loving...that I have a lot of trips planned and are coming up soon!

Although only one of them is really a vacation!

Nashville (wedding)

Hilton Head (week vacation with CV's family)

Tampa (wedding)

Memphis wedding)

I'm loving...the gym! I've been working out a lot lately and attending several classes. In the past week, I've attended yoga, pilates, spinning...and also ran on the treadmill and lifted weights.

One of these days, I'll be able to do this: (yeah right)

I'm loving...that the Bachelorette finale is on this weekend! (Although I already heard rumors of the "winner") And I'm excited about the Bachelor Pad starting next week.

#TeamJef

I'm loving...these pins! Follow me here!

What are YOU loving today?

 Visit here to play along!

Blogger 411: According to Jax

Linking up with Becky for Blogger 411:
If you want to know more about me, keep reading:

1. How long have you been blogging? And what got you started on blogging?

I've been blogging for a little over 2 years and started because most of my close friends live far away and I wanted to create a way for them to keep up with me & my life.

2. Did you go to college? If so where, and what did you study?

Received my MBA from Union University (Jackson, TN) and received my BSBA in Marketing from Christian Brothers University (Memphis, TN). Graduated with my MBA at age 24!

 

3. Where have you traveled?

I've been to several US States. The Bahamas (twice), Puerto Rico and Mexico.

I desperately want to travel internationally and take a lot more fun vacations...and an Alaskan cruise!

4. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy?

First, I would give each of my family members a chunk of the money. Then, I would probably book a fancy vacation for me & CV, then another one for me & my girls. I'm pretty reasonable, so even with the lottery, I don't think I would make any unnecessary purchases.

5. What are your 3 biggest pet peeves?

Talking on the phone at the dinner table

Not holding the door for the person behind you
Not returning a text or phone call

(Basically, I can't stand rude people)

6. What is your favorite movie?

A Scent of a Woman & Edward Scissorhands

7. What is your drink of choice; wine, beer, or liquor. Or Water, Soda, Tea?

WATER. Although I do LOVE some southern sweet tea, I know it's bad for me so I usually just stick to water. (And wine & liquor on weekends!)

8. What is something you enjoy to do when you have me time?

Going to a pilates class/working out...and cleaning. No, I don't really like to clean, but I definitely enjoy the outcome. I'm definitely a happier person if everything is clean and in it's place.

9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be?

Probably Macy's because I could by clothes, housewares, furniture and etc.

10. Share with us an embarrassing moment of your past? Or present.
I know exactly what my most embarrassing moment is. It was so embarrassing that I got dizzy and almost fainted because I was so mortified.
And no, I will not share it.

11. What day would you love to relive again?
My BFF and I went to the Bahamas a few years back and one day we parasailed, rode jet skis, went down HUGE water slides (that I was sooo scared to go on), went on the lazy river...and the rapid river! It was so much fun to play in the sun, eat delicious food and then get drunk and party at the hotel club that night. I would relive that day for sure.

12. If your life was turned into a movie... what actor would play you?

No idea, but I would vote for Jessica Alba.

13. What are the jobs you had in high school/college/the early years?
My first job was at Holidays, a small clothing store.
Then, I was a waitress at The Dixie Cafe, a hostess at Bola Pasta and Olive Garden.
Then, I worked for Zales jewelry store for two years, before I got my big full time job at the bank.

14. Show us a picture from high school or college.

High School: Pep Rally Day

College: Toga Party with my sorority sisters

15. If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?

Australia. It would be a very long plane ride (which I would hate), but seeing kangaroos run wild would be worth it.

16. Show us the most current picture of you, your family, or anything of meaning to you.

Took this the other day on my phone. Lame. :)

17. Where do you see your life 5 years from now?

Happily married with a little kiddo or two running around and hopefully at an amazing job.