*HUGS*

jD + Chris

~JD

When she moved back to Mississippi it broke my heart. We lost contact and all I had were memories…but warm, comforting memories at that! I kept looking and eventually I found her on Facebook. I struggled with contacting her. I looked at her picture and studied it making sure it was actually “her”.  Wondering if she would remember who I was and if she remembered me, the way I remembered her.  It’s amazing how fast time can come and go. We get older, have families of our own and live far away. But one picture, one face takes you back to the day…the days where becoming part of Kirk Camerons fan club trumped all and somehow we scrounged enough for postage. So here is what she said this morning that encouraged me for the week ahead…

“Woohoo, It’s Monday!  A clean slate- You’ve gotta love it ;P”

Thank you for not only being my inspiration on a cloudy morning here, in the Pacific Northwest, but being an inspiration since 4th grade. You touched my life, more than you know. I’m so happy to see where you are today and to know, that you are so happy.

*CHEERS* To people who impact your life and just don’t even realize it.

~JD

*CHEERS* To brides & grooms who can rock the party!

~JD

*CHEERS* To getting together with friends & family!

JD

Makeup brushes are essential in a great makeup application and if you don’t have them…I highly recommend investing in a good, quality set.  However, your makeup brushes are like hair and we are talking the kind, you have on your head (not literally) but they need to be washed and cared for.  Once a month is a good cleaning and if you use more makeup than normal in a month, then twice is great.  The reason for washing is simple, BACTERIA.  You wash your face each night (or should be doing so!) You wash your hair several times a week (or should be doing so!) You use your makeup brushes on your face most every day and near your eyes and nose.  That “breakout” that you had last week…well it may not be from the source you thought it was.  It could very well be bacteria from your brushes.  So, here are some tips to care for those prized little possesions!

1) A mild shampoo (I like to use baby shampoo)

2) A clean towel or paper towels

3) A cup or a brush stand

4) Warm water

&

5) YOU listening to your favorite tunes on the ipod! (I do this all the time and I even dance!)

BRUSH CLEANING:

Get the head of your brush wet in the water, pour a bit of shampoo in the palm of your hand and gently make a circular motion, while “washing in the shampoo. Rinse and repeat until water runs clear. Try not get the entire brush wet because your brushes do have glue, to hold the hair in place.  Too many times and they could start to fall out.  Gently squeeze the water out of the brush and softly run over the towel.  Then let dry, don’t let it lay flat on the towel because of a chance of mildew forming (Yucky!) Make your way through each brush and you will be living bacteria free!

Well, I hope this finds you all well and in good spirits…give it your best & do it in style, YOUR style!

*CHEERS* To rosy cheeks & red lips!
~JD~

*CHEERS* To clinking wine glasses!

Chris & JD

1) DUTCH BROS. (Oh how we love our local baristas!)

2) Sleeping in!

3) The kind heart our kiddo has. She has a fundraiser started to help ship toiletries to the poor families in Japan!

4) The comforts that we have on a daily basis, but sometimes forget to be thankful for.

Happy Fabulous Friday to you!
~JD

It’s an icy & in some places snowy Northwest Morning! I am from South Eastern Idaho/Salt Lake City, Utah area. So when I had my first encounter with snow here, I was like…Yeah, yeah. “This isn’t scary! It’s only snow people!”  Uhhh…stop me right there! Snow is NOT just SNOW here in the Portland areas. It is like super freaky ICESNOW and this stuff is wicked to drive in!

So we are driving over to the Pearl District today, to meet with some other wedding professionals and I am all freaked out that, I am going to hit some freaky ICESNOW!  Our kiddo fell down the back stairs this morning and it just feels like a crazy morning so far…Do you ever have those days where things just feel…OFF? I have TONS of driving today…go figure. I may either be A) Bald by the time I get there or B) Gray haired by the time I get there or C) A combination of both!

Wish me luck!

XoXo~JD

The really cool thing about being an adult (even though I am extremely jealous of  NOT getting summer break from school ;P) Is that we now, get to experience the summer, through the eyes of our daughter.  Today, we sat on the back porch reading a COOK BOOK (yes, we love new recipes and sauces!) basking in the rays of sunshine and watched our daughter ride around on her bike with her friend.  They were dancing, laughing and thinking that they are WAY TOO COOL!  It just makes me smile.  It’s the small things in life…right?

Popsicles, flip flops, dribbling icecream cones, coconut lotion, Iced tea, camp fires and the sunburn you got because you forgot the sunblock! Cherished are the adventures we share as a family, that really enjoys being with eachother!  What are your summer traditions…what makes this time of year great for you?  Let us know! BRING ON the days of summer! Oh my!

X’s & O’s
JD