My Peace Love Life
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Travel
  • Before I Die
  • Contact
  • Model
  • My Wedding!
  • My Lovely Fans!

Make the most of your Summer, with help from New York Weekend Breaks

7/12/2019

0 Comments

 
Make the most of your Summer with help from New York Weekend Breaks
Ok ya'll, how is your summer so far?!
Since today is officially the beginning of the third week of Summer, I just thought I would check in with you! Are you drinking enough water? Wearing sunscreen every day?
Are you making the most of your summer?
Because not only is Fall ten short weeks away, but you all know why I love July-it is the start to the second half of the year! The first half of the year is over now, and you know that the second half will go even faster! So make sure you are making the most of it!


Make the most of your Summer, with help from New York Weekend Breaks
Don't you wish adults got summer vacation? Me too!
So even though we don't have a summer vacation, and a lot of us don't even have the vacation days to go on an extended trip, we can still have a fabulous summer weekend trip! To...you guessed it, New York City!


Make the most of your Summer, with help from New York Weekend Breaks
New York City can be the perfect weekend getaway. Remember a couple summers ago when my mom, my sister, and I spent 14 hours in New York City? Such a blast! And in such a short amount of time, we saw and did a crazy amount of things!
So I can only imagine what a magical time could be had in a full weekend.


Make the most of your Summer, with help from New York Weekend Breaks
New York City however, can be quite daunting (this coming from a girl who traveled to China by herself!)-enter New York Weekend Breaks!
New York Weekend Breaks is the absolute go-to New York City website. It is the most thorough, and my favorite NYC site I have seen yet.


Make the most of your Summer, with help from New York Weekend Breaks
New York Weekend Breaks .com has the insider tips on restaurants, hotels, nightlife, culture, and attractions, even transportation.

Make the most of your Summer, with help from New York Weekend Breaks
Are you ready to plan your three day NYC Weekend Break? Perfect! Let's begin by checking out the 3 Day Itinerary page on New York Weekend Breaks. This page is the perfect place to start when you begin to plan your trip. This page already has three days in New York City perfectly planned out for you! Including how much time needed at each attraction! You can just print out this page and have your entire 3 days in New York planned, or if you want to customize your trip a bit more, use my favorite part, the Trip Planner!
​

Make the most of your Summer, with help from New York Weekend Breaks
New York Weekend Breaks' Trip Planner lets you build your perfect customized vacay by saving any content in the site on to the the Trip Planner page, so you can have access to your entire New York itinerary at any time!

Make the most of your Summer, with help from New York Weekend Breaks
Next time I visit New York City I will definitely be staying longer than 14 hours, and I will definitely be using New York Weekend Breaks to plan my entire trip (you can even book your flight and hotel directly on the home page!).

Make the most of your Summer, with help from New York Weekend Breaks
So are you ready for your summer vacation?! Start planning today at 
www.newyorkweekendbreaks.com

*Huge thank you to New York Weekend Breaks for sponsoring this post! The content and opinions expressed here are all my own.*
Make the most of your Summer with help from New York Weekend Breaks

​Peace Love and New York Weekend Breaks
Jess <3

0 Comments

A week in Vietnam with saigon om

11/20/2018

6 Comments

 
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
"Sitting on our mats on the ground, joining in a guided meditation, listening to the birds chirping in the top of our shala, and the waves just beyond, I couldn't help but smile, and just be thankful to be alive, and to be spending a part of my life in this glorious slice of God's earth." 
This was an entry I wrote in my journal I kept while at the retreat. I don't normally journal, but there were so many moments, and so many emotions happening, that I didn't want to forget a second of it. A good portion of this post has been taken from the journal I kept at the retreat.
​
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
As I am sitting here looking at my three hundred plus pictures, and going through my pages and pages of hand scribbled notes, I am wondering how on earth to truly share with you guys, and do justice, to the five days and six nights I spent with saigon om. I guess I will just share with you what our week looked like, and start by telling you our daily schedule while at the retreat. I know I wrote a little about the schedule in my previous post, where I told you all about saigon om and how excited I was to attend a retreat by them. If I'm being honest, when I wrote that schedule down, and then showed it to my husband, it left us both feeling a little overwhelmed. Neither of us were super advanced in yoga, had ever attended a retreat, or knew anything about mindfulness, and that schedule, while it looked amazing, was a bit daunting! If any of you felt the same way when you looked at it the first time, don't feel bad! But I knew it would be good for us, we wanted to do it, and so we did it! And wow, I can't even begin to explain how happy I am that we did! So with that in mind, here is what our week looked like while at our yoga and mindfulness retreat with saigon om in beautiful Mui Ne, Vietnam.

A week in Vietnam with saigon om
Daily Schedule
6:00-7 a.m. Qi Gong, mindful walking on the beach, and guided meditation
7:00-7:45 a.m. Fruit, tea and coffee
7:45-8:30 a.m. Lecture
8:30-10 a.m. Morning yoga
10:00 a.m. Brunch
11:00 a.m -4 p.m. Free time
4:00-6 p.m. Evening restorative yoga, mindful tea drinking, group sharing
6:15 p.m. Dinner
​
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
6:00-7 a.m. Qi Gong, mindful walking on the beach, and guided meditation
I am a bit embarrassed to admit that one of the things I was worried about, was our schedule beginning at six o'clock in the morning. I have trouble getting to bed before midnight, and getting me out of bed before eight is nearly impossible, so the thought of having to start my day every morning at six, was a bit troubling! However, I discovered with delight, traveling to a place eleven hours ahead of home, is the perfect solution for that! I fell asleep every night before eight, and every morning we arose before sunrise. Sneaking out of our villa, following the trail to the ocean, we would watch the magnificent sunrise, the clouds slowly peeking above the ocean, the sun casting its fiery rays. This was a beautiful moment for Nick and I every morning.

A week in Vietnam with saigon om
Once the sun had rose, we would wander up to our shala, which was a second story open-air hut with a beautiful thatched roof that housed a large number of birds, that had a breathtaking view of the ocean. Shala means house in Sanskrit-it is used in yoga to mean a house of yoga. This is me at the front of our shala.

A week in Vietnam with saigon om
​The Chinese practice of Qi Gong was a delight! Qi in Chinese means energy, and Qi Gong is the practice of using breathing, meditating, and movement to get your energy moving (Sarah and Hang explain it much better!).
I loved learning about this thousands of year old art form, and getting to use the free flowing movements to wake up my organs, and even ease some of the tension in my shoulders!
The photo above and below are courtesy of Pascal Lefebvre, the owner of Full Moon Village Resort.
​
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
Our mindful walking was a beautiful time spent every morning walking in mindful silence, as a group, along the beach. 
​
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
Guided Meditation
​During our first morning guided meditation I sat on my mat, and participated in the guided meditation. I closed my eyes, listening to the sound of Sarah's voice gently guiding us on our meditation journey. Tears ran down my face as I listened to the birds chirping, the waves crashing, and focused on loving awareness towards myself. I was overcome by such deep feelings of joy, peace, and a love for myself and my surroundings.


A week in Vietnam with saigon om
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
7:00-7:45 a.m. Fruit, tea and coffee
Once the guided meditation was over, we all walked down from the shala where fresh fruit and teas were awaiting us. If that wasn't enough, we got to order a fancy tea or coffee from the wait staff. My iced Vietnamese coffee with coconut cream was probably one of my favorite parts of the day! I also loved the opportunity to sit and conversate with the amazing individuals from five different countries, and all walks of life that were at the retreat. Being in a group of like minded people, talking, sharing, and nobody on their cell phones (!!!) felt like paradise to me!


A week in Vietnam with saigon om
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
​7:45-8:30 a.m. Lecture
After we had our fill of the glorious fruits, teas, and coffees, we made our way back up to the shala. I thoroughly looked forward to, and enjoyed the lectures. The word lecture conjures up for most hard chairs, fluorescent lighting, and a long-winded professor. More opposite of that this could not have been! We sat in a semi-circle in our shala, on our yoga mats, with the wind in our hair, and the ocean beside us, learning lessons that we would later practice on the mat, and in everyday life. Hang and Sarah enraptured and delighted us with their vast knowledge, humor, and contagious joy. We learned about the different doshas, mindfulness, the garden of the mind, and how words can affect us, and more! I took lots of notes and am so excited to keep applying these wonderful principles to my life.

​
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
8:30-10 a.m. Morning yoga
​Ahhh morning yoga...can you think of anything more perfect?
Lying there on my back focusing on my breathing, hearing only the gentle sounds of Hang's voice, and the crash of the ocean, with its cool salty breeze blowing delicately on my face, I knew i was truly in paradise.​ And yes, this is the view from our shala!
​
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
10:00 a.m. Brunch
Brunch was an absolutely glorious time! After four hours of yoga, meditation, and lectures, we were all invigorated-and hungry! We made our way downstairs where a buffet of freshly squeezed watermelon, coconut and other various juices were waiting, along with a different vegetarian pho every day, as well as fresh salads, coffee, and other various brunch foods. We ate these with the glass doors wide open to allow the outdoors access to us. Sigh, heaven.


A week in Vietnam with saigon om
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
11:00 a.m -4 p.m. Free time
After brunch we had five glorious hours to do whatever our hearts desired. This included for Nick and I spending time at the pool, walking the beach, and spending time in our room. 
A note about the hotel, I have never stayed in a place more secluded, delightful, and luxurious, all rolled in to one, than the Full Moon Village Resort in Mui Ne. It housed the most beautiful pool I have ever swam in, incredible and authentic vegetarian Vietnamese cuisine, amazing staff, the ocean right at our back yard, and don't even get me started on our room! It was not even a room, but our own private villa! A completely fenced off, perfectly private villa with a spacious kitchen, dining and living room, bathroom, and a bedroom with romantic netting surrounding the bed! This luxury was completed by our very own outdoor hot tub! I will be writing more about this amazing resort in an upcoming blog post about Vietnam.

​
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
​4:00-6 p.m. Evening restorative yoga, mindful tea drinking, group sharing
At four we all arrived at Sarah and Hang's villa, yoga mat and couch cushions in hand.
We would start the evening with a mindful tea drinking ceremony, first reading the above mantra, then partaking in mindfully, gratefully, and with purpose drinking our tea.
Next was group share. I loved group share! We took turns sharing whatever was on our mind and heart. Some were joyful things, some had realizations and epiphones, and others were struggles and losses. We shared together, we cried together, we experienced together.
Last was restorative yoga. If you are a person who thinks yoga is too hard, then you must try restorative yoga! The lights were dimmed, soft music was played, and we all lay on our yoga mats using big fluffy couch cushions for comfort. Hang and Sarah took turns guiding us on this relaxing, and healing yoga session. Nick even fell asleep one day and started snoring real loud. And Nick never takes naps! It was that relaxing and good!


A week in Vietnam with saigon om
​6:15 p.m. Dinner
The first fifteen minutes of dinner was spent in mindful silence. We first gave thanks to our higher being, and then gave thanks to the food. We were encouraged to say hello to each piece of food, imagine the journey they took to get to us, and to chew slowly and thoroughly. Doing this, we got to experience mindfulness and a different way of thinking in something we do every day, in something as simple as eating a meal. Truly amazing! I actually really enjoyed the mindful silence at dinner time. I got to really taste, and really enjoy every bite, instead of wolfing it down like I normally do. After fifteen minutes we were free to get seconds, and talk. Nick and I usually stayed until about seven thirty talking with all our new friends, then went back to our villa for bed. 
The next morning we got to do it all over again!


A week in Vietnam with saigon om
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
I am someone who loves to totally immerse myself in things; cultures, languages, experiences. And being totally immersed in this culture of mindfulness was completely transformative! We got to listen to teachings about mindfulness, and then experience it during a yoga session, a walk on the beach, even eating! And that was just perfect. 
And yes, yoga and meditation can be daunting. But Sarah and Hang guide you through it with ease. Giving you tips, helping your form, and always teaching you new techniques and sayings, it was such a special experience.  



Picture
Not a bad way to spend five days!
​
I 1,000% recommend trying a yoga and mindfulness retreat at least once in your life. Hang and Sarah hold retreats and trainings year round in Vietnam and Australia, if you've ever wanted to visit one of these delectable places, and also Canada if you live in Canada or the States and don't want to venture too far from home. It doesn't matter which location you choose (though I'm quite partial to Vietnam...), just go! Go on this transformative, once in a lifetime journey with saigon om.
If you have any questions about the retreats or different training courses, feel free to email them (
saigonom@gmail.com), Sarah and Hang are the greatest and will be happy to answer any questions. Just tell them Jessica from My Peace Love Life sent you! Go like them on facebook to see all the amazing things they are doing!
​
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
A week in Vietnam with saigon om
*A million thank yous to my wonderful husband Nick for going on this adventure with me, and for all of these amazing pictures he took, and also to saigon om for sponsoring this post and for being so so incredible*

​Peace Love and saigon om
Jess <3
​
6 Comments

Be Strawesome...use Glass Straws!

6/27/2018

4 Comments

 
Be Strawesome...use Glass Straws!
Lately I have gotten really jazzed up about the environment, and doing everything I can to help stop polluting our air and oceans. I have always recycled, but lately I decided that I needed to do more, and get into re-usables as a way of life. There is a new blog post coming your way soon with lots of fun re-usable items that I have found and tested out.
But today I am going to talk about straws. Yep, little plastic straws!
If you are not yet aware of what disposable plastic straws (and other disposable plastic things) are doing to this earth, here is an excerpt from Strawesome's website;

"In the beginning, there were plastic straws everywhere and people thought this was good because straws helped suck things up faster and easier without messes. You could find plastic straws almost anywhere a drink was served.
But soon plastic straws were found in places that were not so good. They were found used and thrown away along streets, on the beach, and even in the waterways. Used plastic straws were everywhere. But it got worse.
Plastic straws were found in the bodies of animals that lived out at sea (like in turtles’ noses). That was terrible to discover, but then something unimaginable and worse was found….the Pacific garbage patch! It was a huge collection (like hundreds of tons) of plastic things floating on the ocean the size of Texas! Someone did some research and discovered that millions of straws every day were being used once and then thrown away. And most everyone didn’t even realize what they were doing. Who’s great idea was this? But it got worse. Plastic was discovered to be toxic and non-decomposable. It was both unhealthy AND not going anywhere, EVER! Yikes!!!..."
If you haven't seen the many videos floating around Facebook and Youtube where plastic straws are being pulled out of turtles noses, and turtles are being pulled out of the ocean wrapped in plastic and garbage, go and watch those now. 
​
Picture
Have you watched the videos yet? Or can you just picture it in your head and realize how sad this all is. Yes? Me too. So, what are we to do?!
Well, right here I have for you the solution to the plastic straw epidemic! Glass straws! 
Taken from the Strawesome website, here is how Strawesome's glass straws got started;
"
A creative glass artist made a straw from glass. Huh? A glass straw? What is that? Is it a bean shooter? Is it a crack pipe? No silly, it is a straw you drink from. Kinda like all those plastic ones you use all day long, but these are non-toxic, can be used over and over again, and look way cool like art. Oh, I get it. That’s a great idea! Freaking brilliant! I can’t believe no one thought of this before. Since I don’t want to use plastic straws anymore, can I get a glass straw? Can I get a bunch of them for my family and friends? Can I get long ones, short ones, bent ones, and colored ones? Please? Pretty please? Yes! Of course! We would love to! How about we work together and spread the word to everyone we know that there’s a solution to this plastic straw problem and make the world a better place in our lifetime? Sound like a good idea? Yes! Let’s do it!
So Strawesome was born and people on earth lived happily ever after with their glass straws and healthy planet."

​
Be Strawesome...use Glass Straws!
I have had my Strawesome glass straws for a couple months now, and I. LOVE. THEM!
These straws are so unbelievably smooth, I love the feeling of drinking out of them, they make even the blandest water exciting! And when I'm drinking something with ice, the straw gets super cold, and makes the drink even colder, and even better tasting! Yay! Plus Strawesome is a small business which you know I love!
I bought four of them, gave one to my Mom (she loves it, she sent me the picture below and said, "I like drinking out of this straw! :D), gave one to my husband, and have two for myself!
​
Be Strawesome...use Glass Straws!
"So where can I find these beautiful looking straws?" I'm so glad you asked!
Strawesome.com is where you can see how exactly they are made (so cool!), find out how to clean them (super simple!), design your own glass straw (wow!), and lots more! Click on the banner below, the banners on the sidebar, or any other banner in this blog post, to get started shopping for your very own Strawesome glass straw!


Be Strawesome...use Glass Straws!

Strawesome's Mission Statement;
"The world is plagued with plastic debris and toxins in our oceans and water ways, on and in the soil of our land, and in the bodies of animals and humans. It is a major problem. Rather than just give up and 'deal with it', Strawesome was born to do something about it. Since March 2009, we have been working towards sufficient awareness and action to forever eliminate the need for single-use plastic drinking straws. Our mission is to provide the world’s most artistic, eco-friendly, and health-conscious drinking straw. Combined with a lifetime warranty and great customer service, there’s every reason to join the alternative straw movement and eliminate the need for single-use plastic drinking straws. Will you join us?"

I will! ​But what is the best way to make an impact with these glass straws? The first thing is to buy a couple for yourself.
​​

Be Strawesome...use Glass Straws!
Once you've received your glass straws in the mail, you need to make sure to use them! As with anything new, remembering to use them does take some getting used to. I started keeping them in a pocket in my purse, so I can use it at work, and when me and the husband are out and want to make a quick stop to eat, I have both of our glass straws with me! I started putting them in fabric chopstick holders, it works brilliantly! They also have pouches and to go cases that you can purchase on the website. I also keep some in the house for when we're making mixed drinks or smoothies, it just tastes and looks so much more fun!

Picture
Be Strawesome...use Glass Straws!
Now that you have your very own Strawesome glass straw and are doing your part in saving the world (and the beautiful turtles!), is there anything else you can do? Of course there is! Start buying glass straws for everyone you know! Glass straws make such great gifts! Instead of buying someone something that they probably won't use, and don't need, get them a gift that they will use every day, and give them the gift of knowing that they are helping save the planet! Wow! Ok now that everyone knows what I'm getting them for Christmas...

Be Strawesome...use Glass Straws!
The next thing you can do is start spreading the word! 
Share all those sad turtle Facebook videos, but instead of just sharing them and leaving it at that, talk about re-usable glass straws as a solution!
Start a conversation! Tell people about your experience using re-usable glass straws.
Share with your friends why #plasticsucks.
​Make a vow to cut back on plastic products, and cut out plastic straws completely! 

Webmasters Earn Money Here!
Want to go one step further? Become an affiliate for Strawesome! Click the link above to get started making money while helping to save the planet!
​

Be Strawesome...use Glass Straws!
How great are these pinup pictures of me with my Strawesome glass straw?! They were taken by the wonderfully talented Brooklyn Brat Photographer, and my hair was done by the amazing Miss Candice Hair Extraordinaire (If you are in the Atlanta, Georgia area definitely check them out!). 
Let me know all about your Strawesome journey, I can't wait to hear all about it, and see your pictures! 
Stay tuned for another blog post about using re-usables to save the planet! 
***This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of the affiliate links, this blog receives a small commission. The price when clicking through my link is the exact same as going directly to the website. It just gives this blog a little appreciation. Thanks for your support!***
​


​Peace Love and Strawesome
Jess <3

More My Peace Love Life Articles You Might Like;
Picture
Picture
Picture
4 Comments

Join Us on Our Next Travel Adventure with saigon om

2/22/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Normally I would take a little time here to talk a bit about how my life has been going lately, or give some sort of introduction about what I'm going to talk about, but honestly, I am just too excited for that, so I'll get right to the point!

I am super duper excited to share with you guys, that I have teamed up with the rad people from saigon om to plan our next travel adventure! In October, Nick and I are going to... beautiful Vietnam! Six days of yoga, mindfulness, and self discovery in tropical paradise! 

Yes this is for real! I had to pinch myself when saigon om agreed to this partnership, because I have been dreaming of doing some sort of yoga/meditation retreat for years. And the fact that I have the opportunity to do it on a beach in Vietnam is just way too amazing!
​
​
Picture
What is this saigon om I keep talking about? saigon om is a holistic wellness school run by Sarah Martin and Hang Nhan. They offer teacher trainings and retreats in yoga, mindfulness, Reiki, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and massage in Canada, Australia and South East Asia. saigon om has an impressive array of classes and training sessions happening this year, and there is something for everyone. Be sure to check out their full schedule and events for the year.

Picture
This incredible 6-Day Yoga & Mindfulness Retreat is going to be held at the dreamy Full Moon Village Resort in Mui Ne, Vietnam, October 25-30, 2018. This resort has a private beach, a stunning pool, and is a TripAdvisor award-winning resort! 

Our daily schedule will look a little something like this:

Qi Gong, Walking & Sitting Meditation: 6-7am               
Fruit & Tea/Coffee: 7-7:45am         
Lecture: 7:45-8:30am   
Morning Yoga: 8:30-10am         
Brunch: 10am               
Free Time / Beach + Pool Time: 11am-4pm              
Evening Yoga: 4-6pm       
Mindful Dinner: 6:15pm
Noble Silence: 9pm - 7am

How incredibly magical does that sound!


Picture
Sounds pretty amazing right?! Well there are still spots available, and we would love to see you there! That's right, you could be doing yoga on the beach with us in just eight short months! And yes, that is the resort pictured above!

The cost to attend the retreat which includes; 5 nights ensuite villa accommodation, daily vegetarian brunch and dinner, and all activities listed above, is $675 USD per person for a shared twin/double room, and $875 USD for a single room (that does not include the cost of airfare or visas).


Picture
If this sounds like something you would enjoy, why not come along! This is a vacation that will not only be a blast, but be sure to enrich and change your life! Email Sarah and Hang at saigonom@gmail.com with any questions, and to sign up for the retreat! Be sure to tell them that you were referred by Jessica LaPinta from My Peace Love Life Blog.

saigon om's Instagram
saigon om's Facebook
saigonom.com
Full Moon Village Resort's Facebook

​
Picture
I will be attending the retreat with my wonderful husband, and once the retreat is over, we will be spending another week exploring this stunning country, for our long overdue honeymoon! So I am doubly excited about this trip!

Picture
Sound amazing but think you can't afford to travel the world? Be sure to check out "My #1 Secret to Saving Money for Travel" blog post. It will change the way you think about saving money for travel, allowing you to save enough money to travel anywhere in the world, be it to Australia, Fiji, or Vietnam! 
Have a wonderful week lovelies!


*Huge thank you to saigon om for sponsoring this post*
Peace Love and saigon om
Jess <3
​
0 Comments

Book Review; Manifest $10,000 by Cassie Parks

6/25/2017

0 Comments

 
Book Review; Manifest $10,000
I was so excited when I received my copy of "Manifest $10,000", complete with Cassie's John Hancock scribbled on the inside!
If the name of the book didn't sell me, the rest of the front cover certainly did; "Learn how to manifest $10,000 by using the law of attraction and improving your money mindset." Yes please!
I looved that the book was not super long; it is only 94 pages, of step by step, and how to's.
​
Book Review; Manifest $10,000
In the last couple of years I started to learn about, and read manifestation books. They were all awesome for starting out manifesting, getting my head in the right place, and teaching me the general techniques and ideas behind it. "Manifest $10,000" by Cassie Parks however, takes manifesting money to a whole new level!
This book makes manifesting money seem not only within your grasp, but totally do-able, and fun!

​
Book Review; Manifest $10,000
I am about two months into the book, and am having a blast going through all the steps so far. Two of the items that I wrote down that I would spend part of the $10,000 on, were a good blush, and eyebrow makeup. After less than a month of doing the steps, I received a blush, and eyebrow makeup for free from Influenster! I was blown away! I can not wait to keep going, and see what else happens!

Book Review; Manifest $10,000
If you have been waiting for a sign to start manifesting, or to try something different in your life, this is it! Pick up this book and see what magic you can start manifesting into your life right now!
You can find "Manifest $10,000" on Amazon, in paperback or kindle edition. 
And also check out Cassie's website.
​
*Disclosure*
I was given this book, and these are my thoughts on it.
Peace Love and Manifest $10,000
Jess <3
​
0 Comments

Create Your Dream Home from The Ground Up

6/10/2017

2 Comments

 
By consulting site work experts like JT Magbe Contracting, you can set a sound basis to make a house a home.
By consulting site work experts like JT Magbe Contracting, you can set a sound basis to help make a house a home.
Today I am teaming up with JT Magbe Contracting, a North-Georgia based construction company, to talk about landscaping! As most of you know, me and my husband moved to Atlanta less than three weeks ago. One of the first things we noticed when driving around our new hometown was the diversity, lush greenery, and stunning beauty of the homes of Atlanta. I was, and still am, thrilled by this (I do nothing but stare out the window of the car looking back and forth at all the homes as we drive down the road)! I am obsessed with beautiful homes, especially with interesting greenery around (or on) it! Me and Nick are always talking, and fantasizing about our future home, and I can not wait for the day when we can finally buy a house, and turn it into our dream home! But until then...
​
Imagine a plot of land with gorgeous, mature trees, lush vegetation, ample space with shifts in terrain, and maybe even a small stream or pond. Now, picture your dream home tucked nicely inside this fabricated scenario. You might be picturing something straight out of a Thomas Kinkade painting, a utopian paradise where happy families gather for dinner every evening and tuck themselves into bed each night to a barrage of sweet and restful dreams. Bringing a masterpiece like the one you have just envisioned to life does not have to be a fantasized and unattainable concoction only available in the artwork hanging on a living room wall. If you live in or near the Atlanta, Georgia area those dreams may be closer to reality than you may have imagined.

As the Atlanta and North Georgia housing market skyrockets in a positive trajectory, sellers are happily closing on houses in record time, and they are witnessing a market so deficient in inventory that buyers are getting into bidding wars and often sellers are receiving offers above their asking price. It could not be a better time to sell your home if you are interested in moving. However, the issue arises because of the lack of available inventory as a buyer. This dilemma can be easily solved if you are willing to build the home of your dreams. If you purchase a parcel of land, you can design and construct walls to your new home in a manner which fits your style and aesthetic. You can hand select all the finishes, and you will be able to customize your home and truly bring your dreams to life.

After you find the perfect piece of land for your future home, there begins quite a bit of preparation before a single hammer or nail are brandished. First, you will need to take inventory of the entire property to get an understanding if there are any existing structures which might need to be removed, if trees or wildlife need to be cut away, or if the ground needs to be graded and flattened to create a solid foundation for your future homestead. This initial assessment of the land may seem like a tall order, but luckily JT Magbe Contracting, LLC. can help you through the entire process.

​
Finding the perfect piece of land to build a home on is only the first step in the home-building process.
Finding the perfect piece of land to build a home on is only the first step in the home-building process.
JT Magbe Contracting is a North-Georgia civil construction company specializing in all forms of site work including grading, demolition, excavating, utility pipe construction, such as sanitary sewer, water and storm sewer; retention-detention pond maintenance, clearing, brush mowing and forestry mulching. They have experience working on commercial and individual/residential lots. With over 20 years of civil construction experience, the professionals at JT Magbe Contracting can help you add value to your property by seeing its full potential and manipulating the landscape to maximize it and start laying the foundation for a beautiful home and yard.

Landowners with plans of building on a lot might be interested in brush mowing, forestry mulching, and land and tree clearing services. JT Magbe Contracting does the job with only one piece of equipment, and they do it quickly, efficiently, and they keep the area clean with no leftover piles of unsightly debris. Their goal is to do the job with minimal ground disturbance, and they take a careful assessment of the area before they get started to ensure a high level of ground and soil integrity while also meeting the needs and goals of the landowner. They do not rely on burning to dispose of the remains, so you never have to worry about a smell lingering after the job is done.


Picture
Depending on the topography of the land, a bigger, more intensive job may be required, but no matter the size of the job JT Magne Contracting handles it delicately. North Georgia is riddled with rugged bluffs, steep drop-offs, differing elevations, and rolling hillsides. These drastic changes in terrain make it difficult to build a new structure. Excavating and grading are two more services offered by JT Magne Contracting. Excavating and grading are ways of leveling the ground in preparation for a solid foundation. It can also be done to create an area for a lake, pond, or myriad of other landscape needs.

If you are dreaming of building a home, then consider buying a raw plot of land and trust the site work experts of Northern Georgia, JT Magbe Contracting, for any commercial or residential excavating, grading, brush mowing, forestry mulching, and tree clearing services.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to get my hands on a cute little house, and have JT Magne Contracting help turn it into my dream home (right after making my bathroom look like this)!


*Huge thank you to JT Magbe Contracting for sponsoring this post!*

Peace Love and Your Dream Home
Jess <3
​

2 Comments

Summer Style with StyleWe 

2/13/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture
Quick show of hands, who's ready for summer?! 
Me too!
​Since I am craving some summer in my life, today I'm going to share some of my favorite summer finds from StyleWe.
StyleWe is a great fashion site I just discovered, and it is brimming with wonderful summer clothing and accessories! Let's take a look!
​
Picture
This dress! Is perfect! 
I imagine I'd wear it on a beach somewhere. A beach...with a warm breeze blowing through my hair, the sound of waves crashing, the smell of salt water, sand in my toes...Oh oops! Forgot you were still there! 


Picture
 These lace up flats however, probably should not be worn on the beach haha. But they are so beautiful and versatile; they will go great with shorts, a dress, or even a romper this summer!
​
Picture
Speaking of rompers! I'm in love!
These rompers will surely become your new summer staples!
​Visit it.


Picture
Well it's official, the rest of the day will be spent dreaming of salt water, sand, sunshine, and sandals!
I hope you too have happy thoughts of warm and glorious summers today! 
​
​Don't forget to find your perfect summer style on StyleWe, and follow them on social media!

Instagram
&
​Facebook
​
*Disclosure*
I was selected for this opportunity by StyleWe, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Picture

​Peace Love and StyleWe Summer Style
Jess <3 

1 Comment

Omgnb Wigs

1/23/2017

2 Comments

 
Picture
Hello dear readers!
Today I have something fun for you, something that I have never written about before...
Wigs! 
I was contacted by Omgnb.com about writing an article on their wigs and hair pieces, and, with my propensity for all things girly, cute, and hair, I of course, had to say yes!
For the first hair piece I picked out, of course it had to be pink, and of course it had to be super crazy, fun, and completely over the top!​​ If you are searching for a Cosplay Wig look no further, Omgnb.com has literally hundreds of them (and I want them all!)!
Any length, color, and style, don't worry, you will find it. 


Picture
The next piece I picked out is a little (ok a lot!) more normal, because let's face it even though I might want to, most people don't want to walk around with anime hair for everyday life!
Omgnb.com has a huge selection of Clip in Human Hair Extensions. A Clip in Human Hair Extension is exactly what you need if you're trying to cover up the awkward stages of growing out bangs. It is also great for adding volume and fullness to your mane, throwing in a dash of color (that you can take out for work!), or just for that perfect Veronica Lake hair over the eyes look you've been trying to achieve! You can find any color, length, and even straight and curly clip in hair extensions.

​
Picture
The last piece I have for you today is the Lace Front Wig for Women. A lace front wig is exactly what it sounds like; a wig in which there is lace in the front (you can see it in this picture). The great thing about the lace front wig is that it allows the user to choose a hairline, part it any way they want, and give the appearance of a natural hairline. So in other words, they look much more real! 
​
I hope you enjoyed this different post today, and that you will check out Omgnb.com's vast selection of wigs, extensions, and hair pieces! Have a great Monday, and a great rest of your week!
*Disclosure*
I was selected for this opportunity by Omgnb.com, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

​Peace Love and Wigs
Jess <3

2 Comments

Bridesmaid Dresses

11/7/2016

1 Comment

 
**Huge thank you to Style Dress for sponsoring this post!**
<a href=http://www.styledress.co.nz/product/11341143.html><img alt=Charming A Line Sweetheart Knee Length Convertible Zipper Up Bridesmaid Dress src=Charming A Line Sweetheart Knee Length Convertible Zipper Up Bridesmaid Dress.JPEG title=Charming A Line Sweetheart Knee Length Convertible Zipper Up Bridesmaid Dress/></a>
Today we're going to be talking about bridesmaid dresses!
​I was just a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding last month, so I know how much of a hassle it can be for everyone! Trying to align everyone's schedules, getting all of the bridesmaids together, pawing through all the dresses on the store's rack, trying on a zillion different dresses, and then having everyone agree on a dress! Not to mention how expensive these dresses are!


Thankfully, Style Dress has offered an alternative to this time consuming and stressful process!
Their website has eighty beautiful and affordable bridesmaid dresses to choose from.
Every dress has a sizing chart, along with a measuring guide, so forget about those expensive alteration charges you'll be paying if you get your bridesmaid dress from a dress store! The dress comes to you with a perfect fit!
​There is also a dizzying array of colors to choose from, and you can choose the same color for every dress, so no worry if you let your bridesmaids pick different dresses, they'll all be the exact same shade!
Be sure to check it out, I guarantee you will find your perfect bridesmaid dress!


​Peace Love and Bridesmaid Dresses
Jess <3

Charming
1 Comment

Michiko Bates Chronicles

4/18/2016

0 Comments

 
Michiko Bates Chronicles
Recently I did some modeling for an eBook; The Michiko Bates Chronicles. Turns out, me and the main character look a lot alike!
It was a fun time, and I got to learn a lot about this character, and about the book too!
​
Michiko Bates Chronicles
Meet Michiko, a 17-year-old teenager that mixes with the social crowd but likes her own space, having a knack for tech and using her head. After a trip with her friends to the movies one night, she finds a pendant that allows her to visit a mysterious world with massive trees, each leading to yet another different world with a new adventure. After getting drawn into a town in danger from a legendary creature, its up to Michiko to make a difference in the outcome. Her involvement is just the beginning…
​
Michiko Bates Chronicles
Michiko Bates Chronicles
I told you we look a lot alike!
​
Michiko Bates Chronicles
Here's what the author, Janeil H said about his book; “I always liked adventure stories. When I was younger I discovered a lack of “travelling to other worlds via magic” stories that were not Medieval in tone missing from my local library. I decided I would write something better and more diverse for these bookshelves when I got older in hopes of providing something new to read. One story I’ve wanted to write was an adventure of a young girl discovering a mystical place and wanting to explore it deeper. The story would have an old-fashioned flair and yet be connected to modern conveniences, as sometimes portrayed in certain Japanese manga. I was inspired by many things which show through the appearance of the main character and the vistas she would encounter. Exploring anachronism and the interactions of different peoples she would run across. Something that left the reader wondering ‘what if” when they put the book down and looked out the window."
​
Michiko Bates Chronicles
This is a great book, aimed at young adults, but adults of all ages will also enjoy! It's a great way to leave behind real life, for just a little bit, and enter into an exciting fantasy world, where anything can happen!
Sound interesting? Well, you can download the first chapter of this book here, and see what you think!
​
Michiko Bates Chronicles
You can find buy the entire book, for your Kindle, for only $3.99! On Amazon.

Here you can see all the platforms to find this book!
and
​​
​Don't forget to like them on facebook!


Michiko Bates Chronicles
Michiko Bates Chronicles
*Disclosure*
I was selected for this opportunity, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

​Peace Love and Michiko Bates
Jess <3

​
0 Comments
<<Previous
      
    ​
    Picture

    I'm Jessica!

    I am a
    Globe trotting
    Eco-friendly
    Retro loving
    Old fashioned housewife
    Pinup
    & Dog Mom
    Ohio based influencer, lifestyle & travel blogger.

    Love yourself, love others, and have fun. Let this blog help you do all of those!
    Find me on facebook.

    About Me
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
     
    Sponsor a Child in Jesus Name with Compassion


    ​---Popular Posts---

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Beauty
    Blogging
    Changing The World
    Christmas
    Coffee Break Retro Style
    Crafts
    Diy
    Fashion
    Goals
    Guest Bloggers
    Halloween
    Happiness
    Health
    Home Decor
    Inspiration
    Money
    Music
    My Favorite Posts
    My Life
    Ohio
    Parties
    Recipes
    Sponsored Posts
    Support Small Businesses
    Wedding
    World Traveler
    Zero Waste

    Archives

    December 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012


    Blogs I Love!
    -Well Being Secrets
    -Like a Local Travel
    -Salt Sand and Smoothies
    ​-The Wanderer's Chronicles
    -The Wanderlust Bug
    -Pamela Kurt
    -Stevie on the Move
    -Travlinmad
    -Green Issues
    ​-Travel Alphas
    ​-The Haunted Housewife

    -The Sacred Middle
    ​

    *Disclosure; This blog is a personal blog written by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content. The owner of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and other topics. Even though the owner of this blog receives compensation for their posts or advertisements, they always give their honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers’ own.*
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.