Tied Up

Hi friends! Sorry I have been MIA for the past week. I've been a bit tied up.

Between work picking up to crazy levels, and traveling in one weekend through six states to run a marathon and attend a friend's wedding, Messy Jess C., unfortunately, fell by the wayside, but now I'm back.

Forever XXI Blouse/ Thrifted Pencil Skirt (similar)/ Boutique 9 shoes from ideeli.com

Speaking of being tied up, how do you like my newish tie blouse from Forever XXI? I feel so fancy with my big bow, and I feel smart for not spending a fortune on my top.

I ended up pairing this top with a black cardigan for work, but I this top would also go well with a pair of jeans for a more casual look. I'm trying to be better about purchasing clothes that I can wear in two different ways - in this case, for work and weekend.

What is your advice for getting the most mileage out of your clothes?

Love Messy Jess C? Then don't miss it on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

My Date With Stacy London

A few weeks ago, my friend Laura came into my office and asked me if I liked the TLC show What Not To Wear. Does anyone not like the show? After all, it involves, fashion, helping people make changes to improve their lives, and Clinton and Stacy. I told her that I love the show! She said, "good because Stacy London is coming to speak about her new book at sixth and I synagogue here in DC in a few weeks. Would you be interested in going?" I think I responded with "yes, count me in" before she got through the entire question.

For $35, I got a ticket to the book discussion, a copy of Stacy's new book, The Truth About Style, and I got to spend time at the lovely sixth and I synagogue.

On Thursday morning, I woke up and with the knowledge that I was going to see Stacy London later in the day, I tried on most of my closet looking for just the right thing...I know for a fact that most of the people in that room did the same thing. I also had to look presentable for work so I went with my black blazer, black Benetton top, and maroon pencil skirt, along with my target snakeskin shoes. Perfect. I was ready to face the day.

I had a great experience. It was like watching a super personal episode of What Not To Wear. Stacy talked about fashion, of course, but also her new book in which she writes about her own personal story along with nine other women's stories, and how style helped them overcome emotional and other obstacles that many (especially women) face.

I am only a little ways into the book, but I highly recommend it to all of you. She writes in a comical way, but addresses serious issues that we can all relate to.

Once the book discussion was over, Stacy answered questions and signed everybody's books (with a pink sharpie). Here are some of my takeaways from the question and answer portion of the program:

1. When buying J.Crew, buy a size down in bottoms and for any boyfriend cut, go a size up
2. Buy clothes to fit you, not the other way around
3. All of the clothes in your closet should serve two purposes - functionality and making you feel great - if it doesn't fit into both categories, get rid of it (I went straight to my closet when I got home and added several items to the donation bag after this piece of advice)
4. There is such a thing as "mom shoes" and "Pat jeans" (when you can't tell if they are for a man or a woman)
5. Plaid shirts are huge for men this season
6. Polka dots are huge for women this season
7. Finally, red should be treated as a neutral color - we found this out when Laura told Stacy she only has brown and black shoes and asked what would be a new color to add into the rotation (see picture below for Stacy's reaction to Laura's statement about brown and black shoes)

As for the book signing, Laura managed to ask a real question. I, on the other hand, was starstruck and only managed to get out "I love you. I watch the show all the time." Oy.

I had a great time and I think if you have the opportunity to see Stacy live, you should definitely go. You can see where Stacy will be on tour here.

Love Messy Jess C? Then don't miss it on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Friday Favorites

Hello my friends. Happy Friday! Hope you enjoy this week's favorites, along with some random stories mixed in as we head into the weekend. My hope is that after you read this you will have plenty of random knowledge to share at a dinner party, brunch, or fill time on an awkward first date - nothing gets the party started like bacon shortages. Enjoy! See you all next week.

---

This impacts my life in no way, but for all of you bacon lovers, you may want the heads up that apparently we are facing a bacon shortage. The crisis has already begun in Europe and is expected to be a world-wide issue by next year according to the UK's National Pig Association - yes, that's a real group.

---

Remember the days of Myspace? When you could rank your friends and post crazy pictures and playlists? Remember how excited you were when Facebook opened access to everybody even if you didn't have .edu email address because it was so much cooler? Well, it may be time to reconsider the decision to turn our backs on My Space completely. Check out the upcoming new Myspace below. Awesome.

The new Myspace from Myspace on Vimeo.

---

I am a political nerd. I live in DC and have worked in the political world since I graduated from college almost a decade ago, so I was one of the people who tuned in this past Wednesday for the first Presidential debate of the campaign season. These days most people, myself included, take for granted that these debates are televised (the ads, not so much), but until 52 years ago, that wasn't the case. September 26, 1960 was the first televised presidential debate, which changed the way we look at politics in the United States forever. If you are a political junkie like me you can check out the whole debate transcript and video here.

---

Stingray photobomb - 'nuf said.

---

I love the Flinstones, but I don't get why in current times this would be an item people actually want - a bike powered by foot. Introducing the Fliz.

---

I love most pumpkin products. I am not as big of a fan of beer, but this might change my mind. Check out the how-to tutorial for making a pumpkin keg here.

---

I love this idea of using a shadow box to display tickets rather than stashing them away in a box or using them as bookmarks.

---

A Japanese study found that looking at cute animals can make you more productive. Here are a few pictures to help your productivity level today.

---

It has been raining a lot lately, which always puts me in a funk. Some of these ideas from Daily Muse may help turn the next rainy day around though.

---

Speaking of rainy days, how perfect of a spot would this be to curl up in with a book on a rainy day, or any day for that matter?

---

My favorite recipes of the week...

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies from Annie's Eats (for chocolate cream-filled pumpkin whoopie pies check out this recipe from Lauren Conrad)

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles from Betcha Can't Eat Just One.

Crispy Quinoa Sliders from How Sweet It Is

No-Bake Stuffed Cookie Dough Bites from Picky Palate

Turkey and Feta-Stuffed Peppers from Eat, Live, Run

Fresh Apple Cake from Iowa Girl Eats

---

My favorite styles this week...

---

Speaking of style, last night I went to see Stacy London, the co-host of TLC's What Not To Wear, discuss her new book, The Truth About Style, at Sixth and I synagogue (more to come on my experience next week). I had a great night. Stacy was hilarious and the book is great too. It's about so much more than fashion. I highly recommend you check it out for yourself.

---

Finally, Adele's new music video for the upcoming James Bond movie came out last night. I think I'm a fan. What's your take?

---

Love Messy Jess C? Then don't miss it on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Deep Thoughts

Madewell Top (similar)/ J.Crew Skirt (similar)/ BP Boots from Nordstrom/ Etsy Pearl Necklace

Last night Jesse and I watched the first Presidential debate of the season, while Jesse used me as a test subject for his first medical school physical examination that he is being tested on today. The combination made for an interesting night.

Here are my takeaways from the evening. Jesse wouldn't want to run for President because it would require you to wear makeup for television. I wouldn't want to run for President because I wouldn't want to debate in front of so many people - I just can't think that quickly on my feet. My blood pressure is 120/70, which I have been told is healthy, my reflexes are good, my ears are clean, and my left nostril is a bit stuffy.

Love Messy Jess C? Then don't miss it on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

New Recipe: 5 Minute Homemade Mac and Cheese

I'm usually not a lazy person. I workout early in the morning most days. I attempt to put clothes back in their proper place rather than just piling them up on a chair. I walk to the water cooler to refill my water bottle instead of just grabbing a new one at work. Still, by the end of the day, I'm usually ready to put on a comfy set of PJs and hunker down with a book or in front of the TV until it's time to go to sleep, not spend the evening cooking dinner.

This is where today's recipe comes in: 5 minute HOMEMADE Mac and Cheese. Yep, you heard right. From prep to plate takes just five minutes and it doesn't come from a box. This means more time for Tuesday night TV (speaking of which, is anyone else having trouble balancing The Voice, Dancing with the Stars, New Girl, Ben and Kate, and the Mindy Project?).

Here's what you'll need:

1/2 pound cooked pasta of choice (we used shells)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (we used 4 State Sargento Cheddar Cheese because cheese tastes better when it comes from four states)
1 cup whole milk
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Once you have all of your ingredients on hand, combine your pasta, cheese, milk, salt and pepper in a microwave safe bowl and stir to mix all of your ingredients together.

Cover lightly and microwave for 3 minutes. Remove and stir.

Microwave for an additional 2 minutes. Stir until creamy and smooth. Serve immediately.

I loved this recipe, so I'm pretty confident I will be making this pretty often, which could become a problem when Jesse is gone for two weeks for training later this month. Hmm...who wants to come over for dinner?

Check out this and other easy weeknight recipes on my What's Cookin' page.

Love Messy Jess C? Then don't miss it on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

House Hunters

Ann Taylor Sweater (similar)/ Ann Taylor Dress (similar)/ Target Shoes (similar)/  J.Crew Necklace

Happy Monday friends! I hope you all had a lovely weekend.

The weekend was too short, of course, for my taste, but with a three day weekend coming up and after cramming a ton of stuff into the weekend, I can manage a five day work week (check out highlights from the weekend here).

This weekend, Jesse and I looked at a house for sale down the street from us. It was our first time looking at a potential piece of property to purchase together as a couple. We aren't planning on buying it, but it was exciting anyhow. It was also a bit intimidating for me. Jesse owned a house in Virginia for several years, so he's been through the process before and knows what questions to ask, but I have been a renter ever since I've lived in DC and feel like I know very little about the house hunting process. Also, the last time I looked at houses was with my parents when I was six so I felt like I was a little kid again just pretending to be an adult asking the realtor questions and looking at rooms and amenities like I knew what I was looking for, although it was a bit different than when I was six since I wasn't as worried about making sure the place had a tree house and purple walls.

Anyhow, we have several more months of saving ahead of us, and lots of looking to find something that meets our needs and is in our price range, but after my first visit, I have to say, I did feel pretty grown up.

Hope you all have a great start to the week!

Love Messy Jess C? Then don't miss it on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.