{life} bon voyage party

It is almost 2013! How did that happen you guys?!

I remember starting this year in NYC last January 31st. Beginning my second semester of my senior year of college. I started working for the best after school program around, and fell in love with the environment. Decided I wanted to do elementary education. I felt my first real heartbreak after interviewing for Teach For America & AmeriCorps teaching positions... made it all the way through the interview processes, but not quite to the finish line. I spent some time with my handsome boyfriend. I took the biggest leap of my life by applying for the teaching abroad program. And now it is almost here....

I had some family and friends over for a Bon Voyage party! Here are some pictures. :)

Handsome boyfranddddd.

Obvi made him take a photoshoot with me.

Momma :)

My Spain travel buddddd. :) You'll be seeing lots of Breanne on the blog soon!

Pouring champagne with Dad! 

Love my beautiful friends. 

 The Whasian tradition.

BTW! I have an Instagram now because Seth got me an iPod touch for Christmas. :)

Request to follow me at jenms4390.

HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR'S EVE! Happy 2013 friends.

xo, Jen

{fashion} ootd & scenes from christmas

Hi everyone! I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas. I spent the day eating tons of delicious food and hanging with my family.

Here is what I wore for Christmas dinner:

Hi, I'm awkward and don't know how to pose in pictures alone.

Blouse: Ann Taylor

Skirt: Target 

Flats: Aerosoles - from TJMAXX

Jewelry: Tiffany & Co. & gift from my aunt and uncle.

My mom found this skirt at Target on super clearance, and I have been wearing it obsessively ever since. I love how it is conservative but still fashionable. Ever since I started working at Ann Taylor, skirts that hit higher than 2 inches above the knee seem realllllly short. Guess we all grow up eventually, huh?!

We started our Christmas morning with homemade cranberry scones and sausage patties. I live with gourmet chefs obviously.

Then we headed over to my aunt & uncle's house down the street.

Nana with her boys!

Mom made a cranberry chocolate chip cheesecake with a berry compote for dessert. Remember? Gourmet. Chefs.

I'll end this post with a picture of my aunt & uncle's cutie pie pup, Sarah.

xo, Jen

PSA: I am turning back on captchas. I hate using them but I have gotten a TON of annoying spam comments lately. Sorry for the inconvenience!

have yourself a merry little christmas

I have not gotten into the Christmas spirit on the blog AT ALL this year! My goodness.

I guess that's what happens when you work two retail jobs during the holidays.... Those 12 hour shifts have been awfully FUN! (thank goodness it is over!)

I hope that you have a wonderful day with your family and loved ones. 

T-7 days until I depart for Spain! eeeeeeek!

xo, Jen

{travel} dreaming of madrid

You guys.

I have less than a month until I hop on a jet plane to Spain until December 2013.

HOLY SHAMOLEY.

I have never lived in a city larger than Tampa, FL... and now I'm moving here:

I am getting this super crazy feeling of being EXTREMELY EXCITED, but incredibly anxious at the same time. I know that everything will be more than fine. My friend and I are going to fall in love with the city & travel our hearts out.

New language. New city. New year.

Things I'm nervous about:

• Lack of peanut butter. Baha. This is such a minor thing... but such a huge part of my diet. Accepting orders shipped to me over there now. :)
• I've been told by multiple people not to expect too many veggies in my diet over there. But.... I LOVE VEGGIES.
• (can we please point out that these are all food related so far? I am such a diva.)
• Packing for 4 seasons in two suitcases. Wah. Wah. Wah.
• Limited contact with family, friends, and boyfriend. I'll be 6-7 hours ahead of them! Crazy.
• This whole apartment search. We just want a nicely furnished, two bedroom, one bath in a nice part of town. IS THAT SO MUCH TO ASK FOR?!?! (once again, diva status.) ;)
• That whole... foreign language thing.

Things I'm incredibly excited for:

• Exploring the culture. Flamenco. Jamon. Tapas. Espanol. Museums. Markets. Bring. It. On.
• TRAVELING EVERYWHERE. I obviously want to go to surrounding cultures, but my main priority is to get to know Spain the best I can. 
• [hopefully] having the opportunity to teach Spanish kids at an academy. 
• The Metro. I am so tired of driving at this point in my life. People are craaaaazy.
• Learning Spanish. [please oh, please let me be fluent when I come back].
• Meeting people from around the world.
• The plans I have already started to make to see my college roomie Rima [who is living in London now], in London, Madrid, & umm.... Belgium?! Hello Tomorrowland 2013!
• so. much. more.

And since I've been a bad blogger... here are some pictures from recently.

Matching shoes with my cousin!

Phi Mu love with my Aunt!

Thanksgiving with these cutie pies.

Thanksgiving break tradition with my high school girrrrrrrls.

Work Christmas party. Dressed almost identically to Hanna. Oops!

Have any of you studied/lived abroad before? Any tips?

xox, Jen