Holiday recap!

Phew!

It seems like the last couple of weeks flew by. Thanksgiving came and went, and then all the sudden it was Hanukkah. I blinked once and we were celebrating Christmas, which of course rolled right into New Years.

Me and the Bro on Christmas morning

I'm exhausted and my waistline has grown several inches.

Aside from the usual Holiday happenings, I have a couple of life updates for you guys! Stuff's been going down around here and it's been a while since I've filled you in, so let's get right to it...

My social life got an unexpected facelift during the holidays. I was able to catch up with so many of my friends who I don't get to see that often, and for that I am so grateful! Lots of holiday parties, a pajama bar crawl, New Year's Eve celebrations... December was good to me!

New Year's Eve - Happy 2015!

PJ Bar crawl. I love my onesie!

Holiday party

Holiday Happy Hour

I'm about to start the next semester of my graduate school program. In case you missed it, I went back to school to get my Masters of Education in School Counseling. So far (three semesters in), I love the program and am looking forward to having face-time with students this semester during my practicum placement. I've still got a ways to go, but am planning on graduating in Spring 2015.

Regarding personal health and wellness, you guys know I was trying to make a couple lifestyle changes involving being more aware of what I'm eating and trying to increase my activity levels/gym time. For a while, I was going to the gym several days a week and meeting with a trainer. That was a great jump start, and put me on the path of leading a better lifestyle. At this point, I'm no longer seeing a trainer but trying to take what I've learned and give it a shot on my own. I don't go to the gym quite as much, but I am still making better food choices and hitting the gym when I can. It's a work in progress for me, and I'm taking it one day at a time.

In the love life department... I've got some exciting news! I met someone, and have been seeing him for several weeks. He's very different from my past relationships: he's calm, laid back, not pretentious, even-keeled in all aspects. He's a happy person, always smiling, always trying to make me smile with him. It's still pretty new, but I'm happier than I've been in a long time. I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.

With B on New Year's Day

Having a new guy in my life doesn't change Bruiser's status as my main man. Taking after his momma, he's put on a little winter weight (but in my opinion, it just makes him all the more loveable).

Bruiser loves his momma! Big hug.

Bruiser hanging out on my his bed

Resolution-wise, I didn't make any. I find that each year, I make all these promises to myself and never keep them or see them through. I don't want to let myself down any more. 2015 is about being happy, and for me, it's about conquering one day at a time. So, every morning I set a goal for myself. Whether it's going to the gym, making sure I eat veggies with every meal, or doing a good deed for someone else, each day I set a goal that I know I will accomplish. With these "daily resolutions," I set myself up for being successful everyday. That kind of positivity goes a long way and I've found it to be invaluable.

As for the blog, I'll keep up with it as much as I can. Of course it slows down during busier times, but I think overall I've been able to stay connected with you guys when it counts. I've got lots of good stuff that's been brewing over here, and am excited to share it all with you! Thanks to all of you for your continued support and readership!

Here's to a happy and healthy 2015 for all you! Love you!

-GJU

YOU WIN, July.

Let it be known that the first two weeks of July kicked my ass (and not in a good way).

Here's the break down of the bad luck cloud that hovered over me:

1) I nearly chopped off my thumb. In a feeble attempt to be Top Chef cook myself a healthy dinner, whilst separating frozen salmon, the knife slipped and my left thumb was in its path. Point of impact: top part of the thumb at the first knuckle, right where it bends. That knife got me good. Bleeding like faucet, I rushed to Patient First, and quite frankly I'm unsure how I even made it there without getting a speeding ticket and without hyperventilating/losing control of my moving vehicle. After X-rays to make sure the knife didn't hit bone, needles to numb my finger, and six stitches, I was sent home, but not without consolation prizes! I left with half a roll of gauze wrapped around my thumb, a splint, and a sling so I could keep the stitches elevated. WINNER, WINNER! I documented this adventure along the way, for your entertainment. (Warning: photo of stitches. Not the prettiest of things to see.) Also, if this is what I get for trying to eat healthy, I'm going to the drive-thru next time. Much safer.

After being stitched up, on the table at Patient First.  Note: gym attire.
I hadn't even been home three minutes from the gym when the chaos ensued.

The following day at work rocking the sling like a champ.
I was super ineffective that day, but IMHO, I made that sling WORK.

My hardware. #BrassKnuckles

Stitches after 5 days.

2) As if almost removing my thumb wasn't enough fun for one week, my credit card number was hijacked. Some ignoramus charged $416 at CVS, $592 and The Home Depot, and then tapped off his gas tank with a modest $20 fill up. First of all, what the hell do you buy at CVS for $416? Second of all, if you're spending hundreds elsewhere, why not just fill up your whole tank while you're at it? Why be frugal now? Luckily, it didn't take long for Bank of America to contact me and turn off the card. They were on top of it pretty quickly, but it's not like it was difficult fraudulent activity to notice. I don't do Home Depot.

Shitty Timing

The thumb incident of 2014 couldn't have come at a worse time in regard to my personal training venture. I've been trying to make it to the gym/work out on a regular basis, but not being able to use my hand fully has compromised that undertaking.

However, I will give myself a solid pat on the back because despite the injury, I have remained committed to working out as best I can. It wouldn't have happened without the help, expertise, and patience of my trainer Tim. You don't realize how much you use and need your thumb until you can't use it. Over the past couple weeks, Tim has been super creative in building different strength training, cardio, and circuit training workouts that don't involve much use of my thumb. I mean... he's a seriously talented trainer. No matter the fact that one hand was essentially out of order, he put together various workouts that still maximized our time together. (That said, if you have any workout, diet, or fitness related questions, you can reach Tim at TRider@macwellness.com)

Update on the healing: I no longer have to wear the splint or the sling. On Saturday, I got the stitches removed, and today was the first day I didn't have the wound covered at all. The doctor said it's going to take a while for the wound to heal because it's so deep, but that I should try to start bending my thumb and treating it like a regular cut (it can get wet, doesn't need to be covered 24/7). It definitely is still sensitive to the touch, and hurts if pressed on too hard. Right now during workouts I just try to be as careful as possible.

Update on fitness and lifestyle improvements: I definitely feel stronger. After not having been to the gym in 2.5 years to going 3-4 times a week with structured workouts, I can feel my muscles waking up. That feeling energizes me to keep going. I know I am on the right path to a healthier lifestyle. However, my downfall remains: I snack. And when I'm not at the gym or work, I am on my couch. Probably with a snack. I need to snack less, and add in a little more activity during my day, like taking Bruiser on longer walks, or doing some crunches before bed. I am proud of the fact that I've kept up with the gym, but until I make changes in other areas like diet, I won't see the results I want to see.

Tim did some re-measurements last week. I gained three pounds, but my fat mass reduced by 1.5% and I lost an inch on both thighs, waist, and chest. He assured me that the weight gain is muscle mass building, but I'd be lying if I said the news didn't sting a little. I didn't understand how I was gaining, even though I've been working out more than I had in years.

Admittedly: I also have a little bit of BBQ guilt. It's been a busy summer, and even though I want to lose weight, I also want to enjoy my summer. I don't like the idea of deprivation. I am going to enjoy myself at these summer get-togethers (without going overboard), and will combat the calories with working out. It's a give and take for me at this point. Perhaps right now I'm taking too much, evidenced by my stomach getting bigger, not smaller. But, moving forward, I hope to give a little more and take a little less... ideally resulting in a leaner body composition. We'll see!

Workout Gear Refresh

It wouldn't be a GJU post without a fashion shout-out. I picked up some great workout tops and spandex from Marshall's a couple weeks ago, but I was also curious to try Fabletics. With Fabletics, you can buy individual pieces, or pre-styled outfits based on styles and colors you like. I decided to give it a try, and I chose a pre-styled outfit. Also, because it was my first purchase, I got an amazing discount. I bought a sports bra, top, and a pair of workout pants for $29! Such a steal! I absolutely love the bright colors and designs that Fabletics offers. The outfit I chose is the Santorini-- I love the mint green color (comes in other color combos as well) and I love the style of the tank and sports bra. Both the tank and sports bra have a cut out on the back. The cut outs are a cool feature, but I was a little worried there wouldn't be enough support with the bra. Luckily, it fit perfectly!

Full outfit

Love the matching mint detail in the sports bra

Cut out!

Double cut-out

Kinda crappy photo quality on this but I took a quick back selfie so you could
see what the bra looks like. Please excuse the poor photo quality, but
at 5:30 am before a 6 am workout, it's the best I could get :)

Have you tried Fabletics? What pieces did you get?

Until next time,
GJU

The weight is over...

... and I mean that in a couple of ways.

1) Thanks for waiting for me, and being so patient with me as a I took a moth off from blogging to get my life in order. I have an update! I am now in grad school pursuing a Masters of Education in School Counseling. I've always wanted to work with kids in this kind of setting, and I am so excited to have finally gotten to this point. I am in school full time now, and still working part time, leaving me very little time to sit down on blog. However, now, I have something new to blog about.

2) My weight has been a struggle for me the last couple of years, but recently it's been stuck on the up train. I'm blaming no one but myself for this. Admittedly, I'm a big snacker, and in the last 2.5 year I've been the gym (maybe) 4 times. I am not saying that I am fat, but I am definitely out of shape, and as I like say: soft. It's time for me to get back on track and start living a healthier lifestyle. It's not about losing weight anymore. It's about being more active in my every day life, and making better choices when it comes to food and snacking.

In an effort to jumpstart my lifestyle change, I've enlisted the help of a trainer. Over the new couple of weeks, I'll be working out with the help and guidance of Tim Rider at the MAC in Harbor East (Pssst.... Baltimore peeps-- check him out! He's a fabulous trainer!). During that time, I'll document any progress and share with you tips and tidbits that I pick up along the way. My hope is that, if nothing else, this blog motivates me to keep going and holds me accountable for choices I make. If I can inspire you to make healthy choices, that's great too!

This is not to say that I won't be enjoying my summer. Let's be honest. I love eating out, going to BBQs, and enjoying all the fruity, umbrella drinks the summer has to offer! It does mean, though, that I'll be combating that with keeping an active, healthier lifestyle, and making better food choices overall as best I can. I'm thinking of it as a lifestyle change rather than a diet. I suck at diets.

My first weigh in and measurement with Tim (last Sunday) left me feeling a little anxious. Here's where we're starting:

Weight:
Weight: 155.2 lbs.
Body fat: 34.0% (Yikes. This should be closer to the mid-20's)
Fat mass: 52.81 lbs. (what this means is that 52 lbs of my body is fat mass)
Lean mass: 102.41 lbs.
TBW (total body water): 75.01 lbs. (what this means is that 75 lbs of my body is water weight)

Admission: I weighed myself two days into meeting with Tim and it had risen to 157 lbs. This was after Tim told me to hide my scale and forget that I even own it. He told me that my body composition is going to be changing, and my weight is going to fluctuate as I build muscle. He also said I'm going to feel hungrier now that I am working out and my body will need different kinds/amounts of nourishment. Though I was discouraged that my weight had gone up even more, I took Tim's advice, and have since removed the scale from my apartment.

Measurements:
Chest: 34.5"
Waist: 31.75"
Hips: 41.74"
Thighs: 25.5"
Arms (Bicep): 11.25"

It's not easy to throw this information out there. I feel exposed a little bit. But I am hoping that feeling of exposure motivates me. My goal isn't just to lose weight. That would definitely be a bonus, but ultimately, I'd like to build lean muscle and tone/firm my stomach, thighs, and arms. If at the end of the day I weight the same but I'm a hell of a lot stronger and leaner, then I have succeeded.

I've had 4 personal training sessions since I started last Sunday, and although I feel like nothing's happened yet (except for the 2 lb. weight gain UGH), I know that I am making positive changes for the better. I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Any work out tips or recipe ideas? Please share them with me!

P.S. I just went shopping and got some cute workout gear! Next post topic? Probably!

P.P.S. Here's a pre-work out selfie... keep in mind, I am sucking it in with all of the internal force that I can. Walking around in 100% spandex is a new adjustment for me. I found work out pants with wider bands at the waist to hold me in a little better...

Photo Rewind

Yeah, I know.

I said that this time would be different.

I said it would be the last time that I would go MIA and totally disappear from the blogosphere.

The truth it: that's just not a realistic promise for me. As much as I want to write on here every single day after work (and I really do), I just can't.

Another truth: Even when I am not blogging, the blog is always on my mind. I'm always thinking things like "OMG I need to put this on the blog" or "this is a great outfit for GJU" or "I should get this top and share it on the blog because every woman on earth should have this top in their closet"... you get the idea.

It's constant. I am always thinking of things to share with you guys. Recently, simply because it's much quicker (and quite frankly, more convenient) I've been posting outfit photos to Instagram, and just linking the pics to my personal Facebook page, and pushing some out to Twitter. I know it's a cop out. But the truth it, it's an easier way for me to still reach you guys when I am not able to write a complete post. Sometimes a quick pic says it all.

I want you to know: Although I've not been here... I've still been here. I am always getting jess'ed up. I am always thinking of you guys and what cool things I've purchased/found that I am dying to show you.

That said, let me catch you up on... let's see.. the last 3 months of my life. Per usual, I'll go the photo diary route.

The Fam on X-mas

Brother/Sister love during the Holidays

Out at the bar with friends

I cheered on the Ravens!

Welcomed in 2014 with the cutest little cousin on the planet.
P.S. we both have on animal print :)

I polar vortex'ed in style.

I cheered on my team. GO SYRACUSE!!

I picked up some pretty new accessories :)

Celebrated my birthday with all of my favorite people

I got a spray tan and did the Cupid's Undie Run again this year

Can you spot me?!

The run was on my birthday!! 

My spray tan wore off, but I still charged on! 

And then this was today, bringing you right up to date :)

So, that's where I am. That's what's up. 

I am going to do my best, my very best, to update GJU more often. I cannot promise every day. I cannot promise every week. But I can promise that I will get on here and shout out to you guys as much as I can moving forward.

This is severely belated... but nonetheless... I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and happy new year!

What I Wore (and felt) This Weekend

This weekend was an emotional roller-coaster.

Happy: It was gorgeous weather. I was so excited to finally be able to enjoy the day sitting outside with a cold beer and good friends, listening to music and soaking up the sun. It doesn't get much better than that!

Self-Conscious: As you know, due to a comment made to me last week, I'm now more aware of the changes my body has gone through. This weekend, the warmer weather called for shorts and dresses, and I had a difficult time choosing things to wear. As I start to eat healthier and see positive changes, hopefully this will dissolve.

Reflective: My ex-fiance proposed to his current girlfriend this weekend. We broke up about 3 years ago, and he started dating his now fiance shortly after. I knew she was a much better fit for him than I was. I am happy for them and wish them the best, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't feeling a little bruised by the whole thing. It may be selfish to feel that way, but it's how I feel. I followed my heart, and made a decision to do what was best for me. I am glad, almost relieved, it turned out to be the best for him as well.

Blessed: When I need it most, my friends and family are always there. Sometimes, I need a little mood uplift, and my circle never disappoints. You know when I need you, and you know when to leave it alone. You know how I feel without me having to tell you, and you know that my feelings are complex and often ungrounded. You let me vent, and that's all I need. Thank you.

On that note, here's what I wore this weekend:

I'm obsessed with tribal prints this summer. This maxi dress is about to become a weekend staple in my wardrobe! 

Remember that Anthropologie shirt I recently purchased? Found an excuse to wear it! 

Getting back on track

A couple days ago at work, I was helping an older woman when mid-transaction, she asked me if this was my first time expecting. Um... I'm not pregnant. Maybe it was the way I was standing. Maybe it was the flowiness of my maxi dress. I knew I'd gained some weight but didn't think it was that noticeable. Either way... Cue awkward conversation, her retracting the statement, and the rest of my weekend obsessing over my side profile.

While I know I shouldn't let her comment get to me, it was definitely the catalyst I needed to renew a healthier lifestyle.

Some of you know that last year I did Weight Watchers Online for about 4 months to try it out. During that time, I really stuck with the program. I made food at the beginning of each week, portioning out meals for each day. I also made a stronger effort to increase physical activity, like working out, taking Bruiser on longer walks around my neighborhood, swimming, etc. At the end of the 4 months, I'd lost about 15 pounds. I was proud that I'd stuck with it, and lost the weight in a natural, healthy way.

I thought I would be able to keep the healthy lifestyle without paying to use the Weight Watchers Online platform. I successfully kept it up for about 2 months, but then slowly began letting it go. Since I ended the WW program nearly a year ago, I've gained all of the weight back, plus some.

Why am I telling you this? Well... I think it might help hold me accountable. The weather's warming up, summer's around the corner, and I'm in no shape for sundresses or bikinis. I figure if I put this out there on GJU, perhaps it will help motivate me to stay on track this summer. GJU is not about to become a fitness and health blog, for the record. I will, however, keep you posted on my progress every couple of weeks (assuming there's good news to share).

I want to stress that this is not solely about physical appearance. While I do want to look better in my clothes, it's less about the number on the scale and the size of my jeans. For me, it's more about getting back into a healthier lifestyle with good eating habits, increasing my physical activity, and feeling better about myself and my health.

Here's my starting point.

In terms of working out: I don't. It's embarrassing to admit but I never get to the gym. That's going to change. I have a 24-hour gym in my neighborhood (which is awesome considering my wacky work schedule) that I will begin to take advantage of on a weekly basis.

When it comes to food, I can't help myself but enjoy a good, hearty meal. Also, I'm admittedly a snacker. Over the next couple weeks, I need to reintroduce myself to fresh produce and proteins, and limit my carb and sugar intake.  I also need to cut back on the midday and late night snacking.

Starting weight: 157 lbs. I am not sure what my goal weight is at this point. When I was doing WW Online, I ended up in the low 140's and was happy with that... so maybe somewhere around there. On that note, I like my curves and don't want to lose them. I do want to tighten up and lose some of the fluff in certain areas.

At this moment, I don't feel great about myself. Some lady thought I was preggo, I've gained all the weight back, and my warmer weather clothes don't fit the way I'd like them to. At the same time, this moment is an opportunity for me to get it together and get back on track to a healthier lifestyle!

I'll end the post with this thought:

Amen to that! 

Things I Desperately Want But Don't Need

Story of my life. Anyway, these are all the random things I've stumbled upon in my shopping and internet browsing adventures. Thought I'd share in the event that you might want the same things, or in case you were looking for a random gift for someone. You're welcome.

Because everyone needs a burger bean bag chair. Urban Outfitters, $98

Sometimes, I need a mullet on the go. This would come in handy during those times.
Urban Outfitters, $10

I have a very big sweet tooth. Urban Outfitters,  $25

Stone drink dispensers are awesome, which is why I want one. Uncommon Goods, $125

Because it's cool. I have no where to put it in my apartment but I'd find a place.
Uncommon Goods, $3,700

Mustachifiers. Genius. I don't have kids but I definitely need these in advance. I call it
being prepared and thinking ahead. Uncommon Goods, $10

This shower gel dispenser is hysterical. It's evident I haven't grown up yet.
Perpetual Kid, $18.99

Life Update!

Well.. it's that time again. A lot has changed in my life over the last few months-- both expected and unexpected changes! I have so much to share with you guys.

Let's get started.

Work: I no longer work in public relations. For those of you who've followed GJU for a while, you know that I got my degrees in Public Relations and Communications, and worked in the field for a few years. A couple months ago, I decided to take a big leap of faith and quit my job in PR. I felt I needed to follow my love for fashion and the world of retail. This is truly the time for me to dig into my passion and see if it's a good career fit. Since late July, I've been a manager at women's retail store, and I couldn't be any happier with my decision to make the switch. Ultimately, I'd like to move up in the corporate retail space. For now, managing a store is where I need to be to really get my feet wet, and to understand the day-to-day retail world. Although I do have in-store experience throughout high school and college, it's not even remotely close to managing a store and having a team of employees. It's been a challenge, and I'm having a lot of fun learning the ropes and discovering my management style.

Life: I no longer have my own apartment. I decided to move in with my friend, who happens to live much closer to my new workplace than I was living before. (Way shorter commute = Win!) She has a dog as well, so now Bruiser has a little dog brother to play with everyday.

Me with my new roommate

Love: I'm officially no longer single. That's right--- this girl is off the market! Some of you may recall a quick mention in a recent blog post that I started seeing someone. Well, happy to report that we're still together, and I'm happier than I've been in a long time. It's true what they say-- don't go looking for love; it will happen when you least expect it. I didn't expect to meet someone, and to feel so comfortable with him as I did. I'm a lucky girl, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this may go...

Here's to continuing to follow my dreams and seeing where this crazy roller coaster called Life takes me next!

Love,

GJU

Make it your own:

Photo one: Shirt, Flower

Photo two: Shirt

Photo three: Sweater

The Set Up: Part 2

Hi guys!

You might remember my post called The Set Up from a few weeks ago. I have an update! But it's not what you may think...

As fate would have it, I met someone. I met him two days after I wrote the post. Two days after I was approached by the sisters in Wegman's and asked if I would go on a blind date with their brother. Two days after I shared the whole story and email correspondence with you guys.

Almost a month went by, and I was still seeing the new guy. I got an email from the one sister who was setting up the whole blind date. It read:

Dear Jess and Jeff,

We hope you are excited for your date tomorrow night!  Here are the final details:

7pm  Meet for Dinner at

        Waterfront Kitchen in Fells Point

        Reservation under "The Set Up!"

        Dinner is on us!

After Dinner…Take a stroll through Fells

Consider stopping for a warm drink or dessert at The Daily Grind

Please take at least one phone photo as a memoir of your date and email it to me.  Also, please call/text me if you need anything.

Have a great time!

Oh shit. My turn to make a move. I didn't want to ruin the good thing I had going so I cancelled the date. There's always that "what if" in the back of mind... but at the same time, I want to give what I have going on a worthy shot. Here's the email I sent back:

Hi there,

Thanks for setting all of this up, but I'm afraid I have some bad news. A few weeks ago I started seeing someone, and after careful consideration, decided it's probably best not to go out on a dinner date with Jeff. I put myself in Jeff's situation when I made that decision-- would he really want to meet someone who's already starting to get involved with someone else? I didn't think it was fair to either Jeff or this other guy.. so unfortunately I have to cancel.

Please keep me posted on Jeff's Set Up success. I love the idea behind the whole thing, and I love what you and your sisters are doing for your brother. Although I've not met him, I wish Jeff the very best.

Good luck!

-Jess

I felt bad canceling last minute, but knew it was the right thing to do.

If you're single, go walk around Wegman's in Hunt Valley during your lunch hour. Jeff seems like a great guy from what I could tell, and I ruined his date for September. I'm sure they need to fill the October - December slots :)

Love you all. Thanks for checking in

-GJU

The Set Up

I'm single. And I must have a sign on me that reads: "Set me up with your single friend/relative/colleague/neighbor." At least once a week, someone tries to set me up with someone they know. Recently, this has been happening at an all time high.

The most recent occasion, however, was different from all the rest. I've decided to share it with my GJU readers, and chronicle the whole adventure with you... so you can be with me every step of the way, through all the excitement. 

I was at the Wegman's salad bar last week grabbing lunch when I was approached by 2 women. They handed me a piece of paper with a couple photos of some guy on it, and some descriptions about him, including what traits he likes in women, his education/occupation, what he looks for, and what to do if I'm interested.

I glanced at the paper while the women, who I come to find out are sisters, explain to me what they're trying to do. Each month in 2012, they are setting their brother up on a blind date. They told their brother, Jeff, about this project at the end of 2011. At first he was apprehensive, but always up for an adventure, Jeff appeased his sisters and the dating has since begun.

Now, they need someone for September. Enter: me.

After talking it over with a couple trusted gal pals, I decided: why the hell not!? I, too, am always up for something new. And if nothing else, this whole thing will make for a couple quality blog posts.

So I responded to the email address on the paper and answered a couple questions about myself and what I look for in a guy. I also sent 2 recent photos, as requested. Here's my exact email:

Hi Ladies,

It was nice quickly meeting you this afternoon at the Wegman's salad bar. Sorry I was stuffing my face with broccoli as you were explaining your project. As you know, they charge you by the pound and broccoli is heavy... so it's cheaper to eat the broccoli as you go. Anyway..

I'm down for giving this a shot. Why not?

Here are the answers to your questions:

1) Jess
2) 24
3) Baltimore
4) Shopping, hanging with friends, going out to eat, relaxing by the pool, watching movies, sports
5) Syracuse University; I'm in retail management
6) Never married; no kids
7) Looking for a nice guy. I like to go out and have fun, but I also really enjoy staying in and taking it easy after a long week. I won't date a smoker or someone who drinks/parties excessively. It's just not my lifestyle. I also prefer tall guys. I am about 5'5''/5'6'' and like to wear heels sometimes. It's always nice when a guy I am dating is still taller than me when I'm wearing heels. Must be close to his family but not overly dependent. Must be self-sufficient. 
8) I think I possess the qualities Jeff is looking for. I don't smoke, I'm pretty healthy, I want a family, and I have good morals. I don't know if I have a pretty face.. he can be the judge of that :)
9) A first date should not be at the movies--- you can't talk and get to know each other. A good first date is casual, low key, and no stress. Meeting out for dinner is perfect. I truly believe people open up over food.. and a glass of wine always helps break the ice.
10) September is a good month for me.

I'm truly intrigued by this Set Up project you have going on for your brother Jeff. I think it's sweet you're trying to get involved and help out. However..  my one concern is that you are doing it because he is awkward in social settings/unable to meet women on his own. This isn't the case right? I'm a pretty outgoing person so I wouldn't want to be too overbearing/overwhelming for him. 

Photos are attached, as requested.

Looking forward to hearing back :)
-Jess

A day later, one of the sisters replies. She wrote:

Jess,  Thank you for responding to the set up we are planning for our brother Jeff.  We are excited to send him on a date with you! 

Regarding your concern about Jeff's social comfort, I can say that he has a lot of friends, hangs out all the time and is generally not awkward in social settings.  He meets new people but just hasn't found "the one".  He is not super outgoing and definitely not the first guy on the dance floor but he is a fun guy, a true gentleman, and very dateworthy.  He is totally up for trying new things (like The Set Up!).  The only other thing I thought I would mention is that he is not tall.  I think he is 5' 9" so that's a little taller than you... 

Take a look at the date spread we've attached to present to Jeff to tell him about the date and about you.  We are hoping to present it to him sometime this weekend.  Please let me know if there is anything about it you would like to be different.  Also, let me know if you have any other questions or if you still have concerns! 

Talk to you soon!

Here is the "date spread" the sister mentioned in her email. It includes the two recent photos I sent over, and the answers to the questions in the original email:

On the bottom of the Date Spread, the sisters suggest a date location/activity based on my answers and what they know about Jeff's interests. The date they suggest is dinner at Waterfront Kitchen in Fells Point (a place I've wanted to try for a while!) and walking around Fells after that. Sounds ideal, actually, for a first date. 

At this point, I am waiting to hear back after they speak with Jeff. If this date actually happens, I can't wait to tell you guys all about it. Should be interesting.

Honestly, something about "The Set Up" seems more legitimate than meeting a stranger at a bar. While intoxicated. And sweaty. It seems like it could potentially work, and if nothing else, result in a new friendship based on some similar interests and commonalities.

I'll keep you posted. 

ps: do you know this guy?!

My GJU Radio Debut!

I'm so excited for today's post because I can share with you all my radio debut!

I was a guest on the premier episode of the Shawn Mason Spence Show on blis.fm. The theme of her 2-hour show was What's Holding You Back? Shawn and her guests shared tips and ideas to her listeners on how to move beyond the issues that could be holding them back, including health, wealth, self confidence, and appearance.

Shawn had guests of all different backgrounds and experiences such as celebrity dentist and noted author Dr. Catrise Austin, therapist Dr. Sabrina Jackson, myself, and several others.

You can listen to my portion of the segment below:

Here's a link to the full segment. I come in around minute 38!

I hope you enjoyed listening as much as I enjoyed participating in the Shawn Mason Spence Show. If you have time, I highly recommend letting the whole segment play. Her other guests offered great advice on all aspects of life and how to live it to the fullest.


If you're interested in setting up a closet consultation or wardrobe edit, or would like to schedule a personal shopping session, please contact me directly at GetJessedUp(at)gmail(dot).com

If you take nothing else from this post, leave with this:

Live confidently, fashionably, and let nothing hold you back.

Until next time..

<3 GJU