"I love my friends!"

My friend came across this gem of a video last night.

Kris Kardashian/Jenner made it for her 30th birthday as a way to thank all of her friends. You know, for being her friends or whatever.

It is real. It is amazing. You will love it and watch it a ridiculous amount of times.

Happy Friday!

The first to go

Over winter break, the two other girls who live on the second floor with me have gone home to their distant homelands in the beautiful state of Ohio. This leaves me all alone with my closest roommates being an entire floor above me.

The six of us live in an one hundred and eleven year old home. It's absolutely beautiful and charming. It is also huge and located right by campus, which means it is in a not so awesome part of town.

Why yes, that is a firework covering up my address.

Since my two other floor-mates have been absent from the Harry Potter realm of the house, I've been much more creeped out going to sleep at night. 

The last thought I have every night before I drift off to sleep is: You are the first to go.

It's true, too. When you go up the steps, the first room you come to is the Hufflepuff Common Room, also known as my bedroom. Want to know what's worse? My door does not physically shut, much less lock. 

Since I've been holding down the Hogwarts castle these past few weeks, I've been stacking heavy chairs and furniture against my door in hopes for better protection.

Does anyone have any better advice for me? I mean, I would love to use my wand to cast a Shield or Patronus charm, but you know I can't use magic outside of the wizarding world!

Okay. I'll stop with the Harry Potter references now. 

The boots that almost never were

On Christmas, my grandma gave me a beautiful pair of riding boots. I had been lusting after these boots for quite some time. As in months.

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My grandma actually tried to have these boots ready as my birthday gift, but Nordstrom sent her a USED PAIR. And we are not talking about boots that were lightly walked around the store. These heels were all worn down, and the shoes were scuffed beyond before. 

Isn't that bizarre and gross?

When she called and told Nordstrom about it, they quickly found a new pair to overnight and said that they would give her free shipping on her next purchase.

Come on, Nordstrom. For sending a sweet grandmother a pair of used riding boots, you can do a lot better than that!

But anyway. After I had taken my new (not worn!) boots home, I eagerly took them out of their box and tried them on.

And then it happened.

The zipper over my right calf would not go up. 

My left calf was zipped in all nice and cozy, but the right zipper was stuck.

I realized I had one, abnormally fat calf. Devastating. 

I sent picture messages of my half-zipped boot to friends and wrote: Have one fat calf. Do you know any good cobblers? I need a boot stretcher.

Sad, sad, sad.

Of course, once I stopped being so dramatic and actually straightened my leg out more, the boot eventually did zip.

I will have to post an OOTD picture this week so show off my new boots! I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas!

My Favorite Christmas Movies

With Christmas a mere three days (!) away, I've realized I have some serious movie-watching to do before the big day!

Here is a list of my most loved holiday films.

1. Rick Steves' European Christmas: I have such fond memories of watching this movie in high school French class. Each year, we would have a Christmas party on the last day of class before winter break complete with a Yule log (yum). In the Rick Steves' special, he travels around the different European countries and shows how people all over the world celebrate Christmas. My favorite part? The Steves family sledding down the Swiss alps with the Christmas tree they have just chopped down. Perfection.

I want your job.

2. Eloise at Christmastime: As a huge fan of the Eloise book series, I cannot get enough of this movie. I would love to ride around in a horse-drawn carriage with my nanny as we go Christmas shopping through Manhattan!

I hope my future child is like this.

3. Arthur's Perfect Christmas: Yes. I am referring to Arthur the Aardvark. My mom bought this movie for my little brother when he was younger, and I think I got more enjoyment out of it than he did. There are even songs in this Arthur holiday special, and it is only an hour, which makes it easy to fit into any busy schedule!

I used to have a D.W. t-shirt when I was little. Embarrassing.

4. Love Actually: The crème de la crème of Christmas movies (of all movies in my humble opinion). It does not get any better than this film. Love, London, Christmastime, Colin Firth...need I say more? The soundtrack to this movie always brings a tear to my eye, and I can watch the scene of Sam running through the airport on repeat a sick number of times.

This movie rarely leaves my DVD player.

5. While You Were Sleeping: This movie takes place in Chicago during Christmastime and features one amazing love story. The proposal scene at the end is one of my favorites of all time. Seriously. I stand by that statement.

Lovely.

Confession: I have never seen "Elf."

Please do not unfollow me.

I am now in love with Mindy Kaling.

After my dad and I finished lunch yesterday, we stopped by my favorite bookstore in Cincinnati, Joseph-Beth, and my dad told me to go pick out a book.

My dad is definitely one of the people I inherited my love of books from. The two of us are happiest in libraries, bookstores, and used book sales. Heaven indeed.

After debating between a book of stories based on Jane Austen novels and one about Jackie Kennedy's career as an editor, I ended up picking up the Austen book and heading towards the register. 

On my way, another book caught my eye. It was Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns). 

Obviously, I had my dad buy me Mindy's book instead. And after having read and finished her book less than twenty-four hours later, yes, I feel as though Mindy and I are on a first name basis.

She is hilarious. 

I have never laughed out loud so many times while reading a book. Not even during Tina Fey's Bossypants (though that book was still incredible and so funny).

One of the favorite chapters was the very first one titled, "Chubby for Life," in which Mindy tells these fantastic stories from her childhood about being overweight. Mindy writes in this section, "It's a small point of pride that I was a six-pound baby, because from my limited understanding of baby weight, that's on the skinnier side. I flaunt my low baby weight the way really obese people must flaunt their dainty, small feet. It's my sole claim to skinny fame" (12). 

Absolutely amazing.

I love how Mindy is so real and self-deprecating even though she is obviously this wickedly funny, intelligent, and talented woman. 

Mindy Kaling, I want to be your friend.

On December 19th, twenty-two years ago...

...I was born on one of the coldest and snowiest nights in Cincinnati history!

Today is my birthday, and it has been a fantastic celebration.

Here I am! Being 22!

On Saturday, I had a "J" themed birthday party where everyone had to come dressed as something or someone that begins with the letter "J." I was a jewel and had so much fun going overboard on glitter makeup.

Jelly bean, jogger, and jewel.

Yesterday, I went to my parents' house for dinner, and my grandparents also came over. We dined on filet mignon, potato casserole, green bean casserole, seven layer salad, and rolls. For dessert, my grandma made me my favorite cake, pineapple upside down, and we had raspberry chip ice cream.

My amazing grandma and the cake she made me.

Divine, divine, divine.

My parents even bought me a life-size cardboard cutout of Harry, Hermione, and Ron (!!!!!!).

My roommates may or may not hate me for bringing this home and expecting it to be displayed in a public area.

Today, my dad is take me out to lunch to a Thai restaurant I've never been to before, and then we shall venture around the city, looking at our favorite Christmas displays and (hopefully) finding the perfect Christmas gift for my mom.

I love being twenty-two already!

Facebook Giftcards? Worrisome.

This afternoon, I was waiting in the terribly long Target checkout line and checking out the variety of giftcards when one in particular caught my attention.

It was a giftcard for Facebook credits.

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Yes. Seriously.

At first, I simply thought how dumb that was, but then I grew more concerned as I thought, I can totally see my grandma buying that for me.

Can you imagine all of the well-intentioned aunts, uncles, grandmothers, and grandfathers out there who are going to be perusing the giftcards and remark, "Oh! Facebook! Insert name of loved one here is on Facebook. I know she will love a giftcard for that."

Yet this would be an awful gift as I do not do anything on Facebook that requires "credits."

Honestly, I don't know anyone who does.

I suspect that these Facebook giftcards are essentially going to rip off thousands of people this holiday season and many young adults and teenagers will be left with an abundance of "Facebook Credit."

Lame Facebook. Low blow indeed.

Only one quarter left?

I've only been on winter break for about three days now, and I've already had too much free time to worry think about my future.

One quarter. Ten weeks. That is all I have left of my undergraduate career.

It's terrifying.

As much as I loved high school, the end of senior year wasn't so scary. Everyone was going to college. Another four years of school. It didn't seem too crazy or jarring.

I am so happy with my life right now. I love my major, my friends, our home, my job...

This whole graduating college thing feels completely different.

I'm not ready for it all to end so soon.

Maybe my school will find a blip on my transcript and keep me another quarter?

Somehow I don't think my parents would be too happy with that additional tuition bill...

Sigh.

Elf on the Shelf

For weeks now, I've been receiving picture messages from my friend at work and her sisters of their "elves" in various hiding places around their houses.

Have you ever heard of "Elf on the Shelf"? I hadn't. Here is a visual.

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Adorable, right?

Each elf comes with a storybook with a page in the back where you write down your family's name, the day you received your elf, and his/her name. Parents hide these elves around their homes with their kids believing that the elf is watching their behavior for Santa.

After receiving each picture message of these other elves' hiding places, I'd always write back, "I wish I had an Elf on the Shelf!"

Yesterday morning, I was given an early birthday present from my friend and her sisters...my very own Elf on the Shelf!!!!

I've only had my sweet, little elf for about twenty-four hours now, but my roommates and I are having such a fun time hiding him around the house.

I just found him hiding behind a bottle of Tide a few minutes ago. I suppose he had some laundry to do.

I have named my elf Neville, and I think he is insanely cute.

Does anyone else have an Elf on the Shelf?

Hello Winter Break! My name is Jenna, and it is SO fabulous to meet you.

Winter break and I have been reunited. We've only been together for about ten minutes now, but it feels like we've been close friends for years!

This winter break I plan on...

READING! I have so many books on my shelf that I've been meaning to read for months now, and I cannot wait to finally open them. I also have a few novels that I began but never got around to finishing.

I will NOT be reading anymore from this American Literature anthology, but it was the closest book to me, and I'm too lazy to get up sooo...

Finishing up my graduate school applications. This task isn't quite as fun and relaxing, but I just can never seem to find the time to complete these while school is in session.

I hope my diploma comes with a red ribbon like this.

Playing my new Broadway singing/dancing game for the Wii. I think my roommates may hate me by the end of break...

I will be doing this in my living room.

Spending time at my parents' house with Elle Belle. She's looking so cute with her hair all grown out and fluffy!

Taking lots of long, bubble baths. Hot baths in the winter are absolutely divine!

Oh what I'd do for a clawfoot tub!

Running. My one roommate and I are trying to get ourselves in shape to run a 10k this coming May. I'm up to two miles right now!

This shall be me and Ellie (and her friends)

I am so happy to be on winter break and am looking forward to these upcoming weeks with no school stress!

Mall Mayhem

To further procrastinate my take-home American Lit final, I decided to do some Christmas shopping this morning.

Since it was around noon when I ventured off to the mall (and a Wednesday), I figured I would avoid most of the holiday crowds. Besides, it's only December 7th!

No such luck for me.

Where did you people come from?

It took me over ten minutes to find a parking space. When I finally did locate a spot, I was parked behind a huge truck with mud all over it. I figured that person must have driven through treacherous conditions just to get to the shopping mall.

Inside, the department stores and main area of the mall were packed. There was actually a line for the escalators (!!!), and there seemed to be a plethora of walkers and strollers everywhere. Of course, there were also many culprits of the "walking three across" crime who also contributed to slowing down my shopping pace.

It was chaotic to say the least.

I wanted to jump up on one of those kiosks with a megaphone and proclaim, "GET OUT OF MY MALL! I DON'T SEE ANY OF YOU PEOPLE HERE THE REST OF THE YEAR (Thank God)!"

It's like people who only go to church on Christmas, you know?

While I love the holiday season, I can't wait to have (relative) peace and quiet again at the mall.

I swear I'm not crying!

So whenever it is cold and windy, my eyes water like crazy.

I will literally have huge tears streaming down my face.

And this morning was one of those cold, windy, and rainy (blah) days.

I feel as though people are staring are me and thinking, "WHOA. What is that girl going through if she can't even keep it together while walking to class? She must have some real issues."

I want to hold a sign as I walk that says, "I swear I am not crying. All is well! Promise!"

Does anyone else have this eye watering problem? It's really awkward.

And it ruins my makeup.

On a side note, I am currently in a study room on campus attempting to comprehend business statistics and eating Starbursts. I was going to attempt taking a Photo Booth picture of myself, but I think the girl next to me knows what's up, and now I feel like a loser taking a picture of myself.

Friday, I am yearning for you.

I am posting this random picture of Ellie to cheer myself up.

Monday of Finals Week: Morale is strong

One of the worst times of the quarter has come upon me.

FINALS WEEK.

Haha! This is amazing.

Oh man. Just typing it made me cringe.

Since it is only Monday, I am still feeling upbeat and positive. I have finished two portfolios and now only have my quantitative analysis exam (eeeek!) and a take-home final for American Literature.

Right now, that is feeling manageable. 

We will see how I am feeling tomorrow after the sleep deprivation kicks in, and I've had to study more math than I ever care to deal with.

Good luck to all of you fellow bloggers out there who are enduring the stress of finals! 

WE CAN DO THIS (I hope)!

St. Nick arrived early!

Tonight I am at my parents' house as this upcoming week is the last of the quarter and subsequently filled with papers, exams, and high stress levels.

Since I am home for the night doing schoolwork, my mom decided to give me my St. Nick's stocking a few days early.

I think she may have noticed that overwhelmed gleam in my eyes.

Moms are good at that.

But back to the stocking.

My parents really outdid themselves this year.

My beautiful stocking featured:

• Candy (obviously) including my favorite Snickers nutcrackers
• A pair of red mittens I've been lusting after from Etsy
• Bath and Body Works "Be Enchanted" lotion
• A feather headpiece
• Comfy socks 
• A Chipotle gift card.

I feel much less stressy about finals week after receiving my stocking filled with such thoughtful gifts!

Thank you Mom and Dad!

"That salesman played you like a fiddle!"

Last night, my friend, Mike, and I went to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. He had won tickets off the radio (Note: He is the first person I've ever met to succeed in winning tickets off the radio), and I was honored to be his guest for the show.

We ate dinner at an incredible Mexican restaurant downtown where I filled myself up on chips and a salad so that when my barbacoa tacos arrived, I could only eat part of one. This made for a delicious lunch of leftovers today.

If you are ever in Cincinnati, eat here!

After dinner, we still had some time before the concert was to begin. I have had my eye on a David Yurman ring, and Mike suggested we stop in Saks and look at it. This seemed like a fantastic idea.

Everything was going fabulously inside of Saks. The salesman at the Yurman counter was extremely helpful, and I loved the ring in person. It looked beautiful on my finger (naturally). We were over by the Chanel counter when we were offered glasses of white wine.

Lovely, lovely.

Then, I made the mistake of saying, "Let's look at the shoes one more time before we leave."

What did I find over in the shoe department? A pair of red wine colored Tory Burch flats. Originally $235 down to $164.

These are not the exact shoes.

!!!!!

"Beautiful shoes, aren't they?" The salesman remarked as I swooned over them. "We only have one pair left. What size do you wear?"

"Nine."

"Nine!" He dramatically turned away then returned his gaze to me. "That's the size of the pair I have left! Should I get them for you?"

"Yes. Yes, please." I was growing weaker by the second.

He brought the flats out, and I fell in love when them.

"Such a stunning color too. Tory Burch almost never goes on sale." He once again dramatically turned away. "And when they do, they're never in such a nice color."

I was gone. Sold, sold, sold.

As we were leaving Saks, Mike sighed, "That salesman played you like a fiddle! That was impressive."

We went on to the concert, which ended up being SO WEIRD.

We both decided the best part of the night had been spent at Saks.

Welcome December! A recap of November favorites!

I am so excited that it is officially my favorite month of the year!

For me, December brings St. Nick's Day, the end of the quarter, holiday parties, my birthday, Christmas, and New Years Eve! There are just so many wonderful and happy things taking place all month long. I LOVE DECEMBER.

But back to the lovely month of November.

Here are just a few of the things that I especially enjoyed this past November.

1. Kitchen dish towels: Yes. That sounds mundane and random, but I think I've inherited my mother's love for fun dish towels in the kitchen. I find myself oddly drawn to them at Target or TJMaxx. Currently, our campus house has a penguin dish towel in use. It's adorable.

Festive.

2. Green tea: I was recently reading on Pinterest how healthy green tea is for you and how it keeps your metabolism moving throughout the day. I think I still prefer regular tea, but green tea is certainly growing on me.

Just looking at it gets my metabolism going!

3. The Royal Wedding: My last Amazon order included a DVD of the Royal Wedding, and Life's commemorative Royal Wedding picture book. Both are amazing.

Such a beautiful couple!

4. My friends in Chicago: I was able to make a trip up to Chicago over Veterans Day weekend, and I cannot even explain how happy it makes me to see my friends from freshman year up there. I think it is beyond cool that we've managed to stay close over these past three years, and I still consider them some of my closest friends.

5. Putting up the Christmas tree: This is without a doubt my favorite Christmas tradition. My family turns on Christmas music as we decorate, and I love pulling out the different ornaments and reminiscing with them. This year, I also got to decorate a tree at my campus house with my roommates. Bonus!

6. My roommates: I love them every month, but I think it's amazing how we have managed to get closer and closer as this year progresses. They have all become some of my best friends and are truly a second family.

7. Goldfish: I always have at least two bags of Goldfish crackers in my pantry, but this past month I randomly ran out and realized how dependent I am upon them. I am obsessed with Goldfish. Just call me the Goldfish Queen.

Here's a jingle for Goldfish!

Au revoir November!