long blog.

hello friends! it has been over a week since my last post. (oops!) 

I have an excuse though, I've been sick... :( Don't worry, I am getting better. 

• First, I would like to share with you a project I am slowly doing. I am converting my recipes from my little box to a binder. I have too many and my box is overflowing. My binder isn't pretty, but it gets the job done!

• Secondly, I got a free tote (Victoria's Secret addict) soo cute! 
• The little town I am from has started their "farmers market" once a week. Which means you can bring any foods you grow, anything you make, or whatever you want to sell. So a few gals from my work are going to buy a table and sell things! I decided to make a few necklaces...

... I ordered material from Hobby Lobby, and these are my goodies. including bubble wrap I had a blast popping. I will let you know how those turn out! 

• Found this little gem on a trip to Goodwill. Not sure what I will do with it, but I couldn't pass it up. Suggestions would be lovely.

• Bonus, everyone kept telling me how long my hair has gotten last week! It's always thrown up in a pony tail during the work week so I haven't noticed how long it has gotten. 

So happy to catch everyone up. I will be HOPEFULLY be doing some gardening and crafting this weekend. 

--Until we meet again! 

why I get up in the morning

Good day everyone! this post isn't all the exciting, however it's important... so read it dangit. I have been (trying) to get myself healthy. mind/body/soul.

this is the hardest thing to do, ever. so I have compiled a list to remind myself how good life can be!  

10 reasons I get up in the morning.

1. God is good & I feel blessed everyday. my family is all healthy and my friends are amazing people
2. to get my first hug from my boyfriend. It's sappy, but I have found the love of my life! <3
3. to make that money $$
4. try and live a healthy lifestyle
5. to feel the first smile of the day
6. to do something
7. another step toward a goal. whatever that goal may be, I try and take a step. they're usually baby steps
8. I try to be the best person I can be, but let's be honest. It is the hardest thing to do... being good is not easy
9. for picture perfect moments like this one

(this picture is of warren county water tower) instagram missjackib

recommendations

Hola! First, can we talk about how beautiful Iowa was this morning

I am now telling you to check out my friends blogs. 
JESSICA <-- cute fashion & diy
crazy K's <-- creative and entertaining 
Check them out now.

ps. I did my toes last night. (yes more feet pictures)

a special weekend

Friday, such a blah day that I don't even need to go into details about it. However, the day redeemed itself with a flower manicure! 

Saturday, was to be an exciting day. My best friend and old roommate was coming to town. It has been almost a year since I have seen her. It did bum me out I had to wake up to fog basically leaking through my window.

There were four of us and we had such a fun day shopping and laughing. I was sad to see her go 

:( 

We all got some really cute stuff. I usually prefer to shop by myself, but it was a blast to shop with the group! 

These are my purchases

(skirts are from Wet Seal & the dress is Forever21)

bought by missjackib featuring a swing dress

Today (Sunday) I got up and did some picking up around the apartment and made a trip to Walmart. The best time to go is in the morning when NO ONE is there. I picked up some beauty supplies that I'm going to try! Also, picked up stuff to make this...

How to make:

1 rectangle of fat free cream cheese

a pint of fat free cream

5 small dill pickles

6 slices of ham (brand deli fresh is the best)

It is about 127 calories for 1/2 c. 

I eat mine with celery, but let's be honest it is much better with Club crackers

Have a great week!

lists and gems

I have a million lists going right now, and to be honest I feel like I can't keep up. 

They are as follows

• Must do! (talk to landlord, send netflix, print pictures, car insurance etc...)
• Golf clubs I want
• Crafts
• List (includes groceries and/or beauty products)
• shopping order (my cart is full on almost every clothing website you can think of) - Up next Victoria's Secret

there are not enough hours in the day and not enough money in my bank! 

On a happier, more fun note I got these gems from my grandmother Thursday. She really is the best grandma in the world!

      this one is my great-grandma's

Also, yesterday my dad called and said to stop by the house to get chili he made. ELK CHILI! No cooking for me. Double bonus, I got to see my kitty.

Manicure Wednesday?

Last night I did my nails! I did something quick because I couldn't stand the way they looked anymore. I will do them nicer for the weekend tomorrow. 

follow me on instagram - missjackib

Earlier this week I also made cracker mix. the recipe is from co-worker.

How to make:

3/4 c oil

3 tsp dill weed

1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch Dry Dressing

1 can mixed nuts

3 crackers of your choice

bag of pretzels (my favorite are honey wheat twists)

*mix dressing in bowl (in green)

dump crackers in a plastic bag and shake

pour dressing in and shake again

pour out the mixture and let it dry - put it on a baking sheet

I tried to make mine as healthy as I could, but it is still 165 calories for 1/2 cup. 

Enjoy!

treats, smarts, and meatballs

Easter Sunday was a fabulous day.

I started my day with wii fit and making treats!

I  filled them with popcorn, chocolate covered peanuts and pretzels, and jelly beans. I got treats for the kids too. The girls got candy necklaces and the boys egg shaped sports balls! 

We got full from all the goodies and then went out for an Easter egg hunt!

(I wish I could still join)

Book Review:

I started reading this book a few weeks ago and I cannot put it down. I randomly decided to read it after seeing it on New York's Best Sellers List. I read the synopsis of the book and thought "Ok" little did I know it would turn into a dirty/whips and chains/sex book. I still can't stop reading it. The best part is that there are 3 of them! So far, so good. 

What's for dinner? - Meatballs

I do not have a picture of them completely finished because I was busy stuffing my face.

How to make it: 

1 1/2 of ground turkey

carrots

celery 1/2 c dried breadcumbs

1/4 c egg beaters(I used the egg white kind)

salt & pepper

garlic

1/4 tsp chili powder

Chop

saute veggies and add garlic

(I also spread it out so it filled the entire skillet and just placed my meatball rolls right on top of the veggies)

In a bowl combine turkey, breadcrumbs, egg beaters, salt & pepper, and chili powder

cook the outsides until they are brown. I mixed in some red sauce as they cooked in the skillet and in the oven. Bake them 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes, or until the turkey inside is nice and white! You can eat them on a hoagie bread or just eat them. 

Serve with salad.

Enjoy!

"Good" weekend

First, I would like to start out by saying I am sitting here in my orange recliner watching our new TV and enjoying my Saturday. 

It is Saturday right? I didn't have to work Friday because the whole office was shut down for Good Friday! It feels so much like Sunday to me. Thursday night I made a list of all the things I needed from Dollar General and went. After that I've been crafting non-stop. 

"center piece" for our dinning table!

+I needed a place to put my wine glasses on display

Next, I started on my family birthday calendar. I had to finish it Friday because it was a long process. 

Finally, I made a bracelet (the pink one) and did my nails.

what I used for the dots

Friday morning I woke up and worked out with my wii fit, which I love. It really does make working out fun! Afterwards I made GLITTER FRUIT BOWL

My boyfriend and I also had date night to my favorite place. 

Outback Steak House. 

And lastly, I woke up this morning and made myself a bow for my hair

 (ps. sewing sucks...)

Have a great Easter everyone!

what's for dinner? - enchiladas

what you need:

you can use either chicken or beef. I went with chicken! 

spread on your refried beans, top chicken(which is mixed with seasoning) salsa, queso, tomatoes, black olives, and cheese. Just use whatever you have in your fridge. 

roll it up and bake it on 350 for 15 minutes. 

top it with sour cream, guacamole, chipotle and hot sauce. 

I only ate half so I don't have to cook tonight. (smarts)

Serve with pasta. YUM!

what's for dinner? - salami pasta

for dinner tonight I made myself a treat. I love pasta salad! we have a lot of frozen deer salami that we need to eat up. so this recipe is perfect. I threw in whatever we had in our fridge. 

I topped it off with black olives, minced onion, provolone and feta cheese, and Italian dressing. 

product review:dry shampoo

THIS!

Kenra Platinum Dry Shampoo. I love this! It makes it so easier/faster to get ready during the quick morning work week (whoa on the k's). This is the first dry shampoo I have ever used. I thought I would try some so my mother, who is a beautician, picked one for me. I have a lot of hair, and usually it's a pain to style. So instead of washing my hair in the morning I just rip it out of my pony tail, and put this on. After that, I use John Frieda's Secret Weapon. This calms my hair down and gives it a shine!

To make my hair smell good...

...seriously

pizza dip. tanks. skirt

yesterday us girls were going to do a little patio sitting, but it turned out to be a really cloudy day :| so instead I went to goodwill, did some grocery shopping, and made PIZZA DIP!
 my mother has made this dip before and it is delish.

 great for when you have people over. it was perfect because we had something to eat when we came home from the bar ;)

what to do:

you can either eat this cold or you can bake it, eat it with crackers or chips! in a bowl, mix the cream cheese,1/2 c sour cream, and a tsp of oregano. put this mixture into your pie tin. top it with pizza sauce, as much cheese, green pepper, and crushed red pepper as you like. I'm not much of an onion eater but my boyfriend loves them, so when the recipe calls for them I just use minced onion. bake it on 400 degrees for 15 minutes

             

I bought some shirts at Goodwill and cut them into razor backs. 

I'm ready for summer!

I also bought...

we needed wine glasses, $2.99! These earrings, which I love $.75! I needed a basket for Easter Sunday to bring my goodies for the fam. not sure how much it was!

I didn't take any pictures Satruday night, but I did get a shot of my outfit!