Oh how I've missed my little blog! I am back from an incredible trip to Mexico and am gainfully employed again. I started my new job this week and am determined to find time to keep up with the blog. 

To get things going again, I am sharing my next Q&A with one of my oldest and dearest friends, Jess. We met in 10th grade and have been going strong ever since. Jess is beautiful, thoughtful, sensitive in the best way possible, and as she says herself, very adventurous. There is something very comforting about having a friend that has grown up with you. The nostalgia of an old friendship brings a richness to the relationship that's not better, but different, from friendships you make when you get older. I can still walk through the raised ranch she grew up in and see us doing all the silly things 15 year olds do in my mind. When she comes to visit it's like a comforting slice of home is here. 

Read on to learn a little bit more about Jess. I love what she has to say about some great advice inspired by her Dad. 

Bits + Pieces

Where do you live and with whom?
Boston, MA with my husband, Jay, and my pup, Ollie.

If you didn’t have to work for money what would you do? 

Travel writer or open up a surf shop (note: need take more surfing lessons prior to that)

What did you have for dinner last night?
Crispy fish tacos with lime carrot slaw. Recipe courtesy of Hello Fresh.

Choose five words to describe you.
Adventurous, caring, curious, fun-loving, loyal

What keeps you up at night?
Terrible news stories, our country’s unjust drug laws/failed prison system, and what the f am I doing with my life.

What inspires you?
Great conversation, live music, the beach, summer nights

What do you do for “me time”?
Exercise. Barre and I’ve recently gotten into spin – love the energy. Walks home from work through the Boston Public Garden. Runs along the Charles River.

Some of Your Favorites

What book are you reading right now?

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

What song or album are you playing on repeat right now?
I like to consider myself musically inclined and to save face I should give a different answer, but I have to admit Miley Cyrus’ “Malibu” is my song of the summer. Windows down, sunshine on your face, music blaring, belting out the lyrics kind of song.

What is the one beauty product you are obsessed with and would recommend to all your friends?
Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer. It gives a nice, natural looking tan since as a woman in my 30s, I’m supposed to apply an insane amount of SPF to my face and wear a hat at all times.

What is your favorite item in your closet?
A pretty, flowy, summery Maxi dress from Anthropologie I recently purchased.

Go to adult beverage?
Wine, Rosé, Sam Adams Summer Ale (aka Sam Summer)

Life Questions

Give me three words to describe your life right now.

Social, Fun, Hopeful

What is one thing/area of your life you currently do really well?

I would say my job. It took some time to get my career back on track after moving back to Boston and I am now in a role that I find both challenging and rewarding. 

What is something you wish you were currently better at?

Taking chances. I never used to over analyze, but I feel like as I get older I can get caught up in my own head a lot. 

Name a few things you miss the most about life five years ago?

I was living in Denver, CO at that time, so I would say the mountains, my CO friends and the adventure of living outside of my comfort zone. 

Can you tell me about something that you have experienced recently that you didn’t see coming when you were younger?

That everyone would have real life issues. I think you and your friends start dealing with some heavy sh*t and you think wow I really am an adult. Sometimes I forget! 

If you picture yourself five years in the future, what does life look like then?

This is one of my favorite quotes: “Everything you’ve ever done, every person you’ve ever met, every experience you’ve ever had is a part of who you are today, adding interesting layers to your being and colorful depths to your soul.” To me, that’s what life is all about. So hopefully, I will have met more amazing people, traveled to new interesting places and made lots of great memories with family and friends. I would also like to be a mom…own a home…so maybe some of that will be happening too.

Can you tell me one piece of advice that has had a big impact on you?

My Dad always said the quote “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.”

It’s not necessarily advice, but it had an impact on me and how I’ve tried to live my life. What I took from it is that we should always have goals, dreams and direction in life, but we need to live life in the moment and know that things won’t always go as planned. Embrace it. Live in the present. Try to learn and grow from it. Because no matter how hard we plan, we won’t always know what life will bring.