What’s Your Happy Place

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My happy place is being surrounded by amazing people – friends and family who make me laugh. Glitter and sparkle make me happy, too! ✨

I was recently in Chicago with friends to enjoy the art pop-up, Happy Place. It started in Los Angeles and moved to the Windy City where it just recently extended its stay through Labor Day.

Happy Place is filled with color and joy. Each room/instillation represented happiness and made for some pretty instagramable moments like a pot of gold ball pit!! Ah-making.

Although it was HOT (probably the hottest day in Chicago of the year), we had a great time roaming through the rooms creating some moments of happiness.

Thank you, Happy Place for helping us create some lasting memories.

About Happy Place: 

Founded by Jared Paul and opened originally on November 20, 2017, this massive pop-up experience is filled with larger than life size installations, multi-sensory immersive rooms, and dozens of moments curated to Capture Your Happy.

**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous.

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Taco Tuesday with Clementina Detroit

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Oh, hello there. As today is Tuesday, I figured I would take a moment to share my experience at Clementina Detroit, a seasonal restaurant (food tuck) stationed in Detroit’s Capitol Park. So without further ado, Happy Taco Tuesday!!

Clementina has easily become one of the most Instagramed food stops in Detroit since its grand opening. The colors, and atmosphere alone are enough reason to at least stop by. I dined there last weekend with my friend and fellow foodie – you can follow her food adventures on Instagram @tastestation, and we had…. an interesting experience.

Clementina is known for its libations, especially the frosé which we of course HAD to order. It was the perfect amount of frozen, to boozy, to flavorful combo. However, I was a little caught off guard by the cost. We had to purchase a separate cup for water and drink that from a fountain. I know it’s a food truck, but since when is water not free?

The food was decent. For the price, however, I would have liked MUCH better service. I was unfortunately greeted with an attitude as I walked up to place my food order (there are separate trucks for food and beverages). There were some eye rolls and huffs when I asked questions about the menu; and as the Recruiting Manager for a restaurant chain, I pick up on personality quickly. I don’t condone anything other than a smile. But I went on an ordered my two tacos. *Be mindful of the automatic gratuity and service charge when ordering though.* My two tacos totaled $14 and some change. Unfortunately my order was wrong, but the staff was thankfully willing to make my correct taco quickly.

I had the pork taco and the shrimp taco. The pork option was a little more flavorful while the shrimp taco didn’t sit too well with me. I did try some of the chicken nachos and those would be worth returning for!

Moral of the story, I recommend going if you’d like something fun to do in Detroit. Clementina a is stationed in Capital Park where there are little shops nearby. And if you’re still hungry, Prime and Proper is directly across the street. We made a day of it by starting at Clemintina, working our way over to Detroit Water Ice to satisfy our sweet tooth and had the pleasure of meeting the owner Mitch Albom. Then we ended our mini tour of downtown at Campus Martius and stuck our feet in the sand at the sand bar.

**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous.

Thick Thighs Save Lives

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Hi, my name is Jessica and I have thick thighs. I’ve literally always had large thighs, even as a youngin’ prancing around in my dance leotard. In fact, I used to joke with my friends in middle school and high school that they were thunder thighs. But, hey, now that I’m older and have embraced my body, I realized they’ve never really failed me.

Until…… I slip into a pair of shorts.
Listen, you guys may blast her, but I respect Kim Kardashian and her fashion choices (most of the time). She’s honestly a smart business woman and recently received an Influencer Award at the CFDA Awards.  So when she made bike shorts a hot thing, I was all about it. Mostly because I was excited to rock a pair of shorts that would’t ride up when I walked. However, that dream was short-lived when I put them on and walked up the hills of midtown ATL. Nonetheless, bike shorts, when done right, can be comfy and cute. And you don’t even have to be on a bike to look good in them.
I paired my bike shorts with a cropped white tee, open toe booties, and an authentic Army camouflage jacket. Inspired by KKW with a JMo twist.
I fully encourage all ladies to snag a pair of bike shorts. I actually own two pair – one from Forever 21 and another from a local boutique called Samiras Closet.
**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous. 

Fab Food: Charcuterie

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When you and your friends decide to be sophisticated and have a wine and charcuterie night, what do you do with the leftovers? Make up a meal, of course!

A few months ago my friends and I just wanted a chill girl’s night in. That resulted in us channeling our inner refined selves and deciding on a wine and cheese night. Each friend brought a meat, cheese, or edible arrangement to compliment the charcuterie board – ie, nuts, fruits, jelly.  And in case you were wondering, charcuterie is a French word for any smoked, dry-cured, or cooked meat.

The next day though, my creative juices got flowing and I decided to make a little dinner out of the cheese and jelly I had leftover from charcuterie night. I supplied Brie cheese, raspberry jelly and some grapes to complete the spread, so staring at the ingredients plus what I already had in my fridge, I came up with spinach and Brie stuffed chicken with a raspberry jelly reduction.

Raspberry reduction? Who am I?! HA! Totally watch too much Food Network. Anyhoo, read on for ingredients and instructions to make your own version:

• Prepare chicken – season however you’d like. Looking back, I wish I used rosemary!

• Stuff chicken with slice of brie cheese and handful of spinach.

• Seal with toothpick. I didn’t have any on hand so I used cakepop straws.

• Pop in oven, let bake til done.

• Take 2-3 spoonfulls of raspberry jelly. Add to pot of boiling water.

• Add chicken broth to “jelly water.” I typically use low sodium broth, but that’s just my preference.

• Let cook til reduced to a sauce-like substance.

• Drizzle over chicken when done cooking.

• ENJOY!

So next time you have interesting leftover ingredients, take a moment to figure out how you can create something unique and delicious!

**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous. 

Life is About Taking Risks

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I’m 31, ya’ll! Am I where I want to be in life? Almost! Am I where I thought it would be in life? Nope! And not to go all Drake or anything, but it’s God’s Plan.

While I continue to ask God for guidance and favor, I think 31 might be the year of risks. There have been some changes at work that have taken me out of my comfort zone and while I could have thrown my hands up and said I’m not doing it, I’m taking life head on and doing what I need to do to get sh*t done. I even keep randomly running into an ex and I’m taking a risk by being a nice and polite human to him. But you know what? I’d rather risk being nice than risk being a *bleep*.

Aside from personal and professional risks, I’m taking fashion risks! I actually never thought I could pull off a bell sleeve top, but here I am, hunny. I picked this top up at Target and felt like a cupcake princess when put it on. Dressed up or dressed down, it’s the perfect excuse for a dramatic piece in your closet.

So I’ll leave you with this, it’s not fashion if it’s not risky. Also, be nice and don’t be afraid of a challenge.

**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous. 

ABC – Always Be Cute

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Life is a balancing act, making adulting hard.

You’ve got to go to work, pay your bills, respond to text messages (all 15 different group chats), keep your skin clear, have your hair and nails done always, play with your pets (kids if you have them) even when you’re dead tired, go to the gym, drink water, eat your veggies, be nice, smile even when you don’t want to, and get through everything on your DVR. There’s always going to be a lot to do, but you just have to understand how to navigate life and make time for the things that are important to you, but most importantly look cute while doing it!

Life’s always easier when you’re confident and cute.

I snatched up this silky duster from the sale rack at Francesca’s. If you’ve watched my Instagram Stories lately, you’ll know I’ve been obsessed with the Francesca’s sale rack, finding some items for only a penny. YES, ONE CENT! This outerwear wasn’t one of my one cent items but, who can resist any type of sale?

So the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to just breathe and look through your closet and pull out your cutest outfit and go on about your day. Because, as my dear friend Andrea says, “ABC – always be cute.” xoxo

**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous. 

Jillicious Charms with Meaning

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You might not know it, but there are people out there rooting for you. When I had my second interview with my current employer, I thought I totally bombed it. It was a phone interview with the VP of HR and I was actually at my old job rushing to a client sight. Distracted, I felt like my answers weren’t completely on point, but little did I know I’d get a call just a few short weeks later offering me the position of Recruiting Manager.

I of course accepted the offer and began a new chapter in life. Just a few months into my position, I learned that the VP of HR was totally rooting for me. Not just in my new position, but also in life. She was aware of my blog and sent me the nicest note along with an ice cream charm necklace from Jillicous Charms and Accessories to blog about. She knew blogging and fashion are two of my passions and whether she did this intentionally or not, she was totally an inspiration to keep up with blogging. There was a time when I wanted to throw in the towel. I have taken a bit of a break and these recent weather conditions haven’t been exactly ideal for #ootd photo shoots, but I’m jumping back on the horse and doing what I need to do. So thank you, Ellen! Thank you for rooting for me. Thank you for being such an inspiration inside and outside of work, and thank so much for the necklace!

I rocked this adorable ice cream necklace when I went to MOIC LA in December. It will forever be a reminder of the amazing time I had, but most of all, the importance of doing what you love. Don’t stop, because there’s always someone out there rooting for you whether you know it or not. BTW, this was literally THE BEST ice cream I’ve ever had in life.

About Jillicious Charms and Accessories: Jillicious offers an array of handmade jewelries and accessories fit for all ages!

Most of the company’s food jewelries are handcrafted in a home studio located in South Hill, Washington.

**Thanks for reading; you’re F.A.Bulous.