guest blog // 3 tips to look & feel better

Hi - I’m Jackie and I'm excited to be guest blogging today on A Case Of The Mundays.

I have always had a passion for fashion - from shoes to makeup, nail polish to handbags, and everything in between! Coupled with that I believe that all women deserve to feel beautiful, no matter what circumstances they may be facing. Women are powerful beings ... we just need to realize it!

 

In 2009, I began working as an advocate for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, the web's most trusted resource for individuals who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and their families. I work with women daily who hear those devastating words 'you have cancer.' I've seen power in fashion and how it can enhance a woman's overall self-esteem. When we look good, we feel good. I've focused my work with the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance to develop medical content with specializations in alternative care, cancer support programs, and beauty!

Here are 3 tips to help anyone look & feel better!

1 // WEAR FAVORITES!

Taking advantage of the latest fashions can make a person feel rejuvenated and energized. Adding a few new pieces to the wardrobe each season can spice things up and prevent closet boredom. But the benefits of an oldie but a goodie shouldn't be overlooked! Comfort clothes are as good for the soul as comfort foods! Combine a new camisole and sweater with a favorite pair of jeans for an everyday look. A soft, cotton t-shirt that's been worn thin can be paired with skinny jeans and a fitted blazer for an edgy, night-on-the-town look.



 

{source: wendy's lookbook}

2 // MAKE A STATEMENT!

Choose one statement-making accessory each day! Whether it's a bright, floral scarf, a glimmering pair of earrings or a hot pair of leopard print ankle boots, this extra-special addition instantly provides a feeling of confidence. This spring's hot items include large floral patterns, neon colors and funky tribal prints --- talk about bold & energetic!

{check out this great neon necklace DIY via a pair & a spare}

3 // AROMA THERAPY!

Scent can also be used to increase energy! Aromatherapy has been used successfully to help people feel better physically and mentally. Increase your energy with grapefruit or peppermint. Calm your mind after a long stressful day with lavender or vanilla. Treat yourself to your favorite scented candle, body oil or perfume and see how it compliments your mood!

3 random things ...

i've been MIA this week. a couple of excuses ... but of course:

1 // race day is this saturday! woot woot. we went and picked up our race numbers and goodie packs over lunch today. (um yes - that does say "tom rosenberry". i almost walked out of there as him instead of myself. boy would that have been confusing!) there's still time to donate if you'd like to help us out. remember this post? it tells all about barefoot ministries, the ministry we're raising money for. thanks to those that have given, we've already raised enough to send about 3-4 inner-city students to camp this summer. sweet! click here for all the details.

2 // i don't talk about my big girl job very often. for those of you that know me through the blogosphere alone, i work at a record label in nashville doing creative. my boss and i coordinate all things visual for our artists - photo shoots, video shoots, album packages, marketing materials and social media. basically there's ALWAYS too much on the plate - which means it NEVER gets boring. 

this week we released an album for lee brice that we've been very excited about. it just feels like it's finally his time. lee's paid his dues having written for super legit acts like garth brooks, tim mcgraw, kenny chesney and had the song of the year the past 2 years in country music ("love like crazy" and "crazy girl" performed by the eli young band). finally he topped the country charts w/ with his current single "a woman like you". i don't usually self promote but if you like good ol boy music & a drive in the truck ... or heck just talented writing ... check out his new album, hard 2 love. my mom loves him and based on how he looked at her at a recent cmt taping - he loves her back! ;)

(click above)

3 // now a little ethiopia update! we've been finalizing details for our trip and picking up last minute supplies. we were so excited to hear back from stella with the awassa children's project w/ more detail about our time w/ the project. we'll arrive on saturday and play with the kids over the weekend. then on monday when the kids go back to school, i'll work in the preschool and wade will help w/ the garden. after school, we'll tutor. we'll have 9 days with the kids!!! now i need to find easy craft ideas and coloring/activity pages to bring along with us! if you have any suggestions or resources - let me know!

speaking of crafting, i haven't been doing much lately. instead i've been making friendship bracelets galore. i'm like my 12 year old self on SPEED. maybe i'll share a tutorial or 2 on all the different types of bracelets i've conquered - i mean they're back, right? and i'm still planning to have a crafternoon of bracelet making now that we're not going to be running as often! we're so thankful for the friends that have sent us soccer balls + bracelets! we'd love to get even more - even if that means we have no room to pack our own clothes! :) email me for details.

hopefully i'll be back w/ something new soon! :)
until then - hope you are well!

my week: 3 random things

1 // we're still running a whole lot. today a group met @ the donut den in town. the plan: run an easy 3m & then eat donuts! well all except me. :( the ONLY thing i really miss since going gfree is definitely donuts. so this weekend, i'm determined to make my own! lots and lots of inspiration online:

{clockwise from left}

gluten free goddess' baked donuts

tartelette's gluten free nutella doughnuts

comfy belly's chocolate buckwheat donuts

i'm pretty determined to create my own little recipe - including all my favorite gfree flours: sweet rice, tapioca and of course oat flour. will share!

2 // confession: i've fallen behind on the "31 days to a better photo" challenge. i promise to catch up over the weekend. then we'll link up again on monday! want to know what's been wasting my time? my new iphone. totally addicted to the nerdiest app ever - the ancestry.com app.

seriously though! so far i've found out that my great great great grandpa francis m. hardway had 8 sisters and 7 brothers ... oh and possibly an illegitimate daughter. oh and my great great great great great grandpa jurge hartweg was born in germany. he changed the name to hardway upon settling in virginia. yup i'm totally addicted!

3 // i went ahead and made a printable 8x10 of my grandpa's saying. i printed a copy for myself yesterday and will definitely share as soon as i find the perfect place for it in the apartment. in the meantime, enjoy (family!):

{click above to download}

hope to be back to my normal blogging self by next week! :)
have a great one, friends.

my week: 3 random things

i dropped by the office just now and there's paint on the walls! :) hooray. i am pretty excited to see it finished. they've promised me that i'll be back in the office monday morning. until then - i leave you with another 3 random things for this week:

1 // the super bowl was almost a full week ago and i never shared my cookies! i found then modified the yummiest gfree sugar cookie recipe. i'll make valentine's cookies and share the recipe next week, promise! {i don't mean to be a tease, i just don't have the recipe on me at this time.} in my own opinion, the cookies turned out as adorable as they were yummy ...

{our failed attempt to put a helmet on chris}

2 // speaking of failed photography attempts ... how's everyone doing on the "31 days to a better photo" challenge? we're 10 days in (get it - it's february 10th) but you're not too late to catch up. link up your test shoots @ the bottom of this post! i've concluded 2 things: 1// i really want this 50mm lens. 2 // i need to find a model as my pics have been pretty lame thus far. of course, not too lame to share:

{larger aperture - f/3.5}

{smaller aperture - f/22}

3 // last but not least, remember that box my boots came in?

well ... it's no longer a box. a little chop chop here and there, a few jumbo paper clips and it's my fancy schmancy new fabric organizer:

though the rest of the closet needs a lot of prayer, one shelf down! here's the before and after:

before:

 after:

share your "31 days" progress! 

link to your aperture experiment post specifically (not your entire blog!).

my week: 3 random things

1 // it's officially office makeover day! and it's been a heck of a week preparing for the big day. we are allowed to leave our computers, phones + furniture in our offices, but everything else must be out. a little spring cleaning - aka excellent opportunity to purge 7 years of collected junk. while i'm pretty excited about new carpet, new paint (i went w/ donnegal) + organized cabinets, i'm most excited to have the wires rerouted & no longer a tripping hazard across the middle of my floor! it's the little things. i might even ask them to install a window. okay - a girl can dream!

2 // have you signed up for february's 31 days to a better photo challenge? yesterday's challenge was to get cozy w/ your camera manual. that's a big ol' 1 day challenge ... i made it about 1/2 way through the book. pretty excited w/ all that i'm learning. not gonna lie - there was a highlighter involved. and this thing is thorough. ie. "when operating the diopter adjustment control with your eye to the viewfinder, be careful not to put your fingers or fingernails in your eye." why thank you, nikon.

2 // running has majorly taken a toll on my crafting ... which has majorly taken a toll on my blogging. i get home from a long day @ work, run ... and then CRASH! last night i found enough energy to recreate i spy diy's heartbeat necklace. easy peasy - and adorbs. in fact, i made a few add'l necklaces for my sisters/sister-in-laws. they're going to love them! isn't it fun getting unexpected presents in the mail?

 your turn - your week in 3 random things. go!

eleven ...

{source: lilyja on etsy, leo reynolds on flickr, wild goose chase on flickr}

happy wishing, sweet readers! :)

{ whatever wednesday } 5 completely random things ...

1 // pretty excited about an upcoming "a case of the mundays" photo shoot and surprise extra $$ just in time to prepare. now it's time to get inspired. any suggestions!?!

 {source: (left) 1 // celebrity wallpaper , 2 // veronica caycedo, 3 // we heart it, 
(right) 1 // dia living, 2 // geronimo balloons}

2 // it's pretty common to have an ex boyfriend that's a lawyer or maybe a factory worker or maybe a teacher ... but how many can claim to have an ex that's a youtube legend. {both thumbs to self} this girl. have you heard the one about the guy who sounds (and looks) just life freddie mercury? oh hey - i used to date him. {my one claim to fame?}

very thrilled for, marc & his wife crystal. and pretty excited to see what's next for them (and his bandmates from downhere). only slightly jealous - having heard that he's going to be on ELLEN next monday! SAY WHAT!?! i love me some ellen. click here to find out when the show airs in your part of the world. and maybe TiVo it for us?
 
3 // it occurred to me last night that i'm gone EVERY weekend in october. yikes!

the rundown:
10/1 - an overnight trip to wade's hometown for a wedding
10/8 - that anniversary trip i mentioned to jonesborough, tn
10/15 - the first annual "mundays on the mountain" camping trip
10/22 - a quick trip home to visit my parents and celebrate my grandma's birthday in illinois
10/29 - w & my first trip to new orleans just in time for voodoo fest

wow - exhausting just typing all that. there will be lots and lots to blog about ... but little time to just breath. just a forewarning, things might get a bit crazy.


4 // @giveit2goodwill tweeted about some little his/hers lamps at to catch a thrift this am. so i decided to check it out. the lamps are cute ... but people - this is genius:

{source: to catch a thrift}

part 1 ... an excuse to party: start the night by rocking your favorite thrifted 80s piece - and of course big hair, bright makeup and 3" thick shoulder pads.

part 2 ... an excuse to craft: end the night by updating everyone's look from the 80s to the now. the girls of to catch a thrift cut off sleeves, raised hems, even wore items inside out - check it out here.

so much fun. and i might just have crafty enough girlfriends to pull this off!?! who's with me? hmmm ... considering #3 - now to find the perfect time.

5 // i've been battling an earache/headache for over a week now. and have been on antibiotics and this thang just won't give. so instead of being creative last night - i went to bed. ho hmm. promise some fresh creativity soon! xo.