You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep at night because reality is finally better than your dreams.

La la lovely...

"We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done."

I know I haven't been a loyal blogger lately, but I hope to find more time in between all the chaos in my life at the present! Anyway, loved this quote and wanted to share!

Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.

I love you, dad. Glad you're ok. God was on our side.

This might need to go in my living room

"Somebody once said, Everything you want in the world is just right outside your comfort zone."

I love this remark by Jen Aniston during an interview with Vogue in 2008. It sums up perfectly how I view life and the world. Sometimes we get intimidated by life. I mean, it's so big and scary out there, life that is, and our innate drives as human beings tell us to seek comfort and do what's "right." Well, the best advice I have ever received was to "grow some balls." I have applied this advice to many areas of my life, including the times when stepping outside my comfort zone seemed the most difficult. I have learned to pursue actual interests and passions of mine and take them seriously. I have learned that I am as good as anyone else, and no one can bring me down without my consent. I have learned how to fall down at times, and how to get back up and dust myself off. I have learned to fall in love and to be loved back like I deserve. I have learned to forgive when it wasn't so easy, and how to accept aspects of my life that cannot be changed. I have learned to stand up for myself and what I believe. I have learned that pleasing myself instead of pleasing others at times makes my relationship with myself stronger, and let me tell you... it has taken a lot of balls. I have learned there are very few people in life whose opinions of me I care about. And I have learned that life truly is about going a little extra and exceeding what I am comfortable with in order to get what I want.

I encourage everyone to step outside your comfort zone today. I know I will.

sweaters, and boots, and tights, oh my.

I am not the biggest fan of cold weather or being pale, but fall fashion melts my heart a little bit. Working in the lovely world of retail and fashion, we are always a season ahead. Now I know I have plenty more nights of high waisted mini skirts and peep toes before I even think about breaking out ankle boots and tights, but let's just say I like to be prepared. Here are some fall must-haves I will be sacrificing groceries for come the beginning of the semester:

merino vest



leather ankle boots




solid opaque tights: plum




stoneybreck scarf

hello my future children

How stinkin' cute?

30 things before 30

According Glamour Magazine, here are 30 things every woman should have and should know by the time she is 30.

By 30, you should have:

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
4. A purse, a suitcase and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.
5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.
6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age—and some money set aside to help fund it.
8. An e-mail address, a voice mailbox and a bank account—all of which nobody has access to but you.
9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra.
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
13. The belief that you deserve it.
14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know:

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
2. How you feel about having kids.
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
4. When to try harder and when to walk away.
5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.
6. The names of: the secretary of state, your great-grandmother and the best tailor in town.
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.
8. How to take control of your own birthday.
9. That you can’t change the length of your calves, the width of your hips or the nature of your parents.
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.
12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs or not flossing for very long.
13. Who you can trust, who you can’t and why you shouldn’t take it personally.
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
15. Why they say life begins at 30.

LOVE this! cheers, ladies!

Summer reading playlist

1. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
2. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
3. My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler
4. "Are you there, Vodka? it's me Chelsea" by Chelsea Handler
5. Women Food and God by Geneen Roth
6. Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin
7. Shoo Jimmy Choo! by Catey Hill

sometimes i'm clueless and i'm clumsy, but I have friends that love me... and I know just where I stand. It's all a part of me, it's who I am.

Every day has potential for greatness.

Be inspired. Be hopeful.

Find the goodness in others.

Be thoughtful.

Find the goodness in yourself.

Be Loved. Be Special.

See the world around you.

Be Passionate. Be Unique. Be Green.

Engage yourself in life.

Be Alive. Be Fashionable. Be Yourself.

Because it’s not just another day, because it’s a reflection of you.

We are dedicated to making life’s special moments Something Fabulous.

yes please

So I have always been the type to plan things out... my wedding, my honeymoon, my baby names, my girlfriend getaways that will be taking place once a year starting as soon as we all have stable incomes... those sorts of things. One thing I am most excited about is decorating my future home. It will be french country/ shabby chic with black accents to ground things a bit. It will have vintage chandeliers and fabulous toile curtains and elaborate mirrors that can only be found at antique shops. I will always keep fresh flowers and good candles. Most importantly, I will have a huge closet... maybe even the size of a bedroom. It could have all of my clothes on rolling racks and shelves of shoes and a fabulous vanity to put my make up on. I will blast sexy music and drink champagne when I get ready. You have to admit, this sounds wonderful. For now, I can only spread this fabulousness throughout my college bedroom as I live with other people, and I suppose in my new apartment I will keep the same decor as I currently have since I am not quite burnt out on it yet. But for my next bedroom here are my options:


I love all of these bedroom options, but I think i'm obsessed with the first one the most. Who wouldn't want to curl up in that bed and watch sex and the city re-runs late at night? or read and drink coffee in the morning? or snuggle up with your love and talk and laugh all night? or have your girlfriends climb in on a Saturday night and pass around a bottle of champagne while laughing uncontrollably and telling embarrassing stories? When I get married I will not be registering at Bed, Bath and flipping Beyond or anywhere of that nature, but instead probably Karen's Attic or Medlyana's and probably the ABC store for when I have all those girls nights.

"At some point during almost every romantic comedy, the female lead suddenly trips and falls, stumbling helplessly over something ridiculous like a leaf, and then some Matthew McConaughey type either whips around the corner just in the nick of time to save her or is clumsily pulled down along with her. That event predictably leads to the magical moment of their first kiss. Please. I fall ALL the time. You know who comes and gets me? The bouncer." -Chelsea Handler

In the Nude

So my most recent retail obsession is different shades of white and nude, especially when combined. Here are some of my latest wardrobe additions:


This piece is so Chanel. It's classic and great all year round. For summer, i'd wear this unbuttoned with rolled up jeans and a graphic tee or plain tank underneath and tons of pearls. This will also be great over black leggings and ankle boots in the fall. Love this tank. Got this for Kristin for her birthday and slipped it on just to see, and had to have it. This is simple, but so chic with vintage jeans and just pearl stud earrings. It's also cute under a jean jacket or I paired it with a coral linen scarf to add some color.
I thought this blazer was terrible on the hanger, but I noticed it in size 0 so just thought i'd give it a try. So. dang. cute! Wore a nude tank underneath, rolled up the sleeves real messy and to balance out the masculinity of the stlye of this utility blazer added a huge coral flower pinned to the collar.
I have a bit of a crush on these beauties. They haven't made it to my collection yet, but i'm working on it. Tory Burch, you did me proud. These pretty much speak for themselves. Gold studs, nude leather, and a zipper up the back, what more could you want?

my sanctuary

I'm sorry dad for the times you have almost had a heat stroke and a broken back from moving all of my stuff from one apartment to the next. I know how much our family hates moving me, which I completely understand. I know I can be a little bossy at times when it comes to how my boxes and furniture are loaded and unloaded. I know I have way too much stuff. I know I have way too many shoes, and it's annoying that half of them are kept in the box which takes up too much space. I know all my jewelry weighs a ton. I know I don't need 10 pillows on my bed. I know I know I know. But come on, at least it's worth the hassle, right? Oh and dad, i'll try to remember to have cold beer in the fridge in a few weeks when it's time to move again.

I bought a top once at a boutique and saved the tag on it. This is what the back of the tag read:

Do not let your beauty come from the outside. Your beauty should come from the inside. It should come from the heart. This is the kind that lasts. Your beauty should be a gentle and quiet spirit. In God's sight this is of great worth and no amount of money can buy it. 1 Peter 3:3-4

I have no idea which top it was that I bought, but I will never forget this verse.

This is for all the people in my life whom I don't get to see, talk to, or tell "I love you" to all the time. Just because I don't always get a chance to tell you all how much I love you, doesn't mean I don't think it all the time. To all the people in my life who are so near and dear to my heart, whether we talk every day or hardly ever, I am thankful to have you in my life. I love you, and I know you love me too. God bless.

Springtime, I have missed you.

No offense winter, but I cannot express how happy I am that it is finally springtime. The idea of sundresses, tan lines, cold beer in the hot sun, walking through campus actually pleased that i got out of bed for class, the smell of grilling out, riding with my windows down and my music blaring, soaking up sun at the lake, the days being longer, and putting off that 10 page paper until tomorrow to drink a blue cup at He's Not with good company just makes me want to jump for joy. So yes, pollination, I am glad you have graced my poor black car with your presence yet again. Please stay for a while.

Quote of the Day

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

The Best Week of My Life

If I could have anyone's hand-me-downs

Their outfits and accessories kind of make my heart skip a beat. Just a little.

in order to succeed...

"To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."-Ralph Waldo Emerson

This has always been one of my favorite quotations. I think we all have at one point questioned the meaning of success in an effort to define ourselves and how we may or may not fit into that category. As we venture on through each chapter of life, we wonder how success can be applicable to our own lives, no matter how old we are. We wonder just how good of a job we have done at living. Whenever I have uncertainties about this roller coaster we call life, I reflect back on this little spoonful of inspiration and remember that it's not about what or how much I can take with me along the way, but instead what I can leave behind when I'm gone.

Something else I obsess over

Anything old, vintage, french country, shabby chic.







Aren't these fabulous?

For my fellow tarheels... and to everyone else

It is quite clear that there comes a time in every national championship holding title that God up and decides that sometimes it's only fair to give the other schools a chance to rush the court. (Why it had to be my last year of college and first year to see UNC vs. Dook in person, I wish I knew.) The same thing happened to us after we won the title in 2005. But no, it does not happen often people, and it certainly will never negate the fact that six victorious banners halo UNC's Dean Dome, that Michael Jordan-the greatest basketball player who has ever lived simply learned from the best, and men like Dean Smith and Roy Williams will always make us feel at home and have our backs until the end. So what, the Tar Heels have stepped off the pedestal to tie their shoes, as Brandon Staton nicely put it. Those of you who despise our carolina-blue painted bodies, hate the fact that number 5o now prominantly hangs in the rafters of UNC's sanctuary, and who face the actuality that no matter where you go to school you will never experience the mere equivelent of Franklin Street after a victory in all of your college years, please... embrace your mascot to the fullest this time around and update those facebook statuses in capital letters with all the hatred your mind can conceive... and don't you worry, because we'll be back.

Happy 100 Years of Carolina Basketball... and to 100 More.


Sincerely,
Jolene

We may not have it all together...

But when we're together, we have it all.

Happy Valentine's Day

Rise and shine...

It's Friday morning, no class today; just me and a hot cup of coffee sitting in my big fabulous bed with the covers pulled up to my chest and the sun shining brightly through my blinds. It's a little chilly in my room seeing as to how our apartment is five million years old (but don't worry, newly renovated) and my room is farthest away from the heating/air conditioning unit. It's very quiet in my apartment, which is nice. I like to just lay in bed some mornings and look around my room and think. I don't get to do that much anymore, but this morning got to be one of those mornings. In general, like many people, I have ten thousand competing factors in my life each day that take up ALL of my time. So, as I sit here in my bedroom just pondering life--no big deal--I am thinking about a few things:

I miss my family. I miss waking up to breakfast and the sounds (yes even my dad's big mouth) of our household in the morning. When I go home over break, these sounds usually consist of both my parents trying to wake up my little brother for school for approximately 45 minutes; which eventually are not the most pleasant forms of communication from both ends, our yappy little dog Lilly getting excited even when someone just takes a look at her leash, Matt Lauer rambling from the living room TV on the Today Show, and of course coffee brewing and my favorite, mom's professional egg scrambling abilities steady at work. Oh, and how could I forget my dad's loud mouth going on about God only knows what. Usually all of this takes place at around 7 a.m. which, when you are home from school on break with one sole objective in mind- that being to sleep in, you don't find ANY of this to be delightlful. Instead, I usually stomp to the living room, dirty look on face, where all of my jolly family members remain (minus my brother who still lays in bed angry that his light is now on in an effort to wake him up), and plop down on the couch with my arms crossed. My dad, who, unlike myself, is quite the morning person, will usually cheerfully ask me a question or try to engage in some kind of conversation with me. The usual response he gets from me is "I don't knowww" no matter what the question is in the grumpiest voice you have ever heard. And then he replies "Wow. Go back to bed." After 21 years, you would think he would know by now I hate to talk when I first wake up. Of course, before going back to bed I wait for breakfast. I wake up starving no matter what time it is, and literally cannot fall back asleep because my stomach hurts so badly. So, at least I get some food out of all this.

While away at school, I find myself missing those mornings the most. I miss my dad purposely bumping into me in the hallway as I bitterly make my way to the kitchen. I miss the smell of perfume and freshness in the bathroom after my mom gets ready for work. I miss Lilly barking and being so excited to go out for a walk. I miss all of our pets, including our two cats, surrounding me while I eat because they know I am such a good sharer. I find myself waking up some mornings, cooking breakfast, and putting on the Today show in my living room at my apartment. I do enjoy this show a lot, but I think more than anything it just makes me feel more at home. No matter where I end up in life, I will always remember those mornings at home. They are not something I appreciate when I am at home, in fact, i'm sure even next time I go home my feelings on all of the commotion in the LoFrese household at the butt-crack of dawn will remain loyal to what they always have been. Nonetheless, I will always remember and miss those mornings for the rest of my life. And I will chuckle to myself when I have children who are home from college and complain about being woken up by their annoying family, and tell them that one day-just maybe- they might miss this.

No One Likes a...

1. Swagger Jacker: 1. A person who steals another persons swag/sense of style/ or being 2. A copy cat. 3. Someone who steals or copies someone elses style, slang, ideas, way of dress etc.

"Like say i buy something first or do something first and you see me wearing what i bought or do what i did and you like it, then you turn right around and buy what i bought or do what i did thats what a swagger jacker is ya digz."

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=swagger+jacker

just sayin.

Dear Carrie Bradshaw...

I am this woman's biggest fan. A few things I would say to Carrie Bradshaw if we were ever friends:
1. I love you.
2. I love everything you wear, even the ugly stuff. Any by ugly, I mean you did it so fabulously it could have been a paper bag and I would have adored it.
3. Michelle and I often criticize one another on your behalf. For instance, she may have doubts about a certain obnoxious garment or dressing in opposition to what the weather has permitted even though the outfit looks fabulous, and I would snobbishly reply "Carrie Bradshaw would do it" or vice versa. Just thought you should know, I really believe in you.
4. I would rather starve and have good shoes and the newest vogue.