My road to bliss

When I started blogging I was at a crossroads with where my life was headed so I appropriately named my blog “The Road to Bliss” to help chronicle my journey at finding bliss in every aspect of my life.

So, naturally when I got engaged, married and had Bailey, I debated for weeks on changing my blog name. Because I now, had found bliss.

Even though I am happier than I have ever been, I began thinking that no matter where we are in our lives we should always be on the road to bliss. We should never arrive there and just stop. Life doesn’t stop. We need to be constantly challenging ourselves, trying new things, creating new hobbies, making new friends, always striving to be a better person, Christian, friend, wife and mom. All of which will continue to bring more and more bliss into our lives every day!  You’ll never hear anyone say they have too much bliss in their lives!

So I ask you friends, are you on your road to bliss?

here are 3 ways to break out of your same old, same old and bring in some more bliss!

1. make a new friend/reconnect with old friends or commit to seeing your current friends more

Seek out other bloggers in your area, contact old friends you haven’t seen in a while. Both of which I am committed to doing this summer! I have such a fun group of bloggers (Htown bloggers) in my area that meet up each month and I have never been (for shame) but come July, I will be there! I also just learned a friend from elementary school just moved into my neighborhood and another moved nearby! We have all said we will get together. but I am committed to making that happen! I am also committing to seeing my current friends more often, we all get so busy and live all over the city  so its easy to go weeks without seeing them! Not any longer! I went over to one of my best friends houses last night to catch up and hang out

2. Find a new hobby: try a new workout

I recently tried Zumba for the first time. I almost chickened out and just went to my trusty old treadmill but I challenged myself and am SO glad that I did. That had to be the most fun I have ever had working out. and even bigger plus, I am pretty sore which in workout code means its working, right?….

I should look like this in no time, no? I am excited to continue going to a class I love and there are many more I can’t wait to try!

‘3. clear the clutter/revamp some old furniture

Clean out your closets, garage, even your car. Clearing the clutter will instantly give you a mood booster! And could possibly make you some cash! Have a garage sale, a blog sale, or take your items to a store like Plato’s closet where they will buy your gently used clothes. Or just do your good deed for the day and donate them!

You could go an even further step and revamp an old piece of furniture, a mirror or even some picture frames. It’s amazing what a can of paint (even spray) can do!

I don’t have a photo of my actual chairs before (shame) but picture something like this

old chipped pair of awful

bring in a small can of paint, fabric and a staple gun

Brand “New” chairs!

How are you bringing bliss into your life?

A new venture!

Hi friends!! Big thanks to Miss Shastaaaa for featuring me on her pay it forward post! What a great idea that was to share blogs with her readers!! If you are reading this and you haven’t stalked read her blog you betta check it out she is one super fabulous chick! If you came over from hers THANK YOU so much for coming by, I’m new at this whole blogging thing but I hope you’ll stay a while and check out my little ‘ole blog :)

Now I started this blog and gave it the name “The Road to bliss” because I wanted to chronicle this time in my life when I am developing new passions, experiencing new beginnings and endings in my life and journal my process through it all, or my road to bliss, if you will :)

Last year I attended my first “jewelry party” showcasing Stella and Dot. I absolutely fell in love with the jewelry. Some pieces were dainty and classic

some were those jaw dropping, statement pieces,

FYI- THIS necklace is 20% off right now!!

some were casual, some were dressy, some were both!

All in all I left with a love for this new line of affordable, classic, fun jewelry. Over time I have collected some of the pieces from the Stella & Dot line and time after time, women were always complimenting me so much and asking where they could get the jewelry, therefore I am super excited to share that I have decided to join the Stella & Dot team as an independent stylist!! I think it is going to be such a great new adventure and I am excited to share as I learn and experience running my own business!

Feel free to visit my personal page to browse around at all the gorgeous items! www.stelladot.com/jennylake

or email me for more information! jennylake89@yahoo.com

Check back Monday for my first and really exciting giveaway!! Have a great weekend!!

Weekend Recap, birthday pics and random exciting thoughts!

AKA long random post with lots of pics! bare with me…

I had such a great weekend I think I was still recuperating yesterday! Thursday as you know, was Cinco de Mayo so naturally my friends I spent the night eating Mexican food and drinking ritas!!

Saturday I laid out in the sun – one of my favorite things to do! Then went to Painting with a Twist for the first time! If you have never been, you should definitely go sometime – you paint while enjoying food, wine & music. There is an instructor to help and guide you along… it was SO much more fun and enjoyable than I thought it would be. It is a great concept and a new and fun idea for any date, birthday or girls night out! My picture actually turned out so great that I gave it to my mom as one of her mother’s day gifts. she loved it!!

my painting!

the whole group

While I am sharing pictures I thought I’d share a few from my bestie and I’s birthday week – yes WE have a birthday week (our birthdays are 2 days apart so we celebrate both all week long!

The birthday girls!

Lychee Martini – YUM!

trying the lychee

Love this girl!! She is like another sister to me and we have so, so much fun together so there is nothing better than sharing my birthday with my best friend!!

In other random thoughts- I was watching E News last night and they featured Calypso for Target that I talked about HERE

Nina Garcia had her picks for the brand and chose not only the dress I featured but the shoes AND the tote as well! Pretty cool!

Another pretty cool thing that I stumbled upon was Shelli’s blog her home is AMAZING, I feel like it is exactly my style and she captured my heart when I noticed what a budget savvy woman she is! I have always believed not only great style but a great home can always be achieved on a budget and Shelli proves that so well!!

So you can imagine my excitement when I was looking drooling over her home tour and noticed this

it just so happens that the Urn lamps in her bedroom….

I own almost the exact same ones!

I have really developed a love and passion for decorating and home décor so it was really exciting when I discovered that I picked out something that someone whose decorating skills I admire so much, did as well! Makes me feel like maybe I do have a good eye for decor… :)

Any exciting things happen to you this week!?

The nerve...

When I was a little girl, I was OBSESSED with Selena. Well, really I think a mix of JLO playing Selena too. I don't sing, I am not a dancer, I didn't speak Spanish, so I don't really know why said obsession took place but it did. and it was very real. I chalk it up to a couple of reasons 1. being  Selena is from Texas (Corpus Christi to be exact) so there is the Texas pride (duh!) and 2. I'm still, I'm still, Jenny from the block. gotta love JLO.

But seriously, I would watch that movie that it was my job. and bawl my eyes out every. single. time. Picture it. bleach blonde, blue eyed 10 year old girl bawling her eyes out watching Selena. I wonder what my parents thought I was smoking....

Anywho TODAY is the anniversary of her death (R.I.P.) I was reminded this morning, thanks to a friend who knows about my childhood obsession and kindly reminded me on my facebook wall. It is still so sad to me she died at such a young age! She was so talented and SO many people loved her!

Therefore, I'm not sure why today is not a national holiday... but maybe certain people who declare national holiday's aren't aware what TODAY is.. cmon people, respect!

Thank you to Selena and JLO for hours and hours of joy for my childhood!

Always follow your dreams people!
(and be careful who you hire as your manager)

Let’s get a little hairy

Good morning loves! Hope you all had a great St. Patty’s!

Day 17 of Cait’s blog challenge is to post a picture of your biggest insecurity

Mine used to be my hair! As a kid, I could not appreciate the thickness, frizzy, and curly characteristics of my hair. I would always tie it back into a bun because I just wished I would wake up one day and have thin, straight hair! The grass is always greener, right?

People would always tease me about why I never wore my hair down and then when I would they would tease me for how thick and curly it was!

Finally when I discovered the wonderful world that is hair products I began to play and learn how to tame my hair. I finally started to appreciate and love my hair for what it was. God blessed me with thick, curly, crazy, beautiful hair that had endless possibilities and hairstyles!

Now I really do love my hair and find it so funny that I used to hide it instead of embrace it, but I guess that is all in growing up!

Some products I have found that I love using to tame my mane are…

The entire Frizz-Ease collection is amazing for this girl living in The humidity city!

Aveda damage remedy. You use it in the shower after you condition you hair. Amazing.

TRESemme Heat Tamer Protective Spray

Spray it on your hair before you blow dry and flat iron. I love this product!

Infusion Keratin Complex

This stuff is my life! It is like vitamins for your hair. You put it in right after the shower and my hair feels so much healthier after using this product!

And last but certainly not least.. my handy dandy…

One of the best inventions. ever.

I am sad my Spring Break is already coming to an end but I am going to the Rocket’s game tonight (WOOHOO!) and have a bachelorette party Saturday night! Not a bad way to end my Spring Break!

Hope y’all have a wonderful weekend!!

PS: Run, don’t walk to your computer because Forever 21 is donating 100% of what you spend online TODAY to the relief efforts in Japan. If that doesn’t squash any buyers remorse you may have, I don’t know what will!

All caught up!

Almost caught up on my missed days of Cait’s Blog challenge! Here are days 14, 15 and 16. Enjoy!

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

{warning: very sappy stuff ahead}

Every since I met this handsome guy my life has been completely different! I LOVE thinking about the day we met because it was such an unexpected breath of fresh air. We met through friends of friends at a totally random last minute pool day (that both of us almost didn’t go to!) He walked straight over to me, introduced himself, and we immediately clicked like we had known each other forever! We hung out, talked and had so much fun all day together. I remember it was so easy and natural and within hours I think we both knew something very special was about to begin. He took me out on our first date a few nights later where we talked for hours and have been inseparable ever since! Some things that I love about him are that he makes me laugh CONSTANTLY.. we are super goofy together and have jokes that only we would find funny, he has such a passion for cooking (major points from the get-go) and owning his family’s restaurant one day and he LOVES his family so much (seeing him with his nieces and nephews are priceless moments for me!) I could go on and on so I will just stop there… I really could not imagine my life without him today!

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

Skydiving was my big one thing to do before I die, and although I have already checked that one off... I still don’t consider myself off the hook because instead of landing here…

I want to be landing here…

So before I die, I will skydive in the most gorgeous place on Earth instead of a pig sty!

Okay, so it wasn’t really a pig sty but it was a big bland open field and I think there were some pigs off in the corner…

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

{Beth Moore}

I look up to a lot of wonderful, strong women but one woman who really inspires me is this woman, Beth Moore. If you don’t know her, you should definitely look into her books!! She is a woman’s speaker and author who has a passion for not only loving the Lord but also helping women love themselves and others! She is so honest and real that if you ever feel down or you are having a bad day, simply reading excerpts from her books put everything in perspective, at least for me. She cuts straight to the point about how we were created and how we should live as women and treat other women. She really inspires me to be a better woman, sister, friend and an all around helpless person. Love you, Beth!!

Stay tuned for my shopping finds woohoo!!