DIY Boyfriend Slip

So I needed a slip for the one shoulder ruffle dress I was going to make (that turned into a one shoulder shirt you can find here).

Jeremy had mentioned he wanted to throw out some of his old undershirts so I figured they were fair game for me to cut up for my idea. Don't judge the pits.

1. I cut off the sleeves

2. I made two cuts from the neck line to the shoulders, cutting it open.

3. I pinned up the side and jumped inside and adjusted the pins to fit me best.

(Yes, that is Pride & Prejudice on the TV)

5. I took it off and sewed the sides along the edge.

6. I had an extra awkward little flap that I pinned and sewed a triangle so it stayed down

7. I took it off and hemmed the top where I wanted.

(Not pictured below)

And TA DA you have a boyfriend slip. Get it? Cuz it's a slip made out of your boyfriend's undershirt? Husband slip sounds too boring and so not trendy.

It is a little snug so I have to wiggle it on, especially since I'm not lacking in the booty department. But once it's on it fits nice and snug.

I think it took me 15 minutes. Maybe longer to figure out the pins? Not long.

And now I don't have to pay to buy more slips for the dresses I'm making!

Stay tuned.

With love from Sacramento,

Paige

Sewing My First Shirt

Welp, I sewed my first shirt! It didn't start off intended as a shirt, it was going to be a one shoulder dress with a ruffle top...

BUT I don't like to follow directions and would rather end up with a one shouldered shirt then sit down and follow patterns. And I couldn't find a tutorial for what I wanted so I thought I'd give this a go!

So, I just started cutting.

AND Jeremy is out of town so I can stay up late watching chick flicks (Pride & Prejudice & You've Got Mail to be exact) and sew into the night.

I started with some cotton fabric I got from the Fabric District in LA with my sister-in-laws. I think it cost me around $2 at the Michael Levine store (the upstairs one where you buy by weight).

1. Got a tank top out of my closet and laid it on top of my fabric.

2. Cut about 3 inches extra around the whole thing (excluding one shoulder so I only had a one shoulder top)

3. Flipped the shirt on the fabric so I'd have a mirrored image of the one shouldered tank top and cut it out

4.Pin the shirt together around your body so it fits how you want it to.

Wouldn't this have been a cute dress?!? Kicking myself for not cutting it longer.

Live and learn. Next time ;)

5. I hemmed all the raw edges.

6. I pinned all the seams and sewed them so that the hemmed edges were inward... look at a shirt you have if that doesn't make sense. Iron the insides flat so they don't poke you.

I can't wait to sew more! I really enjoy it- especially making it up myself.

Until next time!

With love from Sacramento,

Paige

Life Resolutions

I've never made New Year's Resolutions mainly because I've never intended to keep any sort of resolution. Why start when you're planning on stopping?

Many of you know, I have a very picky stomach. I am effected by stress, nerves, citrus, sugar, fiber, parasites... you name it.

When we moved to Pleasanton I woke up one morning and I was sick of it. I was sick of being sick. Of feeling nauseous after eating what other people consider "normal." I was ready to be healthy and feel good, no matter what that sacrifice looked like.

So, I started eating multiple times throughout the day so I wasn't overloading my system 3 times a day. I started eating smaller portions- SO difficult for me. I stopped ordering sugar drinks and only would take sips of Jeremy's. I packed my suitcase a few days before we left for a trip so I didn't stay up late and upset my stomach. The list goes on...

Since summer I've felt the best I've ever felt. I feel like I have a normal working body for the first time.

Finally I have a eating lifestyle that I feel GOOD about.

So here are some new life resolutions I have to be the healthiest version of myself. Some of them started in the Fall, and some I am just now getting into practice.

I think it's important to recognize what FEAR has kept me from making this a practice already in my life and what TRUTH do I need to adapt to make this happen.

- No sweets/fatty foods after dinner.

Goal: Reduce feeling overly full/sick.

Fear keeping me from this: Missing out. No longer following my craving.

Truth I need to adapt to make this happen: You'll be fine. And feel better. It's worth it.

- Exercise at least 3 times a week. Cardio minimum of 30 minutes, weights/resistance for arms and abs, fitness classes, racquetball... whatever it takes.

Goal: Toned, energized, stronger.

Fear: Time management. Procrastination. Don't want to be too muscular in my arms (trust me, it can happen).

Truth: To be healthy this is a must. Non-negotiable. And only you notice your arms- get over it.

- Stretch EVERY day.

Goal: Flexibility and healthy muscles.

Fear: Time management. Procrastination.

Truth: You make time to write this blog and do countless other unimportant things, you can make time to stretch. 15 minutes a day isn't that much.

- Nightly devotions/prayer with Jeremy before bed. Note: this would be a good time to do daily stretches while we talk.

Goal: Get to know God and each other better.

Fear: Too much I want to know- where to start first. Not having a good enough/in depth study.

Truth: Gotta start somewhere. No study will be perfect. P.S. neither will you.

- Buy less canned food and more fresh food.

Goal: Eat delicious food.

Fear: Things going to waste. Learning how to prepare new foods.

Truth: Think ahead more. Freeze it if you're not going to eat it. And throwing things out isn't the end of the world. Not ideal. Not a big deal.

- Grill more.

Goal: Eat delicious food. Branch out.

Fear: I don't really know how to. What if I suck?

Truth: You'll learn. It's not rocket science. And fresh grilled food tastes sooooo gooooooooooddddddd! P.S. your husband and about everyone else on the planet knows how to. Ask them. Or Google.

- Choose JOY.

Goal: Live a life full of the spirit of the Lord.

Fear: Those moments when it feels GOOD to choose hate and the last thing I want to do is be mature.

Truth: So not worth it.

There's some more I won't dive into. Don't fake tan EVER, don't over tan/burn, don't lose more weight, don't take unnecessary medications... I'll spare you any more details ;)

With love from Sacramento,

Paige

Choose Joy

As the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012 draw near I've started to think of how 2012 can be a time when I move forward and grow as a person (hopefully not in size!).

Something that's been on my mind for a while is "Choose Joy." I had been thinking of this slogan and heard it was also an APU slogan for the year, so it just seemed fitting for me to mull it over. What does "Choose Joy" even mean in my life?

I've decided it does not mean "Choose Happiness." It does not mean I am unrealistic positive or that I ignore hurt, negativity, reality, etc. It does not mean everything is going right for me and I am happy as a result. (Although I never mind that scenario ;))

This year I have been the most emotional I've ever been. Yes, we've had a lot of transition and change in our first year of marriage. BUT I think I let those transitions become an excuse for not taking control of my emotions. I started to feel like a monster who's impulse reactions became my only reactions. I started to feel crazy.

In this, I realized I was not choosing joy. I was choosing to dwell in self-pity, frustration... whatever it was... and not moving beyond that into the hope and joy that Jesus gives us.

A life following our Lord is not one that is easy, but it's a good one. It's one full of joy despite all circumstances. It's one where we practice self-control, not to suppress our emotions, but to react respectfully, honorably, and courageously.

So in this new year I am beating it into my head to "Choose Joy." To choose to walk in the joy that Jesus brings us and not dwell in self-destructive thought patterns or practices that lead no where good.

Feel free to join me. :)

With love from Sacramento,

Paige

Do you have any resolutions?? Share them if you do!

Christmas Cheer

My friend Kalie reminded me I haven't blogged in a long time. It's not because nothing's happening around here, but nothing big has come to completion yet. And it's hard for me to get excited/share about things that aren't finished yet... BUT that also keeps people out of the loop. So here's an update, friends :)

House Hunting

Since arriving in Sacramento Jeremy and I have been on the house hunt to buy. We currently are in the process with a house in Roseville (a city about 10 minutes from my parents in Sacramento) we really love. If you know the process of buying a house, it's a complicated one full of legal jargon and back-and-forth conversations. So, I will let you know if we get the house. If not, the search continues! We are hopeful for it.

Job Hunting

I have been on the job hunt since we've moved here as well. I've had an interview with a local Christian university and will post if I get the job :) If not, the search continues! Also hopeful for this job.

Travels & Events

Our season of weekend trips has slowed down as we have had Thanksgiving in LA...

And we took some Christmas card pictures!

I went to Megan Goeman's (now Megan Jessup's) beautiful wedding in Colorado

Below: Elli, Becca, Megan JESSUP!, Erica, Me

Me and the bride getting ready for her big day!!!

Reception time. So happy for Megan and Taylor!

Jeremy and I went with Josh and Traci to Las Vegas. Jeremy and I celebrated our 1 Year Anniversary early (it's January 8th) as he treated me to a gorgeous suite in a newer hotel called the Aria! I was in HEAVEN!

While we were in Vegas we saw Cirque du Soleil "Mystere" and a HILARIOUS and clean comedy magician Mack King who we would recommend!

Our suite:

LOVED this bathtub!

Ridiculous entrance into a lingerie store in the Flamingo. lol!

Slots!

Traci and I looking at the Christmas decorations in the Bellagio or Venetian... I forget which one!

(I never got a picture of all 4 of us! Fail!)

Christmas shopping with Dad and Brooke for my mom's gifts. Great quality time together!!

Pre-Christmas Christmas in Sacramento

Evie opening the skirt, scarf and hair flower I made her.

Chet playing with his new Cars chair

Saying hi to Santa while looking at Christmas lights!

Christmas Lights Crew

Christmas lights. Evie in her new, adorable glasses!

Christmas in LA

Our first Christmas as Mr. & Mrs.!

Christmas Eve dinner

Christmas dinner

Our first Christmas card!! (I LOVE Christmas cards. Will always send one out!)

We loved our trips and it's nice to put the luggage away for a while and just be :)

With love from Sacramento,

Paige

Fall Update

So I've been a pretty lame.... err... non-existent blogger since we moved to Sacramento!

I blame my sister... because she was always the one riding me about getting another post up and now that I live 10 minutes from her we get to see each other lots :)

Jeremy and I are doing great. Sacramento has treated us well and we are experiencing the blessing it is to live by family- especially those two little kiddos Evie (4) and Chet (2) that are growing up before our eyes! We couldn't love being near them more.

Jeremy is doing a fantastic job in his new position (see the blog below if you don't know what he does)!! This job suits his strengths and although he puts in a lot of hours and hard work, he finds it very rewarding. We are so thankful for him to find a career he enjoys so much! And can I brag again? He's dang good at it.

I am currently working as an Instructional Aide Sub for an elementary school in Natomas (15 minutes away). I'm a helper in the classroom for the teacher. In January I will start being a regular Sub for the teachers at two schools in Natomas in addition to this Aide sub job. It's great work and hours as I am avidly pursuing getting into Pharmaceutical Sales or Medical Device Sales. I've been meeting with some awesome people in the industry and it's really energized me to get my resume out there and continue to build a network.

We are staying with my wonderful parents and doing some house hunting on the side. We have an offer in on a house but 99% of the houses on the market (including the house we put an offer on) are Short Sales so the process with the bank is long and unpredictable- so I'll let you know if anything ever comes from our offer :) Plus, Jeremy was about the only person in the entire Jennings family who hasn't lived with my parents- it just seemed fitting for him to get a turn!

Side note: We have had the world's BEST experience with our relator Chuck Klein. My aunt Barb used him and love him so we gave him a shot and have not been disappointed in any way. Here's his email Chuck@2468Home.com and phone (916) 872-2717. He's very prompt in replying. So you should move to Sacramento. And buy a house here. And use Chuck. ;)

We have some fun holiday plans! Here are a few:

- Thanksgiving with the Aaron family in Pasadena

- Dec 1 watching Evie and Chet perform in their Community Bible Study Christmas show! (By far one of my FAVORITE perks for being in town!!)

- December 10 I'm in my good friend Megan Goeman's wedding outside of Colorado Springs. I'll be enjoying a great, snowy weekend with friends!

- December 16 weekend Jeremy and I are joining Josh and Traci and some other friends for a weekend in VEGAS!! Woooooo hooooooooooo!!!!!

Then Christmas, New Years, making New Years resolutions we will never keep... the list goes on!

Oh yeah- and our 1 year anniversary on January 8, 2012. Seriously?! How time flies!

I'll get better about updating you, blog. I promise.

With love from Sacramento,

Paige

Officially Moving to Sacramento

Well I can finally post this as an *official* update! Yey!

Jeremy and I are moving to Sacramento!

There was an open spot for a rep position here and we are so excited :) It's with his same company, Johnson & Johnson's Ethicon, Inc. in their Women's Health & Urology division.

If you are confused, thinking, "I thought they were moving to San Jose?" We were. His job was lined up to take the San Jose/South Bay territory. But when the company did restructuring that territory was absorbed by the surrounding ones. We are so thankful for the Sacramento territory coming open at the same time so we had somewhere to go!

Officially his territory goes to Redding, Tahoe, Reno and the surrounding cities of Sacramento.

One of the more popular questions we get is, "How long will you be in Sacramento?" The position Jeremy just got was a promotion so he is no longer an assistant and this is his territory, which means we will probably be here longer than shorter. The nature of sales though is quick paced, fast, and moving. We'd like to ascribe a length of time but really, we don't know and don't care to think hypotheticals. So we could be here a few years or longer or shorter. We will just have to see, won't we?

In our transitional time from Pleasanton to Sac, we will be staying with my parents. My sister and her family moved out on Friday to their new, FAB house, and Jeremy and I brought our first load over on Sunday! They are so gracious to always have open doors!

I am currently packing away our apartment in Pleasanton and on early Friday the U-Haul comes and we are gone!

I love to see where the Lord takes us in life and how we grow and learn from each experience:

- Sacramento, where I grew up, and Pasadena, where Jeremy grew up.

- Azusa, where we met some of our best friends and grew tremendously. We will always think of our time and experiences APU with a smile on our faces!

- El Centro, our first home, where we also met great friends and were shown how to life a life of hospitality. I often think about how I miss El Centro and the small town, welcoming feel.

- Pleasanton, where I learned once again how hard of a worker my husband is and how dedicated he is to providing for our family. Pleasanton became home, too.

- Now Sacramento... can't wait to see what will come here!

With love for the last time from Pleasanton,

Paige