Sometimes I feel like I’ve had this site forever and then sometimes it’s like really, I swear I just made this silly thing.

But what I’m sure about it is that this little piece of the internet helped shape me in a way I never thought possible. I didn’t start out trying to find myself, career directions or best friends but here I am.

I definitely haven’t found myself yet. This year threw me in quite a bit of a tailspin and I’m working on the transition of ME from US. When you’re an US for so long, you lose yourself a little bit. I’ve been trying to find me again and it’s hard but I’m trying.

Career wise, I’m getting there. I figure I know which direction I’d like to go in now compared to shying away from conversations asking what I went to school for or where I am working. I have a practical experience in social media from my blogs to my communities and I guess now it’s time to settle down and get the background education to go with it. I figure once that happens, I can officially own the internet and everyone will bow down before me. I’ll be like the Voldy of the internetz and crucio all the Mudbloods (newbs) who post ridiculous shit in my forums.

Just kidding. Damn. Don’t get your internet panties all in a twist!

(Also, that just got crazy HP nerdy right there. I apologize.)

(HAH. No, I don’t. CRUCIO.)

ANYWAY.

I’ve met a lot of bloggers this past year especially with Vegas and BlogHer. Many of whom, I met for the first time, but felt like I’ve known them forever. It was kind of like, “Hi. Just meeting you for the first time in person but tell me how is blah blah blah”. You just fall in step because you know them and they know you. And that is probably the best part of this whole thing.

When people say, oh hey, yay blogger meet up! I’m all, yay hanging out with FRIENDS! Like the whole past week: wine party, dinner with Lacey and Nicole, Chicagonista writer meeting. Not blogger activities to me. Yeah, we may have met through our blogs but I don’t think of them as bloggers anymore. It’s just friends. And I’ve met some pretty amazing ones.

Year two of Oh! How Lovely broken down:

Heartbreak. New friends. Vegas, baby! RPattz and ASkars. It’s Britney, bitch! Puppy birthday. Wine shots. Launching a newspaper. Leaving the newspaper! Nintendo parties. Bangs. Unemployment. Almost wearing leggings in front of Tim Gunn. Meeting the love of my life. Working for crazy people. Cheeseburger parties. Reading through the Chicago Public Library. Developing an obsession with Lifetime. Cheesecake dates. Adorable little French girls. Getting my first official pedicure. The fourth anniversary of my 21st birthday. Friends or Seinfeld? Getting ready to launch the newest Chicago website.

Someone give us a birthday tiara. I still don’t do party hats.

And year three?

Bring it.

If you didn’t know (like, as in, you might be living under a rock), the other day was Jamie’s 25th birthday.  She wasn’t ESPECIALLY excited about it, which is something I can totally relate to, although her reasons might differ from mine.

(As in, she’s probably not crazy and doesn’t harbor major phobias about getting older.)

(And seriously?  If I could have, I would’ve sent her balloons and flowers and 19 puppies and Edward Cullen.  But I don’t know where she lives.)

Anyhoodle.  I can sympathize with Jamie about lack of enthusiasm towards birthdays, because mine is next week.

(I accept gifts in forms of jewelry, cash, and ponies.)

Last year, I had a VERY hard time with turning 27.  I dreaded it.  I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was an age that someone ELSE was, not me.  I know that probably doesn’t make much sense, but for me, 27 was iconic and scary.

Now, as I’m staring 28 in the face, and strangely enough, it doesn’t bother me at all.  A couple weeks ago, I was waiting for the anxiety to settle in.  I figured any minute, I’d be chasing Hubs around the house with a knife, yelling “REDRUM!” because he dared to bring up the idea of a birthday party for me.

(Best.  Wife.  EVER.)

Whatever the reason, 28 is looking just fine to me.  I’m embracing it.  It doesn’t scare me.  I’ve bested The Crazy.  28 seems settled, and on the right track.  Sure, it lacks the cute intonations of, say, 23, but it’s not a bad place to be.  I’m okay with it.

Besides, I got carded twice last week, so I figure my age-obsession is all in my head.

(Thank you, cute pizza place waiter!)

In today’s society, when people are completely focused on diets and botox and cougars and wrinkle treatments, it’s no wonder that a girl might get a little sidetracked and not realize the BEST thing about getting older:  MORE TIME TO MAKE FRIENDS = MORE PRESENTS.

So if you find yourself with the birthday blues, just remember that.

And let’s be real, shall we?  The WORST thing about getting older, for me?

Feeling creepier every year about lusting after a seventeen year old undead high schooler.

The following day, William took me out to dinner for my birthday. I chose Hot Chocolate. Let me start off by saying, I’m not much of a foodie. I don’t have a refined palate. I’m a simple girl, I don’t need fancy stuff. But OMG, can we pretend I do more often? Seriously, I don’t think I have ever moaned and groaned while eating before. It was delicious. I’m planning on going back soon to try their mac and cheese and another dessert I missed out on.

Anyone in Chicago up for a Hot Chocolate date when I get back?

Get back from where you ask?

On Thursday, I leave for Florida for a few days. I’m really excited about getting out of Chicago for a little while and into some warm weather. And obviously, Mickey Mouse and roller coasters. Duh. Jenn hasn’t been there since she was little so it’s time to show her the way of the Mouse. We don’t do that space center bullshit (ahem).

Also, I’ll be (hopefully) meeting up with a few of you Orlando people. If you haven’t heard from me and would like to grab dinner or drinks, email me!

There will be a few guest posters while I’m away too so play nice.

Time to pack.

(And by pack I obviously mean: time to put in Twilight and laugh at the ridiculousness of it. It’s just so bad it’s good.)

(I wish I was a little more excited)

Not really but I’m planning on being too drunk to notice how old I actually am.

Anyway, what’s a birthday without a wish list?

- cupcakes from Swirlz. Red velvet, please!
- another set of recycled wine bottle glasses and set of the tall tumblers (both clear) from Rewined Recycled Glassware
- I would like the possible new career opportunity I have to come together nicely (more on that soon…maybe)
- an iMac
- some really great mac and cheese
- a WiiFit
- to travel out of the country
- money to grow on tree to fund me and my jet set life.
- a work appropriate wardrobe from J.Crew and Banana Republic for the possible new career opportunity.
- a personal trainer to yell at me for eating birthday treats and so I will have the needed motivation to lose 5 million pounds (as if being fat isn’t enough) to look hot in my new wardrobe.
- and as always pretty much everything on Oh How Lovely Shops!

Feel free to spoil me on my birthday because I’m getting old, dear blog friends.

I wasn’t able to bring her home until the end of Feburary but today is when she was born. She was and still is by far the most adorable corgi you ever did see. Remember how tiny she was?

Edie is very bossy and independant. She likes things done on her time. No cuddles unless she feels like cuddling. Same for kisses. When you least expect it, you will pounced on and smothered with puppy love. Every time I walk down the stairs, she runs to the back door. She always wants to be outside even if she was just out. When I put on my shoes, pup can barely contain herself thinking she is going to go play. She runs around like a crazy face, tearing around our yard in circles and begging Winston to chase her only to repeatedly lap the little guy. Edie gives great hugs when I come home and right before I leave. She puts her paws up on my shoulders and gives me  snuggle.

For her birthday Edie got snow. My brother shoveled the driveway and made a big pile for her. She sticks her nose in, eats some and will be shivering but refuses to go inside because she loves snow that much. You can see her jumping around at my feet because she loves it when it kick the snow for her to chase. Silly puppy.

Edie’s Snowy Birthday from jamie lovely on Vimeo.

Happy birthday, Edie pup!

]]> http://jamieann.net/2008/12/17/happy-birthday-puppy/feed/ 44 http://jamieann.net/2008/09/24/blog-birthday-wishes-delurk-win-free-stuff-and-vote/ http://jamieann.net/2008/09/24/blog-birthday-wishes-delurk-win-free-stuff-and-vote/#comments Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:51:41 +0000 Jamie http://ohhowlovely.net/?p=498 As I said earlier this week, my blog turns one year old today!

Because it’s my blog birthday, you lurkers should come out of hiding! Come say hi, introduce yourself, tell me your favorite color, whatever your little heart desires. We don’t bite!

In celebration, I’m giving away a ton of really awesome, retro inspired prints on my other blog from etsy seller, Kerry Beary. Seriously, there are like $200 worth of prints and there will be 7 winners! You should go enter!

Kerry Beary giveaway

Lastly, I need your votes. I mentioned this before but Brandy nominated Oh How Lovely Shops for a style award and I’d LOVE to win. If I do win, I’d be donating about half of the $250 to charity so please vote, it will take all of a minute.

I only have 27 votes and the person in the lead has 73. I know I have more readers than that. If you are entering my giveaway and vote me, leave me a comment in the giveaway entry with what number vote you were and you’ll get an extra entry!

And don’t say it’s the signing up thing because you guys all signed up to vote for the Blogger’s Choice Awards in hopes for Crissy n00dz!

Vote. Pretty please?

Well, almost.

In two days, it will be one year since I started this blog. I’m not sure if I can’t believe it’s already been a year or if I can’t believe it has only been a year.

Never did I really think that this blog would get to where it is now. I’m not saying it’s a big, huge blog but it’s pretty amazing.

Quick year in review time:

I remember when I was excited that I got my first comment ever when I was talking about how Izzy is a home wrecking slut. One of my favorite posts was crimes against fashion and yes, I’m sorry but leggings are still not pants! Aly and I bonded over our love for Pacey and I believe this got me my first blog award. I whined and complained the whole way through NaBloPoMo but ended up kicking it’s ass leaving it crying and fearing November of 08. I confessed my fashion sins. One of my favorite things I did last year even though I spent most nights in a heap of tears because I was so sick: Vegas, baby! The 20SB Awards went down and I walked away with Most Likeable which left me shocked. Oh, and there was man candy. You’re welcome, ladies! In February, Edie pup came into my life. I still can’t believe how tiny she once was. I wrote the most honest thing I have ever written. The fiercest blogger meet up, you ever did see took place over Borders and yummy food. I couldn’t be more happy to say she is now one of my best friends. There is actually another post of things I love coming but here is the original.  There was a celebrity encounter with one that spoke Tim Gunn fluently. I visited the Land of the Mouse and had some of the most amazing guest posters ever during that time. Chicago invaded San Francisco and I met some of my favorite bloggers at BlogHer! Another puppy dog came into my life and a doggy blog launched: Who’s Your Dachshund? with some fabulous wiener dog blog owners.  Then my other baby was born: Oh How Lovely Shops bringing you the most stylish and fun items from all over etsy. Speaking of blog launches, not too long after that I was asked to be a part of Umm…Now What? with 4 other lovely and talented ladies. That brings us to today!

If that isn’t quite a year in blogging, I don’t know what is! Of course there was the occasional mean comments or posts but there is so much good in the blogging community that it completely outweighs the bad and negative.

Thank you all for being supportive, taking time out to read, comment, send emails, gchat and all that. You guys are awesome and I’m really happy I started this blog and was able to meet all of you.

Here’s to one year, Oh! How Lovely!

I promise won’t make you wear a stupid party hat.

Well, maybe a tiara…

]]> http://jamieann.net/2008/09/22/happy-birthday-blog/feed/ 53 http://jamieann.net/2008/03/31/birthday-ice-cream-pie/ http://jamieann.net/2008/03/31/birthday-ice-cream-pie/#comments Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:25:52 +0000 Jamie http://ohhowlovely.net/2008/03/31/birthday-ice-cream-pie/ I forgot to add this in my last entry, but it was so amazing, it deserves an entry all in it’s own. This was my birthday cake. We skipped candles and happy birthday and dug right in.

Instead of pie crust, it was brownie. Ice cream filling (half chocolate and half vanilla) with bits of brownie thrown in. Whip cream, more brownie bits and hot fudge.  I was going to take a picture of a slice so you could see the inside, but it was devoured in 3.2 seconds.

 I am ready to go back to the ice cream shop and eat a brownie hot fudge sundae.

It was absolutely sinful.

Yesterday, I got an email from BlogHer telling me I was chosen as one of their volunteers for BlogHer 08. This is awesome because it saves me money on the conference, food and getting drunk at the cocktail parties. Yeah, I’m totally don’t get drunk, but I could if I wanted to! Expect some Tipsy Texting! I’ll be working the registration desk for a few hours one of the days which is fabulous, because I will get to register and meet all kinds of amazing bloggers. Jenn also got chosen as a volunteer and she will be live blogging some sessions at BlogHer! Our San Francisco trip is in full swing. Hotels are booked, Flights are booked. We have gigs. We are so set.

Now for some linkage:

Jenn from Free and Flawed has a new geek news ONLY blog now. I urge you to go check it out. Must Love Geek. It is currently under construction while it is getting a face lift from my favorite designer, Jess of Delicious Design Studio. Jess made my design as well as oh…75% of the the blogs on my reader! Go check her out too, while you’re making the rounds.

And of course, Mr. 20 Something Blogger of the Week himself, Ben from No Ordinary Rollercoaster. There is no denying how much I adore Ben and Calvin. Sorry Newf, I might steal them and bring them to Chicago to be my BFFs!

Finally, Happy Birthday to the lovely, Kiraa of Ex Everything!

Bookmark. Google reader. Blog roll.

Do what you do!