A package showed up in my mail box this weekend from a lovely friend who was probably horrified when she found out the only pink I wear on Wednesdays is hypothetical.

That has now been fixed and I will be rocking my new Brandy scarf on Wednesdays forever more. Thanks for the brightest, pinkest scarf in Canada, lady.

I love you to pieces.

#onwednedayswewearpink

(Have you met my friend, Tia? Well you should know her. She has a great blog, loves RPattz almost as much as I do and now has brand new etsy shop filled with pretty things called: Icing on the Hair. I’m holding a giveaway from this lovely shop here. You should go enter. Even if you’re a dude, then you can give it to me if you win because they are just THAT good.)

Now that voting is over, I just wanted to give a big thanks to those of you who nominated me for the 20SB Bootleg Awards this year. I was up for Best Secondary Blog for Oh How Lovely Shops and all of it’s etsy loving goodness and Best Blog Title which surprised me and Best Tweeter (you can follow me here: @jamielovely).

After all the hubbub surrounding the awards, the last thing I wanted to do was campaign for votes. But that does not mean I don’t appreciate the nominations. I love everyone who gave me a nod and I love you if you voted for me. Thank you for recognizing me in our fantastic community. That means more to me than anything even if I don’t win. I’ve been with 20SB since around 100ish members and we just hit our 10,000 member and I couldn’t be more proud to be apart of it.

My whole point of this is to just say thanks and to recognize you, the readers of this silly blog for a change. Your voices, your comments and your friendship have helped me through a hell of a lot. And I really appreciate it more than anyone probably knows.

Now I’d really love it if you’d say hi. Delurk. Even you regulars. Tell me something about yourself or your blog. Favorite book or song. Why you think Lady Gaga is the fiercest bitch ever. Anything. I want to hear it and I’ll be sure to go check each and every one of you who comments out too.

You all know so much about me, now it’s time for me to learn about you.

I spent pretty much of all of last week cursing Chicago winter and begging the weather to cooperate on Thursday. Why? Because it was time to kick off doing Epic Shit in 2010. I didn’t have time for a winter storm.

A couple weeks ago, I was invited to attend a press launch party for Swagg. It was going to be making it’s debut in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronic Show. And we all know how much I love Vegas and being asked to attend as press for such a big event was pretty exciting for me. I was praying the incoming snow storm wouldn’t ruin my plans.

Luckily, my flight still managed to take off and four hours later, I arrived in sunny, warm Las Vegas.

I stripped off my winter coat and hurried over to the Hard Rock Hotel where I would be staying for the night. I’ve never been to, let alone stayed, at the Hard Rock because it’s just off the strip but it was a really cool hotel. I had a killer room in Paradise Tower with a great corner view and the most luxurious bed I’ve ever been in.

(I also may or may not have a slightly drunk video tour of it on my camera that I may or may not upload later)

Later that night, I got dolled up in a pretty purple and black dress and made my way down to Body English for the press party. I mingled with some people, drank quite a few tequila filled drinks, seen Kara from American Idol and grabbed a press kit. I made my way over to The Joint because there was suppose to be a VIP Kid Rock concert there. Personally, not a fan of his but Khloe Kardashian was going to be there and I basically wanted to drink shots with her because she’s freaking crazy.

BUT

I got a message on Facebook from a friend who lives about 15 minutes away from me that I haven’t seen in a couple years that he was in Vegas as well. I ditched out Kid Rock and any hopes of getting hammered with Khloe in favor of heading over to the MGM Grand to meet up with Mark.

While I was waiting for him to find me, I sat just outside of the lion habitat (and was very upset they had gone to sleep) and was hit on by two Russian dudes in their 60s. Then Mark called and I walked away in the middle of their what I’m assuming was a plan to kidnap the really drunk girl from Chicago who was very sad the lions had gone inside. The rest of the night involved me playing slots with his money, him feeding me gin and tonics, Burger King, O’Sheas and a failed attempt at frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity 3. Probably lots of ridiculous conversation of which I remember bits and pieces. And who knows what else happened.

I eventually made my way back to the Hard Rock to catch a few hours of sleep. But my phone kept ringing and I guess people in Chicago thought it would be awesome to call me around 8 which is like 5 in Vegas. Then Mark texted me to tell me he was just getting in at 5:45 so lunch the next day was probably out and then the alarm in the room burst into my short lived dreams with Mexican music at 6.

Vegas did not want me to sleep. But who am I to argue with Vegas? When it calls, you listen.

I dragged myself out of bed slightly hungover, got ready for the day, packed my new gifted goodies in my already over packed bag, checked out and headed to the strip. Amazingly, I did not burst into flames when I finally seen the sunlight and decided to take a look at the newly opened Aria which was stunning. I walked the shops in Planet Hollywood, lunched in Caesar’s and finally got my hands on a frozen hot chocolate. Hit the slots again as I waited for my car and made my way back to the airport.

And that my friends, is how you do 26 hours in Vegas.

(I mean if you HAVE keep all your teeth, not find a baby in your closet and wake up with no tigers in your bathroom sans Bradley Cooper’s hot ass in a suit)

(but it could have been infinitely better had I had a suited up Bradley Cooper)

(many, many thanks to Swagg, Mark and tequila for an amazing time in Vegas!)

Alright now that 2009 is behind me, I think it’s time for some 2010 goals. Not resolutions because much like rules, they are just meant to be broken.

• Career: more writing gigs, continue looking for a job in what I want to do and go back to school whether it’s part-time, online, nights, weekends or whatever.

• Mind: continue to take care of my emotional health. No need for people who bring me down, talk negatively or have no respect for me. I’m focusing on keep positive people in my life. I spent way too much of 2009 worrying, anxious or feeling hurt. Those are the last things I need and won’t tolerate it anymore. Rising above, dude.

• Body: get my weight and body image in order. I’m not allowed to complain about it if I’m not being proactive anymore. Eat more veggies, stop with the Pepsi once and for all and possibly cut out red meat (I KNOW, RIGHT?).

• Random: wear more dresses. Go see more live rock shows. Volunteer. Go out at every opportunity. Spoil myself. Step outside of my comfort zone. Send actual mail via post. Curse less even though I already failed with this title. Reach out to others. Say yes more. Continue to wear pink on Wednesdays.

Read more. Laugh more. Write more. Travel more. Learn more. Love more. And most importantly–

DO EPIC SHIT.

The year is almost over and THANK GOD FOR THAT. It’s been a rough one.

Breaking 2009 down.

Ready?

OKAY.

January
I failed at smiling with my eyes for photo shoot for the New York Times. This is why I would never be America’s Next Top Model but then Tyra herself commented and told me how she braved a photo shoot in Antarctica wearing a swimsuit and that she believes in me. It was totally inspirational.

February
I dealt with the whole can you be friends after a big break up thing and got a ton of support. For the record, we are friends still and see each other often. It might not work for everyone but it works for us. For the moment, at least.

March
I left the startup I helped launch. I did a hell of a lot for them and don’t think it was appreciated so it was time to move on. But besides that, I happened to host a Nintendo Girlfriends Guide to Gaming party too in March and it was all kinds of amazing.

April
I went to the Circus to see a living legend. I also confessed my slight obsession with Lifetime movies.

May
In May, my blog disappeared and turned into some nun website. I learned to always back your blog up or you will end up bursting into tears and your friend will be like WTF it’s just the internet and you’ll be all like JUST THE INTERNET?! MORE LIKE MY LIFE! I also shared my dream jobs and I’m still waiting for someone to create them and hire me because hi, I’m awesome.

June
I confessed how I use to steal from the library but paid my dues and now me and the library are in love. And the highlight of my year: VEGAS BABY! All my bffs and Cirque’s LOVE. It was the best weekend ever.

July
I told everyone about my favorite comeback: CRUCIO. I also met Tim Gunn, did naughty things to a cardboard cutout of Edward Cullen and drunkenly video blogged all while wearing a McDonald’s bag as a hat at BlogHer.

August
I posed the most important question ever: Friends or Seinfeld? (the correct answer is Friends if you’re wondering) I also decided not to settle because I know what I’m worth.

September
I talked about how some of my favorite memories are connected to music. Working Girl Two and I hosted the most amazing Pretty Wine Label Party ever for the Chicago ladies. And then celebrated my blog’s two year birthday.

October
There was retail therapy. There was a sort of life list. And a feeling I was pretty much waiting the entire year to feel.

November
Dealing with a parent’s middle life crisis. Ugh. But RPattz learned of my existence and we are now registered at Pottery Barn. And I stopped biting my nails. Go me!

December
I decided I was just going to do epic shit. Shaba sent me an awesome diamond encrusted toothbrush. My puppy Edie turned two years old. And blog world rallied around an amazing friend.

So there you have it. 2009. I had a few good moments but I’m so ready to put it all behind me.

2010 is going to be when everything comes together for me.

I just know it.

Facebook is an ass and wouldn’t upload this photo so it had to go here. I hate it so much.

P.S.  I hate Facebook not my shirt. Duh.
P.P.S. Facebook friends?
P.P.P.S. Also, I won’t add you unless you include a note telling me WHO THE EFF YOU ARE. I hate when people don’t do that.
P.P.P.P.S. For the record, I could have also gone with Team 17 Year Old Boy With No Shirt

Read this. Think about it. Pass it along.

My name is brandy. And I have a blog.

And a plea.

I use my blog to showcase the crazy I meet everyday, share the stories of the kids I teach and document my love for tequila, dairy products and the abdominal muscles of Ryan Reynolds. Rarely do I talk about personal issues on my blog- as personal as the dude that I adore (who I actually met through my blog- single ladies, let that be a very good reason to blog, the possibility of meeting someone as wonderful as my man), but I need your help. And it involves my dude.

He’s a guy who made math comics for my class, so they would love learning about addition. He’s the kinda guy who sends my friends gift cards when they are having hard times, who remembers every story I ever told him, who was the first person I celebrated with when I got a teaching job. He’s the guy who sent flowers to me at school- dozens of my favourite pink roses just because he loves me. He’s a guy who has spent a year patiently explaining (and re-explaining) everything there is to know about football during the important games when silence is preferred. He’s made me word puzzles and comics and stayed up late playing Scrabble with me (even though I beat him almost every time). He’s listened to me cry about school and family and jobs. He is everything I never knew I needed and everything I always knew I wanted.

The holidays have hit us hard. He’s recently been told he may have something called multiple myeloma- an incurable cancer, that gives a person an average of five years of continued life. Though this news has came as a shock, he continues to be exactly who has always been- spending his time worrying about me, rather than worrying about himself. He’s the most selfless individual I know- (he stayed late on Christmas Eve to work, so his co-workers could leave early) and a post like this would never be something that he would promote or encourage but when I’m overwhelmed and feeling helpless, the blogging community has always given me tremendous support and comfort, two things I desperately need at this time.

As I write this, the future is uncertain and we aren’t sure what’s happening. He’ll need to see an oncologist soon, to verify what’s going on in his body. My hope is that everyone who reads this think positive thoughts and if you are a person who prays, could you add him to your list? (You can refer to him as ‘brandy’s hot awesome dude’). If you don’t pray, please keep him in your heart.This cancer is only a possibility and I believe that the prayers and positive thoughts of people can make sure it never becomes a reality.

I want to give a big thank you to the blog owner who scraped their original blog plans and graciously put this up. My goal is to get as many people as possible to see and read this post. If you are reading this and want to help, copy and paste my plea into your blog or send a link through twitter, so more people can keep him in their thoughts. I would be so very grateful (even more grateful than I am to my friend who first showed me the picture of Ryan Reynolds on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. If you haven’t seen it, google it. You. Are. Welcome).

I realize this all sounds dramatic, a Lifetime movie in the making- but this is life. Right now. And I’m throwing away any hint of ego and am humbly asking for you to pray or think kind thoughts. If you are able to pass this on, thank you and if you know anything regarding MM- please email me (my email is on my blog). This isn’t a call for sympathy or a plea for pity. It’s just one girl hoping you can think positive thoughts for the person she adores. If my current heartache provides you with anything, let it be with the reminder that life is short, love is unbending and no one knows what could happen next. Maybe it is silly, but I really do believe that positive thoughts can make a huge difference. Thank you for reading this and if you haven’t already? Please tell someone you love them today.

I did.

In my lack of posting due to the crazy busyness and sickness last week, I forgot to mention a very important event.

Edie’s 2nd birthday!

My puppy, the star and real reason you all read my blog, turned  two years old on December 17th. All together now… awww!

Remember the day I got her?

So two years later Edie is still, in fact, the cutest puppy in the history of puppies. She scoffs at the toys I buy her in favor of an empty toilet paper roll and a knotted sock. She has a million nicknames including: Pup, Puff, Dog, Edie Beadie, Bea, Angel Dog and Mamas. She snores in her sleep and gives great hugs. She is the only dog I know who had a comic strip created just for her.

I just couldn’t imagine my life with out her.

Happy birthday Edie!

And now for your entertainment, puppy playing around the little crunchy snow we have on the ground today. (And lots of my annoying puppy mama voice.)

Edie in the snow from Jamie Lovely on Vimeo.

I woke up this morning feeling hungover. And when you didn’t have a drop of alcohol the night before, that’s clearly a problem.

You see, my weekend was filled with too much awesome. So much that I’m hungover from it.

(Or not enough water, whatever)

At first I was kinda sick and that was just not going to go well with my plans. I had to cancel dinner with Jessica Maria, who was in town, and Ang on Thursday night. And then missed Friday night’s Motion City Soundtrack show and one of the outside pockets of my Marc Jacobs bag got completely soaked on the outside and I had a three minute meltdown in the Target parking lot that included freaking out on Twitter and me being very close to tears because YOU JUST DON’T FUCK WITH A GIRL’S MARC JACOBS.

(Yeah, I’m talking to you, Target carts)

That night after a little bit of  a late start, I met up with an old acquaintance, who I haven’t seen in about four years. Personally, I’m a fan of spending my Friday night talking to a cute boy and eating soup until 2AM. So here’s to new friends!

The following day, I spent it mainly in bed with Barney Stinson and making out Christmas cards which was great until I got a paper cut on my lip. Who does that? Apparently, I do.

(I’m sorry if your Christmas card has blood on it)

But yesterday was a pretty fantastic way to round out an amazing weekend. I was just minding my own business when I see a tweet from Whitney (who has an excellent fashion blog you should check out) that Rodarte for Target was out and I was all HJASDLAK and ran out wearing leggings as pants and my ugly boots. All my clothes were in the laundry and it was CLEARLY A FASHION EMERGENCY so I made an exception to my rule.

Bad fashion for the sake of good fashion. Duh.

Here is my good fashion: crepe lace print dress and this cardigan. The cardigan (mine is grey) is amazing which is to be expected if you are familiar with Rodarte knits. AMAZING.

And then I found out that Brittany Murphy died. WAY HARSH, TAI. But seriously, I need to go buy Clueless and watch on repeat to honor her memory because it’s really one of the best movies ever. She was way too young to come to an end so soon.

My sister, Sara, is also home for the holidays so she was my partner in crime for the night. Then I got a text saying Jessica’s flight got canceled and Sarah flew in from Detroit for the night and we all hung out at the Motion City Soundtrack show! I haven’t really listened to them too much but after seeing them live, they definitely have a new fan.  After we got to run backstage and say hi to Jesse (Jessica’s husband) and it was pretty cool being able to meet one of the people I’ve read about for so long.

The show itself was fantastic even if it made me feel totally old. I use to be the one bouncing around in the crowd freaking out to my favorite songs and this time I was up in the side balcony checking everything out from up top. Regardless, I need more rock shows in my life.

There is only one way to wrap a night of good fashion, music and friends: GRILLED CHEESE. So the sister and I headed to The 44th Ward Dinner Party to grab a Belmont Harbor which is basically the sandwich dreams are made of. No joke, come to Chicago and I will take you there.

And the winner for most awesome weekend ever goes to me.