Leopard at the Beach + Hazel2Blue

What I'm Wearing --- Dress: Bamboo Sky (similar) // Necklaces: gift + Ginger13 // Bracelet: Ginger13 // Tiffany Kunz Basal Ring: c/o Hazel2Blue (use code JESSICAWHO for 20% off)

One of the many things that I will miss when we leave this place is the endless amount of beautiful scenery. I mean really, you could look like crap but if I put you in front of a background like this it would make a perfect picture. That's my trick. I try to take photos for the blog in front of incredible backdrops. That way when I don't look so incredible, maybe you won't notice ;) 

Accessories can do the same thing. They make a simple little outfit, so much better. Like the yummiest icing on top of a so-so cupcake. That's how I feel about this Tiffany Kunz Bronze Basal Ring from Hazel2Blue. It makes any outfit better. Hazel2Blue has a lot of that stuff. You know, the "makes your outfit better" kind of stuff.

Hazel2Blue is giving you a chance to win a $45 credit to their store! Enter to win by using the Rafflecopter form below.

And if you just can't wait, shop now with code JESSICAWHO to receive 20% off of your order!

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Unique Gift Ideas for Father's Day [+ a giveaway!]

First off, I need to say that the fact that it's already the end of May is blowing my mind. I swear 2013 started yesterday.

Secondly, I completely procrastinated with Mother's Day gifts this year (I STILL haven't mailed them..  worst daughter ever, I know. My bad, Moms) so I thought I'd get a head start on Father's Day.
Shopping for guys is both really easy and really difficult. Easy because you can pretty much get them anything and they'll be happy. Difficult because it's easy to run out of ideas for them. You can only give so many ties and bottles of cologne, ya know?

Soooo, here you go. Here's some unique gifts that I've found for Father's Day, or any person in your life. Jared's already asked for a few of these! Happy Shopping!

And since I've got you in the shopping + Father's Day mood, here's a little giveaway and discount for you too.

Most of you know by know that I'm completely obsessed with Julie Ann Art. I've referenced her greeting cards in too many of my blog posts, tweets, and Instagram photos to list. Julie Ann is a badass chick with my kind of sense of humor, my kind of potty mouth, and she happens to be the owner and genius behind Julie Ann Art.

I could go on and on about her but I won't do that to you. Just check out her blog and her shop to see for yourself.

She's giving you guys the chance to win FIVE cards of your choice from her shop! Get one for your daddy, baby daddy, sugar daddy, or get them all for yourself, whatever.

And, because she's super cool, you can also get 10% off of your purchase from Julie Ann Art with code JESSICAWHO

Good luck!

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rooftop lounging [+ a giveaway!]

What I'm Wearing --- Top: Sosie (similar currently on sale!) // Jeans: F21 // Shoes: Carlos Santana // Sunglasses: SMHP (similar) // Necklace: c/o Cbiji Collection (use code JESSICA for 20% off) // Bracelets: c/o LinzGutz + c/o LinzGutz

These photos were taken on the rooftop of our building. When we were first looking for a place to live on the island back in 2010, this rooftop is what sold us. It includes a pool, saunas, gym, yoga/dance room, bathrooms, grilling area (Jared's current man cave), library, kitchen area, eating area, and I probably don't even have to tell you that the views are AMAZING! We definitely don't take advantage of it as often as we should. We spent so much time up there within our first year and you could definitely tell by skin. I was seriously about 10 shades darker. The rooftop is one of my absolute favorite parts about our little home here. I am happy with the way that these pictures turned out and I'm definitely going to try to do some more photo shoots up there soon.

Anyway, how fun is the Pink Leather Necklace that I'm wearing? I received it from Cbiji Collection and have been pretty much drooling over it ever since. I've been really into neon lately and it's perfect timing since summer is around the corner!

You know what else is perfect for summer? Cbiji Collection's Ocean Breeze Necklace! 

The owner of Cbiji Collection, Christine (isn't she gorgeous?!), is pictured above wearing the Ocean Breeze Necklace. Enter to win your own using the Rafflecopter form below!

And if you just can't wait, use code JESSICA for 20% off any purchase from Cbiji Collection!

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Instagram + Vine Blog Hop

Welcome to the Instagram + Vine Blog Hop! If you're new here, the Instagram + Vine Blog Hop is a party where you link up your Instagram and/or Vine accounts, find and follow new friends, and be continually inspired by what you see in your feeds! No need to have a blog, just an Instagram and/or Vine account!

HOW TO PLAY:

1. Follow your HOSTS:

Kimberly | Instagram: @anightowlblog | Vine: anightowlblog 

Emily | Instagram: @mrsemshhh | Vine: emily emshwiller 

Angie | Instagram: @blogali | Vine: Little Inspiration

2. Follow your CO-HOSTS:

Jessica | Instagram: @jayemmtee

You can find Jessica here: 

Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest

 ***

Krystle | Instagram: @liferevolvesaroundthem

 You can find Krystle here: 

Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest

3. Link up your Instagram Web Profile:

Just link up your new Instagram Web Profile (http://instagram.com/username) -OR- your web viewer of choice in the linky below!

Note: this URL will not let you choose a profile pic from your feed, so be sure you have a picture you can upload from your computer if you use it! If you get a "Error: The requested URL returned error: 500" error that just means it can't find a picture to use NOT that your link is bad. Just click on "Direct Image URL" if you have one or "Upload from Computer". If you still have trouble, try sticking with Followgram or Webstagram to upload your profile.

4. Link up your Vine Username and/or Video!

Add your Vine username (so folks can find you) to the list below! Or link up a Vine video so we can see your cinematography at work! This is new, so there aren't web profiles just yet, but hopefully they'll be out soon! How do you find your video link? If you post your video on Facebook or Twitter, you will be given a URL that looks like this: "http://vine.co/v/bJegq22datT." Just link that up below with your username so we can find you! If you don't have a URL to one of your videos, simply link up your blog URL, but make sure the title is your Vine username so we can find you!

5. Check out and follow a few fellow Instagram or Vine friends.

Tell folks you follow that you found them through the Hop!

6. Spread the word!

Tweet about it, share it on Facebook or post about it on Instagram!

Tweet

Now let's link up!

The Unwritten Rules of Blogging

I am so very excited to introduce you guys to one of my favorite bloggers. 

Meet Nadine. She runs a little blog called Back East Blonde. I found her a few months ago and instantly fell in love. Everything she writes is something that I have thought or wish I had the guts to say. If you enjoy my sense of humor, you will LOVE her! She's hilarious. She's honest. And not that this matters, but isn't she gorgeous?!

One of the first posts that I read of hers was "You're Only Cool in the Blog World". I died laughing because it was so true! And she recently wrote this post about mediocrity that was basically taken directly out of my head. Check her out and if you don't know where to start, you can see her popular posts here.

I could go on and on about how much I love her but I'll let you decide if you love her too. Nadine is guest posting today about The Unwritten Rules of Blogging in her usual hilarious fashion. Enjoy!

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I wish someone had told me when I started blogging: Here are the biggest no-no's.  Don't do them.
Wouldn't that be great? 
I also wish someone handed me a vocabulary index because we've sure invented our own lingo, haven't we?

And the award for most awkward blog term goes to: Sponsor.  Having a blog sponsor = Yay! Fun! Money!    Having a real life sponsor = The fun got out of hand.
But no one handed us a manual. We learned from either making these mistakes ourselves or watching from a distance as someone else made them. Or from someone doing this to us and it ticking us off.
So here are some unwritten rules of blogging: 
1. Be conscious of who you ask to swap. Are your blogs similar in size with similar content? Then go ahead and request a swap. Become friends. Tweet at each other. Build each other up. But don't get too bold with those requests. In most cases, it's nice if swapping is mutually beneficial. If it's really only beneficial for you, consider buying a sponsorship.
2. On that note, choose who you sponsor wisely. What are they offering with a sponsorship? Guest posts and sponsor spotlights will do more for you than just leaving an ad to chill in their sidebar. But you probably could have guessed that.
The no-no portion of this is: who you sponsor, you will be assosiciated with. Don't sponsor someone you wouldn't want to be associated with, just for the traffic. It's not worth it. If you don't genuinuely like their blog, what makes you think their followers will like you?
3. Don't leave stupid comments. This includes "new follower, I'd love a follow back," or "check out my giveaway," or anything not related to the content of the post you are commenting on. Just don't. It's rude and I promise, bad manners will not get you further. I've never even so much as left my blog link at the end of a comment. 
4. Don't steal ideas. Want to rework an idea that another blogger did? Fine. Consider getting their permission first. But don't steal because someone will call you out on it and you will be embarrassed. 
5. Drama going on? Stay out of it. You can bet I've never given a single opinion about any drama in blog world. I could call it all childish or pathetic but the thing is, I'm a silent observer. It's great fun to watch the train wreck. So do yourself a favor and don't tweet about it, don't write a rebuttle post, don't mention it one time anywhere. Stay out of it. But if you have the time and energy, go right ahead and enjoy from a distance. It's like reality tv but with people you [sort of] know.
The blog world is a funny thing. It's constantly evolving and we're adapting. Every day there are newbies and every day, someone breaks those unwritten rules. 
So what other rules do you wish someone had shared with you? 

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Isn't she great?!

As if you didn't already have enough reasons to check out Nadine's blog, she is giving you the chance to win a $25 Target gift card! Enter to win by using the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

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Neon Pop

What I'm Wearing --- Top: c/o Hello Apparel // Jeans: American Rag // Shoes: KangaROOS // Sunglasses: SMHP (similar) // Earrings: Juicy Couture (similar) // Bracelets: c/o Brighthouse Baubles + c/o Ginger13 

Neon tends to give off an '80s/'90s feel but maybe that's why I love it so much. Well that and I think it makes me look tanner than I actually am. Plus, people who wear neon are just more fun, right?