Bumper Sticker or Custom Paint Job: An Open Letter to Lisa Khoury from Nova

First of all, thank you Caitlin for allowing me to post my rant on your blog. People like the young woman I'm about to talk about cause my blood to boil. And it really does take a lot to get under ol' Nova Rella's skin like this.

Lisa Khoury wrote a purposefully inflammatory article in her university newspaper's opinion section about the lack of sophistication and morality tattooed young women have. She's getting quite a bit of undue attention, and so both Caitlin and I felt the need to put our two cents out there in the internet world with our own views on the issues she brings up.

I see that since I first read the article, they've posted a 'counterpoint' article, written by a young lady with two tattoos. She's cute and she means well, but she hasn't quite hit the nail on the head with the problems in the original piece.

Before you read my response, please click HERE and read her article "Why Put a Bumper Sticker on a Ferrari" in its entirety or you won't have any idea what I'm talking about. Yeah, you can tell by her title it's a real page-turner. Anyway, here is my response:

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Dear Lisa,

Congratulations on becoming internet famous in a matter of days! It must feel amazing to denigrate an entire population of people different than you for your own benefit. You've already received so much undue attention for this article that I almost hesitate in writing this response, but I realize that there are people out there who will take anything printed in any newspaper as the truth, and I am not having that.

The opinions you've put out there for the whole world to read are the same mindless banal remarks I hear all the time. You've memorized them by rote. You sound like you're reading off a script. How will a tattooed woman ever catch a husband? Why would they do that to themselves? They used to look so pretty. How will they ever get a job? Are they a slut or a rebel? They must be dumb. Guess what Lisa, we've heard it all before.

What you've written is not new or compelling. You've basically just said the exact stereotypical crap that I, as a fairly heavily tattooed woman, have to deal with from lowbrow classless assholes on a day-to-day basis. In your article I hear echoes of the uneducated, the judgemental, and the closed-minded. What I don't hear is a single original idea.

Tattoos are not new, rebellious or "vandalism" of the body. Period. They are an expression of one's inner self and of one's societal status, and have always been. I'm sure you didn't bother to do any research on the historical front, so let me tell you for a fact that human beings have always tattooed themselves all over the world for many different reasons, mainly spiritual and societal, and they always will. It's part of our very being, as humans are by nature categorists and compartmentalists.

The fact that you refer to your body as 'a temple' and being 'blessed' gives me an insight as to where your opinions may be stemming from. Not to get too religiously controversial on somebody else's blog, but the oppression of this innately human desire to decorate and change one's body probably, at least partially, comes from our weird colonized pseudo-christian culture. Fortunately this mentality is gradually fading away and becoming outdated in many facets of our society. Unfortunately people like you are still living with your head in the 19th century clouds and refuse to acknowledge the winds of change.

And since we are on the topic of outdated ideals, Lisa, I have to ask why you don't tear into men who have tattoos with all the voracity you used against women. Don't they deserve the same public scrutiny? Shouldn't they be running to the mall and getting their hair done too? There's a definite sexist undercurrent running through this article and I can't understand how a modern day aspiring journalist such as yourself is even suggesting that we subscribe to such a thing. It is unfair and nonsensical to drag tattooed people through the mud to prove your antiquated moral code.

I see that you mention 'class' and 'elegance' repeatedly in your article. How do you define class and elegance, Lisa? By slagging other people's physical appearance? By working out a lot and having "a nice body"? Shopping a lot at the mall? You think these things give you more 'class' than someone like me? I wouldn't give a person as superficial and judgemental as you the time of day.

By the way, what is with all this yoga and working out and shopping nonsense? Keep your capitalist misogynistic worldviews to yourself please. I am not and have never been interested in wearing heels, they destroy your feet. Long painted nails are impractical. I hate going to the mall. I'm not overly concerned with making "guys drool" over me or holding 'serious power' over other people because of my beauty. I value my brain and my creativity miles above others' opinions of my sex appeal. I feel like those who seek others' approval, and modify their habits and physical appearance to please others are missing something essential: self esteem.

You blatantly proclaim that "Nothing comes out of getting a tattoo." How can you say that? To imply that getting tattoos has no meaning, when clearly you have none yourself and thus have no evidence to the contrary, is straight-up ridiculous. Just because you don't understand something doesn't make it invalid. Do you also consider yourself above people of other cultures? People who chose a different profession than you did? How do you feel about other religions? Do you not consider that there are people of every kind on this earth and there is room for all of us?

You say "Instead of getting a tattoo, a more productive use of your time would be improving and appreciating the body you have been given," to which I reply "Why does the body need to be improved?" or conversely, "What makes you think tattooing a body isn't improving it?" I am seeing several references to going to the gym, working out, getting a 'hot body'... why do you consider that to be the polar opposite of getting tattoos? I can't wrap my brain around your logic.

On a personal note, I am extremely offended that you took so much time out of your life to write such an insulting article about something you know nothing about. There is nothing about my own tattoos that says "I am trying to prove something to other people." I do not relish being judged by my appearance at all. I never have. I get tattoos because being a tattooed woman is who I am. I've always known it, as cheesy as that may sound. It is me, and I can not change that. I love it and tattoos are a large part of my life. Hairstyles? Not so much.

And how dare you bring children's morals into this article? Who the hell are you to even imply that a tattooed parent or grandparent isn't as good as one without any tattoos? This drivel is absolutely offensive for so many reasons. I fear for your children's morality a thousand times more than my own. "God knows" that you have no fucking idea what you are talking about. I'd love to know what makes you, a student in her early 20's, think you have the right to morally judge people in their major life decisions at all. What do you know about life?

So, Lisa, in conclusion, It's none of your business how intelligent, happy, educated, classy, attractive or well-off I am, but I'm going to let you in on a secret, Lisa. I'm probably more of all these things than you are. And I know for a fact I'm a better writer.

The world you are living in is a shallow superficial nightmare, and I genuinely feel sorry for you and hope you grow out of this stage quickly. I promise you, you will be ashamed of this article when you grow up because it shows a real lack of empathy, kindness, positivity and the depth of spirit a human being needs to have genuine relationships and a happy existence.

Hope we never hear from you again,

Nova.

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You can click here to see Caitlin's response to Lisa's article on my blog.

I'd like to encourage more of you tattooed ladies to post your own response on your own blogs as well and leave us a link here in the comments section. You can also email it to Lisa herself: 

lisa.khoury@ubspectrum.com

Guest Post: Kimi Makes White Chocolate Cherry Shortbreads

While Rob and I are on vacation in Florida I thought I'd share some awesome blog writers with you.  This is my first guest post extravaganza so I hope you enjoy!  Today's post is from Kimi of lovely magic stars!  Kimi is a pretty cool cat and has shared some delicious-looking cookies with you below.  I'm already trying to work out a way to make them gluten-free. :)

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heyo! it is kimi from lovely magic stars. i am so excited to be guest blogging on caitlin's super duper awesome blog!

last week, i attended an annual cookie party. if you don't know what a cookie party is...it is a party were you make a certain amount of cookies - take them to the party and come home with more cookies than can be eaten in ANY given time!

i made 2 different types. first one's were supposed be buckeyes, but i mangled them and they ended up being peanut butter balls with chocolate splattered across them. it is all the same in your mouth right? :)

the second were better home and garden's white chocolate cherry shortbread's. i didn't realize how much work these cookies were going to be and trying to make them on the friday before the party was probably the most slacker idea! but they turned out so pretty and delicious!

white chocolate cherry shortbread

ingredients1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour1/2 cup sugar1 cup cold butter12 ounces white chocolate baking squares with cocoa butter, finely chopped1/2 teaspoon almond extract2 drops red food coloring (optional)2 teaspoons shorteningWhite nonpareils and/or red edible glitter (optional)

 directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spread cherries on paper towels to drain well.2. In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in drained cherries and 4 ounces (2/3 cup) of the chopped chocolate. Stir in almond extract and, if desired, food coloring. Knead mixture until it forms a smooth ball.3. Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using the bottom of a drinking glass dipped in sugar, flatten balls to 1-1/2-inch rounds.4. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until centers are set. Cool for 1 minute on cookie sheet. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.5. In a small saucepan, combine remaining 8 ounces white chocolate and the shortening. Cook and stir over low heat until melted. Dip half of each cookie into chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. If desired, roll dipped edge in nonpareils and/or edible glitter. Place cookies on waxed paper until chocolate is set. Makes about 60.
these are my stinker doggies kai and lucy who wait for anything to drop on the floor when i am cooking...

these are the final result! they didn't turn out as round as bhg's...but i think those are fake anyway!

hope you enjoy them and hope you stop by my blog to say hi!!

Guest Post: Danielle's Awesome Family Christmas Tradition

While Rob and I are on vacation in Florida I thought I'd share some awesome blog writers with you.  This is my first guest post extravaganza so I hope you enjoy!  Today's post is from Danielle of Little Spindle!  Danielle emailed me awhile back to talk about our mutual "I love a military man" experience.  She and her blog are lovely, and I adore the story she's shared with you below.  Thanks Danielle!

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Hello To Make Love Stay readers! I'm so excited to be here today and hope that you'll come visit me at Little Spindle sometime :)

Caitlin asked me to write something holiday related and after thinking about it for awhile I decided to share the strangest (and probably most long lasting) family tradition that I could think of.

OK, so the story starts 52 Christmas Eves ago with this woman:

Gram

Picture it!

It's Christmas Eve and the family has just finished a big dinner around a beautiful dining room table at my great aunt and uncle's house, who my grandmother is staying with while my grandfather is away in the Army. She is 8 months pregnant with my mom at this point, but Gram has always been quite the prankster. But apparently the joke's on her this time because later in the evening while the family is opening gifts Gram is presented with a beautifully wrapped package and she can't wait to tear into it.

But to what do her wandering eyes appear?! Take a guess...you'll never get it!

Remember how the family had just finished a beautiful holiday feast? Well, apparently after the meal someone took it upon themselves to completely clean the turkey carcass (with bleach and everything) and wrap it up for my grandmother to open. Please, take a moment and imagine receiving what's pictured below wrapped beautifully on Christmas Eve 1959.

Ok, so that'd be a pretty strange story - if it ended there...but of course, because my family is insane, it's far from over!

Gram received this darn thing wrapped up beautifully three more times in the next two days. They all traveled from house to house visiting all of the cousins and every.single.time they sat down to open gifts, there is was AGAIN!!!

How is this silly story a family tradition you're probably asking?

Ever since, every few years the carcass (which has 1959 written on it) resurfaces, wrapped as a gift and passed to a different member of the family. The trick is, when you pass it along to the next person you have to do it on the sly. Two years ago when my mom turned 50 (the turkey's 50th anniversary) someone placed a "gift" into the backseat of my parent's locked vehicle during a family Christmas party and later on when my mom opened it we all DIED laughing.

Alright, awesome - so now that you know how strange my family really is how about you try not to judge me too terribly and hop on over to Little Spindle because I promise you that this is the only post I have ever written that has anything to do with well preserved bones of any kind.

Thanks Caitlin for having me and I'll understand if you never ask me to guest post here ever again...

Guest Post: Melisande Makes Yummy Spaghetti Squash

While Rob and I are on vacation in Florida I thought I'd share some awesome blog writers with you.  This is my first guest post extravaganza so I hope you enjoy!  Today's post is from Melisande of sweet honey.  Melisande was one of my first blog friends when I restarted blogging earlier this year, and I love reading about her life with her boyfriend in California.  She also eats gluten-free, so she's a girl after my own heart! Today she's sharing a pretty yummy-looking recipe with you, so enjoy!

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Hi To Make Love Stay readers! My name is Melisande and I blog over at sweet honey. I live in a small California beach town with my sweet boyfriend where we enjoy adventures, riding bikes, and eating clean and gluten-free. Today I want to share one of my new favorite recipes with you, because it's the perfect winter-time meal and it's healthy and gluten-free. We've been obsessed with making spaghetti squash for dinner lately because it's so easy to make and it's delicious.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Slice the squash in half length-wise. Drag a fork over the surface of the squash and dig most of the seeds out. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and rosemary over the squash. I like to add a big pat of butter because butter is awesome and delicious! My boyfriend likes to chop fresh veggies into the squash and bake them in it, and I like it plain. Either way is good and it's fun to try out different recipes! Bake the squash for 40 minutes. I like to add extra seasonings after 20 minutes of cooking. Remove squash from oven and let cool. Drag a fork through the squash. If it's cooked thoroughly, the squash will unravel and look just like spaghetti. You can eat the "spaghetti" right out of the squash, or spoon it into a bowl. Enjoy!

 Thanks Caitlin for letting me guest post for you! Happy Holidays!

Guest Post: Maryam Decks the Walls

While Rob and I are on vacation in Florida I thought I'd share some awesome blog writers with you.  This is my first guest post extravaganza so I hope you enjoy!  Today's post is from Maryam of Pamplemousse1983!  Maryam has been a blog favorite of mine for awhile, and of course, my partner in crime for What I Honestly Wore Wednesday.  She has a pretty damn cute little girl named Margaux and she gives some really awesome art tutorials.  So if you've been hiding under a rock and haven't visited her blog yet, go do so now!

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Hi there!  My name is Maryam and I blog at Pamplemousse1983.  I'm here to talk to you lovely readers about art.  Namely, decorating with art.  Decorating can be intimidating and choosing what to put on your walls can be even more intimidating than picking a couch or rug or TV stand.

I think a lot of people love art but are not sure how to pick art that will go with the rest of their decor.  I find that there are a few rules to go by that make it a lot easier.  I find that the two easiest kinds of art to decorate with are abstract art and typographic art.  

First, abstract art.  Since you don't really have to worry about the subject, concentrate on the colors.  If the colors in your house are mainly neutral you can pick art that is more colorful.  If your decor is colorful, there are a ton of options in monochrome.  That could be black and white or just a single color. I also love pieces that are a neutral (gray or black) and one other color.  

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Now for typographic art.  This type of art is easy to decorate with because it is usually just one color.  I especially like typographic art that is plain old black and white because it makes a statement and works with just about every single color scheme.  It could work in a black, white or colored frame.  It's basically the little black dress of wall art.

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These two types of art also work well together.  I love to hang art in clusters and it is supereasy to do so when you stay within a color scheme, be it black and white or all bright colors, just make sure the tones match.

One last thing that is great about either of these types of art is if you're broke it's easy to make your own!  I have a series on my blog where I have little easy art tutorials, a lot of which you can do with things you have on hand, or on the cheap.  As far as typographic art, all you need to do is find a cool font (I like to find free fonts here) and type up a favorite quote or even a symbol like that ampersand up there.  Print, frame, done.  You could even make it really big and print it at Kinko's for poster sized art.  How cool is that?!  Or if you have nice handwriting you could even use some paint and a canvas.  The possibilities are endless!

I hope that helps and gets you on your way to covering up those lonely walls.

Guest Post: Sandi of Adalou Makes Pumpkin Donut Muffins

While Rob and I are on vacation in Florida I thought I'd share some awesome blog writers with you.  This is my first guest post extravaganza so I hope you enjoy!  Today's post is from Sandi from Adalou Vintage.  Sandi is one awesome, talented lady, and I love her blog, which is jam-packed with her awesome collections, lovely vintage things, inspiration, and her life with her family.  She's sharing a delicious-looking recipe today, so enjoy!  

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Hi friends, this is Sandi from over at the AdaLou blog and I'm honored to be popping in today to guest post while Cailtin enjoys some time away. For those of you who don't know me, I blog about my love for vintage, art, everyday inspiration, and general life. Among everyday life, which is kinda a broad topic, we (my mister and I) enjoy baking tasty treats for the family and then sharing this yumminess with all of you. Well, today I wanted to share some delicious Pumpkin Donuts Muffins, which were highly enjoyed by all of us especially the kiddos. Thanks again Caitlin for letting me share this recipe.

Enjoy!

PUMPKIN DONUT MUFFINS
Makes 12 // Total Time 1 Hour 20 Minutes

for the muffin:

10 Tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) of unsalted, room temp, Butter
3 cups of All Purpose Flour (**Gluten Free friends, substitute mixture below)
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground all spice
1/3 cup buttermilk
1/ 1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree (from 15 oz can)
3/4 cup light brown sugar 2 large eggs

 **Gluten Free flour this would work well, if not this recipe is actually quite tasty for a flour substitute.

for the sugar coating :

3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted, melted butter

also needed:

muffin tray
muffin cup liners
electric mixer

DIRECTIONS

1.) Preheat over to 350. Place muffin cup liners in tray. Make batter by mixing in medium bowl, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and allspice. In smaller bowl whisk together buttermilk and pumpkin puree. In larger bowl, using electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in one egg at a time scraping down mixture in bowl as needed. With mixer on low, add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with 2 additions of pumpkin mixture. Beat to combine.

2.) Spoon 1/3 batter into each muffin cup and bake till golden brown, approx. 30 minutes. For sugar coating mixture, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon. Let muffins cool for 10 minutes on wire rack. Working one at a time take melted butter and brush tops of muffins and roll or toss muffin into sugar mixture. Then let cool completely on wire rack. Store in airtight container up to a day, freeze muffins up to 3 months.

 

Guest Post: Danielle Makes Smothered Pork Chops

While Rob and I are on vacation in Florida I thought I'd share some awesome blog writers with you.  This is my first guest post extravaganza so I hope you enjoy!  Today's post is from Danielle from Danfredo Rivera.  Danielle is an awesome sassy blogger from the Big Apple who blogs about her life as a newlywed and her job as a dietician.  She's a great read so after you check out this recipe (which sounds amazing!) you should check out her blog!

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Hai, guys! I'm Danielle from Danfredo Rivera and I'm here to talk to you today about the most AMAZING pork chops I have ever eaten in my entire life. Like Caitlin, my diet is gluten-free, but don't let that scare you...I swear on my life that you would never know the difference between my smothered pork chops and the ones served at your local Cracker Barrel. These bad boys take a bit of time to prepare, but then again, I was taking pictures for the blog and Instagram and Twitter and Facebook when I probably should've been chopping or stirring something. Nevertheless, give yourself at least an hour to get this dish ready. Okay, let's do this thing!

Take all your delicious pork bacon (because we need more pig in this recipe), throw it in a deep skillet, chop it up into little, tiny pieces and fry it up until crispy. Put the bacon to the side, but make sure you keep the grease; it's going to come in handy when we start making the gravy...

...which is NOW! Add in your coconut flour and get it nice and toasty. Keep an eye on it because it won't be too long before you're ready to add the other animals (via broth) in the mix.

Now comes the fun part the part that went too quickly to take pictures! Heat up your coconut oil and saute your onions and garlic. Take 'em out, sent 'em to the side, then brown your chops. Once they've got some nice color on 'em throw everything back in the pot. Since I didn't take a picture of this part, here's another gratuitous bacon shot.

After 45 minutes, remove the chops and wrap them in tin foil. Turn up the heat on your pot, add in the thyme and thicken up your gravy (or thin it, if that's how you like it). Once your gravy is good to go, set your chops on your plate, pour some gravy on top and enjoy the ride! I served these with mashed parsnips, which are an incredible substitute for mashed potatoes. Oh, and wine. Lots of wine.

Smothered Pork Chops: (Adapted from The Domestic Man)


Ingredients:

4 half-inch pork chops (bone-in, center cut preferred)
6oz uncured/nitrate-free bacon (about six strips), chopped
2 tbsp rice or coconut flour
1 cup each chicken and beef broth
1 tsp each sea salt and pepper
1 medium onion, chopped or blended
1 clove garlic, chopped finely
10 mushrooms, sliced 1/2 tsp thyme (fresh preferred, dried okay)
2 tbsp heavy cream
2 tbsp coconut oil

Directions:

1. Cook the bacon pieces in a saute pan on medium heat until crispy. Next, remove the pieces with tongs and set the aside, keeping the grease in the pan. Turn the heat down to medium/low and slowly stir in the flour.

2. Toast the flour/grease roux for a few minutes, stirring frequently until it becomes aromatic. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up the bacon/pork bits that get stuck on the bottom to mix them into your roux.

3. Stir in the chicken and beef broths, salt and pepper. Bring to a slow boil and turn the heat down to low, then leave it to simmer while you prepare your pork chops. Don’t worry if the gravy is too thin, but if it’s too thick, thin it a little with some water.

4. In a dutch oven, heat up 1 tbsp of the coconut oil for a few minutes on medium heat. Add the chopped/blended onions and saute until they start to become translucent. Add the garlic and saute for another minute. Scoop everything out and set aside.

5. Add the second tbsp of coconut oil and turn up the heat to med/high, letting it heat up for a couple minutes. Add the pork chops and brown on each side for about two minutes. If the pork chops are too big to brown four at once, brown them in batches.

6. Once the pork chops are browned, layer them on the bottom of the dutch oven and turn the heat down to low. Scoop the onion/garlic mixture on top of the chops, then the mushrooms, and then the bacon. Pour the gravy over everything. Cover with a heavy lid and cook for 45 minutes on low.

7. Pull out the pork chops with some tongs and set them on a platter, covering them with tin foil. Turn up the heat on the dutch oven to medium and stir the cream and thyme into the gravy. Be sure to scrape up any browned pork chop bits so they mix into the gravy. This is your opportunity to get the proper consistency with your gravy. Allow it to reduce if it’s too thin or add some water to thin it if it’s took thick. Once the gravy is bubbling and at your desired thickness, pour it over your pork chops.

Guest Post: Deanna & the Family Christmas Portrait

While Rob and I are on vacation in Florida I thought I'd share some awesome blog writers with you.  This is my first guest post extravaganza so I hope you enjoy!  Today's post is from Deanna from Delirious Rhapsody.  I just love Deanna, her blog, and her adorable family (especially son Gage, who says some of the darndest things indeed).  Plus, anyone who offers to include homemade porn in their guest post is alright by me (spoiler alert: there is no homemade porn).  

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Hello there, fellow To Make Love-ians. I'm Deanna!




I blog over at delirious rhapsody. I'm a stay at home mama of two crazy little boys, and my blog is all about my voyage to remain sanity throughout the monotony of SAHMotherhood. No, it's not actually that bad, because I do really love my kids a bunch. But some days, I do want to run headfirst, screaming, into a semi. And if you are a SAHM too, and think that it's all rainbows and unicorns every single day, well friend, you are lying to yourself. (I promise I'm not a bitter person. Just doing a little explaining about what my little blog is all about.) :-D I think I struggle sometimes because I never wanted kids to begin with. But life has a way of playing one crazy joke after another on you.

Anyway......

 I love to write. And it's always really flattering when someone asks me to write a guest post for them. Sometimes they are nice and give you a prompt. Sometimes they do not. (Ahem....Caitlin.) But I thought that since it's close to the holidays, and I keep seeing everyone's Holiday Card photoshoot posts show up in my reader, I would share our Christmas card outtakes from when my oldest son was 5 months old. 

 Let me set the scene for you: Like I said, my husband and I never wanted children. We were filling out papers to join the Peace Corps when I found out I was pregnant. Imagine our surprise. I never had a motherly bone in my body. I was terrified. How was I supposed to take care of something so small? I was clueless. So of course, come Christmastime, the husband and I decided that we would take a sweet family portrait. You know, to show everyone that we did know what we were doing. We could handle it. We weren't in over our heads. And this was the end result:

 
Here we have the dog terrorizing the cat, and our son, who looks like a proud citizen of Whoville.
 
Oh, how precious. In an attempt to get everyone's attention, it looks like my husband is giving 'the shocker.' 
 
Hey, look! We finally get everyone to look at the camera! Too bad the baby is ANGRY. And if case you were wondering what ended up on our Christmas cards, this next one was it. The true essence of our little family that year: 
 
Merry Christmas! Love, The Fikes

Guest Post: Jess's Holiday Playlist

While Rob and I are on vacation in Florida I thought I'd share some awesome blog writers with you.  This is my first guest post extravaganza so I hope you enjoy!  First up is Jess, who is one of my favorite bloggers ever.  I love her sense of humor and reading about her family (especially her adorable son Wyatt...baby fever!). I'm sure you already know she exists but if not, check her out.  And have her make a banner for your blog, because she does GREAT work (see my banner)! :)

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Hey there! I'm Jess from IROCKSOWHAT and I'm so happy to be guest posting on To Make Love Stay. And since we're already in full swing of the holidays, I thought it'd be cool to share my favorite holiday songs! These are all very classy and therefore should be listened to while walking around with wine.

Feeling Off, the Future, Tattoos & Guest Posts

1. I've been feeling really off lately, which explains why I've been ignoring my blog the last few days.  I miss writing but I also feel like I'd have no idea what to write.

2. I've also been having a stressful few days.  Robbie and I are waiting to hear some news that'll affect how and where we live the next few years of our lives; I don't have to tell you that I don't deal well with the unknown and conjecture.  I want to be able to plan now.  Anyway, I'm hoping everything will be figured out by week's end and I can share everything with you guys.

3. I decided to get a Maine-specific tattoo in case we do in fact leave here soon.  I always figured we wouldn't be able to stay in Maine after Rob graduated because jobs are so hard to come by here, but Rob and I are very attached to our unpopulated little state.  Truth be told, the idea that our children (should we have them) will most likely not be from Maine weirds me out a little bit.  Anyway, the design that I think I've settled on is a Sailor Jerry-esque swallow modified to look like a chickadee holding a small banner with "Dirigo," the Maine state motto.  I got this idea from a girl I knew as a camp counselor and frankly I'm pretty excited about it.  I am also considering a moose silhouette, but we'll see.

4. I bet you were wondering what I'm honestly wearing today...well, I did not forget:

 

5. Rob and I are going to be away from December 17-21 and I was wondering if anyone was interesting in doing a guest post here on ye olde blerg.  Your post can be about anything.  If you're interested go ahead and send me an email at tomakelovestay at gmail dot com.

Have a great week all!