Work hard. Be Kind.

Happy Thursday Loves, hope your week is going well! It's still very cold here in Limoges, so I've really been enjoying my morning coffee, it warms me right up. After checking in with you guys, I'm going to head to my new gym, it's exactly what I need so I don't miss a beat of marathon training due to the snow on the ground here.

If you haven't done so already check out Jeans and Tees and Travel and Cakes latest giveaway. J.T.T.C is doing a Valentine's Day TOMS Giveaway, where you can enter to win a pair of TOMS Ballet Flats! The contest runs until Tuesday February 14th aka Valentine's Day at 12:00pm. (Noon Eastern Standard Time)

Click here -> GIVEAWAY to check out the post and enter!

Just leave a comment on the Valentine's Day TOMS Giveaway Post, letting Jeans and Tees and Travel and Cakes know why you deserve a pair of TOMS Ballet Flats. You can comment as much as you want, don't be shy! Each comment equals one entry into the Giveaway, you also receive entry points for following Jeans and Tees and Travel and Cakes on Blogger and Facebook.

Last night Kyle received an amazing honor, he was voted Fan Favorite for Limoges CSP. Votes were cast by people from all over France. Once again I can't tell you how proud I am of my guy. This achievement ties in perfectly with the quote I am going to share with you today.




Lately Kyle and I have been making it a point to try and live by these words, because this is what we feel as a couple is important in life. The quote is from comedian, Conan O'Brien, I've shared this quote before, it's up there as one of my favorites. The message is quite simple, work hard, be kind and the path in front of you can be amazing. This is your life, you can choose the easy road or you can work your ass off, keep a positive attitude (which is contagious) and the possibilities of where your life can take you will be endless. Don't settle for mediocre , dream big, there is no better day to start then today.

Enjoy and have a great day.

If you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen.
- Conan O'Brien

Valentine's Day TOMS Giveaway!

Because I love you all, it's time for a GIVEAWAY! Just in time for Valentine's Day enter with your chance of winning a pair of the newly released TOMS Ballet Flats!

These flats are super cute and stylish, they are the perfect edition to your new Spring wardrobe. TOMS shoes aren't just great for you, they also help others. When you purchase a pair of TOMS, someone in need receives a pair of shoes as well, that's simply an amazing give back. So what are waiting for? Enter the Valentine's Day TOMS Giveaway today!




The GIVEAWAY will run from today, Wednesday February 8th until 12:00pm (noon est) next Tuesday February 14th !

To enter the GIVEAWAY all you have to do is write a comment below, telling me why you deserve a new pair of TOMS Ballet Flats, which sell for $79. You will receive one entry for each comment. (You can comment as much as you'd like.)
You will receive two entry points if you follow Jeans and Tees and Travel and Cakes on Blogger and another two entry points if you follow J.T.T.C's Facebook page. What if you already follow on Blogger and Facebook? Don't worry, just let me know in a comment below and I will make sure you receive the correct number of entry points.

The winner will be picked at random using random.org and will be announced the evening of February 14th. The winner can pick out their desired pair of TOMS Ballet Flats (excluding the TOMS Camilla Black Leather Ballet Flats) and I'll send them your way.

Good Luck and Comment!

Pinteresting Finds.

I love Tuesday's Pinteresting Finds, it allows me to share what I am loving with you. If you aren't on Pinterest, what are you waiting for? Join the addiction!

Enjoy my current favorite Pins.

Cute idea for Valentine's Day. Board: Foodie Fun

I'm a huge lover a comfy, cozy cable knit sweaters. Board: Fashion I Love

Totally digging this look for a party, love the pop of color. Board: Party Planning

I found this hilarious and very true. Board: Funny Photos

I love a good Maxi Dress, the design of this one is particularly darling. Board: Fashion Snapshots

Definitely going to try this. Ice pops and champagne! Board: Party Planning

Salted Caramel Chocolate Shortbread Bars, YUMMY! Board: Foodie Fun

Love pictures that motivate! Board: Sporty Love

Love this simple hairstyle, and I love her. Board: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge

Love, Love, Love this quote. Board: Quotes I Dig

Happy Pinning!

Superbowl Wins and Birthday Wishes.

Happy Monday February 5th! I'm a very happy lady today and extremely proud to be a New Yorker! A huge congratulations to the New York Football Giants for sending Tom Brady back to New England without a Superbowl title, gosh that feels so good. I hope you had a fantastic weekend and got to do something great for yourself, you deserve it.

Kyle and I had a nice little weekend, his parents got into Limoges Saturday afternoon,it's so nice to see them. Saturday night, Kyle and Limoges CSP took on Bordeaux and were victorious, Kyle had a great game, he's so much fun to watch. We woke up Sunday morning to the sight of a fresh four inches of snow, yuck! This snow is getting in the way of my marathon training, so today I am going to a local gym to get a membership so my training doesn't suffer, the Paris Marathon is a little over two months away and I have to be prepared.

Today is a very special day in my life, it's my nephew Benjamin Scout's 3rd Birthday. I can't believe he's only three, it seems like he's been around forever. I still remember the first day I met Ben as if it were yesterday, heading down to the Cape May Hospital after receiving the news of his birth. I was so excited to meet this little boy, he is truly amazing.

Ben has been through a lot over this past year health wise and through it all he is always smiling. I'm so lucky to have this little guy, who is truly a comedian, in my life. Anytime I'm feeling a bit homesick, I give my sister a call on Skype and Benjamin, with his funny ways, always makes any bad day better and for that I am forever grateful. I love you Ben, I'm so proud of you and your spirit. Happy Birthday!




Have a great Monday!

Friday Favorites.

Well the first few days of February have been a success, so I'm thinking the rest of the month is going to be a hit as well. I hope you have an amazing weekend and GO GIANTS, make these New Yorkers living in France proud! Here are a few of my favorite things from this past week, Wooden makes many appearances, a friend told me that Wooden needs his own blog, I'm thinking of calling it "Woodenisms", what do you think?

Enjoy!

Love is Everywhere. You all know I am a lover of Tiffany & Co. , so I couldn't pass on this opportunity. For Valentine's Day Tiffany's is running a "True Love In Pictures" campaign and being the corny person I am, I've submitted a picture of Kyle and I. The pictures with the most "likes" will be featured on the Tiffany site, even though I know we probably have no chance of being featured, it was fun just to submit our photo. You can "like" the photo through Instagram. I'm a mush when it comes to LOVE. 

We took Wooden into downtown Limoges on Sunday afternoon, it was his first time walking around the city, we usually only take him to the local park or for walks around the block. He got the attention of everyone who walked past him and he really enjoyed chasing the pigeons. 

Wooden is quite the lover of yoga. Every time I am putting myself through a session he manages to find his way onto my mat. I'm guessing this is why he is so mellow. 

Back in 2007 Marc Jacobs did a series of shirts to raise money for the NYU Langone Medical Center called "Protect the skin you're in." I purchased one of those shirts with the gorgeous Christy Turlington on it. Well, Marc is at it again and there was no way in hell I wasn't purchasing one of these shirts because my ab idol, Marisa Miller is on one of the shirts. Because these t-shirts are hot sellers it was work finding one but I found a tee in my size on ebay and it's heading my way, I can't wait to rock it! 

This photo was taken from my apartment in France, it part of the February Photo a Day Challenge I am doing with Instagram. This is Day One: My view.  I can't say I love this snowscape but the picture came out pretty cool.

Wooden experienced his first snowfall and he loved it. 

This Napoli Pasta dish from Donna Sarah definitely hit the spot.  I am a lover of pasta and after seeing an episode of Anthony Bourdain's,  No Reservations, where he is exploring Italy and finds the perfect plate of pasta, I've began my search. This one was pretty fantastic, it was the perfect combination of tomato and basil.

I rocked this funky french manicure this week, using O.P.I's  Kiss Me on the Tulips (Pink) and O.P.I's Glizterland (Gold)

Temple Run! This is one of the most addicting games to have on your phone,  I am obsessed! You've been warned. 

This is what I am currently listening to, I love this song, this cover  and it's words. I know my mom can relate. <3

Turn the page.

Happy Thursday my beautiful Jeans and Tees and Travel and Cakes readers, I hope this post finds you well. I'm sitting here enjoying my morning coffee, trying not to pay attention to how sore I am after my workout yesterday, squats are a killer! It's another frigid day here in Limoges, I think I am going to have to watch the video I posted yesterday a few more times today to take me away from this weather for a minute or two. For all my American readers, Happy Groundhog's Day! Let's hope that little critter predicts an early spring.

I must send the biggest Happy Birthday to one of my favorite people in the whole wide world, my cousin Lyndsay! Lyn, you are an amazingly smart, talented, hilarious, caring, beautiful young woman and I am so blessed to have you in my life. To call you my cousin sounds silly because to me you are a sister. I can't wait to see you when I get home, some Skinnygirl Margaritas are definitely in order. Enjoy your special day, I love you so much!

Today's quote is an awesome one, if I do say so myself. On this blog I make it a point to tell you that your life story deserves to be a best seller. It's important to take pride in who you are and the path you are taking. Sometimes this can be difficult, sometimes we are scared to take the next step, to turn the page and follow our hearts that are chasing our wildest dreams.

It's ok to be scared, you're not alone, the most successful people in this world have all been in your shoes, doubting what's next, that feeling of not knowing how things will turn out. I say, be excited for what is to come, the possibilities are endless if you are willing to take chances. I took some chances and they've created some pretty amazing chapters in my life, chapters that I can't wait to share with my future children one day, I would love for them to look at their mother and think, "Wow, what a badass." It's up to you how you want your story to turn out. So what are you waiting for? Turn the page.

Enjoy!

You can't start the next chapter of your life, if you keep re-reading the last one.
-Unknown Author




(This quote was found on Pinterest, I've searched for the Author but came up empty handed. Fun Fact: I am participating in the February Photo a Day Challenge on Instagram and today's picture is words, these are the words that I decided to go with.)

Location:Rue Armand Dutreix,Limoges,France

Please be good.

Happy February! I couldn't be happier to shut the door on January, not the best first month of 2012, to be perfectly honest. But it's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new month and I'm feeling good. I hope you all set some personal goals for yourself this month, try something new, get organized, take control of your life, there is no time like the present to be the person you've always envisioned yourself being.

February is a crucial marathon training month for me, this is where my mileage increases and my runs get a little tougher. I'm excited for the challenge, because of all the yoga and core cross training I've been doing, I feel great. Now only if there wasn't snow on the ground here in Limoges, it would be smooth sailing.

As for someone born in December, I am not very keen on this whole winter thing, I actually despise snow. I was spoiled last year living in Greece, where the average temperature in the winter months was around 60 degrees, not to shabby. Now I'm here in France looking at the 7 day forecast seeing temperatures of 16 degrees and snow, YUCK!

During this time of year I dream of being on the beach, with my feet in the sand, hearing the sound of the ocean waves, enjoying a good book and feeling the sun on my shoulders. Just writing that put a smile on my face. Back in August I knew I would be in this predicament, sitting in my living room, looking out at the snow and wishing I was on a beach somewhere, so I planned ahead. Here is a little something to take you away somewhere warm for a minute. Enjoy and lets hope that February isn't to hard on us.

This video was taken in Long Beach Island, August 2011.