Uh, uh...sexy, sexy!

How I love the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, let me count the ways. Well it's here and it's sexy as usual. Kate Upton was the lucky lady to get the coveted cover and she definitely brings it. I picked Kate as my favorite model in the 2011 Issue, I guess I was on to something.

This year's SI Swimsuit Issue is even more special to me then years past because one of my old co-workers from Abercrombie and Fitch is one of this year's Rookies! I'm so proud of you Adaora and you look so amazing and I truly believe this will be the first issue of many that you will grace the pages of.

Here's a look at some of my favorite pages from this year's SI Swimsuit Issue. The countdown now begins for the 2013 Issue. By the way the swimsuits aren't too shabby either, haha!

Kate Upton flaunting her goods on the cover of SI.

Kyle's favorite SI Swim Model, Cintia Dicker. I give her tons of credit standing that close to a rhino!

Here are some more beauties.

Adaora looks amazing! So, so, so, happy for you! You rock girl! Visit SI.COM to vote for Adaora as this year's SI Rookie of the Year!

Giveaway Winner!

First I would just like to thank all who participated in the Valentine's Day TOMS Giveaway! I wish I could give you all a new pair of TOMS Ballet Flats but unfortunately there can only be one winner.

The winner of the Valentine's Day TOMS Giveaway, picked at random using random.org is...KATE M. Congrats Kate and thanks for your continued readership of Jeans and Tees and Travel and Cakes. Now pick out your brand new pair of TOMS Ballet Flats!

We found love.

Even though I believe you should show the people you love tons of love all year round, I thoroughly enjoyed Valentine's Day 2012. Here is a little photo diary of our Valentine's Day Holiday. 

Our spoiled puppy and his Valentine's Day chew toy. 

Monday night Kyle took me to Le Versailles, which is in downtown Limoges, The food was a-maze-ing! 

Enjoying our morning coffee Valentine's Day morning. 

Yummy breakfast, I am obsessed with Brioche bread!

Surprised with some lovely jewelry when I came in from the gym. What a guy!

The Valentine's Day dinner Kyle made for me, such a great night. 

Wooden having a good time, even though he didn't have a Valentine.

Pinteresting Finds, Love Edition.

Happy Valentine's Day Loves! Hope this is a special day for you, in a relationship or not, today is a day to love so enjoy it. This is a special Valentine's Day edition of Pinteresting Finds. Here are some of my current pins that are filled with a little bit of love.

Be sure to check back with Jeans and Tees and Travel and Cakes later today, where the winner of the Valentine's Day TOMS Giveaway will be announced!

Enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day!

I love the presentation of these tulips. Board: Stuff I Love, Love, Love

Love this quote! Board: Quotes I Dig

This is such a cute cake, I'm sure my sister could master this. Board: Foodie Fun

Must have these espresso mugs! Board: Stuff I Love, Love, Love

Paul Newman's letter to his wife on their wedding day: “ Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the Art of Marriage, the little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say ‘I love you’ at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon; it should continue through all the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have the wings of an angel. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding rooms for things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner."

Love this so much! Board: Stuff I Love, Love, Love

Cute take on Rice Krispie Treats. Board: Foodie Fun 

Pretty Pink nails for the Holiday. Board: Beauty

Pink Grapefruit Margarita, it looks so refreshing. Board: Foodie Fun

Location:Rue Armand Dutreix,Limoges,France

Moments.

Hey there Lovers, Happy Monday. I hope you all had an amazing weekend and are now ready to conquer another week. I can't believe it's mid February already, this month is flying by. I head back to the States in less then two weeks for a short visit, which I am really excited for. Here's wishing you a great week, go out and be great.

This weekend really had me feeling very nostalgic, it started when I heard that Whitney Houston passed away. I automatically remembered my kindergarten graduation, where we had a slide show which played her song, Greatest Love of All, life was so innocent at that moment in time. Then last night at  Kyle's amazing game against his former Notre Dame teammate Ryan, which happened to be the biggest game of the season, the two teams are battling for first place. Limoges CSP came out victorious in the 75-74, nail biter of a game, Kyle and Ryan both played awesome. Anyway, here I was sitting in an arena in France having flashbacks of his days playing at ND, where we began. It had a lot to do with Limoges' fans who are die hards, I thought I was in the Joyce center and for a moment I wanted to go back.  

Here's a clip of last night's game.

The nostalgia came again this morning watching the Grammys , I had to DVR it because of the time difference. As I sat there with my coffee in hand listening to the Beach Boys (who are my absolute favorite) perform, tears started streaming down my face. I remembered being in my Aunt Robin and Uncle Tommy's house rocking out to the Beach Boys, using utensils as microphones, little did we know my uncle would tragically pass away two months later. 

It's moments like those, that make life worth living and it's those moments that we hold onto and carry with us on our journey. Someone recently asked Kyle and I about our future overseas, it's a hard question to answer because as amazing as traveling and living abroad can be, where we've created some amazing moments, nothing compares to the moments made with family and friends. So how long will we continue our journey as two drifters off seeing the world, who knows. But I do know that when I am feeling a bit homesick or missing someone, I can dive into memories by simply listening to a song or looking at a picture and for a brief time I am back in a moment. 

Sending love to my family with this clip from the Grammys last night. 

Friday Favorites.

Happy Friday my beautiful Jeans and Tees and Travel and Cakes Readers! Hope you end the week on a strong note and have a fantastic weekend. Here are some things that made my week a happy one.

Our picture was selected to be on the Tiffany Website! Your "Likes" on Instagram got us their. Thanks Lovers!

Since the Chicago Marathon was sold out, I did some research and with the help of my good friend Trish, I registered for the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon! I'm. So excited, I love that marathons can take you all over the world.

Kyle and his Fan Favorite Award for Limoges CSP. I can't wait to enjoy that huge bottle of Champagne! Once again, I'm so proud of you Kyle!

Be sure to enter the Jeans and Tees and Travel and Cakes Valentine's Day TOMS GIVEAWAY! Enter by Tuesday and you can win a pair of TOMS Ballet Flats! All you have to do is leave a comment on why you deserve a pair of TOMS Ballet Flats.

Click the link below to enter, Good Luck!

(Valentine's Day TOMS GiveawayYou can comment as much as you'd like.)

I'm currently obsessed with Lana Del Ray! Her album Born To Die dropped this past Tuesday and it's amazing! Definitely check it out!

I don't know what I'd do without my Michael Kors watches, O.P.I. nail polish and my favorite scents. (And my Ray Bans that aren't featured.) It's really the little thigs in life that I love.

New polishes, just in time for Valentine's Day. O.P.I Big Apple Red and Chanel May. Love, Love, Love these colors!

Kyle and I watched an episode before bed every night! Best show on television for sure. Phil, Cam and Luke are my absolute favorite!

Location:Rue Armand Dutreix,Limoges,France

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