About
The Girl
Hey guys, it’s Jess. Jessica, actually! I was born February 29 in Tacoma, Washington & raised half of my life in Washington, half of my life in Utah. I’m 20 years old & I live right in the heart of Salt Lake City. I work full time, I just opened my very own Etsy shop, I’m a student, & my life is pretty spread out. I’m artsy & outdoorsy – sometimes I even like to pretend I’m a bit of a fashionista. I love my family more than life, I am surrounded by the most wonderful people ever, & although I’ve had my tough times just like everyone else, I’m generally a pretty happy girl.
I’ve been around! So far I’ve lived in eight cities & traveled to some pretty cool places – but! I still have a lot to see. I’m just your average blogging college student & I’m pretty passionate about life in general. I love to be outside every chance I get – I’m craving warm weather & could really use the change from this pasty-white skin of mine. I like to shop (way too much), blog, try new foods (or, just new things in general), & I think I make a habit of choosing the slightly less traveled path – But I think I kinda like it.
The FamI’ve got a really good family, so ya’ll should probably just be really jealous. I’m the oldest of three with two cool siblings: Kyle the high school senior & Bekah the sophomore drama queen (kidding, Bekah!). I also have really really amazing parents, Chris & Heidi, plus lots of awesome step-family, including Brian (my mom’s husband), Polly (my dad’s wife), & five absolutely wonderful step-siblings. I’ve also got a whole lot of funny extended family. Basically, I’m just a very lucky girl.
(Step-siblings Natalie & Christopher, Brian, Mom, Me, Kyle, Bekah)
(Me, Bekah, Dad, Polly, Kyle)
jessbrianne 
Hey Jess, thanks for the follow! But I’ve got to wonder what in the world made you want to follow me? (Ignoring, of course, the striking good looks and incredible charm.)
No, seriously. I’d love to know how you found me and what makes me worth following, if you don’t mind sharing. Thanks!
Hi Stan! Thank you for your comment. I found one of your posts as I was searching through social networking articles and saw the one you wrote about Facebook “going down” and I started reading some of your other posts. I also read through a few of your posts on publishing and thought they were interesting and I then noticed you were in the infantry for a few years and my dad is actually in the infantry as well, though through the Army. So there you have it. 🙂
Oh, sweet! Well, I’m always looking for new friends. And it never ceases to amaze me how we connect in this world of the internet.
Funny thing is, I finally realized you changed your blog, but when you first “followed” earlier, I looked at your site and made a note to comment later. Then, when I did, it looked completely different, so I thought for a moment, “Wow, I’ve had two different women named “Jess” follow me from out west. How weird is that?”
Then, I realized how impossible that would be and figured it out. So you see, I’m pretty slow and stupid sometimes. : )
Hi Jess, You’re officially the first follower of the newly created “Hipster Boner” blog! Well done you early adopter you! If you’d like to be featured on our blog as the “First” (website to follow) feel free to send us a picture of you in all your hipster glory and or some info and we’ll give you and your blog a shout out..that doesn’t mean much now, but hopefully someday soon it will!
dubstarawesome@gmail.com
Hi Ryan! Thanks so much for dropping by. I didn’t even realize I was the first follower, I just thought it looked like it could be a pretty cool blog & I figured I’d better keep an eye on it 😉 I’d love to be featured on the blog! I’ll have to take a photo here in the next little while & shoot one over to ya, though it may be a day or two before I’m able to do that – hope that’s alright! Thanks again – I’ll be sure to keep checking for good things from ya! 🙂
Thanks for following my blog! 🙂
Of course! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Thank you for following us, Jess. 🙂
Of course! Your blog is so cute. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Hey there, Jess…I saw that you stopped-by my blog this morning…thank you for visiting and for letting me know you were there. Seems like we share the same hometown! I live a bit south of you, being in the heart of SLC as you are, but we’re essentially neighbors. You probably recognize the building in the photo on my post today…just down the road from you. Welcome back to blogging…see you around! Scott
That’s great! I love connecting with people in my own area because it’s nice to be able to have that aspect to relate to that often gets lost here in the blogging world 😉 I’ve lived all over Utah and grew up in Seattle so it’s been fun to interact with other people!
Hi Jess thank you so much for finding lollipopsandrazorblades. It is a private blog that no one in my private life knows about. This blog is special to me as are the writings that it contains. I wanted to come by and truly thank you for following and mostly for reading it 🙂
Warmly,
ApplejAxe
Well I can’t wait to read more from you! I understand the “keeping the blog private” thing, so much respect to you. I hope things are going alright for you! 🙂
Hi! Thanks for following my blog..it was great to see the notifications panel with a new follower (for a change) 😛 Came as a shocker though for you to have chanced upon my blog, gives me hope that my blog isn’t just read by myself and a couple of others 😛
And you have a nice blog here 🙂
Hi Jess, thanks for the follow! 🙂
& you as well! I’m flattered that it’s not just “me, myself, & I” reading this thing. 😉
Thanks for following Jess. Keep on writing and sharing with others.
Thank you very much! I’m going to do my best, thanks for visiting my blog & reading through some of my little thoughts 😉
Thanks for following. Looking forward to reading about your thoughts and life…
Thanks so much! I do appreciate it. Hopefully it’s not too boring 😉 sometimes my life isn’t that exciting, but thanks for visiting {& following} my blog!
Hi Jess – thanks for following my blog. I was in your lovely city a few weeks ago, but I guess you figured that out already 🙂 I love your blog – you seem to have a great love of life. I look forward to more from you.
Yes, I had noticed that! Thank you so much, I really do appreciate you saying that. I try, but sometimes not so much.. I’m sure in the future there may be some “less-than-happy” venting type posts, just a warning 😉 but I try to keep it up & avoid all that. Thanks for visiting my blog!
Well, no one is upbeat ALL the time, but it sounds as if you are tackling life with a good attitude. I wish you all the best in everything you do.
Yeah, I guess that’s a very good perspective on things – I definitely try to be that way at least. Thank you very much! You are so sweet.
Thanks for visiting my blog & for the follow. Will be following you too.
“I love my family more than life, I am surrounded by the most wonderful people ever, & although I’ve had my tough times just like everyone else, I’m a pretty happy girl.”
I’m with you on that one 🙂
PeAce!
You are so sweet! Thanks for stopping by & reading a little bit about my life 😉 I really do appreciate it.
You are my first follower! Thanks so much. I’m not sure how you found it, but then I am new to this blogging world. In my professional blog, I find people to follow on twitter.
Your blog is beautiful. I look forward to reading more of your posts.
Susan
Susan, thank you so much! I was actually just browsing blogs talking about their families because sometimes I like knowing I can relate to other people & their families – or learn from the experiences of those who are different than mine. I’ll have to look ya up on Twitter & follow you there as well! 🙂 Thanks for visiting my blog, your comments are always welcome!
Hi Jess: I can tell you are a happy girl! Thanks for following my blog. I look forward to reading what you write about family and being positive.
Thank you Barbara! I definitely try to be that way! It doesn’t ALWAYS happen but I do my best 😉 I’m excited to see your posts as well. Thanks for visiting my blog today! 🙂
There are a ton of people named Jessica, this is true, In fact even a redheaded vampire on the popular HBO show True Blood. Anyway, thank you for the follow, like a previous person I have no idea what inspired it, but hey who doesn’t love fans? As a result I decided to return the follow favor and give a little check out around. A word of advice, enjoy being 20, as it doesn’t last forever… and then you get to feeling old, trust me, I know this from experience lol.
Thank you for following me, I look forward to reading more of your blog and getting to know you more 🙂
Thank you so much! I look forward to the same – thank you for stopping by, I really do appreciate it! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and following our blog. We look forward to checking in on you 🙂
Thanks so much! I’m excited to see some of your great posts 🙂
I just stopped by to thank you for visiting my humble blog!
I think you have an awesome site here full of life, fun and family. I’ll include your site on my blog roll if that’s okay. You’re welcome to visit any time.
You’re so nice to do that! Thank you so much. I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for your posts! 🙂 Feel free to stop by here as well. 🙂
Looking forward to seeing more from your newly inaugurated blog. I love that you “technically” don’t even like cats, yet you live with one! Some days, I look around and wonder how I ended up married, with twin sons and a dog – ha ha. Would love to hear Zooey’s story. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Squirrel Circus!
Hi Jess, nice to meet you and thanks for stopping by and following my blog! Looking forward to reading more about and from you. 🙂
Thank you so much! I’ll ty and stay updated on yours as well 🙂
Thanks for following my blog; I look forward to getting to know you!! I’m reading over your page now and I must say, I like it!
Thank you so much! I appreciate that a lot. 🙂 I’m hoping to keep those good posts coming!
Thanks for stopping by my blog, Jess!
You’re welcome! And you as well 🙂
Thanks for following our blog—and happy to have discovered yours!
Thank you so much! I am flattered. I’ll be sure to check up on yours every once in a while 😉
Hi Jess.
Thanks for stopping by and following my ramblings! Enjoyed your most recent posts and look forward to reading more from you.
Joell – Thank you! A lot of what I do is ramble as well so thank you for putting up with it and being willing to read some of those 😉
Thanks for dropping by, Jess. I scanned your material, and will come back to visit when I can. I just drove through UT and stayed in Ivins for a night. Beautiful country all around. I am just starting my road trip (square one is Minnesota) and will start going north next week. Besides Europe, are you going to do any “local” road trips centered around Utah? I am always looking for the path least traveled, if you know what I mean. The best to you. Kimball
Kimball, I am so sorry that somehow your comment was not replied to! I feel terrible. I even remember reading this and thinking, “I need to plan some local road trips!” and I was shocked to see that there was not a reply on here – I am terribly sorry. I actually have been planning a camping trip around here, and I would definitely like to take a little trip down to Southern Utah this summer as well. I think the path least traveled is the best one to take, and I definitely like it that way. Thank you, again, for your great comment. 🙂
{just blew away my reply…argh) Thanks for the follow-up Jess (right?). I look forward to hearing of your possible foray into southern Utah, with pix of course. I’m off to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range, looking for some history of two of my great great grandmothers. They grew up 12 miles from each other, but never met: Shingle Springs and Columa. I love the names! Anyway – safe travels. Kimball
Thanks for finding us at My Dear U.Am so glad you did because i love the cute little posts i see here and specially the fashionista in you 🙂 Thank you so much ! My Dear U is very close to our heart so thanks for letting us have a new friend in you ! Welcome 🙂
I know I already told you this in my other reply, but you really made my night! I feel so blessed to have people like you stopping by & reading a little bit about my life. I’m excited to see great posts from you! Thanks again for coming by, it means a lot to me!
Hello there!
Thanks for choosing to follow my rather (by my own admission) depressing blog 😛
Your writing is very uplifting -I’m already fan.
Have a good week 🙂
Thank you – you flatter me! & the way I see it, you write what you feel you want to write & others can like or dislike it. I kind of do the same thing – I don’t write what other people necessarily want to hear, I just write what I feel, what I think, or about what I’m interested in – regardless of how possibly depressing, random, or cheesy I may come off – I mean it’s my blog, after all 😉 & yours should be your own too! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog tonight. 🙂
Thanks for following me! Avad Fan
Definitely! Thank you for stopping by 🙂
now that’s a good thing … always smile and happy like me :p … by the way Jessica is quite common but the name is perfect on you .. Jess is good but I would like to call you Jessica 🙂 I hope you dont mind it
Thank you so much! Of course you can call me Jessica, I don’t mind it at all – in fact I do still like the name, I’ve just ended up more as “Jess” as I’ve gotten older 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Hey Jess, thanks for the follow! I’m new at this blogging, nice to know someone sees my pages worth following. You made my day 🙂
I’m so glad to hear that! I’m new to WordPress, since I just switched over from Blogger, so it’s definitely been exciting to be able to read through other people’s blogs a little bit easier than I previously could. I kind of like being connected to people in that way so it’s great to see some of your pages! Thanks for coming by my blog, I really appreciate it 🙂
Hi there~ Thanks for following me,
I went through some of your posts, both from your old and new blog, you seem interesting and cool. Let’s get to know each other~
I am a bit surprised how you came across my blog, I mean…it’s just my silly journal xD and I’ve been posting for a couple of days now.
Anyway, you following me was actually a confidence-boost so THANK YOU SO MUCH~ Please accept my digital hug -(^ω^)-
I’m glad to have come across your blog! 🙂 We bloggers have to stick together. My blog is quickly become a bit of a public journal so I can kind of relate; I’m sure it will only continue as time goes on! I really appreciate that you took the time to thumb through some of my posts, both old & new, so thank you so much! 🙂
thanks for the follow! lovely blog you have here! 🙂
Thanks so much! I appreciate you coming by 🙂
Thank you for following my posts at Grammie Travels. I hope you will enjoy the journey!
I’m looking forward to it! Thanks for stopping by mine as well! 🙂
Hi Jess! Thank you for following my blog. It’s always fun to meet new people. Jump in and comment, when you feel like it.
Thank you so much! I hope you know you are welcome to do the same – thanks for stopping by!
Thanks so much for following my blog! I’ll be checking back in here! 🙂
Hey Jess! Thanks for visiting and now following my blog! I enjoyed looking at your blog and I will be back to see what you are up to. Keep up the good work;)
Hi Jess! We seem to have a lot in common! My best friend’s name is Jessica too so I can tell you’re a good egg just by your name 😉 Thanks for following my blog. I’m looking forward to hearing more from you!
Hi Jess,
Thanks so much for visiting and following my blog – I’m really glad you like it. I really liked your blog too so will be back to catch up 🙂
Very best wishes, P.M.
Hello! Thank you so much for stopping by here, I really appreciate you taking the time to comment 🙂 I think your blog is so fun! Have a great day.
Just wanted to say thanks for following my blog. I look forward to reading more from you too 🙂
Thank you very much! I really appreciate it 🙂
You are loved my dear friend, please accept my gift for you here:
http://allaboutlemon.com/2012/06/03/more-recognition-awards-and-you-are-loved/
Thank you, that’s very sweet of you!
Thanks for the follow, your blog looks really neat and I’ll have to come back to check it out some more!
Thank you Eric! I really appreciate that 🙂 & thanks for stopping by! I’ve read through yours a bit as well, you have a really cool story. Best of luck to you!
Hi Jess, thanks for following my little blog!
You are very welcome! 🙂
Hey Jess, Thanks for following my blog, glad you like it 🙂
I like the look of yours too x
Thank you so much! 🙂 I really appreciate that.
Thanks for following and stopping by my blog. It’s refreshing to read about someone who loves their family so much — I feel pretty lucky in the family, department, too. Happy posting!
Thank you so much! And sorry that it has taken me so long to respond to you! I typically try to reply quickly, but unfortunately there are other things that have gotten in the way this week. Thank you for stopping by my blog, I hope to see great posts from you in the future!! 🙂
Hey Jess! Thanks so much for the follow!!! You are in the same age group as my kids (my oldest is 17) 😀 So it’s pretty cool that this new blog by this ‘older’ woman caught your attention. Thanks again, and I’ll be checking in on you periodically as well.
Hello! First of all, let me apologize for taking such a long time to respond to your comment! I typically try to respond quickly but I have been extremely busy in my life and other things have unfortunately gotten in the way! Just know that I definitely appreciate that you took the time to visit my blog and leave your thoughts. After visiting your blog, I was very impressed with your perspective on life and family and I look forward to more great posts. Thanks again! 🙂
😀
Hi Jess! If you love warm weather, I suggest that you visit my country, the Philippines. 🙂 We have a lot of nice beaches around here. I’m sure you’re going to fall in love with the place. Anyway, I want to thank you for taking the time to read and for following my blog. So, thank you and to God be all the gory! May God continue to bless you and your plans as you explore and appreciate God’s wonderful creations! 🙂 I look forward to see more of your wonderful shots.
Thank you so much for your comment! I apologize that it has taken me a couple days to respond – I typically try to reply very quickly, but things in my life have been somewhat insane! 😉
I will have to add the Philippines to my list of places to go – I have spoken to many people who have been there and fallen in love with it and I am confident I would be one of them! I am definitely excited to explore the world a little bit more and see all the things it has to offer. Thanks again so much for your response. I do appreciate it!
Jess
Thanks for signing up for my blog. I hope you like making some of the recipes I feature.
Jovina
Jovina, I am definitely very excited! I wouldn’t say I’m a horrible cook, but I could DEFINITELY use some practice! Thank you for stopping by my blog as well – it is much appreciated!
A BEAUTIFUL Blogger Award for you!
http://sharingmemyselfandi.wordpress.com/2012/06/14/attacked-by-awards/
Thank you so much! 🙂
You’re welcome. Keep on bloggin’
Doing my best! 🙂
Hey HunI got a nomination for Kreative Blogger Award and I turn nominated you!!!
Check out the post here and pass it on 🙂 http://chiclycute.com/2012/06/27/my-first-blog-award-kreative-blogger-award/
Thank you so much! I’m flattered!
Hi there Jess, thanks for following my blog! Love your blog too, great design and content! Good luck on your Etsy shop x
Thank you so much! I’m very excited to open it up, but it’s a big project so we’ll just have to take it one step at a time! 🙂
They have some great advice on there, if you sign up for the Etsy Success Newsletter they send you hints and tips for your shop x
Thanks for the tip! I will have to do that ASAP 🙂