Jen Russum

Summer Goals

Summer Goals

Now that it's AUGUST{!!!}, I guess I should share my summer goals with y'all. Some of my best friends and I have made a summer goals list every summer for the past 8 or 9 years. Usually our goals are a mix of practical to-dos, fun events, new projects to try, and possibly some intellectual or spiritual aspirations. I actually made my list way back in May like we normally do every year, but for some reason I forgot to share it on the blog {and by "some" reason I mean traveling, moving and prepping for a baby}, but it's not too late. My goal is to get these things done by Baby Russum's arrival in mid-September... Get wedding dress professionally cleaned Read Baby Wise {halfway done!} Organize and make all recipes Clean photos off computer and cloud Read, clip, and discard lingering magazine pile Get new house organized and decorated before baby's arrival Usually my list is a little more adventurous, but since growing and having a baby is my grandest adventure yet, my list is bit more low key this year. And just FYI, I did get my wedding dressed clean. I'm not sure if it was a waste of $100 or not. I figure I can't sell it or lend it to anyone unless it's clean. I could, however, keep it crumpled in the back of the closet with its grass stains and use it for random dress-up nights. Can't say that hasn't happened before... ... Read more

Keyword Analysis #8

Keyword Analysis #8

It's that time again! I know it's been a while, but I've been saving up some great keyword searches for you, even while my blogging has been sporadic these past few months. These are the terms people typed into a search engine that led them to my blog. The moral of the story is... people on the Internet are CRAZY. Read past Keyword Analysis posts HERE. Asthma sexy... There is nothing sexier than shortness of breath and taking big ol' puffs off an inhaler. Let me tell ya. I don't have asthma but during my first year of grad school I got tested for it... I've really never felt more attractive. Life's hard and suffering... Yep. Tom's on wide feet... Story of my life. Not cute. Tom's had a warehouse sale in Tempe, AZ last week. It was the talk of the town and only a few minutes from my house. Did I attend? Nope. Tom's do not look good on me. How to dress frumpy... I sincerely hope this person did NOT find the answer to this question on my blog. Semi mushroom haircut... Really? You want this hairstyle? I would recommend you talk to my best friend who had a locks-of-love-donation-turned-mushroom haircut in college. I think she would steer you in a new direction. My ears pierced... Hmm... you probably shouldn't come to me for advice on this subject, since I don't have pierced ears. I used to, but after an incident playing basketball at recess in 5th grade caused one of my holes to tear, I haven't worn earrings since. I think I could actually still push a ring through both ears, but I don't, because they would hang unevenly due to my recess injury. But if anyone has advice on where to find clip-ons that don't hurt one's earlobes, I'm interested in what you have to say. Wedding day clip-ons Bad graduate student writing... Again... I really hope you didn't find what you were looking for on my blog. However, I confess that I have probably produced a fair amount of bad writing in my three years of grad school thus far. That's part of the process, right? How to look like DJ Tanner...  This is a question I've been trying to find the answer to basically my whole life. ... Read more

The Bump: Officially Documented

The Bump: Officially Documented

I have a knack for finding up and coming photographers. I love photos. I think all important occasions - engagement, wedding, pregnancy, babies, etc. - should be documented on camera if possible. However, the price for photographers sometimes makes me think twice. Actually, it doesn't make me think twice. I think a good photography session is totally worth the money. My husband, on the other hand, isn't so eager to invest our hard earned dollars to traipse around outdoors during the "magic hour" of light while dressed in coordinating clothes just so I can capture some memories. However, I can usually get him to go along with a photo shoot if I can find a deal. But then there's the other side of the photography coin... paying an "affordable" professional photographer and getting mediocre pictures in return. That's the worst. I'd rather take photos myself than pay someone for lackluster pictures. So what's a girl to do, especially when she's pregnant with her first child? Just like with my wedding, when I found Alex {who just moved to NYC to go to Parsons by the way - I seriously know how to pick em!}, I started scoping out my options for local photographers after moving to Arizona. My scoping methods basically involve paying attention to my Instagram and Facebook feeds and noting good pictures taken of friends and family in the area. The secret is to find someone who is insanely talented but undiscovered. You pay them a fair price for their time and experience and get some amazing photos in return. My searching paid off because when I found out I was pregnant, I knew exactly who I wanted to take my maternity photos.... the sweetest sixteen year old girl who is a self-taught photographer with a knack for nailing aperture. Notice all the blurry trees and water in the background of our photos. Love. So Emma Thompson, thank you for taking some phenomenal pictures of the Russums as we become a family of three. Keep your schedule clear in September so we can hire you to take some newborn pics! |Linking up with W&P| ... Read more