Day One: Introduce Yourself.
Here is a fact I hope you have picked up on: My name is Jamie Hartley. I’m 27 (eek) which officially makes me like the oldest person on Tumblr. I was born and raised in San Francisco and now live in New York City. I’m Greek, Native American, French, and English; probably taller than you; and most of the time, blonde. I have a beautiful 8 year old daughter (Lyric) and the world’s most amazing boyfriend (Ky). I work in PR and event production. My passions are music, dance (ballet particularly), reading, yoga, musical theatre, rock climbing, reiki, travel, surfing, and shoes. I’m an Aquarius, Spontaneous Idealist, and an ESFP; if you really want to get a feel for me, look up those traits. And if you’re not scared away, we’re probably soul mates.
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Day Two: Your First Love.
As the story usually goes, my first love was my high school sweetheart, Jake. He was my first real friend when my family moved from California to Florida in my freshman year; we were introduced by our respective cousins, who were friends. He was a year older, a straight-edge club kid who DJ’d on the weekends, wore giant furry cow-print pants (which he made himself) and had blue hair; I was smitten immediately. We had an amazing, intense relationship (as intense as you can get in high school, anyway), became like the poster kids for love, Cutest Couple, etc etc.. and mostly just had a shit-load of fun for 2 years. We broke up when our high school overpopulated and had to split into two; he transferred to the new school and we decided to “take a break” to adjust. And, well, it was high school, so… The End.
It seems like everybody’s first love breaks their heart, but we never really went through that. Breaking up sucked, for certain, but there have never been any hard feelings. We’re still very good friends, and though he’s since gone square- back to his natural hair color, chucked the cow pants, joined the military, and got married- he’s still one of the sweetest and kindest guys I’ve ever known; I think if I didn’t have that experience with him, I would have given up on love a long time ago.
So there you go, everybody I have ever loved; you have him to thank.
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Day Three: Your Parents.
Oh jesus, well, to put it simply, my parents are the most ridiculous people you will ever meet.
They got together when I was just a baby (if that doesn’t make sense, I’ll clarify: my dad adopted me, and I don’t know much of my biological father) and I don’t really recall them ever getting along; I would imagine they were in love and happy at some point, but it’s hard for me to really picture. Despite that, they are amazing parents, and I had a very happy childhood. They finally divorced just a few years ago and now they are basically best friends who hate each other. Love/Hate, yeah, they define it.
My dad’s cool and slightly scary; he’s 6’5”, shaved head, covered in tattoos, and lives for punk and metal (which does make him sound a bit of a neo-Nazi, but no). He’s a lawyer, though recently left his job and is making noise about opening his own restaurant; he’s a brilliant cook and was actually the “official” chef of the Warped Tour a few years back. He’s pretty badass, and has always been more of a friend than a proper dad.. regardless, he’s a great one and I love him.
My mom is a split personality soccer mom and biker chick… and absolutely amazing. If you picture Tina Fey, as Sarah Palin, on a Harley… yeah, that is pretty much her. She’s a 16 year (and counting- knock wood, praise jesus, etc) cancer survivor, and has dealt with more awful things than she’s ever deserved, but she’s fought every one head on and come out all the more amazing at the end. She’s scrappy, stubborn as hell, and fiercely independent; she’s also hilarious, spontaneous, adventurous and a little flaky.. but she’s such a blast. She was always the cool easy-going mom; she was everybody’s mother really. Even now, my friends still call her Mom and go to her when they need anything. She’s basically just the most beautiful and incredible person in the world. If I can be even a fraction of the mother- and woman- that she is, life will be absolutely grand.
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Day Four: What You Ate Today.
Breakfast: an asiago bagel with veggie cream cheese and turkey bacon and an iced chai latte (Au Bon Pain love!)
Snack: a cranberry, apple, grape, and brie plate (also Au Bon Pain) and a peach iced tea to kill the chai teeth .
Lunch: grilled chicken with hummus and tahini sauce in malawach, Israeli salad, and baklava. and mango juice. My best friend and I went to Hoomoos Asli in Nolita… I have very little experience with Israeli food, but everything was absolutely amazing (well… the baklava was not quite as good as my grandmother’s, but then, nothing is)
Snack: Yoga Bunny Pret Pot, Yoga Bunny water, and a brownie (believe me when I say it is a rare day that I do not stop at Pret at some point)
Dinner: Baked cheesy chicken penne (recipe from Real Mom Kitchen)
I LOVE FOOD, OK
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30 Day Challenge
Day Five: Your Definition Of Love.
I do not believe there is one. In fact, I believe if you can actually explain what it is you’re feeling… it is probably not love.
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30 Day Challenge
Day Six: Your Day.
(This was yesterday. My bad.)
I woke up at 6:30, after not falling asleep until after 4 am (yay sleep disorders!), made breakfast for my daughter and I (apple cinnamon french toast), got her ready and off to school, then slept for another hour and a half. Got up, got ready, took the train to work. Worked.
Went to lunch at Brgr in Chelsea with my best friend (she lives 10 blocks from my work, which I love, cause I get to see her nearly every day) and her boyfriend- I had the garden brgr with gruyere and avocado, sweet potato fries, and a blueberry pomegranate shake, all of which were awesome and delicious.
Went back to work- my bosses are both researching/writing a book and producing 4 shows this season so everything is starting to get insane, and I love it. Racks of clothes and shoes are filling up the offices and I’m a little bit in heaven!
Got out of work at 4, picked my daughter up, then went to Pommes Frites and split a double cone with mango chutney mayo… I live for Pommes Frites. Hung out at home a bit, then took Ly over to my mom’s and tried to spend some time with her, but since I don’t particularly care to sit around and watch my mom’s boyfriend attempt to suck her face off (apparently he moved back in again), I left.
Then I met up with my former roommate Cameron and we went to Friday Night Philosophy at Pure Yoga. Lena, Mila, and Asha (triple threat) met us there after, and we took the train to my boyfriend’s apartment in Bushwick, picked up him and his roommate, then went to the Zlatne Uste Golden Fest.
The rest is a happy drunken blur of šljivouzo and folk dancing. If you have never partied with Slavic/Balkan/Mediterranean people, you have not been living.
Part 2 is on tonight.
Day Seven: Your Best Friend.*
It’s no big secret to anyone that my best friend Lena and I are completely in love with each other; it’s a fact we both freely admit and do nothing to hide. She’s the love of my life and I’m just in awe of everything about her. She’s basically the reason I like girls, and also the reason I will never get seriously involved with another one.. cause no one else could ever measure up.
We met in March 2004 (introduced by a mutual friend- actually my ex-boyfriend) and it was claws out from the first second; we did not get on so well. My first impression of her was abrasive, loud mouth. Eurotrash bitch- she later told me she immediately pegged me as a spacey, spoiled, tree-hugging brat; we both turned out to be completely right, of course, but it took a few weeks for us to actually appreciate these qualities about each other. Once we started talking though, we realized how perfectly suited we really were; and the world was a much happier place for it.
She’s my best friend because she’s the most honest person I know; she tells it like it is whether I want to hear it or not… actually, especially if I don’t want to hear it. She’s always been there for me, without fail, and she lets me fall apart when I need to.. but she knows the exact moment I need to stop and put myself back together. She’s the perfect amount of bitch, but she’s also fun and hilarious and thoughtful and sweet (but don’t tell her I said that).. and quite seriously the most beautiful girl in existence. Most of all, I know she has my back, no matter what.
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* other nominees in this category included: Cameron, Spencer, Jackson, and Ky, whom I adore and whose friendships I value just as equally.
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30 Day Challenge
Day Eight: A Moment.
I just nearly broke my head trying to narrow this down to one. There are just way too many amazing moments in life.
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30 Day Challenge
Day Nine: Your Beliefs.
This is so vague and open, I’m not sure which direction to go. Above all things, I believe in love?
I don’t personally believe in organized religion and so I don’t identify as anything. I do follow a lot of the principles of Mahayana Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, but more from a philosophical view than religious. I also have a lot of Native American spirituality deeply ingrained.. and a love of all things paranormal.
I believe in… being you, and doing what you love. Accepting others, respecting the earth, and always keeping an open mind.
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Day Ten: What You Wore Today.
To work: a white button down with a greyscale snakeskin pleated skirt, dark grey tights, knee-high tan leather boots, and a black boucle Smythe coat (which is my new favourite thing ever!). oh, and a tan cable knit infinity scarf.
Ducked out of work early for costume change back into my standard dark skinny jeans, an olive green tank, and another sheer nude sequined tank layered over. Same coat, boots, and scarf. (Went to see Ellie Goulding at JFK and then Thom Bar for drinks with my- for lack of a better word- friend Aria).
And when I got home, clothes came off, cause I hate wearing things in my apartment. This is why I own an absurd amount of cute underwear.
And now bed.
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30 Day Challenge
Day Eleven: Your Siblings.
My favorite people in the world!
I’ll start with my big (half) brother Luke, who is just so fantastic I can’t stand it. The two main things about him are: 1) He is a huge pothead and 2) He is a huge gay. The combination makes for some amazing and hilarious times… I don’t know anyone who has hung out with him and not had a good time. Growing up, we pretty much tormented each other.. leaving us alone together was guaranteed to end in disaster and bite marks; typical brother-sister mess. But as I got into middle school and he started high school, he got cooler, and then I just wanted to be around him all the time, even though he never wanted me… but when we lost our middle sister, we didn’t really have anybody but each other. It’s a horrible way to go about it, but it really brought us together, and by the time I went to high school (and he left it), we were like best friends. I rarely get to see him now, and I miss him horribly, but we still talk every day. He’s just hysterical… and add into the mix his equally stoned, equally gay future-husband (whom I also consider my brother), and it is never a dull moment with those two!
My little (half) sister Alyssa and I have an… odd relationship. I basically despised her from the time she was born until she was maybe 14 or 15… then I just kind of tolerated her for awhile. Now I’m to the point where I’m like, yeah ok, you’re my sister, so I guess I love you. We do get along now, and sometimes I even kind of like her- as she gets older (she’s 18 now), she’s getting better. I can’t even really tell you why I disliked her so much, except maybe that she was a total brat (still is a little bit)…. as most little sisters are.
Except my little sister Lizzie. She is the youngest sister of my ex-husband (and 2 years younger than me), which technically makes her my sister in law, but I consider her (and my two other sisters-in-law) my family as much as anyone else. Lizzie floats… it’s the best way I can describe her. She’s all light and air and sweet and dreamy. She’s a romantic, but cannot settle or make a decision to save her life. She has a degree in fine art and swears she is constantly chasing pieces; I think she just can’t sit still. Currently she’s living in Italy… but more accurately, she’s in the clouds, and it’s what I love most about her.
Next is Emily- she’s my fellow middle (older by 2 years) and most like me; so much that- minus the differing accents- most people just assume we’re blood related. Much like Lizzie, she can’t settle down and is always chasing the next high… she just does it in a more obvious way. She’s a bright and bubbly ball of energy, quite loud and a bit edgy, and her only concern in life is having a good time. Everything about her is unpredictable; except the fact that a call to her is a guaranteed adventure, every time. She’s a girl you want in your corner… though she’ll probably end up getting you into some kind of trouble, she will always be there to bail you right out of it- and drag you onto the next. She’s one of my best friends and I get along with her better than anybody.
Lastly is Cat, the oldest of all of us and probably the only actual adult in the group. She lives in the suburbs in Surrey with her awesome husband Shane and their three kids- Katie, Charlie, and Henry, who are my little love bugs. I’m not as close to her as the rest because she’s, you know, a grown up… but she’s probably what most people want in a big sister (stable) and I do look up to her. And though she really does have her shit together, once you get her into the city and away from the housewife-y atmosphere, she is a whole lot of fun to be around. Truthfully, I admire the hell out of her.
And that is (I think) the whole motley crew.
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30 Day Challenge
Day Twelve: What’s In Your Bag.
I actually had no idea so I had to dump everything out and take inventory.
(I switch my bag pretty much every day and just kind of dump everything from one to the other without really paying attention to what is even there. Currently sporting a black Marc Jacobs Stam)
The outside pocket has my “wallet” (a little teal skeleton-key print hard backed case) which has my ID, bank card, credit card, Metrocard, and a whopping $43 in cash (where did that come from?! I actually hate cash). There’s also a random hair clip and a $50 Urban Outfitters card that I’m pretty sure is spent.
Inside:
Wallet # 2 (teal faux snakeskin)- Native ID, another Urban gift card (?!), library card, grocery discount card, health insurance card, a dozen member cards to various shops, and second credit card
makeup bag (Ecotools)- John Masters SPF, B&BW sanitizers (Apple Pie and Grape), condoms, tampons, about 17 lip balms, some hair ties, an anti-hangover essential oil roller, mini Burberry London, nail file
Lagoon blue Ecosystem planner
red Moleskine sketch/note book
camera
keys to work and my boyfriend’s apartment
Orbit Bubblemint gum
Colgate Bubblegum wisps
mini first-aid kid
Ole Henriksen Red Tea face mist
iPod and Penguin earbuds
a few mocha Clif Shots
mini box of crayons
a few bags of Earl Grey
a baggie of goji berries
a mint tin of tylenol etc
various pens and markers
travel bottle of Little Twig lavender lotion
black Gap city flats (necessary)
packets of Emergen-C Blue
kleenex
2 Nature’s Path Hemp granola bars
a stray broken feather earring
sunglasses
a handful of Pumpkin Spice Nips (heaven)
I’m not sure what bag essentials are, but it’s probably not any of this.
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Day Thirteen: This Week.
This week was so lame.
I spent most of Sunday recovering from Golden Fest. I missed my morning kickboxing class (which, honestly, I often do. Cause it’s 10 on a Sunday morning, fuck that). I bummed around most of the day, save for a couple hours doing volunteer food delivery.
Monday was a holiday, Ly had no school, so we spent some time with my mom, but more accurately we just played with her dogs for awhile while her obnoxious boyfriend monopolized all of her time. Then we went home and ordered a pizza, Ky came over to set up the new electric fireplace he got us for Christmas (awesomeee) and we spent the rest of the night watching season 1 of Mad About You.
Tuesday Ky left for Sundance, boooo hiss lame! I worked and then Ly and I watched season 2 of Mad About You all night haha.
Wednesday, more work. I had lunch with my former roommate Cam, which was so so nice. He’s the most amazing, calming influence and since work is so ridiculously crazy lately, I needed his zen. After work, I went to Hot Power Caponyasa (an intense combo of capoeira and vinyasa yoga) and went home and continued the Mad About You marathon (listen, I got seasons 1-5 for Christmas, I’m in heaven!)
Thursday I worked a little bit, and skipped out to see Ellie Goulding at JFK. On my way home my former whatever-she-was Aria texted me asking if I wanted to get a drink, so I met her at 60 Thompson and we discussed how she has a Lojack on my boyfriend because she only calls me when he’s out of town.
Friday was lame and loser-y. I met my Lena for a quick lunch at Pret (yeah) and mostly worked a lot. More than I’m used to. After work Ly and I had a Skype date with our London fam, and the rest of the night was made for home-made milkshakes, catching up on the DVR, and waiting for the snow to fall!
Which it did, finally, around 3 am. It was by no means the blizzard I so badly crave, but it’s still snow!
Saturday I blessedly got to sleep in. Sleep, glorious sleep. We lazed around a bit most of the morning, then bundled up to head into the snow for some serious shopping (I knew there was a reason I got this job thing!). Later on I met some friends to play pool at a dingy dive on Avenue C.
Today was even lamer than the rest, which Sundays usually are. I had a pretty good chakra flow session this morning (I also signed up for an amazing Bhagavad Gita course all next week, which I am so excited for), but then most of the events of the day conspired to completely ruin my mood. The snow went all mushy and black and melty, so I took the kid for a pretty damp and miserable walk, got burgers for dinner, then came home and are currently curled up in front of the faux-fireplace again. I love this thing. Perfect end to a mediocre day, actually.
Have a good week, people!
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30 Day Challenge
Day Fourteen: What You Wore Today.
To work: a lime green tissue v-neck tee, black rose-ruffled silk skirt, black lace tights, black boyfriend blazer, and black lace-up hiker-esque ankle boots. And my usual half-dozen layered necklaces.
I felt a bit early-90’s metal something; I don’t usually wear that much black.
Now I’m home (bumming around and waiting for my Lena to get here), so: one of my boyfriend’s (many many) flannels, and red Tommy Hilfiger boy briefs with little brown penguins all over them. I am cool.
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30 Day Challenge
