New Year, New You

It's a New Year... New You! What are your goals, aspirations, or resolutions as we begin this new year?

For so many of us this is the time of year that we're able to reflect on the past and make our plans for how we're going to balance it all better in the future. For myself I have a renewed energy and excitement for the year to come.

My goals in no particular order for this year are...

to post here on a regular basis while also connecting with so many of you fellow fabulous bloggers - you all inspire me!

Stella & Dot Spring Sneak Peek + ModCloth dress

to empower other women to style their own life as they launch or manage their career as a Stella & Dot Stylist. Stella & Dot has provided me the opportunity to work at home full time, contribute to the family income, and the flexibility to be there for my family. I have high hopes and goals for the year to come and will be working hard with our team to help them meet their dreams as well!

2010 photography

to drastically expand my manual mode skills in photography...aperature, ISO, shutter speed, and so on! I desperately want to feel confident with my skills by the end of 2011!

family + friends

to build and nurture my relationships with God, my family, and dear friends.

Here's to an amazing & fabulous 2011!

I disappeared...

and I'm trying to figure out how to transition back into the blogging world.

October was busy enjoying our amazingly warm weather, the start of our busy Stella & Dot season, Halloween fun, and the beginning of November was here before I could believe it.

On the morning of Friday, November 5th I was sleeping in late when I heard the doorbell ring. I was home alone (an absolute rare occurrence) and my mind instantly began to try and figure out who might be at the door at 9:00 a.m. - UPS, FedEx, Wyatt's neighborhood friends? No, too early. Joe had taken the day off from work, but actually had to head into work to get a couple of things finished up. The kids had the day off from school, but had spent the night at my in-laws because Joe and I had been out late the night before at The Zac Brown Band concert.

The doorbell rang a second time with a bit more determination and by then I was looking out the windows upstairs to see if there was a car - and then I heard the doorknob turning and footsteps in the entryway. My heart was racing and I started to head back to my bedroom to go grab the phone...

My mom was on the landing of the stairs and my heart was relieved at first, but then immediately I knew something was wrong. I headed down the stairs with the help of my mom because my legs weren't working so well and my mind started racing again. Was it Joe? Did he get in an accident on his way home from picking up the kids after work? Was it Dad? Then I saw my Dad at the bottom of the stairs waiting for me. Once I was on solid ground my parents told me the news I had worried I might hear some day.....

My little brother, Jon, had passed away. He lost his battle with addiction - a battle he fought for almost 1/2 of his life.


We spent the day together as a family on my couch with blankets, boxes of tissues, and plenty of chocolate. Joe took care of us all so well - making us soup and grilled cheese and any other food he could prepare as a comfort. We had some visitors - my dear girlfriends whose hearts broke for us and who I will forever be grateful for showing up at my front door and praying with us and our beloved "Aunt Sherry" who came immediately the minute she heard the news.


Five days later my mom shared our loss on her blog and we were so amazed by the outpouring of prayers, support, and comfort from friends, family, fellow bloggers, fellow addicts, and many others.

We celebrated Jon's life on November 20th with a Memorial Service. We celebrated his artistic talents, his sweet soul, his loving heart, and his deep desire to be free from his addiction. The words from the song Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin couldn't be more true...His chains are gone and he's been set free.


As we begin a new year I'm still dealing with what we lost last year, but I'm so thankful for our family and friends that have supported us and continue to do so through prayer and love. I praise God for His promise (Romans 8:35-39) and am hopeful for the future.

So I'm officially transitioning back into the blogging world and look forward to sharing "our storey" with you in 2011. Happy New Year....

These are a few of my favorite things...

chanel.com

I love the smell of gardenia's - light, airy, and a little sweet! Mmmm... what a joy to have found this fragrance a couple of year's ago - timeless, classic, with a touch of gardenia!

stelladot.com/jennstorey

Pearls...need I say more?!!! With my Little Black Dress or with my plaid shirt for a twist on the classic.

bareescentuals.com

Bare Escentuals Boxom lip gloss...these go with me everywhere I go!

image via art.com

Oh, how I love the beauty of the hydrangea! No matter if it is white, green, pink, or periwinkle - I adore them! They were in my bouquet on my wedding day and they are planted in our back yard around our patio. I plan to always surround myself with them!

and last, but not least...

celebrating life's amazing moments with friends I've known for more than 1/2 of my life!

I'd love to hear what tops your list of favorite things!

Match made in heaven...

Ann...meet Stella & Dot!!!! I just know you all will love each other!

I am so over the moon in love with the new fall line from Ann Taylor Loft!

Ann has been catching my eye for a little while now, but now she has absolutely won me over. I don't know what to buy first and I already know which Stella & Dot jewels I would wear with my favorite looks!

Let's play dress up....

Wasn't that fun?!! Thanks for playing with me!

Hoopla 2010 - Stella & Dot

It is amazing to think that it has been a little over 4 weeks since I returned from an unforgettable trip to San Francisco with Stella & Dot. Each July we celebrate a new Fall line, the accomplishments of the past year, and all of the excitement to expect in the coming year - and we call it Hoopla!

We do it all in style and by style I mean our passion and joy, because they are our most important accessories!

From the Fashion Show,

to the gorgeous jewels,

to the cocktail parties,
myself & Missy

our Virginia & Indiana team

to our amazing leaders,
Blythe, Jessica, and Mike

to the training,
Maya Brenner discussing upcoming releases

to our fabulous National Director of Training Danielle Redner,
Missy, myself, and Danielle

to our new friends we've met along the way,

to the wonderful city of San Francisco,

and to our Gala Event

where we celebrate with dinner,

awards,
and dancing!

I am leading a bold and joyful life as an Independent Stylist based out of Indianapolis. Our Stylists know what we want and we work for it. We inspire each other!

We love what we do - with all the challenges, achievements, and growth that comes with it.

Because we're in it to make a difference, not only in our lives, but in the lives of others.

I am so honored and excited to be a part of this young company and I want other women to be aware of the amazing opportunity so that she too can "style her own life".

We Are Family

My very talented friend Loree of Loree Alayne Photography spent a couple hours with us back in June and created wonderful, artistic family photos that we will cherish forever. The photos were all taken on the grounds of the Lilly House at the Indianapolis Museum of Art - just spectacular!

She was able to capture photos of the four of us,

just me with the kids,

just Joe with the kids,


with all of us,




the kids with Mimi & Papa,

the cute couples,



and two of my all time favorites that captured the love and joy of our family

and my passion for fashion!


Thanks so much Loree - we love the photos and we love you!

Aquas, and Greens, and Our Front Door...Oh My!

Wishing, and hoping, and thinking, and praying.... for an aqua & green abstract landscape painting for above our fireplace! And look at what we have now! This is just the start to our neutral palette with touches of aqua and green. I love it and can't wait to keep pulling the entire look together.

My amazingly talented mom, Paula Prass, is the artist behind our first piece of art in our new home! I can't think of a better way to begin an art collection than with a piece from my mom.

I found a set of aqua lamps with cream shades from our local Marshall's. I love the color and the distressed look of the base. I'm using one in the entryway below and the other one will be used in our dining room. I'll be adding more to both spaces and will be sure to take you along during the transformations.

Next on our list was an update to our front door. I had been inspired by another blog (one that I would link to if I could remember it!) and have a passion for typography, vintage signs, etc. So, this was the perfect project to cross off of our list quickly. I ordered the vinyl design from Uppercase Living and I'm so happy with how easy it was to apply as well as how well it turned out!

Clean and classic with a twist - just what I adore!