New belly pics - 38 weeks

KameraWhore (a/k/a Kam) came over today to take some belly pics of me. I'm 38 weeks along now (out of 40)! It was just what I needed, truly. I hate to say it, but I have been feeling so frumpy and puffy the last couple of weeks...I felt like I had lost my pregnancy glow and was just kind of down on myself. It happens to most women toward the end, I think, because you're so uncomfy. Except for the belly...I LOVE MY BELLY, and that never changed. :) When she first got here, I just didn't know if I'd like any of the pictures we'd end up taking (no reflection on her skills). But when I looked at the pictures she took, I realized it hadn't gone anywhere at all. I think I've only been feeling that way because of the swelling and the lack of clothes/shoes that fit anymore. But seeing the pictures makes me feel like the most beautiful pregnant woman in the world again. She's a very talented photographer in addition to being one of the best friends I could ever have. And regardless of how I feel about my appearance, nothing matters except that soon my baby daughter will be here in my arms.

Karaoke Night with the Narcissisters

You didn't know the Narcissisters were also awesome singers in addition to just being plain awesome, did ya?? hehe My birthday was a couple months ago, and the gals took me out a-karaoke-ing, so we thought we'd share! I had never been before, and the place we went to was really neat. It was a place with private rooms (so no embarrassment) and mics that make you sound good. They played funny, random videos on the screen that had nothing to do with the songs. We spent about 3-1/2 hours there! I highly recommend it as a confidence-booster!! No joke. If you actually watch the whole video of us singing, you are a super devotee. ;) I apologize in advance for the chafing reference. lol "Two Best Friends Singing About Two Best Friends."

Jen, Bonnie, Kam, and Alana

You can tell we didn't know this song very well...

Post of the Year Nomination

If you've been hanging out with us at TCN for any length of time, you probably know how fond I am of Ally's blog, Shybiker. She is doing a really nice service to bloggers right now with her "Post of the Year" contest, where oldies-but-goodies posts get resurrected out of the woodwork when they might otherwise get overlooked by readers since they aren't brand new. An older post of mine called "Jenarcissist Bares All: a History of Insecurity" has made it into the top six nominees! That was the first reeeeeally personal post I wrote for our blog and detailed a lot of things I went through to become the [more-often-than-not] confident person I am today. It took a lot for me to write it, but I've never regretted it. I would love if you'd take a quick sec to vote for me if you liked it. 


Even if you don't vote for mine, and I mean this sincerely, I hope that you get something out of it that you can use in healing your own perspective of yourself. And no matter who wins, I must say, I am really enjoying seeing people vote for themselves - yeah, narcissists!! ;) 


You can vote here: http://shybiker.blogspot.com/2011/09/its-time-to-vote-poty.html

Does Wearing Lipstick Make You More Confident? Lip Noir Might!

For me, my confidence no longer depends on whether I have on makeup or not. But I'd be lying if I said it didn't give me a little boost. :) Especially when I'm wearing a fabulous shade of lipstick; there's just something about it. 

I came across this little article saying that "seventy five percent of women believe that lipstick makes them more confident, according to a L'Oréal survey." Now, the fact that the survey was conducted by one of the most prominent lipstick-makers in the world does kind of make you wonder about the statistic. hehe But I know for a lot of women, it's true. I don't think there's a thing in the world wrong with lipstick/makeup boosting your confidence as long as you're not dependent on it for the way you view yourself. Makeup is fun and creative and allows you to express yourself.

So, if you haven't heard yet, my favorite lipstick brand, Lime Crime, has just released a new collection called LIP NOIR that includes some really gorgeous colors for fall. I'm especially intrigued by the gray Chinchilla color! I have all 10 original Lime Crime lipsticks and am eager to add this one to my collection (and Mint to Be before time runs out!). They go on just like they appear in the tube...creamy, opaque, and smooth but without feeling too lipstick-y. 

The weather here has cooled off substantially all of a sudden - we'll see if it lasts, but the drizzly, cool weather definitely makes me want to don a new fall lipstick...and a jean jacket over a dress and tall boots...yeahhhh...

Click here to shop this collection or to see all the colors Lime Crime has to offer!

What’s your take on lipstick/makeup and confidence?

A Shower for Baby Narcissist

No, that's not what we're naming her. lol Let me tell you, this was the best shower I could've hoped for but felt rather surreal...it really sank in that I was not a guest at someone else's but was there because I'M the one having the baby!!

Of course Rob was there to cheerfully greet all the guests at the door.

The gorgeous hostesses: Kam, Alana, and Bonnie...thank you, my lovely
and generous friends, for making it a perfect day!

Kam was extremely proud that she won the "guess-the-circumference-of-Jen's-belly" game!

I got a perfect score on guessing all the melted candy bars in the diapers.
Do I know my chocolate or what!

Kam handmade this beautiful baby blanket!

The aftermath! We got so much stuff that it took up more than half our living room.
The cats and dogs had to investigate.

And last, but not least, this is our baby girl! If you look closely, you can make out her
chubby cheeks and chin, curled fist, her button nose, and lips like her mama's!!
I can hardly wait to meet her in person. :) 7 weeks to go!