10 Things I can't live without - Jessica Burne Davis

Hi Everyone!  Some of you may have read my 10 Things I can' live without post.  Well, I thought it was a fun exercise and I thought it would be a great way to introduce you to my team and make them think about what fuels their fires.  First off is Jessica Burne Davis who I introduced a while back. Yes, you heard me right. We have the same last name.  Jessica A and Jessica B Davis - I could tell you all kinds of funny stories about this. But more on that later. Jess B is my right hand woman.  Here is her top 10 list:

Black Goody Hair Tie  - Since the age of 5 my hairstyle vacillates between being long and slightly less long. Yet I can’t go more than a few hours with my hair down. I buy these hair ties in bulk and have them everywhere in case a hair emergency strikes.  More often than not you’ll find me in a ponytail or bun.

Neostrata Bionic Face Serum - I am cursed with dry, oily and sensitive skin. This serum is a miracle. I apply it before bed and when I wake up my skin is smooth and flawless. It’s magic in bottle. Too bad it can’t take off those 10 pounds I would like to lose!

Keurig - Waking up in the morning for me is torture. I’m so envious of my bright-eyed non-coffee drinking husband. Since I am the only one who needs a caffeine jolt, my Keurig is a lifesaver.  I can brew 1 or 2 cups (ok – sometimes 3) in the morning without waiting for a huge carafe to fill.  I do feel badly about the environmental waste of the K-Cups, but I’m not ready to sacrifice the convenience.

Mac Eyebrow Pencil - My relationship with my eyebrows is complicated.  Let me preface by saying that I’ve always loved my dark strong brows.  Due to my sensitive skin, waxing makes me red and raw. So, I’ve been doing my own shaping for years. I even survived the 90s without over plucking.  But the left is high and the right is low. One is spiky and the other arched.  I discovered the Mac eyebrow pencil a few years ago when I went to Kelly Shultz of Julu Beauty. She’s an amazing local esthetician who taught me to use makeup to add definition and shape without overusing the tweezers.

White Cotton Bath Towels - My dream would be to have weekly spa appointments on my calendar.  Unfortunately, with my hectic schedule and tight wallet, this is an impossibility. So I pamper myself however I can. My morning routine is more indulgent using spa quality towels. My favorite brand right now is the Hudson Park collection from Bloomingdale's. They are super luxurious for the price.

Sunglasses - Sunglasses are accessories that I can't live without. Even on a cloudy day they are always within close reach. Most of the time, sunglasses will be either on my face or pushed up to keep my hair back. While I love the aviator look, I find the frame gets tangled in my ponytail.  Right now I love this retro cat-eye from Tory Burch.

Statement Earrings - I’ve discovered fun jewelry later in life.  When I was little I remember making fun of my mom when she wore statement necklaces.  Now the joke is on me because I can’t leave the house without wearing something bold. My latest obsession is gold dangly earrings.  They transform my black yoga pants and jean jacket into a stylish put-together outfit.

Microsoft Excel - I have to admit I’m a huge Microsoft Excel geek. There's nothing that a good spreadsheet can't fix. Pivot tables, vlookups and macros become my personal challenges. I'd like to say my nerdy tendencies are just limited to work but actually that’s not true. I use spreadsheets for birthday parties, menus and recipes, and if I go far enough back in time I can probably find the study guides I used in college.

Kindle E-Reader - I am a voracious reader and never thought the day would come when I preferred an e-reader over an actual book. Since most of the classics are free in digital form, I’ve rediscovered gems that I either never read or didn’t appreciate in high school.  Somehow it’s easier to tackle a 1,000 page tome without having to hold it in your hand.  On the flipside, I can discreetly devour the Twilight Series without any nosey passerby glancing at a trashy book cover.

Target - What can I say about the magical place I call, in a chic French accent, Tar-jay? This store fits every one of my needs.  A quick trip for milk and eggs ends with a hammered brass bowl in my checkout cart. Or I’ll go looking for clothes for my daughters and come home with a new shade of nail polish. Regardless of my shopping list, I’ll come home from Target with things I never knew I needed but that I am so happy to have.

Thanks Jess B! It was so fun to read this list. Several of these items (sunglasses! Target!) are high on my list too. Can't wait to see what the rest of the team comes up with.