The Global Goals

PS washable markers... not very washable
Today is International Day of Peace.
I don't think there's a more perfect day to talk about the Global Goals and the goal that I care about (although all of them are so important for sustainable development and changing the world for the better, what a lofty goal).

First, what are the Global Goals?
On September 25 (that's this Friday!) world leaders from 193 countries will commit to complete 17 goals in 15 years. Their ultimate goal is to accomplish 3 things:
1. End extreme poverty
2. Fight inequality and injustice
3. Fix climate change
This seems impossible, and in 2000 world leaders made a similar commitment, The Millennium Development Goals, and not all of the goals were met. A lot of the new goals are the same. To me, this just means that we need to work even harder to make sure our leaders and everyone is held accountable and works hard.

My goal is #16: Peace & Justice
ALL of the Global Goals are important, but I think #16 is the foundation that we need. Without the right institutions how can we even imagine solving other problems? Strong institutions, foundations, will support the rest of the goals.

Pick your goal and share it with every human you've ever come in contact with.
Post it on facebook, youtube, instagram, twitter, tumblr. Everywhere.
Make the goals famous.
(use #GlobalGoals)

- Jess

1989 World Tour!

Guys.
Last night was the greatest night of my life.
How can anything else compete?!
I got to see my favorite person sing my favorite songs and there were 14,999 other people there also having the greatest night of their lives.
IT WAS AMAZING
Look at that Columbus native on the big screen playing instruments for Tay. I aspire to be you, sir. 
I'm pretty sure if you talk to me or even see me for more than 2 seconds you will know that Taylor Swift is my favorite human on this earth. It's the truth. I'm not ashamed. I'm sitting here admiring my 1989 phone case as we speak (write? read?).
I know that not everyone feels that way and it's okay to be wrong sometimes. You'll come around. Everyone does (looking at you people who jumped on the bandwagon after this ICONIC album).
Loving him was RED & we were all RED. DEAD.
Anyway, on to what is important.
TAY CAME TO COLUMBUS.
This is the third time I have seen her in this same arena (RIP Speak Now tour that I missed *sobs*) and I am in love with every second of all three shows.
Her tours are the only time that I LOVE surprises.
I didn't look up anything about the show; I unfollowed all of the Taylor tumblrs (except hers, duh); I ignored all of the buzzfeed articles, no matter how enticing; I refused to listen to Emily when she tried to tell me spoilers. There is NOTHING like the anticipation of what is happening next at Taylor's shows because I know that I will never be disappointed.
However, I did know one thing, the only spoiler I let Emily tell me:
SHE PLAYS ENCHANTED!!!
Listen, Enchanted is my all time favorite song. It has changed my life, honestly. #tb to above where I say that I missed the Speak Now tour. That means that I have never heard Enchanted live and it's all I've ever wanted. During the RED tour I tweeted and tweeted and tweeted Taylor to play it in Columbus, but alas she played it the night before in Louisville *insert tears*.
But my time has come!
I had been looking forward to the Wildest Dreams/Enchanted mashup since the tour started. I actually cried (more like sobbed) every time she sang Enchanted. Yes girl, last night was sparkling and I will not let it go.
I'll see you again, Tay.
If you are going to the 1989 World Tour, be prepared. The light up bracelets are the greatest. You will be dancing, it'll happen even if you don't want it to. You must know all of the words to every Taylor Swift song ever. Everyone else will know them and you never know what song she will play. Then, when you know all of the words and you are screaming along just know that you will hurt the next day, but you won't regret a second. Even if you think you know what's going to happen, you don't. 

Here's what I wore to see the queen: 
(I cannot count on my fingers and toes how many times people told me/commented like I couldn't hear that I look like her. I know. Thank you. It's not on purpose, but it works.)

Casual pole coming out of my head there...
Hat: H&M
Sunglasses: Topshop (similar)
Top: Pitaya
Jacket: Forever 21
Skirt: H&M
Boots: Plato's Closet

I STILL HAVE NO CHILL

- Jess

All the Bright Places | Review

I'm going to stop you now with a spoiler alert!
If you read any further you will find out what happens in this aaaah-mazing book and while I want you to continue reading this blog, go read the book first. Trust me.
"People rarely bring flowers to a suicide."
There isn't a better day to share my love for this book than World Suicide Prevention Day (that's today, September 10th). 
I don't know any statistics about suicide and I'm not going to make any up to make it sound horrific because it's already pretty clear that it is a terrible thing. It breaks my heart to know that some people feel that the only way for them to escape their hardships is with death. Why have we let things get this far? 

"The problem with people is they forget that most of the time it's the small things that count."
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven is by far the best book I have read in a really long time. So good, in fact, that I read it in one day. I haven't done that since the last Harry Potter book. 
As you can probably imagine by now, this book is largely about suicide and the stigmas surrounding grief and mental disorders.
It's the story of Finch and Violet, two high school seniors in Indiana (shoutout to the Midwest!). They meet at the top of their school's bell tower and their lives are never the same again. Their lives become permanently entwined and they change each other, at least a little bit. Finch helps Violet become a bit of who she was before and a bit of a new, better Violet too. Violet gives Finch something to live for, if only for a little while. 
At the end, I knew what was going to happen. I think I knew the ending the entire time I was reading, but it's one of those things that I refused to believe. Even chapters after I wasn't sure it was real. Even as all of the tears fell (honestly all of them, have approx 12 tissue boxes ready).
It's a story of growing up, love, adventure, trust, loss, and heartbreak.
It is a rollercoaster of emotions.

"The future is uncertain, but that can be a good thing."
It's okay to feel sad and terrible and hopeless, but you aren't alone.
If you're in the United States the suicide hotline number is 1(800)273-8255.
If you need help or you know someone who needs help, please speak up.

& Jennifer Niven, thank you for this masterpiece.

- Jess

"Let me ask you something. Do you think there's such a thing as a perfect day?"

All quotes from All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Body Love at FMMF

This weekend I had the amazing opportunity to be a part of the first ever Body Love fashion show at Fashion Meets Music Festival in Columbus. It was created by Lindsey Smith and all of the clothes are from Mod Cloth. The theme of this show, as you may be able to tell from the title, is all about loving your body the way it is, embracing it, and showing it off, flaws and all.
(advanced apologies for the terrible quality of these photos, I'll attempt to get clearer ones asap)

I am OBSESSED with this jumpsuit. 10/10
It was a glamorous night, paparazzi and all ðŸ˜‚
The message in this show is so inspiring and important, especially in the fashion industry and at a time where everyone is constantly judged on their appearance and their is so much pressure to meet a certain image of "perfection."
All of the other models had amazing stories and views on their bodies. It was great to be able to get to know and connect with all of them based on this common ground of acceptance and positivity.
 our "fierce model look"
- Jess