my blog
Jul 1, 2014
July 1st baby.
Well it almost feels a little bit silly to me to get started blogging again but here I am - embracing the silly. I used to keep this website and blog to promote my dress design business, then I switched it to provide more of an online portfolio while I was job searching and modeling. Then I all but abandoned it while I was the Brand + Relaitons Coordinator for JayBird.
After a wild 18 months at JayBird I was let go when new management came in. They spent 5 days in office and then I was "laid off". Let's get real. It hurt. I was depressed. I thought I did something wrong, I thought I was incompetent. I thought of myself as a failure. But with all hardships in life, sometimes it just takes a little bit of time and patience to see why things happen the way that they do. Over 50% of their marketing department has now been let go and I realize that I did do something wrong there. I spoke my mind. I stood up for what I thought was best for the company, and sometimes people don't want to hear "No" they just want to hear what's easy, "Yes, sir".
And that doesn't work well for me when I disagree.
So here I am, back at it with Garden Rows. With a new shift of perspective and a new focus. A lot of good things have come into my life since I was let go from JayBird and I intend to share it all here on the ol' blog in the days and weeks to come, if only for my own personal enjoyment.
Here's to day 1. Here's to the future.
Cheers,
Melissa Jo
Jan 17, 2014
Getting Geeky
A fun interview about JayBird REIGN with Geekster Labs during CES 2014.
-M-
Jan 13, 2014
Tech Crunch // JayBird CES 2014
Live interview with Tech Crunch from CES 2014 about JayBird REIGN. Fun.
-M-
Ask Men // JayBird CES 2014
Last week I went down to Las Vegas with JayBird for CES 2014. It was a challenging week, but paid off and I'm excited for REIGN to launch this May! Here I am being interviewed about our new product at the Digital Experience press event.
-M-
Oct 17, 2013
JAYBIRD // In the Garden from JayBird on Vimeo.
In the Garden
A little video edit I did this summer with JayBird for BlueBuds X headphones. Super fun. Music credit: "Gun Shy" by Widowspeak.
-Melissa Jo-
Apr 22, 2013
Roger That.
Working from home again and loving it. Posting random pics from my last vacation. Finding my way in a new position within a young company has been so exciting. I feel challenged yet up for the task, and although the daily hum drum of an office job can wear on you, somehow JayBird keeps me on my toes. Today I randomly met Ziggy Ansah - who will probably turn out to be a major NFL player. Can't wait to see what's ahead. And it's only been 5 months.
-Melissa Jo-
And on a side note, BlueBuds X rock! I can go all over my yard and garden without carrying my ipod with me. Crazy alien technology that I LOVE.
Jan 23, 2013
JayBird Love
I moved back into my house this week. And I'm so happy to be home. But even happier that JayBird lets me work from home so I can get my fridge repaired. Loving this new gig.
-Melissa Jo-
Dec 12, 2012
I want my Jaybird Buds!
While I was out shoveling my driveway the annoying cord connecting my ipod to my eardrums kept getting snagged and hooked by the shovel's handle. Seriously annoying. Seriously wishing I had my little hands on a pair of Jaybird's new wireless Blue Buds X.
-Melissa Jo-
Nov 26, 2012
Test Shoot with ProLine
I like how the test shoot turned out. I'm really excited to be filming some DIY segments with Pro Line Hoods. I haven't told a lot of people, but I would love to be an HGTV or DIY Network host. This is like a mini version of that. How awesome!
-Melissa Jo-
Nov 22, 2012
Pro Line Range Hoods
I'm so excited to be working with ProLine Range Hoods, out of Salt Lake City. I just did a test shoot with them, and we are planning to shoot some more DIY videos very soon. I'm really looking forward to the collaboration!
-Melissa Jo-
Nov 12, 2012
New (Old) Pics from Tour of Utah 2012
I finally added the Tour of Utah pictures from when I was the podium girl. And that's a technical term, don't forget it people. This is Lawson Craddick accepting his jersey at Stage One. To see more click here.
Nov 5, 2012
Miche Bags
A little behind the scenes stylewatch from the Miche Bags photoshoot I did before I left for Italy. I'll post some pictures form the catalogue soon. It was a lot of fun working with these ladies!
-Melissa Jo-
Oct 14, 2012
Ponte Milvio Market
Just down the street from where I'm staying in Rome is the Ponte Milvio market, held every other Sunday. Its exactly what I was hoping for. I left with a random collection of rusted old euro style keys, and some other trinkets small enough to pack in my suitcase home. Alas, I couldn't quite fit the authentic rusted Tolix or beautful glass jars in my carryon luggage.
-Melissa Jo-
Oct 12, 2012
Eataly
The title says it all, folks. Eataly is basically everything you could ask for as far as Italian cuisine is concerned. Located directly above the metro stop; Ostiense, it's easy to get to and easy to love. Four floors full of food only from Italy and multiple restaurants, coffee shops, and butcher counters. It's like Ikea for Italian food, but better! I had bianca lasagna, with BACON. Hello, heart attack!
-Melissa Jo-
My No Carb Left Behind Experiment
Well like this scene in Eat Pray Love I'm officially 10 pounds heavier, and having a similar love affair with almost every piece of pizza I eat. Should I feel guilty? Should I enjoy it? Should I buy some new big girl pants, or just break out my old 'fat girl jeans'.... I think my self image can handle being a few kilos heavier, and a few pastas, pizzas, and lasagnas richer.
-Melissa Jo-
Oct 9, 2012
Oh Jolly Lollipop
Get your sour candy fix from Jolly Pop, on Via Del Corso, near Piazza del Popolo. Cute & tasty candy, and the owner gave me a 'special price' for being 'bella'. I can live with that!!
-Melissa Jo-
Oct 3, 2012
sun was high
Yesterday I decided to take a walk in the city centre. As I was approaching my final destination, I accidentally ran into the Colloseum! The sun illuminated the cityscape like something I have never seen before. And to think, Rome has looked this beautiful for thousands of years.
-Melissa Jo-
Oct 2, 2012
salotto 42
Just across the street from Trevi Fountain; tucked away in a tiny square, Piazza di Pietra, lies Il Salotto 42. Think typewriter font; american vintage, and artsy mags to puruse through. Plush seating and tin tile wallpaper. 90's alt rock and awesome cappuccinos. Curved ceilings and polka dot muffin liners. Add to all that, the barista actually invited me to have a seat and relax. A real treat in Rome. Salotto Quarantadue.
-Melissa Jo-
Oct 1, 2012
elusive creative genius
As I was searching for a clip to post from Eat Pray Love, I came across this Ted talk by author Elizabeth Gilbert. So I watched it. And I loved it. And somehow, now, I feel less responsibility and less anxiety about being creative.
-Melissa Jo-
Cucina Brusadelli
Absolutley love the vintage feel of these stovetop knobs. Love the authentic Italian cusine cooked on this stovetop even more. Best food in Roma. Grazie, Patrizia.
-Melissa Jo-
Sep 30, 2012
Italians like Gelato...
And so do I. Punto Gelato, found near Campo de Fiori. The cutest Gelato shop I've seen in Roma so far.
-Melissa Jo-
Sep 29, 2012
just a lil market down the road
A quick little visit to Campo de Fiori left me stunned at Rome's amazing beauty, once again!
No filter, just sun flare.
Rusted Tolix Love, stacked like peasant chairs.
Fancy salts of many variets included.
Perfect Pink Fiori
-Melissa Jo-
Sep 28, 2012
speak easy.. speakeasy
Last night I felt like I was suddenly transported into a movie set, and for a moment this morning when I woke up I thought I dreamed it up. Somewhere crossed between the time travelling Midnight in Paris, and genuine classic The Godfather, is the Jerry Thomas Speakeasy. There's no sign out front, and a legit password is required for entry. Thursday night three piece jazz band, edison bulbs, and all the prohibited moonshine / authentic cocktails an old fashioned gal like myself could ask for. Bellisimo.
-Melissa Jo-
