Today we’re joined by the ladies of Perfectly Imperfect, Jennie Ross and Nicole Cushing.

Jennie and I have been dating for nearly 9 years now! It goes by so fast :’). She’s been modeling for most of her life and is now getting into the acting world 🫶

Nicole and Alex have been together for 14 years (married for 4)! She’s a mother to their lovely daughter Lily 👶 and a Tech Support Lead in the medical device industry.

Jennie and Nicole rule so we wanted to share a taste of their taste with you all for this Valentines Day ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ We Love Love

Without further ado

Jennie Ross (instagram)

💌 Sending Cards

One of my favorite activities. When I was tiny, my sweet Gram taught me the importance of staying connected with loved ones. Every week she’d send out cards for fun and never forgot a birthday or anniversary. I have a collection of her cards saved from over the years; they’re essentially the only tangible items left for me from after her passing. Her pretty handwriting and thoughtful messages always hit me with a wave of nostalgia and pure love. 

💫 Light vs Heavy Energy

A practice that has changed my life for the better. Emily Grote, a psychic-medium and energy worker based in Brooklyn, taught me this method last year during a reading. The general idea is to tune in and focus on how you’re feeling during a certain situation or an interaction with someone. Stop and notice your intuition. Is this event or possible endeavor bringing you joy, providing you with comfort…does it feel aligned with your purpose? Emily explained how this should feel like “champagne bubbles inside of you.” On the other hand, you may sense pure dread or a general unease during this exchange. Once you’ve started to acknowledge your gut feelings, your connection with your consciousness, your soul, whatever you want to call it, only grows stronger over time. Emily has made a major impact on my life in such a short amount of time and is truly gifted. I could write about her all day, but if you’re interested in learning more about her or want to book a reading, here is her website!

♋ Being a Cancer

I don’t care if the Astrology world annoys you, or if you don’t believe in it at all, I love being a Cancer!!! I’m actually a double Cancer so lots of water energy in me. Do you need a hug? Done. Need some gum, tissues or floss out of my bag of tricks? I promise I’lll always have it for you. Having an existential crisis? Let’s talk about it!! 

🤪 Amy Sedaris

If you know, you really, really know. And yes, Amy is one of my recs. Let me explain. From the first time I laid my eyes on her, around the age of 5 or 6, I was hooked. I distinctly remember watching her on Comedy Central and I thought she was absolutely hysterical. Into my teen years, my admiration for her only grew stronger as I learned more about her. Strangers with Candy was ingrained in my brain by this point. Seriously one of the most ridiculous, and in my opinion, criminally underrated comedy shows that ended up influencing other artists for years to come. Amy is a force; she is pure chaos and is committed to the bit that is her entire life.

💄 Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin

This may be a cliché rec for those in the beauty industry here in New York, but everyone else, hear me out. I’m a very visual person, so when I discovered this book as a teen, I instantly connected with it. Kevyn was a makeup artist, author, photographer, creative genius, visionary…etc who revolutionized the makeup industry. Cher’s photo in this book (pg. 121 if you want to find it) has been a big influence on my life and the way I view makeup.

🧴 Wearing Sunscreen Daily

Believe me, I understand you don’t want to put it on every single day. You’ll be thanking me in 10 years time when you have a baby face and no wrinkles!!! I’ve used the same two sunscreens for forever: Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 by Supergoop! and UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 by EltaMD. 

🏨 The Onyx Hotel Tour

A legendary tour by an American icon. The outfits, the dancers, the set list, the minimal stage design because Brit genuinely doesn’t need it, the BROWN HAIR. Bye. What I would’ve given to see her live in 2004. They don’t do choreography like this anymore; she was on another level. Her charisma and energy radiates on stage. Luckily, we have this glorious YouTube video to fill the void.

Nicole Cushing (instagram)

🧡🛋️ A blanket that represents a special place (my woven cape cod blanket)

I grew up going to Hyannis every year and still do. It’s one of my favorite places on earth because it holds special memories with my family. I love the constant comfort this blanket brings me both mentally and physically!

🔥🪑 Heated blankets tossed over the office chair

My mom got me a heated blanket one year because I am notorious for always being cold. I tried it on my bed but got hot too quickly so I decided to use it while I work. The best way to use the blanket is to toss it over the office chair. It’s like sitting in a heated car seat all day long!

🥞 Thin pancakes

If you’re a fat & fluffy pancake person, please continue to the next rec. If you like crepes but want the flavor of pancakes…. these are for you. Lucky for me, Alex and I have the same taste buds and food preferences. I am very thankful for that.

📕 Book recs

Weird adventure: Fairy Tale. Best fictional character you’ll ever meet: Project Hail Mary. Horror/Thriller with illustrations: Hidden Pictures. Romance I’m not proud of: The Summer I Turned Pretty. Super good and kinda nerdy and also a little sad: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.

👖 L.L.Bean fleece-lined sweatpants

I essentially swap between my four pairs of these same pants throughout the week (I mostly work at home). I ain’t here to impress and neither are these pants but they are so darn comfy.

🫖 Having tea parties

Sometimes I feel like being a little “extra” on a snowy weekend when I feel trapped inside. Why not make some scones & cucumber sandwiches while drinking tea? Feeling fancy is pretty fun! We happen to live near a tea parlor which makes for great dates or friend brunches. They serve everything super slowly over about two hours so you have time to hangout and drink tea before the scones, tea sandwiches, and little desserts come out.

🎵🧚‍♀️ Introducing your baby to music as soon as possible

I’ve been playing music for Lily since she was in the womb and I like to think that’s why she loves singing & dancing so much. Al and I have proudly memorized (almost) every word to the Frozen & Moana soundtracks and I honestly love our duets. Al does a great impression of Kristoff impersonating his reindeer, Sven. I like to sing Anna’s parts mostly.

🥺💖 being “wholesome”

My friends use this word to describe me quite often and I’m honestly happy to be this type of human! I want to be a good role model for my daughter and I just like being healthy and mom-like. (Even before I was a mom I was this way though lol). I don’t like to drink, smoke, or do drugs, but I’ll dance like heck at any club/concert/party/wedding. What’s really cool is my friends embrace my lack of “coolness” and love me the way I am 🥺. So shoutout to them!

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