Jessica Word

How to be Summer-Sexy all year long

Taking time to savor the details of summer makes me look and feel like summer. In summer, I eat lighter and play longer. I use cucumber face wash in the morning. I wear SPF 45 and Dr. Pepper chapstick. I wear lace tanktops and cheap flipflops. I'll ... Read >

Quarter-Life Crisis

For the past four months I wake up every morning feeling like I ate bad sushi. My intestines feel like they've wrapped around each other and I'm pissed off about it. I feel constantly hung-over – dehydrated and nervous, never not once not at all eager to... Read >

Sister Rivalry

My mother never could keep a job. She got bored so easily. She taught pre-school, did reception work, she even sold make-up - just like those Mary-Kay ladies that win pink Cadillacs. She settled down when she became a flight attendant, and that's just the... Read >

Cats New Cradle

Bringing an old pet into a new relationship is like blending a new family. Mr. Beef wasn't too keen on moving in with Mike, I thought. She wanted my attention all for her smoosh-faced self. She's a cream colored Persian, with pedigree papers to prove ... Read >

Making up with mushrooms (and your inner-chef)

I was raised on fast-food, delivery pizza, and Lucky Charms. The cereal nights were a default to ordering food, which my mom brazenly referred to as "Do Your Own Thing Night." As soon as she started letting me sign her name on the pizza check, it was Do-M... Read >

Fondue rendezvous

Fondue is one of the best ways I know of to bring friends, family, (and of course) lovers closer together. Dining above a steamy fondue pot, dipping pieces of sweet crisp apple into melted brie and sharing everything from a bottle of wine to bites of choc... Read >

Getting over the Ex

I stop going to the gym in summer. Instead I'll take long morning walks through Lincoln Park neighborhoods and run home by the lake. Last summer I'd steal every evening hour cruising up the Potomac, loop the monuments, and forge new trails on Theodore Ro... Read >

The Rewards of Rebounding

My loneliness got the better of me and I rebounded that night. The margaritas went down simply and the warmth of weather tugged me playfully into acquiescence. I slept with Kevin on my first date. Kevin had brown hair in fuzzy patches like fledgling ... Read >