339:365

Dress by Velvet Torch, sandals by ??

Happy Hump Day! And here is #27...

338:365

Hat by Aldo, tank by Rubbish, skirt by TCEC (Francesca's), sandals by Unisa.

Tonight I attended a Hillsboro Hops baseball game and had a blast! Unfortunately for the Hops, they didn't do so well...But let's be honest, people go to baseball games for the social aspect more than anything else right?! No offense to any hardcore baseball-goers out there! The countdown continues...#28!

337:365

Dress by Will Smith, belt by Motif 56, wedges by Nine West.

Time has passed even more quickly than I imagined, and as of today I only have 29 more days left of my blog! Though I only have 29 more days, I've decided one component of wrapping up my project will be having a count down of the top 30 things I've learned in my 30th year. Whether drifting off into space contemplating life, trying to come up with something relevant to write on my blog, or simply analyzing my getup, there are many things that have sunk in this year and without getting too sappy as well as saving the good stuff for my last blog post, here goes my count down starting with #30 and #29.

XOXO

Jennica

336:365

Sweater by Two Apples, tank by Joie, bermuda shorts by Zinc, wedges by Guess.

This is one of those outfits I can confidently say I have never put together before, and speaking of confident, I definitely felt confident wearing it today! However, I didn't realize I would be playing Spikeball at a going-away party for my dear friend Chandi for hours and may have broken a sweat...

What a blessing it's been to have Chandi in our midst for the last five or so years. She has brought laughter, depth, athletics - of course, and she has left all-around joy in her wake wherever she goes. We have been lucky to have her and Austin, Texas will have gained a true gem. From the first day she stepped foot on the indoor soccer field, joining the team, to this step she's taking, opening a new chapter of her life, many lives have been inspired and touched, and I can only imagine she will do the same in the community of her new home.

Blessings and Godspeed Chandi, and you take the reigns of this new adventure in your life.  Love you!

Jennica

335:365

For dinner tonight I made a Green Bean, Beet Salad and it was delicious. I've been needing to get a little more beets into my diet - so needed to come up with a new recipe. Here's what to do if you want to try it for yourself!

Ingredients:

• 4 red beets
• 1 package of green beans
• 1/2 of a red onion
• 15 or so cherries
• 1 section of peeled ginger
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. pepper

Salad Directions:

1. Peel and slice red beets into medallions
2. Cut the ends off the green beans and then cut in half
3. Cut red onion into thinly sliced, half circles (use less red onion if desired)

Dressing Directions: 

Disclaimer!! I just measured to taste so my measurements may not be exactly accurate.

1. 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar 
2. 1/3 cup olive oil
3. Grated ginger to taste (the more the merrier!)
4. About 15 minced cherries 
5. 1 tsp. of sugar
6. Salt and pepper to taste
7. Shake what yo' mama gave ya. No really, I literally shook what my mama gave me because she indeed gave me a glass dressing shaker. Thanks mom!
8. Give it a taste and add a little here and there to get it just right.

Once you get your beets, beans and onions in the salad bowl (obviously!), pour in the dressing. I probably ended up using about half of my dressing with the salad.

After that, bon appetite! 

Jennica

334:365

I'm so excited because today I was a guest on The Strange in the City, a podcast set to begin August 1st! ('Like' it on Facebook!) I'm not sure which episode I will be on, but I will definitely keep you posted. Josephine, the host, is a spunky, high-energy gal with a witty response to whatever you throw at her. She thrives off of humor and loves to dig deep on controversial or entertaining topics, but does so with poise. I can tell you this - there will never be a dull moment on her podcast. 

While I was a guest, she asked me to share a little bit about my blog and we got into some other interesting topics as well. I'm a little nervous to hear it though because I really don't like the sound of my recorded voice, ha! I swear my voice sounds so weird. Anyway, it should be a fun adventure as I will have more opportunities as a guest here and there and we will explore other new, exciting subjects.

Take a listen and don't judge! ;)

Jennica

333:365

Hat by H&M, top by ________, jeans by Seven For All Mankind, shoes by Steve Madden.

Never a dull moment at the Washington County Fair! I could just sit and people watch for hours.... But first, let me justify why I'm wearing a beanie. If you read my 331:365 post two days ago, I was talking about how it's OK to wear a beanie on an overcast, cool day in the summer as long as you're strategic. Seeing as the cool weather was lingering and we were attending the fair in the evening, I was able to justify it. I definitely wouldn't encourage a thick, wool hat, but a thinner, more breathable material is just fine! Here was my attempt at the look with a little bit of a hipster twist. No sense wearing wedges to the fair, though I wouldn't put it past myself ;).

Our evening entailed random group dance breakouts, failed attempts at those stupid carnie games - not naming any names "ahemALEX," rock climbing, The Dairy Women of Oregon Leaning-Tower-of-Piza ice cream cones, and a sheep show where the goat was referred to as, "that other animal we don't speak of." Ummm what?! That doesn't even make sense - #farmerjokes. Then there was the awkward pictures sneakily captured of me standing alone outside of the reptile exhibit looking quite pathetic while everyone else enjoyed the creepy reptiles - though I was actually quite content being on the other side of the tent from the snakes, watching a magic show instead. Snakes and me don't mix...I tried, but then I saw a slithery, white snake and my spine literally became frosty with chills. That aside, all-in-all it was a great time, lots of laughs were had and memories were made.

XOXO

Jennica

332:365

Jacket by Columbia Sportswear, tank, leggings and shoes by Nike.

As of late, I have started getting into spin class. It's a great workout and kicks my butt - sweating like crazy within the first ten minutes of the workout! Today was one of those days and though I pushed myself really hard...here is my secret confession...

XOXO

Jennica

331:365

Top by Trouve, jeans by Vince, flats by Me Too.

trending tuesday

**beanie**

On a day like today with the overcast weather and rain (ugh!) try pulling out your boyfriend jeans, a

bright-colored pair of heels and a beanie! As you can see in the picture, she has a loose top to keep herself cool if there's a little humidity in the air, but you can still get the cozy feel to match the overcast clouds. For heels, if I were to redo this outfit, I would probably go with an open toe heel/wedge to stay cool as well, but otherwise this is definitely a transitional outfit for later summer or fall (sorry, I just used that forbidden word 'fall') or when the rain comes!

Rain, rain, go away!

Jennica

330:365

Romper by BCBG Maxazria, kicks by TOMS.

I needed to wear something chill and easy and this romper fit the bill. And of course, one can't go wrong with TOMS! Rompers can be a little bit tricky depending on the length of your torso. It's not like a dress where most of the time you're the same size. With rompers, brand and style matter. Because I have a longer torso, I tend to have to go one size up. My test for rompers when contemplating a purchase is reaching to the ceiling with both hands. For lack of a better description......if it gives you camel toe, you need to go a size up!! The whole point of wearing a romper is enjoying comfort and ease all day long. The above stated does not fit that description, if you catch my drift.

On the theme of rompers, I have a memorable story involving one. Embarrassing to say the least. One of my girlfriends and I were grabbing dinner downtown at Irving Street Kitchen (must go there if you haven't yet!) and I was wearing my brand new strapless, denim romper. I was so excited to find one that I loved and was thrilled to finally wear it out. Dinner was lovely, the ambiance reminded me of a farm house gone hipster and the weather was just right. 

Before heading out, as all women do, we headed to the restroom together - and men of the world, this phenomena will never be resolved or explained so let it rest :). Without going into too much detail, I said out loud, "Man, it would totally suck if this zipper broke because there's no hook at the top and I would be screwed!" To fill you in, the zipper was on the side of the romper, starting from my hip and going all the way up to the top. Bottom line? If the zipper broke, my romper would not stay up....

Then, when going to zip up the romper, the dreaded happened. It actually broke at the bottom somehow, making the zipper as useful as a bag of rocks. I take that back, I think a back of rocks might be more useful. I began to sweat and panic, envisioning being stuck in the bathroom until sundown, helpless and alone, half-dressed, waiting for safety pins or a whole new delivered outfit.

Fortunately, I was able to get the zipper itself to the top, which in turn held the romper up, and my friend graciously let me borrow her sweater to cover up my gaping open side. We then went from store front to store front, begging for safety pins, regular pins or the like to at least secure my then-worthless romper. Finally managing to track down a couple pins, we were able to make the romper last the rest of the evening as well as my modesty.

As I'm sure you can imagine, the next day, I made sure to get my money back, as a zipper should last more than one zip!

Moral of the story? Don't get a romper with a zipper.

XOXO,

Jennica

329:365

Definitely nothing to share about my boring outfit so sticking with the theme of GRACE...

328:365

Dress by Tart, sandals by Jessica Simpson.

Grace by definition can only be received with no means of repayment and can only be given without expectations of being repaid. I have been imperfect (understatement...) in my life and have had to receive grace, even recently. I have also had to extend grace to others in their own times of imperfection - sometimes when I least wanted to give it. 

Giving and receiving grace is hard. I can say during the times when I have received grace it has been the most humbling times in my life. Yet in giving grace, I am also humbled as I recognize that no one is perfect - even the people in my life I had on a pedestal.

My mom recently told me about a sermon that was given at her church and it hit home for me - maybe the timing of it, or maybe the novelty of it, but here's the brief summary.

A farmer said to his workers, you must wait to pull the weeds out because you will pull the wheat out with them. You must wait until the wheat is ready to harvest in order to save the wheat. The workers then waited and were able to harvest more wheat.

The pastor compared this story to our own lives, stating that a lot of times we see ourselves as the wheat and everyone else as the weeds, when in reality, sometimes it's us that are the weeds. Once we recognize our own weeds, then we must go forward working hard to be the wheat, and then have grace for the weeds in our pasture, as we know what it is like to have been the weeds ourselves.

Humbly,

Jennica 

327:365

Sweater by H&M, pants by BCBG, flats by Bandolino, #badhairday

Have a happy day!

Jennica

326:365

Outfit by Nike.

Check out this healthy recipe for a Cucumber, Caprese Salad! That's what on the menu for me tonight. This low-calorie salad provides protein and fiber and you can eat it guilt-free (only 250 calories per serving). I would recommend pairing this salad with a dry rose wine and enjoying both on the sun-filled patio.

Cheers!

Jennica

325:365

Dress by Billabong, sandals by Rainbow.

324:365

Jacket by Valerie Bertinelli, top by Just Ginger, shorts by BCBG Maxazria, Sandals by ??.

I was lucky enough to spend some quality time with my Aunt Connie today while she was visiting and was thankful for every moment. Though the heat was sweltering, we managed to cool ourselves down with some good ol' fashioned iced tea while enjoying a decadent meal at Ruddick/Wood. I appreciate her because our conversations are interesting and deep, as well as thoughtful. At the end of our time together, I always find myself reading a new book or researching an up-and-coming philosopher and his/her theories on life; not to mention being inspired in general regarding my passions and aspirations. Though our time was short, it was treasured.

Thanks Aunt Connie for being a light in my life!

Jennica

323:365

Top by Trouve, linen pants by Krisa, flats by BCBG.

Self-confidence is called self-confidence for a reason. It begins with me and it ends with me. There is no one else in this world that can build my self-confidence or break it down other than myself. I am the only one who can allow words and actions of truth or lies from other people to break through the filter into my mind and accept it as fact. I would say that women especially struggle with this battle, and the media makes matters worse, but that's a whole other can of worms... 

If you too struggle with self-confidence, I found this link helpful as a guide through the process. For those of you who have lacked self-confidence for quite a while, this won't be an "easy three step process." It will require determination and commitment in order to reject and disown the lies you have believed. And when all else fails, just look at this Ryan Gosling meme I made to remind you how attractive self-confidence is.

XOXO Beauties!

Jennica

322:365

Jacket by Princess Closet, tank by Joie Joie, sandals by ??.

I had the opportunity to help at an event this evening for an all-women's group. Team building was part of the agenda, including two different activities that specifically stood out to me. After enjoying a delicious meal, each women came to the front individually, stating "I'm letting go of...." and filled in the blank. This was a very moving experience even for me as a spectator; to hear women from all walks of life divulging past fears, struggles, failures, and disappointments. Having written it on a piece of paper earlier, they then tore their papers in half and placed them in a bag which was to be burned later in the evening.

Each woman then took a delicate folded paper which held a butterfly inside and was to release the butterfly after stating her goals for her future into the rolling vineyards. I consider myself fortunate to have been a part of this experience, though I was more of a bystander than anything - though I was able to release a butterfly. I had imagined there being a mass exodus of butterflies from hands across the patio - fluttering into the distant skies in a sort of uniformed chaos. But the reality was, the release was more of a "set the butterfly on the ledge, watch it for a few minutes and then blow on it to see if it would fly." Somewhat anticlimactic to say the least but regardless, the practice of acknowledging a goal and releasing new life into the world surged energy through my veins.

After experiencing this myself, I would highly recommend you trying this out. Here's how one might do it without burning a house down or ordering a slow-moving butterfly off Amazon.

1. Write down a fear, insecurity, road block, etc. down on a piece of paper.
2. Read out loud, "I am letting go of ___________" and fill in the blank.
3. Tear up the piece of paper - aggressively if you must!
4. If you have a safe place to burn a piece of paper, then burn it and allow the negative energy to burn away with the smoke.
5. Then do some sort of sensory action, i.e. spray your favorite scent into the air, put creamy lotion on your hands and arms, or perform a yoga pose reaching to the sky. While you do something of the like, say the following out loud, "From now on I am going to _____________"
6. Breathe deeply truth and life.

I honestly hope you try this exercise! I know it may sound a little cheesy, but I believe it works. Sometimes we all need moments like these to look back on to remind us who we truly are.

XOXO,

Jennica

321:365

Top by Halogen, skirt by BCBG Maxazria, wedges by Nine West.

This is me after a "long hard day's work" at the winery, joining my Mom, my Aunt Helen and my cousin Jane for a relaxing evening on the patio, dinner served and wine in hand.

xoxo,

Jennica

320:365

Dress by Ann Taylor, shoes by BCBG Maxazria, hat by Aldo.

I love this dress because it's a put-on-and-go kind of dress. It's not see through which seems to be a problem with a lot of dresses these days, AND it's ultra comfortable. I can't say Ann Taylor is my go-to shop as it tends to be a little more classic.  I would say my style doesn't necessarily fit that mold, but at the same time, they have some great pieces and great accessories too; not to mention teacher discount!

Can't go wrong with stripes, can't go wrong with comfy, and can't go wrong with teacher discount.

Jennica

319:365

Top by Frenchi, lace skirt by Tulle, sandals by Jessica Simpson.

Compete against yourself instead.

Jennica

318:365

Dress by Paper Crane, sandals by Groove.

Seeing as I've jumped into the wine industry with Stoller Winery, what better way to get acquainted with the wine industry than go wine tasting! It was a beautiful day and and I had one of my favorite people in the whole wide world - my mama - by my side. We ended up tasting at four different wineries; White Rose, DuPonte, Domaine Serene, and ended the day with some good ol' bubbly at Argyle.

Though I loved each winery for different reasons, I would say my favorite experience was Domaine Serene! Entering the property, there was a tuscany feel as I stepped onto the cobble stone walkway, viewing the stucco estate before me. The meticulous landscaping and the elegant style inside the tasting room left me wanting to stay for supper - and glass of wine of course! The wine was to die for - my favorite being their cuvee and syrah; both dark-fruited and sophisticated. After this wine tasting, I must say I have found myself leaning towards red wines, even in the summer. If you get a chance, make sure you take some time at Domain Serene for a tasting and a view.

DuPonte Garden Shop

The other winery that I thoroughly enjoyed was DuPonte. Right next door they have garden shop

where one can do an olive oil tasting as well. It's quite lovely - flower pots galore, lavender fresh in the air and darling gifts for the gardener at heart. Back to the winery, Mount Hood is straight ahead. With a slew of adirondack chairs, one can get comfortable and enjoy her wine and the view while she's at it.

All in all, a lovely day shared with a lovely person. 

And then I took a nap.

Jennica

317:365

Tank by B.P., shorts by Nike, flip flops by Roxy.

Today was a "beat the clock" day. Other than waiting 3 hours for the carpet cleaner to show up, I was able to get a few things done, including a lovely chat with a friend and a Trader Joe's Extravaganza. 

On the theme of Trader Joe's  - even though their packaged food is delicious...

Toodles!

Jennica

316:365

With the weather as hot as it is, George Rogers park was calling my name, riverside beach front, green grassy fields, and of course - SUN.

My outfit today is nothing exciting, just staying comfy and cool on this hot day!

Don't forget to wear your sunscreen!

Jennica

315:365

Among the Vines. Any time an event is called Among the Vines, you can sign me up. This says to me, sophisticated, elegant, intriguing. I had the opportunity to work an event called Among the Vines, pouring wine for a lunch and vineyard tour for members and non-members deep in Stoller's Vineyards. It was a sweltering day, the rose was slowing like - well - wine... and our vineyard manager, Rob, was there to tell more about the vines, the soil, and most importantly, the grapes!

Once everyone was back from the tour, their glasses refilled, the smoker was opened to reveal an entire pig. Between a smoked pig, home-made world-class mole sauce, rice, and beans, an authentic lunch was served, vines and Mount Hood in view. 

Cheers,

Jennica

314:365

Jacket by Levis, tank by Wilster, jeans by Rock & Republic, boots by Bronx.

Yehaw! I had been awaiting the St. Paul Rodeo since summer began, though I have to admit it may have snuck up on me! No better way to celebrate the rodeo than booted up, cowgirl hat in place, with my girlfriends! The evening started standing shoulder-to-shoulder with random strangers, some of which were unknowingly taunting me with their oreo "McFlurry-esque" treats....  As we sat down, we had a clear view of the bucking broncos, the cute little calves that were confused why ropes were being wrapped around all four legs when they hadn't been mischievous, and a clown who wanted to show off his football throwing skills to the crowd - still not sure how that equated to "clowning around."

It was finally time for a break and some of us girls just couldn't resist our urge - me in particular... - to get our hands on a corn-dog, and an oreo McFlurry! Finding a corn-dog wasn't so challenging when attending the rodeo, and finding my sought-after dessert was a cake-walk as well. However, stepping up to the window and seeing a cartoon drawing of a foo-man-choo-faced cowboy riding an ice cream cone - a rainbow shooting out from behind - cones in each hand and an exaggerated tongue sticking out, reaching for a savory taste of the ice cream, I stood there in silence, reconsidering my choice of dessert. There may have even been a unicorn in the cartoon somewhere but all in all, there were so many things wrong with that picture and my dessert experience was almost pulled right out from under me - being skeptical of the mobile ice cream trailor.

In the end, I didn't go with my gut - or maybe I did?? - and got the oreo goodness, eating every last spoonful while watching the cowgirls round the barrels at lightning speeds and a mustang horse take a seat on its haunches in a custom horse car. It was an entertaining night to say the least, not short of belly-aching laughter, and much sympathy towards the poor bulls and horses and all they have to endure for a few hours of human entertainment.

Giddy-up!

Jennica

313:365

I hope you were all able to have a safe and fun 4th of July! Mine was filled playing volleyball with friends, barbecuing, playing corn hole, and hiking a mile up to Rocky Butte for a magnificent 360 degree view of late-night fireworks from Portland to Vancouver. Other than feeling old and wanting to be in bed by 10:00 pm because I was so tired, it was a great night.

'Merica.

Jennica 

312:365

Peplum by Mossimo, cropped slacks by Banana Republic, wedges by Report. 

xoxo,

Jennica