13:365

Maxi by Matty M, belt by BCBG, heels by Cole Haan, sunglasses by Nine West

Today is Kim's wedding.  It's an outdoor wedding, so I didn't want to be too formal, but still wanted to be dressed up.  This is what I chose.  It seems like picking out an outfit for a wedding is always so challenging for a woman.  We can't wear white, (at least not all white), we shouldn't wear all black, depending where the wedding is determines what kind of heels we can wear.  Men just throw on a button-up and slacks, they only have two pairs of dress shoes to choose from, and walk out the door ready to go, lookin' sharp.  Men need to understand that the number of decisions us women have to make on a day like this far outnumbers theirs.  We have rough lives and they need to accept how hard we work to look the way we do!  That being said, this is what I am walking out the door in, and I'm still second-guessing my decision!  #firstworldproblems

Stay tuned later today, with featured wedding guests and their style!

Jennica



Congrats Kim and Kyle!  I'm so happy you found your soul mate and cheers to a new chapter in your life!


The wedding was a success!  We only could imagine how perfectly everything would have come together with Kim's artistic eye.  From the ceremony to cupcakes to beer in a beaker, Kim and Kyle's special day was smooth sailin' and all smiles.

Meet Lindsay.  She has great style and is wearing a one shoulder, coral printed dress with a brown wedge.  This outfit is great for a summer wedding because it's cool, emphasizes her waist line, and she can walk around on the lawn all day long.

Meet Justin.  He was going for more of an retro-classic look today with his short sleeve button up, striped tie, and brown slacks.  To top it off, he threw on his aviator shades.  Nice work Justin.

Meet Megan.  She's wearing a strapless dress, black on top with a modern print on the bottom.  I love this dress because it's a classic cut, and is very flattering, emphasizing her waist line.  It's also modest so it would be easy to wear for any occasion.  She too, wore a perfect wedge for strolling on the lawn.

Meet the Hernandez brothers.  Always in style, fashionably late to every party, though they would never admit that to you if you asked.  Ryan, on the left is rockin' the vest.  I love that he's wearing the matching slacks as well for a very finished look.  

Brent, on the right is sporting the suspenders and the bow tie.  If you haven't heard, the bow tie is back and if you need to know how to wear it, take notes from Brent.  His look wouldn't be complete without suspenders.  Stay classy Hernandez bros.

 Her mom bought the dress at Nordstrom after Easter.

Meet Beatrix.  Kids wedding fashion is so fun and Beatrix is a picture-perfect example.  Tulle is a girl's best friend because every girl wants to feel like a princess (and look like one too!).  I'm pretty sure Beatrix's night job is to be Tinkerbell's sidekick and sprinkle fairy dust with that wand in her hand. Yeah it blows bubbles too, but that' s just a special fairy-dust-sprinkler feature.

12:365

Middleton baseball tee by Sport Tek, gray skinnies by Cello Jeans, houndstooth shoes by Toms.

Casual Friday.  Can't complain about that.  I'm definitely representing with Middleton pride today.  Every year our staff designs a new sweatshirt or apparel item.  We've had a variety of styles so we don't have to wear the same thing every Friday.  This baseball tee is old-school.  It's so old-school, I had it designed during my first year teaching.  Is it sad to admit I still have and wear it??  No.  No, it's not sad.  Did I hear you say it's awesome?  Ok, good.  I'm glad we can agree.  This shirt reminds me, on a not-so-extreme level, of the D.A.R.E shirt that my brother still wears (23 years later...).  Classic.  He really looks amazing in it.

We were also trying to create something that would be "hip & cool" and both guys and girls would enjoy wearing it, just like the D.A.R.E shirt of course.  Sounds pretty hard, eh?  It was.  Well, this was the result.  There you have it, plain and simple.  Can't go wrong with a unisex baseball tee people.

Now, I have to say, I'm never one for the plain jeans and a t-shirt look.  I always try to spice it up with a scarf or shoes, or a fun pair of earrings.  Houndstooth Tom's did the trick.  I love houndstooth.  What is it about that print that's so amazing?  If anyone has the answer, I need to know immediately.

Stay tuned for a special wedding apparel addition tomorrow!  Kim's gettin' married!!

Jennica

11:365

Hat by Magid Hats, sleeveless sweater by random bargaining market shop in China, scarf by Shokay, leggings by B.P., boots by Trouve.

Yellow screams "life."  There's something about slipping on something the color yellow that makes my heart smile.  Though it's somewhat ridiculous to confess, it refills my internal energy in some mysterious way I can't quite describe.  It's the vitamin D that I'm missing ten months out of the year.  So on this cloudy, rainy day, I wear yellow.  I smile.  

I bought the striped infinity scarf in China this summer, from a company called Shokay.  The owner is a friend of my brother's and I had the opportunity to visit with her this summer and see her minimalist, modern showroom.  Long story short, all of her beautiful products, (sweaters, scarves, pillows, blankets, etc.) are woven or knitted from yak down and her company helps provide jobs for people in Tibetan communities in the Himalayas.  Check out the link above if you'd like to learn more about her story in helping Tibetan herders and her products. 

Almost Friday!

Jennica

10:365

Shirt by Truth, pencil skirt by Papaya, belt by Gap, heels by Preview, necklace from T.J.MAXX.

Today, I'm going for the sophisticated look.  The pencil skirt will never, I repeat, never go out of style.  It's classy, sassy, and will stop traffic no matter who is wearing it.  Yes, YOU will stop traffic in a pencil skirt.  If you're reading this and you're a guy, you would stop traffic wearing a pencil skirt too, but for other reasons...

In other news, I watched Extreme Weight Loss.  What an inspiration to see someone loose over half of his body weight.  To be honest, if I were in his shoes, I'm not sure if I could do it.  One of the messages that I took away from the show was how we often focus on being really good at lots of things like our jobs, being the best husband or wife, being the best dad or mom, and yet we neglect our own basic needs.  Of course, all of the above are extremely important, only when we can also take care of ourselves.  We neglect maintaining healthy habits, we neglect seeking our own interests that bring us joy, and we neglect saying "no", when saying "no" means allowing ourselves to grow more into who we are and bring forth a better self.  In-turn, our jobs and our relationships thrive.

Eat healthy. Exercise. Be good at everything else.

Jennica

9:365

Blouse by Olive & Oak, black skinnies with gold zippers by Mine, heels by Charles & Keith, jewelry set from Mapel Boutique.

Another summer has closed it's eyes, another fall has risen.  School begins again.  I've spoken to both teachers and parents with varying perspectives on a new school year.  Some teachers grumble, some teachers are excited for a new start, some parents are mystified that time has flown by this fast and their child is already in their last year of elementary school, middle school, or high school, and some parents can't wait to boot their children out the door...

No matter your perspective, time marches on.  A new chapter has begun.  Fresh starts have been given to students and staff alike, and we all breathe in hope.  May your year, whether a student, staff member, mother, father, corporate employee, friend, freelance artist, or entrepreneur, be filled with love, compassion, understanding, a listening ear, and a welcoming smile, even on the hardest of days.

Breathe in hope my friend,

Jennica

8:365

Tee from street seller in New York-customized eons later, jeans by Joe's, wedges by Guess, fedora by Aldo. 

These are my favoritists ( I know that's not a real word, but no other word seemed fitting) jeans in the whole wide world.  They're so comfy, I can wear them to go downtown with heels or throw on a pair of flippy-floppies. The only problem with them?? I can't wear them to work. I'll get over it someday.   For the tee, I just cut at an angle from below one armpit to the corner of the neckline on the other side.  I then used the extra material to make a shoulder strap and a cross strap. Voila! Renovated shirt done.  And last but not least, I must wear a hat on all road trips. Heading home from Bend, oregon today. I'm pretty sure I wear this hat with EVERYTHING.

Now on to my surprise I spoke of yesterday.  Today is a very special day.  Yes it's Labor Day, but it is also the one year anniversary of owning my sweet, bat-crazy cats.  Since they are going to be a public spectacle, I made sure to dress them today so they can show you that they too are felinistas.  The t-shirts they are wearing below really bring out the color of their eyes, and also compliment their skin tones.  The print on the back just confirms how hardcore they are ("Biker Princesses").  If you see them today, make sure to wish them a Happy 1 year!

I got it at Ross! :)

Stayed tuned for an anniversary birthday "cake" pic ;)

Here they are, celebrating the big day!

Ciao!

Jennica

7:365

Peplum top by Paper Crane, sweater by Moth from Anthropology, silk shorts by BCBG Maxazaria, wedges by Guess.

One week. I've made it one week. This is not such a huge accomplishment in and of itself. However, this means I'm one week closer to week 52, day 365. There is hope.  I've had friends tell me their hearts stopped, or were short of breath for a split second when they read what I was going to do.  I've had friends only give me a month before I back out of my commitment.  That makes me want to accomplish this challenge even more.  One week down, fifty-one to go.

Please feel free to follow my blog and let me know which outfit is your favorite so far!  Also, make sure to tune in tomorrow for special guests on the holiday!

Determined,

Jennica