57:365

Blouse by Elena Solano, skirt by Tulle, heels by Lulu Townsend.

Ladies, if you can't tell, I love high-waisted clothes!  Even if you think you can't pull off the look, I want to you as least give it a try. Somewhere like Nordstrom will really help you out in finding the right look/style.  I know it's not necessarily for everyone, but you might be surprised at how you feel. ;)

I've been thinking lately about water.  We use it for everything. Washing dishes, washing clothes, drinking, cleaning, brushing our teeth, showering, the list goes on.  I've been thinking about how I leave the water running when I'm brushing my teeth.  I use more water than I need to in order to clean my dishes the first time only to put them in the dishwasher where more water will be used to actually clean them.  I don't even want to talk about how long my showers are...

I remember learning about saving electricity and water in fourth grade, when my teacher, Mr. Evers, explained how important it was.  He taught us to not leave the refrigerator open longer than we were actually pulling something out or putting something in. He taught us to turn the water off while we were brushing our teeth. And he taught us about the bigger picture and what is impacted by our laziness in wasting water and electricity.  I'm surprised I still remember that, and a lot of good it's doing at the moment...But what's more important is that I'm still thinking about it, and though I've been wasteful in the past, being aware is half the battle.  So I'll do my part to put in more effort to conserve water if you'll do yours.

Jennica

56:365

Dress by Imaginary Voyage, scarf by Old Navy, hat by Forever 21, sweater by Rubbish, boots by Seychelles.

I've never worn this outfit before.  I actually like it.  I like how it's a transitional outfit for this random cold-to-hot by the minute weather.  My dress is a strapless dress which I love wearing in the summer, and I'm excited that I'm getting a little more use out of it.  If you ever want to pull those dresses, whether strapless, maxi, or backless, through the fall season, throw them on with a sweater and tights!

This afternoon I went to lunch with a friend and our goal in choosing a restaurant was that it had to be somewhere new for both of us.  We ended up at a local joint called Lardo.  If you ever want to have high self-esteem while eating, I wouldn't recommend going to any place called Lardo, but in this instance, it was an exception. With local brews on tap, and a selection of all-things-meat, I ended up choosing a Pork Belly Gyro.  I have a secret obsession with gyros and I now have a secret obsession with Lardo gyros.

The irony of ending up at this restaurant is that I was recently reading the 10th anniversary addition of the Portland Monthly where they were featuring top restaurants in Portland.  As I browsed their selections, everything looked so fancy, it actually looked disgusting and honestly, someone would have to pay me to eat their featured grub.  I hate saying that as Portland, Oregon is a food mecca of the world, however I think sometimes people just try too hard.  I finally landed on a page displaying a scrumptious burger, with a pickle sticking out of a tooth pick on top.  That was the only place from the whole magazine where I would've stepped foot through their doors.

48 hours later.

My friend and I wanted to eat somewhere new.  I couldn't remember the name of the only place in the magazine that looked somewhat appealing.  I then recommended a place that had a cool light up sign in the window and had a picture of a pig.  We somehow made it over to this place that I vaguely described.  As I was waiting in line, a server came out with a delicious looking burger...And what did I behold with my own eyes?  A pickle sticking out of the tooth pick, on top of that delicious looking burger.  I had somehow found the one restaurant I wanted to go to, without remembering the name and without realizing I was even going there!  Destiny, my friends.  Destiny.

Ciao for now!

Jennica

55:365

Right now, I'm watching through my window as the sun slowly sets, and says 'goodnight' to this stunning fall day, filled with beauty, warmth, and laughter.  It begins to hide behind the tree line as it's reflection in the lake below are a dead giveaway.  I love fall.  I think all people do.  The energy electrifying the air are only evidence of this, though one cannot root back to its source.

Today, for the first time since I've lived in my apartment, finally went downstairs to see the Pumpkin Regatta on the lake.  It has always woken me up in years past and this year I wasn't going to miss it. Partially do to me being reminded via a marching band blasting their tune at six in the morning to promote for a local television.  The city had forgotten that this was also a residency...Apparently I wasn't the only was who was a little alarmed, as I had a well-thought-out apology note taped to my front door.  All that to say, I'm secretly glad I woke up to the band playing the other morning or I would have completely forgotten about it.

Walking around, I saw painted faces, people hitting fake, floating golf balls into the lake - aiming for a plastic pumpkin, painted faces, carefully carved pumpkins, and pumpkins that weighed as much as my car floating in the water next to the foot bridge.  The pumpkin owners were diligently digging out the insides preparing for an aerodynamic race.

As the paddlers were edging the start line, the crowd was cued to count down, "5...4...3...2...1!"  The paddlers exploded off of the start line making the rounds as fast as giant pumpkins could float.  Some paddlers had a hard time even reaching the water with their paddles and made turtle speed through the turns.  With a previous year's winner in the lead, a duck pumpkin with it's ducklings trailing in a close second and the city's mayor fighting for 3rd place, the city experienced a fall tradition that won't be going anywhere any time soon.  And hopefully next year, I won't need the band to wake me up at 6:00 a.m. to remind me of the festivities coming up.

Jennica

54:365

    Today is Crazy Sock day here at my elementary school, hence my super awesome outfit.  Today I am wearing all Nike, except who knows where these socks came from but they have swagger nonetheless. 
     Yes and, yes and, yes and...as women, it's so easy to say yes to everyone and everything that comes along our already-beaten paths.  Women have an innate sense to please no matter the cost, emotionally, physically, or cha-ching! financially.  We want to throw the perfect, most glamorous parties, we want to volunteer for everything, we want to help every single person in need on every corner of the planet, and by all means if our kids want hot cheetos and taqis, we will get them enough for a month's supply.  

     These are all great things in moderation, especially hot cheetos and taqis.  However, if we are literally doing all of these things at a mediocre level, maybe we need to ask ourselves if it's worth it.  Maybe we need to only choose a few things to say yes to, and by saying no to the others, we are allowing doors to be opened for someone else whose looking.

10 Signs that you might be in over your head:

1. You put the milk in the dishwasher and the glass in the fridge.
2. You've been looking for your reading glasses all day long and finally found them when they fell off your head while leaning over to flush the toilet.
3. You get the cats ready for school and wonder why they didn't catch the bus.
4. You find french fries in your car, and you haven't eaten fries since you went paleo before it was a "thing".
5. When your alarm goes off in the morning, you smack your spouse in the head and hope it turns off.
6. You showed up late for an interview and didn't even realize you were applying for a new job.
7. While you were making breakfast, you cracked open an egg into your freshly poured coffee.
8. For a second, you fantasized about what it might be like to be in jail where they feed and clothe you and you don't have to lift a pretty little finger.
9. You bought a month's supply of hot cheetos and taqis for your kids and secretly ate the whole supply while the cats - I mean kids - were at school.
10. You woke up in vegas with a tiger and a baby in your hotel room and you have no freaking idea where they came from or who they belong to.

Ladies, do yourself a favor.  Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.

Jennica

53:365

"I DARE you to walk over here."

 Leather coated dress by H&M, heels by Naughty Monkey.

Let's just start off by saying don't run into me in a dark alley.  But in all honesty, I LOVE this dress and it's modern-edgy look. What's even better is that it's a modest length and has a high neck line.  Therefore, I'm wearing it to work.

This dress also brings back memories, because I scored it on my trip to China this summer, and I bought it for a specific purpose. I had only brought casual, breathable, comfortable clothes, but then ended up having an opportunity to attend a business social in downtown Shanghai, in a sophistiswanky (just made up that word but you know exactly what I mean...) industrial building. Used for a showroom by day, shmoozing by night, the glass staircase went on for days and cable railing kept us from falling off the stairs while being disoriented going up.  Bigwigs were going to be there and my brother, businessman extraordinaire, needed to make some connections.



You said WHAT about my cats?!?

So, this is what I wore with statement earrings and teal/snakeskin heels.  Now, I'll probably throw a sweater or blazer on, on my way out the door, but nothing caught my eye while I was planning out my outfits.  Bottom line ladies?  leather, pleather, and coated denim are in!

Now let's just talk about my facial expressions in these pics.  I didn't realize until after I uploaded the pics what my face actually looked like...ha!  I know I already told you I won't quit my day job, but let me just assure you...I WON'T quit my day job. Underneath each picture is the caption of what thoughts could potentially be occupying my mind...

If you have other creative captions to go along with my facial expressions, please leave them in the comment section below! I'm always up for a good laugh;)

Jennica



Honey, you don't even DESERVE to have me look at you.

52:365

Black top by Frenchi, pinstriped skirt by No Appt Necessary, belt by ??, heels by Preview International.

Alright folks, we're back in action.  Introducing What to Wear Wednesdays.  Courtney Rogers with Human Beauty and I are going to be partnering on Wednesdays, as well as a few other projects along the way ;), to assist you it getting a complete look head to toe.  I will be your stylist and she will cover the makeup and hair department (she's a pro!!).

Today, I am wearing a classic, high-waisted skirt with a basic black top.  I will let Courtney give her take on my outfit below, but I will leave you with some exciting news!  Today, I'm 1/7th of the way done with my Project 365!!!  I can't believe it.  I only have to do this six more times ;).  

Take it away Court!

Red lips on the runway

I love this sexy chic outfit Jennica is rocking!  It screams a bold statement lip. Maybe because it channels a modern Mad Men vibe, or just because it has enough of a sophisticated edge that it almost requires a statement.  I think wearing a red lip says "I'm confident, I am feminine and I am my own person". This is coming from the eternal nude lip woman, so I am challenging myself, too :)!!!  

Red lip swatches for skin tones

Some secrets on the red lip.  Find a red that compliments your skin tone. Remember on the color wheel, opposites attract, or compliment. Meaning that if you have blue to pink undertones to your skin then opt for cherry or a red pink, or an opaque red.  Avoid an orange red in this case.  If you have olive skin tones you will look ravishing in an orange based red. Darker skin tones compliment more of a maroon red like Armani's Rouge d'Armani #403. A classic red like Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon suits all skin tones and is opaque yet incredibly shiny.  Want to try a red lip, but not ready to invest in a higher end brand?  Go to your local drug store and grab a bold lip from Revlon.  Avoid the long wear lip options as they tend to look chalky, dull and flake off through the day.  A red lip looks good fresh.  It is more high maintenance than 'just gloss', but so worth it.  

Makeup/Hair by Human Beauty

A tip to making your lipstick last:  cover your lips with your foundation, add a matching lip liner onto the entire lip.  Dab on one coat of your lip color, then dab on your HD setting powder on top, add another coat of the lipstick, and voila, that lip is set for hours. 

Thanks for joining us for What to Wear Wednesday, and see you next week!

Ciao Bellas!

Jennica and Courtney

51:365

Button-up shirt by Ideology, sweater by Kersh, jeans by Seven For All Mankind, wedges by Dunkin (I got them at Goodwill-brand from Brazil).

So I bought this sweater a long time ago because I really liked the colors, and then I realized it didn't match anything and was just a little awkward to wear...hence it sits in my closet, lonely and has no one to play with.  Here is my effort to bring it out to play.

Today, my advice to you is if you are thinking about buying a clothing item, think first if you have at least 3 specific pieces you can wear it with.  Even though something might be amazing, if you have to spend more money in order to make it work, then maybe it's not worth taking up space in your closet.

Think before you spend.

Jennica

PS-Not sure what I'm looking at in the last picture...