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Dress by Tulle, heels by Aubrey Brooke | istep

Today was a big day for 120 students at Middleton - they were officially promoted from 5th grade to 6th grade. What a big accomplishment. From start to finish, each student has committed more or less 34,200 hours to being an elementary student. Inside and outside of those 34,200 hours, a village has stepped up to raise each and every student. Teachers, principals, classroom volunteers, parents, the students' friend's parents - each one has made a contribution to help grow each individual to eventually become a successful adult. Priceless.

Within my own classroom, we sat in a circle as the room was packed up for summer and as part of my theme for the year is choice, we talked about how no matter what situation we're in, we have a choice. We have a choice to include or exclude our peers, we have the choice to to have a positive or negative attitude, we have a choice to talk with someone when we're having a hard day instead of bottling it up, etc. And ultimately we have a choice to contribute positively or negatively to the world around us.

And with that, I leave you with an Irish blessing I wish upon my 28 students ~

 Cheers,

Jennica

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Dress by Charlie Jade, jacket by Free People, heels by Vince Camuto.

Though turning 31 remained somewhat of an anticlimactic year in age, I still felt very loved and spoiled throughout the entire day! Thank you to everyone for your sweet words, cards, gestures and goodies, and a special thanks my Mama for a fun-filled evening!

My day started out driving in my car, sunroof open, jammin' to the song, Best Day of My Life, by American Authors just by chance on the radio. After arriving at work with my free birthday Starbucks, my students burst into my classroom all at once, shouting, "Happy Birthday" gleefully and showering me with hugs, goodies, and a rose. As the day progressed, I received a wave of birthday wishes from students and staff in the hallway as the ripple affect of learning it was my birthday occurred. My school day ended with a gooey caramel and chocolate cupcake from Sweet Story Bakery with some extra sweet staff members. 

I was then off to a surprise evening with my Mom and boyfriend in downtown Portland! The evening kicked off at Harborside McCormick & Schmicks for some happy hour delights followed by a complimentary chocolate lava cake covered in chocolate sauce, chocolate-covered toffee, and accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream...#chocolateoverdose. Sitting at our outside table that evening, we had the view of the harbor, the sun beaming down on sail boats and yachts galore, a light breeze whispering through our sweaters. Amidst our conversation was a bustle of people coming and going; running, walking little ones in their strollers, some with paddles in hand, life jackets in tow, just stepping off their boats, some meandering down the boardwalk enjoying the pleasant evening. 

We then joined the bustling boardwalk, heading towards the center of Portland, me being the only one in the dark as to our destination. Excitement brewing, I finally saw a message board advertising the Broadway show, ONCE at Keller Auditorium!! One of the featured songs being Falling Slowly, this musical is a modern-day show, humor interwoven throughout the script, emotion-filled music grasping your soul and not letting go until the curtain call. I absolutely LOVED the show and loved every part of my special surprise birthday evening!

As for turning thirty-one, there are two words that I will be meditating on and will be my theme for the year; change & choice. In every situation I have a choice of what to do, what not to do, what to say, what not to say - an attempt to take back what I have control over. With change, if I am not changing, I'm not growing and if I'm not growing, then I am stagnant. Having choice and change in my back pocket, I wear a new (or at least improved) lens as I live my life. Not wanting to sound cliche, my hope is to make this year a memorable year - one I look back on giving a sigh of relief for not letting time pass, wasted.

Cheers!

Jennica

PS~Here's another look at my dress and my special vintage clutch thanks to miss Megan Tarry!

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Blouse by Trouve, skinnies by Saturday, heels by Nine West.

Birthday Week has officially started! You all know exactly what I'm talking about ;). I kicked it off with some delicious halibut tacos at Stanfords, and who knows what else is to come. I hear that once you turn thirty, you stay thirty for the rest of your life. Am I right? I'm sure there will be a day when I don't necessarily get amped about the whole birthday ordeal and am old enough where my memory tricks me into actually believing I'm still thirty, but until then, let the celebration begin ;).

~Jennica

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Tank from Urban Outfitters, shorts by Tyle, sandals by Ugg Australia

I'm not sure I totally love this outfit, but nonetheless I'm wearing it. It's not necessary to be too fashionable on road trips right? I think if I wore this outfit again, I might go with a pair of wedges...Regardless, I was comfortable!

Thinking back on Mike and April's wedding, I'm so impressed with with their composure through the whole thing. Yeah, April's bridesmaids did an amazing job of keeping her out of the loop until just before 'show time,' but to pull herself back together after finding out she has to evacuate, walking down the aisle and then standing on stage with a joyful smile on her face blew me away.

I think brides need to take notes from her. Weddings have become such a big deal to where we expect everything to be perfect, go as planned and if it doesn't, someone's going to hear about it. Yeah the wedding is a big deal in one sense, but it's actually literally ONE day of the rest of your life. We fixate on the details, spend THOUSANDS on random crap that no one remembers rather than investing in the relationship itself.

Ladies, it's time to take back what's important. Take back your relationship and spend time rather than money on it. Meaning over money...

XOXO,

Jennica

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Dress by Kyumi, belt by BCBG Maxazria, heels (not pictured) by Cole Haan.

Photo Credit: Josh Newton

Waking up this morning, I had no idea the turn of events that was to come later that day. What started out as a relaxing day in the sun ended up bringing excitement, heartbreak, joy, and laughter.

Laying out in the sun with DJ's mom, we played catch up while DJ washed his mom's car. It was a beautiful clear day, the blue jays chirping from a nearby bush, the three of us soaking up the vitamin D, and each sipping on a glass of rose wine. Amidst our time of leisure DJ noticed smoke in the far off distance, surprised there was a forest fire this early in the year. We shrugged it off, proceeded to get ready for Mike and April's wedding and headed out the door. As we were driving we realized we were driving directly towards the fire, getting closer and closer to the billowing smoke. As we drove by cows and horses in the fields - oblivious of the fire - towards the ranch, our level of worry increased by the minute. When we arrived, things seemed to be going smoothly and moving forward though the clouds of smoke were too close for comfort and were beginning to barricade the sun from our view.

After grabbing a fresh glass of lemonade, we all got seated, anxiously awaiting the ceremony to begin. The music began to play softly in the background while family was ushered in, and finally Mike, the groom, stepped on stage with his groomsman close behind. Soon to follow were each of the bridesmaids, each in a unique gold dress. The aisle lined with flower-filled mason jars and just previously sprinkled with rose petals, the only person still to come was one of the most important; the bride. Just at that moment, we heard the evacuation sirens indicating that because of the forest fire, everyone had to evacuate. With April, the bride, standing just outside of the ranch house, the fire marshall pulled up and approached her in his yellow fire suit. (I had to pinch myself - this felt like a movie...)

The whole congregation held their breath as well as held back tears in fear of what was about to come. This was Mike and April's biggest day of their lives, and it was about to be cut short due to an unexplained forest fire. Soon after, April's dad stepped on the stage to deliver the news, but too heartbroken and choked up to do it, the wedding coordinator was able to run down to explain that we would be evacuating the wedding and relocating to a local park in Bend. Every little detail of this wedding was perfect from decor to the view, and it was devastating to hear those words...until...another woman who was assisting with the wedding yelled from up the hill in thrilled excitement, "He's going to let us do the wedding!!" All of the attendees erupted in cheers of relief, took a deep breath, and we stood to see the beautiful, composed bride walk down the aisle, soaking in what precious time she had at her dream venue marrying the man she loves with her closest family and friends by her side.

Though this was not the most leisurely wedding ceremony (maybe a good thing!), it was still one of the most beautiful, authentic ceremonies I've ever been to. After announcing them husband and wife, and sending them down the aisle, the pastor announced that it was time to evacuate. It was then a team effort to grab whatever we could - flowers, lanterns, drinks, food, picture frames, centerpieces - shove it in any vehicle and relocate to Bend's Drake Park.

Upon arrival, the amphitheater was unoccupied, ready to use, the electrical outlet was on and accessible, ready for the DJ to mix it up, and one hundred pairs of hands began frantically reassembling and decorating the new reception space to the best of their ability. Instead of using our streamers to send Mike and April off, we passed them out to make a welcoming tunnel into their 'new & improved' reception space as they arrived.

After indulging in food and drink, attempting a pathetic game of corn hole, dancing like crazy on the amphitheater stage, and pictures galore, the sun finally set behind the clouds of smoke. Though they started as the enemy, the smoke and forest fire ended up turning a great wedding into the most epic wedding of the century. If anyone can keep their composure during an emotional roller coaster on a day like today, it's Mike and April. And I think that's a testament to their relationship and the success they will have for years to come.

Cheers to Mike and April - May your life bring you joy and may your marriage bring you closer than you already are, and may each year become that much sweeter.

~Jennica

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Sweater by Two Apples, tank by Alternative, jeans by Cello, sandals by Ugg Australia.

Happy last Friday of school! To 'celebrate', DJ and I took off after work for Bend for our friends Mike and April's wedding. What made for a fast trip got us into Bend in time to hang with all our friends the night before the wedding and rest up for the big day.                                                                                                                                              On the fashion front, I'm dubbing today Fashion Friday, and I'd like to highlight the midi skirt today! This skirt is full, flirty, modest (gasp!), AND flattering for all. Since these are coming back in style from decades ago, you can find a unique midi skirt at your local thrift store/Goodwill/vintage clothing boutique or they are popping up in a boutique near you. This is a fun item for spring and keeps you cool amidst the heat too!

XOXO,

Jennica

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Sweater by Semantiks, jeans by Seven For All Mankind, wedges by Guess.

Tonight was a painting night at Vine Gogh! If you have a fear of painting, they coach you through a painting (even if you don't know a paint brush from a screw driver) and then you get to take it home with you! We started the evening off grabbing some scrumptious pizza from a pizza shop just down the street and we devoured every last piece! We then took our wine glass, paint brushes and canvas and let the party begin. Above was our final product. It's so fascinating how 20 people can be coached through the same painting and each one looks completely different from the others.

Thanks for a fun night Mom!

Jennica