Archives for March 2016

Wide Leg Perfection

March 30, 2016

The wide leg trouser and pant trend continues going strong intro spring and summer. When I bought my first pair of cropped, wide-leg trousers last spring, they were so different…SO wide. Ironically, when I put this same pair on last night, they were barely wide enough! Isn’t it funny how you have to ease yourself into a new look or trend. Well, suffice to say, I’ve fully embraced wide legs without looking back!

{outfit details}
pants: Olivia Palermo + Chelsea28
blouse: Zara
clogs: re-souL
clutch: Hobo
scarf: Treasure & Bond
sunnies: Karen Walker (check out Ditto – designer sunglass rental)
bracelets: Gorjana, Guitar String (mine found at Queen Anne Dispatch)
watch: Cluse
rings: Rocksbox (jewelry subscription service, enter “jenniferlovinxoxo” for a free month!)

Are you feeling wide-leg pants? Need styling suggestions? Please leave a comment. As always, thanks for reading! ~Jenn

Linked up for {what i wore wednesday}

Olivia Palermo + Chelsea28 for Nordstrom

March 25, 2016

I hear you, I’m often annoyed by celebrity clothing lines too. As such, I was a little skeptical of Olivia Palermo’s new line for Chelsea28 (sold exclusively at Nordstrom). Don’t get me wrong, I love Olivia’s eclectic, yet sophisticated street-style. Yet I often wonder, are these fashionistas really going to wear the items they’re endorsing or designing?

Leather Skirt

However, I am eating my words because I have completely fallen in love with Olivia’s French bohemian, 1970’s-inspired collection that hit Nordstrom stores earlier this spring. If you read Tuesday’s post, you already know that this leather skirt was off the charts on my “love barometer” – I’ve already worn it several times. Also added to my shopping cart (well, actually went home in a bag), are the wide-leg trousers and the off-the-shoulder peasant blouse below. Stay tuned next week for an outfit post featuring the trousers!

Wide-Leg Trousers

Off-the-Shoulder Peasant Top

Cheers to a lovely spring weekend! As always, thanks so very much for reading. ~Jenn

3 Simple Tips to Cheating Father Time

March 23, 2016

This week’s “Wellness Wednesday” features 3 tips, tricks, and/or products to help you cheat Father Time.

Silk Pillowcase

Meili & Grace Anti-Aging Pillowcase

Well, I’m a stomach sleeper so, in addition to all of that sunbathing I did in my youth, I’ve basically been giving myself wrinkles as I’ve been getting my beauty rest! I have been meaning to invest in a silk pillow case for some time. As a person that only washes their hair a couple of times a week (and yes, I mean 2 times), the benefits to gorgeous, next-day locks should have sold me alone. However, I was only motivated to finally make my switch when I found out that a standard cotton pillow case is creating drag on your skin; therefore, contributing to fine lines and wrinkles. Also, unlike cotton, which is more absorbent, silk won’t wick the moisturizers you painstakingly apply during your evening routine; therefore, leaving your skin better hydrated. Finally, silk won’t rub or catch as cotton does; alleviating bed head, breakage, and split ends. Sold? Me too.

Firming Eye Gels

Skyn Iceland

I was first introduced to these eye gels in my Birchbox (as you may have already read, I’m a huge fan of this subscription service, perfect for beauty junkies like yours truly). Similar to the idea of a Korean sheet mask, the cooling, firming eye gel deeply penetrates the skin as you leave the pads secured under your eyes for 10 minutes. Packed with an exclusive blend of glacial water, essential minerals, and gingko bilboa leaf extract; the pads deliver nutrients and healthy fats while reducing puffiness and dark circles. I pop mine in the fridge prior to application for an additional pick-me-up. Also check out Skyn Iceland Skin Hangover Kit…almost as necessary as a greasy cheeseburger following a late night!

Concealer

Clé de Peau Concealer

Hands-down, the best concealer on the market. Not too cakey nor too slick, Clé de Peau’s concealer is the perfect weight for layering to cover those dark circles that can be a permanent fixture once you have little ones (or stay up late binge watching Netflix, no judgement). I use my BeautyBlender sponge to apply, but a brush could work just as well. Stays put all day, blends beautifully…definitely worth the investment, as a little goes a long way!

What are your tips or tricks for maintaining your youthful glow? Any product recommendations? Please leave a comment so that I can try and/or share! If, by some miracle, you are getting 9+ hours of sleep, do not apply. Just kidding! And, thanks for reading. ~Jenn

“Love Barometer” & My New Leather Skirt

March 22, 2016

When working with clients, I often suggest that they employ the “love barometer” when shopping for additions to their wardrobes. You know that feeling you get when put something amazing on and realize that you must have it, it’s what you’ve been looking for all along (even if you didn’t realize it), and it was meant to go with just about everything in your closet, for every and any occasion! We all have to be responsible for our own budgets, but it’s these pieces that I always advocate for because wearing clothes that bring you joy is the cornerstone to having great personal style.Needless to say, this leather midi skirt was love at first sight. A leather skirt was definitely not on the “need-to-have list,” yet it seemingly goes with just about everything I want to be wearing right now. And I feel so great wearing it, the compliments abound. I plan to style this bordeaux-colored skirt into spring pairing it with of-the-moment off-the-shoulder tops and wedge sandals, or even casually with a tee and sneakers. Add a fitted sweater and tall boots and it can be in heavy rotation into fall and winter. A sound wardrobe investment by all accounts!

{outfit details}
skirt: Olivia Palermo + Chelsea28
blazer: Rag & Bone
camisole: Free People
clogs: re-soul
clutch: Hobo (mine from Queen Anne Dispatch)
necklaces: Rocksbox (get your first month free with code “jenniferlovinxoxo”)
rings: Gorjana, Rocksbox
glasses: Karen Walker (via Ditto – designer sunglass rental)

What items register on your “love barometer”? Please leave a comment! As always, thanks for reading. ~Jenn

Styling Tips for SAHMs

March 17, 2016

By no means do I consider myself to be a parenting expert, nor am I perfect at being a stay-at-home mom. I didn’t return to my previous professional work after having my second child…nearly 6 years ago now! As every working parent can attest, it was difficult juggling work and parenting responsibilities. I always felt torn between my two “day jobs;” not giving 100% of my focus to either. When I had the opportunity to stay at home with my kids, I jumped at it. Knowing what a joy it was to spend my weekends at home with my babies, I had assumed that it was going to be a wonderful and smooth transition into full-time Mommyhood. Being at home would surely mean more time with friends for play dates, having time to make healthy and nutritious meals, and actually folding the laundry!

What I didn’t anticipate was my initial loss of identity and the loneliness that can come with spending all of my time with small children. I remember struggling to push my double-wide strolled through the narrow doors at my neighborhood Starbucks. Wearing sweatpants and no makeup, I watched with envy as seemingly put-together people were all lost in the “important business” on their blackberries (this was a few years ago now!). Ironically, in that moment I was jealous of the very thing I had looked to escape when leaving the workplace.

Again, this is a style blog and I feel much more confident dispensing styling advice. As such, below you will find a few stylish tricks and solutions that have helped me brave being a stay at home parent, all the meanwhile allowing me to look like I belong in the adult world.

Benefit ‘They’re Real’

Wear Mascara. Well, not necessarily mascara. A bra, perfume, blow-dry your hair…whatever helps you feel put together. For me, wearing mascara made me feel like I had put some effort into my appearance. Although I wasn’t wearing a full-face of makeup (truly I haven’t worn eyeshadow in years!), I could look another adult in the face and have a conversation without feeling like I was too slumpy. Perhaps mascara distracted from the spit-up on my shoulder?

I’m rarely a product loyalist but Benefit ‘They’re Real’ mascara is THE best mascara I’ve ever used. Truth-be-told, I’m quite vain about my lashes (could explain “wear mascara”).

Monrow

Sub Your White Tee for Grey. Grey is just as neutral as white yet much easier to disguise stains and keep clean. I wear my grey tee under cardigans and flannels or simply paired with my favorite jeans. The Monrow tee above is the perfect weight (not too shear nor thick), and an awesome longer length – I love it so much that I own 2 (I rarely, if ever, do this!).

New Balance

Invest in Sneakers. Oh, the things I used to be able to do in a 3″ heel?! I could run for the bus, work a 10 hour day while taking the stairs, and lead a workshop all day on my feet without batting the proverbial eyelash (we’ve already discussed how much I care about lashes!). But I cannot tolerate whining, negotiating, and tears while my feet hurt. It’s time to be practical, and I rarely advocate this – I don’t even own a raincoat and I live in Seattle! But buying a pair of on-trend, cute sneakers (not your running shoes….pleeeease) to wear with your jeans and cardi mom uniform will definitely put some pep in your step. While your heels gather dust in the back of your closet, you will get a ton of mileage out of this investment!

Take some time for yourself. This can sound so cliché, but it really does make a world of difference; positively effecting not only my personal sanity but my patience and ultimate joy with spending time with my kids. My time is before everyone wakes up – I exercise, finish writing this blog, or simply enjoy getting some chores done in the quiet of the sleeping house. I feel awake by the time everyone else gets up and don’t feel rushed to get something done on my own in “30 quick minutes.” (Does anyone else do this? “I’ll be back from the store in 30 quick minutes.”) I’ll admit, getting up sometimes is a chore (especially this week with daylight savings time), but I never regret it once I’m out of bed.

What are your tips for being a stay-at-home parent? Please share. Always room for improvement here!

As always, thanks for reading! ~Jenn

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