Archives for May 2018

Good Ol’ Americana Denim

May 24, 2018

Let’s face it, a great fitting pair of jeans can be transformative. Truly. Whether they’re a day-to-day staple or reserved for weekend wear only, an excellent pair of jeans is a wardrobe workhorse. I may sound like a broken record here, but that’s because I live my life in denim. Therefore, I believe myself to be an expert. Is there such a thing? Well, everybody has got to have something!

I get a lot of questions about denim trends. Remember when ‘the skinny’ jean first came around? Well, wasn’t that intimidating at first (and second and third)?! But eventually mainstream fashion got on board…like all on board. It’s now hard to imagine our lives without the magic of the lycra-blended into cotton denim; a requirement for the painted-on jean look. How did we even wear tall boots before skinny jeans? Do you remember pegging your pants (am I dating myself)? Or how, previous to skinnies, your bootcut jeans would drag on the ground? Getting soggy in the Seattle rain?

Well, a couple of years ago now, the fashion pendulum swung away from skinnies. Don’t panic, they’re not dead. No need to trash your collection. The slim silhouette of the skinny is here to stay. Phew.

However, a nostalgic Americana brand has returned to the forefront of denim culture (ahem, Levi’s), and premium denim brands have taken note. 100% cotton, “vintage” denim fit and styling as returned to popularity. And, are we all so happy that it’s back that it seems refreshing rather than annoying to have to squat, plié, and tug our way into our favorite jeans? (The lay on the bed to button situation is no joke). The other day I had a sales person tell me that they only allowed their 100% cotton jeans to dry to about 95% (hanging of course, you know better than to dry!) and then they put them on still damp so that they can form to her body. She felt like this was an earth shattering revelation…I was reminded of my teenage years. I like to consider myself an early adopter…or shall we say, re-adopter? Therefore, I was all in and began my quest in ernest last fall. Now, I’ve been loving the cropped flare and bootcut for awhile (are any of my jeans full length these days?!). But I began to look for the perfectly 90’s, lighter wash and straight cut I was lusting after. As you can imagine, this was an effort. Some jeans were too tight or square, meaning that the legs were too fitted or tight in the thigh yet big in the waist. Doesn’t this sound familiar? This is how we all used to shop for denim 20 years ago!

I searched flea markets and vintage shops for Levi’s, had try-on sessions at retailers such as Nordstrom and Aritzia (both stores being my go-to for denim). I discovered a pair of Levi’s “Wedgie” fit at Aritzia that were just what I was looking for (I found them in a Canadian store, no less!). But then I found that all Levi’s Wedgies were not created equal when I tried to replicate or refer people. Finding a perfect pair of true Levi’s is a commitment to the search! And I’m not even talking about a vintage pair!

Then I stumbled upon these AYR jeans that I’m wearing in these photos. I’ve been a fan of this brand for awhile (see my previous post) and was eager to try their denim, especially since their social media boasts the perfect fit to flatter customer’s derrières. Again, I believe that I know my way around a pair of jeans, yet even I had to be talked through the break-in of these jeans. When I first received them they were tiiiiiiiight. I could get them on (a button-front of course!), but stairs were a challenge and sitting was out of the question! I was convinced that I needed to go up a size. After trading messages with the AYR team via Instagram (what did we do before Insta?), I was coached through the break-in phase. I was told to “hang tight” (oh, the irony!), and that if I could get them on, they were the correct size. I wore them for 48 hours straight; admittedly cringing every time I was required to bend over. And now, here they are…one of my favorite pairs of jeans. I’ve only washed them once (I know, sounds weird but it’s actually a thing…you shouldn’t wash your denim too often), and I went through the break-in process again. Now I gingerly avoid my kids’ “jam hands” and pass on questionable seating because they are just riiiiight.
{outfit details} denim: AYR (c/o) | blouse: Sea (similar with less pattern) | slides: Zara (oldies but goodies) | sunnies: Chloé

What denim brands are you loving? Are you excited about the return of 100% cotton, vintage styling in jeans? Be sure to leave a comment.

Thanks for reading! ~Jenn

photos by Sarah Wolfe

Mama Knows {and Deserves} Best

May 8, 2018

Whether it’s your mom, your children’s mom, your spouse’s mom…or simply someone special in your life, this coming weekend we celebrate the women that make our world go round. On the hunt for the most special of treats to honor these women? I suggest starting with a heartfelt card (that always makes mom’s heart melt). And if you’re looking to spoil mom beyond cards and lots of hugs (which also win in my book), then book an appointment at Penelope & The Beauty Bar, an ultra-luxe spa located in the beautiful Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle.

As a mom of three elementary school-age children, life has gotten increasingly busy. And I love it, mostly. I enjoy watching my kids play real baseball (it does finally progress from t-ball scoring!), listening to the piano practices, sharing in the chess victories, and helping with the spelling test prep. However, after 2:00pm, my life is a complicated juggle of scheduling, carpooling, dinner prep (and clean-up), homework, and bedtime routines. I know I’m not alone, nor am I the busiest or most organized mom on the planet. Yet the struggle is real. All the more reason to treat mom to a day of respite and true pampering. And, because it’s unlikely that she’ll take the time for herself, schedule that appointment…or at least get a gift card!

This is not your ordinary spa experience, as you can tell from the very moment you check in and begin to relax in the amazingly designed reception area. The devil is in the details at Penelope & The Beauty Bar; including plush robes awaiting you in the sanctuary-like changing rooms and interesting reads set on the mercury glass coffee table, as you await your service while drinking herbal tea. I loved the black and white decor, with a nod to french bohemian styling, and the glowing candlelight highlights the stamped tin ceiling.

I was treated to the “Perfect Facial” which included a comprehensive lifting facial massage in addition to cleansing, masks, and extractions. My aesthetician, Donna, was very knowledgeable and quite skilled as I relaxed while my skin was being exfoliated, rehydrated, and reinvigorated. Donna used Biologique Rechereche products, a Parisian line with simple, natural ingredients developed to enhance skin’s health. We talked extensively about my rosacea and the best products and practices for treating my sensitive skin.

The final part of my treatment included a Coolift Cyro-Facial. This procedure uses a hand-held device to deliver hydrating serum to the skin; reducing wrinkles, inflammation, and areas of dryness. Immediately my skin felt restored and moisturized, and I definitely noticed the lifting and tightening effect for the next 24-48 hours. There is absolutely no downtime for this procedure and you can resume your normal activities and skin care routine immediately. This procedure is called the “red carpet facial” both due to the lack of downtime and the immediate results. Of course, done in a series of three followed by routine touch-ups, will get you the best, long-lasting anti-aging results.

“It’s not easy being a mother. If it were easy, Father’s would do it.” ~Dorothy (from the Golden Girls)

Make sure you love on the mother(s) in your life this weekend…and every weekend. They are the keepers of your heart, your secrets, and the maintainers of your life. Happy Mother’s Day.

Thanks for reading! ~Jenn

This post was done in collaboration with Penelope & The Beauty Bar. As always, you can expect all opinions expressed on my blog to be my own!

Travel Guide: Visit Sedona (with Kids)

May 1, 2018

Does spring break seem like a distant memory? I agree. Last month we had the pleasure of returning to the beautiful state of Arizona. We have family in Scottsdale, so we travel to the desert each year during the spring. This is one of my most favorite places to visit and a trip our family looks forward to year after year.

As we take different short trips each year, we have discovered that Arizona has plenty to offer both kids and parents alike. While we definitely enjoy a lot of down time, which includes swimming, sunshine, and Grandma babysitting, we also try to get out to explore more of the Scottsdale area and other parts of this beautiful state. This year, we drove north to Sedona to spend 3 days exploring ancient Native American ruins, touring the Red Rocks via a Pink Jeep tour, and swimming in a natural water slide. Below I offer some inspiration for your next (or first) trip to America’s Southwest:

In and Around Sedona

Driving from Scottsdale up 17 N through the Tonto National Forest, the scenery is breathtaking. As soon as you leave the “Valley of the Sun,” the saguaros fade away quickly and the landscape changes to low shrub. While it’s a short drive from Phoenix and Scottsdale (ideal for young families – around 2 hours), there was so much to see on the way.

Montezuma Castle & Well
On the very top of my list, Montezumas Castle is an absolute must-see. We were awestruck by the amazing engineering of this well-preserved dwelling built into the cliff side above Beaver Creek in the Verde River Valley. A very easy hike along a paved path leads visitors directly underneath the dwelling, which was built approximately between 1110 and 1425 AD. The kids were hot and their attention spans waned, but they enjoyed imagining themselves in the cliff dwelling as they toured the grounds and viewed the diarama which recreates daily life in this Singua village.

It’s also worth the drive to view Montezumas Well, a natural limestone sinkhole with a near constant flow of natural spring water. The well has been used for irrigation since the 8th century and you can see some of the original canal systems that are still in use today.

Pink Jeep Tours
Hands down, the Pink Jeep Tour was the family’s favorite activity of our entire trip! What a blast we all had traversing boulders and rocking our way thru the Red Rock Valley! This tour is not only filled with fun, roller coaster-like thrills sure to please squirmy kids but also takes you onto the Red Rocks without having to hike in (key when you have small children). Our tour guide, Mike, was very knowledgeable showing us geographical points of interest and educating us on the history of the valley, all the meanwhile taking us on the most thrilling of adventures. We took the 2 hour tour, which is the most popular, and choose a mid-morning time to avoid the afternoon heat. Although we didn’t spy any wildlife, we did see a flowering agave plant (which flowers only once during their 10-25 year lifetime and right before it dies), learned that the rocks get their red color from iron deposits, and we saw examples of the fault line running through the valley to the Colorado Plateau.

Slide Rock
Not for the faint of heart, Slide Rock is a natural “waterslide” with rocks and deep pools perfect for water play. To note, the water is very cold. It was refreshing on a warm Arizona afternoon but it definitely took your breath away at first splash! Also, the slides are pretty rough and can move small kids quickly, so you would definitely only want your swimmers to partake. The park was filled with other families all having a great time (it was crowded but didn’t encroach on your fun time). Aside from a shaded picnic area, there are plenty of places along the river to soak in the heat on the rocks (and dry off) or seek shade on the banks.

Tuzigoot
Leaving Sedona on our way back to Scottsdale, we planned several stops. We first drove thru the very quant town of Cottonwood with plenty of antique shops and an amazing gem store. We then stopped at another site of an ancient Singua pueblo, Tuzigoot. Termed “crooked water” in Apache, the remains of a 110 room pueblo overlook the Verde River flood plain. You can buy a multi-day pass that allows you to visit all three sites (Montezumas Castle and Well, and Tuzigoot) and I would recommend stopping in at the ranger station. The kids got National Park passports which allows them to place unique stamps for each national park and monument we visit. We plan to fill them with more stamps soon…if only we can remember where we stored them upon our return home?!

Jerome
Our final stop was a the old mining town of Jerome. Once a booming copper mine, Jerome is now a “ghost town” with a dwindling population due to the close of the mine in the mid-1950’s and the fact that it is slipping down the mountainside. The town boasts lots of fun history and spectacular views. We ate an outstanding lunch at Bobby D’s BBQ (a former Chinese restaurant originally built in 1899, supposedly still haunted by it’s owner). John and I found the Jerome history museum to be filled with interesting artifacts but it didn’t hold the kids’ attention. Instead we bribed them with ice cream.

Planning your own trip to Sedona? Want to learn more about Scottsdale or traveling to the Grand Canyon with kids? Shoot me a message with inquiries, as I’m happy to share more. Or leave a comment. Your questions and feedback could inspire more Arizona travel posts!

Thanks for reading! ~Jenn (and the Lovin fam)

This post was done in collaboration with Pink Jeep Tours. As you can always expect, all opinions shared on this blog are entirely my own.