Fashion Friday

Happy First day of Fall!!

Fall didn't get the memo up here in New York though.  Looking at the forecast, temperatures will be in the 80s and hitting even 90 next week. What?!

It did cool down a bit in August, so I was able to try out some new "Fall" items, but I have since been living in shorts and tees again.

Most of all of my tops are from Apricot Lane Boutique.  I find the small fits me perfectly!

I love this color combo-- a soft olive green and mauve.  I thought the Rebel pendant was perfection.

Scarves are the perfect accessory for this whacky weather.  It's chilly in the morning and then as it gets hot, most places have AC running so I find that having a scarf is pretty darn helpful!  This dress was a Fabletics purchase.

Joe calls this my lumberjack shirt.  I love it! It's super soft and kept me warm when it dipped a bit cooler.  The browns and mustard yellow are always a favorite this time of year. I paired it with my Covet Sunday Bag.

I wore white after labor day and paired it with a taupe/blush colored top. I loved how feminine it was! I still adore these Nila Chandelier earrings.

Simple date night was a black swing dress from Old Navy & jewels.  I am obsessed with S&D's new Druzy collection.

I am adoring the velvet trend, but I say to tread lightly.  Don't over do it!  I love it on a kimono or a tee.  Here I layered it with a white tank from Banana Republic.

I think all of these colors are so chic right now.  Dark olives, grey, black, blue jean and a pop of animal print and you can't go wrong.

My friend Ann sent me this and I about died.  I'm only 80%, how about you?

Have fabulous Friday!

Slow and Steady, You'll Make it

I've decided that this will be my motto from now until at least the end of the year.  It's funny, how we push ourselves so incredibly hard sometimes, it takes acts out of our control to s-l-o-w us down.  We all got a pretty bad 'back to school cold.'  OK, well Brooke first had the sniffles and cough, and then Bradley, then me and Joe...but Brooke barely got sick!! I will say she has the strongest immune system of all.  I thought I was getting better, but I think I just told myself that since everyone else was so sick and mama doesn't get sick days.  Well, that backfired and I ended up with a nasty sinus infection.  I'm on day 6 of my 10 day antibiotics (which I loathe taking--cranking up probiotics you bet!) but I feel back up to 90% of my normal kick butt self.  

Sunday I literally rested, slept, and read.  I still did some laundry, made meals and took care of things, but I didn't go crazy.  Why does it take until we literally fall apart and drop, before we will listen sometimes?

It's interesting because amongst the crazy of owning our own businesses, running the house, taking care of the kids, Joe working 60 hours a week, I often find myself feeling robotic.  I know Joe does too.  It's hard because we have big dreams and goals, but sometimes we pick up so momentum we lose sight of what's going on right in front of us.

For me, I get so wound up that I can't even hear that 'still small voice.'  When I can't figure out what to do next, ultimately it leads to me turning into a big old mess.

But that is okay.

I may take a step or two backwards, but the setback is always preparing us for a setup.

I find that books fall into our laps at the perfect time.  The most recent read that has helped me immensely was one that my good friend Lindsay was reading.  It was just what I needed at just the right time.  Sure she talks about how it's easy for us moms to get overwhelmed with housework with kids, but I feel like it can be applicable to all areas of life.

Take one thing each day to do, do it well.

As I sat on our back deck on Sunday and actually read, (I've only been wanting to do this all Summer) this hit me straight smack in the middle of my head, heart, body & soul.

"One step at a time, one day at a time, slow and steady, you'll make it."

Wow.

Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to be everything, to everyone, all at once and right away?  That is no way to live my friends.

As soon as I catch myself trying to fly from one task to the next, whether it's changing the laundry from washer to dryer, loading the dishwasher yet again, changing another dirty diaper (I really need to get on the potty training train...but that's another story) or taking calls, returning text messages, fielding all of the requests from my husband, putting food on the table for once again, a meal...

None of it can be done well, if I multi-task and I noticed, especially with this beautiful thing called technology, I am constantly bombarded with tasks and 'urgent items' that need to be attended to 24/7.

So, I have decided to stop, for the most part.

If the dryer beeps but I'm doing dishes, I will finish the dishes.

If the phone rings and I'm literally helping my child eat his dinner, that caller can wait (or call back if it's an emergency.)

All of these interruptions lead to nothing truly getting accomplished and me feeling like crap.

When I actually complete something, it feels so good. Otherwise I just feel like I am losing my mind.

And when your body is begging you to rest?

Listen.

Like this book said, there is a huge difference between being lazy and being tired.  I've always said when you've pushed yourself too hard, too much, it will almost be too late and you'll have no choice but to put your feet up and heal.  If you're just binge watching Netflix shows every night just because...maybe you could be doing something more important and fulfilling in your life.

Hubby brought me home flowers, and it was just a simple and sweet reminder of how important it is to stop and focus on what makes you smile.  

So if you were like me and the rest of the house looked like a bomb went off, but you have one room that is mostly clean, (aka no one will die tripping on a toddler toy left on the ground) do this.

Light a scented candle.

Buy some flowers.

Sit with a cup of tea (or coffee)

And be.

Happy Thursday friends.

Fall Menu Ideas

Happy Tuesday!  

I found some new (to me) recipes that I wanted to try, so I figured I would share them here with you!  I am hoping to cook these up this week, so feel free to stay tuned 

(or follow my insta story: IG-- jenndellefave)

 to see how they turn out!

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Acorn Squash Turkey Meatloaf

Chicken Taquitos

Cheeseburger Soup

Eggplant Chicken One Pan

Crockpot Balsamic Pork Roast

Monday Vibes

Last week when Joe was home sick, he was able to catch up on some music videos.

For some reason, this song popped up and we have been obsessed ever since. 

It's upbeat.

It's happy.

It's the way we should all live life.

I hope my grandkids do something like this for my 100th birthday.

Happy Monday!

Birthday Overnight in July

While I'm well aware of the crazy that is happening with Irma~~~my mother is headed north soon thank goodness~~~ I still had a few blog posts in my draft section that I want to post.  I want to look back and remember Summer '17 and the fun we had.

My birthday was on a Tuesday, so that Saturday before, hubby wanted to surprise me with a little night on the town.  My sister was able to come to our house and watch our sweet babes and dog so that we could have some alone time~thank you sooooo much Bri!  You have no idea how much it means to us when you swoop in and stay with the kiddos.  They love their Aunt Brianna!

I went with a simple black shift dress from Old Navy--yup!  I think I paid under $10.  Gotta love a steal!  I paired it with a pair of Guess shoes I picked up last time we were in Vegas.  I used my LV clutch and our new Amelia Sparkle necklace.  I felt like my uber blonde hair was also an accessory haha!

I think I was wearing Purple Reign lipsense and I am fairly certain Palette 3 from Younique.

This gorgeous neck candy also comes apart and I can wear it like 8 different ways. Love!

We dined at Good Luck and I enjoyed some Rosé, and then they gave us a little champagne for us to toast my birthday.

#bloggerstyle

Hubby did so well! He picked out this fancy hotel over in a nearby town where we could use our Marriott Rewards---the room was like something out of NYC!

We went across the street to a wine bar and had so much fun together.

I also loved my pave orbital ring!

Seriously spoiled and so much fun.  When you're married, have a two year old and a four year old, and your husband works 50+ hours each week it can make for some major stress in life.

Nights like these I thank my lucky stars we found each other and can enjoy all that life has to offer.

I was moving rather slowly the next day, but we did have a yummy brunch, and a nice little drive.  After 9.5 he decided to take me to this little beach tucked away that he used to visit when he was younger.  We've been back several times and ended up taking our family photos here too.

My best friend.