Out With the Old

Making lots of progress with Operation Basement Clean Up.  Items have been moved to the garage for Operation Buy My Crap on Sept 13 (please come if you're local - you can e-mail me for details).

Here is the current sale pile:

This isn't everything but I'm definitely getting there.  Still need the hubs to move some of the bigger furniture items.  Getting rid of stuff I don't need feels great and finding things that I had no idea I missed is even better.  Want to know what I'm never getting rid of?

Here's a hint:

Click here to see me poured into shorts I wore in 3rd grade and my entire NKOTB collection.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

Hubs has his first football game tonight.  The whole family is up...so blog posts will be slim for the next few days, but hey you should be used to that right? ;)

xoxo

Jenny

My Coolness Knows No Bounds

Look what I found while cleaning out my basement:

New Kids on the Block - posters, Big Bopper magazines, books, puzzles...

Ah yes in my little kid handwriting the words  "I heart Joe."
If you look closely you can see LIPSTICK marks on his mouth.
Who knew I was such a little hussy?!

Jenny, age 7, fills out an order form that will never be...

NKOTB trading cards!

Apparently I've always loved a good arm party...

And the color pink...

And coordinating my outfits...

And being a complete spaz...

Let's be honest though...
Who doesn't love putting together a heart-shaped Joe McIntyre puzzle?

Or doing some light reading on the couch?

Or having the confidence to post this photo for all the world to see?

Finding the "New Kids" box was the highlight of my day (ok my week).  I was cracking up looking through this stuff.

I'd like to leave you with this whopper that I wrote at the ripe old age of seven:

Spelling was never my strength... 

That's all for today.

Hope you all become rich and famous and still have your peace of mind ;)

xoxo

Jenny

Yeah...

Please see yesterdays post.

Love ya.

Mean it.

xoxo

Jenny

Two for Tuesday

1.  All my free time is being spent organizing/purging for my garage sale and prepping for in-law visit/baptism.

2.  This means no time to write.

The end.

xoxo

Jenny

Mundane Monday

Hey all!

It's Monday!  Time for stream of consciousness and poor grammar!  Wooo hooo!

I'm home!  Getting back into the groove.  Cleaning my house, doing laundry, unpacking etc.

Time to get off the five ppounds I gained in roughly two weeks.  I mean I only ingested 17,500 EXTRA calories - that's only moderately disgusting right?  No?  You're right, it's flat out repulsive.  Time to get back on the wagon!

Big week.  My mom is here helping me organize and box up stuff for my HUGE garage sale Sept 13-15.  In-laws and extended family come Thursday.  Cooper's baptism is Sunday - I should probably get him an outfit...

I should also go food shopping...

Can't worry about that right now though.  I have book club at 7:00.  We read Fifty Shades.  You KNOW I'm not missing this one.  Even if there is nothing to eat in this house that isn't either frozen or wrapped in plastic.  Sorry kids, mommy will shop tomorrow.  Time for me and my inner goddess to pick up some wine and head to Annette's...

Just remember:

Ok that's all for now.

Laters baby,

(couldn't resist)

xoxo

Jenny

My Friday In Pictures

Yesterday I had the "day off" from motherhood duties.  (This NEVER happens for an entire day!)  My parents watched the boys, who both woke up with colds, but were still this adorable when I left the house at 8am:   

I met Jeree for coffee and taylor ham, egg and cheese at Goldbergs, got a blow out at the Shear Shop, and then had an hour to kill before my bus into the city so I made a few phone calls and then went to the library to read in silence.  (Just finished The London Chronicles... and loved it.  Review coming soon)  Oh and somewhere in between I took a photo of myself in a public restroom so I could blog about it later (perfectly normal behavior).

After an excruciatingly long bus ride, (no express during non-rush hour) that seemed even longer due to the fact that the woman next to me smelled like she took a bath in a deep fryer, I met my friend Jeanne at Port Authority.  Instead of saying "hi" she said:  "Just warning you - I have a zero tolerance for bullshit today and I'm PMSing."  God, I love that girl.  About thirty seconds later a man on a bicycle told me:  "Girl you have legs up to your eyes.  I would have put a ring on it too."  God, I love New York.  We headed to Joe Fresh for t-shirts, had no luck, but I was able to take a few more outfit photos in the dressing room mirror.  Hey, I didn't get the shoes in the first one.  

J. Crew necklace, F21 shirt, Old Navy shorts, Payless wedges

Anthropologie and Forever 21 bracelets, estate ring

After spending almost three hours in the Forever 21 in Times Square, I was very tempted to buy this:

I didn't.  Pretty sure I'm regretting that decision right about now.

After shopping we headed to Sam's to meet Monica for drinks followed by dinner at Vinyl.

The Fab Foursome ;)

I'm sure this goes without saying, but I ate a lot.  To the tune of nachos, kung pao shrimp tacos, meatball sliders, veggie dumplings, parmesan garlic parsley fries, creme brulee, giant (warm) chocolate chip cookies, milkshakes, two glasses of malbec, and a mystery shot of some kind.  Yeah.  BEAST. 

It was a great day, spent with great friends, and I am going to miss them like crazy!  I hate that I live so far away!

How about you?  What did you do this weekend?

Hope it was fabulous!

xoxo

Jenny

I'm all over the place!

Seriously though - I got around this week (it's not what you think).

Get your mind out of the gutter!

Sunday I was featured in the first ever Sunday Spotlight over at Traffic Jelly.  Then my mug reappeared there on Monday.  Wow!  What an honor!


This week, the Kaufman Children's Center posted my piece that originally appeared over at Jake's Journey about my son Colten's struggle with apraxia and our experience at Nancy Kaufman's summer SPEAK program.

And then yesterday I popped up at Turn Around and Say Hello.

I just feel so privileged to not only have my writing recognized, but also feel this profound amount of support and appreciation from two women I have never met, but admire greatly.  Lucky for me I have a shopping date with one of them scheduled for when I get home.  As for the other one... How do you Nebraskans like sub-zero temperatures?  I hear Rochester is a great place to visit after football season.  I'm sure they have great deals on flights in the winter.  I mean, honestly, who wants to come here?  I'll tell you:  no.body.

As for the rest of you thanks for reading and keeping things positive.  With the the negativity out there on the internet its nice to "meet" people who keeps things kind, friendly, and uplifting.  Kudos to you.

Tomorrow's Friday... get excited!

xoxo

Jenny

A Song

Yesterday, all I did was eat and eat all day

Now I think these pounds are here to stay

Oh I kept eating yesterday

Suddenly, I feel like twice the girl I used to be

Pants are tighter than they ought to be

Oh all these pounds came suddenly

Why I had to house that pizza I just can't say

I ate Oreos that were deep fried, yesterday

Yesterday, on the boardwalk there were games to play

I could have ran along the beach that day

But I kept eating yesterday.

My apologies to The Beatles

xoxo

Jenny

It's Gonna Be a Great Day

Top Five Reasons It's Going to Be a Great Day

1.  I just found out that I won Simply Sarah's giveaway for a free piece of clothing from Penelope Lane's new fall line!  I never win anything!  I guess I need to stop saying that....

2.  We have a fabulous day planned at Point Pleasant Beach with my mom, kiddos, and my cousin and her adorable little girl.

3.  It's my cousin's 30th birthday today so we'll definitely be celebrating with a frozen beverage at the Martell's Tiki Bar (like we needed an excuse).

4.  Since I'm on an eating tear, what better place to be than the boardwalk at the Jersey Shore?!  I mean COME ON, deep fried oreos? fudge? salt water taffy?  Pizza slices the size of your head?  Bring. It. On.  

5.  I have EXCELLENT leisure reading options... 

not that reading with kids is a possibility... but a girl can dream can't she?

6.  I know I said five, but this is my blog so I can do what I want.  Today I just woke up feeling so blessed.  I have a great family, wonderful friends, and blogging has opened me up to this whole community of women that I never would have met otherwise.  There are so many great people in my life and I feel so blessed to also be a part of theirs.

That's all kids! 

Time to get ready for the beach!

xoxo

Jenny

I need a vacation

from my vacation.

Seriously though...

It's great to be home, but wow what an agenda.

I'm getting to see tons of people, attend family functions, visit local haunts...

But that also means we're off our routine and my kids aren't napping, which makes my three year old naughty and me an ugly mommy.  It's a vicious cycle.

I'm also displeased to announce that I've gained FIVE POUNDS in a little more than a week.  GROSS!  What can I say?  Me and carbs don't get along - well we do - perhaps its my pants that don't get along with the carbs... In any event, I usually avoid refined sugar and only eat whole grains, so this whole eating tour of NJ thing I've got going on isn't exactly doing wonders for my waistline.  Yet the shortage of good Italian food in Rochester (there is none) is causing me to throw caution to the wind and possibly buy bigger pants.  You only live once right?

Once I get home,  I'll have exactly two weeks to drop the weight so I can fit in my (already too tight) dress for the White Party.  Super.

In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy the good eats with family and friends, which is good considering I have lunch and dinner dates EVERY DAY this week...as Fuccillo would say:  [I'm going to be] "HUGE, Rochester, HUGE!"

Hope you're week is off to a great start and that all your pants fit!

xoxo

Jenny

The Bangs Are Back in Town

If you read yesterday's post, you already know that I cut bangs again.  What you might not know is my motive.  My forehead fringe is in fact an effort to hide my forehead wrinkles (I can see them!) and a much cheaper alternative to Botox.  I am, however, having a little bit of chopper's remorse and can't decide how I feel about them.  I thought bangs were supposed to make you look younger - I think I look older.  I'm also crazy, so who knows?  Do they just need to grow in a little?  Or was this, yet another, hair fail?  You be the judge...

Before:

After:

I can't decide how I feel about them...

What do you think?  Sooo cute or sooo soccer mom?

xoxo

Jenny

PS- This lovely lady won the vintage 1960s purse from Treasure Trove Vintage:  winner winner chicken dinner.

Wearing Lately

Just a quick outfit post today...

Here's what I've been wearing lately:

DSW hat (didn't buy it), H&M dress and bangle, Target cowboy boots, Anthro belt,
Artwark necklace,  Michael Kors watch.
I got that bag at an accessories swap.  

MM Couture dress via Dado, Michael Kors watch,
F21 bangles, Nine West shoes, vintage bag

Had a great night out Thursday with my girlfriend Jeree.  We had dinner at Sushi Lounge and then drinks at the rooftop bar at the W in Hoboken.  She's still single and living the fabulous life, so it was nice to tag along.  Us mommies need to get out too, ya know :)

Enjoying the view (and the cocktails) with Jeree

I am also happy to report that I was not hungover at the zoo yesterday.  Yay!  It was a great day (a little hot, but great) and the boys had a blast.  And they both got new Bronx Zoo hats.  Too cute!

Anthro t-shirt, Old Navy shorts, F21 sunglasses,
Reef flip flops via Bikinis and More in Fenwick Island Delaware

OMG that face!  

That's all for now!

Off to my little cousin's 11th birthday party!

Have a great weekend!

xoxo

Jenny

Odds and Ends

Otherwise known as "My Life in Links..."

Just a few bits and pieces to leave you with this morning...

1.  Be sure to head on over to Jake's Journey today to read out Part II of Colten's apraxia journey and what we learned at our three weeks at the KCC.

2.  Don't forget to enter my giveaway for the vintage 1960s purse from Treasure Trove Vintage.  You only have until midnight tonight!

3. More exciting news-  I'm a bullet point!  - made.my.day.

4.  Check out yesterday's post at my sister blog (it's like a sister wife but different) Flower City Fashion - about how to incorporate Fifty Shades of Grey into your wardrobe.  You don't want to miss this.

That's all for now.  I have a fabulous day planned with one of my best girlfriends from high school.  Haircut and mani at Faces Plus followed by dinner and drinks at the W in Hoboken.  I should be able to squeeze in four hours of sleep before tacking the Bronx Zoo tomorrow with the family!  Wish me luck!

I'll be back on Saturday with an outfit post! And possibly some hungover zoo photos... good.times.

See you then kiddos!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

xoxo

Jenny

Big Announcement!

No, I'm not pregnant.

Remember when I disappeared from the blogging world in the beginning of the summer?  No?  Well, I was MIA for a few weeks because I was up to my eyeballs in Christian Grey.  Hey, there are worse things right?   I am thrilled to announce that I am one of the writers contributing to Lori Perikin's book Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey being published in November.  Go ahead, jump up and down and clap - I did!  

I am beyond excited to be included with this group of writers. It is going to be an amazing book!  I'll be sure to keep you updated with any happenings related to my debut as a published essayist!  Can't wait to read what I had to say about Fifty?  Feel free to pre-order your copy here:

For those of you out there scratching your heads as to how this all happened, that's a story for another day.  What I will tell you is that (despite the quality of writing on this blog) I do in fact have an English degree, am a published poet (crazy right?) and was an adjunct professor prior to popping out the kiddos.  Sure, I love to shop, and I'm not afraid to work for shoes (or a statement necklace for that matter), but my real passion is writing and literature.  This book project couldn't have come at a better time.  I had no idea how much I truly missed it; it was like reuniting with an old friend.

Now I just need to worry about how to explain the mature subject matter to my grandpa, my dad, my in-laws and my 93-year old Pop-Pop...

Any advice?

Would love to hear your thoughts on that!

xoxo

Jenny

Treasure Trove Vintage Giveaway

Happy Tuesday!

I've got another giveaway, and this time, you don't have to live in Rochester to participate.  Yay!  (You do, however, need to live in the continental US).  Sorry!

Morgan, over at Treasure Trove Vintage, is giving away this early 1960's genuine leather purse. It has a nice divider in the middle and an optional chain in case you don't want to use it as a clutch.  Such a classic piece!  If I could enter my own give-away I would!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Best of luck lovlies!

xoxo

Jenny