Weekend Recap: A Ferry, A Wedding, and A Thornbush - Oh my!

Sorry for the delay!  Had a 48 hour migraine Mon/Tues - it was like the gift that kept on giving...

Anywho - so much to share!!!

Over the weekend, my beautiful friend Monica got married.  The blushing bride and handsome groom invited all of us to Block Island for the festivities.

As luck would have it, a tropical storm hit, and we had to brave the Ferry O'Death to get there.

I'm not kidding:

This is what I look like after enduring 15 ft seas.
Think:  Deadliest Catch without the crabs or  bad overalls but waaaaay more mascara...

The newlyweds are contemplating having t-shirts made that read:  "If you didn't puke, you didn't go to Monica and Jacob's wedding."  I hope they do it - I'd wear mine with pride...

By Saturday morning the storm had lifted, my stomach had settled, and we were ready to celebrate the marriage of our sweet friends.  Until, of course, I stepped on a dune rosebush and had to perform emergency surgery (with a pin and tweezers) to remove a large thorn lodged in my big toe just moments before the ceremony began.  A concerned wedding guest even squirted said toe with antibacterial hand gel to prevent my eventual hospitalization from lock jaw... ahhh the kindness of strangers...

Just seconds before The Dune Rose Incident of 2013...

Thankfully this was the last of my personal mishaps and I was able to enjoy one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been to.

Here are some highlights from Monica and Jacob's special day via instagram...

The Beautiful Beachside Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

With the Beautiful Bride
(We've been friends since we were 14!)

High School Girlies

First Dance
No, this isn't a scene out of Gatsby.
And yes, they're really that beautiful.

It was a beautiful night celebrating the love of two beautiful people.  It really doesn't get much better than that.

Love you Monica and Jacob!   Wishing you two crazy kids a lifetime of love, laughter, waking up each day next to your very best friend.  

Just remember when the seas get stormy and there's a thorn in your toe, you'll still have each other.  You like that?  Poetic, right?  I might start my own line for Hallmark...

xoxo

Jenny

PS- Tomorrow:  Why Rent the Runway rocks my socks off.  Don't miss it!

   

Ugly Friends

I need some ugly friends.

I have the unfortunate habit of befriending gorgeous girls with hot bodies who win all-inlcusive vacations and take me with them.   Why does my life have to be so haaaaaard? ;)

I know, I know.  SHUT UP!

Seriously though, no one wants to be the schlumpy friend.   And even though I'm super excited for my trip, but I can't help but be a little panicked about having to be in a bathing suit next to this girl:

 

Oh yes, people I have to disrobe next to THAT.  Even though I don't anticipate receiving any offers to be the next 800lb lady at the circus, let's just say that after two children my abs sure as hell don't look like that.  Not. Even. Close.  I'm actually not even sure I have abs anymore.  Perhaps I gave birth to them too...  Hmmm, something to look in to...

In any event, I've been trying to find a bathing suit that reads "I gave birth nine months ago" across the tush, but haven't had any luck.  Maybe I should just get a cute coverup, or find some fat ugly people to sit next to so I look good... It's all relative people, all relative.  

Abs or no, one week from today I'll be sipping a pina colada under a palm tree in Mexico with one of my best friends in the whole world.  So what if she makes me look like a schlump?  As I've been known to say:  "Don't like it, don't look."

xoxo

Jenny

Now That I'm a Celebrity...

Well sort of...

Details here.

But seriously, now that I'm a celebrity, it's only right that I start traveling like one... for free.

Later this month I will be packing my bags, kissing the kids goodbye, telling my husband he's the best guy ever and boarding a plane to Mexico.  FOR FREE

How can this be, you ask?

Let me 'splain.

My best friend (who showers me in gifts...see: here and here) attended the Sparkle Speaks Benefit for Autism at the Brownstone hosted by Jacqueline Laurita of BRAVO's RHONJ and won the grand prize:  an all-inclusive trip for two to Mexico.  Well, guess what SHE'S BRINGING ME!  My parents are babysitting and I am going on a girls trip - the likes of which have not been see since...2006?!  Is that possible?  Was my last girl's trip Miami for my cousin's bachelorette?  If so, I AM WAY OVER DUE!

In any event, its all free, even airfare, and we even have a $750 resort credit for spa services!  Oh.  Baby.

Now for the tough decision:

Do we roll lesbo and stay at this couples only resort in Cancun?

Sun Palace, Cancun

Or do we drive an hour or so out to Riveria Maya and stay here?

Adventura Spa Palace

I know, I know - I'm faced with so many tough decisions.  Sometimes I worry I may crack under the pressure.   Did I mention both are all-inclusive and include airfare?  And spa treatments?  Do you hate me yet?

Hope your best friend wins a trip and takes you!

xoxo

Jenny

PS- Seriously though, where should we stay?

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 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

Back in Black

Hello!  Sorry for being MIA.  I threw my back out on Thursday and have been hopped up on pain killers and muscle relaxers for the last few days.  Since I have impeccable timing (aka the worst luck), my 30th birthday party was Saturday and despite hefty prescription drugs and multiple visits to the chiropractor, I was still in pretty bad shape.  I was in [tolerable] pain all night, had trouble getting in and out of the limo, couldn't dance at da club, had to cancel my blow out appointment, and worst of all: could not wear heels, which ruined my outfit!

Here are the shoes I planned on wearing:

Beverly Feldman Shoes

Here are the shoes I had to wear to avoid ending up in traction:

Thankfully, I have an amazing group of friends who helped me rally and have a great time despite the crappy circumstances.  Two of my besties even flew in from NYC to celebrate!  I just wish I could have been more fun [read: drank tequila].  I'm pretty sure everyone had a good time in spite of my crooked back, slow moving gate, and overall lameness.

Here are some pics from the night:

A bulging disc is no match for a group of
stay-at-home moms in a limousine

Besties!
On our way to Salena's!

Jeanne and I have been friends since Kindergarten.
I'm pretty sure this is the only time we've been
even close to the same height.
(I'm in flats, she's in platform wedges)

ONE Nightclub:

And since inquiring minds like to know and this is supposed to be a fashion blog:  I'm wearing a BCBG top, vintage necklace, a.n.a. black skinny jeans, Steve Madden shoes, Movado watch, Silpada ring, thrifted earrings, and Jewelry by Lindsay bracelet.

A big thanks to everyone who shared in my special day!   I'm so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life!

Smooches,

Jenny

That's What Friends Are For

(Well, if you're lucky enough to have very generous friends who aren't afraid to shop).

It's been a rough couple of weeks for me.  I've got a lot going on in my personal life and fashion seems to be the last thing on my mind.  My time is mostly spent researching childhood apraxia of speech, which my two-year-old son was just diagnosed with, and trying to arrange the proper therapy plan for him. We've cancelled our trip to Paris in June; much of my son's therapy is not covered by insurance our vacation fund has become our therapy fund.  Since this condition is so rare, I've hit plenty of dead ends and feel a tremendous amount of pressure to get him what he needs and get it fast.  We have a long road ahead of us and I can't help but worry what it will be like for him if his baby brother (due in January) can speak before he can.  It's one of those things where you just have to let go and let God, yet this is always easier said than done, especially when it comes to your child.  I just want him to be okay.  I just want to hear his voice.

I cry, I pray, I research and repeat.  My husband has been a phenomenal support for me, keeping my head in the right place, keeping me focused on what's important, and keeping me grounded.  At the end of the day Colt is a happy, healthy little boy and we really are so blessed.

That doesn't mean I still don't struggle and some days are harder than others.  Last night, I was up most of the night and feel like the walking dead today.  To be honest, I'm not sure if I brushed my hair this morning (don't worry teeth were not neglected). My overall appearance, my fashionability, and some might argue my personal hygiene, were the last things on my mind.  So, I was utterly surprised to find a rather large package on my doorstep (that I did not order) from (gasp!) zappos.com from my dear friend Jeree.  Inside this pair of Burberry rain boots with a note that read:

"Hoping these add some sunshine to your rainy days."

It was just the sort of pick me up I needed.  Sure, they are just another pair of shoes that can't fix my problems, but they remind me that I am blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life to support me, love me, listen to me, and send me ridiculously extravagant gifts from time to time.  Just like Annie said:  "the sun will come out tomorrow."  And it will.  I know it will.  It just has to.