Two for Tuesday: The Procrastination Edition

This is a rather long edition of "Two for Tuesday."

Don't get use to this.

Item #1.  If you haven't signed up for my FREE personal shopping services yet, well, you're in luck.  All new clients will automatically get $5 in free points to spend at Sears, Kmart, or Lands End AND 90 days of free shipping with SYW Max.  Now, who says procrastination doesn't have its perks?

Crazy right?  A free personal shopper/stylist PLUS getting paid $5 and free shipping.

This is what you would call a NO BRAINER!

Sign up here. (Just don't try it on an iphone or ipad - system glitch - you're going to have to use an actual computer people... I know... I know... the audacity!)

Item #2.  Speaking of procrastination, here is a post I forgot to publish on Saturday...Enjoy:

Since Erin, is my home girl this month (I sponsored her blog in April, guest posted about personal shopping etc) I decided to join in on her Getting Personal link up as well. Since I usually don't get too personal on here, I thought it would be a fun way to change things up.

Ok time to answer some tough questions:

1. If you could do one thing differently in your life, what would it be?

I would have listened to my professor in college who tried to talk me out of getting my Masters in Elementary Ed and doing a dual Masters/Doctoral program at Columbia for my PhD in English.  He told me I was going to hate teaching.  (I hated teaching.)  He told me I'd be so happy to have my PhD.  (I totally would have been.)  My husband has a doctoral degree.  We are Dr. and Mrs. Sanzo - that burns my you know what.  We should be Dr. and Dr. Sanzo.  Grrrrr!

2. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Dancing through the streets of Rochester singing Happy Days Are Here Again because both of my boys will be in school full time.  Woooo hooooo!

3. Do you honestly want kids?

Thing 1 and Thing 2

Yes, which is good since I have two of them.  I also honestly know I don't want any more kids.  Which is also good since my husband got a vasectomy...

4. What has been the best moment of your life so far?

I can't pick one - so let's go with my top 5:

1.  Marrying the love of my life.
2.  Standing with said love as newlyweds in the Sistine Chapel on a private tour with only a few other people.  Priceless, awe-inspiring moment.
3.  Becoming Colten's mommy.
4.  Becoming Cooper's mommy.
5.  Seeing my name in print.

5. What is your life theme song?

"Settle Down" by Phillip Phillips - I decided it was my apraxia anthem for my two sweet and special boys and then my church decided it was our church's theme song.  So yeah...it's my jam all the way around.

6. What is one thing you have yet to accomplish that you want to do before you die?

Write a book, win the lottery, travel the world, eradicate world hunger, be famous - you know, the usual...

7. If you could choose one thing to be known for, what would it be?

My integrity.

8. If you could do anything you wanted right in this very moment (no consequences, no fear, etc), what would it be?

I'd drop the kids at grandma's, grab my husband, and fly to Paris.  Then I would shop.  A. lot.  And eat.  I'd eat a lot too.

9. What has been the most challenging moment in your life?

Hearing the diagnosis of apraxia.

10. Summarize yourself in one word.

Vivacious.

Now it's time for YOU to stop procrastinating.  Come on, you know you have other things you are supposed to be doing other than reading this blog like, I don't know, your job, taking care of your children, etc.

Love that you're procrastinating with me today though! ;)  Now get back to work!

xoxo

Jenny

Don't forget to

   

 Google Reader will soon be kaput.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I'm an avid Living in Yellow reader, so when I saw that Erin was co-hosting a blogger ornament swap with Dreaming of Dimples, I couldn't wait to add my name to the list.  I looooooove Christmas.  My bins of decorations take up the majority of storage space in my basement.  I only listen to Christmas music from Thanksgiving on out.  It's the "most wonderful time of the year" and I eat it up.  Combine my love of Christmas with my love of blogging and BAM! you've got a recipe for  some holiday cheer and a fab link up to boot.

What a great excuse to send a thoughtful gift, meet some lovely new ladies, and discover some new etsy shops along the way!  Wooo hooo!  Well without further ado, here is how it all turned out.  

This the ornament that I sent to the lovely Tausha of Life After I Do:

Ornament by Olive Owl

Tausha is expecting a baby girl in January, loves bright colors and animal prints, and her blog chronicles her life as a wifey and soon to be mommy.  Definitely check her out.  Oh and she owns Oopsie Daisy Decor - a fab etsy shop that sells adorable burlap banners.  Love!  

Then there is me, who has boys and loves all things country and rustic, so the lovely Jen, who shares my taste of country decor (and my name) and writes Boogies N Boo-Boos sent me this sweet wooden ornament:

Ornament by Divine Rustic Creations

I'm still having a hard time wrapping my brain around Jen having a 17 year old, as she appears to be 21 herself.  And despite the fact that she is drop dead gorgeous and wears size 25 jeans after 4 kids makes me want to hate her, she has been a pleasure to get to know.  It's nice to know I'm not the only one who has had to fish poop out of a bathtub and rewash my children or has referred to my family as The Griswalds.  Check her out, you'll be happy you did.

Enough about poop and skinny people.  Let's talk about how cute my new ornament looks on my mini rustic tree in my dining room.

Pretty cute huh?  Enjoy the gratuitous wine shot.

Speaking of wine, all this writing is making me thirsty.  I should probably uncork one of those babies right now... Bottom line I think the ornament swap was a smashing success.  What about you?  Have you every participated in an online/blogger swap?  Would you?   You think about that and let me know... I'm going to go pour myself a glass. Cheers! xoxo Jenny

Makeup Moms

So there I was, going about my business in the Chiropractor's waiting room drinking my Starbucks, in my skinny jeans, wedge booties, motorcycle jacket, and red lipstick.

#OOTD

I had just dropped Colten off at preschool and was catching up on twitter.  After reading tweet after tweet declaring it was either a. the end of the world or b. the start of the new coalition - I came across this tweet:

Mary McCarthy (@marymac) 11/7/12 10:05 AM An Open Letter to Moms Who Have Perfect Hair, Makeup and Outfits Every Dayow.ly/f5L7n

And I thought - uh oh - someone wrote me a letter, and I don't think it's going to be very nice.  So I sat there and read this:  Want2Dish - Stir it Up - Column - An Open Letter to Makeup Moms.  Now, I might not live in Maryland and my hair might be in a pony tail most days, but she is talking about ME.  I am definitely one of these "Makeup Moms."  And you know what?  I'm proud to be.

Yes, I take pride in my appearance.  I feel better when I look good.  I shower at night once my kids are in bed and take 15-20 minutes in the morning to put myself together.  I wear heels.  I wear make up.  Every.  Day.  I accessorize.  I shower regularly.  I blow dry.  I flat iron.  I use product.  It doesn't make me a mindless Barbie doll.  It doesn't make me a trophy wife or some sex object.  It makes me, me.  And I like me, lipstick and all.

This motivated me to host a link up.  If you are a proud "Makeup Mom" link up below with your best "bus stop" look.  Did you dazzle at story time this week?  Were you on point at the PTA meeting?  Long hair, don't care?  Well, put on some lipstick and join The Flower City Fashionista's Makeup Mom link up!


Disclaimer: I am sure Mary McCarthy's post was all in good fun - as is mine. Whether you are a sweats and baseball cap kind of mama, or a lipstick and high heels kind of mama, one thing I know for sure: your kids love you and think you're beautiful just the way you are!  So take a deep breath, pat yourself on the back,  look in the mirror and take pride in who you see.

Hugs Mamas!

xoxo

Jenny

Two for Tuesday: To-Do List

1.  Grab your favorite hat and join my link up:

2.  Enter my giveaway to win these arm warmers from local designer and owner of Kreationality on Flower City Fashion.

Both end Friday!

Get on it!

xoxo

Jenny

Rock Out With Your Hat Out

Happy Weekend!

Thanks to all the lovely ladies who linked up for my first ever Bloggers with Balls link up party!  You ladies rock!  I love seeing how everyone adds their own personal style to common pieces.  Which brings me to the premise for today's link up:  hats.  I love hats.  Knit hats, cowboys hats, baseball caps, wide-brimmed, vintage - I love 'em all. 

One of the best things about temperatures turning a little chilly is that I can break out my knits.  I'm not sure if it's the throw back to early 90s grunge or the fact that they can hide even the worst of hair days, but either way, they are a staple in my fall/winter wardrobe.  

Here are some ways I've worn mine this season:

As a Pop of Color
Hat:  Forever 21

With Shades 

With faux leather Buffalo jacket, Christian Dior frames, and my Jane Eyre scarf.
Hat:  GAP

I want to see how YOU wear YOURS!

Link up and "Rock Out With Your Hat Out!"
(I know that's not grammatically correct - just go with it).

xoxo

Jenny

Housekeeping

Just wanted to do a little housekeeping here at The Flower City Fashionista...

I've got a lot of stuff going on.

First things first.

• You have until Friday to join my Bloggers with Balls link up party and blog hop.  If you own this necklace link up your outfit post to show the world how you wear yours.

• I'm thrilled to be a contributor for Lucky Magazine's online community.  They have already published five of my posts.  Be sure to "vote" for them so I can get some cred. ;)  You can access my profile here:  Jenny Sanzo for Lucky Magazine.

• My giveaway for a light It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer ends this Friday at midnight
• I was asked to join Top Mommy Blogs - a site that features the most popular mommy blogs on the web!  

• Last and certainly not least, in case you haven't heard:  I'm being published.  My publisher is giving away nine copies of the book TODAY!  So head on over here right now and comment to be entered to win on of these:

Okay I think that's it!  I need to feed a baby, squeeze in a quick park trip and get Colt to soccer practice.  Just another day living the glamourous life! **wink, wink**

Love ya, mean it!

xoxo

Jenny

Time to Join My Party

Seriously though, I'm about to join my own party, just because I can. (Plus I want to make sure it works).

If you haven't heard, I'm hosting a "Blogger with Balls" link up party and blog hop. It's my first one and no one has signed up yet so I'm starting to get a complex.  After crying into my hot apple cider, I did what any other rational person would do:  write my own outfit post and link up with myself.

So, without further ado... my balls:

Ball Close Up

Looking down...

Looking down...again...

Hello, tree.

When it doubt, grab the jacket

Baby Got Back

I'm wearing my J.Crew bubble necklace (via ebay), pleather jacket via Lord &Taylor, H&M sweater, a.n.a. jeans via JCPenney, Kenneth Cole hoop earrings via Blue,  and Fabianelli boots via Marshalls.

I looooove this jacket.  Today was the first time I wore it.  I snagged it at 40% at Lord and Taylor's anniversary sale last weekend - after seeing it one of my fabulous readers and forcing her divulge her shopping secrets.  I don't know about you, but I love sharing a good deal (especially when I'm on the receiving end).  Don't you?  Now we just have to make sure we don't wear it on the same day... that would just be awkward...

Hope you had a great weekend!

Make sure you link up and show me your balls!!!!

xoxo

Jenny

Bloggers with Balls

Good Morning!

I've had this idea for a while and finally got my act together to make it happen.  I am pleased to announce that I am hosting my first ever link up party and blog hop!  Yay!

If you've been around the blogosphere, you've likely noticed the prevalence of a certain necklace.  I've even heard it referred to as the "blogger necklace."  I affectionately refer to mine as "my balls" and get tons of compliments every time I wear them.   You can read about how I got my balls here.

Here are two examples of how I've worn them:

1.  Night out in NYC

2.  Church on Sunday

Whether yours is J.Crew or "JCREW" (I'm pretty sure mine is the latter) whether you call them your balls, your bubbles, or your baubles, I'd love to see how you wear them.  So whip out your balls and join the party.  Apparently I am having a contest with myself to see how many inappropriate ball phrases I can jam into one blog post... looks like I am doing a bang up job.  Be sure to include where you got your necklace and as many outfit photos as you can!  Welcome to the party!

xoxo

Jenny

I Believe In...

Since I'm 30, I decided to link up with Living in Yellow and share 30 Things that I Believe In...

I believe in wearing the same earrings as Erin from Living in Yellow.

I believe in chocolate, wine, creme brulee, and dirty martinis.

I believe in Mom's Night Out...weekly.

I believe in never leaving the house without concealer and mascara.

I believe that you can never be too old to enjoy a Disney movie.

I believe in shopping the sale rack.

I believe in family, friendship, and quality time.

I believe in the power of the written word.

I believe in traveling the world if you have the means and the time.

I believe in diet wild cherry Pepsi.

I believe you can take the girl out of Jersey, but you can't take the Jersey out of the girl.

I believe in voting, going to church, and volunteering.

I believe in the perfect pair of jeans, a good-fitting bra, and Spanx.

I believe in wearing shoes that hurt my feet if they are really, really cute.

I believe that happiness is a choice.

I believe in honesty.

I believe in fairytales, happily ever after, and Mr. Darcy.

I believe in marriage.

I believe in love.

I believe that God only gives us what we can handle.

I believe in miracles.

I believe in the value of a good cry, a pint of Ben and Jerry's, and a chick flick.

I believe in live music.

I believe in not taking yourself too seriously.

I believe in Starbucks.  Every. Single. Morning.

I believe in the goodness of people.  

I believe in loving like Jesus.

I believe in being an advocate for your child.

I believe that I am truly blessed.  

I believe that I have been given this one life, to make a difference, to love whole heartedly, and live abundantly.

I believe this is my one shot and I had better make it count.

What do you believe?

xoxo

Jenny

PS- I also believe I ended up with 31 things - consider it a bonus... or a sign... Proverbs 31 anyone?