Thirteen Going on Thirty

Or is it the other way around?

I think it was that wise philosopher Jon Bon Jovi who said:  "the more things change the more they stay the same."

He may have had a point.

Last night, as I wandered around Forever 21 listening to Nirvana and pawing through floral prints, acid wash, and neon I thought:  holy crap I wore all of this the FIRST time it was cool.  What the hell am I doing in here?  And as as Kurt faded into the background and the intro to Pretty in Pink started to play, I  realized I should probably exit the store immediately.  I'm clearly too old to be in here.  Or am I?

Part of me still feels like I have the right to shop there as long as I keep a safe distance from the crop tops, but I can't help but feel the slightest bit ridiculous wearing the same clothes I wore in 8th grade.  

Same clothes.  Same hair.  It's 1995 all over again! Ruuuuuuun!

Okay, so I've ditched the retainer and discovered tweezers, but all in all not much as changed (aside from two kids and an extra 25 pounds or so).  These hips won't be squeezing into Bongo size 00 extra long skinny jeans any time soon. (Hey, they didn't call me "Stretch" and "Skeletor" for nothing!) 

Fashion has always revived trends from the past, but all these grunge and nineties throw backs just seem a little...I don't know... soon?  Eh, or maybe it's just a sign that I'm getting old.  Either way, I'm a firm believer that you are only as old as you feel, so I'm going to embrace that hopelessly skinny middle schooler inside of me and tell her that everything is going to be okay. Because, as I blow dry my bangs just right, button up a comfy flannel, and lace up my chuck taylors,  I can only smile and think that maybe this whole thirty going on thirteen thing isn't so bad, and maybe I shouldn't have gotten rid of my Doc Martens after all...

How are you liking the return of the nineties?  Love it?  Think its too soon?  Too young to even know what I'm even talking about?  Leave your thoughts below.  And read more of my profound thoughts on nineties fashion here.  

xoxo

Jenny

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Joe Fresh at JCP Makes Me Happy

Let's take a moment to discuss how excited I was to stumble upon Joe Fresh at JCPenney the other day...

I was literally take my breath away excited.

Just this past summer, my best friend and I spent the better part of a day scouring Manhattan for a certain v-neck Joe Fresh t-shirt (that could only be bought at Joe Fresh stores) only to find them sold out at all Manhattan locations.  Major.  Bummer. (And Major Blisters!)

You can imagine my pure elation when, eight months later, I find this elusive t-shirt at my local JCPenney store of all places.  

It took everything in me not to buy it in every color.  I kept myself under control and grabbed white and navy (I already own gray and coral) and snuck in a pair of mint zip ankle pants for good measure.  

It was a good day.  A really good day.

Last Saturday (unlike today) it was actually warm enough to wear them.  

Here is what I wore:

Joe Fresh Ankle Skinnies, Nine West ballet flats

Vintage head scarf and my badonkadonk

Madewell sunglasses, JCP Chambray button down,
and the best t-shirt ever:  Joe Fresh V-neck

And what spring time look would be complete without a neon arm party?

Here's mine:

Arm party brought to you by:  Fahsye, InPink, and the GAP

What new fashion collaboration are you most excited about this spring?  And are you as obsessed with mint as I am?  It's kind of becoming an obsession...

Love ya like I love Joe Fresh,

xoxo

Jenny

Corduroy and Jane Austen

As promised, here is the skinny on what I wore for my Sweet Pickle family photo shoot.

I almost wore this corduroy dress, and am so glad I opted for a more casual, every day look instead.  This is me.  This is what I look like 98% of the time.  Skinnies, riding boots, comfy knits - it's what you'll find me in at Wegmans or dropping Colt off at preschool.  (My hair just probably won't look this good.)  Ha!

Had to wear my Jane Austen t-shirt from Brookish.
I love it almost as much as I love Mr. Darcy.

I love this necklace.
It's called the Mother's Love necklace and is by
local Rochester jewelry designer Sarah Khaled of Artwark.
Each one is custom made.
I get compliments on mine ALL the time.
So much so, that I've started carrying around her business card.
Hey, it's  much better than me saying:
 "It's artwark - like artwork, but with an "a."

Brookish tee, Sparrow cardigan via anthropologie,
Pilcro corduroy skinnies via anthropologie,
Fabianelli riding boots via Marshalls
(the most wonderful, comfortable boots I have every owned)

I got these earrings at a yard sale about ten years ago for $0.25.
If I ever lose them it would be completely tragic.
I feel like they are a part of me now.

These bracelets were yard sale finds too.  One.  Dollar.
I'm also wearing my go-to Michael Kors watch.

Did I mention I love these boots?
Because I do.
A lot.

I think this one is my favorite.
It's now my profile photo for most of my social media accounts.
I don't know if its the black and white, my expression,
or the fact that my nose looks smaller from this angle,
 but this picture just makes me feel, well, pretty.
Like one of those shots that my grandkids will look at and say:
 "This is grandma when she was young, wasn't she pretty?"

So I now I need some help from you.  Which one should be my new blog button?  (Once I figure out how to make a blog button...)  Decisions, decisions...

Love you like a fat kid loves cake,

xoxo

Jenny

Mustard Lovin'

I'm finding that I'm sort of obsessed with the color mustard this fall.  It can be a tricky shade for me to pull off since I'm olive complected, so I need to be careful if I'm going to wear it close to my face.  Pants, tights, and accessories, however, are free game!  I'm really loving my new a.n.a. mustard skinnies!  They add a fun pop of color, plus they tell me I'm pretty and give me a pep talk every time I put them on.

No, really:

Nothing like finding a powerful affirmation in your pants.

Here is how I wore them over the weekend:

a.n.a jeans via JC Penney, Fabianelli boots via Marshalls, Old Navy bag and
chambray blouse,  anthropologie old man sweater,
Francesca's Collection bow earrings

Isn't the butterfly garden at Seneca Park Zoo so pretty?

Butterfly necklace:  Flea Market Girl via Peppermint
Wishbone necklace: c/o Artwalk

Just in case you needed another picture of me standing here and smiling...

By the way, have you seen my new Balla Bling cross bracelet?  I am in love with it and wear it every day.  My balla and Michael Kors have become fast friends.  Aren't they so cute together?

A match made in heaven

How do you feel about mustard?  Love it?  Hate it?  Just sorta meh?  What color are you excited to wear this fall?

xoxo

Jenny