Yay!! Its Friday! and I woke up this morning with a fresh new outlook and feeling ready for the day and the weekend!! Thanks to everyone who left a comment yesterday it was really inspiring to read them all and think about what each of you said. I am glad that it seemed like others maybe found comfort in the dialogue as well. I really do LOVE THIS BLOG and I know the reason I do it and that is why I do it in the first place. Kev was right when he said. If you are doing something you love than you are successful. So true!!!

I wanted to share a few random things with you…
I know Couturious.com has been up on other blogs but I have just been slow to post about it. When I got an email a while back asking if I could try it out and make some looks, I wasnt really sure what I was getting myself into. Lets just say, when I logged on for the first time I was thinking I would sit down and do something really quick but ended up playing around for like an hour because it is so fun. Seriously, it is like playing dolls with cool clothes. I can’t stop. I am totally addicted. Have you played around with it yet?

Also are you part of Weardrobe? They are having an awesome new contest that lets you win some beautiful spring clothes from Pac Sun and to be a part of the Spring Break Crew. The crew is made up of me, Julie, Indiana and other awesome bloggin’ ladies. Its going to be lots of fun so upload your best spring break outfit to weardrobe today!

Also I wanted to share a few of my favorite links from this week…
1. Tieka styled my Rainbow Raw Honey Modcloth dress this week for the Delightful Dozen and she looks amazing!!!

2. I am totally in love with this artist. Every painting she post instantly makes me want to get out my water colors and try to paint something as beautiful. I just love this maid picture she posted…

3. Trashy! Who doesn’t love recycled clothing? This party seemed like a blast and totally inspired me to make a senior art project out of it!

4. Spring! Spring! Spring! Can I please look as cool as this girl. I need those yellow shoes!

5. Can I also please have matching hunter boots with an adorable little girl…

6. Boy by Band of Outsiders always melts my heart. The want to wear everything!

Happy Weekend my Friends. Make sure you hug someone that is special to you. Or even not. I love hugs. I like hugging as a greeting instead of handshakes. Way better in my mind.

I have a date to night with a special someone and we are going to try try try to sneak our way into Alice and Wonderland. Here’s hoping!

Also one last thing. There has been some exciting things going on for jenloveskev. Monday I have some really great stuff I can finally share!!!

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So there is just something so comforting to me about wearing a sundress. They are flowy and usually made out of light weight fabric and I always feel so pretty in them. I have never owned a plain white one before because I am always around paint of some sort and well, I am just an accident waiting to happen most days. I saw this one at AE last year and I took the plunge. So far I have been able to keep it pretty clean when I wear it. I love the simplicity of it. When we were in Hawaii I wore it with a scarf around my neck. It was like my summer tunnel scarf.

Honestly, this week has been rough. I am glad we had these extra pictures from hawaii. It has freed up some time for other things. Sometimes it hard to not let this blog world get the best of you. I love all the readers (you ares are seriously the best!) and all the friends I have made but it is hard to not see it as a competition sometimes. It was my new years goal to not let that happen and I have been really good but I am not perfect and this week has been hard. I don’t know why I am sharing but I guess I need to get it off my chest. Does anyone else struggle with things like this with their blog?

* don’t get me wrong I love my blog and I love blogging. I also love taking pictures of my outfits each day. Its very inspiring and super creative which I love. I in no way wish I was more like someone else or am comparing myself to particular people. I love my life. I want to be me. I am just wondering others thoughts on the whole competition feeling of blogging.

Update: Thank you so much to people who are leaving comments. I really like that we can all talk about this. That was my intention. I was worried about writing I was feeling that way but I knew others had to be feeling it too. I just wanted us to be able to share and learn from each other. I appreciate each and every comment. The link left by MsAmanda is a good one. Keep the conversations going!

Dress: AE
Scarf: H&M
Sunglasses: Forever 21
Sandals: Sears

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So a while back I found this great etsy shop called Paper Sparrow. I loved everything in there, but I especially loved all the oh so cute pendants she was selling. I was totally drawn to the panda one. It is so freakin’ cute and I can’t stop wearing it. When I look down and see it around my neck it makes me smile.

Paper Sparrow is having a spring clearance right now and all the pendants are $6 bucks!!! That is just crazy- what a deal! Head over and check it out!

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So, as of this morning I think I am offically growing out my bangs and will be wearing them to the side. haha- big news right? I am hoping that if I say it out loud I will stick to my plan. I always say I am going to grow out my bangs but then I don’t, I cut them a couple weeks later. Since Hawaii I have been wearing them to the side instead of straight across and I have been enjoying the change. Although, I loved my straight bangs! I know when the summer comes I will be glad I grew them out. It gets so humid here and I have a hard time keeping bangs flat and straight instead of puffy and 80’s. Here’s hoping…

I got this tee at H&M and I love the sailor feel to it. I am really diggin’ the nautical themes out there right now. I knew I wanted to match the navy with red and gold. Please excuse my unpainted toenails. haha I debeate about putting that picture up because who really needs to see a close up of my feet. The week before vacation I told myself I cant wait till next week so I have time to relax and paint my nails. It did not happen as you can see but I had high hopes of having some nice red nails. One of these days…

One Shoulder Tee: H&M
Skirt: Thrifted
Belt: H&M
Sandals: Steve Madden
Bracelet: Forever 21

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Tortilla Soup

We were running a little low on time last night after the gym, grocery shopping, changing out license plates from MA to NY, doing laundry, bills, uploading and editing photos, and regular cleaning things that had to be done. It was one of “those nights.” Anyways, I wanted to cook something that was pretty easy but tasty. My default for these kinds of meals are usually a soup of some sort. I have never made a Tortilla soup before so I was pretty excited to try this. IT WAS DELICIOUS!! I loved it!! I think it was a new thing for Kev but he is always a good sport and ate it all and said he liked it. I grilled him some chicken with some chilli powder on it and then cut it up and added it to his soup.

I think my favorite part was the handmade tortilla strips. They added so much and were so much better than added like corn chips or something. I do with there was a magical spell to ripen avocados right when you need them because it always seems like the grocery store never has ripe ones when you need them. I am not that good of a planner to get them days in advanced to let them ripen.

Tortilla Soup:
1 15-ounce cans diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano (optional)
1/4 teaspoon chili powder (or to taste)
4 cups vegetable broth
2-3 cups water
3 cups pinto beans, cooked
salt to taste
6 corn tortillas
1 large lime, cut into 6 wedges
1 ripe large avocado, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
4 cups chopped spinach, chard, or kale leaves

1. Add can of tomatoes to a blender.

2. Heat some olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook till brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Pour it all into the blender along with the chilli powder and process until smooth.

3. Pour mixture back into sauce pot and heat on medium. Stir consistently for about 5 mins. Let thicken. Add broth, water, oregano (if using), and drained pinto beans. Bring to a boil, then adjust heat to maintain a simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes.

4. While the soup is cooking, prepare the tortillas. Preheat oven to 375F. Cut each tortilla in half (can be done in a stack if you have a sharp knife). Then cut each half into 1/4-inch wide strips. Place the strips in a single layer on a baking sheet and sprinkle with salt,pepper, a little chilli powder or cumin if you want. Bake for about 15 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from oven.

5. Add spinach (or chard or kale) to the soup. Cook, stirring, until the greens are wilted, about 2 minutes or so depending.

Serve the soup topped with avocado and tortilla chips in soup bowls. Serve with lime wedges. It taste awesome to squeeze juice of 1-2 lime wedges in soup. MMmmmm Enjoy!

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So something that I have been in love with lately is plastic jewelry. I just love the Lucite like pieces, especially when they are in bright colors. Julie found this necklace at H&M when we were shopping in NYC. We both ended up getting it because, well it’s awesome! I will say the next time I wear it it wont be against my skin because it’s a little pokey. The points kept stabbing me. Pain for fashion right? haha

I was also really happy I got to wear this little flutter shoulder shirt in Hawaii. I saw it at forever 21 and thought it was just really adorable, but didn’t want to have to wait till it was warmer to wear it. Spring will you please come to New England!!! Well it is March 1st, so I guess it’s right around the corner right? Last week didn’t feel like it so much but I have high hopes for March.

Did you watch the Hockey game yesterday? I am not a sports girl. I really hate all professional sport (sorry) but hockey is another thing all together. Can you blame me? I am from Canada! Anyways, Kev’s Dad went out in the morning on a mission to find us little American and Canadian flags. It was really sweet and we had a blast watching the game with them. I got to wave my Canadian flag proudly in the end! It was such an AMAZING GAME!!! I can’t even believe it. The announcer was cracking us up right before OT started. He was so worked up and excited. So good!

Shirt: Forever 21
Gray Skirt: Forever 21
Sandals: Sears
Necklace: H&M

p.s. a little picture from yesterday…

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So I can’t express how much fun this Delightful Dozen swapping is. It is so exciting to see how each of us style the same pieces. Its very inspiring. I would highly recommend getting a group of your girlfriends together and swaping clothes. You will be amazed at how it inspires you!!

Have you been following all our Delightful Dozen swaps on our Facebook Page? Here are just a few pics of items that have been passed around…

me, Idee Geniale, Leproust Vintage

Delightfully Tacky, Idee Geniale, Selective Potential

I have been looking around the internet a lot at spring clothes. I am dying to lounge around in the warm sun in beautiful dresses and rompers. Here are a few things I am totally loving right now…

Dress: Left to Right
1. Modcloth 2. Ruche 3. Anthropologie
Rompers:
1. Victoria Secret 2. Anthropologie 3. Victoria Secret

REMEMBER you can save 10% off all purchase at Ruche and ThreadSence thru this weekend!! Use code “jenloveskev”

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So these pictures were taken at one of our favorite spots on the island. It’s called Makapu’u. There is an awesome lookout point, a hike, tidal pools and an amazing beach all at this spot. I was excited I got to wear my chinese laundry sandals again on vacation. They are my favorite sandals because they are just so comfy. I also got this tank before I left at Forever 21. I thought it was very fitting to wear in Hawaii. It is sort of hawaii shirt like but it a much cooler way. hehe

Tank: Forever 21
Skirt: H&M
Sandals: Chinese Laundry
Bracelets: Charlotte Russe & Forever 21
Sunglasses: Forever 21

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So our trip to Hawaii was awesome. It was so great to spend a whole week with Kev and see so many of our friends. Honestly, it was a little emotional landing and getting off the plane together. We have not been back together since the day we moved. It has very special meaning there for us, it was our first home together. Anyways, we lived it up everyday. We drove all over the place visiting all our favorite beaches and places. We went back to our old apartment. We walked around were we use to work and hung out were we use to eat lunch together everyday on bishop street. We got to see Jenni, Toby and the boys as well as Charlie and Gina and Kev’s old Boss Chris and his wife Julie. Everyday was jam packed and we loved it.

I will say the travel time out to hawaii is very hard. It is a long trip and everytime I am on the plane I wonder if it is worth it, but as soon a I walk off that plane and I feel the warm breeze, I smell the sweet air and I see the mountains I know there is no other place like this. It was very hard to leave!

As I was going thru our pictures, I realized we really didnt take all that many. I guess when you lived there and you go back, you don’t really remember to take a lot of pictures because we already have so many. I do wish I had more pictures of all the friends we visited with. Bummer.
Here are a few we did take…

Whale Watching…


Our Friend Charlie






2 Full Arched Double Rainbows. It was awesome.

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Yay, we are back!! We’ll I don’t know if I would really say yay, I didn’t want to leave but here we are, back in a very snowy Albany. We had a fabulous time!! We love it there so much, it will always have a very special place in our hearts. Tomorrow I will have some vacation pictures to share, but for today we have our first of many vacation style files. I have been dying to dress for warmer weather lately (I am finished with winter!) so I packed my suitcase full of clothes and wore everything I brought. Kev took lots of pictures for me, so hopefully we can spread a little summer cheer to these (hopefully) last days of winter.

Dress: Modcloth
Belt: Forever 21
Sunglasses: I think Target
Peep Toes: Vintage

p.s. We have been getting our first emails in our withoutyouitsjustnot.us inbox!! It’s so exciting to see other people print out the flyer and send in pictures. Keep them coming!! Read more about our Love Project Here.

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