Hey Guys! Are you ready for the weekend? I know I sure am!! I wanted to say a big thank you to everyone for being so great by having a little weekend giveaway! I want to give away this beautiful golden yellow flower pin I made and a jenloveskev tee shirt designed by Kev to 1 lucky reader!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4014038360/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4057692839/

You have 2 chances to enter. You can have 1 entry by leaving a comment or have a second entry by reposting about the giveaway on your blog and then leaving the link in a comment below.

Giveaway is open for entries until Monday around 6pm. Winner will be announced Monday evening.

REMEMBER!!! Jenloveskev is back to style file posting on NOVEMBER 9TH!!!

Dear Blog Friends.

If there is one thing in my life that I love (of course other than kev) its this blog. The joy, creativity and friendships that have come from it are beyond what I ever imagined. The blog community that surrounds fashion and art blogs are amazing. The support you guys give and share has touched me and brought me to tears on more than one occasion. Jenloveskev is a very personal blog and sometimes its hard to put yourself out there so much but you have always been respectful and caring about everything. Becasue its a very personal blog it takes a lot of time to keep up- time I enjoy giving but as we are trying to pack up our first house and leave Massachusetts to become New Yorkers its time that I need to give else where. I am going to be taking a little break from my regular posting. There will not be any style files, last nights dinner etc. for a little while. It will not be forever so please dont leave maybe like 2 weeks.

Don’t be sad though- I am still going to post during the day. It will just be alittle different for awhile. Taking pictures and editing them each night takes a lot of time so instead I want to share some of my favorite post from when we lived in hawaii, some childhood photos, some home videos, ill have some giveaways, and just share things that have been inspirational to me lately.

I hope you can all understand and that you wont leave me. hehe. Jenloveskev is going to be back in full swing soon and better than ever with lots of new locations for style files, lots and lots and etsy shop updates for christmas presents and lots of around the house photos as we set up our new place. Please just be patient with me for a little bit.

Today I would like to share some old halloween photos. Last year we went to our friend Ben’s halloween party. They had decorated amazingly and Ben had set up a photobooth. Kev and me went as Zombie Mimes and our friend erica was a dinosaur. I loved these photos so much. I couldnt stop looking at them for like weeks after halloween.

I have been hitting the jackpot at the goodwill lately. Everytime I go I seem to find awesome treasures (well to me anyways!) I saw this sweater last time and feel in love. Its super mod like, a good length and color and very warm. I paired it with some black skinny jeans, a little pair of heels and a necklace from my grandma’s bags of goodies she gave me. I really like the look, what do you think? Have you been finding anything great at thrift stores lately?

Sweater: Goodwill $3
Jeans: UO BDG
Patent Bow Heels: Target $20
Necklace: Gift from Grandma

Roasted Sweet Potato Corn Chowder and Pear (Ham for kev) and Brie Sandwiches

So on Sunday when Mike and Erin came over after we drove up to the top of Mt. Greylock I cooked this for dinner. I thought it was super tasty, ooh so fall like and pretty easy to make. I made a huge batch of soup so I could have it for lunch this week as well. The sandwiches are great! I made mine with just brie and pear but I added some thinly sliced ham for everyone else. I found a cranberry pecan multi grain loaf at the bakery so that is the bread I used which I think really added a lot to the sandwich.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4047902797/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4048646874/

Roasted Sweet Potato Corn Chowder (Recipe found at All Recipes)
Ingredients:
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

1 (12 ounce) package frozen corn kernels, thawed
1 cup water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 cups finely diced celery
1 cup diced red onion
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
3 cups vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1. Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Place the sweet potatoes into a 9×13 inch baking dish, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of oil, and season with salt and pepper. Stir to coat the sweet potatoes in oil.
2. Roast in the preheated oven until the sweet potatoes are golden and tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally as they cook so the sweet potatoes cook evenly.
3. Meanwhile, measure out 1 cup of corn kernels and set aside. Place the remaining corn into a blender, and puree with the water until smooth; set aside.
4. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the celery and onion. Cook and stir until the onion has softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and dried thyme leaves; cook 1 minute more. Pour in the vegetable broth, corn puree, bay leaf and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 10-15 mins.
5. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the whole corn kernels, sweet potato, and chopped parsley. Return to a simmer and season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

Brie and Pear Sandwiches:
Brie
Thinly sliced pear
Thinly sliced Ham (optional)
Fresh bakery Loaf (I used a Cranberry Pecan multi grain loaf)

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Slice brie, pear and bread
3. Layer brie, ham and pair onto bread to make a little sandwich
4. Place sandwiches on a baking sheet and place in oven for 4-5 mins or until brie is melted. If you have a Panini press that would work awesome!

As you can see from the pictures we had a fun but busy weekend, by the end of the night last night I was exhausted. I could not stop yawning hehe. Here is my laid back weekend outfit. I kinda feel like I need to go ride horses in it but oh well. Also here is a picture of my favorite necklace, it was my valentines day present from Kev last year. Its the love bird necklace from Figs and Ginger. There stuff is so awesome!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4044767145/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4044766585/
Stripped Button Up: Old Navy Clearance $2.99
Vest: Forever 21 $12
Jeans: UO BDG $40
Boots: Chinese Lanudry $70
Necklace: Figs and Ginger gift

I went to bed friday night not knowing what I was going to dress as for the Overit Halloween party. Maybe as I slept I dreamt of old cartoon shows I watched because I had just posted my She-Ra picture, anways I woke up singing the theme song to Jem and I knew that’s who I wanted to be. Now it made me feel really old when I told people who I was and they didnt remember who that was. Maybe you have to be around the 27yrs old age and a girl to remember because other than that a lot of people didnt know. Oh well. I loved it. Kev was Jem’s Road/stage manager Rio. haha we looked awesome.

The party was for Kev’s work. It was at the owner Dan’s house and it was a lot of fun- they had so much food and great decorations. I am happy for kev that he has so many friends at work!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4045518256/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4045801787/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4045801839/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4045801913/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4046544958/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4046545012/
Photos by Kev and Jon

So we had a busy weekend! Friday I got to go to NYC to visit with my friend Laura. We have been best friends since like 6th grade. We met when I lived on Long Island in middle school, she recently moved off the island to GA and was back for a visit. It was great to see her. Its always like we never left each other, we just pick up where we left off the last time. I truly treasure our friendship!!!

Saturday we went to a halloween party but that will be in the next post!

Sunday when we got home from Jon and Carrie’s, our friends Mike and Erin came over for some fall fun and a yummy dinner. We love hanging out with them, I feel like we just laugh the entire time. We love them to death! We all meet in college and have been friends ever since. They recently opened the road to the top of Mt. Greylock (which is the highest mt. in MA) so we drove up and walked around, took some fake band photos, and got some delicious apple cider. Haha we took band photos because as we were posing for some group photos someone mentioned it looked like the typically cheesy band photo and then we couldnt stop taking stupid pictures. We also had a conversation about rolling down the mountain or if it was possible to fall of the side. Right after that as kev and me were taking a picture together and Kev heard some noise to his right and for some reason it startled him thinking someone was falling off the mountain haha mike captured the moment perfectly! It was a beautiful fall day with great friends!!

Me and Laura:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4046551392/

Kev’s look of concern (haha)…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4044772021/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4045516936/
Our band photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4045515802/




http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4044773245/
Since college me and erin have played a game called the get warm dance, well I guess its not a game but we just jump up and down next to each other to keep warm. haha it works good. Mike joined us this time.

I wish everyone a happy weekend! I am off to NYC to visit my bestest friend who has flown in from GA. I am super excited to see her. We are also going to a halloween party with everyone from Kev’s work. We haven’t quite decided what we are going to be yet but it will prob. be some kind of zombie. I like being a zombie. Last year I was 80’s zombies and a mime zombie for another party. Next week I plan on sharing some past halloween costumes but I leave you this weekend with one of my favorite halloween costumes ever. My mom was so good to us, she made us the best costumes ever!! I was really into She-Ra…

Oh man I love this picture of my self. Maybe I should be She-Ra again. That would be funny, a now and then kind of picture. Hmmm? a She-Ra Zombie?

Well have a great weekend everyone. Thanks for commenting this week on the posts you guys are the greatest!!!

Ok Ok so I am so excited to post this outfit!! Yesterday started as a good day. As many High School teachers experience there is a week usually in mid october called Spirit Week. There is lots of dressing up during this week, and well a bonfire, a pep rally, a football game and a homecoming. Well this past week was our spirit week. I really didn’t dress up for most of it. I was not about to wear my PJ’s to school on Monday but I was super excited for yesterday. Every grade in school got a decade to dress up as. The faculty got the 1940’s!! I didn’t want to go buy a whole new outfit for it so I just looked around my closet and Viola! Here is what I came up with…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4036444590/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4036444240/
Everyone loved it!! It was funny because kids and teachers kept commenting on what a good costume it was but it was all my regular clothes- ha!. No, I don’t usually wear a fur around my neck but it was called for today. The kids liked to point out how funny it was that I was wearing fur when I am a vegetarian. It was my grandma’s so what can I say- I love my grandma more than being an activist. I def. would not buy any fur anything now but since she gave it to me. I will keep it forever. So as I was saying it started out a good day but as I got out of my car to go into school I dropped my iphone and shattered the glass on the front screen. DOH! Thats a whole other story though. Another time…

Fur: Grandma (priceless)
Brooches: Grandma (also Priceless)
Ring: ?
Blouse: Goodwill $4.99
Skirt: Goodwill $4ish
Tights: Hand-me-down from my sister
Shoes: Payless like a million years ago
Headband: a quick jenloveskev creation this morning at 6:30am

So the “from the Craft Room” this week is a jenloveskev etsy shop update with 2 necklaces I made. I am totally and utterly in love with them. I want to keep them- I was making so many outfits with them last nights after I finished making them. Everything I put on with them instantly became an awesome outfit.

I feel like the are a good continuation of my brooches, Sort of the same style but in a necklace form. I used lots of old buttons and goodies I have been collecting from antique stores and things over the years. I especially love the colors of each of them. The green in the first one is so bright and vibrant and I just love the texture of the pink stones in the second one. Beautiful!!!

I hope you guys like them too! What do you think?
I only made 2 this week. They are very time consuming and a true labor of love!
You can go check them out in my etsy store HERE.

Sorry for the lack of a style file post yesterday. Life just happened and I didn’t get to it. I am starting to find it hard to keep up with everything with working full time and more (being a teacher doesn’t end when school does), the blog, crafts, keep my house clean, running, cooking, spending time with Kev and friends and getting enough sleep, but I love everything so on I go! No complaining just a deep breath.

I am really really excited about this style file!!! I have been so inspired lately by bloggers DIY studding projects. I loved Krystal’s Studded Booties and especially loved Jess’s Studded Jacket. When I was younger I lived in a studded belt. It was my everyday staple. I had this belt that I loved because everyone else had a 3 row small studded belt but I had a 2 row larger studded belt and I would not leave the house without it. haha yes its embarrassing. I wore that thing till it ripped thru the leather. When it died I took off all the studs to save for I had no idea what but I just could let them go. 7 years later that ziplock bag of studs was still sitting in my craft room until yesterday. I found this little tweed jacket/sweater thing at the goodwill and knew this is what the studs needed to be used for. I like that the studs are beat up and scratched because its like the history of my high school/college years around my neck now. What do you think? Do you like my studded jacket? I am pretty happy with it. I only had enough studs to do the neckline.

Let me know what you think!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4033972264/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4033971810/
Jacket: Goodwill $6.99
White shirt: H&M
Jean Cutoffs: Were old Gap Jeans
Tights: Target $5
Boots: Chinese Laundry $70
Studs: Priceless (hehe)

So the other week I got an email from my friend Michelle about creating an I’d Wear That for her. Michelle is in her 30’s and lives in Texas with her awesome Husband and beautiful kids. She is going to a wedding in November and wanted some ideas on what to wear. Michelle wrote that she doesn’t like red, didn’t want anything below the knee and wanted it to be season appropriate but still something that was for warmer weather because its Texas. As I started looking around I found these 2 dresses that I thought would look great on her and I couldn’t decide on what one to use- so I ended up using both. Is there one that you like better?

Outfit 1: (Purple Dress)
Dress: Macys $123.99
Shoes: DSW $109.95
Bracelet: Forever 21 $8.80
Earrings: Forever 21 $5.80

Outfit 2: (Ruffle Top)
Dress: Macy’s $89.25
Shoes: DSW $59.95
Jeweled Cuff: Forever 21 $7.80
Earrings: Forever 21 $4.80

P.S. Teacher Style File will be posted later tonight. Maybe around 8pm. Sorry for the late post…

hehe so I guess maybe I am trying to step out of my comfort zone here this week. I dont know? When Kev saw my outfit he just called it “crazy” but I liked it when I put it on. I like jewelry a lot and I have lots but I usually dont wear it- I am pretty basic I feel like when it comes to jewelry. I love pins and headbands but am not to experiemental with necklaces and bracelets. I tried to layer some necklaces today and play with some mixing patterns. I liked the color mix between the tourquoise and the orange strip in my shirt. Hmmm what do you think? I will be honest and say I think the tights and boots are too much. Maybe if I wore plain tights with the boots and just plain flats with the leopard tights…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4027670765/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4027671673/
Buttons Up: Old Navy $6.99
Necklaces: Target and Forever 21
Skirt: Old Navy
Tights: Target $5
Boots: Forever 21 $36

Today we have Peanut Crusted Tofu with mashed Sweet Potatoes and Cauliflower with golden raisins and currants. Mmmmm

Its not the most colorful but it sure is alot of great fall flavors!!

Ingredients for Tofu:
1 (14-ounce) package firm Tofu- Drained, pressed and Cut into 1/2 slices and then cut diagonally to create triangles
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon water
1 large egg white
1/3 cup dry-roasted peanuts
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 teaspoons peanut oil, divided
Cooking spray

Directions: Combine 1 teaspoon water and egg white in a shallow dish. Place peanuts in a food processor; process until finely ground. Combine ground peanuts, garlic powder, ginger, red pepper, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a shallow dish. Dip one side of each tofu triangle in egg mixture. Dredge the same side in peanut mixture. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Add half of tofu; cook 2 minutes on each side or until browned. (Watch closely to prevent burning.) Repeat procedure with remaining 1 teaspoon oil and tofu. Serve tofu with the mashed sweet potatoes and cauliflower.

Ingredients for Mashed Sweet Potatoes:
2 Sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
apple cider
butter
cinnamon
nutmeg
salt and pepper

Directions:
Boil cubes in a pot of water covered for about 20 mins or until tender. Pour in a little apple cider and small amount of butter. Mash up. Add more apple cider as needed depending on thickness. Add cinnamon, nutmeg salt and pepper to your tastes.

Ingredients for Cauliflower:
Cauliflower- cut into bite size pieces
Cooking Sherry
2-3 tbsp balsamic Vinaigrette
1/2 cup of golden raisins
1/2 currants
pepper
salt

Steam Cauliflower, throw a splash of cooking sherry into a frying pan and add raisins and currents. Let them heat and soak up the sherry. Then add the cauliflower and Vinaigrette to pan. Stir to coat everything. Add salt and pepper. Heat on medium for about 5 mins. Add more Vinaigrette and salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

I never wear lipstick but I thought I would try today. I like chapstick and I say I like lipgloss but it never lasts. Today I thought I would glam up my outfit a bit with some red lipstick and some heavy eyeliner. I think I like it- its just weird to see myself with it on. I do however love this little tweed tunic. I found it in the clearance rack at forever 21 for $6.98 can you believe it? Its just so darn cute!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4024806922/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4024806964/
Tunic: Forever 21 $6.98
Blouse: Vintage (thrifted goodwill hawaii)
Leggings: Macys $20
Boots: Chinese Laundry $70

Happy Monday everyone!! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!! I showed up at Kev’s work on Friday afternoon and kidnaped him away to NYC for the weekend to celebrate his birthday. I had booked a hotel in midtown so we could hang out around all the touristy stuff he likes to do. We had the BEST time ever!! Both of us love being out and just experiencing new things and the fact that we could just spend sometime away together was awesome. If you haven’t noticed we are usually very very busy. So any chance to slow down and just enjoy each others company away from everything else is always so fun! I had planned a few things for the weekend but most of it just wanted to see where it would take us. I had booked a NBC studio tour for Saturday at 2:45 and planned at eating at BLT Burger for a birthday dinner because Kev loves it there and that was it -oh and going to B&H Photo for birthday presents.
We got there Friday night, checked into the hotel and then headed out to just walk around. We ended up in Time Square, where we ended up seeing KRISTEN WIIG filming a sketch for SNL which we got to be in the background for one scene. It was awesome!!! We are both huge SNL fans. We watched them for a long time as they filmed different scenes. We then decided we were going to try to get SNL tickets for Saturday. I had heard that if you line up outside NBC they hand out stand by tickets at 7am. We walked by on our way back to the hotel and there were already people camped outside. We got a little depressed because we weren’t going to sleep outside so we thought we didn’t have a chance. Anyways we thought oh well lets still get up early and come down and wait. The alarm went off at 4am and we bundled up and headed down to wait. Some warm tea, hot chocolate and games on the iphone kept us occupied for the 2.5 hours we waited. When they start giving out tickets you get to chose between dress rehearsal or the live show. When it was our turn they had given out 51 dress rehearsal ones already and 52 live show tickets. We decided we would have a better chance to get into the dress rehearsal. Besides we heard its like 30 mins longer and they try more racy jokes out before it gets cut down for the live show. We got ticket number 52 +53. I didn’t have high hopes because that meant 53 people who had actual tickets had to not show up for us to go. It was fun though. We met a bunch of wonderful ladies while we waited.
We went back to the hotel to sleep after that. Then we ate breakfast and then headed out for the day. The NBC studio tour was awesome. We got to watch the cast of SNL practicing for that night. Which was good because we both felt like even if we didn’t get into the taping now it was ok because at least we saw a little.
The rest of the day we just wondered around and hung out all over the city. At 7 we headed back to NBC to line up for the stand by tickets. We got in line with our lady friends from that morning and waited anxiously for them to tell us how many extra people they could take. They took the first 30- eeeek we were so close. I was so nervous- haha I couldn’t believe I was so nervous. We wanted to go so bad! Then they took 10 more. We were off by 1 person. I couldn’t believe it. Then all the sudden they said 10 more. We all jumped up and down and ran up to go thru the metal detector and get on the elevator up to the studio. So fun!!! It was like the best experience ever. Kev was so so excited- I was so happy we got to do it for his birthday. He was like a little kid when they said we could go in- it was very cute! I can not express how much I love being married to this man!

Kristen Wiig filming

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4026100020/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4026002112/Waiting in line at 4 am and our yummy breakfast

I am obsessed with Jamba Juice- Oh hawaii I miss you!

ahhhh M&J Trimmings is heaven to me!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4025346035/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4026099106/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4026098340/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4025348235/I finally found a JC Penny with I heart Ronson stuff…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4025347697/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4025347213/Our SNL Ticket and us leaving after we saw the show!

Mmmm Heartland Brewery and Pumpkin Ale!

YAY! Its the weekend!! Today is Kev’s Birthday so I am pretty excited to celebrate. I have a weekend full of plans for us. I can’t really explain because he reads this at work during lunch. (Hi Sweetie!) I’ll let you all know soon enough. I just need to get thru this school day, I just broke up a girl fight at school- crazy!

Here is what I am wearing today. I am feeling a little cowgirl but in a cool way- not in the way the boots I was wearing yesterday make me feel. I have had this plaid shirt since my first year of college. I love it though. I will never get rid of it. Aren’t these Wedge ankle boots awesome!! They have a hidden wedge in them so I am a little taller today which I like. I got them courtesy of Moxsie and 80%/20 because Moxsie was a sponser of the IFB Dress up Soiree. I love them and they are wicked comfy. Its going to be a good day I can feel it (minus girl fight of course!).

Plaid Shirt: Old Navy
Brown Skirt: Banana Republic (hand me down from my sis)
Brown Tights: Target $6
80%20 Boots: Courtesy of Moxsie

Ok Ok I know this was suppose to be posted on wednesday. Whoops. I’m sorry. My to do list all week has been beyond daunting. Anyways, Ive chipped away at it and well here it is. A few weeks back I got an email from Chelsea who just celebrated a wedding Anniversary where her loving hubby gave her a beautiful strand of pearls. How nice huh? Well her question was how to wear them with out looking too June Cleaver. I was excited to create an I’d wear That for her. I think there is something very classic about a single strand of pearls and see no problem wearing them on their own with a cute little black dress but for a more modern look or something less dressy my opinion is to layer the necklace with lots of other ones. I think that instantly makes them look less June Cleaver. Try different lengths, textures and materials with the necklaces. I would wear the necklaces with a boyfriend blazer or a little bomber jacket like this one. I wouldnt zip up the jacket just leave it open with a classic tee under it.

Tee: Forever 21 $4.80
Jacket: Forever 21 $32.80
Necklaces: Various places
Jeans: Urban Outfitters $78.00
Over the Knee Boots: Chinese Laundry $78.90 (DSW)

Man I am just squeaking this one in huh? its 11pm. Its been a very very busy week for me. I feel like I haven’t stopped going all week. I am very excited for that last bell to ring at 2:30 tomorrow so I can run out of there and get started with the birthday festivities. Tomorrow is Kev’s birthday and I have a whole weekend of just us planned. I can not wait!!

Ok so on to the outfit. This morning I woke up and it was pitch black. I hate that! It was also beyond freezing. I hate hate hate being cold. So I decided today I was just going to wear whatever was warm. My classroom is about 58 degrees so sometimes function takes over fashion. Its not the most fashionable outfit but hey I was warm all day. I think everyone and their mother bought these boots from target when they were on sale. No one bought them when they were full price but when they were $4.98 haha they seemed to go quite fast. Sometimes I wonder why I bought them because I kinda hate them- they are a little over the top for me and I have a hard time finding outfits for them because instantly I feel I become too hippy or too country for my taste. Anyways, they are very warm so check I wore them today. Did you get a brooch in my etsy sale? I made a few extra for myself. I think it really made the whole outfit a little better today…

Sweater: Macys $30
Brooch: A Jenloveskev Creation
Jeans: Old Navy Skinnies $20
Boots: Target $4.98

p.s. hehe I like that you can see Kev taking my picture in the window.

p.s.s I will be posting the I’d Wear that from Wednesday that I didnt get to tomorrow as well as the last style file for the week and some insight to our birthday weekend plans. Have a good nite!

The NEW brooches are in my etsy shop. I will say I think they came out great- (my favorite is the cream and chocolate one!!!) There are 11 new ones. Go check them out- Hope you enjoy them!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4014039968/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4013272299/

Tomorrow I will have my last Etsy shop Brooch update. I will post everything in the morning around 10am, there will be about 15 brooches. This will be my last brooch update for a while. I always like to move on to something else after awhile so if you missed out last time here is your chance. There will be a couple repeats from last week but mostly a handful of new designs. Hope you like them!!!

Oh to stay home everyday and make crafts!!! I would enjoy that!!

So I have had this little black dress since I was in high school. I don’t wear it anymore but I keep it because it is a really nice classic dress. I actually got it for a funeral. Its’ a little shapeless and a little big now but its good if I am in a pinch. After staring at it in my closet for way too long I decided I should try to make an outfit for it so it doesn’t get depressed.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4010508566/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4010509050/
Dress: Anne Taylor
Sweater: H&M $20
Belt: NY&Co.
Knee Highs: Walmart $5
Flats: Target $20

Have you been dreaming of going to France lately, well I sure have! I got to go back in April and can’t wait to make it back again!! Kev?? hehe
Its been pretty cold out lately so we are trying to use places around the house for pictures. Speaking of our house- I guess its safe to announce that we officially sold our house last week. I know crazy right? It was a very hard thing to do and I cried a little when it was all said and done because this was our first real home together. Our first house… Anyways we are leaving MA and moving into NY towards Albany. We are really excited about the move. We havent found house #2 yet but we are looking…

Beret: Target
Button Up: Thrifted (Lands End)
Skirt: Forever 21
Tights: Target
Shoes: Target
Pin: ? (maybe Michaels)

p.s. THANK YOU to everyone for such wonderful and encouraging comments on my marathon post! I love you guys!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!! (To Canada that is…) Since I was missing Thanksgiving in Ontario yesterday with my sister and other family I decided to make something that resembled thanksgiving to me. Kev and me both hate thanksgiving food. Well let me repharse that we both hate turkey, me because I don’t eat meat and Kev just doesn’t like it. I do like fall sides and that is why I decided to take a side and make it more of a meal for our thanksgiving dinner last night…

Acorn Squash stuffed with Cranberry and Pecan Multi grain Stuffing.

Didn’t Kev out do him self with this picture? I am a lucky girl to be married to someone so talented!!

I will say it does take a while to make it all but it is totally worth it. Mmmmmmmmmm!!!! I love this dish so much!!! I eyeball everything as I go along. So please adjust measurements as you are making. I am kinda guessing how much I used. Here are the directions:

Ingredients:
2 Acorn Squash
1/2 cup Cranberries (Craisins)
1/2 cup Currants
1 cup Celery- diced
1 cup Carrots-diced
1 cup Red Onion- diced
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup Chopped Pecans
Fresh Bakery Loaf of Bread (I used a CranberryPecan Mutligrain Bread)
2 Tbsp Fresh Chopped Parsley
1 Cup Veggie Broth
3 Cups Boiling water
Sage
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
3/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400. Cut loaf into cubes and place on a nonstick baking sheet. Place in oven for 30 mins. Turning over twice. Cook until golden brown.
2. Cut tops off Squash and scoop out insides. I cut the little nub off the bottom of them too so they will stand up. Sprinkle insides with cinnamon and nutmeg. In a shallow Pyrex dish place acorn squash face down. Spray outside skin with cooking spray. Pour about 2 cups of boiling water over top and cover with tin foil. After Bread has cooked reduce heat of oven to 350 and place squash in oven for 35 mins or more according to how they are cooking. I cook them till the are almost ready to eat.
3. In a small bowl add both cranberries and currants, pour boiling water to cover berries. Let sit at least 10 mins.
4. While squash are cooking sautee onion and garlic in a large frying pan. 3 mins. Then add carrots, celery, sage, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Blend together well.
5. Add Bread cubes, Berry mixture (drain water first), pecans, and 1 cup of veggie broth to pan. Mix all together.
6. Pull squash out of oven drain water. Dry Dish. Turn squash right side up. Stuff each of them with stuffing mixture. Fill the rest of the dish with the remaining stuffing mixture.
7. Place in oven and cook for another 15-20 mins till tops are golden and squash is cooked and soft to eat.
8. Remove from oven and serve. You can spoon some extra stuffing on side of plate. Top with some freshly chopped Parsley.

Yay!!!! I FINISHED!!! That was honestly my biggest fear that I wouldn’t be able to finish, but I did and at a time I am happy with. I will say that running the marathon was the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life but it was also such an huge accomplishment. It was so rewarding in the end (I maybe didnt think that on saturday right after but now on monday I can say that!) I really feel like I was given guardian angels along the way that showed up right when I needed someone. I had joined a pace group that was going to finish at 4:30, It was great the first 15 miles went by super fast. I met some awesome girls around my age and we talked and laughed the entire way. It was like nothing I was use to because I trained by myself for this whole thing. It was great. Then I started to hit a wall at 15- I had to drop back and it was really hard and sad because I knew I was leaving my support group but it was something I just had to do.

When I fell back and I was by myself for a bit and the mind games started. I felt like I couldn’t run anymore. I started to walk for a min. I had only been walking like 20 seconds and I heard this guy run up behind my and start clapping and cheering me on like “you got this” “come on you are doing great” this guys name was Tom. Tom instantly became my running buddy and from mile 15-26 helped and cheered me all the way to the end. He had a great personality, joking and laughing even up the hills. It was his 23rd marathon. At mile 20 my next angel came- it was KEV!!!! He jumped in and ran the last 6 with me. He is what got me thru till the end, knowing that he was right next to me to talk to me about random things to keep my mind occupied.

Then at mile 24 I wanted to be done- I was hurting- you really have nothing left at that point, Kev was talking to me about something and suddenly this guy came flying by us, he was sprinting. He didn’t look sweaty or anything, like he just started running. He was wearing a bright red shirt and on the back of his shirt it said LOVE 146!!!! I couldn’t believe it. It was like he came out of no where- just to remind me what this was all about and that I COULD finish this race, I was running for the kids that needed our help. I started crying as soon as I saw his shirt, it totally gave me that extra push to finish it all up.

Kev had to jump out before the end but Tom and me finished together holding hands as they announced our names together over the loud speaker, shorting our last names to Lu and Zu- so they were all cheering “Go Lu and Zu” as we crossed over the finish line. Crossing that finish line is something that I can not express- you are overjoyed, exhausted, excited, in pain, completely uncomfortable and just overcome with emotions. I started bawling as soon as Kev ran up to me to hug me. I couldn’t even contain it- your emotions just take over. My entire body ached- I could hardly walk but I finished my very first marathon and I couldn’t be prouder of myself.

Thanks to everyone for all the support thru this whole thing and thank you to everyone for donating to LOVE 146. It really means more to me than I can express!!! Dear Kev: Thank you for being so supportive and so proud of me thru this whole training- I could not have done this without you!!!

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1. Did anyone watch The Office last night? Oh man it was like the best episode ever!!! There were SOOOO many amazing parts. How cute are jim and pam? and when jim cut his tie?

2. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to everyone that bought a brooch yesterday!!!! They sold out by the end of the day. For those that wrote that you wanted to buy one but missed them, I will be making more this week and will have another shop update sometime next week. I will keep everyone posted. Big THANKS to buyers!!!!! I love my readers!! You guys are too goood!!!! I can’t say enough about you!! You make my day every day!!! (sorry about the over use of exclamation points but truly you guys are great!)

3. MY MARATHON IS TOMORROW!!! Here is another huge THANK YOU to everyone that has donated to Love 146- it means more than anyone could know. It is such a great cause and you guys donating really makes a difference. If you didn’t get a chance to donate or missed my post about LOVE 146 you can read it HERE or can go directly to my donation page and watch. LOVE 146 is such a worthy cause, I will post the video again below if you missed it the first time. I can’t believe that I run it tomorrow. I am freaking out a little on the inside. Kev and me are heading down to Hartford right after school so we can get my race packet and eat a good pasta dinner!!! We booked a hotel down there so we don’t have to drive in the morning. I am excited because there is a pool and a hot tub!!! EEEEK I can’t believe I am running 26 miles tomorrow. I am so nervous! Anyways I will be bringing my phone along with me so I am going to try (we’ll see) to take some pictures and video and maybe even send a tweet or two during the race.
Follow me on twitter here if you aren’t already.

So I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I will be back on Monday with lots of pictures, and again a huge thank you to everyone that has donated and that bought a brooch.

LOVE 146

Hey all! Are you excited its Friday? I sure am!!! I found this dress at the goodwill the other week and I instantly fell in love with it. I love the colors, the pattern, and that is has shoulder pads! I def. hemmed it up to make it a little more young and modern- it was past my knees. haha it was not attractive. Kev calls it my grandma dress but I’ve been wearing it with my boots, a black belt and lately because it is chilli my leather bomber I feel like its a great mix of old and new.

Dress: Goodwill $5
Belt: Ny&co.
Boots: Chinese Laundry $70
Headband: Forever 21

So my etsy shop has been updated with all the new brooches. I am really happy with them and kind of don’t want to part with them-hehe jk. Each one is unique and made with love and care, so I hope you enjoy them! I collect lots of vintage fabrics and buttons from goodwills, the recycling center (holden, MA) and savers so I used a lot of them here. I love the mix of the fabric with the fall warmness of the felt. Enjoy!

Go Check ‘Em out!!
Here are just a few…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/3991412843/


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So I can not get enough of over the knee socks. I am telling you they are saving my cold legs (I don’t like being cold!) I found this blouse at a goodwill in Hawaii a couple years ago and it is one of my favorite pieces in my closet. Its like the best dress up blouse ever. I love the puffy Shoulders! I think since it was a From the Craft Room day (have you check out the new brooches in my etsy shop?) we could take my picture in my craft room. Haha like my self portrait? I did that in college, it was part of a triptych.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/3991659250/
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Blouse: Goodwill Hawaii
Leather Skirt: H&M $30
Over the Knee Socks: Target
Boots: Chinese Laundry $70
Brooch: A Jenloveskev Creation $13

So I will be updating my etsy shop tomorrow around 9:30-10am. I will send out a tweet when its all set! Here are a few snap shots of a couple things that will be added. There are about 11 brooches and 1 new headband. I hope you like them!

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I love mornings where you get up have no idea what you are going to wear and then something magical happens- You effortessly find an outfit that you have never worn before and you just love how it all works together. That was this outfit. I got this polka dot shirt at the goodwill such a long time ago but have never really found an outfit to wear it with. I also got this flat studded belt for free one time when I bought a pair of Levi’s at some store at crossgates mall. I dont ever where studded belts so when they said you get one free I almost didnt even get one but then I saw this flat studded belt and thought hmm maybe I would wear that sometime. Anyways I love this belt! I wore it backwards so the band at the front was all the flat studs. I love it!

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I dont know if I am laughing or sneezing in that last one?

Polka Dot Top: Goodwill $3
Flat Studded Belt: Free from Against all Odds
Navy Pencil Skirt: Thrifted $4ish
Peep Toes: Thrifted in Hawaii
Silver Cuff: gift from a very special lady

Anyways are you following jenloveskev on twitter?
and are we friends yet on facebook?

*NOTE: Remember to check back this evening for a preview of tomorrows etsy shop update!! yippie!!

So what are your thoughts on the cropped trouser pants that are out now? Do you like them? I have pondered myself and I think I have come to the conclusion that I love them. I love the idea of mixing something that is masculine with a great necklace and some killer shoes. I just need to find a JC Penny that carries the I heart Ronson collection. Is it only in certain stores? I am going to NYC in a couple weeks to visit my friend Laura maybe a JC Penny out near there would have it. Anyways, let me know your thoughts on cropped trouser pants…

Tee: Old Navy $10
Trousers: JC Penny $24.99
Necklace: Urban Outfitters $29.99
Belt: Forever 21 $7.80
Blue Heel: Steve Madden $109.95

Hey there! On Professional Development days or as kev refers to them “days I hope to become a professional” I can wear whatever. I dont need to dress up. There are no kids, and its just sitting around in meetings all day so its a day to be comfy and well just make it thru. This was my version of a sweatshirt day. I am not a person that wears whatever on those days. I still want to look presentable and well nice. This shirt from old navy is techniqually a sweatshirt. Its made from the same material but its cute and a little more stylish. I added one of the new pins I have been working on to it and I think it was an overall great outfit.

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Sweatshirt: Old Navy $4.99
White Tank: Old Navy $5
Black Skinny Jeans: UO
Flats: Target
Pin: A Jenloveskev Creation (avail. 10/8) $13

P.S This thursday there will be a major Etsy shop update with a handful of brooches and headbands I have been working on. There will be a little sneak preview on wednesday but full pictures and available in my etsy shop on Thursday. Each piece is unique so there will only be 1 of each. If I do say so myself- They are adorable and the perfect accessory for fall on your blazer or cardigan. I am working on some right now with feathers!!!

Mini “Meat” Loaves with Brown Rice Pilaf and some sauteed Asparagus!

So these mini meatloaves were one of Kev’s favorite meals but when I stopped eating meat I stopped making them because honestly I dont like fake meat. I think it taste weird and gross. I started feeling bad because I wasnt cooking them anymore when I know that Kev loves them (not that he ever said anything), so I thought I would surprise him with them. I made his obvisously with ground beef but for me I thought I would give some fake ground crumbles another try. This time I used the Morning Star brand. I hadnt used them before and you know what- they were pretty tasty!!! I def. think they will be in our mix of dinners again.

Ingredients:
Morning Star Ground Crumbles
Pepperidge Farm Cornbeard Stuffing(or any dried bred stuffing package- just read ingredients to make sure they are vegetarian). You’ll use about half.
Sweet Chili Sauce (or BBQ sauce or Marinara its just preference)
1 Cup of Water

2 tbsp of Olive Oil
Apasagus
Salt and Pepper

Near East Package of Brown Rice Pilaf

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Defrost the crumble a little so you can mix them well. Mix crumbles, stuffing mix (add until there is an equal amount crumbles and stuffing- or to preference) and water until well blended. Press into 12 muffin cups sprayed with cooking spray.

2. Make indentation in center of each with back of spoon; fill evenly with sweet chili sauce.

3. Bake 35 min. or until meatloaves are done.

4. While they are cooking cook package of rice according to box.

5. In a frying pan heat olive oil and sautee up asparagus. Add salt and pepper to taste.

So here is my oufit from our dinner date the other night. The coat is a hand-me down and I couldnt be happier. Its pretty sweet. I also really love the neckline of this dress- its like a statement necklace except without the necklace.
p.s Having freshly painted nails is a good feeling (don’t my mind short nails- I am not a long nail person. I just can’t do it).

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Trench: Hand-me down but its from Old Navy
Dress: Forever 21 $25
Vintage peep toes: Thrift store in Hawaii
Flower Ring: Forever 21 $4ish dollars
Nail Polish: Chanel Jade $27

Happy Monday everyone! Hmm is there such a thing? I am excited because we have an admission counselor coming from the Art Institue of Boston today to talk to some of my students. Seeing that I would love to go there for the MFA program I like the presentation as much as the kids do.

Sorry for not posting on friday. We have a lot of things going on right now- lots of big change! Anyways time got the best of me. We went out Friday to celebrate one of these big changes (it involves moving) to a new to us restaurant called Jae’s Spice. I had some Pad Thai with crispy tofu. It was very delicious. Saturday was a low key day. It rained all day. I sat on the couch in my pjs, painted my nails, read my new Lucky and Runners World and watched The Hills, The City and a bunch of Rachel Zoe that I missed. It was all pretty girlie. Then I went out and ran my LAST long run before the Marathon next weekend!!!!! WOW! I am so nervous!!!

Sunday we went to church then headed out to Belchertown to hang out with Mike and Erin. We went to this awesome (and extremely hard) corn maze. It was a beautiful day and it was nice to spend it outside with some great friends. We then headed over to The Lady Killigrew Cafe at the Montague Bookmill for some dinner. A very cool place!

I totally ordered the Chanel Jade nail polish. So not like me but I just loved the color of it when I saw it in pictures. So pretty!!! Also Gully (our kitty) watched way too many Americas Next Top Model Reruns and was acting all model like all weekend. She knows how to work her angles! hehe

How was your weekend?

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Its October!!! Crazy!
When I wore this to school I actually wore darker more opaque tights so it didnt seem like so much leg. I do think tweed/wool shorts with tights is ok for school. I dont think I would wear them in the summer or anything with out tights but to me it just seems different with them. I got this blazer the other day at Savers. I was so excited. Its this heavy wool and with huge shoulders. I love it to death. I think I will end up wearing it all the time in the winter. I wore it to Boston the other night as well (pictures to come later). Its so perfect!

Pirate wanted a glamour shot as well…

Blazer: Savers $7
Leopard Blouse: Forever 21
Wool Shorts: H&M $25
Booties: TJ Maxx $25

So here are some pictures from the other night. We started at the Madewell store on newbury street. They had a dj, photobooth, free drinks, and the most amazing appetizers. Mmmmm! I was starving so I tired lots. haha Maybe not ladylike but who ever said I was right? Hunger always wins. We hung out there for a while drooling overing their super cozy scarfs and beautiful boots. We meet some of Punky’s friends there as well.

As we were leaving I got a call from our realtor telling me we got an offer on our house. The next 30 mins were a blur as I tried to get ahold of kev, talked to our realtor, tried to figure out a counter offer and freaked out at the realty of moving and selling our house. I was in this state all while we left Madewell, hailed a cab, took the cab over to the Liberty hotel, checked in for the fashion show, got our seats, got a drink, and then I think I finally settled down. haha. I was a bit of a mess for 30 mins. But I just have to say the liberty hotel is the most amazing place ever. Its gorgeous in there. It use to be an old jail so its so unique. The Sam Mendoza show was good. Nothing I would wear but I can totally respect someones creativity when I see it. Here are some pictures from the night (all pictures were taken by Punky)…

At Madewell

Aren’t these cute burgers?- they were bite size. If I ate meat I would have tried one for sure!

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The Liberty Hotel

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when you get to know me you find that as I get tired the amount of things that make me laugh rises drastically. Getting our car was very funny to me. haha We had a really good night!

Me and my shoes were not friends at this point…