Alright, I have been having some blogging issues. Well, more like a lack of photoshop issue. I haven’t been able to edit all the raw files from the camera. It’s funny how blogging becomes so much a part of your life and when something is keeping you from it, how much stress it causes (nerdy I know). I have backed up baby week posts, style files, Year in review recaps, and a last nights dinner that was suppose to be posted but I just cant get to them. So, while I step away till Monday and wait for Photoshop to get installed on my new MacBook Pro (Kev got me a new laptop for christmas!!) I need some help from you guys…

2011 is upon us and I have some new ideas for the blog, but I was hoping you could help me out a little by answering a few questions.

1. How often do you read jenloveskev?

2. What is your favorite part of jenloveskev?

3. What is your least favorite part (constructive criticism please- don’t be mean)

4. What would you like to see more of?

5. Any suggestions for making the actual blog more functional? (I am hoping for a sweet redesign sometime in the new year)

6. Would you be interested in following a jenloveskev inspirational tumblr site? (its in the works hopefully ready to debut on Monday)

7. How long have you been reading and how did you found out about this blog?

8. Do you like that jenloveskev is more than just a fashion blog? Do you enjoy reading about my other interests?

9. Do you like when there is a schedule for the week? (ex. Recipe on Tuesday, Baby week photos on Thursday, outfit posts daily) or does it not matter?

10. Umm, Any other thoughts you have to make jenloveskev an even better experience? Ill listen to any suggestions. Heres your chance. Feel free to answer all or just a few of the above questions. I really appreciate the input.

*My Favorite photo of 2010

With that being said, I would just like to say a BIG HUGE thank you to all my readers for making 2010 a year I will never forgot. It has been an amazing journey and I can not wait for what 2011 has in store. Being part of this blogging community has blessed my life in ways I never thought it could. I say it all the time but you guys really are the best! I never ever take for granted any comment, email or tweet that I get. It’s a daily reminder of how awesome you all are. I wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year!!!
With lots of Love,
Jen

So maybe this is boring to everyone but I guess maybe I am just doing it for myself. I love looking back and seeing my belly growing. It’s so funny to me now that Rowan is here and we know her, to think back to the time when she was just growing in my belly. That our smiley, little chubby cheeked baby use to call my stomach her home. So weird. haha. Anyways, I love seeing the progression thru all these photos. Here are my favorites from April- June…

April:

May:

June:

The 4th one in June is one of my absolute favorite Pregnancy outfits. I love that outfit. I should wear again now that I am not pregnant. Hmmmm…..

Alright, here goes nothing. I have been trying to get this post up for forever. Let me first just say, we LOVE using cloth diapers. I was the one who had to convince Kev when I was pregnant that this is what I wanted to do, but once we made the switch from disposables, Kev couldn’t be happier. He hates when she wears disposables now. He hates the way they smell and feel. It took us a little longer to make the switch after she was born than I thought, but I think I was just scared. You do all this reading and think you are ready but it’s kinda scary to make the jump. I wish I started earlier because as soon as you start you wonder why you were so apprehensive about it. We tried a couple brands. We landed on Bum Genius being are absolute favorites with Fuzzi Bunz being the runner up.
Bum Genius: We have the 4.0 One Size diapers with inserts (plus a couple of the 3.0 ones). I much, much, much prefer the velcro over the snaps. This is different for every person but the velcro is so much easier and fits her way better in my opinion. I find the snaps so hard to snap together. If I were going to choose a snap diaper I would pick the Fuzzi Bunz snaps over the Bum Genius ones. Each Bum Genius diaper comes with 2 inserts. The thin one we use during the day time and the thick one we use over night. We have not had a leak yet. Well, once we did, but that was my fault because we were out and went way longer they we should have without changing her diaper (bad mom decision). They fit her snug and look and feel so much more comfortable then a disposable. They are bulkier than disposables, there is no denying that. The first time we put her in one we were like “Whoa! Rowan, look at your big booty” haha but you get use to it and now I don’t think anything of it.

We have a total of 20 diapers. Is that enough? It is for us, but I would like about 6-8 more. I can make it so I do the wash every other night. But, If I forget or don’t get them started and hung before I go to bed, then the next day she is wearing disposables while they are drying. The extra 6 or so would help with that.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5303609642/

Our routine goes like this…

Rowan wears a diaper. When its time to change her we put the diaper in the diaper pail if its just wet or in the potty pail if its poopy (hmm did I really just write poopy on my blog?)

The Potty Pail is really just a pail with a hole and drain stopper at the bottom but I love it. Whenever we have a poopy diaper I take the potty pail into the bathroom prop it on the toilet, open the drain at the bottom and use the sprayer we have hooked to the toilet to spray it all in to the toilet. Yes you could just spray it right in toilet w/o pail but it sprays off a lot of water and that kind of grosses me out to have poop water hitting the floor. So at least with the pail it sprays in the bucket and then it all just flushes into the toilet.

After I spray the diaper I just place it into the regular diaper pail. Every other day I wash them all. I take the diaper pail to the laundry room and I pull all the inserts out of the diapers and place inserts and diapers into the washing machine. I do one cold wash with detergent. One Hot wash with detergent and then just a simple extra rinse on warm. Simple, Simple.

Then I hang all the diapers to dry and place all the liners in the dryer and tumble low. Once a month I add some bleach to the hot cycle to help with odors.

Then we are ready to start all over again.
If you have any questions about the process or about anything please feel free to ask me on formspring and I would be happy to write you back a response. Cloth diapering can seem very overwhelming but it really is surprisingly easy once you get into your groove.

I was a little bit perplexed when I got this tunic (well shirt for me, it doesn’t even cover my bum) from our Delightful Dozen swaps. I had no idea what I should do with it. It’s super cute with a little peter pan color but I really didn’t know how to wear it. I have had this petticoat from modcloth for about a month now and also wasn’t sure how to wear it. I knew I wanted to wear it as a skirt more than under things, that is why I got it. When I paired the 2 together I loved how they went together. Don’t you love when that happens? I sure do. I felt so ladylike wearing this around.

Vintage Navy Tunic: Delightful Dozen (via Time Enough for Drums)
Polka dot belt: Thrifted
Low Whispers Petticoat: c/o Modcloth
Navy Tights: Forever 21
Heels: Calvin Klein (thrifted from Clothes Mentor)

2010 was a big year for jenloveskev! and I have no doubts that 2011 will be even better! I have some big ideas for the blog in the new year and I’ve set my goals high. If you are a large or small business who would like to sponsor jenloveskev to gain exposure, email me at jenloveskev@gmail.com for more info. Please make sure to include a link to your shop.

*I am starting January off with a bang, I have something very cool to share with everyone!

__________________________________________________________________________
The winner of the Roll and Tumble Press Giveaway is Amanda from Cupcakerator.
Thank you to all that entered!

I really love looking back thru old post and thru all my flickr sets. It’s so fun to relive so many memories. Its funny when you take a picture of your outfit everyday how the clothes themselves start to tell a story. I was trying to get rid of some things to friends the other day and Kev kept saying to me “you can’t get rid of that, thats the dress you wore ____, or you wore that when we went______” There was a story for every thing I was giving away. It was hard to part with the stuff but we will always have these pictures. In every picture I can remember what we were doing that day. What a crazy journal this whole fashion blogging thing creates.

Especially this year. I found out I was pregnant last Christmas while we were in Florida. So I was basically pregnant this entire year of pictures. These first pictures are really special because I hadn’t told the blog world yet. I am pregnant in all of these but only Kev and I knew. Later into the March ones I had announced it already, but its so funny to look back and think about how I was feeling in each of these pictures. Crazy! So here are my favorites from January, February and March 2010.

January:

February:

March:

haha! I remember feeling like I liked so pregnant in some of those March ones. Little did I know how big I would actually get. Too funny!

Tomorrow we will look at my favorites from April, May and June.

Just wanted to share a few pictures to show you how cute Rowan looked on Christmas eve. Christmas day she just lounged around in pj’s like everyone else, but christmas eve she was all dressed up. She even had a fur collar on like her mommy. I have so much fun dressing her!! I went a little more traditional with the dress so we added a little fun with her polka dot tights and plaid red high tops. I added a headband I made for her and her look was complete. She was just too cute!! It was a wonderful first christmas!

Rowan is wearing:
Dress: JC Penny
Tights: Trumpette
Fur collar Cardigan: JC Penny
Headband: Handmade by me
High Tops: JC Penny

It always seems so sad when you realize how fast Christmas has come and gone. I never want it to end. It’s always so nice to see family and have Kev home and just be able to relax, eat food and watch lots of movies. We had a major snowstorm last night just like everyone on the north east has been blogging about. We had to drive home today and boy, oh, boy was it windy. I thought for sure our car was going to blow off the road. Did you all have a nice Christmas?

I have a few pictures from this weekend that I will share later on, but I wanted to get up this outfit post. I have had these pictures since before I started the 30 for 30, but felt like I couldn’t post them until it was all over. Elizabeth sent this dress out for the delightful dozen and I really loved the easy feel to it.




Hat: Forever 21
Cardigan: Banana Repulic
Tights: Forever 21
Duck Boots: Thrifted old LL Bean
Dress: Delightful Dozen (via Delightfully Tacky)

We were running kinda short with time this year to do any kind of elaborate card. In Northampton there is this awesome old photobooth. The real kind. The nice paper kind. We love it. We have so many photo strips from there. I wanted to start stopping there every once in a while with Rowan take pictures, so we decided why not start now? It was super fun. What is it about photo booths that are just so fun. They never get old.

I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. One full of love, laughter, family and friends. Thank you all for being such wonderful readers and wishing us a Merry first christmas with Rowan. Remember to not get swept up in the hustle and bustle of the days and take time to truly enjoy your loved ones. Give lots of hugs and kisses!

Have a wonderful Holiday weekend and a very Merry Christmas!
Love,
Jen, Kev + Rowan
xxoo

Last year my church asked me to create a series of painting for each service during Advent. I created a painting for Love, Peace, Hope, Joy and one for Christmas Eve Service. They were a lot of fun to make and I just wanted to share a few of my favorites from last year. I really loved how the Christmas Eve painting, the Hope one and the Peace one came out. I wish you all a season of Hope, Joy, Peace and Love.

Let’s take a look back thru all 30 outfits shall we…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5287693593/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5287694061/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5288295192/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5288295328/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5288295428/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5288295532/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5287694591/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5288295688/

Done and Done.
What do you think. Do you think it was a successful use of 30 items? There are a few things I think I would had switched out but overall I was happy with my choices. Do you have any favorites?

Ahh I am finally finished. I thought the day would never come (picture me jumping up and down throwing confetti in the computer room). All in all it was a fun challenge. Do you need to limit your choices to be creative? No. But it is fun to force yourself to think out of the box and play with new combinations and accessories that you may not have put together otherwise. Next time Kendi holds a 30 for 30 challenge I hope a few more of you will sign up.

Tomorrow is CHRISTMAS EVE!!! Holy cow!!! I can’t wait to dress up for Christmas eve service tomorrow night. Rowan has the cutest little dress and red plaid high tops to wear. oh ya!!





Dress: Target
Buffalo Check Shirt: J.Crew
Hat: Target
Flats: Target
Leather Bow Hair Clip: DD Secret Santa Gift

I am working on a recap of all 30 outfits.

Also one more thing. I don’t normally acknowledge mean commenters on the blog, but if you are the person that is always leaving me mean anonymous comments under the name Boston and fake email address of Boston@gmail.com- PLEASE STOP READING. If I bother you that much why read? Please go spend your time else where. Please and Thank You. Like my mom always use to say “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

Acorn Squash Stuffed with Sausage (fake) and Cornbread!

I think this was one of the most delicious meals ever. The flavors went together so well. It was so, so, so good. Kev and I are big maple syrup fans to begin with, so the sweet maple taste with the sausage and fruit and cornbread was- ahh so delicious! I added some roasted kale with pine nuts on the side because well, I can never get enough kale.

Ingredients:
1. 2 acorn squash
2. olive oil
3. a couple of pinches of dried sage, nutmeg and cinnamon
4. salt and pepper
5. butter
6. 5 breakfast sausage patties (To make enough for one person each, I used 3 real ones for Kev and 3 fake ones for me)
7. 1 clove garlic, minced
8. 2 cups of cornbread stuffing. I just used a pre-packed Pepperidge Farm cornbread stuffing, but you could be good and make corn bread and cut it into cubes to use.
9. a handful of golden raisins, dried cranberries and some green apple cut into bit size pieces
about 1/4 cup (or a little less) veggie broth or water
10. a drizzle of real maple syrup
11. 2-3 Tbs. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat your oven to 375F.
2. Cut the acorn squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Brush insides of squash with a little bit of olive oil and sprinkle with nutmeg and cinnamon.
3. Place the squash cut sides down in a baking dish with a little bit of water in the bottoms of the dish. Bake them for about 40 mins, or until they are soft
4. While they cook, melt a tbsp of butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Stir in the garlic and the sausage. Continue stirring, as sausage heats thru break into small pieces.
5. Onced cooked thru, turn the heat to low. Stir in the raisins, craisins, apples and cornbread and cook for a couple of minutes. Flavor to taste with sage, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and pepper.
6. Add a little broth.
7. Drizzle with maple syrup, stir and let it cook for another minute or two. Then remove it from the heat.

8. Once squash is cooked, fill the hole in each squash with the stuffing. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake for 10 more minutes.
9. Transfer squash to plate. For garnish you can drizzle plate with some syrup and then serve.

I made a frying pan (in half size amounts) for each Kev and I. One vegetarian and one not. It was easy enough.
Both of us loved it!

This little baby warms my heart so much…

We brought her to see Santa last night. I may have cried (just a little and it was more like laughing tears) watching Kev sit her on Santa’s lap. She was just so small and cute nestled into the big jolly Santa. He didn’t have a real beard, but oh well. I just was so happy and so in awe that we have a little baby that we are actually bringing to see Santa. Oh man, it was a good moment. The picture is about the most perfect thing I have ever seen. Look at her!! She is so cute with her little double chin and chubby cheeks. Ahh! I have looked at it like a million times since last night. I am in love.

Yesterday was pretty disastrous. Rowan was in the worst mood ever. Every time I tried to put her down she would scream. I don’t know if she wasn’t feeling well or what, but my long list of things do was making me feel very frustrated with the situation. After awhile you just have to give up what you wanted to do and be her mommy. It really makes it better for everyone when you take the pressure off. There really was no time to take any kind of nice outfit picture yesterday. This is all I got. Me in front of my messy book case in a giant sweater and flowy blouse. Outfit 29.

Sweater H&M
Blouse: Tucker for Target
Jeans: UO
Flats: Target

We spent most of the day on the couch…

Get ready for cuteness overload. I have to post all these pictures because they are just too cute. I have started making her a bunch of headbands. Usually after she is dressed, I think a headband would go so good with that. Then I go make one in matching colors. A baby with a big flower headband is really the cutest thing ever. Plus a baby in shoes. I don’t know what it is but boy, is it cute! These boots are from her Auntie Punky and Uncle Adam.


I keep thinking I am going to have all this big news or advice to share but these last few weeks have been pretty uneventful. I have closed all the books, I stopped looking up things on the internet and I really have just started to trust myself in the decisions we make. It feels good. I think we are doing a good job, the best that Kev and I can do. Rowan really is the happiest little baby now. We had a rough start but she just loves to smile and be were all the action is now. Not too much action though. We have realized she definitely knows who she knows and when there is way more people than she is use too (with lots of noise) she just DOES NOT like that at all. It makes me feel good though that she knows our friends and that she loves them as much as they love her. She has started to do this cough laugh. It’s so funny. It’s like she wants to laugh but doesn’t know how and forces it all out in this weird cough. Haha it cracks us up. Except last night when she was on the change table, I was blowing raspberries on her tummy and she definitely made a legitimate giggle. It was only 1 but I heard it.

I am so excited for Christmas with her. I get all emotional just thinking about it. I don’t know why, but I think its because I just have so many childhood memories and traditions that surround Christmas that I want to share with her so badly. Holidays take on a whole new meaning when you have kids I’ve found. They are more special, more magical. We are bringing her to see Santa tonight. I have her outfit all picked out. I will post the picture tomorrow. Maybe when I get to my moms house later this week, I will dig up some of my old santa photos to share. It’s so fun to look back.

Rowan is wearing:
Shirt + Pants: Carters
Boots: from Punky + Adam
Headband: Made by me

Would there be any interest in me putting some of these baby headbands in my etsy shop?

I try not to ask to often, but if you had a spare 2 clicks could you vote for us… (thank you, thank you!)

I was going for the christmas color look today. hehe. I wore these olive tights for the first time today and I really like the color of them. With the green shorts, I felt very elf like or maybe Robin Hood. Either way it was fun.

I loved hearing what your favorite Christmas movies were, now lets move on to favorite Christmas Cds. I am looking for some new ones. I know everyone loves Mariah Carey but i’d love suggestions for some new christmas music…

Lace Top: Forever 21
Bow Belt: Forever 21
Wool Paperbag Shorts: UO
Olive Tights: c/o We Love Colors
Wedges: Jessica Simpson Collection
Necklace: c/o LOFT

This is not the oddest outfit I have ever worn but, yesterday when I was wearing this at the grocery store, I felt like I was in some sort of crazy Halloween costume. I swear everyone in there was giving me crazy looks. It was like they had never seen a nice pair of shoes or a girl in a hat before. Crazy! We went to a Christmas party at some friends last night. We had a really great time. Rowan was like super baby. She played and hung out all night long. I couldn’t have been a prouder Momma.

Can you believe that Christmas is this week?!?!?!?? AHhh! I still have so much shopping to do! Wish me luck!





Stripped Top: H&M
Tulle Band Skirt: c/o Modcloth
Long Chain Drifter Necklace: c/o Modcloth
Tights: H&M
Wedges: Jessica Simpson Collection
Hat: H&M

Have you seen Ruche’s Holiday Lookbook? It’s gorgeous as usual. I think everything is styled beautifully, I even love the backgrounds. Very creative. I will let the pictures speak for themselves but, make sure you check out all these affordable pieces.

Spotted Moth:
I have been on a major search for the perfect New Years outfit. Our friends are having a party and the girls have decided that we all want to dress up. I found some awesome ideas from Spotted Moth. Wouldn’t this gold dress be so much fun? I love this big sweater coat as well. It’s fun and funky and perfect to wear out over the dress. I think this out outfit would be pretty darn awesome.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5271841068/

Barley & Birch:
Barley & Birch make the most adorable children’s tees & onesies. Rowan has a couple and they are my favorite! Best part about them is that they are made from organic cotton and screen printed with water based inks. They have such neat designs to choose from. I even made a special guest appearance on their blog the other day. I wrote about my highs and lows from the previous week. Check it out!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5271841302/

Kissing Tree Vintage:
You can’t go wrong with cute vintage dresses and The Kissing Tree Vintage has tons to choose from. There are lots of adorable skirts, jackets and blouses as well. Head on over and take a look!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5271230621/

Dear Rowan
You gave Mommy and Daddy quite a little scare last night. I don’t know how you acrobatically rolled off the couch but please don’t do that again. It made Mommy’s heart stop when she heard that noise of you landing on the hard wood floors. You precious little head! Ahh, the sound still gives me the chills when I think about it. We brought you to the doctors right away and they checked you out. They said you were ok, which made Mommy and Daddy feel a lot better. It’s a scary realization though, that we can’t protect you all the time. We just have to trust that you will be safe. I know there will be more bumps and bruises to come, but I am praying that you will always stay safe and that Mommy doesn’t end up wrapping you in bubble wrap when you want to go play. (haha anyone picturing that kid from Little Giants?) I just want to hold you and protect you forever.

If you could attach sound with a blog post, this one would sound like “grrrrrr ughhhh, oh come on!” I need to find a new area to take pictures. The awkward interactions with people have got to stop. It never fails. Just as I get all set up- someone comes up and its all weird. I do really love todays outfit though. I wish the pictures did better justice to it. I mean, I know you can see the outfit, I just wish they were cooler pictures. I don’t think I will ever get tired of wearing this Alexa Chung polka dot blouse. I want to find a pretty maroon skirt to wear with it for Christmas eve. We watched A White Christmas last night (twice, thank you AMC) and I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Judy’s outfits. I want full circle skirts like hers. They are so pretty. I also love that all yellow outfit she wears in a rehearsal scene.

What is your favorite Christmas movie? Mine are def. White Christmas, The Santa Clause with Tim Allen and Muppet Christmas Carol. I am so excited for Christmas to get here!!

Polka Dot Blouse: Alexa Chung for Madewell
Tulle Butterscotch Candy Skirt: c/o Lulu’s (Yay! Its back in stock!)
Belt: thrifted
TIghts: H&M
Bismuth Booties: Seychelles

it’s 2.32am. Why I am up I have no idea. Sometimes its hard to go to sleep because I enjoy the time I have to myself. Is that bad? I always regret it in the morning when little miss Rowan wakes up early, but a non-stressed day sometimes makes up for the lack of sleep, when I know my inbox is empty and my posts are all scheduled. So, here I am writing this post to be scheduled in the morning.

Here is my second styling of this Chambray shirt. I am almost done. Only 5 more outfits. Yippie. Guess what? I ran my first 2 miles tonight in about 10 months. It was extremely tough. I though doing these Jillian Michaels videos for the past 3 weeks would have helped but boy was I slow and tired. Yikes. I have a long way to go to get back to where I was last october. It did feel good to be running, although I hate the treadmill. A little Top Chef Masters helped pass the time. What are your favorite exercise routines?

Hat: Forever 21
Chambray Shirt: Target
Belt: Forever 21
Necklace: Forever 21
Pencil Skirt: J.Crew
Socks: Forever 21
Oxfords: Rockport (thrifted from Savers)

Anyone, who has read this blog for a while knows I am head over heels for Roll and Tumble Press. We have 3 of their posters hung up around our house. One of them being this Love Bird print. Isn’t it just the cutest?

Guess What? Roll and Tumble Press is kind enough to be giving away this Love Bird poster to one lucky reader. All you need to do is leave a comment below to enter. How simple is that?

Contest is open from now until Sunday evening. Winner will randomly be chosen and announced on Monday.

______________________________________________________________________

The winner of the Ruche giveaway is Emily from Color Shows.
Thanks to all the entered.

I am going to style this chambray shirt today and tomorrow in 2 different ways. Today I wore it with my Wool Bell Skirt from J.Crew. It was freakin’ freezing out so there was no way I was taking off my hat for the pictures. You can just get use to a winter hat on my head from now on. At least one part of me could stay warm. My fingers and toes are always numb by the time I am done. Ugh! Brrrrr.

Can you believe that Christmas is only 10 days away. Crazy! I will admit that I haven’t done any Christmas shopping yet. Ahh I am so bad. I have plans to go with some girlfriends on Saturday. I can just imagine how busy it will be the Saturday before christmas. I don’t know why I do this to myself every year. Oh well. I will say it’s all part of the fun, right? or so I am telling myself.

I just addressed 100 Christmas cards. Yikes. Good thing my mom got me some cute return address labels for Christmas. I had to ask for them early because there was no way I was writing our address 100 times.
Our card came out super cute. I will share it with you guys closer to Christmas time, when I know our friends and family have gotten it already.



Hat: Target
Chambray Shirt: Target
Necklace: NY&Co.
Leopard Belt: Thrifted
Wool Bell Skirt: J.Crew
Tights: H&M
Flats: Target

Do you like Black and Tan’s? I am not a huge Guinness fan but one time I had a black and tan with a cherry wheat as the “tan” and it was delicious. Ok, on to clothes. I have been loving neutrals so much lately. I really can’t get enough. They seem so elegant and feminine. I also have been loving fuller skirts lately as well. Isn’t this one from Poetrie just too darn cute! I love it paired with this Modcloth sweater. I may be purchasing this entire outfit. LOVE!

Keeping Pom-Pom-ises Cardigan: Modcloth $64.99
The Coppercabana Skirt: Poetrie $39.99
Tights: Urban Outfitters $28
Lace Up High Heels: Lulu’s $35
Tart Deco Nail Polish: Essie $8

eeek. I am falling so behind on these posts. Rowan is ready for winter in her little puffy vest!
A Letter to Rowan…

Dear Sweet Baby:
It has been 3 months since we first got to hold you in our arms. I never could have imagined how much you would change us in such a short amount of time. In an instance your life is suddenly completely about someone else other than yourself. That someone else was you and Mommy and Daddy couldn’t be happier. You have made us better in so many ways. You have made our love for each other stronger and more meaningful and you have made our hearts grow like a millions times bigger. I sometimes think, how can I express in words the love I have for you and I always fall short coming up with an answer. You have so much life in your big beautiful eyes. Your smile takes over your entire face and although you haven’t laughed yet (just a tiny little giggle a few times) its my daily mission to be as ridiculous and silly as I can to try to make you laugh. We have made up hundreds of silly songs for you, usually based on the things we do throughout the day. We have all kinds of like nicknames for you, some just as simple as sweet baby, but you are our lil’ cheetah (that one is our favorite). Your new thing is holding your hands- you do it all the time. Your hands are always folded together, usually in your mouth but still they are together. I am telling everyone its going to be your party trick. You love chewing on your hands, wrist, arms or well anything that brushes by your mouth. You have been getting the rosiest little cheeks. It’s so darn cute. You already have the most adorable chubby cheeks but when they are all rosy, my heart just melts. We have to put lotion on them because they are actually chapped from the freezing weather, but they are still so cute. Rowan you are our greatest Joy in life. You make things make sense, you put our lives in perspective and you help us daily count our blessings. We have so much to be thankful for.
With all my love,
Momma


Vest: Target
Striped Shirt: Carters
Skinny Jeans: Gap
Socks: Carters

Today has been an interesting day to say the least. I am really looking forward to Kev coming home, getting a big hug and then heading to a Christmas party with some of our closest friends. It’s our first christmas party of the season and I think these Maroon tights work perfect to feel festive without being over the top red and green themed. Have you ever tired a pair of We Love Color tights? Umm, THEY ARE AMAZING. Best tights I own, thats for sure!

I am starting to drag my feet a little with this challenge. It’s really 23 for 30, right? Can I say I am done? Just kidding, just kidding. It’s starting to feel very, very long. I tried to run out and take a second picture today but let’s just say there was an extremely awkward moment with a construction worker, followed by a tripping accident, ripping a hole in my tights and my cold, chapped, lips splitting. Ouch. It was a disastrous 20 mins, which left me with no pictures to use.

We will try again tomorrow.






Vintage Fur Collar: It was my Grandma’s
Hickory Hipster Brown Floral Dress: Lulu’s (worn as a shirt)
Belt: Thrifted
Skirt: Vintage
Maroon Tights: c/o We Love Colors
Shoes: Jessica Simpson Collection
Vintage Pins: Also my Grandma’s

Today has been a very low key day. Not much going on. It is cold, rainy and snowy out so taking pictures outside wasn’t really in the cards. Nothing like an oversized sweater to help with the overwhelming feeling of wanting to be in your pjs. I love this sweater.

How was your weekends? We went into Boston on Saturday with some friends and hung out around town and met up with Julie. It was a great mild day for December. Lots of fun walking around, skating on the frozen pond, going to the Bruins game and eating lots of good food.

Sweater: H&M
Leopard Blouse: Forever 21
Wool Bell Skirt: J.Crew
Belt: ?
Tights: H&M
Flats: Target

I was searching thru old files on the computer today and came across these family photos from Christmas time 2 years ago. haha they crack me up. I couldn’t pick just a few to share, they all are so funny to me, so I have to post a bunch. Skip if you want- they are mostly so my sisters and mom can see them. I love my family.

Modcloth:
One thing I have realized in this 30 for 30 challenge is just how far a few good accessories can go. They can totally transform any outfit. Modcloth has amazing accesories! From necklaces, earrings, hats, tights and belts. You should definitely go check them all out. Here are a few of my favorite necklaces…

Lulu’s:
Lulu’s has definitely become my go to site for shoes. They have an amazing selection and offer very reasonably prices. They have hundreds of pumps, wedges, boots and flats to chose from. Here are a few I am totally swooning over…

Paper Sparrow:
So when I was browsing Paper Sparrow the other day the title “Sweater Cats” caught my attention. How could it not? I am totally buying this print for Rowan’s room. I love sweaters and I love cats. You really can’t go wrong. I also love these little animal buttons and this super cute animal 2011 calendar. So adorable!!

It’s Friday!!! Yay!!! I have a little surprise Christmas trip planned for Kev tomorrow, so we are packing up and heading out to my Mom’s tonight. I can’t wait!! It’s going to be so fun!!! It’s suppose to be a super nice day tomorrow (well for December) High 40’s and sunny. I think this outfit is going to be my new “go to outfit” it’s so simple yet I feel comfortable and pretty cool in it. I am so in love with this faux Fur Tunnel scarf. I saw it at the Loft Preview back in May and knew I had to have it once it came out for winter. It has been around my neck non stop. From about October to April I have a tunnel scarf on my neck at all times. I can’t seem to ever take them off. Even when I change into my pjs I put one back one. The only bad thing is they give me the biggest freakin’ dreads at the back of my hair. I spend every shower with loads of conditioner trying to brush them out. Its all worth it though!
What are your plans for the weekend? Doing anything fun?




Fur Tunnel Scarf: LOFT
Stripped Tee: H&M
Wool Paperbag Shorts: UO
Tights: Forever 21
Shoes: Jessica Simpson Collection

When its cold out, I get lots & lots of outtakes that look like this…

Enjoy your weekend!!

So, I don’t know what it is, but since becoming a Mom I can honestly say something has changed in the way I dress. It’s something maybe only I can notice and it really has nothing to do with wanting longer hem lines (although I am strangely aware at how short things are now). Becoming a Mom is life changing and I don’t mean in a Duh! you have a baby now way. I mean who you are on the inside. You have someone that is greater than yourself, who you don’t need to look good for, who brings you joy in a way you have never experienced before and that has changed how I feel about myself. I feel more confident, I feel like I know myself better than I ever have. I know what I like and what I don’t like. I spent months worrying about if this blog would become known as just a mommy blog. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I spend most of my blog reading time reading mommy blogs, but it scared me. I still wanted to be thought of as fashionable. Then honestly, once Rowan was here- I kind of stopped caring. It would be, what it would be and I would continue doing and posting what I loved, whether that be outfits, food, pictures of Rowan, etc… So, here I am 3 months after becoming a Mom and I am having more fun taking outfit photos and putting together outfits than I ever have.

Today, I will be styling these UO Paperbag shorts 2 different ways. It was so fun wearing this all day. I tweeted out that I couldn’t find one of my gloves yesterday, but I searched this whole house to find it because I wanted to wear them so badly. I received this hat last year from Hats in the Belfry but I never got a chance to style it up before it turned warm. I LOVE the huge bow on the hat. I was wearing a bow belt at first and then I put this hat on and as much as I wanted 2 giant bows, I figured I should change my belt. Oh man do I love bows! Anyways, stay tuned for part 2 later today…

Lace Top: Forever 21
Necklace: LOFT
Leather Gloves: Target
Paperbag Shorts: UO
TIghts: H&M
Hat: c/o Hat in the Belfry
Genevieve Wedges: c/o Spotted Moth
Belt: Forever 21

This week’s giveaway is from Ruche. Did you see the awesome boots I just listed below that I was in love with? Now you can win $50 dollars to use on whatever you would like from Ruche (maybe even those boots!).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5246916910/

Just visit Ruche, find your favorite item and let us know in a comment below!
Extra entry given if you follow them on twitter or like them on facebook (leave another entry letting us know you do).

Contest will be open from now until Tuesday Dec. 11th. Winner will randomly chosen and announced on Wednesday.

Winner of the Lulu’s Giveaway is Gabi
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5246314259/
Thank you to all that entered!

Let’s take a look shall we?

Poetrie has the most adorable dresses right now. I am head over heels for this petals dress! I kinda need it for a holiday party I think. It’s just so cute. I Love these other dresses as well. Head over and check out the selection!

Ruche always has a great selection of clothing but their shoes right now are out of this world. I am such a fan of boots this winter. I can’t get enough of them. What’s not to like? They are stylish, cool and keep your feet warm. Here are a few of my favorites from Ruche right now…

Have you gotten your christmas cards yet? Quick! Why not get something a little more special than the hallmark box of christmas cards that you just sign your name too? Tiny Prints has the most amazing selection of photo christmas cards. There are so many choices. I just got a friends christmas card the other day and I pulled it out of the envelope and was like “wow, this is a super nice card.” The printing was great, the paper was a nice cardstock and the design was awesome. I turned it over and low and behold is was a Tiny Prints card. Go get your christmas cards there!!!

Ok, so I had some technical difficulties the last 2 days with my blog but we are back on track and ready to go. Get ready for an abundance of posts to catch up. Here is the pt.2 outfit to the last post. I really think this Tulle skirt is also one of my new wardrobe favorites. It really is the perfect color for these winter months. So many options to wear with it.
Do you have a new wardrobe favorite?



Cardigan: Target
Chambray Shirt: Target
Tulle Skirt: c/o Lulu’s
Belt: Thrifted
Tights: Target
Flats: Target

Are we friends on facebook yet? We should be!
Twitter?
also if you have a question- I’d love to answer. Ask me!

Pumpkin and Coconut Milk Soup

I was totally intrigued when I saw a pumpkin soup recipe that had coconut in it. I wasn’t sure what I thought it was going to taste like and I don’t know if I had high hopes, but boy was I surprised. It was delicious. I made it for a little girls night I had last night. A couple times a week I have been getting together with some girlfriends to do a Jillian Michaels work out video and then a little hang out time. Yesterday was freezing and all I wanted was something that would warm my belly. This soup definitely hit the spot.

1 medium pumpkin, (I just used 1 1/4 can of pumpkin puree because I couldn’t find a pumpkin at the grocery store)
14 oz. can of coconut milk
1/4 cup olive oil
Small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 crushed red pepper flakes
2 cups veggie broth
Greek yogurt, for garnish

Clean, seed and peel the pumpkin then cut it into large chunks. Place the cut pumpkin into a large pot with the coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Cover the pot and continue to simmer the pumpkin until quite tender. Mash with a fork or potato masher. Set aside.

Use a new pot and heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Stir in the onion and garlic and saute until the onion is softened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the curry, the nutmeg and the red pepper flakes and cook for a minute longer. Add the mashed pumpkin and coconut milk back to the pot along with the 2 cups broth and bring to a boil. If the soup at this point seems too thick add the additional broth. Simmer, the soup for about 30 minutes.

Empty the soup into a blender and blend until quite smooth. Pour the soup back into the pot and season with salt and freshly ground pepper.

Serve the soup hot with a dollop of Greek yogurt on top.

We are going to whip right thru these last outfits! Today I am going to style 2 outfits around this super awesome Tulle Skirt from Lulu’s. It’s one of my new favorites!

It is getting COLD out!! I’m sure many fashion blogger have horror stories of taking outfit pictures thru the winter. Ugh! I hate it! I am trying to figure out ways to not have to take pictures outside. Sure, it will lead to some less than creative backgrounds but my fingers, toes, noes and whole body will thank me. I still cringe thinking of taking http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/4265074756/. I was lucky to be able to take some indoor ones today.

I bought this little neon belt at J.Crew. Once I brought it home, I was pretty sure I should return it because it was like $30 bucks. That’s a lot for a stinkin’ belt. Well, for me it was anyways. I debated back and forth and finally decided I would just keep it. I really loved the color. So far it was a good buy because, I wear it all the time. Just like the Tucker blouse yesterday it really adds such a fun pop of color.

Hat: H&M
Buffalo Plaid Shirt: J.Crew
Neon Belt: J.Crew
Tulle Skirt: c/o Lulu’s
Tights: Target
Flats: Target

Outfit 2 will be posted in a few hours…

I had a lovely evening tonight with some close friends, working out, cooking, eating dinner and then decorating our christmas tree. After bathing, changing, feeding and getting Rowan down to sleep, I cleaned up, folding some laundry and am just now sitting down now to get pt. 2 of todays outfits up.

I got this Tucker blouse in the clearance rack at Target. I am glad I did because I really love the color in it. It’s very vibrant. It adds a good pop of color to any outfit I wear it with. I wasn’t really sure what color tights to wear with this outfit. I always tend to lean towards black for everything. It’s my default tight color. Well it’s my default color for everything, actually. I just got these Navy tights so I decided to try them instead. I really love the subtle difference they make rather than black. I love blue and yellow together.

Blouse: Tucker for Target
Belt: Thrifted
Skirt: J.Crew
Navy Tights: Forever 21
Flats: Target
Franklin Necklace: c/o Jess LC

Since we were in Florida during week 11, we thought it was only fitting to take her weekly pictures there. haha. We thought the Florida grass was a good substitution for our shag carpet. Rowan did not like it all that much though. Like I said before, our week was spent sharing many first with her. It was so fun to bring her to the ocean and let her dip her toes in the water and let her wiggle her toes in the sand. I hope we can bring her to FL way more often, so she can become a little ocean loving baby.

I feel like for the most part things are running really smoothly. I am starting to see how people say it take 3 months to really feel settled and comfortable with everything. I feel like we are there, like we can pretty much go and do anything with her and know what to expect or how to handle different situations as they come up. It’s a good feeling. I can’t say enough about how much I love her little personality shining thru. You start to know what makes her smile and you can’t help but make those silly faces or crazy sounds all day long. She has the biggest and cutest smile. It takes over her whole face, like she almost can’t control it and shakes her head back and forth because she gets timid. One of our new favorite things is giving her kisses on her little lips. We have always given her kisses, but lately she does this thing where as you go in for the kiss she opens her mouth super wide. It makes for a very funny/awkward kiss. It cracks me up. I think she thinks she is getting food somehow.

Here are a few pictures from the beach and a little video…

Could you please send a vote our way! Thanks a million.

ok, so I have decided I would like to get thru this 30 for 30 thing a lot faster than I have been. I have a bunch of delightful dozen items piling up and I would really like to wear them and get them sent out to the next girl. So, each day this week I will be taking an item from the 30 pieces and styling it 2 different ways. I must be crazy because I can hardly get 1 outfit post up and now I am planning on 2. I am off to a good start because I got both pictures taken this morning already.

Today we are working with my mustard pencil skirt from J.Crew. I think this might be one of the most versatile pieces in my wardrobe. I feel like everything goes with it. For this first outfit I styled it with my pink lace top. I add a metallic belt and since its snowing out, I added a vintage cape. No, the cape is not part of my 30 items, but it’s cold and it was keeping me warm while I was taking pictures. Its just a coat and the outfit can stand on it’s own with out it.






Hat: H&M
Lace Shirt: Forever 21
Vintage Cape: Etsy via Little Ocean Annie
Pencil Skirt: J.Crew
Belt: H&M
TIghts: My sister
Oxfords: Rockport (thrifted via Savers)

Stay tuned for outfit number 2 today with my mustard skirt…

When we were down in Florida we got to take Rowan on her first Boat ride. I love boats. They make me feel calm and relaxed and always brings back so many memories. Growing up my parents had a sailboat. I have lots of memories of being on the boat, sailing around, swimming, falling asleep to the rocking and just being up in Northern Ontario. My grandpa also had a boat, so did my uncle. We spent lots of summer weekends at cottages water skiing, tubing and going for boat rides. I honestly think I could live on a boat. When my parents bought this house in FL, I was so excited and even more excited when my dad got his boat. I want Rowan to have the same sort of fond memories.
My Parents FL house


My sister and Kev


This picture is probably one of my new favorite pictures. haha. Kev looks so confused and Rowan just looks miserable.

Some food and a cuddle from Grammy made it all better

We are half way there!! 15 out of 30. yay! Also, yay!! because it’s the weekend and we are getting our Christmas tree. I bought Rowan the cutest little hat and mittens yesterday so we can all go out and cut one down. Anyone have fancy plans for the weekend?

So, this outfit marks my return of sorts to the Delightful Dozen. I took a back seat for a bit because well, being pregnant didn’t really lend itself well to sharing clothes. DD items are starting to arrive in the mail and I can’t wait to style them up. I love the girls in the DD. It’s so fun to see how everyone styles things.

I took a little shopping trip to T.J. Maxx the other day. I always shop there because, it’s like a thrift store, but with new items. You never know what you are going to find and sometimes you hit the jackpot. I definitely felt like I hit the jackpot the other day. I found this Cynthia Rowley wool hat and a pair of Tall black Dolce Vita boots. I love both of them and both were items on my “must get” list. Do you like TJ Maxx? I am also big huge sucker for Homegoods. That store I am like a kid in the candy store. Seriously, when we first bought our house, I was there like 2 times a day. Love that place!

Polka Dot Blouse: Alexa Chung for Madewell
Vintage Yellow Bow Tie: Time Enough for Drums (via Delightful Dozen)
Wool Bell Skirt: J.Crew
Thigh Highs: Cut Tights
Shoes: Jessica Simpson Collection
Wool Hat: Cynthia Rowley c/o T.J.Maxx (Gift Card)

So every year Kev and I make a new christmas card to send out to family and friends. Before Rowan was even born, I could not wait for this years christmas card because I knew we would be able to include her in it! BUT… I am totally stumped this year. I want it to be something great of course, but my ideas are running low! Anyone have any ideas or have you seen any great/cute christmas cards ideas out there? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Here are our last 4 christmas cards since we have been married

Talk about a change in outfit from yesterdays. I am out of Florida outfits now, back to the cold. I thought I had my box of scarfs and mittens at my moms but I just found them all inside a suitcase. I was pretty excited because who doesn’t love huge scarfs? I sure do. I make myself tons of scarfs every year. Especially tunnel scarfs. I am still working on crocheting a bunch for my etsy shop. There will be an update one of these days soon. Anyways, this one I did not make. I scored it from LOFT during the big sale over the weekend. I had a gift card that couldn’t wait to be used up. I got lots of great things. I can’t wait to wear them all. haha only 16 more outfits to go before I can show you guys my new things.




Black Infinity Scarf: LOFT
Buffalo Check Boy Shirt: J.Crew
Moto Jacket: Forever 21
BDG High Rise Cigarette Jean: UO
Flats: Target

I have to share this funny story because it just happened and it makes me laugh. I just got the mail and our birth announcements finally arrived. I was super excited to open them up and check them out. They look great! Tiny Prints really is awesome. They paper weight and printing is beautiful. Then I realize that the name on the front of the card says… “Natalie Pennyforth.” Ummm? I think our daughters name is Rowan. haha. Everything else is right, just the name is wrong. DOH! Bummer. I wanted to get them sent out right away. Its been so long already. Back they go.
But hey, if your daughters name is Natalie Pennyforth- I may have your cards.

It’s funny that today is the first day of December when I am posting beach pictures. Not much to say today- still trying to keep up with the 30 for 30 challenge. The Florida thing thru me for a loop. Good thing some of my choices worked out for warmer weather. How are all you guys doing? Still going strong? Are you enjoying yourselves?

I can’t seem to stop thinking about christmas! I just want to write every blog post about christmas things, but that doesn’t seem to go very well with this outfit. I want our christmas tree! We have to wait till the weekend though. All of our christmas decorations are at my mom’s and we have to wait till the weekend to get them. Boo. Hiss. I would be lying if I said I hadn’t debated driving the 2.5 hours just to get them a few days early so I didn’t have to wait till saturday. Soon enough I guess…

I am throwing in a picture of Kev too because, well, he is cute.

Plaid Shirt: Forever 21
Tulle Band Skirt: c/o Modcloth
Flats: Target
Necklace: Forever 21
Bracelets: Target

We are back from Florida now and although I have a whole bunch of photos to share, I just wanted to share these few today. I have been reflecting a lot on the trip today and it really was such a wonderful time. We got to experience so many first with Rowan. Her first airplane ride, her first time to Florida, her first time on a boat, her first time seeing the ocean, first time putting her feet in the sand and in the waves, her first time in a little bathing suit. It was a trip of all these magically little moments with her. But best of all it was 5 days of family time together. I want so badly for Rowan to remember her childhood as endless adventures and chances to experience new things. This was just the beginning and what a wonderful one at that…

Kev and I went out for a nice little afternoon by ourselves yesterday while my mom watched Rowan for us. We wanted to walk on the beach but by the time we got there, there was a huge storm brewin’. It was so windy and getting so dark. It was crazy. We really only had enough time to take a few pictures before it started raining. As we were walking down to the beach I started singing a song about wearing socks to the beach. I thought it was funny but wanted to keep them on for the picture. No more than 5 seconds after I stopped making up my silly song, some old man looked at me and very seriously said… “you should take off your socks, they are going to get all sandy.” I guess people don’t like socks and sand. hehe. He continued to watch us the entire time we took pictures. Awkward!





Fluttering Butterflies Chiffon Dress: c/o Ruche
Socks: Forever 21
Flats: Target
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Clubmaster