*Last Nights Dinner

I thought about breaking this up into 2 posts, but we are just going to do one big ol’ post all together because I think they all go. First I want to say a BIG HUGE THANK YOU for all the emails, tweets and facebook messages this weekend cheering me on as we headed up to Ottawa for the marathon. Every message gave me a little more courage that I could actually run the race. Your mind starts to play some mean jokes on you the last few weeks before the race. You feel like there is no way on earth you will be able to finish even though you have been training for 5 months.

Second, another BIG HUGE THANK YOU to everyone that donated to Love 146. (it’s not to late). You made my heart full with every dollar you gave. It really means so much that you would donate to such a worthy cause for me.

Thirdly, I FINISHED THE RACE!!! YAY!!! Oh man was it freakin’ hard but the end always justifies the pure pain you feel during it. For me there is nothing (other than labor) that makes me feel so strong and accomplished. What a feeling to cross that finish line after you have giving everything you have to get there. It was a cool, cloudy day when the race started. It was nice running weather, but half way thru the rain started. I ran the last 13 miles in the rain. That I did not enjoy so much, but at 13 miles Kev jumped in. He ran the last half with me. He was my coach that pushed me thru. In my weakest moments he would tell me memories we have with Rowan. The things that she does to make us laugh. I could not have done it without him. He helped me stay focused but when I needed it most, he helped distract me. Our weekend together was so great. Sunday we laid in bed all day after the Marathon. We were both exhausted and unable to move. You definitely don’t feel great after a marathon but we had so much fun just having to do nothing.


Because this is sort of my last running post for a while, I wanted to share not so much a Last Nights Dinner post, but a recipe for a smoothie I love drinking after I am done running. It is also great for breakfast. It is quite a zinger!

Ingredients:
1 granny smith apple cut into pieces
2 cups of kale cleaned and chopped from stalks (you could use spinach instead)
1 lime (juiced you can add flesh too)
1 small handful of cilantro
1/2 cup orange juice
2 teaspoons ginger

Directions:
Add to food Processor and Blend, blend, blend away!
If you are new to green smoothies and a little scared you could add more orange Juice to “water” it down. I will warn you it is a smoothie with a lot of punch! Perfect for mornings!
* I found this recipe on Cookie + Kate

Keeping with the Green theme, here is Rowans last Nights Dinner Post…

Ingredients:
Green Beans
Peas
Oregano

Directions: Add steamed veggies to food processor and puree. You can make it as smooth or chunky as you want. I like hers a little chunky. I think the texture is good for her. Then sprinkle with a little oregano. Super easy, but super delicious. Adding a little spice to baby food is a good way to introduce them to new flavors.

Remember this adorable dress I wore last week? It’s one of my new favorites and it can be yours as well!! STRUT is giving away this super cute Zooey Dress to one lucky reader!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5778737467/in/photostream
All you need to do is…
1. Head over to STRUT to check things out
2. The let us know what items you are currently swooning over in a comment below.

Bonus:
3. Bonus entry if you want to like them on facebook. (leave another comment letting us know!)

Giveaway goes from now until June 5th, when winner will be randomly chosen from random.org and notified by email.

p.s. If you can’t wait to see if you win…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5778737545/in/photostream

Well, it’s Friday! Yay! We are off to Ottawa tomorrow for the long weekend and as nervous as I am about the race, I’m really looking forward to sleeping in, relaxing and spending some time with Kev as Rowan visits Grandma and Grandpa. My procrastination of booking a hotel on a major race weekend left us having to book at a crazy (out of our price range) resort. haha. It was a hit to the wallet but I am excited for a fancy weekend getaway.

BUT!!!! Guess what? Our 5th Wedding anniversary is next month. June 16th to be exact and we are doing something super special!!!! We are going to Paris! We leave in 2 weeks for a week long adventure together. We have an adorable little apartment rented and I couldn’t be more excited. This will be my 4th time there but Kev has never been! I can not wait to show him one of my most favorite places in the whole world. Now I wont have to have all these single pictures of myself there…

OK, One last plug for donating to LOVE 146 for my run. Every Penny counts!!!

Here are my favorites from sponsors and around the interwebs this week…

1. Since we are going to Paris I have been collecting beautiful dress with full skirts to stroll hand in hand along the Seine in. This Modcloth Dress just showed up on the door step and I couldnt be more in Love with it!!

2. Remember this beautiful 81 Poppies dress that I wore to the TxSCC? Well 81 Poppies now has an online shop!! Yay!! And if you use the code jenloveskev at checkout you get 30% off your purchase!

3. Dang! James looks like one hot momma in these pictures! I can’t wait for that delightful dozen skirt to show up on my doorstep.

4. Oh gosh I want these Jeffrey Campbell Aztec wedges so badly. They are kinda crazy and awesome all at the same time.

5. This looks like the most relaxed comfortable summer dress ever to me! Love it!

6. I don’t regret for one second how Kev and I got married, but this bike wedding really is the most adorable thing ever. I am a huge fan of low key relaxed weddings!

7. Have you seen all the art prints that Spotted Moth carries now? They are awesome! I love this Rebecca Print. The detail in the hair is just beautiful!

8. Do you read Oh Happy Day!? I love Jordan’s blog and have been going back over all her Paris posts for ideas of things to do when we go.

9. The cutest skirt in all the land! Makes me want to skip thru fields and drink lemonade.

10. Rowan is standing more and more. She now walks her self along everything and than reaches for the next thing to move to and walk along. I am starting to think I want to get her this Melissa & Doug Alligator Push Toy for when she gets to this stage. I feel like it is right around the corner.

Happy Weekend Everyone!!

It’s been a long day. I am finally getting a minute to sit down and post these outfit pictures now at 10:25pm. I am exhausted and starting to get really nervous about 1. the marathon and 2. being away from Rowan for 3 days. I was away from her when I went to TX but Kev was with her so it wasn’t as bad. Rowan and I have been away from Kev but I was with her. This is the first time we both have been away from her. I know she will be perfect and our parents will spoil her to death with love and attention but it just makes me anxious.

This is the outfit I wore to the Swap a couple weekends ago. This leather jacket is probably my favorite item that I’ve ever gotten at Forever 21. No one ever believes me that it’s from there. It’s a gem for sure. I loved it paired with this skirt I made a couple years ago. It’s kinda fun and edgy all rolled into one. Isn’t the detailing in this tank top cute? So pretty.

Well, I am exhausted so I am off to bed. Tomorrow I have some exciting news to share!






Leather Jacket: Forever 21
Tank: Forever 21
Polka Dot Skirt: Self Made
Belt: Thrifted
Mid City Tote: c/o Foley and Corinna
Wedges: c/o Banana Republic

Last Saturday we decided to head out for a little stroll around our neighborhood. We live right by the Mohawk/Hudson River so there are lots of beautiful waterfalls and LOTS of old locks. Most don’t even have water thru them anymore and have become all overgrown but they are still really fun to explore…

This is by far Rowan’s favorite face to make…

I don’t know why she makes it but she does it all the time. It is accompanied by loud fast breathing. It makes us laugh every time.

*outfits c/o jcpenney

Memorial day is coming up and I was thinking the other day about all the “fashion rules” that surround holidays like Memorial day and Labor day. Boy, are they silly. Don’t you think? Then I started thinking about all the old school fashion rules and how out dated I think they are. I for one am a big fan of http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5363828372/! I love wearing brown and black/navy together, I love mixing http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5728455143/, I love wearing http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/3880438872/ and my absolute favorite rule breaker is I LOVE MIXING PATTERNS!!

Have you been in a jcpenney lately? Well I hadn’t. To be honest, It’s not the first place I think of when I go shopping. However, the kind folks over there contacted me about working together and I thought sure I will give it a go. I thought of it as a challenge. Well. I was wrong. It was no challenge at all. I took in about 50 items with me to the dressing room and I loved them all. I totally forgot they carry the I Heart Ronson stuff which was awesome. They also have this great Mango section with adorable items. I had the hardest time narrowing it all down. Not to mention I am in love with the American Living kids clothing (more on that later!)

Ok, back to mixing patterns. Shoot I am writing too much here. I couldn’t help myself but pair this beautiful dress with a fun polka dot belt. I think it totally added to the dress. Now the fun part. A giveaway!!

jcpenney wants to give one lucky reader a $50 giftcard to create their own rule breaking outfit (or well on anything they would like!) yay! All you need to do to enter is leave a comment saying hi and letting us know your thoughts on “fashion rules.” Are they made to be broken or do like to play it safe and go by the book? Let us know!!!!

Giveaway open from now until Sunday night when winner will be randomly chosen and notified by email. Good Luck!

American Living Dress: c/o jcpenney (it’s polka dot sister!)
Belt: Thrifted
Loafers: forever 21
Bracelets: ModCloth + Forever 21

I have not been very good at keeping up on my Last Night’s Dinner post. Every since Rowan came I kinda lost motivation to cook new meals each week and fell in to the habit of cooking the usual things over and over. Well things are changing! I miss cooking and well I miss being able to share healthy vegetarian meals here on jenloveskev.

Eating healthy is sort of a passion for me. Do I eat healthy all the time? No, but I really think it is important and food really is so freakin’ delicious when it uses fresh vegetables/fruit and herbs. Beats some greasy fast food any day. I had mentioned before that we were going to also be raising Rowan vegetarian and I got some comments about how people thought that it wasn’t a good idea. That’s ok everyone has there own opinion but it really is just as healthy for them when you feed the right foods. I am not a vegetarian that supplements meat for carbs.

We chose to do this because 1. how food is raised now a days for the most part is disgusting (please support local farms!) and if I chose not to eat it why would I give that to my daughter 2. I hope thru this we teach her how to be a healthy and mindful eater. It really is so important to me that, that is something she learns.

So, from here on out I will try my best to post a new weekly Last Nights Dinner post again but now it will also include a Last Night’s Dinner post for Rowan too. We have been making all her own baby food and I hope I can inspire you to try it out yourself and branch out from those generic sweet potato processed jars.

1st up…

Pan Fried Polenta with fresh Tomato-Bean Salsa

MMMMMmmm. This was my first time cooking with polenta and really it couldn’t be easier. I think it will make it’s self into a lot of up coming recipes.

Ingredients:
2.5 cups chopped plum tomatoes
1 cup white beans, rinsed and drained (you can also cook your own navy beans if you want)
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp Olive oil
1 package prepared polenta, sliced to 1/4-1/2 thick rounds
1/4 cup Parm cheese

1. Stir together tomatoes, beans, basil and salt and pepper. Let stand at room temperature for about 15 mins. Blends all the flavors!
2. In a skillet add 1Tbsp of oil and heat on medium high heat. Place half the rounds of polenta in pan and cook 4 mins each side or until golden brown. Remove. Add 1 more Tbsp of oil and cook remaining rounds of polenta.
3. Arrange cooked polenta on plate and spoon tomato salsa generously over top. Sprinkle with cheese and extra chopped basil.
4. Eat. Eat. Eat.
5. I added a nice simple salad to my plate as well.

Next up…

Navy Beans & Beets
There is nothing more that I love then the smell of beets cooking! haha. Is that weird? I kinda wanted to eat every spoonful I was giving Rowan. You could really add a choice of different spices but I went for a little cinnamon. This little chart is really helpful if you aren’t sure.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup dried navy beans
4 Small beets with stems trimmed to 1in. Washed well
Cinnamon

1. Put beans in a pot. Cover with warm water. Leave to soak, covered over night.
2. Drain and rinse beans. Return to pot and add 2.5 cups of water. Bring to a boil and boil for 10 mins. Skim any scum that comes up. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 1.5 hours.
4. Once cooked. Let cool then add to a food processor and blend. Set aside
3. Meanwhile, bring a medium pan of water to a boil and add beets. Make sure they are covered completey by water. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook covered fro 45 mins, or until the skins comes off easily.
4. Drain and let cool until you are able to handle them.
5. Remove and disgard skins. Chop and add to a blender or food processor.
6. Once blended add the puree of beans and a touch of cinnamon.
7. Blend together and serve.
8. This made 4 meals for us. I used one serving right away for dinner and then I froze the other 3 for later this week.

Beets are delicious but dangerous. haha. Just look…

Just a tip: They shouldn’t wear their favorite white outfit when feeding.

I have been trying to get this post up for the last 2 weeks but everytime I sit down to write it I don’t know how to get it all out. There is just so much to say. Rowan is growing in leaps and bounds. Everyday I feel like there is another new thing she can do. We waited 8 whole months to hear her laugh and just last weekend when we were visiting Kev’s parents his mom got her laughing so hard. It was the most wonderful sound I have ever heard. haha. The laugh reminded us of the Christmas Story when they are getting the little brother to eat his food and he is trying to be a little piggy. It is the cutest darn laugh I have ever heard.

She still doesnt laugh a ton but what she does do A LOT is squeal. Like the most high pitched squeal you have ever heard. Especially when she sees little kids. Rowan LOVES little kids. She gets so excited she shakes and squeals and kicks her legs all about. It actually has made like 5 little toddlers cry when she does it around them. haha. I think it scares them but she is just so excited. It melts my heart it is so cute.

Rowan is pulling herself up on everything. I mean everything. It makes bed time a whole issue now because if she is not sleeping when you put her into her crib she just stands up and cries, and cries. You will go in and put her back down and instantly she is standing again. One time we thought she had fallen asleep but she started whimpering again, so we went in to find her standing but half sleeping with her head between her arms. She just wants to stand all the time. Rowan is also a fast mover. In a blink of the eye she will be all the way across the apartment eating a book you left on the book shelf. She gets up on her hands and knees no problem but she seems more comfortable rolling, scootching and dragging her body all over the floor. It works for her. She can get anywhere. There has been a few real crawling moments but we are wondering if she will go right to walking since she loves to stand and move around that way so much.

She has her top 2 teeth coming in and they are giving her a hard time. She has been pretty miserable for the past 2 weeks almost. It is a lot to take but I am trying to be patient with her. She has just been so fussy. Even in these pictures she seems so grumpy. Teething really is the worst.

I feel like things for the most part have been going pretty smoothly. Kev and I have fallen into our rolls as Mom and Dad pretty well over the last month or so. Kev is such a wonderful Dad to her. My favorite thing is seeing them together. He plays with her in her nursery when he comes home and plays the guitar for her. Rowan loves the music. The one thing I am still struggling with the most is time. I always feel stressed trying to juggle all that is going on. It is hard to except that I don’t have as much time now that she is here. Sometimes I can barely keep my head a float it feels like.

How do you juggle everything in your life while being a Mom?

Here is Rowan Laughing for the first time. Kev got a bit of it on his iphone…

Could you please send a vote my way? Love you!

Ok, I am not going to lie. I LOVE this outfit! I took these photos the other day at my parents house. They have a lovely house out in the country and it is great for taking pictures. Everything is so lush and green now from all the rain we have been getting. Isn’t this dress beautiful? The colors are so pretty and I love the slight sweet heart neckline. Have you checked out STRUT before? They have some really great items (including this dress!). Also, how cute are these oxfords?

This week I might be begging a little. My Marathon is this sunday. THIS SUNDAY!!! ahhh. I can’t believe it. I have been training for 5 long months. There has been a lot of sweat, tears and blisters along the way, but it is finally here. I would love it if you could please donate to LOVE 146 for my run. I am so close to meeting my fundraising goal. It doesn’t have to be much. Every dollars counts. Imagine if every one that reads this blog could donate just $1 dollar how much of a difference we could make! Please help.

The Zooey Dress: c/o STRUT
Hat: Thrifted
Cardigan: Target
Purse: Vintage
Jigsaw Oxfords: c/o Wanted
Belt: Thrifted

Over the years since I have been blogging, I have meet some extremely lovely people. Most I have not meet in person, but I still without a doubt would call them my friends. Megan is definitely one of those people. I love this girl to death! So, it is my pleasure to share with you her new SS2011 Collection. I am so proud of this Momma for all that she is accomplishing. Everything is so super cute and I kind of want to buy it all. Head over to her site to see the entire new lookbook.

p.s. Tieka you look fabulous as always!

p.p.s. Remember the beautiful dress Megan made me when I as pregnant?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5750876796/in/photostream

Happy Monday Everyone! What better way to start off the week than with an awesome giveaway! Ruche has some very swoon worthy items right now, so who wouldn’t want to win $40 dollars there? If you won you could buy me this dress, or this dress, or even this dress! I would love you forever. hehe. Ok, OK you can spend it any way you want.

To enter all you need to do is Visit Ruche and then leave a comment letting us know what you would spend the $40 dollars on. Let us know your favorite item!!!

Easy peasy!

Givewaway is open to everyone and will run from now until Sunday night when a winner will be randomly chosen and notified by email. Good luck!

Last night I headed into Boston to help host a little shopping party at the Copley Banana Republic. It was a great evening full of shopping, styling and wine. The best part of the evening by far was getting to meet some really amazing ladies. Everyone at Banana was super helpful and what a beautiful store the BR in Copley Place is! The evening ended with a lucky customer winning a Trip to LA from Virgin America and then a delicious dinner at Legal Seafoods.

It’s funny how life changes over the years, the people you meet, the turns you take. This past weekend we got to hang out with our friends at Brimfield and at the clothing Swap in Worcester. I love this gang. I use to refer to them as my blogging friends, but they really are more than that to me. I got asked a little while ago how Punky, Julie and I all met and the whole story is really funny to me because for 3 girls that have so much in common, it really started way back with Kev and Adam in High School. Here it goes…

Kev + Adam= Best friends since High School (also in an awesome Pop Punk band called Dexter). I meet Kev in College. We all know that story. I then, meet Adam in College because of Kev. Adam meets Punky. Adam tells me I need to meet his friend Punky because she is awesome and she also has a blog. Punky and I start emailing. We decide the first time we should meet is at a train station in CT on the way to NYC to stay together for the weekend. We instantly hit it off. The next month I meet Julie in Albany because she is an admissions counselor for an art college that has a table at a portfolio day review that I am bringing my students to. We also hit it off. Julie then meets Punky and as time goes by we all, significant others included (Chris we love you too!) have formed this group of friends.

I love these girls. They relate to me in a way most people can’t. When your blog becomes so much a part of your life as mine has for me, it is hard to have someone fully understand that part of your life who doesn’t blog. We have bonded over many things over these past 2 year and I hope that we can stay close friends for many more to come. Blogging is a crazy thing. It opens doors to a community that at times can be harsh but for the most part surronds you with people who truly can become your best friends.

ok, all the mushiness is over now. Enjoy some pictures from Brimfield…

p.s. on a side note I got harassed twice for having a baby there. It was like 75 and sort of sunny. Not 105 with full sun. Rowan was wearing sunscreen and a hat and still people kept giving snide comments like “I hope that baby is wearing sunscreen.” ugh! I hate peoples stupid opinions like that. Kev and I decided to just say “nope, she isn’t. We think if she gets a tan, it will make her look slimmer.” haha we are jerks but why do people assume you are a bad parent?

p.p.s. I am thinking there needs to be some sort of blogger meet up next Brimfield (most awesome antique fair ever!) Road Trip ladies!!

Are you ready to win some Casita Sandals?? Blowfish is giving away a pair (color and size of your choosing) to one lucky winner!!

1. All you need to do visit Blowfish take a look around, then is leave a comment below.
2. Bonus entry for following them on twitter (leave a second comment letting us know you do)

Giveaway open from now until Sunday night. Winner will be randomly chosen and notified by email. Good Luck!

When we got home from Flordia last week, we got to spend the weekend hanging out with Julie, Chris, Adam and Punky. We went to Brimfield and then there was another swap on Saturday (pictures to come). I scored some awesome things at the swap. I kept grabbing things, then Julie would walk by and say “that was mine.” haha I think everything I took was Julie’s. I guess we have the same taste or maybe I have tastes that are 2 years behind Julie, haha because she was getting rid of all of it. Either way it was sweet stuff. One of those items was this J.Crew skirt. I am so glad I grabbed it. I Love it!

I am not a fan of (old navy) flip flops. For me they are maybe for the beach and that is it. Sorry guys. I just can’t wear them, but why settle for flip flops when there are way more comfortable & cute sandals out there. My favorite sandals for this summer by far are from Blowfish. They are so freakin’ comfortable- and cute to boot! Don’t you love these Casita’s? Perfect for this outfit.







Silk Blythe Blouse: J.Crew
Belt: Thrifted
Skirt: J.Crew (scored at Swap. Thank you Julie!)
Bracelets: Various places
Hat: H&M
Casita Sandals: c/o Blowfish

Over the past 3 months I have been to Texas, Georgia, NYC, Canada and to Florida. To me Jet Set Style is the perfect combination of comfy, casual and chic. An outfit that will get you to where you are going no matter what coast and still make you feel great.

Guess What? I want to invite you to a little party this Thursday night to celebrate your own Jet Set Style!! I am hosting (along with 2 other fashionable gals) an “After 5” Party at the Copley Place Banana Republic from 5pm-7pm.

Come on out for some amazing shopping deals (25% off $100 purchase) and a chance to win a 4 day, 3 night trip to LA, compliments of Banana Republic and Virgin Atlantic.

So, if you live in the Boston Area come on out on Thursday (5/19) from 5pm-7pm and hang out with me at Banana Republic!!

Quilted Cinch-Waist Jacket: c/o Banana Republic
Silk Tank: c/o Banana Republic
Sloan fit Crop Pants: c/o Banana Republic
Shey Sunburst Wedge: c/o Banana Republic

Hi my lovely reader!
Hope you all had a great weekend. It is Sunday night and we are finally home (*didnt post this till this morning). We have been away for 12 days and it feels nice to be in our own space again. The baby is asleep, Kev is writing a design article, I have my feet up & I am catching up on what I missed around the internet last week while we were away.

The last few days have been mostly like this…

Rowan is teething. Her top two little teeth are making their way thru and she is not a happy camper, which makes me not a happy camper either. The days are long but we are making it thru trying to keep her busy.

Here are some must share links from sponsors and around the interwebs!

1. Holy Cow! Have you seen Ruche’s new lookbook? It is probably the most beautiful thing ever. You have to go take a look!!

2. How sweet is this little envelope idea for a loved one. I might just copy this idea…

3. Doesn’t this dress just scream summer picnic? So perfect for a day eating watermelon and waving sparklers.

4. I love nothing more than watching a beautiful letterpress machine in motion. Check out this cute video!

5. Oh! Hello black wedges that must get in my closet!

6. I.CAN.NOT.WAIT. to do arts and crafts with Rowan. These little painted pots over on Dear Baby are just too cute!

7. This beautiful lady can seriously do no wrong. What a style inspiration!!! Love Her!!

8. Totally head over heels for our new Jogging Stroller. It works like a charm and makes my runs even more enjoyable with Rowan by my side.

9. I just added this very pretty Honolulu Holiday Dress to my shopping cart. Check out time!

10. Who doesn’t love a good sale? 75% off select spring items over at Francesca’s Collections

Hi Friends.
My apologies for the lack of posts this week. I had plans on coming out here and having time to catch up, take some sunny outfit pics and blog like regular but this vacation has ended up being much more about family and friends and getting away from the internet. Each day that passed I found I checked my phone less and less. Now each day I end up loosing it because I don’t really care where it is. It has been wonderful and relaxing. Although, at the end now a little stressful for the work that needs to be caught up on, but it was well worth it. We are off to the beach one last time till we have to head to the airport for our 6:30pm flight back to NY.

See you again tomorrow world but for now I am happy in my little vacationland bubble.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5706350075/in/photostream

This is seriously an awesome giveaway!! Did you like my handbag from yesterdays outfit post? You can win one of these pretty Mid City Totes in any color you choose!! (Isn’t the green one just beautiful?) These handbags are so great. Perfect for any type of gal! I even use mine as a diaper bag. So, new Momma’s out there- don’t think this isn’t the bag for you. You can hold it as a clutch, a handbag, or wear it cross shoulder.

All you need to do is CLICK HERE and head to the official giveaway page and enter by leaving your name and email. Leaving a comment here on the blog does not enter you in contest. You must enter by clicking here.

Contest will end Sunday, May 15th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be selected randomly and notified within 3 business days after the deadline. Contest is open to residents of the US and Canada only.

Head on over and check it out!!!

Hey Guys! Happy Monday. We are on vacation this week, yippie! We are having a great time relaxing and spending time with friends. My parents have a very beautiful house on the water that we are getting to enjoy here in FL.

Anyway, last week I received such an awesome handbag in the mail. Foley & Corinna has such a beautiful selection. It has quickly taken over as my favorite bag to use. It works great as a handbag but I also LOVE using it cross shoulder. It is super helpful when I am carrying Rowan and all our other things.

Leather Jacket: Forever 21
Feather Dress: Delightful Dozen via A Thought is the Blossom
FC Lady CIty Tote: c/o Foley & Corinna
Petticoat Skirt: c/o ModCloth
Sunglasses: H&M
Belt: Swapped
Sandals: Forever 21

haha. Kev & I made this picture like 5 years ago for our Mom’s when we were living far away from them. It still cracks me up to this day. See our Hawaii cat? His name was Big Surf.

Well, I have officially been a Mom for almost 8 months. This has been the best, most life changing 8 months of my life. Rowan is fully my heart on the outside of my body. Even in the hard days my love grows for her more and more. She is single handedly making me a better women, wife, daughter & friend. Everyday, I sit and watch in amazement as she learns more and grows into a real little girl with each day that passes. I am completely head over heels for my little family. Kev + Rowan make my life complete thus far, one day more little ones will add to that, but for now the 3 of us make such a special little team.

To my Mom: Thank you for allowing us the freedom and giving us the support to follow our dreams in life. Thank you for being such a wonderful example of what a mom should be. I love you!

To my readers: Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I may not know you all in person but I truly consider you all my friends. You have made these last 8 months breeze by and have been there for support and encouragement with every concern or question I have had about parenthood. You that are mom’s have been so incredible helpful with advice. I wish I could hug you all. I feel so honored to be part of such a great community. So, to those of you that are Mom’s as well…

Happy Mother’s Day!!!!

It’s that season again. Watery itchy eyes, scratchy throat. Ugh! I hate spring allergies. The first day my eyes starting itching I thought “if I am going to have to wear my glasses all month, then I need some new glasses!” Have you heard of Warby Parker before? I am sure you have, but if you haven’t they are AWESOME! $95 dollars for lenses and frames. You can’t beat that. Plus they have this awesome home try on thing. You get to pick 5 glasses and they send you them to try on for 5 days, best part… FOR FREE. Umm I am hooked. This is not a sponsored post- I just really like Warby Parker (and playing dress up with glasses!)

I decided to try the Tenley, Huxley, Winston, Fillamore, Sinclair

What ones are your favorites???

Want to know which ones are my favorites???? The winner is… http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5694480551/
Now I just need to go get my eyes check so I have a prescription.

I have been a mad women all week running around trying to get everything done that needs to before we leave for vacation. Yep, we leave for vacation tonight. We are off to Florida for a week with friends. I. Can. Not. Wait.

This is what I wore yesterday as I hopped from place to place getting errands done. Oil Change. Check. Mother’s Day cards. Check. Sun hat for baby. Check. New bathing suit for Kev. Check. New bathing suit for me. Impossible. I think I have given up. The bathing suits out there are just terrible and I can’t bring myself to order a bathing suit online because well, the chances that it works out are about slim to none. Dear J.Crew: Please carry more of your suits in your actually stores. I would buy one if I could try it on. Love: Jen

Anyway, are you ever really ready to wear a bathing suit after having a baby? Eeek. Here’s to feeling healthy, being proud of how far I’ve come from those days right before birth and not focusing on the bad. IT’S BEACH TIME!!!





Denim Shirt: Target (Similar Top)
Headband (used as belt): c/o ModCloth
Dorrie Skirt: J.Crew
Paving Studs Handbag: c/o Le Mode Accessories
Converse Chuckits: c/o Kaboodle.

Have you ever used Kaboodle before? The kind folks over there sent these awesome converse shoes and I couldn’t love them more. They are so light and perfect for summer. Kaboodle is an awesome website that lets you make online shopping lists from products all over the internet. Check it out!

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY!!! Please vote again for me today!!! Vote here…

When I was pregnant I fought the idea of having to stick to a strict schedule for a baby. I didn’t want my life to be dictated by naps. haha. Well, you sure learn a lot after you have your first baby, but there was a part of that mentality that still stuck with me. I think it is really easy for parents to fall into this idea that your baby will not survive if they do not follow their daily schedule. I have found myself even thinking it is just easier to stay in every day because I know it will be for the most part predictable. I know what to expect. Going out is the unknow of how they will act. Then I started getting bored. I missed living life a little. Why couldn’t I have a little of both I thought. Now I am no expert but this is how we have managed and what works best for our family.

Some days we do just stay home and on those days we do stick to a schedule. I know that when Rowan wakes up she will be up for 2.5 hours and then will take a nap. She will wake up and then 2.5 hours later take another nap. Sometimes though things come up like outings, lunch dates, errands, etc… Trying to fit everything in to that 2.5 hour stretch is crazy to me. Everything takes way longer with a baby. On those days we do our best but the schedule usually goes out the window. I honestly think it is good for her. Some may disagree and that is ok. To each their own, but for us I think it has made her a more adaptable baby. This works so good for traveling.

We left for Canada on Friday. It was a long car ride of her being stuck in the carseat. She slept, played and watched a little Baby Einstein on youtube on our iphones. We got in really late. She ended up getting to bed around 1:30am. We had to wake her up at 7:30am to get ready for the wedding. I was so nervous she was going to be miserable all day. But she wasn’t. She only had about a 20 min nap in my arms in the back of the reception as well. Rowan was just loving everything. She was so happy all day. I can only assume that this was because she has gotten use to a little inconsistency in her daily routine.

I guess the point of this is just to encourage you to not feel like you can’t do things once baby is here. Yes. Things do change with a baby. And yes a baby’s needs need to be met first but don’t get caught up in the logic that taking them with you on trips, or keeping them out late, is more hassle than its worth. Embrace those things and share them with your baby. Why not right? Things wont always be smooth I am sure but for us it works. We like bringing Rowan to our soccer games even when they are at 10:30pm (we just give her a later nap), We like traveling with her whether by car or plane, we just like bringing her on new adventures with us.

That’s just who we are.

p.s. Please could you vote for me again today on Top 25 Mom’s with Style. Voting ends on Thursday.

(well more like yesterdays lunch and dinner)

This is probably going to be the easiest recipe I will ever post. It literally takes 5 mins. Maybe that is why I like it so much, well that and it is super tasty. I have been struggling with the desire to cook lately. I love cooking but by the end of the night now with Rowan and everything else that needs to get done, I don’t feel as motivated as I use to, to spend an hour cooking dinner.

How do you deal with making the time to cook a nice dinner as a mom?

Anyway, I have been eating bowls of this for lunch and easy dinners a lot lately. Especially after runs! It works out perfectly to fuel your body after a long hard run. I really think Kale is delicious and a super hero food. For some added protein I add some almonds or toasted pine nuts.

Ingredients:
Instant Brown Rice
Kale
Spinach
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Red Pepper Flakes
Garlic
Soy Sauce
Almond slices/ Pine nuts

Directions:
1. Wash, stem and chop kale into medium sized pieces (some grocery stores sell kale in big bags already chopped)
2. In a large pan add a good swirl of olive oil. Add Kale. Sauté for about 3 mins.
3. On a separate burner, start brown rice. Follow directions on the box.
4. Add a clove of minced garlic and a little bit more oil. Sprinkle with Red pepper flakes (amount depending on how spicy you want it)
5. Mix around. Sauté for about a min.
6. Add a little soy sauce ( i just eye ball everything) You want it to have a good coating. Not drenched.
7. Add handful of Spinach
8. Add about 1/4 cup of water and cover pot with lid to steam kale a little bit.
9. You only need to do this about 2 mins or so. Take lid off let some water evaporate. You can add a little more soy sauce if you want.
10. Scoop rice to serving dish and top with Kale & Spinach. Drizzle with some of the liquid in pan. Top with almonds.
11. Enjoy!

I am still training hard for my marathon I am down to my final long run this weekend. I have a 20 mile run this weekend and then I taper down till the marathon at the end of the month!!!

I just wanted to share this adorable video of Johanna from Whirly Bird. She signed up to be part of our LOVE 146 running team. She worked really hard and ran her race in Kentucky last weekend. THANK YOU SO MUCH JOHANNA for helping raise money for LOVE 146!!!

Here are a few of my favorite snapshots from the wedding this weekend. I LOVE this picture of my grandma, Rowan and I. It makes me so happy to be around all of my family. It doesn’t happen enough. Are you lucky enough to live close to your family?

Kev, Rowan and I took some super cute family photos all dressed up. I will be sharing them tomorrow and also sharing my thoughts on traveling with a baby and keeping a schedule.

Whew! This weekend was kinda crazy. We left friday afternoon to head up to Rochester to pick up my sister and her boyfriend and then off to Ontario for my cousins wedding. We had a fabulous time. I love seeing all my family and well it’s no secret I LOVE Canada. I stocked up on all my favorite chocolate bars, had a shirley temple at Swiss Chalet and watched Hockey at my Grandparents. The wedding was in downtown Burlington, right on the water. The weather was perfect!!

I finally got to wear one of my most favorite dresses from ModCloth. I have been saving it for the perfect occasion and the wedding was it! Isn’t it just the most pretty thing you have ever seen? I am in love with the colors and pattern. Thanks to my lovely sister for taking these photos for me.

Haha and this is what happens when I start goofing off when I take outfit photos. I end up with pictureshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/5679781367/.

Girly Bird Gets the Dress: c/o ModCloth
Blue Cardigan: Forever 21 (similar Cardigan)
Necklace: Forever 21
Bracelets: Forever 21
Soda Bare Back Strappy Platforms: c/o Lulu’s

p.s.
This is the last week for voting for Top 25 Moms with Style and then I promise not to bother you anymore. I keep slipping down and I need a huge boost. This whole blog is about trying to be a fashionable new mom, so please can you vote for me. I would reach out and hug you all thru the computer if I could. Thank you!

Have you guys checked out Barley & Birch lately? Rowan LOVES her tee shirts and onesies from there (she is wearing the Poppies tee in these pictures). She also loves making this silly face all the time now. We don’t know why she does it but it sure makes us laugh.

One of the reasons we love Barley & Birch is because they do so much to help 1. our earth and 2. other people. They are such a great retailer. The lovely folks at Barley and Birch would like to give away 2 $50 Gift Card. Yep 2 $50 Gift Cards!! Yay!! More chances to win!

To enter just…
1. Leave a comment below telling what your favorites are from the site.
2. Bonus enter for following them on twitter and then leaving a second comment letting us know.
3. Subscribing to their awesome blog! Then let us know in one more comment. (I will be doing a guest post later this week over there.)

The winners will be randomly chosen and notified by email.
Contest open from now until Friday evening.

Good Luck!