This post is not sponsored. 

It's Memorial Day Weekend, which means it is the unofficial start of summer. And nothing says summer like pineapples, right? I had been eyeing this Eva Mendes for New York & Company skirt for a while, but I hadn't made the plunge because "when will I wear it?" Two weeks ago I caught it on sale, and I couldn't pass it up. I love that the colors are neutral, because it really makes this skirt appropriate for just about anything! 

I actually wore it for a mass and welcome social for new families at Caleb's school this past week. I paired it with this blouse because I love the eyelet detailing (I wore it with a tank underneath for the mass and social), and I love the peekaboo effect of the bra through the blouse. Metallic lace ups are always a good idea, too. The skirt can definitely be dressed up or down - you could pair it with a more structured blouse for work, or with a simple tee and necklace for Sunday brunch. You could also just as easily pair it with heels or sandals and change up the look every time you wear it! 

I am pretty wide in the hips, so I find that A-line skirts work best on me, and help me to balance out my shape. 

When I wore the outfit, I didn't have time to photograph it, but I keep thinking that this look was one I really wanted to share. So this morning, I dragged Eddie outside (okay, not really - he was pretty willing to help out), and he snapped these shots for me. Didn't he do an AMAZING job? 

I wanted to do a few with the hat because I feel like this is such a great vacation look, too! I could totally picture myself walking down the streets of a vacation destination sporting this look. 

And while we are celebrating the kickoff to the summer season, let's take a moment to remember all those who have served for our country, those who have lost their lives, and those who continue to put their lives on the line for us. 

And with that, have a very relaxing and peaceful long weekend, friends! 

xoxo, 

​Jenise

Skirt: Eva Mendes Maddie Skirt
BlouseL H&M 
Hat: Target
​Shoes: Old Navy
Sunglasess: New York & Company 

How many of us have been baffled by the concept of reading our BBT (basal body temperature) when planning for or trying to avoid conception? I know I have always been. Basal body temperature is your body's temperature when it is completely at rest. In women, BBT rises during ovulation. It is a great predictor of ovulation.

If you have been following my blog for a while, you know we went through some infertility issues. When we were first trying to get pregnant, I tried tracking my BBT a couple months. First, the thermometer I purchased was broken. Then I kept forgetting to check my temperature when I first woke up. At the end of the day we knew we needed a doctor's help so we went with that. 

We aren't necessarily working on number 2 yet, but we are thinking about it. Since we are thinking about it, I wanted to make sure I had a better feel for my body and for what was going on. I had considered ordering a BBT Thermometer, but kept putting it off because I knew I would have to do some research there too. 

But a couple of months ago a friend of mine reached out to tell me about this new monitor. It's called Himama, and it was created to track your BBT. 

The oval that looks like a "button" is actually the monitor. It comes in a hard casing, which is actually its charging station. There is also what appears to be a bralette (but it isn't, because it doesn't cover a thing - which is why you don't see photos of me wearing it), and you insert the monitor into the space on the bralette, and wear it overnight. While you sleep, it records your information. 

When you wake up in the morning, open up your app, and voila! all your information syncs to the app. It is really convenient because the app tells you when you are ovulating, if you are pre-fertile or pre-menstrual. It also lets you know if you did not appear to have ovulated one month (anovulation). 

Overall, I have found it easier to use himama than to remember to check my temperature before getting up to pee every morning. I typically leave it on my pillow so I remember to put it on before I go to bed. It has been a great tool for getting to know my body and learning that I am, in fact, ovulating! 

If you are interested in ordering, visit the himama website. From now until June 30, use the code TTN15 for 15% off your purchase! 

xoxo, 

​Jenise

When I was teaching, I so looked forward to summer, because that meant long days, sleeping in, and most importantly, not going in to work (even though I did spend a lot of time working at home, preparing for the following school year). 

Now, I don't have the same things to look forward to, but summer still means longer days, vacation, and carefree styles. Summer means a tan (always practice safe sun and wear SPF correctly)! And tans are best shown off by whites and brights, right? 

So a little white dress is just the ticket for your summer wardrobe. I love this one. It's lined, so it isn't see-through. It's light and airy, and of course, totally on trend with the off the shoulder and embroidery details. I love that I can wear this dress with sandals for something more casual, or wedges like I did here. It's the perfect addition to your summer wardrobe rotation. 

Kathy and I had lunch at the Cabana Club at the Nautilus Hotel (which was amazing). Then we got ready to take some shots for each of us. As soon as we were starting to shoot, a major downpour started. Hence why I look a little like a wet dog. But we changed gears, shot under the covered terrace, and then moved to the walkway when the rain had stopped. 

xoxo, 

​Jenise

Dress: Habit Boutique, Shoes: Steve Madden (old), Necklace: Taudrey, Bracelet: New York & Company 

Guys, the twos have seriously taken me by storm. I know I promised this wouldn't be a horrible year, and there has been a lot of amazing development going on in Caleb's little mind. But man. It's been tough to keep my cool. And to be totally honest, I haven't always been able to do that. 

The last few weeks have been fraught with tantrums, hitting, and an unimaginable stubbornness on the part of a very tiny little dictator who thinks he runs our home (truth is, he might, to a certain degree). I didn't know little personalities could be quite this strong. 

If you follow me on Instagram, and you watch my stories, you have caught a glimpse of it. Truthfully, I have never been the kind of person who felt like she needed a glass of wine at the end of each day. I now feel like on the hardest evenings I need not just a glass, but a bottle. There are days when from start to finish, I feel like I am a hostage negotiator, negotiating every single little mundane detail of the day. 

"If you let me change your diaper, you can play with Mr. Potato Head." 
"If you eat one more bite, you can play outside." 
"If you pick up the toys, you can watch TV."
"If you get in the tub, I'll fill it up all the way." 

And so go my days. The negotiations are easy compared to the tantrums and the hitting though. On more than one occasion, I have relegated him to his crib so that I could calm myself down while he was contained and couldn't wreak anymore havoc on me. 

And at what point do I say, I can no longer chalk this up to normal toddler behavior?  I still don't know the answer to this, and I'm not sure I ever will. But according to everyone with whom I have spoken, we are still within the realm of toddler "normalcy." Everyone has told me to breathe, drink often, and remember that it's just a phase. 

And you know what? It might not be over, but today was a good day. Today we played together, he napped when he needed to, and I didn't get hit, at all. 

So don't you fret mama. Because this too, shall pass. 

xoxo, 

​Jenise

​

Earlier this week, my friend Kathy from Freshly Squeezed Fashionista and I went exploring in Little Havana, a classic Miami neighborhood that pays homage to all things Cuban. We took some outfit shots for her, and then I handed my camera to her and had her snap a few shots for me as well. 

We started off at Ball and Chain, where we hung out for a little bit, I snapped a few shots of her, and we had this incredible drink called the Pastelito Daiquiri. It had rum, guava puree, and a few other ingredients that I'm not sure of, but it had a pastelito de guayaba floating in the top of the drink. It was like my favorite childhood breakfast was turned into the drink of my dreams! Haha Ball and Chain has live music all the time, and the night scene is pretty awesome. If you're looking for a cool spot to hit up in Miami, this is definitely a great one! 

We had been promising our boys ice cream all morning, so we decided to stop into Azucar. We both got the Abuela Maria, which is vanilla ice cream, with chunks of guava, cream cheese, and Maria crackers. This is a snack my grandmother used to make for me after school, so it's always a little bit of nostalgia when I have this. The boys loved their ice cream! 

The bright streets and lively colors of the Little Havana area made for the perfect backdrop for these photos. My friends over at Truth & Glory sent me this adorable Blessed Mama tee, and I think it's perfect for any mama in your life. And from now until Saturday, use the code TOPKNOT to get 15% off of your purchase from their shop! They are a local Miami shop, so if you want to shop local - contact them for sure! 

​I paired the tee with these super comfy shorts from Gap, and these colorful pom pom sandals from Target. 

We wrapped up our afternoon by having a delicious medianoche sandwich at El Exquisito. Overall, it was a hot but really fun day in Little Havana, and I can't wait to go back! 

xoxo 

​Jenise