Two weeks ago I took a plunge and cut my hair. I feel like there are two kinds of people: those who rarely ever change their hairstyle, and those who love to change it up constantly. I definitely fall into the latter category. I’ve never been scared of cutting my hair or changing my style up. I’ve had my hair really long, very short, and every length in between. I’ve also played with color a lot. Since I have a lot of grey hair, dyeing it is a must.  I figure if I have to dye it, I may as well have some fun with it!

I decided sometime in late June that I wanted to cut my hair. My four month postpartum hair loss had begun, and my hair was falling out like crazy. It was so long, and while I loved it, each strand that would fall out would seem to get tangled or caught somewhere. I’d find strands in Chloe’s diaper, in my bag, everywhere. I was constantly checking her fingers and toes to make sure there weren’t any hairs wrapped around them. Between the length and the loss of volume, my hair was weighed down and looked flat all the time, too. And while curling my hair would always make it look great, the reality is that from all the dyeing and heat styling, my hair was damaged beyond belief. 

I figured that cutting my hair would give me good volume, would improve the health of my hair, and would reduce the volume of hair that was falling out and ending up all over the house. 

Once I make the decision to cut my hair, I don’t usually second guess myself. I may go back and forth on the exact style, but once I decide, I’m pretty committed. I have never doubted a haircut, and I have always been happy when I’m done in the chair. I’ve been pretty fortunate to never have that “I hate this” feeling after a haircut. I know part of that is luck, but there are also a few things I do to make sure that I love my haircuts. 

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July has been a busy month! It's obviously my favorite because I celebrate my birthday, but I love the laid back vibes that July always brings because it's summertime. I'm not crazy about this heat, but I can't change that, so we embrace it with trips to the beach and lots of indoor activities. Anyway, here's what I've been loving this month!

1. What I’m Watching: Netflix, because summer TV isn’t that great since Pretty Little Liars ended (lol, yes I was one of those people!). Specifically, I’m watching Nailed It, and Queer Eye. Nailed It makes me laugh so hard, and Queer Eye makes me laugh but also gives me major feels.  
2. What I’m Reading: Still reading A Place for Us. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is on deck. 
3. My Current Obsession:  Packing tools - anything that makes packing easier. Electronics roll ups, packing cubes, etc. 
4. Favorite Beauty Find: Sephora Collection Brow Builder - helps keep my brows in place and gives some color but doesn't require major filling them in on the daily. 
5. What I’m Wearing: These kicks that hubby got me. 
6. Best Meal I Ate: Nusr-Et Steakhouse, aka Salt Bae. I was surprised that I liked it so much - I thought it was going to be total hype, but the food was actually fantastic. 
7. What I‘m Listening to: The Coffee & Crumbs Podcast and also the Hey Dad podcast. It’s so funny to hear it from a guys’ perspective. 
8. Favorite Purchase This Month: This shirt, which I had my MIL close up the slits and turn into a shirt dress for me! 
9. What I’m Most Looking Forward to Next Month: Caleb starting school again! (Sorry teachers!) Chloe turning 6 months(!) and a couple weekend trips we have lined up. Also - NY for the night tonight! 
10. Wish List Item: I’m looking for some nude wedges, but aside from that, I’ve got all I need! And actually, hubby got me my wish list item from last month for my birthday! Okay okay, twist my arm for something - these new Soludos slip on sneakers are perfect for fall! All the heart eyes. 

xoxo, 

​Jenise

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I'm not quite sure how we are already headed into July!  June has been a really busy month, and July is shaping up to be pretty busy as well, but in a great way! Here's what I've been up to this month. 

xoxo, 

​Jenise

1. What I’m Watching: The Handmaid's Tale. If you haven't watched it, do yourself a favor and binge.
2. What I’m Reading: I just downloaded a thriller called The Perfect Mother. I'm a little scared to read it and have crazy thoughts run through my head, but I also think it might be normalizing in some ways? I don't know. It was on the top charts on Amazon and on Apple so I figured it was a worth it.
3. My Current Obsession: Coconut Milk Ice Cream. This one from SoDelicious is my fave.
4. Favorite Beauty Find: Selah Skin Studio's products are seriously amazing. They sent me some samples for Mother's Day and I cannot begin to tell you how amazing my skin feels. Try the serum - I mix it in with my foundation or I wear it on its own with some undereye concealer and my skin looks amazing.
5. What I’m Wearing: ​These high waist culottes from H&M. Totally outside of my comfort zone, but my mom was wearing them one day and I complimented her on them. She gave them to me for Mother's Day and I decided I should definitely learn to rock them, and guess what? I feel awesome in them!
6. Best Meal I Ate: We ate a delicious meal at Amara at Paraiso. It's also got some beautiful views. We ordered several things to share, but some standouts were the crispy octopus and the wood grilled calabaza with coconut pesto.
7. What I can’t stop humming: We're still on a Greatest Showman kick over here!
8. Favorite Purchase This Month: This baseball cap. It describes my life perfectly.
9. What I’m Most Looking Forward to Next Month: Some quality time with both kids, our cousin visiting from Luxembourg, and Chloe's baptism!
10. Wish List Item: Is it weird that I don't have one right now? I mean, I guess that's when you know you have everything you could want and more, right?

xoxo,

​Jenise

When we moved into this house, we knew that there were a lot of things we wanted to do to it, including basically doubling it in size. When we were having the plans drawn up for the addition, which included our master suite, I really wanted my close tot include a vanity somehow. That was the original plan, but once it was built, I realized the space wouldn't work for a vanity. So I put it off because there was always something going on. 

For a while, we had an exercise machine in the corner of our bedroom, and we recently sold it because it had become a glorified towel rack. I finally decided I wanted the vanity enough that I started to do the research for it. I convinced Eddie that it would be a beautiful corner in our room and that it would make a space that had been wasted for so long finally useful. 

He agreed, and I got to work picking everything out. It took me a few weeks to settle on the actual vanity, which is actually a writing desk. And once Target came out with their Opalhouse line, I knew what I would use for accents. 

I ordered two toothbrush holders to hold my makeup brushes, and a soap dish holds my perfumes. I also ordered a drawer organizer and a magnifying mirror from Amazon (you can find it on myAmazon Influencer page). 

I've been able to sit and do my makeup quite a few times, but it's really a space that just brings me joy. I walk into our bedroom and it's the first thing I see, and it's a pretty, feminine space that goes so well with the rest of the room. The space feels very glamorous, and there's nothing this mama loves more than a chance to feel a little glam (cause Lord knows I don't get to glam up every day). 

Dress is New York & Company. 

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The other evening, we had an event at Caleb's school. It was a mass and reception. I had bought these gaucho pants a couple weeks before, and I had been wanting to wear them for something. I usually default to jeans, but for certain occasions I like to switch it up, and I wanted to dress up a little. Because I am still nursing, most dresses are pretty tough to manage, so I'm wearing a lot of two piece outfits these days, for easy access.  These linen gauchos are really pretty and so comfy. The linen is soft and not scratchy at all, and the elastic waist is pretty much heaven sent!

I also had these slides that I purchased before Chloe was born. I've worn them a few times, and they are so comfortable. I really like the idea of mixing prints, but I'm always a little hesitant as to how to make it work. I feel like a great way of easing into mixed prints is by using a printed shoe.  

Another tip for mixing prints: Stick to the same color palette. This works because they are both blues. But I do love the red floral accent on the shoes, and I tied it all together by wearing a red lip.

The blouse I've had for a long time, but I love the subtle lacy detailing in the front and the V in the back. I finished off the look with some navy blue tassel earrings and a blue envelope clutch. 

I'd wear this look again in a heartbeat, maybe for a meeting, or for brunch even - it's a pretty versatile look that is cool and comfortable, but still looks put together. 

And since I know you guys really just come here to see my kids... 

Keep it cool, babes. 

xoxo, 

​Jenise

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So I missed my lists for February and March, but I told myself I would definitely get to it this month! It's been a busy one with having both kids sick and being at the pediatrician's office to what amounted to once a week this month. But I guess that's life with two, amirite? 

Anyway, without further ado, here's the April List for ya! (some links are affiliate links and will make me a couple cents if you click on them, just FYI)

Enjoy the rest of April, and I'll leave you with this meme of JT that made me laugh a little too hard! 

January has been a busy month, and while February looks to be a bit slower, it is definitely going to be month filled with anticipation. With baby girl due in the very first week of March, I know I want everything to be ready in the next couple of weeks just in case she decides to make an early appearance (which I am 100% okay with). I'm hoping to take it easy over the course of the next few weeks, but I'm also hoping this means I can get some really great posts and content out for you! In any case, here's the January List! 

There you have it folks! 

I'd love to hear what some of your list items are! Share them in the comments below! 

xoxo, 

​Jenise

I've shown you all a few maternity looks already, but I want to share some of the basics about dressing your bump. You don't have to spend a fortune to look cute while you're growing a human, and I have a few tips to help you do just that! 

But first, I want to share this look that I'll be rocking this week, since Miami's temperatures have taken a little dip in the last few days. The items are all linked at the end of the post. 

The most basic of all my maternity wardrobe needs is the base of this outfit, and can be the base for MANY MANY MANY outfits. These black leggings are nice enough to dress up with boots and a cute top, and comfy enough to wear with sneakers and a tee. Here, I went for a casual look, pairing it with a basic white v-neck tee from Old Navy, and a quilted vest from Old Navy as well. For a warm, festive touch, I added this plaid blanket scarf, which is so versatile. It can be used as a scarf but you can also throw it over yourself and use it as a blanket while on a plane or in a car. It's one of those great wardrobe pieces that you can use a number of ways. I went with beige riding boots to give some contrast to the look. 

And now, my tips for dressing your bump. 

1. Think about what you will need based on your lifestyle. When I was pregnant with Caleb and working, I knew I needed clothes to get me through 6 months of work. So the first thing I invested in was work pants. I found a couple pairs I liked, and when they were on sale, I purchased in multiple colors (black, khaki, navy) so that I could make them work with some of the tops I already had. This time around, I have a much more casual lifestyle, so I knew I would need a couple of pairs of yoga pants and jeans. I also have a few plain dresses that I can dress up or down. 
2. Basics are your besties. Plain tees and tanks in neutral colors can be layered under everything or worn on their own. Don't underestimate a good white tee or black tank when your belly is growing. A chambray shirt and a white button down are great basics too. I also like to have some really simple tee shirt dresses because they can be dressed up or down too. 
3. Rethink what you already own. Using those basics I mentioned for layering, I've been able to stretch button down shirts and cardigans by wearing them open. They can add some dimension and color to a plain outfit. Even shirts that end up being too short can have some life extended by being worn over a maternity tank. You can also wear those too-short pieces under something like maternity overalls or a longer sweater. I also put all my blazers to good use. 
4. Accessorize! Now is the time to dig through all your shoes, scarves, hats, and jewelry. Throw a sparkly necklace on with one of your plain tees or dresses and you've successfully jazzed up an outfit. Vests and kimonos are also great options to change up the basic jeans and a tee. Use a scarf to change an outfit, or throw on a hat to make it look different than it did last week. 
5. Fill in the gaps. Formal events, your own baby shower, holidays. All events you'd normally buy new clothes for. Buy things that can be used after pregnancy, too. You probably won't want to wear a tight dress for a while, so something flowy can work for one of those events but can also be worn post-maternity. We went to New York when it was already cold and I didn't have any cold weather items I could use, so I ended up buying a coat and a vest (pictured in this post). 
6. Ask around. Unless you're the first of all your friends to be pregnant, you're bound to know someone who has been pregnant and who is willing to let you borrow some of their maternity duds and help you fill in the gaps in your wardrobe while you're expecting!

What tips would you add? 

Stay fab, friends! 

xoxo, 

​Jenise

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This trimester has felt like a whirlwind. I can barely believe that I am almost in week 28 of this pregnancy and starting my third trimester. I have had tons of energy and have been able to accomplish a lot. I've also been working, a LOT, as this is my busy season as a photographer. 

My belly really started to grow over the last few weeks, and it's just now starting to get in the way of doing everyday things like tying my shoes and shaving. Baby girl is about the size of a papaya, which is pretty big, and she's making her presence known, most notably when I go to bed at night, of course! My worst/most annoying pregnancy symptoms have been pregnancy rhinitis (basically a terrible post-nasal drip exacerbated by the extra estrogen my body is making), and "leakage," which just means I pee myself every time I sneeze or cough if I can't manage to cross my legs in time (I'm just being honest here). Aside from that, everything is shaping up well, she has a strong heartbeat, and she's been kind to me in terms of weight gain and swelling. 

In other news, we are supposed to be getting a cold front in Miami over the weekend. While we were in New York, we had Lauren Listor of Laurel Creative take our family photos, and I also had her take some outfit shots for me. We shot this look, and I think it's a perfect one for the cooler weather we should be getting in Miami this weekend. The top and shoes are both Target (everything is linked below), and the jeans are my favorite maternity jeans, which can probably walk off by themselves at this point because I've worn them so much. 

The cold shoulder top is a nice change from your typical sweater, and it can be dressed up or down - I could have just as easily paired this with yoga pants and sneakers, or I can even dress it up a little more with a sparkly necklace. It's comfy and roomy and has plenty of space for my belly to keep growing! These ankle boots have a tiny 1.5-inch heel and were so comfortable for walking around the city, so I can definitely imagine myself wearing them around town to run errands. 

Stay gorgeous, friends! 

xoxo, 

​Jenise

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