Let it snow.

Oh, hello ridiculous weather at the end of March - what's that I hear the public say 'there was a heatwave this time last year'? Oh sod it, who actually cares? Let's just embrace the fact that we can make snowmen and perhaps have a day or two in the house getting bits and bobs done. And also, let's appreciate the fact that it makes your garden look very pretty indeedy and perfect for a spot of outfit snapping.

Blazer: Zara. Dress: Topshop. Hat: Accessorize. Belt: Primark. Shoes: Urban Outfitters. Lips: Urban Decay Theodora 

I love the winter, and I love wearing my big jumpers and leggings but sometimes (and I really mean sometimes) it's quite lovely to find a dress that actually keeps you warm in these colder months but still looks pretty and not like a sack for potatoes.
This weekend Daniel and I literally stayed in bed, watched Grand Designs and ventured out to Nando's for about an hour on Saturday (hence me actually getting ready). My Zara blazer I picked up in duty free has come in handy since I've been back from Aus and I have to say I'm rather attached to my little leopard beret. 

Did you all have a good weekend? Short week this week - and mines even shorter (hehe) I've only got to work until Wednesday and then I'm off until the following Wednesday YAAAAY! Have a great week everyone :)

Alpro #deskfest: Breakfast Day 3

The last day of my Alpro #deskfest is something that really fits the criteria; it’s perfect to have on the go, and at your desk, whether it is a morning or afternoon treat. 

I mentioned in the first #deskfest post that I’m not milks biggest fan. I can just about cope with it in my cereal and a splash in my tea – but you’d never see me indulge in a whole glass before bed (or whenever it is you drink a glass of milk, blergh). Alpro may have just about changed my mind - the thought never entered my head to try flavoured milk, or a flavoured milk alternative and I’m really quite excited. The taste of this hazelnut drink is so yummy, a glass is reasonably filling and you’re getting some vital vitamins including B2 (energy metabolism), B12 (skin, hair and nails), D (weight loss) and E (reduces cholesterol). There’s also no lactose or animal fat so it’s an all-round healthy, tasty drink. I'm thinking of using it to do some baking too, perhaps some hazelnut pancakes? 

Have you tried a milk alternative? Or any of the new products from the Alpro range?

Alpro #deskfest: Breakfast Day 2

Thursday was the first day of my participation in Alpro's #deskfest challenge. I received a tweet from them yesterday telling me I'd won a little prize for best picture! *fist pump* I didn't even know that was a thing, so that was very exciting - has anyone else won one?

Day 2 I had a little bit more time on my hands, to sit down at the table and actually eat my breakfast. I'm never one for over-indulging in the morning, it leaves me feeling stodgy and like I need to go back to bed so I always prefer something filling, but light. (Although, I would never dream of missing breakfast - that would equal one grumpy moo).

Alpen is my favourite cereal ever ever. The hundreds of little raisins give it that extra flavour and it is super filling, I always feel like I have a better day when I start it with that.
Topped with 4 whole strawberries and Alpro's vanilla pouring yoghurt I was very satisfied indeedy. 
Of course, you can't go anywhere in the morning without a glass of tropicana too.

What did you have for breakfast today? Have any of you decided to take part in #deskfest since my last post?

Can You Come Out And Play?

Do you ever wonder what the general public thinks of this “fashion blogging” business? I do. Mostly because I feel like at first glance it seems kinda…narcissistic and silly. Ok, like TOTALLY narcissistic and silly. Posting tons and tons of pictures of ourselves and our daily ensembles and rambling on and on about why we wore it or what it means and blah blah blah blah. I mean it kinda begs the question, “Aren’t we a little old to be playing dress up?” To which the answer is obviously a big fat, HELLZ TO DA NO, bitch. You know how when you were a kid, no one ever questioned your “play time”. Britt and I would play house, school, doctor, veterinarian, archaeologists, singers (#JennyFromDaBlock), hunters, Barbies, American Dolls (#Felicity), Little House on the Prairie, Olympic Gymnasts (#DominiqueMoceanu), Fashion Designers, etc. I mean the list goes on and on and on and on…we just played whatever the hell we wanted. There was no wrong or right way to play when you were a kid, it was all about letting your imagination go balls to the wall buck wild. No one judged you, they just let you have your fun. WHYYYYY should being an adult be any different? Why can’t adults play? Why should we stop letting our imaginations run wild? I for one still loooooove to play and that is exactly how I treat our little bloggy blog. It’s my play time. I know, I know…a blog should be treated like a “business”; but that don’t sound like “play” to me. That sounds like work. And I think you would all agree that the general adult population already has MORE than enough “work” in their lives. (At least find a balance between the biz/fun...and remember that the bottom line of “play” is pleasure; not profit!) Think about it, with alllllllll the responsibility that comes with being an adult, I would say now more than ever our brains could use some mindless play time…and blogging about my personal style just happens to be mine. I'm an adult. I love to play dress up with my big sis. And chronicle our style adventures and musings on the interwebz. It makes me happy. DEAL WIT IT. 

H&M beanie. F21 necklace and cuff. Vintage dress. Target wedges.

Until next time,

Chelsea

Boutique Crawlin'

Last night was Fashion Week of Rochester's March Madness Boutique Crawl.  For $20, you got chauffeured around for five hours as you shopped the best boutiques in Rochester, where you were treated to fabulous sales, complimentary cocktails, hors d-hourves, and freebies all to benefit The Center for Youth.  I can't think of a better way to spend a Thursday night... can you?

Here's the nitty gritty on my evening...

What I wore:

Can you believe my whole outfit (minus the shoes) is from JC Penney?!
They are really stepping it up.  Love!  (And so affordable!)
Photo taken @ A Different Point of View (who had THE best goodie bags BTW)

Who I went with:

What a fantastic group of women!  We had THE best time!
And aside from me, none of these girls knew each other when the night started.
Nothing like bonding over shopping and champagne!
Photo taken @ Chandeliers in Pittsford.

What I bought:

Necklace from Red Tiger Boutique in Pittsford

Shoes, Necklace, and Earrings from Shop Peppermint 
My inner geek couldn't resist the map print on those ballet flats!

MM Couture Dress from Dado

What I wish I bought:

Abigail Riggs ~ Miss Annie bag in Mud
This bag is made from the softest, to-die-for, leather and suede and features an authentic turquoise pendant.
You would think Gail designed it just for me...

With the beautiful, talented, and philanthropic Gail Riggs, Ph.D.
Founder and CEO of Abigail Riggs
"A Purse with a Purpose."

Last night was a perfect reminder of why I do what I do:  promote local boutique owners, businesses, beauty personnel, and designers.  There is so much talent and beauty in this little city of ours and it's filled with so many wonderful and inspiring people.  Somebody needs to spread the word!  It might as well be me.  :)

Have a fantastic weekend Rochester!

xoxo

Jenny

* Expect more on Abigail Riggs in the near future.  I'm officially OBSESSED.  :)

Alpro #deskfest: Breakfast Day 1

Healthy eating is something that I’m slowly but surely introducing into my routine – and so far it’s been kept most steady with breakfast. So when Alpro contacted me and asked me to take part in their #deskfest challenge I was more than willing to give it a shot! They sent me some rather yummy pouring yoghurts, a hazelnut drink and some almond milk.

This morning was one of those days that you wake up late, and literally have no time to scrape your hair back, let alone plan what you’re going to eat for breakfast. On days like today I thank the kitchen for providing me with a blender (by the kitchen, I mean Mum).

Yogurt is one of my favourite things to accompany my breakfast so I thought I’d whack it in the blender with some strawberries and frozen raspberries to create a thick, tasty smoothie. I went for the simply plain one and the taste is SO GOOD. The consistency is runny enough to make it easy enough to drink but thick enough to be filling. It took me all of 2 minutes to make, and felt so refreshing.

If I’m honest Alpro isn’t a brand I’d tried before but the fact that it suits every diet is something that is so appealing. Alpro use soya to create their products, which is a plant-based extract, creating a naturally healthy alternative to milk. Milk is something I try to avoid where I can – I quite dislike the taste, so I’m excited to try the drinks and see how they compare!

#deskfest involves bloggers creating 3 of their own breakfast recipes and sharing them with their readers, but absolutely anyone can take part by tweeting their pictures, sharing on instagram using the #deskfest hashtag or simply just uploading their pictures to the Alpro website.

Are any of you taking part? I'd love to see your pictures or blog posts if you are. And please do let me know if you enjoyed reading this and would like to see more foody posts on Wonderful You?

Stupid (Wo)Man Suit

Found this dress at Goodwill the other day and loved it for that mesh it’s got going on around the waist…so deliciously 90’s. I like the idea of taking evening wear and making it casual and grungy; challenging what it means to be “formal”. I wore this out for dinner, drinks, and dancing on Saturday night and I think it confused people. (Granted, I was in Huntington Beach which is not exactly known for it’s fashion-forward or chic clientele…) Also, I chopped my hurr off over the weekend. Personally, hair serves me no other purpose than as an accessory to my outfit. Therefore, I like to change it quite often; preferably in a drastic fashion. Gotta stay fresh. I know it’s just hair and all, but getting a little crazy with it or making a drastic change reminds me to live in the moment. Know what I mean? You know what else reallyyyyyyyyyyy reminds you to live in the moment? A Tattoo. And I just recently got inked for the very first time. I went with my three baby sisters Holly, Chelsea (of Pardon My Fashion fame), and Ashley. We all got a roman numeral IV to remind us that we are the four best friends that anyone could have. And OoooooMFG; I thought I loved a spontaneous dye job or hair chop; but this tattoo business is NEXT LEVEL. Hair grows back so that’s like…whatever. Tattoos are FOREVER. It’s soooo fun cause you get there, and it’s kinda surreal. Like, “Shit man. Am I REALLY about to ink my flesh? Dude…I dunno bout this…” And then the artist shows you the piece and you’re simply on autopilot, going through the motions of saying, “Yes great. Wonderful.” Except you’re not so sure and you’re brain is silently screaming, “GET OUT OF HERE.” But you stay. And all of the sudden, you’re up NEXT; fight or flight? And you have this sort of epiphany (enlightenment?) and your mind is clear and it says, “FUCK IT. JUST DO IT. A tattoo affects the exterior. You are tattooing a shell. Remember, you’re just wearing a stupid (wo)man suit.” And then it begins and it’s over and…well I’m already planning what I should get next ;) (GOD I swear, even at my ripe old adult age of 25, if my Mom or Grandma reads this they are gonna be SO pissed!)

Vintage dress. Vintage flannel. Forever 21 Booties. Forever 21 cuff.

Until next time,

Brittany