Labor Day Tequila!

August 31, 2017 Jennifer Weil

We only have one more Summer weekend of BBQ's, cocktails and our toes in the sand! I don't know about you, but I've definitely had my fill of rosé, ice cream, and french fries this Summer! Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed ALL of it, but now I'm ready to take it down a notch! I am ready to hit the gym, lay off the carbs and try out a new and "skinnier" drink! Thankfully, I have very resourceful friends and one in particular introduced me to Casamigos Tequila! Maybe all of you had heard of it, but I hadn't. Apparently, George Clooney and Randy Gerber just sold this tequila company for a cool billion dollars! Drink cocktails with this tequila might not make you rich, but less sugar makes for less hangovers! The recipe is beyond easy (and quick), and even if you have bad memories of tequila (or no memories at all), you should still try it! I promise, you will like it!

Ingredients: Casamigos Blanco Tequila, lime seltzer, watermelon cubed, lime slices, ice

Directions: I like to use mason jars for Summer cocktails. It's more fun! I usually load up the glass with about 8 ice cubes. Pour in tequila (I measure 3 fingers up the glass - is that alot??), add seltzer, squeeze two lime slices into the glass, add watermelon cubes, and stir! Bottoms up!!!

All blog photography by Monika de Myer Photography

Hair & Makeup by Bloom Morristown

School Daze!!!!

August 28, 2017 Jennifer Weil

With one week left of Summer and school around the corner, all of us are scrambling to get everything done! Back to school supplies, clothes, and shoes are a high priority! The other day I went through my girls closets and found out that nothing fit! How did they grow that much in just 3 months!?! So, I hit my favorite stores (for girls 9-15!) and found some great looks! Abercrombie, Crewcuts, Zara, American Eagle, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdales to name a few.

My youngest, who is 9 loves to be comfortable. Soft and cozy are key words when shopping for this kid. I found this black Zara sweatshirt and it is that and more! It's super comfy plus it has glitter stars on the shoulders (major bonus)! The jeans are from Crewcuts and they have a great stretch to them. Vans are huge in my house right now and she fell in love with these because of the fringe on the back!

My 13 year old is really into the "mom" jean trend as well as vintage Levis. I found a great pair at Aritzia! She loved this pink sweater from Zara kids - which is the "in" color for Fall and super cozy. And as I said earlier this Summer, Tretorns are back! She loves this navy pair and is super psyched to wear them to school.

Last, but not least a look for my oldest! At 5' 9" it isn't always easy to find jeans for her that don't look cropped!. After a lot of searching, we found that American Eagle has the best selection of jeans with various length options! I loved this striped sweater from Nordstrom. It's on the preppy side, but when paired with ripped jeans, the look has a bit of an edge. We both loved these Steve Madden espadrille sneakers and I'm so happy that we found them in gray....then they won't look filthy after one week of school!

All blog photography by Monika de Myer Photography

Hair & Makeup by Blowout Morristown

Back To School - Part 1 (stay tuned for another look)

August 24, 2017 Jennifer Weil

I remember going back to school shopping when I was little and LOVING it! But things were easier back then. There was less to choose from and clothes seemed to cover more of your body- making the experience for parent and child much better! I am a mom of 3 girls...ages 15, 13 and 9. They all have different personalities and different styles. I find it hard shopping with them sometimes. On one hand, I want them to express themselves in what they wear, but on the other hand I want them to be dressed appropriately! I am sure most of you out there can relate! So, I set out to find a few great back to school looks that not only made my kiddos happy, but were mom (and dad) approved!

On my shopping trip, I found SO MANY amazing things!!! For my youngest, I found a super cute striped top from Crewcuts, overall dress from Nordstrom, Converse sneaks and an awesome backpack (in store only) from Crewcuts. I love this backpack. Good chance, she will never lose it (you could probably find it in the dark!). And for her hair, a simple top braid and gorgeous curls, courtesy of Blowout Morristown!

For Cooper, my very soon-to-be 8th grader, I chose a denim skirt from Abercrombie & Fitch (a great length), a The Who tee (I've already borrowed it), a Zara trench, Nordstrom booties and velvet backpack. And her hair!! Can we talk about this amazing braid by Blowout Morristown - a super neat and cool style for back to school!

Finally, my oldest! A 15 year old girl....a teenager. Probably the most difficult person out there to shop for! But I am happy to report that I found a few awesome pieces, including this great dress from Abercrombie & Fitch paired with a Jcrew denim jacket, Vince Camuto booties , and a Pacsun backpack. Mom and daughter are equally happy! Blowout Morristown kept her hair simple with soft waves. So pretty and easy to do!

All blog photography by Monika de Myer Photography

Hair & Makeup by Blowout Morristown

Top 3 Fall Leather Jackets & JORD Watches

August 21, 2017 Jennifer Weil

This Fall I am looking to pair the best leather jackets with great accessories! There is nothing better than an oversized men's watch on a lady! I have collected many over the years and recently found a super cool brand called JORD. These watches are beautifully handcrafted pieces made out of several different types of wood. They are gorgeous!! So stay on time and look cool doing so, by entering a contest to win one of JORD'S beautiful watches! (contest ends September 10, 2017) My JORD watch is timeless (pun intended!), because it is simple and sophisticated. It literally works with my entire wardrobe! In this blog, I paired my JORD watch with my top 3 fave leather jackets for Fall! Trust me, you will want all 3 jackets and you will have a hard time choosing one JORD watch - they are all so great!

Blush pink is such a hot color right now! I found this super cute faux leather jacket at Zara. I loved the ruffle sleeve detail and the fact that it was only $29.99 (also available in black)! This burgundy suede Blank NYC jacket is a great piece for Fall and early Winter! I love the color and the price - (only $198 and also available in other colors). Finally, a black Mackage moto jacket from Aritzia. This one is a no-brainer. Though a bit pricier ($595), everyone needs a black leather jacket in their closet. It's a MUST!

All blog photography by Monika de Myer

Hair & Makeup by Bloom in Morristown

I refuse to be a short order cook!

August 18, 2017 Jennifer Weil

EVERYTHING changes when you have children. Number of hours of sleep decreases, number of cups of coffee you drink skyrockets, you talk about poop WAY to much and every night you go to bed praying that you won't totally f*&ck them up... I do love being a mom. Kids are ridiculously funny and my life is beyond rewarding. However, cooking a meal that they all want to eat...well, it's a pain in the ass! And I refuse to be a short order cook. I make one meal and only one meal! So, over the past 15 years of motherhood and with a lot of trial and error, I have discovered and created a few meals that that the ENTIRE family will eat without complaining (OK, mom of the year award!). Today, I am sharing my turkey/zucchini lasagna recipe with you...and yes, your kids will eat the zucchini!

Ingredients: 1 lb. organic chopped turkey meat, 1 jar Rao's marinara sauce, (that's my go-to), 2 zucchinis (thinly sliced), 2 bags shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 egg, dried oregano, dried basil leaves, Ronzoni "oven ready" lasagna noodles, olive oil

Directions: Preheat oven at 350 degrees

Cook turkey meat on low heat until fully cooked. In another pan, saute zucchini until done. Combine meat, zucchini, and jar of sauce into one pan.

In a separate bowl, combine 1 3/4 cup of shredded mozzarella, 1 egg, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp dried basil leaves

In a rectangle baking dish, spread 1/3 of meat/zucchini/sauce mixture on bottom of dish. Then lay 3 lasagna noodles on top - making sure they do not touch or overlap. Spread 1/2 of mozzarella mixture on top of noodles. Spread 1/3 of meat/zucchini/sauce mixture on top. Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Lay 3 lasagna noodles on top. Spread rest of mozzarella mixture on top of noodles. Spread remaining meat/zucchini/sauce mixture on top. Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove tin foil and bake another 10-15 minutes. Enjoy! PS--this dish is just as good the second and third day...if there is any left!