{summer maxi | blue floral with tassel ties}

It seems that every season I make one purchase that just wins over anything else I've purchased... you know that dress you reach for every single time? Because it's adorable, comfortable, you feel great in it, and it never lets you down? That's this dress for me!

Blue Maxi Dress (Small) // Matisse Straw Flats // Straw Purse // Gold Chain Anklet // Gold Chain Bracelet // Christian Dior Bracelet // David Yurman Bangle // Gold Bead Bracelets // Rose Gold Ring // Silver Ring // Gold Band Ring // Prive Revaux Sunglasses

Blue Maxi Dress (Small) // Matisse Straw Flats // Straw Purse // Gold Chain Anklet // Gold Chain Bracelet // Christian Dior Bracelet // David Yurman Bangle // Gold Bead Bracelets // Rose Gold Ring // Silver Ring // Gold Band Ring // Prive Revaux Sunglasses

The second I saw this online I knew I had to have it. I love the cotton material, the bow ties with tassels, the simple ruffle, the color, the pattern... etc. etc! Even though it's full on summer heat down here in the Keys I love wearing a maxi to protect my legs from constant sun and an extra barrier from mosquitoes! I truly believe it helps keep me a bit cooler too - like a big umbrella for my body haha. This one is such a winner I don't think I can explain it with words ;) Can't believe the small is still in stock! Normally Red Dress Boutique sells out of the cutest dresses pretty quickly - guess this one has gone under the radar. When I saw it was still available I quickly snapped these photos so I could share with y'all.

I've linked all of my jewelry but a couple of things to note: my cloth bracelet is from Etsy (it's a knockoff) and my necklaces were personal gifts. My link bracelet and anklet are both from a black woman owned shop called 1929 Galore and I'm addicted. I've barely taken them off!! One of my goals for this year is to actively seek out black owned businesses, incorporate them into my wardrobe, and continue to support them. I wore this anklet to the sandbar all day last weekend and it didn't show a single sign of wear. I'm also a huge fan of that chain style right now! Be sure to check them out - I love how they have different sizes you can order for bracelets (tiny wrists rejoice!!)

Love Always,

{isolation hydration | spicy citrus margarita}

Isolation Hydration! This was the first cocktail I made in this series on IGTV and it was a hit - watch the video here on my Instagram @jennrog. The fresh fruit juice and kick from the jalapeno is a perfect combination on a classic margarita cocktail. Fresh ingredients make this the best but you can easily use store bought juice so you can whip this up quickly!

What's your favorite cocktail to make at home? Have you tried a new recipe during quarantine?

Love Always,

{isolation hydration | skinny cucumber lemonade}

Isolation Hydration!! The random IGTV series I made up where I share cocktails I've created and we make them together :) This one was a challenge from my gym in Key West, FYT aka Find Your Tribe. Jess and Michelle wanted me to make a skinny cocktail that was big on flavor and low in calories - challenge accomplished. You can find the video on my Instagram, @jennrog, here.

What other cocktail recipes do y'all want to see? Is there a favorite liquor in your house? Always open to suggestions - it's been fun creating these recipes during this weird time in our lives!

Love Always,

{turning 30 in quarantine}

I turned 30 during a global pandemic... wow, that feels weird to say!

Orange Dress (size small) // Colorful Hoop Earrings // Handwriting Necklace (Love in my dad's cursive) // Cowrie Shell Bracelet Set // Lipstick & Liner - Charlotte Tilbury "Pillow Talk"

This birthday wasn't what I expected it to be. I was supposed to be celebrating in Greensboro with one of my best friends while attending her baby shower. I was supposed to be on a sunset sail with all of my Key West people. And the following weekend I was supposed to have all of my best friends from college come and visit me during Songwriter's Festival.

But you know what? It's just one birthday. What my friends ended up giving to me and doing for me is a memory that I will hold on to for my entire life. They got all of my family and friends (from DC to Key West) to record a video wishing me happy birthday and send in photos to be compiled into one massive video!! Yes, I cried - it was a 23 minute video!!! They also dressed up as different versions of "Jenn" lol. It's funny how you think you know yourself well and then your college besties really hit it out of the park!

30 is just an age; one that I don't feel at all haha. I feel like I'm 25 (ironic because when I turned 29 last year I said I felt like I was 26 - guess I took an extra year off lol), my health is the best it's been, I'm with an incredible man, and I'm living on the most gorgeous island! Life has a funny way of spinning you around and throwing the most unexpected things at you. There will always be more work to do personally, emotionally, and mentally but I truly feel like I'm in a place where I'm meant to be - so content and genuinely happy.

Last year I shared 29 things that I've learned. I wanted to take a moment to make a list like that again... It was great to look back on and reference when things got tough or I lost my way!
So here are 30 things that I've learned:

1. Your "timeline" should NEVER be compared to someone else's. It is normal and okay to not be married and have kids at the age society tells you to.
2. Never apologize for your style or change it to fit in. If it makes you happy, rock it.
3. Find an exercise that makes you tick - even if it's just long walks
4. Branch out and make new friends. These new personalities and experiences can open new doors for you, even when you're 30!
5. Take more photos. Print them. Frame them.
6. If a friend doesn't invest their time in you, it's not always worth it to keep investing in them.
7. Make cleaning your house become a habit. Work it into your morning routine while making coffee or as part of your night time routine. When someone stops by to say hi, you'll never be embarrassed.
8. Learn to make your favorite coffee or tea at home. Saving money by not spending it at Starbucks every day will go far!
9. Invest in a skincare routine. By invest I mean invest time in your skin - it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg! But tone, cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize.
10. Dance. All the time. Especially when you're happy and definitely when you're sad.
11. Don't sleep with your makeup on. When my day is over and I have nothing planned I take it off early in the night. Bonus points bc then it's a shorter amount of time to get ready for bed!
12. You're never too old to try something new, start a new career, start over, start a new hobby, etc!!
13. Drink more water... personal goal of mine!
14. Tell your friends you love them - never stop :)
15. Take time to visit your parents and grandparents! There are so many memories to be made.
16. Learn to be patient. It will take you far in life
17. It's okay to say no - you know yourself best and need to put yourself first in some situations. Don't be afraid of upsetting someone in the process. They will eventually understand.
18. If you think someone has been quiet or distant recently, reach out and ask them how things are going. Even if nothing is wrong it will make them feel loved that you thought of them.
19. Use lotion on the tops of your hands every night - it will keep them looking younger
20. You can never have too many face masks on hand. Keep them in your fridge so you can have a little spa moment spontaneously.
21. Say thank you - it can make someone's day better.
22. SAVE YOUR MONEY. I think we've all really learned recently that things can happen and it's scary. Have enough in a savings account that you can pay for 2 months rent plus bills minimum.
23. Learn how to do your taxes and then take the time to understand them - and pay that knowledge forward. This is something that needs to be talked about more IMO.
24. Date yourself. Know what you need, cater to it, listen to your body and heart. Love yourself!
25. Take those vitamins and that probiotic. You may not see it doing anything right now... but it's setting your future self up for success.
26. Ask questions, seek out answers, educate yourself, never stop learning.
27. Have a go-to cocktail that you can impress people with. Even if it's a G&T but you add a lime wedge on the rim!
28. Don't let guilt eat you up... give yourself some grace on the hard days.
29. Not everyone is going to like you. That's okay! Just make sure you like yourself and you can tackle anything that's sent your way
30. Don't be afraid of the future - MAKE THE MOVE. It could be the change you never knew you needed in your life.

If I have one thing I want to do with this year... dream more, dream bigger, dream harder!

Love Always,

{lilly pulitzer + georgetown cupcake + hope for henry}

I'm so unbelievably excited to share today's post with y'all I can hardly stand it!!! Sandy (my talented photographer) and I dreamed up this whole shoot and had the most fun shooting it in collaboration with brands I love! Scroll down to the bottom to see what this whole shoot was for...

hint: it involves shopping and sweets!

Lilly Pulitzer Dress // J.Crew Factory Flatforms // Pearl Hoop Earrings //

Cork Studded Purse // Tassel Bracelets // Stila Liquid Lipstick in shade Patina

Photography by Sandy Ma

I am so thrilled to share that I will be hosting an event at Lilly Pulitzer

in Georgetown on Sunday, June 2 from 12-3pm!

The event is in partnership with Georgetown Cupcake and they've created a "Lilly's Resort Dozen" that will only be sold for the month of June! 15% of every Lilly dozen sold at Georgetown Cupcake gets donated back to Hope for Henry, an organization that is reinventing how hospitals care for seriously ill children and their families through innovative programs that entertain, reduce stress, and empower children to be active participants in their own care. To help raise even more, Lilly is hosting an in-store Shop and Share where all sales give 10% back to Hope for Henry too! 

Come shop with me, taste all of the amazing cupcakes (like key lime pie and salted caramel), and hang out!! I'd love to meet you guys and celebrate the start of summer the best way possible - with cupcakes, Lilly, and raising money for a great cause! The store is gorgeous and the cupcakes are delicious so just stop by to say hi if you're in the area :)

Okay so outfit details...

I can't get enough of this blue dress. The pattern is what first drew me to it with the lemons and whimsical blues and whites. I love how it's appropriate for work but still would be fun for the weekends with the flirty ruffles! It zips up the back and even though it looks like a wrap dress it's actually faux - which means it won't flap open with the wind! I paired it with my favorite Lilly pearl hoop earrings that are really lightweight and lend a sweet little touch of pink pearl plus my tassel bracelets I scored on sale last summer. Then I topped it all off with a Lilly cork studded clutch (I can't say no to any cork details) and J.Crew Factory platform espadrilles to dress down the whole look.

Lilly Pulitzer Dress // J.Crew Factory Flatforms // Pearl Hoop Earrings //

Cork Studded Purse // Tassel Bracelets // Stila Liquid Lipstick in shade Patina

If you have any questions let me know! I hope to see y'all at the event - drop a note below if you're going to try to stop by and see me :)

Love Always,