Hi everyone!

It's been quite some time since I've checked in on HouseOfJeffers.com, and so much as changed in the last two years.

This blog doesn't show you everything I was up to as I had made the switch to Wordpress in late 2017. But, I'll get to why you are seeing the blogpost address in a minute.

I'll spare you all the details, but to sum it up in one way: HouseOfJeffers is no more. I got to the point that I didn't want to be known under a name for something I created more than 7 years ago. The content I created then, I couldn't relate to now. I have changed in so many ways, and I felt like the name House Of Jeffers didn't give you a glimpse into who I am as a person and wasn't a full representation of the content I create now - now that I'm older, a mom and just more of an adult.

And so, I started to break away from the House Of Jeffers name, and just wanted people to know me as Jen Jeffery. So, I changed my socials, starting with moving House Of Jeffers on Instagram over to my regular name, to represent the person and the mother I am now.

Plus, Wordpress deleted all my content on my domain. So yeah, it's time for a new start.

I am keeping up with this blog for the time being so others can find me, and have a way to contact me should they be looking for a New Jersey blogger, or just looking to get in contact with me.

For now, I'm the most active on Instagram, where I've always kept you up to date on the colorful musings...

Find me on Instagram @ItsJenJeffery.

House Of Jeffers is now www.houseofjeffers.com

House Of Jeffers is now www.houseofjeffers.com. Please visit www.houseofjeffers.com as this blog has moved and is no longer active via Blogger.

For up to date posts, please update your bookmarks and visit www.houseofjeffers.com.

Thank you!

Festival Mama

Greetings from not Coachella! To pay homage to the festival I'm not attending, I put together a 90s-inspired look that gives a nod to concert style in this #ootd!

But that's not what this post is about...

A year into motherhood, I am discovering that the perception of what others think being a mom means, and what I as a woman define it to be are completely different. While we all can name attributes of what a mother is, I'm often surprised at some of the comments I hear in regards to my personal appearance and motherhood.

Since it's assumed I'm a mom that I'm tired (and, not going to lie, I am beyond tired), I guess that means I would just let myself go, throw my hair in a ponytail and rock sweatpants for the rest of my life. Case in point, I took the boys for their first haircuts over the weekend. I wore this outfit. Nothing too crazy, but by my standards it's put together, presentable, represents me and has a 90s vibe I was going for. The hairdresser said to me, "Wow, you're so stylish for being a mother of twins." I said "Thank you. This is just who I am - I like taking care of myself." 

Another instance, someone at a doctor's office commented that I had lipstick on to take my sons for a checkup, and quipped, "You have time to get dressed like that?"

Really?!?

For some reason, being a new mom has this rather old stigma of not caring about yourself anymore, or your own appearance. Granted, I might not whip together a blog-worthy outfit everyday, but on the off chance that I don't leave the house and therefore don't need to be as done-up as I normally am, I can, will and want to take pride in my appearance. Motherhood or not. Although my getting ready routine has changed to adapt to my sons' needs, you will never, EVER, find me out in public looking like I was just released from a psychiatric ward - no matter how chaotic my life as a parent is.

The point is, if your a parent or not, you have the right to be who you want to be. Things in life will change, priorities shift, adulting happens... But no matter what the scenario, I'm going to keep taking time to invest in myself and my well-being. If that means I put together an awesome outfit so I can feel good about myself, I'm doing it. If I want to cut my hair (BTW, do you like the new do), then so be it. New changes don't have to signal bad changes. Motherhood doesn't mean that I have to never wear heels again, and stop doing my hair. Please. I'm setting an example for my kids that you can be what you want, look how you want... regardless of what life throws at you. I'm no expert, I'm just me.

Outfit:

Denim Shirt - Gap (It's actually a maternity shirt) / Flower Print Dress - Forever 21 /

 Metallic Heel Shoes - Forever 21 / Fringe Handbag - Steve Madden

Plaid with Purpose

You know the feeling you get when you're sick of wearing sweaters and layers, so you start transitioning those spring wardrobe pieces that you have eagerly anticipating wearing for months? Welcome to my life. I refuse to wear chunky knits and heavy overcoats from this point on. Okay... so the shoes might be a stretch, but any sign of spring on a warm day means lacing up those new gladiator sandals and taking them for a walk. Sorry, but I'm over wearing black, over static in my hair and done trying to look pulled together on days where it's sleeting.

 

And while I'm saying no to heavy coats, I am still in favor of wearing plaid. This gorgeous swing coat from Chic Wish gives me just enough coverage on a chilly day, but is definitely feminine with the large bow at the high neck. The plaid reminds me of a kilt - very royal and regal (Hey, I'll never be queen but one can dream, ya know?) .I've also worn this coat as a dress with simple leggings and it looked just as pretty. 

I'm beyond tired of boots, scarves and cold hands... I'm protesting against Mother Nature until she gets her act together. This year, I'm hoping to do something different in terms of my style aesthetic. I'm thinking more gypsy... still edgy, but mixing soft and hard pieces together for rocker chic look. Can't wait to make the investment in new pieces this year!

Outfit:

Jacket - Chic Wish / Acid Wash Jeans - Three Bird's Nest (via Instagram) /

 Lace-Up Gladiator Heels - LuLu*s / Bag - Forever 21

Modern Geekery

 

There is no denying that I love a quirky print. I feel like they instantly make any outfit look dressy and quirky. When I worked at Barneys New York, I was exposed to some of the most eccentric patterns and prints featured on menswear as worn by Simon Doonan. I fully appreciated his assortment of floral all-over prints and Vilebrequin ties. Women's wear doesn't fully apprecaite frantic prints, but when I find them, I fall in love with them quickly.

 

 

This glass-print top is one of my favorites. It's not only the only white shirt I own, but the pairing of  black with white is a classic I can't resist. To punch up the simple color combo, I wore maroon pants and threw in another contrasting print by carrying my essentials in an animal print bag. 

And it seems like my disdain for gold has gone away since I gravitate more towards this metallic more than silver. I mean... these shoes!?!?! Come. On.

 

I've been slowly, and I do mean slowly, getting back into a steady blog routine. Part of it has to do with the weather - I can't pack up the boys and go outside when it's too cold, and work schedules  between my husband and I dictate when we have time to go on mini ventures. I think once the weather warms up, I'll be better able to write more and take photos. People think being a blogger just means going outside and taking photos... Okay, well, it sort of does. But I have some serious adulting going on that calls for me to make decisions with my time that maybe other bloggers don't have. Two children and a full time job definitely plays a part. I do, however, try to put in time when I have it, and the days when I can put together outfits and take photos makes me feel really excited to share something with all of you here. 

Plus, I need a reason to curl my hair like this more often.

 

Outfit:

 All from Forever 21 

Bracelets: Alex and Ani