What I Wore Sunday Archives -

Was ich trug am Sonntag – und bienen

May 18, 2014 By Jenna 21 Comments

Yeah. I used an Internet translator. I’m not that romantic.

After Mass today, we had to pick up beer – it’s what Catholics do. So, naturally, we decided to stop in the ghetto at a liquor store. Heck, we played it fast and loose with a no nap baby in the pews; certainly we could handle a little shady offie.

So, I slipped into my authentic German drindl, and – wait, I didn’t mention that part earlier? Oh yes. Right. We were going to a German fest and authentic clothing was encouraged. When I saw that a lady in our town was selling her 1967 drindl, HOW COULD I NOT BUY IT? Obviously.

So, I slipped on my dridl after Mass, and we pulled into the liquor store where Mike left us in the car with the windows cracked like the dogs we are. He took the keys too because I don’t want someone to get us.

Then, this jerk bee comes along. First I see its shadow creeping up on us all Jurassic Park. Then, it tries to car-jack us – just thinks it can come in my window. So, I go to roll the windows up, but Mike has the keys (so no one gets us, remember?). The only logical thing to do is to start using my phone as a shield and violently jiggling it between the window and top of the door. But this bee would not.take.a.hint.

So, in order to SAVE MY FAMILY, I had to jump out of the car – which set off the car alarm. Mike ran out to see what kind of crazy his wife was committing, but he only stumbled upon heroism: me in all my German dridl glory running around a ghetto liquor store parking lot swatting my iphone at a bee while yelling at it to “leave us alone!”

He hung his head and shamefully walked back into the store while the clerk laughed at him. Chumps.

peeking out from my home amidst the hills full of edelweiss

achtung baby

Mike is wondering when I am going to sell it. But, I have so many other places I need to wear this to.

FLAP

Because when we are successful in our works as mothers, Jesus is visible in three ways.

May 11, 2014 By Jenna 8 Comments

Once I mentioned to Mike that I thought being a mother was a lot like the life and crucifixion of Christ. Then he laughed at me, and told me I thought highly of myself.

Now, it’s not that Mike doesn’t think that a mother’s job is the most important. He reminds me of that often. But, I still want to make my case for my analogy. Because it’s Mother’s Day. And I have 20 minutes to myself right now. So, I decided to blog? Yep. I did.

We often compare ourselves to (or look up to rather) the Proverbs 31 woman or Mother Mary, but what about Christ? How is it that we can see the parallels of our vocation with His life and works? And why is that significant?

Because when we are successful in our works as mothers, Jesus is visible in three ways: instilled in the lives of our children, seen through our obedience, and most interestingly, by imitating the very things that define who Christ is.

We begin our work as a mother with pregnancy and the pains of labor. And, more than just a punishment for the Garden of Eden, I believe that the physical pains beginning motherhood reflect Jesus’ time on the cross. His redemptive suffering brought us all the miracle of new life, and God designed us to do the same.

After labor is done, we are left with the scars. Our bodies are never the same. We have been through a battle, and we have the permanent marks to prove it. Instead of feeling ashamed of this, remember that Jesus had wounds too. And His wounds will provide us with a new spiritual body in Heaven. Think of this when you view your new body on earth.

As the years pass, we are called to serve the most vulnerable – our children. This job starts from the moment they are conceived and never ends as every mother hopes to pray for her children from Heaven. And, if you’re paying attention, I don’t think I need to point out Who the master of service is.

Finally, just as God did for all of His children, we also open the gates of Heaven for our children (who we are grateful to borrow on earth) through educating them in the faith. Jesus, our Divine Teacher guided us on earth and is leading us to our final home.

So, are mother’s on par with our Lord? Hah. I wish I were. But, I believe God designed our vocation to mimic the life of His Son so that God’s work would be felt on earth for each and every one of His children. And, what better way to get to Heaven than to imitate The Man himself?

Happy Mother’s Day to mothers with children on earth and children in Heaven. Happy Mother’s Day to future mothers and motherly women.

Keeping with the sentimental tone, let’s look at what I wore today!

linking with FLAP

5 Favorites: Best of Etsy

March 25, 2014 By Jenna 3 Comments

In honor of my Etsy shop’s grand opening, I thought I would highlight a few of my favorite Etsy shops. And because it is Wednesday, I will do exactly five. No more. No less. Those are Hallie’s rules.

Blue Calla

I ordered a wallet from here, and it is the most convenient thing in my house besides the enormous bag of chicken nuggets in my freezer. It fits my phone, a few cards, some cash and a chapstick. I toss it on my wrist, and then the only thing I need to worry about is wrangling two children who seem to have a death wish when confronted with a parking lot.

Oh So Antsy

When we moved to MN, I was NOT happy about leaving MI behind. I am a creature of habit, and I like my routine and my familiarity. You can imagine that I am the life of each and every party. So, because parting was not sweet at all but all sorrow, Mike surprised me with this little pendant to keep The Mitten close to my heart.

Rosaries by Allison

Allison makes the best rosaries, and I don’t care what you say, you will never change my mind. She made my St. Dymphna chaplet, and I am still in love with it to this day. Who doesn’t need another rosary anyway?

Clementine Patterns

This is how I learned to embroider. I bought a kit from this shop, and the bug be-ith mine. If you’re looking to start, check out my tutorials (here and here), order one of these kits, and then join up with my Spring Stitch-a-Long.

Pine Tree Art

Mike wrote and recorded an entire children’s song album last year. All of the songs are about animals, they are super short, and they are adorable. It was more of a little bonding experience with the kids than anything else, but he uploaded them to Youtube to share with you guys. I wanted to make it all a bit more official, so I commissioned Pine Tree Art to make album cover art for Mike. Whimsy. Beauty. Love.

And, check out my shop if the wind moves you that way.

WIWS: I ain’t even worried.

March 2, 2014 By Jenna 9 Comments

It feels a little inappropriate to post pictures of what I wore to Mass today, you know, because of today’s Gospel. Even better? I stopped at Target on the way home to buy a full length mirror. So, you know, I got the message…

cardi: H81 via thrift
dress: Max Studio via ThredUp
boots: Blowfish

Maybe it’s a good time to point out that the point of WIWS isn’t to show off my duds; it’s to give other women ideas and inspiration for what they can wear to Mass. It gets hard to come up with something nice each week.

And, despite the fact that we are supposed to heed the words:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat (or drink), or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”

we are still called to look our best and take pride in ourselves. And, I don’t see anything wrong with having fun with it while you’re at it.

The main thing is worry. If worldly things become a point of worry, then we are doing it wrong. I’m not worried. And Ellen most certainly isn’t either.

wiws with flap

.wiw

Knock Offs and Real Deals

January 12, 2014 By Jenna 8 Comments

Ellen is in her big girl bed not sleeping. Sam is finally in a crib – and we think he is sleeping. Mike is counting slats on the hardwood floor trying to center the area rug. I am staying away from those crazies and eating chocolate chip cookies while I make you look at pictures of me. Self-indulgent? Why, yes.

Here is what I wore for the Baptism of Our Lord. Trying to get Mike to scooooooch back just a leeeetle bit for these pictures. He’s all like, “I am not a Nigel!” And, I’m all like, “I’ll take what I can get.”

hood: Guilia Knit
sweater: Limited
riding pants: Limited
gold flats: Nordstrom Rack
tote: Longchamp Le Pliage

Linking with the Fine Linen Ladies – A Sunday Classic

#WIWS #OpanAdventStyle

December 8, 2013 By Jenna 5 Comments

Big wet, slobbery baby kisses to Iris for taking these pics for me. We were gonna be all fancy and go outside, but it snowed three flakes and I am a wuss.

Deets:

dress: Lucky via LikeTwice
scarf: The Limited
tights: DSW
boots: Blowfish

Linking up with my other Fine Ladies

Date Night Duds and Church Chic

October 13, 2013 By Jenna 22 Comments

Date Night – blazer: Lauren Conrad; t-shirt: Target; skinnies: Ann Taylor Loft;
wedges: Chinese Laundry; jewelry: boutique shopping

Church – top: Kohl’s; leggings: JC Penny; boots: Blowfish; ‘tude: kids up at 6

Linking up with the fine ladies at FLAP

What Hipsters Wear on Sunday

October 6, 2013 By Jenna 8 Comments

So, I ran up to American Apparel today before Mass. I reallllly wanted a Merlot Peach Skin Bow; I know…whatever. I rarely go there, so I don’t think I had the swagger you’re supposed to have in that store. Regardless, the cravings for PBR started as soon as I walked in the door, but the weirdest part is that by the time I walked out, I had the strangest urge to ride home on a fixed gear.

Who am I kidding though? I am so guilty of it all today. I ain’t even trying.

bow: American Apparel
T: Old Navy
leggings: Target
mocs: Minnetonka
glasses: Firmoo
necklace: Target

Linking up with FLAP before it was cool.

WIWS: Androgynous Librarian

September 15, 2013 By Jenna 6 Comments

At least that’s what it kind of looked like. Either that, or I look like one of those girls in the movies who is about to pull the clip out of her hair and wave it back and forth in slow motion to “Dream Weaver” by Gary Wright. But, I haven’t washed my hair in three days, so I’m not sure how much movement I’d get.

Wanna know why I haven’t washed my hair? Postpartum hair loss. Seriously. I think it is worse this time than with Ellen. I have a receding hair line. It’s hooooor-able. Whatever. Good thing Sam is worth it.

And, now that I have hyped this outfit up so much (I’m pretty sure I missed my calling as a runway announcer), here it is:

blazer: Target
plain T: Old Navy Vintage (my fave kind)
jeans: Levi’s Mid-Rise Skinny
booties: Blowfish
clip: Flexi by Lilla Rose (enter the giveaway that ends tonight)

And, before anyone jumps all over me, we went to an outdoor Mass today, so jeans were suggested. I know most of you don’t care bout dat, but I thought I would make it known. But, if you gussied up today and wore a mantilla, link up here before it’s gone gone gone.

Then, head over to FLAP for more pretty duds.

WIWS: suburban problems

September 8, 2013 By Jenna 17 Comments

Hit up the 8:45 today because we ball hard like that. Or because Mike needed to power wash the house, and I wanted to edge the lawn. We have suburban problems. Taking a break from the yard to deliver you the duds: