Tuesday, July 14, 2026

(even more) summer things, Fashion Files, & Tuesday talk



Happy Tuesday, friends! I'm talking about more summer things today. I'm also linking up with Amy for the weekly Fashion Files and Joanne for Tuesday Talk. I'll jump right in! 


Here are some easy summer things that I'm loving at this moment in time: 


  • easy mornings that feel luxurious
  • iced coffee while reading blogs
  • using my living room fan
  • fresh flowers in my home
  • using the most adorable cup that Drew's girlfriend Mallory brought home for me from the beach


  • afternoon drives around town
  • finding beautiful flowers to look at
  • saying yes to lunch with friends
  • staying home in the evenings after a full day
  • pool time while I keep the dogs of my friends and neighbors (this is happening again starting tomorrow and going through Sunday)
  • a full house and kitchen table of my sons, a girlfriend, and the mom of Mallory (her mom is also Jennifer) and her mom's best friend (Tammy)
  • reinstating family dinner night once a week and having most of them show up for the first installment
  • more time with Chris that feels like a special treat
  • sunset watching
  • unwinding after a full week of work






And now for the fashion files portion...






I'm currently in love with chunky gold jewelry; I actually have been for a long time now, but I'm showing you pictures of what I've worn and loved recently. I'm getting into the habit of wearing a ring again...but I'm not wearing that one on my left hand. I like to wear a ring on my right hand, and this one is my favorite; it was my grandmother's wedding band, and I love the simplicity of it and that it's vintage. When I marry again, I want something simple and similar to this. I recently bought these chunky gold bracelet stacks, but had to return them when they turned my arm. 


Do you have any recs that you can send my way? I am big boned, so they need to be stretchy. I hate things that are tight! I also love the bronze colored knock off Buddha bracelets that you see pictured. These are a few years old and were purchased from a local boutique. I also have them in pink! 





I need your help with something: I tried these two dresses on virtually over the weekend; what do you think of them on me? I'd love your honest opinion. I'm looking for a new long dress for a formal wedding I have coming up in August; I am looking at this dress in one of these color options above, and I'm also looking at another dress in a magenta color, which is my favorite. Help me out please, and send me your advice! 


For the last part of today's post, here are a few things I did this weekend:














  • enjoyed an Amy-inspired progressive dinner at a new to me sushi place, then Salad Station after
  • watched the sunset from my favorite park in Memphis with my guy
  • drove around to look at and dream of homes that I'd love to live in when I sell in a few years
  • admired the little free libraries I kept seeing and dreamed of having one of my own
  • set up the new Bible I bought for myself to replace the one Rocket ate



It's a good thing he's cute.

  • added tabs to my new Bible
  • wrapped Chris' birthday gifts
  • spoiled him on his birthday that was Sunday the 12th
  • attended church at Living Hope for the third Sunday
  • went to my favorite bookstore in Memphis, Novel
  • bought a couple of book related things
  • admired the motorcycle that Chris built for the upcoming race we're going to for him to enter into in St. Louis at the end of the month
  • enjoyed a new flavor of a soft serve margarita (mango and strawberry)
  • made breakfast on Saturday (scrambled eggs and air fried pork chops)
  • enjoyed seeing all of my sons on the same day for the first time in a while

What are your thoughts about all of these things I mentioned today? I'd love to hear from you. Thanks for reading my blog today, friends; I'll see you back here tomorrow. Love to all!


Jen 🖤

p.s. I wrote a bonus blog post yesterday! Here's a link if you want to check it out.





27 comments:

  1. I like both those halter/long dresses on you! The sunset photos are fabulous.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I might end up buying one and trying it on and then returning it, if I don't love it so much.

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  2. I love that style of dress on you! I would pair it with a gold wedge (not too high) and your gold bracelets. I like both the black and the blue. The pleating is very flattering. The fact that you can try on virtually is so cool!

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    Replies
    1. It's my arms that I'm unsure about; mine don't look bad from the front, but it's the side view...which is why I'm asking for advice. But thank you! I might just buy it and return it, if I need to do that. I love trying it on virtually...Marilyn showed me this a couple of weeks ago and it's the first time I've tried it myself. It looks like I own the dress already!

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    2. you look gorgeous in those dresses and I promise you no one will be looking at your arms! Whenever I get self conscious about my body parts I remind myself that I have never ONCE thought - what a pretty dress, too bad her ankles are so fat ;)

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    3. Obscure- that is so true. Thank you for the reminder!

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  3. Pure Summer Bliss- love it! So much goodness- ok! I l like flowy dresses from Amazon and LOFT. Love those dresses on you btw. Also love chunky gold jewelry so the bracelets are right up my alley!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, sweet friend! I found these on Amazon. I might just buy it and return if I need to, but I really do like this style of dress.

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  4. I love drinking iced coffee at this time of year and fresh flowers in my home. That cup is very cute and what a lovely gift. How great you get to have some pool time while you watch the dogs.
    That ring is beautiful and those dresses look great on you. For a wedding I would go with the blue one. Good idea about buying them, trying them and returning them if you need to.

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    Replies
    1. I love that you love a lot of the same things as me! Wasn't that the sweetest gift she bought for me? Thank you, friend!

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  5. Sounds like a good week! I should make little lists like this! It helps put things in perspective and pay attention to all of the little things. I like both dresses: it's a great style for hot weather and that blue is gorgeous!
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, friend! It has been a good week. I'm going to order them this weekend!

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  6. How do you like the new Bible?

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    Replies
    1. I love it so much! It's the same one I always get, the She Reads Truth Bible. I bought the champagne gold color this time!

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  7. When I saw the black dress, I immediately noticed your shoulders and hair (in a good way) and then the bluish dress I noticed it complimented your skin tone (in a good way). I like the silhouette of the dress too. Just my two cents :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for this! I'm going to order both, most likely and decide on which one when I try them on.

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  8. So glad you tried the virtual try on! I love a halter style dress and shirt. I think they both look good, but based on the pictures, I like the blue as my favorite, but you can't go wrong! Let me know how they work when you get them.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for showing me that! I think the blue is my favorite, too. I'll keep you posted!

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  9. The two dresses look reminiscent of what were called "moo-moo's" back in the day.

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    Replies
    1. I disagree; mu-mus were shapeless with long sleeves. And remember the golden rule here; treat others online as you would want to be treated in person.

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    2. The Blue Dress looks absolutely stunning on you!

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    3. Second anon-- thank you so much!

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  10. The BLUE DRESS looks amazing on you!! I also love gold chunky bracelets!

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  11. YES to that dress! I only ever wear black so am partial to that one but the blue looks gorgeous too!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for that affirmation! I would prefer the black honestly, but I don't want to wear black to a wedding.

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  12. My vote is for the blue dress! I love the black one, but it looks more like a beach dress or out to eat, whereas the blue dress looks more formal to me!

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