Rehearsal dinner looks

Cousin Elizabeth and her fiancé Andrew

Elizabeth with aunts and cousins

Elizabeth with the Boudreaux boys/cousins

Toasting the happy couple

My mom's family is very close. My cousins are like my brothers and sisters. Growing up, we'd always get together for holidays, Mardi Gras, summer vacations, you name it. Now that we're older, it's more difficult getting everyone together between sharing time with our own families, kids schedules and taking time off from work. Weddings have been the only occasion we're all able to come together.

This New Year's weekend, my cousin and best friend Elizabeth and her fiancé Andrew tied the knot in Houston. It was the perfect way to celebrate the New Year, and the first time our family has all been together (minus my cousin Taylor who was overseas and my grandparents who cannot travel - we missed you!) since my wedding nearly six years ago. I was honored to return the favor and stand by Elizabeth's side on her special day!

The wedding weekend kicked off on New Year's Day with a beautiful formal dinner at the St. Regis Houston hotel. Elizabeth looked gorgeous as always, and I loved the classic look she put together.

Elizabeth wore a beautiful, structured white Halston dress that fit her like a glove. She pulled her hair back into a sleek high ponytail to show off the dress's high back and her emerald drop earrings (yes, like the earrings Kyle Richards wore on the RHOBH). To top it all off, Elizabeth's silver heels were the perfect pop of personality.

Shop the bride-to-be's look

My brother and I

I wore a blue and black dress that had a similar cut to the yellow Elizabeth and James dress I wore recently here. The fitted top and flared bottom was very flattering - one of my new favorite cuts to help hide these wide hips I now have since having a baby.

The detailing is what I loved most about this dress - it looks as though it's beaded, but the pattern is actually black fabric with a sheen. The dress is very lightweight contrary to how it looks and has the right amount of stretch making it very comfortable (because we all know by now I don't wear anything that isn't comfortable).

I wore the same black heels I wore for the wedding (similar heels posted below), classic diamond and pearl earrings, and this diamond ring.

Shop my look

This New Year's weekend is one my family will always remember and cherish. It was so much fun having everyone together and reminiscing on old times. Drinking with my godchild was definitely a reminder how much we've all grown up!

More looks to come from Elizabeth and Andrew's fairy tale wedding. So happy for the newlyweds!

Happy New Year, y'all!

Xo, Jenn

Punta Cana or Bust

Beautiful flamingos at our resort

View of Punta Cana taken from our catamaran tour

I love to travel, see different parts of the world and experience different cultures. Me and my husband's last vacation was two years ago when we spent three weeks in Malaysia and Singapore for Christmas and New Year's before baby. This year as an early Christmas present to ourselves, we went on our first post-baby vacation to the Dominican Republic.

Unlike past trips, this one was centered around doing nothing. No alarms. No schedules. No interruptions. All things we hadn't experienced in 423 days (but who's counting). The setting was gorgeous, and it was the perfect place to unwind.

Like everything in my life these days, this trip snuck up on me out of nowhere. As the queen of over packing, I always convince myself I need 'options,' packing half my closet and wearing only a third of what's in my suitcase. Here's what made the cut for our five-night beach vacation.

   

Travel

I'm always cold so I layered a basic tee with my favorite gray and navy cape. This cape has been one of the most-worn pieces in my closet this winter (same one worn here) and it's now a steal under $30. When we arrived in Punta Cana, I threw it in my carry-on bag and was dressed for the warm weather.

Day

I can't tell you how many times I pack 'day outfits' that never get worn. On a beach vacation, you're going to wear your swimsuit. All day. I packed two swimsuits, a few cover-ups for layering and a pair of boyfriend shorts.   

   

Night

Every night was date night - this was one of the best parts of the trip. Great food, wine, conversation, scenery. I opted for rompers paired with flats because they're comfortable, easy and fun, and a great alternative to dresses. There's something about having pockets that I just love!

This vacation was a great reminder of how important it is to have 'us' time. Our son had a great time with his Papa and Bunsie, and I don't think he missed us one bit! When we came home, he was all smiles and giggles - melted my heart.

Xo, Jenn

Sunday Night Football

DETAILS: NAVY CAPE (REVERSIBLE) // TEXANS T-SHIRT (VS; SIMILAR HERE) // DENIM // COWBOY BOOTS (LUCCHESE; SIMILAR HERE) // NAVY CROSS BODY // PEARL EARRINGS // RING

My husband and I live for football season. We are that couple (now family) on Sundays that are all decked out in our Houston Texans gear. Our ideal 'Sunday Funday' consists of breakfast tacos, tailgating, Texans game, post-game fajitas and ritas, nap, Sunday Night Football, bed.

This past weekend, we came in town for the New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans game on Sunday Night Football. Even though we lost miserably to the Brady bunch, we had so much fun tailgating and being at a primetime game with old friends.

I'm all about showing team spirit. I like to mix and match one team branded item - a T-shirt, sweater or hat - and pair it with accessories in team colors that are already in my closet. Sunday's game was cold, windy and wet so I threw on a navy cape over a Texans T-shirt. It literally felt like I was wrapped in a blanket all night - so cozy! This cape is warm, reversible, and comes in four different colors.

And I always wear red lipstick when my outfit allows. There are only two occasions that I wear red lipstick - formal events and football games - and I go to a lot more football games than formals these days!

We have one more home game to go this season and are hoping (praying) to see our team make the playoffs. Go Texans!

Xo, Jenn

Shop this look

Other Texans items I love

A Taste of Texas Wine Country

To celebrate my cousin's upcoming wedding, we gathered for a mother/daughter weekend touring wineries in the Texas Hill Country. It was the most beautiful setting to celebrate the beautiful bride-to-be. My son joined us for one winery, and he had just as much fun as we did!

Packing for trips with a baby is tricky - and if you're like me, no matter how much I intend to plan ahead, I don't. My closet is filled with 'throw and go' staples for this very reason - clothes that you can just 'throw on and go' and look put together without trying. It's life changing.

This Splendid top is one of my favorite go-to's because it transitions well from season to season and is so versatile. Wear it one of three ways:

1. Open cardigan over a tank with white jeans in the summer
2. Sleeveless sweater tucked halfway with gray jeans in the fall 
3. Layered under an oversized cardigan with dark denim in the winter

The fabric is thick and the ribbed texture creates more interest and dimension when paired with other fabrics and textures. It also comes in black.

These Kork-Ease booties have the perfect rugged look and are the most comfortable shoes. Slip them on with skinny jeans and go.

And it goes without saying, never leave home without oversized shades - crows feet aren't a good look for anyone.

The same applies to your kid's closet too. I love Burt's Bees Baby - everything is made from organic cotton and is so soft and comfortable. Orders over $75 are 40% off through midnight tonight. His blue striped v-neck is a steal.

Xo, Jenn

Happiness in a Yellow Dress

 

Photo credit Jennifer Franco Photography // Shop this look below

I love events - any excuse to get dressed up, especially now more than ever as a new mom. A fresh face and clean clothes by noon is a big win - a miracle if my makeup and hair get done too. This is my new normal. 

After our move this year, I've been fortunate to work remotely on special projects with my company. Working from home with a child gives a whole new meaning to 'multitasking' - it's hard, but I wouldn't have it any other way. My big project was planning one of our largest corporate events, and last month, I got to see all the hard work and planning pay off.

In my previous life, I would plan what to wear to formal events months in advance. My go-to typically is a LBD and red lips - classic and timeless - but for this event, I went bright yellow and didn't have time to rethink it.  

I chose this Elizabeth and James dress because the color made me happy, and it was different from anything I'd typically wear. It was fun and flirty yet still work appropriate. The neckline gave this classic, simple silhouette the right amount of edge. Not wanting to compete with the dress, I opted for nude pumps and kept accessories to a minimum. The necklace was the perfect complement to the dress's pop of color. 

The event was a huge success, and I had so much fun letting loose with friends (and a bunch of strangers and executives). You know it's a good night when you look back through your phone the next day and see this. Winning.

Xo, Jenn