3 Month Blog Anniversary!

  

   Hi Lovely Readers,

We are so happy to announce that Fashionably Festive is celebrating its 3 month Anniversay today! While this blog has technically been up for  3 months and 16 days it has been exactly 3 months since Kelly and I (JEN) have been blogging together.  Kelly came on board with me April 14th and it has been blog love ever since.  We have had such a great time blogging for the past 90 days and we are Super excited to continue this journey.  Kelly and I thought it would be fun but also overdue and more than appropriate to finally post a picture of the 2 of us clowns together.  As you may know, we blog from different states and we seldom see each other as much as we would like.  If you didn't know this simple fact, well that's probably because we haven't done a great enough job telling you (our readers) who we are. Today is the day we intend to clear that all up for you and put ourselves out in the open, stripped naked in the wind haha. Well okay maybe we won't put it all out there but at least the relevant stuff, the good stuff.

Most importantly today we wanted to say "Thank You" to our readers.  It means more than words could express to have your support and interest.  Also thank you to our friends who have been very supportive of this idea from the start and have been super encouraging every step of the way.  We are still newbies at this whole process, but it wouldn't be half as fun to pursue without all of you.  We hope you continue to follow along with us as we endure our love affair for fashion, beauty, food, entertaining and life as we know it.  

With much appreciation,

Jen & Kel

photos by: Jennifer Matthews

The two of us gals have been friends since high school.  I would say the one thing that brought us together besides mutual friends, was our uncanny ability to make each other laugh endlessly.  While Kelly was busy being a basketball star, I was busy jumping up and down and screaming with the rest of my cheerleading team.  After High school we spent one amazing summer filled with non stop banter and laughter at the Jersey Shore with our besties.  Just in case you are wondering, NO we are not guidettes!  After college our lives turned out to be  so unpredictable, taking us to many unforeseen places.  As a result a few years had past without us seeing each other.  You know when you have a great friend when after so much time has past and you finally reunite, it's as if no time has past at all.  Starting this blog together has really brought us even closer.  While I am a city girl as Kelly likes to say, and she is a self proclaimed "townie" we both still have much in common.  We share all of our similar passions with you on our blog - Fashionably Festive 

Blog Factoids:

*Kelly and Jen collaborate ideas and alternate writing blog content.

*Jen takes most of the photos for this blog.
* Kelly is the guru behind most recipes and festive drinks.
*We most often style friends and family members for our outfit blog posts.

*You will rarely see us in an outfit post since we love to style others, but keep following along and you may catch any rare appearances.

Click here to read more about us individually.

Into the Blue

I feel that most days of Summer require a comfortable, relaxed, airy yet cute ensemble.  To me this outfit would almost always be a soft cotton dress.  I Love maxi dresses in the Summer because they are easy breezy and only require accessories to be added. Also they are long enough to cover my casper pale legs at the moment and hey, any stubble that may be hiding out.  There is not much thought or effort needed once the dress is on.  A great bag , shoes and jewelry is all you need and you are off to start your day.  We got a little crazy and went for silver jewels instead of the so now gold rush. The necklace is super cool with its reversible two-toned stone.  Kim borrowed this dress of mine before I got it hemmed to my length.  Though we are sisters she towers my 5"3 frame with her 5"7 tallness.  Am I jealous of her height? Yes on most days, but I have my tailor on speed dial so all is good in my world of shortness.  All you petite ladies out there know what I am talking about, especially with maxi dresses. Anyway next time you may see this dress I will be the one sporting it with its new hemline.
x
Jen

Maxi Dress - Sol Angeles
Necklace - Stella & Dot
Hoops - Stella & Dot
Sandals - Rag & Bone
Bag - Prada - find similar
Sunnies - Anthropologie also seen here

Snaps from the 4th in NYC

Ever since I discovered the amazing fireworks display over the Hudson river in NYC, I can't seem to miss it.  Loads of people flea the city to travel to the Hamptons or wherever their hearts desire for the 4th of July weekend.  We choose to stay behind and I have to admit it's kind of nice to be left in a dead quiet city to soak up the sun and relaxation.  If you have never experienced the fireworks in NYC here are a few snaps of last night's show.  The Barges in the Hudson were set up between 24th and 50th streets, allowing for a ginormous view. There were 4 synchronized displays over the span of  28 blocks. We watched from a friend's terrace in Hoboken, NJ this year.  There is nothing like watching from the other side with the city as the backdrop to this spectacular show.  If you have never feasted your eyes upon the 4th of July fireworks in NYC, now you know it's so incredible and well worth the trip.  The biggest plus of all is that the worst of the traffic will be leaving the city while you travel in, be sure to secure a spot a few hours in advance or find a rooftop :) The New Jersey side will be much less crowded if that is your preferred scene.

Hope you all had a safe and festive 4th of July!

x

Jen

What are you Serving up for the 4th?

At this point you may consider it to be last minute when preparing for the 4th of July.  If you have no idea what to serve your friends or family or what to bring to a get together maybe its time to just consider what you already have on hand.  Today I went through my cupboards and refridgerator and found some foods that were naturally festive in Red White and Blue.  Apples, Strawberries, blueberries, cheddar cheese etc.... is what I found.  This is a last minute idea to serve up a simple yet festive cheese, meat and fruit platter that is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Who doesn't enjoy noshing on some cheese and crackers, berries and apples or straight up meat?!  Well, I am sure there are some who would disagree but we are talking about the majority here and I think you would agree it's all pretty tasty haha.  If you have a star shaped cookie cutter than you are in business to replicate this easy dish.   The white cheddar cheese stars are what really make this platter 4th of July ready.  Anyway I hope this helps if you are stuck for something fun and easy to whip up quickly.  Have a fantastic and fun Holiday weekend:)

xo

Jen &  Kelly

This platter consists of  cheddar cheese stars, blueberries, strawberries, gala apples, crackers, brie, genoa salami and pepperoni.

Red & Blue mini bowls - Anthropologie

Apron - Jessie Steele

Star cut-out - The Pampered Chef