Jen's Weekend Drafts: Am I Rushing the Season?

+AM I RUSHING THE SEASON? This year, I feel like I’ve been reaching towards fall with something like hunger. I’m ready to be settled and through this turbulent transitional month of parenting. I read those words back to myself and think: don’t rush through what you always dreamed of; don’t wish away the present! I’m grappling with this now as I find myself reaching for sweaters before discovering it’s still 71 degrees outside…how do we embrace this “middle” time between seasons?

+ROMANTICIZING THE TREES: A friend of mine texted me the quote below with “thought of you” beneath it this week. I was so touched — she gets me. It also reminded me of the day I took some video of plain jane sights around my neighborhood and shared it on Instagram with a note about how much I absolutely loved these “happy corners” of my world, and a Magpie responded: “the way you romanticize your life makes me romanticize mine.” (!!!) To be honest, I hadn’t realized I was romanticizing until that moment? Or maybe I think of it less as romanticizing and more as noticing. Funny how that happens: dial in on something closely enough and suddenly everything is awash in kinetic energy. At the risk of sounding like a complete nut, sometimes I run my usual route here in Bethesda and feel as though my heart has swallowed an entire ocean: aren’t I lucky?; isn’t this perfect; a crisp 60 degree day just for me and the light just right and every mossy thing just waiting for my notice! What do you love in your neighborhood today?

+INSLEE 2026 CALENDARS: My girlfriend Inslee just launched her wildly popular desk calendars for 2026 this week, and I couldn’t wait to open my box — it was like receiving auspicious energy for the 2026 year. The options are beyond gorgeous and the calendars come in a spectacular keepsake box with a little brass holder. These make exceptional gifts for mothers, mothers-in-law, teachers, etc. I also absolutely love this style of calendar; I always have one on my desk as a quick reference. I can’t tell you how often I glance up to check the date, figure out which day is the 23rd, etc.

+TAPPING INTO JOY: Gorgeous words from Rumi:

+FALL SELF-CARE HABITS (SPONSORED MENTION): How do you make time to take care of yourself as a mom during the school year? I was feeling the pinch in early September — I found it very difficult to squeeze in exercise during the first two weeks of the school year, and I felt out of sorts and even a little ill-at-ease in my own body as a result. (One of my friends always says: “whenever you feel you have no time to exercise, you need it the most.”) I knew that I had to prioritize taking care of myself physically, but it felt impossible to cram it in. I even let my skincare and haircare routines slide; it was almost as if letting go of one aspect of self-care made it easier to let go of multiple. I had to return to some of my thoughts from last year about “fractionality.” A little bit of exercise is better than no exercise; ten minutes of cardio is better than one. I began to look for small ways to take care of myself in five, ten, twenty minute pockets. One of the habits I resumed was using my CurrentBody LED mask daily — this is something that makes an immediate and noticeable difference in my skin and is easy to use while taking care of something else. Sometimes I’ll listen to a meditation while wearing mine, and sometimes I’ll wear it while folding laundry or making admin phone calls. It almost feels like a “accomplishment booster,” as if I’m achieving two good things at once! I know a lot of you also own and love this red light therapy mask, but in case you’re still on the fence: I can’t underscore enough what a visible difference 10 minutes of this mask makes on your skin. Mine looks brighter, clearer, more youthful, and I’m now beginning to realize what a powerful role it plays in skin firmness. (When I lapsed in its use during the early part of the school year, I really saw sag!) I particularly notice a change around my eyes when I’m consistent with it; I afterward read that CurrentBody strategically places extra deep NIR bulbs around the eyes and mouth, where signs of aging are more pronounced. You can read about the mask here, but the TL;DR is that the mask emits three clinically recognized wavelengths that boost collagen production, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and energize cells to tighten and brighten skin. I also wear the neck/chest mask while I’m using the face one. I’m truly obsessed with them. My code JEN10 gets you 10% off. (Note that they also have a less expensive version of the face mask — the biggest difference is that the series 2 is larger / covers more skin, including your chin, and is more comfortable for that reason. I find it much easier to wear, especially if I’m up and folding laundry.)

+FREDA SALVADOR SALE: Reminder that you can get 20% off some of my favorite fall shoes right now! The boots are ideal for fall/winter everyday wear; they are rain-resistant and very comfortable.

FREDA SALVADOR ELBA LOAFERS // FREDA SALVADOR BROOKE BOOTS

+EYEING + BUYING: I just saw that Oak Essentials (Jenni Kayne’s sister beauty brand) is running a promo where you spend $150 and get a pair of these cute shearling slippers (retail for $425?!) for free…! I feel like it’s an ideal time to scoop up this body care set, $195 but a $260 value, and you get the slippers too…?! I just received my bath oil and actually ordered this beautiful travertine tray to house it and my other bath goodies. (Speaking of romanticizing life: sometimes you just need a beautiful tray with bath oil and a candle on it to feel like you’re really upping the self-care ante in your life.)

Also in the beauty train of thought: I saw this reel of the ever-gorgeous Julia Berolzheimer using this volumizing mousse to achieve true super model hair and ordered on the spot. I have very fine, very boring hair so I am not anticipating this will succeed but — fingers crossed. I typically find Oribe products work incredibly well!

On the fashion front: this Xirena fleece…! So many great statement fleeces out this season. Free People has a great under $100 option in cute colors. And remember when we were all losing our minds over SEA’s caped trench, which is now basically sold out? I found a truly gorgeous look for a little less from new-to-me label Marie Oliver. The styling on their site is perfection, too! That full trench-colored skirt with the brown suede boots?! YES. The skirt reminded me in turn of that Tory Burch poplin bestseller — a few of you bought it this week while discounted; tres, tres chic. I styled it a few ways here, here, here.

I don’t need more corduroys but I love the barrel leg shape of these Citizens. Perfection! If you’re also a barrel leg fan, check out these sweats from Everlane! Color me intrigued.

And lastly: I love this rugby style sweater! Under $200 but has a luxe Guest in Residence ethos.

At home: a new Halloween puzzle to work on with my boy.

OAK ESSENTIALS BODY CARE SET // MARIE OLIVER CAPED TRENCH // SHEARLING SLIPPERS // HALLOWEEN PUZZLE // XIRENA FLEECE // BARREL LEG CORDS // TRAVERTINE TRAY // VOLUMIZING MOUSSE // RUGBY SWEATER // SUEDE BAG

+ON FINISHING THINGS: A girlfriend of mine very generously sent me this Instagram note that says: “You stand out by closing the loops.” I was so touched. I do believe deeply in the power of follow-through. Sign up and commit or don’t do it all; begin as you mean to continue. (A corollary: “if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hell no.”)