+THOUGHTS ON MY BANGS, TWO MONTHS IN: If you’re thinking about getting bangs or trying any new and slightly edgy or different haircut: listen to your 70-year-old self and do it. Hair grows back! And it’s fun to play with style and aesthetic — just another realm to express yourself, and not take yourself too seriously! Honestly, the older I get, the more I am drawn to people who go lightly in life, the ones who laugh at themselves, who try new things with excitement, who change their minds. (Who says you can’t?! When I was younger, I often interrupted a desire or thought change by worrying about what other people might think, but the truth is — no one is paying as much attention to your life as you are. You might as well try something new, reshape your opinion, admit you’ve outgrown something versus hem yourself in unnecessarily.) Anyhow. On the subject of my bangs: I love them. A friend recently saw me via Zoom and said: “Jen! The bangs just make sense for you!” And I totally agree. I feel more fully myself with them. I had them on and off in my youth and 20s and have no idea why I gave them up. I love the way they frame my face. They soften things, seem a little more youthful and playful. But let me be real: it took me a solid six weeks to figure out how to style them. A slog, and deeply humbling — lol. Slowly, through trial and error and watching many tutorial videos, I figured out how to do them, though, and so can you.
They do require constant maintenance, both in the sense that I need to have them trimmed every few weeks and I must style them every single day (and for best results, wash them every single day — I do this just by dunking my head under the sink and using a tiny dab of shampoo versus getting in the shower), but I’m now into a groove and feel great about them. The products/tools I’ve found most helpful in bang styling are this texturizing spray (very light hold, very dry — almost invisible — but really help with keeping bangs in check) to hold them in place once done and this hot tool for getting them to behave. I know, I know. I already use both the Dyson Airwrap and the Dyson blow dryer to style my hair, so I will admit: this is a super extra and involved process, but I’m living my best hair life. I honestly don’t think my hair has ever looked better or more “me.” Anyway, here are my key findings if you have similar (generally straight, fine hair): don’t use any product at all on them after the shower. I use other products for the rest of my hair, but I find the bangs need to be really clean and not laden with any product. Then I use the dryer to air dry them loosely with my fingers, blowing air from the left and right sides straight across my forehead (a tip from my hair dresser). Then I use the Mane hot tool, which is sort of like a curling iron with brush bristles attached, to curl the edge bangs that frame my face AWAY from my forehead — almost think Farrah Fawcett, but then they do settle into place. It’s almost like you need to overcurl them out so when they settle in, they lay properly. Spray this to keep everything in place. Anyway — a lot of details but several of you have asked and I just wanted to encourage you to try if you’re flirting with the idea!
+AN INTERVIEW WITH DANRIE: This week, my friends at Danrie (a favorite children’s boutique) interviewed me about my book, and I was so touched by the thoughtfulness of their questions. From the interview:
Many women in our Danrie community are raising young children while navigating full lives. What would you say to the mother who feels in the thick of it right now?
You’re doing better than you think. Give yourself credit and grace. Also, something a friend of mine told me: we’re always juggling a lot of balls. Learn to distinguish between the ones that are glass and the ones that are plastic.
You can read the whole conversation here, and then pop over and shop my picks from their boutique here!
SHORT/TOP SET // LES VACANCES SWEATSHIRT // MAILEG BUNNY // ROMPER // REMY SWEATSHIRT SET
+A STANZA ON MARCH: She nails it every time, doesn’t she? The idea of “March remembering its own name” is so evocative of this time of transition, where it feels that spring is coming into its own. It’s all ungainly teenage moods and weird weather systems, but it’s becoming something, for sure.
+SIX BOOKS ON BIRDS: For my fellow birders, thought this list was compelling! (And for my DMV area birders, did you read about our new avian visitor, the red-flanked bluetail?) Anyway, from the book list, I added this to my cart. While on the topic of books: you may have noticed my book club has been on temporary hiatus! I have been feeling guilty about this, as I feel like a bad shepherd of sorts, but between writing the movie review of “Wuthering Heights” (these posts take me a long, long time to write — they are easily my most time intensive types of essays, and by a wide margin) and all the extra energy I’m pouring into my own book’s launch, I have been a bit thin on capacity to give this component my full attention. (I am heeding my own advice and giving myself a big grace note here, too: I have not yet finished our book club pick! I usually read at night before bed, but I have been either falling straight asleep or reading romance just to quiet myself down instead.) I intend to resume the book club as soon as I can. Hopefully by end of this month and definitely in April. Please bear with me! If you’re looking for more book recs: I already have a copy of this, which I intend to be our next book club pick. Onward!
+EYEING + BUYING: My best discovery this week was a restock of these FANTASTIC straight-leg jeans in spring ecru / off-white. Full size run, including tall and petite inseams, and these will sell through. I typically take my true size in these jeans, but I went a size up in the ecru because I generally find it’s better to err on the side of looser fit with white/ecru jeans.
+I like the idea of styling those jeans with an on-trend, feminine blouse — this one is giving major SEA vibes for under $100. (More fab spring blouses here.)
+The Outset just released limited edition “resort” colors for their fabulous “lip oasis” glosses. I love these! I have been wearing the bright pink all week, and it’s giving me “pre-summer” energy. I actually feel the same way about it as when I think of the fact that we have a new Carley Fortune coming out in a few weeks. The preludes to summer!
+Everything butter yellow! This $30 bandana scarf; this adorable oversized collar mini; this chic woven bucket bag (25% off!); and a Hunza G in my current favorite color!
+My friend Jacqueline, who will be interviewing me at my first book event next month here in Bethesda (details here — please come!) runs the coolest art book business, and they are about to release Pride and Prejudice. Swoon! These books are collector’s items and include an unimaginable amount of research, scholarship, novel art, etc. They are a treasure!
+Pour les enfants: a sweet but not too fussy Easter dress candidate for my very discerning daughter and limited edition LoveShackFancy crocs!
BANDANA SCARF // EYELET BLOUSE // OUTSET LIP OASIS TRIO // MADEWELL BOAT SHOES // AYR LEGEND JEAN // BODEN DRESS // LOVESHACKFANCY KIDS CROCS // PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ART BOOK // ROAME MINI DRESS // HUNZA G SWIMSUIT // MADEWELL BAG
+BESTSELLERS: These fab woven $40 flats were the top purchase — CHIC look for less for my Stauds (literally a fraction of the price).
01. WOVEN FLATS ($40!) // 02. EASTER SUNDAY DRESS (UNDER $200) // 03. SPRING WEDDING GUEST DRESS (I ORDERED THIS, TOO!) // 04. LACE-COLLAR SWEATSHIRT // 05. FAHERTY SPRING COLORBLOCK FLEECE // 06. CROPPED UTILITY TRENCH (GREAT LOOK FOR LESS FOR MY VB JACKET) // 07. PAISLEY BANDANA ($30!) // 08. STAUD ROMY DRESS // 09. MINNOW PINTUCK DRESS // 10. IRENE FORTE HIBISCUS NIGHT CREAM
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links above, I may receive compensation.
