I stared at this page for more than a few minutes before formulating any words for this post. A new year. A blank slate. New goals. Fresh perspective. (Oh, and a little site update, too.) Did you know that we published 306 posts in 2016? That's a little something that I learned as we were migrating our old site to the new. So how to begin this first post of 2017? Possibly the first of over 300+ posts for the year? I thought we could take a second to introduce ourselves over coffee. (Not just any coffee either, Vintage Heart Coffee here in Austin on the east side!) Some of you comment super frequently and I feel like we are old friends! There are others that I know will always comment on home posts or Parker posts! If you feel so inclined, and you visit this site from time to time, I would love if you would introduce yourself in the comments below. What's your name? Where are you from? What do you do? Do you have kids? Like to travel? Subscribe to magazines? Are you new here or have you been visiting for awhile? Whatever details you feel like sharing, you can leave them below! If you are new, here's a little introduction from me...
My name is Jen. I grew up here in Austin, but moved to Los Angeles after graduating from the University of Texas. I was a business and fashion merchandising major and moved there for a job as an assistant buyer. Soon after realizing that was not the career path for me, I was hired as a stylist assistant on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and that kind of changed my whole trajectory. I styled there for four years, met my husband there, and then in the fall of 2011 began my own freelance wardrobe styling career in LA, as well as this blog. I had my daughter Parker in the spring of 2014 and this past summer, after 10 incredible years spent on the west coast, we moved back to Austin.
You'll find everything from outfit ideas, recipes and DIYs to parties, beauty tutorials and interior design before and afters here. They all have one thing in common, though. They're never perfect or fussy or overdone because, well, real life just isn't. (This teal wall at Vintage Heart Coffee, though, is as good as it gets!)
I'm a big believer in mixing high and low, classic and trendy, and the value of closet staples like a leather jacket and the perfect jeans. I love these Elizabeth and James windowpane trousers. They feel totally classic in a 1940's Katharine Hepburn kind of way and also modern and updated. They'd be super cute with a simple t-shirt and sneakers with a shorter cuffed up hem, but I like them dressed up like this, too. I don't shop H&M very frequently, but I did score this faux leather jacket there a couple of years ago for $40 and still love it. (This one looks like a total Helmut Lang knock off.)
Have you ever been to Austin? The east side is fast becoming my favorite. I blogged about this breakfast spot that we can't get enough of a couple of weeks ago and thought I would share Vintage Heart Coffee today. It's female owned and run and the coffee is delicious. Plus, the ambiance is super laid-back and inviting. (Definitely not of the super-pretentious-hipster variety.)
trousers, Elizabeth and James || heels, Rebecca Minkoff (These are a steal right now!)|| camisole, Equipment || leather jacket, H&M (similar) || sunglasses, Warby Parker || bag, Cuyana
Photography by Katie Jameson
Location: Vintage Heart Coffee
Anne Elliott says
Hi Jen!
A little late to comment, but here I am! I'm a 28 year old living near downtown Atlanta, GA. I live with my boyfriend and my super sassy black cat, Lucy. I've been following your bog for at least 3 years and love how unpretentious your posts are. It' refreshing and inspires me to think about dressing or decorating in a new way. I'm currently working in brand marketing for a large consumer brand, but I'm slowly and surely looking for new my career move back into the HR world.
Keep doing what you're doing!
Jen Pinkston says
Hi Anne! Thank you so much for your introduction! I've spent very little time in Atlanta, but have heard such great things! Good luck with your career shift and thank you so very, very much for your kinds words and for visiting the site! Xo
Laura says
Hey Jenn
My name is Laura and I live with my husband and 8 month old corgi named Gizmo. I love to travel! I am new to your blog and instagram. I love your easy, carefee and effortless attitude. I enjoy your all your posts but enjoy the life style and clothing ones the most. Thanks so much for sharing!
Jen Pinkston says
Thanks so much for the introduction, Laura! I'm so glad you found our site! Corgi's are the cutest! Hope 2017 is full of lots of travel adventures for your and your hubs! Xo
Rebecca says
Hi, I'm Becca from Australia and I have two young boys. I visit your site every morning whilst having my morning coffee!
Jen Pinkston says
Hi Becca! My husband and I spent a few weeks in Australia four years ago and it's had a special place in my heart ever since! (Also it's 29 degrees here right now, so slightly jealous of your summer at this moment!) Thanks for the introduction and thanks for visiting the site!
Jessica says
Hi there and happy new year! I'm new here and typically don't comment on blog posts, but here I go! My name is Jessica and I live in the LA area with my husband and 4 kids under the age of 6 and I stay sane by following beautiful blogs. I love home design and your photos and style are so fresh and inspiring.
Jen Pinkston says
Hi Jessica! Thanks for the introduction! Four kids sounds amazing! Do you know someone in the LA area named Emily Morgan? She also has four kiddos, too-- they might be slightly older, but one of hers is still under 6. Maybe you guys could connect?! Thank you so much for the kind words about my site. I really appreciate it and thanks again for the intro! Xo
Lara says
I've been reading your blog for many years - I love your design and recipe posts! I too was an assistant buyer but left my job to get a teaching credential. Now I teach middle school math. My husband and I live in Orange County and just bought a house and have been slowly settling in!! Happy new year !!!
Jen Pinkston says
So funny! I was an education major originally before I transferred to fashion! I've always said that I would love to teach some day! Congrats on your house and thanks for commenting! Xo
Katie H. says
Hi Jen! I’m Katie. I feel like I comment much more now that you live in Austin (me too!), but I’ve been a reader for a few years. I absolutely adore your style, so those are my favorite posts, but I love living vicariously through your whole home building process. I’m a recruiter for a large tech company (you might have the phone), and I’m from a small town in SeTX. We love to travel, and we’re trying very hard to have kids. I’m 32. I do actually subscribe to magazines, and I love to read - which reminds me that I enjoy both what your reading and listening to now posts too!
Katie H. says
Oops -> you’re reading*
Mary Costa Photography says
I love your new site, Jen! It looks amazing!! Miss you lots and lots but I love following your adventures here! xoxo P.S. That teal backdrop is everything!
Jen Pinkston says
Thank you, Mary! I miss you so much, too! I keep hoping that a job in LA will arise so that we will have an excuse to shoot together at least one more time! I hope your new year is off to a great start! Xo
Nicole says
Hi Jen,
My name is Nicole. I stumbled upon your blog a few years ago and have been hooked ever since. Your style & variety is my favorite. I love learning about your lifestyle, family, and success as I see so many of my own strengths and aspirations with each read. My morning commute would not be compete without a new daily post. I am 27 years old living in NJ with my fiancé. I work in New York as an interior designer for a large corporate architecture firm. My fiancé and I love to travel and look forward to many new adventures (plus our wedding) in 2017!
The Effortless Chic will continue to be a favorite this yeast. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Jen Pinkston says
So many shared interests! It's so nice to meet you Nicole. While I have never lived in New York, that city has been so special to me since my first visit when I was 18. Your job sounds awesome. After going through this building process, I have such an interest in architecture. It marries so many different skill sets into one job. Congrats on your upcoming wedding-- I hope it's amazing!-- and thanks for taking the time to introduce yourself!
chel says
Happy New Years Jen and love the new layout for the blog xx
Jen Pinkston says
Thank you Chel! We decided that simple is best with this redesign. I'm so glad you like it!
Katie Johnson says
Happy New Year!
I can't remember how I stumbled upon your blog, but I did several years ago and have enjoyed reading every since.
I am in my early 40's and have been living in Austin for 10+ years. I too love the eastside and glad you mentioned Vintage Heart Coffee. I haven't been in a while. Currently, I'm in Corporate America doing Occupancy Planning. However, 2017 is the year I give my side hustle a chance to be my full time hustle. I design stationery and art prints. I will always love snail mail.
Looking forward to more housing posts. I love following your process.
Jen Pinkston says
Cheers to your side hustle, Katie! (And agreed on snail mail!) This blog used to be little more than a side hustle and now it's my full-time gig... at least for the moment 🙂 Thanks for introducing yourself-- it's nice to meet you!
Jonel says
My name is Jonel (my parents liked unusual names before it was cool) and I am a 50+ year old from Maine. I have one 22 year old son who recently graduated from college and bought a condo so we are empty nesters. I enjoy your blog and especially look forward to the home decor posts. I don't post comments all that often but I am a regular reader. Ps I love the Parker posts too!
Jen Pinkston says
Hi Jonel! I love your name! Sounds like you had pretty cool parents 🙂 Maine is definitely on my bucket list. I might be emailing you some day when we finally make it there. Thanks for reading and thanks for introducing yourself! It's so nice to meet you.
Jonel says
I would love to give you travel tips for Maine should you head this way. Happy New Year!