BRB TIL NOV! BLOG IDENTITY REFRESH

Monday, September 28, 2015


Here at Coffee & Honeycomb, I did some brand-soul searching and decided it was about time we make some changes around here! And I mean real what-is-the-purpose-of-this-blog-and-who-does-it-even-serve change. So I'm taking an official beat and setting aside time to give this blog a huge overhaul to redefine the vision and content. There's no hard return yet (my goal is by Thanksgiving), but when Coffee & Honeycomb returns, it will be better than ever before!!! #thereturn

For now, I have updated the about me (click here!) which includes the new mission to start as a foundation and framework during this "identity refresh." I have also added a Category section to the right menu for easier searching and indulging. If you're not already, I'd love for you to join me on Facebook to stay up to date on all things Coffee & Honeycomb. 

Hope you'll stick around with me and see you on the other side!

xoxo,
Jenny

FALL READING LIST

Friday, September 25, 2015


I love my kindle. I love that it weighs hardly nothing in my purse and that I can read before bed without additional light. But I more than that, I love folding corners to hold my spot and underlining really good quotes (like those hauntingly eloquent descriptions that give you chills) and most importantly never having to remember to charge it.

We have a winner.

Which is why I decided to stop buying e-books and start buying good old-fashioned physical copies again. I recently finished Scary Close by Donald Miller (which I  highly, highly recommend. I have always been and will always be a Miller book fan. His writing is brilliant, authentic, and this one in particular is a thought-provoking gem.) And so many times I wished I had a hard copy so I could flip to a page and share it with a friend or put it on my coffee table.

Here are the next four I have been curious to dig into and will begin with! Let me know if you've read any of these yet and what you think - or any other recommendations you may have.

The Status of All Things by Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke
A narrative following 35-year-old woman, Kate, who discovers she has the power to control her life and rewrite history by posting Facebook statuses. Excited to read some chic lit, but also curious how social media influences literature today.

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
Because Mindy Kaling is a comedic genius and this is the closest I can get to being friends with her. Two years ago when Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? was released, I read it cover to cover. Twice. And then read the audio commentary. Slightly obsessed, maybe, but totally warranted. IMO.

Wearing God by Lauren F. Winner
I love narratives and tropes and metaphors - especially when they help us deepen our understanding and imagery of Christ. Can't wait to gobble this one up.

The Fringe Hours by Jessica Turner
I first learned about Jessica Turner when she was a guest on The Lively Show and completely admired her confidence, vision, and business savvy-ness. Her book empowers empowers women to let go of comparison, perfection, and busyness and add more self-love in their lives.

I think this round up is going to be a good one. What books are you currently reading? 

xo.

HELLO AS A MRS!

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

 

This is my first blogpost as a married woman, as Mrs. Park. 

I'm still trying to let that reality sink in. Someone pinch me, please. 

E and I got married on September 12th, so it's already been 10 days since the wedding. Time is moving way too fast, if only we could rewind + press pause on those magical moments. The entire day was like a dream — beyond perfection from the weather to the ceremony to the aesthetic. Every little detail was reflective of what E and I hoped it would be; elegant, intimate, simple, authentic. AND FUN. From getting ready with all of my girlfriends, running around during the photo shoot, practicing our grand entrances, and letting loose on the dance floor. Hands down, most fun day of my life. To have all of your friends and families cheering you on as you marry your best friend and gathering together to worship and celebrate was the most incredible experience. Not to mention wear a gorgeous white dress is a little girl's dream. 

I was... Overwhelmed with how much love was present that day. I remember when I first started planning, my mentor told me that out of all the weddings she attended in her lifetime, the most memorable and beautiful were the ones when it was obvious God's hand was present. And I'm thankful for the opportunity to understand first-hand what that means and looks like now; to feel God pour His blessings, to be reminded how much God enjoys a wedding and even once turned water into wine (or in our instance turned a rainy forecast into a beautiful sunny day), and ultimately how much God loves his bride. Praying and praying for more joy and love for a lifetime of marriage ahead of us.

After the wedding, E and I went to Jamaica (respect, mon!) for our honeymoon to enjoy our first week as newlyweds. TOTAL FREAKING BLISS.  Bliss, I tell you. We used Costco Travels to book our trip which made the entire shabang so affordable. I would highly recommend Costco Travels for any future vacations. Our honeymoon stay was also a once-in-a-lifetime experience; romantic, relaxing, and exciting thinking about how this adventure is ours forever. We stayed at Couples Resorts Tower Isle and while it was our first all-inclusive experience, we will most definitely be going back (and hopefully bringing along our parents or couple friends!) For five days we took full advantage of room-service, gourmet dining, unlimited drinks, the spa, and water activities. I can't wait to gush more about the wedding and honeymoon trip (as well as have #realtalk about the stress and finances of planning no one tells ya) but til then, enjoy these instapics! 

Find me here for more wedding bliss + realtime newlywed updates or follow #becomingtheparks. xo.

HOW TO HAVE YOUR BEST MORNING

Tuesday, July 7, 2015


Saturday mornings are my favorite. I wake up a little late, mosey on over to the kitchen, make myself some coffee + breakfast (or let's be real, microwaved leftovers from the week), catch up on my tv shows, get through my list of errands, and start my day. All of my morning relaxation and productivity then carries through the rest of the day. It's glorious.

Just writing that paragraph gives me feelings.
If you want to feel along, check this out. It is what morning dreams are made of.

Recently I asked myself, man, how can I have this every day? Well, after much deeper analysis and soul searching (aka common sense) into this particular dilemma, I came to the profound realization. I can have my Saturday morning EVERY MORNING - with the right adjustments to my night and morning routine, of course. And that is what I want to share with you, friends, today.

ARE YOU READY TO START HAVING THE BEST MORNINGS OF YOUR LIIIFE?

To be honest, my friends and family would probably laugh at the fact that I'm writing a post on this topic because if you know me, I am NOT a morning person. In fact, I am the antonym of a morning person. I press the snooze button multiple times, leave my house 10 minutes later than I should, and probably shouldn't have human interaction until there is a coffee in my hand.

However, now knowing how NOT a morning person I am, then you know that if these tricks work for me, they WILL work for the normal, non-lazy human - YOU. Now, let's roll.


Coffee & Honeycomb


DON'T WAKE UP FOR WORK
In the past when I set my alarm, I gave myself the smallest amount of time needed to get ready and get to work/school/an appointment/etc. This meant that my entire morning was solely to get somewhere else, it was an errand. You can imagine I dreaded my mornings. However, I realized that mornings are more than a time to rush and get out the door. It's more than getting ready to go somewhere else. Use your morning to pamper yourself, read a book, exercise, make a good breakfast, and watch how it dramatically changes the rest of your day.

PLAN BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP
This was one lesson my mom repeatedly told me growing up: plan, plan, plan. The less decisions you need to make in the morning, the more time and brain power you can spend on something more meaningful. So, plan out your outfit, your hair, your makeup, your breakfast, your purse/bag, all the way down to the shoes you're going to wear. I know that sounds TEDIOUS, but those little decisions that each take 3-5 minutes do add up and can stress you out when you're in a groggy mindset.

MOVE SLOWLY
One thing I love about my Saturday morning is that I can move as slow as I want and yet I still feel so productive. I make my bed, throw some clothes in the laundry, clear out my dish washer, yet it all feels so peaceful because there's no rush to get somewhere else. I've started implementing this tactic during the week. I turn on music, I drink my coffee slowly, and I try to complete one errand before I go out the door. Knowing that I have one less thing to do when I come home makes me feel so accomplished before the day has even started.

HAVE A QUIET TIME
Meditating and grounding yourself is so important at the start of your day. I like to give myself 15 minutes to pray and read my bible - to remember that this is the day that the Lord has made, I will be glad and rejoice in it. The day then suddenly becomes one big wonderful opportunity that is mine to seize! If you need recommendations on where to start, I enjoy following the reading plan on IF:Equip. Check it out and let me know what you think. 

And there you have it. Having a good morning can really jumpstart the rest of your day and add an extra skip to your step. 

Are you ready to have the best morning of your life? Do you have any morning routines you would recommend? Please share below.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Coffee & Honeycomb

Happy happy happy Independence Day, my friends! Wishing you a safe, fun, and magical day with all of your loved ones! :) May it be filled with... Good company and even better conversation. The opportunity to reconnect and reminiscence. The smell of the lake, sunscreen, and glorious grilled meats. Full bellies and full hearts. An excessive amount of selfies, tan lines, and popsicles. Red, white, and blue. And a spirit of joy and gratitude.



X O X O ,
JENNY

JUNE FAVORITES

Friday, June 26, 2015

Coffee & Honeycomb
Summer is here in the midwest and I am soaking it all up -- literally! Every weekend you can find me laying out by the pool, throwing the football around, or enjoying a drink on the rooftop. I can not get enough of the weather these days. Summer, please stay forever.

The one thing about the summer though is that it makes me so lazy to get ready - does anyone else feel that way?! The idea of putting on makeup or styling my hair sounds less than ideal in this humidity. So how does a girl stay chic in the heat? Easy, just own the breezy summer vibe. Reach for anything easy, breezy, covergirl. But really, apply hot pink lipstick (because who wasn't obsessed with Britt's lips on The Bachelor) to add a pop of color. Sunglasses + lipstick totally completes a look without even trying. Find accessories to dress up your outfit that are light-weight and match with anything. Lastly, don't forget to stay cool and protect yourself from the sun. Always wear SPF (even on your lips) and cover your head when you can. 

These are the items I am currently living in to stay chic without breaking a sweat. The best part? They are all so affordable. Check it out!

Coffee & Honeycomb


What are your favorite accessories these days? How do you stay cool + chic in the summer time?

X O X O ,
J E N N Y

SAYING YES TO THE DRESS

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Coffee & Honeycomb Wedding Planning

Dress shopping is probably one of the funnest parts about planning a wedding but it can also be a bit overwhelming if you don't do your homework beforehand. And no, I don't mean watching Say Yes to the Dress. After going through the whole process, I'm so thankful it was a relatively stress-free experience and I cannot WAIT to wear it on the big day!!! Unfortunately I can't share any details on my exact wedding dress here quite yet since I'm keeping it a surprise from the groom, but I DID want to share some great advice I learned along the way. 

DO UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE BEFORE YOU WALK INTO THE STORE
Wedding dresses have their own language, and it's important you understand the terms before you talk to a stylist or sales lady. Look on Pinterest and pin some dresses you like! Then ask yourself - what are some patterns you see? What do you like about these dresses? Then figure out what all of those elements are called. Learning the terminology will help you eliminate so much miscommunication in the long run. 

DO BE SPECIFIC
When I first went dress shopping, I had no idea there were so many different options out there. All I knew was that I wanted it to be white, strapless, and pretty. You can imagine the frustration that the stylist had when I expressed my preferences. Even if you don't know exactly what you want, tell them what you don't want. Here is a cheat sheet you can use to get started!


DON'T WATCH SAY YES TO THE DRESS
I know it sounds like it would be great research to see all of the different types of dress on different women, but in actuality it really does not help you. Most of the women on the show do not have realistic budgets or expectations. You don't need to spend $$$ on your wedding dress. You don't need to cry to know that it is the one. You don't need to buy a designer label. You don't need all of your friends and their mom's approval before you buy it. Which brings me to my next point...

DON'T BRING AN ARMY
It sounds super glamorous to bring a whole group of your friends with you to try on dresses. Of course it does! Imagine sitting on a luxury couch, sipping on champagne, and having a total Carrie Bradshaw moment. However, the more is not the merrier in this case. More people mean more room for clashing preferences and chaos. I was advised to only bring a couple of trusted girlfriends, and I am glad I followed that rule. You definitely do need someone to be your sound board and take photos for you, but you don't want so many voices to cloud our judgement. You can also show pictures to friends and family if you need additional opinions later on!

DO BE OPEN MINDED
As all clothing does, dresses look different when hanging on the hanger versus hanging on your body. So don't judge a dress by what is on the hanger! Even if it is not quite the style or look you are going for, don't immediately cross it off. Just try it on (I mean how often does a girl get to try on wedding dresses? Embrace the moment!) If you still don't like it, now you know. Your stylist may offer many dresses that you probably wouldn't pick for yourself, be open-minded and give it a shot. 

DON'T GO ON A WEEKEND
This was one lesson I had to learn the hard way. I went to a chain bridal shop on a Saturday morning and it was the most awful experience. It was super crowded with no stylist to give me individual attention, multiple brides-to-be grabbing after similar dresses, and the dressing room was just a mess. Nothing about that experience felt romantic or bridal at all. So, save yourself the horror of feeling like cattle, and go on a weekday. You will not regret it. The shop will be much more stocked and organized and the stylists will be able to give you the attention you deserve.

DO STICK TO YOUR BUDGET
Make sure one of the first things you communicate with the stylist is your budget and ask them not to show you any dresses beyond a certain price range. While you should trust your stylist and their taste, at the end of their day, their goal is to sell a dress to you - preferably an expensive one. It's easy for them to swoon you over and tell you how worth it is, but you should not feel pressured into spending more than you can afford. It's easy to fall in love with a dress and justify the cost once it is on you, so do yourself a favor and don't even put it on to begin with. You can and will find a dress you love that is within your budget. Do not let any other stylist tell you differently. If they can't offer something to you, then look at a different store. 

DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR A DEAL
I felt very uncomfortable about going into a wedding shop and asking if they could offer any discounts because I feared appearing tacky or cheap. However, after doing some research and asking around, I learned that it doesn't hurt to ask because some stores will honor a deal and there are tactful ways to approach this situation. Here are some easy ways to bring it up:
- Do you offer any specials on dresses off the rack? (These are often at a discounted rate.)
- Do you have any dresses worn in recent trunk shows? (These are often at a discounted rate.)
- Do you offer deals if I pay for the dress in full payment upfront?
- I saw this exact dress at another shop for a lower price, is there any way you can match it? (Of course, this should be an honest statement.)
- This is a bit out of my price range, do you offer any free alterations or accessories? 

DO FOLLOW YOUR GUT
At the end of the day, you want to wear a dress that you feel comfortable, beautiful, and ultimately bridal in. And only you can be the one who decides that. Of course, you should consider your body type and friends, but don't let those things be your deciding factor. Even if a certain wedding style is on trend or on season, you certainly do not need to follow it! Pick a dress that suits your personality and one you can imagine yourself walking down the aisle in. When I picked out my dress, my 'aha' moment was that I couldn't stop looking at myself in the mirror and I didn't want to take it off. (I know, total vanity moment.) That's how I knew it was the one! 

Good luck and I hope you find the dress you are looking for. I hope you have an 'aha' moment and find the dress that you just do not want to take off because you love it so much. One final tip is please do not stress out if you don't have that moment. Because it's okay. You will look beautiful no matter what. 

Did you try any of these tips? Is there another tip you heard I did not include? Let me know in the comments below! I love learning more about the wedding planning process. 

X O X O ,
J E N N Y

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