So…I didn’t know what else to title this post! Long story short, I need some advice – specifically, some lifestyle advice. I need a routine, a new way of living, eating, some exercise – I need a lifestyle makeover! Today was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. My skin is irritated, I feel lethargic, the bags under my eyes just won’t quit…what to do, WHAT TO DO???? Better yet…WHAT DO YOU DO? How do you handle the demands of life with self-care? I’m listening……..

“Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you’re living?” ~ Bob Marley

 Blazer: Xhiliration via Target, T-Shirt: Xena Outfitters, Belt: Coach, Jeans: American Eagle, Shoes: F21, Bag: Zara “Basic”, Necklace: Target

Hello…I hope everyone had a great day. My day was pretty good. I worked from another state (Delaware) today and had a great time with my regional colleagues…it’s always nice when work is fun! Below are a few shots from my day…enjoy your evening!

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened!” ~ Dr. Seuss

WHAT I WORE TODAY…

Jeans: Crunch, Sweater & Blazer: F21, Bag: Zara “Basic” & Shoes: BCBG

Free lunch courtesy of the gig…YUMMY!

Enjoying some R&R this evening…

Wishing everyone a happy, relaxing and safe weekend…be blessed!

Greetings! Today is the first day this week that I was essentially able to come straight home from work and RELAX. Literally, every evening there’s been a task, a demand, the “need” to get something done – whether it’s meeting with clients, doing laundry or meeting colleagues at the mall after work (smile), I just haven’t been able to get home by 6pm but EUREKA! Today I was able to do so and it feels very good. I’m just going to kick back, cook some chicken tacos, help my baby write the letter “G” a few times (for homework), find a good beverage to sip and then prepare to watch one of my newfound favorite  show…SCANDAL…

BUT…before I can do any of those things, I need to carve out some devotional time! When I don’t make time for my devotions, I just don’t feel the same. Indeed, I sometimes allow the “hustle and bustle” of life to preoccupy me but after a while my heart longs to return to the Creator…to the One who can refuel this Earthly vessel (my body) and with the week I’ve had, I need to be refueled/reenergized/restored. So, on that note, I’ve got to go but I hope each of you have a safe, relaxing and peaceful Thursday evening because I sure plan to!

P.S. Here are a few photos of this week’s outfits/style…. I’m still working on getting a new camera so in the interim, please bear with my “point & shoot” and iPhone images….

“The really idle man gets nowhere. The perpetually busy man does not get much further.” –Sir Heneage Ogilvie

***Follow me via Instagram @janellesjourney or #janellesjourney***

Greetings! I hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday. This is such a wonderful time of year when the nation unanimously “stops” to give thanks for the countless blessings experienced throughout the year. I attended a Thanksgiving service at my church and the sermon was entitled “An Attitude of Gratitude,” which was so appropriate for the holiday. While like most people, I enjoy celebrating holidays (and the days off from work that often accompany them), I realize that the need to possess “an attitude of gratitude” far exceeds one day in a year! I often thank God not just for the material things I’ve acquired but for His boundless provision throughout my life and how He continuously bestows unmerited grace, mercy and favor upon both me and my family. I hope that you too will cease more days throughout the year to say “Thank You!” for the things that matter most…again, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.”

―    W.T. Purkiser

***Journey with me via Instagram @janellesjourney or #janellesjourney***

Shirt & Skirt: Forever 21 and Booties & Clutch: Aldo

Blazer: Vixen, Shirt: Old Navy, Jeans: Unknown Brand, Booties: Steve Madden, Bag: EVA for NY&Co. and Sunnies: Banan Republic

 Blazer: Vixen, Pants: Unknown Brand, Shoes: Nine West, Bag: Tory Burch and

Scarf (gifted): Vera Wang (for Khol’s)

Jeans: H&M, Blouse: NY&Co., Belt: Nine West, Shoes: INC for Macy’s and Bag: Gucci

Jeans: Banana Republic, Blazer: Forever 21, Scarf: Street Vendor, Shoes & Belt: Nine West

I’ve avoided it for way too long. Yup – that’s right…I was totally dependent on mediocre cameras to snap shots but no longer can I deny my need to invest in a REAL camera! Even my photog stated earlier today that I needed a “good camera.” That was essentially the ‘go ahead’ I needed to begin the research necessary to ensure I invest in a good one. ANY SUGGESTIONS??? In the meantime, I’m forced to depend on my iPhone, iPad and basic camera to get me through…I hope you’ll bear with me!

Blazer: H&M, Shirt: Forever 21, Pants: NY & Co., Shoes: Forever 21, Bag: Tory Burch & Sunnies: Gucci

Jeans & Vest: Unknown, Sweater: Forever 21, Sneakers: Barefeet Shoes & Sunnies: Gucci

Shirt: Poetry, Skirt: Dots, Vest: Old Navy, Tights: Aldo, Bag: Michael Kors , Sandals: Aldo & Sunnies: Gucci

Dress: Forever 21, Vest: NY & Co., Bag: Gucci, Booties: Carlos Santana, Necklace: Forever 21

Arm Candy via Forever 21 and NY & Co.

Vest: NY & Co., Shirt: Unknown, Faux Leather Pants: Xhiliration, Shoes: Aldo

Arm Candy via Forever 21 & NY & Co., Bag: Louis Vuitton

Greetings! I hope that everyone is having a safe, happy and productive Hump Day! The weather is quickly changing here on the East Coast so it’s a little chilly in my neck of the woods but I’m enjoying being able to wear my blazers and jackets. Additionally, I am loving the jumpsuit trend (I’ve invested in quite a few over the last year) and abstract prints; hence, my outfit of the day (OOTD). Needless to say, I felt so comfy in my today’s fit, as it consisted of many of my fave styles: jacket, jumpsuit, abstract print, an oversized tote and patent leather (shoes and handbag trimming)!

Aside from enjoying my OOTD, I’ve been “wrestling” with the need to overcome my habit of procrastination. I have so many mundane tasks that I need to complete and that could probably be completed within 30-40 minutes; however, I’m so NOT inspired to complete them. I had to spend some devotional time today meditating on the reasons why I’ve been avoiding these tasks and have come to the conclusion that I need to confront my fears head on if I ever want to be free from the procrastination that keeps me bound. This has been an ongoing struggle of mine but hopefully by making this public proclamation, I have taken the first step to eliminating this poor habit. I declare at this moment that I’m heading in a “new direction!”

“…the things that make us most unhappy are the fruit of the choices we made earlier…You can expect better tomorrows when you live right today.”

~Joyce Meyer

Jacket: Taxi – Jumpsuit: Xhiliration – Shoes: Steve Madden – Bag: Tory Burch Watch/Jewelry: Michael Kors, F21, Arden B and NY&Co.

Happy Saturday! My day started early with us attending my son’s soccer class. After class, we went to Produce Junction where I admired countless fresh flowers before purchasing a couple of bouquets. Since graduating and having tons of free time, I’ve found that I enjoy creating my own floral pieces for the house. Below is a collage of what I purchased today along with a bouquet I received for my birthday earlier this week. I’ve also posted collages (using my iPhone/Instagram) from every day of this week that include a bit of my personal style. I hope you enjoy!

Today’s Florals…

T.G.I.F…

Thankful Thursday…

Wonderful Wednesday…

Terrific Tuesday…

Monotonous Monday…

Simply Sunday…

Enjoy the rest of your weeked…I sure plan to!

Greetings and welcome to my little corner of the blogosphere! My name is Janelle and over the last year I have been chronicling the evolution of various facets of my life through [amateur] photography and various forms of social media. Within the last 12 months my life has changed from that of a mother/professional/consultant/graduate student/intern to simply a mother, professional and consultant. As a lover of many personal style blogs, I enjoy learning about the person behind the style and blog; therefore, I thought it important that my first ‘real’ post include a little about who Janelle is beyond the blog. Well……here goes!

WHO IS JANELLE?

First and foremost, I am a Christian who is focused on strengthening her relationship with Christ and realizing His perfect will for my life. If “30 is the new 20″ then let’s just say I’m a “new 20 something” residing in a large urban center in the Mid-Atlantic United States. I am the mother of a wonderful 4-year-old son who is currently in Pre-K and preparing to begin his own journey next year (when he begins his formal education as a Kindergarten student).

WHAT IS YOUR ACADEMIC BACKGROUND?

I possess a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree with a concentration in Legal Studies, a Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) degree with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction and most recently, I earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree with a concentration in Clinical Social Work.

DO YOU HAVE A CAREER?

Currently, I work full-time at a large non-profit organization where I assist in the corporate oversight of various social services programs. In addition to my full-time work, I maintain a consultancy where I contract with multiple child welfare and behavioral health agencies to provide clinical and adoption/permanency services to children, youth and families. 

WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS?

 In addition to drooling over fashion and chronicling my personal style, I enjoy reading, studying foreign language (I studied French for 5 years, know a few phrases in various African dialects and am DYING to learn Spanish fluently) and traveling but most of all – I LOVE HELPING OTHERS! Additionally, I have an affinity for Starbucks and am a bona fide SB junkie (you’ve been warned )!

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THIS BLOG?

Through the creation of “Janelle’s Journey,” I am not only seeking to chronicle (and thus, learn from) my personal journey but to also inspire those who are disenfranchised and incessantly fighting against the plethora of social injustices plaguing our society. Throughout my career, I have repeatedly seen the hurt and despair of so many people but am cognizant of how a single word of encouragement can be the fire that ignites resiliency in these individuals. It is my sincerest hope that through this blog and my professional work, others will be empowered to overcome life’s setbacks and realize their full potential.

Ok, now that I’ve ‘bored’ you to death, here’s a preview of some my personal style and what’s to come as you ‘journey with me!’

INTRO TO MY STYLE…

A few of my favorite weekend accessories…

Upon arrival at Harrah’s in Atlantic City, NJ…

Early Summer Work Attire…

Dog Days of Summer Outfit…

 Until next time…be blessed!!!