Supporting My Friends !!!

I have so many amazing friends doing so many amazing things I just wanted to take the time to share them with you.

My good friend Christie is a teacher for a New York school with 24 fifth graders. Through donors choose.org,  Anyone is  able to give back to these children and help their school and learning experience be a great one.
I wanted to share with you Christie's technology and book project  for her students and hope that you would help her complete her projects to give these children in school computers and books to both learn and play with.

From Christie:
"Do you remember how awesome it was to use a computer in elementary school?

My students attend a public school in New York. The class is made up of 24 fifth graders who truly enjoy learning. They are enthusiastic about learning new things and working together to help one another comprehend and achieve to their highest potential.

My Project: I am requesting two MacBook Air laptops for our classroom. These two laptops will change the course of the school year and allow my students to use these fantastic resources of technology to expand their learning. They will be able to use the laptops in small groups to research, as well as type their edited pieces of writing to publish them.

These laptops will be used daily to enhance my teaching and my students' learning. I will be able to use these two laptops for many years to come as well. These two computers will be used by over 100 children who will benefit tremendously from them."

I just supported Mrs. L's classroom project: Laptops For Our Classroom! If you chip in to help her classroom reach its goal, we'll see the impact through photos, thank-you notes, and a cost report showing how every penny was spent.

Mrs. Luciano is using DonorsChoose.org, an online charity that makes it easy to help classrooms in need.

To help Mrs. L reach her goal for her 5th grade classroom please click the link below.

And right now they have a 1 for 1 offer going on. For every dollar you donate they will match it  up to $500 !

Wish I had known that when I made my donation, but how amazing!!!

Enter match code - HEART to get the 1 for 1 deal !!!

http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/400744.-1085855278

My beautiful Cousin Jennifer Giannitti - The Jewelry Designer.

My cousin Jennifer started a jewelry company where she hand makes all of her pieces. During the summer I wore a beautiful handmade piece from her made of glass beads and real shells (pictured below). Her pieces are unique, 1 of a kind and definitely stand out, and her packaging is super cute. If you're like me and love and appreciate a beautiful handmade piece, you will love and adore her line. Check out her Facebook fan page below, her website is coming soon :)

Visit her Facebook Page here- https://www.facebook.com/JGCustomDesign

My Gorgeous best friend and business partner for Have Faith Swimgerie- Lilly Ghalichi 

My beautiful friend Lilly Ghalichi is doing it big, and as I like to say- "Go big or go home" !

Not only do we own, design and operate a swimwear line together called Have Faith Swimgerie but now Lilly has started her own business called Lilly Lashes- a luxury lash line with prices everyone can afford.

"It’s well known that Bravo Reality Star Lilly Ghalichi is obsessed with anything and everything GLAM. Her cast mates have dubbed her “ The Persian Barbie ”, and Lilly brings her #GhalichiGLAM home to millions of viewers each week via her hit reality show, The Shahs of Sunset.

While filming for Shahs, Lilly found herself disappointed with the selection of false eyelashes. The synthetic lashes were too cheap and fake looking, and the human hair lashes were either not glamorous enough, or simply unaffordable.

Lilly decided to create her own line of eyelashes made of all human hair that she could use to create the ultra glam eye looks she craved, while still keeping it natural looking. Today, Lilly Lashes can be seen on some of Hollywood’s hottest starlets, and the best part is, they’re affordable for the everyday starlet too.

If you’re a GLAM-aholic you came to the right place. Go ahead, indulge in a few pairs of Lilly Lashes and welcome to the #GhalichiGLAM experience."

Loved a look you saw of Lilly? Well on her website she has pictures posted of her out and about and lists exactly which Lilly Lash she is wearing!!!

To me, I always trust a company who's owners actually use and wear their own product!

Check out Lilly Lashes today and get familiar with the #GhalichiGlam experience

www.LillyLashes.com

My Good Friend Joey Lasalla aka Joey Fitness for 

JUICED WATCHES!

I have to support my East Coast family. Joey and I go way back- back about 10 years to my modeling days in NYC. He's always been into fitness hence the name and recently started a watch company called Juiced!  The watches are all super cute, durable, and interchangeable and not to mention a GREAT price. 

They are for both men and woman, and I particularly like the watches because they are BIG! I love big watches. I ordered myself the grey and baby blue ( for baby niko :) and I cannot wait to receive them!

They come in a variety of styles and colors and are gaining popularity FAST!

So I wanted to share his company with you and hope you'll love them and pass it on to your friends.

http://www.juicedwatches.com

Follow-

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/JuicedWatches

Instagram page: @juicedwatches

The owner and my good friend @Joeyfitness

And Last but not least - Jilly and I started a 

Baby Blanket & Accessory line!!!

Some of you may know Jilly from our office - Have Faith Swimgerie; she has been the manager of our company since we started. Well in July, Jilly found out she was expecting a baby. 2 months later, I found out I too was pregnant.  We are both very crafty, love to sew and since becoming pregnant our interests in a baby line of some kind has sky rocketed. So we decided to join together in our love of homemade, handmade items and start a Baby Blanket and Accessory line named after our Babies to be,

Niko and Presley.

Besides designing something we're now so passionate about, the best part about this whole process is us donating a blanket for a blanket. I seriously cant wait to see the orders coming in and the pile of blankets for charity GROW!!! There is no better feeling than giving back to someone in need and we are so happy to be able to do that.

I would love to hear some of your favorite baby and child charities as we will be donating to many different charities, not always the same one.

Please visit www.babynikolittlepresley.com and sign up for our mailing list.

Facebook-

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Baby-Niko-Little-Presley/213990925406441?ref=ts&fref=ts

Instagram- @babynikolittlepresley

twitter- @bnlpcouture

Thank You again

xoxo

J

My Feature on Aol Style for ModaMob !!!

My dear friend Marianna Hewitt is one of the main hosts on Aol Style for ModaMob.

About ModaMob.com

"Calling all fashionistas. If you love fashion, shoes and bags, you've come to the right place! ModaMob is the answer to every girl's obsession for glamour. We track the hottest fashion trends and designers.

Want to know what your favorite celebrity was wearing on the red carpet? You've come to the right place! Want to find the same dress for a fraction of the price? We got you covered!

From fashion trends, news, up and coming designers and exclusive deals, we're covering all the bases."

She was so kind to feature me on their website with a beautiful writeup and a Q&A as well as a Video segment that played on Aol Style.

It came out so cute I hope I shared a few secrets you didn't already know :)

XoXo

Jennifer

To read more of this article including our Q&A please click HERE!

To watch the video segment CLICK HERE

Big thank you to my beautiful friend Marianna Hewitt, ModaMob and Aol Style for featuring me on their sites.

Follow ModaMob on Instagram at- @modamob
And follow the Beautiful Marianna Hewitt on Instagram at - @marianna_hewitt

Almost 5 months Pregnant!!!

19 weeks Pregnant. Jennifer Stano

My oh my this pregnancy is going fast. I can't believe I'm almost 5 months pregnant and basically halfway through my pregnancy. Ive been really lucky to not have any morning sickness at all and have to say all other symptoms have been pretty manageable.

I frequently get asked about what my diet is while being pregnant . As I said in my last post, my first trimester was a wash for me. All I wanted to do was eat, and I didnt watch or care what I was eating. Well, of cousre I cared, but I ate bagels, pasta, lots of bread, just  way too much, but I had to. My body was giving me no choice.  I never had cravings like I did in my first trimester EVER! And I'm happy I listened to my body because I was underweight and needed a few extra pounds to ensure a safe pregnancy. So now, in my 2nd trimester the cravings have gone and Im eating so much better.

Jennifer Stano. 19 weeks pregnant

Some of the foods I like to eat:
Breakfast-
Eggs mixed with milk and a little bit of cheese, scrambled. 1 piece of multigrain toast and either a glass of OJ or a tall glass of Milk!  I LOVE MILK
Oatmeal
Cereal

Snacks-
Instant Oatmeal with honey
Fresh Fruit
apples and peanut butter
celery with cream cheese
cottage cheese with pineapple
greek yogurt mixed with jelly

Lunch-
Tuna mixed with wholewheat pasta
Tuna on rice cakes
Plain wholewheat pasta with sauce
Soup and a chicken salad
rice cake with peanut butter and jelly.

Dinner-
Sushi- but only shrimp tempura and california rolls ( since you can't eat raw fish)
Spinach with sesame sauce
edamame
Some of my lunch items listed above Ill eat for dinner
Occasionally a cooked Ham and cheese sandwich
Club sandwich


I try to make a fresh veggie and fruit juice at least 3 times a week consisting of
Kale
Cucumber
spinach
green apples
carrots
celery

Drinks-
MILK!!!!!
Orange Juice
Ginger Ale
Pineapple juice
Grapefruit Juice
Apple Juice
Water ( still only )
Hot water with fresh lemon
Fresh mint tea
Occasional Soda- Coca Cola

Body- I have been using Olive Oil and Coconut oil as well as Cocobutter that does not contain Phenoxyethanol . I was using Mama Mio products but stopped after finding out some of the chemicals they use in their pregnancy products... not cool. I also found a great DIY all natural body butter posted here- http://expectinginlondon.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/breggys-belly-butter-prevent-stretch.html

Makeup - I'm using a brand called Inika. Its an all natural brand from Australia and I really like their products so far. I found them here in London at John Lewis. I don't wear foundation often at all, I actually bought some just for my pregnancy photoshoots coming up, but I will wear concealer since my skin is anything but perfect at the moment, and Eye shadow occasionally, along with basic mascara. Check out their line. The range of colors isn't amazing for foundations, so I bought 2 and mix to get my perfect shade.

Cleaners- A powder mix from Sri Lanka when I visited. They can be used as a mask or a scrub. The only ingredients are listed on the covers such as Fullers Earth and Sandalwood. I bought them at one of the largest stores in Colombo called Odel , however I checked the site and can't find them anywhere :( You can go on amazon and order the powders individually and make your own.

Moisturizer-

Body and Hair- Im using Neals's Yard products. I love their Rose line.
They also have a great mother and baby line, all natural <3

Nails- I found a few nail polish lines on amazon that are all natural without the harsh and harmful chemicals in them. So far Im using a mineral line from whole foods called Mineral Fusion. My other polishes have not arrived yet but once they do I will share them. Mineral Fusion also makes makeup which I have not tried. And I believe that their nail polish line is exclusive to Whole Foods.

Hair Dye and Tanning products- NONE. I have not dyed my hair or tanned my skin with sunless tanner or in a tanning bed since I found out I was pregnant.

Places I have been shopping for baby clothes for Niko here in London- They all ship international btw.
-NEXT
-Alex and Alexa
-John Lewis
Some of the Items I bought for baby Niko:

Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry and DC.
Jennifer Stano

Diesel Jacket

Baby Niko's closet... so far ;)
Jennifer Stano

Fendi bubble vest
Jennifer Stano

These were bought at NEXT and cost about $23.00. They have great quality items and really great prices!
Hands down my favorite store

These are also from NEXT !!!!
Jennifer Stano

Baby Nursery Inspiration.
My mom is coming in mid Feb and we have decided to sew the nursery bedding together. I did buy a backup set just incase off of Ebay which is AMAZING, but its so special to actually make something myself for my baby and to bond and share the experience with my mom. I have been sewing baby blankets these past few weeks since I was sick and the weather was so crappy, and I can't what to actually use them on Niko.

Handmade Baby Blanket by Jennifer Stano

Handmade Baby Blanket by Jennifer Stano

Handmade Baby Blanket by Jennifer Stano

Here is a list of my Favorite DIY blogs that inspired me to make baby blankets. Sewing is something I loved to do since I was a little girl sewing doll clothes with my grandmother. Sewing runs in my family
http://thelittlefabricshop.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.daffodildesign.com/
http://www.aestheticnest.com/
http://www.theribbonretreat.com/blog/
http://www.sew4home.com/
http://quiltingintherain.blogspot.co.uk/


Nursery Inspiration.

Maternity Picture Ideas I want to do for myself: A combo of sexy and sweet

Controversy.
On my instagram account I recently posted  a picture of myself and my bump and I got a ton of comments saying I was wearing butt pads... right! Because I would totally start to wear butt pads while being pregnant and having all kinds of weird growing pains but never have before ?!?!?! So, after seeing enough butt pad comments I decided to take a picture the next day of me in my sports bra and panties to show that my REAL baby bump matches my REAL ASS!
Of course on the "proof" photo I received a ton of hate as well calling me a whore, a bad mother, asking me " how could you take a picture like that you're suppose to be a mom". I find all of them ridiculous. As you can see from the pictures above many woman, celebrities and so on take beautiful nude photos of themselves while pregnant, and why not?! Its a beautiful thing. Granted mine was a candid shot but come on. I can't believe how unhappy people are with themselves to have to go and deliberately hate on someones picture. And hells yes I will still model for my swim line once I have the baby. Just because you have a baby doesn't mean you change the person you are.
Anyway, Im posting the pictures here so those of you who don't have instagram can see them. I model for my swim line Have Faith Swimgerie, I have modeled in the past, I work damn hard for my body and Im not harming my child or anyone around me- so it shouldn't matter.. As long as my husband says its ok, then its ok!

Jennifer Stano, 5 months pregnant

Jennifer Stano, 5 months pregnant , and damn PROUD!!!!!
I celebrate the human body, especially while pregnant. You probably won't understand unless you have experienced pregnancy, It's truly beautiful... A beautiful Gift.

So far , 34" and counting.
Jennifer Stano

Pregnancy Quotes, How I feel

Let us make pregnancy an occasion when we appreciate our female bodies.  

~Merete Leonhardt-Lupa

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy and complaining about the shadow over my feet, I'd have cherished every minute of it and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was to be my only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.  

~Erma Bombeck,

Giving birth and being born brings us into the essence of creation, where the human spirit is courageous and bold and the body, a miracle of wisdom.  

~Harriette Hartigan

Now my belly is as noble as my heart.  

~Gabriela Mistral

A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, in your arms for three years, and in your heart until the day you die.  

~Attributed to Mary Mason