Weekly Recap: A Trip to Wisconsin, Always Good for the Soul

After a busy, fulfilling week of traveling, I’m finally back home in NC and it feels so good. While it’s sad to pack your bags and wrap up a good trip, it’s also nice to get back to normalcy and routine in the confines of your own space. My boys were excited to see me, I was able to make dinner in my kitchen, and I actually felt well-rested after a good night of sleep in my bed. And while we’re on the go already today (because of course we are! — traveling to Outer Banks, NC for our anniversary weekend), I got a day and a half of good rest and I feel like a brand new woman.

LifeJennifer BrandlAugust 2, 2025life, life lately, recap, weekly recap, what I'm watching, what I've been up to, what's up, what I'm readingComment

Weekly Recap: Beachy Weekends, Fourth of July, and a Quick Catch Up

Welcome to 2025 where the first Just Jen Things recap of the year comes… more than halfway through the year. Good job, Jen, good job. In my defense — and I’m going to defend myself here because WHEW — life’s been feeling a little (okay, A LOT) “Lights! Camera! Bitch! Smile!” in 2025. Anyone else agree? Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty of things I’m both excited and grateful to have going for me right now, but damn, so many other things have made 2025 feel like the ultimate slog-fest so far. So it seems, my anthem of the year belongs to Taylor Swift’s I Can Do It With a Broken Heart — all the days of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion, and yet I’ve had to put on that front because the only way out is through.

LifeJennifer BrandlJuly 15, 2025life, life lately, recap, weekly recap, reading, watching, listening to, music, books, happeningsComment

A Collection of Photos from My 2024 Camera Roll

Those of you who know me know I love taking photos wherever I go. Be it landscapes, selfies, or dog pics, while traveling, adventuring, or standing outside in my own back yard, I’m the happiest version of myself when I’m holding my camera, snapping photos, and turning moments of time into forever capsules that are so much fun to look back on each and every year. Sitting here today, a rainy, late-December afternoon in the dwindling days of 2024, I’m really feeling that reminiscing, reflective spirit as I scroll back through a year’s worth of photos that made 2024 a year to remember. Forgoing the traditional style “here’s-what-I-did” kind of reflection post to end the year, I thought I’d share a collection of photos from my 2024 camera roll instead — 12 months of memories that illustrate life, love, and happiness in 2024. What a year!

LifeJennifer BrandlDecember 31, 2024camera, pictures, life, life latelyComment

Weekly Recap: Sabrina Carpenter's Short 'n Sweet Tour & Other Happenings

Though it’s not yet consistently cold outside, the temperatures around here are pretty erratic at the moment. As such, of course our HVAC unit went out during one of the cold spells. It took a few weeks to get it up and running, but we have AC and heat again — rejoice! I bought a heated blanket last year and I’ve been living underneath it almost every night. It’s so cozy!

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