Casual Classic Mom on the Street: Jacklyn Launi
Whether she’s pinning a boutonnière or dishing out fabulous flavor at the family ice cream shop, today’s Casual Classic Mom on the Street Jacklyn Launi is rocking a classic casual vibe! She knows how to balance being a dedicated mom with running her own thriving business.
Meet Jacklyn
Jacklyn’s most important role is being a mom to her three boys, James—8, Holden—6, and Weston—1, and a wife to her husband of 12 years. She’s a Norfolk, VA native who met her husband, Joey, at James Madison University. She owns her own independent wedding and event planning company, Events By Jacklyn. With 12 years of experience in that industry, it’s her passion to serve the bride and groom and their families by attending to every detail so they can sit back and soak in every moment. She also spends time behind the scenes working at Lolly’s Creamery, a Virginia Beach ice cream company her family started three years ago. Faith and family are at the core of everything she does.
Casual Classic Style
Which three words best describe your style? Practical, classic, casual.
What are your favorite places to shop? The Loft, H&M, ModCloth, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx. I hate paying full price for anything and the older I get the more I realize how fewer, good quality pieces go so much farther than an abundance of cheaply made items.
Who’s your favorite style icon? Jennifer Anniston (she’s classy and classic and subtle while still being perfectly fashionable)
What’s your best style advice? Don’t rule out a style or a piece before you’ve tried it on. Things often look different on than they do on the hanger!
What article of clothing/accessory would you not want to live without? Casual dresses! It’s so convenient to throw on a dress and not have to think about what bottoms look good with what tops. And TOMS of course. They are my go-to shoe on wedding days when I need something that’s cute but still functional and pretty much anything else I’ve tried has wrecked my feet after spending 12+ hours working and walking around. I have a sequined pair and one with a bow on top. TOMS offers lots of cute options.
Which trend would you want to see make a comeback? I’d be happy if corduroy was always in style for the fall and winter.
What should NEVER make a comeback? Low-rise jeans.
What fashion/style did you love at the time, but now cringe when you see old photos? Butterfly hair clips. I twisted my hair into butterfly clips for my junior prom. I know it was cool at the time but I definitely look back at those pictures and cringe.
What’s your best style secret? Spanx and dry shampoo.
Stilettos or flats? Flats or wedges because as a mom I cannot be wearing heels and carrying a car seat carrier…not without spraining an ankle anyways.
Casual Classic Family
What’s your favorite way to spend time with your family? Our kids love Busch Gardens and we have some really fun days there. With three boys we also love trips to the park to burn off energy and days at the beach.
What’s been your best family vacation? We go to Maine every summer and we’re all pretty much obsessed with it. My dad’s side of the family has had a home that’s been passed down for generations. It’s really cool to see my kids enjoying the same house and view and rocks that my grandparents and great grandparents did.
Best parenting advice: Practice patience. Listen and respond when your kids are talking. If you don’t listen to them now why would they talk to you when they’re teenagers? Don’t be afraid to discipline them but tell them you love them CONSTANTLY and that nothing they do or don’t do will ever change that.
Parenting true confession: I let my kid accept a character trait award on the last day of school with his button-up shirt on inside out. He thought we would be late if we stopped to fix it so to avoid a panic attack we just rolled with it. The character trait award he received was for orderliness. Lol. The irony.
What’s your go-to family dinner? Teriyaki chicken (from Trader Joe’s), rice and broccoli. It’s a meal the entire family will eat, which is rare.
What’s your favorite family restaurant? We have a tradition of eating at Moe’s every Sunday after church. Kids eat free on Sundays!
Check out some of our other ideas for on-the-go family takeout meals.
Casual Classic Lifestyle
What’s your favorite show to binge watch? My husband and I typically default to The Office or Modern Family. I also love Gilmore Girls, Masterpiece Theatre, and The Bachelor franchise is my guilty pleasure.
If you could pick anyone to star as you in a movie based on your life, who would it be? Amy Adams? I don’t know… she has red hair.
What’s your favorite beach read? Haha…I have kids so I spend my time at the beach with my eyes fixed on them. I’m honestly not much of a reader anyways but I do love a good podcast.
What’s the best song to dance to when nobody’s watching? Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”
If you could go shopping with anyone from history, living or deceased, who would it be? Stacy and Clinton from What Not to Wear. I always thought it would be so cool to get personalized shopping and fashion advice from them.
What’s at the top of your travel bucket list? Greece and the coast of Italy.
What’s your favorite way to unwind at the end of a long day? Spending time with my hubby. Could be watching a tv show. Could be checking stuff off our to-do list around the house. Doesn’t matter. I just enjoy being with him. He also gives me a foot rub every night. He’s pretty much a saint.
Your Casual Classic Style
We love Jacklyn’s dedication to her family. In an industry where she spends her time and energy to making other people happy on their big day, she makes sure to prioritize her sons and husband, while also understanding the importance of rest and restoration. The clients who choose her are excited about supporting a female entrepreneur and mom—working to be the best she can for her clients and family. It’s a powerful message that a woman can excel at both!
I worked as an assistant for Jacklyn for about a year, and I cannot think of a more accurate picture of #momgoals. Who wouldn’t want a professional who cares for you like a best friend, following you around on your wedding day, attending to your every need with grace and kindness? That way, your best friend gets to actually sit back and enjoy your wedding! Honestly, I’m thinking of booking her for my wedding already. Next on the list: find a husband.
Meh. That can wait. I think I’m going down to Lolly’s for a couple scoops instead.
Be sure to check out Lolly’s Creamery at 4966 Euclid Rd, VA Beach, VA, 23462 (weekends only) or in the Vibe District: 414 Virginia Beach Blvd, Va Beach, VA, 23451
Also browse her Instagram to see the gorgeous weddings she has coordinated! @eventsbyjacklyn
For more stylish moms, be sure to click on FamilyApp’s Mom on the Street Channel!
