Folks, I’m gonna play it straight – I’m pacing my living room right now at 8:45 PM, trying to hit my step goal before bed. I also have to do my laundry/pack an overnight bag before bed, AND write a blog post! So here I am, writing and walking. Multitasking challenge accepted!
I have made multiple posts about style on this blog, and how I want to dress and present myself to the world. With that in mind, I thought today would be a good day to face the monster that is the internet browser cookie. Or cookies. You get it. The lesser of two cookie monsters.
That’s my guy right there!
So as we know, if you look at something on the internet… the internet, like the North or Pepperidge Farm, remembers. You could click on an ad for a product on Amazon and then see that product in Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest… you are STUCK LIKE MOLASSES. It HAUNTS you. You either resist, or you buy.
Maybe it’s quarantine. Maybe I’m just putting thoughts into actions. Either way, I’ve already lost one battle against internet ads, and I fear I’m about to lose another.
So let’s face it, no? Here are a few items that I want to incorporate into my wardrobe… and the internet agrees.
I haven’t let this one get me yet… but it’s wearing me down daily. They haven’t cancelled my cruise yet, and I want to have only cute, flirty, fun bathing suits. This brand, cupshe, has already let me fall prey to it this quarantine (see below), and it wants me to come back for more with this delicious red number. Do I need it? No. Do I want it? Yes. Very yes.
Fun fact — I didn’t even pick this for myself! I thought it was an outfit that a friend of mine would rock, so I sent it to her. And yet… the internet thinks I want it for myself. It’s not really my style, but I really like it. I have no idea where I would wear it. KEEP IT MOVING.
This. Bathing suit. Got me. I thought it looked so cute, so flattering, and I had previously gotten something from this brand (cupshe). Well. Let me just say.
I got this because I was tired of waiting to buy the dress. The romper. The bathing suit. When I wait, it vanishes, and I wish I had gotten it when I had had the chance. You know what? Life is too short! Don’t be an impulse shopper and spend thousands of dollars in one night on wigs, but you know what? If you see the dang thing, buy the dang thing. Just do it.
Interestingly, getting a photo of this that wasn’t from my order was challenging. Turns out that since buying it a week ago, this swimsuit has sold out completely. Because of COVID-19, I know shipping will take a while, but I hope that this choice to go for it was a good one. And not, say… a scam.
Come on. It was also on Amazon. Would Amazon lie to me?
I will update this post when this dang swimsuit arrives. I remain optimistic. You know, if it looks great on me and it’s high quality, I will feel really happy I bought it before it sold out completely. If it doesn’t and I’ve been smeckledorfed, then laugh at my pain… and stick to the cookies you can eat!
UPDATE: It arrived. Great condition. This was a good choice. I made a smart move. If you see something and you want it, go for it.
If I hadn’t established so more clearly, I truly enjoy movies and television. Along with that, while I’m not the most stylish person, I do have my style preferences and sense of fashion! The more I grow attached to characters on TV, the more I notice how they carry themselves, and how they’re presented. How a person, or a character on the screen, dresses, says so much about their personality and background. Compare, for example, how Rachel Berry (the perky if naive head of the glee club) dresses in relation to how Santana Lopez (the quick-witted to the point of hostility cheerleader) dresses on the tv show “Glee.”
Rachel Berry has actually remained a big style inspiration for me. She started off in mostly sweaters with coordinated skirts and flats, but eventually, as she grew up and headed into the world of adulthood and college in NYC, her tastes matured into outfits that were flattering but not provocative, and classically stylish. That’s exactly how I want to dress now!
First, let’s take a look at a few specific outfits/wardrobe choices that have stayed with me, from past and present:
Anastasia’s blue ballgown, from “Anastasia.” I’ve literally put wearing this dress on my bucket list. I loved the tulle cape paired with the elaborate jewelry and long white gloves. Add the sparkly hairclip updo and it’s my favorite look from any animated film.
Robin Scherbatsky’s rehearsal dinner dress from “How I Met Your Mother.” In the final season of “How I Met Your Mother,” Robin gets married (I’ll keep the groom secret in case you’ve never seen it). The whole season takes place over the entire wedding weekend, and as a result, Robin spends two episodes in the most breathtaking gold strapless dress with shiny swirl accents. It’s a design from L’wrenn Scott, and I believe it was from, or at least inspired by, the Autumn/Winter collection she titled “Allegory of Love.” I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t think about this dress. It’s completely out of stock, but I fantasize about finding it one day in a fashion warehouse.
Rebecca Bunch’s Michael Kors handbag, from “My Crazy Ex Girlfriend.” Anna Wintour once said that she rarely carries a handbag. I’m the same way; all I really need when I go somewhere is my phone, since I keep my ID in a pocket on the back of my phone case. That said, a good bag is a good handbag. The moment I saw this bag I realized “My God. I must have that bag.” I’m very anti-leather, and I believe this bag is patent leather. Still, I can recognize a good, everyday purse that can hold sunglasses, a checkbook, and all of your secrets.
Andy Sachs’ black Paris power suit, from “The Devil Wears Prada.” I have such a fondness for this movie! Anne Hathaway’s character Andrea “Andy” Sachs starts out this film with clothes that are presentable, but not stylish. If you’re the assistant to Miranda Priestly, the head of the fashion world, that’s not going to cut it! With the help of art director Nigel Kipling, Andy undergoes a makeover worthy of a Madonna-backed montage. Near the climax of the movie, Andy prepares to go to meet with Miranda while wearing an all black jacket and skirt combination. Nigel comments, “Who put that together for you?” to which Andy admits it was something she picked for herself. Nigel smiles at her with pride, realizing she has come into her own, style wise. I couldn’t agree more.
Renata Klein’s “Women in Power” suit, from “Big Little Lies.” I firmly believe 2018/2019 was the season of Laura Dern. She’s always been incredible, but she received a long and painful term on the Hollywood blacklist after playing a love interest for Ellen Degeneres in an anti-LGBTQ Hollywood. Now that Hollywood has begun to slowly but steadily open its eyes to the possibilities of non-heterosexual relationships, it seems she’s come back stronger than ever in back-to-back iconic performances as Nora Fanshaw in “Marriage Story” and Renata Klein in “Big Little Lies.” Renata Klein had one of the most iconic lines in season two of “Big Little Lies,” as she spits out, through gritted teeth, “I will not, NOT be rich.” The beginning of this season sees her posing in a power suit as iconic as she is, shiny and red. She smiles confidently toward the camera, and that look is the definition of the article for which she’s being featured in: “Women in Power.” I have no use for this power suit yet, but I will find my own version of it when I take my own rightful place as a woman in power. For now, I will live vicariously through Laura Dern, as should we all.
These were all incredible style choices within the context of each character’s story. A princess, a New York lawyer with taste, a powerful woman. To be fair, all of these women are strong women!
Nowadays, my fashion preferences are a little more lowkey. I’m a big plain white tee shirt with blue jeans kind of girl. I think streetwear fashion is veering more towards the world of less-is-more! That said, I can’t promise to not go full “Devil Wears Prada” when I make it to the big leagues. This is still one of my favorite movie scenes of all time.
It’s cold outside the past few days, and that means cold weather style! After buying cute sweaters for the honeymoon, I have a decently sized closet to keep warm and look polished. That said, last year around this time I decided I wanted to seriously update my wardrobe with more choices. I figured I’d take inventory of the items that I have now compared to the literal laundry list of items I wanted to add to my closet. Let’s take a look!
Grey Skinny Jeans – Check! They still bunch a little bit when I wear jeans, but I attribute that to me being petite and most pants go all the way to the arch of my foot.
Blue Rinse High Rise Jeans – Check! I have two now, one light rinse and one dark rinse.
White loose-flowing button down or casual blouse – No dice here. I ended up putting the one I already had in the donate pile, so I’m definitely going to need to cash this one out this year.
2 Longer cardigans (I have four cute jackets now, I don’t need to buy another) – Done and done! I have a black, grey, and pink long cardigan. They’ve been staples this winter!
White Sneakers (Sooner Rather than Later) – Better late than never: bought new Adidas right before the honeymoon and they are great!
Black Sneakers (A luxury at this point) – I have a pair of Black Vans, but they’ve seen better days! I would like to replace these this year.
Pair of well-fitted joggers – I own three pairs of joggers now. They’re both a bit too big, but it’s a step!
2 A-Line Skirts – Did NOT get these. On the docket for this year!
1 Pair of Culottes – Not even close. I don’t know if I still want these in my wardrobe, but I’m anticipating another closet overhaul later this year. I’ll address it then.
1 Loose White Tee Shirt – Yes!
1 Loose Black Tee Shirt – Yes!
1 Loose Grey Tee Shirt – No. Dangit!
1 Loose Light Blue Shirt – I have a light blue sweater blouse. Does that qualify?
1 Loose Pale Pink Shirt – Nope.
1 Fitted White Tee Shirt – Yes!
1 Fitted Black Tee Shirt – Yes!
1 Fitted Grey Tee Shirt – Maybe? I feel like I own a lot of grey. I don’t remember buying one, but I’m 99 percent sure I have this.
1 Fitted Light Blue Shirt – Nope.
1 Fitted Pale Pink Shirt – Ish? I got a pale pink long sleeve shirt. It’s quite fitted.
1 Black Blouse – Nada.
1 Pink Blouse – Nope.
1 Light Blue Blouse – This stings.
I’m a little bummed! I thought I did a bit better than I really did on this goal. I’m not one to spend money just to spend money, so I don’t want to go buy these items just to say I did this. I really do want to update my closet later this year (I think a good cleansing twice a year is good for the soul); hopefully at the same time I can get this list completed. Maybe a try on of each item in a future post? I love that idea! See you, let’s say… in July.
I’ve been wanting to sit and think about my aesthetic, my brand, what makes me ME. I feel like as an adult I’m still waiting to shed my teenage inner-angst and embrace a more mature aesthetic.
Don’t get it twisted, Disney still owns my heart, and I’ll always want my peanut butter and jelly sandwiches refrigerated because it just tastes better that way, but my tendency to wear all black everything and spend my free time binge-watching Netflix feels very dated. I’m ready to embrace the part of me that wants to come forward and succeed.
When I walked into work today, I had a goal: start work on refining my “aesthetic.” I feel like that’s step one. I think there’s scientific evidence that your environment is your influence. I want to find ways for my aesthetic to help influence my every day life. I want to look at this blog, my closet, my home, and be motivated to take on each day with strength, style, and a smile.
Wait I like that line: Take on the day with strength, style, and a smile. AESTHETIC!
Whether I’m 5 or 25, “Spongebob Squarepants” will always be relevant.
Some things I’ve determined I like are pastels, space, and retro imagery. I feel like my generation is really vibing on pastels right now (neon pinks, greens, and yellows really dominated the fashion zeitgeist from 2007-2015). Soft pinks, aquas, and sunflower yellow seem to be popular colors, and I think the preference of lilac is growing.
I however, am focusing on pink and light blue (my inner emo child just gasped). I went to Pinterest and just searched “Light pink aesthetic.” The jackpot, if you will. I already had an “Aesthetic” Pinterest board created previously, so I just started pinning! I liked a few pink neon signs (which I have always loved), including one on the facade of an old building. I decided to switch gears and go look for “Art deco” aesthetics. I’ve always loved Old Hollywood and roaring 20s aesthetics, like in “The Great Gatsby.” My mind started accelerating, as I thought to myself that the art deco imagery was too dark:
I want to find an art deco design that’s more light, like with pink, maybe. Could Aaron make that? Why can’t *I* make that? I want to combine my love for modern colors with my appreciation for the retro aesthetic… vintage… Thoroughly Modern Vintage!
I am certain I am not the pioneer for a combination of the modern and the “classic” (I say classic loosely, since the past 100 years can hardly be historically defined as classic. Maybe neo-classic, but I think even that’s a stretch), but I think I can create a concrete vision of what that looks like. My artistic eye is lacking at best, but no reason I can’t try!
It’s a week before the wedding, and it’s time to start packing the suitcase! That said, the weather in Vermont is about, on average, thirty degrees lower than Florida. So packing the suitcase means I need to buy new clothes to fill it!
Aaron was eager to go shopping for new clothes, and listed off a few places for us to go to for warmer items (and various haberdashery). He wanted to go to Aldo, Ray Bans, J. Crew, and H&M. He was even okay with going to Forever 21, since they recently announced bankruptcy (and I was hoping for an “EVERYTHING MUST GO” sale like what happened with Charlotte Russe).
And then, it happened. Aaron insisted we go to “Abercrombie.”
My immediate reaction:
I don’t think I had ever impersonated a turtle faster. I downright refused.
For those unfamiliar with the “Abercrombie” retailer, it’s a clothing store that specializes in gorgeous clothes for almost exclusively beautiful people. Former models in Abercrombie campaigns include Kellan Lutz, Jamie Dornan, and yes, Taylor Swift.
In middle school, the cool girls all had the Abercrombie zip-up sweatshirts, polos, and jeans. I was not a cool girl. I went inside their sister store, Hollister, once, and was given the cold shoulder. I knew I could barely fit into their largest shirts, and so did the employees. I was given looks in Abercrombie too, but I never bothered to buy anything. I stood quietly as my friends and family got smiles and pleasantries, and then went into the food court to eat too many Lotus Garden egg rolls.
Abercrombie and Fitch forever represented all my body insecurities. There was no way in hell that I was going in there.
This morning I woke up and checked Twitter and saw that today was the best day of the year: Treat. Yo. Self.
A phenomenon created by “Parks and Recreation,” Treat Yo Self is a day in which you indulge in some of the finest luxuries.
I decided to start my day off with a bagel, and actually buy clothes without worrying too much about a budget. I mean, I have student debt, so that’d be a no on a pair of $300 Gucci shades, but a mini-shopping spree at H&M could be in the cards.
Aaron and I made our way to the mall. By some twist of fate, we parked in the parking lot near the biggest department store… right next to Abercrombie.
Aaron and I walked into Abercrombie, and I went in to be supportive. Instead, he nudged me towards some sweaters.
To their credit, they were cute. I decided to indulge him to prove that I couldn’t fit into their clothes. I grabbed shirts and sweaters and headed for the dressing rooms. An employee who probably weighed ninety pounds walked through me. When I asked for a dressing room she avoided eye contact but did her job.
The energy was there. It hurt, and reminded me why I never wanted to come into that store, or any of the stores like it.
I then started trying on clothes, and I’m not sure if it was the lighting, the music (Ed Sheeran), or me, but it was the first time in a while that I felt truly confident in my clothes. I had to get new sizes for a few items, too. Even one sweater needed to be a small!
Me. Forever a size 14. Needed a small sweater in the ultimate skinny girl store.
What dimension was this?
I had two more encounters with salesgirls, and both of them couldn’t have been nicer. I kind of like the narrative that proves that Abercrombie prefers the size zeros of the world, but for all I know, the dressing room salesgirl was having a bad day. I’ve worked retail. I work tech support now. Helping people sucks sometimes, and holding a smile and being nice to everyone just isn’t possible on days like that.
I spent quite a pretty penny at Abercrombie today, and then got new jeans at H&M, and a tee shirt at Forever 21 (a good white tee shirt is always a must). I am READY for this weekend in Vermont.
We had gotten an early dinner at the food court in the mall; I had gotten a gyro and Aaron got Chipotle, which for some reason completely drained him of energy. He collapsed into bed not long after we got home.
I took the opportunity to enjoy the last bit of my Dairy Free Ben and Jerry’s (chocolate fudge brownie) and the latest season of “Insatiable”. People have taken a lot of shots at “Insatiable,” but I think it’s the dark horse of streaming TV. It’s also the first time I’ve felt like my own issues with body image have been put into words (other shows have tackled the subject well, but I feel like “Insatiable” has been the closest narrative to depict MY personal experience. It’s been helpful).
Between my bagel, my gyro, my ice cream, and my show, I kind of came to an idea for my own eating habits: eat healthy every chance I get, and pick the plant-based option whenever possible. That said, ice cream once a week won’t kill me. Neither will a bagel with cream cheese one day, and one meal where I can enjoy anything I want: pizza, a burger, or yes, a vegan calzone (they exist, and they can be amazing). Food isn’t something I can just quit, nor do I want to think of food as something I can’t enjoy. That said, I think modern American (or even just internet) culture has fetishized food, and “eating” shouldn’t be a personality trait for me. I realize now that I do talk about food a lot. I obsess over it! I think it’s time for a new obsession.
Good clothes. Good food. A little me time. An epiphany, even. I’m getting married in six days, but this totally joins in the running for “The Best Day of the Year.”
I believe my last post was two weeks ago. That said, what if I told you that I wasn’t NOT writing, but in reality, working on a long overdue, always wanted, but never took the time to complete, project?
I give you, the mind baby of years and the birthed child below: the Glam Girl manifesto.
I am not the only one who has looked at these magazines advertising workout, beauty, and health tips from the toppest of the top Models and thought “Oh shoot, I should try that.” You do that enough over the years, and some things are new (the power of loose powder), some things are familiar (Prep H can do more than treat the obvious and the equally obvious), and some things are so gloriously overstated that you think they’d sink in by now (you’ll know it when you see it).
I made special priority to focus in on my current #WomenCrushWednesdays: Gisele Bundchen, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Candace Swanepoel. How perfect is it that today is Wednesday?
There’s also a few random cameos from other fabulous icons of the runway and the red carpet, and a section of general ideas from various nutritionists, dieticians, and makeup artists to the legends. To that, I owe credit entirely to byrdie.com, wherein I fell down so many rabbit holes that I’m surprised I didn’t wind up in a Mad Tea Party. It’s still going, by the way, I saved some more articles to browse at my leisure later. A “journalist’s” work is never done.
That said, I did eliminate SOME excess. I don’t think I included any specific products because there were some obvious product sponsorships (the aforementioned ladies are all current and former Victoria’s Secret models, so was I surprised to see that they all promoted VS fragrances? Not that they shouldn’t, it’s literally their job and “Bombshell” is bomb).
All right punks, let’s do this.
Gisele Bundchen
Who is she? Brazilian, mostly retired supermodel, who has since become an accomplished author and environmentalist advocating for saving the world for the future generations. If sports mean anything to you, she’s also married to current and longtime GOAT, Tom Brady. He cute, I won’t lie. She, however, was nicknamed “The Body,” and was featured in Vogue’s editorial “Return of the Curve.” Victoria’s Secret Angel, obviously.
Makeup – Less is more. Natural all the way! When doing a smokey eye, use beige or gold eyeliner in the inner corner to prevent eyes from looking too far apart. Blush only on the apples of the cheek and nose (NOT BELOW CHEEKBONES).
Skincare – Cleanser and chemical peels. She advocates a HEALTHY DIET, with a good balance of fats, protein, and W A T E R . Moisturize to keep from skin deterioration and premature aging.
Hair – She doesn’t brush her hair much, to keep those sexy waves. She uses detangling hair conditioner to keep things unruly.
Adriana Lima
Who is she? THE Victoria’s Secret Angel, if you ask me. During her final walk in the 2018 show, her fellow models jokingly but not jokingly lowered their heads in reverency, one mumbling, “bow to the queen.” Present in more than a handful of Super Bowl commercials and probably even more fantasies than the VS Fantasy Bra, she has piercing blue eyes and a megawatt smile.
Makeup – Good red lip and LOTS of mascara. Products that can be both blush and lipstain are ideal! Another fan of “less is more,” she’ll go barefaced with lotion and shimmer powder/bronzer. Pro tip: Moisten eyeliner pencil to get a more precise line.
Skincare – Soak skin in pads dipped in ice cold coconut water
Hair – Avocado mask and flaxseed oil, once a week
Diet – Portion Control, Blackberries, blueberries, and steamed veggies.
Exercise – Jump Rope
Alessandra Ambrosio
Who Is She? I know we’re mad at Victoria’s Secret right now, okay? I KNOW. Their sizes don’t accommodate the average American woman, and their head of marketing could use a healthy dose of reality (or at the very least, a look at what is considered sexy these days). But just for one glimmering moment, I want the focus to not be on the politics, but rather on the girls who make the VS show so iconic. The TRUE Angels. Alessandra has been along for the ride since the dawn of Gisele and Adriana. Equally Brazilian, and equally beautiful, iffen you ask me (but no one did. Why are you here again?)
Makeup – Natural, with minimal color on cheeks and lips (lip balm with nude liner, or a two in one blush/lip product). Bronzer for a sun-kissed look, playful eyes on special occasions!
Skincare – Exfoliating Mask, toner, hydrating cream, vitamin C serum
Pro Tip – Sleep! Lots of it!
Candace Swanepoel
Who is She? VS Angel, but she’s different! She’s not Brazilian, she’s… South African.
Makeup – Cheek and Lip Stain (I’m noticing double-up products are a pattern!). Laura Mercier Eye Brow Pencil
Skincare – Body scrub of coconut oil, sugar, and coffee.
Hair – Coconut and Argan oil.
Diet – Beauty smoothie: coconut oil, flaxseed oil, banana, protein, some kind of antioxidant fruit like blueberries or strawberries or some nut butter. Avoids meat, prefers vegetarian
Destress – Yoga and meditation
Travel Tip – Brazil nuts and almonds (good for hair and nails), protein bars, and fruit are better than whatever the terminal food court has to offer.
Again, these were my MAIN homeskillets. Now let’s check out some other pro-tips from other models, past and present, and a brief few who can only be described as iCONic.
Lindsay Ellingson – Yoga! Inversions (where your legs are above your body and the weight lies on your arms) draws more blood to the face, creating a more flushed glow. Gabrielle Union – Drinks a gallon of water a day. Homegirl has not aged since “Bring It On,” so I believe it. Miranda Kerr – Uses a spoon instead of an eyelash curler. Aloe vera for your skin! Eats fresh berries, kale, cucumber, baby spinach and celery (possibly this was the contents of one juice. I didn’t write that down clearly. That’s on me). Kourtney Kardashian – Water water water! Sunscreen is a must. Tinted foundation is a never. Jaime King – Use your fingers when applying concealer. Adria Arjona – Use aloe on scars. Coffee, sugar and honey makes for a great monthly scrub. Lais Ribiero – Take your makeup off before bed and de-puff under eyes with cucumber mask 1x a week Julie Ann Luna – Use face masks RIGHT after a hot steamy shower to lock in moisture Rosie Huntington Whitley – Facial massages! Click HERE for how to do this right. Emily Ratajkowski – Use lipstick as blush.
Now it’s time for the specialist pro tip, or what I’m calling “A Smarter Person Would Have Written their Names Down but Once Again these are the Unsung Heroes who make the Genetically Gifted Hobos into Hotties and What They Say about Being Healthy.”
Makeup Tips
Loose powder — Finisher, dry shampoo, in between mascara coats
Lip balm — Use it as a highlighter, eye shadow softener, or a cream blush
Facial mist — Softens harsh lines or cakey texture
Bronzer — Sweep on both cheeks AND eyes for stronger but subtler glow
Clear Wax Brow Pencil — GREAT lip liner
Diet Ginger Tea – Grate a chunk of ginger into hot water, add honey and lime to taste.
Good foods – Tropical fruits like pineapple and papaya. Lean meats like poultry and high-fat fish. Veggies. Simple starches like rice, potatoes, and yams. Cucumber. Put it in water, eat it raw. CU. CUM. BER. Bad foods – Dairy, Alcohol, Packaged foods that suggest low fat/sugar. It’s a TRAP. Gluten and baked goods like bagels, muffins, and pastries should be avoided too. Ditto cereal, yogurt, chips, crackers, and soda. Just don’t have fun ever. You idiot.
Prepare to be shocked – Water.
Protein bars – Despite earlier advice, protein bars aren’t real.
It’s 50/50 sugar and fat. If you’re going to eat one, pick one that markets it honestly.
Additional Healthy Pro Tips
60 minutes of cardio 6 days a week will get you ready and raring to go.
Epsom Salt Bath – Pour 12 pounds of Epsom salt into a hot bath, then soak for twenty minutes. Wash off in cold water. Wake up without water weight. If you say so, sport.
Preparation H the night before on the back of your legs tightens skin
Biggest protein meal should be dinner, not breakfast/lunch.
While compiling this information, I also decided to give myself personal goals and mini-ideas on how to manifest these tips.
Lazy non productive days – no screens. Reading and writing and creativity. Eat what I want, but self care and no makeup is the priority (inspired by Emily Ratajkowski and Nina Dobrev).
Yoga in the mornings and the evenings, ten minutes each (inspired by Lindsay Ellingson).
Twelve days before the wedding: No dairy, bread, or alcohol. Avoid late night starches, too!
Go on a fitness quest — find classes nearby that I like. And I like:
Boxing
Tennis
Dance (I’d love to do ballet, hip hop… maybe even a bit of pole dancing and heels! Those always look so cool)
Rock Climbing
Cycling
Along with that, I want to try Pilates!
So what did we learn today?
Lean protein and veggies are your best friend. Dairy is your nemesis.
Dual action cheek and blush are your friends, too! But also, less is more. I met ya halfway there.
Oh, and also… don’t forget: WATER.
Like I said, I’ve been down this rabbit hole for a few weeks, so I can say that a face mask post shower feels glorious. I can also say that putting blush down your nose is a scam and you just look sunburned. I am unskilled but still learning.
There you have it! A brief, but mostly scam-free, resource on how to be as beautiful as runway models and Hollywood starlets. And in the end, isn’t that more important than accomplishing financial success and personal happiness?
I have always believed that routine is the core of discipline and success. I have been adding more go-to behaviors into my daily lifestyle to help establish a routine piece-by-piece. Here are a few of my basic favorites that I count on to get through the day!
My current wardrobe– similar to the style I indicated in a few fashion-related posts, I have been sticking with a solid color blouse, neutral pants, and a cardigan. It’s a convenient way to stay clean, casual, and comfortable. I can dress it down in jeans, or dress it up with accessories!
My favorite makeup– In keeping with my style, my makeup is neutral, clean, but pretty! I put on foundation (Fenty, of course) and blush (NARS Orgasm) on my face, as well as a few applications of mascara. I always use Anastasia BH eyebrow pencil on my eyebrows. I’ve found that eyebrows are key to framing my face (and looking awake!). I use a sparkly eyeshadow on the whole of my eyelid, in a shade that is a few hues golder than my natural skin tone. To add a bit more dimension, I put a near rose-gold color in my crease. This creates a natural looking smoky-eye. I top it all off with a NARS lip pencil (I’ve been basically going back and forth between Dolce Vita and Do Me, Baby), with a layer of chapstick beneath the color.
Workout routine– I have been flipping back and forth, keeping a balance of cardio and strength training. When I can afford to take more time, I’ll do a strength training routine and a 45-minute treadmill walk. If I have less than an hour (depending on working from home, a day off of work, or working in the office), I’ll flip between a strength training session or a treadmill run. I’ve been sticking to two rest days, but I think that I might adjust that to one rest day for the next three months, and bring it back to two rest days after the wedding. Every little adjustment counts!
Go-to snacks — I will now, and forever, sing the praises of Halo Top. It’s been my post-dinner treat almost every day for months! Knowing I can have a little sweetness at the end of dinner makes it easier to ignore the call of vending machine Reeses Cups. On an even healthier level, I have been enjoying parmesan cheese and Pink Lady apples! I find that all three are filling, low-calorie snacks that are good for my body and my soul. Seriously, next time you go to the supermarket, get some Pink Lady apples!
Early bedtime — I’ve been trying to get into the bedroom by 9 PM. By starting my routine then, I’m certainly in bed by 10 PM, and more often, asleep by 10 PM. Seven hours of sleep seems to hit me just right!
Face mask — I love a sheet mask as much as the next person, but lately, I’ve been going gold. Spa-scription has a gold wash off mask that makes me feel like a queen. It washes off after fifteen minutes, so I have time to finish the rest of my bed-time routine. All that’s left after rinsing the mask off is to apply my serum (vitamin-C filled for a glowing complexion), an under-eye gel, and chapstick. Boom! Bedtime for me.
Favorite meal — A huge money and time saver at dinner? Rotisserie chicken! Gone are my days of buying raw chicken, behold a full bird that can be the base of chicken tacos, chicken and couscous, and BBQ sandwiches. Aaron’s parents bought a rotisserie chicken to use for enchiladas and Aaron’s birthday dinner, as opposed to cooking it themselves. It added flavor and saved lots of time. Healthy and filling for sure!
Adding go-tos saves time and increases efficiency in my schedule. It feels good to add structure, bit-by-bit! This time next year I will be a well-oiled machine of discipline. It’s all part of the “fake it till you make it” lifestyle. The more billionaire habits I have, the sooner I’ll be a billionaire. Right? That’s how it works, right?
I’m writing this on the Samsung notes app as I speed out from Providence home to Orlando. I’ve spent a long weekend with my best friends and it’s been a cold one. On Saturday I saw Panic! at the Disco, my favorite band, for the first time since hearing them 12 years ago. It was an incredible show and to be quite honest, my brain is still processing it. So much time, energy, devotion and dare I say love manifested into one less-than-two-hour time period. Can you blame me for still being in shock?
A Casual Affair…
At one point the lead singer walked about five feet in front of me to sit at a piano that eventually floated up into the sky. Talk about surreal. I’ll meet him one day, hopefully, and thank him for the music. Its really meant a lot.
A Dreamer Just Like You…
I’ve also decided that “Dying in LA” is about YouTube personality Trisha Paytas. Anyone who’d care to dissent can fight me.
On top of that night, my friend Allison and I learned of the “Most Stuf” Oreo, a sandwich cookie that goes beyond the MEGASTUFF. The city was hit by a massive sleet and snowstorm, but our munchie-loving minds could not be bothered. Lined with multiple layers and one poorly-chosen pair of boots (I did not anticipate such ice-slicked road traipsing, okay?), we visited three stores before finding the blessed cookie (and a roving robot named Marty who acted as a security camera for the store. 2019 has been a weird year so far).
The concert venue was attached to a mall, hotel, and convention center. You could have a whole weekend without stepping outside at all! On our way to the concert, we noticed the Forever 21 was closing for renovations. Thus, they were selling all merchandise at 75 percent off to clear the house before closing for six months. You better believe my gears started turning.
This mall had everything: Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, MTV’s Dan Cortese…
My flight home on Sunday (yesterday) was cancelled because of the storm, but I thankfully got on the flight home at the same time today. I would’ve spent today cleaning or watching movies on my own, since Aaron had a full work day unlike me. Spending it instead, despite the circumstance, with my friends feverishly trying on clothes to get a start on that wardrobe update, was a much better use of my time. Granted, due to the time constraints of getting me to the airport (and yes, squeezing in an indulgent lunch at Not Your Average Joe’s, the beacon of comfort food) my decisions were rushed. I think that worked in my favor. It didn’t leave any room for second guessing, good or bad. I had to either love it or hate it. No half-measures, no “maybe” piles.
So what did I accomplish? A small dent in my list. I will admit, despite the patterns I indicated in my previous post, I left a gaping hole that wasn’t noted in my Pinterest board: crop tops with high waisted bottoms. I even noticed it in my last post, but figured I’d revisit it later. How’s “four days from now” for later?
I did emerge mostly on task: I am now the owner of not one, but two pairs of high waisted jeans, one black and one blue. I bought a long grey cardigan, a long with a fitted black button down, a grey tee shirt, and a white blouse. Along with that I bought several crop tops, one of which was hot pink! I think two of them were white, but they were very cute. I really did try to focus on color though. I never thought I’d be one to wear yellow, but I bought a yellow crop top AND a yellow bodysuit (effectively a fitted shirt). I tried on a pink one too, but the fabric was pulling and there wasn’t another one in store. Still, I emerged from the mall with a GREAT start to my 2019 style journey, all for roughly 60 dollars!
Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) in “Clueless”. The true 90s style icon.
I also emerged with a shred of hope. I could only spend so much time in Charlotte Russe; had I had more time I could have gotten a lot more. Another three hours and I could have hit up H&M too! That said, sneaking two shopping bags into an already-full airplane underneath a snow jacket, along with a rolling suitcase and a handbag, is a feat that surely must put me in the record books somewhere. I probably couldn’t have sneaked on a third bag of clothes.
I have all those stores and more spread between three massive shopping plazas within a 15 mile radius of my house. If Aaron is down for a full day of dress-up, I’m sure I could finish that list in no time.
My plane is set to land in about a half an hour, give or take. Parks and Recreation is in full marathon mode on Comedy Central. I could enjoy that till we touch down, for sure! But I did want to add a final checkpoint: before opening this app, I had just finished “The Martian”. Two books this month! Wahoo! Admittedly I had started both books last year, I think, but it still counts! It was a great book that kept me on the edge of my seat. There was a lot of math and science that proved i would not have been a great astronaut. I’d still like to go into space one day. Hey Elon Musk, hit me up sometime!
I think my next book will be “An Infinite View,” and maybe I’ll read that simultaneously with “No Excuses!” They just dinged the light indicating the descent to Orlando. I could start my book, but this episode of Parks and Recreation is one of my favorites. Leslie Knope just met Ben Wyatt. I have a bit of a thing for him.
–“Born Again Crustacean.” Spongebob Squarepants. Nickelodeon. 24 Jan. 2003. Television.
This morning I put on pretty lovely makeup, my hair looked nice, and a cute top with some grey jeans. However, my jeans are loose along the leg, so against my boots, they look baggy and unkempt.
With that in mind, I think it’s time I get started on that New Years Resolution to get some StYLe. I have over 1K pins saved on my Pinterest board for “Fashion”. However, I feel like a lot of the styles I pick look great on skinnier girls, and those looks may not flatter my figure. I can at least try, right? Try and size up on styles.
When I look at this Pinterest board, I definitely see a pattern:
Ankle (or just-above ankle) length skinny jeans (varying from mid length to high-rise) with either a loose-flowing tucked in shirt, or a tightly tucked in shirt, and some kind of long sweater or jacket. The ensemble is tucked in with boots or, if the pants fall above the ankle, they are paired with sneakers (typically white) or occasionally booties. There are some work-friendly ensembles that match this description that are paired with heels or wedges:
What I’m calling the “Modriana Grande.” There’s lots of blouses tucked into high waisted skirts, paired with either leggings and boots or thigh high boots. The latter is a favorite style with Ariana Grande, though I’ve seen her pair the thigh-high boots with just a dress. I’m scared to try this look in particular, because as on-trend as it is, I’m certain my legs in a thigh-high would shock and horrify. But, worst case scenario, I try it once and hate it, I never wear it again. Best case scenario is I rock it, feel like a new woman, and reach a new level of #CrushingIt:
The “Cindy Crawford Minimalist.” The former supermodel recently did a “73 Questions” video with Vogue, in which she lounged casually in her beachside mansion wearing a simple flowing white button down and blue jeans. This bears similarities to the first frequency noted, but that’s more of an autumn look. Depending on the fabric this is great for spring and summer (and looking a bit more polished on casual Fridays at work).
Athleisure Wear. This tends to be my go-to on most casual days, but that’s really just me wearing gym clothes. I can do better than that. However, because I wear this regularly, the only real distinction is that I need to update it to be a bit more stylish. My workout pants are worn from years of wear. I just bought two new pairs of joggers, but unfortunately, the sizing isn’t great. It looks loose in the front half, making for a very sloppy look suitable only for hanging out in my house in something other than my pajamas. My “athleisure” shirts can always be a bit more flattering, too. I could do with a new pair of sneakers (or two):
The “Stylish Girl”. In an almost inverted version of the first feature, the tops are snug and the bottoms are loose. I don’t know the name of this type of pant (maybe it’s culottes? I THINK it’s culottes), but when paired with a form fitting shirt and either sneakers or sandals, this is a LOOK. I have only seen Instagram “influencers” wear this, and I’m nervous to try it. I’m scared I’m going to look silly! That said, I think that means I have no choice but to go for it:
Those were the big patterns I noticed, though there were a few “wild cards” that I would love to wear at least once, but I want to build a wardrobe of clothes to wear, not a few pieces that will make up one day’s worth of clothes.
On top of that, I’m a little bored of my consistent “shades of black” look, so I want to add more colors. I do like the rose gold and amber “culottes,” as well as the sparkly rose gold sneakers seen in the “athleisure” wear. The A-line skirts will be new for me, since I tend to gravitate towards tulip skirts. I need to get both loose fitting and well fitted neutral shirts, maybe white, black, grey, light blue and blush/light pink.
“Clothing” to Buy:
Grey Skinny Jeans
Blue Rinse High Rise Jeans
White loose-flowing button down or casual blouse
2 Longer cardigans (I have four cute jackets now, I don’t need to buy another).
White Sneakers (Sooner Rather than Later)
Black Sneakers (A luxury at this point)
Pair of well-fitted joggers
2 A-Line Skirts
1 Pair of Culottes
1 Loose White Tee Shirt
1 Loose Black Tee Shirt
1 Loose Grey Tee Shirt
1 Loose Light Blue Shirt
1 Loose Pale Pink Shirt
1 Fitted White Tee Shirt
1 Fitted Black Tee Shirt
1 Fitted Grey Tee Shirt
1 Fitted Light Blue Shirt
1 Fitted Pale Pink Shirt
1 Black Blouse
1 Pink Blouse
1 Light Blue Blouse
That’s 24 clothing items to start. I think that is a great start! Now the question is, where do I go to get the clothes? My sister says H&M makes stylish, cute clothes, and I know Forever 21 does too. I’m also on a budget, so I need a place that’s wallet friendly. There are Youtube videos on how to be “bougie on a budget,” so I will continue my journey there. Baby steps to fashion success!
