Fashion

Resolutions + Reflections

A little less than a week from now, we will kiss 2013 goodbye and usher in 2014 amidst clinking glasses, confetti and fireworks. It is around this time that we often hear phrases like “clean slate” and “blank canvas” used. While in the past I have welcomed the fresh start that a new year offers, I’ve opted to change my frame of mind for 2014.

This past year has been a dazzling, exciting, at points terrifying, crazy awesome, beautiful adventure. The lessons learned were some of my hardest yet; the highs were higher, the lows a bit lower, and the in between moments were meaningful and memorable. Adhering to one of my resolutions (more on that in a hot second), I tried to think about what my year would look like in a doodle. Here’s what I came up with:

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Colorful, a little chaotic and filled with big themes and big dreams.

The idea of trying to wipe away any parts of 2013 to prep for my “clean slate” doesn’t make much sense to me. I’ve always believed in resolutions, but we shouldn’t just crumple up our old year and toss it away every time our calendars mark January 1st. This cycle is exhausting and doesn’t allow us to reflect on what we are doing right. We’ve all got changes that need to be made, things we want to do differently, goals, and aspirations. But all of these hopes and dreams don’t just follow the cut-and-dry 365 days per year pattern. We are constantly learning, growing and evolving; the things we discover and experience each passing year always carry over, whether we like it or not.

So, in the spirit of this new frame of mind, I’ve come up with a few of my own resolutions, based on what 2013 has taught me. Some are fun, some a bit more serious, but undoubtedly all will inspire positive change.

1. Add a pair of colorful frames to my accessories collection.

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While this might seem like a pretty silly and minor resolution for most, it stems from and embodies a bigger goal. This year I chopped off my hair, wore some pretty outlandish outfits and made sure I had fun getting dressed every morning. I want to maintain this joy in my wardrobe in 2014 by pushing the sartorial envelope even further. These frames from Warby Parker are at the top of my list of must haves, along with more hats and crazy hippie jewelry. Since this year will be my least predictable yet (anything after May is a big, bold question mark), why not roll with the theme and start dressing like a vagabond consistently lost in a field of wildflowers?

2. Master a handstand (and other crazy balance poses) in yoga.

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As mentioned before, yoga has become one of my favorite things. Once I’m back in the district, buying a month long unlimited membership to my neighborhood yoga studio will be the first thing at the top of my to do list. Namaste ya’ll.

3. Learn to budget.

As I stand at the brink of adulthood, I’ve realized I should probably start to actually manage my money, rather than just cast my fates (and bank balance) to the winds every time I pull out my debit card. Better to start now to save myself from one less rude awakening on my road to fiscal independence.

4. Kickstart spring cleaning.

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It was recently brought to my attention that some of my nearest and dearest feel that I am a bit of a pack rat. Now, in my opinion the word pack rat is just north of hoarder and harbors a pretty negative connotation. I like to think of myself more as a collector of things that I really like: sweaters, shoes, costumes, candles, art, yarn, coins… you get the gist. However, considering I am going to be packing up and moving somewhere fairly soon (and hopefully won’t need a super sized UHaul to do it), it might be time that I start to curate my various collections with a more discerning eye. Just like budgeting, this will no doubt save me from a lot of additional work and dust bunnies in the months ahead.

5. Add a bit of design (and other cool things) to SLB.

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As mentioned above and shown in my 2013 doodle, I want to actively work to include more design related things on SLB. This might be just a documentation of my current projects (some of which you can see here) or simply sharing something from the interwebz that catches my fancy. Considering it has become such a huge part of my life, it doesn’t make sense not to include it. I also want to start rolling out little mini upgrades for you all (perhaps a SLB Spotify playlist anyone?) so get excited.

6. See more shows.

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If you guys hadn’t noticed from the frequent music heavy posts, I really love discovering new artists. I love going to concerts. Even if I’m not familiar with the band playing, there is something so magical about joining a bunch of people for this collective experience. If I do know the artist, that feeling is that much more powerful and resonant. I’ve been fortunate enough to see some pretty cool shows in 2013, and I want to keep that trend going and growing. The pie in the sky concert dream? Coachella 2014 would be a pretty sick grad gift. Just saying in case you’re reading this mom and dad.

It’s the day after Christmas and I am vacationing with my parents in southern California. For the first time in a long time I am relaxed, well fed and have fully caught up on sleep. It’s moments like these when the world stops spinning quite so fast and I get a chance to just exhale. It is a blessing in disguise to not know where exactly I am going to be a year from now; it allows my imagination to wander even further, trying on all sorts of possibilities to fill in the “what” and “where” blanks. January 1st will mark the start of my next great adventure (otherwise known as facing the imminent “real world”), and I can’t wait to share that crazy ride with you all.

Hope everyone has had a fantastic holiday season filled with laughter, love and well wishes.

Many more adventures to come in 2014, but none forgotten.

Head to Toe: Daisy Crazy

What to Wear: Daisy Crazy

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you my favorite of-the-moment pattern for that seamless transition into the autumnal season; I have reverted back to my 7 year old self, cannon balling off the deep end of the sartorial pool. I am officially crazy for daisies.

Why, you might ask, am I so infatuated with a simple, graphic floral usually reserved for OshKosh catalogues and playgrounds?

First off, we have punk making a major comeback thanks to the influential Met Gala this past spring, showcasing the exhibition that honored the movement. While daisies don’t exactly scream “REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE” spray painted across a wall, try this: picture pairing a daisy patterned dress with a pair of beat up black Doc Martens, a plaid bomber jacket and an assortment of scattered safety pins. The pattern is versatile enough to go from girly to edgy depending on your mood of the day. One minute you could be Mandy Moore, the next Avril Lavigne, both circa early 2000s.

Second, it’s just damn fun! As most of you already know, I am never one to shy away from the playful, quirky and just plain odd pieces that make up a large part of my wardrobe. The worst fashion crime a person can commit is taking themselves (and their outfits) too seriously. Live a little! The occasional daisy print will not kill you; in fact, I’d be willing to bet it might just put a smile on your face. And this season, I can’t imagine anything better than smiling in a daisy print.

More fall fashion, fresh florals and adventures to come.

Bits + Pieces

Right now, there are so many little things that are adding brightness to my life. The last two weekends have been spent doing relatively low-key activities: baking, brunch, a trip to the Met and a walk through Central Park (not to mention a casual photo shoot for my Share Some Style profile). While these things individually are simple, strung together they have given me so much to smile about. Add a couple of songs, a new habit and a few harebrained ideas for the rest of my time in the city and life is starting to feel pretty damn close to… perfect p e a c h y.

1. “Treasure” by Bruno Mars

I dare you to listen to this and not feel like breaking out in a nice strut down the sidewalk. It is my “rise and shine” song of the moment.

2. Baking in Brooklyn

Last weekend, I escaped the hustle and bustle of Manhattan for the tree-lined streets of Flatbush, Brooklyn. Awaiting me there was one of my closest friends, Phoebe, a kitchen equipped with every baking ingredient imaginable (vanilla paste! peppermint extract! so many possibilities!) and a bookshelf made up only of cookbooks. Needless to say, we indulged our inner gourmands and whipped up some decadent treats: Caramel Banana Pudding and Dark Chocolate Mint Sandwich Cookies. DSC_0144 DSC_0161 DSC_0112 2 DSC_0141 DSC_0118 DSC_0122

3. Yoga, yoga, yoga

My new favorite way to work out. Ever since I started taking yoga classes in the mornings, I feel more strong, focused and alert throughout the day. It has been such a restorative routine, and I actually look forward to my early morning wake up call now because it means I get to go to a class and give myself a little TLC for the mind, body and soul.

4. My Share Some Style ensemble

I was invited to take part in a photo shoot by the founders of a really cool up-and-coming website, Share Some Style. Share Some Style sets up clients with stylists and after registering myself as a stylist a couple months ago, I got in touch with Diane, one of the co-founders of the site. At the beginning of the summer, Diane invited me to take part in a photo shoot for the NYC stylists to help them build their online portfolios on the site. I got to wear one of my very favorite outfits for the shoot, including a coveted DeadBuryDead tshirt picked up at that Brooklyn craft fair: large-1 Feel free to check out my stylist profile and the rest of the pictures that were snapped (and of course, if you know of anyone looking for styling help, don’t hesitate to send them my way!)

5. A new album

Sara Bareilles, the singer/songwriter famous for her bubbly “Love Song” diddy, just released her new album and it is phenomenal. While I could go on about my personal takeaway from the album, I’ll let you form an opinion for yourself. Here are two of my favorite tracks, but I promise it will be worth your while to listen to the whole thing.

6. Museums + Parks

This past Sunday had all the makings for a purely wonderful day. I met up with Bailey, good old friend from high school, grabbed brunch, then meandered up to the Upper East Side for a bit of cultural enlightenment. We spent the afternoon at the Met, and I have already promised myself I will go again before my time in the city is up. Although we explored the museum for nearly 3 hours, there were still so many exhibits that I still need to see. After, we headed to Central Park to enjoy the fabulous weather (finally!), lounge and people watch. While an afternoon of museum and park visiting doesn’t sound particularly extraordinary, the excursion truly made me feel like a New Yorker. All that was needed was tickets to an Off-Broadway play that evening and I would have had no choice but to stake my claim here immediately. DSC_0091 DSC_0093 DSC_0099 DSC_0110 DSC_0112 DSC_0119 DSC_0127 DSC_0130 DSC_0146 DSC_0150

7. Changes

Finally, I am contemplating some sort of change before I leave the city. I’m not really sure what this will be yet (I’m not really one for tattoos or piercings) but Pinterest has allowed my imagination to run a bit wild with ideas…   Will keep you all posted on hair changes, as well as life changes over the next few weeks! I will end this post with yet another musical contribution for your listening pleasure: Stay cool, folks. Even more summertime city adventures to come. ♥