4 minute read My scent changes with my mood and my seasons -- and I love how each bottle I add to my rotation stands proudly each morning, inviting me to become that woman -- be it powerful, seductive, intriguing, mysterious, evocative, curious, youthful, pensive -- and sometimes, all of the above.
A few weeks back, as you might have spied on Insta Stories and here and there in my Instagram posts, I was introduced to the suiting brand, Suistudio. Some of you may already be familiar with it as the younger sister, so to speak, of Suit Supply -- and I've been living in quite a few of their pieces since, namely this coat and this blazer, which you saw in yesterday's post. Of course, I'm never one to turn down a good matching set, especially tailored pieces like these (all alterations are done in house at their SoHo store) and the minute I spotted this muted, plaid combo, I knew I had to have it.
Between the wide leg pants and the warm, earth tones, something about this set strikes just the right retro notes for me -- like a 70s reporter at the New York Times or perhaps a possible outfit from Annie Hall's closet -- and I'm more than OK with that. I've rounded up a few of my favorite suit options down below -- so keep scrolling for a few different alternatives!
OUTFIT DETAILS: Suistudio suit jacket and pants // Suistudio turtleneck // Sergio Rossi heels // The Daily Edited bag // Polaroid camera
Stocking stuffers should be considered an art. Or maybe a sport? Either way, the smaller gifts that hang across the mantlepiece are often my favorite things to open on Christmas morning. They usually have an extra personal touch, offer something fun and meaningful, and can be immediately be put to good use. I remember waking up on Christmas Day, charging downstairs, and immediately grabbing all stockings and surrounding myself with their contents.
When I was little, stocking stuffers would include practical gifts like face wash and body lotion, delicious treats like chocolate and teriyaki turkey jerky (my favorite snack, haha!), and any other little knick knacks that were honestly probably just too small to wrap such as any custom photo keychains my parents got for us. Whether it was socks or a hot cocoa mix I'd been craving, I always loved whatever was in the stockings.
Now that I'm a bit older, though, I see stocking stuffers as an opportunity for the most heartfelt of gifts. Maybe a little bit more expensive than a Hershey's bar, but still reasonable enough to be able to include enough gifts to fill the stocking. I'm thinking something like this gorgeous Nixon watch that Krystal wears here - functional, sensible, but beautiful and unique. I gave my boyfriend a watch for Christmas a few years ago, and it's still one of his most treasured pieces. Currently, I'm debating gifting myself a Nixon watch (I love this tortoiseshell one), and maybe even one or two for my closest girlfriends.
I love finding little gifts that are both necessary and cute, like this Moscow mule mug (my drink of choice!) or these gorgeous zodiac journals. Check out more of my favorite stocking stuffer picks below.
xx
Nora
Earlier this year, you may recall I partnered with The Shops at Columbus Circle team to share some of my favorite fall trends and where to find them in The Shops. Today, I'm so excited to bring you my next installment, a behind the scenes look at the making of their holiday gift guides.
When it comes to holiday shopping, I'm a one and done kind of gal, which usually works against me most years, since I'm also a wait until the last minute kind of gal. While I may have an unhealthy relationship with my Prime membership (guilty as charged), there's nothing quite like shopping around a bustling shopping center, right after Thanksgiving, once the decorations go up, Bing Crosby starts crooning overhead and every once and a while, you catch a glimpse of a man in a red suit breezing by. In fact, there's something quite nostalgic about that, right? I remember as a little girl, every year right after Thanksgiving passed, I'd head down to our local shopping center with my mom and dad to shop around, listen to carolers and oggle all the decorations in the windows and on the trees. Hot chocolate was practically mandatory as you snuck away with your shopping list, so no one knew what you were getting for them. It was all too easy to get caught up in the magic of the season.
And this is a huge reason why I love The Shops at Columbus Circle so much -- especially in a city like New York, which is already brimming with the magic of the season (side PSA note: you need to check out their Holiday Under the Stars installation -- it's breathtaking). As a New Yorker, it's easy to get overwhelmed with holiday shopping that can seemingly leave you trekking all over the city -- uptown to downtown, to Brooklyn and back. Since I'm a self-proclaimed one and done kind of gal though, I'm a huge fan of the breadth of stores at The Shops, which means I can pick up pretty much everything for everyone on my list, from the gourmand to the beauty lover, from mom to dad, from best girlfriends to the hard to shop for boyfriend. Here's a rundown of my holiday gift guide, all of which you can find over at The Shops! Plus, don't forget to check out my gift guide video right this way.
For the foodie: Williams Sonoma is just one of those stores you need to walk into, am I right? Practically every time, I do, I discover something new -- whether it's a gadget for a new in-store offering (like their cooking demonstrations!). This time around, all of rosegold accents caught my eye while I was in store and I think anything from their full copper cookware collection would be a beautiful gift for the person who loves to entertain!
For the music lover: While walking around The Shops the other day, I discovered a new wireless speaker brand -- Devialet. They have a fully equipped, sound booth right there on the 3rd floor, so you can experience each speaker to its full potential, which then got me thinking about certain discerning music fans on my list. The sound capabilities are breathtaking, and while yours truly might get evicted if she blasted one even just at 30%, I think it would also be incredible for surround sound at home movie or TV show binge watching.
For the beauty buff: MAC can be tricky for holiday shopping, mainly because I always end up walking around with more than I intended for myself as well (I'm a Ruby Woo lip gal myself)! Come holiday time, I love that they always merchandise and curate the best stocking stuffer gifts -- from beautifully designed brush sets to travel lipstick packs -- perfect for any beauty lover (or in my case beauty vloggers) in your life.
For him: Guys can be the easiest to shop for and the hardest -- which is why I tend to rely on timeless classics when it comes to the guys on my list. This year, I'm eyeing a herringbone coat from Hugo Boss for my boyfriend, but shhh...don't tell him!
For YOU: Anddddd naturally, no shopping trip is complete without picking up a holiday frock (or two)! Of course, when I was browsing around Hugo Boss, there were a few cocktail dresses that caught my eye. Best part? If you happen to have a party, say that evening, Hugo Boss offers in-store tailoring to make sure your purchase is JUST right.
For Mom: Whenever my mom comes to visit me here in NYC, she inevitably tries out a lot of my different perfumes (and I swear, there have been a few times, they've mysteriously gone missing after her visit!), which is why I love heading to Jo Malone to pick up a few of my favorite scents for her to keep. This particular year, I've also been eyeing their advent calendar, which I think would keep her busy on 24 different Jo Malone products -- fingers crossed she shares with me!
For Dad: My dad is currently in the process of building a custom home up in a beautiful forested area outside Spokane, Washington. I'm sure anyone who's done the same will agree with his opinion that it's an exciting but very long process! I personally think if you want a custom home, then buying a modular home like those from this custom home builder north carolina is the best way to go as it is far easier and a lot quicker. But he wanted to build his home from scratch, so that's what he's doing. He knows people in Texas who've done the same, and they sold their previous property to these San Antonio house buyers that do what they say to get the cash quickly and start building their own dream. They'll be breaking ground in the spring, but since he's doing a lot of property visits up until winter hits, I'm eyeing a few of Hugo Boss' cashmere scarves and lined leather gloves for him, to keep him warm and stylish!
Video by Bobby Hicks
This post was in collaboration with The Shops at Columbus Circle. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
Just popping in for a quick hello! Ever since the long holiday weekend started, I’ve been feeling a bit behind on things — but I can’t stress enough how much I needed that little break up to Spokane, Washington to see my dad and stepmom. It was the perfect blend of leftovers, movies and family time (and a decent amount of sleeping in, much to the chagrin of my dad, who is an even EARLIER morning person than me).
Now that I’m back in NYC, I’m hitting the ground running before I leave again, this time for Australia for most of December! I’m beyond excited to hop away for the holidays to a new to me part of Oz (Melbourne and Western Australia), but it means I’m also soaking up all the NYC holiday magic that I can while I’m here in town.
So your all my New Yorkers out there, start marking your calendars now! I’ve teamed up with the Johnston & Murphy team to celebrate the opening of their latest store up at 501 Madison — and I would love for you to toast with me! We’ll be hanging out, this Thursday, November 30th, from 6-8pm, sipping champagne, singing along to holiday songs and trying on lots of shoes. (I recently picked up this black suede pair you see here and I’m already itching for it in the congac version). Plus, everything in the store will be 20% off for the evening!
Make sure to RSVP to haley@socialyte.com. And I hope to see you there!
OUTFIT DETAILS: Ba&sh coat // Ba&sh dress // Johnston & Murphy boots // The Daily Edited bag // Urban Outfitters beret
This post was in collaboration with Johnston & Murphy. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
Raise your hand if you're getting a tad bit overwhelmed with all the sales going on...
(Raises hand.)
If your hand happens to be raised as well, you're in luck! I decided to skim through a lot of sales last night and rounded up my favorite Cyber Monday deals, worth checking out today. I can't promise you won't feel overwhelmed still, but hey, at least this can serve as a cheat sheet of sorts. Good luck out there!
1.) Anine Bing: Offering anywhere up to 50% off regular fall merchandise.
2.) Barneys: Up to 40% off designer collections.
3.) Matches: Select fall/winter items up to 50% off.
4.) Moda Operandi: Enjoy an extra 30% off sale items with the code 30EXTRA (means up to 65% off some items).
5.) Net-a-Porter: Select fall/winter items up to 50% off!
6.) Nordstrom: Offering an extra 20% off sale items.
7.) J.Crew: Sale items marked at 40% off with an additional 10% for today only.
8.) Shopbop: Take an additional 35% off sale items today only, with the code WOW35.
9.) Asos: Offering 30% off everything with the code EPIC30.
10.) Neiman Marcus: Up to 40% off their designer sale. New names added today!
Have you ever looked up the word "lady" in the dictionary? Well, if you're like me, and haven't done so EVER, I've gone ahead and saved you the trouble: Click right here.
Go ahead. I'll wait.
Surprised? Yeah, me too. There are 12 definitions of the word "lady." And they range from extremely antiquated (like a 'female feudal superior') to unsurprisingly worthy of an eye roll or two (like 'a woman who is the object of chivalrous devotion'). For the sake of this argument, the first definition suffices here as it is the most commonly understood meaning of the word. It reads:
"A lady is a woman who is refined, polite and well-spoken."
Seemingly simple enough, right? I suppose so. Until we start diving into the semantics of the words "refined," "polite" and "well-spoken" especially in the context of how society associates them with women. I'll spare you all the exercise of looking up each of these words, but I imagine you can see where my point is going. We have a hard enough time pinpointing the word "lady" as it is -- so the waters get murkier when we throw in other words that carry a fair amount of subjectivity to them. Grace Kelly was refined. And so is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Princess Diana was on all accounts polite. And yet, she politely gave the middle finger to the royal establishment by breaking it's stuffiness and making more contact with the public through her prolific charity work. Charlotte Bronte was certainly well-spoken. And so is Malala Yousafzai. The list goes on.
I think it's safe to say, in a society that, on many accounts is still struggling to even the playing field between the sexes (a subject for another post, for another day), we as women have been going through a drawn-out identity crisis, blurring and redefining the lines of what it means to be a woman, a lady and, heck, a human being in 2017. It hardly boils down to three adjectives. It boils down to far too many adjectives to list here in a single blog post.
And it's this very idea that Talbots has been tackling head on in their "Because I'm a Lady" campaign. When their team first approached me about working together on this, I was intrigued to see how they were positioning the word "lady," a word that amongst millennial and GenZ generations tends to get tossed around both positively and negatively. What I found was a refreshing take on grace, intelligence, humility, tact, poise, confidence and leadership -- all redefined, challenging traditional conventions, unapologetically and boldly. And it's a lady I think we can all identify with -- regardless of age and background. She prides herself in being assertive in the office. She dines alone, because she enjoys her own company. She laughs heartily with friends, unafraid of how she appears to others. She moves with grace, in a way that's unabashedly her own, dancing to the beat of her own god damn drummer (perhaps to the chagrin of her partner). Seriously, go watch their reel of campaign videos here, it will only take a few minutes.
I'll wait right here.
Naturally, when they asked me to choose an aspect of the campaign that spoke the most to me, I realized I actually couldn't choose -- and I don't think I need to. Just as we have 12 different definitions of the word lady (and likely more to be added in the coming years and generations), I think the beauty of being a lady is that it means a multitude of many different things to many different women. And WE, as women, get to define that. For no one else, but ourselves.
Now tell me, what does being a lady mean to you?
OUTFIT DETAILS: Sui Studio coat // Talbots turtleneck // Talbots skirt // Steve Madden boots // Olympia Le-Tan clutch
Photos by Lydia Hudgens // Editing by Nora Varcho
This post was in collaboration with Talbots. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
Raise your hand if, once upon a time, you used to subscribe to numerous monthly subscription boxes.
(My hand is raised.)
OK, now raise your hand if your experience since then goes a bit like this:
What started off as one innocent subscription-based membership, let's say for beauty, slowly morphed into a subscription box for pretty much every category and reason under the sun, from fitness to fashion and you soon realized: "I just don't have space for this." It boiled down to, too much stuff, way too often. And perhaps you got tired of your mailman looking at you like you were secretly a hoarder?
(My hand is certainly raised.)
OK, so if your hand isn't tired yet, keep them up if you then unsubscribed from said monthly subscription boxes?
(Yep, my hand is up there.)
As you can imagine, I have a love/hate relationship with subscription boxes -- not because I don't like the concept. It's more than I wish there was a better way to tailor them for my interests and needs. Like a lot of you, I imagine, I got tired of the onslaught of products every month, many of them sample size, which made it hard to determine if I REALLY liked them or not. And more often than not, I found myself holding onto a few really great products across all the different services/categories, and wishing I could have gotten that assortment in ONE box, not 7.
So you can imagine my curiosity when the folks over at FabFitFun approached me about reviewing their latest Editor's Box, the contents of which, you can see here in my photos. What initially hooked me, on premise alone, is the fact they send boxes seasonally (essentially every 3 months), not every month, which if you ask me, is a much more manageable frequency. Plus, they curate products from a broader range of categories, including beauty, fashion, fitness and travel (the 4 keys to my heart!) that you can ultimately edit yourself if you choose to do so (or keep it a surprise -- the choice is yours!). All products are FULL size (finally!) and each box is $49.99, with at least $200 worth of products inside.
And just to top things off here, they partner with a different charity for each seasonal send, with a portion of the proceeds going back toward the organization. This month's send is benefitting the American Heart Association.
OK, so the deal sounds good, right? What about the content?
I'll be sharing my favorites from their Editor's Box down below, so keep reading -- and if happen to want to scoop up a box for yourself, be sure to use the code TOMORROW at checkout for $10 off your first purchase! Just a quick note: the Editor's Box has since sold out, but you should check out their latest Winter Box available now (which actually has the BB Dakota poncho I wore in this Instagram post).
The lineup:
Salted, Himalayan Salt Kit: So I'm no at-home gourmand, but there is something so decadent about whipping out some Himalayan salt for even the most basic of snacks. This kit was probably the first thing I used from the box -- it comes with a grater and wood stand, and came just in time for a good binge session of Stranger Things and some popcorn (which I definitely topped off with extra salt).
Realher, Lip kit in deep red: Such a great red, so it had me sold there. But I just love the female empowerment packaging!
Mytagalongs, high speed skipping rope: This skipping rope couldn't have come at a better time! Admittedly, I've been in the market for a jump rope ever since writing this post a while back about easy workout tips while traveling. And for some reason or another, I just never pulled the trigger on one. But now, with the holidays almost here and the fact I'll be in Australia for most of December, I'm excited to bring this rope along, so I can mix up my exercise routine on the road!
Spongelle, body wash infused buffer in French lavender: In one word: heavenly. It just smells heavenly. Lately, I've been really into scheduling a Sunday night bath for myself. While I don't have the world's most luxurious bathroom or bathtub (this is an old building in the West Village, after all), it really comes down to the little touches that make all the difference. Great candles. Music. A book. And this body sponge have all been making me one relaxed woman come Sunday night.
Sterling Forever, wishbone necklace: So this was probably the second used product in the box -- I immediately threw it on and loved how it looked mixed with all my other white gold and rose gold jewelry. Plus, you guys may recall I recently misplaced my go-to wishbone necklace, so this was a welcomed surprise!
Anderson Lilley, Dry Body Oil in Manhattan Beach: At first glance, I wasn't entirely sure what this product was intended for: hair? face? body? nails? That is, until I realized, it basically worked wonders, for all of them! The texture threw me off at first -- it glides on with a bit of a matte finish, which seems counterintuitive for a moisturizer, but it lingers in a really satisfying way. Lately, I've been using it on my face, after my moisturizer and SPF, and before my foundation, to give a bit of a base glow.
This post was in collaboration with FabFitFun. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
If there's anything I've learned about living in New York, it's that for practically any situation you find yourself in, there's a Sex and the City episode to reference.And, if there's another thing I've learned about living in New York, it's that each reference-worthy episode of SATC takes on a whole new meaning, once you cross over into your 30s. What seemed distant and perhaps un-relateable when I first enjoyed the series in my 20s, has taken on a slightly different meaning as I knock on the door of 32-an age where I could arguably be cast in a reprise of the series itself (A girl can dream, right?). Oddly enough, what used to be just comforting background noise while I work, now frequently has me saying out loud, "Wait, this is my life right now."
The most recent déjà vu episode? Where Carrie confronts her friend about her stolen Manolos by creating a wedding registry in her name, in celebration of her pending nuptials with...herself. You know the one. She decries the fact that women all too often celebrate the milestones of marriage and pregnancy (both wonderful occasions, don't get me wrong), with parties and gifts and diamond rings, but what about the other milestones? What about professional milestones? What about the 'congrats, you didn't choose the wrong guy, milestones? What about self-love milestones? What about the 'you're a badass and you know it' milestones? What about the 'you're fabulously single' milestones?
All fair game if you ask me. And all milestones, I think we can agree, that represent the full spectrum of things worthy of celebrating, today more than ever. So when my good friend and amazing jewelry designer, Jillian Abboud, asked me if I would ever be in the market for a diamond ring for myself, I thought of this exact episode. No, I don't have any pending wedding announcement to share here. Or a fiancé to introduce. I'm dating a very special person, yes, but why is it that a diamond ring, a timeless piece of jewelry, has to be so tied to my relationship status with someone else? Why couldn't it be a celebration of my relationship with me; a gift for ME, from ME?
The truth is, as I'm sure you can already imagine, women-both single and married-are buying themselves more jewelry than ever, more often than not, outside the context of wedding vows. And that's a behavior yours truly (and perhaps you, too?) can relate to. After all, if diamonds are a girl's best friend, why should we wait around for someone else to gift them to us when we can already afford them? I've seen plenty of Lab Diamond Necklaces that I like, so why shouldn't I splash out on myself if I want to?
In all fairness, this isn't to make light of purchasing a diamond and the economic ability to do so-it's a purchase that takes consideration and gravitas. But it's an innately personal one that, at the right time and the right celebratory moment, can feel so rewarding and well-deserved: a timeless piece of jewelry to hold on to, as a testament of your hard work. I've heard that some women like to treat themselves to gold quartz jewelry that you find at https://orocal.com/ or somewhere similar when they want to treat themselves to a gift. Who wouldn't want to have timeless pieces like this?
Just the other week, as you might have spied on Instagram, I attended the "Brilliance Revealed: The Artistry Behind Diamond Design" event to learn more about the "Real is Rare. Real is a Diamond" campaign at an intimate diamond design demonstration held at William Goldberg Diamonds. As someone who loves seeing how things are made, it was a real honor to be invited to William Goldberg, a company with such rich history, to better understand how a rough diamond is transformed into a finished piece of jewelry, a process that can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to finish. There we met William Lopez, Master Diamond cutter for William Goldberg with more than 46 years of experience. He studies, examines and eventually architects some of the company's most notable diamonds, including the 48.2 ct ASHOKA cut ring you see me wearing here in several of the photos.
In short: it was humbling. The meticulous attention to detail and the craft were similar to that of an artist's studio, where the painter allows the canvas and oils to lead the way. Here too, the master diamond cutters examine all angles and imperfections to allow for the most brilliant faceted design to shine through.
Admittedly, I've never been in a diamond design studio before, so it was like a peek behind a very heavy curtain for me, and one that I think only added to the weight of the idea of purchasing a diamond for myself, from myself, in celebration of, well, myself. Diamonds are precious, rare and billions of years old before they're even brought to the light of day to be witnessed and worn by you and I. There's a proud finality to them-they're intrinsically unique and one-of-a-kind, hand crafted by both nature and talented experts likely William Lopez. And I think for those reasons alone, it's easy to see how diamonds have the ability to single-handedly play huge roles in not just one, but many pivotal moments in our lives as women (whether we're the ones buying them or not), from marriage to children, from promotions to declarations of self-love, to name only a few.
As you might have guessed by now, this empowering notion is largely why the "Real is Rare. Real is a Diamond" campaign struck such a chord with me. If and when I make this purchase (granted, I won't be scooping up the ASHOKA diamond ring you see here anytime soon -- but hey, perhaps someday I will!), it will be a gift from me to me, in celebration of things I've accomplished and how hard I've worked for them. Unlike Carrie, I won't be creating a wedding registry for my own nuptials with myself (unless my Manolos suddenly go missing!). Instead I'm excited to be working with Jillian over the coming weeks to design a custom-made diamond swivel ring and I'm even more excited to share her work with you all along the way!
In the meantime, I'd love to know, what are some recent milestones you've celebrated? And how did you celebrate them for yourself?
OUTFIT DETAILS: Sui Studio suit // Sergio Rossi heels // William Goldberg earrings and diamond ring (borrowed for shoot)
This post was in collaboration with Real is Rare. Real is a Diamond. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
OUTFIT DETAILS: LC Lauren Conrad dress // LC Lauren Conrad jacket // LC Lauren Conrad shoes // Goorin Brothers beret (similar) // Cafune bag
Happy Friday! Just a quick post to let you know that Nordstrom is having the best fall sale right now — save up to 40% off until November 12 on your favorite autumn staples and fun holiday wear. Check out our picks below, grab a good cup of coffee, and start shopping!
Shoes
Dresses
Jackets
Tops
Photos by Carter Fish Photography
Just under a week ago, the team over at HP invited me to join them at the first ever Vogue Forces of Fashion Conference right here in the city at Milk Studios. Admittedly, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel being in the same room as so many different designers, thought-leaders and industry titans, other than utterly and completely overwhelmed -- a true fashion dream come true, if you will. And what I found particularly inspiring, was just how much each keynote speaker essentially geeked out over the other keynote speakers, a testimony to how much admiration and respect the industry as a whole carries for each other -- a camaraderie not unlike other arts and businesses.
First things, first. HP and Vogue have a longstanding (and perhaps not surprising relationship) in that all Vogue issues are printed in Atlanta on HP printers! Amazing, right? So when the their team introduced me to their latest launch, a handheld portable printer that connects to your phone via Bluetooth, I was pretty smitten and ready to put it to the test. Throughout the day, I snapped photos on my phone (like the most adorable snap I got of Hamish Bowles in his lilac suit) and printed it out, seconds later. Plus, their latest installment, the HP Sprocket 2-in-1 printer (as the name implies) doubles as a camera itself, so you can snap and print in one session. Since getting it last week, I've been printing out a bunch of my favorite Instagram and iPhone photos for the moodboard that sits above my desk. It's been a while since it's been updated, and I love how each image feels that much more special as a printed, tangible thing (a rarity now, considering all images we snap are pretty much entirely digital!). I know people who feel the same way I do, they often find that their pictures mean so much more to them in a printed form. Usually getting portable printers similar to these airprint compatible printers so they can print them off and have their pictures on their desk.
As for the speaker lineup of the day? Killer to say the least. Stella McCartney. Victoria Beckham. John Galliano. Kevin Systrom (one of my favorites of the day). Marc Jacobs. Virgil Abloh. Rihanna. And the topics? Everything from sustainable fashion to an Instagram mishap where Marc Jacobs ended up publishing his bare butt for all his followers to see (Does he regret it? Nope!). I wanted to take you guys along for the day, so I hope you enjoy my very first vlog video, with my top 9 favorite moments from the conference. And be sure to look out for the HP Sprocket 2-in-1 printer in action! It made for fun moments throughout the day while I was snapping some of my fellow conference attendees.
And as always, huge thanks to HP for inviting me along for the day! I'm still pinching myself!
OUTFIT DETAILS: Zara turtleneck (similar style here) // Zara skirt // Dior heels // Cafune bag // Urban Outfitters baker boy hat
This post was in collaboration with HP. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
Video by me // Photos by Ty Johnson
Each season I pick and choose the trends I want to either invest in or possibly snag at a fast fashion retailer instead. Once I started seeing little white ankle boots pop up earlier this year and all over the Fashion Week crowd, I decided the trend didn't necessarily have staying power for my closet, but I wanted to experiment with it still (that's the fun of fashion, right?). Originally, I had been eyeing this pair from Stuart Weitzman, after I snagged the black counterpart, but ultimately, landed on this (MUCH) cheaper pair from Topshop (only $120 comparatively). It's been fun mixing it with some of my uneven hem denim pairs and especially with midi skirts, like this Zara number. Collectively, both trends cost me under $200 -- and very little guilt in the process.
I've rounded up my favorite white ankle boots below -- all under $200!
OUTFIT DETAILS: Sezane sweater // Zara skirt (similar style here) // Topshop boots // Cafune bag // Celine sunglasses // Cornelia Webb earrings
Growing up in Reno, Nevada, I spent a lot of time outside. This comes as a surprise to most people, a fair one at that I suppose, as Nevada in general gets lumped into the same tropes as a Johnny Cash song -- gambling in casinos or on apps like 918kiss 918kiss.care, a lonely Route 66 and a place for fast and easy divorces. But what I love about Reno, (admittedly, something I took for granted while I was living there), was how much it debunked all these stereotypes for me. Situated at the crook of the Nevada/California borderline, Reno sits in a valley at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, clocking in a 2o minute drive up to Lake Tahoe from my childhood home. I spent my winters skiing and snowboarding and my summers hiking and swimming in the many lakes in and around the Tahoe Rim Trail. I grew up a tomboy at heart, camping and playing many sports, with bruises on my knees and more than my fair share of sunshine.
Now that I'm many years removed from my childhood stomping grounds, with first San Francisco and now New York as two major cities that have shaped me, it's a bittersweet feeling when I get to escape somewhere far outside the city. Open air, open road and lots of space to just, BE. A few weeks ago, the team over at Wildfitness, a fitness retreat group dedicated to helping people rethink how they approach exercise by reconnecting them with nature, invited Nora and me on a long weekend getaway up in Hudson Valley, and it was just the recharge I needed. While in the city you don't really get a chance to enjoy the peacefulness of the outdoors while building up your fitness so going on a fitness retreat was a welcome change to our lives.
We spent most of the weekend hiking the Mohonk Preserve, eating all paleo-inspired meals and playing more than our fair share of ultimate frisbee. And the team was stellar -- all wonderful coaches and fitness experts -- firm believers in rediscovering your body's full potential (a big thing for me these days as I'm knee deep in marathon training). Of course, after only a few short days, we were sore and tired, but at the same time, re-energized and excited to find ways to incorporate simple Wildfitness principles into a city-based lifestyle back home. I asked our head coach (and seasoned mountaineer), Josh Valentine to share his top 10 ways to start living a more movement-focused lifestyle. They're straightforward, which I think is a necessity for New Yorkers, as most are as easy as leaving for work a bit earlier to walk to work once a week. I'm already starting to do this to most of my meetings (yes, even some uptown ones!).
Keep reading for his tips below and I hope you enjoy the rest of our weekend activities photos, which included apple picking at Fishkill Farms and cruising around in the most incredible Bentley Bentayga for the weekend.
Huge thanks to the Wildfitness team for having us! I'm already looking into how I can possibly join for this Costa Rica retreat. Perhaps you are too? Head over and book a retreat today at 5% off if you mention This Time Tomorrow. valid now through Thanksgiving.
OUTFIT DETAILS: Joie dress // Isabel Marant boots (old, but love this similar pair in burgundy) // Janessa Leone hat // Banana Republic dress // Chanel bag // French market bag
This post was not sponsored, however, Nora and I were invited to the Wildfitness weekend at a comped rate. The Bentley was borrowed for the weekend -- although, trust me, I would have LOVED to keep it. As always, all opinions and styling are my own.
If you rewind a few years ago here on the blog, I went through a phase where I wore my midi length faux leather skirt from H&M basically whenever I got the chance. The skirt had just the right amount of volume to easily transition from the office to cocktails and I think I remember ponying up $50 for it. $50! My cost per wear was likely around less than a dollar and it was one of the few fast fashion pieces that actually survived the test of time (or in this case, at least 5 years!). So you can imagine my dismay when I realized earlier this year (likely toward the end of our winter) that the skirt had finally seen it's last final days. The material had started to unravel so to speak and flake at any hint of a crease or movement. The day had come. I had to retire it.
This story has a happy ending though -- as you can see I have a new favorite leather skirt du jour, this time from Sezane. It fits the bill for everything I had been looking for as of late: flirty length, a wrap detail and a comfortable fit, slinging somewhere between hip hugging and waist nipping. I'm pretty smitten. I've linked a few of my favorites down below!
OUTFIT DETAILS: Sezane top c/o // Sezane skirt c/o // Stuart Weitzman boots // Chloe bag // Celine sunglasses // Cornelia Webb earrings (love this similar pair by the same designer)
I met Mary Sell, a dancer for the New York City Ballet, earlier this summer online of all places. She had sent me a message via Instagram, pointing out that we lived only a few blocks from each other (she's since moved -- Mary, come back to the West Village!) and since then, I've become somewhat fascinated with her life. OK, not just somewhat. Downright in awe of it. There's something about the ballerina living in New York City that feels so cinematic -- evoking everything from The Red Shoes (OK, I know this is set in London, but same idea) to Center Stage (yep, guilty as charged -- I loved this movie) so I was excited when she was keen to be a part of my Woman Crush Wednesday series. Mainly, because I was excited to share her with you guys and also, I was equally excited to style her in some of Sachin + Babi's latest runway dresses.
Keep reading to find out more about Mary and why she's our leading lady of the moment!
Full disclosure, I took ballet lessons for about two weeks when I was 7, until I realized I wasn’t very graceful and was better off on a soccer field. And while that decision was the best for me, I’ve always admired (OK, and a bit jealous of!) dancers and dedicated ones at that. Tell us about your love affair with ballet: How it started, how it’s grown, and where you see it taking you.
I, too started off with both soccer and ballet when I was about 4 years old in Wilton Connecticut! I had so much energy and needed multiple outlets. Eventually I started showing up to my soccer games with my pink tights underneath my shorts and my parents got my not so subtle hint about my love for ballet. When I was 10 years old my parents brought me to audition for the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet. I was accepted and trained there for the next 9 years. My parents would drive me into the city everyday after school for ballet classes, I still don't know how they did it! I have always been drawn to the athleticism of ballet, the artistry and musicality came a little later in my teens. I’m a natural jumper and turner so I just wanted to fly around the room. The balance and graceful part did not come as easily. By the time I was 12 I knew I wanted to do this as my profession and I was determined to dance for New York City Ballet. I decided then and there that failure was not an option. I still sometimes can't believe I made my dream a reality! Now as a professional I find that the music is the most important part of dancing, it inspires me and informs my approach to the choreography. I hope that I will always continue to grow in my musicality and artistry even as my body slows down. I know I won't be able to stay at this intense level of ballet forever but I don't think I will ever stop dancing.
What is your earliest dance memory?
I remember my creative movement class when I was 4 years old. We would sit in our straddle splits and bend our knees and flex our feet to make “mountains and trees” then straighten our knees and point our feet. I have pictures of myself concentrating so hard to make my feet point more than anyone else. I was competitive even then.
Tell us about your career highlight so far?
My dream role was the Dewdrop fairy in the Waltz of Flowers in The Nutcracker. I fell in love with this role in my variations class at SAB (School of American Ballet). I had seen it danced so many times and was completely drawn to the delicate but explosive qualities this role requires. I think this role embodies everything I love, jumping, turning, speed, femininity, power and lightness. In December 2009 I made my debut in this role and it is by far one of the best moments of my career! Another major highlight just happened this season in a brand new ballet by my fellow dancer and choreographer Lauren Lovette. This is the first time I originated a principal role in a world premier! I was inspired to write a poem about this ballet and Lauren actually put my poem in the program and named the ballet after the last line. From the very beginning stages of the creation up through the performances was a dream come true!
OUTFIT DETAILS (in order of appearance): Sachin + Babi teal tulle dress // Sachin + Babi baby blue ruffled gown // Sachin + Babi pink/black/blue long sleeve dress // Sachin + Babi long sleeve floral gown // Sachin + Babi dark floral sleeveless gown // Sachin + Babi cream floral gown // Sachin + Babi bodysuit + white ball gown skirt // Sachin + Babi lace gown
What’s your dream role?
I of course have a whole list of dream roles but if I have to pick one it would be a ballet called Duo Concertant, choreographed by NYCB’s founder George Balanchine. It is just a man and a woman, a piano and a violin on stage. There is no set and just a leotard and tights for costumes but it have everything, romance, energy and drama. There is no plot but there are 1000 possible stories. The ending will have anyone at the edge of their seat holding their breath.
What are you currently working on? What’s up next for the season?
We do so many ballets every season that most ballets only get rehearsed one week before! I am really looking forward to dancing one of my favorites called Square Dance choreographed by Balanchine.
What does dance mean to you?
Dance is the physical expression of music. This might sound a little crazy but dance isn't something I choose to do, it's something I have to do. It's something my soul needs to do to express myself.
To be a great dancer, you must …
Work harder than you think you are capable of doing every day.
Tell us about a typical day for you -- how it starts, the hours of practice etc., and how you finish out the day?
I take a full company warmup class every morning from 10:30-11:30 then go to rehearsals from 11:30-2:30. I then get a 1 hour break for lunch before going back to more rehearsals from 3:30-5:30 or even 6. I can rehearse up to 6 or 7 different ballets in a day. After my rehearsals I have 2 hours to rest, grab a coffee and snack and do my makeup and hair and re warm up for the performance at 7:30 or 8! I do this 6 days a week, it consumes most of my life but I can't imagine doing anything else!
Who would you love to dance alongside with someday?
I wish I could have danced with Fred Astaire. Today I actually get to dance with all the people I admire. It sounds sappy but I feel so lucky to dance with the people I admire most every day!
Who are some of your dance idols/inspirations?
The dancers who inspired me most were Suzanne Farrell and Darci Kistler. I actually shared the stage with Darci for a little more than 5 years before she retired.
In another life, what would you be doing?
In another life I would be performing in some capacity. I can't imagine not being on stage!
Finish these sentences...
The last song I listened to while commuting this morning… Harvest Moon by Neil Young one of my all time favorites But before performances it's always anything by Cher!
My biggest dance-related pet peeve … people who dance off the beat of the music
Nutcracker or Swan Lake? Both
I’d love the chance to work with … Unrealistically: George Balanchine and Realistically: Justin Peck and Lauren Lovette again! They are both incredible humans and choreographers with so much to say and give!
I’m happiest when … I’m onstage alone
The most surreal place I’ve danced … The Opera Garnier in Paris.
Right now, if you emptied the contents of my bag, you’d find … My phone, at least 3 lipsticks, keys, credit cards, Id’s, metro card, sunglasses, glasses, mints, oil blotting sheets, floss, perfume, hairpins, a pen, gum, headphones, phone charger, needle and thread, the latest copy of The New Yorker. I’m now starting to realize why my bag is so heavy!
These days, you’ll usually find me wearing … A silk button by Equipment and black or blue jeans, ankle boots and my favorite authentic vintage cowboy jacket from Arizona given to me by my amazing aunt. It has the perfect fringe and beading, you’ve never seen anything like it in the city!
What is it about your job that you think people would be surprised to learn?
I think people would be surprised if they saw the way we walk when we get out of bed in the morning. Some days I can barely put weight on my feet and my back won't straighten but somehow I’m flying six feet in the air and moving at the speed of light up on my toes by the performance that night! Another really shocking fact that is specific to NYCB is that we do so many ballets every season that most ballets only get 3 rehearsals before they are performed.
Where do you see yourself this time tomorrow? 5 years from now? How about 21 years from now?
This time tomorrow, I will be in rehearsal! In 5 years, I see myself still in rehearsal but maybe for a bigger role. In 21 years, I see myself still performing but maybe as an actress. The stage is my happy place and I don't see myself leaving it any time soon!
© 2024 This Time Tomorrow, all rights reserved
Made with heart in New York.
