April 15, 2016No Comments

turning the sunday scaries around

4 minute read
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When it comes to my weekly routines, I've had a touch and go relationship with Sundays. In fact, I used to hate them. Don't believe me? I've written about it quite affectionately several times in the past, here and here. And I'm probably not preaching anything new here to y'all. Sunday scaries, otherwise known as an excuse for millenials to brunch way late in the day, spend a lot of time on social media into the evening and then wonder how they're going to get everything done before Monday morning meetings start. Until eventually saying "f- it" and picking up a cheap bottle of wine instead.

I've definitely succumbed to this. Heck, I still do from time to time. We're only human after all. And us humans like to get distracted.

But you know what? I think I've finally turned a corner. It only took me 30 years to realize that Sundays aren't ALL that bad.

For me, it all comes down to little pleasures and routines that I can look forward to. Sundays are usually my day for both rest and catch up. I don't run or exercise on Sunday (my one day a week to just veg), I usually have a longer phone conversation with my mom (it's hard to fit in during the week sometimes with the time difference), laundry gets done, Elvis gets an extra long walk to Washington Square Park and I spend a bit more time in bed in the morning reading the Sunday New York Times.

I try not to focus on work-related catch up until later in the afternoon/early evening when I'm more settled inside for the rest of the day. That's when Elvis and I put on some tunes (either country music or Michael Jackson) and the laptop comes out. I'll get caught up on email, edit photos, organize my editorial calendar for the week -- all the while, usually with a face mask on and House of Cards playing in the background.

We've talked about skin a great deal lately (my last post here) and I have another big skin update coming your way soon, namely about some hormonal prescriptions my dermatologist has me on, but the general spoiler alert is this: I'm slowly getting more comfortable in my early 30s skin. Granted, no one warned me that things might shift and change in this department, post teenage years, but hey, there's a lot of things you don't get warned about in life -- sh*t happens and you gotta roll with it.

So rolling with it, I am.

What does this mean for my Sundays exactly then? It's my chance to pamper my skin and have my own little girls night in with Elvis. If I can avoid it, I'll forgo makeup for the day, lather on some of my best body creams and slap on an ionic clay mask, like this one by Botanics. Since my skin has been on the oiler side in recent years, I love using a clay mask once a week -- it's much more absorbent and effective at drawing out impurities in my skin, like blackheads and the early stages of zits. This particular mask contains willowbark (a natural, friendlier form of salicylic acid), which I've found has really made a difference in tightening and minimizing my pores (because, hey, I got big pores and I cannot lie).

The downside though? Elvis hates it when I wear my masks -- it's as if he doesn't recognize me. I guess he's the one with the Sunday Scaries now.

If you're looking to revamp your Sunday routine (or maybe just want to update your mask game in general for a little Botanics Mask Night), Botanics is giving away their latest ionic clay mask to lucky readers in honor of #EarthWeek. Simply head over to their Instagram now, follow their account and be sure to leave a comment on their #EarthWeek giveaway post. Best of luck!

Photos by Lydia Hudgens

This post was in collaboration with Botanics Beauty. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

April 12, 2016No Comments

highway 1

3 minute read
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Dress: Otte NY; Jacket: Old Navy (old, but contemplating this jacket here for an update); Shoes: Steve Madden; Sunglasses: Celine
You can take the girl out of the West Coast, but you can't take the West Coast out of the girl.
It's true. It really is. As much as I've reflected on the past year (how crazy right -- it's been an entire year since I've moved to New York!), I've undoubtedly loved my time living on the East Coast. The pace, the energy, the people, the cities and of course, the learning experiences it's brought along the way -- definitely worthy of a life update post, which I'm working on at the moment. One thing I will say though is that I have to had to learn some new driving skills to keep up with the New York pace! If you want to learn about defensive driving new york is certainly the place to do it. The roads are very different to what I am used to on the West Coast. Thank goodness there are so many traffic schools in New York that can help people master the art of defensive driving.
But there's something about returning to California, even for just brief weekend visits, that remind me how much I loved my time living there as well. Nostalgia is a funny thing isn't it? It floods back almost all at once at the smallest triggers, a sunset, a song, a long drive home. And you're suddenly remembering former versions of yourself, former afternoons you've spent and the people along the way. Whenever I head back to California, no matter how brief the visit, I try to get my hands on a car -- any car -- to just drive down Highway 1 right before sunset. This past visit I was lucky enough to partner with Sixt Car Rental, who graciously offered this Mercedes GLA you see here. It was the perfect steed to literally drive off into the sunset -- and with the right oldies blasting on the radio, I couldn't help but smile about all the good memories California holds for me and will likely always hold for me.
This post was in collaboration with Sixt Car Rental. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

April 11, 2016No Comments

postcards from the sea {sailing away with celebrity cruises}

5 minute read
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Floral dress: Cynthia Rowley // Wetsuit: Cynthia Rowley (mine and Christine's); White dress: Reformation (from last summer, similar style here); Hat: Hat Attack
There's an interesting thing that happens when you embark on a cruise ship. OK, actually, there's a few interesting things that happen. The first, and probably the most obvious one, is that you immediately become painfully aware of your balance (or lack there of once the ship starts sailing). And the second, you will never really understand what a nautical knot is. Trust me on this. Many of the staff will try to explain it, but your landlocked brain, much like mine, will find it hard to grasp. And the third? At times, you'll find yourself wondering how you could possibly eat another meal, but once that fresh mahi mahi comes out of the kitchen, you forget all your stomach woes.
As for what else happens on a cruise ship? Well, the rest is nothing short of an adventure (which trust me, I had my reservations about at first -- but am now a proud believer). And to borrow from my friend David Foster Wallace's piece on cruise ship sailing (mainly the writing format, not necessarily his sentiments about cruising in general), I'd like to share with you a little slice of our week long experience, sailing through the Caribbean Sea with Celebrity Cruises aboard the Silhouette last month.
Ready? Great!
I can now say that I've done and loved the following...
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 I've watched some of the most amazing sunrises over stretches of nothing but ocean. And then watched some of the brightest burning sunsets I've ever seen, turning the sky the most amazing shades of pink and orange and a really soft shade of fuchsia. I've cracked my stateroom balcony door each night, just to hear the hum of the ocean. And before finally dozing off each night, I was amazed at how well the sea can softly rock you to sleep.
I've tried the most amazing ceviche made my a man named Dwayne in St. Maarten. (We then tried to convince Dwayne to move to New York to open another restaurant there. He didn't bite but was flattered by the offer.) I've sailed around the waters of St. Kitts on a catamaran, sipping a locally brewed beer. I've hopped around the cobblestoned streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico, amazed that each building was more vibrantly colored than the last.
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I've sipped a margarita before noon. I've eaten my own weight in fresh fish. I've mastered the art of "days at sea" -- days where your captain high tails it to the next stop -- giving you the excuse to just lay by the pool with nothing to worry about other than what cocktail you should order next.
I've had the pleasure of meeting some of the most incredible staff around, including the captain of the ship -- all of them hailing from different parts of the world, with different stories to share. I now know how the many kitchens operate on board such a large, floating hotel (and it's nothing short of a science!). I've seen how an entire boat gets into the St. Patrick's Day spirit (and may have even joined a conga line briefly for the occasion).
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I've watched Broadway-caliber shows each evening (many of which left songs stuck in my head and my foot tapping well into dinner). I've watched how world-class chefs shop at local island food and fish markets (the trick to fish is to make sure the eye is still bright and not clouded over!). I've taken the most amazing naps in one corner hammock on the 12th floor deck. I've run 4 miles each morning at sea (and was surprised at how well I managed to not notice the rocking of the ocean while on the treadmill).
I've finally learned how to remember the difference between port and starboard (left and right, respectively -- just think "port" has 4 letters just like "left" does). I've sipped a 12-year aged rum that made me rethink my love of whiskey. I've experienced impeccable hospitality -- from my stateroom attendant to the captain himself -- all of them sharing the same goal -- to get us to just relax. And smile.
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But perhaps best of all, I shared everything above with some of the best travel companions around. Thank you Ali, ChristineLisaTommy and Stuart for being the best sea-faring expats a girl could ask for.
And thank you Celebrity Cruises for reminding this at times crazed New York girl it's OK to just unplug for a bit. And sip a Corona (or two) before dinner.
This post was in collaboration with Celebrity Cruises. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

March 18, 201612 Comments

little black dress {speak beautiful at bethesada terrace}

4 minute read
Dress: Self Portrait; Shoes: Steve Madden; Bag: Chanel
Confession: I don't like being in photos. Never have. And likely, never will.

Now, this may seem strange considering I write a blog where I post photos of myself, every day. Actually, it may seem pretty counterintuitive. Or perhaps even neurotic that I, someone who shies away the camera, could keep up with this for over 7 years. And it's something that I thought would get easier with time (and in some ways, it has), but the bottom line remains, if my photographer and I shoot together for longer than 20 minutes, I get anxious.

It's not that I necessarily hate the process of taking the photos (I mean, we hopped down to the subway the other day and had a lot of fun dodging crowds and capturing the movement of the trains). I really do love the art direction and story telling involved in it. What sets me off is more the idea of my face being in the shots -- it leaves me unsettled. Suddenly, my insecurities, as if I'm a teenager all over again, come flooding to the forefront of my mind. "Who do you think you are? You're not tall enough to pull this off. This angle is all wrong for you and your arms. Everyone can see how awful your skin looks here." And I don't think I'm preaching anything new or surprising here. We've all been in this position: our critic and sometimes our biggest enemy, is ourselves. Especially when it comes to our self-image.

As I've entered my late 20s and now early 30s, I've gotten much better at quieting these doubts and self-inflicted insults. I know where they stem from, I know that most of them are only in my head and I know the ones that perhaps have some truth behind them, are by no means, worthy of ruining my day or my outlook. I'm a healthy, active 30 year old living my longtime dream of writing and living in New York, with many other blessings in my life to be thankful for. If I happen to breakout or I'm not feeling as thin or as toned as I would hope in a certain dress, it's a first world problem and I need to put into perspective as such.

Of course, I'll be the first to admit, it's not easy to do every day. Especially with the ease to which social media makes comparing your life to this person or that person -- it's a relatively slippery slope, even for the most positive of people (which I do consider myself one), to not slide down. As supportive and accepting as I think we can be of others (again, not a perfect situation either), we still hold ourselves to these unrealistic expectations of what we think we should look like and be like -- and, unsurprisingly, always coming up short and disappointed.

And we're usually the first and the only people to point it out about ourselves.

That said, when Dove approached me about their latest #SpeakBeautiful campaign, I couldn't have nodded my head faster. In an effort to change how we portray self-worth and self-image online, Dove has developed an algorithm that will essentially measure your 6 month Twitter history, looking for key words and phrases, to provide insight into how your words impact others. And whether you recognize it or not, words are powerful. So powerful. And the minute we can start impacting the tide  of how women view their own beauty and body-image and empowering them to take control of it, I think we will have turned a pivotal corner. But it starts first with recognition.

I received my results just the other day and found the data breakdown fascinating. In general, my tweets have an overwhelming positive sentiment to them, and those pertaining to beauty and body-image, were actually 7% more positive (hey, go me!). But what I found even more interesting, were the simple take away actions. As it turns out, my positive tweet time window is between 6 and 8am, meaning, I'm more likely to say something body-image positive during this time, whereas most women, are more prone to tweet something negative about themselves between 9am and noon. And I totally get that. It's the grind of the morning, schlepping to work, rushing to that meeting without getting a chance perhaps to put yourself together just the way you would have liked. I've been there more than I would like to admit. A little task I've given myself lately is when I like something about someone's outfit, or hair or general attitude/look, I tell them. Because it takes 5 seconds for me to say, and sometimes, it's all it takes to turn someone's day around.

Have you guys had your tweets analyzed? Were you surprised by your results?

This post was in collaboration with Dove. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

March 13, 201614 Comments

a taste of film {celebrity cruises}

4 minute read
Jumpsuit: Self Portrait; Bag: Chanel; Shoes: Steve Madden; Sunglasses: Elizabeth & James; Necklace: Jennifer Zeuner
As someone from a relatively smaller town (well, Reno is called the Biggest Little City after all), there are a few things that would signify the start of summer for me, namely the first weekend camping trip of the season up to Lake Tahoe and the opening of the drive-in movie theater. 
The latter holds a special place in my heart. There's just something so nostalgic about going to a drive-in theater -- the tuning of the radio station to the movie channel, grabbing popcorn and Junior Mints at the concession stand, cozying up with someone cute under a blanket as you settle in for your double feature under the stars on a warm summer evening. 
Many of my weekend nights growing up were spent at the drive-in, with friends, with family and sometimes with that aforementioned cute someone. Each time, it made me experience the movie in a much different way than had I gone to a regular movie theater -- there's something much more tactile, experiential, sensory about it -- that makes even the most mundane of movies that much more enjoyable and memorable. Heck, I can still remember seeing one of the Transformers movies in college at the drive-in and while I can't stand that franchise (sorry, not sorry, Shia), I can still look back on that experience and my date at the time, and smile. I think it's why we love eating outdoors and drinking rosé the minute it hits 65 degrees outside. It transports us in a different way.
All of that being said, you can imagine it's been a few years since I've gone to the drive-in. And I do miss it. Dearly. So to my surprise and delight, the folks at Celebrity Cruises recently invited me to their take on the drive-in -- with a twist. As part of a new experiential initiative on a few of their cruise lines (primarily the Asia, Alaska, Caribbean Bermuda and South America trips), they're introducing A Taste of Film, a dinner and movie experience, where cruise goers can enjoy a movie screening under the stars on their rooftop terrace, while different courses, each paired in time with pivotal meal moments in the movie, are brought out to enjoy. Each film is selected for its relationship with and centering around food and a destination -- think along the lines of "Julie and Julia" or "Chocolat." For our evening just last week, we watched "The Hundred-Foot Journey," the story of a young Indian chef's journey to earn a coveted Michelin star. The cuisine, as you can imagine, blended Indian flair with French flourishes. And Michelin-star chef Cornelius Gallagher did not disappoint (my personal favorites included: the Jerusalem artichoke veloute and the lobster feuille de brique). They say smell is one of your strongest memory triggers. Well, the minute I smelled truffle coming out for one of our main dishes, I was sold. And will likely not be forgetting that movie, that meal or that experience of the two together anytime soon.
Huge thank you to Celebrity Cruises for inviting me and reminding me how much I love watching movies outdoors (especially when great food is involved along the way). And I can't wait to set sail with you this Sunday (stay tuned -- we're heading to the Caribbean soon!).
Outfit photos by Lydia Hudgens + Event photos by Ben Hider

This post was in collaboration with Celebrity Cruises. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

February 26, 201611 Comments

checking in {langham place}

4 minute read
Pajamas: Marigot, gifted; Dress: Houghton borrowed from Plan de Ville; Boots: Stuart Weitzman; Fur coat: Vintage, gift from my mother
Perhaps it's just me, but there's something about checking into a beautiful hotel that makes me feel like a little girl. In the best way possible, of course. Almost as if it's my excuse to dress up, jump on the bed (at a reasonable hour, naturally) and order room service pancakes (regardless of the hour). Then there's the fact that everyone insists on calling you Ms. Bick that always makes me giggle a bit to myself. Ms. Bick just reminds me of my mom, so I can't help but look over my shoulder to check for her when called it. 
Yes, at the risk of this being the most first world sentence I've ever typed here on This Time Tomorrow, beautiful hotels are my weakness. And getting to stay at them? An absolute dream, one that I don't take for granted. 
This past fashion week, I had the opportunity to check into my new favorite hotel here in the city. Langham Place, located in the heart of Midtown at 5th and 37th. Granted, this downtown girl doesn't make it uptown that often, let alone, midtown, but that's the beauty in staycations, right? It allows us to see a new part of our own backyard, restaurants and shops alike, and of course, skyline views from my 19th floor bedroom didn't disappoint either.
Amidst the craziness that is fashion week, it was so nice to come back to this (not so) little refuge high above the city, each night. Langham Place boasts some of the largest rooms in the city, and upon walking into mine, I was blown away. (Let's just say, several of my West Village studios could have fit in there.) After a day of trekking around the city, bundled up in layers and not so functional shoes, I rested easy knowing that a nice long bath soak, a fuzzy robe and a bottle of wine were waiting for me. Oh, and putting a little Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald on was the cherry on top each evening.
As far as hotel amenities go, I loved that I didn't have to look far for great food (another first world priority, I know). Most evenings I ducked into their downstairs lobby bar and lounge, Measure, for a hearty bite and night cap and on one certain special Valentine's Day evening, I might have popped upstairs to their Michelin-star rated restaurant, Ai Fiori, for a delicious six-course meal for two.
Huge thanks again to the folks at Langham Place for hosting me. You certainly made this fashion week attendee feel right at home in Midtown and I hope to join you again soon!
This post was in collaboration with Langham Place. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

February 22, 201629 Comments

lessons in self-love and acceptance {my struggle with hormonal acne}

8 minute read

First things first. I want to say, from the bottom of my heart, that I truly appreciate all your kind words and birthday wishes last Friday. To feel genuine connections today is rare and the fact I can share my little corner of the internet with you day to day and have it mean something to both of us -- to connect, to discuss, to commiserate, to support, to advise, to just BE, well that's nothing short of amazing to me. Truly. Thank you.

Secondly, but on a very related and open note, I wanted to talk about something that I've been dealing with and thinking about lately and that's self-image. Now, before this starts to sound like an eye-roll inducing after school special, I'd like to clarify a few things. This isn't where I get on a soap box and tell you the importance of self-image and self-worth. Because at the end of the day, I think we can all recognize just how important these things are and how very little they should depend on how we actually look and where we are in life, but our perspective on them. The tricky part, especially as I'm entering this phase where a lot of things in my life really are falling into place after years of hard work (knock on wood!), is how to address it when your perspective shifts. When things you can't control throw you a curve ball. When telling yourself that you're beautiful no matter what, gets a bit harder because of some new insecurity, big or small. When you just can't quiet the doubts that creep in, whether they're warranted or not.

Where am I going with this? Well in the spirit of being open and honest with you all, for the past two years, I've been struggling with some persistent hormonal acne, primarily along my jawline. What started out as seemingly normal breakouts around that time of the month, has now progressed into something a bit more concerning and cystic in nature. As someone who historically never really dealt with acne as a teenager, aside from the typical pimple that showed up from time to time, this has thrown me for a loop. A complete loop.

Now, you may be wondering as to why it hasn't ever really been a topic here on This Time Tomorrow, or perhaps all that noticeable in my photos. And that's the beauty of makeup coverage and strategic hair placement and me just generally shying away from closeups of my face (I get really nervous when Lydia gets too close to me with her camera). For that, I want to say that I wasn't intentionally trying to mislead anyone about my appearance. At the end of the day, I wanted my outfits to be the focus, and the fact my face happens to pop in from time to time, is just a byproduct.

In the whole scheme of things, I also realize my acne is by no means debilitating, and after many, many, many Google image searches looking for answers and explanations, I realize I'm much more on the mild to moderate side of the severity spectrum. Hence why it doesn't look all that obvious or noticeable in my photos. Does that mean my self-doubt doesn't creep in regularly? Of course not. Or that my insecurity doesn't control me sometimes? It definitely can and does - I've certainly considered visiting this dermatologist in beverly hills. Or that some self-loathing, despite my better judgement, doesn't get the best of me? Oh god, it certainly does. More than I would like to admit.

A bit dramatic? Perhaps. But isn't that the frustrating thing about insecurities? Sometimes, the things no one else really notices or cares about, are the things you blow out of proportion in our head. What used to be routine, like say, going to the coffee shop sans makeup, becomes an inner struggle of thinking everyone is staring JUST at your face. And your latest breakout.

It can be isolating to say the least -- especially when a lot of your friends (or perhaps amongst my circle of friends), aren't necessarily going through the same thing, you can really start to feel alone. I find this particularly interesting, given that, after a lot of internet research and chatting with my dermatologist at great length, this is actually a really common problem among women my age (due to a long list of hormonal factors that I'm not really qualified to write or speak about).

Now, I don't intend for this post to turn into a complete skin care routine write up as I'm still very much in the stages of sorting out possible causes and treatments, including but not limited to diet changes and a prescribed medication from my dermatologist. (That said, if you would find it helpful if I documented this experience here, please do let me know in the comments below!) Instead, I want this post to help anyone who's struggling with a self-image problem of their own, be it acne or not, to know that you're not alone. And despite how difficult it might get to remind yourself at the end of the day, it really is true: you are enough. You are. You are more than enough. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. And especially don't let yourself tell you otherwise. If you are struggling with self-image issues, don't worry - there are lots of things you can do to fix these! For example, if you're conscious about acne or wrinkles, visit a dermatologist on the upper east side (or one local to you.) Or if you're self conscious about your weight, why not visit a personal trainer? There are always other options!

Easier said than done, of course. Especially in an age of over-sharing and over-editing, when you can easily compare yourself to this person or that celebrity -- trust me, I get it. And in some ways, I feed into it -- it's the nature of this world I work in. Guilty as charged. But just as that saying goes, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle," you gotta be kind to yourself first. You owe that to YOU.

And in the spirit of self-love, I've partnered with my favorite facial oil, Biossance, to help celebrate their latest product launch, The Nourisher. As someone with, oddly enough, very dry skin despite my recent onslaught of breakouts, I've toyed with the idea of facial oils off and on the past few years, afraid it would just add too much "oil" to my already seemingly "oily" face. I've now fully incorporated them into my evening routine at the recommendation of my dermatologist, who has me on several cleansers and creams that are extremely drying on the skin to help combat my acne. One of these creams is a CBD cream which I decided to try after my friend sent me this CBDistillery Coupon Code, although I've found that this one doesn't dry my skin out like the others. It would make sense that CBD is helping clear up my skin, as it is a cannabinoid from the cannabis plant, which has evidence to prove that it greatly helps clear up acne. Many prefer to actually smoke marijuana strains, like blue god, instead of using CBD products. It's completely up to you how you choose to treat your acne/skin issues, but ensure that it is having a positive effect on your spots and not worsening the problem. It doesn't help that winter is in full swing here in NYC and my skin has never been dryer. Never. It's been extremely uncomfortable and unsettling -- almost to the point that I've noticed my skin becoming a bit dull and less firm than I'm used to, particularly on my lower jawline and neck, where a lot of recent breakouts have been occurring. I'm trusting in the process that my dermatologist has outlined for me (and urge you to consult yours first before you start subscribing to this routine for your skin), but have relished in the fact I can lather on just a few drops of a gentle facial oil like Biossance's Nourisher combined with a gentle moisturizer like CereVe, and start to feel my old skin texture again, despite the necessary skin peeling from my cleansing routine.

If you'd like to share your own self-love story, Biossance is hosting a giveaway over on their Instagram account. Simply upload an image of your own, share your self-love journey and tag Biossance and you'll be automatically entered for a chance to win a Nourisher sample.

I also want to say that this post was extremely therapeutic for me to write -- and while I'm still very much in the thick of struggling with acne, I feel immensely better for getting this off my chest. It's something that I've wanted to discuss here on This Time Tomorrow for a while now, but the timing always seemed off and I had a million excuses as to why I didn't want to openly admit this thing that I'm extremely insecure about. But when Biossance shared their latest campaign story with me -- that of self-love -- I felt it would be amiss of me to not take this opportunity to stare this thing down in the face, once and for all, especially with a product that my dermatologist and I feel is a good fit for me and my skin right now.

Of course, part of me is still afraid to hit publish -- because us silly human beings hate being vulnerable -- but I also recognize that if this reaches just one other person who might be going through something similar, than I fully believe it was worth it. And if you happen to be that one other person still reading this very long and rambling post and want to talk about it -- hit me up! I'm all ears: krystalannebick@gmail.com.

Eep. Hitting that publish button...now...

Photos by Lydia Hudgens

This post was in collaboration with Biossance. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

Top: Ellery borrowed from Plan de Ville; Pants: St. John; Shoes: Oscar de la Renta via The RealReal; Bag: Chanel; Sunglasses: Celine; Bracelet: Tiffany's

February 5, 201613 Comments

pep rally {with clinique}

3 minute read

Jacket: Eddie Bauer; Leggings: Lululemon; Shoes: Nike; Sunglasses: Celine
Lately, with my schedule a bit in flux these days with both the weather and NYFW kicking into high gear, I've been squeezing my workouts in during the mornings. If it's warm enough (which thank goodness, it has been lately!), I'll opt for a morning run along the Hudson (around 6am, eep!). If it's a bit chillier, or there's fresh snow on the ground, I'll head to my trusty Equinox or a Barry's Bootcamp class to wake up.
I've always considered myself an early riser -- and when the mood strikes me just right -- I love working out in the mornings. It's a great way to energize your day and by the time most folks are just thinking about their first cup of coffee, you've already covered a few miles or did your fair share of squats to get your booty looking fresh for summer.
For early mornings like these, I keep my beauty routine simple, with a fresh layer of BB cream and moisturizer to perk up my skin. The folks over at Clinique recently introduced me to their new eye cream, Pep-Start, which I've been testing out for my undereye area, right after applying my all over facial moisturizer. If you're like me, your under eye area is probably super sensitive when you first wake up (meaning I sometimes look like a zombie on the treadmill), but Pep-Start has been an easy step in my routine that actually perks up my skin (i.e. it feels more plump, making my eyes pop just a tad bit more). 
As for this past Wednesday's early morning workout with Clinique? Well let's just say I experienced my first 7am dance/rave/Daybreaker event. In short, I thought I was signed up for 7am yoga. Instead, I was greeted by fire acrobats, Knicks City Dancers and a ton of glow sticks. But that's another story, for another day, perhaps? 😉
Have you guys tried out Pep-Start yet? You can snag your own at Sephora right here.
Photos by Lydia Hudgens

This post was in collaboration with Clinique. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

February 3, 201631 Comments

xoxo {with love, from the realreal}

3 minute read

Scene: It's 1995, a gas station in Los Angeles.
Thief: Give me your phone. [holds gun to woman's head]
Cher: [hands cell phone over to thief]
Thief: OK, now get down on the ground.
Cher: Oh no, [as she unbuttons her feather trimmed coat to show thief her dress] this is an Alaïa
Thief: [with a bewildered look o his face, now scanning the parking lot to see if anyone is looking at them] It's an A-whata?
Cher: [now rolling her eyes, emphasizing each word] It's like, a totally important designer.
Thief: And I will totally shoot you in the head. [cocking gun]
Cher: [groans and gets down on the ground]
And ever since then (probably much like other girls born between 1980 and 1986 who were obsessed with Clueless) I've pretty much wanted an Alaïa dress. Not so much for the "please rob me" appeal (God forbid), but more so for the timeless sexiness of each piece. So when my go-to designer consignment site, The RealReal asked me to style a look for my "dream Valentine's Day date" I immediately started stalking all the Alaïa dresses I could find on site. I like to think this particular one that I snagged would be perfect for a night of dinner, drinks and plenty of dancing (the twirl appeal is undeniable!). 
As for my dream Valentine's Day date? Let's just say if both Stephen Colbert and Tom Hardy asked me out on February 14th, would I panic about the double booking and say no? As if! Luckily, Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday, so there's always February 13th as well. 😉
Enough of my rambling though, here are a few other Alaïa favorites, all available via The RealReal now. Which would you wear and who would be your dream Valentine's Day date? 
PS: Head over to The RealReal today to find out how you can win a luxury item of your choosing just by obsessing items on their site. More details can be found here
This post was in collaboration with The RealReal. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

January 26, 201611 Comments

mexican siesta with jw marriott

5 minute read

Swimsuit: Cynthia Rowley here and here; Dress: Suno (from a previous season, more Suno here); Heels: Steve Madden; Sunglasses: Celine
This probably goes without saying at this point, but I can't resist a good Mexican siesta every once and a while. Case in point? Just this past year alone, I've visited Cabo in May as well as August, experiencing completely different parts of the area and local flare both times. And as luck would have it, just this past week, I hopped back for more, this time for the grand unveiling of the JW Marriott, which opened it's doors earlier this season.
Click through to see more photos and read more about my experience across the border...

To say this trip couldn't have come at a better time is perhaps an understatement, as I'm just now starting to wrap my head around the need for frequent winter getaways. New York was just flexing her bitterly cold muscles as I was packing up my Cynthia Rowley swimsuits and hailing the first Uber I could find to take me straight away to JFK.
The flight, as it always is, was a little bumpy and despite some unfortunate delays and some serious hustling to make my connecting flight in Atlanta, I was sipping a cadillac margarita by 2pm local time, greeted with a warm "buenos tardes" by everyone I met. Those who know me, know I love any and every excuse to brush up on my Spanish (which much to Ms. Siddall from Galena High School's dismay, isn't great) but hey, A for effort, right?
Let's set the scene shall we? The JW Marriott line, as I learned upon arriving, boasts the luxury side of the Marriott family, in unique destinations like Cairo, Cusco and Caracas and now Cabo (alliteration was somewhat intentional). And what struck me the most, upon arriving, was just how much they let the surrounding environment and culture play center stage. For anyone who's spent time in Cabo, you know how nestled it sits next to a beautiful coastline -- your drive from the airport usually shows it off pretty nicely. Rolling desert hills that drop off pretty dramatically to these beautiful seaside cliffs, overlooking some of the bluest water, capping off in sprays of white, as tiny surfers down below try their luck. It always strikes me as oddly beautiful that such a seemingly arid desert oasis, sits next to such a lush coastline -- the juxtaposition is as jarring as it is mesmerizing. One of the biggest reasons why I love Cabo, truly.
And the JW Marriott? Nailed it. Where the surrounding properties exude a Spanish colonial villa flair reminiscent of Hotel California, the Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa went a different direction, modern, but still warm. Tall, grand entrances that open directly where you want them to -- to the ocean, allowing the perfect amount of breeze to roll through the lobby. Cacti and succulents are sprinkled throughout the property (an appropriate nod to the surrounding environment), amid palm trees and bougainvillea of course, and many, many pools, most of which seem to disappear just so out to the ocean at the right angle. There's something undeniably bewitching about the property when you roam around it. Slats in walls and window lookouts from different levels of the lobby allow the sun to cast some of the most amazing shadows throughout the day, especially as you're taking it all in from one of their infinity pools. I have to admit, more than once, I got a bit turned around while exploring the property, but really in the best way possible. It's almost labyrinth-like -- a delightful maze to get lost in. 
As for the pools, don't get me started. I wish I was there right now.
While we were only in paradise for less than 48 hours, I do feel completely rejuvenated from it. Between the rooms, all with private balconies and not a bad view in the house, to the many delicious meals we enjoyed (including a breathtaking al fresco dinner in their courtyard), from getting my butt kicked at a morning beach boot camp session to Betty Who's private performance, this weary New Yorker returned to the States with a much needed tan and more than her fair share of sighs of contentment. Even if Jonas and 30 inches of snow were waiting for her back at home.
So Cabo, fourth's time a charm perhaps? This New Yorker will definitely be ready for you again in March. Oh gosh, let's be honest, more like February. 
Do you guys have any plans to head to Cabo anytime soon? Perhaps we should meet later this season at the JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa? 😉
This post was in collaboration with JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

January 5, 201622 Comments

old world/new world

8 minute read

Note before you begin: There are a lot more photos to be seen after the jump, simply click "Read More" below...
There's a quote from Gustave Flaubert (hello, Madame Bovary) that goes a little something like this:
"It always sad to leave a place to which one knows one will never return. Such are the melancolies du voyage: perhaps they are one of the most rewarding things about traveling."
There are few moments when I'm traveling that I get this exact feeling. Granted. while I firmly believe that each trip, big or small, is unique unto itself, I don't necessarily get overcome with a feeling of finality when I visit, say Los Angeles or Seattle. And I'm not starting this post about Israel with this quote to say that I don't think I'll ever return to this pocket of the world. Quite the opposite actually. I know, in my heart of hearts, I will return back to Israel someday. The people, the history and the culture are just too rich, too kind and too fascinating not to. 
No, this quote carries a lot of weight for me because it sums up, quite brilliantly, that feeling when you realize the exact moment you're in, that very second, is so incredibly unlike any other moment you could ever hope to recreate, that it leaves you simultaneously amazed and overjoyed by the fact you get to experience it, and also saddened by how fleeting it all is. It's that half second that you have to humbly appreciate what you're about to experience can only be described as once in a lifetime. They don't come around often. And, considering this is also a very contested part of the world, for a large number of reasons too lengthy to do justice in one blog post by someone who openly admits she is but a novice in these matters, it would be remiss of me to not acknowledge, that these particular moments may not easily present themselves again. Due to ever changing circumstances of the world we live in. But that's life and seize those moments, you must! 
Does any of that make sense? I may be rambling, but perhaps by sharing some of these exact moments I had in Israel, I can better illustrate what I mean. Simple click "Read More" below to hear about the moments that have changed me for forever (10 to be exact!)...

1. Visiting the Western Wall: It should be noted, walking anywhere within the gated walls of the Old City in Jerusalem is a humbling experience. Every cobblestone, every statute, every corner bears witness to times that world religions to this day put great emphasis on. And to be able to walk amongst it? To say I felt incredibly small in the best way possible would be a sore understatement. In particular though, visiting the Western Wall, or the Wailing Wall, was perhaps one of my top highlights of the trip. Situated atop the hill known as Temple Mount to Jews and Christians or the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims, it is considered one of the holiest sites and places to pray. A common practice, which I'm sure many of you have heard of, is to leave a written prayer note nestled between the large stone blocks you see in the photo above here. A whopping estimated one million notes get left every year by visitors alone. I wrote one for myself and my mom, before sitting back down to take in the wall quietly by myself for a few moments. 
2. The Church of the Holy Sepelchur: Another thing that I should note, is that I don't consider myself an overly religious person, but rather someone who is fascinated by religion in general, and it's ability to unite us and, unfortunately at times, even divide us. Also situated in the Old City, this time in the Christian Quarter, is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is said to contain two of the holiest sites in Christendom -- the site where Jesus was crucified and the site of his empty tomb, where he was both buried and resurrected. Without getting into personal religious beliefs (because I assure you, that is not the point of this post), I do think there's something fundamentally amazing about getting to experience something like that first hand -- to touch, to feel, to see what many people in the world for thousands of years have revered and held close to their hearts -- it's a feeling of awe I've never quite experienced before. 
3. The Dead Sea: A short drive from Jerusalem (probably no more than an hour by car), is the Dead Sea and I cannot recommend this enough. Given our short time in Jerusalem, this originally wasn't on our itinerary, but after some quick discussions and shuffling around of activities, we set out on the descent out of Jerusalem. I say descent literally because you're leaving Jerusalem, a city situated on a series of hills, to the absolute lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea, measuring in at 1,400 feet below sea level. It's highly salty waters make it, yep, you guessed it, extremely easy to float and let me tell you, it was the craziest feeling ever resisting the temptation to swim, because there was absolutely no need to. We rubbed the mud all over our bodies and couldn't get over how soft our skin felt for days afterward. 
4. Tel Aviv Fashion Week: The second half of our trip was spent in Tel Aviv, where we joined the incredible team behind Tel Aviv Fashion Week for a few days of back to back Israeli designs and shows. While I've been to New York Fashion Week numerous times before, there's something about experiencing one so far from home that makes you appreciate the universal beauty of design that pushes boundaries. Some of my favorite designers? Hands down would have to be Sample, Gadi Elimelech and Shani Zimmerman.
5. Tel Aviv Nightlife: I've read enough about Tel Aviv to know that their nightlife is second to none -- after all, they are dubbed the "Miami of the Middle East." So, while I definitely do not consider myself a "clubber" per se, I was excited to try out a few of their notable watering holes. Luckily, I had my friend Beca with me, who was down for the challenge. Some of our favorites included a cozy little bourbon bar, Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar, which we both agreed would be the ideal spot to take a cute, bearded date to, and Bellboy, a speakeasy style joint, with a flair for imaginative cocktails (some of them come in mini bath tubs and their oysters are delivered in a baby carriage).
  
6. Receiving a Kabbalah at the Western Wall: Beca tipped me off to this tradition as we made our way to the Western Wall. A Kabbalah is a red string or yarn bracelet believed to ward off evil. We received ours specifically at the Western Wall, where a rabbi tied them on us, blessing the string as he tied. The idea is that you make a wish while it's being put on you and when the string falls off, either days or, in my case, perhaps months later, your wish comes true. As of today, my string hasn't fallen off yet (and you can see it in many of my photos on my right wrist).
7. Shopping at the flea market in Old Jaffa: I love flea markets. So when I found out the old city of Jaffa (right next door to Tel Aviv) is known for their flea market district, we spent a good half day just roaming around, mulling through vendors shops and sipping on many of the juices that are available at every corner.
8. The food: I think I know why Israeli women are said to be so beautiful -- the food is both so good and incredibly healthy! We ate our weight in hummus, cous cous, fresh veggies, pita bread and the occasional lamb. My favorites included Vicky Cristina (situated in an old train station) in Tel Aviv, Mona (situated in an old art university) in Jerusalem and Puaa in Jaffa.
9. The beaches of Tel Aviv: We visited back in October, which was technically the end of their summer season, but it was still in the high 70s, low 80s (which the New Yorkers in the group soaked up happily). Their beaches are gorgeous and made for the perfect downtime spot between fashion shows.

10. Experiencing a Shabbat for the first time: Oddly enough, this wasn't something that was particularly planned for us to experience. It just so happened we flew in and landed on a late Friday afternoon. For those unfamiliar, as I was when we landed, Shabbat is Judaism's day of rest, in which work activities or activities that require great rigor are refrained from, starting at sunset on Friday until sunset the following day. For most of Friday evening and all of Saturday, very few cars were seen out on the road, a lot of businesses were closed and the Old City was buzzing with families walking around together and joining together for large group meals. 
Huge thanks again to the Israel Tourism Board for inviting me to your beautiful country. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience and I hope to come back soon! 

December 24, 20156 Comments

breakfast at bergdorf’s

2 minute read

Coat: MM. LaFleur; Dress: French Connection; Shirt: French Connection; Boots: Celine; Choker: Net-A-Porter packaging ribbon; Bag: Chanel; Lips: Marc Jacobs "Amazing"; Lotion: Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Fragrance Free
Since we're sharing our favorite holiday traditions this week, I wanted to continue my winter adventure series with Vaseline along for another Christmastime treat: the department store window displays.
You've heard me say it before, but when it comes to Christmas in New York, there's only one way to describe it and that's magic. Especially when strolling anywhere along 5th Avenue near The Plaza Hotel and all of the department stores with their elaborate window displays. This year, I opted to skip the heavy nighttime crowds and headed to Bergdorf's with Lydia around 9am. It was quiet and peaceful -- like being alone in a really pretty toy store.
Have you checked out the window displays this year? Which ones are your favorites? (I especially loved the amethyst window at Bergdorf's -- mainly because it's my birthstone!)
Merry Christmas Eve! 

This post was in collaboration with Vaseline. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

December 23, 201513 Comments

an evening at the nutcracker {with whbm}

4 minute read

On Krystal: Dress: White House Black Market; Shoes: Kate Spade; Bag: Chanel; Sunglasses: Celine; Lips: Marc Jacobs "Amazing"
On Heather: Dress: White House Black Market; Shoes: Nine West (similar style here); Belt: Celine (vintage); Bag: Vintage; Bracelet: Miansai
If you remember from our San Francisco days, Heather and I love a night out. And when one of your best girlfriends happens to love trying new restaurants and heading to the theater as much as you do, then you definitely make a tradition out of it.
She and I have covered a lot of ground when it comes to Broadway shows here in the city, but now that she officially lives here in NYC (insert excited fist pump here), we've been looking for new seasonal traditions we can start together. And with one of the most magical seasons here in the city already upon us, we had our sights set on The Nutcracker.
While I've seen the performance many times growing up, I've never had the pleasure of seeing it here in New York and especially not by the New York City Ballet Company, and definitely not at Lincoln Center, which has to be one of my favorite places to visit at night, when it's twinkling and alive. Folks bustling in and out in their theater finest, furs and wool coats bundling them from the wind, as the promise of art and culture and music awaits them.
As for the performance itself, it was just as magical as I remembered it. From the Sugar Plum Fairies to the Nutcracker's defeat of the Rat King, I literally couldn't stop grinning the entire time. The minute the lights dimmed, I could feel myself getting giddy, as the orchestra came to life. There's something to be said about feeling like a kid again from time to time (or as often as you can get away with it, if you ask me!). Plus, it was extra special seeing families of all ages enjoying the evening as well, with so many kids dressed up in their Sunday best.
As for our Sunday best? Well Heather and I also don't mess around when we're stepping out on the town. An evening like this called for a little black tie somethin' somethin' -- her in a dramatic, just the right amount of hugging gown and me, in a twirl-worthy, Hepburn number -- both by White House Black Market.
And in case you're still scrambling for gifts today (like me) make sure to check out White House Black Market's gift guide this season -- a little bit of everything for the important women in your life! Or perhaps you're still looking for a New Year's Eve dress, in which case I think this little frock needs to see midnight soon on someone!
This post was in collaboration with White House Black Market. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations! 

December 22, 201513 Comments

those new york moments

4 minute read

Coat: French Connection; Turtleneck: Ted Baker; Jeans: DL 1961; Beanie: Jennifer Behr; Sunglasses: Celine; Bag: Saint Laurent; Boots: Stuart Weitzman
Alright, remember all that celebrating we were doing just a few weeks ago, amazed at how warm it was in New York (and hence our love/hate relationship with global warming continues)? Well, it officially feels like winter now. Big coats are coming out. I'm stocking up on an unhealthy amount of tights. And those dreaded double door entries are finally up to prevent you from being that "jerk" that dared to open the front door of the restaurant and let a nasty draft in.
But you know what? I'm excited! I mean, yes. I'm well aware I'm probably going to regret that previous statement come February and March, but for right now, winter carries a lot of promise. The promise of Christmas magic, the promise of tighter embraces from loved ones, the promise of your breath hovering over your conversation like thick, dancing fog.
And there's no place I'd rather be to take it all in than Central Park. Especially if ice skating happens to be involved. I headed out earlier last week for my first skate of the season in the park and was greeted by holiday crowds of families and friends, laughing, twirling and yes, falling (yours truly included!). It made me think of that scene in Serendipity where Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack (swoon!) head out for a late night ice skating session when they first meet, albeit they headed to Rockefeller Center, but that's beside the point. They were talking about their favorite New York moments and Cusack (swoon, again) mentioned (in regards to their date), "This one sure is climbing the charts."
While I didn't have a Cusack with me (last swoon, I promise), I did enjoy a quintessential New York afternoon in the park, one of those that seemed straight out of a movie. A brisk walk from The Plaza, laughing with friends and possibly chasing Big Bird (true story).
And with the spirit of the season meaning we're inevitably going to be bearing the elements (as much as we don't want to sometimes), I'm stepping up my winter skin care prep. I didn't realize how serious New Yorkers get about this, but trust me, they're neither kidding nor messing around. After just a few days of bitter, biting winds, my hands have taken a beating and started to crack. I've since started lathering myself with Vaseline's Intensive Care Advanced Repair Fragrance Free right after I get out of the shower and pat dry it in to really let it absorb. I'll then throw it in my bag (along with a pair of flats) before I head out for the day, in case I need little pick me ups from time to time.
So when my Cusack does come along, I'll have soft hands for him to hold. 😉 But I won't make him track down my phone number in some obscure book that I sold to a used book store. Kate, seriously?! What were you thinking?
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This post was in collaboration with Vaseline. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

December 21, 201518 Comments

7 habits that have made me a {slightly more} effective person

7 minute read

Jacket: Alexander McQueen (similar style here); Dress: French Connection (recently picked up in store, not online, but similar style here); Boots: Celine; Bag: Mansur Gavriel; Sunglasses: Celine
When I was much younger, I had several stints working at my dad's law firm. I would answer phones, file legal documents and well, if we're being super honest, do my homework (but hey, he couldn't really get upset with me for that!). During that time, I recall answering the phones having to say, "Good morning, Bick Law Offices..." and feeling a sense of ownership almost, like it could actually by my law office, too someday. The only difference being, now I have a lot more technical experience (that comes with having your own blog too). I would often think about how I could take the firm to new heights and develop new plans and strategies to create business awareness and try and generate new leads and customers. Knowing what I know now, I wish I could have been able to steer my father in the right direction in doing some of the same, such as having a better website built for him, and just overall create better marketing strategies for the future. I'm not saying I would have been able to do this for him solely on my own, but like I said, I'd be able to steer him to the likes of https://serp.co/services/marketing/lawyers/ or other websites that offer law firm marketing services so he'd be able to gain some more online recognition, because after all - business is digital now, no matter what business!
Much to my dad's chagrin (or perhaps joy?), the law school pipe dream never panned out. But that didn't stop me from cooking up other ways to start my own business, which is where This Time Tomorrow comes in. I remember starting this blog years ago on a whim, namely because I was bored one afternoon and had The Kinks song "This Time Tomorrow" stuck in my head. But also because I love to write. And take photos. And connect over stories. The sheer fact I can make a small business out of that is incredibly exciting and yet humbling -- it's come with it's own fair share of difficulties, obstacles and challenges.
It should be noted: I, by no means have it all figured out, especially when it comes to juggling full-time jobs. But, after more than my fair share of trial and error, I've developed a few go-to tricks to manage my time and my business efficiently. Whether you blog as well or are thinking about taking the general leap into entrepreneurship yourself or perhaps you're balancing a full-time job with side passion projects, hopefully there's a little bit of wisdom here in my rambling...
1. Google Docs, baby: I literally live in Google Docs, which I can blame on working at Google for years, but in all honesty, it's kept me sane and organized, so I'm not complaining. The key is figuring out a system that works for you and sticking to it.
My main Google Doc that I work out of (a meaty little spreadsheet), has multiple tabs in it: one for pending projects, with deadlines, contact emails, status update nodes and SOW PDFs. In another tab, I have my monthly editorial calendar flushed out, with deliverables and published content noted for each day, with shoots that I have set up with Lydia noted, with buffer time noted for her turnaround time. And in another tab, I keep a running list of all story ideas from recent brainstorms, organized by vertical: beauty, travel, style and lifestyle, with shoot locations associated with each. Lastly, the most time-sensitive one, is my invoices tab, with all outgoing pending invoices, the date sent, the noted turnaround time for payment and the date payment is received.
It all might sound a little OCD, but I do love being able to go back through just one hub to easily find all the project details I need. In short, there's nothing I hate more than having to dig through long, cluttered email threads to find that one #hashtag or deadline.
2. Square Cash: Recenty, I've been on a mission to improve my finances. I opened a savings account, have been looking to buy mtn shares, and have been looking to improve the way I run the financial side of my freelance business. And since we're on the topic of invoices and making that cheddar, let's talk about how to go about getting paid. As someone who's exhausted all mobile payment methods, I've been really pleased with Square Cash namely because it deposits directly to your bank account (without that additional step of transferring money over from your balance yourself). I've been relying pretty heavily on this to pay my photographers directly and have even started invoicing clients/brands this way. Plus, I really appreciate good, intuitive UX design and Square Cash, I think you've nailed it.
3. Podcasts: While I love a good playlist to make me super productive during heads down time at my computer, I'm a junkie for podcasts, especially ones known for their storytelling, which I think is a great writing inspiration source. I find that the blogs I tend to gravitate toward as a reader, I can relate to their writing on a personal level, almost as if I'm sitting there next to them at a cafe, just as a friend would. Podcasts like Serial or The Moth remind me that the key to good storytelling and understanding your audience, isn't necessarily to impress them with how well you can string a sentence together. It's more about finding the humanity in everything and making it real. Making it raw. And making it relevant. Easier said than done, of course, but I find that these podcasts have helped me hone my storytelling abilities over the years.
4. Lists: I love lists. Lists. Lists. Lists. If there's one fool-proof way to get me to remember something, it's to write it down. I picked this up during my time working at several newspapers and magazines a few years ago, where I'd write down quotes or facts about a story I was working on. I was never without a notepad and pen. And not much has changed today. I'll write down excerpts from books that I like, names of songs that I hear when I'm out and about, intersection cross streets for possible shoot locations. You get the picture.

5. Meeting agendas: This is something Google has taught me -- if you really want to get the most out of everyone involved in a meeting, send out a detailed agenda and ideal takeaways/outcomes at least a full day before hand. That way, you set expectations accordingly, you give everyone a chance to prepare and hit the ground running once you start the meeting and there's a common end goal that everyone can agree on. It may sound like a lot of structure, but I've noticed even sending it out before meetings with some photographers or brands, it's helped keep our 30 minute time slot on task, with solid action items at the end.
6. Quarterly goals: Alas, another trait I've picked up at a large tech company. In short, we all make yearly goals, especially around this time of year with 2016 around the corner. But I love making quarterly goals, which I've done at all my teams at Google. As long as you have a big picture goal, making shorter team, quantifiable targets, you can start etching away and immediately see progress. This can range from the personal (like finally signing up for those piano lessons) to more business driven (like increasing social channel engagement by X%) -- as long as you have specific projects that funnel up to these goals, you have your work cut out for you. Just be realistic with yourself and what you can reasonably take on -- and add a tiny bit on top of that. If it doesn't make you slightly uncomfortably excited, you should set a bigger goal!
7. Extracurricular reading: I know what you're thinking, how does adding additional reading help give me time back? Personally, I know when I do a little morning and evening reading for just me and no one else, I feel much more balanced and ready to tackle the day. In the morning, around 6am (after a quick glance through email to make sure there are no fires), I'll sit down with coffee and read through the following: top CNN stories, the op-eds in The New York Times and my Skimm newsletter. In the evening, I try to have two books that I'll rotate through at the same time. One for pleasure and one for personal growth/business savvy. Currently on my nightstand, I have Miranda July's The First Bad Man for the former and Phil Barden's Decoded for the latter.
What are some of your habits that you've found make you more effective? Do share!
Photos by Lydia Hudgens

This post was in partnership with Square Cash. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

December 18, 201512 Comments

from the rooftops {holiday soirée with absolut x hoppr}

4 minute read

While I may not quite consider myself the most "domestic" person around, I do love to throw a little party from time to time. It gives me a chance to stretch my decorating legs, plan out playlists, get just the right appetizers (most of which I usually purchase from Murray's Cheese and/or Whole Foods) and pick out a fun venue space. In fact, I think in another life, I wouldn't mind being a party planner (read: NOT wedding planner).
But my favorite part? Getting a gaggle of my best girlfriends together for some much needed catch up time over cocktails. Granted with the holidays already upon us, it's gotten harder and harder to squeeze in time with everyone, between traveling and work and well, life. This is where the mobile site Hoppr by Absolut comes in.
Similar to a dating site, where you match up with people when there's a mutual swipe ;), Hoppr connects party goers with party throwers (and visa versa), in an effort to mix up guest lists. When you register, you connect your profile with your Facebook account, so it's a fun way to see common connections/friends of friends pop up as possible attendees that you may not have thought of inviting in the first place. Think of it as mixers of yesteryear. 
And this past week? I gave it a shot! On my rooftop to be exact, which worked out perfectly given the unseasonably warm weather we've been having in New York City lately. I opted for a more casual, bohemian feel (because let's face it, our feet are worn out from all those holiday heels lately), and layered some of my favorite rugs and throws for a late afternoon picnic vibe. Bonus points for: our bottles of limited edited Absolut doubling as decor -- silver and electric blue -- and these beautiful floral centerpieces thanks to BloomThat (which I handed out as parting gifts at the end of the evening).
We snacked on Humbolt Fog and Truffle Tremor (two of my all time favorite cheeses), watched the sunset blaze the sky above the Empire State Building and listened to more than our fair share of Leon Bridges. As for the drink of choice? An easy and refreshing Moscow Mule, my go-to vodka drink, recipe below:
Squeeze 1/2 ounce of lime juice into a copper Moscow Mule mug (or a Collins glass works, too), and drop in the spent shell
Add 2-3 ice cubes
Pour in 2 ounces of Absolut Original Vodka
Pour in 4-6 ounces of ginger beer
Serve with a stirring rod

This post was in partnership with Absolut. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations! Enjoy responsibly. 

December 16, 201515 Comments

the rat pack {the cromwell}

6 minute read


Just a heads up for this post: There are A LOT more photos to see. Simply click "read more" below the text here to see the rest. And trust me, you'll want to see the rest.
As someone who's originally from Nevada (Northern Nevada to be exact), I've always had this love/hate relationship with Vegas growing up. Albeit, hate is a strong word. Perhaps it's more of a distaste? A moderate disliking? An indisputable intolerance?
Don't get me wrong. There's a love side to this relationship, too. Ever since I was young, I've logged plenty of family vacations down to Vegas, numerous road trips with friends for college football games (go UNR!) and have even had the occasional drunken gambling spree with girlfriends when we were passing through after a jaunt to the Grand Canyon. I don't think I could argue with the statement: Vegas doesn't disappoint for a good time.
But then the third day in town hits. And I usually wonder (with a pang of a hangover headache settling in), "OK, should I pack up now?"
I think I can pinpoint this to a few things. First, as much as I love playing Blackjack and a few kitschy slot machines, I hate losing money and will usually bow out once I've lost $50 (which happens pretty quickly). This is why when I am back home, I try to stick to playing games with a no deposit bonus, like the ones featured in this Handpicked Casino Bonuses guide. This way I get to hold on to my money for a little longer.
Second, I like to mix things up when I'm on vacation. There's something about just staying inside a casino or a hotel the entire time that gives me cabin fever (which for the most part, a lot of my past Vegas trips have been centered around just hopping from casino to casino). This is why sometimes, when I actually want to play some casino games, I will opt to play them online instead and head over to fb88 bet for win for a bit of gambling fun from the comfort of home.
Do not get me wrong, I definitely wish there was something I could do to improve my gambling skills! My poker face definitely needs some work. One of my best friends loves online casinos and she has recommended that I should try playing some Pkv Games. There is so much choice nowadays if online gambling is more your thing. Practicing online before hitting up a land-based casino is a great way to learn the ropes too. What do you think, do you enjoy online casinos?
So where am I going with all of this? Well, this rambling preamble is simply to say: after this last trip, my mind has changed about Vegas. Drastically.

So what changed you ask? For starters, our hotel made all of the difference. I, along with a handful of other bloggers and influencers, was invited out to experience The Cromwell, a new boutique hotel that recently opened on the Strip, directly across from Caesar's Palace. You're probably wondering, as I was at first, what difference is a boutique hotel going to make, if you're still on the Strip?
Let me put it this way: even with the ringing, buzzing and dinging of the casino floor, I didn't quite feel like I was in Vegas anymore. Instead of the typical dimly lit, "I-can't-tell-what-time-it-is-outside" feel, there are windows letting daylight in. Their casino floor bar, Bound, harkens to Vegas lounge bars of yesteryear (with zero gambling inside it and a rotating lineup of musicians on hand). Instead of a cloud of cigarette smoke, there's a faint hint of cologne. And the decor. Oh, man, the decor. One part gentleman's parlor, one part lady luck and a whole lot of whimsy (some rooms even had pinball machines in them).
Oh, it also doesn't hurt that Giada has her one and only namesake restaurant in the hotel and let me tell you, her monthly wine dinner pairing is not to be missed.
As for the rest of our stay? I think it made me see Vegas with fresh eyes. We hopped around to different museums and art galleries, including the Martin Lawrence Art Gallery (which boasts the likes of original Warhols and Picassos) and the newly opened Neon Museum (home to all the old neon strip signs of years gone by -- incredibly cool!). And for our last evening in town, we rode The Highroller (the large ferris wheel seen in the first photo), which is actually 100 feet taller than the London Eye and even includes a mini bar in some of the pods (because you know, when in Vegas).
It should also be noted that I now know how to play craps thanks to a very patient instructor at The Cromwell. I think I might stick to Blackjack still, but it never hurts to switch things up, right? Playing Blackjack just comes easily to me so it makes sense to stick to it. Once you get the hang of it, it should come easily to you to. You might want to simulate your strategy and make sure you're performing at your best before you play with big money. I just find Blackjack a little more thrilling than any other game and I always have a good time, even if I lose money.
All in all, there's something undeniably happening in Vegas right now -- a little renaissance almost with more culture and renowned restaurants opening up that reminds me of what it might have been like in years gone by when Sinatra, Bogart and Martin were prowling the town. A return to glamour. A return to glitz. A return to magic.
Huge thanks again to The Cromwell for hosting me! I think it's safe to say, I'll be back in town soon! And huge thanks to my fellow companions on the trip. I couldn't have asked for a better Rat Pack to hit the town with.
Photos by the very talented photographers in our group: Derrick Freske, Adam Stewart and Jonathan Zizzo.
This post was in collaboration with The Cromwell. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

December 14, 201514 Comments

a long december

2 minute read

Sweater, coat, beanie: Abercrombie; Jeans: DL 1961; Boots: Isabel Marant (from a few seasons ago, dying over this lower pair); Sunglasses: Celine; Bag: Chanel; Blanket: Abercrombie
Give me a snuggly duffle coat, a pom pom beanie and a good book in Central Park and I'm a very happy girl. 
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! 

This post was in collaboration with Abercrombie & Fitch. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

December 10, 201523 Comments

that’s so her

2 minute read

Dress and shoes: Kate Spade; Jacket: French Connection; Clutch: Kate Spade; Sunglasses: Celine; Lips: Marc Jacobs "Amazing"
While I'm a notorious last minute gift shopper, I absolutely love picking out gifts for my girlfriends. There's something about hunting around for a little collection of trinkets that remind me of them and memories that we've had together throughout the year. Something that tells a little story about them and us as friends. Something that makes you think, "that's so her!"
So naturally, when I discovered Kate Spade's gift guide this season, I was absolutely thrilled. Each little set is customizable and captures pretty much every one of your girlfriends on your list. The foodie. The jet setter. The beauty buff. Or in this case, with the set I picked out, the gal who's always ready for tea catch ups and happy hour drinks. (Heather, I'm looking at you, here!) 
Have you checked out their gift sets yet? Which ones would you scoop up for your girlfriends? 

This post was in collaboration with Kate Spade. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

December 9, 201517 Comments

toast the season {join me at french connection}

2 minute read

Shirt, pants and boots: French Connection; Bag: Olympia Le-Tan; Sunglasses: Celine; Necklace: Ribbon from Net-A-Porter packaging 
Calling all New Yorkers. What are you doing this Thursday evening? Cancel that Tinder/Bumble/Hinge/The League/Happn/random cute guy in the coffee line date (actually, don't cancel that last one!) and join me and the French Connection team for a little holiday shopping fun. Festivities kick off at 6pm and last until 8:30 -- just make sure to RSVP to RSVP@nylon.com and mention my name once you submit. Plus, those who RSVP and attend the event, will be automatically entered to win a $500 shopping spree (which gives you plenty of wiggle room to pick up a little something for those on your list and a little something for yourself!). Added bonus, everything in store will be 40% off during the event.
Hope to see you there! Unless of course you have that aforementioned date with the cute guy from the coffee line. In which case, girlfriend, you should go and let us all know how it went. 
This post was in collaboration with French Connection. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

December 4, 201513 Comments

studio escape {with bluebellgray}

3 minute read

Duvet, pillows here, here and here, sheet set and coverlet all thanks to Bluebellgray
It's been a hot minute since we've talked about how my apartment decorating is coming along and that's probably because, well...I haven't made much progress. 
I know, I know.
Between work and traveling lately, I'm starting to see why a lot of New Yorkers see their apartments as glorified closets and places to sleep at night. Because you're always out and about with something new to see around every corner.
Which, don't get me wrong, I love that about New York. But with winter almost here, I'm starting to realize how much I miss seeing my apartment as a refuge to come back to,  my little escape from the hustle and bustle of the city (and let's face it, soon to be freezing temps).
That said, over the next few months, I'm refocusing on my apartment, hunting around at different antique and estate sales for accent pieces and the ever elusive perfect sized couch. But my first order of business? Updating my bedroom. Of course, when you live in a studio like I do, it's hard to draw the line between where you sleep and where everything else goes -- that's just the nature of living in less than 500 square feet. I've found though, that when my bed is made with all the right things to make me feel a sense of ease all within reaching distance (candles, books, a cuddly dog who I share the bed with and my favorite hand cream by Aesop), I feel much more comfortable and secluded in my "sleeping space." 
As for this bedding? While I'm admittedly much more of a white linens gal, I love how this set by Bluebellgray adds the right amount of color, with a moody deep blue as a neutral setting. And in a weird way, for all my Sex and the City fans out there, it remind me of Carrie's bedding, which is always a win in my book. Granted, my little abode is very much a work in progress (still trying to figure out exactly what I want to put on all those blank walls), but little by little, it's already starting to feel more like me every day. 
Oh, and I think Elvis approves of the new bedding, which is always the true test. 
If you're looking to update your bedding, you can snag some Bluebellgray for yourself via Macy's Friends and Family sale for 25% off -- simply enter the code FRIENDS at checkout.
This post was in collaboration with Bluebellgray. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

December 2, 20158 Comments

superstart {with elizabeth arden}

4 minute read

Sweater: Everlane (from last year, similar style here); Dress: Tibi; Boots: Aldo; Bag: Olympia Le-Tan; Sunglasses: Celine
As I slowly but surely start to close the last chapter of my 20s and approach my 30s, I have to admit, everyone was right. There's no need to fear 30. In fact, in just my 29th year alone, I'm feeling much more confident, excited and self-assured than I've ever been, so if that's any indication of how my 30s will be sailing, then I say bring it on.
A lot of this has to do with hitting major career strides, learning more about myself and testing my limits -- and overall, feeling much more comfortable in my skin, inside and out. So when the folks over at Elizabeth Arden and Vanity Fair invited me to try out Elizabeth Arden's latest product, SUPERSTART Skin Renewal booster, I was intrigued. Granted, the 29-year old in me is balking at the idea of having to start thinking about anything related to anti-aging. But then the almost 30 year old in me is realizing that perhaps that's the key -- preventative steps for generally healthy skin.
We've talked about skin here on This Time Tomorrow and I'm only now after 29 years, starting to realize just how sensitive my skin really is. To weather changes. To pollution. To makeup. To my diet. And it's something I'm still struggling with to this day, but I'm making mindful strides in this area. It is safe to say I have picked up a fair few secret tips and skin hacks in my time. That said, I've been looking for approaches that help start at the source of healthy skin, like drinking tons of water throughout the day, regular exercise, vitamin rich foods (and skimping on the hormone-heavy ones), and stepping up my skincare regimen with products that really add value and serve a purpose.
Which is where SUPERSTART comes in.
I had a chance to chat with some of the folks at Elizabeth Arden last week at a breakfast Vanity Fair hosted at their gorgeous offices at One World Trade Center. Up until this point, I had been using SUPERSTART Skin Renewal Booster for about a week prior, and was generally pleased with the results so far, but overall, was uncertain what role this product would be playing in my new approach to "intentional skincare."
As it turns out, a lot of our skincare products focus on deeper layers, targeting past the surface layer to get more to the root of skin issues, i.e. wrinkles, fine lines, acne etc. What happens, as a result, is we ignore this first layer of skin -- the epidermis -- which takes the largest beating to all the elements we put it up against. If this outer layer is damaged, it makes it really difficult for any other products you're using to really penetrate the skin. SUPERSTART focuses solely on this surface layer, rejuvenating it so it can be the best receptor for everything else you layer on top as part of your skincare routine.
Around this time, this is when I started chatting with SunHee Grinnell, Beauty Director at Vanity Fair. And let me tell you. If you had a chance to see this woman's skin, you'd be begging for her skincare secrets, just like I was about 5 minutes in. She only alluded to her age once, to which I said there was absolutely no way that was true, and we then agreed to take the challenge together. Four weeks of using Elizabeth Arden's SUPERSTART Skin Renewal Booster as our first skincare step morning and evening, followed shortly after with Elizabeth Arden's PREVAGE Anti-Aging Serum as a one, two punch.
About a week and half in, and so far so good! I've already noticed my moisturizer is actually absorbing much better, instead of pilling like it sometimes likes to do.
Only time will tell -- stay tuned! I'm curious though, have any of you tried Elizabeth Arden's SUPERSTART Skin Renewal Booster yet? What did you think?
This post was in collaboration with Elizabeth Arden and Vanity Fair. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!

December 1, 201513 Comments

empire state of mind

3 minute read

Dress: Lanvin via The RealReal; Bag: Chanel; Sunglasses: Celine; Bracelet: Miansai; Earings: Yvel (similar style here); Lips: Marc Jacobs "Amazing"
One of my favorite books of all time would have to be The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, but the trouble is, I always struggle answering with one single reason as to why it's my favorite. Mainly because Rand's ability to both create larger than life characters and personify inanimate objects like a building or a city usually leave me breathless. It's perfect. But it's hard to pinpoint. It's both romantic drama/fiction and philosophical essay.
In a short and rudimentary summary, the book follows an up and coming architect named Howard Roark, whose talent is unrivaled but is met by a society whose standards value tradition and collectivism, as opposed to modernity and individuality. But he refuses to compromise. And from there, each character who crosses Roark's path represents an extreme on the spectrum of progress and status quo. 
Where am I going with all of this? There's a beautiful quote in the book that goes a little something like this:
"I would give the greatest sunset in the world for one sight of New York's skyline. Particularly when one can't see the details. Just the shapes. The shapes and the thought that made them. The sky over New York and the will of man made visible."
Every time I look at New York's skyline, especially from up above like Lydia and I were when shooting these photos at the Empire State Building, I'm reminded of this quote. And what it took for a single person to dream up a part of such an iconic skyline.   
Have you read the book or any of other Rand's work? My other favorite is Atlas Shrugged, but let's save that for another day (perhaps best suited for a train travel post). 
And in case you're left still wondering about this dress (because let's face it, those bows!), here are a few other favorites from my go-to holiday party stop this season, The RealReal. Enjoy! Just make sure if your holiday party takes you to the top of a skyscraper this year, bring a warm coat. 😉

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This post was in collaboration with The RealReal. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations! 

November 30, 201510 Comments

monday motivation {5 things that get me up and going}

4 minute read

Sweater, Tank, Bra, Pants and Bag: Calia by Carrie Underwood; Shoes: Nike Free; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Headphones: Gift from ShopStyle (similar here); Fitness tracker: Jawbone Up3
Since we're hot off the heels of our first (of many) long holiday breaks, let's talk fitness again, shall we? 
But first: this is the part where I hang my head a bit.
If you recall, a few weeks back I confided in all of you that I would be running my second marathon in many, many, many years this April in Paris. And if you happen to follow me on Snapchat, you probably got annoyed with the amount of running updates I was posting over there. That is until about two weeks ago, when it hit me. 
The wintertime "nahhh."
Are you familiar with it? That feeling when you know you really should be heading out for a long run and/or workout but something just always seems to get in the way. "Oh, waiting for the FedEx guy to arrive." "Oh, I really should organize my magazines by color and issue date." "Oh, silly daylight savings! I should just wait until I get that extra hour back to the day."
I'm usually pretty good at shaking this feeling, but something about the past two weeks (between a lot of last minute projects and a darn cold), I just couldn't seem to rise above the wintertime "nahhh." I guess when it came down to it, #NetflixAndChill just sounded better (and warmer). Which then, of course, got me thinking, I should revisit some of my fool-proof ways to get motivated again because that marathon sure as hell isn't going to run itself.
So in no particular order, here's how I get my butt into gear:
1. Pick up new workout gear. This probably comes as no surprise to anyone -- pick up a few cute new bras and running pants and I get excited to sport them all. I was recently introduce to the line Calia by Carrie Underwood back in September during Fashion Week and have been loving all of her separates (which I'm wearing here). 
2. Playlists. Playlists. Playlists. Give a girl the right tunes (or at least this girl) and she can run for miles. Lately I've been jamming out to a lot of Billy Joel, Bowie and Bieber (I know, I know, but something about his last album is just too good!).
3. Try a new workout class with friends. Nothing gets you moving like a few good girlfriends pushing you. Lately, we've been hooked on Equinox's barre classes (great for toning and lengthening). And I may have picked up a few leotards just for the occasion. 😉
4. Treat myself to a new restaurant if I meet my running goal for the week. Up this week? If I crush my 12 mile run this Saturday, I have my sights set on The Waverly Inn (because it just looks so romantic every time I pass it while walking Elvis).
5. Pick out my marathon present. They say eye on the prize, right? Well, in this case, I'm keeping my eye on a little visit to Chanel when I'm in Paris post-marathon to scoop up a new bag baby. Until then, let's think about this as the Chanel carrot, forcing me to run just a bit faster and just a bit longer.  
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This post was in collaboration with Equinox. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations! 

November 24, 201512 Comments

fall in washington square park {with EMU australia}

3 minute read

Jacket: Balenciaga (similar style here); Sweater: Everlane (from last year, similar style here); Jeans: Frame; Boots: EMU Australia; Sunglasses: Celine
If you happen to follow me on Instagram or SnapChat (username: krystalbick), you know I often end up in Washington Square Park for some reason or another. Besides being just about a 10 minute walk from my apartment and also Elvis' favorite dog run, I just love how the park makes me feel while I'm walking through it -- as if almost anything could happen to you while you're there. Musicians fill the air with trumpet flares and hearty bass beats, while street performers entertain crowds with their antics. Lovers hold hands and sit together closely on benches and countless others have their noses nestled deep in books about poetry, politics and pop culture.
And this time of year, the park is absolutely perfect, alive with fall colors and a briskness you can almost touch. Growing up, I always love raking up the leaves in our yard and jumping into the piles of goldenrod yellows, burnt oranges and amber-hued reds for long afternoon hours. But after having spent the past 5 or so years in San Francisco, I haven't had a chance to really enjoy this little childhood indulgence of mine in quite some time.
Granted, when I partnered up with EMU Australia to showcase their new waterproof boot line (which I'm looking forward to putting to the test come this winter!), I knew I wanted to hop over to my favorite park and finally play in the fresh fall leaves. For about the first 20 minutes of this shoot, I was pretty alone, as passerby stared a bit funny at this girl throwing around leaves and laughing at herself in the process. But you know what? Eventually, one by one, a few other folks joined into piles and tossed them around, snapping photos along the way, until before long, you could scan the park and see different patches of folks playing, leaves gently falling down around them. And for about 15 minutes or so, we all felt like kids again.
As for these boots? I love how they have a perfect fall nod to them with the suede detailing, making it extremely easy to incorporate into your go-to looks this season, without sacrificing some function for when the weather turns nasty and wet on us.
Speaking of, if you head over to EMU Australia's Instagram account now, you could snag a pair of their latest waterproof line for yourself! Simply follow EMU Australia on Instagram and like your favorite outfit posted -- one winner drawn at random will take home a new pair of boots! Good luck!
This post was in collaboration with EMU Australia. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations! 

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November 19, 201517 Comments

the early bird {st. ives skincare}

3 minute read

Jacket: Eddie Bauer; Sweater: Everlane (from last year, similar style here); Jeans: Guess; Boots: Schutz; Bag: Chanel (obsessed with this similar version here); Sunglasses: Celine; Bracelet: Miansai
I keep saying that I would love to have one of those New York evenings where I stay out all night, hopping from restaurant to restaurant, bar to bar, club to fast food joint and then back to a bar again, all to see the sun come up over one of our many bridges. You know, like the Queensboro bridge scene from Manhattan. Precisely like that.
While all evening romps are certainly the norm still (and high on my list of things to accomplish here in NYC), I've been hearing more and more about 6am dance parties. The kind that literally kick off once the sun is coming up, instead of the other way around. (Let's see Woody Allen make a movie about that.)
As luck would have it, I recently was invited by St. Ives to a Morning Gloryville event just last week at Washington Square, where, you guessed it, before I even had my first cup of coffee, I was strapping glow sticks to my wrists and hopping around to a little EDM. Oh, there also may or may not have been tarot card readings, sunrise salutations and a little bathroom refresh station to spruce up before work, with some of St. Ives' skincare line (my personal favorite at the moment is their Blemish Control scrub, which is perfect for my oily, acne-prone skin).
Huge thanks to St. Ives for inviting me out last week and for helping me check the 6am dance party off my NYC bucket list!

This post was in collaboration with St. Ives. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations! 

November 18, 201512 Comments

the winter to-do list {with SOREL}

3 minute read

Coat: Zara (old, similar style here); Sweater: White House Black Market; Jeans: MiH; Boots: SOREL; Hat: Gap (old, obsessed with this fur pom beanie here); Sunglasses: Celine
I've joked quite a bit with my more seasoned New Yorker friends that as much as I love New York now, I haven't gone through my first real winter yet here on the East Coast -- so they might have to send reinforcements to my apartment come February when I refuse to leave my studio.
That said though, I'm actually really looking forward to winter here.
{CRICKETS}
I know, I know....said no New Yorker, EVER.
But hear me out.
I've gone through my fair share of Fashion Weeks here in February to know that it gets frigidly cold. Actually, scratch the adjective frigid. I'm not sure there's a good adjective that quite describes it. And granted, I'll more than likely go into hibernation and/or jetset mode when February and March roll around (summer in Australia is looking pretty good, if you ask me!). But there's really no season like winter in New York, especially when the holidays start to roll in. Now the only adjective I think is fitting there is: magical.
Those who know me, know I love a good list, especially when it comes to experiences or places I want to visit. And Christmas here in New York has made me one busy list lady. Between the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center, ice skating, the holiday window displays going up, and hopefully an upstate trip to Woodstock or the Catskills soon, I'm busy stocking up on a few winter essentials that can carry me through the season (and my list!).
One thing is for sure, SOREL boots have come highly recommended by almost every New Yorker I've talked to. And if there ever was a group of folks who knew a thing or two about those awful, nasty puddles that accumulate at every intersection corner, it's those guys.
So I say, winter, I'm ready for you. Just maybe go easy this year? Deal?
This post was in collaboration with SOREL. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations! 

November 17, 201517 Comments

funny face

3 minute read

First outfit: Jumpsuit: Self-Portrait; Heels: Steve Madden; Bag: Olympia Le-Tan; Sunglasses: Celine; Jacket: Alexander McQueen; Bracelet: Miansai; Earrings: Yvel
Second outfit: Dress: Self-Portrait; Heels: Steve Madden; Bag: Chanel; Sunglasses: Celine; Bracelet: Miansai; Earrings: Yvel
I recently went out to grab coffee with a friend visiting from San Francisco (hey, Roya!) and she happened to pay me the biggest compliment ever. Like ever. To the point it practically made my day, no, week probably.
We were talking about our personal style, how it's evolved over the years and whose style we absolutely admired. Offhandedly, she mentioned that my style reminded her of a modern day Audrey Hepburn.
A few things happened next. First, I practically spit out my coffee, blushed and told her she was crazy. Meanwhile, my inner 13-year old self who was obsessed with Breakfast at Tiffany's (and still am to this day!), wanted to jump up and down and hug her. (Roya, remind me, I still owe you a hug the next time I see you!)
This rambling story is all to say, that I, like pretty much every other girl with Netflix access in middle school, have always admired Audrey Hepburn. I've read numerous biographies about her, have dressed up as Holly Golightly for Halloween more times than I can count and I may have gone on a wild goose chase throughout New York when I first moved to find Embryo Concepts, the book store where Jo Stockton works in Funny Face (sadly, it's a fictional store).
Above all though, and again, like most other girls my age, her style is what remains timeless for me, both sartorially speaking and her energy as a person. Graceful, elegant and always classic -- her poise seemed to exude far beyond just a character in a movie. It was her.
Where am I going with this? Well, I like to think whenever I'm donning a little evening attire (like these two Self Portrait numbers I recently picked up thanks to Luisa Via Roma) and hopping around the Upper East Side, I should swing by Tiffany's on my way back home. And give Sally Tomato the weather report. Oh, and of course, make sure to feed Cat.
While we're on the subject of evening attire, if you scoot over to Luisa Via Roma now, they're offering 15% off side-wide with the code SHOP15. Some exclusions apply (but those included, are goodies -- Valentino, Givenchy, Marant -- the gang's all here!). Run, don't walk; sale ends on 11/26.

This post was in collaboration with Luisa Via Roma and ShopStyle. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations! 

November 16, 201518 Comments

a new york minute with mm.lafleur

4 minute read

First outfit for morning coffee: Coat: MM.LaFleur; Dress: MM.LaFleur; Boots: Stuart Weitzman; Bag: Olympia Le-Tan; Sunglasses: Celine; Hat: Jennifer Behr
Second outfit for afternoon meetings: Dress: MM.Fleur; Turtleneck: Ted Baker; Boots: Stuart Weitzman; Bag: Chanel; Sunglasses: Celine; Bracelet: Miansai
Third outfit for evening drinks: Top: MM.LaFleur; Skirt: MM.LaFleur; Shoes: Manolo Blahnik; Clutch: Kate Spade; Jacket: Alexander McQueen; Sunglasses: Celine; Lips: Stila "Beso"; Necklace: Yvel
Raise your hand if you appreciate the following adjectives: classic, effortless, elegant and machine-washable.
If you're waving your arms at this point for any of the above, (especially the last one!), let's talk. Specifically about MM.LaFleur.
I was first introduced to the brand back when I lived in San Francisco, thanks to my girl Anh of 9 to 5 Chic. I loved every last piece on her -- each one more timeless and fuss-free than the last. So why didn't I pull the trigger then?
Not entirely sure. But I think it might have something to do with the fact I tend to not believe brands when they say something is machine-washable. Let's face it -- it's a marketing buzz word that gets thrown out there a little too liberally, much like "organic" or "gluten-free" when in reality, it's not 100% the truth.
I've gone down the "we promise it's machine-washable" road before only to have clothes pill, lose their shape and generally tear after one wash. I'll admit it. I'm jaded. And therefore, have stuck to their dry-clean only counterparts, which comes at a pricey tradeoff.
Naturally, when MM.LaFleur approached me earlier this season to partner together, I was curious to see how their pieces really stand the test. First of all, it goes without saying, their designs are right up my alley. Their lead designer, Miyako Nakamura, hails from design houses like Jason Wu and Zac Posen, so girlfriend knows a thing or two about elegant design. And believe you me, I enjoyed styling each and every piece, especially with fall now upon us.
But then it came time to wash.
While each piece has the option to dry clean, I opted to include them all (with the exception of the coat, because coats always make me nervous) with my hand wash load in the delicate cycle. And then I waited with bated breath. 
Lo and behold, after each piece air dried, I was incredibly pleased with the shape and feel of the fabric afterward! Which means only one thing: I'm stocking up on more. 
If you're new to the brand (like me) you can try them out via their Bento Box service. Here's how it works: fill out a quick style survey and their team will then personalize one gift box with a handful of hand selected items. Each piece you love, keep. Each piece you don't. Send it right back with the return labels they include.
That's it! Commitment free and none of that awkward avoiding of texts when you'd rather just not see the other person. No questions asked. Plus, if you order now with the code MMTOMORROW, you'll receive a free copy of their book Wear to Work with your order.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm throwing on my Gramercy coat to walk Elvis around the West Village (but perhaps we'll head over to Gramercy instead). 
It's worth noting that not every piece from MM.LaFleur is machine-washable, although a majority of them are. Each item is labeled accordingly on their site though so you can easily double check!

This post was in collaboration with MM.LaFleur. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations! 

November 13, 201523 Comments

tszuj it up {holiday style}

2 minute read

Dress: Tracy Reese via Nordstrom; Boots: Stuart Weitzman; Bag: Olympia Le-Tan; Sunglasses: Celine; Bracelet: Miansai

We've been chatting here and there about holiday dressing around these parts these days, and while I'll usually opt for something tea-length and full skirted, I've been pushing my boundaries lately. Or as Christine has been putting it, "SHOW SOME LEG, KRYSTAL." 
OK, OK. Here's a leggy Tracy Reese dress that I recently picked up thanks to Nordstrom. Which I then promptly covered up with some come-hither-over-the-knee boots. Because. Well. I like to keep 'em guessing. If you ask me, there's something slightly more suggestive about a short mini dress, that covers pretty much all of your top half, arms, neckline and all, with the promise of a lot of leg, only to have a sliver peek out every now and then when you shimmy out of that cab.
I'm sure if we surveyed 10 guys right now....they'd probably disagree with me. But I probably won't be going out with those 10 dudes anyway. #TheirLoss
But perhaps that 11th dude will be reminded of Jane Birkin to which I'll gladly swipe right for.
How about you guys? Are you venturing into any turtleneck mini dresses this holiday season? Here are a few of my favorites that would look amazing with boots (or heels, if you wanna show some gams!).
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This post was in collaboration with Nordstrom and ShopStyle. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations! 

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