February 21, 2018No Comments

my checklist for trying out trends

6 minute read

6 minute read My mental checklist when it comes to trying out (or not trying out) a trend.

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February 20, 2018No Comments

narciso rodriguez: for her

4 minute read

4 minute read My scent changes with my mood and my seasons -- and I love how each bottle I add to my rotation stands proudly each morning, inviting me to become that woman -- be it powerful, seductive, intriguing, mysterious, evocative, curious, youthful, pensive -- and sometimes, all of the above.

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February 13, 2018No Comments

unexpected date night plans

5 minute read

5 minute read No reservations? No problem. Here's 9 unusual date night ideas.

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February 12, 2018No Comments

how to dress for a new york winter

4 minute read

4 minute read Warmth and style don't have to be mutually exclusive.

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February 8, 2018No Comments

what to wear for valentine’s day

4 minute read

4 minute read How to wear red this Valentine's Day

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February 1, 2018No Comments

marvelous mrs. maisel

4 minute read

4 minute read Does this cafe look familiar to you?

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January 26, 2018No Comments

friday favorites: statement boots

3 minute read

3 minute read These boots were made for walking (and turning heads)!

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January 25, 2018No Comments

behind sunglasses

4 minute read

4 minute read Ditching sunglasses and here's why...

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January 24, 2018No Comments

how to dress like meghan markle

4 minute read

4 minute read Here's looking at you, HRH.

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January 22, 201822 Comments

4 tips for the latest instagram algorithm change

5 minute read

5 minute read That's a nice looking algorithm you got there...

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January 17, 2018No Comments

A thank you note + $1,000 shopping spree giveaway!

3 minute read

 

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Wow, it's been some week so far!

First, I just wanted to say how much I appreciated all your comments, emails and thoughts regarding Monday's reader survey results post. It was beyond amazing to hear that you found the process and the insights just as helpful as I did -- and I hope to continue surveys like that moving forward. I loved hearing all your ideas, both the positive and the constructive feedback, as it helps me build out content for the year ahead that we all can enjoy!

Secondly, as a small token of my appreciation for those who participated and tuned in, I'm giving away a $1,000 shopping spree to one lucky reader! This giveaway is not sponsored by any outside brand or company -- I'm simply purchasing a prepaid Visa gift card with my own money -- as a way of giving back to you all. When I started this blog over 8 years ago, I had no idea it would lead me down the path I'm now on -- a reality that I often have to pinch myself over. And it wouldn't be possible without the support and guidance from you all. The fact we can have such an open and trusting dialogue, like the one from last week's survey, means the world to me. So for that, THANK YOU.

You can enter the giveaway by simply typing your email address in the widget below. For additional entries, make sure to follow the prompts that come up afterward -- I'll be giving 5 additional entries for following along on Instagram.

I'll be selecting 1 winner at random next Wednesday, January 24 at 12pm EST and will announce here, on Instagram and on Instagram Stories.

Best of luck and, as if I haven't said it enough, THANK YOU for your support!

 

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OUTFIT DETAILS: Suistudio coat // Reformation dress // Zara boots (sold out, but love this pair that's currently on sale!) // Anthropologie beret // Cafune bag // Tortoise & Blonde glasses

Photos by Nora Varcho

 

January 10, 2018No Comments

video: 5 must-have winter coats

3 minute read

Alright New Yorkers!

We've officially entered what many call the dreaded trenches of winter (or perhaps that's just my name for the period of time between New Year's Eve and whenever spring decides to show up). Either way, being a February baby means I've always looked forward to the depths of winter, yes, even here in New York. Sure, the days are shorter, the wind bites down to your bones a bit more and for the life of you, you can't seem to remember which coat has which pair of gloves in the pocket. But! The silver lining? Restaurants suddenly become that much cozier when it's snowing outside. Eventually you break down and give in to the urge to have hot chocolate most afternoons. And an insanely chic coat is really all you need when outfit planning. On that note, I've rounded up my 5 favorite types of winter coats in today's video, styling each a bit differently in all my favorite spots around the city. I hope you enjoy and stay warm out there!

 

[prodl brand="1. Max Mara" product="Soldato coat" description="What I love most about a good swing coat (especially one that's midi length or longer) is that by simply adding a belt, you have a really chic dress. This particular pink coat is just so feminine (a bit of a departure for me when it comes to my coat routine) making it all the more twirl worthy. I wore a simple little cocktail dress underneath (to avoid adding bulk to the outfit), classic black heels and topped it off with a beret for a dash of Parisian flair." link="http://shopstyle.it/l/txUS"][/prodl]

[prodr brand="2. Acne" product="Cade coat" description="If there's one thing I promptly invested in after moving to New York, it was a camel coat. The one I'm wearing in the video is by Suistudio (a favorite suiting brand of mine), but I think this Acne version is the belted camel coat of my dreams (never hurts to have a little variety when it comes to your neutral jacket lineup). I dressed this coat up for evening in the video, but my daily uniform come winter usually consists of a camel coat like this, a grey turtleneck and some high waisted skinny jeans." link="http://shopstyle.it/l/tylw"][/prodr]

[prodl brand="3. Stella McCartney" product="Navy double breasted coat" description="It's easy to shy away from really long coats, particularly when you're far from model height like me, and the idea of something so long feels like it's going to swallow you up. Boy, was I wrong. I picked up an almost floor length coat two winters ago and realized the clean, long lines of the jacket actually made me look taller, not to mention warmer (it's practically like wearing a blanket). Needless to say, this Stella option is a great contender for the colder months of winter ahead. And it's on sale!" link="http://shopstyle.it/l/tyoM"][/prodl]

[prodr brand="4. Gabriela Hearst" product="William reversible herringbone coat" description="I love how herringbone always has a slight borrowed from the boys vibe -- and a coat like this is easy to put your own feminine spin on. In the video, I styled mine with a belt cinching for a higher waistline, skinny jeans, and the illusion of not much else going on underneath (spoiler alert: a little lacy cami will do just fine here). Suddenly, what was once an overcoat now looks more like a statement blazer." link="http://shopstyle.it/l/typz"][/prodr]

[prodl brand="5. A.P.C." product="White wool and mohair coat" description="It's true. I'm a sucker for winter white looks. Oddly enough though, this wool and mohair coat actually marks my first white coat. The one I'm wearing in the video is by Ba&sh Paris, but this one by A.P.C. has the same deliciously oversized fit -- kind of like you stole it from your boyfriend." link="http://shopstyle.it/l/tx9N"][/prodl]

 

Video by Eythan Maidhof

January 9, 201833 Comments

about that natalie portman comment

4 minute read

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Truth be told, I actually had a very different post written for today.

It was a post about jet lag and meditation and how I really can't handle either (although I'm trying!), but in light of Sunday's Golden Globes ceremony, I thought twice about it.

As I'm sure many of you already saw, read or have talked about at great length, the #TimesUp movement that hit the red carpet in LA was nothing short of, in my opinion, a moving and united message of action, support, and empathy for those facing sexual assault, harassment, and inequality in the workplace. Those things are happening daily for some people, and with the help of the #TimesUp movement, more people are beginning to speak up against the people who are sexually harassing them. After speaking up, people are advised to try and find someone who is well-practiced in sexual harassment law to try and help them gain compensation if they are entitled to it for the experiences they've had to go through.

Debra Messing called out E! News for not paying their female anchors the same as their male counterparts, all WHILE giving an interview with E! News. Social justice activists like Tarana Burke (founder of the #MeToo movement) joined A-list celebrities as their companions for the evening. And if I'm not mistaken, my girl Oprah just threw her hat in for 2020 with that speech (and I, for one, couldn't be more excited by the prospect of that).

But wait, what about that Natalie Portman comment? Yeah, let's get into that Natalie Portman comment.

Again, as you may have already seen or heard or scrolled past, Natalie Portman presented the award for Best Director, her lead in line going something like this: "And here are the ALL MALE nominees for best director."

Emphasis on "all." Even bigger emphasis on "male." And even bigger emphasis on the awkward look that Ron Howard by her side just couldn't shake off fast enough.

I shared this exact moment on Insta Stories the other night -- as I loved the overall brazenness of this move. The tact, delivery and perhaps the timing of the statement caught a lot of people off guard -- including the nominees -- and while I could see how this might seemingly shift the overall positive tone of the evening to that of seemingly bitter -- I didn't take it as such. She took a timely opportunity when she had a very global stage to make a point. (Continued below...keep scrolling)

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OUTFIT DETAILS: Leone dress // Sergio Rossi heels // Olympia Le-Tan clutch // Celine sunglasses

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The point that, like many other industries, not just Hollywood, there's a fundamental accessibility issue. In it's 75 years, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has only nominated 6 female directors to date for a Golden Globe (with Barbra Streisand being nominated twice and winning once) -- the numbers are even more dismal when you look at the Academy Awards.

And it's largely due to the fact that female directors make up such a small percentage of top industry films (the ones that eventually get award buzz anyway), the reasons for such boiling down to studios, producers and film executives standing in the way of allowing that number to change and evolve. In fact, as of 2016, both the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs launched an investigation into discriminatory hiring practices against female directors in Hollywood. Of the few women who eventually earn the helm of such top industry films, many find themselves left out of the awards race all together (like Lady Bird's Greta Gerwig).

I think Portman's comment forced this conversation to take center stage. I didn't take it as a plea for nominating women purely for the sake of hitting a female director quota -- that doesn't do anyone, male or female directors, any favors. And while I could see how it might alienate or even undermine the very talented men who were nominated, I also didn't take it as a slight against those gentlemen either. I think what she was trying to highlight here was the question: why don't we have more female directors being considered for these types of roles in the first place?

Of course, I always love hearing from you guys on these topics, even if we may see things differently -- I think that's the beauty in debate!

What did you think about Natalie Portman's comment? Let me know in the comments below -- or DM me on Instagram! Let's chat!

As for these photos, Lydia and I actually snapped these while we were in LA earlier this year working with the Sarah Seven team on their Leone collection launch. It just dawned on me that I had never shared these photos and figured, in light of today's post topic, the "You Are A Star" mural was all too fitting.

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Photos by Lydia Hudgens

December 30, 20175 Comments

17 of 2017

8 minute read

Well, here we are! Another year coming to an end -- a new one just about to begin. I always find this time of year -- the span between Christmas and New Year's -- to be an interesting "in between" period. It's as if we're all collectively waiting for some proverbial shoe to drop, a sigh of relief we're looking to release at any minute. Your days kind of get a bit blurred together, between family get togethers and late night cocktail parties with friends. And you reflect. A lot. Or at least I do.

It's part of the reason why I love writing these end of year posts so much. During our drive yesterday between Perth and Margaret River (where we're spending New Year's), I dug through my archives over the course of this year and pulled my personal highlights and favorites -- a reel of my highs (and even some lows) that meant a lot to me these past 12 months. The opportunities. The trips. The career moves. And of course, I have all of you to thank for it. So thank you. For following along this year, for reading, for supporting, and most importantly, for being my friends.

Wherever you are this New Year's Eve, I hope you ring in the new year with love and hope, as I know I will. And as for 2018, let's f-ing do this. I'm ready for ya.

What kind of content do you want to see in 2018?

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1. Speaking on panels: One of my biggest personal goals this year was to take on more speaking engagements. Public speaking has always been a point of contention for me — I tend to shy away from being the center of attention, especially if a microphone is involved. This year alone, I told myself every speaking engagement that popped into my inbox, I would take on — 5 in total.

The biggest pinch me moment was when I was invited to speak on a panel about women disrupting the digital media landscape at the Samsung space in Meatpacking. Walking in that evening and seeing my photo span a 2 story high screen was a pretty incredible feeling -- both humbling and frightening at the same time. But, of course, with any fear, practice always helps and I've found that usually once I get started, I love the adrenaline rush of it all. And the questions from all of you!

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2. NYC Marathon: After pulling out of the NYC marathon the year before, tackling the race this year was a big fitness goal for me. I documented my training process along the way — and I cannot begin to thank you all enough for the words of encouragement along the way. While my time wasn’t necessarily anything to brag about (I had to walk quite a bit), I was ecstatic to just have finished the race and been a part of something that literally the city comes together to support. Huge props to my boyfriend who also tried to run me down for the last 6 miles to give me a new set of headphones (my Apple AirPods died around mile 18).

3. Japan: My trip to Japan was a dream trip come true — one that had been in the works for several years with my good friend, Heather. We both were dying to see the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom and managed to schedule the trip perfectly, hitting Tokyo, Kyoto and Naoshima at just the right time to witness it all.

4. Scotland: Even though this was probably one of my shortest international trips (less than 5 full days), I walked away with some of my all-time favorite images of the year, including the one you see here, of me in the red dress up at the Isle of Skye.

5. Australia X 2!: This year, I chocked up two separate trips down under — both very different from each other. The first was spent trekking through New South Wales with their state tourism board, experiencing Sydney, Bondi, Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay. The second — where I am currently — has been spent exploring Melbourne and Western Australia with my guy. I just have to say -- I've been spoiled with SUCH good coffee and avo smash here that it's gonna be really hard to leave.

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6. South of France: For ages now, I’ve wanted to visit the south of France. We hopped over back in August and I was basically in heaven as we drove through some of the most beautiful countryside I’ve ever seen — lavender and sunflower fields and all. I still need to post my recap posts from this trip so look out for those in early January!

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7. Instagram engagement tips: Ah, the algorithm heard around the world. Thanks to Facebook, we’ve all felt the effects of the algorithm change introduced back in March — and for better or for worse, we’re stuck with it. I’m not going to lie, it’s really changed the way I look at the platform and the credence and weight I give it, when it comes to my business. That said, I loved starting this conversation with you all — tips and tricks — on how to best handle the changes, if for nothing else than to give a bit of transparency to something that tends to be kept as an industry secret.

8. How to handle a breakup: The start of 2017 hit a pretty low note for me — the guy I had been dating at the time decided to call it quits at midnight on New Year’s Eve. I took the first month or so of the year to really reflect on how I handled that heartbreak. What came of it was this post, where I shared 6 ways to handle a breakup — it was extremely therapeutic to share this with you guys and hopefully it helped someone else along the way.

9. Glamour Magazine: While this photoshoot actually happened at the end of 2016, it wasn’t until March of 2017 that I saw this finished ad for Clinique in Glamour Magazine. These photos are some of my favorite snaps in print — I still have to pinch myself when I see them.

10. International Women’s Day with BHLDN: Celebrating International Women’s Day with these badass babes for a collaboration with BHLD. Also, this dress made many appearances over the year — it’s probably one of my favorites.

11. Launching YouTube and my weekly newsletter: I’ve been pushing myself to launch both my YouTube channel and my weekly newsletter and toward the second half of this year, I was able to do both! It’s been a really rewarding experience challenging myself to learn and develop two different platforms and I’m looking forward to growing the two even more in 2018.

12. Nora, my editorial assistant: One of my big professional goals for 2017 was to hire an editorial assistant to help with some of my day over day workload. While I’ve managed direct reports before while at Google, this time felt infinitely different as the business is that much more personal. The minute I met Nora though, I knew my brand was in good hands. Not only is she meticulous, organized and good at making sure I eat lunch during the day (I sometimes just forget and power through until dinner), she’s an amazing writer and photographer. Our holiday dress edit lookbook is some of her finest work yet, I think. Thank you, Nora for everything. You're a badass.

13. Funny Face: Sometimes I do weird things for photoshoots. Including walking around Washington Square Park at 6:30am with multicolored balloons to recreate a scene from Funny Face. Was it worth it though? I think so!

14. Underneath it All: This year I partnered with a few of my favorite lingerie brands, Adore Me and Third Love, both I think are great at hitting the sweet spot for women of all sizes and shapes — a surprising anomaly in a market dominated by angel wing models. Like many of you I’m sure, I have body hang ups and insecurities, which is why I loved shooting this campaign to tackle those head on. I’ve never thought of lingerie as something for men — it’s much more a gift to myself. The gift of feeling comfortable in my own skin and embracing my sexuality, however I choose to express it, which I'm sure many women from the likes of www.hdpornvideo.xxx and other sites would agree with as well!

15. Mulberry: As we draw 2017 to a close, I’m extremely grateful for the roster of wonderful brand partners I’ve worked with the past few months. My career highlight though was working with Mulberry back in November for their Amberley Bag launch.

16. Sarah Seven: I’ve never been the girl who’s dreamt about what her wedding dress would look like. If, or when I get married, I like to think I’d probably wear a really simple, elegant white midi dress. But when I worked with bridal designer Sarah Seven on her contemporary dress line, Leone, I was rather tempted to borrow of of her gowns, just to see what all the fuss is about. The result? I get it now.

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17. Paris in the Rain: Out of all my outfits this year, there’s something about this black and white number with a red umbrella in front of the New York Public Library that just felt so cinematic. It’s my current Instagram profile photo and I just can’t bring myself to change it.

December 28, 20175 Comments

top played songs of 2017

4 minute read

Perhaps you're like me and you recall Spotify's global outdoor ads that they ran toward the end of 2016. Essentially, it was a tongue in cheek way of poking fun at different listener's habits by crunching user data, either by the amount of times a certain song had be listened to or perhaps the title of a given curated playlist. Best example was this tagline: "Dear 3,749 people who streamed 'It's the End of the World as We Know It' the day of the Brexit vote, hang in there."

You get the idea.

Anyway, this year, Spotify came out with a personalized playlist for each person, curated with all their top played songs over the course of the year, which, much like photos, makes for a fun way to revisit and reflect on the year -- what you were doing, where you were going, how you were feeling -- based on the soundtrack you blasted.

Since I'm rounding up my favorite moments from the year for tomorrow's Top 17 of 2017, I figured I'd share my top songs of 2017 playlist as well, some more embarrassing than others (I mean, did I really listen to 'Despacito' that much?), some that still make me dance even though I've listened to it 2,431 times ('Want You Back' by Haim) and some that just really require no explanation at all (like the entire La La Land and Hamilton soundtracks).

So without further adieu, I give you my top play songs of 2017 -- I only ask that you don't judge me by how much Ed Sheeran I apparently listened to. Deal? Deal.

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OUTFIT DETAILS: Leone dress // Sergio Rossi heels // Olympia Le-Tan clutch

[prodl brand="Solace London" product="Heloise Ribbed Midi Dress" description="Say hello to your new favorite shimmy, shimmy dress. Hugs just the right amount with a super open back, but the neckline and the overall length help balance it out. Might even be a great New Year's Eve dress contender." link="http://shopstyle.it/l/senZ"][/prodl]

 

[prodr brand="Ulla Johnson" product="Imogen Dress" description="While this dress doesn't have a low back like the one I'm wearing here, I actually love it for the same reason: it shows off a part of your body that isn't necessarily thought of as an obvious trigger point so to speak, in this case, your shoulders and collar bone. Both undeniably sexy, but in a more subtle, understated way." link="http://shopstyle.it/l/seqk"][/prodr]

[prodl brand="Alex Perry" product="Colton Strapless Dress" description="I just discovered Alexy Perry thanks to my Aussie friend, Izzy, here in Melbourne and ever since, I've been drooling over many of his pieces (some of which have slipped their way into the sale section, like this beauty here!). This particular dress is, in my opinion, the perfect shade of green -- deep olive/military green. And yours truly is tempted." link="http://shopstyle.it/l/sets"][/prodl]

 

[prodr brand="Khaite" product="Margot Slip Dress" description="You can never have too many slip dresses. But if you must limit yourself, I think at least round out your collection with one black one, one white or nude colored one and one in a fun, statement color, like this mustard, marigold one here. It's unexpected, in the best way possible." link="http://shopstyle.it/l/sevJ"][/prodr]

Photos by Lydia Hudgens

December 27, 20177 Comments

6 dresses perfect for nye

5 minute read

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When it comes to New Year's Eve, I think it's safe to say it's a rather polarizing holiday. On one hand, I can see how many folks might resent, dread, detest (or any combination there of), the holiday itself -- there's a lot of hype, far too many expectations, the hassle of reservations seemingly NEVER being available no matter how early in the year you may start booking and inevitably, there's always someone in tears at midnight for some reason of heartache or self-loathing or both. On the other hand, it can be joyous, celebratory and a good excuse to shake off the previous year, flip it the middle finger (or hug it!) and toast the new one just arriving.

Admittedly, I've been on both sides of the fence when it comes to New Year's Eve -- I'm both a cynic and a believer, but I like to think my inner optimist prevails once the countdown starts and it more often than not, has a lot to do with what I'm wearing for the evening. If I can start the night off in something I feel absolutely fabulous in, even if all hell breaks loose, at least I've got one thing covered.

Since we're just a few days out now from ringing in 2018 (and I've now extended my stay here in Australia while my guy sorts out his pending visa situation) I'm currently hunting for a few good dress options for New Year's in Melbourne (regrettably, I didn't bring any good frocks for the occasion).

Of course, this begs the question: how to stand out amongst the crowd of sequins, black, glitter, metallic, velvet and any of the above combinations. If these photos are any indication (or this post and this video), I'll take every opportunity to be extra AF and run with it -- usually in the name of an editorial shoot (we shot these back in July actually while working with the Sarah Seven team in LA), but particularly in the name of New Year's Eve. Why? It's the perfect holiday to justify a dress splurge -- one that you've been eyeing for most of the season and one that, with any luck, is now on sale thanks to the post-Christmas sale gods. That way, it's not just one dress that you've delegated to the likes of an evening out for champagne but one that brings joy well past a midnight countdown.

In that spirit, I've rounded up a few perfect dresses for New Year's Eve that you'll love well into 2018. Because 2018 is all about things on YOUR terms, am I right?

What are you guys doing for New Year's Eve? And, moreover, what are you wearing?

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[prodl brand="Sarah Seven" product="Saint Dress" description="Not for the faint of heart when it comes to a New Year's Eve party dress. This gorgeous Sarah Seven gown is screaming to be worn to a midnight masquerade ball -- bonus points if there happens to be a dramatic staircase for your perfect entrance (and mysterious exit)." link="http://www.sarahseven.com/bride-by-sarah-seven/"][/prodl]

 

[prodr brand="Rebecca Vallance" product="Guipure Lace Midi Dress" description="If one thing is for sure, you'll be hard pressed to find someone else at the party in another yellow dress. What I love about this one by Rebecca Vallance, is that it's from her Resort collection -- making the overall vibe appropriately vacation inspired (perfect come February when we're all fed up with New York winters and need a warm getaway, but the lace gives it bit of a evening nod." link="http://shopstyle.it/l/r7Hg"][/prodr]

 

 

[prodl brand="Rebecca Taylor" product="Patchwork Dress" description="This Rebecca Taylor dress combines some of my favorite elements into one piece of clothing: velvet, ruffles and peek-a-boo lace. While this dress would be perfect with a pair of classic black heels, I'd be even more interested in seeing it paired with knee high black boots." link="http://shopstyle.it/l/r7KZ"][/prodl]

 

[prodr brand="Zimmermann" product="Rife Dally Midi Dress" description="I've yet to meet a polka dot I didn't like. And this dress by Zimmermann has my name all over it. Asymmetrical? Check. Lace? Check. Cut out shoulders? Check! Plus, it's currently on sale!" link="http://shopstyle.it/l/r7Oo"][/prodr]

[prodl brand="Self Portrait" product="Sweetheart Crochet Midi Dress" description="I love how unexpected a pleated dress might be for evening festivities, but imagine the dancing you could do in this little number! The twirls! The dips!" link="http://shopstyle.it/l/r7SS"][/prodl]

 

[prodr brand="Alice McCall" product="Sweet Emotion Dress" description="Confession: I actually tried on this very dress here in Australia (Alice McCall is probably my newest Australia crush but shhh...don't tell my boyfriend that). And another confession: I'm pretty tempted to head back to their boutique to scoop it up. Oddly enough, I don't have many blush colored dresses but amongst a sea of black frocks, you'd certainly stick out. In the best way possible." link="http://shopstyle.it/l/r7VJ"][/prodr]

OUTFIT DETAILS: Sarah Seven gown (borrowed) // Sergio Rossi heels

Photos by Lydia Hudgens

December 26, 2017No Comments

video: fall/winter 2017 lookbook

2 minute read

Welcome back from the long weekend! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas (or whatever you happen to celebrate), spent with friends and loved ones. Mine was spent here in Western Australia with my guy's family -- in the midst of summer, no less! We ate dinner alfresco, opening presents and laughing over BonBons (a new-to-me Australian Christmas tradition), while the warm ocean air breezed through. After the past few months of 2017, which have been hectic to say the least, this has been the perfect respite vacation, with lots of time to do very little actually other than think (an act I often take for granted, when this line of works requires a lot of GO, GO, GO).

In fact, it's gotten me thinking and reflecting a lot about this past year, what I've enjoyed, what seemed to work, what didn't and where I'd like 2018 to take me. Of course, I'd love to hear your thoughts on all of the above, especially as we close out 2017 here in just a few short days. As usual, I'll have my top 17 of 2017 coming later this week -- followed by my thoughts on the year ahead -- goals, dreams, ambitions and more!

In the meantime, since we're just easing into the post-holiday mentality, I wanted to share another video, this one being a much anticipated short from earlier this fall -- my fall/winter 2017 trend lookbook. I've rounded up my four favorite trends (all translate quite nicely into winter) and styled them around Central Park. I hope you enjoy and as always, I would so appreciate it if you would consider subscribing to my YouTube channel here. New videos are posted every Friday, many times before they ever make it to the blog!

As always, thank YOU for reading!

Video by Eythan Maidhof

December 22, 2017No Comments

video: holiday dress edit

< 1 minute

As promised last week, here's my holiday dress edit video, featuring quite a few of the dresses we snapped here. Even though we're coming down to the wire now before Christmas, there's still New Year's Eve, which many of these dresses would be perfect for! Hope you enjoy and as always, thanks so much for reading!

Video by Eythan Maidhof

December 19, 2017No Comments

fishnet socks + 2017’s resolutions

2 minute read

Here's an unexpected stocking stuffer idea: fishnet socks. Bonus points if they have a bow, like this pair. They're an easy way to jazz up any outfit and at $6 a pop, you can easily snag several pairs for all sartorial discerning girlfriends. I picked up this pair when I was in Tokyo earlier this year and love pairing them with my little Sarah Flint Emma heels and jeans (for a cool girl, off-duty look) and with a full midi skirt (for a polished statement outfit).

This, of course, has me thinking about this particular outfit from last year, where I styled my fishnet stockings under a pair of distressed blue jeans -- alongside my resolutions for 2017. The funny thing about resolutions to me, is that, no matter how much you feel like you've accomplished in a particular year, it's easy to still feel like you didn't quite hit the mark. But after reading back through my resolutions from this time last year, and remembering my mood and frame of mind at the time (I was in the midst of an unhealthy breakup), I have to say, I feel quite happy and satisfied with the progress I've made, both personally and professionally. I'll be recapping my progress for the year, benchmarked against last year's goals -- as well as sharing my resolutions for 2018 soon, but in the meantime, I'd love to hear from you guys -- how did 2017 treat you? I know it had it's ups and definitely it's downs -- but overall, how would you rate it for you?

OUTFIT DETAILS: Kohls sweater and jeans // Brixton baker boy hat // Sarah Flint heels // Cafune bag // Fishnet socks from Tokyo

Photos by Nora Varcho

December 18, 2017No Comments

pardon my french

2 minute read

Two things about this dress:

  1. I forgot to include it in last week's holiday dress edit. It somehow missed my radar when I was editing and uploading the photos, but since it's probably one of my favorite all time party dress silhouettes (you can never go wrong with a little fit and flare), I figured I would share it a few days late, in the event perhaps you too, have a few last minute holiday parties to throw yourself together for.
  2. That brings me to my next point -- this very dress is ON SALE for $100, giving you all the more reason to find a reason (or to make up a reason) to dress up this week. We're less than 10 days out from Christmas now, folks, which means if you're not holiday shopping, you're probably sipping egg nog at some party or other. Or perhaps both, simultaneously.
  3. And three, even though I said I only had two, my mother gave me this pearl necklace years ago now, a few Christmases back and while I don't wear it hardly enough, I have to say, it's been my go-to for party looks, especially with wide open necklines like this strapless number. It's dainty, accentuates your neck and draws attention to your decolletage -- all wins in my book, not to mention the fact, it reminds me of my mom every time I wear it.

Also, stay tuned for our Holiday Dress Edit video, coming later this week! If you liked the photos, I think you're going to love the video!

OUTFIT DETAILS: White House Black Market DRESS, SHOES and CLUTCH // Pearl necklace and pearl earrings

Photos by Nora Varcho

December 13, 2017No Comments

suits you

2 minute read

A few weeks back, as you might have spied on Insta Stories and here and there in my Instagram posts, I was introduced to the suiting brand, Suistudio. Some of you may already be familiar with it as the younger sister, so to speak, of Suit Supply -- and I've been living in quite a few of their pieces since, namely this coat and this blazer, which you saw in yesterday's post. Of course, I'm never one to turn down a good matching set, especially tailored pieces like these (all alterations are done in house at their SoHo store) and the minute I spotted this muted, plaid combo, I knew I had to have it.

Between the wide leg pants and the warm, earth tones, something about this set strikes just the right retro notes for me -- like a 70s reporter at the New York Times or perhaps a possible outfit from Annie Hall's closet -- and I'm more than OK with that. I've rounded up a few of my favorite suit options down below -- so keep scrolling for a few different alternatives!

OUTFIT DETAILS: Suistudio suit jacket and pants // Suistudio turtleneck // Sergio Rossi heels // The Daily Edited bag // Polaroid camera


 

Photos by Lydia Hudgens

December 12, 2017No Comments

prep school

2 minute read

Continuing yesterday's fall leftovers theme, with another outfit straight from the autumn archives -- this time with these equestrian-inspired boots by Sigerson Morrison and my latest favorite combination of blazers with turtlenecks. Admittedly, there is something quite collegiate about a blazer paired with a turtleneck -- it's polished and yet, comfortably relaxed -- like you could have opted for the white button front oxford instead, but the turtleneck just sounded much more inviting given all that reading you need to do before tomorrow's exams. You all know I'm a huge fan of turtlenecks with practically everything -- under dresses and slip camis alike -- and this particular duo by Sui Studio doesn't disappoint.

I've rounded up a few other favorite blazer and turtleneck combinations below, all of which would be perfect for the long holiday break coming up. Perfect for dinner, with enough lounge appeal for movie marathons afterward.

OUTFIT DETAILS: Suistudio blazer // L'Agence jeans // Sui Studio turtleneck // Sigerson Morrison boots // Olympia Le-Tan clutch

 

 

Photos by Lydia Hudgens

December 8, 2017No Comments

friday favorites: stocking stuffer gifts

2 minute read

Stocking stuffers should be considered an art. Or maybe a sport? Either way, the smaller gifts that hang across the mantlepiece are often my favorite things to open on Christmas morning. They usually have an extra personal touch, offer something fun and meaningful, and can be immediately be put to good use. I remember waking up on Christmas Day, charging downstairs, and immediately grabbing all stockings and surrounding myself with their contents.

When I was little, stocking stuffers would include practical gifts like face wash and body lotion, delicious treats like chocolate and teriyaki turkey jerky (my favorite snack, haha!), and any other little knick knacks that were honestly probably just too small to wrap such as any custom photo keychains my parents got for us. Whether it was socks or a hot cocoa mix I'd been craving, I always loved whatever was in the stockings.
Now that I'm a bit older, though, I see stocking stuffers as an opportunity for the most heartfelt of gifts. Maybe a little bit more expensive than a Hershey's bar, but still reasonable enough to be able to include enough gifts to fill the stocking. I'm thinking something like this gorgeous Nixon watch that Krystal wears here - functional, sensible, but beautiful and unique. I gave my boyfriend a watch for Christmas a few years ago, and it's still one of his most treasured pieces. Currently, I'm debating gifting myself a Nixon watch (I love this tortoiseshell one), and maybe even one or two for my closest girlfriends.

I love finding little gifts that are both necessary and cute, like this Moscow mule mug (my drink of choice!) or these gorgeous zodiac journals. Check out more of my favorite stocking stuffer picks below.

xx

Nora

Photos by Lydia Hudgens

December 7, 2017No Comments

video: a week in the life

< 1 minute

Since starting this little blog journey of mine over 8 years ago, I think one of the most common questions I still get (as I'm sure many other influencers do as well), is this: "So what exactly do you DO on a regular basis?" While the answer to this question is likely worthy of a more in depth explanation of how influencer marketing works in general (perhaps another post, for another day?), I thought it would be fun to tackle this at a high level glance in a (very informal) vlog video (my first ever vlog, in fact!). Given that my past week before hopping down to Australia (where I am currently) was a doozy, I put this Wednesday through Tuesday "Week in the Life" video together, sharing highlights from a few recent video shoots, a hosting gig I had with Amazon Fashion and a handful of other NYC highlights along the way (yes, including Elvis' booty).

I hope you enjoy! And if you have a moment, I'd love to hear any thoughts you may have on what kind of video content you'd like to see from me! I'm still getting ramped up when it comes to YouTube, so I welcome the challenge!

December 5, 2017No Comments

video: behind the scenes with the shops at columbus circle

4 minute read

Earlier this year, you may recall I partnered with The Shops at Columbus Circle team to share some of my favorite fall trends and where to find them in The Shops. Today, I'm so excited to bring you my next installment, a behind the scenes look at the making of their holiday gift guides.

When it comes to holiday shopping, I'm a one and done kind of gal, which usually works against me most years, since I'm also a wait until the last minute kind of gal. While I may have an unhealthy relationship with my Prime membership (guilty as charged), there's nothing quite like shopping around a bustling shopping center, right after Thanksgiving, once the decorations go up, Bing Crosby starts crooning overhead and every once and a while, you catch a glimpse of a man in a red suit breezing by. In fact, there's something quite nostalgic about that, right? I remember as a little girl, every year right after Thanksgiving passed, I'd head down to our local shopping center with my mom and dad to shop around, listen to carolers and oggle all the decorations in the windows and on the trees. Hot chocolate was practically mandatory as you snuck away with your shopping list, so no one knew what you were getting for them. It was all too easy to get caught up in the magic of the season.

And this is a huge reason why I love The Shops at Columbus Circle so much -- especially in a city like New York, which is already brimming with the magic of the season (side PSA note: you need to check out their Holiday Under the Stars installation -- it's breathtaking). As a New Yorker, it's easy to get overwhelmed with holiday shopping that can seemingly leave you trekking all over the city -- uptown to downtown, to Brooklyn and back. Since I'm a self-proclaimed one and done kind of gal though, I'm a huge fan of the breadth of stores at The Shops, which means I can pick up pretty much everything for everyone on my list, from the gourmand to the beauty lover, from mom to dad, from best girlfriends to the hard to shop for boyfriend. Here's a rundown of my holiday gift guide, all of which you can find over at The Shops! Plus, don't forget to check out my gift guide video right this way.

For the foodie: Williams Sonoma is just one of those stores you need to walk into, am I right? Practically every time, I do, I discover something new -- whether it's a gadget for a new in-store offering (like their cooking demonstrations!). This time around, all of rosegold accents caught my eye while I was in store and I think anything from their full copper cookware collection would be a beautiful gift for the person who loves to entertain!

For the music lover: While walking around The Shops the other day, I discovered a new wireless speaker brand -- Devialet. They have a fully equipped, sound booth right there on the 3rd floor, so you can experience each speaker to its full potential, which then got me thinking about certain discerning music fans on my list. The sound capabilities are breathtaking, and while yours truly might get evicted if she blasted one even just at 30%, I think it would also be incredible for surround sound at home movie or TV show binge watching.

For the beauty buff: MAC can be tricky for holiday shopping, mainly because I always end up walking around with more than I intended for myself as well (I'm a Ruby Woo lip gal myself)! Come holiday time, I love that they always merchandise and curate the best stocking stuffer gifts -- from beautifully designed brush sets to travel lipstick packs -- perfect for any beauty lover (or in my case beauty vloggers) in your life.

For him: Guys can be the easiest to shop for and the hardest -- which is why I tend to rely on timeless classics when it comes to the guys on my list. This year, I'm eyeing a herringbone coat from Hugo Boss for my boyfriend, but shhh...don't tell him!

For YOU: Anddddd naturally, no shopping trip is complete without picking up a holiday frock (or two)! Of course, when I was browsing around Hugo Boss, there were a few cocktail dresses that caught my eye. Best part? If you happen to have a party, say that evening, Hugo Boss offers in-store tailoring to make sure your purchase is JUST right.

For Mom: Whenever my mom comes to visit me here in NYC, she inevitably tries out a lot of my different perfumes (and I swear, there have been a few times, they've mysteriously gone missing after her visit!), which is why I love heading to Jo Malone to pick up a few of my favorite scents for her to keep. This particular year, I've also been eyeing their advent calendar, which I think would keep her busy on 24 different Jo Malone products -- fingers crossed she shares with me!

For Dad: My dad is currently in the process of building a custom home up in a beautiful forested area outside Spokane, Washington. I'm sure anyone who's done the same will agree with his opinion that it's an exciting but very long process! I personally think if you want a custom home, then buying a modular home like those from this custom home builder north carolina is the best way to go as it is far easier and a lot quicker. But he wanted to build his home from scratch, so that's what he's doing. He knows people in Texas who've done the same, and they sold their previous property to these San Antonio house buyers that do what they say to get the cash quickly and start building their own dream. They'll be breaking ground in the spring, but since he's doing a lot of property visits up until winter hits, I'm eyeing a few of Hugo Boss' cashmere scarves and lined leather gloves for him, to keep him warm and stylish!

Video by Bobby Hicks

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

November 28, 20176 Comments

join me at johnston & murphy

3 minute read

Just popping in for a quick hello! Ever since the long holiday weekend started, I’ve been feeling a bit behind on things — but I can’t stress enough how much I needed that little break up to Spokane, Washington to see my dad and stepmom. It was the perfect blend of leftovers, movies and family time (and a decent amount of sleeping in, much to the chagrin of my dad, who is an even EARLIER morning person than me).

Now that I’m back in NYC, I’m hitting the ground running before I leave again, this time for Australia for most of December! I’m beyond excited to hop away for the holidays to a new to me part of Oz (Melbourne and Western Australia), but it means I’m also soaking up all the NYC holiday magic that I can while I’m here in town.

So your all my New Yorkers out there, start marking your calendars now! I’ve teamed up with the Johnston & Murphy team to celebrate the opening of their latest store up at 501 Madison — and I would love for you to toast with me! We’ll be hanging out, this Thursday, November 30th, from 6-8pm, sipping champagne, singing along to holiday songs and trying on lots of shoes. (I recently picked up this black suede pair you see here and I’m already itching for it in the congac version). Plus, everything in the store will be 20% off for the evening!

Make sure to RSVP to haley@socialyte.com. And I hope to see you there!

OUTFIT DETAILS: Ba&sh coat // Ba&sh dress // Johnston & Murphy boots // The Daily Edited bag // Urban Outfitters beret 

Photos by Lydia Hudgens

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

November 20, 20176 Comments

because i’m a lady

4 minute read

Have you ever looked up the word "lady" in the dictionary? Well, if you're like me, and haven't done so EVER, I've gone ahead and saved you the trouble: Click right here.

Go ahead. I'll wait.

Surprised? Yeah, me too. There are 12 definitions of the word "lady."  And they range from extremely antiquated (like a 'female feudal superior') to unsurprisingly worthy of an eye roll or two (like 'a woman who is the object of chivalrous devotion'). For the sake of this argument, the first definition suffices here as it is the most commonly understood meaning of the word. It reads:

"A lady is a woman who is refined, polite and well-spoken."

Seemingly simple enough, right? I suppose so. Until we start diving into the semantics of the words "refined," "polite" and "well-spoken" especially in the context of how society associates them with women. I'll spare you all the exercise of looking up each of these words, but I imagine you can see where my point is going. We have a hard enough time pinpointing the word "lady" as it is -- so the waters get murkier when we throw in other words that carry a fair amount of subjectivity to them. Grace Kelly was refined. And so is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Princess Diana was on all accounts polite. And yet, she politely gave the middle finger to the royal establishment by breaking it's stuffiness and making more contact with the public through her prolific charity work. Charlotte Bronte was certainly well-spoken. And so is Malala Yousafzai. The list goes on.

I think it's safe to say, in a society that, on many accounts is still struggling to even the playing field between the sexes (a subject for another post, for another day), we as women have been going through a drawn-out identity crisis, blurring and redefining the lines of what it means to be a woman, a lady and, heck, a human being in 2017. It hardly boils down to three adjectives. It boils down to far too many adjectives to list here in a single blog post.

And it's this very idea that Talbots has been tackling head on in their "Because I'm a Lady" campaign. When their team first approached me about working together on this, I was intrigued to see how they were positioning the word "lady," a word that amongst millennial and GenZ generations tends to get tossed around both positively and negatively. What I found was a refreshing take on grace, intelligence, humility, tact, poise, confidence and leadership -- all redefined, challenging traditional conventions, unapologetically and boldly. And it's a lady I think we can all identify with -- regardless of age and background. She prides herself in being assertive in the office. She dines alone, because she enjoys her own company. She laughs heartily with friends, unafraid of how she appears to others. She moves with grace, in a way that's unabashedly her own, dancing to the beat of her own god damn drummer (perhaps to the chagrin of her partner). Seriously, go watch their reel of campaign videos here, it will only take a few minutes. 

I'll wait right here.

Naturally, when they asked me to choose an aspect of the campaign that spoke the most to me, I realized I actually couldn't choose -- and I don't think I need to. Just as we have 12 different definitions of the word lady (and likely more to be added in the coming years and generations), I think the beauty of being a lady is that it means a multitude of many different things to many different women. And WE, as women, get to define that. For no one else, but ourselves.

Now tell me, what does being a lady mean to you?

OUTFIT DETAILS: Sui Studio coat // Talbots turtleneck // Talbots skirt // Steve Madden boots // Olympia Le-Tan clutch

Photos by Lydia Hudgens // Editing by Nora Varcho

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

 

November 16, 2017No Comments

fabfitfun: the editor’s box

5 minute read

Raise your hand if, once upon a time, you used to subscribe to numerous monthly subscription boxes.

(My hand is raised.)

OK, now raise your hand if your experience since then goes a bit like this:

What started off as one innocent subscription-based membership, let's say for beauty, slowly morphed into a subscription box for pretty much every category and reason under the sun, from fitness to fashion and you soon realized: "I just don't have space for this." It boiled down to, too much stuff, way too often. And perhaps you got tired of your mailman looking at you like you were secretly a hoarder?

(My hand is certainly raised.)

OK, so if your hand isn't tired yet, keep them up if you then unsubscribed from said monthly subscription boxes?

(Yep, my hand is up there.)

As you can imagine, I have a love/hate relationship with subscription boxes -- not because I don't like the concept. It's more than I wish there was a better way to tailor them for my interests and needs. Like a lot of you, I imagine, I got tired of the onslaught of products every month, many of them sample size, which made it hard to determine if I REALLY liked them or not. And more often than not, I found myself holding onto a few really great products across all the different services/categories, and wishing I could have gotten that assortment in ONE box, not 7.

So you can imagine my curiosity when the folks over at FabFitFun approached me about reviewing their latest Editor's Box, the contents of which, you can see here in my photos. What initially hooked me, on premise alone, is the fact they send boxes seasonally (essentially every 3 months), not every month, which if you ask me, is a much more manageable frequency. Plus, they curate products from a broader range of categories, including beauty, fashion, fitness and travel (the 4 keys to my heart!) that you can ultimately edit yourself if you choose to do so (or keep it a surprise -- the choice is yours!). All products are FULL size (finally!) and each box is $49.99, with at least $200 worth of products inside.

And just to top things off here, they partner with a different charity for each seasonal send, with a portion of the proceeds going back toward the organization. This month's send is benefitting the American Heart Association.

OK, so the deal sounds good, right? What about the content?

I'll be sharing my favorites from their Editor's Box down below, so keep reading -- and if happen to want to scoop up a box for yourself, be sure to use the code TOMORROW at checkout for $10 off your first purchase! Just a quick note: the Editor's Box has since sold out, but you should check out their latest Winter Box available now (which actually has the BB Dakota poncho I wore in this Instagram post).

The lineup:
Salted, Himalayan Salt Kit: So I'm no at-home gourmand, but there is something so decadent about whipping out some Himalayan salt for even the most basic of snacks. This kit was probably the first thing I used from the box -- it comes with a grater and wood stand, and came just in time for a good binge session of Stranger Things and some popcorn (which I definitely topped off with extra salt).

Realher, Lip kit in deep red: Such a great red, so it had me sold there. But I just love the female empowerment packaging!

Mytagalongs, high speed skipping rope: This skipping rope couldn't have come at a better time! Admittedly, I've been in the market for a jump rope ever since writing this post a while back about easy workout tips while traveling. And for some reason or another, I just never pulled the trigger on one. But now, with the holidays almost here and the fact I'll be in Australia for most of December, I'm excited to bring this rope along, so I can mix up my exercise routine on the road!

Spongelle, body wash infused buffer in French lavender: In one word: heavenly. It just smells heavenly. Lately, I've been really into scheduling a Sunday night bath for myself. While I don't have the world's most luxurious bathroom or bathtub (this is an old building in the West Village, after all), it really comes down to the little touches that make all the difference. Great candles. Music. A book. And this body sponge have all been making me one relaxed woman come Sunday night.

Sterling Forever, wishbone necklace: So this was probably the second used product in the box -- I immediately threw it on and loved how it looked mixed with all my other white gold and rose gold jewelry. Plus, you guys may recall I recently misplaced my go-to wishbone necklace, so this was a welcomed surprise!

Anderson Lilley, Dry Body Oil in Manhattan Beach: At first glance, I wasn't entirely sure what this product was intended for: hair? face? body? nails? That is, until I realized, it basically worked wonders, for all of them! The texture threw me off at first -- it glides on with a bit of a matte finish, which seems counterintuitive for a moisturizer, but it lingers in a really satisfying way. Lately, I've been using it on my face, after my moisturizer and SPF, and before my foundation, to give a bit of a base glow.

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

November 14, 2017No Comments

join me tonight at mulberry

2 minute read

For all my New York friends, consider this your Tuesday evening invitation! My good friend Dylana Suarez and I invite you to join us at the Mulberry boutique in SoHo (134 Spring Street), for a little soirée celebrating their latest bag launch, the Amberley (the gorgeous bags you see in the photos here). We'll be toasting, dancing and generally, laughing quite a bit -- and we'd love for you to come hang out! Make sure to RSVP to RSVPNYC@mulberry.com -- and you could possibly win a Mulberry gift for yourself!

Hope to see you there -- and don't forget your dancing shoes!

And in case you missed it, don't forget to check out the video I made in partnership with Mulberry right this way.

OUTFIT DETAILS ON KRYSTAL: Mulberry leather jacket // Mulberry skirt // Mulberry Amberley bag // Mulberry ankle boots

OUTFIT DETAILS ON DYLANA: Mulberry sweater // Mulberry skirt // Mulberry heels // Mulberry Amberley bag 

Photos by Carter Fish

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

November 13, 2017No Comments

real is rare: an evening of diamond design

5 minute read

If there's anything I've learned about living in New York, it's that for practically any situation you find yourself in, there's a Sex and the City episode to reference.And, if there's another thing I've learned about living in New York, it's that each reference-worthy episode of SATC takes on a whole new meaning, once you cross over into your 30s. What seemed distant and perhaps un-relateable when I first enjoyed the series in my 20s, has taken on a slightly different meaning as I knock on the door of 32-an age where I could arguably be cast in a reprise of the series itself (A girl can dream, right?). Oddly enough, what used to be just comforting background noise while I work, now frequently has me saying out loud, "Wait, this is my life right now."

The most recent déjà vu episode? Where Carrie confronts her friend about her stolen Manolos by creating a wedding registry in her name, in celebration of her pending nuptials with...herself. You know the one. She decries the fact that women all too often celebrate the milestones of marriage and pregnancy (both wonderful occasions, don't get me wrong), with parties and gifts and diamond rings, but what about the other milestones? What about professional milestones? What about the 'congrats, you didn't choose the wrong guy, milestones? What about self-love milestones? What about the 'you're a badass and you know it' milestones? What about the 'you're fabulously single' milestones?

All fair game if you ask me. And all milestones, I think we can agree, that represent the full spectrum of things worthy of celebrating, today more than ever. So when my good friend and amazing jewelry designer, Jillian Abboud, asked me if I would ever be in the market for a diamond ring for myself, I thought of this exact episode. No, I don't have any pending wedding announcement to share here. Or a fiancé to introduce. I'm dating a very special person, yes, but why is it that a diamond ring, a timeless piece of jewelry, has to be so tied to my relationship status with someone else? Why couldn't it be a celebration of my relationship with me; a gift for ME, from ME?

The truth is, as I'm sure you can already imagine, women-both single and married-are buying themselves more jewelry than ever, more often than not, outside the context of wedding vows. And that's a behavior yours truly (and perhaps you, too?) can relate to. After all, if diamonds are a girl's best friend, why should we wait around for someone else to gift them to us when we can already afford them? I've seen plenty of Lab Diamond Necklaces that I like, so why shouldn't I splash out on myself if I want to?

In all fairness, this isn't to make light of purchasing a diamond and the economic ability to do so-it's a purchase that takes consideration and gravitas. But it's an innately personal one that, at the right time and the right celebratory moment, can feel so rewarding and well-deserved: a timeless piece of jewelry to hold on to, as a testament of your hard work. I've heard that some women like to treat themselves to gold quartz jewelry that you find at https://orocal.com/ or somewhere similar when they want to treat themselves to a gift. Who wouldn't want to have timeless pieces like this?

Just the other week, as you might have spied on Instagram, I attended the "Brilliance Revealed: The Artistry Behind Diamond Design" event to learn more about the "Real is Rare. Real is a Diamond" campaign at an intimate diamond design demonstration held at William Goldberg Diamonds. As someone who loves seeing how things are made, it was a real honor to be invited to William Goldberg, a company with such rich history, to better understand how a rough diamond is transformed into a finished piece of jewelry, a process that can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to finish. There we met William Lopez, Master Diamond cutter for William Goldberg with more than 46 years of experience. He studies, examines and eventually architects some of the company's most notable diamonds, including the 48.2 ct ASHOKA cut ring you see me wearing here in several of the photos.

In short: it was humbling. The meticulous attention to detail and the craft were similar to that of an artist's studio, where the painter allows the canvas and oils to lead the way. Here too, the master diamond cutters examine all angles and imperfections to allow for the most brilliant faceted design to shine through.

Admittedly, I've never been in a diamond design studio before, so it was like a peek behind a very heavy curtain for me, and one that I think only added to the weight of the idea of purchasing a diamond for myself, from myself, in celebration of, well, myself. Diamonds are precious, rare and billions of years old before they're even brought to the light of day to be witnessed and worn by you and I. There's a proud finality to them-they're intrinsically unique and one-of-a-kind, hand crafted by both nature and talented experts likely William Lopez. And I think for those reasons alone, it's easy to see how diamonds have the ability to single-handedly play huge roles in not just one, but many pivotal moments in our lives as women (whether we're the ones buying them or not), from marriage to children, from promotions to declarations of self-love, to name only a few.

As you might have guessed by now, this empowering notion is largely why the "Real is Rare. Real is a Diamond" campaign struck such a chord with me. If and when I make this purchase (granted, I won't be scooping up the ASHOKA diamond ring you see here anytime soon -- but hey, perhaps someday I will!), it will be a gift from me to me, in celebration of things I've accomplished and how hard I've worked for them. Unlike Carrie, I won't be creating a wedding registry for my own nuptials with myself (unless my Manolos suddenly go missing!). Instead I'm excited to be working with Jillian over the coming weeks to design a custom-made diamond swivel ring and I'm even more excited to share her work with you all along the way!

In the meantime, I'd love to know, what are some recent milestones you've celebrated? And how did you celebrate them for yourself?

OUTFIT DETAILS: Sui Studio suit // Sergio Rossi heels // William Goldberg earrings and diamond ring (borrowed for shoot)

Photos by Shijing Wang

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

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