Well, let's start with the fact that I'm utterly blown away. Blown away by the response to yesterday's post. Blown away by your sweet and kind words of support, encouragement and positivity. Blown away by your emails (I'm still going through them -- sorry for the delay!). Blown away by how good it feels to be so open and vulnerable about something like this and to know that, at the end of the day, we can all relate to each other.
And for that, I want to say thank you. Thank you for reminding me how much I love to write, especially about things I'm passionate about and thank you for reminding me that it's OK to not be perfect, despite what the internet might tell us. I, for one, am far from perfect and need to remind myself from time to time, that no expects me to be. And as one imperfect person to another, I don't expect you to be perfect either. In fact, here's to being perfectly imperfect! It feels pretty darn good, huh? Like a sigh of relief. A perfect sigh of relief.
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.
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!
(Looks over shoulder to see if anyone is listening.)
THIRTY!
Whew.
There. I yelled it! And you know what? I'm fucking pumped about it.
Am I surprised to say that I'm pumped? I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I'm a tiny bit surprised. Perhaps it's just me, but it seems when anyone brings up the idea of turning 30, a few phrases get thrown at you. "Now you're an adult!" or "Time to get serious." or my personal favorite, "30 is the new 20." Almost as if the past 10 years were a test run -- a practice round.
I'd like to officially go on the record to say, I sure as hell hope my 30s are nothing like my 20s. Not that I didn't enjoy my 20s (as you'll soon see in the bulk of this post, I loved my 20s), but because I've been there! I've done that. I've challenged myself in ways I never thought possible during my 20s and I don't want to look at this next decade as a repeat by any means. I want it to represent the uncharted. The frightening. The different. The new. The untamed. The fucking weird. And the fucking beautiful.
At this point, I would apologize for the swearing, but my soon to be 30-year old self doesn't want to ring in this year with an apology. She'd like to take a few shots of tequila tonight, romp around this city that she loves to the wee hours of the morning and rock and roll into the next 10 years. But before she does that, she'd like to take a moment and bid adieu to her 20s in perhaps the best way any 80s baby knows how: a montage highlight reel.
So dim the lights. Grab the popcorn. Silence your phones (OK, you don't really have to do that last one, but you catch my drift.)
My 20s in 2 minutes or less: Lived in two big cities that I've dreamed of living in ever since I was a little girl. Started a blog on a complete and utter whim in college, only to stick with it almost 7 years later. Worked at a few start up companies that are the cause of my early grey hairs (not complaining). Later worked at arguably one of the best companies in the world to work for -- and fell in love with the culture and the people. About 5 years later, I worked up the nerve to leave said job, to take another leap of faith (but that's another blog post, for another day).
I've fallen in love (several times). I've had my heart broken (several times). And each time I learned something new about myself and what I want in a partner. I've also learned to never settle. I've traveled to distant countries where I reveled in the differences that make this world so beautiful and varied. I've become a mom to one wonderful pup, Elvis. I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane (and landed safely). I ran my first marathon (and am looking forward to my second in a few months as a 30 year old!). I made new friends. I made some best friends. I lost some friends, too. I was reckless with my health. And then I was made painfully aware of it, for the better. I lost people I cared deeply for. And I miss their presence all the time.
I lived in Italy for a few months. I've eaten the most amazing pizza in Torino. I've heard a symphony play in the Sydney Opera House. I've touched the Western Wall. I've looked up at the vaulted ceilings of Haghia Sophia mosque. I've looked down at Horseshoe Bend. I've driven down the coast of California in a convertible and loved every minute of the wind in my hair. I've ridden in a hot air balloon over Turkey. I've gotten lost in Yosemite. I grew the most in San Francisco. I've found my home here in New York.
Here's to my 20s; they were a wild and crazy ride. And here's to my 30s, may they be even wilder, crazier and, with with any luck, I hope they bring the unexpected. I'm ready for it.
There was a recent men's fashion week trend recap in last Sunday's New York Times that called out something called "trapper chic." The main image? Leonard DiCaprio from The Revenant. I'd be amiss if I didn't admit I felt somewhat like Leo while wearing this coat. I'd also be lying if I didn't look at some other fellow fashion week attendees with bare legs (BARE LEGS) on some of the coldest days of the year and shiver. Granted, I've been said show goer before, so no judgement from this side of the table. Just saying, I was sure happy to have a shearling coat to wrap myself up in. Also, don't you just love turtlenecks that come up to your eyes? Clearly, I do. Maybe more than I should.
Hope everyone is enjoying their Monday off (if you happen to have President's Day off!) and that your Valentine's Day was spent with those you care about.
We're still in the thick of fashion week at the moment, which means I'm running on a lot of caffeine fumes and desperately layering all the winter clothes I own to stay warm. I wore this look last week for the Marissa Webb show (which in one word was: amazing) but since then, I've opted for no bare ankles, for fear of frost bite.
Things are going to be a bit hectic around This Time Tomorrow with NYFW winding down and an exciting shoot coming up on Wednesday (more on that to come!), so follow along on SnapChat (username: krystalbick) in the meantime! Hint: the apartment is coming together! Finally!
Earlier this week, I attended the launch party for Kendall and Kylie Jenner's collection at PacSun. I love when celebrity line collections really represent the celebrity and their personality well, and I have to say, I think each piece captures K & K's youthful playfulness when it comes to style. Here are a few of my favorites (all perfect for a little mid-winter vacation perhaps!):
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As much as I consider myself a social person and love making plans with my girlfriends, I also love treating myself to solo dates. Little jaunts around the city to spots or places I've been meaning to visit, to simply enjoy by myself and appreciate alone. I can go at my own pace, take detours when I want to or just simply sit in silence to take it all in, if it so pleases me. And if I want to go the extra mile, I'll even turn my phone to airplane mode, only using it to snap photos along the way. It's the perfect indulgent "me" time that truly allows me to clear my head of clutter, doubt, worry and the all around mess that accumulates from time to time.
And my favorite solo dates? Always at museums. If you recall, as part of my 30 before 30 list (which we're nearing the end to!), I wanted to check out all the museums in New York City. Sadly, I think I fell short on this one (there are just so many museums here!), but I'm a sucker for my favorites: The MoMa, the Guggenheim, the Whitney, the Natural History Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Of course, the Met. There's just something so enchanting about the Met -- it's mazelike -- almost as if you're roaming around a large funhouse, with surprises around every corner. Naturally, there's the pure grandeur of the interior architecture alone (columns and high-vaulted ceilings for days!) that never ceases to stop me in my tracks when I walk in and look up.
This past week, I wanted to capture some of that awe feeling I have when I walk into the Met so Lydia and I took full advantage of a snowy day here in the city to shoot inside. To throw in a little extra romance and whimsy to the story (because why not?) I donned this Ellery dress borrowed from Plan de Ville for the occasion. If you haven't checked out their selection of up and coming designers, I highly recommend that you do.
And not to throw another recommendation at you, but if you've never been to the Met, I highly recommend you clear your schedule for a full day and head over. Maybe also go solo and treat yourself to a lunch date in their atrium cafe? Just a thought...but I think you might enjoy it.
When it comes to shooting outfits for This Time Tomorrow, I like the location to be just as much of a focal point as the outfit, if not more so sometimes (Empire State Building, anyone?). And that's mainly because I like to think of this space as my catalyst for exploring New York. It makes me see the city through different eyes and experience it in a way that's more than just passing through another neighborhood. In a way, I take a piece of it with me.
While this location I may not have given a second thought to, I'm really glad Lydia insisted we shoot here. It's part of the NYU campus, just a block off Washington Square Park, and while nothing about it screams "New York!" to me, we both were really digging the Mad Max vibes it was giving off -- structural and rough around the edges -- a little slice of a post-apocalyptic world, right there at the corner of the park. Granted, I'm no Charlize Theron and I definitely didn't have Tom Hardy by my side (unfortunately!), but I have to admit, it did give a certain brazen edge to my outfit that I think was warranted.
That said, if there are ever locations in New York (or elsewhere for that matter, in the US or abroad), that you think I should check out for a shoot, please do let me know! Send me an email (krystalannebick@gmail.com) with the subject line "Shoot Locations" and I'd love to check them out.
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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.
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!
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!
Guys, do yourself a favor and : 1. take an extra long lunch break today 2. kick your heels up and 3. shop the Zimmermann sale section. It's. Just. Too. Good.
Here are some of my favorites...including this top I'm sporting here (which I think could look cute layered with a turtleneck underneath it at some point this winter).
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If you've been following along on SnapChat lately, you know January has been a big home revamp month for me. I've been scouring a lot of the furniture shops in the city, new and antique, hunting down pieces at flea markets and upstate estate sales (Hudson Valley has a great weekend market that I need to visit again soon) and generally streamlining my space as much as possible (which means a lot of furniture rearranging, much to Elvis' dismay).
That said, I still think my biggest obstacle (as most New Yorkers can probably attest to), is space layout, or perhaps more fitting, the lack thereof.
Don't get me wrong. I love my West Village studio -- it's decent size for a one room space, just enough for Elvis and I (although I'm still waiting for the day that he pitches in for rent) and I can't beat the natural daylight I get at most hours of the day.
Which is why I will always suggest to people who are thinking of moving to look for apartments for rent (and depending on where you want to move to, you could even check out these apartments in houston for rent or something similar, just to give you an idea of what you could get).
The only issue that I'm having with my apartment so far is that there is only one closet....
Insert gasp here.
If you recall either of my San Francisco apartments, you know I was pretty fortunate to have not only several of them, but sizeable to boot (remember this closet? -- ah, how I miss that little alcove!). Needless to say, downsizing to only one closet has meant a bursting at the seams rolling rack had to step in, and thereby, the real estate space in my apartment alone had to be completely reconfigured. Of course, if you're somebody that requires as much space as possible, you'll definitely be interested in the properties on Space station more than any small apartment. However, spacey isn't always everybody's taste.
It's still very much a work in progress, one I hope to complete and share soon, but in the meantime, here are three small apartment hacks that I think would make MacGyver proud.
1. Curtain dividers: My studio is relatively long and narrow, with two sunny windows at the rear, facing the street. My bed is currently situated next to the windows (as I love being able to crack a window at night and have fresh air come in), meaning the living space takes up the front half of the apartment. I wanted to find a way to separate the two spaces, without blocking the light, and ideally, conceal my overloaded rolling rack. I first played around with the idea of an Ikea shelving unit as a room divider, but got nervous that if it wasn't anchored properly, Elvis might knock it over and hurt himself.
That's when someone suggested a curtain divider. I was hesitant at first (would it feel like a hospital room?) but after scouring the internet for a few ideas, I love how light and airy it can make the space, while still giving just enough privacy.
2. Mirror gallery wall: When it comes to gallery walls, this ain't my first rodeo. This time around though, I intend to focus just on mirrors, old and new, to place next to my windows and hopefully bounce and reflect more light around the space. I especially love the idea of layering a few smaller mirrors on top of larger ones for added dimension.
3. Custom shelving with a TV cubby: As someone with has a lot of books, magazines and knick knacks from travels (my goal is to really have my space remind me of places I've been fortunate enough to visit in the world), I require a lot of storage space, that doubles as a showcase. I love floor to ceiling shelving units and have the perfect wall for it, opposite my couch. This time around though, I'm putting on my big girl shoes, and ponying up for a TV (I haven't had a TV in my apartment since Gossip Girl was still on). I generally, don't like how TVs dominate a wall space, but I love the idea of it seamlessly tucked into a beautiful shelving unit, surrounded by my favorite things.
All these photos (and more) can be found via my home Pinterest board here.
Yep. Months later and I'm still obsessed with this jacket. Sadly, it was borrowed. For an event back in September (eep, this photos are OLD -- no snow, I was still tan and my hair was lighter!). Good news? The jacket is on sale still. Snag it here.
Go ahead. Make Danny Zuko proud. You know you want to.
If there's anything you need to know about San Franciscans, they love their sweaters. Sweaters and leather jackets, that is. But sweaters are probably their first love. Which is why this former West Coaster is happy to report her sweater game is still going strong out here on the East Coast (I originally thought I might just be living in a down jacket around the clock, but man, the heating in most buildings is nothing short of the Bahamas).
With that said, I'm doing a midseason stock up with the sales in full swing still. Main things I'm on the hunt for? Fringe-y (word?) chunky knits and turtlenecks. But come to think of it, I'm always on the hunt for turtlenecks, much to many a date's chagrin. (Sorry fellas, not sorry!)
Here are 30 knits, all on sale, that I have my eye on...one of which, happens to be the Coach sweater I'm wearing here (shot back in September that I recently rediscovered when I was going through old photo files!).
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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.
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!
So for all my New Yorkers (and East Coasters in general), how did you survive Jonas? I, for one, indulged in some new lingerie and sweatpants (a good combo when you don't control your building heat), caught up on my face mask routine and binged on season one of Narcos. There also may have been an adventure outside at one point to dinner, where 7th Avenue was literally a ghost town -- no cars out and just a few pom pom beanie clad folks, traipsing through the swirling snow.
As much as the cold put a damper on my recently acquired Cabo tan, I have to say, I'm a fan of cozy winter days just like that. They give you the perfect excuse to hole up inside, light some candles and do you. Whatever that entails.
Those who are close to me, know that I tend to be a creature of habit when it comes to my hair. If I find something that works, I tend to stick with it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?
While that makes it somewhat easy to get ready in the morning (I have my curling routine down to a science), it does mean that I don't experiment all that much with color. Because, in all honesty, it scares me a little. My hair is pretty dark to begin with and naturally dry -- all of which seems to make for a recipe for disaster. On top of that, no matter how many photos I bring in of Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman, I never seem to achieve the same effect (cue heavy, #firstworldproblem sigh here).
If you recall, this past summer marked my first foray into highlights and while it took a second appointment to tone down the brass factor, I loved how they looked for a hot summer in the city look.
And then I got distracted. Life happened. And it all grew out. And the brass factor came back. Strong. So I called Arrojo and squeezed in a little appointment at their new Tribeca location.
That's where I met Gina and Kayla. Gina, being the mastermind behind the rich winter chocolate color you see here (she used a glaze -- or in her words, 'lipgloss for your hair.') And Kayla, being the mastermind behind my long overdue trim -- but not chop -- as she was sensitive to the fact I was still growing out my locks from my bob of yesteryear. Both ladies were patient, detail oriented and we all bonded over our shared obsession with "Making a Murderer."
All in all, I love how the total look came together and feel much more winter ready because of it. Huge thanks to Arrojo for updating this gal's dreary locks -- she'll definitely be back soon.
Currently building out my collection of fuzzy, fur lined, shearling trimmed, perfectly undone coats. And I have to say, this recent Coach addition, is a fast favorite among the troops. So. Freakin'. Warm. And at this time of year, that makes me So. Freakin'. Happy.
Sometimes, if you plan it just right and you set enough early alarms, you can catch New York just as it's waking up. Before the crowds swarm the streets. Before the New York Times gets fully dropped off at most subway newspaper vendors. Before the steps of the New York Public Library get claimed by photographers and school children and tourists alike.
And for about 30 minutes or so, it's just you, the Sunday Times and the steady rumble of the subway underfoot. You! The only kid with the whole playground to yourself.
Highlights of the long weekend (that isn't over just yet)? Seeing my first opera here in New York (Turandot), finally checking out the Brooklyn Flea for a little furniture shopping (and instead got distracted by rugs), took Elvis on his first snowy walk (the jury is out still as to whether he likes snow or not) and watching the final Democratic Debate before the Iowa caucuses just around the corner (with some Chinese food in tow).
So after all that coat talk yesterday? I have two new additions to show, thanks to the online sale gods being kind to me. The first is this gray beauty by Zimmermann that I allude to yesterday. I don't own anything quite this long (and granted, it looked much shorter on the model, but alas, I'm not 5'11"), but I have to say, it does make you carry yourself a bit straighter and more upright. No slouching allowed, here! Plus, it has just that right amount of cinematic magic to it -- almost fitting for a leading lady, as she hops off to catch her train out of town, leaving some starry-eyed lover behind.
OK, I digress.
The second coat? Is this rugged specimen from Coach. I've had a soft spot for pretty much all of Coach's outwear this season (remember this pinned beaut?), so when I saw this guy was heavily discounted, I took the plunge. And guys, I'm not kidding when I say, it doesn't matter how cold it is outside, I start to sweat when I have this one on. And something tells me I'm gonna need that extra perspiration come February.
Did you catch my sale round up yesterday? There's 27 other coats on sale that I'm just dying for at the moment, if only I had, oh, I don't know, 5 other closets to store them.
See the original posts here: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8
I recently popped into the Zimmermann boutique in SoHo a few weekends back and spotted a coat. Actually, not just any coat. A serious coat. Almost floor length. Light gray. Gold buttons. Wool. The perfect lapels. Just the right amount of structure but also good movement when worn. And so warm.
Oh, and also on sale.
After a little persuasive coaxing from the shop girls, I walked out with said coat. Well, more like I wore it, since it was just too long to fit into a regular shopping bag, but that's besides the point. The actual point here is that, after all my years in San Francisco, I seem to have forgotten that this happens to be the perfect time of year to stock up on your winter coats -- because they're all practically on sale!
So along with a little archive inspiration from winters of yesteryear here on This Time Tomorrow, I rounded up 27 of my favorite coats that are all on sale right now, that I wouldn't mind popping into my closet tomorrow. Happy shopping!
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So folks, I'm a little over a month away from my 30th birthday and I'm currently contemplating what the heck it is that I want to do for the big day. I've had several close friends ask me if I want a party, an all night dance-a-thon, or maybe even a little getaway trip. And while I would find it hard to turn down a penthouse suite if it landed in my lap (alongside the winning ticket for today's $1.4 billion PowerBall lottery), I would much rather find myself at an intimate, cozy dinner with my nearest and dearest friends, a small enough group where no one has to yell to be heard and where I can easily make eye contact with everyone at the table. Oh, and some AMAZING food, wouldn't hurt either. This is where I need your help, New Yorkers, do you have any restaurant recs for me? Right now, I'm working off this list, but I'm open to suggestions!
And for all my 30 and above crowd -- how did you celebrate the day?
Don't you just love photos that almost carry a soundtrack with them? Perhaps it's just me, but these shots that Lydia captured the other day at one of my all-time favorite buildings, the Flatiron Building, seem to resonate with honking sounds, street vendors yelling out prices for mixed nuts and the low, hungry rumble of the subway rolling by underfoot.
New York, you sure know how to woo me, even if it's just the with the hustle and bustle of 23rd and Broadway.
The scene: Much like any adventure you don't want to end, think of this as the comeback for our heroes. The part in which, much like perhaps most parents would do, they want you to sit and flip through their film prints and watch a little home video they whipped up.
So without further adieu, let's dim the lights and roll it...
In case you're just joining our heroes now, here's Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of this series.
This post was in collaboration with Eddie Bauer. As always, all opinions and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting all This Time Tomorrow collaborations!
Congrats, we all survived the week post-holidays with hopefully fewer bumps and bruises than expected. As a congratulatory reward, let's get some new tunes pumping for our commutes today. Sing, dance, let your hair down. It's Friday, y'all.
PS: The first song here by Grace Potter has been my secret weapon this week. So damn good.
I was torn between making an Chris de Burgh reference here or a nod to Minnie Mouse. Chris won the title, but I'd be lying if I didn't think Minnie would approve of this outfit when I wore it out for New Year's Eve last Friday. Sure, it leans more into Christmas-y territory, but I couldn't have asked for a better "come hither at midnight" dress than this one. Added bonus? It lasted for multiple rounds of karaoke, where Heather and I shut it down for "Gangsta's Paradise."
2016, I'm ready for ya.
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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!
