Monday Musings (or, "Where I've Been For The Last Five Months")
Ohmigod you guys, I totally did not mean to take the hiatus to end all hiatuses. Life has just been kind of a lot since I left corporate America slash the traditional 9-to-5 and went off on my own but I’m here to tell you that everything is just dandy aside from the whole global-pandemic-turning-the-world-upside-down thing.
Was that sarcasm? Yes, yes it was. Because nothing is “fine” and people won’t stop saying “new normal”, “pivot” and “these uncertain times” and I don’t know what I’m doing because being a person, starting a business and finding joy in this monotonous chaos has only happened a few times throughout human history so there’s no real guidebook to follow. So bear with me because we’re learning as we go, folks.
But before I blame whatever is in retrograde, the algorithm or just plain ol’ luck, there have been little morsels of splendor that I’ve been meaning to share and I feel like getting right down to it is the only way to break up this Monday morning and prove to you that I am in fact alive and redefining the meaning of “thriving”..
Cheers to you, Top of the Hub!
WEAR // Like all good adventures do, I wore one of my winningest outfits yet to a final farewell of a Boston classic because all good things must come to an end. Shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I treated P and I to a Valentine’s Day lunch at Top of the Hub. I had made the reservation the moment I learned of their impending closure and decided to go for an all-camel look that the Duchess of Sussex (I know that’s not her title anymore, just let me live) would be proud of. And apparently you guys liked it too because it’s done VERY well on Instagram.
In light of that, I want to share a style tidbit that has served me well as this is the year I told myself I was upping my game in the holistic style department: Do one thing and do it well. On this particular day I went for an all-camel situation but I implore you to take this to mean whatever serves you. Monochromatic realness, stressed and uncertain feels, head-to-toe satin jammies you got from Amazon (because ballin’ on a budget is a real and totally acceptable thing). Whatever your mood is, be it all the way. Authenticity is cool now and no one can do it better than you. These are just facts. (More things I’m wearing, reading, eating, etcetera here.)
Scenes from the MoMA. (But for now, enjoy it virtually.)
TRAVEL // In January I made my triumphant return to New York City; a metropolis that holds a lot of memories with people I love, places I used to love and things I hardly know well enough to love…yet. The trip was to meet up with a friend I had all but met in person (you guys, it’s 2020 and I know how to reach Nev if I need him) which turned out to be my favorite weekend of 2020 to date. We came, we saw, we ate at The Polo Bar and frankly, I will never be the same. No, seriously, I might still be sore from my 305 Fitness class with Darnell a.k.a Cookie D. Lite. Look him up. (Also, Maya, I miss you.)
I call it, “Bruschetta Pasta”. And so does, Chelsea’s Messy Apron.
EAT // Yes, we’re talking about food again because I’ve been limited in my creative mediums since shooting outside and not looking like I belong on @influencersinthewild is near impossible. (#selfawareness) I don’t know when, why or how but as soon as this whole pandemic thing hit I decided that we would only do take-out once a week. Seems reasonable unless you already suffer from decision fatigue when there isn’t a cloud of uncertainty with everything you do and then thinking of what to make is just this extra fun reason to get all stress-y depress-y. But over here we own it. Homemade Pizza Fridays have become a thing, “kitchen sink” fried rice is a tried-and-true favorite and dabbling in unknown territory when I’m not balancing a bunch of things feels like a vacation to a place I’ve never been for both my tastebuds and my sense of adventure. Some of the #stuffImade:
And for more recipes-you-won’t-swear-to-yourself-while-”whipping up”, take a peek at this list from one of my favorite culinary havens of the internet, The Everygirl.
The most beautiful city in the world. You can fight me on this…
THINK // If you read nothing else in this entire blog post let this be it - If you follow me on Instagram you know I talk about this a lot so I’m sharing it here too because I think it’s an evergreen pause for reflection: What do you want “it” to be like when this is all over? Take that to fit however it works in your life; this pandemic, your job, your relationships, the way you treat yourself. You don’t actually need to attribute the work you do on your life to a global crisis if it means enough to you. If I hadn’t realized that every moment is a fresh start, I’d probably still be in a traditional job, working harder and not smarter for an organization that wanted me for my work ethic but not my amazing ideas or creative spirit. And listen, I’m not going to tell you to “wash your face” but I do think that we are in charge of our own destinies, whether that means tomorrow, next week or next month and that building a life around what you really want is how you get there.
2020 mood: If it costs you your peace, it’s too expensive.
BEAUTY // Falling into the category of “Other” but also satisfying my beauty/ wellness quota is a thing I’ve mostly only discussed on the ‘gram. From mid-November until now, I’ve been studying, reading, practicing and training to be a (200 hour) certified yoga instructor with The Cure Studios. I don’t even no where to begin to describe this whole thing because there aren’t really words that accurately encapsulate what the experience has been like personally which is probably why I haven’t shared too much about it. My “fitness routine” stopped being performative and became private. I became fiercely protective of my new friends that were training with me and the things I learned from them. I have been regularly practicing for over a year now but this yoga was different. Is different. And it changed me. I don’t need you to buy that if it’s too woo-woo for you but the yoga practice I was doing 12, 6, and even 3 months ago is not the yoga, or life, I practice now. And honestly, I love that for me.
OTHER // Oh and abut my “future endeavors”…it lives here and it’s wonderful. Being the doer of all the creative things and helping others bring their brands to life is some of the most fulfilling work I’ve ever done. A tremendous shout-out to a few people who never me doubted for a second (because I did that enough for the whole world); Grace, Kaitlyn, Julia, Ali, Kayla, MaryRose, Lauren & a multitude of others. You guys are the real deal and because of you I dare braver, dream bigger and have the audacity to try new things.
NOTES // Stream of consciousness flow, do we dig it or is it a no from you dawg? Trying to be better about not being afraid to reinvent myself if I so feel like it. Let me know your thoughts in the comments, on Twitter or on Instagram.