if you don’t know who mindy kaling is you are either about to or you live under a rock – i haven’t decided yet.
in all seriousness, i love this woman. she is incredibly talented and funny. she’s quick witted. she’s stylish. smart. did i mention talented? major girl crush over here.
i’m loving her status as a budding style icon – she is looking ah-may-zing on the red carpet and perfectly adorable in interviews. you should probably also pick up a copy of her book
as a noreaster is approaching NJ and we’re about to get a nice dose of snow, i think it’s time to start talking about winter hair. why is winter hair any different than any other time of the year, you might ask?
static!
i have long, thick hair. there are few things in this world more bothersome and distracting to me than hair ridden with static. this time of year is perfect for mastering quick and easy up dos.
here are two fantastic tutorials from here and here to get you started on easy as 1-2-3 winter hair. perfect for the weekend, the workplace, and with a few bobby pins to reign it all in, a dressier event. (click here for a bonus look WITH a video!)
in the aftermath of sandy, i’ve been fortunate enough to have power. the lack of cable and internet has been lending itself to me watching dvd’s repeatedly. i’ve watched and rewatched devil wears prada a few times, mostly in the background as i do other things, and reflected a little bit on the practical work life lessons we could all benefit from. so if you are entering one of your first jobs and need a quickie “best practices” or you are entering your fifth job and need a refresher, read on.
1. “i bet a million girls would kill for that job.”
for most of your career you are going to be a dime a dozen – just the hard truth that you are replaceable. you should always be fighting for your job because there is always someone right behind you who may want it more.
2. what you wear is a reflection of you – or – dress the part
at the beginning of the movie, andy doesn’t dress for the job. granted, she likely just doesn’t get it (it being fashion). that’s alright. as you grow up, your style becomes more a part of you and you take it on in a different way. but you need to recognize that what you wear is a reflection of you and you should always dress the part (or dress for the job you want – whichever bit of advice you prefer). if you are a manager, you need to dress like one. figure out a way to pull your hair back but still look put together. figure out a way to do your makeup in 3 minutes. looking polished is employment 101.
3. always bring a notebook – and use it!
remember this look on andy’s face when miranda starts rattling off tasks to andy? seriously – this reallyis 101 – always carry a notebook into someone’s office. day 1. day 1,000. it says you are professional. you are listening. you are intent on doing a good job. ask questions to clarify and note the answers.
4. commit to sticking to it for one year & make career decisions
jumping around never looks great on a resume. you should be making a career decision when you change jobs not just because you are bored. what does this position add to your resume? where do you need to go next to achieve the next step that you want? in devil wears prada, andy says she just has to work at runway for one year – just one year and she can go any where she wants. keep that in mind – stick it out, learn a thing or two, develop some new skills, climb the corporate ladder.
5. never say no & never make excuses
perhaps the biggest lesson a newbie could learn is to never say no to a task and never make excuses. whatever it is, take it on. if 
you mess up, take ownership. andy never said no to a task given to her. and when her boss thought she messed up (when she needed to get miranda out of miami during a hurricane) she took ownership and let her boss know she did everything she could think of to get the task done.
6. whatever your job is, strive to be the best at it
if you are a ditch digger, you go out there and be the best ditch digger. if you are a cleaning lady, be the best cleaning lady. if you are a baker, make the best cupcakes. by the end of the movie, andy becomes the best assistant – more than miranda could have ever asked for. strive for that greatness and leave your mark on this world.
in the fall, you can never go wrong with those classic military hue colors – green, brown and tan. i love a little miliaristic vibe in the colder months that can be softened with long curls and a pair of pearls. i love the structure mixed with playful, feminine pieces that move!
it’s finally late fall and it’s starting to get really chilly here, especially at 8:30 on sunday mornings when we are tailgating for giants games. since we go to every game i’ve finally got a routine down and thought it could be helpful to share with you my tricks of how i stay warm at football games in the colder months.
i refuse to be the girl who complains about being cold so it’s all about layering, ladies! oh and these bad boys
check out all my tips after the jump!
one of the songs i posted in my october playlist over the weekend, brandi carlile’s that wasn’t me, has been stuck in my head all week. there’s this one line – do i make myself a blessing to everyone i meet? – that is resonating with me. it’s such a great perspective to take on your life and who you want to become.
i think when you’re in your 20’s, and i’m just days away from my late 20’s (which i think starts at 27 so this is the BIG ONE), that you really blossom into the woman you are going to be. there are of course traces of her throughout the years and at certain milestones, but now it’s becoming set in stone.
when i went away to college, my mother said to me, if you’re not having fun you’re not doing it right. i sort of internalized that at 17 and have always carried that with me until now. i vowed to tell my children the same, but i think someday this line is going to have to be added to the list of things i want to bestow upon my children – be a blessing to every one you meet. you dedicate yourself, your life, to being someone who is kind and generous and loving. what could be better than that?
there are lot’s of things out in the vast world that need to go on sale. like organic chicken, apples, that great coat at anthropologie, a balenciaga bag (just one, in black, like 99% off sale would be great and only when i walk right past it…okay, some for you, too!), and these shoes. i mean….these shoes.
please?
there is something inherently american about blue jeans and denim jackets. i really do love a denim jacket with nearly everything (same as a perfect-on-you black moto leather or pleather jacket). pair it with jeans, a white dress, all black, boots….wear it any season of the year. it really is a wardrobe staple and i definitely encourage all of you to invest in one that fits you perfectly for how you want to wear it (i.e., if you want to wear it with a light hoodie at a tailgate be sure to try one on with a hoodie on underneath).
here are some ideas of how to wear your denim jacket this fall:
pair with a cluster of brooches. etsy is great for this (vintage finds!) or even H&M or a place like claire’s or xsre. wherever you find some you like. if you want to incorporate some color into an all-white brooch, check out emily’s (cupcake and cashmere, emily) tutorial for a quick and easy DIY – just remember, this is SO not the time for family heirlooms.
this is definitely one of my favorite looks for fall. pair your jean jacket with an extra dark wash jean and brown booties or wood soled platforms. obviously you can wear chambray with this, but paired with a crisp white shirt under a buttoned up jean jacket gives a little extra interest for the season. i also love this look with nice navy blue dress or work pants – perfect for that weeknight drinks with the girls straight from the office.
for a great weekend look that is totally effortless, pair your favorite black denim and boots with a neutral t and your denim jacket. very grab and go! or throw (on) and go!
denim jackets go a little extra sexy with cigarette jeans in a dark navy or black, a low cut t and those black pumps that make you feel like a million bucks.
my office is pretty casual so i love this look with my dark wash flare jeans on a friday (or really any day that isn’t client facing). pair a pinstripe button down with a sequin tank or vest and add some layered necklaces for extra sparkle. rock a top knot and relatively understated makeup.
so, ladies, will you be rocking your denim jacket into the fall?
there is something about kate spade that i may not be able to quite put my finger on but makes me fall in love with the brand over and over again. there’s something about this company that just makes me want to devour everything they have to offer. enter, their new campaign featuring polka dots and roller skates.
this video reminds me to embrace my girly side, express myself however i want and above all else to have fun. life is too short not to.
hope you’re all enjoying your weekend!
[youtube=http://youtu.be/rwWj5Ddfouc]
so here we are – finally – at my very first food post. when i set out with this blog it was always something i wanted to include. i cook all the time and yesterday picked up my phone to snap some pictures and share a recipe for the most delicious squash soup i’ve ever had.
pardon the pictures – maybe some day i’ll get around to sharing some in higher quality.
let’s get to it (after the jump)!
