Because I am so clearly obsessed with this new style I tried for summer, I got a little carried away when it came to styling it. There was just so much I could do with these goddess locs versus my regular hair.
So, to celebrate this carefree summer version of myself, I did a little tutorial video of some of the easiest ways I've found to style them. If you have any questions about how I installed these (or about anything else), leave 'em below!
Taking advantage of the sweet joys of a fleeting summer
These days you'll find me doing everything I can to make this magical summer feeling last forever. That includes impulse buying lace trimmed rompers (on Amazon of all places!) that I know I will only realistically be able to wear once or twice before fall snatches my tan away from me.
"For less than the price of a Chipotle burrito with guac (always with quac), there was no justifiable reason not to get this romper..."
I tried not to buy this romper on account of the fact that I really didn't need it—I'm trying to be an adult and save my dollars—but Amazon's prices can be ridiculously affordable. For less than the price of a Chipotle burrito with guac (always with quac), there was no justifiable reason not to get this romper, even if I would only wear it a few times.
I know the joy I get from this summery romper is fleeting, with September right around the corner, but it's one I think we all should experience sometime: the joy that comes from something being made sweeter by its impermanence. Summer, along with this super cheap romper, won't last forever, but I'll celebrate them both while they're here.
A story about how a hair change can change your life
If you've read any of my previous posts this summer you'll know there was one thing I wanted more than anything. More than a tropical vacation, more than a summer filled with rooftop parties, I wanted to simply feel carefree, however that feeling came about.
"...but with one small change, I finally figured it out: hair. It always comes down to hair, doesn't it?"
It was a hard feeling to get a grasp on, between working odd writing shifts and the continued career search. How was I supposed to feel carefree when I in fact had so much to care about? But, with one small change, I finally figured it out: hair. It always comes down to hair, doesn't it?
I've never tried any hairstyle like this before, but with the addition of boho locks a la Lisa Bonet and Zoe Kravitz (major hair inspo), I feel like I have not a care in the world. Nothing has changed, fundamentally — I still have two jobs — but when I whip my hair around, all feels right in the world.
A story about how a hair change can change your life
If you've read any of my previous posts this summer you'll know there was one thing I wanted more than anything. More than a tropical vacation, more than a summer filled with rooftop parties, I wanted to simply feel carefree, however that feeling came about.
"...but with one small change, I finally figured it out: hair. It always comes down to hair, doesn't it?"
It was a hard feeling to get a grasp on, between working odd writing shifts and the continued career search. How was I supposed to feel carefree when I in fact had so much to care about? But, with one small change, I finally figured it out: hair. It always comes down to hair, doesn't it?
I've never tried any hairstyle like this before, but with the addition of boho locks a la Lisa Bonet and Zoe Kravitz (major hair inspo), I feel like I have not a care in the world. Nothing has changed, fundamentally — I still have two jobs — but when I whip my hair around, all feels right in the world.
Three bras you need to feel like a fancy adult woman
I was pretty happy with my bra collection up until recently. I had collected enough everyday T-shirt bras, a few push-ups and a go-to strapless for whenever the outfit called for one, but none of them felt special. Correction, none of them made me feel like a fancy French woman—which is what I believe quality lingerie should make you feel like.
...but none of them felt special. Correction, none of them made me feel like a fancy French woman—which is what I believe quality lingerie should make you feel like.
I stopped into Journelle SoHo, a dreamy boutique lingerie shop (with free chocolates!), and decided to change that. I stumbled upon some of the most delicately beautiful bras I'd ever seen, but they were also some of the most expensive. I'm used to paying at most $30 for a bra, but most here were about double that. Once I inspected each one, I saw why.
I tried on about eight bras during my research and went home with three of my favorites.
This bra is currently the most luxurious bra I own. It was also the one I had the hardest time deciding on. It's obviously a beautiful bra, but would it be practical? It turns out, I didn't care if it was practical. It was pretty, and lacy and I feel like Catherine Deneuve would've worn it.
I also had a hard time choosing size.
I'm convinced I'm a modest 36C, but the shopgirl told me 34D would be a better fit. Now, never have I ever in all my life felt like D cup, and when I tried that size it just felt tight. According to her, bras should feel uncomfortable initially because they haven't stretched to fit your frame, yet.
I went in Journelle with a goal of avoiding basic bras—I wanted the most extravagant and romantic ones they had to offer. Then, I tried this bra on and there was no way I was leaving it behind. It's impossibly comfortable and provides amazing support, while still having pretty lace detailing. It can also be turned into a racerback bra, too!
I love bralettes because they are effortlessly luxurious. No extra padding or cups—just you and a little lace. They're also the most comfortable things ever, so I knew I was going home with this one.
Getting through the rest of summer like the dancing emoji
I really only had one goal this summer, and that was to feel carefree. I wanted the sun shining on my skin, the breeze blowing through my curls and most of all, a #girlgang to do all these carefree things with. A week from August, and so far, I can't say that that has been my experience.
"I'm feeling the responsibility of my twenties far more than the wildness of my twenties, which is not what TV led me to expect would be the case."
I spent most of the past couple of months continuing my job search, and thanks to some magic, I landed a gig at Bustle (see my articles here). I'm pretty darn excited about it, but it did not come without some anxiety. I'm feeling the responsibility of my twenties far more that the wildness of my twenties, which is not what TV led me to expect would be the case.
But, with this small win under my belt and summer still hanging about, I can still make some wind-in-hair moments happen, starting with this dress. It makes me feel just like the dancing señorita emoji, and if that girl ain't carefree, I don't know what is.
Getting dressed is a labor of love as of late. If I cared just a little bit less (and I mean a just a little bit, because I'm on the border right now), you'd see me walking around the literal firepit that is New York in moo moo that allowed for maximum ventilation. Y'all, this heat is just a different devil.
"I'd like to take this moment to thank the human who decided that "athleisure" was a thing."
But, because I am a functioning member of society I have gone in an alternate direction: this all-in-one jumpsuit. It allows me to be as lazy as this heat requires, while still sort of maintaining the appearance that I actually tried. I'd like to take this moment to thank the human who decided that "athleisure" was a thing.
While I have not a sporty bone in my body, wearing a jumpsuit makes my life easy. And if I have to pretend to be active, then I'll do it.
I finally, finally feel like I've got it together...ish
I'm in the middle of my first New York summer. It's sticky, humid, and to make matters sweatier, the old house I live has no central air system—I've been surviving with a fan and windows opened wide. Hell-like temperatures aside, I finally feel like I've got my feet firmly planted.
That's not to say everything is perfect, but everything is...right. Things feel like they are as they should be.
That's not to say everything is perfect, but everything is...right. Things feel like they are as they should be. And on the topic of things being as they should be, I wouldn't ever make it through a summer without these shorts. You've seen them for years, here and here, and though I do love a good new addition to my closet, sometimes it's just right to stick with the classics.
Weddings are beautiful things. At this point in my life, I've only been to few, but I know a slew of embossed invitations will be arriving very soon. It appears I'm entering the stage where all my friends are deciding that now is a good time to put a ring on it.
Hey, they get a whole ceremony and gifts and a honeymoon—they'll be okay if I twirl around their reception in a cotton candy pink dress.
And I'm happy for them! Really, I am. What that means for me? Well, I could dive into a pit of despair going on about how it could be/should be me (it couldn't and it shouldn't), or I can look on the side where I get to wear an unnecessarily lavish dress for one night. Like prom, if you will.
This customized Jacey Dress by Azazie is that one for me. And yes, I'm turning their special day into one about me and my dress. Judge me. Hey, they get a whole ceremony and gifts and a honeymoon—they'll be okay if I twirl around their reception in a cotton candy pink dress.
Azazie provided the Jacey Bridesmaid Dress for styling. As always, thoughts and opinions are my own.
A lot has happened since the last time I've posted: I've got a haircut I'm in love with, I've had my first lobster roll ever (life changing), and I've developed a new Sandy-at-the-end-of-Grease sense of style, complete with the moto jacket.
I also anticipate that in five years I'll look back at these photos and think, 'wait, what, why?' like most people from the 90's do when they look at their past outfits...
Well, really, I think it was always there, but being in New York where you can wear literally anything, I've gotten more comfortable with experimenting. Yes, my legs are out! My belly button, too! And yes I'm rocking 90's mom crotch—and I am okay with all of those things!
I anticipate a lot of summer outfits of this caliber. I also anticipate that in five years I'll look back at these photos and think, 'wait, what, why?' like most people from the 90's do when they look at their past outfits, but I won't regret the feeling of freedom. Yes, freedom in the form of shorts. I'm all about it.
