I know we're all thinking it: "Oh gosh, where did January go?" To be honest, I don't care where it went, I'm just happy it's gone. For the past month, I've spent my life pressing reset, dealing with the logistics of a big move. With February here, all I want to do is actually enjoy being where I am.
"I know living here won't be all brunches and light jackets, but having those things this weekend was just what I needed to wrap January up."
This weekend I got my first taste of what that would be like. New York must've been making up for that little 2-feet-of-snow blizzard we had a week back, because I was able to go out, explore SoHo and have brunch with some friends, all while wearing a light jacket and layers.
I know living here won't be all brunches and light jackets, but having those things this weekend was just what I needed to wrap January up. Part 2 of 12, I'm ready for you.
I am a bonafide makeup addict, but even so, there are some trends I just don't care to try. Every now and then I'll surprise myself and fall in love with a trend I thought I could pass on, proving that no matter how much makeup I think I have, it is never enough.
1. BH Cosmetics Professional blush Palette
I've always been happy with one or two standby blush/bronzer colors. I mean, with only one face and two cheeks, who needs a whole palette, right? Wrong. With this blush palette being so affordable, I threw caution to the wind and haven't looked back since. Having these options makes getting ready so much more fun.
2. M.a.c. Soft And Gentle
Highlighting and contouring are "the thing" of the moment, but it's way too much work for my routine. When strobing came along, it seemed like an easier alternative to highlighting, so I gave it a go. With one sweep of this mineralized highlighter on my cheekbones, I feel like a glowy baby angel everyday.
3. White eyeliner
I've read about the positives of using white eyeliner many times – it's an instant eye brightener – but never felt like it was worth it to add another step to my routine. Recently, I've started using it as a base for highlighting around my lower lash line and I love the wide-eyed look it creates. It's one small step that makes a world of difference.
4. Matte Liquid lipstick
I hate the idea of putting anything on my lips that'll dry them out, so I was happy to skip the matte liquid lipstick trend. When I found these for less than $4 though, I figured it wouldn't hurt to see what the big fuss was about. Life changed. The matte finish is not as drying as I thought, but what's even more amazing is how long these last.
If you're wondering how or why I'm wearing this outfit in the middle of New York's battle against #blizzard2016 a.k.a. #stormJonas, let me assure you that this is not what I've been wearing. This is. I wore this during my last few days as a southern belle in Atlanta, where winters are reasonably cold, which is to say, not cold at all.
"And that brings me to the question I've been asking myself all weekend while trapped by the storm: how the hell do people do real winters?"
And that brings me to the question I've been asking myself all weekend while trapped by the storm: how the hell do people do real winters? I mean, if I wanted to make this combination work for a northern winter I would need a couple of very important additions.
First things first, I would need to do something about the bare legs. A pair of leggings maybe? No, two pairs for sure. Then, all the things my mother warned me I would need: gloves, a scarf and a heavier coat. As far as the hat, I listened to you on that one, mom. I regret ever doubting you. Please send help.
It's electric, it's brash, it's the city that never sleeps – It's New York, Baby.
I spent ten southern years plotting my way back to New York, and by god, here I am. I've had a few Mary Tyler Moore moments walking through the city, popping into my favorite bodega for fresh flowers and actually making my way around without getting on the lost on the subway.
But just beneath those really great moments is this: a pestering voice asking, "So you're here. Now what?" That voice, though condescending, has a point. I don't want simply moving here to be my greatest accomplishment. I want to do more. I came to do more.
It just seems that more is taking its sweet ol' time to get to me, or rather, me to it.
"I don't want simply moving here to be my greatest accomplishment. I want to do more. I came to do more."
Moving to New York was instant gratification. I wanted to do it, and with one plane ticket, I did – no depending on luck or time. It happened as soon as I decided I wanted it to happen. For someone who is as horribly impatient as I am, it was perfect. I'm only now processing that everything else about being here won't be that way.
New York is a hard city for many, and I try to remind myself of that whenever the voice gets too loud for comfort. I have a more than affordable place to live and a job – that's more than a lot of people can say for themselves when they first come here.
Since time seems to be my biggest enemy, it helps to look at things this way: I've been a college graduate for a month and I've only been an official New York resident for about a week. A little patience would do me some good.
Some things just go together: peanut butter and jelly, a cat eye and a red lip and, if you can see where I'm going here, jeans and blazer. What expresses the sentiment, "business on the top, party on the bottom," as well as this sartorial combo?
"Come winter, it's just one of the easiest ways I know to layer. And hello, this blazer has gold buttons."
It's a combo that I'm pretty familiar with, too (see here, here and here). So, yes, you could say it's a go-to of mine. Come winter, it's just one of the easiest ways I know to layer. And hello, this blazer has gold buttons. I repeat, gold buttons.
At some point in time I'm sure I'll retire my jeans and blazer. Actually, that's a lie. I won't. It's just too good, too easy and it always works. It has never let me down, and if I turn my back on that, I'd be a fool.
Quick, healthy and definitely not your basic salmon
Whenever I'm in the mood for a lighter meal, my first thought is seafood. Salmon, in particular, is a favorite. I wanted to update my regular baked salmon for something more interesting, and by stuffing it with fresh spinach and parmesan, I definitely accomplished that.
The great thing is the cook time is the same as classic baked salmon, but the outcome is much tastier. I served it on a simple spinach salad with dried cranberries, but it would pair well with any of your favorite sides.
Ingredients
Salmon Spinach Fresh Parmesan Salt + Pepper
Steps
1. Clean and prep salmon. Season with salt + pepper.
2. Cut a slit into the salmon for the spinach and parmesan stuffing. 3. Bake salmon at 375 degrees F in foil-covered pan for 35- 45 minutes until flaky.
The LATE GIRL'S GUIDE IS A SERIES OF QUICK, SIMPLE RECIPES AND HOW-TOS FOR THE GIRL WISHING SHE HAD JUST 15 MORE MINUTES.
A tale about how a vest + boot combo can change your life
When I first wore this bohemian dress, I was enjoying a paradise-like getaway on the west coast. See proof here. It hasn't stopped being a fave since then, but thanks to winter, I haven't been able to pull it out like I'd like to.
"Half of my closet has been given back to me, and for that, I am eternally grateful."
That is until I bought these boots. Oh, yes, these heeled OTK babies have breathed new life into my closet. Everything I wear with them just feels different, you know? Combined with my warm shearling vest, they've made a drastic impact on my quality of life.
Now I can pull out somewhat seasonally inappropriate dresses and make them wearable once more. Half of my closet has been given back to me, and for that, I am eternally grateful. So grateful, in fact, that I bought these boots in taupe, too. What can I say? When I fall, I fall hard, dammit.
Drake, Champagne Papi or my personal favorite, regular ol' Aubrey, is easily one of the most fun rappers to quote. We have him to thank (or hate) for infiltrating pop culture with YOLO, and I know I wasn't the only entranced by "Hotline Bling" and the memes that followed.
Joy The Baker has a blog with loads of other delicious recipes, but for now Drake on Cake, well, takes the cake.
More than my general appreciation of Aubrey, though, is my appreciation of dessert. So, imagine my pure joy upon finding an Instgram account dedicated to both things simultaneously. Joy The Baker, the genius behind it, has a blog with loads of other delicious looking recipes, but for now, Drake on Cake, well, takes the cake.
A no-stress guide to plotting, planning & scheming your plans for the new year
Last year, I made an ambitious list of resolutions. This year, I'm not even bothering. It's not because I don't believe in resolutions or even that I didn't accomplish any of mine, which for the record, I did.
In 2015 I learned that planning your life out on a grand scale, say, over an entire year's time, is not only intimidating, but really impractical. You never know where life will take you. This time last year I thought I'd be living in California. I can only laugh about that as I pack my final bags for New York.
"This time last year I thought I'd be living in California. I can only laugh about that as I pack my final bags for New York."
That doesn't mean I'll stop hoping, dreaming and planning, though. It just means that I'll be adjusting how I do those things.
1. Grab the cutest planner you can find
Writing onto the crisp pages of a cute new planner gets me excited. Opening it makes planning feel like an event – a special daily ritual, even. I keep one main planner and a few supplementary notebooks for life's to-do lists, my blog and journaling. And yes, they are all adorable (I got mine from Sugar Paper L.A. for Target).
2. Plan a little now, plan a little later
Planning too far and too specifically into the future gives me anxiety. When my family asks me to make plans for 2016's Christmas with them, I silently freak out. I mean, how am I supposed to say yes to going on a cruise in December? January JUST started. Instead, I plan in monthly or seasonal intervals. Plans that don't seem so far away become less intimidating and more tangible.
3. Break big goals down into smaller, specific ones
I'll be honest: to me, big, vague goals like "save money" or "be healthy" don't seem real. Last year, I wanted to "move more". Then spring came, and I realized I hadn't gotten any closer to making it happen. I needed to give it specifics. I wanted to take a burlesque class. After I looked up dates, times, prices and locations, it became real and pushed me to finally get my shake, shimmy and body roll going. P.S. I highly recommend taking a burlesque class.
So, girlfriends, how do you plan? Or are you just done and over with New Year's Resolutions completely?
Welcome to 2016! Throw glitter & let's celebrate – by wearing all black?
Girlfriends, 2016 is going to be a good one. I can feel it. I'm thinking positive thoughts, dreaming big dreams and planning for one of my brightest, sparkliest years yet. It seems my closet didn't get that memo, though, because here I am brooding in head-to-toe black.
"Thinking about it, I rarely ever do, so maybe this is the perfect way to start the year. As a matter of fact, I know it is."
I felt like I should've rung in the year with glitter and sequins, but because of my move, my closet is going through some things. My go-to moto jacket and #allblackeverything is just easy right now. I'm just hoping all black doesn't look too depressing with a dash of leopard, right?
Not that there's anything wrong with going over to the dark side. Thinking about it, I rarely ever do, so maybe this is the perfect way to start the year. As a matter of fact, I know it is. Here's to trying new things in the new year. Cheers!
