There are 3 things I'd like to be by the time I'm 30: married, a published author, and a size 2.
My mom and dad were married at 23 and 25, respectively, so I used to think that marriage at any age past was ancient. It's 2011, I'm a career woman, yada yada. The times have changed and so have I. The 'by 30' clause actually has more to do with my childbearing years than anything. Of course the other factors - I'd like to be selfish for a bit longer, I'd like to accomplish a few more things before sharing it all with someone else - come into play. But mainly, I'd like not to stress about having kids. I'd just like to have them.
Well, I didn't write my book by 25, so perhaps by 30? Ideally I'd like to wrap it up by the time I'm 27 but the publishing process is a long and arduous one. Suffice it to say, if you see my book on shelves by 2015, I will have done good. But I'm definitely hoping for sooner. I realize now that I couldn't have finished it any faster - I needed to go through all of these experience to really make it what I want it to be.
The last part is sort of a joke - size 2, size 4, who cares - but it just sounded so good with the rest of the statement. I have drastically changed my eating habits by making small alterations here and there and it shows (and feels!). I've been thinking a lot about yoga recently... I'm a bit high strung and tightly wound, not to mention I make myself sick when I get stressed. I think it could be a great release for me.. What I really want is to be healthy and feel good. Looking great in a bikini wouldn't hurt, either.
What are your 3 for 30?
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Currently...
...reading The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. I don't love his writing style, but he's one hell of a storyteller.
...playing Plants vs. Zombies on my iPad. I can't get past the nighttime level to save my life - that game truly is addicting!
...contemplating yoga.
...thinking about my own personal style and just bought two books about others': What I Wore by Jessica Quirk and Style by Lauren Conrad.
...ecstatic about my upcoming vacation out West.
...wearing the hell out of my schoolboy blazer.
...deciding which bridesmaid dress to wear in my friend's wedding... I've narrowed it down to two, the Maggie and the Zoe, both LulaKate. Which do you like?
...playing Plants vs. Zombies on my iPad. I can't get past the nighttime level to save my life - that game truly is addicting!
...contemplating yoga.
...thinking about my own personal style and just bought two books about others': What I Wore by Jessica Quirk and Style by Lauren Conrad.
...ecstatic about my upcoming vacation out West.
...wearing the hell out of my schoolboy blazer.
...deciding which bridesmaid dress to wear in my friend's wedding... I've narrowed it down to two, the Maggie and the Zoe, both LulaKate. Which do you like?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
So, I got...
...the navy schoolboy blazer from J. Crew. I had to give in, and I'm not really sure how I lived without this until now. It's such a basic, such a classic, and now a much loved piece in my wardrobe.
...the Leontine Linens Round Jewel Box. Mine is light pink and white. Thanks, Nana!
...the Sultra Bombshell curling rod. I'm still perfecting my method (the above photo was taken after using it for the second time) but I am LOVING this thing.
...the Patagonia Pipe Down jacket. Now I just need to learn how to ski.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
You gotta go there to come back
I promised myself a long time ago that the next time I fell in love, I'd write about it. In love letters and book chapters and journal entries.
This isn't that.
This is about a past love that I never really took the time to document or savor. The way people spill on PostSecret or how season 7 of Curb was essentially a love note to Larry's ex-wife. I realize now that life is short and you should tell people how you feel, often.
I digress.
This past weekend I traveled to my college town. It's the third time I've been back since graduating almost four years ago, but it took me three years before I was able to go back at all.
I went through an excruciating breakup during the second half of my senior year. The relationship did a 180° very quickly and unraveled like yarn with a cat tugging on the loose end. Everything changed within days and those were the toughest few months of my life. I cried at every stoplight. Sleep was literally my only relief. By the time graduation rolled around, I was more than ready to get the hell out of there. I left with an awful taste in my mouth and didn't look back for a very long time.
Last March I gave in and made the trip to visit one of my dear friends. And it was surprisingly wonderful to be back. It only gets better each time. The wounds are healed. And like I said last week, I can't keep completely discrediting who I was back then. I did the best I could and so much has changed. This October I will stand in aforementioned dear friend's wedding in the city that gave me my first love, and I will be infinitely thankful for the abundance of love in my life today.
Simply put, it will always be complicated. Therre are too many layers of emotion, multiple memories tucked away in pockets of the city that sneak up on me like rattlesnakes. At one point we were near your old house. Couldnt say just where I was... it was night and the streets were dark, and these are roads I haven't truly traveled in years. But I knew. I felt it. Something inside stung. It was only then, back in the throws of where our love blossomed and dissinigrated, that I saw clearly. We were young and stupid. I was a very naive version of who I am now. I was stubborn and uncomfortable in my own skin. When it was good it was so good, but the end was the worst pain I've ever known.
While being back, I realized there is no one else I could have or would have experienced it all with. It made sense for us and I'm grateful for the time we shared. Much of it was wonderful. The lessons I took away are invaluable. I have done my very own 180°, only for the better. And though you'll probably never know it, I wish you only the best life has to offer and I hope that wherever you are, you're really, truly happy.
I know I am.
This isn't that.
This is about a past love that I never really took the time to document or savor. The way people spill on PostSecret or how season 7 of Curb was essentially a love note to Larry's ex-wife. I realize now that life is short and you should tell people how you feel, often.
I digress.
This past weekend I traveled to my college town. It's the third time I've been back since graduating almost four years ago, but it took me three years before I was able to go back at all.
I went through an excruciating breakup during the second half of my senior year. The relationship did a 180° very quickly and unraveled like yarn with a cat tugging on the loose end. Everything changed within days and those were the toughest few months of my life. I cried at every stoplight. Sleep was literally my only relief. By the time graduation rolled around, I was more than ready to get the hell out of there. I left with an awful taste in my mouth and didn't look back for a very long time.
Last March I gave in and made the trip to visit one of my dear friends. And it was surprisingly wonderful to be back. It only gets better each time. The wounds are healed. And like I said last week, I can't keep completely discrediting who I was back then. I did the best I could and so much has changed. This October I will stand in aforementioned dear friend's wedding in the city that gave me my first love, and I will be infinitely thankful for the abundance of love in my life today.
Simply put, it will always be complicated. Therre are too many layers of emotion, multiple memories tucked away in pockets of the city that sneak up on me like rattlesnakes. At one point we were near your old house. Couldnt say just where I was... it was night and the streets were dark, and these are roads I haven't truly traveled in years. But I knew. I felt it. Something inside stung. It was only then, back in the throws of where our love blossomed and dissinigrated, that I saw clearly. We were young and stupid. I was a very naive version of who I am now. I was stubborn and uncomfortable in my own skin. When it was good it was so good, but the end was the worst pain I've ever known.
While being back, I realized there is no one else I could have or would have experienced it all with. It made sense for us and I'm grateful for the time we shared. Much of it was wonderful. The lessons I took away are invaluable. I have done my very own 180°, only for the better. And though you'll probably never know it, I wish you only the best life has to offer and I hope that wherever you are, you're really, truly happy.
I know I am.
Monday, February 14, 2011
The only living girl in New York
Valentines Day doesn't really have much middle ground. I think you either love it or hate it. I am always of the former. Whether single or taken, in love or in lust, it's one of my most favorite holidays. My parents taught us that it's about love and we are lucky to have so much of it in our lives. They also always give the best Valentines. They somehow manage to top themselves year after year.
This year my gifts were black, white, and read all over! The kate spade journal newspaper clutch...
...and the kate spade journal flat pouch! I literally squealed with delight when I opened the box. I have been dying for these... they are so very me.
I decided to continue the tradition by wearing my raya dress with my 'red letter day' idiom bangle.
The title refers to one of my favorite Simon and Garfunkel songs, 'The Only Living Boy in New York'. I was standing in line at Starbucks this morning and looked around. I was swimming in a sea of black. I stuck out like a sore thumb in red. Everyone around me seemed dark and quiet and very un-Valentiny. In that moment, I felt like the only living girl in New York. But when I got to the counter and was greeted enthusiastically by several baristas (clearly, I'm a regular) I realized... I'm That Girl. Chivalry and romance and tradition may be dead, but I am doing my damndest to try and keep them alive. I will always be the girl in the brightly colored frock with the big hair. I will be the girl sending you snail mail when you're least expecting it. I will go the extra mile just to surprise you. I will be unintentionally obnoxious and I will most likely always stick out like a sore thumb.
And that's okay.
Happy Valentines Day to all of my readers - celebrate love today. And the color red.
This year my gifts were black, white, and read all over! The kate spade journal newspaper clutch...
...and the kate spade journal flat pouch! I literally squealed with delight when I opened the box. I have been dying for these... they are so very me.
I decided to continue the tradition by wearing my raya dress with my 'red letter day' idiom bangle.
The title refers to one of my favorite Simon and Garfunkel songs, 'The Only Living Boy in New York'. I was standing in line at Starbucks this morning and looked around. I was swimming in a sea of black. I stuck out like a sore thumb in red. Everyone around me seemed dark and quiet and very un-Valentiny. In that moment, I felt like the only living girl in New York. But when I got to the counter and was greeted enthusiastically by several baristas (clearly, I'm a regular) I realized... I'm That Girl. Chivalry and romance and tradition may be dead, but I am doing my damndest to try and keep them alive. I will always be the girl in the brightly colored frock with the big hair. I will be the girl sending you snail mail when you're least expecting it. I will go the extra mile just to surprise you. I will be unintentionally obnoxious and I will most likely always stick out like a sore thumb.
And that's okay.
Happy Valentines Day to all of my readers - celebrate love today. And the color red.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
It's Wedding Wednesday again...
This Friday I'm traveling to the faraway land of Florida to see SUNSHINE, for one, but more importantly, one of my very favorite people and brides-to-be. We'll spend the weekend trying on bridesmaid dresses (me) and bridal shoes (her). (And eating, because there are so many cultural aspects I miss about my home state, but notably the food that I can't get here. Pei Wei kids meal and Chick-Fil-A waffle fries, here I come!)
As I've said before, sometimes people ask what my dream nuptials would look like. I love weddings so this is always a fun topic for me. With several dear friends planning their own and a handful more about to get engaged, I find diamond cuts and floral arrangements permeating many a conversation. Not that I'm complaining!
First and foremost, I must wax poetic on Brooke Davis. Was she not the perfect bride? Did anyone else sob through the episode like I did? I hope Sophia Bush and Austin Nichols get the happy ending in real life that they got on the show.
Shoes with bows are a given. I searched high and low for many months for these kate spade muse shoes in gold suede in my size, and finally found them about a month ago. I'll wear them with my bridesmaid dress and to many an affair. They are, for me, the perfect dressy shoe. (And though my personal choice would probably be more of a light turquoise shoe (ballet flats, perhaps) I think any bride would sparkle in these.)
Speaking of the hue, what better gift to give your bridesmaids then something blue? Tiffany has so many beautiful gifts for under $250. The cultured freshwater pearl earrings are my favorite.
This is the most TAG stationery ensemble I've yet to come across. It suits me to a 'T'! Pun intended.
For my love of all things graphite... for the perfect flower girl.
My two favorite wedding-esque blogs/sites are Style Me Pretty, a stunning collection of wedding details, photos and inspiration, and To My Wife, a man's ongoing love note to his future bride.
And finally, something we can all enjoy, engaged or not: Since1910 is hosting a 100 day giveaway of Tacori jewelry in honor of their 100th anniversary! There are, you guessed it, 100 pieces of jewelry up for grabs so run, don't walk! Thanks to a fabulous new friend for turning me onto this.
As I've said before, sometimes people ask what my dream nuptials would look like. I love weddings so this is always a fun topic for me. With several dear friends planning their own and a handful more about to get engaged, I find diamond cuts and floral arrangements permeating many a conversation. Not that I'm complaining!
First and foremost, I must wax poetic on Brooke Davis. Was she not the perfect bride? Did anyone else sob through the episode like I did? I hope Sophia Bush and Austin Nichols get the happy ending in real life that they got on the show.
Shoes with bows are a given. I searched high and low for many months for these kate spade muse shoes in gold suede in my size, and finally found them about a month ago. I'll wear them with my bridesmaid dress and to many an affair. They are, for me, the perfect dressy shoe. (And though my personal choice would probably be more of a light turquoise shoe (ballet flats, perhaps) I think any bride would sparkle in these.)
Speaking of the hue, what better gift to give your bridesmaids then something blue? Tiffany has so many beautiful gifts for under $250. The cultured freshwater pearl earrings are my favorite.
This is the most TAG stationery ensemble I've yet to come across. It suits me to a 'T'! Pun intended.
For my love of all things graphite... for the perfect flower girl.
My two favorite wedding-esque blogs/sites are Style Me Pretty, a stunning collection of wedding details, photos and inspiration, and To My Wife, a man's ongoing love note to his future bride.
And finally, something we can all enjoy, engaged or not: Since1910 is hosting a 100 day giveaway of Tacori jewelry in honor of their 100th anniversary! There are, you guessed it, 100 pieces of jewelry up for grabs so run, don't walk! Thanks to a fabulous new friend for turning me onto this.
Monday, February 7, 2011
What's in a name?
Man oh man. I have changed quite a bit since I introduced myself on this blog nearly 3 years ago. So much - my outlook on life, my general attitude, and my personal style, to name a few - have greatly shifted. I am a firm believer that happiness is a mood, not a destination, and that you don't suddenly become happy, you learn how to be happy. And I have learned how to be happy in a way now that I could never have dreamed back then.
Because back then I was in a dead-end job, dating a guy who treated me like crap (a slew of them, actually) and I didn't know what drove me. And if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. All I knew was that I wanted to write. Hence the birth of JGIWC.
Lately I've been trying to remind myself that even though I have grown up quite a bit, I don't want to completely discredit who I was back then - bright-eyed and well-intentioned and clueless. I can't beat myself up anymore for being the naive idealist I was and in many ways, still am and will always be.
So though much has altered, I still think the name suits me well. The Wasp's Clothing is still a-plenty, and though I'm decked out in a pink Lilly Pulitzer dress today, I must admit that my closet has made a lot of new friends - from Land's End to Lanvin. And whereas I would have called myself a prep back then, I wouldn't call myself one now. My style philosophy is far more classic and feminine than it is preppy and Waspy. That being said, I will always love my popped colors and printed shifts. Always.
The Jewish Girl is who I've always been. At this point in my life, however, it's not something that holds much precedence. Growing up, I was so immersed in my religion, having gone to a reform day school for ten years and being part of a close knit Jewish community in my high school years. In college, I decided I needed to branch out and opted for the All-American sorority. It was the right move for me and I haven't looked back since. Only now, I feel as though I'm an outsider and don't fit in. I have very few Jewish friends and feel much more at home at a sorority brunch or a Junior League meeting. I know that this will change when I get married and have [a] kid(s) and will inevitably meet the other Jewish parents at my child's JCC preschool. It's taken me a long time to be okay with this, but I get now that my connection to Judaism will fluctuate with the flow of my own days, years, experiences. I know that life happens in phases and I'm at a particular point in mine where I just cannot relate - especially in New York. Maybe it's just me, but I will never understand why women brag about being a 'JAP' (Jewish American Princess). Unless of course others view the term in a different context than I do, which is entirely possible.
(I'm going to get off my soap box now.)
I guess my main point is that I know where I've been, I'm very happy with where I am, and I have no idea what the future holds but I stand armed with my heart, my smile, and my Louboutins. And that no matter what happens or changes, I am and will always proudly be the Jewish Girl in Wasp's Clothing.
Because back then I was in a dead-end job, dating a guy who treated me like crap (a slew of them, actually) and I didn't know what drove me. And if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. All I knew was that I wanted to write. Hence the birth of JGIWC.
Lately I've been trying to remind myself that even though I have grown up quite a bit, I don't want to completely discredit who I was back then - bright-eyed and well-intentioned and clueless. I can't beat myself up anymore for being the naive idealist I was and in many ways, still am and will always be.
So though much has altered, I still think the name suits me well. The Wasp's Clothing is still a-plenty, and though I'm decked out in a pink Lilly Pulitzer dress today, I must admit that my closet has made a lot of new friends - from Land's End to Lanvin. And whereas I would have called myself a prep back then, I wouldn't call myself one now. My style philosophy is far more classic and feminine than it is preppy and Waspy. That being said, I will always love my popped colors and printed shifts. Always.
The Jewish Girl is who I've always been. At this point in my life, however, it's not something that holds much precedence. Growing up, I was so immersed in my religion, having gone to a reform day school for ten years and being part of a close knit Jewish community in my high school years. In college, I decided I needed to branch out and opted for the All-American sorority. It was the right move for me and I haven't looked back since. Only now, I feel as though I'm an outsider and don't fit in. I have very few Jewish friends and feel much more at home at a sorority brunch or a Junior League meeting. I know that this will change when I get married and have [a] kid(s) and will inevitably meet the other Jewish parents at my child's JCC preschool. It's taken me a long time to be okay with this, but I get now that my connection to Judaism will fluctuate with the flow of my own days, years, experiences. I know that life happens in phases and I'm at a particular point in mine where I just cannot relate - especially in New York. Maybe it's just me, but I will never understand why women brag about being a 'JAP' (Jewish American Princess). Unless of course others view the term in a different context than I do, which is entirely possible.
(I'm going to get off my soap box now.)
I guess my main point is that I know where I've been, I'm very happy with where I am, and I have no idea what the future holds but I stand armed with my heart, my smile, and my Louboutins. And that no matter what happens or changes, I am and will always proudly be the Jewish Girl in Wasp's Clothing.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
"It's kind of like you exploded all over this magazine."
A friend said this to me in reference to Matchbook Magazine, which I am sure many of you have read and adored. What a compliment! I was especially taken with the "50 classics for your closet" list, so much so that I printed and realized I'm missing a few things!
I've been perusing a bit to see how I'm going to fill those holes. Here's what I'm thinking...
I like this. A little tough, a little sexy.
I absolutely love the bright hue of this kate spade janelle skirt. Perfect for spring.
I have been wanting a blue schoolboy blazer for quite some time now. I think it's time to bite the bullet and buy this one from J. Crew.
Now, you tell me... where can I get a flattering black bikini, a comfy cashmere v-neck and a cozy long wrap cardigan?
I've been perusing a bit to see how I'm going to fill those holes. Here's what I'm thinking...
I like this. A little tough, a little sexy.
I absolutely love the bright hue of this kate spade janelle skirt. Perfect for spring.
I have been wanting a blue schoolboy blazer for quite some time now. I think it's time to bite the bullet and buy this one from J. Crew.
Now, you tell me... where can I get a flattering black bikini, a comfy cashmere v-neck and a cozy long wrap cardigan?
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