Lately...

Hello, imaginary readers!

IT. IS. SO. COLD.

Today has got to be the coldest day so far this winter. Currently 6 degrees out but feels like -10 out. BRAIN CANNOT COMPREHEND!!!

So on official news, I'm OFFICIALLY on a shopping moratorium (why am I always on one?!).

It was supposed to begin on February 1st.

Of course, due to the extreme cold here in NYC, I freaked out on February 6th, went on J. Crew's website and ordered 2 sweaters (love them!) and a pair of wool work pants I had been eyeing (Minnie pant in bi-stretch wool). I already owned the olive and got the black to be practical).

Image source: Lyst

For these pants, I recommend sizing UP one size for looser fit (my usual size was too tight on my butt). Then, I wear a pair of tights/leggings under it for extra warmth.

Speaking of leggings under pants - These have been LIFE CHANGING!

FLEECE-LINED LEGGINGS.

I don't know how I went through 5 winters in NYC previously without them. I just got a regular ol' pair on sale at Lord and Taylor (one size fits all).

(YIKES, this is my 6th winter in NYC?! It can't be... but it is...)

Last weekend, while in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, frolicking with friends on a "warm" (mid-30 degree temps!) weekend - my best friend and I stopped in Beacon's Closet - only the BEST thrift store I've EVER been to. They have the most curated selection with the best pricing. I have NEVER walked out of there empty handed, and on this Saturday evening (7:30 PM, after a day of day-drinking at Brooklyn Bowl), it was no exception.

I walked out with my first Rebecca Taylor piece - a long blue cardigan ("I can wear it to work!") new with tags, an '80s sweater that I'm swearing I can pull off (he he he), a Theory silk blouse good for work, and a J. Crew standard blue striped button down. ... Love it! But broke my moratorium.

As far as other pursuits...

After years of over-cooking my soft boiled eggs and being upset about it, I finally decided to just look it up online - and I'm glad I did! This was immensely helpful. Turn off the heat after boiling, cover with lid for 4 minutes yields the perfect still soft-yolk egg! Hooray!

Image source: The Kitchn

I've also been on a KICK making these - healthy banana chocolate chip muffins!! They are DELISH! The first round, I used too much banana, so they were a bit mushy (which were good) - but second time around, they're perfectly chewy.

Now, if I could only get Nick to eat them...

Image source: The Balanced Blonde/The Blonde Vegan

I just used regular oats (since I had them, and I'm not a gluten free eater) and regular chocolate chips (again, Dairy is my middle name, can't be doing dairy free). I used almond butter like the recipe called for.

For Valentine's Day on Saturday, I made this recipe: CROCKPOT BRAISED BEEF RAGU WITH POLENTA - Huge success, probably one of the best things I've EVER made.

Image source: Me

Today's a DAY OFF so I think I will try to be productive... I'm off!

xoxo

Jane

Happy New Year!

Hope you (imaginary reader) had a nice celebration last night, ringing in 2015. My night certainly took a surprising turn!

My friends' original plan - the fancy Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel in NYC - didn't end up working out so well this year. While we didn't have a table reservation, last year, my friends were able to get in as long as they showed up early. This year, the bar wouldn't allow it, which we didn't discover until we showed up :(.

... Somehow, a couple of hours later, we found ourselves at an exclusive NYC club in Chelsea - No. 8 (formerly Bungalow 8, if you remember from Sex and the City!), seated at a table with bottle service on the 2nd floor, overlooking the main floor.

Like, what!? ... Okay, it wasn't quite "somehow" - I know my friend Louis must have pulled SO many strings to get us in!

Our table overlooked this area. It was so much fun!

I wish I got a photo documenting of my full outfit. I wore a sparkly silver jacket with scallops down the front edges (thrifted), Club Monaco faux leather leggings (best pants ever), and a simple black tee. Plus these sweet black Steven almost-wedge heeled booties (adorable but hurt my feet by the end of the night :( ...).

Image source: Lyst

Most of the photos of the night were... blurry. :) Here I am documenting my love for SHAKE IT OFF (YAY TAYLOR SWIFT!).

Today, as I nursed myself back to health, I tried to reflect a bit on 2014 - and resolutions for 2015.

Each year, I seem to make the SAME resolutions - and this year is no different: Read more, lotion more, stretch and exercise more, take care of my face, save & invest more, buy less / focus on quality. And figure out my job/career...

One thing that I'm proud of/excited about: skiing for the first time in December!! Nick and I finally took a ski trip this year (after years of saying we would do it but never did...), traveling to Killington, VT. Nick wanted to teach me at first, but thank goodness we went with the adult first-timer lessons offered by the mountain. Nick was helpful though -- he kept saying to me, It's all about conquering your fears; part of skiing is physical but part of it is mental.

Image source: Pintrest

Hopefully, I can "conquer more fears" in 2015. I want 2015 to kick ass!

AND... more posts to come!

Absence not excused!

I think I must treat blogging as a winter activity... when it's too cold to be outside, I'm huddled by the fire I mean heater! September through December is pretty insane at work, but I'm hoping to slow down a bit the last few weeks in December. We're aiming to go skiing around Xmas - we need to make some reservations! Anyways, I'll pick this back up soon!

Unsuccessfully resisting fall

Makes me sad! Summer flew by (as it does every year) - and I tried my best to take advantage of the sun and warmth as much as I could.

(But maybe not as much as Nick, who spent almost every weekend in June and July in Central Park, trying to build a tan...)

Now it's the third week of September, and the temperature is cooling off already in New York.

As much as I want to resist it, my mind is wandering into the fall/winter category...

and I came across THIS! as I browsed Zara's website:

Image source: Zara

Look familar?!

... very similar to THIS! that I loved so much from Anthro last year:

Image source: Anthropologie

 

Anyways, let's see if I can drag out my summer wardrobe for a few more weeks...

 

:)

Best dress



Last week, I wore the best dress.

 

Image source: Gap

 



Granted, an elder hispanic man sitting in his walker did look at me and say, "Lovely." when I walked by...

But really, I wore this (with a little shapewear underneath) and got (other) amazing compliments from friends!

And it's a great deal right now. $20?!

Change in life

Image source: Pintrest

I'm a relatively new fan of Humans of New York, and last month, I came across a photo with this quote:

"I have this theory. You ready? So we are on earth for a finite amount of time. And time is a manmade perception. And we perceive time passing through change— seasons, aging, things like that. So to expand our time on earth, we must incite as much change in our lives as possible."
"Interesting. I haven’t heard that before."
"That’s because I made it up!"

It got me thinking.

I've come to realize I'm terrified of big changes. Could be why I'm still in the same job as when I graduated; or I luckily haven't been laid off yet.

I'm not seeking or asking for change for the sake of change...

But how do I know when it's time to take the plunge?

GOT A TRENCH!

Remember how obsessed I was with oversized pink coats?! Well, after trying on a few... I realized: Not the look for me. Way too trendy. I would just look ridiculous walking around in it.

I did, however, take the plunge on a gorgeous new khaki trench!

It's not perfect... like, I would have liked some classic horn buttons vs. a zipper.

However, it's pretty darn close. I love how simple it is, it's a great weight (not waterproof, but will keep me warm), and it has those extra flaps I love on the front right and on the back.

I was in SoHo shopping last week with a friend when I stopped by French Connection, saw the coat, put it on - and then felt instant chicness!!! You know that's a good sign.

Despite the "convenience" of online shopping - browsing the endless options, sizes, colors, brands from the comfort of your couch, sometimes there's something to be said for going in store, trying it on, looking in the mirror and thinking, This. Rocks.

Here it is:

French Connection trench coat

Make your own

How adorable are these bags?

Brit-Stitch is a British company, and these bags are customizeable! I love the classic designs with the cute colors.

Unfortunately, I've got two casual saddle bags already, or else these would be on top of my TO GET list...

 

Image source: Brit-Stitch

 

Obvi not a sponsored post, since I'm just a lonely girl amateur blogger here! :)

Dill with it!

I had a work trip in April to Austin, TX - and had the chance to see my lovely friend Caroline and took a quick visit to her apartment.

She had a roll of duct tape with this hilarious design:

 

GENIUS!

Writers block, lately (and trying to enjoy the amazing WEATHER we're finally having)!

I'll be back with more posts!

Spring cleaning

I recently read a Well+Good NYC (NYC-based fitness-oriented newsletter) article that said ... Boycott spring cleaning! The weather is so nice again - why waste it indoors cleaning?

... Unfortunately, I read it too late, so I've got lots of spring cleaning to do.

Being a little lazy (and hey, busy! Work is tiring!), I hired a cleaner to come last Saturday. Ahhh. What a relief.

What was supposed to be in the cards for last weekend was also a big CLOSET switch-a-roo... but I didn't get quite as far as I needed to.

Yep, I've waited until mid May to switch out my winter clothes for my summer clothes. Talk about procrastination. But I would blame it more on the weather... The chilly weather lasted longer than usual this year.

I've been doing a good job each season - clearing out the old/dated clothes and bringing in fresh "investment" pieces that I love.

I did a huge shoe and boot haul over this past winter for both my casual and work shoes, and I'm finding that I need to do the same with my summer shoes. Out with the ugly brown elastic wedges that I thought were so cool last year (I don't even know. They are not.)... And I especially need some wedding guest sandal heels!

* * *

Love this and white trend for summer. I think it could be borderline frumpy, though, if you're not careful with the style.

Image source: NY Times





I'll be back to muse on other spring (almost over!) and summer trends I'm looking forward to wearing...

Gettin' in the trenches

Follow up from my craving a trench coat post...

Alas! The Burberry Brit trench is sold out in all the smaller sizes! Probably for the best, given how much it is. (... "But it's an investment piece that will last me 10 or 15 years!")

Here are two more alternatives that I've found and love.

Three-in one version from DKNY for $695.00.

Image source: DKNY

Collarless version from H&M for $69.95

Image source: H&M

Out of these four (two above, and two from my last post), which do you like best?

Craving...

One of my fave blogs Cupcakes & Cashmere has a series of posts called "crave or save."

I immediate thought of it when I came across these two different coats, as I've been browsing trench coats lately...

Here is the ULTIMATE "crave or save":

(Click on the images to go to the product listings.)

Burberry Brit trench ...

 

or Zara knock-off (but a pretty good one)?

Image sources: Saks.com and Zara.com

The Burberry one is definitely much cuter!

And 30% off for $696.50, currently, on Saks website!

Ah, decisions decisions... and I may have to act quickly for the Burberry one...

Brow-y nice to meet you

Sorry for the hiatus.

Lately, I'm really into... brows.

Image source: Teen Vogue

I've got decently thick brows (with hairs that can grow long if I don't keep them trimmmed) - with some sparse areas, so I've recently been exploring brow-inspiration online and experimenting with what works with me versus what looks good on models in photos.

Sometimes I forget what looks good on Cara Delevingne does not equal what will look good on me, heh...

I might need long hair to pull off this look. Or wear a beanie all the time...

Image source: ? Zimbio ?

Here's some more inspiration...

Image source: Fashionising.com - Bigger, thicker, better: the ultimate guide on how to rock strong eyebrows

Also, I love Liu Wen...

Image Source: Vogue China

Shape:

I've been experimenting to get the right shade of darkness & shape, but currently, I'm achieving an upside down C -- the first row of brows below! Bad bad bad! It looks ridiculous!

Too round and not enough angle, arch & tail!

Image source: stylecraze.com

Please don't laugh - This is me. It needs work, I know, I know. TOO ROUND, I KNOW! Also, not quite dark enough.

Products:

I'm not a fan of how expensive all the brow-specific make-up is, so I've been trying out lower-end solutions for now, since my brows don't need too much.

This is what I'm currently using:

Charcoal eye shadow powder - Sephora N° 52 5th Avenue - Dark Gray Matte

Taupe and dark brown in this e.l.f. eye shadow palette "hazy hazel". The exact palette isn't sold anymore on the e.l.f. website... but here it is for reference. I use the top left and top right sections on my brows.

I also highly recommend this specific palette for eye shadow. I find mixing all 4 creates an excellent eye shadow color for my eyes, plus black or brown eyeliner of course. Note - I have NOT had good experiences with the other palettes, though - I mean, they are just $1.00 so of course, hit or miss...

Also, I recently bought this NYX brow wax to use (a less expensive version of that Anastasia stuff!), which I like so far.

  

This Benefit Gimme Brow stuff is on my TO TRY list.

Kate! If you're reading, THIS is the stuff that I think would work on you! ❤

Image source: Benefit

Lastly, when I was doing my brow-search (sorry, sorry, can't help it - I know it doesn't even make sense!) - I discovered two Asian brow trends currently popular that I wanted to share:

1. Korean straight brow trend, which gives a youthful, sweet bubblegum look (?!?). See model Sora Park below.

Blog that explains the trend: xovain.com

Image source: Unknown

2. BLEACHED BROWS. Read the article link below. Thanks, runway shows. Thanks.

Image source: trendystyle.asia

Can't sleep, so I'll post

Image Source: A Pair of Pairs

Describes exactly how I feel!

A quick post to say, sorry for the hiatus and I'm trying to generate ideas for new posts! (You know, more ideas other than just "Here's what I'm eyeing to buy lately...")

My sleep schedule is off tonight, after a cat nap on the couch this afternoon... into the evening.

But actually, my body has been off for a few days now. Here's what happened:

- Week before last, I went to Miami, FL for work: Wednesday, March 26 through Friday, March 28.

- The following Monday, I went to Boston for one day! (March 31)

- On Wednesday, April 2, I flew to Austin, TX in the morning, spent the afternoon there, stayed up a wee bit late (to see my dear friend Caroline), and then flew back the very next morning on an 8 AM flight. Translation: I woke up at 5:30 AM, after only going to sleep at 1:00 AM.

- After a very rough flight that morning and cab ride, on Thursday, April 3, I was in the office in NYC by 2:00 PM.

Needless to say, I was exhausted. That afternoon, my entire body was incredibly sore - and I was so, so tired.

I went home that evening (why did I stay in the office so long!?) and climbed into bed. The only comfortable position was lying straight as a board. Then, I proceeded to have a horrible fever! I managed to break the fever in cold sweat, covering my side of the bed in sweat! Nick was so concerned! Who has fever these days as an adult?

I woke up the next morning feeling better - and decided to head into the office.

In the last stretch of my commute, as I climbed the stairs out of the subway next to Bryant Park, I realized, I wasn't doing so hot. My vision was going away out, my ears were clogged, and I couldn't stand up anymore - I was actually blacking out on my way to work?!

I immediately squatted down on the sidewalk and put my head between my legs - and NO ONE STOPPED TO HELP ME OR ASK ME IF I WAS OK! Stupid New Yorkers trying to get to work!

I got up and clutched the iron bars next to Bryant Park, trying to get keep myself up... 

Image Source: etsy: JenHanlonAshPhoto

...but I couldn't do it! I had to squat again! Finally, a kind woman (stranger) stopped and helped me to the stairs, where I sat until a coworker came to help me to the office.

After telling friends/coworkers what happened, it must have been the combination of low blood sugar (no food since 3:00 PM the previous afternoon), low blood pressure, and dehydration.

Lesson learned. Listen to your body.

Time for bed.

Too trendy for meee... the Oversized Coat

Sometimes (often) there are trends that look fantastic photographed.

One trend, for example, is the OVERSIZED COAT.

ASOS models and style bloggers pull it off.

... However, I do not.

Maybe I just chose a particularly ugly one to buy and try on... and maybe I went one size too large (I don't think so, though, I went with my usual size).

While I don't always listen to Nick's opinion (think: Man Repeller blog!), I do take into consideration if he VISCERALLY reacts with repulse when I try something on!

Nick: "NO."

So, may I present...

The coat that looked awful on. (But looks awesome on the model?)




Separately, this Friday, Nick and I are going to see Avenue Q!!!



Last month, we saw Book of Mormon - and I thought it'd be great to see the previous show that the composer Robert Lopez had worked on. He recently won a Oscar* for co-writing the song "LET IT GO" with his wife, for the movie Frozen! He became one of the few people that have won a Tony, Emmy, Oscar, Grammy!

I can't wait.

*sings*What do you do, with a BA in English?... It sucks to be meee... You live on Avenue Qqqqqq!

(Ok, admitedly, I don't know many words to the songs off the top of my head, but they're on the tip of my tongue! I'll know it when I hear it!)

Free image posting with Getty

Read this on NY Times today! Getty to Let Bloggers and Others Use Photos Free

Interesting!

I thought I'd test it out ... using my current love: Pink Coats.

So many to pick from! Here are some of my favorites.


Adeam fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2014

Who doesn't love Miley these days?!


One last one...
Hello Emma Stone!

Broccoli

Embarrassed to say that I'm 27 and before last week, I had never been able to properly cook broccoli by myself.

Whenever we made it at home for dinner, I left that job up to Nick. He usually does a pretty great job steaming it on the stove.

However, I needed to learn.

I said to myself: I will do it.

This week, I did it.

Thank you, thekitchn, for the EASIEST blanching directions ever. My life has changed.

Image source: thekitchn

Oh, hello, cold again

HOW. ADORABLE. IS. THIS.

Arctic seals wash up onto beaches of Rockaway, in the midst of ... molting!

Liking/Loving/Into it

This is going to be a bit random, but here it goes.
(Hey, this is what runs through my mind, OK!)

1. Book of Mormon was AMAZING. AWESOME. SO AWESOME.

My sweet, sweet boyfriend got us tickets for my birthday present this year. I don't even want to know how much tickets were.

A YouTube video that I've watched maybe 10x since seeing the show:

And to think, just 2.5 years ago (when we started dating), Nick was vehemently opposed to seeing a Broadway musical. I'll leave his non-PC comment out of this blog...

2. Loving these dresses. I saw them in a Lord & Taylor ad that came in the mail today and I've flagged for future purchase to wear to future weddings. Hey, I'm preparing early. (Turns out real mail does have an impact?)

However - BOTH are totally sold out of my size online! How sad!

Left: Gabby Skye printed sheath (I've never heard of this brand, but love this dress...)
Right: Ivanka Trump neon prism dress

  

Image source: Lord & Taylor

3. I've been listening to the Songza app a lot lately - full of playlists (kind of like the radio?).

This winter, it has especially helped me on my 10 minute walk to the subway in the morning ("You CAN make it to the subway. YOU CAN. DO NOT take a cab. DO NOT take a cab.").

This evening, I'm listening to the best station - "24/7 Sexy" - with the first sentence of the description being: "No matter where you're headed, you're always just seconds to sexy." GOLDEN. Supposedly the playlist was made by Victoria's Secret (the company?)

My interpretation of what this playlist feels like: (Lana Del Ray - She was on the playlist!)

Image source: Pinterest/Tumblr - not sure

4. This is interesting. Bradamant. Bodysuits for women for seamless tops. I bought a sale one to try.

I like the way this blogger styled it. I liked it tied like a tie!

Image Source: Bradamant

5. NEED! PINK! COAT!

Image Source: Josefina Andres/Vogue Espana

6. I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER.

Bought these sandals online today in anticipation.

7. I went into Zara after work today (peeked in!) and saw SO MUCH I liked! Augh!

8. At a work dinner this evening, two people I was talking to are both going to the CARRIBEAN in March! One is going to Jamaica... the other to Costa Rica! What is with these March trips! I missed the memo that this is a good time to take a vacation. Maybe I need to plan a last minute getaway...

Happy Hump Day (tomorrow)!

Warming up from the inside

This weekend, it broke 50!!!!!! AND SUNNY!!! Hallelujah!!!!!!

A few weeks ago, on a particularly snowy and cold Saturday, I made some Mexican hot chocolate that my dear friend Kate got for me when she went to Mexico in December.

However, I discovered however that all the instructions are in Spanish! So I Googled for a recipe online, and of course the kitchn had one. That site is a great source for any recipe you can think of and in general very useful tips.

Also - How adorable and unique is the mug?! Kate also gave me it from Mexico (made in Mexico!). She said she likes sipping her coffee out of special mugs - and now I see what she means!

This one has become my favorite, and I use it every weekend now for my weekend coffee.

One last funny note: At dinner last night with some girl friends, they shared a funny meme that's going around the internet - but I couldn't find the image!

I made one quickly myself on someecards:

Haha! Hope you're having a nice weekend!