How the Q Train Changed My Life

How the Q Train Changed My Life

3.27.2017

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I'm just going to say up front that I realize this one is going to make me sound lazy - and I won't completely say you're wrong but just hear me out.  I quite love living on the Upper East Side in our tiny apartment that we've had for the past 3 years.  Our neighborhood is pretty quiet but not so much that you feel like you're no longer in the city.  It's close to both Central Park and the East River.  And, come on, it even has one of only two locations of my favorite paleo restaurant: Hu Kitchen. But (yes - there's the 'but' you've been waiting on), the walk from my apartment to the overly crowded 4/5/6 train is a solid 10 minutes at a brisk absolutelycannotbelateforworkagain pace. 

I know, I know.  I'm basically complaining about getting 10 minutes of exercise, but this walk is the worst.  New York City is one of those places where everything is hard when it absolutely does not have to be.  I mean, I know that's a huge reason that a lot of my friends don't even entertain the idea of living here - because who actually wants to make things harder on themself? Well apparently 8.5 million of us do - and we're always looking for ways to cut corners on every difficult thing we encounter.

When you're lazy like me and you feel like you've just walked a half marathon to get to your apartment after work, you don't want to get back out to see you friends, go to events.. or do anything for that matter. But then, on January 1st 2017, a magical thing happened: the Q train opened to connect us Upper East Siders with the rest of the world. *insert emoji praise hands* 

Long story short, work on this train line was originally supposed to begin in 1919 but the Great Depression happened.  After years of planning and funding issues, the construction finally started in 1972 only to continue having similar issues. Fast forward to last December and the reality of this section of the new line about to open became so real for us on the UES.  Now, New Yorkers aren't really known for showing their happiness, so I can only imagine that my neighbors were equally as excited as I was on New Year's Day when we took our first ride on our brand spanking new train line. 

When anyone asks me about this new train service, I have to give them an honest answer: it has drastically increased my quality of life. Overdramatic? Honestly, no. My once rushed 10 minute walk is down to an easy 3 -- only three minutes!! Friends actually want to come visit now and, more importantly, I actually want to visit them.  I don't feel the need to take as many cabs because getting home doesn't feel as hard. Plus it's so rare that riding the train feels crowded now - such a huge relief for someone who has acquired a touch of anxiety since moving to the city. Basically, this Q train has changed my life in these 3 short months. I've found myself with so much more inspiration to live my life to the fullest in this crazy place. 

And I could not be more thankful.

Shop the look:  >>jumpsuit  >>jacket (similar)  >>shoes (similar)  >>earrings

Photography by Ryan Nicholls

The Nail Polish Company You Need to Know

The Nail Polish Company You Need to Know

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Yes, you are indeed looking at the thing nail polish dreams are made of.  I can't be the only one that has dreams about nail polish, right?  

Meet SquareHue - an incredible subscription polish service with an even better purpose. 

Each month SquareHue releases 3 new shades of their 7 free/cruelty free/vegan polishes.  You have the option to purchase all three colors, to pick your top two favorites, or even to skip out on the month altogether if none of the colors suit your mood. They arrive in the most darling box along with a color swatch card to keep track of your polish colors. Isn't that brilliant?

Not only are these polishes legit good quality [I got a solid 10 days of wear out of the color Pompidou that I'm wearing in the photos], they are for such a good cause.  SquareHue is passionate about fighting against human trafficking - a sad but true reality that is happening right here in the USA every single day. With each purchase, SquareHue donates a portion of the proceeds to for prevention awareness, protection of trafficked victims, and prosecution of human traffickers. Guys, this is a nail polish company I can 100% stand behind.

These shades are from a couple months back but I'm obsessing over their April box colors - the red shade is on point! Thanks to SquareHue for sending over these polishes for me to try. You can learn more about SquareHue and their mission here.

Photography by Tyler Skiles

A Fresh Start

A Fresh Start

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If you're ever feeling stuck - in a life rut, in a bad relationship, in anything that's making you unhappy - do yourself a favor and just search 'change quote' on Pinterest.  Boom - suddenly all the motivation you need will be there smacking you in the face and giving you the courage to do what you've been to afraid to go after.  For me, it was simply letting go of an unfulfilled goal I once had and turning into a new one - a fresher, more mature, and actually attainable one.  Let me explain...

Photography by Tyler Skiles

Back in 2012 I started a fashion blog. I loved it. I had serious goals for it but after moving to New York the next year, I just couldn't get it together. The reasons for it? Well, I'm sure we'll get into that another time, but in summary: New York is a hard f*cking city to live in. 

I seriously feel so much better getting that off my chest. 

And that is the reason for this blog.  I'm not the same person I was when posting fashion photos 4.5 years ago and I mean that in a really positive way.  I'm older, wiser, & more independent. I'm far more interested in what's going on in the world because it actually impacts me. I still love fashion and beauty but I also want to share much more than that.  

So I just used my Pinterest motivation to say goodbye to the old site and have, instead, created this space.  A space that represents who I am today as a 31 year old woman.  What I've learned about myself over the last few years is that I really do love clothes and lipstick - but I'm not always inspired by it. Sometimes my inspiration comes from the architecture I pass on my way to work. Sometimes it's from the cutest little coffee shop that I don't even have time to stop in but I snap a photo of it as a reminder for another time. Sometimes it's seeing the passion in a coworker who is doing everything they can to fulfill their dreams. I live for this stuff, guys. 

And this space is where I want to share it all with you. 

Here's what you can expect: people, places, and things.  I'm going to continue to share personal style posts and beauty favorites.  I'll still share shopping guides for holidays and all of those kinds of things. But now I'm going share more of my life with you - both in NYC and beyond.  I'm going to share more of my heart. I know everyone is sick of the word authenticity but, guys, there's going to be so much authenticity around here. I want to be real - someone you can actually relate to.  I need that for myself, just as much as for you.

This fresh start is my journey towards living an inspired life.  

If this is the kinda place that speaks to you, then by all means make yourself cozy here.  Leave a comment with any of your thoughts/ideas/inspirations & sign up for the email list at the bottom of this page so you'll be notified when I publish a new post [once a week to start].  Here we go..