Going Deeper

I thought I was the only one who was more than ready to see 2012 end until my casual "good riddance" comment on NYE was met with a resounding "cheers" at the dinner table. Since then, many people I've crossed paths with so far this year have said the same thing.  So on to a new year! 

I kicked off the new year reading a couple of books with more spiritual biases: Proof of Heaven and Unbroken (highly recommended). While they are both very different yet true stories, their messages were similar: love, patience and positive thinking can help you get through anything and allow you to enjoy your life despite adversity. It's a message that probably a lot of people already know. But like many things, you need to learn it on your own to know it.

To maintain this inner learning, I plan to do more yoga and take up acupuncture. I am on a mission to not stress from work as much as I did last year too. I have adopted a new work mantra: be patient with yourself, you are doing the best you absolutely can and if you can't get to it today, tomorrow will have to be ok. I have a theory that the less you 'care' about work, the more success you have.  I'll let you know how that goes.

2013 is the year of the snake (same as my birth-year - and I'm going to take it as a sign that it's going to be a good year)... More specifically, the black snake. No wonder I've been so focused on black. I picked up a versatile black cami from Madewell - perfect for slithering around the office under jackets at work, but flattering tucked in to a skirt or over skinny jeans for weekend.

2013 will be a year of rebalancing and learning for me... What will it be for you?

Dressing for 3 More Months of Winter

I've been accused of being that kid that was already anticipating the end of summer vacation in June. I'd be lying if I completely denied it... So I was already thinking about the dull period that comes post New Year's, where the weather is colder and there's no major holidays for a while. Planning weekend trips and finding different pieces for my wardrobe to jazz up the days are how I get through them. Here are some ideas on the latter:

-Try different nail polish colors for the office: having one nail a different color than the rest is a current trend. While I think it's generally a no-no for the office, the right color combo that's a shade darker or lighter could work. Here's one I tried that I think does and it's prettier in person:

Essie 'Carry On' and 'Leading Lady'

-Experiment with different tights in color and pattern. Wolford is having a sale! Recall our post from earlier this year on the topic. 

- Skip winter and peruse the upcoming spring clothing... I've already found a warmer weather obsession to save for from RED Valentino:

The shoes are so pretty too!

So Parisian and pretty... Ooh, Paris in the Spring sounds like a great idea. 

Adopting Holiday Spirit

Some years can feel super holiday - where you've had ample time to think about it, have fun parties and get-together's planned and generally happy to hear Christmas songs when walking in to a crowded Gap. Other years, the holiday period seems to have snuck up on you. All of sudden there are small white lights everywhere, your getting cards from people and charities in your mailbox and all you can think is, wasn't it just August?

This year I am in the latter camp. But instead of maintaining a deer in headlights stance, I've decided to combat it head on. I will get in the holiday mood! I will not be annoyed by the music and the crowds and the forced office party! Here is my 5 step action plan:

• Buy a Christmas tree. I will withstand the pine needle mess and soak in the natural pine fragrance like an aromatherapy treatment.
• Ignore the Scrooge in me and organize my calendar, RSVPing yes to most holiday invitations.
• Buy a great day to night dress for the office party and actually dress it up after 6pm: 

Click here for sources.

Some other options here at refinery29.


• Be a secret santa and give to charity - with all the people in need right here in NYC, this is easy.
• Write out my blessings this year. Everyday includes a running list of all things I still need to do or all the things I wish I had (time, money). My soul will be reminded of all the things I am blessed with!

I'll let you know how it goes...

Change From the Outside In

If you've ever experienced a loss of something or someone profound, you might identify with my current desire for physical change. The magnitude of change I seek is often directly correlated to the depth of emotional impact a loss carries for me. After a big breakup a few years ago, I adopted a weekend rocker style with leather jackets, ripped t-shirts and skinny jeans. Today, I've been thinking about dying my hair from blonde to red. Pretty significant. 

Thinking Emma Stone like red.

BUT, can a drastic change to your appearance impact your career? I've always believed if one buys a new well-fitting outfit or gets better glasses, this positive change can have a positive impact on their attitude and thus their career. But what if its just a change for the sake of it? Would I be perceived as going off the deep end or unfit for client work? No one will actually tell you that if they do. Doing some research online on the topic resulted in general consensus that as long as the change is natural looking enough, it doesn't matter too much. I'll soon find out.

How does the redheaded me dress? Still thinking about that but so far, a new coat from Helmut Lang for the new me: light colored to highlight the new hair, casual when worn open but formal when closed, with edgy leather sleeves:

Post Sandy: Putting the Office in Context

Life just never stops. Just when you think there are certain staples in your life, like electricity and public modes of transportation, Mother Nature reminds us all that nothing can be taken for granted.

After 2 days of downtown candlelight living,  I decided to go to work on Wednesday.  Since the office had electricity, it was a chance to reach friends and loved ones, charge my devices and go to my gym for a shower. Dressing for work in situations like these have limited rules. I went for comfort, a black skirt and sweater with flats, because I didn't know how I was going to get home. Plus, all client meetings were canceled and the firm was lucky to have staff in.

I got lucky with a cab in the morning and as I passed 39th street on the east side, the vibrancy of midtown smacked me in the face. It never lost power. People seemed to be living like the last few days were just a bit of rain - with nail salons full and restaurants busy. The difference in the city was indescribable.

The commute home was even stranger - a reminder of how close to the edge of chaos a city like New York and life can be. I caught a bus headed downtown only to learn that it would not be going below 23rd street given it was night fall. As we got below the demarcation line of electricity, the bus turned quiet, cell phones lost signals and everything got dark. My 25 block walk down 1st Avenue in the dark, on Halloween no less, was overwhelming. The only lights were from the few cars going by and the couple of pizza places and bars open by candlelight. An older gentleman in front of me literally walked in to some scaffolding because he couldn't see it. There were certainly a few times I sped up because I wasn't sure of the guy next to me on the street. My cellphone was only good as a light, so that I could let cars know I was crossing a street. You could feel the emotion in the air: a couple more days of this, and not everything would be so tame. All I could think was that if something happened to me, it would take some time for anyone to find me. The next day, after hearing this commuting story, my company got me a hotel room near the office.

Pic from the walk home

Yet, I am one of the lucky ones. A couple of days of no electricity, warm water or cell service is survivable. My neighborhood got power back on Friday night. And while many bodegas have hand written signs saying the food is spoiled and not for sale, things are almost back to normal. There are so many people with worse conditions that have no end in sight. My prayers are with these families and I've donated supplies to nearby shelters.

The worries of work, clients, annoying internal meetings and office politics all mean absolutely nothing when you lose everything, even if temporary.  Mother Nature steps in when you least expect it. I learned that... no, I've been reminded of that again in more ways than one this week, as a very personal tragedy coincided with this turn of events. You've got to take what's important - like a loving husband, a warm home, a beautiful child - and hold it close to you. The rest will be there.