Monday, March 28, 2016

WORN: Black Mini Dress + Leather Jacket

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Spring in the city is like a big sigh after holding your breath for too long. Flowers burst from the trees, trees that just weeks before appeared bleak and wilting. Every warm day is celebrated with bare legs and tiny dresses, or at least short dresses with very forgiving silhouettes. Can't wait to wear this pretty thing with gladiator sandals and no jacket this summer, but for now boots and a little leather will do.

Get the look: Free People Dress // Schott NYC leather Jacket // Similar boots // Moorea Seal Moon Earrings (c/o) // Vintage jewelry (similar ring, similar bracelet) // Free People Sunglasses

Friday, March 25, 2016

Here & There 3.26

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Gimme all the cute pins from Moorea Seal...

Welp, looks like it was just one of those weeks. I couldn't be happier that it's the weekend, all I want to do is relax and get my life in order. For some reason this past week felt super busy, even though it was on the quieter side. Just that time of year I guess. Are you planning to celebrate Easter? We don't really have much planned, but I'm hoping to make a trip to Reading Terminal Market to pick up a few German treats (we always did a big German breakfast spread for holidays growing up). Have a good one, friends!

How lovely is this vintage '70s eyelet top? So gorgeous for spring.

The perfect earrings for a new season

Better-than-Cadbury caramel eggs (seriously they're amazinggggg)

Because body positivity is for men too - i think this campaign is brilliant

Spring's essential jacket

This

Love this constellation print

Yum - this ice cream sounds amazing

A great dress for summer days

The most gorgeous sunnies (and a pair that would make Iris Apfel proud)

Just watched this movie - so good!

Would you live in a school bus?

This swimsuit is so cool!

When to say 'Thank You'

Wow - these handmade sandals are so gorgeous

Chris started a new Instagram this week to document what he cooks me!

i still have a ton of stuff listed on Poshmark - go here to shop my closet

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Here & There 3.20

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Happy Sunday, guys. Another weekend, come to a close. How was yours? Two of our good friends came to visit from Massachusetts and it was so good to see them. We had a diner breakfast (the best), went to the Mutter Museum, checked out the ships at the navy yard, and made a quick pass through Reading Terminal Market (it was crazy), before closing it out with Shake Shack. We also watched the new Pee Wee movie, which, obviously, we loved. I've got a busy week ahead, but I'm feeling good about it. My goal is to get to bed earlier so I can get up earlier. Cheers to Monday, guys, here are a few links to get your week off to a good start.

Whoa... this vintage paisley jacket would be so perfect for festival season with vintage Levi's shorts and a simple white tank

These little eucalyptus earrings would make a lovely springtime gift

Did you observe Earth Hour this weekend?

How perfect is this cat print?

Loving this whole line

16 warm weather movies to get you ready for spring and summer (how many of you dreamed of living in Blue Crush?)

Want to save 20% off your first order from Glossier? Here you go! I just ordered this, this, and this.

Eddie Izzard is running 27 marathons in 27 days (holy shit)

The most gorgeous, simple wedding dress (and a beautiful bridesmaid dress too)

Only a few more hours to snag sale on sale from Free People! Love this sexy minimalist top and these cute overalls (and this sweater, oh my!)

A Lisa Frank Tarot deck? Yes. Please.

Love love love this choker (and this moon keychain)

Look how cute 2006 was

I just found the perfect Easter dress (you're welcome)

These photos of Liz's Wildebride retreat are so gorgeous

This whole collection is pretty much springtime accessories perfection

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

WORN: White Dress + Vintage Denim

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Vintage denim jacket (similar options here) // Moorea Seal Lapel Pins (c/o) // ModCloth dress via Schoola (c/o)// Madewell boots (similar here) // Charlie Horse hat (similar) // Bali ELF 'Neverland' bag (c/o)

Spring in Philly may have jumped the gun a bit, but I'm not complaining. Flowers bloomed overnight, trees filled with buds, and the dresses in my closet are begging to be worn, preferably with little else. I couldn't wait for slightly warmer weather to wear this flowy dress that arrived from Schoola last week, so I threw it on with some boots, a hat, and jacket, and called it good.


Monday, March 14, 2016

Why I Schoola (or, a former delinquent waxes poetic on the subject that saved her)

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It seems maybe a little counterintuitive to start out a post about school by admitting I was never a big fan of school. Or at least, traditional school. Until the fourth grade I attended a Montessori-type community school that was, in a word, magical. We learned how to cook, took weekly field trips to farms (and once to the cemetery across the street, which is only just now striking me as maybe a little weird), and never once saw homework... or desks, for that matter. I remember once even begging for homework and how we all glamorized school busses, thinking they must be so much more fun than the daily car pool lead by our Birkenstocked parents. And then, in the interest of preparing me a bit early for the shock of high school and societal norms, I was plunked into the melee of public school in the 4th grade. It wasn't pretty. Turns out, homework is awful and so are school busses. What ensued were approximately 9 years of cringe-worthy moments, social awkwardness on full display. I was the 'homeschool kid' without actually having been home schooled (no offense meant to you actual home school kids out there, frankly my younger self was always jealous). My one saving grace? The art room. Always the art room. Whether I was in elementary school, junior high, or high school, my art teachers always just seemed a bit kinder than the rest. More open to different kinds of learning, more accepting of us weirdos. In high school, the art room was where you could find me the majority of the time, thanks to an art teacher who could usually be depended on to write me a note for skipping math. And history. And chem. Needless to say, my grades in everything, save for art, photography, and literature were abysmal, and I honestly didn't care. I'd known what I wanted to do with my life since I was five and presented with an easel and some paints, and later when I discovered my mother's Canon AE-1. Now, lest you think I'm proud of my awful grades and tendency to skip class, let me make myself perfectly clear: I'm not. But those art rooms and the teachers who inhabited them were a saving grace for me, and others like me. Those whose thinking didn't quite fit in with our peers and the academically-focused, small town school we attended. Without those art programs, however measly and cobbled together they may have been, and the teachers who encouraged me to look at art colleges, I can honestly tell you I'm not sure where I'd be. Most certainly not where I am now.

The power of art in young people's lives is something I will always believe in, because it gave me the ability to believe in myself.

Unfortunately, it's all too common for these programs to get the short end of the stick, art programs cut, phys-ed and recess taking a backseat to standardized test prep, music budgets slashed, and field trips on the endangered species list. Which is why I'm excited to be partnering with Schoola today on their #WhyISchoola campaign. If you're unfamiliar, Schoola is one part online second-hand store, one part fundraising platform, with 40% of proceeds benefiting schools - specifically targeting programs such as art, music, phys-ed, and field trips (read the full run down of how it works here). Programs that often get cut. Programs that often make an enormous difference in children's and teen's lives. Lives like mine.
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To participate, all you have to do is request a bag from Schoola and they'll send one off to you, postage paid. All you have to do is fill it with the clothing you'd like to donate and drop it off at the post office. You can even choose the school you'd like the proceeds to benefit, or you can ask Schoola for suggestions. I chose to have my donations go towards the Malala Fund, to benefit education for girls around the world, since my old Montessori school has since been shuttered. If you don't have anything to donate, you can also choose to shop on Schoola -- ModCloth recently donated a huge collection of brand new (and super cute) dresses -- and 40% of your purchase will go towards schools/the Malala fund.
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With spring cleaning in full effect (we did a major overhaul this past weekend), now is the perfect time to fill a bag for Schoola to help ensure programs like art, drama, phys-ed, music, and field trips receive the funding they so rightly deserve and so desperately need. If you participate, be sure to share on social using the hashtag #WhyISchoola to be entered to win one of five $50 shopping credits to Schoola (check here for deets).
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The dress I'm wearing was kindly sent to me by Schoola, stay tuned for a full outfit post on Wednesday. Opinions are my own.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Here & There 3.12

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[true story]

Happy weekend! What do you have planned? We're expecting company next weekend, so lots of spring cleaning to do and projects to be finished around here. Also, celebrating the sudden burst of spring flowers!

Love this gorgeous handmade amethyst necklace. I keep a chunk of amethyst in my pocket when I travel, this is way prettier.

This vintage tunic would be perfect for festival season (wishing I was at SXSW this week)

How to live wisely

Etsy love: This perfect western planter, this stunning moon necklace, these great shoes (um, and these), these rad deadstock sunglasses, these awesome party pins (I like that they're an alternative to the enamel pins), this amazing hanging chair

The best surfer in Brazil isn't pretty enough to get sponsored (or, a story that will make you mad)

This speaker is so cute (and would look perfect in my kitchen)

Would love to write in this gorgeous notebook

Pretty shoes for spring (loving these sandals too)

Oh man, guys... this video! My heart!

So obsessed with this jacket - wouldn't it look great thrown over a breezy white dress with these shoes?

How gorgeous is this dress?! Ugh, would be so pretty for a spring wedding

This bra would look so pretty peeking out from a button-up top

A Missouri senator lead a 39 hour filibuster against an anti-gay bill

Love these 70s-inspired pieces

The most amazing political gif (check the bottom right)

Friday, March 11, 2016

Life Lately

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Whew! What a week. It flew right by with absolutely no time for blogging or anything else for that matter... here's what I've been up to:

Reading... Right now I'm switching between The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt and 10% Happier by Dan Harris. The Harris book I'm reading for work, and I was honestly really hesitant to pick up another book focused on meditation and 'living your best life'... but it's proving to be a surprise. I tend to be a skeptic, especially when it comes to self-help books. In my mind, it's very, very easy to give advice on how one should live their life, but far more difficult to heed it, even when it's your own. I figure, I know what's best for me, and don't need a 'guru' to tell me otherwise. BUT... I like this one, maybe because it's written by a fellow skeptic, Harris is honest and questioning, while maintaining a mostly open mind and searching for his own answers.

Celebrating... The sudden onset of shockingly incredible weather. Spring crashed down on us on Tuesday and temps rose to 80 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday this week, just in time to celebrate Chris's birthday. We went out to New Hope for the day on Wednesday and had lunch and walked around a bit before taking a drive through unexplored territory (i.e. New Jersey). The weather is a bit back to normal today, which I have to say, I'm thankful for. As much as 80 degrees feels great, it was a little sudden, you know? But the flowers are blooming and Philly is starting to look a little prettier, and most importantly my windows are open (which means Zephyr is celebrating, too).

Working on... My fitness? Ha. Er... sorry. All this nice weather has been great motivation for taking my workouts back outside. I've started running again after spending the winter focused mostly on HIIT, and while my knees are groaning, it feels so good to get outdoors. I'm in desperate need of new running shoes though, but have been dragging on actually going to get fitted for them. Practical purchases just aren't as fun as the impractical ones...

Excited for... Sunday! Apart from this past Wednesday, Chris and I haven't had a day off together since my birthday back in January. We're hoping to escape the city for the day and maybe take a hike or at least see something new. I think we're both suffering from a bout of cabin fever/spring fever and it's time to get outside city limits and outside our regular routine of work, gym, home, eat, sleep. Our friends are also coming to visit next weekend, and I can't wait to see some familiar faces. I'm not totally sure what our plans are going to be, but it's always nice showing people around the city, and a good chance to see where we live with fresh eyes.

Craving... Some spring cleaning. Our house is... extremely messy. We've both been working a ton lately but with warm weather pretty much here, it's time to clear out. We're planning to spend Saturday morning overhauling our place and I'm weirdly excited? I've felt so claustrophobic lately, I can't wait to let some air in and start fresh. I've also been thinking a lot about planning a trip home soon, but I'll be honest, this time of year it's difficult to imagine trading in Philadelphia's spring weather for Maine's late winter. iI't s warm here, it's not as warm there, but I miss my family and would like to see some friends, too.

Shopping for... Dresses. All I want are dresses. After not spending for most of January and February, I'm finding the incredible dress offerings from Free People to be... difficult to resist. I mean, I spend at least 50-60 hours a week surrounded by beautiful things and sometimes resistance is futile, guys. My virtual shopping cart is overflowing... but again... I should probably get some running shoes...

Thinking about... Summer, and how, now matter where I live, it seems to take me two full years to get comfortable. Which isn't a convenient timetable. Two years is a long time to spend getting acquainted and comfortable and open to putting myself out there. So clearly, I have work to do. BUT, I am so excited for this summer and I'm determined to take better advantage of where we're living. I'm looking forward to more day trips to NYC and DC, lots of beach time in NJ, and hopefully getting out and going hiking more.

Listening to... Right now, this very minute: 'Zombie' by The Cranberries

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Here & There 3.6

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Hi friends, happy Sunday night. How was your weekend? In an effort to avoid cleaning, I spent today cooking and made granola, grain-free granola bars, started a ginger culture, and baked some biscotti to send to my grandparents and successfully, detrimentally didn't clean. All in all, a good weekend.

Love this vintage western coat - so dreamy

Obsessed with these minimalist sneakers (these too)

With spring weather in the forecast, I'm looking for a new pair of cute jeans: Love this shredded pair, this rad vintage pair, and these flares (and definitely these sunnies to go with them)

A cool way to get your student loans paid off faster (and be a good person, too)

Gahhh... how gorgeous is this dress? And it has pockets! Perfect bag for it, too

New books to read this spring

Etsy faves: this pretty seaside print, this gorgeous vintage bag, these great boots (on sale!), this pretty moon ring, this great print

It's domestic violence awareness, this documentary is important

Just ordered this gorgeous nail polish

How cute is this cereal cake?

My pin game is about to be strooong

Uh, YUM - how good do these look?

This pretty dress is making me dream of summer

how busy women make their workouts happen -- this was actually super helpful, I'm currently attempting to move my workouts to the morning

This top looks so cozy, perfect for after the beach

Itching to get my hands on this yoga dvd

So in love with this embroidered blanket!

Obsessed with this cozy space

Have you seen ModCloth's new swim collection? So cute! Love this one

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Why I Quit Drinking for 60 Days

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...technically, it's been 64 ...And counting.

Full disclosure: Besides mixing pretty cocktails and then taking their picture, I've never been that interested in actually drinking alcohol. I didn't touch the stuff until I was 22 (yes, I was straight edge in high school...) and, over the past few years, have gone fairly long stretches without it, abstaining for a month or so, maybe a few weeks. I like wine. And whiskey... sort of. But for the most part don't care for any of it in large amounts -- I like the room better when it's not spinning and, on my constant quest (crusade?) for better sleep, avoiding the sulfites and sugars that rob me of my rest is worthy of being cast as a potential social pariah.

But still, there were moments of over-indulgence...

On New Year's Day, I woke as I imagine many did: roused from a fitful hour's worth of sleep to the harsh light of a new year. Whoops. "That's it for me," I said to my sorry self in the mirror, before crawling back under the covers to hide from my own puffy reflection. The 1st meant the holidays were finally over (I think I'm beginning to hate the holidays?), that insurmountable peak of good cheer and emotion and overindulgence and work, and my body needed rest. And care. And vegetables. And so that's what I gave it. Taking January to reset and recharge and rediscover the habits that make me feel most connected to myself, after a season of feeling completely disconnected, depressed and frenetic. Leaving behind the habits I knew to be damaging, habits that contributed to my overall feeling of malaise.

But still, I didn't go into this intending to avoid the stuff for two months, but that's what happened. And I feel fucking fantastic.

Throughout the month of January -- a month when many, like myself, choose to go "dry" for a time -- I read accounts of others giving up alcohol and the various effects their abstinence had. Some lost friends. Some rediscovered themselves. Some saw improvement in their jobs and declining numbers on the scale. Each experience valid and very specific to the person. I had no expectations for myself... all I wanted was to feel better... and I did. The fog in my head cleared, and my skin did, too. As days went by my complexion acted less and less like that of a moody teenager and my eyes ditched the baggage they'd been carrying for far too long. And that's what kept me going, not only the fact that I felt better internally, but that I'd begun to recognize my face again in the mirror. When the opportunity arose to go out, I didn't shrink away; instead, I joined my friends and ordered seltzer with a lime or lemon. And the world didn't end. I carried no embarrassment for not partaking, and passed no judgement on those who did. This was a quiet choice (until now, of course), one that accompanied a shift in mindset and mood. When January 31st rolled around, I didn't find myself reaching desperately for a glass of Malbec, so instead of picking up where I left off 30 days earlier, I decided I'd do a Whole30.

Go big or go home, right?

If you're unfamiliar, in the simplest of terms the Whole 30 requires you give up not only alcohol, but also grains, legumes, sugar and dairy. For 30 days. I encourage you to read up on it, but essentially it's a reset for your body, a chance to break habits (hi sugar) and discover the foods you may be sensitive to. In a word, it's strict Paleo and it's done wonders for me over the years, helping me to break bad habits and transition to a diet that makes me feel my best. While this wasn't my first rodeo, it was my first time entering into the ring having already given up a major category. And I was apprehensive simply because I expected to feel deprived of the social norm of drinking at some point. There are only so many times you can go out for a seltzer, right? Turns out, not really. Instead, forgoing alcohol brought awareness to why I enjoy going out in the first place: drinking isn't the thing, the connection with another person is the thing. Giving up alcohol invited me to explore other options, rediscovering my love for long afternoon coffee dates and Sunday afternoon walks. As February rolled along, so too did I, rather than picking up a bottle of wine and holing up on the couch after a particularly rough day, I made it a point to shake off my mood and do something productive. Even if it was just the dishes or putting away the heap of clothes on my side of the room. As I brought thought and awareness to my habits surrounding food and drinking, I began feel the same awareness creeping in to other areas of my life. Thoughts, feelings, actions... I found I was better able to process everything and bounce back quicker with a clear head and heart. And there was one other thing I'd begun to notice... I was sleeping better than ever and actually dreaming again, after years of never remembering my dreams or having none at all.

And now suddenly, it's March. And my 30 days will be over, well... two days ago. And so the question of "what now?" has inevitably arisen. It's been 64 days and, while the experience has absolutely been profound, I'm not one for absolutes. I'm not out to break any personal records, but I'm not exactly in a hurry to go back to my old ways, either. I'll likely have a glass of wine eventually but, like gluten and sugar and dairy and all the other things I've eschewed over the past month, I'll partake in a much more mindful manner, without fear or obligation, knowing now how incredible I feel without it. Even though my consumption was light before (save for that unfortunate New Year's), to me, the interrupted sleep, acne and tired eyes just isn't worth it. These 64 days have been a breeze and a gauntlet but, ultimately, I was brought closer to myself by bringing distance between me and my habits. Perspective can only be gained by stepping back, and I'm glad I did.

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Images by Jana Kirn, a version of this post appeared here as part of my work with Free People

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Spring Forward: Shopping for a New Season (+ Shopbop Sale Info)

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This past Sunday Philadelphia was treated to a hint of what's to come with a bout of gorgeous, perfectly sunny, perfectly warm weather. Everyone was out, including me, lured by the promise of a nice breeze and a little vitamin D. And believe me when I tell you, it was glorious, and on the more unfortunate side, lead to an intense desire for more. More sun, more happiness from the general population, more warm weather. I'm counting down now... joining the ranks of season worshipers... chattering on about SPRING.

That's right, it's only March 1st (rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, by the way) and I'm already talking about spring and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Right about now is when my body begins to reject the feeling of heavy wool against skin, begins to resent choosing the perfect jacket with which to combat the late winter chill. In just a few weeks, this warm weather will be the norm, and my legs can't wait for the day they can assault the world with their paleness, free from tights and too-heavy socks! I'm all in, hoarding dresses and light fabrics, and pretty colors in anticipation for the next season, and today I'm sharing my obsession with you. And for good reason! Today marks day one of Shopbop's Annual Spring Sale, the perfect time to team up with coworkers, friends, and family to take advantage of the tiered discounts. I have two pretty dresses coming my way as we speak, and I can't wait to pair them with booties and my leather jacket while I still can. Check out my picks from Shopbop and beyond.

Shown above: Black embroidered dress (options here), platform sneakers (shop here), destroyed Levi's jeans (shop here), floral dress (more here), Cleobella fringe bag (options here), Soludos black lace-up espadrilles (shop here), Enamel pins by Tuesday Bassen, PONS Avarcas classic sandal, Georgie ribbon collar

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Some exclusions apply, sale runs from 12:01am est 3/1 - 11:59pm pst 3/5