I'm the girl, Gracie. Here at GML you can follow my journey of dreaming, working, eating, loving, and blogging my way through life in NYC.
|
I’ve mentioned before how important it is to me to start off my days with a certain type of morning. The older I get, the more I realize how much my mornings can transform what my entire day, week, and even life looks like! So when Folgers asked me to describe a little bit more of how important mornings were to me, I was happy to share.
Starting the morning off on the right foot is the key to me having a productive day. But even more than that, it’s important that I get my mind and heart in the right place before embarking on whatever crazy, stressful, or exciting things lie ahead. That’s why I’ve made it a point to spend at least the first 30-60 minutes of my day aiming to have “the perfect morning.” And that looks a little bit like…
1) journaling
2) listening to music
3) drinking coffee
…simple enough, right? 
Coffee has been a part of my mornings for as long as I can remember. It’s not even so much about the caffeine for me, but the comfort and memories that coffee bring me. The smell of coffee actually reminds me of my mom. I remember waking up every morning as a child to the smell of coffee, and it gave me comfort knowing that my mom was already awake. As I got older, I began enjoying the coffee too.
Over the past year or so, music has become another important addition to my morning routine. In the past I would be quick to turn on the television, but that wasn’t exactly the perfect way to ease into the day with a clear mind. Music, though, is perfect for getting me to wake up a little bit faster while also leaving me feeling inspired and excited for the day ahead. Now I have tons of music lined up on my iPad to listen to every morning while I journal. It’s just not a good morning without the addition of my favorite songs!
Listening to the right songs in the morning can really change my entire day. When life throws you a curveball it’s nice to be able to turn your mind to inspiring lyrics, or even a song that just gives you a sense of joy. I’ve said before how important valuing creativity is, and sometimes there’s no better way to do that than through music! That’s why I love how Folgers is supporting musical creativity in the lives of young people. Check out the annual Folgers Jingle Contest, which supports aspiring musicians.
Vote for the best Top 10 Finalist in Folgers’ Jingle Contest! Meet the Top 10! Take a look at Folgers® Jingle Contest Finalists, and listen to the tracks that earned them a spot in The Top 10. Cast your vote once every day through June 19th. You could win exciting prizes, like free Folgers Coffee, iTunes® gift cards, signed CDs from Gavin DeGraw, and even a $10,000 Grand Prize just for voting! Before you vote, follow the Road to the Jingle on Facebook to see how they traveled the U.S. to track down the Top 10 contestants! Remember, you can vote once a day through June 19th! Click here for official rules.
What’s your recipe for the perfect morning?
Remember that time I posted about being yourself?
Well, I have a confession to make. Being myself – being fully and unapologetically Gracie – is not something that is entirely natural for me. It’s easy for me to get caught up in what I think my goals, likes, and role in life should look like (especially here in New York). It’s not something I’m proud of, but it’s the truth.
With that being said, though, since writing that post I’ve gotten a lot better at learning how to be true to my (bow loving, television obsessed, sometimes a bit emo) self. But because it’s not something that comes easy to me…and especially because I can so easily get wrapped up in work and my tasks for the day…I have to make an active effort to implement things in my life that remind me to be ME.
So here’s a little list of things that help me to do just that. It’s definitely nothing crazy – just simple activities that help remind me to slow down, be present, and remember to enjoy life.
- Start every day spending prayer and devotional time with God
- Take a 5 minute break from working to stretch and/or just relax
- Cook/bake new recipes
- See my family at least every other month
- Plan dinners out with my girl friends
- Listen to podcasts *
- Treat myself to pedi or massage
- Journal at the start or end of the day
- Keep a running list/plan of vacations I want to take
- Have cozy movie nights at home
- Take at least one day a week (or a few hours a day) to unplug from technology
- Make plans to get together with friends I don’t get to see all the time
- Let myself get lost in Pinterest
* Some of my favorite podcasts are from Joyce Meyer, Tim Keller, Bethel Church, Liberty Church, and Joe Focht.
Last but not least, I think it’s important to be honest with yourself about the things you love, embrace those things, and do them as much as possible! It seems like as we get older it becomes easier to push those things to the side and define ourselves based on what we do or what we think our role in life “should be.” While those things definitely are important, I’m learning that being true to myself and the things I love will actually improve my career, relationships, and everything in between…
What simple things do you do on a daily/weekly basis to stay true to yourself?
I don’t know about you, but as soon as the holidays end I seem to automatically get a severe case of spring fever. There’s just something about the months of January and February that are so…well, bleh. But, thankfully, with the help of fun tools like Pinterest and fashion blogs, I’ve learned to appreciate these last few months of winter as the perfect time to start planning my wardrobe for the next season…spring!
For me, planning a wardrobe for any season always means making good use of what I’ve already got. When I go shopping I really try to aim for pieces that:
a) can be worn in more than one season
b) will still be at least somewhat in style a year from now
c) can easily be mixed and matched with different styles of outfits
For example, take this simple cotton floral top of mine. Here are three different ways I’ve been able to wear the same shirt.
With dress shorts for an afternoon bridal shower:
Layered with a cardigan for a casual evening out:
With high-waisted, belted black skinnies for a night out of dancing:
That’s a 3-in-1 success if I ever saw it.
With this sort of wardrobe planning, there’s one other very important thing to keep in mind: keeping the clothes fresh and clean. And, speaking of a 3-in-1 plan, I’ve very much grown to rely on Tide Pods.
I’ll be honest – I usually dread doing laundry. But, living in New York where I’m constantly walking around in many interesting elements, I need to make sure to do it often. Thankfully Tide Pods have made the job so much easier – and more efficient – thanks to it being a powerful 3-in-1 detergent that cleans, brightens, and fights stains. Not to mention it really doesn’t get easier – all you have to do is pop it in the washing machine.
Tide Pods is the the only 3-chamber unit dose on the market, and just one removes more stains than 6 caps of the liquid bargain brand (based on stain removal performance of one pac of Tide Pods vs. 6 doses of the leading liquid bargain brand base variant in a standard top loading machine). So, when planning my wardrobe and making sure my clothes are ready to be mixed, matched, and worn out on the town…I’m definitely sticking to what works best. Pop in a whole new kind of clean with Tide Pods.
Tell me about something in your wardrobe that’s versatile and provides 3-in-1 style. By leaving a comment, you’ll be entered for the chance to win a Visa gift card for$100. Pop In. Stand Out.
Rules
No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
- Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.
- Tweet (public message) about this promotion, including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
- Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
- For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 2/19/13 – 3/19/13. Be sure to visit the Tide Pods brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!
Who needs restaurant week?
My girl friends and I had plans to go out to dinner last night, but in the morning I had an idea to switch things up a bit. As much as I love going out to a nice dinner with my friends, sometimes having a night in and being able to be cozy, silly, and girly is just what the doctor ordered. So that’s exactly what we did!
I was in charge of the cooking, so I decided to go with something easy yet delicious and fun to eat. And what’s better than a taco bar? I whipped up some turkey taco meat, a big salad, and a bunch of assorted sides and toppings.
Jessi took things up a notch by making (the best ever) homemade guacamole with avocados, lime, red onion, tomato, cilantro, salt and pepper.
And for dessert? Miss Amanda brought us French macarons from Macaron Café. They were the perfect (girly) treat to wrap up our meal.
Do you prefer going out to dinner with friends or doing a dinner party at home?
Living in my itty bitty New York apartment means I have to keep cookware and home goods at a minimum because…well, there’s only so many places to store them. The trick around it? Get pieces that are useful yet cute enough to have out on display.
Like these little gems.
So cute, right?? All of those are gifts from my mom, who clearly understands my love for decorative yet useful kitchenware…and newfound love for owls. All of the above are from Pier 1 Imports (and on sale right now!).
1) Owl Measuring Cups
2) Owl Utensil Holder
3) Assorted Café Au Lait Mugs and Assorted Stoneware Mugs
And – outside of the kitchen – another great find from Pier 1 is this jewelry stand I got for Christmas. It organizes my jewelry while still adding to the décor of my bedroom.
I love such small additions can make such a difference to this little home of mine and aren’t just for display. Perfect timing, since I just happen to be hosting a girls’ dinner in tonight
What useful home items do you like to keep out on display?
I may not be an expert when it comes to the latest designers and fashion trends, but over the years I do think I’ve gotten pretty good at learning how to wear clothes that flatter my body type while still embracing my personal style. With so many trends and styles coming and going, this isn’t always an easy thing to master. So here are the tips that I always use to help me find the most figure-flattering looks.
1) know your body type, and flaunt accordingly.
Don’t worry – I’m not about to pull the whole pear, apple, athletic, and petite body type “rules” on you (I personally cringe when I see those in magazines). While it’s true that all women are shaped differently, only you can decide what areas of your body are best flaunted and/or downplayed. So ask yourself – what is your favorite body feature? If it’s your legs, go with more skirts, shorts, and skinny jeans. Your shoulders? Strapless tops. Your tummy? Form-fitting dresses…and so on.
From there, I highly suggest seeking inspiration from a resource like Pinterest. Start a style board with clothes and looks that you think would not only flatter your body the most, but also make you feel the most comfortable and beautiful.
2) know when to say no to trends.
When I see someone who isn’t dressed to flatter their body, 90% of the time it’s because they tried to embrace a trend that just wasn’t right for them. While I do think there are ways to make trends work for everyone, be aware that you have to be really careful with some. To name a few: maxi dresses, harem pants, boyfriend jeans, and crop tops…proceed with caution.
3) show some skin. keyword: some.
Showing some skin can absolutely be a way to draw attention to your best assets, but they key is to not overdo it. For example, if you wear a mini skirt to show off your legs, balance it out by wearing a long-sleeved top our blazer. Or if you wear a low cut shirt, keep it classy by wearing with tailored trousers.
Interesting fact: research shows that men are most attracted to women when they show 40% skin, which is kind of a lot when you think about it. So…let’s make sure not to go over that 
4) balance it out.
On a sort of similar note, I think it’s really important to balance the proportions of your outfit. For example, go with a looser shirt/blouse if you’re wearing shorts or skinny pants. The right proportions in that sense can actually make you look much thinner than wearing a tight outfit head-to-toe.
5) when it doubt, wear black.
Self-explanatory. Flattering for every figure.
6) heels can make all the difference.
Not sure if your outfit is flattering? Try adding heels. It can take just about any look and bring it up a notch by making you appear taller and leaner without changing anything else.
7. don’t forget to be a girl.
A lot of my favorite fashion trends right now are masculine ones – military, denim, beanies, etc. It’s definitely still possible, though, to implement these styles and make them look flattering just by adding some feminine touches. Like I just mentioned, adding heels is one of the best ways to do this. Other great flattering feminine touches are lace, floral prints, pink hues, jewelry, or even a great handbag.
What “rules” or tips do you follow for flattering your body type?
Which of these tips do you agree with the most?
Delicate Raymond nameplate necklace.
I randomly stumbled upon Delicate Raymond’s new Lower East Side location a couple of weeks ago, and I found the necklace I’ve been searching for for months (after my other favorite bow necklace). The necklace just happened to be on sale for 50% off! I picked it up a week later because it had to be engraved. And the best part? Now no one can get away with calling me “Tracey” or “Stacey” anymore
Hugrz boot wraps.
Anyone that knows me knows that from late October until the first signs of spring, I pretty much live in boots. Although I’ve accumulated quite the collection over the years, Hugrz is a great way to switch up my favorite boot styles even more. They were kind enough to send me a pair of their Flame Knit boot wraps. How cute and cozy are these?
colorful meals.
When I’m not eating a frozen meal (what?? I love them) I like to get a bit “artistic “with my meals. Supposedly we eat with our eyes first…not to mention more colors usually means more fruits and vegetables. Take yesterday’s breakfast, which was quite the beauty if you ask me. Eggs with spinach and cheese, a blackberry jam-topped English muffin, and sweet potatoes with some ketchup.
bold lips.
I’ve always had a love for bold lip colors, but up until recently I’ve never mustered up the courage to actually rock them myself. Slowly but surely, though, I’ve taken the leap (much thanks to Pinterest inspiration, actually).
Some of my tips for wearing bolder lips:
1) Take your eye makeup down a notch so the attention is on your great lip color rather than looking like you’re wearing too much makeup.
2) Instead of applying a thick layer of lipstick, apply it lightly then blend in with a clear chap stick. Bring the chap stick with you to maintain an even shade throughout the day/night.
3) Make sure the lip shade compliments the colors of your outfit. I tend to prefer a bold lip color when I’m wearing a less-than-bold outfit to avoid the “way too much going on” look.
What’s your favorite lip color? What else are you loving right now?
One of the best things about fall is that it’s the season that most lends to my personal style. In my opinion, fall is the best time to experiment with your own personal style too because, for the most part, anything goes. You can mix and match just about anything – including your favorite summer and winter pieces – and the addition of accessories like scarves, hats, and boots can take any outfit up a notch.
Here are some of my favorite looks and items for the fall.
oversized sweaters.
layers upon layers.
structured coats.
beanies.
boots/booties + socks.
chunky scarves.
{image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12}
My favorite places to shop for fall items are Urban Outfitters, Top Shop, Necessary Clothing, Free People, and Shop Bop.
What are your favorite fashion picks for the fall?
My friends and I often use the acronym LOP.
ell-oh-pee.
Life Of Party.
People often misunderstand, though, what being an LOP is all about. When you first hear it you might think it’s about being obnoxious and/or getting attention, but it’s actually quite the opposite. It’s actually about not caring if you get an ounce of attention.
Being an LOP means having fun no matter where you are or who you’re with. It’s about knowing who you are and owning it. Being the life of the party is best learned by just doing it, but here are some of the ways you can practice finding your inner LOP.
be undignified.
In other words, practice the age-old trick of just not caring what other people think of you. If that means dancing the night away and getting all sorts of weird – do it! If it means you feel like just chilling and having good conversation with people – do that. There’s no prescription for what being undignified means other than simply doing and acting like YOU.
dress how you’re feeling.
…not how you think you’re supposed to. The people that are always having the most fun are the ones who feel the most comfortable in their own skin. If you feel like wearing ripped up jeans and a t-shirt but instead wear a tight black dress, chances are you’re not going to have the best time you possibly can. So whether you decide to rock combat boots or a girlie floral dress (or both) – always go with your gut when it comes to what you wear.
be nice.
Just about everyone is drawn to nice people. Sure, you can get attention by being a diva or a jerk, and some people go that route. But to be a true LOP, it takes someone who has the confidence to be nice to everyone and anyone. Being mean and rude might get you somewhere for a while, but the nice ones really do always finish last.
enjoy your company.
What’s your motive when you’re out or at a party? LOPs are the ones spending time getting to know other people and enjoying their company rather than wasting precious time trying to impress them. It’s when you stop worrying about yourself and instead focus on others that will lend to having the best time possible.
Sometimes I’m an LOP, and sometimes I’m not. But I’ll tell you one thing – what it all comes down to your attitude. Your confidence. Being comfortable in your own skin and who are naturally are. When you do that, you’ll automatically give off a magnetic vibe to others. The irony is, though, that if you’re truly walking the LOP walk, you won’t even care what sort of “vibes” you’re giving off anyway. And that’s quite freeing, if you ask me.
What does being an LOP mean to you? Agree/disagree with any of these?
No wrapping paper? No problem.
I don’t know about you, but I always seem to save old magazines lying around despite knowing that I’ll never read them again. So, why not put those pages to good use?
I’m not sure if this would be considered DIY or just me being cheap (quite sure it’s the latter), but either way I think that magazine wrapping paper looks pretty rad…
…or in this case, pretty handsome.
(Jessi – pretend you didn’t see this.)
What’s your favorite unique way you like to wrap gifts?
|
|
