uncategorized | Girl Meets Life | a lifestyle blog by Gracie Gordon

darling magazine + liberty sisterhood | september 5th in nyc.

27 August, 2014 by Gracie 4 Comments

LADIES OF NYC!!!!

I just have to let you in on this exciting event happening next week – the creator of DARLING MAGAZINE Sarah Dubbeldam will be joining us at Liberty Sisterhood, for a very #DarlingSisterhood!

If you haven’t heard of Darling Magazine, you absolutely must check it out. Their mission of essentially redefining what womanhood means is so inspiring and SO needed in today’s culture.

We’ll be hearing Sarah’s story about how she came to create and launch Darling Magazine, AND there will be a huge announcement from Andi Andrew. I happen to know what it is, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about it!

If you’re a girl in New York (or even within travel distance), I really think you’d love this night. Feel free to email me so we can meet! gracie(at)girlmeetslife(dot)com

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The event is taking place on September 5th, 7:30 at Scholastic Theater, 557 Broadway.

Hope to see you there!

summer vacation.

7 July, 2014 by Gracie 14 Comments

Hi lovelies.

I’ve decided to do something I’ve wanted to do for a while now. I’m going to take an entire month off from blogging - writing, reading, and hopefully even thinking about the blog world. No offense

I just need a good long dose of “real life,” and a month off for the first time in 4+ years seemed appropriate. Hopefully I’ll come back feeling refreshed and ready to blog my little heart out once again.

Until then, feel free to keep up with me on Instagram if you’d like. I’ll see you in a month! xoxo

not much new.

19 May, 2014 by Gracie 6 Comments

Hey! I accidentally forgot to blog for almost a week. Oops.

In addition to the normal blogger copout of “I’ve just been soooo busy,” I actually have a pretty decent excuse (for the last few days, at least). It’s called the worst bug in the history of my entire life. Ever. It was bad.

So here I am – finally feeling much better – on a Monday morning with not much to show for in a blog post. Probably the thing I’m most excited about is that I finally introduced the new REDESIGNED Speakable necklaces!

The new necklaces are:

- 18 karat gold-plated, won’t tarnish!
- more shiny and polished look & feel
- thinner, more lightweight bar
- sharper, clearer wording
- thinner and more durable chain
- now available in SILVER as well!

I’ve also reintroduced CHOOSE JOY and FEARLESS, due to high demand. Check ‘em all out over at Speakable.co

I managed to make it out a few times over the weekend, but other than that I was in bed sipping on Gatorade and watching Married To Medicine. Yeah, it was pretty glamorous.

It was also a time that SnapChat really came in handy.

(Okay, now I’m realizing that that seems funnier when you haven’t eaten in 48 hours…)

When I did finally get an appetite for something other saltines, I went for the next best carb fix – a big ol’ bagel (sandwich) from Murray’s.

Last but not least, I can’t say I hate getting acquainted with all of the Red Carpet Manicure products…

(That’s Jessi’s photo – mine are not nearly as organized right now.) It’s definitely not difficult representing such an incredible brand!

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How was your weekend? Anyone else battle that nasty bug? (I hope not!)

Google Hangout with Sonia Kashuk.

13 May, 2014 by Gracie 54 Comments

Hey guys! You may have seen my recent post reviewing some of Sonia Kashuk’s newest beauty products. Well I’m excited to share that I’ll be participating in an upcoming Google Hangout with Sonia Kashuk herself! How cool is that?!

The Hangout will be taking place next week and I’ll be able to ask Sonia questions during the hangout, so that’s where I need your help. What questions would you like to hear Sonia Kashuk answer about her beauty line? Leave your answers in the comments section and I’ll pass them along for submission! And get this – there will also be another chance for you to win a $100 Target GiftCard^®! Rules for entry below. I can’t wait to read your questions and share this fun opportunity with you!

Sweepstakes 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: “#SKBeauty” and “#SweepstakesEntry”; and 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. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 5/12 – 6/30.

off the grid.

22 April, 2014 by Gracie 8 Comments

Every once in a while I like to take a breather from blogging. It’s definitely not easy (especially considering that fact that…well, I love it), but I can just sense when I need it.

I know blogging doesn’t seem like a huge commitment, but you’d be surprised at the hours I pour into it each day! I could really use that time to focus on other things and relax my mind a bit.

So, be back in a few days Have a great week!

perfect pairings {with new TWISTOS Snack Bites} + a giveaway!

27 March, 2014 by Gracie

After a long day at the office or running around on meetings, there’s nothing better than a relaxing evening at home, complete with a comforting meal. I don’t know about you, but a big bowl of soup is just about as comforting as it gets.

The other day I came home after a snowy, work-filled Monday, so I decided to make a big pot of one of my favorite soups – Easy Butternut Squash Soup. I’ve followed this recipe a few times, and it really is so easy! But more importantly, it is comforting and delicious. I finish mine off with a drizzle of Sriracha.

Whenever I have soup, though, I always like to pair it with something crunchy and flavorful. I was recently sent a bag of TWISTOS™ baked snack bites to try, so I figured I’d see if they paired well with the soup.

The TWISTOS™ snack bites turned out to be such a great pairing to go with my soup! The combination of the warm soup and light & crispy textured snack bites made for the perfect addition to my soup. Not to mention the creamy goodness of asiago gave the TWISTOS™ a delicious twist to the sweetness of the butternut squash.

The TWISTOS™ were so great on my soup that I topped my salad with them too. The TWISTOS™ Parmesan & Garlic flavored snack bites made for a fun alternative to croutons, adding the perfect crunch and sharp Parmesan flavor to every bite.

TWISTOS™ baked snacks come in three flavors: TWISTOS™ Parmesan & Garlic Flavored Snack Bites, TWISTOS™ Asiago Flavored Snack Bites and TWISTOS™ Bruschetta Flavored Snack Bites.

I added the Asiago flavor to my soup, Parmesan & Garlic to my salad, and really enjoyed eating the TWISTOS™ Bruschetta Flavored snack bites on their own. The tomato, garlic and basil flavors almost taste as if you’re eating real bruschetta!

What creative way would you enjoy eating TWISTOS™ Snack Bites?

Leave your answer in the comments section for the chance to win a bag of each flavor of TWISTOS™ snack bites for yourself!

How to enter:

1) Leave your answer in the comments section
2) Tweet about the giveaway: “I entered @alagracie’s #Twistos giveaway! http://tinyurl.com/oxhoyh9” and leave a comment with the link to your tweet.

~~The giveaway will end on Thursday April 3rd, so get your entries in! The winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. Good luck~~

Winner has been chosen and contacted!

This post is brought to you by a partnership with Frito-Lay & Girl Meets Life. All opinions are my own.
Please note I was compensated for this post.

a good hair day, every day {with suave gold-natural infusions}.

10 March, 2014 by Gracie 9 Comments

I know you’ve had them too…those days where your hair is just exactly how God intended it to be. Shiny and bouncy, but still with that hint of “oh, I just woke up like this!”

I’ve really found that the key to having a good hair day every day isn’t about your hair cut or how you style it – it’s more about the products you use to keep your hair as healthy as possible. I’ve recently tried Suave’s new line of Gold-Natural Infusions, and they really make my hair look and feel amazing.

With natural-infused ingredients like moisturizing macadamia oil and spray, thickening awaphui ginger, Moroccan oil for shine and Keratin for smoothing - Suave® Gold Naturals can help you get the “Goodness” back in your hair to have a good hair day, every day.

Some of the new products include Awapuhi Natural Infusion, Macadamia Moroccan Infusion, Shine Keratin Infusion, Macadamia Spray Moroccan Infusion, and Moroccan Argan Styling Oil.

Suave® Gold-Natural Infusions is putting the goodness back into your hair so you look good, feel beautiful and radiate goodness outward into the world.

Suave and Walgreens want to help spread the goodness by providing fun and easy ways to pass it on so they are offering Buy $6 worth of Suave® Natural Infusion and get 2,000 balance reward points!

Disclosure: please note that I was compensated for this post. All opinions herein are my own.

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What’s your #1 secret for having a good hair day?

feather the nest.

6 March, 2014 by Gracie 4 Comments

Let’s be real – there’s nothing quite as awkward as asking people for money. No matter how close you might be to someone, it can be uncomfortable admitting that you might need some help in the area of finances.

If you’re in your twenties like me, you can probably relate to how the need for funds for things like moving, starting new endeavors, etc. can become more important than getting material gifts that we might never use.

That’s why I like the idea behind Feather the Nest – a new innovative company that allows members to make profiles on their online site to raise funds for specific goals, projects, or products members would like to obtain.

Personally, I would only use something like Feather the Nest either in a time of serious need and send only to my very close friends and family. I think it’s a really great option when needing the gift of money for a big move, a new baby on the way, or even a wedding to save up for.

I see a resource like Feather the Nest actually removing the awkwardness of asking for money because it makes it “official” and more honest. It requires that members complete a profile on the website that allows members to tell their story and set monetary goals that friends and family can donate and contribute to. It’s simple to join and simple to start raising the funds needed to achieve the goals you always wanted to achieve.

Learn more about Feather the Nest by visiting their Facebook page and Twitter.

disclosure: please note that I was compensated for this post. All opinions herein are my own.

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Have you ever had to ask loved ones for money? Would you use a service like Feather the Nest?

5 tips for {comfortably} wearing high heels.

3 March, 2014 by Gracie 17 Comments

If you’re anything like me, you love the look of sky-high heels, but your feet don’t always love how they feel. Still, you’re not willing to give up the glamor and the silhouette of stilettos in favor of more “sensible” shoes. Is there any way to fix this dilemma? Thankfully – after years of trial and error – I’ve found that there definitely is.

Whether you are wearing them in the office or after hours, there is no doubt that high heels look amazing. But if you want to avoid the health hazards associated with heels, such as bunions, hammer toes or painful neuromas (yuck), you’ve got to be smart with your shoe choice. You must also be willing to invest a bit of money and time to ensure that when you step out heels, you’re not also stepping into potential trouble.

1. invest in good shoes.

You don’t have to empty your bank account to buy Jimmy Choos, but you shouldn’t go totally cheap where your footwear is concerned, either. By making the financial investment in good shoes that feature good quality materials and expert workmanship, you will save money over the cost of continually replacing low-quality shoes.

Walking in stilettos that fit well can already be a challenge. But walking in ill-fitting stilettos is torture that can result in permanent damage to your feet. Good quality shoes sold by reputable brands are more likely to fit well. By purchasing well fitting shoes, you will also spare yourself pain and potential expensive visits to the podiatrist.

2. prepare your shoes for actual wear.

Just as your clothes fit better when they’ve been altered to fit your actual proportions, your shoes will fit better and feel better if you cushion and customize them with padded insoles and shields to protect the balls of your feet and the backs of your heels. To determine where padding and alteration is needed, wear your shoes for an hour once you take them home from the store. Make a note of where you feel pressure or rubbing and purchase cushioning for those areas.

The last thing you want is to take a tumble wearing stilettos. To prevent that from happening, scuff up the soles to provide a bit of traction. You can also purchase grip soles to apply to the bottoms of your shoes. Be sure that you don’t intend to return your shoes before you do this, however, as the store will be highly unlikely to accept them.

3. practice is a must.

Walking in high heels is an art form. You don’t have to pretend you’re on the catwalk, but a modified version of the model step is a good approach. To acclimate your muscles to the long-legged model stride, practice walking in your shoes in the privacy of your own home. Practicing yoga can also help to strengthen your core muscle and adjust your sense of balance so that you can wear heels gracefully. All that practice will also help you “fake it ’till you make it” - you’ll look great once you step out in public wearing your heels even if you feel silly at first.

4. give your feet a break.

Just because Carrie from Sex and the City wears heels 24/7 doesn’t mean that you have to…nor should you try. Instead, vary the heel height of your shoes from day to day. If you must wear stilettos for several days in a row, give your feet several days off as soon as possible. Walk around the house barefoot. That will help stretch your calves in addition to giving your feet a break from the strain of wearing heels.

You can also give your feet a break during the day. Try to wear flats on your commute to work, whether you are driving or taking public transporation. Once you’re in the office, try to sit as much as possible to give your feet a break.

5. fashionable alternatives to stilettos.

If you like the look of heels but need a bit more support, consider platforms or wedges. Your legs will look just as great, but the balancing act is not nearly so difficult. Boots with a chunky heel are another alternative to stilettos that looks great with skinny jeans and skirts.

How often do you wear high heels?

Travel Brilliantly with Marriott.

2 March, 2014 by Gracie 12 Comments

If you follow me on social media, you probably noticed that last week I had a “stay-cation” adventure in NYC. It was all thanks to Marriott Hotels, who were kind enough to invite me to join their Travel Brilliantly campaign.

I was really excited to be a part of this for a few reasons. First and foremost, I love an opportunity to share my favorite things to do in NYC! Secondly, I get so many requests about where to stay when visiting New York, so I definitely wanted the chance to check out what Marriott Hotels had to offer. And I must say, I was VERY impressed.

From the get-go, I loved the ease of my stay at Marriott Hotels. I was able to utilize their mobile check-in on Thursday morning, which couldn’t have been more simple.

When I arrived at the hotel around 5pm that day, my check-in took all of about 20 seconds. It was so seamless!

I stayed at the New York Marriott Downtown located in the Financial District, blocks from One World Trade Center. The view from my suite says it all…

My room itself was amazing too. Kiiiiinda wish I could live here…

Perfect selfie mirror – check

I felt all sorts of special when I was welcomed with a card and some fancy chocolates.

After I got all settled in, I met up for a tour of the hotel with the Marriott team and some other bloggers. We also got to learn more about Travel Brilliantly and the fun new Marriott Mobile technology, followed by a welcome reception with cocktails and au d’oeuvres.

And then, it was time for me to experience Travel Brilliantly for myself! First off was a visit to nearby Century 21, where I was able to use a Visa gift card to do a mini shopping spree. I kept with the mobile theme by having my lovely Instagram followers help me choose which outfit(s) to buy.

Since the prices were way marked down, I went with two of the outfits! With your help I chose the pink dress and the green pants. Gotta love a shopping success

After a quick run back to the hotel, I got on my phone once again – this time to schedule an Uber car to bring me to my next destination.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that Uber is one of those apps I can’t live without. It’s leaps and bounds more convenient than waiting outside to hail a cab, and you can even follow the car on a map with a countdown to see when it’s going to arrive.

Uber brought me right to my dinner reservation at Empellon Cocina in the East Village, which I booked through OpenTable (seriously – what did we do before mobile technology?!). Rachel and Dara joined me for some of the best Mexican food I’ve had in the city.

We were going to order off of the special restaurant week menu, but decided to just do a la carte (mostly because we wanted their famous masa chips & pistachio guacamole, haha).

All of the food was so delicious! Thumbs up from Dara

After dinner we got picked up by Uber again, this time a big ol’ fancy Escalade.

We met up with some friends at Brinkley’s in SoHo, then went across the street to GoldBar.

It was such a fun night out on the town! As if I didn’t feel spoiled enough, I loved being able to go back to my hotel room and get an amazing night’s sleep. As difficult as it was to wake up in the morning, I loved feeling extra pampered thanks to a room service breakfast. I’m a sucker for the “bed office.”

A few hours later it was time to check-out, which was just as seamless and easy as the mobile check-in. Just a simple click on my phone, and I was good to go! We actually did a “Mobile Check-out race,” which included certain tasks to be shared on social media, and guess who won? Meeee!

I really must say I loved my stay at Marriott Hotels and learning more about them. Even though Marriott Hotels is already an industry leader, they’re on an exciting transformational journey looking for new ways to interact with and accommodate their guests. They’re working hard to introduce technological innovations for the next generation traveler, including being the first to introduce the mobile check-in and check-out.

Another way Marriott Hotels is enabling guests to Travel Brilliantly is through their Guest Services app, which allows guests to request service at their fingertips. I really love that option because it’s not only convenient, but it’s personalized and makes you feel like a VIP during your stay.

Click here to learn more exciting information about Marriott Hotels Travel Brilliantly!

Thanks so much to Marriott, Uber, Century 21, OpenTable, and Empellon Cocina for accomodating such a fun NYC adventure.

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Disclosure: please note that I was given a complimentary 1 night stay at New York Marriott Downtown, a $200 Visa gift card, and $40 Uber credit. All thoughts and opinions in this post are my own.

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Is mobile check-in/check-out something you’d like to try?
What’s your favorite travel app?