pre-christmas things.

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Hello from Pennsylvania!

Last year I didn’t go home for the holidays until Christmas Eve and…well, I didn’t love it. To me, one of the best parts of Christmas is the days leading up to it! So this year I made it a point to come home a few days early to enjoy those favorite pre-Christmas things with my family.

The most obvious of which – braving the mall for some last minute Christmas shopping. My dad and I went out early Saturday morning to finish shopping for my mom and sister. Despite wanting to get sucked into the fascination that is the “as seen on TV” section…

…we somehow managed to get the job done in less than 90 minutes. That’s a win, my friends.

Later in the day my mom and I headed to a different mall for a bit more shopping and pedicures (you know…to get our feet back in shape from all that shopping).

Also to get “in shape” for Christmas – this monster salad has been my go-to meal. In the mix: romaine, spinach, shredded cabbage, broccoli sprouts, avocado, goat cheese, and mango peach salsa. Yeah.

But let’s not forget to leave room for the essentials. Godiva chocolate and truffles, anyone?

Before moving onto the very important pre-Christmas cooking and gift wrapping, I’m making it a point to squeeze in the crucial watch-as-much-TV-as-possible…ing. My current obsessions:

Hey there, boys.

I must say, though, that my favorite pre-Christmas thing is just relaxing around the house. Although I love New York during the holidays, there’s nothing quite like a cozy suburban home with candles lit and a decorated tree.

(How cute is that new owl ornament? My mom got all trendy this year ;))

What is your favorite thing about the days leading up to Christmas?

a gml week in review.

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Even though a lot of what I post here on GML recaps what’s going on in my life, most of it does in fact slip through the cracks.

…like on Monday, how I spent the evening mourning the loss of one of the great television series of our time, Gossip Girl.

I won’t spoil the ending for you but…it’s good.

Tuesday was actually when I made that huge batch of cookies for our doormen. In return for doing all the baking, Erica made me quite the delicious dinner: brie and blackberry jam grilled cheese, tomato soup, and salad. I’d say it was an even trade.

On Wednesday I wrapped up some Christmas shopping and somehow ended up walking what must’ve been 4 miles. Jessi met up with me toward the end for what turned out to be my very first walk on the highline.

Then on Wednesday night a group of us went out to dinner at Eatery for Kim’s birthday, followed by a stop at Hudson Lodge.

Yesterday - Thursday - Jessi and I co-hosted a party at BOW with our lovely friends Vikas, Vishal, Gabrielle and Abigail. the party was originally supposed to be on Halloween but got canceled due to Sandy, but last night more than made up for it.

Did i mention that Vikas also happens to be like, the best DJ ever? Because he is. And did I mention how much I love my friends? Because I doooo.

I guess that leaves us here on Friday. I’m very proud to say I managed to wake up super early and snag a 7am train to Pennsylvania.

It’s all about priorities, people.

…and to me that meant a hair appointment so I could have fresh locks for the holidays. See? Priorities.

Tell me something fun/boring/strange about your week so far!

7 tips for more flattering outfits.

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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?