Spring Dreaming...

It's been  so cold here that even I'm beginning to get fed up with it. ME! The snow bunny! Unbelievable, right? I've been looking at dreamy spring clothing online and I never thought I'd say this but............ I kind of can't wait for spring. I want to go on bike rides with B without having to bundle up like Randy when he can't put his arms down. I want to go outside without my lips shriveling up and flaking off. (That's a thing that happens.) I want to drink iced coffee again! Winter just needs to let me get a few good snowboarding sessions in and then GOOD RIDDANCE.

A Moment of Honesty: Sisterhood

In case you couldn't tell, I'm going through I bit of a tender-hearted phase lately and have deviated from the normal content of this blog. I was going through some photos on my external hard drive earlier and I stumbled upon this quick capture of Jenna before a school banquet last summer. As sisters, we were never really particularly close because there's a moderately large age difference between us. (Six years is a lot when you're in your formative years!) Now that she's doing things like driving, it's just so strange. Last weekend we went to the mall and did all of the corny things that sisters in movies do, photo booth included.  We laughed so hard that our abs hurt and I reveled in our newfound kinship.

Bulletproof Coffee

Bulletproof, Coffee, Keto, low carb, coffee, latte, recipe,
I've been trying to get into certain routines and out of others lately. For example, into books and out of Netflix binges. Into working out and out of wasting time on the internet. Part of my new daily routine involves my morning cup of Bulletproof Coffee. It's a delicious way to boost your metabolism and give you hours or energy. It's gotten a pretty bad reputation around these parts because we're living in a world where "saturated fat" is considered a bad word. Guess what? It shouldn't be. Doesn't that make you feel great? I mean, who doesn't like butter?

Lithe Method with Classpass

I've never been one to look forward to breaking a sweat but recently I've been trying to work out (almost) every day. Sometimes while I'm lacing up my sneakers to head to the gym, I barely even recognize myself. Instead of dreading cardio, I look forward to it. Instead of hating myself the day after leg day, I rather enjoy the burn. My life has taken an interesting turn, what can I say? When Classpass contacted me to let me know that they started up in Philly, I was thrilled to welcome them to the City of Brotherly Love. It was kismet! I invited my mom and Danielle to come try out a class with me. We hit up Lithe Method in Center City for some "Cardio-Cheer-Sculpting" and had our butts kicked. (In the best way possible.)

Lady Date in Times Square: What We Wore

Wow! I haven't posted here in a while. Mark this down as one of the busiest weeks of my life. Fashion week, finishing up weddings, freelancing, going hard at the gym, trying to stay warm, etc. It's been a bit of a doozy and this weekend won't be much different. Anywho, Danielle and I decided to dress to the nines for New York. We looked good and were only a tiny bit cold. (She's from Florida and she wasn't complaining.)

Lady Date in Times Square

Yesterday, Danielle and I went up to New York to catch a fashion show and to treat ourselves to a little post-Galentine's dinner. It was a day full of wonderfully womanly adventures. We made it through skewed train schedules, a sub-zero windchill, and the looming threat of becoming irreparably "hangry." Isn't that the best thing about girlfriends though? If you've got a good one, you'll still have fun despite all that. Oh, and Rosé helps too.

Chocolate-Covered Bacon

chocolate, covered, bacon, Valentine's Day, keto, dessert, low, carb,
It's Valentine's Day whether I like it or not and love is in the air. Do you know what I love? Bacon. Who doesn't? (Except vegans.) Bacon is the way to anybody's heart. Dip it in chocolate and it's that much better. If you need a last-minute gift for your boo, your best friend, your parents, or even just want to treat yourself, why not chow down on some salty, decadent chocolate-covered bacon? It takes about 30 minutes and it is oh so worth it. (Oh, and since we found out about those pesky "fat guidelines" being kind of a sham, these are mostly guilt-free.)

Today Was a Good Day

Philadelphia, Fashion, Blog, TOMS, wedges, personal, style, balayage
Every day has been a good day lately. When inconsistent schedules and frequently shifting moods are the norm, it's nice to have a reason to be happy. I've been finding myself lately in a big way. I've discovered just how important it is to take care of myself. I've been eating healthy and going to the gym (almost...) every day. I take the time to journal and before I'm about to delve into another Netflix binge, I've been picking up a book instead.

BOSSLADIES: Melissa Alam

Melissa Alam, Philadelphia, entrepreneur, business, woman, "The Hive",
From Race Street, it's just like any other building. Large windows, exposed brick and bustling conference tables are the norm in Old City, after all. As I open the door to walk inside, I'm greeted with a floral scent and the sound of keyboards clicking. Hard-working women are hunched over their MacBooks, cold brew in hand and an undeniable air of camaraderie between them. Despite its tall ceilings, it's not threatening in the least bit. In fact, it's quite welcoming. I instantly understand what sets this space apart from the rest.

Just Can't Get that Windswept Look

Why is it that some women can step out on a windy day and look perfectly tussled? After grabbing some coffee, B and I deemed that my outfit was blog-worthy in a casual way. We set out to find that perfect golden hour photo spot (which we did!) yet as soon as we stepped out of the car, we knew that it would be a no-go. A windchill in the single-digits and a wildly whipping gust made it impossible to look cute. Poor B's hands were practically frozen to the camera. After a series of burst shots, we jumped back into the car. Let this be a lesson to those of you who wander around blogland: if somebody looks good all the time, she's probably lying. Also, photoshop. 

Advice from a Wise Old Man

I don't believe in coincidences. No sir, not for me. To me, life is too short and too precious to not believe that everything happens for a reason. Some things are just too opportune. Wisdom often blindsides us. Sometimes it's that fortune cookie with the perfect message and timing. Some may say that those little scripts are vaguely manufactured in order to elicit such a response but sometimes it's just too perfect. Sometimes it's watching the news and realizing that there was a fatal accident at the intersection you were driving through not more than ten minutes prior. You clutch your chest and think, that could have been me. And sometimes, it comes as advice from a wise, old, weathered man.

Valentine's Ideas That Don't Suck

Valentines, date, ideas, unique, different, fun, cheap, romantic, fun,
Everybody is talking about Valentine's Day (ad nauseam) already. Between fancy dresses, thoughtful DIY gifts, and "I don't need no man!" misandrist rants, it's a wellspring of blog content. Well guess what. It's yet another pointless consumerist holiday. Neither B nor I can truly fathom the hubbub behind V-Day. There's nothing wrong with our relationship, I promise. We just don't do made-up holidays. Thirty dollars for roses? Antacid hearts with corny phrases on them? Mystery-filled chocolates? (Seriously, I swear the candy makers are trolling us and half of them are filled with toothpaste.) Why get all gussied up and have an uncomfortable dinner in an overcrowded restaurant when you can do something unexpected like going to a trampoline park (yes, they exist) or scoping out some wet cement in which write your initials? Trust me. There's a better way.

La Parisienne

Paris, j'adore. I spent my past week with my nose in the cutest little book about The Parisienne. (You've probably seen it floating around on Instagram.) Ever since my first taxi ride from Charles de Gaulle to the 7e Arrondissement way back when I was 16, I've been enamored with Paris. The buildings are masterpieces. The ambience is romantic and artful. The food is delectable. The style is unattainably effortless. I haven't nailed it quite yet but I'm beginning to embrace the French ideals of simplicity and timelessness.