Making It Easy

Things in our life will not always look the way we want them to. Even the things that we have ultimate control of, like our physical condition, can easily get away from us when we innocently stop paying attention. I’ve been struggling with that myself for almost a year now, hating what I see in the mirror after gaining the ‘freshman-15’ at my new job. Recently, I’ve decided that while not everything is what I want it to be, that I won’t deny myself one of my greatest pleasures by denying that the body I have today is my body.

All of us deal with our changing shape and weight differently. I’ve personally had my denial take two different forms. The first is to go on an all-out assault against the things that led me where I am: “I’ll walk to work every day, work out 5 times a week, always eat breakfast, and never drink again!” I’ll say to myself. Obviously, this doesn’t work for me long-term. Not only because it is too much change to manage all at once, but also because I enjoy many of the things I would be demonizing (like alcohol and dining out). The second way I’ve dealt with my denial is by changing my shopping habits: “This fat new person doesn’t deserve nice clothes and you don’t get to buy anything nice until you’ve lost this weight”, I’ll tell myself. This also hasn’t worked for me because I find that I go buy cheap, often unflattering, brands just to cover up my new body. So then on top of not loving my body, I’m also not getting confidence from my outfit and wardrobe.

My current plan is something that is new to me, and that is acceptance + balance (not resignation). I have long identified as someone who gets tremendous confidence from the way that I dress and what I’m wearing. So rather than depriving myself of that, I am shopping for the body that I have today while also making other changes in my life to get my body to a more balanced place. If I happen to drop the 1-2 sizes I’ve tacked on, then I’ll either sell or tailor things that no longer fit. But until that day comes, I’m going to make it easy on myself to feel better in my clothes.

I’ve added a uniform to my wardrobe since coming to terms with my new body, one that makes me feel modern, polished, and comfortable: softly structured wide-leg crops paired with a simple tee. This new uniform flatters my waist without emphasizing my curves. I’ll throw a long vest or duster on over it and pair with feminine heels for the office. On weekends I’ll wear it with slip-on sneakers. I plan to keep this uniform in the rotation no matter why my size is since I find the long, loose layers to be imminently flattering and lengthening. 

Thanks for reading. Follow me on Instagram to get content updates. 

Today I'm wearing: Marni silk trousers, Acne tee, Crescioni necklace, Francesca bracelet. 

The Miu Miu Printed Clogs

A lovely partner for all manner of dressing, these Miu Miu clogs are both whimsical and artistic. 

The Givenchy Pepe Pandora

The iconic geometric shape combines with asymmetric strap and handle placement to create the perfect downtown shoulder bag. The buttery washed leather lends just enough grunge to this little luxury to keep it from being too precious for everyday wear. I declare my love for the Givenchy Pepe Pandora as the perfect companion during unplanned afternoon adventures. While its size is labeled as small, I’ve never found it anything less than completely willing to gracefully accept whatever I throw at it. 

From a few months ago, but trying to get back in the swing of things. Laminated potato chips with various herbs sandwiched between two thin sheets of potato. Styled with a lace button up and feminine jewelry. 

I do infusions a few times a year, typically simple things like a bourbon with spices + orange zest or a limoncello. These things take time, but are very low on prep/active time: you pretty much just put everything in a jar and let it sit for a few weeks. 

A few months ago I was inspired to try out a blueberry infused bourbon (inspiration came in the form of a blueberry basil bourbon donut from Blue Star in Portland). I used dried blueberries for their concentration of flavor and sugars. I used ¼ cup of fruit per 16 oz bourbon. I usually let everything hang out together in a jar and mingle for a full week before taking my first taste test. For this infusion, I let everything commingle for a full 4 weeks. The bourbon will get a nice, dark color very very quickly – but don’t be tempted! It’s not ready until your taste buds (not your eyes) tell you it’s ready. Once you are happy with the flavor, just strain through a coffee filter and funnel into your container of choice. 

For the cocktail:
2 oz blueberry infused bourbon
½ oz lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
1 egg white
Soda or Mineral Water to finish, if desired

Combine bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white in shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for a full minute. Strain in cocktail glass, top with fizzy water if desired. Garnish with desired herb. Drink and think about summer :-)

Wearing Vivetta trousers, Everlane Tee, Oscar de la Renta earrings, and Bite lipstick. 

Blue things and smirks, featuring my first attempt at peplum.