Good Monday morning, my friends. It's been a minute since I've written. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, albeit a weird one. As someone who has lived 50 years on this planet, it's true that certain years are better than others. This one was not great and I'm really looking forward to a fresh start in 2021.
A few housekeeping notes as the year ends...
I'm committing to exploring some new ventures next year. I've been writing steadily for a while now and I'm ready to stretch and flex a bit. If I'm using my intuition, it's going to be something clothing related- a design, a pop-up, something of that sort. I'm ready for a new challenge and most of all, I'm ready to do something that feels 100 percent like me. Because 2021is all about being true to myself, and only doing things that feel aligned with my point-of-view, desires, and DNA.
I know we've all had a ton of time to think about ourselves lately. Being a shut-in is good for that. And for me, I've learned that at this stage in the game, I want to be more discerning about life in general. If this year has taught us anything, it's about what matters most to us. That looks different for each and every one of us. My picture is all about finally embracing my entrepreneurial spirit and going for something one hundred percent myself. I am so grateful for the incredible work I've done in 2020, and cheers to further development of my unique offer in 2021. I feel like everything I've done in my career from trends to production to writing has landed me here.
And speaking of writing, I'm never going to stop doing that. Writing is a part of me, but I have many parts of me that are itching to come alive as well. Let's see where I land but this blog will continue to live as long as I feel like putting it out- I do love sharing with all of you and can't see that stopping any time soon. I realize the frequency is not ideal, but I like this blog to be a non-stressful place for me to connect. It's not necessarily meant to be a daily "job". But I'll keep going as long as you want to keep reading. And if there's anything you'd like me to cover, do let me know.
Next, I miss you. All of you. I realize how important the relationships in my life are- and how much I am looking forward to in-person connections when this horrible plague is in the rearview mirror. I miss dinners. Drinks. Dinner and drinks. Connecting in hallways, stairways, and just about anywhere. I'm sure you all feel the same way. It's true I absolutely am a homebody and need my space, but man- I can't wait to kick my social life and family time back into regular gear. It's enough already. This is all a revelation as I previously considered myself a bit of a misanthrope. Turns out I like people. Weird.
I've also noticed the importance of rituals as we all spend all of our time at home. Somehow, there's an unpredictability to the mundane that can be anxiety-producing. What will the day bring? What fires need to be put out? What will Cuomo say in his 11 am preso? Because of all the unknowns and instability, I find comfort in certain routines. For instance, I love setting up my home for the day. From opening the curtains to let the sunshine in to turning on the lights in the living room to flipping the switch on the Christmas tree (needed this year), I'm loving how the day comes alive and also how I wind down in the evening. I've also been super diligent with all of my self-care rituals. I'm digging skincare and makeup to help set a course for some version of normalcy. Oh, and my favorite new ritual is my Nespresso machine. The whole experience is top-notch and I'm obsessed with it. That gentle whirring. It's the most.
As for pop culture consumption, I continue to be obsessed with Harry Styles. His appeal to women of a certain age is not lost on me. I just love that guy. Because he's the guy at overnight camp who played guitar and dug Baudelaire and put your stomach in knots but not in a truly hormonal way. There's something very safe about his sexiness, and I like it. On the other side of the sexy spectrum is Miley Cyrus. She's killing it. From gorgeous cover songs to rock and roll style to that blonde mullet. I just love her of late. And of course, I watched a ton of television. All the usual suspects. My fav of the year was probably the bawdy period series "The Great". But I also loved "The Queen's Gambit", the hilarious second season of "Pen 15" and of course, "The Morning Show". I'm sure there are more I'm missing but those stand out for me. Ooh, and of course, "The Crown". Omg. I so love that show. As for "The Undoing"? Meh. I'm scared of Nicole's face, though big kudos for Jen Aniston, whose performance in "The Morning Show" is stellar and she's owning her age in the best of ways. Well played.
And this year was also all about taking long weekend drives. We've schlepped all over the place to escape the city and have so loved getting in the car with the dog to explore all the riches nearby. From going upstate to checking out Greenwich to finding hidden jewels here and there, I am immensely grateful to have a car. But truth be told, no matter where I go, it's simply New York or nowhere, baby. With so many abandoning ship, I love this city more than I ever have. Big up to my Carroll Gardens neighborhood for providing a deep source of comfort during this very strange time. Though I did think about spending the summer and beyond at the Jersey Shore, I'm not ready to leave New York and I'm thrilled and honored to contribute to its resurgence. I feel a sense of duty to give back to a city that has given me so very much.