Here & There 1.31

January 31st, I can't believe you're here so soon. Slowly and then all at once. I'm fresh into the first five days of being 32 and have spent most of the weekend decompressing and generally being lazy -- if you count running countless errands on Saturday and gearing up for a work-filled Sunday afternoon lazy. This past month was all about coming down from December, thoughtfully taking it easy on my days off. Highly recommend it, if you can swing it, but maybe not so good when it comes to getting started on my goals for the year. Of those, I'm pathetically behind. There's always February, right?

This vintage silk scarf would look great peeking out from the collar of a denim shirt

I just blasted through this book in three days -- so good.

This coat would be perfect for spring

Etsy faves: This mermaid print, this bucket bag, these dainty earrings, and this kitty tote

Hollywood cinemagraphs

These sunglasses would be perfect for Valentine's Day (+ a cute card and my favorite candle)

The first woman to complete the Appalachian Trail was 67 years old -- and she did it twice!

This fruity sweater is so cute!

A 28 day creative project... project

Chris gave me this tiger's eye perfume for my birthday and I'm in loooove

The most popular reader comments on the New York Times

Asos is having a big sale! love this mint biker jacket and these classic booties

Would you match your hair to a Picasso?

I'm good with what I've got

The Myth of Work/Life Balance

Pictured: Mon Cahier planner + 'Leigh' card holder from Moorea Seal

A few years ago, when I was working as a copy writer at ModCloth, a coworker of mine shared something that changed my entire perspective on the idea of “work/life balance”. Up until that point, I had been on a never-ending quest to strike the perfect balance between my home and work life. After a soul-crushing stint as a visual merchandiser at American Apparel, and then working multiple jobs at a time between 2010 and 2011 (at one point I had four, plus a volunteer position), I wanted my life back. I wanted to find balance. But somehow, it continued to elude me. In my brain I pictured scales, like the scales of freakin' justice, always a little off balance. Things began to feel slightly more even when I made the move to Pittsburgh in 2011, trading in the three jobs I was working at the time for the myth of the 9 to 5. Suddenly, with just one schedule to contend with, I felt like I had time again. I even gave a few talks on the subject of finding work/life balance. Except there was one glaring problem: in my heart, I still felt as though I was constantly running myself ragged. Turns out, when you write for a living, and you write for your blog, and you take photos for a living, and you take photos for your blog, it’s really, really easy to suddenly find yourself completely burned out and exhausted, with no balance in sight. And something tells me the same rings true for every. other. job. out there.

So, back to Molly, my coworker at ModCloth. At some point she gave a sort of mini talk (I think? Could have just been her talking over her computer at me...) on the myth of work/life balance. And it completely shifted the way I approached these things in my life. To paraphrase (and probably butcher): “There is no balance, there is only fit.”

“There is no balance, there is only fit.”

The idea being, that you fit your work and your life together. You fit the things you care about into your life because you care about them, while being conscious of the fact that work often overlaps. That work part, it's best to accept it and move on. Like a jigsaw puzzle, the pieces often aren’t symmetrical. They’re funny looking and oddly shaped. One piece extends into another and vice versa. This was a radical shift in the way I visualized my time (if you can't tell by now, I'm a visual person), and I’m so thankful to have learned this before moving to Philly for my next job. Because, despite the fact that I had this new depth of knowledge to draw from, I was still shit at putting it to practice. Because while fit is important, boundaries are as well.

So, where is all this coming from? Last month, Jen asked for tips on how I manage work/life/self care. And I have to say, my knee jerk answer would be, “very, very carefully."

The truth is, in my early days at FP, I ran myself just as ragged. A new job with new demands and lessons learned from my time at MC swimming through my head meant that I was often up well past midnight working, answering emails, and fretting over all that had to be done. I have a tendency to let past failures haunt me, which means I push myself hard to prove to myself that I can. But one look at photos of myself from that time and it’s easy to see just how exhausted I’d become. The bags under my eyes were darker than ever, and I was puffy from lack of sleep and eating things I normally steer clear from. I’m not sure when the turning point came, but at a certain point I had to loosen the reigns a little or else I was going to fall right off the (figurative) cliff. It was baby steps at first – turning my email notifications on my phone to vibrate, rather than a bell. Not checking email after 11 pm. Making time at the gym a priority again. And finally, admitting to myself that I had to cut back on the number of times per week I was posting on this blog. The changes were subtle at first, but over a year later, it's made an enormous difference in my quality of life. 

Now, I realize things vary from person to person and job to job. but over time I've continued to shift and adjust my time and how I use it. Work is (obviously) still a huge and very important part of my life (I think that's pretty obvious), but I've been slowly learning how to make time for what's important to me and to make time for myself.

A few more things that have helped me strike some sort of equilibrium (notice how I'm not using the word balance)...

Email notifications went from vibrate to none at all because I’ve completely removed email from my phone. A brazen move for sure, and to be clear, I can still check it on the internet browser on my phone (and I do, at specific times), but I no longer have those unread messages staring me in the face and new message dings keeping me up at all hours. I’m thankful to have an amazing editor and coworkers who don’t shy away from texting  if something is urgent. This has, by far, made the largest difference in my stress levels. While I understand having your email on your phone is a necessity for some people, if you’re feeling stressed, ask yourself if it’s really, truly necessary and try taking a break from it for awhile, even just a few days.

If I have to work on the weekend, I get up early and get it out of the way first thing. I write best in the early morning anyway, and getting it out of the way means I don't have to think about for the remainder of Saturday and Sunday.

Conversely, sometimes it's just worth it to stay late at the office on a Friday night to get it out of the way and just get it done.

I am conscious about making time for myself. Rather than pushing aside the things that make me feel human -- reading, baking, getting outside, painting my nails -- I have to constantly remind myself to just do it. To slow down and breathe and make times for the things outside of blogging and work and blogging for work.

Not everything has to be a blog post. I picked up an art book recently, the cover emblazoned with the phrase "Today is a blog post waiting to be written" and I use it as a sort of anti-mantra. In the constant search for content for work, it's very, very easy to fall down the rabbit hole of constantly taking photos and constantly thinking of copy. I intentionally leave my camera at home sometimes and often go light on social media, especially after work and on the weekends. Life is there, live it.

How about you? How do you find time in your life to do everything you do?

WORN: Vintage Levi's 501s + ThredUp

Two phrases I never thought would ever escape my lips: I love mom jeans and ...oh, these jeans? I picked them up in Paris. But here we are. In the words of the Beibs, never say never, baby. (Also, the irony isn't lost on me that I had to go overseas to finally find the perfect pair of American-made vintage jeans.) Fashion and your own tastes can surprise you, and while these jeans would have been (and very much were) the bane of my existence as a pre-teen, I love them now.

Like any good closet staples, these vintage Levi's 501s and sweet ballet flats from Repetto have been on heavy rotation lately. The shoes were a score from ThredUp. Arrived brand new in their box, which still had the original price tag on it... but I'll get to that in a second. If you're unfamiliar with ThredUp, it's an online destination for gently used women's clothing. ThredUp is chock full of great pieces at prices similar to that of a higher end thrift store or consignment shop. You can buy and sell, which makes it a nice option for offloading pieces from your closet you no longer need or want, and there are often discount codes available and free shipping at certain thresholds... phew! Which means these gorgeous little leather flats ended up being just over $50. A very far cry from their original price from Bergdorf's, which was marked with the original sticker on the box at $350. Seriously... This is why I love thrift shopping, guys.

I learned early on in life that taking the time to scour the racks at thrift and secondhand stores will often reward you with pieces that you might not typically be able to afford, along with giving you complete creative control of your wardrobe. I have a collection of classic Coach and Dooney & Bourke bags as proof (all priced under $20, thank you very much). And one-of-a-kind vintage. And multiple items crafted from high end fabrics that would normally be laughably out of my price range. Plus, the satisfaction that comes with saying "oh, this old thing? I thrifted it for $6 bucks" really can't be beat. The time taken to comb through racks and drive to far-off Salvation Armies is far more rewarding to me than just popping into the mall to get exactly the thing I'm looking for. I like a challenge. I like to let the universe help me out a bit. And this year, I'm taking control of my closet and rediscovering my love for thrifting and secondhand in all its iterations, both online and IRL. It took awhile to comb through ThredUp to find a piece that fit my criteria (a piece my closet is currently lacking, well made, good condition, could work with multiple outfits and more than one season), but I approached it as I would any other secondhand shopping trip. You're not always going to find something, but eventually you will. And it'll be great. And sure enough, on my third site visit, there they were. The pair of walkable, go-with-just-about-everything shoes I've been looking for. And for a fraction of the cost of buying new. Resolution realized. Control taken. Secondhand forever.

Get the look: Schott NYC 'Ex-Boyfriend' Jacket // H&M Sweater // Vintage Levi's 501 jeans // Repetto "Camille" ballet flats via ThredUp // Zodiac 'Aquarius' ring via Moorea Seal

Note: A portion of the cost of shoes + shipping was provided by ThredUp. All opinions are my own.

Here & There 1.22

Happy snowstorm's eve guys! Are you ready for it? Judging by every Target, Whole Foods, and other location from which to purchase food in this city, Philly is preparing for the apocalypse. Whole Foods had an hour and a half wait time for the registers yesterday! How insane is that? We just got back from a wine and beer run, so I'd say we're set. Chris's work was cancelled for tomorrow so we're looking forward to walking though the snow and enjoying it before it turns into a grey mess, but until then, I'm curled up on the couch watching one of my favorite movies, Death Proof.

This Indian cotton dress is what supper dreams are made of

This is the funniest (and extremely inappropriate) weather report I've ever seen (read the comments, they're better than the actual article)

SoleSociety is having a huge sale, just got these and am in love

How to ask for a raise

The most perfect hat and a cute necklace to go with it

So obsessed with these affordable chelsea boots (love this velvet pair, too)

Because politics can be exhausting... Hot Heads of State

The sneaker obsession continues: Love this vintage-style pair, these gold Air Max 1's, and this leopard print pair

Really cool cinemagraphs

This shop has so many cute dresses for spring!

The perfect backpack

The perfect little wedding dress (this one would be pretty, too)

The first Instagram masterpiece - this was interesting

Such a sweet little jewelry dish

WORN: Goldenrod Vintage Coat

It's funny how clothing can transport you to another time and place. Calling to mind memories both mundane and important. This coat was one of the first vintage pieces I thrifted in Pittsburgh. Before I really got to know many people there -- and even afterwards, if we're being honest -- I spent most weekends alone and would fill the time basically wandering and trying see what I could see, all while hunting out thrift stores. An odd hobby, and maybe not the best use of time, but it garnered some pretty spectacular pieces. Like this coat. Which I believe goes with everything, and is deceptively warm. Perfect for those days when winter decides to show up. Paired with a vintage sweater -- also thrifted in PGH, as a matter of fact -- and the perfect pair of Levi's 501's, I was toasty for a trip to Honey's for breakfast and a wander through Rittenhouse for some window shopping.

Also, those buttons. I'll never turn down a good sparkly 1960s button.

I like to keep things relatively simple on the weekends -- you know, if I'm not in yoga leggings and a sweatshirt (honestly, I think this is what I wear 80% of the time). Usually a casual outfit I wore earlier that week, and simple, comfortable jewelry. I'm loving this little sterling midi ring from The Bluebeard these days, a little piece of texture and a simple compliment to my other jewels.

Get the look: Vintage coat // Vintage sweater  // Levi's 501 CT jeans // Similar black chelsea boots // Vintage Coach bag (same / similar) // 'Pitayaha' midi ring from The Bluebeard //

Here & There 1.15

What a week guys. Frankly, I'm glad it's over. The news of David Bowie's passing first thing Monday morning made for a rather gloomy, downtrodden few days. Even the BBC reporter seemed skeptical of whether the news of his death was true or not. But it was, and I'd say the only upside was hearing his music everywhere over the past several days. In Philly, all over New York, all across the internet. Wherever I went, there it was, causing me to linger just a bit longer in shops and cafes. He meant something different to everyone, which makes sense considering his constant reinvention and multiple personas. Bowie was larger than life, which is perhaps why his death came as such a shock. Could someone of his caliber actually succumb to something so mundane as death? I wrote something a bit more eloquent here, but you get me. And then Alan Rickman. And this, not two weeks after Lemmy. Three idols, gone. So HAPPY Friday, guys! Haha. Someone please rescue me from this Bowie-hole I've clearly fallen into.

Now that I have us all feeling shiny and happy -- what do you have planned for the weekend? Chris has a rare weekend day off tomorrow, so we're planning to go somewhere outside of the city. I could stand a change of environment, and it's been a minute since we've done anything beyond the outskirts of Philly.

All hail Jess, queen of vintage... I mean, this might just be the raddest vintage kimono ever

Completely obsessed with... these rad enamel pins (need those lips), these incredible hair accessories (that antler crown! the feather barrette!), everyday classics, and some gorgeous jewels.

Starman, a playlist

You guys - Free People SALE is on SALE (like, major): Take an extra 40% off through monday. My picks: This chambray jacket (I have it, so warm), and this sweater.

These modern cross stitches are so cool!

These are the cutest lace-up heels... love these too

The Guerilla Girls were on the Late Show and it was fantastic

This would make a gorgeous (and wearable!) bridesmaid dress

Love this gorgeous kimono jacket... and this gorgeous white dress (so perfect for a chill bride or spring date night!)

There's a new Degrassi. And I'm really excited. (have you ever watched the absolute original? It's amazing)

A Stevie Nicks-approved necklace

Yum - these look amazing

Um, hi. This is the cutest.

I just ordered this cookbook - have you tried it? I'm obsessed with this recipe.

This story about a British woman and her Syrian lodger was really interesting

A great bag for a weekend away

10 ways you're making you life harder than it has to be

WORN: Vintage Velvet

Get the look: Vintage jacket (similar - on sale) // Choies top // J. Brand Jeans (styles here) // Madewell boots (similar) // Moorea Seal Poncho (worn as scarf) // Vintage Hat (similar)

Finding a gorgeous vintage piece for under $10 is just so satisfying. I learned to savor that satisfaction from a young age from my mother and her friends, who to this day are always good to offer up an 'ohh' and 'ahh' when presented with a particularly choice Salvation Army find. Admittedly, for a variety of reasons I've been light in the thrifting department over the past year and a half. Back in Pittsburgh it was a weekend staple, a chance to explore beyond city limits when I didn't have any other reason or purpose for doing so. The special pieces I've found over the years have rounded out my wardrobe in a way that new items just can't compare to. Vintage is a compliment. It's always been my way of setting my wardrobe apart.

So this year a big goal of mine has been to shift my focus back to vintage and thrifted styles. I'll still buy new, sure, when I need a staple here and there. But after an epically fruitful thrift trip with Ashley over the holidays where I basically just bought a bunch of jackets, I've fallen back in love. And this particular jacket was my tipping point. Quilted silk velvet, lined with Chinese brocade and adorned with intricate frog buttons. It's unlike anything I own and the perfect way to take an otherwise classic look to the next level.

Here & There 1.8

It's Friday, friends. Saturday Jr. What do you have planned for the days to come? Chris and I will be making good on one of my goals for 2016 and doing laundry in a timely manner (whoo!) and going to the grocery store. It's another weekend where he has a crazy schedule (renaissance man that he is, he's now working as a butcher at a store here in Philly) so we're getting quality time where we can - groceries, laundry, Netflix in bed. I actually love going to the grocery store, so many possibilities! I'm hoping to do some meal prep with our winnings on Sunday and am planning to make a big batch of carrot-ginger juice to use in smoothies and then a big batch of grain-free carrot-ginger muffins with the juice cast-offs (I hate throwing away all that pulp). I also have "get library card" on my to-do list. There's a library branch super close to our house, it's silly that I've waited this long.

After stressful December, I love how free and clear January feels. It's the perfect time to chill, maybe get organized (I've decided I'll clean one closet per weekend this month), and work on goals set for the new year. I hope your weekend is a good one!

How dreamy is this vintage fringed suede jacket?

On my must-have list for January: A really great hat, the perfect loafers, cozy pajamas, and a carryall bag.

10 non-fiction books to start the year off right

Ugh, I love the trim on this coat so much!

I want this. Scratch that... I need this t-shirt

I think my desk needs this gem speaker

A silly birthday card... and a patch I think I need

How to deal with the post-vacation blues (I got 'em)

Why not send someone a compliment today?

I know it's January, but... wouldn't this dress be perfect to wear to a spring wedding?

What a gorgeous photo series

This skirt is the antidote to all those button-up minis

Germany has a bicycle highway!

These handmade earrings are so cute - the perfect Valentine's gift!

Ohh I bet this scrub is perfection!

Goals & Dreams for 2016

I'm behind the times here, but really, I needed a couple weeks off to rest, reset, and just be. The end of the year is always the most frenetic and imbalanced for me, with the holiday season really stretching from the end of October through to New Years and then BOOM it's a new year and work doesn't stop. When content is everything, it's rare to get a rest, especially in December. This past weekend I was more than happy to just rest for a change. I'm terrible at resting and it took one hell of a hangover on New Year's Day to force me to nap and reconsider my priorities for the first weekend of the year. There are always so many ideas, to-dos, and lists floating around my head, it's difficult to not spend every waking minute trying to get it all done, but in 2016 I'm vowing to take things slower (and no more hangovers, too. Done with all that). This is a theme I've noticed across a number of blogs and websites this year and I'm wondering if we're all just exhausted from The Hustle. You know, the hustle you've seen splashed across Pinterest and Instagram for the past few years? I'm all for striving for being the best you, but sometimes YOU need a break. Ya feel?

I received The 52 Lists Project a few months ago, but being the retentive person that I am, was saving it to start on precisely the first of the year. None of those muddied 2015 thoughts/goals to muck it up and get in the way (November/December Julie is way too stressed to be making goals anyway). I began filling out the first list -- aptly titled 'List Your Goals and Dreams for the Year' -- on New Year's Day, and have been taking my time this week to think of both the small and large goals I'd like to set for myself in the months to come. I think this will be a big year for me and my little family. Chris and I have been talking a lot about the future and where we want to be, and most importantly, how we'll get there. The larger goals here reflect that, but the smaller ones are important too. When I look over the list I've created so far, I can see that I desire order, investment in self and just more for us, and not in the material sense;

Travel more & plan for it
Really pretty self-explanatory. I want to get out more. We tend to stick pretty close to home and where we live now because of time and financial constraints, but I know that if we can just get out of thinking so much in the here and now and thinking a bit more in the future, we can make this happen.

Start backpacking (again)
I used to go on backpacking trips when I was much younger but over the years, as I've moved from the mountains and trails I grew up with to ones I'm less familiar with, I've fallen out of practice. This year I really want to get out camping more and make good on my idea to turn our car into a mobile tent! It's difficult to get out hiking as much as I'd like to, with Chris often working on the weekends, so now we're just determined to make the weekends that we do have together count.

Learn how to budget! (!!!!!!!)
Ohhh, the big one. The big, big one. Confession; I'm not good with numbers in any way, shape or form. They might as well be a foreign language to me and the thought of a budget, of a place where numbers are organized and congregated in large numbers makes me sweat. BUT it has to be done, especially if we want to do anything besides chill at home this year (see goal number 1... and 2). This is what I've really chosen to tackle first this year. A few people have recommended You Need a Budget and after reading reviews and browsing the site, I think that's what we'll at least start with. I like that it's geared towards paying down debt and creating a buffer from month to month. Have you tried any budgeting software? Had success? Let me know, I'm still shopping around :)

Start freelancing
Honestly, I feel silly for not making good on this goal last year, but sometimes the thought of writing more and photographing more, on top of the 70+ hours a week I already spend writing and taking pictures is... daunting. BUT this is a big gial of mine, to get my professional work out there and partner with new outlets. It's on the list, so I have to find the time and I have to make it happen.

Less stuff, better stuff
Admittedly, something I've already been working on, but a goal I'd like to continue. Paired with this is recommitting to purchasing mostly secondhand. Since moving to Philly I've mostly stopped thrift shopping, while I've received some great recommendations, I just haven't found any go-to stores that feel worthwhile on the weekends, with time at a premium (see the last goal). But my aim is to shop less altogether and maybe hit the thrifts/vintage when I'm out of town and stumble across something good. I hit secondhand gold while home for Christmas, rekindling my love for thrift/vintage.

More tattoos... more hair appointments... more self-care
Over the past year or so, i've noticed my mindset slipping back, almost to what it was in high school regarding investing in my outward appearance. Nothing quite as extreme as my 16 year old self, but with bills to worry about and work to be done, why get a haircut or highlights or the tiny tatoo I've been wanting? This year I'm going to try to focus on investing in myself again -- in getting a haircut I love now that it's a bit longer, in getting the few small tattoos I've had on my mind for years, in the vitamins and wellness practices that make me feel amazing, in something so simple as painting my nails each week. Last year I started buying flowers every Friday, to enjoy over the weekend, I lapsed some time in the summer, but I want to start again.

Learn something new each week
Whether it's a Skillshare tutorial, a YouTube video, or a recipe on Pinterest, I want this year to be about expanding my Self and bettering the person I am. I read, sure, and I pick up things here and there from work, but I miss learning intentionally. After visiting Paris over the summer, I'd love to refresh my second language skills (or lack of), and I'm hoping to break out of my memoir habit and pick up a few new books outside of the ones I review for work.

The remainder of my goals are just as important -- including doing my laundry regularly! -- but I feel they're a bit simpler. Essentially, this year I hope to do more, learn more, and be more and have presence throughout. Happy 2016, friends. I think it's going to be a good one.