May 30, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC Last month, while trying to escape a group work dinner because I didn’t know anyone yet (it was, like, my third day), I ran into my boss and admitted that I didn’t know how to connect with people. I felt as if I had transferred to a new school mid-semester, and texting my old coworkers made me wish I was back at my old professional stomping grounds. My boss was quick to remind me that overcoming my social anxiety and building up my harem of work wives (my words, not hers) wouldn’t happen overnight. Still, connecting with people is hard whether you’re introverted, starting over, have an intimidating RBF, or simply want to make basic human connections. It was true before we shielded ourselves behind the walls of iPhone screens, but its truer now. That said, if you are a classic introvert, even professionals agree this can be an especially tough obstacle. “Extroverts tend to ‘collect’ friends—sometimes at the expense of having quantity over quality. Introverts, when they do make friends, often connect by slowly forming solid, deep ties.” —psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD “Extroverts have it easy when it comes to making connections, yet learning to form genuine connections is an area where introverts can learn to shine,” says psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD, and author of Joy From Fear. “Extroverts tend to ‘collect’ friends—sometimes at the expense of having quantity over quality. Introverts, when they do make friends, often connect by slowly forming
Tag: Earrings
The little-known Instagram tweak that’s basically a double-tap for your mental health
April 04, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC In a definitive ranking of habits that most benefit my mental health, scrolling through Instagram would come in dead last. I can’t recall a time I actually felt joy post-appsturbation, and yet, the social media platform’s built-in activity monitor tells me I spend an average of 32 minutes each day idly liking handstand videos, quasi-inspirational quotes, and color-coordinated stacks of books. My digital relationship is far from perfect, but lately, I’ve found one small way to reclaim the habit for myself: interacting with the ads rather than swiping past them at warp speed. I know, I know—sounds bananas. But I have a thesis statement and everything, so please allow me to present my unofficial TED Talk about reclaiming targeted ads to bolster digital autonomy. By now, you’ve probably noticed that Instagram’s new M.O. involves placing an ad between every two or three posts on your feed. According to The New York Times, the platform first announced its plans to commercialize feeds back in 2015, but based on my personal non-scientific experience, the promos have hit an all time high in just the last few months. I mean, I can’t even read about my favorite foodstagramer’s buckwheat waffle recipe without also having earrings, a crystal-shaped water bottle, and hair-growth vitamins clogging up my scroll. So a few week’s ago, when Instagram’s algorithm dared to slide a $1200 gym bag (something I personally have never dreamed of affording) into my social check-in, I decided on
These 50 genius outfit ideas are the antidote to end-of-winter wardrobe boredom
March 17, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC Remember back in September, when we all could not wait to cozy up in our fall boots and chunky sweaters? That memory seems so naive now that we’re almost six months deep into cold weather—and on the 89th rotation of our favorite sweatpants. Yes, it’s officially that time of the season when you realize your well of new, cute outfit ideas is bone dry. Tempting as it may be, you don’t have to rush out and buy a bunch of new things to beat the boredom. As Ashley, the YouTuber known as bestdressed, demonstrates in this brilliant video, a few strategic styling tricks are all you need to refresh your closet. (And safeguard your tax refund.) In fact, she managed to create 50 killer outfits from pieces she already had—sustainability FTW! Do the math and you’ll realize those are enough options to get you into mid-May without having to repeat a look. Here are a few of the key takeaways from the video, which are worth bearing in mind next time you’re about to send an “I have nothing to wear…” SOS to your group text chain. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCOo8AW4oI0] 1. To get more wear out of your going-out dresses, add a turtleneck “I’ve seen a ton of 15-year-olds on Instagram who are cooler than I’ll ever be layering a turtleneck under a graphic t-shirt,” says Ashley. “But honestly, I have no idea how the f*** to do that without looking like a Target employee during
Your ultimate guide to cleaning jewelry naturally, from insiders who know
March 05, 2019 at 06:20AM by CWC Although my clothes change everyday, my jewelry remains the same at all times. As in: They’re literally a part of me by now. I sleep, work, sweat, and repeat while rocking my couple of necklaces and handful of earrings—for better or for worse. The worse part of the spectrum? My jewels definitely get dirty. I may know how to clean everything from myself to my apartment, but I’m pretty clueless when it comes to knowing how to clean jewelry. So I tapped jewelry pros for insider tips on making sure your precious jewelry—which is likely a part of you, too—stays clean and shiny like the gems that they are. “All jewelry can collect dirt or smudges from wear and handling,” says Jess Hannah Revesz of J. Hannah Jewelry. “Silver jewelry tarnishes with exposure to air and light, which means it will regularly need to be cleaned to keep it looking fresh.” If you’re dealing with gold, on the other hand, it’s less maintenance. “Gold never tarnishes, so wiping it with a microfiber cloth to remove any fingerprints usually does the trick,” she says. “Silver jewelry tarnishes with exposure to air and light, which means it will regularly need to be cleaned to keep it looking fresh.” —Jess Hannah Revesz But it’s not just the dirty air and your fingers touching it that makes jewelry get dirty. “It all depends on what materials [your jewelry] is exposed to,” explains Revesz. “Some lotions, perfumes, or cosmetics will
Of the dozens of thrift stores in NYC, these are the best places to shop for secondhand gems
February 26, 2019 at 05:15AM by CWC Despite its reputation for being pricey, New York has a deceptive abundance of thrift stores dotted throughout its five boroughs, making it an ideal spot to secondhand shop. Some of these places are the type where you need to (or should) dedicate at least a couple of hours to sift through the thousands of garments in search of sartorial gold. Others, aware of their space limitations, are a little bit pricier but more curated and easier to sort through—I like to think of them as thrifting lite. Regardless of where you choose to go, you should really save your time and energy for finding gems rather than finding thrift stores. Luckily the city’s best are rounded up below. And before you get shopping a little trade secret: All of the best slip dresses are in fact found in thrift stores. 1. L Train Vintage Finding an L Train Vintage store can be a little bit confusing. Technically it’s a chain of stores but certain locations go by different names—like the one in the East Village, which is called No Relation. But regardless, this is perhaps the most tried and true thrift store experience in New York City. It specializes in basics like shirts and plain dresses, priced at $7. (Things get incrementally for expensive depending on what exactly you’re looking for, though still definitely affordable.) In true thrift store fashion, you should expect to dedicate at least an hour to sifting through the
Oversized blazers are spring’s easiest fashion trend—here are 5 ways to wear one
February 23, 2019 at 12:32PM by CWC What I’m about to say might sound incendiary, but what if you left your leather jacket hanging in your closet this spring and swapped it for another reliable throw-on-and-go: the oversized blazer? With a little more tailored flare, it’s a worthy alternative, especially considering some of the chic styles being released right now. Its relaxed fit will make you feel like Jane Birkin with high-waisted denim, the epitome of Parisian chic when thrown over a little white lace dress, and have you channeling your inner ‘80s working girl when styled with matching trousers or shorts for a full-blown suit. Shopbop Fashion Director Caroline Maguire sums it up best: “There’s something really classic and timeless about a blazer,” she says. “A strong statement blazer in a bold color or print screams power.” When it comes to shape, Maguire is all about those on the larger end of the spectrum. She observes, “We’re seeing a huge ‘80s movement as of late, especially with oversized plaid blazers. Shoulder pads are making a return, and I love to add them in to give tops some extra structure.” And as for styling, there’s a lot of room to play with personal style. Wear a tuxedo blazer by day with denim and by night with a satin mini skirt, use the new topper to add some unexpected color into your look, or streamline the already-bold with a more classic menswear style. Maguire suggests her own twist on tailoring: “If
How to make a chakra bracelet that will balance your look (and possibly, your energy)
February 16, 2019 at 10:00AM by CWC Sure, a solid-gold ring stack or a chunky chain necklace can bring balance to your outfit—making, say, your slouchiest sweatpants feel brunch-appropriate. But can they also harmonize your chakras? Doubt it, which is where crystal jewelry comes in. It’s thought that crystals’ molecules vibrate at restorative frequencies that our bodies can pick up on, which is why many people use them for energy healing purposes. “Much like tuning forks, crystals work with the principle of sympathetic resonance,” explains Mariah K. Lyons, the crystal healer, herbalist, and reiki master behind high-vibe gemstone footwear line Astara. “As they hold and radiate a specific harmonic frequency, the body responds and aligns itself to that healing frequency. When we wear or place crystals on our body, our energetic field is able to respond accordingly and realign with balance and harmony.” And since chakras are believed to be vortexes of concentrated energy within us—each one connected to certain aspects of our bodies and lives—crystals are considered a powerful tool in correcting imbalances within these chakras. Not sure if your chakras are out of whack? Hate to break it to you, but if you’re a human living in the world today, they almost definitely are. “Chakras can fall out of balance from stress, fear, neglect, stagnation, [past or present] trauma, accidents, emotional wounds, and environmental triggers,” says Lyons. One way to bring your chakras back into alignment, metaphysical experts claim, is to keep a crystal (or several) on you
6 date night outfits Marie Kondo would approve
February 05, 2019 at 10:07AM by CWC As a typical New Yorker with a strong desire to expand her closet, but the sinking reality that my apartment space just won’t allow for it (or my budget for that matter), there’s one question that, in one way or another, I’ve been asking myself a lot thus far into 2019 and that’s: WWMKD? (What would Marie Kondo do?) What would Marie Kondo do about this extreme weather? What would Marie Kondo do about (another) government shutdown? What would Marie Kondo do with Ariana Grande’s jewelry collection? And while this story isn’t necessarily here to answer any of the above burning questions (although we should still look for their answers!), it does get me wondering how the Tidy Queen herself approaches something a bit more tangible and up her alley, like Valentine’s Day. Regardless of how you celebrate (or don’t celebrate), I think we can all agree, Valentine’s Day comes with its own fair share of consumerism baggage—a quick walk into any local CVS will confirm this, with a never-ending variety of stuffed animals that play ting-y sounding renditions of “My Girl,” “You Sexy Thing,” and, my favorite left-field option, Toto’s “Africa.” Of course, once you factor in candy or flowers, dinner reservations, and possibly a gift that isn’t of the stuffed animal variety, Valentine’s Day starts to resemble a collection of things veering into the “no longer sparking joy” pile. Throw in a pink sequin cocktail dress that doesn’t quite fold well using the
Fine jewelry buying tips that are worth their weight in gold
January 04, 2019 at 12:32PM Embracing costume jewelry trends like statement earrings or big chains can be fun and an easy way to update your wardrobe without spending a lot of money. But there’s something to be said for investment pieces like diamond studs, bangle bracelets, and pendant necklaces that’ll last a lifetime. And as conscientious consumption begins to catch on—and people become more interested in acquiring accessible luxuries as a means of living a more sustainable lifestyle—fine jewelers say they’re starting to see an uptick in interest from millennials looking for forever pieces. “It’s amazing to see more young women invest in quality over quantity—opting for sustainable and enduring purchases, as opposed to multiple small, fast fashion items which quickly add up to the same dollar amount in the end,” says Vanessa Stofenmacher, founder and creative director of Vrai & Oro, a direct to consumer jewelry brand. For first-time fine jewelry buyers, Stofenmacher recommends buying with longevity in mind as a way to lessen your impact on the environment and suggests diamond hoops as a casual, minimal, everyday investment item. She also loves an infinity or signet ring as a symbol of modern energy which will outlast any trend cycle. Similarly, Elizabeth Doyle, a GIA-certified gemologist and the co-founder of Doyle & Doyle, a New York boutique and website that specializes in estate and antique jewelry, thinks earrings are a good initial fine jewelry purchase. Specifically, she believes that no collection should be without a classic pair of studs and a pair of hoop earrings. “These are
I’m more Tasmanian Devil than Marie Kondo, and I couldn’t be happier about it
January 03, 2019 at 12:37PM On Thursday, The New York Times published a story entitled “The Unbearable Heaviness of Clutter,” and I feel personally attacked. The piece cites several studies, one of them new, about the negative psychological and emotional effects of a cluttered or messy space. This is all part of the propaganda machine that says having a messy desk means (or at least makes people think) you’re “cranky” and “neurotic.” When did we as a society designate neat-freak levels of organization and cleanliness the only socially acceptable predilection? Personally, I’ve tried Muji-esque routines and created pristinely clean environments, and all it did was make me sad. My apartment looked like the front of a brochure for a new high-rise condominium, but I felt irritable—maybe even a little unhinged. I can’t remember where anything is and I spend an insane amount of time rifling through little boxes, attempting to remember which is supposed to contain the shoes I’m looking for. It just also seems like I could be doing so many other things in the time it would take to work Marie Kondo’s magic on my home. My inclination toward organized chaos is the reason I’ve had time to read and to teach myself embroidery. Growing up with four siblings in a seven-person household, if I had spend all my time tidying, I wouldn’t have had time to do anything else. Personal spaces should look and feel lived-in and say something about your personality. My home pretty accurately reflects that I am, in some