FOR SHORE

Anyone a fan of the Jersey Shore? The place and/or the reality show? I happen to be a lover of both. I am back east from CA and breaking my usual rule of only visiting April through October. My birthday is in October, so once my annual trip around the sun is about to restart, that means it is time to leave until the ground thaws and the sun makes more than one appearance every few weeks. I am not sure why I feel compelled to spend the wintery months here this year, but I have been enjoying it (most of the time) and not really complaining about it (maybe occasionally). So I took the opportunity to hop on the GSP and stop at every shore town along the way to get my fix.

REALITY OR VACATION:

When I told my friends (who also recently left LA to escape the crazy) that I was at the shore, they asked if I was doing my own reality show or seeing Snooki. While neither of those occurred, I felt completely lit up when I walked the boardwalk and the snow scattered sandy beaches. Sand and snow….so cool, right? Luckily, I was able to enjoy the days under perfectly blue skies. Even though I wasn’t working on my tan, I soaked up the warmth of the sun and it felt so embracing. I thought about how living there year round was really the best of both worlds with the high energy of the summer and the serenity of the winter . I stayed at the Icona in Avalon. It was an instant getaway from all of reality. The lobby was bright and white and welcoming with a glowing fireplace and coffee bar. The rooms were decorated clean and modern with all the comforts of home and since home is what I am currently searching for as my last blog, Home is where the Sun is ,I felt like I never wanted to leave.

Feeling at home at Icona Avalon.

THE SUN….RISE:

I get confused here and rightfully so since I am used to the sun setting into the ocean and not rising out of it. Much like the fact that I am always messing up my left from my right. Is there a scientific term for that? I swear it must be a disorder, but I digress. I am not a morning person and rarely do my feet hit the floor while it is still dark outside, but it was totally worth it to get up and get out to the beach to watch this…phenomenon. It happens in such gorgeous stages that I almost forgot that my fingers and toes were close to frozen. I feel like if I moved back to the east coast, on the coast, that I would become more of an early riser to begin everyday like this. However, I could also enjoy it as I did in West Palm Beach and not have to forgo feeling in my extremities.

Sunrise in Avalon, New Jersey

Sunrise in West Palm Beach, Florida

As I spent time in this place that has been the backdrop for some of the my most memorable moments since I was a kid..and some that I have zero memory of at all( as it should be if you did it right in your teens and twenties)…I felt like this was a contender of possible next homes….for shore.

Have you ever spent any time at the Jersey Shore? I’d love to hear about your favorite places.

Let’s get social! Follow me on Instagram @glamandsassy

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Home Is Where the Sun Is

I forgot what it was like to exist day in and day out with no sun. Living in southern California for the last 13 years will do that to a person…among other things. Yet, people are here in the northeast corner of the country functioning, surprisingly, under perpetual gray skies. It was a distant memory for me and one I was happy to leave behind.

Point, CA.

It isn’t all bad being in Pennsylvania though, in fact, being close to my family is very good. As independent as I tend to be, by nature and by choice, it is wonderful to have a support system all around me.

Point, PA. (Maybe that is worth even two points.)

So in this new year where I find myself uprooted from the city and home that I loved, I am certain I will find the next one and it will be everything I crave. Whether it is the east coast, west coast, or somewhere in between (but somewhere cool, of course, like Dallas) remains to be seen. I am very grateful for the unexpected changes of 2020. It propelled me into drastic move making that never would have happened without it. I truly believe a situation as rare as this, is nothing short of a gift. A gift of total freedom and to choose anywhere I feel led to be.

It was also an opportunity of new beginnings as I am now with a new athleisure brand, Savvi. I am blessed to spend my days sharing not only an addictive collection of luxe clothing, but freedom to work from wherever home is. Sun or no sun.

Check out the latest collection from Savvi. New styles drop every Friday!

Care to join me in this Savvi adventure? DM me here.

I’d love to hear how your 2021 looks entirely different from your 2020. Share in comments below and wishing you all the best in the new year!

Ready or Not

Hello Glam & Sassy loves!  Have you ever noticed that we are all looking for the same things in life but at different times?  When my life has been a series of right- place-right-time scenarios all feels right in the world.  When this is not the case, it seems like achieving these things is more of a struggle.  What if while we are waiting for the timing to be right, the very thing we are looking for passes us by?

As an entrepreneur, my business volume is a series of ebbs and flows.  It takes a certain tenacity to withstand these dips and the uncertainty of it all. The reassuring thing is that a lot of it is within my control so it really is up to me how hard I want to hustle. And that’s exactly what I just did.  I cherry picked the most desirable boutique on the most prestigious fashion avenue in the world to work while I continue to grow my own business and make some exciting changes. I knew if I wanted to achieve these goals, there was no time to waste.

So why do we wait until we are “ready” to be in a relationship thinking it will just happen when it is supposed to?  I have started businesses from nothing such as franchises from a signed document and personal styling services in a city where I knew absolutely no one.  With either of these, or even my new amazing job, if I went through the motions of my day thinking these opportunities would just appear, I would have missed out. While I have always been a career driven, self evolving individual, I also realize it is more rewarding when you have someone to share it with and cheer each other on along the way.

The raw truth is this. I want it all. I want the successful career, the fit body, the circle of friends and family…and I put in the work for all of it. None of it just happens.  I also want the guy I am with to be all about me.  You know those movie moments where the couple finally figures it out and ends up together (usually due to one removing one’s head from ass) yeah, that’s what I am holding out for. I want the butterflies, the goose bumps, the heart leaps.  I also want the struggles to overcome, the agreeing to disagree, the “I may not like you but I will always love you” moments.  A true partner to do life with.  So while I won’t settle, I also won’t risk missing him along the way.  Ready or not.

What are your goals and how are you achieving them?  I reply to all comments so feel free to share! Let’s connect on IG @glamandsassy

 

Act your Age

Hello Glam & Sassy loves! I don’t mind being honest about my age and admit that I am not living a life that is typical of someone in their forties. As a single female entrepreneur, my days aren’t scheduled around carpools and soccer games. I have more freedom in that regard and I am very focused, hard working, driven and compassionate.   However, as much as I have tried to stay quiet and at home (aside from working, working out, and the necessary mani/pedi/tan rotation) my infatuation with my city still lures me off of my couch from time to time.  One of those times was this past weekend. I really felt like getting dressed up and getting out.  Did you ever feel like that? It was fun for sure, but I also learned a few things, so now I consider this blog “note to my future self contemplating what to do on a Friday”.

The night started off like every other. Gym, shower , get ready, change outfits five times then switching to my evening handbag before heading out the door. With my beautiful bestie in tow, we went to our  favorite spot, Mastro’s,  to grab a cocktail and light dinner at the bar. It has such fun energy and cool vibes and we always manage to meet new friends.  Mastro’s is in Beverly Hills and we live here so everyone wants to talk to us. The fact that my BFF is blonde, funny, smart and gorgeous may also have something to do with it! The night could have ended after our yummy salads and the best dirty martinis in LA at the respectful hour of 11ish. But it didn’t. We got an invite with our new friends to go to a club and maybe it was the martinis talking, but we said a resounding YES and with that we were out way past my current bedtime of 10 o’clock .  There was even a Taco Bell pit stop on the way home even though no tacos were actually eaten. The next day while struggling on the stair master,  I made some silent observations to myself.

Mastro’s martini and my fun Louis Vuitton handbag

 

Observation #1: Expensive silk blouses and nightclubs don’t mix.  My final outfit choice was based on dinner and drinks out at a classy establishment. No where in my future did I see myself pushing my way through crowds of twenty somethings until 2am.  Yet there  was my luxurious black silk top on the floor next to my YSL heels with spill marks on the back. Luckily, I have a great dry cleaner that will remedy that.  However, I should have worn something that I have from H&M that is a bit more disposable.

The before photo of my fave silk blouse from W by Worth.

Observation #2: If your age starts with a “2” I am NOT interested.  Some women may find this flattering. I find it absurd. I realize I was out among the Millennials, however, I was there with a group of friends my own age…ok close enough to  my own age.  The same applies for dating apps , which, for the record, is the reason I am not on any of them. My age is right there in black and white, boys. Pay attention and while I am sure you are mature for your age as you all claim to be, I do not have any desire to find out. Act your age and I’ll (try) to act mine.

Observation #3: Upon waking up, immediately review your Instagram story.  This is very important. As the night goes on, content seems more post worthy than it actually is.  It is never anything inappropriate as I always keep a clear head no matter how late I stay out. But the roses purchased by the random guy from the vendor outside of the venue need not be documented. Especially since they didn’t even make it home with me and I don’t even know his name.   (notice no photo insert here of meaningless flowers)

So, as another weekend approaches, I look forward to time with my girlfriends and getting outside to enjoy a hike or the beach.  Sadly, I don’t have my dog to walk anymore. She was the best reason and reminder to get me out from in front of my computer and outside a few times a day. I still need to do that even though she is gone and I am making that my latest effort in dealing with her passing.  And the next time I am out for a classy dinner , I will be sure not to end up at Taco Bell.

I miss walking in Beverly Hills with my pup

What lessons are you learning as you go through life especially if you are single in a city? I would love to hear about it and compare even if your zip code isn’t 90210.  Let’s get social! Find me on Instagram @glamandsassy !

 

 

Simple Math

Hello Glam & Sassy loves.   I came across an interesting quote online that said “When things aren’t adding up, it’s time to start subtracting”.  I have been giving this a lot of thought lately. As it turns out, I have subtracted a few things from my life, and a few things have been subtracted from my life.  That may sound like the same thing, but I assure you , it is not.  The act of doing the subtracting holds much more power and control than having something taken away.

If you read my last blog, and thank you to the many amazing friends and followers who did , then you know I recently had to say goodbye to my dog. Yes I am still writing about her and no I am not over that yet.  Just as there is an equation that it takes half the time you were with someone to get over them in a breakup,  I am pretty sure the same holds true for pets… and probably even longer because their love is so pure.  Since my dog was almost seventeen, which in human years is over 100, I will no longer be alive by the time I no longer miss her. Simple math.

On the other hand, choosing to subtract something is liberating and puts you in control of purging the unnecessary chaos in life.  It has been helpful to eliminate anything that no longer serves me or my goals.  However, first I needed to define what my  goals are so I can determine what is contributing versus taking away from them. I am going through an awesome challenge called “Life on Fire” . I took a step believing in the power of visualization and made my first vision board. I felt silly at first as I flipped through a stack of fashion and lifestyle magazines , but couldn’t help but notice the congruency of the words and images that resonated with me and how they all fit together into my big picture. It is now clear when I am engaging in something (or someone) that doesn’t fit into one of those buckets and bid it farewell with confidence. The attention that these things require become an energy suck and I don’t know about you, but I do not have any extra energy to be donating. I now reserve my positivity and loving spirit for family, friends, clients, peers, the stranger on the street who returns my smile… anyone who reciprocates and appreciates.

Vision board in the making = goals about to be achieved

In  my personal life, I was scuba diving in the dating pool.  It was fun but now it doesn’t fit my vision of who I am and who I want to share myself with.  I was married young so I was reliving lost years but at what risk? The risk of losing more valuable time? The math is simple. When I decided to be done with all that, it opened up my heart and mind for the right guy when he comes.  In my professional life, I am at a crossroads which I did not see coming and had no control over, but instead of freaking out (which I ABSOLUTELY did at first) , I see it as an exciting opportunity to set new goals and crush them. I have done this before. Twice. I just had to remind myself of that.

Glam and Sassy fashion show team-GOAL CRUSHED

Featured 5 page article in Entrepreneur Magazine-GOAL CRUSHED

 

In summation,  one disenchanted relationship  + one painful goodbye to my pup+one lost business opportunity = zero tolerance for wasted energy.  Math was never my forte. Until now.

 

Do you have a vision board? I’d love to hear how you are achieving your goals.  Let’s connect on Instagram @glamandsassy 

 

 

 

Changing the Game

Hello Glam & Sassy loves. Not sure if you noticed, but I have taken a hiatus from writing this blog. It was a timing thing at first, but then a lot of unexpectedness happened that made me take a look at my life, my priorities and where I have been exerting most of my efforts.  None of them bad, but as much as I love what I do as an entrepreneur and focusing on fashion, I feel motivated to explore other topics.  We never stop learning and growing and I want to share some of my latest experiences in case you can also relate. When the old way is no longer working, it’s time to start changing it up.

I moved to LA from San Diego which on your GPS doesn’t seem like such a big deal, but it actually was more of an adjustment than my move from Jersey to California eight years prior. Like most things, I jumped right in and even recall a few mornings that I was reflecting on the antics of previous nights and committed to dialing it back.  “I feel like I moved to Vegas because there is something epic to do every night and you can’t discern a Tuesday from a Saturday from inside of a club”, I heard myself telling my friends over and over. So what exactly was I looking for ? Honestly, just a good time . I am a social butterfly by nature and love having fun to offset how hard I work. I was constantly meeting different people and I quickly learned that everyone comes to LA for something.  If the energy was good, I exchanged.  It didn’t matter what race, profession, age, or height.  Without even trying, I was dating on steroids which was fun at first, but then became a means to an end to find someone who was not like all the rest. We live in a very self-absorbed culture where plans aren’t really plans until they happen which means the following criteria must be met: 1) Another (more alluring) offer didn’t come in the  meantime and 2) it must be convenient with little to no effort.  I found myself also adhering to those rules until I decided it was more fulfilling to stay home with my dog. Until that changed…

The one thing that any pet parent fears the most just happened to me. I had to make the painful decision to put my 17 year Pekingese, Mugsy, to sleep. I still get anxiety thinking about those days and hours leading up to it.  I can’t even go into the details because it is so traumatic. I miss her every day and it feels like I lost an extension of me, of my soul. She was the one constant in my life when everything else was always changing. I suppose if you take anyone’s life and dissect 17 years from it at any point in the timeline, you would see a ton of change. But for me, those 17 years included most of the big ones… getting engaged, married, started  businesses, sold businesses, divorce, moved across the country alone and then moved to LA to start all over again, all over again.  The only solace I can find , and if you have gone through this, or ever do go through this, first let me say how sorry I am because it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but secondly, there is peace in knowing she is no longer suffering. My puppy will always be with me. I talk to her throughout the day like a crazy person.  I am not sure when I will get another one. I am a dog lover so it is not if but when. Is it ok to get the same dog and name her Mugsy too (as in Mugsy two)?

Immediately after that happened, I hopped a flight back east (where I grew up) which will always be home to me, and it was the best thing I could have done.  I needed to get out of LA and out of my empty apartment.  However, I found out you cannot hide from the chronic sadness from this type of loss… not even 3000 miles away.  I was able to start healing with the help of an incredible support system of family and friends. I have amazing friends in CA. They are my sisters. My fellow independent women who are working and hustling and searching like me and have been by my side through so much.  Back east, I have friends since high school and everything in life leading up to this point in time.  Some people enjoy to think in the stillness of nature, but I think most clearly in the chaos of the city.  So I spent time in NYC and ran around the entire tri state of NY/NJ/PA and somehow I managed to out run the dark cloud of depression from losing my dog and chose to focus on how blessed I am to have people who love me all over the place.

It was here that I found new priorities. Yes, a career is important and necessary, but I took this time off and I am still doing just fine.  Work is also very replaceable. People are not. Take care of the people in your life who take care of you. Love yourself so much that you have love overflowing to give to others.  That is such an incredible gift you can share with someone and I don’t just mean the ones who are easy to love. Really stretch yourself to offer a listening ear, a donation, your time, anything ,to a person you see in need of it. Chances are they were brought into your path for a reason.  Also, know your worth…especially dating in this crazy single culture.  Here is a PSA to the single guys out there. Enough with the games already. If you want to see me, make it happen. If you want to get to know me, ask me questions.  And if you really aren’t sure, then stay in your own lane because I just lost the one thing I loved the most in this world, yet my mind and my heart are clear and I don’t need someone’s bad energy junking it all up. Lastly, have a glass of champagne for absolutely no reason at all except that it is delicious and you will feel more Glam & Sassy with every sweet sip. Cheers !

Have any of you had similar experiences or lessons learned?  I would love to hear about them and maybe be the person who encourages you.  Also, let’s connect! Find me on IG @glamandsassy.

Green With Envy

Hello Glam & Sassy loves! I just wrapped up showing the W by Worth Spring 2017 collection. I had so much fun styling my amazing clients in the hottest trends for the season. We were all ready, myself included, for a fresh start and new adventures. Changing of the seasons will do that to us Glam & Sassy girls and I absolutely embrace it! Once you get stuck in a rut, fashion or otherwise, the bravest thing you can do is decide to break away from it and take a chance on something new. Here are a few ways I suggest to make that happen.

Make a Clean Break:

Routines are nice and even necessary in some instances. However, fashion should never be mundane. You should change things up a bit from time to time. Don’t keep going back to an old standby just because it is what you are comfortable with. Have fun putting together outfits and add a few elements of surprise . A great way to do this is to mix textures and patterns. If you look at your clothes, and all you see are a bunch of solid colors (and I am going to guess mostly black) then there is no better time to add stripes and prints!  Both are very on trend and very Glam & Sassy.

 

The Grass is Absolutely Greener:

Another way to reawaken your wardrobe is to add color to your closet. The palettes right now are as vibrant as the season itself… Heat Red, Malibu Blue and Grass Green. The amazing thing is everyone I styled in these shades could wear them no matter what hair color or skin tone. Not only does that make my job easier, it makes getting dressed so enticing. Discovering you can have something you didn’t think you could is a great euphoria. Go after it and enjoy it.

 

Everything is Replaceable:

Every well planned wardrobe consists of basics. Basic tees, denim and blouses. Take a look at your essentials every spring and decide what needs updating. A tell tale sign something no longer needs to be in your life is if it no longer excites you. I was thrilled to find the perfect button down that was an improved version of what I already had.  Making the switch was a no brainer because I was definitely trading up!  If you worry that you might regret letting something go, I can assure you, you won’t. In fact, you will love your new additions so much, there will be virtually zero memory of what once was. Now go out and flaunt your new looks and make everyone wish they were as Glam & Sassy as you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Girlfriend Experience

Hello Glam & Sassy loves.  Did you know it is only 55 more days till Spring?  That is the good news. The bad news is we have to first survive the most painful day of the year between now and then. It comes in February and no it is not Groundhog Day as I would surely endure six more weeks of winter a lot easier than I can this bullshit holiday called Valentine’s Day. If there were any way to eliminate it from our lives, I would be all for it. Now you may think I have such a strong dislike for the day which is February 14th because I am single. Or am I?  Single or not, I refuse to put pressure on myself or my partner to make a fuss over each other just because the stores are pushing retail sales in the form of a red heart. I deserve to have a fuss made over me everyday and I absolutely do the same in return.  Besides, haven’t we all noticed by now that the service and food on this night are hurried and mediocre at best, and all that candy makes me have to work out even harder to be beach ready. So what would I rather be doing on this day besides putting on a red dress and getting overpriced flowers?  I am not sure yet, but I can tell you it won’t be sitting across from someone looking at his phone while I am looking at mine and wishing we were somewhere else. I want attention but I want it organically. The kind that pours out of one person and into the other because you can’t seem to give it or receive it enough. Did I get your attention yet? Good. Welcome to my world of being Glam & Sassy.

Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/glamandsassy/

and on Snap @Glamandsassy

The Perfect Look

Hello Glam & Sassy loves.  How many times how you already heard “New Year, New You” and it is only mid January? I understand why the fresh turn of the calendar year makes us feel like we are embarking on a fresh start, but the truth is, we can reinvent ourselves at anytime. As a personal stylist, my mission is assisting women in achieving this goal. Some clients want me to put together an entire wardrobe and others just want a few improvements to their current style.  Either way, I am passionate about what I do, so here are a few ways I perfect a look.

Enjoy Multiples:

Two is better than one and three is better than…well you get the point. I tell clients all the time, once you find that perfect pant, shoe, basic top, etc. , get one in every color. If you don’t, inevitably you end up searching to  find something else you like just as much. We all know the likelihood of that is slim, so splurge now and save time later.  Here is a great example. I love this basic long sleeve “buy now wear now” top from W by Worth and love it even more that I get 12 times the fun with all these vibrant colors! Bring on the multiples because you are Glam & Sassy and deserve nothing less than the best…over and over again.

Something Special:

Once you are dressed, add one thing that would make it more special. I always add sparkle and bracelets are my accessory of choice. I stack bracelets like arm candy and yes it is totally ok to mix metals.  I am obsessed with this rose gold cuff from Kendra Scott. If you are not into jewelry (gasp!), add a scarf with the colors of your outfit to pull it all together.  When you are headed out for date night or girl’s night, please don’t even think about using your daily driver handbag. Instead, switch it up to a cute clutch or cross body. Nothing says high maintenance like a huge bag filled with useless items.  Don’t forget to spritz perfume in the air and walk into it before walking out the door. By the way, your bathroom vanity doesn’t have to look like the fragrance counter at Saks. Experiment to find one that works best with your body’s natural chemistry and make it your signature scent. When people ask what you’re wearing, feel free to not tell them. Remember, this is your little secret, ladies.

 

Own It:

I am a girly girl. Even though I can hang with the guys and was brought up around cars,  I am not really into sports (although I recently developed an interest for basketball).  I’m a huge fan of pink champagne and I prefer shopping to almost any other activity. I think of it as keeping up with industry trends and if some of them just happen to end up in my closet, then so be it.  However, what I enjoy dressing up (or down) in is not what I think everyone should wear.  The single most important element in perfecting your look is exactly that…make it yours. There is only one you and so many outfit choices, so be sure to choose the one that suits your personality and lifestyle. Then walk into any room and own it like any good Glam & Sassy would.

Will you be looking to change up your style in this new year? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below ! 

Let’s get social ! Follow me https://www.instagram.com/glamandsassy/

Click it and Get it Guide:

Long sleeve top: http://www.wbyworth.com/gina-morell

Kendra Scott cuff: http://www.kendrascott.com/catalog/product/view/id/20155/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tis the Season to Sparkle

Hello Glam & Sassy loves! The holidays are in full swing and I love this time of year! I listen to Christmas music from Thanksgiving till New Year’s and you can find me singing along if you pull up next to me in my car.  After moving to Southern California from New Jersey, it took me a year or two to find the Christmas spirit amidst the sun and the seventy degree temps. Now at the first twinkle light sighting, I am planning parties to attend, gifts to buy, and outfits to wear. I also have found there are a lot of sales prior to Christmas, so I no longer have to wait to see what Santa brings and settle for the leftover styles on December 26^th   …and now neither do you! Check out a few of my fave looks for holiday that you will enjoy now and straight into 2017.

Red Hot

This year, I actually embraced the traditional “anything red” for holiday parties. I tend to skip that for several reasons one being I am not at all traditional and second, I prefer pink all day long to red. Then I found this festive blouse from W by Worth that is THE perfect red for me and for anyone. It is a blue red, not an orange red, and that makes it work on all skin tones. While wearing this top, I felt like I was draped in pink’s grown up sexier sister and now I will be buying more pieces in this daring color.  Cheers to that!

Dream Guy

I have had one true love in my life. When we were introduced a while back, I knew one day I would have him. I thought it to be a bit outrageous at first, but after the first touch and feel and smell, I knew it was love at first sight. It was totally worth the wait and I still feel that way and probably will for the rest of my life. This love of mine is Louis Vuitton.  I am not a label whore, but these bags do last forever and therefore the price is (somewhat) easily justifiable. This LV tote comes in handy for daytime outings in the city and as my travel survival kit on any flight because it is strong and sexy and feels so good! Just like my perfect man!

Sparkle on Sister

I believe we Glam & Sassy girls should sparkle every day, but there is no better time than the present. I love sequins and glitter and anything that shines. The sparkle trend isn’t limited to fashion and I am obsessed with glitter manicures! I added glitter to every other nail and a soft pink on the others. I like how versatile it is and since it is gel, I will be rocking this straight into the New Year as I fist pump into 2017. Hey, you can take the girl out of Jersey, but you can’t take Jersey out of the girl!

Which of these looks and trends do you hope to find under your tree?  Whether I was naughty or nice this year, I’ll never tell. But one thing is for sure… I was definitely Glam & Sassy!