A New Yorker in Paris: What I've Learned From the French

Good Day Friends!

I hope you are enjoying your week!  I have been reading many books in my free time. This is a good thing for my brain, but a bad thing because I'm afraid of becoming a hermit. Sometimes I just like to get away with the so called perfections and "Keeping Up" vibe I get from Facebook, Glossy magazines, and Television.

I feel like there is this sort of feeling of "like " me or "I won't be valued enough" mentality? It's silly and brings me back to elementary school. Anyone else get that?

It very similar to the "Keeping Up with The Jones" mentality of the 1950s. It's the"We need the bigger house honey", or, "the nicer vehicle to be better". There's nothing wrong with being successful, just doing it to "one up" someone else is what irritates me.  Today, the general public wants to aspire to be the Kardashians and their "All About Me" way of life.

I love fashion magazines and posts, but every time I scroll, its always something about them and how millions are fascinated by these people desperately out for attention. I was brought up to believe, if you have money, good! Be modest and don't flaunt it! It's tacky and in bad taste.

Sometimes social media is draining, I literally want to turn it off for awhile and read a good old fashioned book.

That's why today I wanted to summarize my French fascination with you all. You may think they  exude arrogance and are stiff neck, but its actually a very simple, beautiful culture.

It was refreshing to read how my no painted nails and very little makeup routine was in good taste with their elegant take on classiness. They are sexy and imperfect, showing their disheveled hair and stylish casual street style. . They actually prefer the "less is more look". Tres Bien!

They are confident in themselves and are passionate about what they do. No Botox,No Cosmetic Surgeries, No B.S. They actually love aging and strive to gain maturity and class. They welcome their wise years with open arms.

These books made me feel so much better about myself. I don't need the million dollar lifestyle to feel beautiful on the outside. After reading these books, I walked around the city a little bit taller, and felt more comfortable in my own skin. Find out what your style is. No need to try to be anyone else. Self-Knowledge is KEY, Ladies!

 I'm confident in my own skin and know that my work is benefiting society in some way. All You need is some well kept hygiene, one of your favorite perfume/good face cream/ lotion, a smile from ear to ear, and matching under garments. Poof! Cinderella!  Oui! Oui!

Here are the books:

Oh, La La: French Women Secrets to Feeling Beautiful Everyday. By Jamie Cat Callan

http://www.jamiecatcallan.com

All You Need to Be Impossibly French: A Witty Investigation into the Lives Lusts, and Little Secrets of French Women By Helena Frith Powell

Knowing Your Value and Then Getting Some More

Hello Readers!

Today I wanted to talk a little bit about the word success. Success is defined as:

 1. the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of ones goals.

2. the attainment of wealth, position honors or the like.

How do you define the word success? Many people have different ideas of how they measure their success. I am happy to say that New York Public Schools are doing away with the standard letter grade A-F. Why? You ask? Because students as learners for one see the world differently.

I remember growing up in the one minded school setting that treated each homework assignment as a one-size-fits all classroom setting. It was like they were putting us through a production line and stamping us with a sign of approval that we all learn the same thing and think the same way. While I understand that there is some truth to this, this is not how society and educators should think.

Teachers need to grade on a holistic grading scale for the most part, and grade accordingly to what mission the school sets for the students. Look at the student as a whole. Observe their learning on a day to day basis. Another point I wanted to bring up is, not everyone was made to go to college! College is a privilege and luxury, but don't criticize someone who's success is to aspire to be something else. If they are working, they have value in society. Be humble wherever you stand. Not boastful.

Another area on success is on women's wages, I recently read a book called "Knowing Your Value" By Mika Brazinski. Success isn't just based on monetary value, but if you work hard, I believe you should be compensated.  This book opened my eyes and took into account a women's responsibility to know her value in the workplace and ask for it. Yes, if we work really hard and just sit there, nothing will happen. You need to ask and know your value.

Those were just two subjects I wanted to bring up about the value of success. We each have personal goals and aspirations. It's up to you to make your world a living success of your very own. Don't let anyone stomp on your dreams and aspirations. They are yours and what make you your very own success. How do you measure your value?

Characteristics of Successful People:

~Have a sense of gratitude
~Compliment Others
~Read Everyday
~Share information and data
~Exude Joy
~Embrace Change
~Keep a To-Do List
~Forgive Others
~Continuously Learn
~Want Others To Succeed
~Keep a Journal
~Accept Responsibility For Their Failures
~Operate From a Transformational Perspective

Fall Advice and Style: Keep it Simple

Hello Readers!

Happy Sunday to you all! I hope your morning is everything you dreamed it would be! I'm sipping on my Pumpkin Spice coffee and thinking about cool nights! Today I just wanted to pop in and talk about simplicity. Whether it be getting ready for work, working, being at school or anything you have on your plate, start simple.

That seems so easy, right? I think as humans we want to complicate such simple steps, which overwhelms us and makes minute things seem overwhelming. At least that's how I feel sometimes. When you feel overwhelmed, just remember write down the problem and take it in steps. You won't believe how simple your problems will become.

The other day I had a problem trying to dress myself. What was that about? I thought about my problem and came up with an idea to spread some closet essentials out and plan out my wardrobe for the week. As simple as it may seem, things like this can be frustrating, but if it helps you and saves you a few minutes each morning, it's well worth it.

Keep some closet Fall essentials for everyday:

1. Black Turtleneck/Black Sweater
2. Khaki Trench
3. White, Gray, Black Long sleeved tees
4.Skinny Jeans
5. Gray Sweater
6. White Blouse
7.Classic Watch
8. Classic Black business suit
9. Black Heels
10. Nautical black and whited striped tee
11. Ray ban sunglasses
12. Field Jacket
13.LBD
14. Ballet Flats/Loafers/Smoking Slippers
15. Sneakers
16. Pencil Skirt
17. Riding boots
18. Scarf
19. Grey Hoodie
20. Cross-body bag

You can turn these essentials into many different outfits during the season. I hope this article helps for the mornings! I wish I had Cher's closet- minus the 90s clothes. Have fun!

United Nations Green Initiative 2014

Hello Readers!

Today I thought I would let you into my thoughts while living in the city of New York. It has been hampering on my mind and I can't seem to shake it off. This city is dirty! Each day when I come to and from work, I noticed overflowing city garbage cans, restaurants dumping their food on the streets, empty plastic bottles and newspaper pages scattered all along the subway tracks. I can't stand it!

I have become morphed into a recycling queen.  Everything that I throw away gets categorized into three garbage cans. You would think, with 8 million people living here, it should be a law to recycle. I still don't know how today, we as human beings can even fathom of throwing an empty paper coffee cup on the ground. Who does that? Please don't do that. There was a March last Sunday in NYC with thousands supporting the way to go green. De Blasio wants to reduce greenhouse gases by 80%  by the year 2050. It's 2014, we need to start now!

With all the garbage bags being thrown on the pavement for pickup; it's literally disturbing. Bags upon bags as tall as me get placed outside for the trucks to scoop to landfills. I have since come to the conclusion that I have to do something, even if its just little ol' me.

I have made a promise to myself to stick to a glass water bottle when traveling to and from work, a coffee mug, using reusable bags when shopping, recycling at least 85% of the products I use (the rest is disposable food or things that cannot be recycled), I wish I could compost here. If I am in desperate need of a bag, I will reuse it as much as possible.

When you live in such an overpopulated city, it really makes you think about how you can really affect the enviornment. And it's just me. If I was Mayor of this city, one of the first things I would do would be to clean up the garbage problem. Scott toilet paper had a campaign in the city and said that each year we throw away as many toilet paper rolls enough to fill The Empire State Building. 17 billion rolls! Another fact I reads each year we throw enough plastic water bottles away to circle the Earth 3 times. Thats disturbing.

This should be a wake up call to not only New York, but to the planet! This has nothing to do with politics, but keeping the planet a better place for the next generation. Here are some pictures of artists reusing trash around the city. Where is all this garbage going? What can you do differently? How much smaller can you make your carbon footprint?


Glass Water Bottle:

http://www.shopbymonika.com/products/bkr-water-bottle


GreenNYC Initiative:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/greenyc/html/about/about.shtml

United Nations Climate Summit:

http://mashable.com/2014/09/24/united-nations-climate-summit-takeaways/?utm_cid=Mash-Prod-RSS-Feedburner-All-Partial

 NYC Climate March:

http://www.amny.com/news/environmental-activists-paint-city-green-with-people-s-climate-march-1.9370557

http://www.nyc.gov/html/greenyc/html/about/about.shtml

Good Apple: Love a Teacher!

Hello Readers!

I hope you are all doing well. I have recently been off on my teaching career lately. I feel a tug to keep writing my posts that I used to write so frequently! I miss this!  I feel like my writing has really become a part of me. Its also really special that I get to share it with people all over the world. I love expressing my voice through writing. its also a fun creative outlet!

As you know, Fall is here!  There's nothing better than slipping into a brand new cozy sweater, or sipping a hot cup of coffee while taking a stroll in the park. Boot weather is so my thing. If I could pick weather to stay in all year long, it would most defineatly would be Fall.  After the sweltering summer in the city, I can't wait. There is nothing worse than briskly walking down to the subway and feeling like your in a sweaty sauna room.

My first unit for my Pre-K students is Apples. It's so fun to teach them about healthy eating habits and how apples are harvested in the Fall. We talked about everything from Apple Pie to applesauce. I've never eaten so many juicy and crunchy apples!  I think they are appled out.

It's fun to see the meaning behind the true Teachers Apple. I always wondered why students gave teachers an apple. I also didn't realize how much work a teacher really has to do! Teachers have a lot on their plate. So reflecting from when I was a student, to now teacher, its really an eye opener to see the roles reversed! If your a student, teacher or parent, just know if we all work together, and want to work toward the same goals, things are bound to work out for the best.  Happy school year!  Don't forget to eat your apples!

Since I'm talking about apples, I wanted to share a great recipe for a fall apple salad. It's so good!

http://jessicainthekitchen.com/apple-pecan-feta-salad-honey-apple-dressing/#_a5y_p=2391716

 APPLE PECAN AND FETA SALAD WITH HONEY APPLE DRESSING

 

PREP TIME

15 mins

TOTAL TIME

15 mins

Apple Pecan and Feta Salad with Honey Apple Dressing is loaded with fall flavours and is sweet, crunchy and good for you! You can customise the portions in this salad to your liking.

Serves: 1 big salad

INGREDIENTS

Salad

• 3 cups kale, de-stemmed, washed and torn
• 1 apple, sliced thinly
• 2 tablespoons cranberries
• 2 tablespoons pecans
• 
  
• 
  
• 3 tablespoons feta cheese, crumbled

Honey-Apple Vinaigrette Dressing

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Salad

1. In a bowl, place the kale. Add the apples, cranberries, pecans and feta cheese on top - if you'd like, toss them in a bowl first them sprinkle on top.

Honey-Apple Vinaigrette Dressing

1. Whisk the ingredients together and pour over the salad.
2. Enjoy!

Turning a New Leaf: September

Hello Everyone!


I just wanted to pop in and say Happy Sunday! I can't believe my birthday is just days away!  I feel like I just turned 30! I also can't wait for the cool, crisp Fall weather. I will say that this year was pretty incredible! I graduated with my Masters, moved to New York and got married to the love of my life!

Things usually don't happen like that for such huge milestones. I guess that's just the way it happens! When your least expecting it, things just " happen". I know people write goals or things they need to achieve before a certain age. I had goals for my life, but didn't put too much pressure on myself for things to pan out. They just did!

I think that's important, to have goals and a predetermined idea of how you see yourself, but things can always change, and you must be flexible with those changes in life. Wether you like it or not! I don't try to measure my worth by what others are doing, that just leads to unhappiness. You have to love yourself and be confident that there is a plan for your own life!

I try to find something funny in my workday and make each day count. As I look back on my life, I remember being so small and it literally seemed like yesterday. I thought about Joan Rivers this week and how young she looked in the early 90s. I was in 5th grade watching E! Seems like yesterday!  Time goes by so fast, just being positive and making someone else feel good recycles the positive energy!

This birthday, I'm grateful for my loving husband, my parents that will still be by my side, my family and extended family, and the simple things in life. My life lessons for 31: Keep it simple. Less is more, Smile and Laugh, and make a (little) difference in the world.

Thank you Joan, for making the world a more funny, stylish place.

Nothing is yours permanently, you better enjoy it while it's happening. - Joan Rivers

House of Etoile du North: Fall 2014

Hello Everyone!


I have been inspired recently to write about the kind of fashions I've seen on the streets of New York City. I feel like you can do anything here. You could literally go around in a black garbage bag and people would think your portraying some kind of an up and comer artists muse.

With that being said, I looked through many different designers Fall work and saw some synchronicity and some stark contrasts. For Fall 2014, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel focused on embellishments like finely placed jewels and the signature pearl look. His colors were cream, black and reds, very neutral and fall like.

Tom Ford was very black conscious with cognac and a few spritzes of red tones. His popular Tom Ford jersey worn by Beyoncé was everywhere! I'm sorry, but if one person wears it, it spoils it for the rest of us. Where's the originality? I'm not a fan of labeled clothing. Wear it once, then what? His boots were super high and reminded me of my Frye riding boots- minus the heel.

Ralph Lauren really played into the aluminum color. Think classic gray, jersey knit, easily moveable fabric. All I saw was this color! I love gray, suits look great and tweed inspired gray work dresses can be worn well from work to a night out.

Onto Valentino. He was inspired by the color red. Think Sangria and scarlet. Vibrant red! For some reason Valentino reminds me of Valentines day, hence the red. Maybe he was going for the same theme. Coincidence?

J.crew played on mixing florals with stripes and the color army green. Which is cool. I like the depth that these prints make when combined. Anywhere outside a major city, people would think I was colorblind. But, that's ok, I live in New York. Sorry, not sorry Y'all, New Yorkers are weird.

New Yorkers love their classic Wayfarers and Aviators. I went to The Metroopolitan Museum of Art for our new member night on Friday, wow what a crowd! I saw everything from a remake of Lourdes style, to Kylie Jenner. Yes, people are copying off the youngest Kardashian, or shall I say Jenner.

All I really want for Fall 2014 is a great pair of classic white Converse for commuting to and from work ( I put them in the washer almost every other month).   A chambray shirt ( I over worn my last one), I am really feeling the light chambray and a dark wash jean. A  black skinny pant, J Brand skinny jeans ,gray, black, and white shirts, and my navy blazer. Oh yes, a quality pair of black heels. I also found a cute pair of Sam Elderman ankle boots in cognac at Nordstrom. I can't forget my army green jacket!  I do like the idea of a punch of yellow for a clutch. This one is Dior. My list hasn't really budged much from last season except for a few minor details. I think this works for my Fall 2014 list.

Love this Chanel bag, Etoile du North loves it too! Fashion inspiration!

What's your Fall 2014 wardrobe wish-list?