Who's on Your Team?
Issue No. 01
Six months ago I broke my shoulder in a bicycle accident. Well, technically, I dislocated my shoulder and then incurred five fractures to the top of my humerus bone. Luckily, I was borderline, and my orthopedic opted not to operate. Instead, allowing the bone to heal on its own coupled with an extensive rehabilitation process. My doctor told me I would likely see 80-90% mobility and range of motion return once PT and strength training was all said and done, but never again go back to 100%. This experience is what I often now refer to as the "jackhammer." I was emotionally and mentally devastated, all while in excruciating pain.
Over the past 20-months in particular, we've all had moments of trauma, big and small, that leave an imprint on us. At the very least, causing some roadblocks, but for others, debilitating sensations, particularly when in the thick of the experience. They show up totally unexpectedly and catch us entirely off guard. You know what I mean?
For me, the injury was just the catalyst that literally and figuratively broke open a whole bunch of old resistance and stress, this time with the added element of actual physical pain. It was beyond something far greater than I was expecting nor able to navigate on my own. It came in two phases.
The first, after I could finally muster through a night of sleep without waking to medications wearing off, entirely took hostage of my mental and emotional state. It arrived quickly in the form of sadness, frustration, hopelessness, and lack of my body performing its previously normal functions. Such functions are necessary, and for me, are executed in athletic/movement therapy and clearing my head, which has historically been my number one tool for wellbeing. It wasn't pretty, but it was very real and showed up in every little corner of life you can imagine. I'd tell myself, "this will just go away as I heal, nothing to worry about here - there are people suffering much greater than I am, these are normal thoughts and emotions related to any injury." But no solution comes from this habit loop of thinking.
The second is that this entire experience has led me to different experts to which I now am happy to call my team. We all have teams, whether we realize it or not. The immediate team members show up sometimes in our family and friends, whom I'm grateful for always. For me, in particular, when I needed the most basic functions of life supported the most. I'm talking about washing my hair in the shower with me because I could barely raise my arm. All the generous meal deliveries to make sure I was nourished and well-fed, and running loads of laundry with neatly folded clothing, to the smallest but biggest outreach of notes and calls to check in and distract me from the moments of just sitting with the injury.
The team that guided me through the recovery and some who are still on my team today consist of experts in their areas because I couldn't and still can't manage this alone. Plus, many of them are critical to my achieving the best version of myself. This includes Dr. Jay Keener with Wash U. Orthopedics, who challenged my competitive nature to stay focused on all the little moments and wins in recovery; the phenomenal Julie Bokermann who met me at my type-A level of physical therapy; my two mentors whom I'm blessed to have in my life; entrepreneurial coach aka business therapist Talia Goldfarb; dietician Jennifer McDaniel for helping me get back on a nourishing track and paying attention to my body signals; and wellbeing coach Stephanie Stewart who's expertise, wisdom, and authentic spirit I need more than most things in life.
I recognize and realize the privilege I have to build a team of such nature, while at the same time, have intentionally prioritized filling up my cup first and foremost so I can be the best version of myself. And so I can show up with verve and focus when I serve my clients. Because I'm a member of their/you're teams, in the personal styling, intentionality, and fair to say, confidence-boosting arena. Really, I'm on your team, too, by building this community and engaged network of all of you who want the resources, tools, discovery, novelty, and joy when it comes to dressing, shopping, and expressing your dynamic self.
This jackhammer has turned into a profound perspective. I had forgotten over the past few years - up until my injury - clouded by all the stresses of life, building a business, contentious family dynamics, and all the little things that pop up, that I needed more than I had previously gotten away with "giving myself" to fill my cup. It's different now. Realizing this brought me back to putting myself first so that I can be better for you. For the people whom I'm overjoyed and grateful to work with. For my friends, family, and community.
Often in moments of extreme need, it can be hard to let others in to help us. But letting down the wall (e.g., pride, self-pity, dismissing the value-add, etc…) enables each of us to strive towards our own personal healthy potential and being. Team members ebb and flow through different experiences and phases of life, but one thing for certain is that every single one of us has a unique makeup of a team. No two are alike. There may be cross-over in team members with friends or family based on referrals, but each is its own design to best serve you when necessary, short and long term.
So tell me, who's on your team?
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How to Wear a Knit Set 3 Ways
Not a novel style, as the matching sweater set has been around for decades. But what’s striking about it this fall season is the abundance of sweater sets (not so much the cardi/shell combo) showing up across brands and retailers this year, with an upgraded aesthetic. Knit matching separates are arriving more in a top and bottom set; v-necks with skirts, cashmere sweatsuits, dresses layered with dusters, and many more iterations.
What’s great about this new take on sets is their comfortability paired with their versatility. I’ve styled you a matching set for three different occasions; great for multi-purpose wear and a reliable set for a long weekend getaway; you’re covered for it all. Say hello to an upgraded comfort uniform.
Look 1 | Cozy-chic dinner or cocktail attire ensemble - Proenza Schouler Wool Knit Twisted Turtleneck; Proenza Schouler Wool Knit Long Skirt; Annika Inez Heart Large Sterling-Silver Hoop Earrings; Sofia Cashmere Fox Fur & Cashmere U-Cape; DeMellier Santa Monica Braided Shearling Top Handle Bag; Paris Texas 60mm Slouchy Suede Boots.
Look 2 | An easy, elevated everyday uniform for transitional weather - Proenza Schouler Wool Knit Twisted Turtleneck; Veronica Beard Inigo Quilted Coat; Chimi 107 Sunglasses; Mother Denim The Dazzler Ankle Jeans; Golden Goose Superstar Mixed Leather Glitter Low-Top Sneakers.
Look 3 | Versatile for city sojourns or a weekend outing - Herno Classic Funnelneck Puffer Jacket (more colors); Veronica Beard Fresno Printed Mockneck Top; Stone & Strand Diamond Oval Earrings; Proenza Schouler Wool Knit Long Skirt; Celine Nano Belt Bag in Grained Leather (more colors); Stella McCartney Trace Chelsea Boot.
Affiliate Disclosure: I occasionally use affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This is at no cost to you. Thank you for continuing to support my work!
Take Good Care of Your Shoes
The only place I send my shoes (among other items) for love and mending. Jim’s Shoe Repair is based in NYC, but services customers across the country through their efficient and effective eComm platform, Cobbler Concierge. I don’t know about you, but I wear my shoes down, and because of that, I prioritize care and conditioning regularly to extend their lifetime wearability and value. Jim’s has been in business and family-run for 89 years, using their generational knowledge to repair shoes, bags, luggage, clothing, and more. And as Jim’s says, “No matter the brand, you deserve luxury repair.”
Below are the latest pairs I sent in; Louboutin’s purchased from The RealReal, knowing they were in mint condition and would require resoling, they came back like new after I submitted to Cobbler Concierge. I’ve had handbags refinished and repaired intended to re-sell and, by doing so, yielded a higher return on my consignment commissions. Jim’s sees the potential in everything their customers submit, including one of their client’s Chanel bags (as shown below). When all was said and done, the bag was fully revitalized. They work their wizardry, and it’s the best, by far.
Time to repair and replenish some of your shoes? Maybe it’s your summer styles that could use some work in the off-season, a tote bag in need of reshaping, or heels that are slowly starting to come out of your closet that need new heel caps and smoothing of divots on the shaft.
Receive 20% off of your repairs by entering this code at checkout: StyleSub* (case sensitive).
Eligibility Requirements: Repair orders must total a minimum of $200, and/or 3 pairs of shoes, or 3 bags. Shipping costs are additional fees - not applicable to the promotion. Cobbler services are currently taking appx. 2-3 weeks from receipt of shoes at the workshop, due to increased demand - please consider timing when planning to send in your shoes.
Offer valid October 29 - December 31, 2021. May be shared.
Here’s how to conveniently submit your repairs:
Receive a free quote multiple ways: 1. Text 74637, 2. Website portal at cobblerconcierge.com, 3. DM on Instagram @cobblerconcierge - You’ll submit photos of your items through any of these channels.
Receive a repairs quote and claim the 20%-off promo code StyleSub* before you ship in your items.
Accept your generated inbound shipping label and drop your shoes (and/or other items) into a box and send them to NYC.
Cobbler Concierge & Jim’s handles all the rest, including your summary of shoes before and after the repairs, catalogs all of your services, and maintains a detailed historical record allowing for excellent documentation and reference.
Your items return directly to your preferred receiving address wrapped in individual duster bags and packed neatly and securely in a branded box.
Ask Me Anything
Q. What do you think of all these puff sleeves?
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The Latest
Upgrade your everyday bag: Looking for a grab-and-go bag? The mini-tote bag, an in-demand style from clients this fall, is showing up everywhere. I’ve pulled together a curated list of 12 reliable and elevated styles to carry your necessities out the door to the office, coffee meetings, and carpool, travel days, and exploring activities, cocktail hour, and business dinners or dates. These functional styles have top handles optional or hands-free crossbody straps. Goodbye, massive totes!
Wear your heels with some ease: Enthusiastically endorsed by celebrity stylist Karla Welch, CBD oil/cream is a go-to “cure for aching feet on the red carpet.” Enter Lord Jones High CBD Formula Body Oil and their High CBD Formula Body Lotion. Should you choose to use either of these products, be sure to let it absorb into your feet before slipping into your heels. WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including △9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol (△9 -THC), which is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. Use these products at your own discretion and personal choice.
Do you enjoy inspirational imagery? To ap off Paris fashion week, luxury brands across the globe participated in a tribute to the late and great Israeli-born fashion designer Alber Elbaz. After spending 14 years as the creative director of Lanvin, among other prestigious design houses, he founded AZ Factory in 2019. Elbaz passed earlier this year. To pay tribute, 45 of fashion’s creatives came together by each designing a single look for AZ Factory runway show, Love Brings Love, inspired by the late designer and celebrating his legacy and their shared relationship. Watch the recently released highlights and escape into a joyful, glitzy, ruffled, pink-popping, bow-bedecked Elbaz world, including a standout train on the billowing Lanvin dress with an emotional tribute to whom homage was paid.
Clothes have feelings, too: A personal favorite New Yorker Cartoon by cartoonist Julia Dots Suits. Timely, since we’re stepping out of the house more and dusting off much of our beloved - non-athleisure - wardrobes.
