Subu Szn

When I popped on here to gush about my new obsession, Subu, it hit me that I have been neglecting my fun ‘lil blog project for oh, about 6 YEARS. UM, HI AGAIN.

But enough about that because I recently found the best shoes for checking your email AND regular mail.

Subu is a Japanese brand that I came across in a cool home shop called Little King in Beacon, NY. Subu touts its puffy indoor/outdoor mules as “winter sandals” and I have to say: accurate.*

For months I’ve been searching for the perfect replacement to my Lusso Clouds, the Croc-alts that took me from errands to long walks to outings, May-early October…ish. (Sorry!). I loved them so much that I simply was not willing to settle when it came to a cold weather-appropriate pair.

Turns out, finding an easy, functional, fun-looking slip-on was not an easy task, my friends.

Birk Bostons: not element-approved and also kinda give me shin splints.

A. Emery Louis clogs: not as exciting as my go-to influencers hyped.

Lusso Cloud Pellis: too house-shoe looking.

Return, return, return.

Finally, Subu checked all my boxes: simple, comfy, ugly/stylish, durable, AND water resistant.

It’s not surprise that a bunch of cuspy names have also fallen for Subu; the brand’s done collabs with Sandy Liang, Carhartt, A.P.C., and 10 Corso Como.

Yes, I will be wearing them for rainy day carpools and Whole Foods runs until spring strikes again. Yes, I will be stalking my size (XS and I’m normally a US 7/7.5) for this bumpy version, which rings in just a bit higher than the $69 classics.

Hope you can find as much solace in Subu as I did this holiday season and beyond.

*With “foot jacket” as a close second.

Current Hair Obsession: Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo + Conditioner

Andddd we’re back, for the second installment of: My Hair Whacked Out After Giving Birth!

This time around, the artist formerly known as my effortless waves took a turn for the curly, knotty, and—major EEEK—oily.

So I did what any time-starved mommy would do: literally ran to my local Harmon while my kiddos napped in the double stroller, and proceeded to spend a ridiculous amount of money on every shampoo/conditioner with even the smallest hint of promise.

Let’s start with the no’s: Shea Moisture (multiple kinds), the Living Proof curl line (discontinued for a reason), and Deva Low-Poo (Just. Nope.) to name a few.

But one set did in fact rise among the rest as a complete and total game changer.

***LIVING PROOF PERFECT HAIR DAY***

It’s not new. Not exciting. And, being that it came from Harmon, it very likely was a castoff from Sephora or (please no) Nordstrom Rack. But guess what: I DON’T CARE. Because after a few days of use, my oil is GONE and my hair texture has honest-to-god CHANGED to be soft, obedient, and pretty.

Miracles do happen, people.

Healthy Fast Casual Amazingness

Sorry, clients. 

But the best part of working in the Flatiron District/Nomad is most definitely the insane amount of healthy (enough) fast casual lunch spots.

Little Beet, Inday, and my latest obsession Mulberry & Vine are SO FREAKING GOOD. And clean (physically and digestively). 

Today, my lunch from the latter consisted of red lentil dal, sesame scallion tofu, and roasted brussels with nori hemp vinaigrette. A far, far cry from the sad bloating salads of dirty delis past.

I'm proud to admit that this $12 meal in a cardboard bowl makes me happier and more satisfied than most fancier spots in the city.

So please, I beg you: come uptown healthy fast casual trend. The Upper East Side needs some love.

 

Why Does Nobody Talk About Paste?

Having a baby has its perks: great boobs, an excuse for not going out, oh–and the BABY.

Missing from the shortlist: easy hair.

Since September 4, 2016 (shoutout to DEMI!), my previously effortless waves have gradually turned into an awkward pattern of curls that's impossible to straighten and unfriendly to air dry. Thanks, hormones!

But then last week, the impossible happened.

My stylist introduced me to the product that would visibly change everything. 

It's not new. It's not often talked about (I'm clueless why). But it does come in super pretty packaging, and, most importantly, IT WORKS.

Davines This Is A Medium Hold Pliable Paste : I don't know what you are or how you do it, but you have magically made my hair mine again. 

Applied to damp hair, a pea-sized amount works wonders for blow drying or air drying. Seriously, when I sleep, I flip in ways that would make Aly Raisman jeal. But somehow this product keeps my locks thick, frizz-free, oil-free, and gorgeous. Plus rumor has it, it's great for guy hair too.

When it comes to serious matters like hair, I do not lie. So.... DON'T WAIT. And find yourself some hair paste stat.

 

Essentials For New NYC Babies & Their Mamas

I've been meaning to post about this for a while. And by a while I mean for the past 13 months (the current age of my amazing daughter Demi). 

Needless to say, things have been... busy. 

But in the spirit of better-late-than-never, here are seven items I could not have gotten to this point without:

PUJ Tub
Foldable. Comfy for a newbie. And fits in small apartment sinks. 

Tula Carrier
Streamlined design with minimal straps. So you can understand how the F to put it on when you're running on literally two hours of sleep.

MZ Wallace Bag
I've never been one for extra pockets, but these bags keep you SO ORGANIZED. 

Old Navy Baby Clothes
Cute, on-trend, and cheap enough that you don't feel bad throwing it out when the spit/throw-up/poop is just too gross.

Hands-Free Pumping Bra
Your chance to go on an Amazon binge while still feeding your babe.

Button Downs
After wearing maternity clothes for months, forgo not-so-cute nursing tops for oversized button down shirts from the real person section.

Aritzia Leggings
DO NOT–I repeat, DO NOT–torture yourself by (A) continuing to wear maternity jeans or (B) trying to fit into your normal jeans. An array of Aritzia's well-made leggings is a life saver. 

Beauty Rest

Ok, admittedly it's been awhile since I've posted on here (#hadababy), but I recently experienced a life-changing beauty solution that is just too good–and simple–not to share. 

Yes people, the silk pillowcase is as good as it's cracked up to be. 

After one too many mornings waking up with bedhead (read: less Moss, more mess) I had no time to tend to, I decided to give the storied saver a go. 

Instead of splurging for the $100-ish options from Net-a-Porter and Nordstrom, I decided to opt for a well-reviewed $20 one from, where else, Amazon. 

From night one, the OOSILK 100% Mulberry Silk Sham worked like a charm. I hit the pillow with a nest of air dried waves, and woke up frizz-free. Just. Like. That. 

Does this mean I won't have to shell out for the Mason Pearson brush that's been on my to-buy list for the past ten years? Stay tuned...

Cool, Comfy Sleepwear by Lunya

Has targeted Facebook advertising gotten extra on fleek lately, or is it just me?

While scrolling through my feed this morning, I was super psyched to see a post for Lunya, the comfy, modern sleep and loungewear brand of my dreams. 

Based in Santa Monica, Lunya (BTW, the name's based on the Swedish word for calm) came to be when its founder looked in her mirror pre-bedtime and realized that the frumpy tee and boxers she was sporting were just not going to cut it anymore.

With flouncy but flattering ribbed shorts, tented crop tanks, and wedgie-proof sweats, Lunya's seemingly super-soft collection is filled to the brim with effortlessly sexy basics I can't wait to wear while hanging in my apartment–and between the sheets.