Passions & Gripes

Last year I decided to spreadsheet my passions & gripes in an effort to determine my mission in life.  Excel is a wonder tool so I figured this was the logical next step.  The end goal being, I could follow a passion or fix a gripe.

TheStylisted has fortunately been a cure-all to this wondering soul of mine, but you better believe I still add to that spreadsheet purely because it’s fun.

In the realm of beauty, health, and wellness, here are some of my top passions and gripes:

Passion: Any hair salon that gives you a pre-cut scalp massage.  Call me a puppy, I don’t care, nothing feels better than a good head scratch…and isn’t it strange that you can rub your own scalp ‘til tomorrow, but it’ll never feel as good as when a second party does it?

Passion: Napping with golf on.  Science has proven sleep is just about the best thing you can do for your bod- keeps us young, revs our metabolisms, cures the common cold- and in my humble opinion, the best nap you’ll ever get is on a Sunday afternoon with golf on.  1. It’s visually spectacular- lush greenery, sometimes an ocean- very soothing.  2. Every commentator seems to have the voice of an angel- lulls me right to sleep.

Gripe: When all beauty products run out at the same time.  First, it’s tough on the budget.  Second, there’s bound to be one morning/night/shower when you’re up a stream without a paddle, trying to get ready for work/dinner/bed with a toothbrush and a half empty bottle of hotel shampoo that you miraculously found in your suitcase.

**(Solution: my old roommate used to keep a box of samples that I thought was kind of hoard-y, until she opened my eyes to this terrible pain point and said she just rummages the sample box each time this happens- kind of brilliant.)

Passion: Bathrobes.  I think this is something you grow into, but nothing is better than a cushy bathrobe (hence, the Snuggie phenomenon, which we all know is simply a backwards bathrobe- sans tie…though a tie wouldn’t be a bad idea, as my Snuggie often slips off- What? Who said that?)  Pants are fun for public, but for anyone who lives alone, they’re actually the worst, and bathrobes are like the perfect bulky wrap dress (or smoking jacket, for the gents out there).

Gripe: Booking a makeup appointment.  (Did you see this one coming?)  My budget does not permit $120+ salon appointments so if I need to get my makeup done, I’m headed to a department store counter.  Sure, I may like the products, but who am I paying to paint my face?  Walk-in’s are welcome, but on a Saturday afternoon, you better be willing to wait your turn.  Then there’s the question of whether or not to go in your formal attire, or if it’s better to go super early and sacrifice a few hours of wear and tear to get dressed in the comfort of your own home.

**(Solution: TheStylisted  <<drops mic>> )

The list goes on with plenty more delightful passions and miserable gripes (most of which remain unsolved).  At TheStylisted, we're very lucky to be focusing on our passion for health and beauty, while tackling a major gripe of ours.  Beauty isn’t pain…it’s just inconvenient!

Care to share your passions and gripes?

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New Chi City

Both of TheStylisted’s cofounders are thin crust loving, Yankees/Giants New Yorkers who have recently put down roots in Chicago. Whether it’s out of polite conversation or a genuine curiosity, I am often asked which city I like better. I don’t really like this question because I think the comparison does a disservice to both cities. They are wonderfully different.

While many complain that the world’s cities and citizens are falling to Starbucks and losing their uniqueness, I am happy to report that they are not. Only 800 miles from my native New York, I am shocked by how different things are here. Yes, everyone knows that Chicago is cheaper, colder, cleaner and the people are generally nicer and that New York has “this energy,” more restaurants and it’s bars are open later etcetera, etcetera. BUT there are a handful of things – little things that taken together affect my quality of life– that I hadn’t anticipated. I would like to discuss these differences to enlighten those who might be considering a move, and hopefully reassure you that the distinctiveness of our fine cities is in tact.

Where New York has Chicago beat:

• Delivery: Without exception, Chicago restaurants charge for delivery. Not only do I need to pay an additional $3 to get food delivered right to my door, I feel incredibly awkward about tipping. I end up tipping what I would if there were no delivery charge, but I’m a student… and I am lazy.
• Bodegas: The concept of bodegas is completely foreign in Chicago. The closest thing to a corner store is a 7-Eleven. If you want a carton of milk or cookies without any fan fair, well, tough cookies.
• Nail salons: I’ve pretty much given up on manicures because they are $15 in Chicago vs. NYC’s $10 manicure (shout out to Nails Boutique on Hudson Street).
• Safety: I rarely feel unsafe in New York simply because there are always people around. In Chicago, that’s just not the case. Did I mention I was mugged last week…at 1:30pm?

Where Chicago crushes New York:

• Cell phone service on the El: I know that many see this as the end of a civilized society, but most people don’t abuse it and send emails/surf the internet instead of chatting.
• BYOB: SO many restaurants in Chicago are BYOB thanks to difficult licensing laws. Get this - there is actually a nine course tasting menu that is BYOB (and corkage fee is only $2.50).
• Bloodies: Bloody Marys in Chicago are a meal in a glass. You thought a celery stalk was fun? Try a stick of jerky, a cube of cheddar cheese, gherkins, and stuffed peppers. Pretty standard here. Not to mention the ubiquity of make-your-own Bloody Mary bars.
• Music venues: Music is just more accessible here. So many good bands come through and it’s easier to get tickets to one of the many intimate and funky venues.
• Lake Michigan: If you’ve ever seen it, there’s really no need to elaborate. While I realize that few New Yorkers are out there bragging about the East River and the Hudson, Chicago’s 28 miles of lakefront shoreline and 30+ beaches put these bodies of water to shame. 

These are the things I think about as I jog down Lake Michigan, with a slight headache from day drinking, a can of mace tucked in my Lulus, wondering what I’ll have for dinner. Am I missing anything?

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The Unfit Outfit

            My friend Claire and I have had a running competition for the last 5 years or so – who can put themselves out there in the world looking worse? Whenever I find myself walking the streets in an “outfit” that should never have been born (let alone seen by another human), I snap a shot with my iPhone and send it to Claire. My last submission include brown terrycloth pants, a college boyfriend’s XXL hooded sweatshirt, and (here’s the kicker) black leather slip on boots. This ensemble was the lovechild of laziness and hunger. My apartment was freezing (thus the sweat suit), I wanted dumplings and they don’t deliver, and my boots were right at the door and easy to get on. Another submission included a boyfriend’s button down (slept at his place and did a terrible packing job) tucked into an ivory skirt with an old coffee stain the size of my fist. The stain was on my butt so I didn’t notice it until I was out the door…. On my way to work. I kept my jacket on the whole day, which I now realize made the whole outfit that much more awkward.

            Sitting in class yesterday, I realized that Claire and I hadn’t played in a while.  In the last year, I have made a much greater effort to put myself together. Although fashion has never been (and will probably never be) a top concern of mine, feeling good about myself certainly is. When I spend the extra 10 to 15 minutes in the morning making sure an outfit works, or doing something with my hair, I feel better for the rest of the day. I feel more beautiful, I project more confidence, and I have no doubt that those around me are pickin’ up what I’m putting down.

Look good, feel good.

Lauren

P.S. Yesterday I was wearing Lululemon leggings with motorcycle boots. This could have easily been a contest submission BUT I was wearing a long sweater that covered the Lulu logo and much of my thighs. Okay…maybe that’s still terrible…

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