Our Valentine’s Day Special ft.
Hannah Brencher from MoreLoveLetters
I s s u e no . 8 February 2013 NO.1
A letter from the - head Designer W
e’ve all heard the advice: “First Love Yourself.” But do we all really get it? I mean, it’s been on repeat in the back of my head since childhood, but I never actually reflected on what it meant. I took for granted that period when I knew who I was, or at the very least knew who I was going to be. This past year was hard for me. Still is if I am being honest. It’s consisted of moving back into my parents’ house in Maryland, being isolated from my friends across the US, submitting hundreds of unanswered applications for employment, over-analyzing my life (or lack thereof), and an overwhelming feeling that I am falling behind --losing myself in this standstill. It’s been the year of self-doubt for me. And if there is one Kryptonite for a designer, it is self-doubt.
plishments: landing your dream job, living in your city of choice, finding a worthy beau, etc. It also is about appreciating the little things. Being okay with where you are right now, even if it isn’t your endgame. So this year, focus on things you can control, and appreciate them no matter how small. Make goals that can be accomplished based solely on your own actions. Better yet, make daily goals that you can accomplish and be proud of. I vow to take my vitamins, drink 74 oz. of water, and make a journal entry everyday. I will love myself first by taking care of myself: body and mind. These are small things, but I can achieve them regardless of my professional or social status. And that just might be enough to keep me going.
But now that my confidence has been shaken, I am beginning to re-examine the meaning behind this little ditty. Loving yourself is not confined to recognizing the big picture accomNO.2
Meghan Lynch
Head Contributing Designer - meghanlynch.prosite.com -
Meet the Sweet Lemon - Team -
Carly A. Heitlinger Editor-in-Chief
Paris Rouzati Creative Director
@collegeprepster www.thecollegeprepster.com
@parisrouzati www.parisrouzati.com
Carly is a quirky, Type A workaholic with a passion for all things prep. Her closet is filled with collared shirts and ballet flats. She always has a stash of Band-Aids and multiple flavors of lip balm tucked into her bag. She wouldn’t be caught dead without her pearls on and thinks you should live your dreams.
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Paris is a charming southern girl. She’s a bookworm, lame joke connoisseur, and Whole Foods-oholic. She has an unrivaled argyle sock collection and can’t go a day without eating ice cream. If Vogue and The Economist had a love child, it would be Paris. She’s always there to make you laugh and smile, and believes in spreading love everywhere she goes.
Meet the
sweet lemon
| Issue No.8 Contributors
Design Team:
Megan Chandler
Sara gautieri
Contributing Designer @megachand
Contributing Designer @savi423
Daniel Swartz
Tiffany Farley
Photographer @revamped
Photographer @tiffanylfarley
team editorial Team: Evann Clingan
Contributing Author @evannclingan
Carleton English
Contributing Author @carletonenglish
Louisa Clements
Brittney Ann Cardillo
Contributing Author @living_lou
Contributing Author @bannc
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Sarah Solomon
Contributing Author @urbanjap
Hannah Brencher
Contributing Author @ hannahbrencher
Your Complete Guide to
#shoparound
No.10
8. We’re Sweet On
Couples We Love:
10. Chuck & Blair
12. William & Kate
14. JFK & Jackie O.
16. Calendar
#sweetlife
18. The Year of a Happier You 22. Birds & Honey Event Planning
No.18 No.22
34. So What Do You Do?
No.12 No.34 NO.6
o
{ issue no. 7 }
#lemonaid
No.40
40. What Lie$ Beneath Your Relationship 43. Romantic Waves by Dry Bar
#zestyliving 59. Reasons Why I’m Still Single (as shown by film stills from the Lord of the Rings)
64. Homemade Truffles for your Valentine
#lemonlove
No.43
No.59 No.70
No.66
No.64 NO.7
W ’re S eet
n
From Atlanta to New York. Champagne to Soda. Carly, Paris, & Meghan share their wish list.
y l r a C
Chandler eyeglasses
who: Editor in Chief where: new york
Painter Boatneck Tee
Grace, A Memoir
Camden Satchel
Bobbi Brown ‘Dark’ Brow Kit NO.8
Paris
Ray Ban Mirrored Original
who: Creative Director where: Atlanta
Pave Heart Bracelet
Louis Vuitton Denim Scarf Coraline Patent Pumps
YSL Rouge Laque 9 Lip Stain
Meghan
Firemaker Boots
who: Head Designer
where: Annapolis
Jennifer Aniston Eau de Parfum
Kotobuki Blue Floral Rice Bowl NO.9
Heirloom Silk Scarf Wax Seal Ring
Couples ckwe&love Blair
[ curated by carly ]
Chu
Silk bowtie
Cufflinks
Dress Shirt
Whiskey
Suspenders
Sports jacket
Headband
Breakfast at Tiffany’s DVD
Skirt Necklace Pumps
Pocket square
Handbag
Coat
Chanel Lipstick NO.11
Couples we love [ curated by Paris ]
Tweed Jacket
e t a K & m a i l l i W Marchesa NOTTE Dress
Roses Headband
Nude Point Pumps
Tom Ford Cafe Rose Perfume
Mason Pearson London Hairbrush NO.12
Ralph Lauren England Shirt Mougin & Piquard Watch
Drake’s London Hankerchief
Laguiole Pocket Knife Del Toro Slippers
Blue Button Down
Alden Suede Bucks
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Couples we love [ curated by carly ]
JFK & Jackie O. Sunglasses
Pearls
Trench
Bag
Scarf
Pants
Sandals NO.14
Polo
Sunglasses
Sweater
Watch
Shoes
Leather bag
Sweater NO.15
Khakis
FEBRUARY 1
National Bagels & Lox Day
CHINESE NEW YEAR 10 >>>>
9 8
Lauren Conrad’s Birthday
7
Happy groundhog 2 day!
3
11 President
Ronald Reagan's Birthday
6 12
Super Bowl Sunday
Fat Tuesday + Mardi Gras + Abe Lincoln’s Birthday
4
5
Jennifer Anniston’s Brithday
IHOP National Pancake Day NO.16
17
Paris Hilton’s Birthday
18
President's Day 16
15
Singles Awareness Day
19
14
20
Valentine’s Day
ASH WEDNESDAY
13
24 Steve Job’s Birthday
25
23
26
LOVE YOUR PET 21 DAY
Rihanna’s Birthday
National Margarita Day
27 NO.17
28
22
MARCH
the year of a
HA PP I E R
you
By e va n n c l i n ga n
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W
hen I think back on 2012, I’ll remember it as The Year of Me. This January marks the first full year in a long time that I was not in a relationship, and it pushed me to shape and grow into my adult self. Over the last twelve months, family and friends have commented on how content and in control I seem to be. They say that I’m still me, only more so. I’m extremely proud of that.
ocus Beyond the Numbers Whether you realize it or not, it’s easy to let yourself get weighed down by numbers. This is a phenomenon that affects everyone, but I think it hits young females especially hard. Think about it: age, height, weight,
“ I’ve learned to find the silver linings...” While it might sound cheesy, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m no expert in learning to love yourself. It’s not easy. I still have terrible days, mini breakdowns, and enough insecurities. Still, I’ve learned to find silver linings, implement reality checks, and refocus on the positive. I think learning those lessons is what has transformed me into a happier, healthier version of myself. The following five lessons are still teaching me to make choices and adopt mindsets that will make this year even better than the last. Whether you’re single, in a relationship, or somewhere in between, I hope these tips help you as much as they’ve helped me.
bra size, IQ, GPA, salary, square feet in your first apartment, and the list goes on. If someone you had never met looked at your numbers, would it give them an accurate picture of who you are? Absolutely not. Numbers measure and scratch the surface, but they don’t explain where you’ve been, show who you are, or determine your future experiences. Others may fall back on using numbers to define you, but don’t focus on them yourself. Rather than numbers, think in terms of verbs and adjectives--the actions you’ve taken and the qualities you’ve gained from your choices. This is a more honest and flattering definition of who you are.
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ppreciate the current you Speaking of shaping your future, many Millennial women have what experts call a “growth mindset.” We are constantly looking to improve and achieve. You may be trying to lose weight, get promoted at work, finish graduate school, or save money for a big purchase. Those are all admirable goals, but they can put you on a mental slippery slope. Don’t let yourself solely focus on your goal’s finish line. Imaging only the end result will motivate you, but it also puts a lot of unnecessary pressure on yourself. It tricks your mind into thinking that who or where you are right now is lesser than who you will be. Chances are, you’ve already worked hard to shape your current self, so celebrate that. Appreciate who you are in this moment and the fact that you have the opportunity to keep growing.
ake pride in your differences Growing up, it seems to be everyone’s goal to be the same as everyone else. Fitting in is extremely important. When I was in elementary school, having red
hair and a traditionally male name made me feel like an outsider in a sea of blondes and brunettes with popular, feminine names. At some point, you should realize the benefits of being different. Standing out is the new goal. I’ve had more conversations with strangers than I can count about my name or hair color. In a strange way, I think it’s ultimately made me more confident and sure of myself. I also think, along with a list of other quirky features, that I would be less of who I am if I didn’t embrace what makes me unique. I am also naturally drawn to those who are drastically different than I am. There is a benefit to every one of your differences. Be proud of and share them with others.
now when to push or pull Finding balance can mean a number of different things to different people. For me, it’s been about knowing when to push myself past an excuse or when to pull back from being overloaded. Everyone has areas in life where they let themselves slack off and others where they have no problem giving more than enough. I aim to avoid both mistakes. When I’m tired, I make excuses for not working out or not cooking. Excuses aren’t cute. In those situations, I usually
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take time to pause and think about why I’m tired in the first place. Was I overexerting myself in an area that I didn’t have to? I don’t hold back when it comes to furthering my career or caring for friends. Those are both great things, but doing too much of a great thing isn’t always positive. Figure out when to do more or do less. That balance will keep you mentally and emotionally sane.
been said that you become those you spend the most time with. Are those around you so great that they make you better?
“People inspire you, or they drain you-choose them wisely”
hoose your people wisely Hans F. Hansen said it best: "People inspire you, or they drain you--choose them wisely." You might be wondering why thinking about other people affects how you view yourself. Maybe in an ideal world it wouldn't, but let’s be honest. We spend our days surrounded by people whose words and choices affect us. For the most part, we can't control them, but we can choose or not choose them. After all, it's difficult to love yourself when others are weighing you down. Choose people who are your cheerleaders, your teachers, and your tough love givers. If you are surrounded by negative influences at work or in another unavoidable situation, at least be aware of how they drain you. Otherwise, keep your distance. It’s also
(Hans F. Hansen)
These, of course, aren't the only ways to start living a happier life. Why don’t you do more of what you love, set a healthy goal, call your mom, or experience another culture? Those choices will help, too. While I'm not one to make New Year's resolutions because I think you can create positive change at any time, 2013 could be the year you start truly focusing on your happiness. It isn't about working to become someone better than who you are now, it's about becoming an amplified version of yourself and loving her more than anyone else. After all, there's nothing cheesy about being more genuinely happy.
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Birds & Honey - event planning -
Meet  Mona  Abo Said. Event Planner, Stylist, Blogger, and lover of all things beautiful & seafoam blue. By Paris Rouzati @parisrouzati / www.parisrouzati.com
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Where did you grow up and where have you lived? I was born in a beautiful place called Ramsar [Iran], however my family left shortly after because of the revolution. My family ended up all the way in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. I have lived in Edmonton my whole life and I love this city fiercely! Tell us about your childhood. My childhood wasn’t the prettiest. I grew up very poor, but I was absolutely rich in the fact that I actually lived as a child with an imagination! I adored reading any kind of book I could get my hands on and watching Bollywood movies… I loved that I grew up without the overwhelming amount of reliance on social media. I was also lucky enough to grow up with the most amazing mother who made even the simplest of things oh so beautiful for me, and she taught me the value of hard work and determination. How did those places influence your style? I was always surrounded by such vibrant colors growing up and that was something that really influenced my style. I am a sucker for bold, patterns & prints, and in case you didn’t know, I am obsessed with the color seafoam blue! Who is your style icon and why? My style icon has always been Audrey Hepburn. For me, she epitomizes glamour, grace, and the most effortless style I have ever seen. What I love most about Audrey Hepburn is that she always knew what looked good on her and what didn’t. I love how her son Sean Hepburn Ferrer explained that his mother’s style was “the extension of an inner beauty reinforced by a life of discipline, respect for the other, and hope in humanity.”
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Where did you go to school and what did you study? How did that help you with what you’re doing now? I went to school at Grant MacEwan University and I was studying to be a high school social studies teacher. I love history and politics and I thought that I was destined to bring other students joy in this topic. I never once What’s your must have handbag thought I would star t my own business and shoe? My must have handbag has to be the Balenciaga designing beautiful weddings. Classic Gold Velo bag in black of course, and I die for my cosmic Jimmy Choo patent nude How did style / fashion / eventplanning come into play during pumps! your education? While I was in my third year of University I Favorite food and why? Do you got engaged to the love of my life (his name cook or are you a dine out kind is Bassim, but I call him Juju) and it was at of person? that point and time that I got enthralled My favorite food is a Persian dish called in the wonderful world of weddings. Being zerishq polow (barberry rice) with braised Persian I knew I didn’t want the typical “over saffron chicken and shirazi salad. It is the ultimate Persian comfort food. I love to cook bedazzled” Persian wedding. I wanted someat home. I mostly stick with what I know best thing clean and modern that still had some vintage pieces and elements. In Edmonton which is Persian food, but sometimes I’ll try there was not one single Persian wedding to cook something new… sometimes its amazing and sometimes it’s a disaster. When I planner and that’s when I really thought to do dine out I love love love to eat sushi. It is myself “hmmm, I wonder if I could do this?”. I always had a passion for planning and all my absolute favorite next to Persian food. How is the fashion in Canada different from everywhere else? What’s the fashion scene like? Canadian fashion to me is like a beautiful representation of our beautiful nation. It is a mosaic of different cultural and art influences and is as varied as the people who inhabit it.
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of my schooling really taught me how to be organized. So that’s when I ditched school and decided to leap into this cray cray world of planning. Tell us about your blog? How did you get started? Who do you draw inspiration from? What’s the message/purpose of your blog? My blog is essentially me inviting you to my world on a regular basis. My wedding planning was the backdrop to how I got started. Originally it was like a journal for me… I never knew people even visited the site, let alone liked what I had to say. My blog isn’t just about weddings and flowers and the overall fairytale aspect of weddings. It’s about my life, and I mean everything about my life: not only the highs, but also the absolute lows. Another big aspect of my blog is my relationship with my beautiful husband. I don’t think that it should always be about weddings and planning. I want to show my lovely readers that the romance keeps going even after you’ve said “I do”. In regards to inspiration… man, I draw inspiration from everything. Some days a certain shade of seafoam blue will capture my attention, and other days watching the 2013 spring runway of Alexander McQueen will trigger something in me! It happens so much so that I have a pad of paper to write
down anything that inspires me so that I can blog about it at a later time. What does “Birds & Honey” mean? Birds & Honey means a lot of things to me. Birds symbolize cheerfulness, happiness, prosperity, good health, new births, and the renewal of springtime. Honey represents all things that are sweet and pleasing to the palate, the mind, and the heart. I like to surround my with positive and beautiful things and these are two things that are very near and dear to my heart, and my culture as well. Tell me about your event planning business. I see you do a lot of weddings... expand on that maybe? Birds & Honey is an event planning & design boutique located in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. I help design, plan, and execute your vision from start to finish. I assist with every aspect of planning, bringing in new ideas and trends to help create your vision with your personal taste and budget. I deal mainly with wedding planning but I also tackle styling for editorial bridal shoots, style for engagement sessions, and pretty much anything you need to make your life a little less stressful. How do you juggle a blog, working... etc? This may sound really annoying but all I really do is stay organized and do things
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What’s your best advice to aspiring event planners and bloggers? When I first started planning I knew that I wanted to get a blog up and running asap. To me, it is the most important tool you have to showcase not only your work but also your personality. You would be surprised how many people check back and if you don’t stay updated you will lose out on some of those readers who could one day be potential clients. My biggest advice to bloggers is that you should blog at least 3-4 times a week! I know sometimes it’s the last thing on your mind but thank the lord you can pre-write all of your posts way in advance. I know its hard work and some days you might not want to tackle it but nothing worthwhile is easy.
in advance. If I know I have a deadline for something I generally tackle it about 2 weeks before it’s due so I’m not worrying about so much. Also, I live off my calendar both in print and on my phone, and I maintain my blog by writing all of my posts in advance. The key is to have a time and place for everything and maximize your work time for work, blogging, etc. so that you have time for other things like friends and family, and romantic date nights with your hunny.
How does “love” play in your everyday work with Birds & Honey? Love is what Birds & Honey is all about! Love is in involved in every aspect of what I do! How many people get to experience two people commit their love to one another on a regular basis? I am pretty damn lucky to call this my job! When life gives you lemons.... Just smile and thank God for everything that is sweet in your life!
www.birdsandhoney.com
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So, What Do You Do? That is the question that always leads to my unraveling. It leads to heads turning. It leads to ears perking. It is never, ever a question that gets answered in 60 seconds or less. I’ve learned this best in the last year: the second you admit to a crowd of strangers that you are a love letter writer, the questions will pour in endlessly. Yes, I am a love letter writer. No, I don’t own a quill pen. Yes, I have seen Letters to Juliet. Sure, it was an okay movie but we don’t handle the same vein of work. No, they are not mushy, gushy letters. Sorry, I can’t write to your girlfriend. But yes, I am a love letter writer and I am training the world to pay attention to one another as if we forgot how to yesterday.
By Hannah Brencher | www. MoreLoveLetters.com Photography By Tiffany Farley | www.TiffanyFarley.com
The short in the long of my story is this: I began writing and leaving love letters all over New York City in October 2010. That turned into a single blog post with a single promise stitched within: if you need a handwritten love letter, I will write you one. No questions asked. That turned into ten months of writing love letters to strangers all over the world, unearthing stories of great heartbreak, and realizing that the world needed far more than just my own love letters. A website was born. I came up with a model that would allow us to mail bundles of love letters to people in need all around the world. I rallied a team. I planned a few campaigns. It morphed into me quitting my job to pursue this dream of mine, and that has become 10,000 love letters to strangers in a little over a year. 50 states. 48 countries. 100 college campuses. A lot of good from a very little act.
“It was a way to leave chunks of myself behind, take the focus off of me, and just wish goodness into someone else’s day.” Anyone who knows me – knows the heart of me, and the bone of me, and the bends of my smile – knows why I really started writing love letters two Octobers ago.
It was not some strange aficionado for stationery. Never a day in my life have I ached to bring the art form of letter writing back to her fullness. It wasn’t a racing heart for cursive & curves on a page. It was a fear that I was very much alone in this world. It was a fear that I might never feel whole again. It was fear that not a single soul needed my footprints, my input, my laughter. It was a crippling belief that I would live and die and I would never have made noise in this world. I fell apart and the letters just happened. And even in the scripting of hundreds of these letters, the falling-apart-ness never felt so robust, like it was going to be the end of me every single day. Back then, it was simply a way to escape myself and all the awful things I thought about myself. It was a way to release pressure in a big and bustling city. It was a way to leave chunks of myself behind, take the focus off of me, and just wish goodness into someone else’s day.
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“And it turned into much more than that.”
My website is fueled by others. By people thinking outside of themselves enough to ask a harder question: who in my life could use a love letter? And why didn’t I think to This was never the career I envisioned having two years ago but I have learned the write it for them yesterday? These are the people my tribe writes to. They are the delicacy and beauty that lives in the very moment when you let Life and Circumstance stories that make our hearts beat. They are the reason we go to the page to pour out take you by the hands and guide you into something you never dreamed of. And it has hope and every ounce of love we know. turned out to be better than I could have The simple of it? My daily labor is love. It planned. is a real and precious thing that I have tried not to take for granted. My email inbox is It is a life that is full of trips to the post full of heartbreak. And my job description office, collecting crates of mail full of the is this: find a way to love other people so cursive from countries all over. It is pouring extravagantly that they find it hard to breathe. my heart into reading thousands of love And expect nothing--n-o-t-h-i-n-g-- in letters that arrived just the week after we posted a mission to the website: this person return. Quite truthfully, it rocks. My heart is to serve others. My heart is to find people is in need. Please send encouragement to who are broken, and tired, and hurt by the this little, bitty PO box in a small town in world, and let them know that listening ears Connecticut. Every love letter is scanned and then bundled and then mailed in packets and hopeful words are all around them. That love has arrived. of 25 to over 100 love letters to the mailboxes of people who have no idea they are receiving any mail.
“My heart is to find people who are broken, and tired, and hurt by the world, and let them know that listening ears and hopeful words are all around them. That love has arrived.”
Love is a sneaky thing. And it wears many skins. These are the things I know best after spending two years guiding the world in writing love letters to strangers. Love is big. It’s always bulging. It has no tipping point. It never rests. It demands presence. It craves loyalty. Consistency is the winner of its heart. It’s hard to do. It’s hard to give to the ones who need it most. It’s precious. And when you wrap yourself tightly in the art
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of giving love, all of life becomes a ballet. And love letters are just one way to give love. They are not the only way. They are not the best way. But they symbolize something we forget about when the emails roll in and the tapping of the text messages ensue: Real connection. Intention. Presence.
“Above all, love is presence. It is being here, even when it hurts.�
Above all, love is presence. It is being here, even when it hurts. It is sitting beside someone when their heart is in pieces and the words have escaped you. It is going great lengths to bless someone else with no expectation that they will pay you back. It is doing the things that someone cannot pay you back for. That is the aim, the goal, the mission of my day job. That is how my day job morphed into my life and the sweetest song of purpose that I have ever known.
To request a love letter for someone special or to find ways to become involved visit www.MoreLoveLetters.com NO.39
W h at L i e s B e n e a t h
Your Relationship Love and money, a match made in … hell. In fact, money and financial problems are frequently listed among the tops reasons for strife in relationships and marriage. Strangely enough, not everyone considers discussing finances as a form of foreplay. (To each their own.) And while that’s okay, occasionally you do have to check in with your Significant Other (SO) to make sure you are on the same page. Few couples acknowledge money issues in their relationships and assume that the conversation only needs to happen when making major life moves together but the truth is money has ways of creeping into most interactions. Here are a few instances when having an honest conversation about finances is impor tant. We’ll start with the nitty gritty first. NO.40
Income + Wealth Disparity This is the biggie upon which all financial conflicts are based. It is unlikely that you and your SO earn the same and have the same financial responsibilities. A low paycheck is almost always difficult while even a seemingly high paycheck can get eaten up pretty quickly when you factor in student loan payments, commuting costs and the hidden cost of maintaining a professional image for client-facing careers. It is common (though not advised) for new couples to spend like crazy in the cour ting stage with dinners out and perfect date outfits. However, as you move into more serious territory, you and your SO should find a way to discuss if that level of spending really fits in with your financial goals and what types of activities are more impor tant.
Differing Responsibilities +Values As I hinted above, few couples face the exact same financial pressures. The psychology of money is fascinating (to me at least). Some people grow up and mirror the habits of their parents while others grow up determined to rebel. There is something in the psychological makeup of people that determines whether a child who
grew up in a frugal household is likely to stick to a budget or will spend to excess to make up for feelings of being deprived as a child. Beyond the numbers on a bank statement, each person brings their own experiences with money to the table. Think of fun ways to figure out how your SO feels about money by asking questions such as, “What would you do if you won the lottery?” or “What is your ideal vacation?” Understanding this will inform how a lot of your future decisions are made.
Gifting While I sometimes have concerns about rapidly approaching 30 and being single, my budget and credit card are ecstatic. Having spent much of my twenties in a serious relationship the cost of bir thday gifts, anniversary gifts, holiday gifts and “just because” gifts seemed normal to me. It is easy to get caught up in celebrating with the person you love but when star ting to build a financial plan, you and your SO may want to set limits on spending. A great way to keep costs down is to focus on gifting experiences rather than things. Look at couple milestones as a time to break out of your dating routine and try a restaurant in a new neighborhood, or a class together. (Evening cooking classes or dance classes make great activities and are usually low cost.) If you’re like me and hate the idea of just giving a gift card, maybe include a framed photo of you two or something little to remind of you of the activity.
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Planning Your Vacations When you and your SO plan a romantic weekend getaway together a 50/50 split of expenses probably makes the most sense. But what do you do when you want your SO to be your date at your childhood friend’s destination wedding and your SO wants you to fly home to meet the family? In these instances, one par tner is hosting the other but the cost of hotels and airfare may be too much for one to bear alone. Each situation is different but this is a time when couples need to prioritize activities and plan their finances together. Give each other enough lead time to prepare and figure out if splitting expenses unevenly makes more sense. If you and your SO are serious about building a life together, realize that strong finances will be crucial to that life so prioritize which types of get togethers are impor tant to go to as a couple and when it might be okay to go stag. While forcing conversations about money can be intimidating, they do get easier over time as you and your SO spend more time together. Addressing these issues upfront can also prevent a lot of headaches, stress and hurt feelings down the line!
Carleton English is a Philadelphian working for a medical device star t-up. She previously worked as a Client Associate for a Seattle-based wealth management firm serving high net wor th clients and leading financial literacy seminars for teens and young adults. She is an active member of the Junior League of Philadelphia. Carleton enjoys tango dancing, classic movies, and finding good food. Carleton is a graduate of the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University.
T W ITTER @carletonenglish
W EBSITE www.carletonenglish.com
Romantic Curls
drybar
by
C
upid’s favorite holiday is just around the corner and while you might be fretting about what to wear, and whether or not your significant other will pull off a romantic night for the two of you, let’s take a break from all the unrealistic expectations and focus on what really matters: YOU and your gorgeous self ! Whether you have a date with “the one”, a fun single girls’ night out planned, or absolutely HATE Valentine’s Day, there’s one thing we can all appreciate: great hair & a great blowout! By Brittney Ann Cardillo @bannc // Photography By Daniel Swartz @revamped NO.43
D
rybar is a blowout-only hair boutique complete with your choice of bubbly, waters, built-in iPhone chargers, a DJ playlist and chick-flick movies playing on flat screens (think: Mean Girls, Bridesmaids and the like). It’s quite the experience and I like to describe it as the perfect “pick-me-up” to begin or end any type of day.
In true bar fashion, they have a menu - my favorite blowout is the Southern Cosmo (yes, I combine two to make my own), bar tabs, memberships, its own app to book appointments and an array of other unique amenities. Its branding is impeccable (Buttercup is a yellow hairdryer also known as the salon’s mascot so to speak) and the styling staff could not be more accommodating.
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My favorite blowout is the
Southern Cosmo
Undoubtedly it has taken both the East and West coast by storm with its popularity and now over 25 locations, reasonable prices ($40 at most locations) and amazing results on any type of hair.
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“ The perfect Valentines Day date”
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Valentines Day In the true spirit of romance, what better look could you ask for than “romantic curls”? Truth be told, this is one of my favorite everyday looks but there’s no day like St. Valentine’s to really spruce it up a bit with curls galore no matter what look you normally fancy.
To primp for a date, get ready for a fun night out, or even to treat yourself, Drybar is the perfect place to spend February 14th. My girlfriends and I dressed up in pink and red, enjoyed sprinkled cupcakes, strawberries & champagne, and of course, each other’s company during what I would call, the perfect Valentine’s Day date.
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1.
How To: Drybar Romantic Curls So whether you book an appointment or not, you can now purchase your very own Drybar styling tools and below is a quick tutorial that anyone can try at home with the 3-Day Bender (otherwise known as a curling iron). Part your hair into sections and grab about an inch or so section to begin curling.
3.
2.
Wrap your hair (starting with the top of the strand) around your iron until you reach the very end.
As you wrap the hair, begin to spin the iron (this works especially great with Drybar hot tools). If you’re using a clipless hairwand or a regular curling iron, hold the wand for 10 seconds or so once you have the hair wrapped tightly.
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4.
Release the hair and place the curl in your hand.
Here’s the fun part: bounce the curl in the palm of your hand. Yes, bounce! This not only helps the curl to set in your hand but also helps cool off your locks.
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5.
6.
Release and repeat until you achieve a head full of curls.
Before you add hairspray, run your fingers through the curls and give your head a “shake” (this is my favorite part and helps enhance a more natural look) then spray till your heart’s content.
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7.
The Results
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Alli Webb drybar founder
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I was also blessed to meet Alli Webb, the genius founder behind Drybar, last fall at a pre-opening event for the DC location in Georgetown. She could not of been more friendly and welcoming, and recently, I sat down to ask her a few questions about the Drybar phenomena and get her best tips for curls and more!
you’ll have to work for it. So, come to Drybar and let us do it for you.
1. What are you best tips for making curls last? Always start with clean hair! Be sure to blow the curls into your hair using a round brush - for long hair, use the Drybar Full-Pint round brush, and for short hair use the Half-Pint size. Start in the front, work in one-inch vertical sections, and take your time. Finish up and perfect your curls with the 3-Day Bender curling iron to really make those curls last!
5. Do you see any major differences between East Coast vs. West Coast hair? There’s not as much of a difference between east coast and west coast hair as you’d think, but we definitely see certain trends in the various markets. The Mai Tai is a popular one in LA, and our Dallas clients love a Southern Comfort.
2. What is the most popular “curly” look or trend you’re seeing this year? Seeing more brushed together, unified curls (but never count out the Mai-Tai messy, beach hair look!) 3. What do you/Drybar say to those that claim their hair “will never curl”? (FULL DISCLOSURE: I used to be guilty of claiming this too!) Creating curl on super-straight hair can be very challenging. Building the curl into the hair from wet to dry is your best bet, as hair has memory. But
4. What is your favorite part of your job? I feel really lucky to be able to work with my family and to do something that I’m so passionate about, day in and day out.
6. What is the most popular blowout at Georgetown Drybar or elsewhere? It’s a toss up between the Straight-Up and the Cosmo. The Straight-Up is a great choice for everyday and for work. We also see tons of Cosmos for those ladies who attend galas and events in the city. 7. Finally, give us your best tips for having healthy and shiny hair! The less you wash your hair, the better. Always protect your hair from heat (I recommend the Hot Toddy, which also fights frizz). If your hair is dry, try a Shot before your blowout, or a in-home mask.
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All four of us have completely different types of hair (straight, thick, thin, curly, you name it) and while we didn’t exactly agree whether blondes or brunettes have more fun, one thing we did agree on...
...is that we adore romantic curls!
To make an appointment or purchase any of the products mentioned visit:
thedrybar.com NO.58
Reasons why I am still single :: as shown by film stills from ::
The Lord of the Rings N
ew York is a wonderful place. Noone will judge you for having macarons and mimosas for dinner or wearing nothing but black, red lipstick and a mask of disdain. In fact, it’s widely accepted.
For those reasons and more I love the city that never sleeps or stops sleeping around, but I do detest dating in it. Since mere words alone cannot describe the pain of attempting to have a relationship in Manhattan I’ve decided to use the aid of film stills from the beloved Lord of the Rings trilogy. The Hobbit is not included because it sucked.
By Sarah Solomon | @urbanJAP | sarah-sol.com
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Crowded Bars
I
t’s difficult to have a decent conversation with someone let alone order another round of G&T’s when you have a hundred other drunk people clamoring in your ear. Gone are the days of sharing milkshakes and putting quarters in the juke box, pounding shots to Bruno Mars on repeat is widely accepted, nay expected. I like to think that romance isn’t dead, just roofied and still passed out under the bathroom sink in the fraternity house of its alma mater.
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He already has a
Chick on the side he’s not telling you about
S
o what if he’s a little scruffy, you assume it’s a Brooklyn thing and carry on with your business. Later on he reveals that he has a “girlfriend” back home. And that she’s Steven Tyler’s daughter so you’re clearly out of the running.
A
t this point he’ll either cut off all communication or pass you off to one of bro’s. In this case Eowyn has accepted said bro (Faramir) but she’s also into the whole Urban Outfitters quirky headband thing so I don’t think we would ever be on the same page anyway.
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The ridiculously
hot one is inevitably
going to end up with a Victoria’s Secret Model
Y
ou’ll always have that Murray Hill bar crawl. Keep that memory in your back pocket for later.
You’re
NOT
his
“type” A
fter a long week of dealing with the trials of public transportation you feel like dressing up for a night out on the town complete with a nice cocktail or two. Immediately upon arriving at the bar you’re swarmed with attractive, well -dressed and well-spoken men barraging you with compliments on your dress. Yes my friends, your situation is too good to be true. Never despair, compliments from gay men are worth their weight in gold because they (usually) have impeccable taste but more importantly why would they lie? NO.62
x The
One
Ring Y
ou’ve begun to see them every other week, notifications of engagements on Facebook either from older friends, cousins, or random people from high school reveling in a shotgun wedding (honey that maxi dress isn’t fooling anyone). Unlike our suburban brethren, NYC residents have the luxury or curse of being subjected to people en masse so “settling down” has become a game of “how much better can I do than you.” Suddenly the quest dedicated to destroying the one ring makes so much more sense.
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Homemade Truffl es for your Valentine by Louisa Clements | @living_lou
Buying gifts for Valentine’s Day can be pretty tough.You can give a card, maybe some flowers or chocolates, but that’s pretty much it. Why not show someone how much you love them by making them Homemade Truffles? This recipe is simple but it results in impressive, rich and indulgent chocolates.
Valentine’s Truffles (yield 32 small truffles)
Ingredients For more recipes visit www.livinglou.com
Directions
3 oz semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped 5 oz bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped 6 tbsp unsalted butter ½ cup whipping cream 1 tbsp vanilla extract 1/3 cup honey Coconut, icing sugar, or cocoa powder for rolling truffles
1. Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl. 2. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, over medium high heat, heat cream with butter until butter melts and begins to bubble. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. 3. Next, whisk in vanilla and honey. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 2-3 hours. 4. Using a tablespoon, or a mini ice cream scoop, scoop out the mixture and roll in the palm of your hand into 1 inch balls. 5. Roll the truffles in coconut, icing sugar and cocoa powder. Repeat with remaining chocolate.
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The Super Simple
Lack of time & dough giving you the V-day blues? How about something quick, easy, and FREE! Grab some scrap paper and get folding. Remember nothing says “I love you” like something made from the heart.
1.
Start with a square piece of paper (8.5” x 8.5” works great). Fold along the dotted lines, crease, and unfold.
For more origami ideas and instructions check out www.origami-instructions.com
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#LEMONLOVE
2.
Fold along the dotted line so that the top point touches the center fold.
3.
(before)
4.
Fold along the dotted line so that the bottom point touches the top ridge.
(after)
Fold along the dotted lines so that the bottom ridge is touching the center fold.
5. Flip over. Fold along the dotted lines so that the top points are turned down.
6.
7.
Fold along the dotted lines so that the side points are turned in. NO.67
Flip over & give to someone you love!
t n o i u p e c e
: h
k
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xo, thetSweet Lemon Mag Team