[2021]: the game plan.

wow, 2021… we made it. if last year was worth anything, i think it was great at helping people recalibrate their priorities and how they want to live—in big and small ways. i know i sure did. this year, i’m looking forward to getting back to my very best creative spaces and having fun with my work again. whether it’s shooting, styling, or my off-time, i really just want to have fun.

if you follow me on IG, you know that i was back home in texas for the entire holiday season (thanksgiving to new years). it was beyond therapeutic. i came back feeling the happiest i’ve felt in years. and while i was there, i thought of a few lifestyle changes i want to implement in the months ahead.

[sleep].

my sleep practices got thrown all out of whack last year. i’d go to sleep at 3am every night, wake up at like 11… now, I was getting a full night’s rest (8 hours, right?), but the timing was all off. i’ve been working on getting in bed by midnight and waking up at 8 each morning. when I was home, my parents went to sleep by like 11, so that naturally helped me start doing the same. i also copped some of OLLY’s immunity sleep + elderberry gummies to help get a better overall nighttime experience and boost my immune system in the process.

[morning routines].

this next one has been the best change so far. my parents work from home, so they get up at like 630, make coffee and breakfast and all that, and they get their day started by 8. i was also working while i was home, so it was easy for me to hop aboard that early bird train and start creating some structure for my mornings. since i’ve been back, i start my day with prayer, bible study and a quick Spanish lesson, then work on content for a bit. emails, workouts, and other projects follow, but it all starts with a productive morning. i used to hate routines and fixed schedules, but they’re actually proving to be so helpful.

[quitting time].

if you’re noticing a pattern so far, it’s all about routine. last year, i’d work and work until i fell asleep or until i HAD to do something else. now, at 8pm, this laptop closes. i’m hoping to make it 7 or 6 in the months ahead, but one step a time. and with that said, i’m not just cancelling work in the evenings, but the weekends too. they’re called the weekEND for a reason. i’ve turned saturday into my home day where i take care of things around the house: getting rid of junk, finally mounting my TV after two years, decorating, whatever. and sundays are for self-care: face masks, movies, cocktails, and SVU marathons.

[getting dressed].

i miss putting on clothes! yesterday, i wore a suit in my apartment just because. it was one of my favorites: a teal two-piece from express. and it felt good. i don’t care if i’m running to the bodega or just getting ready for a big night on the couch—i want to get dressed more often. for myself, no one else.

[shooting].

when people tell you things change after your passions become your main source of income, believe them. back when i was hustling my ass off to get to the place i’m in now, i used to shoot every day. on my lunch breaks, in the morning, after work, at home… it was as fun as it was satisfying. as i enter my third year of working for myself and doing this job full-time, i want to get back to that place. i know it’ll take me a while to build back up to that frequency, especially with the cold temperatures right now, but I want to start self-shooting more and having fun with my looks again.

[blogging].

i’ve also been thinking about using this blog again. speaking frankly, i get quite tired of just talking about style and grooming goods in caption length. sometimes i just want to talk to you guys about other things in a place that doesn’t boil down to metrics and likes and views. and i think this site is a safe space to put those thoughts and opinions for the people who really care to read it. like you, since you’re here, reading this. :)

[weight gain + nutrition].

last year, i was sooo good with my gym routine and my weight gain plan—until I wasn’t. COVID threw me off back in the spring then i refocused and worked out in my apartment building, but around the fall… i just completely burned out. the goal was to get to 180 (from 160) and this year, i’m going to make it happen. i’ve been doing really well with my diet so far. not just in quantity but quality. i had some digestive scares back in december, so i’ve been careful with my at-home menu and using OLLY’s probiotics each morning. i feel way better this year. and when the weather gets better, i may even try picking up a sport. 😬 i’ve wanted to give baseball a try for years so i may find a league somewhere in BK. and one of my other friends already promised to help me improve my basketball skills, so i’m excited for the spring.

[getting out].

last but not least, i want to get out of the house more. i obviously can’t travel much right now, and even venturing into the city isn’t something i’m all that interested in until after i get vaccinated, but until things open up more, i’m down for a nice walk with friends or alone and i’ll enjoy the fresh air while i’m self-shooting. i’m thinking about renting a car in the weeks ahead and getting out of the city, even if it’s just for the drive. wherever i wind up going, i’ve been drinking OLLY’s immunity powders with elderberry. you may remember them from the summer if you follow me on IG. the berry yuzu lemonade flavor actually tastes really good and it helps fortify my system for the winter elements.

what are some of the ways you’re upgrading your lifestyle this year? comment below or let me know on IG, and check out OLLY’s site to find some products that’ll help you look and feel your best in the months ahead. trust me, i worked with them all last year and they totally helped revamp my wellness journey. i’m confident you’ll find something just right for you. -J

This blog post is sponsored by OLLY. All opinions are my own.

brand spotlight: hibernation season with burrow.

as we get deeper and deeper into this winter weather and the season ahead, i can already feel myself completely giving in to hibernation mode…

if the plans involve any outside lines, don’t call me.

if it happens to be somewhere uptown, catch me in the spring.

and if there’s snow on the ground, text me later.

i’m not here for any of the frozen fun… i’d much prefer a movie marathon, a glass of hot chocolate, and maybe a book or the latest issue of variety with my spotify mixes in constant rotation. some of you guys may already know, but i just moved to bed-stuy a few months ago, and the new pad and extra space called for a whole new to lounge. thankfully, my buddies over at burrow totally came through. check it out.

i saw their subway ads on the train earlier this fall and was instantly impressed. the assortment is clean and contemporary, you can customize the pieces you want to fit your home and your taste—from the colors and details to the size and shape—and, one of my favorite features, there’s a usb charger inside the couch so you never have to get up to stay charged up. i reached out a little later that same week to learn more and actually got myself a loveseat! when it arrived, it took like 15 minutes to put together and i’ve been really enjoying it ever since.

seriously though, should i be worried? i mean, becoming this much of a homebody can’t be good, right? netflix binges, reading, pretending to read but actually still bingeing, checking emails—all from the couch… there’s gotta be more to life. mmmm…. i’ll find out come april. -j

seasons greetings, from brooklyn.

i’ve said it before, and i’ll say it again: fall is absolutely my favorite time of the year, so i always do a little something something to my apartment to make it feel a bit more seasonal. last weekend, i set some time aside to pull out a couple of cozy decor items, move a few other things around, and get rid of even more—and you know what? sometimes a little effort really does go a long way. check out three of my decorating hacks below and try them out for yourself. -j

on display.

fun fact: a number of areas in my apartment are inspired by cool stores that i’ve either shopped in myself or added to my Pinterest boards over the years. one of the key examples of this inspiration is my shoe wall, and while it wasn’t a big change, i swapped out a few of the styles on display to add more of a fall-appropriate color scheme to the space. whether it’s shoes, books, or artwork, you can totally change the feel of your spot with a little palette play.

scented stimulation

if there’s one fragrance family that i’m obsessed with, it’d have to be the maison martin margiela replica collection. and while you’ve probably seen me post a few of the sprays on my ‘gram, i’m taking things up a notch this season. i was lucky enough to score three of the candles—the scents: jazz club, at the barber’s, and, my favorite, by the fireplace—and i was beyond excited to light them for the first time. trust me, invest in a luxury candle or two and you (and your roomies) definitely won’t regret it.

cozy feels.

ever since i was in college, my clothing has always doubled as decor. there are just some pieces that i fall for so hard that i can’t bear to stow them away in a closet or shelf. with that idea in mind, i pulled out a few of the cozier items in my wardrobe and either draped them over a chair or door, or hung them up on the wall or a rack to add some fitting textures that really speak to the season.

the scents of fall.

for those of you who haven't known me very long, my first job out of college was on the fragrances buying team at macys.com. it really changed the way I've come to appreciate smell—next to taste, it's the sense best-suited for luxury pleasures. 

since those days, I've built up quite the fragrance collection (I probably have at least 40 different scents in my apartment). with fall finally here, it's time for that new season switch-up, and I sifted through my bottles to pick out my go-to's for the months ahead. check them out.

DOLCE&GABBANA INTENSO eau de parfum, 125mL $89

fortitude from robert graham's blended essences collection, 100mL $125 

nuit d'issey eau de parfum, 125mL $100

when it comes to fall/winter fragrances, I always keep a few things in mind:

• during the summer months, the heat can make stronger scents feel heavy and nauseating. now that it's cooler, your fragrance can bring a sense of warmth to the crisper air that you'll enjoy throughout the day. with that said, eau de parfums are often my choice, as they're more robust and last longer.
• think about what the season's all about. fall brings about visions of falling leaves and walks in the park. winter reminds us of pine trees, cinnamon, mint, even chocolate and vanilla. as you go through the next six months, look for woodsy notes or essences of seasonal fruits and spices that will give your scent a timely feel.

the 3 fragrances above give all that and more. they're deep and sensual, boasting earthy, masculine notes like tobacco, patchouli, tonka bean, and sandalwood. whatever you like, whether it's sweet, spicy or citrusy, stick with your preferences, but look for an "intense" or "extreme" version of your faves—they're usually the eau de parfum or parfum versions, which means they're stronger and great for the colder months.

it doesn't stop with your cologne. my apartment's currently filled with fall vibes thanks to a few select candles—and no, you don't have to ball out on jo malone to set the perfect ambiance.

Chesapeake Bay Snuggly Sweater candle, 11.5oz $5.99

Chesapeake Bay Caramel Latte candle, 11.5oz $5.99

whether you're a fan of entertaining or just plan on chilling at the crib this season, your home should always smell good. always. and FYI: this tip is honestly for you more than your guests.

I got these candles from target last week and, with one in my living room and the other in my bedroom, they've had my nostrils in heaven ever since.