31 Shoes in 31 Days: Day 3

Shoes have always been a cornerstone of my wardrobe, they’re part of my signature style. As the world starts to open up and we venture out again, I’m sharing a sneak peek into some of my collection, and the story each pair has to tell.

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A few months pre-pandemic, I started dabbling in at-home workouts as a way of managing my stress. During the day, I was working on a campaign that teaches parents, friends, and families how to help kids manage their mental health, and figured I should probably put my money where my mouth is and start to manage my own.

These Nike sneakers are the best physical representation of my personal mental health journey. While still a work-in-progress, I find that thirty minutes, an online workout, and these shoes have become a lifeline for me, invigorating my brain, shedding my stress, and making me feel proud that I’m putting myself first. And the extra benefits, weight loss, better sleep, and an overall greater sense of strength, aren’t too bad either.

Nike Air Max Dia sneakers | Gaim Yoga Mat | Hand Weights

31 Shoes in 31 Days: Day 2

Shoes have always been a cornerstone of my wardrobe, they’re part of my signature style. As the world starts to open up and we venture out again, I’m sharing a sneak peek into some of my collection, and the story each pair has to tell.

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I was reminded by Twitter that this week, The Devil Wears Prada turns 15. While I can quote more than half the movie, I’ll never forget the cerulean blue scene where Miranda Priestly schools an unsuspecting Annie about the trickle-down effect of designer fashion.

That is the story about today’s pair of shoes. When the designer sneaker trend blew up many years ago, I was obsessed with the Givenchy Urban Street slip-on sneaker. Super sleek, but still sporting an of-the-moment logo, they were the perfect non-athletic sneaker to wear with my everyday looks. Of course, they were completely out of my budget too.

When the main street brands started replicating the designer sneaker explosion, I lost interest pretty quickly in owning a pair. It wasn’t until a chance drive-by of our Saks Off 5th that I spotted these by Vince, and decided to pick them up.

In hindsight, I’m pretty happy that I ended up with the Vince version. The Givenchy version remains a classic to this day, and the Vince version has the same level of quality and style, but without the logo, which I now appreciate even more. These shoes are fabulous for flying; comfortable, stylish, and easy to slip on and off in the air and for TSA security checks. Even if all the traveling I’ve been doing lately is via my food through my semi-regular Blue Apron deliveries.

Vince Vista Sneakers | Givenchy Urban Street Slip-On Sneakers | Blue Apron

31 Shoes in 31 Days: Day 1

Shoes have always been a cornerstone of my wardrobe, they’re part of my signature style. As the world starts to open up and we venture out again, I’m sharing a sneak peek into some of my collection, and the story each pair has to tell.

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It wouldn’t be a pandemic shoe post without Birkenstocks, right? I never thought I would be a birks person, tbh. The amount of toe cleavage they showed always made me a little self-conscious. But after easing into the plastic one-strap Madrid version a few years ago, I knew I was ready for the more supportive Arizona style after a year of not wearing shoes due to COVID.

So here they are, my 2021 pandemic splurge, the Arizona sandals in black leather. Now that we’re leaving the house, I love pairing them with cropped Levi’s ribcages and a tank for a casual look but also hiding them under a maxi and a blazer for a laid-back but professional style.

Black Leather Arizona Birkenstock Sandals | Putti Fine Furnishings Doormat

Happy 614 Day Columbus!

View from the Rich Street bridge.

Happy 614 Day Columbus!

Move over flag day, Columbusites are always looking for a reason to celebrate the area code we call home. So when the calendar turns to June 14 you can bet this city will have some sort of celebration that suits your fancy. Here are just some of the reasons I love living in the 6-1-4.

Food & Drink Fabulousness

You can’t have a celebration without a libation, right? Luckily enough, Columbus is home to some great ones. They say we eat with our hearts, and the food and drink in this town are pretty fab. Some of my favourite local gems include Watershed Kitchen & Bar, Third & Hollywood, and Wolfs Ridge Brewing, beers at breweries Land Grant, Seventh Son or Rockmill, and of course you can’t mention Columbus without mentioning Jeni’s Ice Cream. BRB, I’m off to find a scoop of salty caramel…

Columbus = Charity

You can’t talk about Columbus without talking about its heart. And at the center of its heart is its charitable spirit. As a relatively young city, the core of philanthropy in Columbus is its community, and it’s that collective spirit that gives the city it’s heart. From Pelotonia to the Arts, Pride to the Foodbank, the support for the institutions and people that educate, advocate and provide a helping hand is second to none.

The Sports Scene

Even though all of my major league loyalties remain up North, the sports scene here is incredible. The fans are full of passion, and the in-game experiences are second to none. This summer I’m looking forward to some brews and baseball at Huntington Park, checking out the brand-new downtown Crew Stadium (home of the MLS Champs!), and later on this fall, making it back to Nationwide Arena for what I hope is the start of an almost-normal NHL season. And of course, I can’t forget my beloved Buckeyes, there’s nothing like the roar of the Shoe on a football Saturday.

Midwestern Nature

Even though we’re currently under a supersonic cicada invasion (Brood X in the house!), I couldn’t complete a love letter to the 614 without mentioning the Metro Parks. What Columbus lacks in beaches or mountains, it more than makes up for in forests. No matter where you are in the city, there’s a park within 20 minutes to escape to. And what an escape they are. One step onto the paths and a tree canopy is awaiting to envelop you, to wipe all the stresses of the day away.

My Alma Mater

A mention of Columbus by me wouldn’t be complete without a mention of my alma mater, The Ohio State University. The experience and community I created at Ohio State is a big reason why I still remain here, the university gave me my education, but it also helped give me my sense of self. I entered my freshman year at OSU a meek and introverted seedling, and through my classes and extracurriculars, bloomed into a part of the person I’ve since become today.

Summer's heat or winter's cold

The seasons pass the years will roll

Time and change will surely show

How firm thy friendship ... OHIO!

Need another reason to love this place? It’s in proximity to all of my favourite locations. We’re an hour-and-a-half flight (or less) to Toronto, Chicago, New York, Nashville, and DC, and since we’re about the farthest west place of the Eastern Time Zone, an early flight out of CMH can put you on the ground by noon when trekking out west. Wherever you’re going, you’re never far from getting home.

Happy 614 Day, Columbus!

April Favourites

Whew. What a month. This month was a busy one for my day job, with long hours, both day and night, spent in front of my computer. Two big projects back-to-back wasn’t ideal, but sometimes that just the way things fall.

So if my monthly favourites have a bit of a theme – self-care – you can totally understand why. From baking to skincare, to even my entertainment, this month’s picks are all about comfort, for both my body and my mind.

Justin Bieber Essentials on Apple Music

My 30-minute outdoor walk has become a daily life-saver for moving my body but especially for relaxing my mind. Whether temps were warm or cold, I made sure to spend time absorbing the fresh air while pounding the pavement always accompanied with some move-worthy tunes. Justin’s Essentials on Apple Music does a great job of mixing his massive hits (Sorry, Intentions) with some of his hits off his new album, Justice, the playlist is track after track of bangers, perfect for busting a move or two during an afternoon walk.

Peter Thomas Roth Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches

Late nights in front a blue screen aren’t a great recipe for rested skin, and dark circles aren’t exactly the most professional thing to be sporting on a morning zoom call. Luckily, I got my hands on these eye gel masks from Peter Thomas Roth to save my first impressions. Not only do they hydrate beautifully, leaving my skin super smooth after use, they also don’t slip (!) from the eye area, even after apply my other morning serums. Highly recommend these if you’re in need of an instant eye lift.

Vincenzo

When deep into a work project with little downtime, the one thing I crave when I do get downtime is an escape. Vincenzo (Netflix) provided that escape and more. Set in modern-day Seoul, Vincenzo is the story of a Korean orphan who grew up in an Italian mafia family who returns to Korea to claim something that is rightfully is. Upon arrival, he meets a law firm that defends the “little guy” against corrupt conglomerates, and he sets his sights on taking them down while retrieving what’s rightfully his. This drama has action, comedy, cliffhangers and more, but what sets it apart from others is its heart. If you’re new to Kdramas, I highly recommend you start with this one, it’s the perfect escape.

Miso Chocolate Chip Cookies

Baking has always been a stress reliever of mine; the meticulous measuring of ingredients always has a calming effect. (Also, the results are generally delicious). I saw a chef I follow on Instagram cooking a version of this cookie on her stories, and intrigued by the inclusion of miso paste, decided to search for a recipe of my own. This recipe by Marcus Samuelsson and Tiana Gee is divine. Chock full of butter, and an entire bag of chocolate chips, it’s the miso that keeps these cookies from being too sweet, while providing a little bit of that umami taste to keep things interesting. I can honestly say these didn’t last long – they’re that delicious.

Rael Heating Patches

A (huge!) bright point of this month was my second dose of the vaccine – woo hoo! – and the side effects that came with it were generally mild. The only area where the vaccine really seemed to affect me was my menstrual cycle, my cramps were stronger and lasted a day or two longer than a normal cycle would. I’ve had these patches on hand for a while, they came bundled with Rael’s sheet masks, and they ended up being a huge comfort during an otherwise uncomfortable time. Everything I’ve tried from this brand has been fabulous.