Monthly Medley

This month has been the most exhausting month I've had since I moved to New York––although I've loved every single bit of it! It started out with the last couple of weeks of school––which means finals, naturally, so I spent hours sitting down reading and trying to write somewhat coherent essays. I also had one of my childhood friends visit from Canada and my family arrived on the 15th. After that, the month was all shopping, Christmas, and lots of tourist-y activities.

And although I would say I'm finishing the year pretty tired, I always have enough energy to think about the new things to come, and plan ahead for stardom next year! But I should concentrate before on thanking for the beauty of this year and for all the amazing things that have happened to me... So that's why I'm planning on sharing my highlights of the year tomorrow, in case you want to pop by!

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As I mentioned above, this month was mostly about the shopping and spending time with my loved ones, so I must confess I wasn't very good at reading interesting things. But I did manage to find a couple of things––mainly leftovers from November, though––that I hope you enjoy:

– Life according to Coco Chanel

– Condé Nast Traveller shares the 10 "dangerous" places I would love to visit next year––starting with Cartagena, my hometown––because

What on earth are you afraid of? These destinations may have a tinge of danger about them, but take the word of our staff of intrepid travelers and beat the crowds to these formerly PR-challenged destinations. In years to come, you'll be glad you visited so ahead of the curve.

– Some thoughts on the daily rituals of history's most creative minds

But there is a broader lesson here. The perfect workspace isn't what leads to brilliant work, just as no other "perfect" routine or ritual will turn you into an artistic genius. Flaubert didn't achieve what he did because of hot baths, but through immeasurable talent and extremely hard work. Which is unfortunate, because I'm really good at running baths.

– Little rituals everywhere: the act of the sacred pause

If you listen to your heart’s longings, you’ll find that your life is littered with little rituals everywhere.

– Some interesting thoughts on the creativity creep

– I loved these arguments about why we should travel young––and I could actually share the whole article as a quote below, but I don't want to give it away because it really touched me! So what I can share is:

While you’re still young, get cultured. Get to know the world and the magnificent people that fill it. The world is a stunning place, full of outstanding works of art. See it.

– Debating the future of technology

– This article on why your realistic goals are holding you back was almost like a flashback to entrepreneurship classes in college and social entrepreneurship competitions––except better!

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Monthly Medley

Earlier this month I was complaining about December not coming fast enough (although always enjoying the fall), I was dying for the bipolar autumn weather to be replaced by layers of snow, and I was dreaming about millions of fairy lights that would come and adorn the city. But today, as I was strolling around the beautifully decorated streets of New York, I realised there was no reason for me to complain at all. December has finally come––almost, anyway––with all its joy and its lights.

Although this upcoming week will probably be the longest week of the year to me––due to both finals and excitement for my friends/family coming to NY for the holidays––I'm very excited about what's to come in this last month of the year. I've been working in some projects that I hope will get finalised during december, and will home to life with the new year. I've also been dreaming of finally having some free time to explore all the hidden places of New York that I haven't seen yet.

But I shouldn't jump into the future yet––and this lesson I learned this month! Sometimes I get too excited with my new plans and tend to forget what I've achieved; I forget to look back and be thankful. And if there's a month to be thankful in the year, it's got to be November––yes, because it's American Thanksgiving.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to celebrate a real Thanksgiving yet, but I did have time to get started on some Christmas shopping––and to realise there are some shopping patterns I repeat year after year. I also spent a wonderful night at the museum (and visited other museums and art exhibitions as well)––which wasn't scary at all, although very fun!––and went for dinner out after what seemed to be ages.

What I did have the time to do––which turned out to be a strategic decision because it allowed me to get a well-deserved break––was to escape to Mexico for a weekend. I didn't do many exciting things––except for eating a lot and finding old pictures in my computer––but I could rest and get renewed before finals. It also allowed me to finally start feeling festive upon my return to New York!

I am now absolutely ready to embrace the cold of the winter, to hug my family upon their arrival in the city, and to have an absolutely great Christmas. Happy December!

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– Zanita on how to make your blog super popular

So if we pretend for a moment that bloggers were popstars/musicians - then Aimee would be maybe Beyonce and Chiara would be Rihanna and Nicole would be Taylor Swift (or something like that, don't think too much into this)…

– Breaking down walls while travelling

– Arianna Huffington talks about rethinking work and wellbeing

Well-being is no longer some new-agey concept we hear about only from lifestyle outlets. It's now a daily presence both in sports pages and in business magazines. Well-being has migrated from marginal to mainstream, finally coming to be seen for what it is: the best way, indeed the only way, to maximize not just happiness and fulfillment but productivity, creativity and, yes, profit. It's the only sustainable way forward, not just for individuals but for companies, communities and the planet.

– 10 weird but wonderful book recommendations from the super successful

– Mr. Mod's need to walk

All walkers should strive for delight, all worthy walks designed intentionally or unintentionally to elicit delight. Delight in the unexpected and in things often overlooked or under considered.

– Finally cracked the way into making myself appear in Paris whenever I feel like it!––ok no, but these films are a pretty good escape in replacement of actually traveling to the city of lights

– Beginner tips for getting started with sketch-notes

the act of writing stuff down helps you to remember. This is a basic study technique. The sound bites you capture from a talk will jog your memory when you flip through the notes later. By drawing something to create connections, you will increase your ability to remember. Notes that combine words with sketches are more useful than text alone. Chances are you don’t even hang onto boring old regular notes anyway.

– Gala Darling opens up about consent

– The essentials for your creative space

– Some lovely (although more intellectual) words about my home country

A quarter-century ago, a safe and prosperous Colombia seemed impossible. Yet it is now within reach. At a time of intensifying political conflict and painfully few success stories, Colombians are giving the world reason for hope.

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Monthly Medley

It is crazy how fast time goes by when you're having a great time. It feels like yesterday when I knew I had been admitted to Parsons and moved to New York... But a couple of days ago I realised that I've gone through 10 weeks of school already––meaning not only that the semester is almost over, but also that the three semesters I have lest will probably fly by even faster! Time seems to have been moving so quickly, that I sometimes forget how I spend my days...

However, this month was an amazing one. I can now say that I'm finally fully settled in New York, and I am starting to enjoy the city much more than I had been doing before. I am finally starting to create a routine––which, to an extent, seems to be necessary to make me happy––and I have been working on finding a balance between work/study and fun time, so I can get the most out of my time in New York. I have written several essays for school and read lots of books for my job, but also made new friends and enjoyed New York.

This month started with tea––as every good thing should start––and a short escape out of town to visit one of my best friends. I also had the chance to start discovering more new places in the city––I fell in love with Albertine at first sight, and Don Antonio has become my new favourite pizza place! These discoveries have inspired me to embark into all sorts of adventures around the city––including running in Central Park and using bicycles to move around before the weather gets too cold––just to share the magic of New York with you!

But if I had to choose my favourite moment of the month, it would definitely be the day when I abandoned all my work and went for a walk on the Highline to take pictures of the sunset. My photography skills still have a lot of room for improvements, so they don't to justice to the amazing sunset I witnessed. Even if they did, taking the time to walk and be inspired by the beauty of the sunset was priceless... As are most of my random walks in New York streets...

I did have lots of time to feel inspired by the city, which took me to creating a bucket list for the Fall––on which I will definitely continue working during November. New York has also inspired me to go out and celebrate Halloween––something I would have never thought of if I was back home––and I am really looking forward to tomorrow!

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My favourite finds this month were:

– WWD's series of articles remembering Oscar de la Renta

– CR Fashion Book's interview with Evgenia Linovich, designer of Masterpiece

By creating more work for these artists and teaching ancient practices to the younger generation, Linovich hopes that old techniques will be utilized to create something modern. “I want our children and grandchildren to see traditional embroidery and real woodcarving—I want to bring art to our daughters and our sons.”

– Garance's wonderful finds at Marine's

– Rebecca Harrington's attempts to train her waist wearing a corset

– Gala Darling talks about the importance of having a style uniform, just because:

It’s better to have your everyday life structured and organised, so that you can expend that energy on being innovative.

– Rosie always makes my mouth water with her recipes... But this time she actually made me want to skip brunch out next Sunday and stay at home cooking. Anyone wants to join me for a small brunch party?

– Big news on the return of Courrèges...

Courrèges 2.0 isn't limited to making clothes. The company plans to launch a makeup collection in partnership with a major cosmetics brand,and to expand the brand into a dizzying array of product categories: not just the usual bags, sunglasses, and small leather goods, but also architecture, design, music, and electric cars.

– Bridget Foley thinking chic about Prada at Barneys

Love,

  Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

September Monthly Medley

I spent the weekend in Princeton with one of my best friends––more on that later this week––and realised that September is already over. What?! Only a few moments ago I was writing about the summer and thinking of Labour Day Weekend and buying a notebook before classes started. And now the month has come to an end.

It is crazy how sometimes the days just fly by without us even realising it even happened. Sometimes we get so caught up in the routine and in the pursuit of success––which unfortunately for some people isn't even related to happiness––that we just forget about the whole world that surrounds us and the little things that make part of what actually matters in life.

I must confess that this month was one when I didn't even realise I was still alive. I was so excited about the start of this new life in New York and about my program––and I still adore both of these things from the bottom of my heart––that I didn't even take the time to breathe and feel like the living being I am.

When I wasn't reading the insane amount of things that I have to do for school, I spent most of my time trying to make my brand new apartment feel like my home, or rushing from one place to another trying to catch some beautiful people with my lens in NYFW. It wasn't until my body literally forced me to stop––by making me get the worse cold I've had in maybe years––that I noticed how bad I had been treating myself. It was only when I collapsed that I realised that I need to live a healthier lifestyle if I really want to succeed in this emerging field of Fashion Studies––or anything else I decide to do with my life!

From this moment on, I decided to take my life more easily, and September turned into a month of transition. Not only because the weather started cooling down, but also because I had to finally start adapting to my new life in New York––and make it a healthy, happy one! I discovered my first good restaurants in the city, and went to some of the best events that happen in New York in the fall. I changed some of the basics of my daily routine––although always remaining attached to what that truly means to me. And I took the time to leave the library, go (window-)shopping

, and go out with friends.

Although I don't feel like a New Yorker yet––and I don't even know if I ever will––and there is probably still a very long way to go in this transition process, September marked the starting point, and it was a great one. It was also a month full of inspiration and great reads, that I hope you can enjoy as much as I did. And it was a month of new beginnings, of new projects, and new things to come both for me and for those of you who constantly take the time to read all the nonsense and not-so-nonsense that I post up here every day.

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– Domaine Home takes us into a tour inside Jason Wu's studio in Manhattan

– Brian Atwood's guide to Fashion Week dining in New York––which can, of course, be used for just general dining in the city!

– What a Master's in Fashion actually entails––just because

Earning a master’s degree in fashion studies inspires many questions, chief among them, “Do you, like, sew?” No, I do not sew (though sewing is important, and yes, fashion design is a far more ubiquitous program than fashion history or theory). I study fashion as if it was just as worthy of critical thought as physics or politics—because it is.

– Why fashion should stop trying to be diverse––this is a little old, but I re-discovered it during this month and still love every single part of it. Minh-Ha Pham is single-handedly my favourite writer these days! And, just like she says,

the global fashion industry should stop trying to be inclusive, stop trying to be diverse. Rather than count racial bodies, it should begin recalibrating its structural dynamics of race, power, and profit so that a statement like Menkes’ that “the imagination of the [white male] designer is the greatest achievement of the show”—a show brought to life by the talents and hard work of mostly Black women dancers—is simply unthinkable.

– This might not be a very insightful read, but I just love people who are both influential in fashion and try to change the world––just like Simone Cipriani

– I'm currently having an intense love affair with vintage fine jewellery

– Every time I see this video––and I've done it about a thousand times––I fall more in love with it––and I probably should mention here that I even wrote a paper on it for one of my classes

– A very inspiring article on the Marni Flower Market after Milan Fashion Week, by my beloved Garance––oh, and there's Part 2!

– I need to go to all of these restaurants for brunch! Anyone wants to join me?

– The briefest interview with Jean-Paul Gaultier––you probably need to speak French to understand it, but the images are still very valuable

– 12 "Fall Movies" to watch this... fall!

– If you're interested in the luxury business, you might find these predictions from the experts quite interesting

– On Fashion & Fragrance

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Monthly Medley: July

I can't believe July is already gone. This month flew by so quickly that I didn't even have the time to gather enough links for today's roundup. Ok, I did –yeah, I'm guilty of spending too much time in front of my laptop. But it still went by way too fast!

So this month was a lot about thinking of travelling and the beach –although I only really had time to fly over to Miami for just a week. 

It was also a good month to try and re-connect with my inner self and evaluate my life a little, especially as the time approaches for me to move to New York. This was always a dream, and now it's coming true! And even though I can't put into words how excited I am, I must confess I'm also a little nervous about such a huge change! But more on that later...

Let's get down to business. Some my favourite finds for the month were:

– Vogue Paris's news on the 1950s exhibition at Palais Galliera:

this decade is seen as a time of rupture, between the period of world conflict and post-war recovery, between the straight-laced old guard and the baby boomer, between the opulence of the New Look and the sobriety of classic Chanel tailoring, between the sustainability of haute couture and the emergence of new talent - such as Yves Saint Laurent -that would carry fashion into a new era.

– Gala Darling talked with Sherold Barr about how to get more money in your wallet –and it's closely related to daring and stop being afraid!

If you can practice courage and take a tiny step toward what you fear, you will not get stuck. Fear + action = courage. Start to take baby steps toward knowing exactly what income is coming in and what it costs you to live each month.

– Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere in defence of souvenirs

– Erica Domesek and her take on bestiemoons:

I just want to go on my own epic adventures, and I’m not willing to wait until someone puts a ring on it. Why wait for the man of your dreams to take the trip of your dreams, am I right? With a flexible working schedule (thanks iPhone?) and money in my pocket (#PSIMadeThisBusiness), I decided to go on my own honeymoon with my best friend. Call it a bestiemoon.

– Just in time before the season ends, Olivia Palermo shares some tips on how to make your summer pedicure last

– André Leon Talley and the Toledos share some career advice on working in fashion:

I have a theory: Never bloom too early. I’m a big believer in big losers . . . eventually you’ll get there, and that’s okay. That builds character. –Ruben Toledo

– Katie Kendall and the importance of the space between

I think everyone can take responsibility (myself included) to make a stand for enjoying the small things, allowing ourselves to relax and not succumbing to this pressure of over achievement physically, academically and personally. Make space for enjoying the ‘spaces between’ and know that it’s in these moments that magic happens and in which some of the most creative thinking and inspired moments are actually born.

– The celebrity insider guide to summer in Montauk

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Monthly Medley: June

June marks the beginning of a real summer, so most of my reads this month were summer-inspired, and pretty much fun and easy to read. You'll also find some interviews and other interesting stories I read, but I sincerely recommend to browse some of my summer inspiration this month!

– The story behind the global business of superstar designer Tom Ford (and there's also a part 2)

And perhaps, this, more than anything, is the secret to the business of being Tom Ford: an indefatigable work ethic combined with an innate desire to build things.

– We should all keep an eye on Hugo Matha

– The best beach reads for this summer!

– Dress code for dummies

– Who What Wear's 30 day Summer outfit challenge

– I might do Gala Darling's Radical Self Love Instagram Challenge during July, describe as:

the opportunity to explore your relationship to yourself and others, as well as becoming instantly connected to a bevy of radical self love babes.

– Garance Doré and writes down her Pot Time Stories

And after that, I finally understood once and for all: marijuana makes me hungry and puts me to sleep, so basically it makes me fat and boring. SO MAYBE IT WAS TIME TO STOP WITH THE NONSENSE. 

I quit. I found my personality. I became “the girl who doesn’t smoke” (my personality has other sides to it, but that’s a topic for another day) and I wasn’t afraid to say so. So much better. So much funnier. Cooler. Better parties.

–Domaine shows us how to arrange flowers like a pro

– A scary reason why some men love handguns more than women:

For years the NRA defended laws that kept guns in the hands of known domestic abusers. Which makes it all the more chilling to recall the No. 1 reason on my college landlord’s list of reasons why guns are better than women: “You can buy a silencer for a handgun.” The sickening truth is you can buy a silencer for a woman. It’s a called a handgun.

– This website is my new go-to hairstyle inspiration tutorials database

– Rachel Hills on de-stigmatising bulimia:

Eating disorders aren’t usually one thing or the other: sympathetic or self-indulgent, socially mediated or singular. They are all of those things at the same time. And in some ways, the stigmatizing and romanticizing of eating disorders are two sides of the same coin. Both stop the people who suffer from them from seeking treatment, and set them up as misunderstood mavericks who are fighting against an uncompassionate world. Truly destigmatizing bulimia means moving beyond these worn-out stories, and looking the disease straight in the eye — ugliness and all.

– Summer dreaming inspired by Doutzen Kroes

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio

Monthly Medley

It might be obvious to some of you, but it actually surprised me when I realised the insane amount of time I spend in front of a computer every day. Although I try to dedicate some time preparing and writing my posts to make sure you only get the best out of me, I spend most of the time in front of my laptop––or my iPad––reading all sorts of things.

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you might have noticed recently that I've been sharing some of the things I read –those I think are worth sharing with you. But I decided it would be cool to make a monthly round-up some of my best finds, à la Gala Darling's Carrousel. So this is what I'll be doing at the end of each month in my Monthly Medley.

These were the links I loved the most in May:

– The best rooftops to visit this summer in New York

– Alexandra Shulman talks about British Vogue, the London food-scape, health crazes and body issues:

I think most people actually do care about what they wear, because it’s such an obvious signifier to the world outside of how you are. Even by deciding that you’re going to wear nothing but an old sweatshirt and jeans or chinos, and never anything else. That’s quite a big statement to make. I think since most people care, they should try and get some pleasure out of it rather than worry about it.

– Who says you need to be perfect to inspire others? Gala Darling says, f**k perfect!

– Rachel Zoe shares some career advise for recent graduates

– Garance Doré writes –in a perfectly beautiful way, as always– about female empowerment and success:

Because true success is knowing who you really are and what’s your own definition of success. (Even if that sounds like a stupid Pinterest quote.)

– What does Google say about itself?

– Some old –but still wonderful– words about Bill Cunningham's Façades

– Cocorosa collects some amazing Summer DIYs for this season!

– (Not always so) wise words from fashion's most influential characters

– Beautiful pictures showing the Secrets of Hermès

– Carine Roitfeld's most inspirational Denim Guide

– Katie Rodgers' Lady in Oscar illustrations are to die for!

– Lola Rykiel talks about love, fashion, and her grandmother's best teachings:

She taught me so many things, but mostly to know yourself and to spend time in front of the mirror to figure out what's good and what's bad –on the inside and on the outside. Then work out around that, and play with that –to just embrace yourself; I think that's very valid advice to help yourself know who you are. It's not about being narcissistic. It's about being good to yourself, which allows you to be good to others.

– Jennie Runk talks about feminism & body image:

There's no reason any person should feel like they're worth less than they really are because of something as variable and superficial as their body type. A person is so much more than the body they live in, everyone should know that.

– STYLEBOP.com fashion editor Leila Yavari talks about choosing a career in fashion over earning a Ph.D:

I no longer spend my time thumbing through Foucault or thinking through the logic of late capital. But I have a sharply honed critical eye—one that is hyperaware of the divide between surface and intellect, appearance and truth. And it's an age-old opposition that always pops up in the most unexpected places.

– Vogue shares the best rosé wines to drink this summer

– Alexa Chung opens up about her beauty routine:

When I’m wearing makeup, I choose between doing my eyes or mouth because I don’t want to look like a beauty pageant child. I’ve got quite a strong face—if it’s got too much on, I just look like a man in drag.

Love,

Photography: Laura Beltran-Rubio