HOT 5 - 1/21/24
Hello Lovely HOT Friends!
It's the third week of a brand new year! I'm always happy and energized by the prospect of a new year, but 2024 will be a challenging one on many levels. We'll need all of our coping skills to deal with it. I intend to do all that I can to stay healthy, keep a positive attitude, make a difference where I can, and try and remember to have fun! I hope you will too. If you're a resolution (or intentions) person like I am, you've probably already made some changes to your day-to-day in the last few weeks. I hope you're not being too hard on yourself and just easing into those changes. In this first HOT 5 of the year, let's look at some links that will help you nail those intentions, check out an in-and-out list for 2024, and more. We're coming for you, 2024!
This week's HOT 5:
1. New Year, New You?
2. Your Definitive 2024 In And Out List
3. Hot Pick -- The Bold Blouse
4. Hot Shops Sezane
5. My Favorite Art Show Of 2023
1. New Year, New You?
Haven't we all heard that expression ad nauseam? And when you think about it, what's so desirable about being brand new every year, anyway? We should just try to improve on the good thing that's been coming together for years now — you! This year my approach to making changes in my life is to try and do it gradually, to permit myself to slip up, and to realize that I'm doing my best! Perhaps just trying to incorporate small changes into your life is more palatable and easier to achieve. Here's a list to get you started. Below are some links that might be of help if you're looking to make changes in the specific areas of personal style, meditation/relaxation, home organization, and shopping.
For a more stylish you - It's easy to improve your style game if that's something you want to achieve in 2024. There's nothing better than a well-placed accessory to add some much-needed spice to your style. Think about adding a bodacious brooch to your everyday coat or wearing a can't-miss pair of big gold earrings in a trendy shape with your go-to jeans and T-shirt combo. And how easy would it be to pop on a gorgeous eye-catching necklace in graphic colors to instantly elevate any top or dress? We have something in all those categories to help you up your style in 2024 and for a little motivation, choose anything on HOT through the rest of the month at 25% off!
For a more mindful you - I can't say enough about Calm, the app I've been using for guided meditation and help falling asleep for over 6 years. It has so much personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and help you feel more present. It allowed me to start a meditation practice that I've been able to continue daily now for 6+ years. I also rarely have sleepless nights anymore, Calm sleep stories put me out long before I've reached the story's denouement! Additionally, you can check out Headspace, another meditation/sleep app I hear good things about. And here's a nicely curated list of things to help you get into your good headspace.
For a more organized you - I don't know about you but I'm ready to make major moves in my closet every year at this time! During the busy holiday season, my closet somehow becomes a receptacle for all things in need of a place to reside. Not to mention I'm at a point in the year when all my hard work keeping shelves organized has somehow fallen apart. If you need some motivation to get started look back at this helpful Hot article. And if products to help keep things tidy and organized in your closet are what you need, peruse this list and this one.
For a more sustainable shopper you - At the top of my list of intentions for 2024 is the all-important desire to be a more sustainable shopper. Last year I attempted to live by some specific shopping rules (only buy vintage, say no to fast fashion, and one new thing in, means 1 out) to only partial success. I'll try harder this year. I found this article from British Vogue thought-provoking. For some more ideas about how to become an earth-friendly shopper check this and this.
2. Your Definitive 2024 In And Out List!
Have you noticed that in-and-out lists are really in for 2024? The year started with a plethora in every category! As silly and meaningless as they are, they're always fun. My list below covers the fashion space (of course)and my only hope is that the "in" list becomes business as usual and the "out" list stays out!
In:
Sustainable Fashion: Continued emphasis on eco-friendly and sustainable clothing options, focusing on ethical practices and materials.
Tech-Infused Apparel: Integration of technology into fashion, such as smart fabrics, wearables, and interactive clothing.
Continuation of the Y2K Revival: Nostalgia for the early 2000s, with a resurgence of Y2K-inspired fashion trends, including bold colors, chunky accessories, and retro styles.
Gender-Fluid Fashion: Increasing acceptance and popularity of gender-neutral and inclusive fashion, breaking traditional gender norms.
Artisanal and Handcrafted Styles: Appreciation for craftsmanship and unique, handmade pieces, promoting a shift towards individuality and personal expression.
Out:
Fast Fashion: A move away from disposable, mass-produced fashion towards more sustainable and quality-driven choices.
Excessive Minimalism: The decline of minimalist and monochromatic styles makes room for more vibrant and expressive fashion choices.
Logomania: A departure from excessive branding and logo-centric designs, with a preference for subtler and more understated branding.
Ultra-Skinny Jeans: A shift away from extremely tight and skinny jeans, moving towards looser and more relaxed fits.
Single-Use Accessories: Reduced interest in single-use or disposable accessories, emphasizing versatile and timeless pieces.
3. Hot Pick -- The Bold Blouse
Whatever happened to wearing blouses? There was a time when a blouse was the go-to piece to wear to work under the jacket of a classic suit. Available in a wide variety of fabrics, colors, styles, and prints, the blouse is truly a versatile and easy piece to wear. Blouses fell out of favor with the casualization of the workplace and certainly during the days of the pandemic and working from home. But as we've seen a return to dressing up to go to the office and the resurgence of socializing outside of home, the blouse has made a comeback! Why not consider one to enliven a dark suit or pair with your favorite jeans for an instant style upgrade? I especially like the chic bow blouse. Check out some interesting ones I've chosen for you below:
4. Hot Shops Sezane
Do you know Sezane? I became aware of the boutique and website after being introduced via several fashion bloggers that I follow. Sezane is a ten-year-old label out of France specializing in well-made, well-priced, ready-to-wear and accessories inspired by the city of Paris. I find it colorful and sophisticated, influenced by trends yet very wearable. The brand commits to sustainable practices, has a strong brand identity, and what feels like a real joie de vivre.
Gay Young, Whitney Docent
5. My Favorite Art Show Of 2023
If you live in the New York City area, I hope you were able to see the "Henry Taylor B Side" exhibit at the Whitney Museum. It was probably my favorite show out of the many I saw during 2023. I chalk that up to a tour of the exhibit given by good friend and fellow Wellesley alum Gay Young who as a docent there brought the exhibit to life. We were riveted by her charming delivery and deep knowledge of Henry Taylor helping us to understand this phenomenal, figurative Black American artist. His stunning portraits feature family members and tell graphic and poignant stories of activism, incarceration, race, love, and more. Scroll through the gallery to see what I mean:
I wish you all a great beginning to a new year!
Terry xoxo
