Mondays are a drag.. Un-drag them. Here’s a little something to help the Monday Blues: 1. Write it Down Keeping a workout log is like a written pat on the back: See how far you’ve come, recommit to your routine, and motivate yourself to keep pushing. ● Choose a format you can stick with, whether that’s a journal or an app like Evernote. ● Scribble down one positive takeaway from each workout, such as feeling happier or more energetic. ● Review your workout and find one small way to improve it next time. Add an extra rep, go for heavier dumbbells, or run a few minutes longer. 2. Part your hair differently As much as I like the idea of summer makeovers, major change can be intimidating. Take the less committal route by switching your part. You’ll be surprised at the difference a new direction can make—and it might even convince you to go for a big chop or color job. ● If you routinely part your hair to the left, switch to the right side or vice versa. This will also give your hair more body—score! ● A part doesn’t need to be straight. Throw your hair a curveball and opt for a rounded part, which will create interesting asymmetry and add volume. ● Conquer cowlicks with the help of your blow-dryer. While hair is still wet, use a round brush and dry in the opposite direction of your hair growth, concentrating the heat at the roots. 3. Eat Veggies for Breakfast I know the health benefits of vegetables (for starters, they lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers), but it can be tough to get in the daily recommended 2.5 cups. Solution: Work produce into breakfast to ensure you start things off on the right (green) foot. ● Add kale or spinach to your breakfast smoothie. You won’t even taste it. Try this Chocolate Love Smoothie, which tastes decadent but is packed with antioxidants. ● Whip up a farmer’s market omelette with asparagus, zucchini, or other greens. ● Two words: avocado toast. Pile some arugula on top and you’re off to a superfood start. Want more superfood ideas? Find out the ingredients wellness guru Kim Snyder is crushing on. 4.Sit Smarter Slouching can zap your energy and your mood—and over time may lead to muscle fatigue, pain, and even injury. Straighten up by practicing smart sitting techniques.…
Read MoreQ&A
Thanks to everyone who sent me those questions.Yes, Thank you because while I made my homemade empanadas and lemon water, I actually had something else to do as well. Yes, I answered all of them! ( Except for the cookie question , Emilia.) A couple of photos of a sweet remix of a maxi hi low from Vanity Storm that Maya shot of me in Manhattan. And here we go. I’ve done my best with every single one, and if you have any questions, maybe I might just do another one. What inspires you? A healthy lifestyle keeps me inspired. I’ve mentioned on one of my posts before that it’s insanely important to live a life that not only looks good on the outside but feels great on the inside. Feeling great on the inside keep you motivated and therefore inspired. But beyond that, I look into other bloggers for inspiration as well. Music helps and necessary downtown and fifth avenue strolls are helpful too. What advice do you have for fashion students trying to get into a position like yours? So here’s a little story : I never went to fashion school. Although I honestly wish I did. I went for a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration with a little background in Nursing. The end. To fashion students out there: a. Prepare to hustle. I came out into the Fashion field knowing nobody, knowing nothing about it only armed with my passion and drive to make it ( I still am marching towards higher grounds. I am not quite there yet!) It helps to know people so NETWORK A LOT. It helps to intern, SO INTERN and pay doesn’t matter. Take what they give. I started out working on the floor as an associate.The harder you climb, the faster you get there. Now I am in a much higher position than I thought I would be in. b. Keep your passion burning. Nobody can take any dream of yours away from you. You want it? Nobody will help you make it a success but yourself. So stay motivated and go get it! Oprah was not created in a day. Would you ever leave the big Apple? My plan is the move to California after two more years here in The big Apple– I find the west so inspiring every time I go and it really promotes a positive and motivating work culture…
Read MoreThe Business of Blogging
I find I’m often asked: “how did you grow GreyLayers?.” Besides the usual {blood, sweat and tears – regular tears}, one of the most important things I think a great blog should have is dedication. Yes there’s still an entire world of space for improvement – most definitely! However another important factor in having an outstanding blog is admiration. 1. Once in a while it is good to take a step back, get a good look at your work and admire it instead of criticizing it. 2. Keep an open mind. Sit down, take a breath, crab a cup of coffee ( maybe add some photogenic snacks on hand to keep those creative juices flowing) and find new topics to write about. Perhaps writing about fashion 365 days a year can be boring. So mix it up once a week and insert a few posts on interior ideas! (This actually ends up making you want to re-do your entire apartment! I am your living proof.) Variety keeps your blog fresh. Since we are in the subject of keeping an open mind, Opening up to fellow bloggers and brand or companies is a great way to network! Two heads are always better than one and collaborations are never a bad thing! 3. Figure out what you can eliminate on your blog. Has your layout been the same one since 2001? Get rid of that. Little things such as font sizing and background colors matter, believe it or not. Are you connected to social media? To get better traffic and have more people discover your blog, create links that connect to your Instagram and Twitter handle! Are you updating enough? Like anything else in the world, disappearing for a day can cause your audience to lose interest. Have a month of posts planned ahead to know you will have a month filled with well thought out posts for your audience. Consistency is key. If you’re serious about growing your blog, investing in what will help you stand out from the crowd is critical. As I always say, if you want your blog to be your business, you have to treat it like one. xo, JG
Read MoreThe secret: Pricetags don’t mean a thing.
If it’s anything that my mother has taught me, it’s the value of money. Everything expensive does not always look stylish. Take a Louis Vuitton Bag for instance: One Speedy Bandouliere for $3,050.00. Now, don’t get the wrong idea, they’re certified beauties and most definitely shows status. But how about character? It is a 3 out of a 10 with the LV logo plastered every centimeter or two on the bodice of the purse. Walking into an unknown boutique in Downtown New York and finding a purse for $50.00 not necessarily having a brand stapled on it, but perhaps richer in character would make that more valuable: The bodice handwoven with different prints, the handle a little faded from travelling too much. No one else in the world will have this purse. It is also how you wear them. You can go ahead and purchase a $200.00 sweater, not exactly even knowing its designer’s history and why that sweater was even created in the first place. You probably even merely bought it for the fact of its brand or that it is as what they say , the “hype” in today’s fashion. Wearing it with jeans and it would probably look the same as that sweater hanging at H&M. I remember going to Fashion Week in New York City in 2008 wearing a ruffled violet dress and having had a good number of people ask me if it was from Donna Karan’s new collection. I recall responding “No, It’s a $30.00 dress from Forever 21”, with a smile. Want to know a secret? The most expensive apparel that I own – whether it be jeans, a blouse, a jacket, skirts, dresses or what have you, is a multi colored sequined dress I purchased form Townhouse for $90.00. I own nothing Madison Avenue expensive in my closet although it’s funny that most people think I do. Another secret: It is how you pair things, it’s how you walk in them . That $9.99 blouse from Target will not look it’s pricetag as long as you wear it gracefully. YOU add that value to your outfit, and not the other way around. Top: Ruby and Jenna $15.00, Bottoms: Dor L Dor $10.00, Shoes: $30.00 = $55.00 Thank you Teban for the Lovely photos. xo,JG
Read MoreThe long and short of it.
People have been wondering where all my hair went. About a month ago, I chopped off what was known to everyone as Jeanne growing her old asymmetrical bob out. I did plan on growing out my hair. Obviously that plan has gone out the window. Growing up, I was never allowed long hair and was always forced to run to the parlor to get these old people bobs that I honestly hated with all of my little 7 year old heart. People wonder how I can just cut my hair almost every week. It gets addicting, trust me. Great part is the usage of less product and the minimal time needed to get ready in the mornings! Chanel once said, “A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.” Truth right here and very well said. I have reached the peak of my life where I no longer feel the need of anyone’s opinions and assurance. A man likes my hair long? Too bad I like it short. Someone doesn’t like the way I dress? It’s okay lady, you don’t have to like it. But I do. When you’ve reached this point in your life: not waiting on anyone’s approval, not living up to anyone’s expectations, not afraid of self expression and most importantly have stopped the comparison of your life and of others is when Personality starts. Everyone will reach this point in their lives where they’ve finally gone to that little place called self acceptance. My dears, it is beautiful here! Isn’t it crazy what short hair can make you feel? I recently just realized that I am made for short hair. Love yourself, love your life. Stop wondering what others may think because more than half the time, they don’t. xo,JG
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