Flannery O’Connor, born on this day in 1925
Via.
Anonymous asked: I'm interested in getting into running, but I have a dumb question: What in the world do I wear? I have good shoes, but it's the clothes that confound me. What would you suggest for an absolute beginner who doesn't want to call too much attention to herself?
Invest in a couple pairs of the Nike Tempo short and Champion’s Burnout tank top (in complementary colors, of course). Throw in some sports bras (again, I like the Nike Pro), a compression capri for cool days, and a pair of sunglasses. You’ll be set for life. And when you’re ready to refresh the wardrobe, Nike’s clearance sale is off the chain.
I find it pretty amazing that the Central Park loop is only six miles long.
Judging by this picture, doesn’t 20 or 100 make more sense? (Via.)
From the Atlantic: "Cyclists Aren't Special"
Is it fair if bikers get tickets when motorists don’t? Nope. You know what else isn’t fair? Everything. Deal with it.
- Sarah Goodyear for the Atlantic
Don’t care much about the cyclists v. drivers debate. (I do my bike-riding indoors.) The tone of this article, however, is awesome.
Om.
I can run fast, forever, et cetera, but when it comes to any other kind of physical activity (except golf, tennis, beer pong, shuffleboard, skiing, spinning, driving a jet-ski, doing donuts in a golf cart, and shoe-shopping), I pretty much suck. Thus, ever since signing up for the Can Lake 50, I have struggled to find a cross-training method that will challenge my body but not my bank account. (Sayonara, Physique 57.) The spinning classes at my gym pale in comparison to Flywheel; I can’t even walk into the studio without feeling depressed. Weight training is boring. 30-60-90? I’d rather do a 180 in the opposite direction. And while I love to swim, chlorine turns my hair green.
This brings me to yesterday’s yoga class. I signed up for Vinyasa at Equinox, thinking it would be like the only other yoga session I have ever taken, which was packed with patchouli and feel-good Mother Earth worship and not much physical stress. I needed that after a six-mile run. But this class was nothing like that. Fifteen minutes in, I wanted to die and cry (not in that order). I was sweating; I ached. I could not perform a proper downward-facing dog. I could not hop from child’s pose to plank in one swift kick, unlike everyone else in the studio. Following a half bow (a.k.a. backbend) , my back hurt so badly that I couldn’t breathe without shuddering and gasping. (That was probably a major red flag.)
But afterward! So light and long and lean! So relaxed! I grabbed a latte at the new Coffee Bean on 14th Street and practically skipped home. I felt like a cross between Gwyneth Paltrow and Sloan on Entourage (which I am watching religiously lately, having never seen it before, and oh my God, Jeremy Piven, please marry me.) And today, all the muscle aches are good, like I did something right (except maybe that backbend). I’m going back tonight. I will master the downward dog.
Apropos of nothing, my sister’s pup Murphy Lee Fuller-Barnett is a big fat baby. Just look at the guy! He thinks he’s still a small thing. Jane said when she and her boyfriend hit a drive-thru window the other night on their way home from the airport, Murph jumped in the driver’s seat and tried to order dinner.
Anonymous asked: Cary, I've been dating the same guy for a year and a half and things are just dandy; we're so in love and he's my absolute best friend. But I'm getting really tired of footing the bill (we're in college and shit gets tight.) Every time I bring money issues up he gets defensive and claims that he spends all of his money on us, when in reality I pay a majority of the time. He tells me that money is arbitrary and I should just relax and not worry about it. How can I open his eyes on the subject?
Next time y’all’s waiter brings the check, just sit there and wait. He’ll get the message. (But I’m probably the wrong person to give you advice on men and cash issues, considering that if I was a pro baseball player, my walk-out song would be “Take the Money and Run.” Just kidding…kind of, not really.)
Anonymous asked: Hey Cary! Love your blog. So lately I've been a little bored with life and am contemplating cutting my hair really short (almost pixie?). My hair is currently past my shoulders. Have you ever done a drastic cut like this? Any advice? Also, I'm a runner so I'm concerned about "dealing" with it while working out - any suggestions on that front? Thanks!
I’m considering the same thing, but let me tell you that it’s a big jump, and you’ll want to consult with your stylist at a separate appointment BEFORE actually making the chop. Go into with your eyes open.
On second thought, just get a little drunk and run to that salon around the corner and fucking do it, man. Your hair will grow back. #YOLO.
"The writer should never be ashamed of staring. There is nothing that doesn’t require his attention."
Anja Rubik takes my Met Gala blue ribbon this year.
Her Anthony Vacarello leather mini is fetch as hell.
Love it as much as I do? The thing is already on pre-order at Moda Operandi.
Maneater.
- Me: [singing] Whoa, here she comes. Watch out, boy, she'll screw you up.
- Him: I think it's "She'll CHEW you up."
- Me: She'll chew him up, and that'll screw him up.
Next to the camellia, snapdragon, hydrangea, and wisteria…
The hyacinth is my favorite flower.
Captured in this place with a little help from this doodad.
idekumiko asked: Come May, my boyfriend is graduating from business school in Cambridge and I'm hoping that you might help me with some weather-appropriate ideas for the commencement ceremony (to be held outdoors). I've followed your blog for years and found lots of great style inspiration during that time - I was thinking of going for a pencil skirt/dress and blazer, but am open to any suggestions!
You can’t count on the forecast these days so definitely bring a jacket and scarf if you choose to wear a dress at an outdoor ceremony. I don’t love the idea of a blazer though; it feels to structured and stuffy. Why not wear a cashmere cardigan over your dress instead? Club Monaco has a great one in lots of cool colors.
Anonymous asked: The SO & I recently got hitched in court. At his parents insistence, we will be having a small, casual dinner party with family and friends to celebrate our marriage. What would you wear to such an occasion?
A short white party dress such as this one by Anna Sui. White is bridal, you’re a bride, you’re having a wedding party whether you like it or not, might as well go all out! (Best wishes to you and congratulations to the groom, by the way.)
daniellesmyname asked: Just picked up a navy sleeveless polkadot shirtdress for a wedding shower and/or Easter this weekend, but can't figure out how to style it without looking total country club. Advice?
Sorry I’m so late on this one. Wrap a black patent leather belt around the middle and elevate with flat black city sandals. The look is sunny enough for summer (especially with bare legs and a tan), yet navy and black is a cool, seasonless pairing.
Anonymous asked: Hey Cary. I've got my college graduation coming up and I need a dress for commencement. I'm hoping for something that is bright and makes me shine, but the catch is that I'm hoping to spend less than $100. Any suggestions?
How about J.Crew’s Arabelle dress? It’s so simple and chic, and you can switch it up a million ways with accessories and extra layers. Congratulations on your graduation!
