DATE NIGHT

get the look

Date night doesn’t have to be dinner and a movie (I mean it can be) but don’t get down on yourself if it doesn’t look like it does in the movies. We’ve never really “celebrated” Valentine’s Day. When we were younger, Frank and I would try to get out to dinner together that night or another night that week and that was it. With two kids, a job, and a busy schedule, I live for the nights when we can get the boys to bed early, open a bottle of wine, and watch a movie uninterrupted. It is RARE! Recently what we’ve been doing is trying to steal some time away during the day instead. For example going to a coffee shop together at 5pm on a Friday or breakfast alone on a Saturday morning. The thing I realized is its the time with each other that is important, and it doesn’t always have to look like a traditional “night out”. That being said, if you do find yourself being taken out for a night on the town, this top is gorgeous and worth the $69 price tag! I also have this lace style from the same brand in the ivory color which I’ve featured here before. I love it because the sleeve has just the right amount of puff and just like the black one, it also comes with a camisole.

d a y d a t e s

breakfast/brunch date

infrared sauna + coffee shop

trip to the city

walk down to the beach or a hike

take a class together - cooking, art, something creative that excites you both

Posted on January 29, 2020 by Artemis Korkidis and filed under Outfits and tagged date night lace blouse Valentine's Day ideas.

THE SUNDAY SECTION

t h e s u n d a y s e c t i o n

w h o

CNBC - a self made millionaire tells us why depression in your 30’s is natural and that happiness is just around the corner. He also advises what three things you need to do if you want success and happiness by the time you reach your 30’s. I’m here for the last one!

Vogue - 10 Steps to the Essential Minimalist Wardrobe.

Marie Claire - I started a company to pay off the cost of freezing my eggs. After a rare disease cost the 24-year-old her ovaries, Alix Peabody started Bev, a beverage company geared towards women. She traded in her 401k for $20,000 to launch her brand and last April she raised 7 million.

The New York Times - NYT Health explains the Coronavirus: the symptoms, the treatment, and the risks.

Architectural Digest - The Top 5 Destinations for Art and Design Lovers in February 2020. I was surprised to see Southern California on the list!

w o r e

Secondhand luxury: a few of my favorite brands for less on The Real Real

Spring Handbags

Spring Clothing

w h a t

movement - You may have heard of Taryn Toomey’s The Class before. It’s not just about a workout or exercising, its about a transformation. Well starting this month, dancer Julianne Hough is taking this concept to a whole new level with Kinrgy. Kinrgy is what Hough describes as expanded fitness and she is introducing it to the world in the ultimate of forums, Oprah’s 2020 vision tour.

temperature - I always wondered why I was closer to a cool 97.8 than the average 98.6 degrees. Well it turns out humans may be chilling out so to speak. Researchers say now that number was far too high and the average human body is closer to 97.5.

sustainability - Last week I shared my 2020 sustainability goals, a few sustainable fashion brands I love, and a capsule of neutral basics. But this year is not just about changing my closet, I’m also working to change my mindset. Have you heard of blockchain technology? With their newest technology, IBM has created a way (and an app) to track where your cup of coffee is coming from. “Thank My Farmer” will be available soon. Read more about it here in Wired.

party food - Having a few friends over next Sunday? Here are 4 recipes guaranteed to impress your Super Bowl guests (or hostess if you’re bringing an app). The French onion dip looks incredible!

w h e r e

52 places to go in 2020

The NYT just released their list and we’ll give you a hint, Washington, D.C. is #1. I went to college in D.C. and highly recommend the city for a long weekend. There is so much to discover beyond the monuments and museums including amazing shopping, restaurants, and rich history. Here are a few D.C. travel guides we love:

NYT - 36 Hours in D.C.

Goop - The Washington D.C. Guide

Posted on January 26, 2020 by Artemis Korkidis and tagged The Sunday Section travel sustainability recipe.

SUSTAINABLE FASHION

I can’t tell you how excited I am to start digging into this topic. To be honest it felt a little overwhelming at first but once I started doing research I realized so many of the brands I wear and love already practice sustainability. For the last three years I’ve been doing my best to use only natural, organic, and/or sustainable brands when it comes to my beauty routine. For two reasons: 1. I care deeply about what I put on mine and my family’s skin and 2. I don’t want to support a brand that tests on animals or is harmful to the environment. Practically speaking, the cost of these products is more, but the results have been worth the investment: I look better and feel better knowing I’m doing what’s right for myself and the planet.

This year I want to take the next step and add another layer of sustainability to my life by paying more attention to the clothing and accessories I’m wearing (this includes jewelry). Additionally, it means supporting brands that focus on sustainable packaging (I’m currently testing out a new deodorant that sells refills and reduces plastic) and creating less waste. As I’ve been researching the topic, the same notion keeps coming up, buying less is part of living a more sustainable life. Fewer and better has always been important to me and I think I’ve found a balance that works - 1. invest in luxury items that will last and quality craftsmanship like this sweater for example which is made of 100% natural yarn, and 2. fill in the rest with less expensive sustainable brands like Everlane and H&M.

Tip: Give yourself a break! The fact that you’re thinking about being more sustainable is a step in the right direction. If we could get the whole world thinking this way we’d be in much better shape. Small steps are better than no steps! I found this article to be very helpful as a baseline for understanding sustainable fashion.

t h e b r a n d s

all birds

dudley stephens

cuyana

everlane

h&m conscious

levi’s

reformation

sezane

veja

wearing the boss boot c/o everlane

Posted on January 21, 2020 by Artemis Korkidis and filed under Wellness, Lust List and tagged sustainability eco friendly fashion what to wear lust list.

THE SUNDAY SECTION

T H E S U N D A Y S E C T I O N

W H O

Marie Claire - Inside the new sobriety movement and a new trend of “sober curious” women. I understand this concept. Neither my sister nor I drank in our 20’s. It didn’t really do anything for me and I didn’t understand the allure. It wasn’t until my early 30’s (and the arrival of children) that I found enjoyment in a glass of wine with friends after a long week.

The New York Times - A former night owl’s guide to becoming a morning person. I’ve talked about this a few times already in The Sunday Section because I am a BIG night owl and I actually wish that I could become more of a morning person. “The world isn’t made for night owls”, the article begins and its true! My excuse is that I do a lot of my work for the blog at night after the kids go to bed, but what if I flipped it and woke up earlier?

Vogue - I ditched my phone for a cattle drive. Vogue author Ella Riley-Adams, and her unexpected experience at Triple Creek Ranch in Montana.

Net-A-Porter - Natural beauty, actor, and now activist Amber Valetta speaks about climate change, her arrest last year in Washington with Jane Fonda, and her greatest fear. I really enjoyed this article and learning more about the transformation from fashion model and addict to sustainable hero.

The Wall Street Journal - The USDA proposes relaxing school lunch healthy eating rules. Ummm why does it feel like we are going backwards here???

W O R E

GET YOUR SWEAT ON.

W H A T

podcast - The world famous skin goddess, Dr. Barbara Sturm answers all of your skin questions in this new podcast on Goop. Questions about a blood facial or want to hear more about why we need to use hyaluronic acid? Listen! She created her famous anti-pollution drops because of the two most common forms of pollution: digital light and environmental.

body - Winter hands always get to me. If my face looks like I’m 30, my hands look like I’m 70. I’m definitely an over washer especially now that I have kids, and it shows. Recently I found a combo thats been working for me. At night I use 2-3 pumps of this body oil and combine it with this body lotion.

eat - I was so excited to receive Half Baked Harvest’s newest cookbook last week, Super Simple. I feel like a broken record but I love her recipes and I LOVE her cooking videos. She makes everything feel easier, you watch one and think, “I can do that!”. Here is a slow cooker chicken soup that is incredible! We don’t have a slow cooker so I made it on a Sunday when I knew I was going to be home and let it cook on low heat for 4 hours.

pregnancy - Are you thinking about thinking about trying? I was 28 when we first started “thinking”. It took us over a year to get pregnant with Luke and I still remember that time and how stressful it was to have zero guidance. You feel like you’re in limbo: too early to go to the doctor to see “whats wrong” but also not pregnant yet. In walks The Fruitful Program. Founded but two wellness beauties (and sisters), Sarah, an acupuncturist and herbalist, and Carolyn, a nutritionist, Fruitful is a 6-week course that helps women begin their journey to parenthood.

lace blouse - my best selling top EVER is this lace blouse. I think its success is based on a combination of the price (it retails for $89), and its elegant look and fit. It is the perfect date night top and so versatile. I’ll be sharing its sister version sans a puff sleeve on the blog this week and its arguably just as good.

W H E R E

Australia

How to help victims of AUS wildfires:

AUS Red Cross - accepting donations to its Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund, which has helped to send 1,285 staff members and volunteers to communities affected by the fires and to provide support to displaced people sheltering in more than 69 evacuation and recovery centers.

NSW Rural Fire Service - supports local firefighters and community workers.

World Wildlife Fund - If you're looking for a gift, you can adopt a koala through WWF. The special adoption gift pack includes a cuddly koala plush toy, koala fact book, adoption certificate, tote bag, Living Planet magazine, and WWF sticker. You can choose for the gift pack to be sent directly to your gift recipient, or you can choose to receive it to give to them yourself.

Posted on January 19, 2020 by Artemis Korkidis and tagged The Sunday Section.

THE SUNDAY SECTION

T H E S U N D A Y S E C T I O N

who

Vogue - Is farming the most interesting job in America? Meet Kristin Kimball, farmer, mother, best-selling author, and co-owner of Essex Farm in upstate New York. After reading this article she seems like a of super hero of sorts, but despite growth and huge success, they are just one bad crop away from losing it all. Learn about their “full diet” CSA - this is something I’ve been considering more and more for our family. It would save me time, be a benefit to our family’s health, and also support our local farmers.

Harper’s Bazaar - The 35 best TV shows of the 2010’s. I still haven’t seen The Americans but we just finished Watchmen and I highly recommend it.

The Wall Street Journal - The best temperature for a good night’s sleep. Last week on Instagram I shared Frank and my never ending debate over the thermostat. I would love to keep our house between 68-69 while he prefers a cooler 66-67. It seems like a small difference but in our leaky 1920’s home, one degree can feel like I’m traveling from the the arctic to a warm beach (kidding, slightly). But in all seriousness, I was happy to read all of your responses and to find that we’re not the only ones fighting over temperature!

The New Yorker - A review of Greta Gerwig’s Little Women. I can’t wait to see this one.

National Geographic - How Australia’s fires will create problems for drinking water.

wore

what

white shirt - Love the balloon sleeve detailing on this classic style. Pair it with this budget-friendly mom jean for a clean and classic look.

detox - There is always a big push at the beginning of a new year to change our diets, stop drinking alcohol or eating sugar, and to exercise more. But how do we make these changes last and improve our health in the long run? I’ve been following the annual goop detox since 2017. I love it because you’re omitting many of the tigger foods but its still delicious enough to make it a habit. To this day some of my favorite recipes are from previous years and are still in heavy rotation in our house: like this apple cinnamon oatmeal, this lentil and radicchio salmon, and if you’re willing to collect all the ingredients, this turmeric warming latte. Click here for the 2020 detox and five day meal plan.

dressing - I’m giving this its own line even though I’ve already mentioned goop because I don’t want it to get lost in the mix! This dairy-free green goddess dip/dressing is SO GOOD. I always have to pass up on a creamy green dressing because of the yogurt or cream but not this one! Here is a crunchy salad recipe to go with.

travel - The cheapest days to fly in 2020. I’ve been dreaming of going to Paris for our 8 year anniversary this May. Looks like June 3rd might be the best day for it…so helpful!

work essentials - I don’t have an “office” per say and I’m always on the go for work. Over the last year I’ve started to accumulate a few “essentials” that I can’t live without. Frank purchased me the tile last Christmas when I lost my wallet (two weeks before the holiday - not fun) and I can’t live without it now. It helps me find my wallet and also my phone! Other essentials: a cell phone charger, lip balm, pouch for my receipts, and a computer case. I’m still on the hunt for the right 2020 planner if anyone has suggestions!

where

January inspiration…via my pinterest

Posted on January 12, 2020 by Artemis Korkidis and tagged The Sunday Section.

NATURAL DEODORANTS AND HOW I FIXED MY SMELLY PITS

a n a t u r a l s o l u t i o n

A little part of me just died of embarrassment typing out the title of this post. In the beginning of the Fall I shared on Instagram my struggles with finding a natural deodorant. None of them worked for me and I was inevitably smelly mid-way through the day. I figured it was just me, my chemistry, and I (and Frank) would have to live with it…forever! When I shared my pain in stories one day last summer, I was shocked at how many responses I received. Almost 1,000 messages with suggestions of natural deodorants that worked for you and also so many messages asking for me to share my findings. I’m so happy I shared…because it led me to this point…smell-free!

Have you ever heard of an armpit detox? I hadn't. Pretty Frank, formally known as Primal Pit Paste makes one and it is incredible. It saved me. The new name makes me laugh…maybe I should pitch Frank to them as their knew spokesman:) Anyway, the way it works is you literally are detoxing your armpits with their baking soda and charcoal deodorant sticks. I did it for three weeks. They also include a primer to calm irritation during the process but I didn’t find it necessary. My only warning re: the process is to be careful when using the charcoal at night - it will stain your light colored clothing.

After the detox it was like magic. I started re-testing all of the natural deodorants I was interested in and they were working! Some better than others, but for the first time I was able to WORK OUT and not smell. I’ve rounded up my top picks below with my favorite being the one from Corpus.

pretty frank (formally primal pit paste)

corpus

I love everything about this one - the packaging, the smell, and most importantly I love that it goes on clear. It also doesn’t stain my white shirts.

native

This was my second favorite. It worked, but I didn’t love the first scent I tried. I do recommend it however if you’re looking to switch to natural.

Agent Nateur - The Holi stick

This is the one I was using (and smelling with) before I did the pit detox. Now? I can wear it no problem. They also make one for Men that Frank uses.

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Artemis Korkidis and filed under Wellness and tagged deodorant wellness health natural and organic skincare.

NEW YEAR, SAME ME

Don’t give up - anything worth fighting for, you have to fight for.

It is never too late to start - take that step, that thing you’ve been wanting to do? step up to it and into it, your future self (in 10 years) will thank you.

If there is anything that this last decade has taught me it is those two things. Ten years ago I was starting over. I had just had what I refer to now as a quarter life crisis and I knew I had to make some big changes. I quit my job, recommitted to my relationship, and was starting fresh. I set goals for myself in both my personal and work life and started at the bottom so to speak. If you told me then that it was going to take ten years to get where I am today I probably would have laughed (and then cried haha)... but it was all worth it.

I’ve had women (and a few men) ask me if I think its too late to start blogging and my answer is no. Is it true that there are more bloggers/influencers now than 5 years ago? Yes of course, but no two people are the same. I truly believe that there will always be room for a new perspective and for a unique voice. It sounds cliche but if you want something bad enough and work for it, in my experience it will happen. It may not be exactly what you first set out to achieve and the path that takes you there may look different than you imagined, but you will get there.

styling

In 2019 I started sharing more about my styling business. How I got here, what I offer, and some of my processes. This year I want to take it a step further and get back to sharing more styling content. I love creating style guides: what to pack, at any age, but to be honest, these collages take so.much.time. to create. Over the next few months I’ll be working on a plan to streamline the way I create these post and hope to be able to make them more frequently. They’re honestly some of my favorite content!

Additionally, I want to start focusing more on seasonal capsules. You all loved my Fall capsule wardrobe! I have ideas on how to expand them into different lifestyles (for example SAHM, office looks, model off duty style, etc.) so stay tuned…

blog

more video - I really love creating video content and it is something that excites me but is also a little scary. Unchartered territory. Thats how I know I need to be doing more of it:) I started my youtube channel last year but it needs a little love:)

pinterest - Using pinterest more and growing an audience on the platform was one of my goals for 2019. I re-discovered it last year and have really enjoyed using it as a creative outlet and also as a source of inspiration.

This should be at the top of my list! I’m being 100% transparent here, my goal was to get this done, and up and running by November 1st. I missed it. I don’t know what happened, for some reason it scares me partly because it feels like a big commitment and partly because there has been a bit of a learning curve figuring out how to get it going. But I’m doing it! I will have a newsletter by February. Please subscribe when I do haha!

health

One thing that really hit me last year and specifically over the last 6 months - I don’t take care of myself enough. Sure I eat well, drink green tea, but beyond salads and a basic multi vitamin, I really don’t focus enough on my health. I work an average of 60 hours a week between the blog, Instagram, shooting photos and video, styling clients, and research. The rest of the time I’m doing #momlife and it leaves little time to slow down. If i’m being honest with myself, things are not going to slow down, and actually thats exciting to me….I love what I do. But that being said my health has been suffering. I’m exhausted, I need supplements, probably probiotics, to eat even better, more exercise. I’m not really sure what this will all look like but I’m committed to focusing more on my health in the new year and prioritizing me. There is something to be said for the saying: “put your own oxygen mask on first”.

thank you

Lastly I want to thank you, my readers, from the bottom of my heart. Your messages, your likes, and your support means the world to me. I feel so lucky to have this space and that I get to call this my job. I love hearing from you and my mailbox is always open!