#japp's

Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves regarding New Year's Eve?  Don't act like you don't know what I am talking about.  We have all been there.  You are a single, young professional who is not currently dating anyone; however, you MUST have plans on December 31st.  Everyone keeps asking you.  "What are you doing on NYE?"  "Did you buy a new dress?"  "Are you going downtown?" 

I'm not typically a "go out" kind of girl.  I don't like crowds, bumping music or watching women in extremely skimpy outfits.  And I'm certainly not going to kiss a stranger at midnight. But even I fall prey to the pressure that is NYE, although I'm a homebody by nature.  I would like nothing more than to be curled up with the love of my life (if he currently existed), sipping a glass of champagne and watching the ball drop.  But that isn't my life.  Instead, I would be curled up alone, sipping a glass of champagne, with the fear that everyone would think me a cat lady in the making. 

So with that in mind, I'm heading out this year.  Dinner with my parents at Nicholson's and then Japp's with my friends.  My fear now is that the pressure to go out will only turn to disappointment.  NYE is supposed to be this amazing, life-changing night.  What happens if it isn't?  Will I just drink more?  If so, I'm glad Molly mixes one bad-ass drink.  Will it put additional pressure on every other night of the year since that one epic night was a failure?  Or will I enjoy the other nights for what they are...good times with good friends? 

I bought this jacket mostly for my job, but it's one of those pieces that can work for everyday life if juxtaposed with the right elements. Its conservative and structured aesthetic contrasts well with an equally structured yet edgy skirt, this one in buttery cognac leather with a brass zipper down the front that mirrors the ones on the jacket pockets. Layered over top of a plain white tank with gray (or "grey" for my Euro friends) booties and lots of jewelry, you have a look that's feminine and tailored with just the right dose of sass to boot. I wore this to Japp's with Braeden where we serendipitously ran into Antonio and ridiculous amounts of dancing ensued...

Jacket: Elie Tahari/Nordstrom Rack. Tank: Forever 21. Skirt: H&M. Necklace+jewelry: Madewell. Watch: Timex. Bag: Asos. Booties: Urban Outfitters.

{Side note: I'm learning more and more how important it is to have a good tailor.  I have quite broad shoulders and have found that I need to buy a size up to feel comfortable, and then have the waist nipped in (always fit the broadest part of your body first, then take in where necessary).  Emily at NVISION altered this jacket for a great price, and I couldn't be happier with the results.}

I’m beyond blessed to share a wonderful bond with my mom. She’s been, for me, the greatest example of feminine strength and grace over the years, and I owe many of my best attributes to her influence in my life. As I’ve entered into my 20s and quasi-adulthood, our mother-daughter relationship has evolved into one of girlfriends and confidantes, and our time together has adapted accordingly. She celebrated her 53rd birthday on the 16th, so to celebrate the occasion, I took her out for cocktails at one of my favorite places I knew she’d love: Japp’s in Over-the-Rhine. The bartender served up a special sweet drink for my mom (she didn’t want to be able to “taste the alcohol”) with fragrant undertones of vanilla, while I had a slight twist on my usual gin-mint-lemon concoction. My mom loved her drink as well as the space, with its loungy, speakeasy feel and polite, well-dressed patrons. We sat and talked for a couple of hours, playing catch-up as much as time would allow (this mostly consisted of me talking and her listening, a reminder that I am still her needy child, and she, my patient mother). It was, to me, the perfect sort of evening, and one I hope we can share together again in the future.

Dressed-down sequins. Flannel: thrifted. Tank: Target. Jacket: Forever 21. Skirt: H&M. (also seen here) Tights: Nordstrom Rack. Shoes: Bass. Bag: Asos. Bracelet: J. Crew. Watch: Michael Kors. Scarf: BDG/Urban Outfitters.

Skirt & bracelet: H&M. Top: Forever 21. Shoes & necklace: Madewell. Watch: Fossil.

It seems like the holidays are taking over more than ever this year--there's a different event going on almost every night!  Last weekend, I attended A-Line Magazine's December issue event at Sloane Boutique along with Marsha from Style Edit.  We love seeing local businesses combine efforts like this--it's given us some collaborative ideas of our own.  After having some wine with Maija (A-Line's editor), we headed towards Japp's to meet up with Becki.  On the way, we spotted festive and rather stylish celebrations occurring at Joseph Williams Home store, and party crashed our way into the beautiful space.  It turned out to be the holiday bash for the Greater Cincinnati chapter of the Human Rights Campaign, an organization that works to end discrimination on many levels.  We met so many amazing individuals who couldn't have been more welcoming, and we were equally blown away by the amazing furniture in Joseph Williams.  Before heading to Japp's for drinks and dancing, we sipped peach-cranberry punch and lounged on some beautiful sofas, secretly imagining they were in our own apartments...