New Year, Same Me...Let's Chat!
By: Caroline Vazzana
While I know I am beyond late to posting this…I still wanted to share. I went back and forth over the past month about starting a newsletter that you’d have to subscribe to and pay for. And while that did interest me, I also still just wanted an outlet to be able to write occasionally and share my thoughts. So below is what would have been my first newsletter but I’ve made it an old school blog post, do people still read these? Anywho, if you do stumble across this post, hi, thank you for being here and I hope you like the below.
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Happy New Year gal pals! I truly can't believe it's already 2024. I started working at Teen Vogue, my first job right out of college in 2014, so this spring I'll be officially working in fashion (minus my internships) ten years. Not sure how that's possible when I'm only 25 (plus 6) but truly time goes wayyyy too fast. A fun fact some of you might not know about me is that I was a digital writer at InStyle and also wrote a book called "Making it in Manhattan" a few years ago. As we kick off this year I'd really love to reconnect with my love for writing a bit and thought I could do so with monthly newsletters for you all. I love this community we've created online and would love to get even closer with you all this year.
So just a few thoughts I've been having lately to kick off our first newsletter (blog post)…
1. New Years Ins and Outs
Over the holiday break I saw so many creators taking to social media to share their ins and outs and while I loved reading them it just didn't always sit right with me. We are all such different people, that’s what makes life beautiful is our differences. So one person telling you what is in or out just doesn’t work. Also, something that I didn’t love was the idea that maybe something YOU love is listed on an out list, it might make you question yourself and question something that brings you joy. For example, I saw one person list "nail art" and "get ready with me videos" as outs. So should I just change who I am because of what someone else thinks? Definitely not ;)
So here are my ins and outs of 2024-
In: WHATEVER YOU WANT AND WHATEVER BRINGS YOU JOY
Out: WHATEVER YOU WANT AND WHATEVER DOESN'T BRING YOU JOY
But, if you would like to actually hear my two cents and somethings I'm bringing into this year here you go (please take all with a grain of salt)...
2024 INS:
Meaningful conversations
Cozy delicious dinners
Walking around the city
Reading more
Movie nights
Trying new things
2024 OUTS:
Being mean to myself
Giving my time to things that don’t serve me
Saying yes to plans I know I’ll cancel on
Over drinking (Caroline, you are too old for hangovers)
Stressing about things I have no control over OR things that haven’t even happened yet
2. Saltburn Movie
Okay hear me out, I can't stop listening to "Murder on the Dance Floor” by Sophie Ellis-Bextor and while obviously the movie was wild and had my jaw on the floor (you know what scenes I’m talking about), the vibes were immaculate. It just makes me think that we are all yearning for a good party, for some fabulous disco music and to just dance around our houses like no one is watching, you know? And while Oliver’s actions were by no means right, he did wait 15 years to officially take over Saltburn so maybe persistence is key in 2024? I’m not sure but that song sure is catchy!
3. Bows? In or Out?
So I definitely leaned into the bow trend a lot this holiday season, I was going to write maybe too much but- I take that back haha it's never too much. I hosted my very first holiday party at my new little house in the Poconos with a few of my very close friends in the middle of December and I didn’t even bother buying real decorations, I just tied bows on everything. Which leads me to think, is the bow trend still in? Or is it out? Have we over done it? I’m really not sure. I think the bow trend was just so perfect for the holidays but now that the holidays are done I don’t think it’ll stay. Maybe just a simple ribbon tied around a bun here or there might make it through but I’m not sure about the whole bows on everything movement that was happening. What do you think? Are we bow-ing out on the bow trend?
4. Reconnecting with my Inner Child
2024 has really made me want to reconnect with the inner child a bit. I’m not sure why. But, all of a sudden I’m finding myself drawn to simple little hobbies I used to love. When I’m home in New York I don’t really have a lot of time to focus on hobbies outside of work, but over the holiday break Dave and I spent a lot of time in the Poconos so when we were there I made it a point to spend sometime painting. Growing up I loved painting, it was my outlet and my escape. I wasn’t necessarily the best kid in school, but my art is where I felt like I could really be myself and excel in something I love. So for Christmas Dave bought me a new easel and paints and I spent a little time just painting for fun and I’m looking forward to doing it more this year.
Another hobby that I’m trying to tap into a little bit is ballet. I used to do ballet when I was very little but eventually stopped as life just got in the way. I found some adult ballet classes in the city and am going to go with a friend as much as I can. I went a few times in 2023 and loved it but then fell off of it a bit during Fashion Week. I was so nervous when I first started going as I’m definitely not the best dancer BUT what I realized in the adult classes is that a good amount of people are also beginners and no one is really judging you so definitely go for it if you’ve been thinking about it.
5. Spending time with my cats
Enough said hehe
January? Shopping (I know it’s February- but still relevant)
What am I obsessed with this month? As a fashion girlie I feel like I go through periods where I’m super into a certain piece or product and then next month I’m hyperfixated on something else. Here are a few things to shop this month that I have been loving lately!
Dave and I we’re shopping this month and we saw these and absolutely loved them. Super cozy, great quality and can we styled a lot of different ways.
I styled mine above with jeans and a yellow headband.
I own a lot of slippers. On days when I’m working from home I just love putting on a cozy pair of slippers and chunky socks. I got a pair of these this month and have been wearing them a bunch. They just make me happy when I look down and see them smiling back at me!
January is a rest month. I read somewhere online that this is the time to reset and rest. It is COLD outside in New York so if you’re staying in and hibernating a bit more than usual that is okay. For me, I’ve been living in cozy oversized jeans when I’m just working from home. In the spring and summer I’ll wear flowy dresses but right now I’m wearing super baggy jeans and sweaters. I love the 501 90s and I personally went up one size for a baggier fit.
I got these loafers this time last year actually and I wear them all the time. I might even get a new pair haha. Comfy, chic, look so cute with a sock. Perfectly paired with jeans, a skirt, or even a bikini and jean shorts in the summer. Loafers are a wardrobe essential for me.
In December when I was in the Poconos for my holiday party my lips go so dry they were hurting. Since I don’t drive (I have my license just haven’t driven in years) Dave drove me to a CVS and I finally caved and got the Aquaphor Lip Repair. I’ve seen it all over TikTok but I don’t like to buy into trends. I will say though this stuff works and I’ve been bringing it everywhere with me this winter.
Though she was more of a quiet luxury dresser, lately I have been very inspired by the effortless chic style of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Looking at old photos of her I’ve just become inspired by the way she would carry herself and how effortlessly cool she looked (even thought I’m sure it was still a lot of effort behind the scenes). Anywho I was very tempted to buy a headband because of her, but kept stopping myself because of my glasses, I was honestly just worried the headband and my glasses wouldn’t be able to sit comfortably together behind my ears. Well, then in December I went to see the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center with Dave and I saw a super stylish girl there wearing glasses and a headband and seeing her convinced me to take the plunge. I ended up going to J.Crew and I got this one and have gotten so much use out of it.
During that same trip to J.Crew I stumbled across this feather button down and knew I’d get so much use out of her. It’s such a great layering item under sweaters where you just let the little cuffs peak through. You will not regret it!!!
In my get ready with me videos, you’ll see I’m often wearing a colorful printed robe. Well this is the brand I get them from. They’re so soft and cozy and great for lounging around your apartment or for shooting content in.
A little bit of luxury….
Below, shop a few pricier items that I have been seriously eyeing, or just scroll through for some fun fashion inspiration!
From the top left corner…
Miu Miu Bag, shop it here.
Gucci Glasses, shop it here.
Repetto Red Mary Janes, shop it here.
Molly Goddard Skirt, shop it here.
Jacquemus Bracelet, shop it here.
Simone Rocha Socks, shop it here.
Simone Rocha Dress, shop it here.
Manolo Blahnik Pink Hangisi Heels, shop it here.
Valentino Headaband, shop it here.
Well that is everything for now! I hope you enjoyed my first newsletter (lol) edit- my first blog post back in ages!!! Please feel free to message me on Instagram @cvazzana and let me know what else you’d like to see in the future!
Until next time….with sparkles, color and lots of love!
xo
Caroline