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Episode 24 of my podcast This is Life Unfiltered went live this morning! As you can hear in the episode, I have a cold, so my voice isn’t like it usually is. Sorry! But I am officially recovering after 6 days of battling this darn cold!

I filmed this episode in LA earlier last week. Since I left high school, I’ve learnt so much about myself. I’ve learnt about the type of friends I want to have in my life, the type of people I want to surround myself with in the business world, and the people to avoid. When you’re in high school, you’re struggling with peer pressure, parties, and passing classes. As you get older, you’ll start to struggle with heftier topics: peer pressure (in a more mature setting), along with some people having apartments and some people not having apartments, etc. I bring up 5 key points in this episode to look out for if you’re questioning your friend group:

1. Do you feel uncomfortable when you’re in public with your friend/friends?
2. Do you feel like they’re encouraging you to do stuff you don’t want to do?
3. Are they using you (only texting you for certain things/events)?
4. Do your friends make you happy!!!!!
5. Do they act differently when they’re around you vs. other people?

This episode brings up a lot of fantastic points about situations we’ve all been in or will all one day encounter: hope you love it!

I’ve had this post in my draft box since Friday but I’ve been so ill over the past few days I haven’t had a chance to share this video with you! When I landed from Istanbul last week, I knew I was getting sick. I spent the past four days in bed and in the midst of planning this teen conference- I couldn’t have gotten sick at a worse time! Non-stop traveling for 4 months was bound to have me sick eventually. Before I got sick, I filmed this video back in LA about college, and I hope it brings up a lot of valuable feedback for you around what to do if you’re not sure how to handle the next phase of your life. I truly believe college is a fantastic place to go to find yourself, find your network, and decide what you want to do with the rest of your life- but something as simple as taking a gap year to travel or intern can help you decide what you want to do in the long run. Or maybe you’re in college and just as confused about what you’re doing.

We’re all just figuring things out- and it’s OKAY to be scared. I wake up so many days out of the week questioning what I’m doing, and I bet you do too. Life isn’t about the destination, it’s about the  journey. So the next time you get yourself worked up (or overworked, like me) about something, remember that this is all a part of this game called life. It’s up to you to determine how you want to handle certain situations and more importantly, what you want to do with the rest of your life!

This post is a paid partnership with Danbury Fair Mall in honor of S.L.A.Y. on May 19th! 

Wearing all Macy’s via Danbury Fair Mall 

A few years ago, TODAY interviewed me (separate from the interview below) on healthy body image between moms & daughters. I have always had a lot to say on the topic, because growing up, I had a very negative experience dealing with my mom about body image. I have girl friends who have told me some absolutely horrific stories about how their moms have educated them on their bodies: from not educating them at all (who is that helping!) to telling them they are fat, to standing in front of the mirror putting their own body down in front of their teen. Young people are so incredibly vulnerable and impressionable: anything you say or their friends say will and can negatively affect them. We’ve all got a little bit of “baby fat” or love handles: I totally do, and I totally don’t care, either. I do wish my mom had been more positive about my body when I was younger, because I likely wouldn’t have had to deal with as many of the issues that I dealt with.

On May 19th, I’ll be at Danbury Fair Mall in Connecticut to lead a panel of professionals on the topic of body image & shopping between mothers and daughters: this topic is so close to my heart, and really means a lot to me because of my experience dealing with this heavy topic. Unfortunately, most parents aren’t educated on the topic of body image, and therefore, so many young adults suffer and have to learn on their own. The next time you see your daughter or son, don’t forget to remind them they are beautiful  just the way they are.

I think a great way to create a better example is to openly support brands that promote a positive body image. True and Co. for example is one of my favorite companies because of their emphasis on how beautiful every body is no matter the shape, size, or color. Their bras are made to make every woman feel beautiful and to me, that is the most important message moms can send to their daughters. No matter what body type you have, it is perfect and you deserve to know it.

 

So, social  media addiction is a real thing. Freaky, right? I wasn’t aware of this until I was scrolling through CNBC a few days ago and came across this fascinating article. Teens are leaving rehab for their social media addictions feeling stronger, more powerful, and less likely to grab that cell phone when they’re bored. After watching and reading the article, I phoned my friend Erica Portillo, who is a good friend of mine that is also a licensed therapist. It never hurts to have one one those in your life, that’s for sure! Along with being one of the coolest chicks on the block, Erica and I spoke last week about what TF social media addiction is, how we can prevent our kids from getting it, and what to do when we feel like we might have nothing better to do on our days off besides grab our phone.

Listen to Episode 23 on iTunes, SoundCloud and Stitcher!

Do you feel alone and in need to talk to someone other than your family or friends? We’re all allowed to feel unhappy or even depressed at some points: it’s only concerning when you feel unhappy everyday. Regardless of what you may be feeling, these websites will help you put your life into perspective and hopefully get off of the phone feeling much stronger than you felt pre-phone call. If you don’t feel better, I highly suggest asking one of the therapists on the hotline if they can redirect you to someone who may be able to better assist your needs!

Never feel ashamed about anything you’re dealing with: everyone, even the coolest or prettiest person in your class, is dealing with something too. I can promise you that!

1. Visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

 

2. Feeling lost or alone? Confused or unsure about your purpose in life? CONTACT Helpline is here to help with any concerns you may have. When calling, you’ll be in touch with a volunteer, who will listen without any judgment to your concerns. Calls generally last about 10 to 20 minutes, but you are invited to call back anytime you feel like you could use some additional support.

3. Calling an anxiety helpline is a good way to reach out for help if any persistent anxiety is affecting your quality of life or the life of a loved one. Anxiety helpline is here to provide free, convenient, and easy services that will allow you to speak with someone who knows what you are going through. Yes, it’s a bit fearful calling a hotline, but just know that no one will judge you or criticize you for calling.

4. Picking up the phone to talk about your issues can be very intimidating and unsure about what to expect. However, If you’re worried or down, pick up the phone. They’re here to listen. Breathing Space aims to provide assistance at an early stage in order to stop problems escalating, hope when none exists and direction for those who do not know where to seek help.

5. Afraid of speaking to an adult about your problems? How about talking to someone in your age range instead. Teen Line online is designated for teen volunteers to give other teens advice and help when they are in need of it. By doing so, it is giving a sense of relief to being able to open yourselves more and call back when you’re in need of someone to speak to.

6. Everybody needs someone to talk to at some point in their life. Someone who will listen and not give an opinion. If you feel that you are ever in need of someone like that, Samaritans is there for you. Whether you are feeling depressed, overwhelmed, experiencing a crisis or thinking about suicide, Samaritans hotline volunteers will listen, 24/7. They are a free, non-religious 24-hour emotional support and crisis response hotline available for people who are dealing with every kind of problem and more importantly, the volunteers will listen as you try to cope with your difficulties and stresses.

 YOU ARE NEVER ALONE!

Good morning from Istanbul, Turkey! My little nephew named Leo who is almost 1 (I might cry, I love him so much) along with my sister and her husband live in Turkey (they run a business here if you’re wondering why they live in Turkey) so I’m here until next Tuesday to see him for his birthday! If you’ve never watched a baby grow up, they grow sooo fast. It’s nuts!

This week, I’ve made a really conscious decision to wake up everyday and have a game plan for my day. I don’t mean things in my calender and phone calls I have to make: I mean a mental effort to become mentally stronger each day. Most of the time, I honestly wake up feeling incredibly anxious and stressed about something deep in the back of my mind: whether it’s not being “successful” enough, rich enough, happy enough…etc. As much as talking to a therapist helps, there are little ways I can personally improve myself but just making the decision to try and be happy. Between traveling and being on a 9-hour plane ride this week, I slacked off a bit and didn’t get to try anything new besides this exercise (along with new foods) but that’s the point of #FearlessFridays: whether you’re skydiving, buying a plane ticket, or trying cashews instead of almonds…anything new is getting you out of your comfort zone.

Let me know what you tried with the hashtag #FearlessFridays! 

Doesn’t the word “exercise” sound so tiring? Like, if the word exercise was the word flying or something, I think we’d all jump at the idea. And that’s without even putting any cardio time in! We’d all probably much rather curl up on the couch with a good book than run outside, but there are a ton of reasons why exercise will drastically improve your life. You don’t have to spend hours at the gym or working out with an app on your cell phone either: I’ll be on a walk to the coffee shop and do some squats to get my heart rate up when I’m at a red light. You’d be surprised at how much clearer you will mentally feel when you get your sweat on everyday! When it comes down to the concept of exercising, it should go beyond the idea of a lifestyle but more of an everyday essential. Why?

1. Health: Whether it is recommended by the doctor or not, exercising is very important for your body. It is known that the people that live longer are the ones that commit to healthy eating and consistent exercising. That doesn’t mean you have to give up any foods or go on some crazy diet- I’m pretty against those, as you know. This is more about making a lifestyle choice. If you have any type of diabetes or heart problems in your family, exercising is even more important!

2. Stress: Stress eating is never a good idea and neither is just sitting on the couch freaking out. Instead of turning to food to feel better, you might find that exercising will have you feeling a lot more stable. Going outside for fresh air can really life the weight off of your shoulders. Have no time to kill? How about doing a short 5-minute exercise routine wherever you are to get your brain flowing and endorphines running?

3. Anxiety: Running is highly recommended over any medication when it comes to dealing with anxiety. By maintaining a consistent fitness routine, you’ll notice that your anxiety will actually start running away from you! Running, hiking or even swimming is best for when you’re feeling stressed. 

4. Overall mood: There is not one person I’ve seen unhappy after a solid workout. It’s what I do to clear my head everyday. By setting out a plan to workout at least 3x a week, you are building a stable routine and a foundation for yourself. By doing that, it creates less stress, and it gives you something to look forward to on those rough days at work/school. There is absolutely no downside to exercising: and wearing a super cute outfit in the gym will only make you feel even more excited to workout! 

Thrilled to be planning a teen conference later this year! The response I get from every This is Life Unfiltered episode melts my heart, and has made me realize the importance of bridging the gap between kids, teens and young adults: we’re all dealing with something, and everyone deserves to know they’re in the same boat.

Want to be involved? Email me at fashionlane@alifeinthefashionlane.com!

Wearing Free People via Macy’s at Danbury Fair Mall

After months of prep, I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve teamed up with the Danbury Fair Mall in Danbury, Connecticut to host a day of self-love and empowerment for mothers and daughters on May 19th! We’ve been working for months together on getting a concrete vision of the day down, and finally have launched the event via social media and the mall! There will be cooking demonstrations, a chance to win lunch with me at one of the restaurants, and an awesome panel of local media and PR professionals from stores like White House Black Market, Primark, Soma and more to discuss why self-love and confidence is so important.

Read more and RSVP here!

This is a paid partnership with DFM from now until May 19th! 

See you all there!

Between dating apps and Instagram filters, we all just want to fit in. That might mean getting invited to your high school party, or going to Coachella…with your “girl gang” and your Taylor Swift face on. But what about when we find ourselves alone, on a Saturday night, listening to Taylor Swift and wondering why we can’t all be like her?

I find it frustrating that we live in a world where having tons of friends, even if you don’t actually like any of them, is almost a requirement. I was the kid in the corner of the lunch room who was absolutely terrified of talking to anyone else or meeting someone because I didn’t want to be judged. Looking back, I realize how my own insecurities hindered me from so many opportunities. Luckily I had my blog to fall back on, but who do you turn to when you feel like you don’t have anyone to fall back on?

Listen to Episode 22 on iTunes, SoundCloud and Stitcher!