Check out more of her work at: http://ashmackenzie.com
A fervent hope for the future.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Daily Inspiration: Lynda Carter
Who can deny it, she was a friggin hottie! And oh so cool as Wonder Woman. She's still beautiful to this day. I'm thinking of being Wonder Woman for Halloween just so I can wear the awesome costume.
TV: OITNB
Orange Is The New Black
If you have not done so already run to your TV/Computer/smart phone and watch Orange is the New Black, the newest original series on Netflix. This show is sooooooo good! You are guaranteed to finish it within a few days, but please take my advice and savor it, take your time. I even recommend watching it like a regular series, once a week. I know, sounds weird, but I wish I would have taken my time. Instead I watched it in 2 days like a fiend. And like a drug addict I also went through withdrawal, remembering the good times, yearning for more, knowing it wouldn't be the same the 2nd time around, chasing the high. Realizing the agony of knowing we won't be able to watch new episodes for about a year makes me want to cry. The people have spoken (I represent the people obvi!). We want more Orange is the New Black NOW!!!
Thursday, October 3, 2013
New York City: My Beloved Bitch
New York City: My
Beloved Bitch
As tears stream down my face I say goodbye to a city I have
called home for the past 8 years. The beautiful skyline shines back at me as
the plane makes a sharp turn and heads west, the city, unaware and undaunted by
my escape. It’s true, only the strong survive in this city so brimmed with
fulfilled and broken dreams. My mom recently told me that when I was about 12 years
old I looked at her and said with conviction that I would one day live in NYC.
Although I don’t remember this (I was 12 for God sake, I’m sure I said lots of
things I don’t remember!), I am proud to say that my childhood dream of living
in New York City has been fulfilled. Living in this epicenter of culture has
been a bumpy and eventful ride to say the least. And although I’ve mostly had a love/hate
relationship with New York I am proud to say I did it. I not only survived I
eventually thrived and have lived to tell the tale. Ha!
The adventure began when I was 21, fresh out of college and
excited about all that life had to offer. I’d interned the summer before as a
rising senior and had the TIME OF MY LIFE! I mean, who wouldn’t? I had no
bills, had a bunch of new friends through my internship program, all the money
I made I spent shopping and I literally partied every night. Tables, bottles,
friends and fun! That’s what the City represented to me at the time. Coming
into work hung-over after staying out until 3am was commonplace. I was living
the life! When I came to the city after college I was excited to re-live my
previous summer fun but this time as a real adult with a real job! I had plans,
goals and actions that needed to be taken. My 5-year plan was set and I only
estimated living in New York for 2, maybe 3 years tops…Ohh how little you know
at 21…6 months after moving, I’d quit my awful job with no backup plan and cried
almost every day. Quarter life crisis hit me hard and I wasn’t the only one.
Almost all of my friends were going through their respective issues and the
perils of adjusting to life after college. Life was HARD! And it hit you like a
ton of bricks. I lived in a lovely 3 bedroom apt in Harlem. (I’d liked to note
at this point in my writing that I am obviously still under the guise of NYC standards
of living. The apt in Harlem, although big and on a quiet tree lined street was,
in fact, not lovely at all. It was infested with roaches and on more than one
occasion I spotted a mouse scurrying under the couch...So I’ll just say it was
nice for NYC 40k a year standards.) Anyway back to my story.
Not at the time, of course, but looking back on it, those
first years were fast and hard. They flew by and before I knew it I was in the
swing of things…in a way. Getting into the swing of things in New York City
means you better roll with the punches! You’re apt becomes infested with bedbugs?
Get over it. Its over 100 degrees and you have no A/C? Oh well! The train broke
down because of a “sick” passenger and you were late to an interview? Who cares!?
These things were just a part of the charm of living in the big city and of
course stories to tell your friends and family. I worked in fashion, I went
back to school, I traveled and I learned something new almost everyday. The
adventure was never ending and I endured, almost broken, but never willing to
give up. I would watch movies or TV shows based in NYC and feel proud of the
place I called home. I even started to think of myself as a jaded New Yorker. I complained about the city and always talked
about moving but somehow it just never came to fruition. The city has a way of
holding on tight, just when you think you’re done for good she pulls you back
to her bosom, nuzzles you and licks your wounds, just to throw you back on the
ground and kick you. It’s a never-ending cycle of abuse and reconciliation.
Through these 8 years of living in New York City, 4 were
spent in Harlem and 4 were spent in Brooklyn. Brooklyn has my heart but I feel
I’ve gotten the best of both worlds. Through the roaches, robbery, terrible
jobs, shady neighborhoods, Hurricane Sandy, crazy bums, extreme stench,
insurmountable filth, rats in the subways, mice in the apartments and
unfathomable temperatures, I endured. I always had the best partner, friends
and family to support me along the way. When times were tough I figured out a
way to cope with their support and love. Thank you all for helping to make me a
stronger person but most of all thank you New York City, my beloved bitch.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Music: Alt J-An Awesome Wave
Alt-J
Randomly heard about this group while drinking a beer on a moonlit rooftop (my summer!). At first I thought nothing of them but upon further thought decided to give them a listen. Now I am obsessed! I love their eclectic sound which reminds me of a mashup between Phil Collins' sounds of the 80's, traditional South African music and new age electro pop. Yeah thats a random combo, but it works. Who woulda thunk it? Point is. CHECK THEM OUT ASAP!
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Daily Inspiration: West African Barber Shops
With little resources these entrepreneurs accomplish a great deal. Creative and ornate displays of individuality litter the walls of each shop. No barber shop is the same and all express the style and taste of the shop owner.
See more HERE
Friday, July 26, 2013
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Daily Inspiration: Maison Gray
Saw this super cool post on honestlyWTF about photographer extraordinaire, Maison Gray. What I love about his work is that he forces you to change your perspective. With many of his photographs taken from a birds eye point of view, you change your frame of mind from micro to macro. The beauty of the images is the symmetry and perceived calculation that behind everyday scenes.
Check out more of his work on his Official Website.
#JenandJuice #DailyInspiration
Monday, July 15, 2013
Retail Therapy: Bastard Store
An old cinema was converted into the Bastard Flagship store and office in Milan.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Jen & Juice Launch Party
Some pictures from the Jen & Juice launch party June 22nd in Brooklyn, NY. We had a really great turnout thanks to our friends and family. Thank you for all of your support!!
Look out for online shopping coming soon to http://jenandjuiceworld.com
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