https://www.ericajewel.com/home-2 daily 1.0 2018-01-11 https://www.ericajewel.com/home-2/2018/1/11/thank-you-essence monthly 0.5 2018-01-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/592900dd9de4bbbc0b6dea54/1515698953312-XRHXNDUSJLWMAE1IMMN6/IMG_0123.jpg Home - Thank You ESSENCE https://www.ericajewel.com/home-2/2018/1/4/new-year-same-story-1 monthly 0.5 2018-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/592900dd9de4bbbc0b6dea54/1515086117851-P65QVTC2QZVEPRT6HDZM/DSC_9480.jpg Home - New Year, Same Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/592900dd9de4bbbc0b6dea54/1515086330485-LRNRG9Q51GAA6LCESCFX/image-asset.jpeg Home - New Year, Same Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/592900dd9de4bbbc0b6dea54/1515086443043-F1W47OH31L0BKH9RTUU5/DSC_9504.jpg Home - New Year, Same Story https://www.ericajewel.com/home-2/2017/10/2/fashion-file-the-white-rule monthly 0.5 2017-10-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/592900dd9de4bbbc0b6dea54/1507086993807-MFBHMG3H687ETQ7DC8PK/image-asset.jpeg Home - FASHION FILE: The White Rule I ask the same question every year. Who made up this rule anyway? Like seriously. What is the story behind no white after labor day? Whomever managed to convince us all that this is a fashion crime is 2 things. Number one a master of persuasion, and number two would hate me because I function as if the rule doesn’t apply. Fall has been playing the major pump fake for us in the NYC metro area, so I really didn't have to think too much about switching over my closet until the last week or two. And even still I have a few sandals on reserve for the random 80 degree day. This year, the thought of putting away my white seems so limiting. For years I would naively comply, but in all the ways we tend to limit ourselves, I am the first to say that fashion definitely shouldn't be one of them. And if no one else gives you the go ahead to keep the white flowing, let me be the first to say FREE YOURSELF from this ancient faux pas! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/592900dd9de4bbbc0b6dea54/1507087069738-N28C9ZZV0XO9T4E0P1X8/DSC_1530.jpg Home - FASHION FILE: The White Rule Here’s the deal, white is classic and chic. And it goes with a heck of a lot of things in my closet so unfortunately it ain’t goin no where for me! Jeans, skirts, dresses...you name it, I will be finding a way to transition them. And no I won’t be calling the same jeans that I wear in the summer time “winter white” because I decided to put them on when the weather changed. So deal with it. What I will agree with is that because these clothes are generally made for warmer weather, you will have to find way to layer them up to make them temperature appropriate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/592900dd9de4bbbc0b6dea54/1507087136924-3PF2WX7BGZ67A1TVBQSM/DSC_1621.jpg Home - FASHION FILE: The White Rule Now one trend that I did adopt this season is the white boot. In fact, up until a short time ago, I thought the only person they were reserved for was Mrs. Claus. But I will admit it. I was wrong. I took it upon myself to get into some patent leather gems that have so far seemed to find their way into every morning outfit try on session since I took them out of the box. You will see these around MANY times this season. Look, those clocks will fall back but those summer staples don’t have to.   What do you do with your white clothes after Labor Day? Let me know! https://www.ericajewel.com/home-2/2017/9/21/back-in-session monthly 0.5 2017-09-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/592900dd9de4bbbc0b6dea54/1505966872903-SX0B9RA7UU77QED2HNQ8/DSC_0676.jpg Home - Why Did I Start This? This week my niece began first grade. I met her at the school to see her before she headed into the building. She has been home schooled up until this point so I was both nervous and excited for her to begin. She had all the school supplies she needed. And in many ways she has always been wise beyond her years, so she was prepared. But I could see the nerves written all over her face. The fear of the unknown and new beginnings. But after a few photos with the obligatory first day of school sign she strutted into that building to join the rest of her class. The feeling she had is so familiar and universal. I remember that anxious anticipation on the first day of school. The feeling that you didn’t have enough courage to see it through, regardless of what you truly possessed. I don’t know why, but the idea of starting this blog gave me that level of anxiety. Perhaps it was the shy kid in me that was bashful talking about myself or maybe my OCD when it comes to accurately portraying myself to others? Maybe it's both of those things. I wasn’t always the confident person my friends know me as. Truthfully I have just mastered the art of wit and humor to mask the insecure days. I have always had an old soul and wisdom well beyond my years. I was a quiet kid who spent most of her days observing people and evaluating them. You know, that friend you have that you can't take anywhere or introduce to anyone because whatever she's thinking is permanently written on her face? Yup, that's me. Good, bad or ugly at least I'm honest... right? As a child I spent most of my time plotting how to infiltrate the adult table instead of playing with the kids my age. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/592900dd9de4bbbc0b6dea54/1505966966758-X1D8CGYVRBH286PCGRFK/DSC_0691.jpg Home - Why Did I Start This? If you follow astrology, I am a true Libra. I am ruled by harmony, love beautiful things (which includes but is not limited to anything cheetah print, glitter/sequins, or is a shoe (I am from Jersey after all), can be indecisive at times, and quality overrules quantity. Of course in my case I have to try something to know if its quality which means I am a product junkie with a shopping issue. When placed in a situation I weigh both sides, do all my research, and draw the safe conclusion. It has kept me to stay out of too much trouble but held me back from any real risk. A blessing and a curse. I have always loved writing. You couldn't tell me I wasn't going to be Carrie Bradshaw. But the way life is set up, I took a different career path (still in the entertainment industry) and put my dream of being a critic and having my own column to the side. You could say I made the safe choice at the time. Your true passions never die and as much as you try to fight it, you will only regret when you don't give it a shot. So this is it. This is my column. And the best part is I don't need my editor's approval for this masses to read it. Which is probably better anyway because I'm too much of a control freak to let anyone else have too much say. I spoke to my niece's parents later in the day to see how her day went. They said she loved it and couldn't wait to do it all over again the next day. She jumped in. And after the initial shock, she had a blast. It was that simple. Somewhere along the way we as adults forget to simplify things, and just do it. So these are my gems. My thoughts and ideas. And there is no better feeling than to write them on a first page of a fresh notebook. The nerd in me used to love that feeling because I LIVED for school supply shopping. So what are you fearful of? What leap are you willing to take? Leave it in the comments!   PHOTO CRED: www.mylography.com https://www.ericajewel.com/home-2/2017/9/17/you-were-right-jayz monthly 0.5 2017-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/592900dd9de4bbbc0b6dea54/1505621103092-LRNCSOMEBSZ6RBZFTSZF/DSC_0261.jpg Home - You Were Right JayZ I think I was in college when Jay Z's Kingdom Come album came out. I remember hearing the song 30 Something, laughing because I thought the only people who claim 30 is the new 20 are the old heads who are 30 and wish they were 20. It really wasn't until a couple months ago that I realized what those lyrics really meant. I have never dreaded getting older. I can attribute that to my mom who always embraced her age. Now she seems to be aging backwards like Benjamin Button. She never wore makeup or fussed too much about weight fluctuation. My parents were teachers of self-love, self-acceptance, and responsibility. There were logical thinkers. You do well in school, get good grades, figure out what you want to do with your life, and pursue it as a career, work hard and BOOM it's all figured out! Well let's just say that big firework they guaranteed was more of a flickering lighter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/592900dd9de4bbbc0b6dea54/1505621176214-WEMU19G1LKBOBKQTX7W9/DSC_0239.jpg Home - You Were Right JayZ When I was a teen I thought turning 20 was IT. I would be an adult, can get into clubs, buy cigarettes (though I've never smoked the fact that I could do it was the point), stay out late, drive...it really got no better. I was finally given some freedoms. I moved away from home for college. I was now in a position to test out all of the lessons my parents taught me. The good, bad, and the ugly, I was going to be living my best life! I mean you are technically an adult. Now that I'm in my final year of that decade, I wonder, were my 20s all I thought they would be? For some reason the second part of that glow up didn't occur to me. I mean yes, I had more freedom, but I also had more responsibility. More money meant more bills. And on the wages these employers like to pay kids fresh out of college, the math never added up. And as much as I was numerically an adult, I was very much trying to find yourself and where I fit in. And for every lit moment, that was a wack one following behind it. Full of extremes. I either thought too little or too much. The 20s seem confusing. You want to play hard, but you're always carrying Sallie Mae or some other burden on your back. Wants/wishes and reality just don't seem to be on the same page. Or even in the same book for that matter. And just when I thought I had it figured out, I didn't, and was back to square one. Now don't get me wrong, I had my fair share of fun and enjoyed it while it lasted. But I feel good seeing this decade go. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/592900dd9de4bbbc0b6dea54/1505621228843-G0C75HI5FA8N9BX9YE01/DSC_0323.jpg Home - You Were Right JayZ So I get it, it's not so simple as a number. There is a mindset that follows with it. It's grown up. It's a perspective that you wouldn't have any way of knowing at 20 because you need some life experience for it. It's why when you get some money now, it's not always about running out to get the new hot sh*t, it's about prioritizing and saving or investing it. Balance. 30 days from now, I turn 30. A new decade. A fresh start. And I can honestly say I am more myself this year than ever before. More assured, more confident, more purposeful. I have the same responsibilities of my twenties, but I know what to do with them now. In the spirit of blowing out these candles and making that wish on my 30th year, I want to shut out the last 30 days of my 20s with a challenge. I will do something I enjoy EVERY DAY. We will call this my 30 for 30. Not an obligation, but something that is truly for me! I started it off with this blog. Because there's no better way to thank my 20s for all it has taught me and begin my 30s in the best frame of mind. HOV said it best, "30s the new 20...I'm so hot still". Did you guys do anything special for your 30th birthday? Let me know! And send me some ideas for what I should do during these 30 days! Remember to check INSTAGRAM for updates! PHOTO CRED: www.mylography.com https://www.ericajewel.com/home-2/category/Beauty monthly 0.5 https://www.ericajewel.com/home-2/category/Design monthly 0.5 https://www.ericajewel.com/home-2/category/Style monthly 0.5 https://www.ericajewel.com/home-2/category/Diary monthly 0.5 https://www.ericajewel.com/home-2/category/Food%2BDrink monthly 0.5 https://www.ericajewel.com/home-2/tag/New+Year monthly 0.5 https://www.ericajewel.com/home-2/tag/Diary monthly 0.5 https://www.ericajewel.com/index-rally daily 0.75 2026-03-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57d6c55a2994cab476e9fb40/1588542362802-30QMWJRDTX8OEBXHIUQ5/Frame+3.jpg Index https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57d6c55a2994cab476e9fb40/1588544231254-0SXFGPILG6ME24WJW1C5/3_homepage-banner.jpg Index https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57d6c55a2994cab476e9fb40/1588541518871-M2MVR19IDBSV9PC0J2W2/AThingOrTwo_PodcastImage.jpg Index - How We IG (And, You Know, Think About Social Media in General) Apparently, we have a lot of pent-up thoughts about Instagram in need of an outlet, namely this episode of this podcast. https://www.ericajewel.com/about daily 0.75 2017-09-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/592900dd9de4bbbc0b6dea54/1504843258557-HCB1AKW3ZU576L13LF6T/ABOUTME_Erica.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/592900dd9de4bbbc0b6dea54/1504843433381-9UKGKK668DO7AZ1FV8AN/ABOUTME_Erica.jpg About https://www.ericajewel.com/contact daily 0.75 2017-09-08 https://www.ericajewel.com/latest-posts-rally daily 0.75 2026-03-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57d6c55a2994cab476e9fb40/1588544757221-GPPEALJ6KZJ6Z8RNNUAP/Frame+8.jpg Latest Posts