5 Everyday Items that Double as Style Staples

As a gal on the go, I feel like I have to be prepared for anything, especially when living in a city like New York.

Today I bring you 5 everyday items that can double as style and beauty staples if you’re looking for how to improve your life. These items can be easily thrown in a purse and can be used for so many different things! Perfect for the gal on the go.

1. Multipurpose lip balm. Rosebud Salve is my go-to choice for lip balm. But you could also use Vaseline or Aquaphor for these purposes. I use it as a chap stick (it leaves your lips looking silky and smooth!), a hand moisturizer for those dry spots, and even to tame flyaway hairs or brows!

2. The safety pin. I never leave home without a safety pin! They can be used to replace a missing button, to tighten up a loose skirt, or perhaps my favorite use – to help you zip up a dress! No one around to help you zip up the back of your dress? Attach a safety pin to the zipper closure, tie to a string, and then pull up on the zipper to zip up the dress. Voila!

3. Dryer sheets. I keep these babies in my purse to tame frizzy hair or stray flyaways. I have naturally very wavy hair that often takes on a life of its own when there’s even a bit of humidity. Keep a few sheets in your purse and say goodbye to frizz!

4. Dry shampoo. Dry shampoo is a beautiful invention. As most gals know, second-day hair can often do wonders for styling. I love to use dry shampoo to give my hair more OOMPH, but more than anything I use it to add texture and volume. It works wonders!

5. Thin scarf. I love scarves. They add color and life to any outfit! A thin scarf can easily be thrown into a purse and can act as a shawl, headband, or belt. So many options, but takes up so little space!

xx

sjb

A version of this article appeared on Just Sara Jane's column on bsmartguide.com. 

Sara Jane Bakes: Celebrate Your Independence with this EASY 4th of July Cake!

Ahhh, 4th of July. A day where independence is celebrated, America is revered, and many hot dogs are consumed. Nothin’ like it.

I love the July 4th for so many reasons. Yes, beaching, barbeques and wearing American flag paraphernalia is all fun and good, but it’s a part of something greater. Everyone (at least most people I know) have some sort of 4th of July tradition. There’s something so wonderful about holiday traditions – it’s great to look forward to something every year. I believe they’re especially nice when shared with others. So today I’m bringing you one of my very favorite July 4th traditions – my family’s American flag cake.

This cake is super simple, fruity and fresh, and supremely celebratory. And the best part? NO BAKING REQUIRED! And contrary to what my name might suggest, I usually opt in for bake-free options.

Check out the below recipe for my 'celebrate your independence' cake!

READY. SET. BAKE.

Step 1) Print out photo of American flag (hopefully you know what this looks like already, but reference is good).

Step 2) Buy PLAIN pound cake or angel food cake at local grocery. Also buy blueberries and raspberries (one or two bins is sufficient).

Step 3) Slather on whipped cream, covering the whole top of the cake.

Step 4) Put blueberries and raspberries on top of the cake in the design of the American flag. Use creative DIY skills to create fruity stars and stripes.

Step 5) My favorite touch. Buy tiny American Flags to put a top the cake. Serve cake to friends with their individual flag, because who doesn’t want to wave a tiny American flag?

P.S. Another SUPER EASY option is to buy plain cake cupcakes (vanilla). Top with whipped cream. Add assortment of blueberries and raspberries. Bonus points if you manage to create a tiny American flag on it. Unlikely, but go for it.

Happy 4th of July, friends! May you celebrate the red, white and blue in the sweetest of style!

xx
SJB

A version of this article appeared on Sara Jane's page on bsmartguide.com. 

Food for Thought: The Seven Stages of Juice Cleansing

No no, we’re talking about the seven stages of grief (well, not totally, anyway).

This past week I did a three-day juice cleanse. To describe it in one word, I would say it was “ridiculousyetenergizing yetstarvingyethangry butinteresting andadventurous.” Oh wait, should I spell that out for you?

For all of you who know me (and for those of you who don’t), I am not a juice cleanse-y type girl. I LOVE food (sh** some girls say). I love indulging in food. I love socializing around food (and adult beverages, am I right?). That said, I also like being healthy (eating right and exercising is important, hunnies), but I’m not one to jump on every health craze out there. The thought of just pouring liquids into your body for three days - without having any morsels of delicious food pass your mouth - was a bit too far for this gal.

Then again, I’m always up to try new things (it’s 2014 - as my best friend would say, this is THE YEAR!). My coworkers were talking about doing a cleanse together, and I decided, 'Hey, why not. Let’s see what all the fuss is about.' RULE 1. If you are cleansing, ALWAYS do it with a friend. No one likes to be hangry alone.

I read (as any writer does) about some of the reasons a juice cleanse is good for your health. Some of the reasons include: improving energy levels, eliminating harmful foods, resting the liver, rehydrating the body, allowing for maximum detoxification, resting the stomach, repairing the gut, and flooding our body with super nutrients. Sounded like enough to get me to sign up.

So I am here today, friends, to share with you my experience - unfiltered - of living through three days on a juice cleanse. I promise it may not always be pretty, but it’ll be true.

Day One: My first taste.

9:53 AM: OMG GROSS. The green juice. GRASS MOUTH GRASS MOUTH SOS.

10:32 AM: Ok, wait. I like this juice a little more. Now it sort of tastes like bananas. Maybe the delusion is setting in already.

10:42 AM: Surprisingly, I’m not starving. Hurrah!

11:00 AM: Ate a few coconut chips. Eeeek (Bad Sara!). Starting to get hungry and am not excited to drink three green juices a day.

1:04 PM: But wait, the other green juice is DELICIOUS. It’s a spinach, mango, bananers PARTAY up in here.

3:17 PM: Chia seeds juice - NOM NOM.

4:25 PM: I’M EATING SOME ALMONDS BECAUSE I HAVE TO.

8:15 PM: I am at a pre-NFL draft party. I watch all the people drinking fancy things and I drink water with lemon. GLAMOROUSSSS! This was the hardest thing I’ve done relating to food since I found out I was allergic to avocado.

11:04 PM: I HAVE TO EAT EGG WHITES RIGHT NOW BECAUSE MY STOMACH WON’T LET ME SLEEP

Day Two: The Saga Continues.

7:00 AM: I woke up with JOLT. Like a burst of energy. I know I sound like I’m talking crazy, but it’s true.

1:09 PM: I feel weirdly not hungry. And very focused.

4 PM: Feeling fiiiiiine, gurlz.

7:00 PM: Saw a movie and drank the choco-nana one. PARTY IN MY MOUTH. YASSSS HONEY.

9:00 PM: Not even hungry enough to drink my last (6th) shake of the day. But I do it anyway so I don’t have a crazy midnight egg-white escapade again.

Day Three: I think I’m beginning to like this.

9:47 AM: Having my last first juice of the day. The green grass mouth is not so bad anymore.

12:01PM: Dang, dis juice is good. I’m thinking about liquid-lunching more often.

5:00 PM: I feel light and airy and am drinking a peanut butter smoothie thing. Who said you have to be bad to be good?

8:20 PM: I’m at trivia night with my friends at our local bar, drinking my last juice. The bartender is teasing me because I won’t have a drink, but I don’t even want to. I feel more alert, more present, and happier than I have in a very long time.

POST-CLEANSE FOOD FOR THOUGHT

I found myself thinking less about food, and more about life. Rather than focusing on the cleanse as a means to lose weight, or tone up for summer, I thought of it as a way to purge my system of it’s old ways, and previous negative thoughts. I used the cleanse as a reset button. Isn’t that the true meaning of cleanse anyway? To detox your system of ill? Doesn’t this include negative thoughts and emotions?

I’ve learned that a cleanse is 1. Not as bad as I thought and 2. A good way to refresh your life. I will go forward thinking a bit more about how I focus on enjoying the moment, rather than planning my next social engagement (usually involving food).

This was also a test of my willpower. We have to listen to both our mind and body to exist on this planet. If you’re like me, your mind often overpowers listening to your body. This was a test for myself to see if I could really do this. Now, I’ve learned to listen to my body for when it’s really hungry. No, I’ll never be one of those girls who doesn’t indulge in french fries because 'I’m not that hungry.' I will continue to indulge in food, beverages and social events that combine the two. Life is too short not to indulge. But i will definitely be more cognizant of what I am putting into my body, and how much it takes to really make me feel full.

Moreover, I will think more critically about how full my life is. What makes me happy. How can I better nourish my soul on a daily basis? Since the cleanse, I’ve reset. I try to meditate daily, focus on giving my body the nutrients and exercise it needs, and reminding myself what it takes to make me feel filled and fulfilled.

I surprised myself at how much I liked the cleanse. I really, really, liked it. The first day was rough, but after that, it really wasn’t all that bad. I wouldn’t go as far as to say I’m going to go juice-cleanse-crazy, but I will say I’d do it again.

So there you have it, my cleanse-y friends, now it’s over, that’s the end!

A rhyme never hurt anyone.

x

SJB 

An original version of this article appeared on bsmartguide.com. 

How to Host an Arm Party: Fashion Trending

Ok, stacked bracelets just make me think of summer. When i was at camp, all my friends and i would make like, 100, friendship bracelets, and stack them all the way up our arms. All the coolest chicks always had barely any arm space (maybe that was an indication of how many friends you had -- not sure). At the end of the summer, you'd have to cut off all your bracelets, and then the sadness would commence because that meant you were returning to school. And also you were without 100 bracelets.

Summer used to be a carefree time where countless semi-permanent bracelets were a totally acceptable thing. But who says that we can't let our carefree childhood camp days transition into our adult lives? I'm here to share with you a few ways to rock the arm party as an adult. 

1. Pair bigger pieces with smaller dainty ones. It's the whole balancing act. Too many big, bold bangles take away from highlighting one or two of the statement pieces in your arm party collection (plus excessive bangles can make your arm heavy, and you'll feel it during each trip to the keyboard...).

2. Pair like colors together (or use your friendly color wheel and find nice contrast). I like to go with a theme for my arm parties. Gold. Silver. Black and white. With these themes, I will mix it varying contract colors to give the party a little pizzazz. Think of your accent color as the cool aunt who always shows up in a red dress. 

3. Opt for a one or two patterns. Ok, we can't go pattern crazy. Go for solid colors, and then choose a patterned bangle to give texture to the overall look. Too many patterns can make it too busy.

4. Pair smaller pieces with a watch. I always wear a watch. I know, I know. There are these magical things called cellphones that tell us the time, but I feel totally naked if I don't have my watch. And yes, I still check the time there (call me a dinosaur). A fun way to add new life to your watch is to pair it with bracelets! Mix it in with the arm party and shake things up. If your watch has a bigger, bolder face, opt for some smaller bracelets before the watch, and perhaps layer on bigger bangles after the watch (I'm talking about before and after when it comes to arm order).

5. Be bold and go monochrome. If you're wearing a plain-colored dress, like white or navy, opt for a few bright bangles to make a statement look. Pair chunky and thin bangles of the same color (it'll end up looking like a cuff) to give your outfit a real pop!

 

Invite all your friends to the arm party this summer and rock on!

x 

sjb

5 ways to wear denim this spring

Let’s talk about a classic that never goes out of style. No I’m not talking about black (at least, not today). I’m talking about denim! Spring is a great time to break out your jean pieces. It’s a breathable and comfy fabric that is perfect for the 65-degree days! Today I’m sharing my style advice on 5 ways to wear denim this spring.

1. Switch up the blues. Pair a buttoned up denim shirt with a dark pair of jeans for a sleek and comfortable denim look!

2. Rock a sleeveless denim shirt. Pair with pastel colored shorts for a sweet outfit that will keep you cool all spring long!

3. A denim dress. I love denim dresses, because they can act as solid colors in one’s closet, yet have more texture than a basic jersey dress. Pair with a cute cropped jacket, or button up the dress and add a statement necklace. Hello, chic! 

4. Mix in acid wash. Acid wash makes me feel like a rockstar, but sometimes too much acid wash can make you feel like you’re in the 80’s (there’s also nothing wrong with that – I am often wishing I was in the 80’s). Pair with a flirty and ladylike top for a more modern acid look!

5. Go monochrome. Opt for the Canadian Tuxedo (remember Britney and Justin in their infamous all denim outfit?) and wear the same hue of blue on both top and bottom! Try mixing up patterns and textures to give the look a bit more depth.

Here’s to a fresh season full of sun, sunnies and sporting your blues!  

x

sjb

*This piece appeared on bsmartguide.com on May 10, 2014. 

Spring Made Simple

Just spent a lovely "Spring Made Simple" afternoon with Home Depot! Stay tuned for an upcoming post this week. But for now, here's a sneak peek of some of the behind the scenes action!

Thanks for having me, HP! 

 X SJB

Behind the scenes at Home Depot's #SpringMadeSimple Garden Party! 

Leather, Meet Spring: Courtesy of Popbasic

Skirt: Popbasic Ashbury Vegan Leather // Top: Popbasic Ashbury Basic Black Tank // Necklace: Popbasic Gwyn Collar Necklace // Bracelet: Rebecca Minkoff // Belt: TJ Maxx // Lips: NYX Shocking Pink // Glasses: Urban Outfitters // Shoes: Franco Sarto  

I was fortunate enough to work the fantastic Popbasic for this post, to create a lovely springtime look – one where you can still wear leather (all together now - hurrah!).

For those of you who haven’t already familiarized yourself with the Popbasic phenomenon, Popbasic enables you to buy beautiful micro collections at really affordable prices. Like, an entire outfit full of great pieces for $70 (yes, please!), with FREE SHIPPING worldwide and no need to subscribe. The collections usually come with one larger piece – like a skirt or a dress—then a basic top and a jewelry piece. The pieces are always versatile and effortlessly chic. This particular collection, the Ashbury collection (available now on Popbasic.com) couldn’t be MORE me (give me anything black or leather and I’m happy), so I was overjoyed to work with Popbasic on this post! 

The Ashbury collection is an all-black ensemble, with a (vegan) leather skirt, basic black tank top, and Gwyn Collar necklace, which was an amazing and bright accent layered over the darker outfit.

I helped my mom move out of our childhood home this week, so I thought it would be a nice place to have this photoshoot, as a celebration of my new life (donned in all black like the typical New Yorker), in conjunction with my childhood (playing outdoors in the Southern sun).

I worked with the various black pieces of the Ashbury collection, by pairing them with bold solids, like hot pink and bright blue. I played off my surroundings, using the pink flowers in front of my house to accompany my bright lips. I played with color and texture here, given the outfit was mostly black. This skirt hits higher on the waist, so in order to highlight the waist I tied the chambray top. I chose leopard-printed booties by Franco Sarto (surprise!) and went with a topknot for my hair, as I feel the collared necklace gave me extra sophistication (ooo la la!). I love a bold pink lip this spring (I finally found the perfect color by NYX!), so I opted for that to finish this springtime-meets-city-gal look. 

But wait, there's more! Use this link to create a login and refer a friend. You both get $15 credit to Popbasic. Easy as pie. 

As for parting thoughts today, I had a very reflective week as I said goodbye to my childhood home. I realized I am very fortunate to be doing things I love, in the city that I love, and I thank all of you for following me in the my journey. Blogging has been such an amazing adventure thus far, and I am so grateful for the wonderful support and love!

Wherever you go, or wherever your life takes you, remember where you came from. And remember to always believe in yourself – for life is not about defining yourself, but creating yourself.

Onward!

X

sjb 

A HUGE thank you to Popbasic for sponsoring this post. xo! 

Meant to Move: My Interview with Dancer & Activist Kristin Sudeikis

Kristin and I, post 2FLY

I sat down with Kristin Sudeikis after 2FLY, a 90’s hip-hop dance class she created which is taking the New York workout scene by storm. “Should we go grab a coffee somewhere?” I asked. “I’m good to just chill on the floor here, if you are,” she said relaxing onto the linoleum tile. This chick is so cool, I obviously followed.

Kristin is the type of person who you meet and instantly love. She is so easy to talk to, so comfortable and assured about life, and truly makes you want to be a better human. Sounds like a lot to be able to ascertain about a person in the span of two minutes, but it’s true.

She's wearing a dope Just Do It t-shirt, camo shorts, and a snap back hat that looks oh so effortlessly cool. Most importantly, she wears a bright and peaceful smile that makes you want to smile back.

So, we started our interview on the floor outside the 2FLY classroom. 

P.s. world, I must make a shameless plug for 2FLY at Crunch Fitness with Kristin and Rachel – it is the MOST fun you’ll ever have exercising.

Still sweating from our workout, I asked Kristin the question I love to ask people who seem to do everything – “how do you define yourself?”

“I’m an active, curious listener. I’m always looking to create a conversation through movement. Dance is my first language, and I live to speak that language with as many people as possible.”

It might have been the best answer I’ve ever heard. This woman has chosen to spend her life changing lives of people through dance. I felt like a lighting bolt of epiphany struck me. Wouldn’t the world be a much happier place if we all danced through life and freed our bodies through movement? If you’ve seen the Pharrell ‘Happy’ video, you know what I’m talking about. 

She then spoke the following "equation," which I found incredibly prophetic (like, HALLELUJAH!). 

We then got into a deep question and answer "session" (there is no serious formality here, Kristin converses with like you've known her for years) about the way she hopes to change women’s lives through dance. Much of it has to do with building confidence, and how movement leads to true freedom.

“We’re meant to move,” she said. “From the time we’re babies, we are constantly moving. We hear music. We dance. We move our arms to hug. We move to stay in line with the universe. The sun moves, the planet moves, our hearts beat to keep our bodies moving. We can never stop moving. And when we do, we have to start moving again for the fear of staying still for too long. Movement is instinctual.”

She explained how movement gives us freedom. Staying still makes us feel stuck. Life and happiness are about feeling free within your body, and movement gives us that freedom.

In the tune of JustSaraJane’s mission to help women feel more confident in their bodies, I also asked Kristin about confidence. ‘’It’s simple,” she said. “Confidence needs to come from the inside out, never from the outside in. Feeling good in your body is what it’s all about. It’s what everything is about.” Amen, sista.

This is specifically why Kristin teaches dance. She explained to me that her classes are about helping people feel good and present in their bodies. Her work is about creating a space for a real, honest conversation with music, and using our bodies to explore.

We talked a lot about exactly how we go about feeling good in our bodies. Kristin jokes that in some of her dance classes, she encourages people to verbally “thank” parts of their body. “Thank you leg for being AWESOME today. Thank you knees for being total ROCKSTARS.” I LOVE this. Our bodies are incredible vehicles that move us through this life. They are made to support us. Move us. Carry us. They are made to love. On that note, definitely check out Kristin’s latest video “Made to Love,” featuring her contemporary dance company Kristin Sudeikis Dance (of which she is the artistic director). 

We have the choice to remain thankful for the beauty we get to create with our bodies. That, to me, is empowering and just straight up cool. As we wrapped up our talk about the theme of confidence, she said something that particularly stuck with me. “It’s really about always being present. Be present in your frame. Be present in the room. Stand tall. Be YOU. Being you will change the world.”

I guess it’s really that simple, folks.

“Anything else?” I asked her. “Oh yeah, back to how I define myself,” she said. “I’m someone that laughs most of the day.”

“I can see that,” I replied with a smile, joyous from one of the greatest conversations I’ve had in years.

Until next time, 

x

SJB

P.s. Friends, go forth and DANCE. Whether it's in your bedroom, on the subway, or in the street. Dancing makes people happy. Happy people = happier world. 

----

Thank you to Kristin for your work, passion and for being an inspiration. 

JSJ friends, stay tuned, I’ll be doing more upcoming pieces on Kristin as she continues to change the world through movement.

For more information about Kristin and her amazing work, visit her website at http://www.kristinsudeikis.com .

Mon Nouveau Clutch: A Just Sara Jane Original

A few weeks ago, the incredibly talented Scarlett Ruocco reached out to me about doing a collaboration. Scarlett makes fashionable art that you can wear -- and her work is always hand drawn! (a UK native, she most recently did a shirt with Cara Delevingne eyes). She created this amazing hand-drawn clutch exclusively for Just Sara Jane, collaging various pieces together to give it a signature look. Her creativity is inspiring and I am so grateful to have worked with someone so talented. I styled an outfit around this clutch that was the most JustSaraJane (hello, black, white and leather details!) to celebrate this one of a kind piece in my wardrobe. 

What a truly incredible gift. Thank you Scarlett! For more information about Scarlett and her work, visit her Twitter or Wordpress. 

x

sjb

Front & back 

Pants: Club Monaco // Shoes: Easy Pickins // Jacket: H&M // Necklace: H&M // Top: Forever 21 // Lips: NYX Matte Red