20 SOMETHING obsession: floral headpiece

by lestwentysomethings

Summer is rolling nicely along. Between the music festivals, birthday parties and random nights out, I just can’t stop wearing my floral headpiece. It’s my summer obsession.

xx, Erin

 

20 SOMETHING dating: the morning after

by lestwentysomethings

(Since the stories are true, to protect the friends and contributors of 20 SOMETHING, we are using our anonymous user. Please enjoy the post but respect our privacy – xx The 20 SOMETHINGS)

It’s bright in his room when I finally decide I need to get up. I roll over only to find emptiness. I briefly remember the bed creaking as he got up but I must have drifted back to sleep. I roll over stretching and forcing my still tired eyes to open and welcome the day. I’m sore and weak from the activities the night before and earlier in the morning. It’s our first night together and I feel like I played the night flawlessly.

I scan his bedroom floor for my clothing; I only see my black thong. Oh, fuck, I think to myself. All my clothes are in his living room. As I roll my body out of his bed and somehow gracefully land on my two feet, I stand there starring at his closet. I have two options: Put on my thong and strut into his living room or, option number two, put on an item of his clothing and feel covered. I choose option number one, in that moment I felt like going through his clothes would be extremely creepy.

After a few moments of going back and forth, I put on my thong, stood up straight, gave my breasts a quick rub to perk them up and walked slightly on my toes out of his room. I feel awkward about my lack of clothing immediately. He’s sitting at the counter with his back to me, fully dressed. Dammit, I’m that girl right now.

I kiss the back of his neck as he welcomes me with a good morning; I’m trying to play it cool. He seems stiff and I become awkward at his lack of affection. I glance across the room and see my dress and bra folded on his couch. I chuckle at the situation. He definitely looked at my bra cup size. There is no way that bra was perfectly placed on the corner of the couch as of last night.

I glance at him and then back at my clothes at the opposite side of the room. “I should probably head out,” I say as I start to walk toward my clothes trying to pull off a sexy casual strut. I feel self-cautious as he can literally see everything. The sun drenched room, the bending over to get the clothes, he has to be entertained but I’m embarrassed. I want to slap my head with my palm at how uncomfortable the situation feels. I quickly turn and walk back to my original spot behind him to dress myself as the awkwardness continues to grow between us.

I fill the silence by asking him about his plans for the day, he doesn’t say much but reciprocates the question. I grab my heels by his front door, make my way back to his devious red couch where everything had started the night before, trying to answer the question while putting on my shoes.

As I stand he stands, looking at me. I grab my bag feeling disappointed and slightly annoyed. He walks me to the door and says, “That was fun.” I nod, looking up at him. He makes no move as we both shift toward the door. He opens it and I walk out. The door closes, I continue to feel a frustration and pain building up inside of me, stabbing me in my side. I want to sit in his hallway and cry. How many guys do I have to go through to find one decent man? I question. I pull myself together, literally shaking my head and press the down elevator button. I grab a cab and head to the comfort of my home still confused, frustrated and annoyed at how the mood changed from the earlier hours to our encounter in the living room.

20 SOMETHING dating : not the “one”

by lestwentysomethings

(Since the stories are true, to protect the friends and contributors of 20 SOMETHING, we are using our anonymous user. Please enjoy the post but respect our privacy – xx The 20 SOMETHINGS)

I recently found this quote during a two hour binge session on Pinterest:

Relationships. It’s more than just the dates, holding hands and kissing. It’s about accepting each other’s weirdness and flaws. It’s about being yourself and finding happiness together. It’s about seeing an imperfect person perfectly.

This quote put a few things into perspective surrounding my current and past relationships. After reading this, I knew the man I was seeing was not the person I wanted to be in a relationship with. His imperfections I did not appreciate or accept. Annoyance filled my body during conversations. Nothing about his personality, lifestyle and goals enticed, inspired or enthused me. I found him arrogant, immature, selfish, unaware, inexperienced, and naive.

Looking at many of my relationships, including my most recent, I wish someone shook me to force the fog blinding me to lift. Actually, many of my friends tried relentlessly but I chose to ignore their wise words. Now in my mid twenties, I’m starting to see things more clearly.

I have been in and out of relationships for the past four years and have come to the realization I am much stronger by myself than with a man that cannot make me happy. I feel like I have been forcing myself to fit into the lives of these men and have lost myself every time. I am proud of the person I am today and want a man that can keep up with me, not hold me back.

For the first time in four years, I will officially call myself single. I have finally shaken the fog that has been blinding me since my first serious relationship. I am currently at a more happy, secure and okay place with myself than I have ever been. At the end of the day, if I’m okay with me, life’s coincidences will take care of the rest.

20 SOMETHING dating: the italian

by lestwentysomethings

(Since the stories are true, to protect the friends and contributors of 20 SOMETHING, we are using our anonymous user. Please enjoy the post but respect our privacy – xx The 20 SOMETHINGS)

It’s roughly four in the morning when I wake up. I can’t even remember falling asleep, I must have been exhausted. I rollover and look at my Italian. I force myself closer to him. I run my fingers against his warm skin and breath in his smell. I feel desperate to make him hold on to me, but my advances in my dark room are ignored. I think to myself, in one week he’s leaving to go back to Italy. I panic for a few minutes before forcing myself to fall back to sleep. I feel alone even though I have a man a few inches from me.

My 8AM alarm goes off. As we wake, it’s brisk in my room. The window is cracked open from our activities the night before. I watch him. He opens his eyes and we look at each other for a second before I look away, shrugging myself closer to him. He doesn’t move to wrap himself around me like he used to. Maybe he’s not that into me anymore, I think to myself.

I touch him, feeling his arousal, I advance my actions.

He always makes sure I’m taken care of first. After, I lay next to him feeling my high escaping me. He asks if I’m okay. I know he just wants me to focus my attention on him but I take a few more moments for myself. Focusing on my breath. I start to touch him again and it takes him less than two minutes to reach his peak. He’s panting, I lay my head on his hip listening to his pulse pounding throughout his body.

He doesn’t waste time. I know he has to go. He gets up to take a quick shower. I have to force myself not to grab at him to keep him next to me. I roll over to where he was laying, not taking my eyes off him. The sheets are still warm from his body heat and it gives me a comforting effect. Yet sadness and loneliness slowly wash over me; it’s the same depression that has filled me all winter. I watch him wrap my towel around his body. I cover myself by pulling my sheets around me, as if to protect myself. I’m wishing it was him, not the sheets, keeping me warm and safe. But I close my eyes as he exits my room. I feel empty, like he’s leaving me behind. Wrapping my arms around myself I force my body into a small ball. I try not to want him to the degree I’m currently feeling. I pull the covers tighter around me and drift back to sleep.

I feel him kiss me, I open my eyes and look up at him. I ask for another, he obliges. This is the first time I don’t walk him out of my apartment. I stay in bed trying to hold onto the feelings I get from him and convincing myself I’m fine.

Work Week – CÉLINE

by themanburner

I love statement designer bags, and really, who doesn’t? They’re beautiful, classic and can go with weekend, work and evening wear! My new CÉLINE will be used in many future photo shoots!

Enjoy!

x, Erin

Work Week – The Black Maxi

by themanburner

There’s nothing better than a simple black maxi for a business casual work place. As temperatures reached the 90’s today in NYC I was thankful to have this lightweight dress in my closet.

Hope everyone’s having a wonderful summer!

x, Erin

Anthropologie Macrame Day Dress

Want It Wednesday – SEE the REAL YOU

by themanburner

Too many women do this… I think it’s time to see the real you!

x, Erin

Rooftop Inspiration

by themanburner

As the temperature slowly starts to rise here in NYC, Hannah and I had a little fun styling on her rooftop in the East Village.

Jacket: Vintage; Dress: H&M; Shoes: Elizabeth and James (Obsessed with the Olsen twins); Clutch-Wallet: Tory Burch; Sunglasses: Versace; Watch: Michael Kors.

X, Erin

Hey New York – Fashion Talk with Naeem Khan

by themanburner

“Since the launch of his eponymous label in 2003, India-born Naeem Khan has gained international recognition for his luxurious collections of impeccably cut dresses, sophisticated gowns, and chic separates. Khan’s stunning designs have graced the silver screen in recent films like Sex & The City and Dreamgirls, and quickly become red-carpet staples, worn by many of today’s hottest stars and socialites, including Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Penelope Cruz, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Queen Noor of Jordan.” – French Institute

This Wednesday, March 27th at 7pm, Fashion Designer Naeem Khan is speaking at the French Institute. Tickets are still available! Hope to see you all there!

Erin

www.fiaf.org

Naeem Khan – Click on the image to be taken to buy tickets.

Fall 2010 collection

Aim High – Fortune Favors the Bold

by themanburner

Feminism: what comes to mind?

In the most recent New York Magazine, “The Retro Wife” written by Lisa Miller, discusses gender roles and explores the term, Feminism. Throughout the article, Miller mentions Facebook’s COO, Sheryl Sandberg. After finishing the article, I asked a few friends if they read it. One girlfriend had and after a few minutes of discussing the topic and the people mentioned throughout it, she shared the below video with me. I think all women, especially 20 SOMETHING women, need to watch Sandberg’s speech and really see the potential and “awesomeness” they possess. Enjoy!
Erin

New York Magazine