The fast-paced book I couldn't put down, the coolest statement sports bra, a genius travel hack and more!
Read moreThe GlamourGals Glammy Scholarship Awards: 6 Teens Who'll Give You Hope for the Future
These teens have spent lots of time with the elderly, providing companionship and forming unlikely bonds. They have major goals, too, from helping to lessen the effects of memory loss to going to medical school and working with older generations. All six winners make the future look pretty bright...
Read more3 Cool, Under-the-Radar Things to Do On the North Fork of Long Island
The wine, the waterfront views and the island getaway within an island getaway...
Read more5 Things I'm Loving Right Now
The indie rock album that I can't stop rockin' out to, the accessory that'll brighten up your look, and a special guest contributor's life-changing beauty find.
Read more5 Things I'm Loving Right Now
The new song that's such a teenaged throwback for me, the coolest custom cards, and the sheet mask that feels like a cloud on your face...
Read moreThe Women's March On NYC
My unique adventure at the Women's March On NYC, plus the amazing women I was with share why marching was essential for them.
Read more5 Cozy Gift Ideas for the Yogi In Your Life
To kick off the new yoga series on Galbraith, yoga instructor extraordinaire Gabrielle Stratton shares five of her fave luxe, yoga-themed gift ideas.
Read more5 Gift Ideas for the Cool Girl In Your Life
Wondering where to start for gifts for the women you adore? Try these simple, luxe (and affordable!) options...
Read moreWhat Personality Type Are You?
Are you more introverted or extroverted? Thinking or feeling focused? Take this cool test and find out.
Read more5 Cool, Must-Read Newsletters That You Need in Your Inbox Now
And they're all created by women, natch!
Read more10 Things I'm Loving Right Now
The easy-to-find-in-your-bag lip balm, the singer I'm crushing on, the coolest face mask (literally), and more!
Read moreA Beachy, Sunshiny Poem For the Last Day of Summer
FIRE ISLAND: MID-SUMMER
Soft waves today; feathery clouds;
apricot horizon; frothing
wake of a water skier
shivers in the cool breeze.
A plover lands atop a sand-castle parapet
while I, in my lounge chair,
write a poem about the joys of summer.
Sudden noise from a boom-box
jolts me and the bird
from our respective perches.
Toes digging into the sand,
we head for the water's edge
where we bury all complaints
for the tide to wash away.
—Rosalie Calabrese
(Published: Third Wednesday, 2013)
You may remember Rosalie as the star of the first part of the Real Gals series, which is a collaboration with the nonprofit GlamourGals. Rosalie is a brilliant 78-year-old New York City–based writer, and it's such a joy for me to read her poetry and to now have the chance to share it with you. (When you read the poem, can you smell the ocean breeze, hear the sound of the boat pulling the water skier, hear the waves crashing, and see the bird standing at the water's edge? I love that "Fire Island: Mid-Summer" truly evokes the senses, and our imaginations, as we read!) Here's a bit more about Rosalie.
The best part of summer to her: "I love sitting on the beach, mesmerized by the motion of the sea."
Her favorite season: "I like summer the best, although spring and fall are nice. Notice I didn't say winter. Brrr. What I like most about fall is the changing of the leaves."
Where she was when she wrote the poem: "I wrote it at home, but the inspiration came from watching that bird at the beach in Kismet on Fire Island."
A book she's loving: "I'm currently reading What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt, and I'm totally engaged in her depiction of art, the art scene, psychoses, medical history, and telling a fascinating story of interpersonal relationships all at the same time. Very impressive."
Thank you so much, Rosalie, for sharing your beautiful poem. If you'd like to read more poetry by Rosalie, you can sign up for her newsletter by emailing her at rcmgt@yahoo.com.
Photograph by Tom Schelling.
The 6 Big Things I Learned in My 20s
The top lessons I've learned in the past decade, plus super on-point (and very funny) life advice from my new roomies, Kristin and Kaitlin.
Read moreHow to Survive a NYC Heat Wave Without A.C.
I moved to a new apartment two weeks ago and must have been delusional when I thought I could go the rest of the summer without an air conditioner. Boy, did I underestimate the power of a heat wave in New York City.
"It's only another month or so I'll have to get through," I said to my friends and family, hardly believing what I was saying, but pretending it was no big deal. Of course I could handle it!
Well, I handled it. Just barely. This past Sunday, I spent most of the day surrounded by fans (the loud, whirring, breeze-making kind, not the people-who-adore-me kind), trying to adjust to the intense heat and humidity. I learned a few things in the process. Here, how to get by when the temps are in the high ’90s, there's no A.C. in sight, and even an iced coffee won't suffice. (Madness!)
1. First, the denial: Insist that you'll be fine, that the heat is no problem for you. After all, you grew up without an air conditioner, you got this. #badass. Er, make that: #sweatybadass.
2. Decide to do laundry at the laundromat. Hang out a bit longer than necessary folding clothes to soak in that free A.C. (Cheating is allowed, obvi.)
3. Realize that the relatively simple task of making the bed with fresh sheets will result in you being bathed in sweat. Here commences the first midday shower (of many to come).
4. Resign to not lift a finger to turn on the stove. Do it anyway, and curse yourself when the kitchen becomes a true oven.
5. Use any excuse to stick your head in the freezer. Yes, I do need to refill all the ice trays three times. Maybe six? What if there's an ice shortage? I'd better stockpile.
6. Contemplate having ice cream for dinner. Then actually do it, meeting your friend at the local ice cream shop around the corner to slurp down four scoops in a HUGE cone. Come home covered in sticky ice cream like the true kid you are.
7. Shower again, of course. Have to wash off all that ice cream!
8. Put on your emergency, I'm-melting-in-this-heat outfit: the belly shirt you never feel comfortable wearing (outside of the beach) and the loosest shorts you own (i.e. the looser the clothing, the cooler you'll feel).
9. Put wet hair in a topknot and decide it's the only way you can wear your hair ever again.
10. Daydream of what air conditioning feels like. If only there was some cool air blasting on me right now!
11. Think about going to a coffee shop, but that means having to move, and changing out of the belly top... too much work.
12. When it randomly starts to downpour, run to the front door, filled with glee, and stand outside until you're soaked, never before this happy to see rain.
13. Walk back to your apartment incredibly slowly, after all, there's A.C. in the apartment building entranceway.
14. You sleep restlessly that night and cave the next day, enlisting your boyfriend to help you install the old, rusty A.C. from your last apartment, even though it doesn't fit in the window (the window is too wide). But you'll make it work (for the love of all things furry, you must!), so you use cut-up pieces from a cardboard box and duct tape to keep air from getting in or out. Then, the moment of truth: You push the power button, and Ahhhhh. There it is, that cold, delicious air. Whoever said living without A.C. is possible during a NYC summer? Not me!
Stay cool out there, my friends!
Xoxo, Heather
Photograph by Tom Schelling.
Greece Photo Diary: Naoussa, Thessaloniki, and Athens
The sites, the food, the people, the shoes!!!
Read more