Over the summer, I attended my first socially distanced launch party for the graphic design firm, The Hyacinth Group, based in Beacon, NY and owned by a woman who is Caribbean American from Jamaica, Lauren Johnson. She designed the party with social distance in mind by having food in one corner, drinks in the opposite corner, and seat guidelines by household for when it came time to eat the meal that her partner, Nicholas Leiss of Farm2ChefsTable, had prepared. One guest was in a fancy dress and heels - that were sinking into the grass - but she didn’t care. It was her first time out, and she needed to get dressed.
Fast forward to this morning, a Monday mid-way through the holidays between Thanksgiving and Christmas and the days of Hanukkah. The sun is out, the closets are being cleaned to accommodate hiding gifts, and long buried dresses and accessories exposed. During quarantine, there have bee bouts of fancy dress-ups every now and then. A regular Monday is no exception.
If you want to have a Power Monday, you’re going to need to put on your best dress. Not just a fancy top and statement earrings, like is on the cover of this week’s New Yorker Magazine, but the full get-up, including the shoes. Wear heels if you want! I always have at least a wedge for a lift to my step.
Monday is a weekend day for a retail store owner, after a busy weekend. Mondays is when a shop owner might relax. Like April Perri, owner of La Mere Clothing Boutique in Beacon, NY, who moved her shop down a block last weekend, and was fresh off her first fully open weekend. On this Monday, she was in fashionable camo leggings, and was headed to some self-care of getting her nails done to catch her thoughts.
Other Ways To Keep A Clear Mind For A Good Monday:
Get Dressed (including shoes): The full outfit helps keep your mind focused and sharp. And the end of the day, slipping into sweats is very rewarding and comfortable. Set yourself up for that transition.
Stretch: Put your phone down and do a set of stretching. This could be yoga moves, or just moves that you make up that feel good. Dancing is OK too! If you need to memorize some new moves, try these video classes from fitness studios in Beacon that I love.
Listen To Music. Pause The Podcast: Music lets your mind go. Some people are rigid about listening to talk news only. But this can keep your mind in a stimulated jabber-mode for quite a while, and cause mental exhaustion. Mix it up a bit. Dedicate certain stretching or jogging sessions - or simple walks down the street - to a set of music to help you think something through.
Dance Party. Often best expressed at the end of a day, while you’re folding laundry or making dinner. Dr. Alia Ezziddin, owner of Enamel and Root in Wilmette, IL, encourages dance parties for any day, any reason, and often has enjoys them with her 3rd grader.
Sunshine. Get some. Get outside. The end.
Media Contacts You Could Pitch
Many fashion ideas can be spun right now. From pandemic-friendly tricks, to new fashions coming out of these house-bound days, to emerging trends, like kids getting really good at their own makeup because they have nothing else to do but play makeup tutorials (oh, is that just my house?)
Tin Shingle’s Media Contact Idea Center has…ideas for you, from social handles to emails. Join today and let the sparks fly! Need help? Participate in our Community and even send us your draft email to a person in the media.