feelies: Greetings! From Quarantine

At the age of thirteen I taught myself how to write clear, topic oriented, features. At the age of twenty, I taught myself how to abandon all of it. 

weirdly beautiful architecture at a rest stop in St Augustine, FL whilst on a 21 hr road trip

As said on "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me!" this week, the last thing literary agents, and the general public for that matter, want are tales from quarantine. Throughout this pandemic, I've lived in three different places. For two months, I was in my apartment in Brooklyn, painting the walls from one shade of white to another and watching rom coms with my roommate. For three weeks, I was at my parent's in New Jersey. I'm currently in Florida with the family I babysit for, swimming in backyard pools and watching fifteen minute torrential rain storms with awe.

Chi, basking 

Ironically, this could've been the best time for me to write. Before the entire world shifted, I was working two jobs and a full time student. Yet, I can't bring myself to do anything. I figured if the retail stores and schools and public parks were on pause, I should be also.

I guess this could be looked at as a "throw away" post. If you ever were there for my first endeavor, How Fitting, you'd know I quite like writing paragraphs upon paragraphs of nothing. I guess I felt the need to document my own postcard from quarantine. I promise I won't write further about it. Or try to sell you a book on it. Or continuously speak on it. I'd hope to keep my blog, and everything I write in general, rooted in reality but my mind is all escapism.

xx

-annie 

Trying Prose's Customized Hair Care

This post was alternately titled "I Hate My Hair More Than Anything Else About Me So I Tried Prose" but I figured it didn't have the same SEO potential. Oh to be young and search engine optimizational.

Anyways, as often as my hair style and length and color changes (and that is by average, at least twice a year) one thing that is consistent is my absolute undying hatred for it. I know it's harsh and arguably a jewish girl rite of passage, but as much as I would hope to say I've grown into myself and become more confident in my outward appearance, and I have, my hair just hasn't followed through with that vision. It's all very "chicken before the egg"; what came first? My insecurity towards my hair or the constant desire to cut it all off?

*also just a side note about customized subscription services, I just want to bring up how utterly comical it is that Curology told me that my skin problems were incurable. Easily one of the funniest things to happen to me and my self esteem.

Onto Prose... 
Prose is a hair care service based in SoHo (ironically the same street I worked on for a year... "I don't have to go to Spring Street 'cause it's spring everywhere"-Dar Williams) that specializes in products tailored towards the individual's hair texture, goals, and needs. At first I was skeptical, as I'm quite used to "miracle" products being pushed towards my hair, only for them to either require far too much upkeep or lack of results. However, full disclosure: I was halfway through a frozen margarita at the bar and I had just gotten paid that night so here I was waiting on custom shampoo.

The questionnaire went deep, asking further than the simple "texture/length/damage and instead inquiring further about climate factors, existing routine, and how much effort I wished to put in (as much as I like to play "cool girl", I divulged to a hair service that I essentially will beg, steal, and borrow to achieve the locks of my dreams).

The Haul 
I decided go big or go home and went for both the shampoo and conditioner along with the curl cream and pre shampoo mask. I, however, skipped out on the dry shampoo and conditioner as I'm quite loyal to/over the moon with Amika's assortment.

feelin like Bettie Paige with my shiny hair n me 

For starters, everything smells stupid good. I chose the "botanical" scent and I have to say part of it is completely worth it just to get my hair to smell like eucalyptus (unlike most products, this stuff actual lingers...).  After nearly two months, I can officially report I'm hooked ("Sven Golly you did it!). I will say, though the conditioner, shampoo, and pre-shampoo mask (who knew this even existed! Much less was the fix towards my hair drying up whenever I try to wash it!) shall forever be in my arsenal, I wasn't as impressed with the curl cream, preferring the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie  I've been using since the dawn of time.

Overall, though I believe I will never truly be me if I don't absolutely hate my hair, Prose has made my life a hell of a lot easier. Who knew the solution to my tragic failing is customized shampoo? (god that sounds so ridiculous I love saying it). Don't worry I already sent my love letter to Prose's customer service team.

(ps: another great thing about the brand is that you can either skip ordering pumps for your products all together or just order them once and save them for new products, skipping out on at least a little plastic waste).

check out Prose here 

-Annie 

Sooooo I Tried A Sustainable Laundromat

So I'm sipping a coffee at a gentrified laundromat in Williamsburg right now. To clarify, this coffee is coming from the cafe at said gentrified laundromat, if you were wondering what level of gentrification we're talking here.

Anyways, despite the fact that this title sounds like the beginning to a Vice article (side note: my favorite headline they've ever concocted has been "I Went to a Steampunk Rave in Bushwick and Learned to Accept Gentrification") I'm actually here to talk about Celsius Laundromat's eco friendly model and how realistic their plan to disrupt the laundry industry is.

Located a five minute walk off of the Bedford Ave L train stop, Celsius Laundromat uses technology of Lisa White's Absolute Laundry Systems , a company that has invented a washing machine supposedly more sustainable. This idea is based off a multitude of reasons but the most notable, to myself at least, are the automatic water savings, eco-power, and reverse drying cylinders. AWS saves a claimed 30% of water through the machine's ability to determine the weight of your load and add the proper amount of water in order to avoid any waste. Along with this, the machine's eco power can tell once the the garments are dry and lower the amount of power being used. As for the the reverse drying cylinders, these babies are able to have your clothing dried in a much speedier fashion, saving on energy.

my roommate, Rachel, having a blast taking care of laundry we hadn't done since long before even moving 

Here's the thing though: how much of this is greenwashing? 

As incredible as these developments in technology sound, Celsius' own website fails to provide any facts and figures towards how this method effects the environment and instead, uses buzzwords such as "environmentally educated" and "organic". In order to gain the scientific information I was looking for, I actually had to turn to Lisa White's website which wasn't even linked (and still wasn't all that informative). Though the laundromat's atmosphere is undoubtedly pleasant (I'm not gonna lie, I heavily enjoyed that whole experience), even the employees were unable to answer the basic questions on how the machines actually worked to help our environment. Instead, every question of mine was answered with points on how convenient the system was, from the speed of the entire process to how the machines will text you once your load is finished (some Jetsons level shit). Yes, it is inarguable Celsius' technology is innovative and cutting edge, but is their title of sustainable really suitable?

A huge red flag is the atmosphere, an ironic statement as that's pretty much their entire selling point. However, their organic coffee, metal straws, and sales stand filled with other sustainable product could easily be used as a "performance act" in order to have consumers cease to question the actual environmental benefits of the company. This obviously is the product of a much larger problem within greenwashing; we associate such words (i.e: organic) and objects like these aforementioned metal straws with helping our planet which leads us to just simply assume the service we are paying upwards of $7.50 a load for has to be positive towards the environment too.

Flat out: Celsius could be using these small objects like castile soap and metal straws in order to distract their customers from their main product, washing machines', environmental impact. 

taking from Vogue's review of the business 

I think the ultimate question on top of Celsius being a greenwasher's paradise is how much of a paranoid and pessimistic bitch I am. Honestly, though my yuppie side certainly loved my time at Williamsburg's hottest new hangout spot (according to Vogue- you gotta read the article. It's bizarre), my bank account wasn't a fan and my laundromat across the street felt quite cheated on. This isn't to say I wouldn't go back, it just simply worries me how little facts and science is used behind the laundromat's marketing. If a business is to advertise themselves with such a heavy and complex title as sustainable can be, I need a higher level of transparency (come on Celsius! Bore me with that environmental science!) and refuse to just blindly trust something because their interior is cute and their coffee is incredible.

As a laundromat, I'm gonna have to put a pin on this one until further transparency is provided. However, I will give Celsius the title of best coffee shop on North 7th Street that has a laundromat downstairs. 

-annie louise

Vegan Eaaats (0.0)

As if I don't talk about it enough, ya girl is a vegan. 

And I've gotta say that there's hardly any excuse for me not to be with such incredible options for going out to eat. For the nyc foodie/tourist/vegan/person who likes to eat food that tastes good, I've compiled a list of my personal vegan favorite spots (at the moment) around the city. If you take anything from this, it's that I go out to eat far too often. 

the kickin' cowgirl 

- Champ's Diner 

Bushwick, Brooklyn 

There was a point in which me and my roommate were going here once a week (despite the multiple subway transfer commute) just because of how often we crave it. Being from New Jersey, there's nothing I appreciate more than a good diner and that's an understatement when it comes to Champ's. Beware of the wait (the worst was when we got excited because it was only forty five minutes)- I've waited in the snow for two hours- shit's worth it. 

order: buffalo chicken sandwich, blackberry crumble milkshake, and mozzarella sticks 

-Superiority Burger

Lower East Side, Manhattan

I'd like to shout out my lunch stipend at work for funding majority of my trips here. Superiority burger is your classic burger joint...without the meat. Everything served is vegetarian but can be vegan upon request!

order: vegan Megamouth 

2 pepperoni slices, one white slice, and a buffalo cauliflower slice

-Screamer's Pizzeria

Greenpoint, Brooklyn

I seriously cannot speak highly enough of this place. Literally the best vegan pizza, if not overall best pizza, I've ever had. Also bonus points for filling you up so well. 

order: grandma slice and buffalo cauliflower slice 

my beloved bowery

-Orchard Grocer

Lower East Side, Manhattan 

Ever since going vegan, I've been missing bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches tremendously and even though my standards on bagels is ridiculously high (hey, I'm a new jersey jew), Orchard Grocer has really been there for me in these trying times. Along with their deli, they also offer a compact specialty vegan grocery store complete with actually good mac and cheese (I'm looking at you Daiya) and some of the best sour cream I've ever had. Of course bonus points for the cats that live at the shoe store attached to the deli. 

order: The Bowery on an everything bagel with spicy mayo 

-Marty's V-Burger

Midtown, Manhattan

All my vegan fast food dreams. Seriously. 

order: buffalo drum sticks, original burger, mac and cheese, and fries 

-Jajaja

Lower East Side, Manhattan 

Incredible vegan Mexican food with a gorgeous atmosphere. 

order: nachos with guac (they put a ridiculous amount on top, god bless them) and a chorizo burrito. 

-Bunna Cafe 

Bushwick, Brooklyn 

Not to be dramatic, but this is my favorite restaurant ever. The food is absolutely incredible and reasonably priced- I'm a true lover of substitutions but the way they season their plant based dishes is insane. I can't speak highly enough of this place. 

order: Highly rec doing the feast between two people which comes out to about $8 each (I know)

Shout out to all of these places for draining my bank account and filling my heart and stomach. I love you New York and all your vegan options. 

-Annie Louise

we love a good rebranding + my fit lol

It wouldn't be an Annie LeMonnier blog without a good hiatus followed by a rebranding. 

brought 2 u by the bench outside The Bean

I love rebranding. Mainly because I can't sit still being the same for too long but also because it gives me the chance to harness what I'm currently feeling. It's really not that deep but I just thought of "Sustainable Diaries" to be so horribly tacky and after doing a project for class about a fake vintage shop called "Annie 'N Chi" I was sold. Since we last spoke, I have moved to New York City, started up college, and adopted this lil Bugger, Chia. Things have been unreasonably good and stressful at the same time but I've found that to always be a constant in my life. Honestly though you'd think I'd be less shaken up by change based off how often I do it. 

And like not to get horribly nostalgic, but imagine the 7th grader with a fascination for Greenwich Village writing up little blog posts about lip gloss on her family computer and look @ me now !! What is up!! Wow !! Absolutely crazy. 

chia!

So things have been pretty great on my end. I mean I have an awesome roommate, cat, and we're moving out of the upper east side into a cozy space in Brooklyn in the winter. Everythings falling into place and I'm just going through the motions. It's a good feeling. 

Anyways, I was really feeling myself as I was mooching off the free wifi The Bean has to offer along with the weather being perfect in order to loiter outside in order to obtain it so here's my fit I guess:

THE DEETS: 

- top: MyUnique (prob $8 max)

-jeans: I think they were from No Relation but they also could've been stolen from my sister. I can't keep track anymore. 

-jacket: the I.AM.GIA pixie coat lol. At the time of purchasing, I wasn't aware of how unethical the brand is (info) and would not encourage anyone to do the same. However, tons of ethical brands make a teddy coat similar to this (and prob higher quality). 

-choker: the baby bat choker by Verameat 

-earrings: Awoke Vintage 

-sunglasses: St Marks lol

-shoes (not pictured): baby got a job at Birkenstock and now has these bad boys! (cozy af)

as always, much love,

Annie-Louise

Bric-a-Brac: the hidden treasures of thrift shops

two thrifted paintings- an homage to my love for florals

Let's be real here: thrift shops are overwhelming. Especially starting off, it's easy to stick to one certain section where you've had success in the past and call it a day. For me, it was graphic tees. I mean you can't really go wrong with them so it was a pretty good deal of large reward with little to no effort (as you will soon find out, I absolutely loathe having to try clothing on). Now, as someone who's been thrifting for over six years and may have a mild shopping addiction, I love the harder sections. Frustrating as it is, I take pride after trying on dozens of ill fitting pants to find the perfect plaid trouser or going through my infamous denim skirt search until finding the ideal length.

jokingly called my "prized possession": my John Cena alarm clock

So as I began venturing out of my comfort zone, I discovered the void that is the homewares of thrift shops. Lovingly called by my friends and I, "the weird shit" section, bric-a-brac hosts everything from books perfect for tearing apart for collages, dinnerware, and my personal favorite, "novelties". As someone months away from gaining their first apartment, bric-a-brac has become a true love to wander through just due to its oddities and the occasional score.

wicker picnic set I use to hold my extensive cassette collection- I have to admit the gingham sold me. 

For this unknown Brooklyn apartment, I'm going for a "french-grandma" vibe (i.e: loads of gingham, wicker, and florals) and the mish-mosh of thrift shop housewares has really made this so much more unique and authentic. We love a good mishmosh.

(a little bit of a cheat) embroidered handkerchief found in Cobblestones with Henry 

All in all, I've become a super fan of a good thrifted mug with a stupid slogan across (you darn kids and your irony!) or giant books of Monet or even a good board game (my sister and I have revived our obsession) found within the shelves of a bric-a-brac section.

much love, 

annie

Depop Pickups 0.0

Though my main mode of shopping is facing the thrift shop racks, over the past few weeks, I've had far too much free time and access to app, Depop. For those of you unfamiliar, Depop is an app based around buying and selling from individuals- essentially a cuter designed eBay. What's so great about it is not only does it cut down on those with an itching to buy from fast fashion, but it also hinders those from throwing out their old threads and contributing to the 13.1 million tons of textiles sitting in American landfills per year. Though I would never rely on the shopping app to completely build my wardrobe, what I've found it's best for is locating specific items- especially ones you're already 100% of the sizing (think: shoes, brands you've bought from before, etc). I'd have to say Depop has fueled an online shopping craze that hadn't been tapped inside me yet (it's a thrift store on the internet- a perfect storm) and is only at the tip of the iceberg with draining my paycheck but at least its ethical??

xPlatform Doc Martens ($50)

As previously mentioned, there is no shoe I love more than my Docs and I've fallen head over heels with these platform men's style low tops. What drew me most to these were the subtle masculine notes (I believe they were originally marketed as unisex)- I just always feel like Harry Styles when stomping in them. Since picking these up for half the retail price, I've given my maroon classics a bit of a break and taken the low tops roughly everywhere. Even with the platform, they're still SO comfortable and proved this when I saw Joyce Manor a few weeks back- if my feet could survive three hours of standing, dancing, moshing, and running to the subway in these, they're definite keepers. Also don't be afraid to purchase shoes with a lil scuffing like these were! If the price is lowered because of it, it's so easy to take your shoes to a local shoemaker/shiner and get them good as new (also I feel like I've found the holy grail by buying Docs used and not having to go through the breaking in period).

(seller: Orenda Lou)

xChecked Romper ($5)

I picked this up on a whim whilst ordering the next two pieces from the same seller- it just seemed like such an easy throw on piece for when it gets warmer and I can hardly ever resist. Since it came, I've donned this far too many times when I don't feel like getting dressed to stay inside but still don't want to sit in my pajamas- I can't wait to spend days in the summer lounging in the grass of parks wearing this beauty.

(ft: this belt i thrifted ages ago) 

xHippie Dress ($10)

I'd had the same fantasy of picnicking and journaling outside whilst wearing this romantic piece- I was a little nervous to order it honestly since I wasn't sure how it'd fit but it's melded perfectly to my body. Overall just such a look with so many cute details (those button straps!) that I can't wait to wear once the heat comes back. Real Birkin vibes on this one.

xDoc Marten Mary Janes ($40)

You'd think I'd hold myself back from buying a second Doc Marten product yet here we are. Ever since purchasing a pair of canvas Mary Janes from the British brand, and nearly wearing them to death, I'd decided it was time to invest in the leather ones that would hopefully hold up better. I was nearly close to purchasing these retail (something I strongly try to avoid) before finding these babies. Though I'd been leaning towards ones in black in order to replace my old pair, I've never shied away from a good pair of maroon docs and hope that once the weather gets warmer (there's definitely a pattern here), these will be my stand ins for my trusted classics of the same color. Overall, I just love the delicacy of the shape paired with the hardness of leather, along with the sweet details like the little butterflies on the toes- perfect for about any mood in an ensemble.

(seller: Nudiesuit -ps she is the absolute best 10/10 would rec)

much love, 

Annie