10 Super Basic Things That I Shamelessly Love
Happy Monday, everyone! I thought I’d switch things up this week and share a post that hopefully lets you get to know me a bit better. I recently had an encounter where I met someone who knows me just from social media in real life and she told me how “cool” she thinks I am. All I’ve really got to say about that is: LOL.
If you watch my YouTube videos, which are a much more accurate depiction of my personality than what you see on Instagram, you’ll see that not only am I a goofball but I am possibly the most accurate definition of “not cool” that you will ever encounter in your life, which btw I’m totally fine with.
Why is that? Well, I happen to be obsessed with a number of things that typically fall under the basic category.
So, I thought I’d share some of them—10 to be exact—with you all today in an attempt to get a little more real online. I know I try my best to be transparent and totally myself online and my love for a highly-curated Instagram feed can occasionally get in the way of that, but I’ll always do my best to keep it real with you all.
Cycling
If you’ve been following me for a while you probably know that I don’t really like to work out, at least in the traditional sense. I played soccer from when I was a kid until I went to college and that was my primary exercise for those years. When left to my own devices to exercise, I’m often a total fail which is why I was so excited when I discovered SoulCycle. It is about pushing yourself but also going your own pace and I like the classroom environment where I feel accountable for how I’m doing by everyone else around me. Soul just raised their prices so I’ve also tried Flywheel, which I also like!
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift got me through my first-ever heartbreak in high school and there’s just no getting around that I love her music. I’ve been to her last four tours and constantly find myself adding her songs to my Spotify playlist. I don’t agree with every single thing she’s ever done (we still don’t know who she voted for!!!) but I will always smile and start singing along when her songs come on the radio.
Rosé
This is a basic thing that actually took me a while to warm up to! I love wine and have traditionally preferred red and white wines, probably in the same way that I prefer black coffee to anything else. But starting last summer I began to taste and test out different rosés including the popular frosé from Bar Primi that Instagram loves and I just love it. The taste, the color—it just tastes like summer in the city.
The Bachelor franchise
I don’t really have an explanation for this one. One day you just start watching and the next thing you know you’re yelling at your TV and live tweeting with rage about why the lead just chose to send your favorite contestant home. It’s mindless trash and I love it. And I love that my friends love it too and we can all get together and drink wine on a Monday (and Tuesday when Bachelor in Paradise starts!) while we watch someone else make bad decisions. In a weird way, it validates my entire existence. That’s all.
Flower walls
Admittedly there was much more of an abundance of these in London (read my guide to the most Instagrammable restaurants in London, many of which feature flower walls) when I was visiting there in May but I’m determined to bring this craze to New York too. My actual favorite part about this is that you can wear a simple outfit that can still make an impact in a photo because of the bright and vibrant backgrounds.
Avocado toast
What a simple concept: mash up an avocado and spread it over a toasted piece of bread. BUT WHAT A MOVEMENT IT HAS SPARKED. Honestly this is my go-to breakfast option that I make myself (find my recipe for that and other easy breakfast ideas here) because it’s so easy to execute and yet so satisfying. Throw on some poached eggs, some sriracha sauce, or whatever else you like to make it your own.
Fall-themed photo shoots
Oh man, where do I even begin with this one. The only saving grace to this basic love of mine is that you will never see me pose for a fall photo shoot holding a Pumpkin Spice Latte because now I’m too much of a coffee purist for that. I will however likely be holding apple cider and wearing any/all of the following items: a gigantic scarf, knee-high boots, and a beanie. And okay, I’m also probably tossing some pretty leaves into the air. Are we done here?
Rooftops
If you’ve never consumed a cold beverage atop an NYC rooftop during the summer, please stop reading this post immediately and google “nearest rooftop bar.” Rooftops are the best and NYC rooftops are the all-time best. I would gladly hit up a rooftop pretty much any time of day and it’s a goal of mine for a future apartment to have roof access. Plus, you know Chuck Bass has a thing for rooftops, so maybe you’ll meet yours there…
#Selfies
If artists had known what the 21st century would do to portraiture, do you think any of them would have spent all of that time on self-portraits? Well maybe, but either way selfies have become so hugely popular that the word is one of the top hashtags on Instagram now. We all take them, even if we don’t always share them and I find such satisfaction in finding the right lighting that takes your selfie from good to ah-mayyyzing.
Ombré hair
I feel like in many ways ombré is thought of that thing that we all saw on Tumblr and did back in 2012 (and yes, that was the first time I ever dyed my hair blonde at the ends) but to me it’s become my signature and of course it’s much more subtle than it was back when it first started to be a trend. I like how I get to keep my roots the medium brown color that my hair naturally is but that the ends are lighter because my hair is super straight and I feel like the ombré gives it texture without me having to actually do anything to it. Who knows, maybe in a few years I’ll get sick of it but right now it’s ombré ‘ery day.
Photos by Jessie Alcheh | Follow Jessie on Instagram
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Do you share any of my basic loves? Let me know in the comments!
yours,
Austen