Tag Archives: Zarif Taufiq

Why I Couldn’t Be Happier to be Turning 30

30th birthday Aspiring Socialite J.Crew Dress

What’s even better than a 30th birthday party? A 30th birthday photo shoot of course! This Labor Day weekend (September 4th to be exact) I’ll be celebrating my 30th birthday. While many of us lament the loss of our 20s as the end of our youth, I personally couldn’t be more excited to be leaving my 20s behind. While I learned a lot from my mistakes and had some great accomplishments like graduating from college, starting this blog, moving to New York, meeting my amazing boyfriend and getting my first real job, the truth is it was a sad decade filled with uncertainty and the struggles of being broke. It was basically like being 13 again only you have to pay your own bills. The further I got into my 20s, the more Britney Spears’ 2007 breakdown made perfect sense. That basically sums it up, but everything good or bad must always come to an end.

Today at 30 I feel younger, happier and more vibrant than I ever did in my early 20s (mush of that is because I’ve replaced drinking with fitness and feeling sorry for myself with taking action). As I look toward the adventures to come I often wish to be richer, skinnier, prettier or smarter, but I don’t wish to be younger. It took me almost 30 years to get it together. So in many ways my adult life has just begun and I look forward to embracing the coming years as a smarter, happier and humbler person. For once in my life I truly love who I am because I’ve fought, failed and failed again to be her. While I don’t know what the future will bring, I know that I’ll continue to fight for the person I am and want to be.
Aspiring Socialite 30th Birthday

At the end of my aerial fitness classes they often share a quote from Antigravity Founder Christopher Harrison. It goes, “Hidden in the forces that bring us down, is the energy to lift us up.” If anything my 20s gave me that. In the spirit of feeling and looking great, I decided to pose in front of the Goddess Wall in Soho. I recently discovered this work of street art and it really speaks to me. Many thanks to artists @jeremypenn and  @lambrosart for creating such an inspiring mural.

If you’re a struggling 20 something, I know exactly how you feel because not so long ago I was you. We all have our own paths in life, so the only real advice I can give you is that it doesn’t matter where you’re going or how you get there as long as you continue to move and look forward. The path is almost never straight, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep moving forward. And when you turn 30, celebrate the amazingness of being 3 decades old with a 30th birthday photo shoot! If you’re in the New York area, Zarif Taufiq would be happy to do yours too.

Party City Balloons J.Crew Dress

Speaking of 30th birthday shoots, I know you’re dying to know how I got this amazing look. The dress is a J.Crew Spaghetti-Strap Dress in Colorful Brushstroke Print. I paired this happy birthday dress with Swedish Hasbeens Ornament Clogs in Black (my fav summer shoes) and my Mighty Purse Gold Stud Wristlet that has a built in phone charger.

30th birthday party

Many thanks to Valerie Star from Caravan Stylist Studio for doing such a beautiful job on my hair, makeup and nails. I really felt like a movie star! If you’re looking to recreate this look or just get your hands on some fab beauty products, I’ll tell you what she used. She styled these beautifully modern curls using OGX Anti-Gravity + Hydration O2 Weightless Oil & Lift Tonic, OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Elevated Finish Spray and OGX Weightless Hydration Coconut Water Weightless Hydration Oil. For my makeup she made my eyes really pop with Pixi Mesmerizing Mineral PalettePixi Endless Silky Eye Pen, POP Beauty Pow Wow Powder, Pixi Mattelustre Lipstick and POP Beauty Brow Shape & Shade. Manuka Secrets was used on my skin and I wore Color Club’s It’s a Sauna Out Here Nail Polish.

Photos by: Zarif Taufiq

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Sunset at the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park

Midi Dress Lucky Brand Aspiring Socialite

You’d never guess that I was still in New York City or any city for that matter. You’d probably think I was across the pond in some Celtic countryside castle. However, I am very much in downtown Manhattan at the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park just steps away from Wall Street.

The Irish Hunger Memorial is a super interesting landmark that you should consider visiting next time you’re in New York. It represents the rural Irish landscape and abandoned stone cottages that many Irish left behind during the Great Irish Famine. It also stands as a reminder of the hunger that remains today. Being half Irish, the memorial really means a lot to me.

Inspired by the natural elements of the memorial, I put together a boho chic look centered around my favorite Lucky Brand Midi Dress (this one is similar). Lucky Brand has some great summer dresses that are sure to make anyone feel like a chic modern hippie. For accessories I complemented the dress with a Daniel Wellington ‘Classy Sheffield’ Crystal Index Leather Strap Watch, Kendra Scott 
Naomi Double Ring in Gunmetal and Mighty Purse Black and Gold Wristlet which has a built in pack to recharge your phone inside the purse (it’s a pretty awesome feature). I also wore (of course) my fav summer shoes ever my Swedish Hasbeens cross strap ‘Debutant’ sandals. Their clogs have not left my feet all summer. They’re super comfortable, super stylish and go with pretty much everything in my wardrobe. I will be stocking up on tons more Hasbeens come next summer. You seriously will not find a better summer shoe. If you can’t find your size Zappos, 6pm and Amazon also carry them.

My hair was inspired by Sansa’s latest hair styles on Game of Thrones.  I kept my makeup natural with Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Soft BrownMaybelline New York Eyestudio Colortattoo Concentrated Crayon Eye Color, Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Mascara and the Maybelline Blushed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette.

Photos by: Zarif Taufiq


Irish Hunger Memorial Lucky Brand Midi Dress

Boho Chic Lucky Brand Midi Dress Aspiring Socialite

Battery Park Lucky Brand Midi Dress Boho Chic

Sunset at the Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park

Sunset Irish Hunger Memorial in Battery Park

Sunset Irish Hunger Memorial

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Summertime in Long Island City

Banana Republic Maxi Dress Long Island City

When you can’t make it to the boardwalk at the Jersey Shore, the next best thing is Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City. This boardwalk style park resembles The High Line and has some of the most amazing views of Manhattan. I like to stop by at least once every summer.

I always say that you don’t know if you really love an outfit until you’ve done an entire photo shoot with it. So now I can officially say that I love this Banana Republic Mixed Floral V Neck Maxi Dress. I need to plan a fancy brunch or tea party just as an excuse to wear it again. I paired it with my fav Longchamp ‘Small Le Pliage’ Shoulder Bag and felt like a true summer socialite. The shoes are from Joe Fresh.

For my makeup I used the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye LinerMaybelline New York Eyestudio Colortattoo Concentrated Crayon Eye Color in Bronze Truffle, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Soft Brown to fill in my brows, Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Mascara and The Blushed Nudes Maybelline Eyeshadow Palette to blend it all together.

Photos by: Zarif Taufiq

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Longchamp Bag Maxi Dress

Long Island City Gantry Plaza State Park

Long Island City Sunset Maxi Dress

Summer Dress Banana Republic

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The Importance of Staycations

Aspiring Socialite Fashion Blogger White Jeans Ami Club Wear Shoes Pink Heels Staycation

Photo by: Zarif Taufiq

Vacations are awesome. There’s truly nothing better than exploring a new place or relaxing on the beach for a week. However, the hard truth is that we can’t always afford to or have time to go on vacation. That’s where the staycation comes in. A staycation is basically a vacation from everyday life without the time and the hassle of actually traveling somewhere else. When you think about it a staycation is the best of both worlds as it provides all the relaxation of a vacation without the stress that comes with actually getting there.

My Staycation

Going on a staycation can be as easy as hosting a BBQ in your backyard or going on a long hike at a nearby trail. When you live in a big city like New York you often find yourself staying in the same neighborhood and going to the same places time and time again. So I like to use my staycation time to get out of my neighborhood and borough and discover new parts of the city. During the summer, I like to visit The Rockaways in Queens or go all the way uptown to The Cloisters. There are some awesome beaches in The Rockaways. I still can’t believe that you can take the subway there. It’s almost like being on the Jersey Shore rather than New York City. There’s even a genuine Venezuelan arepa bar right on the beach.

The Outfit

My casual chic staycation outfit consists of a V-neck Coffee Days Graphic Tee from Express, White Skinny Jeans, My signature Rebecca Minkoff Love Cross Body Bag and
Fuchsia Ankle Strap Single Sole High Heels from Ami Club Wear. I topped this summer weekend look off with my Betsey Johnson Octogoing Out Today Tortoise Sunglasses which as some of the most unique sunnies I’ve ever owned. I’m also sporting Naughty Nautical Nail Polish by Essie which is one of my favorite summer colors.

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I Slay in Beyonce’s Ivy Park Fitness Line

Ivy Park Fitness Line Beyonce Citi Bike

I’m a huge fan of both fitness and Beyonce. I love working out to her songs. My personal favorite song of hers to slay to at the gym right now is “Formation.”  So when Queen Bey came out with her fab Ivy Park fitness line, I went straight to Topshop and picked out a pair of Mid-Rise Printed Ankle Leggings by Ivy Park and a matching Seamless Racer Vest by Ivy Park. Then I headed to the West Side Highway in my new Marc By Marc Jacobs Side Stripe Aviator Sunglasses and Skechers Memory Foam Sneakers (these are similar) for a casual ride. Since I’m mostly used to riding stationary bikes now, riding one that moves was kind of a culture shock.

One thing I like most about Beyonce’s new Ivy Park fitness line is the prevalence of the number 4. Like Beyonce I was born on September 4th. For my fellow Virgo Queen Bey, 4 has been a significant number throughout her life and her daughter’s name Blue Ivy is a reference to the Roman numeral IV which means 4. While I’ve never met Beyonce in real life, I feel a special connection to her through our birthdays and now through this fitness line.

Photos by: Zarif Taufiq

Aspiring Socialite Ivy Park Citi Bank West Side Highway

Aspiring Socialite Bike Riding Ivy Park Citi Bike


Ivy Park Aspiring Socialite Fitness Gear Citi Bike

Ivy Park Citi Bike West Side Highway

Aspiring Socialite Ivy Park

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