Is it Gossip Girl? Or maybe Sex & The City? How about Younger, the most recent NYC-based dramady? We all have those fav shows to binge watch (and live vicariously through) on any given night. When all we feel like doing is staying in, dressing down in fugly sweatpants, and noshing on takeout. Fun times! Thing is, real life in the city is WAY different. And our recent guest blogger, a Rhody native now living in New York and working in publishing*, is back with her take on what it's really like. This time, she's talking fall style and makeup, and it might surprise you in a big way.

I'm really obsessed with sweaters right now, is that weird? Fall shopping is the best and the worst! Am I the only one who gets pretty excited by the time October rolls around and I don't have to show my legs anymore? Because I'm having that slice of pizza after Labor Day. And it's not going to be gluten free. Like, I'm sorry but layering is so much more fun than shorts and t-shirts. I'm over that. Well, at least until April when it hits 60 degrees and I'm practically jumping for joy to show off a job well done at the gym about 10 degrees too soon.

Anyway, sweaters are where it's at for me. I must have at least 10 online shopping carts full of cables, pull-overs, cardigans, and, the Holy Grail of Sweaterdom - Chunky Knits. Love them. They make it so much easier to get dressed in the morning. Tank, cardigan, leggings (or jeggings), and sick boots. It's basically a uniform. Feel like wearing a light top? Cool, rock a nice jacket to dress it up and look good walking to work with your sunglasses and bag of the moment!

This all seems well and good, until you realize it's Friday and the chances of happy hour at the new hot spot downtown are about 100% at this point. What are you supposed to wear? You have to look cute enough to be seen in the scene, and draw the attention of the Wall Streeters who will be your future ex-husbands, but corporate-y enough to look ok at the office. Like, your middle-aged boss can't know just by looking at you (that) you've already had one too many vodka sodas. The happy medium is SO hard to find. Hence, all my online shopping carts being full, as opposed to the mail room in my building. But you already know that I'm sure. (Suggestions?)

Also, I rarely wear makeup to the office. **GASP** I know, beauty is pain. Blah, blah, blah. But so is waking up 30 minutes earlier when you worked late the night before. My advice? Take 15 minutes before you leave for the night and have a fresh face come 6pm when it counts. It works.

Wait, my 2nd post and I'm already lying to you! Ok, fine. So I wear a little bit of bronzer and eye cream. But that's it! No liner, no blush. Ok, wait, maybe a little mascara, but I'm NOT curling these babies until the time is right. Plus, I kind of laugh at people who look like they TTH (try too hard). Like, it's Monday, I know you're not feeling the frigging eyeshadow right now, girlfriend. I even know what you're thinking PattyJ fans, What about impressing the work crush? Being naturally pretty isn't for everyone, but luckily it is for me, so being cute during the day for that special colleague and being noticeably even prettier later? Basically, a done deal! 

*The author has asked to remain anonymous as she is currently working and living in the city.