Interview: A Piece of Me

This is one of the last blog pieces for the month of September. I have to be truthful here, this whole month was basically queued far in advance because I couldn't deal with the anxiety of coming up with posts during the ACTUAL month of september- it would have simply been far too nerve-wracking. Like all tech savvy millennials, I used technology to help me schedule the posts on a specified date at a specified time. (I tried to do every other day in september at 6am.)

All fashion magazines typically include an interview section of the person/model that is on the cover. So why not- let's have a small interview. These interview questions are from my friend A.B. who originally saw them on the following site; https://www.apieceapart.com/melia-mirabelle-marden

Who doesn't love a fabulous selfie, but in high contrast black and white.

On beauty, style, self-image:

What are your signature clothing pieces? 

• Any pair of my black skinny jeans. They're stretchy and have accompanied me on so many adventures. I like to buy multiples (3 or 4 if I can manage), just in case I ever totally screw them up or they eventually just wear through. I am quite rough on my clothing because quite frankly I care much less about my clothes, and more on my bags. Bags are always at the fore-front. 

What is your favorite texture in a piece of clothing?

• My favorite texture in a piece of clothing, however strange it may seem, is the texture of worn through and smoothed out cotton. Just like the favorite t-shirt you probably sleep in. There's nothing better than soft cotton so thin that you're practically naked.

Do you have any beauty “tips” or philosophies you could share?

• Yes. Beauty comes from within. I don't mean that in a philosophical sense. I mean that in a literal sense. You can't just eat garbage and slap on some expensive French moisturizer (looking at you La Mer) and think you're going to be alright. Try to eat healthier where you can. I wished I learned this earlier.... (But don't always deny THAT indulgence, sometimes you can have your cake and eat it!) Everything in moderation, even moderation.

Do you wear a fragrance? If so, what?

• I wear a rotation. Current I am wearing "A Thousand Wishes" from Bath and Body Works (still a teen at heart) and then before that it was regularly "Beautiful Day"- also from Bath and Body Works. I literally have so many body sprays that I am trying to go through them as best as I can. Looking back, I probably shouldn't have bought so many products from Bath and Body Works....

What are your spring essentials?

• Ugh. I specifically detest the warmer months and all the fashion choices that are "appropriate" for warmer weathers. I guess if I had to provide an answer it would be short-shorts. I worked hard for these beautiful thighs and everyone needs to see them. (I wish I could live in perpetual late Autumn and early winter!)

On daily life, Phoenix, routines:

 What are your favorite neighborhood haunts?

• Mesa- your local goodwill. I absolutely love thrifting, cost effective and environmentally friendly.
• Tempe-iTea on University Dr, home of the best Boba Tea around. I used to come here all the time when I lived down the street. Maybe a little too often. 
• Phoenix-Songbird Coffeehouse in the Arts District (I would be there more if we weren't in a pandemic, but low-key I am loving people keeping their physical distance from me)

Where do you go to be quiet in Phoenix?

• My place. It's deafeningly silent. Just the way I like it. Bonus points if there is a hot simmering pot of comfort food on the stove. I am quite the introvert, so I value my privacy in multiple senses. (and somehow that privacy includes operating a blog LOL)

What hour of the day feels most “yours”?

• The hour changes, but the circumstance remains the same. It's the time following a warm shower where my hair is still damp and my face flushed red. That's when I like to sit down at my vanity and put on my skincare. Sometimes 5 steps on a luxurious day, and likely only 2 on a regular day. Don't forget the lip balm! But if I MUST answer, it would have to be the crack of dawn, there is nothing more poetic than being awake with the beautiful song of birds while standing on your balcony. Preferably in comfortable underwear and a cup of coffee. 

What do you eat for breakfast?

• I don't typically eat breakfast because I just can't be bothered to cook in the morning. If I was as smart as I claim to be, I would always have leftovers from the previous day at the ready. Sometimes this is the case. Most mornings during the work week it is honestly a latté that I make at home with my espresso machine and milk frother. On the weekends where I wake mid-day it's something more substantial. Honestly my favorite breakfast is French style scrambled eggs topped with cilantro and minced onion and a pat of butter with a side of crusty baguette. If you want it to be extra rich, stir in some shredded cheese while the eggs are being cooked. Perfection. 

What are you reading right now? 

• Kitchen confidential by Anthony Bourdain. I love the way the book is written like a live narration. It's full of interjections and the vivaciousness of a hot and sweaty kitchen. It reminds me of when I worked in a kitchen during high school. I think everyone should work in some type of service industry job at some point in their life because I think it makes us understand the processes that are in play whenever we are being waited on at a 

What are five things you are currently really interested in?

1. Making my own breads- flatbread, naan, tortillas, absolutely everything that I can make from dough. I am currently fascinated by making my own tortillas because LORD knows what it in commercially made tortillas. I like things as simple as I can get them, and I am super proud of when I make my food with my own two hands. 
2. Blogging- I'm trying to get back into more creative things to stimulate my brain. I think we should all have a creative project that we do for fun, just to help stimulate our brains and use them in ways we (probably) haven't since our schooling years.
3. Indian cooking- I'm very thankful that I have access to many great grocery stores that cater to a wide international customer base. Quite frankly, I just love all types of fun cooking, but right now I am focusing on Indian and Mexican.
4. Fancy cookware- you can't deny the stylish panache of enameled cast iron cookware. Right now, I am in the process up replacing and upgrading all of my cookware with better options. I always keep an eye open for them when I am in the thrift store. I am always looking for a great deal!
5. Jessie Ware's new album "What's your pleasure?", I think we all know who Donna Summers passed the disco torch to now. I hope disco and derivations of it make it big on the artistic scene again- I have my platform boots ready. Tall, tight, and black.

I hope you enjoyed this little "interview". 💓

-J