Veteran’s Day (Belated) & Sites for Giving

Yesterday, around 10am, my computer crashed.  I ran to the Apple Store in a semi-manic state (8,000+ photos…will I ever find them again??).  Fortunately, a very nice man named Chris at the Genius Bar helped me off the ledge.  I watched in awe as he clicked around my computer and easily assessed what the problem was.  I was profusely thankful, and Chris said, “You know, it’s nice to hear someone be so grateful. Most of the time, people come in here after they’ve dropped coffee on their computers and they scream at me.”  (Full disclosure: if Chris hadn’t fixed my computer, this post would have had a whole different tone. But I wouldn’t yell at him.)

After Chris said this, I started to feel guilty about not doing more to celebrate Veteran’s Day.  Tuesday was busy!  I had stuff to do!  But the men and women who have defended our country, and continue to do so, should be recognized.  Like Chris, they do work that we are not trained to do…and they do it largely unnoticed, without praise or accolades.  Could you imagine spending months, or even years, away from your family when the goal is to keep millions of families safe?  Quite a big responsibility.  And really self-less.

So I started to think, a great way to show gratitude would be to donate time or funds to one of the many charities that support veterans.  And in the spirit of Thanksgiving and the holidays, which are right around the corner, I’ve listed some other ways to give gifts that help our environment and our world.  Because giving to others, and sustaining what is good, is a big part of the HEUCY mantra.

1. Operation Gratitude sends care packages, on your behalf, to current military, veterans, wounded warriors and their caregivers. Over the next two years, Operation Gratitude hopes to provide a care package to every Vietnam veteran as we near the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.

2. Heifer Foundation allows you to donate an animal (e.g. heifer, sheep, goat, pig, etc.) to a family in need, on behalf of a loved one.  My godmother used to always give this to me for Christmas, and I think it’s a really wonderful gift to help children understand the importance of self-reliance…and how animals can bring sustenance to families.

3. FEED merchandise is incredibly chic, useful — and if you buy a bag, it provides one child with school meals for one year.  What more could you ask for, really?  (Side note: I think the FEED burlap would match very well with any of the HEUCY dresses and jumpsuits on heucy.com).

4. Donor’s Choose is an online charity where teachers across the country post projects, and donors can pick which ones they’d like to support.  You can donate as little as $1, but if you give $50 or more you’ll receive a thank you note from the students.  HEUCY Gal Alexis did something brilliant last year — she enclosed Donorschoose.org gift cards inside her holiday cards. That’s the gift that keeps on giving!

5. Tom’s shoes are super-cute and comfortable, and if you buy a pair, you’re also buying a pair of shoes for someone in need.  Their “one for one” deal is the best two-fer ever.

Obviously, there are many more ways to give.  These are just our top 5 thoughts.  One other way to give, that’s really easy (and free!) is to say “Thank You” and mean it.  It’s something we try to do here at HEUCY, every day, many times a day.

On that note: We’re almost at the one-month mark since launch and we’re feeling thrilled about our success so far.  Thank YOU for supporting us, HEUCY Gals and Guys!

xx,

The HEUCY Team

What Does “Being Chic” Mean to You?

When we asked our friend and HEUCY Gal Deanne Yee, “What does being chic mean to you?”, she said, “Feeling confident in your own skin!” 🙂

We thought this was a brilliant answer.  And it led us to wonder, how can you feel confident…on days when you’re not feeling so great about yourself?  When you haven’t washed your hair, or you’re in a rut at work, or you’ve gained a few pounds after stress-eating during last night’s episode of “Homeland”.

I pulled up an article from The Huffington Post, posted on 9/1/14, which covers “8 Scientifically-Backed Ways to Feel More Confident (Even When You’re Not)”…it’s a great list to keep in mind on those feeling-not-so-hot days.  Here’s a synopsis:

1. Stand tall, with good posture.  To be honest, we’re not a huge fan of this one because it requires core strength and anyone who has had children knows how unrealistic this is.  But unfortunately, it does make sense.

2. Listen to music, specifically bass-heavy tunes.  Not a problem when your child has figured out how to operate Sonos and Spotify.

3. Think of a time when you were powerful.  This can include career success, childbirth…or doing something exceptional like keeping your calm while in line at the DMV.  Or Starbucks.  Don’t discount those little victories.

4. “Indulge in your morning ritual”…wow.  When is the last time you actually took time to be “mindful” in the morning, while getting dressed?  Truth be told (embarrassing disclosure), sometimes we are so frazzled in the morning, we forget to brush our teeth.  After washing down an onion bagel with a large cup of coffee.  But I digress.  At HEUCY, our goal is to create a collection that gives women more time to do this — to think about themselves, and their loved ones, and their day ahead…and to brush their teeth — instead of tearing their closets apart in the morning in an effort to find something appropriate/versatile/clean to wear.

5. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.  Literally and figuratively speaking.  We take this one to heart at HEUCY.  If you want to look like like a grown up, you should dress like one.  Comfortable, versatile and chic clothes are a large part of the equation here.

6. Think of your favorite celebrities, and their best qualities.  Channel those.  Right now we are crushing on any celeb who chooses to grow old gracefully, has a sense of humor AND does something to help the environment and/or people in need.  Oh, and we like the really talented ones.  This narrows the list a bit, but Natalie Portman immediately comes to mind…and others who will hopefully be wearing HEUCY one day!

7. Yoga and stretching. If you can’t go to a yoga class, you can just lie down in child’s pose and pray that no one bothers you.  (Hiding in a closet works here).

8. Learn something new or pursue an interest outside of your day-to-day.  Spanish, Algebra, backgammon, an art class…anything.  I know, it’s easier said than done.  But getting out of your comfort zone can set you up for a lot of personal success.  And sometimes the best kind of success is the kind you feel, rather than what people immediately see.

Happy Monday!

xx,

The HEUCY Team

HEUCY Gals Galore!

Yesterday was a #HEUCYGal extravaganza!  We photographed some of our favorite ladies in their own HEUCY…and asked them to style it their way.  Nicola wore Chanel booties, Andy wore Manolos…and Susan, our factory owner, wore some super-cool sneakers with her #AlterEgo jumpsuit.  Susan also brought another accessory — her two daughters — to the shoot!

These HEUCY Gals brought some other important items — their personalities and a sense of humor — to the shoot, which made yesterday inspiring in so many ways.  We had some champagne and chatted about all of the different, interesting things everyone is doing.  Cards were exchanged.  Nicola recently launched a men’s styling business called Harrison Style, and she’s writing for “Downtown” magazine on the side.  Vanessa’s photography business is taking off, and we shot in her new studio space.  Andy is a super-agent working on insanely cool projects and the Snyder sisters continue to quickly make their way up the ladder at Google.  Jerry, our makeup artist, was joking that his 28th birthday was a few days earlier…and when I thought about it, I realized that I’m reaching 40 soon but the really interesting journey is just getting started.  (Apologies if this sounds cheesy…but it comes from the heart).

Here at HEUCY, we’ve been incredibly encouraged and excited by the support our collection has gotten.  And our success would not be possible without women like these HEUCY Gals.  Thank you, Erika, Kate, Nicola, Andy and Susan for letting us photograph you!  And for making HEUCY yours…because our concept is built around enabling women like you — women with full, crazy, interesting, busy lives — to do what you do, without having to worry about the little things.  Who has time for that, anyway?

Have a great weekend!

xx,

The HEUCY Team

#TBT: The Thomas Crown Affair & Classic, Versatile Dressing

It’s Thursday…and in the spirit of throwbacks, we thought it would be fun to go back to 1999…when the 2.0 version of “The Thomas Crown Affair” came out — and all of us were swooning over Renee Russo’s wardrobe.  She was decked in Michael Kors for Celine throughout the whole movie.  And she looked just as chic as Faye Dunaway did in the original (we loved that one too…I mean Faye + Steve McQueen?  ‘Nuff said).

As you’re probably aware, Russo played Catherine Banning, a self-made art consultant/high-end “detective” who is engaged in a cat-and-mouse game with Pierce Brosnan, who plays the hottie rich dude Thomas Crown.  He is wealthy (also self-made), flies his own jet, has a house in Mustique…and steals art for fun.  What’s not to love about this movie?  Catherine is impeccably dressed throughout the movie, in classic, timeless dresses and clothes.

Fortunately, HEUCY is made for you whether you have Catherine’s figure (lucky you!) or you don’t (it’s okay, neither do we).  We think that if this movie were made again (can you imagine?), then a little bit of HEUCY would go a long way.  When Catherine was whisked away from New York City to Thomas’s place in Mustique (or was it St. Barth’s?), it would have helped if she had some HEUCY on her body or in her bag.  The Date Night or Bon Voyage would have been perfect!  It doesn’t wrinkle, and it’s very easy to put on and take off!  Let’s hope for 3.0.

Happy “Throw Back Thursday”!

xx,

The HEUCY Team

A HEUCY Gal & Chocolate Works (Thought That Would Get Your Attention :)

Lately we’ve been talking to lots of friends who are about ot embark on their “second acts”.  One is leaving a long, successful career in banking.  One left a career in HR to pursue her passion, photography.  And our friend Rachel, shown here, recently launched her own Chocolate Works store on the Upper East Side.  Rachel’s store is at 1410 Lexington Avenue, between 92nd and 93rd…in case you’re craving chocolate, like every other red-blooded human out there 🙂

We asked Rachel what the title track to her life is right now, and she said, “Firework, by Katy Perry.”  We can see why!  Rachel has two young kids, a husband and just embarked on a major entrepreneurial venture.  Despite all of this on her shoulders, Rachel looked “red hawt” in the HEUCY #HighSchoolReunion at the Chocolate Works opening on Sunday. We asked her why she’s chosen this “second act”…and how she is staying sane and put together amidst the chaos of opening a business and raising a family.

(Side note: we were also very energized by last night’s episode of “The Profit” on CNBC…really good stuff and much lighter fare than “Homeland”.  Watch it if you get a chance!  Especially if you’re thinking of opening a small business and/or need to feel better about yourself.)

Now back to Rachel.  Here is some awesome insight she gave to Team HEUCY — in addition to the hours of business advice she has already provided to us, for free.  Thanks, Rachel!!  You are a #HEUCYGal inspiration!

1. How did you come upon this “second act” in your career? Where were you before, and why did you choose to leave that path and do something different?

AFTER OVER 12 YEARS IN CORPORATE AMERICA (AND 5 YEARS IN GOVERNMENT BEFORE THAT), I DECIDED THAT MORE THAN ANYTHING I WANTED TO BE MY OWN BOSS AND WORK FOR MYSELF. I LOVED WHAT I DID BEFORE BUT I ALWAYS FELT THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH OUT OF MY CONTROL AND I WANTED TO SET MY OWN DESTINY. MOST RECENTLY, I WAS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AT GILT GROUPE AND BEFORE THAT I WAS AT BARNES & NOBLE.COM; TOYS R US, AND FAO SCHWARZ. I STARTED OUT IN GOVERNMENT WORK.

2. Why did you decide to open a Chocolate Works store? Do you love chocolate, or was it a desire to own something?

I REALLY WANTED TO OWN SOMETHING AND THE OPPORTUNITY CAME TO ME THROUGH A SMALL BUSINESS BROKER. IT IS A FRANCHISE, WHICH I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BUY. BUT IT JUST FELT LIKE THE RIGHT FIT. I HAVE BEEN IN THE KIDS BUSINESS FOR YEARS AND I LOVED THE IDEA OF DOING A CHOCOLATE STORE. EVERYONE IS HAPPY AROUND CHOCOLATE.

3. You have two young kids and a busy life! What do you do to unwind?

MY HUSBAND AND I TRY TO GET A BABYSITTER AND GO OUT TO A MOVIE EVERY WEEKEND. IT’S AN EXPENSIVE MOVIE BUT IT IS WORTH IT.

4. And how do you manage the chaos? Do your wardrobe choices ever reflect what’s going on in your life?

I DON’T, REALLY. BUT I DO JUST TRY TO STAY AS ORGANIZED AS POSSIBLE. I KEEP A VERY DETAILED “TO DO” LIST AND WITHOUT THAT, I WOULD BE LOST. I MAKE MY BED EVERY MORNING BECAUSE I LIKE THE FEELING OF COMING HOME TO SOMETHING NEAT AND CLEAN AFTER A LONG DAY.

5. What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received? And what advice would you give to someone now, who is about to embark on an entrepreneurial venture?

THE BEST CAREER ADVICE I CAN GIVE IS THAT YOU SHOULD PAY YOUR DUES EARLY ON AND WORK YOUR WAY UP BY BUILDING CORE SKILLS AND NOT WORRYING ABOUT PAY AND TITLE. THAT ALL COMES LATER. JUST WORK HARD AND PROVE YOURSELF. THE REST WILL FALL IN LINE. AND TAKE THE TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO DO. SOMETIMES THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT IS TO TRY DIFFERENT THINGS.

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.  Thanks again, Rachel…and good luck!  This makes me want to have some chocolate.  Fortunately I’m wearing my comfy black #HighSchoolReunion dress today…with a forgiving waistband!

xx,

The HEUCY Team

HEUCY & The MiA Project

Happy Monday, HEUCY Gals (and Guys)!

Fortunately, I have something happier than “Homeland” to write about today.  The MiA (Made in America) Project is now showcasing two of HEUCY’s most popular (and soon to be back in stock) styles, our #AlterEgo jumpsuit and the #DateNight.  The MiA Project is an incredibly thoughtful and beautiful digital platform (read: website) that profiles American designers and their American-made products…and connects these designers with people who appreciate high-quality merchandise made right here in the USA.

HEUCY is a concept built around the idea of simplicity and sustainability.  This is a large part of the reason why we produce garments right here in New York City.  We depend upon our partners here — our factory, our fabric vendors in L.A., and others — to make it happen, and that’s become increasingly clear as we push to produce more of the styles that are out of stock.  (Due to popular demand…yay!).  So, we are thrilled to be part of a project that celebrates and highlights American-made creations and all of the people behind them.

MiA’s founders, Micha Thomas and Jaime Lawson, are HEUCY Gals of the first order…juggling lots of different projects and staying true to a cause they care about.  Check out the website when you can.

xx,

The HEUCY Team

The HEUCY Gal’s Guide to Being Organized: Five Awesome Apps

Did any of you wake up this morning and realize, Wait — there is a time change in effect…and it’s also November?!  How did that happen??!  As we cruise through the busy days and weeks of Fall, it’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed and disorganized.

Some of our favorite HEUCY Gals don’t have any trouble staying organized, because it’s just part of their makeup.  Karen John, the visionary behind HEARTWORK (heartwork.com), modern furniture and accessories designed for creative and inspiring workspaces, credits her work for keeping her act together.  And Anna Harrington, who could look cool and put together in a paper bag and is always on top of her game, says it’s just part of her personality.  She must be a Virgo.  And maybe she has some apps under her sleeve.

Fortunately, technology can really help those of us who like to make lists but may not remember where we put them.  Here’s our top five favorite Apps to help you stay organized.  Most are free and these apps — in addition to our HEUCY uniform, natch — can indeed help you manage the chaos!

1. Dashlane — www.dashlane.com — keeps all of your logins and passwords in one place.  This is a great tool for those of us (i.e. moi) who are prompted for passwords several times a day…and who rarely remember them.  Dashlane has a free password manager that allows you to easily import your passwords into a secure vault, so you never have to type a password on any of your devices ever again.  Sold.

2. Key Ring — www.keyringapp.com — stores all of your rewards info (like the Duane Reade/Wallgreen’s card you can never find at checkout) on your phone.  So you don’t have to carry cards around or wonder where they are.  You can just scan your phone in the store.  For real.

3. Evernote — www.evernote.com — is a super user-friendly interface where you can organize all of your notes and paperwork. You can type to-do lists, scan in whole documents, insert pictures and videos into your notes and then automatically sync everything between your smartphone and your computer, so it’s all stored online.  No more pieces of paper lying around.  Woo hoo!

4. Remember the Milk — www.rememberthemilk.com — is an app we love because we are always forgetting to buy milk, or lightbulbs…or, most recently, a bath stopper.  This tool allows you to organize your tasks by day, priority, type (work, home, kids), etc. AND you can send yourself reminders by email and text message.  It makes it very, very difficult to forget important (and not-so-important) to do’s that keep falling by the wayside.

5. Glam Squad — www.glamsquad.com — is an on-demand, at-home beauty service.  We know, we know, this is not a list-making tool…but it can help you look pretty without having to leave home.  And saving time like that is definitely one way to get organized!  HEUCY Gal Kim likes to use Glam Squad and she always looks gorgeous, so we’ll follow her lead on this one.

Happy Sunday!

xx,

The HEUCY Team