People love telling you what they don’t like. Unsolicited rants and tirades, and long winded monologues about things that really don’t matter. “Who cares?” is all I really have to say most days. People love to tear things down these days — let’s blow it up or set it on fire and just watch it burn. I don’t understand that mindset, that proclivity towards pessimism. I can be just as sarcastic as the next person — but I think intelligent wit is far more charming, and it’s creating something from that darkness. And at the end of the day, I really just don’t understand why people seem to think others care about their unsolicited opinions.

As a creative, my eyes are always primed to see the possibilities around me. I love travel and new locations, trying new things and I’m always learning about something new. Curiosity and admiration are far more interesting than petty commentary or litanies of complaints. Instead of giving all that energy to something you don’t like, I’d rather see you come alive preaching about what you do love.

Recently I had a few comments that I wear too much black. That someone didn’t like the jeans I was photographed in. The delivery was rude and abrasive, and the experience was uncalled for. A younger version of me would’ve been upset and disappointed. Present day me really just doesn’t care. Do I love feedback on things I’m doing? Yes and no. I get so much rip-it-apart, nothing-is-ever-good-enough feedback from clients that sometimes I don’t really care what you think about the little things I do for myself. I always try to create something positive and encouraging, so if you have nothing nice to say, well, silence is a luxury in New York City.

Have fun. Live your life. Tell me about the things you’re working on, the places you’ve been, the food you’ve tasted. Show me those aerial shots of your latte art, tell me about the lobster roll that you want to marry, or take me to the little flower shop that brightens up your mornings. Tell me about the compliments you received, or point out something beautiful about a stranger. The best habit I ever made myself learn was to look at people on the street and force myself to find one beautiful thing about them. Nice eyes, a great smile, the perfect shoes, or even lovely posture. There’s something good about everything and everyone, you just have to be willing to look for it.

This look is my Miami meets New York Fashion Week look. Business in all black with just a hint of sheer, it’s comfortable and classic without being staid or boring. My uniform since high school has been jeans and a black t-shirt, so I’m still on point with that habit, but here things get shaken up a little bit. Clothes should be fun. Why not try new things? Sunglasses, as always, complete the look.

ASOS Shirt / H&M Jeans / Spy Optic Sunglasses / H By Hydson Boots

Photos courtesy Kristin Booker