(This post is sponsored by Signature by Levi Strauss & Co.)
My sister and I were born in Brooklyn, just 14 months apart. Now we live within a few minutes of one another–she in Crown Heights, and I’m in Clinton Hill. While our personal style remains vastly different, there is so much that we both hold dear as individuals and as sisters, when it comes to community. In partnership with Signature by Levi Strauss & Co, I’m happy to have been able to share a little about what it means to me to keep and take care of my community in Brooklyn.
One of my very first deep young adult fears was that I wouldn’t live with my sister anymore. I think it goes back to the first time we split into separate rooms–hers, blue; mine, pink. It was only across the hall, but it was so strange to no longer be together. When she started to form her own friendships without me, I had an irrational fear of being erased or being without something that had always been mine. The fear has subsided, but I do still cling to our intimate family setting, set apart by only a few miles, just a bus ride or a phone call away. Close enough that we can help out with each others’ days off or sick kids or have an epic cousin sleepover. It’s not the same house, but the connection still runs deep. It’s such a privilege, I know.
We were practically raised as twins, wearing much of the same. Then, as we grew, she curated her own personal style– a blue jeans and kicks kind of girl, like on this day, before zooming off to work. She wore her Mid-Rise Slim Cuff Jeans with a pair of Vans, a turtleneck, and her signature nameplate necklace.
I, on the other hand, have always loved pink and all things pattered and not as easy and cool. I wore my Low Rise Jeggings with vintage sling backs, a Monica Botkier handbag, and a simple striped tank.
We both chose to stayin New York. Now, we both choose to raise our families near each other, to lean on family, and to show up. I say “choose” because, as New Yorkers, it’s easy to get stuck in the cross-fire of transient culture. When rental prices are high, and what used to look like your community seems to quickly shift away from what you remember–new buildings and new neighbors–it’s easy to imagine an easier way. A place that doesn’t require so much hustle. Except that New York hustle is engrained in our shared fiber, shared love, shared community and family. It’s a thing we have together no matter how different we are.
(This post was sponsored by Signature By Levi Strauss & Co. Photography by Heather Moore for LaTonya Yvette. A big thanks to my sister Brittany, for always being there. Thank you for supporting our sponsors.)
Love both cuts! I’m a high waist Jean wearier. As soon as I find a pair that fits ok I’ll be fine lol. Your sister and you are lovely and oh practically twins I see the features. Your last few sentences hit home. Being a native New Yorker and forced to move and trying to come back to the Bronx it’s hard. You do wish for an easy way out hey I am.in DC and they are going through the same thing. Just they have no way out. I think as New Yorkers we adapt we never lose us but we can get with the times. It’s scary to watch neighborhoods change.
Thank you Jen!
Everyone has been saying the twin thing! Its like when you’re out, you’re kind of out. It’s hard to watch things change, but I think there is always a huge lesson in it.
xo
Love this! As a Urban dweller myself (Boston is much smaller, I know) I completely relate to the choice to stay and transient environment – sometimes, I think it would be easier not to live in the city, but it just is part of my cellular make up now. I’m more of a vans and jeans gal too!
Hey Gigi!
Yes, I can not imagine moving out of an urban environment. Whenever I think about ever moving, it has to be a similar area and feel the same within my body. I am so jealous my sister’s effortless style, sometimes. Vans and jeans is so cute! xo
Native New Yorker here too! My kids have been asking us if we can move to a place with a yard where we are the only family in our building..as in a house lol. It would be nice to have some quiet and green space but I’d miss the city too much…I also love having my family close by! Those cousin sleepovers are no joke!!!
HAHA THE YARD!! So we have one and my kids still somehow are asking for more grass? Its so funny. And cousin sleepovers have SAVED me countless times.
So happy this resonated with you. xo