The Misplaced New Englander's Essence

A life scented with amber, used books, leather, and sandalwood, with a dash of rainy days. Where, in my head, it is perpetually fall in New England, with the exception of days that feel like summers in Maine.

Then I snap back to reality, and it’s April-to-November in Texas, where the only thing I’m steeped in is sweat and the eternal hum of air conditioning. It’s less “sweater weather” and more “sweating weather.” I'm currently working through my Texas seasonal depression.

In my quest to distill the essence of “me” (yes, we’re going there), I decided to rope in ChatGPT, my digital doppelgänger. I fed it a list of my favorite colors, the kinds of vintage ads that make me nostalgic, and a few hints of my dreams and goals—essentially, all the bits and bobs that make up the fabric of my personality. The goal? To see if this clever little AI could tell me things about myself I didn’t even know.

The result wasn't like holding up a mirror to my soul, but one that was surprisingly well-curated and knew how to accessorize.

ChatGPT’s Take on My "Brand" (Yes, We All Have One)

According to my AI alter-ego, I’m a bit of a walking contradiction in the best way possible: both daring and grounded, modern with a touch of nostalgia, and an eternal seeker of quiet beauty. Here’s a breakdown of what ChatGPT thinks makes me, me:

Bold Yet Balanced I’m a cocktail of bright, electric colors mixed with muted earth tones. Hot pink and sunshine yellow meet Sedona clay and soft greys. It’s like I crave the vibrancy of a city skyline but also need the grounding calm of a cozy library. In other words, I’m the person who would wear a neon scarf to a rustic cabin and somehow make it work.

A Love for the Timeless and the Vintage I'm in sync with the aesthetics of vintage Ralph Lauren and Chanel ads. I’m drawn to classic elegance, craftsmanship, and the kind of style that’s less “blink-and-it’s-gone” and more “stick around for a lifetime.” Trends are fun, but I’m more interested in things with extra character like a well-worn leather jacket, a first-edition book, or even a vintage cowboy hat with added flair to meet my personality.

Creative Nostalgia Black-and-white photos and vintage magazine covers have my heart. Why? Because they capture the essence of a moment, minus the frills. Growing up, I learned to use film cameras—those beautiful, intricate machines that forced you to slow down and see the world differently. I spent hours in the darkroom, developing negatives and perfecting each image under a projector, rather than a computer screen.

For me, black and white is more than just a filter; it’s a way of stripping away distractions. Without color, you’re left with light, shadow, texture, and emotion—the pure elements of an image. You’re forced to look beyond the superficial and see the bones of the moment. It invites you to notice the quiet intensity in someone’s eyes, the texture of worn leather, or the delicate contrast of light spilling over a landscape. In a world that’s often oversaturated, black-and-white photography feels timeless and honest, giving space for subtlety and depth in ways that color can sometimes overshadow.

Sweats With a Touch of Style I like to think my wardrobe is converting to a style of timeless classics—black and white staples, cozy oversized sweaters, structured high heels, and lots of denim, with statement pieces carefully curated to elevate each look. I gravitate toward solid colors and minimalist designs, building outfits around a base of monochrome tones. But I love to add a twist: a bold shoe, a striking accessory, or a unique purse that makes the whole look pop.

Comfort is non-negotiable, but there’s always a little edge in the mix—a quiet statement that says, “I may look laid-back, but I know what I like.”

Curated and Intentional At my core, I’m all about depth and meaning. Every piece I own, every idea I entertain, and every place I go feels intentional. I like things that carry stories with them, that aren’t just “things” but little tokens of experience. ChatGPT thinks this makes me a bit of a curator at heart, someone who chooses quality and soul over quantity and hype.

So, What Did I Learn?

It gets me, ish. It translates what I've told it with a few alterations along the way-- allowing me to understand how well I know myself, but I may not always be the best at articulating it.

I'm trying to understand "my brand" and put it down on paper. I challenge you to explore your brand. I'm designing a brand guide to my life with colors, fonts, aesthetics, the sounds (music) that has stuck with me, my goals, my logo, and more.