Jennifer Bandier has revolutionized the activewear retail model with her Bandier stores (the brand has five boutiques nationwide) carrying the best fitness wear from hot brands like Splits 59, Alo Yoga, and Adidas by Stella McCartney. In keeping with this active mindset, Bandier has opened a fitness space, Studio B, on the third floor of the Flatiron flagship in NYC, where classes by instructors like Taryn Toomey and Akin Akman routinely sell out. We checked in with the Upper East Side and Southampton-based entrepreneur to see how she winds down on the weekends and what she does in order to reset for the week ahead.
What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
I have a pretty consistent morning routine, which helps me to stay focused and efficient every day. I wake up and do a 15 minute meditation. It’s hard for me to stay still for too long, but I commit to 15 minutes each day to breathe and to clear my mind. Sometimes, when it’s hard for me to only focus on breathing, I think about everything I’m grateful for. Starting my day like this makes all the difference. Then, I take my dogs for a walk or run in central park. Last but not least, I always have an iced coffee from Sant Ambroeus on the Upper East Side.
What are your favorite things to do for yourself on the weekends?
On the weekends, I find it rejuvenating to spend quality time with friends and family. My husband is the CEO of Bandier, so I see him in the office every day. On the weekends, I look forward to hanging out with him, going for a walk, visiting stores, museums, and places in the city that inspire us. We normally have a big family dinner at my parents house on Saturday night, which is a special tradition.
How do you deal when you’re away for the weekend?
We often go to our home in Southampton on weekends. Since we spend so much time there, I have a pretty consistent routine while away from home. If I’m traveling outside of New York, I make sure to incorporate a workout each day. Sticking to that routine helps boost my energy levels while traveling, so I can accomplish more overall. Traveling to new locations on the weekend is a great source of inspiration. I look forward to exploring new cities and getting to know different neighborhoods.
What are the activities or errands on your “must-accomplish list” every weekend?
Sometimes it’s difficult to workout during the week, so I commit to a gym session on Saturday and Sunday. I normally have a list of errands that accumulate throughout the week, so I make sure to get those done and out of the way on Saturday. I also aim to try something new each weekend, whether that’s trying a new workout, visiting a store that I haven’t been to yet, stopping at a coffee shop or vegan restaurant downtown that I haven’t tried, or going to a new exhibit at the museum.
What do you do on Sundays to prepare for the week ahead?
I have found that setting aside as little as one hour to work on Sundays is invaluable. I always make time to catch up on e-mails and to create a to-do list for the week ahead. This way, I’m able to start the week with a game plan. I always carve out some time to relax by myself on Sundays—even if it’s just an hour or two to read, watch TV, workout, or get a massage. I find that spending that time with yourself is a game-changer for your overall mood and productivity.
