Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Fashion Gives Back

This year, I joined forces with some other fashion bloggers to partake in a nationwide gift giving gesture of dontating a little somethin'-somethin' to our favorite charity. 

The idea was the brain-child of the wonderful girl with a HUGE huge heart and friendly face, Alyson of Alyson is Neat.

She approached her fave blog friends (me being very priveledged to be amongst those friends) with an idea that we all get together and donate to the charity of our choice.  I thought it was such a great idea because all too often fashion is vain and shallow and many people don't realize that we actually have hearts and we care about things other than just shopping and clothing.

I for one, care tremendously for animals.  I love my furry friends! I, being of the cold-hearted crowd, am usually the first one to tear up when watching those shows on Animal Planet where we see just how cruel humans can be to animals.  And don't even get me started on how broken hearted I become everytime Sarah McLachlan graces my tv and goes on and on about the helpless animals in shelters that need our help. 
TEAR-WRENCHING, HEART YANKING, I MUST HELP!

Therefore, I chose to donate today to a no-kill shelter in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
It's called Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition, or BARC for short.

At BARC you can give a one-time donation, or set up a $25/month donation which allows you to sponser one animal for that entire month.  I plan to sponsor one little guy for one full year, and then beyond.
I've been inspired to also volunteer at the office, in hopes of being a dog walker.
I'm also going to rally of my girl-gang and see if they'd be interested in being do-gooders with me and we can walk the dogs as a group.
(today is the day I make the phone call, set up my monthly donation, and get the deets on how to help out--I am super uber stoked for this!  If I can make a dog's day just by a simple belly rub or a scratch of the ear, then my day will be all that much better-it's going to be RAD!)

 These are just two of the cuties at BARC now...how can you say NO to these faces? 
Gah--LOVE!  I want to take them home, sadly I cannot...but I can pet them and adore them at the shelter until they find happy homes of their own.
So this holiday season, be thankful for what you have, and if possible give back to your community or those in need in anyway possible.  It's the best time of the year to open your hearts and be nice.
Karma is good!

Below are the other bloggers in this joint effort to give back this holiday season. 
Take a peak as their all wonderful ladies in their own ways, and they all have big hearts obviously!

Merl of Clyde's Rebirth gave to a few local shelters where she has received her famous cats, Clyde and Mo.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Weekend Rewind: December 18-19th, 2010

Fun weekend, but I hate to see it end.  Really, work tomorrow already?
(least its a 3 day work week for me, yay holidays!)

Saturday, December 18th, 2010:
The 12yr old Goes from Gay Bar to Old Guy Bar
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I say "12 year old" because let's face it, I'm looking a bit of just that.
I don't wear this dress often because I know its made for a preteen, and I'm not a preteen back in 1968, although that would not be such a bad thing.
That little girl dress gets me everytime I put it on though, I immediately do up everything else to look like I'm barely out of junior high.  It's the pink, I do PINK everywhere with this thing-bag, dress, headband....aaaaaah!  Luckily Hot Pink is way high up on my list of fave colors!

I also got inspired by a hair article I read in Glamour the other morning.  It's all about leaving your hair natural, going with its god-given texture.  I tried it out, it looks OK with a headband, I got compliments from my friend and hairstylist; therefore I know it couldn't have been that bad.
I'll keep it in mind for those days I'm running a wee behind getting ready for work
(wait, that's everyday).
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So I met up with these two buddies at Excelsior in Park Slope.  I rather quite liked the bar because I could talk about whatever I wanted and not have any of the guys around me even show the least bit of interest.  Let's just say what I have is not what they want.
Sometimes that's a major plus, eh, actually usually this is a plus-plus!
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After Excelsior, we made our way up to 7th Ave. and hit a bar that always made me laugh everytime I walked by; Old Carriage Inn I believe it's called.  I think its something about the random story ex bf would always tell every single time we passed it...its always a good giggle.
(I used to live in Park Slope if we'll all take a moment to remember, nice 'hood but glad I'm out)
Once inside, it was a total old man sports bar, and it looked nothing like anything you'd see in NYC.
Oh no....I felt like I was in small town Ohio, or anywhere in the middle of nowhere.
The shitty karaoke, the lack of pretentious atmosphere, the clientele--actually pretty fun.
A laid back, jeans and t-shirt crowd, I'll take it!  And I will be back.

And, its always a plus when Marc decides he's going to give us his best rendition of "Bette Davis Eyes".
YES PLEASE-LOVE THAT SONG!
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Apparently they give prizes away, but I wasn't quite certain how that all worked, not everyone got to spin the wheel.  Being that I've slightly calmed down in my older age, I don't find myself singing at karaoke with the actual mic in my hands these days (I just sit and sing into my fist as if I'm a rockstar), so I didn't get to spin that wheel at all.  Shit, I could've eat the crap outta those toostie rolls!
(um, nevermind that later that night when I grabbed a cab the girls before me left xmas cookies in a bag...yep, I totally chowed down on their forgotten cookies.  Who am I? eating strangers' treats.  It's the sweet tooth, it takes over!)
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Yep, successfully fun night...but I had to run along around 1:30am because I had a very important event to attend on Sunday morning. (sorry mom, it was not church)
12yr old in Vintage
Saturday's outfit:
*Fuchsia vintage dress-Beacon's Closet (P.Slope location)
*Fuchsia suede bag-Tory Burch
*Beige leather boots-Jessica Simpson
*Gray textured tights-HUE
*Pink felted headband-Bust Craftacular craft fair
*Silver vintage owl necklace-gift from Clydes Rebirth

And just for funsies...a random Holiday-esque pic from Sat. night.  Oh those Park Slopers really go all out; then again they have the storybook brownstones so perfect for excess decorating.
But c'mon, life size toy soldiers?  Only makes for a Nickie-type picture...so yeah I'll take it.
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Sunday, December 19th, 2010:
Nickie Takes Down Nashville x2
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Back up a few paragraphs and you'll see I mention having to go home early for an "very important event".  What's more important than slaying two southern dudes from Nashville with your eating abilities?  I figured those boys could eat...but they were not nearly as good about going home early on a Sat. night like me...oh no, and just that worked to my advantage.

So needless to say, what does one wear to an eating contest?  I mean I was ready to go all out and get down and vomit-y with this if need be.  Pajamas would've been the perfect solution to clothing, but that's not happening.  Eh, I still wanted to look like myself, but needed something functional in case my stomach needed some expanding room.
I came up with a solution, a slouchy t-shirt (to conceal any gross food baby like bellies I might've grown), skinny jeans that need a good wash/dry to get the tight-ass fit back into the waist (all the better for an eating contest right now though when the waist is a bit loose), and a cardi because its cold (very practical today indeed, right?)
standard plate
Well, turns out I could've worn anything in my darn closet, the tightest of dresses, the most uncomfy tights, because the plate above was the standard fare and it only required me to eat two plates.
Yes, I just told you I WON!  
Phsssssh though, two plates!  c'mon boys-where's the challenge?

All it took was a quick sizing up of my competition,
Sizing up my Competition
The look you get right before you blow chunks at the dinner table,
Vomit
A couple of my laugh-inducing, self lived, classic vomit stories,
Competition shot
And BAM!  
One boy down...the other slugging behind...I was a 1/2plate ahead and I went on strong till the end.  I will say, I was not impressed with myself at all--when will I ever get to see my true eating potential.  It didn't happen at my Shark Week Feeding Frenzy at Red Lobster, and it didn't happen here.
Almost Clean Plate Club
Although I walked away with bragging rights and utter surprise that I actually won (I talked a big game for 2wks straight, but honestly I didn't think I had this one in the bag), I need a redo...just because.
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If there's a next time, I have a feeling the stakes will be higher, there's going to be more destructive behavior added to the contest, and they won't go down as easily as today.  I should start practicing.
And I should start considering my next outfit--practical yet not pajamas.

Sunday's Outfit:
*Brown leopard print cardigan-H&M
*Black vintage concert tshirt-Thrift Store
*Skinny Jeans-Uniqlo
*Black leather boots-Jessica Simpson
*Silver BFF necklace-Etsy

******
Side Note-Anyone, a-hem Jessica Simpson PR peeps/reps, notice how often I wear her shoes.  Have you ever witnessed just how far and often I walk around this city in the shoes too?  I never take them off.  Soooooooo just sayin, I talk a good talk about her shoes...wink wink.
(shamless tactics to get some shoes on my part-100% completely)

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Style Crush: the ever so classic GWYNETH PALTROW

Ok, safe to admit that 
I've had a huge mega girl crush on Gwyneth Paltrow 
for over a decade!
You probably don't understand it right, a girl like me...what do I see in a girl like Gwyneth?
Oh I see everything I probably never will be able to pull off.
I simply think she's a true classic, a real lady, an always put-together beauty and I admire that quality even if I may never possess such myself.
(let's face it folks, I'm not that all-american blonde with the sunny disposition that somehow epitomized minimalism Calvin Klein in the '90s so well--ok off tangent, but you get the drift.)
My thing for Gwyneth started when I watched Se7en the first time.  
She was beautiful and I liked that she just had this friendly fresh faced appearance.  Even though she was new to the scene, I knew she had staying power and stuff that classy types are made of.
And at the age of 17 like I was, you're still trying to define yourself, still trying to figure out what style says about you, and well I told myself Gwyneth had that something-something that real sophisticated women possess.  At the time I wasn't sure if I'd go down that road or where I was going, safe to say I took a wrong turn somewhere between 17yrs old and now.

Now I will admit half of my girl crush came about due to the fact that I had (and still do) a full blown crush on Brad Pitt (my infatuation with Brad was going on about 5yrs at the point of this photo).  So to see the two people I adored as a silly teenager together, well that was the bees knees!  I thought they were spectacular...although now, looking thru their pics I don't really see anything, no chemistry
  (clearly I was still green and naive in the relationship realm of life at 17 too).
And if things couldn't get better, they go and take a pretty good story (Great Expectations) and turn it into a movie full of symbolism, green clothing (my favorite color at that time in my life), and Gwyneth as lead.  
Gah!  I loveeeeeee this dress!  I think it was a velvet burnout if my memory serves me well.  She played the part of Estella so well, just cold and aloof, I was determined to be that woman 
(again I think I took a wrong turn in life, instead I ended up just being "one of the guys"...zing)
So friends, just when you think its all about her style that lured me in and made me want to consider being that girl...oh no.  Style is one thing, but what really got me and still gets me to this day is 
her impeccable hairstyles!
No one should ever die without having first seen the best "Makeover Scene" in any movie EVER.  
You know the one, where Gwyneth gets in the stylist's seat and chops her long mousy hair in favor for this amazing short 'do--Sliding Doors for those that have never seen the movie.
(you can believe that right before I left for college I too went to the hairstylist and off with the hair, I took copies of these very photos to my stylist--and I adored that look.  It went so well with my love of turtlenecks and slim fitting jackets--pretty certain she wore an outfit just like that on her date w/the new guy in Sliding Doors.  Yes, I was copying her.)
From short-short to cute,
to perfect bob,
to a slightly messy updo...this girl never has bad hair!
She even looks great and well put together toting around the tot.  Seriously, I would die to layer up like that and not look like a total mess.  Somehow it never quite works out for me like it works for her.  
Everytime I pack this much on, well I look like I've packed on the pounds in the form of a homeless person.  I like to layer, but can't do it with such ease.
Let me just ogle everything about this photo below.
Balmain! Black! Long appendages!-sounds like something I'd like to wear.
I've tried, I've done what I could to be that girl...and my wallet doesn't let me do the Balmain :(
From sky high hemlines, to prim and proper princess I say she can't go wrong!

But I've come to a point in my life to realize that I am not that girl.  She will always be the epitomy of class and sophistication in my eyes, 
and yet its something I don't know that I aspire to be these days.
However, even if not for me, I always appreciate a style that's well put-together with the air of confidence such a look brings about.  So congrats to you girls out there that just have that something-something; I'll always think highly of your style.
I probably won't have a Gwyneth Paltrow worthy girl crush on you, but hey you're not Gwyneth.
Sooooooo yeah....girl crush on Gwyneth.  
Who's with me on this one?

Or moreso, who's with me at the movie theater when this doozie, Country Strong, comes out
  (early January)?  Am I possibly the only one double stoked-Gwyneth and Country?
And she sings!
Until the movie though, I plan on getting my Gwyneth fix on my flight to my sister's next week for the holiday.  It's InStyle's 200th cover, and Gwyneth is their lady.
Sooooo gonna buy a copy!
She's gorgeous! And I give two thumbs up to this girl and her hair and her chic look.
So who've you obsessed over for more than a decade?  Or am I just wierd?

(PS-obviously, I do not take credit for any of the photos used in this post. )

Monday, December 13, 2010

Weekend Rewind: December 11-12th, 2010


A pretty tame, low key weekend for me...although it definitely turned out more fun than I imagined.
What do I expect when I hang out with these two...fun girls=even funnier times.

Saturday: December 11, 2010
friends
The night started out with all good intentions; intentions of a lovely dinner with the girls, 
Love in the form of a Spanglish Omelette
then home early for bed.

Really?  Did I REALLY think that would happen?  Yes, I truly believed that was what was going to happen.  But blasted margaritas set off the tone for the rest of the night.  Two drinks in and we were getting way too loud for a restaurant environment, throwing punches at one another (true story! We're working on our punch technique so we sometimes hit eachother), and divulging hilarious stories that left us nearly peeing in our pants at the dinner table.
(surely the other customers must've though we 3 were raised in a barn-no table manners at all!)
Same picture, different drink
Yeah, two drinks at dinner does not equate to an early evening.  Instead it means pinball at Satellite Bar! Funny, I didn't stick to that intention either-I didn't play one single game.   Just stuck with my Brooklyn Lager and the cozy booth we slumped into.
Pinball Party
Being that we were having a "lowkey evening" I didn't put much thought into my attire.  The only thought that went into it was that I hadn't worn this ridiculous vintage blouse since I bought way back in the day when I was about 19  (oh good ol' Ohio Thrift Stores!).
I pretty much knew that afternoon I WANTED to wear this blouse when I peeked at it in my closet.  It's hilarious...ducks!  really?  yes really!
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I also don't normally do denim on denim (or The Canadian Tuxedo as its been called), just on the instances where my Downtown Dolls are hanging out...and there's some rules to this gang; the most important being that you MUST wear your vest!
So the vest gets incorporated into a lot of my outfit choices these days...get used to it, you're going to see it a lot!
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Wearing:
*Denim gang vest-DIY
*Aqua vintage blouse-Thrift Store
*Skinny Jeans-Uniqlo
*Beige over-the-knee boots-Jessica Simpson
*Ivory vintage horseshoe necklace-Beacon's Closet
*Ivory vintage eyelet belt-Thrift Store

Ah, so Saturday shaped up to be way more rowdy than I imagined...although it wasn't rowdy by my standards; just a little more active than I bargained for.

******

Sunday was supposed to be a bright and early wake-up call.  I made big plans to be in line at 9am for the Bust Magazine Holiday Craftacular.  Well that did not happen.
I got word at 8am that it was pouring, so I selfishly chose bed over rain.
Plus, I knew the fair went till 8pm...and really, its always the same vendors, same merch every year.
Was I really going to miss out on something other than the coveted goody bag?

Sunday: December 12, 2010
Dusty Rose Vintage Booth
I finally rolled my lazy butt out of bed and head into the city around 2pm.  I wasn't feeling it...wasn't feeling in the mood for shopping today. (Unheard of!)
I got there, browsed the first floor briefly, then pretty much just caught up with the friends behind Dusty Rose Vintage.
Dusty Rose Vintage
I did take another brief moment to peek around the 2nd floor and back down to the first floor with Maresa...but shopping was just not in my stars for today.  I couldn't concentrate, couldn't get into it, and basically said "Ef this...xmas presents will have to come from elsewhere this year"
The day a the craft fair wasn't a total waste by any means, just wasn't for me this year.  Maybe next time.
On a crappier note, there was drizzle in the air almost all day, making for one ragamuffin of a girl (ME)-oh and wavy hair :(
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Ragamuffin or not, I will admit I still love this little dress.  I bought it a few years back but couldn't ever figure it out.  Maybe I more modest then, but I used to think it was too thin/sheer, too short, and to open on the neckline for me to pull off without feeling overexposed.  Now I don't care about that at all, clearly-I mean have you seen some of my questionable outfit choices these past few months?
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Now I've got it figured out and I can't stop wearing it.  Truly do adore it.
I wore it last the day before Thanksgiving, now today, and I'm certain at least one more time before the year is over.  It's just cute, and it works well--plus it makes me believe I look nicer, not so mean as I tend to emit from my pores like its my job--professional mean person.
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I'm also really obsessed with layering, particularly in the case of this dress.  It lends itself to being paired up with lots of different shades.  Love it!
Craftacular Sunday!
Wearing:
*Beige floral print dress-F21
*Beige over-the-knee boots-Jessica Simpson
*Black printed scarf-H&M
*Burgandy tights-H&M
*Ivory vintage horseshoe necklace-Beacon's Closet

Well...that's my weekend for you.  Told you not to crazy, just moreso than I expected.  But for sure it was tame by my standards.  There's always next weekend!


Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Daily Wear: Classically Mod

Classically Mod
I swear by my Alberto Makali day dresses...every winter they keep me "put together" and somewhat well dressed.  And they never seem to go out of style, they're always plenty relevant to my current style, mood, and look I'm striving for.  Lucky me for getting to work there, eh?

For instance, this dress is from 2-3 fall/winter seasons ago.  It almost looks vintage, a bit mod, no?
Yeah well its not vintage, and although a few years old, its still plenty up-to-date.
Really, talk about getting your money's worth when we talk $$$:wear ratio.

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Unfortunately, winter has reared its very cold cold heart in the direction of NYC.  The wind has been whipping around the buildings, the chill is bitter, and well my body just shivers.  So it seems I barely found myself without the hat and scarf today...not the best of accessories, but warmth comes first in most cases for this fashion girl.
(say what?)

Nevermind, I also get an ugly case of hat head when winter comes around.  Sooooo....guess who couldn't take her hat off for these pics!
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Wearing:
*Fuchsia jumper-Alberto Makali
*Black vintage turtleneck-Thrift Store
*Black hosiery-Kohl's
*Black suede shoes-BCBGgirls
*Black knit hat-H&M
*Black/White scarf-Banana Republic
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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

No way but UP

Speaking of "up", let's back it up...

This outfit is actually from right when I got back from vacation in October.
The reason I titled the post "No way but Up" is because that's pretty much how things shaped up after my fatty fried food fest down in southern Indiana.
Truth be told, what you're looking at is me 10lbs heavier than where I normally reside.  
And boy......did I hate this! 
(everything but maybe my calf blew up slightly, 
damn you Sweet Potato Fries and Giant Texas Tenderloins from the Fall Festival)

As my appetite went up, so did the lbs., naturally!
And naturally, when I bought this new skirt in Evansville I didn't even bother to try it on...for sure I knew my size at The Limited, why waste time in the dressing room? 
What I didn't factor in to the whole purchase was it was on a Tuesday, by Friday I couldn't fit into the damn skirt!  So back to the mall I went...and UP A SIZE I went!
Just Up, Up, and UP.

(I'm happy to report, I've since worn this skirt in the past week or so and it hung lower, meaning I clearly am only maybe a few lbs away from my happy size--to which I will not even report to you because many of you will scream at me--Yikes, today I cannot handle that sorta wrath).
Up, up, and AWAY
But speaking of skirt, the reason I HAD TO BUY IT, wasn't because I needed a souvenir of Evansville--HELL NO!
It's because the colors, there's several colors woven into this bit of tweedy perfection.  And one of my most favorite things--there's both black and brown in it!
I am a sucker for certain shades of brown paired up with black!
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See it?  Black, Red, White, and Brown!
Adore!
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I also managed to find what I believe to be the ONE thrift store left in Evansville (apparently consignment shops such as the dreadful Playto's Closet--yeesh, yikes, and no way, have taken over and thrifting has been tossed to the wayside).
In this very thrift store, this fun little watch ring was only a few dollars.  And it still works
(that's accurate time showing there, that's when I took these shots...in the evening, I'm not one for waking up in the morning for outfit shots, I like sleep)
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Another lil' gem I don't believe I've ever really touched on is this vintage owl necklace.  Yes, yes, just one more added to my collection-honestly though, this one is my FAVE.
It's amazing, bolo style! How can I not love it...bolo and owl=bowlo!
It was a gift from Kristin at Leproust Vintage, and I cannot thank her enough...she's the sweetest!
( I do miss her too, I think she's left the blogworld to pursue more personal interests and to have more quality time with those that matter in her life; this is all very understandable...just sayin' I miss her outfits and her posts and her nice demeanor.)
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And probably the most awkward aspect of that day's outfit, these shoes!
Awkward only because I don't know they're necessarily my style.  When the temps drop I'm more of a boots kinda girl, not a shoeties type.  With that being said, my wallet still seemed to open itself and before I knew it I owned these.  I do like them, just hard for me to figure out because the shape and type is a little out of my norm.
Oh and maybe because the heel isn't 4.5"+ tall.  For sure that really throws me off.
I mean, do I even know how to live my life anymore being my natural 5'7"?  Give me the 4-5" heels already, none of you ever need to see me standing short at 5'7".
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And that's that....up up and up.  The weight went up, looks like my hemline went up, and those socks went up!  There's just no way but UP.
Psyche!  Happy to report I'm kinda back to my happy normal size.  
Phew!  Learned my lesson: my body is not that of a 15yr old anymore, my brain-yes, metabolism-no.
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Outfit:
*Black turtleneck tee-Target
*Multi color tweed miniskirt-The Limited
*White knee highs-H&M
*Black suede studded shoes-Sam Edelman
*Gold vintage watch ring-Thrift Store
*Gold vintage owl bolo necklace-gift
*Brown vintage leather purse-Coach (via thrift store)

**and on my lips of course, well that's Benetint Lip Gloss, what else in RED would I be wearing?**

________________________
One more quickie...Happy Hanukkah 2010!
I'm not jewish, but I did mention I love this time of year--THE HOLIDAY SEASON!
Tonight I was supposed to go to my first ever Hanukkah dinner, then some celebratory drinks...but I got stuck at work late and had to bail :(  My coworkers went on their merry way and ate matzah ball soup and all the other kosher goodies their little bellies desired.  BUMMER!  Next year?  Maybe.
But for this year, I resorted to laundry and cleaning...and this here blog.