Wonderland in New York City

For years I've wanted to see the National Ballet of Canada's production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. When it first premiered in Toronto in 2011, I was so busy finishing up a graduate degree in Museum Studies and working at the AGO that the opportunity to see the production slipped by. When the production ran again in Toronto I was already living in NYC. At one point news of the production playing in Washington had me considering a weekend get-away. But finally came news that it would be performed at the David Koch Theater in Lincoln Center for a few days in September. Finally! For awhile I thought I might miss it out on seeing it again with travel plans looming however with things still up in the air on that front I was able to attend a performance on September 9. Despite having to leave the theater early because I was feeling unwell, I am very glad I got to see part of this ballet and thought it was delightful. I wouldn't say it was the best ballet I've seen in terms of dance but I really enjoyed the storytelling in this one and found it every bit as whimsical as I thought it would be. Beautiful costumes, sets, music, choreography and a timeless story that never fails to transfix and transport. 

And I had a really wonderful time putting together an outfit that was Wonderland inspired!

Outfit Details:
Dress: Time is of the Elegance Dress by Bea and Dot, Modcloth
Coat: Nanette Lepore Archival Sample Sale Wiinter 2014
Shoes: Skechers
Tights: Uniqlo
Socks: Kate Spade Mary Jane Trouser Socks
Belt: Anthropologie
Clutch: Novel Creations via Etsy
Pocket watch pendant: Watch and Glisten Necklace in Fauna, Modcloth
'Down the Rabbit Hole' necklace: Out of Print via LES Tenement Museum
Bunny Earrings: Anthropologie
Nail art by me

A City Made for Walking and A Dress that Keeps Up

 

 New York City is such an amazing walkable city, especially when the weather is beautiful, and there are so many things to explore. I am still learning about this city everyday. Several weeks ago I finally went on one of the free walking tours of the Flatiron District. Focusing on a specific area of the city and having someone tell you facts and anecdotes about various locations is such a great way to stop and really appreciate all the places you might hurry past in the day-to-day rush of city living.

I wore one of the Nanette Lepore dresses I bought earlier in the year at Nanette Lepore's Archival Sample Sale. So even though I went on this walking tour weeks ago, this post still seems timely since Nanette Lepore just had her show last night as part of Fashion Week. She is one designer who really loves and understands how to use color! I love the cut of her designs....everything from the necklines, hemlines, draping, and thoughtful details work for me. And beautiful fabrics and patterns too! I watched the live stream of her show last night...I am loving the neon yellows and pinks and bright whites! Such a fantastic designer...who clearly respects women in all her design choices and wants all of us to have fun with our wardrobes!

Outfit Details:
Dress: Nanette Lepore
T-shirt: Airism by Uniqlo
Belt: Anthropologie
Tote: H&M
Hat: Lord and Taylor
Sunnies: Kate Spade

My Love of 'The Find'

I feel like Pollyanna

Love this place: Beacon's Closet

Where else could you find pieces like this? Can someone please buy and wear that pink silk elephant blouse?!

My (treasure) finds. The best part is I was able to get rid of some pants and shirts that I haven't worn in years and receive a store credit....so basically sometimes at a thrift store you can shop for free!

I love exploring, not knowing what I might find and feeling like I've stumbled upon something unique. I love a good story. And I love a good deal. It's no wonder then that consignment stores, thrift shops, flea markets and sample sales are magical places for me. These are havens from a culture of shopping malls and department stores...where everything looks and feels the same and the only stories are those that refer to rude customer service and outrageous price tags. Sifting through the racks and boxes is like going on a journey through time and people's lives. Memories are stirred when I come across pieces that remind me of times in my own past. Style is cultivated in places like this, personalities shine through. There is no one look or one trend in these places. When you come with an open mind and are willing to play you never know what you might find when thrift shopping....but I guaranteed you'll find some pretty great stuff.  Now if we all approached life the same way, playfully and with open minds, what a great world this be! See what a little thrift shopping can teach all of us?!

Outfit Details:
Photo 1:
Dress: Beacon's Closet
Heart sunglasses: Urban Outfitters
Boots: XoXo, Macy's
Floral socks: Lord and Taylor
Purse necklace: My mom's
Rose earrings: H&M
Unicorn tote: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Photo 2 (Apologies for the goofy selfie):
Dress: Anna Sui via Beacon's Closet
T-shirt: Airism at Uniqlo
Tri-color pennant necklace: Tatty Devine via Beacon's Closet
Long yellow necklace: Beacon's Closet
Belt: Anthropologie
Hat: Lord and Taylor
Watermelon earrings: MoMA staff sale
Shoes: Suprega

Coney Island is Summer: Aaron Rose's Photographs

I don't think there's any exhibition that could put you in a more summertime fun mood than In a World of their Own: Coney Island Photographs by Aaron Rose, 1961-1963 at the Museum of the City of New York.  Sun, sand, water, fresh air and lots of smiles...that's what summer is all about.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Tracy Reese via Modcloth
T-shirt: Pilcro, Anthropologie
Bag: Anthropologie
Shoes: Suprega
Hat: Lord and Taylor

Saturday Strolling

Aside from getting cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping done, the main priority on my list yesterday was to stop by The Strand bookstore to get some reading material for an upcoming trip. But since I was in a mood for wandering (as is usually the case), that's exactly what I did. And my wandering led me to the Lower East Side so of course I stopped at the New Museum.  I was very impressed with the new exhibition Here and Elsewhere and highly recommend you check it out. It's poignant, informative, and beautifully installed.

Outfit Details:

Jumper: Angie, from Macy's
Hat: Lord and Taylor
Necklace: American Eagle Outfitters
Earrings: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Tote: MoMA for Uniqlo
T-shirt: Anthropologie

Bastille Day in NYC 2014

Since moving to NYC, it has become a tradition of mine to attend the Bastille Day festivities along East 60th Street.  There is always a lot to see and though the crowds often mean I don't linger as long as I might like too, summer wouldn't feel complete without this event.  Every year I also try to add some French flair to my outfit on Bastille Day. I think this year I did pretty well, non?

Outfit Details:

Skirt: French Connection
T-Shirt: Laduree for Uniqlo
Bag: Anthropologie

Let the Sunshine In! Golden Hues for Sunny Days

July 4th was rainy and a little dreary but the rest of the long weekend more than made up for it. I suppose the sunny skies may be why I gravitated towards golden hues on both Saturday and Sunday. In typical long weekend fashion I was more tired by Monday after a 3 day weekend than I am after a 2 day weekend.but in my opinion, long weekends in the summer are made for cramming in lots of activity.  After a few errands, I spent Saturday wandering galleries in Chelsea before heading over to the East Village to go on a tour organized by the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space. I managed to get a rush ticket that night for The Cripple of Inishmann which was a great way to end a fantastic day. Sunday I spent a little time in Central Park and visited the American Folk Art Museum and the Museum of Art and Design before heading over to Governor's Island to see Third Rail Projects production of Roadside Attraction (brilliant!). I wonder what adventures this coming weekend will bring?

Outfit Details:
Outfit 1:
Dress: Anthropologie via Tradesy
T-shirt: Uniqlo for Laudree
Boots: xoxo
Belt: Bettie Page
Tote: Anthropologie
Necklace: Tatty Devine via MoMA Staff Sale

Outfit 2:
Dress: Anthropologie
T-shirt: Uniqlo
Belt: Anthropologie
Bag: The Stone Flower
Shoes: Suprega

When A Giant Topiary Invades...

When a giant topiary invades and you are not quite sure how you feel about it there's only one thing you can do....try to match it and get your photo by it.  If you let yourself give into the ridiculousness you might see the topiary (in this case, a sculpture by Jeff Koons called Split-Rocker) in a whole new way...or maybe you won't. 

Outfit Details:
Dress: ABS by Allen Schwartz
T-shirt: Uniqlo
Belt: Pinkyotto
Bag: Dooney and Burke
Shoes: Suprega
Ruffled socks: Hue
Heart sunglasses: Urban Outfitters
Hat: Lord and Taylor
Necklace: Anthropologie

Happy 4th of July!

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

Despite the rain (which was not nearly as bad as the storms we have been having the last few days) I think it was still a really great day. I had a fun time roaming the city and checking out a few exhibitions including Madeline in New York: The Art of Ludwig Bemelmans at The New York Historical Society and Jeff Koons: A Retrospective at the Whitney Museum of American Art. I also found these shoes in my size at Anthropologie (now with an extra 20% off!) which I thought were perfect for July 4th (and everyday wear too) but sadly had to be worn only inside yesterday due to the drizzly conditions outside.

I can't wait to be outside more today! Enjoy the beautiful weather forecast for today and tomorrow!

Outfit Details:
Dress: Anthropologie
Denim polka-dot cropped leggings: Hue
Shirt: Anthropologie:
Hat: Lord and Taylor
Shoes: Suprega
Cardigan: Forever 21
Tote: Uniqlo MoMA collaboration