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

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

To Market, To Market

I was feeling pretty colorful when I left my apartment on Saturday morning. This dress is super bright and has a mix of colors you might not normally see together. I mentioned before that it was the pink netting on the shoulders that caught my attention, but this fit and flare shape is one I often gravitate towards. The shorter hemline and the light material is perfect for summer, but I will definitely be wearing this into the fall by adding in a few more layers, probably pairing it with a neutral like black and some metallic accents.

No matter how colorful this dress might be, it can not compete with the brilliant hues of all the produce and flowers at the Greenmarket in Union Square. Everything always looks so artfully arranged. Peppers, carrots, eggplant, squash, tomatoes, radishes, potatoes and more all stacked, bundled, lined up and piled up. I sometimes wonder if the vendors arranged things in particular way to "show off" what they have to sell or if what they are selling is so marvelous that all of it looks great no matter how it's arranged. Maybe it's a little bit of both. Everything a gorgeous feast of color.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Printed Fit and Flare Dress in Aztec Print by Hunter Bell, Fashion Star, Macy's

Packing for a Conference: A Look Inside My Luggage

I used to be pretty terrible at packing….mostly indecisive and always packing too much. I kind of feel like being terrible at packing is a stage many of us go through and for the most part, end up growing out of. For me, part of getting better at packing has to do with an improved ability to put together outfits and to style outfits that work for a variety of occasions. In my teens and early 20s, it was more about having a lot of options, rather than working with a few key pieces. I must have had more patience back then because I didn’t mind checking luggage, whereas now I only pack a carry-on.

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When thinking about what to pack for a 4 day/3 conference, I first considered the different events that would be taking place. In my mind I needed to choose 5 outfits:

1) an outfit for the flight from LGA to MKE/from MKE to LGA (e.g. Paige denim Kylie Cropped Retro Cruiser Skinny and Michael Kors Oxford Gingham Shirt)

Bonus:: Not only is this outfit super comfortable, I discovered that it made it a lot easier for my car service driver to find me at LGA….pink gingham shirt and beige bicycle print jeans definitely stands out from the other descriptions people give of what they happen to be wearing at the airport.

2) the first day/afternoon workshop (Glanz Dress by Tabitha, Anthropologie andRibboned Rocket Cardigan From Field Flower by Wendi Reed, Anthropologie)

3) the kickoff evening event at the Milwaukee Art Museum (Fashion Star Dress in Aztec Print at Macy’s)

4) first full day of conference (Modern Composition Dress, Anthropologie;Shoreline Scallop Cardigan, Anthropologie; J Crew Perfect Fit T-shirt in Neon Guava)

5) second full day of conference + presentation (Tiered Habitual Shirtdress by Sachin and Babi, Anthropologie and Kate Spade Floral Beaded Kati Cardigan)

I never pack more than two pairs of shoes. For the conference, I choose two pairs that work as neutrals (but are definitely not boring) and which I know from prior experiences are really comfortable.

Tights and cardigans are a must when your conference takes place in a hotel during the summer time. Air conditioning is always on full blast in these places…..even with the additional layering it was pretty chilly.

I try to select outfits that I know will stay mostly wrinkle free and which don’t require much fussing to get on (e.g. shirtdresses, side-zips and/or back-zips that are easy to deal with). Generally, I also avoid packing any light, scarf-like materials….they may seem ideal since they take up almost no room in your luggage but they can easily catch on other things in your luggage and just don’t hold up to a busy conference schedule. I also like adding a couple t-shirts to my carry-on, in this case J Crew’s Perfect Fit T-shirts in neon guava and black, as I think they are a simple way to layer and give a dress a whole new look.

Along with these items, I packed a couple favorite necklaces and earrings, a watch, a pair of sunglasses and Kate Spade’s gingham mini iPad folio.

Here’s a look at what I packed:

Conference Outfits - Museum Professionals by jackie98

Goofy presentation smile

Back in NYC (looking a little disheveled but happy to be back)!

Painterly Dress

As mentioned in this post, I have a new appreciation for Macy’s thanks to some of the finds I’ve made on their website. I really love their MADE Fashion Week for Impulse creations, especially this solar system one and the painterly one I’m wearing in this post. Not only do they come in fun colors and prints but they are the most comfortable, no fuss dresses….so easy to throw on and head out the door in. I’ve always liked dropwaist dresses so the shape of this dress is another plus in my books. One thing I should note is that both of the MADE Fashion Week for Impulse dresses I have are really short (and I’m definitely not tall) so I can’t see wearing these without leggings or at the very least opaque tights. 

Outfit Details:

Dress: MADE Fashion Week for Impulse, Sleeveless Painterly Dropwaist

Shirt (old) - from some dance store

Leggings (old) - Forever 21

Tights...Not Just for Winter

As you may have already guessed if you’ve read any of my other posts, especially this one, I love tights. They are a relatively inexpensive (generally speaking) way to add visual interest to any outfit, and can even help you see other possibilities for styling something. It’s amazing how one accessory/necessity can completely change a look.

There are a lot of great options available right now, something for everyone, but here are a few of my favorite pairs.

I think these ASOS Pattern Sheer Tights are really versatile. I could see these being a great way to transform the look of a little black dress or mix with a bright and bold floral motif.  

I’m usually not a fan of fishnet stockings but I love the retro vibe of these star patterned ones. Playful and sort of punk at the same time. I think their name, Starlet of the Show Tights, says it all.

These Butterfly Tights from Jessica Simpson are adorable, but their tattoo-like design keeps them from looking too sweet.

Although patterned and multi-colored, these Tiny Hearts Tights could work almost as a neutral, pairing well with many other colors and also playing well with other prints.

The vivid floral print on these tights is really beautiful.  I could imagine these being a favorite pair of Fall tights, easily blending with greys, greens, and neutral tones.  In the summer, I would probably pair these with a crisp white dress or a black lace dress.

Fun! These Eye Exam Chart Printed Tights are a great conversation starter. They are available in black with white font or as pictured above. Just be prepared for people shouting random letters at you all day….

Woolford tights are usually pretty pricey but there are some great pairs on sale at Bloomingdales right now that are worth considering. Of the ones available, these are my favorite. I think they would add an edge to a more conservative ensemble, e.g. pencil skirt and blazer, or you could go all out and pair these with brocade shorts and a peplum blouse. Lots of possibilities!

So pretty! These Flocked Rose Tights from ASOS are also available in black. I love the texture that the raised roses bring to these tights.

Bold geometric patterns can definitely be statement makers and these Checkerboard Tights fit that description. They also remind of Alice in Wonderland. Pairing with a delicate drop waist dress or vintage frock would really bring out the whimsical element of these tights. While wearing a color blocked ensemble would be a striking way to show off this bold print. Also, if you are looking for a particular color of tight and haven’t had any luck tracking it down, check out We Love Color - they have almost every shade and hue imaginable (50 in fact!).

And finally, here are some of my absolute favorite tights of all time…ones that I really need to track down!

Swan Tights. No need to say anything else. Adore.

Pacman and Ms. Pacman are still my favorite video games. True child of the 80s. I need these tights and one day I will find them.

I can’t think of a better way to show my love of maps in a very present way than wearing these tights. There are a few other map print tights out there but I love that these resemble the globes from my elementary school days.

Very cool! And so very steampunk!  These Pocketwatch and Keys Printed Tights could work as all-season tights, classic and quirky at the same time.

Tights are definitely not just for winter! Do you have any favorite pairs, either from the ones in this post or from somewhere else?

Lots of Color, Pink Mesh, Abstract Shapes + A Fit and Flare Design....Sold!

Ever since I discovered my space dress on Macy’s website, after unintentionally clicking a link in my email, I’ve taken more notice of the flyers that end up in my inbox. Let me just say that the physical flagship Macy’s in NYC drives me a little crazy. It’s always crowded, I haven’t found it be to a very customer service orientated place and I never find what I’m looking. Visiting that store always feels like an ordeal. Also, I really hate my couch (from Macy’s)….a bad decision in the frenzy of moving to/settling into NYC. This is just a roundabout way of saying some of my recent finds on their website are winning me over a little, as are the great deals they have during their Friends and Family sales.

When I saw this dress on their website I couldn’t resist. I loved the pattern, colors, textures and shape of the dress. It looked like such a bright and happy dress on the website so I was pretty sure in real life it would be even better. I’m really thrilled with the dress; it fits great and the colors are more vivid in person. And I absolutely love the pink netting at the shoulders, a feature that caught my attention right away. I found out when ordering that the dress was created by the winner of Fashion Star…I had never even heard of that show before but I’m pretty impressed by the dress.

Love when designers make easy to wear and well priced dresses in interesting fabrics and with fun details. Looking forward to styling this In many different ways this summer!

Outfit Details:

Dress - Fashion Star Dress, fit and flare, Aztec print

Black T-Shirt - J Crew Perfect Fit T-Shirt

Turquoise tights (old) - Hue

Earrings (old) - from family trip to Sanibel, Florida

Necklace (old) - from trip to Israel

I Never Got to Go to Space Camp…Maybe it’s Not Too Late?

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True story: I was desperate to go to Space Camp for a number of years during my childhood.  In Grade 3, when asked what I wanted to be as a grownup, I said an astronaut and artist; in Grade 4, I added writer to that list. One summer I almost had my parents convinced to send me to Space Camp, but my grandparents intervened and I ended up going to Circle Square Ranch with my cousins instead. At least there were horses there….

When Space Camp debuted in movie theaters, my campaign to ‘train like an astronaut’ picked up steam….and it’s also when my crush on Joaquin Phoenix (known as ‘Leaf’ Phoenix at that time) began. Is it a coincidence that Star Wars premiered in the year I was born? I don’t think so (fyi, I still can’t turn off the original trilogy should any of them happen to be on when I flip on the TV).

YouTube Clip Source

When I was around 6, I attempted to build my cat Ginger a time machine in the kid’s clubhouse in my grandparent’s yard. Ginger was getting up there in years and I thought that perhaps some time travel would help him regain a few more years.  I had read Time Cat over and over again, as well as watched The Cat From Outer Space and The Three 3 Lives of Thomasina with such regularity that eventually the VHS tapes busted.

Photo source

For many years, the ceiling of my bedroom was covered in glow-in-the-dark stars, planets and comets,  my wall had maps of the solar system and there were a few astronomy and stargazing books on my bookshelf. I lived for camping out in my backyard with some binoculars to stare up at our solar system.

I may still be a little space obsessed. It wasn’t too long ago on a family visit to Walt Disney World in Florida that I lined up to ride Mission: SPACE at EPCOT repeatedly. I’ll watch almost any space theme movie as long as it’s not completely cheesy.  I may even still secretly dream of going to Space Camp.

This is all to say that I didn’t really think twice about purchasing a dress that looked like a page from one of my old solar system books.  A drop waist, virtually wrinkle free dress covered in celestial images, and it happened to be on sale…..what’s not to love? 

Photos taken at MoMA (11 W 53) and Healthy Corner Juice Bar (637 9th Avenue - Try the Hell’s Kitchen juice blend if you go!

This dress is super comfortable (and FUN!) to wear and doesn’t get all full of static or wrinkles as the day progresses which makes it perfect for running errands (or chilling at the AMNH Planetarium).  I also think it works as an all season dress depending on what layers and accessories you add, plus it’s a good base for experimenting with pops of color, neutrals and/or metallics. Brings a whole new meaning to dressing like you’re from a different planet….

Outfit details:

Dress: Macy’s MADE Fashion Week for Impulse Dress

T-shirt (old) - Ocean Pacific 

Leggings (old) -Forever 21 (similar here)

Blue and Gold Metallic Cardigan (old) - Francesca’s 

Sunburst earrings (old) - Francesca’s

Amber disc necklace (super old) - some store in Port Dalhousie, Ontario

Bag (old) - Le Sportsac 

Hat (old) - Kathy Jeanne at Lord and Taylor (similar here)

Boots (old) - Town Shoes