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

Fashion Truth

The fashion industry is a little crazy (make that more than a little). I don't think anyone would disagree with that assessment. I appreciate all the creativity, competition, energy, innovation and artistry that exist within the fashion industry. I definitely have a list of favorite designers and enjoy seeing how trends shift (or don't) year to year, season to season. But there are many things that happen within the fashion industry that I don't like, such as poor working conditions, clothing made unethically, commercialization, greed and excess, false marketing, standardization, and a tendency to favor unhealthy lifestyles in order to meet a certain aesthetic look. All of these are reasons why I appreciate Modcloth so much. Modcloth offers clothing from a variety of designers and at all price points.  Modcloth understands and advocates that there is no one ideal body type, that we are all unique. As a company, Modcloth enables its consumer base to cultivate their own style rather than fitting into the latest trend. Modcloth does not photoshop its models and the models they use do not all wear the same size clothing. Basically, Modcloth just seems to respect people for all of our differences and preferences. I think Modcloth gets that fashion should be fun and that what we wear should make us feel good.

When I heard that Modcloth was having a pop-up event to help all of us come together to be the change we want to see in the fashion industry , I knew I'd have to go. What a fun event and what a great initiative. Everyone at the pop-up was incredibly warm and welcoming. Posing for photos was a lot of fun and it was wonderful to see everyone's unique styles.  My favorite part was definitely sharing my fashion truth and reading what other people had wrote. My fashion truth was to "wear what makes you smile. Have fun with your style. Play with color, pattern and texture. Forget about what's "on trend" and instead be your own trend; dress for you." Style inspiration can come from many sources and the fashion industry is just one source. We are all consumers. We all buy clothes. I am not saying we should ever stifle anyone's creativity by saying what to make, but we can be our own advocates in the purchases we make or don't make, by the companies we choose to support and those we don't, by the ways we spend our money and by the choices we make in terms of how we dress. 

So, what's your fashion truth?

Outfit Details:
Dress: vintage, Salterio of Milan via Beacon's Closet
Purse: Kate Spade via surprise sale
Shoes: Fluevog
Socks: Hot Sox
Belt: Pinkyotto
Necklace: Modcloth 

On the Boardwalk: Old Time Fun at Coney Island

Old roller coaster car...whoa!

Strolling the boardwalk

I wonder if the people in those apartments ever getting tired of view? I doubt it.

Legendary.

Treats and more treats.

Neon and pastel carousel. Perfection.

Bird's eye view from atop a burger.

Grandmothers always know best.

After three summers in NYC I am embarrassed to admit this was the first summer I went to Coney Island. I know, I know. No excuses, especially as it is so easy to get to.  Well, I made it there this summer at least and it was a beautiful day to be there too.  Even though I had seen a lot of photos and video of Coney Island and the boardwalk I didn't really have a good idea of what the place looked like. Oh sure, I knew there'd be rides, concession stands, old signage,  and a shoreline that seems to go on forever but you can't really know until you visit a place. I liked Coney Island far more than I thought I would...I guess I wasn't expecting the boardwalk and the beach to be so vast, nor the amusement park landscape to be so vibrant (and clean)!  There were moments that afternoon when I actually did feel I had stepped back in time. So even though amusement park rides, fried foods and sun bathing aren't really my things, I had a wonderful time! And now I'll resume singing Bette Midler's 'Under the Boardwalk' in my head...

Outfit Details:

Dress - Fateful Timing Dress, Modcloth (out of stock but they have plenty more options if looking for something nautical)

Hat - Lord and TaylorTote - World's Fair Tote, New York Historical Society

Shoes - Keds

Sunnies - Kate Spade

Summer should be one great big picnic (or many little picnics all strung together)

Some of the amazing people I work with! Headed to House No. 17 to meet with folks from Third Rail Projects. Photo by Francis Estrada.

We had a picnic of course. You can't go to Governor's Island in the summer on what would normally be an afternoon in the office and not have a picnic! I made these little cornbread sammies (store bought mini corn muffins stuffed with guacamole and topped with jalapeno Havarti  and red pepper.

Inside House No. 17 we got to get a little preview into Third Rail Projects next production. We loved all the finds they acquired from Materials for the Arts. Can't wait to see how it all comes together.

Each object tells a story, creates a mood and sheds light on a particular character.

My colleagues are the best! Fun, smart, kind, funny and stylish! Happy people. Photo by Francis Estrada

I am a bit of a nerd and really love a good theme. If I am going to wear a watermelon dress and watermelon earrings why not paint my nails to look like watermelon too? This is an abstract watermelon design...painting one's own nails is hard.

Picnic. Theme. 

I want to wear this dress all year long.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Picnic Person dress by Bea and Dot, Modcloth

Watermelon Earrings: MoMA Staff Sale 2014

Necklace: Kate Spade Picnic Basket

Socks: Foot Traffic, Beacon's Closet (also were available here)

Tote: Little Women, Out of Print Books

Hat: Lord and Taylor

Heart Sunnies: Beacon's Closet

Sneakers: 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

Techni-Color Easter Treats

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. It's a time of year filled with promise and hope. Nature is awakening. We leave behind the cold and grey days of winter and step into light filled fully colored days. Growing up my family had a lot of Easter traditions including going to church, having big family picnics and brunches, going to greenhouses to see all the beautiful flowers, coloring Easter eggs and decorating little trees with delicate spring time ornaments, reading Beatrix Potter and watching The Ten Commandments. So while Easter may still be a few weeks away, I can't help but get excited when I see signs of its approach whether it's changes in the weather, spring time flowers or colorful Peeps.  Okay, so the Peeps and other Easter items are commercial and have nothing to do with the true meaning of Easter, but who can resist their crazy techni-color hues. If they don't signal spring, I don't know what does. Wandering around Dylan's Candy Bar and FAO Schwartz on this rainy Sunday was the perfect way to say goodbye to March and get ready to welcome April! And now I have some great Easter basket ideas!

Outfit Details:
Dress: Modcloth
Coat: Steve Madden Girl
Hat: Urban Outfitters
Long sleeve shirt: Tristan
Cardigan: Roots
Boots: Hunter
Necklace: Anthropologie
Scarf: Anthropologie

Where did October go?

So, suddenly it's November....October flew by much like September.  Once again I've been neglecting this blog and I can't promise I'll update it more frequently in the coming months but we'll see. Can you believe we are heading into the busy holiday season already? Seems like summer was just ending. Yesterday I noticed the Christmas tree stretching up alongside the Radio City Music Hall sign, announcing that the Christmas Spectacular is set to get underway....and yet pumpkins still cluster on stoops and windowsills. Strange how the seasons mingle at this time of year. Commercialization is always in such a hurry.

P.S. Yes my hair looks crazy....still growing it out from pixie cut stage.  I'm over it...sort of.

Outfit Details:

Coat (old): Prancing Pony, via Modcloth

Dress (old): Sugar-Coated Shirtdress, Anthropologie

Long sleeve crochet top (old): Free People

Navy lace tank top (old): American Eagle

Necklace and earrings (old): Bunny and Rue Pendant and Bunny Studs, Marc by Marc Jacobs

Art Around Every Corner

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Since I spent most of Saturday running errands and checking things off my "to do" list, I decided to devote Sunday to exploring Chelsea. I had been meaning to check out Sheep Station by artist Francois-Xavier Lalanne for awhile and knew that today was the last day it'll be up so I made that the first stop on my exploration.  I also stopped to see one of the latest Banksy works to appear this month. The security fencing was still up since it was just before 11am but the security guard offered to take my camera and snap some photos up close (so nice!) which I really appreciated.  A lot of places in the area had festive autumnal and Halloween decorations out which were fun to look at along the way. One restaurant had a huge trough filled to the brim with gourds and apples which I thought was especially picturesque, plus the gourds made great props for an impromptu photo.  Although it was really sunny out, the wind was biting the whole way from Midtown to Chelsea so I stopped in at Chelsea Market to warm up a bit. Chelsea Market has all kinds of Halloween decorations up that definitely make it a "must visit" if you want to get into the Halloween spirit.  I was primarily paying attention to the decorations but Marrakesh Imports caught my eye because they had gorgeous ottomans in every color and shape stacked up in the most inviting way. The stacks of ottomans looked like works of art and in fact many of the ottomans have been hand sewn so they are works of art in their own right. Speaking of stacks, I popped into Anthropologie in search of a knit hat (my ears were freezing) and discovered an incredible stack of books that seemed precariously balanced and yet perfectly stable. It almost looked like a whirlwind had swept the books up, stacking them one on top of each other to form a pillar and leaving a carpet of books at the base.  Colorful, fun and very impressive.  I think I'll spend the rest of the day drinking hot tea, watching some Halloween themed movies and doing a little bit of work. All in all, a really great Sunday!  

Outfit Details:

Jeans (old): Dex

Jacket (old): Daughters of the Liberation, Anthropologie

Dress (old): Back View Dress, Anthropologie

Black Cord Purse (old): Aldo

Gloves: Stage Door Glovettes by Tulle Clothing via Modcloth

Sunglasses (old): Kate Spade

Hat: St. Germain Beanie in green, Anthropologie