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

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 

An Evening with Shakespeare in the Park...But Not THAT Park

Vintage wear in Bryant Park

Ready to watch Boomerang Theater Company perform Shakespeare's Loves' Labour's Lost

  

Photo credit: Bryant Park Blog

Photo credit: Broadway World

I don't know why but my summer doesn't feel complete unless I've seen some Shakespeare performed in the great outdoors.  Don't get me wrong, attending Shakespeare productions (or reading Shakespeare) is definitely not a love confined to one season nor do either of those things need to happen outdoors (I'm thinking of you Sir Kenneth Branagh and your transformative production of Macbeth I saw earlier in the summer at the Park Avenue Armory). That all being said, Shakespeare outside and under the stars (or lights of Manhattan...) is really magical.  And it doesn't hurt that most Shakespeare in the park productions are free! 

The thing I love about the Shakespeare productions in Bryant Park is how casual they are. No lines, no worrying that you might not have a seat, no need to feel that you need to stay for the 2+ hours if at some point you feel like leaving, no need to put on makeup (just maybe some sunscreen and/or mosquito repellent!) and there's free wifi so you can go crazy with the social media if that's your thing. Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park productions in Central Park are wonderful and are totally a NYC thing to do but obtaining a ticket is a bit of a production so there's something extra nice about being able to pull up a chair one minute before showtime and watch/listen to Shakespeare performed in the heart of midtown. Amazing how quickly all the street sounds fade away as the Bard's words carry you away. 

Outfit Details:
Dress: GreenFlea Market, Upper West Side
Eyelet blouse: Suzy Shier (old blouse...never get tired of it)
Purse: Beacon's Closet, Greenwich
Head scarf: can't remember where it's from as I've had it for years
Shoes: Suprega sneakers
Picnic basket necklace: Kate Spade 

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

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