Sunday, July 15, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Meatpacking District, Daytime Edition
Well over 2 months with no post......yea I’m the worst blogger ever. I’ll do my best to redeem myself. This past weekend I went down to NYC’s Meatpacking District to celebrate my 30th birthday. It was a complete shitshow. I was joined by Kitty, Pippa and Eleanor. We started off the day around noon with brunch at Paradou. For those of you who have never been there l highly recommend giving it a try especially for a celebration. This cozy French bistro features a brunch special which includes unlimited champagne cocktails for 2 hours so you know it’s a good time. After we ate and were sufficiently buzzed we moved on to the Bier Garden at the Standard Hotel. I wouldn’t mind going back here. It was a bit more laid back than I anticipated for this area of the city but still very nice. I can see this place being a ton of fun at night. Once we got hungry again we moved on to Dos Caminos. I usually love this place. This time, however, was a different story. Aside from the service being unacceptably slow, the food arrived cold. Until they decide to get their shit together I will not be going back. we ended the day at Gaslight. I love this place. If you’re fortunate enough to be there during an off time when it’s not packed it makes for the perfect date spot.
Now for the clothes. Even though I’ve been to these places plenty of times I always have an extra hard time figuring out what to wear. More so this time because I’m typically in the city after dark. Daytime being significantly more casual than night caused me to change my outfit 9 times. My original outfit included a skirt. Thank God I changed my mind because (thanks to the cobble stone streets and camel boots with a 5 inch heel) I tripped and went down in front of about 30 people. Not my most graceful moment but at least I was wearing my black jeans and avoided giving the crowd a peek at my undies. I also wore my new fur vest that I’m obsessed with and a plain white long sleeve tee. Apparently vests in right now because I see EVERYONE wearing them. Actually I think fur in general is in (Kitty rocked her fur leg warmers). Since the MPD is a trendy area no matter what venue you’re at I figured it would be appropriate. In the end I was very happy with my choice of clothing. So if you’re headed to the MPD in the middle of the day to go bar hopping here are some perfectly acceptable looks.
This was one of my original outfits (before I decided I HAD to wear my vest)
Eleanor ended up folding down her boots. I unfortunately don't have a pic but it made a world of difference.
I actually have a better one of Kitty but I knew she's prefer I use the one with her Hermes belt prominently displayed
And....the fur vest. You can't see but it has a hood and is incredibly warm <3
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Hats Indoors
I need to talk about hats. This specifically applies to the guys out there. I love hats. Truly I do. It’s such a great and functional accessory. It keeps your head warm. It keeps the sun out of your eyes. They look cool (usually). However, I was taught growing up that you do not wear them indoors ESPECIALLY during a meal. Now, as an adult, this is one of my biggest pet peeves. It doesn’t bother me so much when we’re in a house just hanging out. It irritates me slightly more when we’re in someone else’s house that we aren’t super close friends with. It bothers me just that much more when we’re at the movies or something. God help the person who sits down to dinner with me still wearing that hat. I don’t care if we’re in our own house or out at a hole in the wall diner. No hats while we’re eating. It sends me into this fury that could only be matched by a UFC fighter. To me it’s just rude, disrespectful and tacky. I really don’t know exactly why. I grew up in a house with all girls. My dad didn’t wear hats. It’s not a rule that needed to be enforced so it’s not like I’m scarred from childhood.
I’m really a non-confrontational person. I’ll very rarely go as far as to tell someone to take their hat off. Unless it’s someone close to me such as my nephew, close friend or boyfriend. If you are none of those things to me and we go to dinner and you wear a hat let me tell you what I’m really thinking:
1.Where the fuck were you raised? A barn?
2.Why didn’t your parents teach you manners? Didn’t they love you?
3.Are you purposely doing this to piss me off?
4.You look like trailer trash.
5.I really can’t stand to look at you.
6.I’m utterly embarrassed to be seen with you right now.
7.(if it’s a date) This is a deal breaker please don’t call me after this.
My advice for today: please don’t wear a hat if you're sitting down to eat. I know for a fact I’m not the only person who feels this way. This does not apply to outdoor BBQ’s or picnics. Then it’s fine.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Red Lipstick
I know it’s not clothes but it’s my blog and I’ll post what I want!! Besides technically you wear lipstick. The idea for this post came to me this weekend. I decided to brave the mobs and go shopping on Black Friday. I rolled out of bed after Eleanor enthusiastically ran into my room screaming about sales. I threw on leggings, an oversized shirt and uggs, put my hair in a bun and was ready to roll. I was not putting any effort into my appearance that day because I had only slept for about 3 hours. Besides I highly doubted anyone else would be looking good at 4am. Then as I was walking around the mall I noticed one particular girl. She had on an ensemble very similar to mine. Something modest and ordinary, except for her bright red lipstick. I was a little taken aback by how much it made her stand out from the rest of us zombie like shoppers. All from a simple application of make up.
This girl really got me thinking. This has got to be the the easiest way to “dress up”. You can be in the most basic outfit let’s say tee shirt, skinny jeans and flats. Smear on some red lips and suddenly ....you’re interesting....seductive even. That bright red pout adds this incredible element of drama. Now you’re unique, quirky and edgy. You stand out a bit and it’s just plain fun.
It’s a bold but simple accessory that most people don’t take advantage of. I can understand why. It’s easy enough to apply but you literally have to maintain it all day/night. Like any lipstick it wears off however, with red is that it’s way more noticeable when it does. After a few hours you can end up looking like you applied liner but forgot to fill in the rest. This is not a cute look. Ever. It’s just as bad as dark lip liner with light lipstick. You all know what I’m talking about.
As much of a pain in the ass as it may be I still love this look. It never goes out of style. It looks good on everyone. It can be worn with just about any outfit for any occasion. I think I need to start sporting the red lips more often. Here are a couple quick tips I’ve learned along the way:
1. Exfoliate first. It takes like 2 seconds. Get a wash cloth, run it under warm water and gently scrub your lips. Chapped or dry lips are gross and it makes your make up look like shit.
2. Use lip liner. The catch is you need to apply it to your entire lip. It helps avoid “bleeding” and will make it last longer
3. To avoid red teeth: After you’ve applied and blotted put your finger in your mouth. Put your lips around it and pull your finger out. I know how pornographic this sounds and it looks just as bad when you’re doing it. It totally works though
4. Gloss is great but I find it makes the lipstick wear off faster so I tend to avoid it. I just stick with a moisturizing lipstick.
5. Find a color that works with your skin tone. Play around with a few different shades till you find something you like. Sometimes you can end up looking like you’re wearing orange lipstick.
6. Take it easy on the eye make up when going with red lips. Otherwise you could end up looking like a hooker.
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011
First Impressions
We all know how nerve racking it is meeting your boyfriend’s parents for the first time. Try meeting the entire family, at a Greek christening, in Brooklyn. This was the case when I met my last boyfriend’s family. I was so nervous and desperate to make a good first impression. I had to have the perfect dress....and I found it. Remember in my rehearsal dinner post I said there was a story about the dress I wore to Violet’s dinner? Well here’s the story. I should let you know before you continue reading if you do not have a general knowledge of Long Island geography you might want to reference a map to get the full effect.
Since I am one of the world’s greatest procrastinators I waited until the day before the event to find a dress. The best advice I can ever give DO NOT DO THIS. Please give yourself more time. I started my search at Lord and Taylor in Manhasset. That’s where I found it. The perfect dress. It was BCBG, brown jersey halter top with a patterned scarf bottom. The second I saw it I knew I had to have it. It was $300 but I didn’t care. The problem was the only one they had was 2 sizes too big. I tried on several others while I was there but it didn’t matter. My mind was made up. This dress was “the one” and I had to find it in my size. So I raced over to Roosevelt Field mall, checked almost every store and managed to find 2, neither of which were my size. Now I was getting frustrated. It was 6 pm on a Friday. I was running out of time until the stores closed. The christening was at noon the next day so it’s not like I could have ran to look for something in the morning
I called the first store in Manhasset and described the dress. I asked if ANY other store had it in stock. They said, “yes actually the Garden City location has your size The girls there will put it on hold for you”. PERFECT!! I ran over there immediately. My heart literally sank as the girl behind the counter pulled out the wrong dress. Now I was practically in tears. As I was describing the dress yet again to one associate, another overheard me. “I know exactly what dress you’re talking about”. She checked the computer. “There is only one left on Long Island in your size. It’s at Walt Whitman mall. They close in an hour.” I told her to please have them put in on hold as I ran out the door. I can’t believe I made it there without getting a speeding ticket. I flew through the doors just as they were announcing that the store would be closing in 15 minutes. I ran to the desk where they had the dress on hold. This was it!! I tried it on quickly and it fit perfectly. I will never forget that feeling. That wave of relief, that indescribable high... I didn’t even feel the slightest tinge of guilt as I handed over my credit card.
The next day went very smoothly. I was comfortable, confident and I made a great first impression. Everyone was very welcoming. I really think my level of comfort had quite a lot to do with my outfit. I felt amazing in my dress and had a hard time even taking it off that night. I wanted to stay in it forever. Over the years it’s been worn quite a bit. Not only by me but by both of my sisters, Olive and Eleanor. If ever it’s missing I know one of them has it.
Here’s my advice. One of the greatest feelings is walking into a room KNOWING you look great. That feeling will shine through when you’re interacting with people. I think that’s why it’s so important to wear something you’re happy in when making that first impression. If you find an outfit, whatever it may be, that you know in your heart is “the one” do whatever you have to do to get it. Sure you can settle but you will not be completely happy with anything else. Sometimes you need to splurge. Sometimes you need to spend 5 hours driving all over Long Island for one article of clothing. Trust me if you love it as much as I love mine you’ll get enough use out of it that it’ll be completely worth it.
Monday, November 21, 2011
The Fancy French Restaurant
I went on a date recently to Boulud Sud in NYC. I was having one of those “I have nothing to wear” freak out days. I literally tore my closets apart. I had clothes on the couch, dining room table, all over the floor and hanging from the light fixture. I was also having the kind of day where things that normally fit did not. I knew I needed to be dressed up as this is a high end French restaurant. I really wanted to wear a dress but all of mine mysteriously disappeared. I had a sneaking suspicion my sister Eleanor was responsible for that. What I ended up with was probably one of the most horrendous outfits I’ve ever put together. I knew it leaving my apartment. I don’t know what I was thinking. I guess after 2 hours of trying on clothes I just gave up. I had on a tan sequined top, bellbottoms, black pumps and a black cardigan. No, I’m not kidding. Oh it was also raining so I threw my hair back into a frizzy low ponytail. I honestly should have cancelled the date. As I always say it’s about feeling comfortable. Well this night I was anything but. I still cringe when I think about it.
The first thing I noticed upon arrival (other than the fact that I was seriously underdressed) was that it seemed to be a slightly older crowd. I’d say 40’s and above. I’m not saying 40 is old. A better word would be mature. This isn’t a “trendy” restaurant with a bunch of 23 year olds showing off with daddy’s credit card. Almost every man in there was wearing a suit. Women were either in dresses or slacks. Although no one was really overly dressed the tone was conservative. A simple black dress, blazer and pumps would be perfect here. My only saving grace was that I was sitting and was able to button my cardigan. That and I had on diamond earrings and a diamond watch. At least I was a little fancy......
If you’re ever planning to go there or any other high end NYC restaurant ie: Daniel, 11 Madison, Per Se, ect... I strongly suggest sticking with simple and chic. Do not show up in jeans and a corset top. Although in my opinion that’s never a good look anyway.
This is why you need to do your research and plan ahead. I learned my lesson the hard way. Hopefully with time and more posts this blog will be able to help with that. Also sometimes, especially if you’re going to dinner, it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.
This is what I actually wore......
This is more along the lines of what I SHOULD have worn...
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Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Rehearsal Dinners
This one I think is pretty easy so I’m keeping it short. Also this will be the last of wedding related posts for a while. For the rehearsal dinner you have to dress up a bit. End of story. No Jeans, no ripped clothing. Sometimes the bridesmaids don’t all know each other so you can’t just call to see what everyone else is wearing. I say think about location. What kind of restaurant are we talking about? Fancy and French? Cozy and Italian? McDonalds? I also suggest taking into consideration whether or not you’ll be inside a church, temple or any other house of worship. I’m not a religious person but it comes down to respect. When you’re inside these types of places you should really try and tone it down a bit. If you’re wearing something strapless grab a cardigan or shawl to throw on, just for when you’re inside. Unless of course it’s 105 degrees in the middle of July and the church’s air conditioner breaks (true story, happened at my cousin Violet’s rehearsal). In which case God, I’m sure, will forgive you.
Now let’s look at some examples. Kitty’s day was host to a range of styles. Some in cocktail dresses, some in pants, there was a vintage Chanel (you know who you are <3) and some in slightly more casual attire. I wore a purple sweetheart cut dress. It had a patterned top, high black elastic waist and a plain bottom. I threw on black pumps, a black cardigan and a simple clutch. The dinner took place at Piccolo Bussola in Mineola, NY.
For my cousin Violet’s I wore a BCBG halter scarf dress with brown BCBG sandals. I was in a BCBG phase at the time. Plus there’s a story that goes with that dress but I’ll save that for a future post. As I said it was 105 degrees so there was no shawl or sweater. This dinner took place in Boston. Definitely not as over the top as most Long Island events. However keep in mind Boston is still a city and people there can dress.
In the end wear what makes you comfortable. This is an important day but not as important as the BIG day. When in doubt think of Audrey Hepburn, you can never go wrong with a simple black dress.
Violet's Rehearsal
(For some reason this was the only picture I could dig up)
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