Too Mod to Handle
fashion
Flower Power
Trends: Black, White, and No Need To Skin Pups
Patchwork Blocking
Cutout and Classy
Prancing in Peplum
Photo Jul 22, 6 16 17 PM
The Fall-Back Outfit
I got this chambray shirt form Nordstroms and I've been wearing it whenever I don't want to think too hard about my outfit. It can be styled with pretty much anything (although I do have a tendency to style it with red) and look fantastic and the button is perfectly placed for no gaping by the boobs (something I have infinite problems with). So I of course bought it despite its (not too) ridiculous price. No boob gaping is worth it.
Photo Aug 13, 8 32 19 PM
Photo Aug 13, 2 45 47 PM
New Year's Styling Excursion
Anita came to visit me for New Year's and wanted me to take her out shopping and style her. Apparently, she has not gone shopping for four years and she threw out most of her clothes... Then realized she had nothing to wear. We went on a quick adventure and came up with a few different options before our adventure was cut short and we had to go fix my car. She got an AWESOME vintage sequined shirt (which she left here along with her shoes), some Free People black jeans (a staple) along with a shirt and sweater from them, two dresses, and a cream-colored silk shirt that buttons up the back. Not too shabby for a couple of hours of thrifting and shopping.
White on White
Embellished and Eyecatching
Suits From Sun to Stars
Sweater Weather
Digital Printastic
DIY #2: Jewelry Display Frame
in DIY
Well I came back from NYC with a whole bunch of jewelry and nowhere to put it (although, let's face it, this is not a new problem).
Ever since college, after I saw the idea at my friend Kelly's apartment, I have wanted to incorporate a screen into storing my jewelry.
I did want it to be a little more aesthetically pleasing than just a window screen placed on a wall. So I decided to take matters into my own hands.
First, I went thrift store antique shopping. Where, with the help from my mum, I found an awesome wire bird-cage as well as this "primitive ladder." 
No lie, that is what it was called on the tag.<a
Then I went to Home Depot and picked up some chicken wire with the appropriate size mesh (whatever you personally think will work best for your purposes).
I then took the wire home and cut it (with wire cutters) to the dimensions of the insides of the primitive ladder so the wire doesn't interfere with hanging it up later.
Then I laid the wire out over two pieces of wood in the back parking lot so it would not touch the ground. You might have to hold down the wire with something heavy (like a brick). 
If you want both sides to be evenly painted, then cut the wire after you spray paint. I learned this in retrospect. Having a little extra wire around the edges lets you hold it down without compromising the space you want to spray paint.
While the wire was drying, I took the ladder outside and drilled two holes into the bottom rung of the ladder (two were already drilled) for some cabinet knobs which I picked out at World Market. 
The knobs definitely match my room and my personal aesthetic. The knobs and whatever color you paint the wire, as well as what you use to hold up the wire is what personalizes the project for you.
After the wire is dry, either staple or screw it into the wood. I had to use screws as the wood was too dense for staples. I screwed the wire into each run of the ladder to keep it secure. The rungs also allowed me to hide the screws, and keep them away from the back where they would get in the way of hanging the ladder on the wall.
After attaching the wire, I then attached the knobs. 
Extra washers were needed to keep the knobs in place and farther from the wood of the ladder so that bracelets would hang on them properly. This is something to think about when buying the frame. Is it too thick for attaching knobs, or can you make it work.
I ended up with this! I honestly probably still need more room for all my jewelry, but at least i have a way to display the pieces I wear most in a pretty and organized way.
I used small S-Hooks to hang necklaces, a few rings, and bracelets. Larger S-Hooks were used for the big-mama necklaces and bracelets. I placed teal little bowls of varying sizes inside the birdcage to hold rings and other smaller types of jewelry such as watches. This had the added benefit of balancing out the earrings that were hung from the wire on the front of the birdcage.
Paint it Red (DIY #1)
in DIY, Fashion, Things I Learned
Being at home and mostly unemployed has afforded me the chance to do a bunch of DIY projects I've been thinking about for a while now. The first being the lovely (and easy) project of taking some old red jeans and turning them into new red shorts!I went about this in a pretty devil-may-care way. Laying them out and measuring at the outside seam about how long I thought I would want them. And then I added an inch. The extra inch was so I could roll the bottoms up twice instead of doing a proper hem. So far it seems to have worked out nicely, though I will say I haven't washed the shortened version yet.
How do they look? What are some DIY projects you've meant to try and just haven't figured out how to do yet?
Things I Will and Won't Miss About NYC: An Ongoing Project
So today is the day I leave NYC to go back to NC. I definitely have mixed feelings about everything, but I think I am making the right decision for now even if it ends up that I move back in a couple of years. So, I've made a list (lists are wonderful, and very calming, and something great to do when you're bored).
Things I'll Miss About NYC
- The few good friends I did make in the city
- Opportunities at every corner
- Creativity right beside those opportunities on each corner
- Not worrying about going out and then driving because public transportation is always, at most, a 20 minute walk away
- The thrill of living, and being, and meeting in the city
- Parties every weekend. On rooftops. Sometimes even during the week. 
- Getting cat-called by nice looking men
- Little Town NYC
- My proximity to my cousin and to Boston (we had some really great times together and I'm going to miss seeing her almost every month)
- Being largely autonomous - making my own decisions, which only affect me, whether they turn out good or bad.
- Divas
- The ridiculous amount of awesome shopping that can be done (although it's probably good that I will be far away from that) 
- Walking home and finding that the kids on the street have broken open a fire hydrant for their own water park fun 
- Being so close to the beach and not even having to drive there 
Things I Will Not Miss About NYC - Having dirt kick up on the back of your legs (or formerly pristine white jeans) when it rains - Gross smells - Lack of A/C - Angry People - My small bedroom with not enough room between my head and the ceiling to turn on the fan (Given, I did have a loft bed) - Being so far away from family - Divas - 80 year old men leering at me on the way to my apartment - Divas looking at you like you are a ridiculously stupid person having no idea what you could have done to get that look (I'm sitting minding my own business, how could I possibly have offended you?) - The stress of keeping up (must go out, must succeed, must not sleep, must join groups, must join gym, must run for the subway, must not awkwardly make eye contact) - The stifling heat and humidity pushing down on you from hundreds of A/C units spitting out their lava onto the streets - Getting yelled at by random people on the subway (although that totally makes for some good stories)
Leather and Lace
in Fashion
Every Congressman First Had to Be A Squire
Even when you get a real, paying job you have to do silly things like slog lunch for 13 people across three avenues and five streets, or go get coffee for the office. I think I knew this generally, but not in any real sense until I actually had to do it. You have to go through the shit jobs before you can get to the ones that you actually like though. Its something pretty much everyone has to do. You also have to go through those shit jobs to figure out what exactly you want to be doing. Even with that, you may not figure out your exact path. My brother gave me a wonderful phone call last night and reminded me that "every congressman first had to be a squire" (no lie, those were his words). Moral of the story, those squires did have to do horribly stupid things like fun things three blocks and get coffee for 12 people for a meeting, but they did come out of it at the end of the day a congressman. What are some ridiculous things ya'll have had to do during your hike up the ladder?
It's something you have to keep in mind when you get up to NYC, or anywhere, and get your first job. You have to jump through hoops and serve your time, before you can get up to the bigger (not biggest) and start doing what your really want to do. So use the time you have at that job to build connections and learn as much as you can. Be prepared for anything and learn from everything.
On a different note, what would people like to know about hauling ass to NYC? And does anyone have suggestions for things to do up here?
Yesterday (after a leisurely morning doing pretty much nothing) I went to Central Park and sat on a rock and read fashion magazines. 
It was nice. I need to find some people who will do that with me though. Everyone out on the field with their friends looked like they were having a blast.
I even found a person teaching a dance class in the square. It was very amusing.
Video May 19, 6 29 21 PM
As you can see, some dancers were better than others.
So let me know what you want to know about my experience, and your favorite places around the city. I'll check them out, and tell you my opinion.
Things I Learned From My Internship, Part Ten (or I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty)+ Dance Like You Mean It
Things I Learned From My Internship, Part Ten (or I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty) + Dance Like You Mean It Make everyday fun in some way so you do not dread waking up. For instance, take pictures of you work outfit everyday.
This may, at first, make you feel like a vain fool, but it brightens up your day when you get a nice comment and it encourages you to try, which is certainly important when your endgame is impressing people enough to give you a job. It also is a nice record of every day of your internship. Something to look on in your dotage and say to your adopted grandchildren "see here, on this day I wore this outfit and got noticed by the editor of this magazine." Or something like that.
Obviously, not everyone is going to want to take pictures of their daily clothing choices, but you get the point. Make everyday at least slightly different by setting a goal and recording it. I can honestly say I did not wear exactly the same thing any of the days I worked at the lovely offices of Martha Stewart. This may be unimpressive and extremely un-noteworthy to you, but I find some small sort of pleasure in it. And should we not find pleasure in our internships, even while working our little tushes off to impress people?
And more Adventures of Mumsy, Naughty Nicki And I!
Saturday was a ridiculously fun day as we went on a cruise around Manhattan. I should say this adventure began on Thursday when I called to book the tickets. Joe, the voice on the other end of the phone, was very flirty. He asked me what the occasion was and I told him just because we wanted to. His response was "So life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." I did not know what to think of the kid at this point so I was just like sureeeeee. He then asked if we would be "enjoying any alcoholic beverages" on the cruise so we could buy the tickets beforehand for a lesser price. I was all like "heck yes, we drink alcohol" and he proceeded to tell me "I think I like you," which was interesting. After this was all done, he was outlining a few ship rules. "As this is a lunch cruise, the dress is semi casual, so a button down and slacks."
To which I replied, "I don't think I'm going to be wearing a button down and slacks," and he became extremely flustered.
I thought this cruise was sure to be a touristy, corny thing to do, but something all people who live in the city should do at least once. You know, with one alloted alcoholic beverage and a mediocre buffet.
It turned out to be awesome. Probably because we had an interesting group of people on the boat with us. And when I say Interesting I mean Crazy.
We get there and are shown to our table. It was on the second floor (so I hauled Nicki up some stairs) and it was not by a window, but we could see the dance floor and out the windows across from us. This turned out to be the prime sitting spot as we could look over the railing at the goings on of the DJ and the people who interacted with her. Before we figured out the wonderfulness of our tables location; however, our waiter came to get our drink order and to ask if we were here for any particular reason, an ongoing theme. We repeated that we were just here to have fun, no particular reason, but my mum was visiting from NC. He WROTE THIS DOWN and then flounced off.
Then came the food. It was actually pretty delicious. Mashed potatoes, and salad, and salmon, and mac & cheese. A carb lovers delight. Then we got TWO desserts. TWO.
We then went outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather and the Statue of Liberty. This is us in front of the Statue of Liberty even though you cannot tell....
Then the fun began. People had imbibed their alcoholic beverages (and probably a few more before they even boarded the boat) and they were loose and excitable. The DJ fed on this and so did the crew. The waiters and waitresses actually came out and sang and danced. It was corny, true, but great.
Then the crazy crowd got involved.
This woman was hilarious. She interpret danced all around that dance floor, and on it, and off it, and on the waiter a bit too. We later found out she actually teaches dance classes, which does explain a bit about the large amount of dancing.
After that the DJ threw out some line dances, which basically forces everyone to get on the dance floor. I did indeed dance. Sadly, these photos are on my mother's phone and I cannot get them to you, my loyal readers. I'm sure you can use your imagination. I was literally the only white girl on that dance floor and it was awesome.
I would like to believe that I held my own.
Things I Learned From My Internship, Part Eight (or Holding On with All Ten Toes) + More Adventures
Things I Learned From My Internship, Part Eight (or Holding On with All Ten Toes) + More Adventures I'm sure you've had the friend who tells you the horror stories of his menopausal boss, or the boss that loads them down with work on a weekend, or the boss who constantly sits right behind them and criticizes everything they do. Or, you know, the boss who tries to seduce you while acting like a chauvinistic pig, or the unfulfilled pay promises, or the crappy job assignments meant to 'put you in your place.' You get the idea. I'm here to tell you that, though they may be slightly embellished and/or overly talked (complained) about, it is highly likely that most of that story is true. Consequently, if you find yourself in a happy work environment hold on to it with both hands and all ten toes.
Horror situations like that do; however, make you that much more appreciative when you do land an awesome workplace with awesome coworkers (they also lower your standards so you are in a much more appreciative mind frame to begin with). Martha was a place of mostly happy people, enjoying what they do and enjoying the people with which they were doing it (at least that's how it seemed to me). Martha the homemaker is clearly also Martha the maker of happy workplaces (maybe even more so). Let's face it, a picture of her giant chow, Genghis, will put a smile on your face any time you see it (and I saw one at least twice a week). I'm convinced Genghis Kahn is her secret plan to take over the world. I mean, he did win best in show at Westminster. He also is allowed to eat at tables, in fancy restaurants:
But anyway, the Moral of the Story is: Be thankful for an awesome work environment because not all companies are full of genuinely happy people who not only enjoy their jobs, but also the majority of their life (all because of Genghis Khan).
Take note of Martha holding puppy Genghis, clearly world domination is being planned:
In other news, I promised more Adventures of Mumsy, Naught Nicki, and I.
Later on in the afternoon, after the horrible waitress incident, I got to take my mother to the other Little Town NYC location by Union Square. With a LivingSocial coupon of course. The Union Square location was just as wonderful, though the ambience was not quite as awesome as the Hell's Kitchen location (that one was two stories, with a net above the bar so drunk people couldn't throw things at innocent bartenders).
We rolled on in (or my mum did) and got a table by the wall (so my mum could lean on it., Okay I did too) AND THEN we had beers! Let me just point out from what kind of selection we could choose. And THERE WERE MORE THAN THAT. I had a White IPA which I encourage everyone to try. It was fantastic. My mum had some sort of light wheat thing, which was also good, but she is clearly a pansy beer drinker. My brother and I try to teach her and fail.
And then we had TWO DOZEN oysters. Which were pretty awesome.
Once we had finished our delicious oysters, our two beers each, and one (non couponed) bag of chips and bleu cheese dressing; we went on our way to a Trunk Magazine 'Special Exhibition' to meet and greet with Trunk Mags Photographers.
But backing up to us being on our merry way. We our strolling (or rolling as the case may be) down the street, me pushing my mum a bit so her "calf doesn't get too tired" and so we can make it there before 2013. We may have gotten a little too ambitious, speed wise, and Naughty Nicki was not having it. We hit a bump and almost bit it. The both of us and Naughty Nicki. Luckily, Mumsy and I are both quick on our feet (her slightly less so obviously) and we managed to not make a spectacle of ourselves on the sidewalks of Union Square.
We eventually made it to The Conran Shop (which makes you want to buy EVERYTHING) and down to the Exhibition where we met up with one of my photographer friends. Yes I do have friends in NYC. Three of them. So there. The event was interesting (i.e. photographs and free alcohol), but there was only about ten photographs, which was slightly disappointing. To be fair, they were awesome photographs.
So we are mingling. Eric and I are trying to get to know people (we are both new to the city and need to know everyone). Eric points to a guy and is like 'I think that guy is one of the photographers,' but he wouldn't get his ass in gear and go talk to him. So I took matters into my own hands.
For those of you who are unaware, I came to NYC and became much more outspoken. You have to be. But I also grew up in a household that rid me of most of my shame (in a good way).
Anyway, I sidled up to him and said "You're one of the photographers right? My friend over there wants to meet you, but he's being a pansy, so I'm shaming him into doing it." I know, I'm a horrible person. Turns out the photographer was David Cicconi, the founder of the Magazine and the Creative Director. Pretty Awesome. And he remembered my name later, which is always a good sign.
That's something to add to the Intern Manual, Be Memorable. Perhaps that will be the next post?