I Heart New York Saturdays!

Next weekend one of my best friends from childhood is getting married. It seems so strange to me that I am going to watch her walk down the aisle when it seems like only yesterday we were in Biology class daydreaming about what college would be like. I am proud to say I will be one of her bridesmaids and I have loved being a part of her wedding!

That being said - this morning I woke up with a mission - I needed earrings to go with my dress. Since it was another beautiful day here in NYC I decided to lace up my sneakers and get a walk out of my shopping expedition and of course I wound up finding a lot more than just a pair of sparklies :)

One of my first stops was a trendy clothing shop on Broadway wherein I found a cute sundress to wear to the rehearsal dinner on Friday:

The dress I wound up purchasing actually has deeper colored flowers in red and fuschia tones (which matches the wedding colors!) I figure for the price it can't be beat ($16!) and with a cute pair of sandals will be perfect for the laid back venue the couple has chosen!

Then I couldn't help my feet when about 12 blocks later they turned into a brand new "vintage store" that only opened the weekend before - it must be said, I love all things vintage, thrift or flea - you can have the best "find" experiences in shops like this - in my own shopping past (a commissioned yellow and diamond collared dress from the 1950s, a black suede purse with all original hardware from the 1920s, a pair of Prada ballet flats for ($20!) and today's find a colorful and perfectly fitted kimono top with mandarin collar:

I think I will be wearing this with jeans and black heals on a date in the near future!

And lastly, what I actually went out for  - the earrings - well I lucked out - I went to one of those crazy costume jewelry shops where the walks look like disco balls from all of the different crystals and got two pairs for $10 - so one will be for the wedding and one will be because I couldn't bare to not have them!

Aren't they great! Love love love!

Perfect for a black floor length evening gown!

lazy summer friday...

Today was one of those amazing NYC days where you wake up without a plan in mind and wind up having a fun mini-adventure of sorts.

After waking up early and enjoying the sunshine filtering through the blinds and a good cup of coffee, I decided I would try and see what my friends were up to. I met up with B and Salome on campus and had a nice visit sitting in the courtyard adjacent to Schermerhorn Hall - B had errands and a plan to nap in the park- so Salome and I decided we would head downtown and see what fun we could get into.

We took the 1 train to 23rd street and decided that today was a day for long walks and soaking up the sun - so walk we did - touring NYU, Washington Square Park, Wall Street, and Little Italy (where we had sushi of all things) and enjoyed a street fair where we indulged in chocolate covered strawberry kabobs - it is fortunate I live on the opposite end of the city - or I would find reasons to eat these every day!

Days of Summer...

   This has been quite a wash-out week. I headed home to spend some time with my parents before the start of my summer class and instead of relaxing outside and catching up on my non-school related reading, I spent most of it inside cooking or crafting with my mom (two of our favorite mother/daughter past times). I think she always wants to cook with me so as to instill within me basic "kitchen survival techniques" :)

In other news, on Tuesday, one of my best friends and I decided to finally see the Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I had previously posted about my desire to see it, and it was truly a magnificent display. I can barely sum up in words the genius of his creations. Each room was a fully developed level of his psyche and when it suddenly ended and you were cast out again into the bright lights of the museum, you couldn't help but internalize the parallel of how abruptly his life ended.

I have decided to include a few images of the pieces that truly fascinated and astounded me. Alexander McQueen was a powerful creative force and the world is slightly less beautiful without him in it.

The dress on the left is made using glass medical slides painted red, while the dress on the right is made entirely of shells.

The dress on the top was truly a work of art, the fabric used was a nylon like that of hosiery, but the movement it was capable of was beautiful, the dress on the bottom is made of gilded duck feathers and made me question why I had never watched it glide down a red carpet.

The dress on the top was actually "created"on the run way - it began as a solid white dress that was then sprayed yellow and black by machines in front of the audience, the end result was unique and the showmanship of it was spectacular. The outfit on the bottom was from McQueen's final collection Plato's Atlantis, the shoes are beyond words, and are entirely covered with Aurora Borealis crystals - the mannequins used for the display seemed larger than life.

On the top is the famous "horse dress" the entire skirt is made of horse hair and was presented on the runway as a chess piece on a board. The bodice is sculpted leather and is a beautiful lavender hue in person. The dress on the bottom is dreamy and royal inspired, the purse and slippers are beaded to match, and the purse is inspired by a faberge egg.

The gown on the top is made entirely of real and silk flowers, as it was quoted in the display, McQueen used real flowers "because they die" it was to play on the darkly romantic theme he was cultivating of juxtaposing life and death, beauty and decay. On the bottom, one of McQueen's Asian inspired ensembles, the stitching and embroidery on this kimono inspired jacket and hat were surreal - perfection in each seam and stitch. The hat featured amaranthus flowers which stems from the Greek word for "unfading" or immortal  - the effect was exquisite.

If you have the ability to see the exhibit for yourself I would highly recommend it, I myself want to go back for a second or third viewing. It is hauntingly beautiful and honored McQueen in a moving and very intimate way.

will be right back after these messages :)

on a small vacation - but will return to post later this week :)

so funny!

Oh Alec Baldwin! "Still Don't"

The above link is one of the funniest youtube videos I have come across. It is a clip from the new baseball commercials that have been airing - ah it made me smile! Enjoy!

I'm on the right track...

I just got out of my Neuroscience final exam - and I kicked some academic butt! I am so pumped - two more finals and I am finished - then it is summertime - how sweet it sounds.

I promise more updates as soon as the other two exams are out of the way - I have a few other products I want to review and a few more exciting city outings that deserve posts.

I must say that a lot of my energy should be credited to Lady Gaga. Whatever your own personal opinions of her, I listen to "Edge of Glory" or "Born this Way" and suddenly I can keep going - this is especially vital at 3am when I start losing steam.

No matter what I know I'm on the right track baby!

Later Loves <3

For Beautiful Hair:

     After a long time of searching, trying different price points, mixing up labels for straight hair, added volume, extra moisturizing, for color treated hair - I have finally found the shampoo/conditioning pair of the century. The smell is wonderful, the texture perfection and the way it left my hair feeling afterwards was simply golden. It was one of those kismet hair experiences where the entire experience leads to one of those mythic hair days girls dream about.  So here is my new secret weapon! I highly recommend the Oribe for Beautiful Color. As someone who has been every color in the spectrum and back again - this duo really nourished and repaired my hair and gave it the shine I have been missing!

Oribe Hair Care - Shampoo for Beautiful Color - 8.5 oz
Oribe Hair Care - Conditioner for Beautiful Color - 6.8 oz

Single Girls Need Fabulous Shoes!

Lately I have been in love with a pair of shoes that have been hiding in my closet since January! I know, for shame! These darlings are grey Steve Madden Surpass heels - but they do the trick every time! Perfect with skirts, black shorts and tights, and of course my staple skinny jeans. They add a bit of glam to every outfit and the grey goes with literally everything! 

I remember my frantic search for a pair of neutral heels - it was in the midst of a snow storm during a visit to Philadelphia, I was attending a wedding and had switched my dress the day before. Luckily, Walnut Street never lets me down! My then boyfriend could not understand the appeal - but ladies - these give the illusion of a killer pair of calves and for the price the confidence boost when wearing them cannot be beat! <3

“The fact is, sometimes it's really hard to walk in a single woman's shoes. That's why we need really special ones now and then to make the walk a little more fun.” <3 Carrie Bradshaw 

Happy Mother's Day!

My Beautiful Mama and Gram

Mom and I

Great-Gram and I <3

May you all have a wonderful mother's day and celebrate the beautiful, strong women in your life!

Men's suits - how dapper is too dapper?

So, I recently got into a debate with some male friends over the new standards of fashion for the everyday man - as winter has transitioned to spring, New Yorkers have had the wonderful ability to see that today's male Manhattanite changes more than just wool to linen. Perhaps I am surrounded by a narrow-minded crowd but they felt this new style regime of male "peacocking" is a bit over done. I on the other hand - really appreciate the time, effort and energy these men are putting into their fashion wardrobes. 

Here I have included a few celebrity examples - what are your thoughts? Should a man experiment with Stone and Denim materials or should the suit be relegated to winter or spring, wool or linen, navy or black?

Ryan Reynolds - shown in a Stone suit and a toned down Navy - I happen to really love the Stone!

Jude Law - incorporating a tshirt and scarf into the usual suit mix - 

I am of the opinion it adds character and personality

Ed Westwick in a paired down "suit" made up of light colored jeans

and a soft jersey material blazer over a henley

Zac Effron - incorporating the denim look  - personally, I am a fan :)

Ed Westwick again (more Chuck Bass style) in a loud yet impeccably tailored plaid suit (not spring of course) but he pulls it off flawlessly nonetheless. 

I think that may be the trick - a well tailored suit is always a do in my book.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

the best Friday I've had in a long while...

My beautiful Manhattan boy - Maverick

So the rest of today was wonderful - just as I had expected. I had an excellent last run with a patient and received the news that there may be an RA Position in my future. Also, found out that if I were to stay on - I would be able to work with Borderline and Avoidant Personality Disorder patients - so WINNING! :D

Later after the hospital - I stopped home for a bit and hung out with Maverick, then met up with B and his friend Josh at a local dive bar. Since it was sunny we opted for outside seating - good food and conversation followed for about three hours until B's girlfriend Z's plane landed. Then the four of us went to Sip Bar on Amsterdam - an amazing spot with mixed cocktails and a dj booth - I had a Nutty Chocolate Coffee (espresso, frangelico, and chocolate infused wine - delicious!)

Now I am home and studying for the next three days like it is my J-O-B. Ah well - summertime is coming soon - here is to the home stretch!

Sip Bar

finally friday!

Best Advice Ever Received

So this post will be continued after I am home from work - but there should be much to report. For one - it is my last day of work at the hospital, for two B's friend Josh will be in town and that should be a fun get together, and lastly three, it is Friday and a glorious day in NYC - what is not to love? 

a lovely thursday...

As I said to my friend Steve (who was kind enough to accompany me on this trip around the UES)  - I am living every kid under 10's dream: burgers, candy shop and toy store!


We met and had lunch at Brgr (amazingly good btw), then we meandered around Madison and 5th Avenues respectively, stopping in at Dylan's Candy Bar (where I could look but not touch) and FAO Schwartz (where playing is acceptable!) :D all in all a great day with blue skies, sunshine and a skirt!

BRGR

BRGR was delicious - and not badly priced for a private burger chain in Manhattan. 

I had the Rainforest Burger (beef patty, gruyere, avocado, herb mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato) and it was divine - I will definitely be coming back for seconds! 

Dylan's Candy Bar

Dylan's gave me a sweet tooth the moment I stepped inside - every inch of the store was head to toe candy - as a lifetime Gummi Bear lover - seeing the colorful candies the size of my head was slightly unsettling. Highlights (a chocolate boyfriend in a box, amazing fudge combinations I had never heard of before, and the retro wall of throw back candies and european made brands) 

       

         

FAO Schwarz

I love that there are always wooden soldiers at the entrance :)

I feel badly saying this - but the nursery in FAO Schwarz is down right creepy! They have the women who work there dress like "nurses" and then have the children fill out birth certificates before purchase of their "babies" - it is kind of stranger than Build-A-Bear lol

Ah the movie Big and the giant piano - 10x more fun to see it played in real life!

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Other Images from my walk around:

The Guggenheim

The banner for the exhibit at the Met I want to see! 

Cakes and Shakes Car! :)

hehe Thor - the dork in me wants to see it :)