Halfway there

I'm halfway done with my internship here in NYC. I'm planning on pushing back my end date to after mid-September so I can work fashion week and see the shows!

I recently read some stylist tips in People StyleWatch (I think), that you should return everything you haven't worn in a week from its date of purchase. If I were to abide by this principle, I'd have no clothes. Most items in my closet have never been worn and were purchased weeks, mostly months, before. Case in point, this leopard dress from H&M I got last summer. I just whipped it out for the first time a few weeks ago. It still had its tags attached. I guess I'm always saving the more memorable items for the right occasions. I mean, how often can you wear a giant green and black leopard print dress with the same effect each time?

Living in such a drastically different city than any other I've ever lived in before has proven to be difficult on my feet. Some shoes that I consider comfortable become notsomuch after walking all over the city, subway stairs included. Aside from my super comfortable Gap City Flats, I wanted something that still allowed for me to wear longer dresses and pants while still being comfortable. So a few weeks ago when I wore that leopard dress with some eventually painful Barneys Co-Op booties, I bought some inexpensive Steve Madden Westii platform sandals in black. I've been trying to invest in better clothing items, and although Steve Madden would never be considered "higher quality" or designer by any means, the platforms have saved my poor, blistered feet. Now, the hunt begins for some nude/natural colored wedges that are equally versatile and comfortable.

Here are some pictures of the last month or so. I got my haircut at this Japanese place in the East Village and they did a good job, but it was a little short (and thinned out, so feels shorter) so I've been wearing it up until it grows to a more comfortable length. It's pretty blah down.

P.S. I really want that Rastafarian banana. You can only win it by making baskets into an oval shaped hoop somewhere in Soho/Little Italy. I'm not even sure that little fair/carnival thing is still there, but I even tried ebaying it, and I couldn't find one. Now I want it even more.

P.P.S. I am compiling a list of stores that I've discovered during my time here and will post at the end.

Off Topic

Off topic from everything, but this must be told. Someday last week, I was hurriedly walking to the subway to get to work, when I saw what I think was either some construction worker or other physical labor type worker, and he was bent over fixing something. He looked completely normal and anyone who saw him would agree that there was nothing remarkable about him at all. That is, until they saw the bright red thong sticking out of his pants.

Only in New York?

I guess it's possible in LA as well.

I wish I would have taken a photo. Kind of.

Various

Just a compilation of some random shots of the city from the last two months. Most of them are from Central Park. I can't help that the park is so photogenic.

The second to last is of some vintage prom dresses at the Columbus flea market by my place. I loved all the colors and how they were all just hanging from the fence.

And the last blurry fabulous quality one is of yours truly.

Savage Beauty

The entrance

There is a video that goes with this dress of Shalom Harlow on a stage turning in circles, while paint is being splattered onto her. You appreciate the dress a lot more once you see how it was made.

One of the last photos I took before I was threatened to get kicked out. Such a shame because I really wanted more of this collection.

There is no way back for me now. I am going to take you on journeys you’ve never dreamed were possible.
—Alexander McQueen

A couple weeks ago I had the privilege of not only seeing the Alexander McQueen exhibit on my own on a Saturday evening, but on a private tour through my work. I must admit that I'm not the artsiest gal, especially when it comes to museums, but I absolutely loved this exhibit. LOVED. I'd been looking forward to seeing it ever since I found out I'd be in NYC during the time it was showing and that Alexander McQueen was one of our clients. I saw it first on my own with a fellow coworker and some friends, and then with my work on a Monday when the MET was closed to the public. It was so crowded the Saturday I went, and I wanted to read every quote, every blurb on the walls. I also almost got kicked out by this uptight MET bitch who singled me out amongst the hundred people who were also taking photos. It was worth it though, and I would do it all over again.

The exhibit showcases all of his best work, from his work at Givenchy to the chess-game show, to accessories, to his final showing. The dark romantic themes, the historical references, the craftsmanship and use of non-traditional materials prove just how skilled (and dark) he really was. One of my favorites was this dress made purely of flowers. It's so pretty, so romantic, yet the message behind it is morbid: "Things rot... I used flowers because they die." And that made me love it even more.

When it's over, you end up in a room to buy souvenirs like calendars, posters, even a McQueen clutch. I left with a book (great hologram cover and price - $40) and two armadillo shoes. I highly recommend the book if you didn't get to see the exhibit as thoroughly as you wanted to. Great photos and quotes.

Anyway, my words do this exhibit no justice. Everyone must see it. Even those who don't really care for fashion will appreciate and find it interesting and beautiful. It's bittersweet in a way, when you realize how talented McQueen was and the fact that he took his life at the peak of his career.

Life to me is a bit of a Grimm fairy tale.
—Alexander McQueen

Photos taken by my phone. It was the easiest way to make it look like I wasn't blatantly taking pictures when still obviously I was.

Work and Lunch

Still here...

I'm still here! The problem with posting is my apartment is lacking one major necessity - Internet! Whenever I need it, I go to a nearby Starbucks or use my phone. So obviously, it's this lack of wifi that makes posting so difficult (I'm at my brother's now, using his Internet).

It's been quite the experience here in NYC. I can't say it's all been positive. There have been major negatives that have caused me to question my purpose of moving here, but hopefully after some events this past week things will turnaround soon. Work has played a big part in my experience. I love being around beautiful clothing, but I wish I worked more with the actual pieces, instead of just moving them from place to place. There are some crazy Givenchy and Alexander McQueen gowns that make me appreciate couture and the designers behind them so much more.

My future here is unknown. I'm thinking I will stay at least through September and work fashion week, but then...? NYC is a great city and I love it every time I'm out on the streets, but I miss predictable sunny (SUNNY being a key word) LA weather and Murakami sushi! I guess it's to be expected having lived here for less than a month.

Things that would help my LA to NYC transition - the weather warming up and staying that way, the cookies I enjoy so much in Chelsea Market being marked down from $4 to $1, and that somehow there could be less walking and stairs so I could bust out the heels more often. I purchased some of the notoriously comfortable Reva flats this weekend. With all the walking in this city, my feet will fall off in a month's time in 4 inchers.

Here's to a better next five months.

P.S. R Kells visits this week. Excitement!

Shelter

I've now been in NYC for almost two full days and I just found shelter! It's pretty far from my work, but it's only one subway ride allll the way down to Chelsea/Meatpacking. Plus, I didn't want to run all around town looking at like 10 different places. Pictured above is the outside of the pre-war building. You can't really tell much from it, but it was all I could get.

Rebel Romance

These are old from June 2008's Vogue, but I'm such a girl who watches Sex & the City every time its edited episodes are on TV, and I love these. I own the entire series on DVD and have seen each episode over five times each, but I still get excited when I see it's on. I know, I know.

Two weeks

It's finally starting to sink in. I've received confirmation of my start date of April 4th, I told everyone I needed to tell, my "goodbye" brunch is this Saturday, my lovely armoire is on Craigslist, and last night I started to pack and cram my sartorial life into huge boxes for shipment. As I started to pack last night, I wondered how the hell I'd live out of these boxes for the next (at least) 5 months. I can barely live out of my too-small closet! Now I have to shove everything into as few boxes as possible and dig through them to put together outfits? And what if the boxes are lost in transit?!

Today makes my departure officially two weeks away. Eeep...

Tim Walker

I need this ridiculously priced book. Or this more modestly priced one.

Two of the same

I have the same dress in two colors. I got the olive last summer, and today found the pink for spring. I went to H&M to do a return, but made an exchange (and received $3 back) for the dress. I can't help it, I like the shape!

Sorry for the poor photo!

More Sand

So filming for the movie officially ended on Monday. Monday was the longest day yet - 17 hours! I didn't know I was even able to work that long! And in 35 degree weather! I don't drink coffee or smoke like most people on set, so I'm not sure if that made the long days even harder for me. The wrap party is tomorrow night at one of the actors' beautiful large Mulholland home, and I'm excited to throw on some girl shoes other than gym sneakers or my Frye boots (don't get me wrong, I love my Frye boots, but I need something feminine!).

In the end, I do wish the movie was a higher budget with a story that required more fashionable wardrobes, but it was a good experience nonetheless. I didn't really get the opportunity to put my opinion into the outfits that were chosen, but that was probably for the best for this first time. I would have attempted to put all the characters in designer runway clothing on a ridiculous budget that would barely cover one pair of Louboutins, and none of the clothing would have fit with the theme of the film! Men don't battle sharks in Gucci, do they?

The photos above are from Monday. I took them during some photoshoots and the interviews.

Sand

I've been missing. I would have thought with my new and current status that I would have more time to post, but I forgot about my failing personal computers and the fact that my ass is not stuck to a desk chair for 8 hours a day.

I've also had zero time because I've been working 12+ hour days as a costume/wardrobe designerassistantwhatever on set for a lovely low budget, straight to video movie called SAND SHARKS. The title says it all and explains it all. At the end of the day, my clothes smell like dirt and sand, my hands are dirty and rough, and my once clear complexion has been infected with red splotches and zits. Not to mention the sunglass tan I've achieved despite my constant reapplication of sunscreen. On top of this, our wardrobe budget was also extremely low and impossible, which in turn made me appreciate my own slightly higher budget wardrobe more (at least I don't need to shop clearance at even the cheapest department stores and fast fashion chains). I subsist on Cheez Its and animal crackers and wear ugly shoes and clothing all day long. When I come home each day, the stack of WWDs only grows taller and taller, and will only continue to and stress me out because I have zero time to read them (especially with the fall shows). But even after all this, I've learned a lot and still enjoy it much more than the previous. The days are long and tiring, but the location and drive up PCH help relax and calm me. We're in Malibu with 70 degree weather, blue ocean and sky, and occasional dolphin sightings. I can't complain much about that.

I wish I could include some photos of me on set, but like I said, I've had to wear ugly clothing and my face has reacted negatively to the change. Ugly clothing = extremely practical. And I've realized I have none of that. So my designer jeans of 5 years ago have had to take the beating. Sorry. At least the lady I work with got me a down jacket for the chilly mornings and nights that I can use in NYC. So nice of her.

This whole thing is more enjoyable as each day goes on, but I must say I'm excited for the end (21st) when I will be free to enjoy my last days and month (for the next five months) in the city of angels.

Love this

From Martalicious.

Sparkle

I didn't watch the Golden Globes last night, but did keep track of my favorites online - Angelina Jolie in Versace and Anne Hatheway in Armani Prive. Can you see a common theme in the gowns I currently fancy?

Joy

I'm actually optimistic!

Sorry for such ambiguity. I'll clarify once it all begins.

2011

Cheers to 2011!

Excited for a better and more exciting year beginning with a freezing New York trip starting on the 11th.

Here's to getting what you want in 2011 (not necessarily hundred dollar bills, but if that's what you want, then sure)!

:)

Meow

Hello, I would like these Prada Rectangular Cat Eye Sunglasses.

I would also like these Dior Rounded Cat Eye Sunglasses.

Thanks!

...

There are over two hundred comments on the photo above on The Sartorialist. Usually when a picture receives an extraordinary amount of comments it's for an extraordinary shot, outfit, person, or all of the above. Some may disagree with me, but I don't think this shot is really anything that special. It's about the shoes. The shoes are the hoopla.


Dansko. Sigh. Several commenters love their clogged comfort. Several say "wait until you try them on!" But for me there is absolutely nothing this shoe can do to redeem its ugly factor. Ugly is the main adjective to describe these shoes and dominates any positive qualities the shoe may have. I understand if you must wear them for work - nursing, serving, occupations where you are forced to be on your feet all day and where style plays no part. But even if I were in one of these positions (and I have been in positions where I've been forced to be on my feet for entire shifts), I would have a very difficult time buying these. If I need comfort, a simple ballet flat will do. If I need even more comfort, I'll stick one of those Dr. Scholls inserts in them. These Danskos are rugged, wide, unfeminine, and fulfill a non-hetero stereotype for women.

I'm sure this is a lovely gal dressed in APC with sore and tired feet. But I cannot condone such unattractive footwear. I guess if anything, they're better than Crocs.