Look of the Day: Union Square

Target dress, Old Navy vest, Expressions NYC bag c/o, Bamboo sandals, Steve Madden belt

Is It Fall Yet?

The weather in NYC has been so wishy washy in the fact that its been raining on and off the whole week, Ive been carrying around an umbrella and a rain coat and never end up using either one because I am indoors when it rains. Don't you just hate that? 

Memorial day is this weekend which means its Fleet Week here in NYC as well and I hope the weather is agreeable so I can head down to Battery Park and watch all the different boats and ships come into the harbor like they do every year. 

 Forever 21 top, Celebrity Pink jeans, La Mer watch c/o, Aldo heels

Closet Raid Swap

While I have broken my shopping ban for a purchase of 3 shoes, I have been actually good since I have purchased nothing else and the trip account balance has been quickly rising. But don't get me wrong my fingers have been itching to do some online shopping, but I won't. But this past Saturday gave me the opportunity to get new stuff without actually spending money, thanks to the Closet Raid Swap event. 

The Closet Raid Swap was put together by Kimberly from I Have a Degree In This a fellow blogger friend of mine and Closet Raid themselves,  so a big thanks to them.  We were also treated to some yummy goodies from Guiltless Baker and sparkling wine from Domaine Carneros. 

L-R Sherlly, Tessa, Lindsey, Nicole, Kimberly,T. Nicole,  Nenna, me and Chris (photo by Closet Raid)

Things to nom nom on. 

The coconut blondies were delish. 

Some of the pieces I hauled. The bag was Chris' and the jewelry was Lindsey's. 

While writing this post I realized that everything I wore that day was thrifted, swapped, gifted, or self-made. Thrifting and swapping and is the way to go especially when you are saving money. Also when thifting or swapping you can help charities like Goodwill, Room to Grow and WGirls who were at the swap to take things that were left over. 

swapped dress from this event, thrifted Banana Republic flats, my Mom's old Etienne Aigner bag, thrifted belt, self made earrings, gifted  Kenneth Cole watch. 

Outtakes: Edition 1

There are some pictures that one takes as a blogger who posts outfits that have actual significance for a post. You are either going somewhere or you just wanna show off a new purchase. While I have many of those, there are many other outfit posts that just didn't make sense no matter what I captioned it with, or the shots were just plain clusterf%&ks. 

I plan to do a series of these once every 3 months or so and you get to have a laugh at the expense of me! Ill have plenty of material. "If you can't laugh at yourself, how can others?"

Tell me in your comments which is your favorite. 

1.

Dog gone crazy with my dogs Chico (Dashund) and Lily (Eskie). Ok so my blouse is a bit wrinkles and the pic is on an angle. I was really in the midst of hemming this skirt. Love the outfit, not the pose.

2.

My mom's long driveway wearing a 1950's vintage sweater and skirt combo. I like nothing. 

3.

Velvet blazer with a skirt from another 1950's vintage sweater and skirt combo. My favorite of all of these. 

4.

Headed out to work with my mom. Thrifted top and skirt from I forgot! Should be captioned as "You got a problem?" I never remember to smile. I think this outfit can use less formality. 

5.

Night shoots never come out good, stupid winter! With coat 

 and without. Kind of a go to outfit in the winter some cords and a sweater.

6.

Just relaxing. Sitting is not a good position for me. Good outfit bad pose. 

7.
No Im not crying, the wind wasn't working with me here. From this post Fun outfit, funnier pose!

Whispering Blues

This past Saturday I headed into the city for a brunch with some of my blogging friends for some celebrating. After brunch a few of us walked around St Marks and passed through a street fair  and then went to a flea market a few blocks east of St Marks. While I am still on my shopping ban I did buy a pair of Banana Republic flats from Buffalo Exchange that we passed by.  I did need them since I am kinda crippled this week and Im trying to stay out of heels because I badly sprained my inner ankle last Saturday. 

F 21 blouse, Yumi Kim skirt, Libby Edelman sandals, Calvin Klein jacket, Coach bag, Target sunglasses, vintage scarf

Wearing two new/old pieces today, new because I haven't worn them yet and old because Ive had these pieces in my closet since November of last year. Finally got to wear them since today turned out to be warm enough to wear them with out a jacket (I brought one and never wore it) and flat sandals. 

 A few photos of the day:

 Pam, Chris and Tessa walking through the 2nd Ave street fair

a grove of succulents at the street fair

Fragrance at installation at Odin

Manolos and Choos in the window of a vintage shop

pathway at a community garden

turkish goods a flea market

Wisteria vine growing up a building on Stuyvesant street

Whispering Blues by the 5 Debonaires 

Neons, Pastels and Florals, Oh My!

  

The month of May has been turning out to be a soggy grey mess instead of the brights of the florals and sunny days we should be having. March is turning out to be warmer and drier than May. The winter was mild but does this mean that the summer is going to be cold? I hope not. 

Lets just keep our minds off the weather and stick to fashion. Fashion makes me happy and I love seeing trends for the new seasons come in and take over. This season neons, pastels and florals trends are taking up the space on the racks in stores everywhere and I have seen it on the streets here in NYC and don't forget my floral/pastel outfits in this post and this one.

Florals I find are a staple for every summer season every year since they are like polka dots that in moderation look good on everyone. Everyone can easily wear florals and pastels with out a problem with them being so simple to pair with neutrals and other colors. While neon is a bright and seems like a scary trend to wear, it is relatively easy to incorporate into your everyday wardrobe or at least your weekend wear. Just use neons in accessories or a handbag, just stay away from pants or tops that scream the late 1980's electronic era. 

Splash of neon green mixed with animal print from way back in September

If you have any doubts check out this article in Huffington Post's Stylelist section. And for style inspiration check out the bottom of the article for the slideshow of people including myself rocking the trends. 

Hard Limits

For those who have been asking what are my limits in my shopping ban, see here in this post, I have put together a list.

The NO's:

1. NO clothing shopping for personal reasons except necessary items i.e.: socks, under garments, and pantyhose. ( I have way to much clothing, there is stuff in my closet that has tags on it since last November) 
2. NO shoe shopping, except boots for work. (I have 77 pairs of shoes, I think I can live with them until December)
3. NO jewelry shopping. (Again I have enough plus I can make some with the supplies I have. 
4. NO purse or wallet shopping. (I have all that I need, well except I need a small black chain bag of some sort similar to a Mini MAC bag)
5. NO accessory shopping i.e.: scarfs, hats, sunglasses, hair fascinators, pins, suspenders, belts, or gloves.
6. NO craft supply buying i.e. : jewelry (refer to #6), knitting, painting, crocheting, scrapbooking, sewing etc..
7. NO eating out excessively. I must bring in my lunch for work and eat at home at night and on the weekends as much as I can unless I am treated. (but David that doesn't mean for you to invite me over for dinner every night)
8. NO movies, except for....I have one ticket to see the Avengers and one to see Breaking Dawn part 2. This also includes buying movies. 
9. NO extracurricular activities i.e.: concerts, date nights (easiest), bars (easy), amusement parks, baseball games (I already paid for 3 games this year), gambling (Atlantic city this will never happen anyway), and traveling.
10. NO manicures...I can do them myself.
11. NO buying nail-polish.
12. NO buying electronic gadgets, (if my iPhone dies and I need a new one that is a different story.) but no iPods, kindles, iPads, computers, gaming devices etc. 

The Yes:

1. Makeup...only the kind I need. Makeup has a shelf life and so does my face.
2. Beauty and bath needs i.e.: shampoos, lotions, sunscreen, toothpaste,  nail polish remover and emery boards, girlie needs etc. 
3. Museums...(I have a ticket to the Sex museum) and they are learning experiences. 
4. Gas for my car. Duh!
5. Actual food shopping.
6. Treats like ice cream ( I can't really eat it), Wafels and Dinges, Starbucks ....these are all things I do maybe twice a month. 
7. The beach...Jones beach to park is $12. I need color. 
8. Hair cuts and Highlights... I hate having split ends and I tried the Ombre look. 
9. Pedicures and eyebrow waxes....I can't do them myself.
10. Laundry and laundry products. 
11. Life essentials...medicine, doctor visits, water.
12. Metrocards...I have the EasyPay Express so that gets refilled automatically, and no I am not giving up the $5 Express bus. 
13. Cards for Mother's Day, Birthdays, Father's Day, Get Well, Congrats, Happy Graduation, Wedding etc...I will be giving small gifts of some sort. 
14. Music. 
15. Books and magazines. 

Ok, I think I listed everything. If you can think of anything No or Yes let me know. I know I am sure by June or July I will break but I have support from so many of you: Amy, Chris, Tessa, Kimberly, Kate, David, Natalie, Nicole, Stephanie, Lindsey, Jen, Preity, CC, Kaitlyn...and all those who I have spoken to via in person, tweets, FB, the Bloggers Collective or my blog thanks. 

I think with these limits I can put away what I need for December without having to break into my savings. Also I think this will be a learning experience to get off being so materialistic and work with what I have. 

***side note: I love how I have gotten to put a 50 Shades of Gray pun in a few of my titles lately. Have you read it? I just finished it at the prompting of a few friends, couldn't put it down. I will tell you that I read it when it was originally an underground fanfiction named Master of the Universe and I think that the new version is pretty tame. If you haven't read it, don't be shy and read it. ***

Material Things

I am challenging myself to a shopping ban until December, yes December. That is 7 months of no  shopping. No new shoes, clothes, bags or jewelry. While its not because I have shopping problems like high amounts of debts like Rebecca in Shopaholic (I actually have no debts what so ever)  

Its because I have a trip to Chile in December for 3 weeks. Why Chile you ask, well my Mom is from there and I have so many Aunts, Uncles and cousins that I have never met, since I have not been there since I was 8 in 1987. I will actually be going with my mom and staying with her close friends for 3 weeks in December so I will be there durning the height of summer season and Christmas as well. 

With flights at more than $1400 round trip and  wanting to take a few small flights around Chile and to Argentina while I am there I am going to need about $2000 alone for traveling. While I have lodging secured, I am still going to need money for food, gifts, and actual shopping there. I actually am dying for a pair of good leather boots like the Huaso (the Chilean cowboy)

I need these, with out the spur of course.

I am looking to put about $100 a week into my trip fund which will give me about 2,800. In order to do that I am stoping all clothing and eating out spending. It will also ban me from taking any mini trips, buying Yankee games or going to the movies, I will have to find free events or things to keep me busy in my own city ( there are so many things actually) So what ever I have in my closet is what I have to work with in the next 7 months. 

So yeah, I'm on a ban. Wish me luck. 

Shades of Grey

This past Saturday, I attend the Single Edition B3 Workshop at Lord and Taylor in the city with a few of my fellow bloggers. The whole day was amazing spending time learning techniques to move me along with my blog, plus there were breaks for down time with my fellow bloggers. 

H&M dress and cuff, Zara tote, Steve Madden Shoes, belt via TJ Maxx, La Mer watch