There's about to be a what?! Girl Fight!

My latest funky hobby happened almost by accident. I moved to New York in January and wanted to get a gym membership because I don’t have much discipline when it comes to fitness and working out on my own. I wasn’t completely familiar with my Ridgewood neighborhood, other than the route I took to and from work in which I passed by this sign every day.

I’m pretty easy going but I was a bit intimidated by this place until I finally got up the nerve to walk in. My fears were immediately put to rest when I met Eliza at the desk. Thank goodness there’s woman here was my thought. Eliza told me that several women belong to the gym but that it is an intense workout and I should think about what I really wanted to do and if boxing would be the thing for me. She explained the packages they offer and the way the training is set up and I was able to purchase gloves, wraps and a jump rope.

As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, I have both seen and felt the results. I started as a timid and unaware girl and now I found myself wrapping up and punching bags and even sparring with the coach.

I’ve become so inspired, my crazy butt is actually considering training for a fight, but I’m still debating. Until then I’m content to know that the best parts about boxing at my gym are…

• I’ve made great friends at the gym. Everyone is so respectful and willing to teach and help each other out and everyone watches out for you.
• I’m actually having fun, even when I’m not.
• I’ve lost a pant size and seriously toned up, what could really be better than those results?!
• I can do push ups, and not the girl kind although I started with those.
• The trainers constantly evolve the workouts for you so you constantly work muscles in a new way and don’t get bored (it’s like having a personal trainer)
• This gym is no frills; it’s not about impressing anyone, it’s just about working hard!

The moral of the story is, if you’ve been thinking of trying something new, you can’t know the outcome until you take the first step. For me, just walking through the door took a little nerve but I can’t imagine my life without boxing right now. What do you want to try?

Great Gifts!

So for the last 2 years of my life, it’s been wedding season! I’ve hit that age where many of my dearest friends are taking the walk down the aisle. I have been fortunate to get to study wedding variations and etiquette before it is in fact my turn to take that trip. Because of it, I have officially turned into the lame girl with a bridal file both in my cabinet and on my computer. I’ve made notes about dress styles, centerpieces, even china patterns. I know, ridiculous right?! At least I’m doing it at age 25 rather than when I was 12!

The most interesting thing that I have noticed is the practice of the bridal party gift. In many cases, it’s been something to wear on the wedding day such as a tie, for the gentlemen, or jewelry for the ladies.

Now I wouldn’t say that I would wear all of the bridesmaid dresses again, however I have noticed my jewelry box filling up with some really fantastic pieces that I felt I had to share.

~My friend Tori gave us a fresh water pearl set~

~Erin matched the hue of the pearls to our chocolate dresses. What is this face I am making?!~

~Deanna gave us a very versatile and beautiful Swarovski crystal bracelet. Again with a weird face!~

~Last weekend my cousin Kelly got married and gave us beautiful purple lacquer necklaces~

My reason for sharing this is that brides go through so much to plan their day and it really is an honor to be included in those plans. Each wedding is different and while you might not wear the dress again, jewelry is very adaptable and stays in vogue. So for all of you blushing brides out there who are getting ready for your big day, don’t forget about those gals helping you get there and pick them up something nice!

**As a side not about bridesmaid gowns: Consider this- Dying a dress or taking up the hem on a gown is an easy, cost effective way to revamp a dress and turn it into something you’ll wear again and again. If you’re not interested in keeping it, pay it forward by selling it at a consignment shop or making a tax-deductible donation to Good Will. Some boutiques even have dress swaps or specific dress donation sites for girls who need help getting prom dresses. Giving is always in style**

So Much Blog Lovin'

My good friend Andi recently moved to NYC, which has given us plenty of opportunity to enjoy fashionable endeavors together. Since I’ve just gotten into blogging, she was kind enough to make me her “+1” for a bloggers dinner at Hecho en Dumbo in lower Manhattan.

Andi had a couple of the girls and myself over her place for sangrias and snacks in her courtyard before we met the rest of the group.

Then it was off to the restaurant where we met with the gang for introductions and some serious food-age! Later we paroozed the Lower East and West sides with our fashionable crew while we shared business cards, fashion finds, and blog lovin’.

~Our philosophy: Black is always in~

~the shoe shot~

~bloggers unite!~

Check out my gals from Tights and Bites, SpicyCandy, and Paperplanes and Mary Janes

FNO + Rachel Zoe

Finally all of my little dreams came true! Fashion’s Night Out in all of its glory came rolling through town on Friday September 10^th! For those of you who don’t know, allow me to explain. Last year, Vogue and editrix, Anna Wintour, decided to stage an evening of glamour in the name of a good cause. Through their vast network of industry connections, Fashions Night Out was born. The idea is that proceeds from FNO merch are donated to Fashion Fights Aids in addition to creating a fantastic atmosphere for people to come out and shop; in turn boosting the troubled economy. Each shop can choose to participate and carry the FNO product and keep their doors open late. 

For many boutiques, it’s a chance for some serious business mixed with serious pleasure. Designers have been using the event to make appearances and increase traffic as well as having DJ’s and hors d’oeuvres to get you in their doors and keep you scoping their latest collections.

My fave fashionista Andi and I traipsed through SoHo taking in the fashionable extravaganza. Mui Mui and Michael Kors didn’t disappoint and Y-3’s funky urban chic was something to behold; our favorites being the colorful characters dancing in the window.

~Before they broke into a dance~

It wasn’t until we hit Kirna Zabete Boutique that we had our first celeb encounter with none other than Jason Wu. He’s the designer who skyrocketed to fame after making Michelle Obama’s inaugural gown. He’s adorable and so much smaller than I would have imagined. When the crowd developed around him quickly after we snapped this pic, he began to look terrified.

Kirna Zabete would have been an obscure place to me if it hadn’t been for Rachel Zoe and her Guide to NY Fashion Week. Rachel Zoe is a top celebrity stylist and the obvious star of the Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo. Not only did she suggest shopping at Kirna Zabete, she also wrote in one of her style reports that she would make an appearance at the Piperlime pop-up store on Mercer Street. After some savvy work with the line outside, Andi and I had our triumphant fashion victory when we got in to see her and check out her style picks for Fall.

~The crowd outside Piperlime~

~Rachel Zoe~

Afterwards we met up with friends and scoped out Bloomingdales, spotted the Marc Jacobs Treat Truck, discovered All Saints, and even heard the screams from across the street at Sephora caused by Gwen Stefani. As for Andi and I, we noticed during the evening that we were actually looking like the Bobbsy twins in our grey tops and leather jackets. Either way, it was a night to remember!

~Twins~

Confessions of a Savvy Shopper!

Savvy shopping is a real thing! No matter the price point or designs you desire, there is always a way to be a frugal fashionista...

My fave fashion victories have come from various places, but no matter what, it’s about knowing what your searching for and making it your shopping mission to find it for less. Always be realistic and you’ll never be disappointed, you might even be pleasantly surprised! 

Let’s start with brick-and-mortar stores. My personal favorites will always be the outlets and off-price stores. With the economy shaken over the past year, stores have had to clear out their inventory at sometimes bargain basement prices. You see the savings when you head to the outlets of places like Kenneth Cole, Calvin Klein, White House Black Market, even Saks (Off Fifth). Retailers have to make projections and buy their merchandise almost a year in advance, which means there exists a potential for miscalculation. It could be that an item didn’t sell because they marked it up too much. It could also be that they bought too many pieces and they couldn’t move the units they had predicted. Either way it’s always a bank error in your favor and also is reason to never assume that outlet merchandise is of lesser quality. 

~My Cole Haan boots from Saks (Off 5th) Orig: $500, I paid: $130!!!~

 

(I would just like to note however that some larger stores do create lower price point items specifically for outlets, especially bigger names like Gap for example.)

My new favorite outlet is the Tanger Outlet in Long Island. It is GORGEOUS and happens to also be brand new and one of the largest outlets I have ever seen! Other great places to go on style safari are Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx, or Century 21 but they can be hit or miss and you have to be willing to dig a little. I recommend going to these stores early when everything is still in some semblance of order.

My 2 online shopping sanctuaries are Gilt Groupe and believe it or not, E-Bay. Gilt started as an invite-only shopping community (now you can sign yourself up) with limited time deals on designer clothes; we are talking off the runway here people! Once you get a referral to join you can invite other friends. When a friend makes their first purchase, you get a $25 credit. I’ve been able to snag a Chloe dress and Kate Spade bag for almost 1/4 of the retail price! Again this is the real deal guys- buyers for the company negotiate to take remaining product off designers hands at super low prices because the inventory needs to be cleared. Timing is everything and there are different designer sales daily.

 E-bay is great if you know what you’re doing when sleuthing for designer finds. I’ve had success with vintage designer bags and clothing and my latest conquest was a nearly $450 Kate Spade bag I got for $180. Buyers beware though because there are TONS of knock-offs out there. Always look at the fine print on a description and check out the seller’s ratings. You can always ask questions and some people have lenient return policies if the items isn’t as they described it.

~My new Kate Spade bag!~

 So be an educated shopper and go forth for savings!

For all of you DIY folks- check out this gals consignment conquests, A-MAZING
 

Pink Tiara’s and Challenge #5:

          So over the Labor Day weekend I was a busy girl! My cousin Kelly is getting married in a few weeks and I made it my mission to plan her bachelorette party. She wanted something low key so I got the rest of the bridal party to tell her a fib that we were all just going to a restaurant on the Connecticut shoreline and to meet at my house to carpool.

What Kelly didn’t know was that instead, we were going have a girls night starting with pizza and make your own sundaes and ending with some serious girl dance time! Using the powers of the internet and the Party City web site, I was able to find some sassy party decorations and set the mood. My favorite was the pin the lips on the hunk game. We of course pasted Jared Leto’s head on the hunky body because that’s Kelly’s favorite. 

~Frilly decorations~

~Immature novelties~

~Dreamy Jarrod Leto~

Each girl signed up to bring a tasty drink and I provided the pizza and sundae creating supplies and before I knew it, it was time to get dressed. 

It was the perfect time to bust out Challenge #5, a gold tank top with ruffle details from White House Black Market. What I love about the top is the fit and the fact that the ruffle detail adds a feminine touch so that it’s not ‘just a tank top’. There is also gold threading throughout which gives it a nice evening look. I paired it with dark jeggings (my new favorite) and some gold and turquoise statement jewelry (which went well with the pink tiaras I got for everyone). 

~The bride-to-be and her bridal party~

 

Not only did we pull off a great surprise on Kelly, but we got to take her out to shoot some pool and dance a bit. For me, I felt confident and comfortable in my outfit and was able to dominate at the pool table (just kidding) and bust a move on the dance floor (not kidding). Because of all the fun we had, I spared this top from a trip to Good Will and I have some great pictures to remember the evening by.