happy new year

Be safe!!!!  Happy New Year!

friendship detoxing…

Tomorrow begins the New Year and I’m reminded of a useful article I read a few years back that still sits with me today.  I’ve seen lots of posts lately on detoxing and cleansing (for the New Year) and I too have one up my sleeve that I’ll probably write about in a few days.  BUT for now – the post (attached here) focuses on the reassessment of friendships and figuring out if they are healthy or unhealthy for us to keep.  What to do with those damn toxic friends who continue to bring us down????   Do we need to detox and cleanse from them??  Some good advice from one of my favorite blogs goop.com.

Be the change…

Since my recent trip to India I feel very connected to the country and after hearing about the most recent tragedy –  my heart is heavy.  If you don’t know what happened, you can find an article here.  I am reminded that although India is taking steps towards economic growth, progression, equality and human rights – women still face continued violence.  As American women we cannot take for granted our freedoms and although not a perfect system here, we are beyond fortunate to be where we are.  At the same time, let’s ensure we stay educated on world issues and do what we can to keep pushing the needle forward in whatever way we can.  One organization that I donate to is called Somaly Mam.  “The Somaly Mam Foundation (SMF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the eradication of sex slavery and the empowerment of its survivors, led by the vision and life’s work of Cambodian survivor Somaly Mam. Founded in 2007, the organization’s multilateral approach helps victims to escape their plight, empowers survivors as next-generation activists, and engages governments, corporations, and individuals in the fight.”  I learned about this cause in “Half the Sky” by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.  This book enlightened me on the oppression of women worldwide and how they are able to turn tragedy into opportunity.  It provides tons of information on varying organizations that could all use some of our support.  Even from way across the pond in America, we can make a difference.  As a small contribution to ensure that what happened in India ceases everywhere, let’s ALL get involved where we can.  ~ Namaste

resolve to resolve…

The new year is just upon us – a time when we all negotiate what our resolutions will be for the coming year.  Two things I’ve been working on lately are being my most authentic self and facilitating new projects/adventures when I feel the desire instead of waiting (due to fear, time, procrastination, work, the list is endless!!).  What are your resolutions?

it’s beginning to look a lot like winter..

Although we’ve turned a corner on December 21st and the days are getting longer again, the bitter cold in New York is just upon us.  The end of the year usually kicks off Winter in the northeast (in full effect!) and the past few days have proven it to be true once again.  I don’t want to be greedy and say I need another vacation (we just got back from here at the end of November), but I do find myself dreaming about our recent honeymoon.  What’s so amazing about seeing beautiful places in the world is that when we actually leave them, they are still with us.  All I need to do is close my eyes and remember….

i’m loving…

…leather! Every gal needs a little this season.  A few of my favorites….

in the closet – literally

Manhattan is a tricky place to keep your closet organized….mainly due to the lack of space.  And if you have a partner and are co-habitating, it definitely increases the crowded factor in regard to room.
I dream of a day (this most likely won’t happen ever because we will always be NYC inhabitants) when I have a huge walk-in closet, designed and decorated exactly the way I love, where I can see my ENTIRE collection at once.
For me – the Type A fashion junkie, my morning routine of putting together my look is a challenge.  I have worked through some techniques….scanning my brain, thinking about what pairs well, studying magazines, catalogs and the internet for inspiration.  In the end, I usually am able to whip something together.  But it’s not ideal.  I think about how many more creative interpretations I could come up with if I could JUST SEE MY ENTIRE WARDROBE AT ONCE!!!
And the worst part……drum roll if you will……my wife makes me throw something out when I get something new.  “We can’t keep accumulating” she says.   “We don’t’ have any more space…It’s too cluttered…I have no more room!”
OK…I get it.  But how to find a solution for a fashion crazed/shopaholic/Type A queen of excess in a small little Manhattan space???  A few tips below along with shots of my favorite finds (and a few of my own closet too).  Would love to hear some of your techniques.  Share away!

1. When storing shoes, place the left and right one in opposite directions.  It takes up less space.  In researching for this blog post, I found out that Jenna Lyon’s does the same thing (see below image)!   She is by far one of my fashion industry idols so this small thing we have in common makes me wildly happy.
2. A shoe rack is SO perfect for a NYC apt.  Not only do they look cute and leave your most often worn shoes by the door, but they give you some extra room in your actual closet.
3. Store items that you will 100% not need for the current season in the harder to reach spaces and swap out seasonally.
4. Organize clothes by color AND classification.  I organize as such: trousers, denim, woven tops (pullover), woven tops (button down), blazers, long sleeve knits, tanks, skirts, short dresses and long dresses.  Swim, undergarments, sweatshirts, sweatpants and socks go in my dresser.   And I don’t wear shorts so no designated area for those.
5. Find a place where you can see all of your accessories.  I’ve yet to tackle the creative solutions that others have pioneered (like putting nails in the wall to hang necklaces), but I keep everything out on a table top to easily pull during the morning hustle.
6. Continue to re-evaluate what you really wear vs. what you are holding onto because of nostalgia.  Although we tend to get emotionally attached to our clothes, remember that if you donate them…..they will still live on.  Most likely with someone who needs them more than you.
7. Stick to what you know works for you!  It’s fun to buy an occasional out of the norm item, but let’s be real – we rarely wear it.  Stay within reason, find your ‘uniform’ and work within those boundaries – pushing them where necessary.   That vintage wrap skirt that I bought in a flea market in 2003 needs to go.  I’m just not THAT girl and that is OK.   I’ll leave it for the hipster, retro chick in Williamsburg.  She’s gonna look WAY cuter in it.  Get rid of the things that aren’t true to you.  You know what they are…..now just DO IT!  You’re at your most beautiful when you’re just being yourself.  And you will feel that too!

sequins in sequence..

Who says you can’t do bling in a classic way?  NOT ME!  I have always been one to love a little bedazzle in my closet so you could only imagine that when the holidays come around, I find any excuse to pull out my most favorite piece.  Seasonally appropriate and a sure way to stand out amongst the solid black wearing NYC crowd (I too am guilty as charged)!!!  In years past I’ve leaned towards tops – sparkling from the waist up.  But lately, bottoms are the bigger focus of my wardrobe -so I figured I’d give sequins a shot this year from the waist down!  I bought AHHMAZING pants you can buy here and paired them with (ahem) – a black lace top and cami.  The outfit came together like perfection and I felt fun, fashionable, trend right and CLASSY!  Why don’t YOU give sequins a shot this year.  Be bold, take a chance and do the unexpected.  Some favorite looks and my OWN interpretation below…

a friendly ghost

I don’t know the first thing about furniture design or architecture in the sort of expert way (yet!), but I know what I like and definitely do understand that I need a Philippe Starck Ghost Chair pronto presto.  The perfect blend of modern and delicate, whimsical and airy.  They go with everything, are compact, and give the illusion that they aren’t even there….kinda perfect for a Manhattan apartment, no?  I’m coveting one right now, but the wifey has put me on hold because the “seat height is not right for the desk”.  GRRRR.  FINE!  She does have a point….I mean, proper hand height while you’re typing at a keyboard is sort of important I guess.  We don’t want any Carpal -Tunnel syndrome over here.  But still – I’m having a small love affair with this chair and even though it may not work on a functional level,  sometimes you have to suffer to be beautiful – with me???  I will get this chair…I’m on a mission.  Maybe I’ll buy a new desk.  Some of my favorite set ups below.

heart of india….

Ok…..so blog officially is working. I think? I’m a virgin blogger so this is my first go at this….so the first few posts may be spotty. But bear with me…I’m a quick learner and my wife is a tech genius (thank god)!  I share this photo with you because I just came back from India and although I’d love to say I shot this photo (photography class to come in 2013), I didn’t…..and it is just TOO beautiful not to share.  The color, the light, the focused hands and the shape they are making…a heart.  This country needs a little bit more heart right now so this is my way of putting mine into the world today.