These Are a Few of My Favorite Things $$

I guess it's a little early for the 'ole Christmas/Chanukah wish list but sitting at a computer all day just leads me to searching and researching and finding and before I know it I need/want like 100 things. I love finding my favorite new pieces (nice designer ones) and then if they are trendy, trying to find a still good quality but lower priced version of it. These are a few of my favorite things....

First off, these 2 things by Victoria Beckham - why is all her stuff like perfect?? I actually wouldn't mind wearing a version of this dress (or the next one - my 100% favorite) everyday to work because it's fitted, classic and so sexy (I think) because of the contrast and tailoring. I just love both of these.

This bottom black dress with white contrast collar is PERFECT. I am trying to find a legit lookalike - I thought I found a DVF version and then an Alice & Olivia one, but now I don't know where they are. It seems like there should be a lower priced version of it somewhere, given how classic the style is. I am going to keep looking. This is a perfect Fall/Winter work dress. It might actually make online brokerage a little sexier ;) (My. Industry.)

ACNE Studios Booties - Find on Saks.com

Next up are these Acne Studios Booties that are on Saks.com right now. I initially loved the Miu Miu version from reading Weworewhat.com but then I found the Acne version that I also love.. and thennn... after checking out Asos (they usually have something comparable to the higher end version you are looking for) I found another pair that I ordered.

So if you like these, you might want to test them out with a $115 version that looks ALMOST identical - check these babies out:

Maybe they are SLIGHTLY less shinier but that is the only difference I see - A good option to test out the style. Find them on asos.com here

Get more ideas by checking out http://weworewhat.com/page/7/ - Love this girl's style!

A couple other good finds below:

Perfect retro sunglasses like those on Sienna Miller  (also love her shade of blonde, might be bringing a copy of this pic in Thursday when I have my hair blonded again) - if you like these, check out warbyparker.com.
I'd say most New Yorkers are definitely familiar with this brand that started online and now has some brick and mortar stores in the area - but the cool thing about the brand is that the sunglasses are all cheaper (starting at like $95) AND you can request 5 pairs be sent to you so you can try them on at home and then you order the ones you want! If you are interested, there is actually a Warby Parker deal on Gilt City right now  which I just purchased, because I knew I needed some prescription glasses and wanted to try their sunglasses. If you buy the $95 deal you get $120 towards Warby Parker site purchases (PLUS a $25 credit to Gilt City), and if you get the $150 deal, you get $190 towards the website $40 in Gilt City credit. If you are getting two pairs, the second works perfectly. I am going to hopefully really enjoy these sunglasses I ordered - and if I don't, it sounds like you can return with no problem.

I got these Greenwich sunglasses - find them here  - I love that round black retro shape. There are some Oliver Peoples styles that are similar, but these are hopefully just as cool and a good bit cheaper at $95.

 I think I just love this site because I am in the midst of working on my business plan for my Master's Program (in marketing) and I am also in an eCommerce course, so I'm paying lots of attention to well laid out sites that are easy to navigate and simple - but still full of good content - and I think this one is a perfect example. You can upload a photo of yourself to try the glasses on which is also a cool factor.

Now that the weather in NYC just turned (literally as of yesterday) cold, which I like - it's refreshing - I realized I definitely need scarves so I'm going to try out the "snood" <-- try looking up "scarves" on Asos.com, it's not easy. Apparently a "snood" is our "infinity scarf" which I think sounds super cheap and not too cool so I'm down for the snood. I just like that they are chunkier and thicker - no one wants a little mini scarf necktie - we need warmth! So on Barney's there are lots of good options on sale even - check out the warehouse site!

 Here's a pretty sweet one from Barneys.com but it's pushing $500 - but if you look on the warehouse portion of the site you can find some wooly ones for like $39.

If you need some outfit inspiration, check out this girls blog - Her name is Lizzy and she is not only beautiful but has a great playful style - slightly tomboyish which I love. She's from Amsterdam I think - check her site out here. 

As usual, I love that her style is a mix of highs and lows - Ex: nice bag, nice shoes, and maybe an H&M sweater. In my opinion, this is the SMARTEST way to shop regardless of how much money you have, because if you wear a few nice pieces then everything starts to look great. Also, you wear shoes and bags everyday, and multiple times, so these are great investment pieces. As for a fuzzy blue sweater - this most likely is not an everyday piece (although to each her own), so it's a good time to try something new for a cheaper price and then not have to worry when you don't wear it again.

 Check out this rose gold nail bracelet - it is engraved with the word "outstanding" (if I am reading it right) - which I am a sucker for anything with engraved words because don't you feel luckier/more powerful with some little word added to your body (I guess I just explained the entirety of tattoos?) - who knows. I love the extra details like this - find it on Etsy here. It's only $22 and ships from Manhattan!

Happy Monday ;) (Don't you kinda hate when people say that??)

It's I DON'T CARE FRIDAY

This is SO FUNNY. Watch it. Today.

New Stuff

http://www.shoplatitude.com/ - OMG HOW did I not know about this site until now? I was browsing my usual sites and blogs that I scour each morning - my morning tends to look like this:

1. Sit down, turn on laptop, check work email while eating sausage egg cheese Dunkin Donuts wrap + Medium iced coffee with cream

2. Check account (I do search engine marketing so I look at how many people applied on our website and I check out all our work stuff.)

3. NEWS: 

a) just resubscribed to New York Times (which I am thrilled about, especially since I have a student discount and they now offer JUST the digital version - I got SO sick of having like 50 newspapers at a time rolling around my apartment, plus its a total waste)

b) WHOWHATWEAR.COM - this is where I found the magic. Love this site still. Will get to it later. 

c)MSN.com - I know I'm antiquated, but I like how it shows the main news all at once, and it's basically like a giant Picture Book which I appreciate it, so I can pick what I actually want to read words about. Plus I enjoy the "pictures of the day" celeb section. Shhh.

d)Twitter has become more interesting to me, ever since 3 day ago when I tweeted @SHARKWEEK - lols but it's a good source of news. Glad I finally figured that one out. Again, I'm a little late to this "social" game, I know. My excuse is that I just am on a computer all day for work and am in online advertising so why care about it on my free time. But again, I guess I should be up on this shit.

e) ok, e. Check ticker symbols for stocks I care about: My company, my stocks, stocks I might want to invest in. Impressed? Thanks, that's why I included that part. 

f) sample sales - Gilt.com mainly, although I am still not thrilled about this company. For 3 main reasons, the most recent being when my sandal FELL OFF MY FOOT (YES, it FELL THE FUCK OFF) when I was in Budapest like 3 weeks ago, so I had to go to like Budapest versions of H&M and pay in thousands of "chunks" as I charmingly referred to their currency the entire time (my family even started thinking they actually were called chunks, I think they are actually crowns tho? Who cares.) so I had to find a pair of sandals and I wasn't exactly thrilled with their fashion (or I assume I was just in the wrong places) so I had to wear loafers for like 7 days until I found a suitable pair of sandals in Prague. So I looked like a little weiner walking around Budapest, Vienna (actually this place is "Wein" in Austrian) and then for like 2 days in Prague. LOAFERS and a sweater, bc it was colder than I thought. SUCH a weiner. ANYWAYS, I would still shop at Gilt so blah blahh. And I still like looking at their stuff.

g) BusinessofFashion.com - this site is amazing and I love how it combines business (international news) with creatives in the industry and retail news and digital news and all these awesome things. I could read it all day and it inspires me. Particularly the eCommerce parts. 

h)SearchEngineWatch.com - because I want to see what is relevant to my job/what I can do to improve our account/don't want to look like an idiot if I don't know this shit given that it's my job

i)Blogs: http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/ - I just feel happy reading this one. Probably, no 100% will never make one of her "Hamburger desserts" (see I'm not joking) but those are cute and I mainly like looking at the clothing and she seems nice. http://thehyperbalist.com/ - I hope this girl has written a new article for the day, especially since they are long and funny - but she hasn't been writing much! Write more please hyperbalist!! Maskara.com - my new favorite beauty blog. She is SO GOOD.  http://seamsforadesire.com/ - I like it because this girl from Spain is a) just SO pretty and b) she wears very inexpensive clothing - mainly all H&M & Zara, so if you wanted to get it you could. It's refreshing to see a fashion blogger that isn't donning a full designer outfit right? I like it. I'm sure she has access to better excuse me, pricier stuff - but she owns what she wears and I like that. ManRepeller - also read this one sometimes. Every few days.

J)http://www.visualnews.com/ - trying to spark some creativity in myself. This site does it. Fo Sho.

SO I seem to have gotten a bit off topic.. a bit. I started on WhoWhatWear.com  and was initially attracted to this cozy skiing in Colorado in a beautiful rustic cabin look and this girl is so pretty right? 

In normal fashion (haha that worked out well) I wanted to know what she was about - plus I just started looking at one article and then it makes me to want to know background info on another thing and before I know it I'm like 30 minutes in and know all this info about a very particular subject, that most likely won't ever be brought up but at least I have this info. So anyways, she is Taylor Bagley, a model from the UK and she dates Zach Braff. That's basically it. So when I went to this necklace they were showing this necklace that I love on this awesome site called Latitude (shoplatitude.com), http://www.whowhatwear.com/look-we-love-laurel-canyon/slide17 (below) that is only $78 and really cool, I found this website that has all this super eclectic stuff - the website is Latitude.  Super bohemian. Super awesome. The tagline of the website is "Shop the World. Flaunt Your Wears." In case that helps understand what they sell. It's like an international market where you get buy "souvenirs" and just trinkets and clothing and stuff for yourself without going to the place. Like a legit anthropology where man doesn't have to shop the globe, you can shop it yourself. Background info: I'm referring to this TV show (not sure if it's still on) where the man claims to have the greatest job in the world (he does) and he travels for Anthropology buying things that will be (i think reproduced) and sold in their stores. He hunts for treasures at flea markets and art galleries and everywhere really. This guy is SUPER lucky. Second to the Brooke Burke (wild on E!, my ultimate dream job), Andy Cohen (interviewing the housewives, omg whyyy isn't this me) and the guy who tries out bars all over. This is real right? Or did I make this one up? OOOOOkkkk, enough about other awesome jobs. So below is the necklace I like.. I just have a feeling it's probably like a lucky necklace. 

Only $78, find it here 

God what I would give to be cloaked in one of these furs at my desk right now, mainly because it's so freezing in my office and I'm wearing something so boring work appropriate.

Yeaa gurll.

So on the site they have jewelry (which I'm most excited about), home stuff - sounds like a perfect ticket to getting that "apartment from a movie" eclectic look that you always see when you watch cute romantic comedies and the main actress has a low paying job at like a magazine or something yet happens to live in some large, sick loft that if it were real, would be located in Williamsburg for like 5k a month, and the wood floors are reclaimed and shiny and the pillows are rich colors with edison bulb lighting and the entire apartment is a giant place you'd want to curl up in - and don't forget the massive windows that are most likely italian style so you can turn the handle and push them out so your hair blows back as the cool breeze shoots into your apartment. SO, then there's also a souvenirs section, which I just love the idea of. I LOVE souvenirs. I love when people get them for me, I love the hunt of finding them for others, and I also love the idea of bringing something back for yourself that you know you got in another place because it makes you remember that great trip and feel free. I LOVE souvenirs. Even the word just holds a lot of great imagery. Similar to what coffee does for me. I love drinking coffee, but even moreso I love the IDEA of coffee. I love the mornings, and good coffee with the day ahead of you and how it gives you a splash of energy, and just the time in the day when you can think and wake up. It's good. I think it would be so exciting to be a creative (like a copy writer or art director) at an agency on a Coffee account because I bet there are so many emotions that have yet to be tapped into for advertising purposes. 

Then there also is a clothing section, which I am immediately skeptical of, mainly because.. how do I word this... how "eclectic" it is. I think I am using the wrong word here but I'll just leave it.So I just went ahead and clicked the clothing link and it has, in fact, confirmed my skepticism. NO NEED to click this link. As I refer to some clothing brands that will remain nameless - I refer to them as "don't fuck me" clothing because a guy would look at it and probably be like "WTF" is that - like super girly/yarn-filled/primary colors/ill fitting dresses most likely with some weird animal like a giraffe or a hippo crawling all around in oversized print. It's just not sexy. BUT I will be clear that this is my opinion, and I am not saying one should dress for the opposite sex or anyone else - dress for yourself in whatever you like. I am just mentioning this funny phrase that my mom and I made up a long time ago. And on this clothing landing page you'll see basically tie dyed tents that were transformed into "dresses" and strange yoga esque gear that you would wear on an all woman retreat. 

See what I'm saying?

Back to the point - there are other parts of the site with amazing things like journal sets ($30), rainbow string bracelets  (I want this so bad but it's $160), beautiful pillows - and the list goes on. This is an awesome site to get gifts too. So enjoy shopping and browsing this one if it's new for you too. I can't believe I didn't know about it!! 

LOVE this

Find journal set here.

Also exciting news: Madewell is getting a new head of design so there will be some exciting changes in store. I already love Madewell so I look forward to it getting even better. More here on that. 

And No, I didn't take any adderall before writing this post. I know what you're thinking ;)

Don't Say a Word.

You know how sometimes when you're reading a book or a news article and you find yourself just maybe reading the words but not making a meaning out of it for like an entire paragraph but you just go with it and then start focusing on the next set of sentences? YOU WILL NOT do that with any of the articles that this girl writes. Women, be prepared to be stunned, and very intrigued. Men, I don't know if I'd suggest these for you, as you might lose faith in females. New Yorkers, this will probably have even more relevance to you guys since the writer, Cat Marnell (used to write for Jane, Lucky & now VICE) & lives in Alphabet City. NOTE: this girl is not one for sugar-coating.

Enjoy - http://www.vice.com/author/cat-marnell



Very Glad I found this - for work entertainment purposes.

Cheers

http://hypem.com/track/1v627/Bon+Iver+-+Blood+Bank+%2F%2F%2F+FlicFlac+Edit

This song makes me want to sip red wine. Like right now. At my desk.

Such a sexy voice he has.

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Here are just some beautiful images - some of my favorites. No need to explain. Enjoy.

Weeks End

Like I've said before, sometimes Mondays just don't encourage a whole lot of creativity, although this weekend was quite a mix of culture, relaxing, good eating and just fun. Here are some photos in memory of the last two days.

Beer Boutique in Williamsburg - such a great selection of good beers. You can also  pick your beer on tap and they put it into special growlers for you, with some kind of high tech carbon dioxide removal thing (I kind of missed the scientific description while I was looking at all the cool labels). Cool place.

Washington Square Park dancers - literally Cirque du Soleil level, in the heat and dancing on concrete - they were amazing. There's such a weird mix of people "performers" there, so these guys were very refreshing to see. And then there are the people who aren't performers but you still stand and watch them anyways. Like this almost naked very tan man who was doing some kind of tai chi/yoga/mating call in the middle of the park. He stretched against the light pole in a split, one leg up, and did push ups for like an hour. I was mesmerized. 

Side walk chalk display, obvi. But when you look at it, the guy really is an artist. I am always intrigued by people who can draw perfect circles (like my 9th grade math teacher) - and look at how perfect those flower petals are!!

Last night we went to this BBQ place in Williamsburg called Mable's and OH. MY. GOD. It was amazing. We first  went to a place called Fette Sau that is a very popular BBQ spot but even at 7pm on Sunday it was packed so we checked Mable's out instead. I am SO happy we did. The ribs were incredible. I wish I had the same meal for lunch today. Highly recommended. And I know my BBQ. 

Saturday night we went to a friend's loft party in Williamsburg - the apartment is literally the Real World house - legit 7 strangers living in a big ass space in Brooklyn together. There were 7 rooms on the perimeter of the apartment with a big, perfect dance space in the middle. We danced for EVER, so fun. These are 2 of my girlfriends, and funny enough, the 3 of us happened to randomly all wear white. If we didn't stand out already (in BK), this definitely confirmed that we were the token Manhattaners. (Although I would definitely entertain the idea of moving to BK.)

Nothing says "LOVE" like a heartwarming Muscle Tee. Get yours at urban outfitters and show the one you love how much you really care ;)

Good Finds & Weekend Fun

Here are some good finds that I wanted to share - that I've either purchased already or have on my list. I NEED to chill with this!!! Hope you enjoy! :)

$18 Rustic Whitewashed Jewelry Hanger - Find it here. I tried shoving strategically placed nails into my wall and it looked too messy so I pulled them out. Now I need something to cover the holes, plus it's like a piece of functional  art :)

I've always loved gold hoops. These are 14k gold filled with a cool hammered look. Also, they are light, so even though they are 2" they won't be too JLo. They are $38 plus shipping. (Purchased, yay)

I really want this so bad. I love the lighter wood, it's a little more modern rustic than just country. So pretty. I'd like to try and make it as a project on a weekend day, but it just seems like an ordeal to try and find round wood slices, the wood frame, the wood backing - mainly it's a wood issue. And in NYC this just seems harder. It's $100 here. 

I've always been in love with Black and White photography and I especially love scenes like this, with amazing lighting. even though the room is abandoned and old, I think it looks so cozy, like it could be in an old charming country house outside Nashville or something. My dream would be to fix up a perfect little country cottage. I would love looking at this photo in my room, it just gives me a good feeling. That's the point of photography anyways right? To give you some kind of feeling? On that note, I kind of think that's the point of everything. Anyways, this photo in the 11x14 version that I would want is $35 on Etsy. I would get it now except that I'd need to have it matted and framed, and the framing part is what gets insanely expensive. I'll save this one for a later date, but I love it.

I think this is an AMAZZZZing table lamp. I can't get over it. I love the balance of the translucent light up bubbles combined with the bronzed base. It comes from Tel Aviv, and it's funny because literally half the jewelry and other pieces I love on Etsy are from Israel. There is such a distinct design to their art, that I can't put my finger on. It's like a touch of whimsy or something. This looks like it should be WAY more than its $150 price tag, in my opinion. It's also a decent size - a little over a foot in height.

So charming, and it would cast an INSANE reflection on your ceiling. A great conversation piece.

This druzy necklace is 24k coated over sterling silver, and so beautiful with the rainbow sparkles. It's $60, but best, NO SHIPPING! Find it here. 

Another thing I found this weekend were these awesome rings at the Brooklyn Flea Market in Ft. Greene. I went there with my brother and it only took like 30 minutes from the East Village - welp, it took like 45 to get back because of that elusive damn Ghost train, but not a big deal.

Isn't this like straight Game of Thrones!? I bought the sword, but I thought the wolfy was a little too much, plus it was too big, but still pretty cool. Only $15 for the brass ring! (I think it's brass.) 

I found this guy (below, left) on Etsy and it's cool because you can inscribe your own message on the leather band. I had "In the Midst of Winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer" printed because I love the quote. It's pretty inspiring. And hopefully I will be invincible this summer:) $18 on Etsy here. The baby skull bracelet on the left has a teeny rose gold skull and I LOVE it. Got it here for only $12!

Now for the rest of my weekend - it really felt so long...

Went to the Mondrian Rooftop Bar on Sunday with my friend Marina - amazing 360 degree view of the city and it was a beautiful day. We went there for more drinks after a tasty and booze filled brunch at Ken & Cook on Kenmare Street. All you can drink for $40. And we drank all we could.

Day turned into night, and night turned into us sitting IN this flowerpot to take a picture. The downstairs at the Mondrian is my favorite. It's like a secret garden + wedding - with the outside swing and lights and everything. Very pretty.

The day before that (on Saturday) I had an awesome day with my brother - that's the day I went to Brooklyn Flea Market. We started there, feasted on Bratwursts and looked at all the vintage stuff and then headed over to Bedford Street in Williamsburg to stroll around there and have another lunch/dinner. I actually am still a little confused by the prices at the Brooklyn Flea Market though - I have to say I think some of the vendors might be confused and think they are actually selling NEW stuff?? Look, I know they have to rent out their space and so they (I'm sure) factor that cost into the selling price of their items, but it IS a FLEA MARKET and not that I've been to more than like 3, but I do think it is very commonplace to bargain with customers. I found these little iron dear antler heads that would've been cool if I nailed them to an old piece of reclaimed wood and made it into a jewelry hanger, but thanks to the unfriendly seller who offered me ONE DOLLAR off $44, I instead left the dear heads on her little broken table and bought something cooler on Etsy for half the price, and 1/8th of the effort. I asked the lady if she could do like, at least $40, which I still think would have been overpriced considering that I would still have to actually create the project I wanted, so I'd have to buy other shit to attach it with AND worst of all, go to home depot (that place is my least favorite store in the world), but she just wouldn't budge on the price, and she definitely felt no remorse. I mean, isn't selling something for $4 cheaper better than selling nothing at all? I guess to each her own.

It was really cool to look at all the items, especially the vintage jewelry and old wooden boxes and home stuff.

Ft. Greene was really pretty too, nice to see a new neighborhood in Brooklyn. 

So after we went back to Williamsburg and strolled into some of the stores there - such a lively street. The best part was that they blocked off most of the street from cars and laid sections of grass down, so you literally could just lay down in the street and hang out. I love Williamsburg because I feel like I can walk slower there than in Manhattan, I guess because there are less cars/taxis/etc, but this just made it even better.

OK, this is the 2nd image I've posted on my blog that gets smooshed down - I don't understand it. Anyways, it gives you an idea of how cool the chunks of grass everywhere were.

After we lunched at a place called "The Bedford" where we ate oysters and had some refreshing summer beers.

Hi, that's me. 

This is my younger brother, Zach.

This was our little table on the side. I don't care that much about showing you the table. What I wanted to  show was this girl's amazing tie dye head. Check, that, out. I said to my brother while we were walking around "God I need to dress weirder here." I literally felt out of place for having one color hair. haha. No I didn't. :)

 And so that post just turned into a weekend recap, but I thought since I actually took photos for once, and because it was such a good weekend, I should just post them. I love looking at other peoples' adventures and I think anything visual (mainly photos) makes reading just so much more fun.