Thursday, October 21, 2010

Don't Feel Down, Dress Up!

In college I dressed for class. Skirts, nice pants, cute tops, fitted sweaters, any combination of these items really; I put effort into my daily dressing routine.

My secret was that the days I dressed up were actually the ones I was feeling down. Whether I was hungover, or tired, or sad, rather than wearing PJ's to class I took a deep breath and sucked it up as I sucked myself into stockings and an outfit and I was on my way to a better mood.

My standard issue Loyola hoodie was relegated to the apartment and late-night adventures to other peoples' apartments because I believe that any bad mood could only be made worse by a bad outfit.

A good outfit on the other hand makes you look good, when you look good other people notice, and when other people notice you it boosts your self esteem and, hey, look at that, you're feeling better already.

My point is, if you're feeling dumpy, don't dress frumpy (I couldn't resist the rhyming, that makes me happy too)! Dress up and you won't feel down anymore. It's as simple as a white favorite tee.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Because I'd Rather Wine than Whine...

In addition to fashion and writing I also love food and wine. As you all know, I've got Saks taste on an Off 5th budget, and that applies to shopping across the board, so I love it when I find a nice bottle of inexpensive wine.

It's safe to assume that we share some interests, so if wine is one of them, read on.

A few months ago I enjoyed a fabulous dinner at a little neighborhood restaurant called Snaps. They serve New American cuisine for affordable prices and, naturally, the wine list to match. This night in particular my dining partner and I enjoyed a Waterbrook Columbia Valley Melange Noir, which is a varietal blend of 40% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese, 13% Cabernet Franc, 1% Various varieties. It was light and tasty, a bit berry, a bit spicy, and it went well with both of our meals.

Since we liked it, and I talk even more than I write, we told the waitress how much we liked it and she recommended a similar wine called 7 Daughters, which is also a blend. After describing how wonderfully delicious and inexpensive the wine was, she ended our convo by telling us that neither wine is particularly easy to find. Wonderful.

So this past week, months after that dinner, I found both the white and red blends - in two different shops! The white I found on a Friday night at a little wine shop near Tudor City in Manhattan. The blurb on the side says that the seven types of grapes are like seven girlfriends getting together, each bringing something different to make the perfect blend and since I was visiting with my college roommates, what could be better?

Composed of French Colombard, Chardonnay, Riesling, Symphony, Orange Muscat, Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc, it was light and a bit sweet, but not too fruity, which is good because I like a more acidic white and we drank it in a flash.

Monday my mother and I were at a local liquor store on Long Island when we came across the red. They had both blends, but lately all my mom drinks is red, so that's what we went with. The red is a blend of French Colombard, Chardonnay, Riesling, Symphony, Orange Muscat, Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc and it comes across as light without being too fruity and a tiny bit of a dry aftertaste, but still delicious, especially for around $12.00.

The Seven Daughters website is really cute too. They suggest different Girls Night activities at which you can enjoy their wines, restaurants where you can find them, and even silly blurbs about things like how to be more photogenic.

So sit down, grab a glass, and check it out!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Look of the Day - Fashion - InStyle - Flash Player Installation

Look of the Day - Fashion - InStyle - Flash Player Installation

SJP - You are such a style maven. NYC is lucky to have you as a resident and Halston to have you as both a designer and unofficial model.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Well, That's the Last of It




My Trouve "Sabrina" distressed leather ankle boots came in the mail today and they are a perfect fit! So happy that I can stop the search for the perfect combat boot. No side zipper installed like they are in mainstream styles for those not willing to commit to the style. No extra room that requires me to wear bulky socks, instead I can wear regular socks or even tights and be comfortable. Yay!

In addition to my final shopping item before starting the freeze again, after I got home from my run, I also chose to clean out my closet tonight. I was re-reading part of this great book that reminded me that I should get rid of any items I wouldn't want people to see me in. So, with the perfect soundtrack playing in the background, out went the shirts with the frayed hems, out went anything with a pit stain or a stain of any kind really, out went the oddly-fitting or stretched out items, or anything else I'm hanging onto just because of an emotional attachment.

I'm cleaning house and it's helping.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Hi, My Name is Kim and I'm a Shop-a-holic

When things get hectic, when I'm down, when I just don't know what to do with myself (cue the Dusty Springfield), I go shopping.

Lately, I've had a bit more time on my hands, and some issues to match, but this blog isn't about that, and I've made some purchases. I finally got that MacBook Pro that I went on and on about, which was no small purchase, and yet I shopped more...

I made an accidentally successful trip to Ann Taylor Loft; I'd gone in to look for boots for a friend and walked out with a pair of fitted cargos, which I've been looking for for weeks, and a pale pink sweater with subtle metallic threads running through it.

Earlier that day I had already treated myself to a fun, "XO" double ring by Juicy and a pair of fitted Joe's black pants, that had already been hemmed - score!, at Nordstrom Rack.

And today I stopped at the GAP on my way home after receiving an e-mail that the whole store was 40% off. I walked out with an amazingly soft heather gray long sleeved tee, a cute black and white polka dot woven top, and even some new undergarments (since most of the ladies I know seem to swear by GAP Body).

And how could I forget the amazing Trouve "Sabrina" distressed black leather combat ankle boots from Nordstroms website that are due to arrive tomorrow (a whole day early thanks to those fabulous men in brown at UPS)? But they were also on my shopping list, so that doesn't count either.

But I'm cutting myself off [stern voice]. It's back to savings mode. I shopped, I paid my bills, I satisfied my craving.

Now if life could just ease up for a little while, that would be great...

Merci Mama!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Merci!

Monday my mother came back from Paris and she brought me a fabulous present; a flowy, asymmetrical hemmed, white t-shirt with a black and white image of Coco Chanel on it. LOVE!

It is going to look amazing with my new black skinny Joe's and the combat boots I ordered from Nordstrom. Obviously a polyvore collage is in order, look for it later today...

Merci Mama!