Saturday, December 21, 2013

Hair Repair

I recently mastered the blowout which is good because it makes my outfits look more polished (and I'm in my 30's, so it's about time). The down side is that regular blowouts have fried my hair (see above - holy "before" shot!). 

While I'd been enjoying the fact that my hair was long for the first time in ages, I was also super bored with my one-length cut. I showed my stylist an older picture of Nicole Richie (because she is my spirit animal) and this is what I came out with. I feel like a knew woman. Love me some fringe, don't you?

Monday, December 16, 2013

Christmas in NYC: MTA Nostalgia Trains

This past weekend V and I had one of the coolest NYC experiences we've had to date – we took a ride on the MTA's "Nostalgia Special."

On Sundays in the month of December the MTA runs vintage 1930's-era subway trains along the M line between LIC and the LES (check out the schedule here, other links are super confusing and you don't want to waste precious cell phone battery life when you're below ground like I did).

V and I were able to squeeze in a ride on the last train of the day, which was great because when we reached the last stop (2nd Avenue) the conductors informed us that the trains would stay there for an additional half hour so people could explore the cars. I took this to mean more time for me to ham it up and pose for goofy pics.
Vintage subway ads, also on display at the New York Transit Museum.
So much charm - from the exterior of the train decorated for Christmas, to the ceiling fans and vintage maps inside.
V and I on board


Refined vs. Ridiculous
There is no place on earth like New York City at Christmas and, as much as I love to see the tree at Rockefeller Center and enjoy ice skating at the city's many rinks, this may very well be my new favorite NYC Christmas tradition.

Next weekend is the last weekend for the nostalgia trains for 2013, so if you are going to be in the area I highly recommend taking a ride.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Outfit Post: First Date the Musical

So I've decided to try out a new format for these outfit posts. Since V has been kind (and patient) enough to start taking my outfit pics with a real camera (it's still point-and-shoot, but we've graduated from the iPhone. Next up is the 35mm, I swear) I can post multiple pics from different angles. So much better than my sometimes-blurry selfies, am I right?

This is an ensemble I put together for a surprise date night. I was only told that we would be going into the city and that I could get dressed up, but did not have to be formal. I asked if "off-duty model" was an acceptable look and, without missing a beat, V assured me that that would be perfect.

I decided to jump at the opportunity to finally wear these crazy McQ Alexander McQueen leggings (the tags have stayed on them for way too long since coming into my possession) with my brand-spanking-new Isabel Marant for H&M tank.

Here are the results:
Surprise! V took me to see First Date on Broadway. You MUST go see it, it's such a fun show.
Hooray for awkward poses! I'll get that oh-so-cool air of indifference down one of these days... or not.
And now without my security blanket scarf
Coat: Cinzia Rocca Scarf: Fendi Blazer: BCBG Max Azria Tank: Isabel Marant for H&M Chain: Old Navy Pendant: Vintage Leggings: McQ Alexander McQueen Booties: Rosegold

Friday, December 6, 2013

Bright Lipstick: A Sleepy Girl's: Best Friend

Left: Nada Top Right: Nars Pillow Talk Bottom Right: MAC Viva Glam

Last night V and I went to a delicious dinner with friends at Bo's in the Flatiron district*. Tasty food, smooth drinks and great company made for a semi-late night and I am quite sleepy today (as evidenced in the photos to the right).

Years of practice (translation: staying up way past a good girl's bedtime) has taught me that there is no better way to brighten my face than a quick smear of bright lipstick.

Sadly, Laura Mercier discontinued my favorite color, Sugarplum, but the good news is that I have been going back to bold shades in it's absence.

On a regular morning Nars Pillow Talk lip gloss will get the job done, but this was no regular morning and so I invoked the power of the greatest bright lipstick of them all: MAC Viva Glam. The perfect red lipstick is going to be different for everyone, but this is one that I recommend, at least to start. Upon application I just feel so... kickass. It came out in 1994 when a young Kimbo was only in Junior High and not the most confident girl at the Bat Mitvah, but it made me feel bold and pretty (despite pairing it with way too much black eyeliner, but what can I say? It was the grunge era) and I've been in love with it ever since. The other awesome thing about MAC Viva Glam?  

"Every cent of the selling price of VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass is donated to the M·A·C AIDS Fund to support men, women, and children living with HIV and AIDS." [Source]

What's your trick for looking bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when you're really sleep-deprived and dragging tail?