Jacket: Burberry | Boots: Zara | Sweater:
J. Crew | Leggings: American Apparel | Sunglasses + Bunny Ears: Halloween
Costume Pop-up Store on 41th and 5th | Necklace: Urban Outfitters
I have to say, this week thus far has been rather surreal.
Here I am, sitting in my pitch black apartment, with countless hallmark candles
lit around me… typing on a pre-charged laptop. Living the dream!
It is day #3 of the all-encompassing Hurricane Sandy
experience. Of course, based in downtown
Manhattan, we were all hit pretty hard – most of us without electricity or
running water (and it could a few days still).
It is quite staggering to me, actually, how remarkably divided the city
is at the moment, between the haves and the have-nots (namely, the divide that
occurs right around 35th street).
Ever determined to take things in stride, I convinced hubby
to treat Sandy as though it were a special occasion and dine at Daniel (likely,
due to the disarray of the storm, we were able to get last minute seating,
though it was still pretty packed for a Wednesday!).
When life strikes you with adversity, do you simply hide and
weep, or do you try and make the best of things? I
like to think that I fall into the latter camp.
Dressed in my Sandy best (I bought some last-minute
Halloween gadgets at a pop-up store, and these boots were a new Zara acquisition!), we decided to brave the storm and head uptown for a delectable tasting
experience. Was it worth every savory
bite? You betcha! My slow baked Atlantic cod (doused with
potato boulangere and littneck clam chowder) was perfection… and did I mention my
Hudson valley sautéed duck foie gras as starter? Indulgence to the extreme!
That’s the funny thing about life… the intense
juxtapositions of the extremes, particularly in this town (I almost choked when the Daniel lady asked hubby whether he bought his own jacket, seriously?!). After a while, you really begin to notice this
jarring divide as you head steadily downtown, from a lit-up playground to a
dark netherworld cast in the forgotten shadows. My
heart goes out to the 800,000 or so New Yorkers, who, like myself, are trying
to make do under these suboptimal circumstances. One thing I will toast to, however, is the indomitable,
“can-do” spirit that I’ve seen showcased across this city – truly something to
appreciate and aspire towards!
Decadence in the extreme... Hudson Valley Sauteed Duck Foie Gras (with paw-paw coulis, confit chestnut, turnips, and mesclun).
Hubby began his tasting with a Trio of Coho Salmon (poached w/finger lime & mint, tartare w/meyer lemon & sansho pepper tuile, and hot-smoked w/celery remoulade). Yum!
Hubby's main: duo of Quebec Suckling Pig, need I say more.
Dessert! Hubby had the Kenyan Coffee Ganache (dark chocolate crémeux, Rice Crispy, Chocolate Sable, and Coffee Ice Cream)... Smoky yet immensely delicious!
My sugary friend? Passion Fruit-Vanilla Vacherin (w/Meringue, Mascarpone Chantilly, and Mango Chutney). A highlight of the evening!
Dinners like these always, somehow evoke an influx of introspection on my part (much to hubby's chagrin)
The lovely and intimate dining space (look to your left, that's the chef himself making the rounds!). You would think that Sandy never happened.
Mr. Boulud surrounded by his coterie of admirers
That's a wrap! Ubering our way home, into the heart of darkness.
As you may well have heard, Hurricane Sandy swooped through
Manhattan (and the Northeast at large), and wreaked some considerable havoc in
downtown NYC. So serious were matters
that we actually lost electricity last night (in an incredible feat, we did
manage to see the blowout of the transformers outside of our terrace, near the
East River -- blazing hues of florescent
green and blue).
Suffice to say, I woke up this morning, eagerly awaiting for
a resurgence of power… only to find out, of course, that there was none. What to do?
Well… hubby and I decided to trek up to my alma mater in midtown, where
the WiFi is abundant, the wine flowed, and the food was scrumptious and
plentiful (there’s even a sauna in the gym!).
Lets just hope that ConEd will restore our electricity soon!!!
(Prognosis is roughly four days at the moment, not terribly uplifting it must
be said).
These are some photos taken as we made our way to midtown. I will say one thing – I find the New Yorker’s
indomitable and fashion-conscious spirit truly refreshing and admirable! (And yes, at times très amusement as well). And let it be said, there was not a shortage of fuzzy boots and army green!
Saturday night, I
was rocking my McQueen/ Snow White and the Huntsman-inspired Halloween
getup.
Tonight, I’m
sitting in my living room, frenetically cleaning and organizing, whilst
wondering when (and if) my electricity will go out thanks to Hurricane
Sandy!
Ah the curious juxtapositions
of life!
For my ensemble, I
took my inspirations largely from Charlize Theron’s character à la Snow White and the Huntsman. While I was a studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology this Summer, we
did an up-close-and-personal workshop on the styling of the evil queen for the
movie. That, coupled with the juicy
gossip btw K. Stew and that movie director, fueled my own personal fascination with the
film... along with its fashion at large. Finally,
the invitations for our Saturday evening Carnival at Sleep No More’s McKittrick Hotel
stipulated black. So evil queen it
is!
My dress is a new
acquisition from 3.1 Philip Lim. It’s
actually quite a nice evening cocktail dress, and I am all for recycling your
wardrobe for multiple occasions. (I actually hate spending money on over-priced and cheaply made Halloween outfits. I'd much prefer investing in something a bit more versatile and multi-functional!).
As for the rest? Well, it is no secret that I am a fan of
Patricia Field’s Halloween selection!!!
Now… lets sit back, enjoy the ride, and wait for the high tide to pass us
by...
Before the
torrential downpour and the onslaught of Hurricane Sandy... I, like many New
Yorkers I know, went on a frenetic search for the ideal Halloween costume (or simply a costume, period). I had a general conception of what I wanted to
be. However, the nitty gritties of the
details still needed to be sketched out.
My general opinion
of Halloween echoes my sentiments toward the wedding industry (and any other
institutionalized event-targeted businesses)... that they are overpriced and generally opportunist in nature.
There’s nothing I find more frustrating than knowingly overpaying for some
badly made goods (think Ricky’s, Halloween Adventures, or any type of
targeted costume marketing).
That said,
I was refreshingly pleased with the selection at Patricia Field on the
Bowery. Long known as a fantastical stylist and over-the-type creative (she’s the one who styled the ladies of “Sex and the
City”), I knew that I could always count on Patricia to bring in the fabulous and original on this particular occasion. And she
killed it!!! (Think Yay, as opposed to Boo).
What I loved the most is
that these were well-made items, exhibiting both artistry and admirable attention to
detail. (Not cheesy, not garishly overpriced, and most definitely gamine & on-trend!). Outside of the scope of
Halloween, some of these pieces would also make welcomed, edgy and fun additions to your
wardrobe in general. There's no reason to compromise on high-style just because it's Halloween!
This weekend, in addition to the Halloween festivities, I
had the pleasure of attending the 2012 International Photoplus Conference and
Expo at the Jacob Javits Convention center (October 24-27, 2012). As a relative neophyte to the world of
photography, this was a rather daunting feat for me. However, I can safely say that in addition to
the overwhelming and mind-blowing exposure to all things photography-related,
it was also just straight-up good fun to be part of the convention!
There is something for everyone here. You can get hands-on equipment knowledge and
demonstrations. Plus, there was live entertainment and fantastic avant-garde photography on exhibit, how could you go wrong with that?
Plus, if you’re a geek like me, you also have the option to
attend the multiple all-day seminars they have available! Some of the ones I attended include: (1) Retouching
Power with Photoshop (a fashionista must-have!); (2) 12 Steps to Improve Your
Digital Photography; and (3) Secrets of Great Portrait Lighting.
Of course, much of
the knowledge conveyed was way too technical for my level – though I am hoping
that some of the info will sink in via osmosis!
While in Boston, I was invited to be the guest speaker at a career
panel back at my alma mater. While I don’t
always embrace the suit-and-jacket look (my personal preference is to mix and match bespoke pieces for the office), I did believe that I needed to look every bit
the part for my panel presentation. That is to say, I
wanted to bring forth the image of the confident and in-charge career woman.
A tailored jacket and well-fitted A-Line dress is my signature go-to-style for the office.
I like to convey power, but at the same time feel feminine and pretty (which
likely explains my general penchant for dresses over slacks!).
Here, I brought a little bit of New York to Boston… with my
monochromatic color scheme. The punch
that I wanted to convey rested in the smaller accents (i.e., the leather detailing of the dress, the
whimsical touches of my vintage shoes (I love them!!), topped off with some statement
accessories). In dress, as it is in life, you seize your
opportunities for individualism where you can get them!
As luck would have it, I spent part of my last day in Boston
in Beacon Hill, one of my favorite spots in the city. An old boyfriend from college used to live on
Mount Vernon street, so this is a part of town that I am actually familiar with,
which makes it really nice to feel that sense of home-bound comfort!
I’ve always thought of Beacon Hill as somewhat possessive of that old-money conservative vibe (Senator John Kerry actually lives around the corner!), though there is no
denying of its ever-present beauty and charm. My
darling friend (who also takes credit for the photography here) and I took in
the picturesque foliage, before heading over to Newbery street for some retail
therapy (for me anyway).
This two-toned Nicole Miller dress is a new
addition to my closet. I like it for its
comfort, form-flattering nature, as well as the full coverage it provides, which
makes the dress a great seasonal piece suitable for the office! The boots are adorable, and again, wholly Fall
appropriate – though I am still learning to break them in (they can be a bit
tricky on those sloped, cobble stone hills!). The leopard
soles are an added bonus – I just love the thoughtful and subtle details in life!
Love my Ronni Kappos earrings! Handmade from vintage German glass. I got these during my visit to the Boston Institute of Contemporary Art
Life on the go… means that often times you need to make snap
decisions on what to wear. This outfit was
something I had quickly put together for my first day of work post-Spain. Nothing spells Fall like the mix of bronze yellow
and textured black and white! To me,
they are the perfect elements of office style – the classic pencil skirt,
offset by some modern accents (i.e., a touch of bright tones with fun accessories).
These days, I’ve also been trying to give my face a seasonal
break by going as make-up free as possible. For a girl who’s addicted to makeup
(particularly eyes), this has been a rather refreshing experience!
Hello Boston! I
haven’t been here since last Winter, and I must say – nothing rivals Boston in
the Fall (certainly not the sweltering heat in the Summer!).
Having spent more than six years as a professional student
in Cambridge, I am always fond of a trip up to the Bean Town. This time, however, I uncharacteristically
stayed near the Boston Harbor, a part of the city I’m not at all familiar
with. Of course, part of the fun of
staying somewhere new is that it forces you to explore and find new treasures. Case in point? I had the opportunity to check
out the lovely Institute of Contemporary Art, which has been around the
waterfront since 2006.
As Boston’s only exclusively-modern museum, the ICA
showcases both a permanent collection of modern art, as well as periodic special
features of up-and-coming artists. This
time, I was fortunate to catch the current exhibition featuring the Brazilian artists
known as Os Gemeos – who are identical twin brothers (Gustavo and Otavio
Pandolfo) from Cambuci, Sao Paulo.
I loved their unique blend of street style art (Os Gemeos
are vocal advocates for public art in Brazil and abroad), vibrant colors, and
mixed mediums (much of their work combines an innovative usage of house paint
and traditional spray paint). This is
the brothers’ first solo exhibit in a U.S. museum, and it was a true pleasure
for me to see it – particularly given my personal fondness for Brazil!
I’ve been meaning to do an exposé on travel and packing for a while, and what better time to do so than right now, as I am in the midst of packing for yet another trip (this time for business).
I frequently get questions on how I pack, particularly as I like to get about different places quite often! Not really one to be renowned for being low-maintenance, I find that many of my friends and colleagues often express surprise (perhaps even genuine shock) when they see me turn up with a carry-on.
Truth be told, I’ve always been a carry-on kind of girl. I remember how impressed hubby was, when we first started dating some time ago… that I would turn up to NYC from DC with just a Sephora shopping bag in hand (secretly I think that’s what sealed the deal!). They say that the key to a man’s heart is via his stomach (which may well be true). But to quote the lovely Ms. Erykah Badu, there’s also nothing more attractive than a lady who prefers to “pack light.”
Ultimately, I like to think of myself as George Clooney in “Up in the Air,” though I swear I've been like this much earlier than the film's release.
So... pack light. How to do so? Well here are six tricks of the trade I’ve acquired over the years:
1) Roll up your clothes. Roll it like you would a dainty, pretty scarf! (The way a freshly cleaned towel is presented, for instance). This may not work so well for men’s shirts or bulky sweaters, but I find that it works great for most things (i.e., blouses, dresses, trousers, etc)... namely for three reaons: A) Your clothes are less likely to crease; B) It saves tons of room in your carry-on; and C) It’s also an excellent way to color code (for the super obsessive types A's like myself). I often create two neatly aligned columns, with rolls stacked up againt each other, interspersed by the occasional shoe or two.
2) Pack flats. For women, it is often more desirable to wear heels than flats, especially when we travel for work. However, anybody who’s tried to fit a pair of stilettos in a suitcase will tell you that the geometry simply doesn’t work in your favor. What to do? Pack more flats! (Ballerinas, sandals, etc etc). They are easy to wear (especially if you need to do a lot of walking), and they fold nicely in between rolled-up clothing. I generally prefer to wear the one pair of high heeled shoes (often times boots since they’re quite versatile for both day-time and evening) on the plane, so that I don’t have to worry about fitting them elsewhere. Of course, you can also opt to pack a small pair of flats in your personal tote/handbag, just in case you need to do that mile-long sprint in a state of panic! For this purpose, my personal go-to flats are Tieks by Gavrieli, as they fold-up and travel so nicely, and take up less space than a mini-purse in your handbag! Score.
Yes! It's true... I managed to fit all of these in my carry-on on a recent trip to <a href="http://www.rockshic.com/my-blog/barcelona/" target="_blank" data-mce-href="http://www.rockshic.com/my-blog/barcelona/">Barcelona</a> (I wore the boots on the plane).
3) Pack your shoes individually, and not in pairs! Likely, this goes without saying – but I’ve learned over the years that it is far more beneficial for me to separate my shoes so as to minimize the amount of space utilized. I generally prefer to wrap them in the thinnest, smallest plastic bags possible (convenience and liquor stores are good sources for these). Of course, it also means that once I unpack in hotels, I’m left with half a dozen or so plastic bags like the bag lady I was trying to avoid… but trust me, they come in handy! I typically store them away in drawers, just so the cleaning staff doesn’t mistake them for garbage.
4) Pack a bag within a bag. Many of my girlfriends do this, and I think it's genius! Very often we ladies like to travel with more than one bag -- one for daytime and one for evening. So, if you’re going to pack an evening clutch or cross-body, why not capitalize on the prime real estate within? Undergarments, accessories, toiletries, valuables -- stuff them all in there!
5) Carry (never pack!) a second jacket. This likely only applies to the hyper fashion-conscious, or perhaps utilitarian types. Suppose that you'll be away for a considerable period of time, who’s to say that it won't rain? Or, better yet, you may get bored, and perhaps even depressed over the prospects of wearing the same black coat everyday? My solution to all of this is to bring a good second jacket (different color? Weatherproof? Your pick!), and carry it in your arms like an extra layer or blanket. The pay-off is huge! Plus, you could always use it as a back-up blanket on the plane, and no airline security can ever accuse you of exceeding your "two-bag" maximum! There’s nothing more luxurious then having wardrobe options while you're traveling. It makes me feel as though I’ve brought a piece of home with me abroad.
6) Accessories save the day. I am a huge proponent for accessories. In fact, in High School my girlfriends would point out how I spent all of my money on jewelry (I had much more limited funds back then). That said, accessories are the ideal travel companion as they’re compact, and can instantly brighten up your look! What’s not to love? Scarves are included in this category. They are the ultimate luxurious best friend.
Ultimately, packing is such an individualist process, and I’m sure everybody has their own preferences for doing so. (I’ve once chatted with a good friend, who broke down the exact number of credit cards he liked to carry on planes!). Given that so many things out of your control can go awry when you fly, my advice would be to try and minimize your stress-level by adopting the “carry-on” method!
Based in Manhattan's Lower East Side, Rock Shic is an excerpt taken from my personal lookbook of real people around the world. It is a combination of aesthetics, fashion, lifestyle, and travel. I also offer personalized Lookbook Consulting and Styling upon request. Please contact me at rockshic (at) gmail (dot) com. Services include: Wardrobe Analysis, Closet Organization, and Personal Shopping.