Pinky's Perfect Nails

One of my best girlfriends wanted to take me to this nail place she heard does serious nail art for my birthday. I love her but she tends to suck at getting plans together. For those of you who don't know; my birthday is in July. Can you guess when we made it to Pinky's? January.

Despite the 7 month delay I am so glad we finally went!

Pinky's is located just off of Queen St W but a slight pain in the ass to find/park, especially in -5C weather. It's the lower level down the staircase of unmarked (besides the #688) building amongst the downtown homes. The girls were really cool and nice, joining in in our conversation. The room is a large industrial space with the chic and eclectic vibe I dig.

I stuck with the Pinterest inspiration I saw online months ago which the manicurist claims is actually originally a Pinky's image. Whether that's true or not I loved it. We changed mine a little bit but here they are back to back!

        

                             

If you're looking for a fun girl night's out activity I would definitely recommend this place! The manicure costed $48.00 which is definitely pricier than a typical manicure but look at that details! There were no stickers here, everything was hand painted. 

Mine lasted pretty well overall. The studs were the first things to go but all in all I would do it again. It was a cool way to accessorize. I see now why celebs have taken to this fashion. While I won't do it every day I will definitely do it again. Now I gotta find somewhere in NYC. 

Would you do this? If so, what kind?

Day 11: Anthro top/dress with Jeans!

When standing in the dressing room trying on this top at Anthropologie I followed my own rule; think of 3 different ways I could wear this piece.

1. the way I was wearing it in the dressing room - with just black opaque tights and I imagined wearing my black suede booties. (I cannot wait to wear this outfit!)

2.  with my pleather pants which has effectively been nixed when I tried it on in real life. Luckily I tried it with my lulul leggings and loved it. Comfy and cute. No reason you can't be both! (All you need are the right pieces in your closet)

3. now with jeans. In my head I thought this would work but once my pleather pants failed me I wasn't so sure. Wearing it now I have to say I like it. Wearing pants underneath skirts/tunics is something I did in the early 2000s living in Israel but has been trending ever so slightly on the runways and on red carpets lately.

Here you see Nicole Richie rocking it, Emma Thompson taking it black tie and a huge blog inspiration The Man Repeller herself, Leandra!

 

So I'm having a go at it. It's not quite as dramatic as Leandra's look but sometimes we have to creep into trends lightly...and realistically. What better time to dip into a trend then during a Fashion Challenge?

Day 10: Same old Sweatshirt

Yes, I am wearing this damn Drama Queen sweatshirt again. I know you're all sick of it but let me defend it.
A. It is so cold outside and this top is so much warmer than the blouse I was supposed to wear. So tough.
B. I really wanted to wear my pleather pants at least once and they look bitchin with the sweatshirt.

I also added another necklace, which apparently is so heavy it's hurting my neck, but it changes up the outfit a little bit. I really wanted a chance to wear this sweatshirt with my leather skirt tucked in mullet style. Ya know, half tucked in in the front and the back hanging out. It looks cool. If I hadn't packed the skirt I'd put it on, take a pic, and post what I mean. There will be many more chances to do that outfit in New York!

It's coming down to the wire and I've laid out my outfits and accessories for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and my flight date Monday. Everything else is packed/squeezing their way into my bags.

Stay fashionable and practical!

p.s. notice anything different in these pics?? My packing zone is significantly cleaner! Proud?

Days 8 & 9

Time seems to be slipping through my fingers and crawling at the same time. Which is difficult. And confusing.

Yesterday I wore my skinny jeans with my T layered with my chambray top unbuttoned. I read somewhere that you can use your chambray top unbuttoned and treat it like a cardigan. I used to have 50 cardigans but within a year they're out. I hardly find the need or style to wear them anymore. So I tried this and I liked it. It was comfortable and layering is essential in this frigid cold, storm, polar vortex weather we are experiencing here. 

What I learned yesterday and today is that accessories can help change up an outfit. The same boring thing I've worn multiple times can be seen in a new light with a change of accessory. 

Yesterday I added this great J.Crew necklace I got during the holiday season. It can easily be worn with fancy dresses as well as T shirts like so. 

Today my plaid dress, which I have only worn to shul (synagogue) once with opaque black tights and suede booties. (Loved it and sadly no one was there to admire. Womp womp.) Since I was doing work and seeing friends before I move, I wanted to casual down the dress.

I topped it with this little news paperboy, houndstooth in brown, gold rings, black on black houndstooth tights (as you can see in the pic it's hard to see the houndstooth at all) and leather boots. It has a real London feel to me. My friend that saw me said it looked like a grown up version of the school uniforms we wore in elementary school but I take it as a compliment. Plaid is very in this season and I for one am loving it.

I know the Jews are all gonna see this look and think, "she looks married," (based on the tradition for married women to cover their hair) but no, I am not married however I do like to wear hats. Don't do it often because I don't want people to think I'm married but today is just too bad. It looks cute (I think so) and yes, it's not a great hair day. Voila! I put a hat on and I look put together and my hair doesn't look half bad. Sue me. 

I do have to say the dress is pretty skin tight. I'm amazed I could zip it up myself....and let's just say going to the washroom isn't simple. It's from Zara for anyone interested. The hem was actually falling in the back and they had it altered and fixed free of charge. Good customer service in that respect so shout out to them! 

Recap Days 5, 6, and 7

Saturday I wore the grey dress and it was very cute and comfortable. I didn't do anything Saturday night so no outfit to post regarding that.

Sunday I wore this new black and white really long top/very short dress thing from Anthropologie. I love it even though it's not very flattering. It's cool and I'm hoping it can be worn a few ways. For Sunday I decided to wear it with my leggings because a. it was comfortable b. it's cold out c. I actually tried it with my pleather leggings which I thought would look great but it did not. My pleather leggings are too shiny or something. They just didn't quite work with the top. I was also wearing my suede knee-high boots (not pictured) which added another nice texture to the look.
       

Today I'm definitely starting to feel the "challenge" aspect of this. I'm tired of looking at the same options and I haven't been in the mood for my blouse. A piece I typically love to wear! I'm wearing my day 2 look (Drama Queen sweatshirt with leggings). I'm comfortable and in sort of a funky mood where I just want to be in PJs all day. But PJs in public are frowned upon. Apppparently. Not sure how I'm going to make it for the next 4 weekdays. On the plus side - 1 week until I move to NY. More on that in a different post!

Day 4: T and Pleather Skirt

I was kind of excited to keep a T shirt in the mix cause I thought it would be a good layering piece...problem is I didn't have anything to layer it with that works with the skirt. I wanted to wear an outfit I could wear all day, including Friday Night Dinner at my friend's place tonight for Shabbat. The T could be cool with the leather jacket on top....but with the pleather skirt on the bottom it looked like a bad leather suit. But in light of the challenge I am just going to be cold for today. Which says a lot because it is something like -18 C outside here in Toronto.

Basically, I decided to make my coffee at home rather than drive to the nearest Starbucks.

I won't be able to take a pic tomorrow but I'll recap Saturday night/Sunday. Wish me luck!

New Year, New Life

There's a very clear gap in my posts which up until now are from February 2013. Pathetic? Yes. Have a good reason? I think so.


Just over a year ago I was promoted to be a company's social media manager. A position I didn't even know existed up until a couple years ago. Then they wanted to launch a blog which was perfect for me since I loved to blog and write. But when the blog launched in February, my personal blogging took a back seat. I was sad because I missed blogging but was still happy since I was doing it professionally. The job opened me up to a whole new reality.
[Shameless plug. Check out Jewish Wedding Blog for everything Jewish wedding related! http://blog.ketubah.com/]


Thoughts and dreams began to bubble about going back to school not for television and screenwriting as I had originally imagined but perhaps in this new field. The potential jobs and future were exciting and intriguing. When I started looking into schools that offered that type of education I thought, "hmm, if I'm going back to school why wouldn't I try and move back to New York?" I took it a step further and looked to see if any programs had Spring 2014 acceptance, rather than waiting an entire year to start in the Fall of 2014. After a lot of research I found a couple amazing programs that felt impossible to get in to. I closed my eyes, worked hard on essays, begging teachers for speedy letters of recommendation, and voila. By November 1st I had applied to two programs with a back up plan forming, assuming I wouldn't get into either program.

Long story short (I know, that's hard for me) I actually got in to The New School for Public Engagement in New York City to get my M.S. in Media Management. The campus is so cool, modern, and edgy. Many things I do not think I am enough of. But I'm going to fake it hoping someone will buy it. That has been the hardest part for me personally. Believe it.

Obviously a part of me thought I was good enough to get in. I wrote the Statement of Purpose essay, and truly meant it. I felt desperate to get in. It was my only way out of Toronto. Don't get me wrong, Toronto is great, but if you love New York City, there is no comparison. If you hate NYC...well then, I can't help you. Or understand you. Or be friends with you.

When life changes, when you actively make a change to the direction your life is going in, it's incredible to be totally present. Most of these moments slip by us and we never truly experience them. Now, I'm seeing maybe that's for the best. I feel so in the moment, so aware of what is happening (and changing) that I cannot wrap my head around it. It's crazy. I am moving back to NYC. I will get 2-3 more years there and that is such an incredible opportunity. I am getting a second chance there and I plan to take full advantage!

Day 3: Jean on Jean

Today I'm running some errands and working from home/Starbucks. When I worked in an office it was pretty casual so I would have worn the same thing as I am right now. For others that have more formal offices...well, I'm sorry. Sometimes it's great to get to dress up but being able to wear jeans to work is pretty great.

I wasn't sure if I liked the whole "jean on jean" trend but I think you can make it work in the real world. I'm wearing my ombre chambray top with my skinny jeans. The key with making this outfit work I think it the two different textures and color variations.

I realize the first couple days of outfits are not going to be as interesting, it's really when we get to next week when I have already worn pieces and need to repeat. Or when I hit a day I'm just not "feeling". So far so good!

please continue to excuse the slight mess going on in the background. This happens to be my packing central zone and my only full length mirror :/

Day 2: Sweatshirt and Leggings

I decided at the beginning of this that PJs didn't count as items so when I woke up and went downstairs I realized I wasn't wearing any of my 14 items so I went back up and decided to change into the closest items to PJs. For a day staying in and watching the Winter Classic what could be better than my lulu lemons and Drama Queen sweatshirt. I was comfy all day but not embarrassed at all to leave my house or if I friend would drop by.

I did realize one thing that was going to be a challenge: staying clean! I almost stained this essential piece when I dropped some guacamole on it. Luckily it seems to have come out - phew!

Day 2 Done!

Day 1: A Dress

For the first day I decided to wear my brand new Anthropologie dress. I was going to work and I think this dress is perfect for that and can be taken from day to night with some sparkly jewelry. It's very modestly covering you up but is still incredibly flattering with the cut and placement of the stripes. The fabric is so comfortable!

For Day: I wore winter boots.
For Night: I would change into black heels, add a cocktail ring, throw on a lip, maybe some big earrings, and voila you've got a night look.

Please excuse the mess in the background. Just proves everything is packed...or attempting to get into the bag. 

The 14 Day Fashion Challenge

We've all had this; we're going away and need to limit our packing. For me right now it's sort of the opposite problem. I'm moving back to New York City in 14 days and have to pack as much as possible but what will I wear for the next 2 weeks if everything is packed? 

What started off as a very full clothing rack of winter and fall clothes has been whittled down to 14 pieces. All the others are packed or in the closet to be brought to NY on my next trip in a month. I realized as I was narrowing it down that this is a great exercise for women to do! As you do this you start to realize which pieces you can really wear in multiple ways and truly what your favorite pieces are. You start to see how impractical or simply "out" certain items can be.

An editor in InStyle gave a tidbit of advice I (try to) follow when shopping and looking at an item or accessory: Name 3 ways you can wear this piece. And if it's more expensive - try to come up with 6 ways. That really came into play in this experiment. 

So here are the pieces I've chosen to work with:

1. Black leather jacket
If it was summer I'd probably go with jean but since I'm on the east coast it's pretty damn cold. A great leather jacket can be worn in a multitude of ways. Hopefully I'll get a lot of use out of it because this piece falls under the "6 ways to wear" rule I had to come up with. It was that expensive. 

Lafayette 148 from Winners.

Tops 

2. A T shirt
I had a bunch of Ts to choose from but I thought this one could be worn a few different ways because of the color and the season. Even though it's -10C outside a T is good to layer, especially when travelling or going to an office and you're not sure what the temperature of a room or plane might be. 

Breast Cancer Awareness. 

3. A blouse
You could do any blouse, white, black, or patterned like this one. 

H n M.

4. A sweatshirt. 
So this one was a little risky but I had a few sweaters/sweatshirts to choose from. I thought this would be a good item to have since it is cold and some days I just want to be in sweats without actually being in sweats. 

Zara.

5. Button down/Chambray Top. 
Chambray is kind of a trendy thing but I love it. It's a piece that goes with so many different bottoms and can be layered. I'm a little obsessed with mine which I call my ombre chambray top.

Old Navy.

Bottoms

6. Jeans.
I've chosen the only pair I have which are dark wash skinny jeans. I think these are the most flattering and versatile. I know some people reading this might be women that might not wear pants so I would say you could do the exact same thing with a jean skirt instead!

Gap.

7. Pleather Pants.
I probably could have done without these but I still wanted to give myself options. Another super trendy piece but I really like wearing them and they are easy to dress up or down. If you don't wear pants I'd consider doing a leather/pleather skirt instead (which is my #9.)

Mendocino.

8. Leggings.
I don't care who says leggings aren't pants. If they are thick enough they are. Tights are not pants but leggings are. And my G_d do I love them. Especially this time of year. I had to keep a pair of leggings. If you don't wear pants I would wear an American Apparel skirt or any other similar black stretchy skirt as an equivalent.

Lulu Lemon.

9. Leather Skirt.
I needed at least one skirt in this experiment. I actually like wearing skirts. However in the winter they always mean tights or something underneath, which is why I felt I could pack my jean skirts. A great leather skirt can be worn tons of ways of which I hope to share and come up with over the next two weeks.

Aretz Originals.

Dresses

You'll see I have 4 dresses chosen for my remaining items and I'm not sure how much versatility I'll get out of them but I keep Shabbat and needed dresses so we'll see how handy those are or what I mistake I made.

    



                                                   

Hypothesis: (ps I can't even believe I remember the word hypothesis since I haven't used it since 8th grade science class with Mr. Franken.)
One thing I suspect is I'll have a hard time finding an outfit I'm "in the mood for " or "feeling that day." Which is a woman's #1 inability to put clothing on in the morning. "I don't have anything." This should be interesting.