It's a Mod, Mod World

jacket {Gap} - turtleneck, red skinnies & necklace {Forever 21} - black booties {Topshop} - purse {vintage Dooney & Bourke}

I (finally) left the house this past weekend after being cooped up all week. What a glorious time I had with my friend Sesame. We met for breakfast, then found this amazing waterfall to take photos in front of. We wandered around the Rockefeller Center area, popping into a few shops and even scored tickets to watch Jimmy Fallon preview his evening monologue. Way cool!

I am flying home tomorrow night for the start of Love Fest 2012, also known as, my brother's wedding. I am so excited to be a part of such a special day. I will try and post while I am away but I'm not making any promises ;)

Have a good week friends!

j. 

Birthday Suit

I celebrated my birthday yesterday. I wasn't expecting much of anything since I knew I had two classes in the later afternoon and evening. My really good friend, Sesame, invited me to meet her for tea in the morning at this tea shop (that hails from my home and native land) that she had been wanting to show me for a while. This sounded like the perfect way to start out my 27th and that was just the beginning. Thanks to Sesame for making my day really special!!!

Some serious tea business going on up there. When I walked in, we had the whole place to ourselves and the lady working there also wished me a happy birthday. She had already pulled their selection of earl greys and had a sample of a delicious hibiscus iced tea waiting for me. Sesame had clearly laid the ground work. Most people do shots of alcohol on their birthday, I do shots of tea. I'm hardcore like that.

The fun didn't stop there. Next, we found our way to a great little restaurant called The Hummus Place. We ordered a bunch of dishes and shared.

Last but certainly not least, we ended with a red velvet cupcake from Molly's Cupcakes (who won Cupcake Wars btw...).

black tee {Zara} - necklace {Banana Republic} - grey skirt {Mexx} - black leather bracelet {NYC Chinatown} -

 beaded bracelet {gift via Victoria Chinatown} - NYC clutch {gift} - silver gladiators {Aldo}

It was a really great way to spend my day before having to go to two classes. Although, after going to Photoshop I was so excited to start the projects that it felt like another birthday gift of it's own. I'm a nerd like that. Ending the night with Fashion History, which I am least excited about this semester. I just find it a bit heavy and dry, although I should mention that my prof is the wackiest, most eccentric lady I have ever seen. So that should make for some interesting stories at the very least.

A quick thank you to my Mom for that amazing NYC clutch you see above. She very stealthily went back and bought it for me after I drooled over it in a store while she was here visiting. And one last thank you to my bestie, Sasha Rae, for my bracelet that came in my amazing birthday package. You know me too well...I love it.

j.

J. Loves {Her} Style: Graffiti Grandma

Meet Steph. She's from California. And I still love her style. Read on to find out why!

These photos were from a little while ago when Steph and I met up at the cutest little artisan market in the lower east village. I'm going to be honest and say that I am pretty much obsessed with Steph's entire wardrobe. To say that I love her style is a bit of an understatement. I think it's because she has defined her style so well and it compliments her personality just right. And she's all about the details, which I can't help but notice.

Who else noticed that the inside of her bag perfectly accentuates the blue of her vest - which is vintage by the way. Only me....? Okay, moving on. It's such a treat to get together with this girl, not only do I know that I will be drooling over her outfit but she always has the best ideas of fun things we can do. From craft days to museums to markets we always have a blast.

j.

Modern Art Fun

I finally went to the MOMA this weekend with my friend Sesame. Turns out we get in for free with our New School ID cards. I really loved it and as a result took waaay too many photos. I told myself I would not post all of them, which I'm not, but I'm still posting entirely too many. So, my apologies for that.

We ended the evening with a delicious picnic on Sesame's rooftop patio, followed by a showing of the movie, The Help, in the movie theater in her building. Her building is super swanky and I got confused at one point and thought I was in a really fancy hotel. It was a perfect summer Saturday!

j.

Dots, Stripes & Challenges

One of my bestest friends was talking to me about my blog a little while ago and she told me that she always enjoyed the outfits I posted, but she was ready to see more. She, in a way, challenged me to step outside my comfort zone (as she often does). She wanted to see me take more chances. And so I put this outfit together with her in mind. While I love it, looking at the photos I realize it is still very safe. A fashion blogger (I use this term loosely) mixing polka dots with stripes?!? Whoa. Shocker. Anyways, this is what I wore to that photography course last weekend and to hang out with Sesame at the Hester Street Market/China Town/SOHO (we like to maximize our time together).

polka-dot blouse {sample sale} - striped skirt & sunnies {H&M} - red bracelet {Burkman Bros.} -

yellow tote {Fossil via Brooklyn Flea} - bronze gladiator sandals {Steve Madden via Century 21}

Speaking of challenges, I had an inspiring conversation with my supervisor at Bloomie's today. She asked me what I wanted to do with my fashion education once I complete it and although I don't know the answer to that yet, it got me thinking. She told me to make the most of this internship and gain as much experience as I possibly can out of it, which I was already consciously doing. She did mention this little 'ol blog here and complimented my writing and way of expression, which was really nice to hear. I have surprised myself since starting this how much I love writing. At the end of our conversation, she offered me one piece of advice. To challenge myself. Perfectly simple. Simply perfect.

I feel lucky to have such an amazing internship opportunity. I am taking the advice I received today to heart. All I have to say is, challenge accepted.

j.

Crafty Chains

I love crafts. I always have and probably always will. It was my absolute favorite thing to do when I was a kid. Make things. Anything, from sewing projects to jewelry to countless decorations for this holiday and that holiday and often just for fun.

I did bring a bit of my crafting supplies with me to NYC, just in case. And this past weekend, I got to crack them open with my friend and fellow craft queen, Sesame. She saw this bracelet on one of my favorite blogs, Honestly...WTF, and showed it to me. Little did she know, I was familiar with this DIY blog and had already successfully made these puppies a few months back. I had also already seen this bracelet and had wanted to try it.

So, what better time than now to give it a whirl? We had stumbled upon an amazing trim shop on the weekend during a flea adventure where we picked up basic beads and made a few simple bracelets to whet our crafting appetites. We knew they sold the chain so we planned another trip there and set our crafting date for Wednesday morning. Well, Wednesday morning came and I made two bracelets and Sesame made a necklace. We spent our "group meeting" making jewelry instead of working on our project due next week. Then, when it was about time for me to leave for class, the most wonderful of things happened. I received an email saying that class had been cancelled. We both looked at one another and at the same time said, "wanna go get more materials?". Yes, yes we do. So, off we went for the third time in five days to the trim shop we were starting to know and had loved since the first chance encounter. We made more bracelets and more necklaces and called it a night nine (!) hours after we had first begun. What fun we had crafting the entire day away. And we have so many more ideas to come!

leather detail tee {Zara} - necklace & jacket {Forever 21} - black skinnies {Old Navy} - tan riding-inspired boots {The Bay} -

neon & chain bracelet {DIY} - watch & teal leather bracelet {flea market, NYC} - scarf {market, Spain}

There was tea and hot chocolate, lemon poundcake and red velvet cupcakes too. Dinner from the Indian take-out place, Clay Oven, just down the street. Lots of chatter. Too many new ideas. And promises of more crafts to come.

I can't wait to show you what we make next!

j.

InstaLife Lately

I know this type of post is really popular among the blogs right now and I hate myself just a little bit for doing this. BUT, I have a serious Instagram addiction. I mean, SERIOUS. So my iPhone is loaded with photos. I'm talking jam packed of square-shaped photos filtered by "toaster" or "valencia". I even discovered another app that allows me to make photo collages and upload them straight to Instagram. The photo insanity is at an all time high. And I'm kinda loving every second of it...

Ready for it? I'll give you the reader's digest of it, starting at the top, from left to right:

• A guilty face. Yet another chai before class.
• Fro Yo, YO! (No guilt there.)
• Field trips aren't just for eight year olds. Materials Connexion for Textiles. Basically a museum of all things material. Pretty cool, actually!
• More takeout than I care to admit. And a reminder to be dependable. Because people rely on it.
• Interview nautical.
• Pretty fountains AND flowers. Win. Win.
• Taking two new flea finds on a sunny Sunday walk.
• Started making bracelets with Sesame. Just wait until you see what we're making tomorrow!
• Mixing patterns and waiting for the train.
• Shadows = Sun = Happiness.
• Cherry blossoms. See equation above.
• Apartment hunting with Kiki. And very large teas. It was way too early for a Saturday.
• Being a fleaster. And making up new words...
• Quiet study sessions on sunny days in my favorite cafe.
• A beautiful sunset over the city. And a beyond amazing,definitely enviable view from a friend's apartment.
• Fashionable friends inbetween classes.

Life, you are kinda alright at the moment.

j.

Mad Hatter

Good evening lovelies. I'm writing this post at 1:00am because I have a very busy week ahead of me and I have the time at this moment. A quick preview into my next couple days to keep you all coming back. On Wednesday, I am going to the IFB Conference. This is a fashion blogging conference that's being held at Milk Studios in NYC. I am so excited to meet other bloggers, learn  a lot and, I'll be honest here, I'm also pretty freaking excited for the swag bags! I'm already plotting my outfit because I will be in a room full of uber-stylish fashionistas so the pressure is on. As if that's not enough, on Friday I'm volunteering for the Jen Kao runway show during NY Fashion Week. No. Big. Deal. Definitely more to come on those two events! In the meantime, as if fleaing (here I go, making up words again) wasn't enough for one weekend, my friend Sesame and I went thrifting on Sunday in hunt for a 40's dress for her to wear to a themed wedding. Obviously there was some photo-taking and stops for food along the way.

Finger-less gloves are my new best friend. Each of us was rocking a pair so obviously a photo had to be taken. Yes, those are zippers are on ear lobes. A flea purchase from the day before.

Shopping takes stamina so sustenance was sought. Twelve blocks away. But so totally worth it at Ess-A-Bagel. We got a sweet and a savory one and went halfers. Cinnamon raison bagel with apple cinnamon cream cheese. And an everything bagel with lox cream cheese. Pretty sure I died and went to heaven right there in the shop. A quick stop for a london fog (earl grey tea latte) and giant cookie was also in order.

The first stop was the "thriftique", AuH2O, where no 40's dresses were found. The 80's did call while we were there and Madonna wants her jacket back. As amazing as this jacket was, it did not come home with me. Don't worry, two other items did.

Our next stop was Village Style (where I bought this coat). They have the best selection of vintage hats. Sesame modelled a few for me and ended up finding a gorgeous baby blue and lavender beaded floral headpiece that we decided is definitely reminiscent of the 40's. Now, to find a dress to match the headpiece.

striped scarf {gift} - green wool coat {Aritzia} - green finger-less gloves {Angelrox} - white leather purse {Coach} -

beige top {Winners} - gold bird cage necklace {Brooklyn Flea} - bright blue skinnies {The Gap} - tan riding-inspired boots {The Bay}

It really was a great weekend. I can't wait for all of the exciting events I have coming up this week, so check back soon as I'll be sure to fill you all in.

Now, it's really past my bedtime. It is a school night after all.

j.

Brooklyn Flea

I had the best Saturday. Once again I travelled over the bridge to the glorious streets of Brooklyn. This time the destination was Ft. Greene. And the task at hand was the Brooklyn Flea. I went with one of my roomies and a friend who also lives in our building. Before we get started here, I would like to take a moment to introduce you all to my new friend. She is the photographer extraordinaire for all of the below photos (except the small ones...yes, those are my instagrams - slightly obsessessed). Now, I asked her what she wanted her blog alter-ego to be and we have tentatively decided upon what I think is the best alter-ego yet, but she's still pondering (so stay tuned!). Since I like to give my friends some anonymity but still have their nicknames be somewhat relevant, I think hers is just perfect because it basically rhymes with her name. So, without further ado, please enjoy the photography of Sesame Shoe (who will be referred to as Sesame from here on out)!

The flea market is held in an old bank building. Spread out over three floors. The main floor, pictured above, was the most expensive and where we started so once we hit the basement the goodies just started falling into my hands. Below are a couple goodies that came home with me.

Of course, all that fleaing (making up words now) makes a girl hungry. So we consulted Yelp (saves my life on the daily) and found a sub place nearby with four and a half stars. City Subs, I do think you make the best subs on the planet. Obviously after a monster sandwich we still weren't satisfied, so over to Blue Sky Bakery for a chai tea latte and chocolate chip oatmeal cookie. That did it!

Next, who doesn't love posing in photos after stuffing their belly?

striped scarf {gift} - black & white striped tank {Karen by Karen Kane via Palm Desert Outlets} - scissors necklace {thrifted from AuH2O} -

beige striped cardigan & fuschia belt {Loft} - dark denim skinnies {Flying Monkey via Century 21} - tan riding-inspired boots {The Bay}

It was so great to have a real person snapping my goofy mug instead of the trusty ol' tripod. We did encounter a rather curious bystander who probably thought I was famous crazy. She asked what we were taking photos of. I said my outfit. She accepted that, was quiet for a moment and then said, "but what are you going to do with the photos?". Explaining a fashion blog to middle-aged women never gets old. She wasn't mean, just genuinely curious...unlike the boat lady.

So, this fleaster (Real word. Saw it on their website. Self-defined as: person who excels at flea market shopping; flea market shopping extraordinaire) has a penchant for new baubles, so I may have walked away with two new necklaces, two rings, a pair of earrings and a vintage key. Oh yeah....and a pretty awesome blue and white striped blazer, a leather purse that matches my hair, a wallet that matches the purse and don't even get me started on $1.00 books. Best. Day. Ever.

I may have a slight problem....

j.