New York Happenings

This is what I was wearing when I had my second celebrity sighting since moving to NYC. I actually put this outfit together for that really big project I was talking about the other night, but truth betold, I would definitely wear this look in real life. I just felt the need to mention that in order to prepare you all for the really impressive sweater modeling you see below...

navy & white striped sweater {Banana Republic} - denim button-up {Forever 21} - aviator sunnies {Windsor} - hoop earrings {etsy} -

navy skirt {Loft} - white watch {Palm Desert street market} - gold & tan tote {Indigo} - white loafers {Isaac Mizrahi via Target}

So, after my extensive sweater modeling skills had been exhausted, I took myself to one of my favorite cafes in the neighbourhood for some lunch and to work on that huge project. Turns out the street the cafe is on was being used to film an upcoming movie, called Americana. Starring Ashley Greene. None other than the vampire, Alice Cullen, in the Twilight series.  I saw real live actors, all the film equipment and cameras and heard the director yelling "action" and "we're rolling". They kept filming the same scene right outside the cafe, one that involved high pitched screaming. After a few hours, the director yelled "and that's a wrap" (they really do say that stuff!) and all the excitement was over. Not going to lie, I'm not sure I would've recognized Ashley Greene on my own (what with, long brown hair, a healthy complexion and blood running through her veins...). But after the girls in the cafe filled me in, I still went all paparazzi on her and creepily took a few photos from the doorway.

Now, for those of you who were paying attention up there, I said this was my second celebrity sighting. The first was definitely even more exciting. Despite lasting all of ten seconds. But I was big time star struck. I was walking to class on Seventh Avenue and who do I see riding his bike in a charming baby blue sweater, slacks and some sneakers? I'll give you a hint. He has a camera around his neck and is approaching ninety. Give up? OK, I'll tell you. It was THE Bill Cunningham. Street fashion photographer extraordinaire for the NY Times. For those of you who don't know who this is, go watch the documentary "Bill Cunningham New York" and fall in love. You'll thank me later.

Oh, New York. You're pretty cool.

j.

Poshy Poshy Poo Poo

I braved the camera swiping thieves and crazy oglers to bring you these photos today. As soon as I donned my brand new thrifted wool coat (more on this thrift adventure later), I just had to grab my tripod and schlep around the Financial District to find a suitable location for a solo shoot. The fact that this square was swarming with security guards and less than a block away from the NYPD made me feel confident that I would at least be safe from a steal and run. After it was all said and done, I realized much to my ego's dismay that New Yorkers could not give two hoots about the crazy girl posing in front of her tripod.

striped wool coat {thrifted @ Village Style} - blue scarf {Palm Desert street market} - scissors necklace {thrifted @ AuH2O} -

black & grey striped dress {Joe Fresh} - black belt {Winners} - grey finger-less gloves {Wooden Ships via ABC} - teal tights {Hue} -

black knee-high socks {Jacob} - tan riding-inspired boots {The Bay} 

So, you may be wondering about the really random and slighly inappropriate sounding title to this post. No? Well, humour me will you? I had my first class at Parsons today. Fashion Textile Studies. Basically we are going learn about fabric and the raw materials that make up fabric. My professor could not be more entertaining. She is a true Georgian peach who, although has lived in the City for over 10 years, has still maintained her Southern drawl. Ya'll understand me? (This, by the way, is a direct quote from her, usually ending most of her sentences). In her introduction to the class, she made it clear that she comes from the B&T side of fashion (that's business and technology) and NOT the poshy poshy poo poo side of things. Awesome. We went over the syllabus, the first assignment, her expectations of us and the outcomes of the class. Pretty basic. She did dive in to chapter one a wee bit, covering the most basic textiles that most of us know and love. Again, I quote, we talked about sisters Poly and Ester and how they are kin to cotton. She enlightened us about other natural fibers, such as, wool, silk, rabbit and alligator. At this point she stopped, laughed and said, "If it walks and we can shoot it, it's a textile". While hearing these words come out of anyone else's mouth would have been slightly traumatic, her spunky Southern delivery somehow made them sound charmingly comical.

In keeping with today's lesson, I learned that wool and rain do not get along particularly well. Especially thrifted wool. The result is a scent somewhere between wet dog and your great Aunt Edie's neglected basement. Not pleasant. But so totally worth it.

j.