Tag Archives: fashion

Designer Spotlight: Kate Spade (1962-2018)

When I was in my 20s, fresh out of college, my college roommate showed up on my doorstep touting her brand new handbag.  My mouth dropped.  She was carrying a Kate Spade bag.

She said it was a graduation present from her mom and grandmother.

To someone fresh out of college, barely able to afford rent, seeing a designer bag on the shoulder of a friend causes major bag envy.  I could not afford a bag between $100-$400.  And guess what?  It would take another ten years before I could get my very first Kate Spade bag.

In my 20s, Kate was a dream.  In my 30s, I didn’t get just one bag, I got five, because I could finally afford her.  Don’t get me started on the stationary line!  In my early 40s, I added clothes, shoes and jewelry.  To have a wardrobe meant Kate Spade had a prominent right to a space in that closet.

But as time moves on, business plans change.  Coach (a brand I refuse to buy) bought out the Kate Spade brand last year, tried to put an end to the online flash sales (the sales that allowed so many women the opportunity to buy a Kate Spade bag), and started pulling the bags from shelves at department stores.  As a result of this takeover and how they treated the Kate Spade brand, Coach shares dropped 14% just one month after buying the brand out for $2.4 billion.

Just add that to one of those reasons why I refuse to buy Coach.  With their acquisition, it meant my Kate Spade shopping days would come to an end.

[Since someone will ask what is wrong with Coach.  I do not like to carry what everyone else is carrying.  Everybody has a Coach bag.  Even with Kate Spade, the majority of people usually choose to carry Coach over Kate Spade.  So I’ll go with Kate Spade over Coach.  It’s like Louis Vuitton in NYC.  Everyone has a Louis (even I do).  But I would rather carry my Fendi over my Louis any day, because everyone carries a Louis in NYC.  Kind of goes along with the argument: If your friend jumps off a bridge…  If everyone else is carrying it, am I going to be like everyone else or stand out on my own?]

Learning of Kate Spade’s death really made me sad.  She was a brilliant designer.  She really helped bring out the girly girl in me.  I wanted to hug all of my Kate Spade at home and love them just a little bit more as my way of remembering her and the little bit of happiness she brought to me every single day.  She was a dream to me for so many years.

I remember when I was in my 20s, standing in Saks Fifth Avenue staring at the Kate Spade bags on the shelves.  I could not afford anything in that store.  But during my lunch hours, I would walk around Saks and Neiman Marcus making a mental wish list of what my life would be like if I made more money.  I would own a Kate Spade bag and a Fendi baguette.

I would ask the ladies behind the counters to let me see one of the bags up on the wall behind them.  Sometimes all I wanted to do was just hold one, study it, before giving it back and saying to myself, “Someday.”

That bag my friend brought over…I found a similar bag with a dragonfly where the logo would go for $9 and carried that bag for years.  It was like Kate Spade, but it wasn’t.  The dragonfly represented the Kate Spade June Lane dishes I’ve been lusting over for the last 15 years.  During those starvation years when I worked for the Attorney General, I liked to pretend it was my starter bag…the bag like Kate Spade’s bag that would one day lead me to a real authentic Kate Spade handbag.

It wasn’t until I moved to NYC that I could make all of those dreams come true of owning all of the fashion I dreamed of owning someday.  That’s the crazy thing about New York.  For the right dreamers, it is a place where you can make every single one of your dreams come true.  Kate Spade was one of those dreamers.  She made her dream come true here.

In 1998, Forbes released an article on Kate Spade’s beginnings.  On the eve of her first trade show, she got this idea to put the label on the outside of the bag.  So she spent all night sewing them on.  The next day, Barneys ordered 18 bags, but told her to sew the labels back on the inside.

Incidentally, a Vogue editor saw the bags at the trade show too and decided to feature the bag in their magazine WITH the label on the outside.  This is what making something go viral looked like back in the old days…before the internet and social media took over.  So guess what Barneys had to do?  They had to call her back and ask for more bags with the label on the OUTSIDE of the bag.

Her instincts paid off.

What Kate’s story tells us is that despite what the world tells you, listen to your instincts and follow your dreams.  Stay true to yourself.  Believe in your dream.  That’s what she did.  She took chances on her impulses and she created a whimsical and beautiful empire.

I will never understand the reasoning of selling her namesake, but for most of us, we were buying a piece of Kate Spade’s dream.  Her dream brought so much happiness to so many of us.  We were proud to wear her name.  Every single thing that women are afraid to say they love, but they do (like glitter), she let us know that we are never too old to let our inner child shine.  She gave us glitter, shine, pastels, sophistication, fun…but also that 1950s housewife vibe…even if we never become housewives.

Ms. Spade, thank you for the last 25+ years of your namesake.  You brought so much happiness to so many women.  That, right there, should have earned your wings.  Your beauty and creativity will be greatly missed.  If God decides you should continue to create up there in heaven, just make sure you stay true to who you are.

My prayers are with her family and friends as they grieve the loss of this beautiful visionary.

Perfectionist Wannabe Shop – Spotlight on Kate Spade

Seeing Red: An Ode to a Passion

On a hot, muggy summer day in Bangkok, I crossed a bridge over a highway, following my mother and aunt to catch a bus.  Locals sold their wares along the sidewalk.  From lychee fruit to shoes, they lined up along the busy highway, selling their goods to passersby.

At this moment, my aunt believed it was time for me, at nine years old, to own my first handbag.  We walked up to a vendor who displayed purses both big and small in an ocean of colors on a large blanket.  There was only one that caught my eye.  A little thing it was, but the only one I could see in a sea of handbags.

I pointed to it, “That one.”

My aunt asked for the price.  “50 baht,” the man replied.

She did not have 50 baht on her at the time.  She tried to haggle the price down, but the man saw my face and knew there was no way I was walking away without that purse.  He stood firm, “50 baht.”

My aunt turned to me and pointed to the other bags.  There must be another bag I was interested in.  I pointed to the bag again.  “I want that one.”

My mother intervened and tried to convince me that any purse was better than that one.  I responded, “It is that one or none of them.”

She tried again, but I would not hear it.  I walked off and had the only tantrum to this day I still remember. My mother tried to go after me, but I kept walking.  I left them both behind.

Ten minutes later, my mother and aunt walk towards me with a black bag in hand.  Inside is that little red purse.  The man finally agreed to lower his price after others started chastising him for refusing to haggle.

Asking For What You Want

I should have felt guilty for what I put them through, but there was something about that cherry red purse.  This was my way of finally getting what I wanted.  Up until that moment, every time I tried to voice what I wanted, I was shot down.  So I tried to take others into consideration.  I would tell them what I wanted by guessing what they desired for me.  Instead of choosing what I really wanted, I always picked something I did not want, because I felt bad asking for anything.  Actually, I felt bad for wanting something different than what they were willing to give to me.

This was the first time I ever vocalized what I truly wanted and stood my ground.  To be told no and to pick something else, I did not want to hear it.  I had enough of it.  I felt in that moment I was asked to be truthful, and then told I could not have it.  That is a horrible thing to do to a child, especially if you know they never get what they want.  I always chose something less, instead of the only thing on the shelf I was eyeing with a fierce passion.

When I was very young, my father bought me a cheeseburger Happy Meal every Sunday after church.  I hated cheeseburgers, but I sat there every Sunday pretending I was happy to the point I was sick to my stomach.  When I was old enough to see chicken nuggets were the same price as cheeseburgers, I asked my father if I could get that instead.  He responded, “But you love cheeseburgers.”

I sat down at the table and tried not to cry.  I vocalized what I wanted and was told I loved something else, when it was far from the truth.  I really hated cheeseburgers.  Just like cheeseburgers, I was being told along that Bangkok highway what I wanted when it was far from the truth.

The Little Red Purse Grows Up

As I grew older, I cherished that little red purse, but it started to become smaller and smaller.  New bags caught my eye as my needs and desires changed.  In my twenties, I fell in love with couture and Valentino.  Seeing Valentino’s work was like being a voyeur in an orgasmic release of a man making love to the beauty of a woman and the end result was the most elaborate gowns you will ever feast your eyes upon.  That was art.

His signature color is red, just like my first handbag.  So it was only fitting that this year, as I contemplated which couture bag to add to my collection, I would stumble upon an adult version of my little red handbag.  There she was…a Valentino couture red patent leather handbag equipped with little roses, just like my first handbag.  This was the ultimate upgrade to my first, the one that started it all.

While there are women who race to purchase the rockstud collection from Valentino, I added a piece that means more to me than just a passing fad in our fast fashion world.  When I saw it, I did not look at the price tag.  I just added it to my cart.  This bag was the little red purse I outgrew so many years ago.  It had all of a sudden grown up.  A piece of my childhood resurfaced in the form of Valentino, the designer who opened my eyes to the beauty of fashion embedded in each thread and embellishment.

Over the years of collecting vintage and couture handbags, I learned the importance of choosing the right bag for my collection.  In the beginning, I bought what I could afford from each designer, instead of waiting to buy the bag I truly loved.  I found that I should always buy the one that speaks to me, the ones I fall in love with the first time I lay eyes upon it.

It is just like that little red purse from Bangkok.  It was the only one I wanted and no other handbag would do.  It was that bag or nothing.  Why?  Because just like falling in love, when you see the one you love, in that moment you’ve fallen, there is no one else in that great sea.  All you can see is that one and no one else will do.

[This post contains affiliate links. I receive commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post.]

50 Back to Fall Items Under $50

It’s that time of year when women across America start thinking about their back to school fall wardrobe.  What is wonderful about transitioning from summer to autumn is that we can still wear some of those summer favorites into the fall months.  All we have to do is add a layer or two, a fall color and we’re good to go.

Consider adding an autumnal color to a bright yellow jumpsuit.  Add a sweater or sweatshirt to a light flowing skirt.  Throw on a moto jacket over a maxi dress or throw a pair of cropped or leather pants underneath.

Here are my picks for items under $50 from the site boohoo.com.  They have such cute stuff.  I was completely surprised by how cheap everything was.  My friend has a rule: Everything she buys must be $25 or under.  This site passed her test in so many ways.

Make sure to check out their shoes while you are there (especially the sneakers).  You can find cheaper versions of Miu Miu and Gucci classic sneakers for next to nothing!

I receive commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post.

On My Radar: Fashion Picks For Now & To Invest In

There are so many beautiful and fun items out now that caught my eye.  From the Gucci boots (my God, they are gorgeous) to the Fenty Puma x Rihanna sneakers to the Asos Unicorn Flats, there are so many awesome shoes out there ready to grace our manicured feet.

I am in love with the Needle & Thread maxi dress, as well as the Free People ballet wrap pants.  What to have fun in now and what to invest in?  Have fun with the sneakers, invest in the Sam Edelman bow flats.  Invest in the Maeve dress, but have fun in the off the shoulder dresses.  Buy the Talbots plaid purse for now, and invest in the Givenchy Antigone for the bag you’ll carry for the rest of your life.


As a rule of thumb, never spend a lot of money on items that will last only a few seasons.  Invest in items that will last a lifetime, both in quality and in style.  The green floral Alice + Olivia dress will be in style 40 years from now.  The style has already been popular since the 1960’s and it is still going strong.

Stick to A-line skirts and dresses for staying power.  It flatters every woman.  The style is forgiving if you gain a little weight below the waist.

Also, consider adding a few artistic pieces into your wardrobe.  Art never goes out of style.  The Gucci boots will still look fabulous 20 years from now.  Also, the Loft jacket will still look amazing decades later over an evening dress, your Sunday’s best, or at the office.

Most importantly, you have to learn what YOUR STYLE is.  If you do not know what your style is, consider going through your closet in the KonMari fashion.  Look at each piece of clothing to determine what fits and which items bring you joy. Keep only the clothing that fits and brings you joy.

After you complete this task, take a look at what remains.  In those items that remain, you will discover your own personal style.   The key to finding that style all lies in the joy you find in the pieces that remain.  In a way, you will discover who you are in the fashion sense.

From there, you will get a sense of how to build your wardrobe, focusing only on items that compliment your style.  There will always be a lot of trial and errors, but discovering your style will only help you become wiser when you continue to invest in new items for your wardrobe.

[Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.]

50 Items from J.Crew Every NYC It Girl Has In Her Closet

Every NYC It Girl goes to J.Crew for the basics.  Striped shirts, stadium coats, button up shirts, t-shirts, skirts and blazers are all in their arsenal.

J.Crew is my go-to for every single preppy basic a woman needs in her closet.  Their basics are not always so basic.  They put a fresh spin on it.  Sometimes a striped t-shirt will have extremely long buttoned cuffs.  Each year, they release their classic stadium coat in a new eye alluring color.

The items from J.Crew withstand the test of time.  Each season, I buy the exact same thing in a new color.  I have the same striped shirt in several colors and lengths.  I own several stadium coats in various colors.  T-shirts come in every shade of the pretty rainbow that J.Crew plucks out of the sky.

The most incredible thing about buying J.Crew basics is that every season they showcase those basic items and show you how to style it for the new season.  Whoever thought to wear a button up under a t-shirt?  J.Crew thought of it.  Why not tuck part of your shirt in and leave the rest out?  J.Crew thought of that, too.

They bank on their It Girls already owning the exact same basic products they advertise.  That is why their catalogs showcase each of those items, but present you with a new way to wear those basics each season.

That mint top you purchased last year will go perfectly with their new tulle skirt this season.  Those pink pants you bought last season will match the new vibrant pink shoes this season.  That striped basic top, you should try pairing with a floral pencil skirt.  The  bright yellow top you bought and have no idea how to wear it, don’t worry, it will go with this season’s pink skirt or with the emerald green jacquard pants this winter.

J.Crew provides inexpensive basic pieces you can play up or down each season.  They bank on their customers owning the basics from their collection.  Their catalog each season shows you exactly how to wear the current fashion trends with the basics you already own.  That is the beauty of J.Crew.  In a way, it is very French chic.

What to Buy

Here are pieces every NYC it girl has in her closet.  For those new to J.Crew, you should focus on purchasing a black blazer, striped t-shirt, a colorful assortment of t-shirts in various grades (the weight of the tee is different according to season), a stadium coat, trench coat, a white button down shirt, and a cashmere sweater.

You can go neutral if you want, but try buying items in various colors.  Each season, those colors are reintroduced in a new way, paired with an item you may already own, or you can invest in.

J.Crew is a classic way of learning how to build up your wardrobe with qualitative pieces that have staying power.

How to Stop Traffic Wearing Reds: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone


I am stepping out of my comfort zone a lot lately, daring to wear red.  In the past few months, I donned a red dress here and there and received many compliments.

These dresses are not necessarily dresses that show off my assets.  They are just showstoppers because of the color.  It literally stops people in their tracks, just like a stop light does.  People take notice when they see red.

I wore this Kate Spade ensemble to the office this week.  A lot of the ladies stopped to remark at how cool it looked.  It was light and airy.  The matching bag though is my favorite.

Before you think you cannot afford to spend $726 on an outfit like this, get it for $139 like I did through Rent the Runway Unlimited.  You choose any three items out at any time for $139/month.  It is perfect for those who love expensive clothing, have a constant rotating closet, or just want to be a minimalist.  Or you can just buy it because you have to own it.

Personally, I own way too much clothing as is, but every now and again, I like the thought of having something new to wear.  I usually wear an item once every season (because I have that many clothes).  It’s nice that RTRU is around so I can minimize my closet and still have something fun to wear to work and out for the evening without adding to my closet.

Don’t be scared to wear red.  Sometimes just trying it out will amaze you.  If you’re afraid to make that bold of a statement, start small with a red accessory.  Even a red jacket is a step in the right direction.  Red has a misnomer of being a sexy color.  It can also be a color of energy, strength, power, passion, love and desire.  It can be all of those things or one of those things…it just depends on how you wear it.

Here are all of my favorite red fashion items.  What is your favorite?

This is 40: Realizing Your Dreams, Making Positive Changes to Your Life

Michelle Kenneth
When I captioned this photo on Instagram, I coined this as “This is 40” lamenting over how I was trying to find the right photo. This was my first time sitting in front of the camera, just a month after turning 40. The most important part of this photo isn’t the person sitting in it. The caption included “That Reed Krakoff bag is everything.” When my friend read the caption, she bursted out laughing proclaiming, “That is so you!”

Last month, I turned 40.  Like most major milestones in life, it gives you an opportunity to reflect on life thus far. What are the things you still want out of life?  What dreams are yet to be realized?  What parts of your life make you happy?  Where do you want your focus on life to be?  What things about yourself can you do better?  What things about yourself do you want to change?

These are the questions I ask myself.  The result is that I am going to mix life up a bit.  I want to become someone different in my 40s.  I want to achieve every dream and every goal I’ve ever set for myself.  I want to become the person I’ve always wanted to be.




The Novelist

For years, I struggled with switching gears from being just a hockey columnist and a blogger to becoming a novelist.  That’s what I always wanted to be…a novelist.  I did not want to be known as a hockey writer or a blogger, but those are the roles I took on as I began my journey to becoming a novelist.  I put in the time to make myself legit before approaching publishers.

When I first started blogging and writing for Inside Hockey, I did not want to be some nobody that publishers had never even heard of.  I wanted to be someone they could easily Google and find many years worth of my writing.  I got their attention last year when I introduced myself around.  By year end, two publishers requested submissions.  I didn’t have anything to give them but a few chapters here and there, so I didn’t submit anything.

But there’s more to it than just having a few chapters on hand…




Before I could make the leap to becoming a novelist, I had to first conquer my own self-doubt and fears.  It is scary to make a leap like this…to realize a dream.  It’s new territory.   I was reading just yesterday how Ty Alexander (Gorgeous in Grey) finished her first book, and she was Scared AF!

All of her fears were the same fears I had: that fear that when you put yourself out there, the world thinks you’re just not good enough.  Could I put my heart and soul into this and then have the world rip it apart saying it was a piece of crap?  That is the fear I’m talking about, the true fear of being a complete failure and the entire world thinks that is what you are.

Reading Ty’s honest post about that fear made me realize it came at a good time.  I began writing my novel a few weeks ago and then stopped.  Elements like lack of sleep and an illness became reasons I put off going back to the book.  I won’t even tell you how much money I spent to avoid doing what I really want to do which is MAKE THE DREAM COME TRUE.

Do not think just because I do not spend every morning writing that I’m not working on the book.  I am still building the characters, researching different elements to add to the story to make each character better.  I am always thinking about the story, adding new elements each day to make the story more complete.  There is a lot that goes into a well thought out book beyond just sitting down and telling a story.  That is the first draft.  The next draft is where you fill in the gaps.




Storytelling Dreams

This book (as well as all of the future ones) are based on very prolific dreams from over the years which include a much deeper meaning.  They are stories that are embedded in my soul that have caused me anguish, strife, love, forgiveness, sorrow, insanity, hope and understanding.

Matthew Lucifer (aka fur monster).
Matthew Lucifer (aka fur monster).

The scariest thing about writing is that when I write, my mind is living in that story at that very moment.  There are tears shed, heartbreaks, angry moments, even a loss of understanding…all of those things are happening at once.  If it was not for Matthew Lucifer getting in my face every hour to take a 5-minute break, I would have a hard time divorcing myself from reality and the story.

My goal is to stop writing at 6PM. This is a mandatory thing.  It is my way of stepping away from the story to focus on reality, play with the little dude and take my mind off of the story.  The mind always needs a mental break when you become so entranced in the story you are writing.




Changing Who I Am on the Inside

I don’t know what it was about turning 40 that made me look at life differently, but turning 40 made me think of all the things I wanted out of life as far as the woman I wanted to be.

I changed my diet completely.  I decided to go Whole 30/paleo.  It is so restrictive with eating only meat, vegetables, fruits and nuts (no peanuts…that got me a few times).  Instead of drinking 3-4 cups of coffee a day, I’m down to one cup of black coffee before noon.  No more soy milk for my coffee.  [When I started writing this post, I was two weeks into Whole 30.  I got sick on Saturday, so I had to get off the diet because my medication has sugar in it.  I still try to focus on eating well, but because of the sugar, I’m off the diet until the illness is gone and I can take the sugar back out of my diet again.  Cough drops and NyQuil have sugar in it!]

Because of that coffee rule, I’m drinking a whole lot more water than I ever had before (which is also good).  I am sleeping through the night (with the exception of the fur monster waking me up at 3AM for breakfast).




Changing Who I Am On the Outside

In the evenings, I established a new nightly beauty routine doing what most women do:  1. Wash my face, 2. Brush/floss my teeth. 3. Put on night creams.

If you are a woman reading this, you probably already do that.  I never did.  This stuff was not drilled into my brain during my youth, because my mom, being a foreigner, did not know about these daily rituals until she became older and assimilated into the Western culture.

I changed my wardrobe and became more daring.  My friends loved all the new looks.  One told me that 99.9999% of the time, everything I wear is spot on (and she does not say that about anybody). I definitely upped my game.

I think the biggest surprise for everyone is that I’m wearing more than just powder, eye shadow and gloss now.  I’m actually wearing eyeliner, mascara and lipstick.  Talk about shocking everybody.




I bought all new makeup and beauty care products (I had a massive purge earlier this year when I KonMari’d the entire makeup collection and left basically nothing).  I got an education on makeup beyond the everyday basics.

My friends are pleasantly surprised at how I upped my makeup game.  Next up is getting my nails done (instead of cutting them down), going for waxings more often, hair coloring/styling…the WHOLE 40 MAKEOVER.

One of my friends was so impressed with everything so far, she told me this would be a perfect thing to share on the blog.  I should give everyone a little peek inside my inner world and what I’m doing during the “This Is 40.”

Which brings me to the new photographs…




Getting Back In Front of the Camera

Michelle Kenneth
Me with Matthew Lucifer. Wearing Reed Krakoff.

Turning 40 created a lot of positive changes in my life.  40 is beautiful.  I kicked this new decade off by finally sitting in front of the camera for the first time in 5 years to photograph what I look like now at 40.

What happened after that?  Well, the compliments came flooding in.  I got more followers.  A retailer whose clothes/accessories I was wearing asked for permission to post the photos on their website…all of the photos.

I showed the photos to my friend and she just looked at me in disbelief.  She asked me, “What took you so long to photograph yourself?”  She just could not believe it took me this long to get in front of the camera again.



Many photographers have a very difficult time getting back in front of the camera after spending so many years behind it.  You are accustomed to being behind the lens, showing the world the beauty you see.  It is very weird for us to want to get back in front of the camera after spending so many years behind it.

My friend told me I should approach getting in front of the camera in a different light.  This is about letting people get a sneak peek into my world.  It is not about showing you everything going on at every second of my life, it’s about letting you get a glimpse inside my world…the world that my friends see.




What is Changing?

What I do not share are the ball gowns, the couture handbags, the clothes and the jewelry.  That is what is going to change.  There is that side of me, but there is also the creative side with crafts, the books I am reading, the fun ‘paper products’ I buy (I love beautiful paper products), and the new outfits I come up with mixing up hi-lo ends.

Just yesterday, we were discussing a look I was going to try next: socks with sandals.  As I was perusing Net-a-Porter, I came across a pair of Miu Mius I loved.  It wasn’t just the Miu Mius.  Net-a-Porter paired the Miu Mius with two outfits I loved.  The whole look alone (each one) was about $10,000.  In that moment, I was like…I bet I can find something very similar at ASOS.

I completed a similar look, plus purchased two pairs of socks and two pairs of the identical Miu Miu shoes for a total of $280.  My friend got a good laugh out of that.  She was absolutely impressed.


To define the way I dress, it’s not always designer labels from head to toe. I can go into any store and make something work with the collection I already have.  I have the couture items that make up the hi-end, but I also have the everyday items that make up the lo-end.

My friend was so impressed with the look I created, she told me that’s what I should do next on the site.  I should show people how I mix and match hi-lo end pieces or how I take a look that I really like and get the entire look for a much better price.  Oftentimes, I can even find the same designer and the same item for a much cheaper price.


In Conclusion

This is the side of me my friends see and believe I should share with the site.  From the new handbag every week to the new looks I’ve put together, this is the glimpse they want me to share, especially the fun crafty stuff that they got me addicted to.

They also want me to start talking about life at 40 and the changes I made, including sharing my beauty and clothing finds, because that’s what girls like to read.  I will be in front of the camera more often, not behind it all of the time.  I will share the things I’m doing and working on more often, because simply put…it is kind of cool.

My summer is coming to an end and with that, the social calendar picks up.  It is nice to take the summer off and just focus on me, thinking over what I want out of life and the positive changes I want to make for myself.

You will see a lot of changes coming up on the site and on social media as I share my 40s with all of you.  To put it simply, I am being more daring.

xxoo,

Michelle




Weekend Reading: Feel Good Stories and More

How is everyone’s summer so far?  We’ve been graced with this absolutely perfect 70+ degrees weather in NYC.  With Father’s Day this weekend, I’m sure there will be a lot of feasting, barbecuing and I Love You’s all across America.

Here is my weekly wrap up of some of my favorite things that caught my eye this week.  Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there.  Kids, make sure to spoil your daddy!

Feel Good Stories to Read This Weekend

I always love reading the good stories out there.  It really makes our hearts smile.

    1. Boy With Brain Tumor Gets His Very Own Dragon.  I am so jealous of Brody.
    2. NFL Player Adopts a Pitbull.  You have to see the look on the dog’s face on his way home from the shelter.  It is priceless.
    3. What happened when an Orthodox Jewish Congregation went to a gay bar to mourn Orlando.  This was an amazing read.  This story needs to be shared a gazillion times.




Stories Worth Sharing this Weekend

1. Some Amusing Little Things in the US  You have to read this just for the laughs.  It’s funny to read stories of newcomers to the US and how things are so different here for them.  I always find it funny discovering differences when I travel to new countries.  I remember learning “Take Away” meant “To Go” in Ireland and London.  I remember standing there going, “HUH?” when she asked me about take away.  Then I saw there was a sign up that displayed two different prices for dining in and taking away.  Then it made sense.  Take away meant TO GO!

When you ask for hot sauce in some countries, they give you some weird version of sweet salsa (it’s disgusting) [Prague, Czech Republic].  When you’re in Africa, wee-fee means wifi.  In Ireland, there are XXXX number of ways to use one curse word.  Believe me when I say within the first 5 minutes of arriving in Dublin, I learned about 20 different ways to use one curse word.  I’m sure the woman had more meanings to it, too.  I was just like…welcome to Ireland.

2.  Bucky Fucking Dent.  Need something for your book loving Dad this Father’s Day?  Does he like baseball?  This book came on my radar this week when I attended an event with the author, David Duchovny (you know, Agent Fox Mulder and Hank Moody).  Who knew that this actor has a serious background in literature?  That’s what he went to Princeton and Yale for.

Here’s the Amazon synopsis:

Ted Fullilove, aka Mr. Peanut, is not like other Ivy League grads. He shares an apartment with Goldberg, his beloved battery-operated fish, sleeps on a bed littered with yellow legal pads penned with what he hopes will be the next great American Novel, and spends the waning days of the Carter administration at Yankee Stadium, waxing poetic while slinging peanuts to pay the rent.

When Ted hears the news that his estranged father, Marty, is dying of lung cancer, he immediately moves back into his childhood home, where a whirlwind of revelations ensues. The browbeating absentee father of Ted’s youth tries to make up for lost time, but his health dips drastically whenever his beloved Red Sox lose. And so, with help from Mariana―the Nuyorican grief counselor with whom Ted promptly falls in love―and a crew of neighborhood old-timers, Ted orchestrates the illusion of a Boston winning streak, enabling Marty and the Red Sox to reverse the Curse of the Bambino and cruise their way to World Series victory. Well, sort of.

David Duchovny’s richly drawn Bucky F*cking Dent explores the bonds between fathers and sons and the age-old rivalry between Yankee fans and the Fenway faithful, and grapples with our urgent need to persevere―and risk everything―in the name of love. Culminating in that fateful moment in October of ’78 when the mighty Bucky Dent hit his way into baseball history with the unlikeliest of home runs, this tender, insightful, and hilarious novel demonstrates how life truly belongs to the losers, and that the long shots are the ones worth betting on.

Bucky F*cking Dent is a singular tale that brims with the mirth, poignancy, and profound solitude of modern life.

I purchased a copy of the book after hearing Duchovny talk about writing.  Not acting, just writing. I’ll have more on that talk this weekend.

3. About the Night.  I’ve been reading this book for the past couple of weeks.  It’s the current selection for next month’s PW Book Club.  I had downloaded the Kindle version, but then ordered the book when it was released to the public on 6/1.  This was one of those books that had so many deep, heartfelt words that I had to buy one for my personal library.  I wanted to be able to highlight all of the beautiful words that touched my soul.  This is a story about an Arab man falling in love with a Jewish woman and then a wall divided them in Jerusalem.  It’s such an incredible story.  I’m only 2/3 of the way through it.

If you’ve ever loved someone greatly and then they were ripped away from you…you will understand this suffering.


ENTERTAINMENT

  1.  Mads Mikkelsen Wants Hannibal Back.  I love this man.  He loves Hannibal just as much as any Fannibal.
  2.  Battle of the Bastards.  If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you know the battle between Jon Snow and Ramsay Bolton is coming.
  3. Orange is the New Black Has Dropped.  Well, apparently all your plans this weekend have been cancelled for Netflix.  OITB was dropped today.  Let the binge-watching commence!

Food To Try This Weekend

  1. Pho, ramen and more slurp-worthy slow cooker Asian noodle soups.  OMG.  Definitely doing this over the summer now that I’ve switched to crockpot mode.
  2. Simple Trick that Makes Cupcakes Look Fancy.  It’s the little things that bring so much joy.
  3. 9 Best Bacon Breakfasts for Father’s Day.  Did someone say bacon?




Fashion Buys for the Weekend

1. Green Ombre Dress from Banana Republic.   I am in love with this dress.

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Banana Republic Ombre Dress

2.  Neiman Marcus Sale on Sale.  Neiman Marcus is having a sale on their sale.  Summer whites are on my radar.  Here are a few of my favorites.

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For the Weekend Summer Wedding

Sachin & Babi dress.

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To Beat the Heat During the Weekend

French Connection top.

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For the Weekend Evening Out

Jill Jill Stuart Jumpsuit.

3.  Oscar de la Renta.  If you saw my Instagram post of this beautiful necklace, you’re probably wondering why I’m wearing a necklace valued at $990 to the office.  And then there are some who say, “HOW?”  or “WHY would you pay that much for a necklace?”

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Oscar De La Renta necklace.

One of my earlier posts [How to Rent Your Wardrobe] explains HOW.  This is just an example of the many items available under Rent the Runway Unlimited.  The dress in the photo is also from RTRU.

RTRU is a great way to add couture designers to your daily wardrobe without adding to your clutter.  For those who Kon Mari’d their wardrobe, you don’t really want to add any more items to your closet.  Renting is great for those who have minimized their closets, but still want something new to wear every now and again.  For $139/month, you can rent couture designer items (3 out at a time).

[If you click on the Rent The Runway Unlimited link in this post, you can take $30 off your first month.  You can cancel at any time.]




A Better You to Try Out This Weekend

    1. My Most Simple, Most Effective Productivity Technique.  For those who are looking for ways to focus and get things done, take a look at this article.  I’ve been practicing this technique.  It is a challenge, but it will help you to focus on the task at hand so you can get more things done.
    2. 4 Ways to Improve Your Memory.
    3. 12 Habits of Highly Productive People.




Weekend Reading Material

mortomI just finished reading “Mortom” by Erik Therme.  I am like…WOW.

When Therme contacted me about reviewing his book, it was for “Resthaven.”  But after I finished reading “Resthaven,” I was like…I have to read the other book.

Like “Resthaven,”  “Mortom” is a thrill ride all the way until the end.  Right when you are so wrapped up in the story and you’re really at the edge of your seat, you read the last words at the bottom of the page, turn the page and you’re looking at a picture of the author.

I swear to you, at the end of both books I did a “Nooo!  It can’t be over.”  That’s what he does.  He really hooks you in.  You’re at the edge of your seat and BAM!  The story is done.  You’re constantly thinking, ‘but what happened to…’  He does it to his readers every single time.

If you’re looking for something to read this Memorial Day weekend that’s filled with mystery, intrigue, edge of your seat…you have no idea what’s going to happen next…then this is your book.  It’s a quick read.  Try both.  I really enjoyed both books.  They are free if you are a member of Kindle Unlimited.

Mortom
Resthaven


Other things worth reading:

    • I’m obsessed with DIY stuff lately.  My friend introduced me to Scrapbook.com and let’s just say…the best thing about it are the free classes!  I just took the 8 Ways to Embellish with Lisa Andrews.  She gave me so many ideas that I never even thought about…including a new way to journal.
    • I am a huge David Bach fan.  I have been for years.  A few years ago, he sent me a free autographed copy of his book.  I was in heaven.  What I love about David is that he’s passionate about teaching people how to live rich by being smarter with their money.  He is getting ready to release his bestseller “Automatic Millionaire” with new updates.  Until the release, sign up for his email list.  He’s sending free downloads of his work.  I downloaded a free copy of his ebook “Finish Rich QuickStart System.”  He’ll be sending out free downloads of the “Automatic Millionaire” reboot soon.  So get your name on his mailing list!
    • How to Successfully Balance Your Side Hustle With Your Full-Time Job.  This is a great read for those who work full-time and have a side business on the side until the side business becomes a full-time gig.  What I love are the tips on managing your time.

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    • How to Stay Focused When Working From Home.  Something I’ve been learning a lot about lately is taking distractions away when I’m working at home.  It is a little difficult when you have a Maine Coon sitting right in your face when you are working at your desk.  I was working on a communion card last week and right as the glue was drying, Matthew Lucifer jumped up on the desk and sat right on the card, completely smearing the embossed picture.  He won’t move when he’s sitting in front of me while I’m working, so I’ve learned to just stop, give him some love for a few minutes, and then encourage him to take a nap on the sofa behind me or sit in the window.  Once that is done, I’ll have at least an hour to work before the next Maine Coon disaster begins.




    • Honey Chipotle Chicken Pizza With Goat Cheese.  Do I need to say more?  OMG. NOMNOM.
    • Looking Fly on a Dime.  I just recently came across this blog on my Twitter feed and I am in love.  I wish this site was around when I was in my 20s!  I love this shirt she found.  At first, she thought it was a dress!  Ends up it was a super long shirt…and a cool one at that.  I absolutely loved her $10 find.  I love how she pairs everything together.  This site is now an official PW bookmarked site!
    • 10 Tips from a Professional Organizer.  These simple tips are words to live by.   I’ve learned recently that there is no such thing as multi-tasking.  I watch people out on the street walking super slow looking at their phones, totally oblivious to what’s happening around them (like almost getting hit by a car).  Schedule out your day with little to no distractions.  Make sure you plan accordingly, including scheduling those few minutes of social media time.  If you don’t watch yourself, you’ll lose a lot of time and wonder where the day went.  You don’t want to be one of those people.  Being glued to your cell phone is no way to live.




Anthropologie Love

anthropologieOne of my favorite stores in Rockefeller Center is Anthropologie.  Their catalog (as well as J Crew) is one of the most anticipated (and the most dangerous) catalogs to reach my household.  The whole catalog becomes a major wish list every single season – clothing, accessories and home goods.

My friends and I go through the catalog and start marking down what we want the most.  Usually at the top of our list are new duvets, tops and dresses.

With spring in full swing, it’s time to freshen up our wardrobes (plus shop the sales) with a few new picks from Anthropologie.  Since this is gown season for me, I love that Anthropologie is now a source to purchase unique gowns for weddings, parties, theater, red carpet, etc.

Here are a few of my favorite picks from Anthropologie.

There are so many items I love.  It’s so hard to just pick a few pieces.  Every time I go into their store, I want to just wrap everything up and take it home with me.

What are some of your favorites?



On My Radar: Tulle Skirts

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As the Opera season ends the Ballet season begins in New York City when the American Ballet returns to the Met Opera house.  I have my tickets for both the Gala and the upcoming performance of Stravinsky’s “Firebird.”

In other words, gown season has officially begun for me.

While I was pondering what to wear to the Gala, I realized this was a perfect time to finally pull out the tulle skirts in waiting, because what goes better with ballet than tulle?

For those who are looking for tulle skirts, I highly recommend Shabby Apple.  They come in a variety of sizes, colors and lengths [they do cater to plus sizes, they only list current inventory, so check back often or contact them to ask if they can let you know the moment a skirt you like becomes available in your size, they have excellent customer service].

I picked up the mint maxi tulle skirt.  It’s basically a wrap skirt with tulle for miles.  It’s my happy skirt.  Granted, it takes up half the space in the gown closet, but it’s my happy skirt.

Shabby Apple Wooster Tulle Skirt in Mint
Shabby Apple Wooster Tulle Skirt in Mint




I’m really excited that I’ll be able to finally wear a couple of my tulle skirts next month as the ballet season opens, especially the Shabby Apple Wooster skirt.

One question I do get asked a lot on Pinterest is where someone can find a tulle maxi skirt in black.  I made sure to include a few in the gallery.  If you’re looking for something specific, let me know.  I am always shopping for gowns, so I may know where you can find what you’re looking for.

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How to Rent Your Wardrobe

Rent WardrobeThe latest trend at home (and on this site) is MINIMALISM, i.e. the act of decluttering and minimizing everything you own, especially your closet…aka the KonMari Method (the Japanese Art of Decluttering).  [SOURCE: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing]

For those who pulled everything out of their wardrobe and pared everything down, you may be in that state of not wanting to purchase anything new because you like how you have less clutter in your closet.

Then there are people like me who went through the first KonMari round with their wardrobe and still continue to KonMari the hell out of their closet to no avail.  I have a lot of things I do in life: work, play, relax, attend events, opera, theater, rock concerts, red carpet events, and so on.  Simply put, I have the socialite wardrobe…a versatile wardrobe that goes along with whatever event may come my way.  My wardrobe is prepared for anything.  That means I have a closet full of gowns for the red carpet, opera and weddings.  I have coats for the snow days, rainy days, extremely cold days and the special event coats.  I also have the closet for work and everyday wear.

In other words, I have the wardrobe I need to maintain the life I have.  Although, that also means I need a bigger closet!

After the first round of going through my closet, I was able to get rid of 5 large bags of clothing.  Now, when I wear something or go through my closet, I look for even more stuff that I can get rid of that does not bring me joy.  I am constantly trying to fine tune my wardrobe to get rid of the things I don’t need anymore.




But there are times when you feel like you may need something a little different, but loathe the thought of adding yet another piece of clothing to your wardrobe or spending a lot of money on it.  You’re afraid of going back to your old ways where you had more clothes than you had space.

Maybe you have a big event coming up and need a new dress.  Or maybe you have a hot date coming up and want something nice to wear for the evening.  Or maybe you’re a fashion blogger and need new pieces coming in on a steady basis for your blog, but don’t want the clutter or to break the bank every month.  Or maybe you just want to try out a new trend without truly investing in it completely.

Whatever your fashion need, there’s a way now that you can rent your clothes without a) breaking the bank and b) without adding to the clutter.

Le Tote offers wardrobe rentals for $59/month (Maternity boxes are $69/month).  You pick the items you like, a box is curated based on the items you place in your virtual closet (in your size).  What you get in each box: 2 shirts, pant/skirt/dress, and 2 accessories (i.e. 5 items).  Wear it as many times as you like.  Return the items for something new.  If you decide to keep the item(s) (or the box), you will be billed accordingly.

You can get $25 off your first box by using this LINK.

Sizes go up to XXL for Le Tote.

Rent the Runway has been known for years to rent designer gowns for special events.  They have now gone UNLIMITED.  What does that mean?  Like Le Tote, you can rent up to 3 designer items at any time.  Unlimited is slightly more expensive at $139/month (plus $29.95/year for unlimited shipping) because of the designers they use.  For instance, for my first shipment, I requested a $1,690 Reed Krakoff handbag.  I can keep the handbag for as long as I like and return it whenever I like.

You get a new item whenever you return an item.

Rent the Runway Unlimited is designed for fashionistas such as myself.  There are designer gowns, handbags, coats, jewelry, eyewear, dresses, workwear, etc.  It is ideal for me, because it saves me from running out to purchase new formal wear every single time I have an event.  I can just put in a request to receive a gown (or 2 or 3) along with the handbag/accessories to match.  Plus, I’m not stuck with the gown afterward.  (It’s very rare I get more than one wear out of a gown.)

If you are a handbag fanatic like me, you can use the service to rent handbags all of the time.  I think this option is great, because other services where you can rent handbags, the price is contingent upon the handbag you are ‘borrowing.’  For instance, at Bag Borrow or Steal, a Chanel handbag could cost you $350/month to rent.  It will cost you $350/month every month until you return the bag.

While Rent the Runway Unlimited doesn’t currently carry Chanel, allowing a $1,690 handbag to be part of the rental for $139/month and you can keep the bag as long as you want, return it when you are done (plus, you get to have 2 additional items out at the same time)?  That seems to be the steal.

Sizes go up to size 22 at Rent the Runway Unlimited, but keep in mind, the options grow smaller for clothing when the sizing goes up (hopefully, since this is a new service that will change soon).  A huge plus is that they do carry Eloquii!

You can get $20 off your first order by clicking on this LINK.

As for me, I subscribed to both rental services.  I am using Le Tote for workwear, so that I can have a few extra options to play with by mixing it in with my current wardrobe.  I am using Rent the Runway Unlimited for handbags, gowns, and dresses…mainly handbags.  I love handbags.  Gown season will be starting soon for me, so it’s nice to know I can order 3 items at a time for $139/month.  If you’re constantly returning items at RTR Unlimited, you could get up to 6-9 designer items a month out of that $139/month.  That is a serious savings.

The positives to this type of service is that it creates less clutter in your home.  You have a steady stream of fashion coming to your door.  You’re also not paying an arm and a leg for new clothes, especially major designer clothing.  For me, I could spend anywhere between $300-$1500/month on clothing and accessories.  That, of course, is the old me.  That kind of lifestyle was not only expensive, but it caused a major clutter issue at home.

Spending close to $200/month on rentable fashion without adding to the clutter?  To me, that is a major deal and stays in line with the clutter free life at home.  I can still have new fashion pieces coming in all of the time for all aspects of my life, and I don’t have to keep the items around.  After all, I’m sure there are plenty of ladies out there like me that would buy something, wear it once, decide you don’t like it and it ends up getting donated.  Or maybe you get 3 wears out of it and then you decide you don’t like it anymore.  Well, instead of throwing it out…just return it to get something different.

The Way To Truly Take Advantage of Your Wardrobe

One thing you need to keep in mind is that these rental services should only be used to COMPLEMENT your wardrobe.  Buy the basics that you need.  Rent the stuff you don’t need.  Use the rental for special events or because you want to try out a new look.  Use it because you want to constantly have something different to wear beyond your go to basics.

The stuff you keep in your wardrobe are the items that bring you joy every single time you wear it.  These are the items that fit you perfectly and make you feel good about yourself every single time you wear it (oftentimes, you wear these pieces a lot).  The purpose of renting is to not add to your ‘things’ you have to take care of.  It’s to prevent yourself from continuing to add clutter to your wardrobe because you like a new trend.  Renting curbs your need to consume by adding more to your possessions.  Instead, you can indulge in your fashion passion without having to add to your clutter.

What I really love about Rent the Runway Unlimited is that I can indulge in my designer loves, especially handbags.  I could have a different bag every week without having to spend thousands of dollars on each handbag.  That, to me, was the major selling point, especially when I saw which bags I could try out.

Of course, if you like the item and want to keep it, you can buy it.  Because they are rentals, you can purchase the item at a discounted price.  That, in itself, is worth using the service.  You get to try it out for months (if you want) before truly committing to buying it.




Mission 40

santorini14September begins a new season for me and this is what I have planned for the site.

Why is September the start of a new season?  

Well, consider it a little like going back to school.  Each new school year is the start of a whole new you.  That’s what I always loved about the fall.  Autumn marked the start of a renewal and a chance to do things differently…actually, better than you did them before.

It means new clothes, new books, new activities, new learning experiences, and a whole new workload.  September marks Fashion Week.  For me, it also marks the start of my hockey season when I go back to covering hockey for Inside Hockey.  The hockey season starts on September 17th for me.  I’ll still have plenty of film screenings and premieres to attend, as well as a few film festivals.  The Metropolitan Opera season also begins for me and I’m starting it off with Turnadot.

September also marks the release of many new books from various publishers.  We’ll be sharing what’s new, as well as have a few special interviews with authors.

Mission 40

I’ve been tinkering with the idea of sharing the new journey I’m on.  I’ve kept it under wraps these last couple of months because I’ve been trying to add some structure and thought into what exactly I wanted to do.  Next year, I turn 40.  With that, I have always had a specific goal in mind for myself of who I wanted to be at 40.

I’ll admit that I’ve laid that goal to the wayside for so many years because I’m a bit of a procrastinator.  I kept thinking, “Oh, next year…I have plenty of time.”  Well, I can’t say that anymore because next year is 40.  Now is the time to get my butt in gear.  I have to start being that person I envisioned myself to be at this age and that’s where Mission 40 comes in.  Mission 40 is a challenge I’ve created for myself to push myself into being the person I’ve always dreamed I would be at this age.

What does Mission 40 entail?  

The number one thing on this list is my overall health.  After dealing with four tumors in this last decade, it’s time to start improving my overall well-being.  Maybe instead of four tumors in this next decade it will be one, or maybe I’ll get lucky and not have another tumor again for the next 30-50 years.  I have the cancer gene, so it is inevitable that I will get another tumor or cancer in some form at some point in my lifetime again.

The goals I am setting with my overall health entail:

  • Exercise
  • Diet
  • Brain Health (i.e. increasing knowledge through learning and brain challenges)
  • Soul Health (i.e. Meditation)
  • Beauty (hair, nails, etc.)
  • Less Stress
  • Overall Happiness
  • Getting more sleep

There are also certain personal goals I’ve set for myself careerwise that I am putting into action as the new season begins.  There are certain bucket list items I’d like to check off, too.  There are so many things I’d like to do over this next year in order to increase my overall happiness in life.  A lot of that has to do with becoming more involved.

I’ve also started working more within the community, working on issues that we face in order to make the community better through service.  I’ve also been getting more involved globally on how to evolve humanity by working towards eliminating many of the problems people face like poverty, war, slavery, and inequality.  It’s time humanity evolved and I’m working to put that into action.

I’ll have a special section set up so that you can follow along with what I’m doing on a day to day basis…a journal, so to speak.

My ultimate goal is to reward myself with a special trip to South America next year to see Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands.  If I can get over my fear of snakes…maybe I’ll take a little trip into the Amazon as well.  All in all, this is the adventure I’m planning for…a little 40th birthday present to myself…a South American adventure.  Before I can do any of that, I want to be in a certain place in my life before I reap the rewards.

For those interested in joining me on my Mission, I’ll explain how you can become more involved with the adventure I’m on so you can construct your own Mission for yourself.

 

Private Designer Sale: This is a Good One

For those who dream in fashion, I have a sale for you to make your Fantasy Wardrobe just a little bit happier.

I will admit that I never announce a major sale until AFTER I’ve shopped it. What can I say?  It’s the New Yorker in me that sees a sale, hopes no one else sees it, peruses the store and then makes a mad dash to the “Checkout” when I realize other people may have stumbled upon the sale.  It’s like that infamous “Will & Grace” episode where everyone is fighting over sale items at a Barney’s sale.

And yes, I am one of those people that protects my cart while shopping because people like to shop your cart in NYC.  [I am not joking when I say that.]

Just as YOOX and Net a Porter have announced their major designer tech merger, YOOX does something just as amazing…they send an email to their subscribers alerting them of a private sale.

A YOOX 90% off clearance sale is very similar to that Will & Grace episode, except if you don’t purchase it fast enough, someone else may buy it…thus meaning it’s SOLD OUT while it is still in your cart.  The Outnet (sister site to Net a Porter) clearance sales are very similar.

What things did I score at the YOOX clearance sale?  A Roberto Cavalli bag for $73, a John Galliano tote for $68, an Alberta Ferretti bag for $53, and a Missoni scarf for $37.

Yes.  All of those prices are real.  Including this Fendi bag for $362.

I’ve been wanting a Missoni scarf for a few years now but every time I went to purchase one at Rue La La or Gilt, I just didn’t feel like that was the price I wanted to spend on a Missoni scarf.  YOOX’s price of $37…no one is twisting my arm.  That was more than just the perfect price.

The Cavalli bag for $73?  I bought a similar bag a few years ago for $550.  I love that bag so much.  I take it with me whenever I travel because it’s light, it can take a punch, and it is like Mary Poppin’s magic carpet bag (you just can’t fill the thing up).  I bought this new one just in case the other one gives out on me one of these days.  At $73, that’s a major deal for me considering I know already what I’ll get out of the bag.

Before you go running off to the site to shop the sale, you need to know a few things first.  You need to know HOW to shop it.

First, it is essential that you REGISTER for the site.  You cannot access the sale unless you are a registered customer.

Second, after you register, a yellow tab called MYOOX will pop up at the top.  Click on that tab.  It will take you to the “Up to 90% off sale.”

Right now, the sale is for subscribers only.  The sale goes public on April 2.

The reason why you want to subscribe and register now for the site: if you wait until April 2, you are basically getting the scraps.

To get a little bit more cash back, make sure to use Ebates to get 2% cash back when you checkout.  Not a user of Ebates? Register HERE.  New subscribers get a $10 gift card to a retailer of their choice.

* * * *

This is a Fantasy Wardrobe post.  Fashionistas dream of having the most amazing wardrobe, but most oftentimes don’t have the bank account to fuel their shopping passions.  Fantasy Wardrobe posts at PerfectionistWannabe.com are designed to help you find ways to make your dream wardrobe come true.  These things don’t happen overnight.  It takes time to make the dream a reality.  This site will show you how.

The Perfect Spring Trench

It’s the first day of spring!  While some parts of the United States are watching the snow falling outside of their windows, thoughts of spring flowers, bright, sunnier days, and the return of spring colors (not to mention love being in the air) starts to fill our brains.  It makes us feel like it’s time to put away our winter clothes and pull out the lighter, spring wardrobe (or at least go shopping for a new one).

trina turkBut wait…it’s not warm enough yet!  You’re still going to need to bundle up, but at least now you don’t have to wear those dark oversized puffers.  It’s time for your perfect spring coat to see the sunshine.

While shopping for a spring trench, think of one that suits your current fashion personality the best.  Maybe you want something classic that you can wear every spring/fall.  Go with the classic Burberry trench.  Maybe your spring fashion personality this year is filled with lots of pastels.  Or maybe you plan on wearing more florals or patterns this spring.  Find a trench that will match well with the majority of your spring wardrobe you plan to wear this season.  That is the investment you are seeking.


You can go subtle or you can go dramatic.  Or if you’re like me, you buy a new coat each season to add to your coat wardrobe.  That way, you have a variety of choices no matter where your fashion mood strikes year to year.  When you build a coat wardrobe, you’ll always need to start with the classics and then later add a little fun into the mix.  From day coats to evening coats, you’ll eventually need one for every event that may come your way.  Take it one coat per season at a time.  A wardrobe doesn’t happen in one shopping trip, it takes years to build, so take it slow.

The perfect spring trench is one that makes you (and everyone else that sees you) happy, because it reminds them that it’s time for spring.  People think a lot of happy thoughts in the spring!

Think color.  Think florals.  Think patterns.  Let your coat make a statement.  Whether it’s a bold pattern or a light pastel, your perfect trench is the one that makes you feel happy.

Here are a few trenches that will get you thinking of what to add this spring.




Money Matters

Over these past few months I’ve been shifting my financial house in a new direction.  I’ve paid off 60% of my debt, maximized savings, maximized my 401k and started budgeting (living by the envelope method).  But even though I’m doing what’s best to push my financial dream in a new direction, I’m constantly revising what I’m doing to see if there are better ways of doing things.

So why talk about this on “Diary of a Perfectionist Wannabe?”  Well, it has more to do with becoming a little bit better at making financial dreams come true.  Here are a few things I’ve come across recently that has saved me time, money, and hassles.  It’s made my life more convenient and helped me to reach my goals.  It’s also helped me to find new places to get a better deal for the things I love most.

BUDGETING

After all the bills are paid, I set aside a certain amount to spend on food, laundry, dry cleaning, eating out and other miscellaneous expenses.  It’s from this budget, I have to figure out the best way to get more bang for my buck.

I joined Amazon Prime this year.  I am actually grateful that I did because I’m seeing that there are a lot of benefits to this membership.  First, I don’t shop in stores often.  I shop online.  What’s great about Amazon Prime is that I can order the monthly items (like cat food, treats and litter) for a much lower price than I would find at Target.  I don’t even have to pay for shipping, because technically, I already did.  It cost me $105.93 for a year long membership, but if you divide it up by 12, that’s $8.83/month.  If you think about how much it would cost to ship a 20 pound bag of litter plus 2-3 cases of of cat food every month…you’re actually getting a severe bout of savings.

Normally, I’d have to take a cab or an Uber car to/from Target.  That’s $30-$40 round trip.  If I have it delivered by a grocery delivery service, that’s a $20 delivery fee, plus another $4.95 service charge.  If I pick it up at KMart by Madison Square Garden, I’d have to do all the schlepping plus the cost of using public transit to go from Point A to Point B and go up and down a lot of stairs.  Amazon has saved me a lot of money, time and hassle just to get these items to my home.

For those who drive, factor in your car payment, insurance and cost for gas for the entire month.  Divide the total to how many times you use your car during that month to get a better idea of how much each trip costs you (not to mention the amount of time you spend in the store and traveling to these places).

Prime customers also get access to Prime Pantry where you can fill up a box of groceries for a flat rate of $5.99.  I’ve used Prime Pantry for the 20 lb bags of litter and then added in some additional items on the side (they separate the stuff up into 2 internal boxes inside of 1 big box).  I also plan on using this to order and ship boxes out to my brother’s platoon.  It saves so much time at all of the stores, going to the post office, etc. and it saves me $10 in shipping costs to ship to an APO.  Once again, another cost savings.

Another amazing benefit to Prime is that members get access to Prime Instant Video, Prime Music, Prime Photos and 1 Kindle Book a month.

For those who like streaming movies and TV shows at home or on your devices, you’ll have access to hundreds of thousands of movies and programs.  It’s unlimited.  Netflix and Hulu Plus both start at $7.99/month…and you don’t get access to free shipping on stuff you’re probably ordering from Amazon already.

I also added Kindle Unlimited and Audible memberships to my entertainment budget.  I am addicted to the Books with Narration from Kindle Unlimited.  You can read the book, but when you have to stop and bookmark it because you have to walk from one place to the next, just switch it to the narration and you can listen to the book while you’re moving.  For those who commute, this is an incredible feature.  I was able to get through a 246 page book in 2 days.  I usually do 1/2 of that just sitting down to read because I have to keep putting the book down.  Being able to switch to narration while I’m walking around keeps the book going.

My goal of getting through 52 books this year is more feasible now.

I added Audible as well because it gives me access to more audio books that Kindle Unlimited doesn’t offer.  For me, this is mainly for those Book Club books that haven’t become available on Kindle Unlimited yet (or when I want a book that just came out).

I took the suggestion from a fireman friend who suggested I start listening to audio books, especially since I’m having problems getting back into reading.  Audio books have been a godsend because I can actually listen to “War and Peace” instead of forcing myself to sit down to read a chapter.  Now, I can just listen to it while I’m walking around.

Another great feature from Kindle Unlimited are the reference and self-help books available to customers.  While I’m at the office and have some down time, I’ll read books that help with my job.  Like this week, I read “Math Made Easy” (which is basically a cheat sheet on how to do math in your head very quickly), and I read a book on Passive Income.  Today, I plan on reading a book on organization.   Truthfully, these aren’t books I’d spend money on or take time to take out of the library, but make them available to read online and I’m more apt to read them to better myself.

All in all, by using these new services from Amazon, I’m saving a lot of money and time by simplifying my life in many aspects.  Sure, I can get library books and DVDs from the library for free, but the convenience of downloading the book I need where I can both read and listen to it?  I’ll stick to these two services.  [Note: Audible is only for Audio Books.  Kindle Unlimited offers the book/narration option, but not all books offer narration.]

For Movie Going Lovers

Another part of my entertainment budget I keep in is Going to the Movies.  These days, it’s about $15 a pop.  Even more if you want to go to IMAX.  There is a solution to this.  MoviePass offers a membership for movie going lovers.  It’s $34.99/month.  You can see 1 movie per day.

Before signing up, I strongly urge you to see if the movie theater you go to takes this membership.  For me, I can use it at every movie theater I go to, including the artsy community one across the street from me.  These days, it pays for itself in 2 movies a month.  I recommend waiting until the summer months to really take advantage (technically May starts the hot Hollywood films of the summer).

In order to get more bang for your buck, sign up for the movie theater’s membership club as well.  Those tickets you’re purchasing through Movie Pass can be turned into points which can be turned into money you can use at the movie theater for concessions and even movie tickets (like if you want to see an IMAX film or use the extra ticket for a friend who isn’t a Movie Pass member).

The downside?  You can see 1 movie every 24 hours.  They are strict on the 24 hours.  It used to be that it just reset itself every night (which was perfect)…and then it went strictly 24 hours down to the very last second.  Another downside for some is that you can only watch the movie once.  You can’t go see the same movie more than once while it is still in the movie theater and use the Movie Pass card.

How does it work?  First, you need a smartphone in order to download the app.  They’ll send you a Movie Pass credit card that is activated only after you check in to the movie through the app.  You can only use it to purchase that 1 movie ticket.

If you go to movies frequently, I highly recommend this.   It seriously cuts down the cost for movie lovers who love to go to the movies but don’t go because it’s just ridiculously too expensive these days.  If you go to just three movies a month…the membership is more than paid for.  If you went to one movie every day, each movie would cost a little over $1 each.  It’s $34.99 for me because I’m in NYC.  It will be less for people not living in major metropolitan areas.

FOR THE DESIGNER ADDICTS

I have a confession.  I’m a bit of an addict when it comes to buying designer accessories.  I have a rather large designer handbag collection.  A couple of years ago, I decluttered the handbags down to only major designers, getting rid of all of the lesser names.  Now, I just buy what I like to add to the handbag collection.

Currently on my radar is the Fendi fur bag bugs (aka Monster) collection.  In my search, I came across a site called Tradesy.  I took a look around and let’s just say I went on a bit of a spending spree.

I netted a Chanel, Hermes and Dior bag and purchased a pair of Louboutin and Fendi shoes.  My friend did a delayed double take when I said, “So I bought an Hermes bag.”  She couldn’t believe it, so I showed her my cart and lo and behold, my closet said I purchased an Hermes bag.  No, I didn’t spend $20,000 on a birkin.  I found a Herbag for $500.  That’s half off what you’ll find at other consignment places.

Luckily, they were having a friends and family event, so I was able to take additional money off.  You can get $25 off your purchase of $100 or more by using my special link: TRADESY.

outnetP.S. As of right now, The Outnet is having their semi-annual clearance sale.  This is a great time for fashionistas to stock up on all their favorite designers for up to 80% off the retail price.  [My major score were a pair of Adidas by Stella McCartney ballet flats for $18.  After all was said and done, I’d saved $2,286.75 on my entire order.  That’s some serious savings.]

Also, for designer addicts that frequent Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom…trust me when I say you can get your coveted designer accessory for less.  For instance, the Fendi monster tote bag is $1500 at Saks.  That same bag is $999 at Overstock.com.  The exact same bag.  {Also, if you’re a Club O member, you can earn rewards from your purchases.  I’ve been able to score free Fendi sunglasses thanks to all of the reward dollars I earned from shopping at Overstock.com.}

Other places you should look: Century 21 shops (they have an online store), TJMaxx (yes, they are finally online), Loehmann’s (they may have closed all of their stores, but that’s because they went e-commerce) and Modnique.  I’ve found that a lot of these shops have the same merchandise, but you never know if they’ll have a special sale on top of their already discounted prices.

THE FIVE ACCOUNTS

I was reading in “The Little Secrets of Passive Income: How You Can Create Passive Income With Little Or No Money At All” by Raiden Steven that everyone should have five accounts. 1. Financial Dream; 2. Basic Savings; 3. Education; 4. Basic Necessities; and 5. Other.

The book is a quick read, so I highly recommend taking a look at it just to get your brain moving in a direction of earning passive income (I don’t recommend doing what he suggests, but it’s worth a read to understand what you can do to grow passive income) [it’s a free read with Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited].

I want to touch on the Education part.  This is why I recommend Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited…he suggests putting away 10% of your income to the education fund.  I never put 10% away to an education fund mainly because I already had my schooling and frankly don’t have time to do continuing education courses.  I also don’t have kids, so really, this was an account I could do without.

I started to think about it and then realized just how much money I’m saving by using the Kindle Unlimited membership, especially if I take the membership fee from the Education account.  During the day, I’m pulling up books that will better myself.  I even have books written by scientists discussing their various theories.  There are even books on Photoshop, photography, etc. that I can read during the day.  In other words, Kindle Unlimited has opened the door to a world filled with resources where I can better educate myself.

I spent a lot of time on Wednesday doing math problems just to jog my memory of how to do math in my head.  I’m glad I did, because it forced me to re-memorize addition and multiplication tables (something that I had forgotten post-op).  By really diving into complex math equations I started looking at the equations and answering them in my head in half the ‘short steps’ the author was suggesting.  To me, this meant that math was back in my head again.

In other words, sometimes you just have to challenge yourself, especially when it comes to forgetting how to do things that are as important as math.

There are so many things out there to learn.  That was the point of the Education account.  You have to constantly challenge and better yourself.  If you don’t, you won’t be able to command good salaries or keep working.  After all, I’ve seen what happens to people that didn’t learn how to use a computer.  They’re barely making it.  You never want to be left behind, so continuously better yourself through education.  It doesn’t have to cost you a fortune.

Who knows?  By all the money I save in the Education account, maybe I can just use it towards an educational trip or an archaeological dig somewhere.

Just something to think about…but I highly recommend reading the Passive Income book.  It will give you a new idea on how to budget yourself in order to earn income, and take a hard look at how you’re living.  Re-doing the way you do your budget is interesting.  It’s the 50-30-20 lifestyle, but that 30-20 is changed to 30% savings and 20% doing whatever you want with the money.  Previously, it was vice versa.  You’d save 20% and use 30% to do whatever.  Personally, I like this new take on budgeting.  What he shows you is how to use 10% of that 30% towards increasing your passive income…that’s what makes it worth the read.

On My Radar: Sequins & Sparkle

Nothing makes me happier than to be able to go into the office on a dull, dreary winter day and wear something sparkly.  My latest additions to the closet contain a lot of sparkle.  Here are a few of my favorite recent purchases.

From LOFT:


Jeweled Sequin Tee, $44.99 (currently 50% off) = $22.50.  Also comes in black (I have the black one, too).  Only sizing currently available: XS, S and M.


Sequin Stripe Sweater, NOW $15.88 (marked down from $69.50). [I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on this sweater.  I purchased it in Whisper White.]

From TORRID:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the size 12+, these leggings from Torrid ($44.50) and sequin skirt ($83.48) are divine.  The skirt has been my favorite of the two.  You can do so many things with it from going to a party, the opera, to going a little business casual with it.  There are so many different options you can play with.

For the Home:

I absolutely love these mugs.  I keep one at home and one at the office.  You can pick up these Prima Donna mugs (comes as a set of two) from SaksOff5th.com.  They’re $18.74 right now.

I’m currently redecorating my office (for the umpteenth time, hoping that this is finally it), so I added some gold elements by adding some pillows from West Elm.
Of course, I had to add some gold elements in the stationary department as well.  Sugar Paper, (From $10-$18).

One of the places I love to peruse is The Land of Nod. It may be a decor site for children, but they have such cute, girly items there that I’ve found can even go into an adult home.  To finish off adding the gold elements to my office, I found these Gold Confetti Curtains ($19-$39).


So those are some of my latest purchases in the ‘sparkle and sequins’ department.  I was never going to add gold elements into my office until my friend suggested that instead of going gray and adding another color to the room, I should just work off that one gold element in my office to tie the room together.  I can’t wait for all of the items to come in so I can finally finish the office.  The room has become my catch-all these past few years.

With all of the decluttering and ridding myself of just about everything I don’t use, I’m hoping to see everything finally come together one weekend at a time.

It All Started With a Peacock

People that know me know how obsessed I am with Bauble Bar.  I wear their jewelry all of the time.  I pass out their business cards every single time someone stops me to tell me how much they love my jewelry.

Back around the time I was shopping for what to wear to the NHL Awards, I came across Bauble Bar.  I took one look at their peacock cuff and knew it had to be mine.  That is what started it all…

peacock1 peacock2 peacock3 peacock4

{Purse: Rebecca Minkoff MAB (similar here); green exotic sheer top (New York & Company Collection); tuxedo pants (similar here); Navy Blue Sweater (similar here); rings (Tiffany & Co. and here)

Gorgeous little piece, right?  What’s just as gorgeous was the Bauble Bar price…$32.

Thanks to Bauble Bar, I was able to build up my jewelry wardrobe with amazingly beautiful pieces.

Thanks to word of mouth, Bauble Bar has gone viral.  For a company that just went live back in April, they are now worn to red carpet events, donned by celebrities from J Lo to Justin Bieber, and featured in fashion magazines every single month.

Would you believe that I was one of Bauble Bar’s first customers?  Since that peacock cuff, I’ve referred so many people to them thanks to a post I did on them way back when.  I wore the peacock cuff on the red carpet at the NHL Awards.  Now, I wear their pieces every single day.

POP UP SHOP

For the holidays, Bauble Bar launched a pop-up shop at 144 10th Avenue in New York City, which they share with BirchBox, Artspace, Joor and Quirky.

Last Wednesday, they launched their shop, and of course, I had to be there because I love this little company so much!

bb3 bb2 bb1

I picked up a new cuff that was very similar to my first peacock cuff.  {That’s currently under the Christmas tree right now.}

I also became a subscriber of Birch Box last week.  They send you deluxe sample products every month to try out.  If you like it, you can go back to their site to purchase the product.  They work on a loyalty program just like Bauble Bar does.  In other words, you are rewarded for ordering and referring business to them.  This is a customer based service that I’m a huge fan of.  Credits to shop?  Credits to refer friends?  Hey, that’s how I have so many baubles these days. 🙂

One of the exciting DIY features I picked up and loved at the event came from their alcohol infused candy bar.  What is that?  Try alcohol infused gummy worms and gummy bears…as well as other alcohol infused candies.  I thought this was such a cool thing, I asked around for recipes, because this would make the perfect gift for my brother for Christmas…well, at least the part where we eat alcohol infused gummies all weekend…he’ll have a recipe to take home in his stocking!

Here’s the recipe!  It’s very easy to make, but it takes several days to get it going.  That means I need to buy the gummies and vodka now, in order for it to be ready for when my guest arrives!

So kids, make sure to buy more baubles…and sign up for your BirchBox.  I can’t wait to get mine!

Charity Event Benefiting Children at Risk in Russia

The Italian
The Italian

If you haven’t seen the movie “The Italian,” you have to see it. It was a powerful performance by a young boy named Kolya Spiridonov. Haley Joel Osment has nothing on this kid’s acting ability. The movie was so emotional right from the get-go.

Throw in the circumstances of the story about a young orphan growing up in a Russian orphanage who decides to go looking for his mother.  The movie will leave you balling in tears.

After I saw the movie, I wanted to adopt my own little boy from an orphanage in Russia. But then I thought about all of those other little Russian orphans and then I thought…well…I can’t become an Angelina Jolie of Russian orphans. So maybe working with kids in Russia wouldn’t be such a bad thing…one of these days (when I get my Russian down and I can read and speak it better then a first year).


So when Depesha magazine announced that it was hosting a charity event to benefit children at risk in Russia…I thought…well, as long as the hockey season doesn’t interfere with it, then I’m there.

I’ve met some interesting people at Depesha events…mainly writers, critics, models, etc. Lots of beautiful people there.

So if you’re in the NYC area, you should consider watching “The Italian” and then buying tickets to this event. For the fashionistas of the world…clothing up for auction from various designers in Helen Yarmak’s showroom. It’s worth every single penny to donate your money because really…it breaks my heart to see orphans just trying to make it in the world.

Here are the details: Depesha Charity Event

Now, to choose from the many cocktail dresses that have recently started building up in my closet as I prepare for the NHL Awards.