How to Pack for NYC last minute.

I leave for NYC Thursday morning (my birthday whoo!) Seriously, I feel like such the jet setter- our plane arrives in New York in the early evening, we check into our hotel, and then it's off to dinner where we have reservations at Blossom. I'm beyond excited, but I also at a loss as to what the heck to pack. There is something intimidating about packing for New York - I really try not to let these things get to me but, it is a fashion city - it's where all those impossibly chic street photos are taken you know, the ones where every guy and gal looks like a model. And, much like LA, I feel that people in NYC actually notice what other people are wearing. At least when I visit in LA I can haul a bunch of clothes down with me, or borrow my sister's stuff.

The question is, why do I feel wardrobe challenged/nervous when traveling to these two destinations- since I usually don't care about being super on trend - or wearing the latest and 'of the moment' designer duds ? I'm being ridiculous I know, but I can't help it. NY, LA, you guys are too hip for me. * Seriously you city girls have got great style that I really admire, and get great inspiration from.

I've got one day left and I haven't even thought about what to bring until now.

I know I'll need comfy shoes and I was advised to bring a coat - I will also need two dinner dresses (for two fancy dinners) and something that is appropriate to wear when we go apple picking Sunday afternoon. Oh, and a Halloween Costume of sorts (I'm thinking of going as Wednesday Adams) - Is this too much?

How do you decide what to pack? Do you have a strategy? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Persimmon-ry

Hello Leggings! I do not usually wear leggings as pants. But after reading this post at Chic on the Cheap - I thought I'd give it a try. They are really super comfortable. I wore this outfit to work the whole day doc reviewing, and since I was standing over a conference room table the whole day it was a good choice.

After work we headed over to pick up a movie from our local video place (yeah, I know netflix is super easy) but I feel like we've got to support these places guys! Our local video store peeps - know us by name - can talk to us about movies in depth and - oh yeah they allow people to bring their dogs in to the store so I lOVE being able to make friends with new pups.

Also, the walk there is always nice - we get to go through the little side streets of our city and see things like this beautiful persimmon tree:




I'm now off to start my Saturday - it's going to rain this whole weekend which I'm kind of liking.
Perfect weather for a pumpkin curry.

The Pumpkin Files

Last night's dinner: mole with pumpkin and roasted corn - cashew cream with pomegranate seeds, avocado, and a side of black beans with brown rice.

I'm trying to experiment with different pumpkin recipes while it's pumpkin season. This mole was especially awesome as was the cashew cream. And, it was all easy to make too!

I'll have to try bit harder to post pics of any recipes I cook up - I haven't been very good at photographing our meals since, by the time food is ready to eat I'm too hungry to mess around with the camera and making it all look pretty on a plate.

Please, let me know if you've got any great pumpkin recipes that you'd like to share. I'm going to try my hand at either pumpkin pancakes or pumpkin curry this weekend.

The Horror!

Oh yeah! Halloween is coming! I love this time of the year - sitting on the couch watching cheesy horror movies and jumping at cheap scare tactics - I swear it's the music and sound effects that really make horror flicks scary.

When I was little my parents made me watch this French tv show for kids (oh yeah they wanted me to be multi-lingual at an early age - It worked for Spanish, but my French is so poor that unless I go back to France soon... I'll end up speaking French like a toddler - which is funny since I can read French with no probs. it's the speaking that's tough!) But anyway, these guys used to scare me...



Odd then, that I should like this dress by Vessels...



Yes, that's a 'spine' print. Weird, but somehow cool.

Fall Shoes

I'm always on the look out for new vegan shoes - It seems that there is not a lot out there that fits my style so, I generally end up getting vintage/thrifted non-vegan shoes - That's why I love when I can find a stylish collection of animal and earth friendly shoes like Cri de Coer. I blogged about Cri de Coer when their last Collection came out for spring. These shoes are really well made and definitely the most stylish vegan shoes I've seen.

Here are some shoes from their Fall '10 collection:



The clogs remind me of the Rachel Comey shoes I've seen.




And, those ankle boots are so classic, and great for those of us that don't do heels.

Untitled

I recently watched the 'slight' comedy Untitled. It's a comedic take/ look into the contemporary art scene in New York City. If you've ever studied art history, or just enjoy quirky films about odd characters- and poking fun at pretentiousness, you may like this film. I enjoyed it, and as a girl who studied art history and well, a girl who knows a lot of 'art-y' people this film hit close to home.

And, because I always look at things through a fashion lover's gaze I couldn't help but find myself madly in love with Gallery owner Madeline Grey's mod-art wardrobe. I could not find any photos on the interwebs - so I took some screen shots - not great photos, so I really recommend watching the film to get a better idea of what her outfits were like. I completely aspire to dressing like this when I am older - yes, I want to be that quirky fashionable older lady that attends writer's lectures and art galleries and has loads of artists friends. Ha.





The glasses. The earrings. I just love this.



Yes, they are standing in the middle of an art exhibit.











Her accessories throughout the entire film were sculptural and just amazing.

Funny timing - that we should watch this film before going to an art opening this weekend in San Luis Obispo. Mario's grandmother is a painter, and the museum there is adding one of her pieces to it's collection and they will be exhibiting her work.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Excitement makes it hard to work...

In just a two weeks and two days it will be my birthday and we go on our NYC trip. I am unbelievably excited as the last couple of times I was in "la gran Manzana" I had to work. This will be a whirlwind trip (only four days!) but, we get to do whatever we choose! So I am busy planning an itinerary. There is just SO MUCH I am having a hard time deciding! If you are in the NYC area do you have any suggestions on what you absolutely must see and do?

I am also hoping to do a bit of shopping, and of course lots and lots of eating! We're also planning to spend a day in Connecticut to go apple picking and get some fresh cider - as that is something I used to do as a kid up in new Hampshire - and I'd like to share that little bit of autumn tradition with Mario.

It's hard to keep on thinking about fall things as we are in meltdown mode here- it was 90 degrees today and most likely will be the same tomorrow. I'll never get used to warm Thanksgivings and cold Fourth's of July!

Here is one shop I'd like to check out on our trip...

Laurel Canyon Vintage

I can't wait.

Outfitted

I've been pretty lazy about posting outfit photos as of late, but honestly I just don't have much time. Things are pretty hectic and we have several small trips coming up, one to the central coast next weekend, and then NYC! After that, I'm trying to get it together to go to LA to visit my sis. Too much too little time. It's amazing how October just snuck up on us!

Here are some autumnal outfits:



Top - Thrift, Jeans - topshop from years ago, Shoes - vintage via action is the fruit.



Jacket - Anthro, Top - Ancient UO, Trousers - Zara, Shoes - vintage via action is the fruit.

Tonight we are off to Cobb's Comedy Club in the city to go see Kristen Schaal! Mel!

New England Girls

When ever fall rolls around to the west coast. I start to get a bit homesick for the Atlantic coast. I am definitively a New England girl at heart, and always will be no matter where in this world I go, or where I end up living.

I do miss Autumn in New England, the days spent apple picking in New Hampshire (McIntosh apples are the best!) Canoeing at the lake surrounded by all those colors when the leaves change. Riding bikes with my sister to the General store for Maple candies - bundled up in cable knit sweaters. There was always that crispness in the air. I miss days in the city riding the green line out to the museum, wandering around Coolidge corner, exploring bookstores, tea and pastries at the cafe, and walking home at sunset over leaf strewn streets holding hands.

While I can't just pick up and go home whenever I want, I can read some of these great Boston area blogs...

Beyond Boston Chic
Orchid Grey
A Stylized Hysteria
Poppy & Leo
Looks and Books

"Heather my love, there's a new Sheriff in town."

The title of this post is from the Movie Heathers. I really don't know why I started thinking about this movie today (and the other Christin Slater teen angsty pic Pump Up The Volume) I think I may need to watch them again soon.

Here are some photos from Heathers showcasing some pretty great Debbie Gibson era styles...












I kinda love Veronica's (Winonoa Ryder's) leggings and vest top outfit and that make-up!)
I will however, take a pass on schrunchies as hair accessories.

An outfit...

It actually felt fall-like today - a bit chilly and grey - so maybe it was not the best day to wear white, but this dress is so comfortable and I wanted something easy for the day. I wore it to - take a short walk around our neighborhood, check out the Halloween displays, and to grab a hot chocolate.





Hope everyone had a restful weekend!

Filly!

The American (Fall 2010) Collection by Filly is making me want to clear out space in my closet. Those hues of plum and camel are so beautiful together.