NYBuckeye

Actress v Actor

2012-01-22T10:37:00.000-05:00

Pamela Reed v Chris Lilley

Stunner

2012-01-12T23:04:00.001-05:00

Project Becca

2012-01-10T20:52:00.002-05:00

I am a complainer. I complain about complaining, that is how much I complain! Being that this is the last couple of hours of my mid-twenties, ima take this opportunity to continue to complain. :)

The last couple of months in particular, my health has felt off. The bad days were overpowering the good. So I made the decision to take better care of myself. I joined a gym (although it took a month to get myself in there), and decided to change my diet. I'll let you know how I feel after Week 1 of Project Becca but first I wanna list all my ailments.

I suffer from mental and physical things.
Migraines
Psoriasis
Upper Back Pain
Depression
Anxiety
Jewish Girl Stomach Syndrome
An Occasional Face Breakout
Weak Wrists
Laziness
Hypochondria which allows me to also think I have bouts of Arthritis and occasionally more serious illnesses.
Self-Consciousness
Sweating
Dyslexia

So after Week 1 of exercise and diet change, which in addition to just being healthy, consisted of less diary to see if it triggers my psoriasis, I still feel kinda crappy. Plus my muscles are sore.

But ima stick with it! Eventually I'd like to attempt a vegan diet but I'm taking baby steps towards that goal. I know this will be hard and will be a process but I have nothing to lose (except my lovehandles!) On to Week 2, and 27!

Funny News

2012-01-09T20:34:00.000-05:00

There were two really giggletastic things in the news today.

As Gawker cleverly posts in "Badvertising", this Japanese fiasco hit the stores this holidays.

And there was this clownball.

Holiday 2011

2012-01-07T21:54:00.000-05:00

Miami, FL

Grand Turk

Half Moon Cay

Atlantis, Nassau, Bahamas

Family

Barton G.

2012-01-07T21:41:00.001-05:00

My Yelp Review:
I get a kick out of abnormally sized everyday objects so when I saw photos from this place I knew I had to go. What a fun job! Just like, thinking up absurd ways to present food!

I was set to go on a cruise and literally decided to stay an additional night in Miami just so I could go to Barton G. and experience this madness I had been hearing about. It was extra special because it was Christmas and an Anniversary for me.

Overall, the food was really good.
The presentation, a little better.
The price, overpriced.
The atmosphere, excellent.
The service, well that was great at first, but after our second coarse, things got weird and I'll explain below.

Story time.
Our hotel had no idea where we were going so I pulled up an address on my phone (stupid I was so unprepared, I know). We drove about 15 minutes out of the way and when we got to the place realized it was a corporate office or something. We circled back to the actual restaurant, it was literally down the block from the hotel. The cab driver knew exactly what he was doing and I was just super pissed the hotel was apparently unfamiliar with its own neighborhood (or they just dont care if it isnt on their kickback list) and that the cab driver scammed us. I knew this was going to be an expensive night so I was upset when we arrived but wouldnt let that ruin my night.

The host sat us at what he called the "best table in the house" which was outside in a little more private corner and he chatted with us for a while. Our waiter came by and there was no pressure with the menus, which are indeed on iPads. We really liked him and his presentations. He introduced us to his Second in Command as well. Then to some other waitress who was clearly in training and when she didnt know the answer about a special he asked her about, things got realllly uncomfortable. I felt really bad for her. They 100% push their smokey cocktails and as much as we wanted to taste them, if you arent crazy drinkers and have to wake up at 5am the next day, a $40 drink just wasn't going to make the list. But we did get some champagne and the waiter made a comment about it being on the house since we were celebrating when he delivered them. Sweet!

I wanted to order everything on the menu just to see how it would be presented. Luckily we were surrounded by large groups and I just creepily got to watch them. The Lobster PopTarts and VooDoo Shrimp were delicious. We split the 16oz Strip thinking there would be room for dessert. That steak was possibly the best steak I have ever had. The mashed potatoes were not. But it filled me up and I could not bring myself to order a $65 dessert made for 6 people. :( The weird part was when we told the waiter we were splitting the main coarse, he took the order and never returned. Second in Command did, but very rarely. The service basically just completely halted. OK so we may not have been your big spenders of the night but that is no reason to sway service. I was just really shocked by how drastic the good service got so bad a.k.a. nonexistent.

We got the bill in the comedic "The Damage" envelope. It was not as bad as we were expecting but the champagne was on the bill. Awkwarrrrddddd. But whatever, we left very pleasantly filled and walked home since it was THAT CLOSE to the hotel. (What a joke, that effing cab driver!)

I highly recommend going here with a group of people and despite the rather odd experience I had there, would return. The amount of money plus portion sizes are shareable and would have been much better with some friends and family. This is not the place to just try things off the menu with only 2 of you.

See all the Yelper photos of the amazing dishes HERE

Crepes

2011-12-16T15:05:00.000-05:00

There are a lot of things I would love to have at my wedding but just can't swing. A crepe station being one of them. After a long, intense dance session, wouldn't it be so amazing to just grab a warm sweet crepe filled with gooey Nutella and bananas on the way out?!

I found that most catering companies can provide this type of option but also, crepe stores have their own catering for special occasions. Perhaps next time I have an unlimited budget I will hit up one of these:

The Crepe Escape

Creperie NYC

Suzettes Creperie

Photo via

Cute DIY Holiday Kitchen Fun

2011-12-12T18:58:00.000-05:00

Edible Chocolate Marshmallow Dreidels

Melted Snowman Cookies

Santa Hat Brownies

Holiday Wish List

2011-12-06T12:05:00.000-05:00

Ralph Lauren Was Busy!

2011-11-18T15:01:00.001-05:00

This past summer, Dylan Lauren was married in a design by her father and then shortly after, his son married Lauren Bush in what looks like a gorgeous Western-style Colorado wedding and in a dress also designed by him (with some help from Vera Wang). Totally different looks. Totally stunning dresses. Oh and both featured in Vogue Magazine.

Pug Life

2011-11-16T22:42:00.001-05:00

Honeymoon Stats

2011-11-08T21:19:00.002-05:00

05/24/2011: 2010 Honeymoon Statistics Released By The Knot

-- 3rd Annual Survey of More Than 12,000 Honeymooners Reveals Luxury Honeymoon Choices, Top Honeymoon Destinations and In-Depth Insight Into Honeymoon Budget and Trends --

NEW YORK (May 24, 2011) – The Knot Inc. (NASDAQ: KNOT), the premier media company with the top two wedding websites, TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com, today released the results of its 3rd annual Honeymoon Study, which surveyed more than 12,000 U.S. couples married in 2010. The most definitive report on honeymoon statistics, the 2010 Honeymoon Study from The Knot Market Intelligence, a research division of The Knot Inc., tracks the more than $6 billion honeymoon market by capturing detailed feedback on honeymoon decisions, influences and destination choices.

“The 2010 Honeymoon Study provides incomparable insight into the multibillion-dollar honeymoon industry, and we’re thrilled to provide this level of detail to destination and travel companies looking to understand the decisions couples make while planning this very important trip,” said Kristyn Clement, senior director of The Knot Market Intelligence at The Knot Inc. “TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com are the leading wedding planning resources used by the overwhelming majority of brides in the U.S.; we are, by far, the leading source for insights into the bridal space, including this comprehensive and detailed understanding of honeymoon decision making and trends.”

2010 HONEYMOON STATISTICS

Estimated Number of Honeymooners: 1.4 million U.S. couples per year
Cost of a Honeymoon: $4,466, on average
Honeymoon Length: 8 days, on average (excluding travel time)
Who’s Paying: 62% of couples pay for most (at least 90%) of their honeymoon on their own
When They Book the Honeymoon: 4 months before the wedding date, on average
Most Popular “International” Destinations (% of overall honeymooners): Mexico (15%), Hawaii (12%), Jamaica (7%), The Bahamas (5%), Italy (5%), St. Lucia (5%), France (3%), U.S.V.I. (3%)
Most Popular Continental U.S. Destinations (% of overall honeymooners): Florida (8%), California (5%), Nevada (3%)
Luxury Honeymooners: represent 15% of the market and spend more than $7,000
Most Popular Luxury Honeymoon Destination Region (% of luxury honeymooners):Europe (28%), Caribbean (21%), Hawaii (18%), South Pacific (11%)

CONTINENTAL U.S. VS. INTERNATIONAL HONEYMOONERS

Nearly 30% of newly married U.S. couples honeymoon exclusively within the continental U.S., whereas more than 70% travel outside of the continental U.S. (including Hawaii) for at least some part of their honeymoon.

Continental U.S. Honeymooner

Top Destinations: Florida, California and Nevada
Average Cost: $2,325
Average Length (excluding travel time): 6.7 days
What Honeymooners Look For: Sun, sand and surf not a necessity (18% consider it a top 3 honeymoon feature) and 20% visit theme parks
Accommodations: More diverse range: Deluxe Hotel - 28%; Standard Hotel - 19%; B&B/Inn - 17%; Lodge/Cabin - 15%; Rental House - 13%
Booking: More likely to book directly with a vendor (59%)
Satisfaction: 57% said their honeymoon was "extremely enjoyable"

International Honeymooner

Top Destinations: Mexico, Hawaii, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Italy, St. Lucia, France and U.S.V.I.
Average Cost: $5,219 (more than twice domestic spend)
Average Length (excluding travel time): 8.7 days
What Honeymooners Look For: Sun, sand and surf MUCH more important (48% consider it a top 3 honeymoon feature) and 41% visited more than one locale (almost 2 time more likely compared with domestic honeymooners)
Accommodations: More resort- and cruise-focused: All-inclusive Resort - 39%; Resort (not all-inclusive) - 20%; Cruise - 16%
Booking: More likely to book a package (44%), use travel agents (34%) and book extras (72%)
Satisfaction: 67% said their honeymoon was "extremely enjoyable"

KEY 2010 HONEYMOON TRENDS

Majority of Honeymooners Are Not Affected by the Economy. A majority of couples (60%) did not scale back their honeymoon budget because of the economy. In fact, 1 in 4 couples spent more than they originally budgeted, and 21% spent more than $6,000 on their total honeymoon. In addition, 12% of couples are registering for their honeymoon, and 20% use travel rewards toward their honeymoon.

“Couples today remain committed to planning a luxurious, unforgettable honeymoon and are willing to spend despite the state of the economy,” added Carley Roney, editor in chief of The Knot Inc. “In fact, 3 in 5 couples are booking extras on their honeymoon, and 25% spent more than they had originally budgeted.”

Luxury Honeymooners Spend Approximately $10,000. Nationwide, luxury honeymooners spend an average of $9,954 on their honeymoon, and approximately 1 in 4 reside in New York or California. They honeymoon for an average of 11 days, and a majority (64%) visit more than one locale.

The Continental U.S. Surpasses the Caribbean for the First Time. The number of couples honeymooning in the continental U.S. has increased – 30% in 2010 vs. 26% in 2009 – surpassing the Caribbean as a honeymoon destination region (28% in 2010 vs. 31% in 2009) for the first time. Top domestic honeymoon locales include Walt Disney World/Orlando, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Miami and the Florida Keys.

Couples Increasingly Planning on Their Own. Self-directed booking dominates, with 47% of couples booking their lodging directly with a vendor and 21% using a third-party online travel site. While couples are decreasingly using travel agents to book lodging (28% in 2010 compared with 34% in 2009), more than half of honeymooners are booking a portion of their honeymoon online. In fact, 9% of honeymooners use a mobile app with their planning, and 2% book lodging on online deal-of-the-day websites like WeddingChannel.com Deals, Groupon and Jetsetter.

On Facebook While Honeymooning. Honeymooners don’t take a vacation from social media or mobile devices. Nearly half of couples (48%) visit Facebook while on their honeymoon, and approximately 1 in 5 couples (19%) use a mobile app during that time.

Only 1 in 4 Couples Go on Their Dream Honeymoon. Despite the increase in domestic honeymoons, only 9% of domestic honeymooners consider the continental U.S. their “dream” honeymoon destination. The top “dream” honeymoon destination overall is Europe, followed by the South Pacific and then Hawaii.

About The Knot Market Intelligence 2010 Honeymoon Study

More than 12,000 qualified couples – of mixed ethnicities, and education and income levels – were polled across 50 states. All qualified respondents:

Were 18 or older
Were married in 2010
Had already taken their honeymoon or had at least selected their honeymoon destination

The survey was fielded in October/November 2010 and was administered by Digital Research Inc. on behalf of The Knot Market Intelligence Group.

For more information, please visit TheKnotInc.com/tkmi. Complete custom analyses and reports are available for purchase by contacting insights@theknot.com.

About The Knot Inc.
The Knot Inc. (NASDAQ: KNOT; http://www.theknotinc.com) is the premier media company devoted to weddings, pregnancy and everything in between, providing young women with the trusted information, products and advice they need to guide them through the most transformative events of their lives. Our family of premium brands began with the industry's #1 wedding brand, The Knot, and has grown to include WeddingChannel.com, The Nest and The Bump. Our groundbreaking community platforms and incomparable content have ignited passionate communities across the country. The Knot Inc. is recognized by the industry for being innovative in all media – from the web to social media and mobile, magazines and books, and television and video. For our advertisers and partners, The Knot Inc. offers the consummate opportunity to connect with our devoted communities as they make the most important decisions of their lives. Founded in 1996, The Knot Inc. is made up of four major revenue categories: online sponsorship and advertising, registry services, merchandise and publishing. The company is publicly listed on NASDAQ (KNOT) and is headquartered in New York City.

CONTACT: Jacalyn Lee
Public Relations Director
The Knot Inc.
(212) 219-8555 x1013
Jacalyn@theknot.com

E-Sesh

2011-11-07T21:59:00.000-05:00

Engagement photos are becoming a fun, popular and creative way to introduce yourself to the world as an engaged couple as well a way to get to know your photographer. I was thinking of some creative places to do these shoots. I love NYC, and can appreciate the Central Park shoots. It's one of the most beautiful places in the world. But it's time to start to think outside the box. especially if you don't live in New York and a plain old park or beach won't cut it. Here's what I came up with.

1. I recently went on a yacht. It got me thinking of a really fun New York Harbor story. Champagne flutes, picnic at the foot of the boat, captain hats, fiance steering and the other navigating. All with the Manhattan skyline in the background. Hell, throw in a Titanic King Of The World pose while your at it!

2. The green market like in Union Square or food market like Chealsea Market or Grand Central. Even take it a step further and actually cook the meal and take some photos in the kitchen. Or skip the market and just do a cooking shoot.

3. FAO Schwarz fun shoot. Playing on the piano, BIG style. Posing with the Lego creations. Peeking from behind giant stuffed animals. Maybe heading over to the candy shop.

4. Yoga session. Acroyoga is a really cool practice involving two or more people posing as one. It's pretty cool but I think it could also be for a more yoga advanced couple. Faces aren't always cute when posing in odd positions.

5. I recently saw some really great shots of a couple at Fenway Park. I think catching a couple at an event they love to go to, or going to a venue they love is a really neat concept - but could also be pricey.

Photographer - Check!

2011-11-05T19:01:00.000-04:00

Things are coming along in the planning process. Photographs were our main focus when it came to budgeting and ranking what we felt was the most important aspect. After much search and thought, we met with our top three and...

The final decision: INKU
We are really excited to work with him!

Trend Alert: Ombre

2011-11-02T21:15:00.003-04:00

This summer it was the Ombe hair trend. Now its moved on to nails. What is Ombre? Its a french term that means shaded. See examples (like what I just did with the words):

Hope E! Got A Prenup!

2011-11-01T00:26:00.001-04:00

News spread today of Kim Kardashian filing for divorce from Kris Humpries after 72 days of marriage. I can't say I am surprised but it's more then just that to me and I think for others too.

I think she's a hopeless romantic and perhaps was not always in it for the money as some suspect. I think she wanted to find true love and be married more than anything else in the world. I think Kris was also in over his head and star struck and wanted to make this last any way he could, ultimately sacrificing more than he expected. I think E! fed her the poison of a wedding special that comes with money and more fame and hype, etc. and it was too hard to resist.

You get caught up in that stuff. Even without all of it, imagine backing out of your wedding? Not an easy thing to deal with. Add to it having your life under a microscope (yes even though you asked for it), millions of dollars, major companies...basically a huge business deal, on the premis that you would marry this guy, but deep down inside, you realize it wasn't right when you were already far into it? Maybe as an ideal person, you'd like to think you could walk away.

Now...The money. Not only did these people drop millions of dollars on their event, they profited from it. They reportedly made $17 million off of their wedding. That's about $10,000 an hour for the marriage. I wonder if E! had a prenup also? Make it last as long as our promos are on our site for your Fairytale Wedding or no payout. Oops, how ironic. Dam I would hate to be the assistant to return all those gifts to guests!

But on a serious note about the financials, what a waste! It was a waste (for everyone but Kim and Kris) success or not. That money could have fed a country! Build a much needed NYC animal shelter. Given homeless people new clothes. Helped save some lives. UGH the list could go on.

Then theres the gay marriage argument. At first I didn't think it was fair to make her a poster child for this but then I thought about it and I changed my mind. How absurd that these two heterosexual individuals are not just getting married but profiting for their marriage of 72 days, when gay people who have been in loving and committed and real relationships for sometimes 30+ years still cant legally be married?

Lastly, for now, why do so many people seem forget that marriage is work? If you wanna be lazy and selfish, then dont get married in the first place. Unless someone offers you $17 million dollars and you have no heart!

Also, when did Ryan Seacrest become Kim Kardashian's publicist? He was the one who started the whole thing with a tweet.

Back to my first point of just the fact that she was in too far too fast. Perhaps in hindsight, the fact that everyone is now joking about it, I'm sure it is hurtful to Miss Kim. And I am sure she is wondering if she made the right decision from the start of all this. But really, after all of this is said and done, who cares?! She will move on and be fine. And people and animals and the world will still be cold, hungry, suffering and poor.

Have a nice night.

I Finally Got A Monkey!

2011-10-29T17:45:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday we went to the world famous Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade with Gabriel dressed as a monkey. Dowtowntraveler.com walked by and got this really cute picture!

Apple Salad with Avocado, Pomegranate & Blue Cheese via Ramshackleglam.com

2011-10-29T17:37:00.000-04:00

As ya'll know, I'm a big fan of the Ramshackleglam.com blog. I pulled this recipe from it. Hello presentation!

What you need:

2 apples of your choice (She used McIntosh; Gala would work really well, too)

1 avocado, diced

1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

Olive oil

Lemon juice

Salt & pepper

What you do:

1. Slice off top of each apple and set aside. Slice off the bottoms so that they rest flat on the table, then use a small paring knife to cut the center out of each apple, being careful not to break the shell.

2. Chop the centers of the apples into 1/4″ pieces, then mix in a small bowl with the rest of the ingredients and pour your salad into your apple bowls. Set the reserved apple tops on a slight angle, as shown in the photos.

For more apple info (including the best apples for eating and for baking), click here.

Bridal Market 2012 Ball Gowns

2011-10-24T20:48:00.001-04:00

I'm not one for ballgowns but I seem to have noticed them more this year and picked the ones I liked from Bridal Market.

Badgley Mischka, Ramona Keveza, Lazaro, Marchesa, Monique Lhuillier, Kenneth Poole

Gilad Shalit HOME

2011-10-18T21:24:00.000-04:00

I do have a lot to say about this, but for the moment, lets just be in the moment and be happy he is home.

JLM Couture Bridal Market Part 2

2011-10-18T21:06:00.004-04:00

Since someone didn't show up at the JLM Couture show for Jim Hjelm, Alvina Valenta & Hayley Paige presentations for Bridal Market...

I got a sweet front row seat!

Hayley Paige is a new designer under the label and it was fun, fabulous and flirty.

More, professional photos to come. I got so into the show I didn't get good ones but here are the two other designers, Alvina Valenta & "Jim Hjelm".

I had such a fun time going to the shows. I really like the company that my dress came from! How many brides can really say they met the designer and went to the shows?! It was an amazing opportunity for me and I can't thank Susan, their PR director, enough for inviting me.

And with that, I'm off to daydreaming about being a bridal blogger.

Raj Tents

2011-10-16T22:53:00.000-04:00

HOW SICK IS THIS COMPANY!? Raj is a tenting and decor company that creates beautiful tents like the ones below. SO amazing and I want them. I want them for my wedding. I want them for my home. No need for more words, just LOOK:

For more see Raj Tents

Bridal Market - JLM Couture

2011-10-15T01:00:00.000-04:00

Something totally cool happened. Long story short, the company who I got my wedding dress from invited me to the 2012 shows for Bridal Market. This is like Fashion Week but for the bridal industry. Um, yea, I was kinda really excited to be invited! Kudos to the PR twitterer who expanded the bubble for this and invited some rogues like moi. (What would my blog entry be without a little PR comment.) :)

Tonight was the first of the two shows. I'll be honest, I was overwhelmed trying to enjoy it all and trying to make cohesive thoughts and relaying them into all forms of social media in real time. (Or maybe that was the champagne...) I gave up on taking crappy photos and I will follow up with the professional ones that will post later on of the dresses. But in the meantime, here is some stuff I saw at the classy affair from JLM Couture: Lazaro, Tara Keely & Noir by Lazaro.

When guests walked in, they were greeted with some amazing works of art, aka dresses on display.

None of my photos from the actual show are good but here is Lazaro, the man himself, getting a well deserved round of applause after the show. Can't wait to post the dresses! Heard whispers throughout that this was his best collection yet!

A tweet from the show and more to come:

And here is a link to the finale I taped:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lAcfCmImcM

Luke's Lobster Roll

2011-10-12T12:18:00.001-04:00

Can you visualize this?

2011-10-06T23:27:00.000-04:00

Slight Addiction: Pinterest

2011-10-05T23:18:00.000-04:00

Pinterest.com is digital scrapbooking. With a simple "pin" action, you can add anything you want to your created boards. Its a great way to organize your wedding inspirations, get your creative mind flowing, and waste hours of your time. :)

An example of my Pinterest page.

My First Louboutins!

2011-10-04T20:50:00.000-04:00

I officially own my first pair of Christian Louboutin shoes! They aren't your every day pair but they sure are gorgeous!

2011-09-23T16:23:00.000-04:00

Working at an animal shelter has its challenges. The one I work at is no-kill. That is a must for me. I couldn't handle the other option. Another challenge is not getting attached to the animals that are for adoption. But once in a while, connections are made. There is one little pumpkin who I bonded with and I have to say goodbye to because he got adopted. I watched him when he first came in and was a mess. His skin was extremely irritated. It was red and he literally has scales. He was constantly itching. The poor little (and I mean little, he is 3 pounds!) thing was so visibly uncomfortable! He also has an eye condition and it always looks like he is crying. Slowly, his caretaker and the team here nursed him back to health. His little stick legs were bald but OK and recently they even started to grow some hair! Every day I get in I say "hello" to him and every night before I leave I say "goodnight". Its become ritual. Its been so amazing watching him get better and wagging his broken tail around. I hope he is happy in his new home!

Us on the Today Show

Alisa Brides

2011-09-22T21:02:00.003-04:00

My birthright friend Alisa (she was on the trip with Roommate) is one cool lady. She happens to have started a new company called Alisa Brides. Alisa describes her company as "a boutique bridal accessories line dedicated to a variety of finely crafted, American-made veils ". I recently met with her and (aside from reminiscing about a trip of a lifetime) she wow'd me with her designs. The girl has talent, understands the business, and is definitely doing things with this. I am really excited for her! She makes everything by hand with tender loving care. She gets to know her brides and is also a great consultant for those unsure of what they want. Here are just a few of her pieces below, click on the link above to see everything on her site.

Fall Boots

2011-09-19T18:58:00.000-04:00

Steve Madden $80

Aldo $140

Frye $358

YSL

Emmy Highlight

2011-09-18T23:32:00.000-04:00

When the nominees were announced for Female Comic Actress, they all came up. It seemed unplanned at first but it was in fact scripted. It was a cute little number all the ladies did and even cute when Melissa McCarthy won and was "crowned" as if she just won a pageant. I am waiting for the video to emerge and until then, here are some pics from various sources.

Emmy Awards 2011 Fashion

2011-09-18T23:26:00.002-04:00

There was the red trend.

(Courtesy of E!)

There was a mermaid trend. There was a plunging neckline trend. Which did I like best? Well...

Showing some slits from Sarah Hyland in Christian Siriano and Tony Ward on Jennifer Carpenter.

Some red with Kate Winslet in Elie Saab and Kayley Kuoco shoes with her Ramona Keveza dress.

Glamour in Elisabeth Moss in Marchesa and a vintage dress on John Hamm's leading lady.

Oh and Minka Kelly in Dior.

Also, something fun is seeing the dresses that were on the runway. Red Carpet Fashion Awards.com does this.

Fashion Week Fall 2012 Day 3 to the End

2011-09-15T20:37:00.000-04:00

I should just rename this post, "What I would wear to the Emmy's if I was going to the Emmy's, from all the collections this past week". I tend to gravitate to the gowns. Here's my picks.

Adam (particularly the cape) & Rachel Zoe

Badgley Mischka & Marchesa

Peter Som & Rebecca Taylor

Oscar de la Renta

Christian Siriano & DKNY (loved the NYC Taxi Cab background)

Overall shows that looked:
Betsy Johnson
Nanette Lepore

Missoni for Target

2011-09-12T23:48:00.000-04:00

Collabs are all the rage and I am so pumped for this one. For the full lookbook please visit where I snagged these images from, Fashionista.com

Monique Lhuillier Spring 2012

2011-09-11T23:54:00.002-04:00

So far my favorite show. She gets gowns. And makes me want gowns.

Fashion Week Spring 2012 Day 1 & 2

2011-09-10T20:42:00.001-04:00

First off, I just need to say that I love the Fug Girls coverage of Fashion Week via NYMag.com's The Cut Blog.

OK, so far I am seeing lots of color. Like crazy bright patterns with florals and neons. Glad to see it because this time around, I am focusing on what goes well with animal hair.

Yellow is the new orange and maybe pink too. Also, capes. And asymmetrical cuts are still going strong. Also, I've noticed a lot of no pants. Odd.

Styling trends on the runway, sunglasses.

Excited to see more!

Nicole Miller

BCBG

Prabal Gurung

Real Talent and the 2011 MTV VMA's

2011-08-29T00:41:00.001-04:00

"No props. No crazy costumes. Just talent. New artists, take note - Adele is schooling you."

The costumes at the VMA's were just plain stupid. Clearly these people don't live by the motto, "No regrets!". From Nicki Minaj who looked like she went swimming in the FAO Schwarz garbage can with a SARS mask on,

(Photo Credit: Just Jared)

to Katy Perry and a yellow cube on her head,

(Photo Credit: Getty)

to even Lady Gaga's alter ego, Jo Calderone, who looked like Eyegore...

It was just beyond statement clothing this time around.

One person who actually stuck out because she WASN'T dressed like an asshole, because she is pure talent and doesnt need to distract you with nonsense, was Adele.

In fact, I love how she was introduced. Essentially, Katy Perry put it like this; "You can go in a lot of paths at age 21. You can have black out nights and have embarrassing things posted on the internet OR you can make one of the most moving albums of the year."

Adele took the latter path and according to tweets, had viewers in tears, with her simple performance of Someone Like You. She's wearing a custom Barbara Tfank black cotton dress with embroidered scalloped lace.

Watch the video here:

Some more questions I have about the talents outfits.
Why was Justin Bieber holding a baby snake?
Was YSL sponsoring this? There were blatant product placements.
Will Polo pay Lil Wayne to not wear their undies on stage again?
Who designed the "black" carpet set up, and why was it so awkward?
Where were the musicians? I feel like the entire pre-show was interviewing TV stars, who I never heard of.

Realities

2011-08-29T00:26:00.000-04:00

Wanted to take a moment to think about some stuff.

Take a moment today, just a couple seconds even, to imagine today is your 25th birthday. Now, imagine no celebration, no family and friends, no presents...nothing. Then imagine spending you birthday, for the 6th time, in captivity. This is the story of Gilad Shalit, on this very day.

Now, take a moment to think about the recent Hurricane Irene and be thankful. Even if you are flooded, your car was damaged from debris, or you have no electricity. This Hurricane hit New York City about 12 hours ago now and it was not nearly as bad as expected and we will survive. But now think about New Orleans. Do you know how long ago it was that Katrina hit? 6 years ago! And they are STILL recovering. Some may never recover. Their entire homes, neighborhoods, were washed away. Just put that into perspective for a moment.

Beyonce is Pregnant!

2011-08-28T21:17:00.000-04:00

Musical royalty is in the works. In what was one of the greatest announcements of all time, Beyonce announced her pregnancy on the VMA "Black" Carpet just moments ago. Why was this so great? Well, it's very happy news for her and her husband, Jay-Z but also, MTV decided they would only show actors from their own network at the MUSIC Awards. So no-one was even watching B when she did this. It's just genius. Mazel tov!

New Tumblr - Why

2011-08-25T20:09:00.000-04:00

Ever just walk by something and ask yourself, Why?! Me too. So I started this tumblr.

Awkward Engagement/Wedding Photos

2011-08-25T20:06:00.001-04:00

At lot of awkward engagement and wedding photos have surfaced in my life recently. I was thinking of starting a whole new blog just for this but upon further research, AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com has done it for me! So i'll just post my faves here for you to enjoy.

deja vu

2011-08-21T16:59:00.000-04:00

Zach vs Zac

Dean vs Scarecrow

(Credit: Carla B)

Limelight Marketplace and Brocade

2011-08-21T14:11:00.003-04:00

Limelight Marketplace opened over a year ago and has been continuously changing since. Every time I roam in there, there are different stores and layouts of the place. The price points of these stores are very affordable, something you would never expect. Recently, I went in and found this store, Brocade, and it is dreamy. Before I get into it, a little about the history of the building.

It used to be a church, which is fairly obvious when looking at it from the outside. Then, a nightclub and then a private event space. Now it is transformed into shops but maintains the church design. It's easy to get lost but fun because every corner is a new space. My friends and I stumbled upon this really cool lounge area that I bet we will never find again.

We made it to this spot through Brocade. This store is right up my ally. Even cooler is the set up the store has. Its just like a home so you can really get a feel for the stuff. Even down to the bedrooms that are sized for Manhattan ones. Just check this stuff out!

Wedding Venue, Date, Dress - Check!

2011-08-15T21:07:00.002-04:00

My wedding is more than a year away and I already have the venue and therefore the date AND just got my dress. I wan't planning on doing everything so soon but it just happened.

We needed to pick the date but we couldn't do that without the place. All we knew was Summer 2012. We went with Crest Hollow in Woodbury, Long Island. The outside just went through a renovation and it is what sold me. It's gorgeous. This photo below is the secret garden we will be getting married in and the following photo is part of where our cocktail hour will be. Photos don't do this area justice. It's pretty freaking cool. The fire pit definitely helped.

The dress was totally unexpected. I thought for sure that I would hate everything. But I always loved this one style of dress in my head and the designer I really liked happened to be doing a trunk show at Kleinfeld's this past weekend so I thought that would be a great place to start. I never would have thought I'd find THE dress so fast. But I put it on and it was what I wanted. I am sure I could continue the search but I know this would be in the back of my head. Then I met the designer and she gave me some pointers and we just went with it! I was laughing at myself because I acted like I was meeting a celebrity telling her what a big fan of her work I was. She was so sweet about it though and it just made me love the dress more. I won't say too much about it but I will say I am sad I have to wait so long til I wear my Jim Hjelm.

Are there really any cons to having everything not be last minute? I mean, besides possibly changing your mind about something. But you just have to have some good will power and not get to crazy with the, "well what ifs".

Here are photos of the dresses I didn't get but kinda also loved. First was Alita Graham then Christos then Marchesa. You can probably figure some similarities. :)

Looks like...

2011-08-10T19:50:00.000-04:00

Nick vs. Leon

"Robyn" vs Kamryn

Whoopsies!

2011-08-10T14:22:00.002-04:00

Friendly Fires at Summerstage

2011-08-08T16:22:00.001-04:00

Spent a summer Sunday doing one of my favorite things. Went to Central Park Summerstage for a FREE concert and the band was awesome, Friendly Fires. Here is their performance of Love Sick and Chimes. I want to dance with the lead singer, Ed.

The Roxbury Rox

2011-08-05T14:20:00.000-04:00

Don't even know how to start with this one. One of the coolest motels ever. Just look at these rooms! I wish I could have the ability to design a house like this! It reminds me of the O Mansion in D.C. and that Trailer camping site I once blogged about. I don't even know what themes I would do... Design aside, what an awesome place to get away. Or have a funky bachelorette party...

Plum and Gold

2011-08-03T13:10:00.000-04:00

From left to right:
1. Cake
2. Menu handwritten in gold calligraphy
3. Dress by Bari Jay
4. Golden candelabra centerpiece
5. Plum fig paisley stamp
6. Black Calla Lily bouquet

NO!

2011-07-29T09:42:00.000-04:00

A picture is worth a thousand words?!

How Divine

2011-07-26T15:50:00.000-04:00

via NYSD

Amy Winehouse 1983-2011

2011-07-25T19:57:00.001-04:00

Dam. Amy Winehouse passed away Saturday July 23rd. The cause of death is still unknown. Addiction is horrible. What a sad thing to hear.

This is still one of my favorite songs of all time:

Wedding Planner GO

2011-07-11T19:42:00.000-04:00

I got engaged! Saturday, June 25.

As a wedding planning junkie, I am pumped...and so confused! I wanted to keep track of it all here. Ironically, the more time I had, the less I blogged. No more excuses, it starts up again NOW!

I am in week 3 and I've got nothing. haha Well not nothing but not much. I didn't love my website options on theknot.com so I made my own website. http://www.wix.com/rebeccajmeyers/drm#!

Now the next step is picking a venue. As much as I would love a Manhattan rooftop, reality is that it costs a fortune, and I just dont have a fortune. So on to the next thing. Long Island. We are going to look at some places and hopefully this will settle things. Once he venue is picked, the rest falls into place. The date, the layout, the menu. I can feel much better when that is picked.

Besides that, I decided I needed a support system early on so we picked our bridal party. I invited the ladies and my mom to a vague brunch and then handed them roses and asked them to accept. They all did! Then we went to the Louboutin store which was closed. So sad! But we continued to Bergdorf's and I found a great shoe contender. Then my mom and I basically ran to SAKS later last week. I tried on some beautiful gowns. It is going to be a lot harder then I thought!

I just love all the planning though and can't wait to see how it all turns out!

Rant About Twitter

2011-06-15T12:13:00.000-04:00

Sometimes my posts are for your entertainment. Sometimes they have a bigger purpose. Sometimes they are for my personal sense of remembering things I did and act as a diary of sorts. But sometimes, I just need to vent and this is one of those times.

About that twitter post you just sent to the entire world to read; directed at only one person who is not me: You're interesting on twitter and a valid resource to follow. But I KNOW you "get" twitter, so those personal messages directed at one person, broadcast for the entire world to see is clearly NOT by mistake. Text message, BBM, email, PHONES (remember those?!)...they all still exist you know and are perfectly capable of telling someone you have to speak with them. You obviously want everyone to know you have this relationship with the person you are messaging and frankly, it looks pathetic on your part. It's childish and unprofessional (and I say that because you broadcast this from a somewhat professional voice). Sure I want to know your little secret but if I didn't know you were telling secrets in the first place, I wouldn't care. So mission accomplished. You've made us all feel like we are back in 5th grade and personally, I hated it so now, I hate you. OK no I don't really hate you but it's not cool what you are doing so knock it off please. And thanks. And have a nice day.

STOP BULLYING

2011-06-15T09:47:00.000-04:00

This Anti-Bully campaign but more so the "It Gets Better Project" is sweeping the nation. I think it is an excellent idea for "grown-ups" to let young kids know that no matter what you are going through, it will get better and life goes on. I am curious if they are addressing the bullies too? Sure you are going to immediately reach out to those who are hurting. But what about really getting to the heart of the situation? If no one is bullying in the first place, you wont have to help out kids who feel like they are being bullied. BAM!

Find out more about the Stop Bullying Campaign: http://www.stopbullying.gov/
Find out more about the It Gets Better Project: http://www.itgetsbetter.org/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gCQfRQHR5k

Summer 2011

2011-05-31T21:52:00.002-04:00

What better way to bring in the summer on Memorial Weekend then with a lobster roll?

#foodporn from my Abbott's Lobster roll.

All American Wedding

2011-05-31T21:49:00.000-04:00

My Argentinian college roommate married a Smith from Cape Cod and they couldn't help but make fun of themselves at their All American Wedding.

Rick vs Jim

2011-05-31T21:46:00.002-04:00

Lady Gaga Google Chrome Commercial

2011-05-22T22:11:00.000-04:00

Beyonce Runs The Billboards

2011-05-22T21:45:00.000-04:00

Bridesmaids - Thumbs AND Toes Up!

2011-05-19T19:41:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite movies, ever. Brilliant writing and execution that had me crying in laughter. Kristen Wiig has this sick sense of humor that works so well. No awkwardness or fakeness. Its just so genuine and funny. The scene on the plane was all to familiar. The roommate is an identical match to someone I know. I kept thinking, this is what guys must have felt like after The Hangover. I can't wait to see it again!

http://www.bridesmaidsmovie.com/home.html

Sharon v Ivanka

2011-05-17T08:44:00.002-04:00

#metgala #slimandsexy

2011-05-02T23:22:00.000-04:00

Photos from TheCut and JustJarad

#metgala #traintrend

2011-05-02T23:20:00.000-04:00

Photos from TheCut and JustJarad

Quote of the Day

2011-05-02T22:38:00.002-04:00

"The greatness of humanity is not in being human, but in being humane."

— Mahatma Gandhi

Royal Wedding III

2011-05-02T22:27:00.000-04:00

Weddingmania. What have you seen?

Royal Wedding II

2011-05-02T19:58:00.001-04:00

I'm actually overwhelmed with all the royal wedding coverage! I'm just going to post a bunch of images for now.

Royal Wedding Obsession

2011-04-29T09:31:00.000-04:00

You have to notice two main trends about this Royal Wedding. 1. People are obsessed. 2. People are asking why there is an obsession.

Let me break this down for you in a very technical theory I have come up with.

It comes down to jealousy. Jealousy is a reflection of your own issues. Fixation is a form of jealousy in this case. People are fixated on the royal wedding because they are jealous. But that's OK! Who dosnt want Kate's fairytale?!

So there you have it!

But actually there are other reasons as well. There are people who love weddings (me), or are interested in historical moments or its just unavoidable because we live in a society that is crazy about this stuff...

Bright Lights, Bigger City on SNL

2011-04-28T22:06:00.003-04:00

I really liked this version of this song. Enjoy!

21111657 by yardie4lifever2

Why I Am Jealous of Khloe Kardashian

2011-04-24T17:40:00.003-04:00

via Elle & The Coveteur

On the Fringe

“These shoes are beyond words. Mr. Louboutin just does it right—he knows how to make women’s shoes the entire outfit. I literally create most of my outfits around my shoe collection.”

A Chanel Easter

2011-04-24T16:59:00.000-04:00

Happy Easter via Vouge.com via Chanel

New Yorkers For Children Spring Gala 2011

2011-04-19T20:37:00.001-04:00

Info and photos from New York Social Diary.

When: April 12, 2011
Where: Mandarin Oriental, New York
What: A Fool's Fete. More than $550,000 was raised to benefit youth in foster care. The event was designed by David Stark.
Why do I care: Well besides a good cause, it looked fun!

The Kitchen NYC + Chef Jet Tila + TY KU

2011-04-19T20:10:00.004-04:00

My friend Rachel has been working hard on the launch of this awesome new concept called The Kitchen NYC. You know when you think it would be awesome to hire a chef to come cook for a dinner party but your kitchen sucks? Or you really want to throw an event and have to deal with catering issues due to lack of equipment? Or you are an awesome chef and want to throw a party? The Kitchen NYC is the answer.

It's a state of the art kitchen WITH an event space. A 7,500 square foot space. They are extremely flexible with decor and set up too so the options are open. From an intimate dinner party to a cocktail party for the World Series, you can do it there. And it's pet friendly!

The event I went to featured Chef Jet Tila. Currently at Wazuzu in the Wynn Las Vegas, he was in NYC and taught me (and the rest of the room) all about Yellowtail along with Chef de Cuisine Scott Okazaki, who was a great sport answering my stupid questions about travelling with knives. Things I retained: The collar is a delicacy (Mr. Wynn enjoys it) and this particular fish came from the waters of Australia due to the state of Japan and it's waters. I wish I remembered more! I was too distracted by the bomb spicy crunchy tuna rolls and TY KU mojitos!

That’s right, my friends at TY KU were coincidentally there providing drinks for the night. They also launched their brand new Silver Sake, a more affordable yet still quality bottle. After the demo, Chef Jet did a superb job of working the room. He showed a couple ladies how to make sushi rolls, and actually COMPLIMENTED Cleveland during our conversation with him. He couldn't have been more friendly and I am happy I got to meet him. If I do ever break the Vegas spell and end up going there, I'll be sure to make some reservations at Wazuzu.

2011-04-13T14:47:00.001-04:00

E! did it with Khloe & Lamar, so will they do it with Kim and Kris? Page Six reports that she will be looking into New York City apartments to be closer to her newest beau which got me thinking. I bet they will come up with a crazy offer for a finale wedding of Kim & Kourtney Take New York!

Would you marry someone for a million dollars? I would consider it depending on the circumstances. But if circumstances say you're already a millionaire and been married before, would you do it for showbiz? When is enough enough? I think she would. E! would be offering a hopeless romantic her dream wedding for the stunt. Sadly I think she can't say no to that (which also gets me going on the definition of marriage, but I wont get into that now). Also, I'm calling it now that it will be more then Khloe got and it will cause some friction even if it's not on camera, you can bet on that.

Sidenote: I dont know these people and I am always a firm believer in not judging anyone in general and especially if you don't know them but it's hard not to judge when they put it out there for you to judge (follow that? haha). I don't doubt Khloe and Lamar were in love and planned to marry anyway. Thrilled to see that from the outsider's perspective, it all seems like it is working out. Great for them! But Kim is different.

New York Bridal Fashion Week

2011-04-12T21:05:00.000-04:00

Yes there is such a thing! It's not over yet but so far, my picks from Runway Spring 2012 - I guess I like strapless:

Ines Di Santo

Ramona Keveza

Reem Acra

Monique Lhuillier

Photos from Brides.com

Amber Heard Twins

2011-04-11T19:13:00.001-04:00

The first time I saw her in Pineapple Express, she reminded me of Blake Lively.

Then I just saw her in a new preview with dark hair and thought she was KStew.

And while making this, was also making me think, Olivia Wilde a bit.

Shawn vs Tony

2011-04-11T18:15:00.000-04:00

Winter Reading

2011-04-04T10:34:00.001-04:00

Props to fancy publishing house Assouline for doing an amazing social media giveaway to get attention to the book below. A getaway to St. Barths! The most gorgeous area in the world in my opinion. One hour left to enter. I did days ago. Also congrats to Pamela Fiori for picking a subject most enjoyable to write about. Off to daydreaming...

In The Spirit of St. Barths by Pamela Fiori

Assouline Publishing

Update: I didn't win :(

Rain On Me

2011-04-03T15:33:00.003-04:00

Is there anything more depressing than a broken boring black umbrella? Cheer up the mood with these upbeat options.

Top Left: Alexander McQueen

Top Right: haroldfeinsteinstore.com

Bottom Left: luluguinness.com

Bottom Right: Missoni

Ring Ring

2011-03-31T19:56:00.002-04:00

Today I came across a contest for someone to win a new engagement ring if they could show how horrible their original ring was. I went on a google search and found some more really nasty ones. I feel bad for these ladies!

Photo Break

2011-03-31T19:06:00.001-04:00

Top Photo: Me in Israel

Remaining Three: Jetset Farryn

Twobservations

2011-03-31T18:40:00.001-04:00

Things I've always said and other people write on twitter:

@misskellyo: im so sick of buying these expensive dresses with cheap zips they always brake!
Anonymous: Why do the clothes in front of the tailors window always look old?

Choppt

2011-03-29T21:58:00.001-04:00

After about a year of growing my hair out, I went to the Mark Garrison Salon to participate in the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program. My friend had donated her hair their and she looks glamorous after the fact so I was confident they wouldn't butcher mine. Wednesday's are free but I was going to Jamaica so I went for the 50% off any other day, which still is a great deal.

I knew it would be short, and I know I hate my hair short but it was for someone that didn't even have a choice to have hair, let alone long or short hair. Alex did the cut. What do you think?

Nonprofit Motives

2011-03-28T19:05:00.004-04:00

Today I was featured in the New York Post Business Section! Can't go without saying a special thanks to my photographer and friend of HSNY, Tiffany!

(I've highlighted the important parts)

Rebecca Meyers worked in the competitive world of entertainment public relations in the competitive borough of Manhattan, striving to get her clients the press coverage on which they feasted.

She worked late nights. She was threatened with termination. She job-hopped firms. And then she had enough.

“It was an extremely cutthroat environment,” she says. “Just very negative energy — nasty people that I didn’t want to be a part of anymore.”

Turning her back on commercial p.r. firms, she took a job at the Humane Society of New York in November. And she’s happier than a pit bull with a T-bone over the move.

“I get to do public relations and I get to work with animals, which is my other love,” she says. “It’s the first job where I haven’t seen myself leaving anytime soon.”

Once stereotyped by some as the province of the righteous, the religious and the revolutionary, nonprofits have become increasingly desirable options for people previously wedded to corporate careers. And such workers are being welcomed at a time when nonprofits increasingly covet business-world skills.

“The new breed of people in nonprofits is much more entrepreneurial, and that’s what nonprofits are looking for,” says David Gruber of the nonprofit-services group EisnerAmper. “Transference can occur quite frequently today.”

So just how many career-changers and job-seekers are looking to nonprofits?

“All of them,” says Bruce Hurwitz, a recruiter who works with nonprofits, only half-joking. “It’s what you do now.” But just as a thriving ad exec may flounder in the scrappier world of Wall Street, not everyone is suited to work at a nonprofit. Though many are fostering a more businesslike culture, working at the Humane Society is a different animal than working at Ralston-Purina.

So before jumping into the applicant pool, those considering nonprofit work should consider whether they have the right personality. “It’s a very different culture than the corporate culture,” says Carolyn Miles, a former American Express marketing exec who’s now the COO of Save the Children. “I’ve seen lots of [former corporate workers] come here and it doesn’t work. They have all the functional skills, but the cultural fit is not right.”

For instance, while take-no-prisoners authoritarians may be valued at top-down corporations, they’re unlikely to thrive at nonprofits, which operate more collaboratively. So if “The Art of War” is your workplace bible, trouble is in store.

“We work as teams. We try to listen to one another,” says Bill Ayres, co-founder of WHY, a 35-year-old nonprofit that fights poverty. “A number of people who’ve come over from the for-profit sector did not have that experience,” he adds with dry understatement.

“Nonprofits are not a one-person band,” agrees Gruber of EisnerAmper. “They’re a team of people working together.”

They’re also environments where a measure of civility is expected that may be foreign to people used to corporate pressure cookers. Even when the heat is on, “You can’t lose your temper,” says Hurwitz. “It’s like customer service — you say, ‘Yes sir, I’ll try to fix it.’”

Another difference is an expectation of emotional commitment. Since nonprofit work is viewed as much as a cause as a job, personal attachment to that cause is considered critical.

“One of the most important qualities is a sense of passion about the issue, whatever it may be,” says Ayres. But while nonprofits may not hunger for certain for-profit personality traits, they’re increasingly after corporate-world skills. “They need people who understand business,” says Gruber. “The for-profit sector provides those skill sets.”

The right fit is a two-way street, of course, so for-profit folks looking for a change need to decide if a decelerated, collaborative workplace is right for them. And the differences aren’t just cultural. While the gap isn’t as stark as it once was, the pay is still lower at nonprofits. And someone transferring from the corporate world may well see a demotion in title.

“Because you’ve been an executive or middle manager in a business does not mean you’ll be a midlevel or senior manager in a nonprofit,” says John Brothers, a principal at Cuidiu Consulting.

But you won’t be living on food stamps, either. Since nonprofits now compete for the same employees businesses seek, they’ve had to up their compensation. And they’re less likely to chain workers to their desks, says Ayres. “We try to have more balance,” he says. “Not push people to work impossible hours.”

Though fewer hours is often the norm, the fervor people bring to the job can turn that upside down, notes Save the Children’s Miles. And while some say there’s less stress at nonprofits because there’s less emphasis on bottom-line numbers, others say they breed a different type of stress. “You’ve got 1,001 bosses: You’ve got your donors. You’ve got the people who participate in your programs. You’ve got your volunteers,” says Hurwitz.

But to many nonprofit workers, such concerns are non sequiturs. “Every day I feel so privileged to get up and work on behalf of the organization,” says Jerry Silverman, once a top exec at Levi Strauss and now president of the Jewish Federations of North America. “It’s a very different feeling because of this sense of passion in the fact that we’re enabling change.”

He’s echoed by Rebecca Meyers, who says she loves working alongside others who share her passion for animals. “I’ve never met nicer people in my life,” she says. “These are people who genuinely care about what they’re doing.”

MAKING THE SWITCH

If you’re looking to land a nonprofit job, the best way is to take the nonprofit designation literally. In other words: volunteer. “Nonprofits are hesitant to hire people from the for-profit world because they believe they won’t understand what nonprofits do and how they do it,” says recruiter Bruce Hurwitz. “So the way to overcome that hesitance is to volunteer.”

That doesn’t necessarily mean working at a soup kitchen, he notes. You could serve on an event committee or give pro bono advice.

In addition to showing commitment, volunteering enables networking, notes Carolyn Miles of Save the Children. And it can lead to a job more directly: many of her group’s hires start as volunteers.

Buddha Chillin

2011-03-25T12:25:00.001-04:00

via Gothamist

Keep It Light

2011-03-24T21:57:00.000-04:00

I am trying to stay positive in light of the negative things going on in our world. There have been some powerful photos that only prove a picture is worth a thousand words.

and on March 23, 2011 a bomb went off in central Jerusalem killing one and injuring 31.

Jamaica in 48 Hours

2011-03-20T12:36:00.000-04:00

I started to go to Camp Green Lane in 1996. I met a lot of great friends there. Two of which were these twin brothers, Justin and Kyle. We had some unforgettable times through the years. Coincidentally Kyle and I went to Ohio State too. This is where Kyle met Caroline and fast forward 6ish years later and I was attending their wedding at Breezes Rio Bueno, Jamaica. It was such an incredible wedding. Everyone had smiles on their faces the entire weekend and the couple is so happy together. I was truly lucky to be able to share this special time with them.

This Week In Movies

2011-03-19T19:16:00.000-04:00

Bill Cunningham New York

A documentary portrait of the legendary, ascetic New York street photographer.

By Nathan HellerPosted Friday, March 18, 2011, at 6:32 PM ET

Manhattan, it is well-known, is an island nation governed by peacocks. Trolling up and down the city's concrete channels, gazing into restaurants, you see a spread of lavish fabrics boldly worn, garments exotically blended, women gorgeously done-up and men dressed studiously down, each eyeing the other for a moment before rushing headlong back into the throng. For those who can't spend hours wide-eyed on a street corner every day, there is Bill Cunningham. The New York Timesphotographer shoots and curates the paper's "On the Street" and "Evening Hours" photo columns—weekly roundups of sidewalk and nightlife shots beloved by fashion doyens and people-watchers alike—and after more than three decades on the job, his visual chronicles have gained an avid, almost cultish following. This week brings the limited release of the first feature-length tribute, Bill Cunningham New York (Zeitgeist Films), a documentary about the man and his city by director Richard Press. The movie takes us on a tour of Cunningham's eccentric life and stranger social circle, hewing closely, all the while, to its subject's style and ethic: Using the low-key approach that shapes Cunningham's column, Press works up a portrait that's as raw, gentle, funny, and—in the end—irresistible as the pictures themselves.

In this, he has ample help from his subject. The Bill Cunningham captured here is a puckish, eightysomething man with electric energy and a wish to devour all of New York through his camera lens. Aboard his bike, he weaves through lurching Midtown traffic with his left hand while occasionally snapping drive-by pictures with his right. (No helmet is involved.) On foot, he camps out on street corners to assess passing pedestrians, swaying toward passing dresses like someone keyed up for a game of Whac-A-Mole. Then, all at once and with a single swoop, he lunges, snaps, and melts back into urban anonymity. What's he hunting for? "Some marvelous, exotic bird of paradise," he coos, "meaning a very elegant and stunning woman or someone wearing somethingterrific." Back at the Times, Press' cameras find Cunningham surfing frantically on the back end of his deadlines, skipping meals, crossing out negatives, and trying to get his page just so. The curve of someone's hip should echo a draped garment one frame over. Bright colors on a dress should play counterpoint off a nearby coat. Cunningham started as a print journalist and retains a writer's sense of composition, a reporter's eye for news. His photo essays call outpatterns, mark trends, and flow with soft humor, giving space to flamboyant characters oroutlandish excesses. Where most fashion photographers strive for something like sartorial perfection, Cunningham delights in catching well-dressed people splashing messily through slush.

An irony shapes this pursuit, and Press' movie—one that's based in the gap between Cunningham's lush work and his weirdly ascetic life. Although he may be one of the few people alive capable of making Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour go all wobbly inside—"It's one snap, two snaps, or he ignores you, which is death," she exclaims—the photographer himself seems to own about five hangers of clothing (mostly blue), dines on the cheap (his favorite repast is a sausage-and-egg-sandwich special, $3), and is so detached from the glamorous events he covers that he'll refuse even water when he's on the job. The documentary's chief plot point is Cunningham's looming eviction from his tiny studio over Carnegie Hall, a space where he has dwelled for decades. It has no private bathroom or kitchen. When he started taking pictures after hours for the nascent Details in the early '80s, he refused to be paid. When that magazine got bought by Condé Nast, he wouldn't cash his check. "If you don't take money, they can't tell you what to do, kid!" he advises us at one point. "That's the key to the whole thing: Don't! Touch! Money!"

Photographing money is something else: Part of the pleasure of this documentary is being shown not just Cunningham's working process but the world of power brokers, fashion mavens, and well-dressed eccentrics transformed by his camera over the years. It is a colorful bunch. In one interview, Patrick McDonald, aka "the Dandy," explains why he always covers his face while changing hats; in another, Iris Apfel, better known as that lady with the glasses, lovingly strokes a stuffed animal seated on the couch beside her. We meet Editta Sherman, photographer to the stars and fellow Carnegie Hall evictee. (Editta is a self-taught ballerina, too, and in one lick of footage needlessly but irresistibly spliced into the film, we see her performing the dance of the swan from Carnival of the Animals, a thing she liked to do for guests whenever there was a full moon.) Cunningham was the only press photographer invited to Brooke Astor's 100^th birthday, and yet he also mingles his camera with kids clubbing downtown or garment workers picketing in Midtown. By his own account, he doesn't care about famous people, many of whom he doesn't recognize—he has no TV—just their clothes. He comes across as someone who has found his way into the stuffy center of the palace chasing butterflies.

The hidden subject of Bill Cunningham New York is the space between the fashion industry and fashion as it's worn and loved by real people. Cunningham spans the gap between the two, and so, deftly, does Press. Shot with noninvasive consumer cameras and no crew over months, then winnowed, the director's approach is a direct echo of Cunningham's—and his product shares the subject's upbeat, nonconfrontational style. The film's climax, when the neurotically private, self-effacing Cunningham is asked about his past experiences with sex and religion, is filmed on a diagonal, from a distance of a few feet. It's the least dramatic treatment that this crucial interview could possibly have and, as a consequence, the frankest, rawest moment of the documentary. Press seems to know what Cunningham knows, which is that the camera isn't so much a pen (or a sword) as an open ear, an instrument for picking up the moments of quiet greatness real people sometimes create for themselves. Or, as the photographer himself put it, tearing up as he received one of France's top honors in the arts, "It's as true today as it ever was: He who seeks beauty will find it."

Source: http://www.slate.com/id/2288743/

AH-HA!

2011-03-09T10:04:00.000-05:00

Steve on Shameless (um, show is so good!) a.k.a. Justin Chatwin has been reminding me of someone and it's finally come to me! A younger Chris Hardwick (not that he's old). What do you think?

Shopping "Spree"

2011-03-08T11:04:00.001-05:00

I got these from Steve Madden yesterday. Thoughts? I get that the whole stilty platform thing is trendy and I do like them but sometimes being 5feet makes me feel a bit redic in shoes like this. I also can't stop thinking of drag queens...Oh well!

Also got this dress from Urban Outfitters. Sparkle & Fade brand for $59. Pretty cute with my new nude maryjanes. Just what the Jamaican wedding ordered.

Josh vs Shia

2011-03-08T10:52:00.002-05:00

Just Thinking About What I'll Wear To The Airport

2011-03-03T21:42:00.003-05:00

I'm Going To Jamaica For A Wedding and I'm Bringing...

2011-03-02T18:41:00.000-05:00

via Victoria's Secret

via Modcloth.com

via Free People

Gabriel

2011-02-28T20:50:00.001-05:00

I'm trying not to be THAT dog owner but it's hard when my dog is cuter than yours. He models, is friends with socialites and collects socks.

Oscar lookalikes

2011-02-28T20:21:00.000-05:00

Jennifer Lawrence vs. Stephanie Pratt

Tom Hooper vs. James Cameron

Oscars Fashion 2011

2011-02-28T20:13:00.001-05:00

How to look good pregnant - Be Natalie Portman in Rodarte

How to look good when you have nothing to worry about - Be Mila Kunis in Elie Saab

Make your husband jealous - Scarlett Johansson in D & G

Show off after having a baby - Penelope Cruz (avec husband Javier Bardem) in L'Wren Scott

Guess I favored the purples and reds!

Photos from TheCut.com

Nudie Shoe Day

2011-02-22T21:57:00.000-05:00

The one's I dream of via Bergdorf Goodman:

The one's I may get via Steve Madden, Aldo & Topshop:

New York Fashion Week

2011-02-20T10:31:00.000-05:00

Better late then never.
Some of my favorites from this past week's fashion shows.

Naeem Khan
Collection overall looked stunning.

Rodarte
Karlie Kloss KILLED this.

Monique Lhuillier

Jason Wu

For a truly artistic collection, Marchesa.

The best accessories - dogs (and cakes?), at Isaac Mizrahi.

Christian Siriano made black interesting.

Some might say more newsworthy than the fashion trends this season, was the participation of some major online coverage by fashion and style bloggers. Of note, Ohio State alumni Geri Hirsch being one of them! Check out her blog: http://becauseimaddicted.net/ and other all-stars ManRepeller, BryanBoy, and Fashion Toast for fashion and more fun like backstage shots and street style.

Ramshackleglam.com

2011-02-02T19:12:00.000-05:00

You don't come across a blog that keeps you coming back again and again. When I find one, I feel the need to share it.

I've been reading Ramshackleglam.com since it started. I've even met Jordan, the author, and she is one cool chic. For great ideas in the home, kitchen and life, you should read it too!

Todd vs. Sabastian

2011-02-02T19:03:00.000-05:00