Saturday Loves

Sometimes waking up on Saturday without the need for aspirin because of last night's festivities is so refreshing at times. It helps you enjoy the sun that peers through your window. But sometimes, when the sun is nonexistent, it always helps me remember that I am home when I wake up disoriented and unsure if I'm dreaming.

The Empire State Building is somewhat of a landmark for me when I peer out my windows. As a child, it always seemed within walking distance from where I was looking. It always seemed so palpable. Nonetheless, it's something I have always waken up to my entire life.

Waylon Wine Matte G.H. Bass Weejuns

Being back home enables me to explore and to truly be in my own element. It's the street style that offers inspiration and the multitude of stores that provide all the options in the world. Instead of looking to magazines for help on how to pinpoint your personal style, the world and your creativity is essentially at your fingertips.

Mini Golf, Pier 25: Tribeca, NY
Madewell pink lace tank, Madwell striped cardigan, Rebecca Minkoff bag, J Crew Denim Pixie Pants, Calypso flats

Joan Rivers recently said that "Fashion should make you feel happy. We're all our own Barbie doll." And of course, fashion is constantly changing. There is no true trend except for what you love.

See's Milk Peppermints

Life is also more enjoyable when you eat what you love (all in good portion sizes of course).

Sunday Dreams and Monday Schemes

Ferris Bueller was able to cause a bit of ruckus on his "day off," so I decided to cause my own ruckus in the kitchen by making popovers. Popovers, infamous at the BLT Steak restaurant, are these funny, skyrocket high puffs made from a simple egg batter. The recipe is fairly easy, which uses just two tablespoons of butter. So, unlike the usual creamy and buttered biscuits for dinner, these airy puffs can complement dinner or breakfast very well. Try a fruit spread on these bad boys.

Peek-a-boo! Work in Progress.

Finito! Popovers!

Even Ferris Bueller needed his fuel to begin his adventure of fun and schemes. So, to be the Kings and Queens of this world, breakfast is an essential part to the start of your day! If you're as popover crazy as I have been, pair them with a pot of Darjeeling tea or green tea!

Darjeeling Blend, Harney and Sons: Soho, NY

While on the topic of everything "pop," Rachel Bilson and Nicole Chavez's shoemint line created a great flat for the spring! The shoe came out about a month ago and has been a hit with shoe fanatics everywhere. The classic flat is transformed into something a bit more retro with the use of colorblocking.

Hattie flat, Shoemint: Online Only

 These can be paired with nice J Brand black skinny ankle jeans and a solid top. Just always remember to dress for yourself and feel how you want to feel.

On that note, cheers to Monday schemes!

Cut-outs, Corals, and Pancakes

NYFW 2012 has ended with such beautiful street style photos and runway collections from designers such as Rebecca Minkoff, Elizabeth and James, Proenza Schouler, Porter Grey. A lot of the Fall 2012 collections are comprised of the high collars, much longer hemlines, pops of red and burnt orange. We can't forget about the occasional surprise cut-outs that have started become popular with designs.

Porter Grey, Fall 2012

J Mendel, Fall 2012

After the lengthy moment into the cropped look, fashion has been able to ween off the 80s craze (temporarily). The high necklines can represent that beauty is more than just cleavage and legs. It's a sign that females are powerful and spirited. A minimalist approach can keep a lady or any person a mystery. Different is good. Creativity is even better.

Elizabeth and James, Fall 2012

Colors of the Rainbow: Cut-out Fishes

Fashion gives everyone the opportunity to take the styles from the runways and integrate them into something new and unique. But now that NYFW 2012 is over, we can slow down the pace to cleanse, refresh, invigorate, and REPEAT!

Trader Joe's Specialty Teas: Pomegranate White Tea

In restoring and resting your face from the long days and nights of fashion week 2012, Argan oil is a miracle worker for all skin types. Argan oil is taken from the kernels of the Argan tree, which is native to Morocco (now, you wonder why Moroccans have such beautiful skin?). Argan oil provides a lot of vitamin E, carotene, and numerous amounts of essential fatty acids. While to some, fatty acids and oils are words that are not to be said around people with combination/oily skin types, but in some ways the oils are GOOD for the skin. Replenishing the oils and essential vitamins back into the face is the best way to clear up or brighten makeup ridden faces.

Josie Maran Argan Moisturizing Stick, Josie Maran Argan Color Stick, Fairydrops Scandal Queen Mascara (From top to bottom)

With that in mind, instead of the usual pancakes we eat, buckwheat pancakes are not only nutritious, but full of flavor. 

Organic Buckwheat Pancakes

But when in doubt, coral colored embelished accessories can help bring a smile to your face.

Coral Embelished Necklace, Charming Charlie

This is also in support of warmer weather.

My Inspiration

What I love most about this time in February (and I don't necessarily mean Valentines Day) is that my mom gracefully ages on this day every year. She has taught me to be the independent woman that I am now. She told me to always work my very hardest at anything I do and to never limit yourself because skies are truly the limit. BUT she believes health comes first and I have to agree!

 She is a true fashion inspiration to me who has always urged me to try different styles and to not buy the same shirt twice! Lastly, I thank her for not cutting my clothes as revenge for when I cut her bright orange vintage skirt (Sorry, Mom! I was just experimenting with my crafting skills...)

Vapianos: Union Square, NYC

Wishing you the best birthday and best sweet tooth ever, Mom!

Lots of Love,

Kristine

Onwards, young champ...

There are two more days left before NYFW 2012 comes to an end and by the looks of the street style photos, runway videos, and backstage extravaganza, I definitely missed a lot of fun and the comeback of color to some of the designers' palates.

Rebecca Minkoff was a show I have seen once, twice, and probably a dozen times (I lost count) and every time I saw the show, it was a completely new adrenaline rush. I never got tired of seeing each piece over and over again. Some of what I believe to be the most stand out pieces or looks (all shown below) are the glitter pants from look 1, look 25, 17, and 28. I love every single piece, but if I mentioned every single look from Fall 2012, this would end up being a chapter book long post.

RM Fall 2012

RM Fall 2012

RM Fall 2012

RM Fall 2012

Each piece is what I believe represents a strong and empowered woman, which is something that I believe to be very endearing qualities for a female to possess. The shoulders for the blazers and jackets are strong and sophisticated with hints of the uptown, downtown melange of qualities. The dress in look 25 is absolutely a stunner with a very unexpected, yet sexy cutout.

Unfortunately, we aren't in Fall 2012 yet (but who says we can't wear those clothes in May?), and we should try to resist the urge of putting away our winter coats and scarves for a bit. Sometimes accessorizing helps to uplift and update the wardrobe winter blues.

Vintage Seiko Watch, Jewelmint Fine Tune Necklace

Maison Scotch Sailor Signet Ring

But just as flexible as you are with your wardrobe every season, you can alter the foods and drinks you ingest in your body. SanctuaryT, the place I call my oasis, provides an extensive assortment of teas, drinks, and eclectic types of dishes. Whenever I'm in town, I always find time to stop in for my cup of Yaffa Rooibos tea, or my Tropical Mate tea. The great qualities about Rooibos is that it is an herbal tea, which tends to clear your complexion as well as provide you well antioxidants! There are bits of chocolate in the Yaffa Rooibos, which keeps the tea lovers coming back for more ALL the TIME.

Yaffa Rooibos, SanctuaryT

For those in need of a tropical breeze without the time to book a two week vacation to St. Barts, Tropical Mate helps me feel like I'm basking in the French sunshine. This clearly makes me a bit delusional because it is a mere 20 degrees (if I'm lucky) in Albany. Not only do the bits of real pineapple a pleasure to taste and smell, the tea is a great source of antioxidants, which helps to prevent sickness.

Tropical Mate, SanctuaryT

So whether you are in a winter rut or are in need of a natural pick-me up from the insanity that instills during Fashion week, stop by for any kind of drink at SanctuaryT.

P.S. They do provide an interesting take on cocktails using some of the teas as a base.

It's time to keep our spirits lifted as we wait ever so patiently for Spring to arrive!

Spread the Love. All day. Everyday.

 Love Edition Starbucks Cup

We all know Valentines day is approaching very fast. As much of a commercial holiday Hallmark has made it to be, appreciating people should be something we do on a daily basis. Single or not, love is universal in every culture, society, and time zone.

In the spirit of Valentines day, V-day or however you describe February 14th, you should celebrate the essence and the meaning of love. Celebrate your love for people, food, clothes, sports, games, books, thoughts, etc.

Chocolate Truffle and Marshmallow Brownie cupcakes

My love for fashion is just one of the many ways I will be expressing my love for life and the vast opportunities I've been given in this world.

Black Lulu Guinness Pumps

February 14th is not just one day to express and feel love, but it's to emphasize and remind you that LOVE is there.

Decorative Chair at Anthropologie Store: Chelsea, NYC

P.S. Say no to bullying and say hello to love (your endorphin and oxytocin levels will most likely spike when this happens. It's what makes you happy.)

 Lots of Love,

Kristine

Sweetly and Supersonically Homemade

It's the eve of NY Fashion Week Fall 2012 and even though I'm not at the forefront of the fashion scenes, I will be anxiously waiting for the live shows to air online. But for now, Refinery29 has been gracious enough to show some of the coolest and most ingenious fashion show invites they've received. I don't know which is cooler, the Christian Louboutin invite (shaped as a signature Louboutin shoe, of course) that turns into a hybrid batman-masquerade mask or the General Idea hand warmer-invite. (A great marketing tactic by the way. Cold weather= handy warmer-invite to keep warm and to remind you to SEE the show!)

Photo courtesy of Refinery29

Speaking of shows to see, Rebecca Minkoff has been my go to designer for bags. She designs such classical bags with just the perfect balance of sleek and chic (one of the very reasons why I'm excited for spring: to wear my Covet and Affair bags). Her clothes reflect that uptown-downtown, classic feel and I fall in love with each piece EVERY season.

And while the fashion people prep for the shows itself (fittings, casting, run throughs, etc.), they are prepping to look their best as well. Juice fasts are just one way they detox and look as if the stress didn't hit their skin and bodies hard. Blue Print Cleanse (BPC) seems to provide a variety of cleanse types, which is helpful to those who are pros at the cleanse or just starting out. These cleanses are essentially juices filled with raw foods such as cashew nut milk, fruit juices, and cinnamon. These juices can help renew your body and cleanse out the excessively greasy foods we may have accidentally overindulged on during the Superbowl this past weekend.

BPC Renovation Cleanse

However, if juice fasts just aren't for you, A homemade granola mix filled with rolled oats, flax seeds, almonds, walnuts, and maple syrup can help provide essential nutrients for your on-the-go stress filled life. Flax seeds(practically the size of sesame seeds) provide so many health benefits such as fiber, antioxidants, and Omega-3 fatty acids (the good kind of fat). Adding maple syrup to your granola mix can keep the granola's sweet savor without having all the extra sugar granules in the mix. Picking the nuts can be a little difficult because some provide more nutrients than others such as roasted unsalted almonds. Almonds are low in cholesterol, loaded with protein, folic acid, vitamin E, and of course the good fats. And with every recipe, there is always room to be creative and play around with the ingredients!

Cheers to the start of another new fashion season! Ciao!

Heart and Soul

My home is and will always be New York City.

Brooklyn Bridge: Summer, 2011

But for the time being, I will have to immerse myself with as much of the New York City scene as I can during my impromptu weekends back home.

City Hall, Downtown Manhattan: Fall, 2011

My oddly scattered life journey so far has taken me to Albany: a world of innocence and manners. It's a world where New York Fashion week and the festivities that I used to know are non-existent. Instead, for the majority of the year for the next five years, I have traded in my vintage heels and wedges for the comfortable Frye boots that I trek around in as I study the intricate science of pharmaceuticals. This is essentially where the confused faces arise and I am called the most scattered brained person they have ever known. Although, Fashion and Pharmacy may be completely different areas of study, I couldn't choose. I didn't want to choose. No matter where I am, my style and my love for fashion will always be near and dear to my heart. My love for learning about health and healthy lifestyle choices is just another part to my ever growing identity.

Black Frye Engineer 12R Boots

While this may be quite the lifestyle change, it is most definitely a "Challenge Accepted!" (Thank you, Barney Stinson for those fine words of wisdom). Here's to see what surprises come about on this new adventure!