Everywhere

I found this while wandering the East Village one Saturday morning. It's so comforting to see little hidden messages. I think that it makes us all reflect on the people we know, and our life experiences.....

I pinch myself....am I in a dream?

Too pretty to eat!

The creative food merchandiser at the Union Square Whole Foods needs to have his own exhibition at the Moma.

Escape through flight...

To me, birds symbolize freedom, reaching for your highest goals and potentials. That is why I've decided to start my own feather jewelry collection. These are my first pair (given to a friend for her birthday). Any ideas of what I should name the collection. "Take Flight" "Fly"?

Boys look good in hats...

Colors

Last Saturday, I had a few hours before work and decided to sit on a bench in the East Village with an iced chai and people watch. What a colorful crowd:

-A crazy cat lady trying to sell me Mary Kay products.

-A guy riding a bike while balancing a juice blender in one hand.

-Hipsters

-A grown man (approx 50 years old) in a suit riding a razor scooter.

-An old man using a real flute as a cane.

-Poets

-A girl dressed with extreme punk appeal, including hot pink hair and 10" platform foam shoes

- Europeans.

-Mothers in heels walking their babies.

Want inspiration? Sit for a few hours in the East Village.

Spring Fever!

This warm weather hit NYC fast! It is encouraging me to wear every bright color I have with no regards for matching print, tone etc. I also can't stop buying iced chai before work! It's just such a happy feeling. The starbucks right next door doesn't help either.

East Village Gems and Compounds that make you think....

This past weekend I had a rejuvenating rainy girl's day with Kerry and Alicia. Sometimes you just need to wander and chat and shop :) We found a really cute vintage shop in the East Village called AuH20. Get it??? Goldwater. hehe Not only did this shop have the friendliest employee (who was just hanging out bending wire and making jewelry), but it also added some intelligence to the shopping day. Think about it. If you don't know your elements, then you can never go back/recommend to a friend, because you won't know what to call the store. To top it all off.....Alicia scored a great leather bag!

Check it out! http://www.auh2oshop.com/

I'm Back!

I haven't been here in awhile. Last time I posted in March, I had a job. My job was a 24/7 job. My job was finding a job. But, I quit that job! phew! I'm well on my way to being a full fledged NYC fashionista now. It's taken me 3 months of living here to even open the door to this new world. It's not as easy as it sounds! I think (hope) the hardest part (and working for free) is over. But, I'm up for any challenge. ;)

Food Tuesdays!

This is my kind of restaurant. It's one that embraces and enjoys food without letting calories getting in the way. Don't get me wrong, I like healthy eating just as much as the next yogi. However, everyone needs a treat once in awhile. The signs that they hang follow an interesting marketing technique, especially in a city where most people strive to stay fit. Funny that they seem to work. haha

Honey rice pudding with a strawberry topping at Rice to Riches.

Street Art Mondays: Round 6 (sorry it's a day late!)

West 4th Street and Bowery Street. On my way to pick something up for my internship....

More free stuff for the poor NYC dreamers

It's called Tenka. This website just gives away free deals daily! I am constantly checking the free opportunities on my iphone. On Sunday, Joe and I got a free bagel (any flavor!) at Gramercy Bagel and then went straight to Flurt for a free medium frozen yogurt with unlimited toppings ($6 value!) If you live in NYC check out Tenka. I won't make it too easy by giving you the link. I have a feeling that these free deals will become more rare as people discover the wonder of it all.

Street Art Mondays: Round 5

A great truck on 15th and 6th. I have NO idea what it transports or where it goes. But, I'd say it's purpose could be solely for street art.

Buddies on the street

Saw these pups today. :) I emailed the picture to my mom. Her reply: "Tied up with friends." How perfect!

My New Life Philosophy

The other night, I went out with a friend for some fun times, filled with dance offs, free drinks and happiness. This particular night happened to be a risk. I got home and went to bed at 4am and had to work the next day at 10am. As the night progressed, I started to worry a little bit. Maybe I had made the wrong decision about going out. However, the next day I sprung out of bed, got ready for work, and headed off for a great day!

It was this experience that helped me develop my new life philosophy:

"This is what you doooo when you're twenty-twooooo."

My philosophy embraces being young, but also embraces living a youthful, fun filled life. So, whether you twenty-twooooo or ninety-twwoooo, consider living Katrina's way. ;)

Nothing can stop the Katrina eater!

In an attempt to pace myself while candy eating, I put my chocolate covered candy in the freezer. I figured the thaw factor would deter me from eating it all. eerrrhhhh! Wrong! They are SO SO SO delicious when frozen! Looks like there's little hope for this tummy. Oh Well! hehe

P.S What you see here are Dark Chocolate cover Mints and Caramels. They are a Trader Joe's Special. Since Mondays are devoted to Street Art, I've decided to devote Tuesdays to food! What can I say? I'm an artist that enjoys her food!

The 3rd Shift

I have developed a lot of sympathy for you if you work the late night shift. I did on Sunday night. I worked from 9pm-6am. Do you know how much that messes with your sleeping/eating/living habits??? A lot! I stayed up until 5am on Sat night to prepare myself, slept until 2pm Sunday, went to work at 9pm. I took these pictures on my way home around 6:30am. It was just starting to get light again. Aren't they magical?

A true gem

It was the shopper in me that stopped at the sight of "Special $1", but it was the reader in me that kept looking. There were about 15 racks outside this store selling books for one dollar! The books were mostly used, and from all different countries, genres and authors. What fun! I looked up the store (Strand Bookstore) when I got home and discovered that it's been in this same location (on 4th ave) since 1927! There used to be a row of about 48 bookstores on this street. Strand is the only remaining one. It's been and still is family owned. They have 200 employees and sell new, used and rare books. You're sure to find something of interest when looking through their 2.5 million books on the shelves!

I told you fashion isn't always glamorous

Abandoned warehouse in Brooklyn? Or, home to PR showroom for expensive jewelry? I guess you really can't judge a book by it's cover, huh?

Great Yoga

Tonight I went to Yoga to the People for some much needed relaxation and working out. It was one of the best classes I've been to! I am now a frequent student at Yoga to the People. However, my mind/body must have been in tune today because the class was amazing. When I was walking home after, I was in such a great mood. I saw people walking towards me with yoga mats in hand (on their way to the 9pm class). I felt the urge to yell out have a great class to these strangers. I am on cloud 9.

P.S. If you haven't been to Yoga to the People and you live in NYC, GO! They have a class almost every hour from 7am to 9pm. The best part, it's DONATION YOGA (pay what you want/can)! Enjoy my fellow yogis :)

Sorry! I'm just really obsessed with Trader Joe's

Blood Oranges?!?!?! Woah. Woah. Woah. No, it wasn't a dream. Last time I tasted this sweet, tangy fruit was in Positano, Italy. Thank you Trader Joe's for a $2.29 (for a whole bag!) well spent.

Haven't you heard of Tulip Tea?

Aren't they lovely??? A Trader Joe's special! I had plans to put them in an empty Purple Moon wine bottle (another Trader Joe's special *wink....Queenie *wink), but they didn't fit! The only thing I could find was my tea kettle. I think it's kind of NYC chic, you? I put a few pennies on the bottom to make the stems stand up straight. However, just found online that this is a myth.... Oh well, I like the thought! Tulips are preeetttyyyy. AND, they inspired me to clean my room!

To those of you who thought ALL fashion is glamorous, ALL the time.....

hahahaha....ooohhh you knowww...just had to pick-up a few pieces of jewelry for a photo shoot here. 5 flights up...walking...many interesting doors....

Street Art Mondays: Round 4

Natasha and Holley. Street Art on 13th st and 2nd ave

Unintentional Street Art? Somewhere near Washington Square Park.....

Be a Star

Being my paranoid self, I used to wince at the idea of walking in the city while listening to music on my ipod. Seriously, that's safety rule #1. You need to be able to hear the kidnapper sneaking up behind you, right? However, now that I have an Iphone (!!!!!! birthday present woooo) I can't help but plug my headphones in and strut the streets. NYC walking+bumpin music=instant rockstar/music video feel. And, don't you worry fellow worriers! I keep my wits about me, while jammin/starring in my own music vids.

Hidden Chaos

I helped with dressing models/backstage maintenance at the Ports 1961 show on Wednesday. I learned that Fashion Week has a lot of hidden chaos! 32 models changed in a tiny room, with a temperature of approx 70 degrees. The models definitely block out that people are changing them. Otherwise it could get awkward. One of my jobs was to make sure that there was two inches between the knee and the top of the sock on each girl. At first, I would ask them if I could fix their socks. But, eventually everything got so last minute, I would just bend down and fix all the socks whenever a model walked by me. Things like safety pinning and lint rolling are done literally the second before the model walks out onto the runway. I was the one who had to sprint up two flights of stairs to find a lint roller. When you think about it, is it really going to make a difference that the model is lint rolled 5 times opposed to 6? Well, maybe. These shows determine the success of the upcoming year (maybe more) of the designer/company. It was an interesting experience. I've always loved behind the scenes stuff.

I really like the details of the Ports show. The black and gold fishnet socks and the pinky leather glove pulled everything together.

All photos are taken from style.com

My New Obsession

No, these feet do not belong to a girl. Before moving to NYC, I would've said that men in capris were feminine. My opinion has undoubtedly changed. If you're a guy, try it out. You have to do it right though! This can easily turn into a fashion disaster. Wear this trend with a slight hipster, relaxed, artsy attitude.

Coffee Hater Finds Alternative

Argo Tea in Union Square is my new favorite! ( http://www.argotea.com/ ) Ok, they do serve coffee, but let's be honest, tea is their true passion. I tried a Vanilla, Green Tea, Teapuccino! mmmm..... Next time I'm going for the Red Velvet (Red Tea, Raspberry and White Chocolate).

Providence, RI

After a 3 1/2 hour ride on the Megabus, Providence, RI was a welcoming sight. I was happy to rejuvenate myself with a new city/state for the weekend. I've also decided that traveling by train or bus around 5pm in February, is the most beautiful scene.