Stay classy, New York

For most people, inspiration comes in the form of music, art, film, and words. For me, inspiration comes from the people I surround myself with; friends, loved ones, family. I've learned that it's the company you keep, that mold you into the person you choose to become.

I've had the hardest time these past few weeks, trying to cope with the fact that I'm leaving the city I risked everything for to be in. This city, that I love more and more every day. And while I knew it was temporary, I still couldn't help but feel a little like I would fail by leaving. Tonight, after reading the heartfelt words written by my friends here, I feel uplifted by their encouragement. My purpose for moving to the city was to jump start my career and work on my passion. I've done both. My next year back home has become a necessary and important step towards accomplishing both. I remind myself now, that if I can pack my life up into two suitcases and move all the way across the country -- then I can always do it again. I left Port Townsend in a whirlwind and spent the rest of the year in New York where I've had the most life-changing experiences. Now, it's time for me to take this year and regroup, tie up my loose ends, and prepare myself for the next chapters of my life.

I started this blog to document all my personal experiences in the Big Apple, and now I'm choosing to end it until I return again. To have had the chance to live in New York, work in New York, and meet some of the most inspiring people in New York, is all a dream come true for me.

'Til next summer, NYC, see you soon.

Twice in a Row

Small in stature, but very huge influences in the fashion industry; Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen continue to grow in their success. At the age of twelve, the girls had a Tween clothing line on top of their million dollar entertainment company, Dualstar, which they later took over completely proceeding their eighteenth birthday. Now at 24, they stand behind a billion dollar Dualstar, three clothing collections, and a nomination for the 2011 CFDA's Swarovski Award for Womenswear for their luxury clothing brand, The Row.

I think it's safe to say that MK and Ashley remain two of the most influential fashion icons of the 21st century. With such bold personal style, the girls overlap in their fashion choices as well as differ in them. Yet, they both share the same vision when it comes to their clothing collections. The Row embodies those luxurious, chic, classic necessities that should adorn every woman's wardrobe, while Elizabeth and James hits on every cool contemporary trend of the season. And then there's Olsenboye, a junior brand that's widely accessible to the teen market.

What makes the Olsen twins so successful is their work ethic, and their genuine ability to think like businesswomen. Look at their ability to turn a simple white t-shirt into one of the most influential collections of American sportswear. Always years ahead in maturity, the girls have never been 'that stereotypical celebrity, now launching a clothing collection'. They're just bigger than that.

Photos by Bruce Weber
Full article by Sarah Mower at Vogue.com.


The Row, Fall 2011 Collection

My simple bare necess(itti)es

Under construction now is the launch of my new style blog, Necess(itti)es. Encompassing my love of fashion, food, and books, the blog will consist of style-heavy reports, my own personal ramblings, and notable current events. Inspired by numerous blogs including Cupcakes and Cashmere, fashiontoast, and The Sartorialist, my own venture into internet blogging and (in the future) e-commerce relates to my passion for the written word. Now made much more easily accessible by the internet, creating a voice and expressing passion has made an impact in society thanks to social media devices such as Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, and blogging. I believe in that, and I believe in having a voice amidst all the happenings in the world today - good and bad.

So keep an eye out for me!
http://necessitties.blogspot.com


Photo via fashiontoast

Just a hair shy

Now this is an idea worth giving up a coffee allowance for. One of my favorite things about Thailand is the ability to walk into a salon and get my hair shampooed and styled every single day if I feel like it. Low and behold, The Dry Bar in Brentwood, LA does just that (even at $35, it's still triple the price than in baht). I kick myself for not discovering this gem during the two years I spent living in LA, and for not discovering a similar substitute here in NY. Getting my hair professionally washed lands very high on my list of favorite guilty pleasures. With five different options on the menu, one can go from 'messy and beachy' to 'sleek and smooth'.





Photos via Cupcakes and Cashmere

The food edition

Last week I began my re-installment into Weight Watchers. Since last time I was diligently following the plan, I lost 12 lbs. My [belated] resolution is to religiously follow WW until my weight goal has been reached. With that being said, I was pouring over smitten kitchen and came across these tantalizing recipes that I cannot wait to make -- although not for me to eat, of course.

Orangettes


Sally Lunn bread and honeyed brown butter

Breakfast pizza

Blood orange olive oil cake


Iced oatmeal cookies


Creamed onions with bacon and chives


Spring panzanella


Nectarine mascarpone and gingersnap tart


Root beer float cupcakes


Photos via smitten kitchen

New York, I love you

Today was one of those days that made me fall in love with New York all over again. The weather was a surprisingly 70 day, reminiscent of the sweltering summer we're known for having. I woke up leisurely at 11:00 am and got ready to meet a friend for tea and scones at Alice's Tea Cup. Yesterday, I made the mistake of throwing a cardigan on and ended up stashing it in my bag for the rest of the afternoon. As for today -- I wish I had worn something sleeveless instead of my long sleeved shirt.

In all actuality, the day could have gone awry when I arrived at the cafe and got the text that my friend had a last minute interview and wasn't going to make it. Instead I treasured the chance to embark on one of those memorable, solo-mellow-go-wherever-the-wind-takes-me-days.

I first discovered Alice's Tea Cup two years ago when I came to New York as a tourist, visiting my two best friends living in the city. When I first walked into the Chapter II location on the Upper East Side, I was absolutely smitten with the place. Tea, scones, vintage furniture, whimsical table settings -- these were a few of my favorite things! Now I take all my visiting friends to Chapter I, near me on 73rd and Columbus. Sitting by myself with scones (ham & cheese, and vanilla cinnamon) and a pot of Phoenix Dessert tea (or desert, as my good friend Megan would call it), it seemed almost full circle for me to be there so close to my departure.

Thirty pages of my book later, I left ATC and strolled down Lexington to good old Bloomingdale's, where I stopped in to see Carlos before making my way back to the west side. I, of course, got sidetracked into multiple conversations with my co-workers and then 'peeked into' the bookstore where I spent another hour and a half drinking iced tea, perusing fitness magazines, and reading another thirty pages of my book.

By the time I made it back home, the weather was still balmy, but cooling down with a wonderful breeze. I waved hello again to the guy working at the internet shop around the corner from my apartment. Coming from a small town, I enjoy being able to see friendly and familiar faces on the street - which is one of the reasons why I love the Upper West Side so much. With the windows thrown open in my apartment, I sat on my little window ledge and spent the rest of the day listening to the sounds of New York City.

Obsessions

Perusing through hundreds of inspirational sites out there in the bloggerverse has got me itching to launch my website. It's like the clouds have finally parted and, well ironically enough - I can see clearly now the rain has gone. While the key to a successful blog is writing with passion, I have so many interests that at this point, my blog is like one jumbled collage that graces the binder of a 15-year-old teenager.

What I need is to fine tune, and like I've been doing this past month - edit! So, in order to get my thoughts organized, here are some of my current obsessions:

Momofuku's cereal milk

Photo via Cafe Fernando


England

Photo via Matches


Prada Saffiano Tote



Rachel Berry singing, Get It Right

Photo via TV Guide


Pastel colored shoes


Any kind of miniature sized foods


Nude lipstick


Neutral+Pop color

Photo via Zara


Colored trousers

Photo via Zara


Shoes from Forever 21 (for their sheer price, $24!)