Awaiting the Arrival of 2011

The end is near.  The end of the year that is.  This weekend the country will be ringing in the new year and welcoming a 2011! 

It's only fitting that to celebrate such a momentous occasion to have an outfit that reflects this! 

One big item I think we are going to see a lot of is the Jumpsuit! 

I am already aware of 2 people who will be wearing one.  

I was thinking a black sequined mini with a cute top, but unfortunately my shoes have gone to shame.  This weekend is already foreshadowing to be quite the challenge.

While attending the trendy parties in Brooklyn with Bre, I know my outfit won't even compare to the coolness of her jumpsuit! Can't wait to see what I end up coming up with! 

More importantly though, this will be the first NYE that I haven't spent at home in a very subdued environment.  I will be in the city, on my own, with some of my good friends!  Oh, what a night!

Pictures of the night to come with more on how the night actually went...

Snowed In!

For any east-coaster the term "Snowed In" I think has become an understatement.

This past weekend NY, Boston, Philadelphia, DC, and North Carolina all got hit with 11-16 inches of heavy snow and winds.  For me, this was a blessing in disguise!

I came home for Christmas and, being the first time I was able to come home since my move to the big city in August, I was more than excited to step foot into the Indianapolis airport and get into the little red truck to come home.  With a house full of family and friends over the course of three festive days, I was a little bummed knowing that I would have to pick up my things and return back to the city, without having anytime alone with just my brother, mother, and father.  But little did I know God & Mother Nature were teaming up to come to my rescue!  On Saturday night I received a notice saying that my flight for Sunday had been cancelled.  Over the past two days there were a total of 6,000 flights cancelled due to the snow and wind that was part of the Blizzard of 2010.  I wasn’t alone and I was most certainly not upset.  I admit, I did stress a little over not being able to really get caught up at work and have a relaxing week in the office, but the extra time with my family has been well worth the cancellation chaos!!!!!

Food

One of my favorite things has to be food, and NYC is the best place for any foodie.  They say that this city has everything and to me, I'm starting to really believe this.

S'Mac-located in the heart of the East Village on 12th street is S'Mac.  A resteraunt dedicated to the wonderful dish of maccaroni and cheese.  I am a big fan of Mac-n-cheese and as a kid this was one of my favorite meals.  S'Mac serves all different flavors and varities of this classic dish.  I had one served with grier cheese, mushrooms, creme sauce, and olives.  The little girl beside me had the original and just kept saying to her father, "Dad, this is just the best food ever. I could eat this all day long"  He just laughed.

Crisp- Conveniently placed right outside of my office is Crisp.  A falafel and chickpea restaurant.  They choose to serve their food in packaging that they call "The Crisp Handbag."  How cute is that

OST-Again on 12th Street is OST Coffee house.  I have no idea what those three letters stand for, but I know that I met a friend there the other night for coffee and a boost of caffeine after a long day of Christmas shopping.  It is so cute inside.  Very small but everything is served with a smile.  :)

A Couple Thing

Well, while living in NYC for the holiday season I have noticed that during the holidays it would be perfect to be in a relationship with someone.  Being ready for a relationship and finally settled down in my own life with my apartment and my job, there have been days when I really wish I had a special person to go out and do things with.  I have a whole list of activities that I think would be perfect dates or activities to do as a couple.

 -Ice Skating in Central Park, Rockefller Plaza, or Bryant Park

-Going to see the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Plaza

-Attending the ballet to see The Nutcracker

-Going out for hot chocolate at a quaint café

But sometimes as a single girl you have to “get over” the fact that you don’t have somebody to share all of these experiences with.  If I dwell too much on not having someone there I would miss out on the Joy that each of these experiences can bring.

One of which is going to see the famous Christmas tree uptown.  In the center of Rockefeller Plaza NYC puts up a huge Christmas tree with toy soldiers and tons of lit snowflakes all over the buildings.  6^th Avenue is decorated with all sorts of Christmas lights and holiday symbols.

What Really Matters

At Macy’s every year the employees are given numerous opportunities to give back to the city.  One of those ways is by getting a gift for an underprivileged child.  It’s so sad during the holiday season to hear about children who won’t be receiving anything for Christmas or may not even have a warm coat to wear during the winter.  Macy’s has been holding a coat drive since the end of Thanksgiving.  They also received hundreds of letters written to Santa, from children in a public school in Manhattan. 

I decided to take a letter and participate in the gift donation. I was given a letter that was written by a fourth-grade girl who wanted a baby doll for Christmas. 

As I entered Toys-R-Us to pick out the gift, I immediately thought that the experience in purchasing the toy was going to be awful.  It was crowded; I was hot from having my winter coat on inside; and I had no idea where to even begin to look for the baby.  She had requested a very specific baby and after a few minutes of asking around I was finally able to find it.  J It really touched my heart when I was able to spend a small amount of money on a girl whose present would mean so much to her. 

It really shows you what truly matters.  We need to remember that the Christmas season isn’t just about gifts and money and presents and pretty decorations.  It’s about the hope and giving back to those who need help.  There are so many elements that we have to bear during the winter months and the holiday season.  Buying presents shouldn’t be one of them.  

Snicker-Doodles

My Aunt is one of the sweetest persons I know.  Her heart is so big, it’s just waiting to jump out of her and I am pretty convinced now that one of her favorite things is to surprise her niece ad nephew with care packages!

I received a box at work today that was filled with candy and Christmas ornaments to decorate my tree with. 

But the one gift in the package that I really loved was the box of Cinnamon Muffin Mix by Tastefully Simple.  But without having a muffin tin it’s pretty hard to make muffins.  I decided to turn the recipe into a mix for Snickerdoodle Cookies; a childhood favorite of mine.  Enjoy!

Mix dry muffin mix with egg, milk, and butter. Stir until dough-like material forms.

Mold batter into 1inch balls and roll in cinnamon mixture.  Place on cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes

Yummy!

Santacon 2010

December 11, 2010 was a day in NYC I will never forget.  A day when Purdue's Breakfast club came to the Big Apple in the version of Santa Clause.  All throughout the country every year on a specific date Santa Clause comes to cities such as: Chicago, LA, and NYC.  According to the Santacon website the actual definition of Santacon is: Santacon is a non-denominational, non-commercial, non-political and non-sensical Santa Claus convention that occurs once a year for absolutely no reason.


The Preparations:

You Better Watch Out…

It’s time to get ready, cause Santa’s comin’ to town!

1. Make a costume.
   You can be an elf, a holiday ninja, a Santasaurus, a Hannukah Harry or a Santa Palin. Use your imagination! Just don’t wear your fucking jeans.
2. Join Santa’s Twitter.
   Santa will be tweeting some of his locations throughout the day.
   Text “follow santacon” to 40404 to have tweets sent as texts to your cell.
3. Prepare your libations.
   Holiday cheer is best enjoyed from unlabeled bottles that can be capped and safely stowed away in your sack of toys. Don’t get ticketed!
4. Buy canned food.
   Please bring two non-perishable food items for Santa’s food drive.
   They will be collected at the first stop.
5. Download your XXXMas carol songbook.
   Double-sided PDF booklet for printing or Single-sided mobile version for smartphones.
   Make extra copies for your friends cause Santa loves to sing.

The Rules:

• Morning of Santacon
  Countless studies by the North Pole Institute of Yuletide Studies indicate that Santacon is 97% better when you start at 10 am. But before you reach the start point, make sure you:

  1. Eat something.
     It’s gonna be a long day, so put some fuel in your sleigh.
  2. Buy a Metrocard.
     If you don’t have an unlimited card already, get the 1-day FunPass.
  3. Hit an ATM.
     Bar stops will be too crowded to run a tab.
  4. Dress for a marathon.
     Comfy shoes. Layers. Seriously. Santa walks a lot and wants to be comfortable everywhere from the North Pole to the stripper pole.
• During Santacon
  It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Do your part to keep it that way.

  1. Pace yourself.
     Your friends don’t want to spend their Santacon cleaning the puke outta your beard.
  2. Follow the candy canes.
     The folks with the tall candy canes can help you get to Santa’s next stop.
  3. Tip your bartenders well.
     Or burn in Santa’s Special Douchebag Hell for all eternity.
  4. Bust out the carols.
     Remember that carol book you printed? Use it!
  5. Don’t get arrested.
     Dressing like Santa does not exempt you from city, state and federal laws.
     This includes open container violations!
  6. Don’t litter.
     Santa likes his elves dirty and his streets clean.
  7. Check in on your friends.
     If you brought ‘em, you’re responsible for ‘em. Don’t send your wasted 22-year-old cousin on the train back to Ronkonkoma by herself!

Despite all of the regulations we had a blast. It was me and five others touring the city in red and green with tinsel and santa hats! What an experience. We must have seen thousands of little Santas.  Needless to say our spirits were jolly and bright as we fa la la la la'd throughout the city!!

 

Tis the Season to be Jolly!

Well, we have entered the Holiday season! Upon my arrival to work today, this is what I found:

Our lobby was decorated so pretty with a Menorah ready for the Hanukah season and Christmas trees for the Christmas season.   

Regardless of the lobby decorations, there isn't any snow on the ground and besides the lights everywhere at Macy's, it doesn't even feel like Christmas. I  haven’t even begun to think about what I am going to get for people for Christmas. I know my mom doesn’t want me to spend much money, and I actually don’t have that much money to spend, so it will be interesting to figure out what to get people. 

I also need to start creating my own personal list.  Thus far, I have told my mother that I don’t even really care about the presents I’m getting, but that I’m so excited to come home and spend the holiday with my family! 

I am Thankful for...

For Thanksgiving this year, I decided to spend my time in the city.  Kelly had told me that she was going to be in the city, along with Nicola and Zach, and that they would love to do Thanksgiving all together.  We each took different parts of the dinner and came up with a wonderful, memorable feast.

The day took place in Kelly’s friend’s apartment in Queens.  Kelly decided to take charge of the turkey.  She took the recipe from Food & Wine.com and roasted it with Rosemary, thyme,       carrots, potatoes, and chicken broth.  AMAZING!!!! She did a fantastic job and we each have       leftovers for turkey sandwhiches and turkey soup later this winter.  I was in charge of sides; I chose to make homemade stuffing, sweet potato cassarole, and scalloped corn.  Everyone really enjoyed the food and with stuffing, you could make 3 pans of it and there will still be hardly any leftover.  Nicola and Zach brought the table decorations and desserts! She baked pumpkin cheesecake ramekins that were delicious! I most definitely couldn’t make those!  After a day full of Beverly Hills 90210 re-runs and football, tons of food, great wine, and priceless memories we each were very excited to spend the day together.  We may not have been with our families for this blessed holiday, but I can say that if I had to spend it with people other than my own family, these three people are the lucky ones I would choose.   

Thank you to all three of them.  Without you guys I wouldn't be where I am today.  Thanks again!     

You Got Me

I came across this little gem of a song while working....enjoy!

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2 things

I would have to say that the two interesting things I notice on the daily would be the shoes that people wear and the apartments they live in. 

One of my favorite things to do is get myself lost in a really cool neighborhood.  Two years ago, when I was at FIT, I loved to go to the West Village or Greenwich Village and get lost between Jane St. or Hudson.  I would find the cutest boutiques and see some of the coolest apartments. 

The best is at night when everyone has their lights on and you can see how people decorate and make use of the space they have available to them.  I have stated before that I love Sundays in New York, and for another reason seeing that on Sunday I go to church in the evening.  On my walk to and from the subway I just look at the apartments and think about how everyone is preparing for their workweek ahead of them.  What do other people think about?  What are their Sunday night routines? 

One of my friends likes to find a quote that she can use throughout the week to keep her going.  She finds inspiring quotes and tries to live by them.  Some of her favorites are from Ivanka Trump.  As an influential and powerful woman in business, she has overcome so much.  I recently just got done reading her book, "The Trump Card."  A book all about her life and the obstacles she has had to overcome.  

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, but everyone has a story.  They're all different in their own way.  

Pondering

Today, I spent the day in Starbucks and for any of you that know me, you know that if I’m discovering a new neighborhood or in need of some good thinking, that’s my location of choice.  There is a really cute Starbucks really close to my apt and after ordering my Holiday treat: PSL, the thought process began. 

As I sat there, I was facing the window and was able to get in some prime people-watching time.  Families would be walking and their kids would be riding their bikes in front while the parents would trail briskly behind them. It made me start to miss my own family.  I think it’s so interesting to think about how no matter whom we come across in our daily lives, everyone has a family.  We all come from somewhere.  Some have drama; some don’t.  Some families are big; others are small.  But in the end, each one of us has a mother and a father who love us so much more than we could ever imagine.  It’s so comforting to know that you can always come home if you ever need to.  My own family has reminded me of this time and time again.  As much as I love New York, I am so excited to go home for Christmas, where I will get to spend a blissful 4 days with my family and friends! The time will come and go quicker than I want it to, but I know it will be a great reminder of how big my support system really is.

As Dorothy clicked her heels and stated, “There’s no place like home,” I too am clicking my heels and anxiously awaiting the moment when I get to walk into the house give my mom a huge hug and take a nap on the couch while watching re-runs of “Keeping Up With The Kardashians.”

<3 Blair

It’s really funny to me when I look at my iPod ready to change it to the next song because 9x out of 10 I usually end up back to the same songs. 

Top 5 of my default tunes:

1.  80s pop

2.  Anything 90s

3. Madonna

4. Show tunes

5.  Billy Joel

New Beginnings

So November 1st, I finally found my own place and moved to Queens.  I am so excited because I am now the proud owner of a set of keys to an apartment that I can actually call my own.  After four years of living in a dorm room or sorority house I was ready to find a place that allowed me to have an entire room dedicated to me, with a door that I could shut if I wanted to.  I signed a lease, put down way too much money for deposits and first month's rent, and was on my way to becoming what one calls “an adult.”  I know I’ve said it before, but it’s still crazy to me when I look back on everything that has happened in the past two months of my life, let alone what my thoughts were upon moving to NYC. First off, I never thought I’d actually be living in Queens.  I used to be so opposed to living anywhere but the city, but knowing what I could spend on rent and what my monthly expenses would be, I knew I needed to find an alternate area.

I specifically moved to Astoria, which is a more residential area than I would normally like, but it’s safe, easy, and quiet. Yesterday I had the opportunity to go running again.  I went to the park and came across a peaceful area by the water that I could run past.  There were lots of families out on the playground with their kids.  Over and over again I am noticing that Astoria is more of a family neighborhood, than anything else.  There isn’t much interruption or tons of people, so taking walks on the sidewalk are a little less chaotic than they would be in the city. 

I found a gym one subway stop away from mine that I can go to.  They offer a really great Pilates class that I have recently started attending.  The gym is only a few blocks from the subway station so it’s convenient.  I also have access to the gym close to my office so I can go workout after a long day at the office.  

My roommate is a girl that I work with and we've been getting along really well.  She's from Florida and works in the Kids department on the same floor that I do.  She and I have had lots of fun trying to get our new home decorated and put together.

After moving into the home, we each have been sleeping on an air mattress, which isn't the most attractive bedding or comfortable, for that matter.  

In two weeks my bed is supposed to arrive.  Soo excited.  My new life is coming together, slowly but surely.  

moving on up...

So I moved to Queens November 1st. Pictures and story to come!

This is the reason as to why I haven't been blogging lately.  No internet access at home yet.  Coming this weekend!!!!

-Blair

True Irony

Photo courtesy of: thesatorialist.com

In my mind, this picture encompasses the true meaning of inspiration.  Reading The Satorialist, I noticed that he had this picture of Bill Cunningham.  As one of the Father's of Fashion Journalism, Bill Cunningham has lived a very adventurous NY based life.  Staying true to the ideal fashion man, Mr. Cunningham is famous for his work with The New York Times and riding his bike around NYC taking pictures of the fashionable Manhattanites parading down the streets of New York.

Here another famous fashion blogger, The Satorialist, has captured Mr. C in the middle of a photograph.  To me I look at this and think that it resembles the thoughts of a father and son relationship.  Inspiration and desire to look up to him as a son does his father!  

Thank you Bill for all of your wonderful work and your daily Sunday Styles.  Thank you Satorialist for your beautifully captured candids inspiring each one of us to adorn our outfits with personality and pizzazz.  

Symplicity

It has to be said that my favorite days in the city are the weekends. Now this goes without saying, but the weekends in New York are full of excitement, energy, spending way too much money, and making memories for myself that will forever be, my early days in NY!!! 

Saturdays; Starting the day with a 10am-12pm wake up call (depending on the level of fun with Friday night activities), a pot of coffee continuously brewing between the roommates, the classic breakfast of a cup of yogurt or fried eggs, and then returning to the bed, only to spend the next couple of hours completing necessary house work: paying bills, blogging, self-reflection in comparison to other's lives via the Facebook newsfeed, and the small injections of caffeine as I simultaneously pump the coffee into my bloodstream.  

Sundays: Usually start with an earlier wake up than on Saturday followed by am coffee.  The best part of Sunday though is BRUNCH.  It's known throughout the city that brunch is the New Yorker's church.  :)  Last weekend I brunched solo and I have to say it was one of the most interesting experiences in NY, thus far.  I took out my agenda book and started journaling while sitting in a back garden at Life cafe` drinking my bloody mary and coffee.  After enjoying an amazing Green Goddess omelet: Eggs, avocado, goat cheese, rosemary, and pesto...I started to engage in the conversation of the other soloists in the garden.  Through lots of coffee and conversation I ended up meeting a struggling comedian, who I am not entirely sure if he was actually interested in what I had to say or if he was just using the situation for his next act.  However, despite the company and the fact I was dining alone, it was a very blissful brunch.  

I am excited for tomorrow's brunch though because it is Nicola's birthday's and we will be celebrating that while sipping on our bloody marys and mimosas! Perhaps tomorrow I will get the french toast that I have been desiring for the past 3 weeks.  :)

xoxo

YUMMMO

So excited for Halloween.  Had a Pumpkin Spiced Latte the other day and it finally felt like fall!

Photo courtesy of: cupcakesandcashmere.com.

Necessary

Great songs + Sunday night cabin feever = dancing and jumping on the bed to the following:

3 FABULOUS songs! Enjoy!!!

Be Sure to Count Your Blessings

It is only appropriate for my next post to be a post dedicated to the people who have helped me achieve all that I did in the post below.  I am so blessed in knowing so many wonderful people and at a time when I was one of the hardest periods of my life, these people were there for me, no matter what.  With all of this being said: To the following individuals...THANK YOU! 

Bre-From day one you greeted me with open arms and allowed me to crash in your kitchen for the next month as I arrived with full luggage and huge dreams.  You were there to listen to me whether it was boys, jobs-or lack there of-, parents, dealing with life living in New York again, and/or the occasional going out-->usually resulting in our lives turning into shambles the next day.  Through the multiple song wars and long nights at Kiss & Fly you helped me get my foot in the door and brought me back to my one true love...this city!  Your personality and drive will allow you to go so far and I am now so excited to see where we each end up.  Thank you again for everything, you had such a pivotal role in making everything happen.  

Nicola-Your attendance at FIT is how we were brought together and through that we have decided to take our love for each other to a completely new level.  Between our wonderful chit-chats, fashion, being a real woman in a big bad city, and all the sillyness in life I have really begun to call you family.  Thank you for all of your love and support throughout the past 2 years as it has been one hell of a ride with being in NYC to IN and then back to NYC...only to stay! Your wit and spunk continue to inspire me in my own creativeness.  You truly know the meaning of appreciating the little things! :)

Z-TOWN-As another member of my new family you have become like a brother to me.  Thank you for putting up with a third girl in the humble abode.  I am so proud of your upcoming job and know you will do so well!  I can't wait to see where life takes each of us as we see our dreams to fruition.  Congrats on everything, thus far. I only wish you the best in the future to come! Get ready to see some REAL eating when we celebrate Thanksgiving together.  Perhaps you could provide music?

Kelly-Really? I don't know if it's even possible to put into words the love that I have for you.  Starting with gossip sessions at Indigo, to discussions about New York, to continuous slumber parties, I have always hoped that we would become good friends, but never in a million years would I have thought that we would have become this close.  You are the big sister to many girls, but more than a big sister, you are an inspiration.  Your poise, grace, taste, and ability to handle being a WOMAN in a MAN'S world continuously show me that it's possible to accomplish the impossible.  Thank you for ALWAYS being there!!! I honestly can't thank you enough for EVERYTHING.  SOMEDAY I will be able to repay you appropriately for all that you have done! 

Thank you again to you all listed above.  You have each made a difference in my life and I know will continue to make a difference in other's as well.  

xoxo,

Blair

explanation to my absence

Wow! It's crazy to think I've been in New York City now for 6 weeks now! The past month has been one of the craziest months of my life.  I don't even know where to begin.  I think I'll start by just picking up where I left off..(Thursday, September 9, 2010)

That night upon leaving Starbucks I met up with a friend, who introduced me to the hiring manager of a website that is trying to promote themselves throughout the sports/bar industry in New York.  That following Monday, I ended up meeting with the head of the company and receiving a part-time job as a Brand Ambassador with Blood, Sweat, & Cheers.

The Wednesday following, (September 15, 2010) I was to the point in this job process where I just wanted to give up.  Don't get me wrong, I wanted to give up way earlier also, but not this bad.  After becoming frustrated, gathering up enough strength to call a couple friends (who basically told me to suck it up  because this is what I was meant to do), and the saying a few prayers...I got a phone call.  A phone call that has changed my life.  As I think about it now, I begin to tear up, because the desperate emotions of trying to make it and survive in this city were so intense.  Anyways, it was Macy's and they had 3 positions open and wanted to contact me about one of them.    Long story short, I had a phone interview and then they wanted to bring me in on Friday.  Went in for the interview and within 30 minutes of walking home I received the phone call asking me if I wanted to accept the offer! MORE THAN YOU COULD POSSIBLY KNOW!!!!!!!  I couldn't believe what I was hearing.  The woman that interviewed me absolutely loved me! I was so glad to hear that! It had been so long since I had heard something good in regards to a job! AND NOW I HAD ONE!!! I was scheduled to start on September 27, 2010 at Macy's.com in the Young Men's division as a Merchandise Assistant.  

A week later, I started my first shift with Blood, Sweat, & Cheers.  It was so much fun! I got to tour the bars of the East Village and ask drunk people for their signatures and e-mail addresses.  Easy Peasy. 

Following my first day with Macy's.com I have become so excited about my job that it's sickening.  People just don't love their jobs like I do.  I've always grown up in a home where a job was also called work.  Something you went to everyday and it was not fun!  Everyday during my first week was even better than the last, and I was literally running on pure adrenaline.  I would leave and couldn't WAIT to get back there the next day! 

The next step in the journey was now finding an apartment.  It was time for the next month's rent to be paid at my current residence, instead of paying for another month I decided it was time to move on.  That Friday I pack up half of my belongings and SHOVED them into my large suitcase in which I took to work and is now sitting underneath my desk until I was able to find a place of my own.  Later that day, after work, I moved my stuff from the middle of 15th street to 1st Ave, where I would be staying with three lovely individuals, whom I have now begun to call my family.  I couldn't thank them enough for allowing me (the 4th roommate) to pile my things in a small corner and move in with them.  I will never forget the night right before I moved to Kelly's...sitting on my "makeshift bed" and crying non-stop because i had never felt so scared in my life and was now technically "homeless."  At that point, I had begun the search for an apartment, but it was kind of put on hold with things.  I really wasn't sure where things were going to take me in the next couple of days.

But I guess that's the fun in it, right? What would life be like if we knew everything that was to come next.  It would kind of be like we were living as characters in a fictional novel.  Nothing would be a surprise, and just with that, think about all of the time that you have been surprised...To me, it's probably one of the best feelings.  One quality about myself that I love, is my ability to find, appreciate, and LOVE the little things in life.  I even get excited about Happy Meals, because I can request a toy for a girl and then end up giving it away to a little kid that I see/know.  :)  

That's all for now...blair

A Day on 2nd & 9th

*A shout-out to all my pledge sisters who will reunite this weekend.  Enjoy Bclub-BOILER UP*

Whenever I get into public places such as Starbucks.  I often think about things the way my mother always did.  She would always point out to us that everyone around us has a story.  Each person in this corner cafe has a home, a family, a place their going, and a reason as to why they are sitting with their Macintosh Computers (because let's face it...who has a pc these days? ha) at Starbucks.  As I look around I see a blonde girl, who resembles one of my friends quite well, sitting and talking to her screen as if she were Skyping or iChatting with someone.  Hmm...the guy next to me, with his hood up, watched the latest episode of Jersey Shore, which I was also going to watch while here.  And the man on the other side of me sat on Gmail the entire time and gchatted with 4 or 5 different people.  

The other thing I would like to point out is, and this is not me being naive, is how nice people are.  Genuine hospitality and manners are NOT gone.  The other day I left my cell phone in a cab and after texting it to contact my roommate's # if perhaps found, someone took it and contacted me to return it.  What? If I were at Purdue and that were to have happened it would have been sold in a matter of minutes.  I mean, also...let's not forget that the phone I own is a crappy regular phone that only gets text messaging and had a broken screen. NO ONE would want this phone. But to me...it was soo important and I was sooo thankful that someone found it...also-please note the man who found it turned out to be VERY cute! Tall, Dark, and Handsome! Perfect. 

So I guess as random as this post is, more or less it's just me rambling, I would like to note that I am giving the people of New York City my gratitude and appreciation for your kindness during my first couple of weeks here.  When people say that "New Yorkers are some of the meanest people" they are lying.  OR are perhaps too concerned with their own little bubble that they don't want to take the time to get to know us! That's right...I'm now associating myself FULLY with this city! 

for now...

Blair

To Chelsea...

This morning while watching the Today Show it made me think about the fact that next summer one of my best friends is going to be tying the knot.  Unfortunately, I am going to be living in NYC during the fun time of the planning, but as a diligent MOH I intend to fully be available via Skype, Facebook, e-mail, Twitter, Gchat, etc.  So this post is dedicated to my dear friend Chelsea in hopes that I will start to get many pictures via e-mail in regards to what your own dress will look like.

Here is the full article on the wedding dress selection the viewers are to choose for the current Bride-to Be that will marry her beloved in The Plazza outside of Studio 1A on September 30, 2010.

With all this said and done...Chelsea this day is going to sneak up on you! I can't wait to see what you come up with! Miss & love you! xoxo

with love,
-blair

Can a Single Girl Really Have it All?

Shoes. The apartment. The boy. The job. The family. The life...can a girl REALLY have it all? Or when we find certain things of interest, do we neglect or disregard the others?

I was walking around my new neighborhood and came across the CUTEST shoes and after gazing my hazel eyes into those glass display cases and seeing the most beautiful and most fun shoes, I started to think about needs, wants, desires, passions, etc.

We were taught in elementary school that we have 4 basic needs: shelter, food, clothing, and love.  While at FIT, I was taught that to be in fashion your basic needs become a bit altered.  For example:

Shelter-an apartment in Manhattan you can barely afford

Food- sushi, Thai, any seafood, any 5 star restaurant will do

Clothing-Balenciaga, vintage YSL, a Marc Jacobs tote, skinny jeans, and Christian Louboutin

Love-a rich older man to provide all of the above.

(marry for money, you can learn to love)--just kidding

After thinking about these for a while it made me start to ponder the thought of being single in a city.  Post graduation at Purdue, my best friends and I all moved miles away from each other in pursuit of accomplishing our dreams.  Where did we end up? Large cities where we knew very few people upon our arrival.

As a single girl in the city it's interesting to think about the fact that someday I'm going to find a man and get married.  Someday (hopefully VERY SOON) I will find a job and have a career and be more than "Blair Burkholder a recent graduate of Purdue University."  Someday I will become a mother and start a family with that man who I married and raise my children implicating the same morals my parents instilled in me, and I MAY actually have to become domestic! (scary thought).  Anyways, I'm sure you have all thought about your future and what is to come of it and or what it will bring.  The people you meet now may someday have an affect on your life in the future.  Weird.  It's crazy how life works out.  We are all put here with a purpose and it's just one crazy ride figuring out what that purpose really is. What we really need to do is just sit back and enjoy the ride.  Because who really wants to know what's coming next?

just some food for thought...

-blair     

I leave you with the "Ultimate Single Girl" Miss Carrie Bradshaw

        

Obsession

Trouser-Steve Madden  $70.00

Coconut-Byron  $59.00

Chooka- Herringbone  $70.00

I want these!!!!! If anyone would like to donate to the "Buy Blair New Shoes Fund" that would be GREAT!!! :) 

Happy Tuesday!

And No.1 goes to 

Lea Michelle, Glee

I love this Oscar De La Renta, navy tafeta dress!!!  I love how Lea chose to take a risk by wearing navy to the red carpet and then proceeds to look STUNNING in it.  The ruffles at the bottom accentuate the mermaid cut so well, along with the gathering on her left side.  Very slimming.  However, I would have had her hair pulled back to add sophistication and elegance.

No. 2 goes to...

January Jones, Mad Men

I love how this dress has gotten so many mixed reviews.  It really is one of those love it or hate it kind of dresses.  With it's texturing and very attentive detailing the lights from the red carpet, just sparkled on her.  With Mad Men receiving Best drama I thought it was fitting for her to wear a dramatic dress.  

No. 3 is...

Heidi Klum, Project Runway

Wearing this black mini dress after having 4 children is something most women cannot do.  So props to Heidi for looking INCREDIBLE and pulling off this Marchesa mini!  Absolutely loving her choice of the spiked Christian Loubouitins and Loraine Schwartz jewelry.  Great job Heidi!

No. 4.....

Julie Benz, Dexter

This one-shoulder cut-out dress is amazing.  I love when white is worn to a red carpet event because the white color contrasted with the red carpet stands out so well!  This Pamela Roland dress is so elegant.  The fitted silhouette reminds me of a classic Emmy/Awards dress, but the cut-out on the right hip adds just a touch of trend and edge.

No. 5...

Claire Danes

This dress didn't pop out to me.  Besides the fact that it had Swarovski crystals embodying the entire dress the strapless neckline made it seem like any other dress.  I would have loved to see Claire push the envelope a little more.  However, the dress is beautiful, don't get me wrong, but the neckline was the deal breaker for me.

There you have it...my top 5 Emmy gown choices! Enjoy!

-p2p