Outfit log: Black & White and Purple All Over

I picked up a bunch of new cardigans at the JCrew outlet a few weeks ago, so get ready to see them a lot as the weather cools down!

Occasion: Casual Workday, September 22, 2010

Details:
cardigan - jcrew outlet
tank - jcrew outlet
jeans - joe's jeans, muse
flats - clarks outlet
necklace - gift from boo

I love the bold abstract print on this cardigan, and that it's a combination of black and cream, instead of black and stark white. The cream did pose a problem with what to layer underneath (couldn't grab any of my camisoles), so I chose this gray tank.

Makeup: Oops, new eye shadow colors that I can't remember the names of (all mac)

When I applied my eye makeup for this outfit I was thinking that purple would really pop against the black and white print on the cardigan. Then I topped the cardigan with a purple velvet blazer, grabbed my purple handbag and organizer, and threw on a purple scarf... only to realize as I was rushing out the door with no time to change that I was literally covered in purple. I think I might have a problem...

Outfit log: Dry Clean Only

On this particular morning I was craving jeans, but wanted to dress them up a bit, while still feeling comfortable all day. I decided that this satin top would prettify the ensemble while birks would up the comfort-factor. 

Occasion: Casual Workday, September 7, 2010

Details:
blouse - anthropologie
jeans - seven for all mankind, tj maxx
sandals - birkenstocks purchased in Australia
necklace - bridesmaid gift
headband - target (pre-boycott)

I love this blouse, but it doesn't seem to love me back. It's been accidentally laundered (I'm terrible with dry clean only garments), is missing three buttons, and on this day a seam ripped in the side when I took it off. In the next year I'm planning to learn how to sew, so hopefully I can repair this piece and sport it again (carefully) in the future!

Makeup: Rushed for time, I went the simple route -  a coat of black mascara on my top lashes, shimmery lip gloss, and mineral face powder. Parfait!

Days Two and Three of the HUE NYC Trip

Saturday, September 11, 2010

After a great first day in New York City, jetlagged travelers Nic and I slept in until about noon on Saturday. Then we met up with my dear friend Annie and she took us around town a bit.

First we took advantage of a photo op in front of the the Hudson River...

Then walked up on what used to be an elevated Subway track, but which has been remodeled into the High Line. Check out the interesting history of it here!

After grabbing some delcious food in Chelsea (a bagel with jalepeno cream cheese and white fish salad from Murray's Bagels, OMG YUM, for me and grilled corn on the cob for Nic from the farmer's market), we walked back to our hotel to get ready for the evening.

On our way back we came across this NYFD station, and realized quite abruptly that it was September 11th. We had talked about this before the trip, wondering what it would be like to be in NYC on the 9th anniversary of that terrible day, but honestly forgot about it while trying to recover from jet lag doing the sightseeing thing.

Seeing the flag at half mass, the plaque honoring the fallen firemen, and the sidewalk memorial caught us by surprise. Suddenly the far away horrors of September 11, 2001 seemed so tangible and tragic... so many had lost their lives in this city. We both quickly wiped away tears and took a moment to just be thankful to those women and men who risked their lives to save others.

Once we reached the hotel we got ready to go out to dinner and then see Billy Elliot, the Musical, courtesy of HUE. HUE also provided us with gift cards to cover our food expenses, which meant we ate like royalty!
Here's a snap of my delicious meal in the hotel's restaurant before the show, Lobster Ravioli and a Lobster Bisque Sauce... amazing!

After the amazing musical (we both loved it) my friend Annie met up with us again, this time for cocktails. Nic hit the hay on the earlier side and Annie and I got to catch up over dessert. It was so great seeing her!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

On Sunday morning Nic and I woke up exhausted, not wanting to do a darn thing, especially since it was raining and our schedule for the day involved being outside for hours. But, HUE had given us VIP passes to Broadway on Broadway and wanted us to stop by their tent at 10:30am. So we trudged out of bed, showered, dressed, packed, and checked out of the hotel... groggy-faced and all... and thank goodness we did!

Broadway on Broadway was amazing! The two-hour production included performances from a whole plethora of Broadway shows from the current season. My favorites were the TWO drag queen performances (from La Cage Aux Folles and Priscilla Queen of the Desert).

Check out our awesome view! That's Jordan Sparks and her fellow lead actor who are performing in In the Heights, another fabulous looking production. 

HUE co-sponsored the entire event and surprised the audience with a crazy flash mob dance (recognize the outfit from my swag bag??). So fun!

Nic and I debated all weekend about if we would ever want to live in NYC. Staying in hustle and bustle of Times Square deterred us a bit, but then previewing some of the amazing theater going on had us wrestling with the thought again!

We returned to Oakland exhausted and amazed at our incredible weekend. Thank you HUE, and thank you to those who voted... you rock our world!!

Outfit log: Getting Back Into the Swing

Alrighty peeps, I am finally getting caught up on life and my blog, and ooooh does it feel good! After last, last weekend's amazing trip, Nic and I turned around and got to prepare for our engagement party this past weekend (pics to come!), which my mom flew in early for (and whom I got to hang out with playing hooky from work for half the week!). The party was amazing... having all of these amazing and supportive people in our lives come together for the first time was just magical. I'm still beaming thinking about it!

This outfit wasn't from the party or last week, but from several weeks ago when a glorious heat wave hit San Francisco.

Occasion: Warm Workday, September 1, 2010

Details:
dress - anthro
belt - vintage anne klein, thrifted
necklace - gift
off white peep toes - clarks outlet

I love this dress to pieces, but hadn't really thought of ways to mix it up. My first thought was (of course)... let's try belting it! So I grabbed this vintage number. The belt begged to be matched with this white-bead-including necklace, and the shoes were a natural finishing touch. 

Makeup:
eye shadows - MAC juxt(lid), plumage(crease), and graphology (top lash liner)
lipstick - MAC creme sheen in creme cup

Since the outfit was one gorgeous coral color and white, I thought adding a bit of complimentary greens/blues on my eyes would top it off nicely.

Outfit log: HUE NYC Trip

I'm working on another post with pics from our trip, but in the meantime I thought I'd show you some of the outfits I wore for various events HUE planned for us over the jam-packed weekend. 

Occasion: Drinks out on the town, Friday September 10, 2010

Details:
tunic - hand me down
belt - h&m
leggings - HUE
flats - target (pre-boycott)
denim blazer - free from swap
earrings - hand me down

For our first night in NYC, we planned to hit up Fashion's Night Out, but it just didn't happen. Instead we had drinks in a few watering holes with some of the marketing team working with HUE and had a blast! On the way to meeting up with the crew we spotted a HUE advertisement on a trash can, and couldn't resist snapping a shot with it :)

Occasion: Broadway musical, Billy Elliot, Saturday September 11, 2010

Details:
tunic (tucked in) - anthropologie
skirt - hand me down from Gaby
flats - rocket dog
necklace - tiffany & co, gift from Nic

For our second evening HUE graciously gave us damn good tickets to see Billy Elliot, the Musical! Holy crap... it was amazing. Billy Elliot was already one of my top five favorite movies, and add to that an amazing score by one of my all time favorite musicians, Elton John? I was so excited, and was completely blown away! Nic loved it too :)

Occasion: Broadway on Broadway, Sunday September 12, 2010

Details:
tunic - INC
blazer - free from swap
leggings - compliments of HUE
flip flops - reef
felt hat - compliments of HUE

Sunday turned out to be rainy and a bit chillier, so I layered my denim blazer over this tunic. These are the corduroy leggings that HUE recently debuted, and they are so comfy! I loved how the color didn't match the tunic, but somehow went, ya know? I was a little nervous about sporting the felt hat (I'm not much of a hat person), but it kept me warm and my hair dry, and I ended up liking the look of it too!

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Finally, another HUGE thank you for making this trip happen for me! Since HUE knows I could not have done this without you, they offered you guys 25% off a leggings purchase at www.hue.com! To redeem click on the banner below or visit HUE's website and upon checkout enter 25Bway in the promo code box in the black footer of the checkout page. I already loved HUE's leggings before, love 'em even more now (this corduroy-pants-phobic lady believes that corduroy leggings are GENIUS people), and know you will too! Plus they have lots of pretty tights and stuff, perfect for fall :)

Day One of the HUE NYC Trip

So far this trip has been surreal! Nic and I flew in on the red eye on Thursday night, and spent Friday morning napping (red eyes are killer!). After we got a little rejuvenated HUE invited us to their studios for a tour... Nic and I felt so VIP! They even interviewed me for their facebook page! After the tour we did a little sightseeing and then ate a delicious dinner and met up with the HUE peeps for cocktails. A great first day! Enjoy the pics! I've gotta get my butt movin' :)

Late night layover in Vegas

Arrival in New York (excuse the crazy pupils... the red eye corrector was a little overzealous)!

Amazing bag o' goodies, courtesy of HUE, waiting for us at the hotel :)

Daytime in Times Square

HUE Studios

Trying not to clam up during my interview :)

Nic and I did our gay duty and checked out the historic Stonewall Inn, location of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, considered the beginning of the Gay Rights Movement in the US.

If Nic and I lived in NYC, we'd want to live on this street, fo sho!

Times Square after dark

Ending the night at a cool club somewhere in the City that never sleeps :)

P.S. Outfit post from Friday night coming soon!

Outfit log: Thrifting Words of Wisdom

When I first started getting more curious about thrifting (directly correlating to the time I started following hella fashion blogs), I remember a blog post about tips and tricks for doing so. One such piece of advice was to try on things that you think might fit even if the size isn't what you're used to.

Occasion: Sunny Day at Work, August 31, 2010

Details:
coral top (tunic tucked in) - anthro on clearance
skirt - thrifted old navy
belt - thrifted vintage anne klein
red flats - target, pre-boycott
earrings - hand me down

This skirt was one of those trials. It's a size 6, and I'm a size twice-that, but I held the waist up to where I'd want it to sit on my body, checked the length it would be, and figured I might as well try it. I know the skirt was originally designed to sit low on the hips, but I prefer it this way anyway :)

Makeup:
eyeshadow - MAC retrospeck (inside) and saddle (outside)
liner - MAC shadow in embark and fluidline in dipdown
lip gloss - MAC lip glass in rich & ripe

As soon as I publish this post, I'm heading directly to bed! I just hope I can get in some rest before the crazy amazingness that will be this weekend. I can't wait to tell you all about it, and post pictures of course :) I'll also try to remember to tweet as I go, so if you aren't already following, dooooo it!

Nighty night lovely blogworld!