guidetogiving2009

after researching the best gifts of the year, i wanted to compile my own private gift guide for interesting, chic pieces found in my internet travels.

enjoy.

this Hayden-Harnett Ramone Studded Slim Cuff one of my favorite pieces that i would love to get this Christmas season, classic, yet with a touch of rock and roll. i'll wear this from the office, to a concert, to date night.

$90

call me a fake but i love the idea of temporary tattoos in places where i'm not bold enough to get a real one. i've always wanted small knuckle tattoos and with Scott Campbell's temporary knuckle tattoo set, i can go from nice to naughty this holiday season in about 30 seconds.

etsy provides some great finds for the loved ones on your list who have everything and want something unique and special. this gold-dipped quartz necklace is the perfect addition to any downtown girl's wardrobe. organic and effortlessly cool.

$175

i love gifts that ooze wit and good design, and this kakuzai wood memo block by kenjiro sano fits that criteria. i've never seen a more interesting way to adorn a desk and still be able to leave sweet notes to a special someone. each sheet features a progressive wood pattern and the pad contains 1200 sheets. now you just have to think of that many interesting things to say.

$29

this is the most interesting of all my internet finds. you can actually pay Solvate Customer Service Haggling to fight your battles for you. no more spending hours on the phone with verizon or booking a trip. solvate gladly will fight your holiday battles and you will be full of cheer.

$25/hr

getReadySetGO's upcycled luggage is the best way to pack for a weekend getaway this winter. they use vintage luggage and add smart design and crafty flair with hand painting and elements of kitsch. you won't be able to keep it to a one bag minimum with these ready-to-jetset pieces.

$70

for the fashion forward male in your life, buy Filius Design's birch bark bowtie. the perfect holiday party conversation starter, the only thing you'll need to worry about is getting too close to the fire.

$55

this fenton-fallon bracelet will round out your winter jewelry wardrobe. i love this piece's mixture of silver and brass, so easily mixable and matchable with all my other jewels. layer on bangles, leather, and this fabulous find to achieve the perfect holiday look.

happy shopping.

xx c

photo by Eric Ryan Anderson, www.ericryananderson.com

NEWNEWYORK

This speaks to me.

E.B. White is amazingly spot on. Titled Here Is New York, White explains the three types of New York within this one urban center. I am a dweller of the third New York.

"There are roughly three New Yorks. There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born there, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size, its turbulence as natural and inevitable.

Second, there is the New York of the commuter--the city that is devoured by locusts each day and spat out each night.

Third, there is New York of the person who was born somewhere else and came to New York in quest of something. Of these trembling cities the greatest is the last--the city of final destination, the city that is a goal. It is this third city that accounts for New York's high strung disposition, its poetical deportment, its dedication to the arts, and its incomparable achievements.

Commuters give the city its tidal restlessness, natives give it solidity and continuity, but the settlers give it passion. And whether it is a farmer arriving from a small town in Mississippi to escape the indignity of being observed by her neighbors, or a boy arriving from the Corn Belt with a manuscript in his suitcase and a pain in his heart, it makes no difference: each embraces New York with the intense excitement of first love, each absorbs New York with the fresh yes of an adventurer, each generates heat and light to dwarf the Consolidated Edison Company."

join me?

xx c

9,600milesabovethesea

for the last 4 days i have been in the vail, frisco, breckenridge area of colorado. it's amazing how a four hour plane ride can take you somewhere that seems world's away. colorado has been extremely nourishing for the soul, with the perfect amount of quiet to replenish even the most active city dweller. i needed to spend the first two days of my vacation, sitting, mostly alone, trying to capture the silence of the mountains. trying to bottle it up in my mind, to take back with me. i left the city plagued with a bit of drama, but two days surrounded by nature, family, and fresh air can easily help resolve some things. i am coming back to the city tomorrow with a renewed mind, heart, and sense of silence. though i love being here, i miss new york. i miss the people. i miss the white noise of the city streets. i miss community. i miss my shoebox apartment. i miss shoes that aren't completely made of rubber.

see you soon, city that i love.

xc

x c

housebeautiful

i just love these. that's all.

xx c

shoppingtrip

currently i am vacationing in Vail, CO and one of my favorite relaxation activities along with reading, listening to music, and catching up with friends is shopping. today my mom and i went around the vail/frisco area to look for a dress for my upcoming birthday and to shop for some Fall outerwear. what i ended up with is the above dress in the aqua color, its a stretch satin and is a great cut, simple yet flirtatious. the picture with the aqua dress is pretty damn creepy with that mannequin so here it is in the green color as well. while i was at calvin klein, i also picked up this super cute military inspired jacket with great details on the pockets and around the cuffs. i also picked up a slew of new tanks at j. crew to replace one's worn ragged this summer. the last stop was to banana republic where i picked up a super cute navy jacket made out of windbreaker material juxtaposed with an adorable classic silhouette, and also bought a black and white maxi dress with a 1940's neckline that is oh so flattering. i'm exhausted from all the shopping but it felt good to put on some new Fall pieces. what are you wearing next season?

xx c

whatiwantnow

while researching my previous blog post, i stumbled upon these delectable gems on Etsy. i am loving the organic handmade quality of these baubles and would love to order all three ASAP. my birthday is coming up so these may be on the wish list. the first ring seems like something found in the far east, beautifully delicate and detailed with inset smokey topaz. lovely. the second rose quartz ring is made of the richest gold, i love the vibrant tonality of the metal and even better, it's all recycled gold.  the third ring is actually a perfect example of one of my favorite trends right now, sea urchins. when organic meets glamour, i dont think it can get any better. enjoy.

xx c 

diamondintherough

so all of a sudden i have been inundated with news of friends, and friends of friends getting engaged, i suppose if one wants a proper summer wedding and a proper one-year engagement, now would be the last second to squeeze in the proposals. in light of all this wedding talk, a guy friend of mine and i were talking about wedding rings and he asked me what kind of ring i would want... i think i surprised him with my response. the typical Tiffany's Platinum Solitaire Engagement Ring is not really what i'm looking for. the true purpose of a wedding ring is to remind you of the unique, erratic, unquenchable love that is shared between you and your beloved....so why do most women want something so ordinary and run of the mill? i personally don't really care about the ring, but if i was in the position to choose, i would want something like these.  my favorites are the bottom two, made with rough-cut diamonds...maybe its a metaphor of what i think the ideal relationship is. i love that something usually seen as imperfect can be transformed into something wildly beautiful. afterall, aren't we all just diamonds in the rough?

xx c

::APW::

i spent my weekend at All Points West and it was epic to say the least. from jay-z to mogwai to coldplay. utterly brilliant. the only downside was the 8 inch muddy groundcover that squished between toes while standing watching the shows. other than that, the experience couldn't have been better: cool breezes, beating the rain, smiling people, good music. all on the backdrop of the nyc skyline with lady liberty close by, keeping watch.

xxc

heartforabrain.

romance blurs and fades. take off the silken blindfold and see the daylight.

xc

onmymind.

this week's sermon was on this verse and it really has me thinking. trusting God is maybe the most direct simple thing we are called to do but tends to be the hardest thing to actually achieve. i'm going to make this a priority in life. working towards the end goal of total trust and not feeling the need to build false nets to catch myself. lots of things to ponder on this.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Matthew 6:25-34

hope this verse serves you well this week.

xx c

whatiwantnow.

shopping in my neighborhood about a year ago, i stumbled on a shop called Urban Alchemist on 5th st. and 7th ave. while i was browsing i found this amazing independent jewelry designer named Purevile. the designer is based in brooklyn and his jewelry is equal parts creepy and amazing. i must have this necklace in the next month or so. love love love.

xx c

bestweddinginviteever.

somehow i have survived all these years without being the mushy type... i want to fall in love and all but have never been the type to horde BRIDE magazine under my bed, pick out china in my spare time, or have my bridal org. chart figured out. maybe this makes me a lame girl. BUT when i saw this invitation online, i fell in love with it. the perfect amount of humor and wit, along with a genius design. could surely see myself doing something like this as an invite for my future wedding...gee...im turning into THAT girl.

xxc 

favorite hymn. continual words of inspiration.

xx c

milesaldridge

miles aldridge is one of the most inspirational fashion photographers whose work i have viewed in a long while. his use of color and positioning within the frame is so brilliant. each piece has a bit of humor mixed with sex appeal and draws the viewer in. he typically shoots high fashion editorial or advertorial, usually in publications such as the international versions of Vogue or campaigns for beauty giant MAC. enjoy.

xx c

welcomesummer.

posting has been less than frequent here, i'm sure no one checks this thing anymore. i apologize. but here is the first post of the summer and i really am going to try and keep at least one post a week going. 

summer is by far my favorite time of year in new york. there is something so validating about putting away the woolens and tweeds and being able to slip a whisper of a dress on and be on your way. less constricting, and not only in the fashion sense...in life. summer is the time to let go and rid yourself of obligations and rules... its my time to hide out a bit, explore, travel and shirk a bit of responsibility and be able to blame it on sunlight and mojitos.

but most importantly, summer reminds me of the first time i came to this city. the first time i fell in love with something non-human. reminiscing about my first new york summer, i think back on how big this place felt, or rather how inconsequential my actions felt here. i still have the butterflies for this place, and summer is our honeymoon.  park slope is the place to DO summer, manhattan tends to smell a little, and is full of overheated, crammed, irritated people...but park slope, yes. the summer was made for this place.  

while i love to see my tree lined streets turn fiery shades of red, yellow, and orange, and see blankets of white dumped over the meadows of prospect park, summer is different. joy pours out of the pores of the people, sunlight doesnt have to compete with skyscrapers, dogs have room to run and play, children finally let out of their wintery cages flood the park with squeals of delight, fresh fruit and veggies are out at the farmers market and sidewalks turn into patios filled with laughter and margaritas.  

its strange finally living somewhere with four seasons...i now realize that God made these perfectly crafted time periods where just when we are at our breaking point with winter, spring peeks its head out and relief.  its easy to get downtrodden in winter, start to feel irritated, tired, overworked, underwhelmed with life in general. and then sunlight. when that first summer sun washes over my body, i am instantly transplanted to the first day i moved here,  roaming around union square, maneuvering through rows of fruit vendors,  eating fresh cut watermelon, wandering around without a clue where to go or what to do, and finding comfort with freedom. finally feeling alive and wild is a good feeling. 

yesterday i spent all day in the sun, walking through the neighborhood with a friend, sitting outside the library drinking watermelon lemonade, laying on my roof, taking in silence and finding true relaxation. as i walked home from the library, i found myself with this silly smile slapped across my face. I couldnt remove it, i thought to myself... i look stupid, grinning like an idiot because of weather conditions...then i slowly looked around at the people passing me, a sea of grinning idiots. i'm so blessed to live here. i'm so blessed to be surrounded with people that have a passion like i do for the city and the people who live within its bounds. 

i decided yesterday that i am ok with being another grinning idiot. it sure beats the alternative.

xx c

p.s. some recent pictures from summer/spring 09

coldspringpart2

after a cancelled snowboarding trip, i decided that i still needed to get out of the city for the day and breathe in some fresh air.  on the spur of the minute, i planned to go back to cold spring ny where i retreated with M.A. earlier this fall.  amy, eric, nate and eric's friend paul decided to head up with me for some rest and relaxation.  we got there around 11am and stopped at the Foundry cafe and had some coffee and breakfast, then we perused the quiet, cobblestone streets ducking in and out of the myriad of antique shops. after some shopping, we went to the depot and had lunch and amy and i had a bottle of champagne. whooops.  it was delicious, that champagne was and drinking it next to a crackling fireplace made it even better... post champagne, we decided that $2 pints were a rarity in our new york lives so we stopped by mcguire's pub for some rolling rock and jaeger shots...yes, i said jaeger.  before we left, we ran down to the river bank, only to discover that it was about 10 degrees colder there, even though the river was frozen solid. so that was short lived.  we all schlepped onto the train and spent some quiet time on the train ride home. 

what a good day. reminds me that though i love this city with my whole heart, its good to get away and be without distraction. i am going to try and take a day trip once a month, my soul feels full and i feel energized. 

xx c

blessingsabound.

sorry for the lag between my last post and this one. BUT. its a new year. and i am back in it.

today i was in a terrible funk, all day, complaining about everything imaginable.  every night i take some reflection time to think about my day and what was good, bad, and ugly about it. pray about it. think. think. think.  as i ponder the last 24 hours of my life, i realize that i really haven't been thankful about anything. which, is pretty depressing, considering i live a pretty charmed life comparatively. so tonight, my first new blog post of the year will be all the blessings in my life. things that i should remind myself everyday to be thankful for. so now. here. its implanted permanently in cyberspace. for me to look at. daily.

God's moving, powerful influence in my life.

A loving family.

Grace.

Mercy from Him and from those around me.

For safety.

For freedom.

The ability to be myself. completely. wholly. me.

Trinity Grace Church.

New York City, who gives me energy and excitement. daily.

Friends: (in no particular order) sara, allison, mo, lauren, kirby, eric, trevor, tyler, shuffle, kristin, jacquie, trevor, kristen, hillary, morgan, jonathan, joel, gabe, nate, nathan, kathleen, nicole, lorenza, jenna, josh, brad, chris, susie, tanya, rachel, caitlyn, haley, erin, kyle, chase, hunter, miriam, richard, alex, traylor, sarah, mike, scarlett, reecie, lindsay, vanessa, ryan, andrew, joe, chuck, barry...and all the rest.

Park Slope.

Youth.

Forgiveness.

Passion in life, love, and work.

The will to bring people together.

The ability to go far away and still be able to come back.

Texas.

Snow.

Men that are worth waiting for.

Others patience with my impatience.

Sun.

Living in a place with four seasons.

Having a job that i love.

Having a boss that respects my opinion.

A warm bed.

these are about 5% of the things in my life that i should and am thankful for. until i find contentment in my current situation, i cannot be truly thankful. i am blessed. we are blessed. thanks.

xx c

currentobsession

my name is chinae and i am a fur-aholic.

if you know me, or met me for that matter, you would know my deep, long, love affair with fur. yes, i said fur. PETA can kiss my ass, all i can say is that those paint-throwing crazies have never felt the warm, soft, comfort of a fur coat.  

a sad part of this whole story is that after i went to the beyonce holiday event a week and a half ago, i got in a fight with cab driver on my way home. got upset. left fur in cab in a fury of frustration. i almost died when i promptly hopped into the next cab realized that i had left my precious mink capelet in that curry-scented abyss of a cab. after almost shedding a tear, i quickly rationalized an online fur purchase the next day to replace my beloved capelet. 

and then she arrived. promptly two days later in a small brown box. a brand new white rabbit coat with fox collar and fox shoulders. a viable opponent to the previous mink. the only problem was that after...lets call her FIFI...after fifi arrived, i found myself scouring the internet, like a crackhead needing a fix, looking for MORE fur....fur muffs, fur hats, fur shoes, fur gloves, i even saw fur pants. now owning the fourth completely fur item in my life, i have for sure offended the majority of the vegan animal rights population of NYC but i just can't seem to get enough.

this is the next on my list... if only i could scrounge about 4k for this to-die-for jenni kayne fur vest...please alert me immediately if anyone can locate a mid-thigh camel colored fur vest under $500.

i have a problem and i need help with my addiction.

xx c

homefree

i just landed last night from a short trip home to see friends and family for the thanksgiving holiday and for a close family friend's wedding. after a 8 hour long day of flying, i was so exhausted but found myself sleeping restlessly.  in my restlessness i found myself feeling a way that i haven't ever felt. homesick. since i left home at 17, i have never felt this way. dont get me wrong, i miss my friends and family and always do but its never felt this way before.  partly because my time home gets shorter and farther between trips every year. 

after thinking about it today, i realized that the fact that i am here in nyc and living my dreams makes the homesickness validated but still doesn't overcome the fact that i know that i am really living my plan and moreover, God's plan for my life. once i thought about it today, i felt better and more at peace with the situation. i am just thankful for my parent's health and the overwhelming opportunity i have been blessed with to be able to live in this amazing city.

in the last 6 months i have met some of the most incredible people i have ever met and they have now become my new york family and hold me over through to the times i get to see my real family. and for them, i am eternally grateful. i love texas but it sure was great to be back, absorbing the energy of this spectacular city and those who are so privileged to live here.

here are some photos from my trip, i wish i would have taken more but i go back to texas in two weeks so more to come.

xx c

luxeforless

famed fashion house comme des garcons is translating the label's edgy deconstructed style into a mass collection for retail giant h&m.  c.d.g. is headed by rei kawakubo who owns and heads the label which originated in 1969 in tokyo.  the influence of the japanese culture is always felt through c.d.g.'s lines but certainly not through their color stories.  the brand has always used muted colors with interesting lines to generate their vision rather than typical japanese fashion where color and pattern are more focused on than the actual construction or in this case, deconstruction of the garment.  c.d.g.'s line for h&m debuts on thursday nov. 13th at h&m retailers worldwide.  to prevent ebay sellers from stocking up and selling online, h&m is imposing a 2 item minimum on a particular style so this just may make lines a little better and some of us may actually have a shot on getting the styles before they all get snapped up a la roberto cavalli's collection previously.  check out the slideshow of their offerings here http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2008/10/comme_des_garons_for_hm.html#photo=1

happy shopping.

xx c

indecision2008

last night i stayed up researching the right candidate for the president based on the issues that are really important to me and not so much on personality or whether my favorite celebrity was backing them. after taking many quizzes online based on issues, i found the person i disagree with least, as i really don't like either one of them.  after voting this morning i was plagued with thoughts of indecision and worry that i had made the right choice or wrong one. there is a huge chance that EITHER candidate could fail us as a country and just further weigh down the sinking ship that is our country's economy, moral standing, and social viewpoints. after work, i was walking through my neighborhood and just happened to read the marquee on one of our local churches (which i walk by everyday and never read) "god never fails". it immediately put my heart at peace. its funny that 13 plastic letters could quiet my soul as much as they did. i realized that no matter what one man can do to change or hurt/better our country, that the only one who matters in the long run is god and he will NOT forsake us. never. what happens in the next 4 years is nothing compared to the change god can do within all of our lives in mere moments.  if we want new life and a new start, choose god. now that's a change i can believe in. vote for jesus.

xx c

makeover

so a new part of my blog i am trying out are my skills for styling and makeup, i used to be a makeup artist and i am trying to sharpen my skills and make people feel good at the same time. my friend richelle is in school for musical theatre and is pursuing acting, singing, and dance. she already reminds me of keira knightley so i thought i would make her over with keira as my inspiration for the new look.  although she does look exactly like ally sheedy circa breakfast club  in that last photo. please excuse my terrible photography skills.

xx c

falllove

this past sunday was possibly one of the more perfect days i have spent in this city that i love with all my heart. picture the most perfect fall weather, walking in central park, after eating a great brunch with unlimited free sangria, with some of your best girlfriends. yes. its as good as it sounds. this particular morning we walked the trails around central park from the westside to the eastside, stopping to watch the marathon and feel pretty guilty for having those last 4 glasses of sangria... while 85 year old people are running 26k.  the marathon is so inspiring though, we saw everyone from young adults, to the physically disabled, to the eldery, and to round out the bunch, a guy in a thong-unikini a la borat. after watching the marathon which proved to be pretty mesmerizing we went to bethesda fountain, probably one of the most breathtaking scenes in central park. you really cant ask for better scenery or weather. a mini photo shoot took place there amongst the leaves rounding out the perfect day at the park.

xx c

halloweekend

this halloween really crept up on me, its a wonder that when you get a job and are so busy that you dont have time to plan three straight days of costumes and parties. i decided to dress up as an arabian princess which later in the night was changed into cleopatra as everyone had a different opinion of what i looked like. here are the top guesses: cleopatra, pocohantas, mary-kate olson, and i quote "the flyest genie i ever seen". so i guess arabian princess wasn't was obvious as i had hoped. anyway, we planned a pre-party at amy and annies before going out, it was so good to be around such great people and to NOT be at the parade... after the pre-party the girls and i dropped by volstead for some drinks and then headed back to allison's to wind down the night which consisted of me falling asleep on her bathroom floor. so we obviously had an awesome night and cant wait until next year.

xx c

eventseason

between now and christmas is the high tide of event season. i love going to my inbox in the morning and it being filled with lovely invitations to fabulous events. tonight i actually had two events to attend but due to the bitter cold and partial snow today, i felt like the latter would be for naught. so tonight elle decor hosted an event at soho mews, a new luxury residence in soho on wooster between grand and canal.  i have been dying to get into the building to see the interior so you can imagine my intrigue when i received the invite.  the event was held in the calvin klein designed lower level residence and while it was lovely, it did not blow my mind by any means. while i sipped champagne i chatted with some friends from the museum of art and design, nicole from elle decor, and michael mchale, a new york based lighting/chandelier designer. it was lovely to see everyone and have a cocktail before going out and braving the weather again.  margaret russell, the editor in chief of elle decor was there (she's fabulous) i am sure you have seen her on bravo's top design, and i must say she always looks impeccable.  after the event lorenza and i hopped into a cab and i retreated back to my warm, cozy, park slope oasis.  although i would have loved to stop by the gotham magazine event -top 100 bachelors in nyc, it was being held at mansion and tonight was just about the last night that i would be going to a loud, crowded club. plus, i dont need any more men to stir things up...im doing that just fine on my own.

xx c

datenight

last night i had a date with a new man.(who shall remain nameless and faceless until further notice) i feel like there are always men in and out of my life and it's an every changing cycle. its strange, how much i love dating and all that leads up to it. i have started to really find quality men in my life in the past few months, that have the potential to be much bigger than a casual flirtation or a meaningless date.  i will keep you posted on all of this in weeks to come. 

anyway back to last night, we went to angels and kings for drinks, one of my favorite bars in nyc, and then i met up with morgan, nathaniel, mike, and mo in the LES. we went to bondiroad, where i proceeded to meet a hot aussie bartender named grant.  very cute, terrible taste in cocktails...he poured me this jamba juice concotion with everclear i assume...weird and without the benefits of a tasty jamba juice, i felt like i was going to need a wheatgrass shot asap. thats the problem with free drinks, you cant complain if they are terrible...anyway, we left, he texted, yadda yadda. oh bartenders in ny. so overall a great night, tonight i may be going to the greycoats show with nathan, then to trevor's bday party and then maybe a party in chelsea with chuck and vito.

i need a night off.

xx c 

b4bcevent

this has been a really busy week. thursday i was supposed to attend both the a.c.e. for the homeless dinner/gala and also the boarding for breast cancer event, but after going out every night this week i was exhausted and decided to just go to b4bc.  the event was held at the westside loft and probably hosted about 200 people. after going to a lot of these kinds of things...you realize that they are filled with the same people everytime. literally, they are the same faces at every charity event i go to. not much going on behind the eyes if you know what i mean. anyway, i took allison to the event with me and we were greeted by flashbulbs and cinnamon champagne...it's better than it sounds, trust me.  after a few glasses of champagne, we were both hungry and tired and allison had to pack to go to texas for homecoming (sidenote: im so sad i didn't get to go)...so we decided to go to dinner....at olive garden. yes. i live in nyc and i went to olive garden...to top it off we had a waiter that looked like vanilla ice and stole us soup and salad for the promise of a higher tip...oh new york and your terrible service industry.

xx c 

grogreenriverordinance

wednesday i left work early so i could jet to see green river ordinance at the cutting room. jamey and geoff are some friends from college and of course with the amy as one of my besties, i naturally had to go and support the band. i probably saw gro 10 times while i was in college in both fort worth and once in austin at stubbs. everytime i see them, they continue to get better and better. not only are they super marketable being 5 attractive guys that play instruments, but they actually are so talented and play radio-ready music. this happened to be an industry showcase for cmj and was a small crowd, the way i prefer it actually.  the played about 8 songs and then we all got to hang out and have a drink after the show.  

after that the crew went to gama and i proceeded to have a few too many drinks thanks to mr. greg beauchamp and my own love of watermelon soju and lychee martinis. after that we all head to cooper35 where the band hung out for a quick second.  overall the night was great for a lot of reasons...some of which will be continued in future posts ;) hopefully

so to end...listen to green river ordinance's music, you won't be disappointed.

xx c

marcblackwell

on tuesday night i attended a cozy event to "relaunch" marc blackwell's line of tabletop items. the event was held at the uber chic caledonia luxury condo in chelsea. the event was small but well done. i took lorenza, my coworker, friend, and ex-intern to the party with me. we had a glass of wine (whats with events not having vodka?), viewed marc's new line, and then went out on the amazing rooftop that was adjacent to the event space. what an amazing view. times like that remind me of why i love this city and to stop and appreciate the beauty of this place that i am so lucky to live in. anyway, after taking in the breathtaking views of the city, we finally chatted with marc and his pr person (victoria?) both really lovely people. marc is such a dear and he really does amazing stuff. 

giftbag: two glasses from marc's line

xx c

MADmuseumofarts&design

i know. two posts within 5 minutes, it's kind of a lot but i have things to post about. today i had lunch with one of the directors of the MAD (museum of arts and design) and she took me on a personal tour of the new space they have opened at columbus circle. all i can say is that i am so blown away by one of their exhibitions called second lives:remixing the ordinary.  the collection features about 50 artists both emerging and established, focusing on oordinary and everyday manufactured articles, most originally made for another functional purpose. not only was i impressed by the work, it was staggering the creativity and talent that some people have.  things like syringes and pills were turned into a magnificent chandelier, rubber gloves turned into an awe-inspiring sculpture, and clothing labels sewn together to form an intricate tapestry which addressed the issue of sweatshop conditions in developing countries. 

it made me think of how sometimes we feel like we know why we are here and it can seem pretty run of the mill but with God, the ultimate artist, we can transform our lives into a thing of beauty and purpose. now that's a remix.

xx c

 

beautyfull

i am on such a high from this weekend. i cant shake the smile from my face, to be surrounded with the beauty of nature, the void of noise, and life-changing people couldn't add up to be anything more compelling. 

coldspring is probably the most charming place i have ever been. i think we all had fleeting thoughts of just "missing" the train back to new york and staying there forever.  

 i really thought this weekend was going to be a break from thinking the 108359349892 thoughts that go through my head in a day's time...but in actuality it spurred on more thinking, in the best way possible. 

at one point this weekend we wandered into a beautiful old church, though empty, moved all of us to instant silence. i realized as we sat, completely quiet(which is no easy feat for a group of people who barely take breaths between comments) that in that moment i had found peace. i was moved to tears by the stillness of my soul and i still cant explain it other than peace. they weren't tears of joy or sadness but felt so comforting in that moment, like there was nothing else to do other than feel the warmth on my cheeks and soak in the placidity of the experience.

serenity. we are all trying to find it. even if that moment lasted a mere fifteen minutes, it lets me know that it's possible and to find those times in my daily life. to search out quiet is definitely something i am working on.

xx c

all photos by genius photographer eric anderson

coldspring

i need a getaway. this weekend a few people from my missional group are heading north for some relaxation, meditation, and to get a chance to reconnect with nature. while primarily being an indoor girl, i do need to feel grass, see trees, and hear silence. and as much as i do love prospect park, i feel like i am needed some non-man made nature lovin. so we are heading to coldspring ny...population 1,999. hopefully i can save enough money to take the trolly, its a whopping .10 cents. can't wait to post pics on sunday night. we leave tommorow early am so no more posts until sunday night. have a great fall-ish weekend. all i know is i better get to drink some hot apple cider.

cheers, c

StressLess

God help me to work through the stress that is in my life today,
So that I need not be anxious for tomorrow.
I know that you have given me life that is to be developed and enjoyed.
I know in my heart that you provide all that I need for health for
Happiness, and for eternal life.
Please help me to remove those elements in my life that stand in the
way of my enjoying your bounty to the fullest extent.
Teach me to manage what seems to be unmanageable and to use the
stress in my life for renewal and growth.

xx c

hellbent.

the newest additions to D Gallery (our downstairs space at work) are some custom leather pieces by ted nemeth. the "great white" bench (pictured) is my favorite of all. it's a six leg hand carved bench with the words "hellbent" and "live fast" embossed into the rich white leather. the top and sides are hand-stitched and adorned with spikes, alligator slides and to top it off, real brass knuckles. just when i thought it couldn't get better, i discovered the metal plaque that reads "hand fucking crafted". who knew a piece of furniture could be so badass.i pretty much feel cooler just sitting on it.

xx c

latestobsession.

the panthere de cartier ring is definitely the newest item on my imaginary wish list of things that i would purchase if money were no object. featured in the october instyle, this 18k gold ring with inset peridot(my birthstone), onyx, and black lacquer is a must have item for fashionistas. and for a cool $18,800, it can be all yours. since the economy is tanking, we might as well put our money in sound investments like this ring.

in cartier we trust.

xx c

ohblog.

welcome to my first post. i am apparently the last one to have a blog, who knew everyone was doing this? not me. but here it is. this is my commentary on (life)style, fashion, and a social diary on my life in new york city. read, enjoy, maybe even laugh...and pray that i have something interesting to say.

xx c