14 Days of Valentines | Day 3: Chocolates

Because you know we love them... xoxo

14 Days of Valentines | Day 3: Chocolate by fashiondiva304 featuring crystal shoes

Remembering 9/11 and Staying Strong

As I was still wrapping up emails last night (around 10pm) I heard a booming and turned around to see a fireworks show going on outside my office window! Hoboken, NJ put on a 9/11 memorial firework show remembering 9/11. It was nice to watch although I wasn't sure I was on board with fireworks as fitting the occasion....but the Twin Tower Lights were on tonight and people could see them from all around.

Either way I am praying for my city, my country, and all those affected by 9/11 today as we remember the terrible day that changed all of our lives for ever 10 years ago. Living in NYC and hearing the real stories of people that worked downtown and knew many, many people who were in the Twin Towers. Some awe inspiring, many leave you speechless and choked up, but all remind you of something very important we learned that day. Mankind can pull together in the toughest conditions and come out strong on the other side. Tragedy is hard to go through, and leaning on your neighbor for support, and reciprocating in return, is a beautiful thing to watch. Remembering 9/11 should keep us all strong together.

The plans for the 9/11 Memorial and new World Trade Center plan are very nice. I absolutely love the water installation leaving a footprint of the Twin Towers. I plan to go spend some time there myself in maybe a month when hopefully not as many tourists are around. After 10 years we have finally cleaned up the rubble, began construction on World Trade Center 1 which I believe is 80 floors up now, and have a beautifully moving memorial in place. I remember seeing the rubble, the notes and flowers, and the steel cross at Ground Zero just a year after 9/11 happened. For the last several years it has just looked like a construction site. It will be nice to have a proper reflection space for remembering 9/11 once more.

Love to you all mes cheris,

God Bless.

Goodbye Grandma

Mes cheris, I had a bit of a difficult day yesterday. On top of working 10-14 hour days, feeling exhausted but making it through, all in the name of New York Fashion Week, I found out that my wonderful Grandma had passed away. The news of her brain tumor hit my family out of nowhere last month, and now in a whirlwind of only 4 weeks she is now in heaven. Saying goodbye grandma is not something I was prepared to do.

Here is my Grandma and Grandpa when they were just dating in Brooklyn. I just love the classic style in this picture. My Grandpa died when I was 6 of colon cancer and almost a couple decades later my Grandma finally gets to join her sweetheart again in Heaven. My mother kept me up to date of her progress and said she was at peace, surrounded by her children, and ready to move into her mansion in Heaven.

My Grandma was a wonderful, encouraging woman that left every room exuberantly more happy than when she entered it. She always made you feel like a million bucks and gave you the confidence and support to pursue your wildest dreams beyond your greatest realm of imagination. I was so fortunate to have such a strong, loving Christian woman in my life as the matriarch of our family.

Goodbye Grandma, 

I love you so much and miss you greatly. 

Concrete Jungle Where Dreams are Made of

A dream is something worth fighting for, and this is something lately that I have to constantly remind myself. I am a very passionate and driven individual, but in this economy even I hit my bumps in the road that feel like insurmountable obstacles. I just have to keep telling myself to pause, breath, and reboot. Take things one day at a time and don't focus on all that can or has gone wrong but rather what is going right.

I generally keep this blog very positive, I feel we get enough bad news from...the news...everyday and fashion should be a place to escape to something beautiful that makes you also feel beautiful and alive. But I also do not want to mislead any of you that fashion is this glamorous, easy industry where it's sunshine and runways all the time. In fact it is quite the opposite, for every glamorous event, at least a month or more's work was logged in small office meetings, working straight through lunch on 10-12 hour days. And this is the industry I want to work in?? Lord knows I could not love it more!

Lately it is definitely getting hard to stay encouraged, but I fortunately have great women surrounding me in life that keep me motivated and focused on the goal.

Remember these 3 things:
1) Surrounding yourself with other people in your industry that understand your struggles and your frustrations is key!
2) NEVER underestimate the power of a hug, and
3) Always keep that positive eye on the horizon, don't let those nay-sayers best you on any level!

How do you stay motivated

 in hard times my dears?

Photos thanks to Pinterest

Be sure to follow my boards!

Pourquoi Pas?

Why not kiss someone today mes cheris? Whether its a French bisous or a little sugar for your honey, make someone smile today with a little love.

Be sure to follow me on Pinterest for lots more photo inspiration!

What will you dare to do today?

Savage Beauty: The Exhibit of Alexander McQueen

Spotted, on the steps of The Met, basking in the sun and ready to take in the beauty of her once beloved designer's collection, Blogger Girl is beaming in the beauty of The City in the summer... As promised my darlings, I am reporting back on the phenomenal Alexander McQueen Exhibit at The Met!

Savage Beauty is from start to finish my favorite fashion exhibit thus far. Alexander McQueen was a true visionary, an artist whose medium was clothing. Constantly pulling from all art forms for his fashion shows, he was notorious for Wowing his audience time and time again. Every collection was a complete 180 from the last. He was truly the darling of the fashion world and set the bar high as he ushered us in to the next century of style.

At The Metropolitan Museum of Art, between now and August 7th, you can explore the inner workings of Alexander McQueen up close and personal. I never thought in my life I would get to study his entire collection at one time, in one space...much less at all. But to see all the intricate folds, impeccable tailoring, and even a summary of the background of the collections was so inspiring. These are the things I dreamed of studying in my school classes, I'm so glad I get to study them for fun now!

{merci johnsimondaily.com for all exhibit photos}

{Merci The Cut}

I seriously cannot impress upon you enough how utterly amazing this exhibit is. If you are in New York this summer you simply must stop by and take it all in. And if you are, let me know!! I will definitely need to be booking time to see this again!

Diary of a NYC Fashion Intern: Charity Event

As you lovelies may know, I live for events. It is what I want to do in fashion and therefore I always love scoping out new ones, and seeing what new ideas are being used. For my fashion internship I got to help out on a charity event night we hosted for the kick off to our sample sale! 

I handled the food and bar as well as mingling with the guests and inviting them to join our email list for our boutique Beyond 7 (where the food and beverages for the party were).

Any party is not complete without cupcakes. These are minis from Crumbs and although they were not Magnolia...they were still pretty great!

The night's proceeds went to the SFK Success for Kids group, it was a very successful charity event!

This was the best day I'd had so far on my internship, I was totally in my element.

God Bless America

A huge step in the Fight on Terrorism was made yesterday and God Bless America as we move onward. I had an entirely different post in mind for this lovely Monday morning, but when Osama Bin Laden is finally found dead...all else holds no priority.

{Thanks to Twitter last night}

Twitter was absolutely flooded last night with streams of comradery, support, remembrance of lives lost over the last 10 years, and live pictures of NYC as the news broke. Here is a video from Ground Zero last night. Running through New York this morning was like breathing in freedom. I never tire of hearing the amazing stories every New Yorker holds of their attachment to that fateful day when our skyline changed forever. And seeing the people gather together in Times Square and Ground Zero to celebrate this great feat was truly  moving.

{photos pinned on Pinterest}

God Bless America

The Royal Wedding: Live from Times Square NYC

Well darlings, my alarm went off quite early this morning but it was totally worth it, as I got to watch The Royal Wedding of William and Catherine, Live from Times Square NYC!! Not usually a morning person, it did take some thought before deciding that getting to Times Square at 5am would be worth it, but after all it has been 29 years since the last royal wedding (and I did not get to see that one). After months of designer speculation on Women's Wear Daily, I was excited to see that Alexander McQueen (my favorite) was the chosen designer for the royal wedding gown!

I watched the royal wedding, live in Times Square NYC in the VIP tent of TLC Network! Full of English tea, scones, and beautiful modern Brit decor, the VIP tent was a nice atmosphere to view the royal wedding for such an early time in the morning.

The dress, designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, was reminiscent of Grace Kelly's wedding dress when she became Princess Grace of Monaco. Although the custom lace design remained very reminiscent of McQueen's signature prints, the dress was most definitely toned down from the normal avant-garde look of the line, but I believe this had a lot to do with Kate's simplistic, classic style.

My favorite moment of the royal wedding was when Kate began walking down the aisle and you can see Prince Harry take a peak of her and tell Prince William how she looks. It was such an intimate brotherly moment that was so nice to witness. 

"Be who God meant you to be and 

you will set the world on fire." 

- St. Catherine of Sienna

After the royal wedding, TLC's Say Yes to the Dress performed 3 live weddings as well as a fashion show with the past brides of the show in Times Square. Oh and the lovely Colbie Caillat performed! It was certainly a memorable way to experience the royal wedding. And now my dears, this fashionista is off to catch up on some zzz's, enjoy your royally enchanted day!

Congratulations to 

Prince William and Princess Catherine!

Celebrity Crushing: Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Long gone are his days as the cute boy on 3rd Rock from the Sun, the last few years have brought Joseph Gordon-Levitt back to the forefront and aren't we so excited. I must say I have very high respect for actors who actually stick to their craft rather than playing the tabloid game, and I must tip my hat to Joseph Gordon-Levitt for doing just that.

I hadn't realized how grown-up the child star had gotten until I saw {500} Days of Summer...and was totally crushing on him at that point. Who could resist his cute dimples and adorable grin?? He has almost a boy next door quality that makes him feel approachable and respected. 

And the sharp suits he has been donning lately a la Inception are beyond superb! I can't adequately describe my love for a man in a great suit...mmm...it's just a really good thing. And to add the cherry on top, Joseph Gordon-Levitt has this James Dean old school look to his style that is classic and refreshing. 

{Merci weheartit for the pics}

Talented, classy, and oh so cute, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the perfect under-the-radar star that has every girl's heart fluttering once she takes notice. Keep up the good work Mr. Gordon-Levitt, I can't wait to see what you choose to take on next. 

Lessons in Seduction: French Lingerie Sexy Expertise

You always hear of French Lingerie when you are talking about seduction...in fact you always think of the French when you are thinking of something sexy. Pourqoui? Well maybe because they have that game down pat.

The French lingerie label Aubade is famous for their advertising campaign Lecons de Seduction, AKA Lessons in Seduction...oh so now it makes sense, the whole culture takes regular lessons on the art of seduction. That explains a lot !

Enjoy the French lessons in seduction, as well as an intro into the art of fine lingerie.

Lesson #23 Play innocent 

Lesson #3 Place some obstacles in his path.

 Lesson #68 Irritate his friends

Lesson #98 Cause a spark

 Lesson #57 Distract the adversary

Lesson #25 Play Hide and Seek

 Lesson #15 Know how to tell him no.

Lesson #21 Keep a distant air

Lesson #38 Pose a metaphysical problem for him

Lesson #41 Practice Black Magic

 Lesson #42 Create dizziness and palpitations

Lesson #71 Banter with love

 Lesson #101 Ask for his hand, then the other.

Lesson #108 Wrap him around your little finger.

The Aubade Lessons in Seductions are quite the trademark, and as a marketing professional I must say, job well done. The French most definitely have cornered the market on sexy lingerie for decades if not more...hmm I wonder how that started...I believe I may have a Fashion 101 soon on the history of lingerie! How exciting?! My favorite Aubade lessons are 3, 25, and 41...

What is your favorite Lesson in Seduction?