From the category archives:

NYC

We all want to look good. And sometimes it requires more effort than others. Some things make it harder to achieve glamour.

Being a busy mom with a super-active-oh-my-gawd-I-wish-she’d-stay-still-3-seconds toddler comes to mind (not sure why. Heh.)

Being a plus size gal is another.

Lack of sleep is also a good one.

PMS isn’t exactly the equivalent of a day at the spa either, what with the breakouts and the water retention. (Seriously, and we are the weaker sex? Look at what we have to endure.)

So take all these things, put them in a blender (it’s a metaphor, don’t be daft) and then add a large pinch of New York City traffic, a bunch of puddles from recent rain (which also changed my artfully textured and straightened angled bob into a poofy mess), and the stress of knowing that if you don’t get home by 2.30pm your 9-year old daughter will be alone when she gets back from school. Does that sound like the right mix for a day when you are meeting people you don’t know (you know, like adult human beings who can talk in complete sentences and expect you to be able to do the same) and you’d like to make a good impression? Say yes, I dare ya.

Ok, alright, let’s start from the beginning: last week I got invited by Allison and Geoff of MWW to participate to a podcast as part of Nikon’s photography podcast series. It sounded like fun, so I said yes. No worries, they also invited an actual photographer ;-) The other guest was Carrie Sandoval, children photographer extraordinaire. (Seriously, she’s awesome. Check out her work.)

Today I went into the city, sans stroller because after being in NYC many many times with Stella in the stroller, I was afraid of:
1. getting stuck in those big giant scary metallic turnstiles (seriously, when will they get rid of those??)
or 2: topple down the stairs because of trying to carry a folded umbrella stroller, a 34-pound toddler and my giant handbag which today weighted at least 10 pounds.

So, without stroller we went. I arrived early, because I knew I might get stuck because of the rain. And I brought a pair of flats along, because one can only walk in cute peep-toe wedges carrying the above-mentioned 34-pound toddler for so long. I also had snacks, stickers, my camera, and all the usual stuff I normally carry in my bag (yes, it’s a lot of stuff, which clearly marks me as one of those women who could never leave home without a handbag – bite me ;-) )

There I met Geoff, John, Steve, Frank… I think I’m forgetting someone’s name, but I can clearly claim mommy brain, right? I also met Mark, who is one of those lucky few blessed with such a fantastic voice that you can’t help but try to think of excuses to keep them talking. (Me, I’m not one of those people. I sound like a 12-year old Croatian-import valley girl on the phone.)

I also sort of met Carrie, who was calling in from a studio in San Diego. Had lots of fun, despite Stella having a bit of a meltdown half-way through, so  had to go out and console her, then go back in to wrap it all up. I was so relieved when we were done, and so mortified for Stella’s meltdown that I didn’t even take the time to take a few pictures of the studio, or of the guys, who were all fantastic. I did take pictures before that though:

Stella, looking for leaves in Madison Square Park, bright green after the rain (the park, not Stella)

Stella, looking for leaves in Madison Square Park, bright green after the rain (the park, not Stella)

The turned on the fountain while we were there, and Stella just loved it. Thank goodness there was a fence or she might have jumped in.

They turned on the fountain while we were there, and Stella just loved it. Sea, lake, pool, fountains... and puddles. She loves all water. Formerly a mermaid, perhaps?

Then after I left I started my regularly scheduled routine of second guessing myself: did I say something stupid? Boy, I really shouldn’t have worn that top, I look like the Adriana girl from Sopranos, minus the slamming body (translation: a bit trashy) – a DD cup, a VS push-up and a low-cut top do not combine into a classy result Elisa, what were you thinking? The biggest dope slap was definitely when I realized I might have just had gone through the whole thing with my fly open. (Did anyone notice? I wish they’d told me. This is one of those “spinach in your teeth” times.)

Yeah, so I’m thinking I’ll file this under “definitely NOT one of my most glamorous days”. Still, it was fun. Silver lining people, it’s all about the silver lining. But let’s not mention it again, ok?

signature-shoeplate3b

Note: this is SO NOT a sponsored post. Do you really think they would pay me to write this kind of stuff??? Pfffft.

{ 15 comments }

Guess where I was yesterday?

by Elisa on April 8, 2009

in fashion,fun stuff,NYC

Whose kithcne is this?

How much fun would it be to cook in a kitchen this colorful?

Ok, I know you know whose kitchen this is. Come on, the orange stove is a dead giveaway.

If not that, the spotlights definitely are ;-)

That’s right, I was on the Rachel Ray show yesterday! Well, no, I wasn’t really on the show, I was more at the show – my friend PJ had two VIP tickets to a taping of the Rachel Ray Show and she asked if I wanted to go… like I’d say no!

It took a bit of organizing, of course, but my lovely husband accepted my proposal (something along the lines of “please please please can you work from home on Tuesday the 6th of April? This is the only time I’ll be able to do something like this before we *dramatic sigh* leave New York to go back to Switzerland!!” way to guilt a man into stuff, Elisa) and I was able to leave home around lunch time and wake my way to meet PJ.

Of course three weeks ago we started talking about what we were going to wear… however this didn’t actually get settled until this past weekend. Want to know why? Here’s what the studio guidelines say:

Dress your best! All audience members must follow a business casual dress code.

Please Do Not Wear:
Shorts, capri/gaucho pants, tank tops, t-shirts, ripped jeans, flip flops, sneakers, sleeveless tops, sequins, hats, very busy patterns, white or primarily white/off-white/light pink tops or shirts, jogging suits or velour, pant suits.

That seems fairly straightforward, right? I’d wear my denim trousers and my black turtleneck. But then PJ said “to avoid being turned down at the entrance, better wear no denim whatsoever”. Ok, then, black trousers. Black trousers and a black turtleneck? No. Come on, I can’t go to see a TV show with a set as colorful as a circus tent, dressed like a member of the Addams family.

Upon closer inspection, I had to eliminate all other tops in my wardrobe for one or more of the following reasons:
- unflattering
- boring (when worn with black pants)
- too dark
- too light
- too revealing (if it’s something that might be embarrassing on an aerial shot, leave it)

Which made me decide to wear a dress. But after trying on my 4 dresses, I eliminated them for the following reasons:
- short sleeves (I don’t know why it’s so freaking cold in April, but it is)
- too dressy
- doesn’t zip up (I really need to lay off the Italian food that my family keeps demanding)

After a quick trip to the store, I found something that might work – and here’s what I ended up wearing:

Photobucket

Note: the dress is much cuter than it looks, and sooo soft! And the boots are actually the same exact grey as the dress. Also, that’s not the exact sweater coat I wore, but close enough.

Necklace + charms: Thomas Sabo (price varies depending on charms and type of chain)
Dress: Merona puff sleeve dress, $24.99
Boots: Ash hidden platform boots in grey suede, $60 on sale at Shopbop (originally $220)
Scarf: Azuri silk-cashmere blend feather pashmina in Amethyst, $29 at Nimli
Tights: Hue opaque black tights, $12.50 at BareNecessities

I was so glad to find an outfit that was flattering and comfortable! It was the first time I wore the grey ankle boots for that many hours (8 hours, between when I left home and when I got back!) and I was still standing when I got home, which is a good sign ;-)

The show was really fun, RC the warm-up comic was there to keep us entertained in between segments, and we went home with a cookbook, a cupcake, the April issue of the magazine and a tote bag.

Also, this morning I somehow felt like baking – I guess being at a cooking show inspired me – so I whipped up a batch of Blueberry Coffee Cake Muffins. Maybe I can try to attend the taping of a fitness/exercise/weight loss show next, and that will inspire me… you know, in that general direction.

signature-shoeplate3b

{ 12 comments }

Copyright Elisa Bieg, 2008-2009.