Shop Local. Holiday Wrap-Up In The #Roc .

Sara Silvio Earrings from Trunk Show at Peppermint.
Momsly loves them & they are one-of-a-kind gorgeous!!

Where did I shop this holiday season?? I shopped #Roc . I shopped local, & I shopped the specialty shops, boutiques, & bizarres of Rochester, NY. I found gifts for my brothers, pets, roommate, Aunt, Momsly, & even Da' Moe. I found gifts that are unique, affordable, memorable, and that support our local Rochester community & economy. I bought 0 gifts from the mall, though--I admit--I did buy Orly nail polish c/o Marshall's, an Amazon gift card for my Kindle-loving big bro, & American Eagle jeans for my stylish (though he'd never admit it) younger bro. But mall? Nope. Not even at all. Want to know how much I spent?? See below. ...

Friday 'Fessional: My Purses Have Feelings.

I think my first confession is that I bought my own Christmas present. Second: I then called my mom to let her know that I'd forget about it (within 9 days) in time to be surprised (3rd confession) for when Santa arrives. The real confession is that...

The Chosen One.
Envelope Clutch w Ants & Chain from Peppermint.

How To. Wrap a Gift: Last Minute. Hipster. Environmentally Friendly. Festively.

You can thank my Momsly for this. Woman knows how to save a bag. And its packaging. Ribbons? Yup. That really thick nice wrapping paper she made you remove from the present ever so delicately as to preserve it for the does-not-yet-exist-present? Uh huh. She taught me all of this. And now I'm going to share it with you. 

Truly, a very Merry Christmas.

Ambience.
(Fired made by Momsly.)

Friday 'Fessional: I'm a Compulsive List Maker.

You think you are. Someone with 3 items on the grocery list, staple goods like bananas and bread. You can recite them by heart, but you write them down anyway. Or what about the list maker who schedules every last detail, including “showering: wash hair,” or “change clothing” only b/c it feels incomplete to exclude them from the day’s agenda.

Color Coordinated,
nonetheless.

Yes, I do all of these things. But that’s not why I’m compulsive. I’m a compulsive list maker because all of these things I do, & I do 

How To. Unique Holiday Gifts & a #ShopLocal Guide.

Shopping Guide 

For Unique Holiday Gifts

(Google Images.)
Butternuts Beer & Ale!
at Trader Joe's

Get's better the more you read...

Editorial. Why Don't We Talk About Suicide? Mental Health as a Buzz Word.

Why Don't We Talk About Suicide?

Mental Health as a Buzz Word.

I wrote this article earlier this week in response to the media swell in the aftermath of Jacintha Sladanha, the nurse who committed suicide following the now infamous prank phone call. It was published by Technorati yesterday evening where you can read it by clicking on the link. The only part I will publish on this blog is the Post Script, which comes at the article's end.

At Eternity's Gate. Vincent Van Gogh.
(From Google Images.)

How To. Figure Out Your Face Shape. #TBD .

Gotchya.

I've no clue how to figure out my face shape. But The Beauty Department does.

Face Shape.
Square. Oval. or Oblong.

Being that I oscillate between making the all-important & anguishing decision as to whether I'm oval, square, or oblong, you can imagine my excitement when Google Reader alerted me to TBD's tutorial. 

Let's Get  Cheeky.

Internal Monologue. OMG I WANT THIS.

OMG I NEED WANT THIS.

The Beauty Department.

Save v. Spend. Lacquer. Varnish. Nail Polish.

I LEARNED SO MUCH.

Lacquer. Varnish. Nail Polish.

Varnish. Lacquer. Nail Polish.
Fraction of @nicolejaclyn 's collection.

My friend Nicole is a nail polish goddess. This babe has all of your higher-end drug store varnishes, like OPI & Essie, plus couture lines, like Butter London, and Indielines (!), like NinjaPolish, in a smattering of mattes & sparkles, in every hue of every single shade possible. Cue: I-am-overwhelmed-smile.

She taught me SO much. And, yes, there is much to learn about nail polish. Especially because you have to spend & spend wisely.

Know what products to buy. Which ones to try. Where to buy. And … which ones to rent??

Shop Local. Think Global. Nicole France-Coe for Noonday Collection.

I learned that entrepreneurship was sustainable and aid was not.

~About the Founder, Noonday Collection
http://nicolefrancecoe.noondaycollection.com/

Fair Trade. Female Entrepreneurship. Shop Local, Think Global. Beauty. Sustainability. Faith. Handmade. Noonday Collection & The Noonday Story tell the story of one woman’s, Jessica Honegger’s (co-founder), love. Love for family & faith. Love for sustainability. Love for beauty. To read about her transformation into globally-inspired humanitarian, businesswoman, and Noonday Founder, read About the Founder. An intricate relationship between creativity, business, & faith, it is absolutely evident that the Noonday Fair Trade Trunk Shows extend from “family, community, [and] intentionality.”

Enter: Nicole France-Coe.

Shop Local. Peppermint & Small Business Saturday #ROC .

Small Business Saturday.

Hair Bows. Peppermint.
Not to be confused with the amazing Bow Ties. (In the back.)

Small Biz Sat, the day after Black Friday & 2 days before Cyber Monday, is your chance to support the local, emerging, & growing economies in your neighborhood. Normally shop for veg at the grocery store? Try your local farmers' market. Looking for unique holiday gifts? Hop to a hip boutique. Looking for a tasty bite to eat ... other than some turkey?? Mom 'n' Pop restaurant is the way to go. To those of us still standing after the Grey and Black deluge of retail that flooded our stores as the tryptophan sank-in: Remember this one thing...

Friday 'Fessional: I Sleep Over at My Parents'.

I admit it.

I actually made this sammy myself.
Normally Da' Moe makes it for me, so...

I am still adjusting to having moved out, on my own, permanently, & no longer having the comforts of living with Mommy & Daddy. Yes, I moved out over 1 yr ago. Yes, I went to college out-of-state, studied abroad, & had a 6 mo stint in Manhattan. Yes, I’m 27years old (almost 28). Yesyesyes. But, you see, none of those (ignore the age) were permanent. At the end of the semester, I always knew I’d come home to my bedroom with Mama’s meals and Da’ Moe’s spoils. Brothers to take out the garbage. Doggies to cuddle & shunuggle. And now, I live on my own.

Happy Thanksgiving: Toasts & Ghosts.

 To Those Who Are Not With Us.

My Momsly Did This.
(We ate too quickly for a shot of the full meal!)

This, the family toast of the Magesis Clan taught to me by one of my best friends (& soul mates), Cassie Magesis. As my family delved into the crisp & delicately moist turkey, velvety gravy, & silky mashers, among other sides, I raised a toast to borrow this praise. 

How To. Lipstick Naughty & Spice.

Those are some bold lip colors. From thicker lips to thinner, whether you invest in Dior, MAC, Nars or save with Revlon, Rimmel, Wet 'n' Wild, there are a few steps that everyone need follow. The first? Choosing a daring color.

Wet 'n' Wild.
Favorite go-to for newer shades.
In 911D Stoplight Red & 917B Cinnamon Spice.

Lipstick How To.

Friday 'Fessional. Impulsively Late.

Other acceptable titles include Compulsively Late & Impossibly Late. Impulsively happens to be a combo of the 2. And also, the most apropos for this week's Friday 'Fessional. Which is not only long overdue, but also ... impulsively put together.

Impulsively Chose this Pic.
(Taken from Google Images.)

Let me elaborate...

Review. Why Allure Nov 2012 with Lauren Conrad Demands a Spot on the Bookshelf.

I don't love women's mags or even fashion mags. Cosmo disgusts me and, yes, okay W mesmerizes, but also kind of shocks me with its amount of publicized boobs. But this month, Allure's November 2012 issue featuring Lauren Conrad, inspires me. (Style-wise. Let's not get too deep.)

With 9 interesting, informative, and innovative articles/feature, plus 2 extras which will probably seriously interest you, November 2012 Allure allures me through its pages.

Allure Magazine.
(Taken from Google Images)

Life. Frankenstorm & Migraine Sandy.

I had huge plans for Friday 'Fessional the Friday before Halloween. Envision montage of all of my most amazing costumes everrrr which includes insert of handmade/homemade Lil' Mermaid bit circa '93. (Incredible. Be on the watch for next year.)

But then ... 

Instagram.
#instagood #instaween #Hallogram

BarbaraEllen Give-Away. Traditional Glass Beads from Ghana.

 BarbaraEllen Give-Away.

For a chance to win a strand of Traditional Glass Beads from Ghana, sign-up to Follow BarbaraEllen blog. Enter your email address beneath the Follow BarbaraEllen by Email! prompt. Press Submit. Verify your account by email. It's that easy!!

You Could Win a Strand of These.

Shop Local.

Think Global.

Follow BarbaraEllen.

♥ .

Friday 'Fessional. Ugly-Pretty Faces: An Economic Argument & a How To.

An Economic Argument
for Ugly-Pretty Faces.

I practice making them. The benefits of practicing outweigh the losses of not. It's simple. Girls who make ugly faces & still look pretty, have to be really pretty girls. In fact, with logic this cogent & returns this marginal, you're fashionably irresponsible to not. Take that Marx, Smith, Bernanke, & Tyra.

Ugly Face.
Not at all Pretty.
Too much chin action & horizontal expansion for my features & face-shape.

How To. Everyday Beauty for Everyday Luxury.

Everyday Beauty. Everyday Luxury.

I say everyday. But I have to admit, these are things I should do everyday. As in, I don't always. Which makes little sense. This How To combines the convenience of everyday household items with the simplicity of placing them into your already existing routines. Little money. Little time. Turn everyday beauty into everyday luxury.

Bag Balm for your Sole.
Made in VT!

How To. 

Shop Local. Think Global. Traditional Glass Beads from Ghana.

Traditional Glass Beads from Ghana.

Last month, while shopping in Magix (vintage boutique of new & thrifted trends) during South Wedge-Ucation, I spotted the most brilliant blue beads, brazen against the back wall. Miniature dinner plates of zig-zagged-black, enshrined by lightening-bolt-yellow and cast against an inky blue sky, donned earring posts to mingle amongst the bead's stentorian swag. The price tag? Barely $8. As I gushed to the sales women (both very trendy, knowledgeable, and nice) over these incredibly well priced, handmade Ghanaian beads, a moment of serendipitous sweetness poured over me. There she is, in unison, they chimed. In walked Amy Shema. Purveyor of these creations. 

In short: They are Traditional Glass Beads made in Ghana, by-hand using traditional methods, from recycled glass. All proceeds go to fund the education of Ghanian children.

Pictures of the Ghanian Beads
taken in Ghana.

Traditional Glass Bridal Beads Made in Ghana.
Stentorian Swag.

Looks. Laughs. Friday 'Fessional: Outfit Planning Gone ...

Any Outfit Planners Out There??

Feel Free to Ignore Scribblings Like:
Fashion Highish,
Very Kristen Stewart/Tomboy/Streets,
and
Street Chic.

How To. Posting/Commenting Etiquette: Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. And Their Subtext.

Facebook. Twitter. Instagram.
The Big Three.

Each have etiquette. And the etiquette of each, unique to their subtext. Or rather, what each Social Media mogul does aside from what we users intend. (Intention which, obvi, is always to brag.)

The does:

-Facebook: publicize entire personal life. 

-Twitter: aggrandize entire social life. 

-Instagram: memorialize entire trivial life. 

But, whether we acknowledge it or not, we Friends, Followers, and Likers, alike, have written some of our own terms of agreement.

google images.

Love. Friday 'Fessionals: This Is Why I'm Single ... And It's Not Because I'm Neurotic.

This Is Why I'm Neurotic.

First. I'm Post-Migraine. Cold. Flu. Who knows.

But.

That is so Fetch.
Taken from Google Images.

I couldn't fall back asleep b/c ... it's Friday. And I was late last Friday. And it's Friday 'Fessional. And I'm going to make this work more than the word fetch tried by a Mean Girl named Gretchen. Even though it probably really doesn't mater & by the time I publish this, I'll be ... almost dead. Again.

This Is Why I'm Single.

Fashionista's Guide to Rochester: Victoire.

Belgian Beer Garden Anyone??

This is the first of the newest series wherein I review a local Roc hotspot

and make fashion recs for what to wear, to boot. 

**RocStyRtainment??**

V is for Victoire, the newest addition to Rochester's burgeoning bar-meets-trendster scene. This Belgian addition to East Avenue nears downtown, in the seat of the Rochester Club Building, and sits directly across from the late-20's/30-something crowd that populates Temple Bar & Salinger's. If you're barely famil. and all you can conjure mirrors plastic mugs, twenty-tweens, & festival gates, erase all images of the East End Fest from your mind. 

Friday Full Moon.
Sept 28. Second Night Outside of Victoire Beer Garden.

Victoire, French for "Victory" and pronounced as such, is anything but East End & everything East Ave. With a wide array of commercial (Ommegang) and lesser-known (Duchesse De Bourgogne) Belgian drafts and bottles, including sweeter Lambic & Cider selections, along with a killing kitchen that serves a tasteful fusion of old v. new--like the must-order gourmet counter to its streetcar offering, Poutine, so common to our South Wedge--

this bar is as much victory as it is versatility.

Local. #GoBills ! ... Even When Announcers Hate. (And You Lose.)

I won't pretend to be a sports officiando, because I'm not. That is why, throughout this post, you will never hear me refer to the announcers by name. I don't know their names. I don't know their announcing styles. And I only know announcing etiquette based upon the various football--college & pro--golf, soccer, & Olympics that I've picked up on at home, in college (PITT), at bars, & over the years. Second, I'm not a sports officiando ... & I still know that the announcers were hating on The Bills. Are you kidding me???

Girls' Seats at Bills v. Pats Game.
Pic taken & game day organized by Katia.

We were up 14-7 after 2 consec TD runs before the 1st half when previously down. 

B please...

Looks. Laughs. Local. Friday 'Fessional: Fashion Week of Rochester ... And I'm Still a Vintage School Marm.

Boutique Crawl. I've no clue how I missed signing up for Thursday's romp 'round Rochester to tons of our incredibly unique, fashionably fab, on-trend chic, luxuriously local boutiques ... but I did. Yet, between 4:30pm, when I exited work, and 6:30pm, when I arrived in West Irondequoit for some volunteer work, I managed to sneak-a-peek at what will become one of my most favorite fashion boutiques ever.

Roc Biz at its Best.
Peppermint Grab Bag: Cute Bag. Tribal Bracelets. Subculture Mag.

Peppermint. 

Fresh woman's apparel. Local artisans'/designers' goods.

Looks. Fall Fashion Favorites 2012.

Fall Fashion Favorites 2012.

(Inspired by this post from Fashion Style Advice.)

Alright fashionistas. It's all about texture. Leather. Wool. Silk. Chains. And it's all about shape. Boxy. Skinny. Structured. Sleek. So heat up some cider. Snuggle into that blanky. Pretend like it's raining (unless it is). Visualize a few multi-colored pumpkins: coral, white, gray, & navy. (Why not.) And let's fall into some fashion.

Fall Fashion Favorites.
Fall into the Mix.

Looks. Laughs. Local. Friday 'Fessionals. Dress I Wore Backwards.

Know when you see it on the rack & it's love. You suddenly become someone who can afford things, slightly crazed; you rage it off the rack, & then try it on ... backward? ... Love is blind, no. So when you're that taken by something that enthralling, & the zipper's facing the way that you deem to be the forward-facing part of the rack ...

Mustache Face.
I like to think this is especially confusing for men,
who want to be attracted by it. But then get distracted by the undeniable Mario piece.
Archimage . Vote for Best Gift Shop & Best Clothing Store & Best Geek-Friendly Business.
 #BestOfRochester #ROC #CityNews #37 #45 #56 .

Micro CNF. College is Hard. This is Real Life. Probably Won't Feel Like This Forever.

COLLEGE.

(and how it compares to real life)

"This," his voice sonorous, made of leather & the color of antique books. "This," eyes spanned our tiny, wooden room, the vast majority absolutely engaged and never mind hungover. It was Thursday morning, probably 11AM, and the first { possibly last } class for almost all of us. Sophomores. Juniors. Seniors. When Professor S. Carr, of the most intelligent and eloquent men I know { perhaps on par with the beloved Mr. Currie }, laughed to himself naturally & probably accidentally, I finally lifted my head.

Cathedral of Learning.
University of Pittsburgh. (Not take in February. Or in 2005.)

Life. ...At Least I'm Not As Sad: Ode to FUN.

Isn't music and aren't lyrics something all of us--even boys--use to feel, think,  & cry grow? Here are some that have helped me to process (work toward forgiveness, let go of shame, yaddayadda) over the past 5 months. And will probably help me to do more over the next 5 to come.

FUN.
Aim & Ignite

FUN.
Some Nights

Love. Bobs & Jars: Reuse, Recycle, Reclaim, Refurbish, Relove, Refabulous.

Sometimes you buy the lotion because it comes in a really nice glass jar. Or because it's housed in this huge tub that feels luxurious when you dip your fingers in and looks snug while sitting in your cabinet. I mean, when so many of the same products make the same promises with negligible differences, why not go off packaging? That's what you're paying for. ...

So why not reuse the packaging.

Silver bells & Cockleshells.
Promise you won't feel contrary toward these 8 ideas.

In this post, I show you 8 ways to use 2 different everyday packaging products to make your life simpler &, well, more creative. And, of course, to make our Earth healthier.

Laughs. Friday 'Fessionals: Philosophical Problems.

Friday Fessionals is a new series where, every Friday, I confess.

Something about sleeping better at night?? And the cute alliteration.
Too fun to pass up.

& now

...

 It's time to fess-up.

Essay. New York Fashion Week - "Hips Dont't Lie." Is Fat the New Black??

Article first published as

 Hips Don't Lie. 

on Technorati.

Read the good stuff there. 

W Magazine. The Big Fashion Issue.
Dior Dress.Angels the Costumiers Padding.

& look at some pics that didn't make the cut here.

Life. Thyroid. Love. Katia's Birthday.

Tomorrow I start thyroid medication. 

.Good Luck.
Rochester,  NY

Tonight, I dream about all the cheese burgers & fries I will eat, guilt-free, while loosing weight & having more energy. 

...Because that's how thyroid medication works, right...

* * *

Here's something else to be wistful about ... 

Critique. 22 Reasons I HATE Cosmo x 8.33. Repeat.

In grad school, at Columbia ... okay, Teachers College, Columbia, nonetheless, ... my Creative Writing studies culminated in a mixed-genre project which mimicked/parodied/mocked Cosmo. While simultaneously commenting upon feminism, womanhood, sexuality, women's rights, sex, and empowerment. Or disempowerment. Since I can't find that piece--and it was a piece, let me tell you--& because the flash drive is long gone (car window smashed in c. 2009 ... whole 'nother story), 

please 

let me regale you with this.

Cosmopolitan.
September. 2012.

Micro Narrative. On Freedom: Before 8AM On a Sunday.

One of those nights where you're up, like, every 1.5 hours. Last night's was my 2nd of these in-a-row. So, round 7AM, I took my 1st jog since ... probably this guy. Funny how Cobbs Hill is becoming my muse... So. Are we more free than birds? ... 

Jeremy's Paintings.
Taken from Google Images.

You tell me.

Life. Saturday Night Gripes.

It's not PMS. It's worse. It's when everything that was suspended somewhere in the middle of your daily muck fell to the bottom and, on that last wave of fresh air or water or whatever, got turned up. And now it's stewing on the surface. Not even hormones can be blamed. It's the gripes. And I got 'em something nasty. 

Looks. Cut Out Dress Cuts It Out & I Can't Cut It Out.

You go out for 1 business card holder ...

Look Alike?

Shop Local. Think Global. One World Goods: Globally Gorgeous (Especially Against Anthropologie & The Limited).

One World Goods.

"Every item you'll see at One World Goods has a person & a story behind it." 

Jewelry comparable to Anthropologie & The Limited. Except less expensive, more unique, and fair. All of the One World Good products--jewelry, clothing & accessories, paper products, collectibles, house & home--are Fair Trade. One World Goods  items give long after you purchase. Made with such beauty & indIviDuaLity, that I compared their jewelry--bracelets , earrings, necklaces, rings--to The Limited & Anthropologie. You'll be prett(il)y surprised to see how it lines up...

Review. "The Dark Knight Rises" Film: I Got Published on Technorati!!!

Article first published as The Dark Knight Rises: For those who Rent & Those Who Want to Relive on Technorati.

Catwoman.
Anne Hathaway.
The Dark Knight Rises.
All Images in Technorati Article Taken from Google Images.

Review. RSalon Webster Village.

It cannot be 11 days since my last post. This is not poss. Omgomgomg. (Breathe.) Okay. ...

RSalon uses Aveda Products Only.
Gift when you Go. Even more when you recommend.
See Below...

Omgomgomg. You HAVE to check out RSalon. Village of Webster. Right off 250 which is right off 104 which is 

Looks. Anthropologie #DreamInDenim Pinterest Contest. Kind of.

I can't get into Pinterest. Yes. Something about my log-in & forgetting it, & I forget if that's even it. But because of it, whatever it is, I haven't been able to get in to Pinterest. In reality, probably a good thing. Not sure I've cultivated the skills to balance it with work. Yet. But I will. And when I do, I'll understand, in full, what Antrhopologie's #DreamInDenim Pinterest contest is. Until then,

How To. Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer How-(Not)-To. & Park Ave Fest.

Leaving the bar formerly known as Prepps.
Amazing. Love It. Ren-o.
Got-to-Go.

Park Ave Fest.

Won't ever be words to describe it. So I won't. Okay. I'll try. Any film or TV show which ever depicts Greek Row in the summertime, but also with bars, & side street after side street after side street of porch, lawn, & house party, & vendors & musicians & artisans. Street blocked off. That's Park Ave. #ROC City in the summertime, babes. 

But today I don't want to discuss that. Today, I want to discuss

Essay. I Love The Olympics & Sometimes Gabby Douglas & Kerri Strug Make me Realize we are all Human.

Few weeks ago I wrote this post about The Olympics. Basically, that Olympians can't lose even when they do. Something about Xanax & Crying & McDonald's & Moving On. But now I'm watching The Olympics. And I get it. 

#London2012 .
Taken from Google Images

I missed something. Scored it incorrectly. Erroneous DQ. Because as much as The Olympics are about medal counts, gold stockpiles, and indescribable wins, The Olympics--the Olympians--are mostly about 

Shop Local. Thrifting: Volunteers of America 14604.

Thrifting. Recycling. Shopping. Donating. Vintage-ing. Hipster-ing. And it's always a great deal! What more do we need? And moreover ... Why don't we do this more? Despite my best efforts, even I could stand to check out more of our local thrift stores & sales, more. And after this shopping expedition, I will. (As well as take some cues from this thrifting beauty!) Lucky for me,

Review. EXPLETIVE! I'm In My 20's - Let's Commiserate.

For those not-in-the-know (as was I, not 10 minutes ago), the Tumblr--and so subsequent expletive--I'm referring to is FUCK! I'm In My 20's. Handwritten notes--writing large or small, dark or light somewhat like this but more parallel to whichever rise or plight Koenig modulates--illustrate the daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly complexities faced (or that she still faces) in her 20's.

And similarly, mine. And similarly,

Love. America's Test Kitchen: Googling & Eating.

You're watching TV & your fav show/chef/cook is showing you the goods on how to make your favvvv dish. But you don't have your fav pen with which to write it down. (Oh. You don't have a fav pen?) We can all admit it, relate to it, commiserate about it. ... 

Or Not! 

Because I'm going to give you some old school Google search tips, & you're going to find some new school recipes. Like this one from America's Test Kitchen.

My Test Kitchen.