Tuesday, December 29, 2009

A Year in Photos

A lot happened this year, and much of it was forgettable. However, there are always certain moments that last in my memory.




Earlier this year, my cousin got married in New York. Thus, our family had an excuse to stay in a tiny hotel room watching TV for several days. We had fits with each other, we went out for ice cream and manicures, but all in all, it wasn't so bad.

 
In February, I took a huge step; I moved out of my parents' house. I'd moved back to Washington and lived with them while getting my feet on the ground, but it felt so good to get out on my own (with a roomie). This right here is the emptiness that would become my room.

 
I discovered a new love with the help of my roommate, Stacy: karaoke! We took a trip down to Canon Beach for Memorial Day weekend, and randomly ended up at a bar running karaoke. We each only got one song in, but only a couple moments into "You Don't Own Me", I was hooked.



Anyone who knows me is quite aware of how much I love going out dancing. Yeah, there's the guys and fun drinks, but the real excitement is putting together the perfect outfit and swaying to the music. From L-R: Ronnie, Sachin, me, and Jenn. It was a Bollywood night, and what better way to celebrate double birthdays for Sachin and Jenn?



 While visiting my best friend in Spokane during the summer, we decided to make Sangria. Unfortunately, neither of us had a corkscrew. This would have proven difficult for anyone less than brilliant. Well, brilliant we were, since we knew how to google! Thus we removed the cork using a screw and a pair of pliers. Believe me, that sangria was worth it!


 
My first trip to Hawaii was made in October so that I might stand by the side of my best friend as she took vows before her friends, family, and God to love, honor, and cherish a man who loves her dearly. This view, all the views, and especially my gorgeous friend, were breathtaking and totally worth the trip.


 
These are the stockings that my mom made for each family member. As cheesy as they may be, the took time, energy, and love, and they are one of the things that make Christmas with the family so special.

I hope that you made wonderful memories this year as well!

~K

Monday, December 28, 2009

Living the Dream


Just a few moments ago, I was sitting on my couch drinking some Lambrusco, eating some after-Christmas-sale chocolates, and thinking to myself, yeah, keep living the dream! I nearly dropped my delicious french truffle (ok, not on sale, but rather in my stocking) when I realized that I was, in fact, living the dream. Or at least my dream.

Okay, my life dreams are usually more like fantasies where I'm kinda similar to Eva Longoria in Desperate Housewives; a gorgeous trophy wife married to an equally gorgeous hunk-of-man billionaire. That, however, is not the dream I am referring to.

Right now, I am living in a decent apartment (and will moving on up come February), I make enough to support myself, my wardrobe is relatively current and cute, and I have friends both here and across the country. My life isn't perfect, but it's pretty darn good...especially with lots of chocolate.

Dream on, friends!

~K

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Making do with what I have: Cigarette pants

Shopping in my own wardrobe is not as easy as I could hope for, but I suppose it isn't as difficult as it could be. I am blessed with more than enough clothes, and most are even cute! So, without further ado, here is my in-closet makeover.

I began with a pair of cigarette pants that I had picked up earlier this year after watching "The Philadelphia Story" and admiring Katharine Hepburn's style. They weren't especially easy to find, but Banana Republic came through for me with this would-be wardrobe staple.


 My first look is for New Year's, as most people need to get a bit more dressed up for the NYE parties. I took a lime green (kinda) halter-neck top, left my hair down and flowing, added some low-heeled pewter dress sandals and a statement bracelet and voila!


I don't think cigarette pants would be such a potential wardrobe staple if they couldn't be worn to the office. Therefore, I knew I needed a work-appropriate look for this collection. I pulled my hair into a loose bun, threw on a fuchsia long-sleeved tee, a grommeted belt, a pair of black flats, and added hoop earrings and a black pearl necklace with invisible wire (it's kinda like fishing wire). Here's the work look:

My last look is for my love; karaoke. I think every girl needs to make sure that she has a fabulous outfit for a night out belting the lyrics of classic favorites and new hits. For my karaoke look, I pulled my bangs back and left the rest of my hair down, slipped into a pair of black patent heels, threw on a 3/4 sleeve purplish v-neck topped with a t-shirt weight dark gray shawl (or whatever you'd call it), added a couple bangles, hoop earrings and a multi-strand silver chain necklace and called it a day.

 

Hope you like!

~K

Style of the Sirens: Jane Russell

After a fabulous day of shopping, my friend Mariko and I sat down to watch "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", one of the most well-known Marilyn Monroe movies out there. While Marilyn is a gorgeous knockout, Jane Russell is no plain Jane. 

It's amazing that such gorgeous styles have gone out of fashion. They're so beautiful and timeless. Well, on that note I will leave you with a clip showing Jane Russell at her finest; surrounded by men.


Tuesday, December 22, 2009

A Civilized Nation?

Typically, when we read about horrors of humanity, they occur in distant, third-world countries. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. There is now a trend in the UK of female genital mutilation.

How is it possible that such a progressive, civilized country would not work harder to stop this? While it certainly is a tight spot for parents that come from such a culture to be in, it is not right. This is not a gray area. It's black and white, right and wrong. Female genital mutilation is wrong.

It is my hope that the US never follows suit.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Year of the Celebrity Deaths

Yes, we know about Michael Jackson, Walter Cronkite, Farah Fawcett, and Patrick Swayze. Now we can add 32-year-old Brittany Murphy to the list of celebrities who died in 2009. You can read more about it on CNN.

I know I haven't watched all of her movies, but she was a talented, and very pretty actress. In honor of both her death and her life, please enjoy another side of Brittany Murphy; chart-topping singer.

A Dry Spell


Weekend after weekend, it seems the same. I am not out bustin' some moves on the dance floor, I am not having cocktails at a swanky restaurant bar, and I am not making out with a hottie. All in all, I am living the life of someone NOT in their twenties. This is the time in my life that I'm supposed to be out meeting new people and dating around. Why, you may ask? I don't leave my apartment. I curl up on my couch and watch a movie or play around online.

There are so many self-help dating books out there, but you always have to put yourself out there somehow. I'm not there, I'm here on my butt. I really have no clue as to how I am supposed to meet new people, but I know that I am supposed to.

What a wicked thing it is to be a twenty-something with a Jewish mama, who stays at home on the weekends. Any advice? Where should I go? What things should I do?

Friday, December 18, 2009

Goodbye Jack

Today I was informed that a friend of my grandfather's had died. It had seemed that it wouldn't be much longer, but the doctors ought to be sued for malpractice. Jack had been bleeding internally, so the doctors were running some tests. In the meantime, instead of giving him blood, they gave him blood thinner.

Yet it isn't the way he died that hurts so much, as it is the fact that he was one of the last links to my grandfather.

My grandfather was an amazing man with so much love, and whom I loved dearly (and still do). After surviving the Holocaust, Grandpa returned to Greece and joined the Army to fight the communists in the civil war. Once he had served, he came to America to make his way. He overcame great odds, and is an inspiration to me still.

Jack was a kind man, and though I still don't know as much about him as I would have liked, he will be missed.

In all of this, I feel like I am losing my grandfather all over again. Goodbye, Jack, and goodbye again Grandpa Jack.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Making do with what I have: Little grey dress

So I've seen it done time after time in shopping and fashion mags, but I wanted to try it myself. I took one basic dress and put together three different types of outfits using accessories in my possession. It was fun, it made me feel soo creative, and it's nice seeing that I get more use out of single items that I'd thought. Here we go!

The dress:

My first idea was putting together a warmer-weather outfit. Maybe for a nice spring day. I put my hair up in a ponytail, grabbed a couple costume pearl necklaces, and slipped into a pair of white peep-toe flats. This is what I came up with:

The second outfit is more everyday. Due to my limitations using my digital camera, please forgive me if not everything is especially (or at all) visible. I pulled my hair up in a messy side bun, put on a headband, added a few cheapie grey and black bracelets and a pair of hoop earrings, got into a pair of black leggings, and completely invisible to you, I also wore a pair of black patent leather slingback flats. Here's the result:

Finally, what would such a versatile dress be if it couldn't be dressed up? To get a night-on-the-town look, I pulled a few strands of hair to the side with a couple bobby pins, buckled into a wide sparkly silver belt (that had actually come with the dress), put on a pair of vintage clip on gemstone earrings and a black stone necklace, and added a pair of black patent pumps to complete this look. For your viewing pleasure, I present my last outfit:

 Hope you like these outfits and that I inspire you to play around within your own wardrobe. So often I'll look at Nordstrom's website or pass by a Macy's and practically salivate with desire. As my wallet cannot handle all that I want, sometimes I need to remember to want what I have.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

His name is Rick

Rick Springfield, that is! I've been listening to some of his songs at work lately, and I noticed something. He has got to be the most attractive 60-year-old ever. He is seriously gorgeous, and does not look anywhere near his age.

It seems that he also has a sense of humor about himself. I found this amazing song where he details how everyone confuses him with Bruce Springsteen. Enjoy!