P90X - Day 7 - Kenpo X & Day 8 - Chest & Back

Thanks to some dye work for my Parsons classes...

(Obscuring a corner in my 50s pepto bathroom...), I didn't get to Kenpo X yesterday, so guess what?  Today is a Double's Day - ACK!  ;)  Here goes!  (With some company this am...)

I also want to say "THANKS BACK AT YA" to Lucky Magazine for sending this sweet thank you gift from Alex and Ani yesterday:

The card that came with them says "Proudly made in America from Recycled Materials" www.AlexAndAni.com --> they even remembered (or it was by chance) that I go crazy for this stuff!  Thanks Lucky!  I'm happy to do it!  (My PAGE at Lucky.)

Okay, back to Kenpo X Doubles!

Yours truly,

Alex

Back to Winter - Lands End Canvas Coat!

Again, I have to thank Lucky Magazine here.  I was just talking to my husband about how we both need winter coats.  You see, we both have recycled poly (they're made from plastic bottles!) Nau raincoats (unlined, which makes them great in late Spring or early Fall...or with layers), and our respective snowboarding and ski jackets, but smart, fashionable, winter jackets - we have not.  Poor hubby then, when I should receive an email just one day later from Lucky telling us that Lands End Canvas is giving us $100.00 to play on their website with.  Wow!  What great timing!

The second I clicked through to the Outerwear page I knew what I was buying.  I was certainly willing to pay $140.00 for a water resistant, down-filled, (and cute), winter jacket in show-stopping coral orange!  But to only have to spend $40.00 of my own hard-earned (and highly limited) cash?  SOLD!

But here's the best part - this jacket is WAY more than it says it is!  I thought that I would zip off that faux fur immediately, but to be honest that bright orange (it's is bright!) needs a little brown and it is kind of fun!  There are three internal pockets, two patch pockets with separate hand-warming pockets on the side (via zip - that was an AMAZING find), two-way front zippers (stay warm while driving without pulling at the seams), buttons below the zip in the front if it's really breezy, buttons in the back if you want to run through a snow-filled field, and fleece at the wrists to stop the wind from going straight-up your sleeves. Did I mention the hood zips off if you don't want it?  But in the NYC chill - I need it!

Thank you Lands End Canvas and Lucky (once again!).  What a great find and a beautiful new addition to my winter wardrobe.  I might actually be sad to put this one away in the Spring...

Happy, sweet, wonderfully stylish warmth.

Yours truly,

Alex

PS: Happy Finals to my fellow Parsons students!  TWO MORE WEEKS!  (Then hopefully I'll look decent enough to take photos in my new jacket...)

Snowing Yet? Dreaming of Surfing?

I know I am.  So it was serendipitous that Lucky sent us Alpha's on a mission this weekend; check out Swim Spot!  I immediately went to the Bikini Builder and "built" this little baby from Splendid that I'll be dreaming about all winter:

It's perfect for my small-up-there, athletic (yes - boy straight), body.  And if I had the body of these models I'd wear:

Maybe after the amount of skiing I'm doing this winter I'll be able to pull-off this number surfing the Jersey Shore (while thinking of Kauai) next summer:

The ruching on the butt is SO adorable:

And that floral print screams old-school Hawaii.  Love it.  But what is really genius about this site is the concierge service - their Fit Specialist Program means that you can call or email them to have personal help picking out a bathing suit that works best for your body type.

Oh!  And if I was ever headed to Vegas or yachting around Monaco, I'd wear this beauty with Christina Aguilera's Louboutins from the fantastic BURLESQUE movie that I saw yesterday!  (Oh yeah, I LOVED it!)

Eeeep - THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL!

But, I definitely can't pull off that look like Christina.  For the rest of us, at least there's SwimSpot!

By the way - and here's the best part - it's free shipping, free exchanges, and free returns.  Your own personal swimsuit dressing room with personal concierge.  You can thank Lucky Magazine for sending us their way.  I know I am!

Happy Winter Dreams!

Yours truly,
Alex

I Need YOUR Help!

Good Afternoon Nomads!

A fellow Lucky Alpha Shopper entered the fabulous Sunglass Hut Blogger Competition that I missed when James was in the hospital (it wasn't mean to be!) - and since I loved her very personable video, I used my one vote for hers!  Please vote for Charity HERE!  And her blog: What is Charity Wearing?.  Thanks in advance, Nomads!

Here's todays post for the Lucky Alpha Shoppers Blog and where I also need your styling help...  (See original HERE.)

[Hmph!  I will not be wearing those tights again - what a weird thing they do to my legs!]

Dress: "Keyhole Dress" made-up of 90% Organic Pima Cotton blended with 10% Lycra® and is from http://www.restoreclothing.com (Full Disclosure: I work for RESTORE™Clothing and exchanged hours worked for this dress)...it was COMPLETELY worth it...really comfortable and socially responsible.

Socks: Happy Socks - so much fun and just the right pop of color for an otherwise dark outfit.

Shoes: Timberland (after Lucky and Timberland sent us [Alpha Shoppers] the first pair, I went to the NYC Soho event and purchased these beauties!  The color is much more versatile than I realized.  I'm totally impressed with Timberland's new direction!

Any styling suggestions?  I'm a Fashion Design Student, but as you can tell, my styling isn't where I want it to be yet.  I love to have fun with clothes and color, but I don't think I know my own body well enough yet, thoughts?

~ End of Lucky Post ~

Here's another idea: head wrap when you oversleep?

I'm sure this isn't a new idea!  But, it was the first time I've ever done it.  Ironically, I got more compliments the day I wore this "panicked-I-can't-be-late-for-class-what-happened-to-my-darn-alarm?!" look than I ever have while at school.  And I have to admit, it feels good to get a compliment from Fashion Design and Marketing students at Parsons!  Thanks peers!

Happy Friday!

Yours truly,

Alex

Timberland, Surfing, and Illustration

Hi Nomads,

Just from my title, I'm realizing how great life is.  With the exception of losing my phone last Thursday on the way home from the Lucky Magazine/Timberland event, it's been one heck of a weekend - in a good way.  But who wants to hear the negative stuff?  Me neither, let's get to the fun stuff!

This is a shot from the Timberland/Lucky Magazine party last Thursday, October 7, 2010.  I'm an Alpha Shopper for Lucky Magazine and they send me products to review.  The most recent being the most amazing pair of boots you've ever seen:

Yeah, you aren't alone.  All my friends are coveting them and Parsons students ask me about them in class, in the elevators, and at the sewing machine.  I love them so much (especially their comfort level), that I've only really taken them off to sleep and shower.  Timberland definitely is stepping-up their women's collection.  In fact, I bought another pair while I was there:

These are the Women's Wedgebrook Buckle Ankle Boot and I thought they would round out what I believe will quickly become a large collection.  Why?  Because they have great arch support, are comfortable even when you are on your feet all day, have great design elements, and are eco-friendly.  What's not to love?  Plus, while I was at the event I was told about the great stories behind each shoe.  Little details bring them all to life and there is something so romantic about the new designs, but they are certainly for strong women - true to Timberland's core values.  I'd say their new direction is working already.  Check out these babies that I'd love to own - Gavie Oxfords:

I love their new Timberland Boot Company collection as well - old school factory, vintage, and victorian details meant to be reminiscent of the times when women began to really go to work - functional, beautiful shoes.  Here's their photos from the event on flickr.  It was fantastically fun and overwhelmingly exciting - I would love to work with them in the future!  (I've got to get in to Howard Davis's shoe design class next semester!)

Then, on Friday, I was lucky enough to attend the Sustainability Panel at the Afingo "Behind the Seams" conference at FIT.  Read more about it HERE - the post I did for RESTORE™Clothing's Responsiblog:

I also went surfing in Cape May this weekend.  (After losing my amazing Blackberry Bold on a NJ Transit bus - devastating - I needed a weekend with laughter, wine, and good friends and family!)  My husband bought me my first wetsuit and I'm determined to put it to good use.  [Hmmm...eco-friendly wetsuit design in my future?  Anything is possible!  But I digress...]  Here's my hubby waiting for a wave:

And our friend and instructor-for-the-day, TJ actually catching one:

I also found an amazing store in Cape May called Uniquely Yours at 24 Decatur Street.  The shawl outside drew me (and a few others) in (I wish my photo did it justice, the burnished velvet with intricate beading was truly stunning):

But I ultimately ended-up buying this shawl that can be worn two different ways... (and guess what?  They loved my boots!  Thanks Timberland & Lucky!!!)

And I've already throw so much at you for one night, but here's my last three images - new illustration homework (completing the clothing next week):

Alright, hope I didn't scare any of my 7 readers away with all that - certainly had a lot going on this weekend and I hope you all had a wonderful, exhilarating weekend as well!

Dream on and live it up - happy LIVING!

Yours truly,

Alex

Projects and Photos!

Here's a little pictorial update for you, Nomads.  Enjoy!

Draping my shift dress (will have a peter pan collar soon) for Construction 2 at Parsons.

Making my outfit for the BurdaStyle Project Runway ReMake Challenge.

Achromatic Master Study for Color Theory at Parsons: half paper collage/half painting.  I used August Macke's "Hat Shop" (1914) originally done in oil on canvas.

My new Timberland Earthkeeper collection boots whilst apple picking in Randolph, NJ.  (Photo by James Whatton.)  Use coupon code: LUCKY to save $20.00 off your purchase of $125.00 or more (valid in stores and online thru Oct. 12, 2010).  Thank you to Lucky Magazine and Timberland for sending me these free boots to try!

Happy Autumn!

Yours truly,

Alex