Monthly Archives: June 2012

the hemsworth’s

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Yes, I know I’m a complete nerd, but between Hannah Montana and the Hunger Games (not to mention the sappy Nicholas Sparks novel-turned-movie where they met on set), it’s safe to say I’m a big fan of both Miley and her super sexy beau, Liam.  They both have amazing style- seriously I’m always impressed with Miley’s looks from the sidewalk to red carpet and let’s face it, a trash bag would look good on Liam.  My inner teeny-bopper excitement resurfaced today when I discovered that the ulta-cute couple are now engaged!  They’ve already had one rough breakup earlier in their relationship, which doesn’t bode promising for a young marriage (she’s 19 and he’s 22), BUT I certainly have my fingers crossed.  Best of luck!

xo

chez-cherkasova

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You can’t help but fall in love with Liz Cherkasova’s Los Angeles apartment.  Full of vintage and second-hand finds, the space emulates a quirky, yet calm and lived-in vibe.  I love the antique chair (which she refurbished and painted herself) holding a few books and flowers- it’s just “so smart!”

To see more of the lovely Ms. Cherkasova, head over to her blog, Late Afternoon.

cherry zipped

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I’m not gonna lie, I have a pretty expansive bag collection.  Slouchy hobos and clutches- I’ve got many, shoulder bags and crossbodies- even more…you want thing-a-ma-bobs?  I’ve got twenty!  Sorry, couldn’t resist…

The point issss my collection is almost* complete.  So what’s missing, you ask?  Why, a season-defying structured tote bag of course!  Enter this See by Chloé “cherry zipped” tote.  It’s pure perfection.  The only thing keeping me from ordering this little beauty is my little booty being glued to the couch.  But you can be sure that as soon as I’m well enough to unstick myself from my these cushions, I’ll be at the bank transferring enough moo-la into my account to make the purchase of this cherry-zipped pouch a possibility…online shopping is DEFINITELY a major side effect of being immobilized by surgery for two reasons:  you’ve got all the free time in the world to surf through the bag selection of 6 juuust a few different websites, and you feel a certain sense of  self pity that can only be cured with something involving buttery new leather.

a pint of polish

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If there’s one thing my entire family takes pride in, it’s our unique ability to discover new life in old things.  And we’re not just playing around; In my family antiquing is an olympic sport.  Everyone from my grandma, to my aunts, mother, cousins, sister- even my 23-year-old brother- knows the value of a well-restored antique.  Ever heard the saying “They just don’t make ’em the way they used to?”  Well it’s true.  Rediscovered old pieces add a special flare to your home that (in my opinion) simply cannot be replicated by something new.  When I spotted this antique measuring jar last weekend at my favorite indoor flea market, Rhode Island Antiques, I knew I had to have it.  Although my original thinking way to fill the jar with fresh summer flowers, I become inspired by this photo:and decided to try out the glass vase as colorful display of my nail polish collection.  Sure, it may not be this antique’s conventional use, but I think a little usage re-assignment brings new life to an otherwise outdated piece.

fashion’s real night out

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my favorite look of the night- Candice Swanepoel in periwinkle blueDoutzen Kroes looking glam in Sophie ThealletErin Heatherton rocking a turquoise/gold mermaid-esque numberLily Collins dazzling in MarchesaZoe Saldana and young designer Prabal Gurung (both in pieces by the designer)Joan Smalls with Michael Kors, floating in a well-cut dress by the iconic designerKate Bosworth in a Joseph Altazurra (with the designer himself)Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (wearing designs from the collection The Row) took home the coveted “Womenswear Designer of the Year” award

Here are my favorite looks from Monday night’s Council of Fashion Designers of America awards, or what I like to refer to as Fashion’s real Night Out.  Designers, models, celebrities and all other moguls of the fashion industry gathered at the Alice Tulley Hall at Lincoln Center in NYC to honor the year’s most accomplished designers with the 50th annual awards ceremony.  Many fashion gurus were recognized, including Phillip Lim, Tabitha Simmons, Joseph Altuzurra, Reed Krakoff, Billy Reid, and Tommy Hillfiger…even Johnny Depp was awarded with Fashion Icon of the Year!  What a dream it would be to attend the Council of Fashion Designers of America awards ceremony…ahhh…

thumbs up

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There are few professions in life that may require the removal of a bone from one’s baby toe.  In fact, the only one I can think of happens to be the one that I’ve chosen chose me: ballet.

Whenever I meet someone new, it usually goes like this…”Hi, KRisten, er, Kirsten, uh, Kee-irsten…whatever…so, what school do you go to?  What are you studying?”, “It’s Kirsten/Kee-irsten, depending on my location.  I’m working towards a degree in Journalism part-time online through Providence College, but truly I’m studying ballet.  I’m a professional ballet dancer with Festival Ballet Providence.”  (silence and a confused/surprised expression are what most commonly follows.) “…yes, I did say professional ballerina.  I know, it’s odd.”

I’ve never been quite sure how to feel about people’s reactions.  Sometimes people think it’s cool, while in other instances people don’t really understand.  They don’t see how dance can be my job, can’t fathom me being paid to “flounce around on stage in a tutu and tiara”.  Little do they know ballet is a lot more about literal blood, sweat, and tears (all three, in most cases), than smiling, pretty costumes, and applauding audiences.  People don’t realize that this profession is so much more than a 9-5, it’s 24/7.  Becoming a professional ballerina transforms you.  It takes over every facet of your life: days, nights, meals, dreams, music, weekends, “downtime” (or lack thereof), relationships, holidays, vacations…the list goes on.  Sometimes just the sheer dedication to ballet leaves you with no choice but to subject yourself to surgery, so that you may avoid the threat of your beloved profession warping into little more than ceaseless physical pain spurred by the very pointe shoes that made you fall in love with the art form in the first place.

WELL folks, that’s where I found myself at the end of this past season.  With a chronic bone-friction-induced infection that just would not quit.  When my podiatrist recommended a small surgery, I was nervous and wary, but have since decided to trust my instincts, his wisdom, and the miracle of modern medicine.  This morning when I woke up, I had all the usual bones that make up a right foot, and now, a little teeny one is gone!  While this may seem like a strange extremity to care so much about (the baby toe is actually not even required for living), my toes obviously play a huge role in my life.  The surgery went very well (I was giving out lots of thumbs ups and my doctor even drew a little flower on my bandage), and I can only hope for a smooth recovery.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Until then, I’ll be on the couch enjoying the perks of temporarily staying with my parents…

…not being allowed to walk means yummy food made by my mama, full service!  Life could get much, much worse…

a couch.

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Sometimes you encounter a piece of furniture that you cannot live without.  Okay, maybe that statement only applies to the ladies of my family…but you get the point!  When my mom and I spotted this charming antique sofa at Butterfield, we both immediately fell in love.  Although my roommie and I already have two supercomfycozy couches (that we will never part with!), my mom and I decided that “sofa’s like this don’t come around every day!” and “we better snatch it up while we can!”…needless to say it’s scheduled to arrive Thursday afternoon and I couldn’t be more excited!

wear/what/where

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{what i wore: h&m chambray shirt, leifnotes skirt, target wedges}{what I ate: this crazy-amazey baby fruit salad}{where I went: family friend Katelyn’s baby shower}

I’m SO happy for Katelyn and her husband, Trevor!  She’s going to be such a good mother.  My older sister and she have been close friends since kindergarten, and I’ve always seen her as a second big sister.  Can’t wait to meet little Baby B in a month!

#armswag

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{top: Alex & Ani, David Yurman, The Little Buffalo, April Daze, hair tie from Wink in NYC; bottom: Tiffany & Co., Burberry watch, Wink, Cape Cod, David Yurman, April Daze}

These days, you can tell a lot about a person just by looking at their wrists.  Whether they’re bare, lightly frosted or fully stacked, a person’s “armswag” can be very telling of their personality.  If you’re into layering, the way in which you choose to mix and match wrist candy becomes a form of artistic expression, allowing others a special little peak into the your brain.  I’ve decided to start a new post category called “armswag” to showcase some of my favorite wrist-adorning combos, starting with the two photos above!  The first I took in Florida, right after purchasing the seed bead/evil eye bracelet, and the second was yesterday’s silver stack that I like to think of as the classy set.  If you have any photos of your #armswag, send ’em my way!  I’d love to see them.

when ballet became trendy

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To quote a friend’s recent Facebook status, “Ballet is sooooo IN right now”.

Last night, the CW’s newest reality series “Breaking Pointe” (which chronicles the unconventional lives of the dancers of Utah’s Ballet West) premiered, and I have to admit I kind of loved it.  I did not have very high hopes for the show- lumping the distinguished art of ballet in with the likes of Snooki and Teen Mom?  yuck!- but was pleasantly surprised by the overall realness and lack of dramatization.

“Breaking Pointe” is especially interesting for me, because while competing in the Youth America Grand Prix ballet competition finals during my junior year of high school, I was offered a traineeship with the very company being featured on the show!  I also worked closely with Ballet West’s artistic director, Adam Sklute, at the intimate Jacob’s Pillow summer intensive in 2010…the ballet world is so very small!

Speeeeeaking of Youth America Grand Prix, has anyone heard about the newly released documentary following 6 young dancers as they compete in the world’s largest international ballet competition?  Well needless to say, as a former competitor, I was extremely excited to see the film.  And when I did, the funniest thing happened: on the screen was footage of the featured dancers preparing to take the stage in the final round, but coming through the speakers and filling my ears was the sound of my own voice!  Back in 2009 when the documentary was being filmed (and I was in NYC competing alongside all of the amazing dancers seen in the movie), a cameraman pulled my friend and I aside for a quick interview- a 5 minute questionare I assumed would never resurface.  But to my shock, there was the voice of my 16-year-old self, loud and clear, speaking about typical ballet misconceptions:

“People think that football players and lacrosse players are the ones with the injuries.  In ballet, we are getting injuried every day.”

Amen.  Words of wisdom spoken well, if I may say so myself (proud accomplishment for me, what with my serious fear of both live and on-camera public speaking).  If you haven’t seen the documentary yet, go check it out!  And watch listen for my special (vocal) appearance!

…and just for fun here’s a photo of my friend, Kristi, and I just before doing the interview: