Blow me, Drybar

When I first had my daughter I religiously went to get my hair blown out twice a week since I was so freaking fat that a blowout was the only thing that made me feel "pretty" and was an attempt to look half way decent. Between my boobs leaking and my pull on pants, I really only had my hair going for me.  (I think I was channeling Jessica Simpson and her current pregnancy weight, boobs butt and all).

Every girly girl loves a great blow out and let me let you in on a little secret; When one gets a blow out, one doesn't wash their hair for a few days . Anyone that tells you differently is lying. I have heard some people don't wash their hair for up to a week with a fabu blowout, swear. Every day it gets a bit more tattered, a bit more frizzy, a bit more worn. But that's when you get creative , so by day 3 or 4 of the blowout you create the "messy ponytail" or the "half up, half down" look. 

I got my fabu blow out this week at Drybar and I , too, contemplated the one week washless look, however, with my crazy gym schedule that would be down right nasty. Drybar is the chicest salon that really should be serving cosmos alongside the fabulous stylists. ( Carrie Bradshaw would have loved this place). You select the look you want from a book and voila ! Your fabulous blow out is born within an hours time.  If you haven't tried it please stop wasting time and make an appointment you can do it all on line! I can't believe I was a virgin up until a few days ago.

Below please find my fabulous results and ignore the poor lighting highlighting my curls.  Toodles till tomorrow....

Printed Pants? Child, Please!

I have been thinking of ways to broach this topic , it's a sensitive one. Deep breaths... I want to talk to you about, well, the printed pant. I know what you are saying there is no way in hell I would put a pair of those on my body and I TOO was feeling the uncertainty of this trend . However printed bottoms are a HUGE trend this Spring and Summer so swallow your pride and get on board . It is a fashion moment , a cute moment, one that will bring you fabulosity and even the chance to NOT have to suck in your stomach ( Amen, see below)! Here are a few of my favorites...

Leopard print, let out your inner roar! I adore this softer side for spring in a jean with STRETCH with love by Current Elliot.  This is HOT, love.

The explosion of florals this season has made its mark on the printed pant. Love this pant for a "9 to 9 look", work to night, night to work, wherever your drunken nights or days may take you, you get the drift.  Tucker,  bravo.

Ethnic meets boho chic in silk with a DRAWSTRING, ladies. A great pant with a flat sandal or heel. Clover Canyon is doing some AMAZING things these days, add the brand to your favorites.

Did I convince you? I cant' hear youuuuu.  I wouldn't steer you wrong,  don't be scared and try them out.  Step out of your comfort zone and your five pocket blue jeans and get PRINTING!

P.S- Check them out at net a porter.com,  gratzi...

Pour Some Sugar On Me

Tonight I embark on an adventure that doesn't take place everyday. I will give you a hint: it involves  many silly games, requires lots of jello shots ( sugar free, please), and usually at some point makes you look like an *sshole.  No takers? Well it's a bachelorette party. 

A bachelorette party in your 30s feels a whole lot different than a bachelorette party in your 20s, especially when you are the oldest one attending. Your wardrobe is slightly tweaked now usually requiring more "coverage" even though that's always a challenge for me , notably on top.  You make decisions with a bit more class so singing on top of a bar into a bottle of Patron lip-synching the lyrics to "Can't Fight The Moonlight" from Coyote Ugly probably would not be the brightest decision.  Body shots start to become taboo once your 30 plus, hmm, ok once your 21 plus and not in Cancun it's a big old mess. And finally, you mentally prepare yourself to be the "mommy" of the group, getting ready to hold back hair and put girls into cabs who can't stand or speak at the end of night. Boy have times changed...those were the good old days. Yet, bing! a light bulb has gone of in my head! These blessed events don't come around that often so I'm ready to grab the bull my the horns and dabble into my 20s bachelorette experiences. A little "on top of the bar singing "never hurt anyone and you only live once, right? Wardrobe selection TBD will keep you all posted, looking for coverage ASAP.  Party rockers in the house tonight...

Fortuneless?

No fortune in my fortune cookie. Isn't there a law against that? I don't ask for much... a new Balenciaga bag here or there & a fortune w/ my fortune cookie!!! Woman creates her own fortune, I suppose...






You will be blessed with many Balenciagas this year

HOOTER(s) and a HOLLERING

I have never considered myself a hooter or a holler, well at least when pertaining to a workout,  but sometimes the most surprising things bring out the best while pushing yourself to the limit.

Take Flywheel ,an indoor cycling studio born and bred in NYC ( now rapidly expanding)! Im a full fledge fanatic. I basically sold myself to the devil buying an unlimited package but it was the best decision I have made in a long time. To few it seems like dark torture chamber where you are peddling for dear life for 45 minutes.  To others, it's a sea of mommies in lulu lemon,  after lemon , after lemon , after lemon. But to the majority, Flywheel is simply a place where real changes can happen. Change in your body, ( the physical changes are insane, there's an endless list of people who have lost 10, 20, 60 pounds plus). Change in your attitude:  You just feel so bleeping good walking out of there, dripping in sweat after completing the course with 40 of your closet "fly" friends . Change in your spirit;  there must be extra endorphins in the free water provided because everyone and I mean everyone, instructors, staff and riders alike are happy and excited to be there to play and to work hard. Sappy I know, but it's a little fly family, sniff sniff.  So if you haven't tried it you are seriously  missing out. It's time to drink the Kool aid, ASAP. Can I get a hoot hoot?

flywheelsports.com

Your Pot Of Gold

If I could choose one day of the year to willingly be transported out of NYC it would be for St Patrick's day. If I had to experience one more green wig, one more strand of green beads or one more perverted stranger hugging me reeking of Heineken and relentless body odor it was going to get ugly. All walks of life prowl the streets, (TONS of bridge and tunnel) to make NYC their stomping ground from 10 am until 9 pm until the animals can't stand anymore and/or are taken away by the police.

Braving the beasts outside last night wasn't easy but dressing in one of my new favorite tops by Timo Weiland was . It's a perfect combination of nautical mixed with abstract florals with a hint of emerald green in honor of all those leprechauns looting the streets. Sweatshirt meets chiffon making a great day to night and night to day look. It has a flattering shape but also allows room for some pomme frites from Five Napkin Burger, ( guilty as charged). Work it with a colored jean.  Reeaaally loving Tim's Spring 2012 collection, check it out at Barneys NY or Shopbop.com. Bon Appetite!

Funday Sundays

Why is it that attending a 3 year olds birthday party means taking your life into your own hands. Im in surival mode. Where are the damn mimosas? I see juice only...

I feel her pain, that's what I wanted to do all morning chasing child, wiping snot of my stripes and buffering
the birthday cake from my little miss trouble.

Your Three Way

1 economy crisis + 1 child riddled with expenses + 1 urban mother = 3xs the need for smarter shopping. I've said it before I love fashion, it's in the genes but I had to make some new rules for myself or my husband would cut my credit cards up,  ( he actually cut them up years ago after one too many Manolo purchases, very VERY traumatizing). So I'm going with THE THREE WAY, familiar territory for some, more challenging for others. It's OK, embrace it. The rule is to purchase a new item, you must maximize its' wear incorporating the item into your wardrobe with THREE different outfits/ three different ways /three different " partners", whatever works for you to get the idea to stick. For example, I recently purchased a DVF metallic color block cardigan ( See below) : I can wear with a white tank top (James Perse non- ribbed, preferred), back to skinny boyfriend jeans for school pick up. 

Later, throw the SAME cardigan back to a color blocked blouse ( color blocking, important) and white jeans for dinner at Red Farm ( 2 hour wait plus mind you)...

and AGAIN revert to the cardigan over my LBD with Charlotte Olympia platform sandals for the theater later next week.     

Take novelty and a trend and MAKE IT YOUR OWN, make it a classic.  Consider each purchase an investment, a new staple, and a dollar well spent. We need to be select and choosy these days but with a pinch of excitement, so make the right decisions, have a little fun with it and enjoy the experience. Try your three way today...

PS- please tell me you know what an LBD is...... it's a Little Black Dress. A wardrobe must. If you didn't know this, this is an indication to add me to your favorites and follow me on twitter, @vft30ishfloor

Go the f*ck to sleep, love of my life

As moms we know how much the nap means to us. It's our time to take a shower, return a freaking email , or yes even eat a real meal and I don't mean bites here or there of Elmo Mac and Cheese or leftover sandwich crusts! It's the potential for 1.5 to 2 hours to lay down, read people.com and happily surf Net a Porter's "Whats New " category to SHOP!, ( I'm a professional web shopper, I didn't tell you)? Sadly, we are heading into some murky water right now as my sweet pea could be starting to drop the nap. For instance, at this very moment, she is HYSTERICAL in the crib laughing her sweet little face off and stripping her clothes off piece by piece putting on her very own strip tease ( she didn't learn that from me, ) while having a full conversation with her besties, Dora, Big Bird and Olivia, the pig. Oh and its ALL in the dark. And what do you know, cue the construction on the floor above us bringing noisy to a whole new level right now. So pray for me people, I'm not ready to kiss this magical thing call the nap goodbye...it ain't right, I need my lunch date with Net a Porter:( ...

Raise Your Glass

Great girlfriends are like a great glass of wine; You crave it, you need it, and it helps take the edge off every now and then. Salut

4 Wait Lists And What Seems Like a Funeral...

I wore black for the occasion, not any black, it's my LF black sweater with holes running down the arms ( yes, holes that I paid a pretty penny for) with my AG black skinny cords. No wonder people wear black when you are in mourning, if you are going to feel that bad at least feel skinny, duh. You see, preschool is still in limbo. The wait lists didn't move as expected and Friday was a dark day in the land of the toddler world.  Cue, the sappy music.  All my mommy friends heard the latest , word spreads like wildfire across a city this large and a social scene this small. I knew this weekend when I bumped into my girls I would have to re hash the day to them.  The reaction has been as expected; It is as if someone has died and was taken from us too early. Upon first contact they say, "Awwww , Al,", a pause and either a hand hold or great big hug, followed by a motherly back pat. Then they say, " It's going to be OK, you will get through this, we love you and we are here for you".  I graciously nod my head and move on to the next friend on the playground or at Intermix that are paying their condolences. OK let's CUT the sad "gone straight to DVD" movie for one second. Yes, OK, I cried yesterday with my Bobbi Brown running down my face, and yes I keep thinking could I have done more and been a "better mother" ( whatever the heck that means) , BUT I also know if  my daughter was feeling this low I would have said it's OK to be sad and disappointed, but now it's time to pick yourself up, keep going and REFOCUS your energy. Because that's what we do in life, we keep looking forward.  Life goes on and things work out the way they should. So energy refocused. No more black today , I'm busting out my white LF sweater with arm holes running down the arm, ( maybe I do have it in more than 2 colors, so what?), I'm getting some 16 handles frozen yogurt and I'm adding $10 worth of cookie dough, damn it, because life is TOO SHORT to wallow in anything but a smile and some cookie dough...

The Lf Sweater in white on a happy
day, a tan day,  back to Rag and Bone jeans, of course,
 Florida 2012

Pumped Up Kicks

During my Ann Arbor college days, (I'm a die hard Michigan Wolverines fan , please note) , wardrobing was simple. The Jewish, sorority girls " must have" shopping list consisted of three things : A black, short puffy Northface coat, black Bebe skintight pants otherwise known as our " bar pants",  and   the Steve Madden sneaker wedge. Everyone rocked the sneaker wedge, it's just what you did. It was like an invasion of a platform where the shoe looked more like a science project then a wardrobe accessory. Fast forward 12 years to spring 2012 and the sneaker wedge is back and better than before.  It's uber urban and well, I'm feeling it. Casual cool with a touch of comfort . Who wouldn't want a little height in their kicks, ultimately heightening and tightening the derrière to strut into Barneys. Or for me , to schlep to Central park zoo, where I will beg my pint size diva not to touch the large amounts of horse crap on the pavement, (buggy drivers have not gotten the 50 shades of poo memo).  Oh and a great way to complete the shoe for spring?  Back to a skinny colored Paige Jean ( red or mint green perhaps)? Top if off with a simple white tank?  Boom, right off the Sunday styles section.  You would make this 30s something fashion fan so proud and nostalgic. Take a risk...


Theshoedish.com, featuring the fabulous Isabel Marant sneaker wedge



Take It Outside, Already!

68 degrees in NYC in the middle of March calls for an outside run. Pink crystal headphones? Check.  Black Nikes A la Kim Khardasian's? Check. New ipod playlist led by Katy Perry's "Part of me"? Check. There's nothing like the view of the east river ( see above, yes that's a homeless man in the corner of the photo posing for me ).  All you can really see is a bunch of run down buildings across the way, but there's something about the FDR on your right and pollution to your left that makes it feel oh so New York.  I'm an east side, downtown girl and yes it's no west side highway with it's fancy piers and lawn areas, but the east side has an old school NYC feeling about it.  It's the perfect mix of shady drug dealers and young professionals, ah heaven.  A west side run view encompasses a sampling of roller bladers/serious biker types/stroller workout club mommies doing their thing. Wherever your thing may take you I hope it takes you outdoors today for a rare NYC moment. Let the river run, NYC...

Living in ( I mean with) the big apple(s)

We marvel at our children and the excitement in their eyes when they formulate new words and sentences. So when your child endearingly stares right at your chest, giggles and says, " Mommy has biggggg APPlessss!",  there are three things going on here: One, kids grow up so fast these days, two she has done a fine job learning her fruits and vegetables( organic, of course), and three , she's calling me out on being well endowed.  I mean, listen, she's not wrong, I've always had "big "apples, and perhaps my low cut Alexander Wang v neck ( my "go to" ) made it easier for her to draw conclusions. She's known them as long as she's known me so I get it, they are appealing, ( no pun intended).  I guess it was her innocence, pleasure and excitement that she figured out a piece of the world that made it all too stinking cute. I would be lying though if I said I wasn't scared what she is going to start naming the rest of the anatomy in this household...

Would you like a Lemon ? No not that kind...

Hi my name is Aly and I'm a Lulu Lemon addict. Yes it's true, I have more of the latest Lemon styles then I do from Rag and Bone these days. What the heck has happened to me? I have always prided myself in sporting the latest trends, but the idea of comfort has come over me and its making me ill. I think I knew I had a problem when I chose not to wear my fabulous tuxedo Rag and Bone jeans and reached for Lulu for a lunch date. I feel like I'm cheating on my regulars! Do I have suburban mom tendencies?  I guess there's just something about that material that will suck in any human being post birth, post surgery or on any given fat girl day. You strategically place yourself into the fabric and nothing moves for hours. Your stomach can hang over, your top arms are covered, and you feel like a million bucks ( as you should since it costs enough). So shake what your mama gave ya, it's not going anywhere, I promise. Thank you Lulu, thank you.  


Feeling the hotness



Feeling the notness

Fifty Shades of Poo

Stuck like glue on the bottom of my Bugaboo . For real ? Yes!  Why do the bold and the beautiful in NYC have a problem curbing their dogs ? Aren't dogs like your children? If my 2 year old did her business on the street corner would I leave it for the next child to sniff or the next mom to step in? Never! You pick it up. What's the song all the toddlers sing , " Clean up , clean up everybody everywhere!".  Some of us fancy New Yorkers could use a refresher of the basic nursery rhymes.  I'm pretty sure Christian Grey wouldn't approve of such behavior, actually I'll leave that to your own imagination. Oh , and if you don't know who Grey is you have been living under a rock for last 6 months...look it up...:)

One please, yes just one

We always remember our "firsts":  Our first "time" ( was it as good for you as it was for me)? , our first job making close to minimum wage, our first apartment that was the size of a closet, and more importantly our first Louboutins that to this day are kept in that red shoe bag stuffed in your closet . But what about the first time you went to the movies solo. Yes, alone. Do you remember ? It may seem strange but after living in NYC for 11 years now I had NEVER done it until yesterday. There I was, in my Hunter rain boots and Chanel jumbo handheld as I walked anxiousily down 2nd Avenue. I don't know, for me it's a big deal to walk up to the counter and say "just one please".  I have always been about the "two" , the duo . Two for dinner, two for coffee, two for the theater. Two is always better that one, right? Well not always. Sometimes we just need our " me " time, and what better place than a movie theater, where you are unreachable , in the dark, in silence and alone. We take the silence and the anonymity for granted especially in a city of this grandeur, with lives full of hustle and bustle. So if you haven't gone to the movies alone, try it, and take a little time to enjoy the silence.

Preschool 101, make that 401

Who knew getting your child into the New York City preschool system required an additional 40 hours of overtime, multiple outfit fittings of Crewcuts for play dates ( aka the 2 year old interviews), and an extra supply of Xanax in lieu of wait list and rejection letters? I'm in the midst of this beloved process and let me tell you it sucks. The only positive so far is I've lost my appetite making me that much closer to being able to wear my tiny Current Elliot shorts this summer. All I keep thinking is who wouldn't want my baby in their school? She can stack a block tower 3 feet tall, make the most beautiful play dough ball, and sings "Twinkle twinkle little star' like its nobody business. But between her talents, first choice letters and thank you notes, we are wait listed. And we wait...and we wait... for someone to let us in where we will then make a small down payment to secure her spot. Take it or leave it ladies, it's a jungle out there, but we just can't get enough of the insanity, can we?