Tuesday, July 28

patchwork rags.. ohh, i like!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
(DIY shirt, handmade necklaces gifted by a friend, lucky ring, gap boyfriend jeans, qupid boots)
i was feeling a bit down this morning with my closet until i remembered the shirt i destroyed a while back. i wasnt sure if i was going to be able to pull it off without looking as if i was wearing rags.. but turns out, it looked fabulous and i got complimented! the shoes are some i found the other day shopping, so i decided to break them in.. sorry for the lack of outfit posts lately, ive been extrememly busy and have been hanging out in the house writing papers for school.. but finally here are some!
muahhhh!
(always)alanna

Friday, July 24

DIY gold chainlink necklace

this is a very EASY and totally third-grade DIY, but i'll post it for you guys anyways because if you know how to make it, you can attatch and kind of charms and chains and make it gorgeous. the inspiration came from all of the glamourai's creations on etsy and shrimpton couture. check out her totally original and gorgeous pieces at theglamourai.blogspot where you can find links to etsy and shrimpton couture. heres the necklace i made-



how-to- i just bought different sized gold chains and bought a toggle and clasp for the ends that had three hook-holes. i wish the chains were less shiny and more tarnished and maybe i can do something about that, but i havent yet. so anyways just connect all the gold chains to each other and twist them up and connect them to the toggle and clasp at the ends. like i said, a bit third-grade-ish. but, it was something to do on the rainy afternoon, and i didn't have many supplies to work with. have fun!
(always)alanna

Tuesday, July 21

HARRY POTTER WILD!

so as many (and i hope ALL!) of you know, the sixth harry potter, harry potter and the half blood prince, was released last tuesday at midnight. so, even though as fashionable as i can sometimes be, i was so excited to see the movie that it definitely didn't occur to me that i could look cute dressed up in a hogwarts outfit.. so i post pictures on account of the fact that i can (somewhat proudly) admit to being a total nerd for harry potter who sported no fashion sense whatsoever in public for one night of my life. (gross- what was i thinking?!)

but i did express a little creativity! i made this cape :).. as kindergarten-ish as that sounds

and what makes me more shameful than to say i lacked fashion sense is the fact that this girl (below), my friend, totally ROCKED it!

and all these devoted fans at the theatre.. WICKED!


.. and the stars!
these are from the movie premiere


thought i'd throw this one in here. i absolutely love emma's outfit and its just totally kodak


bonniewrightonline.com
**special thanks to CHIC'ken Helene for these HP pics taken from her blog (she too is an avid fan!)

(always)alanna

Monday, July 20

oh my.. my, my

i feel so absolutely sympathetic when i look at these pictures and imagine how these girls felt after taking a tumble on the runway. but i figure theres humor in everything and when these girls look back, they'll only laugh. so ive decided to share them with you on three notes- i feel so bad that i want you to pity them also, i want you to give a little laugh, and i want you to note how damn good they look.. even falling. haha, enjoy!

monika jagaciak at herve leger's fall '09 show

milana bogolepova at the 2008 dior cruise collection show

gharni strok's spring '06 show

elise crombez at proenza schouler spring '07 show

(always)alanna
.. check upcoming posts for new pieces i scored at the mall friday!

Thursday, July 16

im aware of the crappy quality of pictures here and the lack of creativity put into them. but seriously, today was just NOT my day to take pictures (seems like i've been saying that alot lately.. i do apologize). i love you guys a bunch though and i promise a post soon with a hott outfit and fabulous shoes (of course!). im going marathon shopping tomorrow, and i know ill come home with all kinds of goodies to share with you guys.. so get excited! until then, my fashion sense has utterly gone out the window and im left with a big closet and nothing to do with it. i absolutely despise that feeling (having nothing to wear..) so ive decided to fix it. cant wait to hit the racks. muahhhh!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
(thrift shirt, fifth culture skirt, missme wedges)

(always)alanna

Monday, July 13

...wish i would have taken pictures when i went shopping todayy! but i only ended up taking pictures of myself before i left and im so mad! i promise pictures from the cool vintage shops around town ASAP!
this is what i wore to lunch and shopping with the girls today! the outfits a bit bland, and ive already shown all the pieces in one outfit or another, but i feel i owe you guys a post because i know there wont be any cute and fashionable outfits coming out of tomorrow.. except maybe my work uniform. anyways, enjoy the update! hope everyone had as fabulous of a weekend as i did!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
(abercrombie top, mossimo scarf (worn as belt), AA skirt, 21 headband, steve madden wedges)
i send love, love, LOVE!
(always)alanna

Saturday, July 11

DIY 80's t-shirts

ever get tired of boring t-shirts to work out or lounge around in? i know i did. so, yesterday i did my famous makeover- i grabbed a pair of scissors and just started cutting.. and this is what i ended up with. a shirt that i wore to work with my famous blues brothers glasses and was immediately welcomed as "80's girl".. so, i present an innovative way to take all those boring t-shirts in the back of your closet that you refuse to wear from disgusting.. to totally vintage. i even wore mine to mix some beats this morning

BEFORE


AFTER


Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
(DIY shirt, gap boyfriend jeans, incredible hulk edition bape-n-apes)

how to: this has to be like the simplest DIY project EVER.. just take a pair of scissors and cut the collar, but only the collar! even though it still looks small just stretch it a little by pulling it. if you cut it any bigger, it won't hang off one shoulder, but swallow both and then it will be ruined. its optional to cut the sleeve and the hem at the bottom also. i did both because i liked the frayed look going on all over the t-shirt, but its up to you. it looks fabulous frayed and worn to expose a shoulder. totally relaxed but still seductive. mhhmmmm. let me know if theres any confusion! and send me your results!
xx
(always)alanna

Wednesday, July 8

DIY acid wash jeans



BEFORE


AFTER





... excuse my un-original and nasty state.. today was SO not a good picture day.

this is another good way to take a normal pair of jeans from ordinary.. to extraordinary! and they're really easy to do! all kinds of tutorials can be found on google and stuff but heres how i did it..
how to- there are two options depending on how bleached you want the color and whether you work with light or dark jeans. my suggestion is to start with watered down bleach (like 1 cup water and 1/2 cup bleach) and if you aren't satisfied with the results, just try straight bleach (not diluted). i used just bleach because the jeans i used were so light to begin with that i had to fade them a lot to even show any kind of difference. i used a toothbrush to just brush on all the seams (down the legs, on the belt loops, around the pockets, on the bottom...) and then i ripped a little hole in the knee to make them a little bit "homelessness-ish". i love to wear these with ankle booties.. such as the ones i got from topshop. see june 28 for more pics.

(always)alanna

Monday, July 6


Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
so, im not a huge fan of mondays myself, its the day that says "welcome to the work/school week".. and for me that means long hours sitting either in the sun lifeguarding, or sitting in the classroom.. taking notes. gross, i know. but anyways, i had today off! and it was reallyyyy exciting! so my family went out to dinner to finally hangout together since my parents have been going out of town a lot recently for various reasons. hope everyone elses monday went great too! sorry i dont have much to say, im a bit blogged out at the moment after that huge last post on big city-eats. anyways check me out on chictopia honeys!
www.chictopia.com/alwaysalanna
xoxo
(always)alanna

Friday, July 3

big city must-eats

i just put together a mix of a few places to go in NYC and atlanta
if anybody has any contributions, please let me know. im going to add another similar post soon with even more places to go, because the possibilities are ENDLESS. let me know if you guys have any city/restaurant requests! much love chickies


NYC- Ward III
111 Reade St, between W Broadway and Church; 212.240.9194

A brick-walled and velvet-curtained saloon rigged with wrought-iron Moroccan gates, a back bar made from Singer sewing machines, and black high-backed couches reclaimed from Wakiya, Ward's run by Tribeca bar vets (Odeon, Macao, Grace) offering a double shot of service: they'll not only craft "bespoke cocktails" tailored to patrons' ill-to-well-informed desires, but they'll also keep that recipe on file under your name, to refer to when you return and request "fix me that drink from that time with that stuff". Rather than unromantic e-storage, the back of Ward's drink coasters will double as filing cards (name, drink name, ingredients, date); if you're not that particular, the barkeeps also pour 10 draughts (Lagunitas, Kronenbourg, Sweet Action...)
Food and drinks- concoctions like the Blanco (silver tequila, crushed peppercorn, basil leaf...), the Ward 3 (Maker's, egg whites, bitters, strawberries...), and the lime/sugar/vodka Moroccan Martini -- which, like that country's dancers, is best served jiggled. Because eating lets you drink more, Ward serves sit-down or at-the-bar dinner, including plates both big (three pork and meatball sliders, wild mushroom lasagna, mac & cheese) and small, e.g., deviled eggs, cured meats with parmesan, and bacon-wrapped dates (also the #1 fetish site in Canada).

cocktail list


NYC-
Cucina

A Sicilian-born chef's NY debut, Cucina's an almost-too-cozy, softly lit date-aurant elegantly tarted up with mirrored wall panels, cream-colored wainscoting, marble two tops, and a tiny four-seat bar set so close to the tables, it's practically begging you to listen to the conversations of people whose date is the bottle.
Food- starting with small-meats antipasti (veal in tuna sauce, grilled squid with broccoli puree and squid ink...), easing into pasta-centric primi (asparagus and marjoram lasagna, shrimp and ricotta ravioli...), and finishing with even-more-meats secondi, including olive crusted lamb with sauteed spinach, broiled branzino with grape tomatoes, and filet mignon napoleon -- two tender medallions sure to sate even the ziggiest of ziggy pigs. Drink-yourself-through-this-wise, Cucina rocks a full bar, plus all-Ital vino, champagne, and one beer, Moretti, the "most desired beer in Italy”

check out cucina's menu here


NYC-balthazar
80 spring street. ny, ny. 10012
(212)965-1414. **call for reservations

Balthazar serves traditional bistro meals from breakfast through late-night supper. Opened by Keith McNally in the spring of 1997, Balthazar offers a French menu prepared by chefs de cuisine Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson. Diners can also choose from an extensive wine list, a raw seafood bar, and breads and pastries from Balthazar bakery. Balthazar is renowned for its exceptional design. The building was converted from a leather wholesaler's warehouse to an airy space that can accommodate over 200 people in the dining room and at the zinc bar.
check out the full menu here

NYC- Pastis Restaurant
9 ninth avenue. ny, ny 10041
(212)929-5676. **call for reservations
Pastis is a French bistro located in Manhattan's meatpacking district opened by Keith McNally. ¶ Executive Chefs Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson and Chef de Cuisine Pascal Le Seac'h prepare a menu that combines hearty Provençal dishes with moderately- priced bistro fare. The bar serves a range of
house cocktails, wines by the glass, carafe or bottle, and several varieties of pastis, an anise-flavored aperitif from the south of France. The restaurant features a communal table, a zinc bar, and an outdoor summer café.
check out the full menu here
**personal favorite of mine. see my NY post for pictures from a night there

NYC- sarahbeth's
40 central park south
212.826.5959


a cute little brunch/breakfast atmosphered place located in central park, this restaurant is famous for sunday brunch- an absolute must-do in the city. thanks for nobutterfly for the fabulous reccommendation!
see the full menu here


Atlanta- Fuego Mundo
5590 Roswell Rd, #A120, Sandy Springs; 404.256.4330

Fuego's dishing health-conscious Latin meals from its wood-fire-grill-equipped open kitchen in a dark wood table'd, more-modern-than-traditional dining room, decked with South American wall art and fake toucans under off-kilter ceiling panels that look like ramps, a clever loophole conceived after getting denied a stairway to heaven permit\
Food- everything's dairy and wheat-free, with sides and light starters including fried plantain Fuego Chips, baked Beef Empanadas, and Yucca Fries w/ homemade garlic dip; lunch specials include the Grilled Pita Meal (stuffed w/ steak, chicken, fish, or tofu, served w/ chips) or the Plate of Sides & Salad, in three options: Latin (rice, black beans, sweet plantains), American (grilled corn & roasted potatoes), and the quinoa, black bean, & baked plantain Health Nut, which sounds boring, but is actually dynamite in the snack. Entrees each come with a side, and get marinated in a house recipe seasoning, from steak dishes (Sizzling Sirloin, Argentinean Skirt Steak, Glazed Lamb Chops), to Grilled Turkey Filet and Chicken Sausage, to wild-caught fish plates like Costa Rican Tilapia, Honey-Citrus Pepper Salmon, and Ginger Spiced Grouper.

For dessert, there's sweets like Mango Pie, a Guava Pastry Puff, and Mami's Dulce de Leche Cheesecake; drinks include ruby red house-made sangria, imported beers (Cuba's La Tropical, DR's Presidente, Costa Rica's Imperial), and natural quenchers like the Fresh Young Coconut.

Atlanta&NYC- Spice Market
188 14th Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30361
(404) 549-5450
&
403 West 13th Street (Corner of 9th Avenue)
New York, NY 10014
(212) 675-2322


.. the pictures SERIOUSLY dont do it justice

Spice Market is inspired by the street food Jean-Georges Vongerichten enjoyed while traveling in Asia. Authentically uplifted versions of flavorful street foods are served family-style, with dishes arriving continuously throughout the meal for all to share.
check out everything here
**sadly, i couldn't get a picture, but the restaurant is indian inspired decor, and is absolutely TO DIE FOR.


Atlanta-LoLa's Cantina
4665 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta; 770.973.4747

Just-opened LoLa's is a Mexican restaurante painted red, green, blue, and yellow, with an interior that tosses aside standard south-of-the-border decor for decidedly American kitsch like giant stuffed mermaids & octopuses, a Frogger arcade setup, crooked-hung vintage commercial art, a newspaper-covered wall with vinyl records and a Marilyn Monroe painting, and a website that plays songs from revered Mexican bands like Dave Matthews and Coldplay.
Food- The menu's steadfastly straight-up Mexican, with starters like Nacho Fries w/ queso, chorizo, picadillo, sour cream, & jalapenos, and taco choices including Carne Asada, Carnitas, and fried or grilled Tilapia; burritos start big with the Famous Belt Buster (order one, and you get two, filled with beans, beef, chorizo, chicken, potato, etc) then return to standard fattening portions with the guac, squash, corn, pico, and potato Naughty Green -- similar to the veggie-only Goin' Green, except it comes with your choice of meat, and you can tell people you ate it. Tortas get layered with refried beans, avocado, veggies, and papas fritas, and come with meats like Chorizo con Pappa, Pollo, and Hamburguesa (hand-sculpted beef w/ jalapeno slices), while "Strong Plates" include Carne Asada (w/ rice, cowboy beans, grilled onions, pico, & Mexican salad), fajitas, and the secret-recipe-marinated, squash & corn sauteed Roadside Chicken.
LoLasCantina.com

and if you're into reality show hot-spots. try these two- (both from gg)

NYC- butter restaurant
415 lafayette street between 4th street and astor place
212.253.2828

(Braised Short Ribs w/ Roasted Yam Puree)
butters a cute little hotspot designed for girls who want to wear high heels and meet guys. the restaurant is known for changing the menus to match the season, and its definitely one of those places that even though its food is good, its drink menu is even better; so definetly try it out!
heres the menu- http://www.butterrestaurant.com/#/menu
... even paris had her birthday there


NYC- socialista restaurant
505 west street
212.929.4572


a quaint little cuban inspired place located in the west village, this famous restaurant is not only known for its hot bar scene, but also for its hot frequenters. they also have live music on tuesdays after 11.. which calls for a DANCE party. count me in!
check out the full menu here

(always)alanna