Category Archives: Events

Spending the Morning in Morningside Park

During my trip to NYC, my parents and I had the chance to visit a famous landmark: The restaurant from Seinfeld.

Tom's restaurant

Of course the show used only the exterior shot; the inside scenes were shot in a Hollywood studio. Still, it was fun to stand in such a famous place, and the location of so many funny scenes from my favorite show.

We popped in to Tom’s (or Monk’s as it was called on the show) for a New York bagel, and walked through the Columbia University campus and watch new students moving in.

walikng outfit

olive and black

Top: Charlotte Russe
Skirt: Target
Shoes: Target
Purse: Flea market in Harlem
Sunglasses: Shop in Santa Fe
Necklace: Herbivore Clothing

 I also walked through Morningside park, a long, treed strip of land that runs between Morningside Heights and Harlem. From the top of the park you can see a great view of Harlem.

morningside park

My stroll took a serious turn when I happened upon the cathedral St. John the Divine. I don’t normally stop in cathedrals but this one was having a photo exhibit called Hidden Lives: The Untold Stories of Urban Refugees. I read about people who endured terrible hardships, such as war, violence, natural disasters and how they moved to safer places. I learned that across the globe, over 40 million people are displaced and that half of them are living in urban centers. The exhibit challenged my perception of what it means to be a refugee. It’s not just “someone else” in “another place.” They are our neighbors too, and often we walk by without knowing their stories.

The exhibit is over but you can read the featured stories online.

St. John the Divine

I’ve joined The Pleated Poppy, Transatlantic Blonde and Style Elixir today for a blog link-up. See what everyone else is writing about!

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Filed under Architecture, Art, Events, Fashion, Travel

New York, New York!

I just got back from New York City! I had a fantastic time with my parents. We stayed in a condo in Harlem by night and explored the city by day. It truly is the city that never sleeps–and neither did we!

Jean, Dad, Mom

We visited quaint neighborhoods, modern museums, and delicious vegan restaurants. We walked through Central Park, shopped in Midtown, scavenged flea markets in Brooklyn, and met with friends who live in the city.

Jean in NYC

Looking through my pictures is a bit overwhelming; I’m not sure where to start! I have ideas for style posts, restaurant reviews, and I want to show you the art I saw (on the street and in galleries). I met business owners, friendly locals, and even had a celebrity sighting (or two).

Crossing the line

I’m inviting you to explore the city with me, virtually. I hope you have fun looking at the next set of posts, as I relive my trip to the Big Apple!

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Filed under Events, Travel

Gray Cropped Skinnies and Flats

Today called for comfort so I opted for this super soft t-shirt and gray skinnies. I bought these shorts for $5 at an outlet store. What a deal! I’ve worn them dozens of times, making this a great buy.

shades of gray

T-shirt: Goodwill
Pants: Suzy Shier Outlet
Leather-look belt: Truth Belts
Rubber Cuff: Rogue City Killers
Shoes: Compassionate Couture
Rubber purse: Alchemy Goods

I’m on track to wear these flats a lot too. I bought them at the vegan bloggers conference I went to in May and I’ve worn them a lot already. In fact, they’re coming with me to New York. They’re the perfect city walking shoe.

seated

The shoes are from Compassionate Couture, an all-vegan, eco-friendly online shop (I had the pleasure of meeting the founders at the conference).

thrifty outfit

As luck would have it, Compassionate Couture is having a sample sale right now. So if you’re in the mood for a cute bag, belt or pair of shoes, now’s the time to shop!

I’ve joined Style Elixir today. Check out what everyone else is wearing today!

Sample Sale Image

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Filed under Ethical, Events, Fashion, Thrifty

The Dee Dees and Hell’s Belles at Neumos

Last weekend I went to a show at a club in Seattle called Neumos. It’s a great venue with a constant lineup of excellent musicians. The show I saw was no exception.

My friend Kirsten was in the Dee Dees, an all-female Ramones cover band.

Kirsten rocking out

They were great! The Dee Dees got the crowd hopping and singing along to familiar songs like 53rd and 3rd, Beat on the Brat, and I Wanna Be Sedated.

The Dee Dee's

Dee Dees

I loved it! I sang along, and I was really impressed with all the musicians in the band, the energy they brought to the club, and the response from the audience.

lead singer

the bassist

The second band, Hell’s Belles, is a local favorite. I’d seen them before and I know they have a big following in Seattle. They’re an all female AC/DC tribute band and even Angus Young knows of them!

Hell's Belles

Thy didn’t disappoint. They’re tight, talented, and have a stage presence that will keep an audience engaged. The songs they covered included Thunderstruck, Problem Child, and Back in Black. The lead singer pointed the mic at audience members on occasion so they could join in and sing the lyrics.

Hell's Belles

She also prove to be multitalented, at one point singing into a hand-held mic while autographing a poster to a guy in the front row.

rhythm guitarist

There have been a few members rotate through Hell’s Belles but the lead guitarist is a constant. She delivers an impressive and energetic performance and work the crowd. She spends every moment running around the stage, head banging and flinging her blonde dreads around, and giving everyone their money’s worth. Not to mention she has mad guitar skills!

lead guitarist

If you ever have a chance to see the Dee Dees or Hell’s Belles, don’t pass it up. You’ll be in for a very rock ‘n’ roll good time!

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Filed under Events, Feminism, Music

Building Castles in the Sand

One of the highlights of my recent trip to Savannah was going to the north beach on nearby Tybee Island and checking out a sand sculpture competition.

SCAD hive

The competition was part of the Sand Arts Festival and participants were all student from SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design. SCAD is a big part of the Savannah landscape, with buildings, shops and art peppered through the city. Savannah is a beautiful place and the college enriches it even further, adding another layer of culture.

sand bee

It’s was really hard to pick my top sculptures. I took a lot of photos, and a few things stood out. This life-sized merman takes the cake! I wasn’t the only one who thought so. It took first place in the sand sculpture category.

merman

I have a feeling that mermaids have a higher standard to live up to and, just like us people, the mermen can get away with being a little soft. At least he’s buoyant!

PBR on the belly

Using the natural environment and creating a realistic sand mold was a good move. I liked this guy. He was so big that if he were real, he’d have been able to pull me right in!

mole

What a croc! No really, he was quite something. It’s easy to forget that those sharp teeth are made of sand. It’s such a tricky medium, but the sculptors executed their designs flawlessly.

croc

Speaking of dangerous critters, look at the teeth on this one! I think it’s an angler fish.

toothy fish

This sand chicken is sitting on her nest of sticks and twigs found on the beach. Her beak, comb/wattle, and feathers are color-coordinated shells from the beach. Love the mixed media in this sculpture!

sand chicken

The students had only a few hours to complete their masterpieces before professors and SCAD staff judged the entries. I was amazed by this dino/seamonster/dragon.

dino

Speaking of dinosaurs, look what this group unearthed. At least it looks like an excavated dinosaur skeleton. It’s really just a fantastic example of relief work. That’s probably why it got first place in the sand relief category.

dino fossil

I liked this one. He looks so sad though.

sad guy

I really enjoyed the competition. These pictures are all that remains though. My nightfall, the tide and winds probably took them all away. So fleeting.

castle

The beach was a beautiful place. I liked how close to the water, the sand gave way to broken shells.

shells on th ebeach

The pretty birds running along the beach reminded me why it’s good to get away. It’s easy to forget everyday worries when you’re at the ocean.

sea birds

Have you ever been to a sand castle competition?

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Filed under Art, Events, Photography, Travel

Street Style: Gala for the Chimps

One of the highlights of Vida Vegan Con was the gala and silent auction many of us attended on the Saturday evening, smack in the middle of the conference. The gala was an even that raised money for Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, a home for chimps saved from the biomedical industry.

One of the highlights of the gala was seeing everyone dressed so stylishly. I snapped a few pictures. It’s just a sampling of the people in attendance. I wish I could have documented them all.

First I stopped this lovely couple on their way into the event. They aren’t bloggers but they’re friends of bloggers and supporters of the chimp sanctuary. I love her strapless dress, sparkly shoes, and the adorable bow on her belt. His shirt and tie combo is fantastic (nice pattern mixing), and so are his slim-cut trousers and low-profile shoes. cute couple Next I stopped Taylor from Tacoma who writes Hot Piece of Class. She also had sparkly shoes and a skinny gold belt (I see a theme) but her look was completely different. She looked great throughout the conference and I wish I’d gotten more pictures of her. Taylor Rebecca, the next woman I stopped, was just as stylish. Her neutral outfit set off with wine colored tights and a blue cardigan. You can tell by people’s outfits that spring evenings in Portland are cool. Luckily the people are cooler! Taylor's friend I was so enamored with those gray booties that I snapped a close-up of them, along with a yellow pair of heels someone had on. Both are wedges but they’re nothing alike. Proof that there’s a huge variety of wedges out there. They both look comfortable, stable, and stylish. wedges The person wearing those cute yellow wedges was looking stylish from the ankles up too. She had on a great faux-leather jacket and skinnies. After I took her picture she pointed out that her collar isn’t part of a shirt, but rather a collar necklace. What a great way to change up an outfit! faux leather jacket Meet Joe and Sadie, the stars of The Intrepid Herbivores, a vegan TV show about travel and food. Their show is fun and funny and is a great way to learn about how to travel vegan-style. Check out their site, “like” them on Facebook, and look for them on TV in the near future. I just saw a screening of their pilot and I can’t wait for more.

Oh, and don’t they look great? Sadie managed to match her scarf to her hair (possibly a coincidence). If I had a utility belt purse like hers it would have saved me from juggling my clutch, camera and glass of wine. Joe made his look unique with a utilikilt and combat boots. Intrepid Herbivores I approached Staci and Justin as they basked in the warm glow of a heat lamp. They’re another example of two people who look fabulous on their own but together really turn heads. I love the statement necklace Staci chose and her bold combination of gray and orange. Justin has a monochromatic look with a great tie. He let his style shine through with the checkered Vans. Justin and Staci Staci was nice enough to get in touch with me after the gala. She sent me a couple of other pictures that really show off her look. She’s not a blogger, but she could be. She knows how bloggers like to list brands so she sent me a list. Her dress is H&M, her shoes are Madden Girl, and the necklace is from Nordstrom. Justin is wearing a Van Heusen shirt and tie, Dockers, and Vans. Both of them prove that you can look like a million without spending it. Staci and Justin I stopped one last group at the gala. They all had such great style! I need to find the blog for the woman on the left in the elegant halter dress. Next to her, in the slinky, one-shouldered dress, is Sarah of Bentoriffic. Sharon, in the tomato-red and black ensemble is half of Big City Vegan, a site she runs with her sister. Finally, with the amazing purple flower in her hair and black lace overlay dress, is the one and only Super Diva (AKA Dawn). They all have great stories to share and I encourage you to check out their blogs.Fab four

They also were nice enough to remind me that no one had taken my picture. Dawn offered. Thank you Dawn! I’ve had this dress for a few years but it hasn’t made it to my blog until now. I got it at Fashion Crimes in Toronto. My Shoes are by Hot Lips and my empty cage necklace (perfect for the occasion) is from The Sapphire Bee.

three bloggers

After that last photo, I hit the bar, the vegan sundae line, and the dance floor. Even bloggers need to clock out sometimes and just have some fun.

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Filed under Ethical, Events, Fashion, Street Style, Thrifty

Red Wedges for the Conference

I’m usually a light packer. Carry-on restrictions force me to edit my travel wardrobe. But this past weekend I didn’t have as many limitations. I drove to Portland for a vegan bloggers conference. I might have packed five pair of shoes but I’m not admitting to anything!

stripes and khaki

Top: Swapped
Pants: Swapped
Shoes: Payless
Necklace: The Vegan Woman
Bracelets: Boutique on Bainbridge Island
Tote: NARN

Part of my wardrobe dilemma was weather. Rain, sun, warm days, cool nights. It’s hard to pack for all that. I packed heels for a gala, flats to go with my capris, boots for rainy days and well, the wedges were not at all necessary, but I like them.

neutrals and red

In the end, instead of packing “outfits,” I packed various items that all went together so I could assemble them on the day of, depending on the weather. A tank top, t-shirt, cardigan, and light sweater covered the bases for my tops. Jeans capris, cargo pants, and a maxi skirt gave me variety for the bottoms. A denim jacket was the perfect evening piece and worked with everything but my jeans (that’s just too much denim!).

I wore my new “vegan” necklace too (and packed a cute empty cage necklace by The Sapphire Bee). I thought they were a good fit for the theme of the conference.

vegan necklace

You can read about the pre-conference (my first day in Portland) on my other blog. I had great luck with airbnb, and I found cute shops and vegan bars. What’s not to love?

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Filed under Dress Up Dress Down, Events, Fashion, Thrifty, Travel

On Top of the World

My parents visited us a few months ago. When they left to go home, hubby and I sent them off in style–with dinner at the revolving restaurant at the top of the Space Needle.

observation deck

Jacket: Wish
Top: Forever 21
Skirt: Target
Shoes: Louboutin via consignment
Tights: Target
Purse: Target
Belt: Ross Dress for Less

We arrived at dusk so we could see both the daylight and nighttime views from the observation deck before our reservations.

dusk

night

Getting to the top is a breeze if you make dinner reservations. They’ll waive the cost of the trip up–and whisk you to the front of the elevator line. Like a VIP!

mom and jean

purple and blue

My mom also blogged about the event, where you can see the dress she borrowed and read about the meal we ate.

dinner outfit

The restaurant is a lot of fun. A full rotation takes a bit under an hour (so you’ll be sure to see the view from all sides during you meal). You’ll get to see the city, the Cascade Mountains to the East, Puget Sound, and the Olympic mountains to the west.

textures

I’m linking up to Anything & Everything hosted by The Sapphire Bee and My Thrifty Chic. Check out what everyone else is up to!

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Filed under Events, Fashion, Thrifty

Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses

I thought the anniversary of Kurt Cobain’s death would be a good time to share my photos from the Nirvana exhibit I recently saw at EMP (Experience Music Project). It’s technically April 6th now, but when I woke up it was the 5th–my day isn’t over yet. I’ve been listening to the band today, and these images bring extra meaning to the music.

Rolling Stone magazine

In the early 90s, the grunge scene exploded and put Seattle on the map. Even back in Canada, at the University of Waterloo, I’d heard about all the great bands coming out of the Pacific Northwest: Alice in Chains, Screaming Trees, Melvins, Mudhoney, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and of course, Nirvana.

Spin magazine

In this era of Facebook, Twitter, and texting, it’s east to forget that getting the word out there was more grassroots in the 90s. Here’s a collage of handmade concert posters to show the way it used to be done.

concert posters

Looking at the exhibit was a total experience. The whole time I was there I heard seemingly random notes pinging and popping over the sound system. Then I read that I was listening to “a quadrophonic serial deconstruction of the signature two-bar riff from Come as You Are.” Loved it! It didn’t sound like rock music, but it paralleled the deconstructed exhibit.

I looked at videos and mementos, sound equipment and instruments, and reminisced on the Seattle Scene (as grunge music was often called).

guitars

The life-sized, black and white photos of Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Grohl seemed frozen in time.

drums

It was a bittersweet event. For me, the energy of the movement was lost and it seemed like a mournful event, not a celebration. These guys belong on a stage, not a museum. But I’m glad I saw it. The exhibit ends soon so go if you have a chance. It’s a good way to relive your youth or get a glimpse into a scene you may have missed.

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Filed under Events, Music

Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour

A couple of months ago a friend of mine organized a wine tasting trip to Woodinville, a small town outside of Seattle. There were a dozen of us so he rented a bus and hired a driver.

hub cap

Washington State grows excellent grapes and we were in for a treat. Most of the grapes are grown in the eastern part of the state, but Woodinville is a lot closer and despite its small population, has over 40 tasting rooms! We chose five: Airfield Estates Winery, J&M Cellars, Kestrel Winery, Des Voigne Cellars, and Paterson Cellars.

I liked seeing how the wine was aged. Some places use oak barrels while others use metal vats. Seeing the grapes before they were crushed was neat too. The hosts at each winery made the tasting rooms really special.

wine collage

We had great weather so it was fun to wander the grounds and check out the operations.

barrels

whites grapes

Needless to say, I bought a bottle of wine at each tasting room.

wines

And what does one wear to a wine tasting tour? Well, I wore jeans and a t-shirt and layered on a blazer. I wore fun pumps with a mid-heel and carried a pink, velvet hobo bag.

wine outfit

pink purse

Top: Target
Blazer: Smart Set via Goodwill
Jeans: Jessica Simpson via swapped
Shoes: Lulu’s
Bag: Swapped
Earrings: Cost Plus World Market

green shoes

Have you been on a wine tasting tour before? I highly recommend it!

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Filed under Events, Fashion, Thrifty