Summer Bucket List: Coney Island!

Summer fun continues, friends! I'm making good progress on my bucket list, but all the fun means I'm behind on my blogging. So while I crossed something else off the list today, let's backtrack to last Friday, when some of my friends joined me on a Coney Island adventure.

Unlike many people, I suppose, I actually love the beach in almost any weather. Of course, it's nice when it's hot, and you can go in the water. I also love it in the late fall, when it's sort of cold and gloomy. Last Friday was unseasonably cool and cloudy, but it meant we had the beach all to ourselves. I'm telling you-- just put on a sweatshirt and you'll have a great day.

Of course, there are many other fun things to do at Coney Island, including going out on the pier, seeing the Brooklyn Cyclones play, and hanging out at Luna Park and riding the Cyclone. We mostly stuck to the beach, but I hope to go back later in the summer to see the Cyclones play, so hopefully I can get some rides in then as well.

Sarit's Instagram Masterpiece

There's something really beautiful about the beach on a cloudy day, I think. And it means you get to spend as many tries as possible to get a picture of yourself jumping in the air without anyone getting in the way, so that's always a win.

The beautiful view from the pier

Coney Island, guys. The 50s live on, in the best way possible. Where do you like to go for kitschy fun?

What I'm wearing: Esprit sweatshirt (super old), GAP long sleeved shirt (similar here), Lucky Brand jeans via TJ Maxx, chacos (not shown, because who wears shoes on the beach?)

The Giant Fail: Stitch Fix Review June 2015

Oh Stitch Fix, why do you do this to me? You send me amazing fixes on the odd numbers, and then terrible ones on the evens. What's that about? Suffice it to say that fix #6 was not a success. Ladies and gentlemen (because I know you're out there), we have our first 0/5 fix. Sad Rachel.

(For info about how Stitch Fix works, see my earlier post here.)

I asked Alison to style me again this time, and asked for things that are color, and things that are work-appropriate. While I mostly get where she was going, there were a couple of exceptions where I sort of wondered, what was she thinking? But it was a fail. Let's take a look.

My styling card! Good, but only in theory.

My total would have been $227.50 if I had kept everything. 

Skies are Blue Winston Button Down Blouse in Green-- $28.00

This shirt looked good until I put it on. And then... not so much. First of all, the material was super scratchy. Second, it looked like a maternity shirt-- not what you want to see when you are tiny on top and sort of bottom heavy. (Believe it or not, it looks better in the pics than in real life. It was not pretty.)

Also, it seemed to be shorter in the back than in the front. What's what about? Is that for hiding a second person underneath?
I googled around to find how other people wore this, and everyone had the same complaint as me. Also, the price for others was higher, so I wonder if everyone returns this, so they discounted it to try to get rid of it? Well, Stitch Fix, you won't fool me! Nice try.
Status: Return

Fun2Fun Binder Tie Neck Top in Pink-- $48

This shirt was the most promising in the bunch. I really liked the concept and it was super soft. But then there were some problems.

                                                    

First, the arms had elastic that was SO TIGHT. Like, cutting off my circulation tight. I know that my arms are a little out of proportion in size based on the rest of my body, but this was really ridiculous.

Second, it reminded me a lot of the shirt I got in Fix #3. I love that shirt, but I definitely don't need two of them.
Third, while it fit around the hips, it was too loose on top-- I could tell I would have to keep adjusting it to stop my tank top from showing.
Finally, the material didn't look so nice up close. If I'm going to spend $48 on a shirt, I need it to look a little more high quality
Status: Returned

Street Level Morris Braided Handle Tote in Blue-- $78

In theory, I could have gotten behind this bag. I liked the color. But then I held it up and it was HUGE. Even bigger than my backpack. Not being a mom, if I don't have said backpack, I have no reason to carry this much stuff.

Also, the bag smelled sort of funny. It probably would have gone away, but for $78, I can't deal with a smell. In fact, I'm not sure there's much that can get me behind a $78 bag, but it would certainly have to be love, and this was not.

It did have a messenger strap, which was cool. Oh well. Good bye, bag.

Status: Return

Level 99 Patrick Cropped Chino Pants in Light Blue-- $88

Not much to say. Unflattering in the thighs. Impractical (too casual for work, too much like other things i have for weekends.) Color that stains easily. Super expensive for casual pants. No thank you.

Status: Return

La Made Ida Striped Shirt Dress in Navy-- $98

 I saved the worst for last. Oh, this dress. Sooooo bad. First of all, it is basically a glorified beach cover-up, and who spends $98 on a beach cover up? Second, this is NOT a shape that works for the pear shaped among us. It hugged my thighs like crazy. Why would you give a dress in this silhouette to a bottom heavy person? Makes no sense. In case you're wondering why there are no pics of me wearing it, it's because I looked 5 months pregnant, and even I have limits.

Also, the fabric was much flimsier than it should have been for the price. I assume that it was sent to me because I pinned a bunch of striped dresses, but they were all with a full skirt. This is the opposite of that. BAD. Good bye, terrible dress. You will not make me feel bad about myself anymore.

Status: Returned

I confess that it was sad to get this bad of a box during the spending freeze, when I have extra money around. Perhaps this was my punishment for getting a box during the freeze? Could be...

So you might be thinking, wow Rachel, that's a massive fail. Are you done with Stitch Fix? Nope! Of all of my bad fixes, this is the one that was most on target. There was nothing in here where I thought, Why on earth was this sent to me? It was the right idea, but then very off. Also, it's still so exciting when my box comes. And remember-- it's only clothing! A bad box is not the end of the world. So let's keep on keeping on.

Are you ready to order your own Stitch Fix???

Black and White (but Sadly, Not Cookies.)

A few days ago, Sarit and I had a conversation that went like this:

Me: My toenail fell off. It's gross. And I think I probably can't run because I'm not sure I can wear closed-toe shoes.
Sarit: Oh, you can use the time to update the blog!

Sarit, this one is for you.

It doesn't happen very often in my price point, but every so often, you find something so beautiful that it requires no embellishment. This skirt, from Boden (of course), fits into that category perfectly.

Yup. Pockets. It just keeps getting better.

As you can see in the detail shot below, the skirt has an overlay that is neither quite lace nor quite crochet. It has soft pleats and pockets, and has the benefit of being super comfortable. Its only downside is that it is sort of see-through, but I am willing to wear a slip to own such beauty.

I actually originally tried it on with my red peep-toe heels, but I was delighted to discover that it actually looked better with black flat sandals. The skirt itself is such a statement piece that everything else in my outfit was best served by giving the skirt attention, rather than pulling away. I never say no to cases where flats look better than heels. I'm sure there's more to be done with this skirt, but for now, I loved the stark contrast of black and white.

Do you have anything special that speaks for itself? How do you style it?

What I'm wearing: Boden skirt (ordered in long and still just to the knee), Kosher Casual top, b.o.c. sandals (similar here)

Summer Bucket List: Walking in the Rain

The weather here this year has been crazy. We had a week of psycho heat and humidity, followed by a week where I should have been wearing tights, but instead chose to freeze because it was June and after a certain point, enough is enough.

Unlike some others, I actually don't mind being outside in the rain. In the movies, rain is usually used to either show that something sad is happening, or that there is a giant romantic gesture coming. However, remember how when we were kids, rain was just FUN? Jumping in puddles, getting super, wet, etc. It's time to bring that back.

Last Sunday, it was raining, so I decided to knock another item off the summer bucket list and go for a walk. If I'm wearing the right shoes (in this case, my Chacos) and I don't have my laptop, I find being in the rain pretty enjoyable. I should have worn a hat to protect my glasses, but getting wet isn't so bad if you know you're headed home after.

This time, Mother Nature said, Ok Rachel, challenge accepted. When I set out, it was raining lightly, but not hard enough for me to put up an umbrella. And then the skies opened up. It was not raining, so much as there was a giant showerhead in the sky dumping down buckets and buckets of water. I hung out under an underpass for a while, but then decided to set out anyway. And you know what? I was super wet, but it was sort of fun!

The best shoes for rain

I think the random gentlemen who took my picture thought I was sort of nuts, but it's all good. And in case you don't believe me that it was pouring, take a look at these shots:

Does this not look like some sort of ghost ship? Creepy!

Today is shaping up to be a beautiful day, so it's time to stop blogging and go outside. Have a great Sunday, friends!

What I'm wearing: Lucky Brand top, Downeast Basics cami, Old Navy cropped khakis, Chaco sandals, Goody head wrap, and one super hardcore umbrella.

Mazels to Mama!

As you might remember if you memorize everything I write about on the blog, my mom retired last Friday! She has been working very hard and full time ever since she finished business school many moons ago, and now she is going to take a much-deserved break (slash fun summer with Leo) while she decides on her next steps.

On Monday night, her co-workers threw her a lovely retirement cocktail party in a club room on the 51st floor above Columbus Circle. It was a rainy night, but as you can sort of see in the pictures, the view was still beautiful.

This skirt is a favorite of mine, one of the only times that I've been swayed by a commercial to buy something (at least consciously.) I saw it in an ad for White House Black Market and just needed to own it. It has three of my favorite P-things: pockets, pleats, and polka dots. It also has a fun vintage-y feel, and is interesting enough that it doesn't require much embellishment.

The lady of the evening!

I didn't get to eat the cake, but it sure looked beautiful!

All in all, it was a lovely evening. I am not convinced that my mom is going to be able to stay fully retired for long, but she certainly deserves to have some fun and relax a bit. And it was great to see that her co-workers appreciate her almost as much as we in her family do.

Pretty even in the rain!

So let's raise a (metaphorical) glass to my mom, one of the hardest workers and nicest people I know. To the next stage! Mazel tov!

What I'm wearing: White House Black Market skirt (sold out), J.Crew cardigan, Kosher Casual shell, Me Too flats (similar here)
What my mom is wearing: Head to toe Stitch Fix! Emer Pants and Skies are Blue crocheted top
(see more here and sign up for your own fix here!)

Summer Bucket List: Outside Shakespeare!

Happy June, friends! June is a big month for my family. My older sister and her family are moving back to New York, my younger sister is moving into my building, and today marks the official first day of my mom's retirement. Yay for good things!

If I were more of a "normal" person, I would make to-do lists of things I didn't want to do but had to, and I would not have to remind myself to have fun. However, I somehow lost that lesson along the way, and so sometimes need to remind myself to work a little less and play a little more. The summer is an especially important time to do this, when the weather is (theoretically) good and free things to do abound. And so I present to you the first post in this series: the Summer Bucket List.

The list!

As you can see, my list really runs the gamut. The only thing all of the items on the list have in common is that they take place outside. As you can see, so far I have crossed two things off the list. So I am off to a good start!

One of my favorite New York summer traditions is Shakespeare in the Park. Every summer, the Public Theater puts on two productions, at least one of which is Shakespeare, in Central Park. The tickets are free, but you have to wait in line to get them, sometimes starting early in the morning. Then, at 12:30, everyone in line can have up to two tickets. I've waited many times, and it's a fun part of the experience, but this summer I'm teaching in the mornings, so I didn't think I would be able to see a play unless someone decided to share their tickets with me.

To be or not to be-- that is the question.

In a stroke of bad/ good luck, I had to go to the dentist on Thursday. I needed a crown, which was very painful both physically and financially. As I walked back home through the park in the 80-something percent humidity, I was busy feeling sorry for myself when I saw that Shakespeare in the Park had begun for the season, but the sold out sign wasn't up yet. Telling myself that there was no way there were still tickets, since it was already 3:30, I went up the box office and.... lucky Rachel! Hurrah! Another kind soul go me two more, so I got to see the Tempest with my sister Sarah and my friends Sarah and Avi. I have to say, the Tempest is super weird and also really racist, but the acting was great and the experience was so much fun that I didn't even care.

One thing to know about Shakespeare in the Park is that, because it starts as the sun goes down and is right next to a pond, there is a high mosquito risk. However, it was also very hot. So I wore cropped khakis and a super lightweight tunic to try to get coverage without melting to death. And it worked! I am still in my non-melted state, and bug bite free. Yay!

The stage, with Belvedere Castle in the background

Romeo and Juliet

What's on your summer bucket list?

What I'm wearing: GAP Factory tunic (similar here), Downeast Basics cami, GAP khakis, H&M head wrap, Bare Traps sandals (similar here)