Tag Archives: Ralph Lauren

Comfort Zone

#saksfifthavenue cashmere sweater #ralphlauren skirt #ragandbone boots
#theory sweater #bcbgmaxazria leggings #rebeccaminkoff boots

Here I am back in black – it is a comfort zone. And I have so many separates to mix and match! I love the way it feels to know who I am and what I love. I love ruffles and puff sleeves, embroidery, leather, silk and velvet! <3

#frame leather shirt #theory leather skirt #ragandbone boots
#tashkovski bracelet #faithfullthebrand top #trinaturk skirt #ragandbone skirt
#rebeccataylor leather top #allsaints silk skirt #marcjacobs boots
#saksfifthavenue cashmere sweater #aliceandolivia silk skirt #marcjacobs boots

Happiness Factor

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Chan Luu choker, Free People cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria dress, Hue tights, Coach booties

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Free People top, Bailey 44 skirt, Karl Lagerfeld Paris boots

Here are my latest outfits of the day.  My colleague Katy and I have so much fun at work.  It is a joy to be there!  We are working on a project together – a presentation for our peers that will take place during the Superintendent’s Conference Day on Friday.  Each time we finish another sample of the activity we share them with each other and get really happy and giddy.

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BCBGMaxAzria top, Banana Republic skirt, BCBGeneration booties

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Chan Luu choker, BerkleyCashmere cardigan, Rachel Roy top, Banana Republic pants, Nine West booties

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Banana Republic cardigan and top, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, Ugg boots

That happiness is reflected in these pictures, I think.  I am very relaxed in front of the camera because I am inside-out happy.  My life is just really fun.  I am grateful for my job, my colleagues and students, family and friends, and for art, fashion, music, good times…and Jif natural crunchy peanut butter…. <3

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Banana Republic top and skirt, Ralph Lauren boots

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BCBGMaxAzria dress, Karl Lagerfeld boots

BCBGMaxAzria selected a couple of pictures of me to share with their Facebook audience. They were plucked from my Instagram account via the hashtag (#) BCBGmoment.  So exciting!  And satisfies my childhood fantasy of being a fashion model, lol.

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Baublebar choker, Free People top, Trina Turk skirt, Nine West boots

I started taking piano lessons!  I can play rudimentary versions of five songs!  Next up singing lessons, and maybe, eventually, I will be fearless enough to do an open mic night somewhere.  Nothing’s impossible when you have the happiness factor on your side. 🙂

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Banana Republic top, Free People top, BCBGMaxAzria skirt, Hue tights, Nine West booties

The Perfect Cardigan

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Free People cardigan, Trina Turk dress, Hue tights, Nine West booties

I am all about the cardigan at work.  Kind of a Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood thing, lol. I dress in layers and the sweater comes off pretty quickly. We have been running the kiln, so, it has been toasty in the classroom.  I’m always donning multiple smocks in order to not sustain paint, Mod-Podge, plaster, clay, oil pastel or the-like messes on my clothing.  It is a messy job, but I am doing my best to keep it fashionable.  I love clothes.  Love fashion!!!!!

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Banana Republic cardigan, Free People top, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, Nine West booties

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BCBGMaxAzria cardigan and top, Trina Turk leather skirt, Hue tights, Nine West booties

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Honora necklace, Banana Republic cashmere cardigan, Bailey 44 top BCBGMaxAzria pants, BCBGeneration booties

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Banana Republic cashmere cardigan, Free People top, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, Ralph Lauren boots

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JCrew cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria top, Banana Republic velvet pants, Nine West booties

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Banana Republic cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria top, Trina Turk pants, Nine West booties

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Michelle DaRin Jewelry bracelets, JCrew cardigan, Banana Republic T-shirt and skirt, Hue tights, Nine West booties

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Free People cardigan and top, Bailey 44 skirt, Nine West booties

Classroom Tashionista

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JCrew blazer, BCBG Max Azria top and pants, BCBG Generation sandals

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Lucky Brand top, BCBG Max Azria pants, BCBG Generation sandals

Here are my most recent #ootd pictures.  I am grateful for Katy Conden, my fellow art teacher, work colleague and all around bestie who has been taking such good pictures with my Samsung Galaxy 6.  She makes it so fun to vogue it up every morning.

I am getting my hair done more frequently these days.  Amanda LaDue at Miracles in Fayetteville, NY is a true miracle worker.  She has single-handedly transformed my look.  The other day one of my work colleagues told me that I look younger now than I did ten years ago when we first started working at the middle school together!  That is so sweet!

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Banana Republic cardigan vest, Bailey 44 top, INC pants, Nine West sandals

It is such a thrill to get such positive responses on Facebook and on Instagram as well, where a lot of other fashion bloggers are giving me kudos, most notably the local fashion sylist, Jackie Terribile (@thesmalltownstylist)  She is a friend of my little sister.  Jackie blogs about the Syracuse fashion scene and does some guest hosting on a local morning show.

I am a lot older than the typical fashion blogger so, yes, it is all so flattering and wonderful.  I am empowered by Madonna’s statement about her Met Gala outfit and the idea that age should not even be relevant when it comes to fashion, beauty and all that.

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Coach headband, Lord & Taylor cardigan, BCBG Max Azria top, Banana Republic skirt, Nine West boots

The above picture was taken by Roberta Mou, the Home & Careers teacher (when Katy was absent one day).  Note the kitchen background.  I am never normally in a kitchen, lol.  I never cook except to make cupcakes once and a while for the art talks we have at school.

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BCBG Max Azria dress, Ralph Lauren boots, Fossil bracelets

I wore this white dress on a day I was demonstrating an India Ink lesson!  I wore two smocks.  In my defense, I love this dress and I can’t just stare at it in my closet and not wear it once and a while.  I am going to an event at the end of the month that has a dress code – resort casual – and this dress is perfect except for the color.  It is literally never appropriate to wear white to anything wedding-related unless you are the bride.

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Honora necklace, BCBG Max Azria T-shirt, knit top and leggings, Ralph Lauren boots

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Vintage necklace, JCrew cardigan, Bailey 44 top, Calvin Klein jeans, Nine West sandals

Nine West asked to repost the above picture on their website and on their Instagram account.  Those sandals are my most recent purchase.  They are so comfortable.  They come in two other colors – emerald green is one of them.  They have a zipper in back and a gladiator style lace-up in front.  I love the support this style offers!

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Free People cardigan, Trina Turk top and pants, Nine West sandals

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Vintage necklace, BCBG Max Azria dress, Nine West booties

The beaded cross necklace – my mother got it from the Indian Village at the New York State Fair in the 1940s.  I am in love with it!  I built many of my outfits in the past two weeks around this blue, gray, beige and gold color scheme.

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BCBG Max Azria T-shirt, Lucky Brand top, 7 For All Mankind jeans, Nine West booties

Now that the school fair is over, it is pretty much smooth sailing until the end of the school year.  Hopefully, the backgrounds in my #ootd pictures will improve, meaning I will start cleaning the room and putting away unnecessary supplies.  (Sure I will.)  And then before we know it, it will be summer vacation!

Yeah, I guess I am not a typical fifty-something, lol.  No cooking or cleaning, but a big yes to a stress-free aesthetic in four-inch heels.

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Free People cardigan, BCBG Max Azria dress and belt, Calvin Kliein jeans, BCBG Generation sandals

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Michelle DaRin jewelry bracelet, BCBG Max Azria top and pants, BCBG Generation booties

Neutrality is a Cool Cat

I guess I feel most comfortable wearing neutral colors – black, white, gray, beige, navy blue….

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Banana Republic turtleneck sweater, BCBG Max Azria leggings, Ralph Lauren boots

People keep making comments to me about my wardrobe – that it seems unlimited, that my closet must be colossal, et cetera.

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Lord & Taylor cashmere cardigan, Banana Republic leather top, Trina Turk leather skirt BCBG Generation booties

It is an illusion, I think, because I have repeated a lot of separates, although I try to mix things up enough in order to create new looks.  And I have to admit, this is a lot easier when you stick with neutrals.

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Coach headband, BlackBrown1826 cashmere sweater, Bailey 44 top (underneath), BCBG Max Azria pants, Nine West booties

One of my friends wants me to be her stylist and while I love fashion, I cannot see myself as someone else’s personal shopper.  Fashion reflects one’s personality, of course, but as well as I know her, I can’t be limited by a budget.  If I desire something, I don’t stop until I get it.  I know that other people, my friend included, do not generally live by that creed.

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Bailey 44 top, BCBG Max Azria skirt, Nine West boots

Case in point – I just bought two evening dresses – a gown and a cocktail dress – for upcoming events (a BCBG Max Azria and  a Jill Jill Stuart!).

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They were in the $300 price point range.  So…I will be driving to work on fumes for three more days.  I have also lost three pounds, lol, no food in the house.  No biggie.  Everything always ends up working out for the best.

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The Limited silk scarf, Banana Republic dress, Steve Madden boots

KEY, 30X30, 2000 (300x300)
Karen Tashkovski, Key, 30″ x 30″, 2000, oil, latex & collage, $825

Hey – if I sell every “cat” painting I brought to the Summit Medical Group art exhibit (in the Lawrence Pavilion Lower Lobby Gallery) in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, I will make $11,800 less a 10% donation to that local animal care charity.

WING, 30X30, 2000 (298x300)
Karen Tashkovski, Wing, 30″ x 30″, 2000, oil, latex & collage, $825

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BCBG Max Azria cardigan and T-shirt, Banana Republic pants, Nine West booties

That’s enough to buy at least a few more clothes.  That show starts April 25, 2016.  It is open to the public – my favorite type of art show – a captive audience, people who may not seek out art venues but are at the offices for other reasons.  It’s my bread and butter (ha ha – figuratively.  You know I don’t eat bread or dairy).

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The opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, May 5th, 2016 from 5:00-8:00 pm.  Summit Medical Group is located at 1 Diamond Hill Road, Lawrence Pavilion, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey 07922.  Call (908) 277-8806 for more information.

Freedom of Choice

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Warner Bros. Harry Potter top, Banana Republic skirt, Nine West boots

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Free People sweater, BCBG Max Azria top and T-shirt, Trina Turk pants, Coach booties

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Just got home from an amazing business/fun trip to Jersey City, NJ. Now I am in my PJs with my cat on my heart thinking about what I will wear to work tomorrow.

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Banana Republic skirt and suede top, Ralph Lauren boots

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BCBG Max Azria top and pants,BCBG Generation sandals

Here are my looks from the past couple of weeks.

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Michelle DaRin jewelry, Trina Turk dress, Nine West boots

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Banana Republic suit, Syracuse University T-shirt (from Target) Nine West booties

The weather is getting warmer here but for a while it will be darker and probably colder in the mornings because of Daylight Savings Time.

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Michelle DaRin jewelry, BCBG Max Azria dress, Nine West boots

My new Michelle DaRin choker is currently in heavy rotation, lol. I have been wearing a lot of pink because of it.

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BCBG Max Azria cardigan and pants, Bailey 44 top, BCBG Generation booties

All of my clay projects are drying and the 5th grade wood sculptures are glued (will need to put all the boxes away!). Am going to be doing some painting in some classes starting tomorrow, so I will need to compensate by wearing short sleeves.

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Michelle DaRin choker, Banana Republic cardigan, BCBG Max Azria top and leggings, Ralph Lauren boots

Hmm…what to wear…what to wear??????

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J Crew cardigan, BCBG Max Azria dress and T-shirt, 7 For All Mankind jeans, Nine West booties

 

Techno Fashion Glitch

Lucky Brand jacket, Warner Bros. Hogwarts T-shirt, Trina Turk skirt, Nine West booties
Lucky Brand jacket, Warner Bros. Hogwarts T-shirt, Trina Turk skirt, Nine West booties

Honora necklace, Banana Republic leather top, cardigan and velvet pants, BCBGGeneration booties
Honora necklace, Banana Republic leather top, cardigan and velvet pants, BCBGGeneration booties

One of the main reasons I haven’t been blogging – I was having technical difficulties with my Instagram account.  The pictures were not saving to the camera’s gallery.  I tried uninstalling the program and reinstalling it and it didn’t work until tonight.  Yeah, tonight it worked.  Weird.

Michelle DaRin jewelry, Banana Republic cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria top and skirt, Nine West boots
Michelle DaRin jewelry, Banana Republic cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria top and skirt, Nine West boots

Free People cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria T-shirt and leggings, Lucky Brand top, Ralph Lauren boots
Free People cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria T-shirt and leggings, Lucky Brand top, Ralph Lauren boots

I must be more relaxed or something – I am on vacation.  Or maybe it’s just an example of perseverence, although I had been on the verge of giving up, lol, over something so simple.

Michelle DaRin jewelry, BCBGMaxAzria dress, 7 For All Mankind jeans, Nine West booties
Michelle DaRin jewelry, BCBGMaxAzria dress, 7 For All Mankind jeans, Nine West booties

JCrew blazer, Rachel Roy top, Banana Republic skirt, Steve Madden boots
JCrew blazer, Rachel Roy top, Banana Republic skirt, Steve Madden boots

A former student asked me how he could get his creativity back.  He thinks he’s lost it, I guess.  And the truth is, no one can find it for you.  You just have to take the time to quiet your mind of all the bugs that are attacking you.

BCBGMaxAzria dress, Nine West boots
BCBGMaxAzria dress, Nine West boots

Michelle DaRin jewelry, Berkley Cashmere cardigan, Bailey 44 top, BCBGMaxAzria pants, Nine West booties
Michelle DaRin jewelry, Berkley Cashmere cardigan, Bailey 44 top, BCBGMaxAzria pants, Nine West booties

No more I’m not good enough…I can’t do this and all that junk. Believe you can do it.  Know you can.  Then think about how you will do it and just do it.

Viola top, Calvin Klein jeans, BCBGGeneration booties
Viola top, Calvin Klein jeans, BCBGGeneration booties

Lord & Taylor cashmere cardigan, Banana Republic cashmere dress, Nine West boots
Lord & Taylor cashmere cardigan, Banana Republic cashmere dress, Nine West boots

I know that some of my friends did not like hearing me say that I did not want to make new artwork until I started selling the art I have already made.  It is not that I lack creativity.  I just desired a sign from the universe that my art is leading to other great things.  It is very important to me to achieve financial success as an artist because I want to show my students that it is possible.  I mean, that is one reason.  I mean, I didn’t make over a thousand works of art for them to just be stored away forever.  That doesn’t make a lick of sense.

JCrew cardigan, Banana Republic dress, Nine West booties
JCrew cardigan, Banana Republic dress, Nine West booties

BCBGMaxAzria cardigan and dress, BCBGGeneration booties
BCBGMaxAzria cardigan and dress, BCBGGeneration booties

And then, I haven’t been doing anything to make any of it happen.  I haven’t been actively seeking venues or peddling my wares anywhere since the Natur-Tyme exhibit where I sold a handful of $5.00 cards.  So, I kind of sound like a person who does not take my own advice.

Michelle DaRin jewelry, Free People cardigan, Lucky Brand top, BCBGMaxAzria belt, Banana Republic skirt, Nine West booties
Michelle DaRin jewelry, Free People cardigan, Lucky Brand top, BCBGMaxAzria belt, Banana Republic skirt, Nine West booties

Banana Republic suit, BCBGMaxAzria top, BCBGGeneration booties
Banana Republic suit, BCBGMaxAzria top, BCBGGeneration booties

The truth is I wanted to manifest getting an art show in a passive way.  I was already doing everything I could to get myself out into the stratosphere.  I am here.  Right here.  And on Instagram and Linkedin and Facebook.  I have over 20,000 views on this blog.  I wanted someone to find me.  Someone who was looking for me and my art because they know it will sell.

Banana Republic sweater and pants, Calvin Klein belt, Nine West booties
Banana Republic sweater and pants, Calvin Klein belt, Nine West booties

Berkley Cashmere cardigan, Warner Bros. Gryffindor T-shirt, Nine West booties
Berkley Cashmere cardigan, Warner Bros. Gryffindor T-shirt, Nine West booties

Well, it finally happened.  I will give you more details as it gets closer to show time.  I was asked to be part of an art show at a medical facility in New Jersey.  The show starts some time in April with a reception on May 5th, 2016.  I will be exhibiting and selling my Dreamtime and Echolalia series paintings (it is an animal-themed show).  The curator saw my work on Linkedin.com.

Michelle DaRin jewelry, Free People cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria tank top and leggings, Ugg boots
Michelle DaRin jewelry, Free People cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria tank top and leggings, Ugg boots

Black Brown 1826 cashmere sweater, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, Ralph Lauren boots
Black Brown 1826 cashmere sweater, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, Ralph Lauren boots

Trina Turk recently replied to my comment on her picture on Instagram.  She said, Love you, too and something about wanting to be an art teacher one day!  I have the dream of meeting her one day, becoming friends and maybe even working with her – designing clothing with silk dyed to match my watercolors.

BCBGMaxAzria cardigan, top and pants, Nine West booties
BCBGMaxAzria cardigan, top and pants, Nine West booties

Bar III sweater, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, BCBGGeneration booties
Bar III sweater, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, BCBGGeneration booties

Two years ago, I wouldn’t have dreamed I would actually be interacting with her on social media.  Things can happen.  You can mold your life consciously even if you dream big.

This blog is about my community, my artwork and fashion because I have all of these other dreams.  And I think it is perfectly okay to slide your creativity around to wherever it takes you.  Who knows where it will stick?  There are bound to be more glitches along the way.  That is kind of the fun of it.  To never lose faith even when junk makes you feel like quitting.

Banana Republic sweater, Trina Turk dress, Nine West boots
Banana Republic sweater, Trina Turk dress, Nine West boots

Michelle DaRin jewelry, BCBGMaxAzria top and pants, Nine West booties
Michelle DaRin jewelry, BCBGMaxAzria top and pants, Nine West booties

I have a few more goals to achieve with the remainder of this February break.  I am buying a car, so I guess these fashion posts are going to seem redundant for a while.  While preparing the stuff for my taxes I tallied how much money I spent on clothes this past year and it was kind of a lot.  (No, I don’t deduct any of it, lol)  It would be nice if clothes were free, wouldn’t it?  Just thought I’d throw it out there if anyone is listening.  Would love to make that one stick….

Cardi Week

Someone on Linkedin.com asked me what the purpose was of a particular blog post, as if, perhaps, I appear as a scatter brain all over the place artist, like I have no purpose, maybe?  On the same day, a reader professed a non-stalker style (he assured) love for me and my personality.

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This all necessitated another one of my existential meditation quests.  Who am I, and what am I doing here?  I paint in oils with collage, paper collage, watercolors and encaustics, and have many different looks to my work – the symbology look, the abstract expressionism one….  I also like to draw realistically.

I am a visual artist who has had gallery representation in the past and is seeking it again, an artist who wants to sell my work in whatever/wherever the venue.  In this case, it is on the internet – on this blog, on shopify on redbubble and through other social media – my Facebook like page and now on Instagram.

I broke down and entered the new millennium, and purchased a smart phone.  Now I can tackle instagramming my head off, because I had read it is the place for savvy art business peeps.

I am also a person who loves fashion, something that seems to go against the rules of the starving artist.  I can’t help it.  I posted about Karen Bakke’s fashion illustrations last week and in a previous post, shared my sewing skills with costume design.

When I first started this blog, it was to share only my artwork.  Then it snowballed into the what-I-want-you-to-know-about-me more three dimensional me.  Kind of a let the chips fall where they may and by chips, I guess I mean the puzzle pieces of my persona.   I am many things and I can’t pigeonhole myself into being one person, place or thing.

Last weekend I was a judge for a juried exhibition of artwork.  It was sponsored by the local penwomen association.  I used my expertise as an art critic, something I don’t technically do when I blog about local art shows.  And I do that because I feel like you can’t just exist alone in a small city art community.  I’ve always believed that we Syracuse artists can be successful together as a team rather than going the lone wolf route.

I’m not being paid to blog, so why not blog about whatever art related topic is going on in my world or in my head, or whatever.  I love writing, and it seems like maybe that is what I’m doing here, to answer that linkedin woman’s question.

With that said, I’m really fascinated by the job of fashion blogger. That it is a job, I guess.  Something that would have appealed to me when  I was in college and still does.

Lord & Taylor cardigan, Banana Republic T, BCBGMaxAzria pants, BCBGGeneration sandals
Lord & Taylor cardigan, Banana Republic T, BCBGMaxAzria pants, BCBGGeneration sandals

Now that I am on Instagram.com (my handle is karen_tashkovski), I’ve decided to post #ootd, which stands for outfit of the day, if you don’t know the lingo.  Someone takes a picture of me so that I can post my head-to-toe fashion and in this way I am a fashion blogger too!

Free People Cardigan, Bailey 44 top, Trina Turk pants, Nine West booties
Free People Cardigan, Bailey 44 top, Trina Turk pants, Nine West booties

My favorite designer is Trina Turk.  She liked the above picture on Instagram as did shopBailey44 because I’m wearing a Bailey 44 top. Those likes totally made my life.  They really did.  Because it still fascinates me that the world has become so small that you can reach out to your favorite _______, whether it be designer, fashion house, famous artist or celebrity, and they will respond with a little red heart.

Banana Republic cardigan, Trina Turk blouse, Rachel Roy top, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, Ralph Lauren boots
Banana Republic cardigan, Trina Turk blouse, Rachel Roy top, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, Ralph Lauren boots

That positive energy blows my mind.  It is such a feel good feeling!

Free People cardigan, Trina Turk dress, Calvin Klein jeans, Nine West booties
Free People cardigan, Trina Turk dress, Calvin Klein jeans, Nine West booties

My work look is about layering.  I pretty much always top it all off with a cardigan (or blazer).  Long sleeves are difficult because my hands are in all sorts of things from clay and plaster to paint.  I’m constantly washing and drying them, so I usually remove the sweater and add an apron or smock and maybe a pencil or two behind the ear.

I worked five days straight and I can’t remember the last time that happened what with all the snow days we’ve had, the superintendent’s conference days without kids (technically still work, but you know what I mean), the bout with the flu and vacations.  I’m thinking of doing a dress or skirt week soon.  Well, as soon as it stops freaking snowing here in the ‘cuse.

Banana Republic cardigan and pants, J Crew tissue T with Champion tank underneath, BCBGGeneration booties
Banana Republic cardigan and pants, J Crew tissue T with Champion tank underneath, BCBGGeneration booties

No #ootd today.  I’m still in my pjs (Calvin Klein).