Tag Archives: Steve Madden

Playing Catch Up

img_20161120_124949
BCBGMaxAzria romper and belt, Ralph Lauren boots
img_20161101_084237
Banana Republic top and skirt, Hue tights, Nine West booties
img_20161025_084448
Lord & Taylor cashmere cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria top and leggings, Nine West booties

We had a snow day today, so… I’m playing catch up on blogging.  Here are my most recent outfits of the day.  I got paint on my new Free People tunic top and on something else – spent the day doing laundry and tidying/organizing my closet.  A lot of re-runs this post.  I went heavy on the leggings in order to go hiking right after school before it got too dark.  Along with this snowmegeddon thing, the time change screwed with my perfect world.  But then again, I only have to work one day this week – tomorrow.  That is, if this snow actually lets up.  Crazy!  What am I gonna wear?  Lol, decisions, decisions.

img_20161024_091215
Michelle DaRin jewelry, BCBGMaxAzria dress, Hue tights, NIne West booties
img_20161021_091535
BCBGMaxAzria dress, Steve Madden boots
img_20161020_094752
BCBGMaxAzria top and leggings, BCBGeneration sandals
img_20161019_085059
Michelle DaRin jewelryFree People tunic top, INC pants, Nine West sandals
img_20161018_091920
Michelle DaRin jewelry,Free People dress, BCBGeneration sandals
img_20161017_092326
Michelle DaRin jewelry, Banana Republic dress, Nine West boots
img_20161014_083923
BCBGMaxAzria top and leggings, Nine West booties
img_20161013_084942
Free People cardigan, Warner Bros. Harry Potter/Gryffindor T-shirt, Banana Republic skirt, Nine West booties
img_20161012_084912
BCBGMaxAzria top and belt, Banana Republic leather shell, Trina Turk skirt, Hue tights, Coach booties
img_20161011_090125
Trina Turk dress, Hue tights, Nine West booties
img_20161007_090305
Bailey 44 top, Calvin Klein jeans, BCBGeneration sandals
img_20161102_091652
BCBGMaxAzria tops, Banana Republic pants, BCBGeneration booties
img_20161103_094428
BCBGMaxAzria cardigan, tops, and pants, BCBGeneration booties
img_20161104_092724
JCrew blazer, Bailey 44 top, 7 For All Mankind Jeans, Nine West booties
img_20161108_084921
JCrew cardigan, Rachel Roy top, Champion leggings, Nine West booties
img_20161107_100500
Free People top, BCBGMaxAzria pants, BCBGeneration booties
img_20161109_090136
Michelle DaRin jewelry, Banana Republic cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria top and pants, Nine West booties
img_20161110_092606
BCBGMaxAzria dress and leggings, Nine West booties
img_20161115_173847
Vintage necklace, BCBGMaxAzria dress, Nine West boots
img_20161116_103241
Michelle DaRin jewelry, Trina Turk dress, Nine West booties
img_20161117_092130
Banana Republic suit, Calvin Klein belt, JCrew tissue T-shirt, BCBGeneration sandals
img_20161118_094915
Free People tunic top, BCBGMaxAzria top and leggings, Nine West booties

 

Neutrality is a Cool Cat

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

IMG_20160406_102317
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.

IMG_20160404_092956
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.

IMG_20160407_103802
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.

IMG_20160408_084503
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!).

imgres

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.

IMG_20160411_084858
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
IMG_20160412_091527
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).

20160304_094153-1

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.

#ootd on Time

IMG_20160401_102350
Trina Turk dress, Michelle DaRin bracelet, Nine West booties

Here are the outfits I wore to work from the past couple of weeks.  I donned my orange Trina Turk dress on Friday in support of Syracuse University sports (my alma mater).  The men’s and women’s basketball teams did well this year.  They both made it to the Final Four!  There was so much excitement in this town.  I watched the last three games at different venues and it has been a blast.  Last night, the crowd was disappointed with the outcome, but that energy turned into an amazing night of dancing to the live band that took the stage at Shifty’s once the game ended.

12890939_10154211509669171_1485541105168951305_o

Of course, Mother Nature took the loss a bit harder and decided to give us back our snow!

20160403_095740

How crazy is this?  It is the view from my back porch taken a minute ago.  Yes, just this morning!  Funny, because yesterday I was contemplating whether or not I would mow the lawn today….

IMG_20160324_132232
Honora necklace, JCrew cardigan, BCBG Max Azria top, T-shirt and pants, Nine West booties

My 5th graders finally finished their wood sculptures.  They are currently on display in the school library.  Next we will tackle a slab/hand built clay sculpture.  I haven’t done the lesson in ten years, which was the last time I taught 5th grade art, so that should be fun!

IMG_20160328_092701
Lord & Taylor cashmere beanie, Berkley Cashmere cardigan, Lucky Brand top, Bailey 44 skirt, Nine West booties
IMG_20160329_084940
Ann Taylor denim jacket, Bailey 44 top, Trina Turk pants, Nine West booties

My Studio in Art class is working on a mixed-media still life drawing and the rest of my 8th graders are painting their clay projects.  They have a choice of metallic paint or fluorescents.  The glow-in-the-dark element is soooo fun!  One of my students donated his black light to the classroom.  We can now check the projects in progress to see if the paint is covering well.  Thanks, Joe S.!

IMG_20160330_081551
JCrew blazer, BCBG Max Azria dress, Steve Madden boots
IMG_20160331_092441
Honora necklace, Free People cardigan, Warner Bros. Harry Potter Gryffindor T-shirt, Calvin Klein jeans and belt, BCBG Generation sandals

The end of the marking period is fast approaching, leaving only ten weeks of school for the year!  Wow.  It was about this time last year that I got my first cell phone.  Yeah, I know!  I was living under a rock for the first fifteen years of the new millennium.

IMG_20160316_083934
Coach headband, Free People cardigan, BCBG Max Azria T-shirt, Trina Turk dress, Nine West booties

Stephanie G., one of my Studio in Art students from last year, was the one who told me about #ootd (outfit of the day).  I guess you can blame her for turning me into a fashion monster, lol.

IMG_20160317_091431
Michelle DaRin jewelry, Banana Republic jacket and pants, BCBG Max Azria top, BCBG Generation sandals

But, of course, I was already coo-coo ca-ca for fashion.  It seems as though time has flown by this school year but at the same time… it seems to be standing still.  I don’t feel as though I am aging.  I actually really love the way I have finally caught up to myself.  To my dreams for myself, I mean.  Because suddenly, I’m achieving everything the real me has ever wanted.

IMG_20160318_091259
Free People cardigan, Bailey 44 top, BCBG Max Azria leggings, BCBG Generation booties

And in the process, I have found my life’s purpose.  Giving visual voice to local artists. Assisting them in any way I can to help them achieve their goals and dreams.  Offering positive energy to students – not to persuade them to have art careers necessarily, but to help them fall in love with art, with the arts.  And to believe in themselves in the way that they know they can achieve anything they want.  That they should not stop working towards a goal until either they achieve it or stop desiring it.

IMG_20160321_144842
Viola top, INC pants, BCBG Generation booties

It’s taken me a while to learn this stuff, but time hasn’t actually mattered, if that makes any sense.  This journey has been the true gift.

IMG_20160322_091427
Michelle DaRin choker, Banana Republic dress, Ralph Lauren boots
IMG_20160323_091702
BCBG Max Azria cardigan, Bailey 44 top, INC pants, Nine West booties

Okay, time to throw on the giant parka and venture out into the April sprinter (winter in spring?) wonderland on my way to a brunch date with one of my besties.  But first I need to decide what to wear….

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….

Bloggy Woggy Was a Bear

Bailey 44 top and skirt, BCBG Generation sandals
Bailey 44 top and skirt, BCBG Generation sandals

The weather is all flim-flam again.  Hot last week, cold today, rainy tomorrow.  It’s really all over the place.  So for the last two weeks, it’s been dresses and sandals or pants and sweaters, or something in between.

Banana Republic cashmere sweater and skirt, Steve Madden boots
Banana Republic cashmere sweater and skirt, Steve Madden boots

There are four weeks of school left!  Can’t believe how fast it all went. (Go bears!) I have some art shows planned for the summer – more about that later!

Trina Turk dress, BCBG Generation sandals
Trina Turk dress, BCBG Generation sandals

I live in exercise clothes and paint smocks in the summer, so I don’t foresee posting outfit-of-the-days (#ootd) between June 24th and Labor Day-ish.  But I can’t rule it out.  I was thinking about going back to the say yes policy  I practiced last summer.  I already said no to a bunch of things this week – I’m still working on it.

Banana Republic dress, BCBG Generation sandals
Banana Republic dress, BCBG Generation sandals

I love this Banana Republic olive ponte knit dress.  It was the last one on bananarepublic.com – on sale with an additional 40% off.  I never get breaks like that.  In a dream world, this fashion blogging would lead to free clothes from my favorite designers.  And if you are listening, I’m a 0 in Banana Republic, a 2 in Trina Turk and a small or XS depending on style and a 0 in BCBG Max Azria.  7 1/2 in a sandal, 8 in boots.

Trina Turk dress, Mia shoes
Trina Turk dress, Mia shoes

I know it’s kind of a fantasy – too bad I wasn’t born in the ’90s, because these girls seem to be living the dream.

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/a10949/how-bloggers-make-money-on-instagram/

http://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/advice/a9812/fashion-bloggers-income-success/

Trina Turk dress, BCBG Generation sandals
Trina Turk dress, BCBG Generation sandals

Here is another article about female bloggers.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/larissafaw/2012/04/25/is-blogging-really-a-way-for-women-to-earn-a-living-2/

Trina Turk dress, BCBG Generation sandals
Trina Turk dress, BCBG Generation sandals

My sister suggested I change out my poses and another person thought my classroom was messy.  But those are my favorite things about my photographs (I am the only person on Instagram currently using the hashtags #fashionintherealworld and #fashioninrealtime). That and my shoes.  If I had a dollar for every time I heard how-do-you-walk-in-those-heels?, I would have that six figure salary!

Edme & Esyllte top, Champion pants, Coach booties
Edme & Esyllte top, Champion pants, Coach booties

I wore this outfit the day I taught gym classes in addition to art in order to help out with the dance lessons – swing, bunny hop and hokey pokey for the WWII event.  I wore Champion fitness gear under that yellow tunic top.  Got very sweaty that day jumping around for the equivalent of four hours.  I don’t know what I was thinking.  It was totally exhausting!

Bailey 44 top, J Crew  cashmere hoodie, BCBG Max Azria pants, BCBG Generation sandals
Bailey 44 top, J Crew cashmere hoodie, BCBG Max Azria pants, BCBG Generation sandals

I feel most comfortable in black.  I usually wear it every day of the first week of school because I am in mourning for my summer vacation, lol, and then I’m partial to black Monday throughout the school year.  I think I have at least eight different pairs of black pants – and a new pair at the alterations place getting hemmed as we speak.  But whatevs, you can never have enough.

Banana Republic cardigan and pants, BCBG Max Azria top, Coach booties
Banana Republic cardigan and pants, BCBG Max Azria top, Coach booties

Purple though – almost nothing.  We do a purple Thursday at work.  I just can’t do it.  It’s so Donny Osmond’s socks circa the ’70s.  I can technically wear that Trina Turk pink dress.  It’s actually the it color of last season – wild orchid.  Or I can do what some of the bloggers do – initiate a pink Wednesday.  That’s from Mean Girls or Clueless or some such ’90s chick flick.  I’m sure those big buck fashion bloggers would know.  🙂  😉