NYCR To The Rescue: Black Wedding Shoes

I've decided to start a new column here at NYC Recessionista - NYCR To The Rescue.  If you need help finding something, let me know and I will turn it into a post so fellow fashionistas everywhere (who may be looking for something similar) can benefit from it :)

The first question comes from Kelly who asked:

"If you come across a pair of black (semi-dressy) low-heeled shoes send them my way! I need something to wear so I won't be taller than my husband - and so my feet won't kill me - for all these weddings I have this fall :) muchas gracias!"

 Let's see what's out there, shall we?

1) I love the retro feel of these - the ankle strap makes it very sturdy, the velvety finish is perfect for fall, and the stacked heel isn't too high. 

Source: modcloth.com via NYC on Pinterest

2) Patent leather instantly makes these wedges dressier, but the heel isn't too high at all. Bonus points for the cute peep toe.

Source: ninewest.com via NYC on Pinterest

3) You can't beat the price on these, the little frilly detail is so girly cute, and there's even a little rhinestone detailing on the buckle.

Source: dsw.com via NYC on Pinterest

4) Whether you're a bride, a maid, or a guest, Nina shoes are pretty much the wedding standard. These peep toe sandals are gorgeous.

Source: endless.com via NYC on Pinterest

5) I wore these cute little heels to a wedding in May and they held up amazingly well considering the under $20 price tag!

Source: payless.com via NYC on Pinterest

6) Love the little bow on these, and the cut outs ... adorable. 

Source: zapp.me via NYC on Pinterest

7) Love the bow on this pair, too - completely darling.

Source: shop.nordstrom.com via NYC on Pinterest

8) This pair has ruffles and rhinestones.  Need I say more?

Source: dsw.com via NYC on Pinterest

9) Even though these have a really low heel, I think the skinny wedge and the ankle strap are totally sexy!

Source: famousfootwear.com via NYC on Pinterest

10) There is something about a t-strap that is just so gorgeous to me!

Source: dsw.com via NYC on Pinterest

Hope these work for you, Kelly!

If you need help, drop me a line on my Facebook page!

Tuesday Tunes

It's time for this week's edition of Tuesday Tunes. 


Really loving this new single ... 

Chambray shirt dress

Priced at under $40, this completely classic chambray shirt dress has to be one of the smartest buys (and one of the most versatile pieces) to get you from late summer / early fall right through the colder months.  

Wear it now with bare legs and strappy sandals or ballet flats; wear it later with a crewneck sweater layered over it and tights & boots.



(Image courtesy of Old Navy)

Fuchsia blazer

If you want to invest in a blazer -- which is probably one of the most mature, ladylike and sophisticated pieces you could buy this fall -- but you don't want to feel like an old fuddy-duddy, then perhaps this fuchsia number is for you. 



(Image courtesy of Gap)

Things That Pinterest Me

Here's this week's installment of:

(Pinterest logo courtesy of Pinterest, of course)

While I'm impatiently waiting for my hair to grow out (I have serious hair envy), here are some hairstyles I would love to try ... 

I wish my hair were straight enough for bangs like these ... 

Source: glossdaily.com via NYC on Pinterest

Great multidimensional color and waves ... 

Source: boxno216.com via NYC on Pinterest

I think this was the height of her high-fashion personal style right here ... 

Source: google.com via NYC on Pinterest

Really adore this cut ... 

Source: Uploaded by user via NYC on Pinterest

Love the length and the bounce ... 

Source: hairfinder.com via NYC on Pinterest

Nanie

Fifteen years ago today, I lost my beloved grandmother. My mom's mom Esther, or Nanie as we called her, was very special to me. 

This is one of my favorite pictures of her ... 

One of my earliest memories as a child is of sitting on the floor under the kitchen table at their house in Queens while she cooked...

She made the best rice and beans, roast pork, and rellenos de papa I think I've ever had in my life ... 

She loved The Price Is Right...

She would often curse in Spanish and shake her fist at the TV while watching Mets games...

I can still remember the way her wrinkly skin felt when she would hold your hand...

When she would stay overnight at our house, she'd have to stay in my room because I had a fold-away bed.  She would lie there giggling for several minutes -- and this was after taking her dentures out -- because she was cold...  

I think of her whenever I see her wedding ring on my mom's finger... 

She was in my dream a few weeks ago, and in it we gave each other a huge hug. I woke up to the sound of a picture message from my Mom -- a shot of what she calls "The Nanie Plant" in full bloom in their front yard... 

I miss her every day...

When she passed away, I was 14 and away at volleyball camp. I never really got the chance to say goodbye. I've never fully recovered.

Weekend Wants

Here are some things I'd love for this weekend ... a.k.a. my Weekend Wants.

1) To continue cleaning out my closet ... right now there's a pile of clothes on the floor in front of my closet that are too big. I need to get rid of everything oversized and keep only what fits well. It's so weird having a new body to dress. I am down 25 pounds since January!

With one of my favorite pants -- the J. Crew Minnie Pant -- I've actually gone from a size 12 to a size 8 ... the size 12s are so SAGGY on me now :(



(Image courtesy of J. Crew)

2) To write some blog posts ... I've still got a really good flow going with planning for lots of great posts coming up over the next couple of months.

And wait 'til you see my next guest blog post for ElizabethBanks.com :)

3) To look at cameras ... I'm seriously considering buying a proper camera so that I can start taking more original photos for my blog, including outfit posts.

What kind of camera do y'all use? Are you a Canon or a Nikon fan? I've been looking at this Nikon --



(Image courtesy of Amazon)

4) To do some cooking ... I'd love to try out this recipe I saw on Pinterest:

Source: prouditaliancook.blogspot.com via NYC on Pinterest

5) To order some new business cards ... with a couple of blogging conferences coming up in September -- and a whole new logo and look coming soon -- I want to have cool new business cards in time for all of that good networking :)

50 percent off at LOFT

For a limited time, select full-priced styles at LOFT are 50% off with code NOW50 at checkout.



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Everything Zen

As I revealed in a post yesterday, I've been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks. It really felt great to hear back from others who've experienced the same thing or something similar. It just makes sense to talk about it and share ... the real world could stand to be more like the blogging world: compassionate, tolerant, open, kind and sharing. 

So ... as I mentioned in my last post, I have found some things that help. And while these coping methods are far from fool-proof and won't work for everyone, here's what I've learned while trying to manage my anxiety:

1) Try and stay positive. It sounds trite, but it does help me sometimes. If I walk out of my building and I feel a tinge of anxiety, I'll try to look around and focus on the good things: I really love this neighborhood. The sun is shining. That's a nice cool breeze. That bread baking in the bakery on the corner smells yummy. It's not exactly a daily affirmation, but focusing on what's good that morning sometimes pulls me out of the funk. 

Enjoy it when it's a beautiful day!

Source: bellainbindyland.blogspot.com via NYC on Pinterest

2) Find your soundtrack. This has been a big thing for me -- figuring out which album in my collection has the ability to calm me down. I'll put it on when I'm on the subway, close my eyes, and just let the music take me away. Sometimes by the 3rd or 4th track I'm much more chill. For me, there are a few albums that have this power right now: 

White Ladder by David Gray

Source: upload.wikimedia.org via NYC on Pinterest

Born and Raised by John Mayer

Source: amazon.com via NYC on Pinterest

Love is a Four Letter Word by Jason Mraz

Source: amazon.com via NYC on Pinterest

3) Go natural. I've been trying Ginger Root capsules for long car trips and flights, and it's definitely provided some relief. Apparently they also recommend it to pregnant women and chemotherapy patients.

(Image courtesy of Vitamin Shoppe)

This ginger gum has also helped me on flights. 

4) Breathe. From taking yoga classes, I've learned cat-cow breathing, and it's proven to be quite helpful sometimes when I am beginning to feel panicky. In fact, yoga in general has helped a lot with stress reduction.

Source: Uploaded by user via NYC on Pinterest

5) Talk to someone. As I mentioned in my last post, I've started to see a psychologist. But I've also found that talking about it out in the open to friends and family, and being open about the problem in general, has shown me that there's nothing to be ashamed about. 

We're all a work in progress!  And in addition to talking to someone, I've started to talk to myself :)  No, not in that way. I mean I've borrowed some wise words and turned them into my personal mantra ... I just recite them to myself whenever I'm feeling anxious.

Source: yellowbrickblog.blogspot.com via NYC on Pinterest

Source: behappy.me via NYC on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via NYC on Pinterest

25 percent off at Old Navy

Through Monday, take 25% off your entire purchase at Old Navy, either in stores (with this coupon) or online with code ONSAVE25 at checkout. 

These skinny jeans with tons o' stretch are awesome. And I love this dark olive green color for fall. 



(Image courtesy of Old Navy)

My latest loot

Have I been shopping too much lately? It probably looks that way, but I only paid regular price for 2 of the 11 items! Everything from LOFT was 50% off and most other items were 25% off.

Here's a rundown of my latest loot:

1) J. Crew Tippi Heart Sweater, similar here
2) LOFT Cardigan, similar here
3) LOFT Croc Embossed Flower Belt, here
4) LOFT Peacock Print Peplum Shell, here
5) LOFT Cotton Sequin Animal Spot Tee, here
6) J. Crew Factory Charley Sweater, here
7) Old Navy Hearts Dress, here
8) J. Crew Factory Merino Classic Crewneck Sweater, here
9) J. Crew Factory No. 2 Pencil Skirt, similar here
10) J. Crew Factory Printed Pencil Skirt, similar here
11) LOFT Cardigan, here

Now I just can't wait for fall so I can wear them!

Frankie Says Relax

While it's always fun to blog about clothes, and shoes, and jewelry and handbags, that's not always necessarily real life.  Trust me, I totally live and breathe all of that stuff -- but I want to be honest and share something with y'all, and it has nothing to do with fashion or bargain shopping. 

I recently realized that I've been suffering from anxiety. I've been having these horrible, debilitating panic attacks. 

It often starts when I am about to leave for work in the morning. Apparently, there is something about traveling or transportation that makes me very nervous.  Before long car trips, I am a nervous wreck. And it always creeps up on me when I have to travel by plane. I almost could not get on the plane for my own honeymoon. 

What happens to me is that:

1) My stomach will just start churning with this uneasy feeling. 

2) My heart will start to race a little bit.

3) These crazy thoughts will start to go through my head - what if I don't make it to where I need to get to?

4) My breathing gets really heavy. 

5) My mouth gets very dry.

6) Inevitably, I'll have to run to the nearest bathroom. If you've ever just pressed your face up against the cold tiles on the bathroom wall, then you know the feeling. 

7) Sometimes, it brings me to tears. I mean an ugly cry.

8) If it gets bad enough, I can't bring myself to leave my apartment.

9) Sometimes it takes me an hour just to calm down. 

10) When it passes -- like a violent storm -- I'm left sitting there emotionally raw.

When I get home at night, I am fine. On most weekends I am fine. There are some days where it doesn't even bother me. But when it does, it's absolutely crippling, 

I've even started to talk to a professional about it. But I wanted to share it with y'all here in the hopes that maybe there are other people out there who are suffering from the same thing or something similar. Maybe this post will make you feel less alone. 

Have you ever had a panic attack?

PS - over the weekend, I'll share some of the things that have helped me manage my anxiety.

A sneak peek ...

So who would I enlist to sketch out a new logo design for my blog? My uber talented husband, of course :)

What do you think?



(Image courtesy of NYC Recessionista, design courtesy of Moog8008 Designs)

Hoping to have a new look for the site by fall!

The birthday twins

Today's a very special day - it's both my mom's and my sister's birthday. 



(Image courtesy of NYC Recessionista on Instagram)

As sisters, mothers and daughters go, we're pretty tight :) We were pretty close back when this picture was taken in the 80s,  but I must say, it's even more fun to be close friends with your mom and sister when you get older ... 

BOGO at Ann Taylor

For a limited time, full-priced items at Ann Taylor are buy one, get one 50% off, both in stores and online with code ANNBOGO at checkout. 

20 percent off pendant necklaces at Kendra Scott tonight

Tonight only, from 5 p.m. to midnight CST online, take 20% off all of Kendra Scott's pendant necklaces with code GNOPN20 at checkout. 

Without a doubt, my favorite is the Rayne Necklace. My coworker has one and it's to die for.

Source: kendrascott.com via NYC on Pinterest

'Words To Live By' Wednesdays

Here's this week's edition of 'Words To Live By' Wednesdays.

Source: zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com via NYC on Pinterest

30 percent off at Gap, Inc. brands

Today and tomorrow only, take 30% off your purchase at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy (online only) with code JULY2012 at checkout. 

Coach Legacy Collection

If you're ever considering purchasing an expensive or statement handbag, then you might want to make sure it's a style that will stand the test of time.  You wouldn't want to spend a lot of money on something super trendy only to realize that in a year or so it's a bit out of style, right?

The Coach Legacy Collection is chock full of timeless statement bags -- 

Source: coach.com via NYC on Pinterest

Source: coach.com via NYC on Pinterest

Source: coach.com via NYC on Pinterest

Source: coach.com via NYC on Pinterest

Source: coach.com via NYC on Pinterest

Hands down, my favorite is the cognac color, but they have others.

$20 off select skirts at LOFT

Select skirts at LOFT are $20 off for a limited time, both in stores and online.



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Cherry print dress

This might be the perfect fall dress ... a billowy, relaxed fit, a dainty but fun cherry pattern, and lots of layering possibilities.  



(Image courtesy of Gap)

Midi skirt

Really digging this new midi skirt from Madewell. 



(Image courtesy of Madewell)

Wild bangles

I don't usually go crazy with animal prints ... if I'm going to be gutsy and bold like that, it'll be just a little taste of it in an accessory or something. In fact, I just bought an animal print item for only the second time - a neutral colored pencil skirt. 

So if you're like me, and you want to inject just a little bit of wildness into your outfits, then throwing on one of these bangles might be perfect-- 


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