Best of...Jan 13 - 17

Best Day
This Wednesday, I went to the American Museum of Natural History with my friend Jessica. Wait but hold on, let me back up. The week before this I saw this picture when I randomly looked up from my phone. I then posted a pic on my IG feed and Jessica said she had a membership there and we'd be able to go for free. The power of social media!!! So beside getting to see the amazing museum, we went to see the incredible new feature Dark Universe in the Big Bang Theater. I was so into it, especially since he talked about Supernovas. Which I have deemed my favorite Outer Space phenomena beside Black Holes.

Best foodie moment
Also on Wednesday, as per tradition, we went to the local Uno just up the street from the museum and had their lunch special. While I was profoundly disappointed with the pizza and salad I ate, Uno redeemed itself with this absurdly delicious White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie Sundae. It was a mini-dessert so I was like okay whatevs!

Favorite Look of the Week 
Hmm, well ALSO on Wednesday (probably my favorite day this week out of all the days), it was warm enough (at first) to break out that Houndstooth Jacket my mom bought me. Here I am pictured with an entire day time diva look...which, now that I think about it, was entirely put together by my mother haha!

One day, I'll get a close-up full length photo

Sunglasses: Steve Madden

Coat: Ashley Stewart

Jeans: Avenue [Denim]

Boots: Lane Bryant online

Purse: Marshall's (Steve Madden)

Fashion Corner + DIY #2

Fashion Finds

So my mom got me this BOMB Houndstooth Black and White Coat. I wanted to wear that bad boy immediately but then we were hit with that inexplicable Polar Vortex and I had to dress like an eskimo for days and days. But oh you just wait, I'll be wearing that jacket soon enough...

Favorite OOTD

I'm going to go with the outfit I wore for my recital, which ended up being a simple 3/4 length sleeve Black Dress, Chrome Tights, and a simple nude heel. All those colors sound like they don't go together but oddly, they worked. Because I was wearing something I had already, I got a couple of costume pieces to go match my Rose Gold Metallic Heels (which I originally intended on wearing). I ran out of time running around the day of, so I did these rush job nails, both colors by ELF (which I RUINED before I even left the house, eeek!)

My favorite make-up look for the week was this one. I hadn't done my make-up all week and I was like, I don't care if I'm only going to Trader Joe's, I'm going to do an ENTIRE FACE OF MAKE-UP. I just played around with some purples, mixed my mattes and glosses for the lip, and used my cream pink blush. I'm actually liking the cream blushes a lot more than whatever else I was using. I went to the E.L.F store in NoHo and one of the girls there told me that I should've been using cream brushes ages ago. Who knew?!

Magnetic Make-Up Board Update

At least my bedroom is coming together!

So Brittany and I went to Michael's on Columbus Ave. today and after meandering the store for 2 hours (I'm not exaggerating), we both got black magnetic boards, magnetic strips (to attach to our make-up), and some decorations. Mine was a complete bust!!! But I hung up the blank board while I go look for stronger magnets and ended up making my bedroom look all cute. And Brittany's board looks perfect. I don't even understand how we both used the same materials and hers came out like that. Whatever, I'm a singer not a magician ::grumble grumble:: Her board looks bomb though, go Brit!! 

Photo Credit: Brittany Robinson

What a Tremendous Year! {Favorite things Part I}

There's no way I'm going to be able to talk about all my very favorite things of 2013 in one post, so maybe I'll spend the next week or so looking back on it. For now, here are my favorite albums, nails swatches, and vacations of this year.

Albums I listened to in their entirety for days at a time:

20/20 Experience by Justin Timberlake (because I mean, who didn't)

When JT had this on iTunes for the preview, I was so surprised at how non-Justin Timberlake-y it sounded. It was like this complete work of art that he made with no pressure or expectations for a radio single. I couldn't get enough of the album and felt like if he extended each song 10 minutes longer, I would've been okay with that. 

On repeat: Blue Ocean Floor

Three Kings by TGT 

Makes me think of this sultry summer. Finally a bunch of low voices on an album together. And what amazing writing. Tank KILLED every entrance, background vocal, solo line, hook on this album. I also want to add that I never even noticed that the album was called something beside TGT.

On repeat: Explode

Random Access Memories by Daft Punk 

What a dope album, reminds me of my mini-vacay to Virginia Beach in May. Daft Punk aficionados say this isn't their best though. Upon further investigation of their catalog, I discovered that they are right. But this was still an album I listened to for days and days.

On repeat: Doin' it Right

Honorable Mention: Beyoncé's self titled album, Dreamboat Annie by Heart, Rhythm and Repose by Glen Hansard

Favorite nail designs

I like to keep it simple in most situations but I always add an accent nail (or Party Nail as some people inexplicably call it) or two to express my style. I'm generally a bit of a Plain Jane fashion wise so I use my nails as the chance to be bold. These are a few of my favorites this year because of the textures and the blend with my skin color. I've always been a fan of anything that is includes glitter and sparkles, and I love metallic effects.

As the year progressed, I became slightly obsessed with Holographic effects and will probably bring that into the new year. 

Can't get enough of: Flying Monkeys by OPI and Beyond Cozy by Essie

Favorite Destinations

Miami (this deserves a separate  post)

VA Beach

New Orleans (This is definitely getting a separate post)

I was going to include food in this post, but I could just go on and on. Maybe later in the week. But here are a few favorite food things in NYC worth mentioning: 

The Poblano Ranch Dressing at Just Salad specifically the one on 7th ave in Park Slope

The Grand Avenue Latte at Outpost in Brooklyn

Artichoke Pizza from Two Boots on the UWS

Braised Short Rib Pasta from Atrio Wine Bar at The Conrad

Stay tuned for part two!

Did any of your favorites make this list?

Fashion Corner + DYI

Fashion Finds

Credit: The Polishaholic
Also, this is the precise color I have and I promise you it doesn't look like this.

While I was out Christmas Shopping, I stumbled upon a Leopard Print blazer and a discounted China Glaze Holographic nail polish. I haven't worn the blazer out yet, but it fits me like someone made it for my body type. I can't wait to throw it on. Will more than likely pair with all black and a metallic heel.

I tried out the "holographic" China Glaze and was really disappointed with the lack of hologram. I'm going to stick with Color Club when it comes to that particular nail effect.

Favorite OOTD
Let's pretend that I go out all the time and wear fabulous things to various events. While that may be a thing of the not too far future for me (here's hoping!!), I can assure you that it is not happening at this time. SO it was very easy for me to narrow down my favorite outfit of the day during the past week.
On Saturday night, my mom threw a holiday event for family and friends and her color scheme was silver, white, and blue. I, of course, didn't have many of these colors at home so I went around to my favorite stores to see if I could get bargain on a quick dress within the color scheme. Lo and behold, I found this White A line pencil dress with Grey Houndstooth. It also came with that silver belt. I mean how perfect was that? I didn't have to look too hard. I paired it up with my favorite blue pumps by Guess and a couple pieces I had laying around the house. I found that G Clef necklace at one of those jewelry stores on 34th street that's always having some blow out sale. The necklace itself is Sterling Silver as most costume jewelry doesn't agree with my skin. I think I also got that magnetic bracelet from the same store.

Also, blue smokey eye!

The closest thing I have to a full body shot.

Also, OMG DYI Magnetic Makeup Boards?!?

My friend Brittany put me on to a little do it yourself project that I plan to do in the upcoming weeks: Magnetic Makeup Boards. Looks like you just get a nice frame (or a not nice one at a thift store and spray paint it), attach some sheet metal (from Home Depot), decorate the sheet metal, throw some magnets on your make-up and voila! Okay so I made that sound a bit more complex than what I was aiming for but I cannot WAIT to do this!! Here are some photos of my favs from the web:

Credit: Samanthafranz.buzznet.com

Credit: kristenscreationsonline.blogspot.com

Weekend Round-up! {Dec. 27 - Dec. 29}

Well this weekend didn't involve too much singing but it was still a busy one. On Friday, I had some grandiose plans of making a big dinner or going to get my nails done or something like that. But instead, I waited until the eleventh hour and went to the stores at Union Square to look for a dress for my mother's holiday dinner event. I ended up with this lovely Grey and White Houndstooth dress since the colors at the event were Silver, White, and Sky Blue. I went with Blue pumps and Grey Opaque tights. I might do some sort of fashion post later in the week highlighting my entire ensemble, which I never got a full length picture of! Ack!

On Saturday, I had two things to accomplish before the party: Getting my hair done and buying Halal Chicken for my Muslim relatives. I did both with flair and ease and I took pictures of both the chicken and my hair, but I think you'd be more interested in seeing my hair. And OMG I did a blue smokey eye for the first time in my life. This is pictured above.

The party was a success but MAN was I tired after breaking everything down and helping my mom clean up. I wanted to make this Sunday my last brunch Sunday with a huge flair and flourish but I decided to keep it indoors and catch up on a whole bunch of Homeland and blog of course. I also spent a bit of time preparing for my upcoming recital you're all coming to on Saturday.

How was everyone's weekend??