These Flats Were Made For Walking…

Wearing heels in NYC is a toughie.  Now don’t get me wrong, at 5’3 heels are my saviors in this tall, tall world.  However, my feet will not allow me to meander around the city or work all day in them (I’m usually running around).  Unless I’m a. being driven or b. carry flats with me, my heels take a back seat (very annoying).  The problem is I HATE buying flats, heels are so much more fun to buy…they elongate you, make you feel good about yourself and totally sexify your legs.  My flat vs. heel ratio in my closet is like 20 to 1 so I’m trying to bump up the cute flats in my shoe collection, without breaking the bank.

Of course, JCrew has come to the rescue in that department (thank you Jenna). They have created a whole Ballet Boutique that makes shopping for flats fun! I mean this is a SERIOUS one stop shop.  They have every color, pattern, fabrication conceivable and the site is really fun to peruse. Feast your eyes.

I highly recommend you check it out if you are in the market for some comfy cute flats.  I opted for the poppy red in the classic style to liven up my mostly dark/neutral wardrobe. I can’t wait to wear them!

Pics to follow (when I feel cute).

xoxo

Juice your way to fabulousness

Wow, time has really flown and ONCE AGAIN it’s been like a million years since my last post….this new years res is totally not happening.

I am really into health and fitness, why I haven’t posted anything in that vein on this blog is beyond me.  So, I decided the first “fitness” geared post should be about juicing.  I’m a HUGE fan of juicing.  I know a lot of people get their juices from their local juice shop aka Health King or Juice Generation, but as we all know those can get ‘spensive.  If you’re on a budget, but want to start juicing at home,  the juicer I totally recommend is the Breville Compact juicer.  It’s pretty maj and will look cute on your counter top, another plus.  If you’ve been looking to invest in your body, this one is on sale at the moment from Crate and Barrel for $99!  Which is an uh-mazing deal considering juicers can cost into the hundreds.  I’ve done a TON of research and the Breville Juicers take the cake, they have easy clean up and powerful motors.

So if you haven’t gotten into juicing you’re probably asking why juice?  Can’t I just go to the store and BUY the apple juice or the orange juice from the grocery store?  Answer: no.  Why?  So many additional chemicals, preservatives and sugars are added to the juice that you are damaging your body rather than replenishing.  Fresh juices provide you with all the vitamins and minerals that your body CRAVES, plus the fact you are in control of what veggies you are juicing and you know exactly what has gone into that glass of juice.

You’ll find that with a glass of fresh juice daily, increased energy, glowing skin, a stronger immune system and feel what my friend Alex and I like to call “A-Bloom” (translation: gorgeous from so many major vitamins flowing through your system).

My favorite juice?  Carrot, Apple, Ginger, lemon, celery…yum!

My favorite a-bloom drink

If you still can’t afford the $99 juicer, I suggest you beg, borrow or ask for this on your next gift receiving day ie. birthday, wedding, christmas whatever.  Your body will thank you.

Fighting For Our Home-one plastic at a time

There’s a problem.  I have to see it daily and it won’t go away until I change it.  It frustrates me, angers me and saddens me (no it’s not my boyfriend).

 

ITS THIS

be still my beating heart

THIS

I think I'm having a heart attack (clutching heart)

 

and worst of all THIS!

Call 911

 

Yuck, yuck and more yuck.  Yes, that’s the only word I can accurately describe this scenario with.  This is the kitchen scene at work.  It pains me to a. see people using these products with their food and b. each item being used ONCE and thrown out like yesterday’s news.

It’s 2012 people, could we please be a LITTLE less wasteful?  (oh and might I add there is in fact a dishwasher of which I’m the only person that uses it).

one more time to why we shouldn’t even be using this in the first place: IT WILL NEVER EVER FULLY DEGRADE.

Stephan Becker, founder of Beautiful Oceans, studies the plastic pollution in our oceans says it best “Plastic is particularly damaging because it is not biodegradable and plastic particles, although invisible, remain unmoving in the water and eventually become part of the food chain.”  IN FACT it already is.  He has found in gyres (areas of oceans where the currents are strong and create a horrid “soup” of garbage) “..there is five times more plastic than zooplankton. The plankton have plastic debris in their bodies, which means plastic has entered the food chain, since zooplankton are at the core of the marine food chain.”

(Marine Science Today)

Hello people, we are going to have particles of PLASTIC running through our veins.  If that alone isn’t enough to give you cancer then I don’t know what is.  Furthermore, most of the plastic cutlery is made from polystyrene which is made from oil.  A chemical called Benzene is used to manufacture them which causes cancers specifically leukemia.  Mommies, take note, you’re probably buying plastic utensils for your kids next bday party.

What saddens me is that the corporate world could have a HUGE positive impact on our planet with a few simple green steps that would not only help our Earth but also save the company $$.  I found a post about this company in Singapore called Capital Land who has given these little goodies to their employees in an effort to reduce the waste.

Great Idea!

My goals for a greener kitchen at work:

• ELIMINATE plastic cups, we have glasses.
• Give people the option of real silverware, if we must use plastics replace them with biodegradable options (I talked to the facilities guy and he said spends $80 a week per floor just for the utensils alone!)
• Get rid of all the plastic plates and bowls etc replace with real dishes and actually use the dishwasher available.

You would think these would be easy things to change, but I seem to have encountered many bumps in the road because people can’t be bothered to change.  I did ask the person in charge of all facilities in the building that if they didn’t have time to implement change for the entire building I’d be happy to work on solely my floor first…… as a starting point, needless to say I haven’t heard back….yet.  LUCKILY, I found someone in the office willing to help and he suggests we go to her boss and request the change.  UNLUCKY for them, I’m a taurus, persistent and stubborn.  I will get change!  So, stay tuned for updates in the future. FINGERS CROSSED.

What does YOUR kitchen at work look like?

 

xoxo, Miss Smalls

Hilary Park-Divination Spring 2012 Collection

This has been a crazy week and it’s not even Fashion Week / Campaign season yet!

I really wanted to have the time to sit and write this post, as I’m really excited to share it. Last Saturday I had the chance to go see Hilary Park’s new Spring 2012 Collection “Divination” in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  She showcased the collection in her store/workspace and it is gorgeous! Definitely worth checking out if you are in the hood.

94 S 1st St (between Wythe Ave & Berry St)

Hilary Park

 

I had a chance to speak with Hilary about her collection and learn a bit about her journey on becoming a jewelry designer/goldsmith.  Her story is like many, working a corporate job with financial security but your soul hungers for more.  After 13 years of working on Wall Street, losing her job in 2008, she decided to turn her passion into her career (I really admire this quality in people).

When I asked her what drew her to the goldsmith profession in particular, she stated,  ”I’m a fire sign, I like working with fire and heat” (as most of us know, there are four classic elements which make up the nature of the universe: earth, water, fire and air).  In addition to her handcrafted jewelry, Hilary offers Indian astrology readings and direction on the power of certain stones to help alleviate afflictions in your life whether it’s career, love or money.  As a result, this other passion reveals itself in her designs.  I could literally sit and talk to her for hours and pick her brain on her thoughts about my sign but I will have to return for that session.   She realizes not everyone believes “in the power of stones” but invites her clients to try them because although she can’t say “…why they work, THEY WORK.”  Honey, I’ll wear any rock that invites positivity and money (nyc livin’ ain’t cheap!).

Her designs are based on nature, travel and of course, the zodiac system.  Although most of the jewelry you see is in silver, she will create any piece in gold and welcomes custom designs.  I was especially drawn to the intricate cuffs hand-fabricated from a single sheet of metal!

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I want to show more images but I don’t want to spoil all the fun! Check out her website to learn more about Hilary and her fabulous jewelry.  They are conversation starters and pieces you will have in your collection for life.  Plus, the benefit of possible amour, money, protection or whatever your heart desires is a definite INEEDITNOW moment.  Don’t forget to spread the word to your fellow jewelry lover friends! Who doesn’t love a bit of karma?

One small change can make a big difference

I stumbled upon this image on Facebook posted as a share and I think its fantastic! I am passionate about recycling your plastic and most importantly not drinking out of plastic water bottles.  You can read a previous post of mine on plastic water bottles and why I find them terribly hideous and super UNFAB. If you want a resolution for 2012 how about limiting your water bottle usage?  If it is absolutely imperative that you drink out of one be mindful where you throw it away, make sure it’s in a trash can where it where will be recycled.  Remember, one small change can make a huge difference.

*Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there

Unsure of origin of this image.  If you would like me to give credit please contact me.