life is fab: artsy-fartsy

I felt like such a grown up last night when I attended my first artsy-fartsy gallery opening event! The exhibit was called Pictures for Photographs and featured the candy-colored and erotic works of British photographer Miles Aldridge. Knowing very little about the photographer and his pictures, I was pleasantly surprised to see that his style was right up my alley- and I really dug it all! Check out his site to see some of his work and you'll see what I mean--totally Neon Tea Party-worthy.

There were lots of artsy-fartsy types floating around, including Vogue's Hamish Bowles! We also spotted a cutie black girl that was on Top Model ages ago. The Fashionista.com girls were there too, but this I didn't know until I read their post about the event this afternoon. Danggg!

My favorite part of the exhibit was the grouping of photos of lips: super glossy cherry red lips eating spaghetti with a silver fork, icey blue lips smoking with dry ice, a pair drinking a fizzy beer from a brilliant green bottle and one pair of fluorescent purple lips licking another.

Morg and me with the lips:



Us kids with Miles:



Love this shot too, though it wasn't featured at the exhibit:



Din afterwards at Room Service in Chelsea:


(Obv wearing the neon necklace and the owl dress.)

If you want to check out the exhibit, it's on display until June 20th at the Steven Kasher Gallery, 521 West 23rd Street 2nd Floor, NYC.

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

More NYC Shopping Destinations

Check out this shopping guide provided by blogger Bunny Bisous for the June 2009 issue of Nylon Japan. Consider her picks #27 on my Summer '0Neon To-Do List.

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

model love: is that you again, coco??

Turned out that the girl in the 23rd St 6 station with Coco Rocha-Red hair WAS Coco Rocha!! Please tell me how on earth I've seen her twice this summer, and I've only been home 3 weeks!! I gathered up all of my courage again (as I did with Vlada R) and introduced myself. Instead of telling her that I spied her picnicking in Central Park on Mother's Day at about 4:15 p.m., I told her that I work for rag & bone and she told me to tell them she says hi! I'll be telling everyone tomorrow that Coco Rocha told me to tell everyone she says hi. They'll think I'm the shiat. =)

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

Summer '0Neon To-Do List

Today was another wonderful day at rag & bone. Stopped off at Milk Studios to drop something off for David Neville's high-profile makeup artist wife Gucci Westman at a China Vogue shoot. Very cool!! Too nervous to stay and chat or even process who the cutie Asian model in the chair was. Boo. Spent the rest of the day sketching inspiration looks for the Spring '10 collection!! Hopefully I'll be able to post them when I finish them, but they may have to remain a secret until after the show in September. On that note, have I mentioned that there's a good chance that I'll be assisting at the show??? Ok I don't want to jinx it, so I'm putting it out there that NOTHING HAS BEEN CONFIRMED and I MAY NOT work the show after all. But I think I will!! Can you even imagine the models I'll be dressing?!?!? SASHA!! FREJA!! STAM!! COCO!! LILY D!! It might be too good to be true!!!!!!

Anyway, so the point of this post is to start my summer to-do list that Alex and I have been discussing for what seems like years. So here, in no particular order, are the things that I'm planning to do to keep Summer '0Neon (like the name?? hee hee) as fabulous as it has been so far:

1. Tea time and Neon Tea Party photo shoot at Alice's Tea Cup, which leads me to...
2. Read Alice In Wonderland (already started it--just gotta finish it!!)
3. Picnic in Central Park with my favorite ladies.
4. Go to Cape Cod with the BUCrew - date set for 4th of July weekend!!
5. Check out the John Lennon exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Amy.
6. Headband making workshop at M & J with Alex!!
7. Finally do the Landmark Forum! (You should too!!)
8. Read. A lot. (Just finished I'm With the Band: Confessions of a Groupie!! Now reading High Fidelity.)
9. Cook. A lot. Planning to make: lemon ricotta pancakes with blueberries, quiche, lots of pesto, flatbread pizzas, homemade raviolis, and oh so much more!
10. Lunch dates with Avery and Allie V at the Condé Nast cafeteria.
11. Go to the beach and get some color!! (with SPF 30 of course! cough cough Allison Cohen...!)
12. Host dinner parties at Amy's and my Gramercy apartment!
13. Shop for antique tea cups at flea markets.
14. Play in the sun at Battery Park.
15. Explore Brooklyn.
16. Try cupcakes from babycakes.
17. Make bracelets.
18. Study French so that I'm not totally clueless when I go back to school in September.
19. Practice guitar and learn lots of new tunes.
20. Visit Boston and finally explore the South End. And bring Misha along!!
21. FINISH THE BUZZ MOCK UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (This really should be #1 on the to-do list!)
22. Celebrate the birthdays of some pretty amazing people: my mom, Mish, Alex, Amy, Avery, Liezy, and from afar: Morgan (she'll be in Paris), Vilde (Norway), Cory (Hawaii)
23. Try fish and chips from A Salt and Battery--actually on this week's to-do list, as it's around the corner from my office and I want it for lunch!!
24. Resist buying more clothes. I've come to the realization that I have more clothes than life. But maybe not as much as Rachel Zoe. Okay, maybe I'll buy a thing or two from rag & bone-- how can I not?!
25. Play soccer! (I think I like soccer...)
26. Last, but not least, travel to Cali to explore San Fran and LA with Allison and Alex!!!!!

I just want to make it clear that I am such a lucky little girl to be able to do all of these things. I've been extremely reflective and appreciative lately and want to put it out there how utterly blessed I am to have the most amazing family and friends, to create the most amazing opportunities for myself (with the help of said family and friends, of course!), to possess such an amazingly happy and healthy mind, and to now live in the most amazing city in the WHOLE world. Life is, well, AMAZING!

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

summer '0neon: me in necklace form

Walking past the Free People store on 3rd and 75th with Alex on Saturday, I found my soul mate. Hanging on a mannequin in the window, paired with a simple white tank and denim cut-off was the most beautiful thing I'd ever laid eyes on: a neon pink, chain-and-stone oversized bib necklace! I saw myself in necklace-form in that window and immediately dashed inside, heading straight to my soon-to-be possession. I picked it up and absolutely flipped: not only was it exquisite, but it was also affordable at only $32!! Totally meant to be!! (If you've been shopping with me, you probably know that I believe in shopping destiny- case in point, my excitement at being cosmically united with the magnificent neon creation.) So I bought the necklace and obviously wore it all weekend.

{first outfit with the necklace to spend saturday afternoon eating

our way through street fairs downtown}

{exploring the west village and checking out street art with my mom on sunday}

I also wore it to dinner at Mezzaluna with Avery on Saturday evening paired with my new violet silk-lace-and-rhinestone top from the Phillip Lim sample sale and to my dad's for Memorial Day dinner with the neon yellow tank under a blue-and-white tye-dye tank dress from Zara, shiny black AA leggings and my new studded black sandals. It's quite surprising that a neon necklace can still look fab with neon tanks galore!

It kind of looks like those beyond-amazing Lanvin Spring '09 necklaces, don't you think?

{picture from style.com}

Expect to see more of the chronicles of the neon soul mate necklace!!

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

one picture: my ultimate style icons

Interning with Teen Vogue last summer was awesome and inspiring every day. More inspiring than the racks of clothing and returned photo shoot looks were the editors' themselves. You could only imagine that behind such a fabulously stylish and fun magazine exists a group of editors that subscribe to the same sartorial aesthetic. In other words: them Teen Vogue editors got style!

Last night I came across some pictures of the editors on-line and was feeling oh so inspired. They are queens of mix-and-match chic and always have the BEST accessories!! Who else do you think inspired my obsession with all things neon??

To inspire you all as well, here is a photo of five of the Teen Vogue darlings.


FROM LEFT: Joanna Hillman- Senior Fashion Market Editor, Gloria Baume- Head Fashion Director, Marykate Steinmiller- Associate Fashion Market Editor, Sarah Kuhn- Accessories Editor, Taylor Tomasi- Head Accessories Director

See what I mean?

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

what i'm up to: ...your pretty little rags & bones

This week was my first week as a rag & bone intern, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it there!!

{sign on the door into the 3rd floor office}

My tasks? Well this week was all about organizing fabric samples, sorting through pieces of gorgeous buttery leather, running errands around the city, keeping the office neat and filling in for the receptionist on Friday. I'm so glad to be working with fabrics! I'm a journalism student NOT a fashion student, so learning about fashiony things like fabrics and trims can only come through internships- or lots of research.

And did I mention that the office is in the Meatpacking District? I ADORE the area! Cobblestone streets, trendy restaurants (hello Pastis!!), amazing stores (I die over Jeffrey!!), and an overall cool, hip, young vibe (perfection!).

{first day of work outfit: blazer- zara, skirt- phillip lim, necklace- kenneth jay lane, neon tank

and sandals- necessary objects; and I was wearing my vintage gucci doctor bag too!!}

{friend and fellow intern rebecca wearing a super cute outfit on thursday:

blazer- elizabeth and james, dress- topshop}

I'll be sure to keep you all updated if anything interesting happens at the r & b office this summer!!

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

Treasures on East 9th St!

As I was going home from dinner last week, I walked down a block in the East Village that I'd either a) never been down before, or b) been too oblivious to notice. This time, however, I coulnd't NOT notice the abundance of unique boutiques carrying merchandise I'd never seen in other stores. I wanted to explore so badly, but unfortunately, it had been about 11 p.m. and all of the stores were closed. I vowed to myself that I'd be back.

It didn't take to long for me to fulfill my vow, as yesterday was the golden opportunity. Jess decided to come back to the city with me after our amazing girl's weekend in the Hamptons--ding ding ding! First thing on Monday's agenda, take the 6 to the East Village and head to my beloved block: 9th St between 1st and 2nd Avenues. This block contains store after store of unique treasures at modest prices whose merchandise is a mix of vintage, new and reconstructed. If you're looking for jewelry, accessories and other goods by local artists and designers, check out sister stores Musu and M. Sonii, as well as Gallery Vercon which specializes in one-of-a-kind ornate handmade hats.





Looking for vintage? Try Local Clothing for killer boots and bags, Archangel Antiques for jewelry and nicknacks and Fabulous Fanny's for sunglasses and quality vintage clothing.





Also on this street is one of the three New York locations of my new favorite store, pinkyotto, as well as a store of similar concept, Think Closet. Check out the latter for unique dresses and skirts, as well as an awesome selection of flats and accessories.



Finally, after leaving the block of wonders, Jess and I stumbled upon a trove of cheap designer finds at a consignment shop whose name I will not disclose. I think I'm going to keep it a secret for a while... well at least until I do a blog post about it! (Gotta save up money to go shopping there, first!)

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

Summer '09 Mani Wish List

A few things have me thinking of nail polish colors: the first being that it is a new season, hence the urge to change things up; the second being that I begin my internship at rag & bone on Tuesday and am planning on getting a mani; and the third being that I think I packed up my bag of nail polish with all of my stuff in storage... OOPS!

So for the to-be-infamously-fabulous Summer '09, I'm feeling: lavender, Barbie-shoe pink, sea foam green, pastel coral and neon pink (obviously).

LAVENDER - OPI, A Grape Fit:




BARBIE-SHOE PINK - Essie, Punchy Pink:




SEA FOAM GREEN - Rescue Beauty, Bikini Bottom:




PASTEL CORAL - Chanel, LA Sunset:




NEON PINK - Essie, Short Shorts:



Alex was wearing this color today. AMAZING! Got the Editor's Pick on Makeup Makes Me Happy.

Wonder which color I'll choose for my first week at work...!!

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

Collections: the Met and my right wrist

Today Sam and I went to the Met to see the Model as Muse exhibit, which was FABULOUS!!!!!!!! I loved how it was so focused on the culture of each era and the way in which the models represented their respective period. Obviously my favorite part was the homage to the models of the late '60s: Twiggy, Veruschka, Marisa Berenson, Penelope Tree, etc. The clothes throughout the exhibit were AMAZING as well. I especially loved the Balenciaga coats, the YSL beaded shift dresses and the looks from Marc Jacobs' last collection for Perry Ellis.

Afterwards, Sam and I found these great dream catcher bracelets at a stand outside of the museum- and they were only $2!! I can't resist cute, cheap bracelets to add to the growing collection on my right wrist.



Check out this video from Style.com about the gala, the attendees' favorite models and the exhibit itself:



The exhibit is open until August 9th, so be sure to check it out if you're in the city this summer!

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

Tropical Hipster Heaven on St. Marks

Tonight I had dinner with my best friend Sam and her NYU friends at Yaffa Cafe, the most fabulously decorated restaurant ever. (Well, at least out of the places that I've dined at.) I love eating at restaurants that have a funky, unique atmosphere, and this one went to the top of my list tonight. The walls are covered in gothic printed wallpaper, lanterns hang in rows across the ceiling and Buddha statues are strategically placed throughout the restaurant--there's even a framed picture of Jim Morrison!




But that's not even the best part... We ate in the outdoor dining area, which is filled with oversized plants, umbrellas, string lights and a huge black and white mural painting of a woman with a Led Zeppelin Icarus tattoo on her shoulder! I was in tropical hipster heaven.




Afterwards, we went next door to Simone, a similarly-decorated restaurant-bar that specializes in flavored martinis. The atmosphere, while still extremely detailed and ornate, was a little more elegant than its restaurant counterpart. The space is entirely red, with a red printed wallpaper and a red tiled ceiling. Chandeliers provide the dim lighting and the chairs and bar stools are leopard. The fringe drapes in the windows also add a glamorous touch to the Moulin Rouge-like atmosphere.




Both places are great for meeting up with friends during the week, or even for a special occasion. I know I plan to go back to both!

Yaffa Cafe
97 St. Marks Place
Between 1st Ave and Ave A
New York

Simone Espresso & Wine Bar
134 First Ave
At St. Marks Place
New York

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

model love: second model spotting of the day?!

Didn't have to wait long to spot model #2!!! (Try 10 blocks! Ha!)

No joke. Just spotted (and introduced myself to) Vlada Roslyakova strutting down East 61st St!!!!! Totally freaked her out but I think I'm more freaked out than she was. Didn't take a pic though-- still too chicken to take it that far. I honestly have the worst luck with celeb spottings-- how in hell did I manage to spot TWO major models in the span of 15 minutes????? Oh it's good to be home in the city!!!!!!!!!!

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

model love: buggin out!

Spotted: Coco Rocha picnicking in Central Park! Most exciting celeb spotting of my life!! Ah I'm buggggginnnnn! I very much regret not asking for a pic. Alex said next time we spot a model she is making me stalk her. Good plan!!

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

life is fab: an ode to cocolicious baby and liezy loo

As the semester is over and I leave Boston on Saturday, I am dedicating this post to my WONDERFUL roommates Eliza and Cory. Over the year, our brownstone dormroom has been known (especially to unsuspecting boys) as the magical, mystical room of ridiculous antics, where mouth filters and shame do not exist. Although I am the one known for my daily "dress up time," which is at approximately 10 PM while Cory and Liezy are slaving over their stats and accounting homework, my roommates have had some notable sartorial moments themselves, many of which depict this personality of Room 208.

Cocolicious Mami:



Liezyloowho:



Cutiepatooties:



The trio modeling in big hats:




Hope you all enjoyed our silliness!

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

one picture: ali michael by altamira

{teen vogue darling and a personal model fave ali michael, altamira}

Love jump shots. So Vogue.

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

getting crafty: modern friendship bracelets

So Alex and I have been obsessing all year about the laundry list of fun things that we're going to do this summer. This list, which we have actually written down, includes making funkalicious headbands and bracelets for ourselves and our friends. I was very excited to see this post on refinery29 yesterday with pictures of diy-looking jewelry by Lizzie Fortunato for UO: the perfect inspiration for our arts and crafts endeavors!



Also on my mind are the amazing "friendship bracelets" by Teen Vogue's Mary-Kate Steinmiller, which are sold at the Charlotte Ronson store in SoHo. While working at Teen Vogue last summer, I always noticed that Mary-Kate always did wear the best bracelets, so I was psyched to see that she was designing some herself.

Here is a link to a clip from the one episode of MTV's attempt at reviving House of Style, in which MK and Charlotte Ronson show us how to make these adorable bracelets.

Can't wait to hit up M&J when I get back to the city!!

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

want this now: neon mj bags on gilt

Neon Marc Jacobs bags on Gilt! Ay ay ay!!

This one is somewhat in my hypothetical price range- and the color is out of this world:



Don't love the shape of this bag, but the color is so me:



I truly adore all of the froggy clasp MJ bags-- especially this turquoise sequin one:


My heart melts...

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

model love: my model muses at the model as muse met gala

Everyone in the fashion world has been waiting for last night's event since the Met announced the Model as Muse exhibit last winter. If you know me, you know I'm obsessed with models, so I was thrilled to hear this news and even more thrilled to read the May issue of Vogue and even MORE thrilled to finish my Media Law exam this morning (thank todd) and head to my computer to look at photos from last night! Needless to say, my faves did not disappoint.

Two of the dashing hosts, MJ AND KATE:




Killing it in everyone's fave Balmain, ANYA AND DARIA:




Looking particularly iconic, AGGY:



LOVING the boho-grecian goddess dress, CAROLINE:



Only person who could pull off zippered skinnies at a Met Gala, ERIN:

Children of Cool, the boys of Proenza with RAQUEL:



My biggest girl-crush looking smashing, MK:



ASH looked rather fab as well:



In his signature cape, ANDRÉ:

{photos from style.com}

Also, I'm totally LOLing at The Cut's compilation of commentary on Madonna's "costume" by Louis Vuitton. Oh Madge.

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa