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Why Did You Wear That: Patent Pending

By |October 24th, 2016|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

gempicket-patent-leather-pantsNever did I ever think I’d see the day I’d be sliding myself into a pair of patent leather pants, let alone the matching patent leather bralette.  But the moment I did, I felt like a whole new woman.  Gone was the mild mannered, happy little wallflower, and here emerged someone looking to stir up a little controversy.

Gempicket‘s Audrey Sleepless Bra and Pants somehow make wearing manmade material seem elegant and even sophisticated.  Sure, these pieces have the potential to take a totally wrong turn and should be handled with caution– much like a semi automatic weapon.  The contrast of delicate lace against patent leather and the high neckline countering the near nudity create a perfect paradox.

On my way to the shoot location, I wore a pair of Adidas Stan Smith sneakers to avoid injury and eliminate extra time spent teetering along the cobblestones of the far West Village and realized how cool these pants would also look in a very laid back setting- dare I say Saturday brunch with a vintage t-shirt and denim jacket?  Upside?  Spilled mimosas wipe right off.

Patent leather is having a moment this season, which is ironic as my first tantrum was thrown over the very same material and the only shoes (I had from shoe hero) Smitty ever chewed were also patent leather.  Fits of rage and oral fixations aside, find a way to incorporate it into your closet whether full pants, mini skirt, or even a Julia Roberts boot, you can wear a special jewelry piece, from this large selection of antique jewellery.

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Photos by Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: Under the Boardwalk

By |September 3rd, 2016|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

coney island boardwalk shop tobi

Ah, where were we?  Oh, that’s right.  Dissecting summer’s sweat stains and cynicism,  When I realized that I might be a little overdressed for housing hot dogs and giving the Tilt O Whirl a spin, I swapped my bodycon two piece for something a lot softer and a bit breezier: TOBI’s Desert Dreaming Dress Set.  There are days when it’s so steamy you can’t stand the thought of anything touching you, not even Ryan Gosling with a puppy and plate of freshly baked gluten free chocolate chip cookies.  Rather than give up on life by throwing on an oversized dashiki, find something in a natural (aka not synthetic) fabric that’s got some room to breathe and bonus points for clever ventilation design details.

Now, I realize the title of this entry may be a bit misleading.  I did do a serious stroll down the boardwalk by the sea taking in all the scents and the scenery, but I did not find myself at any point in a place where I might be able to sneak off with some handsome surfer for canoodling beneath the pier (and not just because there were no handsome surfers anywhere to be found).  Turns out, this boardwalk is exactly that– a walkway made from, you guessed it, boards.  On one side, you’ve got candy apple carts, frozen beverages and burgers, and every carnival ride your mother wouldn’t allow you to embark upon for fear of a fate worse than Fabio’s.  On the other side, there is a very impressive stretch of sand, way wider than many of the shorelines that have slowly eroded over the years.

 

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Desert Dreaming Dress Set, c/o TOBI

 

Photography by Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: Escape from New York City

By |August 15th, 2016|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smith riot art walls coney island

Ah, summer in the city.  It wasn’t until just this past week that we were reminded exactly what it might feel like to wade through a crock pot of steamy, stewing, week old garbage.  This is that special time of year when we trade in bitching about blizzards for raising all hell over heatwaves.  Your weather app may say it’s a balmy 93 degrees but keep scrolling down to “real feel” and don’t forget to check the humidity while you’re at it.

The back of cabs transform into Slip N’ Slides of our own sweat.  Sidewalks double as hot plates.  The drips of overhead window air conditioners become welcome reprieves from the heat.  I’ve all but given up on a “good hair day” and relegated my wardrobe to basic black or any pattern that might disguise the sweat stains acquired merely walking the five blocks to the A train where I can’t decide whether the weather above or below ground is more oppressive.  Most of us look like human versions of Salvador Dali’s Persistence of Memory and for whatever reason- perhaps the overwhelming waft of “pheromones” or all around “wet” look- cat calling reaches its peak.  How E E Cummings couldn’t capture this in one single sonnet, I’ll never know.

The only way one might manage to survive a New York City summer is by getting out of town.  Having lived in Manhattan for a combined total of ten years and forgetting that West Coast blunder, I’ve sunned myself from Southampton to Montauk.  Slathered on sunscreen in the Rockaways and caught the Seastreak to Sandy Hook.  Yet, I had never made my way to one of the most exotic and the last stops on the F train.  You don’t need a passport, but may want to make sure your vaccinations are up to date.  A boardwalk by the beach complete with cotton candy, bumper cars, and locals who could be considered its carneys- there lies the coastal gem called Coney Island.

As it was my first time to this foreign land, I wasn’t sure what to wear.  Fortunately, TOBI was kind enough to send me some summer essentials perfect for those days when it’s so hot even your brain begins to fry and you need the guesswork taken out of dress work.  The Love Buzz Strappy Bodycon Set seemed like the obvious choice for perusing the Coney Art Walls.  While Coney Island, itself, is quite colorful, what better backdrop for a photoshoot than commissioned graffiti by prominent street artists?  This little two piece wonder looks good with just about anything from cartoon ice cream cones to causing a riot… something sure to happen had I spent one more sticky second in the city.

To be continued…

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kirsten smith why did blog nycLove Buzz Strappy Bodycon Set, c/o TOBI

Photos by Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: Blurring Lines in Gempicket

By |November 30th, 2015|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

gempicket whydid kirsten smith2Upon entering my apartment, one of the first things people notice, besides the fact that it took them twenty minutes to navigate the maze like hallway to get there, is the collection of nightgowns hanging on the handles of my closet doors on the left side of the hallway.  Some of them are vintage, some of them I’ve never worn, others I wear all the time.  You could say that my obsession with nightwear began while watching Golden Girls as a little girl.  That’s right, instead of Big Bird and Mister Rogers it was Murphy Brown, Sam Malone, and Blanche Devereaux.  I still fall asleep to the sounds of Nick at Nite and all of this ties back nicely to the potential narcolepsy I suffer from.  Another hypothesis as to my penchant for boudoir attire is the time I spent buying lingerie for Henri Bendel.  One never knew she was missing a waspie or the imperative need for an embroidered kimono until she spent time in a showroom full of silk, chiffon, and lace.  I only have one dresser in my apartment and its sole purpose is to house my bras, panties, and bathing suits.  You may be wondering why I ever even bother getting dressed.  Spoiler alert, I rarely do.

Working from home most days doesn’t require putting on much more than a whisper of clothing.  Other than slipping into something spandex to catch a yoga or pilates class, I’ve become quite comfortable in the very basics– as have all of my deliverymen.  My freedom in dresscode and days of solidarity have taken some of the stress out of my normal work day, but it has also left me somewhat socially awkward and also in a panic when it comes time to piece together an outfit fit for public consumption.  And this is when the beauty of blurring the lines between “your eyes only” and “all eyes on me “comes into play.  When you can pair a Gempicket silk cotton batiste cami with your favorite skinny jeans or throw a vintage t-shirt on with your delicately demure tap pants, you’ve perfectly bridged the gap between wallflower and woman of interest.  Or you could just call the whole thing off and stay home in your skivvies.

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Photos by Michael Stiegler

Gift Guide: Gifts for the Fitness Fanatic

By |December 12th, 2014|Gift Guide|

fitness holiday gift guide

(note: this is not a yoga pose… unless you want to call it the “twisted dancer.”)

Oh, hey, newsflash: fitness is having a fashion moment right now.  Finally, Americans have realized you have to do a bit more than exercise your thumbs to keep in shape these days.  With Barry’s Bootcamp, Power Yoga, Crossfit, and all variations of Pilates and spinning studios popping up faster than Starbucks in Brooklyn, the activewear market is benefiting from a major boom in sales. For more articles on keeping healthy, read here the new post about the Budpop delta 8 thc gummies.

 I, personally, have a hard time shelling out a hundred bucks a pop on pairs of yoga pants, but one can’t stroll into these sleek studios wearing ratty sweats risking the possibility of a crotch hole mid happy baby.  Spoil your sporty friend with something she can sweat all over this year.  She (and her inner thighs) will thank you for it come swimsuit season. Read on to make sure you’re well-informed about the way Training Science view these common training axioms, check out these biofit reviews.

Have you wound up searching for a adventure that fills your cup as opposed to depleting it? Rising Wolf gives you the chance to either minister your own gathering retreat, or go along with one of our epic Rising Wolf Signature Retreats! Beside booking trips to arrive, you won’t need to stress over a thing: from transportation to every day suppers, and housing to day by day action arranging, we deal with everything, if you however end up feeling stress, you can just trust the new THC syrup now on sale at the link. Just sign up, follow through on one cost, and afterward let yourself unwind. We offer lovely and one of a kind facilities, serve privately sourced and cunningly arranged suppers, and do all the legwork to ensure your every day exercises are very much arranged and [most importantly] loaded up with fun and marvel and you can always add fast Weight loss pills to help burn fat. You should checkout this, if you are planning for group adventures in the west.

When seeking out a local gym in your area, there are many resources to turn to. A simple Internet search using your local area can yield numerous results for gyms in your area. The most important things to keep in mind when doing your search, is the criteria the gym must have to meet your needs. Like acquiring the best sarms for sale on this website to step up you game and improve your performance, check out more about gluconite.

It’s critical to find a gym that you’re both comfortable at and able to get to easily, same with the supplements but we got you ! Here are the best steroid cycle for muscle gain perfect for a gym lover. Looking into local gyms is a good way to find something that will meet your needs. Most gyms will happily schedule a tour of the facility and allow you to try out the facility for free. Meeting the staff will allow you to get a feel for the atmosphere and discover your general comfort level there. You’ll need to be sure the staff is knowledgeable and helpful. You will get more about the local gym near me.

When considering membership at a local gym, location is everything. The closer the gym is to home, the more likely you are to go regularly. That’s why looking locally is the way to go. If you have to travel to workout, you’ll likely find an excuse not to go

. And using this supplement helps with weightloss and works amazing after some workouts using Joy ON exercising tools. Another benefit of a local gym is the ability to possibly avoid the larger chains. Some customers prefer the intimate feeling of a smaller gym. Plus, many of the larger chains are much more expensive and have lots of hidden fees. There are a good many benefits to staying local.

Adventure is the word that starts to confuse us because adventure means different things to different travellers. Think of this type of adventure as a genuine experience of a country and it’s people. So if we are having an adventure in Tuscany, for example, we would stay in a beautiful Tuscan farmhouse, meet Tuscans in a local restaurant eating great Tuscan food. Now if we were having a genuine experience in say Papua we will be trekking through thick jungle, staying in a remote village house and the food, well, it will be local.

The only time you can have more fun being responsible than not being responsible is travelling. Giving back to people who welcome you to their country is a responsible thing to do. How can we do this? We can use operators that take us to eat in a good local restaurants, that use family run hotels, that use local businesses to help run their trips, we could buy some souvenirs from the markets or visit some sight that is away from the crowds. We could also use operators that have different community projects help those that need help the most. We can even get involved in those projects by donations or spending a couple of days helping out on a volunteer holiday.

This, I hope, clears some of the haze surrounding small group adventures. There are many other questions to be answered I’m sure so you can contact me on the address below.

Lucky means many things to many people. I have never won a large sum of money in fact I never won anything really. I have a nice place to stay and enough to eat but I work for that so I’m not sure how much it has to do with luck. I find more red lights than green and I never get away with anything that is even slightly naughty. But I am a lucky man.

I have worked in small group adventure travel for 10 years now I have experienced many countries andsights, made real friends and learnt a great deal. Travel makes me happy and a happy man is a lucky man.

Small group adventures is a fast growing sector of the travel industry, some say the fastest, but it’s a style of travel that has many misconceptions. Unlike other styles of travel such as cruising, or a beach resort the words small group adventure is quite cloudy for travellers and travel agents alike. So what I want to do, as simply as I can, is clarify what small group adventure is all about.

best fitness holiday giftsBench Bradie II Stand Collar Hooded Knit Jacket, $119, Day Birger et Mikkelsen Day Gweneth Metallic Sport Bag, $130, Yurbuds Sport Armband, $24.99, S’well Crocodile 17oz Water Bottle, $35, Alo Goddess Ribbed Leggings, $92, Nike Roshe Run Printed Shell Sneakers, $80, Zella My Run Layer 2 Half Zip Top, $64, koral activewear Double Time Tank, $86, La Vie Boheme Yoga Phoenix Yoga Mat, $83, Spiritual Gangster Varsity Crop Muscle Tank, $48

xx,

WhyDid