Thoughts on Life at 33...

Tap tap... Is this thing on?

I can't believe I haven't written a post in over 2 years... 2 YEARS! Life just happens... And I feel like a million and one things have happened within those two years. I've gone from having a newborn and leaving my 9:00-5:00 job (last blog post) to having a toddler and a baby in my belly, to now having 2 children. Family unit complete!

There's been happy, sad, stressful moments. Friendships that have drifted apart and more that have grown stronger. Family drama, friend drama... Trips, travels and love in between. I've learned a lot... A lot about other people, but even more about myself.

Club 33... Someday 

Today is my birthday and I'm feeling 33 is a weird age... If we all have the life expectancy that we hope you reach 100 then that means 1/3 of my life is over... If it ends before that then it's even more over. The effect this is having me is just... "Girl, time to get your shit together" 

I feel so different since Chelsea has been born. Having a daughter has made me look at things a lot closer. A young girl can be very impressionable. It's making me examine the kind of influence I want to be on her, which has made me examine myself a lot more.

I've realized in the last 2 years I lost a bit of myself. Perhaps I was just caught up in new mommyhood, but I feel like I lost a piece of me. I used to be a confident person and maybe to some still appear to be one from the outside looking in. Somewhere along the line I put myself last and got a little lost. Where did my self confidence go? When did I become such a people pleaser? When did I start letting peoples negativity affect me so much? These traits coming forward are not something I want my daughter to see. I want her to be confident... I want her to be respectful and motivated to make her own way in this world.

I will definitely say being pregnant again was not a confidence builder for me. Who's body is this? Am I supposed to be comfortable in it? I've said it all along and I will til the end... There are people who love being pregnant... And those that can't wait til the end... I'm the latter not glowing preggo. While I do count my blessings that I was able to get pregnant naturally with both of my children and there are those that are less fortunate... I'm so happy I never have to do it again. 

I feel like now that the part of my life where we're building our family is over, it's time to get back to "Girl, get your shit together"  

Sooooo let's get my shit together!

I'm going to ease back into blogging, I miss writing here. I've come up with a basic structure that focuses on things going on around town and spotlights on local artists so stay tuned. 

I'm going to be rebranding, redoing websites, logos and renaming everything. This blog, my vintage shop and maybe even Green Cycle. I bet no one even really knew I had a vintage shop... You will soon :)

I feel like I'm shedding a layer of skin, blossoming, shit if I was a bird I would be molting. Ha! I can't take any of this old stuff with me. Starting fresh for myself feels so great. No more negativity... No negative people, no negative feelings, only onward and upward.... If I could just get medical clearance to start yoga again that would be grrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat (office space voice) :)

So! Now it's time to put up or shut up... And let me start here....

Last year, (before I knew I was preggo...actually I think I was pregnant in the photos and didn't know it) I was involved in Self Revealed: The Naked Photography Project. I can only count on my one hand the amount of people that knew I did this. Self Revealed is a photography project in which women of all ages, sizes and color have the opportunity to express & validate their beauty on their terms. It's about body acceptance. No matter what you weight, size, color or creed it's about loving yourself and the skin you're in. Over 100 women had their photos taken.

I did it... And holy shit was it liberating!

I didn't share this with very many people as I was too concerned about the judgement or thoughts from other friends and family. The me now is like wtf were you thinking! This is absolutely ridiculous! I'm so proud to be a part of this project! The exhibit will run at Gallery 2014 into April

So I end this blog post with my photo courtesy of the amazing Elizabeth Sanjuan at Gallery 2014. Love to all!

Fashion's Night Out South Florida Preview....

Tonight is Fashion's Night Out ya'll and I'm uber-excited!

This will be the fourth year of the event and I'm proud to say that I've been buzzed shopping at the last three! Who doesn't like free wine, samples, deep discounts and posing in front of step and repeats?! It is, however, the end of a mini 2 year era with Sara and I attending since she moved away. You'll be with us in spirit darling!!!

Sara and I at FNO 2010!

While we aren't quite the originating NYC, there are oh so many things to do in South Florida tonight. Below is just my sampling...

Aventura Mall -

This has been our go-to spot for the last 2 years. It has been host to everyone from Project Runway designers to Jill and Bobby Zarin to Steve Madden and this year is no exception. This year Macy's is hosting a fashion show with Real Housewives of NYC Luann de Lesseps and supermodel Niki Taylor. Spend $75 at Macy's and you can meet them too! In years past (I'm sure this year is the same) the entire mall turns into a party. Every store has free food and drinks and you can walk around from store to store eating and sipping. Buzzed purchase anyone? More on Aventura Mall's event offerings here.

Bobby Zarin with us at Macy's in 2011

Aren't we cute!

Lala Couture - The ultimate girly Fort Lauderdale shop in the amazing Gateway shops (my favorite place ever) is serving up free champagne and having a sneak peak of all the fall trends. DJ in the house? Check! Be sure to say hello to Molly, the shops owner. She's super nice and willing to help you put together your new fall wardrobe! You can find out more about this Lala event here.

Bal Harbour Shops - Saks Fifth Avenue at Bal Harbour shops is serving up free shakes, burgers and custard alongside a high tech photobooth for your social media fix. Accessories designer Nancy Gonzalez will also be making a personal appearance at Neiman Marcus. Sweet! There are so many store events going on here that I can't possibly list them all... Check them out here.

And finally..... The FNO Event that Cari and I are attending tonight:

The District Factory -

Our favorite South Florida Jewelry designer and friend Susie Rekechensky will be there with her Phairytale wares. Local designers and vintage in my favorite part of town... Hello!? I smell a purchase coming on! I've been meaning to make it down to the District Factory for the last few months... What a perfect excuse! There will be 30 brands of apparel, vintage, accessories and a Rock the Block party with live dance and DJ's. Yes please!

Soooooooo what are you going to do for Fashion's Night Out?

Wednesday Obsessions... Or Free Netflix (Kind Of)!

In the summertime my movie watching and book reading goes on overdrive because of the extra free time on my hands. It's been this way since I was in high school. Call me a nerd, but I love being up to date on movies and have old classics under my belt...

OMG so many movies!!!

I bought a Netflix subscription back in 2005, but it kept getting more and more expensive and they would make you wait weeks, some times months for a new release. Andy finally convinced me to stop wasting $25 a month on the DVD's and Blurays that would just sit on our coffee table... sometimes for months...

I remember a few years ago when Shine a Light came out... I had that in my house for a record 3 months... 3 MONTHS!!! I never watched it... I recently did though and it was terrible (I'm just not a Stones freak I guess) but that made me think... I spent $75 for a movie to sit on my coffee table for 3 months! I could have purchased it 4 or 5 times over! I still have the streaming version of Netflix for my Appletv.  It's only $7.99 a month and for whatever reason I can't bring myself to cancel it.

It's been only over the past couple years that I've discovered a new **FREE** way to watch movies.....

Behold the Broward County Public Library System... Or as I like to call it FREE NETFLIX!!!

It's absolutely 100% the most amazing thing ever. Do you have a library card? Great! You're all set to get started! All you need to do is access the Broward County Library Catalog, search for your movie, place a hold and choose which branch to pick it up... Seriously, it's just that simple!!

The Broward County Library Search

The library staff will transfer, pick up and hold the movie for you. You'll get an email when it's ready and all you have to do is drive your pretty little self to the branch, go to the front desk and voila! It's yours for about a week! As a matter of fact 10 can be - 10 is the limit for checking out movies... Not too shabby!

My Holds... Don't Judge

Last year I remember watching What Dreams May Come and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang... Two movies I had wanted to see since I was little... Crazy right? Who goes through childhood without seeing  Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!?!

Of course this system works for any other thing that the library has to offer you too. Of course it could also cost you just a little cash money if you return the movie late. If you want it longer though, you can renew right from the website. When you're done with your item you can also drop it off at any Broward County library and they will return it to its originating branch. They basically do all the work for you!

Sooooo call me a nerd, but I love my free books and movies! Do you have any secrets like this to share? I'm all ears!

Crazy Art Filled Weekend Ahead....

At the end of my last post, I spoke about the crazy amount of arty things to do this weekend... Can you believe there's even more than I originally anticipated? There's no better time to try out some of the awesome art events South Florida has to offer us!

So much to do.... it's like Art Shows A Go Go!

Here's a breakdown of the weekend....

Art Walk Las Olas -  Thursday, February 16th

Art Walk Las Olas is an arts driven, reoccurring event the Third Thursday monthly from 6-10pm on Las Olas Boulevard.   The participating galleries host exhibit openings, receptions, artists, and outdoor entertainment to combine for a truly memorable evening on the boulevard. 
Third Thursday Dates:  Feb 16th, March 15th, April 19th, May 17th


Art Wynwood - Thursday, February 16th - Monday, February 20th

Art Wynwood will feature paintings, photography, sculpture, art video and new media, conceptual art and urban street art by 500 artists from 13 countries: Argentina, Austria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, the Netherlands, Venezuela, United Kingdom and the United States. With representation from 100 cities from around the world, including 50 across the U.S., Art Wynwood will further distinguish the Wynwood Arts District as a leading cultural destination for acquiring contemporary art. A VIP Private Preview will be held in celebration of the opening on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012.


Coconut Grove Art Festival - Saturday, February 18th - Monday, February 20th

Celebrating its 49th anniversary in 2012, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival® is the nation’s top outdoor fine arts festivals. The three-day festival showcases the works of over 360 of the finest artists and craftsmen in the world. A signature event of the South Florida cultural calendar, the Arts Festival is a true “Celebration of the Arts” offering visitors the opportunity to meet with exhibiting artists, sample fine cuisine, enjoy live entertainment and take in the tropical waterfront views of Coconut Grove.

Coral Ridge Home & Craft Show - Saturday, February 18th - Sunday, February 19th

 
A Fun and Unique Mall Experience this Weekend in Fort Lauderdale! Come on out Saturday February 18th from 9am-9pm ... and/or on Sunday February 19th from 12noon-6pm to the Coral Ridge Mall (Oakland Park Blvd & N. Federal Hwy - where Target and Publix are located) You will see a unique display of fashion, health, beauty, travel, home decor, garden and outdoor living, kitchens and baths, home improvements and much, much more. This is a show you won't want to miss! 


City-Wide Market - Saturday, February 18th

City-Wide Market is a huge MONTHLY garage sale, flea market, vintage and local product fair rolled into one fantastic INDOOR event!You’ll find tons of locals selling a wide range of items, including:
- Gently Used and Good Condition SecondHand Goods
- Vintage/Retro Items
- Collectibles and Novelties
- Locally Made Products and Crafts
Plus: Food, Drinks and Fresh Brewed Coffee, Music and More!
** FREE Goodie Bags for the FIRST 100 guests in line!!**
FREE Admission / FREE Parking!
This event is comprised of LOCALS selling their stuff! NO mass "made in China" merchandise, NO in-your-face perfume vendors, NO knockoff and bootleg sellers!



ArtiGras - Saturday, February 18th - Monday, February 20th

The ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival takes place Feb. 18 through Feb. 20 at Abacoa Town Center.
The festival is ranked as one of the top 50 art shows in the United States, with a juried exhibition of 280 artists from all over the country. The three-day event also features interactive art exhibits, music, and demonstrations. ArtiGras is produced by the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce and benefits over 60 school art programs and non-profit organizations.
Festival hours are Feb. 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A lot to do right!?

Our schedule is to go down to Coconut Grove Arts Festival Saturday morning and hit up City-Wide Market Saturday afternoon. Sunday we'll check out Coral Ridge Home and Craft Show - Cari will be there with Doopiemoos! On Monday, we'll head down to Art Wynwood. We probably won't make it up to Artigras, but figured I would share for those up in WPB. There's only so much driving a girl can take in one weekend!

Soooooooo which one(s) are you going to?

FAT Village Art Walk & Tap 42...

Saturday night in downtown Fort Lauderdale.... So many things to do!

We started out our Saturday night at a funky new restaurant downtown called Tap 42.  Tap 42 is Ft. Lauderdale's newest craft beer bar and kitchen. They have 42 different beers on tap and over 100 bottled beers. AND... right up my alley, though it is new construction, they've used as much local, recycled and refurbished materials as possible... Awesome! Located off Andrews Ave and SE 14th Street it's easy to get to from whatever area you're coming from. This entire downtown area is going through a revitalization...  or as Keith said, "Gentrification" - We all learned a new word.

We had an awesome table outside (and impeccable timing as it poured rain like an hour or so after we left) Unfortunately I didn't take any pics of my own here, so I had to rip some off of their website (I was too consumed in our bottle of wine)

Outside of Tap 42...

Outside area where we sat and view indoors...

Inside Area of Tap 42...

We were there around 6:00pm and didn't have a problem getting a great table outside for a party of 6. It definitely got a lot busier the later it got. We dined happily on our bevy of appetizers which included an awesome meat and cheese platter...  Yum!

For the main course most of us had burgers, which were yum! The price was reasonable for the service and ambiance - Very cool in that you're at a restaurant surrounded by high rise buildings and the hospital. Just an overall fun experience - Great for date nights or a night out with friends. Very glad we tried it out!

You can see the entire Tap 42 menu here.

You can also check out the entire beer menu here.

After dinner we went to an art walk downtown that I have been wanting to check out for a while. Every month there is an event called FAT Village Art Walk... FAT (Flagler Arts and Technology) Village is located downtown just North of Broward Blvd on the intersection of 1st & 5th. The Art Walks are held on the last Saturday of every month from 7:00pm-11:00pm.... Oh and did I mention it's all FREE?

Fat Village Art Walk Map

 

 

 

We had such a great time walking around here - Our favorite (and I really hope I'm getting it right from the map) was the Fort Lauderdale Scenic Studio in 523A. This studio holds all of the props, costumes and whatever other fun stuff you've seen from events around Ft. Lauderdale. Like parade floats, massive Hard Rock signs from the boat parade, mermaids... And all of it is there for you to play with. You can touch everything, climb on it, take pics with it, go inside...whatever you want. So much FUN! All of the people that work here are so nice too. We were talking to one woman who said they just open the warehouse up because they love to see peoples reactions to everything. She even helped us pull out the 7 foot Rio Jesus that you'll see in the pics... Yep!


Here's some silly pics from inside...

Me with a massive Hollywood sign...

Another massive boat parade sign...

Cari and a giant 7 foot plaster copy of the Rio Jesus...

Rachel and Cari in a mini gingerbread house....

As you can see, you can spend hours in this place playing! After this were a few more galleries with serious artwork. Serious expensive artwork! There was also a bar with a live band playing with a free open bar! Of course the line was crazy, so we spent our $3 on a glass of wine each (cheap, right?) Such a great time!!!

There were food vendors and a couple of art vendors in the street. Cari bought a pretty new turquoise necklace outside of the next gallery we went into which was the Rolling Stock Gallery and Rolling Stock Alley. They also had a live band playing and artists doing graffiti in the back alley. In the middle area there was a blank banner with spray paint and sharpies in all colors to play with.... So we did!

Green Cycle Designs....

Doopie Moos.....

Andy's contribution... Our initials and anniversary... What a cutie!

So..... that was our night out at Tap 42 and FAT Village Art Walk - We definitely recommend checking out both of these destinations. You can also check out my Yelp on Tap 42   - See you at the next Art Walk!

Peace 25 cents... At Rolling Stock Alley