girl meets life. » fashion

thoughts on the grammys, or whatever.

Gracie — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:52:43 +0000

I’m not usually big on award shows, but for some reason I found myself glued to last night’s Grammys. So here’s the rundown a la Gracie.

Rihanna’s performance was my favorite of the night. She never disappoints.

The boys of Foster The People are just the cutest little nuggets. I saw them live over the summer and was so happy to see them performing on last night’s big show. Oh, and they clearly beat out Maroon 5 in the Beach Boys battle.

Is it just me or does LL Cool J never seem to age? Although, there’s got to be something shady going on under that newsboy cap of his…

Jennifer Hudson’s performance. Speechless.

I’m still not understanding the obsession with Adele. Why do people talk about and treat her like she’s saved humankind from depletion? She’s adorable – she really is – but I just don’t find her voice to be all that pleasant.

Even though she’s released one too many anthem songs, there’s just something I really like about Katy Perry. Props to her for publicly venting about her failed marriage to Russell Brand in front of millions of people…I guess…

YAY FOR BON IVER! However, since when does a band that’s been around for 5 years constitute as being a “new artist?”

I’m not Gaga’s biggest fan, but that wand she was carrying was pretty dope.

But my award for best-dressed at the Grammys goes to…

It’s a tie. I’m a sucker for close girlfriends, what can I say?

What are your thoughts on last night’s Grammys? Best dressed? Best performance?

what i learned this weekend, part 7.

Gracie — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:25:50 +0000

Apparently I’ve formed a bad habit of losing important cards on the weekend.

If I continue with my aggressive pedestrian ways, odds are that I will in fact get hit by a car one day.

After watching two of his movies this weekend – there’s just something so adorable (and hilarious) about Jason Bateman.

Cell phone games these days give me anxiety. What ever happened to Snake??

Spring Street Natural is one of the reasons I’ll never say I don’t like healthy food.

I’m one of the few single people who actually loves and is excited for Valentines Day.

Wearing a beanie out ensures that at least 20 people will try to steal it and/or pull it down over your face.

Basic cable channels no longer offer a Grammy’s Red Carpet pre-show, which I think is ridiculous. We cheap-cableless people deserve to be able to judge celebrities based on their poor choices of attire too, okay?? (stay tuned for my full Grammys commentary later today. Ohyes.)

What did you learn this weekend? See any good movies?

okay fine.

Gracie — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:20:44 +0000

I guess I do sorta have a type.

Beanie baby with a boxer.

See? I’m a simple gal…

what i learned this weekend, part 6.

Gracie — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:20:27 +0000

Friday night plans may come and go, but you can always rely on the dollar menu.

“OMG that SO sh*t girls say!” is in fact the new sh*t girls say.

Don’t carry your MetroCard in the same pocket as your phone.

Le Baron. I like.

I have a newfound obsession with headscarves.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

I’m back in the baking game.

…but going grocery shopping on Super Bowl Sunday is a really dumb decision.

What did you learn this weekend?

we’re making necklaces.

Gracie — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:03:27 +0000

…but not just any necklaces. In order to raise funds and awareness to help get Freely Be off the ground, Jessi and I are selling custom necklaces and bracelets. People have been asking for ways to support the growth of Freely Be, so we figured – why not give them a trendy necklace to flaunt in return?

We’re only making 100 necklaces/bracelets – each handmade and one-of-a-kind. Click here to order yours now.

Sorry for still being so hush-hush about the re-launch of Freely Be, but we’re just finishing up getting all of our ducks in a row now. Our new website will do all the explaining, so please be patient with us! Until then…

We’re giving away a custom-made necklace OR bracelet to one lucky reader!

Here’s how to enter:

1) Leave a comment saying what your favorite piece of jewelry is.

Two more (optional) means of entry:

2) Follow @FreelyBe on Twitter.

3) Tweet this: “I entered @alagracie’s @FreelyBe necklace giveaway! http://tinyurl.com/7neo7cl”

***Be sure to leave a comment for each entry so they’ll be counted accordingly.*** The giveaway will end on Sunday, February 5th at 5pm EST. Open to U.S. residents only.

Thanks in advance for your support, and good luck!

***2/6/12 update – winner has been emailed!***

things christian girls say.

Gracie — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:39:37 +0000

lbd optional: the new rules for nightlife attire.

Gracie — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:59:11 +0000

Despite some mixed feedback on my previous articles, I’m back with the (last?) installment of The Everyday Girl’s Guide to Nightlife. So far I’ve shared why three isn’t a crowd and some of my do’s and don’t’s for the club. Now let’s have a little chat about something that can make or break your chances of getting past the door here in NYC: what you’re wearing.

Gone are the days where a little black dress and basic black stilettos are the go-to outfit for the club. Sure, you can still go that route as it’s very much safe and acceptable, but where’s the fun in that? In the city where anything goes and taking yourself too seriously is b-o-r-i-n-g, it’s time to move on from the outfits everyone has seen before and use nightlife as an opportunity to rock the fun styles you’d never dream of wearing during the day. There’s no better way to express that sassy and fun personality of yours than through what you’re wearing, so here are some easy and do-able tips to make that happen.

Lose the boring heels…but replace them well. That’s right – go ahead and break what seems to be the one and only commandment for girls to wear to the club. While every girl should own a basic pair of black and nude stilettos, wearing them every single time you go out can just get so…vanilla. Try replacing them with platform booties, heeled oxfords, or even a great combat boot. Even if you do decide to stick with a LBD, those edgier shoes can take your entire look up a notch.

Experiment with dressing down. If the thought of dressing down for the club is completely foreign to you, it’s okay to take baby steps. For example, pair something slightly dressy (i.e. your favorite super-tight black skinnys) with something a little more edgy (i.e. a relaxed-fit tank and a bomber jacket). And if going dress-less is just too devastating for you, switch things up at least a little bit by adding a boyfriend blazer and/or some gaudy layered necklaces. Mixing dressy with not-so-dressy pieces is a great way to throw in your personal style without going too overboard.

Still look hot. We’ve all heard the ever-important rule that just because something is trendy, it doesn’t mean it will look good on you. So when experimenting with new outfits for going out, admitting to yourself that you’re not Bar Refaeli is the first step to finding what works for you. What good is adding your personal style if you don’t look like the absolute best version of yourself? So always make sure to flaunt your best features – you know what they are.

Outfit aside – hair and makeup should always remain in check. Looking like a hot mess in that department might work for Ke$ha, but it most likely won’t work for us ordinary girls. Just remember – there’s a fine line between standing out in a good way and standing out in a “you can’t come in here looking like that” way.

Always remember to own it. Whatever you decide to wear or fashion “rule” you break, the number one rule for nightlife attire is to OWN IT. You can always tell when someone is wearing something that they’re just not comfortable in, but you can also tell when they feel confident and ready to have a good night. What you decide to wear out should only add to you being the hottest, most fun version of YOU, so own that outfit from head to toe.

What’s your go-to outfit for a night out? How do you include your personal style?

1.13.12.

Gracie — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:30:28 +0000

…I’m not superstitious.

[images found via Tumblr]

the everyday girl’s guide to nightlife: some do’s and don’t’s.

Gracie — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:07:35 +0000

Last week I shared why I think three isn’t a crowd when it comes to going out. Now let’s go over some do’s and don’t’s, shall we? Starting with…

what every girl should bring to the club.

Guys have it so easy. All they have to carry into the club is their phone and (fully loaded) wallet. But girls? We have to put a little more thought on what we bring along with us for a night out. It’s unfortunate that these reminders even have to be made because they’re all pretty basic, but I can’t tell you how many girls I see lacking these nightlife necessities.

1) a coat. Girls, there is no excuse in the world to not bring a coat when the weather is below about 55 degrees. When you walk up holding onto your own arms for dear life and apparently convulsing…it’s just awkward. Not a good look. So do us all a favor and acknowledge that a $4 coat check > your daily latte.

If you’re insistent on traveling sans a coat for your night out, at least consider bringing a bomber jacket or blazer that can easily be left at the table (but don’t be surprised if it has disappeared by the end of the night. Just saying).

2) the right shoes. I understand that beauty can sometimes be pain, but walking like a (crippled) baby deer is not doing you any favors. When you walk/wobble like that, no one’s going to be looking at your shoes anyway. So stop being concerned about what shoes you’re wearing and start thinking about how to not look like a hot mess. (tip: super-skinny stilettos can get boring anyway, why not try something more fun like these booties?)

If you just can’t bring yourself to part from those not-so-comfortable but oh-so-fierce pumps of yours, consider throwing a pair of easily collapsible flats into your purse to be safe. Those will come in handy when your friends are hell bent on walking rather than cabbing it to the next club.

3) a flirting accessory. We’ve all heard about wearing a “conversation piece,” but have you heard about the importance of having a flirting accessory? Whether you’re trying to meet new guys or just get some drinks bought for you, the right flirting accessory can make miracles happen. For example, my BFF Jessi has had literally hundreds of guys approach her just to say “they LOVE her unique glasses.” I’ve seen other girls take advantage of the flirting accessory – whether it’s obnoxious earrings or an attention-grabbing graphic tee- and the success rate is pretty darn high. Bet you can’t guess what mine is…

4) your credit card. “But when I go out I don’t spend a single dime!” Okay, we get it. Adorable. Go ahead and rely on your table service, but my friends and I would rather not risk having to stand drink-less at the bar looking like desperate golddiggers. Not to mention that no one’s going to feel sorry for you when you’re tripping on cobblestones sans a Sugar Daddy trying to find a free ride home.

…think you got all of those? Okay, great. Now moving on to:

what girls definitely shouldn’t bring to the club.

The only thing worse than forgetting to bring certain key necessities to the club is bringing the wrong ones along with you. Although you should never go without the simple basics like a coat and a credit card, less is more when it comes to what you carry around during your night out. Some of the things girls carry along with them can be so distracting that they warrant an on-the-spot intervention, so read carefully to spare yourself from being an offender of these all too common girl accessories.

Leave the big camera at home. In the age of the cell phone camera, pulling a normal-sized camera out of your purse and snapping away is way too reminiscent of freshman year of college (which, clearly you have the pictures to prove it). Remember that not everyone is comfortable with having photos taken of them by strangers, and a non-stop camera flash is just plain annoying. Even cell phone pictures should be kept to a minimum – and unless you’re actually a photographer – stop trying to snap proof that you’re having fun and just…have it!

Ditch the massive handbag. An awkwardly large purse begs the question, did you just come from running errands? What’s next – are you going to pull out your keys with a million key chains on it? There’s something bizarre about the bond girls form with their handbags. It’s understandable that that’s where you keep all of your daily must-haves, but you most likely won’t be using 99% of them when you’re at the club anyway.

Make the investment in a small shoulder bag – one that’s perfectly sized to fit the necessities (and only the necessities) for your night out.

Spare us from your boyfriend issues. We’ve all experienced that night out where a girl friend is trying to drown her relationship sorrows in an endless stream of cranberry vodkas. Whether you’re drinking yourself into oblivion or breaking conversation every 5 minutes to talk about what he just tweeted, try to stop and remember that you’re totally being “that girl.” In the same way that it’s important for girls to be there for each other when going through tough times, don’t ruin the night for everyone when you could have just said you needed a girl’s night at home instead. If you do still decide to go out, make an effort to enjoy the night and cry it out tomorrow in a more appropriate setting.

Lose the bachelorette party props. Plain and simple: sashes, veils and inappropriately-shaped straws just don’t belong in the club. While celebrating your upcoming nuptials in NYC can make for a great pre-wedding night out, there’s something about those props that make girls become 10x more ridiculous (and not the “good” ridiculous). You can still make it known that you’re the bride-to-be, but lose the weird crown and try something classy like a white lacey dress. If you’re idea of a bachelorette party is simply incomplete without the traditional props, get it out of your system at a fun dive bar before heading to the club.

The CEO from your west-coast office – proceed with caution. Sometimes even the best of relationships with a promoter or doorman can’t keep your boss from having to pay for a table. Unless you have a secure plan in place for the night, you could be setting yourself up for failure. Let’s be honest, no one wants to be the person who couldn’t deliver their boss’ long-awaited crazy night out in the NYC. To be safe, give your boss and promoter friend the heads up beforehand, and then…you know…just keep the fact that your company brought in x-billion last year on the down-low.

So there you have it – just about all the advice you need to avoid being “that girl” at the club. Now party on, clubrats, and remember not to take yourself too seriously, okay?

What’s your biggest pet peeve that girls do/bring/say/wear during a night out?

what i learned this weekend, part 4.

Gracie — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:18:46 +0000

Always double-check that your phone keys are locked.

Despite what I previously thought, New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to suck.

I guess I know what’s not one of my New Year’s resolutions…

(Baked French Toast from Elmo)

What was the best part about your holiday weekend?