"Sex Color" and Raptor Claws

Last night, I went for my weekly manicure and 10 minute massage. It was definitely a red nails week a.k.a. “Sex Color” week. I’ve been a loyal customer of Ann’s Nails several months now, but rarely get the same manicurist. Ann’s Nails must be stacked at least 30 manicurists because I hardly see the same women.

As a creature of habit, I’ve always been a little jealous of the women who go to the same manicurist and have an ongoing relationship with them. They always hug, catch up on the gossip, and the manicurist ALWAYS gives them a longer hand massage plus free Quick Dry! I’ve always wanted a relationship with a manicurist, but convenience is much more important to me. Anyway, like any normal trip to the salon, I took the first available manicurist and sat down with “Sex Color” in-hand(Essie Fishnet Stocking). You’ll never guess who my manicurist was... Low and behold, there she was - the “Sex Color” manicurist.

So I sat down, handed over the color that embarrassed me a week ago, and said “I’d like a 10 minute massage as well.” She smiled and began taking off my purple polish. Surprisingly, the manicure was going smoothly...no embarrassing comments about the red polish this time (sigh of relief). As she was finishing up my second coat, I was looking forward to the massage. Then I glanced at her nails and saw some BIG RAPTOR CLAWS. Immediately I got nervous because women with long nails tend to dig into me while massaging me which makes for an unenjoyable massage. Not to mention, I usually have to ask the masseuse to easy-up because I bruise like a peach.

The walk to the massage chair was a dreadful one. How do I tell someone to easy up with the raptor claws? I can’t say “please cut and file those things before we proceed”-that would be rude. So I kept quiet, positioned myself in the chair, took a deep breath and thought, here we go. She started massaging my back and it felt wonderful. But I didn’t want to celebrate just yet - I still had 9 minutes and 50 seconds left…still plenty of time to dig those claws into my back.

Minute after minute went by and I was in heaven. Who knew the “Sex Color” woman could give a massage like this with raptor claws like that. Holy cow!!! It was A-MAZING!!!! I had to get her name. At the end of my massage, I asked what her name was. She replied “Cici”. I said, “Well Cici that was the best massage I’ve had here. Thank you very much.”

After a massage like that, I wouldn't settle for anyone else's raptor claws. I had to have Cici's massage. Ladies and gentlemen (if men actually read this), I found “the one”. I found my very own manicurist to start a long-standing relationship with.

I slept very well last night…like an un-bruised peach with “sex color” nails.

Tuesday's Outfit

Cardigan: Anthropologie

Satin Leopard Camisole: Express

Skirt: Banana Republic

Belt: Forever 21

Shoes: Nordstrom

Ring & Necklace: Forever 21

The Red Shoe Diaries

After several years, I’ve decided to retire my red heels and start my search for a new pair. If you haven’t heard it before, a pair of red heels is essential to any girl’s wardrobe. It’s a fun, simple and flirty way to take a plain outfit and add a pop of color. Take Dorothy for example; her world was black and white until she stepped into those ruby red slippers. Just like that, those red slippers colored her world and turned everything upside down. Not only did she have the Wicked Witch jonesing for her shoes, but she made a lot of friends along the way AND got a free makeover at the end.

Just like Dorothy, every girl needs her own pair of ruby red slippers. But let's do away with the slippers and sequins, and add 4 inches.

Here are some of my finds in my quest for the perfect red heels. All the shoes are under $150 and available at Zappos.com or Endless.com.

Monday's Oufit

Dress: Floating Lotus Dress from Anthropologie

Navy Cardigan: Aqua from Bloomingdale's

Purple Shoes: Fornarina

Accessories: 54" Pearl Necklace; Ring from Forever 21

The All-You-Can-Drink Brunch

This weekend was like any other weekend. Kyle and I went on our 4 mile run then we counteracted our morning run with tons of delicious yummy calories at brunch. But we’re not just talking your basic eggs and bacon brunch….we’re talking the All-You-Can-Drink brunch. Now everyone knows brunch is a staple in New York culture, but the All-You-Can-Drink Brunch has slowly become a way of life. It’s an opportunity to gather your closest friends, chat it up, eat Eggs Benedict, all the while fisting endless goblet-sized mimosas.

This weekend we decided to branch out from our normal brunch spots and tried La Carbonara (located on 14th Street and 7th Avenue). This little Italian comfort-food restaurant is adorable and has very something for everyone. Did I mention it's very affordable and delicious? To be honest, most of the time, I find myself sacrificing the quality of the food for the drink special, but not at La Carbonara. The restaurant was quaint, the menu was extensive, the food was delicious and the drinks were abundant. The entrees ranged from $7.95-$12.95 and the drink special was $15 for unlimited Mimosas, Screw Drivers and Bloody Marys.

Upon arrival, I sighed with relief when the hostess had given us the back room. To break it down for you: 9 people + hours of endless drinks = LOUD!!! At the height of brunch, the hostess made a terrible mistake and sat a party of 5 in the same room with us. We all knew they would not stand a chance. After 20 minutes of censored conversation (well sort of…), the party asked to be moved out to the regular dining room.

Once the drinks started pouring, we started roaring.

Website with All-You-Can-Drink Brunches:

http://www.sheckys.com/newyorkcity/nightlife/articles/afternoon_delight_best_all_45_you_45_can_45_drink_brunch_6242.asp

Gregory is sporting my recent fall purchase...

My "Purple Rain" Sweatercoat available at Anthropologie

All Things Shiny, Bright and New – My Recent Forever 21 Finds

Thursday's Outfit

Dress: Leifsdottir from Anthropologie

Headband & Belt: Forever 21

Earrings & Necklace: H&M

Ring: Lalique

Shoes: BCBG

Fortunately, nothing crazy happened to me yesterday. I’ve decided to get back to the roots of my blog – Clothing and Accessories.

All Things Forever 21

Forever 21 is a great place to find cheap and trendy accessories. I never feel guilty about buying loads of accessories because I know it will last me a season and will eventually be replaced with the next season’s trend. While New York has plenty of Forever 21 locations, I can’t seem to muster up the courage or patience to shop in the store. Here are my recent Forever 21 online purchases and some ideas of how to wear them.

The color purple and patent leather are two of my favorite things (among many others). Both belts add a little “edge” to your outfit. I pair these belts with a black sheath dress, tights and some large colorful accessories. (Belts $4.50 each)

In the words of Rachel Zoe – “ OMG! I Die. I Die.” I just purchased these puppies and love them. The flowers are big and make a huge statement, but no guts, no glory. I pair these with pretty much everything I own that fits into the color scheme. Deep purple is huge this season and looks great with any hair color. Each of these headbands comes in several other colors and range from $4.50-$7.80 each.

When it comes to rings, I say “the bigger, the better.” Maybe your long-term boyfriend will get the hint… Rings are a great way to put your stamp on any outfit. A simple solid dress with a colorful ring and tights goes a long way. The rings range in price from $3.80 - $5.80.

Necklaces are always a great accessory to make any outfit more dramatic. Large, long and layered necklaces are definitely the trend this season. Pair these necklaces with a high shirt or dress neckline or even a collared shirt that’s unbuttoned (a little cleavage, but not too much). Prices range from $7.80-$14.80.

Accessories are supposed to be fun and reflect your personal style. Never think twice about what anyone else thinks. Wear what makes you happy. My theory is - As long as YOU like it, ROCK IT!

The Soup Dumpling Facial...Take That Spa Week!!

New York's Spa Week in is just around the corner. For those not familiar with this epic week, Spa Week is when many spas offer their treatments for only $50. This allows women to pamper themselves at New York’s finest spas for a fraction of the price. Such treatments include spa pedicures, massages and facials. Now, normally I participate in this awesome week of indulgence, but this year, I decided to pinch a few pennies. And, in the honor of Spa Week and the horrible economy, I’ve decided to let you all in my new-found SUPER CHEAP SECRET – the “Joe Shanghai’s Soup Dumpling Facial".

Now, one can argue what makes someone a true "New Yorker". But the real telltale sign is if you’ve experienced the infamous Joe Shanghai Soup Dumplings. Tucked away in the dirty crowded streets in Chinatown, is the gem known as Joe Shanghai’s. Without exaggeration, people line-up for hours to taste these savory little miracles known as the soup dumplings. I, however, line up for the dumpling facial. As soon as you sit down, the waiter asks “dumplings?” You’re response should always be – “Hell Yes!” Forget beverages, they are secondary to the dumplings and for pansies.

The Soup Dumpling path from the kitchen to the table is a hot one. The waiters swerve through the tables to get the dumplings to their customers as fast as possible. This creates what’s known as the “danger zone”. As soon as the waiter plops these delectable treats on the table, I hope and pray the steam comes my way. I hover (slightly) over the basket of dumplings and let the steam saturate my face. I’ve always thought, a sign of a good facial is – does your facial smell good enough to eat? In this case – definitely!

So for those who are hungry, want to pinch a few pennies and participate in Spa Week 2009, try the “Joe Shanghai’s Soup Dumpling Facial”. I promise your tummy, wallet and face – you won’t regret it.

Joe Shanghai’s
9 Pell Street
New York, NY 10013
www.joeshanghairestaurants.com

Spa Week 2009
http://www.spaweek.com/

Wednesday's Outfit

Sweater: Zara

Shirt: Tommy Hilfiger
Skirt: Banana Republic Shoes: BCBG

Tuesday's Outfit

Dress: Anthropologie
Necklace: 54" Pearl Necklace

Purple Suede Shoes: Fornarina

"Sex Color" - Did She Really Just Say That??

Hello, my name is Erica and I am an addict….a Manicure Addict. I love the look of freshly painted nails. So shiny; so deliciously glossy. Nail polish is a highly under-rated accessory and I LOVE that my best friend works for a large nail polish company. Each time we see each other, she showers me with the hottest trends in polish. Rad, you’re the best!

Back to my addiction….Every 5 days or so, I head to Ann’s Nails (24 Maiden Lane – FiDi), the home of the $8 bulletproof manicure. I love walking up the squeaky old steps to the 2nd floor and into the salon. I yell “manicure” and the woman says 3 of my favorite words - “pick a color.” The moment I gaze up at the wall of color, I am in heaven. Rows and rows of eye-popping colors. So many choices, so many possibilities. I usually have an idea of what color I want before I walk in, but the second I see the wall, I lose all train of thought and scan each row for the perfect color.

So this time, I picked out bright red. Red is a color I visit every few weeks. Nothing screams “dang my nails look great” like good old-fashioned blood red. As the woman finishes my base coat and starts on the first coat of red, she stops and looks up at me. What came out of her mouth next put me in total shock. I actually thought – Did she really just say that??

The manicurist said “sex color”.
I responded with a big fat “WHAT?!”
She then repeats herself and says “SEX COLOR”.

Okay, so I quickly scanned my brain for things that rhyme with sex. Nope…it didn’t sound like “T-Rex”. It definitely didn’t sound like “Mex” or “Chex” or anything else other than “SEX”. I felt my face turn the color of my polish. I thought she was calling me promiscuous for wearing such a classic color. Then the manicurist next to her said “her English is not good. She means ‘sexy color’ (pronounced like seeexxxxyyyyy). “ Okay, SEXY color, not SEX color. Phew…I let out a sigh of relief. For a second there, I thought I’d have to abandon Ann’s Nails. But, sexy color - I can dig that. When she finished I thought – my nails certainly look sexy…that’s for damn sure.

The Head and The Headband

Monday's Outfit

Dress & Rose Belt: Anthropologie

Headband: Forever 21
Shoes: Enzo Angolini Peep Toe Pumps

I absolutely love accessories! Accessories are key pieces that allow you to express yourself and can make your outfit unique.

Accessories can be anything from chunky bangles, layered necklaces, tights, belts, to my personal favorite, headbands. Thanks to Gossip Girl and Blair Waldorf, headbands are everywhere. There are tons of little booths popping up on the sidewalks in SoHo selling custom-made feather and sequin headbands. They truly are a must-have accessory and can add that little 'je ne sais quoi' to any outfit. However, not just anything can fly as a must-have essential accessory. There are some accessories that will ruin even the best outfits as they often can overpower the outfit itself. The accessories to avoid are: fanny packs, fake dog purses and MANNEQUIN HEADS.

The other day, I was at XES, the gay bar I frequent with my lovely boys, having our usual 2-for-1 cocktails. When all of a sudden Gregory says "very carefully, look what's on the ground over your right shoulder." What I saw was tragic and haunts me to this day. There was a mannequin head surrounded by cigarette butts with piercing green eyes, large silver hoops, and what looked like a late 90's prom hair up do. Where did this head come from? Who would bring such a thing to a bar. Next thing you know, this head is the talk of the town and there's a line to take pictures with it. Talk about a conversation piece.

Where I Find My Headbands:
Forever21.com
Anthropology
Kadette - Located on Prince between Broadway & Mercer (Thursday-Sunday)

About Me

My name is Erica and I’m your typical 26 year old, but I only wear dresses. Yes, I ONLY wear dresses.

About 2 years ago, I realized I had fallen victim to the “corporate” world and was wearing the same drab pants and skirts with blasé blouses. I was bored with my clothing and never looked forward to getting dressed the morning. I lost my passion for fashion. So, in an effort to add a little color to the corporate world, I kicked my closet up-a-notch and went on a hunt for some colorful, girly, feminine pieces. What happened - I only bought dresses.

You see, I’ve always owned dresses, but they were for special occasions like semi-formals and weddings. I never tried on dresses when casually shopping. In fact, I never seemed to notice them. It was like the proverbial “veil” was lifted from my eyes and I only saw dresses. I can say with full confidence, I never truly appreciated the power of a great every day dress until I bought those first few dresses. That was the beginning of the end. I had a new passion for fashion. I loved the way a dress made me feel – feminine and original. It was exciting to dress up and dress down a dress with a pair of bright tights, shoes or a patent leather belt. For once in a long time, I was excited to get up in the morning and get dressed.

From that moment on, I’ve only worn dresses or occasionally skirts. Both my closet and I have slowly transformed into a “dresses only” zone. I still own button-up shirts, blouses and pants, but the pants are now in the back of my closet taking up valuable space. Just to be clear…I do wear pants to work out and when traveling, but I haven’t put on a pair of pants, including jeans, to go anywhere other than the gym or airport.

After much encouragement from friends, I’ve decided to start a blog to document my days wearing dresses. Where this blog will go, I can’t say for sure, but I am hoping it breathes new life into the girls who are bored with their everyday wardrobe and looking to add some color to their world.

Left Shoe - Where Art Thou?

Friday was a very sad sad day. It probably sounds a little heartless to say this, but I know what Jessica Simpson is going through. She's missing her beloved dog Daisy that was snatched by a coyote and I'm missing my beloved left Marc Jacobs shoe.

Friday was like any normal day. I came into work, plopped my purse on my desk, kicked off my walk-to-work shoes and was about to put on one of my favorite pairs of shoes when I noticed the left shoe was missing!!! Holy Crap! I dropped to my knees like a gunshot heard in South Central and began scouring the floor. It was nowhere to be found. I was missing the left shoe of my Marc Jacobs black peep toe with colored polka dots. The right shoe was chilling by itself and looked lonely. It's sole-mate ran away.

I know I left them both under my desk so where did the other shoe go? I hadn't worn them since the week before and the other 2 pairs that were under my desk the day before were still there. I searched the rest of my office high and low for the shoe...absolutely no luck. The only possible solution is that the cleaning lady accidentally threw it away in the trash. Why and how...I don't know. But I know both shoes were there the night before.

After filing a report with building management and conducting an investigation, the shoe is still M.I.A. and I am S.A.D. The head of Cleaning said the cleaning lady never saw the shoe and did not put it in the trash. She said it was probably one of my co-workers doing it out of "jelosity" (yeah she said jelosity). I don't believe my co-workers would do such a thing. I think the cleaning lady either has a friend with only a left leg and wears 8.5 size shoes.

It feels like part of me is missing. They were from a few seasons ago and irreplaceable. Where art thou left shoe? Come home...your mother and sole-mate are waiting.

P.S. If anyone sees a one-legged woman in a wheelchair wearing polka-dot peep toe shoes. Grab the sucker off her foot and run. Don't let her wheel you down. There will be a reward involved.

Tights and a Lap Dog

I’m a huge advocate of tights - all colors and patterns. They brighten up any outfit and let you go one more day without shaving your legs. So you’d think in a fashion-forward city such as New York - anything goes. Okay, I must admit, I still am occasionally surprised when I see fashion faux paus like an all white outfit after Labor Day.

Speaking of which, I saw the most bizarre thing the other day. I was outside at Rink Bar having a cocktail with my friend enjoying the last bit of summer when I looked at the woman sitting at the table next to me. The woman was decked out in all white which I quickly forgot when I noticed she had a white dog on her lap. It looked like a white maltese dog. Now, I must admit, the dog’s hair was a little on the nappy-side, but I thought…aww cute, I love dogs. Then I noticed a peculiar line down its back. I then realized, the dog on her lap was not an actual live dog, it was a purse. YES, a dog purse. It had a zipper running down its back, a pink bow in its hair and a strap. Haha, where did she get it? I want one…SIKE! That was the first time in a long time where I shook my head in disbelief. This was a grown woman not a 5 year old girl toting around a fake dog purse. Lady, if you’re going to be sporting that, please brush the purse’s hair!

Anyway, back to my tights. I seem to always, without fail, get random comments from people while I’m wearing colored tights. I know men (other than the gays) don’t quite grasp colored tights, but you’d think they would keep their thoughts to themselves. After all, if you don’t have anything nice to say, complain to your friend “the vent” and move on. The other day I wore a black dress, accessorized it with a fun belt and mustard yellow tights. On my walk to the subway, a guy in a hard-top Jeep yells “Hey Big Bird. Nice Tights!” I continue to walk and pretend I didn’t hear the comment. After all, am I love my mustard tights and all that matters is that I like them.

Again without fail, a few days later, I was walking through SoHo wearing eggplant purple tights with a dress and a matching purple headband. I had just finished getting my hair cut and I walk passed these two older men (probably in their early 50’s) and one of them yells “What’s up with the purple blondie?” I quickly spit back “what’s up with the questions?” Can’t a girl wear her tights in peace?