Accessory love!

Remember Fashiolista?
I regularly find the most amazing fashion items here and it’s an inexhaustible source of fashion inspiration.

This time, I’ve discovered this great accessory shop: Shine Accessories! Cute, funny accessories and I really like the prices! I was a little too late to put it on my wish list for my birthday, so I better buy myself something nice, right? : ) Still have to decide what to buy, since I don’t allow myself to buy everything at once..

Love what you see? They probably love you too!
At least, that is when you spread your love! Let me explain: I checked out their Facebook page and saw that they started this monthly contest called “the Chain of Love” where they pass one most popular item of that month as a free gift to one of their Facebook fans. To enter you should like them and explain how you spread your love in the world. Isn’t that awesome? Let’s spread some love and be loved by Shine, is what I’m saying : ).

I’ve subscribed already, so fingers crossed!
I’ll keep you posted!

Fashion Finds

As I promised to share with you pictures of my fashion finds from my trip to New York a couple of weeks ago, here they are!

I behaved myself, at least in regards to shopping.., which kinda means that I can’t show you that much. But as I already said wrote: I promised : )

My two favorite finds are two dresses, which unfortunately I don’t have a full picture of. They are the first two items from in the upper right picture. A turquoise/blue sweater dress and a bright pink dress by MNG casual sportswear (I wish sportswear was really that glamorous!)
The middle-top picture shows you my new, very handy, not-to-big-not-to-small-perfect-size bag from China Town, below that are the earrings I got from my friend M. and which were perfect for the ’20s party at new years eve, and on the left side are the best and most comfortable socks I’ve ever had! Black Tigh-High Socks by American Apparel. They are high enough and have a perfect fit, so you don’t have to worry that they will fall down (don’t we all know the horror of hold-ups?).

Already looking forward to tonight/tomorrow! Tomorrow is my Birthday, another excuse to back some delicious cupcakes and I’m curious what presents I will receive!

Quote of the week

Hi there Washington!

So, after a few days New York it was time to hop on the train for an other adventure.
And so I did. I took the train to Washington, Thursday afternoon, and arrived a little after 6.30 pm. My friend F. was there to pick me up and we met up with some friends of his for a lovely dinner. Afterwards we had drinks and visited some bars to close off the day.

Friday was all about sightseeing in the afternoon (kinda skipped the morning since I slept long : )). From the Capitol to the Smithsonian, THE monument (don’t ask why they call it like this..), the Martin Luther King memorial and Lincoln in his chair, I’ve seen them all! Lunch consisted out of truffle fries (yum!) and we had dinner at this great Italian restaurant: Bibiani on New York Avenue (can you imagine?!). The food and ambiance were terrific!
After that, we tried to go to this party. Tried.. yes.. Since they did not accept my oh-so-forreign-weird-looking-drivers-license they did not let us in. So.. we went to the rooftop bar at the W hotel where you have this amazing view at the city. That moment, we were so close to the White House I can’t believe they let you. Obama probably dances to their music in his office now and then, when he is working late. It’s that close!
Since I hadn’t seen the White House from the usual point of view, after our drinks we walked up there and yes, I can conclude: it is a house, and yes it is very white. Exactly how you would see it on tv!

The next day was the day of New Years Eve, so we slept long (can’t have enough energy on NYE) and went shopping in the afternoon. Sadly I didn’t buy anything fashion.. But, we did do the famous American Saturday brunch ánd we bought ourselves some cupcakes!
Around 6pm I Skype’d, called and texted with friends and family in Europe since it was already NYE midnight there. I rested a little, got dressed and we took off for dinner at F’s friend’s place. Great people and lovely food! Later on we went to this 20’s party somewhere in the city. – The best theme, don’t you think?! I love the 20‘s! -

And again, great people, great ambiance, great music and great drinks. Maybe a little too great..

Anyhow, Sunday was there to have a home cooked lunch, pack my suitcase, get over my hang-over and watch a movie on the couch before I had to leave for Brussels again.

My trip back was okay.. Had some delay, waited hours for my suitcase (okay maybe not hours..), got lost somewhere in Belgium, got stuck in traffic, and then after 14 hours I finally arrived home. Exhausted, but safe and satisfied.

That was it! That was my trip.
I love New York, I really like Washington and I love my friends.

Any regrets? Yes.
I didn’t get to eat or bring beef jerky, I didn’t see the 9/11 memorial, I didn’t get to meet up with other friends in New York, I can’t show you F’s awesome car since I forgot to take a picture (I’m a big fan of fast cars!) and I would have drunk a little less with NYE. But, wait a minute.. Those are the best reasons to go back! : ) I will keep you posted!!

Hello New York – part II

I’m back in town again and had so much fun in New York and Washington!
I’ll update you with a little photo diary:

After my visit at Starbucks I did some window shopping & enjoying the neighborhood from Union Square till my place. Of course I had to visit Forever 21, but could restrain myself from buying anything yet. Couldn’t still really decide on what to eat so I went to St. Marks place (around 8th st. and 2nd ave.) and had a big(!) plate of sushi. Really, I couldn’t think of any sushi anymore after I finished.

Tuesday was all about: Peanut butter & jelly bagels for breakfast (I’d forgotten about the extreme American way of topping a bagel!), strolling through the city, Quesadillas for lunch at Mickey Mantle’s Sportsbar, visiting the Met (the Egyptian section is amazing!), getting soaked by the pouring rain and amazing Indian food at Brick Lane Curry House.

proof of me really trying to wear color!

On Wednesday it was time to go shopping! I walked from LES to Soho, had breakfast there and visited my favorite shops.
After a few hours I met up with my dear friend M. at her new place, had some tea and left to visit my old supermarket and get a great burger for dinner at The Good Stuff Diner on 14th st. and 6th ave (great place for old school milkshakes and burgers!).

I had my last hours in town on Thursday so I had a bagel with loads of butter and jelly in the morning, did some more shopping in Soho, packed my bag, had a pedicure, met up with M. again and rushed to the train station to leave for Washington.

That’s it for today! I’ll update you later on my adventures in Washington.

Hello New York!

I’m back! Just arrived in the city after a long journey of driving, flying, bussing and cabbing. I’m staying in a great apt. of a friend’s friends.

First stop after dropping off my baggage: Starbucks!
Ha, it’s almost shamefull but it gives me the ultimate American-i-can-conquer-the-world-feeling (explanation in my other post here)
I’m actually on Union Square now. One of my favorite places. I’m doubting what to do next. Probably walking around just enjoying the city, but I doing if I can resist gong in the stores already.

At least I’m sure about dinner: Something-in-between-food-cart-hot-dog-food-cart-donner-Chipotle–sushi-or-Indian-food. I’m glad that’s decided already.

To do list for the next 2,5 days: museum, meeting up with friends, shopping, loads of fast food, eating beef jerky, shopping, and sleeping. Not busy at all

Will catch you later! xoxo

Happy with Jewelry!

Remember my first giveaway earlier this month? I was so happy that I could share this with you! And it was a success. After a thrilling raffle I was happy to announce that Madeleine from Madstyling.com became the winner.
I sent her the beautiful jewelry by SaZjewelry and asked her if she was able to sent me a picture of her with the jewelry. And, nice as she is, she even posted the jewelry on her blog!

See below the pictures and click the links to read (and see) more!
Let’s hope for a new giveaway soon!

P.S. I will leave for New York and Washington on Monday morning, I’ll try to update you guys about all the awesomeness, but I might be sleeping the whole week as well! So tired by my new job! I’ll tell you more when I’m back! xoxo

DIY: The T-(shirt)bag

The recession continues and with Christmas around the corner you might want not to spend too much money on gifts.
Why not make your gifts yourself?!

All you need to make this awesome T-shirt market bag is the three things:
- an old t-shirt (the larger the shirt, the larger the bag)
- a pair of scissors
- a safety-pin

It’s super easy to make. And, the more special the shirt, the more special your bag!

Lay the t-shirt on a flat surface. Start by cutting off the sleeves, using the seams as a guide. And using a round plate as a guide, cut out a half circle into the neck of the t-shirt. To create the ties that will cinch the bottom of the bag, cut 2 one inch strips from each of the sleeve scraps. Cut each circular strip open and pull at the ends to stretch them out, creating 4 strings total. (Click images to enlarge)

Snip 8 evenly spaced slits along the bottom hem of the t-shirt. We cut 3 in the front, 3 in the back, and one each side.

Attach a safety pin to the end of one of the strings. Starting at the left side of the shirt, thread the string through two sections so that both ends come out from the left hem of the shirt. Do the same to the right side of the shirt with the 2nd string. Starting at the middle slit, thread the 3rd string through the section closest to the left side, under and over the 1st string and through the opposing section. Repeat on the other side with the 4th string. Pull each section tightly, tying the strings into double knots.

You can trim the strings but we like leaving the fringe as is. And . . . your new recycled market bag is finished!!!

Source: honestlywtf.com

Quote of the week

Jewelry giveaway with SaZjewelry

Two new things to my blog today! Me writing about jewelry (why haven’t I before?! I love jewelry!) and my first giveaway! So excited!

I’ve been so enthusiastic about SaZjewelry that I contacted them and asked if they wanted to host a giveaway with me. And tadadadaaaa today is the day!

Well, SaZjewelry has graciously offered three(!) of their pieces: a pair of earrings, a necklace, and a ring.

Want to get your hands on this jewelry set? Here’s how it works:
Entries start today, and will close on Wednesday, December 7th. The winner will be announced on December 8th.

How to enter:
1. You must be a follower of Savvy and Sophisticated (subscribe on the homepage)
2. Follow SaZjewelry on Twitter, here!
3. Leave a comment below with your email!

Brownie points for those of you who Tweet about the giveaway!

Good luck!