Casual Dress: dining in Chelsea

cakeSo, the Birthday dinner ended up at a local Chinese Food restaurant in Chelsea (Grand Sichuan).  A bit of a dump, but the company was good and the birthday cake from Le Bergamote was spectacular!

It was raining lightly, so dievca dressed to bike (click on photos to see the brands):

The Party continued at a wine bar up by Times Square – but dievca tapped out.  she had worked a full day and had PT before the dinner.  

dievca thought her Sunday would be free and clear, but it turns out that she has been scheduled to meet friends for dinner. Thank Goodness they texted to ask what the dress code is for Cookshop otherwise she would have forgotten…

The dress code is stated as Casual Dress: With “casual dress”, anything goes. Let your comfort and the weather be your guide. Still, it’s important to use your best judgment. No matter how casual the dress, everything you wear should fit you well at your current weight, and be in good clean condition.

So, dievca is diving back in to her closet for something to wear (64F = 18C, no rain):


87F (30.6C) in April … whew!

Screenshot_20230413_172100_One UI Home

There wasn’t much of a Winter in New York City, now Spring seems to be hijacked by Summer temperatures. It’s a bit crazy – Master broke out the fan! 
kitty-hot

They say that the temperature will drop to a high of 67 F (19C) today, so dievca’s plans to wear a light cotton dress to a birthday dinner will have to be revamped…
Here’s what she was planning to wear:

Now she’s moving on to something else:


Speaking of Spring with Cynthia Rowley

dievca has an upcoming Fundraising Event on a boat. She’s looking into wearing this Cynthia Rowley dress with a jeans jacket and her Dries van Noten chunky green platform sandals Her hair is cut in a bob and will blow everywhere, but the  red lipstick and green drop earring will keep it together. 
Cynthia Rowley Isla Dress Red Preint $525
The Ultimate Pretty Meets Sporty! Sleek and sporty lycra with silk twill skirt.

  • Scoop neckline
  • Scoop back
  • Side pockets
  • Fabric content:
    • Top: 67% nylon, 33% spandex
    • Bottom: 100% silk
  • Care instructions: dry clean recommended

Fit: model is 5’8″ and wears a size S.

Size Small measurements:

  • Length from shoulder: 52″

MSRP $545


Clubbing Goddess via Stella McCartney

Click here for a little background music: Music Mix 2023″ Party Club Dance

Stella McCartney Star Cut-out pants

If dievca was a “Club Kid” she would be rocking these “Star” cut-out pants from Stella McCartney – $2800. One pair left at Net-A-Porter as of 10 pm…might be gone this morning.

Stella McCartney Star Cut-out pants 2

 

 

 

 


Yesterdays fun~made Master laugh

dievca’s touches of GREEN in a sea of NYC black made her Master laugh. XO


Master Presenting…

Master is a quiet dresser.  He will say that He likes to be the “backdrop” for His dievca.  That said – Master does like DIVERSITY and Master/dievca ran into an outfit that Master said He would be willing to try!

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It’s a LOOK from the “Fresh Fly and Fabulous: Fifty Years of Hip Hop Style, Pushing at The Boundaries of Fashion.” at the F.I.T. Museum.

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Photos: dievca F.I.T. Museum 03/2023


End of Season Elegant – Faux Leather

Good America Wide Leg Faux Leather Drawstring Pants

Good American Wide Leg Faux Leather Pants

dievca has gotten many compliments and much use out of her Good American Faux Leather Wide Leg Pants. They are slippery and do run warm (faux leather doesn’t breath), so you need to be aware of when and where to wear them.

dievca’s success prompted her to keep an eye on an expensive faux leather dress from Proenza Schouler White Label – original price $650.  The dress is sleeveless,  has a full  two-way zipper,  drawstring waist and is currently on sale – $280 at ShopBop, but dievca was able to price match with Saks 5th Avenue for $185.

It was non-returnable, so dievca was nervous – but it has turned out to be lovely and something different – she’ll be wearing it with boots and a hat for Master this weekend to attend  Fresh, Fly and Fabulous at FIT.


Lime – Aid

On the flight to Los Angeles, dievca picked up a Financial Times and there was a great Sunday Style insert.  she’s been disappointed with Fashion Reporting in the recent past, except for Harper’s Bazaar.  It was a treat that the FT did not disappoint either.

A small blurb showed some Lime-Colored offerings for the new season:

This Lime agenda was pushed forward after admiring Dionne Warwick singing Burt Bacharach:

Since dievca should be saving her pennies –  she shopped her apartment:

Not glamorous, but some Lime-Aid.


A rose by any other name…

Organza Flowers by Cynthia Rowley offer romance no matter which type of flower it is ~

The phrase is from Romeo and Juliet and the full quote is: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet.” Basically, what it means is that what matters is what something is, not what it is called.


5:20 am and beyond

Arrive at work – wearing this:

Midday – strip to this:

Head home to cook this:

Lasagna-Soup-550x799

one pot lasagna soup recipe

  • 1 lb extra-lean ground beef
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
  • 1 (650mL) jar marinara sauce
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 10 uncooked lasagna noodles broken into approx. 1-2 inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish

Stovetop instructions

  • Sauté ground beef in a large pot over med-high heat until browned, about 5 minutes. Add onions and garlic, sautéing another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
  • Add remaining ingredients except for cheeses and fresh herbs, stirring to combine then bringing to a boil. Place lid on pot and simmer for 20 minutes until pasta is cooked through.
  • Serve soup in large bowls, sprinkling mozzarella cheese overtop and topping with a dollop of ricotta. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired, then serve and enjoy!

Slow cooker instructions

  • Brown the beef, onions and garlic in a large skillet over med-high heat for 5 minutes. Add to slow cooker, along with remaining ingredients except cheese. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. Top with cheeses, then serve and enjoy!

Instant Pot instructions

  • Brown the beef, onions and garlic using the sauté feature for 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients, except for cheeses, pushing the pasta underneath the liquid. Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes, then do a quick release. Top bowls with cheeses, then serve and enjoy!

Here comes the Michelin Lady!

Michelin Lady It’s windy and dievca will be walking to work in temperatures below freezing  she is not worried about looks, she wants to stay warm for a long day and make it home, again, without a chilled body.

Gameplan:

Uniqlo: Marni Collaboration Down Coat, Brown Fleece, Brown Heattech Turtleneck, Brown Faux Fur Neck Warmer, Brown Cashmere Beanie, Black Heattech Leggings

Handmade Down Pants black

Smartwool Socks multi

Cougar Boots black

Outdoor Research Down Mittens black

Should be ok!

Stay warm…XO


A quick get away: Options

dries-van-noten-printed-cotton-voile-pareo-pinkelse-else-mare-swim-scoop-bikiniAlberta Ferretti Te Queiro SwimsuitAlberta Ferretti Te Queiro Sweater

dievca is raiding her closet for a quick CA getaway in February. she will be two blocks from the beach, but she figures the temperature is going to be cooler – so she’s looking at swimsuits with options of cover. Her Else two piece is very flattering and the Dries van Noten Pareo is a large wrap. The Alberta Ferretti Swimsuit and Cashmere sweater can cut the chill. Looking at options!


Watching the clouds drift

Los Angeles Apparel Cloud Print Micro Net

It’s Sunday morning and dievca is watching the clouds drift.

she took a look for silk cloud pattern items (dress, bedding, lingerie) and didn’t come up with much.  There is a Moncler cotton cloud pattern dress that didn’t have attractive photographs.  This micro-mesh dress from LA Angeles Apparel and fabric by the yard in polyester.

Nothing that dievca is too interested in at the moment – she’s going back to watching the clouds.

blue_sky_with_clouds


Cleaning the closet for Master: “The Basics Ma’am, just the Basics”

dievca found this blog title in her “drafts” file.  It was from 2016.
she just went through Master’s Closet this past Monday, 2023. 

The sorting/clear out is not an annual activity, but every two to three years.

The process consists of emptying everything out of the closet and drawers.  Taking a good look at each piece and sorting into a keep pile, repair pile, rag pile and Goodwill pile. Master loves to get rid of items. Then there is the painful process of buying replacement items either online or in person.  

dievca steps in with the second part of the process because Master tends to avoid shopping for replacement items.  But if you have tossed 3 faded/stained black t-shirts that you wear on repeat – you will need to replace them.

So, a large Nordstrom’s credit dictated the shopping destination for this year. Instead of Barneys and Banana Republic t-shirts, Master will be trying Vince, Rag & Bone and Frame Denim.  Apparently, dievca will be watching a fashion show of “the basics” the next time they meet. 

she thinks she will love this Rag & Bone Dexter waffle -weave cotton sweater:

Dexter-Cotton-Waffle-Crew-001


Simple in the City

After a few years of taking care of aging parents, COVID and body changes – dievca lost interest in Fashion or even a closet revamp.  she’s been coming out of her shell and leaning towards a more practical closet.  Things seem to be coming together because she feels like she can reach in to the closet and find something to wear.  That’s the point, right?

(click on the item to see a larger image and the brand)


when encrusted Thai rubies break the bank

Dolce and Gabbana embellishment looks like the affordable option
for New Years Eve!

The Aqua Blue sequin and Swarovski Crystal Boots are 60% off at MyTheresa!


The Brown Wren reappears!

In 2014, dievca posted about a practical outfit for a practical dievca coded in the color brown. 6 years later (almost 7), she has upgraded the “Brown Wren” look for cold weather with Banana Republic’s help (and a 40% off one day sale…)


Lunch with Friends Holiday Party

Watching the World Cup and Chatting outfit for Harlem, NYC:

Hostess Gift on sale at Anthropologie:

Holiday Gift Anthropologie


What you would really like — then reality returns

Master asked His dievca what she would like for Christmas.  A loaded question…

dievca would love these earrings as a gift for anything:

dievca 302 Fine Jewelery $3000+

They are the 302 Fine Jewelry “Stay Flirty” Natural Diamond & Rainbow Gemstone Graduated Dangle Earrings 14K Yellow White Rose Gold at a whopping $3714.99

Which brings us to the Reality part of dievca’s Christmas Wishlist (click on the photos for descriptions):

 Other options dievca offered to Master:

  • Wine
  • A Facial – the average price of a facial in NYC is $150
  • Mani/Pedi 
  • Cafe Grumpy or Dunkin’ Donuts/Starbucks gift card for traveling
  • Dinner/Lunch out after seeing the FIT Shoes: Anatomy, Identity, Magic exhibit
  • Nike Air Max 97 or 98 (either model works) size Women’s 7.5 – open to any color. Works for the knee. On sale is good.

Knowing Master – it will be something completely different and just as awesome.


When the picture fits

Obey Lounging Nude T-shirt

dievca’s Dutch friend bought her a t-shirt for Christmas —
It’s dievca lounging as an Odalisque!

Actually, its from the brand OBEY
the lounging nude t-shirt in opal.

dievca loves it!


Dinner problems…

dievca had a lovely evening – but she is learning that her body changes include how much her stomach can hold.  she though she was being mindful with the amount of rich food she was eating.  she didn’t eat before she arrived. she had done a good amount movement throughout the day, but the amount of food and drink she consumed killed her.  It might have been the full glass of water and two generous pours of wine.  Perhaps one has to be even more mindful, next time.

The good news was that the rain stopped, plus dievca’s Host and Hostess had no idea of her distress.

Again, a lovely evening – not quite as formal as dievca thought, and dievca got to trim a full Christmas Tree!
Remember, dievca has a Charlie Brown Tree in her apartment…

What dievca wore:


Fascination

Part of the enjoyment of heading to Miami, FL is people watching.  dievca got an eyeful when sitting in the lounge before the flight and kept watching her target through the flight and the exit from the plane.

An Asian Lady arrived in the lounge with her highlighted hair in a low bun, but the see-thru lace skirt (over black underwear or bikini bottoms) and rhinestone sunglasses and sunglass strap caught dievca’s eye.  Note: the subject was about the same age as dievca.  Here’s her “NYC-Miami” travel look:

The lady had no coat on in NYC, no need for one in Miami. That see-thru skirt was something. And traveling in heels?  Her hair was shaken out and fluffed after the flight.
dievca’s simple black layers were tediously boring in comparison!
So, when dievca realized that she forgot sunglasses – she decided she needed  to add Rhinestones to her Life and a cheap pair of Foster Grants from CVS  fit the bill. XO

Florida Foster Grant Pink Burgundy Rhinestone Sunglasses


The surprise inside!

dievca was picking up a few items online from her favorite charity in NYC.  They run a yearly “Fashion for Action” fundraiser and various designers donate items for the BIG EVENT and the online sales portion.

One of the local NYC designers (Cartography.nyc) offered t-shirts with photographs on them – dievca picked up the “Hotel Chelsea” version. Mind you she didn’t look at all the photos listed before buying the T-shirt:

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The surprise was on the inside collar – dievca just started to laugh:

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If you are in the Market

for a new coat.

Free People Lara Coat BeigeFree People Lara Coat ArmyFree People Lara Coat NavyFree People Lara Coat Back
The Lana Coat from Free People is gorgeous! Now, it is a lighter weight, so it won’t take you through a cold winter without layering. But, currently the World seems to be running very warm and an over-sized forgiving silhouette offers room for a sweater.

Available in Sand, Army and Midnight

$198


Ticking the boxes for Autumn 2022 by shopping your closet

Here are dievca’s offerings:

√√ Wide Leg Faux Leather Pants
√ Fair Isle Sweater
√ Chunky Shoes
√ Camera Bag
√ Wood Eyeglass Frames
√ Cashmere / Wool Baseball Cap
√ Over-sized Coat
√ Over-sized Chain Necklace
√ Pearls

What’s in your closet that works for 2022?
dievca bets that there are some fabulous pieces!


Rein in the Spending? Normcore and a ~

20221031_160751Reining in didn’t work on dievca’s end….she spent her pennies.

dievca’s friend wanted to visit the “American Vintage” store in SoHo because she saw it in Amsterdam and liked their offerings.  This comes after dievca’s Dutch friend mentioned that she really liked the brand and asked dievca if she had heard of it.  It’s not an American brand,  it’s French.  dievca would describe it as a more expensive version of the Gap or something similar to Vince.

The offerings are an example of:

Normcore

Normcore is a unisex fashion trend characterized by unpretentious, average-looking clothing. Normcore fashion includes jeans, t-shirts, sweats, button-downs, and sneakers. Clothing is considered to be normcore when it is attractive and comfortable and is viewed as “normal” by the majority of people.

Normcore is a portmanteau of the words normal and hardcore. The word first appeared in a guest strip by Ryan Estrada for the webcomic Templar, Arizona in 2008 and was later employed by K-HOLE, a trend forecasting group, in an October 2013 report called “Youth Mode: A Report on Freedom”.

As used by K-HOLE, the word normcore referred to an attitude, not a particular code of dress. It was intended to mean “finding liberation in being nothing special.” (Sounds like the Swedish “Langom”) However, a piece in New York magazine by author Fiona Duncan that began popularizing the term in February 2014  conflated it with what K-HOLE referred to as “Acting Basic”, a concept which involved dressing neutrally to avoid standing out. It was this sense of normcore which gained popular usage. The characters featured on the television series Seinfeld are frequently cited as exemplifying the aesthetics and ethos of normcore fashion.

The word normcore was named runner-up for neologism of the year by the Oxford University Press in 2014. It was added to the AP Stylebook in 2016.

Anyways, dievca bought this American Vintage Puffer coat in Bear – honestly, it looks better in person:

Normcore wearers are people who do not wish to distinguish themselves from others by their clothing. This is not to mean that they are unfashionable people who wear whatever comes to hand, but that they consciously choose clothes that are functional and undistinguished. The “normcore” trend has been interpreted as a reaction to fashion oversaturation resulting from ever faster-changing fashion trends.

Normcore clothes include everyday items of casual wear such as t-shirts, hoodies, polos, short-sleeved shirts, jeans and chino pants, but not items such as neckties or blouses. These clothes are worn by men and women alike, making normcore a unisex style.

Clothes that meet the “normcore” description are mainly sold by large fashion and retail chains such as The Gap, Jack & Jones, Superdry, Jigsaw, and Esprit. They are generally cheaply produced in East Asian countries. Many other retailers such as Marc O’Polo, Woolrich, Desigual, Closed, and Scotch & Soda produce normcore-like clothes combined with individual design ideas.

Normcore is exactly how Master dresses – He buys excellent quality, but He doesn’t want to stand out.

dievca did get her Normcore “Flourish” piece at LeSportSac, the Floral Camo Helmet Bag:


Venturing out – Shopping in SoHo

You can tell two items:

  1. Master is traveling and out of the picture, so dievca doesn’t feel submissive – she’s not running “ladylike”.
  2. dievca’s knee is feeling better because she is more willing to walk the City.

This Sunday?  Shopping in SoHo with a friend – dievca is supposed to be the responsible human who helps her friend put on the brakes for spending.   Really? dievca’s not sure that she is the best person for this job description…

Weather today: a high of 63 F (17 C) and sunny.

Sounds like Sweater weather with option to strip off layers – dievca is going “old school” with a late 80’s early 90’s College vibe: (And, yes, the knee brace is an accessory – it fits under her jeans and helps dievca walk longer).


And so it goes~ Gala Night

The Moon was rising over Manhattan when dievca set out to the show and the Gala:

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she opted to wear:

dievca doesn’t know if the COVID epidemic caused her to go back to her Generation X roots of being a “loner”, perimenopause is causing her to get tired/irritated or starting work at 6 am put her over the edge by 10:00 pm – after 3 hours she wanted out. So, she left after the meal, before the awards, to hike up her skirt and bike her a** home. 

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Photo: dievca – Moonrise Chelsea NYC 10/2022, dievca’s bike, foot, dress, coat and bag…10/2022


Last minute invite – a Gala

At, 3:42 pm yesterday, dievca received an invitation to a show, cocktail party and dinner as a fundraiser tonight.  she has 1 hour to get dressed at work, then to the theatre.  The good news is dievca’s hair is a blunt cut bob which won’t take much fiddling, she can get her face washed and made up in five minutes.  It’s what to wear that is the challenge.

The 2nd piece of good news is that the fundraiser does not require “heavy duty” glamour…but the weather has been unpredictable…

(all items in this post are labelled – click on the photo for a good look and the Brand)

Here are dievca’s 1st thought “easy” options:

Adding Shoes:

At this point in her Life, dievca will need two not very glamourous items:

No time for a Mani/Pedi, but no one goes wrong with a good Lipstick:

Who knows which way the jewelry will go:

Clutch options are easy:

But the coat or wrap depends upon the weather:

Wish dievca luck!


What to wear scrambling around the City

This outfit is not glamourous – but it went from work, to a coop showing, walking with the knee brace underneath, to a dance performance. Practical and clean-lined would be the descriptors:

Click on the photos for the description of the items.