Stay Strong NYC

NYC after Hurricane Sandy.
Still partially without power.

Hand Made Jewelry!

I've always been crafty. 

Every since I was a kid I've always made jewelry. 

From bead necklaces at summer camp to friendship bracelets on the bus ride home. 

When I got older I fell in love with glass beads and made earrings that I'd wear to school.

When I lived in New York City I discovered the world of street vendors and all of the beautiful handmade jewelry all over the streets of Manhattan.

I'm sure a lot of it is handmade in china, but I still love the accessibility of unique costume jewelry.

So when I scored these Lolita Cabochons, I immediately made them into stud earrings. 

I'm in LOVE!

They are a little dark and lovely. 

I love all things Day of the Dead inspired, so these are perfect for me.

I'm toying with the idea of selling some of the jewelry I make.

So, Since I have so many pairs I thought I'd offer all of you a chance to have a pair of your own.
So if you'd like a pair from the picture above.
You can pay for them by clicking this link, then email me yelenaj@gmail.com and tell me where to ship them.

Color

Brown w/ white Lolita Red w/ White Lolita Maroon w/ White Lolita Blue w/ White Lolita Red w/ Black Lolita

Fashion Colored Cupcakes

 

I'm in LOVE with this color palette so I thought I'd make some Cupcakes to match.

Share your Secrets

I was inspired today by a new friend.

So I'd like to just say...

Don't Keep Secrets.

Not yours or anyone else's. 

Share them, release them, expel them,CAST them out of the warm, comfortable, dark place they are hiding.

They are far too heavy a burden to carry alone.

They are filled with all the things you don't need for this journey called life. 

I know how bad secrets feel. 

I know how scary sharing can be. 

No people won't always understand.

That's only because they don't know, haven't heard, or were never told. 

They don't understand because our world has too many secrets.

Be one of the first to educate them.

Secrets are tricky they survive and flourish in the shadows cover the truth, making you feel raw and vulnerable. Secrets are toxic, and spread quickly, they create, error and mistake.
Secrets reproduce robustly.
Stop them!

Bring them to the light.

Destroy them instantly.

Take away the power a secret has on you.

FREE yourself, forgive yourself, heal your self.

Please Don't let your hurts hold onto you. 

Be Brave. 

Your secrets have the power to save someone else just like YOU. 

Save Someone, Save Yourself.

Be a Bravebird share your secrets.

"Bravebird" 

In a land far away where the sun doesn't spare a soul 

And a twisted tradition has a girl in a strangle hold

Lies a desert with the footprints

Of little girls with a secret

Of a pain

That you and i could never know

Little feet running fast as they can like a bird in flight

Through the days of sand with a fire in the sky

And through indigo nights

She runs away from a life spent

Being witness to other unwilling participants

Of a pain

That you and i will never know

Your a bravebird

Of the rarest kind

You may be one of the walking wounded

But still you fly

Your a bravebird

You put yourself on the line

When you shared your secret with the world

You saved another mothers child as she speaks you can tell that

The words are not easy to say

The hold the power to transport her back to that impossible day

But she hasn't any regrets

Cuz' she won't become a woman with a secret

Of a pain

That you and i could never know

You and i could never know

You and i could never know

You're a bravebird...... a bravebird.....fly high.....

In the sky.....there you are

Amel Larrieux

Mommy Time NYC Trip

A few weeks ago I took some Mommy time and joined my sister and her girlfriends for some fun in 

New York City!

First stop, this little joint.

A small spot on Clinton Street off Delancey Street.

We had "DRUNCH." 

It's Brunch + you get Drunk = DRUNCH!

I didn't even make that up, it's on the menu. Genius!
You get to choose one of 7 Entrees and 3 Cocktails, all for $25.

I had "The Marty." Short Ribs on a whole wheat english muffin w/ Cheddar, Up Egg and Fries.

I washed it all down with yes, 3 Tequila Sea Breezes. 

Easy Peasy. 

It was the perfect way to start my weekend off right.

Sorry about the picture I was soooo hungry I dug in before I got my shot.

The decor of the restaurant was really crisp and lovely too.

I couldn't stop looking at these paintings hanging on their walls. They're so much fun and inviting, and curious. The art work was equally my favorite part, that and the food.      

I called back to the restaurant to ask about the artist who painted them, and her name is Leah Tinari. 

Click her link, she's a BIG DEAL!! 

Know what else? She OWNS the restaurant!!! Along with her husband.

She was our lovely waitress too. 

Her work has been shown around the world. Do you remember this Nike Campaign?

Leah Tinari painted this campaign for Nike. I loved the Delicious Training ads.

Okay, so I definitely recommend Fatta Cuckoo. 

Really great food, fun atmosphere, you could meet Leah Tinari, maybe. :)

 Fatta Cuckoo serves a full menu, with diet friendly items like vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher and gluten free.

They are located at 63 Clinton Street, NYC,10002.

Call 212.353.0570

Stay tuned for more about my Mommy Time Girls Weekend.

Have you tried a KIND bar?

So, I've been on the road a lot lately. 

Last weekend  I was in Brooklyn NY visiting my cousins 

and we stumbled upon this KIND bar truck.

KIND bars are Whole nut and Fruit Bars.

I've never had a KIND bar before for so I gave it a try and WOW!

I'm KINDa hooked!

 I ate both the Blueberry Pecan and the Almond Apricot in one sitting. 

The Almond & Apricot Bar has big shaved pieces of coconut, apricot, almonds, and puffed rice.

 They taste amazing!

Then I ate the Almond Blueberry Bar. Look at all the almonds, and whole dried blueberries, yum!

You can see the raisins, pecans, and cashews. All packed together with rice puffs and honey. 

These bars were so flavorful Amaya KIND of stole a few bites of my bar. The ingredients in these bars are all the good things I already snack on but packages and ready to go. 

KIND bars have a wonderful philosophy of making products that are "healthy, tasty, convenient, and wholesome, economically sustainable, and socially impactful."

In an effort "To Do The KIND Thing"  I am joining their mission to help spread the word about Acts of KINDness. 

If enough people commit to doing an act of KINDness, KIND will partner with Philabundance, the Delaware Valley's largest hunger relief organization, to provide thousands of Thanksgiving meals to families this holiday season. 

I will also be collecting canned goods to donate to my local food bank Second Harvest Food Bank as well as a few more Acts of Kindness I will share in a few up and coming posts. 

So run out and grab a KIND bar and perform an act of KINDness for someone.