Stylish Little Birdies.

Little birds flutter.
Little birds hop.
LITTLEbirds craft and sew; didn't you know?

They certainly do, and I got to experience and partake in the LITTLEbird DIY crafting extravaganza this past Sunday. The event, held at a rustic, trendy little jeans store called Earnest Sewn in Meatpacking, was quite the hit; especially for trendy little gals around the town.

Around 15 or so fashionistas ranging from age 14 thru late twenties played with sequins, bows, needle, fringe, and thread for hours; making their own haute custom t-shirts and hair accessories. The gals of LITTLEbird, Zooey and Ruthie, hosted the event in order to teach their colossally cool crafting ways to other aspiring, crafty fashion lovers. LITTLEbird provided the crafting materials and the participants were set free to create to their hearts content. And, boy, did these little ladies craft it up! The girls worked intensely on their glam frocks, almost like a mini Project Runway, but more giggly. As the chickees passed around glue guns and i snapped away, we all munched on some delicious mini sandwiches {mMmmm, smoked salmon!} with tea and scones. A sweet little crafting tea party, it was! I even attempted my very own headband and shirt {which I will have to finish on my own time, er}, althrough sewing is probably the least of my talents. :P

By the end of the afternoon, each of the girls had made some impressive tops; one was even Lady Gaga inspired. We insisted each girl do a mini runway show for us, modeling their piece {i'd say you could market any of them!}. Quite the talented group had turned out that day!

LITTLEbird will continue to soar and sew all around the city, so keep your eyes pealed. ;)
Now, to get crackin' on finishing my makeshift couture tee ...

xoLa


The ladies of LITTLEbird sell these darling wittle "Make Its," full of various materials to get aspiring crafters started on their creative ventures.



A twirl and a flutter! Work it, little bird.


Honestly, the talent is bursting out them seams!


LITTLEbird extraordinaires, Ruthie 'n' Zooey. So fab.


the "Lady Gaga" tee is to the right {see above}.





a loverly finished product.


Busy, busy LITTLE beees. SO talented, and so young! They must teach me their ways ...



Zooey with her cute Chanel patch = craftastic. :)

SoOoo Hungry in Soho.

Dining in NYC is a like a jungle expedition: lush, continuous, spectacular, and well, dangerous {for your wallet}.
Ok, honestly - what do I know about jungle expeditions, really? ;)

Annnywhom. Over the past 6 months {whoa, already!!} that I've been exploring Manhattan, I've fallen in love with stuffing my face {with food, ahem} more than ever - as dangerous as it is for the wallet and waistline, ahaa.
There are endless scrumptious opportunities lurking all 'round, like a giant tarantula in the trees of the Amazon - just not quite as alluring.

The funny thing to me about NYC dining is that, while you can go to some of the most eclectic, chic restaurants in the world; you'll find yourself with overwhelming new cravings for simple things like falafel or mac 'n' cheese {two things I never craved as much as I have until living in NYC}.

So in the past week I've had the distinct joy of experiencing my very first NYC Restaurant Week, which, if you've not heard of it, is a week in which most of the city restaurants offer a Prix Fixe menu at a super deal. Somehow, the restaurants I've visited during this blessed week have only been of the Spanish persuasion in my 'hood of Soho {I do adore my guacamole!}.

My first Spanish Soho-ian meal was with my dear pal, Anthony, at a cute little spot on Grand Street and West Broadway called Papatzul. The decor in Papatzul is superbly charming and so is the guac. Anthony partook in some sangria, which he quite liked - and, I'm certain I would have, too, from munching his leftover sangria-soaked fruit. My avocado-stuffed sandwich was delish ... I'll just have to try the sangria next time. ;)

Playful Papatzul.


My beloved Anthony.


We took turns shooting each other in between bites. :P




From boar to banana bread pudding, Dos Caminos, {my 2nd Soho-ian Spanish Restaurant Week stop} was also a delight. My friends, Chanel and Charles, met me there for brunch in the chill bar/restaurant. While we weren't head over heals with everything we ordered, the three of us couldn't get enough of the guaca, and the desserts were a total hit all around.




Charles and I = shivering 'n' stuffed!


You know I went for the chocolate dessert. ;)


Zee plantain + calamari salad was definitely an appetizing appetizer!


The boar appetizer was Ms. Chanel's, and {I will try many a thing} no, I did not venture to trying that one - eck.


Charles, looking pensive in between platters. :)


All verrry yummy dips! We kind of filled up on these before the appetizers arrived, ha.
As I type this bloggity, I'm readying myself for breakfast pancakes after an overnight shift at the Soho Grand ... the jungle is about to get sticky {syrup! syrup! syrup!}.
I heart NY. I heart eating. Here's to NY Restaurant Week!

xo

The Sweet Ones: LES Vintage + Holiday Cheer.

I've been aching to find some truly great, charming {even somewhat affordable} vintage stores ever since I moved out to NYC ... thanks to some thrifty, stylish pals I've discovered a few {one of my favs being Brooklyn's About Glamour}.

Just the other evening, however, I fell in love with a practically brand-spankin'-new vintage store in the Lower East Side. This gem of a vs {vintage store} that stole my heart is called The Sweet Ones, and is owned by my fabulous new pal, Alyssa.

Ever since I befriended Alyssa, I've been dying to check out her store. I finally stopped on by the other night, during Alyssa's store holiday party. Camera in tow, I went GA-GA {literally - not Lady} over the treasure trove of gorgeous, glam 'n' retro-modern items tucked within The Sweet Ones confines. From Betsy to Chanel, fur coats to Burberry trenches - this place has an outstanding range of fashion finds.

Not only were the clothing, decor and accessories delectable, but there were adorable, sickeningly sweet mini cupcakes {which you KNOW i live for}, a working retro hot chocolate machine ::sigh:: and champagne galore. ^.^

I could mange on this type of spread everyday ... :P

Stuffed with an inordinate amount of mini cupcakes {the Peanut Butter& Jelly being my fav of the evening}, I mingled and made my list of "items to save up for" ... namely, a girly, chic Burberry trench {as noted above} and a romantic-thoroughly modern cropped jacket {don't you steal themm first!! ::shakes fist::} ...

I foresee greatness for The Sweet Ones ... not to mention, I shall be starting a blog for the store soon {so stay tuned}.

Happy hollydays and, if you're ever vintaging in the LES, don't forget to stop by for some Sweet Ones shopping! :)

xoLa & The Sweet Ones


did i mention i adore the decor of the store?? this quote makes me chuckle. :) i should paint+chalk up my bedroom walls ...


Chanel 'n' cupcakes - I'll take it!


::siiigh::


the black and white frilly dress is SO Eliza Doolittle at the races ... hehe.




little black jacket, i covet theeee ...


vintage + cupcakes = some level of divinity. ;)


frills. enough said.






fellow fashion vs mongers ... :)



"item to save up for" no. 1 >> Burberry dream trench!!


"item to save up for" nuero deux >> romantical cropped jacket ::SIGH::


<3 retro Chanel jeans and that quote - the end word being "GONE."


The Sweet Ones queen, Alyssa {can i please have that couch??}.