Fashion's Night Out 2009 New York City

So what is Fashion's Night Out you might ask. It's a late-night shopping event that takes place from 6 P.M. until 11 P.M on September 10th where 700 fashion retailers across the five boroughs keep their doors open enticing Fashionistas to come into their stores and spend some serious money with their creative customer experience concepts. Open to public, no tickets required.

Did You Know?

* Fashion is one of the largest industries in New York City

* Fashion industry hires 175,000 people in New York City

* Fashion industry in New York City generates $10 Billion total wages

* Consumer shopping contributes to the wages of these 175,000 people

I am certainly not one of the 175,000 people who receives a paycheck from that $10 Billion amount, but I am definitely one of the people who contributed to the fashion industry in terms of hard-earned dollars.

My spending limit now may be way lesser than last year and the prior years, but that won't stop me from hanging out with cool friends and designers and models and maybe even celebrities at one of the hottest fashion events in the city that doesn't require special passes or provide VIP velvet rope treatment. Window shopping doesn't cost me anything, but if I do see something I really really really (notice that I said it 3 times, because that is how many times I will consider before getting the item) like, then I might get it. I am definitely going to try and get the T-shirt though. I'm kinda late in the game now as many of the places I checked have sold out in my size - XS. So I am now in search of that T-shirt in my size. Check out these retailers who sell this Fashion's Night Out Tee.

Most importantly, if you are like me who has lots of clothing that you don't wear anymore, give it to charity. There is a clothing drive in conjunction with this event. Participating retailers have bins that you can drop off pieces of unworn or gently worn clothing. Click here for more details.

See you there! Maybe I will get to meet some of you for the first time!

Miss Universe 2009 Crown Fell!

Did anyone watch the Miss Universe 2009 Pageant Sunday night? I sure did. It has been years since I last watched a Miss Universe or any beauty pageant for that matter live on television. I recall my elementary school days when I used to watch these pageants year after year and admire these pretty ladies parading around in swimsuits and gowns with their gorgeous figures. I guess as I mature, these pageants are less entertaining to me.

I recalled trying out for the local Miss Universe pageant when I was 19....didn't make it very far in the competition but still at least I had a slight taste of it. There weren't any cat fights but there were certainly some very mean contestants who were just bullies. They got special attention, the best selection of sponsored clothing, jewelry, swimsuits, make up artists....and the list just goes on. Anyway, that's not what this blog post is all about. It's about the Miss Universe crown falling...check out this video! Click here.

I am thinking now if the funniest part of that evening's pageant was Miss Universe 2008 dropping Miss Universe 2009's crown OR Heidi Montag Pratt prancing around in her nude colored outfit. ~Smiley Face~ What do you think?

Team Gossip Girl Tees - Whose Side R U On?

All Gossip Girl Fans!

Whose Team are you on? Choose your favorite source of gossip by wearing either the Team Chuck, Team Blair, or Team Serena Tee. Each tee displays a silhouette of your favorite Gossip Girl character. Express your adoration for your favorite group of teenage socialites with this cute white t-shirt! I have found several online sources, some of which have sold out in several designs or sizes. So, hopefully this list will help you get the style and size you need.

http://www.amazon.com
http://www.fredflare.com
http://www.myteespot.com
Guess which team am I on? Check back again to find out!

XOXO
I Am Recessionista

XOXO Gossip Girl Filming Sites XOXO

Ever wondered what life's like in Manhattan's upper east side where most of New York's wealthiest and influential live? Perhaps it might be entertaining to watch CW's TV series Gossip Girl which was based on Alloy Entertainment's book series by Cecily Von Ziegesar. The show revolves around a group of wealthy, good-looking prep-schoolers from New York's prestigious upper east side dealing with typical teenage issues like drugs and sex, and of course more drama. In the show, the girls go to the Constance Billard School, and the boys go to St. Jude's School for Boys.

Since its debut, I have not missed a single episode of Gossip Girl because I find it so enticing to watch; never knowing what's going to happen in each episode. Moreover, watching TV at home is more of a Recessionista activity than going out for dinner or drinks, right? I wouldn't call myself a Gossip Girl fan, but I have been thinking about snapping some pictures of the Gossip Girl filming sites. So, I finally took the time to do it this one weekend. This is the first batch of photos I took, there's more to come.

1. Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street

These steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art is where they film the fictitious girls of Constance Billard School hanging out before school and during lunch. The girl in the navy and red ensemble - Blair Waldorf (played by Leighton Meester) - is the Queen Bee of her school ,and also one of my favorite characters on Gossip Girl.

2. Synod of Bishops Russian Orthodox Church
75 E. 93rd Street

The Synod of Bishops and The Packer Collegiate Institute (not shown here) are combined to create the look of the show’s fictitious private schools: St. Jude’s School for Boys, and Constance Billard School for Girls.

3. Museum of the City of New York
5th Avenue between E 103rd and E 104th streets

The Museum of the City of New York is also used as a filming site for their school. The Constance Billard School For Girls carved post that you see above is a film prop, because I didn't see it when I was standing at the same spot where these girls were.

4. Palace Hotel
445 Madison Ave

In the show, Serena Van Der Woodsen (played by Blake Lively) and her family live in a suite at The Palace - which is in real-life The Palace Hotel. In this scene, Serena was trying to avoid her ex Nate Archibald (played by Chace Crawford) in the courtyard of the Palace Hotel. The Palace is owned by Chuck Bass’s (played by Ed Westwick) parents in the show. This photo of the Palace Hotel wasn't shot by me because there too many cars driving past when I was trying to get a good shot of it.

To be continued with my upcoming posts with more photos and more Gossip Girl juicy news!

XOXO
I Am Recessionista

Simon Cowell's Facial Expressions BEFORE & AFTER Susan Boyle Sang I Dreamed a Dream

After writing my previous entry about Susan Boyle, I still can't say enough how I am touched by this woman who is a total stranger to me. Millions of people across the globe who have watched Susan Boyle's performance on Britain's Got Talent probably shed tears of joy for this remarkable talent. Susan Boyle - the same person whom everyone including Mr. Simon Cowell initially thought was another delusional nutcase, blown everyone out of their seats when she sang her rendition of Les Misérables "I dreamed a dream".

Before

After

I have watched this video so many times that I can't even remember the exact number of times I have watched it. But every time I watched it, I got a kick out of watching Simon's facial expressions before and after Susan opened her mouth and sang. And so I thought what better way to explain the fun I got out of watching the King of Sarcasm's reactions but to capture them in my blog entry.

Apparently, there have been rumors flying around that Simon Cowell might be leaving American Idol. Being a judge for 3 shows - Britain Got Talent, X-Factor and American Idol, Simon made a comment that his travels back and forth the US and the UK have become too hectic for him. So is Simon Cowell really leaving American Idol? Will America get to decide if Simon leaves or stays? Whatever his decision might be, let us savor this moment to admire the American Idol judge with a sarcastic candor that everyone loves to hate.

Which Simon expression do you find most amusing? Leave me your comments.

Reality Check #2: Are you a Shopaholic or a Frugal person?

Pondering if you are a Shopaholic Miss Bloomwood?

Maybe you are exactly like a Rebecca Bloomwood in Confessions of a Shopaholic or maybe you are a total opposite. Have you ever wondered if you are more of a shopaholic or a frugal person, you can find out by asking yourself the questions I complied in this blog entry. After I blogged about Confessions of a Shopaholic in my previous blog entry, I did this test on myself with 2 other friends. When you think about Shopaholism or Frugalilty, there are so many definitions out there. So hopefully this checklist helps you determine that. I also created these 2 boxes inserting the word shopaholic and frugality in 7 different languages for fun.

Check this list to see how many shopaholic characteristics you possess.

You are a Shopaholic if you:

1. Shop frequently (not just window-shopping);
2. Shop compulsively (buying without 2nd thought);
3. Spend beyond your means (no savings);
4. Shop as a result of confused emotions;
5. Lie to cover up your purchases;
6. Cannot resist not having the newest or latest item;
7. Cannot resist a bargain (buying 'cos it's cheap).

I never thought I had that much of a shopaholic gene in me till I did this reality check test. I had characteristics 1,2,6,7. L had characteristics 1,2,3,6,7. Pat had characteristics 7 and a little of 6.

Check how many of these frugality characteristics you possess.

You are a frugal person if you:

1. Shop in a restrained manner (needs not wants);
2. Seek to find the best deal that meets desired value;
3. Use something you already owned resourcefully;
4. Never spend beyond your means (less debt);
5. Seldom splurge on things with no long-term value;
6. Never shop with emotion but with logic;
7. Have long-term goals and savings.

I had characteristics 3,4,6,7 and a little of 2. L had characteristics 2, 3, and a little of 6. Pat had characteristics 1,2,4,5,6, and a little of 7.

Now, review each of the characteristics that you checked and see if you primarily a shopaholic or a frugal person. I had half shopaholic and a little more than half frugality characteristics in me so I am somewhere between a 50/50 and a 40/60. Or you could be a 70/30 like my most shopaholic friend L (she doesn't want her name revealed), or 20/80 like my most frugal friend Pat. Irregardless, frugality is still the ultimate goal here. Let's all strive to achieve that.

Susan Boyle, the next winner on Britain's Got Talent?

Remember the saying "Never judge a book by its cover"? Well, that is how I would describe Susan Boyle, a volunteer church worker in her late-40s from Scotland who become an overnight superstar after she stunned the crowd with her angelic voice when she sang "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables on the U.K talent show Britain's Got Talent. I wanted to blog about this because I want to applaud Susan Boyle for her bravery to stand in front of large skeptical audience and show the world what a beautiful voice she has. Not only does she have an angelic voice, Susan Boyle is also an angel, she took care of her mother till her mother passed away at 91 in 2007; 10 years after her father passed away. Susan has never been married and never been kissed too.

When Susan Boyle stood on the stage saying she wants to be a professional singer like Elaine Paige, everyone in the crowd including the judges were cynical about her singing. Some of the people in the crowd laughed at her, and Simon Cowell even rolled his eyeballs. The moment Susan Boyle sang her first sentence of "I Dreamed a Dream in time gone by...", the crowd applauded and you could see the judges' jaws wide open. I was touched to tears by her voice, I will let you watch the video and let her voice speak for itself. Prepare that box of tissues, you will be needing it.

Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent

Les Misérables 10th Anniversary "I Dream a Dream"

Compare Susan Boyle's version of "I Dreamed a Dream" with the original one from Les Misérables, and tell me which one do you think is better. Be patient when you watch the original Les Misérables video, the sentence "I dreamed a dream in time gone by..." starts 1.05 minutes into that YouTube video. Taking into consideration that Susan Boyle has only sang in her church and never sang professionally in front of a large audience, I think Susan Boyle has a voice of an angel. Tell me what you think under comments below.

Recessionista Tip #1: SS09 Designer Hairbands for Less

Trend Alert for SS09: The hairband trend. Yes, hairbands are not just for little girls, they are for real women too! The hottest hairband designs of the season are those embellished with flowers, bows, feathers and jewels.

Some of my favorite Blair's hairband looks

Character Blair Cornelia Waldorf' in the popular American drama TV Series Gossip Girl lives this trend her whole prep school life in the upper east side. Well, Blair's hairbands are mainly sponsored by Stacey Lapidus, Jennifer Ouellette and Jennifer Behr which can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 each! Pretty with a definite equestrian feel, these bow-beaus are sure set to be a fashionista favorite.

Beauties in Bows: Victoria Beckham, Scarlett Johansson, Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson

Even our favorite Hollywood Fashionistas were also spotted with hairbands as they so gracefully grace the red carpet and sidewalks. I like the one that Jessica has on; which is by Jennifer Ouellette cost $70. I also found several more designs that I really liked especially this one by Miu Miu which is way out of my recessionista budget.

Miu Miu Bow Hairband

Tarina Tarantino (left); Forever 21 (right)

There are so many options out there. You could splurge on this one from Tarina Tarantino or get it at a steal from Forever 21. For me, I really liked the $167 one but my recessionista instinct tells me that it may be be a little steep for a hairband. The $5 one on the other hand was too plain and mass-produced looking for me.

Combining a cheap hairband with something I already own

IamRecessionista's own creation

So I decided to make my own floral hairband. I bought a grosgrain hairband from Forever 21 for $5 and combined it with a flower brooch I already had in my jewelry box that I might have paid $5 for it. I plucked out the grosgrain ribbon, and pinned on my flower brooch to the hairband. And voila! I have a one-of-a-kind hairband that only cost me $10! It's time to put on your "thinking" hairband and save big time on this new hottest trend.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Although it has been almost 2 months since I watched Confessions of a Shopaholic, parts of the movie still stuck with me. I could see tiny bits of myself in Miss Bloomwood when she goes on uncontrollable spending splurges and rationalizes her overspending by calling her purchases "investments"! There was one scene where Rebecca was determined not to buy anything before she walked into a sample sale. In the end, her competitive shopaholic behavior got the better of her and she walked out with more "investments" she didn't need. I am the same way too. Back in the days when I was so into sample sales (still am, but to a much lesser extent), I would justify my time waiting in line to get into the sale and then at the fitting room with loads of purchases; and I would call them "investments". 8/10 times many of those purchases would just sit in my closet for years without even seeing the outside world.

Rebecca trying to lay her hands on a pair of purple leather gloves

Rebecca's disarrayed closet - much similar to mine

As I continued to ponder to myself on how much of a Rebecca Bloomwood was I in reality, I have to confess that I do have some shopaholism in me. I always thought that I was a bargain hunter because it was the amount of money I was saving by snapping up good deals and not what I would be wasting as a result of my compulsive shopping behavior. The good news is I still have some frugality in me and I don't have any credit card debt and still have savings. You might go like "Okay, so what's the big deal since you are not a full-blown, hopeless Shopaholic case like Miss Bloomwood!" Well in times like this, where banks and companies go belly up and people are losing their jobs everyday, it is a big deal to realize that you have a shopaholism problem and inject more frugality into your lives today! I have been better at being frugal these days since I made my new year resolution to be a Recessionista. Hopefully I can give good advice, and get good advice from others too.